OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL INC
10-Q, 1998-05-15
CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY & EQUIP
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                                    FORM 10-Q
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 1998
Commission File Number: 0-21461



                          OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


        Delaware                                            43-1721419
    (State or other jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                      Identification No.)



             222 East Main Street, Port Washington, Wisconsin 53074
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip Code)


                                 (414) 268-8965
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (registrant's telephone number, including area code)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
   to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
  was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
                       requirements for the past 90 days.
                                  Yes _X_ No___

    The number of shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, of the registrant
                 outstanding as of May 15, 1998 was 14,260,000.

<PAGE>

OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Index
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                            Page
                                                                          Number
                                                                          ------
Part I   Financial Information

         Item 1.      Financial Statements (Unaudited, except as noted)

                      Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 1998
                        and September 30, 1997 (Audited)                       3

                      Consolidated Statement of Income for the
                        three months and six months ended March 31, 1998
                        and March 31, 1997                                     4

                      Consolidated Statement of Changes in
                        Stockholders' Equity for the six months
                        ended March 31, 1998                                   5

                      Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the
                        six months ended March 31, 1998 and
                        March 31, 1997                                         6

                      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements            7-10

         Item 2.      Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of
                        Operations and Financial Condition                 11-18

Part II  Other Information

         Item 4.      Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     19

         Item 6.      Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                     19-20

Signature                                                                     21

                                        2
<PAGE>

OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
                                              March 31, 1998  September 30, 1997
Assets                                          (Unaudited)

Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                             $862             $5
  Accounts receivable, net                            61,743         22,689
  Inventories                                         66,254         30,956
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets            9,532          6,640
                                                 ------------   ------------
             Total current assets                    138,391         60,290
Property, plant and equipment, net                    37,774         17,130
Goodwill, net                                        123,505         65,359
Other assets, net                                      2,274          1,519
                                                 ------------   ------------
                                                    $301,944       $144,298
                                                 ============   ============
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:
  Current portion of long-term debt                  $11,250         $8,625
  Accounts payable                                    44,918         20,433
  Accrued liabilities                                 21,046         16,830
                                                 ------------   ------------
             Total current                            77,214         45,888
             liabilities                         ------------   ------------

Long-term debt                                       141,057         25,609
Other noncurrent liabilities, net                        422            422
Deferred income taxes                                  1,981          1,981
                                                 ------------   ------------
                                                     143,460         28,012
                                                 ------------   ------------
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 3 and 7)

Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 1,500,000 shares
    authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
 Common stock, $.01 par value,  100,000,000  shares
    authorized;  14,260,000 and 14,250,000 shares
    issued and
    outstanding at March 31, 1998 and
    September 30, 1997, respectively                     143           143
 Additional paid-in capital                           43,902        43,726
 Notes receivable from stockholders and other          (528)         (352)
 Cumulative translation adjustment                     (737)             0
 Retained earnings                                    38,490        26,881
                                                  -----------    ----------
             Total stockholders' equity               81,270        70,398
                                                  -----------    ----------
                                                    $301,944      $144,298
                                                  ===========    ==========

          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                        3
<PAGE>

OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Statement of Income
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
<TABLE>

<CAPTION>

                                               Three months ended March 31,  Six months ended March 31, 
                                                  1998           1997          1998             1997
<S>                                               <C>             <C>           <C>              <C>

Net sales                                      $ 119,378       $  63,452     $ 203,953       $ 122,618

Cost of sales
                                                  91,885          46,345       155,318          90,232
                                               -------------------------------------------------------

Gross profit                                      27,493          17,107        48,635          32,386

Selling, general and administrative expenses      12,362           6,719        21,821          12,474
                                               -------------------------------------------------------

Operating profit                                  15,131          10,388        26,814           19,912

Other expenses:
  Interest on indebtedness
                                                  2,857           1,883          4,662            4,182
  Other finance charges
                                                    628             467          1,302            1,001
  Other, net
                                                     52            (25)              5             (86)
                                               --------------------------------------------------------

                                                  3,537           2,325          5,969            5,097
                                               --------------------------------------------------------

Income before income taxes and
  extraordinary items
                                                 11,594           8,063         20,845           14,815
Provision for income taxes
                                                  4,695           3,266          8,406            6,040
                                               --------------------------------------------------------
Income before extraordinary items
                                                  6,899           4,797         12,439            8,775

Extraordinary items, net of tax
                                                      -           (782)           (545)            (782)
                                               ---------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                     $  6,899        $  4,015       $  11,894       $    7,993
                                               =========================================================

Basic earnings per share:
  Income before extraordinary items            $   0.48        $   0.41       $    0.87       $     0.77
  Extraordinary items
                                                      -          (0.06)          (0.04)           (0.07)
                                               ---------------------------------------------------------
  Net income                                   $   0.48        $   0.35       $    0.83       $     0.70
                                               =========================================================

Weighted average shares                        $ 14,260        $ 11,617       $  14,257       $   11,431
                                               =========================================================

Diluted earnings per share:
  Income before extraordinary items            $   0.48        $   0.41       $    0.86       $     0.77
  Extraordinary items
                                                      -          (0.06)          (0.04)           (0.07)
                                               ---------------------------------------------------------
  Net income                                   $   0.48        $   0.35       $    0.82       $     0.70
                                               =========================================================

Weighted average shares                          14,478          11,617          14,423           11,432
                                               =========================================================
</TABLE>
          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       4
<PAGE>

OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Notes
                                                                         receivable
                                                         Additional         from
                                            Common         paid-in       stockholders      Translation      Retained
                                             stock         capital        and other         adjustment      earnings       Total
                                             -----         -------        ---------         ----------      --------       -----
<S>                                           <C>            <C>            <C>                <C>             <C>           <C>

Balance, September 30, 1997                   $143         $43,726            ($352)               $0        $26,881       $70,398
Issuance of restricted stock                                   176             (176)                                             0
Cumulative translation adjustment                                                                (737)                       (737)
Dividends paid                                                                                                 (285)         (285)
Net income                                                                                                    11,894        11,894
                                          ----------- ------------ ----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------

Balance, March 31, 1998                        $143       $43,902             ($528)            ($737)       $38,490       $81,270
                                          =========== ============ ================= ================= ============= =============
</TABLE>
          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       5
<PAGE>

OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Note 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Six months ended
                                                                                       March 31,
<S>                                                                                <C>         <C> 
                                                                                      1998        1997
Cash flows from operating activities:                                                 ----        ----
  Net income                                                                        $11,894      $7,993
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
    by operating activities:
    Depreciation                                                                      2,187       1,048
    Amortization                                                                      1,533         991
    Loss on debt refinancing                                                            916       1,303
    Other                                                                                20        (22)
    (Increase)   decrease  in  current  assets,   excluding  the  effect  of  an
      acquisition:
      Accounts receivable, net                                                     (23,253)     (3,341)
      Inventories                                                                   (2,680)     (2,694)
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                        (85)        (46)
    Increase  (decrease)  in  current  liabilities,  excluding  the effect of an
      acquisition:
      Accounts payable                                                               12,190         239
      Other current liabilities                                                     (6,118)     (2,764)
                                                                                ------------------------

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                 (3,396)       2,707
                                                                                ------------------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Acquisition of net assets of Snorkel Division of Figgie International Inc.     (107,706)          --
   Capital expenditures, net                                                        (3,350)       (589)
   Payments to former TRAK shareholders for ATLAS program                                --       (838)
   Other                                                                                 --         356
                                                                                ------------------------

Net cash used in investing activities                                             (111,056)     (1,071)
                                                                                ------------------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Proceeds from initial public offering                                                 --      37,557
   Proceeds from refinancing                                                        125,000          --
   Net proceeds from revolver                                                        26,698       (831)
   Payments on long-term debt                                                      (33,625)    (37,400)
   Payment of dividends                                                               (285)          --
   Financing costs                                                                  (1,742)     (1,010)
                                                                                ------------------------

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                 116,046     (1,684)
                                                                                ------------------------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                                               (737)          --
                                                                                ------------------------

Net change in cash                                                                      857        (48)
Cash beginning of period                                                                  5          53
                                                                                ------------------------

Cash at end of period                                                                  $862          $5
                                                                                ========================
</TABLE>
          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       6
<PAGE>

OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)

1.        Unaudited consolidated financial statements

          The  accompanying   unaudited  consolidated  financial  statements  of
          OmniQuip  International,  Inc.  (OmniQuip  or the  Company)  have been
          prepared in accordance with the  instructions for Form 10-Q and do not
          include all of the  information  and  footnotes  required by generally
          accepted  accounting  principles  for complete  financial  statements.
          However, in the opinion of management,  such information  includes all
          adjustments,  which consist only of normal and recurring  adjustments,
          necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the
          periods   presented.   Operating  results  for  any  quarter  are  not
          necessarily indicative of the results for any other quarter or for the
          full year.  These  statements  should be read in conjunction  with the
          Company's   consolidated   financial   statements  and  notes  to  the
          consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Form 8-K/A
          filed on December  12, 1997 and  incorporated  by  reference  into the
          Company's Form 10-K filed on December 24, 1997.

2.        Organization

          OmniQuip   owns  100%  of  the   outstanding   common   stock  of  its
          subsidiaries,  TRAK  International,  Inc. (TRAK),  Lull International,
          Inc.  (Lull),  and  Snorkel   International,   Inc.   (Snorkel).   The
          consolidated  financial statements include the accounts of the Company
          and  its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries.   All  significant  intercompany
          transactions and balances have been eliminated.

          The accounts of the Company's  foreign  subsidiaries are maintained in
          their  respective  local  currencies.  The  accompanying  consolidated
          financial statements have been translated and adjusted to reflect U.S.
          dollars on the following basis:  Assets and liabilities are translated
          into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Income and expense items
          are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the period.
          Adjustments resulting from the process of translating the consolidated
          amounts into U.S.  dollars are  accumulated in a separate  translation
          adjustment account, included in stockholders' equity. Common stock and
          additional  paid-in  capital are  translated  at the  historical  U.S.
          dollar  equivalent  in  effect  at the  date of  acquisition.  Foreign
          currency  transaction  gains  and  losses  are  included  in  earnings
          currently.  The foreign currency  transaction gains and losses for the
          six  months  ended  March  31,  1998  were not  material. 

3.        Snorkel acquisition and related financing

          On November 17,  1997,  OmniQuip  purchased  certain net assets of the
          Snorkel   Division  of  Figgie   International   Inc.   (Snorkel),   a
          Midwest-based  manufacturer  of aerial work  platforms and aerial fire
          apparatus, in a transaction accounted for


                                       7
<PAGE>
OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)


          under the purchase  method of  accounting.  The cash purchase price of
          approximately  $100,000 was financed by borrowing under a new $165,000
          senior credit facility which replaced the Company's existing facility.
          The  purchase  price has been  preliminarily  allocated  to the assets
          acquired and liabilities  assumed based on estimated fair values;  the
          excess of purchase  price over the estimated  fair value of net assets
          acquired at the date of acquisition  (goodwill)  approximated $59,000.
          The purchase  price may be increased up to $50,000  based on Snorkel's
          net  sales  between  April  1,  1998  and  March  31,  1999;  any such
          additional  purchase  price  consideration  is  expected  to result in
          additional  goodwill  for  financial  reporting  purposes.   Snorkel's
          results of  operations  are  reflected in the  accompanying  financial
          statements from the date of acquisition.

          During  November 1997, in connection  with the acquisition of Snorkel,
          the Company  entered  into a new credit  facility  which  replaced the
          existing loan and security agreement. The new agreement provides for a
          $165,000  credit  facility  consisting of a $40,000  revolving  credit
          facility which expires in 2004 and a $125,000 term loan. The term loan
          requires  quarterly  principal  payments ranging from $2,500 to $6,250
          commencing  on February  28, 1998 with the final  maturity on November
          30, 2004.  Borrowings  under the  agreement  bear interest at prime or
          LIBOR plus 1.00% (6.2% to 8.5% at March 31, 1998). Amounts outstanding
          under the  revolving  credit  facility and term loan at March 31, 1998
          were $29,807 and $122,500,  respectively. In conjunction with entering
          into the new credit facility,  the Company recognized an extraordinary
          loss in November 1997 of $545 attributable to the write-off of $916 of
          unamortized  deferred  financing  fees,  net  of a  related  $371  tax
          benefit.

          The  following  tables sets forth  certain pro forma  information  for
          OmniQuip  as if the  Snorkel  acquisition  had  occurred on October 1,
          1996. This  information is unaudited and does not purport to represent
          actual  net  sales  or  income  before   extraordinary  loss  had  the
          acquisition actually occurred on October 1, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Pro forma financial information (unaudited)
                                                     For the six months        For the six months
                                                    ended March 31, 1998      ended March 31, 1997
          <S>                                               <C>                     <C>

          Net sales                                             $219,845                  $202,033
          Income before extraordinary loss                       $11,569                   $12,064
          Basic earnings per common share
           Before extraordinary loss                               $0.81                     $1.06
          Basic weighted average shares                           14,257                    11,431
          Diluted earnings per common share
           Before extraordinary loss                               $0.81                     $1.06
          Diluted weighted average shares                         14,423                    11,432

</TABLE>

                                       8
<PAGE>
OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)

4.       Inventories

         Inventories consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            March 31, 1998        September 30,
                                                              (unaudited)             1997
                                                            --------------     ------------------
           <S>                                                      <C>                      <C>

           Raw material and purchased components                   $23,562                $18,313
           Work in process                                           9,508                  3,694
           Finished goods                                           31,656                  6,090
           Unbilled government contract costs                        1,528                  2,859
                                                                     -----                  -----
                                                                   $66,254                $30,956
                                                                   =======                =======
</TABLE>

5.       Stock Options

         The Company has two stock option plans:  the Long-Term  Incentive  Plan
         and the Directors Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan.

