HEXCEL CORP /DE/
8-K, 2000-05-10
METAL FORGINGS & STAMPINGS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

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


                          May 10, 2000 (April 26, 2000)
                      -------------------------------------
                Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)


                               Hexcel Corporation

                   -------------------------------------------
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


                           Delaware 1-8472 94-1109521
      --------------------------------------------------------------------
                  (State of (Commission File No.) (IRS Employer
                       Incorporation) Identification No.)



                               Two Stamford Plaza
                              281 Tresser Boulevard

                        Stamford, Connecticut 06901-3238
             ------------------------------------------------------
              (Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)


                                 (203) 969-0666
               --------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                       N/A

           -----------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


<PAGE>


Item 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.
         ------------------------------------

          On April 26, 2000,  Hexcel  Corporation (the "Company")  completed the
     sale  of its  Bellingham  aircraft  interiors  business  to  Britax  Cabin
     Interiors,   Inc.   ("Britax"),   a  wholly  owned   subsidiary  of  Britax
     International plc, pursuant to an Asset-Purchase  Agreement dated March 31,
     2000 between the Company and Britax. A copy of the agreement is attached to
     this report as Exhibit 2.1. The divested  Bellingham business is engaged in
     the design, engineering, manufacture  and sale of commercial  aircraft
     interior components and systems for refurbishment, reconfiguration and OEM
     applications.

          The  purchase  price paid by Britax to the Company for the  Bellingham
     business at closing was $115.4  million in cash  reflecting  estimated pre-
     closing  changes  in the net  assets  of  Bellingham,  subject  to  certain
     further post-closing  adjustments.  The Company  estimates reporting in the
     second quarter of 2000, a pre-tax gain of approximately $65 million to $75
     million relating  to the  sale.  Net  proceeds  from the sale  were used to
     repay a portion of the  Company's  outstanding  term debt  under its senior
     credit facility.

Item 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
         ---------------------------------


(b) UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
    -----------------------------------------

          Unaudited pro forma  consolidated  financial  statements as of and for
     the year ended December 31, 1999, and as of and for the quarter ended March
     31, 2000 are attached hereto on pages PF-1 through PF-7.

          Additionally,  pro forma and actual net sales to third-party customers
     by product group and market segment and business  segment data, for each of
     the quarters ended March 31, June 30,  September 30, and December 31, 1999,
     as well as for the year ended  December  31,  1999,  and the quarter  ended
     March 31, 2000, are attached to this report as Exhibits 99.2 through 99.5.

(c) EXHIBITS.
    --------


 2.1     Asset-Purchase Agreement dated March 31, 2000 between Hexcel
         Corporation and Britax Cabin Interiors, Inc.

99.1     Press Release.

99.2     Unaudited Pro Forma 1999 and First Quarter 2000 Net Sales to
         Third-Party Customers by Product Group and Market Segment.

99.3     Unaudited Actual 1999 and First Quarter 2000 Net Sales to Third-Party
         Customers by Product Group and Market Segment.

99.4     Unaudited Pro Forma 1999 and First Quarter 2000 Business Segment Data.

99.5   Unaudited Actual 1999 and First Quarter 2000 Business Segment Data.



<PAGE>


                                                               SIGNATURE

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

Dated:  May 10, 2000


                                                  HEXCEL CORPORATION

                                                  By:  /S/ KIRK FORBECK
                                                       ----------------

                                                  Name:  Kirk Forbeck
                                                  Title: Corporate Controller


<PAGE>



                         PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     The following unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of operations for
the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1999,  and the quarter ended March 31, 2000,
as well as the unaudited pro forma condensed  consolidated  balance sheets as of
December 31, 1999 and March 31, 2000,  were prepared to illustrate the estimated
effects of the sale of Bellingham,  a division of Hexcel Corporation ("Hexcel"),
and the application of the net proceeds from the sale to debt outstanding  under
Hexcel's senior credit facility.  The unaudited pro forma consolidated
statements of operations assume that the sale occurred at the beginning of the
periods presented.  The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance
sheets assume that the sale occurred as of the respective balance sheet date.

     The unaudited pro forma financial information presented is derived from the
audited financial statements of Hexcel as of and for the year ended December 31,
1999, and the unaudited  financial  statements of Hexcel as of and for the three
months ended March 31,  2000.  The  unaudited  pro forma  financial  information
should be read in  conjunction  with  "Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of
Financial  Condition and Results of Operations" and the  consolidated  financial
statements of Hexcel, including the notes thereto,  appearing in Hexcel's Annual
Form  10-K for the year  ended  December  31,  1999.  The  unaudited  pro  forma
financial  information  does not  purport  to be  indicative  of the  results of
operations or financial  condition  that would have been reported had the events
assumed occurred on the dates indicated, nor does it purport to be indicative of
results of  operations,  or  financial  condition  that may be  achieved  in the
future.

                                      PF-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                    UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999

                     (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<CAPTION>


                                                                       HISTORICAL
                                                    ---------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>                <C>
                                                                                         ADJUSTMENTS          PRO FORMA
                                                           HEXCEL       BELLINGHAM         (NOTE 1)         CONSOLIDATED
                                                       -------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
Net sales                                           $      1,151.5   $        70.0    $      -           $     1,081.5
Cost of sales                                                909.0            55.1           -                   853.9
                                                       -------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
  Gross margin                                               242.5            14.9           -                   227.6
Selling, general and administrative expenses                 128.7             6.9           -                   121.8
Research and technology expenses                              24.8               -           -                    24.8
Business acquisition and consolidation expenses               20.1               -           -                    20.1
                                                       -------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
  Operating income                                            68.9             8.0           -                    60.9
Interest expense                                              73.9               -           (8.1)   (a)          65.8
                                                       -------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
  Income (loss) before income taxes                           (5.0)            8.0           (8.1)                (4.9)
Recovery of (provision for) income taxes                       1.7            (2.8)           2.8    (b)           1.7
Equity in income and write-down of
  investments in affiliated companies                        (20.0)              -              -                (20.0)
                                                       -------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
  Net income (loss)                                 $        (23.3) $          5.2    $      (5.3)      $        (23.2)
                                                       -------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
Net loss per share:
  Basic                                             $        (0.64)                                     $       (0.64)
  Diluted                                                    (0.64)                                             (0.64)
Weighted average shares
  Basic                                                       36.4                                                36.4
  Diluted                                                     36.4                                                36.4

OTHER FINANCIAL DATA
EBITDA (Note 3)                                     $        130.3   $         9.1    $      -           $       121.2
Adjusted EBITDA (Note 3)                                     150.4             9.1           -                   141.3
Cash flows provided by (used for):
  Operating activities                                       133.7             4.6         (7.0)                 136.1
  Investing activities                                       (40.3)          (3.5)          -                    (36.8)
  Financing activities                                       (99.5)          (1.1)          7.0                 (105.4)
Depreciation and amortization                                 61.3             1.1           -                    60.2
Capital expenditures                                          35.6             3.5           -                    32.1
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges                            0.7x               -           -                    0.7x



<FN>


       See accompanying notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
</FN>
</TABLE>


                                      PF-2


<PAGE>

<TABLE>


                    UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

                          QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2000

                     (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<CAPTION>


                                                                       HISTORICAL
                                                    ---------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>                <C>
                                                                                         ADJUSTMENTS          PRO FORMA
                                                           HEXCEL       BELLINGHAM         (NOTE 1)         CONSOLIDATED
                                                       -------------    -------------    -----------        -------------

Net sales                                           $        279.8   $        16.6    $      -           $       263.2
Cost of sales                                                217.6            12.1           -                   205.5
                                                       -------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
  Gross margin                                                62.2             4.5           -                    57.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses                  32.9             3.4           -                    29.5
Research and technology expenses                               6.3               -           -                     6.3
Business consolidation expenses                                1.2               -           -                     1.2
                                                       -------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
  Operating income                                            21.8             1.1           -                    20.7

Interest expense                                              18.4               -           (2.3)   (a)          16.1
                                                       -------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
  Income before income taxes                                   3.4             1.1           (2.3)                 4.6
Provision for income taxes                                    (1.2)           (0.4)           0.8    (b)          (1.6)
Equity in income of affiliated companies                       0.4             -               -                   0.4
                                                       -------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
  Net income                                        $          2.6   $         0.7    $      (1.5)       $         3.4
                                                       -------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
Net income per share:
  Basic                                             $         0.07                                       $        0.09
  Diluted                                                     0.07                                                0.09
Weighted average shares
  Basic                                                       36.6                                                36.6
  Diluted                                                     36.8                                                36.8

Other Financial Data
EBITDA (Note 3)                                     $         36.8   $         1.4    $      -           $        35.4
Adjusted EBITDA (Note 3)                                      38.0             1.4           -                    36.6
Cash flows provided by (used for):
  Operating activities                                         (6.1)           1.6         (1.2)                  (6.5)
  Investing activities                                         (7.8)          (0.2)          -                    (7.6)
  Financing activities                                        17.8            (1.4)         1.2                   18.0
Depreciation and amortization                                 15.0             0.3           -                    14.7
Capital expenditures                                           4.4             0.2           -                     4.2
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges                            1.2x               -           -                    1.3x



<FN>



       See accompanying notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

</FN>
</TABLE>

                                      PF-3


<PAGE>

<TABLE>


                    UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                             AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999

                                  (IN MILLIONS)
<CAPTION>


                                                                      HISTORICAL
                                                        -----------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>                <C>
                                                                                          ADJUSTMENTS          PRO FORMA
                                                         HEXCEL         BELLINGHAM         (NOTE 2)         CONSOLIDATED
                                                        ------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                         $         0.2    $           -    $         -        $         0.2
  Accounts receivable                                       158.6             14.6              -                144.0
  Inventories                                               153.7              9.1              -                144.6
  Prepaid expenses and other assets                           5.1              0.1           (0.3)   (a)           4.7
  Deferred tax asset                                         10.2                -           (0.2)   (b)          10.0
                                                        ------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
     Total current assets                                   327.8             23.8           (0.5)               303.5
Net property, plant and equipment                           392.1             20.3              -                371.8
Goodwill and other purchased intangibles, net               411.2              4.9                               406.3
Investments in affiliated companies and other assets        130.8                -          (27.2)   (b)         103.6
                                                        ------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
     Total assets                                   $     1,261.9    $        49.0    $     (27.7)       $     1,185.2
                                                        ------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Notes payable and current maturities of capital
     lease obligations                              $        34.3    $           -    $      (5.7)   (c) $        28.6
  Accounts payable                                           80.3              5.4              -                 74.9
  Accrued liabilities                                        95.9              1.7           (1.1)   (d)          93.1
                                                        ------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
     Total current liabilities                              210.5              7.1           (6.8)               196.6
Long-term notes payable and capital lease obligations       712.5                -         (106.3)   (c)         606.2
Indebtedness to related parties                              24.1                -              -                 24.1
Other non-current liabilities                                44.7              0.2              -                 44.5
                                                        ------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
     Total liabilities                                      991.8              7.3         (113.1)               871.4
     Total stockholders' equity                             270.1             41.7           85.4    (e)         313.8
                                                        ------------    -------------    -----------        -------------
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity     $     1,261.9    $        49.0    $     (27.7)       $     1,185.2
                                                        ------------    -------------    -----------        -------------







<FN>



      See accompanying notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information.

</FN>
</TABLE>

                                      PF-4

<PAGE>
<TABLE>



                    UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                              AS OF MARCH 31, 2000

                                  (IN MILLIONS)


                                                                    HISTORICAL
                                                           ---------------------------
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                    <C>              <C>            <C>               <C>
                                                                                           ADJUSTMENTS        PRO FORMA
                                                              HEXCEL       BELLINGHAM       (NOTE 2)        CONSOLIDATED
                                                           ------------    -----------     ---------        -------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                            $         4.8    $         -    $      -          $         4.8
  Accounts receivable                                          177.1           10.8           -                  166.3
  Inventories                                                  164.0            9.2           -                  154.8
  Prepaid expenses and other assets                              3.7            0.1          (0.5)   (a)           3.1
  Deferred tax asset                                            10.1              -          (0.8)   (b)           9.3
                                                           ------------    -----------     ---------        -------------
     Total current assets                                      359.7           20.1          (1.3)               338.3
Net property, plant and equipment                              381.7           20.2           -                  361.5
Goodwill and other purchased intangibles, net                  407.6            4.9           -                  402.7
Investments in affiliated companies and other assets           141.0              -         (26.4)   (b)         114.6
                                                           ------------    -----------     ---------        -------------
     Total assets                                      $     1,290.0    $      45.2    $    (27.7)       $     1,217.1
                                                           ------------    -----------     ---------        -------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Notes payable and current maturities of capital
     lease obligations                                 $        26.4    $         -    $     (6.1)   (c) $        20.3
  Accounts payable                                              88.7            4.0           -                   84.7
  Accrued liabilities                                           94.8            4.1          (1.0)   (d)          89.7
                                                           ------------    -----------     ---------        -------------
     Total current liabilities                                 209.9            8.1          (7.1)               194.7
Long-term notes payable and capital lease obligations          738.3              -        (105.8)   (c)         632.5
Indebtedness to related parties                                 24.1              -           -                   24.1
Other non-current liabilities                                   47.4            0.2           -                   47.2
                                                           ------------    -----------     ---------        -------------
     Total liabilities                                       1,019.7            8.3        (112.9)               898.5
     Total stockholders' equity                                270.3           36.9         85.2     (e)         318.6
                                                           ------------    -----------     ---------        -------------
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity        $     1,290.0    $      45.2    $    (27.7)       $     1,217.1
                                                           ------------    -----------     ---------        -------------







<FN>



       See accompanying notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

</FN>
</TABLE>

                                      PF-5


<PAGE>



NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

NOTE 1 - ADJUSTMENTS TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(a)  Adjustment to reflect the net decrease in interest expense  attributable to
     repayments  of term debt  under the senior  credit  facility.  Interest  on
     outstanding  borrowings  under the senior  credit  facility  is computed at
     variable  rates based on the London  interbank  rate,  or, at the option of
     Hexcel, at the base rate of the administrative  agent for the lenders.  For
     purpose of estimating pro forma  adjustments,  a weighted  average interest
     rate of approximately  7.25% and 8.25% was used for the year ended December
     31, 1999 and the quarter ended March 31, 2000, respectively.

(b)      Adjustment to reflect an approximate average income tax rate of 35.2%.


NOTE 2 - ADJUSTMENTS TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
         SHEETS

(a)  Represents the removal of deferred transaction costs in connection with
     the sale of Bellingham.

(b)  Reflects the estimated  deferred  income tax effect relating to the sale of
     Bellingham and to the resulting pro forma reduction of interest expense.

(c)  Adjustment to reduce  indebtedness under the senior credit facility with
     net cash proceeds from the sale of Bellingham.

(d)  Adjustment to reduce the senior credit facility's accrued interest due to
     the reduction in indebtedness.

(e)  The net increase in stockholders' equity primarily represents the after-tax
     gain on the sale of  Bellingham,  including  the  transfer of  Bellingham's
     equity to Hexcel.

NOTE 3 - EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA

     "EBITDA"  is  defined  as  income  before  interest,  taxes,  depreciation,
amortization  and equity in income and  write-down in affiliated  companies.
"Adjusted  EBITDA" is defined as EBITDA before  business acquisition and
consolidation expenses. Hexcel believes that EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA  provide
useful  information  regarding  Hexcel's  ability to service its indebtedness,
but should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute  for operating
income or cash flow from operations, which is determined in accordance with
generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  as an  indicator of Hexcel's
operating performance or as a measure of Hexcel's liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA may
not be  comparable  to  other  similarly  titled  financial  measures  of  other
companies.

                                      PF-6


<PAGE>

<TABLE>

   A reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA is as follows (in millions):
<CAPTION>

                                                                  HISTORICAL
                                                        -----------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>             <C>              <C>                <C>
                                                                                                              PRO FORMA
                                                             HEXCEL     BELLINGHAM         ADJUSTMENTS      CONSOLIDATED
                                                        ------------    -------------    ---------------    -------------
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
  Net income (loss)                                  $      (23.3)   $         5.2    $          (5.3)   $       (23.2)
  Provision for (recovery of) income taxes                   (1.7)             2.8               (2.8)            (1.7)
  Interest expense                                           73.9                -                8.1             65.8
  Depreciation and amortization                              61.3              1.1                  -             60.2
  Equity in income and write-down in
    affiliated companies                                     20.0                -                                20.0
  Other                                                       0.1                -                  -              0.1
                                                        ------------    -------------    ---------------    -------------
  EBITDA                                                    130.3              9.1                  -            121.2
  Business acquisition and consolidation expenses            20.1                -                  -             20.1
                                                        ------------    -------------    ---------------    -------------
   Adjusted EBITDA                                   $      150.4    $         9.1    $             -    $       141.3
                                                        ------------    -------------    ---------------    -------------
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2000
  Net income                                         $        2.6    $         0.7    $          (1.5)   $         3.4
  Provision for income taxes                                  1.2              0.4               (0.8)             1.6
  Interest expense                                           18.4                -                2.3             16.1
  Depreciation and amortization                              15.0              0.3                  -             14.7
  Equity in income of affiliated companies                   (0.4)               -                  -             (0.4)
                                                        ------------    -------------    ---------------    -------------
  EBITDA                                                     36.8              1.4                  -             35.4
  Business consolidation expenses                             1.2                -                  -              1.2
                                                        ------------    -------------    ---------------    -------------
  Adjusted EBITDA                                    $       38.0    $         1.4    $             -    $        36.6
                                                        ------------    -------------    ---------------    -------------

</TABLE>

                                      PF-7




                                                                     Exhibit 2.1

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



                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                     between

                               HEXCEL CORPORATION

                                       and

                          BRITAX CABIN INTERIORS, INC.



                           Dated as of March 31, 2000

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


<PAGE>




                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            PAGE

ARTICLE 1- SALE OF ASSETS AND ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES.......................1
   1.1 Sale of Assets by Seller...............................................1
   1.2 Risk of Loss...........................................................3
   1.3 Excluded Assets........................................................3
   1.4 Assumed Liabilities....................................................4
   1.5 Excluded Liabilities...................................................4

ARTICLE 2- PURCHASE PRICE AND ADJUSTMENTS.....................................6
   2.1 Purchase Price and Allocation..........................................6
   2.2 Payment of Cash Purchase Price.........................................7
   2.3 Cash Purchase Price Adjustment.........................................7

ARTICLE 3- REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER...........................9
   3.1 Corporate Existence....................................................9
   3.2 Corporate Authority....................................................9
   3.3 No Conflicts...........................................................9
   3.4 Governmental Approvals; Consents.......................................10
   3.5 Financial Statements...................................................10
   3.6 Absence of Changes.....................................................10
   3.7 Personal and Real Properties...........................................11
   3.8 Contracts..............................................................12
   3.9 Litigation.............................................................13
   3.10 Proprietary Rights....................................................13
   3.11 Insurance.............................................................14
   3.12 Tax Matters...........................................................14
   3.13 Employment and Benefits...............................................14
   3.14 Compliance with Laws..................................................15
   3.15 Finders; Brokers......................................................15
   3.16 Environmental Matters.................................................16
   3.17 Sufficiency of Assets.................................................16
   3.18 Labor Matters.........................................................17
   3.19 Undisclosed Liabilities...............................................17
   3.20 Accounts Receivable...................................................18
   3.21 Inventory.............................................................18
   3.22 Condition of Certain Assets...........................................18
   3.23 Seller's Lenders' Consents............................................18
   3.24 No Other Representations or Warranties................................18

<PAGE>


ARTICLE 4- REPRESENTATIONS OF BUYER...........................................18
   4.1 Corporate Existence....................................................18
   4.2 Corporate Authority....................................................19
   4.3 No Conflicts...........................................................19
   4.4 Governmental Approvals; Consents.......................................19
   4.5 Finders; Brokers.......................................................20
   4.6 Financial Capacity.....................................................20
   4.7 Export Licenses........................................................20
   4.8 No Other Representations or Warranties.................................20

ARTICLE 5- AGREEMENTS OF BUYER AND SELLER.....................................20
   5.1 Operation of the Business..............................................20
   5.2 Investigation of the Business..........................................21
   5.3 Mutual Cooperation.....................................................21
   5.4 Public Disclosures.....................................................22
   5.5 Post-Closing Access to Records and Personnel...........................22
   5.6 Excluded Seller Information............................................23
   5.7 Confidentiality........................................................24
   5.8 "As Is" Condition......................................................25
   5.9 Intercompany Transactions..............................................25
   5.10 Financing.............................................................25
   5.11 Transfer of Boeing Doorliner Agreement................................25
   5.12 Transition Services Agreement.........................................25
   5.13 Materials Supply Agreement............................................26
   5.14 Non-Competition Agreements............................................26
   5.15 Third Party Consents..................................................26
   5.16 Use of Hexcel Supplies................................................26
   5.17 Compliance with Bulk Sales Laws.......................................27
   5.18 Delivery of Exemption Certificates....................................27
   5.19 Exclusivity...........................................................27
   5.20 Certain Matters Relating to Customer Warranty Obligations.............27
   5.21 Retention Agreements..................................................28
   5.22 Confidentiality Agreements with Transferred Employees.................29
   5.23 Agreement Concerning Kent Assets......................................29

ARTICLE 6- TRANSFERRED EMPLOYEES..............................................30
   6.1 Hiring of Employees....................................................30
   6.2 Employee Benefit Plans and Arrangements................................30

ARTICLE 7- CONDITIONS.........................................................33
   7.1 Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Buyer and Seller............33
   7.2 Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Seller......................34
   7.3 Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Buyer.......................34



<PAGE>



ARTICLE 8- CLOSING............................................................36
   8.1 Closing Date...........................................................36
   8.2 Buyer Deliveries.......................................................36
   8.3 Seller Deliveries......................................................37

ARTICLE 9- INDEMNIFICATION....................................................37
   9.1 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants..................37
   9.2 Indemnification by Seller..............................................37
   9.3 Indemnification by Buyer...............................................39
   9.4 Indemnification Calculations...........................................40

ARTICLE 10- TERMINATION.......................................................41
  10.1 Termination Events.....................................................41
  10.2 Effect of Termination..................................................41

ARTICLE 11- MISCELLANEOUS AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES...........................41
  11.1 Notices................................................................41
  11.2 Transaction Taxes......................................................43
  11.3 Further Assurances; Asset Returns......................................43
  11.4 Expenses...............................................................43
  11.5 Non-Assignability......................................................43
  11.6 Amendment; Waiver......................................................43
  11.7 Schedules and Exhibits.................................................44
  11.8 No Third Party Beneficiaries...........................................44
  11.9 Governing Law..........................................................44
  11.10 Consent to Jurisdiction...............................................44
  11.11 Definitions...........................................................45
  11.12 Entire Agreement......................................................53
  11.13 Section Headings; Table of Contents...................................53
  11.14 Severability..........................................................53
  11.15 Counterparts..........................................................54


<PAGE>


                                                      EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A         -        Financial Statements of the Business
EXHIBIT B         -        Form of Transition Services Agreement
EXHIBIT C         -        Form of Materials Supply Agreement
EXHIBIT D         -        Form of Seller Non-Competition Agreement
EXHIBIT E         -        Form of Buyer Non-Competition Agreement
EXHIBIT F         -        Form of Agreement Concerning Kent Assets
EXHIBIT G         -        Form of Assumption Agreement
EXHIBIT H         -        Form of Bill of Sale
EXHIBIT I         -        Form of Special Warranty Deed
EXHIBIT J         -        Form of Trademark Assignment
EXHIBIT K         -        Form of Patent Assignment



<PAGE>





                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         This Asset  Purchase  Agreement,  dated as of March 31,  2000,  between
HEXCEL  CORPORATION,   a  Delaware  corporation  ("SELLER"),  and  BRITAX  CABIN
INTERIORS, INC., a Delaware corporation ("BUYER").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, Seller is engaged in the Business (as defined herein); and

         WHEREAS,  Buyer desires to purchase  from Seller and Seller  desires to
sell to Buyer, on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the
Business  and the Assets (as  defined  herein) of  Seller,  and,  in  connection
therewith,  Buyer has agreed to assume certain  liabilities  and  obligations of
Seller  relating  to the  Business,  all on the  terms  set  forth  herein.  All
capitalized  terms used in this  Agreement and not otherwise  defined shall have
the meanings set forth in Section 11.11.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and  the  mutual
promises  and  agreements  contained  herein,  and for other  good and  valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

                  SALE OF ASSETS AND ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES

         1.1 SALE OF ASSETS BY SELLER.
             ------------------------

         Subject to the  satisfaction  or waiver of the  conditions set forth in
this Agreement, at the Closing, Seller shall sell, assign, transfer,  convey and
deliver to Buyer free of all liens and encumbrances  other than Permitted Liens,
and Buyer shall purchase and accept,  Seller's right,  title and interest in and
to (A) all  tangible  assets,  properties  and  rights of Seller  located at the
Facilities  and used in the  Business  (other  than any  such  tangible  assets,
properties or rights which are Excluded Assets);  and (B) all intangible assets,
properties and rights of Seller used primarily in the Business  wherever located
(other than any such intangible assets,  properties or rights which are Excluded
Assets),  including,  without limitation,  those described in clauses (a)-(m) of
this Section 1.1 ("ASSETS").

