As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7, 1998
    

                                                      Registration No. 333-53691
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION      
                           Washington, D.C. 20549-1004
                                ----------------

   
                               AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
    

                                   AVNET, INC.
             ------------------------------------------------------ 
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


           New York                                11-1890605
  ----------------------------                     ----------
  (State or other jurisdiction                  (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)              Identification No.)

   
                                                 David R. Birk, Esq.
                                      Senior Vice President and General Counsel
     2211 South 47th Street                          Avnet, Inc.
     Phoenix, Arizona 85034                    2211 South 47th Street
    (602) 643-2000                             Phoenix, Arizona 85034           
  ----------------                              (602) 643-2000                  
  (Address, including zip code,                 -------------- 
 and telephone number, including       (Name, address, including zip code, and
   area code, of registrant's             telephone number, including area
  principal executive offices)               code, of agent for service)
    

                                   COPIES TO:

     Bernard Cedarbaum, Esq.                    Valerie Ford Jacob, Esq.
    Carter, Ledyard & Milburn           Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
          2 Wall Street                      One New York Plaza, 25th Floor
    New York, New York  10005                 New York, New York 10004-1980
         (212) 732-3200                              (212) 859-8000

     Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration  Statement,  as determined
by market conditions and other factors.

     If the only  securities  being  registered  on this Form are to be  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. |_|

     Pursuant  to  Rule  429(b),  the  prospectus  constituting  Part I of  this
Registration   Statement,  as  such  prospectus  may  hereafter  be  amended  or
supplemented,  is a combined  prospectus  which also relates to the registrant's
Registration    Statement   on   Form   S-3,    Registration    No.    33-51835.

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

     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 shall  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.





                                        2





Information   contained  herein  is  subject  to  completion  or  amendment.   A
registration  statement  relating  to these  securities  has been filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  These  securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration  statement  becomes
effective.  This  prospectus  shall  not  constitute  an  offer  to  sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these  securities
in any State in which such offer,  solicitation  or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.





                                        3





   
                              SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
                   PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED AUGUST 7, 1998
    

PROSPECTUS
                                   Avnet, Inc.
                                 Debt Securities

                                   --------

     Avnet,  Inc., a New York corporation (the "Company"),  may offer, from time
to time, debt securities consisting of debentures,  notes and/or other unsecured
evidences of  indebtedness  (the "Debt  Securities")  at an aggregate  principal
amount not to exceed $500,000,000 or, if the principal of the Debt Securities is
payable in a foreign or composite  currency,  the equivalent thereof at the time
of the initial offerings.  The Debt Securities may be offered as separate series
and may be offered in amounts,  at prices and on terms to be  determined  at the
time of sale.  When a particular  series of Debt  Securities  (the "Offered Debt
Securities")  are  offered,  a  supplement  to this  Prospectus  (a  "Prospectus
Supplement")  will be delivered with this Prospectus  setting forth the terms of
such  Offered  Debt   Securities,   including,   if  applicable,   the  specific
designation,  aggregate  principal  amount,  denominations,  currency,  purchase
price,  maturity,  rate (which may be fixed or variable)  and time of payment of
interest,  redemption  terms,  and any listing on a  securities  exchange of the
Offered Debt Securities.

     The Debt  Securities may be issued in registered or bearer form or both. In
addition,  all or a portion of the Debt  Securities of a series may be issued in
temporary  or  permanent  global form.  Debt  Securities  in bearer form will be
offered only to non-United  States  persons and to offices  located  outside the
United States of certain United States financial institutions.

                                   --------

            THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY
         THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
        COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
        STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
           OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                                CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                                   --------

     The  Offered  Debt  Securities  may be sold  directly  by the  Company,  or
indirectly  through agents designated from time to time or through  underwriters
or  dealers,   or  through  a  combination   of  such  methods.   See  "Plan  of
Distribution."  If any agents of the Company or any  underwriters or dealers are
involved in the sale of the Offered Debt  Securities,  the names of such agents,
underwriters or dealers and any applicable commissions or discounts will also be
set forth in the  Prospectus  Supplement.  The net  proceeds to the Company from
such sale will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement.

             The date of this Prospectus is _____________ __ , 1998.



                                                         





                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     The Company is subject to the informational  requirements of the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended  (the  "Exchange  Act"),  and in  accordance
therewith  files  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other  information  with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  (the  "Commission").  Such reports,  proxy
statements  and other  information  can be  inspected  and  copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza,
450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 20549, and at the following regional
offices of the Commission:  New York Regional Office, 7 World Trade Center, 13th
Floor,  New York,  New York 10048;  and  Chicago  Regional  Office,  Suite 1500,
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago,  Illinois 60661-2511.  Copies
of such materials can be obtained at prescribed  rates from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington,  D.C.  20549.  Information on the operation of the Public  Reference
Section  may be  obtained  by calling the  Commission  at  1-800-SEC-0330.  Such
material   can   also   be   obtained   on  the   Commission's   Web   site   at
http://www.sec.gov,  and can be  inspected  at the offices of the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, and the Pacific Stock
Exchange,  Inc., 301 Pine Street,  San Francisco,  California 94104 or 618 South
Spring Street,  Los Angeles,  California  90014,  on which  exchanges the common
stock of the Company is listed.

     This Prospectus  constitutes a part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3
(which, together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, is referred to herein
as the "Registration  Statement") filed by the Company with the Commission under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities  Act").  This Prospectus
omits certain of the information  contained in the Registration  Statement,  and
reference is hereby made to the Registration  Statement for further  information
with  respect  to the  Company  and the  Debt  Securities  offered  hereby.  Any
statement  contained  herein  concerning the provisions of any contract or other
document  is not  necessarily  complete,  and is  qualified  in its  entirety by
reference to the copy of such contract or other  document filed as an exhibit to
the  Registration  Statement  or  otherwise  filed  with  the  Commission.   The
Registration  Statement  may be  inspected  without  charge at the office of the
Commission at Room 1024,  Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,  Washington,
D.C. 20549, and copies thereof may be obtained from the Commission at prescribed
rates.

   
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                        Page No.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE..............................3
THE COMPANY..................................................................4
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES...........................................4
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA......................................................5
USE OF PROCEEDS..............................................................8
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES...............................................8
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION........................................................16
LEGAL MATTERS...............................................................19
EXPERTS.....................................................................19
    




                                        2





                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The following  documents filed by the Company with the Commission (File No.
1-4224) are incorporated herein by reference:

          1. The Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
     June 27, 1997;

          2. The Company's  definitive  proxy  statement dated October 10, 1997,
     for the annual meeting of the  shareholders of the Company held on November
     19, 1997;

          3. The  Company's  Quarterly  Reports  on Form 10-Q for the  quarterly
     periods ended  September 26, 1997,  December 26, 1997,  and March 27, 1998;
     and

   
          4. The  Company's  Current  Reports on Form 8-K bearing cover dates of
     September  23, 1997,  September  25, 1997,  February 6, 1998,  and July 30,
     1998.
    

     All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c),  14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of the offering
of the Debt  Securities  shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

     Any statement  contained herein or in a document  incorporated by reference
herein  shall be  deemed to be  modified  or  superseded  for  purposes  of this
Prospectus to the extent that a statement  contained in any  subsequently  filed
document  deemed to be  incorporated  herein or  contained  in the  accompanying
Prospectus Supplement modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any such statement
so  modified  or  superseded  shall  not be  deemed,  except as so  modified  or
superseded,  to  constitute  a  part  of  the  Registration  Statement  or  this
Prospectus.

   
     The Company  will provide  without  charge to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus is delivered, on the written or oral request of any such person,
a copy of any or all of the documents  incorporated  herein by reference  (other
than  exhibits  to  such  documents,   unless  such  exhibits  are  specifically
incorporated by reference into the documents that this Prospectus incorporates).
Requests  for such copies  should be directed to Raymond  Sadowski,  Senior Vice
President,   Avnet,  Inc.,  2211  South  47th  Street,  Phoenix,  Arizona  85034
(telephone (602) 643- 2000).
    





                                       3





                                   THE COMPANY

   
     The Company is one of the world's  largest  distributors  of electronic and
electromechanical   components  and  computer   products  sold   principally  to
industrial  customers,  with  operations in the United States,  Canada,  Mexico,
Europe, Asia,  Australia,  New Zealand and South Africa. The Company's principal
suppliers  are  Intel,  Motorola,  National  Semiconductor,  Texas  Instruments,
Advanced  Micro Devices,  Harris  Corporation,  AMP,  Inc.,  ITT Cannon,  Bendix
Corporation,   Digital  Equipment  Corporation,  Hewlett  Packard,  IBM,  Connor
Peripherals and Seagate Technology. Its primary customers are original equipment
manufacturers.  Electronic  components  are shipped  either as received from the
Company's  suppliers  or with  assembly or other value  added.  The Company also
provides integrated materials management services with respect to the electronic
components it sells.
    


                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     The following table sets forth the ratio of the Company's earnings to fixed
charges, on a consolidated basis, for the periods indicated:


   
                                   Year ended
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   June 26,           June 27,       June 28,        June 30,         July 1,
   1998 (1)             1997           1996            1995           1994(2)
   --------             ----           ----            ----           -------
    6.5                 10.3           10.7             8.7             7.9
    

- -------

   
(1)  Income before  income taxes for the year ended June 26, 1998,  includes (a)
     the gain on the sale of Channel Master  amounting to $33.8 million pre-tax,
     (b) costs relating to the divestiture of Avnet  Industrial,  the closure of
     the Company's corporate  headquarters in Great Neck, New York, and the loss
     on the sale of  Company-owned  real  estate,  amounting  to  $13.3  million
     pre-tax in the aggregate,  and (c) incremental  special charges  associated
     principally with the reorganization of the Company's  Electronic  Marketing
     Group  amounting  to  $35.4  million  pre-tax.   Had  such  one-time  items
     (amounting to $14.9 million pre-tax,  net) not been included,  the ratio of
     earnings to fixed charges for the year ended June 26, 1998, would have been
     6.8 on a pro forma basis.

(2)  Income  before  income  taxes for the year  ended  July 1,  1994,  includes
     restructuring  and  integration  charges of $22.7 million pre-tax which are
     principally  attributable  to  the  acquisition  of  Hall-Mark  Electronics
     Corporation.  Had such  one-time  charges not been  included,  the ratio of
     earnings to fixed charges for the year ended July 1, 1994,  would have been
     8.9 on a pro forma basis.
    






