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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 28, 2001  </B></FONT></P>

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

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
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<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>Tab Products Co.<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B>Delaware</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B><BR>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B><BR>
94-1190862</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>(State or other jurisdiction<BR>
of incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>(I.R.S. employer identification no.)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>935 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 195<BR>
Vernon Hills, IL 60061-1442<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Address of principal executive offices)&nbsp;&nbsp;(Zip code) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>2001 Stock Option Plan<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Full title of the plan) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Donald J. Hotz<BR>
Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer<BR>
Tab Products Co.<BR>
935 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 195<BR>
Vernon Hills, IL 60061-1442<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Name and address of agent for service) </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>Telephone
number, including area code, of agent for service: 847-968-5400. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>This
registration statement shall hereafter become effective in accordance with Rule&nbsp;462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE  </B></FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="32%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of Securities to be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount to be Registered(1)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share(2)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(2)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of Registration Fee</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="32%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><B>2001 Stock Option Plan</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="32%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Common Stock Par Value $.01</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
250,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
$4.40</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
$1,100,000.00</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
$275.00</FONT></TD>
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<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>In
addition, pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement also covers any additional securities that may be offered or
issued in connection with any stock split, stock dividend, or similar transaction.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Estimated
pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457 solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. For the shares under the 2001 Stock Option Plan, the price is based upon the average
of the high and low prices of the Common Stock on November&nbsp;26, 2001, as reported on the American Stock Exchange. </FONT></DD></DL>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>PART II    <BR></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de4997_information_required_in_the_registration_statement"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de4997_2"> </A></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT    <BR></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de4997_item_3._incorporation_of_documents_by_reference"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de4997_3"> </A></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;Incorporation of Documents by Reference    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tab Products Co. (the "Company") hereby incorporates by reference in this registration statement the following documents: </FONT></P>

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<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(a)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
Company's latest annual report on Form&nbsp;10-K filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
containing audited financial statements for the Company's fiscal year ended May&nbsp;31, 2001, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August&nbsp;28, 2001.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(b)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>All
other reports filed pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the registrant document referred to in
(a)&nbsp;above.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(c)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;8-A12B filed on November&nbsp;25, 1996 under the
Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. </FONT></DD></DL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All
documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to
this registration statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities 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><A
NAME="de4997_item_4._description_of_securities"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de4997_4"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;Description of Securities    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The class of securities to be offered is registered under Section&nbsp;12 of the Exchange Act. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de4997_item_5._interests_of_named_experts_and_counsel"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de4997_5"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;Interests of Named Experts and Counsel    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Inapplicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de4997_item_6._indemnification_of_directors_and_officers"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de4997_6"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;Indemnification of Directors and Officers    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Delaware law authorizes corporations to eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breach or
alleged breach of the directors' "duty of care." While the relevant statute does not change directors' duty of care, it enables corporations to limit available relief to equitable remedies such as
injunction or rescission. The statute has no effect on directors' duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violations of law, illegal payment
of dividends and approval of any transaction from which a director derives an improper personal benefit. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Company has adopted provisions in its Certificate of Incorporation which eliminate the personal liability of its directors to the Company and its stockholders for monetary damages
for breach or alleged breach of their duty of care. The Bylaws of the Company provide for indemnification of its directors, officers, employees and agents to the full extent permitted by the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Company's state of incorporation, including those circumstances in which indemnification would otherwise be discretionary under Delaware Law.
Section&nbsp;145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides for indemnification in terms sufficiently broad to indemnify such individuals, under certain circumstances, for
liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de4997_item_7._exemption_from_registration_claimed"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de4997_7"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;Exemption From Registration Claimed    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Inapplicable. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>1</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de4997_item_8._exhibits"> </A>
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See Exhibit Index. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de4997_item_9._undertakings"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de4997_9"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;Undertakings    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;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;(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;To
include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; </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; 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>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><I>provided</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>, </FONT><FONT SIZE=2><I>however</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>, that paragraphs (1)(i)&nbsp;and (l)(ii)&nbsp;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&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of
the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement. </FONT></P>

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

<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;The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act)
that is incorporated by reference in the 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;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 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>

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

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

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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
Vernon Hills, State of Illinois, on November&nbsp;27, 2001. </FONT></P>

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&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
TAB PRODUCTS CO.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="46%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ Donald J. Hotz</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Donald J. Hotz<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><I>Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and<BR>
Treasurer</I></FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>3</FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The officers and directors of Tab Products Co. whose signatures appear below, hereby constitute and appoint Donald J. Hotz and Caroline A. Damask, and each of
them, their true and lawful attorneys and agents, with full power of substitution, each with power to act alone, to sign and execute on behalf of the undersigned any amendment or amendments to this
registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-8, and each of the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that each of said attorney and agent, or their or his substitutes, shall do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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 on
November&nbsp;27, 2001. </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Signature</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>GARY AMPULSKI</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> GARY W. AMPULSKI</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>DONALD J. HOTZ</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> DONALD J. HOTZ</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ROBERT J. CRECCA</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> ROBERT J. CRECCA</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Corporate Controller, Chief Accounting Officer, and Assistant Secretary (Principal Accounting Officer)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>HANS A. WOLF</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> HANS A. WOLF</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Chairman</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>KATHRYN S. HANSON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> KATHRYN S. HANSON</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JEFFREY A. HEIMBUCK</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> JEFFREY A. HEIMBUCK</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JERRY K. MYERS</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> JERRY K. MYERS</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>DAVID W. WRIGHT</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> David W. Wright</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Warren G. Lichtenstein</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></P>

