TREX MEDICAL CORP
8-K, EX-2.1, 2000-09-29
X-RAY APPARATUS & TUBES & RELATED IRRADIATION APPARATUS
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                                                                     Exhibit 2.1

                        ASSET PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT


                                      AMONG


          TREX MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION, TREX MEDICAL CORPORATION


            THERMOTREX CORPORATION AND THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION


                                       AND


                                  HOLOGIC, INC.



                                 AUGUST 13, 2000



<PAGE>




                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


ARTICLE I     ASSET PURCHASE.................................................2

   1.1   Purchase and Sale of Assets; Assumption of Liabilities..............2
   1.2   Purchase Price and Related Matters.................................12
   1.3   The Closing........................................................18
   1.4   Deferred Transfers.................................................20

ARTICLE II    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER......................21

   2.1   Organization, Qualification and Corporate Power....................22
   2.2   Authority..........................................................22
   2.3   Noncontravention...................................................23
   2.4   Subsidiaries.......................................................24
   2.5   Financial Information..............................................25
   2.6   Absence of Certain Changes.........................................25
   2.7   Undisclosed Liabilities............................................26
   2.8   Tax Matters........................................................27
   2.9   Tangible Personal Property.........................................27
   2.10  Facilities and Owned and Leased Real Property......................28
   2.11  Intellectual Property..............................................30
   2.12  Contracts..........................................................31
   2.13  Litigation.........................................................35
   2.14  Labor Matters......................................................35
   2.15  Employee Benefits..................................................35
   2.16  Environmental Matters..............................................38
   2.17  Legal Compliance...................................................40
   2.18  Permits. ..........................................................41
   2.19  Entire Business....................................................41
   2.20  Broker's Fees......................................................42
   2.21  Insurance..........................................................42
   2.22  Business Relationships with Affiliates.............................42
   2.23  Certain Definitions................................................42
   2.24  Conduct of Business................................................43
   2.25  Compliance with Laws; No Notices of Violation; No Flood Hazard;
         Issuance of Permits................................................43
   2.26  No Condemnation....................................................43
   2.27  No Litigation......................................................44
   2.28  Payment for Work; No Mechanics' Liens..............................44
   2.29  Leases, Leasing, Commissions, Management Agreement.................44
   2.30  Separate Tax Parcel................................................44
   2.31  Condominium or Cooperative.........................................44
   2.32  Utilities Are Available to the Owned Real Property.................44
   2.33  Proper Drainage....................................................45

                                      -i-
<PAGE>


ARTICLE II A  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARENTS.................45

   2.1A  Organization.......................................................45
   2.2A  Authority..........................................................45
   2.3A  Noncontravention...................................................46

ARTICLE III   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER.......................47

   3.1   Organization.......................................................47
   3.2   Authorization of Transaction.......................................47
   3.3   Noncontravention...................................................47
   3.4   Broker's Fees......................................................48
   3.5   Litigation.........................................................49
   3.6   Financing..........................................................49
   3.7   Solvency ..........................................................49
   3.8   Commission Filings.................................................49
   3.9   Absence of Certain Changes.........................................51
   3.10  Certain Definitions................................................51
   3.11  Conduct of Business................................................53
   3.12  Payment of Taxes...................................................53
   3.13  Authority to Enter into Transaction; No Conflict; Authority and
         Enforceability.....................................................53
   3.14  Title to the Mortgaged Property; Compliance with Laws; No Notices of
         Violation; No Flood Hazard; Issuance of Permits....................53
   3.15  No Condemnation....................................................54
   3.16  No Litigation......................................................55
   3.17  Payment for Work; No Mechanics' Liens..............................55
   3.18  [Intentionally Omitted.]...........................................55
   3.19  Leases   ..........................................................55
   3.20  Leasing Commissions: Management Agreements.........................55
   3.21  Separate Tax Parcel................................................55
   3.22  Condominium or Cooperative.........................................56
   3.23  Buyer Not "Foreign Person".........................................56
   3.24  Payment of Real Estate Taxes and Impositions.......................56
   3.25  [Intentionally Omitted.]...........................................56
   3.26  Utilities Are Available to the Mortgaged Property..................56
   3.27  Proper Drainage....................................................56
   3.28  Environmental Matters..............................................56

ARTICLE IV    PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS.........................................59
   4.1   Efforts. ..........................................................59
   4.2   Hart-Scott-Rodino Act..............................................59
   4.3   Replacement of Guarantees and Letters of Comfort...................60
   4.4   Operation of Business..............................................60
   4.5   Access   ..........................................................63
   4.6   Consents and Approvals.............................................64

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>


ARTICLE V     CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING...............................65

   5.1   Conditions to Obligations of Buyer.................................65
   5.2   Conditions to Obligations of Seller................................67

ARTICLE VI    INDEMNIFICATION...............................................68

   6.1   Indemnification by Seller..........................................68
   6.2   Indemnification by Buyer...........................................69
   6.3   Claims for Indemnification.........................................70
   6.4   Survival...........................................................75
   6.5   Limitations........................................................76
   6.6   Treatment of Indemnification Payments..............................78
   6.7   Parent Guaranty....................................................78

ARTICLE VII   TERMINATION...................................................80

   7.1   Termination of Agreement...........................................80
   7.2   Effect of Termination..............................................81

ARTICLE VIII  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.........................................81

   8.1   Definitions........................................................81
   8.2   Environmental Indemnification by Seller............................82
   8.3   Limitations........................................................84
   8.4   Environmental Indemnification by Buyer.............................86

ARTICLE IX    TAX MATTERS...................................................87

   9.1   Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns; Payment of Taxes............87
   9.2   Allocation of Certain Taxes........................................88
   9.3   Refunds and Carrybacks.............................................89
   9.4   Cooperation on Tax Matters; Tax Audits.............................89
   9.5   Termination of Tax Sharing Agreements..............................91

ARTICLE X     FURTHER AGREEMENTS............................................91

   10.1  Access to Information; Record Retention; Cooperation...............91
   10.2  Restrictive Covenants..............................................93
   10.3  Enforceability in Jurisdictions....................................97
   10.4  Disclosure Generally...............................................97
   10.5  [Intentionally Omitted.]...........................................98
   10.6  Certain Insurance Matters..........................................98
   10.7  Certain Employee Benefits Matters..................................99
   10.8  Further Assurances................................................103
   10.9  Use of Name for Transition Period.................................104
   10.10 Dowlatshahi License...............................................104

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>

ARTICLE XI    MISCELLANEOUS................................................104

   11.1  Press Releases and Announcements..................................104
   11.2  No Third Party Beneficiaries......................................105
   11.3  Action to be Taken by Affiliates..................................105
   11.4  Entire Agreement..................................................105
   11.5  Succession and Assignment.........................................105
   11.6  Counterparts......................................................107
   11.7  Headings .........................................................107
   11.8  Notices  .........................................................107
   11.9  Governing Law.....................................................108
   11.10 Amendments and Waivers............................................108
   11.11 Severability......................................................109
   11.12 Expenses .........................................................109
   11.13 Specific Performance..............................................109
   11.14 Submission to Jurisdiction........................................110
   11.15 Bulk Transfer Laws................................................110
   11.16 Construction......................................................110
   11.17 Incorporation of Exhibits and Schedules...........................111
   11.18 Facsimile Signature...............................................111


                                      -iv-


<PAGE>



ANNEXES

Annex 1.1(a)(i)   Facilities included in Acquired Assets

Annex 1.1(b)(i)   Excluded Contracts, Agreements, Commitments and Leases

Annex 4.3         Letters of Credit

Annex 10.7(b)     Non-Offered Employees


                                      -v-
<PAGE>


Disclosure Schedule

Schedule 5.1(a)   Required Consents

Exhibits:

Exhibit  A - Form  of Bill of Sale

Exhibit  B - Form of  Intellectual  Property Assignment

Exhibit C -Form of Assumption  Agreement

Exhibit D - Form of Mortgage Note

Exhibit E - Form of Danbury  Mortgage

Exhibit F - Form of Bedford Mortgage

Exhibit G - Form of  Guaranty

Exhibit H - Tecomet  Agreements

Exhibit I - CMOS Letter Agreement


                                      -vi-
<PAGE>


                             TABLE OF DEFINED TERMS

Defined Term                            Section
------------                            -------
1060 Forms                              1.2(c)
Acquired Assets                         1.1(a)
Adjusted Purchase Price                 1.2(b)(iii)(B)(IV)
Affiliates                              2.6(a)
Agreed Amount                           6.3(c)
Agreement                               Preliminary Statement
Approval                                1.4(a)
Asset Allocation Schedule               1.2(c)
Assumed Liabilities                     1.1(d)
Assumption Agreement                    1.1(d)
Basket Amount                           6.5(b)(iii)
Bedford Mortgage                        1.2(a)(ii)
BioMedical Subsidiary                   10.2(b)
Business                                Introduction
Business Day                            1.3(a)
Business Employees                      10.7(a)
Business Material Adverse Effect        2.1
Business Benefit Plans                  2.15(a)
Business Policies                       2.21
Business Properties                     2.16(a)(viii)
Buyer                                   Preliminary Statement
Buyer Commission Filings                3.8
Buyer Designated Transferee             11.5
Buyer Indemnified Parties               6.1
Buyer Material Adverse Effect           3.3(b)
Buyer's 401(k) Plan                     10.7(c)
Buyer's Environmental Disclosure
Documents                               3.28
CERCLA                                  2.16(a)(i)
Claim Notice                            6.3(c)
Claimed Amount                          6.3(c)
Claims-Made Business Policies           10.6
Closing                                 1.3(a)
Closing Date                            1.3(a)
CMOS Letter Agreement                   5.1(i)
COBRA                                   10.7(i)
Code                                    1.2(c)
Commission                              3.8
Competitive Business                    10.2(b)
Confidentiality Agreement               4.5
Controlled Subsidiary                   10.2(b)
Current Title Policy                    3.14
Damages                                 6.1; 6.3(a); 6.3(b); 8.1(b)
Danbury Mortgage                        1.2(a)(ii)

                                     -vii-
<PAGE>
Defined Term                            Section
------------                            -------
Deferred Items                          1.4(a)
Deferred Transfer                       1.4(b)
Designated Contracts                    2.12(b)
Designated Intellectual Property        2.11(a)
Develop                                 8.1(c)
Disclosure Schedule                     Article II
Disputes Auditor                        1.2(b)(ii)(A)
Employee Benefit Plan                   2.15(a)
Environment                             2.16(a)(iii)
Environmental Law                       2.16(a)(v); 3.10
Environmental Matters                   2.16(a)(vi)
Equipment                               1.1(a)(ii)
ERISA                                   2.15(a)
ERISA Affiliate                         2.15(a)
Excluded Assets                         1.1(b)
Excluded Liabilities                    1.1(e)
Facility                                1.1(a)(i)
Fischer                                 6.3(b)(i)
Fischer Litigation                      6.3(b)(i)
Final Closing Statement                 1.2(b)(ii)(B)
Governmental Authority                  2.23
Governmental Entity                     2.3(b)
Guaranty                                1.2(a)(ii)
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act                   2.3
Hazardous Materials                     3.10
Indemnified Party                       6.3(a)
Indemnifying Party                      6.3(a)
Information                             10.1(a)
Intellectual Property                   1.1(a)(vi)
Inventory                               1.1(a)(iii)
Knowledge                               10.4(a)
Leased Real Property                    1.1(a)(i)
Leases                                  2.10; 3.19
Legal Requirements                      2.23; 3.10
Material Permits                        2.18(a)
Materials of Environmental Concern      2.16(a)(iv)
Mortgages                               1.2(a)(ii)
Mortgage Loan Documents                 1.2(a)(ii)
Mortgage Note                           1.2(a)(ii)
Mortgaged Property                      3.10
Most Recent Balance Sheet               2.5
Natural Resources Damages               8.1(d)
Net Working Capital                     1.2(b)(i)(A)
Non-Competition Party                   10.2(b)
Non-Competition Period                  10.2(b)

                                     -viii-
<PAGE>
Defined Term                            Section
------------                            -------
Non-Offered Employees                   10.7(b)
Non-Solicitation Period                 10.2(c)
Occurrence-Based Business Policies      10.6
Off-Site Liabilities                    2.16(a)(vii)
Ordinary Course of Business             2.3(c)
Original Litigation                     6.3(b)(i)
Owned Real Property                     1.1(a)(i)
Parent                                  Preliminary Statement
Parent Material Adverse Effect          2.3A(b)
Party                                   Preliminary Statement
Patents in Suit                         6.3(b)(i)
Permits                                 2.23; 3.10
Preliminary Closing Statement           1.2(b)(i)(A)
Prepaid Assets                          1.1(a)(ix)
Prime Rate                              1.2(b)(iii)(B)(III)
Product                                 2.12(a)(xiv)
PS Policies                             10.7(g)
Purchase Price                          1.2(a)
Purchase Price Adjustment               1.2(b)(iii)(B)
Reference Net Working Capital           1.2(b)(iii)(A)
Release                                 2.16(a)(ii)
Response Costs                          8.1(a)
Restrictive Covenants                   10.2(d)
Security Interest                       2.3(c)
Seller                                  Preliminary Statement
Seller's 401(k) Plan                    10.7(c)
Seller Designated Transferee            11.5
Seller Indemnified Parties              6.2
Spin-Off                                10.2(b)
Table Products                          6.3(b)(i)
Tax Audit                               9.4(b)
Tax Returns                             2.8
Taxes                                   2.8
Taxing Authority                        9.4(a)
Tax Reserves                            9.1(a)
Tecomet Agreements                      5.1(h)
Transferred Employees                   10.7(b)
U.S. GAAP                               1.1(d)(i)
WARN                                    10.7(h)

                                      -ix-

<PAGE>




                        ASSET PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

     This ASSET PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is entered into as
of  August  13,  2000  among  Trex  Medical  Systems  Corporation,   a  Delaware
corporation  ("Seller"),  Trex Medical Corporation,  ThermoTrex  Corporation and
Thermo Electron Corporation, each a Delaware corporation (each, a "Parent"), and
Hologic, Inc., a Delaware corporation  ("Buyer").  Seller, Parents and Buyer are
referred to together herein as the "Parties" and individually as a "Party."

                                  INTRODUCTION

     A.  Seller  is  engaged,  among  other  activities,   in  the  business  of
developing,  manufacturing  and selling  mammography  and breast biopsy systems,
mobile X-ray systems,  X-ray systems for  non-destructive  testing,  specialized
medical  X-ray  imaging  equipment  for  cardiac  catheterization  laboratories,
digital radiographic/fluoroscopic (R/F) systems,  electrophysiology products and
general  radiography  products  (such  business,  as  conducted by Seller or any
direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Seller, the "Business");

     B. Each Parent  directly or indirectly  holds a  significant  amount of the
outstanding  common  stock of  Seller  and will  benefit  from the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; and

     C. Buyer  desires to purchase  from Seller,  and Seller  desires to sell to
Buyer,  the assets of Seller  relating  primarily  to the  Business  (other than
assets excluded pursuant  hereto),  subject to the assumption of certain related
liabilities, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  representations,  warranties,
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as
follows:
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE I

                                 ASSET PURCHASE

     1.1 Purchase and Sale of Assets; Assumption of Liabilities.

     (a) Transfer of Assets.  On the basis of the  representations,  warranties,
covenants  and  agreements  and  subject  to the  satisfaction  or waiver of the
conditions set forth in this Agreement,  on the Closing Date, Seller shall sell,
convey,  assign,  transfer  and deliver to Buyer,  and Buyer shall  purchase and
acquire from Seller, all of the assets, rights,  properties,  claims,  contracts
and business of Seller at the Closing Date which are  primarily  utilized in the
Business,  of every  kind,  nature,  character  and  description,  tangible  and
intangible,  real, personal or mixed, wherever located,  other than the Excluded
Assets (as defined  below)  (collectively,  the "Acquired  Assets"),  including,
without  limitation,  the following  assets, in each case to the extent utilized
primarily in the Business:

     (i)  The fee simple title to the real property  described as owned on Annex
          1.1(a)(i) (the "Owned Real  Property"),  together with Seller's right,
          title and interest in and to the  buildings,  other  improvements  and
          fixtures  thereon  (including  premise  wiring),   and  the  leasehold
          interests in real property  described on Annex  1.1(a)(i) as leased by
          Seller under the Leases (as defined  below),  together  with  Seller's
          right,  title and interest in and to the  leasehold  improvements  and
          fixtures  thereon   (including   premise  wiring)  (the  "Leased  Real
          Property"  and,  together  with the Owned Real  Property  and Seller's
          right, title and interest in and to the buildings,  other improvements
          and fixtures thereon, the "Facilities");

     (ii) Seller's right, title and interest in and to the equipment, furniture,
          furnishings,  fixtures, machinery, vehicles, tools, personal computers
          of  Transferred  Employees,  test  equipment  related  to  maintaining



                                       2
<PAGE>

          equipment in the field or to second level  tactical  support  centers,
          diagnostic  software  for  testing,  repair  or  ongoing  maintenance,
          servers and routers on which transactional or communications databases
          are run,  telephone  switching  equipment and other tangible  personal
          property  pertaining  to the  operation of the Business and located at
          the  Facilities  or  at  other   locations,   including  at  suppliers
          (collectively, the "Equipment"), and all warranties and guarantees, if
          any, express or implied, existing for the benefit of Seller or, to the
          extent acquired by Seller, its  predecessors-in-interest in connection
          with the Equipment to the extent transferable;

     (iii)The  inventory  of raw  materials,  work in process,  finished  goods,
          office supplies,  maintenance  supplies and packaging materials of the
          Business on hand at the Facilities or elsewhere,  in transit or in the
          distribution  system of  Seller on the  Closing  Date,  together  with
          Seller's right, title and interest in and to the spare parts, supplies
          and   promotional   materials   and   inventory   (collectively,   the
          "Inventory");

     (iv) All management  information systems,  including hardware and software,
          to the extent  that such  systems and  software  are  transferable  by
          Seller,  and all customer  lists,  vendor  lists,  catalogs,  research
          material, technical information, trade secrets, technology,  know-how,
          specifications,  designs,  drawings and processes, and quality control
          data, if any;

     (v)  Seller's  right,  title and interest in and to contracts,  maintenance
          and service agreements, joint venture agreements, purchase commitments
          for  materials  and  other   services,   advertising  and  promotional
          agreements,   leases,   confidentiality  agreements,   non-competition
          agreements  and other  agreements  (including  but not  limited to any
          agreements of Seller with customers, suppliers, dealers, distributors,
          sales  representatives,  agents,  personal property lessors,  personal
          property  lessees,  licensors,  licensees,  consignors  and consignees


                                       3
<PAGE>

          specified therein), whether or not entered into in the Ordinary Course
          of  Business  (as  defined   below),   except  for  those   contracts,
          agreements,  commitments  or leases  designated as Excluded  Assets on
          Annex 1.1(b)(i);

     (vi) Seller's  right,  title and  interest  in and to the  patents,  patent
          registrations   and   patent   applications,   trademarks,   trademark
          registrations and trademark  applications,  trade names (together with
          the goodwill associated therewith), copyrights, copyright applications
          and copyright registrations, including those listed on Section 2.11 of
          the Disclosure  Schedule (as defined  below),  including all rights to
          sue for past infringement ("Intellectual Property");

     (vii)Seller's  licenses,  permits  and  franchises,   approvals,  consents,
          product  registrations  or  authorizations  issued by any Governmental
          Entity (as defined below) or any third party test house,  registrar or
          certification body, relating to the development,  use,  maintenance or
          occupation  of the  Facilities  or  the  operation  of  the  Business,
          including without  limitation  product  registrations or applications,
          approvals or  submissions,  including all of Seller's rights in 510(k)
          pre-clearances,   to  the  United   States   Federal   Food  and  Drug
          Administration or any regulatory body of any foreign  government,  but
          excluding in each case any of the foregoing that are non-transferable;

     (viii) Accounts  receivable and other receivables of Seller in existence at
          the Closing Date (whether or not billed);

     (ix) Seller's right to goods and services and all other  economic  benefits
          to  be  received  subsequent  to  the  Closing  Date  arising  out  of
          prepayments   and  payments  by  Seller  prior  to  the  Closing  Date
          (collectively, the "Prepaid Assets");

                                       4
<PAGE>

     (x)  All books (other than minute books and stock record  books),  records,
          accounts,  ledgers,  files,  documents,   correspondence,   employment
          records, studies, reports and other printed or written materials; and

     (xi) All goodwill of the Business.

     (b)  Excluded  Assets.   It  is  expressly   understood  and  agreed  that,
notwithstanding  anything to the contrary set forth herein,  the Acquired Assets
shall not include the following (each, an "Excluded Asset"):

     (i)  The assets (including,  without  limitation,  all rights,  properties,
          claims,  contracts,  business,  real property,  leasehold interests in
          real  property,  equipment,   machinery,  vehicles,  tools  and  other
          tangible  personal  property)  of all  businesses  conducted by Seller
          other  than the  Business  (including  all  capital  stock  of  Trophy
          Radiologie S.A., and the contracts, agreements, commitments and leases
          and other items designated as Excluded Assets on Annex 1.1(b)(i);

     (ii) All right,  title and  interest  of Seller in any  insurance  policies
          relating to the Business and all rights of Seller to insurance claims,
          related  refunds  and  proceeds  arising  from or  related  to (A) the
          operations of the Business prior to the Closing (as defined below) and
          (B) the Excluded Assets and Excluded Liabilities (as defined below);

     (iii)The  rights   which  accrue  or  will  accrue  to  Seller  under  this
          Agreement;

     (iv) All  refunds of Taxes (as defined  below)  relating to Tax Returns (as
          defined  below) filed or to be filed relating to all periods ending on
          or prior to the Closing Date to the extent provided in Section 9.3;

                                       5
<PAGE>

     (v)  All actions,  claims, causes of action, rights of recovery,  choses in
          action and rights of setoff of any kind  arising  before,  on or after
          the Closing Date relating to the items set forth above in this Section
          1.1(b) or to any Excluded Liabilities;

     (vi) Except as set forth in Section 10.9, all rights, title and interest of
          Seller in the name "Trex  Medical" and any similar names and logos and
          names and logos that incorporate the name "Trex Medical";

     (vii)All  cash and  cash  equivalents  and  similar  types of  investments,
          certificates   of  deposit,   Treasury  bills  and  other   marketable
          securities of Seller, whether or not related to the Business; and

     (viii) All accounts receivable and other amounts payable to Seller from any
          Affiliate of Seller.

     (c)  Instruments  of Conveyance and Transfer.  On the Closing Date,  Seller
shall:


     (i) deliver or cause to be delivered to Buyer:

               (A)  a Bill of Sale in substantially  the form attached hereto as
                    Exhibit A,

               (B)  an Intellectual  Property  Assignment in  substantially  the
                    form attached hereto as Exhibit B, and

               (C)  such other  deeds,  bills of sale,  endorsements,  consents,
                    assignments  and other good and  sufficient  instruments  of
                    conveyance   and   assignment   as  the  Parties  and  their
                    respective counsel shall deem necessary or appropriate or as
                    may be  required  by the  jurisdiction  of  organization  of
                    Seller or any other  jurisdiction  in which Seller  conducts


                                       6
<PAGE>

                    the Business or in which the Acquired  Assets are located to
                    vest in Buyer all right, title and interest of Seller in and
                    to the Acquired Assets; and

     (ii) transfer  to Buyer all the  books,  records,  files and other data (or
          copies  thereof)  within  the  possession  of Seller  relating  to the
          Acquired Assets; provided, however, that Seller and Parents may retain
          duplicate copies of all tax,  financial,  employment and other similar
          materials however maintained.

