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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2001  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Registration Statement No. 333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Washington, D.C. 20549  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM S-8  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>THOMAS&nbsp;&amp; BETTS CORPORATION  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Tennessee<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>22-1326940<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(I.R.S. employer identification no.)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> 8155 T&amp;B Boulevard<BR>
Memphis, Tennessee 38125<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Thomas&nbsp;&amp; Betts Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Full title of the plan) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Jerry Kronenberg<BR>
Vice President-General Counsel and Secretary<BR>
Thomas&nbsp;&amp; Betts Corporation<BR>
8155 T&amp;B Boulevard<BR>
Memphis, Tennessee 38125<BR>
(901)&nbsp;252-8000<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,<BR>
including area code, of agent for service) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Copy to:<BR>
Jean D. Renshaw, Esq.<BR>
Drinker Biddle&nbsp;&amp; Reath LLP<BR>
One Logan Square<BR>
18th and Cherry Streets<BR>
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996<BR>
(215)&nbsp;988-2700  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> <A NAME="ba2848_calculation_of_registration_fee"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ba2848_1"> </A>
<BR>  CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of Securities to<BR>
be Registered</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount to be<BR>
Registered<SUP>(2)</SUP></B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed<BR>
Maximum<BR>
Offering Price per<BR>
Unit<SUP>(3)</SUP></B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed<BR>
Maximum<BR>
Aggregate<BR>
Offering Price<SUP>(3)</SUP></B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of<BR>
Registration Fee</B></FONT><BR></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>Common Stock, par<BR>
value $0.10 per share<BR>
and Preferred<BR>
Stock Purchase<BR>
Rights<SUP>(1)</SUP></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>782,001 Shares<BR>
1,717,999 Shares</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$19.2550<BR>
$20.00</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$15,057,429<BR>
$34,359,980</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>Total</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>2,500,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$49,417,409</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$12,354.35</FONT></TD>
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<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights currently trade with the Registrant's Common Stock. Value attributable to the Preferred Stock Purchase Rights, if any, is reflected in the market
price of the Common Stock.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>This
registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of shares of Common Stock as may become issuable under the plan in connection with share splits, share dividends or
similar transactions.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(3)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Estimated
pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457(h) solely for the purpose of calculating the fees. As to shares subject to outstanding but unexercised options the price and fee are computed
based upon the price at which such options may be exercised. As to remaining shares available for issuance, the price and fee are calculated on the basis of $20 the average of the highest and lowest
prices of the </FONT></DD></DL>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>Common
Stock on the composite reporting system for stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange on April&nbsp;30, 2001. </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ja2848_part_i_information_required_in__par04776"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ja2848_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART I<BR>  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS<BR>  (NOT REQUIRED TO BE FILED AS PART OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT)    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ja2848_part_ii_information_req__ja202480"> </A>
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART II<BR>  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;Incorporation of Documents by Reference.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents which have been filed by Thomas &amp; Betts Corporation (the "Corporation" or the "Registrant") with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement: </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The
Corporation's Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2000, and filed on March&nbsp;29, 2001; </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;The
Corporation's Current Reports on Form&nbsp;8-K dated February&nbsp;21, 2001 and filed on February&nbsp;23, 2001; March&nbsp;30, 2001 and filed on
April&nbsp;2, 2001 and April&nbsp;29, 2001 and filed May&nbsp;2, 2001; and </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;The
description of the Corporation's common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the "Common Stock"), which is contained in the Corporation's registration statement on
Form&nbsp;8-A dated December&nbsp;12, 1997 and filed December&nbsp;15, 1997; and the Corporation's Report on Form&nbsp;8-B dated May&nbsp;2, 1996 and filed
May&nbsp;2, 1996, filed under Section&nbsp;12 of the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. </FONT></P>

