As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 1999.

                                               REGISTRATION NO. 333-74927
   ======================================================================
                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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

                                AMENDMENT NO. 1

                                      TO

                                   FORM S-3


                           Registration Statement
                                    under
                         The Securities Act of 1933

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

                            NEWELL RUBBERMAID INC.
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                        Delaware                   36-3514169 
             (State or other jurisdiction of    (I.R.S. employer 
             incorporation or organization)     identification no.)

                          29 East Stephenson Street
                          Freeport, Illinois 61032
        (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                             Dale L. Matschullat
                       Vice President-General Counsel
                        6833 Stalter Drive, Suite 101
                          Rockford, Illinois 61108
                   (Name and address of agent for service)

                               (815) 381-8110
        (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                               With a copy to:

                            Frederick L. Hartmann
                              Lauralyn G. Bengel
                            Schiff Hardin & Waite
                              7200 Sears Tower
                          Chicago, Illinois  60606
                               (312) 258-5500

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

        Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to the Public:
   From time to time after the Registration Statement becomes effective.
        If the only securities being registered on this Form are being
   offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please
   check the following box.  [ ]





        If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be
   offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under
   the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in
   connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the
   following box.  [x]
        If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an
   offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please
   check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
   statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for
   the same offering.  [ ]
        If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule
   462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the
   Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
   registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
        If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to
   Rule 434, please check the following box.  [ ]

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




                             EXPLANATORY NOTE

        On March 24, 1999, by virtue of a merger of Rooster Company, a 
   wholly owned subsidiary of Newell Co., with and into Rubbermaid 
   Incorporated, (i) each outstanding share of common stock of Rubbermaid
   was converted into .7883 shares of Common Stock of Newell Co., and 
   (ii) Newell Co. changed its name to Newell Rubbermaid Inc.

        Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (formerly known as Newell Co.) hereby
   amends the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-74927),
   filed on March 24, 1999 by filing this Amendment No. 1 to reflect the
   change in the corproate name to Newell Rubbermaid Inc.


                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION - DATED MARCH 29, 1999

   PROSPECTUS
  
                           NEWELL RUBBERMAID INC.



                               300,000 Shares
                       Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value 

                         RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN

        This Prospectus relates to shares of common stock of Newell 
   Rubbermaid Inc. ("Newell") which may be offered and sold under the 
   Rubbermaid Retirement Plan.
   
        Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the
   Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol "NWL."  On March 19, 1999, the
   closing sale price of the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange
   was $47.25 per share. 

        The mailing address and telephone number of Newell's principal
   executive offices are: 29 East Stephenson Street, Freeport, Illinois
   61032; telephone: (815) 235-4171.

          This Prospectus should be retained for future reference.

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

   Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
   securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities
   or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus.  Any
   representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.  

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


               The date of this Prospectus is March  ___, 1999


   The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. 
   We may not sell these securities until the registration statement
   filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective.  This
   prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not
   soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the
   offer or sale is not permitted.

   You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by
   reference in this Prospectus.  The information in this Prospectus is
   accurate as of the dates on these documents, and you should not assume
   that it is accurate as of any other date. 



                              TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                     PAGE

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    5

NEWELL RUBBERMAID INC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    5

DESCRIPTION OF THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN  . . . . . . . . . . .    7

   WHERE WILL MY RETIREMENT INCOME COME FROM?  . . . . . . . . . . .    8

   WHEN DO I BECOME A PARTICIPANT? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    8
        NEW HIRES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    8
        TRANSFERS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    8
        CONTINUATION OF PARTICIPATION -- PLAN MERGERS  . . . . . . .    8
        ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCOUNT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    8

   WHAT IS "COVERED EMPLOYMENT"? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    8

   ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL RULES THAT APPLY TO ME? . . . . . . . . . .    9

   WHO IS THE RECORDKEEPER UNDER THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN? . .    9

   WHEN MAY I START MAKING SALARY DEFERRAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
        RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9

   HOW DO I MAKE SALARY DEFERRAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RUBBERMAID
        RETIREMENT PLAN? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9

   WHAT ARE THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF MY ELECTION TO MAKE SALARY
        DEFERRAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN?  .    10

   WHEN DO I BECOME ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE RUBBERMAID MATCHING
        CONTRIBUTION?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    10

   WHEN DO I BECOME ELIGIBLE TO SHARE IN THE ANNUAL RUBBERMAID
        CONTRIBUTION?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    10

   WHAT IS THE ANNUAL RUBBERMAID CONTRIBUTION MADE TO MY ACCOUNT?  .    11

   CAN I MAKE A ROLLOVER CONTRIBUTION TO THE PLAN? . . . . . . . . .    11

   WHAT IS A "YEAR OF SERVICE?"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    11

   WHAT IS AN "HOUR OF SERVICE"? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    11

   MAY ASSOCIATES MAKE VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RUBBERMAID
        RETIREMENT PLAN? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    12

   HOW WILL MY MONEY BE INVESTED?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    12

   WHEN MAY I RECEIVE DISTRIBUTION OF AMOUNTS HELD IN MY ACCOUNT
        UNDER THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN?  . . . . . . . . . . .    13

   WHEN DO I BECOME ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    13


                                     2

   WHAT HAPPENS IF I BECOME DISABLED WHILE EMPLOYED BY MY ADOPTING
        EMPLOYER?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    14

   WHAT HAPPENS IF I DIE WHILE EMPLOYED BY RUBBERMAID OR A
        SUBSIDIARY OR DIVISION OF RUBBERMAID?  . . . . . . . . . . .    14

   WHAT HAPPENS IF MY EMPLOYMENT TERMINATES FOR ANY REASON OTHER
        THAN DEATH OR DISABILITY?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    15

   HOW DO I DETERMINE THE VESTED PART OF MY ACCOUNT? . . . . . . . .    15

   WHAT IS A "BREAK IN SERVICE?" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    16

   WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PART OF MY ACCOUNT THAT IS NOT VESTED IF MY
        EMPLOYMENT TERMINATES? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    16

   WHAT IF I AM REHIRED? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    16
        RESTORING PAST YEARS OF SERVICE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    16
        RE-CREDITING FORFEITED AMOUNTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    17

   HOW ARE BENEFITS DISTRIBUTED? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    17

   WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT ARE AVAILABLE TO ME?  . . . . . . . . . . .    17

   RUBBERMAID PROFIT SHARING PLAN PARTICIPANTS . . . . . . . . . . .    18
        FORMS OF PAYMENT FOR RUBBERMAID PROFIT SHARING PLAN
             PARTICIPANTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    19

   WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT ARE AVAILABLE TO MY BENEFICIARY?  . . . . .    20
        FORM OF PAYMENT TO BENEFICIARY OF RUBBERMAID PROFIT SHARING
             PLAN PARTICIPANT  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    20

   WHO IS MY BENEFICIARY UNDER THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN? . . .    20
        SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR DESIGNATING BENEFICIARY OF RUBBERMAID
             PROFIT SHARING PLAN PARTICIPANT . . . . . . . . . . . .    21

   HOW DO I APPLY FOR BENEFITS?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    21

   ARE TAXES REQUIRED TO BE WITHHELD FROM MY DISTRIBUTION? . . . . .    21

   WHAT OTHER TAX RULES APPLY TO MY DISTRIBUTION?  . . . . . . . . .    22

   IS MY ACCOUNT SUBJECT TO CLAIMS OF CREDITORS? . . . . . . . . . .    23

   ARE BENEFITS INSURED BY THE PBGC? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    23

   CAN I BORROW FROM THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN? . . . . . . . .    23

   CAN I WITHDRAW MY ASSOCIATE VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
        RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    23

   CAN THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN BE TERMINATED? . . . . . . . .    24


                                     3

   CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN?    24

   WHO PAYS PLAN EXPENSES? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   24

   HOW ARE PLAN EXPENSES PAID? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25

   WHAT LAWS GOVERN THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN?  . . . . . . . .   25

   WHAT ARE MY ERISA PROTECTED RIGHTS? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   26

   HOW DO I APPEAL A DENIAL OF MY CLAIM FOR BENEFITS?  . . . . . . .   27

   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
        PLAN ADMINISTRATOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
        AGENT FOR SERVICE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
        SPONSOR  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
        EMPLOYER ID NUMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
        PLAN NUMBER  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
        RECORDKEEPER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
        TRUSTEE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28

   Appendix A -- Adopting Employers and Locations  . . . . . . . . .   29

   APPENDIX B -- SPECIAL RULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30

   APPENDIX C -- RUBBERMAID UNITIZED STOCK FUND  . . . . . . . . . .   31
        FEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32

   APPENDIX D -- SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL DATA FOR INVESTMENT FUNDS --
        1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
        RATES OF RETURN  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   36

   APPENDIX E -- STABLE VALUE FUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
        INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
        FUND DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
        RISK CONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
        RATING DEFINITION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   39
        PERFORMANCE DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   39
        INVESTOR TYPE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   39
        FUND MANAGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   40
        FEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   40

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41

USE OF PROCEEDS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41

EXPERTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41

LEGAL MATTERS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41


                                     4



                     WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION


        We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements
   and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document
   we file at the SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New
   York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-
   SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Our
   SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC's web site at
   http://www.sec.gov.

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this
   prospectus the information we file with it, which means that we can
   disclose important information to you by referring you to those
   documents.  The information incorporated by reference is considered to
   be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with
   the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.  We
   incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future
   filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of
   the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until our offering is completed:

   1.   Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998;

   2.   Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 11, 1999;

   3.   Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 25, 1999;

   4.   The description of our common stock contained in Newell's
        Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed with the Securities and
        Exchange Commission on June 30, 1987; and

   5.   The description of Newell's Rights contained in our Registration
        Statement on Form 8-A12B dated August 28, 1998.

        You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing to
   or telephoning us at the following address:

        Newell Rubbermaid Inc.
        6833 Stalter Drive
        Suite 101
        Rockford, Illinois  61108
        Tel: 1-800-424-1941
        Attn:     Office of Investor Relations

         You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference
   or provided in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone else to
   provide you with different information.  We are not making an offer of
   these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted.  You
   should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate
   as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.

                          NEWELL RUBBERMAID INC.

   Newell Rubbermaid Inc. ("Newell") is a manufacturer and full-service 
   marketer of staple consumer products sold to high-volume purchasers, 
   including home centers and hardware stores, office superstores and 
   contract stationers, discount stores and warehouse clubs, department 



                                     5


   and specialty stores, and drug and grocery stores. Newell's basic 
   business strategy is to merchandise a multi-product offering of brand 
   name consumer products, which are concentrated in product categories 
   with relatively steady demand not dependent on changes in fashion, 
   technology or season, and to differentiate itself by emphasizing 
   superior customer service.
   Newell's multi-product offering consists of staple consumer products
   in three major product groups: Hardware and Home Furnishings, Office
   Products, and Housewares.
      
        Newell believes that its primary competitive strengths are
   superior customer service, innovative marketing and merchandising
   programs, a broad multi-product offering, market leadership in
   virtually all product categories, decentralized manufacturing and
   marketing, centralized administration, and experienced management.
   Newell uses industry leading technology which contributes to its
   consistent on time delivery of products to its customers. 

