FARREL CORP
10-K, 1998-03-31
SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY, NEC
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

[x] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 [Fee Required] For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
                                                                 or

[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 [No Fee Required]

For the transition period from                       to
                               ---------------------    --------------------
Commission file number              0-19703
                      ----------------------------------------------------------
                               FARREL CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            DELAWARE                                             22-2689245
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S.  employer
 incorporation or organization)                             identification no.)


    25 Main Street, Ansonia, Connecticut                             06401
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Address of principal executive offices)                      (Zip code)

(Registrant's  telephone number,  including area code) (203) 736-5500
                                                      --------------------------
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

      Title of each class            Name of each exchange on which registered
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

    Common Stock $.01 Par Value                                 NASDAQ
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No   .
   --   --
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K [x].

The  aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by  non-affiliates  of the
registrant as of March 20, 1998 was $17,159,191.

The number of shares  outstanding of the  registrant's  common stock as of March
20, 1998 was 5,942,582 shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive  Proxy  Statement to be delivered to  stockholders in
connection  with the Annual Meeting of  Stockholders to be held on May 20, 1998,
are incorporated by reference into Part III.

                     Exhibit Index Appears on Pages 40 - 41







                                  Page 1 of 45
<PAGE>




                                     PART I

Item 1 - Business

General

         Farrel  Corporation (the "Company")  designs,  manufactures,  sells and
services  machinery  and  associated  equipment  for  the  rubber  and  plastics
industries.  The Company's  principal  products are batch and continuous mixers,
single and twin-screw extruders,  pelletizers,  gear pumps, calenders and mills.
In conjunction  with sales of capital  equipment,  the Company  provides process
engineering,  process  design and  related  services  for  rubber  and  plastics
processing installations. The Company's aftermarket business consists of repair,
refurbishment  and  equipment  upgrade  services,  spare  parts  sales and field
services.  The Company also  provides  laboratory  services and  facilities  for
product  demonstrations  and for the  development  and  testing  of  rubber  and
plastics equipment and processes.

         The Company's  rubber  processing  equipment is primarily  sold to tire
manufacturers and manufacturers of rubber goods, such as sheet products,  molded
products,  automotive  components,  footwear and wire and cable. In the plastics
processing  industry,  the  Company's  equipment is primarily  sold to commodity
plastics producers and compounders of plastics. The Company markets its products
through its strategically  located domestic and international  sales and service
organization.

Company Strategy

         The Company's  business  objectives  are to increase  market share of a
relatively  constant sized market by broadening  its product range,  to continue
strengthening  its market  position,  particularly  in Asia, and to solidify its
position as a low cost producer by manufacturing  proprietary  components in its
U.K. plant and assembling machines in its U.S. and U.K. facilities.  The Company
continues to pursue  manufacturing  cost reductions by continually  reevaluating
its current operating practices and by purchasing, rather than manufacturing,  a
significant number of equipment components and maintaining overhead and manpower
levels  in line with  prevailing  economic  conditions.  The  Company  has taken
measures in the recent past to achieve these objectives.

         During 1996 the Company ceased  component  manufacturing  operations in
its Derby,  Connecticut  facility and consolidated  all component  manufacturing
activities in its Rochdale, England facility. During 1997, the Company completed
the consolidation of its domestic assembly, repair and spare parts operations in
Ansonia, Connecticut and improvements to its repair facility in Texas.

         During 1996 the Company also reorganized its domestic marketing,  sales
and engineering  efforts along the lines of the two major  industries  served by
the  Company's  products,   rubber  and  plastic.   Management   considers  this
realignment of resources to have enabled the Company to better  concentrate  its
efforts on each industry.  The enhanced focus on customer needs in each industry
allows  the  Company's  personnel  to  specialize  in  the  applications  of the
Company's  machines  needed for each industry and to better service the needs of
the Company's customers.

          In  continuing  the  Company's  strategy  to expand  its  markets,  on
December  19, 1997,  the Company  acquired  selected  assets of the Francis Shaw
Rubber  Machinery  ("Shaw")  business in England for the  production of INTERMIX
[registered  trademark] internal mixers with intermeshing rotors,  extruders and
related  equipment.  The products serve  principally the technical  rubber goods
manufacturers  and the tire industry.  The internal  mixers produced by Shaw are
essentially  similar to the Company's BANBURY  [registered  trademark]  internal
mixers,  differing only in the configuration of the mixing rotors.  The combined
complimentary product lines provide the Company with global access to all rubber
products  manufacturers,   thereby  increasing  market  share.  The  acquisition
included a backlog of $6 million all of which is expected to ship during 1998.



                                  Page 2 of 45
<PAGE>






         The  operations of Shaw are currently  conducted in  manufacturing  and
office  facilities  located  in  Manchester,  England.  The  Company  intends to
consolidate  the  operations  of  Shaw  into  manufacturing  and  administrative
facilities  in  Rochdale,  England.  The  Company  intends to shift from  highly
integrated  manufacturing  processes,  to increased outsourcing  consistent with
current Company  operations.  The current Rochdale facilities are believed to be
sufficient to absorb the anticipated volume without major disruption.

         The  Company  has  developed  a  preliminary  plan  to  transition  and
integrate  Shaw  operations.  The  asset  purchase  agreement  provides  for  an
operating and lease  agreement for a two year period ending December 19, 1999 to
complete the  transition.  The Company is  evaluating  the impact on  production
techniques,  physical  facilities,  employee base,  sales force,  sales methods,
customer  base  and  terms  of the  purchase  agreement  in  adopting  a plan to
integrate  Shaw  operations.  It is  intended  that  the  consolidation  will be
accomplished  in the first half of 1999.  Significant  to the purchase price and
short term  operations is a guarantee  from the Seller that the acquired  assets
will  generate  a pre-tax  profit  (as  defined  in the  agreement)  of at least
[Pounds] 1.0 million for fiscal 1998. The asset purchase agreement provides that
any  shortfall  in this  amount  will be paid to the  Company  by the Seller and
represent a reduction  in the  purchase  price.  See Note 2 to the  Consolidated
Financial Statements.

Industry Overview

         The Company's  products are used primarily by  manufacturers  of rubber
and  plastic  materials  and  products.   The  rubber  and  plastics  processing
industries are global in nature and intensely  competitive.  Both industries are
cyclical in nature, with capital equipment purchases  characterized by long lead
times between orders and shipments.

         In the rubber industry,  the major users of the Company's machinery are
tire  manufacturers  and  manufacturers  of rubber goods such as sheet products,
molded products,  automotive components,  footwear and wire and cable. There are
approximately  50 tire  manufacturers  in the world,  six of which account for a
majority  of total  worldwide  tire  production.  Demand in the tire and  rubber
industry is influenced by, among other things,  general economic  conditions and
growth in sales of  automobiles  and trucks as well as overall truck tonnage and
mileage driven.  The industry trend is to shift  production  capacities into low
cost and emerging regions, creating potential opportunities in the future.

         In the  plastics  industry,  the Company  serves two primary  groups of
customers:   commodity   plastics  producers   (typically  large   petrochemical
companies)  and  value-added  compounders  of plastics.  The commodity  plastics
processed by machinery  manufactured by the Company are primarily  polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene. A large portion of the market
is controlled by a few major  producers who license their  technologies to other
producers  worldwide.  These licensees are potential customers for the Company's
products and services.  Industry  performance is related to, among other things,
consumer  spending and general  economic  conditions.  The plastics  compounding
market  consists  of those  companies  that mix large  volumes of  plastics in a
relatively  small number of  formulations,  companies  which  perform  specialty
mixing for end users, and end users that mix largely for their internal use.

         Many  manufacturers  in  the  industries  and  markets  served  by  the
Company's  products and services have been  adversely  impacted by political and
economic  difficulties  in  Eastern  Europe and the Middle  East.  In 1997,  the
Company has been  adversely  affected by the  financial  insecurity  in the Asia
Pacific  Region.  Many of the Company's  customers have  suspended  projects for
increased  capacity  and growth  until the region  resumes a level of  financial
stability.  Taiwan and the  People's  Republic of China  continue to  experience
growth,  albeit at a slower level than in recent months.  Business  potential in
the Peoples'  Republic of China will be extremely  competitive and restricted by
credit availability.

         New capital and marketing expenditures in the Company's markets depend,
in large part, on an increase in market demand  creating the need for additional
capacity.


                                  Page 3 of 45
<PAGE>





Products and Services

         The Company's  products are used to mix and process materials  produced
by  the  Company's  rubber  and  plastics  producing  customers.  The  Company's
principal  capital  equipment  product  lines are batch and  continuous  mixers,
single and twin-screw extruders,  pelletizers,  gear pumps, calenders and mills.
The  Company   also   provides   process   engineering,   pre-installation   and
post-installation  services for its equipment.  The Company's  customer  service
division repairs,  refurbishes and provides upgrade services and spare parts for
the Company's installed base of machines worldwide.

         The  following  table  illustrates  the  percentage  breakdown  of  the
Company's sales between new  machines/related  services and aftermarket business
(spare parts, repairs and rebuild) in the last three fiscal years:

                                              Year        Year        Year
                                              ended       ended       ended
                                            12/31/97    12/31/96    12/31/95
                                            --------    --------    --------

New Machines/Related Services...........      57.1%       53.3%       56.5%
Aftermarket.............................      42.9%       46.7        43.5
                                             ------      ------      ------
Total...................................     100.0%      100.0%      100.0%
                                             ======      ======      ======

         The  Company  does not publish a standard  price  list.  Prices for the
Company's  new  equipment  are based  upon a  customer's  specifications  and/or
production  requirements.  Unit prices for the Company's new equipment  products
range from approximately $50,000 to more than $4 million.

Customers and Marketing

         The   Company's   principal   customers   are   domestic   and  foreign
manufacturers  of rubber and plastic  materials.  The Company's  customers often
purchase equipment in significant  quantities for new plants, plant expansion or
plant   modernization.   Purchases  by  any  single   customer   typically  vary
significantly  from year to year according to each customer's  capital equipment
needs. As a result, the composition of the Company's customers may vary from one
year to the next.  Sales,  operating results and export sales by geographic area
for  fiscal  1997,  1996 and 1995 are  reported  in Note 15 to the  Consolidated
Financial Statements.

         The  Company's  products  are sold  primarily  by its direct  sales and
support staff.  The Company's sales  organization is  headquartered  in Ansonia,
Connecticut;  Rochdale,  England and Singapore. The Company has additional sales
and  service  offices  strategically  located in the United  States,  Europe and
Taiwan.  In  certain  geographic  areas  outside  the United  States,  sales are
facilitated  by  independent  representatives  who are assisted and supported by
employees of the Company.

Process Laboratory Services

         The Company maintains its primary process laboratory in Ansonia,
Connecticut and a second  laboratory in Rochdale,  England.  The Company entered
into an agreement with a research and development  organization in Taiwan to use
and demonstrate the Company's technology.  This contractual arrangement provides
the Company  with  laboratory  facilities  in Asia and serves to  introduce  the
Company's  technology to potential  customers.  An additional process laboratory
exists at the recently  acquired leased facilities in Manchester,  England.  The
equipment  located  there will  ultimately  be  consolidated  into the Company's
laboratories at Rochdale,  England and Ansonia,  Connecticut.  This will enhance
the demonstration capabilities of both laboratories significantly,  thereby more
aggressively  supporting the sales effort.  The Company uses its laboratories to
demonstrate recent developments in processing equipment and to provide customers
with  production-size  equipment  in order  to  experiment  with new  processing
techniques and formulations. The



                                  Page 4 of 45
<PAGE>




Company  considers  its process  laboratories  to be vital  contributors  to its
continuing technology development and customer service efforts and, as a result,
routinely modernizes its process laboratories and related equipment. The Company
has  experienced an increased trend to test its plastics  processing  machinery,
such as the CP-SERIES II [trademark],  twin screw and large pelletizing systems,
as more new materials are  developed by the  Company's  customers  which require
testing to determine processing procedures and machine design parameters.

         In 1998,  demonstration  and laboratory  capabilities will be increased
further with the  installation  of the Farrel Twin Screw  Extruder  (FTX) in two
University  laboratories:  Akron University,  Akron, Ohio, USA and University of
Paderborn,   Paderborn,  Germany.  The  Company  expects  to  benefit  from  the
installation  and  operation of these  machines by providing  exposure of Farrel
machinery and  technology  to new  graduates  and access to process  application
development.



Competition

         The  Company's  products  are  sold  in  highly  competitive  worldwide
markets.  A number of companies  compete  directly  with the Company in both the
rubber and plastics  processing markets.  Numerous  competitors of varying sizes
compete  with the Company in one or more of its product  lines.  A number of the
Company's  competitors are divisions or  subsidiaries  of larger  companies with
financial and other resources greater than those of the Company. The Company has
historically  faced,  and  will  continue  to  face,  considerable   competitive
pressures,  particularly  price  competition.  The  Company  believes  that  the
principal  competitive  factors  affecting its business are price,  performance,
technology,  breadth of  product  line,  product  availability,  reputation  and
customer service.

         The Company also faces strong  competition in the markets for its spare
parts and repair,  refurbishment  and equipment  upgrade  services from regional
service  firms  that take  advantage  of low  barriers  to entry and  geographic
proximity to certain of the Company's customers in order to compete on the basis
of price and service.  The Company  believes that it generally has a competitive
advantage  in these  markets due to the  superior  quality of its  products  and
services.

Backlog

         The  Company's  backlog  of orders  considered  firm by  management  at
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was approximately $47 million,  $50 million and
$30  million,  respectively.  Substantially  all of the orders  included  in the
December  31, 1997  backlog have  contractual  ship dates in fiscal  1998.  Firm
backlog  at  March  20,  1998  and  1997  was  $59  million  and  $56   million,
respectively.

Manufacturing

         The Company's manufacturing facility in Rochdale,  England provides the
Company with fully integrated manufacturing processes including a complete range
of machining and fabrication  equipment used to produce proprietary  components.
Final assembly,  product testing and quality control activities are performed by
Company  personnel in both the U.S.  and U.K..  The Company also owns repair and
rebuild  facilities in Ansonia,  Connecticut,  Deer Park,  Texas,  and Rochdale,
England and contracts for such services in Australia and Singapore.

         Early in 1997 the Company  announced the  consolidation of its domestic
assembly, repair and spare parts operations, performed in its Derby and Ansonia,
Connecticut  facilities  into  available  space  in  Ansonia  to  reduce  annual
operating  costs and  enhance  operating  efficiencies.  The  consolidation  was
substantially completed during 1997.





                                  Page 5 of 45
<PAGE>




         In 1997, the Company  acquired assets and leased  facilities to produce
INTERMIX [registered  trademark] internal mixers and extruders as well as repair
and  fabrication  facilities  in  Manchester,  England.  The Company  intends to
consolidate  these  manufacturing  and  repair  operations  with  facilities  in
Rochdale, England.

         Management  considers  these  facilities  as  giving  the  Company  the
flexibility needed to service its customers.

Components and Raw Materials

         The Company purchases most of the components used in manufacturing
its machines from reliable domestic and international  suppliers.  The basic raw
materials  used by the Company are steel plates,  bars,  castings,  forgings and
hard-surfacing alloys. Principal components and raw materials are available from
a number of sources. The Company is not dependent on any supplier that cannot be
replaced in the normal course of business.

Research and Development and Engineering

         The  Company's  research and  development  and  engineering  staffs are
located in Ansonia,  Connecticut  and Rochdale and  Manchester,  England.  Their
major  activities are:  application  engineering for specific  customer  orders;
standardization  of existing  machinery  as part of the  Company's  ongoing cost
reduction  measures;  and development of new products and product features.  The
Company's new twin screw sheeter is an example of the  collaborative  success of
the research and development and product  engineering staffs working together to
produce a new product as well as the recent development of a new longer,  higher
powered melt pump discharge continuous mixer. Current development activities are
in the  batch  mixing  process.  The  acquisition  of the  INTERMIX  [registered
trademark]   intermeshing  technology  and  rotor  design  development  provides
opportunities to strengthen our business with batch mixer  customers.  A summary
of research and  development and  engineering  expenditures  incurred during the
last three fiscal years is as follows:

                                          Year            Year            Year
                                          ended           ended           ended
                                        12/31/97        12/31/96        12/31/95
                                        --------        --------        --------
                                                (Dollars in thousands)
Research and development expense
  pertaining to new products or
  significant improvements to
  existing products                      $1,567          $1,993          $2,101

All other product  development and
  engineering  expenditures  related
  to ongoing refinements, improvements
  of existing products, and custom
  engineering                             2,874           3,329           3,444
                                         ------          ------          ------
Total                                    $4,441          $5,322          $5,545
                                         ======          ======          ======

Percent of net sales                        5.2%            7.0%            6.9%

Patents and Trademarks

         The Company  possesses  rights  under a number of domestic  and foreign
patents and trademarks relating to its products and business.  The Company holds
approximately  200 patents which cover  technology  utilized in its products and
currently  has 42  patent  applications  pending.  The  Company's  patents  have
expiration  dates ranging from 1998 through 2015.  Although the Company believes
that its patents provide some  competitive  advantage,  the Company also depends
upon trade secrets, unpatented proprietary know-how and continuing technological
innovation to develop and maintain its competitive advantage.





                                  Page 6 of 45
<PAGE>




         The Company  considers the  following  trademarks to be material to its
business:   FARREL  [registered   trademark];   BANBURY[registered   trademark];
INTERMIX[registered   trademark];   ST[trademark];   MVX[trademark];   CP-SERIES
II[trademark], FTX[trademark], and TSS[trademark].

Environmental

         The Company's operations are subject to normal environmental protection
regulations. Compliance with federal, state and local provisions which have been
enacted or adopted  regulating the discharge of materials into the  environment,
or otherwise  relating to the protection of the environment,  is not expected to
have  a  material  effect  upon  the  capital  expenditures,   earnings  or  the
competitive  position of the Company.  However,  environmental  requirements are
constantly  changing,  and it is  difficult  to  predict  the  effect  of future
requirements on the Company.

         As described in Part I, Item 3, Legal Proceedings,  the Company and The
Black & Decker Corporation entered into a Settlement Agreement pursuant to which
Black & Decker agreed to assume full  responsibility  for the  investigation and
remediation of any pre-May,  1986  environmental  contamination at the Company's
Ansonia  and Derby  facilities  as  required by the  Connecticut  Department  of
Environmental  Protection (DEP). A preliminary  environmental  assessment of the
Company's properties in Ansonia and Derby, Connecticut has been conducted by The
Black & Decker Corporation. Although this assessment is still being evaluated by
the DEP, on the basis of the  preliminary  data now available there is no reason
to  believe  that any  activities  which  might be  required  as a result of the
findings  of the  assessment  will  have a  material  effect  upon  the  capital
expenditures, earnings or the competitive position of the Company.

Employees

         As of  December  31,  1997,  the Company  had 606  full-time  employees
(including  218  employees at the acquired Shaw  operations)  compared to 397 at
December 31, 1996. The Company has collective  bargaining agreements in the U.S.
and the U.K.  which cover  approximately  237  employees  (including  121 at the
acquired Shaw  operations).  The U.S.  agreement was renegotiated  during fiscal
1997 and expires on June 15, 2000. The Company has three  agreements in the U.K.
which expire at various dates from June 1, 1998 through March 31, 1999.

Item 2 - Properties

         The  following  table sets forth  certain  information  concerning  the
Company's principal facilities, all of which are owned by the Company except for
the Manchester, England facilities which are leased.


                                                                        Approx.
         Location                    Principal Use                      Sq. Ft.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ansonia, Connecticut................ Office, research, laboratory,      520,000
                                     repair, rebuild, assembly and
                                     storage

Deer Park, Texas.................... Repair and rebuild                  22,000

Rochdale, England................... Office, research, laboratory,      210,000
                                     manufacturing, repair and 
                                     rebuild, and storage

Manchester, England (Corbett St.)    Office, research, laboratory,       99,000
                                     manufacturing, repair
                                     and rebuild, and storage

Manchester, England (Vaughan St.)    Office, fabrication                 13,000

Derby, Connecticut                   Available for sale/lease           225,000


         Early in 1997 the Company  announced  the  relocation  of its  domestic
assembly  and  storage  operations  from  its  Derby,  Connecticut  facility  to
available space in its Ansonia,  Connecticut  facility to reduce operating costs
and to enhance  efficiency.  This  consolidation was  substantially  complete at
December 31,



                                  Page 7 of 45
<PAGE>




1997. The Company's Derby,  Connecticut facility is available for sale or lease.
Subsequent  to December 31, 1997,  the Company  signed a  conditional  letter of
intent to sell the property in Derby,  CT. Final  assembly,  product testing and
quality  control  activities  are  performed  by Company  personnel  at both the
Ansonia and Rochdale England facilities.

         The Corbett Street facilities are subject to a lease which expires
December 19, 1999. The lease of these facilities was acquired in connection with
the purchase of assets of the Francis Shaw Rubber Machinery business.  The lease
effectively  provides  the Company a two year period of  transition  in which to
consolidate  these  operations  with the  facilities in Rochdale,  England.  The
Vaughan Street facilities are subject to a lease through March, 2005.

         The Company  believes that the facilities used in its operations are in
satisfactory  condition  and  adequate  for its present and  anticipated  future
operations. In addition to the facilities listed above, the Company leases space
in various  domestic and  international  locations,  primarily  for use as sales
offices.

Item 3 - Legal Proceedings

         In February 1995, the Company and The Black & Decker Corporation
settled  litigation as to the environmental  conditions at the Ansonia and Derby
facilities at the time of the  Company's  purchase of them from USM in May 1986.
Under the Settlement  Agreement,  Black & Decker has assumed full responsibility
for all investigation and any remediation of pre-May,  1986 contamination at the
Company's  Ansonia and Derby  facilities  in  accordance  with a Consent  Decree
entered  into  between  Black  &  Decker  and  the  Connecticut   Department  of
Environmental  Protection.  In  accordance  with  the  Settlement  Agreement,  a
Withdrawal and Joint  Stipulation of and Motion for Dismissal was filed with the
Court. The Court which originally heard this matter has continuing  jurisdiction
over it, but no issues are now pending with the court.

         As of the date hereof,  the Company is not aware of any  contamination,
other than any pre-May, 1986 contamination, at any of its facilities which would
require material remediation costs.

         The Company is a defendant in certain  lawsuits arising in the ordinary
course of business,  primarily  related to product  liability  claims  involving
machinery  manufactured  by the Company.  While the outcome of lawsuits or other
proceedings  against the Company  cannot be predicted  with any  certainty,  the
Company does not expect that these matters will have a material  adverse  effect
on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

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

              None.




                                  Page 8 of 45
<PAGE>





                                     PART II

Item 5 - Market  for the  Registrant's  Common  Stock  and  Related  Stockholder
Matters.

          (a) Price Range of Common Stock and Dividends

          The  Company's  Common  Stock is traded over the counter and quoted on
the NASDAQ National  Market System under the symbol "FARL".  The following chart
sets forth the high and low prices for the Common Stock and  dividends  declared
for the last two fiscal years:

Fiscal 1997                      High         Low             Dividend
- -----------                      ----         ---             --------

First Quarter                    $3.88        $2.38            $0.16
Second Quarter                   $4.00        $2.63            $0.16
Third Quarter                    $4.38        $2.63            $0.16
Fourth Quarter                   $6.00        $3.00            $0.16



Fiscal 1996                      High         Low             Dividend
- -----------                      ----         ---             --------

First Quarter                    $4.38        $2.88            $0.06
Second Quarter                   $4.50        $3.00               --
Third Quarter                    $4.38        $2.75               --
Fourth Quarter                   $3.63        $2.38               --


          (b) As of March 20, 1998 the  approximate  number of record holders of
the Company's common stock was 742.

          (c) Dividends

          The Company  intends,  from time to time, to pay cash dividends on its
Common Stock, as the Board of Directors,  after  consideration  of the Company's
operating results,  financial  condition,  cash  requirements,  general business
conditions,  compliance with covenants in the credit facility (see  Management's
Discussion  and  Analysis of  Liquidity  and Capital  Resources)  and such other
factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant.

          (d) There were no sales or issuances of the  Company's  equity  shares
that were not registered under the Securities Act.




                                  Page 9 of 45
<PAGE>



Item 6 - Selected Consolidated Financial Data
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      Year        Year        Year        Year        Year
                                                                     ended       ended       ended       ended        ended
                                                                    12/31/97    12/31/96    12/31/95    12/31/94    12/31/93
                                                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
Statement of Operations Data:                                                (In thousands, except per share data)

<S>                                                                 <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>    
Net Sales                                                           $85,382     $75,836      $80,067     $75,501     $75,750
                                                                    =======     =======      =======     =======     =======
Gross margin                                                        $17,711     $18,123      $19,760     $20,008     $20,189
                                                                    =======     =======      =======     =======     =======
   As a percent of net sales                                          20.7%       23.9%        24.7%       26.5%       26.7%
                                                                    =======     =======      =======     =======     =======
Operating income                                                     $1,635        $654       $1,591      $2,601      $1,853
   Other income (expense), net (2)                                      449       (174)        (135)       1,436       (136)
                                                                    -------     -------      -------     -------     -------
Income before income taxes                                            2,084         480        1,456       4,037       1,717
Provision for income taxes                                              727         154          554       1,531         508
                                                                    -------     -------      -------     -------     -------
Net income                                                           $1,357        $326         $902      $2,506      $1,209
                                                                    =======     =======      =======     =======     =======

Net income per share - Basic and diluted (1)                          $0.23       $0.05        $0.15       $0.41       $0.20
                                                                    =======     =======      =======     =======     =======
Dividends per share of Common Stock                                   $0.64       $0.06        $0.20       $0.04       $0.16
                                                                    =======     =======      =======     =======     =======
Weighted  Average Shares Outstanding - Basic (000's) (1)              5,950       5,970        6,027       6,076       6,127
                                                                    =======     =======      =======     =======     =======
Weighted Average Shares outstanding - Diluted (000's) (1)             5,951       5,972        6,030       6,097       6,138
                                                                    =======     =======      =======     =======     =======

Balance Sheet Data:
   Current Assets                                                   $37,104     $40,187      $41,991     $37,697     $40,675
   Current Liabilities                                              $23,286     $19,841      $22,878     $16,613     $20,179
   Working Capital Ratio                                                1.6         2.0          1.8         2.3         2.0
   Total assets                                                     $56,381     $50,731      $53,412     $47,979     $50,227
   Long-term debt                                                    $5,283        $214         $388        $587        $740
   Stockholders' equity                                             $25,782     $28,553      $27,814     $28,726     $26,362

Other Data:
   Backlog                                                          $46,554     $50,225      $29,745     $39,123      $32,960
</TABLE>

(1)  Restated  to reflect the  adoption of  statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share".

(2) Other income in 1994 includes  $1.3 million as a result of a curtailment  of
postretirement  benefits accounted for under Financial  Accounting Standards No.
88.  "Employers  Accounting for Settlements and  Curtailments of Defined Benefit
Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits."



                                 Page 10 of 45
<PAGE>




Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations

Fiscal 1997 Compared to Fiscal 1996:

         Net  sales in 1997 and 1996  were  $85.3  million  and  $75.8  million,
respectively.  A  substantial  portion  of the 1997  shipments  reflects  orders
received in 1996 when the dollar value of the Company's  order intake was higher
than that  experienced in prior years.  Management  still  considers the markets
served by the  Company's  products  to be  extremely  competitive  and,  to some
extent,  affected by  continuing  uncertainty  in Eastern  Europe and the Middle
East.  Additionally,  Far  Eastern  markets  are  particularly  competitive  and
volatile  at this time.  Certain  Southeast  Asian  countries  are  experiencing
currency instability which contributes to uncertainty in the region. Many rubber
manufacturers  also continue to operate at less than full  capacity.  Management
anticipates  that the  markets  served by the  Company's  products  will  remain
extremely  competitive  and that those  markets  characterized  by economic  and
political uncertainty will likely continue to be affected by such conditions.

         The Company  received  approximately  $77 million in orders during 1997
compared to $96 million in 1996 when the Company received  several  individually
large  orders.  In the case of  major  equipment  orders,  up to 12  months  are
required to complete the manufacturing process.  Accordingly,  revenues reported
in the statement of operations may represent  orders  received in the current or
previous  fiscal  periods.  In addition,  the cyclical nature of industry demand
and,  therefore,  order intake,  may affect the Company's results of operations.
The  Company's  ability  to  maintain  and  increase  net sales  depends  upon a
strengthening and stability in the Company's traditional markets.

         Gross  margin in 1997 and 1996 was  $17.7  million  and $18.1  million,
respectively,  representing  a decrease in the gross margin  percentage to 21.0%
from 24.0%.  This decline is largely due to the mix of products  sold in the two
periods and to continued  stiff  competition.  The 1997 shipments also include a
higher  relative  proportion  of new machine  sales than in 1996 which  generate
lower margins than the Company's more profitable spare parts, rebuild and repair
business.  The 1997 margin also reflects the impact of a $.5 million increase in
commissions  on  shipments  to markets in the world where the  Company  must use
outside  representatives  in addition  to its sales  force to conduct  business.
Market  conditions  continue to exert significant  pressure on margins,  a trend
which is expected to continue in the foreseeable future.

         Operating  expenses  were  reduced  $1.5 million to $16 million in 1997
compared to 1996. The decline in administrative  costs is largely due to reduced
investment  banking fees. The increase in selling  expenses of $.2 million to $7
million in 1997 as compared to 1996 is largely attributed to increased marketing
programs  including costs to attend the premier plastic  industry  convention in
the United  States,  which occurs every three  years.  Research and  development
expenses  declined  primarily  as a result of  reduced  headcount.  Lastly,  the
reduction  in  operating  costs is also due to  continuing  efforts to  strictly
control expenses.




                                 Page 11 of 45
<PAGE>





         During 1997 the Company  substantially  completed the  consolidation of
its domestic assembly,  repair and spare parts operations,  from two facilities,
(Derby and Ansonia) in Connecticut,  to available space in the Ansonia facility,
to reduce  operating  costs and enhance  efficiencies.  The cost of this project
through  December  31,  1997 was  approximately  $1.0  million,  which  included
capitalized  costs of  approximately  $.8 million for improvements to facilities
and  equipment  in 1997.  While the Company  expects cost savings to result from
this  consolidation,  the size of such  savings  cannot  be  predicted  with any
certainty.

         As a result of this consolidation, the Company's Derby facility is held
as available for sale or lease.  The Company has  transferred the remaining book
value of this facility and any remaining assets no longer anticipated to be used
from  Property,  Plant,  and  Equipment  to  Other  Assets  at the end of  1996.
Subsequent  to December 31, 1997,  the Company  signed a  conditional  letter of
intent to sell the Derby  property.  The  letter of intent is subject to various
terms and conditions,  some of which may affect the net proceeds or consummation
of the sale. No loss on the disposal of the assets is  anticipated at this time,
and, as a result,  no  provision  for loss has been made.  It is  possible  that
proceeds  realized  from the  disposal  of  these  assets  may be less  than the
remaining  book value.  The  recoverability  of these  assets will be  evaluated
periodically  as  required  by  FAS  121,  "Accounting  For  the  Impairment  of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long Lived Assets to be Disposed Of."

         Other income, net of other expense,  includes approximately $.7 million
from the  disposal of  machinery  and  equipment  the Company will no longer use
which results from consolidating its two Connecticut  facilities into one single
facility. The consolidation has been substantially completed.