                (1) OWNED REAL PROPERTY. Those parcels of real property set
forth on            -------------------
SCHEDULE 1.1(a) ("OWNED REAL PROPERTY")and all of the  rights  arising  out of
- --------------    -------------------
the ownership  thereof or appurtenant thereto,  together  with all  buildings,
structures,facilities, fixtures and other improvements thereto ("IMPROVEMENTS");
                                                                 ------------



<PAGE>




                (2) REAL  PROPERTY  LEASES.  The leases of real  property
described on        ----------------------
SCHEDULE  1.1(b),  and any  options to purchase the underlying  property,
- ---------------
leasehold  improvements  and all other rights  appurtenant  to such leases and
subleases  ("REAL PROPERTY LEASES");
             --------------------

                (3) MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT. The Major Equipment and all other
                ---------------------------
machinery, equipment, tools, furniture,  furnishings,  goods and other tangible
items of personal  property owned or leased by Seller as of the Closing Date and
which are located at the  Facilities  or which are located at the  facilities of
customers,   suppliers  or  subcontractors  and  used  in  connection  with  the
performance of a Contract (excluding the items set forth on SCHEDULE 1.1(C)(II))
("MACHINERY"),  and all warranties and  guarantees,  if any,  existing for the
benefit of Seller in connection with the Machinery to the extent transferable;

                (4) VEHICLES.  All motor vehicles  listed on SCHEDULE  1.1(d)
("VEHICLES"),  and all warranties and guarantees,
  --------
if any, existing for the benefit of Seller in connection with the Vehicles to
the extent transferable;

                (5) INTANGIBLE PROPERTY.
                    -------------------

                        (1) INTELLECTUAL  PROPERTY.  All right, title and
                        --------------------------
interest of Seller in and to the patents and patent applications,  trademarks,
trademark registrations and trade names set forth on SCHEDULE 1.1(e)
                                                     --------------
("INTELLECTUAL  PROPERTY")  along with all goodwill associated therewith; and
- ------------------------

                        (2) BUSINESS KNOW-HOW.  The Business  Know-How;
                        ---------------------
PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  Seller and its Affiliates shall retain equal  and
independent  ownership  rights  with  Buyer  in and to any  Business Know-How
which is the same or  substantially  the same as information or devices
heretofore used at any facilities of Seller or any of its Affiliates  other than
the Facilities;  PROVIDED, FURTHER, that the use by Seller and its Affiliates of
the rights  reserved to them in the  Business  Know-How  shall be subject to the
terms of the Seller Non-Competition Agreement;

                (6) BOOKS AND RECORDS.  All books and records of Seller relating
                    -----------------
primarily to the Business,  including but not limited to, advertising, marketing
and sales programs, business and strategic plans and customer lists;

                (7)  CONTRACTS.  Subject to  Section  5.15,  all  commitments,
                     ---------
contracts,  agreements,  and all other legally binding arrangements,  written or
oral,  to which  Seller is a party or by which Seller is bound as of the Closing
Date,  in each case  relating  primarily to the  Business or Assets,  other than
those described on SCHEDULE 1.1(G) ("CONTRACTS");

                (8)  LICENSES  AND PERMITS.  To the extent  transferable,  the
                     ---------------------
licenses,  permits,  certificates  of  authority,   authorizations,   approvals,
registrations, qualifications, waivers and similar consents granted or issued to
Seller by any  Governmental  Authority  and which are  primarily  related to the
Business ("LICENSES AND PERMITS");
           --------------------


<PAGE>


                (9) INVENTORY.  All raw  materials,  work in process and
                    ---------
finished  products  of the  Business as of the Closing Date, wherever located
("INVENTORY");
  ---------

                (10) ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE.  All accounts receivable of the
                     -------------------
Business as of the Closing Date;

                (11) SECURITY  DEPOSITS.  All security deposits  deposited by or
                     ------------------
on behalf of Seller as lessee or sublessee under any lease or sublease included
in the Assets;

                (12) CAUSES OF ACTION. All causes of action (including actions
                     ----------------
for past  infringement  of the  Intellectual  Property)  to the extent that they
relate to the Assets or the Business other than (i) causes of action relating to
Excluded Assets or (ii) causes of action against any Seller Indemnitee; and

                (13) OTHER ASSETS.  All other assets of Seller reflected in the
                     ------------
Closing Statement.

         1.2 RISK OF LOSS.
             ------------

         On the  Closing  Date,  risk of loss as to the  Assets  shall pass from
Seller to Buyer.

         1.3 EXCLUDED ASSETS.
             ---------------

         Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement,  it is expressly
agreed  that  Seller  shall  retain and Buyer  shall not acquire any of Seller's
right,  title and interest in and to the following assets,  properties or rights
("EXCLUDED ASSETS"):

                (1) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS.  Cash and cash equivalents, and
                    -------------------------
accrued interest thereon, wherever located, as of the Closing;

                (2) TAX  REFUNDS.  Any  refunds,  credits  or other  assets or
                    ------------
rights (including interest thereon or claims therefor) with respect to any Taxes
paid by Seller  relating  to the  Business  or the Assets  prior to the  Closing
including those reflected as a liability on the Closing  Statement but excluding
any of those reflected as an asset on the Closing Statement;

                (3) INSURANCE POLICIES.  Any insurance policies at any time in
                    ------------------
effect or claims,  causes of action or proceeds  with respect  thereto,  and any
reimbursement   for,  or  other  benefit  associated  with,  prepaid  insurance,
including,  without limitation,  insurance policies covering events occurring in
whole or in part prior to the Closing Date;

                (4) EMPLOYEE  BENEFIT  ASSETS.  Except as  expressly  provided
                    -------------------------
in Article 6 hereof,  all assets  relating to the Hexcel Benefit Plans;



<PAGE>


                (5) RIGHTS UNDER AGREEMENTS.  All rights of Seller under this
                    -----------------------
Agreement,  the Ancillary Agreements and any other agreements,  instruments and
certificates  delivered in connection with this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated  hereby or thereby;

                (6) NAMES AND  LOGOS.  The name  "Hexcel"  and the  honeycomb/
                    ----------------
three  hexagon  logo and  similar  names and logos (collectively, the
("HEXCEL LOGO"), and the goodwill associated therewith;

                (7) BUSINESS  ACQUISITION  AGREEMENTS.  All rights  under the BP
                    ---------------------------------
Acquisition  Agreements,  the BSB  Acquisition Agreements and the Ciba
Acquisition Agreements;

                (8) GENERAL TERMS  AGREEMENT.  All rights under the General
                    ------------------------
Terms  Agreement,  other than rights relating to the performance under the
Boeing Auburn Agreement;

                (9) THE BOEING  DOORLINER  AGREEMENT.  All rights under the
                    --------------------------------
Boeing  Doorliner  Agreement and all other contracts with Boeing (other than the
Boeing  Auburn  Agreement),  including  any accounts  receivables,  inventory,
work in process,  tools and drawings related thereto; and

                (10) OTHER ASSETS.  All other assets, properties or rights of
                     ------------
Seller not included in the Assets.

         1.4  ASSUMED LIABILITIES.
              -------------------

         As of the Closing Date,  Buyer shall assume and shall pay,  perform and
discharge  when due, all  liabilities  and  obligations  of Seller to the extent
arising out of or relating to the Business or the Assets of any nature,  whether
known or unknown,  fixed or contingent,  and whether arising before or after the
Closing  (other than any such  liabilities  and  obligations  which are Excluded
Liabilities) ( "ASSUMED LIABILITIES").

         1.5  EXCLUDED LIABILITIES.
              --------------------

         It is expressly  agreed that Seller shall retain and shall pay, perform
and discharge when due and Buyer shall not assume and shall not pay, perform and
discharge any of the following  liabilities or  obligations  of Seller,  whether
known or unknown,  fixed or contingent,  and whether arising before or after the
Closing ("EXCLUDED LIABILITIES"):

                (1)EXCLUDED ASSETS.  All liabilities and obligations to the
                   ---------------
extent arising out of the Excluded Assets;

                (2)BORROWED MONEY. All liabilities and obligations for
                   --------------
indebtedness (including  interest thereon) for borrowed money;



<PAGE>


                (3) CERTAIN TAXES.  All  liabilities  and  obligations for (i)
                    -------------
Taxes  relating to the  Business or the Assets  prior to the Closing  other than
those  reflected  as a liability on the Closing  Statement  which are capable of
being  transferred  to Buyer but  including  those  reflected as an asset on the
Closing  Statement;  and  (ii)  Taxes  arising  solely  out of the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  (except in both cases as  provided  in Section
11.2);

                (4) EMPLOYEE  LIABILITIES.  All liabilities and obligations to
                    ---------------------
any current or former employee or retiree of the Business,  whether arising as a
result of  employment  by Seller or any prior owner of the  Business,  including
liabilities  and  obligations  under the Hexcel Benefit Plans,  the EDCA and for
workers'  compensation  resulting  from injuries  incurred  prior to the Closing
Date,  except that the following  liabilities and  obligations  shall be Assumed
Liabilities: (i) those arising under the retention agreements listed on SCHEDULE
1.5(D) (the "RETENTION  AGREEMENTS") to the extent payable by Buyer as set forth
in Section 5.21; (ii) accrued wages, salaries, vacation, commissions and bonuses
owed to  Transferred  Employees as a result of the conduct of the Business prior
to the Closing Date but only to the extent of the amounts therefor  reflected in
the Closing Statement; and (iii) those assumed by Buyer under Article 6 hereof;

                (5)LIABILITY  CLAIMS.  All  liabilities  and  obligations  in
                   -----------------
respect of any claim by any Person  based on use, handling or ingestion of,
exposure to or contact with any chemical,  substance or process used,  handled
or distributed by the Business prior to the Closing Date;

                (6) PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.  All liabilities or obligations for
                    ---------------------
personal  injury or property  damage relating to or arising out of products sold
or services  rendered by the Business prior to the Closing Date, except that all
liabilities  and  obligations  of  Seller in  connection  with the  Business  to
replace,  repair or permit the return of products or to make any monetary refund
or adjustment with respect to any such product or service delivered or performed
prior to Closing (collectively "CUSTOMER WARRANTY OBLIGATIONS") shall be Assumed
Liabilities;

                (7) ENVIRONMENTAL  CLAIMS. All liabilities and obligations for
                    ---------------------
Environmental Claims arising out of anything done or omitted to be done prior to
the  Closing  Date,  except that all  liabilities  and  obligations  relating to
Environmental  Claims associated with the presence of any Hazardous Substance at
or on the Real Property shall be Assumed Liabilities;

                (8) VIOLATION OF LAW. All  liabilities and  obligations  arising
                    ----------------
from or related to violations of Law committed by the Business prior to the
Closing Date;

                (9) BUSINESS  ACQUISITION  AGREEMENTS.  All  liabilities  and
                    ---------------------------------
obligations arising out of or related to the BP Acquisition Agreements, the BSB
Acquisition Agreements and the Ciba Acquisition Agreements;

                (10) GENERAL TERMS  AGREEMENT.  All liabilities  and obligations
                     ------------------------
arising out of or related to the General Terms Agreement, other than liabilities
and obligations arising out of or related to the performance under the Boeing
Auburn Agreement;



<PAGE>


                (11) COMPLETED  CONTRACTS.  All liabilities and obligations
                     --------------------
other than Customer Warranty  Obligations)  arising out of orders for goods or
services  made by  customers  of the  Business  prior to the Closing  that have
been  delivered or performed prior to the Closing;

                (12) THE BOEING  DOORLINER  AGREEMENT.  All  liabilities  and
                     --------------------------------
obligations  arising  under the  Boeing  Doorliner Agreement and all other
contracts with Boeing (other than the Boeing Auburn  Agreement),  including any
accounts  payable and customer claims related thereto; and

                (13) OTHER LIABILITIES.  All liabilities and obligations which
                     -----------------
Seller  has  expressly  retained  under any  provision  of this  Agreement,  any
Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement,  instrument or certificate delivered
by Seller in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

                                    ARTICLE 2
                         PURCHASE PRICE AND ADJUSTMENTS

         2.1      PURCHASE PRICE AND ALLOCATION.
                  -----------------------------

                  (1) The  aggregate  purchase  price for the  Business  and the
Assets shall be (i) One Hundred  Sixteen  Million Eight  Hundred Fifty  Thousand
Dollars  ($116,850,000),  subject to  adjustment as provided in Section 2.3 (the
"CASH  PURCHASE  PRICE")  and  (ii)  the  assumption  by  Buyer  of the  Assumed
Liabilities (collectively, the "PURCHASE PRICE").

                  (2)  (1) As  soon  as  practicable  after  the  date  of  this
Agreement,  Seller  and Buyer  shall  cooperate  in the  preparation  of a joint
schedule (the "ALLOCATION  STATEMENT"),  allocating the Purchase Price among the
Assets  on the basis of the fair  market  values of the  Assets  agreed  upon by
Seller and Buyer.  If Seller and Buyer cannot agree upon the fair market  values
of the  Assets,  the fair market  values of the Assets  shall be  determined  by
reference to appraisals or  valuations of the Assets  prepared by  appropriately
qualified  independent   appraisers  or  valuation  experts.  The  selection  of
appropriately qualified independent appraisers or valuation experts will be made
by Seller, and Seller and Buyer shall be each responsible for the payment of 50%
of the fees and  expenses of the  appraisers  or valuation  experts.  Seller and
Buyer shall file Internal Revenue Service Form 8594 and any required attachments
thereto,  together with all Federal,  state and local tax returns, in accordance
with the Allocation Statement. Seller and Buyer shall provide the other promptly
with any other information  required to complete the Allocation  Statement.  If,
however, Seller and Buyer are unable to complete the Allocation Statement within
one hundred  twenty (120) days  following the Closing,  each of Seller and Buyer
may file Form 8594, and any Federal,  state and local tax returns allocating the
Purchase  Price in the manner  each  believes  appropriate,  provided  that such
allocation is reasonable and in accordance with Section 1060 of the Code and the
regulations thereunder.

                           (2) Not later than ten (10) days prior to the filing
of their respective Form 8594 relating to this transaction,  each party  shall
deliver  to the other  party a copy of its Form 8594.


<PAGE>


         2.2      PAYMENT OF CASH PURCHASE PRICE.
                  ------------------------------

         The Cash Purchase Price shall be payable at Closing by wire transfer of
immediately available federal funds to such bank account or accounts as shall be
designated  by Seller to Buyer at least  three (3)  business  days  prior to the
Closing.

         2.3      CASH PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENT.
                  ------------------------------

                  (1)  CALCULATION  OF THE CASH PURCHASE PRICE  ADJUSTMENT.  The
                       ---------------------------------------------------
Cash  Purchase  Price shall be increased or  decreased,  on a  dollar-for-dollar
basis,  by the amount by which the Net Asset Value of the  Business  immediately
prior to the Closing (the  "CLOSING  NAV"),  as finally  determined  pursuant to
Section  2.3(d),  is greater or less than Thirty  Seven  Million  Eight  Hundred
Seventy  Thousand  Dollars  ($37,870,000)  (the "BASE  NAV") being the Net Asset
Value of the  Business at December  31,  1999,  calculated  in  accordance  with
SCHEDULE  2.3(C).  If the Closing NAV is greater  than the Base NAV,  then Buyer
shall pay to Seller the amount of such excess in accordance with Sections 2.3(b)
and (e) below.  If the Closing NAV is less than the Base NAV,  then Seller shall
pay to Buyer the amount of such  deficiency in accordance  with Sections  2.3(b)
and (e) below.

                  (2) ESTIMATED  CLOSING NAV.  Immediately prior to the Closing,
                      ----------------------
Seller and Buyer  shall in good faith  agree on an  estimate  of the Closing NAV
(the "ESTIMATED  CLOSING NAV"). If the Estimated Closing NAV is in excess of the
Base NAV, then the Cash Purchase Price payable at the Closing shall be increased
by an amount equal to such excess. If the Estimated Closing NAV is less than the
Base NAV, then the Cash Purchase Price payable at the Closing shall be decreased
by an amount equal to such deficiency.

                  (3) SELLER'S CLOSING STATEMENT.  Within thirty (30) days after
                      --------------------------
the Closing,  Seller will prepare and deliver to Buyer a statement substantially
in  the  form  set  forth  as a  part  of  SCHEDULE  2.3(C)  ("SELLER'S  CLOSING
STATEMENT")  setting forth  Seller's good faith  calculation  of the Closing NAV
prepared  consistently  with and in  accordance  with the  accounting  policies,
principles and practices and allocations used in the Financial Statements except
for adjustments as described in SCHEDULE 2.3(C) and otherwise in accordance with
GAAP (the "ACCOUNTING  PRINCIPLES").  The value of the Inventory to be reflected
in  Seller's  Closing  Statement  shall be  calculated  in  accordance  with the
arrangements set forth in SCHEDULE 2.3(C).

<PAGE>


                  (4)      CLOSING CALCULATION.
                           -------------------

                           (1)      Seller shall engage at its own expense
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to perform the following agreed upon  procedures with
respect to the  computation of the Closing NAV as soon as practicable after the
Closing Date: (i) review supporting  documentation for the adjustments  made to
the  amounts  contained  in the  Books and  Records  of the Business as of the
Closing  Date for  purposes of  computing  the Closing NAV in accordance  with
Section 2.3, to determine that such  adjustments  were computed consistent  with
the  adjustments  used to  compute  the Base  NAV  included  in SCHEDULE 2.3(C);
(ii) verify the mathematical accuracy of the computation of the Closing NAV; and
(iii) provide an  agreed-upon  procedures  report  addressed to both Seller and
Buyer  describing  the  procedures  performed and the results of those
procedures.  Buyer shall engage at its own expense  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
to review Seller's Closing Statement. If Buyer believes,  after consultation
with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, in good faith that the Closing NAV set forth on
Seller's Closing  Statement has not been properly  calculated in accordance with
this Section 2.3, it shall,  within  thirty (30) days after  receipt of Seller's
Closing Statement,  give written notice ("BUYER'S OBJECTION") to Seller, setting
forth the basis of each  Buyer's  objection  in  reasonable  detail  and, to the
extent  practicable,  the adjustments to Seller's Closing  Statement which Buyer
believes should be made. Failure to so notify Seller within such thirty (30) day
period shall  constitute  acceptance  and approval by Buyer of Seller's  Closing
Statement. If any proposed change set forth in Buyer's Objection is not accepted
by Seller,  then Seller shall within  fifteen (15) days after receipt of Buyer's
Objection  give  written  notice to Buyer of Seller's  objection  to such change
("SELLER'S OBJECTION").  Failure to so notify Buyer within such fifteen (15) day
period shall constitute  acceptance and approval by Seller of Buyer's Objection.
Seller's  Closing  Statement,  as  adjusted  for any matter  included in Buyer's
Objection  that  is  not  disputed  in  Seller's  Objection,   shall  be  deemed
conclusively  accepted by Seller and Buyer,  except in respect of those  matters
still in dispute in accordance herewith.  For a period of thirty (30) days after
Seller's Objection (the "NEGOTIATION PERIOD"),  Seller and Buyer shall negotiate
in good faith to resolve any remaining  disputes as  expeditiously  as possible.
If, after the Negotiation Period, any disputes still remain unresolved, then:

                           (2)      Seller and Buyer promptly shall engage Ernst
& Young or such other accounting firm mutually acceptable to Buyer and Seller
(the "NEUTRAL  ACCOUNTING  FIRM") to resolve such disputes.  The  Neutral
Accounting  Firm shall act as an  arbitrator  and shall resolve, solely on the
basis of any presentations submitted by Seller and Buyer, only those issues set
forth in Buyer's  Objection and Seller's  Objection  which are still in dispute.
Each of  Buyer  and  Seller  shall  make  its  complete submission  to the
Neutral  Accounting  Firm within ten (10) days  following the engagement of the
Neutral Accounting Firm. The failure by either party to make a complete
submission prior to the expiration of such ten (10) day period shall be deemed a
waiver  of such  party's  right to make a  submission  to the  Neutral
Accounting  Firm.  The parties  shall  instruct the Neutral  Accounting  Firm to
resolve the  remaining  disputes and to  determine  the Closing NAV (in a manner
consistent  with the  provisions  of this Section  2.3) within  thirty (30) days
following the date on which the last submission from a party is timely made. The
Neutral  Accounting Firm shall resolve the remaining  disputes and determine the
Closing  NAV not on the basis of an  independent  review,  but only  within  the
disputed  ranges.  Such  resolution  shall be set forth in a  written  statement
delivered to Seller and Buyer, and shall be final, binding and conclusive absent
manifest  error.  Seller's  Closing  Statement,  as  may be  adjusted  following
completion  of the  procedures  set forth in this Section  2.3(d),  shall be the
"CLOSING  STATEMENT."  The fees and any expenses of the Neutral  Accounting Firm
shall be shared equally by Seller and Buyer.