     (d) Assumed Liabilities. On the Closing Date, Buyer shall deliver to Seller
an undertaking  (the  "Assumption  Agreement"),  in the form attached  hereto as
Exhibit C, pursuant to which Buyer, on and as of the Closing Date,  shall assume
and agree to pay,  perform and discharge when due, upon the terms and subject to
the  conditions  of this  Agreement,  all  debts,  liabilities  and  obligations
whatsoever,  other  than  Excluded  Liabilities  (as  defined  below),  relating
primarily to the  Business or the Acquired  Assets,  whether  arising  before or
after  the  Closing  Date,   including,   but  not  limited  to,  the  following
liabilities,  in each case, to the extent  related  primarily to the Business or
the Acquired Assets:

     (i)  All  liabilities of Seller to the extent  reflected on the Most Recent
          Balance Sheet (as defined  below) and any other  liabilities of Seller
          arising out of or pertaining to the Business or the Acquired Assets as
          of the date of the Most Recent  Balance Sheet incurred in the Ordinary
          Course of  Business  which are not  required to be  reflected  thereon
          according to United States generally  accepted  accounting  principles
          applied  consistently  with Seller's  past  practices  ("U.S.  GAAP"),
          except to the extent that any such  liabilities are satisfied prior to
          the Closing Date;

     (ii) All liabilities of Seller arising out of or pertaining to the Business
          or the Acquired  Assets  incurred in the  Ordinary  Course of Business
          subsequent to the date of the Most Recent  Balance Sheet to the extent


                                       7
<PAGE>

          that such liabilities  either (A) would be required to be reflected on
          a balance sheet prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP or (B) would not
          be required to be reflected on a balance sheet  prepared in accordance
          with U.S.  GAAP,  but which were  incurred in the  Ordinary  Course of
          Business,  except in either case to the extent  satisfied prior to the
          Closing;

     (iii)All debts,  obligations  and  liabilities  of the  Business  or Seller
          which arise on account of Buyer's  operation of the Business,  the use
          or ownership of the  Acquired  Assets  and/or the sale of any products
          manufactured and/or sold by Buyer on and after the Closing Date;

     (iv) All obligations  relating to the Business or the Acquired Assets under
          the contracts, agreements, commitments and leases transferred to Buyer
          pursuant to Section 1.1(a)(v);

     (v)  All  liabilities  and  obligations  under the  licenses,  permits  and
          franchises transferred pursuant to Section 1.1(a)(vii);

     (vi) All liabilities and obligations arising out of the ownership,  leasing
          and/or  operation of the Facilities  whether prior to or following the
          Closing Date;

     (vii)All liabilities  and  obligations  with respect to employees and their
          benefits to the extent expressly  assumed by Buyer pursuant to Section
          10.7;

     (viii) All liabilities and obligations for any Taxes and expenses expressly
          assumed by Buyer pursuant to Article IX and Section 1.4(b);

     (ix) All liabilities and obligations for Environmental  Matters (as defined
          below) assumed by Buyer pursuant to Article VIII;

                                       8
<PAGE>

     (x)  Subject  to the  provisions  of  Section  6.1(c)  with  respect to the
          Fischer Litigation (as defined below), all liabilities with respect to
          all actions, suits,  proceedings,  disputes,  claims or investigations
          arising out of or related to the Business or that otherwise  arise out
          of or are related to the Acquired  Assets to the extent  expressly set
          forth in the Disclosure Schedule;

     (xi) All liabilities related to the recall of products sold or manufactured
          by the Business  whether  prior to or following  the Closing  Date, or
          with  respect  to any  claim for  personal  injury,  bodily  injury or
          property damage, including any such claim based on any alleged failure
          to warn,  relating to or resulting from any product  manufactured  and
          sold by Seller prior to the Closing Date to the extent that a claim is
          asserted  with  respect  to such  injury  or  damage  on or after  the
          six-month anniversary of the Closing Date, but only to the extent that
          Seller  does  not  actually  receive   recovery   therefor  under  its
          Occurrence-Based  Business  Policies  (as  defined  below)  (it  being
          understood that Buyer shall, in the event that Seller does receive any
          such  recovery,  be  responsible  for  any  deductibles  with  respect
          thereto);

     (xii)All   liabilities   related  to  the  recall  of   products   sold  or
          manufactured by the Business whether prior to or following the Closing
          Date, or with respect to any claim for personal injury,  bodily injury
          or  property  damage,  including  any such claim  based on any alleged
          failure  to warn,  relating  to or  resulting  from any  product  that
          constituted,  on the Closing Date,  finished goods in inventory to the
          extent that a claim is asserted  with respect to such injury or damage
          on or after the six-month anniversary of the Closing Date, but only to
          the extent that Seller does not  actually  receive  recovery  therefor
          under its Occurrence-Based Business Policies (it being understood that


                                       9
<PAGE>

          Buyer shall,  in the event that Seller does receive any such recovery,
          be responsible for any deductibles with respect thereto); and

     (xiii)  All  liabilities   related  to  the  recall  of  products  sold  or
          manufactured by the Business whether prior to or following the Closing
          Date, or with respect to any claim for personal injury,  bodily injury
          or  property  damage,  including  any such claim  based on any alleged
          failure  to  warn,   relating  to  or   resulting   from  any  product
          manufactured  or, except as provided in Section  1.1(e)(ii)(B)  below,
          sold by Buyer on or after the  Closing  Date,  but only to the  extent
          that Seller does not  actually  receive  recovery  therefor  under its
          Occurrence-Based  Business  Policies (it being  understood  that Buyer
          shall,  in the event that Seller does  receive any such  recovery,  be
          responsible for any deductibles with respect thereto).

                  The debts,  liabilities  and  obligations  assumed by Buyer in
accordance with this Section 1.1(d) are sometimes hereinafter referred to as the
"Assumed Liabilities."

     (e)  Excluded  Liabilities.  It is  expressly  understood  and agreed that,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement,  Assumed Liabilities
shall not include the following (collectively, the "Excluded Liabilities"):

     (i)  All liabilities arising out of or relating to the Excluded Assets;

     (ii) All liabilities with respect to any claim for personal injury,  bodily
          injury or  property  damage,  including  any such  claim  based on any
          alleged failure to warn,  related to or resulting from any product (A)
          manufactured and sold by Seller prior to the Closing Date, but only to
          the  extent  that a claim  with  respect  to such  injury or damage is
          asserted  prior to the six-month  anniversary  of the Closing Date, or
          (B)  that  constituted,   on  the  Closing  Date,  finished  goods  in
          inventory,  but only to the extent  that a claim with  respect to such


                                       10
<PAGE>

          injury or damage is asserted prior to the six-month anniversary of the
          Closing Date;

     (iii)All  liabilities  and  obligations  for  which  Seller  has  expressly
          assumed  responsibility  pursuant to this Agreement in accordance with
          Articles VIII and IX;

     (iv) All debts,  liabilities or obligations of Seller that do not primarily
          arise out of or are not  primarily  related to the Business or that do
          not otherwise  primarily  arise out of or are not otherwise  primarily
          related to the Acquired Assets;

     (v)  All  liabilities  and  obligations  of Seller  for costs and  expenses
          incurred in connection with this Agreement or the  consummation of the
          transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

     (vi) All obligations for borrowed money;

     (vii)All debts,  liabilities  and  obligations  of Seller to its Affiliates
          arising prior to the Closing Date;

     (viii) Except to the  extent  relating  to or  arising  out of any  Assumed
          Liability and except as otherwise provided in clauses (x), (xi), (xii)
          and (xiii) of Section 1.1(d) above,  all  liabilities  with respect to
          all actions, suits, proceedings, disputes, claims or investigations to
          the extent arising out of or relating to the ownership or operation of
          the Acquired Assets prior to the Closing Date;

     (ix) All liabilities  and obligations for any Taxes and expenses  expressly
          retained by Seller pursuant to Article IX and Section 1.4(b);

     (x)  All liabilities and obligations for  Environmental  Matters  expressly
          retained by Seller pursuant to Article VIII;


                                       11
<PAGE>

     (xi) All   liabilities   and   obligations   for  any  matter   covered  by
          Occurrence-Based   Business  Policies  with  respect  to  any  events,
          occurrences or matters occurring prior to the Closing, but only if and
          to the extent that Seller actually receives recoveries thereunder with
          respect thereto;

     (xii)Except to the extent  constituting  an Assumed  Liability  pursuant to
          clauses (i),  (ii) or (vii) of Section  1.1(d),  all  liabilities  for
          employment-related matters which relate to the conduct of the Business
          prior to the Closing or any  liability  with  respect to any  Business
          Benefit  Plans,  except  to the  extent  explicitly  assumed  by Buyer
          pursuant to Section 10.7; and

     (xiii) All  costs  and  expenses  incurred  prior  to the  Closing  Date in
          connection with the defense of the Fischer Litigation.

     1.2 Purchase Price and Related Matters.

     (a)  Purchase  Price.  Regardless  of whether the  transfer of any Acquired
Asset  has  been  deferred  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  Section  1.4,  in
consideration  of the sale and transfer of the Acquired  Assets,  and subject to
the terms and  conditions  of this  Agreement,  Buyer shall on the Closing  Date
assume the Assumed  Liabilities  as provided in Section  1.1(d) hereof and shall
pay to Seller a total purchase price of U.S.  $55,000,000 (the "Purchase Price")
payable as follows:


     (i)  by wire  transfer  to  Seller  in  immediately  available  funds  U.S.
          $30,000,000 into an account designated by Seller; and


     (ii) by the delivery to Seller of Buyer's  Secured  Promissory  Note in the
          original principal amount of $25,000,000,  in the form attached hereto
          as Exhibit D (the "Mortgage  Note"),  secured by both a first mortgage


                                       12
<PAGE>

          lien  on  the  property  located  at 36  Apple  Ridge  Road,  Danbury,
          Connecticut, pursuant to a Mortgage, Security Agreement and Assignment
          of Leases  and  Rents in the form  attached  hereto as  Exhibit E (the
          "Danbury Mortgage"), and a first mortgage lien on the property located
          at 35 Crosby Drive,  Bedford,  Massachusetts,  pursuant to a Mortgage,
          Security  Agreement  and  Assignment  of Leases  and Rents in the form
          attached hereto as Exhibit F (individually, the "Bedford Mortgage" and
          together with the Danbury Mortgage, the "Mortgages") and guaranteed by
          each United States  subsidiary of Buyer  pursuant to a Guaranty in the
          form attached  hereto as Exhibit G  (individually,  the "Guaranty" and
          collectively  with the Mortgages and the Mortgage  Note, the "Mortgage
          Loan Documents").


(b)         Purchase Price Adjustment.

     (i)  Preliminary Closing Statement.

          (A)  As soon as  reasonably  practical  after the  Closing  but in any
               event  within  forty-five  (45)  days  thereafter,  Seller  shall
               prepare  and  deliver  to Buyer  an  unaudited  Statement  of Net
               Working  Capital for the  Business  as of the  Closing  Date (the
               "Preliminary Closing  Statement").  For purposes of this section,
               "Net  Working   Capital"  shall  mean  all  current  assets  that
               constitute  Acquired  Assets  less all current  liabilities  that
               constitute Assumed Liabilities. The Preliminary Closing Statement
               shall be prepared in accordance  with U.S.  GAAP, as reflected in
               the Most Recent Balance  Sheet,  and shall not give effect to the
               transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          (B)  Buyer and its independent certified public accountants may review
               the Preliminary Closing Statement and the books of account of the
               Business and may make inquiry of the  representatives of Seller's
               accountants  and Seller.  Buyer will make available to Seller and


                                       13
<PAGE>

               its  representatives,  as  reasonably  requested  by Seller,  all
               books,  records and other  documents  pertaining  to the Business
               deemed   necessary  or  desirable  by  Seller  in  preparing  the
               Preliminary Closing Statement.

          (C)  The Preliminary Closing Statement shall be binding and conclusive
               upon,  and deemed  accepted  by,  Buyer  unless  Buyer shall have
               notified  Seller in writing within thirty (30) days after receipt
               of the Preliminary Closing Statement of any objections thereto. A
               notice  under  this  Section   1.2(b)(i)(C)   shall   specify  in
               reasonable detail the items in the Preliminary  Closing Statement
               which are being  disputed,  and a summary of the reasons for such
               dispute.

     (ii) Disputes; Final Closing Statement.

          (A)  Buyer and Seller  shall use  reasonable  efforts  to resolve  any
               objections on the Preliminary  Closing Statement.  At the request
               of Buyer or Seller, any dispute between Buyer and Seller relating
               to objections  made to the  Preliminary  Closing  Statement which
               cannot be resolved by them within  thirty (30) days after  notice
               of any objections to such Preliminary  Closing Statement pursuant
               to Section 1.2 shall be  referred  to the  Boston,  Massachusetts
               office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (the "Disputes Auditor") for
               decision, which shall be final and binding on all Parties, absent
               fraud or manifest  error.  Buyer and Seller  agree that they will
               require the Disputes Auditor to render its decision within thirty
               (30) days after  referral of the dispute to the Disputes  Auditor
               for decision hereunder. Before referring a matter to the Disputes
               Auditor,  Buyer  and  Seller  shall  agree  on  procedures  to be
               followed  by  the  Disputes  Auditor  (including  procedures  for


                                       14
<PAGE>


               presentation  of  evidence).  If Buyer and  Seller  are unable to
               agree upon  procedures  before the end of thirty  (30) days after
               notice of any  objections  pursuant to Section  1.2, the Disputes
               Auditor  shall  establish  procedures  giving  due  regard to the
               provisions  of this  Agreement  and the  intention  of Buyer  and
               Seller  to  resolve   disputes   as  quickly,   efficiently   and
               inexpensively as possible.  The Disputes Auditor's procedures may
               be, but need not be, those proposed by either Buyer or Seller. In
               resolving any  objection,  the Disputes  Auditor shall adjust the
               Preliminary  Closing Statement only as needed to conform with the
               requirements  of Section  1.2(b)(i)(A).  Nothing  herein shall be
               construed  to  authorize  or  permit  the  Disputes   Auditor  to
               determine  (i) any  questions  or matter  whatsoever  under or in
               connection with this Agreement  except the  determination of what
               adjustments,  if any,  must  be made in one or more of the  items
               reflected  in the  Preliminary  Closing  Statement in response to
               objections thereto made by the Party that submitted the statement
               of objections or (ii) an adjustment to an item on the Preliminary
               Closing Statement that is outside of the range defined by amounts
               as finally proposed by Seller and Buyer,  respectively.  The fees
               and  expenses of the  Disputes  Auditor for, and relating to, the
               making of any such  decision  shall be borne by Buyer and  Seller
               equally;   provided,   however,  that  if  the  Disputes  Auditor
               determines  that either Buyer or Seller has adopted a position or
               positions with respect to the Preliminary  Closing Statement that
               is frivolous or clearly without merit,  the Disputes Auditor may,
               in its discretion,  assign a greater portion of any such fees and
               expenses to such Party.


                                       15
<PAGE>

          (B)  The Preliminary  Closing Statement shall become final and binding
               on both  Buyer and  Seller  upon the  earliest  of (I) if no such
               notice has been given,  the expiration of the period within which
               Buyer may notify  Seller of any  objections  thereto  pursuant to
               Section  1.2(b)(i)(C),  (II)  agreement  by Seller and Buyer that
               such   Preliminary   Closing   Statement,   together   with   any
               modifications  thereto agreed by Seller and Buyer, shall be final
               and  binding,  and (III) the date on which the  Disputes  Auditor
               shall issue its decision with respect to any dispute  relating to
               such  Preliminary  Closing  Statement.  The  Preliminary  Closing
               Statement,  as adjusted  pursuant to any agreement  between Buyer
               and Seller or pursuant to the decision of the  Disputes  Auditor,
               when final and binding on both such  Parties in  accordance  with
               this paragraph, is herein referred to as the

          "Final Closing Statement."

     (iii) Adjustment.

          (A)  For  purposes of this Section  1.2,  the  "Reference  Net Working
               Capital" shall be $23,537,000.

          (B)  Within ten (10) business  days after the Final Closing  Statement
               has been determined to be binding on Seller and Buyer pursuant to
               Section  1.2(b)(ii)(B),  the  Purchase  Price  shall be  adjusted
               ("Purchase Price Adjustment") and any adjustment paid as follows:

               (I)  If the Net Working Capital as reflected on the Final Closing
                    Statement  exceeds the  Reference Net Working  Capital,  the
                    Purchase Price shall be increased in an amount equal to such
                    excess and such  amount  shall be paid by Buyer to Seller by


                                       16
<PAGE>

                    wire  transfer  of  immediately   available  U.S.  funds  in
                    accordance  with  wire  instructions  provided  by  Buyer to
                    Seller in writing, or


               (II) If the Net Working Capital as reflected on the Final Closing
                    Statement is less than the  Reference  Net Working  Capital,
                    the  Purchase  Price shall be reduced by an amount  equal to
                    such  deficit  and such  amount  shall be paid by  Seller to
                    Buyer by wire transfer of  immediately  available U.S. funds
                    in accordance  with wire  instructions  provided by Buyer to
                    Seller in writing.

               (III)If any amount payable  pursuant to this Section  1.2(b)(iii)
                    is not paid when due hereunder, such amount shall thereafter
                    bear interest  (calculated based on a year consisting of 365
                    days)  from the due date  until the date of payment in full,
                    at a rate which is the prime rate of interest (as  published
                    in The Wall Street  Journal)  (the  "Prime  Rate") in effect
                    from time to time, with any changes in such Prime Rate being
                    effective on the date of publication thereof in the New York
                    City version of The Wall Street Journal.

               (IV) The  Purchase  Price,  as  adjusted in  accordance  with the
                    Purchase  Price  Adjustment,  if any,  shall  hereinafter be
                    referred to as the "Adjusted Purchase Price."

     (c) Allocation.  As soon as practicable  following the Closing Date, Seller
and  Buyer  shall  agree  to  an  allocation  schedule  (the  "Asset  Allocation
Schedule")  allocating the Purchase Price and the Assumed  Liabilities among the
Acquired Assets of Seller as of the Closing Date. Such Asset Allocation Schedule
shall be  prepared  in  accordance  with the  rules  under  Section  1060 of the


                                       17
<PAGE>

Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as  amended  (the  "Code"),  and the  Treasury
Regulations  promulgated  thereunder.  The Parties  recognize  that the Purchase
Price and Assumed  Liabilities do not include Buyer's  acquisition  expenses and
that Buyer will allocate such expenses appropriately.  Seller and Buyer agree to
act in accordance with the computations  and allocations  contained in the Asset
Allocation  Schedule in any relevant Tax Returns or filings (including any forms
or  reports  required  to be filed  pursuant  to Section  1060 of the Code,  the
Treasury  Regulations  promulgated  thereunder or any provisions of local, state
and foreign law ("1060 Forms")), and to cooperate in the preparation of any 1060
Forms and to file such 1060 Forms in the manner  required by applicable  law. If
the Purchase Price is adjusted under Section 1.2(b),  then, after the adjustment
has become  final in  accordance  with Section  1.2(b)(ii)(B),  Seller and Buyer
shall  agree to a revised  Asset  Allocation  Schedule  based upon the  Adjusted
Purchase Price and the revised Assumed Liabilities.

     1.3 The Closing.

     (a) Time and Location. If this Agreement has not been earlier terminated in
accordance with Section 7.1 hereof, the closing of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement  ("Closing")  shall take place at the offices of Hale and Dorr
LLP in Boston, Massachusetts, commencing at 10:00 a.m., local time, on September
15, 2000 or,  provided that all of the  conditions to the  obligations of Seller
and Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby have been satisfied
in full or waived, such earlier time and date as Seller and Buyer may agree, or,
if all of the  conditions to the  obligations  of Seller and Buyer to consummate
the transactions  contemplated  hereby have not been satisfied in full or waived
by  September  15,  2000,  on  such  mutually  agreeable  later  date as soon as
practicable  (but in no event more than three Business Days (as defined  below))


                                       18
<PAGE>

after the date on which all such  conditions  to the  obligations  of Seller and
Buyer  to  consummate  the   transactions   contemplated   hereby  first  become
susceptible of being satisfied or waived) (the "Closing  Date").  "Business Day"
shall  mean any day other than a  Saturday  or Sunday or a day on which  banking
institutions  located in New York,  New York are  permitted  or required by law,
executive order or governmental decree to remain closed.

     (b) Actions at the Closing.

          At   the Closing:

          (i)  Seller  shall  deliver  (or cause to be  delivered)  to Buyer the
               various  certificates,  instruments and documents  required to be
               delivered under Section 5.1;

          (ii) Buyer  shall  deliver  (or cause to be  delivered)  to Seller the
               various  certificates,  instruments and documents  required to be
               delivered under Section 5.2;

          (iii)Seller  shall  deliver  (or  cause to be  delivered)  to Buyer an
               executed Bill of Sale and  Intellectual  Property  Assignment and
               such  other  deeds and  instruments  of  conveyance  as Buyer may
               reasonably  request  in  order  to  effect  the  sale,  transfer,
               conveyance  and  assignment  to Buyer of valid  ownership  of the
               Acquired Assets;

          (iv) Buyer shall  deliver to Seller an executed  Assumption  Agreement
               and such other  instruments as Seller may  reasonably  request in
               order  to  effect  the   assumption   by  Buyer  of  the  Assumed
               Liabilities;

          (v)  Buyer shall  deliver to Seller the  Purchase  Price in the manner
               set forth in Section 1.2(a);

          (vi) Seller  shall  deliver  to  Buyer,  or  otherwise  put  Buyer  in
               possession  and  control  of,  all of the  Acquired  Assets  of a
               tangible nature; and

                                       19
<PAGE>


          (vii)Buyer and  Seller  shall  execute  and  deliver  to each  other a
               cross-receipt evidencing the transactions referred to above.

     1.4 Deferred Transfers.

     (a) If, on the Closing  Date,  Seller has not obtained  any  authorization,
approval,  order,  license,  permit,  franchise or consent from any Governmental
Entity or any counterparty to a contract (an "Approval"), (i) which is necessary
in order to effect the transfer of any of the Acquired  Assets to Buyer pursuant
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement or (ii) the absence of which would
render such  transfer void or voidable,  then, in each such case,  such Acquired
Assets  (the  "Deferred  Items")  shall be  withheld  from sale  pursuant to the
Agreement  without  any  reduction  in the  Purchase  Price.  From and after the
Closing,  Seller and Buyer shall continue to use commercially reasonable efforts
to obtain all Approvals  relating to the Deferred Items or the transfer thereof;
provided  that Seller shall not be required to make any payments or agree to any
material  undertakings  in connection  therewith.  Upon receipt of such Approval
with respect to any Deferred  Item,  such Deferred Item shall be  transferred to
Buyer and constitute an "Acquired Asset" for purpose of the Agreement.

     (b) Until such time as any Deferred  Items have been  transferred  to Buyer
pursuant to this Section 1.4 (each, a "Deferred  Transfer"),  the Deferred Items
shall be held for Buyer's  benefit and the Acquired Assets  comprising  Deferred
Items shall be managed and operated by Seller for Buyer's benefit and account in
the manner  hereinafter  provided from the Closing to the time of the respective
Deferred  Transfers,  with all  gains,  income,  losses,  Taxes  or other  items
generated thereby to be for Buyer's account. Seller shall not have any liability
to Buyer  arising out of the  management  or operation by Seller of any Acquired
Asset  comprising  Deferred  Items,  other than for gross  negligence or willful
misconduct.

                                       20
<PAGE>

      Buyer  shall  reimburse  Seller and shall hold  Seller  harmless  from and
against  all   liabilities   incurred  or  asserted  as  a  result  of  Seller's
post-Closing direct or indirect ownership,  management, operation or sale (other
than to Buyer) of the Deferred Items, including,  without limitation, the amount
of any additional  Taxes payable by Seller (whether  currently or in the future)
in excess of the amount of Taxes which would have been payable by Seller,  after
application  of the  terms of this  Agreement,  if the  Deferred  Items had been
transferred  to  Buyer  or any of its  Affiliates  on  the  Closing  Date.  Such
reimbursement  shall be made by Buyer and  received  by Seller  within  five (5)
Business Days of Buyer's  receipt of any bill,  claim,  invoice or other request
for payment from Seller. Subject to applicable law and regulations Seller shall,
in respect of any Deferred Items,  use all  commercially  reasonable  efforts to
follow and implement the reasonable  written  instructions and policies of Buyer
relating to the holding of the Deferred Items.

                                   ARTICLE II

                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

     Seller  represents and warrants to Buyer that the  statements  contained in
this  Article  II are true and  correct,  except as set forth in the  disclosure
schedule attached hereto (the "Disclosure  Schedule").  The Disclosure  Schedule
shall be arranged in sections and paragraphs  corresponding  to the numbered and
lettered  sections  and  paragraphs  contained  in  this  Article  II,  and  the
disclosures in any section or paragraph of the Disclosure Schedule shall qualify
(a) the  corresponding  section or  paragraph  in this  Article II and (b) other
sections or paragraphs in this Agreement,  including without  limitation Article
II, to the extent that it is reasonably apparent (notwithstanding the absence of
a  specific  cross-reference)  from  a  reading  of  the  disclosure  that  such
disclosure also qualifies or applies to such other sections or paragraphs.

