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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 6, 2010

Registration No. 333-          

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under the Securities Act of 1933



CARLISLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

31-1168055
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

13925 Ballantyne Corporate Place, Suite 400, Charlotte, North Carolina 28277, (704) 501-1100
(Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)



STEVEN J. FORD, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and General Counsel
Carlisle Companies Incorporated, 13925 Ballantyne Corporate Place,
Suite 400, Charlotte, North Carolina 28277, (704) 501-1100
(Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Agent for Service)



Copy to:

LISA L. JACOBS
Shearman & Sterling LLP, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022



Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public:
From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

         If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o

         If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ý

         If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

         If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

         If this Form is a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ý

         If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Large accelerated filer ý   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o



CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

               
 
Title of Each Class of Securities
to be Registered

  Amount to be
Registered(1)

  Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per
Unit(1)

  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(1)

  Amount of
Registration Fee(2)

 

Debt Securities

               
 

Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value

               
 

Common Stock, $1.00 par value

               

 

(1)
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction II.E of Form S-3. An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices.

(2)
In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee.


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CARLISLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED

Debt Securities
Preferred Stock
Common Stock

        We may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, senior or subordinated debt securities, preferred stock and common stock. We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.

        The specific terms of any securities to be offered will be described in a related prospectus supplement or term sheet. You should read this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement or term sheet carefully before you invest in our securities.

        The common stock of the Company is listed on the NYSE and trades under the ticker symbol "CSL".

        Investing in our securities involves risks. See "Risk Factors" on page 3 of this prospectus, and contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein before you make any investment in our securities.

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

        The date of this prospectus is December 6, 2010.





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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

    1  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

    1  

RISK FACTORS

    3  

THE COMPANY

    3  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    3  

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

    3  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

    4  

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

    19  

DESCRIPTION OF OUTSTANDING CAPITAL STOCK

    21  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    24  

LEGAL OPINIONS

    25  

EXPERTS

    25  

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. You should rely only on the information provided in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or other offering materials. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of any securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, other offering materials or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document in which such information is contained or such other date referred to in such document, regardless of the time of any sale or issuance of a security.

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") using a "shelf" registration process. This prospectus contains a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell or issue securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement or term sheet that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the manner in which they may be offered. The prospectus supplement or term sheet may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If so, the prospectus supplement or term sheet should be read as superseding this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or term sheet, together with additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information", before making an investment decision. As used in this prospectus, the terms "we," "us" and "our" refer to Carlisle Companies Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, whose common stock is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CSL", and its subsidiaries.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on its public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and information about us is also available there.

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the information we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents separately filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, unless and until that information is updated and superseded by the information contained in this prospectus or any information incorporated later. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), until our offering of securities has been completed.

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        Our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Our internet website is located at http://www.carlisle.com. The contents of the website are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You may also obtain a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing to or telephoning us at the following address:

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RISK FACTORS

        Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully consider those risk factors included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, that are incorporated herein by reference and those that may be included in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference in evaluating an investment in our securities.

        If any of the risks discussed in the foregoing documents were actually to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be materially adversely affected.


THE COMPANY

        Carlisle Companies Incorporated ("Carlisle", the "Company", "we" or "our") is a diversified manufacturing company focused on achieving profitable growth internally through new product development and product line extensions, and externally through acquisitions that complement our existing technologies, products and market channels. The Company has approximately 9,800 employees in its continuing operations. Carlisle manages its businesses under the following segments:

        While Carlisle has offshore manufacturing operations, the markets served by the Company are primarily in North America. Management focuses on maintaining a strong and flexible balance sheet, year-over-year improvement in sales, earnings before interest and income taxes margins and earnings, globalization, and improving free cash flow from operations. Resources are allocated among the operating companies based on management's assessment of their ability to obtain leadership positions and competitive advantages in the markets they serve.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        Except as may be described otherwise in a prospectus supplement or term sheet, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include additions to working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or the retirement of existing indebtedness via repayment, redemption or exchange.            


RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table sets forth the Company's ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the years ended December 31 as indicated:

 
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2009   2008   2007   2006   2005  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

    15.26     5.75     13.12     9.45     10.26  
                       

        For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings are defined as earnings before income taxes from continuing operations, less interest on tax liabilities, plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense (including capitalized interest, but excluding interest on tax liabilities) and the portion of rental expense that is representative of the interest factor.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more distinct series. This section summarizes the material terms of the debt securities that we anticipate will be common to all series. Most of the financial and other specific terms of any series of debt securities that we offer will be described in a related prospectus supplement. Since the terms of specific debt securities may differ from the general information we have provided below, you should rely on information in the prospectus supplement that contradicts different information below.

