<PAGE>

   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 18, 2003

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

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                           --------------------------
                                    FORM S-8

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                           --------------------------

                                NATCO GROUP INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           DELAWARE                                            22-2906892
(State or other jurisdiction of                             (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                             Identification No.)
                         2950 NORTH LOOP WEST, 7TH FLOOR
                              HOUSTON, TEXAS 77092
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
                           --------------------------

                   NATCO GROUP PROFIT SHARING AND SAVINGS PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)

                               KATHERINE P. ELLIS
                             SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT,
                          GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                         2950 NORTH LOOP WEST, 7TH FLOOR
                              HOUSTON, TEXAS 77092
                     (Name and address of agent for service)

                                 (713) 683-9292
          (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                                   Copies to:
                               William E. Joor III
                             Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
                    2300 First City Tower, 1001 Fannin Street
                              Houston, Texas 77002
                                 (713) 758-2222

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        MAXIMUM
    TITLE OF          AMOUNT TO BE      PROPOSED MAXIMUM    PROPOSED MAXIMUM
SECURITIES TO BE       REGISTERED        OFFERING PRICE        AGGREGATE           AMOUNT OF
   REGISTERED            (1)(2)          PER SHARE (3)     OFFERING PRICE (3)  REGISTRATION FEE
----------------      ------------      ----------------   ------------------  ----------------
<S>                 <C>                 <C>                <C>                 <C>
Common Stock,
$0.01 par value...  850,640 Shares          $6.475            $5,507,894           $445.88
</TABLE>

(1)  Pursuant to Rule 416(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
     "Securities Act"), this registration statement shall also cover any
     additional shares of Common Stock which become issuable under the NATCO
     Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan by reason of any stock dividend,
     stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected
     without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the
     number of the Registrant's outstanding shares of Common Stock.

(2)  In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
     amended, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of
     interests in the NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan to be offered
     and sold pursuant hereto.

(3)  Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933
     solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. Specifically,
     the offering price per share is based on the average of the high and low
     prices of NATCO Group Inc. Common Stock reported on the New York Stock
     Exchange as of December 15, 2003.

<PAGE>

                                     PART I

                INFORMATION REQUIRED IN SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS

ITEM 1. PLAN INFORMATION.*

ITEM 2. REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION.*

*    Information required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a)
     prospectus is omitted from this registration statement in accordance with
     Rule 428 under the Securities Act and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.


                                      1



<PAGE>
                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

The following documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission by NATCO Group Inc. are incorporated by reference and made a part of
this prospectus.

         -        the description of our capital stock contained in our
                  registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission
                  on January 5, 2000, including any amendment to that form that
                  we may have filed in the past, or may file in the future, for
                  the purpose of updating the description of our capital stock;

         -        our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                  2002;

         -        the NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan annual report
                  on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 2002;

         -        our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
                  March 31, 2003, June 30, 2003 and September 30, 2003; and

         -        our current reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and
                  Exchange Commission on February 25, 2003, March 7, 2003, March
                  14, 2003, March 27, 2003, May 29, 2003 and September 9, 2003;

All documents we have filed pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") subsequent to the
effective date of this registration statement, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered by this
prospectus have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference of this prospectus and
to be a part of this prospectus from the date of filing of such documents. Any
statement contained herein or in any document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for
purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained
in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part of
this registration statement, except as so modified or superseded.

ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

Not applicable.

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that, to the
fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law as the same
exists or may be hereafter amended (the "DGCL"), no director of NATCO Group
shall be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for
any breach of fiduciary duty by

                                      II-1
<PAGE>

such a director as a director. Article VI of our Amended and Restated Bylaws, as
amended, also provides that we may maintain insurance, at our own expense, to
protect us and any director, officer, employee or agent of us or of another
entity against any expense, liability, or loss, regardless of whether we would
have power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss
under the DGCL.

Section 145 of the DGCL authorizes, inter alia, a corporation to indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the
right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that the person is or was an
officer or director of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of
that corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may
indemnify past or present officers and directors of that corporation or of
another corporation or other enterprise at the former corporation's request, in
an action by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its
favor under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted
without judicial approval if that person is adjudged to be liable to the
corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action referred to above, or in defense of any
action referred to above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein,
the corporation must indemnify him against the expenses (including attorneys'
fees) which he actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Section
145 further provides that any indemnification shall be made by the corporation
only as authorized in each specific case upon a determination by (i) the
stockholders, (ii) the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum
consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding,
(iii) a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such
directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iv) independent counsel if a
quorum of disinterested directors so directs. Section 145 provides that
indemnification pursuant to its provision is not exclusive of other rights of
indemnification to which a person may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement,
vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Section 145 of the DGCL also empowers us to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was an officer or director of NATCO Group against
liability asserted against or incurred by him in any such capacity, whether or
not we would have the power to indemnify such officer or director against such
liability under the provisions of Section 145.