                                       21
<PAGE>

     2.1  Organization,   Qualification   and  Corporate  Power.   Seller  is  a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware  and is duly  qualified to conduct  business  under the
laws of each  jurisdiction,  listed on Section 2.1 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,
where the  character of the  properties  owned,  leased or operated by it or the
nature  of its  activities,  in  each  case as they  relate  exclusively  to the
Business, makes such qualification necessary, except for any such failures to be
qualified  that would not  reasonably  be expected  to have a Business  Material
Adverse Effect (as defined below).  Seller has all requisite corporate power and
authority to carry on the business in which it is now engaged and to own and use
the  properties  now  owned  and used by it.  For  purposes  of this  Agreement,
"Business Material Adverse Effect" means any change, effect or circumstance that
(i) is  materially  adverse to the  assets,  business,  financial  condition  or
results of operations of the Business (other than changes that are the result of
economic factors affecting the economy as a whole or changes that are the result
of factors  generally  affecting  the industry or specific  markets in which the
Business  competes),  or (ii)  materially  impairs  the  ability  of  Seller  to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;  provided,  however,
that a "Business  Material Adverse Effect" shall not include any adverse change,
effect or circumstance (I) primarily arising out of or resulting  primarily from
actions  contemplated by the Parties in connection with this Agreement,  or (II)
that is  primarily  attributable  to the  announcement  or  performance  of this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     2.2 Authority.  Seller has all requisite  corporate  power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Seller and the performance by Seller
of its obligations  hereunder and the consummation by Seller of the transactions
contemplated  hereby  have been duly and  validly  authorized  by all  necessary


                                       22
<PAGE>

corporate action on the part of Seller. This Agreement has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by Seller and,  assuming this Agreement  constitutes  the
valid and binding agreement of Buyer, constitutes a valid and binding obligation
of Seller,  enforceable  against Seller in accordance with its terms,  except as
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,  insolvency,  fraudulent  transfer,
reorganization,  moratorium  or other  similar laws relating to or affecting the
rights of creditors  generally  and by  equitable  principles,  including  those
limiting the availability of specific  performance,  injunctive relief and other
equitable remedies and those providing for equitable defenses.

     2.3   Noncontravention.   Subject  to   compliance   with  the   applicable
requirements of the  Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvements  Act of 1976, as
amended (the "Hart-Scott-Rodino  Act") and except as set forth on Section 2.3 of
the Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Seller, nor the consummation by Seller of the transactions  contemplated hereby,
will:

     (a)  conflict  with or violate  any  provision  of the charter or bylaws of
Seller;

     (b)  require  on the  part  of  Seller  any  filing  with,  or any  permit,
authorization,  consent  or  approval  of, any  court,  arbitrational  tribunal,
administrative   agency  or  commission  or  other  governmental  or  regulatory
authority or agency (a "Governmental  Entity"),  except for any filing,  permit,
authorization,  consent  or  approval  which if not  obtained  or made would not
reasonably be expected to have a Business Material Adverse Effect;

     (c) conflict with,  result in a breach of,  constitute (with or without due
notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, result in the acceleration of,
create in any party the right to  accelerate,  terminate,  modify or cancel,  or
require any notice,  consent or waiver  under,  any contract,  lease,  sublease,
license,  sublicense,  franchise,  permit, indenture,  agreement or mortgage for


                                       23
<PAGE>

borrowed  money,   instrument  of  indebtedness,   Security  Interest  or  other
arrangement  to which  Seller is a party or by which Seller is bound or to which
any of its  assets  are  subject,  except  for any  conflict,  breach,  default,
acceleration,  right to  accelerate,  termination,  modification,  cancellation,
notice,  consent  or waiver  that would not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a
Business  Material  Adverse Effect.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  "Security
Interest" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest,  encumbrance, charge or
other lien (whether  arising by contract or by operation of law), other than (i)
mechanic's,  materialmen's,  landlord's  and similar  liens,  (ii) liens arising
under worker's compensation, unemployment insurance, social security, retirement
and similar  legislation,  (iii) liens on goods in transit incurred  pursuant to
documentary  letters of credit,  in each case arising in the ordinary  course of
business  consistent  in all material  respects with past custom and practice of
the Business  ("Ordinary Course of Business"),  (iv) liens for Taxes not yet due
and payable,  (v) liens for Taxes which are being contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings, and (vi) liens relating to capitalized lease financings
or purchase money  financings that have been entered into in the Ordinary Course
of Business, and (vii) liens arising solely by action of Buyer;

     (d) result in the  imposition  of any Security  Interest  upon the Acquired
Assets;

or

     (e)  violate  any  order,  writ,  injunction,   decree,  statute,  rule  or
regulation  applicable to Seller or any of its properties or assets,  except for
any violation that would not reasonably be expected to have a Business  Material
Adverse Effect.

     2.4 Subsidiaries.  Seller does not, with respect to the Business,  control,
directly or indirectly,  or have any direct or indirect equity participation in,
any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other business
association.

                                       24
<PAGE>

     2.5  Financial  Information.  Attached  as  Section  2.5 of the  Disclosure
Schedule is the  unaudited  pro forma  consolidated  balance  sheet  prepared by
Seller (the "Most  Recent  Balance  Sheet") for the  Business as of July 1, 2000
which has been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP,  except for the absence of
footnotes,  and which fairly presents,  in all material respects,  the financial
condition, assets and liabilities of the Business as of the date thereof.

     2.6 Absence of Certain  Changes.  Except as  contemplated by this Agreement
and except as set forth in Section 2.6 of the Disclosure Schedule, since July 1,
2000,  there have not been any adverse  changes in the  financial  condition  or
results of operations of the Business,  except for any adverse changes that have
not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Business Material Adverse
Effect.  Except as  contemplated  by this  Agreement  and except as set forth in
Section 2.6 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,  between  July 1, 2000 and the date of
this  Agreement,  the  Business,  taken as a  whole,  has not  taken  any of the
following actions (or permitted any of the following events to occur):

     (a) borrowed any amount,  except for (i)  accounts  payable  arising in the
Ordinary Course of Business and (ii) borrowings from  "Affiliates" (as such term
is defined in Rule l2b-2 under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934) of Seller,
all of which  borrowings in this paragraph (a) shall be paid in full or canceled
prior to the Closing;

     (b) subjected any Acquired Assets to any Security Interest;

     (c) sold,  assigned,  licensed or transferred  any portion of the assets of
the Business in a single  transaction  or series of related  transactions  in an
amount in excess of  $100,000,  except  for the  sale,  assignment,  license  or
transfer of assets from inventory in the Ordinary Course of Business;

                                       25
<PAGE>

     (d) suffered any extraordinary losses (whether or not covered by insurance)
material  to the  Business,  or  waived  any  rights  of  material  value to the
Business;

     (e) granted any rights to severance benefits, "stay pay" or termination pay
to any director,  officer or other employee of the Business,  increased benefits
payable or potentially  payable to any such director,  officer or other employee
of the Business under any previously existing severance benefits,  "stay-pay" or
termination  pay  arrangements,  or  materially  increased  benefits  payable or
potentially  payable to any other  employee of the Business under any previously
existing severance benefits, "stay pay" or termination pay arrangements (in each
case,  other than  grants,  increases  or  terminations  that are  substantially
consistent with the past practice of the Business);

     (f) except in accordance with Seller's  budget for capital  expenditures in
connection  with the  Business,  made any capital  expenditures  or  commitments
therefor in an amount in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate;

     (g) materially  amended the terms of any existing Business Benefit Plan (as
defined below);

     (h) changed its accounting  principles,  methods or practices or the manner
in which it keeps its books and records or changed its practices  with regard to
reserves, accruals, sales, receivables,  payables or accrued expenses, except in
each case to conform to changes in U.S. GAAP; or

     (i) entered  into any  agreement or  commitment  with respect to any of the
matters referred to in paragraphs (a) through (h) of this Section 2.6.

     2.7 Undisclosed Liabilities.  To Seller's knowledge, except as set forth in
Section 2.7 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Business does not have any liability


                                       26
<PAGE>

which is material to the Business,  except for (a) liabilities shown on the Most
Recent Balance Sheet,  (b)  liabilities  which have arisen since July 1, 2000 in
the Ordinary  Course of Business,  (c) contractual  liabilities  incurred in the
Ordinary  Course of Business,  and (d) contractual  liabilities  pursuant to the
agreements listed in Sections 2.10, 2.11 and 2.12 of the Disclosure Schedule.

     2.8 Tax  Matters.  Seller has filed all  material  Tax  Returns (as defined
below) that it was  required to file and all such Tax Returns  were  correct and
complete, except for any error or omission that would not reasonably be expected
to have a  Business  Material  Adverse  Effect.  Seller  has paid all  Taxes (as
defined below) that are due with respect to all periods  covered by any such Tax
Returns.  All Taxes that Seller is or was required by law to withhold or collect
have been duly withheld or collected and, to the extent required, have been paid
to the proper Governmental Entity. For purposes of this Agreement, "Taxes" means
all taxes,  including without  limitation  income,  gross receipts,  ad valorem,
value-added,  excise,  real property,  personal property,  sales, use, transfer,
withholding,  payroll,  employment  and  franchise  taxes  imposed by the United
States of America or any Governmental  Entity,  or any agency thereof,  or other
political  subdivision  of the  United  States or any such  government,  and any
interest,   penalties,   assessments   or  additions  to  tax  resulting   from,
attributable to or incurred in connection with any tax or any contest or dispute
thereof.  For  purposes of this  Agreement,  "Tax  Returns"  means all  reports,
returns,  declarations,  statements,  forms or other information  required to be
supplied to a taxing authority in connection with Taxes.  Seller has no liens or
outstanding,  unpaid  assessments for Taxes against it and has filed no consents
to extend the statute of limitations with respect to any Taxes.

     2.9 Tangible Personal  Property.  Except as set forth on Section 2.9 of the
Disclosure  Schedule,  Seller  has good  title to all of the  tangible  personal
property  reflected on the Most Recent  Balance Sheet (other than property sold,


                                       27
<PAGE>

consumed or otherwise  disposed of in the Ordinary  Course of Business since the
date  of the  Most  Recent  Balance  Sheet),  free  and  clear  of all  Security
Interests. Except as set forth on Section 2.9 of the Disclosure Schedule, all of
the tangible  personal property  currently  employed by Seller in the conduct of
the  Business,  whether  owned or  leased,  is,  in the  aggregate,  (a) in good
operating condition and repair, normal wear and tear excepted,  and (b) adequate
for the conduct of the Business as presently conducted by Seller.  Except as set
forth on Section 2.9 of the Disclosure  Schedule,  all inventory included in the
Most Recent Balance Sheet is raw material, work in process or finished goods for
products  currently  marketed  and sold by the Business and which is, net of the
reserve  for  obsolete  inventory  set forth on the Most Recent  Balance  Sheet,
usable or salable in the Ordinary  Course of Business and all such  inventory is
located at the Facilities listed on Annex 1.1(a)(i).

     2.10  Facilities and Owned and Leased Real Property.  All of the Facilities
listed on Annex  1.1(a)(i) are used  primarily  with respect to the Business and
there is no other  facility or location  occupied  by the  Business.  Seller has
good,  record and marketable  title to the Owned Real Property free and clear of
all  mortgages,  deeds  of  trust,  liens or other  encumbrances  related  to or
securing any Excluded  Liability,  and other  encumbrances of any kind or nature
except, in the case of such other  encumbrances  only,  encumbrances which would
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Business
Material  Adverse Effect.  Section 2.10 of the Disclosure  Schedule lists all of
the leases or  subleases  to Seller of the Leased Real  Property  and the actual
lease rate (basic rent plus any Taxes, common charges or other amounts due to or
on behalf of the landlord  under the lease).  Seller has made available to Buyer
correct and complete copies of all the leases and subleases, as amended to date,
listed therein (the "Leases"). With respect to each such Lease:

                                       28
<PAGE>

     (a) the Lease is a legal,  valid,  binding and  enforceable  obligation  of
Seller  and, to Seller's  knowledge,  each other party to such Lease,  except as
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,  insolvency,  fraudulent  transfer,
reorganization,  moratorium  or other  similar laws relating to or affecting the
rights of creditors  generally  and by  equitable  principles,  including  those
limiting the availability of specific  performance,  injunctive relief and other
equitable remedies and those providing for equitable defenses;

     (b) neither Seller nor, to Seller's knowledge, any other party to the Lease
is in breach or default and, to Seller's knowledge, no event has occurred which,
with notice or lapse of time or both,  would  constitute  a breach or default by
Seller or permit  termination,  modification or  acceleration  thereunder by any
landlord;

     (c) there are no  disputes,  oral  agreements  or  forbearance  programs in
effect as to the Lease;

     (d) Seller has not assigned,  transferred,  conveyed,  mortgaged, deeded in
trust or encumbered any interest in the leasehold or  subleasehold to the Lease;
and

     (e) to  Seller's  knowledge,  there are no pending  or  overtly  threatened
condemnation proceedings, lawsuits or administrative actions with respect to the
property subject to the Lease.

     To  Seller's  knowledge,  (i)  the  current  use of the  Facilities  by the
Business are in compliance  with all  applicable  zoning laws,  building  codes,
ordinances  and  regulations,  (ii)  all  Facilities,  and the  current  use and
operation   thereof,   comply  in  all  material  respects  with  all  insurance
requirements applicable thereto, and (iii) the Owned Real Property is accessible
via public roadways or private easements.

                                       29
<PAGE>

2.11  Intellectual Property.

     (a)  Section  2.11(a) of the  Disclosure  Schedule  lists all  Intellectual
Property  that is material  to the  Business  taken as a whole (the  "Designated
Intellectual  Property").  Seller owns,  or is licensed or  otherwise  possesses
valid  rights to use, the  Designated  Intellectual  Property,  except where any
failure to own, license or otherwise possess valid rights to use such Designated
Intellectual  Property  would not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a  Business
Material Adverse Effect.  Section 2.11(a) of the Disclosure  Schedule sets forth
with  reasonable  specificity,  as  to  each  item  of  Designated  Intellectual
Property,  the nature of Seller's interest therein,  whether ownership,  license
(perpetual or limited, royalty-free or not) or otherwise.

     (b) Except as set forth in  Section  2.11(b)  of the  Disclosure  Schedule,
Seller  has not been  named  in any  suit,  action  or  proceeding,  and has not
received any written communication from a third party, which involves a claim or
inquiry,  relating to the Business, of infringement of any patents,  trademarks,
trade names,  service  marks,  copyrights,  trade secrets or other  intellectual
property  rights of any third party.  Except as set forth in Section  2.11(b) of
the Disclosure  Schedule,  the Business as presently conducted does not infringe
any patents, trade secrets,  trademarks,  trade names, service marks, copyrights
or other  intellectual  property rights of any third party,  except for any such
infringement  that would not reasonably be expected to have a Business  Material
Adverse Effect.

     (c) Except as set forth on  Section  2.11(c)  of the  Disclosure  Schedule,
Seller has  performed the  obligations  required to be performed by it under the
terms of any  agreement  pursuant to which  Seller has rights in any  Designated
Intellectual  Property,  except where the failure to perform would not, alone or
with the giving of notice or the  passage of time or both,  give rise to a right


                                       30
<PAGE>

by the other  party  thereto to cancel or  terminate  the  agreement  or to seek
damages, injunctive relief or specific performance with respect thereto.

     (d) Except as set forth in  Section  2.11(d)  of the  Disclosure  Schedule,
Seller has not granted to any  Affiliate  or third party any license or right to
the use of any of the Designated Intellectual Property, other than in connection
with the sale of goods or services by Seller in the Ordinary Course of Business.

     2.12 Contracts.

     (a) Except as set forth in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure Schedule,  Seller
(with  respect to the  operation or conduct of the  Business) is not a party to,
and the Acquired Assets do not include, any:

     (i)  written  agreement or otherwise  enforceable  arrangement (or group of
          related arrangements with the same person or such person's Affiliates)
          for the lease of personal  property from or to third parties providing
          for lease payments the remaining  unpaid balance of which is in excess
          of $100,000;

     (ii) written  agreement or otherwise  enforceable  arrangement (or group of
          related arrangements with the same person or such person's Affiliates)
          for the  purchase  or sale of  products  or  services  under which the
          undelivered  or unpaid  balance of such  products  and  services is in
          excess of  $250,000,  other than (A) purchase  orders  relating to the
          supply of goods and services to the Business in the Ordinary Course of
          Business  and (B)  agreements  relating  to the  purchase by Seller of
          goods and services to the Business in the Ordinary  Course of Business
          which are cancelable by Seller without penalty (other than payment for
          goods or services actually  received or provided),  upon six months or
          shorter notice;

                                       31
<PAGE>

     (iii)written agreement or otherwise enforceable arrangement  establishing a
          partnership  or joint venture or any other similar  arrangement  where
          the  liabilities of another person in excess of $100,000  individually
          or $1,000,000  in the aggregate  have been assumed by, or by operation
          of law be or become, those of the Business;

     (iv) written  agreement or otherwise  enforceable  arrangement (or group of
          related arrangements with the same person or such person's Affiliates)
          under which it has created,  incurred,  assumed or guaranteed  (or may
          create,   incur,   assume  or   guarantee)   indebtedness   (including
          capitalized lease obligations) the outstanding amount of which is more
          than $250,000 or under which it has imposed (or may impose) a Security
          Interest on any  Acquired  Asset,  except for any  Security  Interests
          relating to capitalized lease financing in an aggregate amount of less
          than $250,000;

     (v)  written agreement or otherwise enforceable  arrangement that prohibits
          the  Business  from  engaging in any  business  anywhere in the world,
          other than exclusive  distribution  agreements or arrangements entered
          into in the Ordinary Course of Business;

     (vi) written agreement or otherwise enforceable arrangement under which the
          consequences of a default or termination  would reasonably be expected
          to have a Business Material Adverse Effect;

     (vii)written  agreement  or  otherwise  enforceable  arrangement  involving
          (with  respect  to  the  Business)   Seller's  executive  officers  or
          directors;

     (viii) written  agreement  or  otherwise  enforceable  arrangement  for the
          employment or compensation  of any individual  (whether as an employee
          or an  independent  contractor)  on a  full-time  or  part-time  basis


                                       32
<PAGE>

          providing base annual compensation in excess of $200,000 during fiscal
          1999 or 2000;

     (ix) written  severance,  "stay pay" or termination  agreement or otherwise
          enforceable  arrangement  with any  officer or other  employee  of the
          Business;

     (x)  written agreement or otherwise enforceable arrangement for the sale of
          any assets or properties  of (with  respect to the  Business)  Seller,
          other than goods and  services  in the  Ordinary  Course of  Business,
          which involves a payment to be made to Seller in excess of $250,000;

     (xi) with  respect to the  Business,  any written  agreement  or  otherwise
          enforceable arrangement for the acquisition by Seller of any operating
          business or any capital  stock or other  equity  interest of any other
          person or asset purchase  agreement,  stock purchase  agreement or any
          other similar acquisition or divestiture  agreement,  in each case for
          consideration in excess of $1,000,000;

     (xii)with  respect to the  Business,  any written  agreement  or  otherwise
          enforceable   arrangement  relating  to  borrowed  money  (other  than
          agreements  or   arrangements   with  Affiliates  the  liabilities  or
          obligations   under  which  are  Excluded   Liabilities)   or  to  any
          obligation,  covenant or  indemnity  of Seller  with  respect to which
          Seller is a guarantor or surety or has provided any letter of comfort,
          letter of credit,  surety bond or other similar assurance to any third
          party;

     (xiii) written agreement or otherwise enforceable arrangement involving the
          licensing  of, or  assignment  or transfer  of, to or by Seller of any
          rights in Designated Intellectual Property, other than to customers in


                                       33
<PAGE>

          connection  with the sale of goods or services in the Ordinary  Course
          of Business or in connection with  advertising,  product  promotion or
          other non-exclusive, short-term uses;

     (xiv)guaranty,  buy-back  or  repurchase  obligation  with  respect  to any
          product of the Business now in production  and sold or under  warranty
          by or  serviced  by the  Business  (each,  a  "Product"),  other  than
          pursuant to customer  warranties  in the Ordinary  Course of Business;
          and

     (xv) other written agreement or otherwise enforceable arrangement (or group
          of  related   agreements   with  the  same  person  or  such  person's
          Affiliates)  involving  payments to be made or received after the date
          of this Agreement in excess of $500,000;  provided,  however, that (x)
          no  agreement  referred to in clauses  (i) through  (xv) above need be
          disclosed  unless  Seller  currently  has,  or may in the future  have
          (without  taking into account the  transactions  contemplated  by this
          Agreement),  any rights or  obligations  thereunder and (y) Leases are
          not  required to be  disclosed  in response to any  provision  of this
          Section 2.12 and shall not constitute Designated Contracts (as defined
          below).

     (b) Except as set forth in  Section  2.12(b)  of the  Disclosure  Schedule,
Seller  has  made  available  to  Buyer  a  correct  and  complete  copy of each
agreement, as amended to date, listed in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure Schedule
(the  "Designated  Contracts").  Each  Designated  Contract  is a legal,  valid,
binding and enforceable obligation of Seller and, to Seller's knowledge, of each
other  party  thereto,  except as the  foregoing  may be limited by  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  fraudulent  transfer,  reorganization,  moratorium or other similar
laws,  rules or  regulations  relating to or  affecting  the rights of creditors
generally and by equitable principles, including those limiting the availability
of specific  performance,  injunctive  relief,  and other equitable remedies and


                                       34
<PAGE>

those providing for equitable  defenses and there exists no material defaults of
Seller  or, to  Seller's  knowledge,  any other  party  thereto.  Seller has not
received  written  notice  that any party to a  Designated  Contract  intends to
terminate the Designated Contract to which it is a party.

     2.13 Litigation.  Section 2.13 of the Disclosure  Schedule lists, as of the
date of this  Agreement,  each  (a)  judgment,  order,  decree,  stipulation  or
injunction  binding  upon Seller or its property or business and relating to the
Business,  and (b)  claim,  complaint,  action,  suit,  proceeding,  hearing  or
investigation  relating to the Business or any of the Acquired Assets,  of or in
any Governmental  Entity or before any arbitrator to which Seller is a party or,
to Seller's knowledge, which has been overtly threatened against Seller that, in
the case of either clause (a) or (b), is reasonably  likely,  individually or in
the aggregate, to have a Business Material Adverse Effect.

     2.14  Labor  Matters.  Seller is not a party to or bound by any  collective
bargaining  agreement  relating  to the  Business,  nor,  except as set forth on
Section 2.14 of the Disclosure Schedule,  has Seller experienced,  since January
1, 1998, any material strikes,  grievances,  claims of unfair labor practices or
other  collective   bargaining   disputes.   Seller  has  no  knowledge  of  any
organizational  effort being made or  threatened  since January 1, 1998 by or on
behalf of any labor union with respect to employees of the Business.

     2.15 Employee Benefits.

     (a)  Section  2.15 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  contains  a  complete  and
accurate list of all Employee  Benefit Plans (as defined below)  maintained,  or
contributed  to, by Seller or any ERISA  Affiliate  (as  defined  below) for the
benefit of employees of the Business in all countries (and their  beneficiaries)
that are material to the Business (the "Business  Benefit Plans").  For purposes
of this Agreement,  "Employee  Benefit Plan" means any "employee pension benefit
plan" (as defined in Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")),  any "employee welfare benefit plan" (as defined
in  Section  3(l) of ERISA),  and,  to the  extent  applicable  to more than one
employee,  any other written or oral plan,  agreement or  arrangement  involving
direct or  indirect  compensation  or  benefits,  including  without  limitation
insurance  coverage,   severance   benefits,   disability   benefits,   deferred
compensation,  bonuses,  stock options,  stock  purchase,  phantom stock,  stock
appreciation  or  other  forms  of  incentive  compensation  or  post-retirement


                                       35
<PAGE>

compensation,  in any country. For purposes of this Agreement, "ERISA Affiliate"
means any entity which is a member of (i) a controlled group of corporations (as
defined in Section  414(b) of the  Code),  (ii) a group of trades or  businesses
under  common  control (as defined in Section  414(c) of the Code),  or (iii) an
affiliated  service group (as defined  under  Section  414(m) of the Code or the
regulations  under Section 414(o) of the Code),  any of which  includes  Seller.
Complete and accurate copies of all Business Benefit Plans and all related trust
agreements,  insurance  contracts and summary plan  descriptions  have been made
available to Buyer.  Each  Business  Benefit Plan has been  administered  in all
material  respects in accordance  with its terms and Seller has met its material
obligations  with respect to each such  Business  Benefit  Plan.  Seller and the
Business Benefit Plans are in material compliance with the currently  applicable
provisions of ERISA and the Code and the regulations thereunder.

     (b) There are no termination proceedings or other claims (except claims for
benefits  payable in the normal  operation  of the  Employee  Benefit  Plans and
proceedings  with  respect to qualified  domestic  relations  orders),  suits or
proceedings  against or  involving  any Business  Benefit Plan or asserting  any
rights or claims to benefits  under any Business  Benefit Plan,  or, to Seller's


                                       36
<PAGE>

knowledge,  investigations  by any  Governmental  Entity  involving any Business
Benefit  Plan,  except for any such  termination  proceedings  or other  claims,
suits,  proceedings or  investigations  that would not reasonably be expected to
have a Business Material Adverse Effect.