<PAGE>


                  (5) PAYMENT OF CASH PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENT.  If the Closing
                      -----------------------------------------
NAV (adjusted in accordance with Section 5.9) exceeds the Estimated Closing NAV,
the Cash Purchase Price shall be increased by an amount equal to such excess. If
the Closing NAV  (adjusted  in  accordance  with  Section  5.9) is less than the
Estimated  Closing NAV, the Cash Purchase  Price shall be decreased by an amount
equal to such  deficiency.  Payment of any adjustment in the Cash Purchase Price
pursuant to this Section  2.3(e) shall be made by wire  transfer of  immediately
available federal funds to an account designated by Seller or Buyer, as the case
may be,  within three (3)  business  days after the Closing NAV has been finally
determined,  and shall  include  interest  from the Closing  Date to the date of
payment at the "base rate" of  Citibank,  N.A. or any  successor  thereto in New
York, New York in effect on the Closing Date, based on a 360-day year.

                                    ARTICLE 3

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

         Seller represents and warrants to Buyer that:

         3.1      CORPORATE EXISTENCE.
                  -------------------

         Seller is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
standing  under the laws of the State of Delaware  and Seller has the  requisite
power and  authority  to own,  lease and  operate the Assets and to carry on the
Business  as the  same  is now  being  conducted.  Seller  is  duly  authorized,
qualified  or  licensed  to do  business  as a foreign  corporation  and in good
standing in every jurisdiction  wherein, by reason of the nature of the Business
or the character of the Assets,  it is necessary for Seller to be so authorized,
qualified  or licensed and in good  standing,  except where the failure to be so
authorized,  qualified or licensed and in good standing  would not reasonably be
likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         3.2      CORPORATE AUTHORITY.
                  -------------------

         This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of all of
the  transactions  provided for hereby and thereby have been duly  authorized by
all requisite  corporate  action of Seller.  Seller has the corporate  power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and
to perform its  obligations  hereunder and  thereunder.  This  Agreement and the
Ancillary  Agreements  have been  duly  executed  and  delivered  by Seller  and
constitute  valid and  legally  binding  obligations  of Seller  enforceable  in
accordance  with their  terms,  except as  enforceability  may be (a) limited by
bankruptcy,  insolvency,  fraudulent conveyance,  reorganization,  moratorium or
other  similar laws  affecting the  enforcement  of  creditor's  rights,  or (b)
subject to general principles of equity.

<PAGE>

       3.3      NO CONFLICTS.
                  ------------

         The  execution  and  delivery  by  Seller  of  this  Agreement  and the
Ancillary  Agreements  and  the  consummation  by  Seller  of  the  transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (a) violate or conflict with
any provision of the  certificate  of  incorporation  or bylaws of Seller or (b)
except as disclosed on SCHEDULE  3.3,  conflict  with,  result in a violation or
breach of, or  constitute,  with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of
time or both, a default or give rise to any right of  termination,  cancellation
or  acceleration  under,  the terms of any note,  bond,  indenture,  mortgage or
agreement to which Seller is a party or by which Seller or any of its properties
are bound,  except for any such  conflict,  violation,  breach or default  which
would not reasonably be likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         3.4      GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS; CONSENTS.
                  --------------------------------

         Seller is not  subject to any  injunction,  order,  judgment  or decree
which would prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. No
claim,  legal  action,  suit,  arbitration,   investigation  by  a  Governmental
Authority,  action or other legal or administrative proceeding is pending or, to
the knowledge of Seller,  threatened  against Seller which would enjoin or delay
the transactions  contemplated  hereby. Other than the expiration of the waiting
or review  period  under the HSR Act and the GWB or as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.4
hereto,  no license,  certificate,  approval,  consent,  permit,  authorization,
waiver, order or qualification of, or filing or registration with (collectively,
"CONSENTS"),  any Governmental Authority, or any third party (including Seller's
lenders under the Credit Agreement) under any note, bond, indenture, mortgage or
agreement to which Seller is a party or by which Seller or any of its properties
are bound,  is required on the part of Seller in  connection  with the execution
and  delivery  of  this  Agreement  or  the  consummation  of  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby,  except for such Consents which have already been obtained
or made or the failure of which to obtain or make would not reasonably be likely
to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         3.5      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
                  --------------------

         EXHIBIT A  contains  a copy of the  audited  (a)  balance  sheet of the
Business as at December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1999 and (b) Income  Statement
and  Statement of Cash Flow of the Business for the periods  ended  December 31,
1997,  December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1999,  together with the  accompanying
notes and a report thereon by Seller's  independent  accountants (the "FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS").  The Financial  Statements  have been prepared in conformity  with
GAAP and the accompanying  notes to the Financial  Statements and fairly present
in all material respects the financial  condition and results of the Business at
and for the periods therein indicated subject to the accompanying notes thereto.

         3.6      ABSENCE OF CHANGES.
                  ------------------

         Except as otherwise disclosed on SCHEDULE 3.6 hereto or as contemplated
by this Agreement,  since December 31, 1999, (a) the Business has been conducted
in all material  respects in the ordinary course  consistent with past practice;
(b) there has not occurred any event or circumstance in the Business which would
reasonably  be likely to result in a Material  Adverse  Effect,  other than such
events or circumstances  attributable to general economic conditions or to other
changes generally affecting companies in the same industry as the Business;  and
(c) Seller has not taken any action in respect of the Business  which would,  if
taken after the date of this  Agreement,  require  Buyer's consent under Section
5.1.


<PAGE>



         3.7      PERSONAL AND REAL PROPERTIES.
                  ----------------------------

                  (1) SCHEDULE 1.1(C)(I) is an accurate and complete list of all
machinery  and  equipment  included in the Assets which have a net book value in
excess of  $100,000  ("MAJOR  EQUIPMENT").  Seller  has good  title to the Major
Equipment and the other personal property included in the Assets, free and clear
of all  liens,  charges  and  other  encumbrances,  except  (i) as set  forth on
SCHEDULE  3.7(A);  (ii) liens for Taxes  relating to the Assets or the  Business
prior to the Closing not yet due and payable,  or, if due, (A) not delinquent or
(B) being  contested  in good  faith by  appropriate  proceedings  during  which
collection  or  enforcement  against the property is stayed;  (iii)  mechanics',
workmen's, repairmen's, warehousemen's, carriers' or other like liens arising or
incurred in the ordinary  course of business if the underlying  obligations  are
not past due; (iv) title retention or security interests under conditional sales
contracts,  and equipment leases with third parties entered into in the ordinary
course of  business;  (v) liens,  charges or  encumbrances  relating to purchase
money obligations;  (vi) liens arising from the failure of Seller to comply with
bulk sales laws or similar laws in any jurisdiction;  and (vii) and other liens,
charges  or  encumbrances  which  individually  or in the  aggregate  would  not
reasonably be likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect (collectively,  such
liens,  charges  and  encumbrances  described  in clauses  (i)-(vii)  hereof are
referred to herein as "PERSONAL PROPERTY PERMITTED LIENS").

                  (2) Seller  has good and  marketable  fee simple  title to the
Owned Real Property included in the Assets, free and clear of all liens, charges
and other  encumbrances,  except (i) as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.7(B); (ii) liens
for Taxes  relating to the Assets or the  Business  prior to the Closing not yet
due and payable,  or, if due, (A) not delinquent or (B) being  contested in good
faith by appropriate  proceedings during which collection or enforcement against
the   property   is   stayed;   (iii)   mechanics',    workmen's,   repairmen's,
warehousemen's,  carriers'  or other  like  liens  arising  or  incurred  in the
ordinary course of business if the underlying obligations are not past due; (iv)
any  restriction  contained  in any covenant or deed of record;  (v)  easements,
licenses,  covenants,  rights-of-way and other similar restrictions,  including,
without limitation, any other agreements or restrictions which would be shown by
a current title report or other similar  report or listing;  (vi) any conditions
that may be shown by a current  survey,  title  report or  physical  inspection;
(vii) zoning, building and other similar restrictions,  so long as none of (iv),
(v),  (vi) or (vii)  renders  the title of such real  property  unmarketable  or
prevents the use of such real  property  substantially  as currently  used;  and
(viii)  other  liens,  charges  or  encumbrances  which  individually  or in the
aggregate would not reasonably be likely to result in a Material  Adverse Effect
(collectively,  such  liens,  charges  and  encumbrances  described  in  clauses
(i)-(viii) hereof are referred to herein as "REAL PROPERTY  PERMITTED LIENS" and
together with the Personal  Property  Permitted Liens,  the "PERMITTED  LIENS").
There  is no  special  assessment  pending  or,  to  the  knowledge  of  Seller,
threatened, which would affect the Owned Real Property which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.


<PAGE>


                  (3) Seller has a valid leasehold interest in and to all of the
real property  covered by the Real Property Leases (the "LEASED REAL PROPERTY").
Except  as set forth on  SCHEDULE  3.7(C)  and  except in each case as would not
reasonably  be likely to result in a Material  Adverse  Effect,  (i) each of the
Real Property Leases is in full force and effect, enforceable in accordance with
its terms;  (ii) Seller is not in material  default or breach under the terms of
any Real Property  Lease nor would be in material  default or breach with notice
or lapse of time or both;  (iii) Seller has taken  possession of the Leased Real
Property and the Owned Real Property  (collectively,  the "REAL PROPERTY");  and
(iv) other than Seller, there are no lessees, tenants at sufferance, trespassers
or other occupants on any portion of the Real Property.

         3.8      CONTRACTS.
                  ---------

                  (1)  SCHEDULE  3.8(A)  sets  forth  a list  of  each  Contract
relating  primarily to the Business  (collectively,  the "MATERIAL  AGREEMENTS")
which:

                           (1)     is a Contract for the purchase of goods or
services by the Business involving future payments by the Business on an
individual basis in excess of $1,000,000;

                           (2)     is a Contract for the sale of goods or
services by the Business involving future revenues for the Business on an
individual basis in excess of $2,000,000;

                           (3)     is a collective bargaining Contract;

                           (4)     is a Contract that after the Closing would
materially restrict the freedom of Buyer to compete with any Person with respect
to the Business as currently conducted by Seller;

                           (5)     is a Contract relating to employment,
compensation, severance or indemnification between Seller and any of the
employees of the Business (and is not a Hexcel Benefit Plan), but excluding
confidentiality  agreements  entered into in the  ordinary  course of business;

                           (6)     is a Contract relating to Proprietary Rights
that is material to the Business, but excluding confidentiality agreements
entered into in the ordinary course of business;

                           (7)     is a Contract that obligates Seller to
indemnify any Person other than in the ordinary course of business;

                           (8)     is a Contract involving a guarantee by the
Business of the debts of any Person for borrowed money or the performance of a
material obligation of another Person (but excluding guarantees to a customer of
the performance by a supplier or subcontractor of the Business);

                           (9)     is a Contract for the lease of real property;



<PAGE>


                           (10)    is a Contract which creates or purports to
create a partnership, alliance or joint venture;

                           (11)    is a Contract for the lease of personal
property requiring annual rental payments in excess of $100,000; or

                           (12)     is a Contract for the license of software
that is material to the Business.

                  (2) Seller has furnished or made available to Buyer a true and
correct copy of each  Material  Agreement.  Each  Material  Agreement is in full
force and effect  according to its terms and Seller and, to Seller's  knowledge,
the other  parties to any  Material  Agreement  are not in  material  default or
breach  thereof nor would they be in  material  default or breach  thereof  with
notice or lapse of time,  or both,  except as  disclosed  on SCHEDULE  3.8(b) or
where such invalidity,  ineffectiveness,  default or breach would not reasonably
be likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (3)  Except for the  Material  Agreements  listed on  SCHEDULE
3.8(c), no Material Agreement requires the consent of any other party thereto to
effectuate the assignment thereof to Buyer.

                  (4) SCHEDULE 3.8(d) contains a list of all customer  Contracts
(other than Material  Agreements) with a value in excess of $50,000 which are in
effect  on March 27,  2000 but under  which  Seller's  performance  has not been
completed  with  respect  to orders for  products  or  services  made under such
Contracts.

         3.9      LITIGATION.
                  ----------

         Except as set forth on  SCHEDULE  3.9,  there  are no  actions,  suits,
proceedings  or   investigations   pending  or,  to  the  knowledge  of  Seller,
threatened,  in law or in equity, or before any Governmental Authority which, if
determined or resolved  adversely  against Seller would  reasonably be likely to
result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.9, Seller
is not in  default  under  any  injunction,  order,  judgment  or  decree of any
Governmental  Authority  relating to any Asset or the Business,  except for such
defaults,  injunctions,  orders, judgments or decrees which would not reasonably
be likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         3.10     PROPRIETARY RIGHTS.
                  ------------------

                  (1) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE  3.10, (i) Seller owns and
possesses  all  right,  title  and  interest  in and to all of the  Intellectual
Property;  and  (ii) no  claim  by any  third  party  contesting  the  validity,
enforceability,  use or ownership of any of the Intellectual Property is pending
or has been made since January 1, 1998 and, to Seller's knowledge, no such claim
is threatened against Seller nor is there any valid basis therefor.


<PAGE>


                  (2) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE  3.10,  (i) Seller owns or
possesses  rights in and to the  Business  Know-How to the extent  necessary  to
conduct the  Business  as  currently  conducted;  and (ii) no claim by any third
party contesting the use or ownership of any of the Business Know-How is pending
or has been made since January 1, 1998 and, to Seller's knowledge, no such claim
is threatened against Seller nor is there any valid basis therefor.

         3.11     INSURANCE.
                  ---------

         Set forth on SCHEDULE 3.11 are Seller's  current  policies of insurance
relating to the Assets or the Business.

         3.12     TAX MATTERS.
                  -----------

         Except as set forth on SCHEDULE  3.12,  all Tax Returns  required to be
filed by Seller with  respect to Taxes  relating  to the  Business or the Assets
which are due and  payable  prior to the Closing  Date have been filed,  and all
Taxes which are shown to be due and  payable on such Tax Returns  have been paid
except  for such  amounts  as are being  contested  by  Seller in good  faith by
appropriate  proceedings  and with respect to which adequate  reserves have been
set aside on the  Financial  Statements.  Except as set forth on SCHEDULE  3.12,
there are no pending or, to the knowledge of Seller, threatened claims that have
been asserted by a Taxing Authority against Seller which if adversely determined
would reasonably be likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         3.13     EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFITS.
                  -----------------------

                  (1)  SCHEDULE  3.13(A)  sets  forth a list  of each  "employee
pension  benefit  plan" (as  defined in Section  3(2) of ERISA)  (hereinafter  a
"PENSION PLAN"),  "employee welfare benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(1) of
ERISA)  (hereinafter  a "WELFARE  PLAN"),  and each other plan,  arrangement  or
policy (written or oral) relating to stock options,  stock  purchases,  deferred
compensation,  severance,  fringe benefits or other employee  benefits,  in each
case  maintained or contributed  to, or required to be maintained or contributed
to, by Seller or any other Person that,  together  with Seller,  is treated as a
single  employer  under  Section 414 of the Code for the benefit of employees of
the Business.  All such plans,  arrangements  and policies  shall be referred to
herein collectively as the "HEXCEL BENEFIT PLANS". Seller has delivered to Buyer
true,  complete and correct copies of (1) the documents or instruments  pursuant
to  which  each  Hexcel  Benefit  Plan is  maintained  (or,  in the  case of any
unwritten  Hexcel Benefit Plans,  descriptions  thereof) and (2) the most recent
summary plan description (or similar  document) for each Hexcel Benefit Plan for
which such a summary  plan  description  was  provided to plan  participants  or
beneficiaries.


<PAGE>


                  (2) The Hexcel  Pension  Plan and the Hexcel  401(k) Plan have
been  administered in all material  respects in accordance with their terms and,
except as described on SCHEDULE  3.13(b),  are in substantial  compliance in all
material  respects with the  applicable  provisions of ERISA,  the Code, and all
other  applicable  Laws.  There are no proceedings,  suits or claims (other than
claims  in  the  ordinary  course),  and  to  Seller's  knowledge  there  are no
investigations,  against  or  involving  the Hexcel  Pension  Plan or the Hexcel
401(k) Plan or asserting  any rights to or claims for benefits  under the Hexcel
Pension  Plan or the Hexcel  401(k)  Plan that  could give rise to any  material
liability. The Hexcel Pension Plan and the Hexcel 401(k) Plan each have been the
subject  of a  determination  letter  from the IRS to the  effect  that  each is
qualified  and its  related  trust is exempt  from  Federal  income  taxes under
Sections  401(a)  and  501(a),  respectively,  of the Code;  such  determination
letters have not been revoked,  and, to the knowledge of Seller,  revocation has
not been  threatened;  except as  described  on  SCHEDULE  3.13(b),  to Seller's
knowledge,  no  event  has  occurred  and  no  circumstances  exist  that  could
reasonably be expected to adversely affect the  tax-qualification  of the Hexcel
Pension Plan or the Hexcel 401(k) Plan;  and neither the Hexcel Pension Plan nor
the Hexcel  401(k) Plan has been amended  since the  effective  date of its most
recent  determination letter in any respect that could reasonably be expected to
adversely affect its qualification.  Seller has delivered to Buyer a copy of the
most recent  determination  letters  received with respect to the Hexcel Pension
Plan and the Hexcel 401(k) Plan, as well as a copy of any pending application by
Seller for a determination letter; all amendments to the Hexcel Pension Plan and
the Hexcel 401(k) Plan as to which a favorable  determination letter has not yet
been  received;  the most recent annual  reports on Form 5500 filed with the IRS
with respect to the Hexcel  Pension Plan and the Hexcel 401(k) Plan; and a true,
correct and complete copy of the trust agreements relating, respectively, to the
Hexcel Pension Plan and the Hexcel 401(k) Plan.

                  (3) All  "group  health  plans"  (as such term is  defined  in
Section  5000(b)(1)  of the Code)  maintained  by  Seller  with  respect  to the
Business  have been  operated  with respect to the employees of the Business and
their dependents in material  compliance with the group health plan continuation
coverage  requirements  of Section 4980B of the Code and Section 601 of ERISA to
the extent such requirements are applicable.

         3.14     COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.
                  --------------------

         To Seller's knowledge,  except as disclosed on SCHEDULE 3.14 and except
for violations or defaults the existence of which would not reasonably be likely
to result in a Material Adverse Effect, Seller is not, and since January 1, 1998
has not  been,  in  violation  of or  default  under any Law  applicable  to the
operation of the Business.

         3.15     FINDERS; BROKERS.
                  ----------------

         With the exception of commissions,  fees and expenses payable to Credit
Suisse First Boston, which shall be Seller's sole responsibility,  Seller is not
a party  to any  agreement  with any  finder  or  broker,  or in any  other  way
obligated  to any finder or broker,  for any  commissions,  fees or  expenses in
connection  with the  origin,  negotiation,  execution  or  performance  of this
Agreement.


<PAGE>


         3.16     ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
                  ---------------------

         Except as disclosed on SCHEDULE 3.16:

                  (1) Seller is in  compliance  with,  and has since  January 1,
1998, been in compliance with, all Environmental Laws applicable to the Business
as  conducted  by  Seller   during  such  period,   except  for   violations  of
Environmental  Laws that would not  reasonably be likely to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.

                  (2) Seller  holds,  and is in compliance  with,  and has since
January 1, 1998,  been in  compliance  with,  all licenses and permits  required
under  Environmental  Laws  applicable  to the  Business as  conducted by Seller
during this period,  except for the absence of, or the noncompliance  with, such
licenses and permits that would not reasonably be likely to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.

                  (3)  Seller  has not  received  any  notice of any  pending or
threatened  Environmental  Claim  by  any  Person  alleging  a  violation  of or
liability under any  Environmental  Law arising from the conduct of the Business
or with  respect to any Real  Property,  except in all such cases that would not
reasonably be likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (4) There has been no Release of any  Hazardous  Substance on,
upon or from the Real Property in violation of Environmental Law, except for any
such  violations  that  would not  reasonably  be likely to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.

                  (5) The Real  Property is not  contaminated  by any  Hazardous
Substance,  except for such contamination that would not reasonably be likely to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (6) Seller has not released, transported, disposed of, stored,
treated,  arranged  for  disposal,  treatment,  storage,  release or  threatened
release of any Hazardous  Substance from or on the Real Property in violation of
Environmental  Law,  except for any such violations that would not reasonably be
likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (7)    There    are    no    underground     storage    tanks,
asbestos-containing  materials,  polychlorinated biphenyls,  landfills,  surface
impoundments or disposal areas on the Real Property the existence of which would
reasonably be likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

<PAGE>

         3.17     SUFFICIENCY OF ASSETS.
                  ---------------------

         Except for the  Excluded  Assets  described in Section  1.3(a)-(j)  and
except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.17, the Assets, together with the products and
services  to  be  provided  to  Buyer  pursuant  to  the  Ancillary  Agreements,
constitute  all the assets,  properties  and rights (i) reflected in the audited
balance  sheet of the  Business  as at  December  31,  1999 (being a part of the
Financial  Statements)  or used,  in each case  subject to the  disposition  and
addition  of assets in the  ordinary  course of  business  since that  date,  to
produce the financial  results  reflected in the audited income statement of the
Business  for the year ended  December  31, 1999 (being a part of the  Financial
Statements);  (ii) necessary to conduct the Business in all material respects as
currently  conducted  by Seller;  and (iii)  necessary  to perform the  Material
Agreements described in Section 3.8(a)(ii).

         3.18     LABOR MATTERS.
                  -------------

         Except as described  on SCHEDULE  3.18,  (1) there is no labor  dispute
involving   employees  of  the  Business  pending  or,  to  Seller's  knowledge,
threatened,  except for any such disputes that would not reasonably be likely to
result in a Material  Adverse Effect;  (2) no strike,  work stoppage or slowdown
has occurred at the Real Property  since Seller  acquired the  Business;  (3) no
labor organization has filed any representation  petition or made any demand for
recognition at the Real Property since Seller acquired the Business;  and (4) to
Seller's knowledge, no Transferred Employee is a party to any confidentiality or
non-competition  agreement  with any Person  (other than Seller) that imposes on
such  Transferred  Employee  any  material  restriction  on his or her rights to
perform the duties currently  assigned.  SCHEDULE 3.18 contains,  as of the date
hereof,  an accurate  list of each employee of Seller  engaged  primarily in the
Business,  his or her date of hire, current annual compensation and the location
of his or her principal place of employment.

