HEIST C H CORP
10-K405, 1996-03-28
CONSTRUCTION - SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS
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<PAGE>   1
                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                                   FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

(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, 1995.

                                       OR

( )  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED).

                        COMMISSION FILE NUMBER:  0-7907

                              C. H. HEIST CORP.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


           New York                                  16-0803301
- ---------------------------------       ---------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                    Identification No.)

     810 North Belcher Road
      Clearwater, Florida                                34625
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)

                               (813) 461-5656
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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


                        Common Stock, $.05 par value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Title of Class)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

     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 the 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).


<PAGE>   2


     The aggregate market value of the Registrant's common shares held by
non-affiliates at January 31, 1996 was approximately $7,450,000. For purposes
of computing such market value, the Registrant has assumed that affiliates
include only its executive officers, its directors, and those who have filed a
Schedule 13D with respect to beneficial ownership of the Registrant's common
shares.  This determination of affiliate status has been made solely for the
purposes of this report, and the Registrant reserves the right to disclaim that
any such individual is an affiliate of the Registrant for any other purposes.

     The number of common shares of the Registrant outstanding at March 16,
1996 was 2,872,773.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     Portions of the following documents are incorporated by reference in the
following parts of this report:  Part I and II -- the Registrant's Annual
Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1995, which appears as
Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K; Part III -- the Registrant's definitive proxy
statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and used in
connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Registrant's annual meeting
of shareholders to be held on May 10, 1996.



<PAGE>   3


                                    - 2 -

                                    PART I
                                      
ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General. C.H. Heist Corp. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") are  engaged in
two industry segments; industrial maintenance and temporary staffing.  The
Company operates in both segments in the United States and indusrial
maintenance in Canada. Other than the opening or closing of certain service
facilities and temporary staffing offices in the normal course of business, the
Company expects to continue its operations as presently conducted.


                        Industrial Maintenance Services

     The Company performs high-pressure water maintenance cleaning services,
primarily by the use of mobile high-pressure water pumping units, on industrial
and chemical equipment and facilities. The Company's services also include
sandblasting, industrial painting, and the vacuuming of wet and dry industrial
wastes.  The Company installs, maintains and sells insulation for commercial
applications. The Company also engages in the business of exchanger extraction
and insertion, shell side cleaning, tube cleaning and field service repairs of
heat exchangers for the same client base as the Company. The services are
performed through the use of specialized automated mechanical equipment which
is generally regarded as state of the art.  business.

     The Company's principal customers include oil refineries, petrochemical,
chemical, ferrous and non-ferrous metal plants, mining installations,
governmental authorities, nuclear and fossil fuel electric generating plants
and pulp and paper mills.

     Sales of industrial maintenance services to one customer, E. I. Dupont De
Nemours and Company, accounted for approximately 12.9% of the Company's sales
during its fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. The total amount of services
purchased by this customer is an aggregate of services provided at a number of
separate plants. Plant managers at the respective plants generally make the
decisions as to whether or not to use the Company's services, and no single
plant accounts for 10% or more of the Company's sales. If the contracts with
this customer were not renewed, it would have a substantial impact on the
Company's operations.

     Many of the Company's industrial maintenance services are performed
outdoors, but the Company does not consider its business to be seasonal.
However, due in part to weather factors, the first quarter of the Company's
fiscal year has historically produced the lowest levels of revenue and
profitability.

<PAGE>   4


                                    - 3 -

     The Company from time to time investigates and develops new equipment
components, tools and methods for use in the conduct of its operations. Most of
the components in its equipment are designed to the Company's specification.
The amounts expended for such activities, all of which were performed at a
Company facility, during the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, December 25,
1994 and December 26, 1993 amounted to $182,542, $154,417 and $235,065
respectively. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, these services
were performed primarily by seven individuals who were employed by the Company
on a full-time basis.

     The Company competes with numerous other companies engaged in
high-pressure water maintenance cleaning services, industrial painting,
maintenance-cleaning of heavy industrial equipment through the use of
mechanical, chemical and other methods, the vacuum removal of dry and wet
industrial waste, and the installation and maintenance of insulation. The
Company does not believe that any single competitor is dominant in any of these
services.

     The Company is not aware of any material changes in the competitive
condition in this industry segment which occurred during the 1995 fiscal year.
Competition is primarily based upon quality of services and price.

     The Company is subject to various statutes and regulations respecting
control of noise, air, water and land pollution. In addition, its customers may
be subject to other environmental protection statues and regulations relating
to some of the industrial maintenance services rendered by the Company. From
time to time modifications or improvements have been required in the Company's
equipment in order to comply with government regulations, including those
relating to safety and noise reductions. Such modifications or improvements
have not resulted in any material capital expenditures nor are any anticipated
for such purpose in the foreseeable future.

                            Temporary Help Services

     The Company also supplies temporary employees in the U.S. through Ablest
Service Corp. ("Ablest"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Ablest is a
temporary staffing organization with 25 offices located in the Eastern United
States with the capability to supply temporary employees for the clerical,
industrial and technical needs of their customers. Ablest does not have any
principal customers, nor does it service any specific industry or field.
Instead, its services are provided to a broad based customer list.

     The temporary staffing business is highly competitive. There are numerous
local, regional and national firms principally engaged in offering such
services. The primary competitive factors in the temporary staffing field are
reliability, personnel and price.



<PAGE>   5


                                    - 4 -


Industry Segments and Service Activities.  The following table is a summary of
information relating to the Company's operations in its two industry segments
for each of the Company's last three fiscal years:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             Fiscal Year Ended       
                                -------------------------------------
   In                             Dec.31,      Dec.25,     Dec.26,   
   Thousands                       1995         1994        1993     
   ---------                    ----------     -------    -----------
   <S>                          <C>            <C>        <C>        
                                                                     
   Sales to Unaffiliated                                             
     Customers:                                                      
      Industrial                                                     
        Maintenance             $57,974        $58,469    $46,383    
      Temporary Staffing         44,685*        44,103*    36,093*   
                                                                     
   Operating Income (loss):                                          
    Industrial                                                       
    Maintenance                     488         (1,930)      (900)   
    Temporary Staffing            2,922          3,401      2,359    
                                                                     
   Identifiable Assets:                                              
    Industrial                                                       
        Maintenance              30,468         29,948     27,427    
    Temporary Staffing            7,588          5,704      5,002    
</TABLE>

     *  These sales figures do not include intersegment sales of approximately
$134,000, $152,000 and $141,000 in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.

     The following table sets forth the approximate amounts of total sales and
revenues by service activity within the Company's dominant industry segment
(industrial maintenance) for each of the Company's last three fiscal years:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                            Fiscal Year Ended
   Industrial         -----------------------------
   Maintenance        Dec.31     Dec.25     Dec.26
Sales and Revenues     1995       1994       1993
- --------------------  -----      ------     -------
<S>                     <C>        <C>         <C>     

Hydro/Mechanical        72%        74%         66%

Sandblasting and        17%        15%         21%
  Painting

Other                   11%        11%         13%
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   6

                                    - 5 -


     Working Capital.  By virtue of the nature of the Company's business
segments and the size and financial status of its customers, the attainment and
maintenance of high levels of working capital is not required, other than to
meet debt requirements as disclosed in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements on page 15 of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders which is
incorporated herein by reference.

     Backlog.  In view of the fact that the Company's services are primarily
furnished pursuant to purchase orders or on a call basis, backlog is not
material.

     Employees.  On December 31, 1995, the Company employed approximately 3,600
persons of whom 251 persons were employed on a full-time basis and the
remainder were part-time and temporary employees. Some of the Company's
industrial maintenance employees are represented by unions. The Company
considers its employee relations to be good.

     Canadian Operations.  The following table sets forth the relative
contributions in U.S. dollars to sales, operating income and identifiable
assets attributable to the Company's Canadian operations for the last three
fiscal years:





<TABLE>

In Thousands                1995    1994       1993
- ------------               ------  -------    -------
<S>                        <C>     <C>        <C>
Sales to Unaffiliated
  Customers                14,483  $12,673    $12,643

Operating Income            1,118  $   549    $  (542)
  (Loss)

Identifiable Assets        10,093  $ 9,451    $ 8,479
</TABLE>


There were no export sales during any period. Reference is made to the
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," in Part II Item 7 hereof, for a discussion of the decline in
operating income for 1993. The operating loss was due to a loss on a contract
painting job.


<PAGE>   7

                                    - 6 -

Executive Officers of Registrant


     (a)  Identification.  The Company's executive officers are:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Served as
                           Position and                 Executive
                           Office with                  Officer
Name                 Age   Registrant                   Since
- ----                 ---   ------------                 ----------
<S>                   <C>  <C>                              <C>

Charles H. Heist      45   Chairman of the                  1978
                           Board of Directors
                           and President

John L. Rowley        52   Vice President -                 1979
                           Finance and
                           a Director

Isadore Snitzer       74   Secretary                        1956

W. David Foster       61   President - Chief                1976
                           Operating Officer
                           Ablest Service Corp.

Frank C. Trotter      61   Vice President -                 1985
                           Chief Operating
                           Officer, C. H.
                           Heist Corp.

Duane F. Worthington  44   Vice President -                 1989
                           U.S. Operations,
                           C. H. Heist Corp.

Andrew R. Crowe, Jr.  44   Vice President -                 1990
                           Chief Operating
                           Officer, C. H.
                           Heist, Ltd.


John D. Biehl         52   Vice President  -                1990
                           Inpro Industries Division

Kurt R. Moore         37   Vice President -                 1991
                           Ablest Service Corp.

Thomas B. Boisture    44   Vice President -                 1993
                           Engineering and
                             Development,
                           C. H. Heist Corp.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   8


                                    - 7 -


     (b) Family Relationships.  None of the officers has any family
relationship with any other officer of the Company.

     (c) Arrangements and Understandings.  There are no arrangements or
understandings pursuant to which the above officers were elected.

     (d)  Business Experience.  Messrs. Charles H. Heist, John L. Rowley, W.
David Foster, Frank C. Trotter, Duane F. Worthington, Andrew R. Crowe, Jr. and
John D. Biehl have been employees of the Company for more than five years.  Mr.
Snitzer is a partner in the Buffalo, New York, law firm of Borins, Setel,
Snitzer & Brownstein, and its predecessors, which firm has served as general
counsel to the Company, for more than five years. Kurt R. Moore joined Ablest
Service Corp. in June of 1991. From May 1989 through May 1991, Mr. Moore was an
area Vice President of Talent Tree, a temporary help company in Houston, Texas,
and for the seven years prior thereto, he was a District Manager for Norrell
Corp., a temporary help company in Atlanta, Georgia. Thomas Boisture joined the
Company on June 28, 1993 when OMSI was acquired.  Mr. Boisture from 1987 to
joining Ohmstede Mechanical Services, Inc., in 1989 was a manager for a
mechanical contracting company in Houston, Texas. For thirteen years prior to
that Mr. Boisture served in management at Exxon, a major U.S. oil refining
company, in mechanical, operational, environmental and technical positions.

     (e) Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings.  None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

     The Company's Ablest Service Corp. subsidiary owns the executive office
facilities for C.H. Heist Corp. and Ablest Service Corp. in Clearwater,
Florida. The Company owns and leases properties in Buffalo, New York which
house its administrative offices, warehouse and Methods and Development
facilities. The leased facilities in Buffalo are leased from persons who are
affiliates of certain officers and directors. See Part III, Item 13 "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions", below, the response to which is
incorporated by reference.

     The daily operations of the Company are currently operated out of 24
service facilities and 25 temporary help offices as well as six Regional
Centers. The Regional Centers are covered by short term leases.  Eighteen
service facilities and 25 temporary help offices are located in the
continental United States and six service facilities are located within
Canada. With respect to the service facilities, 12 are owned by the Company,
and twelve service areas and all of the temporary help offices are subject to
leases with various expiration dates. The Company considers its service
facilities, temporary help offices and Regional Centers suitable and adequate
for servicing its customers.  Two additional owned service facilities are
vacant and for sale.



<PAGE>   9


                                    - 8 -

     In meeting the requirements of its industrial maintenance customers, the
Company relies on its extensive, specially designed and equipped (to Company's
specifications) mobile equipment, which must be kept in good repair and
replaced from time to time. The Company considers this equipment adequate for
current operations.  Each of the Company's active service facilities has mobile
equipment permanently assigned to it by the Company.

     Certain of the properties owned by the Company are subject to mortgages.
Reference is made to Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page 15
in the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated herein by
reference.


ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
          
     None.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

     No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders of the Company
during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1995.

                                    PART II


ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON
         EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
         
     The information in response to this item is hereby incorporated by
reference to the information presented on page 20 and 21 of the Company's 1995
Annual Report to Shareholders which appears as Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     The information in response to this item is hereby incorporated by
reference to the information presented at page 8 in the Company's 1995 Annual
Report to Shareholders which appears as Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K.


ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
         FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
         
     The information in response to this item is hereby incorporated by
reference to the information presented at pages 9 through 10 in the Company's
1995 Annual Report to Shareholders which appears as Exhibit 13 to this Form
10-K.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

     The information and independent auditors report required in response to
this item is hereby incorporated by reference to pages 10 through 20 in the
Company's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders which appears as Exhibit 13 to
this Form 10-K.


<PAGE>   10

                                     - 9 -

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
         ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
         
     None.


                                    PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     The information in response to this item is hereby incorporated by
reference to the information under the caption "Nominees for Directors"
presented in the Company's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and used in connection with the solicitation
of proxies for the Company's annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May
10, 1996, except insofar as information with respect to executive officers is
presented in Part I hereof.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The information in response to this item is hereby incorporated by
reference to the information under the caption "Compensation of Executive
Officers" presented in the Company's definitive proxy statement to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and used in conjunction with the
solicitation of proxies for the Company's annual meeting of shareholders to be
held on May 10, 1996; provided, however, that information appearing under the
headings "Report on Executive Compensation by the Compensation Committee and
Board of Directors" and "Common Stock Performance" is not incorporated herein
and should not be deemed to be included in this document for any purposes.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     The information in response to this item is hereby incorporated by
reference to the information under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management" presented in the Company's definitive proxy
statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and used in
connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Company's annual meeting of
shareholders to be held on May 10, 1996.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     The information in response to this item is hereby incorporated by
reference to the information under the caption "Certain Transactions" presented
in the Company's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and used in connection with the solicitation of proxies for
the Company's annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 10, 1996.



<PAGE>   11

                                    - 10 -

                                   PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

         (a) The following documents are filed as part of this Report:

         (1) Financial Statements and Schedules

         See Index to Financial Statements and Schedules at page 13.

         (2) Exhibits

         Exhibits identified below are filed herewith or incorporated herein by
reference to the documents indicated in parentheses.


Exhibit
Number   Description


3.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant dated January 19, 
         1983.  (Exhibit to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended 
         June 25, 1989).

3.2      Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the 
         Company (Appendix A to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement in 
         connection with its Annual Meeting held on May 11, 1992).

3.3      Amended By-laws of the Registrant adopted August 27, 1990 (Exhibit 
         to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended June 24, 1990).

10.1     Lease Agreement dated December 1, 1974, and related Amendment of 
         Lease, dated March 1, 1985, between the Company and the Trust under 
         the Will of Helen J. Heist relating to property located at 
         Cheektowaga, New York.  (Exhibit to the Company's Form 10-K Report 
         for the year ended June 25, 1989).

10.2     Lease, dated November 15, 1983, and related Extension Agreement 
         dated February 18, 1987, between the Company and certain Officers, 
         Directors and Security holders of the Company relating to property 
         located at Marietta, Ohio. (Exhibit to the Company's Form 10-K Report 
         for the year ended June 25, 1989).

10.3     Lease, dated December 1, 1970, and related Extension Agreement,
         dated December 18, 1985, between certain Officers, Directors and 
         Security holders of the Company and the Company relating to
         property located at Oregon, Ohio.  (Exhibit to the Company's Form
         10-K Report for the year ended June 25, 1989).

10.4     Business Loan Agreement with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
         dated April 2, 1979, together with related extensions and renewals.
         (Exhibit to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended June 
         1989).


<PAGE>   12

                                   - 11 -

10.5     Letter Agreement with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company dated 
         December 22, 1987 (Exhibit to the Company's Form 10-K for the year 
         ended June 26, 1988).

10.6     Consulting Agreement, dated November 15, 1988, between the Company  
         and Willard F. Foster.  (Exhibit to the Company's Form 10-K Report 
         for the year ended June 25, 1989).

10.7     Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 19, 1989, with Pipe & Boiler 
         Insulation, Inc. (Exhibit to the Company's Form 8-K Report dated July
         31, 1989).

10.8     Letter Agreement, dated October 22, 1990, with Manufacturers and  
         Traders Trust Company.  (Exhibit to the Company's Form 10-K Report 
         for the Transition Period ended December 30, 1990).

10.9     Letter Agreement, dated April 24, 1992, with Manufacturers and Traders
         Trust Company. (Exhibit to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the 
         year ended December 27, 1992.)

10.10    Management Incentive Plan of the Company dated August 17, 1992. 
         (Exhibit to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended December
         27, 1992.)

10.11    Amendment to Business Loan Agreement dated October 29, 1993.  (Exhibit
         to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended December 28, 1993)
         10.12  Business loan agreement with Manufacturers and Traders Trust 
         Company dated December 28, 1993.  (Exhibit to the Company's Form 10-K
         Report for the year ended December 28, 1993.)

10.13    Purchase agreement, dated June 28, 1993, with Ohmstede Mechanical 
         Services, Inc. (Exhibit to the Company's Form 8-K Report dated June 
         28, 1993.)

10.14    Business Loan Agreement with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
         dated December 22, 1994.

10.15  * Corporate Revolving Term Loan Agreement with Manufactures and
         Traders Trust Company dated August 21, 1995.

13     * 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders.

21       Subsidiaries of the Registrant.  (Exhibit to the Company's Form 10-K 
         Report for the Transition Period ended December 30, 1990).

23     * Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to incorporation of reports into Form
         S-8 No. 33-48497.

27.1   * Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only)
- --------------------

* Filed herewith.


<PAGE>   13



                                     - 12 -

     (b) No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company during the quarter
ended December 31, 1995.

     The Company will furnish, without charge to a security holder upon
request, a copy of the documents portions of which are incorporated by
reference (1995 Annual Report to Security Holders) and will furnish any other
exhibit at cost.



<PAGE>   14


                                    - 13 -


                       C.H. HEIST CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  Index to Financial Statements and Schedules

                                   Form 10-K
                           Items 8, 14(a)(1) and (2)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Page reference
                                                                                    ----------------
                                                                                    Annual     Form
                                                                                    Report    10-K
                                                                                    -------  -------

<S>                                                                                 <C>      <C>      
The financial statements of the registrant and its
 subsidiaries required to be included in Item 8
 are listed below:

      Independent Auditors' Report                                                   10

      Financial Statements:
       Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1995 and
       December 25, 1994                                                             11

      Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended December 31, 1995,
       December 25, 1994 and  December 26, 1993                                      12

      Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years
       ended December 31, 1995, December 25, 1994 and December 26, 1993              12

      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1995,
       December 25, 1994 and  December 26, 1993                                      13

      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                    15 - 19

The following consolidated financial statement schedules of the
 registrant and its subsidiaries are included in Item 14(a)(1):

      Independent Auditors' Report                                                                    14

      Schedule:
      VII - Valuation Account                                                                         15


</TABLE>

Schedules other than those listed above are omitted because the conditions
requiring their filing do not exist or because the required information is
provided in the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto.