     (c) The Business  Benefit  Plans that are  intended to be  qualified  under
Section 401(a) of the Code have received determination letters from the Internal
Revenue Service to the effect that such Business Benefit Plans are qualified and
the plans and the trusts  related  thereto are exempt from federal  income Taxes
under Sections 401(a) and 501(a),  respectively,  of the Code and conform in all
material respects to the Tax Reform Act of 1986.

     (d) Neither Seller nor any ERISA  Affiliate  contributes or is obligated to
contribute  to any  multiemployer  plan  for the  benefit  of  employees  of the
Business.  Neither  Seller  nor any  ERISA  Affiliate  has  withdrawn  from  any
multiemployer plan in a complete or partial withdrawal which has resulted in any
withdrawal liability which has not been satisfied in full.

     (e) There are no unfunded  obligations under any Business Benefit Plan and,
other than an Employee  Benefit  Plan  intended to be  qualified  under  Section
401(a) of the Code, there is no Business Benefit Plan providing welfare benefits
after  termination  of  employment  to any  employee of the  Business (or to any
beneficiary of any such  employee),  excluding  continuation  of health coverage
required to be continued  under  Section  4980B of the Code or other  applicable
laws.

     (f) No act or omission has occurred and no condition exists with respect to
any Business Benefit Plan maintained by Seller or any ERISA Affiliate that would
subject  Seller or any ERISA  Affiliate to any material  fine,  penalty,  Tax or


                                       37
<PAGE>

liability  imposed under ERISA or the Code (other than  liabilities for benefits
accrued  under  Business  Benefit  Plans  for  employees  of  Seller  and  their
beneficiaries).

     2.16 Environmental Matters.

     (a) When used in this  Agreement,  the  following  terms have the  meanings
provided below.

          (i)  "CERCLA"  shall  mean  the  Federal  Comprehensive  Environmental
               Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, and
               in effect on the Closing Date.

          (ii) "Release" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in CERCLA.

          (iii)"Environment"  shall have the meaning assigned to that term under
               CERCLA.

          (iv) "Materials  of   Environmental   Concern"   means  any  hazardous
               substance,  pollutant or contaminant,  as those terms are defined
               under CERCLA, solid waste and hazardous waste, as those terms are
               defined in the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (as
               in effect on the Closing Date), and oil,  petroleum and petroleum
               products.

          (v)  "Environmental  Law"  means any law,  rule or  regulation  of any
               Governmental  Entity as in effect on the Closing Date relating to
               the  Environment or  occupational  health and safety,  including,
               without limitation,  any statute or regulation  pertaining to (A)
               treatment,  storage,  disposal,  transportation  or generation of
               Materials  of  Environmental  Concern;  (B) air,  water and noise
               pollution;  (C)  groundwater and soil  contamination;  or (D) the


                                       38
<PAGE>

               Release or  threatened  Release  of  Materials  of  Environmental
               Concern.

          (vi) "Environmental  Matters" means any legal  obligation or liability
               arising under Environmental Law.

          (vii)"Off-Site   Liabilities"  means,  in  all  cases,   Environmental
               Matters or liability  arising under common law resulting from any
               transportation,  treatment,  storage, disposal or Release, or the
               arrangement  therefor,  of any Materials of Environmental Concern
               by the Business or any of their  respective  Affiliates,  agents,
               contractors or predecessors  in interest,  to or at any property,
               location, site or facility other than a Business Property.

          (viii)  "Business  Properties"  means  the  Facilities  and  the  real
               property subject to the Leases.

     (b) Except as described  or  identified  in Section 2.16 of the  Disclosure
Schedule or in a document listed in such Section 2.16 or as would not reasonably
be expected to have a Business Material Adverse Effect:

          (i)  the  Business's  operations  at the  Business  Properties  are in
               compliance with applicable Environmental Laws;

          (ii) there is no pending civil or criminal litigation,  written notice
               of violation or formal administrative  proceeding,  investigation
               or  information   request  relating  to  any   Environmental  Law
               involving  any  of  the  Business   Properties  or,  to  Seller's
               knowledge,  any  property  formerly  owned  or  operated  by  the
               Business; and

                                       39
<PAGE>

          (iii)Seller has those permits,  licenses and approvals  required under
               Environmental Law to operate the Business Properties as currently
               operated by Seller, all of which are described in Section 2.16 of
               the Disclosure Schedule.

     (c) Except as described  or  identified  in Section 2.16 of the  Disclosure
Schedule or in a document listed in such Section 2.16 or as would not reasonably
be expected to have a Business Material Adverse Effect:

          (i)  with respect to the Business Properties and any property formerly
               owned or operated by Seller with respect to the  Business,  there
               is no existing  or, to Seller's  knowledge,  threatened  order or
               claim requiring the  investigation or remediation of a Release of
               Materials of Environmental  Concern and there has been no Release
               by Seller or the Business of Materials of Environmental  Concern;
               and

(ii) with  respect to Seller,  there is no existing  or, to Seller's  knowledge,
          threatened claim for Off-Site Liabilities relating to the Business.

     (d) The  Parties  agree that the only  representations  and  warranties  of
Seller  herein  as to any  Environmental  Matters  are those  contained  in this
Section  2.16.   Without   limiting  the  generality  of  the   foregoing,   the
representations  and warranties  contained in Sections 2.13, 2.17, 2.18 and 2.25
do not relate to Environmental Matters.

     2.17  Legal  Compliance.  Except  as  set  forth  in  Section  2.17  of the
Disclosure Schedule, with respect to the Business,  Seller is in compliance with
all  applicable  laws  (including  rules  and  regulations  thereunder)  of  any
Governmental  Entity,  currently  in effect,  except where the failure to comply
therewith would not reasonably be expected to have a Business  Material  Adverse
Effect.  Seller has not received  written  notice of any pending  action,  suit,
proceeding,  hearing,  investigation,  claim,  demand or notice  relating to the


                                       40
<PAGE>

Business  alleging  any  failure to so comply  other  than those not  reasonably
expected to have a Business Material Adverse Effect.

     2.18 Permits.

     (a) Section 2.18 of the Disclosure  Schedule sets forth a true, correct and
complete list of all permits, licenses and franchises from Governmental Entities
used by Seller in its business or operations as presently conducted and material
to the Business or  operations  of the  Business  (collectively,  the  "Material
Permits").

     (b) Seller is in compliance  with each,  and not in violation of or default
under any,  Material  Permit,  all of the Material Permits are valid and in full
force and effect and no  proceeding  is pending or, to the  knowledge of Seller,
threatened to revoke or limit any of them.

     (c) No  Material  Permit will be  revoked,  terminated  prior to its normal
expiration  date or not renewed  solely as a result of the  consummation  of the
transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement,  except,  in either case, for any
violation, default, revocation, termination or renewal that would not reasonably
be expected to have a Business  Material  Adverse Effect and the consummation of
the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  will not  violate  or render any of the
Material  Permits  invalid,  require any  amendment or  reissuance of any of the
Material  Permits or require the consent of the  Governmental  Entity  which has
issued  any of the  Material  Permits,  except  for  violations,  invalidations,
amendments,  reissuances  or consents  that would not  reasonably be expected to
have a Business Material Adverse Effect.

     2.19 Entire Business. Except for the Excluded Assets and the Deferred Items
and except as set forth on Section 2.19 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Acquired
Assets collectively are, when utilized by a labor force substantially similar to
that  employed by Seller in  connection  with the  Business on the date  hereof,


                                       41
<PAGE>

adequate  to  conduct  the  Business  in  all  material  respects  as  currently
conducted.

     2.20 Broker's  Fees.  Except as set forth in Section 2.20 of the Disclosure
Schedule,  Seller has no liability or obligation to pay any fees or  commissions
to any broker, finder or agent with respect to the transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement.

     2.21 Insurance. Section 2.21 of the Disclosure Schedule lists each material
insurance  policy  maintained  by Seller that relates or provides  coverage with
respect to any Acquired Assets or the Business (the "Business Policies"). All of
such Business Policies are in full force and effect and Seller is not in default
with respect to its obligations under any of such Business Policies,  except for
any  failures  to be in full  force  and  effect  or  defaults  that  would  not
reasonably be expected to have a Business Material Adverse Effect.  The Business
Policies  provide the Business  with such  coverages  and in such amounts as are
equal to or in excess of such  coverages or amounts  required by any  applicable
law, rule or regulation.

     2.22 Business Relationships with Affiliates. Section 2.22 of the Disclosure
Schedule lists any written  agreements or other  enforceable  arrangements  with
respect to the Business  whereby any Affiliate of Seller  directly or indirectly
(a) owns any  property or right,  tangible or  intangible,  which is used in the
Business, (b) owes any money to Seller or is owed money by Seller or (c) has any
other business or contractual relationship with Seller.

     2.23 Certain  Definitions.  For the purposes of Sections 2.23 through 2.33,
the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

     "Governmental  Authority":  Any board, agency,  commission or department of
any  federal,  state  or  municipal  government  having  jurisdiction  over  the
applicable property.

                                       42
<PAGE>

     "Legal Requirements":  (a) All present and future laws, rules,  regulations
and permits of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Owned Real Property,
(b) all covenants,  conditions, and restrictions contained in any deeds or other
instruments  which  relate to the Owned Real  Property,  and (c) all of Seller's
obligations  under  all  Permits  affecting  the  Owned  Real  Property  and all
conditions thereof binding upon the Owned Real Property.

    "Permits":  All permits,  licenses,  certificates  and approvals issued by
Governmental  Authorities or otherwise  necessary for the Owned Real Property to
comply with all Legal  Requirements.

     2.24  Conduct of  Business.  Seller has all  Permits  necessary  to use and
operate the Owned Real Property.

     2.25  Compliance  with  Laws;  No Notices of  Violation;  No Flood  Hazard;
Issuance  of Permits.  The use and  occupancy  of the Owned Real  Property is in
material compliance with all Legal Requirements, without depending upon property
or rights  other than the Owned Real  Property  (which for the  purposes  hereof
shall  include  appurtenant  easements).  No  uncured  notice  of  any  asserted
violation  of any Legal  Requirement  has been given to  Seller.  Seller has not
received any notices of proposed  rezoning of the Owned Real  Property or of any
proposed  municipal or county assessments  against the Owned Real Property.  The
Owned  Real  Property  is not in a Flood  Hazard  Area as  defined in the "Flood
Disaster  Protection  Act of 1973",  as amended,  or  identified  as such by the
Federal Emergency  Management Agency.  All Governmental  Authorities have issued
all Permits required for the use and operation of the Owned Real Property.

     2.26 No Condemnation.  No part of the Owned Real Property has been taken in
condemnation or any similar  proceeding,  and no part of the Owned Real Property


                                       43
<PAGE>

has been  transferred by deed in lieu of condemnation or other like  proceeding.
To the best of Seller's  knowledge,  no condemnation or other like proceeding is
pending or threatened with respect to the Owned Real Property.

     2.27 No  Litigation.  There  is no  pending  or,  to the  best of  Seller's
knowledge,  threatened  litigation  against  Seller  relating  to the Owned Real
Property, or to the title, use, occupancy or operation thereof.

     2.28 Payment for Work; No Mechanics' Liens. All  construction,  alterations
and repairs with respect to the Owned Real  Property have been paid for in full,
except for repair work  performed in the  Ordinary  Course of Business for which
payment is not yet due and  payable.  No  uncured  notice of any  mechanic's  or
materialmen's   lien  has  been  received  by  Seller,   and  no  mechanic's  or
materialmen's  liens  claims  are  threatened,  with  respect  to the Owned Real
Property.

     2.29  Leases,  Leasing,  Commissions,  Management  Agreement.  There are no
Leases or other  occupancy  agreements,  or  management  agreements in force and
effect with respect to the Owned Real Property. There are no leasing commissions
or management  fees due from Seller to any third party with respect to the Owned
Real Property.

     2.30 Separate Tax Parcel.  No land or  improvements  which is not a part of
the Owned Real Property is included  within the tax assessment or assessments of
the  Owned  Real  Property  or the tax  lots  corresponding  to the  Owned  Real
Property.

     2.31  Condominium  or  Cooperative.  The Owned Real  Property  has not been
subjected to a condominium or cooperative form of ownership.

     2.32  Utilities  Are Available to the Owned Real  Property.  To the best of
Seller's knowledge, all utilities,  including, without limitation,  electricity,


                                       44
<PAGE>

gas,  steam,  public  water,  public  storm and  sanitary  sewers and  telephone
service,  required for the current and  intended use and  operation of the Owned
Real  Property  are  available  at the lot lines  thereof  or  through  existing
easements  appurtenant  to the Owned Real  Property,  have been connected to the
improvements,  are in full  service,  have  been  accepted  or  approved  by the
appropriate  Governmental  Authorities  with all necessary  Permits  required by
Legal  Requirements  having been issued.  The existing utilities are of adequate
capacity for the Owned Real Property.

     2.33 Proper  Drainage.  Design and  as-built  conditions  of the Owned Real
Property  are such that no material  drainage  of surface or other water  across
land of others is expected to occur.

                                  ARTICLE II A

                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARENTS

     Each Parent, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to Buyer as
follows:

     2.1A  Organization.  Such Parent is a corporation  duly organized,  validly
existing
and in good standing under the laws of the state of its incorporation.

     2.2A Authority. Such Parent has all requisite corporate power and authority
to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations  hereunder.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Parent and the  performance
by such Parent of its obligations  hereunder and the consummation by such Parent
of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by
all necessary  corporate  action on the part of such Parent.  This Agreement has
been duly and validly  executed and delivered by such Parent and,  assuming this
Agreement  constitutes the valid and binding  agreement of Buyer,  constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of such Parent,  enforceable against such Parent in
accordance  with  its  terms,   except  as  enforceability  may  be  limited  by
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other


                                       45
<PAGE>

similar laws relating to or affecting  the rights of creditors  generally and by
equitable  principles,  including  those limiting the  availability  of specific
performance,  injunctive relief and other equitable remedies and those providing
for equitable defenses.

     2.3A  Noncontravention.  Subject to compliance  with the  Hart-Scott-Rodino
Act,  neither the execution and delivery of this  Agreement by such Parent,  nor
the consummation by such Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby, will:

     (a) conflict with or violate any provision of the charter or bylaws of such
Parent;

     (b)  require on the part of such  Parent any filing  with,  or any  permit,
authorization,  consent or approval of, any Governmental  Entity, other than any
filing, permit, authorization, consent or approval which if not obtained or made
would not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a  material  adverse  effect on the
ability of such  Parent to perform  its  obligations  under  this  Agreement  (a
"Parent Material Adverse Effect");

     (c) conflict with,  result in a breach of,  constitute (with or without due
notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, result in the acceleration of,
create in any party the right to  accelerate,  terminate,  modify or cancel,  or
require any notice,  consent or waiver  under,  any contract,  lease,  sublease,
license,  sublicense,  franchise,  permit, indenture,  agreement or mortgage for
borrowed  money,   instrument  of  indebtedness,   Security  Interest  or  other
arrangement  to which such Parent is a party or by which such Parent is bound or
to which  any of its  assets  are  subject,  except  for any  conflict,  breach,
default,   acceleration,   right  to  accelerate,   termination,   modification,
cancellation, notice, consent or waiver that would not reasonably be expected to
have a Parent Material Adverse Effect; or

                                       46
<PAGE>

     (d)  violate  any  order,  writ,  injunction,   decree,  statute,  rule  or
regulation  applicable to such Parent or any of its properties or assets,  other
than a  violation  which  would  not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a Parent
Material Adverse Effect.

                                  ARTICLE III

                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

     Buyer represents and warrants to Seller and each Parent as follows:

     3.1 Organization.  Buyer is a corporation duly organized,  validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the state of its incorporation.

     3.2 Authorization of Transaction.  Buyer has all requisite  corporate power
and  authority  to  execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement  and to  perform  its
obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer and
the performance by Buyer of this Agreement and its obligations hereunder and the
consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and
validly authorized by all necessary  corporate action on the part of Buyer. This
Agreement  has been  duly and  validly  executed  and  delivered  by Buyer  and,
assuming this Agreement  constitutes the valid and binding obligation of Seller,
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Buyer,  enforceable  against Buyer
in  accordance  with its  terms,  except as  enforceability  may be  limited  by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other
similar laws relating to or affecting  the rights of creditors  generally and by
equitable  principles,  including  those limiting the  availability  of specific
performance,  injunctive relief and other equitable remedies and those providing
for equitable defenses.

     3.3   Noncontravention.   Subject  to   compliance   with  the   applicable
requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, neither the execution and delivery of
this  Agreement  by Buyer,  nor the  consummation  by Buyer of the  transactions
contemplated hereby, will:

                                       47
<PAGE>

     (a)  conflict  with or violate  any  provision  of the charter or bylaws of
Buyer;

     (b) require on the part of Buyer any filing with, or permit, authorization,
consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity, other than any filing,  permit,
authorization,  consent  or  approval  which if not  obtained  or made would not
reasonably  be  expected  to  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  assets,
business,  financial  condition  or  results  of  operations  of Buyer or on the
ability of Buyer to consummate the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,
including  without  limitation  paying to  Seller  when due the  portion  of the
Purchase  Price  evidenced by the  Mortgage  Loan  Documents (a "Buyer  Material
Adverse Effect");

     (c) conflict  with,  result in breach of,  constitute  (with or without due
notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, result in the acceleration of,
create in any party any right to  accelerate,  terminate,  modify or cancel,  or
require any notice,  consent or waiver  under,  any contract,  lease,  sublease,
license,  sublicense,  franchise,  permit, indenture,  agreement or mortgage for
borrowed  money,   instrument  of  indebtedness,   Security  Interest  or  other
arrangement to which Buyer is a party or by which Buyer is bound or to which any
of  its  assets  are  subject,  other  than  any  conflict,   breach,   default,
acceleration,  right to  accelerate,  termination,  modification,  cancellation,
notice, consent or waiver which would not reasonably be expected to have a Buyer
Material Adverse Effect; or

(d) violate any order,
writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Buyer or any
of its properties or assets, other than any violation which would not reasonably
be expected to have a Buyer Material  Adverse Effect.

     3.4 Broker's Fees.  Buyer has no liability or obligation to pay any fees or
commissions  to any  broker,  finder or agent with  respect to the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

                                       48
<PAGE>

     3.5   Litigation.   There  are  no   actions,   suits,   claims  or  legal,
administrative  or  arbitration  proceedings  pending  against,  or, to  Buyer's
knowledge,  threatened against, Buyer which would reasonably be expected to have
a Buyer Material Adverse Effect.

     3.6 Financing.  Buyer has, and at the Closing will have, sufficient sources
of  financing  in order to  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement and to fulfill its obligations hereunder, including without limitation
payment to Seller of the Purchase Price at the Closing.

     3.7  Solvency.   Immediately   after  giving  effect  to  the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement and the closing of any financing to be obtained
by  Buyer  or any  of  its  Affiliates  in  order  to  effect  the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement,  Buyer  shall be able to pay its debts as they
become due and shall own property  having a fair saleable value greater than the
amounts required to pay its debts (including a reasonable estimate of the amount
of  all  contingent  liabilities).   Immediately  after  giving  effect  to  the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement and the closing of any financing to
be  obtained  by  Buyer  or  any  of its  Affiliates  in  order  to  effect  the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  Buyer shall have adequate capital
to  carry  on its  business.  No  transfer  of  property  is  being  made and no
obligation is being incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this  Agreement  and the closing of any financing to be obtained by Buyer or any
of its  Affiliates  in order to effect  the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement  with the intent to hinder,  delay or defraud either present or future
creditors of Buyer.

     3.8 Commission Filings.

     (a)  Buyer has filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the
"Commission")  all required  reports,  schedules,  forms,  statements  and other


                                       49
<PAGE>

documents  required  to be  filed  under  the  Securities  Act of  1933  and the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 from  January 1, 1998 through the date of this
Agreement.  All  reports,  schedules,  forms,  statements  and  other  documents
(including  exhibits)  filed  by  Buyer  with  the  Commission  pursuant  to the
Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 since January 1,
1998 are  referred  to  herein  as the  "Buyer  Commission  Filings."  The Buyer
Commission  Filings (i) were prepared in compliance,  in all material  respects,
with  the  applicable  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933  and  the
Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  as the  case  may  be,  and the  rules  and
regulations thereunder, and (ii) did not at the time they were filed contain any
untrue  statement of material  fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated in such Buyer  Commission  Filings or necessary to make the statements
therein,  in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading,
and (iv) in the event of subsequent  modifications  of the  circumstances or the
basis on  which  they  had  been  made,  were,  to the  extent  required  by the
Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as the case may
be, timely amended in order to make them not misleading in any material respects
in the light of such new circumstances or basis.

     (b) Each of the audited  consolidated  financial  statements  and unaudited
interim consolidated financial statements (including,  in each case, any related
notes or schedules)  included in the Buyer Commission Filings (i) complied as to
form  in  all  material  respects  with  the  applicable   published  rules  and
regulations  of the  Commission  with  respect  thereto,  (ii) was  prepared  in
accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles applied  consistently
with Buyer's past practices,  except as may be indicated therein or in the notes
or schedules  thereto,  and (iii) fairly presented in all material  respects the


                                       50
<PAGE>

financial  position  of Buyer as at the dates  thereof  and the  results  of its
operations  and cash flows for the periods then ended,  subject,  in the case of
the unaudited interim financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments
and the absence of complete notes.

     3.9 Absence of Certain Changes. Since July 1, 2000, (a) Buyer has conducted
its business only in the ordinary course of business and in a manner  consistent
in all material  respects  with past custom and past  practice and (b) there has
not been any event,  change or effect which,  individually  or in the aggregate,
would reasonably be expected to have a Buyer Material Adverse Effect.

     3.10 Certain  Definitions.  For the purposes of Sections 3.10 through 3.28,
the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

     "Environmental  Laws":  All  federal,   state  or  local  laws,  rules  and
regulations  (whether now existing or hereafter enacted or promulgated,  as they
may  be  amended  from  time  to  time)   pertaining  to  Hazardous   Materials,
environmental  regulations,  contamination  by  hazardous  wastes,  clean-up  of
hazardous  wastes or  disclosures  relating to Hazardous  Materials or hazardous
wastes, and any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any
judicial or administrative  orders or judgments  including,  without limitation,
the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation  and Liability Act of
1980,  42  U.S.C.  Section  9601  et  seq.  ("CERCLA");   the  Federal  Resource
Conservation  and  Recovery  Act,  42  U.S.C.  Section  6901 et  seq.  ("RCRA");
Superfund  Amendments  and  Reauthorization  Act of 1986,  Public Law No. 99-499
("SARA"); Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq. ("TSCA");
and all state superlien or environmental  clean-up or disclosure statutes in the
state in which the Mortgaged Property is located.

     "Governmental  Authority":  Any board, agency,  commission or department of
any  federal,  state  or  municipal  government  having  jurisdiction  over  the
applicable property.
                                       51
<PAGE>

     "Hazardous  Materials":  Any  petroleum  product and all hazardous or toxic
substances  or wastes or any  substances  which  because  of their  quantitative
concentration,  chemical, radioactive, flammable, explosive, infectious or other
characteristics,  constitute  or may  reasonably  be expected to  constitute  or
contribute to a danger or hazard to public  health,  safety or welfare or to the
environment,  including,  without  limitation,  any  asbestos  (whether  or  not
friable)  and  any  asbestos-containing  materials,  waste  oils,  solvents  and
chlorinated  oils,  polychlorinated  biphenyls (PCBs),  toxic metals,  etchants,
pickling  and  plating  wastes,  explosives,   reactive  metals  and  compounds,
pesticides,  herbicides,  radon  gas,  urea  formaldehyde  foam  insulation  and
chemical,  biological and radioactive  wastes, or any other similar materials or
any other  hazardous or toxic wastes or substances  which are included  under or
regulated by any Environmental Laws.

     "Legal Requirements":  (a) All present and future laws, rules,  regulations
and permits of any Governmental  Authority applicable to the Mortgaged Property,
(b) all covenants,  conditions, and restrictions contained in any deeds or other
instruments  which  relate to the  Mortgaged  Property,  and (c) all of  Buyer's
obligations  under  all  Permits  affecting  the  Mortgaged   Property  and  all
conditions thereof binding upon the Mortgaged Property.

     "Mortgage Loan Documents":  The Bedford Mortgage, the Mortgage Note and all
other documents evidencing or securing the Mortgage Note or otherwise pertaining
thereto.

     "Mortgaged Property": The land, improvement,  fixtures and proceeds thereof
commonly  referred  to  as  35  Crosby  Drive,  Bedford,   Massachusetts,   more
particularly  described  in the form of  Bedford  Mortgage  attached  hereto  as
Exhibit F.

                                       52
<PAGE>

     "Permits":  All permits,  licenses,  certificates  and approvals  issued by
Governmental  Authorities or otherwise  necessary for the Mortgaged  Property to
comply with all Legal Requirements.