         The  effective  income tax rates in 1997 and 1996 were 34.9% and 32.1%,
respectively.  The Company  provides  for income taxes in the  jurisdictions  in
which it pays income taxes at the statutory rates in effect in each jurisdiction
adjusted for  differences in providing for income taxes for financial  reporting
and income tax purposes.

Fiscal 1996 Compared to Fiscal 1995:

         Net sales were $75.8  million in fiscal 1996  compared to $80.1 million
in fiscal 1995.  Management  believes the Company  operates in markets which are
extremely competitive,  and to some extent, affected by continuing after-effects
of recessions in the capital goods markets in Western Europe, as well as ongoing
political and economic  uncertainty  in Eastern  Europe and the Middle East. Far
Eastern markets remain particularly competitive and difficult to penetrate. Many
rubber and  plastic  manufacturers  also  continue  to operate at less than full
capacity. The timing of receipt of customer orders will also impact the relative
level of shipments in any financial  reporting period.  Management is encouraged
by the recent improvement in the level of order intake and backlog, as discussed
later.  It does,  however,  anticipate  that the markets served by the Company's
products will remain extremely  competitive and that those markets characterized
by economic and  political  uncertainty  will likely  continue to be affected by
such conditions.

         Gross margin was $18.1  million in 1996  compared to the $19.8  million
generated in 1995.  The  percentage  also  declined in 1996 to 23.9 percent from
24.7 percent in 1995.  The year to year  comparison  is attributed to the mix of
products sold, which can differ  significantly  from one period to the next, and
to continued stiff  competition.  In addition,  management has elected to pursue
certain  machinery  rebuild markets more  aggressively to increase market share,
and has accepted lower margins in the near term to do so. The market  conditions
discussed  above continue to exert  significant  pressure on the level of margin
percentage  achieved,  a trend which is expected to continue in the  foreseeable
future.

         In an effort to  compensate  for the  significant  pressure on margins,
management has taken several  measures to  aggressively  control costs in recent
years including the consolidation of component  manufacturing into the Company's
U.K.  plant  during  1996.  The  Company's  U.K.  plant  was  selected  for this
cost-effective  consolidation  into a single  facility  due to its  more  modern
equipment and its greater supply of readily  available  skilled labor.  Assembly
operations  continue to be  performed  in both the United  States and the United
Kingdom





                                 Page 12 of 45
<PAGE>





         Total  operating  expenses  were reduced  approximately  $.7 million to
$17.5 million in 1996 compared to $18.2 million in 1995.  Savings were generated
in all three  categories of operating  costs largely due to the  elimination  of
selected  executive  and staff  positions  worldwide.  The  reduction in selling
expenses also reflects the  consolidation of the Company's  marketing offices in
Continental Europe to England. Administrative costs in 1996 included $.8 million
of third  party costs which were  deferred  in prior  years in  connection  with
efforts,  ultimately  unsuccessful,  to identify,  negotiate,  and contract with
several  acquisition  candidates,  primarily  outside  the United  States.  This
non-recurring  write-off of  previously  deferred  costs has largely  offset the
other savings previously discussed. No further costs were deferred during 1996.

         The 1996 income tax rate, as a percentage of pre-tax income,  was 32.1%
compared to 38.0% in 1995.  The  relatively  low 1996 rate is  attributed to the
combination  of the pre-tax loss in the United States and taxable  income in the
United Kingdom.  The Company  provides for income taxes in the  jurisdictions in
which it pays income taxes at the statutory rates in effect in each jurisdiction
adjusted  for  differences  in  providing  for income  taxes  between  financial
reporting and income tax purposes.

Material Contingencies

         As described in Part 1, Item 3, the Company and Black & Decker  entered
into a Settlement  Agreement  pursuant to which Black & Decker  agreed to assume
full  responsibility for the investigation and remediation of any pre-May,  1986
environmental  contamination  at the Company's  Ansonia and Derby  facilities as
required by the Connecticut  Department of  Environmental  Protection  (DEP). As
part of the  settlement,  the  Company  transferred  by quit claim deed a vacant
surfaced  parking  lot to the City of Ansonia.  As  required  by the  Settlement
Agreement, a preliminary environmental assessment of the Company's properties in
Ansonia and Derby,  Connecticut  has been  conducted  by Black & Decker.  On the
basis of the  preliminary  data now available there is no reason to believe that
any remediation  activities  which might be required as a result of the findings
of the  assessment  will have a material  effect upon the capital  expenditures,
earnings  or the  competitive  position of the  Company.  This  forward  looking
statement  could,   however,  be  influenced  by  the  results  of  any  further
investigation which the DEP might require, by DEP's conclusions and requirements
based  upon  its  review  of  complete   information  when  such  is  available,
unanticipated  discoveries,  the possibility that new or different environmental
laws might be adopted and the  possibility  that  further  regulatory  review or
litigation might become necessary or appropriate.

Orders and Backlog

         Orders  received by the Company during 1997  decreased $19 million,  or
roughly 20%, to approximately $77 million compared to $96 million in fiscal 1996
and $71 million in fiscal 1995. The 1997 decrease in orders  compared to 1996 is
distributed  across product lines and  geographically  around the world with the
largest  regional  decrease  occurring  in the Far  East,  due to the  uncertain
economic environment at this time.

         In the case of major equipment orders, up to twelve months are required
to complete the  manufacturing  process.  Accordingly,  revenues reported in the
statement of operations may represent orders received in the current or previous
periods during which economic  conditions had been severely depressed in various
geographic markets of the world. Further, the cyclical nature of industry demand
and,  therefore,  the timing of order intake may effect the Company's  quarterly
results in the current and future  fiscal  quarters.  The  Company's  ability to
maintain and increase net sales  depends upon a  strengthening  and stability in
the Company's  traditional markets.  There can be no assurance that the level of
orders experienced in 1997 will continue,  or that improvements in the Company's
traditional markets will lead to increased orders for the Company's products.

         The level of backlog considered firm by management at December 31, 1997
is $47  million  and is largely  attributed  to the  decrease  in orders in 1997
compared to 1996. Backlog at December 31, 1996 was $50 million.  The contractual
ship dates for  substantially  all of the December 31, 1997 backlog are in 1998.
The  backlog  at  March  20,  1998 and 1997  was $59  million  and $56  million,
respectively.




                                 Page 13 of 45
<PAGE>





Liquidity and Capital Resources; Capital Expenditures

         Working capital and the working capital ratio at December 31, 1997 were
$13.8 million and 1.6 to 1, respectively, compared to $20.3 million and 2.0 to 1
at December 31, 1996, respectively. The decrease in the working capital ratio at
December 31, 1997 is attributed  to the purchase of selected  assets the Francis
Shaw Rubber  Machinery  Business on December 19, 1997.  The net assets  acquired
(see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) included current liability
provisions of $2.1 million for the consolidation of the acquired assets into the
operations of the Company's Rochdale, England facilities.  During the year ended
December 31, 1997 the Company paid dividends of $0.48 per share. The Company has
also declared a dividend of $0.16 per share which was paid January 7, 1998.  The
Company's  ability to pay  dividends  in the future is limited  under the credit
facility  described  below to the  aggregate of (a) 25% of net income during the
most recently  completed  four fiscal  quarters  after  deducting  distributions
previously  made and (b) purchases by the Company of its common stock during the
same  period.  The  Company  received  a waiver  from its bank with  respect  to
dividends  declared  during 1997.  No  assurance  can be given that the level of
dividends declared in 1997 will continue in 1998.

         Due to the nature of the Company's business,  many sales are of a large
dollar amount. Consequently, accounts receivable and/or inventory may be at high
levels from time to time resulting in a temporary  decline in cash provided from
operating activities.  Historically, the Company has not experienced significant
problems  regarding  the  collection  of  accounts  receivable.  The Company has
historically  financed its operations  with cash  generated by operations,  with
customer progress payments and borrowings under its bank credit facilities.

         At December 31, 1997, the Company had a worldwide multi-currency credit
facility  with a major  U.S.  bank in an  amount  of $20.0  million  for  direct
borrowings  and  letters  of credit and up to  (pound)3.0  million  for  foreign
exchange contracts. Interest varies based upon prevailing market interest rates.
The facility contains limits on direct borrowings and letters of credit combined
based upon stipulated levels of accounts receivable,  inventory and backlog. The
facility also contains  covenants  specifying minimum and maximum thresholds for
operating results and selected financial ratios. At December 31, 1997, there was
$7.1  million in direct  borrowings  under this  facility.  There were no direct
borrowings outstanding under this facility at December 31, 1996. There were $6.0
million and $8.1 million in letters of credit  outstanding  at December 31, 1997
and 1996, respectively.

         On January 23, 1998, the credit facility was amended and restated.  The
amended and restated  facility  provides for total  borrowings  of  $25,000,000,
consisting of an $18.5 million  revolving  credit  facility and a five year term
loan for up to $6.5  million.  Concurrently  with the  execution  of the amended
credit agreement,  the Company converted [Pounds] 4.0 million of the outstanding
balance  under the  previous  credit  facility to a term note.  The term loan is
payable in equal  quarterly  payments  over a five year period.  At December 31,
1997,  [Pounds]  3.2 million is  classified  as long term.  The  amended  credit
facility  contains  limits in direct  borrowings and letters of credit  combined
based upon stipulated levels of accounts  receivable,  inventory and backlog. It
also contains covenants  specifying minimum and maximum thresholds for operating
results and selected  financial ratios and the same  restrictions on the payment
of dividends as contained in the previous agreement as described above.

         Management anticipates that its cash balances, operating cash
flows and available credit line will be adequate to fund its anticipated capital
commitments and working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months
including  integration of the Shaw asset  acquisition.  The Company made capital
expenditures of approximately $1.9 million and $1.3 million,  during fiscal 1997
and 1996, respectively.  The increase in capital expenditures in 1997 is largely
attributed to certain  improvements  related to the Company's  domestic assembly
and storage facilities.




                                 Page 14 of 45
<PAGE>




         The Company  manufactures  its products in the United Kingdom and sells
its products in the United States, United Kingdom and other foreign markets. The
Company's  financial  position  and results  are  affected by changes in foreign
currency  exchange rates in the foreign markets in which its operates.  When the
value of the U.S. dollar or U.K. sterling  strengthens against other currencies,
the value of the  transaction  in the foreign  currency  decreases.  The Company
regularly  enters into foreign  exchange  forward and option  contracts to hedge
foreign currency  transactions.  Foreign currency transactions generally are for
short  periods of no more than six months.  In addition,  the Company  maintains
foreign  currency  bank  accounts  in other  currencies  in  which it  regularly
transacts business.

         The Company's  interest  income and expense are sensitive to changes in
the market level of interest rates.  The changes in interest rates earned on the
Company's cash  equivalents and short term  investments as well as interest paid
on its debt are variable and are adjusted to market conditions.

Year 2000

         The Company is aware of the issues associated with the programming code
in existing computer systems as the millennium (year 2000) approaches. The "year
2000" problem is pervasive  and complex as virtually  every  computer  operation
will be affected in some way by the rollover of the two-digit  year value to 00.
The issue is whether  computer  systems will properly  recognize  date-sensitive
information  when  the  year  changes  to  2000.  Systems  that do not  properly
recognize such  information  could generate  erroneous data or cause a system to
fail.

         The    Company's    year   2000   project   is   comprised   of   three
components-business    applications,    product   applications   and   equipment
applications.  The business  applications  component  consists of the  Company's
business  computer  systems,  as well as the  computer  systems  of  third-party
suppliers or customers  whose Year 2000 problems  could  potentially  impact the
Company.  Product  applications  exposure consist of micro processors within the
control  equipment  sold by the  Company.  Equipment  exposures  consist  of the
micro-processors  within  operating  equipment such as pumps,  compressors,  and
furnaces.

         The majority of the  Company's  business  applications  are third party
purchased  applications.  The  Company  expended  $.5  million  during  1997 and
anticipates  spending $.3 million during 1998 as part of the Company's policy to
utilize current information technology in its business applications. The Company
has begun the  implementation of the vendor's current upgrade which is year 2000
compliant.

         The  Company is  assembling  a task force of  internal  resources  from
various  disciplines,   including  operations,   facility  management,   product
engineering,  management  information  systems and finance to evaluate  the year
2000  readiness with respect to product and equipment  applications.  Work plans
detailing product control systems readiness  including  evaluating  customer and
vendor  readiness,  and a  comprehensive  inventory  of  monitoring  and control
devices for plants,  safety systems and other similar  operating systems and the
resources  required  are  expected  to be in  place  by  the  end of  1998  with
completion in the first quarter of 1999.

Safe Harbor Statements under Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

         Certain  statements   contained  in  the  Company's  public  documents,
including in this report and in particular, in this "Management's Discussion and
Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results of  Operations"  may be forward
looking  and may be  subject to a variety  of risks and  uncertainties.  Various
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these
statements,  include, but are not limited to, pricing pressures from competitors
and/or customers; continued economic and political uncertainty in certain of the
Company's  markets;  the Company's ability to maintain and increase gross margin
levels;  the Company's  ability to generate  positive cash;  changes in business
conditions,  in general, and, in particular,  in the businesses of the Company's
customers and competitors;  and other factors which might be described from time
to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 7A -  Quantitative  and  Qualitative  Disclosures  About  Market Risk - Not
Applicable




                                 Page 15 of 45
<PAGE>





Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data



                               FARREL CORPORATION
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                                                            Page

Report of Independent Auditors................................................17

Financial Statements:

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of 
December 31, 1997 and 1996....................................................18

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years 
ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995 ......................................19

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity 
for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995..........................20

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years 
ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995........................................21

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................................22-36




                                 Page 16 of 45
<PAGE>





                         Report of Independent Auditors


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Farrel Corporation

We  have  audited  the  accompanying   consolidated  balance  sheets  of  Farrel
Corporation  as of  December  31, 1997 and 1996,  and the  related  consolidated
statements of income,  stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1997. These financial  statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion. the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects,  the consolidated financial position of Farrel
Corporation at December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the  consolidated  results of its
operations  and its cash flows for each of the three  years in the period  ended
December 31, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                                      /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

                                                      Ernst & Young LLP


Stamford, Connecticut
March 19, 1998




                                 Page 17 of 45
<PAGE>




                               FARREL CORPORATION
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



                                                          12/31/97      12/31/96
                                                          --------      --------
                                                              (In thousands)
   ASSETS                                              
Current Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents (Note 1)                          $1,447       $3,832
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
   doubtful accounts of $179 and $464,
   respectively                                             14,423       19,189
  Inventory (Notes 1 and 5)                                 18,277       14,187
  Other current assets (Notes 2 and 12)                      2,957        2,979
                                                       ------------  -----------
    Total current assets                                    37,104       40,187
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated
  depreciation of $9,786 and $8,357, respectively
 (Notes 1 and 6)                                            12,416        9,555
Goodwill (Note 2)                                            5,295
Other assets (Notes 1, 3 and 11)                             1,566          989
                                                       ------------  -----------
Total assets                                               $56,381      $50,731
                                                       ============  ===========

   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Accounts payable                                          $8,317      $11,058
  Accrued expenses and taxes  (Notes 2 and 7)                4,753        2,344
  Advances from customers (Note 1)                           6,412        4,865
  Accrued installation and warranty costs
   (Note 1)                                                  1,326        1,360
  Dividends payable                                            951
  Short-term debt (Note 8)                                   1,527          214
                                                       ------------  -----------
   Total current liabilities                                23,286       19,841

Long-term debt (Note 8)                                      5,283          214
Postretirement benefit obligation (Note 11)                  1,213        1,277
Other long-term obligations (Note 11)                          592          522
Deferred income taxes (Notes 1 and 12)                         225          324
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)                         ---          ---
                                                       ------------  -----------
   Total liabilities                                        30,599       22,178
                                                       -----------   -----------
Stockholders' equity (Note 10):
  Preferred stock, par value $100, 1,000,000 shares
   authorized, no shares issued                                ---          ---
  Common stock, par value $.01, 10,000,000 shares
   authorized, 6,142,106 shares issued                          61           61
  Paid in capital                                           19,295       19,295
  Cumulative translation adjustment (Note 1)                   (63)         232
  Treasury stock, 199,524 and 200,261 shares 
   at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively,
   at cost                                                    (984)        (987)
  Retained earnings                                          7,776       10,228
  Minimum pension liability                                   (303)        (276)
                                                       ------------  -----------

   Total stockholders' equity                               25,782       28,553
                                                       ------------  -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                 $56,381      $50,731
                                                       ============  ===========
                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements




                                 Page 18 of 45
<PAGE>




                               FARREL CORPORATION
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


                                                      Year Ended
                                           ----------------------------------
                                           12/31/97     12/31/96     12/31/95
                                           --------     --------     --------
                                                     (In thousands)
Net sales                                   $85,382     $75,836      $80,067

Cost of sales                                67,671      57,713       60,307
                                          ----------   ---------     --------
Gross margin                                 17,711      18,123       19,760
Operating expenses:
   Selling                                    7,076       6,792        7,940
   General and administrative (Note 4)        7,433       8,684        8,128
   Research and development                   1,567       1,993        2,101
                                          ----------   ---------     --------
     Total operating expenses                16,076      17,469       18,169
Operating income                              1,635         654        1,591

Interest income                                 291         203          345
Interest expense                               (71)       (145)         (86)
Other (expense)/income, net (Note 14)           229       (232)        (394)
                                          ----------   ---------     --------
Income before income taxes                    2,084         480        1,456
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes
  (Notes 1 and 12):
     Current                                    811         (7)          654
     Deferred                                  (84)         161        (100)
                                          ----------   ---------     --------
     Total                                      727         154          554
                                          ----------   ---------     --------
Net income                                   $1,357        $326         $902
                                          ==========   =========     ========

Per share data: (Note 13)
Basic and diluted net income per share        $0.23       $0.05        $0.15
                                          ==========   =========     ========
Average shares outstanding (000's):
   Basic                                      5,950       5,970        6,027
                                          ==========   =========     ========
   Diluted                                    5,951       5,972        6,030
                                          ==========   =========     ========

                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements






                                 Page 19 of 45
<PAGE>




                               FARREL CORPORATION
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        Paid                   Cumulative                 Minimum        Total
                              Common stock               in        Treasury   translation    Retained     Pension     Stockholders'
                                 Shares     Amount     capital      stock      adjustment    earnings     Liability      equity
                               ---------   --------    -------     --------     ---------    --------     ---------    ----------
                                                                   (In thousands, except shares)

<S>                            <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>      
Balance, December 31, 1994     6,142,106          61      19,295        (497)        (597)      10,594    ($    130)      28,726
                               ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Foreign currency translation        --          --          --          --            (49)        --           --            (49)
Net income                          --          --          --          --           --            902         --            902
Treasury stock transactions         --          --          --          (340)        --           --           --           (340)
Cash dividend declared
  at $.20 per common share          --          --          --          --           --         (1,209)        --         (1,209)
Minimum pension liability           --          --          --          --           --           --           (216)        (216)
                               ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Balance, December 31, 1995     6,142,106          61      19,295        (837)        (646)      10,287         (346)      27,814
                               ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Foreign currency translation        --          --          --          --            878         --           --            878
Net income                          --          --          --          --           --            326         --            326
Treasury stock transactions         --          --          --          (150)        --            (25)        --           (175)
Cash dividend declared
  at $.06 per common share          --          --          --          --           --           (360)        --           (360)
Minimum pension liability           --          --          --          --           --           --             70           70
                                                       ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
                               ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Balance, December 31, 1996     6,142,106   $      61   $  19,295   ($    987)   $     232    $  10,228    ($    276)   $  28,553
                               ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Foreign currency translation        --          --          --          --      ($    295)        --           --           (295)
Net income                          --          --          --          --           --          1,357         --          1,357
Treasury stock transactions         --          --          --             3         --             (3)        --              0
Cash dividend declared
  at $.64 per common share          --          --          --          --           --         (3,806)        --         (3,806)
Minimum pension liability           --          --          --          --           --           --            (27)         (27)
                               =========   =========   =========   =========    =========    =========    =========    =========
Balance, December 31, 1997     6,142,106   $      61   $  19,295   ($    984)   ($     63)   $   7,776    ($    303)   $  25,782
                               =========   =========   =========   =========    =========    =========    =========    =========

                                               See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

</TABLE>





                                 Page 20 of 45
<PAGE>




                               FARREL CORPORATION
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


                                                Year        Year        Year
                                               ended       ended       ended
                                              12/31/97    12/31/96    12/31/95
                                              --------    --------    --------
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
  Net income                                   $1,357      $326       $902
  Adjustments to reconcile net income 
    to net cash used in/provided by 
    operating activities:
  (Gain)/loss on disposal of fixed 
    assets                                       (746)      ---        100
  Depreciation and amortization                 1,667     1,699      1,609
  Decrease /(increase) in accounts 
    receivable                                  4,471     5,104     (3,860)
  Decrease/(increase)  in inventory               261      (915)    (5,759)
  (Decrease)/increase in accounts payable      (2,514)   (3,732)     7,030
  Increase in advances from customers             608       795        777
  Increase/(decrease) in accrued 
    expenses and taxes                          1,075    (1,767)      (139)
  Decrease in accrued installation
    and warranty costs                             (4)     (344)      (281)
  Decrease/(increase) in long-term 
    employee benefit obligations                    6      (171)       (38)
  Other                                          (500)      787       (424)
                                              -------    -------    -------
  Total adjustments                             4,324     1,456       (985)
                                              -------    -------    -------
  Net cash provided by /(used in)
   operating activities                         5,681     1,782        (83)
                                              -------    -------    -------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets        1,027        15         50
  Purchases of property, plant and 
    equipment                                  (1,878)   (1,321)    (2,490)
  Purchase of technology license agreement        ---       ---        (22)
  Acquisition of Shaw assets                  (10,855)      ---        ---
                                              -------    -------    -------
  Net cash (used in) investing activities     (11,706)   (1,306)    (2,462)

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Repayment of short term borrowings              ---       ---     (1,057)
  Proceeds from long term borrowings            6,680       ---        ---
  Repayment of long term borrowings              (196)     (200)      (197)
  Issuance (purchase) of treasury stock             3      (175)      (340)
  Used for dividends paid                      (2,856)     (360)    (1,209)
                                              -------    -------    -------
  Net cash provided by (used in) 
    financing activities                        3,631      (735)    (2,803)
Effect of foreign currency exchange
  rate changes on cash                              9        25         30
                                              -------    -------    -------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents      (2,385)     (234)    (5,318)
Cash and cash equivalents--
  Beginning of period                          $3,832     $4,066     9,384
                                              -------    -------    -------
  End of period                                $1,447     $3,832    $4,066
                                              =======    =======    =======
Income taxes paid                                $746       $756    $1,175
                                              =======    =======    =======
Interest paid                                     $76        $55       $93
                                              =======    =======    =======


                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements





                                 Page 21 of 45
<PAGE>




                               FARREL CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 - Principles of Consolidation and Significant Accounting Policies

         The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts
of  Farrel  Corporation  and its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries.  All  intercompany
balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

         The Company  designs,  manufactures,  sells and  services  machinery to
customer  specifications  for the rubber and plastics  industry.  The  Company's
principal  products are batch and  continuous  mixers,  extruders,  pelletizers,
calenders and mills.  The Company also provides  process  engineering  services,
process  design  and  related  services  for  rubber  and  plastics   processing
installations in conjunction with its sales of capital equipment.  The Company's
new machinery and related services generally  represents slightly more than half
of its revenues.  The Company's  aftermarket  business  consists of  contractual
repair,  refurbishment  and equipment  upgrade  services,  spare parts sales and
field services.

         The   company's   principal   customers   are   domestic   and  foreign
manufacturers of rubber and plastics.  Foreign  customers are primarily  located
throughout Eastern and Western Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

         Due to the nature of the  Company's  products,  which can  individually
cost up to $4.0 million,  the relative importance of any product line can change
significantly from year to year. However,  the more significant products are the
Company's batch and continuous mixers.

  (a)   Cash and Cash  Equivalents:
         Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks,
and any other  highly  liquid  investments  purchased  with a maturity  of three
months or less. The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short
maturity of those instruments.

  (b)   Other Financial Instruments:
         The carrying  amount of the  Company's  trade  receivable  and payables
approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.  The
carrying value of long term debt  approximates  fair value. The interest rate on
the long term debt is variable and approximates current market rates.

     (c)  Inventory:  
          Inventory  is  valued  at the  lower  of cost  or  market.
Inventory is accounted  for on the last-in,  first-out  (LIFO) basis in the U.S.
and on an average cost basis in the U.K.

  (d)   Property, Plant and Equipment:
        Property,  plant and  equipment  is stated  at cost.  Improvements  are
capitalized and expenditures  for normal  maintenance and repairs are charged to
expense.  Depreciation  is  computed  on a  straight  line  basis  based  on the
estimated  useful  lives of the related  assets  which range from 5 to 40 years.
Assets no longer anticipated to be used are segregated from Property,  Plant and
Equipment  and  included  in  Other  Assets.  See  Note  3  to  these  financial
statements.

  (e)   Goodwill
        On December  19,  1997,  the  Company  acquired  certain  assets of the
Francis  Shaw Rubber  Machinery  operations  (see Note 2). The  transaction  was
accounted for as a purchase.  Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over
the  estimated  fair value of the assets  acquired  and is being  amortized on a
straight line basis over 20 years.




                                 Page 22 of 45
<PAGE>




  (f)   Patents and Acquired Technology
        Other assets  includes  acquired  patents and technical  know-how and a
technology license agreement which represents the cost of licensed and purchased
technology,  know how, and trade secrets including  technology which is patented
or for which a patent  has been  applied  for.  Such  costs are  amortized  over
periods from 5 to 7 years.

  (g)   Revenue Recognition:
        Revenue on new  machine  sales is  recognized  upon  completion  of the
customer  contract,  which  generally  coincides  with the shipment.  Revenue on
repair and  refurbishment  of customer  owned  machines is  recognized  when the
contractual work is completed. Spare parts revenue is recognized upon shipment.

        The Company  requires  advances from customers upon entering a contract
and progress payments during the manufacturing  process.  Generally,  letters of
credit are required on contracts  with export  customers to minimize  credit and
currency risk.

   (h)  Product Installation and Warranty Obligations:
        Estimated costs to be incurred under product  installation and warranty
obligations  relating to products  which have been sold are  provided for at the
time of sale.

   (i)   Income Taxes:
         Deferred income taxes are provided on temporary differences
between  the  financial  statement  and tax basis of the  Company's  assets  and
liabilities  in accordance  with the liability  method of accounting  for income
taxes.  Provision has not been made for U.S. income taxes or additional  foreign
taxes on  approximately  $9.6  million  of  undistributed  earnings  of  foreign
subsidiaries  because it is  expected  that those  earnings  will be  reinvested
indefinitely.

   (j)   Earnings Per Share:
         In 1997, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No.
128,  Earnings per Share.  Statement 128 replaced the calculation of primary and
fully  diluted  earnings  per share with basic and diluted  earnings  per share.
Basic  earnings per share  excludes any dilutive  effects of stock  options (see
Note 10). Diluted earnings per share is very similar to the previously  reported
fully diluted earnings per share. All earnings per share amounts for all periods
have been presented, and where appropriate, restated to conform to the Statement
128 requirements. (See Note 13 to the financial statements.)

   (k)   Foreign Currency Translation:
         Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated
into  United  States  dollars  at current  exchange  rates.  Income and  expense
accounts are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year.

         Adjustments   resulting  from  the  translation  are  included  in  the
cumulative translation adjustment in stockholders' equity. Transaction gains and
losses are  included in earnings.  The Company  experienced  a foreign  currency
transaction  loss of $131,000 in 1997 and $89,000 in fiscal 1995,  respectively.
The transaction gain or loss in 1996 was not significant.

         The Company enters into foreign exchange contracts for non-trading
purposes, exclusively to minimize its exposure to currency fluctuations on trade
receivables and payables. As a result, changes in the values of foreign currency
contracts offset changes in the values of the underlying  assets and liabilities
due to changes in foreign exchange rates, effectively deferring gains and losses
on trade  receivables  and  payables  and the related  hedges until the date the
transactions  are settled in cash. At December 31, 1997, the Company has entered
into $.9  million of forward  exchange  contracts  for  transactions  related to
amounts to be paid for purchase commitments. A loss of approximately $24,000 has
been deferred on these  transactions to be offset against the exchange  earnings
to be recognized on the hedged transaction. The Company is exposed to loss in



                                 Page 23 of 45
<PAGE>




the event of  nonperformance  by the  Company's  bank,  the  other  party to the
foreign   exchange   contracts.   However,   the  Company  does  not  anticipate
nonperformance by its bank.

  (l)     Use of Estimates:
         The  preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that affect the amounts  reported in the financial  statements  and
accompanying notes. Actual results can differ from those estimates.

  (m)     Reclassifications:
         Certain   amounts  in  prior  year  financial   statements   have  been
reclassified   to   conform   with  the   current   year   presentation.   These
reclassifications had no impact on previously reported results of operations.


Note 2 - Asset Purchase

         On December 19, 1997, Farrel Shaw Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of
the  Company,  acquired  certain  assets of the Francis  Shaw  Rubber  Machinery
operations  from EIS Group PLC of the UK. The  purchase  price was  [Pounds] 6.5
million (approximately $10.9 million), subject to further reduction as described
below.

         The Asset Purchase  Agreement  provides for a reduction in the purchase
price to the extent the value of  inventory  on hand at the closing date is less
than  [Pounds] 3.0  million.  In addition,  the Seller has  guaranteed  that the
acquired  assets  will  generate  a pre-tax  profit (as  defined)  of, at least,
[Pounds] 1.0 million for fiscal 1998.  Any shortfall in this amount will be paid
to the Company representing a reduction in the purchase price.

         The results of operations  from December 19, 1997 through  December 31,
1997,  are included in the  consolidated  results of the Company.  The agreement
provides for an  operating  and lease  agreement  during the  transition  of the
operations from the Seller to the Company. The agreement contains provisions for
the  completion  of sales orders in process  retained by the seller and lease of
facilities  housing the operations which will be relocated and consolidated with
existing facilities in the U.K.

         The acquired assets are recorded at estimated fair value and
include machinery and equipment, inventory and intangible assets as follows:

Machinery & equipment                                 $   2,805
Inventory stock, net of customer deposits
of $1,009                                                 3,512
Patents/technical know how                                  835
Other assets                                              1,598
Goodwill                                                  5,295
                                                          -----
    Total                                             $  14,045
                                                         ======

          The  above  preliminary   purchase  price  allocation  is  based  upon
Management's  judgment considering  information  currently available.  The final
purchase  price and  allocation  is subject to  revisions  as  described  above,
agreement by the Seller and terms of the Asset Purchase  Agreement.  The Company
has objected to the closing date  inventory  valuation and has put the Seller on
notice that it will request a substantial refund.

         The Seller did not maintain and the Company was not provided historical
financial information for the Shaw operations.  Based on the limited information
available,  the Company  estimates  that the pro forma  revenues  and net income
would  not  vary  materially  from  the  historical   amounts  reported  in  the
Consolidated Statements of Income.




                                 Page 24 of 45
<PAGE>





          Included in the purchase  price  allocation,  the Company has recorded
current  liabilities of $2.1 million for the costs of consolidating the acquired
operations  with current  facilities  in Rochdale,  England.  The costs  include
employee separation, moving and other costs.