        As required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, the debt securities are governed by a document called an "indenture". An indenture is a contract between us and a financial institution acting as trustee on your behalf. The trustee has two main roles. First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, as described below. Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties for us.

        The debt securities will be issued under an indenture dated as of January 15, 1997, as it may be supplemented from time to time, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association (as successor-in-interest to State Street Bank and Trust Corporation, as successor-in-interest to Fleet National Bank) (the "Indenture," as supplemented for the purpose of appointing The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. to act as trustee and as may be further supplemented for the purpose of appointing a trustee for other series of debt securities (the "Trustee")). The Indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. If there is more than one trustee under the Indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee as described in this prospectus will extend only to the series of debt securities for which it acts as the trustee. The Indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act").

        Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities and the Indenture. We urge you to read the Indenture, because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of debt securities. For example, in this section, we use certain capitalized terms to signify terms that are specifically defined in the Indenture. Some of the definitions are repeated in this prospectus, but for the rest you will need to read the Indenture. We have filed the Indenture as an exhibit to a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain a copy of the Indenture.

        Except if specified otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

General

        The debt securities will be our unsecured obligations. The senior securities will rank equally with all our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The subordinated securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of our senior indebtedness as described under "Subordination".

        The Indenture provides that any debt securities proposed to be sold under this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement ("offered debt securities") as well as other unsecured debt securities issued by us, may be issued under the Indenture in one or more series.

        With respect to the offered debt securities and any underlying debt securities, you should read the related prospectus supplement for the following terms:

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        The Indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued from time to time. Debt securities issued under the Indenture, when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the Indenture, are called the "Indenture Securities". The Indenture also provides that there may be more than one trustee, each with respect to one or more different series of indenture securities. See below "Resignation of Trustee." At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the Indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term "Indenture Securities" means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the Indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of Indenture Securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the Indenture, then the Indenture Securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.

        The Indenture does not contain any provisions that give you protection in the event we issue a large amount of debt or we are acquired by another entity. We refer you to the prospectus supplement for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to our covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.

        We have the ability to issue Indenture Securities with terms different from those of Indenture Securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of Indenture Securities and issue additional Indenture Securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.

Additional Mechanics

        We may issue the debt securities in registered form, in which case we may issue them either in book-entry form only or in "certificated" form. Debt securities issued in book-entry form will be represented by global securities. We expect that we will usually issue debt securities in book-entry only form represented by global securities. The prospectus supplement will also describe the requirements with respect to our maintenance of offices or agencies outside the United States and the applicable U.S. tax law requirements.

        We may issue some of the debt securities at a substantial discount (bearing no interest or interest at below market rates) ("Discount Securities") to their stated principal amount. In this case, you should read the prospectus supplement for any United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any such debt securities. If any series of debt securities is sold for, payable in or denominated in one or more currencies (other than U.S. dollars) the prospectus supplement will describe any restrictions, elections, terms and other information relating to those series and currencies, and will contain a discussion of the United States federal income tax and other considerations.

Covenants Applicable to Senior Securities

        Limitations on Secured Debt.    We covenant in the Indenture that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries will pledge or subject to any lien any of our principal property (as defined below) or the

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principal property, shares of stock or debt of any significant subsidiary, unless the debt securities issued under the Indenture are secured by this pledge or lien equally and ratably with other indebtedness thereby secured. There are excluded from this covenant:

        Limitations on Sales and Leasebacks.    We covenant in the Indenture that neither we nor any of our significant subsidiaries will enter into any sale or leaseback transaction with respect to any principal property (except a lease for a temporary period, including renewals, not exceeding three years and except leases between us and certain of our subsidiaries or between those subsidiaries).

        This restriction does not apply if the following conditions are met:

Certain Definitions

        Below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the Indenture.

        "Attributable debt" is defined to mean, as to any particular lease under which any person is at the time liable, at any date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the total net amount of rent required to be paid by such person under such lease during the remaining primary term thereof, discounted from the respective due dates thereof to such date at the rate of interest per annum implicit in the terms of such lease, as determined in good faith by the company, compounded annually. The net amount of rent required to be paid under any such lease for any such period shall be the amount of the rent payable by the lessee with respect to such period, after excluding amounts required to be paid on account of maintenance, repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates and similar charges. In the case of any lease, which is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such net

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amount shall also include the amount of such penalty, but shall not include any rent required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated.