     3.11  Conduct  of  Business.  Buyer has all  Permits  necessary  to use and
operate the Mortgaged Property.

     3.12 Payment of Taxes. All income, franchise and personal property,  excise
and other Taxes, charges and fees due and payable as of the date hereof by Buyer
to all Governmental  Authorities the non-payment of which could result in a lien
upon the Mortgaged Property have been fully paid

     3.13  Authority  to Enter into  Transaction;  No  Conflict;  Authority  and
Enforceability. Buyer has the right to borrow from Seller all funds evidenced by
the Mortgage  Note, to encumber its interest in the Mortgaged  Property,  and to
execute and deliver the Mortgage Loan  Documents.  The execution and delivery of
the Mortgage Loan Documents will not conflict with or constitute a default under
any agreement or Legal Requirement  binding upon Buyer. The execution,  delivery
and  performance of the Mortgage Loan Document have been duly  authorized by all
necessary actions of Buyer, and the Mortgage Loan Document will be legal,  valid
and binding obligations of Buyer, enforceable in accordance with their terms.

     3.14 Title to the Mortgaged  Property;  Compliance with Laws; No Notices of
Violation;  No Flood  Hazard;  Issuance of Permits.  Buyer has good,  record and
marketable  title to the Mortgaged  Property,  free and clear of all  mortgages,
deeds of  trust,  liens  or other  encumbrances  of any  kind or  nature  except
encumbrances  which would not,  individually or in the aggregate,  reasonably be
expected  to  have a Buyer  Material  Adverse  Effect.  To the  best of  Buyer's
knowledge, the status of title to the Mortgaged Property is as reflected in that
certain  Owner's Policy of Title  Insurance  issued by Lawyer's Title  Insurance


                                       53
<PAGE>


Corporation,  dated  July 30,  1998 (the  "Current  Title  Policy"),  a true and
correct  copy of which Buyer has  delivered to Seller.  At Closing,  Buyer shall
cause to be delivered to Seller, at Seller's expense, a lender's policy of title
insurance in the amount of  $25,000,000  disclosing no  encumbrances  other than
those  described in the first sentence of this Section 3.14 and a current update
of the survey of the Mortgaged Property referred to in the Current Title Policy,
provided  that if Buyer cannot  deliver such updated  survey at the Closing,  it
shall deliver to Seller at Closing a certification that there has been no change
in the condition of the Mortgaged Property since the date of the survey referred
to in the Current  Title  Policy,  and it shall update the survey  within thirty
(30) days  thereafter  and cause the  lender's  policy of title  insurance to be
endorsed to reflect such updated survey.  The use and occupancy of the Mortgaged
Property  is  in  material  compliance  with  all  Legal  Requirements,  without
depending upon property or rights other than the Mortgaged  Property  (which for
the purposes hereof shall include appurtenant  easements).  No uncured notice of
any asserted  violation of any Legal Requirement has been given to Buyer.  Buyer
has not received any notices of proposed  rezoning of the Mortgaged  Property or
of any proposed municipal or county assessments  against the Mortgaged Property.
The  Mortgaged  Property is not in a Flood  Hazard Area as defined in the "Flood
Disaster  Protection  Act of 1973",  as amended,  or  identified  as such by the
Federal Emergency  Management Agency.  All governmental  authorities have issued
all Permits required for the use and operation of the Mortgaged Property.

     3.15 No Condemnation.  No part of the Mortgaged  Property has been taken in
condemnation or any similar  proceeding,  and no part of the Mortgaged  Property
has been  transferred by deed in lieu of condemnation or other like  proceeding.


                                       54
<PAGE>


To the best of Buyer's  knowledge,  no  condemnation or other like proceeding is
pending or threatened with respect to the Mortgaged Property.

     3.16 No  Litigation.  There  is no  pending  or,  to the  best  of  Buyer's
knowledge,  threatened  litigation  against  Buyer  relating  to  the  Mortgaged
Property, or to the title, use, occupancy or operation thereof.

     3.17 Payment for Work; No Mechanics' Liens. All  construction,  alterations
and repairs with respect to the  Mortgaged  Property have been paid for in full,
except for repair work  performed in the  ordinary  course of business for which
payment is not yet due and  payable.  No  uncured  notice of any  mechanic's  or
materialmen's   lien  has  been   received  by  Buyer,   and  no  mechanic's  or
materialmen's  liens  claims  are  threatened,  with  respect  to the  Mortgaged
Property.

     3.18 [Intentionally Omitted.]

     3.19  Leases.  Seller has  delivered  to Buyer true,  correct and  complete
copies of all leases and occupancy agreements ("Leases") affecting the Mortgaged
Property.  Seller is not in material  default  under any Lease,  and to Seller's
knowledge no other party to any Lease is in material default thereunder.

     3.20 Leasing Commissions: Management Agreements. There are no agreements to
pay leasing  commissions for existing Leases,  or any management  agreements for
the Mortgaged Property. The obligation to pay leasing commissions and management
fees  are and will be (a)  subject,  subordinate  and  inferior  to the  Bedford
Mortgage and (b) not  enforceable  against Seller or anyone claiming by, through
or under Seller.

     3.21  Separate  Tax  Parcel.  No land or  improvements  which  will  not be
encumbered  by the Bedford  Mortgage is included  within the tax  assessment  or
assessments  of the  Mortgaged  Property  or the tax lots  corresponding  to the
Mortgaged Property.


                                       55
<PAGE>


     3.22  Condominium  or  Cooperative.  The  Mortgaged  Property  has not been
subjected to a condominium or cooperative form of ownership.

     3.23 Buyer Not "Foreign Person".  Buyer is not a "foreign person" under the
Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act 1980, or the regulations promulgated
pursuant to such Act or any amendment to such Act or regulations.

     3.24 Payment of Real Estate Taxes and Impositions. All water charges, sewer
rents, ad valorem taxes,  assessments,  vault charges and other similar liens or
impositions  relating to the Mortgaged  Property  which are due and payable have
been paid in full.

     3.25 [Intentionally Omitted.]

     3.26  Utilities  Are Available to the  Mortgaged  Property.  To the best of
Buyer's knowledge, all utilities,  including,  without limitation,  electricity,
gas,  steam,  public  water,  public  storm and  sanitary  sewers and  telephone
service,  required  for  the  current  and  intended  use and  operation  of the
Mortgaged  Property are available at the lot lines  thereof or through  existing
easements  appurtenant  to the Mortgaged  Property,  have been  connected to the
improvements,  are in full  service,  have  been  accepted  or  approved  by the
appropriate  Governmental  Authorities  with all necessary  Permits  required by
Legal  Requirements  having been issued.  The existing utilities are of adequate
capacity for the Mortgaged Property.

     3.27 Proper  Drainage.  Design and  as-built  conditions  of the  Mortgaged
Property  are such that no material  drainage  of surface or other water  across
land of others is expected to occur.

     3.28  Environmental  Matters.  Except as to any  matters  disclosed  in the
Buyer's Environmental  Disclosure Documents (described below), true, correct and
complete copies of which Buyer has delivered to Seller:

                                       56
<PAGE>


     (a)  Reasonable  Investigation;  Site  Evaluation.  Buyer has  performed or
relied upon the performance by others of appropriate investigations, studies and
tests to discover (i) any environmental  contamination in, on, under threatening
to or emanating  from the Mortgaged  Property;  and (ii) any potential or actual
liabilities  for clean-up of Hazardous  Materials  with respect to the Mortgaged
Property,  and  such  investigations,   studies  and  tests  have  disclosed  no
environmental  contamination,  Hazardous Materials, facts which may give rise to
environmental claims or past or current violations of any Environmental Laws.

     (b) No  Knowledge  of  Hazardous  Materials.  To the  best  of the  Buyer's
knowledge:  no prior owner of the Mortgaged Property or current or prior tenant,
subtenant  or other  occupant  of the  Mortgaged  Property  has  used  Hazardous
Materials  on, from or  affecting  the  Mortgaged  Property  whether or not in a
manner that violates any of the Environmental  Laws governing the contamination,
use, generation, placement, treatment, transportation,  manufacture, refinement,
handling,  production,  disposal or storage of Hazardous  Materials;  there have
been no releases of Hazardous  Materials  either at,  upon,  under or within the
Mortgaged  Property;  no  Hazardous  Materials  have  migrated to the  Mortgaged
Property;  no Hazardous  Materials  are located on or have been stored on (other
than those Hazardous  Materials  which are  customarily  used by Buyer and other
tenants and  occupants  in the course of their  business and then only in strict
compliance  with  all  Environmental  Laws  affecting  such  materials  and  the
Mortgaged  Property),  generated at, processed or disposed of on, or released or
discharged from (including ground water  contamination) the Mortgaged  Property;
no above or underground  storage tanks currently exist or previously  existed on
the Mortgaged Property;  and the Mortgaged Property does not contain and has not



                                       57
<PAGE>


in the past  contained  any  asbestos  containing  material  or  other  airborne
contamination  including  any  potential  contamination  that would be caused by
maintenance  of  the  Mortgaged  Property,   equipment  therein,  operations  or
activities conducted thereon or finishes in the Improvements.

     (c) Limitation on Hazardous Materials Allowed on Mortgaged Property; Future
Compliance  with  Environmental  Laws.  Buyer  shall  not  allow  any  Hazardous
Materials to exist or be stored,  disposal of, located,  discharged,  generated,
managed,  processed or otherwise  handled on the Mortgaged  Property  other than
those Hazardous  Materials which are customarily used by Buyer and other tenants
and occupants in the course of their business and then only in strict compliance
with all Environmental Laws affecting such materials and the Mortgaged Property.

     (d) No  Outstanding  Notices of  Violation;  Mortgaged  Property  Currently
Complies with  Environmental  Laws. Neither Buyer nor the Mortgaged Property (i)
has  received  notice of or is subject to any  private or  governmental  lien or
judicial  or  administrative  notice,  order or  action  relating  to  Hazardous
Materials or environmental concerns,  impairments or liabilities with respect to
the Mortgaged Property, or (ii) is in, or with any applicable notice or lapse of
time, or failure to take curative or remedial actions, will be in, either direct
or indirect violation of any Environmental Laws.

     (e)  Buyer's  Environmental  Disclosure  Documents.  For  purposes  hereof,
"Buyer's Environmental Disclosure Documents" shall mean:

     (i)  Letter  dated  July 7,  1998  from  the  Massachusetts  Department  of
          Environmental  Protection,  to Franz T. Litz, Brown, Rudnick,  Freed &
          Gesmer relating to a so-called Covenant Not to Sue;

     (ii) Letter  dated  October 3, 1997 from Haley & Aldrich to 35 Crosby Drive
          LLC relating to Underground Storage Tank Removal Activities; and

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<PAGE>

     (iii)  Environmental  Site  Assessment  dated  July 17,  1998  prepared  by
Jaworski, Geotech, Inc.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                              PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS

     4.1 Efforts.


     (a) During the period from the date of this  Agreement to and including the
Closing  Date (or such  earlier  date as this  Agreement  may be  terminated  in
accordance  with Article VII),  each of Buyer and Seller shall use  commercially
reasonable efforts to take all actions and to do all things necessary, proper or
advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     (b) During the period from the date of this  Agreement to and including the
Closing  Date (or such  earlier  date as this  Agreement  may be  terminated  in
accordance with Article VII), Seller shall use commercially  reasonable  efforts
to obtain  for the  benefit  of Buyer a  royalty  free,  fully-paid,  worldwide,
perpetual, non-exclusive license of claim numbers 24, 25, 26 and 46 under United
States  Patent  No.  5,712,890;  provided,  however,  that  Seller  shall not be
required  to  make  any  payments,   incur  any  liabilities  or  agree  to  any
undertakings  in connection  therewith in excess of $100,000.  Seller shall from
time to time  consult  with Buyer with respect to the status of such efforts and
shall consider any recommendations made by Buyer with respect thereto.

     4.2  Hart-Scott-Rodino  Act.  During  the  period  from  the  date  of this
Agreement  to and  including  the  Closing  Date (or such  earlier  date as this
Agreement may be terminated in accordance  with Article VII),  each of Buyer and
Seller (i) has filed (or caused to be filed) any  Notification  and Report Forms
and related  material  that it may be  required  to file with the Federal  Trade
Commission and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice



                                       59
<PAGE>


under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, (ii) shall use commercially  reasonable efforts
to obtain an early termination of the applicable  waiting period with respect to
such filing, and (iii) shall make any further filings or information submissions
pursuant  thereto that may be necessary,  proper or advisable.  Buyer shall bear
the filing fees associated with such filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

     4.3  Replacement  of Guarantees  and Letters of Comfort.  Unless  otherwise
agreed to in writing by Seller,  Buyer shall arrange,  prior to the Closing, for
replacement  arrangements,  which shall  include a full and complete  release of
Seller and its Affiliates,  including,  to the extent  required,  guarantees and
letters  of  comfort,  reasonably  satisfactory  to Seller  with  respect to all
letters of credit and other  borrowings of the Business which are subject to any
guarantee,  covenant, indemnity, letter of comfort or similar assurance provided
by Seller or any of its  Affiliates  as of the Closing Date,  including  without
limitation those listed on Annex 4.3 of the Disclosure Schedule.

     4.4 Operation of Business.  Except as otherwise  specifically  permitted by
this Agreement,  including  without  limitation  Section 10.7, during the period
from the date of this Agreement  until the Closing (or such earlier date as this
Agreement may be terminated in accordance with Article VII):

     (a) Subject to the provisions of Sections  4.4(b) and 4.4(c),  Seller shall
cause the  Business to use  commercially  reasonable  efforts to (i) conduct its
operations  in the Ordinary  Course of Business  and (ii)  respond  prudently to
matters  affecting  the  operations  of the Business not arising in the Ordinary
Course of Business;

                                       60
<PAGE>


     (b) Except as otherwise  specifically set forth in this Agreement,  or with
the prior  written  consent of Buyer (which  consent  shall not be  unreasonably
withheld, conditioned or delayed), Seller covenants that it shall:

     (i)  use  commercially  reasonable  efforts to preserve intact the Business
          and its relationships with those customers,  suppliers, Affiliates and
          other third parties with whom it is commercially reasonable to do so;

     (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to (A) keep available the services
          of key  Business  Employees  who are  not  Non-Offered  Employees  and
          consultants engaged with respect to the Business;  and (B) recruit and
          hire new  employees  in the  Ordinary  Course of  Business;  provided,
          however,  that, without first consulting with Buyer,  Seller shall not
          hire new  employees  other  than  pursuant  to  offers  of  employment
          outstanding on the date hereof;

     (iii)use  commercially  reasonable  efforts to maintain the tangible assets
          of  the  Business,  in  the  aggregate,  in  good  working  order  and
          condition, normal wear and tear excepted;

     (iv) notify Buyer of any written notice of default  received by Seller with
          respect  to  any  Designated  Contract  and of  any  material  default
          becoming known to Seller under any Designated Contract;

     (v)  make  payments  on its  liabilities  with  respect to the  Business to
          suppliers,  employees  and trade  creditors in the Ordinary  Course of
          Business;

     (vi) use  commercially  reasonable  efforts to  implement  its research and
          development   plan  through  the  Closing  Date;

                                       61
<PAGE>

     (vii)make  capital   expenditures   in  the  Ordinary  Course  of  Business
          consistent with Seller's plan for capital expenditures; and

     (viii) maintain its books and records of the Business in  accordance in all
          material  respects  with  its past  practices  for  consolidating  the
          operations of the Business with that of Parents.

     (c) Except as otherwise  specifically permitted in this Agreement or except
with the prior written consent of Buyer (which  consent,  in the case of clauses
(iv),  (v),  (ix),  (x) and, to the extent it relates to the foregoing  clauses,
(xi) below, shall not be unreasonably withheld,  conditioned or delayed), Seller
covenants that with respect to the Business it shall not:

     (i)  enter into or amend any  contract of  employment  with any employee of
          the  Business  providing  for  annual  base  compensation  equal to or
          greater than $100,000 or which is not  terminable on not more than six
          months  notice  without  payment  of  penalty,  amend in any  material
          respect  or  adopt  any  material  Business  Benefit  Plan of  general
          application  that  provides  pecuniary  benefits,  or  change  in  any
          material  respect the  benefits  or  compensation  of any  Transferred
          Employee whose annual base compensation, together with targeted annual
          incentive compensation, equals or exceeds $100,000;

     (ii) make  any  material   change  in  any  pricing   policies   (including
          discounting  policies),   financial  reporting  practices  (except  as
          required by U.S. GAAP or as  contemplated by this Agreement) or credit
          policies,  payment practices or accounting methods (except as required
          by U.S. GAAP ) of the Business;

                                       62
<PAGE>

     (iii)enter into any material  contract for the sale of goods or services on
          terms  and  conditions  which  differ  in any  material  respect  from
          Seller's  standard terms and conditions with respect to such goods and
          services;

     (iv) give any  notice of  default or breach,  or  renewal,  non-renewal  or
          cancellation  to any person or entity with  respect to any  Designated
          Contract;

     (v)  enter into any agreement or  arrangement  which provides for delivery,
          transfer,  license or escrow of any Designated  Intellectual  Property
          other than to customers in the Ordinary Course of Business;

     (vi) enter into any new material strategic alliance of any kind;

     (vii)solicit or  intentionally  induce any  Business  Employee who is not a
          Non-Offered Employee to refuse employment with Buyer;

     (viii) except as contemplated  herein or except for agreements  relating to
          the  purchase  and  sale of goods  and  services  entered  into in the
          Ordinary  Course  of  Business,   enter  into  any  new  agreement  or
          arrangement  with any of its  Affiliates  which will not be terminated
          without penalty at or prior to Closing;

     (ix) commence any cease and desist  demands,  litigation  or other  similar
          proceedings with respect to the Business;

     (x)  discontinue manufacturing, servicing or supporting any Product; or

     (xi) enter into any contract, agreement,  arrangement or binding commitment
          with respect to any of the foregoing.

     4.5  Access.  During  the  period  from the date of this  Agreement  to and
including  the  Closing  Date (or such  earlier  date as this  Agreement  may be
terminated  in  accordance  with  Article  VII),   subject  to  compliance  with
applicable laws and regulations, and contractual obligations of Seller regarding


                                       63
<PAGE>

classified  information,  security clearance,  proprietary  information of third
parties and  procurement  of  sensitive  information,  Seller  shall  permit the
representatives  of Buyer to have  reasonable  access (at reasonable  times,  on
reasonable  prior written notice and in a manner so as not to interfere with the
normal  business  operations  of  the  Business)  to the  premises,  properties,
financial and accounting records,  contracts,  other records and documents,  and
personnel, of or pertaining to the Business for reasonable business purposes (it
being  acknowledged  by  Buyer  that  Buyer  has  completed  its  due  diligence
investigation  and that the purpose of this  provision is not to permit  further
due diligence).  Buyer acknowledges that it and its representatives remain bound
by the Confidentiality  Agreement, dated March 21, 2000, previously entered into
by or on behalf of Buyer and Seller (the "Confidentiality Agreement").  Prior to
the Closing, Buyer and its representatives shall not contact or communicate with
the  customers  and  suppliers  of Seller in  connection  with the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement  except with the prior written consent of Seller,
which consent will not be  unreasonably  withheld.  Prior to the Closing,  Buyer
shall consult with Seller prior to contacting or communicating with any group of
employees of Seller.

     4.6  Consents  and  Approvals.  During  the  period  from  the date of this
Agreement  to and  including  the  Closing  Date (or such  earlier  date as this
Agreement may be terminated  in accordance  with Article VII),  Seller shall use
commercially  reasonable  efforts to  promptly  obtain (i) the  consents  of all
requisite  persons and entities to the transfer to Buyer of the Acquired  Assets
pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation, to the extent required
by the terms  thereof,  the  Designated  Contracts,  the Leases and the Material
Permits,  as of the Closing Date and (ii) tax  clearance  certificates  from the
States of Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.

                                       64
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE V

                         CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING

     5.1  Conditions  to  Obligations  of  Buyer.  The  obligation  of  Buyer to
consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement is subject to the
satisfaction (or waiver by Buyer) of the following conditions:

     (a)  Seller  shall have  obtained  (or  caused to be  obtained)  all of the
waivers, permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations,  and effected all
of the registrations, filings and notices, listed on Schedule 5.1(a) hereto;

     (b) The  representations  and  warranties of Seller set forth in Article II
and of Parents  set forth in Article  IIA shall be true and correct at and as of
the  Closing  Date as if made as of the  Closing  Date,  except (i) for  changes
permitted by this Agreement,  (ii) for those representations and warranties that
address matters only as of a particular date (which shall be true and correct as
of such date, subject to clause (iii) below), and (iii) where the failure of the
representations  and  warranties to be true and correct would not  reasonably be
expected  to  have  a  Business   Material   Adverse   Effect  in  the  case  of
representations  and  warranties  contained  in Article II or a Parent  Material
Adverse  Effect  in the case of  representations  and  warranties  contained  in
Article IIA (it being agreed that this clause (iii) shall be inapplicable to any
portion of a  representation  and  warranty  which  already  contains a Business
Material  Adverse  Effect  qualification  or a Parent  Material  Adverse  Effect
qualification, as applicable);

     (c) Seller shall have  performed or complied in all material  respects with
the  agreements  and  covenants  required to be performed or complied with by it
under this Agreement as of or prior to the Closing;

     (d) Seller shall have  delivered to Buyer a certificate  to the effect that
each of the conditions  specified in clauses (a) through (c) of this Section 5.1
is satisfied in all respects;

                                       65
<PAGE>

     (e) No  action,  suit or  proceeding  shall be  pending  by or  before  any
Governmental Entity wherein an unfavorable judgment, order, decree,  stipulation
or injunction would reasonably be expected to (i) prevent consummation of any of
the  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  or (ii)  cause  any of the
transactions   contemplated   by  this  Agreement  to  be  rescinded   following
consummation,  and no such judgment,  order,  decree,  stipulation or injunction
shall be in effect;

     (f) All applicable  waiting periods (and any extensions  thereof) under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act shall have expired or otherwise been terminated;

     (g) Buyer shall have received all of the items  required to be delivered to
it pursuant to Sections 1.1(c) and 1.3(b);

     (h) Seller and Tecomet Inc. shall have entered into a supply  agreement for
HTC grids  and an  agreement  for use of HTC  technology  in the forms  attached
hereto as Exhibit H (the "Tecomet Agreements");

     (i) Seller and  ThermoTrex  Corporation  shall have  entered  into a letter
agreement  amending the License  Agreement  dated  October 16, 1995 between Trex
Medical  Corporation and ThermoTrex  Corporation with respect to CMOS technology
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I (the "CMOS Letter Agreement"); and

     (j) All actions to be taken by Seller in connection  with the  consummation
of  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  and  all  certificates,   opinions,
instruments and other documents required to effect the transactions contemplated
hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Buyer.