        Newell's principal corporate offices are located at the Newell
   Center, 29 East Stephenson Street, Freeport, Illinois 61032, and its
   telephone number at these offices is 1-815-235-4171.
    
        On March 24, 1999, Rubbermaid Incorporated was merged with
   Newell and Newell's name was changed to Newell Rubbermaid Inc.  
   Rubbermaid and its subsidiaries manufacture, market, sell and
   distribute products for resale in the consumer, commercial,
   industrial, institutional, specialty, agricultural and contract
   markets. The items produced and marketed by Rubbermaid are principally
   in the home, juvenile, infant and commercial products categories, and
   include such product lines as: housewares, hardware, storage and
   organizational products, seasonal items, leisure and recreational
   products, infant furnishings, children's toys and products, commercial
   and industrial maintenance products, home health care products,
   sanitary maintenance items, and food service products. Rubbermaid's
   broad range of  products are sold and distributed through its own
   sales personnel and manufacturers' agents to a variety of retailers
   and wholesalers, including discount stores and warehouse clubs, toy
   stores, home centers and hardware stores, supermarkets, catalog
   showrooms and distributors serving institutional markets. 
   Rubbermaid's basic strategy is to market branded, high-quality
   products that offer high value to customers and consumers. Value is
   that best combination of quality, service, timeliness, innovation and
   price as perceived by the user. 
                                          
        In connection with this corporate merger, each share of 
   Rubbermaid Common Stock held under the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan
   as of the merger date has been converted into .7883 shares of Newell 
   Rubbermaid Common Stock.  The portion of a Plan account that has 
   been converted into Newell Rubbermaid Common Stock will continue to 
   be subject to a participant's current investment direction, unless
   and until the participant changes his investment direction in
   accordance with applicable Plan procedures.  All other Plan provisions
   and procedures remain unchanged.

                                     6














                            PROSPECTUS FOR THE

                     RUBBERMAID UNITIZED STOCK FUND

                          AND STABLE VALUE FUND

                                   AND

                        SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION

                                   FOR

                               RUBBERMAID

                            RETIREMENT PLAN


             THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES PART OF A PROSPECTUS
             COVERING SECURITIES THAT HAVE BEEN REGISTERED
                   UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.


                           [RUBBERMAID LOGO]











                                    7


               DESCRIPTION OF THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN

   HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN

   This summary contains an explanation of a very valuable benefit: the
   Rubbermaid Retirement Plan (formerly known as the Rubbermaid
   Incorporated Associates' Profit Sharing Retirement Plan).  This
   summary plan description describes the plan as in effect on July 1,
   1998, except as otherwise noted.  

   SOME OF THE KEY FEATURES OF THE
   RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN ARE:

   401(k) Feature:
   *    You can make "salary deferral" contributions on a regular basis
        through a payroll deduction program. The amount you elect to
        contribute can be a whole percentage of your eligible
        compensation of not less than one percent and not more than 12
        percent unless limited by Rubbermaid for the plan year.
    
   *    Your "salary deferral" contributions and earnings on them are
        tax-deferred. That means you pay no Federal, and in most cases,
        no state income taxes on your savings until you take them out of
        the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan.
    
   *    For each dollar that you contribute to the Rubbermaid Retirement
        Plan up to a maximum of 6% of your eligible compensation,
        Rubbermaid will contribute $.50.  Earnings on Rubbermaid matching
        contributions are tax-deferred.

   *    You can also make rollover contributions from other qualified
        retirement plans or a conduit IRA to the Rubbermaid Retirement
        Plan.

   ANNUAL RUBBERMAID CONTRIBUTION: 
   *    Rubbermaid makes an annual contribution to the Rubbermaid
        Retirement Plan for eligible associates based on their eligible
        compensation.

   *    In order to receive the annual Rubbermaid contribution, you must
        be a participant in covered employment on the last day of the
        calendar year and have worked or been credited with 1,000 or more
        hours of service during the calendar year. (Special rules apply
        in cases of death, total and permanent disability, or military
        service.)

   INVESTMENT CONTROL: 
   *    You control the investment among the available funds of all
        amounts held in your account under the Rubbermaid Retirement
        Plan. 

   The Rubbermaid Retirement Plan is an important benefit. Please make
   sure you discuss it with your family. 


                                     8

             RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION

   WHERE WILL MY RETIREMENT INCOME COME FROM?

   Retirement planning is a shared responsibility between you, your
   employer, and the government. The government provides Social Security
   benefits. Rubbermaid contributes to the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan on
   your behalf. You can also contribute to the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan
   on a tax-deferred basis through regular payroll withholding.

   WHEN DO I BECOME A PARTICIPANT?

   NEW HIRES

   If you are hired into covered employment, you become a participant in
   the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan as of the January 1 which immediately
   follows your date of hire.  If you are hired on January 1, you will
   immediately become a participant in the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan. 

   TRANSFERS

   If you transfer into covered employment, you become a participant in
   the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan on the later of (1) your transfer date
   or (2) the January 1 that coincides with or immediately follows your
   original date of hire by Rubbermaid or any subsidiary or division of
   Rubbermaid. 

   CONTINUATION OF PARTICIPATION -- PLAN MERGERS

   Effective April 1, 1995, the Rubbermaid Commercial Products Inc.
   Associates' Profit Sharing Retirement Plan and the Rubbermaid
   Incorporated Profit Sharing Plan were merged into the Rubbermaid
   Retirement Plan. If you were a participant in the Rubbermaid
   Commercial Products Inc. Associates' Profit Sharing Retirement Plan or
   the Rubbermaid Incorporated Profit Sharing Plan on March 31, 1995, and
   you continue in covered employment, you automatically became a
   participant in the amended and restated Rubbermaid Retirement Plan on
   April 1, 1995. 

   ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCOUNT

   When you become a participant in the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan, an
   account is established in your name to hold your salary deferral
   contributions, your Rubbermaid matching contributions, your rollover
   contributions and your share of the annual Rubbermaid contribution,
   and investment earnings on those amounts. 

   WHAT IS "COVERED EMPLOYMENT"?

   You are in "covered employment" if you are employed by an adopting
   employer at a plant, division, or other business operation to which



                                     9


   coverage has been extended and you are not covered by a collective
   bargaining agreement. Adopting employers and covered operations are
   listed at the end of this summary plan description in Appendix A. 

   ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL RULES THAT APPLY TO ME?

   If you previously participated in another plan that was merged into
   the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan or if you are employed by an employer
   that was acquired by Rubbermaid or a subsidiary of Rubbermaid, special
   rules may apply to you and/or all or a part of your account under the
   Rubbermaid Retirement Plan.  Additionally, certain portions of the
   Rubbermaid Retirement Plan, such as the annual Rubbermaid
   contribution, are not available to associates of certain adopting
   employers.  A description of these special rules which either
   supersede or supplement the rules otherwise outlined in this summary
   plan description are listed in Appendix B.

   WHO IS THE RECORDKEEPER UNDER THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN?

   Rubbermaid has hired Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services
   Company ("Fidelity") as recordkeeper for the Rubbermaid Retirement
   Plan. Fidelity processes many of the elections you will make under the
   Rubbermaid Retirement Plan including your election to make salary
   deferral contributions to the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan. 

   In addition, Fidelity also processes your elections regarding rollover
   contributions, investment of your account, designation of a
   beneficiary to receive distribution of your remaining account if you
   die before your account is distributed in full, receipt of a loan from
   your account, and receipt of a withdrawal or distribution from your
   account. If you have any questions regarding the procedures for
   conducting any of these transactions, you should contact Fidelity
   directly at 1-800-301-4015. 

   WHEN MAY I START MAKING SALARY DEFERRAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
   RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN?

   Upon becoming a participant, you may elect to start making salary
   deferral contributions to the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan through
   Fidelity, in accordance with rules and procedures prescribed by
   Rubbermaid. For more information regarding the applicable rules and
   procedures, please contact your Human Resources department. 

   Your election will be given effect as soon as reasonably practicable
   after it is received by Fidelity. 

   HOW DO I MAKE SALARY DEFERRAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RUBBERMAID
   RETIREMENT PLAN?

   You make salary deferral contributions through regular payroll
   deductions. You designate the percentage of your eligible compensation



                                     10


   that you wish to contribute to the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan as
   salary deferral contributions, and that amount is deducted from each
   paycheck and contributed to the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan on your
   behalf. The percentage you designate must be a whole number of not
   less than one and not more than 12 percent unless limited by
   Rubbermaid for the plan year.  You may at any time change your
   election to make or not to make salary deferral contributions from
   future compensation.

   WHAT ARE THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF MY ELECTION TO MAKE SALARY DEFERRAL
   CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN?

   Your salary deferral contributions to the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan
   are not subject to Federal income tax until they are distributed or
   withdrawn from the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan. In addition, the income
   and appreciation on your salary deferral contributions are not subject
   to Federal income tax while held by the Trustee and are not includable
   in your taxable income until distributed or withdrawn.

   Your salary deferral contributions are, however, "wages" subject to
   Social Security tax up to the amount of the contribution and benefit
   base as determined under Section 230 of the Social Security Act. In
   addition, your salary deferral contributions are subject to the
   Medicare portion of the FICA taxes regardless of income level. 

   WHEN DO I BECOME ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE RUBBERMAID MATCHING
   CONTRIBUTION?

   If you are eligible and you elect to make salary deferral
   contributions to the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan, Rubbermaid will make
   a matching contribution each payroll period equal to 50% of the first
   6% of your eligible compensation contributed to the Rubbermaid
   Retirement Plan as a salary deferral contribution for the payroll
   period.

   WHEN DO I BECOME ELIGIBLE TO SHARE IN THE ANNUAL RUBBERMAID
   CONTRIBUTION?

   Annual Rubbermaid contributions are made to the Rubbermaid Retirement
   Plan and shared among eligible participants. To be eligible you must: 

   *    be a participant, 

   *    be employed by an adopting employer, that participates in the
        annual Rubbermaid contribution, on the last day of the plan year
        (i.e., December 31), unless you terminated employment because of
        death, total and permanent disability, or military service and
        you received eligible compensation from your adopting employer
        for the plan year, and 




                                     11


   *    have been credited with 1,000 or more hours of service during the
        plan year. 

   WHAT IS THE ANNUAL RUBBERMAID CONTRIBUTION MADE TO MY ACCOUNT?

   Generally, the amount that Rubbermaid contributes to the Rubbermaid
   Retirement Plan each year on behalf of eligible participants is equal
   to the following: 

   *    six percent of each eligible participant's eligible compensation
        (as defined below) for the plan year, plus 

   *    an additional percentage (not to exceed three percent) of each
        eligible participant's eligible compensation determined based on
        improvement in the Economic Value Added (EVA) for Rubbermaid and
        all subsidiaries and divisions of Rubbermaid.

   ELIGIBLE COMPENSATION IS YOUR BASE PAY, OVERTIME AND CERTAIN OTHER
   EARNINGS THAT ARE PAID AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR BASE PAY OR A MODIFICATION
   TO BASE PAY.  IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT CONSTITUTES
   "ELIGIBLE COMPENSATION" FOR PURPOSES OF THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT
   PLAN, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

   CAN I MAKE A ROLLOVER CONTRIBUTION TO THE PLAN?