        "Consolidated net tangible assets" is defined to mean the aggregate amount of assets (less applicable reserves and other property deductible items) after deducting (a) all current liabilities (excluding any constituting funded debt by reason of being renewable or extendable) and (b) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense, and other like intangibles, all as set forth on the most recent balance sheet of the company and its subsidiaries and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

        "Debt" is defined to mean notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of indebtedness for money borrowed.

        "Funded debt" is defined to mean all debt having a maturity of more than 12 months from the date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined or having a maturity of less than 12 months but by its terms being renewable or extendable beyond 12 months from such date at the option of the borrower.

        "Principal property" means any real property, manufacturing plant, warehouse or other physical facility and related fixtures and improvements, located in the United States of America (excluding the territories and possessions of the United States of America) and owned by the company or any subsidiary, in each case the gross book value (without deduction of any depreciation reserves) of which on the date as of which the determination is being made exceeds 2% of consolidated net tangible assets, other than any such facility or portion thereof which the board of directors of the company declares by resolution is not of material importance to the total business conducted by the company and its subsidiaries as an entirety.

        "Senior indebtedness" is defined to mean all debt of the company, including principal and interest (and premium, if any) (including, without limitation, any interest that would accrue but for the occurrence of any event specified in paragraph (6) or (7) of "Events of Default") on such debt except (i) existing subordinated securities, (ii) such indebtedness as is by its terms expressly stated to be junior in right of payment to the subordinated securities, and (iii) such indebtedness as is by its terms expressly stated to rank pari passu with the subordinated securities.

Subordination

        The payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the subordinated securities is expressly subordinated, to the extent provided in the Indenture, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all present and future senior indebtedness of the company. The prospectus supplement may contain specific provisions regarding subordination of the subordinated securities, which may differ from the provisions described in Article Fourteen of the Indenture and summarized below.

        Upon any distribution of our assets upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the holders of senior indebtedness will receive payment in full of principal and interest before the holders of subordinated securities are entitled to receive any payment or distribution of cash, securities or other property. In addition, in the event of a dissolution, liquidation or other similar reorganization, until the senior indebtedness is paid in full, any payment or distribution to which holders of subordinated securities would be entitled but for the subordination provisions of the Indenture will be made to holders of the senior indebtedness as their interests may appear.

        If a distribution is made to holders of subordinated securities that, due to the subordination provisions, should not have been made to them, those holders of subordinated securities must hold the payment in trust for the holders of senior indebtedness and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.

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        We will not make any payments with respect to subordinated securities or any deposit under the provisions described in "Defeasance" if:

        This will not apply, however, if the default has been cured or waived or has ceased to exist and the acceleration has been rescinded, or the senior debt has been discharged or paid in full.

        In addition, we may make any payment with respect to subordinated securities without regard to the above restrictions, if we and the trustee receive written notice approving the payment from the representative of the senior indebtedness with respect to which there has been a failure in the payment or an event of default.

        If payment on the subordinated securities is accelerated because of an event of default, we or the trustee will promptly inform the holders of senior indebtedness or their representative of the acceleration. By reason of the subordination provisions contained in the Indenture, in the event of insolvency, our creditors who are holders of senior indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than the holders of subordinated securities.

        If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with the offering of a series of subordinated securities, the prospectus supplement, or information incorporated by reference therein, will determine the approximate amount of senior indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.

        The terms of the subordination provisions described above will not apply to payments from money or the proceeds of U.S. government obligations held in trust by the trustee for the payment of principal of and interest on the subordinated securities pursuant to the provisions described in the Indenture under "Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance Prior to Maturity or Redemption".

Events of Default

        You will have special rights if an event of default occurs in respect of the debt securities of your series and is not cured, as described later in this subsection.

        What Is an Event of Default? The term "event of default" in respect of the debt securities of your series means any of the following:

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        An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under the Indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except in the payment of principal or interest, if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.

        Remedies If an Event of Default Occurs.    If an event of default has occurred and has not been cured, the trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series.

        Except in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee is not required to take any action under the Indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability (called an "Indemnity"). If such Indemnity satisfactory to the trustee is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. The trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain circumstances. No delay or omission in exercising any right or remedy will be treated as a waiver of that right, remedy or event of default.

        Before you are allowed to bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:

        However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt securities on or after the due date. Holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may waive any past defaults other than:

        Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and how to declare or cancel an acceleration.

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        Each year, we will furnish to each trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the Indenture and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.

Modification or Waiver

        There are three types of changes we can make to the Indenture and the debt securities issued under the Indenture.