                                        4





   
                             SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     The  selected  financial  data set forth below have been  derived  from the
consolidated  financial  statements of the Company.  Reference is hereby made to
such  financial  statements  and  accompanying  notes that are  included  in the
documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
    


Year ended ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 1, June 30, June 28, June 27, June 26, 1994(1) 1995 1996 1997 1998(2)(3)(4) ------- ---- ---- ---- ------------- (in millions except earnings per share) Income Statement Data: Sales...................................... $3,547.7 $4,300.0 $5,207.8 $5,390.6 $5,916.3 Cost of sales.............................. 2,851.6 3,483.6 4,238.7 4,428.8 4,935.9 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Gross profit............................... 696.1 816.4 969.1 961.8 980.4 Operating expenses......................... 531.3 554.9 620.1 634.1 709.2 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Operating income........................... 164.8 261.5 349.0 327.7 271.2 Interest expense........................... (14.8) (23.2) (25.9) (26.1) (40.0) Other income, net.......................... 4.8 5.1 2.0 11.8 2.3 Gain on sale of Channel Master ............ -- -- -- -- 33.8 ------ ------- ----- ------ ------ Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change.................................. 154.8 243.4 325.1 313.4 267.3 Income taxes............................... 66.7 103.1 136.8 130.6 115.9 ------ ------- ------- ------- ----- Income before cumulative effect of accounting change.................... 88.1 140.3 188.3 182.8 151.4 Cumulative effect of change in method of accounting for income taxes............................ (2.8) -- -- -- -- ------ ------ ------ ------- ------ Net income................................. $ 85.3 $140.3 $188.3 $182.8 $151.4 ====== ===== ===== ===== ===== Earnings per share(5): Basic................................... $2.10 (6) $3.44 $4.34 $4.29 $3.85 ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== Diluted................................. $2.09 (6) $3.32 $4.31 $4.25 $3.80 ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== Shares used to compute earnings per share: Basic................................... 40.6 40.7 43.3 42.6 39.4 ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== Diluted................................. 40.8 43.4 (7) 43.7 43.0 39.8 ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
(Footnotes appear on next page) 5
July 1, June 30, June 28, June 27, June 26, 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- (in millions) Balance Sheet Data: Working capital.......................... $ 888.0 $1,057.1 $1,293.9 $1,319.0 $1,461.3 Total assets............................. 1,787.7 2,125.6 2,521.7 2,594.1 2,733.7 Long-term debt........................... 303.1 419.0 497.2 514.4 810.7 Shareholders' equity..................... 1,108.5 1,239.4 1,505.2 1,502.2 1,315.9
____________ (1) Includes in operating expenses restructuring and integration charges of $22.7 million pre-tax and $13.5 million after-tax, which are principally attributable to the acquisition of Hall-Mark Electronics Corporation. (2) Includes the second quarter gain on the sale of Channel Master amounting to $33.8 million pre-tax, offset somewhat in operating expenses by costs relating to the divestiture of Avnet Industrial, the closure of the Company's corporate headquarters in Great Neck, New York, and the anticipated loss on the sale of Company-owned real estate, amounting to $13.3 million in the aggregate. At the time the special charges were recorded, they represented primarily a non-cash writedown to reflect the expected value to be received upon the disposition of Avnet Industrial and the Company-owned real estate (the cash component of the charge is approximately $2.5 million). The Company has subsequently disposed of Avnet Industrial for an amount approximating the written down value, and is still in the process of disposing of the Company-owned real estate, the written down value of which is still believed to approximate its market value, based upon real estate appraisals. The disposition of Avnet Industrial and of the Company-owned real estate will not have a material impact on the Company's future results of operations, liquidity and sources and uses of capital resources. The net effect of these items is to increase income before income taxes, net income, and diluted earnings per share by approximately $20.5 million, $8.7 million, and $0.21 per share for the second quarter, respectively. (3) Includes the fourth quarter impact of incremental special charges associated principally with the reorganization of the Company's Electronic Marketing Group, amounting to $35.4 million pre-tax, $21.2 million after-tax and $0.57 per share on a diluted basis for the fourth quarter. Approximately $25.7 million of the pre-tax charge is included in operating expenses, and $9.7 million is included in cost of sales. These charges include severance, real property lease termination costs, inventory reserves required related to supplier terminations, the writedown of goodwill and other items. The writedown of goodwill relates to a small underperforming operating unit, the ultimate disposition of which will not have a material impact on the Company's future results of operations. Of the special charges of $35.4 million pre-tax, approximately $17.1 million will not require an outflow of cash and $18.3 million will require the use of cash ($9.5 million of the $18.3 million has been paid as of the end of fiscal 1998). The balance of cash is expected to be paid by the end of fiscal 1999, except for amounts associated with long-term real property lease terminations and contractual commitments, the amounts of which 6 are not material. Management expects that the Company's future results of operations will benefit from the expected cost savings resulting from the reorganization, and that the impact on liquidity and sources and uses of capital resources will not be material. (4) Diluted earnings per share for fiscal 1998 in total exceeded by $0.04 the sum of the applicable amounts for each of the quarters of fiscal 1998 due to the effect of the Company's stock repurchase program and the special items recorded during the fiscal year. (5) In December 1997, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share," which requires the presentation of both Basic and Diluted earnings per common share. Consistent with the requirements of SFAS No. 128, net earnings per common share and weighted average common shares outstanding have been restated to conform with the provisions of SFAS No. 128 for all periods presented. (6) Basic and diluted earnings per share before cumulative effect of accounting change were $2.17 and $2.16, respectively. The impact on basic and diluted earnings per share of the cumulative effect of a change in method of accounting for income taxes was $(0.07) in both cases. (7) In computing diluted earnings per share for 1995, the 6% Convertible Subordinated Debentures (which were converted into common stock in the first quarter of fiscal 1996) were considered common equivalent shares. 7 USE OF PROCEEDS Except as may be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement, the Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Debt Securities for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of debt, capital expenditures, possible acquisitions, repurchases of the Company's common stock, and working capital. Pending such use, the net proceeds may be temporarily invested in short-term securities. Depending on market conditions, the financial needs of the Company and other factors, the Company may, from time to time, undertake additional financings. The amount and timing of such financings, if any, cannot be determined at this time. DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES The following description of the terms of the Debt Securities sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities to which any Prospectus Supplement may relate. The particular terms of the Debt Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement (the "Offered Debt Securities") and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the Offered Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Offered Debt Securities. The Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture dated as of February 1, 1994 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), which is an exhibit incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. The following summary of certain general provisions of the Indenture and the Debt Securities does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms. Whenever particular provisions in the Indenture are referred to herein, such provisions are incorporated by reference herein. Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms in this section have the same meanings given to such terms in the Indenture. General The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities which can be issued under the Indenture is unlimited. The Debt Securities to which this Prospectus relates will be issued from time to time in one or more series in amounts the proceeds of which will aggregate up to $500,000,000 and will be offered to the public on terms determined by market conditions at the time of sale. The Debt Securities will be unsecured and will rank pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Indenture does not limit the amount of other indebtedness or securities, other than certain secured indebtedness as described below, that may be issued by the Company. 8 Debt Securities of a series may be issued in registered form ("Registered Securities") or bearer form ("Bearer Securities") or both as specified in the terms of the series. Debt Securities in bearer form will be offered only to non-United States persons and to offices located outside the United States of certain United States financial institutions. Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities ("Global Securities") registered in the name of a depository or its nominee and, in such case, beneficial interests in the Global Securities will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the designated depository and its participants. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular series of Offered Debt Securities offered thereby for the following terms of such Offered Debt Securities: o The designation, aggregate principal amount and authorized denominations; o The issue price expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount; o The date or dates of maturity; o The interest rate per annum (fixed or floating) or the method by which such interest rate will be determined; o The dates interest will commence accruing and, if applicable, be paid and, for Registered Securities, the record dates for interest payments; o Where principal and interest, if any, will be paid; o Any optional or mandatory sinking fund provisions; o The dates and redemption prices relating to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions and other terms and provisions of any optional or mandatory redemptions; o The denominations of Registered Securities if other than denominations of $1,000 and any multiple thereof, and the denominations of Bearer Securities if other than denominations of $5,000; o The portion of the principal amount payable on declaration of acceleration of maturity or provable in bankruptcy, if other than the principal amount; o Any Events of Default, if not set forth in the Indenture; 9 o The currency or currencies, including composite currencies, of payment of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest (if any), if other than the currency of the United States of America; o If the principal (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, are to be payable, at the election of the Company or any Holder thereof, in coin or currency other than that in which the Offered Debt Securities of the series are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and condition on which, such election may be made; o If such securities are to be denominated in a currency or currencies, including composite currencies, other than the currency of the United States of America, the equivalent price in the currency of the United States of America for purposes of determining the voting rights of Holders of such Offered Debt Securities as Outstanding Securities under the Indenture; o If the amount of payments of principal (and premium, if any), or portions thereof, or interest may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method, the manner of determining such amounts; o Whether the Offered Debt Securities will be issuable in registered or bearer form or both, any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of the Offered Debt Securities in bearer form, and whether the Offered Debt Securities in bearer form will be exchangeable (and the terms on which such exchange may be made) for Offered Debt Securities in registered form; o Whether Offered Debt Securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, if so, the method of transferring beneficial interest in such Global Security or Global Securities; o The application, if any, of certain provisions of the Indenture relating to defeasance and discharge, and related conditions; o Any additional restrictive covenants or other material terms relating thereto which may not be inconsistent with the Indenture; and o Any applicable federal income tax consequences. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, principal (and premium, if any) will be payable, and the Registered Securities will be transferable, at the corporate trust office of the Trustee in New York, New York. Unless other arrangements are made, interest, if any, will be paid by checks mailed to the Holders of Registered Securities at their registered addresses. To the extent set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, 10 Bearer Securities and the coupons appertaining thereto will be payable, against surrender thereof, subject to any applicable laws and regulations, at the offices of such paying agencies outside the United States as the Company may appoint from time to time. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. One or more series of the Debt Securities may be issued as discounted Debt Securities (bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates) to be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any such discounted Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. The Company will comply with Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act, and any tender offer rules of the Commission under the Exchange Act which may then be applicable, in connection with any obligation of the Company to purchase Offered Debt Securities at the option of the holders thereof. Any such obligation applicable to a series of Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus Supplements relating thereto. The Company may at any time purchase Debt Securities at any price in the open market or otherwise. Debt Securities so purchased by the Company may, at its sole option, be held, resold or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. Certain Definitions "Attributable Debt" means, as to any particular lease, the greater of (i) the fair market value of the property subject to the lease (as determined by the Company's Board of Directors), or (ii) the total net amount of rent required to be paid during the remaining term of the lease, discounted by the weighted average effective interest cost per annum of the outstanding Debt Securities of all series, compounded semi-annually. "Consolidated Net Assets" means total assets after deducting therefrom all current liabilities as set forth in the most recent balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. "Funded Debt" means (i) all indebtedness for money borrowed having a maturity of more than twelve months from the date as of which the determination is made or having a maturity of twelve months or less but by its terms being renewable or extendible beyond twelve months from such date at the option of the borrower, and (ii) rental obligations payable more than twelve months from such date under leases which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (such rental obligations to be included as Funded Debt at the amount so capitalized and to be included as an asset for the purposes of the definition of Consolidated Net Assets). 11 "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof. "Principal Property" means any manufacturing or processing plant or warehouse owned at the date hereof or hereafter acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which is located within the United States and the gross book value (including related land and improvements thereon and all machinery and equipment included therein without deduction of any depreciation reserves) of which on the date as of which the determination is being made exceeds 2% of Consolidated Net Assets, other than (i) any such manufacturing or processing plant or warehouse or any portion thereof (together with the land on which it is erected and fixtures comprising a part thereof) which is financed by industrial development bonds which are tax exempt pursuant to Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code (or which receive similar tax treatment under any subsequent amendments thereto or any successor laws thereof or under any other similar statute of the United States), (ii) any property which in the opinion of the Company's Board of Directors is not of material importance to the total business conducted by the Company as an entirety, or (iii) any portion of a particular property which is similarly found not to be of material importance to the use or operation of such property. "Restricted Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary of the Company (i) substantially all the property of which is located, or substantially all the business of which is carried on, within the United States, and (ii) which owns a Principal Property. "Subsidiary" means any corporation more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock of which at the time of determination is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company and/or by one or more other Subsidiaries. "Voting Stock" means capital stock of a corporation of the class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the Board of Directors, managers or trustees of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency). Highly Leveraged Transactions Unless otherwise described in a Prospectus Supplement relating to any Offered Debt Securities, there are no covenants or provisions contained in the Indenture which may afford the holders of Offered Debt Securities direct protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving the Company. 12 Restrictions on Secured Debt The Company covenants in the Indenture, for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities other than any series which specifically provides otherwise, that if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall after the date of the Indenture incur or guarantee any loans, notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of indebtedness for money borrowed ("Debt") secured by a mortgage, pledge or lien ("Mortgage") on any Principal Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or on any share of stock or Debt of any Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will secure or cause such Restricted Subsidiary to secure the Debt Securities equally and ratably with (or, at the Company's option, prior to) such secured Debt, unless the aggregate amount of all such secured Debt (plus all Attributable Debt which is not excluded as described below under the caption " -- Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Financings") would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Assets. This restriction will not apply to, and there will be excluded from secured Debt in any computation of the above restriction, Debt secured by (a) Mortgages on property of, or on any shares of stock of or Debt of, any corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) Mortgages in favor of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, (c) Mortgages in favor of governmental bodies to secure progress, advance or other payments, (d) Mortgages on property, shares of stock or Debt existing at the time of acquisition thereof (including acquisition through merger or consolidation) and purchase money and construction or improvement Mortgages which are entered into within 180 days after the acquisition of such property, shares or Debt or, in the case of real property, within 180 days after the later of (1) the completion of construction on, substantial repair to, alteration or development of, or substantial improvement to, such property, or (2) the commencement of commercial operations on such property, (e) mechanics' and similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations not due or being contested in good faith, (f) Mortgages arising from deposits with, or the giving of any form of security to, any governmental agency required as a condition to the transaction of business or to the exercise of any privilege, franchise or license, (g) Mortgages for taxes, assessments or government charges or levies which are not then due or, if delinquent, are being contested in good faith, (h) Mortgages (including judgment liens) arising from legal proceedings being contested in good faith, (i) Mortgages existing at the date of the Indenture and (j) any extension, renewal or refunding of any Mortgage referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) through (i) inclusive. Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Financings The Company covenants in the Indenture, for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities other than any series which specifically provides otherwise, that the Company will not itself, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction involving any Principal Property, unless after giving effect thereto the aggregate amount of all Attributable Debt with respect to all such transactions, plus all secured Debt which is not 13 excluded as described above under the caption " -- Restrictions on Secured Debt," would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Assets. This restriction will not apply to, and there will be excluded from Attributable Debt in any computation of the above restriction, any sale and leaseback transaction if (a) the lease is for a period, including renewal rights, of not in excess of three years, (b) the sale or transfer of the Principal Property is made within 180 days after its acquisition or within 180 days after the later of (1) the completion of construction on, substantial repair to, alteration or development of, or substantial improvement to, such property, or (2) the commencement of commercial operations thereon, (c) the transaction is between the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary, or between Restricted Subsidiaries, (d) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to incur a Mortgage on such Principal Property securing Debt in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to such transaction without equally or ratably securing the Securities, or (e) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, within 180 days after the sale or transfer is completed, applies to the retirement of Funded Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary ranking on a parity with or senior to the Debt Securities, or to the purchase of other property which will constitute a Principal Property having a fair market value at least equal to the fair market value of the Principal Property leased, an amount equal to the greater of the net proceeds of the sale of the Principal Property or the fair market value (as determined by the Company's Board of Directors) of the Principal Property leased at the time of entering into such arrangement (as determined by the Board of Directors). Restrictions on Mergers and Consolidations The Company covenants in the Indenture that it will not merge or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets unless (i) the successor Person is the Company or another Person organized under the laws of the United States (including any state thereof and the District of Columbia) which assumes the Company's obligations in the Debt Securities and under the Indenture, and (ii) after giving effect to such transaction, the Company or the successor Person would not be in default under the Indenture. Events of Default The Indenture defines "Events of Default" with respect to the Debt Securities of any series as being one of the following events: (i) default in the payment of any installment of interest on that series for 30 days after becoming due; (ii) default in the payment of principal on that series when due; (iii) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment on that series when due; (iv) default in the performance of any other covenant in the Debt Securities of that series or the Indenture (other than a covenant included in the Indenture solely for the benefit of any series of Debt Securities other than that series) for 90 days after notice; (v) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and (vi) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Debt Securities of that series. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount 14 of the Debt Securities then outstanding of that series may declare the principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series (or, in the case of Debt Securities sold at an original issue discount, the amount specified in the terms thereof) and the accrued interest thereon, if any, to be due and payable. Under certain conditions, such a declaration may be rescinded. The Indenture provides that the Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default known to it, give the affected holders of Debt Securities notice of all uncured defaults known to it (the term "default" to mean the events specified above without grace periods); provided that, except in the case of default in the payment of principal of or interest on any Debt Security, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the affected holders of Debt Securities. The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement by certain officers of the Company certifying that there are no defaults or specifying any default. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series will have the right, subject to certain limitations, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, and to waive certain defaults with respect thereto. The Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of its rights and powers under the Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in exercising the same, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person's own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any of the holders of Debt Securities unless they shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by the Trustee in compliance with such request. Modification of the Indenture With certain exceptions, the Indenture may be modified or amended with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by the modification; provided that no such modification or amendment may be made, without the consent of the holder of each Debt Security affected, which would (i) reduce the principal amount of or the interest on any Debt Security, or change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Debt Security or the other terms of payment thereof, or (ii) reduce the above-stated percentage of Debt Securities, the consent of the holders of which is required to modify or amend the Indenture, or the percentage of Debt Securities of any series, the consent of the holders of which is required to waive certain past defaults. 15 Defeasance and Discharge The Indenture provides that the Company may elect, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, to terminate (and be deemed to have satisfied) any and all of its obligations in respect of such Debt Securities (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Debt Securities, to maintain paying agencies and hold monies for payment in trust and, if so specified with respect to the Debt Securities of a certain series, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such specified Debt Securities) on the 91st day after the deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined) which, through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal of (and premium, if any), and interest, if any, on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, such Debt Securities on the stated maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and such Debt Securities. Such a trust may be established only if, among other things, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (who may be counsel to the Company) to the effect that, based upon applicable Federal income tax law or a ruling published by the United States Internal Revenue Service, such a defeasance and discharge will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event with respect to holders of such Debt Securities. If so specified with respect to the Debt Securities of a series, such a trust may be established only if establishment of the trust would not cause the Debt Securities of any such series listed on any nationally recognized securities exchange to be de-listed as a result thereof. Concerning the Trustee The First National Bank of Chicago is the Trustee under the Indenture and has been appointed by the Company as initial Security Registrar with regard to the Debt Securities. The Company currently does, and from time to time in the future may, maintain lines of credit and have customary banking relationships with the Trustee. The Trustee may serve as trustee for other debt securities issued by the Company from time to time. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The Company may sell Offered Debt Securities to or through one or more underwriters or dealers, directly to institutional investors or other purchasers, through agents, or through a combination of such or other methods. The distribution of the Offered Debt Securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. If underwriters are used in the sale, the Offered Debt Securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more 16 transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The Offered Debt Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. The underwriter or underwriters with respect to a particular underwritten offering of Offered Debt Securities will be named in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such offering and, if an underwriting syndicate is used, the managing underwriter or underwriters will be set forth on the cover of such Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the Offered Debt Securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the Offered Debt Securities if any are purchased. The Offered Debt Securities may be sold directly by the Company or through agents designated by the Company from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the Offered Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by the Company to such agent will be set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. In connection with the sale of Offered Debt Securities, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from the Company or from purchasers of Offered Debt Securities for whom they may act as agents in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell Offered Debt Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of Offered Debt Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions received by them from the Company and any profit on the resale of Offered Debt Securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions, under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified, and any such compensation received from the Company will be described, in the related Prospectus Supplement. If so indicated in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as the Company's agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase Offered Debt Securities from the Company at the public offering price set forth in the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by the Company. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the Offered Debt Securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts. 17 Under agreements which may be entered into by the Company, underwriters and agents who participate in the distribution of Offered Debt Securities may be entitled to indemnification by the Company against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution by the Company with respect to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof. Certain of the underwriters or agents and their affiliates may engage in transactions with and perform services for the Company or its affiliates in the ordinary course of their respective businesses. If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, until the distribution of the Offered Debt Securities is completed, rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission may limit the ability of any such underwriters and certain selling group members, if any, to bid for and purchase the Offered Debt Securities. As an exception to these rules, representatives of any underwriters are permitted to engage in certain transactions that stabilize the price of the Offered Debt Securities. Such transactions may consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the Offered Debt Securities. If the underwriters create a short position in the Offered Debt Securities in connection with the offerings, i.e., if they sell more Offered Debt Securities than are set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus Supplement, the representatives of the underwriters may reduce that short position by purchasing Offered Debt Securities in the open market. The representatives of the underwriters may also elect to reduce any short position by exercising all or part of any over allotment option, if any, described in the Prospectus Supplement. In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than it might be in the absence of such purchases. Neither the Company nor any underwriter or agent makes any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the Offered Debt Securities. In addition, neither the Company nor any underwriter or agent makes any representation that the representatives of any underwriters will engage in such transactions or that such transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice. The representatives of the underwriters may also impose a penalty bid on certain underwriters and selling group members, if any. This means that if the representatives of the underwriters purchase Offered Debt Securities in the open market to reduce the underwriters' short position or to stabilize the price of the Offered Debt Securities, they may reclaim the amount of the selling concession from the underwriters and selling group members who sold those Offered Debt Securities as part of the offering. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the price of the Offered Debt Securities to the extent that it discourages resales of the Offered Debt Securities. 18 The Debt Securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market. No assurances can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of such securities. LEGAL MATTERS The validity of the Offered Debt Securities will be passed upon for the Company by David R. Birk, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company. Mr. Birk beneficially owns 17,794 shares of the Company's common stock, including 14,375 shares issuable upon exercise of employee stock options. Certain legal matters with respect to the Offered Debt Securities will be passed upon for the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (a partnership including professional corporations), One New York Plaza, New York, New York 10004, unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement. EXPERTS The consolidated financial statements and schedule incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration Statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said report. 19 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS Item 16. Exhibits. Exhibit No. --- 1 Form of Standard Underwriting Agreement Provisions. 4 Indenture dated as of February 1, 1994, between the registrant and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 1-4224) bearing cover date of March 8, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference. 5 Opinion of David R. Birk, Esq. with respect to the legality of the securities being registered hereunder. 12 Statement of computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges. 23(a) Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP. 23(b) Consent of David R. Birk, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5). 24 Powers of Attorney.* 25 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The First National Bank of Chicago under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.* - -------- *Previously filed with this Registration Statement. II-1 Item 17. Undertakings. (1) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (a) 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 this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment hereof) 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) may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the change in volume represents 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 (i) and (ii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement; (b) 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 herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (c) 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. (2) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or 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 II-2 herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions referred to in Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange 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 the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of registrant 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, the registrant 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. (4) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that: (a) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective; and (b) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus 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. II-3 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3, and has duly caused this amendment to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Phoenix, State of Arizona, on August 7, 1998. AVNET, INC. By: /s/Raymond Sadowski ------------------- Raymond Sadowski Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment to Registration Statement has been signed on August 7, 1998 by the following persons in the capacities indicated: Signature Title - --------- ----- * - ---------- Chairman of the Board, Chief Roy Vallee Executive Officer and Director * - ------------ Director Eleanor Baum * - ----------------- Director Gerald J. Berkman II-4 Signature Title - --------- ----- * - ------------------- Director J. Veronica Biggins * - ------------------- Director Joseph F. Caligiuri * - ------------- Director Ehud Houminer * - ------------------ Director Salvatore J. Nuzzo * - ---------------- Director Frederic Salerno * - ---------- Director David Shaw * - -------------- Director Keith Williams II-5 Signature Title - --------- ----- * - ----------------- Director Frederick S. Wood /s/Raymond Sadowski Senior Vice President and - ------------------- Chief Financial Officer Raymond Sadowski * - ------------ Controller and John F. Cole Chief Accounting Officer - ------------------------------ * By: /s/Raymond Sadowski ------------------- Raymond Sadowski Attorney-in-Fact II-6 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit No. --- 1 Form of Standard Underwriting Agreement Provisions 4 Indenture dated as of February 1, 1994, between the registrant and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 1-4224) bearing cover date of March 8, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference 5 Opinion of David R. Birk, Esq. with respect to the legality of the securities being registered hereunder 12 Statement of computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges 23(a) Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP 23(b) Consent of David R. Birk, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5) 24 Powers of Attorney* 25 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The First National Bank of Chicago under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939* - -------- *Previously filed with this Registration Statement.