   If you are a covered employee of an adopting employer and you
   previously participated in a qualified retirement plan of another
   employer, any distribution you receive from such plan may be rolled
   over into the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan.  For information regarding
   the rules and procedures applicable to rollover contributions, please
   contact Fidelity.  Your eligibility to participate in all other parts
   of the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan is contingent on the satisfaction of
   the eligibility requirements set forth on page 5 above.  

   WHAT IS A "YEAR OF SERVICE?"

   A year of service is credited to you for each plan year (January 1 to
   December 31) in which you have completed 1,000 or more hours of
   service with Rubbermaid or any subsidiary or division of Rubbermaid or
   a predecessor employer as set forth in Appendix B.

   WHAT IS AN "HOUR OF SERVICE"?

   An hour of service is credited for each hour for which you are
   entitled to receive compensation from Rubbermaid or any subsidiary or
   division of Rubbermaid or a predecessor employer as set forth in
   Appendix B, whether or not you perform duties during such period.
   However, hours of service are not credited to you for periods in which
   you are absent from employment and receive compensation under a plan
   maintained solely for the purpose of complying with workers'
   compensation or unemployment compensation laws.


                                     12



   Hours of service are also credited for certain periods during which
   you are not entitled to payment. For example, you will receive credit
   for hours of service during periods of approved absence or military
   duty (if following your discharge from active military duty, you
   return to employment with Rubbermaid or any subsidiary or division of
   Rubbermaid while your re-employment rights are protected by Federal
   law). 

   The number of hours of service credited to you during a period that
   you are absent from employment will be equal to the number of hours
   you would normally have been scheduled to work if you had not been
   absent. Hours of service may be credited on the basis of approved
   equivalencies rather than actual hours worked. 

   MAY ASSOCIATES MAKE VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RUBBERMAID
   RETIREMENT PLAN?

   Prior law provided that associates could make other additional
   deductible contributions and/or nondeductible contributions other than
   salary deferral contributions. The law was changed in 1986 to
   eliminate the allowance of deductible contributions and place severe
   restrictions on nondeductible contributions. Because of the change in
   the law, the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan does not allow any further
   associate voluntary contributions. Associate voluntary contributions
   made prior to the change remain in the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan. 

   HOW WILL MY MONEY BE INVESTED?

   All contributions to the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan are transferred to
   the Trustee to administer until they are paid out under the terms of
   the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan. You are permitted to direct
   investments of your account. The right to direct investments is
   subject to certain limitations and restrictions. You may only invest
   in the investment funds offered under the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan. 

   Two of the investment funds offered under the Rubbermaid Retirement
   Plan are the Rubbermaid Unitized Stock Fund, which is invested
   primarily in Rubbermaid common stock, and the Stable Value Fund, which
   is managed by PRIMCO Capital Management. Information regarding these
   two investment funds can be found in the Appendices at the end of this
   summary plan description. The Appendices will be updated periodically.

   The other investment funds available under the Rubbermaid Retirement
   Plan are mutual funds that Rubbermaid has selected to offer you a wide
   range of investment opportunities. Information regarding the mutual
   funds and the rules for making investment elections is contained in
   the separate investment materials available from Fidelity. 

   You can make two elections regarding investment of your account. One
   election controls the investment of future salary deferral
   contributions, Rubbermaid matching contributions and annual Rubbermaid


                                     13




   contributions coming into your account. The other election controls
   the investment of amounts currently held in your account. 

   You will receive a quarterly statement regarding the value of your
   account. 

   It is intended that the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan satisfy the
   requirements of Section 404(c) of the Employee Retirement Income
   Security Act of 1974.  As a result, Rubbermaid Retirement Plan
   fiduciaries will not be liable for any losses resulting directly from
   your exercise of investment control over your account under the
   Rubbermaid Retirement Plan.

   WHEN MAY I RECEIVE DISTRIBUTION OF AMOUNTS HELD IN MY ACCOUNT UNDER
   THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN?

   Generally, distribution of your account may not be made to you (or
   your beneficiary) until you retire, die, or otherwise terminate
   employment. 

   The following sections discuss in detail the timing of distributions,
   the amounts that are distributable to you upon the occurrence of a
   distribution event, and the forms of payment available for
   distributions. However, if your employment terminates for any reason
   and your distributable account balance is $5,000 or less, your entire
   distributable account balance will be distributed to you (or your
   beneficiary) in a lump sum payment as soon as administratively
   practicable following your termination of employment. As a result, you
   (or your beneficiary) would not have the ability to defer receipt of
   benefits until a later date as described below nor to elect a form of
   payment other than a lump sum. 

   WHEN DO I BECOME ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE?

   The normal retirement age is 65, at which time you become fully vested
   in all amounts being held in your account under the Rubbermaid
   Retirement Plan regardless of your years of service. If you decide to
   retire at normal retirement age, you may elect to receive all or a
   portion of your account balance at that time or to defer payment to a
   later date, but not later than the April 1 of the calendar year
   following the calendar year in which you attain age 70-1/2. 

   You may elect to continue working for your adopting employer beyond
   normal retirement age. In that event, you will continue to be eligible
   to make salary deferral contributions and receive Rubbermaid matching
   contributions under the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan and, to the extent
   that you meet the applicable eligibility requirements, to share in the
   annual Rubbermaid contribution to the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan until
   your actual retirement. You may also elect to receive benefits from
   the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan after you reach normal retirement age
   even if you are still employed. 



                                     14


   WHAT HAPPENS IF I BECOME DISABLED WHILE EMPLOYED BY MY ADOPTING
   EMPLOYER?

   For periods of employer-approved leave due to disability, you will
   continue to be a participant under the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan. You
   will receive credit for hours of service, even though you are not
   physically working, unless your leave is the result of an occupational
   illness or injury. However, you will only be permitted to make salary
   deferral contributions to the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan and to share
   in Rubbermaid matching contributions and in the annual Rubbermaid
   contribution to the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan during such leave to
   the extent that you receive eligible compensation from your adopting
   employer while on leave. 

   If while you are on employer-approved leave, it is determined that you
   are totally and permanently disabled (as defined in the Rubbermaid
   Retirement Plan), you will become fully vested in your account under
   the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan regardless of your years of service and
   you may elect to retire because of disability. You will be eligible to
   receive a share of the annual Rubbermaid contribution for the year in
   which you retire because of total and permanent disability, provided
   you have received eligible compensation from your adopting employer
   for that year. 

   If you retire because of total and permanent disability, you may elect
   to receive all or a portion of your account balance at that time or to
   defer distribution until a later date (but not beyond the April 1 of
   the calendar year following the calendar year in which you attain age
   70-1/2).

   TOTAL AND PERMANENT DISABILITY IS DEFINED UNDER THE RUBBERMAID
   RETIREMENT PLAN AS A PHYSICAL OR MENTAL CONDITION RESULTING FROM
   BODILY INJURY, DISEASE OR MENTAL DISORDER WHICH RENDERS A PERSON
   INCAPABLE OF PERFORMING ANY JOB FOR HIS ADOPTING EMPLOYER. AN
   ASSOCIATE WILL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE TOTALLY AND PERMANENTLY DISABLED
   UNLESS MEDICAL EVIDENCE OF THE DISABILITY IS SUBMITTED TO RUBBERMAID
   BY A LICENSED PHYSICIAN AND EITHER: 

   *    THE ASSOCIATE QUALIFIES FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS UNDER SOCIAL
        SECURITY; OR 

   *    IS ELIGIBLE UNDER THE RUBBERMAID HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN
        FOR LIFE INSURANCE WAIVER OF PREMIUM. 

   WHAT HAPPENS IF I DIE WHILE EMPLOYED BY RUBBERMAID OR A SUBSIDIARY OR
   DIVISION OF RUBBERMAID?

   If you die while you are employed by Rubbermaid or a subsidiary or
   division of Rubbermaid, the total amount in your account will be fully
   vested regardless of your years of service. Your account balance will
   be payable to your beneficiary(ies). 


                                     15




   WHAT HAPPENS IF MY EMPLOYMENT TERMINATES FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN
   DEATH OR DISABILITY?

   If your employment with Rubbermaid and all subsidiaries and divisions
   of Rubbermaid terminates prior to your retirement, total and permanent
   disability, or death, you might only be entitled to receive a part of
   your account under the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan. The amount you will
   be entitled to receive in such event is the vested part of your
   account. 

   You may elect to receive all or a portion of the vested part of your
   account balance at the time your employment terminates or to defer
   distribution until a later date (but not beyond the April 1 of the
   calendar year following the calendar year in which you attain age
   70-1/2).

   HOW DO I DETERMINE THE VESTED PART OF MY ACCOUNT?

   You are always fully vested in the salary deferral contributions,
   Rubbermaid matching contributions and rollover contributions and the
   earnings on those contributions that are held in your account. You are
   also always fully vested in the associate voluntary contributions and
   the earnings on those contributions that were permitted to be made to
   the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan prior to January 1, 1987 and which are
   held in your account. 

   Your vested interest in the annual Rubbermaid contributions and the
   earnings on those contributions that are held in your account is
   determined based upon your years of service. If you have been credited
   with seven years of service you are fully vested in the annual
   Rubbermaid contributions and earnings held in your account. 

   If you have been credited with fewer than seven years of service, only
   a part of the annual Rubbermaid contributions and earnings on them
   that are held in your account will be "vested." The percentage of
   those contributions and earnings that is vested is as follows: 

        Years of Service    Vested Percentage
        ----------------    -----------------

             1                     0%
             2                     0%
             3                    20%
             4                    40%
             5                    60%
             6                    80%
             7 or more           100%

   In general, all of your years of service with Rubbermaid or any
   subsidiary or division of Rubbermaid apply to vesting. However, if
   your employment with Rubbermaid and all subsidiaries and divisions of
   Rubbermaid terminates, on re-employment you will receive no credit for


                                     16




   years of service that took place prior to your termination unless
   either:

   *    you had a vested interest in salary deferral contributions or
        employer contributions held in your account at the time of the
        termination; or 

   *    the number of consecutive breaks in service you incur after the
        termination is fewer than five. 

   WHAT IS A "BREAK IN SERVICE?"

   If during any plan year you fail to complete more than 500 hours of
   service, a break in service will occur. 

   WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PART OF MY ACCOUNT THAT IS NOT VESTED IF MY
   EMPLOYMENT TERMINATES?

   The nonvested part of your account will be held in a suspended account
   in your name until the earlier of (1) the end of the plan year in
   which your employment terminated or (2) the date you receive a
   distribution from your account. If you are not rehired before that
   date, you will lose (forfeit) any right to the nonvested amount. Any
   forfeited amount will be used to offset the annual Rubbermaid
   contribution for that plan year. 

   WHAT IF I AM REHIRED?

   If you terminate employment with Rubbermaid and all subsidiaries or
   divisions of Rubbermaid and later return to work with Rubbermaid or a
   subsidiary or division of Rubbermaid, you should be concerned about
   two things:

   (1)  whether your past years of service will be included with years of
        service you earn after your re-employment in determining your
        vested part of the annual Rubbermaid contributions held in your
        account following your reemployment; and 

   (2)  whether any amounts you forfeited because of your prior
        termination will be re-credited to your account upon
        reemployment. 