<PAGE>   15

                                   - 14 -




                        Independent Auditors' Report



The Board of Directors
C.H. Heist Corp.:

Under date of February 16, 1996, we reported on the consolidated financial
statements of C.H. Heist Corp. and subsidiaries as listed in the accompanying
index.  These consolidated financial statements and our report thereon are
incorporated by reference in the annual report on Form 10-K for the year 1995. 
In connection with our audits of the aforementioned consolidated financial
statements, we also audited the related financial statement schedule as listed
in the accompanying index.  This financial statement schedule is the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our audits.

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


                                             KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Buffalo, New York
February 16, 1996



<PAGE>   16
                                     -15-

                                                                    Schedule II
                                                                    
                      C.H. HEIST CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                              Valuation Account

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                
                                                Additions
                                   Balance at   charged to    Accounts       Balance 
                                   beginning    costs and    receivable      at end  
Allowance for doubtful accounts:   of period    expenses     written off    of period
                                   ---------    --------     -----------    ---------
<S>                                <C>           <C>         <C>            <C>      
                                                                                     
   Year ended December 26, 1993    $ 288,424     360,268     (291,991)      356,701  
                                   =========     =======     ========       =======  
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
   Year ended December 25, 1994    $ 356,701     174,441     (168,599)      362,543  
                                   =========     =======     ========       =======  
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
   Year ended December 31, 1995    $ 362,543     114,979      (51,288)      426,234  
                                   =========     =======     ========       =======  
</TABLE>        



<PAGE>   17

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  March 4, 1996

                                               C. H. HEIST CORP.



                                               By:  /s/ John L. Rowley
                                                    ------------------------
                                                     John L. Rowley
                                                     Chief Financial Officer


     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 Company
and in the capacities and as of the date indicated:

C. H. HEIST CORP.


By: /s/ Charles H. Heist              By: /s/ John L. Rowley
    ---------------------                 --------------------------------- 
    Charles H. Heist                      John L. Rowley, Director and Vice 
    Chairman of the Board                 President-Finance-Chief Financial 
    and President                         Officer-Asst. Secretary           
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
By: /s/ Willard F. Foster             By: /s/ Chauncey D. Leake, Jr.            
    ---------------------                 --------------------------------- 
    Willard F. Foster                     Chauncey D. Leake, Jr.            
    Director                              Director                          
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
By: /s/ Richard J. O'Neil             By: /s/ Charles E. Scharlau
    ---------------------                 --------------------------------- 
    Richard J. O'Neil                     Charles E. Scharlau
    Director                              Director                          
                                                                            


March 4, 1996



<PAGE>   18

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Exhibit                                                              Page or
Number          Description                                          Reference
- ------          -----------                                          ---------
<S>             <C>                                                     <C>  
3.1             Restated Certificate of Incorporation                   (1)
                of Registrant dated January 19, 1983

3.2             Certificate of Amendment of Certificate                 (2)
                of Incorporation of the Registrant

3.4             Amended By-laws of the Registrant adopted on
                August 27, 1990

10.1            Lease Agreement dated December 1, 1974, and             (1)
                related Amendment of Lease, dated March 1, 1985,
                between the Company and the Trust under the Will
                of Helen J. Heist relating to property located
                at Cheektowaga, New York

10.2            Lease, dated November 15, 1983, and related             (1)
                Extension Agreement dated February 18, 1987,
                between the Company and certain Officers,
                Directors and Security holders of the Company
                relating to property located at Marietta, Ohio

10.3            Lease, dated December 1, 1970, and related              (1)
                Extension Agreement, dated December 18, 1985,
                between certain Officers, Directors and Security
                holders of the Company and the Company relating
                to property located at Oregon, Ohio

10.4            Business Loan Agreement with Manufacturers and          (1)
                Traders Trust Company dated April 2, 1979,
                together with related extensions and renewals

10.5            Letter Agreement with Manufacturers and Traders         (3)
                Trust Company, dated December 22, 1987

10.6            Consulting Agreement, dated November 15, 1988,          (1)
                between the Company and Willard F. Foster

10.7            Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 17, 1989,           (3)
                with Pipe & Boiler Insulation, Inc.

10.8            Letter Agreement, dated October 22, 1990,               (4)
                with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company

10.9            Letter Agreement, dated April 24, 1992, with            (5)
                Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company

10.10           Management Incentive Plan of the Company dated          (5)
                August 18, 1992

10.11           Amendment to Business Loan Agreement dated              (7)
                October 29, 1993

10.12           Business Loan Agreement with Manufacturers and          (7)
                Traders Trust Co. dated October 29, 1993

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   19



10.13           Purchase agreement dated June 28, 1993 with             (6)
                Ohmstede Mechanical Services, Inc.

10.14           Business Loan Agreement with Manufacturers and          (8)
                Trades Trust Company dated December 22, 1994.

10.15           Corporate Revolving Term Loan Agreement with            (9)
                Manufactuers and Traders Trust Company dated
                August 21, 1995.

13              1995 Annual Report to Shareholders                      (9)

21              Subsidiaries of the Registrant                          (4)

23              Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to incorporation of    
                reports into Form S-8 No. 33-48497                      (9)

27              Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only)


- ----------------------


(1)  Filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Form 10-K Report for the year ended
     June 25, 1989 and incorporated herein by reference.

(2)  Filed as Appendix A to the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement in
     connection with its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 11, 1992.

(3)  Filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Form 10-K Report for the year ended
     June 26, 1988 and incorporated herein by reference.

(4)  Filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Form 10-K Report for the 
     Transition Period ended December 30, 1990 and incorporated herein by 
     reference.

(5)  Filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Form 10-K Report for the period  
     ended December 27, 1992 and incorporated herein by reference.

(6)  Filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Form 8-K Report dated June 28, 1993
     and incorporated herein by reference.

(7)  Filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Form 10-K Report for the period
     ended December 26, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference.

(8)  Filed as an exhibit to the registrant form 10-K report for the period ended
     December 25, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference.

(9)  Filed as an Exhibit to this report.


<PAGE>   1

                                EXHIBIT 10.15

                     Amendment to Business Loan Agreement
                            dated August 21, 1995











<PAGE>   2

                 CORPORATE REVOLVING AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT


         This Agreement is made this 21st day of August, 1995, between
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, a New York banking corporation having
its chief executive office at One M&T Plaza, Buffalo, New York 14203-2399 (the
"Bank") and Ablest Service Corp., a Delaware business corporation having its
chief executive office at 810 North Belcher Road, Clearwater, Florida 34625
(the "Borrower").

         The Bank and the Borrower agree as follows:

         1.      REFERENCE TO DEFINITIONS. Each of the capitalized terms used
in this Agreement has the meaning given it in Section 11.

         2.      REVOLVING LOANS.

                 a.       Making and Obtaining Revolving Loans. Upon and
subject to each term and condition of this Agreement, at any time and from time
to time during the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on
the day before the Revolving Loan Repayment Date, the Borrower may obtain
Revolving Loans from the Bank. The principal amount of each Revolving Loan
shall be an integral multiple of $50,000, and the total of the outstanding
principal amounts of all Revolving Loans shall not at any time exceed
$3,000,000. The Bank may make any Revolving Loan in reliance upon any oral
(including, but not limited to, telephonic), written (including, but not
limited to, telegraphic or telexed) or other request for such Revolving Loan
that the Bank believes in good faith to be valid and to have been made by any
officer of the Borrower, and the Bank shall not incur any liability to the
Borrower or to any other Person as a direct or indirect result of making such
Revolving Loan. Each request for a Revolving Loan shall state the principal
amount of such Revolving Loan and the date upon which such Revolving Loan is
requested to be made.

                 b.       Revolving Loan Note. The Bank shall set forth on the
schedule attached to and made a part of the Revolving Loan Note referred to in
clause (i) of Section 4d of this Agreement, on any separate similar schedule,
on any continuation of such attached schedule or of any such separate similar
schedule or on any similar schedule maintained on computer software annotations
evidencing the date and principal amount of each Revolving Loan and the date
and amount of each payment to be applied to the outstanding principal amount of
such Revolving Loan Note. The outstanding principal amount set forth on such
attached schedule, on any such separate similar schedule, on any such
continuation or on any such similar schedule maintained on computer software
shall be presumptive evidence of the outstanding principal amount of such
Revolving Loan Note and of the total of the outstanding principal amounts of
all Revolving Loans. No failure of the Bank to make, and no error by the Bank
in making, any annotation on such attached schedule, on any such separate
similar schedule, on any such continuation or on any such similar schedule
maintained on computer

<PAGE>   3

software shall affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the principal
amount of each Revolving Loan, the obligation of the Borrower to pay interest
on the outstanding principal amount of each Revolving Loan or any other
obligation of the Borrower to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement.

                 c.       Repayment. The Borrower shall repay the principal
amounts of all Revolving Loans to the Bank on the Revolving Loan Repayment
Date, when the Borrower shall pay to the Bank all interest owing pursuant to
this Agreement in connection with any Revolving Loan and remaining unpaid and
all other amounts owing by the Borrower to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement
in connection with any Revolving Loan and remaining unpaid.

                 d.       Extension of Revolving Loan Repayment Date. At least
30 days but not more than 90 days before the Revolving Loan Repayment Date, the
Borrower may request that the Revolving Loan Repayment Date be extended for one
year by executing and delivering to the Bank an extension request in the form
of Exhibit B attached to and made a part of this Agreement. If prior to the
Revolving Loan Repayment Date, the Bank executes such extension request, the
Revolving Loan Repayment Date shall automatically be extended to the date
specified in such extension request. If the Bank does not so execute such
extension request, the Revolving Loan Repayment Date shall remain the same.

                 e.       Optional Repayment in Advance. The Borrower shall
have the option of repaying the principal amount of any Revolving Loan to the
Bank in advance in full or in part at any time and from time to time without
any premium or penalty.

                 f.       Interest. From and including the date the first
Revolving Loan is made to but not including the date the outstanding principal
amount of each Revolving Loan is repaid in full, the Borrower shall pay to the
Bank interest, calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number
of days of each year (365 or 366, as applicable), on such outstanding principal
amount at a rate per year that shall (i) on each day beginning before the
maturity, whether by acceleration or otherwise, of such outstanding principal
amount be the Revolving Loan Applicable Variable Rate in effect such day and
(ii) on each day subsequent to the last day described in clause (i) of this
sentence be 5% above the rate in effect such subsequent day as the Bank's Prime
Rate; provided, however, that (A) in no event shall such interest be payable at
a rate in excess of the maximum rate permitted by applicable law and (B) solely
to the extent necessary to result in such interest not being payable at a rate
in excess of such maximum rate, any amount that would be treated as part of
such interest under a final judicial interpretation of applicable law shall be
deemed to have been a mistake and automatically canceled, and, if received by
the Bank, shall be refunded to the Borrower, it being the intention of the Bank
and of the Borrower that such interest not be payable at a rate in excess of
such maximum rate. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2c of this
Agreement, payments of such interest shall become due on the same day of each
calendar





                                       2
<PAGE>   4

month, beginning on the tenth day of the first calendar month following the
calendar month in which the first Revolving Loan is made.

                 g.       Determination of Revolving Loan Applicable Variable
Rate. The Borrower shall have the option of electing to have the Bank's Prime
Rate or the Secondary Market CD Rate used in determining the Revolving Loan
Applicable Variable Rate for any Interest Period. Upon requesting the first
Revolving Loan, the Borrower shall notify the Bank, in the same manner in which
such Revolving Loan is requested, whether the Borrower elects initially to have
the Bank's Prime Rate or the Secondary Market CD Rate used in determining the
Revolving Loan Applicable Variable Rate for the Interest Period in which the
date such Revolving Loan is made falls. Such election for any subsequent
Interest Period need not be honored by the Bank unless, whether it is made
orally (including, but not limited to, telephonically), in writing (including,
but not limited to, telegraphically or by telex) or in any other manner that
the Bank believes in good faith to be valid and to have been made by any
officer of the Borrower, it is received by the Bank no later than 2:00 P.M. on
the last business day of the Bank immediately preceding the first day of such
Interest Period at the office of the Bank determined in accordance with the
first sentence of Section 2j of this Agreement. If such election for any
Interest Period other than the Interest Period in which the date the first
Revolving Loan is made falls is not made by the Borrower or is not honored by
the Bank because not received in accordance with the preceding sentence, the
Revolving Loan Applicable Variable Rate for such Interest Period shall be
determined using whichever of the Bank's Prime Rate and the Secondary Market CD
Rate was used in determining the Revolving Loan Applicable Variable Rate for
the immediately preceding Interest Period.

                 h.       Non-Usage Fee. For each period (i) beginning on the
date of this Agreement and ending on the last day of the calendar quarter
containing such date, (ii) consisting of a calendar quarter beginning after the
calendar quarter containing the date of this Agreement and ending before the
calendar quarter containing the day before the Revolving Loan Repayment Date or
(iii) beginning on the first day of the calendar quarter containing the day
before the Revolving Loan Repayment Date and ending on such day, the Borrower
shall pay to the Bank a non-usage fee equal to the product obtained by
multiplying (i) the difference between $3,000,000 and the daily average during
such period of the outstanding principal amounts of all Revolving Loans first
by (ii) 1/4% and then by (iii) the fraction obtained by dividing the number of
days in such period by 360; provided however, that (A) in no event shall there
be payable any such non-usage fee that would result in interest being payable
on any such outstanding principal amount at a rate in excess of the maximum
rate permitted by applicable law and (B) solely to the extent necessary to
result in such interest not being payable at a rate in excess of such maximum
rate, any amount that would be treated as part of such interest under a final
judicial interpretation of applicable law shall be deemed to have been a
mistake and automatically canceled, and, if received by the Bank, shall be
refunded to the Borrower, it being the intention of the Bank and the Borrower
that such interest not be payable at a rate in excess of such maximum rate.
Except as otherwise provided in Section





                                       3
<PAGE>   5

2c of this Agreement, the Borrower shall pay each such nonusage fee within
thirty days after billing therefor by the Bank.

                 i.       Late Charge. If the outstanding principal amounts of
all Revolving Loans are not repaid, or any interest owing pursuant to this
Agreement in connection with any Revolving Loan is not paid, within five days
after the date it becomes due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, the
Borrower shall pay to the Bank a late charge of the greater of (a) 5% thereof
or (b) $50.

                 j.       General Provisions as to Repayment and Payment.
Repayment of the principal amount of each Revolving Loan, payment of all
interest owing pursuant to this Agreement in connection with any Revolving Loan
and payment of all other amounts owing by the Borrower to the Bank pursuant to
this Agreement in connection with any Revolving Loan shall be made in lawful
money of the United States and immediately available funds at the banking
office of the Bank located at One M&T Plaza, Buffalo, New York, the banking
office of the Bank located at 304 Thruway Mall, Cheektowaga, New York, or at
such other office of the Bank as may at any time and from time to time be
specified in any notice delivered, given or sent to the Borrower by the Bank.
No such repayment or payment shall be deemed to have been received by the Bank
until received by the Bank at the office of the Bank determined in accordance
with the preceding sentence, and any such repayment or payment received by the
Bank at such office after 2:00 P.M. on any day shall be deemed to have been
received by the Bank at the time such office opens for business on the next
business day of the Bank. If the time by which any of the principal amount of
any Revolving Loan is to be repaid is extended by operation of law or
otherwise, the Borrower shall pay interest on the outstanding portion thereof
during such period of extension as provided in Section 2f of this Agreement.

         3.      TERM LOAN.

                 a.       Making and Obtaining Loan. Upon and subject to each
term and condition of this Agreement, on the Revolving Loan Repayment Date the
Bank shall make the Term Loan to the Borrower, and the Borrower shall obtain
the Term Loan from the Bank. The principal amount of the Term Loan shall be
equal to the lesser of (i) the total of the outstanding principal amounts of
all Revolving Loans or (ii) $3,000,000, and shall be applied by the Bank on
behalf of the Borrower solely to repay such outstanding principal amounts.

                 b.       Repayment. The Borrower shall repay the principal
amount of the Term Loan to the Bank in 20 installments, with the first of such
installments to become due on the date that is three months after the Revolving
Loan Repayment Date, and one of such installments to become due on the same day
of each succeeding calendar quarter through the date that is five years after
the Revolving Loan Repayment Date, when the Borrower shall repay the
outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan to the Bank and pay to the Bank
all interest owing pursuant to this Agreement and remaining unpaid and all
other amounts owing





                                       4
<PAGE>   6

by the Borrower to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement and remaining unpaid.
Such installments shall be either equal in amount or consist of 19 installments
equal in amount followed by one installment as nearly equal in amount to the
others as possible.

                 c.       Optional Repayment in Advance. The Borrower shall
have the option of repaying the principal amount of the Term Loan to the Bank
in advance in full or in part at any time and from time to time without any
premium or penalty; provided, however, that (i) the amount of any such
repayment in part shall be an integral multiple of $100,000 and (ii) upon
making any such repayment in full the Borrower shall pay to the Bank all
interest owing pursuant to this Agreement and remaining unpaid and all other
amounts owing by the Borrower to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement and
remaining unpaid. Each such repayment in part shall be applied to the
installments of the principal amount of the Term Loan in the inverse order of
such installments becoming due.

                 d.       Interest. From and including the date the Term Loan
is made to but not including the day the outstanding principal amount of the
Term Loan is repaid in full, the Borrower shall pay to the Bank interest,
calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days of each
year (365 or 366, as applicable), on such outstanding principal amount at a
rate per year that shall (i) on each day beginning before the maturity, whether
by acceleration or otherwise, of such outstanding principal amount be the Term
Loan Applicable Variable Rate in effect such day and (ii) on each day
subsequent to the last day described in clause (i) of this sentence be 5% above
the rate in effect such subsequent day as the Bank's Prime Rate; provided,
however, that (A) in no event shall such interest be payable at a rate in
excess of the maximum rate permitted by applicable law and (B) solely to the
extent necessary to result in such interest not being payable at a rate in
excess of such maximum rate, any amount that would be treated as part of such
interest under a final judicial interpretation of applicable law shall be
deemed to have been a mistake and automatically canceled, and, if received by
the Bank, shall be refunded to the Borrower, it being the intention of the Bank
and of the Borrower that such interest not be payable at a rate in excess of
such maximum rate. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3b of this
Agreement, payments of such interest shall become due on the same day of each
calendar month, beginning on the date that is one month after the Revolving
Loan Repayment Date.

                 e.       Determination of Term Loan Applicable Variable Rate.
The Borrower shall have the option of electing to have the Bank's Prime Rate or
the Secondary Market CD Rate used in determining the Term Loan Applicable
Variable Rate for any Interest Period. Upon executing the Term Note referred to
in clause (i) of Section 4f of this Agreement, the Borrower shall notify the
Bank whether the Borrower elects initially to have the Bank's Prime Rate or the
Secondary Market CD Rate used in determining the Term Loan Applicable Variable
Rate for the Interest Period in which the date the Term Loan is made falls.
Such election for any subsequent Interest Period need not be honored by the
Bank unless it is made in a writing received by the Bank no later than 2:00
P.M. on the last business day of the Bank immediately preceding the first day
of such Interest Period at the





                                       5
<PAGE>   7

office of the Bank determined in accordance with the first sentence of Section
3g of this Agreement. If such election for any Interest Period other than the
Interest Period in which the date the Term Loan is made falls is not made by
the Borrower or is not honored by the Bank because not received in accordance
with the preceding sentence, the Term Loan Applicable Variable Rate for such
Interest Period shall be determined using whichever of the Bank's Prime Rate
and the Secondary Market CD Rate was used in determining the Term Loan
Applicable Variable Rate for the immediately preceding Interest Period.

                 f.       Late Charge. If any of the principal amount of the
Term Loan is not repaid, or any interest owing pursuant to this Agreement in
connection with the Term Loan is not paid, within five days after it becomes
due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, the Borrower shall pay to the Bank a
late charge of the greater of (a) 5% thereof or (b) $50.

                 g.       General Provisions as to Repayment and Payment.
Repayment of the principal amount of the Term Loan, payment of all interest
owing pursuant to this Agreement in connection with the Term Loan and payment
of all other amounts owing by the Borrower to the Bank pursuant to this
Agreement in connection with the Term Loan shall be made in lawful money of the
United States and in immediately available funds at the banking office of the
Bank located at One M&T Plaza, Buffalo, New York, the banking office of the
Bank located at 304 Thruway Mall, Cheektowaga, New York, or at such other
office of the Bank as may at any time and from time to time be specified in any
notice delivered, given or sent to the Borrower by the Bank. No such repayment
or payment shall be deemed to have been received by the Bank until received by
the Bank at the office of the Bank determined in accordance with the preceding
sentence, and any such repayment or payment received by the Bank at such office
after 2:00 P.M. on any day shall be deemed to have been received by the Bank at
the time such office opens for business on the next business day of the Bank.
If the time by which any of the principal amount of the Term Loan is to be
repaid is extended by operation of law or otherwise, the Borrower shall pay
interest on the outstanding portion thereof during such period of extension as
provided in Section 3d of this Agreement.