Note 3 - Other Assets
                                                      12/31/97     12/31/96
                                                      --------     --------
                                                          (In thousands)

Technology license................................       $334         $501
Assets held for disposal..........................        209          389
Notes receivable..................................         --           38
Acquired patents and technical know how...........        835
Other.............................................        188           61
                                                     --------     --------
  Total...........................................     $1,566         $989
                                                       ======       ======



         Assets held for  disposal  represent  the  remaining  book value of the
Company's Derby, Connecticut  manufacturing facility and its remaining machinery
and  equipment no longer  expected to be used.  Subsequent to December 31, 1997,
the Company  signed a conditional  letter of intent to sell the Derby  property.
The letter of intent is subject to various terms and  conditions,  some of which
may affect the net proceeds or consummation of the sale. Currently, the estimate
of the discounted fair value of the assets exceeds the remaining book value and,
therefore,  no provision for loss has been made at this time. The recoverability
of  these  assets  will  be  evaluated  periodically  as  required  by FAS  121,
"Accounting For the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long Lived Assets to
be Disposed  Of." It is possible  that the proceeds to be received from the sale
of these  assets may prove to be less than the  remaining  book value,  at which
point in time the appropriate provision for loss will be made.

Note 4 - Related Party Transactions

         The Company is a party to an agreement  with First Funding  Corporation
(the  "Financial  Services  Agreement"),  pursuant to which the Company  retains
First Funding as its exclusive investment adviser.  Charles S. Jones, a director
of the Company and owner of over 5% of the Company's  outstanding  Common Stock,
is an executive officer of First Funding.  The Financial  Services Agreement may
be  terminated  by either  party upon  twelve  months  written  notice or by the
Company in the event that Mr. Jones is no longer an officer or employee of First
Funding.

         Under the Financial Services Agreement,  the Company pays First Funding
an annual  retainer of $450,000 for Mr. Jones'  services.  The Company also pays
for advisory  services  provided by other First  Funding  employees on an hourly
basis and out-of-pocket  expenses. The Company also pays transaction fees in the
event of  certain  successful  transactions.  The  Company  paid  First  Funding
$894,000, $687,000 and $718,000 in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  In
addition,  the Company also  reimbursed  First  Funding  $319,000,  $211,000 and
$285,000 for  out-of-pocket  costs during the same three periods,  respectively.
The fiscal 1997  amount  included  $460,000  for  services  related to the asset
purchase (see Note 2) and amended credit facility (see Note 8) . The fiscal 1995
amount  included  services  regarding the  extension of the Company's  worldwide
credit facility.




                                 Page 25 of 45
<PAGE>





Note 5 - Inventory

Inventory is comprised of the following:
                                                  12/31/97         12/31/96
                                                  --------         --------
                                                       (In thousands)
            Stock and raw materials...........      $9,459           $5,905
            Work-in-process...................       8,818            8,282
                                                  --------         --------
            Total.............................     $18,277          $14,187
                                                   =======          =======

         Of the above  inventories at December 31, 1997 and 1996, $9 million are
valued using the LIFO method.  Current replacement costs of those inventories as
of these dates were greater than the LIFO carrying amounts by approximately  $.5
million at December 31, 1997 and 1996.

Note 6 - Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is comprised of the following:
                                                           12/31/97    12/31/96
                                                           --------    --------
                                                               (In thousands)

           Land and buildings...........................     $3,927     $3,024
           Machinery, equipment and other...............     18,163     14,700
           Construction in progress.....................        112        188
                                                           --------   --------
                                                             22,202     17,912
             Accumulated depreciation...................     (9,786)    (8,357)
                                                             -------    -------
             Property, plant and equipment, net.........    $12,416     $9,555
                                                            =======     ======

         Estimated  depreciable  lives of buildings  are 33-40 years.  Estimated
depreciable lives of machinery,  equipment and other depreciable assets are 5-10
years.  The amounts  indicated here exclude the assets held for resale which are
included in Other Assets. See Note 3 to these financial statements.

Note 7 - Accrued Expenses and Taxes

         Accrued  expenses  and taxes  includes  accrued  wages and  benefits of
approximately  $1.0  million  and $.8  million at  December  31,  1997 and 1996,
respectively.  Also  included  are  income  taxes  payable of $1.0  million,  at
December 31, 1997 and 1996.

Note 8 - Bank Credit Arrangements

         At December 31,1997, the Company had a worldwide  multi-currency credit
facility  with a major  U.S.  bank in the  amount of $20.0  million  for  direct
borrowings  and  letters of credit and up to  [Pounds]  3.0  million for foreign
exchange contracts.  Interest varies based upon prevailing market interest rates
(8.75% and 7.25% at December  31,  1997 and 1996,  respectively).  The  facility
contains  limits on direct  borrowings and letters of credit combined based upon
stipulated  percentages  of accounts  receivable,  inventory  and  backlog.  The
facility  also  contains  covenants  specifying  minimum and  maximum  operating
thresholds for operating results and selected  financial  ratios.  The agreement
contains certain restrictions on the making of investments, on borrowings and on
the sale of assets. The Company's ability to pay dividends is limited to (a) 25%
of the Company's  cumulative net income during the most recently  completed four
fiscal quarters after deducting distributions  previously made and (b) purchases
by the Company of its common stock during the same period. At December 31, 1997,
there was $7.1 million in direct  borrowings under this facility.  There were no
direct  borrowings  outstanding  under this  facility at  December 31 1996.  The
weighted  averaged  interest rate incurred on short-term  borrowings  was 8.18%,
7.68 % and 7.75% in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. There



                                 Page 26 of 45
<PAGE>




were $6.0 million and $8.1 million of letters of credit  outstanding at December
31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

         The Company has a loan in the amount of [Pounds] 125,000 ($205,000) and
[Pounds] 250,000 ($428,000) at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively,  from a
U.K.  bank  which is  collateralized  by the  Company's  facility  in  Rochdale,
England.  The loan  matures  in  January  1999 for which  semi-annual  principal
payments of approximately [Pounds] 62,500 began in 1995.  Approximately [Pounds]
125,000 ($205,000 and $214,000) at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively,  is
classified as payable  currently and [Pounds] 125,000  ($214,000) was classified
as long term at December 31, 1996.  The interest rate on this loan is 10 percent
per annum.

         On January 23,  1998,  the credit  facility  was  amended.  The amended
facility  provides for total  borrowings of $25 million,  consisting of an $18.5
million  revolving  credit  facility  and a five  year  term loan for up to $6.5
million.  Concurrently with the execution of the amended credit  agreement,  the
Company  converted  [Pounds]  4  million  (approximately  $6.5  million)  of the
outstanding  balance under the previous credit facility to a term note. The term
loan is payable in equal quarterly payments over a five year period. At December
31, 1997,  [Pounds] 3.2 million  (approximately  $5.3  million) is classified as
long term. The amended credit facility  contains limits in direct borrowings and
letters of credit combined based upon stipulated levels of accounts  receivable,
inventory and backlog. It also contains covenants specifying minimum and maximum
thresholds for operating results and selected financial ratios.

Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies

   (a)    Commitments:

         Aggregate future lease commitments under operating leases,  principally
for office space, equipment and vehicles, are as follows:

Year ending December 31,                                     (In thousands)
- ------------------------                                     --------------
1998                                                                 495
1999                                                                 361
2000                                                                 123
2001                                                                  93
2002                                                                 134
Thereafter                                                            71
                                                                   -----
                                                                  $1,277
                                                                  ======

              Rental expense for the year ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
was $332,000, $374,000, $452,000, respectively.

   (b)    Contingencies:

         The Company is a defendant in certain  lawsuits arising in the ordinary
course of business,  primarily  related to product  liability  claims  involving
machinery  manufactured  by the Company.  While the outcome of lawsuits or other
proceedings against the Company cannot be predicted with certainty,  the Company
does not expect that these  matters will have a material  adverse  effect on the
Company's financial position or results of operation.

Note 10 - Stock Plans

         The  Company  sponsors  a Stock  Option  Plan and an  Employees'  Stock
Purchase Plan, both established in 1997.





                                 Page 27 of 45
<PAGE>




         The 1997  Omnibus  Stock  Incentive  Plan  authorizes  the  granting of
incentive  stock  options  and  non-qualified  stock  options to  purchase up to
500,000 shares of common stock. Option awards may be granted by the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors through May 23, 2007 to eligible  employees.
The terms (exercise price, exercise period and expirations) of each option award
are at the  discretion of the  Compensation  Committee  subject to the following
limitations.  The exercise  price of an  Incentive  Stock Option may not be less
than the fair  market  value as of the date of the grant (or 110% in the case of
an incentive stock option granted to a 10% stockholder). The exercise period may
not  exceed 10 years from the date of the  grant.  There  were no stock  options
granted during 1997.

         In prior years,  the Company  granted  stock options under a previously
sponsored plan to eligible  employees and directors of the Company.  At December
31, 1997, options to purchase 459,000 shares remain outstanding under the plan.

         The Company has elected to continue to account for stock  options under
Accounting  Principles  Board Opinion No. 25 ,  "Accounting  for Stock Issued to
Employees"  (APB 25) and not the  fair  value  method  as  provided  by FAS 123,
"Accounting  and Disclosure of Stock -Based  Compensation."  The Company's Stock
Option Plan requires  options to be granted at the market price of the Company's
common stock on the date the options are granted,  and as a result, under APB 25
no compensation expense is recognized.

        The following  table  presents a summary of the  Company's  stock option
activity and related information for the years ended:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1997                      1996                        1995
                                               --------------------       ---------------------      --------------------
                                                        Weighted-                   Weighted-                  Weighted-
                                                         Average                     Average                    Average
                                               Options   Exercise         Options    Exercise        Options    Exercise
                                                (000's)   Price             (000's)    Price            (000's)   Price
                                               --------------------       ---------------------      --------------------
<S>                                              <C>    <C>               <C>       <C>                  <C>        <C>  
Outstanding, beginning of year                   459    $5.86             296       $6.96                286        $7.04
Granted                                            -         -            375        4.38                 72         5.28
Exercised                                          -         -              -           -                  -            -
Forfeited                                          -         -            212        4.76                 62         5.42
                                               --------------------       ---------------------      --------------------
Outstanding, end of year                         459    5.86              459       $5.86                296        $6.96
                                               --------------------       ---------------------      --------------------
Exercisable, end of year                         374    6.32              279       $7.05                213        $7.58
Weighted-average fair value of options
    granted during the year                        -                     $1.75                         $2.20         --
</TABLE>

         The  following  table  summarizes   information   about  stock  options
outstanding at December 31, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Options Outstanding                                             Options Exercisable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------            -----------------------------
                                            Weighted-            Weighted-                                Weighted
                                             Average             Average                                   Average
   Range of           Number of             Remaining            Exercise              Number of           Exercise
Exercise Prices         Options          Contractual Life          Price                 Options             Price
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------            -----------------------------
<S>       <C>            <C>                  <C>                 <C>                     <C>                 <C>  
 $3.75 -   $5.50         278,000              7.0 years           $4.51                   193,250             $4.79
  5.51 -    8.50          95,000                 5.5               6.32                    95,000              6.32
  8.51 -   10.00          86,000                 4.0               9.73                    86,000              9.73
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------           -----------------------------
 $3.75 -  $10.00         459,000                 6.2              $5.86                   374,250             $6.32

</TABLE>

         Pro forma  information  regarding  net income and earnings per share is
required by FAS 123, and has been determined as if the Company had accounted for
its  employee  stock  options  under the fair value  method of FAS 123. The fair
value for these options granted under the Stock Option Plan was estimated at the



                                 Page 28 of 45
<PAGE>




date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, one of the allowable
valuation models under FAS 123, with the following assumptions for 1996:

                                                          1996

    Risk   free   interest   rate                         6.0%
    Dividend yields                                       2.0%
    Expected volatility  factor  of the  expected
    market price of the Company's common stock             .458
    Weighted average expected life of each option         8 Yrs

        The  weighted  average  fair value of options  granted  during  1996 was
$1.75.  The  Black-Scholes  option  valuation  model  was  developed  for use in
estimating  the fair value of traded  options which have no vesting  restriction
and are fully  transferable.  In addition,  option  valuation models require the
input of highly  subjective  assumptions  including  the  expected  stock  price
volatility.  Because the Company's  employee stock options have  characteristics
different than those of traded  options,  and because  changes in the subjective
input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's
judgment,  applying the  provisions  of FAS 123 does not  necessarily  provide a
reliable  single measure of the fair value of its stock options.  It is also not
likely that the current pro forma net income will be representative of pro forma
net income in future years.

        For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of
the  options is  amortized  to expense  over the  options  vesting  period.  The
Company's pro forma information is as follows:




                                                               Year ended
                                                               ----------
                                                        12/31/97        12/31/96
                                                        --------        --------
                                                         (In thousands, except
                                                            per share data)


Pro Forma Net Income                                     $1,331            $258
Pro Forma earnings per share - basic and diluted            .22             .04



        During 1997, the Company adopted the 1997 Employee's Stock Purchase Plan
as a successor to the 1992 Employees Stock Purchase Plan.

        The 1997 Stock Purchase Plan gives each eligible employee of the Company
the right to purchase,  in each of the years 1997 through 2001, shares of common
stock  equivalent  in  value  to  not  more  than  5% of the  employee's  annual
compensation,  up to a maximum of $25,000  per year.  Each May,  employees  must
designate the amount to be withheld  during the next 24 month  purchase  period.
The  purchase  price is the lower of 85% of the fair market  value of the common
stock on the date of offering  or 85% of the fair  market  value on the date the
applicable purchase period ends. Not more than an aggregate of 500,000 shares of
common stock may be purchased  under the stock  purchase plan. Any employee who,
after the purchase, would hold 5% or more of the common stock is ineligible.

        Under the  stock  purchase  plans in July  1997 and May 1996,  employees
elected to purchase approximately 9,000 and 3,000 shares,  respectively,  of the
Company's common stock through these plans. During 1997 and 1996,  approximately
13,000 and 9,000 shares, respectively,  were distributed to employees under this
plan.  The 1997  distribution  includes 647 shares from the  Company's  treasury
account,  for which retained earnings was adjusted.  At December 31, 1997, there
were approximately 13,000 shares subscribed to under these plans.





                                 Page 29 of 45
<PAGE>




        The Company may reaquire up to  $2,250,000 of its common stock under its
discretionary  open market stock repurchase plan. During fiscal 1996 the Company
reacquired  54,150  shares of common  stock,  under this plan for  approximately
$175,000, which are included in treasury stock. There were no shares repurchased
during 1997.

Note 11 - Benefit Plans

        The accounting for pensions and retiree health  benefits,  which will be
paid out over an  extended  period of time in the  future,  requires  the use of
significant estimates concerning  uncertainties about employee turnover,  future
pay scales,  interest  rates,  rates of return on investments and future medical
costs.  The  estimates  of  these  future  employee  costs  are  allocated  in a
systematic  manner to the years when  service is  rendered to the Company by the
employee.  The annual cost is comprised of the service cost component related to
current  employee  service,  an  interest  cost  related to the  increase in the
benefit  obligations  due to the passage of time (the  benefit  obligations  are
stated at a present  value  which  increases  each year as the  discount  period
decreases),  less the  earnings  achieved  on assets  invested  in the  employee
benefit  plan.  Differences  between the  estimates  and actual  experience  are
deferred and amortized to expense over a period of time.

Pension Plans

        The Company  has  retirement  plans  covering  portions of domestic  and
foreign  employees.  The Company funds the domestic plan in accordance  with the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the foreign plans in
accordance  with  appropriate  governmental  regulations in the United  Kingdom.
Pension expense is actuarially  determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and differs from amounts funded annually.

         The  Company has a domestic  defined  benefit  pension  plan for hourly
employees  which provides  benefits based on employees'  years of service.  Plan
assets are invested in short-term securities, equity securities and real estate.
The Company has two foreign defined benefit pension plans covering substantially
all employees which provide  stipulated  amounts at retirement based on years of
service and earnings.  Plan assets are invested in  securities,  real estate and
cash.  The following  table  summarizes  the  components of domestic and foreign
pension expense:



                                                            Year ended
                                                            ----------
                                                  12/31/97   12/31/96   12/31/95
                                                  --------   --------   --------
         Domestic pension expense:                       (In thousands)


Service cost-benefits earned during the period..    $62        $65         $82
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation...    124        122         110
Actual return on plan assets....................   (171)       (31)       (174)
Amortization of deferred items..................     84        (52)        113
                                                   -----      -----       -----
     Net domestic pension expense                   $99       $104        $131
                                                   =====      =====       =====

    Foreign pension expense:

Service cost-benefits earned during the period..   $258       $226        $220
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation...    728        648         598
Actual return on plan assets....................   (802)      (743)       (931)
Amortization of deferred items..................   (159)      (122)        116
                                                   -----      -----       -----
    Net foreign pension expense                     $25         $9         $ 3
                                                   =====      =====       =====





                                 Page 30 of 45
<PAGE>




         Over  the long  run,  the  Company's  funding  policy  is  designed  to
accumulate  sufficient  assets  in the  benefit  plans to meet  obligations  for
retirement  benefits.  Because at any point in time  there  will be  differences
between the estimates used in establishing  pension cost and funding amounts and
actual  experience,  there will always be an amount by which the Company is over
or under-funded.  The domestic plan was under-funded by $211,000 and $202,000 at
December 31, 1997 and 1996,  respectively,  which the Company  expects to reduce
through contributions to the pension plan in the future.

         The  following  table sets forth the funded  status of the domestic and
foreign defined benefit plans and amounts recognized in the balance sheets:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              Domestic                        Foreign
                                                                            December 31,                    December 31,
                                                                            ------------                    ------------
                                                                        1997           1996             1997           1996
                                                                        ----           ----             ----           ----
<S>                                                                     <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>   
     Actuarial present value of:
        Vested benefit obligations                                      $1,884          $1,694          $9,984         $8,828
                                                                        ======          ======          ======         ======

        Accumulated benefit obligation                                  $1,991          $1,755          $9,984         $8,828
                                                                        ======          ======          ======         ======
     Plan assets at fair value                                          $1,780          $1,553          $9,800         $9,289
     Actuarial present value of projected benefit
        obligation for service rendered to date                          1,991           1,755          10,252          9,063

     Projected benefit obligation (in excess of)/
        less than plan assets                                             (211)           (202)           (452)           226

     Unrecognized actuarial variances                                      504             461             699            223
     Unamortized net transition liability/(asset)                            9              16            (198)          (372)
     Unamortized prior service costs                                        79              45             ---            ---
     Additional minimum liability                                         (592)           (522)            ---            ---
                                                                        ------          ------          ------         ------
     Accrued pension (cost)/benefit                                      ($211)          ($202)            $49            $77
                                                                        ======          ======          ======         ======
     Plans assumptions:
       Discount rate                                                     7.00%           7.25%           7.50%          8.50%
       Rate of increase in future compensation levels                      N/A             N/A           4.50%          5.50%
       Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets                  8.00%           8.00%           9.00%          9.00%
</TABLE>


        The Company  changed the discount  rate in 1997 in response to the lower
current and projected interest rates. The Company changed the expected long term
rate of return on plan assets in 1996 due to the fact the Company  retained  the
services of a professional  investment advisor to manage the assets of the Plan.
As a result, investment returns are anticipated to improve. The Company recorded
a minimum  liability  of $592,000  and  $522,000 at December  31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.  The Company has also  recorded  intangible  assets of $88,000 and
$61,000,  the amounts  allowable  under FAS 87, at  December  31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively,  which are  included in Other  Assets.  The minimum  liability  in
excess of the intangible asset has been recorded as a reduction of stockholders'
equity, net of applicable income taxes.

        During 1996 the Company reduced the workforce of employees covered
    by the  domestic  defined  benefit  plan,  and as a  result,  experienced  a
    curtailment  of the  pension  obligation.  The  Company  accounted  for this
    curtailment  under  FAS  88,  "Employers'  Accounting  for  Settlements  and
    Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits."
    The impact on 1996 operations was a minor gain.




                                 Page 31 of 45
<PAGE>





        The Company has a domestic 401(k) retirement plan for salaried employees
which includes  matching and  discretionary  non-matching  contributions  by the
Company.  Approximately  $119,000,  $113,000 and $147,000 of such  contributions
were  expensed in fiscal 1997,  1996 and 1995,  respectively.  No  discretionary
contributions were made by the Company during fiscal 1997, 1996 or 1995.

    Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions

        The Company generally provided health care benefits to eligible domestic
union  retired  employees  and their  dependents  through age 65. The Company is
self-insured  for  claims  prior to age 65 and pays these as  incurred.  Retired
employees and their  dependents  were entitled to select  Supplemental  Medicare
Coverage A and B only at age 65. The Company  pays 75% of the  monthly  Medicare
premiums for most of these  individuals.  Eligibility  for these retiree  health
care  benefits was attained  upon  reaching  age 60 and  completing  10 years of
service.

        During 1994 the Company  renegotiated  its contract with domestic  union
employees in which  postemployment  medical  benefits were eliminated for future
retirees.  Employees  who  retired  prior  to the  signing  of the new  contract
maintain the postemployment medical benefits granted under prior contracts.  The
elimination  of these  benefits  reduced the  obligation by  approximately  $1.3
million ($.8 million net of approximately  $.5 million of deferred income taxes)
from that which was previously  recorded by the Company when it adopted FAS 106,
"Employers  Accounting for  Postretirement  Benefits Other Than  Pensions".  The
Company  accounted for the elimination of these benefits under the provisions of
FAS 106. The following table summarizes the Company's expense for postemployment
benefits other than pensions.




                                                           Year ended
                                                           ----------
                                                 12/31/97   12/31/96   12/31/95
                                                 --------   --------   --------
                                                         (In thousands)

Service cost- benefits earned during 
  the period                                       ---        ---        ---

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement
  benefit obligation                               $90        $90       $111
                                                  ----       ----       ----
Net periodic postretirement benefit costs          $90        $90       $111
                                                  ====       ====       ====

The Company's non-pension  postretirement  benefit plans are not funded. The
status of the plans are as follows:

                                                       12/31/97         12/31/96
                                                       --------         --------
                                                             (In thousands)
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
     Retirees and dependents                             $1,221          $1,219
     Fully eligible plan participants                       ---              28
     Other active plan participants                         ---             ---
                                                         ------          ------
                                                          1,221           1,247
Unrecognized net gain (loss) from experience
         differences and change in assumptions              (8)              30
                                                         ------          ------
Postretirement benefit obligation                        $1,213          $1,277
                                                         ======          ======





                                 Page 32 of 45
<PAGE>




        The  assumed   discount  rate  used  in  determining   the   accumulated
postretirement  benefit  obligation was 7.00% and 7.25% at December 31, 1997 and
1996,  respectively.  The assumed  health care cost trend rate used in measuring
the accumulated  postretirement benefit obligation was 9.0% at December 31, 1997
and  declines  .5% per year to 5.5% by the year 2005 and  remains  at that level
thereafter.  The change in  assumptions  did not have a  material  impact on the
obligation or net periodic  postretirement benefit cost. The accumulated benefit
obligation as of December 31, 1997 and net periodic  postretirement  health care
cost for fiscal 1997 would increase  approximately 8.1% and 8.5%,  respectively,
with an annual one  percentage  point  increase in the assumed  health care cost
rate.

Note 12 - Provision for Income Taxes

        Pre-tax  income/(loss) and income taxes for the years ended December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995 are as follows:



                                                            Year ended
                                                  12/31/97   12/31/96   12/31/95
                                                  --------   --------   --------
The domestic and foreign  components 
of (In  thousands)  income/(loss)before
income taxes are:
    Domestic                                          $89     ($1,544)     $971
    United Kingdom                                  1,995       2,024       485
                                                   ------     -------    ------
                                                   $2,084        $480    $1,456
                                                   ======     =======    ======
The provision/(benefit) for income taxes is:
    Current:
      United States                                   101       ($646)     $437
      United Kingdom                                  658         664        88
      State taxes                                      52         (25)      129
                                                       --         ---      ----
                                                      811          (7)      654
    Deferred:
      United States                                   (50)       $232     $(117)
      United Kingdom                                    7          41        53
      State taxes                                     (41)       (112)      (36)
                                                   ------     -------    ------
                                                      (84)        161      (100)
                                                   ------     -------    ------
                                                     $727        $154      $554
                                                   ======     =======    ======
T
Deferred tax liabilities/(assets) result from the following differences between 
financial reporting and tax accounting.  

                                                      12/31/97       12/31/96
                                                      --------       --------
                                                            (In thousands)
   Deferred tax liabilities:
   -------------------------
   Depreciation                                        $1,054         $1,128
   Inventory valuation                                    258            186
   Other                                                    -             46
                                                      -------       --------
   Total deferred tax liabilities                       1,312          1,360
                                                      -------        -------

   Deferred tax assets:
   --------------------
   Non pension postretirement benefits                   (485)          (511)
   Installation and warranty cost accruals               (324)          (220)
   Vacation reserve                                       (94)          (154)
   Bad debt reserve                                       (51)           (57)
   Minimum pension liability                             (202)          (184)
   State tax loss carryforwards                          (197)          (180)
   Other                                                  (30)           ---
                                                      --------       --------
   Total deferred tax assets                           (1,383)        (1,306)
                                                      --------       --------
   Net deferred tax liability/(asset)                $    (71)      $     54
                                                      ========       ========





                                 Page 33 of 45
<PAGE>




        Other  current  assets  includes  $296,000  and $274,000 of deferred tax
assets at December 31, 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  Other current  assets also
includes  prepaid  income taxes of $665,000 at December 31, 1996.  The state tax
loss carryforwards expire in the year 2011.

A  reconciliation  from statutory U.S. federal income taxes to the actual income
taxes is as follows:




                                                      Year ended
                                         12/31/97       12/31/96        12/31/95
                                         --------       --------        --------
    (In thousands)

    Statutory provision                     709           $163           $495
    U.S.--U.K. rate differential            (57)            17             (5)
    State income taxes, net of 
      federal benefit                         7            (90)            62
    Permanent differences                    98             30             39
    Other                                   (30)            34            (37)
                                           -----          -----          -----
    Actual provision                       $727           $154           $554
                                           =====          =====          =====

Note 13 - Earnings per Share


The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings
per share:


                                             Year            Year        Year
                                             ended          ended        ended
                                           12/31/97        12/31/96     12/31/95
                                           --------        --------     --------
                                             (In thousands, except share data)
Net income applicable to
  common stockholders                         $1,357           $326        $902
                                           =========      =========    =========


Weighted average number of common
shares outstanding - Basic earnings 
  per Share                                5,950,240      5,969,708    6,026,942

Effect of dilutive stock and
 purchase options                              1,403          2,393        3,364
                                           ---------      ---------   ----------


Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding - 
  Diluted earnings per share               5,951,643      5,972,101    6,030,307
                                           =========      =========    =========

Net income per share-basic                     $0.23          $0.05        $0.15
                                           =========      =========    =========


Net income per share-diluted                   $0.23          $0.05        $0.15
                                           =========      =========    =========



                                 Page 34 of 45
<PAGE>





Note 14 - Other income/(expense), net

        For the year ended December 31, 1997,  other  income/expense  includes a
gain of  approximately  $.7 million from the disposal of machinery and equipment
no longer used. There were no individually  significant items of other income or
expense in 1996.

Note 15 - Foreign Operations, Export Sales and Major Customers

        The Company  operates a global business with  interdependent  operations
and employs a global management  approach.  In consideration of certain economic
factors,  the  distribution  of  customer  orders and  associated  revenues  and
expenses  between the U.S. or U.K. is at the discretion of management.  As such,
the chart below should not be construed as indicative of U.S. and U.K. operating
results were the Company not to operate in such a manner.

        Net sales to unaffiliated customers,  operating income and assets of the
U.S. and U.K.  operations for the years ended December 31, 1997,  1996, and 1995
are as follows: United United States Kingdom Consolidated (In thousands)


                                              United     United
                                              States     Kingdom    Consolidated
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                       (In thousands)

    Year ended 12/31/97
         Sales to unaffiliated Customers      $60,594     $24,788     $85,382
         Operating income                      $(310)      $1,945      $1,635
         Assets                               $29,867     $26,514     $56,381

    Year ended 12/31/96:
         Sales to unaffiliated Customers      $50,811     $25,025     $75,836
         Operating income                    ($1,501)      $2,155        $654
         Assets                               $31,011     $19,720     $50,731

    Year ended 12/31/95:
         Sales to unaffiliated customers      $58,957     $21,110     $80,067
         Operating income                      $1,169        $422      $1,591
         Assets                               $36,390     $17,022     $53,412

        The breakdown of U.S. sales to foreign  countries  grouped by geographic
area is as follows:





                                           Year           Year            Year
                                           ended          ended           ended
                                         12/31/97       12/31/96        12/31/95
                                         --------       --------        --------
                                                     (In thousands)
Korea                                     $14,051         $2,053            $675
Asia                                        4,307         $3,452          $9,243
North America, other than the U.S.          1,452          3,975           9,232
Middle East                                    74            119           3,142
All other                                   1,414            797             699
                                          -------        -------         ------=
                                          $21,298        $10,396         $22,991
                                          =======        =======         =======


         Sales to Korea in 1997 includes $13 million to one customer.





                                 Page 35 of 45
<PAGE>




Note 16 - Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited):

             Summarized quarterly financial data for fiscal 1997 and 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  (In thousands except per share data)
                                                                                  Quarter
                                                             -----------------------------------------------
                                                               First        Second      Third       Fourth
                                                             ----------   ----------   --------   ----------
Fiscal 1997

<S>                                                            <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>    
Net Sales                                                      $16,123      $26,183    $21,955      $21,121
                                                             ==========   ==========   ========   ==========
Gross Margin                                                    $3,338       $5,344     $5,429       $3,600
                                                             ==========   ==========   ========   ==========
Other Income (expense) net                                        $300         $167        $20        ($38)
                                                             ==========   ==========   ========   ==========
Net income/(loss)                                               ($106)         $870       $712       ($119)
                                                             ==========   ==========   ========   ==========
Basic and diluted net income/(loss) per common share           ($0.02)        $0.15      $0.12      ($0.02)
                                                             ==========   ==========   ========   ==========
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (000's)                5,942        5,942      5,949        5,946
                                                             ==========   ==========   ========   ==========
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (000's)              5,942        5,943      5,955        5,953
                                                             ==========   ==========   ========   ==========

                                                                                  Quarter
                                                             -----------------------------------------------
                                                               First        Second      Third      Fourth
                                                             ----------   ----------   --------   ----------
Fiscal 1996
Net Sales                                                      $17,865      $13,196    $18,081      $26,694
                                                             ==========   ==========   ========   ==========
Gross Margin                                                    $4,359       $2,818     $4,141       $6,805
                                                             ==========   ==========   ========   ==========
Other Income/(expense)                                           ($48)          $64      ($93)         ($97)
                                                             ==========   ==========   ========   ==========
Net income/(loss)                                                 $181     ($1,170)      ($25)       $1,340
                                                             ==========   ==========   ========   ==========
Basic and diluted net income/(loss) per common share             $0.03      ($0.20)      $0.00        $0.22
                                                             ==========   ==========   ========   ==========
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (000's)                5,985        5,973      5,963        5,836
                                                             ==========   ==========   ========   ==========
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (000's)              5,987        5,973      5,963        5,837
                                                             ==========   ==========   ========   ==========
</TABLE>





                                 Page 36 of 45
<PAGE>






Item 9 -  Changes  in and  Disagreements  with  Accountants  on  Accounting  and
          Financial Disclosure

              None.




