ATMI INC
8-K, 1999-06-15
GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT, NEC
Previous: ENTERTAINMENT INC, SC 14D9, 1999-06-15
Next: RCN CORP /DE/, S-4/A, 1999-06-15





                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                       ----------------------------------


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 31, 1999

                                   ----------


                                   ATMI, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>        <C>                                             <C>                                     <C>

                  Delaware                                    0-22756                             06-1481060
      (State or other jurisdiction of                (Commission file number)                  (I.R.S. employer
       incorporation or organization)                                                         identification no.)





              7 Commerce Drive
            Danbury, Connecticut                                                                     06810
  (Address of principal executive offices)                                                        (Zip code)





                    Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203) 794-1100

</TABLE>



<PAGE>

Item 2.  Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

         ACSI Merger Agreement
         ---------------------

         On May 31, 1999 pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
May 31,  1999 (the  "ACSI  Merger  Agreement")  by and among  Advanced  Chemical
Systems  International,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation  ("ACSI"),  ATMI, Inc., a
Delaware  corporation  ("ATMI"),  and Strip  Acquisition  Corp., a newly-formed,
wholly-owned  Delaware  subsidiary  of ATMI  ("Strip"),  Strip merged (the "ACSI
Merger")  with and into ACSI,  with ACSI being the surviving  corporation.  As a
result of the ACSI Merger, ACSI became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ATMI.

         Pursuant  to the ACSI  Merger,  each  outstanding  share of ACSI Common
Stock  was  converted  into  .030276219  shares  of ATMI  Common  Stock and each
outstanding share of ACSI Series C Preferred Stock was converted into .065589328
shares of ATMI Common  Stock.  A total of 1,202,312  shares of ATMI Common Stock
were  issued  in this  transaction.

         The ACSI  Merger is  intended  to be a tax-free  transaction  under the
Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the  "Code"),  and will be accounted
for as a pooling of interests.  ACSI manufactures  photolithography and chemical
mechanical  polishing  materials  for  use  in the  semiconductor  manufacturing
industry. ATMI intends to continue the business currently performed by ACSI as a
subsidiary of ATMI.

         The  foregoing  description  of the  terms and  provisions  of the ACSI
Merger  Agreement  is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of
the ACSI Merger Agreement which is filed herewith and incorporated by reference.

         Delatech Merger Agreement
         -------------------------

         On May 31, 1999 pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
May  31,  1999  (the  "Delatech   Merger   Agreement")  by  and  among  Delatech
Incorporated,  a California  corporation  ("Delatech"),  ATMI, Napa  Acquisition
Corp., a newly-formed,  wholly-owned  Delaware subsidiary of ATMI ("Napa"),  and
certain  shareholders of Delatech,  Napa merged (the "Delatech Merger") with and
into Delatech, with Delatech being the surviving corporation. As a result of the
Delatech Merger, Delatech became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ATMI.

         Pursuant to the Delatech  Merger,  each  outstanding  share of Delatech
Common Stock was converted into .5721393  shares of ATMI Common Stock.  Pursuant
to the Delatech  Merger,  a total of 2,347,499  shares of ATMI Common Stock were
issued.




<PAGE>

         The Delatech Merger is intended to be a tax-free  transaction under the
Code,  and will be accounted  for as a pooling of interests.  Delatech  provides
environmental abatement equipment to the semiconductor industry. ATMI intends to
continue the business  currently  performed by  Delatech,  in  combination  with
ATMI's  other  environmental   abatement  equipment   subsidiary,   ATMI  EcoSys
Corporation.

         The foregoing  description  of the terms and provisions of the Delatech
Merger  Agreement  is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of
the  Delatech  Merger  Agreement  which is filed  herewith and  incorporated  by
reference.

Item 7.       Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and
              Exhibits.

         (a)  Financial  statements  of  business  acquired.   It  is  presently
impracticable  to provide the  financial  statements  required to be included in
this Current  Report on Form 8-K with respect to the businesses  acquired.  Such
financial statements will be filed by amendment as soon as practicable.

         (b) Pro forma financial information.  It is presently  impracticable to
provide  the pro forma  financial  information  required  to be included in this
Current Report on Form 8-K. ATMI intends to file the financial  statements as an
exhibit to ATMI's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
1999.


                                      - 2 -


<PAGE>

         (c)      Exhibits

         Exhibit No.     Description
         -----------     -----------

         2.1             Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 31, 1999
                         by and among Advanced Chemical Systems International,
                         Inc., ATMI, Inc. and Strip Acquisition Corp.

         2.2             Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 31, 1999
                         by and among Delatech Incorporated, ATMI, Inc., Napa
                         Acquisition Corp. and certain shareholders of Delatech
                         Incorporated

         99.1            Form of Press Release issued by ATMI dated June 1,
                         1999.

         99.2            Form of Press Release issued by ATMI dated June 1,
                         1999.

                                      - 3 -


<PAGE>

                                    SIGNATURE

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



Date:    June 14, 1999             ATMI, INC.


                                   By: /s/ Daniel P. Sharkey
                                      ---------------------------------------
                                      Daniel P. Sharkey
                                      Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
                                      and Treasurer (Chief Accounting
                                      Officer)


                                      - 4 -


<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.            Description
- - -----------            -----------

     2.1               Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 31, 1999
                       by and among Advanced Chemical Systems International,
                       Inc., ATMI, Inc. and Strip Acquisition Corp.

     2.2               Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 31, 1999
                       by and among Delatech Incorporated, ATMI, Inc., Napa
                       Acquisition Corp. and certain shareholders of Delatech
                       Incorporated

     99.1              Form of Press Release issued by ATMI dated June 1, 1999.

     99.2              Form of Press Release issued by ATMI dated June 1, 1999.


                                      - 5 -






                                                                   Exhibit 2.1



                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                  AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this  "Agreement"),  dated as of
May 31, 1999,  among (i) ATMI,  Inc.  ("Parent"),  a Delaware  corporation and a
party to this  Agreement  but not a  constituent  corporation  in the Merger (as
hereinafter  defined);  (ii) Strip Acquisition Corp.  ("Merger Sub"), a Delaware
corporation  all of whose capital stock is owned  directly by Parent;  and (iii)
Advanced  Chemical  Systems  International,  Inc.  (the  "Company"),  a Delaware
corporation.

                                    RECITALS:

                  WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Parent, Merger Sub and the
Company,  deeming it advisable and for the respective benefit of Parent,  Merger
Sub and the  Company,  and their  stockholders,  have  approved  the  Merger (as
hereinafter  defined) of Merger Sub with and into the Company upon the terms and
subject  to the  conditions  hereinafter  set  forth,  and  have  approved  this
Agreement and authorized the transactions contemplated hereby; and

                  WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors of the Company has determined
to  recommend  to all of the  Company's  stockholders  that the  Merger and this
Agreement be approved; and

                  WHEREAS,  Parent,  Merger Sub and the Company  intend to adopt
this Agreement as a plan of reorganization  within the meaning of Section 368 of
the Code (as hereinafter  defined) and the regulations  promulgated  thereunder;
and

                  WHEREAS,  Parent,  Merger Sub and the Company  intend that the
Merger be accounted for as a  pooling-of-interests  for financial  reporting and
accounting purposes; and

                  WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger, each outstanding share of the
Company's  (i) Common  Stock,  par value  $0.01 per share (the  "Company  Common
Stock"), (ii) Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Series A
Preferred  Stock"),  (iii) Series C1 Preferred  Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(the "Series C1 Preferred  Stock"),  (iv) Series C2 Preferred  Stock,  par value
$0.01 per share (the  "Series C2  Preferred  Stock") and (v) Series C3 Preferred
Stock,  par value $0.01 per share (the  "Series C3  Preferred  Stock")  shall be
automatically  converted into the right to receive the respective  consideration
specified  in  Section  2.7  upon  the  terms  and  subject  to  the  conditions
hereinafter set forth; and

                  WHEREAS,  upon consummation of the Merger, the Company will be
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent; and



<PAGE>

                  WHEREAS,  Parent,  Merger Sub and the  Company  desire to make
certain  representations,  warranties  and  agreements in connection  with,  and
establish various conditions precedent to, the Merger.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and the
mutual  covenants and  agreements  hereinafter  set forth,  the parties  hereto,
intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1.       DEFINITIONS

         For purposes of this  Agreement,  the following terms have the meanings
specified or referred to in this Section 1:

         "Accounts Receivable"-- as defined in Section 4.9.

         "Affiliate Agreement"-- as defined in Section 6.1.

         "Affiliate Letters"-- as defined in Section 6.1.

         "Agreement"-- as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

         "AMT" -- as defined in Section 2.7(f).

         "AMT Conversion" -- as defined in Section 2.7(f).

         "Average Closing Price"--the average closing price of a share of Parent
Common Stock for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day
that is two (2) Trading Days immediately  prior to the Closing Date, as reported
on the Nasdaq National  Market (subject to appropriate  adjustment for any stock
split, reverse split, stock dividend, reorganization,  recapitalization or other
like change with  respect to the Parent  Common Stock  occurring  after the date
hereof and prior to the Effective Time).

         "Certificate of Merger"--as defined in Section 2.2.

         "Certificates"--as defined in Section 2.8(c).

         "Claim"--as defined in Section 11.5(a)

         "Closing"--as defined in Section 2.1(b).

         "Closing  Date"--the  date and time as of which  the  Closing  actually
takes place.

         "Code"--the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor
law.

         "Commission"--the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                      - 2 -



<PAGE>

         "Common Stock Exchange Ratio"--as defined in Section 2.7(a)(v).

         "Company"--as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

         "Company Capital Stock"--the Company Common Stock and Company Preferred
Stock.

         "Company Common Stock"--as defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

         "Company Indemnitee"--as defined in Section 11.3.

         "Company Option"--as defined in Section 2.7(d).

         "Company  Preferred  Stock"--the  Series A Preferred  Stock,  Series C1
Preferred Stock, Series C2 Preferred Stock and Series C3 Preferred Stock.

         "Company Stockholders"--the holders of the Company Common Stock and the
Company Preferred Stock.

         "Confidentiality  Agreement"--means the Confidentiality Agreement dated
December 7, 1998 between the Company and Parent.

         "Continuing Employee"--as defined in Section 7.4(a).

         "Contract"--any agreement, contract, obligation, promise, commitment or
undertaking (whether written or oral and whether express or implied).

         "Copyrights"--as defined in Section 4.21(a).

         "Customers"--as defined in Section 4.32.

         "DGCL"--as defined in Section 2.1(a).

         "Disclosure Schedule"--the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company
to Parent and Merger Sub  concurrently  with the  execution and delivery of this
Agreement.

         "Dissenting Stockholders"--as defined in Section 2.7(c).

         "Effective Time"--as defined in Section 2.2.

         "Employee Benefit Plan"--as defined in Section 4.19(a).

         "Employment Agreement"--as defined in Section 8(i).


                                      - 3 -



<PAGE>

         "Encumbrance"--any   mortgage,   charge,   claim,   community  property
interest,   condition,   equitable  interest,  lien,  option,  pledge,  security
interest,  right of first  refusal or  restriction  of any kind,  including  any
restriction on use, voting, transfer, receipt of income or exercise of any other
attribute of ownership; and the verb "Encumber" shall be construed accordingly.

         "Environmental Claim"--any accusation, allegation, notice of violation,
action, claim, Lien, demand,  abatement or other Order or direction (conditional
or otherwise) by any  Governmental  Authority or any Person for personal  injury
(including sickness,  disease or death), tangible or intangible property damage,
damage to the environment,  nuisance, pollution,  contamination or other adverse
effects on the environment,  or for fines,  penalties or restrictions  resulting
from or based upon (i) the existence, or the continuation of the existence, of a
Release  (including,  without  limitation,  sudden or  non-sudden  accidental or
non-accidental  Releases)  of, or exposure to, any  Hazardous  Material or other
substance,  clinical, material, pollutant,  contaminant, odor, audible noise, or
other Release in, into or onto the environment  (including,  without limitation,
the air soil, soil, surface water or groundwater) at, in, by, from or related to
the  Facilities or any  activities  conducted  thereon;  (ii) the  environmental
aspects of the  transportation,  storage,  treatment  or disposal  of  Hazardous
Materials  in  connection  with the  operation of the  Facilities;  or (iii) the
violation,   or  alleged  violation,   of  any  Environmental  Laws,  Orders  or
Governmental  Permits  of  or  from  any  Governmental   Authority  relating  to
environmental matters connected with the Facilities.

         "Environmental,  Health,  and Safety  Liabilities"--any  cost,  damage,
expense, liability, obligation or other responsibility arising from or under any
Environmental  Law or  Occupational  Safety and Health Law and  consisting of or
relating  to:  (a) any  environmental,  health  or safety  matter  or  condition
(including on-site or off-site contamination,  generation, handling and disposal
of  Hazardous  Materials,  occupational  safety and health,  and  regulation  of
chemical and Hazardous  Materials);  (b) fines,  penalties,  judgments,  awards,
settlements,  legal or administrative proceedings,  damages, losses, litigation,
including  civil and  criminal  claims,  demands and  responses,  investigative,
remedial,  response or inspection costs and expenses arising under Environmental
Law or Occupational  Safety and Health Law; (c) financial  responsibility  under
Environmental  Law or  Occupational  Safety and Health Law for cleanup  costs or
corrective action, including any investigation, cleanup, removal, containment or
other  remediation or response actions required by applicable  Environmental Law
or Occupational  Safety and Health Law and for any natural resource damages;  or
(d)  any  other  compliance,  corrective,  investigative  or  remedial  measures
required  under  Environmental  Law or  Occupational  Safety and Health Law. The
terms  "removal,"  "remedial,"  and  "response  action,"  include  the  types of
activities covered by the United States  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,
Compensation,  and  Liability  Act,  42  U.S.C.  ss.  9601 et seq.,  as  amended
("CERCLA").

         "Environmental Law"--any Law concerning the environment,  or activities
that might threaten or result in damage to the  environment or human health,  or
any Law that is  concerned  in whole or in part  with the  environment  and with
protecting  or improving the quality of the  environment  and human and employee
health and safety and  includes,  but is not limited to,  CERCLA,  the Hazardous
Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. ss. 1801 et

                                      - 4 -



<PAGE>

seq.), the Resource  Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. ss. 6901 et seq.),
the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C.  ss. 1251 et seq.),  the Clean Air Act (33 U.S.C.
ss.  7401 et seq.),  the Toxic  Substances  Control  Act (15 U.S.C.  ss. 2601 et
seq.), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. ss. 136
et seq.) and the Occupational  Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. ss. 651 et seq.)
("OSHA"),  as such laws have been amended or  supplemented,  and the regulations
promulgated pursuant thereto, and any and all analogous state or local statutes,
and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

         "ERISA"--the  Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act of  1974,  as
amended, or any successor law.

         "ERISA Affiliate"--as defined in Section 4.19(b).

         "Escrow Agent"--as defined in Section 2.8(i).

         "Escrow Agreement"--as defined in Section 2.8(i).

         "Escrow  Amount"--(i)  that  number of shares  of Parent  Common  Stock
issuable pursuant to Section 2.7 upon conversion of all of the shares of Company
Capital Stock issued and  outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time
plus the Koch Option Consideration multiplied by (ii) 0.10.

         "Escrow Fund"--as defined in Section 2.8(i).

         "Exchange Act"--the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any
successor law.

         "Exchange Agent"--as defined in Section 2.8(a).

         "Exchange  Ratio"--with  respect to the Series A Preferred  Stock,  the
Series A Exchange  Ratio;  with  respect to the Series C1 Preferred  Stock,  the
Series C1 Exchange  Ratio;  with respect to the Series C2 Preferred  Stock,  the
Series C2 Exchange  Ratio;  with respect to the Series C3 Preferred  Stock,  the
Series C3 Exchange  Ratio;  and with respect to the Company  Common  Stock,  the
Common Stock Exchange Ratio.

         "Expiration Date"--as defined in Section 11.1(b).

         "Facilities"--any  real  property,  leaseholds  or other real  property
interests therein currently or formerly owned or operated by the Company and any
buildings,  plants, structures or equipment (including motor vehicles) currently
or formerly owned or operated by the Company thereon.

         "Financial Statements"--as defined in Section 4.5(a).

         "Form 10-K"-- as defined in Section 5.4(a).


                                      - 5 -



<PAGE>

         "Form 10-Q"-- as defined in Section 5.4(a).

         "GAAP"--generally  accepted United States accounting principles applied
on a basis  consistent  with the basis on which the  Financial  Statements  were
prepared.

         "Governmental   Authority"--any  court,  tribunal,  authority,  agency,
commission, bureau, department,  official or other instrumentality of the United
States, any foreign country or any domestic, foreign, state, local, county, city
or other political subdivision.

         "Governmental   Permit"--any  license,   franchise,   permit  or  other
authorization of any Governmental Authority.

         "Hazardous  Materials"--any  substance,  material  or  waste  which  is
regulated by Environmental Law, including,  without limitation,  any material or
substance  which  is  defined  as a  "hazardous  waste,"  "hazardous  material,"
"hazardous  substance,"  "extremely  hazardous  waste" or "restricted  hazardous
waste," "subject waste," "contaminant," "toxic waste" or "toxic substance" under
any provision of  Environmental  Law,  including  but not limited to,  petroleum
products, asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls.

         "HSR Act"--the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended, or any successor law.

         "Indemnitee"--as defined in Section 11.5(a).

         "Indemnitor"--as defined in Section 11.5(a).

         "Intellectual Property Assets" --as defined in Section 4.21(a).

         "Interim Financial Statements"--as defined in Section 4.5(a).

         "ISO"--as defined in Section 4.19(i).

         "Key Employees"--as defined in Section 4.15(a).

         "Koch" -- as defined in Section 2.7(e).

         "Koch Conversion" -- as defined in Section 2.7(e)

         "Koch Option Consideration" -- as defined in Section 2.7(h)

         "Koch Options" -- as defined in Section 2.7(h)

         "Law"--any federal, state, local or foreign law (including common law),
statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation or other requirement or guideline.


                                      - 6 -



<PAGE>

         "Lien"--any lien, pledge, hypothecation, levy, mortgage, deed of trust,
security  interest,  claim,  lease,  charge,  option,  right of  first  refusal,
easement, or other real estate declaration,  covenant, condition, restriction or
servitude,  transfer  restriction  under any  stockholder or similar  agreement,
encumbrance or any other restriction or limitation whatsoever.

         "Losses"--as defined in Section 11.2.

         "Marks"--as defined in Section 4.21(a).

         "Material Adverse Effect"--as defined in Section 4.7.

         "Merger"--as defined in Section 2.1(a).

         "Merger Sub"--as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

         "Noncompetition Agreement" -- as defined in Section 8(m).

         "Occupational   Safety  and  Health  Law"--any  legal  or  governmental
requirement or obligation  relating to safe and healthful working  conditions or
to reduce  occupational  safety and health  hazards,  and any  program,  whether
governmental or private  (including  those  promulgated or sponsored by industry
associations  and insurance  companies),  designed to provide safe and healthful
working conditions.

         "Option Plan"--as defined in Section 2.7(d).

         "Order"--any  order,  consent,  consent  order,  injunction,  judgment,
decree, consent decree, ruling, writ, assessment or arbitration award.

         "Organizational   Documents"--(a)   the  articles  or   certificate  of
incorporation  and the by-laws or code of regulations of a corporation;  (b) the
partnership agreement and any statement of partnership of a general partnership;
(c) the limited partnership agreement and the certificate of limited partnership
of a limited  partnership;  (d) the articles or  certificate  of  formation  and
operating  agreement of a limited liability company;  (e) any charter or similar
document  adopted  or  filed  in  connection  with the  creation,  formation  or
organization  of a  Person;  and  (e)  any  and  all  amendments  to  any of the
foregoing.

         "Parent"--as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

         "Parent Common  Stock"--the Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of
Parent.

         "Parent Indemnitee"--as defined in Section 11.2.

         "Parent SEC Reports"--as defined in Section 5.4.


                                      - 7 -



<PAGE>

         "Parent  Shares"--the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued to the
Company Stockholders in connection with the Merger.

         "Patents"--as defined in Section 4.21(a).

         "Pension Plan"--as defined in Section 4.19(f).

         "Person"--any   individual,   corporation   (including  any  non-profit
corporation),  general or limited partnership,  limited liability company, joint
venture, estate, trust, association,  organization,  labor union or other entity
or governmental body or Governmental Authority.

         "Pooling Rules"--as defined in Section 6.1.

         "Proceeding"--as defined in Section 4.13.

         "Products Liability"-- as defined in Section 4.36(b).

         "Proxy Statement"-- as defined in Section 5.4(a).

         "Registration Rights Agreement"--as defined in Section 7.3(a).

         "Related Person"--as defined in Section 4.23.

         "Release"--any release, spill, effluent,  emission,  leaking,  pumping,
injection, deposit, disposal, discharge,  dispersal, leaching, or migration into
the indoor or outdoor  environment of any Hazardous  Material  through or in the
air, soil, surface water or groundwater.

         "Remedial  Action"--all  actions,  including,  without limitation,  any
expenditures, required or voluntarily undertaken to (i) clean up, remove, treat,
or in any other way address any  Hazardous  Material or other  substance  in the
indoor or outdoor environment; (ii) prevent the Release or threat of Release, or
minimize the further Release of any Hazardous  Material or other substance so it
does not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare of
the  indoor or outdoor  environment;  (iii)  perform  pre-remedial  studies  and
investigations or post-remedial  monitoring and care; or (iv) bring any Facility
into compliance with all Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits.

         "Returns"--as defined in Section 4.8(b).

         "Rule 145"--as defined in Section 6.1.

         "Securities  Act"--the  Securities  Act of  1933,  as  amended,  or any
successor law.

         "Securityholder Representative" -- as defined in Section 7.3(b).

         "Series A Exchange Ratio"--as defined in Section 2.7(a).

                                      - 8 -



<PAGE>

         "Series A Preferred Stock"--as defined in the recitals.

         "Series C1 Exchange Ratio"--as defined in Section 2.7(a).

         "Series C1 Preferred Stock"--as defined in the recitals.

         "Series C2 Exchange Ratio"--as defined in Section 2.7(a).

         "Series C2 Preferred Stock"--as defined in the recitals.

         "Series C3 Exchange Ratio"--as defined in Section 2.7(a).

         "Series C3 Preferred Stock"--as defined in the recitals.

         "Series C3 Preferred Stock Dividend  Issuance" -- as defined in section
2.7(g).

         "Stockholder Representative"--as defined in Section 2.8(i).

         "Subsidiary"--with  respect  to  any  Person,  any  corporation,  joint
venture, limited liability company,  partnership,  association or other business
entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of stock or other equity
entitled  to  vote  generally  in the  election  of  directors  or  managers  or
equivalent  persons thereof is owned or controlled,  directly or indirectly,  by
such Person.

         "Surviving Corporation"--as defined in Section 2.1(a).

         "Systems"--as defined in Section 4.33.

         "Tax Authority"--as defined in Section 4.8(a).

         "Taxes"--as defined in Section 4.8(a).

         "Trade Secrets"--as defined in Section 4.21(a).

         "Trading  Day"--means  any day on which the Nasdaq  National  Market is
open for business.

         "Transaction     Documents"--means     the    Employment     Agreement,
Non-Competition  Agreement,  Registration Rights Agreement, the Escrow Agreement
and the other agreements,  documents or instruments  executed and delivered by a
party hereto as contemplated under this Agreement.

         "WARN"--as defined in Section 4.18(d).


                                      - 9 -



<PAGE>

         "Year 2000"--as defined in Section 4.33.

         "Year 2000 Compliance Plan" -- as defined in Section 4.33.

2.       THE MERGER; CLOSING

2.1      THE MERGER

         (a) Upon the terms set forth in this Agreement,  and in accordance with
the Delaware  General  Corporation Law (the "DGCL"),  Merger Sub shall be merged
with and into the Company at the Effective  Time (the  "Merger").  Following the
Merger,  the separate  corporate  existence  of Merger Sub shall cease,  and the
Company  shall   continue  as  the   surviving   corporation   (the   "Surviving
Corporation") under the name "Advanced Chemical Systems International, Inc."

         (b) The  consummation  of the  Merger  will  take  place on the date of
execution and delivery of this Agreement at the offices of Kramer Levin Naftalis
& Frankel LLP, 919 Third  Avenue,  New York,  New York (the  "Closing"),  unless
another date,  time or place is agreed to in writing by the Company,  Merger Sub
and Parent.

2.2      EFFECTIVE TIME

         As soon as practicable  following the Closing, the parties hereto shall
cause the Merger to be  consummated  by (i) filing a certificate  of merger (the
"Certificate  of  Merger")  in  such  form as is  required  by and  executed  in
accordance  with the relevant  provisions of the DGCL, and (ii) making all other
filings or recordings required under the DGCL. The Merger shall become effective
at such time as the  Certificate  of Merger is duly filed with the  Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware or at such subsequent time as the Company, Merger
Sub and Parent shall agree and shall be specified in the  Certificate  of Merger
(the date and time the Merger becomes effective being the "Effective Time").

2.3      EFFECTS OF THE MERGER

         At and after the Effective  Time,  the Merger will have the effects set
forth in this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the applicable provisions
of the DGCL.  Without  limiting the  generality  of the  foregoing,  and subject
thereto,  at the Effective Time all the assets,  property,  rights,  privileges,
powers and  franchises of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving
Corporation, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub
shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.

2.4      CERTIFICATE  OF INCORPORATION OF SURVIVING CORPORATION

         Unless  otherwise  determined by Parent prior to the Effective Time, at
the Effective  Time, the  certificate  of  incorporation  of the Company,  as in
effect  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time,  shall be the  certificate of
incorporation of the Surviving Corporation,  unless and until thereafter changed
or amended as provided therein or by applicable Law.

                                     - 10 -



<PAGE>

2.5      BY-LAWS OF SURVIVING CORPORATION

         At the  Effective  Time,  the  by-laws  of  Merger  Sub,  as in  effect
immediately  prior to the Effective Time,  shall be the by-laws of the Surviving
Corporation,  unless and until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein
or in the  certificate  of  incorporation  of the  Surviving  Corporation  or by
applicable Law.

2.6      OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF SURVIVING CORPORATION

         The  officers of Merger Sub  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time
(which are set forth on Schedule  2.6 hereto)  shall be the initial  officers of
the Surviving Corporation,  in each case until the earliest of their resignation
or removal from office or their otherwise  ceasing to be officers or until their
respective  successors are duly elected and  qualified.  The directors of Merger
Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time (which are set forth on Schedule 2.6
hereto)  shall be the initial  directors of the Surviving  Corporation,  each to
hold office in accordance with the certificate of  incorporation  and by-laws of
the Surviving Corporation.

2.7      CONVERSION OR CANCELLATION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF THE COMPANY

         (a) At the  Effective  Time,  by virtue of the Merger and  without  any
action on the part of any party hereto or any holder thereof:

         (i) Series A Preferred  Stock.  Subject to the  provisions  of Sections
         2.7(c),  2.8 and 2.9, each share of Series A Preferred Stock issued and
         outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and not theretofore
         converted  into Company  Common Stock shall be converted into the right
         to receive  that  portion of a share of Parent  Common  Stock  which is
         equal to $0.15  divided by the  Average  Closing  Price (the  "Series A
         Exchange Ratio").

         (ii) Series C1 Preferred  Stock.  Subject to the provisions of Sections
         2.7(c),  2.8 and 2.9, each share of the  Company's  Series C1 Preferred
         Stock issued and  outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective Time
         and not  theretofore  converted  into  Company  Common  Stock  shall be
         converted  into the right to receive  that portion of a share of Parent
         Common  Stock  which is equal to  $1.47289034  divided  by the  Average
         Closing Price (the "Series C1 Exchange Ratio").

         (iii) Series C2 Preferred Stock.  Subject to the provisions of Sections
         2.7(c),  2.8 and 2.9, each share of the  Company's  Series C2 Preferred
         Stock issued and  outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective Time
         and not  theretofore  converted  into  Company  Common  Stock  shall be
         converted  into the right to receive  that portion of a share of Parent
         Common  Stock  which is equal to  $1.47289034  divided  by the  Average
         Closing Price (the "Series C2 Exchange Ratio").

         (iv) Series C3 Preferred  Stock.  Subject to the provisions of Sections
         2.7(c),  2.8 and 2.9, each share of the  Company's  Series C3 Preferred
         Stock issued and out-

                                     - 11 -



<PAGE>

         standing  immediately  prior to the Effective Time and not  theretofore
         converted  into Company  Common Stock shall be converted into the right
         to receive  that  portion of a share of Parent  Common  Stock  which is
         equal to $1.47289034  divided by the Average Closing Price (the "Series
         C3 Exchange Ratio").

         (v) Company Common Stock. Subject to the provisions of Sections 2.7(c),
         2.8 and 2.9, each share of Company Common Stock issued and  outstanding
         immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time shall be converted  into the
         right to receive that  portion of a share of Parent  Common Stock which
         is equal to  $0.67989034  divided  by the  Average  Closing  Price (the
         "Common Stock Exchange Ratio").

         (vi) Unissued  Shares.  Each  authorized  but unissued share of Company
         Preferred  Stock and Company  Common Stock shall cease to exist without
         payment of any consideration therefor.

         (vii)  Merger  Sub's  Common  Stock.  Each share of Merger Sub's Common
         Stock,  $0.01 par value per share,  issued and outstanding  immediately
         prior to the  Effective  Time shall be cancelled and  extinguished  and
         automatically  converted  into one (1) validly  issued,  fully paid and
         nonassessable  share of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the
         Surviving Corporation.

         (b)  Parent  Common  Stock.  The  aggregate  number of shares of Parent
Common Stock issuable  pursuant to Section 2.7(a) (which includes the conversion
pursuant to Section 2.7(a) of any shares of Company Capital Stock resulting from
the conversions and issuance  referred to in Sections  2.7(e),  (f) and (g)) and
2.7(h) shall not exceed the number of shares of Parent Common Stock  obtained by
dividing (i) 27,000,000 by (ii) the Average Closing Price.

         (c) Dissenters. Shares of Company Preferred Stock and shares of Company
Common  Stock  owned by a holder  who (i) shall  not have  voted in favor of the
Merger,  and (ii) shall have  delivered  to the Company a written  notice of his
intent to demand  payment  for his  shares if the Merger is  effectuated  in the
manner  provided  in  Section  262 of the DGCL  (collectively,  the  "Dissenting
Stockholders")  shall not be cancelled,  extinguished  and converted as provided
above in this Section  2.7, but shall be entitled to receive such  consideration
as shall be  provided  in such  section of the DGCL,  except  that shares of any
Dissenting  Stockholder who shall  thereafter not perfect such holder's right to
appraisal as provided in such  section of the DGCL shall  thereupon be deemed to
have been cancelled,  extinguished and converted, as of the Effective Time, into
Parent Common Stock,  as provided in clauses (i) through (v) of Section  2.7(a),
as the case may be. The Company shall notify Parent and Merger Sub in writing of
the details of the Dissenting  Stockholders  and the number of shares of Company
Preferred  Stock or shares of Company  Common  Stock that they own.  The Company
shall not enter into any agreement or settlement with any Dissenting Stockholder
without the prior written consent of Parent.

         (d) Stock Options. As of the Effective Time, each option outstanding at
the  Effective  Time to  purchase  shares of Company  Common  Stock (a  "Company
Option")  under the Advanced  Chemical  Systems  International,  Inc. 1997 Stock
Option Plan (the "Option

                                     - 12 -



<PAGE>

Plan"),  which  Company  Options  are  listed on Section  4.3 of the  Disclosure
Schedule, shall become fully vested pursuant to the terms of the Option Plan and
shall  constitute an option to purchase,  on the same terms and  conditions  set
forth in the Option Plan and/or as provided in the respective  option agreements
governing  such Company  Option  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time,  the
number of whole  shares of Parent  Common Stock which the holder of such Company
Option would have been eligible to receive  pursuant to Section  2.7(a)(v),  had
such Company  Option then been fully vested prior to the effective time and such
holder exercised such Company Option in full immediately  prior to the Effective
Time, rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares of Parent Common Stock,
at a price per share equal to the quotient  determined  by dividing the exercise
price per  share of  Company  Common  Stock at which  such  Company  Option  was
exercisable immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Common Stock Exchange
Ratio,  rounded up to the nearest whole cent. As soon as  practicable  following
the  Effective  Time,  Parent  will cause to be  delivered  to each holder of an
outstanding  Company  Option an  appropriate  notice setting forth such holder's
rights pursuant thereto and that such Company Option shall continue in effect on
the same terms and conditions.

         (e) Conversion By Koch of Series C1 Preferred Stock.  Koch Chemical Co.
("Koch"),  a division  of Koch  Petroleum  Group,  L.P.,  shall  have  converted
4,865,808  of its shares of Series C1  Preferred  Stock  into  shares of Company
Common Stock (the "Koch  Conversion")  in  accordance  with the  certificate  of
incorporation  of the Company  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time,  which
shares of Company  Common  Stock  shall be  converted  into the right to receive
shares of Parent Common Stock in accordance with Section 2.7(a)(v).

         (f) Conversion By AMT of Series C2 Preferred Stock.  Advanced Materials
Technologies  Venture  Partners Ltd., JHAM Limited  Partnership and AMT Capital,
Ltd.  (collectively,  "AMT")  shall have  converted an aggregate of 4,817,662 of
their  shares of Series C2 Preferred  Stock into shares of Company  Common Stock
(the "AMT  Conversion") in accordance with the certificate of  incorporation  of
the Company  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time,  which shares of Company
Common  Stock  shall be  converted  into the right to  receive  shares of Parent
Common Stock in accordance with Section 2.7(a)(v).

         (g) Issuance of Series C3  Preferred  Stock  Dividend.  An aggregate of
1,030,176  shares of Series C3  Preferred  Stock which have accrued as dividends
under Section A(1)(c)(iii) of Article Fourth of the certificate of incorporation
of the  Company,  shall be issued  (the  "Series  C3  Preferred  Stock  Dividend
Issuance")  to Advanced  Materials  Technologies  Venture  Partners  Ltd.,  JHAM
Limited Partnership and AMT Capital,  Ltd. in accordance with the certificate of
incorporation of the Company, which shares of Series C3 Preferred Stock shall be
converted  into the right to receive shares of Parent Common Stock in accordance
with Section 2.7(a)(iv).

         (h)  Transfer  of  Koch  Option  Agreement.  Immediately  prior  to the
Effective  Time,  Koch shall  exchange all of its options to purchase  shares of
Series C1 Preferred Stock (the "Koch Options") under the Stock Option Agreement,
dated  October 3, 1997 between  Koch and the Company,  with Parent in return for
the number of shares of Parent Common Stock

                                     - 13 -



<PAGE>

which is equal to  $1,828,323  divided by the Average  Closing  Price (the "Koch
Option Consideration").

2.8      SURRENDER OF CERTIFICATES, ESCROW, ETC.

         (a) Exchange Agent.  Parent or the transfer agent for the Parent Common
Stock,  or a bank or trust  company  designated by Parent prior to the Effective
Time, shall act as exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") in the Merger.

         (b)  Parent  to  Provide  Common  Stock and  Cash.  Promptly  after the
Effective Time,  Parent shall make available to the Exchange Agent, for exchange
in accordance with this Section 2, (i) the aggregate  number of shares of Parent
Common Stock issuable pursuant to Section 2.7 in exchange for (A) the issued and
outstanding  shares of Company  Capital  Stock and (B) the Koch Options and (ii)
the  cash to be paid in lieu of  fractional  shares  pursuant  to  Section  2.9;
provided that, on behalf of the Company Stockholders,  Parent shall deposit into
the Escrow  Fund  pursuant  to Section  2.8(i)  that  number of shares of Parent
Common  Stock  equal to the  Escrow  Amount out of (x) the  aggregate  number of
shares of Parent Common Stock otherwise issuable pursuant to Section 2.7(a) upon
conversion of all of the shares of Company  Capital Stock issued and outstanding
immediately  prior to the Effective Time and (y) the Koch Option  Consideration.
The portion of the Escrow Amount contributed on behalf of each holder of Company
Capital Stock shall be in proportion to the aggregate number of shares of Parent
Common Stock which such holder would  otherwise be entitled to receive under (q)
Section  2.7(a) by virtue of  ownership  of  issued  and  outstanding  shares of
Company  Capital Stock and (r) Section 2.7(h) as more fully specified in Section
2.8(i).

         (c)  Exchange  Procedures.  Promptly  after  the  Effective  Time,  the
Exchange  Agent  shall  cause to be  delivered  to each  holder  of  record of a
certificate or certificates (the "Certificates")  which immediately prior to the
Effective  Time  evidenced  outstanding  shares of  Company  Preferred  Stock or
Company  Common  Stock  whose  shares were  converted  into the right to receive
shares of Parent  Common Stock  pursuant to Section  2.7(a) and, if  applicable,
cash in lieu of  fractional  shares  pursuant  to  Section  2.9 (i) a letter  of
transmittal  (which shall specify that delivery  shall be effected,  and risk of
loss and title to the Certificates  shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the
Certificates to the Exchange Agent and shall be in such form and have such other
provisions as Parent may reasonably specify) and (ii) instructions to effect the
surrender of the Certificates in exchange for certificates  evidencing shares of
Parent Common Stock.  Upon surrender of a Certificate  for  cancellation  to the
Exchange  Agent or to such other agent or agents as may be  appointed by Parent,
together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed in
accordance  with the  instructions  thereto,  and such other documents as may be
required by such instructions, the holder of such Certificates shall be entitled
to receive in exchange  therefor a  certificate  evidencing  the number of whole
shares of Parent  Common Stock (less the number of shares of Parent Common Stock
to be deposited in the Escrow Fund on such holder's  behalf  pursuant to Section
2.8(i)) to which such holder is entitled  pursuant to Section 2.7(a) and 2.7(h),
plus cash in lieu of fractional  shares in accordance  with Section 2.9, and the
Certificate so surrendered  shall forthwith be cancelled.  Until so surrendered,
each

                                     - 14 -



<PAGE>

outstanding  Certificate that, prior to the Effective Time,  evidenced shares of
Company  Preferred  Stock or Company  Common Stock will be deemed from and after
the  Effective  Time,  for all  corporate  purposes,  other than the  payment of
dividends or other  distributions,  to evidence  the  ownership of the number of
whole shares of Parent Common Stock into which such shares of Company  Preferred
Stock or Company  Common  Stock  shall have been so  converted  and the right to
receive an amount in cash in lieu of the  issuance of any  fractional  shares in
accordance with Section 2.9.

         (d) Distributions  With Respect to Unexchanged  Shares. No dividends or
other  distributions  declared or made after the Effective  Time with respect to
shares of Parent Common Stock with a record date after the  Effective  Time will
be paid to the  holder of any  unsurrendered  Certificate  with  respect  to the
shares of Parent  Common Stock  evidenced  thereby until the holder of record of
such Certificate  shall surrender such  Certificate  pursuant to Section 2.8(c).
Subject to applicable Law,  following  surrender of any such Certificate,  there
shall be paid to the record holder of the  certificates  evidencing whole shares
of Parent Common Stock issued in exchange  therefor,  without  interest,  at the
time of such surrender,  the amount of dividends or other  distributions  with a
record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such whole
shares of Parent Common Stock.

         (e) Transfers of  Ownership.  If any  certificate  for shares of Parent
Common Stock is to be issued in a name other than that in which the  Certificate
surrendered in exchange  therefor is  registered,  it will be a condition of the
issuance thereof that the Certificate so surrendered  will be properly  endorsed
and otherwise in proper form for transfer, accompanied by all documents required
to evidence and effect such transfer  pursuant to this Section 2.8(e),  and that
the  Person  requesting  such  transfer  will  have  paid to Parent or any agent
designated by it any transfer or other Taxes  required by reason of the issuance
of a  certificate  for shares of Parent Common Stock in any name other than that
of the registered holder of the Certificate  surrendered,  or established to the
satisfaction  of Parent or any agent  designated by it that such Taxes have been
paid or are not payable.

         (f) No  Liability.  Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary in this
Section 2.8, none of the Exchange Agent, the Surviving  Corporation or any party
hereto shall be liable to any holder of shares of Company  Capital Stock for any
amount properly paid to a public official  pursuant to any applicable  abandoned
property, escheat or similar Law.

         (g) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Capital Stock. All shares of
Parent  Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange of shares of Company
Capital Stock or Koch Options in accordance with the terms hereof (including any
cash paid in respect  thereof in accordance with Section 2.9) shall be deemed to
have been issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such shares of
Company  Capital  Stock  or  Koch  Options,   and  there  shall  be  no  further
registration of transfers on the records of the Surviving  Corporation of shares
of  Company  Capital  Stock  which  were  outstanding  immediately  prior to the
Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time,  Certificates are presented to the
Surviving  Corporation for any reason,  they shall be cancelled and exchanged as
provided in this Section 2.8.