         4.      PREREQUISITES TO LOAN. The obligation of the Bank to make any
Loan shall be conditioned upon the following:

                 a.       No Default. (i) There not having occurred or existed
at any time during the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and
ending at the time such Loan is to be made, and there not existing at the time
such Loan is to be made, any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default and
(ii) the Bank not believing in good faith that any Event of Default or
Potential Event of Default has so occurred or existed or so exists;

                 b.       Representations and Warranties. (i) Each
representation and warranty made in this Agreement being true and correct as of
all times during the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending
at the time such Loan is to be made and as of the time such Loan is to be made,
(ii) each other representation and warranty made to





                                       6
<PAGE>   8

the Bank by or on behalf of the Borrower or the Guarantor or any Other Obligor
before the time such Loan is to be made being true and correct as of the date
thereof, except to the extent updated in a certificate executed by the
President or a Vice President of the Borrower and by the chief financial
officer of the Borrower and received by the Bank before the time such Loan is
to be made, (iii) each financial statement provided to the Bank by or on behalf
of the Borrower or the Guarantor or any Other Obligor before the time such Loan
is to be made being true and correct as of the date thereof and (iv) the Bank
not believing in good faith that (A) any such representation or warranty,
except as so updated, was or is other than true and correct as of any such
time, or as of such date, of determination of the truth and correctness thereof
or (B) any such financial statement was other than true and correct as of the
date thereof;

                 c.       Proceedings. The Bank being satisfied as to each
corporate or other proceeding in connection with any transaction contemplated
by this Agreement;

                 d.       Receipt by Bank Prior to Making of First Revolving
Loan. The receipt by the Bank at or before the time the first Revolving Loan is
to be made of the following, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank:

                          i)      A Revolving Loan Note, appropriately 
completed and duly executed by the Borrower;

                          ii)     A Continuing Guaranty (Corporation or
Partnership) appropriately completed and duly executed by C. H. Heist Corp.,
unlimited as to amount;

                          iii)    An opinion of Borins, Setel, Snitzer & 
Brownstein, counsel to the Borrower;

                          iv)     A certificate executed by the President or a
Vice President of the Borrower and by the chief financial officer of the
Borrower and stating that (A) there did not occur or exist at any time during
the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending at the time such
Loan is to be made, and there does not exist at the time such Loan is to be
made, any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default and (B) each
representation and warranty made in this Agreement was true and correct as of
all times during the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending
at the time such Loan is to be made and is true and correct as of the time such
Loan is to be made except to the extent updated in a certificate executed by
the President or a Vice President of the Borrower and by the chief financial
officer of the Borrower and received by the Bank before the time such Loan is
to be made;

                          v)      Evidence that each of the Borrower and the
Guarantor is at the time such Loan is to be made (A) in good standing under the
law of the jurisdiction in





                                       7
<PAGE>   9

which it is incorporated and (B) duly qualified and in good standing as a
foreign corporation authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which
such qualification is necessary;

                          vi)     A copy of the certificate or articles of
incorporation or other charter document of each of the Borrower and the
Guarantor certified by its Secretary to be complete and accurate at the time
such Loan is to be made;

                          vii)    A copy of the by-laws or other organizational
document of each of the Borrower and the Guarantor certified by its Secretary
to be complete and accurate at the time such Loan is to be made;

                          viii)   Evidence of the taking, and of the
continuation in full force and effect at the time such Loan is to be made, of
each corporate or other action of the Borrower or of any other Person necessary
to authorize the obtaining of such Loan by the Borrower and the execution,
delivery to the Bank and performance of each Loan Document and the imposition
or creation of each security interest, mortgage and other lien and encumbrance
imposed or created pursuant to any Loan Document;

                          ix)     Evidence that each requirement contained in
any Loan Document with respect to insurance is being met at the time such Loan
is to be made;

                          x)      Each additional writing required by any Loan
Document or deemed necessary or desirable by the Bank at the sole option of the
Bank; and

                          xi)     Payment of all costs and expenses payable
pursuant to the first sentence of Section 9 of this Agreement at or before the
time such Loan is to be made;

                 e.       Receipt by Bank Prior to Making of Additional
Revolving Loan. If such Loan is a Revolving Loan other than the first Revolving
Loan, to the extent requested by the Bank, the receipt by the Bank at or before
the time such loan is to be made of the items described in Section 4d of this
Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank; and

                 f.       Receipt by Bank Prior to Making of Term Loan. If such
Loan is the Term Loan, the receipt by the Bank at or before the time such Loan
is to be made of the following, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank;

                          i)      A Term Loan Note, appropriately completed and
duly executed by the Borrower; and

                          ii)     To the extent requested by the Bank, the
items described in clauses (ii) through (xi) of Section 4d of this Agreement.





                                       8
<PAGE>   10

         5.      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Except as fully and accurately
described in Exhibit A attached to and made a part of this Agreement, the
Borrower represents and warrants to the Bank as follows:

                 a.       Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of each Revolving Loan
will be used only for working capital of the Borrower or general corporate
needs of the Borrower. The proceeds of the Term Loan will be used only to repay
the outstanding principal amounts of Revolving Loans.

                 b.       Good Standing; Qualification; Authority. Each of the
Borrower and the Guarantor (i) is a corporation duly incorporated and
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the law of the
jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, (ii) is duly qualified and in good
standing as a foreign corporation authorized to do business in each
jurisdiction in which such qualification is necessary, and (iii) has the power
and authority to own each of its assets, to use each of its assets as now and
as anticipated that such asset will hereafter be used and to conduct its
business and operations as now and as anticipated that its business and
operations will hereafter be conducted.

                 c.       Control. There is no Person other than the Borrower
and the Guarantor who or that, insofar as the Borrower or the Guarantor has
knowledge or reason to know, has (i) Control over the Borrower or the Guarantor
or (ii) the right pursuant to any agreement with any Person having such Control
to acquire such Control.

                 d.       Compliance. The present and anticipated conduct of
the business and operations of the Borrower and the Guarantor, and the present
and anticipated ownership and use of each asset of the Borrower and the
Guarantor, and the present and anticipated use of each asset leased by the
Borrower and the Guarantor as a lessee are in compliance in each material
respect with each applicable Law. Each authorization, approval, permit,
consent, franchise and license from, each registration and filing with, each
declaration, report and notice to, and each other act by or relating to, any
Person necessary for the present or anticipated conduct of the business or
operations of the Borrower or the Guarantor, for the present or anticipated
ownership or use of any asset of the Borrower or the Guarantor, or for the
present or anticipated use of any asset leased by the Borrower or the Guarantor
as a lessee has been duly obtained, made, given or done, and is in full force
and effect. Each of the Borrower and the Guarantor is in compliance in each
material respect with each such authorization, approval, permit, consent,
franchise and license with respect to it, with its certificate or articles of
incorporation or other charter document, with its by-laws or other
organizational document and with each agreement and instrument to which it is a
party or by which it or any of its assets is bound.

                 e.       Legality. The obtaining of each Loan by the Borrower
(i) is and will be in furtherance of the purposes of the Borrower and within
the power and authority of the Borrower, (ii) does not and will not (A)
violate, or result in any violation of, any Law or





                                       9
<PAGE>   11

any judgment, order or award of any court, agency or other governmental
authority or of any arbitrator or (B) violate, result in any violation of,
constitute (whether immediately or after notice, after lapse of time or both
notice and lapse of time) any default under, or result in or require the
imposition or creation of any security interest in, or of any mortgage or other
lien or encumbrance upon, any asset of the Borrower pursuant to, (I) the
certificate or articles of incorporation or other charter document of the
Borrower, (II) the by-laws or other organizational document of the Borrower,
(III) any shareholder agreement, voting trust or similar arrangement applicable
to any of the outstanding shares of any class of stock of the Borrower, (IV)
any resolution or other action of record of the shareholders or board of
directors of the Borrower or (V) any agreement or instrument to which the
Borrower is a party or by which the Borrower or any asset of the Borrower is
bound, and (iii) have been duly authorized by each necessary action of the
shareholders or board of directors of the Borrower. The execution, delivery to
the Bank and performance of each Loan Document by each Person other than the
Bank who or that is contemplated by such Loan Document as a party thereto, and
the imposition or creation of each security interest, mortgage and other lien
and encumbrance imposed or created pursuant thereto, (i) do not and will not
(A) violate, or result in any violation of, any Law or any judgment, order or
award of any court, agency or other governmental authority or of any arbitrator
or (B) violate, result in any violation of, constitute (whether immediately or
after notice, after lapse of time or after both notice and lapse of time) any
default under, or, other than pursuant to such Loan Document, result in or
require the imposition or creation of any security interest in, or of any
mortgage or other lien or encumbrance upon, any asset of such Person pursuant
to, any agreement or instrument to which such Person is a party or by which
such Person or any asset of such Person is bound, and (ii) if such Person is
not an individual, (A) are and will be in furtherance of the purposes of such
Person and within the power and authority of such Person, (B) do not and will
not violate, result in any violation of, or result in or require the imposition
or creation of any security interest in, or of any mortgage or other lien or
encumbrance upon, any asset of such Person pursuant to, (I) any certificate or
articles of incorporation, by-laws, partnership agreement, articles of
association or other charter, organizational or governing document of such
Person, (II) any shareholder agreement, voting trust or similar arrangement
applicable to any of the outstanding shares of any class of stock of such
Person or (III) any resolution or other action of record of any shareholders or
members of such Person, of any board of directors or trustees of such Person or
of any other Person responsible for governing such Person, and (C) have been
duly authorized by each necessary action of any shareholders or members of such
Person, of any board of directors or trustees of such Person or of any other
Person responsible for governing such Person. Each authorization, approval,
permit and consent from, each registration and filing with, each declaration
and notice to, and each other act by or relating to, any Person required as a
condition of the obtaining of any Loan by the Borrower, of the execution,
delivery to the Bank or performance of any Loan Document by any Person other
than the Bank or of the imposition or creation of any security interest,
mortgage or other lien or encumbrance imposed or created pursuant to any Loan
Document has been duly obtained, made, given or done, and is in full force and
effect. Each Loan





                                       10
<PAGE>   12

Document has been duly executed and delivered to the Bank by each Person other
than the Bank who or that is contemplated by such Loan Document as a party
thereto.

                 f.       Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Borrower and the
Guarantor is the year ending on the last Sunday in December.

                 g.       Material Adverse Effects. Since December 25, 1994,
there has not occurred or existed any event or condition that has had or (so
far as the Borrower or the Guarantor can foresee) will or might have any
Material Adverse Effect.

                 h.       Tax Returns and Payments. Each of the Borrower and
the Guarantor has duly (i) filed each tax return required to be filed by it and
(ii) paid or caused to be paid each tax, assessment, fee, charge, fine and
penalty that has been imposed by any government or political subdivision upon
it or upon any of its assets, income and franchises and has become due.

                 i.       Indebtedness. Neither the Borrower nor the Guarantor
has any indebtedness, liability or obligation (i) arising from the borrowing of
money or from the deferral of the payment of the purchase price of any asset or
(ii) pursuant to any guaranty or other contingent obligation (including, but
not limited to, any obligation to (A) maintain the net worth of any other
Person, (B) purchase or otherwise acquire, or assume, any indebtedness,
liability or obligation or (C) provide funds for or otherwise assure the
payment of any indebtedness, liability or obligation, whether by means of any
investment, by means of any sale or other disposition, or by means of any
purchase or other acquisition, of any asset or service or otherwise), except
for indebtedness, liabilities and obligations (I) to the Bank or (II) resulting
from the endorsement in the ordinary course of business of any check or other
negotiable instrument for deposit or for collection.

                 j.       Pension Obligations. No Pension Plan was or is a
multiemployer plan, as such term is defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA. The
present value of all benefits vested under any Pension Plan does not exceed the
value of the assets of such Pension Plan allocable to such vested benefits.
Since September 2, 1974, (i) no Prohibited Transaction that could subject any
Pension Plan to any tax or penalty imposed pursuant to the Internal Revenue
Code or pursuant to ERISA has been engaged in by any Pension Plan, (ii) there
has not occurred or existed with respect to any Pension Plan any Reportable
Event, Accumulated Funding Deficiency or event or condition that, but for a
waiver by the Internal Revenue Service, would constitute an Accumulated Funding
Deficiency, that, after notice, after lapse of time or after both notice and
lapse of time, will or might constitute a Reportable Event or that constituted
or will or might constitute grounds for the institution by the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation of any proceeding under ERISA seeking the termination of
such Pension Plan or the appointment of a trustee to administer such Pension
Plan, (iii) no Pension Plan has been terminated, (iv) no trustee has been
appointed by a United States District Court to administer any Pension Plan, (v)
no proceeding seeking the termination of any Pension Plan





                                       11
<PAGE>   13

or the appointment of a trustee to administer any Pension Plan has been
instituted, and (vi) neither the Borrower nor the Guarantor has made any
complete or partial withdrawal from any Pension Plan.

                 k.       Assets: Liens and Encumbrances. Each of the Borrower
and the Guarantor has good and marketable title to each asset it purports to
own, and no such asset is subject to any security interest, mortgage or other
lien or encumbrance, except for Permitted Liens.

                 1.       Investments. Neither the Borrower nor the Guarantor
has any investment (whether by means of any purchase or other acquisition of
any security or interest, by means of any capital contribution or otherwise) in
any other Person, except for Permitted Investments.

                 m.       Loans. Neither the Borrower nor the Guarantor has
made any loan, advance or other extension of credit with respect to which any
sum is owing to it, except for Permitted Loans.

                 n.       Judgments and Litigation. There is no outstanding
judgment, order or award of any court, agency or other governmental authority
or of any arbitrator, and no pending or threatened claim, audit or
investigation, and no pending or threatened action or other legal proceeding,
by or before any court, agency or other governmental authority or before any
arbitrator, that (i) is against, or otherwise involves, the Borrower, the
Guarantor, or any asset of the Borrower or the Guarantor, (ii) has had or (so
far as the Borrower or the Guarantor can foresee) will or might have any
Material Adverse Effect or (iii) renders invalid, or questions the validity of,
any Loan Document or any action taken or to be taken pursuant to any Loan
Document.

                 o.       Transactions with Affiliates. There exists no
agreement, arrangement, transaction or other dealing (including, but not
limited to, the purchase, sale, lease, exchange or other acquisition or
disposition of any asset and the rendering of any service) between the Borrower
and any Affiliate, or between the Guarantor and any Affiliate, except for
agreements, arrangements, transactions and other dealings in the ordinary
course of business of the Borrower or the Guarantor upon fair and reasonable
terms no less favorable to it than would apply in a comparable arm's length
agreement, arrangement, transaction or other dealing with a Person who or that
is not an Affiliate.

                 p.       Default. There does not exist any Event of Default or
Potential Event of Default.

                 q.       Full Disclosure. Neither any Loan Document nor any
certificate, financial statement or other writing heretofore provided to the
Bank by or on behalf of the Borrower or the Guarantor or any Other Obligor
contains any statement of fact that is





                                       12
<PAGE>   14

incorrect or misleading in any material respect or omits to state any fact
necessary to make any statement of fact contained therein not incorrect or
misleading in any material respect. Neither the Borrower nor the Guarantor has
failed to disclose to the Bank any fact that has had or (so far as the Borrower
or the Guarantor can foresee) will or might have any Material Adverse Effect.