In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors
and officers. These indemnification agreements, among other things, indemnify
our directors and officers for certain expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines, and settlement payments incurred by such person in any action,
including in some circumstances an action by or in the right of us, in
connection with the good faith performance of their duties as a director or
officer. The indemnification agreements also provide for the advance payment by
us of defense expenses incurred by the director or officer; however, the
affected director or officer must undertake to repay such amounts if it is
ultimately determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be
indemnified.

ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

Not applicable.

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.

Unless otherwise indicated below as being incorporated by reference to another
filing of NATCO Group Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, each of
the following exhibits is filed with this registration statement:

         4.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NATCO Group Inc., as
                  amended (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our registration statement on
                  Form S-1 (No. 333-48851) and incorporated in this registration
                  statement by reference).

         4.2      Composite Amended and Restated Bylaws of NATCO Group Inc., as
                  amended (filed as Exhibit 3.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2003 and incorporated in
                  this registration statement by reference).

                                      II-2

<PAGE>

         4.3      Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating
                  Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our registration
                  statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-48851) and incorporated in this
                  registration statement by reference).

         4.4      Specimen Common Stock certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our
                  registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-48851) and
                  incorporated in this registration statement by reference).

         4.5      Certificate of Designations of Series B Convertible Preferred
                  Stock (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K
                  filed on March 27, 2003 and incorporated in this registration
                  statement by reference).

         4.6      NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan (as amended and
                  restated effective January 1, 2002).

         4.7      First Amendment to NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan
                  (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2002).

         5.1      Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

         23.1     Consent of KPMG LLP.

         23.2     Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).

         24.1     Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page to this
                  registration statement).

                                      II-3

<PAGE>

         UNDERTAKING REGARDING STATUS OF FAVORABLE DETERMINATION LETTER COVERING
THE PLAN

         We have submitted the NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan (as
amended and restated effective January 1, 2002) (the "Plan") to the Internal
Revenue Service (the "IRS") in a timely manner and obtained a favorable
determination letter regarding the Plan's qualified status. Since this
determination letter was obtained, we adopted the First Amendment to the NATCO
Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan (as Amended and restated effective January
1, 2002) (the "First Amendment"). We will submit the First Amendment to the IRS
in a timely manner to request its determination on the continued qualification
of the Plan as amended by the First Amendment, and we will make all changes
required by the IRS to qualify the Plan as amended by the First Amendment.

ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)      To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

         (a) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
         Securities Act;

         (b) 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 thereof) which, individually or in the
         aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
         in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
         increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
         dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
         registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
         maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of a prospectus
         filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate,
         the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in
         the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
         Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;

         (c) 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 (1)(a) and (1)(b) 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 Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference in this registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of
the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

(4) That, for the 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 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange
Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(5) 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 foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the 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

                                      II-4

<PAGE>

question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.

                                      II-5

<PAGE>

SIGNATURES

The Registrant. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable rounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on the 17th day of
December, 2003.

                           NATCO Group Inc.

                           By: /s/ Nathaniel A. Gregory
                               ----------------------------------
                               Nathaniel A. Gregory
                               Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Nathaniel A. Gregory, Richard W. FitzGerald and
Katherine P. Ellis as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent,
with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and
agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and anything
appropriate or necessary to be done, as fully and for all intents and purposes
as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agent or their substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated below on the 17th day of December, 2003.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 SIGNATURE                                     TITLE
-----------------------------------------    -----------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>
         /s/ Nathaniel A. Gregory
-----------------------------------------
           Nathaniel A. Gregory               Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
                                                Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

         /s/ Richard W. FitzGerald
-----------------------------------------
           Richard W. FitzGerald                     Senior Vice President and
                                                      Chief Financial Officer
                                                   (Principal Financial Officer)
             /s/ Ryan S. Liles
-----------------------------------------
               Ryan S. Liles                       Vice President and Controller
                                                  (Principal Accounting Officer)
            /s/ Keith K. Allan
-----------------------------------------
              Keith K. Allan                                 Director

         /s/ Thomas R. Bates, Jr.
-----------------------------------------
           Thomas R. Bates, Jr.                              Director