                                    EXHIBIT 1








                                                                     August 1998





                                   AVNET, INC.

                                 DEBT SECURITIES


                   STANDARD UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT PROVISIONS
                   ------------------------------------------

     1.  Introductory.  Avnet,  Inc., a New York  corporation  (the  "Company"),
proposes  to issue  and sell from time to time  certain  of its debt  securities
registered  under  the  registration  statement  referred  to  in  Section  3(a)
("Securities").  The Securities  will be issued under an indenture,  dated as of
February 1, 1994 (such  indenture as amended or  supplemented is herein referred
to as the  "Indenture"),  between  the Company  and The First  National  Bank of
Chicago, as Trustee, in one or more series, which series may vary as to interest
rates, maturities,  redemption provisions,  selling prices and other terms, with
all such terms for any particular  series of the Securities  being determined at
the time of sale. Particular series of the Securities will be sold pursuant to a
Pricing Agreement  referred to in Section 2, for resale in accordance with terms
of offering determined at the time of sale.

     The firm or firms which agree to purchase the  Securities  are  hereinafter
referred to as the "Underwriters" of such Securities,  and the representative or
representatives  of the Underwriters,  if any,  specified in a Pricing Agreement
referred to in Section 2 are hereinafter  referred to as the  "Representatives";
provided,   however,  that  if  the  Pricing  Agreement  does  not  specify  any
representative of the Underwriters,  the term  "Representatives," as used herein
(other than in the second sentence of Section 2), shall mean the Underwriters.

     2. Purchase and Offering of Securities.  The obligation of the Underwriters
to  purchase  the  Securities  will  be  evidenced  by an  exchange  of  written
communications  ("Pricing Agreement") at the time the Company determines to sell
the  Securities.  The Pricing  Agreement  will  incorporate  by reference  these
Standard  Underwriting  Agreement  Provisions  (these  "Provisions"),  except as
otherwise provided therein, and will specify (1) the firm or firms which will be
Underwriters, (2) the names of any Representatives,  (3) the principal amount of
Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter and the purchase price to be paid
by the  Underwriters,  (4) the terms of the Securities not already  specified in
the Indenture, (5) the time and date on which delivery of the Securities will be
made to the Representatives for the accounts of the several Underwriters against
payment by the several  Underwriters through the Representatives of the purchase
price in New York  Clearing  House funds (such time and date, or such other time
and  date  not  later  than  seven  full   business   days   thereafter  as  the
Representatives and the Company



                                                         





agree to as to time and date for payment and  delivery,  being herein and in the
Pricing  Agreement  referred  to as the  "Closing  Date")  and (6) the  place of
delivery and payment.

     The  obligations of the  Underwriters  to purchase the  Securities  will be
several and not joint.  The  Securities  delivered  to the  Underwriters  on the
Closing Date will be in definitive fully registered form, in such  denominations
and registered in such names as the Representatives may request.

     Certificates  for the  Securities  shall be registered in such names and in
such  denominations  as the  Representatives  may request not less than two full
business days in advance of the Closing Date.

     3.  Representations  and Warranties of the Company:  The Company represents
and  warrants to each of the  Underwriters  as of the date of  execution  of any
Pricing Agreement (the "Representation Date") and as of any Closing Date that:

          (a) the Company is permitted to use Form S-3 under the  Securities Act
     of 1933,  as amended (the  "Act"),  and has filed with the  Securities  and
     Exchange  Commission (the  "Commission")  a registration  statement on such
     Form, which has become effective, for the registration under the Act of the
     Securities.  Such registration  statement, as amended at the Representation
     Date, meets the requirements set forth in Rule  415(a)(1)(x)  under the Act
     and  complies  in  all  other  material   respects  with  said  Rule.  Such
     registration  statement,  including the exhibits thereto, as amended at the
     Representation Date, is hereinafter called the "Registration Statement" and
     the prospectus included in the Registration  Statement,  as supplemented to
     reflect  the  terms  of any  series  of the  Securities  and  the  plan  of
     distribution  thereof, in the form furnished to the Underwriters for use in
     connection with the offering of the Securities,  is hereinafter  called the
     "Prospectus."  Any reference  herein to the  Registration  Statement or the
     Prospectus  shall be  deemed  to  include  the  documents  incorporated  by
     reference  therein  pursuant  to Item 12 of Form S-3 which were filed under
     the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange  Act") on or before the
     Representation Date or the date of the Prospectus,  as the case may be, and
     any reference herein to the terms "amend," "amendment" or "supplement" with
     respect to the Registration  Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to
     include  the  filing  of any  document  under  the  Exchange  Act after the
     Representation  Date or the  date of the  Prospectus,  as the  case may be,
     deemed to be incorporated therein by reference;

          (b) (i) the Registration  Statement,  the Prospectus and the Indenture
     comply in all material  respects with the  applicable  requirements  of the
     Act, the Trust  Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Trust  Indenture  Act") and the
     Exchange  Act and the  respective  rules  thereunder,  and (ii) neither the
     Registration  Statement nor the Prospectus contains any untrue statement of
     a material fact or omits to state any



                                        2





     material fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make
     the statements therein not misleading;  provided, however, that the Company
     makes no warranty or representation with respect to any statement contained
     in the  Registration  Statement or the  Prospectus  in reliance upon and in
     conformity  with  information  furnished  in writing by or on behalf of any
     Underwriter through the Representatives to the Company expressly for use in
     the Registration Statement or the Prospectus;

          (c) all of the issued and  outstanding  shares of capital stock of the
     Company  have been duly and  validly  authorized  and  issued and are fully
     paid,  non-assessable  and free of  statutory  and  contractual  preemptive
     rights; the Company and each of its subsidiaries (the  "Subsidiaries") have
     been duly  incorporated  and are validly  existing as  corporations in good
     standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of incorporation,
     with  full  power and  authority  to own their  respective  properties  and
     conduct  their  respective  businesses  as  described  in the  Registration
     Statement and the  Prospectus;  the Company has full power and authority to
     execute and deliver the Pricing Agreement  (including these Provisions) and
     the Indenture and to issue and sell the Securities as herein contemplated;

          (d) the Company and each of its  Subsidiaries  are duly  qualified  or
     licensed by, and are in good standing in, each  jurisdiction  in which they
     conduct their respective businesses and in which the failure,  individually
     or in the aggregate,  to be so licensed or qualified  could have a material
     adverse effect on the operations,  business or condition of the Company and
     its  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole,  and with respect to the Company,  the
     jurisdictions  listed on Schedule A hereto  constitute  a complete  list of
     such  jurisdictions;  and the Company and each of its  Subsidiaries  are in
     compliance  in  all  material  respects  with  the  laws,  orders,   rules,
     regulations and directives issued or administered by such jurisdictions;

          (e) neither the Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is in breach of,
     or in default under (nor has any event occurred which with notice, lapse of
     time,  or both  would  constitute  a breach  of,  or  default  under),  its
     respective  charter or by-laws or in the  performance  or observance of any
     obligation,  agreement,  covenant or  condition  contained  in any material
     indenture,  mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other
     agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries is
     a party or by which any of them is bound,  and the execution,  delivery and
     performance of the Pricing  Agreement  (including these Provisions) and the
     Indenture,  and the  issuance of the  Securities  and  consummation  of the
     transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby,  will not conflict with, or
     result in any breach of or constitute a default under (nor  constitute  any
     event which with notice,  lapse of time, or both would  constitute a breach
     of, or default  under),  any  provisions  of the  charter or by-laws of the
     Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  or under any provision of any material
     license, indenture,  mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement
     or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its



                                        3





     Subsidiaries  is a  party  or by  which  any of them  or  their  respective
     properties may be bound or affected, or under any federal,  state, local or
     foreign  law,  regulation  or  rule  or  any  decree,   judgment  or  order
     specifically binding on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

          (f) the Indenture has been duly authorized,  executed and delivered by
     the Company  and is a legal,  valid and  binding  agreement  of the Company
     enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the
     enforceability   thereof   may  be  limited  by   bankruptcy,   insolvency,
     reorganization,  moratorium  or similar laws  affecting  creditors'  rights
     generally, and by general principles of equity;

          (g) the Securities  have been duly  authorized by the Company and when
     executed  and  delivered by the Company will  constitute  legal,  valid and
     binding  obligations  of the  Company  enforceable  against  the Company in
     accordance with their terms,  except as the  enforceability  thereof may be
     limited by bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium or similar
     laws affecting  creditors' rights generally,  and by general  principles of
     equity;

          (h) the  Pricing  Agreement  has been duly  authorized,  executed  and
     delivered by the Company;

          (i) the Securities and the Indenture  conform in all material respects
     to the  description  thereof  contained in the  Registration  Statement and
     Prospectus;

          (j) no approval, authorization, consent or order of or filing with any
     national,  state or local  governmental  or regulatory  commission,  board,
     body,  authority or agency is required in connection  with the issuance and
     sale of the Securities as  contemplated  hereby other than  registration of
     the  Securities  under the Act,  qualification  of the Indenture  under the
     Trust Indenture Act and any necessary qualification under the securities or
     blue sky laws of the  various  jurisdictions  in which the  Securities  are
     being offered by the Underwriters;

          (k)  the  accountants  whose  reports  on the  consolidated  financial
     statements  of  the  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  are  filed  with  the
     Commission  as  part  of the  Registration  Statement  and  Prospectus  are
     independent  public  accountants  as required by the Act and the applicable
     published rules and regulations thereunder;

          (l) each of the Company  and its  Subsidiaries  (i) has all  necessary
     licenses, authorizations,  consents and approvals which are material to its
     business,  (ii) has made all filings  required  under any  federal,  state,
     local or foreign law,  regulation or rule,  the failure to make which would
     have a material  adverse effect on the operations,  business,  prospects or
     financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (a
     "Material Adverse Effect"), and (iii) has obtained