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<PAGE>

     5.2  Conditions  to  Obligations  of Seller.  The  obligation  of Seller to
consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement is subject to the
satisfaction (or waiver by Seller) of the following conditions:

     (a)  Seller  shall have  obtained  (or  caused to be  obtained)  all of the
waivers, permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations,  and effected all
of the requisitions, filings and notices, listed on Schedule 5.1(a) hereto;

     (b) The  representations  and  warranties of Buyer set forth in Article III
shall be true and  correct  at and as of the  Closing  Date as if made as of the
Closing Date, except (i) for changes permitted by this Agreement, (ii) for those
representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular date
(which  shall be true and  correct  as of such  date,  subject  to clause  (iii)
below), and (iii) where the failure of the  representations and warranties to be
true and correct  would not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a Buyer  Material
Adverse Effect (it being agreed that this clause (iii) shall be  inapplicable to
any portion of a  representation  and  warranty  that  already  contains a Buyer
Material Adverse Effect qualification);

     (c) Buyer shall have  performed or complied in all material  respects  with
its  agreements  and  covenants  required to be performed or complied with by it
under this Agreement as of or prior to the Closing;

     (d) Buyer shall have  delivered to Seller a certificate  to the effect that
each of the  conditions  specified in clauses (b) and (c) of this Section 5.2 is
satisfied in all respects;

     (e) No  action,  suit or  proceeding  shall be  pending  by or  before  any
Governmental Entity wherein an unfavorable judgment, order, decree,  stipulation
or injunction would reasonably be expected to (i) prevent consummation of any of
the  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  or (ii)  cause  any of the
transactions   contemplated   by  this  Agreement  to  be  rescinded   following
consummation,  and no such judgment,  order,  decree,  stipulation or injunction
shall be in effect;

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     (f) All applicable  waiting periods (and any extensions  thereof) under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act shall have expired or otherwise been terminated;

     (g) Seller shall have received all of the items required to be delivered to
it pursuant to Sections 1.3(b), 1.3(d) and 3.14; and

     (h) All actions to be taken by Buyer in connection with the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby and all certificates, opinions, instruments
and other  documents  required to effect the  transactions  contemplated  hereby
shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Seller.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

     6.1 Indemnification by Seller.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Article VI, from and after the  Closing,  Seller shall  indemnify  Buyer and its
Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders and
agents  (the  "Buyer  Indemnified  Parties")  in respect  of, and hold the Buyer
Indemnified Parties harmless against,  any and all debts,  obligations and other
liabilities,   monetary  damages,  fines,  fees,  penalties,   amounts  paid  in
settlement,  interest  obligations,  deficiencies,  losses,  costs and  expenses
(including,  without limitation,  reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, costs
of investigation  and evaluation,  experts and other  reasonable  costs, in each
case  whether  incurred  in  defense  of any  third  party  claim  indemnifiable
hereunder  or in  successfully  enforcing  the  provisions  of  this  Agreement)
(collectively, "Damages") incurred or suffered by a Buyer Indemnified Party:

     (a) resulting from,  relating to or constituting (i) any  misrepresentation
or breach of warranty of Seller or Parents  contained  in this  Agreement or the


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certificate  of Seller  delivered at the Closing  pursuant to Section  5.1(d) or
(ii) any failure to perform any  covenant or  agreement  of Seller  contained in
this Agreement;

     (b)  resulting  from or  relating  to Excluded  Assets or  resulting  from,
relating  to  or  constituting  Excluded  Liabilities  or  Seller's  failure  to
discharge the same; or

     (c) resulting from the Fischer  Litigation (as defined in Section 6.3(b)(i)
below) to the extent of any  Damages  (as  defined in Section  6.3(b)(i)  below)
resulting  from  infringement  of the  Patents  in Suit (as  defined  in Section
6.3(b)(i)  below) by any Table Products (as defined in Section  6.3(b)(i) below)
manufactured,  sold, offered for sale or used on or prior to the last expiration
date of the Patents in Suit and such Damages are  attributable to either (i) the
period  prior to the  Closing  or (ii) the  period  from and after the  Closing,
subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6.5 below.

     6.2  Indemnification by Buyer.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Article VI, from and after the  Closing,  Buyer shall  indemnify  Seller and its
Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders and
agents (the  "Seller  Indemnified  Parties")  in respect of, and hold the Seller
Indemnified  Parties harmless against,  any and all Damages incurred or suffered
by a Seller Indemnified Party:

     (a) resulting from,  relating to or constituting (i) any  misrepresentation
or breach of warranty of Buyer contained in this Agreement or the certificate of
Buyer  delivered  at the Closing  pursuant to Section  5.2(d) or (ii) failure to
perform any covenant or agreement of Buyer contained in this Agreement;

     (b)  resulting  from,  relating  to  or  constituting  any  obligations  or
liabilities  associated  with the conduct of the business or  operations  of the
Business  from and after the  Closing,  except to the extent  that such  Damages
result from a matter for which Buyer is entitled to indemnification  from Seller


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pursuant to clause (c)(ii) of Section 6.1 above (after giving effect Section 6.5
below);

     (c) subject to the  limitations  set forth in Section 6.5 below,  resulting
from or relating to the Fischer Litigation;

     (d)  resulting  from or  relating  to Buyer's  401(k)  Plan  following  the
completion of the transfer of assets and  liabilities  from Seller's 401(k) Plan
(as defined below) pursuant to Section 10.7(c); or

     (e)  resulting  from,  relating  to or  constituting  any  obligations  and
liabilities  of  Seller  assumed  by Buyer  pursuant  to this  Agreement  or the
Assumption  Agreement or for which this  Agreement  provides  that Seller has no
responsibility.

     6.3 Claims for Indemnification.

     (a)  Third-Party  Claims.  All claims for  indemnification  made under this
Agreement  resulting  from,  related to or arising  out of a  third-party  claim
against any Buyer Indemnified  Parties or Seller  Indemnified  Parties (each, an
"Indemnified Party") shall be made in accordance with the following  procedures.
Each Indemnified Party shall give prompt written notification to the person from
whom indemnification is sought (the "Indemnifying Party") of the commencement of
any  action,  suit or  proceeding  relating  to a  third-party  claim  for which
indemnification  may be sought or, if earlier,  upon the  assertion  of any such
claim by a third party; provided, however, that the omission to give such notice
to the  Indemnifying  Party  shall not  relieve  the  Indemnifying  Party of any
liability  hereunder  unless and only to the extent it was  prejudiced  thereby.
Within thirty (30) days after delivery of such  notification,  the  Indemnifying
Party may, upon written notice thereof to the Indemnified Party,  assume control
of the defense of such action, suit, proceeding or claim with counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the Indemnified Party. If the Indemnifying Party does not assume


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control of such defense,  the Indemnified Party shall control such defense.  The
Party not controlling  such defense may participate  therein at its own expense;
provided that if the Indemnifying  Party assumes control of such defense and the
Indemnified Party reasonably  concludes,  based on advice from counsel, that the
Indemnifying  Party and the Indemnified  Party have  conflicting  interests with
respect to such action,  suit,  proceeding  or claim,  the  reasonable  fees and
expenses of counsel to the  Indemnified  Party  solely in  connection  therewith
shall be considered "Damages" for purposes of this Agreement; provided, however,
that in no event shall the  Indemnifying  Party be responsible  for the fees and
expenses  of more  than one  counsel  for all  Indemnified  Parties.  The  Party
controlling  such  defense  shall keep the other Party  advised of the status of
such  action,  suit,  proceeding  or claim  and the  defense  thereof  and shall
consider  recommendations  made by the other  Party with  respect  thereto.  The
Indemnified  Party  shall  not agree to any  settlement  of such  action,  suit,
proceeding or claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party.
The Indemnifying  Party shall not agree to any settlement of such action,  suit,
proceeding or claim that does not include a complete  release of the Indemnified
Party from all liability  with respect  thereto or that imposes any liability or
obligation on the  Indemnified  Party  without the prior written  consent of the
Indemnified  Party,  which shall not be  unreasonably  withheld,  conditioned or
delayed.

     (b) Fischer  Litigation Claims.  Notwithstanding  the provisions of Section
6.3(a) but subject to the other provisions of this Article VI, the Parties agree
that the  provisions of this Section  6.3(b) shall govern and control the rights
and  obligations  of the Buyer  Indemnified  Parties and the Seller  Indemnified
Parties in connection with the Fischer Litigation.

     (i)  Definitions.

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<PAGE>

     "Damages"  shall  mean,  for all  purposes  of  indemnification  under this
Agreement in connection  with the Fischer  Litigation  and  notwithstanding  the
definition  of  "Damages"  in  Section  6.1  above,  only (i)  monetary  damages
(including  without  limitation  "enhanced  damages"),  fines, fees and interest
obligations ordered by a court in connection with the Fischer  Litigation,  (ii)
all  amounts  payable  to  Fischer  Imaging  Corporation  (or its  successor  in
interest) ("Fischer") in settlement of the Fischer Litigation, including without
limitation  any future  royalties  required to be paid by any Buyer  Indemnified
Party as a result of such settlement,  (iii) any losses, including consequential
damages,  suffered by any Buyer Indemnified Party as the result of an injunction
in the  Fischer  Litigation  prohibiting  the sale of Table  Products,  and (iv)
reasonable  costs  and  expenses,   including  without   limitation   reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses, costs of investigation and evaluation, experts and
other reasonable  costs,  incurred in connection with the defense of the Fischer
Litigation.

     "Fischer  Litigation"  shall mean (i) the suits  captioned  Fischer Imaging
Corp.,  a  Delaware  Corporation  v. Trex  Medical  Corporation,  a  Connecticut
corporation fka Lorad  Corporation,  pending in the United States District Court
for the District of Colorado, Civil Action No. 92-N-619 (consolidated with Civil
Action No.  98-N-772)  (D.  Colo.),  and Lorad Corp. v. Fischer  Imaging  Corp.,
pending in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado,  Civil
Action No. 93-M-1588 (the "Original Litigation"); (ii) any other action or claim
brought against any Buyer  Indemnified  Party predicated on the Patents in Suit,
but only to the extent that such action or claim  involves  any Table  Products;
and (iii) any actions or claims for  indemnification  or other relief brought or
made by  customers  or users of Table  Products,  based on  actions or claims of
infringement of the Patents in Suit,  based on the use or sale of Table Products
and filed or made by the owner or licensees of the Patents in Suit.

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<PAGE>

     "Patents in Suit" shall mean the patents in suit in the Original Litigation
(namely  United States Patent Nos.  5,078,142 and  5,735,264)  and any reissues,
extensions, continuations,  divisions or continuations in part thereof, provided
that, in the case of any  continuation in part, the term "Patents in Suit" shall
mean only those claims of such  continuation in part supported by the disclosure
of any of the patents in suit in the Original Litigation.

     "Table  Products"  shall mean the prone  stereotactic  breast  biopsy table
manufactured,  sold or offered for sale by Seller on or before the date  hereof,
as such table may be enhanced  or improved  from time to time by or on behalf of
Buyer,  so long as such  table as so  enhanced  or  improved  is not  alleged by
Fischer in good faith to infringe on any claims of any Patents in Suit which are
not infringed upon by such table as  manufactured  by Seller on the date hereof,
or any claims of foreign counterparts of the Patents in Suit whose corresponding
U.S.  claims,  if any,  are not  alleged to be  infringed  upon by such table as
manufactured  by Seller on the date hereof,  provided that in any such case such
table is  manufactured,  offered  for sale or sold only for the uses  offered by
Seller on or before the date hereof.


     (ii) Procedure for Fischer  Litigation  Claims.  No Buyer Indemnified Party
          shall make any claim for  indemnification  from Seller with respect to
          Damages  resulting  from the  Fischer  Litigation  except  pursuant to
          Section 6.1(c).  From and after the Closing,  Seller shall continue to
          control and defend the Fischer  Litigation  (at its own expense)  with
          its existing counsel or other counsel  reasonably  selected by Seller.
          Seller  shall  keep  Buyer  periodically  advised of the status of the
          Fischer  Litigation  and shall  consider any  recommendations  made by
          Buyer with respect to the defense thereof. Seller shall have the right
          (in its sole  discretion)  to settle all or any portion of the Fischer
          Litigation  without  the  prior  consent  of  Buyer,  so  long as such
          settlement  does not directly or  indirectly  impose any  liabilities,
          limitations,  restrictions  or obligations  on Buyer.  If requested by
          Seller, Buyer shall not unreasonably withhold,  condition or delay its
          consent  to  any  settlement  of all or  any  portion  of the  Fischer


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<PAGE>

          Litigation.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  Buyer may, at any time,
          elect to assume  control and defense of the Fischer  Litigation by (A)
          releasing   Seller  and  Parents  from  any  further   indemnification
          obligations  under Section  6.1(c) and (B) assuming  Seller's  further
          obligations  under this Section  6.3(b) (other than payment of amounts
          incurred prior to such time by or on behalf of Seller in investigating
          or  defending  such  matter).  Unless  Buyer  assumes  the control and
          defense  of the  Fischer  Litigation  as  provided  in  the  preceding
          sentence,  Buyer may not  settle  all or any  portion  of the  Fischer
          Litigation without the prior written consent of Seller.

     (c) Procedure for Other Claims.  An  Indemnified  Party wishing to assert a
claim for indemnification  under this Article VI which is not subject to Section
6.3(a) or 6.3(b) shall  deliver to the  Indemnifying  Party a written  notice (a
"Claim  Notice") which  contains (i) a description  and the amount (the "Claimed
Amount") of any Damages incurred by the Indemnified Party, (ii) a statement that
the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under this Article VI and a
reasonable  explanation of the basis therefor, and (iii) a demand for payment in
the amount of such Damages.  Within  thirty (30) days after  delivery of a Claim
Notice,  the Indemnifying Party shall deliver to the Indemnified Party a written
response in which the  Indemnifying  Party shall: (A) agree that the Indemnified
Party is  entitled  to  receive  all of the  Claimed  Amount (in which case such
response  shall be  accompanied  by a payment by the  Indemnifying  Party to the
Indemnified  Party of the Claimed  Amount,  by check or by wire  transfer),  (B)


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<PAGE>

agree that the  Indemnified  Party is entitled to receive part,  but not all, of
the Claimed  Amount (the "Agreed  Amount") (in which case such response shall be
accompanied by a payment by the Indemnifying  Party to the Indemnified  Party of
the  Agreed  Amount,  by check or by wire  transfer),  or (C)  contest  that the
Indemnified  Party is  entitled to receive  any of the  Claimed  Amount.  If the
Indemnifying  Party in such response  contests the payment of all or part of the
Claimed Amount,  the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall use good
faith  efforts to resolve such dispute.  If such dispute is not resolved  within
sixty  (60)  days  following  the  delivery  by the  Indemnifying  Party of such
response,  the Indemnifying  Party and the Indemnified Party shall each have the
right to submit such dispute to a court of competent  jurisdiction in accordance
with the provisions of Section 11.14.

     6.4 Survival.

     (a) The  representations  and  warranties  of Seller and Buyer set forth in
this  Agreement   shall  survive  the  Closing  and  the   consummation  of  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby and continue until the second  anniversary of
the  Closing  Date,  at  which  time  they  shall  expire.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  (i) the  representations  and  warranties  of  Seller  contained  in
Sections  2.1 and 2.2, of Parents  contained  in  Sections  2.1A and 2.2A and of
Buyer  contained  in  Sections  3.1 and 3.2 shall  survive  the  Closing and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby without limitation and (ii)
the  representations and warranties of Seller contained in Sections 2.8 and 2.16
shall expire upon the occurrence of the Closing.

     (b) Any valid  claim  that is  properly  asserted  in writing  pursuant  to
Section  6.3  prior to the  expiration  as  provided  in  Section  6.4(a) of the
representation  or warranty that is the basis for such claim shall survive until
such claim is finally resolved and satisfied;  provided, however, that any valid


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<PAGE>

claim that is properly  asserted in writing pursuant to either Section 6.1(c) or
Section 6.2(c) shall survive until such claim is finally resolved and satisfied.

     6.5 Limitations.

     (a) Except with  respect to claims based on actual  fraud,  Article VIII or
Article IX and claims of Seller under any of the Mortgage  Loan  Documents,  the
rights of the  Indemnified  Parties  under this Article VI shall be the sole and
exclusive  remedies of the Indemnified  Parties and their respective  Affiliates
with  respect to claims  resulting  from or relating  to any  misrepresentation,
breach of warranty or failure to perform any covenant or agreement  contained in
this Agreement or otherwise relating to the transactions that are the subject of
this Agreement.  Except with respect to claims based on actual fraud, the rights
of the Parties under Article VIII shall be the sole and exclusive  remedy of the
Parties with respect to the subject matter of Article VIII.  Except with respect
to claims  based on actual  fraud,  the rights of the Parties  under  Article IX
shall be the sole and  exclusive  remedy  of the  Parties  with  respect  to the
subject matter of Article IX.  Without  limiting the generality of the foregoing
three sentences, in no event shall Buyer, its successors or permitted assigns be
entitled to claim or seek rescission of the transactions  consummated under this
Agreement.

     (b)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement,
each of the following limitations shall apply:

     (i)  the  aggregate  liability  of Seller for the sum of all Damages  under
          this Article VI (other than Section 6.1(c)) and Article VIII shall not
          exceed an amount equal to $16,000,000,  and the aggregate liability of
          Seller for the sum of all  Damages  under this  Article VI  (including
          Section  6.1(c)) and Article  VIII shall not exceed an amount equal to
          the  Adjusted  Purchase  Price  (to the  extent  Seller  has  actually


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<PAGE>

          received such Adjusted  Purchase  Price from Buyer either upon payment
          at the Closing or pursuant to the Mortgage Loan Documents thereafter);

     (ii) no individual  claim or series of related  claims for  indemnification
          under  Sections  6.1(a)(i),  6.2(a)(i)  or  8.2(a)  shall be valid and
          assertable  unless  it is (or they  are) for an  amount  in  excess of
          $10,000;

     (iii)Seller  shall not be liable  under  clause  (a)(i) of  Section  6.1 or
          Section  8.2(a)  unless and until the  aggregate  Damages under clause
          (a)(i) of  Section  6.1 and  Section  8.2(a)  exceed  $1,500,000  (the
          "Basket  Amount"),  and then  only to the  extent  that the  aggregate
          Damages under clause  (a)(i) of Section 6.1 and Section  8.2(a) exceed
          an amount equal to one-half of the Basket Amount (it being  understood
          that Seller shall not be liable, in any event, for the first amount of
          Damages equal to one-half of the Basket Amount); and

     (iv) the amount of any Damages for which  indemnification is provided under
          this Article and Articles VIII and IX shall be  calculated  net of any
          associated accruals or reserves reflected on the books of the Business
          as of the Closing Date;

provided,  however,  that the foregoing  limitations  shall not apply to a claim
described  in  paragraph  (b) of Section  6.1 or  paragraphs  (b) through (e) of
Section 6.2.

     (c) In no event shall Seller be  responsible  and liable for any Damages or
other   amounts   under  this  Article  VI  or  under   Article  VIII  that  are
consequential,  in the nature of lost profits,  diminution  in value,  damage to
reputation  or the like,  special or punitive or otherwise  not actual  Damages;
provided,  however,  that Seller  shall be liable for any such Damages owed by a
Buyer Indemnified Party to any non-Affiliated person.

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<PAGE>

     (d) Seller  shall not have any right of  contribution  against the Business
with respect to any breach by Seller of any of its representations,  warranties,
covenants or agreements.

     (e) The amount of any Damages for which  indemnification  is provided under
this Article VI or under Article VIII shall be reduced by any related recoveries
which the Indemnified Party actually receives under insurance  policies or other
related payments  received or receivable from third parties and any Tax benefits
actually  received by the Indemnified  Party or any of its Affiliates on account
of the matter  resulting  in such Damages or the payment of such  Damages.  Each
Indemnified Party agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to pursue rights
to insurance  proceeds  with respect to any claims for  indemnification  made by
such Indemnified Party.

     (f) Buyer  hereby  agrees  that any Damages  with  respect to any claim for
indemnification  by Seller or its  Affiliates  under this Article VI or Articles
VIII or IX and any other amounts  otherwise owing by Seller or its Affiliates to
any Buyer  Indemnified  Party  pursuant to this  Agreement may, at the option of
Seller,  be  offset  against  any  amounts  payable  by Buyer to  Seller  or its
Affiliates  pursuant  to this  Article  VI or  Articles  VIII or IX or under the
Mortgage Loan Documents

     6.6 Treatment of Indemnification  Payments.  All  indemnification  payments
made under this  Agreement  shall be treated by the Parties as an  adjustment to
the Purchase Price to the extent permitted by law.

     6.7 Parent Guaranty. Each Parent hereby unconditionally guarantees, jointly
and severally,  the due and punctual  payment and performance of all obligations
of Seller  under  this  Article  VI and  Articles  VIII and IX,  subject  to the
limitations and restrictions  contained therein. This guaranty is an irrevocable


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<PAGE>

guaranty of payment (and not just of  collection)  and shall  continue in effect
notwithstanding  any extension or  modification  of the terms of this Agreement,
any assumption of any such guaranteed obligation by any other party or any other
act or event which might otherwise operate as a legal or equitable  discharge of
any Parent  under this  Section  6.7.  Each  Parent  hereby  waives all  special
suretyship  defenses  and  notice  requirements.  This  guaranty  is in  no  way
conditioned  upon any requirement that Buyer first attempt to collect or enforce
the guaranteed obligation from or against Seller or any other Parent. So long as
any  obligation of Seller to Buyer under this Article VI or Articles VIII and IX
remains  unpaid  or  undischarged,  each  Parent  hereby  waives  all  rights to
subrogation arising out of any payment by it pursuant to this Section 6.7.

     The   obligations   of  each  Parent   hereunder   shall  be  absolute  and
unconditional  irrespective of the validity,  legality or enforceability of this
Agreement  or any  document  related  hereto,  and shall not be  affected  by or
contingent  upon  (a) the  liquidation  or  dissolution  of,  or the  merger  or
consolidation  of Seller  with or into any  entity,  or any sale or  transfer by
Seller  of all or any  part of its  property  or  assets,  (b)  the  bankruptcy,
receivership,  insolvency,  reorganization or similar  proceedings  involving or
affecting Seller, (c) any modification,  alteration, amendment or addition of or
to this  Agreement,  or (d) any disability or any other defense of Seller or any
other person and any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or
knowledge of such Parent) which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary
the risks of such  Parent or might  otherwise  constitute  a legal or  equitable
discharge of a surety or a guarantor or otherwise.

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<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VII

                                   TERMINATION

     7.1 Termination of Agreement. Buyer and Seller may terminate this Agreement
prior to the Closing as provided below:

     (a) Buyer  and  Seller  may  terminate  this  Agreement  by mutual  written
consent;

     (b) Buyer may terminate  this  Agreement by giving written notice to Seller
in the event  Seller is in  material  breach,  and  Seller  may  terminate  this
Agreement  by giving  written  notice to Buyer in the event Buyer is in material
breach, of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this
Agreement,  and such  breach is not  remedied  within  ten days of  delivery  of
written notice thereof;

     (c) Buyer may terminate  this  Agreement by giving written notice to Seller
if the Closing shall not have  occurred on or before  December 1, 2000 by reason
of the failure of any condition  precedent  under Section 5.1 hereof (unless the
failure  results  primarily  from a  breach  by  Buyer  of  any  representation,
warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement); and

     (d) Seller may terminate  this  Agreement by giving written notice to Buyer
if the Closing shall not have  occurred on or before  December 1, 2000 by reason
of the failure of any condition  precedent  under Section 5.2 hereof (unless the
failure  results  primarily  from a  breach  by  Seller  of any  representation,
warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement).

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<PAGE>


     7.2 Effect of Termination.

     (a) Except as set forth in Sections  7.2(b) and 7.2(c),  if either Buyer or
Seller terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1, all obligations of the
Parties  hereunder  shall  terminate  without any  liability of any Party to any
other Party.

     (b) Termination of this Agreement pursuant to clause (b) of Section
7.1 by reason of a breach prior to the time of such termination of any covenant,
agreement  or,  in the case of a breach  by Buyer,  representation  or  warranty
contained in this  Agreement  shall not relieve a defaulting or breaching  Party
(whether or not it is the  terminating  Party) from any  liability  to the other
Parties.

     (c)  Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement to the
contrary,  the  Confidentiality  Agreement shall survive the termination of this
Agreement for any reason.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                              ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

     8.1 Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement,  the following terms have
the meanings provided below.

     (a)  "Response  Costs" means all "costs of response"  within the meaning of
CERCLA and all costs recoverable pursuant to any other environmental law.

     (b) "Damages" has the meaning  assigned to that term under Section 6.1 and,
for purposes of this Article VIII, shall include Response Costs.

     (c) "Develop" and "Development" mean (i) the construction,  reconstruction,
refurbishment,  renovation, substantial modification,  restoration,  conversion,
structural  alteration,  relocation or enlargement of any building or structure;


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any change in use of any building or land or any change in zoning or  government
land use approval, (ii) any extension of any use of land, or (iii) any clearing,
grading or other movement of land.

     (d) "Natural Resources Damages" means "damages" to "natural  resources," as
those terms are defined under CERCLA or analogous state and provincial laws.

     8.2 Environmental  Indemnification  by Seller. (a) Subject to the terms and
conditions  of this  Article  VIII,  with  respect to any valid  claim  properly
asserted in writing by Buyer prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date,
Seller shall indemnify Buyer in respect of, and hold Buyer harmless against:

     (i)  any Damages  incurred or  suffered by Buyer or any  Affiliate  thereof
          (other than with respect to an Excluded  Liability) as a result of any
          failure  by Seller to comply  with any  applicable  Environmental  Law
          prior to the Closing Date in connection  with the  Business;  provided
          that such Damages result  directly from (A) compliance by Buyer or any
          Affiliate thereof with an order issued by a Governmental  Entity or by
          a court in a  proceeding  commenced  by a  Governmental  Entity  which
          establishes  a mandatory  obligation to rectify such failure to comply
          with applicable  Environmental Law, or (B) the mandatory obligation of
          the Business or any  Affiliate of Buyer to pay a fine or penalty which
          is  imposed  by a  Governmental  Entity  or a  court  in a  proceeding
          commenced  by a  Governmental  Entity as a result of such  failure  to
          comply with applicable Environmental Law; and

     (ii) any Damages  incurred or  suffered by Buyer or any  Affiliate  thereof
          (other than with respect to an Excluded  Liability) as a result of any
          Release of Materials of  Environmental  Concern to the  Environment in
          connection  with the Business that occurred prior to the Closing Date;

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          provided that,  such Damages result  directly from a legal  obligation
          arising  pursuant  to  Environmental  Laws on the part of Buyer or any
          Affiliate thereof to investigate,  remediate or pay Damages on account
          of said Release of Materials of Environmental Concern;

provided  further,  however,  that, in the case of both clauses (i) and (ii), to
the extent  Buyer's claim for  indemnification  relates to a Business  Property,
Seller  shall be  obligated  under this Section 8.2 if and only if (A) Buyer has
operated  the  applicable  Business  Property  continuously  for  commercial  or
industrial  purposes  (including  related  office,  warehouse,  sale and service
activities)  and not sold,  transferred or sublet that property  during such one
year  indemnification  period or  thereafter  during the  pendency  of any claim
asserted  prior to the first  anniversary  of the Closing Date and (B) Buyer has
retained  responsibility  for and  continued  to perform  remedial  actions  and
programs in existence and operation at the Business Properties as of the Closing
Date, if any.

     (b)  Buyer  shall  give  prompt  written  notification  to  Seller  of  the
commencement of any action, suit or proceeding for which  indemnification  under
this Section 8.2 may be sought or, if earlier,  upon the  assertion of any claim
or commencement of any inquiry for which  indemnification under this Section 8.2
may be sought,  whereupon Seller shall assume  exclusive  control of the defense
and  settlement  of such action,  suit,  proceeding,  claim or inquiry.  Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing,  if a mandatory obligation of the kind
specified in Section  8.2(a)  exists:  (i) Seller shall  determine,  control and
undertake  the  actions  to be taken in order to  comply  with or  satisfy  such
mandatory obligation,  including the performance of any further investigation or
remediation;  (ii) Buyer shall be provided  reasonable notice and opportunity to
comment (at its own cost and expense) upon Seller's  plans for  addressing  such
mandatory  obligation;  (iii) Buyer shall allow  access to Seller and its agents



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and independent  contractors  necessary to allow Seller to perform actions to be
taken in order to comply  with or  satisfy a  mandatory  obligation  under  this
Section 8.2(b); and (iv) Seller and its agents and independent contractors shall
make all  reasonable  efforts to perform  any  mandatory  obligation  under this
Section  8.2 in a manner  that  does not  unreasonably  interfere  with  Buyer's
occupation and use of the Business Properties.

     (c) In addition to the agreements of the Parties set forth in Section 10.1,
Buyer shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, cooperate with Seller (as Seller
may reasonably direct) in connection with the prosecution,  defense,  settlement
or performance of Seller's  agreements in this Section 8.2. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing,  as to all matters with respect of which Seller has
agreed to indemnify Buyer and its Affiliates,  Buyer shall,  and shall cause its
Affiliates to (i) assign to Seller (or its designee) all existing contracts with
independent consultants,  attorneys and other advisors relating to such matters,
(ii) waive all professional  conflicts and take other reasonable steps necessary
to allow any counsel  representing  the Business with respect to such matters to
represent Seller (or its designee) with respect to such matters,  and (iii) sign
such  documents,  assign  such  rights,  and take such  actions  as  Seller  may
reasonably request.

     8.3 Limitations.

     (a) The  provisions of Sections 6.5 and 6.6 are  applicable to this Article
VIII.

     (b) Seller shall have no liability  under Sections 8.2(a) or 8.2(b) for any
Damages  in  any  way  arising  out  of or  related  to an  actual  or  proposed
Development at a Business Property after the Closing.

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     (c) The Parties agree that any Damages  incurred by Buyer in  investigation
or remediation  activities that are not required pursuant to Environmental  Laws
shall not be deemed a mandatory obligation for purposes of Section 8.2(a).

     (d) Costs and  expenses  incurred  in  connection  with  investigation  and
remediation  of a  Release  of  Materials  of  Environmental  Concern  shall  be
indemnifiable  under  Section  8.2(a)  only to the extent (i)  required  for the
remediation  of  Materials of  Environmental  Concern to levels that will permit
continued  industrial  uses at the Business  Properties or that meet  risk-based
cleanup  standards  based upon industrial use of the Business  Properties  under
applicable  Environmental  Laws as of the date the remediation is completed;  or
(ii)  necessary  to obtain a "no further  action"  letter or  equivalent  from a
Governmental Entity with primary jurisdiction therefor.

     (e) This Article VIII shall be the sole and  exclusive  remedy of (i) Buyer
and its Affiliates against Seller or any of its Affiliates, and their respective
present or former  officers,  directors  and  employees,  agents,  attorneys  or
contractors,  and (ii)  Seller and its  Affiliates  against  Buyer or any of its
Affiliates,  and their  respective  present or former  officers,  directors  and
employee,  agents, attorneys or contractors,  for any and all claims, Damages or
other matters related  directly or indirectly to the Business and arising at any
time under Environmental Laws, or under any common law with respect to Materials
of Environmental Concern.

     (f) Buyer and  Seller  hereby  waive  (and  shall  cause  their  respective
Affiliates and the respective  successors and assigns of Buyer, Seller and their
respective Affiliates to waive) any right to seek contribution or other recovery
from each other or their respective Affiliates or any present or former officer,
director or employee,  agent  attorney or contractor of Buyer,  Seller or any of
their  respective  subsidiaries  with  respect  to events  related  directly  or


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indirectly to the Business prior to the Closing that Buyer and its Affiliates or
any of them may now or in the  future  have under any  Environmental  Law or any
common  law  providing  for any  remedy or right of  recovery  with  respect  to
Environmental  Matters  or  Materials  of  Environmental  Concern  other than as
expressly  provided for in this Article VIII.  Buyer and Seller  hereby  release
(and shall cause their respective  Affiliates and the respective  successors and
assigns of Buyer, Seller and their respective  Affiliates to release) each other
and their respective  Affiliates and all present or former  officers,  directors
and employees, agents, attorneys or contractors of Buyer, Seller or any of their
respective  subsidiaries  from any and all such  claims,  demands  and causes of
action.

     8.4 Environmental Indemnification by Buyer.

     (a) Except as  otherwise  specifically  provided in this  Article  VIII and
regardless  of whether the events  giving  raise to the Damages  occurred or are
alleged  to have  occurred  before  or after  the  Closing,  from and  after the
Closing, Buyer shall indemnify Seller and its Affiliates in respect of, and hold
Seller and its Affiliates harmless against,  any and all Damages arising from or
related to (i) Off-Site Liabilities,  including, without limitation, any Natural
Resources Damages; (ii) all claims under Environmental Law or common law arising
from or related to alleged or actual  exposures of employees or third parties to
Materials of Environmental Concern; (iii) diminution in property values or other
property  damage claims arising from any Releases of Materials of  Environmental
Concern; and (iv) all other Environmental Matters related directly or indirectly
to the Business as to which Seller is not obligated to indemnify  Buyer pursuant
to Section 8.2(a).

     (b) The procedures set forth in Section 6.3 shall apply with respect to any
claim for  indemnification  made by Seller or its  Affiliates  pursuant  to this
Article VIII.

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                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   TAX MATTERS

     9.1 Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns; Payment of Taxes.

     (a) Seller shall be responsible  for the  preparation and filing of all Tax
Returns  for Seller for all  periods as to which Tax  Returns  are due after the
Closing Date (including the  consolidated,  unitary and combined Tax Returns for
Seller which include the  operations of the Business for any period ending on or
before the Closing  Date).  Seller  shall make or cause to be made all  payments
required with respect to any such Tax Returns  except to the extent  provided in
Sections 1.1(d)(ix) and 1.4(b) hereof. Buyer shall assume responsibility for and
promptly reimburse Seller for the amount of any such Taxes paid by Seller (i) to
the extent such Taxes are  attributable (as determined under Section 9.2 hereof)
to periods following the Closing Date and (ii) to the extent of any reserves for
Taxes on the Most Recent  Balance  Sheet reduced by any  subsequent  payments of
Taxes  reflected in such reserves  through the Closing Date and increased by the
amount of any subsequent  increases in such reserves in accordance with GAAP for
Taxes  attributable  to the operation of the Business in the Ordinary  Course of
Business following the date of the Most Recent Balance Sheet through the Closing
Date (as so adjusted, "Tax Reserves").

     (b) Buyer shall be responsible  for the preparation and filing of all other
Tax Returns for the Business Buyer shall make all payments required with respect
to any such Tax Returns; provided, however, that Seller shall promptly reimburse
Buyer to the  extent  any  payment  Buyer is  required  to make  relates  to the
operations of the Business for any period ending on or before the Closing Date.

     (c) Any Tax Return to be prepared and filed for taxable  periods  beginning
before the Closing Date and ending after the Closing Date shall be prepared on a
basis consistent with the last previous Tax Return, and Buyer shall consult with


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Seller  concerning each such Tax Return and report all items with respect to the
period ending on the Closing Date in accordance with the instructions of Seller,
if timely  received  by Buyer;  provided,  however,  that if Buyer is advised by
counsel  that the filing of any Tax Return and the  reporting on such Tax Return
of any item in accordance  with the  instructions of Seller may subject Buyer to
any  penalties  or  fines,  Buyer  may file such Tax  Return  without  regard to
Seller's  instructions  relating to such item. Buyer shall provide Seller with a
copy of each proposed Tax Return (and such additional information regarding such
Tax Return as may  reasonably  be requested by Seller) at least 10 days prior to
the filing of such Tax Return.

     (d) Seller shall be  responsible  for the payment of any  transfer,  sales,
use,  stamp,  conveyance,  value added,  recording,  registration,  documentary,
filing and other non-income Taxes arising in connection with the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     (e) Buyer  shall be  responsible  for the  payment of any and all Taxes not
incurred  in the  Ordinary  Course  of  Business  attributable  to the  acts  or
omissions  of Buyer or Buyer's  Affiliates  occurring  after the  Closing on the
Closing Date.

     9.2 Allocation of Certain Taxes.

     (a) Buyer and Seller  agree that if Seller is  permitted  but not  required
under applicable  foreign,  state or local Tax laws to treat the Closing Date as
the last day of a taxable  period,  Buyer and Seller shall treat such day as the
last day of a taxable  period.  Buyer and Seller  agree that they will treat the
Business as if it ceased to be part of Seller's  operations,  as of the close of
business on the Closing Date.

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     (b) Any property or substantially similar Taxes on Acquired Assets shall be
apportioned  between  Buyer  and  Seller  based  upon the  number of days in the
relevant  assessment period included in the period ending on (and including) the
Closing  Date (for  Seller)  and the number of days in the  relevant  assessment
period  included in the period  beginning on the day  following the Closing Date
(for Buyer).

     9.3 Refunds and Carrybacks.

     (a) Seller shall be entitled to any refunds  (including  any interest  paid
thereon) or credits of Taxes  attributable  to taxable periods ending (or deemed
pursuant to Section 9.2(b) to end) on or before the Closing Date.

     (b) Buyer and/or its  Affiliates,  as the case may be, shall be entitled to
any  refunds   (including  any  interest  paid  thereon)  or  credits  of  Taxes
attributable to taxable periods  beginning (or deemed pursuant to Section 9.2(b)
to begin) after the Closing Date.

     (c) Buyer shall forward to or reimburse  Seller for any refunds  (including
any interest  paid  thereon) or credits due Seller after  receipt  thereof,  and
Seller  shall  promptly  forward  to Buyer or  reimburse  Buyer for any  refunds
(including  any  interest  paid  thereon)  or credits  due Buyer  after  receipt
thereof.

     9.4 Cooperation on Tax Matters; Tax Audits.

     (a) Buyer and Seller and their respective Affiliates shall cooperate in the
preparation  of all Tax  Returns  for any Tax  periods for which one Party could
reasonably  require the assistance of the other Party in obtaining any necessary
information.  Such cooperation shall include,  but not be limited to, furnishing
prior years' Tax Returns or return preparation packages to the extent related to
the Business  illustrating previous reporting practices or containing historical
information  relevant to the  preparation  of such Tax  Returns,  and such other
information,  in  each  case,  to the  extent  within  such  Party's  possession
requested  by the  Party  filing  such  Tax  Returns  as is  relevant  to  their


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preparation.  Such  cooperation  and  information  also  shall  include  without
limitation  provision  of powers of  attorney  for the  purpose of  signing  Tax
Returns and  defending  audits and  promptly  forwarding  copies of  appropriate
notices  and  forms  or  other  communications  received  from  or  sent  to any
applicable  governmental  authority responsible for the imposition of Taxes (the
"Taxing  Authority")  which relate to the Business,  and providing copies of all
relevant  Tax  Returns to the  extent  related to the  Business,  together  with
accompanying schedules and related workpapers,  documents relating to rulings or
other  determinations  by  any  Taxing  Authority  and  records  concerning  the
ownership  and Tax basis of  property,  which the  requested  Party may possess.
Buyer and Seller and their  respective  Affiliates  shall make their  respective
employees and facilities available on a mutually convenient basis to explain any
documents or information provided hereunder.

     (b) Seller shall have the right,  at its own expense,  to control any audit
or examination  by any Taxing  Authority  ("Tax Audit"),  initiate any claim for
refund,  contest,   resolve  and  defend  against  any  assessment,   notice  of
deficiency,  or other adjustment or proposed  adjustment relating to any and all
Taxes for any taxable  period  ending on or before the Closing Date with respect
to the Business.  Buyer shall have the right, at its own expense, to control any
other Tax Audit,  initiate any other claim for refund, and contest,  resolve and
defend against any other assessment,  notice of deficiency,  or other adjustment
or proposed adjustment relating to Taxes with respect to the Business;  provided
that,  with  respect to (i) any state,  local or foreign  Taxes for any  taxable
period  beginning  before the Closing Date and ending after the Closing Date and
(ii) any item the  adjustment  of which may cause Seller to become  obligated to
make any payment  pursuant to Section  9.1(a)  hereof,  Buyer shall consult with


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Seller with respect to the resolution of any issue that would affect Seller, and
not settle any such  issue,  or file any  amended  Tax Return  relating  to such
issue,  without the consent of Seller. Where consent to a settlement is withheld
by Seller pursuant to this Section,  Seller may continue or initiate any further
proceedings  at its own expense,  provided  that any  liability of Buyer,  after
giving effect to this Agreement,  shall not exceed the liability that would have
resulted had Seller not withheld its consent.

     9.5 Termination of Tax Sharing  Agreements.  All Tax sharing  agreements or
similar  arrangements  with respect to or involving the Business  (other than as
set forth in this Article IX) shall be terminated prior to the Closing Date and,
after the Closing Date,  Buyer and its Affiliates  shall not be bound thereby or
have any liability thereunder for amounts due in respect of periods ending on or
before the Closing Date.

                                   ARTICLE X

                               FURTHER AGREEMENTS

     10.1 Access to Information; Record Retention; Cooperation.

     (a) Access to  Information.  Subject to compliance with applicable laws and
regulations regarding classified  information and security clearance,  following
the Closing, Seller and Buyer each shall afford to each other and to the other's
Affiliates, authorized accountants, counsel and other designated representatives
reasonable  access  (including using reasonable  efforts to give access to third
parties  possessing  information  and  providing  reasonable  access  to its own
employees who are in possession of relevant  information) and duplicating rights
during normal  business  hours in a manner so as to not  unreasonably  interfere
with the conduct of business to all non-privileged  records,  books,  contracts,
instruments,  documents,  correspondence,  computer  data  and  other  data  and
information  (collectively,  "Information")  within the possession or control of
such Party or its  Affiliates,  relating to the  Business  prior to the Closing,
insofar as such access is  reasonably  required by the other Party.  Information
may be requested under this Section 10.1(a) for, without  limitation,  financial
reporting and accounting matters, preparing financial statements,  preparing and
filing of any Tax Returns,  prosecuting any claims for refund, defending any Tax
claims or assessment, preparing securities law or exchange filings, prosecuting,
defending or settling any litigation,  Environmental  Matter or insurance claim,


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performing this Agreement and the transactions  contemplated  hereby  (including
without  limitation the preparation of the Preliminary  Closing Statement and in
connection  with the review  thereof and any disputes in connection  therewith),
and all other proper business  purposes.  Following the Closing,  Seller and its
Affiliates may retain duplicate copies of any Information  (however  maintained)
transferred to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement for any purpose for which access
is  permitted  to  Information  in  accordance  with the first  sentence of this
paragraph.

     (b) Access to Personnel. Following the Closing, Seller and Buyer each shall
use reasonable  efforts to make available to each other,  upon written  request,
such Party's and its Affiliates'  officers,  directors,  employees and agents to
the extent that such persons may  reasonably be required in connection  with any
legal,  administrative  or other  proceedings in which the requesting  Party may
from time to time be involved  relating to the Business  prior to the Closing or
for any other matter referred to in Section  10.1(a);  provided,  however,  that
such access shall not  materially  impair the ability of such person to carry on
his or her duties to the employing Party.

     (c)  Reimbursement.  A Party providing  Information or personnel to another
Party  under  Section  10.1(a)  or (b) shall be  entitled  to  receive  from the
recipient,  upon  the  presentation  of  invoices  therefor,  payments  for such
amounts,  relating to supplies,  disbursements and other out-of-pocket expenses,
as may reasonably be incurred in providing such Information;  provided, however,


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that no such  reimbursements  shall be required for the salary or cost of fringe
benefits  or similar  expenses  pertaining  to  employees  or  directors  of the
providing Party or its Affiliates.

     (d) Retention of Records.  Except as otherwise required by law or agreed to
in writing by Seller and Buyer, Seller and Buyer each shall (and shall cause its
Affiliates  to) use  reasonable  efforts  to  preserve  all  Information  in its
possession  pertaining to the Business  prior to the Closing until  December 31,
2006.   Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  in  lieu  of  retaining  any  specific
Information, Seller and Buyer each may offer in writing to each other to deliver
such Information to the other and, if such offer is not accepted within 90 days,
the offered Information may be disposed of at any time.

     (e)  Preparation  of Seller  Financial  Statements.  Following the Closing,
Buyer  shall  cause the  Business  to  prepare  and  provide  to Seller  and its
Affiliates the information  relating to the Business required for Seller and its
Affiliates to prepare the financial  statements of Seller and its Affiliates for
all fiscal periods within the fiscal year in which the Closing  occurs,  in such
form as was  previously  prepared  by Seller  for  Parents  with  respect to the
Business prior to the Closing.

+     10.2 Restrictive Covenants.

     (a) Background.  Seller  acknowledges that (i) the Business is conducted by
Seller both within and outside the United States,  and the Business involves the
identification  and development of new markets;  (ii) Seller has developed trade
secrets and  confidential  information  concerning the Business;  and (iii) as a
condition to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, Buyer has
required Seller and Parents to enter into the agreements and covenants contained


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in this Section 10.2 to protect the Business  following the  consummation of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby,  which transactions will benefit each of the
Parents. Accordingly, Seller and Parents each covenant and agree as follows:

     (b) Covenant Not to Compete.  During the period  commencing  on the Closing
Date and continuing until the thirty-month  anniversary of the Closing Date (the
"Noncompetition  Period"),  Seller and  Parents  shall not (and shall cause each
Noncompetition Party (as defined below) not to), individually or in combination,
directly or indirectly own,  manage,  operate or control any business engaged in
the business of developing,  manufacturing  and selling  mammography  and breast
biopsy systems, medical mobile X-ray systems,  specialized medical X-ray imaging
equipment     for     cardiac     catheterization     laboratories,      digital
radiographic/fluoroscopic  (R/F) systems,  electrophysiology products or general
purpose radiography products for medical purposes,  in each case of the type and
kind being sold by the Business on the Closing Date (a "Competitive  Business");
provided,  however,  that the  foregoing  covenants  shall not  prohibit,  or be
interpreted as prohibiting, any Noncompetition Party from:

     (i)  continuing  anywhere in the world in any type of business conducted by
          any Noncompetition  Party on the date hereof, which is not part of the
          Business;

     (ii) entering  into any  relationship  with a person or entity  not  owned,
          managed,  operated  or  controlled  by any  Noncompetition  Party  for
          purposes primarily unrelated to a Competitive Business;

     (iii)making equity  investments in publicly owned companies which conduct a
          Competitive  Business,  provided such  investments do not exceed 5% of
          the voting  securities of other  otherwise  confer control of any such
          Competitive Business upon any Noncompetition Party; or

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     (iv) acquiring any person or entity which  conducts a Competitive  Business
          if either:  (A) in the calendar  year prior to such  acquisition,  the
          revenues of such person or entity from its Competitive Business do not
          constitute  more  than 15% of the  total  revenues  of such  person or
          entity; or (B) the applicable  Noncompetition Party promptly commences
          and thereafter pursues until the earlier to occur of the expiration of
          the  Noncompetition  Period and 12 months after such acquisition,  the
          transfer of that  portion of the  business of such person or entity as
          constitutes a Competitive  Business upon terms and conditions and at a
          price  determined by the applicable  Noncompetition  Party in its sole
          discretion.

      For  purposes  of the  Agreement,  "Noncompetition  Party"  means  each of
Seller,  each Parent and any direct or indirect  majority-owned  subsidiaries of
Seller or any Parent (each,  a "Controlled  Subsidiary")  while (but only while)
such Controlled Subsidiary is a direct or indirect majority-owned  subsidiary of
Seller or any Parent.  For avoidance of any doubt,  (I) the Parties  acknowledge
that  the  Parents  are in the  process  of  organizing  a new  subsidiary  (the
"BioMedical Subsidiary") to engage in the business of developing, manufacturing,
selling,  reselling and servicing medical devices, including respiratory devices
and neurodiagnostic products, and components, parts and accessories with respect
to each of the foregoing,  (II) it is currently anticipated that, subject to the
receipt of all necessary  consents and approvals,  Thermo  Electron  Corporation
will "spin-off" the BioMedical  Subsidiary to its stockholders (the "Spin-Off"),
and (III) the Parties  agree that the  restrictive  covenants  contained in this
Section 10.2 shall apply to the BioMedical  Subsidiary only while the BioMedical
Subsidiary is a direct or indirect  majority-owned  subsidiary of any Parent and
not after the Spin-Off.  Furthermore, for the avoidance of any doubt, Seller and
Parents will not sell, license,  transfer or assign any Intellectual Property to
the BioMedical  Subsidiary or any other Controlled Subsidiary in order to enable


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<PAGE>

the BioMedical  Subsidiary or such other  Controlled  Subsidiary to, directly or
indirectly,  own, manage, operate or control,  during the Noncompetition Period,
any Competitive Business.

 (c)  Non-Solicitation.  For a period of two (2) years
following the Closing (the "Non-Solicitation Period"), without the prior written
consent of Buyer, neither Seller nor any Noncompetition Party shall, directly or
indirectly,  (i)  solicit  for the  purpose  of  employment  any  person who was
employed by Seller  with  respect to the  Business  on the Closing  Date and who
continues to be so employed by Buyer immediately  preceding such solicitation or
encourage any such person to leave such employment;  provided, however, that the
foregoing shall not prohibit Seller or any Noncompetition Party from placing any
general  advertisements for employees so long as such general advertisements are
not  expressly  directed  to any  employees  of the  Business  or from hiring or
engaging  any  employee  in  response  thereto  or from  hiring  any  person who
initiates, directly or indirectly, discussions with Seller or any Noncompetition
Party regarding potential employment,  or (ii) solicit,  induce or influence any
customer  of the  Business  on the date  hereof  or on the  Closing  Date or any
sole-source  supplier of the Business to  discontinue  or reduce,  under Buyer's
ownership of the Business after the Closing Date, the extent of such  customer's
or supplier's relationship as of the Closing Date with the Business with respect
to Products  sold by the  Business  on the Closing  Date.

     (d)  Severability  of Covenants.  Seller and each Parent  acknowledges  and
agrees  that the  covenants  set forth in  Sections  10.2(b)  and  10.2(c)  (the
"Restrictive  Covenants") are reasonable in geographical  and temporal scope and
in all other  respects.  If any  court  determines  that any of the  Restrictive


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Covenants,  or any part thereof, are invalid or unenforceable,  the remainder of
the Restrictive  Covenants shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full
effect, without regard to the invalid portions.

     (e)  Blue-Penciling.  If any court  determines  that any of the Restrictive
Covenants,  or any part thereof,  are  unenforceable  because of the duration or
geographic  scope of such  provision,  such court shall have the power to reduce
the duration or scope of such provision, as the case may be, and, in its reduced
form, such provision shall then be enforceable.

     10.3  Enforceability  in  Jurisdictions.  The parties  hereto intend to and
hereby confer jurisdiction to enforce the Restrictive  Covenants upon the courts
of any jurisdiction within the geographical scope of such Restrictive Covenants.
If the  courts  of any one or more of such  jurisdictions  hold the  Restrictive
Covenants  unenforceable by reason of the breadth of such scope or otherwise, it
is the intention of the parties hereto that such determination not bar or in any
way affect Buyer's right to the relief provided above in the courts of any other
jurisdiction within the geographical scope of such Restrictive Covenants,  as to
breaches of such Restrictive  Covenants in such other respective  jurisdictions,
such Restrictive  Covenants as they relate to each jurisdiction  being, for this
purpose, severable into diverse and independent covenants.

     10.4 Disclosure Generally.

     (a) The inclusion of any  information  in the  Disclosure  Schedule (or any
update thereto) shall not be deemed to be an admission or acknowledgment, in and
of  itself,  that  such  information  is  required  by the  terms  hereof  to be
disclosed,  is material to the Business,  has or would have a Business  Material
Adverse Effect,  or is outside the Ordinary Course of Business.  For purposes of
this Agreement,  the terms "to Seller's  knowledge,"  "known by Seller" or other
words of similar  meaning  shall mean the  knowledge of William J. Webb,  Ira S.


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Miller,  Gerald R. Roda,  Raymond Cirmo,  Gary Lyke,  Raymond Calvo, John Gemma,
Mark Torpey, Mahmuud Ganigham and Oscar Khutoryansky.

     (b)  Commencing  on the date of this  Agreement  and  continuing  until the
Closing  Date (or such  earlier  date as this  Agreement  may be  terminated  in
accordance  with Article VII),  Seller shall deliver to Buyer written notice (or
an updated Section of the Disclosure  Schedule) of any event or development that
would (i) render any  statement,  representation  or  warranty of Seller in this
Agreement  (including the Disclosure  Schedule)  inaccurate or incomplete in any
material  respect  or (ii)  constitute  or result in a breach by Seller of, or a
failure by Seller to comply with,  any  agreement or covenant in this  Agreement
applicable to it. Any  disclosure  made by Seller  pursuant to clause (i) of the
prior sentence  shall be deemed to amend and supplement the Disclosure  Schedule
for all purposes of this  Agreement  (except for Buyer's right to terminate this
Agreement  pursuant  to  clause  (b) of  Section  7.1,  which  right (A) must be
initiated  by Buyer  giving  notice of a breach,  as  required  by clause (b) of
Section 7.1, and (B) will be subject to Sellers'  right to cure under clause (b)
of Section 7.1).

     10.5 [Intentionally Omitted.]

     10.6 Certain Insurance Matters.  Seller shall maintain,  and shall not take
any steps to  prospectively  or  retrospectively  cancel,  buy-out or remove the
Business or Seller as an additional  named insured from (i) any and all Business
Policies providing  insurance coverage for all periods prior to the Closing with
respect to any events,  occurrences  or matters  occurring  prior to the Closing
(the  "Occurrence-Based  Business  Policies")  (subject  in  each  case  to  the
deductibles, limits and other terms and conditions of such policies) or (ii) any
and  all  Business  Policies  providing   insurance  coverage  with  respect  to
liabilities that constitute Excluded  Liabilities pursuant to Section 1.1(e)(ii)
(the "Claims-Made  Business Policies") (subject in each case to the deductibles,


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limits and other terms and conditions of such policies).  Seller shall take such
actions as necessary to amend (I) the Occurrence-Based Business Policies so that
they continue to cover such events,  occurrences  or matters that occur prior to
the Closing  for claims  reported  after the  Closing  and (II) the  Claims-Made
Business Policies so that they continue to cover the liabilities that constitute
Excluded Liabilities pursuant to Section 1.1(e)(ii),  including in each case the
naming of the Business as a covered discontinued operation if necessary in order
to preserve such insurance coverage.  Seller shall cooperate with Buyer in using
commercially  reasonable  efforts to make and pursue  claims  under the Business
Policies  and,  to the  extent  applicable  to the  foregoing,  under  any prior
policies,  including any that were acquired by any entity  acquired by Seller or
an entity that sold an entity to Seller.  Buyer shall be entitled to the benefit
of, and Seller shall pay to Buyer,  any amounts  and/or  recoveries  received by
Seller under any Business  Policies and other insurance policy in respect of any
Acquired Assets or Assumed Liabilities  (subject to the deductibles,  limits and
other terms and conditions of such policies). Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed to eliminate  Seller's rights to coverage and to make claims under the
Business Policies and any other policies for any events,  occurrences or matters
which,  except for this  Agreement,  would have been covered by those  policies,
including but not limited to Buyer's assumption of liabilities hereunder.

     10.7 Certain Employee Benefits Matters.

     (a)  Pre-Closing  Conduct;  Other  Liabilities.  Seller  shall  be under no
obligation to terminate the  employment of any employee of Seller engaged in the
Business  (a  "Business  Employee")  prior to the Closing  Date.  Buyer shall be
liable for any amounts to which any Business  Employee  becomes  entitled  under
applicable  law or  otherwise,  as a result of, or in connection  with:  (i) the


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employment  of any  Business  Employee by Buyer at or after the Closing and (ii)
the  termination  of  employment  of any  Transferred  Employee  at or after the
Closing.

     (b) Offer of Employment;  Continuation  of  Employment.  The Parties hereto
intend that there shall be an offer of continuity of employment  with respect to
all  Business  Employees  other than those  Business  Employees  listed on Annex
10.7(b)  (collectively,   the  "Non-Offered   Employees").   Buyer  shall  offer
employment  commencing on the Closing Date to all Business  Employees other than
the Non-Offered Employees, including those Business Employees on vacation, leave
of absence,  disability  or layoff,  on the terms set forth in Section  10.7(d),
subject to Buyer's generally applicable  employment policies.  Those persons who
accept  Buyer's  offer of employment  and who commence  working with Buyer on or
after  the  Closing  Date  shall   hereafter  be  referred  to  as  "Transferred
Employees."  Buyer shall not assume any  liability  with respect to any Business
Employee  who does not  become  a  Transferred  Employee,  provided  that  Buyer
complies with its obligation under this Section 10.7.

     (c) 401(k) Plan Transfer.  As soon as  practicable  after the Closing Date,
Seller shall cause the  transfer of (i) the account  balances of the current and
former Business  Employees who participate under the Thermo Choice Plan (401(k))
Plan (the "Seller's 401(k) Plan"),  including  outstanding loans of such persons
and  (ii)  assets   having  a  value  equal  to  said  account   balances  to  a
profit-sharing  plan maintained by Buyer which is qualified under Section 401(a)
of the Code and which includes a cash or deferred  arrangement  which  qualifies
under Section 401(k) of the Code (the "Buyer's 401(k) Plan"). Buyer shall, prior
to the Closing,  notify Seller in writing of the identity of Buyer's 401(k) Plan
and shall cause Buyer's  401(k) Plan to accept the transfers  referred to in the
prior sentence.  The assets  transferred  shall consist of the assets  allocated
under  Seller's  401(k)  Plan to the  accounts  of current  and former  Business


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Employees,  including  promissory  notes  evidencing  outstanding  loans of such
persons.  From and after the Closing,  Buyer shall assume all responsibility for
the management  and  administration  of the account  balances of the current and
former  Business  Employees  under Seller's 401(k) Plan and Seller shall have no
further obligations with respect thereto.

     (d) Compensation;  Employee Benefits;  Severance Plans. Except as otherwise
provided in this Section 10.7 or as otherwise  required by  applicable  law, the
Transferred  Employees shall cease to participate in or accrue further  benefits
under the Business Benefit Plans immediately prior to the Closing Date. Starting
on the Closing  Date,  Buyer shall,  for a period ending on the date twelve (12)
months  after  the  Closing  Date,   provide  each  Transferred   Employee  with
compensation  determined  in accordance  with  policies  applicable to similarly
situated employees of Buyer, and benefits available to such employees;  provided
that, except as required by law as to benefits, no such compensation or benefits
shall  continue  beyond the last day of employment of any  Transferred  Employee
whose employment with the Buyer terminates, voluntarily or otherwise.

     (e) Service  Credit.  Transferred  Employees  shall be given credit for all
service  with Seller and for any service  credited by Seller  under the employee
benefit plans, programs and policies and fringe benefit arrangements of Buyer in
which they become participants for purposes of eligibility, vesting and level of
benefits;  provided  that no such service  shall be credited  (a) under  Buyer's
plans providing retiree welfare benefits, and (b) for any purposes under Buyer's
defined benefit pension plans.

     (f)  Welfare  Plans.  With  respect  to any Buyer  Plan that is a  "welfare
benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) or any Buyer Plan that would
be a "welfare  benefit  plan" (as  defined in Section  3(1) of ERISA) if it were


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subject to ERISA, Buyer shall (i) cause to be waived any pre-existing  condition
limitations,  (ii)  use  commercially  reasonable  efforts  to give  effect,  in
determining  any deductible  and maximum  out-of-pocket  limitations,  to claims
incurred and amounts paid by, and amounts  reimbursed  to, such  employees  with
respect to similar plans maintained by Seller  immediately  prior to the Closing
Date and (iii)  recognize all credited  service for purposes of eligibility  and
vesting and level of benefits  to the same  extent such  service was  recognized
under similar plans maintained by Seller  immediately prior to the Closing Date.
Buyer  shall  make  appropriate  arrangements  to allow  the use by  Transferred
Employees  of any  accrued  benefits  under any  cafeteria  plan (as  defined in
Section 125 of the Code) which was maintained by Seller or any of its Affiliates
for such Transferred Employees.

     (g) Accrued  Vacation,  Personal or Sick Time.  With respect to any accrued
but unused vacation,  personal or sick time to which any Transferred Employee is
entitled pursuant to the vacation,  personal or sick policies applicable to such
Transferred  Employee immediately prior to the Closing Date (the "PS Policies"),
Buyer shall assume the  liability  for such accrued  vacation,  personal or sick
time and allow such Transferred Employee to use such accrued vacation,  personal
or sick time;  provided,  however,  that if Buyer deems it necessary to disallow
such Transferred  Employee from taking such accrued  vacation,  personal or sick
time,  Buyer  shall  be  liable  for and pay in  cash to each  such  Transferred
Employee an amount equal to such  vacation,  personal or sick time in accordance
with the terms of the PS Policies;  and provided,  further,  that Buyer shall be
liable for and pay in cash an amount equal to such accrued vacation, personal or
sick time to any Transferred Employee whose employment terminates for any reason
subsequent to the Closing Date.

     (h) U.S.  WARN Act.  Buyer agrees to provide any required  notice under the
Worker  Adjustment  and  Retraining  Notification  Act  ("WARN")  and any  other


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applicable law and to otherwise comply with any such statute with respect to any
"plant closing" or "mass layoff' (as defined in WARN) or similar event affecting
employees  and  occurring on or after the Closing Date or arising as a result of
the transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Buyer shall indemnify and hold harmless
Seller and its  Affiliates  with  respect to any  liability  under WARN or other
similar  applicable  law arising from the actions (or inactions) of Buyer or its
Affiliates  on or  after  the  Closing  Date  or  arising  as a  result  of  the
transactions contemplated hereby.

     (i) U.S. COBRA.

     (i)  With respect to Business  Employees which are  Transferred  Employees,
          Buyer  agrees to provide any required  notice  under the  Consolidated
          Omnibus  Budget  Reconciliation  Act of 1986  ("COBRA")  and any other
          applicable law on or after the Closing Date. Buyer shall indemnify and
          hold harmless  Seller and its Affiliates with respect to any liability
          under COBRA or other similar  applicable  law arising from the actions
          (or inactions) of Buyer or its Affiliates on or after the Closing Date
          or arising as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby.

     (ii) With  respect  to  Business   Employees   which  are  not  Transferred
          Employees,  Seller  agrees to provide any required  notice under COBRA
          and any other  applicable law prior to the Closing Date.  Seller shall
          indemnify and hold harmless Buyer and its  Affiliates  with respect to
          any liability under COBRA or other similar applicable law arising from
          the actions (or  inactions) of Seller or its  Affiliates  prior to the
          Closing Date.

     10.8  Further  Assurances.  At any  time and from  time to time  after  the
Closing,  as and when  requested by a Party hereto and at such Party's  expense,
the other Parties shall  promptly  execute and deliver,  or cause to be executed


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and delivered, all such documents and instruments and shall take, or cause to be
taken,  all such  further or other  actions as such other  Party may  reasonably
request  to  evidence  and  effectuate  the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement.

     10.9 Use of Name for Transition Period.  Seller hereby grants to Buyer, and
Buyer hereby accepts from Seller, a royalty-free,  worldwide exclusive right and
license to use the name "Trex  Medical  Systems"  for a period of one year after
the Closing Date solely in connection with the conduct by Buyer of the Business,
as the Business was conducted on the Closing Date. Seller shall not use the name
"Trex  Medical"  other than in the name "Trex Medical  Systems." The license set
forth in this Section 10.9 shall not  prohibit  Seller or any of its  Affiliates
from using during the term of the license the name "Trex  Medical  Systems" when
describing their former affiliation with the Business. Buyer agrees that its use
of the name "Trex  Medical  Systems"  shall be  consistent  with  Seller's  past
practices in connection  with the Business and, with respect to such use,  Buyer
shall adhere to substantially  similar quality standards to which Seller adhered
immediately prior to the Closing.

     10.10  Dowlatshahi  License.  Seller  hereby  grants to Buyer and the other
Buyer Indemnified Parties,  effective only upon the occurrence of the Closing, a
royalty free, fully-paid, worldwide, perpetual,  non-exclusive license of all of
Seller's  rights received  pursuant to the Agreement  dated July 2, 1997,  among
Trex Medical Corporation, Kelsy, Inc. and Dr. Kambiz Dowlatshahi.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     11.1 Press Releases and Announcements. Neither Buyer nor Seller shall issue
(and Seller and Buyer shall cause their respective  Affiliates not to issue) any
press  release  or public  disclosure  relating  to the  subject  matter of this
Agreement  without  the prior  written  approval of the other  Party;  provided,
however,  that either Buyer or Seller may make any public disclosure it believes


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in good faith is required by law,  regulation  or stock  exchange rule (in which
case the  disclosing  Party shall advise the other Parties and the other Parties
shall have the right to review such press release or  announcement  prior to its
publication).

     11.2 No Third  Party  Beneficiaries.  This  Agreement  shall not confer any
rights or remedies  upon any person  (including  with respect to any  collective
bargaining  unit or employee  organization or any employee or former employee of
Seller, any Parent, Buyer or any of their Affiliates, any Transferred Employees,
any Non-Offered Employees and any Business Employees, any right to employment or
contractual  employment  for any  specified  period)  other than the Parties and
their respective  successors and permitted  assigns and, to the extent specified
herein, their respective Affiliates;  provided,  however, that the provisions of
Article VI and Article  VIII are  intended  for the benefit of the  entities and
individuals  specified  therein  and  their  respective  legal  representatives,
successors and assigns.

     11.3  Action to be Taken by  Affiliates.  The  Parties  shall  cause  their
respective  Affiliates to comply with all of the  obligations  specified in this
Agreement to be performed by such Affiliates.

     11.4 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement (including the documents referred to
herein) and the Confidentiality  Agreement constitute the entire agreement among
Buyer,   Seller  and  the  Parents.   This   Agreement   supersedes   any  prior
understandings,  agreements,  or representations by or between Buyer, on the one
hand, and Seller and/or any or all Parents,  on the other hand,  whether written
or  oral,   with  respect  to  the  subject   matter   hereof  (other  than  the
Confidentiality Agreement).

     11.5  Succession and  Assignment.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the Parties named herein and their respective successors


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and permitted  assigns.  No Party may assign either this Agreement or any of its
rights,  interests,  or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval
of the other Parties.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  (i) Buyer may, by prior
written  notice to Seller,  assign some or all of its rights,  interests  and/or
obligations hereunder to (A) one or more banks or other commercial lenders which
provide  financing  to Buyer  from  time to time,  (B) any  successor  to all or
substantially  all of its business and assets or (C) one or more  Affiliates  of
Buyer (each, a "Buyer Designated Transferee");  provided that (I) as a condition
of  such  assignment  the  Designated  Transferee  agrees  to be  bound  by  the
provisions of this Agreement and (II) no such assignment  shall relieve Buyer of
any of its obligations  hereunder,  and (ii) Seller and any Parent may, by prior
written  notice to Buyer,  assign  some or all of its rights,  interests  and/or
obligations hereunder to (A) one or more banks or other commercial lenders which
provide  financing to Seller or any Parent from time to time,  (B) any successor
to all or  substantially  all of the business and assets or Seller or any Parent
or (C)  one or  more  Affiliates  of  Seller  or any  Parent  (each,  a  "Seller
Designated Transferee"); provided that (I) as a condition of such assignment the
Seller  Designated  Transferee  agrees  to be  bound by the  provisions  of this
Agreement and (II) no such assignment shall relieve Thermo Electron  Corporation
of any of its  obligations  hereunder.  If Buyer so assigns  any of its  rights,
interests  and/or  obligations   hereunder  to  one  or  more  Buyer  Designated
Transferees,  unless the context  otherwise  requires,  all references herein to
Buyer  shall mean and include  both Buyer and any and all such Buyer  Designated
Transferees.  If Seller or any Parent so assigns  any of its  rights,  interests
and/or  obligations  hereunder  to one or more  Seller  Designated  Transferees,
unless the context otherwise  requires,  all references herein to Seller or such
Parent,  as  applicable,  shall mean and include both Seller or such Parent,  as
applicable, and any and all such Seller Designated Transferees.

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<PAGE>


     11.6  Counterparts.   This  Agreement  may  be  executed  in  two  or  more
counterparts,  each of  which  shall  be  deemed  an  original  but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.


     11.7  Headings.  The  section  headings  contained  in this  Agreement  are
inserted  for  convenience  only and shall not affect in any way the  meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.

 11.8 Notices.  All notices,
     requests, demands, claims and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing. Any notice,  request,  demand,  claim or other communication  hereunder
shall be  deemed  duly  delivered  one  Business  Day  after it is sent by (a) a
reputable courier service  guaranteeing  delivery within one Business Day or (b)
telecopy,   provided  electronic  confirmation  of  successful  transmission  is
received by the sending Party and a confirmation copy is sent on the same day as
the telecopy  transmission by certified mail, return receipt requested,  in each
case to the intended recipient as set forth below:


If to Buyer: Copy to:

Hologic, Inc.                           Brown, Rudnick, Freed & Gesmer
35 Crosby Drive                         One Financial Center
Bedford, Massachusetts                  Boston, Massachusetts 02111
Telecopy:  (781) 280-0669               Telecopy:  (617) 856-8201
Attention:  Glenn Muir                  Attention:  Philip Flink, Esq.

If to Seller:                           If to Parents:
Trex Medical Corporation                Thermo Electron Corporation
81 Wyman Street                         81 Wyman Street
P.O. Box 9046                           P.O. Box 9046
Waltham, Massachusetts 02254-9046       Waltham, Massachusetts 02254-9046
Telecopy:  (781) 768-6655               Telecopy  (617) 622-1283
Attention:  James H. DaCosta            Attention:  General Counsel


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<PAGE>

                                        Copies to:
                                        Hale and Dorr LLP
                                        60 State Street
                                        Boston, Massachusetts  02109
                                        Telecopy:  (617) 526-5000
                                        Attention:  Hal J. Leibowitz, Esq.

     Any  Party  may  give  any  notice,   request,   demand,  claim,  or  other
communication  hereunder  using any other means  (including  personal  delivery,
expedited courier, messenger service, telex, ordinary mail, or electronic mail),
but no such  notice,  request,  demand,  claim or other  communication  shall be
deemed to have been duly given  unless and until it  actually is received by the
Party for whom it is  intended.  Any  Party  may  change  the  address  to which
notices, requests,  demands, claims and other communications hereunder are to be
delivered by giving the other Parties notice in the manner herein set forth.

     11.9 Governing  Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the Commonwealth of  Massachusetts  without
giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the
Commonwealth of  Massachusetts or any other  jurisdiction)  that would cause the
application of laws of any jurisdiction  other than those of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.

     11.10  Amendments and Waivers.  The Parties may mutually amend or waive any
provision of this Agreement at any time. No amendment or waiver of any provision
of this Agreement  shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing  expressly
indicating the intent to amend or waive a provision of this Agreement and signed
by the Party against whom enforcement of such waiver or amendment is sought.  No
waiver by any Party of any default, misrepresentation,  or breach of warranty or
covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, shall be deemed to extend to any
prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant
hereunder  or affect  in any way any  rights  arising  by virtue of any prior or
subsequent such occurrence.

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<PAGE>

     11.11 Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid
or  unenforceable  in any  situation  in any  jurisdiction  shall not affect the
validity or  enforceability  of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the
validity or enforceability of the term or provision in any other situation or in
any  other  jurisdiction.  If  the  final  judgment  of  a  court  of  competent
jurisdiction   declares  that  any  term  or  provision  hereof  is  invalid  or
unenforceable,  the  Parties  agree that the body  making the  determination  of
invalidity  or  unenforceability  shall  have the  power to  reduce  the  scope,
duration or area of the offending term or provision, to delete specific words or
phrases,  or to replace any invalid or  unenforceable  term or provision  with a
term or  provision  that is valid and  enforceable  and that  comes  closest  to
expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision,  and
this  Agreement  shall be enforceable as so modified after the expiration of the
time within  which the judgment  may be  appealed.  If such body  declines to so
amend this Agreement, upon determination that any term or other provision hereof
is invalid,  illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate
in good faith to modify this  Agreement so as to effect the  original  intent of
the Parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby
are fulfilled to the extent possible.

     11.12 Expenses.  Except as otherwise  specifically provided to the contrary
in this  Agreement,  each of the Parties  shall bear its own costs and expenses,
including  legal fees and expenses,  incurred in connection  with this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby.

     11.13 Specific  Performance.  Each Party  acknowledges  and agrees that the
other Party would be damaged  irreparably  in the event any of the provisions of
this  Agreement  are not performed in accordance  with their  specific  terms or
otherwise are breached.  Accordingly, each Party agrees that the other Party may
be  entitled  to an  injunction  or  injunctions  to  prevent  breaches  of  the


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provisions of this Agreement and to enforce  specifically this Agreement and the
terms and provisions  hereof in any action instituted in any court of the United
States or any state thereof having jurisdiction over the Parties and the matter.

     11.14 Submission to  Jurisdiction.  Each Party (a) submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction  of any state or  federal  court  sitting  in the  Commonwealth  of
Massachusetts  in any action or  proceeding  arising  out of or relating to this
Agreement,  (b) agrees that all claims in respect of such  action or  proceeding
may be heard and determined only in any such court,  and (c) agrees not to bring
any action or  proceeding  arising out of or relating to this  Agreement  in any
other  court.  Each  Party  waives  any  defense  of  inconvenient  forum to the
maintenance  of any action or proceeding so brought and waives any bond,  surety
or other  security  that might be required  of the other  Parties  with  respect
thereto.  Any Party may make service on any other Party by sending or delivering
a copy of the process to the Party to be served at the address and in the manner
provided  for the giving of notices in  Section  11.8.  Nothing in this  Section
11.14,  however,  shall affect the right of any Party to serve legal  process in
any other manner permitted by law.

     11.15 Bulk Transfer Laws.  Buyer  acknowledges  that Seller will not comply
with the provisions of the bulk transfer laws of any  jurisdiction in connection
with the transaction contemplated by this Agreement.

     11.16 Construction.  The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to
be the language chosen by the Parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and
no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any Party. Any reference
to any federal,  state,  local or foreign statute or law shall be deemed also to
refer to all rules and regulations  promulgated  thereunder,  unless the context


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requires otherwise.  All references to "$", "Dollars" or "US$" refer to currency
of the United States of America.

     11.17  Incorporation  of Exhibits and  Schedules.  The Exhibits,  Schedules
(including the Disclosure Schedule) and Annexes identified in this Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.

     11.18  Facsimile  Signature.  This  Agreement  may be executed by facsimile
signature which for all purposes shall be equivalent to an original signature.


                 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]



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<PAGE>



      IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.

                                          SELLER:

                                          TREX MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
                                          By:___________________________________
                                          Name:_________________________________
                                          Title:________________________________

                                          BUYER:

                                          HOLOGIC, INC.
                                          By:___________________________________
                                          Name:_________________________________
                                          Title:________________________________

                                          PARENTS:

                                          The undersigned hereby enter into this
                                    Agreement  for the purpose of agreeing to be
                                    bound by the provisions of Sections 6.7 and
                                          10.2 and Article XI hereof

                                          TREX MEDICAL CORPORATION
                                          By:___________________________________
                                          Name:_________________________________
                                          Title:________________________________

                                          THERMOTREX CORPORATION
                                          By:___________________________________
                                          Name:_________________________________
                                          Title:________________________________



              [Signature page 1 to Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement]

                                      112
<PAGE>
                                          THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION
                                          By:___________________________________
                                          Name:_________________________________
                                          Title:________________________________



             [Signature page 2 to Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement]




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