        Changes Requiring Your Approval.    First, there are changes that we cannot make to your debt securities without your specific approval. The following is a list of those types of changes:

        Changes Not Requiring Approval.    The second type of change does not require any vote by the holders of the debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the outstanding debt securities in any material respect. Nor do we need any approval to make any change that affects only debt securities to be issued under the Indenture after the change takes effect.

        Changes Requiring Majority Approval.    Any other change to the Indenture and the debt securities would require the following approval:

        Any amendment to the Indenture will be made in the form of supplemental indentures, entered into between us and the trustee.

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Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

        Under the terms of the Indenture, we are generally permitted to consolidate or merge with another entity. We are also permitted to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another entity. However, we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:

        No merger or sale of assets may be made if as a result any of our property or assets or any property or assets of one of our subsidiaries would become subject to any mortgage, lien or other encumbrance unless either (i) the mortgage, lien or other encumbrance could be created pursuant to the limitation on liens covenant in the senior indenture (see "Covenants Applicable to Senior Securities—Limitation on Secured Debt" above) without equally and ratably securing the senior indenture securities or (ii) the senior indenture securities are secured equally and ratably with or prior to the debt secured by the mortgage, lien or other encumbrance.

Defeasance

        The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement that the provisions of covenant defeasance and full defeasance will not be applicable to that series.

        Covenant Defeasance.    Under current federal tax law, we can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indentures under which the particular series was issued. This is called "covenant defeasance". In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay your debt securities. If you hold subordinated securities, you also would be released from the subordination provisions described under "Subordination". In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:

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        Full Defeasance.    If there is a change in federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called "full defeasance") if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:

        If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If you had subordinated securities, you would also be released from the subordination provisions described above under "Subordination".

Holders of Registered Debt Securities

        Book-entry Holders.    We will issue registered debt securities in book-entry form only, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means debt securities will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary that will hold them on behalf of financial institutions that participate in the depositary's book-entry system. These participating institutions, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the debt securities held by the depositary or its nominee. These institutions may hold these interests on behalf of themselves or customers.

        Under the Indenture, only the person in whose name a debt security is registered is recognized as the holder of that debt security. Consequently, for debt securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the debt securities and we will make all payments on the debt securities to the depositary. The depositary will then pass along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn will pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the debt securities. As a result, investors will not own debt securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary's book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the debt securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.

        Street Name Holders.    In the future, we may issue debt securities in certificated form or terminate a global security. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their debt securities in their own names or in "street name". Debt securities held in street name are registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution chosen by the investor, and the investor would hold a beneficial interest in those debt securities through the account he or she maintains at that institution. For debt securities

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held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the debt securities are registered as the holders of those debt securities and we will make all payments on those debt securities to them. These institutions will pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold debt securities in street name will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.

        Holders.    Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the applicable trustee and those of any third parties employed by us or the applicable trustee, run only to the legal holders of the debt securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a debt security or has no choice because we are issuing the debt securities only in global form. For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, if we want to obtain the approval of the holders for any purpose (for example, to amend an indenture or to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture), we would seek the approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders, of the debt securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.

        When we refer to you, we mean those who invest in the debt securities being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the holders or only indirect holders of those debt securities. When we refer to your debt securities, we mean the debt securities in which you hold a direct or indirect interest.

        Special Considerations for Indirect Holders.    If you hold debt securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, we urge you to check with that institution to find out:

Global Securities

        What Is a Global Security? As noted above, we usually will issue debt securities as registered securities in book-entry form only. A global security represents one or any other number of individual debt securities. Generally, all debt securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.

        Each debt security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depositary Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all debt securities issued in book-entry form.

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        A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under "Special Situations When A Global Security Will Be Terminated". As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all debt securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that has an account with the depositary. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the debt security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

        Special Considerations for Global Securities.    As an indirect holder, an investor's rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor's financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. The depositary that holds the global security will be considered the holder of the debt securities represented by the global security.

        If debt securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

        Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated.    In a few special situations described below, a global security will be terminated and interests in it will be exchanged for certificates in non-global form (certificated securities). After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold the certificated debt securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in a global security transferred on

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termination to their own names, so that they will be holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors under "Holders of Registered Debt Securities" above.

        The special situations for termination of a global security are as follows:

        The related prospectus supplement may list situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of debt securities covered by the prospectus supplement. If a global security is terminated, only the depositary, and not us or the applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions in whose names the debt securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the holders of those debt securities.