         6.      AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. During the term of this Agreement, the
Borrower shall do the following unless the prior written consent of the Bank to
not doing so shall have been obtained by the Borrower:

                 a.       Good Standing; Qualification. (i) Maintain its
corporate existence in good standing and (ii) remain or become and remain duly
qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation authorized to do
business in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is or becomes
necessary;

                 b.       Compliance. (i) Conduct its business and operations,
own and use each of its assets, and use each asset leased by it as a lessee in
compliance in each material respect with each applicable Law, (ii) obtain.
make, give or do, and maintain in full force and effect, each authorization,
approval, permit, consent, franchise and license from, each registration and
filing with, each declaration, report and notice to, and each other act by or
relating to, any Person necessary for the conduct of its business or
operations, for the ownership or use of any of its assets, or for the use of
any asset leased by it as a lessee, and (iii) remain in compliance in each
material respect with each such authorization, approval, permit, consent,
franchise and license, with its certificate or articles of incorporation or
other charter document, with its by-laws or other organizational document and
with each agreement and instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any
of its assets is bound;

                 c.       Working Capital; Current Ratio. Assure that at all
times (1) the consolidated net working capital of the Borrower is at least
$2,000,000 and (ii) all consolidated current assets of the Borrower other than
indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of any Affiliate are not less than
200% of all consolidated current liabilities of the Borrower other than
indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of the Borrower that are fully
subordinated pursuant to a subordination agreement in form and substance
satisfactory to the Bank to all indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of
the Borrower to the Bank;

                 d.       Net Worth; Liabilities. Assure that at all times (i)
the consolidated tangible net worth of the Borrower is at least $3,000,000 and
(ii) all consolidated liabilities of the Borrower other than indebtedness,
liabilities and obligations of the Borrower that are fully subordinated
pursuant to a subordination agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the
Bank to all indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of the Borrower to the
Bank do not exceed 250% of such consolidated tangible net worth;





                                       13
<PAGE>   15

                 e.       Accounting; Reserves; Tax Returns. (i) Maintain a
system of accounting established and administered in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, (ii) establish each reserve it is required by
generally accepted accounting principles to establish and (iii) File each tax
return it is required to file;

                 f.       Financial and Other Information. Provide to the Bank
(i) as soon as available, (A) each financial statement, report, notice and
proxy statement sent or made available by the Borrower or the Guarantor to
holders of its stock generally, (B) each periodic or special report,
registration statement, prospectus and other written communication other than a
transmittal letter filed by the Borrower or the Guarantor with, and each
written communication received by the Borrower or the Guarantor from, any
securities exchange or the Securities and Exchange Commission, (C) each annual
report relating to any Pension Plan and filed with the Internal Revenue
Service, with the Department of Labor or with the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation and (D) each press release and other statement made available by
the Borrower or the Guarantor to the public generally and relating to the
business, operations, assets, affairs or condition (financial or other) of the
Borrower or the Guarantor and (ii) promptly upon the request of the Bank, all
additional information relating to the Borrower, to the Guarantor, or to the
business, operations, assets, affairs or condition (financial or other) of the
Borrower or the Guarantor that is so requested;

                 g.       Payment of Certain Indebtedness. Pay, before the end
of any applicable grace period, each tax, assessment, fee, charge, fine and
penalty imposed by any government or political subdivision upon it or upon any
of its assets, income and franchises and each claim and demand of any
materialman, mechanic, carrier, warehouseman, garageman or landlord against it;
provided, however, that no such tax, assessment, fee, charge, fine, penalty,
claim or demand shall be required to be so paid so long as (i) the validity
thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly
instituted and diligently conducted, (ii) adequate reserves have been
appropriately established therefor, (iii) the execution or other enforcement of
any lien resulting therefrom is effectively stayed and (iv) the nonpayment
thereof does not have any Material Adverse Effect;

                 h.       Maintenance of Title and Assets; Insurance. (i) At
all times maintain good and marketable title to each asset it purports to own,
(ii) at all times maintain each of its tangible assets in good working order
and condition, (iii) at any time and from time to time make each replacement of
any of its tangible assets necessary or desirable for the conduct of its
business or operations, (iv) at all times keep each of its insurable tangible
assets insured with financially sound and reputable insurance carriers against
fire and other hazards to which extended coverage applies in such manner and to
the extent that the amount of insurance carried on such asset shall be
adequate, taking into account such factors as the probability of loss of such
asset, the value of such asset and the cost to the Borrower of such insurance,
and (v) at all times keep adequately insured with financially sound and
reputable insurance carriers against business interruption and against
liability on account of damage to any Person or asset or pursuant to any
applicable workers' compensation law;





                                       14
<PAGE>   16

                 i.       Inspections. Upon the request of the Bank, promptly
permit each officer, employee, accountant, attorney and other agent of the Bank
to (i) visit and inspect each of the premises of the Borrower, (ii) examine,
audit, copy and extract each record of the Borrower, and (iii) discuss the
business, operations. assets, affairs and condition (financial or other) of the
Borrower with each responsible officer of the Borrower and with each
independent accountant of the Borrower;

                 j.       Pension Obligations. (i) Immediately upon acquiring
knowledge or reason to know of the occurrence or existence with respect to any
Pension Plan of any Prohibited Transaction, Reportable Event, Accumulated
Funding Deficiency or event or condition that, but for a waiver by the Internal
Revenue Service, would constitute an Accumulated Funding Deficiency, that,
after notice, after lapse of time or after both notice and lapse of time, will
or might constitute a Reportable Event or that constitutes or will or might
constitute grounds for the initiation by the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation of any proceeding under ERISA seeking the termination of such
Pension Plan or the appointment of a trustee to administer such Pension Plan,
provide to the Bank a certificate executed by the President or a Vice President
of the Borrower and by the chief financial officer of the Borrower and
specifying the nature of such Prohibited Transaction, Reportable Event,
Accumulated Funding Deficiency, event or condition, what action the Borrower
has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto and, when known,
any action taken or threatened by the Internal Revenue Service, by the
Department of Labor or by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation with respect
thereto and (ii) immediately upon acquiring knowledge or reason to know of (A)
the institution by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or by any other
Person of any proceeding under ERISA seeking the termination of any Pension
Plan or the appointment of a trustee to administer any Pension Plan or (B) the
complete or partial withdrawal or proposed complete or partial withdrawal by
the Borrower from any Pension Plan, provide to the Bank a certificate executed
by the President or a Vice President of the Borrower and by the chief financial
officer of the Borrower and describing such proceeding, withdrawal or proposed
withdrawal;

                 k.       Changes in Management, Ownership and Control.
Immediately upon acquiring knowledge or reason to know of any change in the
identity of the Chairman, President or chief executive officer of the Borrower
or the Guarantor, in the beneficial ownership of any stock of the Borrower or
the Guarantor by any Person having Control of the Borrower or the Guarantor or
in Control of the Borrower or the Guarantor, provide to the Bank a certificate
executed by the President or a Vice President of the Borrower and specifying
such change;

                 1.       Judgments. Immediately upon acquiring knowledge or
reason to know of any judgment, order or award of any court, agency or other
governmental authority or of any arbitrator that (i) is against, or otherwise
involves, the Borrower, the Guarantor, or any asset of the Borrower or the
Guarantor, (ii) has or (so far as the Borrower or the Guarantor can foresee)
will or might have any Material Adverse Effect or (iii) renders invalid





                                       15
<PAGE>   17

any Loan Document or any action taken or to be taken pursuant to any Loan
Document, provide to the Bank a certificate executed by the President or a Vice
President of the Borrower and specifying the nature of such judgment, order or
award and what action the Borrower has taken, is taking or proposes to take
with respect thereto;

                 m.       Litigation. (i) Immediately upon acquiring knowledge
or reason to know of the commencement or threat of any claim, audit or
investigation, or of the commencement or threat of any action or other legal
proceeding, by or before any court, agency or other governmental authority or
before any arbitrator that (A) is against, or otherwise involves, the Borrower,
the Guarantor, or any asset of the Borrower or the Guarantor and (I) either
involves in excess of an amount equal to 20% of the consolidated tangible net
worth of the Borrower at the end of the most recent fiscal year of the Borrower
ending before the fiscal year of the Borrower during which such knowledge or
reason to know is acquired or results in excess of such amount in the aggregate
for the Borrower and the Guarantor being involved in all claims, audits and
investigations, and in all actions and other legal proceedings, by or before
any court, agency or other governmental authority or before any arbitrator
against, or otherwise involving, the Borrower, the Guarantor, or any asset of
the Borrower or the Guarantor or (II) seeks injunctive or similar relief, (B)
has or (so far as the Borrower or the Guarantor can foresee) will or might have
any Material Adverse Effect or (C) questions the validity of any Loan Document
or of any action taken or to be taken pursuant to any Loan Document, provide to
the Bank a certificate executed by the President or a Vice President of the
Borrower and specifying the nature of such claim, audit or investigation or of
such action or other legal proceeding and what action the Borrower has taken,
is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto and (ii) immediately upon
acquiring knowledge or reason to know of any development with respect to any
claim, audit, investigation, action or other legal proceeding theretofore
disclosed by the Borrower to the Bank that has or (so far as the Borrower or
the Guarantor can foresee) will or might have any Material Adverse Effect,
provide to the Bank a certificate executed by the President or a Vice President
of the Borrower and specifying the nature of such development and what action
the Borrower has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

                 n.       Liens and Encumbrances. Immediately upon acquiring
knowledge or reason to know that any asset of the Borrower or the Guarantor has
or may become subject to any security interest, mortgage or other lien or
encumbrance other than Permitted Liens, provide to the Bank a certificate
executed by the President or a Vice President of the Borrower and specifying
the nature of such security interest, mortgage or other lien or encumbrance and
what action the Borrower has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect
thereto;

                 o.       Defaults and Material Adverse Effects. Immediately
upon acquiring knowledge or reason to know of the occurrence or existence of
(i) any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or (ii) any event or
condition that has or (so far as the Borrower or the Grantor can foresee) will
or might have any Material Adverse Effect, provide to the Bank a certificate
executed by the President or a Vice President of the Borrower





                                       16
<PAGE>   18

and by the chief financial officer of the Borrower and specifying the nature of
such Event of Default, Potential Event of Default, event or condition, the date
of occurrence or period of existence thereof and what action the Borrower has
taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto; and

                 p.       Further Actions. Promptly upon the request of the
Bank, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, each writing,
and take, or cause to be taken, each other action, that the Bank shall deem
necessary or desirable at the sole option of the Bank in connection with any
transaction contemplated by any Loan Document.

         7.      NEGATIVE COVENANTS. During the term of this Agreement, the
Borrower shall not, without the prior written consent of the Bank, do, attempt
to do, or agree or otherwise incur, assume or have any obligation to do, any of
the following:

                 a.       Fiscal Year. Change its fiscal year;

                 b.       Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or have any
indebtedness, liability or obligation (i) arising from the borrowing of money
or from the deferral of the payment of the purchase price of any asset or (ii)
pursuant to any guaranty or other contingent obligation (including, but not
limited to, any obligation to (A) maintain the net worth of any other Person,
(B) purchase or otherwise acquire, or assume, any indebtedness, liability or
obligation or (C) provide funds for or otherwise assure the payment of any
indebtedness, liability or obligation, whether by means of any investment, by
means of any sale of other disposition, or by means of any purchase or other
acquisition, of any asset or service or otherwise), except for indebtedness,
liabilities and obligations (I) to the Bank, (II) resulting from the
endorsement in the ordinary course of business of any check or other negotiable
instrument for deposit or for collection or (III) fully and accurately
described in Exhibit A attached to and made a part of this Agreement;

                 c.       Pension Obligations. (i) Engage in any Prohibited
Transaction with respect to any Pension Plan, (ii) permit to occur or exist
with respect to any Pension Plan any Accumulated Funding Deficiency or evenly
or condition that, but for a waiver by the Internal Revenue Service, would
constitute an Accumulated Funding Deficiency or that constitutes or will or
might constitute grounds for the institution by the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation of any proceeding under ERISA seeking the termination of such
Pension Plan or the appointment of a trustee to administer such Pension Plan,
(iii) make any complete or partial withdrawal from any Pension Plan, (iv) fail
to make to any Pension Plan any contribution that it is required to make,
whether to meet any minimum funding standard under ERISA or any requirement of
such Pension Plan or otherwise, or (v) terminate any Pension Plan in any
manner, or otherwise take or omit to take any action with respect to any
Pension Plan, that would or might result in the imposition of any lien upon any
asset of the Borrower pursuant to ERISA;





                                       17
<PAGE>   19

                 d.       Liens. Cause or permit, whether upon the happening of
any contingency or otherwise, any of its assets to be subject to any security
interest, mortgage or other lien or encumbrance, except for Permitted Liens;

                 e.       Investments. Make any investment (whether by means of
any purchase or other acquisition of any security or interest, by means of any
capital contribution or otherwise) in any Person, except for Permitted
Investments;

                 f.       Loans. Make any loan, advance or other extension of
credit, except for Permitted Loans;

                 g.       Transactions with Affiliates. In the ordinary course
of its business or otherwise, enter into, assume or permit to exist any
agreement, arrangement, transaction or other dealing (including, but not
limited to, the purchase, sale, lease, exchange or other acquisition or
disposition of any asset and the rendering of any service) between it and any
Affiliate or otherwise deal with any Affiliate, except for (i) reasonable
compensation for services actually performed, (ii) advances made in the
ordinary course of its business to any Affiliate who is one of its officers and
employees for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Affiliate on its behalf
in the conduct of its business or operations and (iii) agreements,
arrangements, transactions and other dealings in the ordinary course of its
business upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to it than would
apply in a comparable arm's-length agreement, arrangement, transaction or other
dealing with a Person who or that is not an Affiliate;

                 h.       Distributions. Declare, pay or make any Distribution,
except for (i) cash dividends paid by the Borrower that do not exceed
$1,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year of the Borrower, and (ii)
dividends payable solely in any of its stock;

                 i.       Corporate Changes. (i) Assign, sell or otherwise
transfer or Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, (ii) participate
in any merger, consolidation or other absorption, (iii) acquire all or
substantially all of the assets of any other Person, (iv) do business under or
otherwise use any name other than its true name, (v) make any election, or
terminate or permit to be revoked any election made by it, pursuant to
Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code or (vi) make any change in its
corporate or business structure, in any of its business objectives and purposes
or in its business or operations that would or might have any Material Adverse
Effect;

                 j.       Sale of Receivables. Assign, sell or otherwise
transfer or dispose of any of its notes receivable, accounts receivable and
chattel paper, whether with or without recourse;

                 k.       Full Disclosure. Provide to Bank, or permit to be
provided to the Bank on its behalf, any certificate, financial statement or
other writing that contains any





                                       18
<PAGE>   20

statement of fact that is incorrect or misleading in any material respect or
omits to state any fact necessary to make any statement of fact contained
therein not incorrect or misleading in any material respect.

         8.      INDEBTEDNESS IMMEDIATELY DUE. Upon or at any time or from time
to time after the occurrence or existence of any Event of Default other than an
Event of Default described in clause (vii) of Section 11h of this Agreement,
the outstanding principal amount of each Loan, all interest owing pursuant to
this Agreement and remaining unpaid and all other amounts owing by the Borrower
to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement and remaining unpaid shall, at the sole
option of the Bank and without any notice, demand, presentment or protest of
any kind (each of which is knowingly, voluntarily, intentionally and
irrevocably waived by the Borrower), become immediately due. Upon the
occurrence or existence of any Event of Default described in such clause (vii),
such outstanding principal amount, all such interest and all such other amounts
shall, without any notice, demand, presentment or protest of any kind (each of
which is knowingly, voluntarily, intentionally and irrevocably waived by the
Borrower), automatically become immediately due.

         9.      EXPENSES; INDEMNIFICATION. The Borrower shall pay to the Bank
on demand each cost and expense (including, but not limited to, the reasonable
fees and disbursements of counsel to the Bank) incurred by the Bank in
connection with (a) the preparation of, entry into or performance of any Loan
Document, whether or not any Loan is made, or (b) any modification of, or any
release, consent or waiver relating to, any Loan Document, whether or not such
modification, release, consent or waiver becomes effective. In addition, the
Borrower shall pay to the Bank on demand each cost and expense (including, but
not limited to, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Bank,
whether retained for advice, for litigation or for any other purpose) incurred
by the Bank in endeavoring to (a) collect any of the outstanding principal
amount of any Loan, any interest owing pursuant to this Agreement and remaining
unpaid or any other amount owing by the Borrower to the Bank pursuant to this
Agreement and remaining unpaid, (b) preserve or exercise any right or remedy of
the Bank relating to, enforce or realize upon any guaranty, endorsement,
subordination, collateral or other security or assurance of payment now or
hereafter directly or indirectly securing the repayment or payment of, or
otherwise now or hereafter directly or indirectly applicable to, any of such
outstanding principal amount, any such interest or any such other amount, (c)
preserve or exercise any right or remedy of the Bank pursuant to any Loan
Document or (d) defend against any claim, regardless of the basis or outcome
thereof, asserted against the Bank as a direct or indirect result of the entry
into any Loan Document, except for any claim for any tax imposed by any
government or political subdivision upon any income of the Bank or for any
interest or penalty relating to any such tax.

         10.     GENERAL.



                                       19
<PAGE>   21

                 a.       Term; Survival. The term of this Agreement shall be
until the principal amount of each Loan, all interest owing pursuant to this
Agreement and all other amounts owing by the Borrower to the Bank pursuant to
this Agreement have been fully, finally and irrevocably repaid, paid or
otherwise discharged. The obligation of the Borrower to pay liabilities, costs
and expenses described in Section 9 of this Agreement shall survive beyond the
term of this Agreement.

                 b.       Survival; Reliance. Each representation, warranty,
covenant and agreement contained in this Agreement shall survive the making of
each Loan and the execution and delivery to the Bank of each Loan Document, and
shall continue in full force and effect during the term of this Agreement. Each
such representation, warranty, covenant and agreement shall be presumed to have
been relied upon by the Bank regardless of any investigation made or not made,
or any information possessed or not possessed, by the Bank.

                 c.       Cumulative Nature, Nonexclusive Exercise and Waivers
of Rights and Remedies. All rights and remedies of the Bank pursuant to this
Agreement or otherwise shall be cumulative, and no such right or remedy shall
be exclusive of any other such right or remedy. For example, all rights and
remedies of the Bank pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement shall be in
addition to all other rights and remedies of the Bank, whether pursuant to any
Loan Document or pursuant to applicable law. No single or partial exercise by
the Bank of any such right or remedy shall preclude any other or further
exercise thereof, or any exercise of any other such right or remedy, by the
Bank. No course of dealing or other conduct heretofore pursued, accepted or
acquiesced in, no course of performance or other conduct hereafter pursued,
accepted or acquiesced in, no oral or written agreement or representation
heretofore made, and no oral agreement or representation hereafter made, by or
on behalf of the Bank, whether or not relied or acted upon, and no usage of
trade, whether or not relied or acted upon, shall operate as a waiver of any
such right or remedy. No delay by the Bank in exercising any such right or
remedy, whether or not relied or acted upon, shall operate as a waiver thereof
or of any other such right or remedy. No notice or demand of any kind, and no
attempted but unsuccessful notice or demand of any kind, by the Bank prior to
exercising any such right or remedy on any one occasion, whether or not relied
or acted upon, shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Bank to exercise
the same or any other such right or remedy on such or any future occasion
without any notice or demand of any kind. No waiver by the Bank of any such
right or remedy shall be effective unless made in a writing duly executed by
the Bank and specifically referring to such waiver.  No waiver by the Bank on
any one occasion of any such right or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof
or of any other such right or remedy on any future occasion.

                 d.       Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement between the Bank and the Borrower with respect to the subject matter
of this Agreement, and supersedes each course of dealing or other conduct
heretofore pursued, accepted or acquiesced in, and each oral or written
agreement and representation heretofore made, by or on behalf of the Bank with
respect thereto, whether or not relied or acted upon. No course of





                                       20
<PAGE>   22

performance or other conduct hereafter pursued, accepted or acquiesced in, and
no oral agreement or representation hereafter made, by or on behalf of the
Bank, whether or not relied or acted upon, and no usage of trade, whether or
not relied or acted upon, shall modify or terminate this Agreement or impair or
otherwise affect any indebtedness, liability or obligation of the Borrower
pursuant to this Agreement or any right or remedy of the Bank pursuant to this
Agreement or otherwise. No modification or termination of this Agreement shall
be effective unless made in a writing duly executed by the Bank and
specifically referring to each provision of this Agreement being modified or to
such termination.

                 e.       Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by
and construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the internal law of
the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

                 f.       Notices to Borrower. Each notice to, each demand
upon, and each other communication to, the Borrower by the Bank relating to
this Agreement may be (i) delivered in person in writing, (ii) delivered in
person orally with a subsequent confirmation sent by mail, by facsimile, by
telex, by telegram or by mailgram, (iii) given by telephone with a subsequent
confirmation sent by mail, by facsimile, by telex, by telegram or by mailgram
or (iv) sent by mail, by facsimile, by telex, by telegram or by mailgram. Each
such notice, demand and other communication delivered in person orally or given
by telephone shall be deemed to have been delivered or given when so
communicated. Each such notice, demand, confirmation and other communication
sent by mail, by facsimile, by telex, by telegram or by mailgram shall be
directed to the Borrower at the address of the only place of business or chief
executive office of the Borrower shown at the beginning of this Agreement or at
such other address as may at any time and from time to time be specified in any
notice delivered or sent to the Bank by the Borrower. Each such notice, demand,
confirmation and other communication shall be deemed to have been sent (i) if
sent by mail, when deposited in the mail, first class or certified postage
prepaid, or when delivered to any post office for sending by registered mail,
directed to the Borrower at the address determined in accordance with the
preceding senunce or (ii) if sent by facsimile, by telex, by telegram or by
mailgram, when delivered to any facsimile or telex operator or telegraph or
mailgram office directed to the Borrower at the address determined in
accordance with the preceding sentence.

                 g.       Notices to Bank. Each notice to, each demand upon,
and each other communication to, the Bank by the Borrower relating to this
Agreement shall specifically refer to this Agreement, and shall be delivered in
person in writing or sent by registered mail directed to the Bank at One
Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, New York 14203-1495, Attention: Western New York
Commercial Banking Department, or at such other address as may at any time and
from time to time be specified in any notice delivered, given or sent to the
Borrower by the Bank. Each such notice, demand and other communication shall be
deemed to have been delivered or sent only when actually received by an officer
of the Bank at the address determined in accordance with the preceding
sentence.