            /s/ John U. Clarke
-----------------------------------------
              John U. Clarke                                 Director

         /s/ George K. Hickox, Jr.
-----------------------------------------
           George K. Hickox, Jr.                             Director

          /s/ Patrick M. McCarthy
-----------------------------------------
            Patrick M. McCarthy                       Director and President
</TABLE>

                                      II-6

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 SIGNATURE                                     TITLE
-----------------------------------------    -----------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>
        /s/ Herbert S. Winokur, Jr.
-----------------------------------------
          Herbert S. Winokur, Jr.                            Director
</TABLE>

The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
trustees (or other persons who administer the NATCO Group Profit Sharing and
Savings Plan) have duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston,
State of Texas, on the 17th day of December, 2003.

                                 NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan

                                 By: /s/ Richard W. FitzGerald
                                     --------------------------------
                                     Richard W. FitzGerald
                                     Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                     Officer, NATCO Group Inc., and NATCO Group
                                     Employee Benefits Administration Committee
                                     Member

                                      II-7

<PAGE>

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

         4.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NATCO Group Inc., as
                  amended (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our registration statement on
                  Form S-1 (No. 333-48851) and incorporated in this registration
                  statement by reference).

         4.2      Composite Amended and Restated Bylaws of NATCO Group Inc., as
                  amended (filed as Exhibit 3.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2003 and incorporated in
                  this registration statement by reference).

         4.3      Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating
                  Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our registration
                  statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-48851) and incorporated in this
                  registration statement by reference).

         4.4      Specimen Common Stock certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our
                  registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-48851) and
                  incorporated in this registration statement by reference).

         4.5      Certificate of Designations of Series B Convertible Preferred
                  Stock (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K
                  filed on March 27, 2003 and incorporated in this registration
                  statement by reference).

         4.6      NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan (as amended and
                  restated effective January 1, 2002).

         4.7      First Amendment to NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan
                  (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2002).

         5.1      Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

         23.1     Consent of KPMG LLP.

         23.2     Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).

         24.1     Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page to this
                  registration statement).
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "NATCO GROUP INC", "cik": "0001057693", "assigned-sic": "3443", "irs-number": "222906892", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0331"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-111298", "film-number": "031061722"}, "business-address": {"street1": "BROOKHOLLOW CENTRAL III", "street2": "2950 NORTH LOOP WEST STE 750", "city": "HOUSTON", "state": "TX", "zip": "77092", "phone": "7136839292"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "BROOKHOLLOW CENTERL III", "street2": "2950 NORTH LOOP WEST STE 750", "city": "HOUSTON", "state": "TX", "zip": "77092"}}
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 18, 2003

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

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                           --------------------------
                                    FORM S-8

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                           --------------------------

                                NATCO GROUP INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           DELAWARE                                            22-2906892
(State or other jurisdiction of                             (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                             Identification No.)
                         2950 NORTH LOOP WEST, 7TH FLOOR
                              HOUSTON, TEXAS 77092
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
                           --------------------------

                   NATCO GROUP PROFIT SHARING AND SAVINGS PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)

                               KATHERINE P. ELLIS
                             SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT,
                          GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                         2950 NORTH LOOP WEST, 7TH FLOOR
                              HOUSTON, TEXAS 77092
                     (Name and address of agent for service)

                                 (713) 683-9292
          (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                                   Copies to:
                               William E. Joor III
                             Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
                    2300 First City Tower, 1001 Fannin Street
                              Houston, Texas 77002
                                 (713) 758-2222

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
MAXIMUM
    TITLE OF          AMOUNT TO BE      PROPOSED MAXIMUM    PROPOSED MAXIMUM
SECURITIES TO BE       REGISTERED        OFFERING PRICE        AGGREGATE           AMOUNT OF
   REGISTERED            (1)(2)          PER SHARE (3)     OFFERING PRICE (3)  REGISTRATION FEE
----------------      ------------      ----------------   ------------------  ----------------
Common Stock,
$0.01 par value...  850,640 Shares          $6.475            $5,507,894           $445.88
(1)  Pursuant to Rule 416(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
     "Securities Act"), this registration statement shall also cover any
     additional shares of Common Stock which become issuable under the NATCO
     Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan by reason of any stock dividend,
     stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected
     without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the
     number of the Registrant's outstanding shares of Common Stock.

(2)  In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
     amended, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of
     interests in the NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan to be offered
     and sold pursuant hereto.

