CHAMPION INDUSTRIES INC
8-K, 1996-08-23
COMMERCIAL PRINTING
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC  20549


                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT


Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported) August 21, 1996.

                           Champion Industries, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     West Virginia                  0-21084                    55-0717455
- -----------------------       ---------------------       ---------------------
(State or other juris-        (Commission File No.)       (IRS Employer Identi-
diction of corporation)                                       fication No.)


         2450 First Avenue
           P. O. Box 2968
      Huntington, West Virginia                                   25728
- ----------------------------------------                  ---------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code            (304) 528-2791
                                                          ---------------------

                                Not Applicable
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changes since last report)




<PAGE>

                    INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT



Item 2.   ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

     On August 21, 1996, Champion Industries, Inc. ("Champion"), a West 
Virginia corporation, announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, CM 
Acquisition Corp. ("Acquisition"), an Ohio corporation, had consummated an 
Asset Purchase Agreement dated August 12, 1996 with The Merten Company 
("Merten"), an Ohio corporation and commercial printer headquartered in 
Cincinnati, Ohio, pursuant to which Acquisition purchased substantially all 
the assets of Merten for a cash price of $1,000 and the assumption of certain 
liabilities of Merten aggregating $2,535,295.  Champion has guaranteed 
Acquisition's performance of the Asset Purchase Agreement.  Acquisition will 
change its name to "The Merten Company" and operate from a leased facility in 
Cincinnati, Ohio.  Champion anticipates utilizing working capital and the 
proceeds of a 3-year term, unsecured bank loan in amount of $2,000,000 for 
the cash consideration and payment of assumed obligations as required by the 
Asset Purchase Agreement.

Item 7.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

     (a)  Financial statements of businesses acquired.

     (b)  Pro forma financial information.

     With respect to the information required by Items 7(a) and (b), pursuant 
to Items 7(a)(4) and 7(b)(2) of Form 8-K, the registrant states that it is 
impracticable to provide required financial statements or pro forma financial 
statements for the 




<PAGE>

acquired business at the time this report on Form 8-K is filed, but 
undertakes to file same not later than 60 days after this report must be 
filed.

     (c)  Exhibits

     The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index on page 4 of this Form 8-K are 
filed herewith.

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

                                         CHAMPION INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                  ----------------------------------------
                                               (Registrant)



                                  /s/ Joseph C. Worth, III
Date: August 21, 1996             ----------------------------------------
                                  Joseph C. Worth, III, Vice President
                                  and Chief Financial Officer




<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


2.1       Asset Purchase Agreement between The Merten Company, its 
          stockholders and CM Acquisition Corp. dated August 12, 1996.  Filed 
          herewith. Copies of any omitted schedule will be furnished 
          supplementally to the Commission upon request.







































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                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT





                               THE MERTEN COMPANY
                              A CORPORATION, SELLER



                                       TO



                              CM ACQUISITION CORP.,
                           AN OHIO CORPORATION, BUYER







                                 August 12, 1996




<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


Section                                                                   Page
- -------                                                                   ----

 1.  Sale of Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1

 2.  Purchase Price. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2

 3.  Closing Date and Place. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4

 4.  Waiver of Compliance with Bulk Sales Act; Indemnification . . . . . .   4

 5.  Representations and Warranties of Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4

 6.  Covenants of the Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14

 7.  Representations and Warranties of Buyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16

 8.  Company Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17

 9.  Non-Competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18

10.  Conditions Precedent to Buyer's Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18

11.  Conditions to Closing by Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21

12.  Termination of Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23

13.  Additional Documents and Acts after Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24

14.  Non-Assumption of Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24

15.  Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25

16.  Risk of Loss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28

17.  Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28

18.  Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28

19.  Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements. . . . . . . .  29

20.  Modification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30

                                      i


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                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----

21.  Nonwaiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30

22.  Entire Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30

23.  Descriptive Headings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30

24.  Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30

25.  Counterparts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31

26.  Binding Nature; Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31

27.  Legal Fees and Expenses; Other Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31

28.  Invalid Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32

     Signatures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32














                                      ii


<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBITS


A-1       Assets - Equipment

A-2       Assets - Inventory

A-3       Assets - Accounts Receivable

A-4       Assets - Motor Vehicles

A-5       Other Assets Sold

B         Liens, Encumbrances, Mortgages and Security Interests

B-1       Property Not Owned by Company

C         List of Trade Creditors

D         Allocation of Purchase Price

E         Opinion of Company Counsel

F         Non-Competition Agreements

G         Liabilities Assumed by Buyer

H         Agreement of Lease

I         Guaranty of Champion

J         Litigation

K         Labor Claims

L         Employee Plans

M         Financial Statements

N         Excluded Assets




<PAGE>

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the 12th day of August, 
1996, by and between THE MERTEN COMPANY, an Ohio corporation, hereinafter 
called the "Company", CM ACQUISITION CORP., an Ohio corporation, hereinafter 
called the "Buyer", and HAROLD A. MERTEN, JR., hereinafter referred to as 
"Bud", MARION B. MERTEN, HAROLD A. MERTEN, III, and SUSAN M. ROBERTS, holders 
of all issued and outstanding voting and non-voting common stock of the 
Company (hereinafter, with Bud, collectively called the "Stockholders"). 

     WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in the commercial printing business in 
Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky; and

     WHEREAS, the Buyer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Champion Industries, 
Inc., a West Virginia corporation, hereinafter called "Champion"; and

     WHEREAS, the parties have reached an understanding with respect to the 
sale of all of the assets and business of the Company and the purchase by the 
Buyer of such assets and business.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, which are not mere 
recitals but are an integral part hereof, and in further consideration of the 
mutual covenants and promises herein contained, and for other good and 
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of all of which are 
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:  

     1.   SALE OF ASSETS.   The Company agrees that, at the Closing, the 
Company shall sell, transfer, and deliver to the Buyer for the consideration 
hereinafter provided, all of the assets of the Company, including, but not 
limited to those assets of the Company set forth in Exhibits A-1, A-2, A-3, 
A-4 and A-5 attached hereto and incorporated herein by 




<PAGE>

reference, constituting all the Company's furniture, machinery, equipment, 
tools, drawings, plates, inventory, accounts receivable, cash on hand and in 
banks, motor vehicles and deposit with Ohio Industrial Commission, together 
with all records, trade names, customer lists, distributorship agreements, 
work in process and work completed, licenses, rights, permits, the right to 
the use of the names "The Merten Company" and "Page-makers", and any variants 
thereof, and all rights to use the current telephone numbers of Company.  
Such sale shall be made free and clear of all liabilities, mortgages, liens, 
obligations, security interests, and encumbrances except such that are 
expressly assumed in writing by Buyer. Stockholders shall have the right to 
purchase the life insurance policies owned by the Company on their lives for 
the cash surrender value of the policies at the time of purchase.  
Stockholders' right shall be exercised within 30 days after the Closing.  The 
assets listed on Exhibit N are excluded from the sale of assets purchased by 
Buyer.