                                 Page 37 of 45
<PAGE>




                                    PART III

Item 10 - Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

        The  information  called  for by this  item is  incorporated  herein  by
reference to the definitive  Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  not later than 120 days after the year ended  December 31,
1997 and  delivered to  stockholders  in connection  with the Annual  Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on May 20, 1998.

Item 11 - Executive Compensation

        The  information  called  for by this  item is  incorporated  herein  by
reference to the definitive  Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  not later than 120 days after the year ended  December 31,
1997 and  delivered to  stockholders  in connection  with the Annual  Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on May 20, 1998.

Item 12 - Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

        The  information  called  for by this  item is  incorporated  herein  by
reference to the definitive  Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  not later than 120 days after the year ended  December 31,
1997 and  delivered to  stockholders  in connection  with the Annual  Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on May 20, 1998.

Item 13 - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

        The  information  called  for by this  item is  incorporated  herein  by
reference to the definitive  Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  not later than 120 days after the year ended  December 31,
1997 and  delivered to  stockholders  in connection  with the Annual  Meeting of
Stockholders  to be  held  on May 20,  1998.  See  also  Notes  to  Consolidated
Financial Statements, Note 4, appearing in Item 8 herein.




                                 Page 38 of 45
<PAGE>




                                     PART IV

Item 14 - Exhibits, Financial Statements Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

    (a)  Documents Filed as Part of Form 10-K
                                                                            Page

         1.   Financial Statements

         Report of Independent Auditors.......................................17
         Consolidated Balance Sheets as of 
          December 31, 1997 and, 1996.........................................18
         Consolidated Statements of Income for 
          the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995...................19
         Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity 
          for the years ended December 31, 1997,
          1996 and 1995.......................................................20
         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for years 
          ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995..............................21
         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements........................22-36

         2.   Financial Statement Schedule

         Report of Independent Auditors on Financial 
          Statement Schedule..................................................44
         Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts......................45

         All other  schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the
         required  information  is shown in the  financial  statements  or notes
         thereto.




                                 Page 39 of 45
<PAGE>




3. Exhibits                                                                 Page
Exhibits
- --------
Exhibit 2(1)        Sale   and    purchase    agreement   of
                    the Francis   Shaw   Rubber    Machinery
                    Business dated December 4,1997,  between
                    Francis Shaw Rubber  Machinery  Limited,
                    PRC Fabrications Limited, EIS Group PLC,
                    Farrel   Bridge   Limited   and   Farrel
                    Limited.  Filed  as an  exhibit  to  the
                    Registrant's  Report  on Form  8K  dated
                    December   19,  1997  and   incorporated
                    herein by reference.                                     N/A

Exhibit 3(a)        Articles of  Incorporation - Filed as an
                    exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
                    Statement as Form S-1 (No. 33-43539) and
                    incorporated herein by reference.                        N/A

Exhibit 3(b)        By-laws  - Filed  as an  exhibit  to the
                    Registrant's  Registration  Statement as
                    Form S-1 (No. 33-43539) and incorporated
                    herein by reference.                                     N/A

Exhibit 4           Amendment and  Restatement of the Credit
                    Agreement  between  Farrel   Corporation
                    Chase  Manhattan  Bank  of  Connecticut,
                    N.A.  and  Chase   Manhattan  Bank  N.A.
                    London dated January 23, 1998.

Exhibit 10(b)       Employment  Agreement  between  Rolf  K.
                    Liebergesell  and the Registrant,  dated
                    November  1, 1991 Filed as an exhibit to
                    the Registrant's  Registration Statement
                    as   Form   S-1   (No.   33-43539)   and
                    incorporated herein by reference.                        N/A

Exhibit 10(d)       Standard  Corporate  Financial  Services
                    contract     between    First    Funding
                    Corporation  and the  Registrant,  dated
                    June 17,  1986,  as  amended by a Letter
                    Agreement dated November 1, 1991.  Filed
                    as  an  exhibit   to  the   Registrant's
                    Registration  Statement as Form S-1 (No.
                    33-43539)  and  incorporated  herein  by
                    reference.                                               N/A

Exhibit 10(e)       1997  OMNIBUS  Stock  incentive  Plan  -
                    Filed as an exhibit to the  Registrant's
                    definitive  Proxy  Statement  re: Annual
                    Meeting on May 23, 1997 and incorporated
                    herein by reference.                                     N/A

Exhibit 10(f)       1997 Employee's Stock Purchase Plan -
                    Filed on  the Registrant's  registration
                    Statement as Form S-8 (No. 333-30735) and
                    incorporated herein by reference.                        N/A

Exhibit 10(g)       Environmental   Agreement   between  USM
                    Corporation and the Registrant  dated as
                    of May 12, 1986.  Filed as an exhibit to
                    the Registrant's  Registration Statement
                    as   Form   S-1   (No.   33-43539)   and
                    incorporated herein by reference.                        N/A



                                 Page 40 of 45
<PAGE>




Exhibit 10(h)       Form   of    Director    Indemnification
                    Agreement.  Filed as an  exhibit  to the
                    Registrant's  Registration  Statement as
                    Form S-1 (No. 33-43539) and incorporated
                    herein by reference.                                     N/A

Exhibit 10 (I)      Environmental    Settlement    Agreement
                    between  The Black & Decker  Corporation
                    and the  Registrant  dated  February 17,
                    1995.   Filed  as  an   exhibit  to  the
                    Registrant's  Form  10-K  for  the  year
                    ended December 31, 1994.                                 N/A

Exhibit 10 (j)      Secondment  Agreement  between  Karl  N.
                    Svensson and the Registrant, dated March
                    3,  1995.  Filed  as an  exhibit  to the
                    Registrant's  Form 10-Q for the  quarter
                    ended June 30, 1996                                      N/A

Exhibit 11          Statement re:  Computation  of per share
                    earnings.  See Note 13 to the Company's
                    Consolidated Financial Statments included
                    herewith.                                                

Exhibit 21          Subsidiaries  - Filed as an  exhibit  to
                    the Registrant's  Registration Statement
                    as   Form   S-1   (No.   33-43539)   and
                    incorporated herein by reference.                        N/A

Exhibit 23          Consent of Ernst & Young LLP                              

Exhibit 27          Financial Data Schedule                                   



(b) Reports on Form 8K.

The following report on Form 8-K was filed by the registrant  during the quarter
ended December 31, 1997.

Item 2           December 19, 1997           The    registrant    completes
                                             acquisition of selected assets
                                             of  the  Francis  Shaw  Rubber
                                             Machinery Business
                                             
                                             
                                             

               




                                 Page 41 of 45
<PAGE>





                                   SIGNATURES

    Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  Section  13 or 15(d)  of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                   Farrel Corporation




                                   /s/Rolf K. Liebergesell
                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Rolf K. Liebergesell
                                   Chief Executive Officer
                                   President and Chairman of the Board


                                   March  30, 1998
                                   ---------------
                                   Date








                                 Page 42 of 45
<PAGE>




                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
this  report has been  signed  below by the  following  persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Signature                        Title                                 Date

/s/ Rolf K. Liebergesell
- -------------------------        Chief Executive Officer, 
Rolf K. Liebergesell             President and chairman            3/30/98
                                 of the Board                    ---------------

/s/ Catherine M. Boisvert
- -------------------------        Vice President and Controller,    3/30/98
Catherine M. Boisvert            (Chief Accounting Officer)      ---------------

/s/ Charles S. Jones                                               3/31/98
- -------------------------        Director                        ---------------
Charles S. Jones


- -------------------------        Director                        ---------------
James A. Purdy


- -------------------------        Director                        ---------------
Howard J. Aibel

/s/ Glenn Angiolillo                                               3/27/98
- -------------------------        Director                        ---------------
Glenn Angiolillo

/s/ Alberto Shaio                                                  3/30/98
- -------------------------        Director                        ---------------
Alberto Shaio








                                 Page 43 of 45
<PAGE>






                 Report of Independent Auditors on Consolidated
                          Financial Statement Schedule


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Farrel Corporation


We have audited the consolidated  financial  statements of Farrel Corporation as
of  December  31,  1997 and 1996,  and for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1997, and have issued our report thereon dated March 19, 1998
included  elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our audits also included
the financial statement schedule for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
1995 listed in Item 14(a) of this Form 10-K. This schedule is the responsibility
of the Company's  management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion based
on our audits.

In our  opinion,  the  financial  statement  schedule  referred  to above,  when
considered  in  relation  to the basic  financial  statements  taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

                                            /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

                                            Ernst & Young LLP


Stamford, Connecticut
March 19, 1998




                                 Page 44 of 45
<PAGE>




                                                                     SCHEDULE II
                               FARREL CORPORATION
                        VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


COLUMN A                                   COLUMN B                 COLUMN C                 COLUMN D         COLUMN E
- --------------------------------------- ----------------  ----------------------------- ------------------ ---------------
                                                                            Charged
                                          Balance at       Charged to     (credited)
                                           beginning        costs and      to other                          Balance at
Name of Debtor                             of period        expenses     accounts (1)    Deductions (2)    end of period
- --------------------------------------- ----------------  -------------- -------------- ------------------ ---------------
Year ended 12/31/95
- -------------------

<S>                                            <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>               <C>  
Allowance for doubtful
  receivables                                    499           (323)            0                (74)             102
Reserve for excess and obsolete
  inventory items                              2,131            598            (1)            (1,686)           1,042
Accrued installation and warranty
  costs                                        1,915            864           (10)            (1,145)           1,624

Year ended 12/31/96
- -------------------
Allowance for doubtful
  receivables                                    102            362            10                (10)             464
Reserve for excess and obsolete
  inventory items                              1,042            119            67               (137)           1,091
Accrued installation and warranty
  costs                                        1,624          1,840            92             (2,196)           1,360

Year ended 12/31/97
- -------------------

Allowance for doubtful
  receivables                                    464           (50)            (8)              (227)             179
Reserve for excess and obsolete
  inventory items                              1,091            208           (23)              (525)             751
Accrued installation and warranty
  costs                                        1,360          2,182           (25)            (2,191)           1,326
</TABLE>


(1)   Represents  foreign currency  translation  adjustments charged or credited
      to stockholders' equity.
(2)   Represents  accounts  receivable  written off,  obsolete  inventory  items
      written off,  reductions in accrued  installation  and warranty  costs and
      restructuring reserve to reflect expenditures incurred.

      The  allowances  for  doubtful  receivables  and  reserves  for excess and
      obsolete inventory items have been deducted in the balance sheets from the
      assets to which they apply.  The accrued  installation  and warranty costs
      are shown as liabilities in the balance sheet


                                 Page 45 of 45




                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT
                          dated as of January 23, 1998
                                      among
                               FARREL CORPORATION,
                                 FARREL LIMITED,
                               FARREL SHAW LIMITED
                                       AND
                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK




<PAGE>



                      AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT


          AMENDED AND  RESTATED  CREDIT  AGREEMENT  dated as of January 23, 1998
among FARREL  CORPORATION,  a corporation  organized  under the laws of Delaware
(the "U.S. Company"),  FARREL LIMITED, a corporation organized under the laws of
England and Wales  ("Farrel  Limited")  and FARREL SHAW  LIMITED,  a corporation
organized  under the laws of England and Wales  ("Farrel Shaw" and together with
Farrel Limited, the "U.K. Companies") (each a "Borrower" and, collectively,  the
"Borrowers")  and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a New York banking  corporation (the
"Bank").

          WHEREAS,  the U.S.  Company,  Farrel Limited and the Bank have entered
into that certain Credit  Agreement  dated as of March 20, 1993, as amended (the
"Existing Credit  Agreement")  pursuant to which the Bank has extended credit to
such Borrowers evidenced as by certain promissory notes issued by such Borrowers
to the Bank (the "Existing Notes"); and

          WHEREAS,  this  Agreement  amends and  restates  in its  entirety  the
Existing Credit  Agreement in order to, among other things,  increase the amount
available for borrowing, provide for the issuance of a Term Loan, and add Farrel
Shaw as a Borrower hereunder.

          NOW THEREFORE, the Borrowers and the Bank agree as follows:


                    ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS; ACCOUNTING TERMS

          Section 1.01.  Definitions.  As used in this Agreement,  the following
terms have the  following  meanings  (terms  defined in the  singular  to have a
correlative meaning when used in the plural and vice versa):

         "Accounting  Month" means each fiscal month of the Borrowers,  it being
understood  that each fiscal year of the  Borrowers  is divided into four fiscal
quarters of 13 weeks each, and each such fiscal quarter is divided approximately
into two four-week months and one five-week month.

         "Acquisition"  means the acquisition by Farrel Shaw of the Francis Shaw
Rubber Machinery  business owned by Francis Shaw, FSRM and PRC,  pursuant to the
terms of the Acquisition Documents.

         "Acquisition  Documents"  mean that certain Agreement dated December 4,
1997, among Francis Shaw,  FSRM, PRC, Farrel Shaw,  Farrel Limited and EIS Group
plc,  and  all  other  agreements,  instruments  or  documents  entered  into in
connection therewith or delivered pursuant thereto.



                                       -1-

<PAGE>




          "Additional  Costs" has the  meaning  assigned to such term in Section
3.01.

         "Affiliate"  means  any  Person:   (a)  which  directly  or  indirectly
controls,  or is controlled by, or is under common control with, any Borrower or
any of their Subsidiaries; (b) which directly or indirectly beneficially owns or
holds five  percent or more of any class of voting  stock of any Borrower or any
such  Subsidiary;  (c)  five  percent  or more of the  voting  stock of which is
directly or  indirectly  beneficially  owned or held by any Borrower or any such
Subsidiary;  or (d) which is a partnership in which any Borrower or any of their
Subsidiaries  is a general  partner.  The term "control"  means the  possession,
directly or  indirectly,  of the power to direct or cause the  direction  of the
management  and policies of a Person,  whether  through the  ownership of voting
securities, by contract, or otherwise.

         "Agency Fee" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(b).

         "Aggregate Outstandings" means the sum of, without duplication, (A) the
aggregate  principal amount of Loans  outstanding at such time, plus (B) the L/C
Obligations.

         "Agreement"  means this  Amended  and  Restated  Credit  Agreement,  as
amended or  supplemented  from time to time.  References to Articles,  Sections,
Exhibits,  Schedules  and the like refer to the  Articles,  Sections,  Exhibits,
Schedules and the like of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.

         "Alternative  Currency" means any currency other than Dollars or Pounds
Sterling which is freely  transferrable  and convertible  into Dollars,  and for
which Chase London quotes a per annum  interest rate for the offering to leading
banks in the London interbank market of deposits.

         "Application" means an application in such form as the Bank may specify
from time to time, requesting the Bank to open a Letter of Credit.

         "Backlog Certificate" means each certificate delivered by the Borrowers
substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2.

         "Banking  Day"  means  any  day  on  which  commercial  banks  are  not
authorized or required to close in New York City,  and whenever such day relates
to a Fixed Rate Loan or notice  with  respect  to any Fixed Rate Loan,  a day on
which dealings in Dollar  deposits are also carried out in the London  interbank
market.

         "Borrowing Base" means at any date of determination thereof, the sum of
(i) 85% of Eligible U.S. Receivables at such date plus (ii) 50% of Eligible U.S.
Inventory at such date plus (iii) 85% of


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

Eligible U.K.  Receivables at such date plus (iv) 50% of Eligible U.K. Inventory
at such date;  the Borrowing  Base shall be determined by the Bank monthly based
upon a Borrowing  Base  Certificate  submitted by the  Borrowers to the Bank and
certified as accurate and complete by the senior  financial  officer of the U.S.
Company.

         "Borrowing Base (U.S.)" means at the date of determination thereof, the
sum of (i) 85% of  Eligible  U.S.  Receivables  at such  date  plus  (ii) 50% of
Eligible  U.S.  Inventory  at such date;  the  Borrowing  Base  (U.S.)  shall be
determined by the Bank monthly based upon a Borrowing Base Certificate submitted
by the  Borrowers  to the Bank and  certified  as accurate  and  complete by the
senior financial officer of the U.S. Company.

         "Borrowing Base  Certificate"  means each certificate  delivered by the
Borrowers substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1.

         "Capital   Expenditure"   means,  with  respect  to  any  Person,   any
expenditure made or obligation  incurred by such Person to purchase,  acquire or
construct fixed assets, plant and equipment  (including renewals,  improvements,
replacements  and  incurrence of  obligations  under  Capital  Leases) less cash
revenues  received  by such  Person  from the sale of fixed  assets,  plant  and
equipment.

         "Capital Lease" means any lease which has been or should be capitalized
on the books of the lessee in accordance with GAAP.

         "Chase London" means the London branch of the Bank.

         "Closing  Date" means the date this Agreement has been executed by each
of the Borrowers and the Bank.

         "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time.

         "Commitments"  mean the Revolving  Credit  Commitment and the Term Loan
Commitment.

         "Commitment  Fee" has the  meaning  assigned  to such  term in  Section
2.11(a).

         "Consolidated  Subsidiary"  means any Subsidiary  whose accounts are or
are required to be consolidated  with the accounts of any Borrower in accordance
with GAAP.

         "Consolidated  Tangible  Net  Worth"  means  Tangible  Net Worth of the
Borrowers and their Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  as determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "Current  Assets" means all assets of the Borrowers  treated as current
assets in accordance with GAAP, excluding prepaid expenses.


                                      -3-
<PAGE>


         "Current Liabilities" means all liabilities of the Borrowers treated as
current  liabilities in accordance with GAAP,  including without  limitation (a)
all obligations payable on demand or within one year after the date on which the
determination is made (but not including the obligations under this Agreement in
the one year  period  prior to the  Termination  Date) and (b)  installment  and
sinking  fund  payments  required  to be made  within one year after the date on
which  the  determination  is  made,  but  excluding  all  such  liabilities  or
obligations  which are renewable or extendable at the option of the Borrowers to
a date more than one year from the date of determination.

         "Debt"  means,  with respect to any Person:  (a)  indebtedness  of such
Person for borrowed money; (b)  indebtedness for the deferred  purchase price of
property or services (except trade payables in the ordinary course of business);
(c)  Unfunded  Benefit  Liabilities  of such  Person  (if such  Person  is not a
Borrower,  determined  in a manner  analogous  to that of  determining  Unfunded
Benefit  Liabilities of the  Borrowers);  (d) the face amount of any outstanding
letters of credit issued for the account of such Person; (e) obligations arising
under  acceptance  facilities;  (f)  guaranties,  endorsements  (other  than for
collection in the ordinary course of business) and other contingent  obligations
to  purchase,  to provide  funds for  payment,  to supply funds to invest in any
Person, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss; (g) obligations  secured
by any Lien on property of such Person;  and (h)  obligations  of such Person as
lessee under Capital Leases.

         "Debt Service  Charges"  means, for any fiscal year, the sum of (i) all
scheduled payments of principal during such period on or with respect to Debt of
the Borrowers or their Consolidated  Subsidiaries  (including without limitation
imputed  principal on Capital  Leases),  plus (ii) Interest  Expense during such
period.

         "Default"  means any event  which with the giving of notice or lapse of
time, or both, would become an Event of Default.

         "Default Rate" means, with respect to the principal of any Loan and, to
the extent  permitted by law, any other amount  payable by the  Borrowers  under
this Agreement,  the Notes, the Letters of Credit or the Facility Documents that
is not paid when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise),
a rate per annum  during the period  from and  including  the due date,  to, but
excluding  the date on which such  amount is paid in full  equal to two  percent
above the Variable  Rate as in effect from time to time plus the Margin (if any)
provided that, if the amount so in default is principal of a Fixed Rate Loan and
the due date  thereof  is a day other than the last day of the  Interest  Period
therefor,  the "Default Rate" for such  principal  shall be, for the period from
and  including  the due date and to but  excluding  the last day of the Interest
Period therefor, two percent above the interest rate for


                                      -4-
<PAGE>


such Loan as provided in Section 2.10 hereof and, thereafter,  the rate provided
for above in this definition.

          "Direct  Borrowing  Sublimit"  means the  amount of the  lesser of (i)
$10,000,000 plus 50% of the amount of ---- backlog of the Borrowers in excess of
$40,000,000 or (ii) $15,000,000.

          "Dollars"  and the sign "$" mean lawful money of the United  States of
America.

         "EBIT" means,  for any fiscal year, (i) the  consolidated net income of
the Borrowers and their  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  plus (ii) all taxes accrued
with  respect to such fiscal  year which are  calculated  and  charged  upon the
profits of the  Borrowers  and their  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  plus (iii) all
Interest Expense accrued with respect to such fiscal year.

         "EBITDA"  means,  for any fiscal year,  (i) EBIT for such period,  plus
(ii) the aggregate  amounts of depreciation  and amortization to the extent that
such amounts were deducted in the computation of EBIT for such period.

         "Eligible  Receivables"  of a  Borrower  means the gross  amount of the
accounts  receivable  of such  Borrower  that  arose in the  ordinary  course of
business of such Borrower and are free and clear of any and all Liens and claims
of others,  less any re-bills and  chargebacks  (but  excluding  chargebacks  of
previously  disputed  items  which  have  been  subsequently  agreed  to by  the
customer) of any nature (whether issued, owing,  granted, or outstanding),  less
customary  reserves for: slow paying accounts (which shall be defined as any and
all  accounts  the  payment of which is due and owing for a period of 90 or more
days from the due date of the invoice in respect thereof); credit balances which
are over 90 days past due;  that  portion of any  account  which is less than 90
days  past due if more than  one-half  of the total  amount in  respect  of such
account  is more  than 90 days past due;  sales to the other  Borrowers,  to any
Subsidiary of the Borrowers or sales to any entity affiliated with the Borrowers
in any way; sales to financially unsound customers; dilution (which is a reserve
for such  Borrower's  normal  pattern of returns,  discounts,  claims,  credits,
allowances and other reductions in the Borrowers' receivables).

         "Eligible U.K.  Inventory" means the net amount of the inventory of the
Borrowers located in the United Kingdom that is owned by such Borrowers free and
clear of any and all Liens or claims of  others,  including  raw  materials  and
work-in-process,  but less any  packaging  materials  and  supplies,  damaged or
unsalable goods returned or rejected by such Borrower?s  customers,  goods to be
returned to the Borrowers?  suppliers,  goods in transit to third parties (other
than the Borrowers? agents or warehouses and goods out at contractors), and less
any  reserves  required  for special


                                      -5-
<PAGE>


order goods (unless built for a specific order), and market value declines.

         "Eligible U.S.  Inventory" means the net amount of the inventory of the
Borrowers  located  in the  United  States  of  America  that is  owned  by such
Borrowers free and clear of any and all Liens or claims of others, including raw
materials and  work-in-process,  but less any packaging  materials and supplies,
damaged or unsalable  goods returned or rejected by such  Borrower's  customers,
goods to be  returned  to the  Borrowers'  suppliers,  goods in transit to third
parties  (other  than the  Borrowers'  agents  or  warehouses)  and goods out at
contractors,  and less any  reserves  required for special  order goods  (unless
built for a specific order), and market value declines.

          "Eligible U.K.  Receivables"  means  Eligible  Receivables of the U.K.
Companies.

          "Eligible U.S.  Receivables"  means  Eligible  Receivables of the U.S.
Company.

         "Environmental  Laws"  means  any and all  federal,  state,  local  and
foreign statutes,  laws,  regulations,  ordinances,  rules,  judgments,  orders,
decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other
governmental   restrictions   relating  to  the  environment  or  to  emissions,
discharges,  releases  or  threatened  releases  of  pollutants,   contaminants,
chemicals,  or  industrial,  toxic or  hazardous  substances  or wastes into the
environment  including,  without limitation,  ambient air, surface water, ground
water,  or  land,  or  otherwise   relating  to  the  manufacture,   processing,
distribution,  use,  treatment,  storage,  disposal,  transport,  or handling of
pollutants,   contaminants,   chemicals,  or  industrial,   toxic  or  hazardous
substances or wastes.

         "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended  from time to time,  including  any rules  and  regulations  promulgated
thereunder.

         "ERISA Affiliate" means any corporation or trade or business which is a
member of any group of  organizations  (i) described in section 414(b) or (c) of
the Code of which any  Borrower  is a member,  or (ii)  solely for  purposes  of
potential  liability under section 302(c)(11) of ERISA and section 412(c)(11) of
the Code and the lien created under section  302(f) of ERISA and section  412(n)
of the  Code,  described  in  section  414(m)  or (o) of the Code of  which  any
Borrower is a member.

         "ERISA Event" means (i) a "reportable  event" described in section 4043
of ERISA and the regulations thereunder with respect to any Title IV Plan (other
than a reportable  event not subject to the  provision  for 30-day notice to the
PBGC under such regulations); (ii) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate
a 


                                      -6-
<PAGE>

Title IV Plan under section 4041 of ERISA;  (iii) the institution of proceedings
to terminate a Title IV Plan by the PBGC; (iv) any other event or condition that
might  reasonably be expected to constitute  grounds under section 4042 of ERISA
for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Title
IV Plan or the imposition of any material liability under Title IV of ERISA; (v)
an event  requiring  notification  under  section  4041(c)(3)(c)  of ERISA  with
respect to a Title IV Plan; (vi) the  withdrawal,  as described in ERISA section
4063, of any ERISA Affiliate from a Title IV Plan during a plan year in which it
was a "substantial  employer" (as defined in section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA); (vii)
with respect to any Title IV Plan,  the cessation of operations at a facility in
the circumstances  described in section 4068(f) of ERISA; (viii) the adoption of
an amendment to a Title IV Plan requiring the provision of security to such plan
pursuant to section 307 of ERISA; (ix) with respect to any ERISA Affiliate,  the
failure to make a payment  required under section 412 of the Code or section 302
of ERISA which failure has not been cured within thirty (30) days; (x) a Pension
Plan having an  "accumulated  funding  deficiency" (as defined in section 412 of
the Code and section 302 of ERISA) whether or not waived;  (xi) the  application
for, or receipt of, a funding  waiver from the  Internal  Revenue  Service  with
respect to any Pension  Plan;  (xii) the adoption of an amendment to any Pension
Plan that  pursuant  to section  401(a)(29)  of the Code or section 307 of ERISA
would result in the loss of tax-exempt status of the trust of which such plan is
a part if either Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate fails to timely provide security
to the Plan in  accordance  with the  provisions  thereof or such  sections;  or
(xiii) a Pension Plan intended to be qualified  under section 401(a) of the Code
ceases to be so qualified or its related trust ceases to be exempt under section
501(a) of the Code.

         "Event of Default" has the meaning given such term in Section 9.01.

         "Facility  Documents"  means this Agreement,  the Notes, the Letters of
Credit, and any Interest Rate Protection Agreement to which the Bank is a party,
as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

         "Facility  Fee"  has  the  meaning  assigned  to such  term in  Section
2.11(b).

         "Federal Funds Rate"  means, for any day, the rate per annum (expressed
on a 365/366 day basis of  calculation if the rate on the Variable Rate Loans is
so calculated)  equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight  federal
funds transactions as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for such
day (or for any day that is not a Banking  Day,  for the  immediately  preceding
Banking Day).


                                      -7-
<PAGE>


         "Fixed Base Rate" means with respect to any Interest Period for a Fixed
Rate Loan: the rate per annum  (rounded  upwards,  if necessary,  to the nearest
1/16 of one percent)  quoted at  approximately  11:00 a.m.  London time by Chase
London two Banking Days prior to the first day of such  Interest  Period for the
offering to leading  banks in the London  interbank  market of Dollar  deposits,
Pound Sterling deposits or deposits of an Alternative  Currency, as the case may
be, in immediately  available funds, for a period, and in an amount,  comparable
to the Interest Period and principal amount of the related Fixed Rate Loan which
shall be made by the Bank and outstanding during such Interest Period.

         "Fixed  Rate" means,  for any Fixed Rate Loan for any  Interest  Period
therefor, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary,  to the nearest 1/100
of one  percent)  determined  by the Bank to be equal to the quotient of (i) the
Fixed  Base Rate for such Loan for such  Interest  Period,  divided  by (ii) one
minus the Reserve Requirement for such Loan for such Interest Period.

         "Fixed  Rate Loan"  means any Loan when and to the extent the  interest
rate therefor is determined on the basis of the definition "Fixed Base Rate."

         "Foreign  Exchange  Contract"  means a contract  pursuant  to which any
Borrower  purchases or sells  foreign  currency  for a fixed Pounds  Sterling or
Dollar amount at a future date.

         "Forfeiture  Proceeding" means any action,  proceeding or investigation
affecting any Borrower or any of their  Subsidiaries  or  Affiliates  before any
court,   governmental   department,   commission,   board,  bureau,   agency  or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign, or the receipt of notice by any such party
that any of them is a suspect  in or a target  of any  governmental  inquiry  or
investigation,  which is reasonably  likely to result in an indictment of any of
them or the seizure or forfeiture of any of their property.

         "Francis  Shaw" means Francis Shaw & Company  (Manchester)  Limited,  a
corporation organized under the laws of England and Wales.

         "FSRM"  means  Francis Shaw Rubber  Machinery  Limited,  a  corporation
organized under the laws of England and Wales.

         "Funded  Debt"  means,  with  respect to any  Person,  all Debt of such
Person for money borrowed which by its terms matures more than one year from the
date as of which such Funded Debt is  incurred,  and any Debt of such Person for
money  borrowed  maturing  within one year from such date which is  renewable or
extendable at the option of the obligor to a date beyond one year from such date
(whether  or  not   theretofore   renewed  or  extended),   including  any  such
indebtedness  renewable or  extendable  at the option of the obligor


                                      -8-
<PAGE>


under, or payable from the proceeds of other  indebtedness which may be incurred
pursuant to, the provisions of any revolving  credit  agreement or other similar
agreement.

         "GAAP" means  generally  accepted  accounting  principles in the United
States of America as in effect, applied on a basis consistent with those used in
the preparation of the financial  statements referred to in Section 5.05 (except
for changes concurred with by the Borrowers' independent public accountants).

         "Hazardous Materials" means any substance regulated under Environmental
Laws and includes,  without limitation,  any hazardous or toxic waste, substance
or material;  asbestos or PCBs; petroleum products including gasoline, fuel oil,
crude oil, diesel oil and various  constituents of such products;  and any other
chemicals, materials or substances which are regulated under Environmental Laws.

         "Interest  Expense"  means all payments made by the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries of interest, finance charges, the portion of capital lease payments
attributable  to the time value of money and other fees,  charges  and  expenses
extracted in exchange for the forbearance from the collection of money.

         "Interest  Period"  means,  with  respect to any Fixed  Rate Loan,  the
period commencing on the date such Loan is made,  converted from a Variable Rate
Loan or renewed,  as the case may be, and ending, as the respective Borrower may
select  pursuant to Section 2.06, on the  numerically  corresponding  day in the
first,  second or third calendar month thereafter,  provided that in the case of
the Term Loan, the initial interest period will commence on the Closing Date and
shall end on March 31, 1998 and for each subsequent  interest period  thereafter
the  respective  Borrower  may only select as an ending  date,  the  numerically
corresponding  date in the third month after  commencement  and provided further
that each such  Interest  Period  which  commences  on the last Banking Day of a
calendar  month (or on any day for which there is no  numerically  corresponding
day in the appropriate  subsequent calendar month) shall end on the last Banking
Day of the appropriate calendar month.

         "Interest  Rate  Protection  Agreements"  means any interest rate swap,
cap, collar agreement or similar  arrangement  between any Borrower and the Bank
providing for the transfer or mitigation of interest  risks either  generally or
under specific contingencies.