                                     - 15 -



<PAGE>

         (h)  Lost,  Stolen  or  Destroyed   Certificates.   In  the  event  any
Certificates  evidencing  shares of Company  Capital Stock shall have been lost,
stolen or destroyed, the Exchange Agent may require, before issuing certificates
in  respect  of the  shares of  Parent  Common  Stock  evidenced  thereby,  such
affidavits and  indemnities and bonds in support  thereof,  as it may reasonably
require with respect to such loss, theft or destruction.

         (i) Escrow.  Notwithstanding  any  provision  of this  Agreement to the
contrary,  in lieu of delivering  to holders of shares of Company  Capital Stock
certificates  for the full number of shares of Parent Common Stock  provided for
in Section  2.7(a),  Parent shall  deliver or cause to be delivered  (A) to each
such  holder one or more  certificates,  registered  in the name of such  holder
(subject to Section 2.8(e)), for a number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal
to 90% of the  aggregate  number  of shares of  Parent  Common  Stock  otherwise
issuable to such holder pursuant to Section 2.7(a) and 2.7(h);  and (B) to State
Street Bank and Trust Company, as escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent"), for deposit
into the escrow fund (the "Escrow Fund") provided for in the escrow agreement in
the form attached as Exhibit 2.8 hereto (the "Escrow Agreement"),  to secure the
indemnity  obligations under Section 11.2, one or more certificates,  registered
in the name of the Escrow  Agent,  for a number of shares of Parent Common Stock
equal to the  Escrow  Amount  out of the  aggregate  number  of shares of Parent
Common Stock otherwise  issuable  pursuant to (x) Section 2.7(a) upon conversion
of all of the shares of Company Capital Stock issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the  Effective  Time and (y) Section  2.7(h) in  exchange  for the Koch
Options, all of which will be held as part of the Escrow Fund and disposed of by
the Escrow Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Escrow Agreement. Such
shares  shall be  beneficially  owned by the holders on whose behalf such shares
were  deposited  in the Escrow Fund and shall be  available  to  compensate  the
Parent   Indemnitees  as  provided  in  Section  11.  The  Escrow  Agreement  is
incorporated herein by reference and shall be considered part of this Agreement.
By voting for or failing to dissent  from the approval of this  Agreement,  each
Company   Stockholder   automatically  and  without  any  further  act  or  deed
irrevocably agrees that:

                           (A) such  Company  Stockholder  accepts  and shall be
                  bound by the terms and provisions of the Escrow Agreement; and

                           (B) Peter  Walmsley (or his  successor as provided in
                  the Escrow Agreement) is appointed Stockholder  Representative
                  (the "Stockholder  Representative") for purposes of the Escrow
                  Agreement with all rights,  powers and authority  provided for
                  in the  Escrow  Agreement  and  that any  action  taken by the
                  Stockholder  Representative  pursuant to the Escrow  Agreement
                  shall be  conclusive,  valid,  binding  and  enforceable  with
                  respect to each such Company Stockholder.

         (j) Withholding Rights.  Parent or the Exchange Agent shall be entitled
to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this
Agreement to any holder of Company Capital Stock or Koch Options such amounts as
Parent or the Exchange  Agent is required to deduct and withhold with respect to
the making of such payment under the Code,  or any provision of state,  local or
foreign Tax Law. To the extent that amounts

                                     - 16 -



<PAGE>

are so deducted and withheld by Parent or the Exchange Agent,  such deducted and
withheld  amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this  Agreement as having
been paid to the holder of the  Company  Capital  Stock in respect of which such
deduction and withholding was made by Parent or the Exchange Agent.

2.9      NO FRACTIONAL SHARES; MULTIPLE CERTIFICATES

         Notwithstanding  any  provision  of  this  Agreement  to the  contrary,
neither  certificates  nor scrip for  fractional  shares of Parent  Common Stock
shall be issued in connection  with the Merger,  but in lieu thereof each holder
of shares of Company  Common  Stock,  Company  Preferred  Stock or Koch  Options
otherwise  entitled to a fraction of a share of Parent Common Stock  pursuant to
the  provisions of Section 2.7 shall be paid in cash in accordance  with Section
2.8 an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Average Closing Price. No
such holder  shall be entitled to  dividends  or interest on or,  except for the
cash payment referred to in the preceding  sentence,  other rights in respect of
any such fractional interest.  If more than one Certificate shall be surrendered
for the account of the same Company  Stockholder,  the number of whole shares of
Parent Common Stock for which such Certificates  shall be exchanged  pursuant to
Section 2.8 shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate  number of shares of
Company Preferred Stock or Company Common Stock evidenced by such Certificates.

2.10     STOCK TRANSFER BOOKS

         At the close of business on the day prior to the  Effective  Time,  the
stock  transfer  books of the Company shall be closed and no transfer of Company
Preferred  Stock or Company Common Stock shall  thereafter be made on such stock
transfer books.

2.11     TAX AND ACCOUNTING CONSEQUENCES

         It is  intended  by the  parties  hereto  that  the  Merger  shall  (i)
constitute a tax-free plan of  reorganization  within the meaning of Section 368
of the Code, and (ii) subject to applicable  accounting  standards,  qualify for
accounting  treatment as a  pooling-of-interests.  The parties hereto adopt this
Agreement  as  a  "plan  of  reorganization"  within  the  meaning  of  Sections
1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a) of the United States Treasury Regulations.

3.       [Intentionally Omitted.]

4.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE COMPANY

         The Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as
follows:

4.1      ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING

         (a)  Section 4.1 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  contains a complete  and
accurate  list of the  jurisdictions  in which the Company is  authorized  to do
business.  The Company is a corporation duly organized,  validly existing and in
good standing under the Laws of its

                                     - 17 -



<PAGE>

jurisdiction  of  incorporation,  with full  corporate  power and  authority  to
conduct its business as it is now being  conducted  and to own or use the assets
and properties  that it purports to own or use. The Company is duly qualified to
do business as a foreign  corporation  and is in good standing under the Laws of
each state or other  jurisdiction  in which  either the  ownership or use of the
assets  or  properties  owned or used by it,  or the  nature  of the  activities
conducted by it, requires such qualification,  except where the failure to be so
qualified could not reasonably be expected to have a Material  Adverse Effect on
the Company. The Company does not have, and has never had, any Subsidiaries.

         (b) The Company has delivered to Parent correct and complete  copies of
the Organizational Documents of the Company.

4.2      AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT

         (a) The Company has the right, power, authority and capacity to execute
and deliver this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party,
to  consummate  the Merger and the other  transactions  contemplated  hereby and
thereby and to perform its obligations  under this Agreement and the Transaction
Documents to which it is a party.  This  Agreement has been duly  authorized and
approved, executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the legal, valid
and  binding  obligation  of the  Company,  enforceable  against  the Company in
accordance with its terms. Upon the  authorization  and approval,  execution and
delivery by the  Company of the  Transaction  Documents  to which it is a party,
such Transaction  Documents will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations
of the  Company,  enforceable  against  the  Company  in  accordance  with their
respective terms.

         (b)  Except as set forth in  Section  4.2 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Transaction Document
by the Company nor the  consummation or performance by the Company of the Merger
or any of the other transactions  contemplated  hereby or thereby will, directly
or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time or both):

                  (i)  contravene,  conflict  with or result in a  violation  or
breach of (A) any provision of the Organizational  Documents of the Company, (B)
any  resolution  adopted by the board of  directors or the  stockholders  of the
Company,  (C) any legal requirement or any Order, award,  decision,  settlement,
process or ruling to which the Company or any of the assets or properties  owned
or used by the Company may be subject, or (D) any Governmental  Permit, which is
held by the Company or that otherwise  relates to the business of, or any of the
assets or properties owned or used by, the Company;

                  (ii) result in a breach of or constitute a default,  give rise
to a right of termination,  cancellation or acceleration, create any entitlement
to any payment or benefit, or require the consent,  authorization or approval of
or any notice to or filing with any third Person under any Contract to which the
Company is a party or to which its assets or  properties  are bound,  or require
the  consent,  authorization  or approval of or any notice to or filing with any
Governmental  Authority  to which the  Company  or its assets or  properties  is
subject; or

                                     - 18 -



<PAGE>

                  (iii) result in the imposition or creation of any  Encumbrance
upon or with  respect  to any of the assets or  properties  owned or used by the
Company.

4.3      CAPITALIZATION

         The  authorized  equity  securities  of the Company  consist  solely of
64,301,642 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which 7,860,880
shares are issued and outstanding; 4,328,745 shares of Series A Preferred Stock,
$0.01 par value per share, of which 4,328,745 shares are issued and outstanding;
16,000,000  shares of Series C1 Preferred  Stock,  $0.01 par value per share, of
which 6,305,170 shares are issued and outstanding; 9,000,000 shares of Series C2
Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which 8,584,809 shares are issued
and outstanding; 20,000,000 shares of Series C3 Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
per share,  of which  756,618  shares are  issued and  outstanding  and of which
1,030,176  shares have accrued as dividends on the outstanding  shares of Series
C2 Preferred  Stock for  issuance  pursuant to Section  A(1)(c)(iii)  of Article
Fourth of the  certificate of  incorporation  of the Company and shall be issued
pursuant to Section  2.7(g).  All of the  outstanding  equity  securities of the
Company  have been duly  authorized  and  validly  issued and are (except as set
forth in Section 4.3 of the Disclosure  Schedule) fully paid and  nonassessable.
Section 4.3 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and correct list of
all of the Company Stockholders and the number of shares of Company Common Stock
and/or Company Preferred Stock owned, of record and  beneficially,  by each such
Company  Stockholder.  Section  4.3 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  sets  forth  a
complete and correct list of all warrants,  options or similar rights, including
as to each holder  thereof,  the number of shares of Company Common Stock and/or
Company Preferred Stock subject thereto and the  exercisability,  exercise price
and termination date thereof.  Section 4.3 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth
all outstanding securities of the Company, including but not limited to all debt
securities,  Company Common Stock, Company Preferred Stock,  options,  warrants,
rights and all other securities convertible or exercisable into, or exchangeable
for,  Company  capital stock.  Except as listed on Section 4.3 of the Disclosure
Schedule,  there are no voting trusts or other agreements or  understandings  to
which the  Company or any  Company  Stockholder  is a party with  respect to the
transfer,  voting or registration of the capital stock of the Company. Except as
listed  on  Section  4.3 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,  there  are no  Contracts
relating to the  issuance,  sale or transfer of any equity  securities  or other
securities of the Company.  None of the outstanding  equity  securities or other
securities of the Company were issued in violation of the  Securities Act or any
other  legal  requirement.  The  Company  does not own or have any  Contract  to
acquire,  any equity securities or other securities of any Person or any, direct
or indirect,  equity or ownership interest in any other business.  No Person has
any pre-emptive rights with respect to any security of the Company.

4.4      BOOKS AND RECORDS

         Except as  disclosed  in Section 4.4 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,  the
books of account and other  records of the Company,  all of which have been made
available to Parent,  are true,  complete  and  correct.  Except as disclosed in
Section 4.4 of the Disclosure Schedule,  the minute books of the Company contain
true, accurate and complete records of all meetings

                                     - 19 -



<PAGE>

held  of,  and  corporate  action  taken  by,  the  stockholders,  the  board of
directors,  and  committees of the board of directors of the Company.  The stock
books of the Company are true, complete and correct. At the Closing, all of such
books and records will be in the possession of the Company.

4.5      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

         (a) For purposes of this Agreement:  "Financial  Statements" shall mean
(i) the audited  balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 1997 and 1998,
and the  related  income  statements  for the years  then ended  (including  all
footnotes  thereto) and (ii) the  unaudited  balance  sheet of the Company as of
April 30, 1999 and the related  income  statement  for the four months  ended on
such  date   (including   all  footnotes   thereto)   (the  "Interim   Financial
Statements").  The Company has  delivered to Parent true and complete  copies of
the Financial Statements.

         (b) The Financial  Statements for the years ended December 31, 1997 and
1998 (i) have been  prepared  from the  books  and  records  of the  Company  in
accordance  with  GAAP,  (ii)  fully  reflect  all  liabilities  and  contingent
liabilities of the Company required to be reflected  therein on such basis as at
the date thereof, and (iii) fairly present the financial position of the Company
as of the date of the balance sheet included in the Financial Statements and the
results  of its  operations  for the period  indicated.  The  Interim  Financial
Statements  (i) have been  prepared from the books and records of the Company in
accordance with GAAP on a basis consistent with the Financial Statements for the
years ended  December 31, 1997 and 1998,  and (ii) fairly  present the financial
position of the Company as at the date of the balance sheet included therein and
the results of its operations for the period indicated;  provided,  however, the
Interim Financial  Statements (x) are subject to normal year-end adjustments and
(y) do not include footnotes.

4.6      NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES

         Except as set forth in  Section  4.6 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,  the
Company does not have any  liabilities  or  obligations  of any nature  (whether
absolute,  accrued,  contingent,  or otherwise)  except for (i)  liabilities  or
obligations  reflected or reserved  against in the  Financial  Statements,  (ii)
current  liabilities  incurred in the ordinary course of business since the date
of the Financial  Statements,  consistent with past  practices,  which will not,
individually or in the aggregate,  have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company
and  (iii)  other  liabilities  and  obligations  expressly  disclosed  in  this
Agreement or the Disclosure Schedule.

4.7      NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE

         Since December 31, 1998, there has not been any material adverse change
in the business, operations, properties, assets, prospects, liabilities, results
of  operations  or condition  (financial  or  otherwise)  (a  "Material  Adverse
Effect") of the Company  (except for  differences  in explicit line items on the
unaudited  balance sheet of the Company as of April 30, 1999 as compared to such
line items on the audited balance sheet of the Company as of

                                     - 20 -



<PAGE>

December 31, 1998) and no event has occurred or  circumstance  exists that could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

4.8      TAXES

         (a) "Taxes" shall mean all taxes, charges, fees,  Encumbrances,  Liens,
customs,  duties  or  other  assessments,  however  denominated,  including  any
interest,  penalties,  additions  to tax or  additional  taxes  that may  become
payable in respect thereof, imposed by the United States government,  any state,
local or foreign government,  or any agency or political subdivision of any such
government (a "Tax Authority"),  which taxes shall include, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing,  all income taxes, payroll and employee withholding
taxes,  unemployment  insurance,  social security,  sales and use taxes,  excise
taxes,  capital taxes,  franchise taxes, gross receipt taxes,  occupation taxes,
real and  personal  property  taxes,  value added taxes,  stamp taxes,  transfer
taxes,  workers'  compensation  taxes, taxes relating to benefit plans and other
obligations of the same or similar nature.

         (b)  (i)  The  Company  has  filed  or  caused  to be  filed  with  the
appropriate Taxing  Authorities in a timely manner all Tax returns,  reports and
forms  ("Returns")  required to be filed by them;  (ii) the  information on such
Returns is complete and accurate in all material respects; (iii) the Company has
paid in full on a timely  basis all Taxes  (whether  or not shown on any Return)
required to be paid by them; (iv) there are no  Encumbrances  for Taxes upon the
assets  or  properties  of the  Company  other  than for  Taxes  not yet due and
payable;  and (v) no  deficiencies  for Taxes have been  claimed,  proposed,  or
assessed by any Tax Authority or other  Governmental  Authority  with respect to
the Company, and there are no pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened
audits,  investigations or claims for or relating to any liability in respect of
Taxes of the Company.

         (c) There are no  outstanding  Contracts or waivers with respect to the
Company  extending  the statutory  period of limitation  applicable to any Taxes
and, except as set forth in Section 4.8 of the Disclosure Schedule,  the Company
has not requested  any extension of time within which to file any Return,  which
has not yet been filed.

         (d) (i) The Company has made  provision for all Taxes payable by it and
such  provision  is reflected on the  Financial  Statements  with respect to any
period  covered  thereby as to Taxes which are not payable  prior to the date of
such  Financial  Statements;  (ii) the  provisions for Taxes with respect to the
Company for any period prior to the Closing  (excluding any reserve for deferred
Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) are
adequate to cover all Taxes with respect to such  period;  (iii) the Company has
withheld  and  paid  all  Taxes  required  to have  been  withheld  and  paid in
connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee,  independent  contractor,
creditor,  stockholder or other third Person;  (iv) all material  elections with
respect  to Taxes  made by the  Company  as of the date  hereof are set forth in
Section 4.8 of the Disclosure Schedule;  (v) there are no private letter rulings
in respect of any Tax pending  between the  Company  and any Tax  Authority,  or
between any Controlling  Stockholder and any Tax Authority, if such ruling would
affect the  Company;  (vi) the Company has never been a member of an  affiliated
group within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code,  or filed or been included
in a

                                     - 21 -



<PAGE>

combined, consolidated or unitary return of any Person; (vii) the Company is not
liable for Taxes of any other Person, and the Company is not currently under any
contractual obligation to indemnify any Person with respect to Taxes, or a party
to any tax sharing  agreement or any other  agreement  providing for payments by
the Company  with  respect to Taxes;  (viii) the Company is not, nor has been, a
United States real property holding corporation (as defined in section 897(c)(2)
of the Code), during the applicable period specified in section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii)
of the Code; (ix) the Company is not a "collapsible  corporation"  under Section
341 of the Code;  (x) the Company is not a personal  holding  company within the
meaning of Section 542 of the Code; (xi) the Company is not a party to any joint
venture,  partnership or other arrangement or Contract which could be treated as
a  partnership  for Tax  purposes;  (xii) the  Company  has not agreed to nor is
required,  as a result  of a change in method of  accounting  or  otherwise,  to
include  any  adjustment  under  Section  481 of the Code (or any  corresponding
provision of state, local or foreign Law) in taxable income;  (xiii) the Company
is not a party to any Contract,  arrangement  or plan that could result  (taking
into account the transactions contemplated by this Agreement),  separately or in
the  aggregate,  in the payment of any "excess  parachute  payments"  within the
meaning of Section  280G of the Code;  and (xiv)  Section 4.8 of the  Disclosure
Schedule  contains  a list of all  jurisdictions  to which  any Tax is  properly
payable or in which any Return is  required to be filed by the  Company,  and no
written claim has ever been made by any Tax Authority in any other  jurisdiction
that the Company is subject to taxation in such jurisdiction.

4.9      ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

         All  accounts  receivable  of the  Company  that are  reflected  on the
Financial  Statements or on the accounts  receivable ledger of the Company as of
the Closing Date  (collectively,  the "Accounts  Receivable")  represent or will
represent  valid  obligations  arising  from  sales  actually  made or  services
actually  performed  in the  ordinary  course of  business.  All of the Accounts
Receivable  are  collectible  at the  full  recorded  amount  thereof,  less any
applicable reserves  established in accordance with GAAP, in the ordinary course
of business without resort to litigation,  except for such Accounts  Receivable,
the failure of which to be collected will not have a Material  Adverse Effect on
the Company.

4.10     TITLE TO PROPERTIES; ENCUMBRANCES

         Section  4.10  of the  Disclosure  Schedule  contains  a  complete  and
accurate list of all real property,  leaseholds or other interests therein owned
or held by the Company.  The Company  does not own, and has not owned,  any real
property.  The Company has delivered or made  available to Parent true,  correct
and complete copies of the real property leases to which the Company is party or
pursuant to which it uses or occupies any real property.  Except as set forth in
Section 4.10 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,  the Company has good title to all of
the material assets and properties,  real and personal, tangible and intangible,
it owns or purports to own, or uses in its business,  including  those reflected
on its books and records and in the  Financial  Statements  (except for accounts
receivable  collected  and  materials  and supplies  disposed of in the ordinary
course of  business  consistent  with past  practice  after the date of the most
recent  Financial  Statements).  The Company has a valid  leasehold,  license or
other  interest  in all of the  other  tangible  assets or  properties,  real or
personal, which are

                                     - 22 -



<PAGE>

used in the  operation of its  business.  Except as set forth in Section 4.10 of
the Disclosure Schedule,  all assets and properties owned, leased or used by the
Company are free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for (a) liens for current
Taxes not yet due, (b) workmen's, common carrier and other similar liens arising
in the ordinary course of business,  none of which materially  detracts from the
value or impairs the use of the asset or property  subject  thereto,  or impairs
the  operations  of the Company,  (c)  Encumbrances  disclosed in the  Financial
Statements,  and (d) with respect to real property,  (i) minor  imperfections of
title, if any, none of which is substantial in amount,  materially detracts from
the value or impairs the use of the  property  subject  thereto,  or impairs the
operations of the Company,  and (ii) zoning Laws and other land use restrictions
that do not  impair the  present  or  anticipated  use of the  property  subject
thereto.

4.11     CONDITION AND SUFFICIENCY OF ASSETS

         Except as set forth in Section  4.11 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,  the
Facilities and other  material  assets and property owned or used by the Company
are  structurally  sound,  are in good operating  condition and repair,  and are
adequate for the uses to which they are being put,  and none of such  Facilities
or other material property and assets owned or used by the Company is in need of
maintenance or repairs except for ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs that
are not material in nature or cost. The Facilities and other material assets and
property owned or used by the Company are  sufficient for the continued  conduct
of its business after the Closing in substantially  the same manner as conducted
prior to the Closing.

4.12     COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS; GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS

         (a) Except as set forth in Section 4.12 of the Disclosure Schedule, the
Company is in compliance with all Laws, licenses and Orders affecting the assets
or properties owned or used by the Company and the business or operations of the
Company including federal, state, local and foreign: (i) Occupational Safety and
Health Laws; (ii) securities  laws,  rules and  regulations;  and (iii) the Fair
Credit Reporting Act and similar state,  local and foreign laws, except for such
non-compliance  which would not have a Material  Adverse  Effect on the Company.
The Company has not been charged  with  violating,  nor to the  knowledge of the
Company,  threatened  with a  charge  of  violating,  nor is the  Company  under
investigation  with  respect to a possible  violation  of, any  provision of any
federal, state, local or foreign Law, Order or administrative ruling, license or
regulation  relating  to any of its  assets or  properties  or any aspect of its
business.

         (b) Section  4.12 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  contains a complete and
accurate  list of each  Governmental  Permit that is held by the Company or that
otherwise  relates to the  business  of, or to any of the  assets or  properties
owned or used by, the Company. Each Governmental Permit listed or required to be
listed in Section 4.12 of the Disclosure Schedule is valid and in full force and
effect and is not subject to any  Proceedings  for  suspension,  modification or
revocation.

4.13     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


                                     - 23 -



<PAGE>

         Except as set forth in Section 4.13 of the Disclosure  Schedule,  there
is no pending claim,  action,  investigation,  arbitration,  litigation or other
proceeding ("Proceeding"):

                  (i) that has been  commenced by or against the Company or that
otherwise relates to the business of, or any of the assets owned or used by, the
Company; or

                  (ii)  that  challenges,   or  that  may  have  the  effect  of
preventing,  delaying, making illegal, or otherwise interfering with, any of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

         To  the  knowledge  of  the  Company,   no  such  Proceeding  has  been
threatened.  The Company has made available to Parent true, correct and complete
copies of all pleadings,  correspondence  and other  documents  relating to each
Proceeding  listed in Section 4.13 of the Disclosure  Schedule.  The Proceedings
listed in  Section  4.13 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  could not  reasonably  be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

4.14     ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES AND EVENTS

         Except as set forth in Section 4.14 of the Disclosure  Schedule,  since
December 31, 1998,  the Company has  conducted its business only in the ordinary
course, consistent with past practice, and there has not been any:

         (a) declaration,  setting  aside,  making or payment of any dividend or
other  distribution  or  repurchase  or  payment in respect of shares of capital
stock, other than the Series C3 Preferred Stock Dividend Issuance;

         (b) issuance, sale, disposition or Encumbrance of, or authorization for
issuance,  sale,  disposition or Encumbrance  of, or grant or issue any options,
warrants or rights to acquire with  respect to, any shares of its capital  stock
or any other of its securities or any security  convertible or exercisable  into
or  exchangeable  for any  such  shares  or  securities,  or any  change  in its
outstanding securities or shares of capital stock or its capitalization, whether
by reason of a  reclassification,  recapitalization,  stock split,  combination,
exchange or readjustment of shares, stock dividend or otherwise,  other than the
Koch Conversion and the AMT Conversion;

         (c) Encumbrance of its assets or properties;

         (d) payment or increase of any bonuses,  salaries or other compensation
to any stockholder, director, officer, consultant, agent or sales representative
or (except in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past  practice)
employee or entry into any  employment,  severance or similar  Contract with any
director, officer or employee;

         (e) adoption of, or increase in the payments to or benefits under,  any
profit sharing,  bonus,  deferred  compensation,  savings,  insurance,  pension,
retirement or other employee benefit plan for or with any employees;


                                     - 24 -



<PAGE>

         (f) damage to or destruction or loss of any asset or property,  whether
or not covered by insurance, or loss of any Customer,  which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company;

         (g) entry into,  termination of, or receipt of notice of termination of
any Contract or transaction  involving a total remaining commitment by or to the
Company of at least $25,000 including the entry into (i) any document evidencing
any indebtedness; (ii) any capital or other lease; or (iii) any guaranty;

         (h) sale, lease or other disposition (other than in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice) of any asset or property;

         (i) cancellation,  compromise,  release or waiver of any debt, claim or
right with a value to the Company in excess of $25,000;

         (j) creation, incurrence or assumption of any indebtedness for borrowed
money or  guarantee  of any  obligation  or the net  worth of any  Person  in an
aggregate  amount in excess of $25,000,  except for  endorsements  of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;

         (k) discharge or satisfaction of any Encumbrance other than those which
are required to be discharged or satisfied during such period in accordance with
their original terms;

         (l) payment,  discharge or satisfaction  of any material  obligation or
liability,  absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, whether due or to become
due,  except for any current  liabilities,  and the current  portion of any long
term liabilities,  shown on the Financial  Statements (or not required as of the
date thereof to be shown thereon in accordance  with GAAP) or incurred since the
date of the  most  recent  balance  sheet in the  ordinary  course  of  business
consistent with past practice;

         (m) loan or advance to any Person  other than travel and other  similar
routine  advances  in the  ordinary  course  of  business  consistent  with past
practice,  or  acquisition  of any capital  stock or other  securities of or any
ownership  interest  in, or a  significant  portion  of the assets of, any other
business enterprise;

         (n) capital investment or expenditure or capital improvement,  addition
or betterment in amounts which exceed $25,000 in the aggregate;

         (o) institution or settlement of any Proceeding before any Governmental
Authority relating to it or its assets or properties;

         (p) except in the  ordinary  course of  business  consistent  with past
practice,  commitment to provide services or goods for an indefinite period or a
period of more than six (6) months;


                                     - 25 -



<PAGE>

         (q) change in the method of accounting or the accounting  principles or
practices  used by the Company in the  preparation  of the Financial  Statements
except as required by GAAP;

         (r) entry into other  Contracts,  except Contracts made in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice;

         (s) amendment  or  other  modification  of any  of  the  Organizational
Documents of the Company;

         (t) transfer  or grant of any rights or licenses  under,  or entry into
any settlement regarding the infringement of, any Intellectual  Property Assets,
or entry into any licensing or similar agreements or arrangements; or

         (u) agreement, whether oral or written, by the Company to do any of the
foregoing.

4.15     CONTRACTS; NO DEFAULTS

         (a) Section 4.15(a) of the Disclosure  Schedule contains a complete and
accurate  list,  and the  Company  has  delivered  to Parent  true,  correct and
complete copies, of:

                  (i) each  Contract  involving  payments  of at  least  $25,000
within one calendar  year that involves  performance  of services or delivery of
goods or materials by the Company;

                  (ii) each  Contract  involving  payments  of at least  $25,000
within one calendar  year that involves  performance  of services or delivery of
goods or materials to the Company;

                  (iii) each  material   lease,   license  and  other  Contract
affecting any leasehold or other interest in any real or personal property;

                  (iv) each  licensing  agreement or other Contract with respect
to  patents,  trademarks,   copyrights,  trade  secrets  or  other  intellectual
property, including agreements with current or former employees,  consultants or
contractors   regarding  the   appropriation  or  the   non-disclosure   of  any
intellectual property;

                  (v) each collective bargaining agreement and other Contract to
or with  any  labor  union  or  other  employee  representative  of a  group  of
employees;

                  (vi) each  joint  venture,  partnership  and  other  Contract
involving a sharing of profits, losses, costs or liabilities by the Company with
any other Person or requiring the Company to make a capital contribution;

                  (vii) each Contract to which the Company is a party containing
covenants  that in any way  purport to  restrict  the  business  activity of the
Company  or any of the key  employees  of the  Company  (collectively,  the "Key
Employees") or limit the freedom of the

                                     - 26 -



<PAGE>

Company  or any of the Key  Employees  to engage in any line of  business  or to
compete with any Person or hire any Person;

                  (viii) each  employment  or consulting  agreement  between the
Company and its employees and consultants;

                  (ix) each  agreement  between  the  Company  and an officer or
director of the Company or any affiliate of any of the foregoing;

                  (x) each  power of  attorney  granted by the  Company  that is
currently effective and outstanding;

                  (xi) each Contract for capital  expenditures by the Company in
excess of $25,000 within one calendar year;

                  (xii) each  agreement of the Company under which any money has
been or may be  borrowed  or  loaned  or any note,  bond,  factoring  agreement,
indenture or other  evidence of  indebtedness  has been issued or assumed (other
than those under which there remain no ongoing obligations of the Company),  and
each  guaranty  (including  "take-or-pay"  and  "keepwell"  agreements)  of  any
evidence of indebtedness or other obligation, or of the net worth, of any Person
(other than endorsements for the purpose of collection in the ordinary course of
business);

                  (xiii) each agreement of the Company  containing  restrictions
with respect to the payment of dividends  or other  distributions  in respect of
the Company's capital stock;

                  (xiv) each stock purchase,  merger or other agreement pursuant
to which the Company  acquired any material  amount of assets,  and all relevant
documents and agreements delivered in connection therewith;

                  (xv) each agreement to which the Company is a party containing
a change of control provision;

                  (xvi) each  other  agreement  to which the  Company is a party
having an indefinite  term or a fixed term of more than one (1) year (other than
those that are terminable at will or upon not more than thirty (30) days' notice
by the Company  without  penalty) or  requiring  payments by the Company of more
than $25,000 per year; and

                  (xvii) each standard  form of agreement  pursuant to which the
Company provides services or goods to Customers.

         (b) Except as set forth in Section 4.15(b) of the Disclosure  Schedule,
each Contract  identified or required to be identified in Section 4.15(a) of the
Disclosure  Schedule  is in full force and  effect and is valid and  enforceable
against the Company  and, to the  knowledge  of the  Company,  against the other
parties thereto in accordance with its terms.


                                     - 27 -



<PAGE>

         (c) Except as set forth in Section 4.15(c) of the Disclosure Schedule:

                  (i) the  Company  is in full  compliance  with all  applicable
terms  and  requirements  of each  Contract  under  which  the  Company  has any
obligation  or  liability  or by  which  the  Company  or any of the  assets  or
properties  owned  or used by the  Company  is or was  bound,  except  for  such
noncompliance that would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company;

                  (ii) to the  knowledge of the Company,  each other Person that
has or had any  obligation  or  liability  under any  Contract  under  which the
Company  has any  rights is in full  compliance  with all  applicable  terms and
requirements of such Contract; and

                  (iii) no event  has  occurred  and,  to the  knowledge  of the
Company, no circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of time or
both) is likely to result in a violation or breach of any Contract.

4.16     INSURANCE

         Section 4.16 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth the premium payments
and describes all the insurance policies of the Company,  which policies are now
in full force and effect in accordance  with their terms and expire on the dates
shown on Section 4.16 of the Disclosure  Schedule.  There has been no default in
the  payment of  premiums  on any of such  policies,  and there is no ground for
cancellation or avoidance of any such policies,  or any increase in the premiums
thereof, or for reduction of the coverage provided thereby.  Such policies shall
not  terminate  nor fail to continue in full force and effect as a result of the
consummation  of the  Merger  and the other  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement. True, correct and complete copies of all insurance policies listed in
Section 4.16 have been previously furnished to Parent.

4.17     ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

         (a) To the knowledge of the Company,  the Company is in compliance with
all applicable  Environmental Laws which compliance includes, but is not limited
to, the  possession by the Company of all  Governmental  Permits  required under
applicable  Environmental  Laws,  and  compliance  with the terms and conditions
thereof.  Except as set forth in Section 4.17(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, the
Company  has  not  received  notice  of,  and,  neither  the  Company,  nor  any
predecessor  of the  Company  is the  subject  of,  any  Environmental  Claim or
Remedial Action. To the knowledge of the Company,  there are no circumstances or
conditions  related  to the  Company,  the  Company's  operations  or any of the
Company's  Facilities  that are  reasonably  likely to prevent or interfere with
such compliance or give rise to an Environmental Claim or Remedial Action in the
future.

         (b) There  are no  Environmental  Claims  that are  pending  or, to the
knowledge  of  the  Company,  threatened  against  the  Company,  the  Company's
Facilities or against any Person whose liability for any Environmental Claim the
Company has retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of law.

                                     - 28 -



<PAGE>

         (c) Neither  the Company nor any other  Person on behalf of the Company
has (a) disposed of,  transported  or arranged for the disposal of any Hazardous
Materials to, at or upon: (i) any location other than a site lawfully  permitted
to  receive  such  Hazardous   Materials,   (ii)  any  Facilities   (except  for
transportation to any Facility to the extent that such Facility contained a site
lawfully  permitted  to receive  such  Hazardous  Materials);  or (iii) any site
which,  pursuant  to CERCLA or any  similar  state law,  has been  placed on the
National  Priorities  List,  CERCLIS  or their  state  equivalents,  and (b) the
Company has not caused and is not causing, and, to the knowledge of the Company,
there has not  occurred  or is  presently  occurring  a Release,  or  threatened
Release,  of any  Hazardous  Materials  on,  into or beneath  the surface of, or
adjacent to, any Facilities.

         (d)  Section  4.17  of  the  Disclosure  Schedule  identifies  (a)  all
environmental audits,  assessments, or occupational health studies undertaken by
the  Company or its agents on its  behalf,  or  undertaken  by any  Governmental
Authority, or any third Person,  relating to the Facilities;  (b) the results of
any groundwater,  soil, air or asbestos monitoring  undertaken by the Company or
its agents on its behalf, or, to the knowledge of the Company, undertaken by any
Governmental Authority or any third Person, relating to the Facilities;  and (c)
all written  communications  between the Company and any Governmental  Authority
arising under or related to Environmental Laws.

4.18     EMPLOYEES

         (a) Section  4.18 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  contains a complete and
accurate  list of the  following  information  for each employee of the Company:
name; job title; base salary;  bonus; vacation accrued; and service credited for
purposes of vesting and  eligibility to participate  under any employee  benefit
plan of any nature.

         (b) No  officer  or Key  Employee  of the  Company is a party to, or is
otherwise bound by, any agreement or arrangement, including any confidentiality,
noncompetition,  or proprietary  rights  agreement,  between such officer or Key
Employee  and, to the  knowledge  of the  Company,  any other  Person that could
adversely  affect (i) the performance of his duties as an officer or employee of
the Company, or (ii) the ability of the Company to conduct its business.

         (c) No Key Employee of the Company is bound by any  agreement  with any
other  Person  that is violated or  breached  by such  employee  performing  the
services he is performing for the Company.

         (d) Except as listed on Section 4.18 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,  the
Company has not had a "Plant  Closing" or a "Mass Layoff"  within the meaning of
the federal Workers Adjustment and Retraining  Notification Act of 1988 ("WARN")
and with  respect to any such Plant  Closing or Mass  Layoff,  the  Company  has
complied in all respects with the requirements of WARN.


                                     - 29 -



<PAGE>

4.19     EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

         (a) Except as listed on Section 4.19(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, the
Company does not maintain, have an obligation to contribute to or could have any
liability  with respect to any Employee  Benefit Plan.  "Employee  Benefit Plan"
means any  "employee  benefit  plan" as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA and any
other plan, policy, program, practice,  agreement,  understanding or arrangement
(whether  written  or oral)  providing  compensation  or other  benefits  to any
current or former director, officer, employee or consultant (or to any dependent
or beneficiary thereof), of the Company,  which are now, or were within the past
six years,  maintained  by the Company,  or under which the Company has or could
have any  obligation  or liability,  whether  actual or  contingent,  including,
without  limitation,  all incentive,  bonus,  deferred  compensation,  vacation,
holiday,  cafeteria,  medical,  disability,  stock purchase, stock option, stock
appreciation,  phantom stock, restricted stock or other stock-based compensation
plans, policies, programs, practices or arrangements.

         The Company has  delivered  to Parent or its counsel  prior to the date
hereof  true  and  complete  copies  of (i) any  employment  agreements  and any
procedures  and policies  relating to the employment of employees of the Company
and the use of temporary  employees and  independent  contractors by the Company
(including  summaries of any procedures and policies that are  unwritten),  (ii)
plan  instruments  and  amendments  thereto for all Employee  Benefit  Plans (or
written  summaries of any Employee Benefit Plans that are unwritten) and related
trust agreements,  insurance and other contracts, summary plan descriptions, and
summaries of material modifications,  and material communications distributed to
the  participants of each Plan,  (iii) to the extent annual reports on Form 5500
are required with respect to any Employee  Benefit  Plan,  the three most recent
annual reports and attached schedules for each Employee Benefit Plan as to which
such report is required to be filed and (iv) where  applicable,  the most recent
(A) opinion,  notification  and  determination  letters,  (B) audited  financial
statements,  (C) actuarial  valuation  reports and (D)  nondiscrimination  tests
performed under the Code  (including  401(k) and 401(m) tests) for each Employee
Benefit Plan.

         (b) The  Company  does not have and has never  had an ERISA  Affiliate.
"ERISA Affiliate" means any entity (whether or not incorporated)  other than the
Company that,  together with the Company,  is a member of (i) a controlled group
of  corporations  within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code; (ii) a group
of trades or  businesses  under  common  control  within the  meaning of Section
414(c) of the Code; or (iii) an  affiliated  service group within the meaning of
Section 414(m) of the Code.

          (c) The  Company  does  not  maintain  and  has  never  maintained  or
contribute  to or has ever  contributed  to an Employee  Benefit Plan subject to
Title IV of ERISA  (including  a  multiemployer  plan) and no facts  exist under
which the Company could incur any liability under Title IV of ERISA.

         (d) To the  knowledge of the Company and to the extent that such matter
could  reasonably be expected to have a Material  Adverse Effect on the Company,
with  respect  to each  Employee  Benefit  Plan,  (i) no  party in  interest  or
disqualified  person (as defined in Section  3(14) of ERISA and Section  4975 of
the Code, respectively) has at any time engaged

                                     - 30 -



<PAGE>

in a transaction which could subject Parent, Merger Sub or the Company, directly
or  indirectly,  to a tax,  penalty or  liability  for  prohibited  transactions
imposed by ERISA or the Code and (ii) no fiduciary  (as defined in Section 3(21)
of ERISA) with respect to any Employee  Benefit  Plan,  or for whose conduct the
Company could have any liability (by reason of indemnities  or  otherwise),  has
breached any of the  responsibilities  or obligations imposed upon the fiduciary
under Title I of ERISA.

         (e) Except as disclosed in Section 4.19(e) of the Disclosure  Schedule,
each  Employee  Benefit  Plan which is a "welfare  plan"  within the  meaning of
Section 3(1) of ERISA and which provides health, disability or death benefits is
fully insured; the Company is not obligated to directly pay any such benefits or
to reimburse any third Person payor for the payment of such benefits.

         (f) Each Employee  Benefit Plan which is an "employee  pension  benefit
plan" within the meaning of Section  3(2) of ERISA (a "Pension  Plan") and which
is  subject  to  Sections  201,  301 or 401 of ERISA has  received  a  favorable
determination  letter from the Internal  Revenue Service covering all amendments
required  by the Tax  Reform  Act of 1986  and  prior  legislation  and,  to the
knowledge of the Company,  there are no circumstances  that are likely to result
in revocation of any such favorable  determination letter. Each Employee Benefit
Plan is and has been  operated  in  material  compliance  with its terms and all
applicable  Laws,  Orders or  governmental  rules and  regulations  currently in
effect with respect thereto,  and by its terms can be amended and/or  terminated
at any time. As of and  including  the Closing Date,  the Company and each ERISA
Affiliate (i) shall have performed all  obligations  required to be performed by
it under,  and shall not be in default  under or in  violation  of any  Employee
Benefit Plan and (ii) shall have made all  contributions or payments required to
be made by it up to and including the Closing Date with respect to each Employee
Benefit Plan, or adequate accruals therefor will have been provided for and will
be reflected on the Financial  Statements provided to Parent by the Company. All
notices,  filings  and  disclosures  required  by ERISA  or the Code  (including
notices  under  Section  4980B of the Code and  certifications  under the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) have been timely made.