         3.19      UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.
                   -----------------------

         Except for liabilities or obligations (a) disclosed or reflected in the
audited  balance  sheet of the Business as at December 31, 1999 included as part
of the  Financial  Statements,  (b)  disclosed or  reflected  in this  Agreement
(including  the Excluded  Liabilities,  the Exhibits and the  Schedules)  or (c)
disclosed in any other  representation  or warranty of Seller  contained in this
Agreement,  Seller has no liability  or  obligation  (whether  known or unknown,
fixed or  contingent)  with  respect to the  Business  or the Assets  other than
liabilities  or  obligations  incurred in the ordinary  course of business since
December 31, 1999 and except for those which,  individually or in the aggregate,
would not reasonably be likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect;  PROVIDED
THAT for the purpose of this Section 3.19, (x) such  liabilities and obligations
shall not be treated as having  been  disclosed  or  reflected  by virtue of (i)
Section 1.4; or (ii) being  Permitted  Liens unless the  liability or obligation
giving rise to such Permitted  Lien is included in the Closing  Statement to the
extent required by the Accounting Principles;  (y) to the extent that any of the
representations and warranties  contained in Article 3 are qualified by Seller's
knowledge,  there  shall be no  breach  of this  Section  3.19 by  virtue of any
liability  or  obligation  that exists in relation to such  representations  and
warranties of which Seller has no  knowledge;  and (z) to the extent that any of
the  representations  and  warranties  contained  in  Article 3 are  limited  in
duration under Section 9.1, there shall be no breach of this Section 3.19 to the
extent  of  any  liability  or  obligation  that  exists  in  relation  to  such
representations  and warranties  after the applicable  date set forth in Section
9.1.


<PAGE>


         3.20     ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE.
                  -------------------

         All accounts  receivable included in the Assets represent sales made in
the ordinary course of business.  The Financial  Statements contain, as of their
respective  dates,  adequate  reserves  for bad  debts in  respect  of  accounts
receivable included in the Assets.

         3.21     INVENTORY.
                  ---------

         All Inventory is of a quality and quantity  useable and saleable in the
ordinary  course of business and is valued in the  Financial  Statements  at the
lower  of  cost  or  market.  The  Financial  Statements  contain,  as of  their
respective dates, adequate reserves for unuseable or unsaleable Inventory.

         3.22     CONDITION OF CERTAIN ASSETS.
                  ---------------------------

         Except as would  not  reasonably  be  likely  to  result in a  Material
Adverse  Effect,  the  Machinery,  the Vehicles and the Owned Real  Property and
Improvements are, in the aggregate, in good and useable condition, ordinary wear
and tear excepted.

         3.23     SELLER'S LENDERS' CONSENT.
                  -------------------------

         Seller  has  obtained  the  consent  of its  lenders  under the  Credit
Agreement  to  release  their  liens on the  Assets  upon  consummation  of this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

         3.24     NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES.
                  --------------------------------------

         Except for the representations and warranties contained in this Article
3 or in any other  document or instrument  delivered by Seller  pursuant to this
Agreement,  neither  Seller  nor any other  Person  makes any other  express  or
implied  representation  or  warranty  on behalf of Seller,  including,  without
limitation,  any  representation  or  warranty  as to the  probable  success  or
profitability  of the ownership,  use or operation of the Business or the Assets
by Buyer after the Closing.

<PAGE>


                                    ARTICLE 4

                            REPRESENTATIONS OF BUYER

         Buyer represents and warrants that:

         4.1      CORPORATE EXISTENCE.
                  -------------------

         Buyer is a corporation duly incorporated,  validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the requisite power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and
to perform the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

         4.2      CORPORATE AUTHORITY.
                  -------------------

         This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of all of
the  transactions  provided for hereby and thereby have been duly  authorized by
all  requisite  corporate  action of Buyer.  Buyer has the  corporate  power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and
to perform its  obligations  hereunder and  thereunder.  This  Agreement and the
Ancillary  Agreements  have  been  duly  executed  and  delivered  by Buyer  and
constitute  valid  and  legally  binding  obligations  of Buyer  enforceable  in
accordance  with their  terms,  except as  enforceability  may be (a) limited by
bankruptcy,  insolvency,  fraudulent conveyance,  reorganization,  moratorium or
other  similar laws  affecting the  enforcement  of  creditor's  rights,  or (b)
subject to general principles of equity.

         4.3      NO CONFLICTS.
                  ------------

         The execution and delivery by Buyer of this Agreement and the Ancillary
Agreements and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby do not and will not (a) violate or conflict  with any  provision  of
the certificate of  incorporation or bylaws of Buyer, or (b) except as disclosed
on  SCHEDULE  4.3,  conflict  with,  result  in a  violation  or  breach  of, or
constitute,  with or without  the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both,
any  default  or  give  rise  to  any  right  of  termination,  cancellation  or
acceleration  under  the  terms  of,  any note,  bond,  indenture,  mortgage  or
agreement  to which Buyer is a party or by which Buyer or any of its  properties
are bound,  except for any such  conflict,  violation,  breach or default  which
would not  reasonably  be likely to result in a material  adverse  effect on the
ability of Buyer to consummate the  transactions  contemplated  hereby (a "BUYER
MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT").

         4.4      GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS; CONSENTS.
                  --------------------------------

         Buyer is not subject to any injunction, order, judgment or decree which
would prevent the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  No
claim,  legal  action,  suit,  arbitration,   investigation  by  a  Governmental
Authority,  action or other legal or administrative proceeding is pending or, to
the knowledge of Buyer, threatened against Buyer which would enjoin or delay the
transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Other than the expiration of the waiting or
review  period  under  the HSR Act and the GWB or as set forth on  SCHEDULE  4.4
hereto,  no Consent of any  Governmental  Authority or any third party under any
note,  bond,  indenture,  mortgage or  agreement to which Buyer is a party or by
which Buyer or any of its  properties are bound is required on the part of Buyer
in  connection  with  the  execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement  or the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby,  except for such Consents
which have  already  been  obtained or made or the failure of which to obtain or
make  would not  reasonably  be likely  to  result in a Buyer  Material  Adverse
Effect.


<PAGE>


         4.5      FINDERS; BROKERS.
                  ----------------

         With the exception of commissions, fees and expenses payable to Lazard,
which  shall  be  Buyer's  sole  responsibility,  Buyer  is not a  party  to any
agreement with any finder or broker, or in any other way obligated to any finder
or broker, for any commissions,  fees or expenses in connection with the origin,
negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement.

         4.6      FINANCIAL CAPACITY.
                  ------------------

         Subject to receipt  from Seller of a certified  resolution  of Seller's
Board of Directors  authorizing  the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Seller and the  performance of its  obligations  hereunder,  Buyer has available
binding and  unconditional  commitments  under its  existing  credit  facilities
necessary to consummate the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement on the
Closing  (including  without limitation payment of the Cash Purchase Price) (the
"FINANCING").

         4.7      EXPORT LICENSES.
                  ---------------

         Buyer has no intention to export any goods, technology,  technical data
or software  transferred  to Buyer  pursuant to this  Agreement or the Ancillary
Agreements  which  is  subject  to  control  under  the  Export   Administration
Regulations without first obtaining all required export licenses.

         4.8      NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES.
                  --------------------------------------

         Except for the representations and warranties contained in this Article
4 or in any other  document or  instrument  delivered by Buyer  pursuant to this
Agreement, neither Buyer nor any other Person makes any other express or implied
representation or warranty on behalf of Buyer.

                                    ARTICLE 5

                         AGREEMENTS OF BUYER AND SELLER

         5.1      OPERATION OF THE BUSINESS.
                  -------------------------

         Except as otherwise  contemplated  by this Agreement or as disclosed on
SCHEDULE  5.1,  Seller  covenants  that until the  Closing it will  continue  to
operate the Business in the ordinary  course  consistent  with past practices of
the Business,  and use commercially  reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve
intact the Business and its relationships with suppliers,  customers,  employees
and others having business  relationships  with it with a view toward preserving
the Business,  the Assets and the goodwill included  therewith for Buyer.  Until
the Closing Date,  Seller shall not, without the prior written approval of Buyer
(which  approval  shall not be  unreasonably  withheld),  except as described on
SCHEDULE 5.1, take any of the following actions:


<PAGE>


                  (1)      sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of the Assets,
other than inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices;

                  (2)      grant any increase in the compensation or benefits of
Transferred Employees, except for increases in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices;

                  (3)  make  any  new  capital  expenditure  pertaining  to  the
Business  which is  individually  in  excess of  $500,000  or which  when  taken
together with all other new capital expenditures is in excess of $2,000,000;

                  (4)      encumber by mortgage, pledge, lien or otherwise, or
grant any security interest in or to, any Assets, except for Permitted Liens;

                  (5)      transfer or grant any material rights with respect to
the Proprietary Rights other than in the ordinary course of business;

                  (6)      lease or dispose of any interest in the Owned Real
Property;

                  (7)      enter into a Material Agreement or modify in a manner
adverse to the Business any material term of a Material Agreement; or

                  (8)      agree, whether in writing or otherwise, to do any of
the foregoing.

         5.2      INVESTIGATION OF THE BUSINESS.
                  -----------------------------

         Buyer may,  prior to the  Closing  Date,  make or cause to be made such
investigation  of  the  business  and  properties  of  the  Business  and of its
financial and legal condition as Buyer deems  necessary or advisable;  PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,  that any such investigation  does not unreasonably  interfere with the
normal operations of Seller, any of its Affiliates or the Business.  Seller will
permit  Buyer  and its  authorized  agents  or  representatives,  including  its
independent  accountants,  to have  full  access  to the  properties,  books and
records  of  the  Business  at  reasonable  hours  to  review   information  and
documentation  relative to the  properties,  books,  contracts,  commitments and
other  records of the  Business;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that prior to the Closing
Buyer shall not have access to the Business  Know-How,  any patent  applications
included  in the  Intellectual  Property  or any  information  which  Seller  is
prohibited by Law from disclosing to Buyer. Buyer and its  representatives  will
hold in confidence all confidential information obtained from or through Seller,
its  officers,  agents,  representatives  or  employees in  accordance  with the
provisions  of the letter dated  December 7, 1999 between  Buyer and Seller (the
"CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT").

<PAGE>

         5.3      MUTUAL COOPERATION.
                  ------------------

                  (10  Subject to the terms and  conditions  hereof,  Seller and
Buyer agree to use their  reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken,
all  actions  and to do, or cause to be done,  all things  necessary,  proper or
advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements  including all of the following:  (i) the
obtaining  of  all  Consents  as  are  necessary  for  the  consummation  of the
transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  and  the  Ancillary  Agreements
including,   but  not  limited  to,  such  Consents  as  may  be  required  from
Governmental  Authorities  (including under the HSR Act, the GWB and any similar
foreign legislation); (ii) the timely and prompt filing of all required notices,
applications  and all other  reports and  requests;  (iii) the  defending of all
legal proceedings challenging the consummation of the transactions  contemplated
by this  Agreement  and the  Ancillary  Agreements;  and (iv) the  execution and
delivery of any additional  documents  necessary to consummate the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

                  (2) Without  limitation  to Section  5.3(a),  Buyer and Seller
shall within ten (10) days after the  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement
make all filings  which may be required by each of them in  connection  with the
consummation  of  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  and  the
Ancillary Agreements under the HSR Act and the GWB.

                  (3)  Seller and Buyer  shall  reasonably  cooperate  with each
other and shall furnish each other such necessary  information and assistance as
the other party may reasonably  request in connection with the matters described
in this Section 5.3.

                  (4) Each of Seller and Buyer  shall  notify and keep the other
advised as to any litigation or  administrative  proceeding  pending,  or to its
knowledge threatened, which seeks to prevent, hinder, delay or invalidate any of
the transactions contemplated hereby.

         5.4      PUBLIC DISCLOSURES.
                  ------------------

         Prior to the Closing Date,  neither party to this  Agreement (nor their
Affiliates)  will issue any press  release or make any other public  disclosures
concerning this transaction or the contents of this Agreement  without the prior
written consent of the other party.  Notwithstanding the above,  nothing in this
Section  5.4 will  preclude  any  party  (or its  Affiliates)  from  making  any
disclosures  required by any  Governmental  Authority,  Law or stock exchange or
market on which any of its securities are listed or traded;  provided,  HOWEVER,
that the party  required to make the release or statement  shall use  reasonable
efforts to allow the other party  reasonable  time to comment on such release or
statement in advance of such issuance.

         5.5      POST-CLOSING ACCESS TO RECORDS AND PERSONNEL.
                  --------------------------------------------

                  (1) After the  Closing,  the parties  shall  retain the books,
records, documents, instruments, accounts,  correspondence,  writings, evidences
of title and other  papers  relating  to the  Business  and the  Assets in their
respective  possession (the "BOOKS AND RECORDS") for at least seven (7) years or
for such longer period of time set forth in their respective  records  retention
policies on the Closing Date or as may be required by Law or any court order.


<PAGE>


                  (2) After the  Closing,  the  parties  shall  allow each other
reasonable  access to and use of the Books and Records,  and to personnel having
knowledge  of the  whereabouts  and/or  contents of the Books and  Records,  for
legitimate  business  reasons,  such as the  preparation  of Tax  Returns or the
prosecution  or  defense  of  litigation.  The  requesting  party  will  hold in
confidence  all  confidential  information  identified  as such by, and obtained
from, the disclosing party or any of its officers,  agents,  representatives  or
employees;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that a  requesting  party will not be under any
obligation of confidentiality  with respect to information which (i) is or shall
have  become   generally   available  to  the  public   without  breach  of  the
Confidentiality  Agreement or this  Agreement;  (ii) was or becomes known to the
requesting  party without any obligation of  confidentiality  from a third party
who the requesting  party  believes,  after due inquiry,  is not prohibited from
disclosing such information by a contractual,  legal or fiduciary  obligation to
the disclosing party or its Affiliates;  or (iii) is required to be disclosed by
Law,  provided  that the  requesting  party  shall  provide the other party with
prompt  notice  of  such  requirement  and  shall,   prior  to  disclosing  such
information, cooperate with such other party with respect to any such disclosure
including, without limitation,  assisting such other party at such other party's
expense in obtaining an appropriate protective order.

         5.6      EXCLUDED SELLER INFORMATION.
                  ---------------------------

                  (1)  Buyer  acknowledges  that,  because  certain  Transferred
Employees  prior to the Closing have had access to the businesses and operations
of Seller or its Affiliates not included in the Business, Buyer will have access
to a substantial amount of confidential and proprietary information belonging to
Seller or its Affiliates which is not an Asset (including,  without  limitation,
the information  described on SCHEDULE 5.6(A))  (collectively,  "EXCLUDED SELLER
INFORMATION").  Buyer  acknowledges that all Excluded Seller  Information is and
will remain the property of Seller or its  Affiliates and that Buyer acquires no
rights to any Excluded Seller  Information  pursuant to this  Agreement.  To the
extent that any documents,  whether in written or electronic media,  contain any
Excluded Seller  Information and remain in the possession of Buyer following the
Closing,  Buyer will immediately return such documents to Seller and destroy all
copies.


<PAGE>


                  (2)  Buyer  acknowledges  that  neither  it  nor  any  of  its
Affiliates currently manufactures or sells special process core (i.e., honeycomb
or other  core which has been  carved,  shaped,  machined,  milled,  bonded,  or
otherwise  formed,  with or  without  additional  processing)  other  than as an
intermediate part incorporated by Buyer or its Affiliates into finished products
of their  business,  and that Buyer is not  acquiring the Assets or the Business
for the purpose of engaging in the business of  manufacturing or selling special
process core other than as an  intermediate  part  incorporated  by Buyer or its
Affiliates  into  finished  products  of the  Business  or the  business  of its
Affiliates.  Buyer further  acknowledges that, should Buyer in the future decide
to engage in the business of manufacturing or selling special process core as an
unincorporated  product,  it would be impractical for Buyer to disaggregate  the
confidential  or proprietary  information  of Seller or its Affiliates  from any
similar  information  used by Buyer in such business.  Accordingly,  in order to
further protect the  confidential  or proprietary  information of Seller and its
Affiliates,  Buyer  agrees  that,  for a period  of three  (3)  years  after the
Closing,  neither  Buyer nor any  Affiliate  of Buyer  shall  (i)  engage in any
activities or business involving the manufacture or sale of special process core
anywhere in the world other than as an intermediate  part  incorporated by Buyer
or its Affiliates into finished  products of the Business or the business of its
Affiliates  or (ii) solicit or recruit any current or future  employee of Seller
or its Affiliates who are engaged in the development,  manufacture,  use or sale
of  honeycomb,  core,  special  process  core,  laminates  or panels;  PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,  the use of general media  advertisements  and  activities  intended to
result in employment as a result thereof shall not be deemed a  solicitation  by
Buyer or its  Affiliates.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  this Section 5.6(b)
shall not restrict Buyer or any of its  Affiliates  from (x) acquiring less than
10% of any class of voting  securities of any Person engaged in the  manufacture
or sale of special  process core; or (y) acquiring a Person which  manufacturers
or sells special process core, if such  activities  account for less than 10% of
such Person's consolidated annual revenues.

                  (3) Buyer acknowledges that the three (3) year non-competition
and  non-solicitation  covenants  provided for in Section  5.6(b) are reasonable
covenants under the circumstances.  Moreover, it is the desire and intent of the
parties  that the  provisions  of such  covenants  shall be  enforceable  to the
fullest extent  permissible  under the laws and public policies  applied in each
jurisdiction  in which  enforcement  is sought.  Accordingly,  the parties agree
that,  should a court or  administrative  body  subsequently  determine that the
terms of such  covenants  are  greater  than  reasonably  necessary  to  protect
Seller's or its Affiliates' interests,  the parties will request that such court
or administrative body reform such covenants specifying the greatest time period
and/or geographic area that would not render such covenants unenforceable. Buyer
specifically agrees that, in the event of a breach or threatened breach by it or
any of its Affiliates of the covenants  provided for in Section  5.6(b),  Seller
and its Affiliates would suffer irreparable injury and shall be entitled to seek
equitable  relief  by way of  temporary  or  permanent  injunction  or any other
equitable remedies.

         5.7      CONFIDENTIALITY.
                  ---------------

                  (1) Buyer shall hold,  and shall cause its  employees,  agents
and  representatives  to hold,  Excluded Seller Information in strict confidence
and make no use or  disclosure  thereof  without  the prior  written  consent of
Seller; PROVIDED,  however, that (A) Buyer shall not be under any restriction on
the use or  disclosure  of any  information  which (i) is or shall  have  become
generally  available  to  the  public  without  breach  of  the  Confidentiality
Agreement  or this  Agreement;  (ii) was or becomes  known to Buyer  without any
obligation of confidentiality  from a third party who Buyer believes,  after due
inquiry,  is not prohibited from  disclosing such  information by a contractual,
legal or fiduciary obligation to Seller or its Affiliates; or (iii) is developed
by Buyer  independently  without use or reference to such  information;  and (B)
Buyer may disclose  information  to the extent  required by Law,  provided  that
Buyer shall  provide  Seller with prompt notice of such  requirement  and shall,
prior to disclosing such information,  cooperate with Seller with respect to any
such disclosure including, without limitation,  assisting Seller in obtaining an
appropriate protective order.

                  (2) Until the Closing  shall  actually  have  occurred,  Buyer
acknowledges  that it remains  subject to all of the terms and conditions of the
Confidentiality  Agreement.  The  Confidentiality  Agreement  shall  survive the
termination of this Agreement.


<PAGE>


         5.8      "AS IS" CONDITION.
                  -----------------

         Except  as to  title  and as  may  be  specifically  provided  in  this
Agreement,  Buyer expressly understands and agrees that it shall accept the sale
and  transfer by Seller of all of the Assets on an "As Is Where Is" basis on the
Closing Date  regardless  of the  condition of the Assets and whether  Buyer has
inspected  and examined  them.  EXCEPT AS MAY BE  SPECIFICALLY  PROVIDED IN THIS
AGREEMENT,  SELLER MAKES NO WARRANTY WITH RESPECT TO THE VALUE, CONDITION OR USE
OF THE ASSETS, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING,  WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE.

         5.9      INTERCOMPANY TRANSACTIONS.
                  -------------------------

         After the Closing NAV has been finally  determined  pursuant to Section
2.3,  the  Closing NAV shall be  decreased  by the change in the amount by which
amounts owed by Seller or its Affiliates to the Business  exceed amounts owed by
the  Business  to Seller or its  Affiliates  between  December  31, 1999 and the
Closing Date, or alternatively, the Closing NAV shall be increased by the change
in the amount by which amounts owed by the Business to Seller or its  Affiliates
exceed amounts owed by Seller or its Affiliates to the Business between December
31, 1999 and the Closing Date.

         5.10     FINANCING.
                  ---------

                  (1) Buyer expressly  acknowledges that the consummation of the
Financing shall not be a condition to Buyer's obligations under this Agreement.

                  (2) Buyer shall immediately inform Seller of any issues
adversely affecting the availability of the Financing.

         5.11     TRANSFER OF BOEING DOORLINER AGREEMENT.
                  --------------------------------------

         Buyer  hereby  agrees  and  acknowledges   that  the  Boeing  Doorliner
Agreement  and any related  work,  accounts  receivable,  tools,  inventory  and
drawings thereto shall be transferred  from the Business to Seller's  operations
in Kent,  Washington,  and shall not be part of the Business. To the extent that
the  foregoing  has  not  been  transferred  to  Seller's  operations  in  Kent,
Washington,  prior to the  Closing,  Buyer  hereby  agrees,  upon the request of
Seller  or  Seller's  Affiliates,  at  Seller's  expense,  to take  all  actions
reasonably necessary to effect such transfer of the foregoing.

         5.12     TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT.
                  -----------------------------

         At the  Closing,  Buyer  and  Seller  shall  execute  and  deliver  the
Transition Services Agreement,  substantially in the form set forth in EXHIBIT B
hereto (the "TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT").


<PAGE>


         5.13     MATERIALS SUPPLY AGREEMENT.
                  --------------------------

         At the  Closing,  Buyer  and  Seller  shall  execute  and  deliver  the
Materials  Supply  Agreement,  substantially  in the form set forth in EXHIBIT C
hereto (the "MATERIALS SUPPLY AGREEMENT").

         5.14     NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENTS.
                  --------------------------

         At the Closing,  Buyer and Seller shall  execute and deliver the Seller
Non-Competition  Agreement,  substantially  in the form set  forth in  EXHIBIT D
hereto (the "SELLER NON-COMPETITION  AGREEMENT"),  and the Buyer Non-Competition
Agreement,   substantially   in  the  form  of  EXHIBIT  E  hereto  (the  "BUYER
NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT").