   RESTORING PAST YEARS OF SERVICE

   Your years of service earned before your termination of employment
   with Rubbermaid and all subsidiaries and divisions of Rubbermaid will
   not be included with your years of service earned after your
   re-employment unless one of the following applies: 

   *    You made salary deferral contributions to the Rubbermaid
        Retirement Plan before your termination of employment. 


                                     17




   *    You were vested in part of the annual Rubbermaid contributions
        held in your account. 

   *    You are re-employed before you incur five breaks in service after
        your termination.

   If your past years of service are not restored on re-employment, you
   will be treated as a new participant in the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan
   and your vested part of the annual Rubbermaid contributions held in
   your account will be determined based only on the years of service you
   earn following your re-employment.

   RE-CREDITING FORFEITED AMOUNTS

   If you forfeited the nonvested part of your account when you
   terminated employment with Rubbermaid and all subsidiaries and
   divisions of Rubbermaid, the forfeited amounts will be recredited to
   your account upon re-employment only if all of the following
   requirements are met: 

   (1)  you are re-employed with Rubbermaid or a subsidiary or division
        of Rubbermaid before you incur five breaks in service following
        the later of (i) your termination date or (ii) the date you
        received distribution from your account because of your
        termination; 

   (2)  you resume covered employment within five years of your
        re-employment date; and 

   (3)  you re-pay any distribution you received from the Rubbermaid
        Retirement Plan upon your prior termination (i) before you incur
        five consecutive breaks in service following the distribution and
        (ii) within five years of your reemployment date. 

   HOW ARE BENEFITS DISTRIBUTED?

   There are various forms of payment by which benefits may be
   distributed to you from the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan. The form of
   payment depends on the elections you make. The rules under this
   section apply to all distributions you will receive from the
   Rubbermaid Retirement Plan, whether by reason of retirement,
   termination or any other event which may result in a distribution of
   benefits. 

   WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT ARE AVAILABLE TO ME?

   You can elect the form of payment which best suits you. All elections
   must be made in accordance with procedures prescribed by Rubbermaid.
   Any such election can generally be modified or revoked. The forms of
   payment are: 



                                     18



   (1)  Lump sum

   (2)  Periodic payments 

   You may elect any one or a combination of these forms. 

   For example, you may choose to receive part of your account balance in
   a single lump sum payment and receive the remainder of the account in
   installment payments over 10 years. IRS rules require that beginning
   on the April 1 following the later of the calendar year in which you
   retire or the calendar year in which you reach age 70-1/2, the form of
   payment you elect must provide for distribution of your full account
   balance over a period no longer than your life expectancy. 

   RUBBERMAID PROFIT SHARING PLAN PARTICIPANTS

   Special provisions concerning distribution of your account apply to
   you if you are a Rubbermaid Profit Sharing Plan participant. You are a
   Rubbermaid Profit Sharing Plan participant if prior to April 1, 1995
   you were employed by an employer that participated in the Rubbermaid
   Profit Sharing Plan and you had an account under the Rubbermaid Profit
   Sharing Plan that was transferred to the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan on
   April 1, 1995. The following adopting employers participated in the
   Rubbermaid Profit Sharing Plan: 

   (1)  Rubbermaid Commercial Products Inc. at Cleveland, Tennessee; 

   (2)  Rubbermaid Health Care Products at Statesville, North Carolina
        (formerly Rubbermaid -- Statesville, Inc. and Carex Inc.); 

   (3)  Rubbermaid-Cortland, Inc. at Cortland, New York;

   (4)  Rubbermaid Specialty (Seasonal) Products, Inc. at Centerville,
        Iowa;

   (5)  Rubbermaid Specialty (Seasonal) Products, Inc. at Winfield,
        Kansas; 

   (6)  Rubbermaid Office Products, Inc. at Maryville, Tennessee

   (7)  Rubbermaid Office Products, Inc. at Carson, California;

   (8)  Rubbermaid Incorporated at Goodyear, Arizona; 

   (9)  The Little Tikes Company at Hudson, Ohio; 

   (10) The Little Tikes Company at Sebring, Ohio; 

   (11) The Little Tikes Company at City of Industry, California;

   (12) The Little Tikes Company (Missouri) at Aurora, Missouri;


                                     19




   (13) The Little Tikes Company (Pennsylvania) at Shippensburg,
        Pennsylvania; and

   (14) Microcomputer Accessories, Inc. at Inglewood, California.

   FORMS OF PAYMENT FOR RUBBERMAID PROFIT SHARING PLAN PARTICIPANTS
    
   If you are a Rubbermaid Profit Sharing Plan participant, additional
   forms of payment are available for distribution of that part of your
   account that is attributable to your participation in the Rubbermaid
   Profit Sharing Plan. The additional forms of payment are:

   (1)  Annuity

   (2)  Installment payments over a period not exceeding the joint life
        expectancy of you and your beneficiary 

   Unless you elect one of the other available forms of payment,
   distribution of that part of your account that is attributable to your
   participation in the Rubbermaid Profit Sharing Plan will be made: 

   *    in a single life annuity, if you are not married on the date
        payment begins, or 

   *    a 50% qualified joint and survivor annuity, if you are married on
        the date payment begins.

   If you elect to receive distribution in the form of an annuity, that
   part of your account balance that is attributable to your
   participation in the Rubbermaid Profit Sharing Plan will be used to
   purchase the appropriate annuity from an insurance company. The cost
   of purchasing an annuity can be significant relative to the total
   account balance. All costs related to the purchase of this annuity
   will be subtracted from your account balance. 

   If you are married on the date payment begins, you must have your
   spouse's written consent to elect a form of payment other than the 50%
   qualified joint and survivor annuity. Your spouse's consent must be
   witnessed by a Notary Public. 

   A SINGLE LIFE ANNUITY PROVIDES EQUAL MONTHLY PAYMENTS TO YOU FOR YOUR
   LIFE, WITH NO PAYMENTS CONTINUING AFTER YOUR DEATH.

   A 50% QUALIFIED JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY PROVIDES EQUAL MONTHLY
   PAYMENTS TO YOU FOR YOUR LIFE, WITH MONTHLY PAYMENTS CONTINUING TO
   YOUR SURVIVING SPOUSE AFTER YOUR DEATH EQUAL TO 50% OF THE AMOUNT YOU
   WERE RECEIVING WHEN YOU DIED. TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS UNDER THE 50%
   QUALIFIED JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY, YOUR SURVIVING SPOUSE MUST BE
   THE SAME SPOUSE TO WHOM YOU WERE MARRIED ON THE DATE PAYMENT BEGAN. 




                                     20




   WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT ARE AVAILABLE TO MY BENEFICIARY?

   If you die after distribution of your account balance has begun,
   distribution will continue to your beneficiary(ies) in the same form
   of payment that you were receiving, unless your beneficiary elects a
   more rapid form of payment. 

   If you die before distribution of your account balance has begun, your
   beneficiary(ies) can elect any one or a combination of the following
   forms of payment:

   (1)  Lump sum

   (2)  Periodic payments. Periodic payments cannot be made over a period
        longer than five years from your death, unless your beneficiary
        is your surviving spouse. Periodic payments to your surviving
        spouse may be made over a period not exceeding your surviving
        spouse's life expectancy. 

   FORM OF PAYMENT TO BENEFICIARY OF RUBBERMAID PROFIT SHARING PLAN
   PARTICIPANT

   If you are a Rubbermaid Profit Sharing Plan participant and you die
   before distribution of your account balance has begun, special rules
   apply to the distribution of that part of your account that is
   attributable to your participation in the Rubbermaid Profit Sharing
   Plan. 

   You may select the form of payment to your beneficiary. A beneficiary
   may only select the form of payment if you have not already done so.

   In addition, if your beneficiary is your surviving spouse, your
   surviving spouse will receive distribution of that part of your
   account that is attributable to your participation in the Rubbermaid
   Profit Sharing Plan in a single life annuity, unless he or she elects
   one of the other available forms of payment. 

   WHO IS MY BENEFICIARY UNDER THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN?

   You can designate your beneficiary under the Rubbermaid Retirement
   Plan on the form provided by Fidelity. If you are married, your
   beneficiary will automatically be your spouse, unless you designate
   another beneficiary with your spouse's written consent. Your spouse's
   consent must be witnessed by a Notary Public. 

   If you do not designate a beneficiary, or your designated beneficiary
   dies before you do, your beneficiary under the Rubbermaid Retirement
   Plan will be:

   (1)  your surviving spouse or, if none; 



                                      21




   (2)  your surviving children or, if none;
    
   (3)  your surviving parents or, if none;
    
   (4)  your surviving brothers and sisters or, if none;

   (5)  your executors and administrators. 

   If your beneficiary dies after you, but before receiving distribution
   of the full amount he or she is entitled to under the Rubbermaid
   Retirement Plan, distribution will be made to your beneficiary's
   estate, unless your beneficiary has designated another beneficiary to
   receive benefits in that event. 

   SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR DESIGNATING BENEFICIARY OF RUBBERMAID PROFIT
   SHARING PLAN PARTICIPANT

   If you are a Rubbermaid Profit Sharing Plan participant, are married,
   and wish to designate a beneficiary other than your spouse to receive
   distribution of that part of your account that is attributable to your
   participation in the Rubbermaid Profit Sharing Plan, your spouse must
   consent in writing to waive the single life annuity payable to him or
   her if you die before distribution of your account begins. Your
   spouse's consent must be witnessed by a notary public. 

   HOW DO I APPLY FOR BENEFITS?

   When you become eligible for a benefit from the Rubbermaid Retirement
   Plan, you may apply for your benefit in accordance with rules and
   procedures prescribed by Rubbermaid. For information regarding the
   applicable rules and procedures, please contact Fidelity. 

   ARE TAXES REQUIRED TO BE WITHHELD FROM MY DISTRIBUTION?

   Generally, the Trustee is required to withhold Federal income tax from
   all taxable distributions. The amount of withholding will be 20% of
   the taxable amount distributed. 

   You may avoid having Federal income tax withheld from your
   distribution only if the distribution is made to the trustee or
   custodian of an Individual Retirement Account, or another qualified
   defined contribution plan. You may elect to:
    
   *    Directly transfer all of the distributable amount to a trustee or
        custodian of an Individual Retirement Account or another
        qualified defined contribution plan.

   *    Directly transfer part of the distributable amount to a trustee
        or custodian, and receive the balance of the distributable
        amount. (Note: The amount you receive will be subject to
        withholding.)


                                     22



   If you do not elect one of the above options, the distributable amount
   will be paid directly to you and Federal income tax equal to 20% of
   the taxable amount of the distribution will be withheld from the
   payment. 

   If you elect to receive a series of payments rather than a single lump
   sum, the amounts paid to you may not be eligible for a direct
   transfer. Amounts that are not eligible for direct transfer are also
   not subject to the mandatory withholding requirement. 

   Additional specific information concerning required withholding and
   direct transfers is available from Fidelity. 

   WHAT OTHER TAX RULES APPLY TO MY DISTRIBUTION?