         "Issuing  Bank" means the Bank or Chase London,  as the case may be, in
its capacity as issuer of any Letter of Credit.

         "L/C Fee Payment  Date" means the date of issuance of each L/C and each
three month anniversary thereof.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>


         "L/C Obligations"  means at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a)
the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding  Letters
of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of Credit which
have not then been reimbursed pursuant to subsection 2.01(e)(iv).

         "Letters of Credit" means  standby,  trade and  documentary  letters of
credit  and  bank  guarantees  and   performance   bonds  issued  under  Section
2.01(e)(i).

         "Lending  Office"  means,  for each type of Loan, the lending office of
the Bank  designated as such for such type of Loan on its signature  page hereof
or such other  office of the Bank (or of an  affiliate  of the Bank) as the Bank
may from time to time specify to the Borrowers as the office by which like Loans
are to be made and maintained.

         "Lien" means any lien  (statutory  or  otherwise),  security  interest,
mortgage,  deed of trust,  priority,  pledge,  charge,  conditional  sale, title
retention  agreement,  financing lease or other  encumbrance or similar right of
others, or any agreement to give any of the foregoing.

         "Loans" mean the  Revolving  Credit Loans and the Term Loan made by the
Bank pursuant to Section 2.01.

         "Margin"  means,  (a) for a Variable  Rate Loan, 0% and (b) for a Fixed
Rate Loan,  1.25% if such Loan is a Revolving Credit Loan and 1.75% if such Loan
is a Term Loan.

         "Multiemployer  Plan" means a Plan defined as such in section  3(37) of
ERISA to which  contributions  have been made by either of the  Borrowers or any
ERISA  Affiliate,  or as to which either of the Borrowers or any ERISA Affiliate
has any direct or indirect fixed or contingent liability.

         "Notes" means the Revolving Credit Note and the Term Note.

         "PBGC" means the Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation and any entity
succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

         "Pension Plan" means a Plan (including,  but not limited to, a Title IV
Plan) that is an "employee  benefit  pension plan" as defined in section 3(2) of
ERISA.

         "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, business trust,
joint  stock  company,  trust,   unincorporated   association,   joint  venture,
governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.

         "Plan"  means  any  employee  benefit  or  other  plan  established  or
maintained, or to which contributions have been made, by any of the


                                      -10-
<PAGE>


Borrowers  or any ERISA  Affiliate,  or as to which any of the  Borrowers or any
ERISA  Affiliate  has any  direct or  indirect  fixed or  contingent  liability,
excluding any Multiemployer Plan.

         "Pounds  Sterling"  and the sign "?" mean  lawful  money of the  United
Kingdom.

         "Principal  Office" means the principal  office of the Bank,  presently
located at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017.

         "PRC" means PRC Fabrications Limited, a corporation organized under the
laws of the England and Wales.

         "Regulation  D" means  Regulation  D of the Board of  Governors  of the
Federal Reserve System as the same may be amended or  supplemented  from time to
time.

         "Regulation  U" means  Regulation  U of the Board of  Governors  of the
Federal Reserve System as the same may be amended or  supplemented  from time to
time.

         "Regulatory  Change" means any change after the date of this  Agreement
in United States  federal,  state,  municipal or United Kingdom or other foreign
laws or regulations  (including without limitation Regulation D) or the adoption
or  making  after  such  date of any  interpretations,  directives  or  requests
applying to a class of banks  including  the Banks of or under any United States
federal, state, municipal or United Kingdom or other foreign laws or regulations
(whether  or not  having  the  force  of law) by any  court or  governmental  or
monetary authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof.

         "Reimbursement  Obligation"  means the  obligation  of the Borrowers to
reimburse the Bank pursuant to  subsection  2.01(e)(iv)  for amounts drawn under
the Letters of Credit.

         "Reserve  Requirement"  means, for any Fixed Rate Loan for any Interest
Period  therefor,  the average  maximum rate at which  reserves  (including  any
marginal,  supplemental  or emergency  reserves)  are required to be  maintained
during such  Interest  Period under  Regulation D by member banks of the Federal
Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding  $1,000,000,000  against
"Eurocurrency  liabilities"  (as such  term is used in  Regulation  D).  Without
limiting the effect of the foregoing,  the Reserve Requirement shall reflect any
other  reserves  required to be maintained by such member banks by reason of any
Regulatory  Change  against  (i) any  category  of  liabilities  which  includes
deposits  by  reference  to which the Fixed  Base  Rate is to be  determined  as
provided in the definition of "Fixed Base Rate" in this Section 1.01 or (ii) any
category of extensions of credit or other assets which include Fixed Rate Loans.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>


         "Retiree   Welfare  Plan"  means  a  Welfare  Plan  that  provides  for
continuing  benefits or coverage for any  participant  or any  beneficiary  of a
participant after such  participant's  termination of employment,  other than as
may be required by COBRA at the expense of the participant or the beneficiary of
the participant.

         "Retiree  Welfare  Plan  Liability"  means  with  respect  to a Retiree
Welfare  Plan the  total  value  as of the  determination  date of all  expected
postretirement  benefit obligations  determined in accordance with the Financial
Accounting  Standard No. 106, determined without regard to the effective date of
the standards set forth in the Financial Accounting Standard No. 106.

         "Revolving Credit Commitment"  means the obligation of the Bank to make
Revolving Credit Loans under this Agreement in the aggregate principal amount of
$18,500,000  or an  equivalent  amount  denominated  in Pounds  Sterling,  or an
Alternative  Currency,  as such amount may be reduced or otherwise modified from
time to time.

         "Revolving  Credit  Loan"  has the  meaning  assigned  to such  term in
Section 2.01(a) hereof.

         "Revolving  Credit  Note"  means  the  promissory  note  issued  by the
Borrowers  in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto  evidencing  the  Revolving  Credit
Loans  made  by the  Bank  hereunder  and  all  promissory  notes  delivered  in
substitution or exchange therefor, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

         "Revolving Credit  Termination Date" means December 31, 1999;  provided
that if such date is not a Banking Day, the Revolving  Credit  Termination  Date
shall be the next succeeding  Banking Day (or, if such next  succeeding  Banking
Day falls in the next calendar  month,  the next  preceding  Banking  Day);  and
provided further that the Bank may extend the Revolving Credit  Termination Date
by providing written notice to the Borrowers.

         "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

         "SEC Filings" means the U.S. Company's  Registration  Statement on Form
S-1,  File No.  33-43539 as filed with the SEC on January 13, 1992,  pursuant to
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  and any subsequent  report on Form 10-Q
and on Form 10-K.

         "Subsidiary"  means,  with respect to any Person,  any  corporation  or
other entity of which at least a majority of the  securities or other  ownership
interests  having ordinary  voting power  (absolutely or  contingently)  for the
election of directors or other persons  performing  similar functions are at the
time owned directly or indirectly by such Person.

         "Tangible  Net  Worth"  means,  at any date of  determination  thereof,
consolidated stockholders equity of the Borrowers,


                                      -12-
<PAGE>


determined  in  accordance  with GAAP,  eliminating  the  effect of  accumulated
foreign  currency  translation  adjustments  therefrom  and adding  thereto  (a)
subordinated  debt which is subordinated to all obligations  owed to the Bank on
terms  and  conditions  acceptable  to the Bank and (b) an  amount  equal to any
reserve or charge, if any, in an amount not in excess of $700,000 resulting from
FASB 106.

         "Term  Loan" has the meaning  assigned to such term in Section  2.01(b)
hereof.

         "Term Loan  Commitment"  means the  obligation  of the Bank to make the
Term Loan under this Agreement,  in the aggregate principal amount of $6,500,000
or an equivalent amount in Pounds Sterling.

         "Term Note" means the promissory note issued by Farrel Shaw in the form
of Exhibit A-2 hereto  evidencing  the Term Loan made by the Bank  hereunder and
all promissory notes delivered in substitution or exchange therefor,  as amended
or supplemented from time to time.

         "Term Note Termination Date" means December 31, 2002;  provided that if
such  date  is not a  Banking  Day,  the  Termination  Date  shall  be the  next
succeeding  Banking  Day (or, if such next  succeeding  Banking Day falls in the
next calendar month, the next preceding  Banking Day); and provided further that
the Bank may extend the  Termination  Date by  providing  written  notice to the
Borrowers.

         "Title IV Plan" means a Plan covered by Title IV of ERISA.

         "Transaction  Fee" has the  meaning  assigned  to such term in  Section
2.11(c).

         "U.K.  Base  Rate"  means  that  rate  of  interest  from  time to time
announced by Chase London at its principal  office in the United  Kingdom as its
base rate.

         "Unfunded  Benefit  Liabilities"  means,  with respect to any Plan, the
amount (if any) by which the present  value of all benefit  liabilities  (within
the meaning of section  4001(a)(16)  of ERISA)  under the Plan  exceeds the fair
market  value of all Plan  assets  allocable  to such  benefit  liabilities,  as
determined on the most recent  valuation date of the Plan and in accordance with
the  provisions  of ERISA for  calculating  the  potential  liability  of either
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate under Title IV of ERISA.

         "Uniform   Customs"   means  the  Uniform   Customs  and  Practice  for
Documentary   Credits  (1993  Revision),   International   Chamber  of  Commerce
Publication No. 500, as the same may be amended from time to time.

         "U.S.  Prime  Rate"  means  that  rate of  interest  from  time to time
announced by the Bank at the Principal  Office as its prime  commercial  lending
rate.


                                      -13-
<PAGE>


         "Variable  Rate"  means,  for  any  day,  (a) in  the  case  of  Dollar
borrowing, the higher of (i) the Federal Funds Rate for such day plus 1/4 of one
percent and (ii) the U.S. Prime Rate for such day, and (b) in the case of Pounds
Sterling borrowings, the U.K. Base Rate plus one and 1/4 percent.

         "Variable Rate Loan" means any Loan when and to the extent the interest
rate for such Loan is determined in relation to the Variable Rate.

         "Welfare Plan" means a Plan that is an "employee  welfare benefit plan"
within the meaning of section 3(1) of ERISA.

         Section 1.2.  Accounting  Terms.  All accounting terms not specifically
defined  herein shall be construed in  accordance  with GAAP,  and all financial
data required to be delivered  hereunder  shall be prepared in  accordance  with
GAAP.


                              ARTICLE 2. THE CREDIT

         Section  2.01.  The Loans.  (a) Subject to the terms and  conditions of
this Agreement,  the Bank agrees to make revolving  credit loans (the "Revolving
Credit  Loans") to any Borrower  from time to time from and  including  the date
hereof to and including the Revolving Credit Termination Date

                  (i) in the case of each of the U.K.  Companies,  up to but not
         exceeding  in  the   aggregate   principal   amount  at  any  one  time
         outstanding, the amount of the lesser of

                           (A)  the  Revolving   Credit   Commitment   less  L/C
                  Obligations  less the aggregate  principal amount of Revolving
                  Credit Loans outstanding from the Bank to the U.S. Company and
                  the other U.K. Company;

                           (B) the Borrowing Base less L/C Obligations  less the
                  aggregate   principal   amount  of   Revolving   Credit  Loans
                  outstanding  from the Bank to the U.S.  Company  and the other
                  U.K.  Company  less the  principal  amount  of the  Term  Loan
                  outstanding; or

                           (C) the Direct Borrowing  Sublimit less the aggregate
                  principal  amount of Revolving  Credit Loans  outstanding from
                  the Bank to the U.S. Company and the other U.K. Company; and

                  (ii) in the case of the U.S. Company,  up to but not exceeding
         in the  aggregate  principal  amount at any one time  outstanding,  the
         amount of the lesser of


                                      -14-
<PAGE>


                           (A)  the  Revolving   Credit   Commitment   less  L/C
                  Obligations  less the  principal  amount of  Revolving  Credit
                  Loans outstanding from the Bank to the U.K. Companies;

                           (B) the  Borrowing  Base (U.S.) less L/C  Obligations
                  issued by the Bank for the  benefit of the U.S.  Company  less
                  the excess, if any, of (x) the Aggregate Outstandings from the
                  Bank to or for the benefit of the U.K.  Companies over (y) the
                  sum of  85%  of the  Eligible  U.K.  Receivables  plus  50% of
                  Eligible U.K.  Inventory less the principal amount of the Term
                  Loan outstanding; or

                           (C) the  excess,  if  any,  of the  Direct  Borrowing
                  Sublimit over the principal  amount of Revolving  Credit Loans
                  outstanding from the Bank to the U.K. Companies.

The  Revolving  Credit  Loans shall be due and payable on the  Revolving  Credit
Termination Date.

         (b) Subject to the terms and  conditions  of this  Agreement,  the Bank
agrees to make a term loan (the "Term Loan") to Farrel Shaw on the Closing Date,
in an amount  equal to the  amount of its Term  Loan  Commitment.  The Term Loan
shall be repaid in twenty  quarterly  equal  installments of principle each such
installment  to be payable on the last day of each March,  June,  September  and
December  beginning  on March 31,  1998 and ending on the Term Loan  Termination
Date.

         (c) The Loans may be made in Dollars, Pounds Sterling or an Alternative
Currency as follows:  (i) any Loan made pursuant to Subsection  2.01(f) shall be
made in Pounds  Sterling;  (ii) any other  Variable  Rate Loan  shall be made in
Dollars;  (iii) the Term Loan  shall be made in  Pounds  Sterling;  and (iv) any
Fixed  Rate  Loan  shall be made in the  currency  specified  by the  respective
Borrower  in the notice of  borrowing  received by the Bank in  accordance  with
Section 2.08.

         (d) The Loans may be  outstanding  as Variable Rate Loans or Fixed Rate
Loans (each a "type" of Loan) as follows:  (i) any Loan outstanding  pursuant to
subsection  2.01(f) shall be a Variable Rate Loan; (ii) any Loan  outstanding in
an  Alternative  Currency  shall be a Fixed Rate Loan;  and (iii) any other Loan
outstanding  shall be the type of Loan specified by the  respective  Borrower in
the notice of such  borrowing  or  conversion  thereof  received  by the Bank in
accordance with Section 2.08.

         (e) (i) Subject to the terms and conditions  hereof, the Bank agrees to
issue Letters of Credit for the account of any Borrower on any Banking Day prior
to the Revolving  Credit  Termination  Date in such form as may be approved from
time to time by the Bank;  provided  that the Bank shall have no  obligation  to
issue any Letter of Credit.


                                      -15-
<PAGE>


                  (A) for the  benefit  of any U.K.  Company  if,  after  giving
         effect to such issuance, the Aggregate Outstandings from the Bank to or
         for the benefit of the U.K.  Companies (other than the principal amount
         of the Term Loan outstanding) would exceed the lesser of

                           (1)  the  Revolving   Credit   Commitment   less  the
                  Aggregate  Outstandings from the Bank to or for the benefit of
                  the U.S. Company; or

                           (2)   the   Borrowing   Base   less   the   Aggregate
                  Outstandings  from the Bank to or for the  benefit of the U.S.
                  Company; or

                  (B) for the  benefit  of the U.S.  Company  if,  after  giving
         effect to such issuance, the Aggregate Outstandings from the Bank to or
         for the benefit of the U.S. Company would exceed the lesser of

                           (1)  the  Revolving   Credit   Commitment   less  the
                  Aggregate Outstandings from the Banks to or for the benefit of
                  the U.K.  Companies  (other than the  principal  amount of the
                  Term Loan outstanding); or

                           (2) the  Borrowing  Base (U.S.)  less the excess,  if
                  any, of (x) the Aggregate Outstandings from the Bank to or for
                  the benefit of the U.K.  Companies  over (y) the sum of 85% of
                  the  Eligible  U.K.  Receivables  plus  50% of  Eligible  U.K.
                  Inventory,   less  the  principal  amount  of  the  Term  Loan
                  outstanding.

         Each Letter of Credit shall be denominated in Dollars,  Pounds Sterling
or an  Alternative  Currency.  On the  Revolving  Credit  Termination  Date each
Borrower  for whose  benefit a Letter of Credit has been issued must (i) deposit
in accounts  maintained at the Issuing  Bank(s) cash reserves for the benefit of
the  Issuing  Bank(s) in the amount of all L/C  Obligations  for any  Letters of
Credit of such  Issuing  Bank(s) to remain  outstanding  for the benefit of such
Borrower  after the  Revolving  Credit  Termination  Date  including  reasonable
estimated  commissions,   out-of-pocket  charges  and  handling  fees,  or  (ii)
otherwise  provide  for a  financial  institution  acceptable  to  the  Bank  to
indemnify the Issuing Bank(s)  against loss in connection with such  outstanding
L/C   Obligations   issued  for  the  benefit  of  such  Borrower   pursuant  to
indemnification documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank.

                  (ii) Any  Borrower may from time to time request that the Bank
issue a Letter of Credit by  delivering  to the Bank at its  address for notices
specified herein an Application  therefor,  completed to the satisfaction of the
respective Issuing Bank, and such other certificates, documents and other papers
and information 


                                      -16-
<PAGE>


as the Issuing Bank may reasonably request. Upon receipt of any Application, the
Issuing Bank will process such Application and the  certificates,  documents and
other  papers  and  information  delivered  to it  in  connection  therewith  in
accordance with its customary  procedures and shall promptly issue the Letter of
Credit in such  customized  form as may  reasonably be requested by the Borrower
(but in no event  shall the Issuing  Bank issue any Letter of Credit  later than
five Banking Days after receipt of the  Application  therefor and all such other
certificates,  documents and other papers and information  relating  thereto) by
issuing the original of such Letter of Credit to the  beneficiary  thereof or as
otherwise  may be agreed by the Issuing Bank and the  respective  Borrower.  The
Issuing  Bank shall  furnish a copy of such  Letter of Credit to the  respective
Borrower promptly following the issuance thereof.

                  (iii) (A) The Borrowers shall pay to the Issuing Bank a letter
of credit commission with respect to each Letter of Credit,  payable in the same
currency as that in which such Letter of Credit is denominated,  computed at the
rate per annum equal to 7/8 of one percent, calculated on the basis of a year of
360 days for the actual days elapsed, of the aggregate undrawn amount under such
Letter of Credit on the date on which such fee is calculated.  Such  commissions
shall be payable  quarterly  in advance  on each L/C Fee  Payment  Date to occur
after the issuance of a Letter of Credit and shall be nonrefundable.
                                                                                
                        (B) In the case of an  assignment  of all or any part of
the Loans or Commitments pursuant to Section 11.05 of this Agreement, the letter
of  credit  commission  referred to  in Clause (A) above  shall be  paid to  the
Issuing Bank for the account of the  participating  banks,  pro rata  according 
to their respective commitments.

                  (iv) The  Borrowers  agree to  reimburse  the Issuing Bank for
each draft presented under any Letter of Credit and paid by the Issuing Bank for
the  amount  of (a) such  draft so paid and (b) any  taxes  (other  than  income
taxes), fees, charges or other costs or expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in
connection  with such  payment.  Each such payment  shall be made to the Issuing
Bank at its address for notices specified herein in the same currency as that in
which such Letter of Credit is denominated and in immediately available funds on
the date that such draft is paid. It is expressly understood and agreed that (a)
the  reimbursement  obligations  and fees with  respect to the Letters of Credit
issued for the benefit of the U.S.  Company  hereunder are solely the obligation
of the U.S.  Company and that the U.K.  Companies  shall have no liability  with
respect  to such  obligations  and (b) all other  obligations  of the  Borrowers
pursuant  to  Section  2.01(e)  are the joint  and  several  obligations  of the
Borrowers.

                  (v) The Borrowers'  obligations under this subsection shall be
absolute and  unconditional  under any and all circumstances 


                                      -17-
<PAGE>


and  irrespective  of any set-off,  counterclaim or defense to payment which the
Borrowers may have or have had against the Bank or any  beneficiary  of a Letter
of  Credit.  The  Borrowers  also agree with the Bank that the Bank shall not be
responsible for, and the Borrowers'  Reimbursement  Obligations under subsection
(iv) shall not be affected by, among other things,  the validity or  genuineness
of documents or of any endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall in
fact prove to be invalid,  fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among
the Borrowers and any  beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any other party to
which such Letter of Credit may be transferred  or any claims  whatsoever of the
Borrowers  against  any  beneficiary  of  such  Letter  of  Credit  or any  such
transferee.  The Bank shall not be liable for any error, omission,  interruption
or delay in transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however
transmitted,  in  connection  with any  Letter of  Credit,  except for errors or
omissions caused by the Issuing Bank's gross  negligence or willful  misconduct.
The  Borrowers  agree that any  action  taken or omitted by the Bank under or in
connection with any Letter of Credit or the related drafts or documents, if done
in the absence of gross negligence or willful  misconduct and in accordance with
the standards of care specified in the Uniform Customs,  shall be binding on the
Borrowers and shall not result in any liability of the Bank to the Borrowers.

                  (vi) If any draft shall be  presented  for  payment  under any
Letter of Credit,  the Issuing Bank shall  promptly  notify the Borrowers of the
date and amount thereof. The responsibility of the Issuing Bank to the Borrowers
in  connection  with any draft  presented for payment under the Letter of Credit
shall,  in addition to any payment  obligation  expressly  provided  for in such
Letter of Credit,  be limited to determining that the documents  (including each
draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment
are in conformity with such Letter of Credit.

                  (vii) To the  extent  that any  provision  of any  Application
related  to any Letter of Credit is  inconsistent  with the  provisions  of this
Section 2.01(e), the provisions of this Section 2.01(e) shall apply.

         (f)  Subject  to the  terms  and  conditions  hereof,  the  Bank  shall
automatically   advance  as  Revolving  Credit  Loans  hereunder,   without  the
requirement of a formal borrowing notice from the Borrowers,  up to an aggregate
amount of ?1,000,000 to the U.K.  Companies?  demand deposit accounts maintained
at Chase London from time to time in order to provide sufficient available funds
to honor  checks and drafts  drawn on such  accounts.  Each such check and draft
requiring any advance under this subsection  2.01(f) shall  constitute a request
by the  Borrowers to the Bank for the  borrowing of a Variable  Rate Loan in the
amount of such advance on the date of such check or draft.


                                      -18-
<PAGE>


         Section 2.02. The Note.  The Revolving  Credit Loans shall be evidenced
by a single  promissory note in favor of the Bank,  substantially in the form of
Exhibit A-1, dated the Closing Date , duly completed and executed. The Term Loan
shall  be  evidenced  by  a  single  promissory  note  in  favor  of  the  Bank,
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2, dated the Closing Date, duly completed
and executed.

         Section 2.03.  Purpose.  Farrel Shaw shall use the proceeds of the Term
Loan and the Revolving  Credit Loans  borrowed by it to repay the funds borrowed
from  Farrel  Limited to  finance  the  Acquisition  and for  general  corporate
purposes and the other Borrowers shall use the proceeds of the Revolving  Credit
Loans for general  corporate  purposes.  Such proceeds shall not be used for the
purpose,  whether  immediate,  incidental  or  ultimate,  of buying or  carrying
"margin stock" within the meaning of Regulation U.

         Section  2.04.  Borrowing  Procedures.  Any Borrower  which  intends to
effect a  borrowing  shall  give the Bank  notice of each  borrowing  to be made
hereunder as provided in Section  2.08.  Not later than 12:00 noon New York City
time on the date of such borrowing in the case of a borrowing of a Variable Rate
Loan or 12:00  noon New York City time on the  Banking  Day three  Banking  Days
prior to the date of such  borrowing in the case of a Fixed Rate Loan,  the Bank
shall through the  appropriate  Lending  Office and subject to the conditions of
this Agreement,  make the amount of the Loan to be made on such day available to
such Borrower,  in immediately available funds, by the Bank crediting an account
of such Borrower  designated by such Borrower and maintained at the  appropriate
Lending Office.

         Section 2.05. Prepayments and Conversions. The Borrowers shall have the
right to make  prepayments  of  principal,  or to convert  one type of Loan into
another type of Loan, at any time or from time to time;  provided  that: (a) the
respective  Borrower  shall  give the Bank  notice  of each such  prepayment  or
conversion as provided in Section  2.08;  (b) Fixed Rate Loans may be prepaid or
converted  only on the last day of an Interest  Period for such Loans unless the
Borrowers  concurrently  with any such prepayment or conversion shall pay to the
Banks any  compensation  called for under  Section 3.04. In the case of the Term
Loan, all prepayments shall be applied to the principal installments of the Term
Loan in the inverse order of their maturities.

         Section 2.06. Interest Periods; Renewals. (a) In the case of each Fixed
Rate Loan,  the  respective  Borrower  shall  select an  Interest  Period of any
duration in accordance  with the definition of Interest  Period in Section 1.01,
subject to the following  limitation:  (i) no Interest  Period may extend beyond
the Revolving  Credit  Termination Date (in the case of a Revolving Credit Loan)
or the  Term  Loan  Termination  Date  (in the  case  of the  Term  Loan);  (ii)
notwithstanding clause (i) above, no Interest Period shall have a


                                      -19-
<PAGE>


duration  less than one month,  and if any such proposed  Interest  Period would
otherwise be for a shorter period,  such Interest Period shall not be available;
(iii) if an Interest  Period would end on a day which is not a Banking Day, such
Interest  Period shall be extended to the next Banking Day,  unless such Banking
Day would fall in the next calendar  month in which event such  Interest  Period
shall end on the immediately  preceding  Banking Day; and (iv) no more than five
Interest Periods may be outstanding at any one time.

         (b)  Upon  notice  to the  Banks  as  provided  in  Section  2.08,  the
respective  Borrower  may  renew  any  Fixed  Rate  Loan on the  last day of the
Interest Period therefor as the same type of Loan with an Interest Period of the
same or different duration in accordance with the limitations provided above. If
such  Borrower  shall fail to give  notice to the Bank of such a  renewal,  such
Fixed Rate Loan  shall  automatically  become a  Variable  Rate Loan at the then
applicable  Dollar  equivalent on the last day of the current  Interest  Period;
provided that the foregoing shall not prevent the conversion of any type of Loan
into another type of Loan in accordance with Section 2.05.

         Section 2.07. Changes of Commitment.  Immediately  following the making
of the Term Loan,  the Term Loan  Commitment  shall be terminated on the Closing
Date and shall not be reinstated.  The Borrowers  shall have the right to reduce
or terminate  the amount of unused  Revolving  Credit  Commitment at any time or
from time to time,  provided that:  (a) the Borrowers  shall each give notice of
each such  reduction or termination to the Bank as provided in Section 2.08; and
(b) each partial  reduction  shall be in an  aggregate  amount at least equal to
$1,000,000.  The Revolving Credit  Commitment once reduced or terminated may not
be reinstated.

         Section 2.08.  Certain Notices.  Notices by the respective  Borrower to
the Bank of each  borrowing  pursuant to Section  2.04,  and each  prepayment or
conversion  pursuant to Section 2.05, each renewal  pursuant to Section 2.06(b),
and each reduction or termination of the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to
Section 2.07 shall be irrevocable and shall be effective only if received by the
Bank not  later  than  12:00  noon New York  City  time,  and (a) in the case of
borrowings and prepayments of,  conversions  into and (in the case of Fixed Rate
Loans)  renewals of (i) Variable Rate Loans,  given on the Banking Day therefor;
(ii) Fixed Rate Loans,  given three Banking Days prior thereto;  (b) in the case
of reductions or termination  of the Revolving  Credit  Commitment,  given three
Banking  Days prior  thereto.  Each such  notice  shall  specify the Loans to be
borrowed, prepaid, converted or renewed and the amount (subject to Section 2.09)
and type of the Loan to be borrowed or converted, or prepaid or renewed (and, in
the case of a conversion,  the type of Loans to result from such conversion, the
currency in which such Loan is to be made and, in the case of a Fixed Rate Loan,
the Interest  Period  therefor) and the date of the borrowing or prepayment,  or
conversion or renewal (which shall be


                                      -20-
<PAGE>


a Banking Day).  Each such notice of reduction or termination  shall specify the
amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment to be reduced or terminated.

         Section 2.09.  Minimum  Amounts.  Except for (i) Loans made pursuant to
Section  2.01(f),  and (ii) Variable Rate Loans which exhaust the full remaining
amount of the Revolving  Credit  Commitment,  prepayments or  conversions  which
result in the prepayment or conversion of all Loans of a particular  type or the
entire  Term  Loan,  each  borrowing,  prepayment,  conversion  and  renewal  of
principal of Loans of a particular  type shall be in an amount at least equal to
(i) $100,000 in the case of Variable  Rate Loans and (ii)  $1,000,000  or larger
amounts  in  increments  of  $100,000  or the  respective  Alternative  Currency
equivalent,  in the case of Fixed Rate Loans made in Dollars or such Alternative
Currency,  and ?500,000 or larger  amounts in increments of ?100,000 in the case
of  Fixed  Rate  Loans  made  in  Pounds  Sterling   (borrowings,   prepayments,
conversions  or renewals of or into Loans of different  types or, in the case of
Fixed Rate Loans,  having different  Interest Periods at the same time hereunder
to be deemed separate borrowings, prepayments,  conversions and renewals for the
purposes of the foregoing,  one for each type of Interest  Period).  Anything in
this Agreement to the contrary  notwithstanding,  the aggregate principal amount
of Fixed Rate Loans having  concurrent  Interest Periods shall be at least equal
to $1,000,000,  $500,000 or such amounts in any Alternative Currency as shall be
determined  by the Bank in the case of Fixed Rate Loans made in Dollars,  Pounds
Sterling  or an  Alternative  Currency,  respectively.  The Bank may in its sole
discretion agree to advance Fixed Rate Loans in smaller  denominations  upon the
request of the Borrowers.

         Section 2.10.  Interest.  (a) Interest shall accrue on the  outstanding
and unpaid  principal  amount of each Loan for the period from and including the
date of such Loan to but  excluding  the date such Loan is due at the  following
rates per annum:  (i) for a Variable  Rate  Loan,  at a variable  rate per annum
equal to the Variable  Rate plus the Margin and (ii) for a Fixed Rate Loan, at a
fixed rate equal to the Fixed Rate plus the Margin.  If the principal  amount of
any Loan and any other  amount  payable  by the  Borrowers  hereunder  including
Letters of Credit reimbursement obligations or under the Notes shall not be paid
when due (at stated  maturity,  by  acceleration  or otherwise),  interest shall
accrue on such amount to the fullest extent  permitted by law from and including
such  due date to but  excluding  the date  such  amount  is paid in full at the
Default Rate.

         (b) The interest  rate on each Variable Rate Loan shall change when the
Variable  Rate changes and interest on each such Loan shall be calculated on the
basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days  elapsed.  Interest on
each Fixed Rate Loan shall be  calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days for
the actual number of days elapsed.


                                      -21-
<PAGE>


         (c)  Accrued  interest  shall be due and  payable in  arrears  upon any
payment of principal or  conversion  and (i) for each Variable Rate Loan, on the
last day of each March, June, September and December,  commencing the first such
date  after such  Loan;  (ii) for each  Fixed Rate Loan,  on the last day of the
Interest  Period with respect  thereto;  provided that interest  accruing at the
Default Rate shall be due and payable from time to time on demand of the Bank.

         (d) Interest  shall be payable in the currency  which is  applicable to
each respective loan.