         5.15     THIRD PARTY CONSENTS.
                  --------------------

         To the extent that any Consent  needed to assign or transfer  any Asset
to Buyer has not been obtained on or prior to the Closing Date,  this  Agreement
shall not  constitute  an  assignment  or transfer or  attempted  assignment  or
transfer  thereof if such  assignment  or transfer or  attempted  assignment  or
transfer  would  constitute a breach or violation of any agreement or applicable
Law. If any such Consent shall not be obtained on or prior to the Closing,  then
(a) Seller and Buyer shall use their reasonable commercial efforts in good faith
to obtain such  Consent as promptly as  practicable  thereafter  and (b) if such
Consent is not obtained,  the parties shall use commercially  reasonable efforts
in good faith to effect any lawful arrangement designed to provide for Buyer the
benefits  after  Closing  that it would  have  received,  and to  subject  Buyer
directly to the  obligations  thereunder,  as if such Consent had been  obtained
(but at Buyer's  sole cost which shall  include  reimbursement  to Seller of its
costs of any such arrangement).  Nothing in this Section 5.15 shall be deemed to
waive the provisions of Section 7.3(e).

         5.16     USE OF HEXCEL SUPPLIES.
                  ----------------------

         Nothing in this  Agreement  gives Buyer any rights to the  ownership or
use of the name "Hexcel" or the Hexcel Logo,  except that  following the Closing
Date and solely in  connection  with the  Business,  Buyer may use (i) packaging
materials for a period of six (6) months;  (ii)  building  signs for a period of
one (1) month;  (iii)  marketing or promotional  materials for a period of three
(3) months;  (iv) forms,  invoices,  stationery or other documents sent to third
parties for a period of three (3) months; and (v) documents for internal use for
a period of three (3) months,  in each case  displaying the name "Hexcel" or the
Hexcel Logo (collectively, the "HEXCEL SUPPLIES"); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Buyer
may only use the quantities of Hexcel Supplies  existing on the Closing Date and
may not print or create any additional Hexcel Supplies.  Buyer shall destroy any
unused Hexcel  Supplies  remaining at the expiration of the period  described in
this Section 5.16 applicable to any such Hexcel Supplies.


<PAGE>


         5.17     COMPLIANCE WITH BULK SALES LAWS.
                  -------------------------------

         Buyer and Seller  hereby  waive  compliance  by the other with the bulk
sales laws and any other similar laws in any applicable  jurisdiction in respect
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         5.18     DELIVERY OF EXEMPTION CERTIFICATES.
                  ----------------------------------

         Buyer shall have executed and  delivered to Seller,  within thirty (30)
days after the Closing Date, all  certificates  required by all relevant  Taxing
Authorities  that are necessary to support any exemption  from the imposition of
any sales,  use,  excise,  value  added or similar  Tax on the  transfer  of the
Assets.

         5.19     EXCLUSIVITY.
                  -----------

         Seller will not,  and will cause its  respective  officers,  directors,
agents  and  Affiliates  to not,  discuss a possible  sale or other  disposition
(whether in an  independent  transaction  or in  combination  with the assets of
Seller's  facilities  in  Kent,  Washington)  of all or any  part of the  Assets
(whether by merger,  reorganization,  recapitalization or otherwise), other than
Assets  intended to be sold or disposed  of in the  ordinary  course of business
consistent with past practice,  with any potential  acquirer  thereof other than
Buyer (an  "ACQUISITION  PROPOSAL") or provide any  information to any potential
acquirer  thereof other than Buyer regarding such a possible sale or disposition
other than information that is provided in the ordinary course of business where
Seller and its  officers,  directors,  agents and  Affiliates  have no reason to
believe that such  information  may be utilized to evaluate such a possible sale
or disposition;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, nothing in this Section 5.19 shall preclude
Seller from agreeing to or effecting a merger, reorganization,  recapitalization
or other transaction,  so long as the surviving entity or buyer assumes Seller's
obligations  under  this  Agreement.  Seller  and its  officers,  directors  and
Affiliates (a) do not have any agreement,  arrangement or understanding  binding
Seller to consummate  transactions  contemplated by an Acquisition Proposal, (b)
will cease and cause to be terminated  any and all  discussions  with  potential
acquirers regarding any Acquisition  Proposal and (c) will promptly notify Buyer
if any Acquisition Proposal is made.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Section 5.19, in the event that the Financing  shall cease to be in effect after
the date hereof,  this Section 5.19 shall  terminate  and be of no further force
and effect.

         5.20     CERTAIN MATTERS RELATING TO CUSTOMER WARRANTY OBLIGATIONS.
                  ---------------------------------------------------------

                  (1) In deciding whether and how to perform  Customer  Warranty
Obligations  and in  determining  the  costs  incurred  by Buyer  in  performing
Customer  Warranty  Obligations,  Buyer  shall  follow  substantially  the  same
policies and  procedures  used by the  Business  prior to the Closing  Date.  In
addition, Buyer shall allow Seller a reasonable opportunity (which shall include
access to Buyer's books and records dealing with Customer  Warranty  Obligations
and relevant  personnel) to verify (i) that Buyer has followed such policies and
procedures and (ii) Excess Warranty Costs and Seller Excess Warranty Costs.


<PAGE>


                  (2) Subject to Buyer's  compliance with its obligations  under
Section 5.20(a),  Seller shall reimburse Buyer for fifty percent (50%) of Excess
Warranty  Costs and for one hundred  percent  (100%) of Seller  Excess  Warranty
Costs, as the case may be, such reimbursement to be made within thirty (30) days
after  delivery  to Seller by Buyer of an  invoice  therefor  in such  detail as
Seller may reasonably request.

                  (3) For purposes of this  Agreement,  "EXCESS  WARRANTY COSTS"
shall mean the amount by which the costs of direct labor,  direct  materials and
shipping  actually  and  reasonably  incurred  by Buyer in  performing  Customer
Warranty Obligations (other than the Seller Customer Warranty  Obligations) (the
"SHARED CUSTOMER WARRANTY OBLIGATIONS") in accordance with the first sentence of
Section  5.20(a)  from time to time from and after the  Closing  Date  until the
third anniversary of the Closing Date exceed the reserve therefor on the Closing
Statement. Such reserve established on the Closing Statement shall be designated
as covering the Shared Customer Warranty Obligations only.

                  (4) For purposes of this  Agreement,  "SELLER EXCESS  WARRANTY
COSTS"  shall  mean the  amount  by which  the  costs of  direct  labor,  direct
materials and shipping  actually and reasonably  incurred by Buyer in performing
Customer  Warranty  Obligations in accordance with the first sentence of Section
5.20(a) with respect to products  manufactured  and services  rendered under the
Contracts   described   on  SCHEDULE   5.20  (the  "SELLER   CUSTOMER   WARRANTY
OBLIGATIONS")  from time to time from and after the Closing Date until the third
anniversary  of the  Closing  Date  exceed the  reserve  therefor on the Closing
Statement. Such reserve established on the Closing Statement shall be designated
as covering the Seller Customer Warranty Obligations.

                  (5) On the third  anniversary of the Closing Date, Buyer shall
pay to Seller the excess,  if any, of the  reserves  established  on the Closing
Statement  for Seller  Customer  Warranty  Obligations  over the costs of direct
labor, direct material and shipping actually and reasonably incurred by Buyer in
performing Seller Customer Warranty  Obligations in accordance with this Section
5.20 during the preceding three-year period.

                  (6) From and after the third  anniversary of the Closing Date,
Seller  shall  have no  liability  to Buyer for  Customer  Warranty  Obligations
performed or required to be performed on or after such date.

<PAGE>


         5.21     RETENTION AGREEMENTS.
                  --------------------

         Seller  and  Buyer  agree  that each  party  shall  make the  following
payments (before deduction or withholding of payroll and other applicable taxes)
owed to Transferred Employees under the Retention  Agreements.  Upon the Closing
(or  shortly  thereafter),  Seller  shall  pay  $33,333  to  Charlie  Seaton  in
accordance with the terms and conditions of his Retention  Agreement.  After the
Closing,  Buyer shall pay $66,667 to Charlie Seaton at such times  specified in,
and in accordance  with the terms and  conditions  of, his Retention  Agreement.
Upon the  Closing  (or  shortly  thereafter),  Seller  shall pay $14,667 to Andy
Parkes in accordance  with the terms and conditions of his Retention  Agreement.
After  the  Closing,  Buyer  shall pay  $29,333  to Andy  Parkes  at such  times
specified in, and in accordance  with the terms and conditions of, his Retention
Agreement. Upon the Closing (or shortly thereafter), Seller shall pay $17,667 to
Bruce  Wilson  in  accordance  with the terms and  conditions  of his  Retention
Agreement.  After the  Closing,  Buyer shall pay $35,333 to Bruce Wilson at such
times  specified in, and in  accordance  with the terms and  conditions  of, his
Retention Agreement. Upon the Closing (or shortly thereafter),  Seller shall pay
$13,667  to Jay  Cates  in  accordance  with the  terms  and  conditions  of his
Retention Agreement.  After the Closing, Buyer shall pay $27,333 to Jay Cates at
such times specified in, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of, his
Retention Agreement. Upon the Closing (or shortly thereafter),  Seller shall pay
$15,667  to Curt  Bisby in  accordance  with the  terms  and  conditions  of his
Retention Agreement. After the Closing, Buyer shall pay $31,333 to Curt Bisby at
such times specified in, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of, his
Retention  Agreement.  Nothing in this  Section  5.21 creates any rights for the
Transferred  Employees named herein or any liabilities or obligations for Seller
or Buyer not otherwise set forth in the Retention Agreements.

         5.22     CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS WITH TRANSFERRED EMPLOYEES.
                  -----------------------------------------------------

         For a period of forty-five (45) days after Closing,  at Buyer's written
request and Buyer's sole cost  (including  legal fees),  Seller will enforce the
confidentiality  agreements it has entered into with the Transferred  Employees,
solely as such  agreements  relate to the Assets;  PROVIDED THAT Buyer  provides
Seller  with a  reasonable  basis for  enforcement.  At the  expiration  of such
forty-five  (45) day  period (or such  earlier  date if  informed  in writing by
Buyer),  Seller  hereby  agrees not to enforce  the  confidentiality  agreements
described  in the previous  sentence,  solely as such  agreements  relate to the
Assets,  except for pending  actions  initiated in accordance  with the previous
sentence.  Seller will not  otherwise  enforce such  confidentiality  agreements
solely as they relate to the Assets except as provided in this Section 5.22.

         5.23     AGREEMENT CONCERNING KENT ASSETS.
                  --------------------------------

         Upon  the  closing  of  the  sale  or  other   disposition  of  all  or
substantially  all of Seller's  assets and  business  used by Seller at Seller's
facilities in Kent,  Washington (the "KENT  ASSETS"),  to a Person who is not an
Affiliate  of Seller (the "KENT  PURCHASER"),  Seller shall either (a) cause the
Kent  Purchaser to execute and deliver to Buyer the  Agreement  Concerning  Kent
Assets,  substantially  in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT F, or (b) release
Buyer from its obligations contained in the Buyer Non-Competition  Agreement and
in Section 3 of the Seller  Non-Competition  Agreement  (other than for breaches
occurring  prior  to the  date  of the  closing  of such  sale or  disposition),
effective from the date of the closing of such sale or disposition.


<PAGE>


                                    ARTICLE 6

                              TRANSFERRED EMPLOYEES

         6.1      HIRING OF EMPLOYEES.
                  -------------------

         Buyer shall offer employment to all employees of the Business listed on
SCHEDULE  3.18 and all  employees of the Business who are hired between the date
of this Agreement and the Closing in the ordinary course of business  consistent
with past practice who continue to be employees of Seller as of the Closing Date
(excluding (a) those employees receiving salary continuation  benefits under any
Seller's  short-term  disability  or  salary  continuation  program  and  active
employees on military service or other approved  absences;  or (b) any employees
absent from work pursuant to sick leave or other leave granted or required to be
granted  under the terms of the Family and Medical Leave Act). In the case of an
employee listed on SCHEDULE 3.18 and described in clause (a) or (b) above who is
reasonably  expected to return to active  service and who does so  subsequent to
Closing, Buyer shall offer such employee employment upon his or her return. Such
offers of employment  by Buyer shall be on terms and  conditions  which,  in the
aggregate,  are at least  comparable to the terms and  conditions  applicable to
their  employment by Seller on the Closing Date,  except that Buyer shall not be
required to offer Transferred Employees equity participation  rights,  including
stock options,  or to put in place or maintain a defined  benefit  pension plan.
Except as set forth in SCHEDULE  6.1 or  otherwise  disclosed  to Buyer,  Seller
shall use commercially  reasonable efforts to keep available the services of the
current employees of the Business. All such employees who are offered and accept
employment with Buyer shall become Buyer's employees as of the Closing Date (or,
in the case of the  employees  described  in clause (a) or (b) above,  as of the
date they  return to work and  accept  offers of  employment  with  Buyer)  (the
"TRANSFERRED  Employees").  If an  individual  employed by Seller on the Closing
Date and listed on  SCHEDULE  3.18  (including  any  employee  described  in the
parenthetical  in the first  sentence  of this  section)  retires or  terminates
employment  with Seller and is  subsequently  hired by Buyer  within one hundred
eighty  (180)  days  of the  Closing  Date,  he or she  shall  be  treated  as a
Transferred Employee effective the date of hire by Buyer.

         6.2      EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AND ARRANGEMENTS.
                  ---------------------------------------

                  (1)      GENERAL.
                           -------

                           (1) For a period of one (1) year from the Closing
Date, Buyer shall provide each of the Transferred Employees with a level of
compensation  and benefits that, in the aggregate,  is at least comparable to
the  compensation and benefits  provided to such employee by Seller prior to the
Closing Date,  except that Buyer shall not be required to offer  Transferred
Employees  equity  participation  rights,   including  stock options,  or to put
in place or maintain a defined  benefit  pension plan. As of the Closing Date,
Buyer shall maintain such employee benefit plans,  programs or arrangements
necessary  for it to fulfill  its  obligation  as set forth in the previous
sentence ("BUYER'S PLANS").


<PAGE>


                           (2) Effective as of the Closing Date, the benefits
and participation of the Transferred Employees in the Hexcel  Benefit  Plans
shall be limited to  benefits  accrued as of the Closing Date, and no further
benefit  accruals shall accrue by reason of their continued employment with
Buyer.

                  (2) PAST SERVICE CREDIT. To the extent permitted by Law, Buyer
                      -------------------
shall cause  Buyer's  Plans to give the  Transferred  Employees  full credit for
service recognized under any Hexcel Benefit Plan for purposes of eligibility and
vesting but not for the determination of benefit accruals under Buyer's Plans.

                  (3)  PENSION, PROFIT-SHARING, AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS.
                       --------------------------------------------------------

                           (1) As of the Closing Date, Buyer shall maintain for
the benefit of the Transferred Employees a profit sharing  plan  intended to be
qualified  pursuant to Section 401(a) of the Code that shall contain a qualified
cash-or-deferred  arrangement ("BUYER'S  401(K) PLAN").  Within  sixty (60) days
of the  Closing  Date,  Buyer  shall  adopt any amendments  to Buyer's  401(k)
Plan that Seller  reasonably  deems  necessary in order for a transfer to the
Buyer's 401(k)Plan from the Hexcel 401(k)Plan of the assets and all liabilities
representing  the account  balances and accrued benefits of the Transferred
Employees to satisfy the applicable  requirements of Sections 401,  411(d)(6),
414(l) and 501 of the Code, and shall have taken such steps as are necessary to
obtain a favorable  determination  letter with respect to such plan. Within a
reasonable period following  Seller's  determination that Buyer's  obligations
under the foregoing  provisions of this Section  6.2(c)(i) have been  fulfilled,
but not less than  thirty (30) days  following  the joint filing  with the IRS
of any required notices, Seller  shall cause the trustee under the Hexcel 401(k)
Plan to transfer the assets and liabilities representing the account balances
and accrued benefits of the Transferred Employees under the Hexcel  401(k) Plan,
determined  as of the most recent  valuation  date, to thetrustee under  Buyer's
401(k) Plan and Buyer  shall  cause the  trustee  under Buyer's  401(k)  Plan to
accept such  transferred  assets and  liabilities.  The assets to be transferred
shall be in the form of cash and any notes representing loans to the Transferred
Employees made by the Hexcel 401(k) Plan. Following the transfer  of assets and
liabilities,  Buyer and  Buyer's  401(k)  Plan shall be solely responsible for
any benefits to which Transferred Employees were entitled under the Hexcel
401(k)  Plan as of the  Closing,  and to  which  Transferred Employees shall
thereafter become entitled under Buyer's 401(k) Plan.

                           (2)    Seller shall not assign to Buyer and Buyer
shall not assume the rights, liabilities and obligationsunder the EDCA or any
assets or liabilities under the Hexcel 401(k) Restoration Plan.

                           (3)    On or before the Closing Date, Seller shall
amend the Hexcel 401(k) Plan and the Hexcel Pension Plan to provide that the
accrued  benefits of the  Transferred  Employees  thereunder will be fully
vested and  non-forfeitable  as of the Closing Date so that at the Closing all
Transferred Employees shall be fully vested in these benefits.


<PAGE>


                           (4)    From and after the Closing Date and until the
transfer of the Hexcel 401(k) Plan accounts of theTransferred  Employees as
provided  under Section  6.2(c)(i) of this  Agreement, Buyer shall take all
necessary  steps to enable  Transferred  Employees  to pay installments  due on
loans  from the  Hexcel  401(k)  Plan by means of  payroll deductions from their
wages or salary as employees of Buyer, and shall remit all funds so collected
directly to the trustee of the Hexcel 401(k) Plan within five (5) business  days
of the payroll date to which they relate, together with such accounting  records
as the  trustee of the Hexcel  401(k)  Plan may  reasonably require  in order
for the  trustee  of the  Hexcel  401(k)  Plan to credit  such payments to the
respective loan accounts of the  Transferred  Employees  making such installment
payments.

                  (4) MEDICAL AND DENTAL PLANS.
                      ------------------------

                           (1)   As of the Closing Date, Buyer shall enroll each
Transferred Employee and his or her dependents in Buyer's  medical and dental
plans  (including  any flexible  spending  accounts, hereinafter  referred to as
an "FSA"),  without  imposing a waiting period, and shall waive all restrictions
and limitations for pre-existing  conditions under such  plans  (other  than any
pre-existing  condition  that was not  waived  by Seller's  medical and dental
plans as of the Closing Date).  Buyer's medical and dental plans shall contain
such provisions as to ensure that Seller will have no obligation  to Transferred
Employees or their  dependents  under  COBRA.  Each Transferred  Employee  shall
be given  credit under  Buyer's  medical and dental plans against any deductible
and/or  maximum  copayment and/or out-of-pocket payment limitations  applicable
under Buyer's medical and dental plans for the full amount of  deductibles,
copayments  and  out-of-pocket  expenses he or she incurred  during  the  period
beginning  on  January 1 of the year in which the Closing Date occurs and ending
on the Closing  Date.  The credit  referred to in the  preceding  sentence shall
be  applicable  during  the plan year of Buyer's medical and dental plans that
includes  the Closing Date and,  unless such plan year ends no sooner than
December 31 of the  calendar  year that  includes  the Closing  Date, during the
subsequent  plan year of Buyer's  medical and dental plans. As of the Closing
Date, Buyer shall have the sole  responsibility for the provision,  payment or
reimbursement  of medical or dental care  provided on or after  the  Closing
 Date  with  respect  to  Transferred  Employees  and  their dependents,
including any legally mandated continuation of health care coverage for such
employees and their  dependents who have a loss of health care coverage due to a
"qualifying event" (as defined in COBRA) after the Closing Date. Seller shall
have the sole responsibility for the provision,  payment and reimbursement
of medial or dental care  incurred  under  Seller's  plans with  respect to such
Transferred Employees and their dependents prior to the Closing Date.

                           (2)  Effective as of the Closing Date, Seller shall
create a spin off of Hexcel's Flexible Spending Plan and  Hexcel's  Pre-Tax
Premium  Plan  such  that the spin off  covers  only the Transferred Employees,
and Buyer shall adopt and become the plan sponsor of such plan, and shall
establish  initial account balances for such plan reflecting the amounts
credited to the accounts of each  Transferred  Employee  under Hexcel's Flexible
Spending Plan and Hexcel's Pre-Tax Premium Plan  immediately  prior to the
Closing Date. As of the Closing Date, Buyer shall be solely  responsible for
any  benefits  to which  Transferred  Employees  were  entitled  under  Hexcel's
Flexible Spending Plan and Hexcel's Pre-Tax Premium Plan as of the Closing,  and
to which any  Transferred  Employee  thereafter  becomes  entitled  to under the
spun-off plan.


<PAGE>


                  (5) DISABILITY.  Effective as of the Closing Date, Buyer shall
                      ----------
enroll the Transferred  Employees in disability plans, without a waiting period,
and  shall  waive  all  restrictions  and  limitations  regarding   pre-existing
conditions under such plans (other than any pre-existing  condition that was not
waived by the Hexcel  disability  plans as of the Closing Date).  From and after
the Closing Date,  Buyer shall have the sole  responsibility  for the payment of
short-term or long-term  disability benefits to which Transferred  Employees may
become  entitled under a Seller's plan, a Buyer's Plan or as otherwise  required
by Law,  provided  the  condition  which  gave rise to the  salary  continuation
obligation occurred on or after the Closing Date.

                  (6)  SEVERANCE.  If a  Transferred  Employee is  terminated by
                       ---------
Buyer from  employment  within one (1) year  following  the Closing Date for any
reason other than gross  misconduct,  the  Transferred  Employee shall receive a
severance  benefit from Buyer of not less than the severance benefit to which he
or she would have been  entitled as of the day prior to the  Closing  Date under
Seller's  severance  policy,  applied as if such employee had been terminated on
such date  under  circumstances  in which  severance  benefits  would  have been
payable. After the Closing Date, Buyer shall be solely responsible for severance
benefits under Buyer's Plans or as otherwise required by Law with respect to any
Transferred Employee whose employment is terminated after the Closing Date.

                  (7)  ACCRUED  VACATION.  As of the Closing  Date,  Buyer shall
                      ------------------
grant to each  Transferred  Employee  and be solely  responsible  for payment in
respect of accrued  vacation equal to all vacation  accrued by such  Transferred
Employee as an employee of Seller that was unused as of the Closing  Date to the
extent of the amount of the reserve therefor reflected in the Closing Statement.

                                    ARTICLE 7

                                   CONDITIONS

         7.1      CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER AND SELLER.
                  -----------------------------------------------------------

         The  respective  obligations  of Buyer  and  Seller to  consummate  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction
at or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:

                  (1) NO  INJUNCTION,  ETC.  There  shall be no suit,  action or
other proceeding  threatened,  or brought,  by any Governmental  Authority which
seeks to restrain or prohibit,  or any injunction,  order, judgment or decree in
effect and issued by any  Governmental  Authority  which restrains or prohibits,
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,  except for
the  transfer  of  any  Assets  the  failure  of  which  to  transfer  are  not,
individually  or in the  aggregate,  material to the  operations of the Business
taken as a whole.