   If you receive a lump sum distribution from the Rubbermaid Retirement
   Plan after reaching age 59-1/2, you may be eligible to make a one-time
   election of five-year averaging. Under five-year averaging, you treat
   the amount you receive in year one as having instead been received in
   equal installments over a five-year period. You may only elect
   five-year averaging if (1) you have been a participant in the
   Rubbermaid Retirement Plan for five or more taxable years before the
   taxable year in which the distribution is made, (2) you do not elect
   to roll over any portion of the lump sum distribution, and (3) you
   elect averaging treatment for all lump sum distributions that you
   receive in that year. Your beneficiary can elect this special
   averaging treatment regardless of your period of participation in the
   Plan. Five-year averaging is not available for distributions of your
   deductible associate voluntary contributions and distributions that
   occur after 1999.

   If you reached age 50 by January 1, 1986, you will be permitted to
   make a one-time election between five-year averaging (at tax rates in
   effect in the year of distribution) and ten-year averaging (at tax
   rates in effect in 1986) and may elect capital gain treatment (at a
   20% tax rate) for amounts attributable to participation in the Plan
   prior to 1974.

   If you receive a distribution or make a withdrawal before age 59-1/2,
   a 10% additional income tax may apply to the taxable portion of the
   distribution or withdrawal. The additional tax does not apply to
   withdrawals or distributions (1) made because of your death,
   disability, or separation from service after reaching age 55, (2) used
   for payment of medical expenses to the extent deductible under Section
   213 of the Code, (3) that are part of a scheduled series of
   substantially equal periodic payments made not less frequently than
   annually for your life expectancy, provided the payments begin after
   you separate from service, or (4) made to an alternate payee pursuant
   to a qualified domestic relations order. 




                                     23




   The rules governing taxation of qualified plan distributions are
   complex. There are many financial considerations involved in deciding
   whether to begin receiving benefits from the Rubbermaid Retirement
   Plan and how to receive them. You should consult with a tax or
   financial counselor familiar with your particular tax situation prior
   to making your decision. 

   IS MY ACCOUNT SUBJECT TO CLAIMS OF CREDITORS?

   As a general rule, creditors may not attach, garnish or otherwise
   interfere with your account. 

   There is an exception, however, to this general rule. Rubbermaid may
   be required by law to recognize obligations which result from court
   ordered child support or alimony payments. Rubbermaid must honor a
   qualified domestic relations order. A qualified domestic relations
   order is defined as a decree or order issued by a court that obligates
   you to pay child support or alimony, or otherwise allocates a portion
   of assets in the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan to a spouse, former
   spouse, child or other dependent. If a qualified domestic relations
   order is received by Rubbermaid, all or a portion of your account may
   be used to satisfy the obligation. Pursuant to the Rubbermaid
   Retirement Plan Qualified Domestic Relations Order Procedures,
   Rubbermaid shall determine the validity of any domestic relations
   order which is received.  You may obtain, without charge, a copy of
   such procedures from the Plan Administrator.

   ARE BENEFITS INSURED BY THE PBGC?

   Benefits under the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan are not insured by the
   Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) since this is a defined
   contribution plan. The PBGC only insures defined benefit pension
   plans. 

   CAN I BORROW FROM THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN?

   You may borrow against the vested part of your account under the
   Rubbermaid Retirement Plan while you are employed by Rubbermaid or any
   subsidiary or division of Rubbermaid, however, no loans will be made
   to an employee who makes a rollover contribution to the Rubbermaid
   Retirement Plan but who has not yet satisfied the eligibility
   requirements under the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan.  Plan loans are
   made in accordance with rules and procedures prescribed by Rubbermaid.
   For information regarding the applicable rules and procedures, please
   contact Fidelity. 

   CAN I WITHDRAW MY ASSOCIATE VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RUBBERMAID
   RETIREMENT PLAN?

   You may at any time withdraw the nondeductible associate voluntary
   contributions you made to the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan before


                                     24




   January 1, 1987, excluding any earnings credited to them while they
   were held under the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan. Withdrawals must be
   made in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by
   Rubbermaid. The minimum amount that you may withdraw is the lesser of
   $100 or 100% of the nondeductible associate voluntary contributions,
   excluding any earnings, remaining in your account under the Rubbermaid
   Retirement Plan. For more information, please contact Fidelity. 

   CAN THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN BE TERMINATED?

   The Rubbermaid Retirement Plan may be amended or discontinued by
   Rubbermaid at any time, but no amendment may deprive you of any vested
   interest in your account. On termination of the Rubbermaid Retirement
   Plan or of contributions to it, the accounts of all affected
   participants become fully vested. If the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan is
   terminated, the accounts may or may not be paid out immediately. If
   contributions are terminated, but the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan
   continues, benefits are paid out when you otherwise become entitled to
   them under the terms of the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan. 

   CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN?

   This plan summary makes many general statements in order to give you a
   basic understanding of your rights and how the Rubbermaid Retirement
   Plan operates. It describes the principal provisions of the Rubbermaid
   Retirement Plan. However, it must be understood by you that it is not
   the complete Rubbermaid Retirement Plan. 

   In case any conflict arises between the provisions of the Rubbermaid
   Retirement Plan and this description, the provisions of the Rubbermaid
   Retirement Plan shall be controlling. 

   A complete copy of the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan is available for
   inspection during regular business hours at the Rubbermaid Corporate
   Benefits Department, 1147 Akron Road, Wooster, Ohio 44691-6000. If you
   have any questions regarding the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan and its
   administration, you may also contact the Rubbermaid Corporate Benefits
   Department at (330) 264-6464. 

   WHO PAYS PLAN EXPENSES?

   The costs of administering the Plan, including investment management,
   legal, accounting and trustee and recordkeeping fees and similar
   administrative expenses are generally paid out of Plan assets. The
   Benefit Plans Committee makes the determination of which costs are
   charged to the Plan and how those costs are allocated. They also may
   make changes to how such costs are charged and allocated at any time
   without notice to participants. 





                                     25




   HOW ARE PLAN EXPENSES PAID?

   The following expenses are deducted from the appropriate fund in
   proportion to the value of each participant's account balance:

   (1)  Investment management fees

   (2)  Annual loan maintenance fees (for loans initiated prior to
        11/1/96)

   (3)  Annual zero balance account fees for newly eligible participants

   (4)  Rubbermaid Unitized Stock Fund administration fees*

   (5)  Stable Value Fund administration fees*

   *    EXPENSES ARE CHARGED TO THE ACCOUNT BALANCE OF ONLY THOSE
        INVESTING IN THE FUND.

   The following expenses are deducted in an equal dollar amount from
   each participant's account balance: 

   (1)  Fees to comply with government rules and regulations

   (2)  Annual participant recordkeeping fees

   (3)  Legal, accounting, actuarial and trustee fees

   The following expenses are deducted directly from each participant's
   account balance for those incurring the fees without reference to the
   amount of the account balance:

   (1)  Minimum required distribution fees

   (2)  New loan set up fees

   (3)  Annual loan maintenance fee (for loans initiated after 11/1/96)

   All Plan fees are subject to change without notice. Please refer to
   the prospectus for each investment option offered in the Plan for more
   specific information.

   WHAT LAWS GOVERN THE RUBBERMAID RETIREMENT PLAN?

   The Rubbermaid Retirement Plan and its related trust are subject to
   the principal protective provisions of Titles I, II, and III of the
   Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") which apply to
   defined contribution plans maintained by corporate employers. 





                                     26




   The Rubbermaid Retirement Plan and the trust are qualified under
   Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, and the trust is exempt
   from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

   WHAT ARE MY ERISA PROTECTED RIGHTS?

   As a participant in the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan you are entitled to
   certain rights and protections under the Employee Retirement Income
   Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).  ERISA provides that all Plan
   participants shall be entitled to:

   *    Examine, without charge, at the Plan Administrator's office and
        at other specified locations, such as worksites, all documents
        governing the Plan and a copy of the latest annual report (Form
        5500 Series) filed by the Plan with the U.S. Department of Labor.

   *    Obtain, upon written request to the Plan Administrator, copies of
        documents governing the operation of the Plan and copies of the
        latest annual report (Form 5500 Series) and updated summary plan
        description.  The Plan Administrator may make a reasonable charge
        for the copies.

   *    Obtain information as to whether a particular employer has
        adopted the Plan and, if so, the employer's address, upon written
        request addressed to the Plan Administrator. 

   *    Receive a summary of the Plan's annual financial report.  The
        Plan Administrator is required by law to furnish each participant
        with a copy of this summary annual report.

   In addition to creating rights for Plan participants ERISA imposes
   duties upon the people who are responsible for the operation of the
   Plan.  The people who operate the Plan, called "fiduciaries" of the
   Plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of you and
   other Plan participants and beneficiaries.  No one, including your
   employer or any other person, may fire you or otherwise discriminate
   against you in any way to prevent you from obtaining a benefit or
   exercising your rights under ERISA.  If your claim for a benefit is
   denied in whole or in part you must receive a written explanation of
   the reason for the denial.  You have the right to have the Plan review
   and reconsider your claim.  Under ERISA, there are steps you can take
   to enforce the above rights.  For instance, if you request materials
   from the Plan and do not receive them within 30 days, you may file
   suit in a Federal court.  In such a case, the court may require the
   Plan Administrator to provide the materials and pay you up to $110 a
   day until you receive the materials, unless the materials were not
   sent because of reasons beyond the control of the Plan Administrator. 
   If you have a claim for benefits which is denied or ignored, in whole
   or in part, you may file suit in a state or Federal court.  In
   addition, if you disagree with the Plan's decision or lack thereof
   concerning the qualified status of a domestic relations order or a


                                     27



   medical child support order, you may file suit in Federal court.  If
   it should happen that Plan fiduciaries misuse the Plan's money, or if
   you are discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may seek
   assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or you may file suit in
   Federal court.  The court will decide who should pay court costs and
   legal fees.  If you are successful the court may order the person you
   have sued to pay these costs and fees.  If you lose, the court may
   order you to pay these costs and fees, for example, if it finds your
   claim is frivolous.

   If you have any questions about the Plan, you should contact the Plan
   Administrator.  If you have any questions about this statement or
   about your rights under ERISA, you should contact the nearest office
   of the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
   Labor, listed in your telephone directory or the Division of Technical
   Assistance and Inquiries, Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration,
   U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue N.W., Washington,
   D.C.  20210.

   HOW DO I APPEAL A DENIAL OF MY CLAIM FOR BENEFITS?

   You do not have to make a formal claim in order to receive your
   benefits under the Plan; most plan transactions are handled through
   the Fidelity customer service telephone facilities.  You may, however,
   file a written claim for your benefits or rights under the Plan with
   the Plan Administrator.  The Plan Administrator shall render a
   decision on your claim within 90 days of its receipt (or within 180
   days of receipt in special circumstances of which you will be informed
   in writing).  If you disagree with a decision made by the Plan
   Administrator regarding a claim under the Plan, you have the right to
   ask the Plan Administrator for a review of its decision.  You should
   contact the Plan Administrator at its business address or at its
   business phone number within 60 days of the date on which you receive
   notice of denial of the claim.  A request for review must contain the
   following information:

   (a)  the date you received notice of denial of your claim and the date
        your request for review is filed;

   (b)  the specific part of the claim you want reviewed;

   (c)  a statement setting forth the basis upon which you think the
        decision should be reversed; and

   (d)  any written material that you think is pertinent to your claim
        and that you want the Plan Administrator to examine.