                                        4





     all necessary  authorizations,  consents and  approvals  from other persons
     which are  material  to its  business;  neither  the Company nor any of its
     Subsidiaries  is in violation  of, or in default  under,  any such license,
     authorization,  consent or approval or any federal, state, local or foreign
     law, regulation or rule or any decree,  order or judgment applicable to the
     Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  the  effect  of  which  violation  or
     default, singly or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect;

          (m) all legal or governmental proceedings, contracts or documents of a
     character  required to be  described in the  Registration  Statement or the
     Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration  Statement have
     been so described or filed as required;

          (n) there are no actions,  suits or proceedings  pending or threatened
     against the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries or any of their  respective
     properties,  at law or in equity, before or by any federal, state, local or
     foreign  governmental or regulatory  commission,  board, body, authority or
     agency which, singly or in the aggregate,  have a reasonable  likelihood of
     resulting in judgments, decrees or orders having a Material Adverse Effect;

          (o) the audited  financial  statements  included  in the  Registration
     Statement and the  Prospectus  present  fairly the  consolidated  financial
     position of the Company and its  Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and
     the  consolidated  results of operations  and cash flows of the Company and
     its Subsidiaries for the periods specified;  such financial statements have
     been prepared in conformity with generally accepted  accounting  principles
     applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved;

          (p)  subsequent to the  respective  dates as of which  information  is
     given in the  Registration  Statement and Prospectus,  and except as may be
     otherwise stated in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, there has not
     been (A) any material and unfavorable  change,  financial or otherwise,  in
     the business,  properties,  prospects,  regulatory environment,  results of
     operations or condition  (financial or otherwise),  present or prospective,
     of the Company and its Subsidiaries  taken as a whole, (B) any transaction,
     which is material and unfavorable to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken
     as a whole,  contemplated  or  entered  into by the  Company  or any of its
     Subsidiaries  or (C) any obligation,  contingent or otherwise,  directly or
     indirectly,  incurred  by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  which is
     material and  unfavorable  to the Company and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a
     whole;

          (q) no  Subsidiary  is a  "significant  subsidiary"  as  that  term is
     defined in Item 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Act;

          (r) the Company and each of the  Subsidiaries  have filed all material
     federal and state income and franchise tax returns (or obtained  extensions
     with respect



                                        5





     to the filing of such  returns)  and have paid all taxes  shown  thereon as
     currently  due,  and the  Company  has no  knowledge  of any  material  tax
     deficiency  which has been or might be asserted  against the Company or any
     of the Subsidiaries;  all material tax liabilities are adequately  provided
     for on the books of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries;

          (s) the Company and its Subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on
     reasonable  terms,  adequate  material  patents,  patent rights,  licenses,
     trademarks, inventions, service marks, trade names, copyrights and know-how
     (including trade secrets and other proprietary or confidential information,
     systems or  procedures,  whether  patented  or  unpatented)  (collectively,
     "intellectual  property") necessary to conduct the business now or proposed
     to be operated by them as described in the  Registration  Statement  and in
     the  Prospectus,  and neither the Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has
     received any notice of  infringement  of or conflict  with (or knows of any
     such  infringement  of or  conflict  with)  asserted  rights of others with
     respect to any of such  intellectual  property  which, if such assertion of
     infringement  or conflict were  sustained,  would result,  singly or in the
     aggregate, in any Material Adverse Effect;

          (t) neither  the Company nor any agent  acting on its behalf has taken
     or will take any action that might cause the Pricing  Agreement  or sale of
     the Securities to violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of
     the Federal Reserve System,  in each case as in effect,  or as the same may
     hereafter be in effect, on the Closing Date;

          (u)  except  as  described  in  the  Registration  Statement  and  the
     Prospectus,  (i) the operations of the Company and its  Subsidiaries are in
     compliance in all material respects with all applicable environmental laws,
     (ii)  the  Company  and  its   Subsidiaries   have  obtained  all  material
     environmental,  health and safety permits, licenses and approvals necessary
     for its operation,  all such permits,  licenses and approvals are in effect
     and the Company and its  Subsidiaries  are in  compliance  in all  material
     respects with the terms and conditions  thereof,  (iii) with respect to any
     property currently or formerly owned,  leased or operated by the Company or
     any of its Subsidiaries, (a) neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary is
     subject to any judicial or  administrative  proceeding or any order from or
     agreement with any governmental  authority  (collectively,  "Proceedings"),
     and (b) the Company does not have  knowledge  of any pending or  threatened
     investigation    by    any    governmental     authority     (collectively,
     "Investigations")  relating to any  violation  or alleged  violation of any
     environmental  law,  any  release  or  threatened  release  of a  hazardous
     material into the environment, or any remedial action that may be necessary
     in  connection  with  any  such  violation  or  release,  except  for  such
     Proceedings  or  Investigations  which,  whether  individually  or  in  the
     aggregate,  could not be expected to have a Material  Adverse Effect,  (iv)
     neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has filed



                                        6





     any  notice  under  any   environmental  law  indicating  past  or  present
     treatment,  storage,  disposal or release of a hazardous  material into the
     environment  in a manner  that is not in  compliance  with,  or which could
     result in liability under, applicable environmental laws, except where such
     non-compliance  or liability,  whether  individually  or in the  aggregate,
     could not be expected to have a Material  Adverse  Effect,  (v) neither the
     Company nor any such  Subsidiary has received notice of a claim that it may
     be subject to liability (a "Notice") as a result of a release or threatened
     release of  hazardous  material,  except  for such  Notice  which,  whether
     individually or in the aggregate,  could not be expected to have a Material
     Adverse Effect,  and (vi) there are no events,  circumstances or conditions
     that  might  reasonably  be  expected  to form the  basis  of an order  for
     clean-up or  remediation,  or an action,  suit or proceeding by any private
     party or governmental body or agency,  against or materially  affecting the
     Company  or any of its  subsidiaries  relating  to  chemicals,  pollutants,
     contaminants,  wastes, toxic substances, petroleum or petroleum products or
     any environmental law, and to the best of the Company's knowledge, there is
     no reasonable  basis for any such order,  action,  suit or proceeding  with
     respect to any environmental law which could be expected to have a Material
     Adverse Effect;

          (v) the Company is not an "investment company" or an affiliated person
     of, or "promoter" or "principal  underwriter" for, an "investment company,"
     as such  terms  are  defined  in the  Investment  Company  Act of 1940,  as
     amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder; and

          (w) to the best knowledge of the Company, no labor problem exists with
     employees  of the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  or is imminent  that
     could have a Material Adverse Effect.

     4. Certain Covenants of the Company: The Company hereby agrees:

          (a) to furnish such  information as may be reasonably  required by and
     otherwise  to  cooperate  with,  the   Representatives  in  qualifying  the
     Securities  for offering and sale under the  securities or blue sky laws of
     such states as the Representatives may designate  (including the provisions
     of Florida blue sky law, if requested,  relating to issuers doing  business
     with  Cuba)  and to  maintain  such  qualifications  in  effect  as long as
     required for the distribution of the Securities,  provided that the Company
     shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or a dealer or to
     consent to the service of process  under the laws of any such state (except
     service of process with respect to the offering and sale of the Securities)
     or to take any action which would or could  subject the Company to taxation
     in any state  where it is not now so subject;  and to  promptly  advise the
     Representatives  of the  receipt by the  Company of any  notification  with
     respect to the suspension of the  qualification  of the Securities for sale
     in any  jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for
     such purpose;



                                        7





          (b) to make available to the Representatives in New York City, as soon
     as practicable  after the Registration  Statement  becomes  effective,  and
     thereafter from time to time to furnish to the Underwriters, as many copies
     of the Prospectus (or of the Prospectus as amended or  supplemented  if the
     Company  shall have made any  amendments or  supplements  thereto after the
     effective  date of the  Registration  Statement)  as the  Underwriters  may
     reasonably request for the purposes contemplated by the Act;

          (c) that the Company will use its best efforts to cause any  amendment
     of the  Registration  Statement to become effective  promptly.  The Company
     will not file any amendment to the  Registration  Statement or amendment or
     supplement to the  Prospectus  relating to any series of the  Securities to
     which the  Underwriters  of such  series  shall  object in writing  after a
     reasonable  opportunity  to  review  the  same.  Subject  to the  foregoing
     sentence, the Company will cause each Prospectus supplement relating to the
     Securities  to be filed  with the  Commission  pursuant  to the  applicable
     paragraph  of Rule 424 within the time period  prescribed  and will provide
     evidence  satisfactory  to the  Underwriters  of such  timely  filing.  The
     Company will promptly  advise the  Underwriters of any series of Securities
     (A) when any Prospectus  supplement relating to such series shall have been
     filed  with  the  Commission  pursuant  to Rule  424,  (B)  when,  prior to
     termination  of  the  offering  of  such  series,   any  amendment  to  the
     Registration  Statement shall have been filed with the Commission or become
     effective,  (C) of any request by the  Commission  for any amendment of the
     Registration   Statement  or  supplement  to  the  Prospectus  or  for  any
     additional  information,   (D)  of  the  receipt  by  the  Company  of  any
     notification of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending
     the  effectiveness  of  the  Registration  Statement  or  the  use  of  any
     Prospectus or Prospectus  supplement or, if the Company has  knowledge,  of
     the institution or threat of any proceeding for that purpose and (E) of the
     receipt by the Company of any  notification  with respect to the suspension
     of the  qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or, if
     the Company has  knowledge,  of the  initiation or threat of any proceeding
     for such purpose.  The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent
     the  issuance  of any  such  stop  order  or of  any  order  suspending  or
     preventing  any such use and, if issued,  to obtain as soon as possible the
     withdrawal thereof;

          (d) to furnish to the  Representatives  and, upon request,  to each of
     the other  Underwriters  for a period of three  years from the date of each
     Pricing Agreement (i) copies of any reports or other  communications  which
     the  Company  shall  send to its  shareholders  or shall  from time to time
     publish or publicly disseminate,  (ii) copies of all annual,  quarterly and
     current  reports filed with the Commission on Forms 10- K, 10-Q and 8-K, or
     such other similar form as may be designated by the  Commission,  and (iii)
     such  other  information  as the  Representatives  may  reasonably  request
     regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries;




                                        8





          (e) to advise the  Underwriters of a series of Securities  promptly of
     the  happening  of any event  known to the  Company  within the time during
     which a  prospectus  relating to such  series is  required to be  delivered
     under the Act which,  in the  judgment of the  Company,  would  require the
     making  of  any  change  in  the  Prospectus  then  being  used,  or in the
     information incorporated therein by reference, so that the Prospectus would
     not  include  an untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omit to state a
     material fact  necessary to make the  statements  therein,  in light of the
     circumstances  under which they are made, not misleading,  and, during such
     time, to prepare and furnish, at the Company's expense, to the Underwriters
     promptly  such  amendments  or  supplements  to such  Prospectus  as may be
     necessary to reflect any such change and to furnish to the  Representatives
     a copy of such  proposed  amendment or  supplement  before  filing any such
     amendment or supplement with the Commission;

          (f)  that,  as soon as  practicable  after  the  date of each  Pricing
     Agreement,  the  Company  will make  generally  available  to its  Security
     holders an earnings  statement  that  satisfies  the  provisions of Section
     11(a) of the Act and Rule 158 under the Act;

          (g) to apply the net proceeds  from the sale of the  Securities in the
     manner set forth under the caption "Use of Proceeds" in the Prospectus;