                  (2)  REGULATORY  AUTHORIZATIONS.  The  consents,  approvals or
authorizations  under  the  HSR  Act  and  the  GWB as  are  necessary  for  the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement shall have been
obtained;  provided that for purposes of this clause (b),  applicable waiting or
review  periods  specified  under  the HSR Act and the GWB with  respect  to the
transactions   contemplated   by  this  Agreement  shall  have  lapsed  or  been
terminated.


<PAGE>


         7.2      CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF SELLER.
                  -------------------------------------------------

         The obligation of Seller to consummate the transactions provided for in
this Agreement is subject to fulfillment of each of the following conditions:

                  (1) ACCURACY OF BUYER'S  REPRESENTATIONS  AND WARRANTIES.  The
representations  and  warranties of Buyer  contained in this  Agreement that are
qualified as to  materiality  shall be true and correct and the  representations
and  warranties of Buyer set forth in this  Agreement  that are not so qualified
shall be true and correct in all material respects,  in each case on the date of
this  Agreement  and on the Closing  Date as though  made on the  Closing  Date,
except to the extent such  representations and warranties speak as of an earlier
date,  and Seller shall have received a certificate to such effect that has been
signed by an  authorized  officer of Buyer;  PROVIDED  THAT Buyer shall have the
right to cure any breaches of its  representations  and  warranties  which occur
between the date of this  Agreement  and the Closing,  but Buyer's right to cure
shall  not  include  the right to amend any of the  Schedules  without  Seller's
consent.

                  (2) PERFORMANCE OF COVENANTS. Buyer shall have complied in all
material respects with all covenants contained in this Agreement to be performed
by it on or prior to the Closing,  and Seller shall have  received a certificate
to such effect that has been signed by an authorized officer of Buyer.

                  (3) ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS. Buyer shall have executed and
delivered each of the Ancillary Agreements.

                  (4) ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT.  Buyer shall have executed and
delivered an undertaking (the "ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT"), substantially in the form
of EXHIBIT G, pursuant to which Buyer shall assume all of the Assumed
Liabilities.

                  (5) SELLER REQUIRED CONSENTS.  Each of the consents listed on
SCHEDULE 7.2(E) shall have been obtained.

                  (6) PAYMENT OF CASH PURCHASE PRICE.  Buyer shall have paid the
Cash Purchase Price as provided herein.

                  (7) CORPORATE MATTERS. All actions, proceedings,  resolutions,
instruments  and  documents  on the part of  Buyer  required  to carry  out this
Agreement or incidental hereto shall have been approved on or before the Closing
Date by Seller and its counsel in the exercise of their reasonable judgment.

         7.3      CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER.
                  ------------------------------------------------

         The obligation of Buyer to consummate the transactions  provided for in
this Agreement is subject to fulfillment of each of the following conditions:


<PAGE>


                  (1) ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS  AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER. The
                      -----------------------------------------------------
representations  and  warranties of Seller  contained in this Agreement that are
qualified as to  materiality  shall be true and correct and the  representations
and  warranties of Seller set forth in this  Agreement that are not so qualified
shall be true and correct in all material respects,  in each case on the date of
this  Agreement  and on the Closing  Date as though  made on the  Closing  Date,
except to the extent such  representations and warranties speak as of an earlier
date,  and Buyer shall have received a certificate  to such effect that has been
signed by an authorized  officer of Seller;  PROVIDED THAT Seller shall have the
right to cure any breaches of its  representations  and  warranties  which occur
between the date of this  Agreement and the Closing,  but Seller's right to cure
shall  not  include  the  right to amend any of the  Schedules  without  Buyer's
consent.

                  (2)  PERFORMANCE  OF COVENANTS.  Seller shall have complied in
                       -------------------------
all material  respects  with all  covenants  contained  in this  Agreement to be
performed  by it on or prior to the  Closing,  and Buyer  shall have  received a
certificate  to such  effect that has been  signed by an  authorized  officer of
Seller.

                  (3)  ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS. Seller shall have executed and
                       --------------------
delivered each of the Ancillary Agreements.

                  (4)  BILL OF SALE;  DEEDS.  Seller  shall  have  executed  and
                       --------------------
delivered  the Bill of Sale (the "BILL OF SALE"),  substantially  in the form of
EXHIBIT H hereto, and appropriately  executed and acknowledged  special warranty
deeds to the Owned Real Property, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT I hereto,
suitable for filing or recordation.

                  (5)  BUYER REQUIRED CONSENTS.  Each of the consents listed on
                      ------------------------
SCHEDULE 7.3(e) shall have been obtained.

                  (6)  TRADEMARK ASSIGNMENT.  Seller shall have executed and
                       --------------------
delivered the Trademark Assignment, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT J
hereto (the "TRADEMARK ASSIGNMENT").

                  (7)  PATENT ASSIGNMENT. Seller shall have executed and
                       -----------------
delivered the Patent Assignment substantially in the form of EXHIBIT K hereto
(the "PATENT ASSIGNMENT").

                  (8) TITLE POLICY.  Seller will have obtained,  at its cost, an
                      ------------
ALTA Form 10-17-92 title  insurance  policy ("TITLE  POLICY") for the Owned Real
Property on or before the Closing from a title insurer  reasonably  satisfactory
to Buyer (the "TITLE  INSURER").  Seller will  deliver to the Title  Insurer all
affidavits,   undertakings  and  other  title  clearance  documents   reasonably
necessary to issue the Title Policy and endorsements  thereto.  The Title Policy
will  be  dated  as of the  date of the  Closing  and (i)  insure  title  to the
applicable  parcels of real estate and all recorded  easements  benefitting such
parcels,  subject only to Real  Property  Permitted  Liens and (ii) contain such
endorsements as Buyer and Buyer's lender, if any, may reasonably request.


<PAGE>


                  (9)  SURVEY.  Seller  shall  have  procured,  at its cost,  in
                       ------
preparation for the Closing,  and Buyer shall have received, a current survey of
each parcel of Owned Real Property, prepared by a licensed surveyor,  reasonably
satisfactory  to  Buyer,  and  conforming  to  1997  ALTA/ACSM   Minimum  Detail
Requirements for Urban Land Title Surveys (the "SURVEY"),  and such standards as
the Title  Insurer  may  require  as a  condition  to the  removal of any survey
exceptions from the Title Policy,  and certified to Buyer,  Buyer's  lender,  if
any, and the Title Insurer,  within ten (10) days of the Closing Date, in a form
reasonably  satisfactory to such parties. The Survey shall disclose the location
of all Improvements,  easements, party walls, sidewalks, roadways, utility lines
and such matters shown customarily on such surveys, show access affirmatively to
public streets and roads, and include Table A Item Nos. 1-4 and 6-14. The Survey
shall not disclose  any survey  defect or  encroachment  from or onto any of the
Owned Real Property that is material to the  operations of the Business that has
not been cured or insured over prior to the Closing.

                  (10)  RELEASE OF LIENS.  Buyer  shall have  received  evidence
                        ----------------
reasonably  satisfactory  to Buyer  evidencing  the  release of all Liens on the
Assets except Permitted Liens.

                  (11) CORPORATE MATTERS. All actions, proceedings, resolutions,
                       -----------------
instruments  and  documents  on the part of  Seller  required  to carry out this
Agreement or  incidental  hereto shall have been approved on the Closing Date by
Buyer and its counsel, in the exercise of their reasonable judgment.

                                    ARTICLE 8

                                     CLOSING

         8.1      CLOSING DATE.
                  ------------

         Unless this Agreement shall have been  terminated and the  transactions
herein shall have been abandoned  pursuant to Section 10 hereof,  the closing of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the "CLOSING") shall take place
at the offices of Kronish Lieb Weiner & Hellman LLP, at 10:00 am., New York City
time,  on April 21,  2000 (or as soon as  practicable  thereafter  as all of the
conditions  to the  Closing  set forth in  Article  7 hereof  are  satisfied  or
waived),  or such other  date,  time and place as shall be agreed upon by Seller
and Buyer (the actual date and time being herein called the "CLOSING DATE"). The
Closing  shall be deemed  effective  as of 12:01 a.m. on the Closing  Date.  All
references  in this  Agreement  to the Closing  Date shall be deemed made to the
Closing.

         8.2      BUYER DELIVERIES.
                  ----------------

         At the  Closing,  Buyer shall  deliver to Seller (i) the Cash  Purchase
Price as provided in Section 2.3(b) hereof, (ii) the Ancillary Agreements, (iii)
the Assumption  Agreement,  (iv) the  agreements,  documents,  certificates  and
instruments to be delivered by Buyer pursuant to Section 7.2 hereof and (v) such
other documents and instruments as Seller and its counsel reasonably request.


<PAGE>


         8.3      SELLER DELIVERIES.
                  -----------------

         At the  Closing,  Seller  shall  deliver  to  Buyer  (i) the  Ancillary
Agreements, (ii) the Bill of Sale, (iii) the agreements, documents, certificates
and  instruments  to be delivered  by Seller  pursuant to Section 7.3 hereof and
(iv) such other  documents and  instruments as Buyer and its counsel  reasonably
request.

                                    ARTICLE 9

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

         9.1      SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS.
                  -----------------------------------------------------

         Subject  to the  limitations  and other  provisions  of this  Agreement
including the provisions of this Article 9, the  representations  and warranties
of the parties  shall  survive  the  Closing and shall  remain in full force and
effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of Seller or Buyer,
for a period  of one (1) year  after the  Closing  Date;  PROVIDED  THAT (a) the
representations  and warranties  made by Seller in (i) Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.7(a)
and 3.15 shall survive indefinitely; (ii) Section 3.19 shall survive for two (2)
years after the Closing Date; and (iii) Section 3.16 shall survive for three (3)
years after the Closing Date and (b) the  representations and warranties made by
Buyer in Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.5 shall survive  indefinitely.  The  agreements
and  covenants  of the parties  shall  remain in full force and effect until the
applicable period under the statute of limitations therefor has expired.

<PAGE>

         9.2      INDEMNIFICATION BY SELLER.
                  -------------------------

                  (1)  Seller  shall  defend,  indemnify  and  hold  Buyer,  any
Affiliate of Buyer or their respective  current or future  officers,  directors,
controlling  persons,  employees,   agents,  successors  and  permitted  assigns
(collectively,  "BUYER INDEMNITEES") harmless from and against and in respect of
any and all actual losses,  liabilities,  damages,  claims, suits,  proceedings,
judgments,  settlements  and expenses,  including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees,
incurred by any such Buyer Indemnitee  (hereinafter  "BUYER LOSSES") which arise
out of or in connection  with (i) any breach of any of the  representations  and
warranties  contained  in Article 3 hereof,  (ii) any breach by Seller of any of
its covenants in this Agreement,  (iii) the Excluded Assets or (iv) the Excluded
Liabilities.  For the sole purpose of Section 9.2(a)(i),  Seller shall be deemed
to have made the  representations  and  warranties  in  Article  3  without  any
qualifications  or exceptions as to the presence or absence of, or resulting in,
or being reasonably  likely to result in, or not resulting in or having or being
reasonably likely to have, as the case may be, a Material Adverse Effect.  Buyer
shall give Seller prompt  written  notice of any third party claim (which in any
event shall be within  thirty (30) days of receiving  such claim) which may give
rise to any indemnity  obligation  under this Section 9.2(a),  together with the
estimated  amount of such claim,  and Seller  shall have the right to assume the
defense of any such claim through  counsel of its own choosing,  by so notifying
Buyer within thirty (30) days of receipt of Buyer's  written  notice;  PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,  that  Seller's  counsel  shall be  reasonably  satisfactory  to Buyer.
Failure to give prompt notice shall not affect the  indemnification  obligations
hereunder in the absence of actual prejudice. If Buyer desires to participate in
any such defense  assumed by Seller,  it may do so at its sole cost and expense,
and Seller and its counsel shall give Buyer and its counsel reasonable access to
the  relevant  records  and  documents  and  employees  of Seller in  connection
therewith. If Seller declines to assume any such defense, it shall be liable for
all  reasonable  costs and expenses of defending  such claim  incurred by Buyer,
including  reasonable fees and  disbursements  of counsel.  Neither party shall,
without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld,  settle,  compromise or offer to settle or compromise any
such  claim or demand on a basis  which  would  result  in the  imposition  of a
consent order,  injunction or decree which would restrict the future activity or
conduct of the other party or any  Affiliate  thereof or if such  settlement  or
compromise  does not include an  irrevocable  and  unconditional  release of the
other party for any liability arising out of such claim or demand or any related
claim or demand.

                  (2) The foregoing  obligation to indemnify  Buyer  Indemnitees
set  forth  in  Section  9.2(a)  shall  be  subject  to  each  of the  following
limitations:

                           (1)      Seller's indemnification obligation for any
breach of the representations and warranties set forth in Article 3 of this
Agreement shall survive for the period specified in Section 9.1, and thereafter
all such representations and warranties of Seller under this Agreement shall be
extinguished.  No claim for the recovery of such Buyer Losses may be asserted by
a Buyer Indemnitee after the period specified in Section 9.1; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that  claims  first  asserted  in  writing  with  as  much specificity  as  is
reasonably  available  within  such  period  shall  not  be extinguished;

                           (2)      No indemnification for Buyer Losses asserted
against Seller under Section 9.2(a)(i) shall be required  unless and until the
cumulative  amount of such Buyer Losses equals or exceeds two million dollars
($2,000,000.00)  ("SELLER THRESHOLD") and then only to the extent that the
cumulative amount of Buyer Losses, as finally determined, exceeds the Seller
Threshold,  and in no event shall include special,  indirect, incidental,
consequential or punitive damages; and

                           (3)      Seller's liability to Buyer Indemnitees
under Section 9.2(a)(i) for Buyer Losses in excess of the Seller Threshold shall
not exceed twenty million dollars ($20,000,000.00).

                  (3) None of the  limitations  contained in Section  9.2(b)(ii)
and (iii) shall apply to Seller's indemnification  obligations in respect of the
representations and warranties in Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.7(a) or 3.15.

                  (4) Other than claims based on fraud,  the indemnity  provided
in this Section 9.2 shall be the sole and  exclusive  remedy of the  indemnified
party against the indemnifying  party at law or equity for any matter covered by
Sections 9.2(a) and 9.2(b), except that Buyer shall at all times be free to seek
specific performance or injunctive relief to enforce the Seller  Non-Competition
Agreement.


<PAGE>


                  (5) For the avoidance of doubt, Buyer hereby acknowledges that
any amounts paid by Buyer in  connection  with  Customer  Warranty  Obligations,
Seller Customer  Warranty  Obligations or Shared Customer  Warranty  Obligations
under Section 5.20 hereof shall not be applied towards the Seller  Threshold and
will not be a Buyer Loss subject to a claim under Section 9.2(a)(i) hereunder.

         9.3      INDEMNIFICATION BY BUYER.
                  ------------------------

                  (1)  Buyer  shall  defend,  indemnify  and  hold  Seller,  any
Affiliate of Seller or their respective  current or future officers,  directors,
controlling  persons,  employees,   agents,  successors  and  permitted  assigns
(collectively, "SELLER INDEMNITEES") harmless from and against and in respect of
any and all actual losses,  liabilities,  damages,  claims, suits,  proceedings,
judgments,  settlements  and expenses,  including  reasonable  attorney's  fees,
incurred by any such Seller Indemnitee  (hereinafter  "SELLER LOSSES";  together
with Buyer Losses, "LOSSES") arising out of or in connection with (i) any breach
of any of the representations and warranties contained in Article 4 hereof, (ii)
any  breach  by Buyer  of any of its  covenants  in this  Agreement,  (iii)  the
ownership,  operation  or use of the  Business  or the  Assets  on or after  the
Closing  Date other than in relation to  Excluded  Liabilities,  (iv) any action
taken by any regulatory  authority which has the effect, in whole or in part, of
voiding or  unwinding  any of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  which had
effect on or after the  Closing  or (v) the  Assumed  Liabilities.  For the sole
purpose  of  Section  9.3(a)(i),   Buyer  shall  be  deemed  to  have  made  the
representations  and  warranties  in  Article 4 without  any  qualifications  or
exceptions  as to the presence or absence of, or resulting in or having or being
reasonably  likely  to  result  in,  or not  resulting  in or  having  or  being
reasonably  likely to have, as the case may be, a Buyer Material Adverse Effect.
Seller shall give Buyer prompt written notice of any third party claim (which in
any event shall be within  thirty (30) days of  receiving  such claim) which may
give rise to any indemnity  obligation under this Section 9.3(a),  together with
the estimated amount of such claim, and Buyer shall have the right to assume the
defense of any such claim through  counsel of its own choosing,  by so notifying
Seller within thirty (30) days of receipt of Seller's written notice;  PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,  that  Buyer's  counsel  shall be  reasonably  satisfactory  to Seller.
Failure to give prompt notice shall not affect the  indemnification  obligations
hereunder in the absence of actual  prejudice.  If Seller desires to participate
in any such defense assumed by Buyer, it may do so at its sole cost and expense,
and Buyer and its counsel shall give Seller and its counsel reasonable access to
the  relevant  records  and  documents  and  employees  of Buyer  in  connection
therewith.  If Buyer declines to assume any such defense, it shall be liable for
all costs and expenses of  defending  such claim  incurred by Seller,  including
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel.  Neither party shall,  without the
prior  written  consent  of  the  other  party,   which  consent  shall  not  be
unreasonably withheld,  settle,  compromise or offer to settle or compromise any
such  claim or demand on a basis  which  would  result  in the  imposition  of a
consent order,  injunction or decree which would restrict the future activity or
conduct of the other party or any  Affiliate  thereof or if such  settlement  or
compromise  does not include an  irrevocable  and  unconditional  release of the
other party for any liability arising out of such claim or demand or any related
claim or demand.

                  (2) The foregoing  obligation to indemnify Seller  Indemnities
set  forth  in  Section  9.3(a)  shall  be  subject  to  each  of the  following
limitations:


<PAGE>


                           (1)      Buyer's indemnification obligation for any
breach of the representations and warranties set forth in Article 4 of this
Agreement shall survive for the period specified in Section 9.1, and thereafter
all such  representations and warranties of Buyer under this Agreement shall be
extinguished. No claim for the recovery of such Seller Losses may be asserted by
a Seller  Indemnitee  after the period  specified  in Section 9.1;  PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,  that claims  first  asserted in writing  with as much specificity  as
is  reasonably  available  within  such  period  shall  not  be extinguished;

                           (2)      No indemnification for Seller Losses
asserted against Buyer under Section 9.3(a)(i) above shall be required unless
and until the cumulative  amount of such Seller Losses equals orexceeds two
million dollars ($2,000,000.00) ("BUYER THRESHOLD") and then only to the extent
that the cumulative amount of Seller Losses, as finally  determined, exceeds the
Buyer Threshold,  and in no event shall include  special,  indirect, incidental,
consequential or punitive damages; and

                           (3)      Buyer's liability to Seller Indemnitees
under Section 9.3(a)(i) for Seller Losses in excess of the Buyer Threshold shall
not exceed twenty million dollars ($20,000,000.00).

                  (3) None of the  limitations  contained in Section  9.3(b)(ii)
and (iii) shall apply to Buyer's  indemnification  obligations in respect of the
representations and warranties in Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.5.

                  (4) Other than claims based on fraud,  the indemnity  provided
in this Section 9.3 shall be the sole and  exclusive  remedy of the  indemnified
party against the indemnifying  party at law or equity for any matter covered by
Sections  9.3(a) and 9.3(b),  except  that Seller  shall at all times be free to
seek specific performance or injunctive relief to enforce Section 5.6(b) and the
Buyer Non-Competition Agreement.

         9.4      INDEMNIFICATION CALCULATIONS.
                  ----------------------------

                  (1) An indemnity claim under Section 9 (an "INDEMNITY  CLAIM")
shall be reduced by the amount of any Tax Benefit  realized by the party  making
the claim. For the purposes of this Agreement,  any Tax Benefit shall be treated
as though it were a reduction in the amount of the initial  Indemnity Claim, and
the  liabilities  of the parties under this Section 9 shall be  redetermined  as
though the Indemnity  Claim and the Tax Benefit were  simultaneous  events at or
prior to the  time  that  the  Indemnity  Claim  was  made  (and  any  necessary
reimbursements shall be made to the indemnifying party in connection therewith).
For purposes of this Section 9.4,  "Tax  Benefit"  means the amount by which the
Tax liability of the party (or group of entities including the party) making the
Indemnity Claim is reduced below the amount which it would otherwise be required
to pay but for the circumstances  giving rise to the Indemnity Claim. Each party
shall promptly inform the other party of the extent of any Tax Benefit  realized
and shall permit such other party's independent accountants to reasonably verify
the extent of such Tax Benefit.


<PAGE>


                  (2) The parties agree that any  indemnification  payments made
pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated for tax purposes as an adjustment to
the Purchase Price, unless otherwise required by applicable Law.

                                   ARTICLE 10

                                   TERMINATION

        10.1      TERMINATION EVENTS.
                  ------------------

         Without  prejudice  to other  remedies  which may be  available  to the
parties under Law or under this Agreement,  this Agreement may be terminated and
the transactions contemplated herein may be abandoned:

                  (1)      by mutual written consent of the parties hereto;

                  (2)      by Seller, in its sole discretion, if at any time the
Financing ceases to be in effect; and

                  (3) by any party by written  notice to the other  party if the
Closing  shall not have been  consummated  on or before July 31, 2000,  provided
that the Closing did not fail to occur by such date due to the breach or default
of the party electing so to terminate this Agreement.