   Unless additional time is required, the Plan Administrator will review
   the denial of your claim and notify you in writing of its decision,
   within 60 days of the filing of your request.



                                     28




   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   PLAN ADMINISTRATOR:

        The Plan Administrator is:
        Benefit Plans Committee, c/o Corporate Benefits
        Department, Rubbermaid Incorporated,
        1147 Akron Road, Wooster, OH 44691-6000 

   AGENT FOR SERVICE:

        The agent for service of legal process is:
        Rubbermaid Incorporated, 1147 Akron
        Road, Wooster, OH 44691-6000,
        Attention: General Counsel and Secretary 

        Service of legal process may also be made upon the Trustee or
        Plan Administrator.

   SPONSOR:

        The Sponsor of the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan is:
        Rubbermaid Incorporated, 1147 Akron
        Road, Wooster, OH 44691-6000

   EMPLOYER ID NUMBER:

        The Sponsor's employer identification
        number is: 34-0628700 

   PLAN NUMBER:

        The plan number is: 001 

   RECORDKEEPER:

        The Recordkeeper for the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan is:
        Fidelity Institutional Retirement
        Services Company, 200 Magellan Way,
        Covington, KY 41015 

   TRUSTEE:

        The Trustee with respect to Rubbermaid Retirement Plan assets is:
        Fidelity Management Trust
        Company, 82 Devonshire Street,
        Boston, MA 02109






                                     29



   Appendix A -- Adopting Employers and Locations as of July 1, 1998 

   (1)  Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC
        Winchester, Virginia 

   (2)  Rubbermaid Incorporated
        Wooster, Ohio

   (3)  Rubbermaid Texas Limited
        Greenville, Texas
        Cleburne, Texas 

   (4)  Rubbermaid Commercial Products Inc
        Cleveland, Tennessee

   (5)  Rubbermaid Specialty (Seasonal) Products Inc
        Centerville, Iowa
        Winfield, Kansas 

   (6)  Rubbermaid Incorporated
        Goodyear, Arizona 

   (7)  The Little Tikes Company
        Hudson, Ohio
        Sebring, Ohio
        City of Industry, California 
        Shippensburg, Pennsylvania 

   (8)  Rubbermaid Cleaning Products Inc.
        (formerly Empire Brushes, Inc.)
        Greenville, North Carolina 

   (9)  Rubbermaid Sales Corp.
        Wooster, Ohio
        Winchester, Virginia
        Hudson, Ohio
        Corning, New York
        Jeffersonville, Ohio
        Woodbridge, Virginia
        Kenosha, Wisconsin

   (10) Little Tikes Commercial Play Systems Inc.
        (adopting employer effective 4/1/98)
        Farmington, Missouri

   (11) Graco Children's Products Inc.,
        Century Products Division
        (adopting employer effective 8/17/98)
        Macedonia, Ohio
        Massillon, Ohio



                                     30



   APPENDIX B -- SPECIAL RULES

   The following rules apply to certain participants in the Rubbermaid
   Retirement Plan.  These rules apply notwithstanding any other
   provisions of this summary to the contrary.

   SPECIAL ELIGIBILITY RULES

   If you were employed by Little Tikes Commercial Play Systems Inc. on
   January 1, 1998 and you were in covered employment with Little Tikes
   Commercial Play Systems Inc. on April 1, 1998, you became a
   participant in the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan as of April 1, 1998.

   If you were employed by Century Products Company on January 1, 1998
   and you were in covered employment with Graco Children's Products
   Inc., Century Products Division on August 17, 1998, you became a
   participant in the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan as of August 17, 1998.

   SPECIAL RULES RELATING TO THE ANNUAL RUBBERMAID CONTRIBUTION

   The 1998 annual Rubbermaid contribution made on behalf of eligible
   employees of Little Tikes Commercial Play Systems Inc. will be
   determined based on such employees' eligible compensation for the
   entire 1998 calendar year.

   Associates employed by Rubbermaid Sales Corporation or Graco
   Children's Products Inc., Century Products Division are not eligible
   to receive a share of the annual Rubbermaid contribution under the
   Rubbermaid Retirement Plan.

   SPECIAL SERVICE CREDITING RULES

   All "years of service," as defined on page 6, completed while employed
   by Century Products Company prior to the acquisition of its assets by
   Graco Children's Products Inc. will be credited to you for all
   purposes under the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan if you were employed by
   Century Products Company on June 16, 1998, the date its assets were
   acquired by Graco Children's Products Inc.

   SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION RULES

   If you were a participant in the Rubbermaid Office Products 401(k)
   Savings and Investment Plan, that part of your account that is
   attributable to salary deferral contributions made under the
   Rubbermaid Office Products Inc. 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan
   that were transferred to the Rubbermaid Retirement Plan may be
   withdrawn by you once you have attained age 59-1/2 even if you are
   still employed by an adopting employer.

   If you were a participant in the GOTT Corporation Employee Stock
   Ownership Plan you may elect to receive distribution of all or a part


                                     31




   of your account that is attributable to your participation in the GOTT
   Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan in the form of shares of
   Rubbermaid Common Stock.

   APPENDIX C -- RUBBERMAID UNITIZED STOCK FUND

   The following documents filed by Rubbermaid with the Securities and
   Exchange Commission (the "Commission") are incorporated by reference
   into the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
   Statement") filed with the Commission registering the Rubbermaid
   common stock in which your contributions may be invested under the
   Plan and the separate participation interests in the Plan and into
   this summary plan description, designated portions of which constitute
   part of a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of
   the Securities Act (the "Prospectus") with respect to the Registration
   Statement:

   (1)  The Plan's Annual Report on Form 11-K for the fiscal year ended
        December 31, 1997. 

   (2)  Rubbermaid's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
        December 31, 1997. 

   (3)  The description of the Rubbermaid common stock contained in
        Rubbermaid's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the
        Commission on July 2, 1986. 

   (4)  The description of the rights set forth in Rubbermaid's
        Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on
        June 27, 1996. 

   All documents subsequently filed by either Rubbermaid or the Plan
   pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities
   Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") prior to the
   filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
   securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities
   then remaining unsold also are incorporated by reference into the
   Registration Statement and the Prospectus from the date of filing of
   such documents. 

   Rubbermaid will provide to each participant a copy of its annual
   report to security holders for its latest fiscal year (or other
   permitted document containing audited financial statements of
   Rubbermaid) at the time documents containing the Plan information
   required by Part I of Form S-8 are delivered to such participant. 

   Rubbermaid will also provide, without charge to any participant, upon
   written or oral request: (i) a copy of any of the documents referred
   to above that are incorporated into the Registration Statement and the
   Prospectus (other than exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically
   incorporated by reference into the information incorporated into the


                                     32



   Registration Statement and Prospectus), and (ii) a copy of all
   documents containing the information concerning the Plan required by
   Part I of Form S-8 that constitute part of the Prospectus. 

   In addition, Rubbermaid will provide, without charge, to all employees
   who participate in the Rubbermaid Unitized Stock Fund (and to any
   other Plan participant who so requests, orally or in writing) copies
   of all reports, proxy statements and other communications distributed
   to shareholders of Rubbermaid generally. 

   Requests for any of the foregoing information should be directed to:
   Investor Relations, Rubbermaid Incorporated, 1147 Akron Road, Wooster,
   OH 44691, telephone number (330) 264-6464.

   FEES

   Participants investing in the Rubbermaid Unitized Stock Fund may incur
   various fees which are deducted from participant accounts in the
   following different ways:

   (1)  In proportion to the value of each participant's Rubbermaid
        Unitized Stock Fund balance: 

        *    Investment management fees 
        *    Annual loan maintenance fees (for loans initiated prior to
             11/01/96)
        *    Annual zero balance account fees for newly eligible
             participants
        *    Proxy and fund administration fees

   (2)  In equal dollar amount from each participant's Rubbermaid
        Unitized Stock Fund balance:

        *    Fees to comply with government rules and regulations
        *    Annual participant recordkeeping fees
        *    Legal, accounting, actuarial and trustee fees

   (3)  Directly from each participant's Rubbermaid Unitized Stock Fund
        balance for those incurring the fees:

        *    Minimum required distribution fees
        *    New loan set up fees
        *    Annual loan maintenance fees (for loans initiated on or
             after 11/01/96)

   APPENDIX D -- SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL DATA FOR INVESTMENT FUNDS -- 1998
   CHOOSING INVESTMENT FUNDS 

   Participants in the Plan may choose to have contributions to the Plan
   and funds in their accounts invested in one or more of the following
   investment funds: 


                                     33




   (1)  STABLE VALUE FUND:  This is a stable value fund (not a mutual
        fund), managed by PRIMCO Capital Management, Inc. It seeks to
        provide for preservation of capital (amount invested) and
        stability of investment returns. The fund assets can be invested
        in a number of diversified, high quality investment contracts
        with insurance companies, banks or other financial institutions.
        Some of the investment contracts may be a general obligation of
        the issuing insurance company, bank or financial institution.
        Other investment contracts may be invested in specific fixed
        income securities. Each contract has its own interest rate
        (variable or fixed) and maturity date (generally not longer than
        seven years). Although several new contracts are entered into
        each year, fund participants earn the composite interest (blended
        rate) from the portfolio of contracts held by the fund. Although
        individual investment contracts are backed by the issuer, units
        of this investment are not backed by PRIMCO, the Plan Sponsor, or
        insured by the FDIC. Yield will vary. 

   (2)  FIDELITY PURITAN FUND:  Puritan Fund is a growth and income fund.
        It seeks as much income as possible, consistent with preservation
        of capital, by investing in a broadly diversified portfolio of
        domestic and foreign common stocks, preferred stocks and bonds,
        including lower quality, high yield debt securities. Dividend
        amounts will vary. The Fund's share price and return will
        fluctuate. 

   (3)  SPARTAN U.S. EQUITY INDEX FUND:  Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund
        is a growth and income fund. It seeks investment results that try
        to duplicate the composition and total return of the S&P 500 and
        in other securities that are based on the value of the Index. 
        The Fund's manager focuses on duplicating the performance and
        composition of the Index versus a strategy of selecting
        attractive stocks.  The Fund's share price and return will
        fluctuate. 

   (4)  FIDELITY CONTRAFUND:  Contrafund is a growth fund. It seeks
        long-term capital appreciation by investing mainly in the
        securities of companies believed to be out of favor or
        undervalued. The fund invests in domestic and foreign common
        stocks and stocks and securities convertible into common stock,
        but it may purchase other securities that may produce capital
        appreciation. Investing in undervalued or out of favor stocks can
        lead to investments in small companies which are not well known.
        The stock of small companies may be subject to more frequent and
        greater price changes than other companies. The Fund's share
        price and return will fluctuate. 

   (5)  FIDELITY MAGELLAN FUND:  Magellan Fund is a growth fund. It seeks
        long-term capital appreciation by investing in the stocks of both
        well known and lesser known companies with potentially above
        average growth potential and a correspondingly higher level of


                                     34




        risk. Securities may be of foreign, domestic, and multinational
        companies. The Fund's share price and return will fluctuate. 