     2.   PURCHASE PRICE.     Subject to the terms of this agreement, the 
Buyer shall purchase the assets and, in full consideration therefor, shall 
pay the Company, subject to the adjustments provided for herein, a sum not to 
exceed Two Million Four Hundred Ninety Five Thousand Two Hundred Ninety Five 
and 14/100 Dollars ($2,495,295.14) (the "Preliminary Purchase Price").

          A.   PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE.  Purchase Price shall be paid as 
     follows:

          (1)  One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) cash upon execution of this 
     Agreement.

          (2)  The balance at Closing, by Buyer's execution and delivery of 
     an agreement to assume, pay, discharge and perform when lawfully due the 
     liabilities to taxing authorities, secured creditors, trade creditors 
     and obligees under operating 

                                       2


<PAGE>

     leases, capital leases and maintenance agreements, all as fully set 
     forth in Exhibits B, C and G hereto; provided, however, that at the 
     Closing, the Company shall provide Buyer with an updated list, as of the 
     Closing Date, of the amount of each obligation listed in Exhibits B, C 
     and G hereto, which amount shall not exceed the Preliminary Purchase 
     Price by more than $40,000.00.  If such amount does not exceed the 
     Preliminary Purchase Price by more than $40,000.00, such amount shall 
     constitute the Purchase Price.  If such amount exceeds the Purchase 
     Price, Company shall reimburse Buyer for such excess at Closing.  
     Buyer's obligations shall be guaranteed by Champion pursuant to the 
     Guaranty (the "Guaranty") attached hereto as Exhibit I.  The Company's 
     liabilities to Bud noted on Exhibit B as "to be paid at Closing" shall 
     be paid at Closing.

          B.   ALLOCATION.

          (a)  The Preliminary Purchase Price shall be allocated among the 
     assets hereby sold and purchased for all purposes, including all tax, 
     tax reporting and accounting purposes, as set forth on Exhibit D.

          (b)  In the event the Purchase Price differs from the Preliminary 
     Purchase Price, the allocation agreed to by the parties shall be 
     adjusted as agreed by Buyer and Company in accordance with federal 
     income tax principles.

          The allocation of the Purchase Price to the assets hereby sold and 
     purchased shall be binding on Buyer and Company for all tax purposes. 
     Buyer and Company will execute Internal Revenue Service Form 8594 at the 
     Closing and shall attach same to their tax return covering the year in 
     which the Closing occurs.

                                       3


<PAGE>

     3.   CLOSING DATE AND PLACE.  The Closing under this agreement (the 
"Closing") shall take place within thirty (30) days from the date of this 
Agreement at such time (the "Closing Date") and place as to which the parties 
may agree.  

     4.   WAIVER OF COMPLIANCE WITH BULK SALES ACT; INDEMNIFICATION.  In 
order to induce Buyer to enter into and perform this Agreement, and to obtain 
the waiver of bulk sales act compliance hereinafter granted, Company and 
Stockholders (except for Susan M. Roberts), subject to the limitations set 
forth in Sections 15 and 19 of this Agreement, hereby agree to jointly and 
severally indemnify and hold harmless Buyer from any and all claims, 
including legal fees and expenses, under any statutory provisions regulating 
the transfer of goods in bulk, including the provisions of the Uniform 
Commercial Code as adopted in the State of Ohio (hereinafter "UCC") with 
respect to the assets hereby sold and conveyed or the purchase price 
therefor, except for obligations expressly assumed by Buyer, and in 
consideration of same, all parties hereto mutually agree to waive compliance 
with any such law.

     5.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY.   The Company and 
Stockholders (except for Susan M. Roberts) jointly and severally represent 
and warrant to Buyer as a material inducement to Buyer to enter into and 
perform its obligations under this Agreement, as follows: 

          (a)  ORGANIZATION AND STANDING OF COMPANY.   The Company is a 
     corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under 
     the laws of the State of Ohio.  To the best knowledge of Company and 
     Stockholders, the Company is not qualified and is not required to be 
     qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in any other state due 
     to the character of the properties owned by the 

                                       4


<PAGE>

     Company or the nature of the business transacted by it.  The Company has 
     all requisite corporate power and authority to own and operate its 
     properties and to conduct its business in the manner and in the places 
     where it is now conducted.

          (b)  COMPANY'S AUTHORITY.  The execution and delivery of this 
     Agreement and other documents herein contemplated to the Buyer and the 
     sale contemplated hereby will have been duly authorized by the Company's 
     Board of Directors and Stockholders, and the Company will at the Closing 
     deliver to the Buyer copies of the resolutions of its Board of Directors 
     and Stockholders granting such authority, such copies to be certified by 
     the Company's secretary.  No other corporate action on the part of the 
     Company will be necessary to authorize execution and delivery of same 
     and of the sale.  To the best knowledge of Company and Stockholders, the 
     execution and delivery of this Agreement to the Buyer and the sale 
     contemplated hereby do not violate any federal, state or local laws or 
     regulations.  To the best knowledge of Company and Stockholders, the 
     execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the 
     transactions contemplated hereby will not violate any provision of, or 
     result in the breach of or accelerate or permit the acceleration of the 
     performance required by the terms of, any applicable law, rule or 
     regulation of any governmental body having jurisdiction, the Articles of 
     Incorporation or Code of Regulations of the Company, or any agreement to 
     which the Company or any Stockholder is a party or by which any of them 
     may be bound (except for loan agreements, leases and other obligations 
     for which consent is required, as listed on Exhibit B), or of any order, 
     judgment or decree applicable to it, or result in the crea-

                                       5


<PAGE>

     tion of any claim, lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the property 
     or assets of the Company or terminate or result in the termination of 
     any such agreement.

          (c)  TITLE OF PROPERTY.  The Company has good, marketable and 
     indefeasible title to all the properties and assets to be sold 
     hereunder, including without limitation, those reflected on Exhibits 
     A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5 hereto, free and clear of any mortgages, 
     security interests, liens, charges or encumbrances whatsoever, except as 
     otherwise specifically disclosed, including amounts, in Exhibit B to 
     this Agreement.  The Company does not own, and this Agreement does not 
     affect the assets described in Exhibit B-1 to this Agreement or any 
     liabilities with respect to same, except that Buyer shall be entitled to 
     all interest of Company in any such property which is the subject of a 
     lease or bailment obligation assumed by Buyer.

          (d)  TAX RETURNS.  All required federal, state and local tax 
     returns of the Company have been accurately prepared and duly and timely 
     filed, and all federal, state and local taxes required to be paid with 
     respect to the periods covered by such returns have been paid or accrued 
     on the balance sheets.  The Company is not delinquent in the payment of 
     any tax, assessment or governmental charge, and there is no tax 
     deficiency outstanding, proposed in writing or assessed against it.  The 
     Company has not executed any outstanding waiver of any statute of 
     limitations on the assessment or collection of any tax.  

          (e)  INSURANCE.   All inventories, equipment and fixed assets owned 
     by or leased by the Company are and will be insured against fire and 
     other casualty to the Closing date in accordance with past practices and 
     valid policies therefor are and will be outstanding and duly in force at 
     closing. 

                                       6


<PAGE>

          (f)  PATENTS, ETC.    Company has adequate rights in all 
     copyrights, trademarks, service marks, service names, trade names or 
     patents necessary to conduct the Company's business operation as it is 
     presently operated, and Buyer will be able to continue same after the 
     assignment of such copyrights, trademarks, service marks, service names, 
     trade names or patents.  To the best knowledge of Company and 
     Stockholders, the Company is not infringing upon or otherwise acting 
     adversely to any copyrights, trademarks, trademark rights, service 
     marks, service names, trade names, patents, patent rights, licenses, 
     trade secrets or other proprietary rights owned by any other person or 
     persons, and there is no written claim or action by any such person 
     pending, or to the knowledge of Company threatened, with respect thereto.

          (g)  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.    To the best knowledge of Company and 
     Stockholders, the Company has complied in all material respects with all 
     applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and franchises with 
     respect to its operations, and neither the ownership nor use of the 
     Company's properties nor the conduct of its business conflicts with the 
     rights of any other person, firm or corporation.

          (h)  NO LITIGATION.    There is no claim, legal action, suit, 
     arbitration, governmental investigation or other legal, administrative 
     or tax proceeding for which Company has received written notice, nor any 
     order, decree or judgment, in progress, pending, or threatened against 
     or relating to the Company which involves or affects its properties, 
     assets or business or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, 
     except as disclosed on Exhibit J to this Agreement.

          (i)  LABOR.    To the knowledge of Company and Stockholders, no 
     strike is pending or threatened against the Company by its employees or 
     any labor

                                       7


<PAGE>

     union claiming to represent such employees.  The Company has no 
     agreement with any labor union or collective bargaining group.  There is 
     no unfair labor practice complaint against Company pending before the 
     National Labor Relations Board or any similar state agency except as 
     described in Exhibit K to this Agreement.

          (j)  EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.   There are no commitments to past or 
     present officers, directors or employees of the Company for expenses, 
     profit sharing, pension, bonus, retirement plans, or compensation in 
     addition to regular salary arrangements.  Except for commission 
     arrangements with salespersons, there are no written or oral agreements 
     of employment between Company and any officer or other employee which 
     are not terminable by Company at will. 

          (k)  EMPLOYEES.    Company expects to terminate the employment of 
     all its employees on the Closing Date.  Company and Buyer will make a 
     joint announcement regarding Buyer's employment plans at least one (1) 
     week prior to Closing.  Except as expressly listed on Exhibit G to this 
     Agreement, Company will retain all liability, if any, for any benefits 
     of its employees attributable to their employment by Company and the 
     termination of such employment by Company, including specifically 
     severance, hospitalization, or retirement benefits, if any, and 
     liability for any other claim by an employee or former employee of 
     Company attributable to his employment or termination of employment by 
     Company.  

               (i)  Company has paid in full (to the extent required by the 
          Company's current practices but consistent with the Company's legal 
          obligations) to all its employees, all wages, salaries, 
          commissions, bonuses, vacation pay (except as 

                                       8


<PAGE>

          listed on Exhibit G to this Agreement), and other direct 
          compensation for all services performed by them to the date hereof 
          and will pay after the Closing as and when due such obligations 
          through the day preceding Closing Date;

               (ii)  Except for potential liability under the notice or pay 
          policy described in the Company's employee handbook "The Merten 
          Company and You" revised June, 1993, at page 7 under heading 
          "Layoff and Termination", upon termination of the employment of any 
          such employees, Company will not, by reason of anything done prior 
          to the Closing, be liable to any of such employees for any specific 
          "severance pay" or any other payments, except for liabilities 
          accrued on the Financial Statements or other of Company's books and 
          records (all of which have been made available for Buyer's 
          inspection) or as may be required under state unemployment 
          insurance or other laws;

               (iii)  To the best knowledge of Company and Stockholders, the 
          Company has complied in all material respects and is in compliance 
          with all Federal, state and local laws and regulations respecting 
          employment and employment practices (including, without limitation, 
          to the best of Company's knowledge, OSHA), terms and conditions of 
          employment, wages and hours, collective bargaining and the payment 
          of social security and similar taxes.

          (l)  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.  Except for the Company's 
     participation in the "Ohio Graphic Arts Health Fund", Company is not a 
     party to any pension plan or profit sharing plan or other employee 
     benefit plan which would constitute a "Multiemployer Plan" as defined in 
     Section 3(37) of ERISA (a "Multiemployer Plan").  Company has not 
     incurred nor will Company incur, directly or indirectly, any 

                                       9


<PAGE>

     material withdrawal liability with respect to a Multiemployer Plan nor 
     does Company expect to incur such liability.  The Company maintains the 
     Employee Benefit Plans listed on Exhibit L.

          (m)  NO BANKRUPTCY.  There has not been filed any petition 
     application, or any proceedings commenced, by or against, or with 
     respect to any assets of, Company under Title 11 of the United States 
     Code or any other law, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, 
     reorganization, compromise, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of 
     debt or creditors' rights which is currently being adjudicated, and 
     Company has not made any assignment for the benefit of creditors that is 
     currently effective, except that during the fiscal year ended August 31, 
     1995, Company converted certain accounts payable into notes payable, 
     which conversion is disclosed in Company financial statements.

          (n)  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

          To the knowledge of the Company and the Stockholders:

               (i)  The operations of the business of Company and the 
          buildings in which it is conducted conform with all applicable 
          restrictive covenants, deeds and restrictions and all applicable 
          Federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations 
          (including those relating to zoning and environmental protection), 
          and all buildings or operations of Company and the business that 
          are subject to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as 
          amended, comply with employee working conditions as prescribed by 
          such Act.

               (ii)  The Company has no underground storage tanks, either 
          empty or containing any liquid, including but without limitation 
          solvents, fuel or waste 

                                      10


<PAGE>

          oil, on any premises used in its business.  Company has obtained 
          all permits, licenses and other authorizations and filed all 
          notices which are required to be obtained or filed by Company for 
          the operation of its business under Federal, state and local laws 
          relating to pollution, protection of the environment or waste 
          disposal ("Environmental Laws"), except for the pending permit to 
          install and permit to operate.  Except as otherwise disclosed in 
          this Agreement, the Company is in material compliance in all 
          respects (i) with all terms and conditions of all required permits, 
          licenses and authorizations; and (ii) all other applicable 
          limitations, restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions, 
          requirements, obligations, schedules and timetables contained in 
          the Environmental Laws or contained in any law, regulation, code, 
          plan, order, decree, judgment, notice or demand letter issued, 
          entered, promulgated or approved thereunder.  There are no past or 
          present events, conditions, circumstances, activities, practices, 
          incidents, actions or plans which may interfere with or prevent 
          continued compliance in all material respects, or which may give 
          rise to any common law or statutory liability, or otherwise form 
          the basis of any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing or 
          investigation, based on or related to the manufacture, processing, 
          distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or 
          handling, or the emission, discharge, release or threatened release 
          into the environment, of any pollutant, contaminant, waste or 
          hazardous or toxic material with respect to Company or its 
          business, properties or plants; and (ii) the properties and plants 
          of Company do not contain asbestos or PCBs in any form.

                                      11


<PAGE>

          (o)  LIST OF SECURED CREDITORS, TAXES, AND OBLIGATIONS.  The 
     Company has delivered to Buyer a true and complete list of the Company's 
     obligations, including but not limited to obligations owed to secured 
     creditors, taxing authorities, and other creditors, whether secured or 
     unsecured, as of 12:01 a.m. June 1, 1996, together with copies of all 
     documents evidencing or relating to such obligations.  The Company and 
     Stockholders (except for Susan M. Roberts) jointly and severally warrant 
     that said list, attached hereto as Exhibit B, is accurate and complete.

          (p)  LIST OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE.  The Company has delivered to the 
     Buyer a true and complete list of the Company's trade accounts payable 
     as of 12:01 a.m. June 1, 1996, together with copies of all documents 
     evidencing or relating to such obligations.  The Company and 
     Stockholders (except Susan M. Roberts) jointly and severally warrant 
     that said list of trade accounts payable, attached hereto as Exhibit C, 
     is accurate and complete.

          (q)  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE.  To the best knowledge of Company and 
     Stockholders, at least ninety-five percent (95%) of the dollar amount of 
     all notes and accounts receivable of the Company shown on the May 31, 
     1996 Financial Statements or thereafter acquired have been collected or 
     are current and collectible subject to returns and allowances in the 
     ordinary course of business (in the case of each note in accordance with 
     its terms, and in the case of each account within the customary period 
     after billing the customer in accordance with Company's past practice) 
     at the aggregate recorded amounts thereof on the books of the Company 
     and are subject to no counterclaims or set-offs.  On _______________, 
     1996, the aggregate amount of all such receivables is $__________ of 
     which $_________ has not been paid on the 

                                      12


<PAGE>

     date due, and the aggregate amount of all such accounts receivable which 
     have not been paid for 60 days or more does not exceed $_________.  In 
     the event Company or Stockholders (excluding Susan M. Roberts) are 
     required to indemnify and do indemnify Buyer for a breach of these 
     warranties with respect to accounts receivable, Buyer shall assign such 
     uncollectible receivables to the indemnifying party at the time of such 
     payment by Company or Stockholders.

          (r)  BOOKS AND RECORDS; ARTICLES AND BY-LAWS.  The Company has 
     maintained its books, accounts and records in the usual, regular and 
     ordinary manner, on a basis consistent with the years beginning after 
     August 31, 1992, and since August 31, 1992, no changes have been made in 
     its accounting practices or procedures which have not been disclosed in 
     Company financial statements.

          (s)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  The Company has delivered to Buyer 
     copies of the following financial statements, all of which to the best 
     knowledge of Company and Stockholders in reliance upon the Company's 
     auditors, Deloitte & Touche, are complete and correct in all material 
     respects, have been prepared from the books and records of the Company 
     in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently 
     applied and maintained throughout the periods indicated except as 
     indicated therein and present fairly the financial condition of the 
     Company as at their respective dates and the results of operations for 
     the periods covered thereby:

     Annual Statements from September 1, 1992 to August 31, 1995.

     Interim Statements through May 31, 1996.

     The statements referenced above are attached as Exhibit M.

                                      13


<PAGE>

     6.   COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

     The Company covenants and agrees with the Buyer that it will perform the 
following between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date:

          (a)  ACCESS.  The Company shall give Buyer and its lenders, 
     counsel, accountants, and other representatives full access during 
     normal business hours to all of the properties, books, contracts and 
     records of the Company, and the Company will furnish Buyer with all such 
     documents, copies of documents (certified if required) and information 
     concerning the affairs of the Company as Buyer may from time to time 
     reasonably request.  Buyer and its representatives will conduct their 
     investigation so as not to disrupt the operations of Company.

          (b)  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CLOSING.  The Company covenants 
     that pending the Closing:  

               (i)  The Company will conduct its business and affairs only in 
          the ordinary course and consistent with its prior practices and 
          shall maintain, keep and preserve its assets and properties in good 
          condition and repair, normal wear and tear excepted, and maintain 
          insurance thereon in accordance with present practices.  

               (ii)  The Company will not sell or dispose of any of its 
          properties or assets subject to this Agreement except in the 
          ordinary course of business, or permit the creation of any 
          mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrances, security interest, or 
          imperfection of title thereon or with respect thereto, without 
          prior written consent of Buyer.  Without limiting the foregoing, 
          the Company shall not transfer any assets to or incur any liability 
          to any 

                                      14


<PAGE>

          corporation, partnership, company, joint venture or any individual 
          related to (whether by virtue of common ownership or agreement) or 
          controlled by the Company or any of its Stockholders, and any such 
          transfer or incurrence of liability shall be deemed not to be in 
          the ordinary course of Company's business.

               (iii)  No contract or commitment will be entered into by or on 
          behalf of the Company extending beyond Closing Date except in the 
          ordinary course of business and, except normal commitments for the 
          purchase of inventory and supplies which in any single case, will 
          not involve payment by the Company of more than Ten Thousand 
          Dollars ($10,000.00) except as consented to by Buyer in writing.

               (iv)  Except as otherwise requested by the Buyer and without 
          making any commitment on its behalf, the Company will use its best 
          efforts to preserve its business organization intact and to 
          preserve for the Buyer the goodwill of the Company's suppliers, 
          customers, and others having business relations with it.  

               (v)  Except as otherwise specifically provided in this 
          Agreement, possession and control of the assets covered by this 
          Agreement shall remain with Company.

          (c)  OBLIGATIONS OF COMPANY AFTER THE CLOSING.  The Company 
     covenants and agrees that:

               (i)  Change of Name.  On or immediately after the Closing 
          Date, Company will amend its articles of incorporation so as to 
          change its corporate 

                                      15


<PAGE>

          name, and will thereafter take such action as may reasonably be 
          requested by Buyer to make its present corporate name available to 
          Buyer.

               (ii)  On or immediately after the Closing Date, Company will 
          change all its bank accounts, utility accounts and all other 
          accounts payable to reflect its name change as required by 
          subsection (i) above.

               (iii)  Company's Corporate Records.  Company will make 
          available for inspection and copying all books and records to Buyer 
          upon reasonable request for access thereto, and if at any time 
          Company proposes to discard or destroy the books and records, they 
          will first offer to transfer them without charge to Buyer.

               (iv) Company's 401(k) Plan.  As soon as practicable after the 
          Closing, the Company shall obtain an appropriate determination 
          letter from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to the 
          Prototype Cash or Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan and Trust/Custodial 
          Account, originally effective September 1, 1984, amended September 
          1, 1995, maintained pursuant to Amended and Restated Adoption 
          Agreement for Star Bank, NA plan, and shall thereafter distribute 
          the assets of the plan to participants in accordance with their 
          interests in such plan as soon as administratively feasible, and 
          take all such further steps to terminate such plan.

     7.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER.  Buyer represents and
warrants to Company as follows:  

                                      16


<PAGE>

          (a)  Buyer is a corporation duly organized and validly existing 
     under the laws of Ohio, and has the full corporate power and authority 
     to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions 
     contemplated thereby.

          (b)  Neither the execution, delivery nor performance of this 
     Agreement by Buyer will, with or without the giving of notice of the 
     passage of time, or both, conflict with, result in a default or loss or 
     rights under, or result in the creation of any lien, charge or 
     encumbrance pursuant to any provision of its Articles of Incorporation 
     or Code of Regulations, or any mortgage, deed of trust, lease, license, 
     agreement, understanding, law, order, or judgment, franchise, ordinance 
     or decree to which Buyer is a party or by which it is bound.  Buyer has 
     the full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry 
     out the transactions contemplated hereby and this Agreement and Buyer's 
     performance hereunder have been duly and validly authorized by all 
     necessary corporate actions on the part of the Buyer and constitutes the 
     valid and binding obligation of the Buyer enforceable in accordance with 
     its terms.  

     8.   COMPANY NAME.   The Company and Stockholders jointly and severally 
represent, warrant and covenant that neither the Company nor any Stockholder 
shall transfer, assign, convey or otherwise cause to be vested in any person, 
partnership, corporation, joint venture or otherwise other than Buyer any 
right or right to use the name "The Merten Company" or any variant thereof.  
Company will execute and file with the Office of the Secretary of State of 
Ohio, and such other offices of government as may be required, such documents 
as may be necessary to permit the use by Buyer of the name "The Merten 
Company" or any variant thereof.  At no time subsequent to the Closing shall 
the Company 

                                      17


<PAGE>

use a name the same as, or similar to, "The Merten Company", except as may be 
necessary or incident to the process of Company's liquidation and dissolution.

     9.   NON-COMPETITION.    The Company, Bud and Harold A. Merten, III will 
execute the Non-Competition Agreements attached hereto as Exhibit F.

     10.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS.  All obligations of 
Buyer under this Agreement are subject, at the option of Buyer, to the 
satisfaction and fulfillment of each of the following conditions at or prior 
to Closing. Buyer may waive any or all of these conditions in whole or in 
part without prior notice; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such waiver of a 
condition shall constitute a waiver by Buyer of any of their other rights or 
remedies at law or in equity, if the Company shall be in default of any of 
its representations, warranties or covenants under this Agreement.  Each of 
the Company and the Stockholders agrees to use his or its best efforts to 
fulfill each such condition:  

          (a)  The representations and warranties of the Company and its 
     Stockholders contained herein and in any document or certificate 
     delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the 
     date of this Agreement, and shall be true and correct on and as of the 
     Closing Date with the same force and effect as though made on and as of 
     the Closing Date.

          (b)  The Company shall have performed all of its obligations and 
     agreements and complied with all covenants and conditions contained in 
     this Agreement to be performed or complied with on or before the Closing 
     Date.

          (c)  The Company shall have obtained all necessary consents or 
     approvals, of other persons or parties, to the assignment of all 
     contracts to be assigned to Buyer pursuant hereto, except the assignment 
     of leases for vehicles.

                                      18


<PAGE>

          (d)  Buyer shall have obtained all necessary consents of taxing 
     authorities and secured creditors to Buyer's assumption of the 
     obligations set forth in Exhibits B, C and G hereto, and Buyer shall 
     have executed and delivered to such entities and to Company instruments 
     of assumption of same, all on terms reasonably acceptable to all such 
     parties.

          (e)  Company shall deliver to Buyer bills of sale, endorsements, 
     certificates of title, assignments and other good and sufficient 
     instruments of conveyance, transfer and assignment as shall be effective 
     to vest in Buyer good and marketable title in and to the assets 
     transferred pursuant to this agreement, free and clear of all security 
     interests, liens, charges and encumbrances of any nature whatsoever 
     except as set forth in Exhibits B, C and G hereto.

          (f)  Between the date of this agreement and the date of Closing, 
     there shall have been no material adverse change in the assets or 
     operations of the Company and the Company shall not have suffered any 
     material losses by fire, windstorm or other casualty.  Buyer agrees that 
     Company's current financial trends shall not be deemed a material 
     adverse change.

          (g)  The Company, Bud and Harold A. Merten, III shall have 
     delivered to Buyer duly and properly executed non-competition agreements 
     in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit F.

          (h)  Company and Buyer shall deliver to each other copies of 
     resolutions of their respective Board of Directors and shareholders 
     authorizing and approving the execution and consummation of the 
     transactions contemplated hereby, certified by their secretaries.  

                                      19


<PAGE>

          (i)  There shall not be any pending or threatened arbitration, 
     litigation or administrative proceeding against or affecting the 
     Company, Buyer or any shareholder, director, officer, agent, employee or 
     affiliate of any of the foregoing or to which any properties or rights 
     of the Company or Buyer is subject, which (a) is likely to have a 
     material adverse effect on the assets to be sold hereunder or the Buyer 
     or (b) would prohibit or set aside the transactions contemplated by this 
     Agreement.

          (j)  The approval of and consent to the transactions contemplated 
     hereby shall have been given prior to the Closing Date by the regulatory 
     agencies, federal and state, whose approval or consent is required, and 
     all notice periods, waiting periods, delay periods and all periods for 
     review, objection or appeal of or to any of the consents, approvals, or 
     permissions required by law with respect to the consummation of this 
     Agreement shall have expired.  Such approvals shall not be conditioned 
     or restricted in a manner which, in the judgment of Buyer, materially 
     adversely affects the economic assumptions of the transactions 
     contemplated hereby so as to render inadvisable consummation of the 
     Agreement.

          (k)  The approvals, consents and permissions referred to in 
     subparagraph (l) hereof shall not have required the divestiture or 
     cessation of any significant part of the present operations conducted by 
     Buyer or the Company, and shall not have imposed any other condition, 
     which divestiture, cessation or condition Buyer reasonably deem to be 
     materially disadvantageous or burdensome.

          (l)  The Company shall have delivered to Buyer an opinion of 
     counsel dated the Closing Date, in the form and substance of Exhibit D 
     attached hereto.

                                      20


<PAGE>

          (m)  Buyer and Bud and Marion B. Merten shall have executed and 
     delivered to each other the Agreement of Lease attached hereto as 
     Exhibit H providing for Buyer's lease of the premises at 1515 Central 
     Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio on the terms therein set forth.

     11.  CONDITIONS TO CLOSING BY COMPANY.  The obligations of Company under 
this Agreement are, at the option of Company, subject to the satisfaction, at 
or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the conditions set forth below in 
this Section 11.  Company may waive any or all of these conditions in whole 
or in part without prior notice; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such waiver of a 
condition shall constitute a waiver by Company of any of its other rights or 
remedies at law or in equity if Buyer shall be in default of any of its 
representations, warranties or covenants under this Agreement.

          (a)  All proceedings taken in connection with the transactions 
     contemplated hereby, and all instruments and documents incident thereto 
     shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to counsel for 
     Company.

          (b)  The representations and warranties of Buyer made in this 
     Agreement and in any document or certificate delivered pursuant to this 
     Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and 
     shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same 
     effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on 
     and as of the Closing Date.

          (c)  Buyer shall have fully performed and complied with all 
     covenants and agreements to be performed and complied with by Buyer on 
     or before the Closing Date.

                                      21


<PAGE>

          (d)  Buyer shall have obtained all necessary consents of taxing 
     authorities and secured creditors to Buyer's assumption of the 
     obligations set forth in Exhibits B, C and G hereto, and Buyer shall 
     have executed and delivered to such entities and to Company instruments 
     of assumption of same, all on terms reasonably acceptable to all such 
     parties.

          (e)  Company and Buyer shall deliver to each other copies of 
     resolutions of their respective Board of Directors and shareholders 
     authorizing and approving the execution and consummation of the 
     transactions contemplated hereby, certified by their secretaries.  

          (f)  There shall not be any pending or threatened arbitration, 
     litigation or administrative proceeding against or affecting the 
     Company, Buyer or any shareholder, director, officer, agent, employee or 
     affiliate of any of the foregoing or to which any properties or rights 
     of the Company or Buyer is subject, which (a) is likely to have a 
     material adverse effect on the assets to be sold hereunder or the Buyer 
     or (b) would prohibit or set aside the transactions contemplated by this 
     Agreement.

          (g)  Buyer and Bud and Marion B. Merten shall have executed and 
     delivered to each other the Agreement of Lease attached hereto as 
     Exhibit H providing for Buyer's lease of the premises at 1515 Central 
     Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio on the terms therein set forth.

          (h)  Champion shall have executed and delivered the Guaranty 
     attached hereto as Exhibit I.

          (i)  Either (i) the obligees of the Company's obligations set forth 
     in Exhibits B, C and G hereto shall have released Stockholders' 
     guaranties of same, or (ii) Buyer shall have executed a written 
     undertaking to indemnify and hold harmless 

                                      22


<PAGE>

     Stockholders for such guaranties and Champion shall have guaranteed such 
     undertaking.

     12.  TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.

          (a)  GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION.  This Agreement and the transactions 
     contemplated hereby may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing 
     Date:

               (i)    By mutual consent in writing of all parties hereto; or

               (ii)   By Buyer if there has been a material misrepresentation 
          or breach of warranty in the representations and warranties of 
          Company or Stockholders set forth herein not materially cured by 
          Company or Stockholders within thirty (30) days after written 
          notice of same from Buyer, or by Company if there has been a 
          material misrepresentation or breach of warranty in the 
          representations and warranties of Buyer set forth herein not 
          materially cured by Buyer within thirty (30) days after written 
          notice of same from Company; or

               (iii)  By either Company or Buyer upon written notice to 
          the other if any regulatory agency whose approval of the 
          transactions contemplated by this Agreement is required denies such 
          application for approval by final order or ruling (which order or 
          ruling shall not be considered final until expiration or waiver of 
          all periods for review or appeal) or if any condition precedent to 
          any party's performance hereunder is not satisfied or waived; or

               (iv)   By either Company or Buyer if the transactions 
          contemplated by the Agreement shall violate any non-appealable 
          final order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body 
          having competent jurisdiction; 

                                      23


<PAGE>

               (v)    By either Company or Buyer upon the bankruptcy or 
          assignment for the benefit of creditors of any of the Company, the 
          Buyer or Champion; or

               (vi)   By Buyer if the obligations set forth in Exhibits B, C 
          and G hereto to be assumed, paid and discharged by Buyer and 
          guaranteed by Champion at Closing pursuant to Section 2A.(2) of 
          this Agreement exceed the Purchase Price and Company does not 
          reimburse Buyer.

          (b)  EFFECT OF TERMINATION.  In the event of termination of this 
     Agreement, no party hereto shall have any liability to any of the other 
     parties of any nature whatsoever, including any liability for loss, 
     damages, or expenses suffered or claimed to be suffered by reason 
     thereof.

     13.  ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS AND ACTS AFTER CLOSING.  From time to time, at 
the Buyer's or Company's request, whether at or after closing, and without 
further consideration, the Company or Buyer, as the case may be, will at 
their own expense execute and deliver such further instruments of conveyance 
and transfer and take such other action as may be reasonably requested to 
more effectively convey and transfer to the Buyer any of the property to be 
sold hereunder, and will assist the Buyer in the collection or reduction to 
possession of such property.  

     14.  NON-ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITY.  It is understood and agreed that the 
Buyer is not assuming in any way whatsoever any liability of Company of any 
kind whatsoever, except for the liabilities set forth in Exhibit G.

                                      24


<PAGE>

     15.  INDEMNIFICATION.  

          (a)  COMPANY.  Without limiting any other right of indemnification 
     or any other cause of action, Company and Stockholders (except for Susan 
     M. Roberts) shall jointly and severally defend, indemnify and hold Buyer 
     harmless from and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, 
     costs, claims, judgments and expenses (including attorney's fees) 
     whatsoever arising out of or resulting from:

               (i)    Any breach of warranty or misrepresentation by Company 
          or any Stockholder contained herein, or the nonperformance of any 
          covenant or obligation to be performed by Company or from any 
          misrepresentation, omission or inaccuracy in any schedule, exhibit, 
          certificate, instrument or paper delivered or to be delivered by 
          Company or any Stockholder hereunder in connection with the 
          transactions herein contemplated;

               (ii)   Any liability or matter not disclosed in writing to 
          Buyer prior to Closing arising out of the conduct of Company's 
          business prior to the Closing Date, including product or service 
          warranty claims arising after the Closing Date for services 
          rendered or products sold before the Closing Date (other than 
          liabilities accruing after the Closing Date with respect to 
          agreements, leases or obligations specifically assumed by Buyer and 
          product or service warranty claims arising in the ordinary course 
          of business), as well as any claim by any creditor of Company based 
          upon any Bulk Sales Law or any similar statute or otherwise;

               (iii)  Any claim which may be asserted against Buyer or any of 
          the assets being sold hereunder, by any of Company's employees, 
          independent 

                                      25


<PAGE>

          contractors or agents with respect to liabilities incurred by or on 
          Company's behalf prior to their termination by Company whether 
          covered by a collective bargaining agreement or not, including 
          labor costs, severance pay, pension benefits, employee benefits, 
          vacation and holiday benefits, sick pay (except for any obligation 
          expressly listed on Exhibit G to this Agreement), multiemployer 
          withdrawal liability, any and all employee benefits, and any other 
          costs associated therewith;

               (iv)   Any attempt (whether or not successful) by any person 
          to cause or require Buyer to pay or discharge any debt, obligation 
          or liability relating to the Company other than any liability 
          specifically assumed by Buyer hereunder;

               (v)    Any liability arising out of or in connection with 
          Company's termination of its employees, including but not limited 
          to alleged violations of any collective bargaining agreement, any 
          charges or complaints against Buyer or Company, by or with the 
          National Labor Relations Board or any body judicial, administrative 
          or otherwise, with jurisdiction over the parties to any collective 
          bargaining agreement or otherwise or any such charges, complaints, 
          lawsuits or administrative proceedings with regard to the 
          termination of employees, the payment of wages or benefits or 
          related costs associated with the termination of Company's 
          employees; and

               (vi)   Any and all claims and expenses related to or arising 
          under any of the Company's employee benefit plans, including, but 
          not limited to, claims related to health care continuation coverage 
          under Internal Revenue Code Section 4980B and ERISA Sections 
          601-608, and claims related to the 

                                      26


<PAGE>

          Company's participation in and withdrawal from the Ohio Graphic 
          Arts Health Fund Print Care Plus Plan.

          (b)  BUYER'S INDEMNITY.  Without limiting any other right of 
     indemnification or any other cause of action, Buyer shall indemnify and 
     hold Company and Stockholders (except Susan M. Roberts) forever harmless 
     from and against any and all losses, liability, damages, costs, claims, 
     judgments and expenses (including attorney's fees) whatsoever arising 
     out of or resulting from:

               (i)    Any breach of warranty or misrepresentation by Buyer 
          contained herein, or the non-performance of any covenant or 
          obligation to be performed by Buyer or from any misrepresentation, 
          omission or inaccuracy in any Schedule, exhibit, certificate, 
          instrument or paper delivered or to be delivered by Buyer hereunder 
          in connection with the transactions herein contemplated;

               (ii)   the conduct of the business from and after the Closing 
          Date; or

               (iii)  failure to pay all liabilities expressly assumed by 
          Buyer.

          (c)  INDEMNIFICATION LIMITATIONS.  Notwithstanding any other 
     provision in this Agreement:

               (i)  The Indemnifying Party hereunder shall have the right to 
          control the defense of any claim or proceeding by any third party 
          as to which it shall have acknowledged its obligation to indemnify 
          the other party, and the Indemnified Party hereunder shall not 
          settle or compromise any such claim or proceeding without the 
          written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not 
          unreasonably be withheld or delayed.  The Indemnified Party 

                                      27


<PAGE>

          may in any event participate in any such defense, with its own 
          counsel and at its own expense;

               (ii) Nothing herein shall be construed as granting a right of 
          indemnification in any party hereto in respect of any (A) losses 
          any party may have arising out of the allocation of the purchase 
          price or (B) in respect of any consequential damages; and

               (iii)     The aggregate amount of liability of Company and 
          Stockholders for claims of indemnity shall not exceed the sum of 
          One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00).

     16.  RISK OF LOSS.  Company shall assume all risk of loss to the assets 
covered by this Agreement until the closing date and the transfer of assets 
contemplated hereunder except either the Buyer or the Company shall have the 
option to determine whether to cancel this contract or adjust the sales price 
in the event of losses in excess of $10,000.00.  Buyer has the risk of loss 
after the Closing Date.  

     17.  BROKERAGE.  The Company and Stockholders jointly and severally 
represent and warrant to Buyer, and Buyer represents and warrants to the 
Company and Stockholders, that all negotiations relative to this Agreement 
have been carried on by the parties hereto directly without the intervention 
of any person, that they have not incurred any liability for finder's, agents 
or brokerage fees, commissions or compensation in connection with this 
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

     18.  CONFIDENTIALITY.  It is hereby agreed that, except (i) as otherwise 
required in the performance by the parties of their respective obligations 
hereunder and (ii) as otherwise required by law, any non-public information 
received from the other party during the course 

                                      28


<PAGE>

of the investigation contemplated pursuant hereto shall remain and be kept as 
confidential information by it and all copies thereof will be returned 
promptly at the request of the party furnishing such information in the event 
of the termination of this Agreement.  Each of the parties may disclose such 
information to its respective employees, affiliates, counsel, accountants, 
representatives, professional advisors and consultants, and shall require 
each of them to agree to keep all such information confidential.  So long as 
this Agreement is in effect, neither Champion, Buyer nor the Company shall 
issue any press release or otherwise make any public statement with respect 
to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the consent of the 
other, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, unless such press 
release or public statement is required by law or the applicable rules of any 
securities market, in which case such press release or public statement may 
be made after providing the other parties hereto a reasonable opportunity to 
comment thereon.

     19.  SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS.  All 
statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or 
on behalf of the Company and Stockholders pursuant hereto, or in connection 
with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be deemed representations 
and warranties by the Company and Stockholders hereunder.  All 
representations, warranties, agreements and indemnities made by the Company, 
Stockholders (excluding Susan M. Roberts) and Buyer in this Agreement, or 
pursuant hereto, shall survive the Closing Date and any investigation at any 
time made by or on behalf of the Buyer or Company for a period of two (2) 
years, except that the assumption of obligations by Buyer and the Guaranty of 
Champion shall survive until all assumed obligations are fully paid, 
satisfied and discharged.

                                      29


<PAGE>

     20.  MODIFICATION.  This agreement cannot be modified, changed, 
discharged, or terminated, except by a writing signed by the parties hereto.  

     21.  NONWAIVER.  No waiver of any breach or default hereunder shall be 
considered valid unless in writing and signed by the party giving such 
waiver, and no such waiver shall be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach 
of default of the same or similar nature.  

     22.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement and the agreements specifically 
referred to herein constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto 
and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral and written, 
among the parties hereto or their assignors with respect to the subject 
matter hereof.

     23.  DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS.  Descriptive headings used in this Agreement 
are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or 
construction of any provision of this Agreement.

     24.  NOTICES.  All notices or other communications which are required or 
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sufficient if delivered 
or mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, sent by telex or 
telegram, or delivered by hand, and shall be effective upon delivery to the 
following addresses or such other address as the appropriate party may advise 
each other party hereto.

     If to the Company:  The Merten Company
                         1515 Central Parkway
                         Cincinnati, Ohio  45214

     Attention:  

     Copy to:            Thomas H. Clark, Esquire
                         Clark & Clark
                         1136 Carew Tower, 441 Vine Street
                         Cincinnati, Ohio  45202

                                      30


<PAGE>

     If to the Buyer:    CM Acquisition Corp.
                         c/o Joanne M. Schreiner
                         Dinsmore & Shohl
                         1900 Chemed Center
                         255 E. Fifth Street
                         Cincinnati, Ohio  45202  

     Attention:          President

     Copy to:            Huddleston, Bolen, Beatty, 
                         Porter & Copen
                         Post Office Box 2185
                         Huntington, West Virginia 25722
                         Attention:  Thomas J. Murray, Esquire

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

     26.  BINDING NATURE; ASSIGNMENTS.  This Agreement is binding upon, and 
inures to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, 
successors and assigns.  This Agreement may not be assigned by any party 
hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties to be bound 
thereby, except that Buyer may assign this Agreement to any affiliate of 
Buyer, but no such assignment shall affect the obligations of Champion under 
the Guaranty. Except as otherwise expressly stated in this Agreement, nothing 
contained herein shall be construed to confer any right or cause of action on 
any person other than the parties hereto, and their respective successors and 
permitted assigns.

     27.  LEGAL FEES AND EXPENSES; OTHER EXPENSES.  Each of the parties 
hereto will pay its own fees and expenses incurred in connection with review 
of this Agreement and related documents and the consummation of the 
transactions therein contemplated, including, without limitation, all legal 
fees.

                                      31


<PAGE>

     28.  INVALID PROVISIONS.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any 
particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions 
hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if such 
invalid or unenforceable provision were omitted.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The Merten Company has executed this Agreement at 
_______________, _______________, on this _____ day of August, 1996.

                              THE MERTEN COMPANY,
                              an Ohio corporation


                              By _______________________________________
                                   Its:  President



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CM Acquisition Corp. has executed this Agreement at 
_______________, _______________, on this _____ day of August, 1996.

                              CM ACQUISITION CORP.,
                              an Ohio corporation


                              By _______________________________________
                                   Its:  President



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Stockholder Harold A. Merten, Jr. has executed this 
Agreement at _______________, _______________, on this _____ day of August, 
1996.

                              __________________________________________
                              HAROLD A. MERTEN, JR.


                                      32


<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Stockholder Marion B. Merten has executed this 
Agreement at _______________, _______________, on this _____ day of August, 
1996.

                              __________________________________________
                              MARION B. MERTEN



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Stockholder Harold A. Merten, III has executed this 
Agreement at _______________, _______________, on this _____ day of August, 
1996.

                              __________________________________________
                              HAROLD A. MERTEN, III



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Stockholder Susan M. Roberts has executed this 
Agreement at _______________, _______________, on this _____ day of August, 
1996.

                              __________________________________________
                              SUSAN M. ROBERTS









                                      33


<PAGE>

STATE OF _______________,

COUNTY OF _______________, TO-WIT:

     The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this _____ day of 
August, 1996 by _______________, President of The Merten Company, an Ohio 
corporation, on behalf of the corporation.

     My commission expires __________________________________________________.


                              __________________________________________
                                        NOTARY PUBLIC




STATE OF _______________, 

COUNTY OF _______________, TO-WIT:

     The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this _____ day of 
August, 1996 by _______________, President of CM Acquisition Corp., an Ohio 
corporation, on behalf of the corporation.

     My commission expires __________________________________________________.


                              __________________________________________
                                        NOTARY PUBLIC






                                      34


<PAGE>

STATE OF _______________, 

COUNTY OF _______________, TO-WIT:

     The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this _____ day of
August, 1996 by Harold A. Merten, Jr.

     My commission expires __________________________________________________.


                              __________________________________________
                                        NOTARY PUBLIC





STATE OF _______________, 

COUNTY OF _______________, TO-WIT:

     The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this _____ day of
August, 1996 by Marion B. Merten.

     My commission expires __________________________________________________.


                              __________________________________________
                                        NOTARY PUBLIC







                                      35


<PAGE>

STATE OF _______________, 

COUNTY OF _______________, TO-WIT:

     The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this _____ day of
August, 1996 by Harold A. Merten, III.

     My commission expires __________________________________________________.


                              __________________________________________
                                        NOTARY PUBLIC





STATE OF _______________, 

COUNTY OF _______________, TO-WIT:

     The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this _____ day of
August, 1996 by Susan M. Roberts.

     My commission expires __________________________________________________.


                              __________________________________________
                                        NOTARY PUBLIC







                                      36




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