        10.2      EFFECT OF TERMINATION.
                  ---------------------

         In the event of any termination of the Agreement as provided in Section
10.1 above,  this Agreement shall forthwith become wholly void and of no further
force and effect and there shall be no liability on the part of Buyer or Seller,
except that (i) Sections  3.15  (Finders/Brokers  with  respect to Seller),  4.5
(Finders/Brokers   with  respect  to  Buyer),  5.7  (confidentiality)  and  11.4
(expenses)  of this  Agreement  shall  remain in full  force and effect and (ii)
termination  shall not  preclude  either  party from  suing the other  party for
breach of this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE 11

                     MISCELLANEOUS AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

         11.1     NOTICES.
                  -------

         All communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to be given  when  delivered  in person  or by  private  courier  with
receipt, when telefaxed and received, or three (3) days after being deposited in
the United States mail,  first-class,  registered or certified,  return  receipt
requested, with postage paid and,


<PAGE>



                  If to Buyer:              Britax Cabin Interiors, Inc.
                                            c/o Britax International plc
                                            Seton House
                                            Warwick Technology Park
                                            Gallows Hill
                                            Warwick CV34 6DE
                                            United Kingdom
                                            Attn:    Stephen Duffield
                                            Tel.:    (44) 01926-406333
                                            Fax:     (44) 01926-402599

                  With a copy to:   Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
                                            901 Lakeside Avenue
                                            Cleveland, Ohio 44114
                                            Attn:    John P. Dunn, Esq.
                                            Tel.:    (216) 586-7095
                                            Fax:     (216) 579-0212

                                                     and

                                            Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
                                            Bucklersbury House
                                            3 Queen Victoria Street
                                            London EC4N 8NA
                                            England
                                            Attn:    Hugh Chapman, Esq.
                                            Tel.:    (44) 01712-363939
                                            Fax:     (44) 01712-361113

                  If to Seller:             Hexcel Corporation
                                            Two Stamford Plaza
                                            281 Tresser Boulevard
                                            Stamford, CT 06901
                                            Attn.:   General Counsel
                                            Tel:     (203) 969-0666
                                            Fax:     (203) 358-3972

                  With a copy to:   Kronish Lieb Weiner & Hellman LLP
                                            1114 Avenue of the Americas
                                            New York, NY 10036
                                            Attn:    Ralph J. Sutcliffe, Esq.
                                            Tel:     (212) 479-6170
                                            Fax:     (212) 997-3527



<PAGE>


or to such other address as any such party shall  designate by written notice to
the other parties hereto.

         11.2     TRANSACTION TAXES.
                  -----------------

         Buyer shall be responsible for the payment of all sales,  use,  excise,
transfer,  recording and other similar taxes and imposts,  if any,  which may be
payable with respect to the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated by
this  Agreement  and the  Ancillary  Agreements  and  shall  file all  necessary
documentation  and Tax Returns with respect to such taxes,  except that any such
taxes in excess of  $500,000  shall be borne by Seller to the extent  such taxes
exceed  $500,000.  To the extent any  exemptions  from such taxes are available,
Seller and Buyer will cooperate to prepare any  certificates  or other documents
necessary to claim such exemptions.

         11.3     FURTHER ASSURANCES; ASSET RETURNS.
                  ---------------------------------

         Upon  request from time to time,  Seller shall  execute and deliver all
documents,  take all rightful oaths and do all other acts that may be reasonably
necessary  or  desirable,  in the  reasonable  opinion of counsel for Buyer,  to
effect the transfer of the Assets in accordance herewith.  Buyer shall reimburse
Seller for all costs and expenses  resulting  from any such  request,  including
reasonable  attorneys'  fees.  In the event  that  Buyer  receives  any  assets,
properties or rights of Seller that are not intended to be transferred  pursuant
to the terms of this  Agreement,  whether or not related to the Business,  Buyer
agrees to  promptly  return  such  assets,  properties  and  rights to Seller at
Seller's expense.  If Seller or any of its Affiliates  receives payment from and
after the Closing  Date of any  account  receivable  included in the Assets,  it
shall promptly remit such payment in full to Buyer.

         11.4     EXPENSES.
                  --------

         Subject  to  Section  11.2,  Seller  and  Buyer  shall  each pay  their
respective  expenses  (including without limitation legal,  investment  banking,
finder's,  broker's  and  accounting  fees)  incurred  in  connection  with  the
origination,  negotiation  and  execution of this  Agreement,  except that Buyer
shall be responsible for the payment of any filing fee under the HSR Act and the
GWB.

         11.5     NON-ASSIGNABILITY.
                  -----------------

         This  Agreement  shall  inure to the  benefit  of and be binding on the
parties  hereto and their  respective  successors  and permitted  assigns.  This
Agreement shall not be assigned by either party hereto without the express prior
written consent of the other party, and any attempted  assignment,  without such
consents, shall be null and void.


<PAGE>

         11.6     AMENDMENT; WAIVER.
                  -----------------

         This Agreement may be amended,  supplemented or otherwise modified only
by a written  instrument  executed  by the parties  hereto.  No waiver by either
party of any of the provisions  hereof shall be effective unless  explicitly set
forth in writing and executed by the party so waiving. Except as provided in the
preceding  sentence,  no action  taken  pursuant to this  Agreement,  including,
without  limitation,  any  investigation by or on behalf of any party,  shall be
deemed to constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of compliance with
any representations,  warranties,  covenants or agreements contained herein, and
in any documents  delivered or to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement and in
connection  with the  Closing  hereunder.  The  waiver by any party  hereto of a
breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a
waiver of any subsequent breach.

         11.7     SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS.
                  ----------------------

         All exhibits and schedules hereto are hereby  incorporated by reference
and made a part of this  Agreement.  Any fact or item which is  disclosed on any
Schedule or Exhibit to this  Agreement or in the Financial  Statements in such a
way as to make its relevance to a  representation  or warranty made elsewhere in
this  Agreement or to information  called for by another  Schedule or Exhibit to
this  Agreement  reasonably  apparent shall be deemed to be an exception to such
representation or warranty or to be disclosed on such other Schedule or Exhibit,
as the  case  may be,  notwithstanding  the  omission  of a  reference  or cross
reference thereto.  Any fact or item disclosed on any Schedule or Exhibit hereto
shall not by reason only of such  inclusion  be deemed to be material  and shall
not be  employed  as a  point  of  reference  in  determining  any  standard  of
materiality under this Agreement.

         11.8     NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES.
                  ----------------------------

         Nothing  herein,  expressed or implied,  shall create or establish  any
third-party  beneficiary  hereto nor confer  upon any person not a party to this
Agreement  (including any employee or former  employee of Seller or Buyer or any
of their Affiliates) any rights or remedies,  including, without limitation, any
right to employment or continued  employment  for any specified  period,  of any
nature or kind whatsoever, under or by reason of this Agreement.

         11.9     GOVERNING LAW.
                  -------------

         This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance  with,
the  laws of the  State  of New  York  applicable  to a  contract  executed  and
performed  in  such  State  without  giving  effect  to the  conflicts  of  laws
principles thereof.

<PAGE>


         11.10    CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.
                  -----------------------

         Each  of the  parties  hereto  irrevocably  submits  to  the  exclusive
jurisdiction  of the United States  District Court for the Southern  District of
New York located in the borough of Manhattan in the City of New York, or if such
court does not have  jurisdiction,  the Supreme  Court of the State of New York,
New York  County,  for the  purposes  of any suit,  action  or other  proceeding
arising out of this  Agreement,  the  Ancillary  Agreements  or any  transaction
contemplated  hereby or thereby.  Each of the parties hereto further agrees that
service of any process,  summons,  notice or document by U.S. registered mail to
such  party's  respective  address set forth in Section  11.1 shall be effective
service  of process  for any  action,  suit or  proceeding  with  respect to any
matters to which it has  submitted  to  jurisdiction  as set forth  above in the
immediately  preceding  sentence.  Each of the parties  hereto  irrevocably  and
unconditionally  waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit
or proceeding  arising out of this  Agreement,  the Ancillary  Agreements or the
transactions  contemplated  hereby or thereby in (i) the United States  District
Court for the  Southern  District of New York or (ii) the  Supreme  Court of the
State  of New  York,  New  York  County,  and  hereby  further  irrevocably  and
unconditionally  waives  and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that
any such action,  suit or proceeding  brought in any such court has been brought
in an inconvenient forum.

         11.11    DEFINITIONS.
                  -----------

                  (1) As used in this  Agreement,  the  following  defined terms
shall have the meanings indicated below:

                  "ACCOUNTING  PRINCIPLES"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 2.3(c).

                  "ACQUISITION  PROPOSAL"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 5.19.

                  "AFFILIATE"  means any Person  that  directly,  or  indirectly
through one of more  intermediaries,  controls or is  controlled  by or is under
common control with the Person specified.

                  "AGREEMENT"  means  this  Asset  Purchase  Agreement  and  the
Exhibits and the Schedules hereto.

                  "ALLOCATION  STATEMENT"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 2.1(b).

                  "ANCILLARY   AGREEMENTS"   means   the   Transition   Services
Agreement, the Materials Supply Agreement,  the Buyer Non-Competition  Agreement
and the Seller Non-Competition Agreement.

                  "ASSETS" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.1.

                  "ASSUMED  LIABILITIES"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to  it in
Section 1.4.

                  "ASSUMPTION  AGREEMENT"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 7.2(d).

                  "BASE NAV" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.3(a).

                  "BILL OF  SALE"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in  Section
7.3(d).

                  "BOEING" means The Boeing Company, a Delaware corporation.

                  "BOEING   AUBURN   AGREEMENT"   means  POP  Special   Business
Provisions (6-5087-35-1154) dated November 24, 1998 between Boeing and Seller.


<PAGE>


                  "BOEING  DOORLINER   AGREEMENT"  means  POP  Special  Business
Provisions (6-5087-31-1113) dated October 13, 1998 between Boeing and Seller.

                  "BOOKS AND RECORDS" has the meaning  ascribed to it in Section
5.5(a).

                  "BP ACQUISITION  AGREEMENTS"  means the following  agreements:
(i) the  Asset  Purchase  Agreement  dated as of  August  25,  1994  between  BP
Chemicals  Inc. and  Ciba-Geigy  Corporation,  as amended by a Letter  Agreement
dated as of August 25, 1994; (ii) the Assignment and Assumption  Agreement dated
as of August 25, 1994 between BP Chemicals Inc. and Ciba-Geigy Corporation;  and
(iii) the Novation Agreement among BP Chemicals Inc., Ciba-Geigy Corporation and
Grumman  Aerospace  Corporation  (executed by BP Chemicals  Inc. and  Ciba-Geigy
Corporation  on  September  7,  1994 and by  Grumman  Aerospace  Corporation  on
September 9, 1994), as modified by the Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated
as of February 29, 1996 by and among Ciba-Geigy Corporation,  Seller and Grumman
Aerospace Corporation.

                   "BSB ACQUISITION AGREEMENTS" means the following agreements:
(i) the Asset Purchase  Agreement  dated as of January 25, 1988  between  B.S.B.
Diversified Company, Inc. and Phoenix Washington  Corporation,  a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Ciba-Geigy Corporation; (ii) the Agreement dated as of January 25,
1988 between Phoenix Washington Corporation and Criton Technologies; (iii) the
Guaranty dated as of January 25, 1988 by Ciba-Geigy Corporation in favor of
B.S.B.  Diversified Company,  Inc.  relating to the obligations of Phoenix
Washington  Corporation; (iv) the  Assumption  Agreement dated as of January 25,
1988  between  B.S.B. Diversified Company, Inc. and Phoenix Washington
Corporation;  (v) the Novation Agreement  dated  January  22,  1988  among
Douglas  Aircraft  Company,  B.S.B. Diversified Company, Inc. and Phoenix
Washington Corporation; (vi) the Agreement dated as of April 10, 1989 between
B.S.B.  Diversified  Company,  Inc. and Heath Tecna  Aerospace  Co.  (formerly
Phoenix  Washington  Corporation)  relating to certain  provisions  of the
agreement  described  in (i)  above;  and (vii) the Agreement  dated as of
April 10,  1989  between  Heath Tecna  Aerospace  Co. and Criton Technologies
relating to certain provisions in the agreement described in (ii) above.

                  "BUSINESS"  means  the  development,  manufacture  and sale of
finished  aircraft  interior  assemblies  produced  at the  Facilities  and  the
installation and engineering support services rendered to customers with respect
to such assemblies.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
the Business shall not include any other assets, properties,  rights, businesses
or operations of Seller or its Affiliates (i) located at any facility other than
the Facilities,  including  without  limitation the development,  manufacture or
sale of fibers,  prepregs,  honeycomb,  core,  including  special  process core,
laminates,  sandwich  panels,  fabrics  or  products  manufactured  at  Seller's
facilities  in Kent,  Washington,  whether  or not  furnished  by  Seller or its
Affiliates to, or used by, the Business; or (ii) involving products manufactured
using HexAmp compression molding,  resin transfer molding,  resin film infusion,
pultrusion  (including CRTM),  reaction injection molding,  filament winding and
automatic tape or fiber placement.


<PAGE>


                  "BUSINESS   KNOW-HOW"   means   confidential   or  proprietary
information and devices  embodying such information  (including all intellectual
property (other than Intellectual  Property)) used in the Business  conducted at
the Facilities and as used in rendering  installation  and  engineering  support
services to customers of the Business with respect to finished aircraft interior
assemblies produced at the Facilities (other than Excluded Seller Information).

                  "BUYER" has the meaning ascribed to it in the forepart of this
Agreement.

                  "BUYER  INDEMNITIES" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
9.2(a).

                  "BUYER  LOSSES"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in  Section
9.2(a).

                  "BUYER MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" has the meaning ascribed to it
in Section 4.3.

                  "BUYER NON-COMPETITION  AGREEMENT" has the meaning ascribed to
it in Section 5.14.

                  "BUYER  THRESHOLD"  has the meaning  ascribed to it in Section
9.3(b).

                  "BUYER'S  OBJECTION" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.3(d).

                  "BUYER'S  PLANS"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in Section
6.2(a).

                  "BUYER'S  401(K)  PLAN"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 6.2(c).

                  "CASH  PURCHASE  PRICE"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 2.1(a).

                  "CIBA ACQUISITION  AGREEMENTS" means the following agreements:
(i) the  Strategic  Alliance  Agreement  dated as of  September  29,  1995 among
Ciba-Geigy  Limited,  Ciba-Geigy  Corporation  and  Seller,  as  amended  by  an
Amendment  dated  as of  December  12,  1995  and  further  amended  by a Letter
Agreement  dated as of February 28, 1996;  (ii) the Agreement  Governing  United
States  Employment  Matters  dated as of September  29, 1995 between  Ciba-Geigy
Corporation  and Seller;  (iii) the Assignment and  Assumption  Agreement  dated
February 29, 1996 among Ciba-Geigy Limited,  Ciba-Geigy  Corporation and Seller;
(iv) the Governance  Agreement dated as of February 29, 1996 between  Ciba-Geigy
Limited and Seller; and (v) the Registration Rights Agreement dated February 29,
1996 between Ciba-Geigy Limited and Seller.

                  "CLOSING" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8.1.

                  "CLOSING DATE" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8.1.

                  "CLOSING  NAV"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to it in  Section
2.3(a).

                  "CLOSING  STATEMENT" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.3(d).


<PAGE>


                  "COBRA"  means those  provisions of the  Consolidated  Omnibus
Budget  Reconciliation Act of 1985 applicable to "group health plans" as defined
in Section 5000(b)(1) of the Code.

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

                  "CONFIDENTIALITY  AGREEMENT" has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 5.2.

                  "CONSENTS" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.4.

                  "CONTRACTS" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.1(g).

                  "CREDIT  AGREEMENT"  means that  certain  Second  Amended  and
Restated  Credit  Agreement  dated  September  15, 1998, by and among Seller and
certain of its  subsidiaries,  the lenders  party  thereto,  Credit Suisse First
Boston and Citibank N.A., as amended.

                  "CUSTOMER WARRANTY OBLIGATIONS" has the meaning ascribed to it
in Section 1.5(f).

                  "EDCA" means the Executive Deferred Compensation and
Consulting Agreement dated March 1, 1996 between Seller and David R. Tanonis.

                  "ENVIRONMENTAL  CLAIMS"  means  any  claim,  action,  cause of
action,  investigation  or  notice  (written  or  oral) by any  Person  alleging
potential  liability  (including,  without  limitation,  potential liability for
investigatory  costs,  cleanup  costs,   governmental  response  costs,  natural
resources damages,  property damages,  personal injuries,  or penalties) arising
out of, based on or resulting  from (a) the presence,  migration or release into
the environment of any Hazardous  Substance that originated from the Business or
the Facilities  from any location at which such Hazardous  Substance has come to
be located,  whether or not such  location is owned or operated by Seller or (b)
circumstances forming the basis of any violation,  or alleged violation,  of any
Environmental Law.

                  "ENVIRONMENTAL  LAW"  means any  current  federal  or state or
local  statute,  law or  regulation  relating to pollution or  protection of the
environment.

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

                  "ESTIMATED  CLOSING  NAV" has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 2.3(b).

                  "EXCESS  WARRANTY  COSTS" has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 5.20(c).

                  "EXCLUDED  ASSETS" has the  meaning  ascribed to it in Section
1.3.

                  "EXCLUDED  LIABILITIES"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 1.5.


<PAGE>


                  "EXCLUDED  SELLER  INFORMATION" has the meaning ascribed to it
in Section 5.6(a).

                  "FACILITIES" means the Owned Real Property and the Leased Real
Property.

                  "FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 3.5.

                  "FINANCING" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4.6.

                  "FSA" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.2(d).

                  "GAAP"  means  United  States  generally  accepted  accounting
principles,  consistently  applied  throughout  the specified  period and in the
immediately prior comparable period.

                  "GENERAL TERMS AGREEMENT" means General Terms Agreement Number
BCA-65657-0005  between  Seller and The Boeing  Company  (executed  by Seller on
April 2, 1997 and by The Boeing Company on April 4, 1997).

                  "GOVERNMENTAL    AUTHORITY"   means   any   court,   tribunal,
arbitrator,  authority, agency, commission, official or other instrumentality of
the United States, any foreign country or any domestic or foreign state, county,
city or other political subdivision.

                  "GWB" means the German Act Against Restraints of Competition.

                  "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE" means petroleum,  petroleum by-products,
polychlorinated  biphenyls  and any other  chemicals,  materials,  substances or
wastes  which  are  currently  defined  as  "hazardous  substances,"  "hazardous
materials,"   "hazardous  wastes,"  "extremely  hazardous  wastes,"  "restricted
hazardous  wastes," "toxic  substances,"  "toxic  pollutants,"  "pollutants," or
"contaminants" under any Environmental Law.

                  "HEXCEL  BENEFIT  PLANS"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 3.13(a).

                  "HEXCEL  LOGO"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to it in  Section
1.3(f).

                  "HEXCEL  PENSION  PLAN" means the Hexcel  Corporation  Pension
Plan (amended and restated as of July 1, 1996), as amended to date.

                  "HEXCEL  SUPPLIES"  has the meaning  ascribed to it in Section
5.16.

                  "HEXCEL'S  FLEXIBLE  SPENDING PLAN" means the plan pursuant to
which eligible employees of Seller may elect to receive a portion of their wages
or  salary in cash or in the form of  coverage  under the  Health  Care  Expense
Reimbursement Plan and the Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan described therein.


<PAGE>


                  "HEXCEL'S  PRE-TAX  PREMIUM  PLAN" means the plan  pursuant to
which eligible employees of Seller may elect to receive a portion of their wages
or salary in cash or in the form of coverage under a medical benefit plan.

                  "HEXCEL  401(K)  PLAN"  means the  Hexcel  Corporation  401(k)
Retirement Savings Plan (amended and restated as of July 1, 1996), as amended to
date.

                  "HEXCEL 401(K)  RESTORATION PLAN" means the Hexcel Corporation
401(k) Restoration Plan (effective as of September 1, 1996), as amended to date.

                  "HSR ACT" means Section 7A of the Clayton Act (Title II of the
Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended) and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  "IMPROVEMENTS"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to it in  Section
1.1(a).

                  "INDEMNITY  CLAIM" has the  meaning  ascribed to it in Section
9.4(a).

                  "INTELLECTUAL  PROPERTY"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 1.1(e).

                  "INVENTORY" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.1(i).

                  "IRS" means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

                  "KENT ASSETS" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.23.

                  "KENT  PURCHASER"  has the  meaning  ascribed to it in Section
5.23.

                  "LAW" means any law, statute, rule, regulation,  ordinance and
other  pronouncement  having the effect of law of the United States, any foreign
country  or any  domestic  or foreign  state,  county,  city or other  political
subdivision or of any Governmental Authority.

                  "LEASED  REAL  PROPERTY"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 3.7(c).

                  "LICENSES  AND  PERMITS"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 1.1(h).

                  "LOSSES" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 9.3(a).

                  "MACHINERY" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.1(c).

                  "MAJOR  EQUIPMENT"  has the meaning  ascribed to it in Section
3.7(a).


<PAGE>


                  "MATERIAL  ADVERSE  EFFECT" means an event or series of events
that have resulted in or are reasonably  likely to result in a material  adverse
effect on the  results of  operations,  financial  condition  or business of the
Business taken as a whole.

                  "MATERIAL  AGREEMENTS"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to  it in
Section 3.8(a).

                  "MATERIALS SUPPLY AGREEMENT" has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 5.13.

                  "MULTI-EMPLOYER  PLAN"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to  it in
Section (3)(37) of ERISA.

                  "NEGOTIATION PERIOD" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.3(d).

                  "NET ASSET VALUE" means the sum of the book value of the
Assets less the sum of the book value of the Assumed Liabilities.

                  "NEUTRAL  ACCOUNTING  FIRM" has the meaning  ascribed to it in
Section 2.3(d).

                  "OWNED  REAL  PROPERTY"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 1.1(a).

                  "PATENT  ASSIGNMENT" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
7.3(g).

                  "PENSION  PLAN"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in  Section
3.13(a).

                  "PERMITTED  LIENS" has the  meaning  ascribed to it in Section
3.7(b).

                  "PERSON"  means  any  natural  person,  corporation,   general
partnership, limited partnership,  proprietorship,  other business organization,
trust, union, association or Governmental Authority.

                  "PERSONAL  PROPERTY  PERMITTED LIENS" has the meaning ascribed
to it in Section 3.7(a).

                  "PROPRIETARY  RIGHTS" means,  collectively,  the  Intellectual
Property and the Business Know-How.

                  "PURCHASE  PRICE" has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in Section
2.1(a).

                  "REAL  PROPERTY"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in Section
3.7(c).

                  "REAL  PROPERTY  LEASES"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 1.1(b).

                  "REAL PROPERTY PERMITTED LIENS" has the meaning ascribed to it
in Section 3.7(b).


<PAGE>


                  "RELEASE"  means  any  spilling,  leaking,  pumping,  pouring,
emitting,  emptying,  discharging,  injecting,  escaping,  leaching, dumping, or
disposing of a Hazardous Substance into the environment.

                  "RETENTION  AGREEMENTS"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 1.5(d).

                  "SELLER"  has the meaning  ascribed  to it in the  forepart of
this Agreement.

                  "SELLER  CUSTOMER   WARRANTY   OBLIGATIONS"  has  the  meaning
ascribed to it in Section 5.20(d).

                  "SELLER EXCESS WARRANTY COSTS" has the meaning  ascribed to it
in Section 5.20(d).

                  "SELLER INDEMNITEES" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
9.3(a).

                  "SELLER  LOSSES"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in Section
9.3(a).

                  "SELLER NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT" has the meaning ascribed to
it in Section 5.14.

                  "SELLER  THRESHOLD" has the meaning  ascribed to it in Section
9.2(b).