</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All
reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Corporation pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all of the shares of the Common Stock offered hereunder have been sold or which deregisters all of the shares of Common Stock then remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any
statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration
statement to the extent that a statement contained herein by reference modified or superseded such prior statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;Description of Securities.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>Indemnification of Directors and Officers. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
accordance with Section&nbsp;48-12-102 of the Tennessee Business Corporation Act, which permits Tennessee corporations to include provisions in their
certificate of incorporation limiting the liability of officers and directors, Article&nbsp;VIII of the Registrant's Amended and Restated Charter provides: </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>LIMITATION
OF DIRECTOR LIABILITY. No person who is or was a director of the corporation, or such person's heirs, executors or administrators, shall be personally liable to the corporation or its
shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director; provided, however, that this provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of any such party (i)&nbsp;for any
breach of a director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders, (ii)&nbsp;for acts </FONT></P>

</UL>
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or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or (iii)&nbsp;for unlawful distributions under the Tennessee Business Corporation Act. Any
repeal or
modification of the provisions of this Article&nbsp;VIII, directly or by the adoption of an inconsistent provision of this Charter, shall not adversely affect any right or protection in favor of a
particular individual at the time of such repeal or modification. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sections
48-18-501 through 509 of the Tennessee Business Corporation Act ("Sections 48-18-501 through 509") confer broad powers upon
corporations incorporated in that State with respect to indemnification of any person against liabilities incurred by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another enterprise, or the legal representative of any such director, officer,
trustee, employee or agent. The provisions of Section&nbsp;48-18-501 through 509 are not exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled
under any certificate of incorporation, bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or otherwise. Sections 48-18-501 through 509 also provide that powers granted pursuant to such
Section may be exercised by the corporation notwithstanding the absence of any provision in its charter or bylaws authorizing the exercise of such powers. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;V
of the Registrant's bylaws provides: </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>Indemnification
of Officers and Directors. Section&nbsp;1. Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit
or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative,
is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer or in any other
capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the Tennessee Business Corporation Act, as
the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said
law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts
paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or
officer and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection
with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section
shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, if the Tennessee Business
Corporation Act requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is
rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon
delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not
entitled to be indemnified under this Section or otherwise. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;2.</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;Right of Claimant to Bring Suit.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;If a claim under Section&nbsp;1 of this Article is
not paid in full by the Corporation within ninety days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover </FONT></P>

</UL>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>2</FONT></P>

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the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action
(other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been
tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the Tennessee Business Corporation Act for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant
for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its
shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable
standard of conduct set forth in the Tennessee Business Corporation Act, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its
shareholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of
conduct. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section
3.</FONT><FONT SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;Non-Exclusivity of Rights; Continuation of Rights.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;The right to indemnification
and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Article shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or
hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Charter, Bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. All rights to indemnification under this Article shall be
deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each director or officer of the Corporation who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this Article is in effect. Any repeal or
modification of this Article or any repeal or modification of relevant provisions of the Tennessee Business Corporation Act or any other applicable laws shall not in any way diminish any rights to
indemnification of such director or officer or the obligations of the Corporation arising hereunder. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section
4.</FONT><FONT SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;Insurance.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any
director or officer of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would
have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Tennessee Business Corporation Act. </FONT></P>

</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Corporation has a liability insurance policy in effect which covers certain claims against any officer or director of the Corporation by reason of certain breaches of duty,
neglect, errors or omissions committed by such person in his capacity as an officer or director. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>Exemption From Registration Claimed. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
applicable. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>3</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>Exhibits. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2>Exhibit<BR>
Number</FONT><HR NOSHADE></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="87%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Exhibit</FONT><HR NOSHADE></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2>4.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="87%"><FONT SIZE=2>Amended and Restated Charter of the Corporation. (Filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Corporation's 1999 Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K, Commission File No.&nbsp;1-4862, and incorporated herein by reference.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
4.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="87%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Bylaws of the Corporation, as amended. (Filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to the Corporation's 1999 Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K, Commission File No.&nbsp;1-4682, and incorporated herein by reference.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="87%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Opinion of Penelope Y. Turnbow, Esq.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
10.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="87%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
2001 Stock Incentive Plan and Form of Stock Option Agreement.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="87%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of KPMG LLP, independent public accountants.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
24</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="87%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Powers of Attorney</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;Undertakings.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;To
include any prospectus required by section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the 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 prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in the Registration Statement; </FONT></P>