          (h) to pay all expenses, fees and taxes (other than any transfer taxes
     and fees and  disbursements of counsel for the  Underwriters  except as set
     forth under Section 5 hereof and (iii) and (iv) below) in  connection  with
     (i)  the  preparation  and  filing  of  the  Registration  Statement,  each
     preliminary prospectus,  the Prospectus,  and any amendments or supplements
     thereto,  and the printing and  furnishing of copies of each thereof to the
     Underwriters and to dealers (including costs of mailing and shipment), (ii)
     the preparation,  issuance,  execution,  authentication and delivery of the
     Securities,  (iii) the printing of the Pricing  Agreement  (including these
     Provisions),  an Agreement Among Underwriters,  any dealer agreements,  any
     Powers of Attorney,  the Indenture and the reproduction and/or printing and
     furnishing  of copies of each  thereof to the  Underwriters  and to dealers
     (including  costs of mailing and shipment),  (iv) the  qualification of the
     Securities for offering and sale under state laws and the  determination of
     their  eligibility for investment  under state law as aforesaid  (including
     the legal fees and filing fees and other  disbursements  of counsel for the
     Underwriters)  and the  printing and  furnishing  of copies of any blue sky
     surveys or legal investment surveys to the Underwriters and to dealers, (v)
     any  listing  of  the  Securities  on  any  securities   exchange  and  any
     registration  thereof  under the  Exchange  Act,  (vi) any fees  payable to
     investment rating agencies with respect to the Securities, (vii) any filing
     for  review  of the  public  offering  of the  Securities  by the  National
     Association  of  Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  (the  "NASD"),  and (viii) the
     performance of the Company's other obligations hereunder; and



                                        9





          (i)  that  the   Company   will  not,   without  the  consent  of  the
     Representatives, offer or sell, or publicly announce its intention to offer
     or sell, (i) any debt securities  pursuant to a public offering or (ii) any
     unsecured  debt   securities   pursuant  to  a  private   placement   which
     contemplates  the purchasers of such debt  securities  receiving  customary
     registration  rights,  in each case during the period beginning on the date
     of the Pricing  Agreement and ending the 90th day following the date of the
     Pricing Agreement.  The Company has not taken, and will not take,  directly
     or  indirectly,  any action which might  reasonably be expected to cause or
     result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to
     facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

     5. Reimbursement of Underwriters'  Expenses:  If the Securities of a series
to which the attached Pricing Agreement relates are not delivered for any reason
other than (a) a termination of the  obligations of the several  Underwriters in
accordance with clause (a)(iii), (a)(iv) or (a)(v) of Section 9 hereof, or (b) a
default  by one  or  more  of  the  Underwriters  in  its  or  their  respective
obligations  hereunder,  the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of
their  out-of-pocket  expenses,  including the fees and  disbursements  of their
counsel.

     6. Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations:  The several obligations of the
Underwriters  to purchase and pay for the Securities are subject to the accuracy
of the  representations  and warranties on the part of the Company herein on the
Representation  Date and at the Closing Date  (including  those contained in the
Pricing Agreement), to the accuracy of the statements of officers of the Company
made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its
obligations hereunder and to the following conditions:

          (a) The Company  shall furnish to the  Representatives  at the Closing
     Date an opinion of Carter,  Ledyard & Milburn,  counsel for the Company, or
     other counsel to the Company reasonably  acceptable to the Representatives,
     addressed  to the  Underwriters  and  dated  the  Closing  Date and in form
     satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, stating that:

               (i) the Pricing Agreement (which incorporates by reference all of
          these Provisions) has been duly authorized,  executed and delivered by
          the Company;

               (ii)  the  Indenture  has  been  duly  authorized,  executed  and
          delivered by the Company and constitutes the legal,  valid and binding
          agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance
          with its terms,  except insofar as the  enforceability  thereof may be
          limited  by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium  or
          similar laws affecting  creditors'  rights  generally,  and by general
          principles of equity;




                                       10





               (iii) the  Securities  have been duly  authorized  by the Company
          and, when executed and  authenticated  in accordance with the terms of
          the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters,  will
          be legal,  valid and binding  obligations  of the Company  enforceable
          against the Company in accordance with their terms,  except insofar as
          the enforceability  thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,  insolvency,
          reorganization or similar laws affecting  creditors' rights generally,
          and by general principles of equity;

               (iv) the  Securities  and the  Indenture  conform in all material
          respects  to  the  summary   descriptions  thereof  contained  in  the
          Registration Statement and Prospectus;

               (v) the Registration  Statement and the Prospectus  (except as to
          the  financial  statements  and  schedules  and  other  financial  and
          statistical  data contained or incorporated  by reference  therein and
          the Trustee's  Statement of  Eligibility on Form T-1, as to which such
          counsel  need  express no opinion)  comply as to form in all  material
          respects with the requirements of the Act;

               (vi) the  Registration  Statement has become  effective under the
          Act  and,  to the  best of such  counsel's  knowledge,  no stop  order
          proceedings  with respect thereto are pending or threatened  under the
          Act;

               (vii) no approval,  authorization,  consent or order of or filing
          with any  United  States  Federal or New York  State  governmental  or
          regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency is required in
          connection  with the issue or sale of the Securities by the Company as
          contemplated  hereby,  other than registration of the Securities under
          the Act and  qualification  of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture
          Act (except such  counsel need express no opinion as to any  necessary
          qualification  under  the  state  securities  or blue  sky laws of the
          various jurisdictions in which the Securities are being offered by the
          Underwriters);

               (viii)  the  Indenture  has been duly  qualified  under the Trust
          Indenture Act.

          In addition,  such  counsel  shall state that it has  participated  in
     conferences  with  officers  and  other  representatives  of  the  Company,
     representatives  of the independent  public  accountants of the Company and
     representatives  of  the  Underwriters,   at  which  the  contents  of  the
     Registration  Statement and Prospectus  were  discussed and,  although such
     counsel has not  independently  verified,  is not passing upon and does not
     assume  responsibility  for, the accuracy,  completeness or fairness of the
     statements contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus (except as
     and to the extent stated in subparagraph (iv) above), no facts have come to
     the attention of such



                                       11





     counsel,  in the course of such  participation,  that  causes it to believe
     that the Registration Statement,  or any post-effective  amendment thereto,
     as of the date it was declared effective,  contained an untrue statement of
     a material  fact or omitted to state a material  fact required to be stated
     therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that
     the Prospectus or any supplement thereto, at the date of such Prospectus or
     such  supplement  and at all times up to and  including  the Closing  Date,
     contained or contains an untrue  statement of a material fact or omitted or
     omits to state a material fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary
     in order to make the statements  therein, in the light of the circumstances
     under which they were made, not misleading (it being  understood  that such
     counsel need express no opinion  with respect to the  financial  statements
     and schedules  and other  financial  and  statistical  data included in the
     Registration  Statement  or  Prospectus  or with  respect to the  Trustee's
     Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1).

          In  rendering  such  opinion,  counsel may state that such  opinion is
     limited to United States Federal and New York law.

          (b) The Company  shall furnish to the  Representatives  at the Closing
     Date an opinion of David R. Birk, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
     for the Company, or such other counsel to the Company reasonably acceptable
     to the Representatives, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the Closing
     Date and in form  satisfactory  to counsel  for the  Underwriters,  stating
     that:

               (i) the Company is a  corporation  validly  existing  and in good
          standing under the laws of the State of New York,  with full corporate
          power and authority to own its  properties and conduct its business as
          described in the  Registration  Statement  and the  Prospectus  and to
          issue, sell and deliver the Securities as herein contemplated;

               (ii) the outstanding  shares of capital stock of the Company have
          been duly and  validly  authorized  and  issued  and are  fully  paid,
          non-assessable  and  free  of  statutory  and  contractual  preemptive
          rights;

               (iii) each of the Subsidiaries  organized in the United States of
          America is a corporation  validly  existing and in good standing under
          the laws of its respective  jurisdiction  of  incorporation  with full
          corporate power and authority to own its respective  properties and to
          conduct its  respective  business  (in  rendering  this  opinion  with
          respect  to  jurisdictions  other  than the  State of New  York,  such
          counsel may state that he is relying  exclusively on certificates  and
          other documents of public officials of such jurisdictions);

               (iv) the  Company is duly  qualified  to  transact  business as a
          foreign corporation in the jurisdictions  listed on Schedule A hereto,
          other than the



                                       12





          State of New York (in rendering  this opinion,  such counsel may state
          that he is relying  exclusively on certificates and other documents of
          public officials of such jurisdictions);

               (v) to the best of such counsel's knowledge,  neither the Company
          nor any of its  Subsidiaries is in breach of, or in default under (nor
          has any event occurred which with notice, lapse of time, or both would
          constitute a breach of, or default  under),  any  "material  contract"
          (within the meaning of Item  601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K  promulgated
          under  the  Exchange   Act)  to  which  the  Company  or  any  of  its
          Subsidiaries  is a party or by which  any of them or their  respective
          properties  may be  bound or  affected,  or under  any  United  States
          Federal  or New York  State  law,  regulation  or rule,  or under  any
          decree,  judgment  or order  applicable  to the  Company or any of its
          Subsidiaries;

               (vi) the  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of the  Pricing
          Agreement and the Indenture and the issuance of the  Securities by the
          Company  and  the  consummation  by the  Company  of the  transactions
          contemplated  hereby and thereby do not and will not conflict with, or
          result in any breach of, or constitute a default under (nor constitute
          any event which with notice, lapse of time, or both would constitute a
          breach of or default under),  any provisions of the charter or by-laws
          of the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  or under any  provision of
          any material license,  indenture,  mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan,
          credit agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company
          or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or their
          respective  properties  may be bound or  affected,  or under  any law,
          regulation or rule or any decree,  judgment or order applicable to the
          Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

               (vii)  to the  best of such  counsel's  knowledge,  there  are no
          contracts,  licenses,  agreements,  leases or documents of a character
          which  are  required  to be  filed  as  exhibits  to the  Registration
          Statement or to be  summarized  or described in the  Prospectus  which
          have not been so filed, summarized or described;

               (viii)  to the best of such  counsel's  knowledge,  there  are no
          actions,  suits or  proceedings  pending  or  threatened  against  the
          Company  or any  of  its  Subsidiaries  or  any  of  their  respective
          properties, at law or in equity or before or by any commission, board,
          body,  authority  or agency  which are required to be described in the
          Prospectus but are not so described;

               (ix) the documents  incorporated by reference in the Registration
          Statement  and  Prospectus,  when they were filed (or, if an amendment
          with



                                       13





          respect to any such document was filed when such amendment was filed),
          complied as to form in all material  respects with the requirements of
          the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder  (except as to the financial
          statements  and  schedules  and  other  financial  data  contained  or
          incorporated  by  reference  therein  as to which  such  counsel  need
          express no opinion);

          (c)  The  Representatives  shall  have  received  from  the  Company's
     independent  public  accountants  letters  dated,  respectively,  as of the
     Representation Date and the Closing Date, and addressed to the Underwriters
     in the forms theretofore approved by the Representatives.

          (d) The  Representatives  shall have  received at the Closing Date the
     favorable opinion of counsel for the Underwriters,  dated the Closing Date,
     in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.