                                       21
<PAGE>   23

                 h.       Assignments and Participation. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Bank, each successor of the
Bank and each assignee of any of the rights and remedies of the Bank pursuant
to this Agreement, and shall be binding upon the Borrower, upon each successor
of the Borrower and upon each assignee of any of the rights of the Borrower
pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, the Borrower shall not assign or
otherwise transfer any of the rights of the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement
without the prior written consent of the Bank, and any such assignment or other
transfer without such prior written consent shall be void. No consent by the
Bank to any such assignment or other transfer shall release the Borrower from
any indebtedness, liability or obligation of the Borrower pursuant to this
Agreement. The Bank shall have the right to assign or otherwise transfer, or to
grant any participation in, any indebtedness, liability or obligation of the
Borrower to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement or any of the rights and
remedies of the Bank pursuant to this Agreement.

                 i.       Requests. Each request of the Bank pursuant to this
Agreement may be made (i) at any time and from time to time, (ii) at the sole
option of the Bank and (iii) whether or not any Event of Default or Potential
Event of Default has occurred or existed.

                 j.       Right of Setoff. Upon and at any time and from time
to time after the occurrence or existence of any Event of Default, (i) the Bank
shall have the right, at the sole option of the Bank and without any notice or
demand of any kind (each of which is knowingly, voluntarily, intentionally and
irrevocably waived by the Borrower), other than any notice required by
applicable law (including, but not limited to, any notice required by Section
9-g of the New York Banking Law), to set off against the outstanding principal
amount of each Loan, against all interest owing pursuant to this Agreement and
remaining unpaid and against all other amounts owing by the Borrower to the
Bank pursuant to this Agreement and remaining unpaid each indebtedness of the
Bank in any capacity to the Borrower in any capacity, whether alone or
otherwise and whether or not then due, (including, but not limited to, any such
indebtedness arising as a direct or indirect result of any deposit account,
whether evidenced by a certificate of deposit or otherwise), and (ii) each
holder of any participation in any unpaid indebtedness of the Borrower to the
Bank pursuant to this Agreement shall have the right, at the sole option of
such holder and without any notice or demand of any kind (each of which is
knowingly, voluntarily, intentionally and irrevocably waived by Borrower), to
set off against such unpaid indebtedness, to the extent of such holder's
participation in such unpaid indebtedness, each indebtedness of such holder in
any capacity to the Borrower in any capacity, whether alone or otherwise and
whether or not then due, (including, but not limited to, any such indebtedness
arising as a direct or indirect result of any deposit account, whether
evidenced by a certificate of deposit or otherwise). Each exercise of such
right by the Bank or by such holder shall be deemed to be immediately effective
at the time the Bank or such holder opts therefor even though evidence thereof
is not entered on the records of the Bank or of such holder until later.





                                       22
<PAGE>   24

                 k.       Invalidity. Whenever possible, each provision of this
Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid
under applicable law. If, however, any such provision shall be prohibited by or
invalid under such law, it shall be deemed modified to conform to the minimum
requirements of such law, or, if for any reason it is not deemed so modified,
it shall be prohibited or invalid only to the extent of such prohibition or
invalidity without the remainder thereof or any other such provision being
prohibited or invalid.

                 l.       Directly or Indirectly. Any provision of this
Agreement that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the Borrower or the
Guarantor from taking any action shall be construed to prohibit it from taking
such action directly or indirectly.

                 m.       Accounting Terms and Computations. Each accounting
term used in this Agreement shall be construed as of any time in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles as in effect at such time. Each
accounting computation that this Agreement requires to be made as of any time
shall be made in accordance with such principles as in effect at such time,
except where such principles are incompatible with any requirement of this
Agreement.

                 n.       Reference to Law. Any reference in this Agreement to
any Law shall be deemed to be as of any time a reference to such Law as in
effect at such time or, if such Law is not in effect at such time, a reference
to any similar Law in effect at such time.

                 o.       Reference to Governmental Authority. Any reference in
this Agreement to any court, agency or other governmental authority shall be
deemed to be as of any time after such court, agency or other governmental
authority ceases to exist a reference to the successor of such court, agency or
other governmental authority at such time.

                 p.       Headings. In this Agreement, headings of sections are
for convenience of reference only, and are not of substantive effect.

         11.     DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement:

                 a.       Accumulated Funding Deficiency. "Accumulated Funding
Deficiency" has the meaning given to such term in Section 412(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code.

                 b.       Affiliate. "Affiliate" means, other than the
Guarantor, (i) any Person who or that now or hereafter has Control of, or is
now or hereafter under common Control with, the Borrower or the Guarantor or
over whom or over which the Borrower or the Guarantor now or hereafter has
Control, (ii) any Person who is now or hereafter related by blood, by adoption
or by marriage to any Person referred to in clause (i) of this sentence or now
or hereafter resides in the same home as any such Person, (iii) any Person who
is now





                                       23
<PAGE>   25

or hereafter a director or officer of the Borrower or the Guarantor, or (iv)
any Person who is now or hereafter related by blood, by adoption or by marriage
to any Person referred to in clause (iii) of this sentence or now or hereafter
resides in the same home as any such Person or over whom or over which any such
Person now or hereafter has Control.

                 c.       Bankruptcy Law. "Bankruptcy Law" means any bankruptcy
or insolvency Law or any other Law relating to the relief of debtors, to the
readjustment, composition or extension of indebtedness, to liquidation or to
reorganization.

                 d.       Bank's Prime Rate. "Bank's Prime Rate" means the rate
announced by the Bank as its prime rate of interest.

                 e.       Control. "Control" means, with respect to any Person,
whether direct or indirect, (i) if such Person is a corporation, the power to
vote 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of stock of such Person
ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors of such
Person, (ii) the beneficial ownership of 5% or more of the outstanding shares
of any class of stock of such Person or of 5% or more of any other ownership
interest in such Person or (iii) the power to direct or cause the direction of
the management and policies of such Person, whether by ownership of any stock
or other ownership interest, by agreement or otherwise.

                 f.       Distribution. "Distribution" means, with respect to
any corporation, (i) any dividend or other distribution, whether in cash or in
the form of any other asset, on account of any of its stock or (ii) any payment
on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of any
of its stock.

                 g.       ERISA "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended.

                 h.       Event of Default. An "Event of Default" occurs or
exists if (i) the Borrower defaults in the repayment when due of any of the
principal amount of any Loan or in the payment when due of any interest owing
pursuant to this Agreement or of any other amount owing by the Borrower to the
Bank pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) the Borrower, the Guarantor or any Other
Obligor defaults in the payment when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise,
of any sum, whether payable for principal, for interest or otherwise and
whether the obligation to make payment thereof now exists or hereafter arises,
that is now or hereafter owing by him, her or it to the Bank not pursuant to
this Agreement, the maturity of any such sum is accelerated or there occurs or
exists any event or condition that permits, or, after notice, after lapse of
time or after both notice and lapse of time, would permit, the acceleration of
the maturity of any such sum, (iii) the Borrower, the Guarantor or any Other
Obligor defaults in the payment when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise,
of any sum, whether payable for principal, for interest or otherwise and
whether the obligation to make payment thereof now exists or hereafter arises,
that is now or hereafter owing by him, her or





                                       24
<PAGE>   26

it to any Person other than the Bank other than that the nonpayment of which is
permitted by Section 6g of this Agreement, the maturity of any such sum is
accelerated or there occurs or exists any event or condition that permits, or,
after notice, after lapse of time or after both notice and lapse of time, would
permit, the acceleration of the maturity of any such sum, (iv) the Borrower
defaults in the performance when due of any obligation owing by it to the Bank
pursuant to this Agreement other than an obligation to pay money, (v) the
Borrower, the Guarantor or any Other Obligor defaults in the performance when
due of any obligation, whether now existing or hereafter arising, that is now
or hereafter owing by him, her or it to the Bank or to any other Person not
pursuant to this Agreement other than an obligation to pay money or there
occurs or exists any event or condition that constitutes, or, after notice,
after lapse of time or after both notice and lapse of time, would constitute,
any default with respect to any such obligation, (vi) the Borrower, the
Guarantor or any Other Obligor is dissolved, ceases to exist, participates or
agrees to participate in any merger, consolidation or other absorption,
assigns, sells or otherwise transfers or disposes of all or substantially all
of his, her or its assets, makes or permits what might be fraudulent transfer
or fraudulent conveyance of any of his, her or its assets, makes any bulk sale,
sends any notice of any intended bulk sale, dies, becomes incompetent or
insolvent (however such insolvency is evidenced), generally fails to pay his,
her or its debts as they become due, fails to pay, withhold or collect any tax
as required by any Law, suspends or ceases his, her or its present business,
has served or filed against him, her or it or against any of his, her or its
assets any attachment, levy, tax, lien, warrant or similar lien other than a
Permitted Lien or has entered against him, her or it or against any of his, her
or its assets any judgment, order or award of any court, agency or other
governmental authority or of any arbitrator, (vii) the Borrower has any
receiver, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or custodian of it or of any of its
assets appointed (whether with or without its consent), makes any assignment
for the benefit of creditors or commences or has commenced against it any case
or other proceeding pursuant to any Bankruptcy Law or any formal or informal
proceeding for the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of, or
for the settlement of claims against it, (viii) the Guarantor or any Other
Obligor has any receiver, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or custodian of
him, her or it or of any of his, her or its assets appointed (whether with or
without his, her or its consent), makes any assignment for the benefit of
creditors or commences or has commenced against him, her or it any case or
other proceeding pursuant to any Bankruptcy Law or any formal or informal
proceeding for the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of, or
for the settlement of claims against, him, her or it, (ix) any representation
or warranty made in this Agreement proves, as of any time during the period
beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending at the time any Loan is made
or as of the time any loan is made, to have been incorrect or misleading in any
material respect, except to the extent updated in a certificate executed by the
President or a Vice President of the Borrower or by the chief financial officer
of the Borrower and received by the Bank, (x) any representation or warranty
heretofore or hereafter made, or any financial statement heretofore or
hereafter provided, to the Bank by or on behalf of the Borrower or by or on
behalf of the Guarantor or any Other Obligor proves, as of the date of such
representation, warranty or financial statement, to have been incorrect or
misleading in any material respect or, if a financial statement, to have
omitted any substantial





                                       25
<PAGE>   27

contingent or unliquidated liability of, or any substantial claim against, him,
her or it or there occurred, and was not disclosed to the Bank, before the
delivery to the Bank of this Agreement by the Borrower any material adverse
change in any information disclosed in any such representation or warranty
theretofore so made or in any such financial statement theretofore so provided,
(xi) there occurs or exists with respect to any Pension Plan any Prohibited
Transaction, Reportable Event or other event or condition that, in the opinion
of the Bank, constitutes or will or might constitute grounds for the
institution by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation of any proceeding under
ERISA seeking the termination of such Pension Plan or the appointment of a
trustee to administer such Pension Plan, the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation institutes any proceeding under ERISA seeking the termination of
any Pension Plan or the appointment of a trustee to administer any Pension
Plan, any Person other than the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation institutes
any proceeding under ERISA seeking the termination of any Pension Plan or the
appointment of a trustee to administer any Pension Plan that is, in the opinion
of the Bank, likely to result in the termination of such Pension Plan, any
trustee is appointed by a United Stales District Court to administer any
Pension Plan, any Pension Plan is terminated or there are vested unfunded
liabilities under any Pension Plan that, in the opinion of the Bank, have or
will or might have any Material Adverse Effect or (xii) there occurs any change
in the identity of the Chairman, President or chief executive officer of the
Borrower or the Guarantor, in the beneficial ownership of any stock of the
Borrower or the Guarantor by any Person having Control of the Borrower or the
Guarantor or in Control of the Borrower or the Guarantor that is, in the
opinion of the Bank, materially adverse to its interest and is not corrected to
its full satisfaction within thirty days after it delivers, gives or sends to
the Borrower a notice that it considers such change materially adverse to its
interest.

                 i.       Guarantor. "Guarantor" means C.H. Heist Corp., a New
York business corporation having its chief executive office at 810 North
Belcher Road, Clearwater, Florida 34625.

                 j.       Interest Period. "Interest Period" means any
seven-day period beginning on Monday and ending on the following Sunday.

                 k.       Internal Revenue Code. "Internal Revenue Code" means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                 l.       Law. "Law" means any statute, ordinance, regulation,
rule, interpretation, decision, guideline or other requirement enacted or
issued by any court, agency or other governmental authority.

                 m.       Loan. "Loan" means any Revolving Loan or the Term
Loan.

                 n.       Loan Document. "Loan Document" means this Agreement
or any other agreement or instrument referred to in Section 4d, 4e or 4f of
this Agreement.





                                       26
<PAGE>   28

                 o.       Material Adverse Effect. "Material Adverse Effect"
means any material adverse effect on (i) the ability of the Borrower to repay
when due any of the principal amount of the Loan or to pay when due any
interest owing to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement or any other amount owing
by the Borrower to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) the ability of the
Borrower or the Guarantor to perform when due any obligation pursuant to any
Loan Document or (iii) the Borrower, the Guarantor, or the business,
operations, assets, affairs or condition (financial or other) of the Borrower
or the Guarantor.

                 p.       Other Obligor. "Other Obligor" means, other than the
Borrower, the Guarantor, any Person (i) who or that, whether as a maker,
drawer, acceptor, endorser, guarantor, surety or accommodation party or
otherwise, is now or hereafter directly or indirectly liable for the payment of
any indebtedness, liability or obligation of the Borrower to the Bank, whether
now existing or hereafter arising, or (ii) any asset of whom or of which now or
hereafter directly or indirectly secures the payment of any such indebtedness,
liability or obligation.

                 q.       Pension Plan. "Pension Plan" means (i) any pension
plan, as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, that (A) has heretofore
been or is hereafter established or maintained by the Borrower or by any other
Person that is, together with the Borrower, a member of a controlled group of
corporations for purposes of Section 414(b) of the Internal Revenue Code or is
under common control with the Borrower for purposes of Section 414(c) of the
Internal Revenue Code, (B) to which contributions have heretofore been or are
hereafter made by the Borrower or by any such other Person or (C) to which the
Borrower or any such other Person has heretofore agreed or hereafter agrees or
otherwise has heretofore incurred or hereafter incurs any obligation to make
contributions or (ii) any trust heretofore or hereafter created under any such
pension plan.

                 r.       Permitted Investment. "Permitted Investment" means
any investment by the Borrower or the Guarantor in (i) any readily marketable
direct obligation of the United States maturing within one year after the date
of its acquisition thereof, (ii) any time deposit maturing within one year
after the date of its acquisition thereof and issued by any banking institution
that is incorporated under any statute of the United States or of any state of
the United States and has a combined capital and surplus of not less than
$50,000,000, (iii) any demand or savings deposit with any such banking
institution, or (iv) any security fully and accurately described in Exhibit A
attached to and made a part of this Agreement.

                 s.       Permitted Lien. "Permitted Lien" means (i) any lease
of any asset by the Borrower or the Guarantor as a lessor in the ordinary
course of its business and without interference with the conduct of its
business or operations, (ii) any pledge or deposit made by the Borrower or the
Guarantor in the ordinary course of its business (A) in connection with any
workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, social security or similar Law
or (B) to secure the payment of any indebtedness, liability or obligation in





                                       27
<PAGE>   29

connection with any letter of credit, bid, tender, trade or government
contract, lease, survey, appeal or performance bond or Law, or of any similar
indebtedness, liability or obligation, not incurred in connection with the
borrowing of any money or in connection with the deferral of the payment of the
purchase price of any asset, (iii) any attachment, levy or similar lien with
respect to the Borrower or the Guarantor arising in connection with any action
or other legal proceeding so long as (A) the validity of the claim or judgment
secured thereby is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
promptly undiluted and diligently conducted, (B) adequate reserves have been
appropriately established for such claim or judgment, (C) the execution or the
enforcement of such attachment, levy or similar lien is effectively stayed and
(D) neither such claim or judgment nor such attachment, levy or similar lien
has any Material Adverse Effect, (iv) any statutory lien in favor of the United
States for any amount paid to the Borrower or the Guarantor as a progress
payment pursuant to any government contract, (v) any statutory lien securing e
payment of any tax, assessment, fee, charge, me or penalty imposed by any
government or political subdivision upon the Borrower or the Guarantor or upon
any of the assets income and franchises of the Borrower or the Guarantor but
not yet required by Section 6g of this Agreement to be paid, (vi) any statutory
lien securing the payment of any claim or demand of any materialman, mechanic,
carrier, warehouseman, garageman or landlord against the Borrower or the
Guarantor but not yet required by such Section 6g be paid, (vii) any
reservation, exception, encroachment, easement, right-of way, covenant,
condition, restriction, lease or similar title exception or encumbrance
affecting the title to any real property of the Borrower or the Guarantor but
not interfering with the conduct of its business or operations, (viii) any
securities interest, mortgage or other lien or encumbrance in favor of the Bank
or (ix) any security interest, mortgage or other lien or encumbrance existing
on the date of this Agreement an fully and accurately described in Exhibit A
attached to and made a part of this Agreement.

                 t.       Permitted Loan. "Permitted Loan'' means (i) any loan,
advance or other extension of credit made by the Guarantor to the Borrower or
by the Borrower to the Guarantor, (ii) any deferral of the purchase price of
any inventory old by the Borrower or the Guaramor in the ordinary course of its
business, (iii) any advance made by the Borrower or the Guarantor in the
ordinary course of its business to any of its officers and employees for
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such officer or employee on its behalf in
the conduct of its business or operations or (iv) any loan, advance or other
extension of credit fully and accurately described n Exhibit A attached to and
made a part of this Agreement.

                 u.       Person. "Person" means (i) any individual,
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated association,
government or political subdivision, (ii) any court, agency or other
governmental authority or (iii) any other entity, body, organization or group.

                 v.       Potential Event of Default. "Potential Event of
Default" means a event or condition that, after notice, and lapse of time or
after both notice and lapse of time, would constitute an vent of Default.





                                       28
<PAGE>   30


                 w.       Prohibited Transaction. "Prohibited Transaction" (i)
has the meaning given to such term in Section 4975(c) of the Internal Revenue
Code, and (ii) means any transaction prohibited b Section 406(a) of ERISA.

                 x.       Reportable Event. "Reportable Event" has the meaning
given to such term in Section 4043(b) of ERISA.

                 y.       Revolving Loan. ''Revolving Loan" means any loan by
the Bank to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2a of this Agreement.

                 z.       Revolving Loan Applicable Variable Rate. "Revolving
Loan Applicable Variable Rate" means (i) the rate in effect such day as the
Bank's Prime Rate if, pursuant to Section 2g of this Agreement, the Bank's prime
Rate is or would be used in determine the rate of interest payable for such day
on the outstanding principal amount of EACH Revolving Loan or (ii) 1.125lG
above the Secondary Market CD Rate for the Interest Period in which such day
falls if, pursuant to such Section 2g, the Secondary Market CD Rate is or would
be used in determining such rate of interest.

                 aa.      Revolving Loan Repayment Date. "Revolving Loan
Repayment Date" means the later of (i) August 1, 1997 or (ii) any date specified
in any extension request executed by the Bank in accordance with Section 2d of
this Agreement.

                 bb.      Secondary Market CD Rate. "Secondary Market CD Rate"
means, for any Interest Period, the rate of interest per year (expressed as a
percentage and rounded to the next higher 100th of 1%) that is obtained by
dividing (i) the AVERAGE (as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System based on reports of certificate of deposit dealers or, if such
publication does not occur, as determined by the Bank on the basis of quotations
for such rates received by the Bank from three certificate of deposit dealers
of recognized standing located in the State of New York) of secondary market
morning offering rates in the United States for three-month certificates of
deposit of major United States money market banks for the week ending the last
business day before such interest Period by (ii) the difference between 100%
and the maximum percentage of reserve requirement (including any supplemental
or marginal percentage of reserve requirement) for the first day of the calendar
week containing such day, as specified by such Board of Governors for the Bank
with respect to liabilities consisting of or including three-month nonpersonal
time deposits of at least $100,000 each.

                 cc.      Term Loan. "Term Loan" means the loan by the Bank to
the Borrower pursuant to Section 3a of this Agreement.

                 dd.      Term Loan Applicable Variable Rate. "Term Loan
Applicable Variable Rate" means (i) 1/2 % above the rate in effect such day as
the Bank's Prime Rate if, pursuant to Section 3e of this Agreement, the Bank's
Prime Rate is to or would be used in





                                       29
<PAGE>   31

determining the rate of interest payable for such day on the outstanding
principal amount of the Term Loan or (ii) 1-1/2% above the Secondary Market CD
Rate for the Interest Period in which such day falls if, pursuant to such 
Section 3e, the Secondary Market CD Rate is or would be used in determining 
such rate of interest.

                 12.      WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE BANK AND THE
BORROWER KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, INTENTIONALLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT
IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION, WHETHER BASED
ON ANY CONTRACT, ON ANY NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL TORT, ON ANY LAW OR OTHERWISE,
IN CONNECTION WITH, OR OTHERWISE RELATING TO, (A) ANY LOAN, ANY LOAN DOCUMENT
OR ANY GUARANTY, ENDORSEMENT, SUBORDINATION, COLLATERAL OR OTHER SECURITY OR
ASSURANCE OF PAYMENT NOW OR HEREAFTER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY SECURING THE
PAYMENT OR REPAYMENT OF, OR NOW OR HEREAFTER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY APPLICABLE
TO, ANY OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ANY LOAN, ANY INTEREST OWING PURSUANT TO
THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AMOUNT OWING BY THE BORROWER TO THE BANK PURSUANT
TO THIS AGREEMENT, (B) ANY OTHER WRITING HERETOFORE OR HEREAFTER EXECUTED IN
CONNECTION WITH, OR OTHERWISE RELATING TO, ANY LOAN, ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY
SUCH GUARANTY, ENDORSEMENT, SUBORDINATION, COLLATERAL OR OTHER SECURITY OR
ASSURANCE OF PAYMENT OR (C) ANY COURSE OF DEALING, COURSE OF PERFORMANCE OR
OTHER CONDUCT HERETOFORE OR HEREAFTER PURSUED, ANY ACTION HERETOFORE OR
HEREAFTER TAKEN OR OMITTED TO BE TAKEN, OR ANY ORAL OR WRITTEN REPRESENTATION
HERETOFORE OR HEREAFTER AND, BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE OTHER IN CONNECTION WITH, OR
OTHERWISE RELATING TO, ANY LOAN, ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY SUCH GUARANTY,
ENDORSEMENT, SUBORDINATION, COLLATERAL OR OTHER SECURITY OR ASSURANCE OF
PAYMENT. THIS SECTION 12 IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR EACH OF THE BANK AND THE
BORROWER IN CONNECTION WITH ITS ENTRY INTO THIS AGREEMENT.





                                       30
<PAGE>   32

                 The Bank and the Borrower have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed on the date shown at the beginning of this agreement.


                                   MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS
                                   TRUST COMPANY


                                   By: /s/ R. Buford Sears,
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       R. Buford Sears, Vice President


                                   ABLEST SERVICE CORP


                                   By: /s/ John L. Rowley
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       John L. Rowley, Vice President - Finance





                                       31
<PAGE>   33


                                ACKNOWLEDGMENTS



STATE OF NEW YORK )
                  )   SS.:
COUNTY OF ERIE    )  




        On the 1st day of September in the year 1995, before me personally came
R. Buford Sears, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say
that he resides at 240 Middlesex Road, Buffalo, New York 14216; that he is a
Vice President of Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, the corporation
described in and which executed the above instrument; and that he signed his
name thereto by order of the board of directors of said corporation.


                                            /s/ Timothy C. Cashmore
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            Notary Public


                                            TIMOHY C. CASHMORE    
STATE OF NEW YORK )                         Notary Public, State of New York  
                  )   SS.:                  Qualified in Erie County          
COUNTY OF ERIE    )                         My Commission Expires May 31, 1997

                                              
        On the 21st of August in the year 1995, before me personalty came John
L. Rowley, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he
resides in Clearwater, Florida; that he is the Vice President - Finance of
Ablest Service Corp., he corporation described in and which executed the above
instrument; and that he signed his name thereto by order of the board of
directors of said corporation.


                                            /s/ Isadore Snitzer
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            Notary Public


                                            ISADORE SNITZER                    
                                            Notary Public State of New York    
                                            Qualified in Erie County           
                                            My Commission Expires June 30, 1996





                                       32
<PAGE>   34

                                   EXHIBIT A


Section 11(s) Permitted Liens.

                 1)       Any purchase money security interest upon personal
                          property of the Borrower or the Guarantor upon which
                          the aggregate unpaid indebtedness of the Borrower and
                          the Guarantor does not exceed $150,000 at any one
                          time.

                 2)       Any purchase money mortgages upon real proper of the
                          Borrower or the Guarantor upon which the aggregate
                          unpaid indebtedness) of the Borrower and the
                          Guarantor does not exceed $1,000,000 at any one time.



Section 11(r) Permitted Investments.

         Securities hereafter acquired by the Borrower or the Guarantor for an
aggregate cost not exceeding $4,000,000 at any one time.





                                       33

<PAGE>   1






                                  EXHIBIT 13


                      1995 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


<PAGE>   2
                                                                      EXHIBIT 13


SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
C.H. HEIST CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   (In thousands, except per share earnings and percentages)
                                                                    FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER

                                             1995             1994            1993 (4)         1992             1991
                                             ----             ----            ----             ----             ----
<S>                                        <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Net sales                                  $102,659         102,572          82,476           71,397           70,082
Cost of sales                                86,933          90,098          71,506           60,941           58,742
                                           --------         -------          ------           ------           ------
    Gross profit                             15,726          12,474          10,970           10,456           11,340

Selling, general and administrative                        
expenses                                     12,316          11,003           9,511            7,886            7,533
                                           --------        --------          -------          ------           ------
    Operating income                          3,410           1,471           1,459            2,570            3,807
                                                                      
Interest expense                               (541)           (396)           (224)            (170)            (265)
Other income (expense)                           42             (23)           (149)             (31)             (35)
                                           --------        --------         -------           ------           ------ 
                                                                                      
    Earnings before income taxes              2,911           1,052           1,086            2,369            3,507
Income taxes                                  1,305             734             600            1,099            1,486
                                           --------        --------         -------           ------           ------
    Net earnings                           $  1,606             318             486            1,270            2,021
                                           ========        ========         =======           ======           ======
                                                                                      
Effective tax rate                             44.8%           69.8%           55.3%            46.4%            42.4%
                                                                                                                 
Net earnings per share (1)                 $    .56             .11             .17              .44              .70
                                           ========        ========         =======           ======           ======
                                                                                      
Canadian operations (2) (U.S. $):                                                     
   Sales                                   $ 14,483          12,673          12,643           10,437           16,322
   Operating income (loss)                    1,118             549            (153)            (361)             624
   Total assets                            $ 10,093           9,451           8,479           10,117           10,956
                                           ========         =======         =======           ======           ======
                                                                                      
Other data:                                                                           
   Working capital                         $ 15,738          14,356          12,431           11,856           11,669
   Property, plant and equipment, net        17,642          14,964          15,631           12,627           14,442
   Capital expenditures                       7,091           3,957           7,643            2,458            4,356
   Depreciation and amortization              4,530           4,433           4,534            4,200            3,868
   Cash flow from operations (3)              6,135           4,751           5,020            5,470            5,889
   Total assets                              39,548          36,756          33,972           29,895           32,284
   Long-term debt                             6,980           5,121           3,760              568            2,855
   Stockholders' equity                    $ 26,368          24,513          24,709           24,916           24,500
   Return on beginning stockholders'                                                  
         equity                                 6.6%            1.3%            2.0%             5.2%             9.0%
   Weighted average number of shares                                                  
         outstanding (1)                      2,872           2,872           2,885            2,905            2,905
</TABLE>

 (1) As restated for the three-for-two stock split issued October 14, 1991.
 (2) Includes no export sales.
 (3) Defined as net earnings plus depreciation and amortization.
 (4) Includes effect of acquisition in 1993. See note 12 to the consolidated
     financial statements.


                                      8
<PAGE>   3
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF THE
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 compared to December 25, 1994

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Sales for the current year increased by $87,000. More importantly net earnings
increased more than five fold to $1,606,000. Sales in the temporary staffing
segment, Ablest Service Corp. (Ablest), increased $582,000 or 1.3% with a
decrease in the industrial maintenance segment of $495,000 or .8%. Ablest
growth was offset by sales reductions when some customers implemented
discounted or national contracts and in other situations a decision was made
not to provide staffing that was low rate, high refill and required high staff
hours to service.

The decrease in industrial maintenance sales was due to declines in equipment
related services of $481,000 and reduced sales in the Heist Field Services
(HFS) division (OMSI until May 1, 1995) of $1,500,000. These reductions were
offset by increases in painting and sandblasting of $1,286,000 and insulation
sales and application of $200,000. The decline in equipment related and HFS
division sales was a result of turnaround and major plant cleanup work done in
the prior period that was not duplicated in the current period. The timing of
turnaround projects typically varies depending on customer operating cycles.
The increase in painting sales was due to the Peace Bridge painting and lead
abatement project. Insulation sales increased at our PBI division. During the
fourth quarter of 1995 a significant insulation maintenance contract was not
renewed. This will result in a decline of sales in 1996 of approximately
$3,000,000. However, this was a highly discounted contract which will not
result in a material impact on net earnings.

Gross profit as a percent of sales increased from 12.2% to 15.3%. Through our
safety department, management has been emphasizing training, development of
safety programs and increased effort on risk management. This program has
reduced the number and severity of the insurance claims and the Company has
achieved major cost reductions in its insurance expense. The savings amounted
to $2,000,000 during the current year. The fourth quarter of 1995 included
approximately $800,000 of non-recurring reductions in certain accrued
expenses. The majority of these adjustments related to the reduction in the
insurance accrual to reflect the aforementioned savings once the effect had
been confirmed. Improved margins in the HFS division and in our Canadian
operation also contributed to the increase in gross profit.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $1.3 million or
11.9%. The increases resulted from the upgrade of Information Technology to
accommodate planned growth, consulting services to design a management
reporting system that follows the Economic Value Added (EVAR) Model,
implementing an automated retrieval system in temporary staffing offices and
personnel additions to strengthen the service to our customers.

Interest income increased due to excess cash invested at higher rates in the
Canadian subsidiary. Interest expense increased due to higher interest rates
on borrowed funds in the United States and higher average debt levels. Sales
of equipment resulted in a net loss on sale of property, plant and equipment.
Intangible assets relating to two acquisitions were fully amortized in 1994,
resulting in the decrease in amortization expense in 1995. Collectively the
above caused the increase in other expense of $80,000 or 19.2%.

The effective income tax rate is 44.8% compared to the expected federal tax
rate of 34.0%. This difference in rates is explained in footnote 5 to the
consolidated financial statements. The reasons for the difference are the
effect of state taxes on the Company and its subsidiaries which file separate
tax returns and the Canadian subsidiary's income which is taxed at a higher
rate than U.S. income.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

The quick ratio is 3.2 to 1 compared to 2.9 to 1 and the current ratio is 3.7
to 1 compared to 3.1 to 1 at December 31, 1995 and December 25, 1994,
respectively. Working capital increased by $1.4 million during 1995. Long term
borrowings (refer to Note 4 of the consolidated financial statements) increased
$1.9 million leaving open credit commitments at Manufacturers and Traders
Trust Company of $3.1 million for C.H. Heist Corp. and $3 million for Ablest
Service Corp. The Company also has $366,450 (the U.S. dollar equivalent)
available at the Royal Bank of Canada.

Cash and cash equivalents increased during the current year by $1.5 million
primarily due to earnings (adjusted for amortization, depreciation and a net
increase in working capital), proceeds from the sale of property, plant and
equipment, proceeds from exercised stock options, positive exchange rate
changes and proceeds from long term borrowings, offset by additions to
property, plant and equipment and repayment of long term borrowings.

Capital expenditures were $7,091,000. Of this amount $4,211,000 was for
industrial maintenance equipment, $2,252,000 was for computer equipment and
software, $628,000 was for facilities and furniture and fixtures. Commitments
as of December 31, 1995 were $435,000. $150,000 was for replacement equipment
and $285,000 was for computer equipment. It is anticipated that existing
internally available funds, cash flows from operations and available
borrowings will be sufficient to cover the working capital and capital
expenditure demands of the coming year.


                                      9
<PAGE>   4
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
For the fiscal years ended December 25, 1994 compared to December 26, 1993

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company passed the $100,000,000 milestone for sales, logging $102,572,000
during the 1994 fiscal year, an increase of $20,096,000, or 24.4%. Sales in the
industrial maintenance segment increased $12,086,000, 26.1% and of this 
increase, $7,652,000 was due to the OMSI acquisition. Ablest Service Corp.,
(Ablest), the temporary staffing affiliate, increased sales by $8,010,000,
22.2%, during 1994. Ablest sales continued to grow at a rate in excess of the
temporary staffing industry, which last year had sales growth of 20.7%. 
Ablest's formula for increasing sales consists of sticking with basics of
supplying clerical and industrial temporary personnel, continued commitment to
the Company's service excellence program and partnering with their customers
through the Company's Point Source program. With its quality sales base (no
customer accounts for more than 3% of total sales), and an increasing gross
margin, Ablest is positioned for market expansion and continued sales growth.

Industrial maintenance sales increased primarily in the equipment related
service area, and the OMSI division (acquired in 1993). This was due to the
increased demand for major plant maintenance and clean-up services.

The record sales and substantial profits achieved in the fourth quarter
resulted from a substantial increase in industrial maintenance. This result
which converted a cumulative loss to an annual profit, is not expected to
continue in 1995 at these levels.

Due to a substantial loss incurred on a major maintenance project in the first
quarter of 1994, caused by poor job execution, cost of sales increased by
$18,592,000, or 26.0%. This percentage increase was greater than the 24.4%
sales increase and limited the gross profit increase to $1,504,000, or 13.7%.
As a percent of sales, gross profit was 12.2% compared to 13.3% in fiscal
1993. The 12.2% was a striking contrast to the 1.8% gross profit in the first
quarter of 1994. Strong performance by Ablest, and the Company's Canadian
subsidiary, increased demand in the U.S. market for our services and a major
restructuring of the OMSI division caused this improvement after the first
quarter of 1994.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1,493,000, or 15.7%.
This was due to the added cost of the OMSI acquisition, personnel additions in
safety, quality, and human resources departments and additional staff in
certain Ablest offices to alleviate the heavy order workload. As a percentage
of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased from 11.5% in
1993 to 10.7% in 1994.

The increase of $46,000, 12.4%, in other expense was due to a combination of
factors. Interest expense increased during the year because of higher
borrowings at higher interest rates to fund the increase in accounts receivable
and additions to property, plant and equipment. Interest income declined since
prior years' excess funds were invested in acquisitions. The gain on disposal
was due to an insurance settlement on a damaged piece of equipment and the sale
of excess real property. Costs relating to two acquisitions became fully
amortized in the current year, one in each of the first two quarters, resulting
in the decrease of amortization of other assets.