         Section  2.11.  Fees.  (a)  The  Borrowers  shall  pay  to  the  Bank a
commitment  fee (the  "Commitment  Fee") in Dollars on the daily  average of the
lesser of (i) the Direct  Borrowing  Sublimit  less the amount of the  Revolving
Credit Loans  outstanding  and (ii) the  Revolving  Credit  Commitment  less the
Aggregate  Outstandings  (excluding  the  Term  Loan)  for the  period  from and
including  the  Closing  Date to the  earlier of the date the  Revolving  Credit
Commitment  is terminated or the  Revolving  Credit  Termination  Date at a rate
equal to 3/8 of one percent per annum,  calculated on the basis of a year of 360
days for the actual number of days elapsed.  The accrued Commitment Fee shall be
due and  payable  in  arrears  upon  any  termination  of the  Revolving  Credit
Commitment  and on the last day of each March,  June,  September  and  December,
commencing on the first such date after the Closing Date.

         (b) Agency Fee;  Facility Fee. The  Borrowers  shall pay to the Bank an
agency  fee (the  "Agency  Fee") of  $25,000  per annum  which  shall be due and
payable in arrears on March 31 of each year commencing March 31, 1998 and on the
termination date of the Revolving Credit  Commitment for the pro rata portion of
the year to such date.

         (c) Transaction  Fee. The Borrowers shall pay to the Bank a transaction
fee (the "Transaction Fee") equal to $50,000 on the Closing Date.

         (d) Advisory Fee. Upon the parties? execution of this Agreement and the
closing of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  the Bank shall be deemed to
have  earned the  balance  of the  $80,000  advisory  fee set forth in the Fifth
Amendment to the Existing Credit Agreement,  which amount was previously paid by
the U.S.  Company,  and  thereupon the Letter  Agreement  dated October 30, 1995
shall be deemed terminated and of no further force or effect.

         Section 2.12. Payments Generally.  All payments under this Agreement or
the  Notes  shall  be made in  Dollars,  Pounds  Sterling  or in the  respective
Alternative Currency,  as appropriate,  in immediately available funds not later
than 1:00 p.m. New York City time on the relevant  dates  specified  above (each
such  payment  made  after  such time on such due date to be deemed to have been
made on 


                                      -22-
<PAGE>


the next succeeding  Banking Day) at the applicable Lending Office. The Bank may
(but shall not be obligated  to) debit the amount of any such  payment  which is
not made by such time to any ordinary  deposit  account of any Borrower with the
Bank.  The  Borrowers  shall,  at the time of making  each  payment  under  this
Agreement,  the Notes,  the  Letters of Credit or any other  Facility  Document,
specify to the Bank the principal,  other amount payable by the Borrowers  under
this Agreement, the Notes, the Letters of Credit or such other Facility Document
to which such  payment  is to be  applied  (and in the event that it fails to so
specify, or if a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Bank may apply such payment as it may elect in its sole discretion).  If the due
date of any payment under this  Agreement,  the Notes,  the Letters of Credit or
any other Facility Document would otherwise fall on a day which is not a Banking
Day, such date shall be extended to the next succeeding Banking Day and interest
shall be payable for any principal so extended for the period of such extension.

         Section  2.13.  No  Withholding;  Gross-Up.  All payments on account of
principal of an interest on the Notes and all other  amounts  payable under this
Agreement,  the Notes,  the  Letters of Credit or the other  Facility  Documents
shall be made  without  withholding  for or on account of any  present or future
taxes  imposed by any  Governmental  Authority.  If any such  withholding  is so
required,  each Borrower shall make the  withholding and pay the amount withheld
to the appropriate  Governmental  Authority  before  penalties attach thereto or
interest accrues thereon.

         Section 2.14.  Currency  Equivalent.  For purposes of the provisions of
this  Article  2, (a) the  equivalent  in  Dollars  of  Pounds  Sterling  or any
Alternative  Currency  shall be determined  each month on the earlier of (i) the
tenth day of such  month or (ii) the date the  Borrowers  deliver  to the Bank a
Borrowing  Base  Certificate  and a  Backlog  Certificate  pursuant  to  Section
6.08(c),  by using the  quoted  spot rate at which the Bank  offers to  exchange
Dollars for such  currency  at 11:00 A.M.  (New York City time) on such date and
shall remain in effect until determined in the next subsequent month and (b) the
equivalent in any Pounds Sterling or any  Alternative  Currency of Dollars shall
be  determined  each month on the  earlier of (i) the tenth day of such month or
(ii) on the date the Borrowers  deliver to the Bank a Borrowing Base Certificate
and a Backlog  Certificate  pursuant to Section 6.08(c) by using the quoted spot
rate at which the Bank offers to  exchange  such  currency  for Dollars at 11:00
A.M. (New York time) on such date and shall remain in effect until determined in
the next subsequent month.

         Section 2.15.  Foreign Exchange.  Upon request of any Borrower the Bank
will, subject to market conditions and availability, enter into Foreign Exchange
Contracts  for the account of the  Borrowers in amounts up to  ?3,000,000.  Such
Foreign  Exchange  Contracts  shall be subject to the Bank's normal policies and
procedures for such  transactions,  including its underwriting 


                                      -23-
<PAGE>


requirements  and the payment by the Borrowers of the Bank's  customary fees and
charges  for  such   transactions,   and  shall  be  accomplished   pursuant  to
documentation  satisfactory in all respects to the Bank. Any such  documentation
shall be  deemed  to be  Facility  Documents  hereunder  and under the terms and
provisions of the other Facility Documents.


                  ARTICLE 3. YIELD PROTECTION; ILLEGALITY; ETC.

         Section 3.01. Additional Costs. (a) The Borrowers shall pay to the Bank
from time to time on demand such amounts as the Bank may reasonably determine to
be necessary to compensate it for any costs which the Bank reasonably determines
are  attributable  to the making or maintaining  any Fixed Rate Loans under this
Agreement or the Notes or the  obligation to make any such Loans  hereunder,  or
any reduction in any amount  receivable by the Bank  hereunder in respect of any
such Loans or such obligation (such increases in costs and reductions in amounts
receivable  being  herein  called  "Additional   Costs"),   resulting  from  any
Regulatory  Change  which:  (i)  changes  the basis of  taxation  of any amounts
payable to the Bank under this  Agreement or the Notes in respect of any of such
Loans (other than taxes  imposed on the overall net income of the Bank or of any
Lending Office for any of such Loans by the  jurisdiction in which the Principal
Office, the principal office of Chase London or such Lending Office is located);
or (ii) imposes or modifies any reserve,  special deposit,  deposit insurance or
assessment,  minimum capital,  capital ratio or similar requirements relating to
any  extensions  of credit or other  assets  of, or any  deposits  with or other
liabilities of, the Bank  (including any of such Loans or any deposits  referred
to in the definition of "Fixed Base Rate" in Section 1.01); or (iii) imposes any
other condition affecting this Agreement or the Notes (or any of such extensions
of credit or  liabilities).  The Bank will  notify  the  Borrowers  of any event
occurring  after  the date of this  Agreement  which  will  entitle  the Bank to
compensation  pursuant to this Section 3.01(a) as promptly as practicable  after
it obtains knowledge thereof and determine to request such compensation.

         (b) Without  limiting the effect of the  foregoing  provisions  of this
Section 3.01, in the event that, by reason of any  Regulatory  Change,  the Bank
either (i) incurs  Additional  Costs based on or measured by the excess  above a
specified level of the amount of a category of deposits or other  liabilities of
the Bank which  includes  deposits by reference  to which the  interest  rate on
Fixed Rate Loans is  determined  as provided in this  Agreement or a category of
extensions of credit or other assets of the Bank which includes Fixed Rate Loans
or (ii)  becomes  subject to  restrictions  on the amount of such a category  of
liabilities  or assets which it may hold,  then, if the Bank so elects by notice
to the Borrowers,  the  obligation of the Bank to make or renew,  and to convert
Loans of any other type into,  Loans of such type  hereunder  shall be


                                      -24-
<PAGE>


suspended until the date such Regulatory Change ceases to be in effect,  and the
Borrowers  shall on the last day(s) of the then current  Interest  Period(s) for
the  outstanding  Loans of such type,  either  prepay such Loans or convert such
Loans into another type of Loan in accordance with Section 2.05.

         (c) Without  limiting the effect of the  foregoing  provisions  of this
Section 3.01 (but without duplication), the Borrowers shall pay to the Bank from
time to time on request such amounts as the Bank may reasonably  determine to be
necessary to compensate  the Bank for any costs which it  reasonably  determines
are  attributable to the maintenance by it or any of its affiliates  pursuant to
any law or regulation of any  jurisdiction or any  interpretation,  directive or
request  (whether  or not having  the force of law and  whether in effect on the
date of this Agreement or thereafter) of any court or  governmental  or monetary
authority of capital in respect of its Loans hereunder or its obligation to make
Loans hereunder (such  compensation to include,  without  limitation,  an amount
equal to any  reduction  in  return  on  assets or equity of the Bank to a level
below  that  which  it  could  have  achieved  but  for  such  law,  regulation,
interpretation,  directive or request). The Bank will notify the Borrowers if it
is entitled to  compensation  pursuant  to this  Section  3.01(c) as promptly as
practicable after it determines to request such compensation.

         (d)  Determinations  and  allocations  by the Bank for purposes of this
Section 3.01 of the effect of any Regulatory  Change pursuant to subsections (a)
or (b), or of the effect of capital  maintained  pursuant to subsection  (c), on
the costs of making or maintaining  Loans or the obligation to make Loans, or on
amounts receivable by, or the rate of return to, the Bank in respect of Loans or
such obligation,  and of the additional  amounts required to compensate the Bank
under this Section 3.01, shall be conclusive,  provided that such determinations
and allocations are made on a reasonable basis.

         Section  3.02.  Limitation  on Types of Loans.  Anything  herein to the
contrary notwithstanding, if the Bank reasonably determines (which determination
shall be conclusive) that:

         (a) quotations of interest rates for the relevant  deposits referred to
in the definition of "Fixed Base Rate" in Section 1.01 are not being provided in
the relevant amounts or for the relevant  maturities for purposes of determining
the rate of  interest  for any  type of Fixed  Rate  Loans as  provided  in this
Agreement; or

         (b) the relevant  rates of interest  referred to in the  definition  of
"Fixed  Base Rate" in Section  1.01 upon the basis of which the rate of interest
for any type of Fixed Rate Loans is to be determined do not adequately cover the
cost to the Bank of making or maintaining  such Loans;  then the Bank shall give
the Borrowers  prompt notice thereof,  and so long as such condition


                                      -25-
<PAGE>


remains in effect,  the Bank shall be under no obligation to make or renew Loans
of such type or to  convert  Loans of any other type into Loans of such type and
the Borrowers shall, on the last day(s) of the then current  Interest  Period(s)
for the  outstanding  Loans of the affected  type,  either  prepay such Loans or
convert such Loans into another type of Loans in accordance with Section 2.05.

         Section 3.03.  Illegality.  Notwithstanding any other provision in this
Agreement,  in the event that it becomes  unlawful  for the Bank or any  Lending
Office to (a) honor its  obligation to make or renew Fixed Rate Loans  hereunder
or convert Loans of any type into Loans of such type, or (b) maintain Fixed Rate
Loans hereunder,  then the Bank shall promptly notify the Borrowers  thereof and
the Bank's  obligation  to make or renew  Fixed Rate Loans and to convert  other
types of Loans into Loans of such type hereunder  shall be suspended  until such
time as the Bank may again make,  renew or convert and  maintain  such  affected
Loans and the Borrowers  shall, on the last day(s) of the then current  Interest
Period  for the  outstanding  Fixed Rate  Loans,  as the case may be (or on such
earlier  date as the Bank may  specify to the  Borrowers  and, if the Bank shall
require  such  prepayment,  the  Borrowers  shall  not  be  liable  to  pay  the
compensation  otherwise due pursuant to Section 3.04),  either prepay such Loans
or convert  such Loans into  another  type of Loans in  accordance  with Section
2.05.

         Section 3.04.  Certain  Compensation.  The  Borrowers  shall pay to the
Bank,  upon  the  request  of the  Bank,  such  amount  or  amounts  as shall be
sufficient  (in the  reasonable  opinion of the Bank) to compensate the Bank for
any loss, cost or expense which the Bank  reasonably  determines is attributable
to:

         (a) any payment, prepayment, conversion or renewal of a Fixed Rate Loan
on a date other than the last day of an Interest  Period for such Loan  (whether
by reason of acceleration or otherwise); or

         (b) any failure by the  Borrowers  to borrow,  convert  into or renew a
Fixed  Rate Loan to be made,  converted  into or renewed by the Bank on the date
specified  therefor in the relevant  notice under Section 2.04, 2.05 or 2.06, as
the case may be.

         Without  limiting the  foregoing,  such  compensation  shall include an
amount  equal to the  excess,  if any,  of:  (i) the  amount of  interest  which
otherwise would have accrued on the principal amount so paid, prepaid, converted
or renewed  or not  borrowed,  converted  or  renewed  for the  period  from and
including  the date of such  payment,  prepayment  or  conversion  or failure to
borrow,  convert  or renew  to but  excluding  the last day of the then  current
Interest  Period for such Loan (or, in the case of a failure to borrow,  convert
or renew,  to but  excluding  the last day of the Interest  Period for such Loan
which  would have  commenced  on the date  specified  therefor  in the  relevant
notice) at the  applicable  rate of interest for such Loan  provided for herein;
over (ii) the 


                                      -26-
<PAGE>


amount of interest (as  reasonably  determined  by the Bank) the Bank would have
bid in the  London  interbank  market  (if such Loan is a Fixed  Rate  Loan) for
deposits in Dollars,  Pounds Sterling or any applicable Alternative Currency, as
the case may be, for amounts  comparable to such principal amount and maturities
comparable to such period. A determination of the Bank as to the amounts payable
pursuant to this Section 3.04 shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

                         ARTICLE 4. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

         Section 4.01.  Documentary  Conditions  Precedent to Initial Borrowing.
The obligation of the Bank to make the Loans  constituting the initial borrowing
or to issue any Letters of Credit is subject to the condition precedent that the
Bank shall have received on or before the Closing Date each of the following, in
form and substance satisfactory to the Bank and its counsel:

         (a)      counterparts of this Agreement duly executed by the Borrowers;

         (b)      the Notes duly executed by the Borrowers;

         (c) certificates of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each of the
Borrowers, dated the Closing Date, attesting to the Certificate of Incorporation
(or  Charter),  the  Bylaws and all  corporate  action  taken by the  Borrowers,
including  resolutions  of its Board of  Directors  authorizing  the  execution,
delivery and  performance  of the Facility  Documents to which it is a party and
each other document to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement;

         (d) certificates of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each of the
Borrowers,  dated the Closing Date,  certifying the names and true signatures of
the officers of such Borrower authorized to sign the Facility Documents to which
it is a party and the other  documents to be delivered  by such  Borrower  under
this Agreement;

         (e) certificates of a duly authorized officer of each of the Borrowers,
dated the Closing  Date,  stating that the  representations  and  warranties  in
Article 5 are true and  correct  on such  date as though  made on and as of such
date, all  agreements  and conditions  required to be complied with by such date
have been  performed  and  complied  with and that no event has  occurred and is
continuing which constitutes a Default or Event of Default;

         (f) good  standing  certificates  and  certified  copies of all charter
documents  with respect to each of the  Borrowers  certified by the secretary of
state of its  jurisdiction of  incorporation in the case of the U.S. Company and
the Registrar of Companies in the case of the U.K. Companies,  and evidence that
each of the Borrowers is qualified as a foreign  corporation in good standing in
every other jurisdiction in which the nature of its business so requires, except
where  failure to be so qualified and in good standing does not, in any one case
or in the  aggregate,  materially  adversely


                                      -27-
<PAGE>


affect the  financial  condition,  operations,  properties  or  business  of the
Borrowers,  taken as a whole,  or the ability of the  Borrowers to perform their
obligations under the Facility Documents.;

         (g)  favorable  opinions of Cummings & Lockwood,  U.S.  counsel for the
Borrowers and  McFarlanes,  U.K.  counsel for the  Borrowers,  dated the Closing
Date, in substantially the forms contained in Exhibits C-1 and C-2, respectively
and as to such other matters as the Bank may reasonably request;

         (h)  evidence  that the  Acquisition  shall  have been  consummated  in
accordance with the Acquisition Documents;

         (i) a certificate of a duly  authorized  officer of Farrel Shaw,  dated
the Closing Date, attaching true and correct copies of (i) all material consents
under any indenture,  agreement, lease or instrument obtained in connection with
the Acquisition and (ii) all consents and  authorizations  required or advisable
in connection with the Acquisition under any law, rule or regulation;

         (j) certified complete and correct copies of the Acquisition  Documents
(including all exhibits, schedules and disclosure letters referred to therein or
delivered pursuant thereto, if any);

         (k)  certified  complete  and correct  copies of each of the  financial
statements referred to in Section 5.05;

         (l) an initial borrowing notice of the Borrowers  relating to the Loans
to be made and the Letters of Credit to be issued on the Closing  Date  together
with a letter from the  Borrowers  containing  wire  transfer  instructions  and
account  information  relating to the funds to be made  available by the Bank to
the Borrowers on the Closing Date; and

         (m) a Borrowing Base Certificate  calculated as of a date not more than
30 days prior to the Closing Date.

          Section 4.02. Additional  Conditions Precedent.  The obligation of the
Bank to make the Loans  pursuant  to a  borrowing  which  increases  the  amount
outstanding  hereunder (including the initial borrowing) or to issue any Letters
of Credit shall be subject to the further conditions  precedent that on the date
of such Loan:

          (a) the following statements shall be true:

                  (i) the representations and warranties  contained in Article 5
hereof and in the other Facility  Documents are true and correct in all material
respects  on and as of the date of such Loan or the  issuance  of such Letter of
Credit as though made on and as of such date; and

             (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
or would result from such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit; and


                                      -28-
<PAGE>


         (b) the Bank shall have received such approvals,  opinions or documents
as the Bank may reasonably request.

         Section  4.03.  Deemed  Representations.  Each notice of  borrowing  or
request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit  hereunder and  acceptance by any
Borrower  of the  proceeds  of such  borrowing  or the benefit of such Letter of
Credit  shall  constitute a  representation  and  warranty  that the  statements
contained  in  Section  4.02(a)  are true and  correct  both on the date of such
notice or request and, unless the Borrowers  otherwise  notify the Bank prior to
such  borrowing  or such  issuance,  as of the  date of such  borrowing  or such
issuance.

                    ARTICLE 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         The Borrowers hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant,  that
(after giving effect to the Acquisition):

         Section 5.01. Incorporation,  Good Standing and Due Qualification. Each
of the Borrowers and each of their  Subsidiaries is duly  incorporated,  validly
existing  and in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of the  jurisdiction  of its
incorporation,  has the  corporate  power and authority to own its assets and to
transact the business in which it is now engaged or proposed to be engaged,  and
is duly qualified as a foreign  corporation  and in good standing under the laws
of each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, except where
failure to be so qualified  and in good standing does not, in any one case or in
the aggregate, materially adversely affect the financial condition,  operations,
properties  or  business of the  Borrowers  or any such  Subsidiary,  taken as a
whole,  or the ability of the Borrowers to perform their  obligations  under the
Facility Documents.

          Section  5.02.  Corporate  Power  and  Authority;  No  Conflicts.  The
execution,  delivery and  performance  by each of the  Borrowers of the Facility
Documents  to which it is a party  have been duly  authorized  by all  necessary
corporate action and do not and will not: (a) require any consent or approval of
its  stockholders  that has not been  obtained;  (b)  contravene  its charter or
by-laws;  (c) violate  any  provision  of, or require any filing,  registration,
consent  or  approval  under,  any law,  rule,  regulation  (including,  without
limitation,   Regulation  U),  order,  writ,   judgment,   injunction,   decree,
determination or award presently in effect having applicability to the Borrowers
or any of their  Subsidiaries  or  Affiliates;  (d)  result  in a  breach  of or
constitute a default or require any consent under any material  indenture,  loan
or credit  agreement or any other  material  agreement,  lease or  instrument to
which any Borrower is a party or by which it or its  properties  may be bound or
affected; (e) result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien upon
or with respect to any of the properties now owned or hereafter  acquired by any
Borrower;  or (f) cause any  Borrower  (or any  Subsidiary  or Affiliate of such
Borrower,  as the case  may be) to be in  default  under  any  such  law,  rule,
regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree,


                                      -29-
<PAGE>


determination or award or any such indenture, agreement, lease or instrument.

          Section 5.03. Legally Enforceable  Agreements.  Each Facility Document
to which  any of the  Borrowers  is a party  is, or when  delivered  under  this
Agreement  will be, a legal,  valid  and  binding  obligation  of such  Borrower
enforceable  against such Borrower in accordance with its material terms, except
to the extent that such  enforcement  may be limited by  applicable  bankruptcy,
insolvency and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally.

          Section  5.04.  Litigation.  As of  the  Closing  Date,  there  are no
actions,  suits or  proceedings  pending or, to the knowledge of the  Borrowers,
threatened,  against or affecting  the  Borrowers  or any of their  Subsidiaries
before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator, which are reasonably likely
to,  in any one  case  or in the  aggregate,  materially  adversely  affect  the
financial condition, operations,  properties or business of the Borrowers or any
such  Subsidiary,  taken as a whole,  or the ability of the Borrowers to perform
their obligations under the Facility  Documents,  except for such matters as are
disclosed in the U.S. Company's SEC Filings.

          Section 5.05. Financial Statements.

          (a) The consolidated and consolidating  balance sheet of the Borrowers
and their Consolidated  Subsidiaries (other than Farrel Shaw) as at December 31,
1996,  and the related  consolidated  and  consolidating  income  statement  and
statements of cash flows and changes in  stockholders'  equity of such Borrowers
and  Consolidated   Subsidiaries  for  the  fiscal  year  then  ended,  and  the
accompanying footnotes, together with the opinion thereon, of the U.S. Company?s
independent certified public accountants, copies of which have been furnished to
the Bank, and the interim  consolidated and  consolidating  balance sheet of the
Borrowers  and their  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  other than  Farrel  Shaw as at
September  30,  1997  and the  related  consolidated  and  consolidating  income
statement and  statements of cash flows and changes in  stockholders?  equity of
such Borrowers and  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  for the  nine-month  period then
ended, copies of which have been furnished to the Bank, are complete and correct
in all  material  respects  and fairly  present the  financial  condition of the
Borrowers and their  Consolidated  Subsidiaries as at such dates and the results
of the  operations  of such  Borrowers  and  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  for the
periods covered by such  statements,  all in accordance  with GAAP  consistently
applied  (subject to year-end  adjustments in the case of the interim  financial
statements).  There  are no  liabilities  of  the  Borrowers  or  any  of  their
Consolidated  Subsidiaries (other than Farrel Shaw), fixed or contingent,  which
are material and which should have been but are not  reflected in the  financial
statements  or in the notes  thereto,  other  than  liabilities  arising  in the
ordinary course of business since December 31, 1996. No information,  exhibit or
report  furnished by the Borrowers to the Bank in  connection  with the Existing
Credit  Agreement at the time such  material was provided to the Bank  contained
any material misstatement of fact or omitted to state a material fact or any


                                      -30-
<PAGE>


fact  necessary  to  make  the  statement   contained   therein  not  materially
misleading.  Since December 31, 1996,  there has been no material adverse change
in the condition (financial or otherwise),  business, operations or prospects of
the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         (b) The opening  balance  sheet of Farrel Shaw as at the closing of the
Acquisition,  a copy of which has been  furnished  to the Bank,  is complete and
correct in all material respects and fairly presents the financial  condition of
Farrel Shaw as of such date.

         Section 5.06. Taxes.  Each of the Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries has
filed all tax returns  (federal,  state and local)  required to be filed and has
paid all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges and levies thereon
to be due, including  interests and penalties.  The federal income tax liability
of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries has been audited by the Internal Revenue
Service and has been finally  determined  and satisfied for all taxable years up
to and including the taxable year ended April, 1994.

         Section  5.07.  ERISA.  (a) Each Plan is in  compliance in all material
respects with, and has been  administered in all material respects in compliance
with,  the  applicable  provisions of ERISA,  the Code and any other  applicable
federal  or state  law,  and,  other  than  events or  conditions  for which the
Borrowers  have  furnished  a report  to the  Bank,  no event  or  condition  is
occurring or exists  concerning which the Borrowers would be under an obligation
to furnish a report to the Bank in accordance with Section 6.08(h) hereof.

         (b) As of  December  31,  1996,  the  amount  of all  Unfunded  Benefit
Liabilities under all Title IV Plans does not exceed approximately  $400,000. As
of the date these  representations  are made with respect to any Loan under this
Agreement,  the  Unfunded  Benefit  Liabilities  of all Title IV Plans  have not
increased  in an amount that is material (as  specified  in Section  6.08(h)(ii)
hereof.

         (c) Retiree  Welfare Plan Liability of the Borrower with respect to all
the Retiree  Welfare  Benefit Plans does not exceed  $3,500,000.  As of the date
these  representations  are made with respect to any Loan under this  Agreement,
the Retiree  Welfare  benefit  Plan  Liability  with  respect to all the Retiree
Welfare  benefit  Plans have not  increased  in an amount that is  material  (as
specified in Section 6.08(h)(ii)).

         (d)       With respect to each Pension Plan:

                    (i)  if the  plan  is  intended  to be  tax-qualified  under
          section  401(a) of the Code, it is so qualified,  its related trust is
          tax-exempt  under  section  501 of the Code,  and  either the plan and
          trust  have been  determined  by the  Internal  Revenue  Service to be
          qualified and exempt from tax under


                                      -31-
<PAGE>


          sections   401  and  501  of  the   Code  or   application   for  such
          determinations  has been or will be filed  with the  Internal  Revenue
          Service and responses regarding the same have not been received; and

                    (ii)  there  has  been  no  ERISA  Event  and  there  is  no
          outstanding material liability with respect to any termination of such
          Pension Plan.

          (e) With respect to each Pension Plan or Welfare Plan:

                    (i) Except as set forth in Schedule III, there are no claims
          (other than  claims for  benefits  in the normal  course),  actions or
          lawsuits asserted or instituted  against any Plan, or to the knowledge
          of the Borrowers,  any  Multiemployer  Plan; and the Borrowers have no
          knowledge of any threatened litigation or claims against the assets of
          any  Plan  or  against  any  fiduciary  thereof  with  respect  to the
          operation of any such plan that in the aggregate could have a material
          adverse  effect  on  the  financial  condition  or  prospects  of  the
          Borrowers or any ERISA  Affiliate  or the ability of the  Borrowers to
          perform their obligations hereunder.

                    (ii) All reports  with  respect to any Plan  required  under
          ERISA,  the Code or any other  applicable law to be filed, the failure
          of which to file  that is  reasonably  likely  to,  in the  aggregate,
          result in liability of any of the Borrowers in a material amount, have
          been filed,  and all such reports are true and correct in all material
          respects as of the date given.

                    (iii)  The  Borrowers  have  not  engaged  in a  "prohibited
          transaction"  as defined  in  section  4975 of the Code and Title I of
          ERISA or  participated  in a breach of  fiduciary  responsibility  (as
          described in section  502(1) of ERISA) that would  subject any of them
          (after  giving  effect  to any  exemption)  to the tax or  penalty  on
          prohibited transactions imposed by section 4975 of the Code or section
          502 of ERISA, or any other liability, the amount of which is material.

                    (iv) Any bond  required  under  ERISA to be  obtained by any
          Person with respect to any Plan has been obtained and is in full force
          and effect, except where the failure of which is not reasonably likely
          to result in liability to the Borrowers and their ERISA  Affiliates in
          an amount in excess of $20,000.

          (f) Each Welfare Plan has complied  with the notice,  continuation  of
coverage,  and other applicable  requirements under section 4980B of the Code in
all material respects.

          (g) No Plan is a Multiemployer Plan.

          Section 5.08.  Subsidiaries  and  Ownership of Stock.  Schedule I is a
complete  and  accurate  list of the  Subsidiaries  of the  Borrowers  as of the
Closing Date, showing the jurisdiction of


                                      -32-
<PAGE>


incorporation or organization of each such Subsidiary and showing the percentage
of the Borrowers'  ownership of the outstanding  stock or other interest of each
such Subsidiary as of the Closing Date. All of the outstanding  capital stock or
other interest of each such  Subsidiary has been validly  issued,  is fully paid
and nonassessable and is owned by the Borrowers free and clear of all Liens.

         Section  5.09.  Credit  Arrangements.  Schedule  II is a  complete  and
correct list as of the Closing Date of all credit agreements and indentures, and
all material  guaranties and Capital Leases presently in effect providing for or
relating to the borrowing of money  (including  agreements and  arrangements for
the  issuance of letters of credit or for  acceptance  financing)  in respect of
which the Borrowers or any of their  Subsidiaries  is in any manner  directly or
contingently obligated as of the Closing Date; and the maximum principal or face
amounts of the credit in question, outstanding and which can be outstanding, are
correctly stated.

         Section  5.10.  Operation of Business.  Each of the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries possesses all licenses, permits,  franchises,  patents, copyrights,
trademarks  and  trade  names,  or  rights  thereto,  to  conduct  its  business
substantially as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted, except
where failure of such  possession will not, in any one case or in the aggregate,
materially adversely affect the financial condition,  operations,  properties or
business  of the  Borrowers  or any such  Subsidiary,  taken as a whole,  or the
ability  of the  Borrowers  to  perform  their  obligations  under the  Facility
Documents.

         Section  5.11.  Hazardous  Materials.  The  Borrowers and each of their
Subsidiaries   have   obtained   all  material   permits,   licenses  and  other
authorizations  which are required on the Closing  Date under all  Environmental
Laws which are applicable to the ongoing  business  operations of the Borrowers.
The Borrowers and each of their Subsidiaries are in material compliance with the
terms and conditions of all such material permits,  licenses and authorizations,
and with respect to the ongoing business operations of the Borrowers are also in
material  compliance  with  all  other  limitations,  restrictions,  conditions,
standards,  prohibitions,  requirements,  obligations,  schedules and timetables
contained in any applicable Environmental Law or in any regulation,  code, plan,
order, decree,  judgment,  injunction,  notice or demand letter issued, entered,
promulgated or approved  thereunder,  except as disclosed in Schedule IV. To the
extent the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries has failed to so comply,  such
failure will not have a material  adverse effect on the  consolidated  financial
condition,  operations,  business  or  prospects  of  the  Borrowers  and  their
Consolidated Subsidiaries.

         In addition, except as set forth in Schedule IV hereto:

         (a) To the best of the Borrowers' knowledge,  no notice,  notification,
demand, request for information,  citation, summons or order has been issued, no
complaint has been filed, no penalty has been assessed and no  investigation  or
review is pending or


                                      -33-
<PAGE>


threatened  by any  governmental  or other  entity  with  respect to any alleged
failure  by the  Borrowers  or any of their  Subsidiaries  to have  any  permit,
license or authorization required in connection with the conduct of the business
of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries or with respect to any generation,
treatment,  storage,  recycling,  transportation,  release or  disposal,  or any
release  as  defined  in 42  U.S.C.  ?9601(22)  ("Release"),  of  any  Hazardous
Materials  generated by the  Borrowers or any of their  Subsidiaries,  except as
disclosed in Schedule IV.

          (b) Except as disclosed in Schedule IV,  neither the Borrowers nor any
of their  Subsidiaries has handled any Hazardous  Material,  on any property now
owned or leased by the Borrowers or any of their  Subsidiaries to an extent that
it has, or may reasonably be expected to have, a material  adverse effect on the
consolidated financial condition,  operations,  business or prospects taken as a
whole of the Borrowers and their Consolidated Subsidiaries.