   (6)  FIDELITY SMALL CAP SELECTOR:  Small Cap Selector is a growth
        fund. It seeks capital appreciation by investing primarily in
        companies that have market capitalizations of $750 million or
        less at the time of the Fund's investment. Under normal
        conditions at least 65% of the Fund's total assets will be
        invested in the common or preferred stock of such companies. The
        Fund may invest in all types of equity securities, including
        common and preferred stock, and may invest a portion of its
        assets in the stock of companies with larger market
        capitalizations. Shares purchased on or after 11/15/97 held less
        than 90 days will be subject to a 1.50% redemption fee.  Share
        price and return will fluctuate. 

   (7)  FIDELITY DIVERSIFIED INTERNATIONAL FUND:  Fidelity Diversified
        International Fund is an international fund. It seeks capital
        growth by investing primarily in equity securities of companies
        located anywhere outside the U.S. that are included in the Morgan
        Stanley EAFE Index. In selecting investments for the fund, the
        manager relies on computer aided quantitative analysis supported
        by fundamental research. The Fund seeks to generate more capital
        growth than that of the EAFE Index. It is important to remember
        that foreign investments pose greater risks and potential rewards
        than U.S. investments. The risks include political and economic
        uncertainties of foreign countries as well as the risk of
        currency fluctuations. Share price and return will fluctuate. 

   (8)  RUBBERMAID UNITIZED STOCK FUND:  The Rubbermaid Unitized Stock
        Fund invests primarily in Rubbermaid Common Stock. It is not a
        mutual fund, nor is it a managed option. Its goal is to increase
        the value of your investment through capital growth by investing
        primarily in Rubbermaid Common Stock along with a small amount of
        short-term investments to allow for exchanges or withdrawals
        every business day. As with any stock, the value of your
        investment may go up or down depending on how your company stock
        performs in the market. Investing in a non-diversified, unmanaged
        single stock inherently involves more investment risk than
        investing in a diversified fund. Performance is directly tied to
        the performance of the company as well as to that of the stock
        market as a whole.  Further information on unitization is set
        forth below.

   The following are additional fund choices that are available effective
   October 1, 1998: 

   (9)  FIDELITY U.S. BOND INDEX FUND.  Fidelity U.S. Bond Index Fund is
        an income mutual fund.  Its goal is to provide investment results
        that correspond to the aggregate price and investment performance
        of the debt securities in the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond


                                     35




        Index.  (The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index is an
        unmanaged, market value weighted index of investment-grade,
        fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate,
        asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities with maturities of
        at least one year.)  The Fund invests primarily in
        investment-grade (medium to high quality) debt securities,
        including U.S. Treasury and U.S. government securities, corporate
        bonds, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, and U.S.
        dollar-denominated foreign securities.  The Fund's share price,
        yield and return will vary.

   (10) INVESCO DYNAMICS FUND.  INVESCO Dynamics Fund is a mid-cap growth
        mutual fund.  It seeks long-term capital growth by investing in
        domestic common stocks of companies traded on U.S. securities
        exchanges as well as on the over-the-counter (OTC) market.  The
        Fund also has the flexibility to invest in other types of 
        securities, including preferred stocks and convertible
        securities, and short-term instruments.  The Fund may invest up
        to 25% of its assets in foreign securities, which involve greater
        risks.  The Fund's share price and return will vary.

   (11) FIDELITY EQUITY-INCOME FUND.  Fidelity Equity-Income Fund is a
        growth and income mutual fund.  Its goal is to provide moderate
        income while offering the potential for capital appreciation.  It
        seeks to provide a yield that exceeds the yield of the securities
        in the S&P 500.  The Fund focuses primarily on income-producing
        stocks such as common and preferred stocks.  The Fund may also
        invest in bonds for income and generally avoids securities issued
        by companies without proven earnings or credit.  The Fund's share
        price and return will vary.

   The Trustee maintains separate accounts showing each type of
   contribution and the interest of each participant in all of the eleven
   investment funds. The Trustee revalues the investment funds and
   allocates earnings and any increases or decreases in the value of each
   fund to the participant's individual accounts daily. The allocation is
   made in direct proportion to the relative size of each individual
   participant's balance in a particular investment fund in relation to
   the balances of all participants in that Fund. The Trustee has full
   and exclusive powers of management and control over investment fund
   assets of which it has custody and control. The Trustee and not the
   participant has the right to vote the securities (other than
   Rubbermaid Common Stock reflected in the Rubbermaid Unitized Stock
   Fund) held in the investment funds and to exercise any other rights
   with respect to such securities. 

   A participant's interest in the Rubbermaid Unitized Stock Fund is
   accounted for in units, rather than on a per share basis. The value of
   a unit reflects the combined market value of the underlying Rubbermaid
   Common Stock and the market value of the short term cash position used
   to meet the daily cash transaction needs of the Rubbermaid Unitized


                                     36




   Stock Fund. The market value of the Rubbermaid Common Stock portion of
   the Rubbermaid Unitized Stock Fund is based on the closing price of
   the Rubbermaid Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange multiplied
   by the total number of shares held in the Rubbermaid Unitized Stock
   Fund. After determining the market value of the Rubbermaid Common
   Stock portion of the Rubbermaid Unitized Stock Fund, the value of the
   cash position is added and the total is divided by the number of
   outstanding units to determine the daily unit value. 

   All contributions are invested and held by the Trustee in accordance
   with the terms of the Plan and the trust maintained to hold assets of
   the Plan. Income and proceeds from the sale of investments of each
   investment fund are reinvested in that investment fund by the Trustee.
   The Trustee or any applicable Investment Manager purchases the assets
   of the investment funds on the open market except that the Trustee may
   purchase Rubbermaid Common Stock from Rubbermaid in accordance with
   the requirements of Section 408 of ERISA. 

   The Trustee may use a number of brokers to buy and sell securities for
   the Plan. The selection of these brokers is based on an analysis of
   the services they provide and the importance of these services in
   aiding the investment function. Services include research on
   economics, industries, and companies, including both fundamental and
   technical information. These research services are used by the Trustee
   to service all of its accounts, and not all of these services are used
   in connection with Plan investments. Commissions paid to the brokers
   are paid by the Trustee and are based on a uniform discount schedule
   established by the Trustee.