(3)  Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933
     solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. Specifically,
     the offering price per share is based on the average of the high and low
     prices of NATCO Group Inc. Common Stock reported on the New York Stock
     Exchange as of December 15, 2003.
PART I

                INFORMATION REQUIRED IN SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS

ITEM 1. PLAN INFORMATION.*

ITEM 2. REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION.*

*    Information required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a)
     prospectus is omitted from this registration statement in accordance with
     Rule 428 under the Securities Act and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.

                                      1
PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

The following documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission by NATCO Group Inc. are incorporated by reference and made a part of
this prospectus.

         -        the description of our capital stock contained in our
                  registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission
                  on January 5, 2000, including any amendment to that form that
                  we may have filed in the past, or may file in the future, for
                  the purpose of updating the description of our capital stock;

         -        our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                  2002;

         -        the NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan annual report
                  on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 2002;

         -        our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
                  March 31, 2003, June 30, 2003 and September 30, 2003; and

         -        our current reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and
                  Exchange Commission on February 25, 2003, March 7, 2003, March
                  14, 2003, March 27, 2003, May 29, 2003 and September 9, 2003;

All documents we have filed pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") subsequent to the
effective date of this registration statement, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered by this
prospectus have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference of this prospectus and
to be a part of this prospectus from the date of filing of such documents. Any
statement contained herein or in any document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for
purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained
in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part of
this registration statement, except as so modified or superseded.

ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

Not applicable.

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that, to the
fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law as the same
exists or may be hereafter amended (the "DGCL"), no director of NATCO Group
shall be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for
any breach of fiduciary duty by

                                      II-1
such a director as a director. Article VI of our Amended and Restated Bylaws, as
amended, also provides that we may maintain insurance, at our own expense, to
protect us and any director, officer, employee or agent of us or of another
entity against any expense, liability, or loss, regardless of whether we would
have power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss
under the DGCL.

Section 145 of the DGCL authorizes, inter alia, a corporation to indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the
right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that the person is or was an
officer or director of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of
that corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may
indemnify past or present officers and directors of that corporation or of
another corporation or other enterprise at the former corporation's request, in
an action by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its
favor under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted
without judicial approval if that person is adjudged to be liable to the
corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action referred to above, or in defense of any
action referred to above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein,
the corporation must indemnify him against the expenses (including attorneys'
fees) which he actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Section
145 further provides that any indemnification shall be made by the corporation
only as authorized in each specific case upon a determination by (i) the
stockholders, (ii) the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum
consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding,
(iii) a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such
directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iv) independent counsel if a
quorum of disinterested directors so directs. Section 145 provides that
indemnification pursuant to its provision is not exclusive of other rights of
indemnification to which a person may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement,
vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Section 145 of the DGCL also empowers us to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was an officer or director of NATCO Group against
liability asserted against or incurred by him in any such capacity, whether or
not we would have the power to indemnify such officer or director against such
liability under the provisions of Section 145.

In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors
and officers. These indemnification agreements, among other things, indemnify
our directors and officers for certain expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines, and settlement payments incurred by such person in any action,
including in some circumstances an action by or in the right of us, in
connection with the good faith performance of their duties as a director or
officer. The indemnification agreements also provide for the advance payment by
us of defense expenses incurred by the director or officer; however, the
affected director or officer must undertake to repay such amounts if it is
ultimately determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be
indemnified.

ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

Not applicable.

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.

Unless otherwise indicated below as being incorporated by reference to another
filing of NATCO Group Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, each of
the following exhibits is filed with this registration statement:

         4.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NATCO Group Inc., as
                  amended (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our registration statement on
                  Form S-1 (No. 333-48851) and incorporated in this registration
                  statement by reference).

         4.2      Composite Amended and Restated Bylaws of NATCO Group Inc., as
                  amended (filed as Exhibit 3.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2003 and incorporated in
                  this registration statement by reference).

                                      II-2
4.3      Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating
                  Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our registration
                  statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-48851) and incorporated in this
                  registration statement by reference).

         4.4      Specimen Common Stock certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our
                  registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-48851) and
                  incorporated in this registration statement by reference).

         4.5      Certificate of Designations of Series B Convertible Preferred
                  Stock (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K
                  filed on March 27, 2003 and incorporated in this registration
                  statement by reference).

         4.6      NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan (as amended and
                  restated effective January 1, 2002).

         4.7      First Amendment to NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan
                  (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2002).

         5.1      Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

         23.1     Consent of KPMG LLP.

         23.2     Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).

         24.1     Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page to this
                  registration statement).