                  "SELLER'S CLOSING STATEMENT" has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 2.3(c).

                  "SELLER'S OBJECTION" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.3(d).

                  "SHARED  CUSTOMER   WARRANTY   OBLIGATIONS"  has  the  meaning
ascribed to it in Section 5.20(c).

                  "SURVEY" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 7.3(i).

                  "TAX" or "TAXES"  means all federal,  state,  local or foreign
net or gross income,  gross  receipts,  net proceeds,  sales,  use, value added,
franchise,  bank shares,  withholding,  payroll,  employment,  excise, property,
alternative or add-on minimum, environmental, stamp or other taxes, assessments,
duties,  fees,  levies,  imposts  or other  governmental  charges  of any nature
whatsoever,  whether  disputed or not,  together with any  interest,  penalties,
additions to tax or additional amounts with respect thereto.

                  "TAX RETURN" means any returns, reports, schedules,  documents
or  statements  (including  any  information  returns)  required to be filed for
purposes of a particular Tax.

                  "TAXING  AUTHORITY"  means  any  governmental  agency,  board,
bureau,  body,  department or authority of any United States  federal,  state or
local jurisdiction or any foreign jurisdiction, having or purporting to exercise
jurisdiction with respect to any Tax.


<PAGE>


                  "TITLE  INSURER"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in Section
7.3(h).

                  "TITLE  POLICY"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in  Section
7.3(h).

                  "TRADEMARK  ASSIGNMENT"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 7.3(f).

                  "TRANSFERRED  EMPLOYEES"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 6.1.

                  "TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT" has the meaning ascribed to it
in Section 5.12.

                  "VEHICLES" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.1(d).

                  "WELFARE  PLAN"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to it in  Section
3.13(a).

                  (2) Unless the context of this Agreement  otherwise  requires,
(i) words of any gender include each other gender, (ii) words using the singular
or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively, (iii)
the terms "hereof,"  "herein," "hereby" and derivative or similar words refer to
this entire  Agreement,  (iv) the term "Section" refers to the specified Section
of this Agreement,  (v) the phrases  "ordinary course of business" and "ordinary
course of business  consistent  with past  practice"  refer to the  business and
practice of Seller in connection  with the Business.  All accounting  terms used
herein and not expressly  defined  herein shall have the meanings  given to them
under GAAP.  Unless otherwise  stated,  all monetary  amounts  specified in this
Agreement shall be in United States Dollars.

         11.12    ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
                  ----------------

         This Agreement, the Schedules and the Exhibits and the other agreements
referred to herein set forth the entire understanding of the parties hereto, and
no modifications or amendments to this Agreement shall be binding on the parties
unless  in  writing  and  signed  by the  party or  parties  to be bound by such
modification or amendment.

         11.13    SECTION HEADINGS; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
                  -----------------------------------

         The  section  headings  contained  in this  Agreement  and the Table of
Contents to this Agreement are for reference  purposes only and shall not affect
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         11.14    SEVERABILITY.
                  ------------

         If any  provision of this  Agreement  shall be declared by any court of
competent  jurisdiction  to  be  illegal,  void  or  unenforceable,   all  other
provisions  of this  Agreement  shall not be affected  and shall  remain in full
force and effect.


<PAGE>


         11.15    COUNTERPARTS.
                  ------------

         This Agreement may be executed in any number of  counterparts,  each of
which  shall be  deemed to be an  original  and all of which  together  shall be
deemed to be one and the same instrument. The parties to this Agreement need not
execute the same counterpart.

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

                                            HEXCEL CORPORATION


                                            By:_____________________________
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:




                                            BRITAX CABIN INTERIORS, INC.


                                            By:_____________________________
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:











<PAGE>


                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

                                  NEWS RELEASE

  HEXCEL CORPORATION, 281 TRESSER BOULEVARD, STAMFORD, CT 06901 (203) 969-0666

                                   CONTACTS:      Investors:

                                                  Stephen C. Forsyth
                                                  203-969-0666 Ext. 425
                                                  [email protected]

                                                  Media:

                                                  Michael W. Bacal
                                                  203-969-0666 Ext. 426
                                                  [email protected]


           HEXCEL COMPLETES SALE OF ITS BELLINGHAM INTERIORS BUSINESS
                           TO BRITAX INTERNATIONAL PLC


STAMFORD,  CT, April 26, 2000 - Hexcel  Corporation  (NYSE/PCX:  HXL) and Britax
International  plc today  announced that they had completed the sale of Hexcel's
Bellingham  interiors  business to Britax for  approximately  $117  million,  as
adjusted  for  changes  in net  assets  under  the terms of the  agreement.  The
purchase  price  was paid in  cash.  This  transaction  resulted  from  Hexcel's
previously announced strategic review of its Engineered Products business.

Mr. John J. Lee,  Hexcel's  Chairman & CEO commented:  "We are pleased that this
transaction  has closed so quickly.  As previously  mentioned,  the net proceeds
from the transaction  will be used to further reduce the company's bank debt. In
light of the company's tax loss carry  forwards,  virtually all of the proceeds,
net of transaction costs, will be available for debt repayment.  The gain on the
transaction  will be  reported  in our second  quarter  results.  Meanwhile,  we
continue to evaluate  the  strategic  alternatives  for the Kent  segment of our
Engineered Products business."

The Bellingham  business is a leader in the design,  engineering and manufacture
of commercial  aircraft interior  components and systems for OEM,  refurbishment
and  reconfiguration  applications.  Its products include the innovative stowage
bin expansion kit that increases passenger carry-on luggage capacity on existing
aircraft and consequently speeds gate operations for airlines.

Hexcel acquired the Bellingham  business as part of its 1996 acquisition of Ciba
Geigy's worldwide  composites business.  The business employs  approximately 325
people.  Credit Suisse First Boston acted as Hexcel's  financial  advisor on the
transaction. Lazard acted as financial advisors to Britax International plc.

                                      * * *

Hexcel Corporation is the world's leading advanced structural materials company.
It designs,  manufactures and markets lightweight,  high reinforcement products,
composite  materials and  engineered  products for use in commercial  aerospace,
space and defense, electronics, general industrial, and recreation applications.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    DISCLAIMER ON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This press  release  contains  statements  that are forward  looking,  including
statements  relating to Hexcel's  tax position and its plans and the timing of a
strategic review of the options for its engineered products business. Additional
risk factors are  described in the  company's  filings with the SEC. The company
does not  undertake an obligation  to update its forward  looking  statements to
reflect future events or circumstances.

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




<PAGE>
<TABLE>


                                                                    Exhibit 99.2

HEXCEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

PRO FORMA 1999 AND FIRST QUARTER 2000 NET SALES TO THIRD-PARTY CUSTOMERS BY PRODUCT GROUP AND MARKET SEGMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        UNAUDITED
<CAPTION>

                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>               <C>               <C>             <C>              <C>
                                       COMMERCIAL          SPACE &
(IN MILLIONS)                           AEROSPACE         DEFENSE        ELECTRONICS       INDUSTRIAL           TOTAL
- ----------------------------------- ------------------ --------------- ----------------- --------------- -----------------
PRO FORMA FIRST QUARTER 1999 NET SALES

Reinforcement products               $       15.3      $        5.5      $      42.3     $      22.7      $       85.8
Composite materials                         119.7              29.6                -            28.9             178.2
Engineered products                          37.4               3.3                -               -              40.7
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
  Total                              $      172.4      $       38.4      $      42.3     $      51.6      $      304.7
                                              56%               13%              14%             17%              100%
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
PRO FORMA SECOND QUARTER 1999 NET SALES

Reinforcement products               $       13.5      $        5.5      $      42.2     $      22.1      $       83.3
Composite materials                         101.4              26.0                -            29.9             157.3
Engineered products                          33.4               3.4                -               -              36.8
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
  Total                              $      148.3      $       34.9      $      42.2     $      52.0      $      277.4
                                              53%               13%              15%             19%              100%
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
PRO FORMA THIRD QUARTER 1999 NET SALES

Reinforcement products               $       12.3      $        4.2      $      40.6     $      24.2      $       81.3
Composite materials                          81.2              25.7                -            27.7             134.6
Engineered products                          32.7               3.5                -               -              36.2
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
  Total                              $      126.2      $       33.4      $      40.6     $      51.9      $      252.1
                                              50%               13%              16%             21%              100%
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
PRO FORMA FOURTH QUARTER 1999 NET SALES

Reinforcement products               $       10.9      $        3.0      $      41.3     $      25.3      $       80.5
Composite materials                          85.6              19.7                -            30.5             135.8
Engineered products                          28.2               2.8                -               -              31.0
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
  Total                              $      124.7      $       25.5      $      41.3     $      55.8      $      247.3
                                              50%               10%              17%             23%              100%
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
PRO FORMA 1999 NET SALES

Reinforcement products               $       52.0      $       18.2      $     166.4     $      94.3      $      330.9
Composite materials                         387.9             101.0                -           117.0             605.9
Engineered products                         131.7              13.0                -               -             144.7
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
  Total                              $      571.6      $      132.2      $     166.4     $     211.3      $    1,081.5
                                              53%               12%              15%             20%              100%
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------


PRO FORMA FIRST QUARTER 2000 NET SALES

Reinforcement products               $       15.6      $        4.1      $      43.6     $      23.8      $       87.1
Composite materials                          92.6              19.8                -            34.1             146.5
Engineered products                          27.1               2.5                -               -              29.6
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
  Total                              $      135.3      $       26.4      $      43.6     $      57.9      $      263.2
                                              51%               10%              17%             22%              100%
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
<FN>
The above unaudited pro forma financial information assumes that the sale of
Bellingham,  a division of Hexcel  Corporation,  occurred on January 1, 1999 for
1999  financial  information,   and  on  January  1,  2000  for  2000  financial
information.  The unaudited pro forma financial  information does not purport to
be indicative of the results of operations that would have been reported had the
sale occurred  on the dates  indicated,  nor does it  purport  to be indicative
of results of operations that may be achieved in the future.
</FN>
</TABLE>



<PAGE>
<TABLE>


                                                                    Exhibit 99.3

HEXCEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ACTUAL 1999 AND FIRST QUARTER 2000 NET SALES TO THIRD-PARTY CUSTOMERS BY PRODUCT GROUP AND MARKET SEGMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        UNAUDITED
<CAPTION>

                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>               <C>               <C>             <C>              <C>
                                       COMMERCIAL          SPACE &
(IN MILLIONS)                           AEROSPACE         DEFENSE        ELECTRONICS       INDUSTRIAL           TOTAL
- ----------------------------------- ------------------ --------------- ----------------- --------------- -----------------
FIRST QUARTER 1999 NET SALES

Reinforcement products               $       15.3      $        5.5      $      42.3     $      22.7      $       85.8
Composite materials                         119.7              29.6                -            28.9             178.2
Engineered products                          48.9               3.3                -               -              52.2
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
  Total                              $      183.9      $       38.4      $      42.3     $      51.6      $      316.2
                                              58%               12%              13%             17%              100%
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
SECOND QUARTER 1999 NET SALES

Reinforcement products               $       13.5      $        5.5      $      42.2     $      22.1      $       83.3
Composite materials                         101.4              26.0                -            29.9             157.3
Engineered products                          48.6               3.4                -               -              52.0
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
  Total                              $      163.5      $       34.9      $      42.2     $      52.0      $      292.6
                                              56%               12%              14%             18%              100%
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
THIRD QUARTER 1999 NET SALES

Reinforcement products               $       12.3      $        4.2      $      40.6     $      24.2      $       81.3
Composite materials                          81.2              25.7                -            27.7             134.6
Engineered products                          54.7               3.5                -               -              58.2
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
  Total                              $      148.2      $       33.4      $      40.6     $      51.9      $      274.1
                                              54%               12%              15%             19%              100%
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
FOURTH QUARTER 1999 NET SALES

Reinforcement products               $       10.9      $        3.0      $      41.3     $      25.3      $       80.5
Composite materials                          85.6              19.7                -            30.5             135.8
Engineered products                          49.5               2.8                -               -              52.3
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
  Total                              $      146.0      $       25.5      $      41.3     $      55.8      $      268.6
                                              55%                9%              15%             21%              100%
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
1999 NET SALES

Reinforcement products               $       52.0      $       18.2      $     166.4     $      94.3      $      330.9
Composite materials                         387.9             101.0                -           117.0             605.9
Engineered products                         201.7              13.0                -               -             214.7
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
  Total                              $      641.6      $      132.2      $     166.4     $     211.3      $    1,151.5
                                              57%               11%              14%             18%              100%
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------


FIRST QUARTER 2000 NET SALES

Reinforcement products               $       15.6      $        4.1      $      43.6     $      23.8      $       87.1
Composite materials                          92.6              19.8                -            34.1             146.5
Engineered products                          43.7               2.5                -               -              46.2
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
  Total                              $      151.9      $       26.4      $      43.6     $      57.9      $      279.8
                                              54%                9%              16%             21%              100%
- ----------------------------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- -- ------------- - ------------- -- -------------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
<TABLE>


                                                                    Exhibit 99.4

HEXCEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

PRO FORMA 1999 AND FIRST QUARTER 2000 BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           UNAUDITED
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>               <C>          <C>            <C>               <C>
                                        REINFORCEMENT       COMPOSITE      ENGINEERED      CORPORATE
(IN MILLIONS)                             PRODUCTS          MATERIALS       PRODUCTS       & OTHER 1           TOTAL
- -------------------------------------- ----------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- ------------------
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
PRO FORMA FIRST QUARTER 1999
  Net sales to external customers         $   85.8          $  178.2     $     40.7     $        -        $    304.7
  Intersegment sales                          35.7               2.4              -              -              38.1
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
    Total sales                              121.5             180.6           40.7              -             342.8

  Adjusted EBIT 2                             10.3              25.1            3.0           (9.3)             29.1
  Depreciation and amortization                8.9               5.1            0.7            0.7              15.4
  BA&C expenses                                2.6               0.1            0.1              -               2.8
  Capital expenditures                         4.2               3.6            0.6            0.1               8.5
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
PRO FORMA SECOND QUARTER 1999
  Net sales to external customers         $   83.3          $  157.3     $     36.8     $        -        $    277.4
  Intersegment sales                          27.1               1.6              -              -              28.7
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
    Total sales                              110.4             158.9           36.8              -             306.1

  Adjusted EBIT                               11.1              18.8            3.7           (8.8)             24.8
  Depreciation and amortization                8.8               5.2            0.7            0.8              15.5
  BA&C expenses                                0.2                 -            0.2            1.1               1.5
  Capital expenditures                         3.2               4.0            0.3            0.1               7.6
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
PRO FORMA THIRD QUARTER 1999

  Net sales to external customers         $   81.3          $  134.6     $     36.2     $        -        $    252.1
  Intersegment sales                          24.9               1.9              -              -              26.8
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
    Total sales                              106.2             136.5           36.2              -             278.9

  Adjusted EBIT                                6.3              12.0            4.8           (8.4)             14.7
  Depreciation and amortization                8.9               5.1            0.7            0.7              15.4
  BA&C expenses                                3.5               8.1            1.3            0.6              13.5
  Write-down of investment in an
 affiliated company                           20.0                 -              -              -              20.0
  Capital expenditures                         3.0               4.2            0.2              -               7.4
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
PRO FORMA FOURTH QUARTER 1999

  Net sales to external customers         $   80.5          $  135.8     $     31.0     $        -        $    247.3
  Intersegment sales                          23.3               2.1              -              -              25.4
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
    Total sales                              103.8             137.9           31.0              -             272.7

  Adjusted EBIT                                6.0              12.1            2.9           (8.5)             12.5
  Depreciation and amortization                7.8               4.9            0.6            0.6              13.9
  BA&C expenses                                0.4               1.5              -            0.4               2.3
  Capital expenditures                         3.6               4.3            0.4            0.3               8.6
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
PRO FORMA 1999

  Net sales to external customers         $  330.9          $  605.9     $    144.7     $        -        $  1,081.5
  Intersegment sales                         111.0               8.0              -              -             119.0
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
    Total sales                              441.9             613.9          144.7              -           1,200.5

  Adjusted EBIT                               33.7              68.0           14.4          (35.0)             81.1
  Depreciation and amortization               34.4              20.3            2.7            2.8              60.2
  BA&C expenses                                6.7               9.7            1.6            2.1              20.1
  Write-down of investment in an
     affiliated company                       20.0                 -              -              -              20.0
  Capital expenditures                        14.0              16.1            1.5            0.5              32.1
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
<FN>
- ---------
1 The company does not allocate corporate expenses to its business segments.
2 Consists of earnings  before  interest,  taxes,  equity in income (losses) and
write-down in affiliated  companies and business  acquisition and  consolidation
("BA&C") expenses.
</FN>
</TABLE>



<PAGE>
<TABLE>



- -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           UNAUDITED
- -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
<S>                                       <C>               <C>          <C>            <C>               <C>
                                        REINFORCEMENT       COMPOSITE      ENGINEERED      CORPORATE
(IN MILLIONS)                             PRODUCTS          MATERIALS       PRODUCTS        & OTHER          TOTAL
- -------------------------------------- ----------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- ------------------
PRO FORMA FIRST QUARTER 2000
  Net sales to external customers         $   87.1          $  146.5     $     29.6     $        -        $    263.2
  Intersegment sales                          27.2               1.8              -              -              29.0
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
    Total sales                              114.3             148.3           29.6              -             292.2

  Adjusted EBIT                               10.5              18.5            2.1           (9.2)             21.9
  Depreciation and amortization                8.6               4.8            0.7            0.6              14.7
  Business consolidation expenses              0.7               0.4            0.1              -               1.2
  Capital expenditures                         1.0               3.0            0.2              -        $      4.2
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
<FN>
The above unaudited pro forma financial information assumes that the sale of
Bellingham,  a division of Hexcel  Corporation,  occurred on January 1, 1999 for
1999  financial  information,   and  on  January  1,  2000  for  2000  financial
information.  The unaudited pro forma financial  information does not purport to
be indicative of the results of operations or cash flows that would have been
reported had the sale occurred  on the dates  indicated,  nor does it  purport
to be indicative of results of operations or cash flows that may be achieved in
the future.
</FN>

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                                                                    Exhibit 99.5

HEXCEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ACTUAL 1999 AND FIRST QUARTER 2000 BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           UNAUDITED
- -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
<S>                                       <C>               <C>          <C>            <C>               <C>
                                        REINFORCEMENT       COMPOSITE      ENGINEERED      CORPORATE
(IN MILLIONS)                             PRODUCTS          MATERIALS       PRODUCTS       & OTHER 3            TOTAL
- -------------------------------------- ----------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- ------------------
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
FIRST QUARTER 1999
  Net sales to external customers         $   85.8          $  178.2     $     52.2     $        -        $    316.2
  Intersegment sales                          35.7               2.8              -              -              38.5
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
    Total sales                              121.5             181.0           52.2              -             354.7

  Adjusted EBIT 4                             10.3              25.1            3.9           (9.3)             30.0
  Depreciation and amortization                8.9               5.1            0.9            0.7              15.6
  BA&C expenses                                2.6               0.1            0.1              -               2.8
  Capital expenditures                         4.2               3.6            1.5            0.1               9.4
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
SECOND QUARTER 1999
  Net sales to external customers         $   83.3          $  157.3     $     52.0     $        -        $    292.6
  Intersegment sales                          27.1               1.8              -              -              28.9
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
    Total sales                              110.4             159.1           52.0              -             321.5

  Adjusted EBIT                               11.1              18.8            5.2           (8.8)             26.3
  Depreciation and amortization                8.8               5.2            0.9            0.9              15.8
  BA&C expenses                                0.2                 -            0.2            1.1               1.5
  Capital expenditures                         3.2               4.0            1.3            0.1               8.6
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
THIRD QUARTER 1999
  Net sales to external customers         $   81.3          $  134.6     $     58.2     $        -        $    274.1
  Intersegment sales                          24.9               2.1              -              -              27.0
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
    Total sales                              106.2             136.7           58.2              -             301.1

  Adjusted EBIT                                6.3              12.0            6.4           (8.4)             16.3
  Depreciation and amortization                8.9               5.1            0.9            0.8              15.7
  BA&C expenses                                3.5               8.1            1.3            0.6              13.5
  Write-down of investment in an
     affiliated company                       20.0                 -              -              -              20.0
  Capital expenditures                         3.0               4.2            1.5              -               8.7
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
FOURTH QUARTER 1999
  Net sales to external customers         $   80.5          $  135.8     $     52.3     $        -        $    268.6
  Intersegment sales                          23.3               2.3              -              -              25.6
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
    Total sales                              103.8             138.1           52.3              -             294.2

  Adjusted EBIT                                6.0              12.1            6.9           (8.5)             16.5
  Depreciation and amortization                7.8               4.9            0.8            0.7              14.2
  BA&C expenses                                0.4               1.5              -            0.4               2.3
  Capital expenditures                         3.6               4.3            0.7            0.3               8.9
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
1999

  Net sales to external customers         $  330.9          $  605.9     $    214.7     $        -        $  1,151.5
  Intersegment sales                         111.0               9.0              -              -             120.0
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
    Total sales                              441.9             614.9          214.7              -           1,271.5

  Adjusted EBIT                               33.7              68.0           22.4          (35.0)             89.1
  Depreciation and amortization               34.4              20.3            3.5            3.1              61.3
  BA&C expenses                                6.7               9.7            1.6            2.1              20.1
  Write-down of investment in
     affiliated company                       20.0                 -              -              -              20.0
  Capital expenditures                        14.0              16.1            5.0            0.5              35.6
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
<FN>
- --------

3 The company does not allocate corporate expenses to its business segments.
4 Consists of earnings  before  interest,  taxes,  equity in income (losses) and
write-down in affiliated  companies and business  acquisition and  consolidation
("BA&C") expenses.
</FN>
</TABLE>



<PAGE>
<TABLE>



- -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           UNAUDITED
- -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
<S>                                       <C>               <C>          <C>            <C>               <C>
                                         REINFORCEMENT       COMPOSITE      ENGINEERED      CORPORATE
(IN MILLIONS)                             PRODUCTS          MATERIALS       PRODUCTS        & OTHER          TOTAL
- -------------------------------------- ----------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- ------------------
FIRST QUARTER 2000
  Net sales to external customers         $   87.1          $  146.5     $     46.2     $        -        $    279.8
  Intersegment sales                          27.2               2.3              -              -              29.5
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
    Total sales                              114.3             148.8           46.2              -             309.3

  Adjusted EBIT                               10.5              18.5            3.2           (9.2)             23.0
  Depreciation and amortization                8.6               4.8            1.0            0.6              15.0
  Business consolidation expenses              0.7               0.4            0.1              -               1.2
  Capital expenditures                         1.0               3.0            0.4              -               4.4
- ---------------------------------------- -- ----------- ----- ---------- --- ---------- -- ----------- ---- -------------
</TABLE>


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