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

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<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="91%"><FONT SIZE=2>Certificate of Incorporation of the Company is incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Company's 1993 Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
4.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="91%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company dated September&nbsp;10, 2001, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September&nbsp;19,
2001.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
4.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="91%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to Rights Agreement dated September&nbsp;10, 2001, between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC is incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;99.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on September&nbsp;13, 2001.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="91%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Opinion re legality</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="91%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5)</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="91%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Independent Auditors' Consent</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
24</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="91%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Power of Attorney (included in signature pages to this registration statement)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></P>

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<BR>
<P><br><A NAME="01CHI4997_1">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de4997_1">PART II</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de4997_2">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></FONT><BR>
<UL>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de4997_3">Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de4997_4">Item 4. Description of Securities</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de4997_5">Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de4997_6">Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de4997_7">Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de4997_8">Item 8. Exhibits</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de4997_9">Item 9. Undertakings</A></FONT><BR>
</UL>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc4997_1">SIGNATURE</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ka4997_1">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></FONT><BR>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a2064709zs-8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 27072}]
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Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 28, 2001
Registration No.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Tab Products Co.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
94-1190862
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
935 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 195
Vernon Hills, IL 60061-1442
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip code)
2001 Stock Option Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Donald J. Hotz
Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Tab Products Co.
935 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 195
Vernon Hills, IL 60061-1442
(Name and address of agent for service)
Telephone
number, including area code, of agent for service: 847-968-5400.
This
registration statement shall hereafter become effective in accordance with Rule 462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to be Registered
Amount to be Registered(1)
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share(2)
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(2)
Amount of Registration Fee
2001 Stock Option Plan
Common Stock Par Value $.01
250,000
$4.40
$1,100,000.00
$275.00
(1)
In
addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement also covers any additional securities that may be offered or
issued in connection with any stock split, stock dividend, or similar transaction.
(2)
Estimated
pursuant to Rule 457 solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. For the shares under the 2001 Stock Option Plan, the price is based upon the average
of the high and low prices of the Common Stock on November 26, 2001, as reported on the American Stock Exchange.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.  Incorporation of Documents by Reference
Tab Products Co. (the "Company") hereby incorporates by reference in this registration statement the following documents:
(a)
The
Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
containing audited financial statements for the Company's fiscal year ended May 31, 2001, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 28, 2001.
(b)
All
other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the registrant document referred to in
(a) above.
(c)
The
description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A12B filed on November 25, 1996 under the
Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All
documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to
this registration statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities 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.
Item 4.  Description of Securities
The class of securities to be offered is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Inapplicable.
Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Delaware law authorizes corporations to eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breach or
alleged breach of the directors' "duty of care." While the relevant statute does not change directors' duty of care, it enables corporations to limit available relief to equitable remedies such as
injunction or rescission. The statute has no effect on directors' duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violations of law, illegal payment
of dividends and approval of any transaction from which a director derives an improper personal benefit.
The
Company has adopted provisions in its Certificate of Incorporation which eliminate the personal liability of its directors to the Company and its stockholders for monetary damages
for breach or alleged breach of their duty of care. The Bylaws of the Company provide for indemnification of its directors, officers, employees and agents to the full extent permitted by the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Company's state of incorporation, including those circumstances in which indemnification would otherwise be discretionary under Delaware Law.
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides for indemnification in terms sufficiently broad to indemnify such individuals, under certain circumstances, for
liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act.
Item 7.  Exemption From Registration Claimed
Inapplicable.
1
Item 8.  Exhibits
See Exhibit Index.
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:
(i)  To
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the 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
, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (l)(ii) 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 the 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.
The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (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 the 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.
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 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.
2
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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
Vernon Hills, State of Illinois, on November 27, 2001.
TAB PRODUCTS CO.
By:
/s/ Donald J. Hotz
Donald J. Hotz
Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer
3
SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY
The officers and directors of Tab Products Co. whose signatures appear below, hereby constitute and appoint Donald J. Hotz and Caroline A. Damask, and each of
them, their true and lawful attorneys and agents, with full power of substitution, each with power to act alone, to sign and execute on behalf of the undersigned any amendment or amendments to this
registration statement on Form S-8, and each of the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that each of said attorney and agent, or their or his substitutes, shall 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 on
November 27, 2001.
Signature
Title
/s/
GARY AMPULSKI
GARY W. AMPULSKI
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/
DONALD J. HOTZ
DONALD J. HOTZ
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
/s/
ROBERT J. CRECCA
ROBERT J. CRECCA
Corporate Controller, Chief Accounting Officer, and Assistant Secretary (Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/
HANS A. WOLF
HANS A. WOLF
Chairman
/s/
KATHRYN S. HANSON
KATHRYN S. HANSON
Director
/s/
JEFFREY A. HEIMBUCK
JEFFREY A. HEIMBUCK
Director
/s/
JERRY K. MYERS
JERRY K. MYERS
Director
/s/
DAVID W. WRIGHT
David W. Wright
Director
/s/
WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN
Warren G. Lichtenstein
Director
4
EXHIBIT INDEX
4.1
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's 1993 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
4.2
Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company dated September 10, 2001, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 19,
2001.
4.3
Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement dated September 10, 2001, between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on September 13, 2001.
5
Opinion re legality
23.1
Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5)
23.2
Independent Auditors' Consent
24
Power of Attorney (included in signature pages to this registration statement)
5
QuickLinks
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
Item 4. Description of Securities
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed
Item 8. Exhibits
Item 9. Undertakings
SIGNATURE
EXHIBIT INDEX