                                      II-3
UNDERTAKING REGARDING STATUS OF FAVORABLE DETERMINATION LETTER COVERING
THE PLAN

         We have submitted the NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan (as
amended and restated effective January 1, 2002) (the "Plan") to the Internal
Revenue Service (the "IRS") in a timely manner and obtained a favorable
determination letter regarding the Plan's qualified status. Since this
determination letter was obtained, we adopted the First Amendment to the NATCO
Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan (as Amended and restated effective January
1, 2002) (the "First Amendment"). We will submit the First Amendment to the IRS
in a timely manner to request its determination on the continued qualification
of the Plan as amended by the First Amendment, and we will make all changes
required by the IRS to qualify the Plan as amended by the First Amendment.

ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)      To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

         (a) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
         Securities Act;

         (b) 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 thereof) which, individually or in the
         aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
         in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
         increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
         dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
         registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
         maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of a prospectus
         filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate,
         the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in
         the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
         Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;

         (c) 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 (1)(a) and (1)(b) 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 Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference in this registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of
the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

(4) That, for the 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 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange
Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(5) 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 foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the 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

                                      II-4
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.

                                      II-5
SIGNATURES

The Registrant. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable rounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on the 17th day of
December, 2003.

                           NATCO Group Inc.

                           By: /s/ Nathaniel A. Gregory
                               ----------------------------------
                               Nathaniel A. Gregory
                               Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Nathaniel A. Gregory, Richard W. FitzGerald and
Katherine P. Ellis as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent,
with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and
agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and anything
appropriate or necessary to be done, as fully and for all intents and purposes
as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agent or their substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated below on the 17th day of December, 2003.
SIGNATURE                                     TITLE
-----------------------------------------    -----------------------------------------
/s/ Nathaniel A. Gregory
-----------------------------------------
           Nathaniel A. Gregory               Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
                                                Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

         /s/ Richard W. FitzGerald
-----------------------------------------
           Richard W. FitzGerald                     Senior Vice President and
                                                      Chief Financial Officer
                                                   (Principal Financial Officer)
             /s/ Ryan S. Liles
-----------------------------------------
               Ryan S. Liles                       Vice President and Controller
                                                  (Principal Accounting Officer)
            /s/ Keith K. Allan
-----------------------------------------
              Keith K. Allan                                 Director

         /s/ Thomas R. Bates, Jr.
-----------------------------------------
           Thomas R. Bates, Jr.                              Director

            /s/ John U. Clarke
-----------------------------------------
              John U. Clarke                                 Director

         /s/ George K. Hickox, Jr.
-----------------------------------------
           George K. Hickox, Jr.                             Director

          /s/ Patrick M. McCarthy
-----------------------------------------
            Patrick M. McCarthy                       Director and President
II-6
SIGNATURE                                     TITLE
-----------------------------------------    -----------------------------------------
/s/ Herbert S. Winokur, Jr.
-----------------------------------------
          Herbert S. Winokur, Jr.                            Director
The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
trustees (or other persons who administer the NATCO Group Profit Sharing and
Savings Plan) have duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston,
State of Texas, on the 17th day of December, 2003.

                                 NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan

                                 By: /s/ Richard W. FitzGerald
                                     --------------------------------
                                     Richard W. FitzGerald
                                     Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                     Officer, NATCO Group Inc., and NATCO Group
                                     Employee Benefits Administration Committee
                                     Member

                                      II-7
INDEX TO EXHIBITS

         4.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NATCO Group Inc., as
                  amended (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our registration statement on
                  Form S-1 (No. 333-48851) and incorporated in this registration
                  statement by reference).

         4.2      Composite Amended and Restated Bylaws of NATCO Group Inc., as
                  amended (filed as Exhibit 3.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2003 and incorporated in
                  this registration statement by reference).

         4.3      Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating
                  Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our registration
                  statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-48851) and incorporated in this
                  registration statement by reference).

         4.4      Specimen Common Stock certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our
                  registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-48851) and
                  incorporated in this registration statement by reference).

         4.5      Certificate of Designations of Series B Convertible Preferred
                  Stock (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K
                  filed on March 27, 2003 and incorporated in this registration
                  statement by reference).

         4.6      NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan (as amended and
                  restated effective January 1, 2002).

         4.7      First Amendment to NATCO Group Profit Sharing and Savings Plan
                  (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2002).

         5.1      Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

         23.1     Consent of KPMG LLP.

         23.2     Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).

         24.1     Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page to this
                  registration statement).