          (e) Prior to the Closing Date (i) the  Registration  Statement and all
     amendments thereto, or modifications  thereof, if any, shall not contain an
     untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omit to  state a  material  fact
     required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make the statements
     therein  not  misleading  and (ii) the  Prospectus  and all  amendments  or
     supplements thereto, or modifications thereof, if any, shall not contain an
     untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact required
     to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements  therein,
     in  the  light  of  the  circumstances  under  which  they  are  made,  not
     misleading.

          (f) Between the  Representation  Date and the Closing Date,  (i) there
     has  been  no  material  adverse  change  in the  condition,  financial  or
     otherwise,  or in the earnings,  business affairs or business  prospects of
     the Company and its subsidiaries  considered as one enterprise,  whether or
     not arising in the  ordinary  course of business,  and (ii) no  transaction
     which is material and  unfavorable  to the Company  shall have been entered
     into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

          (g)  The  Company  will,   at  the  Closing   Date,   deliver  to  the
     Representatives  a  certificate  of two of its  executive  officers  to the
     effect that the  representations and warranties of the Company set forth in
     Section 3 of this Agreement and the conditions set forth in subsections (e)
     and subsection (f) of this Section 6 have been met and are true and correct
     as of such date.

          (h) The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such other
     documents  and  certificates  as to the  accuracy and  completeness  of any
     statement  in the  Registration  Statement  and  the  Prospectus  as of the
     Closing Date as the Representatives may reasonably request.




                                       14





          (i) The Company  shall  perform  such of its  obligations  under these
     Provisions  and the Pricing  Agreement  as are to be performed by the terms
     hereof and thereof at or before the Closing Date.

          (j) No stop order  suspending the  effectiveness  of the  Registration
     Statement  has been issued and no  proceedings  for that  purpose have been
     instituted or threatened.

          (k) At the Closing Date,  counsel for the Underwriters shall have been
     furnished  with such  information,  certificates  and documents as they may
     reasonably  require  for the  purpose  of  enabling  them to pass  upon the
     issuance  and sale of the  Securities  as  contemplated  herein and related
     proceedings,   or  in  order  to  evidence  the  accuracy  of  any  of  the
     representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions,
     herein  contained;  and all opinions and  certificates  mentioned  above or
     elsewhere in this Agreement  shall be reasonably  satisfactory  in form and
     substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters.

     7. Indemnification.

          (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter
     and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of
     Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act as follows:

          (i) against  any and all loss,  liability,  claim,  damage and expense
     whatsoever,  as  incurred,  arising out of any untrue  statement or alleged
     untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement
     (or any amendment thereto),  including the information deemed to be part of
     the  Registration  Statement  pursuant to Rule  430A(b)  under the Act (the
     "Rule  430A  Information")  or Rule  434  under  the  Act  (the  "Rule  434
     Information"), if applicable, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom
     of a material fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the
     statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or
     alleged  untrue  statement of a material fact  included in any  preliminary
     prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement  thereto),  or
     the omission or alleged omission  therefrom of a material fact necessary in
     order to make the  statements  therein,  in the light of the  circumstances
     under which they were made, not misleading;

          (ii) against any and all loss,  liability,  claim,  damage and expense
     whatsoever,  as  incurred,  to the extent of the  aggregate  amount paid in
     settlement of any  litigation,  or any  investigation  or proceeding by any
     governmental  agency  or body,  commenced  or  threatened,  or of any claim
     whatsoever  based upon any such untrue  statement or omission,  or any such
     alleged untrue statement or omission;



                                       15





     provided  that  (subject  to Section  7(d)  below) any such  settlement  is
     effected with the written consent of the Company; and

          (iii) against any and all expense whatsoever,  as incurred (including,
     subject to  Section  7(c)  hereof,  the fees and  disbursements  of counsel
     chosen  by the  Representatives),  reasonably  incurred  in  investigating,
     preparing or defending  against any  litigation,  or any  investigation  or
     proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened,  or
     any claim whatsoever  based upon any such untrue statement or omission,  or
     any such alleged untrue statement or omission,  to the extent that any such
     expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

     provided,  however,  that the indemnity provided in this Section 7(a) shall
     not apply to any loss,  liability,  claim,  damage or expense to the extent
     arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement
     or  omission  made  in  reliance  upon  and  in  conformity   with  written
     information  furnished  to the  Company by or on behalf of any  Underwriter
     through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement
     (or any amendment  thereto),  including the Rule 430A  Information  and the
     Rule 434  Information  deemed to be a part thereof,  if applicable,  or any
     preliminary  prospectus or the  Prospectus  (or any amendment or supplement
     thereto) (the "Furnished  Information");  and provided,  further, that with
     respect to any untrue  statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
     omission made in any preliminary prospectus, the indemnity provided in this
     Section  7(a) shall not inure to the benefit of any  Underwriter  from whom
     the person  asserting  any such losses,  claims,  damages,  liabilities  or
     expenses purchased the Securities concerned to the extent that (i) any such
     loss,  claim,  damage,  liability  or expense of such  Underwriter  and its
     affiliates  results  from  the  fact  that a copy of the  final  Prospectus
     (excluding  documents  incorporated  by reference) was not sent or given to
     such  person  at or  prior  to the  written  confirmation  of  sale of such
     Securities  as  required  by the  Act,  and (ii) the  untrue  statement  or
     omission has been corrected in the final Prospectus.

          (b) Each  Underwriter  severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
     the  Company,   its  directors,   each  of  its  officers  who  signed  the
     Registration  Statement,  and each person, if any, who controls the Company
     within the  meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the  Exchange
     Act  against  any  and all  loss,  liability,  claim,  damage  and  expense
     described in the indemnity  contained in subsection  (a) of this Section 7,
     as incurred,  but only with respect to untrue  statements or omissions,  or
     alleged untrue statements or omissions,  made in the Registration Statement
     (or any amendment thereto) including the Rule 430A Information and the Rule
     434  Information  deemed  to be a  part  thereof,  if  applicable,  or  any
     preliminary  prospectus or the  Prospectus  (or any amendment or supplement
     thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with the Furnished Information,
     which the  Underwriters  agree to identify  by letter to the Company  dated
     each Closing Date.




                                       16





          (c) Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably
     practicable to each  indemnifying  party of any action commenced against it
     in respect of which  indemnity may be sought  hereunder,  but failure to so
     notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from
     any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially  prejudiced as a
     result  thereof and in any event  shall not  relieve it from any  liability
     which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In
     the case of parties indemnified  pursuant to Section 7(a) above, counsel to
     the indemnified parties shall be selected by the  Representatives,  and, in
     the case of parties indemnified  pursuant to Section 7(b) above, counsel to
     the indemnified  parties shall be selected by the Company.  An indemnifying
     party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action;
     provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except
     with  the  consent  of  the  indemnified  party)  also  be  counsel  to the
     indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for
     fees and  expenses  of more  than one  counsel  (in  addition  to any local
     counsel)  separate  from their own counsel for all  indemnified  parties in
     connection  with any one action or separate but similar or related  actions
     in the same  jurisdiction  arising out of the same general  allegations  or
     circumstances.  No  indemnifying  party  shall,  without the prior  written
     consent of the indemnified parties,  settle or compromise or consent to the
     entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation,  or any investigation
     or proceeding by any governmental agency or body,  commenced or threatened,
     or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution
     could be sought  under this  Section 7 or Section 8 hereof  (whether or not
     the indemnified  parties are actual or potential parties  thereto),  unless
     such  settlement,  compromise  or consent  (i)  includes  an  unconditional
     release of each  indemnified  party from all liability  arising out of such
     litigation, investigation,  proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a
     statement as to or an admission of fault,  culpability  or a failure to act
     by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

          (d) If at any  time an  indemnified  party  shall  have  requested  an
     indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses
     of counsel,  such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any
     settlement of the nature  contemplated by Section 7(a)(ii) effected without
     its written  consent if (i) such  settlement  is entered  into more than 45
     days after receipt by such  indemnifying  party of the  aforesaid  request,
     (ii) such  indemnifying  party shall have  received  notice of the terms of
     such  settlement  at least 30 days prior to such  settlement  being entered
     into and (iii)  such  indemnifying  party  shall not have  reimbursed  such
     indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such
     settlement.  Notwithstanding the immediately  preceding sentence, if at any
     time an  indemnified  party shall have requested an  indemnifying  party to
     reimburse  the  indemnified  party for fees and  expenses  of  counsel,  an
     indemnifying  party  shall not be liable for any  settlement  of the nature
     contemplated  by Section  7(a)(ii)  effected  without  its  consent if such
     indemnifying party (i) reimburses such indemnified party in accordance with



                                       17





     such request to the extent it considers  such request to be reasonable  and
     (ii) provides written notice to the indemnified  party  substantiating  the
     unpaid  balance  as  unreasonable,  in each case  prior to the date of such
     settlement.

     8. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section 7 hereof is
for any reason  unavailable to or  insufficient  to hold harmless an indemnified
party in  respect  of any  losses,  liabilities,  claims,  damages  or  expenses
referred to  therein,  then each  indemnifying  party  shall  contribute  to the
aggregate  amount of such  losses,  liabilities,  claims,  damages and  expenses
incurred by such  indemnified  party, as incurred,  (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one
hand,  and the  Underwriters,  on the  other  hand,  from  the  offering  of the
Securities  pursuant  to  the  applicable  Pricing  Agreement,  or  (ii)  if the
allocation  provided by clause (i) is not permitted by  applicable  law, in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative  benefits referred
to in clause (i) above but also the relative  fault of the  Company,  on the one
hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the statements
or omissions  which  resulted in such losses,  liabilities,  claims,  damages or
expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

     The relative  benefits  received by the Company,  on the one hand,  and the
Underwriters,  on the  other  hand,  in  connection  with  the  offering  to the
Securities pursuant to the applicable Pricing Agreement shall be deemed to be in
the same  respective  proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of
such  Securities  (before  deducting  expenses)  received by the Company and the
total  underwriting  discount received by the Underwriters,  in each case as set
forth on the cover of the Prospectus, or, if Rule 434 is used, the corresponding
location on the term sheet,  bear to the aggregate initial public offering price
of such Securities as set forth on such cover.

     The relative fault of the Company,  on the one hand, and the  Underwriters,
on the other hand,  shall be  determined  by reference  to, among other  things,
whether  any such  untrue or alleged  untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or
omission or alleged  omission to state a material  fact  relates to  information
supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge,  access to  information  and  opportunity  to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.

     The  Company  and the  Underwriters  agree  that it  would  not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8 were determined by pro rata
allocation  (even  if the  Underwriters  were  treated  as one  entity  for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable  considerations  referred  to above in this  Section 8. The  aggregate
amount of losses,  liabilities,  claims,  damages  and  expenses  incurred by an
indemnified  party and  referred  to above in this  Section 8 shall be deemed to
include any legal or other  expenses  reasonably  incurred  by such  indemnified
party in investigating,  preparing or defending  against any litigation,  or any
investigation or proceeding



                                       18





by any  governmental  agency  or body,  commenced  or  threatened,  or any claim
whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission.

     Notwithstanding  the provisions of this Section 8, no Underwriter  shall be
required  to  contribute  any  amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Securities  underwritten  by it and distributed to the public
exceeds the amount of any damages  which such  Underwriter  has  otherwise  been
required  to pay by reason of any such  untrue or alleged  untrue  statement  or
omission or alleged omission.

     No person  guilty of  fraudulent  misrepresentation  (within the meaning of
Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution  from any person who
was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

     For  purposes  of this  Section 8, each  person,  if any,  who  controls an
Underwriter  within  the  meaning  of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and
each  director  of the  Company,  each  officer  of the  Company  who signed the
Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the  meaning of Section  15 of the Act or Section 20 of the  Exchange  Act shall
have  the  same  rights  to  contribution  as  the  Company.  The  Underwriters'
respective  obligations to contribute  pursuant to this Section 8 are several in
proportion to the number or aggregate  principal  amount, as the case may be, of
Securities set forth opposite their respective  names in the applicable  Pricing
Agreement, and not joint.

     9. Termination.

          (a)  The   Representatives   may  terminate  the  applicable   Pricing
     Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to the Closing
     Date,  if (i) there has been,  since the  Representation  Date or since the
     respective  dates as of which  information is given in the Prospectus,  any
     material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the
     earnings,  business  affairs or business  prospects  of the Company and its
     subsidiaries  considered as one  enterprise,  whether or not arising in the
     ordinary course of business, or (ii) any of the ratings accorded any of the
     Company's  debt  securities  shall have been  downgraded,  or placed  under
     surveillance  or review,  other  than with  positive  implications,  by any
     "nationally  recognized  statistical rating  organization," as that term is
     defined  by  the  Commission  in  Rule  15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F)(ii)  under  the
     Exchange  Act, or (iii) there has occurred any material  adverse  change in
     the  financial  markets in the  United  States  or, if the  Securities  are
     denominated  or payable in, or indexed to, one or more foreign or composite
     currencies,  in the  applicable  international  financial  markets,  or any
     outbreak of hostilities  or escalation  thereof or other calamity or crisis
     or any change or development  involving a prospective change in national or
     international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the
     effect  of  which  is  such  as  to  make  it,  in  the   judgment  of  the
     Representatives, impracticable to market the Securities or



                                       19





     to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, or (iv) trading in any
     securities of the Company has been  suspended or materially  limited by the
     Commission or the New York Stock Exchange,  or trading generally on the New
     York  Stock  Exchange  or the  American  Stock  Exchange  or in the  Nasdaq
     National  Market has been  suspended or materially  limited,  or minimum or
     maximum  prices for trading have been fixed,  or maximum  ranges for prices
     have been  required,  by either of said  exchanges  or by such system or by
     order of the Commission,  the NASD or any other governmental  authority, or
     (v) a banking  moratorium  has been declared by either  Federal or New York
     authorities or, if the Securities  include debt  securities  denominated or
     payable in, or indexed to, one or more foreign or composite currencies,  by
     the relevant authorities in the related foreign country or countries.

          (b)  If  these  Provisions  or the  applicable  Pricing  Agreement  is
     terminated  pursuant to this Section 9, such  termination  shall be without
     liability  of any party to any other party  except as provided in Section 5
     hereof, and provided further that Sections 3, 7, 8 and 9 shall survive such
     termination and remain in full force and effect.

     10. Notices: Except as otherwise herein provided, all statements, requests,
notices and agreements shall be in writing and, if to the Underwriters, at their
addresses  furnished to the Company in the Pricing  Agreement for the purpose of
communications  hereunder  and, if to the Company,  shall be  sufficient  in all
respects if  delivered or telefaxed to the Company at the offices of the Company
at 2211 South 47th  Street,  Phoenix,  Arizona  85034,  Attention:  Mr.  Raymond
Sadowski (fax no. (602) 643-7929).

     11.  Construction:  These  Provisions  and the Pricing  Agreement  shall be
governed by, and  construed  in  accordance  with,  the laws of the State of New
York. The section headings in these Provisions have been inserted as a matter of
convenience of reference and are not a part of these Provisions.

     12. Parties at Interest: The agreements set forth herein and in the Pricing
Agreement have been and are made solely for the benefit of the  Underwriters and
the Company and the controlling  persons,  directors and officers referred to in
Sections 7 and 8 hereof, and their respective successors, assigns, executors and
administrators.  No  other  person,  partnership,   association  or  corporation
(including a purchaser,  as such purchaser,  from any of the Underwriters) shall
acquire or have any right under or by virtue of these  Provisions or the Pricing
Agreement.





                                       20







                                   Schedule A
                                   ----------

         JURISDICTIONS IN WHICH AVNET, INC. IS INCORPORATED OR QUALIFIED

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut,  Florida,
Georgia,   Idaho,   Illinois,   Indiana,  Iowa,  Kansas,   Kentucky,   Maryland,
Massachusetts,   Michigan,   Minnesota,   Mississippi,   Missouri,  Nevada,  New
Hampshire,  New Jersey,  New Mexico, New York, North Carolina,  Ohio,  Oklahoma,
Oregon,  Pennsylvania,  Puerto  Rico,  Rhode  Island,  Tennessee,  Texas,  Utah,
Washington, Wisconsin









                                       21





                                   AVNET, INC.

                                 DEBT SECURITIES

                                PRICING AGREEMENT
                                -----------------

                                                                         , 199

Avnet, Inc.
80 Cutter Mill Road
Great Neck, New York 11021
Attention:

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Referring to the Debt Securities of Avnet, Inc. (the "Company")  covered by
the  Registration  Statement  on Form S-3  (No.  333-53691)  (the  "Registration
Statement")  filed  by  the  Company,  on  the  basis  of  the  representations,
warranties  and  agreements  contained in this  Agreement  and in the  Company's
Standard  Underwriting  Agreement  Provisions  attached  hereto  (the  "Standard
Underwriting  Agreement"),  and  subject to the terms and  conditions  set forth
herein and therein, the Underwriters named on Schedule I hereto ("Underwriters")
agree to purchase,  severally and not jointly, and the Company agrees to sell to
the Underwriters,  $ aggregate  principal amount of % Due (the  "Securities") in
the  respective   principal   amounts  set  forth  opposite  the  names  of  the
Underwriters on Schedule A hereto.

     The price at which the  Securities  shall be purchased  from the Company by
the  Underwriters  shall be % of the  principal  amount  thereof  [plus  accrued
interest  from , 199 ].  The  Securities  will be  offered  as set  forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.

The Securities will have the following terms:

Title:

Interest Rate:     % per annum

Interest Payment Dates:              and
                                                  commencing            , 199

Maturity:

Other Provisions:     as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the 
                      Securities



                                                      





Closing:           A.M. on            , 199 , at          , in New York Clearing
              House                      (next day) funds.

                  Name[s] and Address[es] of Representative[s]:









     The provisions contained in the Standard Underwriting Agreement Provisions,
a copy of which has been filed as Exhibit 1 to the Registration  Statement,  are
incorporated herein by reference.

     The  Securities  will be made  available  for checking and packaging at the
office of at least 24 hours prior to the Closing Date.

     We represent  that we are  authorized  to act for the several  Underwriters
named in  Schedule A hereto in  connection  with this  financing  and any action
under this agreement by any of us will be binding upon all the Underwriters.

     This Pricing Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,  all of
which counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument.





                                        2





     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement,
kindly sign and return to us the enclosed  duplicate  hereof,  whereupon it will
become a binding  agreement  among the Company and the several  Underwriters  in
accordance with its terms.

                                            Very truly yours,



                                            [NAMES OF REPRESENTATIVES]
                                            On behalf of themselves and
                                            as Representatives of the
                                            Several Underwriters

                                            By_____________________________




                                            By_____________________________
                                                Name:
                                                Title:


The foregoing Pricing Agreement
is hereby confirmed as of the
date first above written

AVNET, INC.


By__________________________
  Name:
  Title:




                                        3





                                   SCHEDULE I




                                                            Principal
                  Underwriter                                Amount
                  -----------                                ------






















                                                                    -------
                           Total. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . $_______















                                    EXHIBIT 5








                                                                Avnet, Inc.

                                                                David R. Birk
                                                           Senior Vice President
                                                                    and
                                                               General Counsel

                                                                July 31, 1998
Board of Directors
Avnet, Inc.
2211 South 47th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85034

Re:      Registration Statement on Form S-3
         Registration No. 333-53691
         --------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I refer to the  above-referenced  Registration  Statement  on Form S-3 (the
"Registration  Statement")  filed  by  Avnet,  Inc.  (the  "Company")  with  the
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  of up to $500,000,000  aggregate  principal
amount of the Company's debt securities to be issued from time to time in one or
more public offerings (the "Debt Securities").

     I have examined and am familiar with originals,  or copies the authenticity
of  which  has  been  established  to my  satisfaction,  of such  documents  and
instruments as I have deemed  necessary to express the opinions  hereinafter set
forth. Based upon the foregoing, it is my opinion that the Debt Securities, when
issued or  delivered  in the  manner  provided  for in the form of  Underwriting
Agreement  filed as an exhibit to the  Registration  Statement,  will be legally
issued and the binding obligations of the Company under the laws of the State of
New York, which laws govern the Indenture providing for the Debt Securities.

     I consent  to the use of this  opinion  as  Exhibit  5 to the  Registration
Statement  and to the reference to me under the caption  "Legal  Matters" in the
prospectus constituting Part I thereof.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                             /s/David R. Birk

                                             David R. Birk
DRB/me

        Avnet, Inc. o 80 Cutter Mill Road o Great Neck, NY 11021-3107 o
                            Telephone (516) 466-7000















                                   EXHIBIT 12








                                   Avnet, Inc.
               Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Year ended ------------------------------------------------------------------------ June 26, June 27, June 28, June 30, July 1, 1998(1) 1997 1996 1995 1994(2) ------- ---- ---- ---- ------- (Dollar amounts in thousands) Income before income taxes.......................... $267,346 $313,419 $325,039 $243,374 $154,838 Add fixed charges....................... 48,982 33,766 33,441 31,473 22,492 ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Income as adjusted...................... $316,328 $347,185 $358,480 $274,847 $177,330 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Fixed charges: Interest on indebtedness.............. $39,988 $26,076 $25,916 $23,175 $14,733 Amortization of debt expense........................ 252 165 149 324 161 Rents: Portion of rents representative of the interest factor ............ 8,742 7,525 7,376 7,974 7,598 ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ Total fixed charges..................... $48,982 $33,766 $33,441 $31,473 $22,492 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges.......................... 6.5 10.3 10.7 8.7 7.9 === ==== ==== === ===
Notes: - ------ (1) Income before income taxes for the year ended June 26, 1998, includes (a) the gain on the sale of Channel Master amounting to $33.8 million pre-tax, (b) costs relating to the divestiture of Avnet Industrial, the closure of the Company's corporate headquarters in Great Neck, New York, and the loss on the sale of Company-owned real estate, amounting to $13.3 million pre-tax in the aggregate, and (c) incremental special charges associated principally with the reorganization of the Company's Electronic Marketing Group amounting to $35.4 million pre-tax. Had such one-time items (amounting to $14.9 million pre-tax, net) not been included, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the year ended June 26, 1998, would have been 6.8 on a pro forma basis. (2) Income before income taxes for the year ended July 1, 1994, includes restructuring and integration charges of $22.7 million pre-tax which are principally attributable to the acquisition of Hall-Mark Electronics Corporation. Had such one-time charges not been included, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the year ended July 1, 1994, would have been 8.9 on a pro forma basis.











                                  EXHIBIT 23(a)









                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



     As independent public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this  Registration  Statement of our report dated July 30, 1997,
included in Avnet, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 27,
1997, and to all references to our firm included in this Registration Statement.


                                            /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP



New York, New York
August 7, 1998