Some companies, like certain large airlines and old-line manufacturers, cannot afford to make pension contributions.

In their enthusiasm, high-technology companies drew in old-line manufacturers like Eaton and everyone overexpanded together.

Much attention has been paid, for instance, to the needs of old-line manufacturers that have been pummeled by foreign competition, from steel to bearings.

But for old-line manufacturers, the prospect of carbon trading can be daunting.

It will also be the final step in its own metamorphosis from old-line industrial manufacturer to a pure telecommunications company.

He became American Can's chairman earlier this year, making him the first Chinese-American to head such an old-line manufacturer.

At the other end of the spectrum are many energy companies and old-line manufacturers.

The first phase, beginning in the first half of 2000, hit old-line manufacturers.

But on old-line manufacturers like USX, Wall Street cannot seem to reach a consensus.

In a way, they make odd couples - two old-line manufacturers whose products take years to develop and two icons of the Internet Age.