   RATES OF RETURN

   A summary of the investment performance for each of the investment
   funds is set forth below.  
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS FUND NAME PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1998 --------- ---------------------------------------- 3 MONTH 1 YEAR 3 YEAR ------- ------ ------ Stable Value Fund 1.52% 6.35% 20.42% Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund 21.38% 28.48% 109.79% Fidelity Puritan Fund 12.71% 16.59% 64.27% Fidelity Contrafund 23.73% 31.57% 97.32% Fidelity Magellan Fund 27.22% 33.63% 88.93% Fidelity Small Cap Selector Fund 14.07% -7.39% 33.91% Fidelity Diversified International Fund 15.25% 14.39% 56.13% Fidelity U.S. Bond Index Fund 0.37% 8.87% 23.30% INVESCO Dynamics Fund 27.10% 23.64% 78.59% Fidelity Equity-Income Fund 16.16% 12.52% 77.01%
Investment results reflect past performance and do not guarantee or predict future results. Interests in the Stable Value Fund are not deposits or other obligations issued, endorsed, or guaranteed by 37 Fidelity Management Trust Company or any of its affiliates. These interests, and interests or shares in any other investment fund, are not insured by the U.S. Government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or any other governmental agency. The following information provides historical market price data for the Rubbermaid Common Stock for the 5-year period ending on December 31, 1998 on the New York Stock Exchange: QUARTER-END DATE HIGH LOW CLOSE ---------------- ---- --- ----- 3/31/94 $ 27-3/4 $ 26-1/8 $ 27-1/4 6/30/94 $ 26-5/8 $ 26-1/8 $ 26-1/4 9/30/94 $ 26-3/4 $ 26-3/8 $ 26-5/8 12/30/94 $ 29-3/4 $ 25-3/8 $ 28-3/4 3/31/95 $ 34-1/4 $ 27-3/8 $ 33 6/30/95 $ 33-1/2 $ 25-3/4 $ 27-3/4 9/30/95 $ 30-3/4 $ 27 $ 27-5/8 12/31/95 $ 28-1/2 $ 24-3/4 $ 25-1/2 3/31/96 $ 30-3/8 $ 25-1/4 $ 28-3/8 6/30/96 $ 29-1/2 $ 26-5/8 $ 27-1/4 9/30/96 $ 24-5/8 $ 24-1/8 $ 24-1/2 12/31/96 $ 23 $ 22-5/8 $ 22 -5/8 3/31/97 $ 24-7/8 $ 21-5/8 $ 24-7/8 6/30/97 $ 30 $ 24 $ 29-3/4 9/30/97 $ 20-5/16 $ 24-3/4 $ 25-9/16 12/31/97 $ 26-1/2 $ 23-5/16 $ 24-13/16 QUARTER-END DATE HIGH LOW CLOSE ---------------- ---- --- ----- 3/31/98 $ 29 $ 28-3/8 $ 28-1/2 6/30/98 $ 33-3/16 $ 32-3/8 $ 33 9/30/98 $ 20-1/4 $ 23-1/2 $ 23-15/16 12/31/98 $ 32-1/8 $ 31-1/16 $ 31-7/16 Each investment fund's return to individual participants will not necessarily equal reported returns, because of the timing of contributions and investments and the allocation of earnings, as well as the diluting impact of cash or cash equivalents held by each fund for distributions or withdrawals. APPENDIX E -- STABLE VALUE FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The objective of this Fund is to seek preservation of capital, provide a reasonably predictable return that moves gradually toward current market interest rates while over time producing a return higher than 38 that offered by money market funds, maintain diversification across all investment categories, and maintain adequate liquidity for participant elections. The Fund is considered conservative because it is designed to minimize the fluctuations in principal value that may be experienced in stock and bond funds. The trade-off for the lower risk of this investment is the potential for a lower return than that earned in other options. FUND DESCRIPTION The Stable Value Fund assets consist of a number of investment contracts with a diversified group of insurance companies, banks, and other financial institutions. Each contract has its own specific terms including interest rate and maturity date. The Fund invests primarily in alternative investment contracts issued by insurance companies or banks and backed by high grade fixed income assets. The contract issuer provides a "wrap" of the underlying assets, which assumes payment of benefits, if needed, at contract value (cost plus interest). In some instances, the Plan will have title to the underlying assets that are held in a custodial account. In others, the assets may be held through ownership of units of a fund or trust, or units of an insurance company's separate account. The crediting rate of these investments is based on the returns of the underlying assets, however, this return is spread over the life of the contract so as to produce a stable overall return for the Fund. Additionally, the Fund utilizes general account investment contracts issued by insurance companies or banks that contract to return the invested amount plus a rate of interest at a designated future date. The quality of this promise is based on the financial condition of the contract issuer. PORTFOLIO QUALITY BY S&P RATINGS RISK CONTROL As the Fund seeks to preserve principal value, PRIMCO controls risk by purchasing high quality, well diversified investments. Credit quality is the foundation on which investment decisions for the portfolio are based. All investments made for the Fund are rated AA- or better at the time of purchase. The investments are not guaranteed by Rubbermaid Incorporated, PRIMCO, nor guaranteed or insured by the U.S. Government. [GRAPH] The credited rate of the Fund is the average yield of all investments held in the Fund. As new investments are made and older investments 39 are replaced at maturity, the average credited rate may change. In general, the credited rate will move toward current interest rates. The magnitude of the change depends on current rates and the amount of the portfolio being reinvested. Annual investment management fees and certain other administrative fees are netted against the return of the Fund. RATING DEFINITION AAA Superior financial security on an absolute and relative basis. Capacity to meet policyholder obligations is overwhelming under a variety of economic and underwriting conditions. AA+ Excellent financial security. Capacity to meet AA policyholder obligations is strong under a variety AA- of economic and underwriting conditions. A+ Good financial security. Capacity to meet A policyholder obligations is somewhat susceptible to adverse economic and underwriting conditions. * USING DEFINITIONS FROM STANDARD & POOR'S. OTHER RATINGS USE SIMILAR DEFINITIONS. PERFORMANCE DATA: ANNUALIZED RETURN (12/31/98) [GRAPH] RETURNS FOR PERIOD ENDED 12/31/98 Total Return Annualized ------------ ---------- 3 Month 1.53% 6.12% 1 Year 6.38% 6.38% 3 Year 20.57% 6.43% 5 Year 38.61% 6.75% Since 2/28/90 95.14% 7.86% Returns are net of investment management fees. Recordkeeping, trustee and other administrative fees are not reflected in these returns. INVESTOR TYPE * Investors seeking minimal fluctuations in principal investment. 40 * Investors looking for a competitive market interest rate with minimal overall risk. * Investor willing to trade lower return potential for lower risk. * Investors looking to balance the volatility of equity investments by adding a Fund designed to preserve principal into their portfolio allocation. FUND MANAGER PRIMCO Capital Management, Inc. was hired in 1990 as investment manager for the Stable Value Fund. Founded in 1985, PRIMCO specializes in managing stable value funds and currently has over $21 billion in assets under management. PRIMCO is a registered investment advisor located in Louisville, Kentucky with an office in Portland, Oregon. PRIMCO is a wholly owned subsidiary of INVESCO, a member of the AMVESCAP PLC (formerly INVESCO PLC) global investment management organization. AMVESCAP PLC currently manages over $261 billion in assets (foreign and domestic) for corporate, public and jointly trusteed retirement plans, foundations, endowments, and a host of other institutional clients. FEES Participants investing in the Stable Value Fund may incur various fees which are deducted from participant accounts in the following different ways: (1) In proportion to the value of each participant's account balance: * Investment management fees * Annual loan maintenance fees (for loans initiated prior to 11/01/96) * Annual zero balance account fees for newly eligible participants * Fund administration fees (2) In equal dollar amount from each participant's account balance: * Fees to comply with government rules and regulations * Annual participant recordkeeping fees * Legal, accounting, actuarial and trustee fees (3) Directly from each participant's account balance for those incurring the fees: * New loan set up fees * Annual loan maintenance fees (for loans initiated on or after 11/01/96) 41 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY Neither Newell, Rubbermaid, its agent (including Newell or Rubbermaid if it is acting as such) in administering the Plan, nor the agent shall be liable for any act done in good faith or for the good faith omission to act in connection with the Plan. However, nothing contained herein shall affect a Participant's right to bring a cause of action based on alleged violations of federal securities laws. USE OF PROCEEDS Newell does not anticipate that it will realize any net proceeds from the issuance of its common stock under the Plan. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The common stock being offered hereby is offered pursuant to the Plan, the terms of which provide for the issuance of common stock in connection with investment of participant and employer contributions to the Plan. DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES Newell's certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 400,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 162,728,371 were issued and outstanding on February 8, 1999. The description of the Common Stock is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. See "Incorporation of Information by Reference" for information on how to obtain a copy of this description. EXPERTS The consolidated financial statements of Newell set forth in Newell's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent accountants, as stated in their report dated January 27, 1999 included in the Form 10-K and incorporated by reference in this document. Those consolidated financial statements have been incorporated by reference in this document and in reliance upon Arthur Andersen LLP's report given upon the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing. LEGAL MATTERS Certain legal matters in connection with the Common Stock offered hereby have been passed upon for Newell by Schiff Hardin & Waite, Chicago, Illinois. Schiff Hardin & Waite has advised Newell that a member of the firm participating in the representation of Newell owns approximately 3,900 shares of Newell common stock. 42 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION. The estimated expenses in connection with the offering are as follows: Registration fee under the Securities Act . . . . . . . $ 4,139 Legal fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,000 Accounting fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5,000 Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,000 ------- Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $39,139 ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. Section 102 of the Delaware law allows a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except in cases where the director breached his or her duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, willfully or negligently authorized the unlawful payment of a dividend or approved an unlawful stock redemption or repurchase or obtained an improper personal benefit. Newell's Charter contains a provision which eliminates directors' personal liability as set forth above. The Charter and the Bylaws of Newell provide in effect that Newell shall indemnify its directors and officers to the extent permitted by the Delaware law. Section 145 of the Delaware law provides that a Delaware corporation has the power to indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents in certain circumstances. Subsection (a) of Section 145 of the Delaware law empowers a corporation to indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent, or former director, officer, employee or agent, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding provided that such director, officer, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, provided that such director, officer, employee or agent had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. 43 Subsection (b) of Section 145 of the Delaware law empowers a corporation to indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent, or former director, officer, employee or agent, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of the capacities set forth above, against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit provided that such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery shall determine that despite the adjudication of liability such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper. Section 145 further provides that to the extent that a director or officer or employee of a corporation has been successful in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith; that indemnification provided by Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the party seeking indemnification may be entitled; and the corporation is empowered to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against any liability asserted against him or her or incurred by him or her in any such capacity or arising out of his or her status as such whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liabilities under Section 145; and that, unless indemnification is ordered by a court, the determination that indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 is proper because the director, officer, employee or agent has met the applicable standard of conduct under such subsections shall be made by (1) a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders. Newell has in effect insurance policies for general officers' and directors' liability insurance covering all of Newell's officers and directors. Newell also has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its officers and directors that provide that the officers and directors will be entitled to their indemnification rights as they existed at the time they entered into the agreements, regardless of subsequent changes in Newell's indemnification policy. Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Newell Co., Rooster Company and Rubbermaid Incorporated dated as of October 44 20, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"), Newell will, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, indemnify, defend and hold harmless each person who is now, or has been at any time prior to the date of the merger agreement, or who becomes prior to the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement), an officer, director of employee of Rubbermaid or any of its subsidiaries against any losses, expenses, claims, damages or liabilities (1) arising out of acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time that are based on or arising out of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or employee of Rubbermaid or any of its subsidiaries or served as a fiduciary under or with respect to any Rubbermaid employee benefit plan and (2) to the extent they are based on or arise out of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. In addition, from and after the Effective Time, directors and officers of Rubbermaid who become directors or officers of Newell will be entitled to indemnification under the Charter and the Bylaws of Newell, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and applicable law, and to all other indemnity rights and protections as are afforded to other directors and officers of Newell. Additionally, for six years after the Effective Time, Newell will maintain in effect Rubbermaid's current directors' and officers' liability insurance covering acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time with respect to those persons who are currently covered by Rubbermaid's directors' and officers' liability insurance policy on terms with respect to such coverage and amount no less favorable than those of such policy in effect on the date of the Merger Agreement; provided that Newell may substitute policies of Newell or its subsidiaries containing terms with respect to coverage and amount no less favorable to such directors or officers. Newell will not be required to pay aggregate premiums for the insurance described in this paragraph in excess of 200% of the aggregate premiums paid by Rubbermaid in 1998, except that if the annual premiums of such insurance coverage exceed such amount, Newell will be obligated to obtain a policy with the best coverage available, in the reasonable judgment of Newell's Board, for a cost up to but not exceeding such amount. For six years after the Effective Time, Newell will also maintain in effect Rubbermaid's current fiduciary liability insurance policies for employees who serve or have served as fiduciaries under any Rubbermaid benefit plan with coverages and in amounts no less favorable than those of such policy in effect on the date of the Merger Agreement. ITEM 16. EXHIBITS. The Exhibits filed herewith are set forth on the Exhibit Index filed as part of this Registration Statement. 45 ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS. (a) Newell hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering rang may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 242(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on form s-3, form s-8 or form f-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by Newell pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. 46 (b) Newell hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of Newell's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15 (d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of Newell pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Newell has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Newell of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of Newell in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, Newell will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. SIGNATURES THE REGISTRANT. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant hereby certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Rockford, State of Illinois, on the 26th day of March, 1999. NEWELL RUBBERMAID INC. (Registrant) By: /s/ Dale L. Matschullat --------------------------------- Dale L. Matschullat Vice President - General Counsel 47 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the follow- ing persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date --------- ----- ---- * John J. McDonough Chief Executive Officer ----------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) John J. McDonough and Director * Thomas A. Ferguson, Jr. President and Chief ----------------------------------- Operating Officer and Director Thomas A. Ferguson, Jr. * Donald L. Krause Senior Vice President - Corporate ----------------------------------- Controller (Principal Accounting Donald L. Krause Officer) * William T. Alldredge Vice President - Finance ----------------------------------- (Principal Financial Officer) William T. Alldredge * William P. Sovey Chairman of the Board of ----------------------------------- Directors William P. Sovey Director ----------------------------------- Tom H. Barrett Director ----------------------------------- Scott S. Cowen * Alton F. Doody Director ----------------------------------- Alton F. Doody 48 Director ----------------------------------- Thomas J. Falk * Daniel C. Ferguson Director ----------------------------------- Daniel C. Ferguson * Robert L. Katz Director ----------------------------------- Robert L. Katz Director ----------------------------------- William D. Marohn * Elizabeth Cuthbert Millett Director ----------------------------------- Elizabeth Cuthbert Millett * Cynthia A. Montgomery Director ----------------------------------- Cynthia A. Montgomery * Allan P. Newell Director ----------------------------------- Allan P. Newell Director ----------------------------------- Wolfgang R. Schmitt Director ----------------------------------- General Gordon R. Sullivan, USA Ret.
*By: /s/ Dale L. Matschullat March 26, 1999 --------------------------- Dale L. Matschullat Attorney-in-Fact 49 INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Number Exhibit ------ ------- 2 Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 20, 1998, among Newell, Rubbermaid and Rooster Company (incorporated by reference to Annex A to the joint proxy statement/prospectus contained in Newell's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-71747) effective February 4, 1999. 4.1* Rubbermaid Retirement Plan. 4.2 Rights Agreement, dated as of August 6, 1998, between Newell and First Chicago Trust Company of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit I to Newell's Registration Statement on Form 8-A12B (Reg. No. 1-09608), filed with the Commission on August 28, 1998). 5* Opinion of Schiff Hardin & Waite. 23.1* Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP. 23.2* Consent of Schiff Hardin & Waite (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5 in this Registration Statement). 24 Power of Attorney (set forth on the signature page). ------------------- * Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Form S-3 to which this Amendment No. 1 relates. 50