         (g) The Company  has not  received  and is not aware of any  Proceeding
(other than routine  claims for  benefits)  pending or, to the  knowledge of the
Company,  threatened  with respect to any  Employee  Benefit Plan or against any
fiduciary of any Employee  Benefit  Plan,  and, to the knowledge of the Company,
there are no facts that could give rise to any such Proceeding. To the knowledge
of the Company,  there has not occurred any circumstances by reason of which the
Company  may be liable for an act,  or a failure  to act,  by a  fiduciary  with
respect to any Employee Benefit Plan.

         (h) There are no  complaints,  charges or claims  against  the  Company
pending or, to the  Company's  knowledge,  threatened  to be brought by or filed
with any  Governmental  Authority  and no facts  exist as a result  of which the
Company could have any liability based on, arising out of, in connection with or
otherwise  relating to the classification of any individual by the Company as an
independent  contractor  or "leased  employee"  (within  the  meaning of Section
414(n) of the Code) rather than as an employee.

                                     - 31 -



<PAGE>

         (i) Section  4.19(i) of the  Disclosure  Schedule sets forth a true and
complete  list of each  current or former  employee,  officer or director of the
Company who holds (i) any option to purchase  Company  Capital  Stock,  together
with the number of shares of Company  Capital Stock subject to such option,  the
option price of such option (to the extent determinable), whether such option is
intended to qualify as an incentive  stock option  within the meaning of Section
422(b) of the Code (an "ISO"), and the expiration date of such option;  (ii) any
shares of Company  Capital Stock that are restricted as a result of an agreement
with the Company or the stock plan of the  Company;  and (iii) any other  right,
directly  or  indirectly,   to  receive  Company  Capital  Stock  or  any  other
compensation  based in whole or in part on the value of Company  Capital  Stock,
together  with the number of shares of  Company  Capital  Stock  subject to such
right.

         (j) Section  4.19(j) of the  Disclosure  Schedule sets forth a true and
complete list of (i) all employment agreements with officers or employees of the
Company; (ii) all agreements with consultants who are individuals obligating the
Company to make annual cash payments in an amount exceeding  $25,000;  (iii) all
agreements  with respect to the services of  independent  contractors  or leased
employees who are individuals or individuals  doing business in a corporate form
whether or not they  participate in any of the Employee  Benefit Plans; and (iv)
all officers and  employees of the Company who have  executed a  non-competition
agreement with the Company.

         (k) (i) No Employee  Benefit Plan is an employee  stock  ownership plan
(within the meaning of Section  4975(e)(7) of the Code) or otherwise  invests in
Company Stock; and (ii) except as set forth on Section 4.19(k) of the Disclosure
Schedule,  the consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement
will not,  alone or together  with any other event,  (A) entitle any employee or
former  employee  of the  Company  or any  Subsidiaries  of the  Company  to any
payment,  (B) result in an increase in the amount of compensation or benefits or
accelerate  the  vesting or timing of payment of any  benefits  or  compensation
payable in  respect  of any  employee  or former  employee  or (C) result in any
parachute payment under Section 280G of the Code, whether or not such payment is
considered reasonable  compensation for services rendered. The Company will take
all actions  within its control to ensure that all actions  required to be taken
by a  fiduciary  of any  Employee  Benefit  Plan  in  order  to  effectuate  the
transaction  contemplated  by this Agreement shall comply with the terms of such
Plan,  ERISA and other applicable Laws. The Company will take all actions within
its control to ensure that all actions  required to be taken by a trustee of any
Employee Benefit Plan that owns Company Stock shall have been duly authorized by
the appropriate fiduciaries of such Plan and shall comply with the terms of such
Plan, ERISA and other applicable Laws.

         (l) The Company  maintains no Employee  Benefit Plan covering  non-U.S.
employees.

         (m) No Employee  Benefit Plan  provides  benefits,  including,  without
limitation,  death or medical  benefits  (through  insurance or otherwise)  with
respect  to any  employee  or  former  employee  of  the  Company  beyond  their
retirement or other  termination of service other than (i) coverage  mandated by
applicable  Law, (ii)  retirement or death benefits  under any employee  pension
plan, (iii) disability benefits under any employee welfare plan that have

                                     - 32 -



<PAGE>

been fully  provided for by insurance or otherwise,  (iv) deferred  compensation
benefits  accrued as  liabilities on the books of the Company or (v) benefits in
the nature of severance pay.

         (n) No Employee Benefit Plan is a "multiple employer plan" as described
in Section 3(40) of ERISA or Section 413(c) of the Code.

         (o) No Employee  Benefit  Plan,  other than a Pension  Plan,  is funded
through a trust  intended to be exempt  from tax  pursuant to Section 501 of the
Code.

         (p) The Company has not proposed, agreed to or announced any changes to
any  Employee  Benefit  Plan that would cause an increase in benefits  under any
such  Employee  Benefit  Plan (or the  creation of new  benefits or plans) or to
change any  employee  coverage  which  would cause an increase in the expense of
maintaining any such plan.

         (q) No Employee  Benefit  Plan  provides  for the payment of  severance
benefits.  No "leased  employee" (within the meaning of Section 414(n) or (o) of
the Code) performs any services for the Company.

4.20     LABOR RELATIONS

         Except as set forth in Section 4.20 of the Disclosure Schedule:

         (a) To the  knowledge  of  the  Company,  no  employee  is  considering
terminating his or her employment with the Company.

         (b) No  condition  or state of facts  or  circumstances  exists  to the
knowledge of the Company which are reasonably  likely to have a Material Adverse
Affect on the Company's relations with its employees, including the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         (c) The Company is in  compliance  in all  material  respects  with all
applicable  Laws  respecting  employment  and  employment  practices,  terms and
conditions of employment  and wages and hours and none of them is engaged in any
unfair labor practice.

         (d) No collective  bargaining agreement with respect to the business of
the Company is currently in effect or being  negotiated.  Since January 1, 1996,
the  Company  has not  encountered  any  labor  union or  collective  bargaining
organizing activity with respect to its employees. The Company has no obligation
to negotiate any such collective  bargaining  agreement and, to the knowledge of
the Company,  there is no indication that the employees of the Company desire to
be covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

         (e) There are no  strikes,  slowdowns,  work  stoppages  or other labor
trouble pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,  threatened with respect to
the  employees  of the  Company,  nor has any of the above  occurred  or, to the
knowledge of the Company, been threatened.

                                     - 33 -



<PAGE>

         (f) There is no  representation  claim or petition  pending  before the
National  Labor  Relations  Board or any state or local labor agency and, to the
knowledge of the Company, no question concerning  representation has been raised
or threatened respecting the employees of the Company.

         (g) There are no  complaints  or charges  against the  Company  pending
before the  National  Labor  Relations  Board or any state or local labor agency
and, to the  knowledge of the Company,  no complaints or charges have been filed
or threatened to be filed against the Company with any such board or agency.

         (h) To the  knowledge  of the  Company,  no charges  with respect to or
relating to the business of the Company are pending before the Equal  Employment
Opportunity  Commission  or any  state  or  local  agency  responsible  for  the
prevention of unlawful employment practices.

         (i) Section 4.20 of the Disclosure  Schedule  accurately sets forth all
unpaid severance which, as of the date hereof, is due or claimed, in writing, to
be due from the  Company to any Person  whose  employment  with the  Company was
terminated.

         (j) The Company has not received notice of the intent of any government
body  responsible  for the enforcement of labor or employment Laws to conduct an
investigation of the Company and no such investigation is in progress.

         (k) The  Company  is not  and,  to the  knowledge  of the  Company,  no
employee  of the  Company  is,  in  violation  in any  material  respect  of any
employment  agreement,  non-disclosure  agreement,  non-compete agreement or any
other agreement regarding an employee's employment with the Company.

         (l) The  Company  has paid all wages  which are due and payable to each
employee and each independent contractor.

4.21     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

         (a)   Intellectual   Property   Assets--As   used   herein,   the  term
"Intellectual  Property Assets" shall mean all worldwide  intellectual  property
rights including without  limitation:  (i) all trademarks,  service marks, trade
names and Internet domain names and the goodwill associated  therewith,  and all
registrations  or  applications  therefor  (collectively,   "Marks");  (ii)  all
patents,  patent applications and inventions and discoveries under consideration
for possible patenting (collectively,  "Patents");  (iii) all copyrights in both
published works and unpublished works, including training manuals, marketing and
promotional   materials,   internal  reports,   business  plans  and  any  other
expressions,   mask  works  and  software  and  videos,  whether  registered  or
unregistered,  and all  registrations  or applications  in connection  therewith
(collectively,  "Copyrights"); and (iv) all trade secrets and other confidential
information of a proprietary nature,  whether tangible or intangible and whether
or  how  stored,   compiled,   or   memorialized   physically,   electronically,
photographically,  or otherwise (collectively,  "Trade Secrets"); owned, used or
licensed  by the  Company as licensee or  licensor.  The  Intellectual  Property
Assets are all those used in or material to the conduct of

                                     - 34 -



<PAGE>

the  business of the Company as it is  currently  conducted or as proposed to be
conducted.  The Company owns all right, title and interest in and to each of the
Intellectual  Property Assets,  free and clear of all Encumbrances and Liens and
without conflict with the rights of others,  or licenses or otherwise  possesses
legally enforceable rights to each of the Intellectual  Property Assets, and may
transfer such rights as contemplated  by this Agreement.  Except as set forth on
Section 4.21(a) of the Disclosure  Schedule,  the Company has made all necessary
filings  and   recordations   to  protect  and  maintain  its  interest  in  the
Intellectual Property Assets.

         (b)  Agreements--Section  4.21(b) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a
true, correct and complete list and summary description, including any royalties
paid or received by the Company,  of all Contracts  relating to the Intellectual
Property  Assets to which the  Company  is a party or by which  the  Company  is
bound. Each license of Intellectual Property Assets listed in Section 4.21(b) is
valid, subsisting, and enforceable,  and shall continue in effect on its current
terms upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         (c) Patents--(i)  Section 4.21(c) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a
true, correct and complete list of all Patents; (ii) the Company owns all right,
title and interest in and to the Patents free and clear of all  Encumbrances and
Liens and  without  conflict  with the  rights of  others,  or has  licenses  or
otherwise  possesses  legally  enforceable  rights  under the  Patents,  and may
transfer such rights as contemplated  by this  Agreement;  (iii) all Patents are
valid and subsisting and all maintenance fees,  annuities and the like have been
paid; (iv) none of the Patents is infringed or has been challenged or threatened
in any way by any Person,  and none of the products or technology  used, sold or
licensed or proposed  for use,  sale or license by the Company  infringes  or is
alleged to infringe any rights of any Person;  and (v) all  products  covered by
the Patents  distributed by or with the  authorization  of the Company have been
marked with appropriate patent notices.

         (d) Marks--(i)  Section 4.21(d) of the Disclosure  Schedule  contains a
true,  correct and complete list of all Marks;  (ii) the Company owns all right,
title and  interest in and to the Marks free and clear of all  Encumbrances  and
Liens and  without  conflict  with the  rights of  others,  or has  licenses  or
otherwise  possesses  legally  enforceable  rights  to use  the  Marks,  and may
transfer  such rights as  contemplated  by this  Agreement;  (iii) all Marks are
valid and subsisting; (iv) none of the Marks is infringed or has been challenged
or threatened  in any way by any Person,  and no claims exist against the use by
the  Company  of any Marks used in the  business  of the  Company  as  currently
conducted or as proposed to be conducted; and (v) all materials published by the
Company  bearing  its Marks have been  marked  with  appropriate  trademark  and
registration notices.

         (e) Copyrights--(i) Section 4.21(e) of the Disclosure Schedule contains
a  true,   correct  and  complete  list  of  all  copyright   registrations  and
applications; (ii) the Company owns all right, title and interest in and to each
of the  Copyrights  free and clear of all  Encumbrances  and  Liens and  without
conflict  with the rights of others,  or has  licenses  or  otherwise  possesses
legally  enforceable rights to use the Copyrights,  and may transfer such rights
as  contemplated  by this  Agreement;  (iii)  all the  Copyrights  owned  by the
Company, whether or not registered, are valid and enforceable;  (iv) none of the
Copyrights is infringed or has been  challenged or threatened in any way, and no
claims exist against the use by the Company of

                                     - 35 -



<PAGE>

any  writings  or other  expressions  used in the  business  of the  Company  as
currently  conducted  or  as  proposed  to  be  conducted;  and  (v)  all  works
encompassed  by the  Copyrights  published  by the Company have been marked with
appropriate copyright notices.

         (f) Trade Secrets--(i) The Company has taken all reasonable precautions
to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of its Trade Secrets; and (ii)
the Company has good title and an  absolute  right to use its Trade  Secrets and
may transfer such rights as contemplated by this Agreement.  To the knowledge of
the  Company,  the Trade  Secrets have not been used,  divulged or  appropriated
either  for the  benefit  of any  Person  (other  than  the  Company)  or to the
detriment of the Company.  None of the Trade  Secrets is subject to any material
adverse claim or has been challenged or threatened in any way.

4.22     CERTAIN PAYMENTS

         Neither the Company nor any stockholder,  director,  officer,  agent or
employee of the Company,  or to the  knowledge of the Company,  any other Person
associated  with or acting  for or on behalf of the  Company,  has  directly  or
indirectly (a) made any contribution,  gift, bribe,  rebate,  payoff,  influence
payment,  kickback or other payment to any Person, private or public, regardless
of form,  whether  in  money,  property  or  services  (i) to  obtain  favorable
treatment in securing business, (ii) to pay for favorable treatment for business
secured, (iii) to obtain special concessions, or for special concessions already
obtained,  for or in respect of the Company or any affiliate of the Company,  or
(iv) in violation of any legal requirement, or (b) established or maintained any
fund or  asset  that has not been  recorded  in the  books  and  records  of the
Company.

4.23     RELATIONSHIPS WITH RELATED PERSONS

         Except  as  set  forth  in  Section  4.23  or  Section  4.15(a)  of the
Disclosure  Schedule  (or  solely as a result of their  role as  described),  no
Person  owning ten percent  (10%) or more of the Company  Capital  Stock nor any
affiliate, officer, director or employee of the Company, nor any spouse or child
of any of them or any Person associated with any of them ("Related Person"), has
any interest in any assets or  properties  used in or pertaining to the business
of the Company.  Except as set forth in Section 4.23 of the Disclosure Schedule,
no Person owning ten percent (10%) or more of the Company Capital Stock nor any,
affiliates,  officers,  directors  or  employees  of the Company nor any Related
Person has owned, directly or indirectly, and whether on an individual, joint or
other basis,  any equity interest or any other financial or profit interest in a
Person that has (i) had business  dealings with the Company,  or (ii) engaged in
competition  with the  Company.  Except as set forth in Section  4.23 or Section
4.15(a) of the Disclosure  Schedule,  no Person owning ten percent (10%) or more
of the Company Capital Stock nor any affiliate, officer, director or employee of
the Company nor any Related  Person is a party to any Contract  with, or has any
claim or right against, or owes any amounts to, the Company.


                                     - 36 -



<PAGE>

4.24     BROKERS OR FINDERS

         Neither  the Company nor any  Controlling  Stockholder  or any of their
agents has incurred any  obligation or liability,  contingent or otherwise,  for
brokerage or finders' fees or agents' commissions or financial advisory services
or other similar payment in connection with this Agreement.

4.25     DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS

         Section 4.25 of the Disclosure  Schedule  contains a true,  correct and
complete list of (a) the name of each financial institution in which the Company
has an account or safe  deposit  box, (b) the names in which each account or box
is held,  (c) the type  account,  and (d) the name of each Person  authorized to
draw on or have access to each account or box.

4.26     POOLING-OF-INTERESTS

         To the knowledge of the Company, the Company has not taken or agreed to
take any action,  or caused any event or condition to occur,  which would affect
the ability of Parent to account for the transactions  contemplated  hereby as a
pooling-of-interests for financial reporting and accounting purposes.

4.27     CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

         There are no facts or circumstances,  including the consummation of the
transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement,  that to the  knowledge  of the
Company  are  reasonably  likely to result  in the loss of any  Customer  of the
Company or a material  change in the  relationship  of the  Company  with such a
Customer.

4.28     CONDUCT OF BUSINESS; USE OF NAME

         The  business  carried  on by the  Company  has been  conducted  by the
Company  directly  and not through any  affiliate or any  stockholder,  officer,
director or employee of the Company or through any other  Person.  No Person has
objected  to  the  Company's  use  of  the  name  "Advanced   Chemical   Systems
International, Inc."

4.29     RESTRICTIONS ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.

         There is no  Contract  or Order  binding  upon the  Company  or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened that has or could reasonably be expected to
have the effect of prohibiting or materially  impairing any business practice of
the Company  (either  individually  or in the  aggregate),  any  acquisition  of
property by the Company (either individually or in the aggregate),  providing of
any service by the Company or the hiring of employees or the conduct of business
by the Company (either  individually or in the aggregate) as currently conducted
or proposed to be conducted.


                                     - 37 -



<PAGE>

4.30     OUTSTANDING INDEBTEDNESS

         Section 4.30 of the  Disclosure  Schedule sets forth as of May 25, 1999
(a) the  amount of all  indebtedness  for  borrowed  money of the  Company  then
outstanding and the interest rate applicable thereto, (b) any Encumbrances which
relate to such indebtedness and (c) the name of the lender or the other payee of
each such indebtedness.

4.31     SUPPLIERS; RAW MATERIALS; CONTRACTORS

         Section 4.31 of the  Disclosure  Schedule sets forth for the year ended
December 31, 1998 and the four months  ended April 30,  1999,  (i) the names and
addresses  of  the   twenty-five   (25)  largest   suppliers,   contractors  and
subcontractors  of the Company  based on the aggregate  value of raw  materials,
supplies,  merchandise and other goods and services  ordered by the Company from
such suppliers,  contractors and subcontractors  during such period and (ii) the
amount for which each such supplier,  contractor or  subcontractor  invoiced the
Company during such period.  The Company has not received any notice or have any
reason to believe that there has been any material  adverse  change in the price
of such raw materials, supplies, merchandise or other goods or services, or that
any such  supplier,  contractor or  subcontractor  will not sell raw  materials,
supplies,  merchandise  and other goods and  services to the Company at any time
after the Closing Date on terms and conditions  substantially  the same as those
used in its current sales to the Company,  subject to general or customary price
increases.

4.32     CUSTOMERS

         Section 4.32 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth (a) a true, complete
and correct listing of all existing  customers (the  "Customers") of the Company
and (b) the amount for which each such  Customer  was  invoiced  during the year
ended December 31, 1998 and the four months ended April 30, 1999.

4.33     YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE

         Section 4.33 of the Disclosure Schedule contains the compliance plan of
the Company (the "Year 2000 Compliance Plan") with respect to the use of Systems
prior to,  during and after  calendar  year 2000 ("Year 2000") and describes any
Year 2000  compliance  audit or similar  audit  conducted by the Company and the
identity of any  consultants or other Persons  engaged in connection  therewith.
The Company has delivered  true,  correct and complete  copies of the reports or
results  of any such  audits to  Parent.  Upon  implementation  of the Year 2000
Compliance  Plan,  all  hardware,  software,  and  embedded  systems used by the
Company,  including  any  hardware,  software,  and  embedded  systems  used  in
connection  with product and service  development,  operations  and  production,
financial  operations,  office and  administration  operations,  human resources
functions,  and legal and audit functions (the "Systems") will be designed to be
used prior to, during and after the Year 2000 and will operate  during each such
time periods  without error relating to date data,  other than such errors which
would not,  individually or in the aggregate,  have a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company.

                                     - 38 -



<PAGE>

4.34     PAYABLES

         There has been no adverse  change since December 31, 1998 in the amount
or delinquency of accounts payable of the Company (either individually or in the
aggregate) which would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

4.35     INVENTORIES.

         All  inventories  of raw  materials,  supplies,  work in  progress  and
finished goods of the Company are of good,  usable and  merchantable  quality in
all material respects and do not include obsolete or discontinued  items. Except
as set  forth  in  Section  4.35  of  the  Disclosure  Schedule,  (a)  all  such
inventories are of such quality as to meet the quality control  standards of the
Company and any applicable governmental quality control standards,  (b) all such
finished goods are saleable as current  inventories at the current prices of the
Company  in the  ordinary  course  of  business,  (c) all such  inventories  are
recorded  on the  books  at the  lower of cost or  market  value  determined  in
accordance  with GAAP and (d) no write-down in inventory has been made or should
have been made pursuant to GAAP during the past two years.

4.36     PRODUCT WARRANTIES; PRODUCT LIABILITY.

         (a) The Company has delivered to the Parent complete and correct copies
of the standard  terms and  conditions of sale or lease for each of the products
or  services  of the  Company  (containing  applicable  guaranty,  warranty  and
indemnity provisions). Except as required by Law or as set forth in Section 4.36
of the Disclosure Schedule, no product  manufactured,  sold, leased or delivered
by, or  service  rendered  by or on behalf  of,  the  Company  is subject to any
guaranty, warranty or other indemnity,  express or implied, beyond such standard
terms and conditions.

         (b) There  exists,  to the  knowledge of the Company,  no defect in the
design or manufacture of any of the Company's products.  There is no pending or,
to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, inquiry, proceeding or
investigation  by or before any Person  relating to any product  alleged to have
been manufactured,  distributed or sold by the Company to others, and alleged to
have been defective or improperly  designed or  manufactured or in breach of any
express or implied  product  warranty  ("Products  Liability").  There exists no
pending or, to the  knowledge of the  Company,  threatened,  Products  Liability
claims.  To the  knowledge of the Company,  there is no valid basis for any such
suit, inquiry, action, proceeding,  investigation or claim. The Company does not
have, to the knowledge of the Company,  any liability  arising out of any injury
to individuals or property as a result of the ownership,  possession,  or use of
any product manufactured,  sold, leased or delivered by the Company. The Company
is insured,  and has been insured  continuously  for the past five years against
product  liabilities,  in accordance with the insurance  policies  identified on
Section 4.16 of the Disclosure Schedule.


                                     - 39 -



<PAGE>

4.37     DISCLOSURE

         No  representation  or  warranty of the  Company in this  Agreement  as
modified by statements in the Disclosure  Schedule is inaccurate in any material
respect  or omits to state a  material  fact  necessary  to make the  statements
herein or therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.

5.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB

         Parent and Merger Sub hereby,  jointly  and  severally,  represent  and
warrant to the Company as follows:

5.1      ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING

         Merger Sub is a corporation  duly  organized,  validly  existing and in
good standing  under the laws of the State of Delaware.  Parent is a corporation
duly  organized,  validly  existing,  and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware.  Each of Parent and Merger Sub has full  corporate  power and
authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted and to own or use
the assets and  properties  that it purports  to own or use.  Each of Parent and
Merger Sub is duly qualified to do business as a foreign  corporation  and is in
good standing under the Laws of each state or other jurisdiction in which either
the  ownership  or use of the assets or  properties  owned or used by it, or the
nature of the activities  conducted by it, requires such  qualification,  except
where the failure to be so qualified  could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

5.2      AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT

         (a) Parent and Merger  Sub each has the  right,  power,  authority  and
capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Transaction  Documents to
which Parent or Merger Sub is a party,  to  consummate  the Merger and the other
transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby and to perform  their  respective
obligations  under this Agreement and the Transaction  Documents to which Parent
or Merger Sub is a party.  This Agreement has been duly authorized and approved,
executed and delivered by Parent and Merger Sub and constitutes the legal, valid
and binding  obligation  of Parent and Merger Sub,  enforceable  against them in
accordance with its terms.  Upon the execution and delivery by Parent and Merger
Sub of the Transaction  Documents to which Parent or Merger Sub is a party, such
Transaction  Documents will constitute the legal, valid and binding  obligations
of Parent and Merger Sub,  enforceable  against  them in  accordance  with their
respective terms.

         (b)  Except as set forth in  Section  5.2 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Transaction Document
by Parent or Merger Sub nor the  consummation or performance by Parent or Merger
Sub of the  Merger  or any of the  other  transactions  contemplated  hereby  or
thereby will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time or
both):


                                     - 40 -



<PAGE>

                  (i)  contravene,  conflict  with,  or result in a violation or
breach of (A) any provision of the Organizational  Documents of Parent or Merger
Sub, (B) any resolution adopted by the board of directors or the stockholders of
Parent or Merger Sub, (C) any legal  requirement or any Order to which Parent or
Merger  Sub or any of the  assets  or  properties  owned  or used by them may be
subject, or (D) any Governmental Permit held by Parent or Merger Sub;

                  (ii) result in a breach of or constitute a default,  give rise
to a right of termination,  cancellation or acceleration, create any entitlement
to any payment or  benefit,  or require the consent or approval of or any notice
to or filing with any third Person, under any Contract to which Parent or Merger
Sub is a party or by which their  respective  assets or properties are bound, or
require  the  consent  or  approval  of or any  notice  to or  filing  with  any
Governmental  Authority to which either Parent,  Merger Sub or their  respective
assets or properties are subject; or

                  (iii) result in the imposition or creation of any  Encumbrance
upon or with respect to any of the assets or properties  owned or used by Parent
or Merger Sub.

5.3      CAPITALIZATION; PARENT SHARES

         (a) The authorized capital stock of Parent consists of 2,000,000 shares
of preferred  stock,  $.01 par value per share,  of which as of the date of this
Agreement no shares are issued or outstanding,  and 50,000,000  shares of Parent
Common Stock, of which as of April 30, 1999,  22,271,457  shares were issued and
outstanding.  All of the  authorized  and issued  capital stock of Merger Sub is
owned of record and beneficially by Parent.

         (b) The Parent Shares issuable as a result of the Merger have been duly
authorized  and upon the Effective Time will be validly  issued,  fully paid and
nonassessable.

5.4      FILINGS WITH THE COMMISSION

         (a) Parent has delivered or made available to the Company true, correct
and  complete  copies  of its  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K for the year  ended
December 31, 1998 (the "Form 10-K"),  its Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter  ended March 31, 1999 (the "Form  10-Q") and its Proxy  Statement  dated
April 28,  1999 (the  "Proxy  Statement").  The Form  10-K,  Form 10-Q and Proxy
Statement  (collectively,  the "Parent  SEC  Reports")  have been  timely  filed
pursuant to the Exchange Act.

         (b) The Parent SEC Reports complied as to form in all material respects
with the  requirements  of the Exchange Act, in effect on the date thereof.  The
Parent SEC Reports, when filed pursuant to the Exchange Act, did not contain any
untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omitted  to state any  material  fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.

         (c) Each of the Parent  financial  statements  (including  the  related
notes)  included  in the Parent SEC Reports  presents  fairly,  in all  material
respects, the consolidated financial

                                     - 41 -



<PAGE>

position and  consolidated  results of operations and cash flows of Parent as of
the  respective  dates or for the respective  periods set forth therein,  all in
conformity with GAAP consistently  applied during the periods involved except as
otherwise  noted  therein,  and subject,  in the case of any  unaudited  interim
financial  statements  included therein,  to normal year-end  adjustments and to
absence of complete footnotes.

5.5      NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE

         Except as  disclosed  in writing to the Company or  otherwise  publicly
disclosed by Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries,  since December 31, 1998, there
has  not  been  any  material  adverse  change  in  the  business,   operations,
properties,  prospects,  liabilities, results of operations, assets or condition
(financial or otherwise) of Parent and its Subsidiaries  taken as a whole and no
event has occurred or  circumstances  exist that could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material  Adverse Effect on Parent and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a
whole.

5.6      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         There is no  pending  Proceeding  against  Parent  or  Merger  Sub that
challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal,
or otherwise  interfering with, any of the transactions  contemplated hereby, or
that  otherwise  could  reasonably  be expected to result in a Material  Adverse
Effect on  Parent  and its  Subsidiaries  taken as whole.  To the  knowledge  of
Parent, no such Proceeding has been threatened.

5.7      BROKERS OR FINDERS

         Neither  Parent nor Merger Sub nor any of their agents has incurred any
obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage or finders' fees
or agents'  commissions or financial  advisory services or other similar payment
in  connection  with  this  Agreement  or  the  Transaction   Documents  or  the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

5.8      POOLING-OF-INTERESTS

         To its  knowledge,  Parent  and  Merger Sub have not taken or agreed to
take any action,  or caused any event or condition to occur,  which would affect
the ability of Parent to account for the transactions  contemplated  hereby as a
pooling-of-interests   for  financial  reporting  and  financial  reporting  and
accounting purposes.

5.9      DISCLOSURE

         No representation or warranty of Parent or Merger Sub in this Agreement
is  inaccurate  in any  material  respect  or  omits to  state a  material  fact
necessary  to make the  statements  herein in light of the  circumstances  under
which they were made, not misleading.


                                     - 42 -



<PAGE>

6.       COVENANTS

         The parties, as applicable, hereby covenant and agree as follows:

6.1      AGREEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO AFFILIATES

         The Company  shall  deliver to Parent,  and Parent shall deliver to the
Company,  prior  to  the  Effective  Time,  letters  (the  "Affiliate  Letters")
identifying  all  Persons  who are,  at the time of the  action  by the  Company
Stockholders  or  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time,  anticipated  to be
"Affiliates" of the Company or Parent,  as the case may be, for purposes of Rule
145 under the Securities Act ("Rule 145"),  or the rules and  regulations of the
Commission  relating to  pooling-of-interests  accounting  treatment  for merger
transactions  (the  "Pooling  Rules").  The Company  and Parent  shall use their
respective best efforts to cause each Person who is identified as an "affiliate"
in the  Affiliate  Letter to deliver to Parent and the  Company as  promptly  as
practicable a written  agreement (an "Affiliate  Agreement") in connection  with
restrictions  on  affiliates  under  Rule  145 and the  Pooling  Rules,  in form
mutually agreeable to the Company and Parent.  Parent shall be entitled to place
appropriate legends on the certificates evidencing any Parent Common Stock to be
received by Company  affiliates (or to be deposited in the Escrow Fund on behalf
of any such Person), and to issue appropriate stop transfer  instructions to the
transfer  agent  for  Parent  Common  Stock,  consistent  with the terms of such
Affiliate Agreements.

6.2      CERTAIN FILINGS

         Without  limiting the  generality  of Section  6.5,  the Company  shall
cooperate with Parent with respect to all filings with Governmental  Authorities
that  are  required  to be made by the  Company  to carry  out the  transactions
contemplated by this  Agreement.  The Company shall assist Parent and Merger Sub
in making all such  filings,  applications  and notices as may be  necessary  or
desirable  in order to obtain  the  authorization,  approval  or  consent of any
Governmental  Authority  which may be  reasonably  required or which  Parent may
reasonably  request in  connection  with the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated hereby.

6.3      NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS

         The Company  shall  promptly  notify  Parent of (i) the  occurrence  or
non-occurrence  of any fact or event of which the  Company has  knowledge  which
would be reasonably  likely to cause any covenant or agreement of the Company in
this Agreement not to be complied with or satisfied in any material  respect and
(ii) any  failure of the  Company to comply  with or satisfy  any  covenant,  or
agreement  to be complied  with or  satisfied  by it  hereunder  in any material
respect;  provided,   however,  that  no  such  notification  shall  affect  the
representations or warranties of the Company,  or the right of Parent and Merger
Sub to rely thereon,  or the conditions to the  obligations of Parent and Merger
Sub, or the remedies available hereunder to Parent or Merger Sub.


                                     - 43 -



<PAGE>

6.4      POOLING ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

         Each party  hereto  shall use its best  efforts  to cause the  business
combination   to  be  effected  by  the  Merger  to  be   accounted   for  as  a
pooling-of-interests.  Each party hereto shall use its best efforts to cause its
respective employees,  officers,  directors,  stockholders and affiliates not to
take any action that would adversely affect the ability of Parent to account for
the business combination to be effected by the Merger as a pooling-of-interests.
Neither Parent nor the Company shall take any action, including the acceleration
of vesting of any options, restricted stock or other rights to acquire shares of
the capital  stock of the  Company,  which  reasonably  would be expected to (i)
interfere   with   Parent's   ability   to   account   for  the   Merger   as  a
pooling-of-interests   or  (ii)   jeopardize   the   tax-free   nature   of  the
reorganization hereunder.

6.5      BEST EFFORTS; FURTHER ACTION

         (a) Upon the terms and subject to the  conditions  hereof,  each of the
parties  hereto shall use its best  efforts  (exercised  diligently  and in good
faith) to take,  or cause to be  taken,  all  actions  and to do, or cause to be
done, all other things reasonably  necessary,  proper or advisable to consummate
and make effective as promptly as practicable the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement,  to obtain in a timely manner all necessary  waivers,  consents,
authorizations  and  approvals  and to effect all  necessary  registrations  and
filings,  and  otherwise  to satisfy  or cause to be  satisfied  all  conditions
precedent to its obligations under this Agreement.

         (b)  Notwithstanding  any provision of this  Agreement to the contrary,
Parent  shall not be  obligated to divest,  abandon,  license,  dispose of, hold
separate or take  similar  action with  respect to any portion of the  business,
assets or properties (tangible or intangible) of Parent, any of its Subsidiaries
or the Company in  connection  with seeking to obtain or  obtaining  any waiver,
consent,   authorization   or  approval  of  any  Person   associated  with  the
consummation of the transitions contemplated hereby or otherwise.

         (c) If, at any time after the Effective  Time,  any such further action
is necessary or  desirable  to carry out the purposes of this  Agreement  and to
vest the  Surviving  Corporation  with full right,  title and  possession to all
assets, property, rights,  privileges,  powers and franchises of the Company and
Merger Sub, the officers and directors of the Company and Merger Sub immediately
prior to the Effective Time are fully authorized in the name of their respective
corporations  or otherwise to take, and will take, all such lawful and necessary
or desirable action.


                                     - 44 -



<PAGE>

7.       COVENANTS OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB

         Each of Parent and Merger Sub, jointly and severally,  hereby covenants
and agrees as follows:

7.1      CERTAIN FILINGS

         Without  limiting the generality of Section 6.5,  Parent and Merger Sub
agree to make or cause to be made all filings with Governmental Authorities that
are  required  to be made by Parent or Merger Sub to carry out the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

7.2      NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS

         Parent  and  Merger Sub shall  promptly  notify the  Company of (i) the
occurrence or  non-occurrence of any fact or event of which Parent or Merger Sub
has  knowledge  which  would be  reasonably  likely  to cause  any  covenant  or
agreement of Merger Sub or Parent in this  Agreement  not to be complied with or
satisfied in any  material  respect and (ii) any failure of Merger Sub or Parent
to comply  with or satisfy  any  covenant or  agreement  to be complied  with or
satisfied by it hereunder in any material respect;  provided,  however,  that no
such notification  shall affect the  representations or warranties of Merger Sub
or Parent, or the right of the Company to rely thereon, or the conditions to the
obligations of the Company,  or the remedies available hereunder to the Company.
Parent and Merger Sub shall give  prompt  notice to the Company of any notice or
other  communication  from any third  Person  alleging  that the consent of such
third  Person  is or  may  be  required  in  connection  with  the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

7.3      REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

         (a) At the  Closing,  Parent and (on  behalf of, and as  representative
for, the Company Stockholders) the Securityholder Representative will enter into
the  Registration  Rights  Agreement (the  "Registration  Rights  Agreement") in
substantially the form attached as Exhibit 7.3 hereto.

         (b)  The  Registration  Rights  Agreement  is  incorporated  herein  by
reference  and shall be  considered  part of this  Agreement.  By voting  for or
failing to dissent from the approval of this Agreement, each Company Stockholder
automatically and without any further act or deed irrevocably agrees that:

                           (i) such  Company  Stockholder  accepts  and shall be
                  bound by the terms and provisions of the  Registration  Rights
                  Agreement; and

                           (ii)  Peter  Walmsley  is  appointed   Securityholder
                  Representative  (the   "Securityholder   Representative")  for
                  purposes of the Registration Rights Agreement with all rights,
                  powers and authority  provided for in the Registration  Rights
                  Agreement  and that  any  action  taken by the  Securityholder
                  Representative  pursuant to the Registration  Rights Agreement
                  shall be

                                     - 45 -



<PAGE>

                  conclusive,  valid,  binding and  enforceable  with respect to
                  each such Company Stockholder.

7.4      EMPLOYMENT MATTERS

                   (a) For purposes of  eligibility,  vesting  and,  except with
respect to any pension  benefit  plan,  calculation  of benefits  (except to the
extent crediting such service would result in the duplication of benefits) under
each of Parent's  employee benefit plans,  programs and arrangements in which an
employee of the  Company who is employed as of the Closing  Date and who becomes
an employee of Parent or the  Surviving  Corporation  immediately  following the
Closing ("Continuing Employee") participates, Parent shall grant, or shall cause
the Surviving  Corporation to grant,  each such Continuing  Employee with credit
for all service with the Company.

                  (b) As soon as practicable  following the Effective Time, each
Continuing  Employee shall be eligible to  participate in Parent's  401(k) plan,
subject to the terms of such plan.

                  (c)  Parent  shall  provide,  or  shall  cause  the  Surviving
Corporation to provide,  to each  Continuing  Employee (and each such Continuing
Employee's  beneficiaries  and  dependents)  immediate  coverage  under a health
benefit plan  maintained by the Surviving  Corporation  or Parent.  Parent shall
waive, or cause the Surviving Corporation to waive, any applicable  pre-existing
condition   exclusion  (to  the  extent  such  exclusion  did  not  apply  to  a
pre-existing  condition  under the Company's plan) under any such health benefit
plan,  and,  for  purposes  of  any  applicable   deductibles,   co-payments  or
out-of-pocket  maximums  under any such health  benefit  plan,  each  Continuing
Employee  shall  receive  credit under such health  benefit plan for all amounts
paid by them under the Company's health benefit plan.

                  (d)  Each  Continuing   Employee  shall  enter  into  Parent's
standard  agreements  for  employees  relating to  confidentiality,  proprietary
information, inventions and non-competition.

                  (e) It is expressly agreed that the provisions of this Section
7.4 are not  intended to be for the benefit of or otherwise  enforceable  by any
third Person, including, without limitation, any employee of the Company, or any
collective bargaining unit or employee organization.

                  (f) Nothing  herein  shall  prevent  Parent,  Merger Sub,  the
Company or the  Surviving  Corporation  from  amending or modifying any employee
benefit plan,  program or arrangement in any respect or terminating or modifying
the terms and  conditions  of  employment  or other  service  of any  particular
employee or any other person.  Nothing  contained in this Agreement shall create
or imply any  obligation  on the part of Parent,  Merger Sub, the Company or the
Surviving  Corporation  to  provide  any  continuing  employment  right  to  any
individual.


                                     - 46 -



<PAGE>

8.       DOCUMENTS TO BE DELIVERED BY THE COMPANY

         Simultaneously  with the execution and delivery of this Agreement,  the
Company shall  deliver,  or cause to be delivered,  to Parent and Merger Sub the
following:

         (a) (i) the  Affiliate  Letter of the Company and (ii) from each Person
who is identified in the Affiliate  Letter of the Company as an  "affiliate"  of
the Company, an Affiliate Agreement which is in full force and effect;

         (b) an opinion of Sheppard,  Mullin,  Richter & Hampton LLP,  dated the
Closing Date and addressed to Parent and Merger Sub, as to the matters set forth
on Exhibit 8(b) hereto;

         (c) written  consents  of Company  Stockholders  owning,  of record and
beneficially,  at least 90% of the issued and outstanding  Company Capital Stock
duly  approving  this   Agreement,   the  Merger  and  the  other   transactions
contemplated hereby in accordance with the DGCL;

         (d) the Escrow  Agreement  duly  executed  and  delivered by the Escrow
Agent, the Company and the Stockholder Representative;

         (e) a letter  from  Ernst & Young  LLP,  independent  certified  public
accountants  of the  Company,  and a letter from Ernst & Young LLP,  independent
certified  public  accountants  of  Parent,  regarding  the  appropriateness  of
pooling-of-interests  accounting  for the  Merger  under  APB 16 if  closed  and
consummated in accordance with this Agreement. Such letters shall be in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent;

         (f) with  respect to each  current  Facility,  a  satisfactory  Phase I
environmental  audit  report  and such  other  satisfactory  environmental-based
documentation and studies as Parent may have reasonably requested;

         (g) evidence of termination  (or amendment with respect to clause (iv))
of the following agreements:

                  (i)      the Sales Account Cooperation Agreement dated October
                           3, 1997 between the Company and Koch;

                  (ii)     the Preferred Stockholders Agreement dated October 3,
                           1997 between the Company and the holders of Series C1
                           Preferred  Stock  and  Series  C2  Preferred   Stock,
                           subject to the occurrence of the Closing;

                  (iii)    the  Registration  Rights  Agreement dated October 3,
                           1997  between the Company,  Koch and AMT,  subject to
                           the occurrence of the Closing; and


                                     - 47 -



<PAGE>

                  (iv)     the  Shareholder's  Agreement  dated  March 27,  1998
                           between the Company and Steve Fine.

         (h)      conversion notices with respect to:

                  (i)      conversion  of shares of  Series C2  Preferred  Stock
                           into  shares  of  Company  Common  Stock  in the  AMT
                           Conversion; and

                  (ii)     conversion  of shares of  Series C1  Preferred  Stock
                           into  shares  of  Company  Common  Stock  in the Koch
                           Conversion.

         (i) the   Employment   Agreement   executed  by  Richard   Brewer  (the
"Employment  Agreement")  with the Parent to be effective on the Closing Date in
substantially the form attached as Exhibit 8(i) hereto;

         (j) an amendment to the Company's  401(k) Plan to restrict  eligibility
to participate  therein,  effective no later than the Closing Date, to employees
of the Company,  by replacing  the  standardized  prototype  form of plan with a
non-standardized  prototype  form of  plan,  in form  and  substance  reasonably
satisfactory to Parent;

         (k) the Registration  Rights Agreement  executed by the  Securityholder
Representative;

         (l) a Stockholder  Questionnaire in  substantially  the form of Exhibit
8(l) hereto duly  completed by each Company  Stockholder  which has  delivered a
written consent referred to in Section 8(c);

         (m) the Noncompetition  Agreement between the Parent and Richard Brewer
in  substantially  the form of  Exhibit  8(m) (the  "Noncompetition  Agreement")
executed by Richard Brewer;

         (n) the Certificate of Merger;

         (o) resignation  letters from each of the directors and officers of the
Company;

         (p) good  standing  certificates  for the  Company  from  the  State of
Delaware  and each other  jurisdiction  where the  Company is  authorized  to do
business;

         (q) a certificate of the Secretary of the Company  certifying as to (i)
the  certificate  of  incorporation  of the  Company,  (ii) the  by-laws  of the
Company, (iii) the resolutions of the Board of Directors of Merger Sub approving
this Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby and (iv) the
incumbency of certain officers of the Company;

         (r) evidence of the transfer of the Koch Options to Parent; and


                                     - 48 -



<PAGE>

         (s) all material consents, waivers, approvals, authorizations or Orders
required to be obtained, and all filings required to be made, by the Company for
the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation by
it of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and the continuation in full force
and effect of any and all rights,  documents,  instruments  or  Contracts of the
Company,  including,  without  limitation,  evidence  that all  waiting  periods
applicable  to the  consummation  of  the  Merger  and  the  other  transactions
contemplated hereby under the HSR Act have expired or terminated.

9.       DOCUMENTS TO BE DELIVERED BY PARENT AND MERGER SUB

         Simultaneously  with the  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement,
Parent and Merger Sub shall  deliver,  or cause to be delivered,  to the Company
the following:

         (a) (i) the  Affiliate  Letter of the Parent and (ii) from each  Person
who is identified in the Affiliate Letter of the Parent as an "affiliate" of the
Parent, an Affiliate Agreement which is in full force and effect;

         (b) an  opinion  of Kramer  Levin  Naftalis  & Frankel  LLP,  dated the
Closing Date and addressed to Parent and Merger Sub, as to the matters set forth
on Exhibit 9(b) hereto;

         (c) the  Employment  Agreement,   the  Noncompetition   Agreement,  the
Registration Rights Agreement and the Escrow Agreement, in each case executed by
the Parent;

         (d) the Certificate of Merger;

         (e) evidence that all waiting periods applicable to the consummation of
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby under the HSR Act have
expired or terminated;

         (f) good standing  certificates  for the Parent and Merger Sub from the
State of Delaware;

         (g) a certificate  of the Secretary of the Merger Sub  certifying as to
(i) the certificate of  incorporation of the Merger Sub, (ii) the by-laws of the
Merger  Sub,  (iii) the  resolutions  of the Board of  Directors  of Merger  Sub
approving this Agreement,  the Merger and the transactions  contemplated  hereby
and (iv) the incumbency of certain officers of the Merger Sub.

         (h) a certificate of the Secretary of the Company  certifying as to (i)
the  certificate  of  incorporation  of the  Company,  (ii) the  by-laws  of the
Company,  (iii)  the  resolutions  of the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Company
approving this Agreement,  the Merger and the transactions  contemplated  hereby
and (iv) the incumbency of certain officers of the Company.


                                     - 49 -



<PAGE>

10.      [Intentionally omitted.]

11.      INDEMNIFICATION

11.1     SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS

         (a)  Except  as   otherwise   provided  in  this  Section   11.1,   the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of each party hereto shall
remain  operative and in full force and effect  regardless of any  investigation
made by or on behalf of any other party  hereto,  any affiliate of such party or
any of their officers,  directors or representatives,  whether prior to or after
the execution of this Agreement.

         (b) The parties' representations and warranties in this Agreement or in
any document or instrument  delivered  pursuant to this Agreement  shall survive
the Merger and the Closing and continue until 5:00 p.m., California time, on the
date that is one (1) year following the Effective Time (the "Expiration  Date").
Notwithstanding  the  preceding  sentence,  any  representation  or  warranty in
respect  of which  indemnity  may be sought  under  Section  11.2 or 11.3  shall
survive the time at which it would otherwise terminate pursuant to the preceding
sentence, if notice of the inaccuracy or breach thereof shall have been given to
the party against whom such indemnity may be sought prior to such time.

         (c) The Confidentiality  Agreement between Parent and the Company shall
survive termination of this Agreement as provided therein.  Sections 11.1(a) and
(c), 11.2, 11.3, 11.5 and 12 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

11.2     OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY TO INDEMNIFY, REIMBURSE, ETC.

         Subject  to the  provisions  of  Section  11.4,  the  Company  and  its
successors  and  permitted  assigns,  jointly and  severally,  shall  indemnify,
reimburse,  defend  and hold  harmless  Parent  and Merger Sub and each of their
respective  successors  and  permitted  assigns  and  each of  their  respective
directors, officers, employees,  affiliates, and their respective successors and
permitted  assigns (each a "Parent  Indemnitee") from and against (i) all Losses
resulting from, imposed upon,  incurred or suffered by any of them,  directly or
indirectly, based upon, arising out of or otherwise in respect of any inaccuracy
in or any breach of any representation,  warranty,  covenant or agreement of the
Company and (ii) all Environmental,  Health and Safety  Liabilities  arising out
of, or  attributable  or relating to, the operations of the Company prior to the
Closing Date and the Facilities.  For purpose of this Agreement,  "Losses" shall
mean any  claims,  losses,  liabilities,  damages,  causes of action,  costs and
expenses  (including  reasonable  attorneys',  accountants',   consultants'  and
experts' fees and expenses), net of (x) any Tax benefits,  savings or reductions
and (y) any insurance  proceeds,  in either case which the  indemnitee  actually
receives  by virtue of such  claims,  losses,  liabilities,  damages,  causes of
action, costs and expenses.


                                     - 50 -



<PAGE>

11.3     OBLIGATION OF PARENT TO INDEMNIFY, REIMBURSE, ETC.

         Parent and Merger Sub and their  respective  successors  and  permitted
assigns,  jointly and severally,  shall  indemnify,  reimburse,  defend and hold
harmless the Company and the Company  Stockholders  and each of their respective
successors  and  permitted  assigns  and  each of  their  respective  directors,
officers,  employees,  affiliates,  and their respective  successors and assigns
(each a  "Company  Indemnitee")  from and  against  any Losses  resulting  from,
imposed upon, incurred or suffered by any of them, directly or indirectly, based
upon,  arising out of or otherwise in respect of any  inaccuracy in or breach of
any  representation,  warranty,  covenant or  agreement of Parent or Merger Sub;
provided that the  obligations  of Parent and Merger Sub under this Section 11.3
(including all related  costs,  risks and expenses under Section 11.5) shall not
exceed product of the Escrow Amount multiplied by the Average Closing Price.

11.4     ESCROW ARRANGEMENTS

         Concurrent  with the Effective  Time, the Escrow Amount shall be placed
in the Escrow  Fund,  to be governed by the terms of the Escrow  Agreement.  The
Escrow Fund shall be available to compensate the Parent  Indemnitees  for Losses
and  Environmental,  Health and Safety  Liabilities  in accordance  with Section
11.2.  The Escrow  Fund shall be the  exclusive  remedy for all  indemnification
claims by any Parent Indemnitee for Losses and Environmental,  Health and Safety
Liabilities  pursuant to Section 11.2  (including all costs,  risks and expenses
relating to such claims  incurred under Section 11.5);  provided that any Parent
Indemnitee  shall be permitted to pursue (i) any other remedies  pursuant to any
claim of fraudulent,  criminal or wilful misconduct;  (ii) specific performance,
and (iii) temporary  restraining  orders and temporary and permanent  injunctive
relief or other  equitable  relief.  The terms and conditions of the Escrow Fund
shall be set forth  more fully in the Escrow  Agreement.  The Escrow  Fund shall
terminate at the Expiration Date, unless an indemnification  claim under Section
11.2 is then  pending,  in which  case the  Escrow  Fund  shall  terminate  upon
resolution  and  payment in full of such claim or  claims.  Absent  fraud of any
party (for which there shall be no  limitations  of liability of any party),  no
Parent Indemnitee shall have any right to seek indemnification, reimbursement or
defense under this Agreement or the Escrow Agreement in respect of Losses and/or
Environmental,  Health, and Safety Liabilities after the date of issuance of the
first  independent  audit report with  respect to the  financial  statements  of
Parent  after the  Effective  Time if a claim in respect of such  Losses  and/or
Environmental,  Health,  and  Safety  Liabilities  is of a type  expected  to be
encountered  in the course of an audit  performed in accordance  with  generally
accepted auditing standards.

11.5     INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES

         (a)  Notice.  Whenever  any third  Person  claim  shall arise for which
indemnification  may be sought  hereunder  (a  "Claim"),  the party  entitled to
indemnification  (the  "Indemnitee")  shall  promptly  give  notice to the party
obligated  to provide  indemnity  (the  "Indemnitor")  with respect to the Claim
after the  receipt by the  Indemnitee  of reliable  information  as to the facts
constituting the basis for the Claim; but the failure to timely give


                                     - 51 -



<PAGE>

such notice  shall not relieve the  Indemnitor  from any  obligation  under this
Agreement,  except to the extent,  if any,  that the  Indemnitor  is  materially
prejudiced thereby.

         (b) Defense.  Upon  delivery of notice from the  Indemnitee of a Claim,
the  Indemnitee  shall assume the defense of such Claim by selecting  counsel to
defend the  Indemnitee  against  the matter from which the Claim  arose,  at the
Indemnitor's sole cost, risk and expense, subject to the proviso in Section 11.3
and Section 11.4. The Indemnitor shall cooperate in all reasonable respects,  at
the  Indemnitor's  sole cost,  risk and  expense,  with the  Indemnitee  and its
counsel in the  investigation,  trial,  defense and any appeal  arising from the
matter from which the Claim  arose and shall  deliver to the  Indemnitee  or its
counsel copies of all pleadings and other  information  within the  Indemnitor's
knowledge or possession  reasonably  requested by the  Indemnitee or its counsel
that are  relevant to the defense of the subject of any such Claim and that will
not prejudice the  Indemnitor's  position,  claims or defenses.  The  Indemnitor
shall not be liable for any settlement effected without its prior consent,  such
consent not to be unreasonably  withheld. If the subject of any Claim results in
a judgment or settlement  consistent with the terms of this Section 11.5(b), the
Indemnitor  shall  promptly  pay such  judgment  or  settlement,  subject to the
proviso in Section 11.3 and Section 11.4.

12.      GENERAL PROVISIONS

12.1     EXPENSES

         Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each party to
this  Agreement will bear its respective  fees,  costs and expenses  incurred in
connection  with the  preparation,  execution,  delivery and performance of this
Agreement,  including all fees,  costs and expenses of agents,  representatives,
counsel and accountants,  provided that the Company's  expenses shall not exceed
$150,000 in the aggregate.

12.2     CONVEYANCE TAXES

         Parent,  Merger Sub and the Company shall cooperate in the preparation,
execution  and filing of all  returns,  questionnaires,  applications,  or other
documents  regarding any real property transfer or gains,  sales, use, transfer,
value  added,   stock  transfer  and  stamp  taxes,  any  transfer,   recording,
registration  and other fees,  and any similar  taxes  which  become  payable in
connection  with the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  that are  required  or
permitted  to be filed on or before the  Effective  Time,  and the  Company  and
Parent shall each be  responsible  for the payment of one-half of all such taxes
and fees.

12.3     PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

         Unless required by Law, any public  announcement  or similar  publicity
with  respect  to  this  Agreement,   the  Closing,  the  Merger  or  the  other
transactions  contemplated hereby will be issued, if at all, at such time and in
such manner as Parent  determines  with the  concurrence  of the Company,  which
concurrence shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed by the Company. Unless
disclosure is consented to by Parent in advance or required

                                     - 52 -



<PAGE>

by Law, the Company shall keep this Agreement and the transactions  contemplated
hereby strictly  confidential  and may not make any disclosure of this Agreement
or such transactions to any Person other than its or their directors,  officers,
employees or agents who need to know such  information  to enable the Company to
comply with this Agreement,  provided that each such director, officer, employee
or agent shall agree, for the benefit of Parent, to maintain the confidentiality
of such  information  as provided in this Section  12.3.  The Company and Parent
will  consult  with each  other  concerning  the  means by which  the  Company's
employees,  customers and suppliers and other Persons  having  dealings with the
Company  will be informed of this  Agreement,  the  Closing,  the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated hereby, and representatives of Parent may at its
option be present for any such communication.

12.4     NOTICES

         All notices,  consents,  waivers,  and other  communications under this
Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when (a)
delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt),  (b) sent by fax (with
written  confirmation of receipt),  provided that a copy is mailed by registered
mail, return receipt requested,  or (c) when received by the addressee,  if sent
by a nationally  recognized overnight delivery service (receipt  requested),  in
each case to the  appropriate  addresses  or fax  numbers set forth below (or to
such other address, person's attention or fax number as a party may designate by
notice to the other parties given in accordance with this Section 12.4):

                  (a)         If to Parent or Merger Sub:

                              ATMI, Inc.
                              7 Commerce Drive
                              Danbury, CT  06810
                              Telecopier No.:  (203) 797-2546
                              Telephone No.:  (203) 794-1600
                              Attention:  Daniel Sharkey

                  With a copy to:

                              Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
                              919 Third Avenue
                              New York, NY  10022
                              Telecopier No.:  (212) 715-8000
                              Telephone No.:  (212) 715-9100
                              Attention:  Mark B. Segall

                  (b)         If to the Company:

                              Advanced Chemical Systems International, Inc.
                              510 Alder Drive
                              Milpitas, CA 95035

                                     - 53 -



<PAGE>

                              Telecopier No.: (408) 321-9321/9360
                              Telephone No.: (408) 321-8900
                              Attention: Richard Brewer

                  With a copy to:

                              Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
                              Four Embarcadero Center, 17th Floor
                              San Francisco, CA  94111
                              Telecopier No.: (415) 434-3947
                              Telephone No.: (415) 434-9100
                              Attention: William T. Manierre

12.5     JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS

         Any  Proceeding  seeking to enforce any  provision  of, or based on any
right arising out of, this  Agreement may be brought  against any of the parties
in the courts of the State of Delaware or the United States  District  Court for
the District of Delaware,  and each of the parties  consents to the jurisdiction
of such courts (and of the appropriate  appellate courts) in any such Proceeding
and waives any objection to venue laid therein.  Service of process or any other
papers in any such  Proceeding  may be made by  registered  or  certified  mail,
return receipt requested, pursuant to the provisions of Section 12.4.

12.6     FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE

         No failure or delay on the part of any party  hereto in the exercise of
any right  hereunder  shall impair such right or be construed to be a waiver of,
or  acquiescence  in, any breach of any  representation,  warranty,  covenant or
agreement  herein,  nor shall any single or partial  exercise  of any such right
preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right. All rights and
remedies  existing under this Agreement are cumulative to, and not exclusive of,
any rights or remedies otherwise available.

12.7     ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND MODIFICATION

         This  Agreement   supersedes  all  prior  agreements  (other  than  the
Confidentiality Agreement between Parent and the Company and each of the letters
dated April 16, 1999 addressed to the Company from each of Koch, AMT and Richard
Brewer relating to the acquisition of the Company by Parent), whether written or
oral,  between  or among the  parties  with  respect to its  subject  matter and
constitutes  (along with the documents referred to in this Agreement) the entire
agreement among the parties with respect to its subject  matter.  This Agreement
may not be amended except by a written agreement executed by each party hereto.


                                     - 54 -



<PAGE>

12.8     ASSIGNMENTS, SUCCESSORS, AND NO THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS

         No party may assign any of its rights under this Agreement  without the
prior written  consent of the other parties except that Parent may assign any of
its  rights,  but  not its  obligations,  under  this  Agreement  to any  direct
wholly-owned  Subsidiary  of Parent.  Subject to the  preceding  sentence,  this
Agreement  will  apply to, be  binding in all  respects  upon,  and inure to the
benefit  of the  successors  and  permitted  assigns  of the  parties  and their
respective heirs and personal representatives.  Nothing expressed or referred to
in this Agreement will be construed to give any Person other than the parties to
this Agreement and the Persons contemplated by Section 11 any legal or equitable
right,  remedy or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision
of this Agreement.

12.9     SEVERABILITY

         (a) If any provision of this  Agreement or the  application of any such
provision  to any party or  circumstances  shall be  determined  by any court of
competent  jurisdiction  to be  invalid  or  unenforceable  to any  extent,  the
remainder of this Agreement,  or the application of such provision to such party
or circumstances  other than those to which it is so determined to be invalid or
unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each provision hereof shall be
enforced  to the fullest  extent  permitted  by law. If the final  judgment of a
court of competent  jurisdiction  declares that any item or provision  hereof is
invalid or  unenforceable,  the parties  hereto  agree that the court making the
determination  of invalidity or  unenforceability  shall have the power,  and is
hereby directed, to reduce the scope, duration or area of the term or provision,
to delete specific words or phrases and to replace any invalid or  unenforceable
term or provision  with a term or provision  that is valid and  enforceable  and
that comes closest to expressing  the intention of the invalid or  unenforceable
term or provision, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified.

12.10    SECTION HEADINGS, CONSTRUCTION

         The headings of Sections in this Agreement are provided for convenience
only and will not affect its construction or  interpretation.  In this Agreement
(i) words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa,  (ii) "it" or
"its"  or  words  denoting  any  gender  include  all  genders,  (iii)  the word
"including" shall mean "including without limitation," whether or not expressed,
(iv) any  reference  to a statute  shall mean the  statute  and any  regulations
thereunder in force as of the date of this  Agreement or the Effective  Time, as
applicable,  unless otherwise expressly provided,  (v) any reference herein to a
Section,  Article,  Schedule  or Exhibit  refers to a Section or Article of or a
Schedule or Exhibit to this Agreement,  unless otherwise  stated,  and (vi) when
calculating  the period of time within or following  which any act is to be done
or steps taken,  the date which is the reference day in calculating  such period
shall be excluded and if the last day of such period is not a business day, then
the  period  shall  end on the next day  which is a  business  day.  Each  party
acknowledges  that he, she or it has been advised and  represented by counsel in
the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and accordingly agrees
that if an  ambiguity  exists with respect to any  provision of this  Agreement,
such  provision  shall not be construed  against any party because such party or
its representatives drafted such provision.

                                     - 55 -



<PAGE>

12.11    GOVERNING LAW

         This  Agreement  will be governed by the internal  laws of the State of
Delaware without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

12.12    COUNTERPARTS

         This  Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,  each of
which will be deemed to be an original copy of this  Agreement and all of which,
when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.

12.13    CONFLICTS WAIVER

         The  Parent  acknowledges  that the  Company  has been  represented  by
Sheppard,  Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP in connection with this transaction and
in other  matters.  The Parent hereby waives on behalf of itself and the Company
any and all conflicts of interest that may apply to any future representation by
such firm of any of the current Company Stockholders in connection with disputes
arising  from the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  The Parent  agrees  that
following the Closing,  it and the Company will not be deemed to hold or to have
acquired  the   attorney-client   privilege  (as  related  to  the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement) held by the Company prior to Closing.

12.14    KNOWLEDGE

         For purposes of this  Agreement,  the term  "knowledge" of the Company,
Parent and Merger Sub shall mean the actual knowledge of the officers, directors
and Key Employees of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub, respectively.




                                     - 56 -



<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  have  executed  and  delivered  this
Agreement as of the date first written above.

                                       ATMI, INC.


                                       By: /s/ Daniel P. Sharkey
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Daniel P. Sharkey
                                          Title: Vice President,
                                                 Chief Financial Officer
                                                 and Treasurer



                                       STRIP ACQUISITION CORP.


                                       By: /s/ Daniel P. Sharkey
                                          -------------------------------------
                                           Name: Daniel P. Sharkey
                                           Title: Vice President and Secretary



                                       ADVANCED CHEMICAL SYSTEMS
                                       INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                       By: /s/ Richard Brewer
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Richard Brewer
                                          Title: President and Chief
                                                 Executive Officer




                                      - 57 -





                                                                   Exhibit 2.2

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                  AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this  "Agreement"),  dated as of
May 31, 1999,  among (i) ATMI,  Inc.  ("Parent"),  a Delaware  corporation and a
party to this  Agreement  but not a  constituent  corporation  in the Merger (as
hereinafter  defined),  (ii) Napa Acquisition  Corp.  ("Merger Sub"), a Delaware
corporation  all of whose  capital  stock is owned  directly  by  Parent,  (iii)
Delatech  Incorporated  (the  "Company"),  a  California  corporation,  and (iv)
Timothy L.F. Herman and Margaret "Peggy" E. Herman, and Roger J.B. McKinley, Sr.
and Corenne M. McKinley  (collectively,  the  "Controlling  Shareholders"),  who
together  own of  record  and  beneficially  at least  98.5% of the  issued  and
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (as hereinafter defined).

                                    RECITALS:

                  WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Parent, Merger Sub and the
Company,  deeming it advisable and for the respective benefit of Parent,  Merger
Sub and the Company, and their shareholders,  have approved the Merger of Merger
Sub with and into the  Company  upon the terms  and  subject  to the  conditions
hereinafter  set forth,  and have approved this  Agreement  and  authorized  the
transactions contemplated hereby; and

                  WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors of the Company has determined
to  recommend  to all of the  Company's  shareholders  that the  Merger and this
Agreement be approved; and

                  WHEREAS,  Parent,  Merger Sub, the Company and the Controlling
Shareholders  intend to adopt this Agreement as a plan of reorganization  within
the  meaning  of  Section  368 of the  Code  (as  hereinafter  defined)  and the
regulations promulgated thereunder; and

                  WHEREAS,  Parent,  Merger Sub, the Company and the Controlling
Shareholders  intend that the Merger be accounted for as a  pooling-of-interests
for financial reporting and accounting purposes; and

                  WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger, each outstanding share of the
Company's  Common Stock,  no par value per share (the "Company  Common  Stock"),
shall be  automatically  converted  into the right to receive the  consideration
specified  in  Section  2.7  upon  the  terms  and  subject  to  the  conditions
hereinafter set forth; and

                  WHEREAS,  upon consummation of the Merger, the Company will be
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent; and




<PAGE>

                  WHEREAS,  Parent,  Merger Sub, the Company and the Controlling
Shareholders desire to make certain  representations,  warranties and agreements
in connection with, and establish various conditions precedent to, the Merger.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and the
mutual  covenants and  agreements  hereinafter  set forth,  the parties  hereto,
intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1.       DEFINITIONS

         For purposes of this  Agreement,  the following terms have the meanings
specified or referred to in this Section 1:

         "Accounts Receivable"--as defined in Section 4.9.

         "Affiliate Agreement"--as defined in Section 6.4.

         "Affiliate Letters"--as defined in Section 6.4.

         "Agreement"--as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

         "Agreement of Merger"--as defined in Section 2.2.

         "Alternative Acquisition"--as defined in Section 6.10(a).

         "Certificates"--as defined in Section 2.8(c).

         "CGCL"--as defined in Section 2.1(a).

         "Claim"--as defined in Section 11.6(a).

         "Closing"--as defined in Section 2.1(b).

         "Closing  Date"--the  date and time as of which  the  Closing  actually
takes place.

         "Closing  Exchange  Price"--the  average  closing  price  of a share of
Parent Common Stock for the twenty (20)  consecutive  Trading Days ending on the
Trading  Day that is three (3)  Trading  Days  immediately  prior to the Closing
Date,  as  reported  on the  Nasdaq  National  Market  (subject  to  appropriate
adjustment for any stock split,  reverse split, stock dividend,  reorganization,
recapitalization  or other like change with  respect to the Parent  Common Stock
occurring after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time).

         "Code"--the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor
law.


                                      - 2 -



<PAGE>

         "Commission"--the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

         "Common Stock Exchange Ratio"--as defined in Section 2.7(a).

         "Company"--as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

         "Company Common Stock"--as defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

         "Company Indemnitee"--as defined in Section 11.3.

         "Company  Shareholders"--the  holders  of  the  Company  Common  Stock,
including but not limited to the Controlling Shareholders.

         "Company  Subsidiaries"--each  of Delatech  Foreign  Sales  Corporation
(Barbados), Delatech Korea, Ltd. and DEGC Systems Limited (Scotland).

         "Confidentiality  Agreement"--the Confidentiality Agreement dated March
25, 1999 between the Company and Parent.

         "Continuing Employee"--as defined in Section 7.4(a).

         "Contract"--any agreement, contract, obligation, promise, commitment or
undertaking (whether written or oral and whether express or implied), other than
those that have been terminated.

         "Controlling  Shareholders"--as  defined in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.

         "Copyrights"--as defined in Section 4.21(a).

         "Customers"--as defined in Section 4.32.

         "DGCL"--as defined in Section 2.1(a).

         "Disclosure Schedule"--the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company
and the Controlling  Shareholders to Parent and Merger Sub concurrently with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement.

         "Dissenting Shareholders"--as defined in Section 2.7(b).

         "Effective Time"--as defined in Section 2.2.

         "Employee Benefit Plan"--as defined in Section 4.19(a).

         "Employment Agreements"--as defined in Section 6.8.

                                      - 3 -



<PAGE>

         "Encumbrance"--any   mortgage,   charge,   claim,   community  property
interest,  equitable interest, lien, option, pledge, security interest, right of
first refusal or  restriction  of any kind,  including any  restriction  on use,
voting,  transfer,  receipt  of income or  exercise  of any other  attribute  of
ownership; and the verb "Encumber" shall be construed accordingly.

         "Environmental Claim"--any accusation, allegation, notice of violation,
action, claim, Encumbrance,  Lien, demand, abatement or other Order or direction
(conditional  or  otherwise)  by any  Governmental  Authority  or any Person for
personal injury (including sickness,  disease or death),  tangible or intangible
property damage, damage to the environment,  nuisance, pollution,  contamination
or  other  adverse  effects  on the  environment,  or for  fines,  penalties  or
restrictions resulting from or based upon (i) the existence, or the continuation
of the  existence,  of a  Release  (including,  without  limitation,  sudden  or
non-sudden  accidental  or  non-accidental  Releases)  of, or  exposure  to, any
Hazardous   Material  or  other  substance,   clinical,   material,   pollutant,
contaminant,  odor,  audible  noise,  or  other  Release  in,  into or onto  the
environment (including, without limitation, the air soil, soil, surface water or
groundwater)  at, in, by, from or related to the  Facilities  or any  activities
conducted  thereon;  (ii)  the  environmental  aspects  of  the  transportation,
storage,  treatment or disposal of Hazardous  Materials in  connection  with the
operation of the Facilities;  or (iii) the violation,  or alleged violation,  of
any  Environmental  Laws,  Orders  or  Governmental   Permits  of  or  from  any
Governmental  Authority  relating to  environmental  matters  connected with the
Facilities.

         "Environmental,  Health,  and Safety  Liabilities"--any  cost,  damage,
expense, liability, obligation or other responsibility arising from or under any
Environmental  Law or  Occupational  Safety and Health Law and  consisting of or
relating  to:  (a) any  environmental,  health  or safety  matter  or  condition
(including on-site or off-site contamination,  generation, handling and disposal
of  Hazardous  Materials,  occupational  safety and health,  and  regulation  of
chemical and Hazardous  Materials);  (b) fines,  penalties,  judgments,  awards,
settlements,  legal or administrative proceedings,  damages, losses, litigation,
including  civil and  criminal  claims,  demands and  responses,  investigative,
remedial,  response or inspection costs and expenses arising under Environmental
Law or Occupational  Safety and Health Law; (c) financial  responsibility  under
Environmental  Law or  Occupational  Safety and Health Law for cleanup  costs or
corrective action, including any investigation, cleanup, removal, containment or
other  remediation or response actions required by applicable  Environmental Law
or Occupational  Safety and Health Law and for any natural resource damages;  or
(d)  any  other  compliance,  corrective,  investigative  or  remedial  measures
required  under  Environmental  Law or  Occupational  Safety and Health Law. The
terms  "removal,"  "remedial,"  and  "response  action,"  include  the  types of
activities covered by the United States  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,
Compensation,  and  Liability  Act,  42  U.S.C.  ss.  9601 et seq.,  as  amended
("CERCLA").

         "Environmental Law"--any Law concerning the environment,  or activities
that might threaten or result in damage to the  environment or human health,  or
any Law that is  concerned  in whole or in part  with the  environment  and with
protecting or improving the

                                      - 4 -



<PAGE>

quality  of the  environment  and human  and  employee  health  and  safety  and
includes, but is not limited to, CERCLA, the Hazardous Materials  Transportation
Act (49 U.S.C. ss. 1801 et seq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42
U.S.C.  ss. 6901 et seq.), the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. ss. 1251 et seq.), the
Clean Air Act (33 U.S.C. ss. 7401 et seq.), the Toxic Substances Control Act (15
U.S.C. ss. 2601 et seq.), the Federal  Insecticide,  Fungicide,  and Rodenticide
Act (7 U.S.C.  ss. 136 et seq.) and the  Occupational  Safety and Health Act (29
U.S.C.  ss.  651  et  seq.)  ("OSHA"),   as  such  laws  have  been  amended  or
supplemented,  and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, and any and all
analogous state or local  statutes,  and the  regulations  promulgated  pursuant
thereto.

         "ERISA"--the  Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act of  1974,  as
amended, or any successor law.

         "ERISA Affiliate"--as defined in Section 4.19(b).

         "Escrow Agent"--as defined in Section 2.8(i).

         "Escrow Agreement"--as defined in Section 2.8(i).

         "Escrow  Amount"--(i)  that  number of shares  of Parent  Common  Stock
issuable pursuant to Section 2.7 upon conversion of all of the shares of Company
Common Stock issued and  outstanding  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time
multiplied by (ii) 0.10.

         "Escrow Fund"--as defined in Section 2.8(i).

         "Exchange Act"--the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any
successor law.

         "Exchange Agent"--as defined in Section 2.8(a).

         "Expiration Date"--as defined in Section 11.1(b).

         "Facilities"--any   real  property,   leaseholds  or  other   interests
currently  or formerly  owned or  operated  by the  Company  and any  buildings,
plants, structures or equipment (including motor vehicles) currently or formerly
owned or operated by the Company.

         "Financial Statements"--as defined in Section 4.5(a).

         "GAAP"--generally  accepted United States accounting principles applied
on a basis  consistent  with the basis on which the  Financial  Statements  were
prepared.

         "Governmental   Authority"--any  court,  tribunal,  authority,  agency,
commission, bureau, department,  official or other instrumentality of the United
States, any foreign country or any domestic, foreign, state, local, county, city
or other political subdivision.

                                      - 5 -



<PAGE>

         "Governmental   Permit"--any  license,   franchise,   permit  or  other
authorization of any Governmental Authority.

         "Hazardous  Materials"--any  substance,  material  or  waste  which  is
regulated by Environmental Law, including,  without limitation,  any material or
substance  which  is  defined  as a  "hazardous  waste,"  "hazardous  material,"
"hazardous  substance,"  "extremely  hazardous  waste" or "restricted  hazardous
waste," "subject waste," "contaminant," "toxic waste" or "toxic substance" under
any provision of  Environmental  Law,  including  but not limited to,  petroleum
products, asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls.

         "Herman"--as defined in Section 6.8.

         "HSR Act"--the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended, or any successor law.

         "Indemnitee"--as defined in Section 11.6(a).

         "Indemnitor"--as defined in Section 11.6(a).

         "Intellectual Property Assets" --as defined in Section 4.21(a).

         "Interim Financial Statements"--as defined in Section 4.5(a).

         "ISO"--as defined in Section 4.19(i).

         "Key Employees"--as defined in Section 4.15(a).

         "Law"--any federal, state, local or foreign law (including common law),
statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation or other requirement or guideline.

         "Lien"--any lien, pledge, hypothecation, levy, mortgage, deed of trust,
security  interest,  claim,  lease,  charge,  option,  right of  first  refusal,
easement, or other real estate declaration,  covenant, condition, restriction or
servitude,  transfer  restriction  under any  shareholder or similar  agreement,
encumbrance or any other restriction or limitation whatsoever.

         "Losses"--as defined in Section 11.2.

         "Marks"--as defined in Section 4.21(a).

         "Material Adverse Effect"--as defined in Section 4.7.

         "McKinley"--as defined in Section 6.8.


                                      - 6 -



<PAGE>

         "Merger"--as defined in Section 2.1(a).

         "Merger Sub"--as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

         "Occupational   Safety  and  Health  Law"--any  legal  or  governmental
requirement or obligation  relating to safe and healthful working  conditions or
to reduce  occupational  safety and health  hazards,  and any  program,  whether
governmental or private  (including  those  promulgated or sponsored by industry
associations  and insurance  companies),  designed to provide safe and healthful
working conditions.

         "Order"--any  order,  consent,  consent  order,  injunction,  judgment,
decree, consent decree, ruling, writ, assessment or arbitration award.

         "Organizational   Documents"--(a)   the  articles  or   certificate  of
incorporation  and the by-laws or code of regulations of a corporation;  (b) the
partnership agreement and any statement of partnership of a general partnership;
(c) the limited partnership agreement and the certificate of limited partnership
of a limited  partnership;  (d) the articles or  certificate  of  formation  and
operating  agreement of a limited  liability  company;  (e) any  charter,  trust
certificate or document or similar  document adopted or filed in connection with
the  creation,  formation  or  organization  of a  Person;  and  (e) any and all
amendments to any of the foregoing.

         "Parent"--as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

         "Parent Common  Stock"--the Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of
Parent.

         "Parent Indemnitee"-- as defined in Section 11.2.

         "Parent SEC Report"--as defined in Section 5.4.

         "Parent  Shares"--the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued to the
Company Shareholders in connection with the Merger.

         "Patents"--as defined in Section 4.21(a).

         "Pension Plan"--as defined in Section 4.19(f).

         "Person"--any   individual,   corporation   (including  any  non-profit
corporation),  general or limited partnership,  limited liability company, joint
venture, estate, trust, association,  organization,  labor union or other entity
or governmental body or Governmental Authority.

         "Pooling Rules"--as defined in Section 6.4.

         "Proceeding"--as defined in Section 4.13.

                                      - 7 -



<PAGE>

         "Registration Rights Agreement"--as defined in Section 7.3.

         "Related Person"--as defined in Section 4.23.

         "Release"--any release, spill, effluent,  emission,  leaking,  pumping,
injection, deposit, disposal, discharge,  dispersal, leaching, or migration into
the indoor or outdoor  environment of any Hazardous  Material  through or in the
air, soil, surface water or groundwater.

         "Remedial  Action"--all  actions,  including,  without limitation,  any
expenditures, required or voluntarily undertaken to (i) clean up, remove, treat,
or in any other way address any  Hazardous  Material or other  substance  in the
indoor or outdoor environment; (ii) prevent the Release or threat of Release, or
minimize the further Release of any Hazardous  Material or other substance so it
does not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare of
the  indoor or outdoor  environment;  (iii)  perform  pre-remedial  studies  and
investigations or post-remedial  monitoring and care; or (iv) bring any Facility
into compliance with all Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits.

         "Returns"--as defined in Section 4.8(b).

         "Rule 145"--as defined in Section 6.4.

         "Securities  Act"--the  Securities  Act of  1933,  as  amended,  or any
successor law.

         "Shareholder Representative"--as defined in Section 2.8(i).

         "Subsidiary"--with  respect  to  any  Person,  any  corporation,  joint
venture, limited liability company,  partnership,  association or other business
entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of stock or other equity
entitled  to  vote  generally  in the  election  of  directors  or  managers  or
equivalent  persons thereof is owned or controlled,  directly or indirectly,  by
such Person.

         "Surviving Corporation"--as defined in Section 2.1(a).

         "Systems"--as defined in Section 4.34(a).

         "Tax Authority"--as defined in Section 4.8(a).

         "Taxes"--as defined in Section 4.8(a).

         "Trade Secrets"--as defined in Section 4.21(a).

         "Trading  Day"--means  any day on which the Nasdaq  National  Market is
open for business.


                                      - 8 -



<PAGE>

         "Transaction  Documents"--means the Registration Rights Agreement,  the
Escrow Agreement and the other agreements, documents or instruments executed and
delivered by a party hereto as contemplated under this Agreement.

         "WARN"--as defined in Section 4.18(d).

         "Year 2000"--as defined in Section 4.34(a).

2.       THE MERGER; CLOSING

2.1      THE MERGER

         (a) Upon the  terms and  subject  to the  conditions  set forth in this
Agreement,  and in accordance with the California  General  Corporation Law (the
"CGCL") and the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"),  Merger Sub shall
be merged  with and into the  Company  at the  Effective  Time  (the  "Merger").
Following  the Merger,  the  separate  corporate  existence  of Merger Sub shall
cease,  and  the  Company  shall  continue  as the  surviving  corporation  (the
"Surviving Corporation") under the name "Delatech Incorporated."

         (b)  Unless  this  Agreement   shall  have  been   terminated  and  the
transactions  herein  contemplated shall have been abandoned pursuant to Section
10 and  subject to the  satisfaction  or waiver of the  conditions  set forth in
Sections  8 and 9, the  consummation  of the  Merger  will  take  place on or as
promptly  as  practicable  (and in any event  within two  business  days)  after
satisfaction  or waiver of the  conditions  set forth in Sections 8 and 9 at the
offices of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, 919 Third Avenue,  New York, New
York (the "Closing"), unless another date, time or place is agreed to in writing
by the Company and Parent.

2.2      EFFECTIVE TIME

         As soon as practicable  following the Closing, the parties hereto shall
cause the Merger to be  consummated  by (i) filing an  agreement  of merger (the
"Agreement of Merger") in such form as is required by and executed in accordance
with the relevant provisions of the CGCL and the DGCL, and (ii) making all other
filings or  recordings  required  under the CGCL and the DGCL.  The Merger shall
become effective at such time as the Agreement of Merger, having previously been
duly filed with the  Secretary of State of the State of Delaware,  is duly filed
with the  Secretary of State of the State of  California  or at such  subsequent
time as the Company, Merger Sub and Parent shall agree and shall be specified in
the Agreement of Merger (the date and time the Merger  becomes  effective  being
the "Effective Time").


                                      - 9 -



<PAGE>

2.3      EFFECTS OF THE MERGER

         At and after the Effective  Time,  the Merger will have the effects set
forth in this Agreement,  the Agreement of Merger and the applicable  provisions
of the CGCL and the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  and
subject  thereto,  at the  Effective  Time  all the  assets,  property,  rights,
privileges,  powers and  franchises  of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in
the Surviving Corporation,  and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company
and Merger Sub shall become the debts,  liabilities  and duties of the Surviving
Corporation.

2.4      ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF SURVIVING CORPORATION

         Unless  otherwise  determined by Parent prior to the Effective Time, at
the Effective Time, the articles of incorporation  of the Company,  as in effect
immediately  prior to the Effective Time, shall be the articles of incorporation
of the Surviving Corporation,  unless and until thereafter changed or amended as
provided therein or by applicable Law.

2.5      BY-LAWS OF SURVIVING CORPORATION

         Unless  otherwise  determined by Parent prior to the Effective Time, at
the Effective Time, the by-laws of the Company,  as in effect  immediately prior
to the Effective Time, shall be the by-laws of the Surviving Corporation, unless
and until  thereafter  changed or amended as provided therein or in the articles
of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation or by applicable Law.

2.6      OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF SURVIVING CORPORATION

         The  officers of Merger Sub  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time
(which are  identified in Section 2.6 of the Disclosure  Schedule)  shall be the
initial officers of the Surviving  Corporation,  in each case until the earliest
of their  resignation  or removal from office or their  otherwise  ceasing to be
officers or until their  respective  successors  are duly elected and qualified.
The directors of Merger Sub  immediately  prior to the Effective Time (which are
identified  in Section  2.6 of the  Disclosure  Schedule)  shall be the  initial
directors of the Surviving  Corporation,  each to hold office in accordance with
the articles of incorporation and by-laws of the Surviving Corporation.

2.7      CONVERSION OR CANCELLATION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF THE COMPANY
         At the  Effective  Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action
on the part of any party hereto or any holder thereof:

         (a) Company Common Stock.  Subject to the provisions of Sections 2.7(b)
         and (e),  2.8 and 2.9,  each share of Company  Common  Stock issued and
         outstanding  immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be cancelled
         and extinguished and automatically  converted into the right to receive
         the number of shares of Parent

                                     - 10 -



<PAGE>

         Common Stock based on the Closing  Exchange  Price (the  "Common  Stock
         Exchange  Ratio") as follows:  (i) if the Closing Exchange Price is not
         less than $14.1875 and not greater than  $24.1875,  .5721393 of a share
         of Parent Common Stock,  (ii) if the Closing  Exchange Price is greater
         than $24.1875, subject to Section 9.10, that number of shares of Parent
         Common Stock equal to (x) $55,631,250  divided by the Closing  Exchange
         Price divided by (y) 4,020,000, and (iii) if the Closing Exchange Price
         is less than $14.1875,  subject to Section 8.13,  that number of shares
         of Parent Common Stock equal to (x) $32,631,250  divided by the Closing
         Exchange Price divided by (y) 4,020,000.

         (b)  Dissenters.  Shares of Company  Common Stock owned by a holder who
         (i) shall not have  voted in favor of the  Merger,  and (ii) shall have
         delivered  to the  Company  a written  notice  of his  intent to demand
         payment  for his  shares if the  Merger is  effectuated  in the  manner
         provided  in  Section  1300 et seq.  of the  CGCL  and is  otherwise  a
         "dissenting  shareholder"  as such term is used in such sections of the
         CGCL  (collectively,   the  "Dissenting  Shareholders")  shall  not  be
         cancelled,  extinguished  and converted as provided in Section  2.7(a),
         but  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  such  consideration  as shall be
         provided  in such  sections  of the  CGCL,  except  that  shares of any
         Dissenting  Shareholder who shall  thereafter cease to be a "dissenting
         shareholder"  as provided in such sections of the CGCL shall  thereupon
         be deemed to have been cancelled, extinguished and converted, as of the
         Effective  Time,  into  Parent  Common  Stock,  as  provided in Section
         2.7(a).  The Company  shall notify  Parent in writing of the details of
         the Dissenting  Shareholders and the number of shares of Company Common
         Stock that they own. The Company  shall not enter into any agreement or
         settlement  with any Dissenting  Shareholder  without the prior written
         consent of Parent.

         (c) Unissued  Shares.  Each  authorized  but unissued  share of Company
         Common Stock shall cease to exist without payment of any  consideration
         therefor.

         (d) Merger Sub's Common Stock. Each share of Merger Sub's Common Stock,
         $0.01 par value per share, issued and outstanding  immediately prior to
         the   Effective   Time  shall  be  cancelled   and   extinguished   and
         automatically  converted  into one (1) validly  issued,  fully paid and
         nonassessable  share of Common  Stock,  no par value per share,  of the
         Surviving Corporation.

         (e) Adjustments to Common Stock Exchange Ratio Computation.  The Common
         Stock  Exchange Ratio  computation  pursuant to Section 2.7(a) shall be
         appropriately  adjusted  for any  stock  split,  reverse  split,  stock
         dividend,  reorganization,  recapitalization  or other like change with
         respect to the Parent Common Stock  occurring after the date hereof and
         prior to the Effective Time.


                                     - 11 -



<PAGE>

2.8      SURRENDER OF CERTIFICATES, ESCROW, ETC.

         (a) Exchange Agent.  Parent or the transfer agent for the Parent Common
Stock,  or a bank or trust  company  designated by Parent prior to the Effective
Time, shall act as exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") in the Merger.

         (b)  Parent  to  Provide  Common  Stock and  Cash.  Promptly  after the
Effective Time,  Parent shall make available to the Exchange Agent, for exchange
in  accordance  with this  Section 2, the  aggregate  number of shares of Parent
Common  Stock  issuable  pursuant to Section 2.7 in exchange  for the issued and
outstanding  shares of Company  Common  Stock and the cash to be paid in lieu of
fractional  shares  pursuant to Section  2.9;  provided  that,  on behalf of the
Company  Shareholders,  Parent shall  deposit  into the Escrow Fund  pursuant to
Section  2.8(i) that number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the Escrow
Amount out of the aggregate  number of shares of Parent  Common Stock  otherwise
issuable pursuant to Section 2.7 upon conversion of all of the shares of Company
Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. The
portion of the Escrow  Amount  contributed  on behalf of each  holder of Company
Common Stock shall be in proportion to the aggregate  number of shares of Parent
Common  Stock which such holder  would  otherwise  be entitled to receive  under
Section 2.7 by virtue of ownership of issued and  outstanding  shares of Company
Common Stock as more fully specified in Section 2.8(i).

         (c) Exchange Procedures.  Within two (2) days after the Effective Time,
the  Exchange  Agent shall cause to be  delivered  to each holder of record of a
certificate or certificates (the "Certificates")  which immediately prior to the
Effective Time evidenced outstanding shares of Company Common Stock whose shares
were  converted into the right to receive shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant
to Section 2.7 and, if applicable, cash in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to
Section 2.9 (i) a letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall
be effected,  and risk of loss and title to the  Certificates  shall pass,  only
upon proper  delivery of the  Certificates to the Exchange Agent and shall be in
such form and have such other  provisions as Parent may reasonably  specify) and
(ii)  instructions  to effect the surrender of the  Certificates in exchange for
certificates  evidencing  shares of Parent  Common  Stock.  Upon  surrender of a
Certificate  for  cancellation  to the Exchange  Agent or to such other agent or
agents as may be appointed by Parent,  together with such letter of transmittal,
duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto,
and such other documents as may be required by such instructions,  the holder of
such  Certificates   shall  be  entitled  to  receive  in  exchange  therefor  a
certificate  evidencing  the number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock (less
the number of shares of Parent  Common  Stock to be deposited in the Escrow Fund
on such  holder's  behalf  pursuant  to Section  2.8(i)) to which such holder is
entitled  pursuant to Section  2.7,  plus cash in lieu of  fractional  shares in
accordance with Section 2.9, and the Certificate so surrendered  shall forthwith
be cancelled. Until so surrendered,  each outstanding Certificate that, prior to
the Effective Time, evidenced shares of Company Common Stock will be deemed from
and after the Effective Time, for all corporate purposes, other than the payment
of dividends or other distributions,  to evidence the ownership of the number of
whole shares of Parent Common

                                     - 12 -



<PAGE>

Stock  into  which  such  shares of  Company  Common  Stock  shall  have been so
converted  and the right to receive an amount in cash in lieu of the issuance of
any fractional shares in accordance with Section 2.9.

         (d) Distributions  With Respect to Unexchanged  Shares. No dividends or
other  distributions  declared or made after the Effective  Time with respect to
shares of Parent Common Stock with a record date after the  Effective  Time will
be paid to the  holder of any  unsurrendered  Certificate  with  respect  to the
shares of Parent  Common Stock  evidenced  thereby until the holder of record of
such Certificate  shall surrender such  Certificate  pursuant to Section 2.8(c).
Subject to applicable Law,  following  surrender of any such Certificate,  there
shall be paid to the record holder of the  certificates  evidencing whole shares
of Parent Common Stock issued in exchange  therefor,  without  interest,  at the
time of such surrender,  the amount of dividends or other  distributions  with a
record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such whole
shares of Parent Common Stock.

         (e) Transfers of  Ownership.  If any  certificate  for shares of Parent
Common Stock is to be issued in a name other than that in which the  Certificate
surrendered in exchange  therefor is  registered,  it will be a condition of the
issuance thereof that the Certificate so surrendered  will be properly  endorsed
and otherwise in proper form for transfer, accompanied by all documents required
to evidence and effect such transfer  pursuant to this Section 2.8(e),  and that
the  Person  requesting  such  transfer  will  have  paid to Parent or any agent
designated by it any transfer or other Taxes  required by reason of the issuance
of a  certificate  for shares of Parent Common Stock in any name other than that
of the registered holder of the Certificate  surrendered,  or established to the
satisfaction  of Parent or any agent  designated by it that such Taxes have been
paid or are not payable.

         (f) No  Liability.  Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary in this
Section 2.8, none of the Exchange Agent, the Surviving  Corporation or any party
hereto  shall be liable to any holder of shares of Company  Common Stock for any
amount properly paid to a public official  pursuant to any applicable  abandoned
property, escheat or similar Law.

         (g) No Further  Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock. All shares of
Parent  Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange of shares of Company
Common Stock in  accordance  with the terms hereof  (including  any cash paid in
respect  thereof in  accordance  with  Section 2.9) shall be deemed to have been
issued in full  satisfaction of all rights  pertaining to such shares of Company
Common  Stock,  and there shall be no further  registration  of transfers on the
records of the  Surviving  Corporation  of shares of Company  Common Stock which
were  outstanding  immediately  prior  to the  Effective  Time.  If,  after  the
Effective Time,  Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation for any
reason, they shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this Section 2.8.

         (h)  Lost,  Stolen  or  Destroyed   Certificates.   In  the  event  any
Certificates  evidencing  shares of Company  Common  Stock shall have been lost,
stolen or destroyed, the Exchange Agent may require, before issuing certificates
in respect of the shares of Parent

                                     - 13 -



<PAGE>

Common Stock  evidenced  thereby,  such  affidavits and indemnities and bonds in
support thereof,  as it may reasonably  require with respect to such loss, theft
or destruction.

         (i) Escrow.  Notwithstanding  any  provision  of this  Agreement to the
contrary,  in lieu of  delivering  to holders of shares of Company  Common Stock
certificates  for the full number of shares of Parent Common Stock  provided for
in Section 2.7,  Parent shall  deliver or cause to be delivered (A) to each such
holder one or more certificates,  registered in the name of such holder (subject
to Section  2.8(e)),  for a number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to 90%
of the aggregate  number of shares of Parent Common Stock otherwise  issuable to
such holder  pursuant  to Section  2.7;  and (B) to State  Street Bank and Trust
Company as escrow  agent (the  "Escrow  Agent") for deposit into the escrow fund
(the "Escrow Fund") provided for in the escrow agreement in the form attached as
Exhibit 2.8 hereto (the "Escrow Agreement"), to secure the indemnity obligations
under  Section  11.2,  one or more  certificates,  registered in the name of the
Escrow Agent,  for a number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the Escrow
Amount out of the aggregate  number of shares of Parent  Common Stock  otherwise
issuable pursuant to Section 2.7 upon conversion of all of the shares of Company
Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, all
of which will be held as part of the Escrow  Fund and  disposed of by the Escrow
Agent in accordance  with the  provisions of the Escrow  Agreement.  Such shares
shall be  beneficially  owned by the  holders on whose  behalf  such shares were
deposited  in the Escrow Fund and shall be available  to  compensate  the Parent
Indemnitees  as  provided in Article 11. The Escrow  Agreement  is  incorporated
herein by reference and shall be considered  part of this  Agreement.  By voting
for or failing to dissent  from the  approval of this  Agreement,  each  Company
Shareholder automatically and without any further act or deed irrevocably agrees
that:

                           (A) such  Company  Shareholder  accepts  and shall be
                  bound by the terms and provisions of the Escrow Agreement; and

                           (B) Eugene  Bernosky (or his successor as provided in
                  the Escrow Agreement) is appointed Shareholder  Representative
                  (the "Shareholder  Representative") for purposes of the Escrow
                  Agreement with all rights,  powers and authority  provided for
                  in the  Escrow  Agreement  and  that any  action  taken by the
                  Shareholder  Representative  pursuant to the Escrow  Agreement
                  shall be  conclusive,  valid,  binding  and  enforceable  with
                  respect to each such Company Shareholder.

         (j) Withholding Rights.  Parent or the Exchange Agent shall be entitled
to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this
Agreement  to any holder of Company  Common  Stock such amounts as Parent or the
Exchange  Agent is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of
such payment  under the Code,  or any  provision of state,  local or foreign Tax
Law. To the extent that  amounts are so deducted  and  withheld by Parent or the
Exchange  Agent,  such  deducted and withheld  amounts  shall be treated for all
purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder

                                     - 14 -



<PAGE>

of the Company Common Stock in respect of which such  deduction and  withholding
was made by Parent or the Exchange Agent.

2.9      NO FRACTIONAL SHARES; MULTIPLE CERTIFICATES

         Notwithstanding  any  provision  of  this  Agreement  to the  contrary,
neither  certificates  nor scrip for  fractional  shares of Parent  Common Stock
shall be issued in connection  with the Merger,  but in lieu thereof each holder
of shares of Company Common Stock otherwise entitled to a fraction of a share of
Parent Common Stock  pursuant to the  provisions of Section 2.7 shall be paid in
cash in accordance with Section 2.8 an amount equal to such fraction  multiplied
by the Closing  Exchange Price. No such holder shall be entitled to dividends or
interest  on or,  except  for the  cash  payment  referred  to in the  preceding
sentence,  other rights in respect of any such fractional interest. If more than
one  Certificate  shall be  surrendered  for the  account  of the  same  Company
Shareholder,  the number of whole  shares of Parent  Common Stock for which such
Certificates shall be exchanged pursuant to Section 2.8 shall be computed on the
basis of the  aggregate  number of shares of Company  Common Stock  evidenced by
such Certificates.

2.10     STOCK TRANSFER BOOKS

         At the close of business on the day prior to the  Effective  Time,  the
stock  transfer  books of the Company shall be closed and no transfer of Company
Common Stock shall thereafter be made on such stock transfer books.

2.11     TAX AND ACCOUNTING CONSEQUENCES

         It is  intended  by the  parties  hereto  that  the  Merger  shall  (i)
constitute a tax-free plan of  reorganization  within the meaning of Section 368
of the Code, and (ii) subject to applicable  accounting  standards,  qualify for
accounting  treatment as a  pooling-of-interests.  The parties hereto adopt this
Agreement  as  a  "plan  of  reorganization"  within  the  meaning  of  Sections
1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a) of the United States Treasury Regulations.

3.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES FROM THE RESPECTIVE
         CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDERS

         Each Controlling Shareholder separately for itself, himself or herself,
as applicable, but not jointly, represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub
as to itself, himself or herself, as applicable, as follows:

3.1      AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT

         (a) Except as set forth in Section 3.1 of the Disclosure Schedule, such
Controlling  Shareholder has the right, power, authority and capacity to execute
and deliver this  Agreement  and the other  Transaction  Documents to which such
Controlling Shareholder is a

                                     - 15 -



<PAGE>

party and to perform his obligations  hereunder and  thereunder;  this Agreement
has  been  duly  authorized  and  approved,   executed  and  delivered  by  such
Controlling  Shareholder and constitutes a legal, valid, binding and enforceable
obligation of such Controlling Shareholder in accordance with its terms, and, at
the  Closing,  each of the  Transaction  Documents  to  which  such  Controlling
Shareholder is a party will have been duly authorized and approved, executed and
delivered  by such  Controlling  Shareholder  and will then  constitute a legal,
valid,  binding and enforceable  obligation of such  Controlling  Shareholder in
accordance with their respective terms.

         (b)  Except as set forth in  Section  3.1 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,
neither the  execution and delivery of this  Agreement or any other  Transaction
Document by such Controlling  Shareholder nor the consummation or performance by
such Controlling  Shareholder of any of the transactions  contemplated hereby or
thereby will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time or
both)  contravene,  conflict  with,  or result in a violation  or breach of or a
default  under  (i)  any  provision  of the  Organizational  Documents  of  such
Controlling  Shareholder  (if  applicable),  (ii) any resolution  adopted by the
board of directors  or the  shareholders  of such  Controlling  Shareholder  (if
applicable),  or (iii) any legal  requirement  or any Order or any  Contract  to
which such Controlling Shareholder may be subject.

3.2      OWNERSHIP OF SHARES

         Such Controlling Shareholder owns, of record and beneficially,  and has
good, valid and  indefeasible  title to and the right to transfer that number of
the shares of Company Common Stock set forth opposite his name in Section 4.3 of
the Disclosure Schedule, free and clear of any and all Encumbrances and Liens of
any kind or nature whatsoever.  Such Controlling Shareholder,  together with the
other Controlling  Shareholders,  own at least 98.5% of the outstanding  Company
Common  Stock.  Except as set forth in Section 3.2 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,
there are no voting  trusts,  shareholder  agreements or any other  Contracts or
understandings to which such Controlling  Shareholder is a party with respect to
the sale, transfer, voting or registration of the capital stock of the Company.

3.3      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         There is no pending  Proceeding  against such  Controlling  Shareholder
that  challenges,  or may have the  effect  of  preventing,  delaying  or making
illegal,  or otherwise  interfering  with, any of the transactions  contemplated
hereby  and  by  the  Transaction  Documents  and,  to  the  knowledge  of  such
Controlling Shareholder, no such Proceeding has been threatened, and no event or
circumstance  exists  that  may  give  rise  to or  serve  as a  basis  for  the
commencement of any such Proceeding.


                                     - 16 -



<PAGE>

3.4      INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS OF CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDER

         (a)  The  Parent  Shares  are  being   acquired  by  such   Controlling
Shareholder  for his own account,  and not for any other Person,  for investment
only and with no intention of  distributing  or reselling (and such  Controlling
Shareholder  will not  distribute  or  resell)  such  Parent  Shares or any part
thereof or interest therein in any transaction that would violate the securities
Laws of the United States of America, or any state, without prejudice,  however,
to the rights of such Controlling  Shareholder at all times to sell or otherwise
dispose of all or any part of the Parent Shares under an effective  registration
statement or applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and
any applicable  state  securities  Law,  subject to this Agreement and any other
Contract to which such  Controlling  Shareholder  is a party.  Such  Controlling
Shareholder has no Contract or arrangement with any Person to sell,  transfer or
pledge to such  Person the Parent  Shares,  any  interest  therein,  or any part
thereof, and such Controlling Shareholder has no present plans to enter into any
such Contract or arrangement.

         (b) Such Controlling  Shareholder is either (i) an accredited  investor
as that  term is  defined  in Rule 501 under the  Securities  Act,  or (ii) has,
either alone or with his, her or its purchaser representative or representatives
(as that term is defined in Rule 501 under the Securities  Act),  such knowledge
and  experience  in  financial  and  business  matters  that  he is  capable  of
evaluating  the merits and risks of an  investment  in the Parent  Shares.  Such
Controlling  Shareholder is able to bear the risks associated with an investment
in the Parent Shares.

         (c) Such Controlling  Shareholder has read this Agreement and all other
documents  provided by Parent in connection  herewith,  including the Parent SEC
Report,  and fully understands the terms under which the Parent Shares are being
issued to him pursuant hereto. Parent and Merger Sub have made available to such
Controlling  Shareholder the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers
from Parent or Merger Sub concerning  Parent and the terms and conditions  under
which  Parent  Shares  will  be  issued  to him  and to  obtain  any  additional
information  which  Parent  or  Merger  Sub  possesses  or can  acquire  without
unreasonable  effort or expense  that is  necessary  to verify the  accuracy  of
information  furnished in connection  with this  Agreement or in response to any
request for  information.  Such  Controlling  Shareholder is satisfied with such
answers and information.

         (d) Such  Controlling  Shareholder  agrees that, so long as required by
Law,  certificates  evidencing  the Parent Shares and any  securities  issued in
exchange for or in respect thereof shall bear a legend to the following effect:

          "THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
          REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE
          "SECURITIES ACT"), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY
          NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT

                                     - 17 -



<PAGE>

          PURSUANT  TO AN  EFFECTIVE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  UNDER THE
          SECURITIES  ACT  AND  APPLICABLE   STATE  SECURITIES  LAWS  OR
          PURSUANT  TO AN  APPLICABLE  EXEMPTION  FROM THE  REGISTRATION
          REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS."

4.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE COMPANY

         The  Company  and the  Controlling  Shareholders  hereby,  jointly  and
severally, represent and warrant to Parent and Merger Sub as follows:

4.1      ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING

         (a)  Section 4.1 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  contains a complete  and
accurate  list  of the  jurisdictions  in  which  the  Company  or  any  Company
Subsidiary is  authorized  to do business.  Each of the Company and each Company
Subsidiary  is a  corporation  duly  organized,  validly  existing  and in  good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation,  with
full  corporate  power and  authority to conduct its business as it is now being
conducted and to own or use the assets and properties that it purports to own or
use.  Each of the Company and each Company  Subsidiary  is duly  qualified to do
business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the Laws of each
state or other  jurisdiction  in which either the ownership or use of the assets
or properties owned or used by it, or the nature of the activities  conducted by
it,  requires  such  qualification,  except where the failure to be so qualified
could not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a  Material  Adverse  Effect on the
Company and the Company  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole.  The Company  does not
have, and has never had, any Subsidiaries, except for the Company Subsidiaries.

         (b) The Company has delivered to Parent correct and complete  copies of
the Organizational Documents of the Company and each Company Subsidiary.

4.2      AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT

         (a) The Company has the right, power, authority and capacity to execute
and deliver this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party,
to  consummate  the Merger and the other  transactions  contemplated  hereby and
thereby and to perform its obligations  under this Agreement and the Transaction
Documents to which it is a party.  This  Agreement has been duly  authorized and
approved, executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the legal, valid
and  binding  obligation  of the  Company,  enforceable  against  the Company in
accordance with its terms. Upon the  authorization  and approval,  execution and
delivery by the  Company of the  Transaction  Documents  to which it is a party,
such Transaction  Documents will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations
of the  Company,  enforceable  against  the  Company  in  accordance  with their
respective terms.

                                     - 18 -



<PAGE>

         (b)  Except as set forth in  Section  4.2 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Transaction Document
by the Company nor the  consummation or performance by the Company of the Merger
or any of the other transactions  contemplated  hereby or thereby will, directly
or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time or both):

                  (i)  contravene,  conflict  with or result in a  violation  or
breach of (A) any  provision of the  Organizational  Documents of the Company or
any Company Subsidiary,  (B) any resolution adopted by the board of directors or
the  shareholders  of the  Company  or any  Company  Subsidiary,  (C) any  legal
requirement or any Order,  award,  decision,  settlement or process to which the
Company or any Company  Subsidiary or any of the assets or  properties  owned or
used  by the  Company  or any  Company  Subsidiary  may be  subject,  or (D) any
Governmental Permit, which is held by the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

                  (ii) result in a breach of or constitute a default,  give rise
to a right of termination,  cancellation or acceleration, create any entitlement
to any payment or benefit, or require the consent,  authorization or approval of
or any notice to or filing with any third Person under any material  Contract to
which the Company or any Company  Subsidiary is a party or to which its or their
assets or  properties  are  bound,  or require  the  consent,  authorization  or
approval of or any notice to or filing with any Governmental  Authority to which
the Company or any Company  Subsidiary  or its or their assets or  properties is
subject; or

                  (iii) result in the imposition or creation of any  Encumbrance
or Lien upon or with respect to any of the assets or properties owned or used by
the Company or any Company Subsidiary.

4.3      CAPITALIZATION

         (a) The authorized  equity  securities of the Company consist solely of
10,000,000  shares of common stock,  no par value per share,  of which 4,020,000
shares are issued and outstanding.  All of the outstanding  equity securities of
the Company have been duly  authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable.  Section 4.3 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and
correct  list of all of the  Company  Shareholders  and the  number of shares of
Company  Common Stock owned,  of record and  beneficially,  by each such Company
Shareholder.  Section 4.3 of the  Disclosure  Schedule sets forth a complete and
correct list of all warrants,  options or similar  rights,  including as to each
holder thereof, the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject thereto and
the exercisability,  exercise price and termination date thereof. Section 4.3 of
the Disclosure Schedule sets forth all outstanding securities of the Company and
each  Company  Subsidiary,  including  but not  limited to all debt  securities,
Company  Common  Stock,  options,  warrants,  rights  and all  other  securities
convertible or exercisable into, or exchangeable  for, capital stock.  Except as
set forth in Section 4.3 of the Disclosure Schedule,  there are no voting trusts
or  other  Contracts  or  understandings  to  which  the  Company,  any  Company
Subsidiary

                                     - 19 -



<PAGE>

or any Company  Shareholder  is a party with respect to the transfer,  voting or
registration  of the capital  stock of the  Company or any  Company  Subsidiary.
There are no Contracts relating to the issuance,  sale or transfer of any equity
securities or other securities of the Company or any Company Subsidiary. Neither
the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary  owns or has any Contract to acquire any
equity  securities or other securities of any Person or any, direct or indirect,
equity or  ownership  interest  in any other  business,  except for the  Company
Subsidiaries (with respect to the Company). No Person has any pre-emptive rights
with respect to any security of the Company or any Company Subsidiary.

         (b) The Company  directly  owns,  of record and  beneficially,  and has
good,  valid  and  indefeasible  title to and the right to  transfer  all of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of each of the Company  Subsidiaries,  free
and  clear  of any  and  all  Encumbrances  and  Liens  of any  kind  or  nature
whatsoever.  There are no voting  trusts,  shareholder  agreements  or any other
Contracts or  understandings to which the Company is a party with respect to the
capital stock of any Company Subsidiary. All of the outstanding capital stock of
each Company Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully
paid and nonassessable.

4.4      BOOKS AND RECORDS

         Except as  disclosed  in Section 4.4 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,  the
books of account and other  records of the Company and each Company  Subsidiary,
all of which have been made available to Parent, are true,  complete and correct
in all material  respects.  Except as disclosed in Section 4.4 of the Disclosure
Schedule,  the minute books of the Company and each Company  Subsidiary  contain
true,  accurate and  complete  records of all  meetings  held of, and  corporate
action taken by, the shareholders, the board of directors, and committees of the
board of directors of the Company and each Company Subsidiary, respectively. The
stock books of the Company and each Company  Subsidiary  are true,  complete and
correct. At the Closing, all of such books and records will be in the possession
of the Company.

4.5      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

         (a) For purposes of this Agreement:  "Financial  Statements" shall mean
(i) the audited  consolidated  balance  sheet of the Company as of November  30,
1998, and the related  consolidated income statement for the year then ended, as
set forth in  Section  4.5 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  and (ii) the  unaudited
unconsolidated balance sheet of the Company as of April 30, 1999 and the related
unconsolidated  income statement for the five (5) months ended on such date (the
"Interim  Financial  Statements").  The Company has delivered to Parent true and
complete copies of the Financial Statements.

         (b) The Financial  Statements  for the year ended November 30, 1998 (i)
have been prepared from the books and records of the Company in accordance  with
GAAP,  (ii) fully reflect all  liabilities  and  contingent  liabilities  of the
Company (on a consolidated basis) required to be reflected therein on such basis
as at the date thereof,  and (iii) fairly present the financial  position of the
Company (on a consolidated basis) as of the date of the balance sheet

                                     - 20 -



<PAGE>

included in the Financial  Statements  and the results of its  operations  (on a
consolidated basis) for the period indicated.  The Interim Financial  Statements
(i) have been  prepared  from the books and  records  of the  Company on a basis
consistent with the Company's historical practices,  and (ii) fairly present the
financial  position of the Company (on a  consolidated  basis) as at the date of
the balance  sheet  included  therein and the  results of its  operations  (on a
consolidated  basis) for the period indicated;  provided,  however,  the Interim
Financial Statements (x) are subject to normal year-end adjustments,  (y) do not
include footnotes, and (z) are not consolidated.

4.6      NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES

         Except as set forth in  Section  4.6 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,  the
Company and the Company  Subsidiaries do not have any liabilities or obligations
of any nature  (whether  known or  unknown,  absolute,  accrued,  contingent  or
otherwise,  and  whether  due or to  become  due),  except  for  liabilities  or
obligations  reflected  or  reserved  against in the  Financial  Statements  and
current  liabilities  incurred in the ordinary course of business since the date
of the Financial  Statements,  consistent with past  practices,  which will not,
individually or in the aggregate,  have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company
and  the  Company   Subsidiaries,   taken  as  a  whole,   provided   that  this
representation  and warranty  shall not be deemed to apply with respect to those
matters specified in Section 4.13(i).

4.7      NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE

         Since November 30, 1998, there has not been any material adverse change
in  the  business,  operations,  properties,  assets,  liabilities,  results  of
operations or condition  (financial or otherwise) (a "Material  Adverse Effect")
of  the  Company  or any  Company  Subsidiary,  and no  event  has  occurred  or
circumstance  exists that could  reasonably  be expected to result in a Material
Adverse  Effect on the Company and the Company  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,
provided  that the  effect of any of the  following  shall not be  considered  a
Material  Adverse Effect:  (A) general  economic or financial  conditions or (B)
other  developments  that are not  unique  to the  Company  and/or  the  Company
Subsidiaries but also affect other Persons who participate or are engaged in the
lines  of  business  in  which  the  Company  and/or  the  Company  Subsidiaries
participate or are engaged.

4.8      TAXES

         (a) "Taxes" shall mean all taxes, charges, fees,  Encumbrances,  Liens,
customs,  duties  or  other  assessments,  however  denominated,  including  any
interest,  penalties,  additions  to tax or  additional  taxes  that may  become
payable in respect thereof, imposed by the United States government,  any state,
local or foreign government,  or any agency or political subdivision of any such
government (a "Tax Authority"),  which taxes shall include, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing,  all income taxes, payroll and employee withholding
taxes,  unemployment  insurance,  social security,  sales and use taxes,  excise
taxes,  capital taxes,  franchise taxes, gross receipt taxes,  occupation taxes,
real and personal property taxes,

                                     - 21 -



<PAGE>

value added taxes, stamp taxes,  transfer taxes,  workers'  compensation  taxes,
taxes  relating to benefit  plans and other  obligations  of the same or similar
nature.

         (b) Except as set forth in Section 4.8 of the Disclosure Schedule,  (i)
each of the Company and each Company  Subsidiary has filed or caused to be filed
with the  appropriate  Taxing  Authorities  in a timely  manner all Tax returns,
reports and forms ("Returns") required to be filed by them; (ii) the information
on such Returns is complete and accurate in all material respects; (iii) each of
the Company and each Company  Subsidiary  has paid in full on a timely basis all
Taxes or made  adequate  provision  in the  Financial  Statements  for all Taxes
(whether or not shown on any Return) required to be paid by them; (iv) there are
no  Encumbrances or Liens for Taxes upon the assets or properties of the Company
or any Company Subsidiary other than for Taxes not yet due and payable;  and (v)
no deficiencies  for Taxes have been claimed,  proposed,  or assessed by any Tax
Authority  or other  Governmental  Authority  with respect to the Company or any
Company  Subsidiary,  and there are no  pending  or,  to the  Company's  and the
Controlling Shareholders' knowledge, threatened audits, investigations or claims
for or  relating  to any  liability  in respect  of Taxes of the  Company or any
Company Subsidiary.

         (c) There are no  outstanding  Contracts or waivers with respect to the
Company extending the statutory period of limitation applicable to any Taxes and
neither the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary  has  requested any extension of
time within which to file any Return, which has not yet been filed.

         (d) (i)  Each of the  Company  and  each  Company  Subsidiary  has made
provision  for all Taxes  payable by it and such  provision  is reflected on the
Financial  Statements  with  respect to any period  covered  thereby as to Taxes
which are not payable prior to the date of such Financial  Statements;  (ii) the
provisions for Taxes with respect to the Company (on a  consolidated  basis) for
any period  prior to the  Closing  (excluding  any reserve  for  deferred  Taxes
established  to reflect  timing  differences  between  book and Tax  income) are
adequate  to cover all Taxes  with  respect  to such  period;  (iii) each of the
Company and each Company  Subsidiary has withheld and paid all Taxes required to
have been  withheld  and paid in  connection  with  amounts paid or owing to any
employee,  independent contractor,  creditor, shareholder or other third Person;
(iv) all  material  elections  with  respect to Taxes made by the Company or any
Company  Subsidiary  as of the date  hereof are set forth in Section  4.8 of the
Disclosure  Schedule;  (v) there are no private letter rulings in respect of any
Tax pending between the Company or any Company Subsidiary and any Tax Authority,
or between any  Controlling  Shareholder  and any Tax Authority,  if such ruling
would affect the Company or any Company Subsidiary; (vi) neither the Company nor
any Company  Subsidiary has ever been a member of an affiliated group within the
meaning of Section  1504 of the Code,  or filed or been  included in a combined,
consolidated  or unitary  return of any Person  (other than with  respect to the
Company  and its  Subsidiaries);  (vii)  neither  the  Company  nor any  Company
Subsidiary  is liable for Taxes of any other Person except with respect to sales
taxes, and neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is currently under any
contractual obligation to indemnify any Person with respect to Taxes, or a party
to any tax

                                     - 22 -



<PAGE>

sharing  agreement or any other agreement  providing for payments by the Company
or any Company Subsidiary with respect to Taxes;  (viii) neither the Company nor
any Company  Subsidiary  is, or has been, a United States real property  holding
corporation (as defined in Section 897(c)(2) of the Code), during the applicable
period  specified  in Section  897(c)(1)(A)(ii)  of the Code;  (ix)  neither the
Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a "collapsible  corporation" under Section
341 of the Code;  (x)  neither  the  Company  nor any  Company  Subsidiary  is a
personal  holding  company  within the meaning of Section 542 of the Code;  (xi)
neither the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary is a party to any joint venture,
partnership  or other  arrangement  or  Contract  which  could be  treated  as a
partnership  for Tax  purposes;  (xii)  neither  the  Company  nor  any  Company
Subsidiary  has agreed to or is  required,  as a result of a change in method of
accounting or otherwise, to include any adjustment under Section 481 of the Code
(or any  corresponding  provision  of state,  local or  foreign  Law) in taxable
income;  (xiii) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to any
Contract,  arrangement  or plan that  could  result  (taking  into  account  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement), separately or in the aggregate, in
the payment of any  "excess  parachute  payments"  within the meaning of Section
280G of the Code;  and (xiv) Section 4.8 of the Disclosure  Schedule  contains a
list of all  jurisdictions  to which any Tax is properly payable or in which any
Return is required to be filed by the Company or any Company Subsidiary,  and no
written claim has ever been made by any Tax Authority in any other  jurisdiction
that the  Company or any  Company  Subsidiary  is subject  to  taxation  in such
jurisdiction.

4.9      ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

         All  accounts  receivable  of the  Company  that are  reflected  on the
Financial  Statements or on the accounts receivable ledger of the Company or any
Company  Subsidiary  as  of  the  Closing  Date  (collectively,   the  "Accounts
Receivable")  represent or will represent valid  obligations  arising from sales
actually made or services actually performed in the ordinary course of business.
All of the Accounts  Receivable  are or will be collectible at the full recorded
amount thereof, less any applicable reserves established in accordance with GAAP
(except,  with respect to the Interim Financial  Statements,  such reserves have
been established in accordance with the Company's historical practices),  in the
ordinary course of business, except for such Accounts Receivable, the failure of
which to be collected will not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and
the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

4.10     TITLE TO PROPERTIES; ENCUMBRANCES

         Section  4.10  of the  Disclosure  Schedule  contains  a  complete  and
accurate list of all real property,  leaseholds or other interests therein owned
or held by the  Company or any Company  Subsidiary.  Neither the Company nor any
Company  Subsidiary  owns,  and has ever owned,  any real property other than as
specified  in  Section  4.10 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  and,  for  each  such
property,  Section 4.10 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth the owner thereof,
a  brief  description  thereof  (including  approximate  square  footage),  when
purchased or acquired and the approximate  purchase price thereof,  the use made
of such

                                     - 23 -



<PAGE>

property and the approximate  annual costs,  fees and taxes associated with such
property.  The Company has delivered or made  available to Parent true,  correct
and  complete  copies of the real  property  leases to which the  Company or any
Company  Subsidiary  is party or  pursuant to which it or they use or occupy any
real property.  Except as set forth in Section 4.10 of the Disclosure  Schedule,
each of the Company  and each  Company  Subsidiary  has good title to all of the
assets and properties,  real and personal,  tangible and intangible,  it owns or
purports to own, or uses in its business, including those reflected on its books
and records and in the  Financial  Statements  (except for  accounts  receivable
collected and  inventories,  materials and supplies  disposed of in the ordinary
course of  business  consistent  with past  practice  after the date of the most
recent Financial  Statements).  Each of the Company and each Company  Subsidiary
has a valid  leasehold,  license or other  interest in all of the other tangible
assets or properties,  real or personal,  which are used in the operation of its
business.  Except as set forth in Section 4.10 of the Disclosure  Schedule,  all
assets  and  properties  owned,  leased or used by the  Company  or any  Company
Subsidiary  are free and clear of all  Encumbrances  and  Liens,  except for (a)
liens for current  Taxes not yet due, (b)  workmen's,  common  carrier and other
similar  liens  arising  in the  ordinary  course  of  business,  none of  which
materially  detracts  from the value or impairs the use of the asset or property
subject  thereto,  or impairs  the  operations  of the  Company  or any  Company
Subsidiary, (c) Encumbrances or Liens disclosed in the Financial Statements, and
(d) with respect to real property,  (i) minor  imperfections  of title,  if any,
none of which is  substantial in amount,  materially  detracts from the value or
impairs the use of the property  subject  thereto,  or impairs the operations of
the Company or any Company  Subsidiary,  and (ii) zoning Laws and other land use
restrictions  that do not impair the present or anticipated  use of the property
subject thereto.

4.11     CONDITION AND SUFFICIENCY OF ASSETS

         The  Facilities  and other  assets  and  property  owned or used by the
Company or any Company Subsidiary are structurally  sound, are in good operating
condition and repair (normal wear and tear  excepted),  and are adequate for the
uses to which they are being put, and none of such  Facilities or other property
and assets owned or used by the Company or any Company  Subsidiary is in need of
maintenance or repairs except for ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs that
are not material in nature or cost. The Facilities and other assets and property
owned or used by the Company  and/or each Company  Subsidiary are sufficient for
the  continued   conduct  of  its  or  their   business  after  the  Closing  in
substantially the same manner as conducted prior to the Closing.

4.12     COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS; GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS

         (a) Except as set forth in  Section  4.12 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,
each of the Company and each Company Subsidiary is in compliance in all material
respects with all Laws,  licenses and Orders  affecting the assets or properties
owned  or used  by the  Company  or a  Company  Subsidiary  or the  business  or
operations  of the Company or a Company  Subsidiary  including  federal,  state,
local and foreign: (i) Occupational Safety and Health

                                     - 24 -



<PAGE>

Laws; (ii) securities  Laws; and (iii) the Fair Credit Reporting Act and similar
state,  local and foreign Laws.  Neither the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary
has been  charged  with  violating,  or to the  knowledge  of the Company or the
Controlling  Shareholders,  threatened  with a charge of  violating,  nor is the
Company or any Company Subsidiary under investigation with respect to a possible
violation of, any provision of any federal,  state,  local or foreign Law, Order
or  administrative  ruling or license  relating to any of its or their assets or
properties or any aspect of its or their business.

         (b) Section  4.12 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  contains a complete and
accurate  list of each  Governmental  Permit  that is held by the Company or any
Company  Subsidiary or that  otherwise  relates to the business of, or to any of
the  assets  or  properties  owned  or  used  by,  the  Company  or any  Company
Subsidiary.  Each Governmental Permit listed or required to be listed in Section
4.12 of the Disclosure Schedule is valid and in full force and effect and is not
subject to any Proceedings for suspension, modification or revocation.