         A summary of the status of the Company's  Long-Term  Incentive Plan and
         Directors  Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan as of March 31, 1998 and the
         changes during the six months then ended is presented below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           March 31, 1998
                                                                                   Weighted average
                                                                      Shares        exercise price
                                                                     -------       ----------------
          <S>                                                           <C>               <C>

          Outstanding at beginning of period                         438,752           $ 13.98
          Granted                                                    194,750           $ 18.80
          Exercised                                                       --           $    --
          Forfeited                                                 (27,252)           $ 14.88
                                                                    --------
          Outstanding at end of period                               606,250           $ 15.44
                                                                    ========           =======
          Exercisable at end of period                                    --           $    --
                                                                    ========           =======
</TABLE>
6.        Earnings Per Share

          In February  1997,  the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board issued
          Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  128 (SFAS  128),
          "Earnings  Per  Share",  which  changed the method of  computation  of
          earnings per share (EPS).  SFAS 128 requires the  computation of Basic
          EPS and Diluted EPS. Basic EPS is based on the weighted average number
          of  outstanding  common shares during the period but does not consider
          dilution for potentially dilutive securities. Diluted EPS reflects the
          effects of common  equivalent  shares  consisting of outstanding stock
          options.  The  common  equivalent  shares  arising  from the effect of
          outstanding

                                       9
<PAGE>
OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)


          stock  options were  computed  using the  treasury  stock  method,  if
          dilutive.  EPS for the three and six months  ended  March 31, 1997 has
          been restated in accordance with SFAS 128.

7.       Commitments and contingencies

         The  Company  is  included  in  various  litigation  consisting  almost
         entirely of product and general  liability claims arising in the normal
         course of business.  The Company maintains  insurance policies relative
         to product and general  liability claims and has provided  reserves for
         the estimated cost of the self-insured  retention;  accordingly,  these
         actions, when ultimately concluded, are not expected to have a material
         adverse  effect on the  financial  position or results of operations of
         the Company.

         The  Company  has  financing   arrangements  with  certain  third-party
         financing  institutions  to  facilitate  dealer  purchases of equipment
         under  floor  plan  and  rental  fleet   arrangements.   The  aggregate
         outstanding loan balance on a consolidated basis under these agreements
         was $58,500 at March 31,  1998.  Under the  Company's  agreements,  the
         Company either provides a back-up  guarantee of a dealer's credit or an
         undertaking to repurchase  equipment at a discounted price at specified
         times or under specified  circumstances.  The Company's actual exposure
         under  these  financing  arrangements  is  significantly  less than the
         nominal amount outstanding. Aggregate losses under substantially all of
         the Company's guarantee obligations to third party lenders with respect
         to the  Company's  dealers in each of calendar  years 1997 and 1998 are
         limited  to the  greater  of  $1,500 or 5% of the loan  balance  at the
         previous calendar year end (approximately $2,800 for 1998).

8.       Secondary Public Offering

         On March 11, 1998, a secondary  public  offering of the common stock of
         the Company became  effective,  in which Harbour Group Investments III,
         L.P. and an affiliate  sold an aggregate of 3,600,000  shares of common
         stock at an  offering  price of $25.50  per  share,  less  underwriting
         discounts  and  commissions.  No  proceeds  from the  secondary  public
         offering were received by the Company.

                                       10
<PAGE>

Item 2.              MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

Overview

The  following  discussion  summarizes  the  significant  factors  affecting the
consolidated   operating   results   and   financial   condition   of   OmniQuip
International, Inc. (OmniQuip or the Company) for the three and six months ended
March 31, 1998  compared to the three and six months ended March 31,  1997.  The
discussion  should  be read  in  conjunction  with  the  consolidated  financial
statements as of September 30, 1997 and the associated notes to the consolidated
financial  statements included in the Company's Form 8-K/A filed on December 12,
1997 and  incorporated  by  reference  into the  Company's  Form  10-K  filed on
December 24, 1997.

On  November  17,  1997,  OmniQuip  purchased  certain net assets of the Snorkel
Division of Figgie International Inc. (Snorkel), a Midwest-based manufacturer of
aerial work platforms and aerial fire apparatus,  in a transaction accounted for
under  the  purchase   method  of   accounting.   The  cash  purchase  price  of
approximately  $100 million was  financed by borrowing  under a new $165 million
senior credit  facility  which  replaced the Company's  existing  facility.  The
purchase  price has been  preliminarily  allocated  to the assets  acquired  and
liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values; the excess of purchase price
over the estimated fair value of net assets  acquired at the date of acquisition
(goodwill)  approximated $59 million.  The purchase price may be increased up to
$50 million  based on Snorkel's  net sales  between  April 1, 1998 and March 31,
1999; any such additional  purchase price consideration is expected to result in
additional  goodwill for  financial  reporting  purposes.  Snorkel's  results of
operations are reflected in the accompanying  financial statements from the date
of acquisition.

Certain statements included herein are forward-looking statements concerning the
Company's  operations,   economic  performance  and  financial  condition.  Such
statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could
differ  materially from those currently  anticipated due to a number of factors,
including cyclical  fluctuation in demand, loss of, or reduced orders under, the
Company's  contract  for the  sale of  ATLAS  vehicles,  the  inability  to make
complementary  acquisitions,  or to integrate any such  acquisitions,  and risks
associated  with the  substantial  borrowings  that may be  necessary to finance
acquisitions.

                                       11
<PAGE>

Results of Operations

The following  table sets forth for the periods  indicated the percentage of net
sales  represented  by certain  items  reflected in the  Company's  consolidated
statement of income:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                Three months ended         Six months ended
                                                    March 31,                  March 31,
                                                1998         1997          1998         1997
<S>                                              <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>   

Net sales                                      100.0%        100.0%       100.0%       100.0%
Cost of sales                                   77.0%         73.0%        76.2%        73.6%
                                                -----         -----        -----        -----
Gross profit                                    23.0%         27.0%        23.8%        26.4%
Selling, general and administrative
  expenses                                      10.4%         10.6%        10.7%        10.2%
                                                -----         -----        -----        -----
Operating income                                12.6%         16.4%        13.1%        16.2%
Interest expense                                 2.4%          3.0%         2.3%         3.4%
Other finance charges                            0.5%          0.7%         0.6%         0.8%
                                                 ----          ----         ----         ----
Income before income taxes and
  extraordinary items                            9.7%         12.7%        10.2%        12.0%
Provision for income taxes                       3.9%          5.2%         4.1%         4.9%
                                                 ----          ----         ----         ----
Income before extraordinary items                5.8%          7.5%         6.1%         7.1%
Extraordinary items                               --           1.2%         0.3%         0.6%
                                                 ----          ----         ----         ----
Net income                                       5.8%          6.3%         5.8%         6.5%
                                                 ====          ====         ====         ====

</TABLE>

Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 1997

Net sales for the three  months  ended March 31, 1998 were  $119.4  million,  an
increase of $55.9  million over net sales of $63.5  million for the three months
ended March 31, 1997. Net sales by product line were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      ($ in millions)
                                                                     Three months ended
                                                                         March 31,
                                                                                           increase
                                                          1998              1997          (decrease)
                                                          ----              ----          ----------
<S>                                                        <C>               <C>             <C>   

Commercial Telescopic Material Handlers            $      62.1       $      53.3        $     8.8
Military Telescopic Material Handlers                      5.5               1.0              4.5
Compact Products                                           5.1               5.4             (0.3)
Aerial Work Platforms                                     38.5                --             38.5
Parts and Other Products                                   8.2               3.8              4.4
                                                  -------------   --------------    -------------
                                                   $     119.4       $      63.5         $   55.9
                                                  =============   ==============    =============
</TABLE>

                                       12
<PAGE>

Commercial  sales of  telescopic  material  handlers  for the three months ended
March 31, 1998 were $62.1  million,  an increase of 16.6% over the 1997  period,
reflecting  continued  strong market growth for these  products.  Military sales
were $5.5  million for the three  months  ended March 31, 1998  compared to $1.0
million  for the prior  comparable  period as a result of  increased  production
under the U.S. Army ATLAS  contract.  Sales of compact  products  (which include
skid steer loaders,  mini-excavators and other small equipment) declined by 3.8%
for the quarter due  primarily  to various  weather-related  issues.  During the
quarter  ended March 31, 1998,  the Company  entered  into an agreement  with an
Italian  manufacturer of  mini-excavators to distribute the Company's skid steer
loaders  in  Europe  and to  sell  the  mini-excavators  through  the  Company's
distribution  network. The acquisition of Snorkel accounted for all of the $38.5
million  increase  in sales of aerial  work  platforms  and $3.8  million of the
increase in sales of parts and other  products  for the three months ended March
31,  1998.  Parts and  other  products,  excluding  Snorkel,  increased  by $0.6
million, or 15.1%, for the quarter primarily reflecting the increased population
of equipment in the field.

Gross  profit for the three months  ended March 31, 1998 was $27.5  million,  an
increase  of $10.4  million  over gross  profit of $17.1  million  for the three
months ended March 31, 1997. The increase in gross profit reflected the increase
in net sales  discussed  above.  Gross  margin  decreased to 23.0% for the three
months  ended  March 31,  1998 from 27.0% for the three  months  ended March 31,
1997.  The decline in gross margin was due to the addition of Snorkel sales at a
significantly  lower gross margin than existing OmniQuip sales, and, to a lesser
extent,  higher manufacturing costs at TRAK reflecting start-up costs related to
the new Millennia  series  telescopic  material handler and costs related to the
relocation of skid steer loader assembly and certain other production operations
to new leased facilities.

Selling,  general and administrative  (SG&A) expenses for the three months ended
March 31,  1998 were  $12.4  million,  an  increase  of $5.7  million  over SG&A
expenses of $6.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997. The increase
reflects the  acquisition of Snorkel and, to a lesser  extent,  costs related to
being a public  company which were not incurred  prior to the Company's  initial
public  offering on March 20, 1997.  SG&A  expenses as a percentage of net sales
decreased  to 10.4% for the three months ended March 31, 1998 from 10.6% for the
three months ended March 31, 1997 due to the effect of higher sales.

Operating income for the three months ended March 31, 1998 was $15.1 million, an
increase of $4.7 million,  or 45.7%,  over operating income of $10.4 million for
the three  months  ended  March 31,  1997 due to the  factors  discussed  above.
Operating  margin  decreased  to 12.6% for the three months ended March 31, 1998
from 16.4% for the 1997 period.  The decline in operating  margin  reflected the
factors discussed above.

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 1998 was $2.9 million,  an
increase of $1.0  million  compared to interest  expense of $1.9 million for the
three months ended


                                       13
<PAGE>

March 31, 1997.  The  increase in interest  expense was due to  additional  debt
incurred  as a result of the  Snorkel  acquisition  partially  offset by a lower
average interest rate.

Other finance charges,  which are primarily comprised of dealer-related  finance
charges, were $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998 compared to
$0.5  million for the three  months  ended March 31,  1997,  resulting  from the
higher sales leve1 for the 1998 period. Other finance charges as a percentage of
net sales  decreased to 0.5% from 0.7%.  The  reduction in finance  charges as a
percentage  of  sales  primarily   reflected  the  fact  that  Snorkel  has  not
historically incurred such charges.

Provision  for income  taxes for the three  months ended March 31, 1998 was $4.7
million  compared to $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997. The
increase  reflected  the increase in income before income taxes of $3.5 million.
The Company's effective tax rate was 40.5% for both periods.

Income from continuing  operations for the three months ended March 31, 1998 was
$6.9 million, an increase of $2.1 million, or 43.8%, over income from continuing
operations  for the three months ended March 31, 1997 as a result of the factors
described above.

In  March  1997,  in  connection  with  the  initial  public  offering  and  the
application  of the  proceeds  therefrom  to  repay  indebtedness,  the  Company
incurred an extraordinary  charge of $0.8 million, net of $0.5 million of income
tax benefits,  or $.06 per share,  related to prepayment penalties and write-off
of deferred financing charges.

Net  income for the three  months  ended  March 31,  1998 was $6.9  million,  an
increase  of $2.9  million,  or 71.8%,  over net income of $4.0  million for the
three months ended March 31, 1997, as a result of the factors described above.

Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.48 for the three months ended March
31, 1998.  Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March
31, 1997,  before the effect of the  extraordinary  item discussed  above,  were
$0.41.

                                       14
<PAGE>

Six Months Ended March 31, 1998 Compared to Six Months Ended March 31, 1997

Net sales for the six  months  ended  March 31,  1998 were  $204.0  million,  an
increase of $81.4  million  over net sales of $122.6  million for the six months
ended March 31, 1997.
Net sales by product line were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      ($ in millions)
                                                                      Six months ended
                                                                         March 31,
                                                                                           increase
                                                          1998              1997          (decrease)
                                                          ----              ----          ----------
<S>                                                         <C>              <C>             <C>  

Commercial Telescopic Material Handlers              $   114.8         $   103.5         $    11.3
Military Telescopic Material Handlers                     10.8               1.0               9.8
Compact Products                                          10.4              10.0               0.4
Aerial Work Platforms                                     54.6                --              54.6
Parts and Other Products                                  13.4               8.1               5.3
                                                   -----------        ----------        ----------
                                                    $    204.0         $   122.6         $    81.4
                                                   ===========        ==========        ==========
</TABLE>

Commercial sales of telescopic  material handlers for the six months ended March
31,  1998  were  $114.8  million,  an  increase  of 10.9%  over the 1997  period
reflecting  continued  strong market growth for these  products.  Military sales
were $10.8  million for the six months  ended  March 31,  1998  compared to $1.0
million  for the prior  comparable  period as a result of  increased  production
under the U.S. Army ATLAS contract. Sales of compact products for the six months
ended March 31, 1998 were $10.4 million, an increase of 3.7% compared to the six
months  ended March 31,  1997,  reflecting  modest  growth in skid steer  loader
sales.  The  acquisition  of  Snorkel  accounted  for all of the  $54.6  million
increase in sales of aerial work  platforms  and $5.2 million of the increase in
sales of parts and other products.

Gross  profit for the six months  ended  March 31,  1998 was $48.6  million,  an
increase of $16.2  million over gross profit of $32.4 million for the six months
ended March 31, 1997. The increase in gross profit reflected the increase in net
sales discussed  above.  The gross margin  decreased to 23.8% for the six months
ended March 31, 1998 from 26.4% for the six months  ended  March 31,  1997.  The
decline  in  gross  margin  was  due to  the  addition  of  Snorkel  sales  at a
significantly  lower gross margin than existing OmniQuip sales, and, to a lesser
extent,  higher manufacturing costs at TRAK reflecting start-up costs related to
the new Millennia  series  telescopic  material handler and costs related to the
relocation of skid steer loader assembly and certain other production operations
to new leased facilities.

SG&A  expenses  for the six months ended March 31, 1998 were $21.8  million,  an
increase of $9.3 million over SG&A  expenses of $12.5 million for the six months
ended
                                       15
<PAGE>

March 31, 1997.  The  increase  reflects  the  acquisition  of Snorkel and, to a
lesser  extent,  costs related to being a public company which were not incurred
prior to the Company's  initial public offering on March 20, 1997. SG&A expenses
as a percentage  of net sales  increased to 10.7% for the six months ended March
31, 1998 from 10.2% for the six months  ended March 31, 1997.  This  increase in
the SG&A percentage  primarily reflected the effects of the Snorkel acquisition,
including additional goodwill amortization,  as well as costs related to being a
public  company which were not incurred  prior to the Company's  initial  public
offering on March 20, 1997.

Operating  income for the six months ended March 31, 1998 was $26.8 million,  an
increase of $6.9 million,  or 34.7%,  over operating income of $19.9 million for
the six  months  ended  March  31,  1997  due to the  factors  discussed  above.
Operating margin decreased to 13.1% for the six months ended March 31, 1998 from
16.2% for the 1997 period. The decline in operating margin reflected the factors
discussed above.

Interest  expense for the six months ended March 31, 1998 was $4.7  million,  an
increase of $0.5  million  compared to interest  expense of $4.2 million for the
six months  ended March 31, 1997.  The  increase in interest  expense was due to
additional debt incurred as a result of the Snorkel acquisition partially offset
by a lower average interest rate.

Other finance  charges were $1.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 1998
compared to $1.0 million for the six months ended March 31, 1997, resulting from
the  higher  sales  leve1  for the  1998  period.  Other  finance  charges  as a
percentage  of net sales  decreased to 0.6% from 0.8%  reflecting  the fact that
Snorkel has not historically incurred such charges.

Provision  for income  taxes for the six months  ended  March 31,  1998 was $8.4
million  compared to $6.0 million for the six months  ended March 31, 1997.  The
increase  reflected  the increase in income before income taxes of $6.0 million.
The  Company's  effective  tax rate was 40.3% for the six months ended March 31,
1998 compared to 40.8% for the six months ended March 31, 1997.

Income from  continuing  operations  for the six months ended March 31, 1998 was
$12.4  million,  an  increase  of $3.7  million,  or  41.8%,  over  income  from
continuing operations for the six months ended March 31, 1997 as a result of the
factors described above.

In November  1997, in  connection  with the  refinancing  related to the Snorkel
acquisition,  the Company incurred an extraordinary  charge of $0.5 million, net
of $0.4 million of income tax benefits,  for the write-off of deferred financing
charges.  In March 1997, in connection  with the initial public offering and the
application  of the  proceeds  therefrom  to  repay  indebtedness,  the  Company
incurred an extraordinary  charge of $0.8 million, net of $0.5 million of income
tax  benefits,  related  to  prepayment  penalties  and  write-off  of  deferred
financing charges.

                                       16
<PAGE>
Net  income  for the six  months  ended  March 31,  1998 was $11.9  million,  an
increase of $3.9 million,  or 48.8%, over net income of $8.0 million for the six
months ended March 31, 1997, as a result of the factors described above.

Basic and diluted  earnings  per share,  before the effect of the  extraordinary
item discussed  above,  were $0.87 and $0.86,  respectively,  for the six months
ended March 31, 1998. Basic and diluted earnings per share, before the effect of
the  extraordinary  item  discussed  above,  were $0.77 for the six months ended
March 31, 1997.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

Net cash used in  operating  activities  of the Company was $3.4 million for the
six months ended March 31, 1998.  Working capital  (excluding the effects of the
Snorkel  acquisition and changes in cash and current portions of long-term debt)
increased by $19.9 million in the period,  primarily  reflecting a $23.3 million
increase in  accounts  receivable,  a $6.1  million  decrease  in other  current
liabilities  offset by a $12.2 million  increase in accounts  payable.  Accounts
receivable  increased  primarily  due to timing of  shipments  at the end of the
quarter.  The decrease in other  current  liabilities  primarily  reflected  the
issuance of volume rebates and the payment of year-end bonuses.  The increase in
accounts  payable  primarily  reflected  increased  inventory  purchases  due to
increases in production  schedules.  Net cash used in investing  activities  was
$111.1  million,  including  $3.4  million for capital  expenditures  and $107.7
million for  acquisition of the net assets of Snorkel.  These cash  requirements
were financed with a new credit facility described below.

Net cash  provided by operating  activities  of the Company was $2.7 million for
the six months ended March 31, 1997.  Working capital  (excluding the effects of
changes in cash and  current  portions  of  long-term  debt)  increased  by $8.6
million  for  the  period  reflecting   increases  in  accounts  receivable  and
inventories  to support  higher  sales  levels and reduced  accrued  liabilities
resulting  primarily from volume rebates applied to customer accounts during the
second fiscal quarter.  Cash provided by operating activities of the Company for
the period was used to finance capital expenditures of $0.6 million, payments to
former  TRAK  shareholders  of $0.8  million  tied to receipt of orders  under a
contract with the U.S. Army and repayment of existing indebtedness.

During November 1997, in connection with the acquisition of Snorkel, the Company
entered into a new credit facility which replaced the existing loan and security
agreement.  The new  agreement  provides for a $165.0  million  credit  facility
consisting of a $40.0 million  revolving  credit  facility and a $125.0  million
term loan. The term loan requires quarterly principal payments ranging from $2.5
million to $6.25 million commencing on February 28, 1998 with the final maturity
on November 30, 2004.  Borrowings  under the agreement bear interest at prime or
LIBOR plus 1.00%. In conjunction with entering into the new credit facility, the
Company  recognized  an  extraordinary  loss in  November  1997 of $0.5  million
attributable to the write-off of $0.9 million of unamortized  deferred financing
fees, net of related tax benefits.

                                       17
<PAGE>

On March 11,  1998,  a  secondary  public  offering  of the common  stock of the
Company became  effective,  in which Harbour Group  Investments III, L.P. and an
affiliate sold an aggregate of 3.6 million shares of common stock at an offering
price of $25.50 per share,  less  underwriting  discounts  and  commissions.  No
proceeds from the secondary public offering were received by the Company.

Amounts  outstanding  under the revolving  line of credit  facility at March 31,
1998  were  $29.8  million.  In  addition,  the  Company  had  $0.4  million  in
outstanding  letters of credit under this revolving line of credit facility.  At
March 31, 1998 the Company had unused  borrowing  capacity of $9.8 million under
this facility.

Based on its ability to generate funds from  operations and the  availability of
funds under its new credit  facilities,  the Company  believes that it will have
sufficient  funds  available to meet its  currently  anticipated  operating  and
capital  expenditure   requirements  for  its  existing  and  recently  acquired
operations.

Backlog

The Company's backlog as of March 31, 1998 was approximately  $201.7 million, of
which $28.8 million relates to the ATLAS military contract.  It is expected that
substantially  all  of  the  commercial  backlog  and  approximately  80% of the
military backlog will be shipped before March 31, 1999.

Year 2000

The Company utilizes computer information systems to internally record and track
information, as well as to interact with certain customers, suppliers, financial
institutions  and other  organizations.  Management has  preliminarily  assessed
risks and costs  related to  addressing  Year 2000 issues as they pertain to the
Company and its information  systems.  Based upon this  assessment,  the Company
does not believe that the modification of the Company's  systems to address such
matters  will have a material  impact on the  Company's  financial  position  or
results of operations.  However,  there are numerous  uncertainties  relating to
addressing Year 2000 issues. These include actual  implementation of measures to
address Year 2000 issues, the impact of outside parties appropriately addressing
their  Year 2000  issues,  and other  factors,  some of which may be beyond  the
Company's  control,  and all of which may cause  results  to be  different  than
currently anticipated by the Company.

                                       18
<PAGE>

OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.

PART II.  Other Information

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

         On February  10,  1998,  OmniQuip  International,  Inc.  held its first
         annual meeting of  stockholders  since its initial  public  offering on
         March 20, 1997. At the meeting,  the following  persons were elected to
         serve  on  the  Board  of  Directors   until  the  Annual   Meeting  of
         Stockholders in 2001:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                         For                    Withheld Authority
                                                        -----                   ------------------
            <S>                                      <C>                              <C>  

           Peter S. Finley                           12,229,288                       221,422
           Jeffrey L. Fox                            12,227,888                       222,822
           Jerry E. Ritter                           12,229,388                       221,322
</TABLE>

         Also  at  the  meeting,  the  selection  of  Price  Waterhouse  LLP  as
         independent  auditors  of the Company  was  ratified  by the  following
         votes:

                      For                              12,438,936
                      Against                               5,696
                      Abstain                               6,078


Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

         (a)      Exhibits

                  Exhibit 10.1 - Underwriting  Agreement,  dated March 11, 1998,
                  by and among  OmniQuip  International,  Inc.,  P. Enoch Stiff,
                  Harbour Group Investments III, L.P.,  Uniquip-HGI  Associates,
                  L.P.  and Morgan  Stanley & Co.  Incorporated,  Credit  Suisse
                  First  Boston  Corporation,  Schroder & Co. Inc. and Robert W.
                  Baird & Co.  Incorporated,  as  representatives of the several
                  U.S.  underwriters,  and  Morgan  Stanley & Co.  International
                  Limited, Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited, J. Henry
                  Schroder & Co. Limited and Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated,
                  as representatives of the several international underwriters

                  Exhibit  10.2 -  Indemnification  Agreement,  dated  March 11,
                  1998, by and among OmniQuip International, Inc., Harbour Group
                  Investments  III, L.P.,  Uniquip-HGI  Associates,  L.P. and P.
                  Enoch Stiff

                  Exhibit 27 - Financial Data Schedule

                                       19
<PAGE>
         (b)      Reports on Form 8-K

                  Form 8-K/A dated January 27, 1998 (amending the Form 8-K dated
                  December 2, 1997)





                                       20
<PAGE>

                          OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                    Signature

Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  and Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                    OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.



Date:  May 15, 1998                 /s/  Philip G. Franklin
                                    -----------------------
                                    Philip G. Franklin
                                    Vice President - Finance, Chief Financial
                                    Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
                                    (Principal financial and accounting
                                    officer)



<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       Page No. in Sequential
Exhibit No.  Description                                               Numbering System
- -----------  -----------                                               ----------------------
<S>          <C>                                                             <C>

10.1         Underwriting Agreement, dated March 11, 1998, by and
             among OmniQuip International, Inc., P. Enoch Stiff,
             Harbour Group Investments III, L.P., Uniquip-HGI
             Associates, L.P. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,
             Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Schroder & Co.
             Inc. and Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, as
             representatives of the several U.S. underwriters, and
             Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited, Credit
             Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited, J. Henry Schroder
             & Co. Limited and Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated,
             as representatives of the several international
             underwriters

10.2         Indemnification Agreement, dated March 11, 1998, by and
             among OmniQuip International, Inc., Harbour Group
             Investments III, L.P., Uniquip-HGI Associates, L.P. and
             P. Enoch Stiff

27           Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>


                                                                  CONFORMED COPY
















                                3,600,000 Shares


                          OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                         (Common Stock, $.01 par value)











                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT







March 11,1998
<PAGE>
                                                     
                                 March 11, 1998



Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
Schroder & Co. Inc.
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
c/o      Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
         1585 Broadway
         New York, New York  10036

Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited
J. Henry Schroder & Co. Limited
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
c/o      Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
         25 Cabot Square
         Canary Wharf
         London E14 4QA
         England

Dear Sirs and Mesdames:

                  Certain  stockholders  of  OmniQuip  International,   Inc.,  a
Delaware  corporation (the "Company"),  named in Schedule I hereto (the "Selling
Shareholders")  propose to sell to the several  Underwriters (as defined below),
an aggregate of 3,600,000  shares of the Company's  Common Stock, par value $.01
(the "Firm  Shares"),  each  Selling  Shareholder  selling  the amount set forth
opposite such Selling Shareholder's name in Schedule I hereto.

                    It is understood that, subject to the conditions hereinafter
stated,  2,880,000  Firm Shares  (the "U.S.  Firm  Shares")  will be sold to the
several U.S. Underwriters named in Schedule II hereto (the "U.S.  Underwriters")
in connection  with the offering and sale of such U.S. Firm Shares in the United
States  and  Canada to United  States and  Canadian  Persons  (as such terms are
defined in the Agreement  Between U.S. and  International  Underwriters  of even
date  herewith),  and 720,000 Firm Shares (the  "International  Shares") will be
sold to the several International Underwriters named in Schedule III hereto (the
"International  Underwriters")  in connection with the offering and sale of such
International  Shares outside the United States and Canada to persons other than
United States and Canadian Persons.  Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated,  Credit
Suisse First Boston  Corporation,  Schroder & Co. Inc. and Robert W. Baird & Co.
Incorporated shall act  as  representatives  (the  "U.S.  Representatives")
<PAGE>
of the  several  U.S.  Underwriters,  and  Morgan  Stanley  & Co.  International
Limited,  Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe)  Limited,  J. Henry Schroder & Co.
Limited and Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated shall act as representatives (the
"International  Representatives") of the several International Underwriters. The
U.S.   Underwriters   and  the   International   Underwriters   are  hereinafter
collectively referred to as the Underwriters.

                  The Selling  Shareholders  also propose to sell to the several
U.S.  Underwriters  not more than an additional  506,669 shares of the Company's
Common  Stock,  par  value  $.01 (the  "Additional  Shares")(each  such  Selling
Shareholder  selling the amount set forth  opposite  such Selling  Shareholder's
name in  Schedule I hereto),  if and to the  extent  that U.S.  Representatives,
shall have determined to exercise, on behalf of the U.S. Underwriters, the right
to purchase such shares of common stock granted to the Underwriters in Section 3
hereof.  The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are hereinafter  collectively
referred to as the "Shares." The shares of Common Stock,  par value $.01, of the
Company to be outstanding after giving effect to the sales  contemplated  hereby
are hereinafter referred to as the "Common Stock."

                  The  Company  has  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement,  relating to the Shares.
The  registration  statement  contains two prospectuses to be used in connection
with the offering  and sale of the Shares:  the U.S.  prospectus,  to be used in
connection  with the offering and sale of Shares in the United States and Canada
to United States and Canadian Persons, and the international  prospectus,  to be
used in  connection  with the  offering  and sale of Shares  outside  the United
States and Canada to persons other than United States and Canadian Persons.  The
international  prospectus  is  identical to the U.S.  prospectus  except for the
outside front cover page. The  registration  statement as amended at the time it
becomes  effective,  including the information (if any) deemed to be part of the
registration  statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the  "Securities  Act"),  is hereinafter
referred  to as the  "Registration  Statement";  the  U.S.  prospectus  and  the
international  prospectus in the respective forms first used to confirm sales of
Shares are  hereinafter  collectively  referred to as the  "Prospectus."  If the
Company has filed an abbreviated  registration  statement to register additional
shares of Common  Stock  pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the  Securities  Act (the
"Rule  462  Registration  Statement"),  then any  reference  herein  to the term
"Registration  Statement"  shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration
Statement.

                  1.  Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company
represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters that:

                  (a) The Registration  Statement has become effective;  no stop
         order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration  Statement is in
         effect,  and no 
<PAGE>
         proceedings  for such purpose are pending  before or, to the  Company's
         knowledge, threatened by the Commission.

                  (b) (i) The Registration Statement,  when it became effective,
         did not contain and, as amended or  supplemented,  if applicable,  will
         not contain any untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to state a
         material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the
         statements therein not misleading,  (ii) the Registration Statement and
         the Prospectus  comply and, as amended or supplemented,  if applicable,
         will comply in all material  respects with the  Securities  Act and the
         applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and (iii)
         the  Prospectus  does not contain and, as amended or  supplemented,  if
         applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
         omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein,
         in the light of the  circumstances  under  which  they were  made,  not
         misleading, except that the representations and warranties set forth in
         this  paragraph  1(b) do not apply to  statements  or  omissions in the
         Registration   Statement  or  the  Prospectus  based  upon  information
         relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such
         Underwriter through you expressly for use therein.

                  (c)  The  Company  has  been  duly  incorporated,  is  validly
         existing  as a  corporation  in good  standing  under  the  laws of the
         jurisdiction  of  its  incorporation,   has  the  corporate  power  and
         authority  to own its property and to conduct its business as described
         in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact  business and is in
         good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business
         or its ownership or leasing of property  requires  such  qualification,
         except to the extent that the failure to be so  qualified or be in good
         standing  would not have a material  adverse  effect on the Company and
         its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  (d) Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated,
         is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of
         the  jurisdiction  of its  incorporation,  has the corporate  power and
         authority  to own its property and to conduct its business as described
         in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact  business and is in
         good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business
         or its ownership or leasing of property  requires  such  qualification,
         except to the extent that the failure to be so  qualified or be in good
         standing  would not have a material  adverse  effect on the Company and
         its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; all of the issued shares of capital
         stock of each  subsidiary  of the  Company  have been duly and  validly
         authorized and issued,  are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned
         directly  by the  Company,  free and clear of all liens,  encumbrances,
         equities or claims, except as described in the Prospectus.
<PAGE>
                  (e) This  Agreement  has been duly  authorized,  executed  and
         delivered by the Company.

                  (f) The authorized capital stock of the Company conforms as to
         legal matters to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus.

                  (g) The  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock  (including  the
         Shares  to  be  sold  by  the  Selling  Shareholders)  have  been  duly
         authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

                  (h) The  execution  and  delivery  by the  Company of, and the
         performance  by the Company of its  obligations  under,  this Agreement
         will not contravene any provision of applicable law or the  certificate
         of  incorporation  or by-laws of the Company or any  agreement or other
         instrument  (after giving effect to any written  waiver of a default or
         written  consent to such  agreement  or  instrument)  binding  upon the
         Company or any of its subsidiaries  that is material to the Company and
         its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any judgment, order or decree of
         any governmental  body,  agency or court having  jurisdiction  over the
         Company or any subsidiary, and no consent,  approval,  authorization or
         order of, or  qualification  with, any  governmental  body or agency is
         required for the  performance by the Company of its  obligations  under
         this  Agreement,  except such as may be required by the  securities  or
         Blue Sky laws of the various states or the securities  laws of non-U.S.
         jurisdictions in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares.

                  (i) There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any
         development  involving a prospective  material  adverse change,  in the
         condition,  financial or  otherwise,  or in the  earnings,  business or
         operations of the Company and its subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, from
         that set  forth  in the  Prospectus  (exclusive  of any  amendments  or
         supplements   thereto  subsequent  to  the  date  of  this  Agreement).
         Subsequent to the respective dates as of which  information is given in
         the Registration Statement and the Prospectus,  (i) the Company and its
         subsidiaries  have not incurred any material  liability or  obligation,
         direct or contingent,  nor entered into any material transaction not in
         the ordinary course of business; (ii) the Company has not purchased any
         of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared,  paid or otherwise made
         any  dividend or  distribution  of any kind on its capital  stock other
         than ordinary and customary dividends; and (iii) there has not been any
         material change in the capital stock, short-term debt or long-term debt
         of the Company and its consolidated  subsidiaries,  except in each case
         as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus.

                  (j) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or,
         to the Company's  knowledge,  threatened to which the Company or any of
         its
<PAGE>
         subsidiaries  is a  party  or to  which  any of the  properties  of the
         Company or any of its  subsidiaries  is subject that are required to be
         described in the  Registration  Statement or the Prospectus and are not
         so described or any statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents
         that are required to be described in the Registration  Statement or the
         Prospectus  or to be filed as  exhibits to the  Registration  Statement
         that are not described or filed as required.

                  (k)  Each   preliminary   prospectus  filed  as  part  of  the
         registration  statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment
         thereto,  or filed  pursuant  to Rule 424  under  the  Securities  Act,
         complied when so filed in all material respects with the Securities Act
         and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

                  (l)  The  Company  is not  and,  after  giving  effect  to the
         offering and sale of the Shares and the  application of the proceeds as
         described in the  Prospectus,  will not be an "investment  company," as
         such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

                  (m) The Company  and its  subsidiaries  (i) are in  compliance
         with any and all applicable foreign,  federal, state and local laws and
         regulations  relating  to the  protection  of human  health  and safety
         (including   occupational  health  and  safety),   the  environment  or
         hazardous or toxic  substances or wastes,  pollutants  or  contaminants
         (collectively,  "Environmental  Laws"), (ii) have received all permits,
         licenses  or  other  approvals   required  of  them  under   applicable
         Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (iii) are
         in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license
         or approval,  except where such noncompliance with Environmental  Laws,
         failure to receive  required  permits,  licenses or other  approvals or
         failure  to  comply  with the  terms and  conditions  of such  permits,
         licenses or approvals  would not,  singly or in the  aggregate,  have a
         material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
         whole.

                  (n)  There  are  no  costs  or  liabilities   associated  with
         Environmental  Laws  (including,  without  limitation,  any  capital or
         operating expenditures required for clean-up,  closure of properties or
         compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit,  license or approval,
         any related  constraints  on  operating  activities  and any  potential
         liabilities to third parties) which would,  singly or in the aggregate,
         have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  condition,   financial  or
         otherwise, or on the earnings, business, prospects or operations of the
         Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  (o)  Except  as  described  in the  Prospectus,  there  are no
         contracts,  agreements  or  understandings  between the Company and any
         person granting
<PAGE>
         such  person the right to require  the  Company to file a  registration
         statement  under the  Securities  Act with respect to any securities of
         the Company or to require the Company to include such  securities  with
         the Shares registered pursuant to the Registration Statement.

                  (p) The Company and its subsidiaries  have good and marketable
         title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable  title
         to all  personal  property  owned  by them  which  is  material  to the
         business  of the Company  and its  subsidiaries,  in each case free and
         clear  of all  liens,  encumbrances  and  defects  except  such  as are
         described in the  Prospectus  or such as do not  materially  affect the
         value  of such  property  and do not  interfere  with  the use made and
         proposed  to  be  made  of  such   property  by  the  Company  and  its
         subsidiaries;  and any real property and buildings  held under lease by
         the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  are  held by  them  under  valid,
         subsisting  and  enforceable  leases  with such  exceptions  as are not
         material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made
         of such property and buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries,  in
         each case except as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus.

                  (q) The Company and its  subsidiaries  own or possess,  or can
         acquire on  reasonable  terms,  all material  patents,  patent  rights,
         licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and
         other  unpatented  and/or  unpatentable   proprietary  or  confidential
         information,  systems or  procedures),  trademarks,  service  marks and
         trade names currently  employed by them in connection with the business
         now  operated  by  them,  and  neither  the  Company  nor  any  of  its
         subsidiaries  has  received any notice of  infringement  of or conflict
         with  asserted  rights of others with  respect to any of the  foregoing
         which,  singly or in the  aggregate,  if the subject of an  unfavorable
         decision,  ruling or  finding,  would  result in any  material  adverse
         change in the  condition,  financial or otherwise,  or in the earnings,
         business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries,  taken as a
         whole.

                  (r) No  material  labor  dispute  with  the  employees  of the
         Company or any of its  subsidiaries  exists,  except as described in or
         contemplated by the Prospectus, or, to the knowledge of the Company, is
         imminent;  and the Company is not aware of any existing,  threatened or
         imminent  labor  disturbance  by the  employees of any of its principal
         suppliers,  manufacturers  or  contractors  that  could  result  in any
         material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in
         the   earnings,   business  or   operations  of  the  Company  and  its
         subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  (s) The  Company and each of its  subsidiaries  are insured by
         insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and
         risks  and  in  such
<PAGE>
         amounts as are prudent and  customary in the  businesses  in which they
         are  engaged;  neither the Company  nor any such  subsidiary  (but with
         respect  to any  period  prior to the  time  such  subsidiary  become a
         subsidiary  of the Company,  only with respect to periods after January
         1, 1992 and then only to the knowledge of the Company) has been refused
         any insurance  coverage  sought or applied for; and neither the Company
         nor any such  subsidiary  has any reason to believe that it will not be
         able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage
         expires or to obtain similar  coverage from similar  insurers as may be
         necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not  materially
         and adversely  affect the  condition,  financial or  otherwise,  or the
         earnings,  business or operations of the Company and its  subsidiaries,
         taken  as a  whole,  except  as  described  in or  contemplated  by the
         Prospectus.

                  (t) The Company and its subsidiaries possess all certificates,
         authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal,  state or
         foreign  regulatory  authorities  necessary to conduct their respective
         businesses,  and  neither  the  Company  nor any  such  subsidiary  has
         received  any  notice of  proceedings  relating  to the  revocation  or
         modification of any such certificate,  authorization or permit,  except
         for  failures  to  possess  and  proceedings  which,  singly and in the
         aggregate,  would not have a material  adverse effect on the condition,
         financial or otherwise,  or in the earnings,  business or operations of
         the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  (u) The Company and each of its subsidiaries maintain a system
         of  internal  accounting  controls  sufficient  to  provide  reasonable
         assurance  that  (i)  transactions  are  executed  in  accordance  with
         management's general or specific authorizations;  (ii) transactions are
         recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial  statements in
         conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting   principles  and  to
         maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only
         in accordance with management's general or specific authorization;  and
         (iv) the recorded  accounting  for assets is compared with the existing
         assets at  reasonable  intervals and  appropriate  action is taken with
         respect to any differences.

                  (v) The Company has complied  with all  provisions  of Section
         517.075,   Florida  Statutes   relating  to  doing  business  with  the
         Government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate located in Cuba.


                  2. Representations and Warranties of the Selling Shareholders.
Each Selling Shareholder  represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the
Underwriters that:
<PAGE>
                  (a) This  Agreement  has been duly  authorized,  executed  and
         delivered by or on behalf of such Selling Shareholder.

                  (b) The execution and delivery by such Selling Shareholder of,
         and the  performance  by such Selling  Shareholder  of its  obligations
         under,  this  Agreement will not contravene any provision of applicable
         law, or the agreement or  certificate  of limited  partnership  of such
         Selling Shareholder;  or any agreement or other instrument binding upon
         such  Selling  Shareholder  or any  judgment,  order or  decree  of any
         governmental  body,  agency  or court  having  jurisdiction  over  such
         Selling Shareholder,  and no consent, approval,  authorization or order
         of, or qualification  with, any governmental body or agency is required
         for the  performance  by such Selling  Shareholder  of its  obligations
         under this Agreement,  except such as may be required by the securities
         or Blue  Sky  laws of the  various  states  or the  securities  laws of
         non-U.S.  jurisdictions  in  connection  with the offer and sale of the
         Firm Shares.

                  (c) Such Selling  Shareholder has, and on the Closing Date and
         the Option Closing Date will have, valid title to the Shares to be sold
         by such  Selling  Shareholder  and the legal  right and power,  and all
         authorization  and  approval  required  by  law,  to  enter  into  this
         Agreement  and to sell,  transfer  and deliver the Shares to be sold by
         such Selling Shareholder.

                  (d) The Shares to be sold by such Selling Shareholder pursuant
         to this  Agreement have been duly  authorized  and are validly  issued,
         fully paid and non-assessable.

                  (e)  Delivery  of  the  Shares  to be  sold  by  such  Selling
         Shareholder  pursuant to this  Agreement will pass title to such Shares
         free and clear of any security interests,  claims,  liens, equities and
         other encumbrances.

                  (f) (i) The Registration Statement,  when it became effective,
         did not contain and, as amended or  supplemented,  if applicable,  will
         not contain any untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to state a
         material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the
         statements  therein not  misleading  and (ii) the  Prospectus  does not
         contain  and,  as  amended or  supplemented,  if  applicable,  will not
         contain  any untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omit to state a
         material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
         the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

                  3. Agreements to Sell and Purchase.  Each Selling Shareholder,
severally and not jointly,  hereby  agrees to sell to the several  Underwriters,
and each  Underwriter,  upon the  basis of the  representations  and  warranties
herein  contained,  but subject to the conditions  hereinafter  stated,  agrees,
severally  and not jointly,  to
<PAGE>
purchase from such Selling  Shareholder  at U.S.  $25.50 a share (the  "Purchase
Price") the number of Firm  Shares  (subject to such  adjustments  to  eliminate
fractional  shares as you may determine)  that bears the same  proportion to the
number of Firm Shares to be sold by such  Selling  Shareholder  as the number of
Firm Shares set forth in Schedules  II and III hereto  opposite the name of such
Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Shares.

                  On the basis of the representations  and warranties  contained
in this  Agreement,  and  subject  to its  terms  and  conditions,  the  Selling
Shareholders  agree to sell to the U.S.  Underwriters the Additional Shares, and
the  Underwriters  shall have a one-time  right to purchase,  severally  and not
jointly,  up to 506,669  Additional  Shares at the Purchase  Price.  If the U.S.
Representatives,  on behalf of the U.S.  Underwriters,  elect to  exercise  such
option,  the U.S.  Representatives  shall so notify the  Company and the Selling
Shareholders in writing not later than 30 days after the date of this Agreement,
which notice shall  specify the number of  Additional  Shares to be purchased by
the U.S.  Underwriters  and the date on which such  shares are to be  purchased.
Such date may be the same as the Closing Date (as defined below) but not earlier
than the Closing  Date nor later than ten  business  days after the date of such
notice.  Additional  Shares may be  purchased  as  provided  in Section 5 hereof
solely for the purpose of covering  over-allotments  made in connection with the
offering of the Firm Shares. If any Additional Shares are to be purchased,  each
U.S.  Underwriter  agrees,  severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of
Additional Shares (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as
the U.S.  Representatives  may determine)  that bears the same proportion to the
total number of  Additional  Shares to be purchased as the number of Firm Shares
set forth in Schedule II hereto opposite the name of such U.S. Underwriter bears
to the total number of U.S. Firm Shares.  The Additional  Shares to be purchased
by the U.S.  Underwriters and the U.S. Firm Shares are hereinafter  collectively
referred to as the "U.S.  Shares." If any Additional Shares are to be purchased,
the  Shares  held  by  Mr.  P.  Enoch  Stiff  shall  be  sold  first,  and  then
proportionately by the remaining Selling Shareholders.

                  The Company and each Selling  Shareholder  hereby agrees that,
without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf
of the  Underwriters,  it will not,  during the period  ending 90 days after the
date of the  Prospectus,  (i) offer,  pledge,  sell,  contract to sell, sell any
option or contract to purchase,  purchase any option or contract to sell,  grant
any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose
of,  directly  or  indirectly,  any  shares  of Common  Stock or any  securities
convertible  into or exercisable or exchangeable  for Common Stock or (ii) enter
into any swap or other  arrangement  that  transfers to another,  in whole or in
part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether
any such  transaction  described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by
delivery of Common Stock or such other  securities,  in cash or  otherwise.  The
foregoing sentence shall not apply to (A) the Shares to be sold hereunder or (B)
<PAGE>
the  issuance by the Company of shares of Common  Stock upon the  exercise of an
option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof
of which the Underwriters have been advised in writing. In addition, the Selling
Shareholders  agree that,  without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated on behalf of the Underwriters, they will not, during the period
ending  90 days  after  the date of the  Prospectus,  make any  demand  for,  or
exercise  any right with  respect to, the  registration  of any shares of Common
Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common
Stock.

                  4. Terms of Public  Offering.  The  Selling  Shareholders  are
advised by you that the Underwriters  propose to make a public offering of their
respective  portions of the Shares as soon after the Registration  Statement and
this  Agreement  have become  effective as in your  judgment is  advisable.  The
Selling  Shareholders  are  further  advised  by you that the  Shares  are to be
offered to the public  initially at U.S.  $25.50 a share (the  "Public  Offering
Price")  and to certain  dealers  selected by you at a price that  represents  a
concession not in excess of U.S. $0.775 a share under the Public Offering Price,
and that any Underwriter may allow, and such dealers may reallow,  a concession,
not in excess of U.S.  $0.10 a share,  to any  Underwriter  or to certain  other
dealers.

                  5. Payment and Delivery.  Payment for the Firm Shares shall be
made to the Selling Shareholders in Federal or other funds immediately available
in Chicago,  Illinois,  against  delivery of the Firm Shares for the  respective
accounts of the several Underwriters at the office of Sidley & Austin, One First
National Plaza,  Chicago,  Illinois 60603 at 9:00 a.m., local time, on March 17,
1998, or at such other time on the same or such other date, not later than March
24, 1998,  as shall be  designated  in writing by you. The time and date of such
payment are hereinafter referred to as the "Closing Date."

                  Payment for any Additional Shares shall be made to the Selling
Shareholders  in  Federal  or other  funds  immediately  available  in  Chicago,
Illinois against delivery of the Additional  Shares for the respective  accounts
of the several U.S.  Underwriters at the office of Sidley & Austin at 9:00 a.m.,
local time,  on the date  specified  in the notice  described in Section 3 or on
such  other  date,  in any event  not later  than  April 24,  1998,  as shall be
designated  in  writing  by the  U.S.  Representatives,  on  behalf  of the U.S.
Underwriters.  The time and date of such payment are hereinafter  referred to as
the "Option Closing Date."

                  Certificates  for the Firm Shares and Additional  Shares shall
be in definitive form and registered in such names and in such  denominations as
you shall  request in writing not later than one full  business day prior to the
Closing Date or the Option  Closing Date,  as the case may be. The  certificates
evidencing  the Firm Shares and  Additional  Shares shall be delivered to you on
the  Closing  Date or the  Option
<PAGE>
Closing  Date,  as the case may be, for the  respective  accounts of the several
Underwriters, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the transfer of
the Shares to the Underwriters duly paid,  against payment of the Purchase Price
therefor.

                  6.   Conditions   to  the   Underwriters'   Obligations.   The
obligations of the Selling  Shareholders to sell the Shares to the  Underwriters
and the several  obligations  of the  Underwriters  to purchase  and pay for the
Shares on the Closing Date are subject to the  condition  that the  Registration
Statement  shall have become  effective not later than 3:00 p.m. (New York time)
on the date hereof.

                  The several obligations of the Underwriters are subject to the
following further conditions:

                  (a) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement
         and prior to the Closing Date:

                         (i) there shall not have occurred any downgrading,  nor
                  shall any notice have been given of any  intended or potential
                  downgrading  or of any review for a possible  change that does
                  not indicate the  direction  of the  possible  change,  in the
                  rating  accorded  any  of  the  Company's  securities  by  any
                  "nationally  recognized  statistical rating  organization," as
                  such term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2)  under the
                  Securities Act; and

                         (ii) there shall not have  occurred any change,  or any
                  development  involving a prospective change, in the condition,
                  financial  or  otherwise,  or in  the  earnings,  business  or
                  operations  of the  Company and its  subsidiaries,  taken as a
                  whole, from that set forth in the Prospectus (exclusive of any
                  amendments or  supplements  thereto  subsequent to the date of
                  this  Agreement)  that,  in your  judgment,  is  material  and
                  adverse and that makes it, in your judgment,  impracticable to
                  market the Shares on the terms and in the manner  contemplated
                  in the Prospectus.

                  (b) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a
         certificate,  dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer
         of the Company,  to the effect set forth in clause  (a)(i) above and to
         the effect  that the  representations  and  warranties  of the  Company
         contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date
         and that the  Company  has  complied  with  all of the  agreements  and
         satisfied  all of  the  conditions  on  its  part  to be  performed  or
         satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date.

                  The officer signing and delivering  such  certificate may rely
         upon the best of his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened.
<PAGE>
                  (c) The  Underwriters  shall have received on the Closing Date
         an opinion of Dickstein  Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky LLP,  outside counsel
         for the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that:

                            (i) the  Company  has  been  duly  incorporated,  is
                  validly  existing as a corporation  in good standing under the
                  laws  of  the  jurisdiction  of  its  incorporation,  has  the
                  corporate  power  and  authority  to own its  property  and to
                  conduct its  business as described  in the  Prospectus  and is
                  duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in
                  each  jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its
                  ownership or leasing of property requires such  qualification,
                  except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be
                  in good standing  would not have a material  adverse effect on
                  the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

                           (ii) each  subsidiary  of the  Company  has been duly
                  incorporated,  is validly  existing as a  corporation  in good
                  standing   under   the  laws  of  the   jurisdiction   of  its
                  incorporation,  has the  corporate  power and authority to own
                  its  property  and to conduct its business as described in the
                  Prospectus and is duly  qualified to transact  business and is
                  in good standing in each  jurisdiction in which the conduct of
                  its business or its ownership or leasing of property  requires
                  such  qualification,  except to the extent that the failure to
                  be so  qualified  or be in  good  standing  would  not  have a
                  material  adverse effect on the Company and its  subsidiaries,
                  taken as a whole;

                           (iii) the  authorized  capital  stock of the  Company
                  conforms  as to  legal  matters  to  the  description  thereof
                  contained in the Prospectus;

                           (iv)  the   outstanding   shares  of   Common   Stock
                  (including the Shares to be sold by the Selling  Shareholders)
                  have been duly authorized and are validly  issued,  fully paid
                  and non-assessable;

                           (v) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
                  and delivered by the Company;

                           (vi) the  execution  and  delivery by the Company of,
                  and the performance by the Company of its  obligations  under,
                  this Agreement will not contravene any provision of applicable
                  law or the  certificate  of  incorporation  or  by-laws of the
                  Company  or,  to the  best of such  counsel's  knowledge,  any
                  agreement or other instrument  binding upon the Company or any
                  of its  subsidiaries  that is  material to the Company and its
                  subsidiaries,  taken  as a  whole,  or,  to the  best  of such
                  counsel's  knowledge,  any  judgment,  order or  decree of any
                  governmental  body,
<PAGE>
                  agency or court  having  jurisdiction  over the Company or any
                  subsidiary, and no consent,  approval,  authorization or order
                  of, or qualification  with, any governmental body or agency is
                  required for the performance by the Company of its obligations
                  under this  Agreement,  except  such as may be required by the
                  securities  or Blue  Sky  laws of the  various  states  or the
                  securities laws of non-U.S.  jurisdictions  in connection with
                  the offer and sale of the Shares;

                           (vii) the statements (A) in the Prospectus  under the
                  captions  "Management,"  "Principal and Selling Stockholders,"
                  "Certain  Transactions,"  "Description  of Capital  Stock" and
                  "Underwriters"  (only with respect to this  Agreement) and (B)
                  in the Registration Statement in Items 14 and 15, in each case
                  insofar as such statements  constitute  summaries of the legal
                  matters,  documents or proceedings referred to therein, fairly
                  present the information  called for with respect to such legal
                  matters,  documents and proceedings  and fairly  summarize the
                  matters referred to therein;

                           (viii) after due inquiry,  such counsel does not know
                  of any legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened
                  to which the Company or any of its  subsidiaries is a party or
                  to which any of the  properties  of the  Company or any of its
                  subsidiaries  is subject  that are required to be described in
                  the  Registration  Statement or the  Prospectus and are not so
                  described or of any statutes, regulations,  contracts or other
                  documents   that  are   required  to  be   described   in  the
                  Registration  Statement  or the  Prospectus  or to be filed as
                  exhibits to the Registration  Statement that are not described
                  or filed as required;

                           (ix) the Company is not an  "investment  company," as
                  such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
                  amended;

                           (x) Nothing has come to such counsel's attention that
                  the  Company  or  any  of  its  subsidiaries  (A)  are  not in
                  compliance with any and all applicable Environmental Laws, (B)
                  have not  received all  permits,  licenses or other  approvals
                  required of any of them under applicable Environmental Laws to
                  conduct  their  respective  businesses  and  (C)  are  not  in
                  compliance  with all terms and  conditions of any such permit,
                  license or  approval,  except  where such  noncompliance  with
                  Environmental  Laws,  failure  to  receive  required  permits,
                  licenses  or other  approvals  or failure  to comply  with the
                  terms and  conditions of such  permits,  licenses or approvals
                  would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse
                  effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,  taken as a whole;
                  and
<PAGE>
                         (xi)  such  counsel  (A) is of  the  opinion  that  the
                  Registration  Statement and  Prospectus  (except for financial
                  statements and schedules and other  financial and  statistical
                  data  included  therein  as to  which  such  counsel  need not
                  express  any  opinion)  comply  as to  form  in  all  material
                  respects with the Securities Act and the applicable  rules and
                  regulations of the Commission thereunder, (B) has no reason to
                  believe that (except for  financial  statements  and schedules
                  and other  financial  and  statistical  data as to which  such
                  counsel   need  not  express  any  belief)  the   Registration
                  Statement and the prospectus  included therein at the time the
                  Registration  Statement became effective  contained any untrue
                  statement  of a  material  fact or omitted to state a material
                  fact  required to be stated  therein or  necessary to make the
                  statements  therein  not  misleading  and (C) has no reason to
                  believe that (except for  financial  statements  and schedules
                  and other  financial  and  statistical  data as to which  such
                  counsel need not express any belief) the  Prospectus  contains
                  any untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omits to state a
                  material  fact  necessary  in  order  to make  the  statements
                  therein,  in the light of the  circumstances  under which they
                  were made, not misleading.

                  (d) The  Underwriters  shall have received on the Closing Date
         an opinion of Dickstein  Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky LLP,  counsel for the
         Selling Shareholders, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that:

                           (i) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
                  and delivered by or on behalf of each Selling Shareholder;

                           (ii)  the  execution  and  delivery  by each  Selling
                  Shareholder   of,  and  the   performance   by  each   Selling
                  Shareholder of its obligations  under, this Agreement will not
                  contravene any provision of applicable law, or the certificate
                  or   agreement   of  limited   partnership   of  such  Selling
                  Shareholder,  or, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, any
                  agreement  or  other  instrument  binding  upon  such  Selling
                  Shareholder or, to the best of such counsel's  knowledge,  any
                  judgment,  order or decree of any governmental body, agency or
                  court having jurisdiction over such Selling  Shareholder,  and
                  no   consent,   approval,   authorization   or  order  of,  or
                  qualification   with,  any  governmental  body  or  agency  is
                  required for the  performance  by such Selling  Shareholder of
                  its obligations  under this  Agreement,  except such as may be
                  required  by the  securities  or Blue Sky laws of the  various
                  states or the  securities  laws of non-U.S.  jurisdictions  in
                  connection with offer and sale of the Shares;

                           (iii) each  Selling  Shareholder  has the legal right
                  and power, and all authorization and approval required by law,
                  to enter into this 
<PAGE>
                  Agreement  and to sell,  transfer and deliver the Shares to be
                  sold by such Selling Shareholder; and

                            (iv) each Selling  Shareholder has record  ownership
                  and, to such counsel's knowledge,  beneficial ownership of the
                  Shares to be sold by it to the  Underwriters  pursuant  to the
                  Underwriting  Agreement,  and,  assuming that the Underwriters
                  are "bona fide  purchasers" (as defined under Section 8-302 of
                  the New York Uniform  Commercial  Code),  upon delivery of the
                  certificates  for  any  Shares  to be  sold  by  such  Selling
                  Shareholder  against payment  therefor the  Underwriters  will
                  acquire  valid  title to such  Shares,  free and  clear of any
                  security  interest or "adverse  claims"  within the meaning of
                  section 8-302 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code.

                  (e) The  Underwriters  shall have received on the Closing Date
         an opinion of Sidley & Austin, counsel for the Underwriters,  dated the
         Closing Date,  covering the matters referred to in  subparagraphs  (v),
         (vii)  (but  only  as  to  the  statements  in  the  Prospectus   under
         "Description  of  Capital  Stock"  and   "Underwriters")  and  (xi)  of
         paragraph (c) above.

                  With  respect to  subparagraph  (xi) of  paragraph  (c) above,
         Dickstein  Shapiro  Morin & Oshinsky  LLP and Sidley & Austin may state
         that their opinion and belief are based upon their participation in the
         preparation  of the  Registration  Statement  and  Prospectus  and  any
         amendments  or  supplements  thereto and review and  discussion  of the
         contents  thereof,  but are without  independent check or verification,
         except as  specified.  With respect to paragraph  (d) above,  Dickstein
         Shapiro  Morin & Oshinsky  LLP may rely upon,  with  respect to factual
         matters  and  to  the  extent  such  counsel  deems  appropriate,   the
         representations of the Selling Shareholders contained herein.

                  The  opinions  of  Dickstein  Shapiro  Morin  &  Oshinsky  LLP
         described  in  paragraphs  (c) and (d) above  shall be  rendered to the
         Underwriters at the request of the Company or the Selling Shareholders,
         as the case may be, and shall so state therein.

                  (f) The Underwriters shall have received,  on each of the date
         hereof and the  Closing  Date,  a letter  dated the date  hereof or the
         Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to
         the  Underwriters,   from  Price  Waterhouse  LLP,  independent  public
         accountants,   containing   statements  and  information  of  the  type
         ordinarily  included in accountants'  "comfort letters" to underwriters
         with  respect  to  the  financial   statements  and  certain  financial
         information contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus;
<PAGE>
         provided  that the letter  delivered  on the  Closing  Date shall use a
         "cut-off date" not earlier than the date hereof.

                  (g) The Underwriters shall have received,  on each of the date
         hereof and the  Closing  Date,  a letter  dated the date  hereof or the
         Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to
         the  Underwriters,   from  Arthur  Andersen  LLP,   independent  public
         accountants,   containing   statements  and  information  of  the  type
         ordinarily  included in accountants'  "comfort letters" to underwriters
         with  respect  to  the  financial   statements  and  certain  financial
         information contained in the Registration  Statement and the Prospectus
         relating to the  acquisition by the Company of the Snorkel  Division of
         Figgie  International  Inc.;  provided that the letter delivered on the
         Closing  Date  shall use a  "cut-off  date" not  earlier  than the date
         hereof.

                  (h) The "lock-up"  agreements,  each substantially in the form
         of Exhibit A hereto, between you and certain shareholders, officers and
         directors  of  the  Company   relating  to  sales  and  certain   other
         dispositions  of shares of Common  Stock or certain  other  securities,
         delivered to you on or before the date  hereof,  shall be in full force
         and effect on the Closing Date.

                  (i) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a
         certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed on behalf of each of the
         Selling  Shareholders,  to the  effect  that  the  representations  and
         warranties of such Selling Shareholder  contained in this Agreement are
         true  and  correct  as of  the  Closing  Date  and  that  such  Selling
         Shareholder  has complied with all of the  agreements and satisfied all
         of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on
         or before the Closing Date.

                  The several  obligations of the U.S.  Underwriters to purchase
Additional   Shares   hereunder   are  subject  to  the  delivery  to  the  U.S.
Representatives  on the  Option  Closing  Date  of  such  documents  as you  may
reasonably  request  with respect to the good  standing of the Company,  the due
authorization and sale of the Additional Shares and other matters related to the
sale of the Additional Shares.

                  7. Covenants of the Company.  In further  consideration of the
agreements of the Underwriters herein contained, the Company covenants with each
Underwriter as follows:

                  (a) To furnish to you, without charge,  eight signed copies of
         the  Registration   Statement  (including  exhibits  thereto)  and  for
         delivery to each other Underwriter a conformed copy of the Registration
         Statement  (without exhibits thereto) and to furnish to you in New York
         City,  without  charge,  prior to 10:00 a.m. local time on the business
         day next  succeeding  the date of this  Agreement
<PAGE>
         and during the period  mentioned in paragraph (c) below, as many copies
         of the Prospectus and any supplements and amendments  thereto or to the
         Registration Statement as you may reasonably request.

                  (b)  Before  amending  or   supplementing   the   Registration
         Statement  or the  Prospectus,  to  furnish  to you a copy of each such
         proposed  amendment  or  supplement  and not to file any such  proposed
         amendment or supplement  to which you  reasonably  object,  and to file
         with the  Commission  within the  applicable  period  specified in Rule
         424(b) under the  Securities  Act any  prospectus  required to be filed
         pursuant to such Rule.

                  (c) If,  during such period after the first date of the public
         offering   of  the  Shares  as  in  the  opinion  of  counsel  for  the
         Underwriters  the  Prospectus  is  required by law to be  delivered  in
         connection  with sales by an  Underwriter  or dealer,  any event  shall
         occur or condition  exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend
         or supplement the  Prospectus in order to make the statements  therein,
         in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a
         purchaser,  not  misleading,  or if, in the  opinion of counsel for the
         Underwriters,  it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to
         comply  with  applicable  law,  forthwith  to  prepare,  file  with the
         Commission and furnish,  at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to
         the dealers (whose names and addresses you will furnish to the Company)
         to which Shares may have been sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters
         and to any other dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements
         to the  Prospectus  so that  the  statements  in the  Prospectus  as so
         amended or  supplemented  will not,  in the light of the  circumstances
         when the  Prospectus  is delivered to a purchaser,  be misleading or so
         that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with law.

                  (d) To endeavor to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under
         the  securities  or Blue Sky laws of such  jurisdictions  as you  shall
         reasonably request.

                  (e) To make  generally  available  to the  Company's  security
         holders and to you as soon as practicable an earning statement covering
         the  twelve-month  period  ending March 31, 1999,  that  satisfies  the
         provisions  of Section  11(a) of the  Securities  Act and the rules and
         regulations of the Commission thereunder.

                  (f)  Whether  or not  the  transactions  contemplated  in this
         Agreement are  consummated or this  Agreement is terminated,  to pay or
         cause to be paid, jointly and severally with the Selling  Shareholders,
         all expenses  incident to the  performance of their  obligations  under
         this Agreement,  including: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of
         the Company's counsel and the Company's  accountants in connection with
         the  registration  and delivery of the Shares under the  Securities Act
         and all other fees or expenses in connection  with the
<PAGE>
         preparation and filing of the Registration  Statement,  any preliminary
         prospectus, the Prospectus and amendments and supplements to any of the
         foregoing,  including all printing costs associated therewith,  and the
         mailing  and  delivering  of copies  thereof  to the  Underwriters  and
         dealers, in the quantities  hereinabove  specified,  (ii) all costs and
         expenses  related to the  transfer  and  delivery  of the Shares to the
         Underwriters,  including any transfer or other taxes  payable  thereon,
         (iii) the cost of  printing or  producing  any Blue Sky  memorandum  in
         connection with the offer and sale of the Shares under state securities
         laws and all  expenses  in  connection  with the  qualification  of the
         Shares for offer and sale under  state  securities  laws as provided in
         Section 7(d) hereof,  including filing fees and the reasonable fees and
         disbursements  of counsel for the  Underwriters in connection with such
         qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky Memorandum,  (iv) all
         filing fees and  disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters  incurred
         in connection with the review and  qualification of the offering of the
         Shares by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., (v) all
         fees and expenses in connection  with the preparation and filing of the
         registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the Common Stock and all
         costs and  expenses  incident  to  listing  the  Shares  on the  Nasdaq
         National Market,  (vi) the cost of printing  certificates  representing
         the  Shares,  (vii)  the  costs  and  charges  of any  transfer  agent,
         registrar or  depositary,  (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company
         relating to investor  presentations  on any "road show"  undertaken  in
         connection with the marketing of the offering of the Shares, including,
         without  limitation,  expenses  associated  with the production of road
         show slides and graphics,  fees and expenses of any consultants engaged
         in connection with the road show  presentations with the prior approval
         of the Company,  travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and
         officers of the Company and any such  consultants,  and the cost of any
         aircraft chartered in connection with the road show, and (ix) all other
         costs and expenses  incident to the  performance of the  obligations of
         the Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this
         Section.  It is  understood,  however,  that except as provided in this
         Section, Section 9 entitled "Indemnity and Contribution",  and the last
         paragraph of Section 11 below, the  Underwriters  will pay all of their
         costs and expenses,  including fees and disbursements of their counsel,
         stock transfer taxes payable on resale of any of the Shares by them and
         any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

                  8. Expenses of Selling Shareholders.  Each Selling Shareholder
agrees to pay, jointly and severally with the Company,  all expenses  enumerated
in Section  7(f)  above.  To the extent not paid by the  Company,  each  Selling
Shareholder  agrees  to pay or cause to be paid (i) all  taxes,  if any,  on the
transfer and sale of the Shares being sold by such Selling  Shareholder and (ii)
all costs and expenses  incident to the  performance  of the  obligations of the
Selling  Shareholders and the Company
<PAGE>
under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the fees, disbursements and
expenses of counsel for the Selling Shareholders.

                  9.  Indemnity  and  Contribution.  (a) The  Company  agrees to
         indemnify and hold harmless each  Underwriter and each person,  if any,
         who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of
         the  Securities  Act or Section 20 of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
         1934,  as amended (the  "Exchange  Act"),  from and against any and all
         losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation,
         any legal or other  expenses  reasonably  incurred in  connection  with
         defending  or  investigating  any such  action or claim)  caused by any
         untrue  statement  or  alleged  untrue  statement  of a  material  fact
         contained in the Registration  Statement or any amendment thereof,  any
         preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if
         the  Company  shall  have   furnished  any  amendments  or  supplements
         thereto),  or caused  by any  omission  or  alleged  omission  to state
         therein a material fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary to
         make the  statements  therein not  misleading,  except  insofar as such
         losses,  claims,  damages or liabilities  are caused by any such untrue
         statement or omission or alleged  untrue  statement  or omission  based
         upon information  relating to any Underwriter  furnished to the Company
         in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein.

                  (b)  Each  Selling  Shareholder  agrees,   severally  and  not
         jointly,  to indemnify  and hold  harmless  each  Underwriter  and each
         person,  if any,  who controls  any  Underwriter  within the meaning of
         either  Section 15 of the  Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
         Act  and  the  Company,  its  directors,  its  officers  who  sign  the
         Registration  Statement  and each  person,  if any,  who  controls  the
         Company within the meaning of either such Section, from and against any
         and all losses,  claims,  damages and liabilities  (including,  without
         limitation,   any  legal  or  other  expenses  reasonably  incurred  in
         connection  with defending or  investigating  any such action or claim)
         caused  by any  untrue  statement  or  alleged  untrue  statement  of a
         material fact contained in the Registration  Statement or any amendment
         thereof,  any  preliminary  prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or
         supplemented  if the Company  shall have  furnished  any  amendments or
         supplements  thereto), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to
         state  therein  a  material  fact  required  to be  stated  therein  or
         necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,  but only with
         reference to information relating to such Selling Shareholder furnished
         in writing by or on behalf of such Selling  Shareholder  expressly  for
         use in the  Registration  Statement,  any preliminary  prospectus,  the
         Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto.

                  (c) Each  Underwriter  agrees,  severally and not jointly,  to
         indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Selling Shareholders,  the
         directors  of the
<PAGE>
         Company,  the  officers  of  the  Company  who  sign  the  Registration
         Statement  and each  person,  if any,  who  controls the Company or any
         Selling  Shareholder  within the  meaning  of either  Section 15 of the
         Securities  Act or Section 20 of the  Exchange Act from and against any
         and all losses,  claims,  damages and liabilities  (including,  without
         limitation,   any  legal  or  other  expenses  reasonably  incurred  in
         connection  with defending or  investigating  any such action or claim)
         caused  by any  untrue  statement  or  alleged  untrue  statement  of a
         material fact contained in the Registration  Statement or any amendment
         thereof,  any  preliminary  prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or
         supplemented  if the Company  shall have  furnished  any  amendments or
         supplements  thereto), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to
         state  therein  a  material  fact  required  to be  stated  therein  or
         necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,  but only with
         reference to information relating to such Underwriter  furnished to the
         Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use in
         the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus,  the Prospectus
         or any amendments or supplements thereto.

                  (d)  In  case  any  proceeding   (including  any  governmental
         investigation)  shall be instituted  involving any person in respect of
         which  indemnity may be sought  pursuant to paragraph  (a), (b), (c) or
         (d) of this  Section 9, such person  (the  "indemnified  party")  shall
         promptly  notify the person  against whom such  indemnity may be sought
         (the "indemnifying  party") in writing and the indemnifying party, upon
         request of the  indemnified  party,  shall  retain  counsel  reasonably
         satisfactory  to the  indemnified  party to represent  the  indemnified
         party and any  others  the  indemnifying  party may  designate  in such
         proceeding  and shall pay the fees and  disbursements  of such  counsel
         related to such  proceeding.  In any such  proceeding,  any indemnified
         party shall have the right to retain its own counsel,  but the fees and
         expenses of such  counsel  shall be at the expense of such  indemnified
         party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall
         have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named
         parties  to any  such  proceeding  (including  any  impleaded  parties)
         include  both the  indemnifying  party  and the  indemnified  party and
         representation   of  both  parties  by  the  same   counsel   would  be
         inappropriate  due to actual or potential  differing  interests between
         them.  It is  understood  that the  indemnifying  party  shall not,  in
         respect of the legal  expenses of any  indemnified  party in connection
         with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be
         liable for the fees and  expenses  of more than one  separate  firm (in
         addition  to any  local  counsel)  for  (i)  all  Underwriters  and all
         persons,  if any,  who  control any  Underwriter  within the meaning of
         either  Section 15 of the  Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
         Act,  (ii)  the  Company,  its  directors,  its  officers  who sign the
         Registration  Statement  and each  person,  if any,  who  controls  the
         Company within the meaning of either such Section and (iii) the Selling
         Shareholders  and  all  persons,   if  any,  who  control  any  Selling
         Shareholder  within 
<PAGE>
         the meaning of either such Section, and that all such fees and expenses
         shall  be  reimbursed  as they  are  incurred.  In the case of any such
         separate  firm for the  Underwriters  and such  control  persons of the
         Underwriters,  such  firm  shall be  designated  in  writing  by Morgan
         Stanley.  In the case of any such  separate  firm for the Company,  and
         such directors,  officers and control persons of the Company, such firm
         shall be designated in writing by the Company.  In the case of any such
         separate firm for the Selling Shareholders and such controlling persons
         of any Selling Shareholder, such firm shall be designated in writing by
         the Selling  Shareholders.  The indemnifying  party shall not be liable
         for any  settlement  of any  proceeding  effected  without  its written
         consent,  but if  settled  with  such  consent  or if  there be a final
         judgment for the plaintiff,  the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify
         the indemnified  party from and against any loss or liability by reason
         of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence,
         if  at  any  time  an   indemnified   party  shall  have  requested  an
         indemnifying  party to  reimburse  the  indemnified  party for fees and
         expenses of counsel as  contemplated  by the second and third sentences
         of this  paragraph,  the  indemnifying  party  agrees  that it shall be
         liable  for any  settlement  of any  proceeding  effected  without  its
         written  consent if (i) such  settlement  is entered  into more than 30
         days after receipt by such indemnifying  party of the aforesaid request
         and  (ii)  such  indemnifying  party  shall  not  have  reimbursed  the
         indemnified  party in accordance with such request prior to the date of
         such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written
         consent of the indemnified party,  effect any settlement of any pending
         or threatened  proceeding in respect of which any indemnified  party is
         or could  have  been a party  and  indemnity  could  have  been  sought
         hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an
         unconditional  release of such indemnified  party from all liability on
         claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding.

                  (e)  To  the  extent  the  indemnification   provided  for  in
         paragraph  (a),  (b) or (c) of  this  Section  9 is  unavailable  to an
         indemnified  party or  insufficient  in respect of any losses,  claims,
         damages or  liabilities  referred  to therein,  then each  indemnifying
         party under such paragraph,  in lieu of indemnifying  such  indemnified
         party  thereunder,  shall  contribute  to the amount paid or payable by
         such indemnified party as a result of such losses,  claims,  damages or
         liabilities  (i) in such  proportion as is  appropriate  to reflect the
         relative benefits received by the indemnifying  party or parties on the
         one hand and the  indemnified  party or  parties on the other hand from
         the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause
         (i) above is not permitted by applicable  law, in such proportion as is
         appropriate  to reflect not only the relative  benefits  referred to in
         clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the indemnifying  party
         or parties on the one hand and of the  indemnified  party or parties on
         the other hand in  connection  with the  statements  or omissions  that
         resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any
         other relevant equitable considerations.
<PAGE>
         The  relative   benefits  received  by  the  Company  and  the  Selling
         Shareholders on the one hand and the  Underwriters on the other hand in
         connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be in the
         same  respective  proportions  as the net proceeds from the offering of
         the  Shares  (before  deducting  expenses)  received  by  each  Selling
         Shareholder  and  the  total  underwriting  discounts  and  commissions
         received  by the  Underwriters,  in each case as set forth in the table
         (and  footnotes  thereto) on the cover of the  Prospectus,  bear to the
         aggregate  Public  Offering Price of the Shares.  The relative fault of
         the  Company  and the  Selling  Shareholders  on the one  hand  and the
         Underwriters  on the other hand shall be  determined  by reference  to,
         among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
         material  fact or the omission or alleged  omission to state a material
         fact  relate to  information  supplied  by the  Company and the Selling
         Shareholders  on the one hand or by the  Underwriters on the other hand
         and the parties' relative intent, knowledge,  access to information and
         opportunity  to correct or prevent  such  statement  or  omission.  The
         Underwriters'  respective  obligations  to contribute  pursuant to this
         Section 9 are several in proportion to the respective  number of Shares
         they have purchased hereunder, and not joint.

                  (f) The Company, the Selling Shareholders and the Underwriters
         agree that it would not be just or equitable if  contribution  pursuant
         to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata  allocation  (even if the
         Underwriters  were  treated as one entity for such  purpose)  or by any
         other method of allocation  that does not take account of the equitable
         considerations  referred  to in  paragraph  (f) of this  Section 9. The
         amount  paid or  payable  by an  indemnified  party as a result  of the
         losses,  claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately
         preceding  paragraph  shall  be  deemed  to  include,  subject  to  the
         limitations  set forth above,  any legal or other  expenses  reasonably
         incurred by such indemnified party in connection with  investigating or
         defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding  the provisions of
         this  Section 9, no  Underwriter  shall be required to  contribute  any
         amount in excess  of the  amount by which the total  price at which the
         Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to
         the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such  Underwriter has
         otherwise  been  required  to pay by reason of such  untrue or  alleged
         untrue statement or omission or alleged  omission.  No person guilty of
         fraudulent  misrepresentation  (within the meaning of Section  11(f) of
         the Securities Act) shall be entitled to  contribution  from any person
         who was not guilty of such fraudulent  misrepresentation.  The remedies
         provided  for in this Section 9 are not  exclusive  and shall not limit
         any  rights  or  remedies  which  may  otherwise  be  available  to any
         indemnified party at law or in equity.

                  (g) The indemnity  and  contribution  provisions  contained in
         this Section 9 and the representations, warranties and other statements
         of the Company and the Selling Shareholders contained in this Agreement
         shall remain  operative and
<PAGE>
         in full  force and effect  regardless  of (i) any  termination  of this
         Agreement,  (ii)  any  investigation  made  by  or  on  behalf  of  any
         Underwriter  or any person  controlling  any  Underwriter,  the Selling
         Shareholders or any person controlling any Selling Shareholder,  or the
         Company,  its  officers  or  directors  or any person  controlling  the
         Company and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Shares.

                  10.   Termination.   This   Agreement   shall  be  subject  to
termination  by notice given by you to the Company,  if (a) after the  execution
and  delivery  of this  Agreement  and  prior to the  Closing  Date (i)  trading
generally shall have been suspended or materially  limited on or by, as the case
may be, any of the New York Stock  Exchange,  the American Stock  Exchange,  the
National  Association of Securities Dealers,  Inc., the Chicago Board of Options
Exchange,  the Chicago  Mercantile  Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade, (ii)
trading  of any  securities  of the  Company  shall have been  suspended  on any
exchange  or in any  over-the-counter  market,  (iii) a  general  moratorium  on
commercial  banking  activities  in New York shall have been  declared by either
Federal or New York State  authorities  or (iv) there  shall have  occurred  any
outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial  markets or any
calamity or crisis that,  in your  judgment,  is material and adverse and (b) in
the case of any of the events  specified in clauses  (a)(i)  through (iv),  such
event, singly or together with any other such event, makes it, in your judgment,
impracticable  to market the Shares on the terms and in the manner  contemplated
in the Prospectus.

                  11.  Effectiveness;  Defaulting  Underwriters.  This Agreement
shall become  effective  upon the execution  and delivery  hereof by the parties
hereto.

                  If, on the Closing  Date or the Option  Closing  Date,  as the
case  may be,  any  one or more of the  Underwriters  shall  fail or  refuse  to
purchase  Shares that it has or they have agreed to purchase  hereunder  on such
date, and the aggregate  number of Shares which such  defaulting  Underwriter or
Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth
of the  aggregate  number of the Shares to be purchased on such date,  the other
Underwriters shall be obligated  severally in the proportions that the number of
Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule II or Schedule
III bears to the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of
all such  non-defaulting  Underwriters,  or in such other proportions as you may
specify,   to  purchase  the  Shares  which  such   defaulting   Underwriter  or
Underwriters  agreed but failed or refused to  purchase  on such date;  provided
that in no event shall the number of Shares that any  Underwriter  has agreed to
purchase pursuant to this Agreement be increased  pursuant to this Section 11 by
an amount in excess of  one-ninth  of such number of Shares  without the written
consent  of such  Underwriter.  If, on the  Closing  Date,  any  Underwriter  or
Underwriters  shall fail or refuse to  purchase  Firm  Shares and the  aggregate
number of Firm Shares  with  respect to which such  default  occurs is more than
one-tenth  of  the  aggregate  number  of  Firm  Shares  to  be  purchased,  and
arrangements  satisfactory to you and the Selling
<PAGE>
Shareholders  for the  purchase of such Firm Shares are not made within 36 hours
after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part
of any non-defaulting Underwriter,  the Company or the Selling Shareholders.  In
any such case either you or the  relevant  Selling  Shareholders  shall have the
right to postpone the Closing Date,  but in no event for longer than seven days,
in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement and in
the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. If, on
the Option Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to
purchase  Additional  Shares and the aggregate number of Additional  Shares with
respect to which such default  occurs is more than  one-tenth  of the  aggregate
number of Additional  Shares to be purchased,  the  non-defaulting  Underwriters
shall have the option to (i) terminate  their  obligation  hereunder to purchase
Additional Shares or (ii) purchase not less than the number of Additional Shares
that such  non-defaulting  Underwriters would have been obligated to purchase in
the absence of such  default.  Any action taken under this  paragraph  shall not
relieve any defaulting  Underwriter  from liability in respect of any default of
such Underwriter under this Agreement.

                  If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters,  or
any of them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company or any
Selling Shareholder to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions
of this Agreement,  or if for any reason the Company or any Selling  Shareholder
shall be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Company and
the Selling Shareholders will reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as
have so terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all
out-of-pocket  expenses  (including the fees and disbursements of their counsel)
reasonably  incurred by such  Underwriters  in connection with this Agreement or
the offering contemplated hereunder.

                  12. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be signed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

                  13.  Applicable  Law. This Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
<PAGE>
                  14.  Headings.  The headings of the sections of this Agreement
have been inserted for  convenience  of reference only and shall not be deemed a
part of this Agreement.

                                  Very truly yours,

                                  OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                  By: /s/ P. ENOCH STIFF
                                  Name: P. Enoch Stiff
                                  Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer


                                  HARBOUR GROUP INVESTMENTS III, L.P.

                                  By: Harbour Group III Management Co., L.P., 
                                      General Partner


                                  By: HGM III Co., General Partner


                                        By:   /s/ SAMUEL A. HAMACHER
                                              Name: Samuel A. Hamacher
                                              Title: Executive Vice President


                                  UNIQUIP-HGI ASSOCIATES, L.P.

                                  By:  Harbour Group Industries, Inc.,
                                       General Partner


                                         By:  /s/ SAMUEL A. HAMACHER
                                              Name: Samuel A. Hamacher
                                              Title: Executive Vice President


                                  P. ENOCH STIFF

 
                                  /s/ P. ENOCH STIFF

<PAGE>
Accepted as of the date hereof

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
Schroder & Co. Inc.
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

Acting severally on behalf
  of themselves and the
  several U.S. Underwriters
  named herein.

         By:  Morgan Stanley & Co.
               Incorporated



         By:  /s/ JOHN F. SPENCE
              Name: John F. Spence
              Title:    Principal


Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited
J. Henry Schroder & Co. Limited
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

Acting  severally  on  behalf
  of  themselves  and  the
  several   International
  Underwriters named herein.

         By:  Morgan Stanley & Co.
                International Limited


         By:   /s/ JOHN F. SPENCE
               Name: John F. Spence
               Title:    Attorney-in-fact

<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE I


FIRM SHARES

Harbour Group Investments III, L.P..........                   3,292,200
Uniquip-HG Associates, L.P..................                     307,800
                                                               ---------
         Total..............................                   3,600,000
                                                               =========

ADDITIONAL SHARES

Harbour Group Investments III, L.P..........                    408,600
Uniquip-HG Associates, L.P. ................                     38,069
P. Enoch Stiff..............................                     60,000
                                                               --------
         Total..............................                    506,669
                                                               ========
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE II

                                U.S. Underwriters



                                                       Number of
                                                       Firm Shares
         U.S. Underwriter                              to be Purchased
         ----------------                              ---------------

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.................     545,000
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation............     545,000
Schroder & Co. Inc................................     545,000
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated................     545,000
CIBC Oppenheimer Corp.............................     140,000
Dain Rauscher Incorporated........................     140,000
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc..........................     140,000
Furman Selz LLC...................................     140,000
GS2 Securities, Inc...............................      70,000
Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P........................      70,000

Total U.S. Firm Shares............................    2,880,000
                                                      ==========

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE III


                           International Underwriters
                           --------------------------

                                                              Number of
                                                              Firm Shares
International Underwriter                                     to be Purchased
- -------------------------                                     ---------------

Morgan Stanley & Co. International
  Limited. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                180,000
Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited. . .                  180,000
J. Henry Schroder & Co. Limited  . . . . . . . .                  180,000
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated . . . . . . .                  180,000
                                                                  -------

Total International Firm Shares . . . . . . . . . .               720,000
                                                                -----------

<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT A



                                                ______________, 1998


Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
Schroder & Co. Inc.
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
c/o  Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
     1585 Broadway
     New York, NY  10036

Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited
J. Henry Schroder & Co. Limited
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
c/o  Morgan Stanley & Co.  International Limited
     25 Cabot Square
     Canary Wharf
     London E14 4QA
     England

Dear Sirs and Mesdames:

          The  undersigned  understands  that Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated
("Morgan Stanley"),  as a Representative of the several U.S.  Underwriters,  and
Morgan  Stanley  &  Co.  International  Limited,  as  a  Representative  of  the
International Underwriters, propose to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the
"Underwriting   Agreement")  with  Omniquip  International,   Inc.,  a  Delaware
corporation  (the  "Company"),  providing  for the public  offering (the "Public
Offering")  by the several U.S.  Underwriters  and  International  Underwriters,
including Morgan Stanley (collectively, the "Underwriters"), of 3,600,000 shares
(plus 506,669 shares subject to the  Underwriter's  over-allotment  option) (the
"Shares")  of the Common  Stock,  $.01 par value,  of the Company  (the  "Common
Stock").

          To induce the Underwriters that may participate in the Public Offering
to  continue  their  efforts  in  connection  with  the  Public  Offering,   the
undersigned  hereby  agrees that,  without the prior  written  consent of Morgan
Stanley on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period commencing
on the date  hereof and  ending 90 days  after the date of the final  prospectus
relating to the Public Offering (the  "Prospectus"),  (1) offer,  pledge,  sell,
<PAGE>
contract to sell,  sell any option or contract to purchase,  purchase any option
or contract to sell,  grant any option,  right or warrant to purchase,  lend, or
otherwise  transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly,  any shares of Common
Stock or any securities  convertible  into or exercisable  or  exchangeable  for
Common Stock  (provided  that such shares or securities  are either now owned by
the  undersigned or are hereafter  acquired  prior to or in connection  with the
Public Offering), or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers
to another,  in whole or in part, any of the economic  consequences of ownership
of such shares of Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause
(1) or (2) above is to be  settled  by  delivery  of Common  Stock or such other
securities,  in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to the
sale of any Shares to the Underwriters  pursuant to the Underwriting  Agreement,
the grant by the Company of any options to  purchase  Shares to the  undersigned
under  any  benefit  plan of the  Company  described  in the  Prospectus  or the
exercise  by the  undersigned  of any option  granted by the  Company  under any
benefit  plan of the Company  described  in the  Prospectus.  In  addition,  the
undersigned  agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley on
behalf of the  Underwriters,  it will not,  during the period  commencing on the
date hereof and ending 90 days after the date of the Prospectus, make any demand
for or exercise  any right with  respect to, the  registration  of any shares of
Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
Common Stock.

          Whether or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number
of factors,  including market conditions.  Any Public Offering will only be made
pursuant  to an  Underwriting  Agreement,  the  terms of which  are  subject  to
agreement between the Company, any selling stockholders and the Underwriters.


                                               By:
                                      

                                               Name:





                                              (Address)


                          OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                  Common Stock

                           ($0.01 Par Value Per Share)

                            INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT


               THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT made this 11th day of March, 1998,
by  and  among  OmniQuip  International,   Inc.,  a  Delaware  corporation  (the
"Company"), Harbour Group Investments III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership,
Uniquip-HGI Associates, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and P. Enoch Stiff
(collectively, the "Selling Stockholders").

               WHEREAS,  the Company has filed with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Act"),  a  Registration  Statement  (as finally  declared  effective,  the
"Registration Statement") on Form S-1 (File No. 333-46543) pursuant to which the
Selling  Stockholders  propose to sell to the public an  aggregate  of 3,600,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock through several  underwriters led by Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated,  Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation,  Schroder &
Co. Inc. and Robert W. Baird & Co.  Incorporated and certain of their respective
affiliates  (collectively  the  "Underwriters"),  in connection with an offering
pursuant to an  underwriting  agreement  (the  "Underwriting  Agreement")  to be
entered into by the Company, the Selling  Stockholders and the Underwriters.  In
addition,  the Selling  Stockholders propose to grant the Underwriters an option
to purchase up to an additional  506,669  shares of the  Company's  Common Stock
solely to cover over-allotments.
<PAGE>
               WHEREAS,  the Underwriting  Agreement contains certain provisions
with  respect to the  obligations  and  liabilities  between the Company and the
Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other.

               WHEREAS,  the  Underwriters  require the Selling  Stockholders to
agree to indemnify the Company and the Underwriters for certain liabilities.

               WHEREAS,  that certain Letter  Agreement dated September 30, 1996
(the  "Registration  Rights  Agreement")  between  the  Company  and the Selling
Stockholders requires the Company and the Selling Stockholders to indemnify each
other for certain liabilities.

               WHEREAS,  the Company and the Selling  Stockholders desire to set
forth the obligations  and liabilities  between and among each other arising out
of their respective obligations and liabilities under the Underwriting Agreement
and the Registration Rights Agreement.

               NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the foregoing and other good
and  valuable  consideration,  the receipt and  sufficiency  of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

                      1. The Company  agrees to indemnify  and hold harmless the
Selling  Stockholders  and  each  person,  if any,  who  controls  each  Selling
Stockholder  within the  meaning of the Act or the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),  against any losses,  claims,  damages or
liabilities,  joint or  several,  to which any such  person may become  subject,
under  the  Act or  otherwise,  insofar  as  such  losses,  claims,  damages  or
liabilities  (or actions in respect  thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue  statement or alleged untrue  statement of any material fact contained in
the  Registration  Statement,  the  forms of  prospectus  first  filed  with the
Commission pursuant to
<PAGE>
and in  accordance  with  Rule  424(b)  under  the Act or (if no such  filing is
required)  the  prospectus  contained  in  the  Registration  Statement,  or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus, or arise
out of or are based upon the  omission or alleged  omission  to state  therein a
material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading;  and the Company will reimburse each Selling Stockholder
and each such  controlling  person  for any legal or other  expenses  reasonably
incurred by them in connection  with  investigating  or defending any such loss,
claim,  damage,  liability or action as such  expenses are  incurred;  provided,
however,  that the  Company  shall not be liable in any such case to the  extent
that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an
untrue  statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission
from any of such  documents  in reliance  upon and in  conformity  with  written
information  furnished  to  the  Company  by  any  Selling  Stockholder  or  any
controlling  person thereof  specifically for use therein;  and provided further
that with  respect  to any  untrue  statement  or  omission  or  alleged  untrue
statement  or  omission  made  in  any  preliminary  prospectus,  the  indemnity
agreement  contained  in this  Section 1 shall not inure to the  benefit  of any
entity or firm or any controlling  person thereof from whom the person asserting
such losses, claims, damages or liabilities purchased the shares of Common Stock
concerned,  to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability of such
entity, firm or controlling person results from the fact that there was not sent
or given to such person, at or prior to the written  confirmation of the sale of
such  shares  of  Common  Stock to such  person,  a copy of the  Prospectus,  if
required by the Act.

                      2. Each  Selling  Stockholder  agrees,  severally  and not
jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each
of its officers who have signed the Registration  Statement and each person,  if
any, who controls the Company  within the meaning of the Act or the Exchange Act
against any losses, claims,  damages or liabilities,
<PAGE>
joint or several, to which any such person may become subject,  under the Act or
otherwise insofar as such losses,  claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect  thereof)  arise out of or are based upon any  untrue or alleged  untrue
statement of any material  fact  contained in the  Registration  Statement,  the
forms  of  prospectus  first  filed  with  the  Commission  pursuant  to  and in
accordance with Rule 424(b) under the Act or (if no such filing is required) the
prospectus  contained  in  the  Registration  Statement,  or  any  amendment  or
supplement thereto, or any related  preliminary  prospectus,  or arise out of or
are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein,  or necessary to make the statements  therein not
misleading; in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue
statement or alleged untrue  statement or omission or alleged  omission was made
in reliance upon and in  conformity  with written  information  furnished to the
Company by the Selling Stockholder specifically for use therein; and the Selling
Stockholder will reimburse any legal and other expenses  reasonably  incurred by
the  Company,  any such  director,  officer  or  controlling  person  thereof in
connection  with  investigating  or defending  any such loss,  claim,  damage or
liability or action as such expenses are incurred;  provided, however, that with
respect to any untrue  statement  or omission  or alleged  untrue  statement  or
omission made in any preliminary  prospectus,  the indemnity agreement contained
in this  Section 2 shall not inure to the  benefit  of any entity or firm or any
controlling  person thereof from whom the person asserting such losses,  claims,
damages or liabilities  purchased the shares of Common Stock  concerned,  to the
extent that any such loss,  claim,  damage or liability of such entity,  firm or
controlling  person  results  from the fact that  there was not sent or given to
such person, at or prior to the written  confirmation of the sale of such shares
of Common Stock to such  person,  a copy of the  Prospectus,  if required by the
Act.

                      3. Promptly  after receipt by an  indemnified  party under
this Agreement of notice of the  commencement  of any action,  such  indemnified
party will, if a claim in respect
<PAGE>
thereof is to be made  against  any  indemnifying  party  under this  Agreement,
notify the indemnifying party of the commencement  thereof;  but the omission so
to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from liability which it may
have to any  indemnified  party  pursuant to Sections 1 or 2 of this  Agreement,
except to the extent that it was unaware of such action and has been  materially
prejudiced  by such  failure,  or from  any  liability  which it may have to any
indemnified party otherwise than pursuant to Sections 1 and 2 of this Agreement.
In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies
an indemnifying party of the commencement  thereof,  the indemnifying party will
be entitled to participate  therein,  and, to the extent the indemnifying  party
desires,  jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume
the defense thereof,  with counsel  satisfactory to such indemnified  party (who
shall not, except with the consent of the  indemnified  party, be counsel to the
indemnifying  party),  and  after  notice  from the  indemnifying  party to such
indemnified  party  of its  election  so to  assume  the  defense  thereof,  the
indemnifying  party  will not be liable to such  indemnified  party  under  this
Section  for  any  legal  or  other  expenses   subsequently  incurred  by  such
indemnified  party in connection  with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation.  In no event shall the indemnifying  party be liable for
the fees and  expenses  of more  than one  counsel  (in  addition  to any  local
counsel) for all such  indemnified  parties in connection with any one action or
separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction  arising out of
the same set of  allegations  or  circumstances.  No  indemnifying  party shall,
without  the  prior  written  consent  of  the  indemnified  party,  effect  any
settlement  of any  pending  or  threatened  action  in  respect  of  which  any
indemnified  party is or could have been a party and  indemnity  could have been
sought  hereunder by such indemnified  party unless such settlement  includes an
unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on any claims
that are the subject matter of such action.
<PAGE>
                      4. If the indemnification  provided for in this Section is
unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Sections
1 or 2 above, then each  indemnifying  party shall contribute to the amount paid
or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses,  claims, damages
or liabilities  referred to in Section 1 or 2 above (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the indemnifying  party
on the one hand and the indemnified  party on the other from the offering of the
Common  Stock or (ii) if the  allocation  provided  by  clause  (i) above is not
permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not
only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative
fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and the indemnified party on the
other in  connection  with the  statements or omissions  which  resulted in such
losses,  claims,  damages or liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations.  The relative benefits received by the indemnifying party on the
one hand and the  indemnified  party on the  other  shall be deemed to be in the
same  proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering  (before  deducting
expenses)  received by the  indemnifying  party and the indemnified  party.  The
relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things,  whether
the untrue or alleged  untrue  statement  of a material  fact or the omission or
alleged  omission to state a material  fact shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact or the  omissions or alleged  omission to state a material  fact relates to
information  supplied by the indemnifying party or the indemnified party and the
parties'  relative intent,  knowledge,  access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such untrue  statement  or  omission.  The amount paid by any
party as a result of the losses, claims,  damages, or liabilities referred to in
the first sentence of this Section shall be deemed to include any legal or other
expenses  reasonably  incurred by such party in connection with investigating or
defending  any action or claim which is the subject of this  Section.  No person
guilty of fraudulent  misrepresentation  (within the meaning of
<PAGE>
Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution  from any person who
was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

                      5.  The   obligations  of  the  Company  and  the  Selling
Stockholders  under this Agreement  shall be in addition to any liability  which
the Company and the Selling Stockholders may otherwise have.

                      6. It is agreed  that any  controversy  arising out of the
operation of the interim reimbursement  arrangements set forth herein, including
the  amounts  of  any  requested   reimbursement  payments  and  the  method  of
determining  such amounts,  shall be settled by arbitration  conducted under the
provisions  of the  Constitution  and Rules of the Board of Governors of the New
York Stock  Exchange,  Inc. or pursuant to the Code of Arbitration  Procedure of
the NASD or, if any such arbitration  procedure is unavailable,  pursuant to the
rules of the American  Arbitration  Association.  Any such  arbitration  must be
commenced by service of a written  demand for  arbitration  or written notice of
intention to arbitrate,  therein electing the arbitration tribunal. In the event
the party demanding arbitration does not make such designation of an arbitration
tribunal in such demand or notice,  then the party  responding to said demand or
notice is  authorized  to do so.  Such an  arbitration  would be  limited to the
operation of the interim reimbursement  provisions contained in Section 3 hereof
and would not resolve the ultimate propriety or enforceability of the obligation
to  reimburse  expenses  which is created by the  provisions  of such  Section 3
hereof.

                      7. In the event the Company  and the Selling  Stockholders
shall be  liable  to  reimburse  the  Underwriters  for  out-of-pocket  expenses
incurred  by the  Underwriters  as a  consequence  of the  refusal,  failure  or
inability by the Company or any Selling  Stockholder to perform any  undertaking
or  obligation  required to be  performed  by the  Underwriting  Agreement,  the
Company and each of the Selling  Stockholders agree that the person who 
<PAGE>
fails to perform its respective obligations shall be liable to the party who has
not  defaulted  in its  obligations  under the  Underwriting  Agreement  for all
amounts required to be paid by the Company and the Selling Stockholders pursuant
to the Underwriting Agreement.

                      8. Any notice,  claim or demand hereunder shall be made in
writing  and  shall  be  sufficient  if given as  provided  in the  Underwriting
Agreement.

                      9. This  Agreement  shall be binding upon and inure to the
                      benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

                      10. This Agreement  shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance  with,  the laws of the  State of New  York,  without  regard to such
jurisdiction's conflicts of laws principles.

                      11. This  Agreement may be executed by one or more parties
hereto in any  number of  counterparts,  each of which  shall be deemed to be an
original, but all of which shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

                      12. Except as otherwise  specifically  defined herein, all
capitalized  terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings  assigned such
terms in the Underwriting Agreement.
<PAGE>

               IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties below have caused the foregoing
to be executed on their behalf this 11th day of March, 1998.


                                        OMNIQUIP INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                        By:   /s/ P. Enoch Stiff
                                        P. Enoch Stiff
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer



                                        HARBOUR GROUP INVESTMENTS III, L.P.

                                        By: HARBOUR GROUP III MANAGEMENT
                                        CO., L.P., General Partner

                                        By: HGM III CO., General Partner


                                        By: /s/ James C. Janning
                                        James C. Janning
                                        President



                                        UNIQUIP-HGI ASSOCIATES, L.P.

                                        By: HARBOUR GROUP INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                                        General Partner

                                        By: /s/ James C. Janning
                                        James C. Janning
                                        Vice President - Operations



                                        P. Enoch Stiff


                                        /s/ P. Enoch Stiff


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This document contains summary financial information extracted from the attached
quarterly  report  on Form  10-Q for the  period  ended  March  31,  1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.

</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                 OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                         862
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  63,011
<ALLOWANCES>                                   1,268
<INVENTORY>                                    66,254
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               138,391
<PP&E>                                         37,774
<DEPRECIATION>                                 5,401
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 301,944
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          77,214
<BONDS>                                        141,057
                          0
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       143
<OTHER-SE>                                     42,637
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   301,944
<SALES>                                        203,953
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               203,953
<CGS>                                          155,318
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  177,139
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               1,307
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             4,662
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                20,845
<INCOME-TAX>                                   8,406
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            12,439
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                545
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   11,894
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.82

        

</TABLE>


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