Payment and Paying Agents

        We will pay interest to the person listed in the applicable trustee's records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each due date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, usually about two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is called the "record date". Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is called "accrued interest".

        Payments on Global Securities.    We will make payments on a global security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security. An indirect holder's right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants, as described under "What Is a Global Security?".

        Payments on Certificated Securities.    We will make payments on a debt security in non-global certificated form as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the Trustee's records as of the close of business on the regular record date. We will make all payments of principal and premium, if any, by check at the office of the applicable trustee in New York, New York and/or at other offices that may be specified in the prospectus supplement or in a notice to holders, against surrender of the debt security. All payments by check will be made in next-day funds—funds that become available on the day after the check is cashed.

        Alternatively, if a certificated security has a face amount of at least $10,000,000 and the holder asks us to do so, we will pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date. To request payment by wire, the holder must give the applicable trustee or other paying agent appropriate transfer instructions at least 15 business days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person who is

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the holder on the relevant regular record date. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above.

        Payment When Offices Are Closed.    If any payment is due on a debt security on a day that is not a business day, we will make the payment on the next day that is a business day. Payments postponed to the next business day in this situation will be treated under the Indenture as if they were made on the original due date. A postponement of this kind will not result in a default under any debt security or the Indenture, and no interest will accrue on the postponed amount from the original due date to the next day that is a business day.

        Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities.

Form, Exchange and Transfer of Registered Securities

        If registered debt securities cease to be issued in global form, they will be issued:

        Holders may exchange their certificated securities for debt securities of smaller denominations or fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed.

        Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated securities at the office of their trustee. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders transferring debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.

        Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their certificated securities, but they may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder's proof of legal ownership.

        If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in your prospectus supplement. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.

        If any certificated securities of a particular series are redeemable and we redeem less than all the debt securities of that series, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any certificated securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security that will be partially redeemed.

        If a registered debt security is issued in global form, only the depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection, since it will be the sole holder of the debt security.

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The Trustee Under the Indenture

        The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is a bank with which we maintain ordinary banking relationships. We may appoint additional banks with whom we maintain relationships for the purpose of acting as trustee for other series of debt securities.

Resignation of Trustee

        The Trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of Indenture Securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to these series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of Indenture Securities under one of the indentures, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.

Certain Considerations Relating to Foreign Currencies

        Debt securities denominated or payable in foreign currencies may entail significant risks. These risks include the possibility of significant fluctuations in the foreign currency markets, the imposition or modification of foreign exchange controls and potential illiquidity in the secondary market. These risks will vary depending upon the currency or currencies involved and will be more fully described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

        Under our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended (the "Certificate of Incorporation"), we are authorized to adopt resolutions providing for the issuance, in one or more series, of up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par value, with the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof adopted by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof.

        On February 8, 1989, the board adopted a resolution creating a series of 25,000 shares of preferred stock (series A preferred stock), whose rights, qualifications and restrictions are set forth in the certificate of designation, preference and rights of series A preferred stock. See also "Description of Outstanding Capital Stock."

        Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of our preferred stock. We urge you to read our Certificate of Incorporation and the certificate of designations creating your preferred stock because they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of preferred stock. We have filed our Certificate of Incorporation and will file the certificate of designations with the SEC. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain copies of these documents.

        The specific terms of any preferred stock proposed to be sold under this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement will be described in the prospectus supplement. If so indicated in the prospectus supplement, the terms of the offered preferred stock may differ from the terms set forth below.

General

        Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the offered preferred stock, each series of preferred stock will rank on a parity as to dividends and distribution of assets upon liquidation and in all other respects with all other series of preferred stock. The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable and holders thereof will have no preemptive rights.

        You should read the prospectus supplement for the terms of the preferred stock offered thereby, including the following:

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        Subject to our Certificate of Incorporation and to any limitations contained in any outstanding preferred stock, we may issue additional series of preferred stock, at any time or from time to time, with the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as our board of directors or any duly authorized committee thereof may determine, all without further action of our stockholders, including holders of our then outstanding preferred stock.

        If applicable, the prospectus supplement will also contain a discussion of the material federal income tax considerations relevant to the offering.

Dividends

        Holders of preferred stock will be entitled to receive cash dividends, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, out of our assets legally available for payment, at the rate and on the dates set forth in the prospectus supplement.

        We may not declare dividends (other than dividends payable only in shares of the company that is junior as to dividends and liquidation rights to the preferred stock ("Junior Stock")) on Junior Stock, unless cash dividends to which all outstanding shares of preferred stock shall be entitled for the current dividend period and (where such dividends are cumulative) for all past dividend periods, have been paid or declared and set apart in full.