The effective income tax rate is 69.8% compared to the expected federal tax
rate of 34.0%. The difference in these rates is spelled out in footnote 5 to
the consolidated financial statements. One reason for the difference is the
Canadian subsidiary, which has income that is taxed at a higher rate than U.S.
income.  Additionally, the actual rate is increased by the effect of state
income taxes on the Company and its subsidiaries which file separate tax
returns.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS/C.H. HEIST CORP.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of C.H. Heist
Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and December 25, 1994, and the
related consolidated statements of earnings, stockholders' equity and cash flows
for the years ended December 31, 1995, December 25, 1994 and December 26, 1993.
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
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 financial position of C.H. Heist Corp.
and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and December 25, 1994, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for the years ended December
31, 1995, December 25, 1994 and December 26, 1993, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.

Buffalo, New York
February 16, 1996                                       KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

                                      10
<PAGE>   5

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
C.H. HEIST CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     DEC. 31          DEC. 25
ASSETS                                                                 1995             1994 
                                                                    --------         --------
<S>                                                                 <C>              <C>
Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                                       $  3,040,815      1,533,015
    Receivables, less allowance for doubtful receivables
    of $426,234 and $362,543 in 1995 and 1994, respectively           14,283,008     14,915,198
    Services in progress                                                 990,729      1,840,429
    Parts and supplies                                                 2,170,572      2,058,424
    Prepaid expenses                                                     187,647         28,826
    Deferred income taxes (note 5)                                       834,417        795,623
                                                                    ------------     ----------
                 Total current assets                                 21,507,188     21,171,515
                                                                    ------------     ----------

Property, plant and equipment, at cost (notes 2 and 4)                47,355,312     41,029,349
    Less accumulated depreciation                                     29,712,818     26,065,152
                                                                    ------------     ----------
                 Net property, plant and equipment                    17,642,494     14,964,197
Deferred income taxes (note 5)                                           131,922        128,592
Other assets                                                             265,916        491,749
                                                                    ------------     ----------
                                                                    $ 39,547,520     36,756,053
                                                                    ============     ==========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
    Current installments of long-term debt (note 4)                 $     37,667         37,667
    Accounts payable                                                   1,306,819      1,675,260
    Accrued expenses (note 3)                                          3,879,265      4,768,279
    Income taxes payable                                                 545,675        334,114
                                                                    ------------     ----------
                 Total current liabilities                             5,769,426      6,815,320
Long-term debt, excluding current installments (note 4)                6,980,057      5,120,863
Deferred income taxes (note 5)                                           430,286        306,849
                                                                    ------------     ----------
                 Total liabilities                                    13,179,769     12,243,032
                                                                    ------------     ----------
Stockholders' equity (notes 4, 5, 6 and 7):
         Common stock of $.05 par value. Authorized
             8,000,000 shares; issued 3,165,192 shares and
             3,162,692 shares for 1995 and 1994, respectively            158,260        158,135
         Additional paid-in capital                                    4,253,689      4,235,689
         Retained earnings                                            24,293,966     22,688,158
         Equity adjustment from foreign currency translation          (1,086,261)    (1,317,058)
                                                                    ------------     ---------- 
                                                                      27,619,654     25,764,924

         Less cost of common stock in treasury - 292,419 shares       (1,251,903)    (1,251,903)
                                                                    ------------     ---------- 
                          Total stockholders' equity                  26,367,751     24,513,021
                                                                    ------------     ----------
Commitments and contingencies (notes 13 and 14)                                                
                                                                    ------------     ----------
                                                                    $ 39,547,520     36,756,053
                                                                    ============     ==========
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      11
<PAGE>   6
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
C.H. HEIST CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Year ended
                                                   --------------------------------------------
                                                     DEC. 31          DEC. 25          DEC. 26
                                                      1995             1994             1993
                                                      ----             ----             ----
<S>                                                <C>              <C>              <C>
Net sales                                          $102,659,211     102,572,391      82,476,106
Cost of sales                                        86,933,518      90,098,687      71,506,596
                                                   ------------     -----------      ----------
                 Gross profit                        15,725,693      12,473,704      10,969,510
Selling, general and administrative expenses         12,315,628      11,003,144       9,510,580
                                                   ------------     -----------      ----------
                 Operating income                     3,410,065       1,470,560       1,458,930
                                                   ------------     -----------      ----------
Other income (expense):
         Interest expense                              (540,517)       (395,960)       (224,383)
         Interest income                                139,337          64,146         167,610
         Gain (loss) on disposal of property,
             plant and equipment, net                   (25,251)         39,049          (9,180)
         Amortization of other assets                  (124,029)       (194,982)       (333,492)
         Miscellaneous                                   51,521          69,109          26,889
                                                   ------------     -----------      ----------
                 Other expense, net                    (498,939)       (418,638)       (372,556)
                                                   ------------     -----------      ----------
                 Earnings before income taxes         2,911,126       1,051,922       1,086,374
Income taxes (note 5)                                 1,305,318         733,899         600,229
                                                   ------------     -----------      ----------
                 Net earnings                      $  1,605,808         318,023         486,145
                                                   ============     ===========      ==========
Net earnings per common share                      $        .56             .11             .17
                                                   ============     ===========      ==========
Weighted average number of common
         shares outstanding                           2,871,812       2,871,743       2,885,493
                                                   ============     ===========      ==========
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
C.H. HEIST CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         Equity
                                                                       adjustments
                                             Additional                from foreign    Treasury stock          Total
                                   Common     paid-in     Retained       currency      --------------       stockholders
                                   stock      capital     earnings      translation  Shares      Amount       equity
                                   -----      -------     --------      -----------  ------      ------       ------
<S>                               <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>       <C>           <C>
Balances at December 27, 1992     $158,135   4,235,689   21,883,990     (412,188)   257,419     (950,028)   24,915,598
Net earnings                           -          -         486,145       -            -            -          486,145
Foreign currency translation
  adjustment                           -          -            -        (429,316)      -            -         (429,316)
Purchase of treasury shares            -          -            -          -          30,000     (263,750)     (263,750)
                                  --------   ---------   ----------   ----------    -------   ----------    ---------- 
Balances at December 26, 1993      158,135   4,235,689   22,370,135     (841,504)   287,419   (1,213,778)   24,708,677
Net earnings                           -          -         318,023       -            -            -          318,023
Foreign currency translation
  adjustment                           -          -            -        (475,554)      -            -         (475,554)
Purchase of treasury shares            -          -            -          -           5,000      (38,125)      (38,125)
                                  --------   ---------   ----------   ----------    -------   ----------    ----------            
Balances at December 25, 1994      158,135   4,235,689   22,688,158   (1,317,058)   292,419   (1,251,903)   24,513,021
Net earnings                           -          -       1,605,808       -            -            -        1,605,808
Exercised options                      125      18,000         -          -            -            -           18,125
Foreign currency translation
  adjustment                           -          -            -         230,797       -            -          230,797
                                  --------   ---------   ----------   ----------    -------   ----------    ----------
Balances at December 31, 1995     $158,260   4,253,689   24,293,966   (1,086,261)   292,419   (1,251,903)   26,367,751
                                  ========   =========   ==========   ==========    =======   ==========    ==========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      12
<PAGE>   7


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
C.H. HEIST CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Year ended
                                                              ---------------------------------------------------  
                                                              DEC. 31              DEC. 25              DEC. 26        
                                                               1995                 1994                  1993          
                                                               ----                 ----                  ----          
<S>                                                          <C>                  <C>                  <C>            
Cash flows from operating activities:                                                                                 
    Net earnings                                             $1,605,808              318,023              486,145         
    Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash                                                                 
         provided by operating activities:                                                                            
         Depreciation of plant and equipment                  4,405,519            4,237,734            4,200,416      
         Amortization of other assets                           124,029              194,982              333,492      
         Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant                                                                   
            and equipment, net                                   25,251              (39,049)               9,180      
         Deferred income taxes                                   81,313             (186,848)            (228,237)     
         Changes in assets and liabilities (see below)          281,265           (3,056,906)          (2,619,800)
                                                             ----------           ----------           ----------
            Net cash provided by operating activities         6,523,185            1,467,936            2,181,196      
                                                             ----------           ----------           ----------
Cash flows from investing activities:                                                                                 
         Additions to property, plant and equipment, net     (7,090,800)          (3,957,032)          (2,842,932)     
         Proceeds from disposal of property, plant                                                                    
             and equipment                                      150,262              226,895               77,045     
         Acquisition (note 12)                                     -                   -               (4,800,000)
                                                             ----------           ----------           ----------    
             Net cash used by investing activities           (6,940,538)          (3,730,137)          (7,565,887)
                                                             ----------           ----------           ----------     
                                                                                                                      
Cash flows from financing activities:                                                                                 
         Proceeds from bank line of credit borrowings         8,200,000            9,206,000            5,600,000     
         Repayment of bank line of credit borrowings         (6,300,000)          (7,806,000)          (2,300,000)     
         Repayments of other long-term debt                     (40,806)            (112,263)            (107,666)    
         Purchase of treasury shares                               -                 (38,125)            (263,750)    
         Exercised stock options                                 18,125                -                    -    
                                                             ----------           ----------           ----------    
                 Net cash provided by                                                                                 
                   financing activities                       1,877,319            1,249,612            2,928,584 
                                                             ----------           ----------           ----------    
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                                                                               
         and cash equivalents                                    47,834             (113,436)            (152,903)
                                                             ----------           ----------           ----------    
                 Net increase (decrease) in cash and                                                                  
                     cash equivalents                         1,507,800           (1,126,025)          (2,609,010)    
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                1,533,015            2,659,040            5,268,050
                                                             ----------           ----------           ----------     
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                     $3,040,815            1,533,015            2,659,040     
                                                             ==========           ===========          ==========
Changes in assets and liabilities providing (using) cash:                                                        
         Receivables                                         $  705,732           (4,201,372)          (2,435,818)    
         Services in progress                                   863,594             (291,125)            (813,759)    
         Parts and supplies                                    (108,077)            (312,509)              (8,147)    
         Prepaid expenses                                      (158,639)             111,478              (23,502)    
         Accounts payable                                      (442,344)             378,545              416,241     
         Accrued expenses                                      (895,833)           1,168,486              531,967     
         Income taxes payable                                   215,186              162,143             (146,047)    
         Other assets                                           101,646              (72,552)            (140,735)
                                                             ----------           ----------           ----------    
             Total                                           $  281,265           (3,056,906)          (2,619,800)    
                                                             ==========           ==========           ==========
 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                                                                    
    Cash paid during year for:                                                                                        
         Interest                                            $  433,534              300,244              124,638     
         Income taxes                                        $  938,737              760,243              973,519     
                                                             ==========           ==========           ==========
        
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      13
<PAGE>   8


   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   C.H. HEIST CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

    Years ended December 31, 1995, December 25, 1994 And December 26, 1993

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
    Significant accounting policies followed by the Company are summarized as
    follows:

        (a)  Fiscal Year
             The Company's fiscal year ends on the last Sunday of December. The
             consolidated financial statements include 53 weeks for the year
             ended December 31, 1995 and 52 weeks for each of the years ended
             December 25, 1994 and December 26, 1993.

        (b)  Principles of Consolidation 
             The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the 
             Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. All 
             significant intercompany balances and transactions have been 
             eliminated in consolidation.

        (c)  Cash Equivalents
             All highly liquid investments with original maturities of three
             months or less are considered cash equivalents.

        (d)  Services in Progress
             Income on services in progress is recorded as the work progresses.
             Anticipated losses, if any, are provided for in full.

        (e)  Parts and Supplies
             Parts and supplies are valued at the lower of cost (first-in,
             first-out) or market.

        (f)  Property, Plant and Equipment
             Depreciation of plant and equipment is provided over the estimated
             useful lives of the respective assets, principally on the
             straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized on the
             straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or
             estimated useful life of the asset.

        (g)  Intangible Assets
             The values ascribed to acquired intangibles (included in other
             assets), primarily covenants not-to-compete and customer and
             employee lists, are being amortized on the straight-line method
             over periods of five years or less.

        (h)  Income Taxes
             Income taxes are accounted for by the asset and liability method.
             Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and
             liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
             attributable to operating loss and credit carry forwards and
             differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of
             existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.
             Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax
             rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which
             those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or
             settled.

             The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in
             tax rates is recognized as income or expense in the period that
             includes the enactment date.

        (i)  Earnings Per Share
             The weighted average number of common shares outstanding includes
             the dilutive effect, if any, of stock options.

        (j)  Foreign Currency Translation
             The Canadian subsidiary utilizes the Canadian dollar as its
             functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated using
             rates of exchange as of the balance sheet date and the statements
             of earnings are translated at the average rate of exchange during
             the year. Gains and losses resulting from translation are reported
             separately in stockholders' equity as "Equity adjustment from
             foreign currency translation."  Foreign currency transaction gains
             and losses, if any, are reflected in operations.

        (k)  Use of Estimates
             Management has made a number of estimates and assumptions in
             preparing these financial statements to conform with generally
             accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from
             those estimates.

        (l)  Accounting Pronouncements
             The Company is required to adopt statements of Financial
             Accounting Standards (FAS) Nos. 121 (Accounting for the Impairment
             of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of)
             and 123 (Accounting for Stock Based Compensation) in 1996. The
             Company does not believe that the adoption of either standard will
             have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
             With respect to FAS 123, the Company expects that it will not
             adopt the fair value accounting provisions of the standard, in
             favor of the disclosure alternative.

                                      14
<PAGE>   9

(2) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
    A summary of property, plant and equipment, as cost, follows:              

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               DEC. 31          DEC. 25
                                                                                 1995             1994
                                                                                 ----             ----
        <S>                                                                   <C>             <C>
        Land                                                                  $ 1,446,844      1,424,922
        Buildings and improvements                                              5,147,329      4,753,110
        Machinery and equipment                                                24,227,007     21,685,922
        Automotive equipment                                                   11,869,224     11,077,696
        Office furniture and equipment                                          4,287,886      1,819,152
        Leasehold improvements                                                    377,022        268,547
                                                                              -----------     ----------
                                                                              $47,355,312     41,029,349
                                                                              ===========     ==========
</TABLE>

(3) ACCRUED EXPENSES
    A summary of accrued expenses follows:                                      

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                DEC. 31          DEC. 25
                                                                                  1995            1994
                                                                                  ----            ----
        <S>                                                                  <C>              <C>
        Payroll and other compensation                                       $  1,495,414      1,525,477
        Taxes, other than income                                                  453,816        522,049
        Insurance                                                               1,607,583      2,290,287
        Site rehabilitation                                                       318,881        306,117
        Other                                                                       3,571        124,349
                                                                             ------------     ----------
                                                                             $  3,879,265      4,768,279
                                                                             ============     ==========
</TABLE>

(4) INDEBTEDNESS
    A summary of long-term debt follows:                                    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 DEC. 31       DEC. 25
                                                                                  1995          1994
                                                                                  ----          ----
        <S>                                                                  <C>              <C>
        Notes payable, bank - revolving credit agreement                     $  6,900,000      5,000,000
        Mortgage notes with interest at 11.2%, payable in principal
             installments approximating $37,700 annually, secured
             by land and buildings with a depreciated cost of
             $1,137,949 at December 31, 1995                                      117,724        158,530
                                                                             ------------     ----------
                 Total long-term debt                                           7,017,724      5,158,530
        Less current installments of long-term debt                                37,667         37,667
                                                                             ------------     ----------
             Long-term debt, excluding current installments                  $  6,980,057      5,120,863
                                                                             ============     ==========
</TABLE>


The Company has a $10,000,000 unsecured bank line of credit under a revolving
credit agreement. The interest rate on borrowings under the line of credit is
elected weekly by the Company and is either (i) the bank's prime rate or (ii)
the Secondary Market Certificate of Deposit (CD) Rate plus 7/8%. The rate in
effect at December 31, 1995 is 6.6%. On July 31, 1997, the Company has the
option of converting the then outstanding borrowings to a term loan, payable in
twenty equal quarterly installments, bearing interest at either (i) the bank's
prime rate plus 1/2% or (ii) the Secondary Market CD Rate plus 1.5%. If
converted, the Company continues electing, on a weekly basis, the interest rate
to be charged. The revolving credit agreement contains working capital
requirements, and limits the amount of liabilities, capital expenditures and
payment of cash dividends. Under the most restrictive of these provisions,
$1,000,000 of retained earnings is free of dividend restrictions at December
31, 1995. Commitment fees of 1/4% per annum are payable on the average daily
unused portion of the line of credit. Compensating balances, may be, but are
not required to be, maintained. If compensating balances are not maintained at
5% of borrowings, fees at the bank's prime rate plus 1/2% are charged on the
balance not maintained.

One of the Company's U.S. subsidiaries has an unsecured line of credit in the
amount of $3,000,000. The interest rate on any borrowings is determined in the
same manner as the Company's revolving credit notes, (with the Secondary Market
CD Rate plus 1 1/8%). Commitment fees of 1/4% per annum are payable on the
average daily unused portion of the line of credit. No compensating balances
are required and no amounts have been borrowed to date.

The Company's Canadian subsidiary has an unsecured line of credit in the U.S.
dollar equivalent amount of $366,450 at December 31, 1995. Any borrowings
thereunder bear interest at the prime rate of the Royal Bank. Commitment fees
of 1/4% per annum are payable on the average daily unused portion of the line
of credit. No compensating balances are required.  No amounts were outstanding
at December 31, 1995 and December 25, 1994.

Long-term debt matures as follows, assuming conversion of the amount due under
the revolving credit agreement: $37,667 in 1996; $727,667 in 1997; $1,417,667
in 1998; $1,384,723 in 1999; $1,380,000 in 2000; and $2,070,000 thereafter. The
fair value of long-term debt approximates its recorded value.

                                      15
<PAGE>   10
(5) INCOME TAXES
    Income tax expense consists of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Year ended
                                       --------------------------------------------------------
                                        DEC. 31                  DEC.25                 DEC.26
                                         1995                     1994                   1993
                                         ----                     ----                   ----
<S>                                    <C>                     <C>                    <C>
Current expense (benefit):
  Federal                              $  377,936                234,128                619,978
  State                                   246,433                344,506                213,800
  Foreign                                 599,636                342,113                 (5,312)
                                       ----------              ---------              ---------
    Total current                       1,224,005                920,747                828,466
                                       ----------              ---------              ---------

Deferred expense (benefit):
  Federal                                  75,906               (181,089)              (159,378)
  State                                     5,407                (12,941)               (84,385)
  Foreign                                   -                      7,182                 15,526
                                       ----------              ---------              ---------
    Total deferred                         81,313               (186,848)              (228,237)
                                       ----------              ---------              ---------
                                       $1,305,318                733,899                600,229
                                       ==========              =========              =========
Pretax earnings consist of:
  Domestic                             $1,602,578                353,655              1,437,899
  Foreign                               1,308,548                698,267               (351,525)
                                       ----------              ---------              ---------
                                       $2,911,126              1,051,922              1,086,374
                                       ==========              =========              =========
</TABLE>


Actual income taxes differ from the "expected" taxes (computed by applying the
U.S. Federal corporate tax rate of 34% to earnings before income taxes) as
follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Year ended
                                                          ---------------------------------------------------
                                                          DEC. 31              DEC. 25                DEC. 26
                                                           1995                  1994                   1993
                                                           ----                  ----                   ----
<S>                                                     <C>                     <C>                   <C>
Computed expected tax expense                           $  989,783             $357,653               369,367
 Adjustments resulting from:
    Effect of higher foreign tax rates                     154,970              111,884                (4,954)
    State taxes, net of Federal tax benefit                166,214              218,834                85,414
    Change in valuation allowance
      for foreign deferred tax assets                       (7,403)               1,756               134,687        
    Other                                                    1,754               43,772                15,715      
                                                        ----------              -------               -------
                                                        $1,305,318              733,899               600,229
                                                        ==========              =======               =======
Effective tax rate                                            44.8%                69.8%                 55.3%
                                                        ==========              =======               =======

</TABLE>



The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax
assets and liability are as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   DEC. 31                      DEC.25
                                                                     1995                         1994
                                                                     ----                         ----
<S>                                                                 <C>                         <C>
Current deferred tax assets:
  Allowance for doubful receivables                                 $105,332                     101,418
  Accrued site rehabilitation expense                                117,728                     117,728
  Accrued insurance expense                                          531,544                     576,000
  Other                                                               79,813                         477
                                                                    --------                    --------
                                                                     834,417                     795,623
                                                                    --------                    --------
Long-term deferred tax assets:
  Accumulated depreciation of plant and equipment                    261,142                     265,215
  Valuation allowance                                               (129,220)                   (136,623)
                                                                    --------                    --------
                                                                     131,922                     128,592
                                                                    --------                    --------
Long-term deferred tax liability, net:
  Liabilities:                                                                                           
  Accumulated depreciation of plant and equipment                   (652,956)                   (597,892)
  Other                                                              (17,314)                    (24,239)
                                                                    --------                    --------
                                                                    (670,270)                   (622,131)

Assets:
  Operating loss and credit carry forwards                           334,193                     311,001
  Accumulated amortization of other assets                           189,897                     207,531
  Valuation allowance                                               (284,106)                   (203,250)
                                                                    --------                    --------
                                                                    (430,286)                   (306,849)
                                                                    --------                    --------
    Net deferred tax assets                                         $536,053                     617,366
                                                                    ========                    ========

</TABLE>
                                      16
<PAGE>   11
(5) INCOME TAXES, continued
    In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers,
    within each taxing jurisdiction, whether it is more likely than not that
    some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
    Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities,
    projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this
    assessment.  Based upon the level of historical taxable income and 
    projections for future taxable income over the years which the deferred 
    tax assets are deductible, management believes it more likely than not the
    Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of 
    existing valuation allowance at December 31, 1995.

    Undistributed earnings of the Canadian subsidiary, which are intended to be
    permanently reinvested in the business are approximately $10,466,000 at
    December 31, 1995. If such earnings were remitted to the domestic parent,
    taxes based at the then current rates and subject to certain limitations
    would be payable after reduction for any foreign taxes previously paid on
    such earnings.

(6) TREASURY SHARES
    The Company has made the following repurchases of treasury shares in 1994
    and 1993. These purchases, which were at market value, were from
    shareholders, each of whom own beneficially greater than 5% of the Company's
    outstanding common stock.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Shares           Purchase price per share           Amount
                                                   ------           ------------------------           ------
         <S>                                       <C>                       <C>                      <C>
         Fiscal 1994-April 12, 1994                 5,000                    $7.63                    $  38,125
                                                   ======                    =====                    =========

         Fiscal 1993:
             June 2, 1993                          10,000                    $9.38                    $  93,800
             April 14, 1993                        20,000                    $8.50                      169,950
                                                   ------                    =====                    ---------
                 Total fiscal 1993                 30,000                                             $ 263,750
                                                   ======                                             =========
</TABLE>

(7) STOCK OPTION PLAN
    The Company has reserved 375,000 common shares for issuance in conjunction
    with its Stock Option Plan. The plan provides for the granting of incentive
    stock options and/or nonqualified options to officers and key employees to
    purchase shares of common stock at a price not less than the fair market
    value of the stock on the dates options are granted. Such options are 
    excercisable at such time or times as may be determined by the Compensation
    Committee of the Board of Directors and expire no more than ten years after
    grant. A summary of stock option activity follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Year ended
                                                  -----------------------------------------
                                                  DEC. 31         DEC. 25          DEC. 26
                                                   1995            1994              1993
                                                   ----            ----              ----
       <S>                                        <C>            <C>                <C>
       Outstanding, beginning of year             149,153          69,041           71,760
         Granted                                   47,000          80,400             -
         Canceled or expired                       (3,953)           (288)          (2,719)
         Exercised                                 (2,500)            -               -   
                                                  -------         -------           ------
       Outstanding, end of year                   189,700         149,153           69,041
                                                  =======         =======           ======
</TABLE>
    Options are fully exercisable at prices ranging from $6.94 to $11.14.

(8) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
    The Company has a qualified noncontributory defined benefit pension plan
    covering substantially all of its non-bargaining unit personnel in the
    United States. The benefits are based on years of service and the employee's
    average compensation during employment. Pension costs are funded as required
    required by applicable regulations. The following table sets forth the
    funded status of the plan at the October 1 measurement dates and the 
    components of pension expense:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                  
                                                             1995             1994
       <S>                                                <C>             <C>
       Funded status:
         Accumulated benefit obligation:
           Vested                                         $1,744,222       1,129,943
           Nonvested                                         376,786         226,592
                                                          ----------       ---------
                                                          $2,121,008       1,356,535
                                                          ==========       =========
          Projected benefit obligation                    $2,762,755       1,782,601
          Plan assets (insurance contracts and
             money market funds), at fair value            2,351,367       1,977,437
                                                          ----------       ---------
           Plan assets in excess of (less than)
              projected benefit obligation                  (411,388)        194,836
           Unrecognized cumulative experience gain          (629,424)     (1,102,250)
           Unrecognized prior service cost                   746,923         808,461
           Unrecognized net asset at SFAS No.87 adoption
             date, being amortized over 15 years              17,814          20,521
                                                          ----------       ---------
                  Accrued pension liability               $ (276,075)        (78,432)
                                                          ==========       ========= 
</TABLE>   
                                      17
<PAGE>   12

(8) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS, continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Year ended
                                                            -----------------------------------------
                                                             DEC. 31        DEC. 25           DEC. 26
                                                              1995           1994              1993
                                                              ----           ----              ----
      <S>                                                   <C>            <C>              <C>
      Pension expense:
         Service cost-for projected benefits
           earned during the period                         $300,416         424,609          364,535
         Interest cost on projected benefit obligation       128,884         119,768           98,408
         Actual return on plan assets                       (328,967)        101,275         (170,711)
         Net amortization and deferral                       167,510        (208,202)         117,340
                                                            --------        --------         --------
                 Total pension expense                      $267,843         437,450          409,572
                                                            ========        ========         ========

       Principal actuarial assumptions are:
         Weighted average discount rate                         6.25%           7.25%            6.00%
         Weighted average return on plan assets                 7.95%           7.75%            7.75%
         Rate of compensation increase                          4.90%           4.90%            4.90%
                                                                =====           =====            =====
</TABLE>

    The Company maintains a deferred profit sharing plan covering all salaried
    employees of a Canadian subsidiary.  Contributions to the plan are based on
    net earnings, as defined, subject to certain limitations based on the
    salaries of the participants. Expenses under the plan were $30,000 in 1995,
    $32,028 in 1994 and nil in 1993.

(9) METHODS AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS
    Methods and development costs amounted to $154,417, $182,542 and $235,065,
    for the fiscal years 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.

(10)INDUSTRY SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS
    The Company operates in two industry segments, industrial maintenance and
    temporary help. The industrial maintenance segment furnishes services to
    heavy industries including high-pressure water cleaning, sandblasting,
    industrial painting, and the vacuuming of wet and dry industrial wastes.
    The temporary help segment supplies temporary employees for clerical,
    industrial and technical needs. 

    Net sales by segment are sales to unaffiliated customers.  Segment data as 
    of and for each of the years ended December 31, 1995, December 25, 1994 and
    December 26, 1993 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1995            1994             1993
                                                       ----            ----             ----
                                                                 (In thousands)
       <S>                                           <C>             <C>               <C>
       Industrial maintenance services:
          Net sales                                  $  57,974        58,469           46,383
          Operating income (loss)                          488        (1,930)            (900)
          Identifiable assets                           30,468        29,948           27,427
          Capital expenditures                           6,706         3,653            7,578
          Depreciation                                   4,085         4,144            4,126
          Amortization                               $      24            91              180
                                                     =========       =======           ======

       Temporary help:
          Net sales                                  $  44,685        44,103           36,093
          Intersegment sales                               134           152              141
                                                     ---------       -------           ------
              Total sales                            $  44,819        44,255           36,234
                                                     =========       =======           ======

          Operating income                           $   2,922         3,401            2,359
          Identifiable assets                            7,588         5,704            5,002
          Capital expenditures                             385           304               65
          Depreciation                                     321            94               74
          Amortization                               $     100           104              153
                                                     =========       =======           ======
          Corporate assets                           $   1,492         1,104            1,543
                                                     =========       =======           ======
          Consolidated:
             Net sales                               $ 102,659       102,572           82,476
             Operating income                            3,410         1,471            1,459
             Total assets                               39,548        36,756           33,972
             Capital expenditures, including
               acquisition in 1993                       7,091         3,957            7,643
             Depreciation                                4,406         4,238            4,200
             Amortization                            $     124           195              333
                                                     =========       =======           ======
</TABLE>

                                      18
<PAGE>   13
(10)     INDUSTRY SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS, continued
         The segment data reflects the Company's operational structure.
         However, certain corporate expenses and assets have been allocated to
         industry segments. Corporate assets not allocated include certificates
         of deposit. One customer accounted for approximately 12.9%, 11.2% and
         13.1% of the Company's consolidated net sales in 1995, 1994 and 1993,
         respectively. At December 31, 1995 and December 25, 1994, receivables
         include approximately $1,016,416 and $1,602,530, respectively, from
         the same customer.
(11)     CANADIAN OPERATION
         A summary of financial data (in U.S. dollars) relating to the 
         Company's Canadian industrial maintenance operations follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            Year ended
                                                                             ----------------------------------------
                                                                             DEC. 31          DEC. 25          DEC. 26
                                                                              1995             1994             1993
                                                                              ----             ----             ----
                                                                                          (In thousands)
                 <S>                                                         <C>              <C>              <C>
                 Identifiable assets                                         $10,093           9,451            8,479
                 Liabilities                                                     703             803              819
                 Net sales                                                    14,483          12,673           12,643
                 Net earnings (loss)                                         $   709             349             (362)
                                                                             =======          ======           ====== 
</TABLE>
(12)     ACQUISITION OF BUSINESS
         On June 28, 1993, the Company acquired certain assets, principally
         property, plant and equipment, of Omstede Mechanical Services, Inc.
         (OMSI) for $4,800,000 in cash. As of May 1, 1995 the name OMSI was
         changed to Heist Field Services (HFS). The acquisition was accounted
         for under the purchase method of accounting. The purchase price was
         allocated to property, plant and equipment acquired based on its fair
         value which approximated the purchase price. HFS is engaged in the
         business of exchanger extraction and insertion, shell side cleaning,
         tube cleaning and field service repairs of heat exchangers. HFS's
         results of operations, prior to the date of acquisition, are not
         included in the consolidated results of the Company. The  following
         unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations are presented
         as if the acquisition was consummated on December 27, 1992.  The pro
         forma results of operations reflect the effects of depreciation based
         on the acquisition price, increased interest costs resulting from
         borrowing needed for the purchase and certain reductions in non-
         recurring selling, general and administrative expenses. Such pro forma
         information does not purport to be indicative of the results which
         would actually have been reported if the acquisition had been
         consummated as of the aforementioned date or which may result in the
         future.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  (Unaudited)
                                                                  Year ended
                                                                    Dec. 26
                                                                     1993
                                                                     ----
                                                   (In thousands except per share earnings)
                 <S>                                                <C>
                 Sales                                              $90,328
                 Net earnings                                           482
                 Net earnings per share                             $   .17
                                                                    =======
</TABLE>
(13)     LEASE COMMITMENTS
         The Company and its subsidiaries occupy certain facilities under
         noncancellable operating lease arrangements.  Expense under such
         arrangements amounted to $659,594, $549,907 and $517,437 in 1995, 1994
         and 1993, respectively. Of these amounts, $83,400 applied to leases
         with related persons in 1995, 1994 and 1993.

         In addition, the Company leases certain automotive and office
         equipment under noncancellable operating lease arrangements which
         provide for minimum monthly rentals. Expense under such arrangements
         amounted to $689,897, $517,863  and $470,232 in 1995, 1994 and 1993,
         respectively.

         Management expects that in the normal course of business, leases that
         expire will be replaced by new leases.  Real estate taxes, insurance
         and maintenance expenses are obligations of the Company.

         A summary of future minimum rental payments at December 31, 1995 under
         operating leases follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 Year                Real Property Other           Equipment
                 ----                -------------------           ---------
                 <S>                      <C>                       <C>
                 1996                      $504,702                 598,373
                 1997                       305,468                 439,197
                 1998                        84,230                 157,785
                 1999                        20,207                   6,077
                 2000                      $ 13,930                     -  
                                           ========                 =======
</TABLE>
(14)     CONTINGENCIES
         The Company is exposed to a number of asserted and unasserted
         potential claims encountered in the normal course of business. In the
         opinion of management, the resolution of such matters will not have a
         material adverse effect on the Company s financial condition.

                                      19
<PAGE>   14
QUARTERLY DATA
C.H. HEIST CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

In order to assist our stockholders and other members of the financial
community in following our progress, this chart is provided, with the blank
spaces provided for the current 1996 fiscal year.

(In thousands, except per share data and percentages)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
QUARTER                                ENDED              ENDED              ENDED           ENDED            FULL
                                       March               June             September        December         Year
<S>                             <C>                  <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Fiscal 1996:                  
   Net sales                    $                    $                $                $                $
   Earnings (loss) before                      %                  %                %               %                  %
     income taxes                                 
   Income taxes (benefit)                      %                  %                %               %                  %
   Net earnings(loss)                          %                  %                %               %                  %
   Earnings (loss) per share    $                    $                $                $                $
   EPS - last 12 months         $                    $                $                $                $
   Stock price range            $                    $                $                $                $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal 1995:                                      
   Net sales                    $24,544              $25,301          $27,179          $25,635          $102,659
   Earnings (loss) before                         
     income taxes                  (573)  (2.3)%         974   3.8%     1,089   4.0%     1,421  5.5%       2,911   2.8%
   Income taxes (benefit)          (225) (39.3)%         550  56.5%       490  45.0%       490 34.5%       1,305  44.8%
   Net earnings (loss)             (348)  (1.4)%         424   1.7%       599   2.2%       931  3.6%       1,606   1.6%
   Earnings (loss) per share    $  (.12)             $   .15          $   .21          $   .32          $    .56
   EPS - last 12 months         $   .61              $   .62          $   .64          $   .56          $    .56
   Stock price range            $ 10 1/4 - 6 1/4     $ 9 1/2 - 8      $8 1/8-7 1/4     $ 8 5/8-6 3/4    $ 10 3/4-63/4
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal 1994:                                      
   Net sales                    $23,199              $24,897          $26,964          $27,512          $102,572
   Earnings (loss) before                         
      income taxes               (2,435) (10.5)%         519   2.1%     1,105   4.1%     1,863  6.8%       1,052   1.0%
   Income taxes (benefit)          (659) (27.1)%         114  22.0%       555  50.2%       724 38.9%         734  69.8%
   Net earnings (loss)           (1,776)  (7.7)%         405   1.6%       550   2.0%     1,139  4.1%         318    .3%
   Earnings (loss) per share    $  (.62)             $   .14          $   .19          $   .40          $    .11
   EPS - last 12 months         $  (.41)             $  (.41)         $  (.26)         $   .11          $    .11
Stock price range               $ 8 - 7              $ 7 5/8-6 1/4    $ 6 7/8-5 5/8    $ 7 1/2-6 1/2    $ 8-5 5/8
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal 1993:                                      
   Net sales                    $16,526              $20,257          $22,324          $23,369          $ 82,476
   Earnings (loss) before                         
      income taxes                 (201)  (1.2)%         677   3.3%       196    .9%       414  1.8%       1,086   1.3%
   Income taxes (benefit)           (81) (40.3)%         282  41.7%        84  42.9%       315 76.1%         600  55.3%
   Net earnings (loss)             (120)   (.7)%         395   1.9%       112    .5%        99   .4%         486    .6%
   Earnings (loss) per share    $  (.04)             $   .14          $   .04          $   .03          $    .17  
   EPS - last 12 months         $   .42              $   .36          $   .26          $   .17          $    .17  
   Stock price range            $ 8 5/8-7 1/8        $ 9 1/2-8        $ 9 5/8-8        $ 8 1/2-7 7/8    $9 5/8-7 1/8
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The percentages indicate the pre-tax margin (earnings before income taxes/net
sales), the effective tax rate (provision for income taxes/earnings before
taxes) and after the tax margin (net earnings/net sales).

On December 31, 1995, there were 184 registered shareholders. Proxies were
mailed to an additional 296 shareholders whose certificates were registered in
the name of brokers, banks and nominees on March 29, 1996.

                                      20

<PAGE>   1






                                  EXHIBIT 23



                     Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to
                     incorporation of reports in Form S-8
                                 No. 33-48497

<PAGE>   2
                                                             Exhibit 23




The Board of Directors
C.H. Heist Corp.:


We consent to the inclusion and incorporation by reference in the registration
statement (No.33-48497) on Form S-8 of C.H. Heist Corp. of our reports dated 
February 16, 1996, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of C.H. Heist 
Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31,1995 and December 25, 1994, and the 
related consolidated statements of earnings, stockholders' equity, and cash 
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1995, 
and related schedule, which reports appear in, or are incorporated by reference
into, the December 31, 1995 annual report on Form 10-K of C.H. Heist Corp.



                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Buffalo, New York
March 27, 1996




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-26-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       3,040,815
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               14,283,008
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  2,170,572
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            21,507,188
<PP&E>                                      47,355,312
<DEPRECIATION>                              29,712,818
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              39,547,520
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        5,769,426
<BONDS>                                      6,980,057
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                       158,260
<OTHER-SE>                                  26,209,491
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                39,547,520
<SALES>                                    102,659,211
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           102,659,211
<CGS>                                       86,933,518
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               86,933,518
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            12,315,628
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             540,517
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,911,126
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,305,318
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,605,808
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,605,808
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .56
        

</TABLE>


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