          (c) As of the  Closing  Date  no  oral or  written  notification  of a
Release of a Hazardous  Material has been filed by or on behalf of the Borrowers
or any of their  Subsidiaries,  except  as  disclosed  in  Schedule  IV,  and no
property now owned or leased by the  Borrowers or any of their  Subsidiaries  is
listed or  proposed  for  listing  on the  National  Priority  List  promulgated
pursuant to CERCLA.

          (d) As of the Closing Date there are no Liens of record  arising under
or pursuant to any Environmental  Laws on any of the real property or properties
owned or leased by the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries, and the Borrowers
have no knowledge of government  actions which have been taken or are in process
which  could  subject  any of such  properties  to such  Liens and  neither  the
Borrowers nor any of their Subsidiaries would be required to place any notice or
restriction  relating to the  presence of  Hazardous  Materials  at any property
owned by it in any deed to such property.

          (e)  As  of  the  Closing  Date  there  have  been  no   environmental
investigations,  studies,  audits, tests, reviews or other analyses conducted by
or which are in the possession of the Borrowers or any of their  Subsidiaries in
relation to any property or facility now owned or leased by the Borrowers or any
of their Subsidiaries which have not been made available to the Bank.

          Section 5.12. No Default on Outstanding Judgments or Orders. As of the
Closing Date,  each of the Borrowers  and their  Subsidiaries  has satisfied all
judgments  that have been in effect for any period of 30  consecutive  days, and
neither the Borrowers nor any of their  Subsidiaries  is in default with respect
to any judgment, writ, injunction, decree, or material rule or regulation of any
court,  arbitrator or federal, state, municipal or other Governmental Authority,
commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality,  domestic or foreign as of
the date hereof.

          Section 5.13. No Defaults on Other  Agreements.  Neither the Borrowers
nor any of  their  Subsidiaries  is a party  to any  indenture,  loan or  credit
agreement or any lease or other agreement


                                      -34-
<PAGE>


or  instrument  or subject  to any  charter or  corporate  restriction  which is
reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties,
assets,  operations or conditions,  financial or otherwise,  of the Borrowers or
any of their Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, or the ability of the Borrowers to
carry out their  obligations  under the  Facility  Documents to which they are a
party.

         Section 5.14.  Labor  Disputes and Acts of God. As of the Closing Date,
neither  the  business  nor the  properties  of any  Borrower or of any of their
Subsidiaries are affected by any fire, explosion,  accident,  strike, lockout or
other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God or of
the public  enemy or other  casualty  (whether  or not  covered  by  insurance),
materially and adversely  affecting such business or properties or the operation
of such Borrower or any such Subsidiary.

         Section  5.15.  Governmental  Regulation.  Neither  Borrower nor any of
their  Subsidiaries  is subject to regulation  under the Public Utility  Holding
Company Act of 1935, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Interstate Commerce
Act, the Federal Power Act or any statute or regulation  limiting its ability to
incur indebtedness for money borrowed as contemplated hereby.

         Section 5.16. No  Forfeiture.   No  Forfeiture  Proceeding  against any
Borrower is pending or threatened.

         Section 5.17.     Solvency.

         (a) The present fair salable value of the assets of the Borrowers after
giving effect to all the transactions contemplated by the Facility Documents and
the  funding  of all  Commitments  and the  issuance  of the  Letters  of Credit
hereunder  exceeds  the amount that will be required to be paid on or in respect
of the existing debts and other liabilities  (including contingent  liabilities)
of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries as they mature.

         (b) The  property of each  Borrower  does not  constitute  unreasonably
small  capital for such  Borrower to carry out its business as now conducted and
as proposed to be conducted, including the capital needs of each Borrower.

         (c) No Borrower intends to, nor does any Borrower believe that it will,
incur debts  beyond its ability to pay such debts as they  mature  (taking  into
account  the  timing  and  amounts  of cash  to be  received  by the  respective
Borrower,  and of  amounts  to be  payable  on or in  respect  of  debt  of such
Borrower).  The cash available to each  Borrower,  after taking into account all
other  anticipated  uses of the  cash of such  Borrower,  is  anticipated  to be
sufficient  to pay all such  amounts on or in  respect of debt of such  Borrower
when such amounts are required to be paid.

         (d) No Borrower believes that final judgments against it in actions for
money damages will be rendered at a time when,  or in an amount such that,  such
Borrower  will be unable to satisfy any such  


                                      -35-
<PAGE>


judgments  promptly in  accordance  with their terms  (taking  into  account the
maximum reasonable amount of such judgments in any such actions and the earliest
reasonable time at which such judgments  might be rendered).  The cash available
to each  Borrower  after taking into account all other  anticipated  uses of the
cash of such Borrower  (including the payments on or in respect of debt referred
to in paragraph (c) of this Section  5.17),  is  anticipated to be sufficient to
pay all such judgments promptly in accordance with their terms.

         Section  5.18.   Representations  and  Warranties  in  the  Acquisition
Documents.  The Bank has received a complete and correct copy of the Acquisition
Documents (including all exhibits,  schedules and disclosure letters referred to
therein or  delivered  pursuant  thereto,  if any) and all  amendments  thereto,
waivers  relating  thereto and other side letters or  agreements  affecting  the
terms thereof.  The Acquisition  Documents have been duly executed and delivered
by the Borrowers  who are parties  thereto and are in full force and effect with
respect to such Borrowers.  Each of the representations and warranties set forth
in each of the Acquisition  Documents of any Borrowers party thereto, and to the
knowledge of the Borrowers,  of each other Person party  thereto,  were true and
correct  in  all  material  respects  on and as of the  date  made  (except  for
representations and warranties specifically relating to a time period other than
the date of execution of the Acquisition Documents or the date of closing of the
transactions  contemplated  by  the  Acquisition  Documents).  Each  Acquisition
Document  is a legal,  valid  and  binding  obligation  of the  Borrowers  party
thereto,  enforceable  against such Persons in accordance with its terms, except
to the extent that such  enforcement  may be limited by  applicable  bankruptcy,
insolvency,   reorganization,   moratorium  and  other  similar  laws  affecting
creditors?  rights  generally and general  principles of equity  (regardless  of
whether such  enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
All transactions  contemplated by the Acquisition Documents to be consummated on
or prior to the Closing Date have been consummated without amendment,  waiver or
modification of the terms thereof.

                        ARTICLE 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

          So long as the Notes shall remain unpaid,  any Letters of Credit shall
remain  outstanding or the Bank shall have any Commitment  under this Agreement,
each Borrower shall:

          Section 6.01.  Maintenance  of Existence.  Preserve and maintain,  and
cause each of its material Subsidiaries to preserve and maintain,  its corporate
existence  and good  standing  in the  jurisdiction  of its  incorporation,  and
qualify and remain  qualified,  and cause each of its material  Subsidiaries  to
qualify and remain qualified,  as a foreign  corporation in each jurisdiction in
which such  qualification  is required,  except where failure to do so shall not
have a material  adverse  effect on the financial  condition or prospects of the
Borrowers  and  their  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  or the  ability  of the
Borrowers to perform their obligations hereunder.



                                      -36-
<PAGE>



          Section  6.02.  Conduct of Business.  Continue,  and cause each of its
Subsidiaries to continue, to engage in a business of substantially the same type
as conducted by it on the date of this Agreement.

          Section 6.03. Maintenance of Properties.  Maintain, keep and preserve,
and cause each of its  Subsidiaries to maintain,  keep and preserve,  all of its
properties  (tangible and  intangible),  necessary in the proper  conduct of its
business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

          Section  6.04.  Maintenance  of Records.  Keep,  and cause each of its
Subsidiaries to keep,  adequate records and books of account,  in which complete
entries  will  be  made  in  accordance  with  GAAP,  reflecting  all  financial
transactions of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries.

          Section 6.05.  Maintenance of Insurance.  Maintain,  and cause each of
its  Subsidiaries to maintain,  insurance with  financially  sound and reputable
insurance  companies or  associations in such amounts and covering such risks as
are usually  carried by  companies  engaged in the same or similar  business and
similarly  situated,  which  insurance may provide for reasonable  deductibility
from coverage thereof.

          Section  6.06.  Compliance  with Laws.  Comply,  and cause each of its
Subsidiaries  to  comply,  in all  respects  with all  applicable  laws,  rules,
regulations and orders, such compliance to include,  without limitation,  paying
before the same  become  delinquent  all  taxes,  assessments  and  governmental
charges imposed upon it or upon its property, except to the extent in good faith
duly contested in accordance with all applicable  laws,  rules,  regulations and
procedures  and  for  which  adequate  reserves  are  provided,   as  reasonably
determined  by the Bank,  and  except  where  failure  to do so shall not have a
material adverse effect on the financial condition or prospects of the Borrowers
and their  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  or the ability of the  Borrowers to
perform their obligations hereunder.

          Section 6.07.  Right of Inspection.  At any  reasonable  time and from
time to time upon advance notice, permit the Bank or any agent or representative
thereof,  to examine and make copies and abstracts from the records and books of
account  of,  and  visit  the  properties  of,  such  Borrower  and  any  of its
Subsidiaries, and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of such Borrower
and any such Subsidiary with any of their respective  officers and directors and
such Borrower's independent accountants.

          Section 6.08. Reporting Requirements. Furnish to the Bank:

          (a) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the end
of each fiscal year of the Borrowers,  a consolidated and consolidating  balance
sheet of the Borrowers and their Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such
fiscal  year  and  a  consolidated  and   consolidating   income  statement  and
consolidated


                                      -37-
<PAGE>


statements  of cash flows and changes in  stockholders'  equity of the Borrowers
and their  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  for such fiscal year,  all in  reasonable
detail and, if required by the SEC,  stating in comparative  form the respective
consolidated and consolidating  figures for the corresponding date and period in
the prior  fiscal year and all  prepared in  accordance  with GAAP and as to the
consolidated statements accompanied by an opinion thereon acceptable to the Bank
by Ernst & Young,  L.L.P. or other independent  accountants of national standing
selected by the Borrowers;

          (b) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the end
of each of the first three  quarters of each  fiscal  year of the  Borrowers,  a
consolidated  and  consolidating  balance  statement of the  Borrowers and their
Consolidated  Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and a consolidated  and
consolidating  income  statement and  consolidated  statements of cash flows and
changes  in  stockholders'  equity,  of the  Borrowers  and  their  Consolidated
Subsidiaries  for the period  commencing at the end of the previous  fiscal year
and ending  with the end of such  quarter,  all in  reasonable  detail  and,  if
required by the SEC, stating in comparative form the respective consolidated and
consolidating  figures  for the  corresponding  date and period in the  previous
fiscal year and all  prepared in  accordance  with GAAP and  certified by senior
financial  officers of each of the Borrowers  (subject to changes resulting from
audit and year-end adjustments);

          (c) as soon as  practicable  and in any event within 10 days after the
end of each  Accounting  Month,  a  Borrowing  Base  Certificate  and a  Backlog
Certificate.

          (d) promptly upon receipt  thereof,  copies of any management  letters
submitted to the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries by independent certified
public accountants in connection with examination of the financial statements of
the Borrowers or any such Subsidiary made by such accountants;

          (e)  simultaneously  with the  delivery  of the  financial  statements
referred to above, a certificate of the senior financial  officer of each of the
Borrowers (i) certifying that to the best of their knowledge no Default or Event
of Default has occurred and is  continuing  or, if a Default or Event of Default
has occurred  and is  continuing,  a statement as to the nature  thereof and the
action  which is  proposed  to be taken  with  respect  thereto,  and (ii)  with
computations demonstrating compliance with the covenants contained in Article 8;

          (f) promptly after the  commencement  thereof,  notice of all actions,
suits and proceedings before any court or governmental  department,  commission,
board,  bureau,  agency or instrumentality,  domestic or foreign,  affecting the
Borrowers or any of their  Subsidiaries  which, if determined  adversely to such
Borrower  or such  Subsidiary,  could  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the
financial  condition,   properties  or  operations  of  such  Borrower  or  such
Subsidiary, taken as a whole;


                                      -38-
<PAGE>


          (g) as soon  as  possible  and in any  event  within  ten  days  after
becoming  aware of the  occurrence of each Default or Event of Default a written
notice  setting  forth the  details of such  Default or Event of Default and the
action which is proposed to be taken by the Borrowers with respect thereto;

          (h) as soon as  possible,  and in any event  within 15 days  after any
Borrower  knows or has  reason  to know  that any of the  events  or  conditions
specified  below  with  respect  to any Plan shall  have  occurred  or exist,  a
statement  signed by a senior  financial  officer of such Borrower setting forth
details  respecting  such event or condition and the action,  if any, which such
Borrower or its ERISA  Affiliate  proposes to take with  respect  thereto (and a
copy of any report or notice  required to be filed with or given to PBGC by such
Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate with respect to such event or condition):

                    (i) ERISA Event with respect to a Plan; and

                    (ii) an increase in the Unfunded Benefit  Liabilities of one
          or more  Pension  Plans after the date of this  Agreement in an amount
          which is  material  in  relation  to the  financial  condition  of the
          Borrowers and their Subsidiaries,  on a consolidated basis;  provided,
          however, that such increase shall not be deemed to be material so long
          as it does not exceed during any consecutive 3-year period $500,000.

          (i)  promptly  after the  request of the Bank,  copies of each  annual
report  filed  pursuant to section 104 or Section  4065 of ERISA with respect to
each Plan (including, to the extent required by ERISA, the related financial and
actuarial statements and supporting statements);

          (j) promptly after the furnishing thereof,  copies of any statement or
report furnished to any other party pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan
or credit or  similar  agreement  involving  an amount in any one case or in the
aggregate  in excess of $500,000 and not  otherwise  required to be furnished to
the Bank pursuant to any other clause of this Section 6.08;

          (k) within 10 days after the sending or filing thereof,  copies of all
proxy statements,  financial statements and reports which any Borrower or any of
their  Subsidiaries  sends  to its  stockholders,  and  copies  of all  regular,
periodic and special reports, and all registration statements which any Borrower
or any such Subsidiary  files with the SEC or any  Governmental  Authority which
may be substituted therefor, or with any national securities exchange;

          (l)  promptly  after the  commencement  thereof or promptly  after any
Borrower knows of the  commencement or threat thereof,  notice of any Forfeiture
Proceeding; and

                                      -39-
<PAGE>


         (m) such other  information  respecting  the  condition or  operations,
financial or otherwise, of any Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries as the Bank
may from time to time reasonably request.

         Section  6.09.  Environmental  Indemnification.  It is  understood  and
agreed among the  Borrowers,  Subsidiaries  and the Bank that the  Borrowers and
each of their  Subsidiaries  shall be solely  responsible for all  environmental
liabilities,   as  described   below,  and  the  Borrowers  and  each  of  their
Subsidiaries agree to release, defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Bank, and
their present and future officers,  directors,  employees, agents, shareholders,
attorneys and all of their  respective  heirs,  representatives,  successors and
assigns from and against all losses, liabilities,  suits, obligations,  demands,
fines, damages, judgments,  injuries,  administrative orders, consent agreements
and orders,  penalties,  actions, causes of actions, changes, costs and expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees and consultants' fees), claims,  including
but not  limited  to claims  arising  out of loss of life,  injury  to  persons,
property or business,  or damages to natural resources,  whether based on strict
liability, tort, contract, implied or expressed warranty,  statute,  regulation,
common law, or other Environmental Law, arising in connection with or the result
of  (i)  any  past,  present  or  future  existence,  use,  handling,   storage,
transportation,  manufacture, release or disposal of any Hazardous Materials in,
on,  or under  the  Borrowers'  or such  Subsidiaries  past,  present  or future
properties,  buildings or assets,  or in connection  with the Borrowers' or such
Subsidiaries   business   operations,   whether  foreseeable  or  unforeseeable,
regardless of the source,  time of occurrence or the time of discovery;  or (ii)
any past, present or future violation (or alleged violation) of an Environmental
Law in connection with the ownership,  operation or control of the Borrowers' or
such Subsidiaries  properties,  buildings,  assets or business  operations.  The
foregoing indemnification includes, without limitation,  indemnification against
all  costs  in  law  or  in  equity,  of  removal,  response,  investigation  or
remediation  of any kind, and the disposal of any Hazardous  Materials,  and all
costs  of  determining  whether  the  Borrowers  or  such  Subsidiaries  are  in
compliance  with  all  applicable   Environmental   Laws.   Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  if any such  liability  shall arise solely as a  consequence  of the
affirmative  actions of the Bank or as a consequence of the gross  negligence of
the Bank,  the  Borrowers  shall not be liable  for the  indemnity  contemplated
hereby.

                          ARTICLE 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         So long as the Notes shall  remain  unpaid,  any Letter of Credit shall
remain  outstanding or the Bank shall have any Commitment  under this Agreement,
the Borrowers shall not:

         Section 7.01. Debt. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, or permit
any of its  Subsidiaries  to  create,  incur,  assume or  suffer to exist  Debt,
except:



                                      -40-
<PAGE>


         (a) Debt of the Borrowers under this Agreement,  the Notes, the Letters
of Credit or the other Facility Documents;

         (b) Debt  described in Schedule  II, and any  renewals,  extensions  or
refinancings thereof;

         (c) Debt of any Borrower to any other  Borrower or to any Subsidiary or
of any such Subsidiary to any Borrower or another such Subsidiary;

         (d) Debt in an aggregate  amount not in excess of $500,000 and which is
secured by purchase money liens meeting the requirements of subsection 7.03(i);

         (e) Other Debt in an aggregate  amount not in excess of $1,000,000 on a
consolidated basis;

         (f)  Subordinated   Debt,  which  is  subordinated  to  the  Borrowers'
obligations to the Bank on terms and conditions acceptable to the Bank; and

         (g) Debt of the Borrowers evidenced by the Facility Loan Letter,  dated
December 3, 1990, relating to a loan of ?500,000 from National Westminster Bank,
PLC in favor of Farrel Limited (the ?NatWest Facility?).

         Section 7.02. Guaranties,  Etc. Assume, guaranty,  endorse or otherwise
be or become  directly or contingently  responsible or liable,  or permit any of
its  Subsidiaries  to  assume,  guarantee,  endorse  or  otherwise  be or become
directly or indirectly responsible or liable (including,  but not limited to, an
agreement to purchase any  obligation,  stock,  assets,  goods or services or to
supply or advance any funds,  assets,  goods or  services,  or an  agreement  to
maintain or cause such Person to maintain a minimum working capital or net worth
or  otherwise  to assure  the  creditors  of any  Person  against  loss) for the
obligations of any Person,  except  guaranties of Debt  permitted  under Section
7.01, and guaranties by  endorsement  of negotiable  instruments  for deposit or
collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business.

         Section  7.03.  Liens.  Create,  incur,  assume or suffer to exist,  or
permit any of its Subsidiaries to create,  incur, assume or suffer to exist, any
Lien,  upon or with  respect to any of its  properties,  now owned or  hereafter
acquired, except:

         (a) Liens for  taxes or  assessments  or other  government  charges  or
levies  if not yet due and  payable  or if due and  payable  if they  are  being
contested in good faith by  appropriate  proceedings  and for which  appropriate
reserves are maintained;

         (b)  Liens   imposed  by  law,  such  as   mechanic's,   materialmen's,
landlord's,  warehousemen's  and  carrier's  Liens,  and  other  similar  Liens,
securing  obligations  incurred in the ordinary course of business which are not
past due for more than 30 days,  or which are 


                                      -41-
<PAGE>


being  contested  in  good  faith  by  appropriate  proceedings  and  for  which
appropriate reserves have been established;

         (c) Liens under workers' compensation,  unemployment insurance,  social
security or similar legislation (other than ERISA);

         (d) Liens,  deposits  or pledges  to secure  the  performance  of bids,
tenders,  contracts  (other than  contracts  for the  payment of money),  leases
(permitted under the terms of this Agreement),  public or statutory obligations,
surety,  stay, appeal,  indemnity,  performance or other similar bonds, or other
similar obligations arising in the ordinary course of business;

         (e) Judgment and other similar  Liens arising in connection  with court
proceedings;  provided that the execution or other  enforcement of such Liens is
effectively  stayed and the claims secured thereby are being actively  contested
in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

         (f)   Easements,   rights-of-way,   restrictions   and  other   similar
encumbrances  which,  in the  aggregate,  do not  materially  interfere with the
occupation,  use and  enjoyment by such  Borrower or any such  Subsidiary of the
property or assets  encumbered  thereby in the normal  course of its business or
materially impair the value of the property subject thereto;

         (g) Liens securing  obligations of any such  Subsidiary to any Borrower
or another such Subsidiary;

         (h)  Purchase  money Liens on any  property  hereafter  acquired or the
assumption of any Lien on property existing at the time of such acquisition,  or
a Lien incurred in connection with any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement or a Capital Lease; provided that:

             (i) any property  subject to any of the  foregoing is  acquired  by
         such  Borrower or any such  Subsidiary  in the ordinary  course  of its
         business   and   the   Lien   on   any   such   property   is   created
         contemporaneously with such acquisition;

             (ii) the  obligation  secured  by any Lien so  created,  assumed or
         existing shall not exceed the cost as of the time of acquisition of the
         property covered thereby to such Borrower or such Subsidiary  acquiring
         the same;

             (iii) each such Lien shall  attach only to the property so acquired
         and fixed improvements thereon; and

             (iv) the  obligations  secured  by such Lien are  permitted  by the
         provisions of Section 7.01; and

         (i)       a Lien securing the NatWest Facility.


                                      -42-
<PAGE>


          Section 7.04. Leases. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, or
permit any of its Subsidiaries to create,  incur, assume or suffer to exist, any
obligation  as lessee for the rental or hire of any real or  personal  property,
except:  (a) leases existing on the date of this Agreement and any extensions or
renewals  thereof;  (b) leases  (other than Capital  Leases) which do not in the
aggregate require the Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis
to make payments  (including taxes,  insurance,  maintenance and similar expense
which any Borrower or any such  Subsidiary is required to pay under the terms of
any such lease) in any fiscal year of the Borrowers in excess of $1,000,000; (c)
leases  between  any  Borrower  and any  such  Subsidiary  or  between  any such
Subsidiaries;  (d) Capital Leases  permitted by Section 7.03 and which do not in
the aggregate  require the Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated
basis to make payments  (including  taxes,  insurance,  maintenance  and similar
expense  which any Borrower or any such  Subsidiary is required to pay under the
terms of any such Capital  Lease) in any fiscal year of the  Borrowers in excess
of $1,000,000.

         Section 7.05.  Investments.  Make, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to
make,  any loan or advance to any Person or purchase or  otherwise  acquire,  or
permit any such Subsidiary to purchase or otherwise acquire,  any capital stock,
assets, obligations or other securities of, make any capital contribution to, or
otherwise invest in, or acquire any interest in, any Person, including,  without
limitation,  Farrel  Rockstedt  GmbH  or any  other  Subsidiary  which  is not a
Borrower and,  further  expressly  provided,  that the U.S. Company will make no
such  investment in the U.K.  Companies  except:  (a) direct  obligations of the
United  States of America or any agency  thereof with  maturities of one year or
less from the date of  acquisition;  (b) commercial  paper of a domestic  issuer
rated at least  "A-1" by  Standard  &  Poor's  Corporation  or "P-1" by  Moody's
Investors Service, Inc.; (c) certificates of deposit with maturities of one year
or less from the date of  acquisition  issued by the Bank or an affiliate of the
Bank,  or any  commercial  bank  operating  within the United  States of America
having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000; (d) for stock, obligations
or securities received in settlement of debts (created in the ordinary course of
business) owing to such Borrower or any such Subsidiary; and (e), in the case of
the U.S. Company,  the repurchase of its own issued and outstanding common stock
for a  purchase  price  in any one case or in the  aggregate  not in  excess  of
$350,000 in any fiscal year.

         Section  7.06.  Dividends.  Declare  or pay  any  dividends,  purchase,
redeem,  retire or otherwise  acquire for value any of its capital  stock now or
hereafter outstanding, or make any distribution of assets to its stockholders as
such whether in cash, assets or in obligations of such Borrower,  or allocate or
otherwise set apart any sum for the payment of any dividend or distribution  on,
or for the  purchase,  redemption  or  retirement  of any shares of its  capital
stock,  or make any other  distribution  by reduction of capital or otherwise in
respect of any shares of its capital stock or permit any of its  Subsidiaries to
purchase or  otherwise  acquire  

                                      -43-
<PAGE>


for value any stock of any Borrower or another such Subsidiary, except that: (a)
any Borrower may declare and deliver  dividends and make  distributions  payable
solely in common  stock of such  Borrower;  (b) any  Borrower  may  purchase  or
otherwise  acquire  shares of its capital  stock by  exchange  for or out of the
proceeds  received from a  substantially  concurrent  issue of new shares of its
capital  stock;  and (c) the U.S.  Company may pay cash  dividends in any fiscal
quarter in amounts in any one case or in the  aggregate not in excess of (i) the
amount spent to repurchase such company?s  issued and outstanding  capital stock
in accordance  with Section  7.05(e) hereof during such four fiscal quarters and
(ii) 25% of the cumulative  consolidated  net income after taxes during the most
recently  completed four fiscal  quarters,  less the cumulative  total amount of
dividends paid in respect of its capital stock during such four fiscal quarters.
Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Bank acknowledges and agrees that from April
23, 1997  through  June 30,  1998,  the U.S.  Company may pay cash  dividends in
respect  of its  capital  stock in an  aggregate  amount  of not more  than four
million  ($4,000,000)  and that the  taking of such  action by the U.S.  Company
shall not  constitute  a breach or violation  of this  Section  7.06;  provided,
however,  that at the time such action is to be taken by the U.S. Company, if at
all,  the  Borrowers  shall not  otherwise be in default of this Section 7.06 as
regards or as a result of any other  action or  transaction  and shall not be in
default of any other terms or conditions of this Agreement.

         Section  7.07.  Sale  of  Assets.  Sell,  lease,  assign,  transfer  or
otherwise dispose of, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to sell, lease,  assign,
transfer or  otherwise  dispose of, any of its now owned or  hereafter  acquired
assets (including,  without limitation, shares of stock and indebtedness of such
Subsidiaries,  receivables and leasehold  interests) except (a) if, after giving
effect  to such  transaction,  the  aggregate  amount  of the  greater,  in each
instance,  of (x) the net book value,  or (y) the fair market value, of all such
properties  and assets so disposed of in any fiscal year is less than the lesser
of  $2,000,000 or 5% of  Consolidated  Tangible Net Worth as of the beginning of
such  fiscal  year,  (b) for  inventory  disposed of in the  ordinary  course of
business;  (c) the sale or other  disposition of assets no longer used or useful
in the conduct of its business;  (d) if all proceeds  thereof  (after payment of
reasonable  expenses of the transaction) shall promptly be applied either (i) to
the acquisition by the Borrowers or such  Subsidiaries of other assets which are
necessary  or  useful  in its  business  or (ii) to the  prepayment  of an equal
principal  amount of the Loans in accordance  with the terms of this  Agreement;
and (e) that any such Subsidiary may sell, lease,  assign or otherwise  transfer
its assets to any Borrower.

         Section 7.08. Stock of Subsidiaries,  Etc. Sell or otherwise dispose of
any shares of capital  stock of any of its  Subsidiaries,  except in  connection
with a transaction  permitted  under Section 7.10, or permit any such Subsidiary
to  issue  any  additional  shares  of  its  capital  stock,  except  directors'
qualifying shares.



                                      -44-
<PAGE>


         Section 7.09. Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into any transaction,
including, without limitation, the purchase, sale or exchange of property or the
rendering of any service,  with any Affiliate or permit any of its  Subsidiaries
to enter into any transaction, including, without limitation, the purchase, sale
or exchange of property or the  rendering  of any service,  with any  Affiliate,
except (a) in the ordinary course of and pursuant to the reasonable requirements
of such  Borrower's or such  Subsidiary's  business and upon fair and reasonable
terms no less favorable to such Borrower or such Subsidiary than it would obtain
in a comparable  arm's length  transaction  with a Person not an Affiliate,  (b)
transactions  between Borrowers,  and (c) transactions entered into prior to the
Closing Date between  Affiliates as disclosed on the U.S. Company's SEC Filings,
whether or not at arm's length.

         Section 7.10. Mergers, Etc. Merge or consolidate with, or sell, assign,
lease or  otherwise  dispose of  (whether in one  transaction  or in a series of
transactions)  all or  substantially  all of its  assets  (whether  now owned or
hereafter  acquired) to any Person,  or acquire all or substantially  all of the
assets or the  business of any Person (or enter into any  agreement to do any of
the foregoing),  or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do so except that: (a) any
such Subsidiary may merge into or transfer  assets to such Borrower;  or (b) any
such  Subsidiary  may merge into or consolidate  with or transfer  assets to any
other such Subsidiary

         Section 7.11. No Activities  Leading to Forfeiture.  Engage in or cause
or suffer any of its  Subsidiaries  or  Affiliates to engage in or propose to be
engaged in the conduct of any business or activity which are  reasonably  likely
to result in a Forfeiture Proceeding.

         Section 7.12.  ERISA  Compliance.  Take or omit to take any action,  or
permit any ERISA Affiliate to take or omit to take any action,  that constitutes
or would  result in a  liability  of any  Borrower or an ERISA  Affiliate  in an
amount in excess of $500,000 with respect to (i) an ERISA Event, (ii) failure to
comply with the  requirements  of COBRA by any Welfare  Plan,  (iii)  failure to
comply with the  requirements of ERISA, the Code or any other applicable law by,
or with  respect  to, any  Pension or Welfare  Plan,  (iv)  increase in Unfunded
Benefit  Liability with respect to a Pension Plan, (v) liability with respect to
any Welfare Plan other than a Retiree  Welfare  Plan,  or (vi)  liability of the
Borrowers or any ERISA  Affiliate  with  respect to any Retiree  Welfare Plan in
excess of $3,500,000.


                         ARTICLE 8. FINANCIAL COVENANTS

         So long as the Notes shall  remain  unpaid,  any Letter of Credit shall
remain outstanding or the Bank shall have any Commitment under this Agreement:


                                      -45-
<PAGE>


         Section 8.01.  Minimum Tangible Net Worth. The Borrowers shall maintain
at all times a Consolidated Tangible Net Worth of not less than $23,000,000.

         Section 8.02.  Leverage  RatioSection.  The Borrowers shall maintain at
all times a ratio of  consolidated  total  liabilities  plus L/C  Obligations to
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth of not greater than 1.75 to 1.

         Section 8.03. Interest Coverage.  The Borrowers shall maintain for each
fiscal year a ratio of EBIT to Interest Expense of not less than 3 to 1.

         Section 8.04.  Current Ratio. The Borrowers shall maintain at all times
Current  Assets  in  an  amount  equal  to  not  less  than  1.5  times  Current
Liabilities.

         Section 8.05. Debt Service Coverage. The Borrowers shall maintain for
each fiscal year a ratio of (a) EBITDA minus  Capital  Expenditures  to (b) Debt
Service Charges of not less than 1.25 to 1.


                          ARTICLE 9. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         Section 9.01.  Events of Default.  Any of the following events shall be
an "Event of Default":

         (a) the Borrowers  shall: (i) fail to pay the principal of the Notes or
any Reimbursement  Obligations as and when due and payable;  or (ii) fail to pay
interest on the Notes or any fee or other amount due hereunder  within five days
of when due and payable;

         (b) any  representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Borrower
in this  Agreement or in any other  Facility  Document to which it is a party or
which is contained in any material certificate,  document, opinion, financial or
other  statement  furnished at any time under or in connection with any Facility
Document shall prove to have been incorrect in any material  respect on or as of
the date made or deemed made;

         (c) the  Borrowers  shall:  (i) fail to perform  or  observe  any term,
covenant or  agreement  contained  in Section 2.03 or Article 8; or (ii) fail to
perform or observe any term,  covenant or  agreement on its part to be performed
or observed  (other than the obligations  specifically  referred to elsewhere in
this Section 9.01) in any Facility  Document and such failure shall continue for
30 consecutive days after written notice received from the Bank;

         (d) any Borrower or any of their  respective  Subsidiaries  shall:  (i)
fail to pay any  indebtedness in an amount in excess of $500,000,  including but
not  limited  to  indebtedness  for  borrowed  money  (other  than  the  payment
obligations described in (a) above), of such Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the
case may be, or any 


                                      -46-
<PAGE>


interest or premium thereon,  when due (whether by scheduled maturity,  required
prepayment,  acceleration,  demand or  otherwise);  or (ii) fail to  perform  or
observe any term,  covenant or condition on its part to be performed or observed
under any  agreement  or  instrument  relating  to any such  indebtedness,  when
required to be performed  or observed,  if the effect of such failure to perform
or observe is to accelerate,  or to permit the acceleration of, after the giving
of notice or  passage  of time,  or both,  the  maturity  of such  indebtedness,
whether or not such failure to perform or observe  shall be waived by the holder
of such  indebtedness;  or any such indebtedness shall be declared to be due and
payable, or required to be prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled required
prepayment),  prior to the stated  maturity  thereof;  and, in either event such
failure or default shall continue for 30  consecutive  days after written notice
received from the Bank;

         (e) any Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries: (A) (i) shall
generally  not, or be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay
its debts as such debts  become  due; or (ii) shall make an  assignment  for the
benefit of creditors, petition or apply to any tribunal for the appointment of a
custodian,  receiver or trustee for it or a substantial  part of its assets;  or
(iii)  shall  commence  any  proceeding  under any  bankruptcy,  reorganization,
arrangement,  readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute of
any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect; or (iv) shall have had any
such  petition  or  application  filed or any such  proceeding  shall  have been
commenced  against it, in which an  adjudication or appointment is made or order
for relief is entered,  or which  petition,  application  or proceeding  remains
undismissed  for a period  of 30 days or more;  or shall be the  subject  of any
proceeding  under  which its assets may be subject  to  seizure,  forfeiture  or
divestiture  (other  than a  proceeding  in  respect of a Lien  permitted  under
Section  7.03(b));  or (v) by any act or omission shall indicate its consent to,
approval of or acquiescence  in any such petition,  application or proceeding or
order for relief or the appointment of a custodian,  receiver or trustee for all
or any  substantial  part  of its  property;  or  (vi)  shall  suffer  any  such
custodianship, receivership or trusteeship to continue undischarged for a period
of 30 days  or more or (B) (i)  without  prejudice  to any  other  provision  of
Article 9 the following  events in relation to the U.K.  Companies shall also be
Event of Default:

                  (i) the passing by either U.K. Company of a resolution for the
         liquidation  of such U.K.  Company other than for the purpose of a bona
         fide  amalgamation or  reconstruction  on terms previously  approved in
         writing by the Bank;

                  (ii) the  presentation  for a  tribunal  for the making  of an
         administration order in respect of either U.K. Company;

                  (iii) the  making  of a  proposal  under  Part I of the United
         Kingdom  Insolvency  Act 1986 or under any  statutory  re-enactment  or
         modification  thereof for a composition in 


                                      -47-
<PAGE>


         satisfaction of either U.K. Company's debts or a scheme of  arrangement
         of its affairs;

                  (iv)  the  appointment  of  any  person  as  an administrative
         receiver of either U.K. Company; and

                  (v) the  appointment  of a  manager of either  U.K.  Company's
         property or any substantial part thereof.

         (f) one or more  judgments,  decrees or orders for the payment of money
in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate shall be rendered against any Borrower or
any of their respective Subsidiaries and such judgments, decrees or orders shall
continue  unsatisfied and in effect for a period of 30 consecutive  days without
being vacated, discharged, satisfied or stayed or bonded pending appeal;

         (g) any event or  condition  shall  occur or exist with  respect to any
Plan concerning which any Borrower is under an obligation to furnish a report to
the Bank in accordance with Section 6.08(h) hereof and as a result of such event
or condition,  together with all other such events or conditions,  such Borrower
or any ERISA  Affiliate has incurred or in the opinion of the Bank is reasonably
likely  to incur a  liability  with  respect  to a Title IV Plan,  the PBGC or a
section 4042 Trustee (or any  combination of the foregoing) that is in excess of
$500,000;

         (h) the Unfunded Benefit  Liabilities of one or more Pension Plans have
increased  after the date of this  Agreement  in an amount that is material  (as
specified in Section 6.08(h)(ii) hereof);

         (i) during any period of 12 consecutive  months,  commencing  before or
after  the date of this  Agreement,  individuals  who at the  beginning  of such
12-month  period were  directors of Farrel  Corporation  cease for any reason to
constitute a majority of the board of directors of the U.S. Company; or

         (j) any Forfeiture Proceeding shall have been commenced or any Borrower
shall have given the Bank written notice of the  commencement  of any Forfeiture
Proceeding as provided in Section 6.08(l).

         Section  9.02.  Remedies.  If any Event of Default  shall  occur and be
continuing,  the  Bank  may,  by  notice  to  the  Borrowers,  (a)  declare  the
Commitments to be terminated,  whereupon the same shall forthwith  terminate and
so shall the obligations of the Issuing Bank to issue and Letters of Credit, and
(b) declare the outstanding principal of the Notes, all interest thereon and all
other amounts payable under this Agreement, the Notes, the Letters of Credit and
the other  Facility  Documents to be forthwith  due and payable,  whereupon  the
Notes,  all such interest and all such amounts shall become and be forthwith due
and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrowers; provided that, in the
case  of  an  Event  of  Default  referred  to in  Section  9.01(e)  above,  the
Commitments  shall  be  immediately  terminated,  and the 


                                      -48-
<PAGE>


Notes, all interest thereon, all Reimbursement Obligations and all other amounts
payable  under  this  Agreement,  the  Letters  of Credit or the other  Facility
Documents  shall be immediately  due and payable  without  notice,  presentment,
demand,  protest  or other  formalities  of any kind,  all of which  are  hereby
expressly waived by the Borrowers.

                       ARTICLE 10. UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTY.

         Section 10.01.  Guarantied  Obligations.  Each of the U.S.  Company and
Farrel Limited (each of the foregoing  entities in such capacity  individually a
"Guarantor"  and  collectively  the  "Guarantors"),  jointly and  severally,  in
consideration  of the  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement  by the Bank,
hereby irrevocably and  unconditionally  guarantees to the Bank, as and for such
Guarantor's  own debt,  until final  payment has been made the due and  punctual
payment in full in cash in the applicable  currency of all obligations of Farrel
Shaw with respect to the Term Loan (the ?Guarantied Obligations?),  in each case
when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, pursuant
to  mandatory or optional  prepayment,  by  acceleration  or  otherwise,  all in
accordance  with the terms and provisions of this  Agreement,  the Term Note and
the other Facility  Documents,  it being the intent of the  Guarantors  that the
guaranty set forth in this Section 10.01 (the "Unconditional Guaranty") shall be
a guaranty of payment and not a guaranty of collection.

         Section 10.02.  Performance  Under This Agreement.  In the event Farrel
Shaw  fails to make,  on or before  the due date  thereof,  any  payment  of the
principal  of, or  interest  on, the Term Note,  or if Farrel Shaw shall fail to
perform,  keep,  observe, or fulfill any other obligation referred to in Section
10.01  hereof in the manner  provided  in this  Agreement,  the Term Note or the
other  Facility  Documents,  and any such failure  shall  remain  uncured at the
expiration  of any  applicable  cure  period  provided  herein  or in the  other
Facility Documents,  the Guarantors shall cause forthwith to be paid the moneys,
or to be performed,  kept, observed,  or fulfilled each of such obligations,  in
respect of which such failure has occurred.

         Section 10.03.  Waivers.  To the fullest extent  permitted by law, each
Guarantor does hereby waive:

         (a) notice of acceptance of the Unconditional Guaranty;

         (b) notice of any borrowings under this Agreement by Farrel Shaw;

         (c) notice of the amount of the Guarantied Obligations, subject to each
Guarantor's  right to make  inquiry of the Bank to  ascertain  the amount of the
Guarantied Obligations at any reasonable time;


                                      -49-
<PAGE>


         (d) notice of adverse change in the financial condition of Farrel Shaw,
or any other  guarantor or any other fact that might  increase each  Guarantor's
risk hereunder;

         (e) notice of  presentment  for payment,  demand,  protest,  and notice
thereof as to the Term Note or any other Facility Document;

         (f) notice of any Default or Event of Default by Farrel Shaw;

         (g) all  other  notices  and  demands  to which  each  Guarantor  might
otherwise be entitled (except if such notice or demand is specifically otherwise
required to be given to each  Guarantor  hereunder  or under the other  Facility
Documents);

         (h) the right by statute or  otherwise to require the Bank to institute
suit  against  Farrel Shaw or any other  guarantor  or to exhaust the rights and
remedies of the Bank against Farrel Shaw or any other guarantor,  each Guarantor
being bound to the payment of each and all Guarantied  Obligations,  whether now
existing or hereafter accruing, as fully as if such Guarantied  Obligations were
directly owing to the Bank by each Guarantor;

         (i) any defense  arising by reason of any  disability  or other defense
(other than the defense that the  Guarantied  Obligations  shall have been fully
and finally performed and indefeasibly  paid) of Farrel Shaw or by reason of the
cessation  from any cause  whatsoever of the liability of Farrel Shaw in respect
thereof; and

         (j) any stay (except in connection with a pending  appeal),  valuation,
appraisal,  redemption  or extension  law now or at any time  hereafter in force
which, but for this waiver,  might be applicable to any sale of property of each
Guarantor made under any judgment,  order or decree based on this Agreement, and
each Guarantor  covenants that it will not at any time insist upon or plead,  or
in any manner claim or take the benefit or advantage of such law.

Until all of the Guarantied  Obligations  shall have been paid in full,  each of
the Guarantors hereby agrees to completely subordinate any right of subrogation,
reimbursement,  or  indemnity  whatsoever  in respect  thereof  and any right of
recourse  to or with  respect to any  property  of Farrel  Shaw.  Nothing  shall
discharge or satisfy the obligations of any Guarantor  hereunder except the full
and  final  performance  and  indefeasible  payment  in cash  in the  applicable
currency of the Guarantied  Obligations by such  Guarantor,  upon which the Bank
agrees to transfer  and assign its  interest in the Term Note to such  Guarantor
without  recourse,  representation  or warranty of any kind (other than that the
Bank owns the Term Note and that the Term Note is free of Liens  created  by the
Bank). All of the Guarantied  Obligations shall in the manner and subject to the
limitations  provided herein for the acceleration  thereof  forthwith become due
and payable without notice.


                                      -50-
<PAGE>


         Section 10.04.  Releases.  Each of the  Guarantors  consents and agrees
that,  without notice to or by such Guarantor and without affecting or impairing
the  obligations of such Guarantor  hereunder,  the Bank, in the manner provided
herein, by action or inaction, may:

         (a) compromise or settle, extend the period of duration or the time for
the payment,  or discharge  the  performance  of, or may refuse to, or otherwise
not,  enforce,  or may,  by action or  inaction,  release all or any one or more
parties to, the Term Note;

         (b) grant other indulgences to Farrel Shaw in respect thereof;

         (c) amend or  modify  in any  manner  and at any time (or from time to
time) the Term Note in accordance with Section 11.01 or otherwise;

         (d) release  or  substitute  any  one  or  more  of the  endorsers  or
guarantors of the Guarantied Obligations whether parties hereto or not; and

         (e) exchange,  enforce,  waive, or release, by action or inaction,  any
security for the Guarantied Obligations (including,  without limitation,  any of
the  collateral  therefor)  or any  other  guaranty  of  any  of the  Guarantied
Obligations.

         Section 10.05.  Marshaling.  Each of the Guarantors consents and agrees
that:

         (a) the Bank  shall be under no  obligation  to  marshal  any assets in
favor of each Guarantor or against or in payment of any or all of the Guarantied
Obligations; and

         (b) to the extent Farrel Shaw or any other guarantor makes a payment or
payments  to the  Bank,  which  payment  or  payments  or any part  thereof  are
subsequently invalidated,  declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside,
or required,  for any of the foregoing  reasons or for any other  reason,  to be
repaid or paid over to a custodian,  trustee, receiver, or any other party under
any bankruptcy law, common law, or equitable  cause,  then to the extent of such
payment or repayment,  the Guarantied Obligations or part thereof intended to be
satisfied  thereby shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if
said  payment or  payments  had not been made and such  Guarantor  shall  remain
liable for such Guarantied Obligation.

         Section  10.06.  Liability.  Each of the  Guarantors  agrees  that  the
liability  of  such  Guarantor  in  respect  of this  Article  10  shall  not be
contingent upon the exercise or enforcement by the Bank of whatever remedies the
Bank may have against Farrel Shaw or any other  guarantor or the  enforcement of
any Lien or realization upon any security the Bank may at any time possess.


                                      -51-
<PAGE>


         Section 10.07. Unconditional Obligation. The Unconditional Guaranty set
forth  in  this  Article  10  is  an  absolute,  unconditional,  continuing  and
irrevocable  guaranty of payment and  performance and shall remain in full force
and  effect  until  the full and final  payment  of the  Guarantied  Obligations
without respect to future changes in conditions,  including change of law or any
invalidity  or  irregularity  with respect to the issuance or  assumption of any
obligations (including,  without limitation, the Term Note) of or by Farrel Shaw
or any other  guarantor,  or with respect to the  execution  and delivery of any
agreement (including,  without limitation,  the Term Note and the other Facility
Documents) of Farrel Shaw or any other guarantor.

         Section 10.08. Election to Perform Obligations.  Any election by any of
the Guarantors to pay or otherwise  perform any of the  Guarantied  Obligations,
whether  pursuant  to this  Article  10 or  otherwise,  shall not  release  such
Guarantor  from any of its other  obligations  under the Notes,  the  Letters of
Credit or any of the other Facility Documents.

         Section  10.09.  No  Election.  The Bank  shall  have the right to seek
recourse  against  any one or  more  of the  Guarantors  to the  fullest  extent
provided  for  herein for such  Guarantor's  obligations  under  this  Agreement
(including,  without  limitation,  this Article 10) in respect of the Guarantied
Obligations.  No  election  to proceed in one form of action or  proceeding,  or
against any party, or on any obligation, shall constitute a waiver of the Bank?s
right to  proceed  in any other form of action or  proceeding  or against  other
parties   unless  the  Bank  has   expressly   waived  such  right  in  writing.
Specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no action or
proceeding by the Bank against  Farrel Shaw or any Guarantor  under any document
or  instrument  evidencing  Guarantied  Obligations  shall serve to diminish the
liability of any of the  Guarantors  under this  Agreement  (including,  without
limitation,  this  Article  10) except to the extent  that the Bank  finally and
unconditionally  shall  have  realized  payment  by such  action or  proceeding,
notwithstanding   the  effect  of  any  such  action  or  proceeding  upon  such
Guarantor's right of subrogation against Farrel Shaw.

         Section  10.10.  Other  Enforcement  Rights.  The Bank may proceed,  as
provided in Article 10 hereof, to protect and enforce the Unconditional Guaranty
by suit or suits or proceedings in equity, at law or in bankruptcy,  and whether
for the  specific  performance  of any covenant or  agreement  contained  herein
(including,  without  limitation,  in this Article 10) or in execution or aid of
any power herein  granted;  or for the recovery of judgment for the  obligations
hereby guarantied or for the enforcement of any other proper, legal or equitable
remedy available under applicable law.

         Section 10.11.  Delay or Omission;  No Waiver.  No course of dealing on
the part of the Bank and no delay or failure on the part of the Bank to exercise
any right  hereunder  (including,  without  limitation,  this  Article 10) shall
impair  such right or operate as 




                                      -52-
<PAGE>


a waiver of such right or  otherwise  prejudice  the Bank's  rights,  powers and
remedies hereunder.  Every right and remedy given by the Unconditional  Guaranty
or by law to the  Bank  may be  exercised  from  time to time as often as may be
deemed expedient by the Bank.

         Section 10.12.  Restoration  of Rights and Remedies.  If the Bank shall
have  instituted  any  proceeding  to  enforce  any  right or  remedy  under the
Unconditional  Guaranty,  or under the Term Note, and such proceeding shall have
been  discontinued  or abandoned for any reason,  or shall have been  determined
adversely to the Bank,  then and in every such case,  the Bank,  Farrel Shaw and
the Guarantors shall,  except as may be limited or affected by any determination
in such proceeding,  be restored  severally and respectively to their respective
former positions hereunder and thereunder, and thereafter, subject as aforesaid,
the rights and remedies of the Bank shall continue as though no such  proceeding
had been instituted.

         Section  10.13.  Cumulative  Remedies.  No remedy under this  Agreement
(including, without limitation, this Article 10), the Notes, or any of the other
Facility Documents is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, but each and
every remedy shall be  cumulative  and in addition to any and every other remedy
given under this Agreement (including, without limitation, this Article 10), the
Notes, or any of the other Facility Documents.

          Section 10.14.  Survival. The obligations of the Guarantors under this
Article 10 shall survive the transfer and payment of any  Guarantied  Obligation
until the indefeasible payment in full of all the Guarantied Obligations.

         Section 10.15.  No Withholding;  Gross-Up.  Each payment by a Guarantor
shall be made  without  withholding  for or on account of any  present or future
taxes  imposed by any  Governmental  Authority.  If any such  withholding  is so
required,  such Guarantor shall make the withholding and pay the amount withheld
to the appropriate  Governmental  Authority  before  penalties attach thereto or
interest accrues thereon.

         Section  10.16.  Payment  in  Applicable  Currency.  Any  payment  of a
Guarantied  Obligation  required to be made pursuant to this Agreement  shall be
made in the currency in which such Guarantied  Obligation is required to be made
pursuant to this Agreement, the Term Note or any other Facility Document.


                            ARTICLE 11. MISCELLANEOUS

          Section 11.01.  Amendments and Waivers.  Except as otherwise expressly
provided in this  Agreement,  any provision of this  Agreement may be amended or
modified only by an instrument in writing  signed by the Borrowers and the Bank,
and any provision of this Agreement may be waived by the Borrowers and the Bank.
No failure on the part of the Bank to exercise, and no delay in exercising,  any
right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof



                                      -53-
<PAGE>

or preclude any other or further  exercise  thereof or the exercise of any other
right.  The remedies  herein  provided are  cumulative  and not exclusive of any
remedies provided by law.

          Section 11.02. Usury. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding,
the  obligations  of the Borrowers  under this  Agreement and the Notes shall be
subject to the limitation that payments of interest shall not be required to the
extent that receipt thereof would be contrary to provisions of law applicable to
the Bank  limiting  rates of interest  which may be charged or  collected by the
Bank.

          Section 11.03.  Expenses.  The Borrowers  shall  reimburse the Bank on
demand for all out-of-pocket  costs,  expenses and charges  (including,  without
limitation, fees and charges of external legal counsel for the Bank) incurred by
the Bank in connection with the preparation,  performance or enforcement of this
Agreement,  the Notes or the other Facility  Documents.  The Borrowers  agree to
indemnify the Bank and its directors,  officers,  employees and agents from, and
hold each of them harmless  against,  any and all losses,  liabilities,  claims,
damages or expenses  incurred by any of them  arising out of or by reason of any
investigation  or  litigation or other  proceedings  (including  any  threatened
investigation  or  litigation  or other  proceedings)  relating to any actual or
proposed use by any Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  of the proceeds of the
Loans, including,  without limitation,  the reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel  incurred in  connection  with any such  investigation  or litigation or
other proceedings (but excluding any such losses,  liabilities,  claims, damages
or expenses incurred by reason of the gross negligence or willful  misconduct of
the Person to be indemnified).

          Section  11.04.  Survival.  The  obligations  of the  Borrowers  under
Sections  3.01,  3.04 and 11.03 shall survive the repayment of the Loans and the
termination of the Commitments.

          Section 11.05.  Assignment;  Participations.  This Agreement  shall be
binding  upon,  and shall inure to the benefit of, the  Borrowers,  the Bank and
their  respective  successors  and assigns,  except that the  Borrowers  may not
assign or transfer their rights or obligations hereunder. The Bank shall, at the
request of the Borrowers, from time to time, assign all or any part of any Loans
or  Commitments to any other bank or other entity as the Borrowers may designate
and, in connection therewith, the Bank shall agree to amend the Credit Agreement
in a manner customary for a multi-lender  credit facility,  under which the Bank
shall  act as  agent  bank  so long as the  Bank is a party  to this  Agreement;
provided,  however,  the Bank shall have no obligation to agree to an assignment
which  will  result in the  Commitments  of the Bank  being less than 50% of the
aggregate  amount of the  Commitments of all banks unless the Borrowers  arrange
(by assignment,  termination or otherwise) to reduce the Commitments of the Bank
to zero.  Additionally,  the Bank may,  with the prior  written  consent  of the
Borrowers,  which consent  shall not be  unreasonably  withheld,  assign or sell
participations  in, all or any part of any Loans or  Commitments to another bank
or


                                      -54-
<PAGE>

other  entity.  In the case of an  assignment,  the assignee  shall have, to the
extent of such assignment (unless otherwise provided therein),  the same rights,
benefits and obligations as it would have if it were the Bank hereunder.  In the
case of a participation, the participant shall have no rights under the Facility
Documents  and all amounts  payable by the  Borrowers  under  Article 3 shall be
determined  as if the  Bank  had not  sold  such  participation.  The  agreement
executed by the Bank in favor of the participant  shall not give the participant
the  right to  require  the Bank to take or omit to take  any  action  hereunder
except  action  directly  relating to (i) the  extension  of a payment date with
respect to any portion of the principal of or interest on any amount outstanding
hereunder  allocated to such  participant,  (ii) the  reduction of the principal
amount  outstanding  hereunder  or (iii) the  reduction  of the rate of interest
payable on such  amount or any  amount of fees  payable  hereunder  to a rate or
amount,  as the case may be,  below that which the  participant  is  entitled to
receive under its agreement with the Bank. The Bank may furnish any  information
concerning  the  Borrowers  in the  possession  of the Bank from time to time to
assignees and participants  (including  prospective assignees and participants);
provided  that the Bank shall  require  any such  prospective  assignee  or such
participant  (prospective  or  otherwise)  to agree in writing to  maintain  the
confidentiality of such information.

          Section  11.06.  Notices.  Unless the party to be  notified  otherwise
notifies the other party in writing as provided in this  Section,  and except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement,  notices shall be given to the Bank and to
the Borrowers by ordinary  mail or telex  addressed to such party at its address
on the signature page(s) of this Agreement.  Notices shall be effective:  (a) if
given by mail,  72 hours  after  deposit in the mails with  first-class  postage
prepaid,  addressed as aforesaid;  and (b) if given by telex,  when the telex is
transmitted to the telex number as aforesaid;  provided that notices to the Bank
shall be effective upon receipt.

          Section  11.07.  Waiver of Setoff  Rights.  The Bank hereby  expressly
waives any right of setoff,  recoupment,  banker?s liens or  counterclaim it may
now or hereafter have with regard to any of the Borrowers and any right to which
it may now or hereafter be entitled to offset  balances held by the Bank for the
account of any of the Borrowers  against any obligations of the Borrowers now or
hereafter owed to the Bank.

          Section  11.08.  Jurisdiction;  Immunities.  (a) EACH BORROWER  HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY  SUBMITS  TO THE  JURISDICTION  OF ANY  CONNECTICUT  STATE OR UNITED
STATES FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN CONNECTICUT COUNTY OVER ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS  AGREEMENT  OR THE NOTES,  AND EACH  BORROWER
HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  AGREES  THAT  ALL  CLAIMS  IN  RESPECT  OF SUCH  ACTION  OR
PROCEEDING  MAY BE HEARD AND  DETERMINED  IN SUCH  CONNECTICUT  STATE OR FEDERAL
COURT. EACH BORROWER  IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS
IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES OF SUCH PROCESS TO THE
BORROWER AT ITS ADDRESS  SPECIFIED IN SECTION 



                                      -55-
<PAGE>

11.06.  EACH  BORROWER  AGREES  THAT A FINAL  JUDGMENT  IN ANY  SUCH  ACTION  OR
PROCEEDING  SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE  AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER  JURISDICTIONS  BY
SUIT ON THE  JUDGMENT  OR IN ANY OTHER  MANNER  PROVIDED BY LAW.  EACH  BORROWER
FURTHER  WAIVES ANY  OBJECTION  TO VENUE IN SUCH STATE AND ANY  OBJECTION  TO AN
ACTION OR  PROCEEDING IN SUCH STATE ON THE BASIS OF FORUM NON  CONVENIENS.  EACH
BORROWER  FURTHER AGREES THAT ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING  BROUGHT AGAINST THE BANK
SHALL BE  BROUGHT  ONLY IN  CONNECTICUT  STATE OR UNITED  STATES  FEDERAL  COURT
SITTING IN  CONNECTICUT  COUNTY.  EACH BORROWER  WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO
JURY TRIAL.

          (b) Nothing in this  Section  11.07 shall affect the right of the Bank
to serve legal process in any other manner  permitted by law or affect the right
of the Bank to bring any action or  proceeding  against the  Borrowers  or their
property in the courts of any other jurisdictions.

          (c) To the extent that any Borrower  has or hereafter  may acquire any
immunity from  jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether from
service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution,
execution or otherwise)  with respect to itself or its  property,  such Borrower
hereby irrevocably waives such immunity in respect of its obligations under this
Agreement, the Notes, the Letters of Credit and the other Facility Documents.

          Section 11.09. Table of Contents;  Headings. Any table of contents and
the headings  and  captions  hereunder  are for  convenience  only and shall not
affect the interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

          Section  11.10.  Severability.  The  provisions of this  Agreement are
intended to be  severable.  If for any reason any  provision  of this  Agreement
shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any  jurisdiction,
such provision shall, as to such  jurisdiction,  be ineffective to the extent of
such invalidity or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity
or enforceability  thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions
hereof in any jurisdiction.

          Section  11.11.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the
same instrument,  and any party hereto may execute this Agreement by signing any
such counterpart.

          Section  11.12.  Integration.  The  Facility  Documents  set forth the
entire  agreement  between  the  parties  hereto  relating  to the  transactions
contemplated  thereby  and  supersede  any prior oral or written  statements  or
agreements with respect to such transactions.

                                                                           
                                                                           
          Section 11.13. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
INTERPRETED  AND  CONSTRUED  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH,  THE  LAW  OF  THE  STATE  OF
CONNECTICUT.



                                      -56-
<PAGE>

          Section  11.14.  Confidentiality.  The Bank agree (on behalf of itself
and each of its affiliates,  directors, officers, employees and representatives)
to use reasonable precautions to keep confidential,  in accordance with safe and
sound  banking  practices,  any  nonpublic  information  supplied  to it by  the
Borrowers  pursuant to this  Agreement  which is  identified by the Borrowers as
being confidential at the time the same is delivered to the Bank,  provided that
nothing  herein shall limit the  disclosure of any such  information  (i) to the
extent  required by statute,  rule,  regulation  or  judicial  process,  (ii) to
counsel for the Bank, (iii) to bank examiners,  auditors or accountants, (iv) in
connection  with  any  litigation  to  which  the  Bank is a party or (v) to any
assignee or participant (or prospective assignee or participant) so long as such
assignee or participant (or prospective  assignee or participant) first executes
and delivers to the Bank a  Confidentiality  Agreement in substantially the form
of Exhibit D hereto;  and  provided  finally  that in no event shall the Bank be
obligated or required to return any materials furnished by the Borrower.

          Section  11.15.  Treatment of Certain  Information  Each  Borrower (a)
acknowledges  that services may be offered or provided to it (in connection with
this  Agreement or otherwise) by the Bank or by one or more of its  subsidiaries
or affiliates and (b) acknowledges that information delivered to the Bank by the
Borrowers may be provided to each such subsidiary and affiliate.


                                      -57-
<PAGE>


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

                                            FARREL CORPORATION


                                            By:/s/ Rolf Karl  Liebergesell
                                               ---------------------------
                                             Name:  Rolf Karl Liebergesell
                                             Title: Chairman,CEO and President


                                            Address for Notices:
                                            25 Main Street
                                            Ansonia, Connecticut  06401
                                            Attn:  President
                                            Fax No.: (203) 736-2836

                                            with a copy to:
                                            Attn:  Senior Financial Officer
                                            Fax No.: (203) 735-6267



                                            FARREL LIMITED


                                            By:/s/ Rolf Karl Liebergesell
                                               --------------------------
                                             Name:  Rolf Karl Liebergesell
                                             Title: Chairman,CEO and President


                                            Address for Notices:
                                            25 Main Street
                                            Ansonia, Connecticut  06401
                                            Attn:  President
                                            Fax No.:  (203) 736-2836

                                            with a copy to:
                                            Attn:  Senior Financial Officer
                                            Fax No.: (203) 735-6267





                                      -58-
<PAGE>




                                            FARREL SHAW LIMITED


                                            By:/s/ Rolf Karl Liebergesell
                                               --------------------------
                                               Name:  Rolf Karl Liebergesell
                                               Title: Director


                                            Address for Notices:
                                            25 Main Street
                                            Ansonia, Connecticut  06401
                                            Attn:  President
                                            Fax No.:  (203) 736-2836

                                             with a copy to:
                                             Attn: Senior Financial Officer
                                             Fax No.:  (203) 735-6267





                                             THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK


                                             By:/s/ Thomas D. McCormick
                                                -----------------------
                                                Name:  Thomas D. McCormick
                                                Title: Vice President


                                             Address for Notices:
                                             999 Broad Street
                                             Bridgeport, Connecticut  06604
                                             Attn:  Thomas D. McCormick
                                             Fax No:  (203) 382-5302



                                      -59-






                                                                      Exhibit 23

                         Consent of Independent Auditors



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No.  333-30735)  pertaining to the Farrel  Corporation 1997 Employees' Stock
Purchase  Plan  of  our  reports  dated  March  19,  1998  with  respect  to the
consolidated financial statements and schedule of Farrel Corporation included in
the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.


                                                 /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

                                                 Ernst & Young LLP



Stamford, Connecticut
March 30, 1998


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS OF FARREL  CORPORATION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND FOR THE
YEAR  THEN  ENDED  AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN  ITS  ENTIRETY  BY  REFERENCE  TO  SUCH
STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     U.S.$
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                         1,447
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  14,602
<ALLOWANCES>                                   179
<INVENTORY>                                    18,277
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               37,104
<PP&E>                                         22,202
<DEPRECIATION>                                 9,786
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 56,381
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          23,286
<BONDS>                                        6
                          0
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       61
<OTHER-SE>                                     25,721
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   56,381
<SALES>                                        85,382
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               85,382
<CGS>                                          67,671
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  67,671
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               15,556
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             71
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                2,084
<INCOME-TAX>                                   727
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            1,357
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   1,357
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.23
        


</TABLE>


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