Conversion and Exchange

        If the preferred stock will be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or other securities, the prospectus supplement will set forth the terms and conditions of that conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio (or the method of calculating the same), the conversion or exchange period (or the method of determining the same), whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at the option of the holder or us, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price or the exchange ratio and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of that preferred stock.

Liquidation Rights

        In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of each series of our preferred stock will be entitled to receive out of our assets that are available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of any junior stock, liquidating distributions in the amount set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. If, upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the amounts payable with respect to the preferred stock are not paid in full, the holders of our preferred stock of each series will share ratably in the distribution of our assets in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of our preferred stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of our assets. Our consolidation or merger with or into any other corporation or corporations or our reorganization, or a purchase or redemption of all or part of our outstanding shares, or a sale of all or substantially all our assets will not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us for purposes of these provisions.

Redemption

        If so provided in the prospectus supplement, the offered preferred stock may be redeemable in whole or in part at our option at the times and at the redemption prices set forth therein.

Voting Rights

        Except as indicated in the prospectus supplement, or except as expressly required by applicable law, the holders of the preferred stock will not be entitled to vote.

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DESCRIPTION OF OUTSTANDING CAPITAL STOCK

        Our authorized capital stock consists of (i) 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par value per share.

        On December 3, 2010, we had outstanding:

        No preferred stock had been issued as of December 3, 2010.

        Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of our capital stock. We urge you to read the Certificate of Incorporation, by-laws and the shareholders' rights agreement between us and Computershare Investor Services, LLC (successor to Harris Trust and Savings Bank), rights agent, because they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of our capital stock. We have filed the Certificate of Incorporation, by-laws and the rights agreement with the SEC. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page 1 for information on how to obtain copies of these documents.

Common Stock

        Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock, holders of our shares of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors from our assets legally available for the payment of dividends.

        Common shareholders of record on May 30, 1986 are entitled to five votes per share. Common stock acquired subsequent to that date entitles the holder to one vote per share until held four years, after which time the holder is entitled to five votes.

        The outstanding shares of our common stock are, and any shares of common stock offered under this prospectus and a prospectus supplement upon issuance and payment therefor will be, fully paid and non-assessable. Our common stock has no preemptive or conversion rights and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to it.

        In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after the payment or provision for payment of our debts and other liabilities and the preferential amounts to which holders of our preferred stock are entitled (if any shares of preferred stock are then outstanding), the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in our remaining assets.

        Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "CSL". The transfer agent and registrar is Countershare Investors Services.

        Classification of Board of Directors.    Our board of directors is divided into three approximately equal classes, having staggered terms of office of three years each. The effect of a classified board of directors may be to make it more difficult to acquire control of us.

        Removal of Directors.    The Certificate of Incorporation also provides that our directors may be removed only for cause and upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662/3% of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, provided that if there is a substantial stockholder (as defined below), the 662/3% vote must include the affirmative vote of at least 50% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our voting capital stock.

        Director Nominations.    Our shareholders can nominate candidates for the board of directors if the shareholders follow the advance notice procedures described in the Certificate of Incorporation. To nominate directors, shareholders must submit a written notice to our Corporate Secretary at least

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90 days prior to the first anniversary of the last meeting of shareholders of the company called for the election of directors, before a scheduled meting. The notice must include the name and address of the shareholder and of the shareholder's nominee, the number of shares held by the shareholder as a beneficial owner (as defined in our Certificate of Incorporation), and any other information required by the securities laws and the SEC about the shareholder's nominee.

        Shareholders' Action.    The Certificate of Incorporation provides that no shareholder action may be taken by written consent of shareholders.

        Shareholders Special Meetings.    A special meeting of shareholders will be called upon the request of the holders of at least 662/3% of the voting stock of the company.

        Supermajority Vote in Business Combinations.    Article Seventh of the Certificate of Incorporation provides that a merger, consolidation, sale of assets, sale of shares, share exchange, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar transaction (each defined as a "business combination") between us or a company controlled by or under common control with us and any individual, corporation or other entity which is defined in our Certificate of Incorporation as a "substantial stockholder" (in general, any individual or entity which owns or controls at least 15% of our voting capital stock), would be required to satisfy the condition that the aggregate consideration per share to be received in the transaction for each class of our voting capital stock meet the price requirements indicated in our Certificate of Incorporation. If a proposed business combination with a substantial stockholder does not meet this condition, then the transaction must be approved by the holders of at least 662/3% of the outstanding shares of voting capital stock held by our shareholders other than the substantial stockholder, unless: (i) a majority of the directors have expressly approved the business combination at a time when the substantial stockholder was not beneficial owner of 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares of the company or (ii) the business combination is approved by a majority of the directors who are not affiliated with the substantial shareholder.

        The provisions of Article Seventh may not be amended, altered, changed or repealed except by the affirmative vote of at least 662/3% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon at a meeting of our shareholders duly called for consideration of such amendment, alteration, change or repeal. In addition, if there is a substantial stockholder, the 662/3% majority required to amend or repeal Article Seventh must include the affirmative vote of at least 50% of the shares held by shareholders other than the substantial stockholder.

        Shareholders' Rights Agreement.    The company has a shareholders' rights agreement (the "shareholders' rights agreement") dated February 8, 1989, as amended on August 7, 1996 and May 26, 2006, that is designed to protect shareholder investment values. On February 8, 1989, we declared a dividend distribution of one "preferred stock purchase right" for each outstanding share of the company's common stock, payable to shareholders of record on March 3, 1989. The rights will become exercisable if any of the following circumstances occur: (i) a person or group (an "acquiring person") has become beneficial owner of at least 20% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the company, or shares representing, by determination of the board, 35% of the voting power of the outstanding common stock; (ii) a tender offer or exchange offer is commenced, which would result in a person or group owning 25% or more of the outstanding common stock; or (iii) the board of directors has declared any person as an "adverse person", upon determining that this person has acquired 15% of the outstanding common stock or shares representing, by determination of the board, 30% of the voting power of the company, and that this acquisition would be detrimental to the company in manners specified in the shareholders' rights agreement.

        Upon the occurrence of any of the "triggering events" described in the bullets directly below, each holder of a right will have the right to receive, upon exercise common stock in lieu of preferred stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. A triggering event will occur when: (i) the board determines that a person is an adverse person; (ii) a public announcement is made that a

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person has become owner of 25% or more of the outstanding common stock or of shares constituting, by determination of the board, 40% or more of the outstanding voting power; (iii) the company is the surviving corporation in a merger with an acquiring person; or (iv) an acquiring person engages in self-dealing or other transactions as specified in the shareholders' rights agreement. On (1) August 7, 1996, the Company amended the shareholders' rights agreement to, among other things, extend the term of the rights until August 6, 2006 and (2) May 26, 2006, the Company amended the shareholders' rights agreement to, among other things, extend the term of the rights until May 25, 2016.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell the offered securities as follows:

        We will identify any underwriters or agents and describe their compensation in a related prospectus supplement.

        We, directly or through agents, may sell, and the underwriters may resell, the offered securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. These transactions may be:

        In connection with the sale of offered securities, the underwriters or agents may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the offered securities for whom they may act as agents. The underwriters may sell offered securities to or through dealers, who may also receive compensation from purchasers of the offered securities for whom they may act as agents. Compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act of 1933, and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit on the resale of the offered securities by them may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933.

        We will indemnify the underwriters and agents against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

        Underwriters, dealers and agents and their affiliates may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of their business.

        If we indicate in the prospectus supplement or term sheet relating to a particular series or issue of offered securities, we will authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase such offered securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery at a future date. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions that we specify in the prospectus supplement or term sheet, and we will specify in the related prospectus supplement or term sheet the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.

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LEGAL OPINIONS

        The validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Steven J. Ford, our Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, and for any underwriters, dealers or agents by Shearman & Sterling LLP, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022. Mr. Ford is paid a salary by our company and participates in various employee benefit plans offered by us, including equity based plans.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements and schedule of Carlisle Companies Incorporated for the year ending December 31, 2009 appearing in Carlisle Companies Incorporated's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 3, 2010 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and schedule are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

        The consolidated financial statements of Hawk Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009 appearing in Carlisle Companies Incorporated's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 1, 2010 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

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PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

Item 14.    Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

        The following is a statement of the estimated expenses (other than underwriting compensation) to be incurred by us in connection with a distribution of an assumed amount of $1,000,000,000 of debt securities registered under this registration statement. The assumed amount has been used to demonstrate the expenses of an offering and does not represent an estimate of the amount of securities that may be offered or sold because such amount is unknown at this time.

Filing fee for Registration Statement

  $ 39,300  

Legal Fees and Expenses

    100,000  

Rating Agency Fees

    351,000  

Blue Sky Fees and Expenses

    5,000  

Printing and Engraving Fees

    75,000  

Accounting Fees and Expenses

    135,000  

Trustee's and Depositary's Fees and Expenses

    13,880  

Miscellaneous Expenses

    10,000  
       

Total

  $ 729,180  
       

Item 15.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers

        Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware authorizes us to indemnify our directors and officers under specified circumstances. The Certificate of Incorporation provides for indemnification of our officers and directors to the full extent authorized by law.

        Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware also authorizes us to indemnify persons who serve as directors or officers at our request under specified circumstances. The Certificate of Incorporation provides in effect that we shall provide certain indemnification to such persons.

        Our directors and officers are insured, under policies of insurance maintained by us, within the limits and subject to the limitations of the policies, against certain expenses in connection with the defense of actions, suits or proceedings to which they are parties by reason of being or having been such directors or officers.

        Furthermore, the underwriting agreement may provide for indemnification of directors, officers who sign the registration statement and controlling persons of the Company by the underwriters, and for indemnification of each underwriter and its controlling persons by the Company, against certain liabilities. Similar provisions are contained in agreements entered into between the Company and groups of underwriters on past occasions.

Item 16.    Exhibits

        See the index to exhibits that appears immediately following the signature pages to this Registration Statement.

Item 17.    Undertakings

        (a)   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

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provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

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        (b)   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes 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 Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of any employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) 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.

        (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, 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 of 1933 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 of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Charlotte, State of North Carolina, on December 6, 2010.

 
   
   
    CARLISLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED

 

 

By:

 

/s/ DAVID A. ROBERTS

David A. Roberts
Chairman of the Board of Directors,
President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

By:

 

/s/ STEVEN J. FORD

Steven J. Ford
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Name
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ DAVID A. ROBERTS

David A. Roberts
  Chairman of the Board of Directors,
President and Chief Executive Officer
  December 6, 2010

/s/ STEVEN J. FORD

Steven J. Ford

 

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

December 6, 2010

/s/ KEVIN P. ZDIMAL

Kevin P. Zdimal

 

Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

 

December 6, 2010

/s/ ROBIN J. ADAMS

Robin J. Adams

 

Director

 

December 6, 2010

/s/ ROBERT G. BOHN

Robert G. Bohn

 

Director

 

December 6, 2010

/s/ ROBIN J. CALLAHAN

Robin J. Callahan

 

Director

 

December 6, 2010

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Name
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ PAUL J. CHOQUETTE, JR.

Paul J. Choquette, Jr.
  Director   December 6, 2010

/s/ TERRY D. GROWCOCK

Terry D. Growcock

 

Director

 

December 6, 2010

/s/ STEPHEN P. MUNN

Stephen P. Munn

 

Director

 

December 6, 2010

/s/ GREG A. OSTRANDER

Greg A. Ostrander

 

Director

 

December 6, 2010

/s/ LAWRENCE A. SALA

Lawrence A. Sala

 

Director

 

December 6, 2010

/s/ MAGALEN C. WEBERT

Magalen C. Webert

 

Director

 

December 6, 2010

II-5


Table of Contents


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number
   
  Exhibit Description
  *1(a)     Form of Underwriting Agreement and Pricing Agreement.

 

3(a)

 


 

By-laws of the Company, filed as an Exhibit to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

3(b)

 


 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation as amended April 22, 1991, filed as an Exhibit to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

3(c)

 


 

Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated December 20, 1996, filed as an Exhibit to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

3(d)

 


 

Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated April 29, 1999, filed as an Exhibit to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

4(a)

 


 

Shareholders' Rights Agreement, dated February 8, 1989, filed as an Exhibit to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

4(b)

 


 

Amendment to Shareholders' Rights Agreement, dated August 7, 1996, filed as an Exhibit to Form 8-A/A filed on August 9, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

4(c)

 


 

Amendment No. 2 to Shareholders' Rights Agreement, dated May 26, 2006, filed as an Exhibit to the Company's current report on Form 8-K dated May 26, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

4(d)

 


 

Indenture between the Company and Fleet National Bank, as Trustee, dated January 15, 1997, filed as an Exhibit to the Company's registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-71028) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

4(e)

 


 

Second Supplemental Indenture**

 

*4(f)

 


 

Form of Fixed Rate Senior Note.

 

*5

 


 

Opinion of Steven J. Ford, our General Counsel, as to validity of the Securities.

 

12

 


 

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges, filed as an Exhibit to the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

*23(a)

 


 

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP relating to Carlisle Companies Incorporated.

 

*23(b)

 


 

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP relating to Hawk Corporation.

 

*23(c)

 


 

Consent of Steven J. Ford (included in Exhibit 5).

 

*25

 


 

Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A.

*
Filed herewith.

**
To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.