</UL>
</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>provided,
however, the paragraphs (a)(1)(i)&nbsp;and (a)(1)(ii)&nbsp;do not apply if the Registration Statement is on Form&nbsp;S-3, Form&nbsp;S-8 or
Form&nbsp;F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, 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 the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </FONT></P>

</UL>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;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. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;That,
for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, 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 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 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. </FONT></P>

</UL>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></P>

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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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&nbsp;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 Memphis,
State of Tennessee, on this 2<SUP>nd</SUP> day of May&nbsp;2001. </FONT></P>

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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD COLSPAN=3 VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>THOMAS&nbsp;&amp; BETTS CORPORATION<BR>
(Registrant)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JOHN P. MURPHY</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> John P. Murphy<BR>
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed on May&nbsp;2, 2001 by the following persons in the capacities indicated. </FONT></P>

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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TH WIDTH="47%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Signature</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="47%" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="8%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="47%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>T. KEVIN DUNNIGAN*</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> T. Kevin Dunnigan</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="8%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="47%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ERNEST H. DREW*</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Ernest H. Drew</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="8%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="47%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JEANANNE K. HAUSWALD*</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Jeananne K. Hauswald</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="8%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="47%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>DEAN JERNIGAN*</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Dean Jernigan</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="8%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="47%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>RONALD B. KALICH, SR.*</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Ronald B. Kalich, Sr.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="8%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="47%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ROBERT A. KENKEL*</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Robert A. Kenkel</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="8%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="47%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>KENNETH R. MASTERSON*</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Kenneth R. Masterson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="8%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="47%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JOHN P. MURPHY*</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> John P. Murphy</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="8%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="47%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JEAN-PAUL RICHARD*</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Jean-Paul Richard</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="8%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="47%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JERRE L. STEAD*</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Jerre L. Stead</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="8%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="47%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>WILLIAM H. WALTRIP*</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> William H. Waltrip</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="8%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="47%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
*By: /s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JOHN P. MURPHY</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> John P. Murphy</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="8%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Attorney-in-fact<BR>
May&nbsp;2, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>6</FONT></P>

<HR NOSHADE>
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBIT INDEX    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Exhibit<BR>
Number</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B><BR>
Exhibit</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2>4.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>Amended and Restated Charter of the Corporation. (Filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Corporation's 1999 Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K, Commission File No.&nbsp;1-4862, and incorporated herein by reference.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
4.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Bylaws of the Corporation, as amended. (Filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to the Corporation's 1999 Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K, Commission File No.&nbsp;1-4682, and incorporated herein by reference.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Opinion of Penelope Y. Turnbow, Esq.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
10.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
2001 Stock Incentive Plan and Form of Stock Option Agreement.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of KPMG LLP, independent public accountants.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
24</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Powers of Attorney</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>7</FONT></P>

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<P><br><A NAME="01CHI2848_1">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ba2848_1">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ja2848_1">PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS (NOT REQUIRED TO BE FILED AS PART OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT)</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ja2848_2">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc2848_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_je2848_1">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></FONT><BR>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a2047009zs-8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 38563}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "THOMAS & BETTS CORP", "cik": "0000097854", "assigned-sic": "3640", "irs-number": "221326940", "state-of-incorporation": "TN", "fiscal-year-end": "1229"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-60074", "film-number": "1620514"}, "business-address": {"street1": "8155 T&B BOULEVARD", "city": "MEMPHIS", "state": "TN", "zip": "38125", "phone": "9012527766"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1555 LYNNFIELD ROAD", "city": "MEMPHIS", "state": "TN", "zip": "38119"}}
Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2001
Registration Statement No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Tennessee
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
22-1326940
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
8155 T&B Boulevard
Memphis, Tennessee 38125
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Thomas & Betts Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Jerry Kronenberg
Vice President-General Counsel and Secretary
Thomas & Betts Corporation
8155 T&B Boulevard
Memphis, Tennessee 38125
(901) 252-8000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Jean D. Renshaw, Esq.
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
One Logan Square
18th and Cherry Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996
(215) 988-2700
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to
be Registered
Amount to be
Registered
(2)
Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price per
Unit
(3)
Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
(3)
Amount of
Registration Fee
Common Stock, par
value $0.10 per share
and Preferred
Stock Purchase
Rights
(1)
782,001 Shares
1,717,999 Shares
$19.2550
$20.00
$15,057,429
$34,359,980
Total
2,500,000
$49,417,409
$12,354.35
(1)
The
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights currently trade with the Registrant's Common Stock. Value attributable to the Preferred Stock Purchase Rights, if any, is reflected in the market
price of the Common Stock.
(2)
This
registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of shares of Common Stock as may become issuable under the plan in connection with share splits, share dividends or
similar transactions.
(3)
Estimated
pursuant to Rule 457(h) solely for the purpose of calculating the fees. As to shares subject to outstanding but unexercised options the price and fee are computed
based upon the price at which such options may be exercised. As to remaining shares available for issuance, the price and fee are calculated on the basis of $20 the average of the highest and lowest
prices of the
Common
Stock on the composite reporting system for stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange on April 30, 2001.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
(NOT REQUIRED TO BE FILED AS PART OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT)
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.  Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents which have been filed by Thomas & Betts Corporation (the "Corporation" or the "Registrant") with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
(a) The
Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, and filed on March 29, 2001;
(b) The
Corporation's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated February 21, 2001 and filed on February 23, 2001; March 30, 2001 and filed on
April 2, 2001 and April 29, 2001 and filed May 2, 2001; and
(c) The
description of the Corporation's common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the "Common Stock"), which is contained in the Corporation's registration statement on
Form 8-A dated December 12, 1997 and filed December 15, 1997; and the Corporation's Report on Form 8-B dated May 2, 1996 and filed
May 2, 1996, filed under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All
reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Corporation pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all of the shares of the Common Stock offered hereunder have been sold or which deregisters all of the shares of Common Stock then remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Any
statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration
statement to the extent that a statement contained herein by reference modified or superseded such prior statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.
Item 4.  Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
In
accordance with Section 48-12-102 of the Tennessee Business Corporation Act, which permits Tennessee corporations to include provisions in their
certificate of incorporation limiting the liability of officers and directors, Article VIII of the Registrant's Amended and Restated Charter provides:
LIMITATION
OF DIRECTOR LIABILITY. No person who is or was a director of the corporation, or such person's heirs, executors or administrators, shall be personally liable to the corporation or its
shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director; provided, however, that this provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of any such party (i) for any
breach of a director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders, (ii) for acts
or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or (iii) for unlawful distributions under the Tennessee Business Corporation Act. Any
repeal or
modification of the provisions of this Article VIII, directly or by the adoption of an inconsistent provision of this Charter, shall not adversely affect any right or protection in favor of a
particular individual at the time of such repeal or modification.
Sections
48-18-501 through 509 of the Tennessee Business Corporation Act ("Sections 48-18-501 through 509") confer broad powers upon
corporations incorporated in that State with respect to indemnification of any person against liabilities incurred by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another enterprise, or the legal representative of any such director, officer,
trustee, employee or agent. The provisions of Section 48-18-501 through 509 are not exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled
under any certificate of incorporation, bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or otherwise. Sections 48-18-501 through 509 also provide that powers granted pursuant to such
Section may be exercised by the corporation notwithstanding the absence of any provision in its charter or bylaws authorizing the exercise of such powers.
Article V
of the Registrant's bylaws provides:
Indemnification
of Officers and Directors. Section 1. Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit
or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative,
is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer or in any other
capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the Tennessee Business Corporation Act, as
the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said
law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts
paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or
officer and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection
with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section
shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, if the Tennessee Business
Corporation Act requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is
rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon
delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not
entitled to be indemnified under this Section or otherwise.
Section 2.
Right of Claimant to Bring Suit.
If a claim under Section 1 of this Article is
not paid in full by the Corporation within ninety days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover
2
the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action
(other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been
tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the Tennessee Business Corporation Act for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant
for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its
shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable
standard of conduct set forth in the Tennessee Business Corporation Act, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its
shareholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of
conduct.
Section
3.
Non-Exclusivity of Rights; Continuation of Rights.
The right to indemnification
and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Article shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or
hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Charter, Bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. All rights to indemnification under this Article shall be
deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each director or officer of the Corporation who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this Article is in effect. Any repeal or
modification of this Article or any repeal or modification of relevant provisions of the Tennessee Business Corporation Act or any other applicable laws shall not in any way diminish any rights to
indemnification of such director or officer or the obligations of the Corporation arising hereunder.
Section
4.
Insurance.
The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any
director or officer of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would
have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Tennessee Business Corporation Act.
The
Corporation has a liability insurance policy in effect which covers certain claims against any officer or director of the Corporation by reason of certain breaches of duty,
neglect, errors or omissions committed by such person in his capacity as an officer or director.
Item 7.
Exemption From Registration Claimed.
Not
applicable.
3
Item 8.
Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
4.1
Amended and Restated Charter of the Corporation. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Corporation's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Commission File No. 1-4862, and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.2
Bylaws of the Corporation, as amended. (Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Corporation's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Commission File No. 1-4682, and incorporated herein by reference.)
5
Opinion of Penelope Y. Turnbow, Esq.
10.1
2001 Stock Incentive Plan and Form of Stock Option Agreement.
23
Consent of KPMG LLP, independent public accountants.
24
Powers of Attorney
Item 9.  Undertakings.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a) (1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To
include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the 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 prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in the Registration Statement;
provided,
however, the paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the Registration Statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or
Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
(2) That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, 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 the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
4
(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.
(b) That,
for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, 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 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 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.
5
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-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Memphis,
State of Tennessee, on this 2
nd
day of May 2001.
THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By:
/s/
JOHN P. MURPHY
John P. Murphy
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed on May 2, 2001 by the following persons in the capacities indicated.
Signature
Title
/s/
T. KEVIN DUNNIGAN*
T. Kevin Dunnigan
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
/s/
ERNEST H. DREW*
Ernest H. Drew
Director
/s/
JEANANNE K. HAUSWALD*
Jeananne K. Hauswald
Director
/s/
DEAN JERNIGAN*
Dean Jernigan
Director
/s/
RONALD B. KALICH, SR.*
Ronald B. Kalich, Sr.
Director
/s/
ROBERT A. KENKEL*
Robert A. Kenkel
Director
/s/
KENNETH R. MASTERSON*
Kenneth R. Masterson
Director
/s/
JOHN P. MURPHY*
John P. Murphy
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
/s/
JEAN-PAUL RICHARD*
Jean-Paul Richard
Director
/s/
JERRE L. STEAD*
Jerre L. Stead
Director
/s/
WILLIAM H. WALTRIP*
William H. Waltrip
Director
*By: /s/
JOHN P. MURPHY
John P. Murphy
Attorney-in-fact
May 2, 2001
6
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
4.1
Amended and Restated Charter of the Corporation. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Corporation's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Commission File No. 1-4862, and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.2
Bylaws of the Corporation, as amended. (Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Corporation's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Commission File No. 1-4682, and incorporated herein by reference.)
5
Opinion of Penelope Y. Turnbow, Esq.
10.1
2001 Stock Incentive Plan and Form of Stock Option Agreement.
23
Consent of KPMG LLP, independent public accountants.
24
Powers of Attorney
7
QuickLinks
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS (NOT REQUIRED TO BE FILED AS PART OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT)
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX