BIO RAD LABORATORIES INC
10-Q, 1999-11-12
LABORATORY ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS
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   <PAGE>
                             UNITED STATES
                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                        Washington, D.C.  20549

                               Form 10-Q

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

   For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999.

                                   OR

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

   For the transition period from ____________  to  ____________.

                       Commission file number 1-7928

                         BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
         (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         Delaware                                   94-1381833
   (State or other jurisdiction                    (I.R.S. Employer
    of incorporation)                              Identification No.)

       1000 Alfred Nobel Drive, Hercules, California 94547
   (Address of principal executive offices)       (Zip Code)

   Registrant's telephone number, including area code   (510) 724-7000


   Indicate  by  check whether  the  registrant  (1) has  filed  all
   reports  required  to be  filed by  Section  13 or  15(d)  of the
   Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
   for  such shorter period that the registrant was required to file
   such  reports),  and   (2)  has  been  subject   to  such  filing
   requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  X   No ___

   Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's
   classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date--

              <TABLE>
              <CAPTION>
                                                   Shares Outstanding
              Title of each Class                  at October 31, 1999
              <S>                                  <C>
              Class A Common Stock,
               Par Value $1.00 per share           9,977,762

              Class B Common Stock,
               Par Value $1.00 per share           2,484,816

              </TABLE>

   <PAGE>
  PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   Item 1.  Financial Statements



                                    BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.

                           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                              (In thousands, except per share data)
                                           (Unaudited)
  <TABLE>
  <CAPTION>
                                                    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                                       September 30,         September 30,
                                                      1999      1998        1999        1998

   <S>                                              <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>
   NET SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $113,527  $ 98,982    $355,059    $323,054

   Cost of goods sold  . . . . . . . . . . . . .      51,899    45,405     158,008     146,544

   GROSS PROFIT  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      61,628    53,577     197,051     176,510

   Selling, general and administrative expense .      43,618    41,042     128,440     123,610

   Product research and development expense  . .      10,999    10,243      32,449      30,784

   INCOME FROM OPERATIONS  . . . . . . . . . . .       7,011     2,292      36,162      22,116

   Interest expense  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (755)     (941)     (2,458)     (2,817)

   Investment income, net. . . . . . . . . . . .         516     1,955         939       7,585

   Other, net  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (815)     (577)     (2,520)     (1,722)

   INCOME BEFORE TAXES . . . . . . . . . . . . .       5,957     2,729      32,123      25,162

   Provision for income taxes  . . . . . . . . .       1,704       791       9,187       7,297

   NET INCOME  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $  4,253  $  1,938    $ 22,936    $ 17,865
                                                    ========  ========    ========    ========

   Basic earnings per share:
      Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $0.35     $0.16       $1.89       $1.46
                                                    ========  ========    ========    ========
      Weighted average common shares . . . . . .      12,111    12,302      12,105      12,259
                                                    ========  ========    ========    ========
   Diluted earnings per share:
      Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $0.35     $0.16       $1.89       $1.44
                                                    ========  ========    ========    ========

      Weighted average common shares . . . . . .      12,195    12,394      12,164      12,381
                                                    ========  ========    ========    ========
</TABLE>

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

                                            1
<PAGE>




                             BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
                         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                           (In thousands, except share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             September 30,   December 31,
                                                                   1999           1998
                                                              (Unaudited)
   <S>                                                       <C>             <C>
   ASSETS:
   Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $ 11,826        $ 10,081
   Accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       105,213         106,010
   Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        96,385          92,411
   Prepaid expenses, taxes and other current assets. . . . .        26,927          26,887
      Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       240,351         235,389

   Net property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . .        85,005          82,130
   Marketable securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,539           6,174
   Other assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        49,236          43,606
        Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $376,131        $367,299
                                                                  ========        ========

   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
   Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt. .      $  9,747         $ 9,393
   Accounts payable  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        22,348          26,706
   Accrued payroll and employee benefits . . . . . . . . . .        30,379          27,351
   Sales, income and other taxes payable . . . . . . . . . .         2,059           6,396
   Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        27,541          27,398

      Total current liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        92,074          97,244
   Long-term debt, net of current maturities . . . . . . . .        35,367          42,339
   Deferred tax liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        14,494          13,382

      Total liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       141,935         152,965
   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
   Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 2,300,000 shares
     authorized; none outstanding  . . . . . . . . . . . . .            --              --
   Class A common stock, $1.00 par value, 15,000,000 shares
     authorized; outstanding - 9,977,762 at September 30, 1999
     and 9,973,679 at December 31, 1998  . . . . . . . . . .         9,978           9,974
   Class B common stock, $1.00 par value, 6,000,000 shares
     authorized; outstanding - 2,484,816 at September 30, 1999
     and 2,452,899 at December 31, 1998  . . . . . . . . . .         2,485           2,453
   Additional paid-in capital  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        18,779          18,523
   Class A treasury stock, 348,080 shares at September 30, 1999
     and 306,368 shares at December 31, 1998 at cost . . . .        (7,670)         (7,047)
   Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       212,201         189,838
   Accumulated other comprehensive income:
      Currency translation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (1,540)             92
      Net unrealized holding gain (loss)on marketable
        securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (37)            501

      Total stockholders' equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       234,196         214,334
         Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  . . . .      $376,131        $367,299
                                                                  ========        ========
 </TABLE>

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

                                            2
<PAGE>


                                   BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
                         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                         (In thousands)
                                           (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Nine Months Ended
                                                                             September 30,
                                                                           1999        1998
   <S>                                                                  <C>         <C>
   Cash flows from operating activities:
        Cash received from customers . . . . . . . . . . . .            $350,345    $323,661
        Cash paid to suppliers and employees . . . . . . . .            (311,890)   (298,711)
        Interest paid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              (2,508)     (2,680)
        Income tax payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             (12,987)     (6,580)
        Miscellaneous receipts (payments). . . . . . . . . .                 (47)        170
        Net cash provided by operating activities. . . . . .              22,913      15,860

   Cash flows from investing activities:
        Capital expenditures, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . .             (17,809)    (14,415)
        Purchases of marketable securities and investments .              (2,148)    (17,922)
        Sales of marketable securities and investments . . .               6,230      13,791
        Foreign currency hedges, net . . . . . . . . . . . .               1,585          20
        Net cash used in investing activities. . . . . . . .             (12,142)    (18,526)

   Cash flows from financing activities:
        Net borrowings under line-of-credit arrangements . .                (143)       (400)
        Long-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              94,225     108,910
        Payments on long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . .            (103,032)   (109,345)
        Proceeds from issuance of common stock . . . . . . .                 292          58
        Treasury stock activity, net . . . . . . . . . . . .              (1,196)      1,156

        Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities.              (9,854)        379
   Effect of exchange rate changes on cash . . . . . . . . .                 828        (221)

   Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents. . .               1,745      (2,508)
   Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period. . . . .              10,081      10,843

   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period. . . . . . . .             $l1,826     $ 8,335
                                                                         =======     =======
   Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided
     by operating activities:
      Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            $ 22,936    $ 17,865
      Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
        provided by operating activities:
          Depreciation and amortization. . . . . . . . . . .              16,589      15,276
          Foreign currency hedge transactions, net . . . . .              (1,585)        (20)
          Gains on disposition of marketable securities. . .                (870)     (7,518)
          (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable . . . .              (2,268)      1,622
          Increase in inventories  . . . . . . . . . . . . .              (4,800)     (5,451)
          Increase in other current assets . . . . . . . . .                (733)       (203)
          Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other
            current liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .               1,126      (6,978)
          Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable. . . .              (5,232)      1,054
          Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              (2,250)        213

   Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . .            $ 22,913    $ 15,860
                                                                         =======     =======
</TABLE>
     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

                                               3
  <PAGE>

                      BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.

         Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
                             (Unaudited)

  1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial
  statements of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. ("Bio-Rad" or the
  "Company"), reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of
  management, necessary to a fair statement of the results of the
  interim periods presented.  All such adjustments are of a normal
  recurring nature.  The condensed consolidated financial
  statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to
  consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's
  Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998 (the Company's
  1998 Annual Report).  Certain amounts in the financial statements
  of the prior year have been reclassified to be consistent with
  the 1999 presentation.

  2. INVENTORIES

  The principal components of inventories are as follows:

  <TABLE>
  <CAPTION>

                                       September 30,  December 31,
                                           1999           1998
                                              (in thousands)
  <S>                                    <C>            <C>
  Raw materials                          $ 26,168       $ 26,038
  Work in process                          19,404         21,614
  Finished goods                           50,813         44,759

                                         $ 96,385       $ 92,411
                                         ========       ========
  </TABLE>

  3. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

  The principal components of property, plant and equipment are as
  follows:

  <TABLE>
  <CAPTION>
                                       September 30,   December 31,
                                            1999           1998
                                              (in thousands)
  <S>                                    <C>            <C>
  Land and improvements                  $  8,057       $  8,057
  Buildings and leasehold
    improvements                           58,078         56,280
  Equipment                               138,873        133,838
                                          205,008        198,175
  Accumulated depreciation               (120,003)      (116,045)

  Net property, plant and equipment      $ 85,005       $ 82,130
                                         ========       ========

  </TABLE>



                                  4

  <PAGE>





  4.   LONG TERM DEBT

  The Company entered into a $200 million credit facility
  (consisting of a $100 million term loan and a $100 million
  revolving credit line) on September 30, 1999, replacing the $100
  million credit agreement previously in place.  The new facility
  provides for borrowings on a secured basis through September 30,
  2004.  Interest is based upon the Eurocurrency rate, the Federal
  Funds Effective rate or Bank One's base rate.

  The Company also entered into a $100 million Senior Subordinated
  Credit Agreement on September 30, 1999.  This agreement has a one
  year term and provides for an automatic rollover for an
  additional term expiring September 30, 2005.  The agreement
  requires warrants to be placed in escrow equal to 10% of the
  Company's fully diluted stock.  The lenders are entitled to
  receive these warrants in 25% quarterly increments beginning
  April 1, 2000.  The warrants entitle the holder to purchase the
  Company's stock at 10% over the September 30, 1999 closing stock
  price.  The warrants expire September 30, 2009.  Interest is
  based upon LIBOR plus 6.0% for the first 180 days of the
  agreement.  The incremental rate increases 0.5% every quarter
  thereafter to a maximum of 18.0%.

  The lenders have placed restrictions on the Company's ability to:
  borrow further, service this and other debt, make expenditures
  for capital improvements, pay dividends, repurchase the Company's
  own stock and/or make strategic and tactical investments in
  support of operating the business.  The Company is also required
  to comply with certain financial ratios.

  5.   EARNINGS PER SHARE

  Weighted average shares used for diluted earnings per share
  include the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options of
  84,000 and 92,000 shares, for the quarters ended September 30,
  1999 and 1998, respectively.

  Weighted average shares used for diluted earnings per share
  include the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options of
  59,000 and 122,000 shares, for the year-to-date periods ended
  September 30, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

  Options to purchase 262,000 and 140,000 shares of common stock
  were outstanding during 1999 and 1998, respectively, but were
  excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share
  because the exercise price of the options was greater than the
  average market price of the common shares.  The options were
  still outstanding at September 30, 1999.


                                  5

  <PAGE>


  6.   COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

  The components of the Company's total comprehensive income were:

  <TABLE>
  <CAPTION>

                                              Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
                                                 September 30,        September 30,
                                               1999        1998      1999       1998
                                                          (in thousands)
    <S>                                      <C>          <C>       <C>        <C>
    Net income                               $ 4,253      $ 1,938   $22,936    $17,865
    Currency translation adjustments           1,670        1,828    (1,632)       851
    Net unrealized holding gains (losses)       (404)        (739)       82        696
    Reclassification adjustments for
      gains included in net income              (367)      (1,337)     (620)    (5,337)

    Total comprehensive income               $ 5,152      $ 1,690   $20,766    $14,075

  </TABLE>

  7.   SEGMENT INFORMATION

  Information regarding industry segments for the three months
  ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 is as follows (in thousands):

  <TABLE>
  <CAPTION>
                                     Life         Clinical    Analytical
                                   Science      Diagnostics   Instruments
  <S>                       <C>    <C>            <C>           <C>
  Segment net sales         1999   $53,416        $45,478       $15,002
                            1998    48,040         40,049        12,163

  Segment profit (loss)     1999   $ 1,976        $ 5,091       $   180
                            1998     1,124          3,988        (2,802)

  </TABLE>

  Information regarding industry segments for the nine months ended
  September 30, 1999 and 1998 is as follows (in thousands):

  <TABLE>
  <CAPTION>

                                  Life      Clinical     Analytical
                                Science   Diagnostics    Instruments
  <S>                      <C>  <C>        <C>            <C>
  Segment net sales        1999 $169,477   $138,111       $49,116
                           1998  151,821    126,228        48,121

  Segment profit (loss)    1999 $ 13,708    $20,772       $   942
                           1998    9,366     14,565        (3,424)

  </TABLE>

  Inter-segment sales are primarily between Life Science and Clinical
  Diagnostics and are priced to give Life Science a representative gross
  margin.  The following reconciles total segment profit to consolidated
  income before taxes:

  <TABLE>
  <CAPTION>

                                          Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                            September 30,         September 30,
                                          1999         1998      1999        1998
                                                        (in thousands)
    <S>                                 <C>          <C>          <C>      <C>
    Total segment profit                $7,247       $2,313       $35,422  $20,507

    Gross profit on inter-segment sales   (176)        (671)         (813)  (1,575)
    Net corporate operating, interest
     and other expense not allocated
     to segments                        (1,630)        (868)       (3,425)  (1,355)
    Investment income, net                 516        1,955           939    7,585

    Consolidated income before taxes    $5,957       $2,729       $32,123  $25,162
                                        ======       =======      =======  =======
  </TABLE>

                                              6

  <PAGE>

  8.  SUBSEQUENT EVENT

  On October 1, 1999, Bio-Rad acquired Pasteur Sanofi Diagnostics S.A.,
  a French corporation ("PSD"), from its shareholders, Sanofi-Synthelabo
  S.A. and Institut Pasteur.  Bio-Rad acquired 100% of the capital stock
  of PSD (and certain ancillary assets and assumed liabilities related
  to PSD) for a purchase price, subject to post-closing adjustments, not
  to exceed $210 million.  The cash purchase price was financed through
  a $200 million credit facility and a $100 million Senior Subordinated
  Credit Agreement (see Note 4).

  The acquisition of PSD and the related financing were recorded as of
  October 1, 1999, the effective date of the transaction.




                                     7
  <PAGE>

      ITEM 2.   Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Results of
                Operations and Financial Condition.

      This  discussion   should  be   read  in  conjunction   with  the
      information contained both  in this report  and in the  Company's
      Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31,
      1998.  Pro-forma information regarding the acquisition of Pasteur
      Sanofi Diagnostics S.A.("PSD") is  included in the Company's Form
      8-K dated October 1, 1999.

      The following table shows operating income and expense items as a
      percentage of net sales:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                       Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended     Year Ended
                          September 30,       September 30,     December 31,
                         1999      1998      1999      1998         1998
 <S>                    <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>
 Net sales              100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0        100.0
  Cost of goods sold     45.7      45.9      44.5      45.4         45.8
 Gross profit            54.3      54.1      55.5      54.6         54.2

 Selling, general and
  administrative         38.4      41.5      36.2      38.3         37.8

 Product research and
  development             9.7      10.3       9.1       9.5          9.4

 Income from operations   6.2       2.3      10.2       6.8          7.0
                        =====     =====     =====     =====        =====
 Net Income               3.7       2.0       6.5       5.5          5.5
                        =====     =====     =====     =====        =====

</TABLE>

      Forward Looking Statements

      Other than statements of historical fact, statements made in this
      report include forward looking statements, such as statements
      with respect to the Company's future financial performance,
      operating results, plans and objectives.  Actual results may
      differ materially from those currently anticipated depending on a
      variety of risk factors including the successful integration of
      PSD, increased competition, technological development, access to
      necessary intellectual property, the ability to achieve
      management objectives, government regulation, the continued
      performance of business partners (particularly in relation to the
      Year 2000 issue), and the monetary policies of various countries.





                                      8
 <PAGE>



              Three Months Ended September 30, 1999 Compared to
                    Three Months Ended September 30, 1998


      Corporate Results - Sales, Margins and Expenses

      Net sales (sales) in the third quarter of 1999 reached $113.5
      million compared to $99.0 million in the third quarter of 1998.
      Sales increased 11.2% in Life Science, 13.6% in Clinical
      Diagnostics, and 23.3% in Analytical Instruments when compared to
      the third quarter of 1998.  The growth in Life Science is
      attributed to a broad line of core products, especially molecular
      biology devices, imaging products and process chromatography.
      Clinical Diagnostics experienced growth in its quality control
      product lines and its diabetes line.  The increase in Analytical
      Instruments is attributed to the Company's semiconductor test and
      manufacturing instruments, which were adversely impacted during
      an industry slowdown for most of the second half of 1998.

      Consolidated gross margins were 54.3% for the third quarter of
      1999 compared to 54.1% for the third quarter of 1998 and 54.2%
      for all of 1998.  Gross margins were virtually unchanged in Life
      Science, rose significantly in Analytical Instruments and
      declined in Diagnostics.  The improvements in Analytical
      Instruments gross margin are attributed to increased sales volume
      absorbing manufacturing overhead costs, and a stronger Japanese
      currency improving the average US dollar sales price received.
      Clinical Diagnostics margins were impacted by rising costs for
      purchased equipment bought in a foreign currency and  increases
      in the placement of reagent rental equipment, as this segment's
      "next generation" diabetes testing equipment replaces instruments
      previously fully depreciated.

      Selling, general and administrative expense (SG&A) decreased to
      38.4% of sales in the third quarter of 1999 from 41.5% of sales
      in the comparable period of 1998.  Both Analytical Instruments
      and Clinical Diagnostics had no increase in SG&A spending in the
      third quarter of 1999 when compared to 1998.  Life Science
      increased SG&A spending but at a rate much slower than sales
      growth.  The long-term goal for management remains a consistent
      gradual reduction in SG&A spending as a percent of sales.

      Product research and development expense (R&D) increased 7.3% in
      absolute dollars from the third quarter of 1998, but decreased
      overall as a percentage of sales.  Compared to the third quarter
      of 1998, both Life Science and Clinical Diagnostics increased R&D
      spending.  Analytical Instruments reduced its R&D spending.


                                      9

 <PAGE>


      Corporate Results - Non-Operating Items

      Interest expense has declined consistent with lower average
      borrowings when compared to the third quarter of 1998.
      Borrowings will increase due to the purchase of PSD.
      Accordingly, interest expense will also increase significantly.
      Investment income in both years includes gains on sales of
      marketable securities.  The third quarter of 1999 includes an
      additional reduction in the Company's marketable securities
      portfolio to reduce debt further prior to entering into the new
      credit facilities necessitated by the acquisition of PSD.  Net
      other income and expense in both years includes net goodwill
      amortization and non-operating legal costs.

      The Company's effective tax rate was 29% for the third quarter of
      both 1999 and 1998.  The tax rate for both years reflects the
      utilization of loss carryforwards, foreign sales corporation
      benefits and foreign tax credits.  These benefits are not
      expected to continue indefinitely and, subject to completion of
      the PSD acquisition, will change.  A determination of the impact
      to the Company's effective tax rate from the pending acquisition
      has not been completed; however, the rate may rise as limitations
      may be imposed on the deductibility of some level of interest
      expense and the amortization of certain intangibles.

               Nine Months Ended September 30, 1999 Compared to
                     Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998

      Corporate Results - Sales Margins and Expenses

      Sales for the nine month period ended September 30, 1999 were
      $355.1 million compared to $323.1 million in the comparable
      period of 1998, an increase of 9.9%.  For the first nine months
      of 1999, the effect from a slightly weakened U.S. dollar added
      $1.7 million to sales, accounting for only 0.5% of the sales
      growth when compared to sales based upon the 1998 exchange rates.
      Sales have increased 11.6% for Life Science, 9.4% for Clinical
      Diagnostics, and 2.1% for Analytical Instruments.  Life Science
      sales increased across a broad line of core products, especially
      its imaging products.  Clinical Diagnostics sales continue to
      grow for its quality control and diabetes product lines.  The
      Company's Analytical Instruments segment remains flat with the
      prior year as the first half of 1999 saw a decline that was
      offset by third quarter increases.

      Consolidated gross margins were 55.5% for the first nine months
      of 1999 compared to 54.6% for the first nine months of 1998 and
      54.2% for all of 1998.  Life Science margins improved slightly on
      better than planned sales.  Clinical Diagnostics margins
      increased 1% due to a change in the product mix towards higher
      margin products.  Analytical Instruments margins improved on
      higher sales and continued manufacturing overhead reductions.

      SG&A decreased to 36.2% of sales in the first nine months of 1999
      from 38.3% of sales in the comparable period of 1998.  To improve

                                      10

 <PAGE>


      overall profitability, one of the long-term objectives of
      management is to control SG&A growth at a fraction of sales
      growth.  The Life Science segment grew SG&A expenditures at only
      66% of sales growth.  Clinical Diagnostics expenditures remain
      virtually unchanged and Analytical Instruments expenditures
      declined for the first nine months of 1999.

      Consolidated R&D increased 5.4% for the first nine months of 1999
      compared to the same period in 1998.  Life Science and Clinical
      Diagnostics each increased R&D investments as planned.
      Analytical Instruments R&D expenditures declined across most
      product lines due to the slowdown in the markets served and the
      decision to adjust R&D expenditures to economic and market
      conditions.

      Corporate Results - Non-operating Items

      Interest expense was $2.5 million, a slight decline from the
      prior year, as a result of lower average borrowings.  Borrowings
      will increase due to the purchase of PSD.  Accordingly, interest
      expense will also increase significantly.  Investment income
      includes gains on sales of marketable securities and interest
      income from short term investments.  Investment income in both
      years includes gains on sales of marketable securities. The
      Company's portfolio was further reduced to lower total borrowings
      in preparation of the refinancing necessary to conclude the
      acquisition of PSD.  Net other income and expense for the nine
      months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 includes goodwill
      amortization and non-operating legal costs.

      The Company's effective tax rate is unchanged at 29% for the year
      ended September 30, 1999.  The tax rate for both years reflects
      the utilization of loss carryforwards, foreign sales corporation
      benefits and foreign tax credits.  No determination of the impact
      to the Company's effective tax rate from the acquisition of PSD
      has been completed; however, the rate may rise as limitations may
      be imposed on the deductibility of some level of interest expense
      and the amortization of certain intangibles.

      Financial Condition

      On July 3, 1999, the Company reached agreement to purchase PSD
      and all its holdings including some ancillary assets from Sanofi-
      Synthelabo S.A. and Institut Pasteur (see Note 8).  The
      acquisition was completed on October 1, 1999.

      The Company became substantially leveraged as it entered into new
      credit facilities.  The Company entered into a $200 million
      credit facility (consisting of a $100 million term loan and a
      $100 million revolving credit line) on September 30, 1999,
      replacing the $100 million credit agreement previously in place.
      The new facility provides for borrowings on a secured basis

                                      11

<PAGE>


      through September 30, 2004.  Interest is based upon the
      Eurocurrency rate, the Federal Funds Effective rate or Bank One's
      base rate.

      The Company also entered into a $100 million Senior Subordinated
      Credit Agreement on September 30, 1999.  This agreement has a one
      year term and provides for an automatic rollover for an
      additional term expiring September 30, 2005.  The agreement
      requires warrants to be placed in escrow equal to 10% of the
      Company's fully diluted stock.  The lenders are entitled to
      receive these warrants in 25% quarterly increments beginning
      April 1, 2000.  The warrants entitle the holder to purchase the
      Company's stock at 10% over the September 30, 1999 closing stock
      price.  The warrants expire September 30, 2009.  Interest is
      based upon LIBOR plus 6.0% for the first 180 days of the
      agreement.  The incremental rate increases 0.5% every quarter
      thereafter to a maximum of 18.0%.

      The lenders have placed restrictions on the Company's ability to:
      borrow further, service this and other debt, make expenditures
      for capital improvements, pay dividends, repurchase the Company's
      own stock and/or make strategic and tactical investments in
      support of operating the business.  The Company is also required
      to comply with certain financial ratios.  The amount of debt
      undertaken in connection with this acquisition could materially
      impact the financial condition of the Company should management's
      plan for operating the new entity not be successful.

      The Company as of October 1, 1999 had available approximately $50
      million under its principal revolving credit agreement and cash
      and cash equivalents of approximately $12 million.  Marketable
      securities have now been liquidated to a level the Company no
      longer considers material to its working capital needs.

      At September 30, 1999, consolidated accounts receivable decreased
      by $0.8 million from December 31, 1998.  The decrease represents
      the net impact of a strengthened U.S. dollar lowering foreign
      denominated receivables and a seasonal slowdown in remittances
      attributed in part to summer holiday scheduling.

      At September 30, 1999, consolidated net inventories were $4.0
      million higher than at December 31, 1998.  As planned, inventory
      increased in the Clinical Diagnostics segment.  Inventory for the
      Clinical Diagnostics controls business, a growth area for the
      Company, is characterized by long lead times and large infrequent
      batch production which is necessary to meet customers
      requirements.

      Net capital expenditures totaled $17.9 million for the first nine
      months of 1999 compared to $14.4 million for the same period of
      1998.  Capital expenditures include additions of reagent rental
      equipment placed with Clinical Diagnostic customers who then

                                      12

 <PAGE>


      commit to purchasing the Company's diagnostic reagents for
      use.

      The Board of Directors has authorized the Company to repurchase
      up to $18 million of common stock over an indefinite period of
      time.  From July 1996 through September 1999, the Company has
      repurchased 567,786 shares of Class A common stock and 30,000
      shares of Class B common stock for a total of $14.1 million.  The
      new credit facilities restrict the Company's ability to
      repurchase its own stock to an amount not to exceed $5 million in
      the aggregate in a fiscal year.  Share repurchases made during
      the current fiscal year amount to $2.2 million.

      Euro - A New European Currency

      On January 1, 1999, certain member countries of the European
      Union began to fix the conversion rates between their national
      currencies and a common currency, the "Euro."   Over the period
      January 1, 1999 through January 1, 2002 participating countries
      will gradually transition from their national currencies to the
      Euro.

      This transition will have business implications including the
      need to adjust internal systems to accommodate the Euro and
      cross-border price transparency.  A group of Corporate and
      European managers have been assigned the task of preparing and
      accommodating the changes required to continue to do business in
      the European Union.  The Company does not presently expect that
      the efforts involved will have a material impact on operations,
      financial position or liquidity.  There will be increased
      competitive pressures, and marketing strategies will need to be
      continuously evaluated until the transition is complete.  As a
      result of competitive forces and emerging government regulations,
      the Company cannot guarantee that all problems will be foreseen
      and remediated, and that no material disruption will occur.

      Year 2000

      The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs being
      written using two rather than four digits to define the date.
      Failure to recognize "00" as the year 2000 could result in a
      temporary inability to conduct normal business activities.

      Bio-Rad currently operates in a decentralized processing
      environment.  The Company, with the assistance of outside
      consultants and contractors, is well underway with phased
      identification, remediation, replacement, validation and
      notification processes to minimize the potential disruption to
      business from information technology and non-information
      technology systems.  The project start-up, inventory and
      assessment phases are complete.  Remediations or scheduled
      replacements will be completed for each location prior to the

                                      13

 <PAGE>


      Year 2000 deadline where significant.  The Company is reviewing
      in detail all aspects of the Year 2000 issue for the acquired
      operations of PSD.  Currently, risks appear to be equivalent to
      those faced by Bio-Rad prior to the acquisition.  No materially
      significant amounts need to be spent on the Year 2000 issue prior
      to December 31, 1999 as a result of the acquisition.

      Bio-Rad's manufactured products have also been undergoing
      assessment for Year 2000 readiness.  Certain products Bio-Rad
      manufactured in the past are not Year 2000 compliant.  We have
      instituted a program to replace relevant products.

      The Company has identified significant suppliers and is
      requesting information from them regarding the Year 2000
      readiness of their products or services.  The Company has not yet
      received enough responses and now expects certain suppliers not
      to confirm compliance or to respond timely.  A material adverse
      impact may not be avoided.  It is not possible at this time to
      value the amount of business that might be lost as a result of
      Bio-Rad's business partners' failure to deliver products and
      services after December 31, 1999.  Additionally, global
      infrastructure comprised of banking, transportation,
      communication, power generation and ordinary and necessary
      governmental activities are critical to the Company's operations.
      Should any of these suppliers not be fully functional after 1999
      the negative impact to the Company would be significant and
      material.

      The expenditures required in 1998 and 1999 to replace and
      remediate Year 2000 non-compliant Bio-Rad information technology
      systems, including equipment, is estimated at $8 million and
      primarily deals with distribution system capabilities worldwide.
      Over 95% of these costs have been incurred to date.  Hardware and
      software purchased and installed in connection with these
      projects will provide both Year 2000 readiness and significant
      additional functionality.  Manufacturing systems have been
      remediated at a cost that is not material to Bio-Rad overall;
      these costs were included in operating results in 1997 and 1998.
      While some systems enhancements or modifications have been
      delayed to allow for the more significant Year 2000 remediation
      to be completed, weighing both cost and benefit, Bio-Rad
      management believes its response is prudent.

      The Company as of this date has not identified the "most likely
      worst case Year 2000 scenario."  That scenario will be largely
      dependent on the Company's significant worldwide suppliers and
      its assessment of preparedness of the global infrastructure,
      including multiple national governments.  During the remainder of
      1999 the Company will formulate and review additional contingency
      plans based on the aforementioned significant supplier responses
      and global infrastructure preparedness.  The Company has
      organized a group solely to respond rapidly to Bio-Rad technical

                                      14

<PAGE>





      information processing and communication exceptions.  The Group
      is expected to implement a reporting mechanism to quickly inform
      management about those issues that might cause a deterioration in
      Bio-Rad's operations or our ability to compete effectively.

      New Financial Accounting Standards

      In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
      issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
      133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
      Activities" effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15,
      1999.  The FASB has now delayed implementation to fiscal years
      beginning after June 15, 2000.  This statement proposes to
      establish accounting and reporting standards requiring companies
      to record all derivatives on the balance sheet as either assets
      or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value.  The
      manner in which companies are to record gains or losses resulting
      from changes in the values of those derivatives depends on the
      use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge
      accounting.  The impact of SFAS No. 133 on the Company's
      financial statements will depend on a variety of factors,
      including future interpretive guidance from the FASB, the future
      level of forecasted and actual foreign currency transactions, the
      extent of the Company's hedging activities, the types of hedging
      instruments used and the effectiveness of such instruments.  The
      Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 133 to have a
      material effect on its financial statements.

      Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
                Risk

      During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 1999,
      there have been no material changes from the disclosures about
      market risk provided in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
      for the year ended December 31, 1998.  As a result of the new
      credit facilities, Bio-Rad has become increasingly exposed to
      increases in interest rates.  The Company will be undertaking a
      review of its options to fix a portion of its variable interest
      rate long-term debt during the next several quarters.

      PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

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

      (a)  Exhibits

      The following documents are filed as part of this report:

      Exhibit No.

       4.1      Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 1999 among
                Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., the lenders named therein,

                                      15

 <PAGE>





                Banc One, N.A., as Administrative Agent, ABN AMRO Bank
                N.V. as Syndication Agent, and Union Bank of
                California, N.A. as Documentation Agent.  Incorporated
                by reference from the Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's
                Form 8-K, dated October 1, 1999.

       4.2      Senior Subordinated Credit Agreement dated as of
                September 30, 1999 among Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.,
                the lenders named therein and Banc One Capital
                Markets, Inc., as Agent.  Incorporated by reference
                from Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form 8-K, dated
                October 1, 1999.

       4.3      Warrant Agreement among Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. and
                Banc One Capital Markets, Inc. dated as of
                September 30, 1999.

      27.1      Financial Data Schedule.


      (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

      Bio-Rad filed Form 8-K dated July 5, 1999, announcing that Bio-
      Rad Sanofi-Synthelabo S.A. (Sanofi) and Institut Pasteur (IP)
      have executed an agreement pursuant to which Bio-Rad shall
      acquire Pasteur Sanofi Diagnostics S.A. from Sanofi and IP for an
      aggregate purchase price not to exceed $210.00 million in cash.


<PAGE>

                                                             EXHIBIT 4.3



                          WARRANT AGREEMENT

                                among

                      BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.

                                 and

                    BANC ONE CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.,
                      Individually and as Agent




                    Dated as of September 30, 1999






  <PAGE>


                           TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                         Page
        SECTION 1.  Warrant Certificates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
        SECTION 2.  Execution of Warrant Certificates . . . . . . . . . . 1
        SECTION 3.  Registration  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
        SECTION 4.  Registration of Transfers and Exchanges . . . . . . . 2
        SECTION 5.  Warrants; Exercise of Warrants  . . . . . . . . . . . 4
        SECTION 6.  Payment of Taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
        SECTION 7.  Mutilated or Missing Warrant Certificates . . . . . . 6
        SECTION 8.  Reservation of Warrant Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
        SECTION 9.  Obtaining Stock Exchange Listings . . . . . . . . . . 7
        SECTION 10.  Adjustment of Exercise Price and Number
                         of Warrant Shares Issuable . . . . . . . . . . . 8
                    (a)     Adjustment for Change in Capital Stock  . . . 8
                    (b)     Adjustment for Rights Issue . . . . . . . . . 9
                    (c)     Adjustment for Other Distributions  . . . . . 10
                    (d)     Adjustment for Common Stock Issue   . . . . . 11
                    (e)     Adjustment for Convertible Securities Issue . 13
                    (f)     Current Market Price    . . . . . . . . . . . 15
                    (g)     Consideration Received  . . . . . . . . . . . 16
                    (h)     When De Minimis Adjustment May Be Deferred  . 16
                    (i)     When No Adjustment Required   . . . . . . . . 17
                    (j)     Notice of Adjustment  . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
                    (k)     Voluntary Reduction   . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
                    (l)     Reorganization of the Company   . . . . . . . 17
                    (m)     When Issuance or Payment May Be Deferred  . . 18
                    (n)     Adjustment in Number of Shares    . . . . . . 18
                    (o)     Form of Warrants    . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
                    (p)     Regulation Y Limitations    . . . . . . . . . 19
        SECTION 11.  No Dilution or Impairment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
        SECTION 12.  Fractional Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
        SECTION 13.  Notices to Warrant Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
        SECTION 14.  Registration Rights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
                    (a)     Intentionally omitted . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
                    (b)     Demand Registration   . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
                    (c)     Piggy-Back Registration . . . . . . . . . . . 24
                    (d)     Registration Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . 26
                    (e)     Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
                    (f)     Certain Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

  <PAGE>

        SECTION 15.  Notices to Company and Warrant Holder  . . . . . . . 33
        SECTION 16.  Warrant Agent  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
        SECTION 17.  Supplements and Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
        SECTION 18.  Successors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
        SECTION 19.  Termination  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
        SECTION 20.  Governing Law  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
        SECTION 21.  Benefits of This Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
        SECTION 22.  Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

  <PAGE>



              This WARRANT AGREEMENT is dated as of September 30, 1999 and
  entered into by and among Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation
  (the "Company"), and Banc One Capital Markets, Inc. ("BOCM"), individually
  and as Agent on behalf of the Lenders under the Bridge Loan Agreement
  referred to below (the  Agent ).

              Terms defined in the Senior Subordinated Credit Agreement  (the
  "Bridge Loan Agreement") dated as of the date hereof among the Company, the
  Agent and the Lenders, unless defined herein, are used as defined in the
  Bridge Loan Agreement.  Certain other capitalized terms used herein are
  defined in Section 14(f) hereof.

              WHEREAS, the Company proposes to issue Warrants, as hereinafter
  described (the "Warrants"), to purchase up to 10% of the total number of
  fully-diluted shares of capital stock of the Company, which Warrants may be
  exercised to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $1.00 per
  share (the "Common Stock"), of the Company (the Common Stock issuable on
  exercise of the Warrants being referred to herein as the "Warrant Shares")
  in connection with the borrowing of $100 million of senior subordinated
  loans under the Bridge Loan Agreement and/or the refinancing of such
  borrowings with each Warrant entitling the Holder thereof to purchase
  one Warrant Share.

              NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
  agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

              SECTION 1.  Warrant Certificates.  The certificates evidencing
  the Warrants (the "Warrant Certificates") shall be issued in registered form
  only and shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 attached
  hereto with respect to the initial Warrants issued by the Company and
  deposited into escrow on the Closing Date and shall be substantially in the
  form of Exhibit A-2 attached hereto with respect to the Warrants from time to
  time released from escrow on each Warrant Release Date, in each case as
  contemplated by and in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.

              SECTION 2.  Execution of Warrant Certificates.  Warrant
  Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the
  Board or its President or a Vice President and by its Secretary or an
  Assistant Secretary.  Each such signature upon the Warrant Certificates may
  be in the form of a facsimile signature of the present or any future
  Chairman of the Board, President, Vice President, Secretary or Assistant

  <PAGE>

  Secretary and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Warrant
  Certificates and for the purpose the Company may adopt and use the facsimile
  signature of any person who shall have been Chairman of  the Board,
  President, Vice President, Secretary or Assistant Secretary, notwithstanding
  the fact that at the time the Warrant Certificates shall be delivered or
  disposed of he or she shall have ceased to hold such office.

              In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of
  the Warrant Certificates shall cease to be such officer before the Warrant
  Certificates so signed shall have been disposed of by the Company, such
  Warrant Certificates nevertheless may be delivered or disposed of as though
  such person had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any
  Warrant Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person
  who, at the actual date of the execution of such Warrant Certificate, shall
  be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Warrant Certificate,
  although at the date of the execution of this Warrant Agreement any such
  person was not such officer.

              SECTION 3.  Registration.  The Company shall number and register
  the Warrant Certificates in a register as they are issued.  Warrants shall
  be issued on the Closing Date and released from escrow, in each case in
  accordance with Section 12 of the Bridge Loan Agreement.  The Company may
  deem and treat the registered holder(s) of the Warrant Certificates (the
  "Holder(s)") as the absolute owner(s) thereof (notwithstanding any notation
  of ownership or other writing thereon made by anyone), for all purposes, and
  shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary.  The Company shall act
  as the registrar for the Warrants.

              SECTION 4.  Registration of Transfers and Exchanges.  Concurrent
  with the surrender of any outstanding Warrant Certificate(s) accompanied by
  a written instrument or instruments of transfer substantially in the form of
  Exhibit B hereto, duly executed by the registered Holder or Holders thereof
  or by the duly appointed legal representative thereof or by a duly authorized
  attorney, the Company shall promptly register the transfer of any outstanding
  Warrant Certificates in a Warrant register to be maintained by the Company
  and promptly issue a new Warrant Certificate in the name of the
  transferee(s). The surrendered Warrant Certificate(s) shall thereupon be
  cancelled and disposed of by the Company.

              Each of the Holders represents and warrants to the Company that:


                                        2
  <PAGE>

        (a)   such Holder is an institutional  accredited investor  within the
  meaning of Regulation D of the Securities Act and the Warrants to be acquired
  by it pursuant to Section 12 of the Bridge Loan Agreement are being acquired
  for its own account and without a view to, or for resale in connection with,
  any distribution thereof or any interest therein; provided that the
  provisions of this Section shall not prejudice such Holder s right at all
  times to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Warrants so
  acquired pursuant to a registration under the Securities Act or an exemption
  from such registration available under the Securities Act;

        (b)   such Holder has such knowledge and experience in financial and
  business matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of
  its investment in the Warrants, such Holder is capable of bearing the
  economic risks of such investment and such Holder has had the opportunity
  to conduct its own due diligence investigation in relation to its purchase
  of the Warrants hereunder;

        (c)   no part of the funds used by such Holder to purchase the Warrants
  hereunder constitutes assets of any  plan  (as defined in Section 4975 of the
  Internal Revenue Code).

              The Holders agree that prior to any proposed transfer of the
  Warrant or of the Warrant Shares, if such transfer is not made pursuant to an
  effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act, pursuant to Rule
  144 or Rule 144A under the Securities Act, or an opinion of counsel,
  reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company, that the
  Warrant or Warrant Shares may be sold publicly without registration under
  the Securities Act, the Holder will, if requested by the Company, deliver
  to the Company:

           (1)   an investment covenant substantially similar to Section
     4(a) above signed by the proposed transferee;

           (2)   an agreement by such transferee to the impression of the
     restrictive investment legend set forth below on the Warrant or the
     Warrant Shares;

           (3)   an agreement by such transferee that the Company may place
     a notation in the stock books of the Company or a "stop transfer order"
     with any transfer agent or registrar with respect to the Warrant
     Shares; and

                                     3

  <PAGE>

           (4)   an agreement by such transferee to be bound by the
     provisions of  this Section 4 relating to the transfer of such Warrant
     or Warrant Shares.

              The Holders agree that each Warrant Certificate and any
  certificate representing the Warrant Shares will bear the following legend:

      "NEITHER THE ISSUANCE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS
      CERTIFICATE (AND ANY PREDECESSOR) NOR THE ISSUANCE OF ANY
      SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE HEREOF HAS BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
      SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
      (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY
      STATE, AND SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR
      OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO (i) A REGISTRATION
      STATEMENT IN EFFECT WITH RESPECT TO SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE
      SECURITIES ACT AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THEREUNDER OR (ii) AN
      EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT
      AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS."


              Subject to the foregoing provisions, Warrant Certificates may be
  exchanged at the option of the Holder(s) thereof, when surrendered to the
  Company at its office for another Warrant Certificate or other Warrant
  Certificates of the like tenor and representing in the aggregate a like
  number of Warrants.  Warrant Certificates surrendered for exchange shall
  be, upon issuance of the new Warrant Certificate(s), cancelled and disposed
  of by the Company.

              On delivery of the Warrants by the Escrow Agent to the Warrant
  Holder or Holders pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, each Warrant Holder will
  have registration rights with respect to the Warrant Shares as set forth in
  Section 14 hereof.

              SECTION 5.  Warrants; Exercise of Warrants.  Subject to the
  terms of this Agreement, each Holder shall have the right, which may be
  exercised commencing at the opening of business on the date the Escrow Agent
  delivers Warrants to such Holder in compliance with the terms of the Escrow
  Agreement and the Bridge Loan Agreement and until 5:00 p.m., Chicago time,

                                       4

  <PAGE>

  on September 30, 2009 to receive from the Company the number of fully paid
  and nonassessable Warrant Shares which the Holder may at the time be
  entitled to receive on exercise of such Warrants and payment of the Exercise
  Price then in effect for such Warrant Shares.  Each Warrant not exercised
  prior to 5:00 p.m., Chicago time, on September 30, 2009 shall become void
  and all rights thereunder and all rights in respect thereof under this
  agreement shall cease as of such time.  No adjustments as to dividends will
  be made upon exercise of the Warrants.

              A Warrant may be exercised upon surrender to the Company at its
  office designated for such purpose (the address of which is set forth in
  Section 15 hereof) of the certificate or certificates evidencing the
  Warrants to be exercised with the form of election to purchase on the
  reverse thereof duly filled in and signed, which signature shall be
  guaranteed by a bank or trust company having an office or correspondent
  in the United States or a broker or dealer which is a member of a
  registered securities exchange or the National Association of Securities
  Dealers, Inc., and upon payment to the Company of the exercise price
  (the "Exercise Price") which is set forth in the forms of Warrant
  Certificates attached hereto as Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2,
  as adjusted as herein provided, for the number of Warrant Shares
  in respect of which such Warrants are then exercised.  Payment of
  the aggregate Exercise Price shall be made in cash or by certified
  or official bank check to the order of the Company.  In lieu of exercising
  a Warrant by paying in full the Exercise Price plus transfer taxes (if
  applicable pursuant to Section 6), if any, the Holder may, from time
  to time, convert such Warrant, in whole or in part, into a number of
  shares of Common Stock determined by dividing (a) the aggregate current
  market price of the number of shares represented by the Warrants converted,
  minus the aggregate Exercise Price for such shares, minus transfer taxes,
  if any, by (b) the current market price of one Share.  The current market
  price shall be determined pursuant to Section 10(f).

              Subject to the provisions of Section 6 hereof, upon such
  surrender of Warrants and payment of the Exercise Price, the Company shall
  issue and cause to be delivered with all reasonable dispatch to or upon
  the written order of the Holder and in such name or names as the Holder
  may designate, a certificate or certificates for the number of full Warrant
  Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Warrants together with cash as
  provided in Section 12; provided, however, that if any consolidation, merger
  or lease or sale of assets is proposed to be effected by the Company as
  described in subsection (l) of Section 10 hereof, or a tender offer or an
  exchange offer for shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be made,
  upon such surrender of Warrants and payment of the Exercise Price as

                                     5

  <PAGE>

  aforesaid, the Company shall, as soon as possible, but in any event not
  later than two Business Days thereafter, issue and cause to be delivered
  the full number of Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of such
  Warrants in the manner described in this sentence together with cash
  as provided in Section 12.  Such certificate or certificates shall be
  deemed to have been issued and any person so designated to be named therein
  shall be deemed to have become a holder of record of such Warrant Shares
  as of the date of the surrender of such Warrants and payment of the
  Exercise Price.

              The Warrants shall be exercisable, at the election of the
  Holders thereof, either in full or from time to time in part (provided
  that Warrants shall be exercisable in multiples of 100 Warrant Shares unless
  all of the Warrant Shares evidenced by a particular Warrant Certificate are
  being exercised) and, in the event that a Warrant Certificate is exercised
  in respect of fewer than all of the Warrant Shares issuable on such exercise
  at any time prior to the date of expiration of the Warrants, a new Warrant
  Certificate evidencing the remaining Warrant or Warrants will be issued and
  delivered pursuant to the provisions of this Section and of Section 2
  hereof.

              All Warrant Certificates surrendered upon exercise of Warrants
  shall be cancelled and disposed of by the Company.  The Company shall keep
  copies of this Agreement and any notices given or received hereunder
  available for inspection by the Holders during normal business hours at its
  office.

              SECTION 6.  Payment of Taxes.  The Company will  pay all
  documentary stamp taxes attributable to the initial issuance of Warrant
  Shares upon the exercise of Warrants; provided, however, that the Company
  shall not be required to pay any tax or taxes which may be payable in
  respect of any transfer involved in the issue of any Warrant Certificates
  or any certificates for Warrant Shares in a name other than that of the
  registered Holder of a Warrant Certificate surrendered upon the exercise of
  a Warrant, and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver such
  Warrant Certificates unless or until the Person or Persons requesting the
  issuance thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or
  shall have established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has
  been paid.

              SECTION 7.  Mutilated or Missing Warrant Certificates.  In case
  any of the Warrant Certificates shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or
  destroyed, the Company shall issue, in exchange and substitution for and
  upon cancellation of the mutilated Warrant Certificate, or in lieu of and
  substitution for the Warrant Certificate lost, stolen or destroyed, a new
  Warrant Certificate of like tenor and representing an equivalent number of

                                     6

  <PAGE>

  Warrants, but only upon surrender of the mutilated certificate or upon
  receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of such loss,
  theft or destruction of such Warrant Certificate as applicable and
  indemnity, if requested, also reasonably satisfactory to it.

              SECTION 8.  Reservation of Warrant Shares.  The Company will at
  all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of
  the aggregate of its authorized but unissued Common Stock or its authorized
  and issued Common Stock held in its treasury, for the purpose of enabling
  it to satisfy any obligation to issue Warrant Shares upon exercise of
  Warrants, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may then be
  deliverable upon the exercise of all outstanding Warrants.

              The Company or, if appointed, the transfer agent for the Common
  Stock (the "Transfer Agent") and every subsequent transfer agent for any
  shares of the Company's capital stock issuable upon the exercise of any of
  the rights of purchase aforesaid will be irrevocably authorized and
  directed at all time to reserve such number of authorized shares as shall be
  required for such purpose.  The Company will keep a copy of this Agreement
  on file with the Transfer Agent and with every subsequent transfer agent
  for any shares of the Company's capital stock issuable upon the exercise of
  the rights of purchase represented by the Warrants.  The Company will
  furnish such Transfer Agent a copy of all notices of adjustments and
  certificates related thereto, transmitted to each Holder pursuant to
  Section 15 hereof.

              Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment
  pursuant to Section 10 hereof to reduce the Exercise Price below the then
  par value (if any) of the Warrant Shares, the Company will take any
  corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel (which may be
  counsel employed by the Company), be necessary in order that the Company
  may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares
  at the Exercise Price as so adjusted.

              The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be
  issued upon exercise of Warrants will, upon issue and payment therefor, be
  fully paid, nonassessable, free of preemptive rights and free from all
  taxes, liens, charges and security interests with respect to the issue
  thereof.

              SECTION 9.  Obtaining Stock Exchange Listings.  The Company will
  from time to time take all action which may be necessary so that the Warrant
  Shares, immediately upon their issuance upon the exercise of Warrants, will

                                       7

  <PAGE>

  be listed on the principal securities exchanges and markets within the
  United States of America, if any, on which other shares of Common Stock
  are then listed.

              SECTION 10.  Adjustment of Exercise Price and Number of Warrant
  Shares Issuable.  The Exercise Price and the number of the Warrant Shares
  issuable upon the exercise of each Warrant are subject to adjustment from
  time to time upon the occurrence of the events enumerated in this Section.
  For purposes of this Section 10, "Common Stock" means shares now or
  hereafter authorized of any class of common stock of the Company and any
  other stock of the Company, however designated, that has the right (subject
  to any prior rights of any class or series of preferred stock) to
  participate in any distribution of the assets or earnings of the Company
  without limit as to percentage or per share amount.

     (a)   Adjustment for Change in Capital Stock.

                 If the Company:

           (1)   pays a dividend or makes a distribution on its Common Stock
     in shares of its Common Stock;

           (2)   subdivides its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a
     greater number of shares;

           (3)   combines its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a
     smaller number of shares;

           (4)   makes a distribution on its Common Stock in shares of its
     capital stock other than Common Stock or preferred stock; or

           (5)   issues by reclassification of its Common Stock any shares of
     its capital stock;

  then the Exercise Price and the number and kind of shares of capital stock
  of the Company issuable upon the exercise of a Warrant as in effect
  immediately prior to such action shall be proportionately adjusted so that
  the Holder of any Warrant thereafter exercised may receive the aggregate
  number and kind of shares of capital stock of the Company which he or she
  would have owned immediately following such action if such Warrant had been
  exercised immediately prior to such action.

                                       8

  <PAGE>


              The adjustment shall become effective immediately after the
  record date in the case of a dividend or distribution and immediately after
  the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or
  reclassification.

              If after an adjustment a Holder of a Warrant upon exercise of
  it may receive shares of two or more classes of capital stock of the
  Company, the Company shall  determine the allocation of the adjusted
  Exercise Price between the classes of capital stock.  After such
  allocation, the exercise privilege and the Exercise Price of each class
  of capital stock shall thereafter be subject to adjustment on terms
  comparable to those applicable to Common Stock in this Section 10.

              Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever any event
  listed above shall occur.

        (b)   Adjustment for Rights Issue.

              If the Company distributes any rights, options or warrants to
  all holders of its Common Stock entitling them for a period expiring within
  60 days after the record date mentioned below to purchase shares of Common
  Stock at a price per share less then the current market price per share on
  that record date, the Exercise Price shall be adjusted in accordance with
  the formula:

                             O + N x P
                                 _____
              E'    =    E x       M
                             _________
                              O + N

  where:

        E'    =     the adjusted Exercise Price.

        E     =     the current Exercise Price.

        O     =     the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the
                    record date.

        N     =     the number of additional shares of Common Stock offered
                    pursuant to such rights issuance.

        P     =     the offering price per share of the additional shares.

                                       9

  <PAGE>

        M     =     the current market price per share of Common Stock on the
                    record date.

              The adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such
  rights, options or warrants are issued and shall become effective
  immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders
  entitled to receive the rights, options or warrants.  If at the end of the
  period during which such rights, options or warrants are exercisable, not
  all rights, options or warrants shall have been exercised, the Exercise
  Price shall be immediately readjusted to what it would have been if "N"
  in the above formula had been the number of shares actually issued.

        (c)   Adjustment for Other Distributions.

              If the Company distributes to all holders of its Common Stock
  any of its assets (including but not limited to cash, but excluding
  ordinary dividends), debt securities, preferred stock, or any rights or
  warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, assets or other
  securities of the Company, the Exercise Price shall be adjusted in
  accordance with the formula:

              E'    =    E x   M - F
                               _____
                               M

  where:

        E'    =     the adjusted Exercise Price.

        E     =     the current Exercise Price.

        M     =     the current market price per share of Common Stock on the
                    record date mentioned below.

        F     =     the fair market value on the record date of the assets,
                    securities, rights or warrants applicable to one share
                    of Common Stock.  The board of directors of the Company
                    (the "Board of Directors") shall determine the fair
                    market value in good faith.

                                        10

  <PAGE>

              The adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such
  distribution is made and shall become effectively immediately after the
  record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive the
  distribution.

              This subsection does not apply to rights, options or warrants
  referred to in subsection (b) of this Section 10.

        (d)   Adjustment for Common Stock Issue.

              If the Company issues Common Stock for a consideration per
  share less than the current market price per share on the date the Company
  fixes the offering price of such additional shares, the Exercise Price
  shall be adjusted in accordance with the formula:

              E'    =    E x  O  +  P
                                   ___
                                    M
                              ________
                                  A

  where:

        E'    =     the adjusted Exercise Price.

        E     =     the then current Exercise Price.

        O     =     the number of shares outstanding immediately prior to the
                    issuance of such additional shares.

        P     =     the aggregate consideration received for the issuance of
                    such additional shares.

        M     =     the current market price per share on the date of
                    issuance of such additional shares.

        A     =     the number of shares outstanding immediately after the
                    issuance of such additional shares.

              The adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such
  issuance is made, and shall become effective immediately after such
  issuance.

                                       11

  <PAGE>

          This subsection (d) does not apply to:

          (1)   any of the transactions described in subsections (a), (b)
    and (c) of this Section 10,

          (2)   the exercise of Warrants, or upon the issuance of any Common
    Stock which is issued pursuant to the exercise of any options, warrants
    or other subscription or purchase rights or pursuant to the exercise of
    any conversion or exchange rights in any convertible securities
    described in subsection (e) of this Section 10, if an adjustment to the
    Exercise Price shall previously have been made hereunder upon the
    issuance of such options, warrants or other rights or upon the issuance
    of such convertible securities.

          (3)   Common Stock issued to the Company's employees, consultants
    or advisors under bona fide employee benefit plans adopted by the Board
    of Directors and approved by the holders of Common Stock when required
    by law, if such Common Stock would otherwise be covered by this
    subsection (d) (but only to the extent that the aggregate number of
    shares excluded hereby and issued after the date of this Warrant
    Agreement shall not exceed 5% of the Common Stock outstanding on a fully
    diluted basis at the time of the adoption of any such plan, exclusive of
    anti-dilution adjustments thereunder and exclusive of the Warrants and
    Warrant Shares contemplated hereunder),

          (4)   Common Stock issued to shareholders of any person which
    merges into the Company in proportion to their stock holdings of such
    person immediately prior to such merger, upon such merger, provided the
    Board of Directors determines such merger is on fair and reasonable
    terms to the Company,

          (5)   Common Stock issued in a bona fide public offering pursuant
    to a firm commitment underwriting,

          (6)   Common Stock issued upon the exercise of rights or warrants
    issued to holders of Common Stock to the extent an adjustment was made
    under subsection (b) of this Section 10, and

          (7)   Common Stock issued to Persons who are not Affiliates of the
    Company in a bona fide private placement through a placement agent that

                                       12

  <PAGE>

    is a member firm of the NASD (except to the extent that any discount
    from the current market price attributable to restrictions on trans-
    ferability of the Common Stock, as determined in good faith by the Board
    of Directors, shall exceed 15%).

    (e)   Adjustment for Convertible Securities Issue.

              If the Company issues any securities convertible into or
  exchangeable for Common Stock (other than securities issued in transactions
  described in subsections (b) and (c) and the exceptions to subsection (d)
  of this Section 10) for a consideration per share of Common Stock initially
  deliverable upon conversion or exchange of such securities less than the
  current market price per share on the date of issuance of such securities,
  the Exercise Price shall be adjusted in accordance with this formula:

                                       13

  <PAGE>

                    E' = E x  O + P
                                  _
                                  M
                              _____
                              O + D

  where:

        E'    =     the adjusted Exercise Price.

        E     =     the then current Exercise Price.

        O     =     the number of shares outstanding immediately prior to the
                    issuance of such securities.

        P     =     the aggregate consideration received for the issuance of
                    such securities.

        M     =     the current market price per share on the date of
                    issuance of such securities.

        D     =     the maximum number of shares deliverable upon conversion
                    or in exchange for such securities at the initial
                    conversion or exchange rate.

              The adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such
  issuance is made, and shall become effective immediately after such
  issuance.

              If all of the Common Stock deliverable upon conversion or
  exchange of such securities have not been issued when such securities
  are no longer outstanding, then the Exercise Price shall promptly be
  readjusted to the Exercise Price which would then be in effect had the
  adjustment upon the issuance of such securities been made on the basis
  of the actual number of shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion
  or exchange of such securities.

           This subsection (e) does not apply to:

           (1)   convertible securities issued to shareholders of any person
     which merges into the Company, or with a subsidiary of the Company, in
     proportion to their stock holdings of such person immediately prior to

                                       14

  <PAGE>

     such merger, upon such merger, provided the Board of Directors determines
     such merger is on fair and reasonable terms to the Company,

           (2)   convertible securities issued in a bona fide public offering
     pursuant to a firm commitment underwriting, or

           (3)   convertible securities issued to Persons who are not
     Affiliates of the Company in a bona fide private placement through a
     placement agent that is a member firm of the NASD (except to the extent
     that any discount from the current market price attributable to
     restrictions on transferability of Common Stock issuable upon conversion,
     as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, shall exceed 15%).

     (f)   Current Market Price.

              In subsections (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this Section 10 the
  current market price per share of Common Stock on any date is the average of
  the Quoted Prices of the Common Stock for 30 consecutive trading days
  commencing 45 trading days before the date in question.  The "Quoted
  Price" of the Common Stock is the last reported sales price of the Common
  Stock as reported by the American Stock Exchange ("AMEX").  If the Common
  Stock is no longer isted on AMEX, then the Quoted Price shall be the last
  reported sales price as reported by any other national securities exchange
  on which the Common Stock is then listed, or the last reported bid
  quotation of the Common Stock if it is then quoted on a national quotation
  system.  If the Common Stock is neither so listed nor quoted, then the
  Board of Directors of the Company shall determine the current market
  price of the Common Stock on the basis of such quotations, appraisals
  and/or evaluations as it in reasonable good faith considers appropriate;
  provided that if Holders of a majority in interest of the outstanding
  Warrants objects in writing to such determination within 20 Business Days
  after receiving notice of any adjustment based in part on such
  determination, the current market price shall be determined by a nationally
  recognized investment banking firm jointly selected within 20 Business Days
  of such objection by the Company and such Holders (acting by a majority vote)
  or, if no such joint selection can be agreed upon, by an investment banking
  firm, selected by the American Arbitration Association (at the Company's
  expense if the investment banker's determination is less than the Company's
  determination, and at the expense of the objecting Holders in proportion to
  their interests if the investment banker's determination is equal to or
  greater than the Company's determination).

                                       15

  <PAGE>

     (g)   Consideration Received.

              For purposes of any computation respecting consideration received
  pursuant to subsections (d) and (e) of this Section 10, the following shall
  apply:

           (1)   in the case of the issuance of shares of Common Stock for
     cash, the consideration shall be the amount of such cash, provided that
     in no case shall any deduction be made for any commissions, discounts or
     other expenses incurred by the Company for any underwriting of the issue
     or otherwise in connection therewith;

           (2)   in the case of the issuance of shares of Common Stock for a
     consideration in whole or in part other than cash, the consideration
     other than cash shall be deemed to be the fair market value thereof as
     determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (irrespective of the
     accounting treatment thereof), whose determination shall be conclusive,
     and described in a Board Resolution, subject to the rights of a majority
     in interest of the outstanding Warrants to object as provided in clause
     (f) above, in which case fair market value shall be determined pursuant
     to the procedure specified therein;

           (3)   in the case of the issuance of securities convertible into
     or exchangeable for shares, the aggregate consideration received
     therefor shall be deemed to be the consideration received by the Company
     for the issuance of such securities plus the additional minimum
     consideration, if any, to be received by the Company upon the conversion
     or exchange thereof (the consideration in each case to be determined in
     the same manner as provided in clauses (1) and (2) of this subsection).

     (h)   When De Minimis Adjustment May Be Deferred.

              No adjustment in the Exercise Price need be made unless the
  adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the
  Exercise Price.  Any adjustments that are not made shall be carried forward
  and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.

              All calculations under this Section 10 shall be made to the
  nearest one cent (or, for purposes of subsection (o) of this Section 10,
  1/1000th of a cent) or to the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may
  be.

                                       16

  <PAGE>

     (i)   When No Adjustment Required.

              No adjustment need be made for a transaction referred to in
  subsections (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of this Section 10 if Holders are to
  participate in the transaction on a basis and with notice that the Board of
  Directors determines to be fair and appropriate in light of the basis and
  notice on which holders of Common Stock participate in the transaction.

              No adjustment need be made for rights to purchase Common Stock
  pursuant to a Company plan for reinvestment of dividends or interest.

              No adjustment need be made for a change in the par value or no
  par value of the Common Stock.

              To the extent the Warrants become convertible into cash, no
  adjustment need be made thereafter as to the cash.  Interest will not
  accrue on the cash.

     (j)   Notice of Adjustment.

              Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted, the Company shall
  provide the notices required by Section 13 hereof.

     (k)   Voluntary Reduction.

              The Company from time to time may reduce the Exercise Price by
  any amount for any period of time if the period is at least 20 days and if
  the reduction is irrevocable during the period; provided, however, that in
  no event may the Exercise Price be less than the par value of a share of
  Common Stock.

              Whenever the Exercise Price is reduced, the Company shall mail to
  Warrant Holders a notice of the reduction.  The notice shall state the
  reduced Exercise Price and the period it will be in effect.

              A reduction of the Exercise Price does not change or adjust the
  Exercise Price otherwise in effect for purposes of subsections (a), (b),
  (c), (d) and (e) of this Section 10.

        (l)   Reorganization of the Company.

                                       17

  <PAGE>

              If the Company consolidates or merges with or into, or
  transfers or leases all or substantially all its assets to, any Person,
  upon consummation of such transaction the Warrants shall automatically
  become exercisable for the kind and amount of securities, cash or other
  assets which the Holder of a Warrant would have owned immediately after
  the consolidation, merger, transfer or lease if the Holder had exercised
  the Warrant immediately before the effective date of the transaction.
  Concurrently with the consummation of such transaction, the corporation
  formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger if other than the
  Company, or the Person to which such sale or conveyance shall have been
  made, shall enter into a supplemental Warrant Agreement so providing and
  further providing for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as
  may be practical to the adjustments provided for in this Section. The
  successor Company shall mail to Holders a notice describing the
  supplemental Warrant Agreement.

              If the issuer of securities deliverable upon exercise of
  Warrants under the supplemental Warrant Agreement is an affiliate of
  the formed, surviving, transferee or lessee corporation, that issuer
  shall join in the supplemental Warrant Agreement.

              If this subsection (1) applies, subsections (a), (b), (c),
  (d) and (e) of this Section 10 do not apply.

        (m)   When Issuance or Payment May Be Deferred.

              In any case in which this Section 10 shall require that an
  adjustment in the Exercise Price be made effective as of a record date
  for a specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence
  of such event (i) issuing to the Holder of any Warrant exercised after such
  record date the Warrant Shares and other capital stock of the Company, if
  any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the Warrant Shares and
  other capital stock of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on
  the basis of the Exercise Price and (ii) paying to such Holder any amount
  in cash in lieu of a fractional share pursuant to Section 12; provided,
  however, that the Company shall deliver to such Holder a due bill or other
  appropriate instrument evidencing such Holder's right to receive such
  additional Warrant Shares, other capital stock and cash upon the occurrence
  of the event requiring such adjustment.

        (n)   Adjustment in Number of Shares.

                                       18

   <PAGE>

              Upon each adjustment of the Exercise Price pursuant to this
  Section 10, each Warrant outstanding prior to the making of the adjustment
  in the Exercise Price shall thereafter evidence the right to receive upon
  payment of the adjusted Exercise Price that number of shares of Common
  Stock (calculated to the nearest hundredth) obtained from the following
  formula:

                    N' = N x E
                             _
                             E'

  where:

     N'    =     the adjusted number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise
                 of a Warrant by payment of the adjusted Exercise Price.

     N     =     the number of Warrant Shares previously issuable upon
                 exercise of a Warrant by payment of the Exercise Price prior
                 to adjustment.

     E'    =     the adjusted Exercise Price.

     E    =      the Exercise Price prior to adjustment.

        (o)   Form of Warrants.

              Irrespective of any adjustments in the Exercise Price or the
  number or kind of shares purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants,
  Warrants theretofore or thereafter issued may continue to express the same
  price and number and kind of shares as are stated in the Warrants initially
  issuable pursuant to this Agreement.

        (p)   Regulation Y Limitations.

              If the holder of any Warrant is a Regulation Y Holder and is
  prevented by the BHC Act from receiving any payment, dividend, distribution
  or other consideration that the Company is required or permitted to make
  under any provision hereof (including, without limitation, receiving Warrant
  Shares pursuant to the proviso in the third paragraph of Section 5 hereof)
  then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained or implied herein,
  the Company shall (unless the applicable provision hereof provides an
  alternative to such payment, dividend, distribution or other consideration
  at the Company's option and the Company elects such alternative) structure

                                       19

  <PAGE>

  the affected transaction so that such Regulation Y Holder receives
  substantially equivalent consideration that is not prohibited by the
  BHC Act.

              As used in this clause (p),

              "BHC Act" means the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
  amended, or any similar or successor law, and the rules and regulations
  promulgated thereunder (including, without limitation, Regulation Y
  thereunder), all as the same may be in effect from time to time.

              "Regulation Y Holder" means any holder of a Warrant that is a
  "bank holding company" (within the meaning of the BHC Act) or a subsidiary or
  affiliate thereof subject to the BHC Act.

              SECTION 11.  No Dilution or Impairment.  (a)  If any event
  shall occur as to which the provisions of Section 10 are not strictly
  applicable but the failure to make any adjustment would adversely affect
  the purchase rights represented by the Warrants in accordance with the
  essential intent and principles of such Section, then, in each such case,
  the Company shall appoint an investment banking firm of recognized national
  standing that does not (or whose directors, officers, employees, affiliates
  or stockholders do not) have a direct or material indirect financial
  interest in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, who has not been,
  and, at the time it is called upon to give independent the opinion
  described below, is not (and none of its directors, officers, employees,
  affiliates or stockholders are) a promoter, director or officer of the
  Company or any of its Subsidiaries, which shall give its opinion upon
  the adjustment, if any, on a basis consistent with the essential intent
  and principles established in Section 10, necessary to preserve,
  without dilution, the purchase rights, represented by this Warrant. Upon
  receipt of such opinion, the Company will promptly mail a copy thereof
  to the Holders and shall make the adjustments described therein.

        (b)   The Company will not, by amendment of its certificate of
  incorporation or through any consolidation, merger, reorganization,
  transfer of assets, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any
  other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or
  performance of any of the terms of the Warrants, but will at all times
  in reasonable good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms
  and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate
  in order to protect the rights of the Holders against dilution or other
  impairment.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company
  (1) will take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order

                                       20

  <PAGE>

  that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and
  nonassessable shares of Common Stock on the exercise of the Warrants from
  time to time outstanding and (2) will not take any action which results
  in any adjustment of the Exercise Price if the total number of Warrant
  Shares issuable after the action upon the exercise of all of the Warrants
  would exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock then authorized
  by the Company's certificate of incorporation and available for the
  purposes of issue upon such exercise. A consolidation, merger, reorganization
  or transfer of assets involving the Company covered by Section 10(1) shall
  not be prohibited by or require any adjustment under this Section 11.

              SECTION 12.  Fractional Interests.  The Company shall not be
  required to issue fractional Warrant Shares on the exercise of Warrants.
  If more than one Warrant shall be presented for exercise in full at the
  same time by the same Holder, the number of full Warrant Shares which shall
  be issuable upon the exercise thereof shall be computed on the basis of
  the aggregate number of Warrant Shares purchasable on exercise of the
  Warrants so presented.  If any fraction of a Warrant Share would, except
  for the provisions of this Section 12, be issuable on the exercise of any
  Warrants (or specified portion thereof), the Company shall pay an amount
  in cash equal to the Exercise Price on the day immediately preceding
  the date the Warrant is presented for exercise, multiplied by such
  fraction.

              SECTION 13.  Notices to Warrant Holders.  Upon any adjustment
  of the Exercise Price pursuant to Section 10, the Company shall promptly
  thereafter (i) cause to be filed with the Company a certificate setting
  forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and setting forth in
  reasonable detail the method of calculation and the facts upon which such
  calculations are based and setting forth the number of Warrant Shares
  (or portion thereof) issuable after such adjustment in the Exercise Price,
  upon exercise of a Warrant and payment of the adjusted Exercise Price,
  which certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of the
  matters set forth therein, and (ii) cause to be given to each of the
  registered Holders at his or her address appearing on the Warrant register
  written notice of such adjustments by first-class mail, postage prepaid.
  Where appropriate, such notice may be given in advance and included as
  a part of the notice required to be mailed under the other provisions
  of this Section 13.

              In case:

                                       21

  <PAGE>

        (a)   the Company shall authorize the issuance to all holders of
  shares of Common Stock of rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or
  purchase shares of Common Stock or of any other subscription rights or
  warrants; or

        (b)   the Company shall authorize the distribution to all holders of
  shares of Common Stock of evidences of its indebtedness or assets (other
  than cash dividends or cash distributions payable out of consolidated
  earnings or earned surplus or dividends payable in shares of Common Stock
  or distributions referred to in subsection (a) of Section 10 hereof); or

        (c)   of any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party
  and for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is required, or
  of the conveyance or transfer of the properties and assets of the Company
  substantially as an entirety, or of any reclassification or change of
  Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (other than a change
  in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to
  par value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination), or a tender
  offer or exchange offer for shares of Common Stock; or

        (d)   of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
  winding up of the Company; or

        (e)   the Company proposes to take any action (other than actions
  of the character described in Section 10(a)) which would require an
  adjustment of the Exercise Price or that would require a supplemental
  Warrant Agreement pursuant to Section 10;

  then the Company shall cause to be given to each of the registered Holders
  at his or her address appearing on the Warrant register, at least 20 days
  (or 10 days in any case specified in clauses (a) or (b) above) prior to
  the applicable record date hereinafter specified, or promptly in the case
  of events for which there is no record date, by first class mail, postage
  prepaid, a written notice stating (i) the date as of which the holders of
  record of shares of Common Stock to be entitled to receive any such rights,
  options, warrants or distribution are to be determined, or (ii) the initial
  expiration date set forth in any tender offer or exchange offer for shares
  of Common Stock, or (iii) the date on which any such consolidation, merger,
  conveyance, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to
  become effective or consummated, and the date as of which it is expected
  that holders of record of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to
  exchange such shares for securities or other property, if any, deliverable
  upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer,

                                       22

  <PAGE>

  dissolution, liquidation or winding up. The failure to give the notice
  required by this Section 13 or any defect therein shall not affect the
  legality or validity of any distribution, right, option, warrant,
  consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, dissolution, liquidation
  or winding up, or the vote upon any action.

              Nothing contained in this Agreement or in any of the Warrant
  Certificates shall be construed as conferring upon the Holders thereof the
  right to vote or to consent or to receive notice as shareholders in
  respect of the meetings of shareholders or the election of Directors of
  the Company or any other matter, or any rights whatsoever as shareholders
  of the Company.

              SECTION 14.  Registration Rights.

     (a)   Intentionally omitted.

     (b)   Demand Registration.

           (1)   Request for Registration.  If Warrants are delivered out
     of escrow pursuant to the Bridge Loan Agreement and the Escrow
     Agreement, the Holder or Holders of not less than 25% of the
     outstanding Registerable Securities may make up to 4 written requests
     for registration under the Securities Act ("Demand Registration") of
     all or part of its or their Registerable Securities.  Notwithstanding
     the foregoing, no Demand Registration shall be required to be effected
     with respect to any Registerable Securities that are then eligible for
     resale pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.  Such request
     will specify the aggregate amount and type of Registerable Securities
     proposed to be sold and will also specify the intended method of
     disposition thereof.  Within 10 days after receipt of such request, the
     Company will give written notice of such registration request to all
     other Holders of Registerable Securities and include in such
     registration all Registerable Securities with respect to which the
     Company has received written requests for inclusion therein from the
     Holders thereof within 15 business days after receipt by the applicable
     Holder of the Company's notice.  Each such request will also specify the
     aggregate amount and type of Registerable Securities to be registered
     and the intended method of disposition thereof.  Unless the Holder or
     Holders of a majority of the Registerable Securities to be registered in
     such Demand Registration shall consent in writing, no other party,
     including the Company (but excluding another Holder of a Registerable

                                       23

  <PAGE>

     Security), shall be permitted to offer securities under any such Demand
     Registration.

           (2)   Effective Registration and Expenses.  A registration will
     not count as a Demand Registration until it has become effective (unless
     the majority of the Holders demanding such registration withdraw the
     Registerable Securities, in which case such demand will count as a
     Demand Registration unless the Holders of such Registerable Securities
     agree to pay all Registration Expenses (as hereinafter defined)).
     Except as provided above, the Company will pay all Registration Expenses
     in connection with any registration initiated as a Demand Registration,
     whether or not it becomes effective.

           (3)   Priority on Demand Registrations.  If the Holders of a
     majority of the Registerable Securities to be registered in a Demand
     Registration so elect the offering of such Registerable Securities
     pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an
     underwritten offering.  In such event, if the managing Underwriter or
     Underwriters of such offering advise the Company and the Holders in
     writing that in their opinion the aggregate amount of Registerable
     Securities requested to be included in such offering is sufficiently
     large to materially and adversely affect the success of such offering,
     the Company will include in such registration the aggregate amount of
     Registerable Securities which in the opinion of such managing
     Underwriter or Underwriters can be sold without any such material
     adverse effect, and such amount shall be allocated pro rata among the
     Holders of such issue of Registerable Securities on the basis of the
     amount of Registerable Securities requested to be included in such
     registration by each such Holder.

           (4)   Selection of Underwriters.  If any Demand Registration is in
     the form of an underwritten offering, the Holders of a majority of the
     aggregate amount of the Registerable Securities making such demand shall
     designate, with the approval of the Company, such approval not to be
     unreasonably withheld, the Underwriter or a group of Underwriters to be
     utilized in connection with a public offering of the applicable issue of
     Registerable Securities.

     (c)   Piggy-Back Registration.

                                       24

  <PAGE>

           (1)   If the Company proposes to file a registration statement
     under the Securities Act with respect to an offering by the Company for
     its own account or for the account of any of its security holders
     (provided that, in the case of a registration on demand of such security
     holders, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount or
     number of shares of any such debt securities or equity securities, as
     the case may be, consent in writing) of any class of equity security
     (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 (or any
     substitute form that may be adopted by the Securities and Exchange
     Commission) or a registration statement in connection with an exchange
     offer or offering to the Company's existing security holders or the
     issuance of the Exchange Notes pursuant to Section 3.2(e) of the Bridge
     Loan Agreement), then the Company shall give written notice of such
     proposed filing to the Holders of Registerable Securities as soon as
     practicable (but in no event less than ten days before the anticipated
     filing date), and such notice shall offer such Holders the opportunity
     to register such amount of Registerable Securities as each such Holder
     may request (a "Piggy-Back Registration") .



           (2)   The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause
     the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed underwritten
     offering to permit the Registerable Securities requested to be included
     in the registration statement for such offering to be included on the
     same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company or of
     such other security holders included therein.  Notwithstanding the
     foregoing, if the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of such offering
     shall have informed the Company in writing that in the opinion of such
     Underwriter or Underwriters the success of the offering would be
     materially and adversely affected by inclusion of the Registerable
     Securities requested to be included because of (i) the kind or
     combination of securities which the Holders, the Company and any other
     persons or entities intend to include in such offering or (ii) the size
     of the offering which the Holders, the Company and such other persons
     intend to make, then (a) in the event that the size of the offering is
     the basis of such managing Underwriter's opinion, the amount of
     securities to be offered for the accounts of Holders and such other
     persons (other than the Company) shall be reduced pro rata (based upon
     the Registerable Securities and other securities owned by each) to the
     extent necessary to reduce the total amount of securities to be included
     in such offering to the amount recommended by such managing Underwriter
     or Underwriters; and (b) in the event that the kind (or combination) of
     securities to be offered is the basis of such managing Underwriter's

                                       25

  <PAGE>

     opinion, (x) the Registerable Securities to be included in such offering
     shall be reduced as described in clause (a) above or, (y) if the actions
     described in clause (x) would, in the judgment of the managing
     Underwriter, be insufficient to substantially eliminate the adverse
     effect that inclusion of the Registerable Securities and the securities
     held by such other persons requested to be included would have on such
     offering, such Registerable Securities and other securities will be
     excluded from such offering to the extent requested by the managing
     Underwriter.

                 The Company will pay all Registration Expenses (as
     hereinafter defined) in connection with each registration of
     Registerable Securities.

     (d)   Registration Procedures.

              If and whenever the Company is required to use its best efforts
  to effect the registration of any Registerable Securities under the
  Securities Act, the Company will promptly:

           (1)   prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
     a registration statement with respect to such securities and use its
     best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective;

           (2)   prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
     such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the
     prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such
     registration statement effective and to comply with the provisions of
     the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities
     covered by such registration statement until such time as all of such
     securities have been disposed of, but in no event (in the case of Demand
     Registration rights) for a period of more than six months after such
     registration statement becomes effective;

           (3)   furnish to counsel (if any) elected by Holders of a majority
     (by number of shares) of the Registerable Securities covered by such
     registration statement copies of all documents proposed to be filed with
     the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with such
     registration, which documents will be subject to the review of such
     counsel;

                                       26

  <PAGE>

           (4)   furnish to each seller of such securities such number of
     conformed copies of such registration statement and of each such
     amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits,
     except that the Company shall not be obligated to furnish any seller of
     securities with more than two copies of such exhibits), such number of
     copies of the prospectus included in such registration statement
     (including such preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus), in
     conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other
     documents, as such seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate
     the disposition of the securities owned by such seller;

           (5)   use its best efforts to register or qualify such securities
     covered by such registration statement under such other securities or
     blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as each seller shall request, and do
     any and all other acts and things which may be necessary or advisable to
     enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions
     of the securities owned by such seller, except that the Company shall
     not for any such purpose be required to qualify generally to do business
     as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it is not so
     qualified, or to consent to general service of process in any such
     jurisdiction;

           (6)   furnish to each seller a signed counterpart, addressed to
     the sellers of

                 (i)  an opinion of counsel for the Company, dated the
           effective date of the registration statement; and

                 (ii)subject to the accountants obtaining the necessary
           representations as specified in Statement on Auditing Standards
           No. 72, a "comfort" letter signed by the independent public
           accountants who have certified the Company's financial statements
           included in the registration statement,

     covering substantially the same matters with respect to the registration
     statement (and the prospectus included therein) and, in the case of such
     accountants' letter, with respect to changes subsequent to the date of
     such financial statements, as are customarily covered in opinions of
     issuer's counsel and in accountants' letters delivered to the
     underwriters in underwritten public offerings of the securities;

                                       27

  <PAGE>

           (7)   notify each seller of any securities covered by such
     registration statement, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto
     is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, (i) of the
     happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included
     in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue
     statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact
     required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
     therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing,
     or (ii) if the Company is in possession of material information that
     it deems advisable not to disclose in a registration statement, and at
     the request of any such seller prepare and furnish to such seller a
     reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such
     prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to
     purchasers of such securities, such prospectus shall not include an
     untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
     required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
     therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;
     provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any event contemplated
     by clause (ii) above, the Company shall not be required to prepare
     and furnish such supplement or amendment until the earlier of (x) the
     date such occurrence ceases or (y) 90 days after notice was first given
     under clause (ii), provided, further, that the Company may not delay
     preparation and furnishing of such supplement or amendment pursuant
     to the preceding proviso on more than two occasions;

           (8)   otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable
     rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and
     make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably
     practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least
     twelve months, but not more than eighteen months, beginning with the
     first month after the effective date of the registration statement,
     which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a)
     of the Securities Act; and

           (9)   use its best efforts to list such securities on AMEX or any
     securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, if such
     securities are not already so listed and if such listing is then
     permitted under the rules of such market exchange, and to provide a
     transfer agent and registrar for such Registerable Securities not later
     than the effective date of such registration statement.

  The Company may require each seller of any securities as to which any
  registration is being effected to furnish to the Company such information

                                       28

  <PAGE>

  regarding such seller and the distribution of such securities as the
  Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing and as shall
  be required by law in connection therewith.  Each such holder agrees to
  furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed
  in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by
  such holder not misleading.

              By acquisition of Registerable Securities, each Holder of such
  Registerable Securities shall be deemed to have agreed that upon receipt of
  any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind
  described in Section 14(d)(7) hereof, such Holder will promptly discontinue
  such Holder's disposition of Registerable Securities pursuant to the
  registration statement covering such Registerable Securities until such
  Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus
  contemplated by Section 14(d)(7) hereof.  If so directed by the Company,
  each Holder of Registerable Securities will deliver to the Company (at the
  Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in
  such Holder's possession of the prospectus covering such Registerable
  Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.  In the event
  the Company shall give any such notice, the period mentioned in Section
  14(d)(2) hereof shall be extended by the number of days during the period
  from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and excluding
  the date when each seller of any Registerable Securities covered by such
  registration statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented
  or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 14(d)(7) hereof.

        (e)   Indemnification.

           (1)  Indemnification by the Company.

              The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder
  of Registerable Securities, its officers, directors, employees and agents
  and each Person who controls such Holder within the meaning of either
  Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act
  (each such person being sometimes hereinafter referred to as an
  "Indemnified Holder") from and against all losses, claims, damages,
  liabilities and expenses (including reasonable costs of investigation
  and legal expenses) arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or
  alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration
  statement or prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in
  any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or based upon any omission
  or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
  therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
  circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except

                                       29

  <PAGE>

  insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arise
  out of or are based upon any such untrue statement or omission or
  allegation thereof based upon information relating to such Indemnified
  Holder and furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Holder
  expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity
  agreement with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to
  the benefit of any Holder who failed to deliver a final prospectus
  (as then amended or supplemented, provided by the Company to such Holder
  in the requisite quantity and on a timely basis to permit proper delivery
  on or prior to the relevant transfer of Registerable Securities) to the
  Person asserting any losses, claims, damages and liabilities and judgements
  caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
  fact contained in any preliminary prospectus, or caused by any omission or
  alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
  therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if
  such material misstatement or omission or alleged material misstatement
  or omission was cured in the final prospectus.  This indemnity will be
  in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.

              If any action or proceeding (including any governmental
  investigation or inquiry) shall be brought or asserted against an
  Indemnified Holder in respect of which indemnity may be sought from
  the Company, such Indemnified Holder shall promptly notify the Company
  in writing, and the Company shall assume the defense thereof, including
  the employment of counsel satisfactory to such Indemnified Holder and
  the payment of all expenses.  Such Indemnified Holder shall have the right
  to employ separate counsel in any such action and to participate in the
  defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the
  expense of such Indemnified Holder unless (a) the Company has agreed to
  pay such fees and expenses or (b) the Company shall have failed to assume
  the defense of such action or proceeding and has failed to employ counsel
  satisfactory to such Indemnified Holder in any such action or proceeding
  or (c) the named parties to any such action or proceeding (including any
  impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Holder and the Company,
  and there are one or more legal defenses available to such Indemnified
  Holder which are different from or additional to those available to the
  Company (in which case, if such Indemnified Holder notifies the Company
  in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of
  the Company, the Company shall not have the right to assume the defense
  of such action or proceeding on behalf of such Indemnified Holder, it
  being understood, however, that the Company shall not, in connection
  with any one such action or proceeding or separate but substantially
  similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising
  out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the

                                       30

  <PAGE>

  reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys
  at any time for such Indemnified Holder and any other Indemnified Holders,
  which firm shall be designated in writing by such Indemnified Holder).
  The Company shall not be liable for any settlement of any action or
  proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with its
  written consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in
  any such action or proceeding, the Company agrees to indemnify and
  hold harmless such Indemnified Holders from and against any loss or
  liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.

           (2)  Indemnification by Holder of Registerable Securities.

              Each Holder of Registerable Securities severally on behalf of
  itself only agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its
  directors and officers and each Person, if any, who controls the Company
  within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20
  of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the
  Company to such Holder, but only with respect to information relating
  to such Holder furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use in
  any registration statement or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement
  thereto, or any preliminary prospectus; provided, however, that such
  selling Holder shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that
  any alleged losses or damages result from the failure of the Company
  to promptly amend or take action to correct or supplement any such
  registration statement or prospectus on the basis of corrected or
  supplemental information provided in writing by such selling Holder
  to the Company expressly for such purpose.  In case any action or
  proceeding shall be brought against the Company or its directors
  or officers or any such controlling Person, in respect of which indemnity
  may be sought against a Holder of Registerable Securities, such Holder
  shall have the rights and duties given to the Company and the Company or
  its directors or officers or such controlling Person shall have the rights
  and duties given to each Holder by the preceding paragraph.  In no
  event shall the liability of any Holder of Registerable Securities
  hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the gross
  proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registerable
  Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

           (3)  Contribution.

              If the indemnification provided for in this Section 14(e)
  is unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 14(e)(1) or
  Section 14(e)(2) hereof (other than by reason of exceptions provided
  in those Sections) in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities
  or expenses referred to therein, then each applicable indemnifying party,

                                       31
  <PAGE>

  in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the
  amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such
  losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as
  is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company
  on the one hand and the Holders on the other hand from their sale of
  Registerable Securities or if such allocation is not permitted by
  applicable law, the relative fault of the Company on the one hand
  and of the Indemnified Holder on the other in connection with the
  statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages,
  liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable
  contributions.  The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and
  of the Indemnified Holder on the other shall be determined by reference
  to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement
  of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a
  material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the
  Indemnified Holder and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access
  to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or
  omission.  The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the
  losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above
  shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in
  the second paragraph of Section 14(e)(1), any legal or other fees or
  expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with
  investigating or defending any action or claim.

              The Company and each Holder of Registerable Securities agree
  that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this
  Section 14(e)(3) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other
  method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable
  considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 14(e)(3), an Indemnified
  Holder shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
  amount by which the total price at which the Registerable Securities
  sold by such Indemnified Holder or its affiliated Indemnified Holders
  and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the
  amount of any damages which such Indemnified Holder, or its affiliated
  Indemnified Holder, has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such
  untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
  Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution
  from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

           (f)  Certain Definitions.

         (1)  The term "Holder" shall mean the holder of any Registerable
     Security.

                                       32

  <PAGE>

         (2)  The term "Registerable Securities" shall mean, collectively,
     the Warrants, the Warrant Shares and any securities issued or issuable
     upon exercise of the Warrants.  As to any particular Registerable
     Securities, once issued, such securities shall cease to be Registerable
     Securities when (A) a registration statement (including a shelf
     registration) with respect to the sale of such securities shall have
     become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall
     have been disposedof in accordance with such registration statement,
     (B) they are eligible for distribution to the public pursuant to the
     holding period requirement of Rule 144(k) (or any successor provisions)
     under the Securities Act, (C) they shall have been otherwise transferred,
     new certificates for them not bearing a legend restricting further
     transfer shall have been delivered to the Company and subsequent
     disposition of them shall not require registration or qualification of
     them under the Securities Act or any similar state law then in force,
     or (D) they shall have ceased to be outstanding.

         (3)  The term "Registration Expenses" shall mean all expenses incident
     to the Company's performance of or compliance with Section 14 hereof,
     including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, all
     fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky laws, fees
     and other expenses associated with filings with the NASD (including,
     if required, the fees and expenses of any "qualified independent
     underwriter" and its counsel), all printing expenses, the fees and
     disbursements of counsel for the Company and its independent public
     accountants, the fees and disbursements of one counsel retained by
     the majority of Holders of Registerable Securities, the expenses of any
     special audits made by such accountants required by or incident to such
     performance and compliance, but not including (a) fees and disbursements
     of more than one counsel retained by the Holders of Registerable
     Securities, or (b) such Holders' proportionate share of underwriting
     discounts and commissions.

         (4)  The term "Underwriter" means a securities dealer that purchases
     any Registerable Securities as principal and not as part of such dealer's
     market-making activities.

              SECTION 15.  Notices to Company and Warrant Holder.  Any notice
  or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
  registered Holder of any Warrant Certificate or on the Company shall be

                                       33

  <PAGE>

  sufficiently given or made when and if deposited in the mail, first
  class or registered, postage prepaid, addressed to the office of the
  Company expressly designated by the Company at its office for purposes
  of this Agreement (until the Warrant Holders are otherwise notified
  in accordance with this Section by the Company), as follows:

                           Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
                           Corporate Offices
                           1000 Alfred Nobel Drive
                           Hercules, CA  94547
                           Attention: General Counsel

              Any notice pursuant to this Agreement to be given by the
  Company to the registered Holder(s) of any Warrant Certificate shall be
  sufficiently given when and if deposited in the mail, first class or
  registered, postage prepaid, addressed (until the Company is otherwise
  notified in accordance with this Section by such Holder) to such Holder
  at the address appearing on the Warrant register of the Company.

              SECTION 16.  Warrant Agent.  (a) The Lenders and the Company
  hereby agree that the Company shall serve as warrant agent under this
  agreement (the "Warrant Agent").  Upon 30 days' notice to Holders of
  Warrants, the Company and the Lenders may appoint a new Warrant Agent.
  Such new Warrant Agent shall be a corporation doing business under
  the laws of the United States or any state thereof, in good standing and
  having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000.
  The combined capital and surplus of any such new Warrant Agent shall
  be deemed to be the combined capital and surplus as set forth in the
  most recent annual report of its condition published by such Warrant Agent
  prior to its appointment, provided that such reports are published
  at least annually pursuant to law or to the requirements of a federal or
  state supervising or examining authority.  After acceptance in writing
  of such appointment by the new Warrant Agent, it shall be vested with
  the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been
  originally named herein as the Warrant Agent, without any further
  assurance, conveyance, act or deed; but if for any reason it shall be
  necessary or expedient to execute and deliver any further assurance,
  conveyance, act or deed, the same shall be done at the expense of the
  Company and shall be legally and validly executed and delivered by the
  Company.

           (b)  Any corporation into which the Company or any new Warrant
  Agent may be merged or any corporation resulting from any consolidation
  to which the Company or any new Warrant Agent shall be a party or any

                                       34

  <PAGE>

  corporation to which the Company transfers substantially all of its
  corporate trust or shareholders series business shall be a successor
  Warrant Agent under this Agreement without any further act, provided
  that such corporation (i) would be eligible for appointment as
  successor to the Warrant Agent under the provisions of this Section 16
  or (ii) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Warrant Agent.  Any such
  successor Warrant Agent shall promptly cause notice of its succession
  as Warrant Agent to be mailed (by first class mail, postage prepaid)
  to each Holder at such Holder's last address as shown on the register
  maintained by the Warrant Agent pursuant to this Agreement.

              SECTION 17.  Supplements and Amendments.  No amendment,
  modification, termination or waiver of any term or provision of this
  Agreement or of the Warrant Certificates to any departure by the Company
  therefrom, shall in any event be effective without the prior written
  concurrence of the Company, BOCM, the Agent and the Holders of a majority
  in interest of the Warrants.

              SECTION 18.  Successors.  All the covenants and provisions
  of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company shall bind and
  inure to the benefit of its respective successors and assigns hereunder.

              SECTION 19.  Termination.  This Agreement shall terminate at
  5:00 p.m., Chicago City time on September 30, 2009.

              SECTION 20.  Governing Law.  THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH WARRANT
  CERTIFICATE ISSUED HEREUNDER SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER
  THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE CONSTRUED
  IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF SAID STATE.

              SECTION 21.  Benefits of This Agreement.  Except as specifically
  set forth in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed
  to give to any person or corporation other than the Company, the Warrant
  Agent and the registered Holders of the Warrant Certificates any legal or
  equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement.

              SECTION 22.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in
  any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all
  purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall
  together constitute but one and the same instrument.

                                       35

  <PAGE>

                               [Signature Page Follows]





                                       36

  <PAGE>


              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
  Agreement to be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.

                                          BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.



                                          By: /s/ Ronald W. Hutton
                                              Name:  Ronald W. Huton
                                              Title: Treasurer


                                          BANC ONE CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.,
                                          individually and as Agent


                                          By: /s/ Grant Gieringer
                                              Name:  Gran Gieringer
                                              Title: Director









                                 S-1

  <PAGE>




                                                              EXHIBIT A-1


                    [Form of Formula Warrant Certificate]

                                   [Face]

  NEITHER THE ISSUANCE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE (AND
  ANY PREDECESSOR) NOR THE ISSUANCE OF ANY SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE
  HEREOF HAS BEEN REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES
  ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR PURSUANT TO THE
  SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE, AND SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED,
  SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO (i) A REGISTRATION
  STATEMENT IN EFFECT WITH RESPECT TO SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES
  ACT AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THEREUNDER OR (ii) AN EXEMPTION FROM THE
  REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE
  SECURITIES LAWS.


                   EXERCISABLE ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 2009



                                    A-1-1

  <PAGE>



  No. _____

                          Initial Warrant Certificate

                           BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.

              This Warrant Certificate certifies that Norwest Bank Minnesota,
  N.A., as Escrow Agent, or registered assigns, is the registered holder
  (collectively, the "Holder") of Warrants evidencing the right to purchase
  the "Applicable Number of Shares" of Class A Common Stock, $1.00 par value,
  of the Company (the "Common Stock"), as determined in accordance with
  Section 12 of the Bridge Loan Agreement dated as of September 30, 1999
  among Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (the "Company"), Bank One Capital Markets,
  Inc. ("BOCM"), as Agent (the "Agent"), and the lenders party thereto (the
  "Lenders") and which have been deposited into escrow pursuant to the terms
  of the Escrow Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1999, among the Company,
  BOCM, individually and as Agent, and Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., as
  Escrow Agent, and expiring on September 30, 2009 (the "Warrants").
  Each Warrant entitles the holder upon exercise to receive from the Company
  on or before 5:00 p.m. Chicago time on September 30, 2009, one fully paid
  and nonassessable share of Common Stock (a "Warrant Share") at the
  "Applicable Exercise Price" payable in lawful money of the United States
  of America upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate, with the form of
  election to purchase set forth hereon properly completed and executed,
  and payment of the Exercise Price at the office of the Company designated
  for such purpose, subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the
  Warrant Agreement referred to on the reverse hereof.  In lieu of exercising
  this Warrant by paying in full the Exercise Price plus transfer taxes
  (if applicable pursuant to Section 6 of the Warrant Agreement), if any,
  the Warrant holder may, from time to time, convert this Warrant, in whole
  or in part, into a number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing
  (a) the aggregate current market price of the number of Shares represented
  by the Warrants converted, minus the aggregate Exercise Price for such
  shares, plus transfer taxes, if any, by (b) the current market price of
  one Share.  The current market price shall be determined pursuant to
  Section 10(f) of the Warrant Agreement.

              "Applicable Exercise Price" means the price equal to 10% over
  the last quoted sales price of the Common Stock on AMEX on the Closing
  Date.

              "Applicable Number of Shares" means shares representing 10% of
  the fully-diluted capital stock of the Company.

                                    A-1-2

  <PAGE>

              The Exercise Price and number of Warrant Shares issuable upon
  exercise of the Warrants are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of
  certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

              No Warrant may be exercised after 5:00 p.m., Chicago time on
  September 30, 2009 and to the extent not exercised by such time such
  Warrants shall become void.

              Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this
  Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof and such further
  provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully
  set forth at this place.

              This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless
  countersigned by the Company, as such term is used in the Warrant
  Agreement.

                       [Signature Page Follows]

                                    A-1-3

  <PAGE>



              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. has caused this
  Warrant Certificate to be signed by its President and by its Secretary.

  Dated as of September 30, 1999.


                                              BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.


                                             By:
                                                         President


                                             By:
                                                         Secretary







                                A-1-4

  <PAGE>



                          [Form of Warrant Certificate]

                                    [Reverse]


              The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are part of
  a duly authorized issue of Warrants expiring on September 30, 2009,
  entitling the holder on exercise to receive shares of Class A Common
  Stock, $1.00 par value, of the Company (the "Common Stock"), and are
  issued or to be issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement dated as of
  September 30, 1999 (the "Warrant Agreement"), duly executed and
  delivered by the Company, which Warrant Agreement is hereby incorporated
  by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is hereby referred
  to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights, obligations,
  duties and immunities thereunder of the Company and the holders (the
  words "holders" or "holder" meaning the registered holders or registered
  holder) of the Warrants.  Capitalized terms used herein shall have the
  meanings ascribed in such Warrant Agreement.  A copy of the Warrant
  Agreement may be obtained by the holder hereof upon written request to the
  Company.

              Warrants may be exercised at any time on or before September 30,
  2009.  In the event that upon any exercise of Warrants evidenced hereby the
  number of Warrants exercised shall be less than the total number of
  Warrants evidenced hereby, there shall be issued to the holder hereof or his
  assignee a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants not
  exercised.  No adjustment shall be made for any dividends on any Common
  Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant.

              The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of
  certain events the Exercise Price set forth on the face hereof may, subject
  to certain conditions, be adjusted.  If the Exercise Price is adjusted,
  the Warrant Agreement provides that the number of shares of Common Stock
  issuable upon the exercise of each Warrant shall be adjusted.  No fractions
  of a share of Common Stock will be issued upon the exercise of any
  Warrant, but the Company will pay the cash value thereof determined as
  provided in the Warrant Agreement.

              The holders of the Warrants are entitled to certain registration
  rights with respect to the Warrants and the Common Stock purchasable upon
  exercise thereof.  Said registration rights are set forth in Section 14 of
  the Warrant Agreement.

                                 A-1-5

  <PAGE>

              Warrant Certificates, when surrendered at the office of the
  Company by the registered holder thereof in person or by its legal
  representative or attorney duly authorized in writing, may be exchanged,
  in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant
  Agreement, but without payment of any service charge, for another Warrant
  Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor evidencing in the
  aggregate a like number of Warrants.

              Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this
  Warrant Certificate at the office of the Company a new Warrant Certificate
  or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a
  like number of Warrants shall be issued to the transferee(s) in exchange
  for this Warrant Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in the
  Warrant Agreement, without charge except for any tax or other governmental
  charge imposed in connection therewith.

              The Company may deem and treat the registered holder(s) hereof
  as the absolute owner(s) of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any
  notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the
  purpose of any exercise hereof, of any distribution to the holder(s)
  hereof, and for all other purposes, and the Company shall not be affected
  by any notice to the contrary.  Neither the Warrants nor this Warrant
  Certificate entitles any holder hereof to any rights of a stockholder of
  the Company.



                                   A-1-6

  <PAGE>



                              [Form of Election to Purchase]

                         (To Be Executed Upon Exercise Of Warrant)


              The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the
  right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, to receive __________
  shares of Common Stock and herewith (check item):

              (i)  tenders payment for such shares to the order of
  _________________ in the amount of $_________  in accordance with the
  terms hereof; or

              (ii)  converts this Warrant, in whole or in part, into a
  number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing (a) the aggregate
  Current Market Price of the number of shares represented by this Warrant,
  minus the aggregate Exercise Price for such shares, plus transfer taxes,
  if any, by (b) the Current Market Price of one Share.

              The undersigned requests that a certificate for such shares be
  registered in the name of ______________, whose address is __________________
  and that such shares be delivered to _________________
  whose address is _____________________________.



                                 A-1-7

  <PAGE>








              If said number of shares is less than all of the shares of
  Common Stock purchasable hereunder, the undersigned requests that a new
  Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares be
  registered in the name of _____________, whose address is _______________,
  and that such Warrant Certificate to be delivered to ___________________,
  whose address is _______________________.

                                            Signature:


                                            _______________________________


  Date:____________________



                                            Signature Guaranteed:


                                            _______________________________







                                  A-1-8

  <PAGE>




                                                                EXHIBIT A-2


                      [Form of Release Warrant Certificate]

                                     [Face]

  NEITHER THE ISSUANCE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE
  (AND ANY PREDECESSOR) NOR THE ISSUANCE OF ANY SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON
  EXERCISE HEREOF HAS BEEN REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR PURSUANT TO
  THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE, AND SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED,
  SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO (i) A
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT IN EFFECT WITH RESPECT TO SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE
  SECURITIES ACT AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THEREUNDER OR (ii) AN
  EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY
  APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.


                    EXERCISABLE ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 2009



                                     A-2-1

  <PAGE>




  No. _____

                            Release Warrant Certificate

                             BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.


              This Warrant Certificate certifies that ______________________,
  or registered assigns, is the registered holder (collectively, the
  "Holder") of the number of Warrants determined in accordance with
  Section 12 of the Bridge Loan Agreement dated as of September 30, 1999
  among Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (the "Company"), Bank One Capital Markets,
  Inc. ("BOCM"), First Chicago Capital Corporation, as agent (the
  "Agent"), and the lenders party thereto (the "Lenders") and which have
  been deposited into escrow pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement,
  dated as of September 30, 1999, among the Company, BOCM, the Agent, and
  Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Escrow Agent, and expiring on
  September 30, 2009 (the "Warrants") to purchase Class A Common Stock,
  $1.00 par value (the "Common Stock"), of the Company.  Each Warrant
  entitles the holder upon exercise to receive from the Company on or
  before 5:00 p.m. Chicago time on September 30, 2009, one fully paid and
  nonassessable share of Common Stock (a "Warrant Share") at the "Applicable
  Exercise Price" payable in lawful money of the United States of America
  upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate, with the form of election to
  purchase set forth hereon properly completed and executed, and payment of
  the Exercise Price at the office of the Company designated for such
  purpose, subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant
  Agreement referred to on the reverse hereof.  In lieu of exercising this
  Warrant by paying in full the Exercise Price plus transfer taxes (if
  applicable pursuant to Section 6 of the Warrant Agreement), if any, the
  Warrant holder may, from time to time, convert this Warrant, in whole or
  in part, into a number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing
  (a) the aggregate Current Market Price of the number of Shares represented
  by the Warrants converted, minus the aggregate Exercise Price for such
  shares, plus transfer taxes, if any, by (b) the Current Market Price of
  one Share.  The Current Market Price shall be determined pursuant to
  Section 10(f) of the Warrant Agreement.

              The "Applicable Exercise Price" is the price equal to 10% over
  the last quoted sales price of the Common Stock on AMEX on the Closing
  Date.

                                  A-2-2

  <PAGE>

              The Exercise Price and number of Warrant Shares issuable upon
  exercise of the Warrants are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence
  of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

              No Warrant may be exercised after 5:00 p.m., Chicago time on
  September 30, 2009 and to the extent not exercised by such time such
  Warrants shall become void.

              Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this
  Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof and such further
  provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully
  set forth at this place.

              This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless
  countersigned by the Company, as such term is used in the Warrant
  Agreement.


                             [Signature Page Follows]


                                        A-2-3

  <PAGE>





              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. has
  caused this Warrant Certificate to be signed by its President and
  by its Secretary.

  Dated as of __________________, ____.


                                               BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.


                                                   By:
                                                            President


                                                   By:
                                                            Secretary







                                    A-2-4

  <PAGE>




                          [Form of Warrant Certificate]

                                   [Reverse]


              The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are part of
  a duly authorized issue of Warrants expiring on September 30, 2009,
  entitling the holder on exercise to receive shares of Class A Common
  Stock, $1.00 par value, of the Company (the "Common Stock"), and are
  issued or to be issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement dated as of
  September 30, 1999 (the "Warrant Agreement"), duly executed and delivered
  by the Company, which Warrant Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference
  in and made a part of this instrument and is hereby referred to for a
  description of the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and
  immunities thereunder of the Company and the holders (the words "holders"
  or "holder" meaning the registered holders or registered holder) of the
  Warrants.  Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed
  in such Warrant Agreement.  A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be obtained
  by the holder hereof upon written request to the Company.

              Warrants may be exercised at any time on or before September 30,
  2009.  In the event that upon any exercise of Warrants evidenced hereby the
  number of Warrants exercised shall be less than the total number of
  Warrants evidenced hereby, there shall be issued to the holder hereof or
  his assignee a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants not
  exercised.  No adjustment shall be made for any dividends on any Common Stock
  issuable upon exercise of this Warrant.

              The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of
  certain events the Exercise Price set forth on the face hereof may,
  subject to certain conditions, be adjusted.  If the Exercise Price is
  adjusted, the Warrant Agreement provides that the number of shares of
  Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of each Warrant shall be adjusted.
  No fractions of a share of Common Stock will be issued upon the exercise
  of any Warrant, but the Company will pay the cash value thereof determined
  as provided in the Warrant Agreement.

              The holders of the Warrants are entitled to certain
  registration rights with respect to the Warrants and the Common Stock
  purchasable upon exercise thereof.  Said registration rights are set
  forth in Section 14 of the Warrant Agreement.

                                 A-2-5

  <PAGE>

              Warrant Certificates, when surrendered at the office of
  the Company by the registered holder thereof in person or by its legal
  representative or attorney duly authorized in writing, may be
  exchanged, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the
  Warrant Agreement, but without payment of any service charge, for another
  Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor evidencing
  in the aggregate a like number of Warrants.

              Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this
  Warrant Certificate at the office of the Company a new Warrant
  Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the
  aggregate a like number of Warrants shall be issued to the transferee(s)
  in exchange for this Warrant Certificate, subject to the limitations
  provided in the Warrant Agreement, without charge except for any tax
  or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.

              The Company may deem and treat the registered holder(s) hereof
  as the absolute owner(s) of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding
  any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for
  the purpose of any exercise hereof, of any distribution to the holder(s)
  hereof, and for all other purposes, and the Company shall not be affected
  by any notice to the contrary.  Neither the Warrants nor this Warrant
  Certificate entitles any holder hereof to any rights of a stockholder of
  the Company.


                                   A-2-6

  <PAGE>



                       [Form of Election to Purchase]

                  (To Be Executed Upon Exercise Of Warrant)


              The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the
  right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, to receive __________
  shares of Common Stock and herewith (check item):

              (i)  tenders payment for such shares to the order of
  _________________ in the amount of $_________  in accordance with
  the terms hereof; or

              (ii)  converts this Warrant, in whole or in part, into
  a number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing (a) the
  aggregate Current Market Price of the number of shares represented by
  this Warrant, minus the aggregate Exercise Price for such shares, plus
  transfer taxes, if any, by (b) the Current Market Price of one Share.

              The undersigned requests that a certificate for such shares
  be registered in the name of ______________, whose address is
  _____________________ and that such shares be delivered to ______________
  whose address is _____________________________.



                                 A-2-7

  <PAGE>




              If said number of shares is less than all of the shares of
  Common Stock purchasable hereunder, the undersigned requests that a new
  Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such
  shares be registered in the name of _____________, whose address
  is _______________, and that such Warrant Certificate to be delivered
  to ___________________, whose address is _______________________.

                                                Signature:


                                                _______________________________


  Date:____________________


                                                Signature Guaranteed:


                                                _______________________________




                                 A-2-8

  <PAGE>



                                                                   EXHIBIT B


                            Assignment Form


  To assign a Warrant Certificate, fill in the form below and the Annex
  hereto:  (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Warrant Certificate to

  (Insert each proposed transferee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no. and number
  of Warrants proposed to be transferred to each such transferee)

  _______________________________________________________________________

  _______________________________________________________________________

  _______________________________________________________________________

   (Print or type each proposed transferee's name, address and zip code)

  _______________________________________________________________________

  _______________________________________________________________________

  _______________________________________________________________________
  and irrevocably direct any authorized officer of the Company to transfer
  such Warrant Certificate(s) on the books of the Company.

  ________________________________________________________________________

  Date: _______________________
  _____________________________
  _____________________________
  _____________________________

                                   Your Signature:___________________


  Signature Guaranty.__________________


                                    B-1

  <PAGE>

                                  ANNEX TO
                              ASSIGNMENT FORM

  CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON TRANSFER OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES

  Re:  Warrants issued by Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

              This Certificate relates to Warrant Certificate number(s)
  __________ held by _______________ (the "Transferor").

              The Transferor has requested the Company, by written order,
  to register the transfer of such Warrant Certificate(s).

              In connection with such request and in respect of each such
  Warrant Certificate, the Transferor does hereby certify that the transfer

                                    B-2

 <PAGE>

  of such Warrant Certificate(s) does not require registration under the
  Securities Act (as defined below) because:1

              Such Warrants are being acquired for the Transferor's own
              account, without transfer.

              Such Warrants are being transferred to a "qualified
              institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under the
              Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"))
              in reliance on Rule 144A or pursuant to an exemption from
              registration in accordance with Rule 904 under the
              Securities Act.

              Such Warrants are being transferred in accordance with Rule
              144 under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an effective
              registration statement under the Securities Act.

              Such Warrants are being transferred in reliance on and in
              compliance with an exemption from the registration
              requirements of the Securities Act, other than Rule 144A,
              Rule 144 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act.  If requested
              by the Company, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such
              transfer does not require registration under the Securities
              Act accompanies this Certificate.



                                    (INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR)


                                    By:__________________________


  Date: ____________________







  1     Check applicable box.


                                B-3


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted
         from Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
         June 30, 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
         to such financial statements.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                                         <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                     9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                           11,826
<SECURITIES>                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   105,213
<ALLOWANCES>                                          0
<INVENTORY>                                      96,385
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                240,351
<PP&E>                                          205,008
<DEPRECIATION>                                  120,003
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  376,131
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            92,074
<BONDS>                                          35,367
<COMMON>                                         12,463
                                 0
                                           0
<OTHER-SE>                                      221,733
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    376,131
<SALES>                                         355,059
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                355,059
<CGS>                                           158,008
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   158,008
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                2,458
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  32,123
<INCOME-TAX>                                      9,187
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              22,936
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                     22,936
<EPS-BASIC>                                      1.89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      1.89


</TABLE>


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