4.13     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         Except as set forth in Section 4.13 of the Disclosure  Schedule,  there
is no pending claim,  action,  investigation,  arbitration,  litigation or other
judicial, regulatory or administrative proceeding ("Proceeding"):

                  (i) to  the  knowledge  of the  Company  and  the  Controlling
Shareholders,  that has been  commenced by or against the Company or any Company
Subsidiary or that otherwise relates to the business of, or any of the assets or
properties owned or used by, the Company or any Company Subsidiary; or

                  (ii)  that  challenges,   or  that  may  have  the  effect  of
preventing,  delaying, making illegal, or otherwise interfering with, any of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

         To the knowledge of the Company and the  Controlling  Shareholders,  no
such  Proceeding has been  threatened.  The Company has made available to Parent
true,  correct and complete  copies of all pleadings,  correspondence  and other
documents in its possession  relating to each Proceeding  listed in Section 4.13
of the  Disclosure  Schedule.  The  Proceedings  listed in  Section  4.13 of the
Disclosure  Schedule could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

4.14     ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES AND EVENTS

         Except as set forth in Section 4.14 of the Disclosure  Schedule,  since
November 30, 1998, each of the Company and each Company Subsidiary has conducted
its business only in the ordinary  course,  consistent  with past practice,  and
there has not been any:


                                     - 25 -



<PAGE>

         (a) declaration,  setting  aside,  making or payment of any dividend or
other  distribution  or  repurchase  or  payment in respect of shares of capital
stock;

         (b) issuance, sale, disposition or Encumbrance of, or authorization for
issuance, sale, disposition or Encumbrance of, or grant or issue of any options,
warrants or rights to acquire with  respect to, any shares of its capital  stock
or any other of its securities or any security  convertible or exercisable  into
or  exchangeable  for any  such  shares  or  securities,  or any  change  in its
outstanding securities or shares of capital stock or its capitalization, whether
by reason of a  reclassification,  recapitalization,  stock split,  combination,
exchange or readjustment of shares, stock dividend or otherwise;

         (c) Encumbrance of its assets or properties;

         (d) payment or increase of any bonuses,  salaries or other compensation
to any shareholder, director, officer, consultant, agent or sales representative
or (except in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past  practice)
employee or entry into any  employment,  severance or similar  Contract with any
director, officer or employee;

         (e) adoption of, or increase in the payments to or benefits under,  any
profit sharing,  bonus,  deferred  compensation,  savings,  insurance,  pension,
retirement or other employee  benefit plan for or with any employees,  except in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

         (f) damage to or destruction  of any asset or property,  whether or not
covered  by  insurance,  or loss of any  Customer,  which  could  reasonably  be
expected  to have a  Material  Adverse  Effect on the  Company  and the  Company
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

         (g) entry into,  termination of, or receipt of notice of termination of
any Contract or transaction  involving a total remaining commitment by or to the
Company or any Company  Subsidiary of at least $100,000 including the entry into
(i) any document  evidencing any indebtedness;  (ii) any capital or other lease;
or (iii) any guaranty;

         (h) sale, lease or other disposition (other than in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice) of any asset or property;

         (i) cancellation,  compromise,  release or waiver of any debt, claim or
right  with a value to the  Company  or any  Company  Subsidiary  in  excess  of
$25,000;

         (j) creation, incurrence or assumption of any indebtedness for borrowed
money or  guarantee  of any  obligation  or the net  worth of any  Person  in an
aggregate  amount in excess of $25,000,  except for  endorsements  of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;


                                     - 26 -



<PAGE>

         (k) discharge or  satisfaction  of any  Encumbrance  or Lien other than
those which are required to be  discharged  or  satisfied  during such period in
accordance with their original terms;

         (l) payment,  discharge or satisfaction  of any material  obligation or
liability,  absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, whether due or to become
due,  except for any current  liabilities,  and the current  portion of any long
term liabilities,  shown on the Financial  Statements (or not required as of the
date thereof to be shown thereon in accordance  with GAAP) or incurred since the
date of the  most  recent  balance  sheet in the  ordinary  course  of  business
consistent with past practice;

         (m) loan or advance to any Person  other than travel and other  similar
routine  advances  in the  ordinary  course  of  business  consistent  with past
practice,  or  acquisition  of any capital  stock or other  securities of or any
ownership  interest  in, or a  significant  portion  of the assets of, any other
business enterprise;

         (n) capital investment or capital  expenditure or capital  improvement,
addition or betterment in amounts which exceed $25,000 in the aggregate;

         (o) institution or settlement of any Proceeding before any Governmental
Authority relating to it or its assets or properties;

         (p) except in the  ordinary  course of  business  consistent  with past
practice,  commitment to provide services or goods for an indefinite period or a
period of more than six (6) months;

         (q) change in the method of accounting or the accounting  principles or
practices  used by the Company or any Company  Subsidiary in the  preparation of
the Financial Statements except as required by GAAP;

         (r) entry into other  Contracts,  except Contracts made in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice;

         (s) amendment  or  other  modification  of any  of  the  Organizational
Documents of the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

         (t) transfer  or grant of any rights or licenses  under,  or entry into
any settlement regarding the infringement of, any Intellectual  Property Assets,
or entry into any licensing or similar agreements or arrangements; or

         (u) agreement,  whether oral or written,  by the Company or any Company
Subsidiary to do any of the foregoing.


                                     - 27 -



<PAGE>

4.15     CONTRACTS; NO DEFAULTS

         (a) Section 4.15(a) of the Disclosure  Schedule contains a complete and
accurate  list,  and the  Company  has  delivered  to Parent  true,  correct and
complete copies, of:

                  (i) each Contract involving payments of at least $100,000 that
involves  performance  of  services or  delivery  of goods or  materials  by the
Company or any Company Subsidiary;

                  (ii) each  Contract  involving  payments of at least  $100,000
that involves  performance  of services or delivery of goods or materials to the
Company or any Company Subsidiary;

                  (iii) each lease,  license and other  Contract  affecting  any
leasehold  or other  interest  in any real or  personal  property  to which  the
Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party;

                  (iv) each  licensing  agreement or other Contract to which the
Company  or  any  Company  Subsidiary  is  a  party  with  respect  to  patents,
trademarks,  copyrights, trade secrets or other intellectual property, including
agreements  with  current  or  former  employees,   consultants  or  contractors
regarding the use or disclosure of any intellectual property;

                  (v) each collective bargaining agreement and other Contract to
or with any labor union or other employee representative of a group of employees
involving or affecting the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

                  (vi) each  joint  venture,  partnership  and  other  Contract
involving a sharing of profits,  losses,  costs or liabilities by the Company or
any Company  Subsidiary  with any other Person or  requiring  the Company or any
Company Subsidiary to make a capital contribution;

                  (vii) each  Contract  to which  the  Company  or any  Company
Subsidiary is a party  containing  covenants that in any way purport to restrict
the business activity of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of the key
employees  of the  Company or any  Company  Subsidiary  (collectively,  the "Key
Employees") or limit the freedom of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any
of the Key  Employees  to engage in any line of business or to compete  with any
Person or hire any Person;

                  (viii) each  employment  or consulting  agreement  between the
Company or any Company Subsidiary and its employees and consultants;

                  (ix) each  agreement  between  the  Company  or  any  Company
Subsidiary  and an officer or director of the Company or any Company  Subsidiary
or any affiliate of any of the foregoing;


                                     - 28 -



<PAGE>

                  (x) each  power of  attorney  granted  by the  Company  or any
Company Subsidiary that is currently effective and outstanding;

                  (xi) each Contract for capital  expenditures by the Company or
any Company Subsidiary in excess of $25,000;

                  (xii) each agreement of the Company or any Company  Subsidiary
under which any money has been or may be  borrowed or loaned or any note,  bond,
factoring agreement, indenture or other evidence of indebtedness has been issued
or assumed (other than those under which there remain no ongoing  obligations of
the  Company  or  any  Company   Subsidiary),   and  each  guaranty   (including
"take-or-pay"  and  "keepwell"   agreements)  by  the  Company  or  any  Company
Subsidiary of any evidence of  indebtedness or other  obligation,  or of the net
worth, of any Person (other than  endorsements  for the purpose of collection in
the ordinary course of business);

                  (xiii) each agreement of the Company or any Company Subsidiary
containing  restrictions  with  respect  to the  payment of  dividends  or other
distributions in respect of its capital stock;

                  (xiv) each stock purchase,  merger or other agreement pursuant
to which the Company or any Company  Subsidiary  acquired any material amount of
assets  (other  than  capital  expenditures),  and all  relevant  documents  and
agreements delivered in connection therewith;

                  (xv) each  agreement  to which  the  Company  or any  Company
Subsidiary is a party containing a change of control provision;

                  (xvi) each other agreement to which the Company or any Company
Subsidiary is a party having an indefinite term or a fixed term of more than one
(1) year  (other  than those that are  terminable  at will or upon not more than
thirty  (30) days'  notice by the  Company or such  Company  Subsidiary  without
penalty) or requiring  payments by the Company or any Company Subsidiary of more
than $100,000 per year; and

                  (xvii) each standard  form of agreement  pursuant to which the
Company provides services or goods to customers.

         (b) Except as set forth in Section 4.15(b) of the Disclosure  Schedule,
each Contract  identified or required to be identified in Section 4.15(a) of the
Disclosure  Schedule  is in full force and  effect and is valid and  enforceable
against the Company or such  Company  Subsidiary  and, to the  knowledge  of the
Company and the Controlling  Shareholders,  against the other parties thereto in
accordance with its terms.


                                     - 29 -



<PAGE>

         (c) Except as set forth in Section 4.15(c) of the Disclosure Schedule:

                  (i) each of the Company and each Company Subsidiary is in full
compliance  with all applicable  terms and  requirements  of each Contract under
which the Company or such Company  Subsidiary has any obligation or liability or
by  which  the  Company  or such  Company  Subsidiary  or any of the  assets  or
properties  owned or used by the Company or such  Company  Subsidiary  is or was
bound,  except for such  noncompliance  that could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material  Adverse  Effect on the Company  and the  Company  Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole;

                  (ii) to the  knowledge  of the  Company  and  the  Controlling
Shareholders,  each other  Person that has or had any  obligation  or  liability
under any  Contract  under which the Company or any Company  Subsidiary  has any
rights is in full compliance with all applicable  terms and requirements of such
Contract; and

                  (iii) to the  knowledge  of the  Company  and the  Controlling
Shareholders,  no event has  occurred and no  circumstance  exists that (with or
without  notice or lapse of time or both) is likely to result in a violation  or
breach of any Contract.

4.16     INSURANCE

         Section 4.16 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth the premium payments
and  describes  all the  insurance  policies  of the  Company  and  the  Company
Subsidiaries, which policies are now in full force and effect in accordance with
their  terms and  expire on the dates  shown on Section  4.16 of the  Disclosure
Schedule.  There has been no default in the  payment of  premiums on any of such
policies,  and there is no ground  for  cancellation  or  avoidance  of any such
policies,  or any  increase in the  premiums  thereof,  or for  reduction of the
coverage provided thereby. Such policies shall continue in full force and effect
up to the  expiration  dates shown in Section 4.16 of the  Disclosure  Schedule.
True,  correct and complete  copies of all insurance  policies listed in Section
4.16 of the Disclosure Schedule have been previously furnished to Parent.

4.17     ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

         (a) Each of the Company and each Company  Subsidiary  is in  compliance
with all applicable  Environmental  Laws which compliance  includes,  but is not
limited to, the  possession  by the Company and each Company  Subsidiary  of all
Governmental   Permits  required  under  applicable   Environmental   Laws,  and
compliance  with the terms and conditions  thereof.  Neither the Company nor any
Company  Subsidiary  has  received  notice of, and  neither  the Company nor any
Company  Subsidiary,  nor any  predecessor of any of them is the subject of, any
Environmental Claim or Remedial Action. There are no circumstances or conditions
related to the Company or any Company  Subsidiary,  the Company's or any Company
Subsidiary's operations or any of the Company's or any Company Subsidiary's

                                     - 30 -



<PAGE>

Facilities  that are  reasonably  likely  to  prevent  or  interfere  with  such
compliance  or give rise to an  Environmental  Claim or  Remedial  Action in the
future.

         (b) There  are no  Environmental  Claims  that are  pending  or, to the
knowledge of the Company and the Controlling  Shareholders,  threatened  against
the Company or any Company Subsidiary, the Company's or any Company Subsidiary's
Facilities or against any Person whose liability for any Environmental Claim the
Company or any Company  Subsidiary has retained or assumed either  contractually
or by operation of Law.

         (c) Neither the  Company,  nor any  Company  Subsidiary,  nor any other
Person  acting on behalf of the Company or any Company  Subsidiary  (solely with
respect to any such other Person, with the Company's,  any Company  Subsidiary's
or any Controlling  Shareholder's knowledge) has (A) disposed of, transported or
arranged for the disposal of any  Hazardous  Materials  to, at or upon:  (i) any
location  other  than  a site  lawfully  permitted  to  receive  such  Hazardous
Materials,  (ii) any  Facilities or (iii) any site which,  pursuant to CERCLA or
any similar state Law, has been placed on the National  Priorities List, CERCLIS
or their state equivalents, and (B) there has not occurred during the period the
Company or any Company  Subsidiary  operated  or  possessed  any  Facility or is
presently occurring a Release, or threatened Release, of any Hazardous Materials
on, into or beneath the surface of, or adjacent to, any Facilities.

         (d)  Section  4.17  of  the  Disclosure  Schedule  identifies  (a)  all
environmental audits,  assessments, or occupational health studies undertaken by
the  Company,  any  Company  Subsidiary  or its or their  agents on its or their
behalf,  or  undertaken  by any  Governmental  Authority,  or any third  Person,
relating to the  Facilities;  (b) the results of any  groundwater,  soil, air or
asbestos monitoring  undertaken by the Company, any Company Subsidiary or its or
their agents on its or their behalf, or, to the knowledge of the Company and the
Controlling Shareholders,  undertaken by any Governmental Authority or any third
Person,  relating to the Facilities;  and (c) all written communications between
the Company or any Company  Subsidiary and any  Governmental  Authority  arising
under or related to Environmental Laws.

4.18     EMPLOYEES

         (a) Section  4.18 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  contains a complete and
accurate list of the following  information  for each employee of the Company or
any Company Subsidiary:  name; job title; base salary;  bonus; vacation accrued;
service  credited for purposes of vesting and  eligibility to participate  under
any employee benefit plan of any nature; and whether such employee is a party to
a non-competition agreement with the Company or such Company Subsidiary.

         (b) No officer or Key Employee of the Company or any Company Subsidiary
is a party to, or is otherwise bound by, any agreement or arrangement, including
any confidentiality,  noncompetition,  or proprietary rights agreement,  between
such officer or Key

                                     - 31 -



<PAGE>

Employee and any other Person that could adversely affect (i) the performance of
his duties as an officer or employee of the Company or such Company  Subsidiary,
or (ii) the ability of the  Company or such  Company  Subsidiary  to conduct its
business. To the knowledge of the Company and the Controlling  Shareholders,  no
officer or other Key Employee of the Company or any Company  Subsidiary  intends
to terminate his or her employment with the Company or such Company Subsidiary.

         (c) No Key Employee of the Company or any Company  Subsidiary  is bound
by any  agreement  with any other  Person  that is  violated or breached by such
employee  performing  the  services  he is  performing  for the  Company or such
Company Subsidiary.

         (d)  Except as  listed  on  Section  4.18 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,
neither the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary  has had a "Plant  Closing" or a
"Mass  Layoff"  within  the  meaning  of  the  federal  Workers  Adjustment  and
Retraining  Notification Act of 1988 ("WARN") and with respect to any such Plant
Closing or Mass Layoff,  the Company or such Company  Subsidiary has complied in
all respects with the requirements of WARN.

         (e) The Company  has  delivered  to Parent or its counsel  prior to the
date  hereof  true and  complete  copies of any  employment  agreements  and any
procedures  and policies  relating to the employment of employees of the Company
or any Company  Subsidiary  and the use of temporary  employees and  independent
contractors by the Company or any Company Subsidiary (including summaries of any
procedures and policies that are unwritten).

4.19     EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

         (a) Except as listed on Section 4.19(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, the
Company and the Company  Subsidiaries  (either  individually or collectively) do
not  maintain,  have an  obligation  to  contribute  to or have  any  actual  or
contingent  liability  with  respect to any  Employee  Benefit  Plan.  "Employee
Benefit  Plan" means any  "employee  benefit plan" as defined in Section 3(3) of
ERISA and any other plan, policy, program, practice, agreement, understanding or
arrangement  (whether written or oral) providing  compensation or other benefits
(other than  ordinary  cash  compensation)  to any  current or former  director,
officer, employee or consultant (or to any dependent or beneficiary thereof), of
the  Company or any Company  Subsidiary,  which are now, or were within the past
six years,  maintained by the Company or any Company Subsidiary,  or under which
the  Company  or any  Company  Subsidiary  has or could have any  obligation  or
liability,  whether actual or contingent,  including,  without  limitation,  all
incentive, bonus, deferred compensation,  vacation, holiday, cafeteria, medical,
disability,  stock purchase,  stock option,  stock appreciation,  phantom stock,
restricted stock or other stock-based  compensation plans,  policies,  programs,
practices or arrangements.

         The Company has  delivered  to Parent or its counsel  prior to the date
hereof true and complete copies of (i) plan  instruments and amendments  thereto
for all Employee  Benefit  Plans (or written  summaries of any Employee  Benefit
Plans that are unwritten) and related

                                     - 32 -



<PAGE>

trust agreements,  insurance and other contracts, summary plan descriptions, and
summaries of material modifications,  and material communications distributed to
the  participants  of each Plan,  (ii) to the extent annual reports on Form 5500
are required with respect to any Employee  Benefit  Plan,  the three most recent
annual reports and attached schedules for each Employee Benefit Plan as to which
such report is required to be filed and (iii) where applicable,  the most recent
(A) opinion,  notification  and  determination  letters,  (B) audited  financial
statements,  (C) actuarial  valuation  reports and (D)  nondiscrimination  tests
performed under the Code  (including  401(k) and 401(m) tests) for each Employee
Benefit Plan.

         (b) Except as set forth in Section 4.19(b) of the Disclosure  Schedule,
the Company and the Company Subsidiaries do not have and have never had an ERISA
Affiliate.  "ERISA  Affiliate"  means any entity  (whether or not  incorporated)
other than the Company or a Company  Subsidiary that,  together with the Company
and  the  Company  Subsidiaries,  is a  member  of  (i) a  controlled  group  of
corporations  within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code;  (ii) a group of
trades or businesses  under common  control within the meaning of Section 414(c)
of the Code; or (iii) an affiliated  service group within the meaning of Section
414(m) of the Code.

         (c) Neither the Company  nor any Company  Subsidiary  maintains  or has
ever maintained or contributes to or has ever contributed to an Employee Benefit
Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA (including a multiemployer  plan) and no facts
exist  under  which  the  Company  or any  Company  Subsidiary  could  incur any
liability under Title IV of ERISA.

         (d)  With  respect  to each  Employee  Benefit  Plan,  (i) no  party in
interest  or  disqualified  person (as  defined  in  Section  3(14) of ERISA and
Section 4975 of the Code, respectively) has at any time engaged in a transaction
which could subject Parent, Merger Sub or the Company or any Company Subsidiary,
directly  or  indirectly,   to  a  tax,  penalty  or  liability  for  prohibited
transactions  imposed by ERISA or the Code and (ii) no fiduciary  (as defined in
Section  3(21) of ERISA) with respect to any Employee  Benefit  Plan,  for whose
conduct the  Company or any  Company  Subsidiary  could have any  liability  (by
reason of indemnities or otherwise), has breached any of the responsibilities or
obligations imposed upon the fiduciary under Title I of ERISA.

         (e) Except as disclosed in Section 4.19(e) of the Disclosure  Schedule,
each  Employee  Benefit  Plan which is a "welfare  plan"  within the  meaning of
Section 3(1) of ERISA and which provides health, disability or death benefits is
fully  insured;  neither the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary is obligated to
directly pay any such  benefits or to  reimburse  any third Person payor for the
payment of such benefits.

         (f) Each Employee  Benefit Plan which is an "employee  pension  benefit
plan" within the meaning of Section  3(2) of ERISA (a "Pension  Plan") and which
is  subject  to  Sections  201,  301 or 401 of ERISA has  received  a  favorable
determination  letter from the Internal  Revenue Service covering all amendments
required  by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and prior  legislation  and there are no
circumstances that are likely to result in revocation of

                                     - 33 -



<PAGE>

any such favorable  determination  letter. Each Employee Benefit Plan is and has
been operated in material  compliance  with its terms and all  applicable  Laws,
Orders or governmental  rules and  regulations  currently in effect with respect
thereto,  and by its terms can be amended  and/or  terminated at any time. As of
and including the Closing Date,  the Company,  each Company  Subsidiary and each
ERISA Affiliate (i) shall have performed all material obligations required to be
performed by it under, and shall not be in material default under or in material
violation  of  any   Employee   Benefit  Plan  and  (ii)  shall  have  made  all
contributions  or  payments  required to be made by it up to and  including  the
Closing Date with respect to each Employee  Benefit  Plan, or adequate  accruals
therefor  will have been  provided for and will be  reflected  on the  Financial
Statements  provided  to  Parent  by  the  Company.  All  notices,  filings  and
disclosures required by ERISA or the Code (including notices under Section 4980B
of the Code and  certifications  under  the  Health  Insurance  Portability  and
Accountability Act) have been timely made.

         (g) Neither the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary  has received or is
aware of any Proceeding  (other than routine claims for benefits) pending or, to
the knowledge of the Company and the Controlling  Shareholders,  threatened with
respect to any Employee  Benefit  Plan or against any  fiduciary of any Employee
Benefit  Plan,  and  there  are no  facts  that  could  give  rise  to any  such
Proceeding.  There has not  occurred  any  circumstances  by reason of which the
Company or any Company Subsidiary may be liable for an act, or a failure to act,
by a fiduciary with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan.

         (h) There are no  complaints,  charges or claims against the Company or
any  Company  Subsidiary  pending  or,  to the  Company's  and  the  Controlling
Shareholders'  knowledge,  threatened  to  be  brought  by  or  filed  with  any
Governmental  Authority  and no facts  exist as a result of which the Company or
any Company  Subsidiary  could have any liability  based on,  arising out of, in
connection with or otherwise relating to the classification of any individual by
the Company or any Company  Subsidiary as an  independent  contractor or "leased
employee"  (within the meaning of Section  414(n) of the Code) rather than as an
employee.

         (i) Section  4.19(i) of the  Disclosure  Schedule sets forth a true and
complete  list of each  current or former  employee,  officer or director of the
Company or any Company  Subsidiary who holds (i) any option to purchase  Company
Common Stock, together with the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject
to such option,  the option  price of such option (to the extent  determinable),
whether such option is intended to qualify as an incentive  stock option  within
the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code (an "ISO"), and the expiration date of
such option;  (ii) any shares of Company  Common Stock that are  restricted as a
result of an agreement  with the Company or the stock plan of the  Company;  and
(iii) any other right,  directly or indirectly,  to receive Company Common Stock
or any  other  compensation  based in whole or in part on the  value of  Company
Common Stock, together with the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject
to such right.


                                     - 34 -



<PAGE>

         (j) Section  4.19(j) of the  Disclosure  Schedule sets forth a true and
complete  list of (i)  all  agreements  with  consultants  who  are  individuals
obligating the Company or any Company Subsidiary to make annual cash payments in
an  amount  exceeding  $25,000;  and (ii) all  agreements  with  respect  to the
services of independent  contractors or leased  employees who are individuals or
individuals  doing business in a corporate form whether or not they  participate
in any of the Employee Benefit Plans.

         (k) (i) No Employee  Benefit Plan is an employee  stock  ownership plan
(within the meaning of Section  4975(e)(7) of the Code) or otherwise  invests in
Company Common Stock; and (ii) the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement will not, alone or together with any other event,  (A) entitle
any employee or former employee of the Company or any Company  Subsidiary to any
payment,  (B) result in an increase in the amount of compensation or benefits or
accelerate  the  vesting or timing of payment of any  benefits  or  compensation
payable in  respect  of any  employee  or former  employee  or (C) result in any
parachute payment under Section 280G of the Code, whether or not such payment is
considered reasonable  compensation for services rendered. The Company will take
all actions  within its control to ensure that all actions  required to be taken
by a  fiduciary  of any  Employee  Benefit  Plan  in  order  to  effectuate  the
transaction  contemplated  by this Agreement shall comply with the terms of such
Plan, ERISA and other applicable Laws.

         (l) Except as required by foreign law and disclosed in Section  4.19(l)
of the  Disclosure  Schedule,  neither the  Company  nor any Company  Subsidiary
maintains any Employee Benefit Plan covering non-U.S. employees.

         (m) No Employee  Benefit Plan  provides  benefits,  including,  without
limitation,  death or medical  benefits  (through  insurance or otherwise)  with
respect  to any  employee  or former  employee  of the  Company  or any  Company
Subsidiary  beyond their  retirement or other  termination of service other than
(i) coverage mandated by applicable Law, (ii) retirement or death benefits under
any Pension Plan,  (iii)  disability  benefits  under any welfare plan that have
been fully  provided for by insurance or otherwise,  (iv) deferred  compensation
benefits accrued as liabilities on the consolidated  books of the Company or (v)
benefits in the nature of severance pay.

         (n) No Employee Benefit Plan is a "multiple employer plan" as described
in Section 3(40) of ERISA or Section 413(c) of the Code.

         (o) No Employee  Benefit  Plan,  other than a Pension  Plan,  is funded
through a trust  intended to be exempt  from tax  pursuant to Section 501 of the
Code.

         (p) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has proposed, agreed
to or  announced  any changes to any  Employee  Benefit Plan that would cause an
increase in benefits  under any such  Employee  Benefit Plan (or the creation of
new benefits or plans) or to change any employee  coverage  which would cause an
increase in the expense of maintaining any such plan.

                                     - 35 -



<PAGE>

         (q) Except as disclosed in Section 4.19(q) of the Disclosure  Schedule,
no Employee  Benefit Plan provides for the payment of severance  benefits and no
"leased  employee"  (within  the  meaning of Section  414(n) or (o) of the Code)
performs any services for the Company or any Company Subsidiary.

4.20     LABOR RELATIONS

         Except as set forth in Section 4.20 of the Disclosure Schedule:

         (a) To the knowledge of the Company and the  Controlling  Shareholders,
no employee is considering terminating his or her employment with the Company or
any Company Subsidiary.

         (b) No condition or state of facts or circumstances  exists which could
materially adversely affect the Company's or any Company Subsidiary's  relations
with its employees,  including the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.

         (c) Each of the Company and each Company Subsidiary is in compliance in
all  material  respects  with all  applicable  Laws  respecting  employment  and
employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours and
none of them is engaged in any unfair labor practice.

         (d) No collective  bargaining agreement with respect to the business of
the  Company  or  any  Company  Subsidiary  is  currently  in  effect  or  being
negotiated.  Neither the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary has encountered any
labor union or  collective  bargaining  organizing  activity with respect to its
employees.  Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has any obligation to
negotiate any such collective bargaining agreement, and, to the knowledge of the
Company  and the  Controlling  Shareholders,  there  is no  indication  that the
employees  of the  Company or any Company  Subsidiary  desire to be covered by a
collective bargaining agreement.

         (e) There are no  strikes,  slowdowns,  work  stoppages  or other labor
trouble  pending  or,  to the  knowledge  of the  Company  and  the  Controlling
Shareholders,  threatened  with  respect to the  employees of the Company or any
Company  Subsidiary,  nor has any of the above  occurred or, to the knowledge of
the Company and the Controlling Shareholders, been threatened.

         (f) There is no  representation  claim or petition  pending  before the
National  Labor  Relations  Board or any state or local labor agency and, to the
knowledge  of  the  Company  and  the  Controlling  Shareholders,   no  question
concerning representation has been raised or threatened respecting the employees
of the Company or any Company Subsidiary.

         (g) There are no  complaints  or  charges  against  the  Company or any
Company  Subsidiary  pending  before the National Labor  Relations  Board or any
state or local labor

                                     - 36 -



<PAGE>

agency and, to the knowledge of the Company and the Controlling Shareholders, no
complaints  or charges  have been filed or  threatened  to be filed  against the
Company or any Company Subsidiary with any such board or agency.

         (h) To the knowledge of the Company and the  Controlling  Shareholders,
no charges  with  respect to or relating  to the  business of the Company or any
Company   Subsidiary  are  pending  before  the  Equal  Employment   Opportunity
Commission  or any  state or local  agency  responsible  for the  prevention  of
unlawful employment practices.

         (i) Section 4.20 of the Disclosure  Schedule  accurately sets forth all
unpaid severance which, as of the date hereof, is due or claimed, in writing, to
be due from the Company or any Company Subsidiary to any Person whose employment
with the Company or such Company Subsidiary was terminated.

         (j) Neither the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary has received notice
of the intent of any government body or Governmental  Authority  responsible for
the enforcement of labor or employment Laws to conduct an  investigation  of the
Company or such Company Subsidiary and no such investigation is in progress.

         (k) Neither the  Company  nor any  Company  Subsidiary  is and, to the
knowledge of the Company and the  Controlling  Shareholders,  no employee of the
Company or any Company  Subsidiary  is, in violation in any material  respect of
any employment agreement, non-disclosure agreement, non-compete agreement or any
other  agreement  regarding  an  employee's  employment  with the Company or any
Company Subsidiary.

         (l) Each of the Company and each Company  Subsidiary has paid all wages
which are due and payable to each of its employees  and each of its  independent
contractors.

4.21     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

         (a) Intellectual   Property   Assets--As   used   herein,   the  term
"Intellectual  Property Assets" shall mean all worldwide  intellectual  property
rights including without  limitation:  (i) all trademarks,  service marks, trade
names,  common law  trademarks,  business names,  Internet  domain names,  trade
dress, slogans, and the goodwill associated therewith,  and all registrations or
applications  therefor   (collectively,   "Marks");  (ii)  all  patents,  patent
applications   and   inventions   and   discoveries   that  may  be   patentable
(collectively,  "Patents");  (iii) all  copyrights in both  published  works and
unpublished  works,  including  training  manuals,   marketing  and  promotional
materials,  internal  reports,  business plans and any other  expressions,  mask
works and software  and videos,  whether  registered  or  unregistered,  and all
registrations   or   applications   in   connection   therewith   (collectively,
"Copyrights");  and (iv) all trade secrets, know-how,  confidential information,
customer lists, technical information,  proprietary  information,  technologies,
processes  and  formulae,  source  code,  algorithms,  architecture,  structure,
display screens and development  tools,  data, plans,  drawings and blue prints,
whether  tangible  or  intangible  and  whether  or  how  stored,  compiled,  or
memorialized

                                     - 37 -



<PAGE>

physically, electronically, photographically, or otherwise (collectively, "Trade
Secrets");  owned, used or licensed by the Company or any Company  Subsidiary as
licensee  or  licensor  and that are used in or  material  to the conduct of the
business of the Company or any Company  Subsidiary as it is currently  conducted
or as proposed to be conducted.

         (b) Rights--The  Company or a Company  Subsidiary,  as applicable,  (i)
owns all right,  title and interest in and to each of the Intellectual  Property
Assets,  free and clear of all  Encumbrances  and  Liens,  or (ii)  licenses  or
otherwise  possesses legally  enforceable rights to use each of the Intellectual
Property  Assets,  and, in each case of clause (i) or (ii),  the Company  and/or
Company  Subsidiary may transfer such rights as  contemplated by this Agreement.
Each of the Company and each Company  Subsidiary has made all necessary  filings
and  recordations  to protect and  maintain  its  interest  in the  Intellectual
Property Assets, except where the failure to so protect or maintain (x) does not
relate to a material Intellectual Property Asset and (y) could not reasonably be
expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         (c) Agreements--Section  4.21(c) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a
true, correct and complete list and summary description, including any royalties
paid or  received by the Company or any  Company  Subsidiary,  of all  Contracts
relating to the Intellectual Property Assets to which the Company or any Company
Subsidiary  is a party or by which the  Company  or any  Company  Subsidiary  is
bound. Each license of Intellectual Property Assets listed in Section 4.21(c) is
valid, subsisting, and enforceable,  and shall continue in effect on its current
terms upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         (d) Patents--(i)  Section 4.21(d) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a
true,  correct and complete list of all Patents;  (ii) all Patents are valid and
subsisting  and all  maintenance  fees,  annuities  and the like have been paid;
(iii) to the knowledge of the Company and the Controlling Shareholders,  none of
the Patents is infringed or has been  challenged or threatened in any way by any
Person,  and none of the  products  or  technology  used,  sold or  licensed  or
proposed  for use,  sale or license by the  Company  or any  Company  Subsidiary
infringes  or is alleged to  infringe  any  rights of any  Person;  and (iv) all
products  covered  by the  Patents  have been  marked  with  appropriate  patent
notices.

         (e) Trademarks--(i) Section 4.21(e) of the Disclosure Schedule contains
a true,  correct and  complete  list of all Marks;  (ii) all Marks are valid and
subsisting;   (iii)  to  the  knowledge  of  the  Company  and  the  Controlling
Shareholders,  none  of the  Marks  is  infringed  or  has  been  challenged  or
threatened in any way by any Person,  and no claims exist against the use by the
Company or any Company Subsidiary of any trademarks, service marks, trade names,
or trade dress used in the business of the Company or any Company  Subsidiary as
currently  conducted  or as proposed  to be  conducted;  and (iv) all  materials
encompassed  by the Marks  have  been  marked  with  appropriate  trademark  and
registration notices.


                                     - 38 -



<PAGE>

         (f) Copyrights--(i) Section 4.21(f) of the Disclosure Schedule contains
a true,  correct and complete list of all  Copyrights;  (ii) all the  Copyrights
owned by the Company or any Company Subsidiary,  whether or not registered,  are
valid and enforceable; (iii) to the knowledge of the Company and the Controlling
Shareholders,  none of the  Copyrights  is infringed or has been  challenged  or
threatened in any way, and no claims exist against the use by the Company or any
Company  Subsidiary of any writings or other expressions used in the business of
the Company or any Company  Subsidiary as currently  conducted or as proposed to
be conducted;  and (iv) all works encompassed by the Copyrights have been marked
with appropriate copyright notices.

         (g) Trade  Secrets--Each of the Company and each Company Subsidiary has
taken reasonable  precautions to protect the secrecy,  confidentiality and value
of its Trade  Secrets.  To the  knowledge  of the  Company  and the  Controlling
Shareholders,  the Trade  Secrets have not been used,  divulged or  appropriated
either  for the  benefit  of any  Person  (other  than the  Company or a Company
Subsidiary) or to the detriment of the Company or any Company  Subsidiary.  None
of the  Trade  Secrets  is  subject  to any  material  adverse  claim or, to the
knowledge of the Company and the Controlling  Shareholders,  has been challenged
or threatened in any way.

4.22     CERTAIN PAYMENTS

         Neither the Company nor any  Company  Subsidiary  nor any  shareholder,
director,  officer,  agent or employee of the Company or any Company Subsidiary,
or to the knowledge of the Company and the Controlling  Shareholders,  any other
Person  associated with or acting for or on behalf of the Company or any Company
Subsidiary,  has directly or indirectly (a) made any contribution,  gift, bribe,
rebate,  payoff,  influence  payment,  kickback or other  payment to any Person,
private or public, regardless of form, whether in money, property or services in
violation of the Foreign Corrupt  Practices Act or any similar Law (i) to obtain
favorable  treatment in securing business,  (ii) to pay for favorable  treatment
for business  secured,  or (iii) to obtain special  concessions,  or for special
concessions  already  obtained,  for or in respect of the Company or any Company
Subsidiary  or any  affiliate of the Company or any Company  Subsidiary,  or (b)
established  or  maintained  any  fund or asset of the  Company  or any  Company
Subsidiary that has not been recorded in the  consolidated  books and records of
the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.

4.23     RELATIONSHIPS WITH RELATED PERSONS

         Except as set forth in  Section  4.23 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,  no
Controlling Shareholder,  shareholder,  affiliate, officer, director or employee
of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, nor any spouse or child of any of them
or any Person associated with any of them ("Related  Person"),  has any interest
in any assets or properties used in or pertaining to the business of the Company
or any Company Subsidiary. Except as set forth in Section 4.23 of the Disclosure
Schedule,  none  of  the  Controlling  Shareholders,  shareholders,  affiliates,
officers, directors or employees of the Company or any Company

                                     - 39 -



<PAGE>

Subsidiary nor any Related Person has owned, directly or indirectly, and whether
on an  individual,  joint or other  basis,  any  equity  interest  or any  other
financial or profit  interest in a Person (other than less than two percent (2%)
of  the  outstanding  capital  stock  of  a  Person  subject  to  the  reporting
requirements  of the Exchange  Act) that has (i) had business  dealings with the
Company or any  Company  Subsidiary,  or (ii)  engaged in  competition  with the
Company or any Company  Subsidiary.  Except as set forth in Section  4.23 of the
Disclosure  Schedule,  no  Controlling  Shareholder,   shareholder,   affiliate,
officer,  director or employee of the Company or any Company  Subsidiary nor any
Related  Person  is a party  to any  Contract  with,  or has any  claim or right
against, or owes any amounts to, the Company or any Company  Subsidiary,  except
employment or consulting  agreements listed in Section 4.15(a) of the Disclosure
Schedule.  All loans,  payables and other  amounts due to or from the Company or
any Company  Subsidiary  and its  affiliates  are listed in Section  4.23 of the
Disclosure Schedule.

4.24     BROKERS OR FINDERS

         Except as set forth in Section 4.24 of the Disclosure Schedule, neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary nor any Controlling Shareholder or any of
their agents has incurred any obligation or liability,  contingent or otherwise,
for  brokerage or finders'  fees or agents'  commissions  or financial  advisory
services or other  similar  payment in  connection  with this  Agreement  or the
Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

4.25     DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS

         Section 4.25 of the Disclosure  Schedule  contains a true,  correct and
complete list of (a) the name of each financial institution in which the Company
or any Company  Subsidiary  has an account or safe deposit box, (b) the names in
which each  account or box is held,  (c) the type  account,  and (d) the name of
each person authorized to draw on or have access to each account or box.

4.26     POOLING-OF-INTERESTS

         The Company, the Company Subsidiaries and the Controlling  Shareholders
have not taken or agreed to take any action, or caused any event or condition to
occur,  which would affect the ability of Parent to account for the transactions
contemplated  hereby  as a  pooling-of-interests  for  financial  reporting  and
accounting purposes.

4.27     CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

         Except as set forth in Section 4.27 of the Disclosure Schedule,  to the
knowledge of the Company and the Controlling Shareholders, there are no facts or
circumstances,  including the consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement, that are reasonably likely to result in the loss of any material
Customer of the Company or any Company

                                     - 40 -



<PAGE>

Subsidiary  or a  material  change in the  relationship  of the  Company  or any
Company Subsidiary with such a Customer.

4.28     CONDUCT OF BUSINESS; USE OF NAME

         The Company owns and has the exclusive right, title and interest in and
to the name  "Delatech  Incorporated"  and the Company  has not  licensed to any
other Person the right to use the same, or any confusing  derivative thereof, as
its corporate name or otherwise in connection with the operation of any business
similar or related to the  business  conducted  by the  Company  and the Company
Subsidiaries or any of them.

4.29     RESTRICTIONS ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.

         There is no Contract or Order  binding  upon the Company or any Company
Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of the Company and the Controlling Shareholders,
threatened  that has or could  reasonably  be  expected  to have the  effect  of
prohibiting or materially  impairing any business practice of the Company or any
Company Subsidiary (either individually or in the aggregate), any acquisition of
property by the Company or any Company Subsidiary (either individually or in the
aggregate), providing of any service by the Company or any Company Subsidiary or
the hiring of employees or the conduct of business by the Company or any Company
Subsidiary (either  individually or in the aggregate) as currently  conducted or
proposed to be conducted.

4.30     OUTSTANDING INDEBTEDNESS

         Section 4.30 of the  Disclosure  Schedule sets forth as of May 21, 1999
(a) the amount of all  indebtedness  for  borrowed  money of the  Company or any
Company  Subsidiary then  outstanding and the interest rate applicable  thereto,
(b) any Encumbrances or Liens which relate to such indebtedness and (c) the name
of the lender or the other payee of each such indebtedness.

4.31     SUPPLIERS; RAW MATERIALS CONTRACTORS

         Section 4.31 of the  Disclosure  Schedule sets forth for the year ended
November 30, 1998 and the five (5) months  ended April 30,  1999,  (i) the names
and addresses of the three (3) largest suppliers, contractors and subcontractors
of the Company and the Company  Subsidiaries based on the aggregate value of raw
materials,  supplies,  merchandise  and other goods and services  ordered by the
Company  and the  Company  Subsidiaries  from such  suppliers,  contractors  and
subcontractors  during  such  period  and (ii) the  amount  for which  each such
supplier,  contractor  or  subcontractor  invoiced  the  Company  or  a  Company
Subsidiary  during such period.  The Company,  the Company  Subsidiaries and the
Controlling  Shareholders  have not  received  any  notice  or have no reason to
believe that there has been any material adverse change in the price of such raw
materials,  supplies,  merchandise or other goods or services,  or that any such
supplier, contractor or subcontractor will not sell

                                     - 41 -



<PAGE>

raw materials, supplies, merchandise and other goods and services to the Company
or any  Company  Subsidiary  at any time  after  the  Closing  Date on terms and
conditions  substantially  the same as those  used in its  current  sales to the
Company  or  a  Company  Subsidiary  subject  to  general  and  customary  price
increases.

4.32     CUSTOMERS

         Section 4.32 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth (a) a true, complete
and correct listing of the ten (10) largest  customers (the  "Customers") of the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries (based upon the amounts specified in clause
(b) below) and (b) the amount for which each such  Customer was invoiced  during
the year ended November 30, 1998 and the five (5) months ended April 30, 1999.

4.33     PROJECTIONS

         The Company has delivered to Parent and Merger Sub written  projections
for the Company and the Company Subsidiaries dated March 31, 1999 entitled "peer
group comparisons." Such projections were prepared in good faith by the officers
and directors of the Company and the assumptions  underlying  such  projections,
taken as whole, are reasonable as of the date of such projections.

4.34     YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE

         (a) All  hardware,  software and  embedded  systems used by the Company
and/or any Company  Subsidiary,  including any  hardware,  software and embedded
systems used in connection with product and service development,  operations and
production,  financial operations,  office and administration operations,  human
resources  functions,  and legal and audit functions (the "Systems") are, to the
knowledge of the Company and the Controlling  Shareholders,  designed to be used
prior to, during,  and after the calendar year 2000 ("Year  2000").  The Systems
operate and will operate during each such time periods without error relating to
date data that could  reasonably  be  expected  to result in a Material  Adverse
Effect on the Company and the Company  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole.  Without
limiting the  generality  of the  foregoing,  except as could not  reasonably be
expected to result,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  in a Material  Adverse
Effect on the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole:

                           (i) the Systems will not provide invalid or incorrect
         results  as a result of date  data,  specifically  including  date data
         which  represents  or references  different  centuries or more than one
         century;

                           (ii) the  Systems  have been  designed to ensure Year
         2000   compatibility,   including   date  data   century   recognition,
         calculations which accommodate same century and multi-century  formulas
         and date  values,  and date data  interface  values  that  reflect  the
         century;

                                     - 42 -



<PAGE>

                           (iii) the Systems  are  designed to be used prior to,
         during and after the Year 2000,  and the Systems  will  operate  during
         each such time period without error relating to date data  specifically
         including  any error  relating  to, or the  product of, date data which
         represents or references different centuries;

                           (iv) the  date  rollovers  will not  cause  erroneous
processing;

                           (v)  manipulation  of date data will be free of error
         over the range of dates that the Systems are expected to handle;

                           (vi) explicit century values will be correctly stored
         and  passed   across  all   applicable   interfaces   (including   user
         interfaces);

                           (vii) all  leap  year  values   will  be   correctly
         calculated and processed  across all applicable  interfaces  (including
         user interfaces); and

                           (viii) the Systems will handle the date  September 9,
         1999,  as well as store  and  pass  such  date  across  all  interfaces
         (including user interfaces).

         (b) Section 4.34 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  describes  any Year 2000
compliance  audit or similar  audit  conducted  by the  Company  or any  Company
Subsidiary  and the  identity of any  consultants  or other  Persons  engaged in
connection  therewith.  The Company has  delivered  true,  correct and  complete
copies of the reports or results of any such audits to Parent.

4.35     PAYABLES

         There  has been no  adverse  change  since  the  date of the  Financial
Statements in the amount or  delinquency  of accounts  payable of the Company or
any Company  Subsidiary  (either  individually or in the aggregate)  which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material  Adverse Effect on the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

4.36     INVENTORIES

         All  inventories  of raw  materials,  supplies,  work in  progress  and
finished  goods of each of the Company and each Company  Subsidiary are of good,
usable and  merchantable  quality in all  material  respects  and do not include
obsolete  or  discontinued  items.  Except as set forth in  Section  4.36 of the
Disclosure Schedule, (a) all such inventories are of such quality as to meet the
quality control  standards of the Company and the Company  Subsidiaries  and any
applicable  governmental quality control standards,  (b) all such finished goods
are saleable as current inventories at the current prices of the Company and the
Company  Subsidiaries  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business,   (c)  all  such
inventories  are  recorded  on the books at the  lower of cost or  market  value
determined  in  accordance  with  GAAP  (except,  with  respect  to the  Interim
Financial Statements, such determinations were

                                     - 43 -



<PAGE>

made  in  accordance  with  the  Company's  historical  practices)  and  (d)  no
write-down  in inventory has been made or should have been made pursuant to GAAP
(or,  with  respect to the Interim  Financial  Statements,  consistent  with the
Company's historical practices) during the past two years.

4.37     PRODUCT WARRANTIES; PRODUCT LIABILITY

         The Company has delivered to the Parent  complete and correct copies of
the standard  terms and  conditions of sale or lease for each of the products or
services of the Company and/or each Company  Subsidiary  (containing  applicable
guaranty,  warranty and indemnity  provisions).  Except as required by Law or as
set forth in Section 4.37 of the Disclosure Schedule,  no product  manufactured,
sold,  leased or  delivered  by, or  service  rendered  by or on behalf  of, the
Company or any Company Subsidiary is subject to any guaranty,  warranty or other
indemnity, express or implied, beyond such standard terms and conditions.

4.38     DISCLOSURE

         No  representation  or  warranty  of the  Company  or  any  Controlling
Shareholder  in this  Agreement  as modified  by  statements  in the  Disclosure
Schedule is inaccurate in any material respect or omits to state a material fact
necessary  to  make  the  statements   herein  or  therein,   in  light  of  the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

5.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB

         Parent and Merger Sub hereby,  jointly  and  severally,  represent  and
warrant to the Company and the Controlling Shareholders as follows:

5.1      ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING

         Merger Sub is a corporation  duly  organized,  validly  existing and in
good standing  under the laws of the State of Delaware.  Parent is a corporation
duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good  standing  under the laws of the
State of Delaware.  Each of Parent and Merger Sub has full  corporate  power and
authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted and to own or use
the assets and  properties  that it purports  to own or use.  Each of Parent and
Merger Sub is duly qualified to do business as a foreign  corporation  and is in
good standing under the Laws of each state or other jurisdiction in which either
the  ownership  or use of the assets or  properties  owned or used by it, or the
nature of the activities  conducted by it, requires such  qualification,  except
where the failure to be so qualified  could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

5.2      AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT

                                     - 44 -



<PAGE>

         (a) Parent and Merger  Sub each has the  right,  power,  authority  and
capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Transaction  Documents to
which Parent or Merger Sub is a party,  to  consummate  the Merger and the other
transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby and to perform  their  respective
obligations  under this Agreement and the Transaction  Documents to which Parent
or Merger Sub is a party.  This Agreement has been duly authorized and approved,
executed and delivered by Parent and Merger Sub and constitutes the legal, valid
and binding  obligation  of Parent and Merger Sub,  enforceable  against them in
accordance with its terms.  Upon the execution and delivery by Parent and Merger
Sub of the Transaction  Documents to which Parent or Merger Sub is a party, such
Transaction  Documents will constitute the legal, valid and binding  obligations
of Parent and Merger Sub,  enforceable  against  them in  accordance  with their
respective terms.

         (b)  Except as set forth in  Section  5.2 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Transaction Document
by Parent or Merger Sub nor the  consummation or performance by Parent or Merger
Sub of the  Merger  or any of the  other  transactions  contemplated  hereby  or
thereby,  including  issuance of the Parent Shares  pursuant to this  Agreement,
will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time or both):

                  (i)  contravene,  conflict  with,  or result in a violation or
breach of (A) any provision of the Organizational  Documents of Parent or Merger
Sub, (B) any resolution adopted by the board of directors or the shareholders of
Parent or Merger Sub, (C) any legal requirement or any Order,  award,  decision,
settlement  or  process  to which  Parent or Merger  Sub or any of the assets or
properties owned or used by them may be subject,  or (D) any Governmental Permit
held by Parent or Merger Sub;

                  (ii) result in a breach of or constitute a default,  give rise
to a right of termination,  cancellation or acceleration, create any entitlement
to any payment or  benefit,  or require the consent or approval of or any notice
to or filing with any third Person,  under any material Contract to which Parent
or Merger Sub is a party or by which their  respective  assets or properties are
bound, or require the consent or approval of or any notice to or filing with any
Governmental  Authority to which either Parent,  Merger Sub or their  respective
assets or properties are subject; or

                  (iii) result in the imposition or creation of any  Encumbrance
or Lien upon or with respect to any of the assets or properties owned or used by
Parent or Merger Sub.

5.3      CAPITALIZATION; PARENT SHARES

         (a) The authorized capital stock of Parent consists of 2,000,000 shares
of preferred  stock,  $.01 par value per share,  of which as of the date of this
Agreement no shares are issued or outstanding,  and 50,000,000  shares of Parent
Common  Stock,  of which as of May 26, 1999,  22,292,257  shares were issued and
outstanding.  All of the  authorized  and issued  capital stock of Merger Sub is
owned of record and beneficially by Parent.

                                     - 45 -



<PAGE>

         (b) The Parent Shares issuable as a result of the Merger have been duly
authorized  and upon the Effective Time will be validly  issued,  fully paid and
nonassessable.

5.4      FILINGS WITH THE COMMISSION

         (a) Parent  has  delivered  or made  available  to the  Company a true,
correct and complete  copy of its Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1998 and Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1999 (collectively, the "Parent SEC Report"). The Parent SEC Report has been
timely filed pursuant to the Exchange Act.

         (b) The Parent SEC Report complied as to form in all material  respects
with the  requirements  of the Exchange Act in effect on the date  thereof.  The
Parent SEC Report,  when filed pursuant to the Exchange Act, did not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
in order to make the statements  therein,  in light of the  circumstances  under
which they were made, not misleading.

         (c) Each of the Parent  financial  statements  (including  the  related
notes)  included  in the Parent  SEC Report  presents  fairly,  in all  material
respects,  the  consolidated  financial  position  and  consolidated  results of
operations  and  cash  flows of  Parent  as of the  respective  dates or for the
respective  periods set forth therein,  all in conformity with GAAP consistently
applied  during the periods  involved  except as otherwise  noted  therein,  and
subject,  in the case of any unaudited  interim  financial  statements  included
therein, to normal year-end adjustments and to absence of complete footnotes.

5.5      NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE

         Except as  disclosed  in writing to the Company or  otherwise  publicly
disclosed by Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries,  since December 31, 1998, there
has  not  been  any  material  adverse  change  in  the  business,   operations,
properties,  liabilities,  results of operations, assets or condition (financial
or otherwise) of Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and no event has
occurred or circumstance exists that could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material  Adverse  Effect  on  Parent  and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,
provided  that the  effect of any of the  following  shall not be  considered  a
Material  Adverse Effect:  (A) general  economic or financial  conditions or (B)
other  developments  that are not unique to Parent and/or its  Subsidiaries  but
also  affect  other  Persons  who  participate  or are  engaged  in the lines of
business in which Parent and/or its Subsidiaries participate or are engaged.

5.6      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         There is no  pending  Proceeding  against  Parent  or  Merger  Sub that
challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal,
or otherwise  interfering with, any of the transactions  contemplated hereby, or
that otherwise could reasonably be expected

                                     - 46 -



<PAGE>

to result in a Material Adverse Effect on Parent and its Subsidiaries,  taken as
whole. To the knowledge of Parent, no such Proceeding has been threatened.

5.7      BROKERS OR FINDERS

         Neither  Parent nor Merger Sub nor any of their agents has incurred any
obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage or finders' fees
or agents'  commissions or financial  advisory services or other similar payment
in  connection  with  this  Agreement  or  the  Transaction   Documents  or  the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

5.8      POOLING-OF-INTERESTS

         Parent and Merger Sub have not taken or agreed to take any  action,  or
caused any event or condition to occur, which would affect the ability of Parent
to account for the transactions  contemplated  hereby as a  pooling-of-interests
for financial reporting and accounting purposes.

5.9      DISCLOSURE

         No representation or warranty of Parent or Merger Sub in this Agreement
is  inaccurate  in any  material  respect  or  omits to  state a  material  fact
necessary  to make the  statements  herein in light of the  circumstances  under
which they were made, not misleading.

6.       COVENANTS

         The parties, as applicable, hereby covenant and agree as follows:

6.1      NORMAL COURSE

         From the date hereof until the Effective  Time, the Company shall,  and
shall cause each Company  Subsidiary to, and the Controlling  Shareholders shall
use their commercially  reasonable efforts to cause the Company to: (a) maintain
its corporate existence in good standing;  (b) maintain the general character of
its  business;  (c) maintain in effect all of its presently  existing  insurance
coverage (or substantially  equivalent insurance coverage);  (d) preserve intact
in all material  respects its business  organization,  preserve its goodwill and
the  confidentiality  of its business  know-how,  exercise  best efforts to keep
available to the Company or such Company  Subsidiary the services of its current
officers and employees and preserve its present material business  relationships
with its collaborators,  licensor,  customers,  suppliers and other Persons with
which the Company  has  material  business  relations;  and (e) in all  respects
conduct its business only in the usual and ordinary manner  consistent with past
practice and perform all Contracts.

6.2      CONDUCT OF BUSINESS


                                     - 47 -



<PAGE>

         Without  limiting the  provisions  of Section 6.1, from the date hereof
until the  Effective  Time,  the Company  shall not,  and the Company  shall not
permit any Company  Subsidiary to, and the Controlling  Shareholders  shall not,
except as  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  permit the Company to, directly or
indirectly, do, or propose to do, any of the following without the prior written
consent of Parent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld:

         (a) amend or otherwise modify its Organizational Documents;

         (b) issue,  sell,  dispose of or Encumber or  authorize  the  issuance,
sale,  disposition or Encumbrance  of, or grant or issue any option,  warrant or
other right to acquire or make any  agreement of the type referred to in Section
4.3 with  respect  to,  any  shares  of its  capital  stock or any  other of its
securities or any security  convertible or exercisable  into or exchangeable for
any such  shares  or  securities,  or alter  any term of any of its  outstanding
securities or make any change in its outstanding  shares of capital stock or its
capitalization, whether by reason of a reclassification, recapitalization, stock
split,  combination,  exchange  or  readjustment  of shares,  stock  dividend or
otherwise;

         (c) Encumber any material  assets or  properties  of the Company or any
Company Subsidiary;

         (d) declare,  set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution
to any shareholder with respect to its capital stock;

         (e) redeem,  purchase or otherwise  acquire any capital  stock or other
securities of the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

         (f) increase the compensation or other remuneration or benefits payable
or to become payable to any director or executive  officer of the Company or any
Company  Subsidiary,  or increase  the  compensation  or other  remuneration  or
benefits  payable or to become payable to any of its other  employees or agents,
except,  with respect to such other  employees or agents only,  for increases in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

         (g) adopt or (except as  otherwise  required  by law) amend or make any
unscheduled  contribution to any employee benefit plan for or with employees, or
enter into any collective bargaining agreement;

         (h) terminate or modify any Contract  requiring  future  payments to or
from the Company or any Company Subsidiary, individually or in the aggregate, in
excess of $100,000,  except for  terminations of Contracts upon their expiration
during such period in accordance with their terms;

         (i) create,   incur,   assume  or  otherwise   become  liable  for  any
indebtedness  in  an  aggregate  amount  (among  the  Company  and  all  Company
Subsidiaries) in excess of

                                     - 48 -



<PAGE>

$100,000,  except for  blanket  inventory  purchases  where the Company and each
Company  Subsidiary  shall not make any payment or  commitment  in an  aggregate
amount  (among the Company and all Company  Subsidiaries)  in excess of $250,000
(for purposes of this part of Section  6.2(i),  obligations or liabilities  that
are paid,  discharged  or satisfied  under  Section  6.2(j) shall be included in
determining  whether  the  foregoing  basket  amounts  have  been  reached),  or
guarantee or endorse any  obligation or the net worth of any Person,  except for
endorsements of negotiable  instruments for collection in the ordinary course of
business;

         (j) pay,  discharge or satisfy any  obligation or liability,  absolute,
accrued, contingent or otherwise,  whether due or to become due, in an aggregate
amount (among the Company and all Company  Subsidiaries)  in excess of $100,000,
except for liabilities  incurred in the ordinary course of business prior to the
date hereof and blanket  inventory  purchases where the Company and each Company
Subsidiary  shall not make any  payment or  commitment  in an  aggregate  amount
(among the  Company  and all Company  Subsidiaries)  in excess of $250,000  (for
purposes of this Section 6.2(j), indebtedness that is created, incurred, assumed
or for which the Company or any Company  Subsidiary  is  otherwise  liable under
Section  6.2(i) shall be included in  determining  whether the foregoing  basket
amounts have been reached);

         (k) sell, transfer,  lease or otherwise dispose of any of its assets or
properties,  except in the  ordinary  course of  business  consistent  with past
practice  and for a cash  consideration  equal to the fair value  thereof at the
time of such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition;

         (l) cancel,  compromise,  release or waive any material debt,  claim or
right;

         (m) make any loan or advance to any Person  other than travel and other
similar routine advances in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice,  or acquire any capital  stock or other  securities  or any  ownership
interest  in,  or  substantially  all of  the  assets  of,  any  other  business
enterprise;

         (n) make any material  capital  investment  or  expenditure  or capital
improvement, addition or betterment;

         (o) change its method of  accounting  or the  accounting  principles or
practices utilized in the preparation of the Financial Statements, other than as
required by GAAP;

         (p) institute  or  settle  any  Proceeding   before  any   Governmental
Authority relating to it or its assets or properties;

         (q) adopt a plan of  dissolution  or  liquidation  with  respect to the
Company or any Company Subsidiary;


                                     - 49 -



<PAGE>

         (r) enter into any  Contract,  except  Contracts  made in the  ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice;

         (s) make any new  election  with  respect  to  Taxes or any  change  in
current  elections  with respect to Taxes,  or settle or compromise any federal,
state,  local or foreign Tax  liability or agree to an extension of a statute of
limitations; or

         (t) enter into any commitment to do any of the foregoing, or any action
which would make any of the  representations or warranties of the Company or any
of the Controlling  Shareholders contained in this Agreement untrue or incorrect
in any material  respect  (subject to the knowledge and materiality  limitations
set forth therein) or cause any covenant,  condition or agreement of the Company
or any  Controlling  Shareholder  in this  Agreement  not to be complied with or
satisfied in any material respect.

6.3      COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS ACTION

         The Company shall solicit written consents of the Company  Shareholders
as promptly as practicable for the purpose of consenting to the approval of this
Agreement,  the  Merger  and the other  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  The
Company shall take all such reasonable  action that is necessary or advisable to
secure the consent of the Company Shareholders in favor of such approval as soon
as practicable  and shall not take any action that could  reasonably be expected
to prevent the consent of the Company  Shareholders  in favor of such  approval.
The Controlling Shareholders agree to consent to the approval of this Agreement,
the Merger and the other transactions  contemplated hereby. From the date hereof
until the Effective Time, the Controlling Shareholders shall not sell, transfer,
dispose of or Encumber any of their shares of Company Common Stock.  The Company
and the Controlling Shareholders shall exercise reasonable best efforts to cause
each Company Shareholder to execute a representation letter substantially in the
form of Exhibit 6.3 hereto.

6.4      AGREEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO AFFILIATES

         The Company  shall  deliver to Parent,  and Parent shall deliver to the
Company,  prior  to  the  Effective  Time,  letters  (the  "Affiliate  Letters")
identifying  all  Persons  who are,  at the time of the  action  by the  Company
Shareholders  or  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time,  anticipated  to be
"Affiliates" of the Company or Parent,  as the case may be, for purposes of Rule
145 under the Securities Act ("Rule 145"),  or the rules and  regulations of the
Commission  relating to  pooling-of-interests  accounting  treatment  for merger
transactions  (the  "Pooling  Rules").  The Company  and Parent  shall use their
respective best efforts to cause each Person who is identified as an "affiliate"
in the  Affiliate  Letter to deliver to Parent and the  Company as  promptly  as
practicable a written  agreement in the form attached  hereto as Exhibit 6.4 (an
"Affiliate  Agreement") in connection with restrictions on affiliates under Rule
145 and the Pooling Rules. Parent shall be entitled to place appropriate legends
on the certificates evidencing any Parent Common Stock to be received by Company
affiliates (or to be deposited in the Escrow Fund on behalf of any such Person),
and to issue appropriate stop

                                     - 50 -



<PAGE>

transfer instructions to the transfer agent for Parent Common Stock,  consistent
with the terms of such Affiliate Agreements.

6.5      CERTAIN FILINGS

         Without  limiting the  generality of Section 6.12,  the Company and the
Controlling Shareholders shall cooperate with Parent with respect to all filings
with Governmental Authorities that are required to be made by the Company or any
Company Subsidiary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
The Company and the Controlling  Shareholders shall assist Parent and Merger Sub
in making all such  filings,  applications  and notices as may be  necessary  or
desirable  in order to obtain  the  authorization,  approval  or  consent of any
Governmental  Authority  which may be  reasonably  required or which  Parent may
reasonably  request in  connection  with the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated  hereby.  Without  limiting the  generality of the  foregoing  (but
subject to Section  6.12(b)),  if the Merger and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby are subject to the HSR Act, the parties hereto shall promptly and in good
faith file or cause to be filed the  appropriate  notifications  with respect to
the  Merger  and such  transactions,  respond  to any  requests  for  additional
information  and documents and provide the  necessary  information  and make the
necessary filings under such Act.

6.6      NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS

         The Company and the  Controlling  Shareholders  shall  promptly  notify
Parent of (i) the occurrence or non-occurrence of any fact or event of which the
Company or any  Controlling  Shareholder has knowledge which would be reasonably
likely  (A) to cause  any  representation  or  warranty  of the  Company  or any
Controlling Shareholder contained in this Agreement to be untrue or incorrect in
any material  respect at any time from the date hereof to the Effective  Time or
(B) to  cause  any  covenant,  condition  or  agreement  of the  Company  or any
Controlling  Shareholder  in this Agreement not to be complied with or satisfied
in any material  respect and (ii) any failure of the Company or any  Controlling
Shareholder to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be
complied  with or satisfied by it hereunder in any material  respect;  provided,
however,   that  no  such  notification  shall  affect  the  representations  or
warranties of the Company or any Controlling Shareholder, or the right of Parent
and Merger Sub to rely thereon,  or the conditions to the  obligations of Parent
and Merger Sub, or the remedies available hereunder to Parent or Merger Sub. The
Company and the Controlling  Shareholders  shall give prompt notice to Parent of
any  notice or other  communication  from any  third  Person  alleging  that the
consent  of such  third  Person is or may be  required  in  connection  with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

6.7      POOLING ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

         Each party  hereto  shall use its best  efforts  to cause the  business
combination   to  be  effected  by  the  Merger  to  be   accounted   for  as  a
pooling-of-interests.  Each party hereto shall use its best efforts to cause its
respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders,

                                     - 51 -



<PAGE>

Subsidiaries  and affiliates not to take any action that would adversely  affect
the ability of Parent to account for the business  combination to be effected by
the  Merger as a  pooling-of-interests.  Neither  Parent  nor the  Company,  any
Company  Subsidiary  or any  Controlling  Shareholder  shall  take  any  action,
including the acceleration of vesting of any options,  restricted stock or other
rights to acquire shares of the capital stock of the Company,  which  reasonably
would be  expected to (i)  interfere  with  Parent's  ability to account for the
Merger as a  pooling-of-interests  or (ii) jeopardize the tax-free nature of the
reorganization hereunder.

6.8      EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

         The  Company  and the  Controlling  Shareholders  shall use their  best
efforts to cause Roger J.B. McKinley,  Sr.  ("McKinley") and Timothy L.F. Herman
("Herman")  to (or,  with respect to Roger J.B.  McKinley,  Sr. and Timothy L.F.
Herman (in their respective  capacities as Controlling  Shareholders)  each such
individual shall) enter into employment  agreements  (together,  the "Employment
Agreements")  with Parent or the  Surviving  Corporation  to be effective on the
Closing Date.  The  Employment  Agreements  will be in  substantially  the forms
attached as Exhibits 6.8(a) and (b) hereto, respectively.

6.9      COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE AND OTHER COVENANTS

         (a) The parties  understand and acknowledge that the provisions of this
Section  6.9 are  necessary  to protect the  legitimate  business  interests  of
Parent, the Surviving Corporation and Parent's other Subsidiaries and affiliates
and are fair and reasonable for numerous reasons, including:

         (1) each of McKinley and Herman were  substantial  shareholders  of the
         Company  prior to the Merger  and, as a result,  each of them  received
         significant economic benefit from the Merger and the other transactions
         contemplated hereby;

         (2)  each of  McKinley's  and  Herman's  agreement  to be bound by this
         Section  6.9 was a  substantial  condition  to Parent and Merger Sub to
         enter into this Agreement;  the restrictions  contained in this Section
         6.9 are necessary to protect the goodwill of the Company,  all of which
         is being  transferred  to the  Surviving  Corporation  pursuant  to the
         Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby; and

         (3) as a result of each of  McKinley's  and Herman's  position with the
         Company  prior  to the  Merger  and  each of  McKinley's  and  Herman's
         prospective   executive  position  with  Parent  and/or  the  Surviving
         Corporation,  each of McKinley and Herman has had, and will continue to
         have, access to significant  confidential,  proprietary or trade secret
         information of the Company,  Parent,  the Surviving  Corporation and/or
         Parent's  other  Subsidiaries  and  affiliates  so that, if McKinley or
         Herman  were  employed  by  a  competitor  of  Parent  or  any  of  its
         Subsidiaries  or  affiliates,  there  would  be a  substantial  risk to
         Parent, the Surviving Corporation and/or Parent's other

                                     - 52 -



<PAGE>

         Subsidiaries  and  affiliates  of  McKinley's or Herman's use of its or
         their confidential, proprietary or trade secret information.

                  Based on the foregoing, for a period of the later of (i) sixty
         (60)  months from the  Effective  Time or (ii)  thirty-six  (36) months
         after  the  termination  of  McKinley's  or  Herman's  (as  applicable)
         employment  with  Parent  or the  Surviving  Corporation  (such  period
         specified  in this  clause  (ii) shall be reduced to  twenty-four  (24)
         months if McKinley or Herman (as  applicable)  is employed by Parent or
         the  Surviving  Corporation  for sixty (60) months after the  Effective
         Time), absent Parent's Board of Directors' prior written approval, each
         of McKinley and Herman will not directly or indirectly:

                  (i) render any services to, or engage in any  activities  for,
         any other Person with respect to any product,  process,  technology  or
         service, in existence or under development which substantially competes
         with a product, process, technology or service of (x) the Company prior
         to or as of the Closing Date; or (y) the Surviving Corporation, Parent,
         any Subsidiary or affiliate  thereof or any successor  thereto,  to the
         extent  such  product,  process,  technology  or service is related to,
         arises out of, or evolved  from the business or goodwill of the Company
         prior to or as of the Closing Date;

                  (ii) recruit,   solicit  or  encourage   employees,   agents,
         consultants,  and  representatives of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries
         (including  the Surviving  Corporation)  or any of their  affiliates to
         terminate  his,  her  or its  relationship  with  Parent  or any of its
         Subsidiaries  (including  the  Surviving  Corporation)  or any of their
         affiliates  or offer or caused to be offered  employment  to any Person
         who is or was employed by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries  (including
         the  Surviving  Corporation)  or any of  their  affiliates  at any time
         during the six (6) months prior to the  termination  of  McKinley's  or
         Herman's  (as  applicable)  employment  with  Parent  or the  Surviving
         Corporation;

                  (iii) entice,  induce  or  encourage  any  employee,   agent,
         consultant,  or  representative  of Parent  or any of its  Subsidiaries
         (including  the Surviving  Corporation)  or any of their  affiliates to
         engage in any  activity  which,  were it done by McKinley or Herman (as
         applicable), would violate any provision of this Section 6.9; or

                  (iv) otherwise  attempt  to  interfere  with or  disrupt  the
         business or activities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries  (including
         the Surviving  Corporation)  or any of their  affiliates  after written
         notice and a 30-day cure period.

         If McKinley or Herman (as  applicable) act in violation of this Section
6.9, the number of days that McKinley or Herman is in violation will be added to
the time period during which this Section 6.9 is to be effective.

                                     - 53 -



<PAGE>

         (b) Upon  McKinley's  or Herman's (as  applicable)  written  request to
Parent specifying the activities  proposed to be conducted by McKinley or Herman
(as  applicable),  Parent shall give McKinley or Herman (as applicable)  written
approval(s) to engage  personally in any activity or render services referred to
in Section 6.9(a) upon receipt of written assurances (satisfactory to Parent and
its counsel in their  discretion)  from McKinley or Herman (as  applicable)  and
from his prospective employer(s) that the integrity of the provisions of Section
6.9(a)  and  the  applicable  Employment  Agreement  will  not  in  any  way  be
jeopardized or violated by such activities;  provided,  however, that the burden
of so establishing  the foregoing to the satisfaction of Parent and said counsel
shall  be  upon  McKinley  or  Herman  (as   applicable)   and  his  prospective
employer(s).

         (c) McKinley's and Herman's (as  applicable)  duties under this Section
6.9 shall survive  termination  of his  employment  with Parent or the Surviving
Corporation for the period of time specified herein. Each of McKinley and Herman
acknowledges  and agrees that any breach by him of any of the provisions of this
Section 6.9 will result in irreparable  and  continuing  damage to Parent and/or
the Surviving  Corporation and that a remedy at law for any breach or threatened
breach by  McKinley  or Herman of the  provisions  of this  Section 6.9 would be
inadequate, and McKinley and Herman therefore agree that Parent or the Surviving
Corporation  shall be  entitled,  without the posting of a bond,  to  temporary,
preliminary  and  permanent  injunctive  relief  in case of any such  breach  or
threatened breach.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prohibit the
Parent or the Surviving  Corporation from pursuing any other remedy available to
it, whether at law or in equity or otherwise, the parties having agreed that all
remedies are cumulative.

6.10     NO SOLICITATION

         (a) From the date hereof until the  Effective  Time,  if the Company or
any of the  Controlling  Shareholders  shall,  or shall  permit any  Subsidiary,
officer, director,  shareholder,  employee,  investment banker or other agent of
the Company, any Company Subsidiary or any Controlling  Shareholder to, directly
or indirectly,  (i) solicit,  engage in discussions or negotiate with any Person
(whether  such  discussions  or  negotiations  are  initiated by the Company,  a
Controlling  Shareholder  or  otherwise)  or take any other  action  intended or
designed to facilitate the efforts of any Person, other than Parent, relating to
the possible  acquisition of the Company or any Company  Subsidiary  (whether by
way of merger,  purchase of capital  stock,  purchase of assets or otherwise) or
any significant portion of its capital stock or assets (with any such efforts by
any such  Person  to make such an  acquisition  referred  to as an  "Alternative
Acquisition"),  (ii)  provide  information  with  respect to the  Company or any
Company  Subsidiary  to any Person,  other than  Parent,  relating to a possible
Alternative  Acquisition by any Person,  other than Parent,  (iii) enter into an
agreement  with  any  Person,  other  than  Parent,  providing  for  a  possible
Alternative Acquisition or (iv) make or authorize any statement,  recommendation
or  solicitation  in  support of any  possible  Alternative  Acquisition  by any
Person,  other than by Parent,  then, in any such case, payment shall be made to
Parent as provided in Section 6.10(b).


                                     - 54 -



<PAGE>

         (b) If the Company or a Controlling  Shareholder engages in any conduct
or takes any action concerning an Alternative Acquisition as provided in Section
6.10(a),  in lieu of all other remedies available to Parent and Merger Sub under
this  Agreement  in respect  of such  conduct or  action,  the  Company  and the
Controlling  Shareholders shall pay Parent on a joint and several basis a fee in
the amount of $4,000,000 and all  reasonable,  actual and  documented  costs and
expenses (including  reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by Parent
and/or  Merger  Sub in  connection  with  this  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated  hereby.  Such amounts payable to Parent shall be paid one business
day after Parent's written demand therefor.

6.11     ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY

         Upon  reasonable  written  notice,  the  Company  and Parent each shall
afford   to  the   officers,   employees,   accountants,   counsel   and   other
representatives of the other reasonable  access,  during the period prior to the
Effective Time, to all its and its Subsidiaries' Facilities, properties, assets,
books,  Contracts  and records and,  during such period,  the Company and Parent
each shall furnish promptly to the other all information  concerning its and its
Subsidiaries'  business,  Facilities,  properties,  assets and personnel as such
other party may reasonably  request,  and each shall make available to the other
the appropriate individuals (including officers, employees, accountants, counsel
and other  professionals)  for  discussion of the other's and its  Subsidiaries'
business,  Facilities,  properties, assets and personnel as either Parent or the
Company  may  reasonably  request.   Each  party  shall  keep  such  information
confidential in accordance with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement.

6.12     BEST EFFORTS; FURTHER ACTION

         (a) Upon the terms and subject to the  conditions  hereof,  each of the
parties hereto shall use its reasonable best efforts  (exercised  diligently and
in good faith) to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to
be  done,  all  other  things  reasonably  necessary,  proper  or  advisable  to
consummate  and make  effective  as promptly  as  practicable  the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement,  to obtain in a timely  manner  all  necessary
waivers,  consents,  authorizations  and  approvals  and to effect all necessary
registrations and filings, and otherwise to satisfy or cause to be satisfied all
conditions precedent to its obligations under this Agreement.

         (b)  Notwithstanding  any provision of this  Agreement to the contrary,
Parent  shall not be  obligated to divest,  abandon,  license,  dispose of, hold
separate or take  similar  action with  respect to any portion of the  business,
assets or properties (tangible or intangible) of Parent, any of its Subsidiaries
or the Company in  connection  with seeking to obtain or  obtaining  any waiver,
consent,   authorization   or  approval  of  any  Person   associated  with  the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise.

         (c) If, at any time after the Effective  Time,  any such further action
is necessary or  desirable  to carry out the purposes of this  Agreement  and to
vest the Surviving Corporation

                                     - 55 -



<PAGE>

with  full  right,  title  and  possession  to  all  assets,  property,  rights,
privileges,  powers and  franchises  of the Company and Merger Sub, the officers
and directors of the Company and Merger Sub  immediately  prior to the Effective
Time  are  fully  authorized  in the name of their  respective  corporations  or
otherwise  to take,  and will take,  all such lawful and  necessary or desirable
action.

6.13     CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDERS

         The  Controlling  Shareholders  shall  use best  efforts  to cause  the
Company to perform  and comply with the  covenants,  conditions  and  agreements
applicable to the Company as set forth in this Agreement.

7.       ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB

         Each of Parent and Merger Sub, jointly and severally,  hereby covenants
and agrees as follows:

7.1      CERTAIN FILINGS

         Without limiting the generality of Section 6.12,  Parent and Merger Sub
agree to make or cause to be made all filings with Governmental Authorities that
are  required  to be made by Parent or Merger Sub to carry out the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

7.2      NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS

         Parent  and  Merger Sub shall  promptly  notify the  Company of (i) the
occurrence or  non-occurrence of any fact or event of which Parent or Merger Sub
has knowledge which would be reasonably  likely (A) to cause any  representation
or warranty of Merger Sub or Parent  contained in this Agreement to be untrue or
incorrect  in any  material  respect  at any time  from the date  hereof  to the
Effective  Time or (B) to cause any  covenant,  condition or agreement of Merger
Sub or Parent in this  Agreement  not to be complied  with or  satisfied  in any
material  respect and (ii) any failure of Merger Sub or Parent to comply with or
satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by
it  hereunder  in  any  material  respect;  provided,   however,  that  no  such
notification  shall affect the  representations  or  warranties of Merger Sub or
Parent,  or the right of the Company and the  Controlling  Shareholders  to rely
thereon, or the conditions to the obligations of the Company and the Controlling
Shareholders,  or  the  remedies  available  hereunder  to  the  Company  or the
Controlling Shareholders.  Parent and Merger Sub shall give prompt notice to the
Company of any notice or other communication from any third Person alleging that
the consent of such third  Person is or may be required in  connection  with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.


                                     - 56 -



<PAGE>

7.3      REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

         At  the  Closing,  Parent  will  enter  into  the  Registration  Rights
Agreement  (the  "Registration  Rights  Agreement")  in  substantially  the form
attached as Exhibit 7.3 hereto.

7.4      EMPLOYMENT MATTERS

         (a) For purposes of  eligibility,  vesting and,  except with respect to
any  pension  benefit  plan,  calculation  of  benefits  (except  to the  extent
crediting such service would result in the  duplication of benefits)  under each
of Parent's  employee  benefit  plans,  programs  and  arrangements  in which an
employee of the  Company who is employed as of the Closing  Date and who becomes
an employee of Parent or the  Surviving  Corporation  immediately  following the
Closing (each, a "Continuing  Employee")  participates,  Parent shall grant,  or
shall cause the Surviving  Corporation to grant,  each Continuing  Employee with
credit for all service with the Company.

         (b) Intentionally Omitted.

         (c) Parent shall provide,  or shall cause the Surviving  Corporation to
provide,   to  each  Continuing   Employee  (and  each   Continuing   Employee's
beneficiaries  and  dependents)  immediate  coverage under a health benefit plan
maintained by the Surviving  Corporation or Parent. Parent shall waive, or cause
the  Surviving  Corporation  to waive,  any  applicable  pre-existing  condition
exclusion  (to the  extent  such  exclusion  did  not  apply  to a  pre-existing
condition under the Company's plan) under any such health benefit plan, and, for
purposes of any applicable  deductibles,  co-payments or out-of-pocket  maximums
under any such health  benefit  plan,  each  Continuing  Employee  shall receive
credit  under such health  benefit  plan for all amounts  paid by them under the
Company's health benefit plan.

         (d) Each  Continuing  Employee  shall  enter  into  Parent's  standard
agreements for employees relating to confidentiality,  proprietary  information,
inventions and non-competition (without limiting Section 6.9).

         (e) It is expressly  agreed that the provisions of this Section 7.4 are
not  intended to be for the  benefit of or  otherwise  enforceable  by any third
Person,  including,  without  limitation,  any employee of the  Company,  or any
collective bargaining unit or employee organization.

         (f) Nothing herein shall prevent Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the
Surviving  Corporation  from  amending or modifying  any employee  benefit plan,
program or  arrangement  as permitted  thereby in any respect or  terminating or
modifying  the  terms and  conditions  of  employment  or other  service  of any
particular  employee or any other Person.  Nothing  contained in this  Agreement
shall  create or imply any  obligation  on the part of Parent,  Merger Sub,  the
Company or the Surviving  Corporation to provide any continuing employment right
to any individual.

                                     - 57 -



<PAGE>

         (g) On or promptly  following the Closing Date, subject to the approval
of Parent's  Compensation  Committee  of the Board of Directors on or before May
26, 1999,  Parent shall issue  non-qualified  stock options to those  Continuing
Employees in those  amounts  specified by McKinley  and Herman  consistent  with
Parent's  guidelines  associated with incentive  compensation and option grants;
provided  that such options  shall not exceed that number  which is  exercisable
into 200,000  shares of Parent Common Stock  (subject to adjustment  pursuant to
the applicable  Non-Qualified  Stock Option Agreement);  such options shall vest
yearly over a period of five (5) years and have an exercise price reflecting the
fair market  value of the Parent  Common  Stock as of the date of grant,  all as
more specifically set forth in, and subject to, that certain Non-Qualified Stock
Option Agreement by and between Parent and each Continuing Employee, which shall
be based on Parent's standard form thereof for similarly  situated  employees of
Parent; and the Continuing  Employees shall not be eligible to receive any other
options  exercisable  into shares of Parent  Common  Stock (for which they might
otherwise be eligible but for this Section  7.4(g))  during the one-year  period
following the Closing Date. The parties  acknowledge and agree that the issuance
of options to the specified Continuing Employees pursuant to this Section 7.4(g)
is being made solely as  incentive  compensation  for services to be rendered by
such Continuing Employees to Parent or the Surviving Corporation.

7.5      INSURANCE

         From the Closing Date through the Expiration Date, Parent shall procure
and  maintain  insurance  policies in relation  to the  Surviving  Corporation's
business with coverages and deductibles  that are  substantially  similar to the
types and amounts of the Company's  existing  insurance  policies  identified in
Section 4.16 of the  Disclosure  Schedule (or  insurance  policies that are more
favorable  to the  insured),  which  insurance  policies  shall  include,  where
applicable,  coverage  for the five (5) year period  preceding  the Closing Date
(subject to customary exclusions).

8.       CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB

         The  obligations  of Parent  and Merger  Sub under  this  Agreement  to
consummate the Merger and the other  transactions  contemplated  hereby shall be
subject to the  satisfaction,  at or prior to the Effective Time, of each of the
following conditions:

8.1      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         The  representations  and warranties of the Company and the Controlling
Shareholders  contained in this Agreement or in the  Disclosure  Schedule or any
certificate  delivered  pursuant  hereto shall be complete and correct as of the
date when made,  shall be deemed  repeated at and as of the  Closing  Date as if
made on the Closing Date and,  without giving effect to any  qualification as to
materiality (or any variation of such term) contained in any  representation  or
warranty, shall then be complete and correct in all material respects.


                                     - 58 -



<PAGE>

8.2      PERFORMANCE OF COVENANTS

         The  Company  and the  Controlling  Shareholders  shall  have taken all
necessary corporate or other actions to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby and shall have performed and complied in all material  respects with each
covenant,  agreement and condition required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied with by them at or prior to the Effective Time.

8.3      LACK OF ADVERSE CHANGE

         Since November 30, 1998,  there shall not have occurred any incident or
event which,  individually or in the aggregate,  has had or is reasonably likely
to result in a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or any Company  Subsidiary
as determined by Parent. For purposes of this condition, the following shall not
be considered a Material  Adverse  Effect:  any effect or change  occurring as a
result  of any or any  combination  of any (A)  general  economic  or  financial
conditions or (B) other  developments  that are not unique to such Person and/or
its Subsidiaries but also affect other Persons who participate or are engaged in
the lines of business in which such Person and/or its  Subsidiaries  participate
or are engaged or (C) any action taken in compliance with this Agreement.

8.4      UPDATE CERTIFICATE

         Parent and Merger Sub shall have received favorable certificates, dated
the Closing Date,  signed by the Company and the Controlling  Shareholders as to
the matters set forth in Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3.

8.5      NO GOVERNMENTAL OR OTHER PROCEEDING; ILLEGALITY

         No  Order  of  any  Governmental  Authority  shall  be in  effect  that
restrains or prohibits any transaction  contemplated  hereby or that would limit
or affect  Parent's or Merger  Sub's  ownership  or operation of the business or
assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary; no suit, action, investigation,
inquiry  or  Proceeding  by any  Governmental  Authority  shall  be  pending  or
threatened  against Parent,  Merger Sub or the Company or any Company Subsidiary
or any director or officer of any thereof, as such, that challenges the validity
or legality,  or that  restrains or seeks to restrain the  consummation,  of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby, or that limits or otherwise affects or seeks
to limit or  otherwise  affect  Parent's or Merger Sub's right to own or operate
the business or assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, or that compels
or seeks  to  compel  Parent  or any of its  Subsidiaries  to  divest,  abandon,
license,  dispose of, hold  separate or take similar  action with respect to any
portion of the business, assets or properties (tangible or intangible) of Parent
or any of its Subsidiaries  (including the Surviving Corporation) or the Company
or any Company  Subsidiary;  and no written  advice shall have been  received by
Parent,  Merger Sub,  the Company or any Company  Subsidiary  or by any of their
respective  counsel  from any  Governmental  Authority,  and  remain in  effect,
stating that an action or Proceeding will, if the

                                     - 59 -



<PAGE>

Merger  is  consummated  or  sought  to be  consummated,  be  filed  seeking  to
invalidate  or  restrain  the Merger or limit or  otherwise  affect  Parent's or
Merger Sub's  ownership or operation of the business or assets of the Company or
any Company Subsidiary.  No Law or Order shall be enacted,  entered, enforced or
deemed applicable to the Merger or the other  transactions  contemplated  hereby
which  makes  the   consummation  of  the  Merger  or  the  other   transactions
contemplated hereby illegal.

8.6      APPROVALS AND CONSENTS

         All material waivers,  approvals,  authorizations or Orders required to
be  obtained,  and all  filings  required  to be  made,  by the  Company  or the
Controlling Shareholders, for the authorization,  execution and delivery of this
Agreement,  the  consummation  by it or  them of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby and the  continuation  in full  force and effect of any and all  material
rights,  documents,  instruments  or  Contracts  of the  Company and the Company
Subsidiaries  shall have been  obtained  and made,  including  all  consents  or
approvals of any Person which may be required  under any lease for real property
to which the Company or any Company  Subsidiary is a party.  The Company and the
Controlling  Shareholders  shall use reasonable  best efforts to obtain landlord
consents and estoppel certificates reasonably satisfactory in form and substance
to Parent from the  lessors/owners of the real property leased by the Company in
Milpitas,  California and Napa,  California.  In addition,  all waiting  periods
applicable  to the  consummation  of  the  Merger  and  the  other  transactions
contemplated hereby under the HSR Act shall have expired or terminated.

8.7      OPINION OF COUNSEL

         The Company shall have delivered to Parent and Merger Sub an opinion of
Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe,  dated the Closing Date and addressed to Parent
and Merger Sub, as to the matters set forth on Exhibit 8.7 hereto.

8.8      SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL

         This  Agreement,  the  Merger and the other  transactions  contemplated
hereby shall have been duly approved by Company  Shareholders  owning, of record
and  beneficially,  at least 90% of the issued and  outstanding  Company  Common
Stock in accordance with the CGCL.

8.9      ESCROW AGREEMENT

         The Escrow Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered by the
Escrow Agent, the Company, Parent and the other parties thereto.

8.10     OPINIONS OF ACCOUNTANTS; POOLING

         Parent and Merger Sub shall have  received a letter  from Ernst & Young
LLP, independent  certified public accountants of the Company, and a letter from
Ernst & Young


                                     - 60 -



<PAGE>

LLP,  independent   certified  public  accountants  of  Parent,   regarding  the
appropriateness of  pooling-of-interests  accounting for the Merger under APB 16
if closed and consummated in accordance with this Agreement.  Such letters shall
be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent.

8.11     AFFILIATE AGREEMENTS

         Parent shall have  received  from each Person who is  identified in the
Affiliate Letter as an "affiliate" of the Company, an Affiliate  Agreement,  and
such Affiliate Agreement shall be in full force and effect.

8.12     EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

         The  Employment  Agreements  shall have been  executed by McKinley  and
Herman.

8.13     CLOSING EXCHANGE PRICE

         If the Closing Exchange Price is less than $14.1875,  Parent shall have
elected  in  its  sole  discretion  to  consummate  the  Merger  and  the  other
transactions  contemplated hereby, which election shall be made, if at all, by a
written notice delivered to the Company.

8.14     ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS

         With respect to each  current  Facility,  Parent shall have  received a
satisfactory Phase I environmental  audit report and, if a Phase I environmental
audit report shall not be deemed  reasonably  sufficient  by Parent,  such other
reasonably satisfactory environmental-based  documentation and studies as Parent
may reasonably request, including a Phase II environmental audit report.

9.       CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY AND CONTROLLING
         SHAREHOLDERS

         The obligations of the Company and the Controlling  Shareholders  under
this Agreement to consummate the Merger and the other transactions  contemplated
hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction,  at or prior to the Effective Time,
of each of the following conditions:

9.1      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         The  representations  and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub contained
in this Agreement or in the  Disclosure  Schedule or any  certificate  delivered
pursuant hereto shall be complete and correct as of the date when made, shall be
deemed  repeated  at and as of the Closing  Date as if made on the Closing  Date
and, without giving effect to any qualification as

                                     - 61 -



<PAGE>

to materiality (or any variation of such term)  contained in any  representation
or warranty, shall then be complete and correct in all material respects.

9.2      PERFORMANCE OF COVENANTS

         Parent and Merger Sub shall have taken all necessary  corporate actions
to consummate the transactions  contemplated hereby and shall have performed and
complied in all material  respects with each  covenant,  agreement and condition
required by this  Agreement to be performed or complied with by them at or prior
to the Effective Time.

9.3      LACK OF ADVERSE CHANGE

         Since December 31, 1998,  there shall not have occurred any incident or
event which,  individually or in the aggregate,  has had or is reasonably likely
to result in a Material  Adverse  Effect on Parent as determined by the Company.
For purposes of this condition, the following shall not be considered a Material
Adverse  Effect:  any  effect  or  change  occurring  as a result  of any or any
combination  of any (A) general  economic or financial  conditions  or (B) other
developments that are not unique to such Person and/or its Subsidiaries but also
affect other Persons who  participate or are engaged in the lines of business in
which such Person and/or its Subsidiaries  participate or are engaged or (C) any
action taken in compliance with this Agreement or (D) a Material  Adverse Effect
caused  solely by reason  of a decline  in the price per share of Parent  Common
Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market.

9.4      UPDATE CERTIFICATE

         The  Company  and the  Controlling  Shareholders  shall  have  received
favorable certificates,  dated the Closing Date, signed by Parent and Merger Sub
as to the matters set forth in Sections 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3.

9.5      NO GOVERNMENTAL OR OTHER PROCEEDING; ILLEGALITY

         No  Order  of  any  Governmental  Authority  shall  be in  effect  that
restrains  or  prohibits  the  Merger;  and no  written  advice  shall have been
received by Parent,  Merger Sub, the Company or any Company Subsidiary or by any
of their  respective  counsel  from any  Governmental  Authority,  and remain in
effect,  stating that an action or Proceeding will, if the Merger is consummated
or sought to be  consummated,  be filed  seeking to  invalidate  or restrain the
Merger. No Law or Order shall be enacted, entered, enforced or deemed applicable
to the Merger or the other  transactions  contemplated  hereby  which  makes the
consummation  of  the  Merger  or the  other  transactions  contemplated  hereby
illegal.

9.6      HSR ACT


                                     - 62 -



<PAGE>

         All waiting  periods  applicable to the  consummation of the Merger and
the other transactions  contemplated hereby under the HSR Act shall have expired
or terminated.

9.7      OPINION OF COUNSEL

         Parent  and  Merger Sub shall have  delivered  to the  Company  and the
Controlling  Shareholders  an opinion of Kramer  Levin  Naftalis & Frankel  LLP,
dated  the  Closing  Date  and  addressed  to the  Company  and the  Controlling
Shareholders, as to the matters set forth on Exhibit 9.7 hereto.

9.8      SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL

         This  Agreement,  the  Merger and the other  transactions  contemplated
hereby  shall have been duly  approved by the  requisite  consent of the Company
Shareholders in accordance with the CGCL.

9.9      TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS

         Parent shall have executed and delivered,  or caused to be executed and
delivered, the Employment Agreements,  the Registration Rights Agreement and the
Escrow Agreement.

9.10     CLOSING EXCHANGE PRICE

         If the Closing  Exchange  Price is greater than  $24.1875,  the Company
shall have elected in its sole discretion to consummate the Merger and the other
transactions  contemplated hereby, which election shall be made, if at all, by a
written notice delivered to Merger Sub and Parent.

9.11     CHANGE IN CONTROL OF PARENT

         Since  the date  hereof,  no  Person  shall  have  acquired  beneficial
ownership of more than 50% of the  outstanding  voting  capital stock of Parent,
and  Parent  shall  not have  entered  into any  agreement  to  effect  any such
transaction.

10.      TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

         This  Agreement  may be  terminated  at any time prior to the Effective
Time, notwithstanding approval thereof by the Company Shareholders:

10.1     MUTUAL CONSENT

         By mutual written consent of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company.


                                     - 63 -



<PAGE>

10.2     TRANSACTION DATE

         By Parent,  Merger Sub or the Company if the  Effective  Time shall not
have occurred by September  30, 1999  (subject to  extension,  but not to exceed
sixty (60) days, as necessary to permit all waiting  periods (and any extensions
thereof) applicable to the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated  hereby  under  the HSR Act to expire or  terminate),  unless  such
failure shall be due to a material breach of any representation or warranty,  or
the   nonfulfillment   in  a  material   respect,   and  failure  to  cure  such
nonfulfillment, of any covenant or agreement contained herein on the part of the
party or parties seeking to terminate.

10.3     FINAL ORDER OF GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY

         By Parent or the Company if a Governmental  Authority shall have issued
a  nonappealable  final  Order or taken any other  action  having  the effect of
permanently  restraining,  enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger and the
other  transactions  contemplated  hereby  (provided that the right to terminate
this  Agreement  under this Section 10.3 shall not be available to any party who
has not complied with its obligations under Section 6.12 and such  noncompliance
materially  contributed  to the issuance of any such Order or the taking of such
action).

10.4     BREACH

         By Parent or Merger Sub if there has been a material  misrepresentation
by the Company or any Controlling Shareholder,  or a material breach on the part
of the  Company  or any  Controlling  Shareholder  of any of  their  warranties,
covenants or agreements set forth herein,  or a material  failure on the part of
the  Company or any  Controlling  Shareholder  to comply with any of their other
obligations  hereunder;  or  by  the  Company  if  there  has  been  a  material
misrepresentation  by Parent or Merger Sub, or a material  breach on the part of
Parent or Merger Sub of any of their  warranties,  covenants or  agreements  set
forth  herein,  or a  material  failure  on the part of Parent or Merger  Sub to
comply with any of their other obligations hereunder; provided, however, that if
such breach is curable by a party  within  thirty (30) days through the exercise
of its best efforts,  then for so long as such party  continues to exercise such
best  efforts the other  parties may not  terminate  this  Agreement  under this
Section  10.4 unless such  breach is not cured  within  thirty (30) days (but no
cure period shall be required for a breach which by its nature cannot be cured).

10.5     EFFECT OF TERMINATION

         In the event of the  termination of this Agreement  pursuant to Section
10.1,  10.2, 10.3 or 10.4, this Agreement shall forthwith  become void and there
shall  be no  liability  on  the  part  of  any  party  hereto  or of any of its
affiliates,  Subsidiaries,  directors, officers or shareholders,  except (i) the
Confidentiality Agreement and certain provisions of this Agreement shall survive
such termination as set forth in Section 11.1(c), (ii) nothing herein

                                     - 64 -



<PAGE>

shall relieve any party from liability for any  misrepresentation,  breach of or
failure to comply with this  Agreement and (iii) each party shall  indemnify the
other  parties and hold them harmless from and against any claim for brokers' or
finders' fees arising out of the transactions  contemplated hereby by any Person
claiming to have been engaged by such party.

11.      INDEMNIFICATION

11.1     SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS

         (a)  Except  as   otherwise   provided  in  this  Section   11.1,   the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of each party hereto shall
remain  operative and in full force and effect  regardless of any  investigation
made by or on behalf of any other party  hereto,  any affiliate of such party or
any of their officers,  directors or representatives,  whether prior to or after
the execution of this Agreement.

         (b) The parties' representations and warranties in this Agreement or in
any document or instrument  delivered  pursuant to this Agreement  shall survive
the Merger and the Closing and continue until 5:00 p.m., California time, on the
date that is the earlier of (i) one (1) year  following  the  Effective  Time or
(ii) when the  Escrow  Fund has been  depleted  in its  entirety  and the Escrow
Agreement  has been  terminated in  accordance  with its terms (the  "Expiration
Date").  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence,  any representation or warranty
in respect of which  indemnity  may be sought  under  Section 11.2 or 11.3 shall
survive the time at which it would otherwise terminate pursuant to the preceding
sentence, if the Escrow Fund has not been depleted in the entirety and notice of
the inaccuracy or breach thereof shall have been given to the party against whom
such indemnity may be sought prior to such time.

         (c) The  Confidentiality  Agreement  shall survive  termination of this
Agreement  as  provided  therein.  Sections  6.10(b)  (only with  respect to any
payment obligations  thereunder),  10.5, 11.1(a) and (c), 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.6
and 12 shall survive termination of this Agreement, provided that Sections 11.2,
11.3,  11.4 and 11.6 shall survive  termination  of this  Agreement only if such
termination is pursuant to Section 10.4.

11.2     OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY AND THE CONTROLLING
         SHAREHOLDERS TO INDEMNIFY, REIMBURSE, ETC.

         Subject  to the  provisions  of  Section  11.4,  the  Company  and  the
Controlling Shareholders, and their respective successors and permitted assigns,
jointly and  severally,  shall  indemnify,  reimburse,  defend and hold harmless
Parent,  Merger Sub and the Surviving  Corporation and each of their  successors
and  permitted  assigns  and  each  of  their  respective  directors,  officers,
employees,   affiliates,   Subsidiaries  and  their  respective  successors  and
permitted  assigns (each a "Parent  Indemnitee") from and against (i) all Losses
resulting from, imposed upon,  incurred or suffered by any of them,  directly or
indirectly, based upon,


                                     - 65 -



<PAGE>

arising out of or otherwise in respect of any inaccuracy in or any breach of any
representation,   warranty,   covenant  or  agreement  of  the  Company  or  any
Controlling Shareholder, (ii) all Environmental,  Health, and Safety Liabilities
arising out of, or attributable or relating to, the operations of the Company or
any Company  Subsidiary  prior to the Closing Date, and the Facilities and (iii)
all Losses and/or Environmental,  Health, and Safety Liabilities resulting from,
imposed upon, incurred or suffered by any of them, directly or indirectly, based
upon,  arising out of or otherwise in respect of the  liabilities or obligations
identified in item 8 of Section 4.6 of the Disclosure  Schedule.  For purpose of
this Agreement,  "Losses" shall mean any claims, losses,  liabilities,  damages,
causes  of  action,  costs  and  expenses  (including   reasonable   attorneys',
accountants',  consultants' and experts' fees and expenses),  net of (x) any Tax
benefits,  savings or reductions and (y) any insurance proceeds (which Parent or
the Controlling Shareholders,  as applicable,  shall use reasonable best efforts
to pursue),  in either case which the indemnitee  actually receives by virtue of
such claims, losses, liabilities, damages, causes of action, costs and expenses.

11.3     OBLIGATION OF PARENT TO INDEMNIFY, REIMBURSE, ETC.

         Subject to the  provisions of Section  11.4,  Parent and Merger Sub and
their respective successors and permitted assigns, jointly and severally,  shall
indemnify,  reimburse,  defend and hold harmless the Company and the Controlling
Shareholders  and each of their  successors  and  permitted  assigns and each of
their respective directors,  officers, employees,  affiliates,  Subsidiaries and
their respective  successors and assigns (each a "Company  Indemnitee") from and
against any Losses resulting from, imposed upon,  incurred or suffered by any of
them, directly or indirectly, based upon, arising out of or otherwise in respect
of any  inaccuracy  in or breach of any  representation,  warranty,  covenant or
agreement of Parent or Merger Sub.

11.4     LIMITS ON INDEMNIFICATION, REIMBURSEMENT, ETC.

         (a) Absent  fraud of any party (for which there shall be no  limitation
of liability of any party),  no Parent  Indemnitee or Company  Indemnitee  shall
have any right to seek  indemnification,  reimbursement  or  defense  under this
Agreement or the Escrow Agreement until Losses and/or Environmental, Health, and
Safety  Liabilities which would otherwise be indemnifiable  hereunder,  and have
been incurred by such party and other indemnitees  associated with or related to
such party,  exceed  $250,000 in the aggregate,  at which point only such Losses
and/or  Environmental,  Health,  and Safety Liabilities in excess of $250,000 in
the aggregate  shall be fully  indemnifiable  subject to Section 11.4(c) hereof,
provided  that this  Section  11.4(a)  shall not apply with  respect  any Losses
and/or  Environmental,  Health,  and  Safety  Liabilities  specified  in Section
11.2(iii), which Losses and/or Environmental, Health, and Safety Liabilities, if
any,  shall not be counted  towards  the  $250,000  deductible  provided in this
Section 11.4(a) but shall be subject to Section 11.4(b) hereof.

         (b) Absent  fraud of any party (for which there shall be no  limitation
of liability of any party),  no Parent  Indemnitee  shall have any right to seek
indemnification, reimbursement

                                     - 66 -



<PAGE>

or defense  under this  Agreement  or the Escrow  Agreement in respect of Losses
and/or  Environmental,  Health,  and  Safety  Liabilities  specified  in Section
11.2(iii) until such Losses and/or Environmental, Health, and Safety Liabilities
which would otherwise be indemnifiable hereunder, and have been incurred by such
party and other  indemnitees  associated  with or related to such party,  exceed
$250,000 in the aggregate, at which point only such Losses and/or Environmental,
Health,  and Safety  Liabilities in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate shall be
fully indemnifiable subject to Section 11.4(c) hereof.

         (c) Absent  fraud of any party (for which there shall be no  limitation
of liability of any party),  the Parent  Indemnitees'  sole right and remedy for
indemnification  and reimbursement under this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement
shall be limited to the shares and other assets in the Escrow Fund. Absent fraud
of any party (for which there shall be no limitation of liability of any party),
the  Company   Indemnitees'  sole  right  and  remedy  for  indemnification  and
reimbursement  under this Agreement,  the Registration  Rights Agreement and the
Escrow Agreement shall be limited to the value of the shares and other assets in
the Escrow Fund as the Closing Date (as determined in accordance with the Escrow
Agreement).

         (d) Absent fraud of any party (for which there shall be no  limitations
of liability of any party),  no Parent  Indemnitee  shall have any right to seek
indemnification,  reimbursement  or defense  under this  Agreement or the Escrow
Agreement  in  respect  of  Losses  and/or  Environmental,  Health,  and  Safety
Liabilities  after the date of issuance of the first  independent  audit  report
with respect to the financial statements of Parent after the Effective Time if a
claim in  respect  of such  Losses  and/or  Environmental,  Health,  and  Safety
Liabilities  is of a type expected to be  encountered  in the course of an audit
performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.

11.5     ESCROW ARRANGEMENTS

         Concurrent  with the Effective  Time, the Escrow Amount shall be placed
in the Escrow  Fund,  to be governed by the terms of the Escrow  Agreement.  The
Escrow Fund shall be available to compensate the Parent  Indemnitees  for Losses
and/or Environmental,  Health, and Safety Liabilities in accordance with Section
11.2.  The terms and conditions of the Escrow Fund shall be set forth more fully
in the Escrow Agreement.  The Escrow Fund shall terminate in accordance with the
Escrow Agreement.

11.6     INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES

         (a)  Notice.  Whenever  any third  Person  claim  shall arise for which
indemnification  may be sought  hereunder  (a  "Claim"),  the party  entitled to
indemnification  (the  "Indemnitee")  shall  promptly  give  notice to the party
obligated  to provide  indemnity  (the  "Indemnitor")  with respect to the Claim
after the  receipt by the  Indemnitee  of reliable  information  as to the facts
constituting the basis for the Claim; but the failure to timely give such notice
shall not relieve  the  Indemnitor  from any  obligation  under this  Agreement,
except to the extent,  if any,  that the  Indemnitor  is  materially  prejudiced
thereby.

                                     - 67 -



<PAGE>

         (b)  Defense.  (i) Upon  delivery  of notice from the  Indemnitee  of a
Claim, the Indemnitee may elect to assume the defense of such Claim by selecting
counsel to defend the Indemnitee  against the matter from which the Claim arose,
at the Indemnitor's sole cost, risk and expense.  The Indemnitor shall cooperate
in all reasonable  respects,  at the  Indemnitor's  sole cost, risk and expense,
with the Indemnitee and its counsel in the investigation, trial, defense and any
appeal  arising from the matter from which the Claim arose and shall  deliver to
the  Indemnitee or its counsel  copies of all  pleadings  and other  information
within the  Indemnitor's  knowledge or  possession  reasonably  requested by the
Indemnitee or its counsel that are relevant to the defense of the subject of any
such Claim and that will not  prejudice  the  Indemnitor's  position,  claims or
defenses. The Indemnitor shall not be liable for any settlement effected without
its prior consent, such consent not to be unreasonably  withheld. If the subject
of any Claim  results in a judgment or settlement  consistent  with the terms of
this  Section  11.6(b),  the  Indemnitor  shall  promptly  pay such  judgment or
settlement.  The Indemnitee  shall consult with the Indemnitor in good faith and
in  a  commercially  reasonable  manner,   including  providing  notice  of  any
significant  development  in the defense of any Claim,  in  connection  with the
defense of any Claim under this Section 11.6(b)(i).

                  (ii) In the event that the Indemnitee elects not to assume the
defense of such Claim,  the Indemnitor shall assume the defense of such Claim by
providing  counsel  (such  counsel  subject to the  reasonable  approval  of the
Indemnitee)  to defend the  Indemnitee  against  the matter from which the Claim
arose, at the  Indemnitor's  sole cost, risk and expense.  The Indemnitee  shall
cooperate in all reasonable  respects,  at the Indemnitor's  sole cost, risk and
expense,  with the  Indemnitor  and its  counsel  in the  investigation,  trial,
defense and any appeal  arising from the matter from which the Claim arose.  The
Indemnitor  shall  have the  right to elect to settle  any  claim  for  monetary
damages  without the  Indemnitee's  consent  only if the  settlement  includes a
complete release of the Indemnitee.  Any other settlement will be subject to the
consent of the  Indemnitee.  The  Indemnitor  may not admit any liability of the
Indemnitee  or waive any of the  Indemnitee's  rights  without the  Indemnitee's
prior consent.

12.      GENERAL PROVISIONS

12.1     EXPENSES

         Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each party to
this  Agreement will bear its respective  fees,  costs and expenses  incurred in
connection  with the  preparation,  execution,  delivery and performance of this
Agreement,  including all fees,  costs and expenses of agents,  representatives,
counsel and accountants.

12.2     CONVEYANCE DOCUMENTS AND TAXES

         The parties shall cooperate in the preparation, execution and filing of
all returns, questionnaires, applications, or other documents regarding any real
or personal property transfer or any gains,  sales, use, transfer,  value added,
stock transfer and stamp taxes, any transfer, recording,  registration and other
fees, and any similar taxes which become payable

                                     - 68 -



<PAGE>

in connection  with the  transactions  contemplated  hereby that are required or
permitted to be filed,  whether before,  on or after the Effective Time, and the
Company and Parent shall each be responsible  for the payment of one-half of all
such taxes and fees.

12.3     PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

         Unless required by law, any public  announcement  or similar  publicity
with  respect  to  this  Agreement,   the  Closing,  the  Merger  or  the  other
transactions  contemplated hereby will be issued, if at all, at such time and in
such manner as Parent  determines  with the  concurrence  of the Company,  which
concurrence shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed by the Company. Unless
disclosure is consented to by Parent in advance or required by law or disclosure
has otherwise  already been made, the Company and the  Controlling  Shareholders
shall keep this  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  strictly
confidential  and  may  not  make  any  disclosure  of  this  Agreement  or such
transactions  to any  Person  other  than  its  or  their  directors,  officers,
employees or agents who need to know such  information to enable the Company and
the Controlling  Shareholders to comply with this Agreement,  provided that each
such  director,  officer,  employee  or agent  shall  agree,  for the benefit of
Parent, to maintain the  confidentiality of such information as provided in this
Section 12.3. The Company and Parent will consult with each other concerning the
means by which the Company's and the Company Subsidiaries' employees,  customers
and  suppliers  and other Persons  having  dealings with the Company  and/or the
Company Subsidiaries will be informed of this Agreement, the Closing, the Merger
and the other transactions  contemplated  hereby, and  representatives of Parent
may at its option be present for any such communication.

12.4     NOTICES

         All notices,  consents,  waivers,  and other  communications under this
Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when (a)
delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt),  (b) sent by fax (with
written  confirmation of receipt),  provided that a copy is mailed by registered
mail, return receipt requested,  or (c) when received by the addressee,  if sent
by a nationally  recognized overnight delivery service (receipt  requested),  in
each case to the  appropriate  addresses  or fax  numbers set forth below (or to
such other address, person's attention or fax number as a party may designate by
notice to the other parties given in accordance with this Section 12.4):

                  (a)         If to Parent or Merger Sub:

                              ATMI, Inc.
                              7 Commerce Drive
                              Danbury, CT  06810
                              Telecopier No.: (203) 792-8040
                              Telephone No.:  (203) 794-1100
                              Attention: Daniel P. Sharkey


                                     - 69 -



<PAGE>

                  With a copy to:

                              Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
                              919 Third Avenue
                              New York, NY  10022
                              Telecopier No.: (212) 715-8000
                              Telephone No.:  (212) 715-9100
                              Attention: Mark B. Segall

                  (b)         If to the Company or the Controlling Shareholders:

                              Delatech Incorporated
                              830 Latour Court
                              Napa, CA 94558
                              Telecopier No.: (707) 257-1964
                              Telephone No.:  (707) 257-1960
                              Attention: Tamara J. Rix

                  With a copy to:

                              Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe
                              2500 Sand Hill Road, Suite 100
                              Menlo Park, CA  94025
                              Telecopier No.: (650) 234-4299
                              Telephone No.:  (650) 234-4200
                              Attention: August J. Moretti


12.5     JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS

         Any  Proceeding  seeking to enforce any  provision  of, or based on any
right arising out of, this  Agreement may be brought  against any of the parties
in the courts of the State of Delaware or the United States  District  Court for
the State of Delaware,  and each of the parties  consents to the jurisdiction of
such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts) in any such Proceeding and
waives  any  objection  to venue laid  therein.  Service of process or any other
papers in any such  Proceeding  may be made by  registered  or  certified  mail,
return receipt requested, pursuant to the provisions of Section 12.4.

12.6     FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE

         No failure or delay on the part of any party  hereto in the exercise of
any right  hereunder  shall impair such right or be construed to be a waiver of,
or  acquiescence  in, any breach of any  representation,  warranty,  covenant or
agreement  herein,  nor shall any single or partial  exercise  of any such right
preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other


                                     - 70 -



<PAGE>

right. All rights and remedies  existing under this Agreement are cumulative to,
and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

12.7     ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND MODIFICATION

         This  Agreement   supersedes  all  prior  agreements  (other  than  the
Confidentiality  Agreement),  whether  written  or oral,  between  or among  the
parties  with  respect to its  subject  matter and  constitutes  (along with the
documents  referred to in this Agreement) the entire agreement among the parties
with respect to its subject matter.  This Agreement may not be amended except by
a written agreement executed by each party hereto.

12.8     ASSIGNMENTS, SUCCESSORS, AND NO THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS

         No party may assign any of its rights under this Agreement  without the
prior written  consent of the other parties except that Parent may assign any of
its  rights,  but  not its  obligations,  under  this  Agreement  to any  direct
wholly-owned  Subsidiary  of Parent.  Subject to the  preceding  sentence,  this
Agreement  will  apply to, be  binding in all  respects  upon,  and inure to the
benefit  of the  successors  and  permitted  assigns  of the  parties  and their
respective heirs and personal representatives.  Nothing expressed or referred to
in this Agreement will be construed to give any Person other than the parties to
this Agreement and the Persons contemplated by Article 11 any legal or equitable
right,  remedy or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision
of this Agreement.

12.9     SEVERABILITY

         (a) If any provision of this  Agreement or the  application of any such
provision  to any party or  circumstances  shall be  determined  by any court of
competent  jurisdiction  to be  invalid  or  unenforceable  to any  extent,  the
remainder of this Agreement,  or the application of such provision to such party
or circumstances  other than those to which it is so determined to be invalid or
unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each provision hereof shall be
enforced  to the fullest  extent  permitted  by law. If the final  judgment of a
court of competent  jurisdiction  declares that any item or provision  hereof is
invalid or  unenforceable,  the parties  hereto  agree that the court making the
determination of invalidity or  unenforceability  shall have the power to reduce
the scope,  duration or area of the term or provision,  to delete specific words
or phrases and to replace any invalid or unenforceable  term or provision with a
term or  provision  that is valid and  enforceable  and that  comes  closest  to
expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision,  and
this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified.

         (b) The  parties  agree  that the fees and other  amounts  provided  in
Section  6.10(b) are fair and  reasonable  in the  circumstances.  If a court of
competent jurisdiction shall nonetheless,  by a final,  non-appealable judgment,
determine  that such amounts  exceed the maximum  amount  permitted by law, then
such amounts shall be reduced to the maximum


                                     - 71 -



<PAGE>

amount  permitted by law in the  circumstances,  as  determined by such court of
competent jurisdiction.

12.10    SECTION HEADINGS, CONSTRUCTION

         The headings of Sections in this Agreement are provided for convenience
only and will not affect its construction or  interpretation.  In this Agreement
(i) words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa,  (ii) "it" or
"its"  or  words  denoting  any  gender  include  all  genders,  (iii)  the word
"including" shall mean "including without limitation," whether or not expressed,
(iv) any  reference  to a statute  shall mean the  statute  and any  regulations
thereunder in force as of the date of this  Agreement or the Effective  Time, as
applicable,  unless otherwise expressly provided,  (v) any reference herein to a
Section,  Article,  Schedule  or Exhibit  refers to a Section or Article of or a
Schedule or Exhibit to this Agreement,  unless otherwise  stated,  and (vi) when
calculating  the period of time within or following  which any act is to be done
or steps taken,  the date which is the reference day in calculating  such period
shall be excluded and if the last day of such period is not a business day, then
the  period  shall  end on the next day  which is a  business  day.  Each  party
acknowledges  that he, she or it has been advised and  represented by counsel in
the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and accordingly agrees
that if an  ambiguity  exists with respect to any  provision of this  Agreement,
such  provision  shall not be construed  against any party because such party or
its representatives drafted such provision.

12.11    GOVERNING LAW

         This  Agreement  will be governed by the internal  laws of the State of
Delaware without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

12.12    COUNTERPARTS

         This  Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,  each of
which will be deemed to be an original copy of this  Agreement and all of which,
when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.


                                     - 72 -


<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  have  executed  and  delivered  this
Agreement as of the date first written above.

                                ATMI, INC.


                                By /s/ Daniel P. Sharkey
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Daniel P. Sharkey
                                  Title: Vice President, Chief Financial
                                         Officer and Treasurer

                                NAPA ACQUISITION CORP.


                                By /s/ Daniel P. Sharkey
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                   Name:  Daniel P. Sharkey
                                   Title: Vice President and Secretary

                                DELATECH INCORPORATED


                                By /s/ Roger J.B. McKinley, Sr.
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Roger J.B. McKinley, Sr.
                                  Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



                                  /s/ Timothy L.F. Herman
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                 TIMOTHY L.F. HERMAN



                                 /s/ Margaret E. Herman
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                 MARGARET "PEGGY" E. HERMAN



                                 /s/ Roger J.B. McKinley, Sr.
                                 ----------------------------------------------
                                 ROGER J.B. McKINLEY, SR.


                                 /s/ Corenne M. McKinley
                                 ----------------------------------------------
                                 CORENNE M. McKINLEY


                [Signature page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]


                                      - 73 -






                                                                 Exhibit 99.1


                         ATMI Completes ACSI Acquisition

       $27 Million Deal Puts ATMI into Photolithography and CMP Materials

DANBURY,  CT--(BUSINESS  WIRE)--June 1, 1999--ATMI,  Inc. (Nasdaq: ATMI - news),
today  announced it has completed its acquisition of Advanced  Chemical  Systems
International,  Inc.  (ACSI)  of  Milpitas,  California.  Under the  pooling  of
interests  transaction,  ATMI  issued  1.2  million  common  shares for all ACSI
interests.  ACSI joins ATMI's other specialty  materials products under the ATMI
Materials banner.

Doug Neugold,  Executive Vice-President of ATMI Materials,  said, "Adding ACSI's
photolithography and CMP (chemical mechanical  polishing) materials expertise to
ATMI  moves us closer to our goal -  becoming  the first  company  semiconductor
manufacturers turn to for all their front-end specialty materials  requirements.
ATMI's  innovative  materials  portfolio now encompasses  materials for chemical
vapor  deposition  (CVD),  CMP, ion implant,  photolithography,  and high-purity
materials packaging."

Richard  Brewer,  President  of  ACSI,  commented,  "ACSI's  innovative  CMP and
photolithography   materials   are   complementary   to  ATMI's   leading   edge
semiconductor materials. Together, with ATMI Materials, we are looking to expand
our abilities - in variety and  geography - to serve our customers  with an ever
more  comprehensive  set of  specialty  materials  for the global  semiconductor
industry."

Dan Sharkey,  ATMI CFO, said,  "ATMI will take an one-time  charge in the second
quarter  of 1998 to cover the  costs of  completing  the  TeloSense,  ACSI,  and
Delatech transactions. We anticipate these transactions will be accretive."

Advanced Chemical Systems International,  Inc. offers the semiconductor industry
photolithography  chemicals and novel,  high-purity  CMP  materials  that ensure
greater surface planarity.  ACSI has 85 employees and had revenues more than $17
million in 1998.

ATMI provides products and services for semiconductor device manufacture through
its Materials and  Technologies  units.  ATMI Materials  includes ADCS thin film
materials and delivery systems, NovaSource sub-atmospheric gas delivery systems,
and NOW high-purity  materials  packaging  systems.  ATMI Technologies  includes
EcoSys process and  environmental  solutions,  Epitronics  thin film  deposition
services, Emosyn smart card solutions, and other ATMI ventures.

Statements which are not historical information are forward looking, and involve
risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: changes in semiconductor
industry growth or ATMI's markets;  competition,  problems, or delays developing
and commercializing new products,  and other factors discussed in ATMI's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Such risks and uncertainties could
cause actual results to differ from those projected.


<PAGE>

http://web.atmi.com

http://www.answerman.com


Contact:

     Dean Hamilton
     ATMI
     203/794-1100
     [email protected]






                                                                Exhibit 99.2


                   ATMI Acquires Delatech in $50 Million Deal

       Solidifies EcoSys Semiconductor Environmental Unit as Global Leader

DANBURY,  CT--(BUSINESS  WIRE)--June 1, 1999--ATMI,  Inc. (Nasdaq: ATMI - news),
today announced it acquired Delatech Incorporated (Milpitas,  California) on May
31st.  ATMI issued  2.3475  million  common  shares in exchange for all Delatech
shares  in  this  pooling  of  interests   deal.   Delatech,   a   semiconductor
environmental  equipment supplier,  becomes part of ATMI's EcoSys  semiconductor
process and environmental controls business.

Jim Burns,  President of EcoSys,  said,  "EcoSys's  goal is to be able to supply
every  semiconductor  manufacturing  customer  with  all the  environmental  and
process gas  monitoring  solutions  they need.  Adding  Delatech's  products and
expertise to our existing  product  line enables  EcoSys to offer our  customers
complete   applications   coverage  while  strengthening  our  position  as  the
technology leader in effluent abatement."

Roger  McKinley,  CEO of  Delatech,  commented,  "Delatech  and  EcoSys are both
excited by the  prospects  before us.  Combining  Delatech and EcoSys  creates a
global  organization  with the  critical  mass in sales  and  service  to be the
semiconductor industry's true leader in comprehensive environmental solutions."

Peter Kirlin, Executive Vice President of ATMI Technologies, said, "ATMI intends
to become  the  company  the  semiconductor  industry  turns to for  innovative,
integrated materials,  equipment,  and service solutions.  Together,  EcoSys and
Delatech  environmental  solutions  and  services  are  second  to  none  in the
semiconductor gas sensor and abatement market."

Delatech  Incorporated,  a  private  company,  was  founded  in 1991 to  provide
environmental  abatement  equipment  to the  semiconductor  industry.  Based  in
Milpitas,  California,  it has  approximately 110 employees and 1998 revenues in
excess of $20 million.  Major  customers of Delatech  products  include  Applied
Materials,   United  Microelectronics  Corp.  (UMC),  and  Taiwan  Semiconductor
Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC).

ATMI provides products and services for semiconductor device manufacture through
its Materials and  Technologies  units.  ATMI Materials  includes ADCS thin film
materials and delivery systems, NovaSource sub-atmospheric gas delivery systems,
and NOW high-purity  materials  packaging  systems.  ATMI Technologies  includes
EcoSys  environmental  and process  solutions,  Epitronics  thin film deposition
services, Emosyn smart card solutions, and other ATMI ventures.

Statements which are not historical information are forward looking, and involve
risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: changes in semiconductor
industry growth or ATMI's markets;  competition,  problems, or delays developing
and commercializing new products,  and other factors discussed in ATMI's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Such risks and uncertainties could
cause actual results to differ from those projected.


<PAGE>

http://web.atmi.com


Contact:

     Dean Hamilton
     ATMI
     203/794-1100
     [email protected]








© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission