FIREPLACE MANUFACTURERS INC
SC 13D/A, 1998-06-05
HEATING EQUIPMENT, EXCEPT ELECTRIC & WARM AIR FURNACES
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A
                                 (Rule 13d-101)

             INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
            TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
                                  RULE 13d-2(a)

                               (Amendment No. 3)*

                          FIREPLACE MANUFACTURERS, INC.
                                (Name of Issuer)

                     Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                   318216-10-8
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                            Desa International, Inc.
                                  P.O. Box 9004
                          Bowling Green, KY 42102-9004
                                 (502) 781-9600
            Attn.: E.G. Patrick, Vice President Finance and Treasurer
                  (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
                Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

                                  May 13, 1998
             (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)


         If the filing person has  previously  filed a statement on Schedule 13G
to report the  acquisition  which is the subject of this  Schedule  13D,  and is
filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e),  13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g),  check the
following box |_|.

         Note:  Schedules  filed in paper format shall include a signed original
and five copies of the schedule,  including all exhibits.  See Rule 13d-7(b) for
other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting  person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for  any  subsequent   amendment   containing   information  which  would  alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise  subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but  shall be  subject  to all other  provisions  of the Act  (however,  see the
Notes).

<PAGE>
                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A


CUSIP No. 318216-10-8                                        Page 2 of 15 Pages


1          NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
           I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

           Desa International, Inc. 22-2940760
2          CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*           (a) |_|
                                                                       (b) |X|

3          SEC USE ONLY


4          SOURCE OF FUNDS*

           WC
5          CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT 
           TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)     |_|

           Not Applicable
6          CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

           Delaware
                            7          SOLE VOTING POWER
         NUMBER OF
          SHARES                       - 0 -
       BENEFICIALLY
         OWNED BY
           EACH
         REPORTING
          PERSON
           WITH
                            8          SHARED VOTING POWER
                            
                                       1,922,075
                            9          SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                            
                                       - 0 -
                            10         SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                            
                                       1,922,075
11         AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

           1,922,075
12         CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
           SHARES*                         |_|


13         PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

           57.8%
14         TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

           CO

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!


<PAGE>


                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A


CUSIP No. 318216-10-8                                       Page 3 of 15 Pages


1          NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
           I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

           Desa Holdings Corporation   61-1251518
2          CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*          (a) |_|
                                                                      (b) |X|

3          SEC USE ONLY


4          SOURCE OF FUNDS*

           WC
5          CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT 
           TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)     |_|

           Not Applicable
6          CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

           Delaware
                            7          SOLE VOTING POWER
         NUMBER OF
          SHARES                       - 0 -
       BENEFICIALLY
         OWNED BY
           EACH
         REPORTING
          PERSON
           WITH
                           8           SHARED VOTING POWER
                           
                                       1,922,075
                           9           SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                           
                                       - 0 -
                           10          SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                           
                                       1,922,075
11         AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

           1,922,075
12         CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN 
           SHARES*                        |_|


13         PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

           57.8%
14         TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

           CO


                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!


<PAGE>


                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A


CUSIP No. 318216-10-8                                     Page 4 of 15 Pages 



1          NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
           I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

           J.W. Childs Equity Partners, L.P.
2          CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*            (a) |_|
                                                                        (b) |X|

3          SEC USE ONLY


4          SOURCE OF FUNDS*

           WC
5          CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT 
           TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)     |_|

           Not Applicable
6          CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

           Delaware
                            7          SOLE VOTING POWER
         NUMBER OF
          SHARES                       - 0 -
       BENEFICIALLY
         OWNED BY
           EACH
         REPORTING
          PERSON
           WITH
                            8          SHARED VOTING POWER
                            
                                       1,922,075
                            9          SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                            
                                       - 0 -
                            10         SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                            
                                       1,922,075
11         AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

           1,922,075
12         CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
           SHARES*                         |_|


13         PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

           57.8%
14         TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

           PN


                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!


<PAGE>


                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A


CUSIP No. 318216-10-8                                        Page 5 of 15 Pages



1          NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
           I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

           J.W. Childs Advisors, L.P.**
2          CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*            (a) |_|
                                                                        (b) |X|

3          SEC USE ONLY


4          SOURCE OF FUNDS*

           WC
5          CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
           TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)     |_|

           Not Applicable
6          CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

           Delaware
                            7          SOLE VOTING POWER
         NUMBER OF
          SHARES                       - 0 -
       BENEFICIALLY
         OWNED BY
           EACH
         REPORTING
          PERSON
           WITH
                            8          SHARED VOTING POWER
                           
                                       1,922,075
                            9          SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                           
                                       - 0 -
                            10         SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                           
                                       1,922,075
11         AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

           1,922,075
12         CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
           SHARES*                        |_|


13         PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

           57.8%
14         TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

           PN

** The reporting person expressly disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to
any shares covered by this statement.

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!


<PAGE>

                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A


CUSIP No. 318216-10-8                                        Page 6 of 15 Pages



1          NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
           I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

           J.W. Childs Associates, L.P.**
2          CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*           (a) |_|
                                                                       (b) |X|

3          SEC USE ONLY


4          SOURCE OF FUNDS*

           WC
5          CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT 
           TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)     |_|

           Not Applicable
6          CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

           Delaware
                            7          SOLE VOTING POWER
         NUMBER OF
          SHARES                       - 0 -
       BENEFICIALLY
         OWNED BY
           EACH
         REPORTING
          PERSON
           WITH
                            8          SHARED VOTING POWER
                           
                                       1,922,075
                            9          SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                           
                                       - 0 -
                            10         SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                           
                                       1,922,075
11         AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

           1,922,075
12         CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
           SHARES*                        |_|


13         PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

           57.8%
14         TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

           PN

** The reporting person expressly disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to
any shares covered by this statement.

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!


<PAGE>


                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A


CUSIP No. 318216-10-8                                       Page 7 of 15 Pages


1          NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
           I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

           J.W. Childs Associates, Inc.**
2          CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*            (a) |_|
                                                                        (b) |X|

3          SEC USE ONLY


4          SOURCE OF FUNDS*

           WC
5          CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT 
           TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)     |_|

           Not Applicable
6          CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

           Delaware
                            7          SOLE VOTING POWER
         NUMBER OF
          SHARES                       - 0 -
       BENEFICIALLY
         OWNED BY
           EACH
         REPORTING
          PERSON
           WITH
                            8          SHARED VOTING POWER
                           
                                       1,922,075
                            9          SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                           
                                       - 0 -
                            10         SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                           
                                       1,922,075
11         AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

           1,922,075
12         CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN 
           SHARES*                         |_|


13         PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

           57.8%
14         TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

           CO

** The reporting person expressly disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to
any shares covered by this statement.

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!


<PAGE>


                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A


CUSIP No. 318216-10-8                                        Page 8 of 15 Pages


Item 1.  Security and issuer.

         This  Amendment  No. 3 to Schedule  13D (this  "Amendment")  relates to
shares of common  stock,  $.01 par value per  share  (the  "Common  Stock"),  of
Fireplace Manufacturers, Inc., a California corporation ("FMI" or the "Issuer").
The  address of the  principal  executive  offices  of FMI is 2701 South  Harbor
Boulevard, Santa Ana, CA 92704.

         This  Amendment  amends the reporting  persons'  Schedule 13D which was
filed on November 14, 1995, as amended on October 31, 1996 and March 30, 1998.

Item 2.  Identity and background.

         The persons  filing this  Amendment  are Desa Holdings  Corporation,  a
Delaware  corporation ("Desa Holdings"),  Desa  International,  Inc., a Delaware
corporation  ("Desa  International"),  J.W.  Childs  Equity  Partners,  L.P.,  a
Delaware limited partnership ("Childs"),  J.W. Childs Advisors, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership  ("Advisors"),  J.W. Childs Associates,  L.P.  ("Associates,
L.P.") and J.W. Childs Associates,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation  ("Associates,
Inc.," and collectively  with Desa Holdings,  Desa  International,  Advisors and
Associates, L.P., the "Reporting Persons").

         Desa International is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Desa Holdings and is
primarily  engaged in the  manufacture  of consumer  products.  Desa Holdings is
engaged primarily in holding all of the issued and outstanding  shares of common
stock of Desa  International.  The  business  address of Desa  Holdings and Desa
International  is 2701  Industrial  Drive,  P.O. Box 90004,  Bowling  Green,  KY
47102-9004.

         The name,  business  address and present  principal  occupation of each
director and executive  officer of Desa Holdings and Desa  International  is set
forth in Schedule I hereto and is hereby incorporated by this reference.

         As the result of a  recapitalization  of Desa  Holdings on November 26,
1997, Childs became the principal stockholder of Desa Holdings,  and accordingly
Childs  may be deemed to be a  beneficial  holder of  securities  of which  Desa
Holdings is the beneficial owner.  Childs is a limited  partnership of which the
sole  general  partner  is  Advisors,  a limited  partnership  of which the sole
general  partner is  Associates,  L.P., a limited  partnership of which the sole
general partner is Associates, Inc. Childs is a private investment firm based in
Boston,  Massachusetts  that is  primarily  engaged in  leveraged  acquisitions,
recapitalization and other principal investing activities. John W. Childs is the
sole stockholder of Associates, Inc.

         The principal business address of each of Childs, Advisors, Associates,
L.P., Associates, Inc. and Mr. Childs is One Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110.



<PAGE>


                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A


CUSIP No. 318216-10-8                                        Page 9 of 15 Pages


         None of the  Reporting  Persons,  nor,  to the  best of each  Reporting
Person's knowledge,  any of the executive officers or directors of such persons,
have,  during  the past  five (5)  years,  (a) been  convicted  in any  criminal
proceeding  (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or (b) been a
party to a civil  proceeding of a judicial or  administrative  body of competent
jurisdiction  which  resulted  in a judgment,  decree of final  order  enjoining
future violations of or prohibiting or mandating  activities  subject to federal
or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

Item 3.  Source and amount of funds or other consideration.

         The  option to  purchase  Common  Stock  described  in Item 4 below was
granted  in  consideration  of the  execution  of  the  Merger  Agreement,  also
described in Item 4 below.

Item 4.  Purpose of transaction.

         On May 13, 1998 Desa  International,  FMI  Acquisition,  Inc., a wholly
owned subsidiary of Desa  International (the "Merger Sub"), and FMI entered into
a definitive  Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the "Merger  Agreement").  A
copy of the Merger  Agreement is attached  hereto as Exhibit 1.  Pursuant to the
Merger  Agreement  either (i) Merger Sub will be merged with and into FMI,  with
FMI  continuing as the surviving  corporation  and a wholly owned  subsidiary of
Desa International, or (ii) FMI will be merged with and into Desa International,
with Desa International continuing as the surviving corporation (in either case,
the  "Merger").  The  consummation  of the  Merger is  subject  to the terms and
conditions  contained  in  the  Merger  Agreement,  including  approval  by  FMI
shareholders and all required  regulatory  approvals.  At the Effective Time (as
defined in the Merger  Agreement),  FMI Shareholders are to receive an aggregate
of $23,750,000,  or $7.14 per share of Common Stock based on 3,326,775 shares of
Common Stock outstanding  (other that those held by Desa  International,  Merger
Sub or any FMI  subsidiary).  Such  per  share  price  is  subject  to  downward
adjustment under certain limited circumstances.

         In  connection  with  the  execution  of  the  Merger  Agreement,  Desa
International, Merger Sub and certain FMI shareholders entered into a Voting and
Option Agreement, dated May 13, 1998 (the "Voting and Option Agreement"). A copy
of the Voting and Option  Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 2. Pursuant to
the Voting and Option Agreement, the FMI shareholder parties thereto have agreed
to vote their  shares of Common  Stock in favor of the Merger  and  against  any
competing transaction.  In addition, the Voting and Option Agreement contains an
option for Desa International to purchase,  under certain conditions,  1,657,775
shares of Common Stock on the same per share price terms as stated in the Merger
Agreement.  Desa International  previously reported its beneficial  ownership of
these  shares  pursuant  to the terms of an option to  purchase  contained  in a
Letter of Intent,  dated March 20, 1998, as amended,  which has been superceeded
by the Voting and Option Agreement.

         Except as set forth in this Item 4, none of the Reporting  Persons nor,
to the best of each Reporting Person's knowledge, none of the executive officers
or directors of such Reporting


<PAGE>


                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A


CUSIP No. 318216-10-8                                       Page 10 of 15 Pages

Persons,  as  applicable,  has any plans or  proposals  that  relate to or would
result in any of the actions  specified  in clauses (a) through (j) of Item 4 of
Schedule 13D.

Item 5.  Interest in securities of the issuer.

         (a) As of the close of business on May 13, 1998, the Reporting  Persons
may be deemed to beneficially  own in the aggregate  1,922,075  shares of Common
Stock,  representing  approximately  57.8% of the  outstanding  shares of Common
Stock,  based upon information  contained in the most recently available filings
of the Issuer.

         Childs is the record holder of a majority of the outstanding  shares of
the common stock, $0.01 par value, of Desa Holdings. In addition,  pursuant to a
stockholders   agreement  among  the  stockholders  of  Desa  Holdings,   Childs
effectively  has the  right to  designate  a  majority  of the  total  number of
directors of Desa Holdings.

         Associates,  Inc. is the sole general partner of Associates,  L.P., and
therefore  may be deemed to control  Associates,  L.P. and  indirectly,  through
Associates,   L.P.,   Advisors,   Childs  and  Desa   Holdings,   control   Desa
International.  Based upon the foregoing  relationships  and stock ownership and
pursuant to the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended,  and the rules
promulgated thereunder,  Childs, Advisors, Associates, L.P. and Associates, Inc.
each may be deemed to have  indirect  shared voting and  dispositive  power with
respect to 1,922,075 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 57.8% of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock,  owned of record by Desa  International.
The reporting  persons each expressly  disclaim the existence of any group;  and
Advisors,   Associates,  L.P.  and  Associates,  Inc.  each  expressly  disclaim
beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock covered by this statement.

         (b) The responses of the  Reporting  Persons set forth above in items 7
through 11 of the cover  pages of this  Schedule  13D which  relate to shares of
Common Stock beneficially owned by the Reporting Persons are incorporated herein
by reference.

         To the  knowledge  of the  Reporting  Persons,  and except as otherwise
disclosed in this Amendment,  none of the executive officers or directors of the
Reporting  Persons is the beneficial owner of any shares of Common Stock, and no
transaction in the common Stock has been effected by such individual  during the
past sixty (60) days.


Item 6. Contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships with respect to
          securities of the issuer.

         The  Voting  and  Option   Agreement   contains   an  option  for  Desa
International to purchase, under certain conditions,  1,657,775 shares of Common
Stock on the same per share price terms as stated in the Merger Agreement.



<PAGE>


                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A


CUSIP No. 318216-10-8                                     Page 11 of 15 Pages

Item 7.  Material to be filed as exhibits.

         Exhibit No.                                 Description

             99.1                   Agreement and Plan of Reorganization,  dated
                                    May   13,   1998,    by   and   among   Desa
                                    International,  FMI  Acquisition,  Inc., FMI
                                    and the signatory parties thereto.

             99.2                   Voting and Option  Agreement,  dated May 13,
                                    1998, by and among Desa  International,  FMI
                                    Acquisition,  Inc. and the signatory parties
                                    thereto.

             99.3                   Joint  Filing  Agreement,  dated  March  27,
                                    1998, by and among Desa International,  Desa
                                    Holdings, Childs, Advisors,  Associates L.P.
                                    and   Associates,   Inc.,   incorporated  by
                                    reference  to  Exhibit  2 of  the  Reporting
                                    Persons'  Schedule  13D/A,  dated  March 30,
                                    1998, regarding FMI Shares.



<PAGE>


                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A


CUSIP No. 318216-10-8                                     Page 12 of 15 Pages


SIGNATURES

         After reasonable inquiry and to the best of their knowledge and belief,
the  undersigned  certifies that the  information set forth in this statement is
true, complete and correct.

Dated:   June 5, 1998           DESA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

                                By: /s/ Robert H. Elman
                                      Name: Robert H. Elman
                                      Title: Chief Executive Officer


                                DESA INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                By: /s/ Robert H. Elman
                                      Name: Robert H. Elman
                                      Title: Chief Executive Officer


                                J.W. CHILDS EQUITY PARTNERS, L.P.

                                By:  J.W. CHILDS ADVISORS, L.P.
                                     its general partner

                                     By:  J.W. CHILDS ASSOCIATES, L.P.
                                          its general partner

                                          By: J.W. CHILDS ASSOCIATES INC.
                                              its general partner

                                              By: /s/ Adam L. Suttin
                                                 Name: Adam L. Suttin
                                                 Title: Vice President


                                J.W. CHILDS ADVISORS, L.P.

                                By:  J.W. CHILDS ASSOCIATES, L.P.
                                     its general partner



<PAGE>


                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A


CUSIP No. 318216-10-8                                     Page 13 of 15 Pages

                                     By: J.W. CHILDS ASSOCIATES INC.
                                         its general partner

                                         By: /s/ Adam L. Suttin
                                            Name: Adam L. Suttin
                                            Title: Vice President

                                J.W. CHILDS ASSOCIATES, L.P.

                                By:  J.W. CHILDS ASSOCIATES INC.
                                     its general partner

                                     By: /s/ Adam L. Suttin
                                        Name: Adam L. Suttin
                                        Title: Vice President


                                J.W. CHILDS ASSOCIATES INC.

                                By: /s/ Adam L. Suttin
                                      Name: Adam L. Suttin
                                      Title: Vice President





<PAGE>


                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A


CUSIP No. 318216-10-8                                        Page 14 of 15 Pages

                                   SCHEDULE 1

                        DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

         The  following  sets forth,  as to each of the  executive  officers and
directors of the  Reporting  Persons,  his or her name,  business  address,  and
present  principal  occupation  or  employment  and the name and  address of any
corporation or other organization in which such employment is conducted.

1. Executive Officers of Desa Holdings Corporation and Desa International, Inc.

         The following are the executive  officers of Desa Holdings  Corporation
and Desa International,  Inc. Each of the named persons serves in the office set
forth opposite his name for both companies. The business address for each of the
following persons is Desa  International,  Inc., P.O. Box 90004, 2701 Industrial
Drive, Bowling Green, KY 42102-9004.  Each of the following persons is a citizen
of the United States of America.

         Robert H. Elman            Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
         Terry G. Scariot           President, Chief Operating Officer
         John M. Kelly              Executive Vice President
         Edward G. Patrick          Vice President Finance & Treasurer

2.       Directors of Desa Holdings Corporation and Desa International, Inc.

         The following are the directors of Desa Holdings  Corporation  and Desa
International,  Inc.  Each of the named  persons  serves as a  director  of both
companies.  Each of the  following  persons is a citizen of the United States of
America.

                  Robert H. Elman
                  Desa International, Inc.
                  P.O. Box 90004
                  2701 Industrial Drive
                  Bowling Green, KY  42102-9004
                  Principal Employment:  Desa Holdings Corporation 
                       and Desa International, Inc.


                  Terry G. Scariot
                  Desa International, Inc.
                  P.O. Box 90004
                  2701 Industrial Drive
                  Bowling Green, KY  42102-9004
                  Principal Employment:  Desa Holdings Corporation and 
                      Desa International, Inc.





<PAGE>


                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A


CUSIP No. 318216-10-8                                       Page 15 of 15 Pages

                  John W. Childs
                  J.W. Childs Equity Partners, L.P.
                  One Federal Street
                  Boston, MA 02110
                  Principal Employment: J.W. Childs Equity Partners, L.P.


                  Raymond B. Rudy
                  J.W. Childs Equity Partners, L.P.
                  One Federal Street
                  Boston, MA 02110
                  Principal Employment: J.W. Childs Equity Partners, L.P.


                  Adam L. Suttin
                  J.W. Childs Equity Partners, L.P.
                  One Federal Street
                  Boston, MA 02110
                  Principal Employment: J.W. Childs Equity Partners, L.P.


                  Michael Greene
                  UBS Capital LLC
                  Union Bank of Switzerland
                  299 Park Avenue
                  New York, NY 10171
                  Principal Employment: UBS Capital LLC


                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

                                  BY AND AMONG


                            DESA INTERNATIONAL, INC.,


                             FMI ACQUISITION, INC.,


                          FIREPLACE MANUFACTURERS, INC.


                                       AND


                                     CERTAIN
                                 STOCKHOLDERS OF
                          FIREPLACE MANUFACTURERS, INC.


                            Dated as of May 13, 1998






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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


ARTICLE 1  THE CLOSING........................................................1
         SECTION 1.1   Closing................................................1
         SECTION 1.2   Deliveries at Closing..................................1

ARTICLE 2  THE ACQUISITION MERGER.............................................1
         SECTION 2.1   Surviving Corporation..................................1
         SECTION 2.2   Effective Time; Conditions.............................2
         SECTION 2.3   Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws. .............2
         SECTION 2.4   Directors and Officers. ...............................3
         SECTION 2.5   Effect on Outstanding Shares...........................3
         SECTION 2.6   Exchange of Certificates. .............................4
         SECTION 2.7   Effect of the Acquisition Merger.......................5
         SECTION 2.8   Additional Actions.....................................6
         SECTION 2.9   Alternative Merger Structure...........................6

ARTICLE 3  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY......................7
         SECTION 3.1   Organization and Business; Power and
                           Authority; Effect of Transaction...................7
         SECTION 3.2   Financial and Other Information........................9
         SECTION 3.3   Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock...............9
         SECTION 3.4   Changes in Condition..................................10
         SECTION 3.5   Liabilities...........................................10
         SECTION 3.6   Title to Properties; Leases...........................10
         SECTION 3.7   Inventory.............................................13
         SECTION 3.8   Accounts and Notes Receivable.........................13
         SECTION 3.9   Compliance with Private Authorizations. ..............13
         SECTION 3.10  Compliance with Governmental Authorizations
                        and Applicable Law...................................14
         SECTION 3.11  Intangible Assets; Intellectual Property..............15
         SECTION 3.12  Related Transactions..................................17
         SECTION 3.13  Insurance.............................................17
         SECTION 3.14  Tax Matters...........................................18
         SECTION 3.15  Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
                        1974.................................................19
         SECTION 3.16  Employment Arrangements...............................20
         SECTION 3.17  Material Agreements...................................20
         SECTION 3.18  Ordinary Course of Business...........................21
         SECTION 3.19  Broker or Finder......................................24
         SECTION 3.20  Environmental Matters.................................24
         SECTION 3.21  Books and Records.....................................25
         SECTION 3.22  Customers and Suppliers...............................25
         SECTION 3.23  Officers and Directors................................26
         SECTION 3.24  Bank Accounts.........................................26

                                      

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         SECTION 3.25  Anti-takeover Statutes Not Applicable.................26
         SECTION 3.26  Proxy Statement.......................................26
         SECTION 3.27  Opinion of Financial Advisor..........................26
         SECTION 3.28  Litigation............................................26
         SECTION 3.29  Product Warranty......................................26
         SECTION 3.30  Product Liability.....................................27
         SECTION 3.31  Continuing Representations and Warranties.............27
         SECTION 3.32  Disclosure............................................27

ARTICLE 4  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
            PARENT AND THE MERGER SUBSIDIARY.................................27
         SECTION 4.1   Organization and Business; Power and
                         Authority; Effect of Transaction....................27

ARTICLE 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE STOCKHOLDERS.................29
         SECTION 5.1   Ownership.............................................29
         SECTION 5.2   Liens.................................................30
         SECTION 5.3   Authorization of Agreement............................30
         SECTION 5.4   No Governmental Consents..............................30
         SECTION 5.5   Information Supplied..................................30

ARTICLE 6  ADDITIONAL COVENANTS..............................................30
         SECTION 6.1   Confidentiality; Access to Information................30
         SECTION 6.2   Approval of Stockholders..............................31
         SECTION 6.3   Agreement to Cooperate................................32
         SECTION 6.4   Notification of Certain Matters.......................33
         SECTION 6.5   Public Announcements..................................33
         SECTION 6.6   Conveyance Taxes......................................33
         SECTION 6.7   No Solicitation. .....................................33
         SECTION 6.8   Environmental Inspections.............................35

ARTICLE 7  CLOSING CONDITIONS................................................35
         SECTION 7.1   Conditions to Each Party's Obligations Under
                        This Agreement.  ....................................35
         SECTION 7.2   Conditions to the Obligations of Parent and
                        the Merger Subsidiary Under This Agreement...........36
         SECTION 7.3   Conditions to the Obligations of the Company
                        and the Stockholders Under This Agreement............38

ARTICLE 8 TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER..................................39
         SECTION 8.1   Termination...........................................39
         SECTION 8.2   Effect of Termination.................................40
         SECTION 8.3   Amendment.............................................40
         SECTION 8.4   Waiver................................................40
         SECTION 8.5   Fees, Expenses and Other Payments.....................40
         SECTION 8.6   Effect of Investigation...............................41

                                      -ii-

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ARTICLE 9  SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES;
           INDEMNIFICATION...................................................41
         SECTION 9.1   Effectiveness of Representations, etc.................41
         SECTION 9.2   Indemnification.......................................41
         SECTION 9.3   Procedures Concerning Claims by Third Parties;
                        Payment of Damages; etc..............................43
         SECTION 9.4   Exclusive Remedy......................................45
         SECTION 9.5   Net Recovery..........................................45
         SECTION 9.6   Indemnification of Officers and Directors.............46

ARTICLE 10 GENERAL PROVISIONS................................................46
         SECTION 10.1   Notices..............................................46
         SECTION 10.2   Headings.............................................47
         SECTION 10.3   Severability.........................................47
         SECTION 10.4   Entire Agreement.....................................47
         SECTION 10.5   Assignment...........................................47
         SECTION 10.6   Parties in Interest..................................47
         SECTION 10.7   Governing Law........................................47
         SECTION 10.8   Enforcement of the Agreement.........................47
         SECTION 10.9   Counterparts.........................................48
         SECTION 10.10  Mutual Drafting......................................48
         SECTION 10.11  Disclosure Supplements...............................48

ARTICLE 11 DEFINITIONS.......................................................48


                                      -iii-

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                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION


         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF  REORGANIZATION,  dated as of May 13, 1998 by and
among Desa  International,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation  (the  "Parent"),  FMI
Acquisition,   Inc.,  a  Delaware   corporation  (the  "Buyer"  or  the  "Merger
Subsidiary"),  Fireplace  Manufacturers,  Inc.,  a California  corporation  (the
"Company"), and the stockholders of the Company who have executed this Agreement
(collectively, the "Stockholders").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS,  the Parties hereto deem it advisable and in their  respective
best interests to consummate the business combination provided for herein.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration  of the respective  representations,
warranties,  covenants and agreements set forth in this  Agreement,  the Parties
hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE 1

                                   THE CLOSING

         SECTION 1.1 Closing.  Unless this Agreement  shall have been terminated
pursuant  to  Article  8  hereof,   and  subject  to  the  satisfaction  or,  if
permissible, waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 7, the closing of the
Acquisition  Merger (the  "Closing")  will take place on the Closing Date at the
offices  of  Sullivan  &  Worcester  LLP,  One  Post  Office   Square,   Boston,
Massachusetts, unless another date, time or place is agreed to in writing by the
Parties.

         SECTION  1.2  Deliveries  at  Closing.  Subject  to the  provisions  of
Articles 7 and 8, at the Closing  there shall be delivered by the Parent and the
Company the opinions,  certificates and other documents and instruments required
then to be delivered pursuant to Articles 2 and 7 hereof.


                                    ARTICLE 2

                             THE ACQUISITION MERGER

         SECTION 2.1  Surviving  Corporation.  Unless the Parent shall have duly
elected the Alternative  Merger Structure pursuant to Section 2.9, in accordance
with this  Agreement,  Section 252 of the DGCL and Section 1108 of the CGCL,  at
the Effective Time, (i) the Merger  Subsidiary shall be merged with and into the
Company and the  separate  corporate  existence of the Merger  Subsidiary  shall
cease; (ii) the Company shall be the surviving corporation in such merger


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and  shall  continue  its  corporate  existence  under  the laws of the State of
California;  and (iii) the name of the Surviving Corporation shall be "Fireplace
Manufacturers,  Inc." If the Parent  shall  have duly  elected  the  Alternative
Merger  Structure  pursuant to Section 2.9, in accordance  with this  Agreement,
Section 252 of the DGCL and Section 1108 of the CGCL, at the Effective Time, (i)
the Company shall be merged with and into the Parent and the separate  corporate
existence  of the Company  shall cease;  (ii) the Parent shall be the  surviving
corporation in such merger and shall continue its corporate  existence under the
laws of the State of Delaware;  and (iii) the name of the Surviving  Corporation
shall be "DESA  International,  Inc." The two merging  corporations  pursuant to
this Section 2.1,  pursuant to the  Alternative  Merger  Structure or not as the
case may be, are sometimes  collectively  referred to herein as the "Constituent
Corporations".  The merger transaction referred to in this Section 2.1, pursuant
to the  Alternative  Merger  Structure  or not as the case may be,  is  referred
herein to as the  "Acquisition  Merger".  The corporation  which survives in the
Acquisition  Merger,  pursuant to the Alternative Merger Structure or not as the
case may be, is referred to herein as the "Surviving Corporation".

         SECTION  2.2  Effective  Time;  Conditions.  If all  of the  conditions
precedent  set forth in Article 7 hereof have been  satisfied  or waived (to the
extent  permitted  hereby and by law), and this Agreement has not otherwise been
properly  terminated  under  Article  8  hereof,  (a)  the  appropriate  form of
certificate of merger with respect to the  Acquisition  Merger shall be prepared
by the  Constituent  Corporations  (as  applicable  to the  form of  Acquisition
Merger)  and filed and  recorded  pursuant  to Section  252 of the DGCL with the
Delaware  Secretary  of State (as so filed and  recorded,  the  "Certificate  of
Merger")  and (b) a certified  copy or  counterpart  of this  Agreement  and the
officers'  certificates  of the Constituent  Corporations  (as applicable to the
form of  Acquisition  Merger) as required  by Section  1108 of the CGCL shall be
prepared and filed pursuant to said Section 1108 with the  California  Secretary
of State (as so filed and recorded,  the "Articles of Merger").  The Acquisition
Merger  shall become  effective  at, and the  Effective  Time shall be, the time
specified in the Certificate of Merger and the Articles of Merger.

         SECTION 2.3  Certificate of  Incorporation  and By-laws.  Except in the
case of the Alternative Merger Structure,  the Articles of Incorporation and the
By-Laws of the Company as in effect on the date hereof  shall be the Articles of
Incorporation and the By-laws of the Surviving  Corporation and shall thereafter
continue to be the Surviving Corporation's Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
until  amended as  provided  therein or by  applicable  law.  In the case of the
Alternative  Merger Structure,  the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws
of the  Parent as in  effect  on the date  hereof  shall be the  Certificate  of
Incorporation and the By-laws of the Surviving  Corporation and shall thereafter
continue to be the Surviving  Corporation's  Certificate  of  Incorporation  and
By-Laws until amended as provided therein or by applicable law.

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<PAGE>

         SECTION  2.4  Directors  and  Officers.  Except  in  the  case  of  the
Alternative  Merger  Structure,  the  directors  and  officers of the  Surviving
Corporation  shall  be the  directors  and  officers  of the  Merger  Subsidiary
immediately prior to the Effective Time and each such director and officer shall
hold office in accordance with the Certificate of  Incorporation  and By-Laws of
the Surviving Corporation.  In the case of the Alternative Merger Structure, the
directors and officers of the Surviving  Corporation  shall be the directors and
officers of the Parent  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time and each such
director and officer shall hold office in  accordance  with the  Certificate  of
Incorporation and By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation.

         SECTION 2.5 Effect on Outstanding Shares.

                  A. Company Common Stock. By virtue of the Acquisition  Merger,
whether  or not  consummated  pursuant  to  the  Alternative  Merger  Structure,
automatically  and  without any action on the part of the holder  thereof,  each
share of the Company Common Stock issued and  outstanding  immediately  prior to
the Effective Time (other than (i) any such shares held as treasury stock by the
Company,  and (ii) shares as to which dissenters'  rights have been demanded and
not forfeited under Chapter 13 of the CGCL, and (iii) shares owned by the Parent
as provided in Section  2.5(C)  below) shall  become and be  converted  into the
right to receive the  Consideration Per Share. Each such share of Company Common
Stock,  when  so  converted,  shall  no  longer  be  outstanding  and  shall  be
automatically retired and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate
representing  any  such  shares  shall  cease to have any  rights  with  respect
thereto,  except the right to receive the  Consideration Per Share for each such
share pursuant to this Section 2.5(A) upon the surrender of such certificate.

                  B. The Merger Subsidiary  Common Stock.  Except in the case of
Parent's election of the Alternative Merger Structure,  each share of the Merger
Subsidiary  Common  Stock  issued  and  outstanding  immediately  prior  to  the
Effective  Time shall be  converted as of the  Effective  Time into one share of
common stock,  $1.00 par value per share, of the Surviving  Corporation.  In the
case of Parent's  election of the Alternative  Merger  Structure,  each share of
Parent's  Common  Stock,  $.01 par value  per  share,  immediately  prior to the
Effective  Time shall  continue to be one share of the  Surviving  Corporation's
Common Stock.

                  C.  Cancellation  of Company Common Stock Owned by Parent.  At
the  Effective  Time,  all shares of the Company  Common Stock that are owned by
Parent  will  be  canceled  and  retired  and  shall  cease  to  exist,  and  no
consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.

                  D.  Dissenting  Shares.   Notwithstanding   anything  in  this
Agreement  to  the  contrary,   shares  of  Company  Common  Stock   outstanding
immediately  prior to the Effective  time and held by a holder who has not voted
in favor of the Acquisition Merger or

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<PAGE>

consented  thereto in writing and who has demanded  appraisal for such shares of
Company Common Stock in accordance  with Chapter 13 of the CGCL, if such Chapter
provides  for  appraisal  rights  for  such  shares  in the  Acquisition  Merger
("Dissenting  Shares"),  shall not be  converted  into the right to receive  the
Consideration  Per Share as  provided in Section  2.5(A),  unless and until such
holder fails to perfect or withdraws or otherwise  loses such holder's  right to
appraisal and payment under the CGCL.  If, after the  Effective  Time,  any such
holder fails to perfect or withdraws or loses such holder's  right to appraisal,
such Dissenting  Shares shall thereupon be treated as if they had been converted
into the right to receive  the  Consideration  Per Share to which such holder is
entitled,  without interest or dividends thereon.  The Company shall give Parent
prompt notice of any demands  received by the Company for appraisal of shares of
Company  Common  Stock,  and Parent shall have the right to  participate  in all
negotiations  and  proceedings  with respect to such demands.  The Company shall
not, except with the prior written consent of Parent, make any voluntary payment
with respect to, or settle or offer to settle, any such demands.

         SECTION 2.6 Exchange of Certificates.

                  A. Exchange Agent.  At the Closing,  Parent will enter into an
Exchange  Agreement  (the  "Exchange  Agreement")  with a bank or trust  company
mutually  acceptable to Parent and the Company (the "Exchange Agent"). As of the
Effective  Time,  Parent will deposit with the  Exchange  Agent  pursuant to the
Exchange  Agreement,  for the benefit of the  shareholders of the Company Common
Stock,  for  exchange  in  accordance  with  this  Article  2 and  the  Exchange
Agreement,  the Merger  Consideration to be disbursed pursuant to this Article 2
and the Exchange  Agreement in exchange  for  outstanding  shares of the Company
Common  Stock.  All deposits  with the Exchange  Agent  pursuant to this Section
2.6(A) are referred to herein as the "Exchange Fund."

                  B.  Exchange  Procedures.  As soon as  reasonably  practicable
after the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent shall mail to each holder of record
of a certificate or certificates  which  immediately prior to the Effective Time
represented  outstanding  shares  of  Company  Common  Stock  (individually,   a
"Certificate"  and  collectively,  the  "Certificates")  whose  shares were each
converted  pursuant to Section  2.5 into the right to receive the  Consideration
Per Share for each such share (i) a letter of  transmittal  (which shall specify
that delivery shall be effected,  and risk of loss and title to the Certificates
shall pass,  only upon delivery of the  Certificates  to the Exchange  Agent and
shall be in such form and have such other  provisions  as Parent and the Company
may reasonably specify) and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender
of the  Certificates  in  exchange  for any of the  Merger  Consideration.  Upon
surrender of a Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent, together with
such letter of transmittal,  duly executed, the holder of such Certificate shall
be entitled to receive in exchange  therefor,  promptly  upon  surrender of such
Certificate,  the  Consideration  Per  Share in cash for each  share of  Company
Common Stock represented by such Certificate. In no event

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will the holder of any such  Certificate be entitled to receive  interest on the
Merger Consideration.  Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.6(B),
each  Certificate  shall be  deemed  at any time  after  the  Effective  Time to
represent only the right to receive upon surrender the  Consideration  Per Share
in cash for each share of Company Common Stock represented by such Certificate.

         In the event  that any  Certificate  shall  have been  lost,  stolen or
destroyed,  upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person  claiming
such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if Parent shall reasonably
conclude that such affidavit does not adequately protect Parent or the Surviving
Corporation,  upon the posting by such person of a bond in such amount as Parent
or the Surviving  Corporation  may  reasonably  direct as indemnity  against any
claim that may be made against either of them with respect to such  Certificate,
the  Exchange  Agent will  distribute,  as provided in this Section  2.6(B),  in
respect of such lost,  stolen or destroyed  Certificate  the  Consideration  Per
Share for each share of Company Common Stock represented by such lost, stolen or
destroyed Certificate.

                  C.  Termination of Exchange  Fund.  Upon the expiration of the
term of the Exchange  Agreement,  any potion of the Exchange  Fund which remains
undistributed  to the  holders of Company  Common  Stock shall be  delivered  to
Parent,  upon  demand,  and any  holders  of Company  Common  Stock who have not
previously  complied with this Section 2.6 shall  thereafter look only to Parent
for payment of their claim for any of the Merger Consideration.

                  D. Closing of Stock Transfer  Books.  The stock transfer books
of the Company shall be closed as of the close of business on the first business
day  immediately  preceding the Closing Date, and  thereafter  there shall be no
further  registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of the Company or
the  Surviving  Corporation  of the shares of Company  Common  Stock  which were
outstanding  immediately  prior to such time. If, after such time,  Certificates
are  presented  to the  Surviving  Corporation  for any  reason,  they  shall be
canceled and exchanged as provided in this Section 2.6(D).

                  E. No  Liability.  Neither  Parent  nor the  Company  shall be
liable to any  holder of shares of  Company  Common  Stock for such  shares  (or
dividends or distributions  with respect thereto) delivered to a public official
pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

         SECTION 2.7 Effect of the Acquisition Merger.

                  A. At the Effective Time, all of the estate, property, rights,
privileges,  powers and franchises of the  Constituent  Corporations  and all of
their  property,  real,  personal  and mixed,  and all the debts due on whatever
account to any of them, as well as all stock  subscriptions  and other choses in
action  belonging  to any of them,  shall be  transferred  to and  vested in the
Surviving

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Corporation,  without further act or deed, and all claims, demands, property and
other interest shall be the property of the Surviving Corporation, and the title
to all real  estate  vested  in any of the  Constituent  Corporations  shall not
revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the Acquisition  Merger, but shall
be vested in the Surviving Corporation.

                  B. From and after the Effective  Time, the rights of creditors
of any Constituent  Corporation  shall not in any manner be impaired,  nor shall
any liability or obligation,  including taxes due or to become due, or any claim
or demand in any cause existing  against such  corporation,  or any stockholder,
director, or officer thereof, be released or impaired by the Acquisition Merger,
but the  Surviving  Corporation  shall be deemed to have  assumed,  and shall be
liable  for,  all  liabilities  and  obligations  of  each  of  the  Constituent
Corporations  in the same  manner  and to the same  extent  as if the  Surviving
Corporation   had  itself  incurred  such   liabilities  or   obligations.   The
stockholders,  directors,  and officers of the  Constituent  Corporations  shall
continue to be subject to all  liabilities,  claims and demands existing against
them as such at or before the Acquisition  Merger.  No action or proceeding then
pending before any court or tribunal in which any  Constituent  Corporation is a
party, or in which any such stockholder,  director, or officer is a party, shall
abate or be  discontinued  by reason  of the  Acquisition  Merger,  but any such
action or proceeding may be prosecuted to final judgment as though no merger had
taken place, or the Surviving Corporation may be substituted as a party in place
of any  Constituent  Corporation by the court in which such action or proceeding
is pending.

         SECTION 2.8  Additional  Actions.  If, at any time after the  Effective
Time,  the Surviving  Corporation  shall  consider or be advised that any deeds,
bills of sale,  assignments,  assurances  or any other  actions  or  things  are
necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the
Surviving  Corporation  its right,  title or interest in, to or under any of the
rights,  properties or assets of either of the Constituent Corporations acquired
or to be acquired by the Surviving  Corporation as a result of, or in connection
with,  the  Acquisition  Merger or to otherwise  carry out this  Agreement,  the
officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation shall and will be authorized
to  execute  and  deliver,  in  the  name  and  on  behalf  of  the  Constituent
Corporations  or  otherwise,  all such  deeds,  bills of sale,  assignments  and
assurances  and to take and do,  in the name and on  behalf  of the  Constituent
Corporations or otherwise, all such other actions and things as may be necessary
or desirable to vest,  perfect or confirm any and all right,  title and interest
in, to and under such rights,  properties or assets in the Surviving Corporation
or to otherwise carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

         SECTION 2.9 Alternative Merger Structure.  Parent may, at its election,
designate  an  alternative  structure  for the  Acquisition  Merger  whereby the
Company  will be  merged  with and into the  Parent,  with the  parent to be the
Surviving Corporation (the

                                        6

<PAGE>
"Alternative  Merger  Structure").  Notice  of  Parent's  election  to  use  the
Alternative  Merger Structure shall be given to the Company and the Stockholders
not less than ten (10) days before the Closing Date.


                                    ARTICLE 3

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

         The Company  hereby  represents,  warrants and covenants to, and agrees
with, the Parent and the Merger Subsidiary as set forth hereinbelow.

         SECTION 3.1 Organization and Business;  Power and Authority;  Effect of
Transaction.

                  A.  The Company and each Subsidiary:

                           (i)      is a  corporation  duly  organized,  validly
                                    existing and in good standing under the laws
                                    of the State of California;

                           (ii)     has  all  requisite   corporate   power  and
                                    authority  to own or hold  under  lease  its
                                    properties  and to conduct  its  business as
                                    now  conducted  and  has in full  force  and
                                    effect all Governmental  Authorizations  and
                                    Private  Authorizations  and  has  made  all
                                    Governmental Filings, to the extent required
                                    for such ownership and lease of its property
                                    and conduct of its  business,  except to the
                                    extent that the failure to have obtained any
                                    such  Governmental  Authorization or Private
                                    Authorization  or  to  have  made  any  such
                                    Governmental   Filing   would  not  have  an
                                    Adverse Effect; and

                           (iii)    has duly  qualified  and is authorized to do
                                    business  and  is  in  good  standing  as  a
                                    foreign corporation in each jurisdiction set
                                    forth in Schedule  and,  except as otherwise
                                    set  forth  in  Section  3.1(A)(iii)  of the
                                    Company   Disclosure   Schedule,   in   each
                                    jurisdiction  which  the  character  of  its
                                    property  or the nature of its  business  or
                                    operations  requires such  qualification  or
                                    authorization,  except  to  the  extent  the
                                    failure so to qualify  or to  maintain  such
                                    authorizations  would  not  have an  Adverse
                                    Effect.

                  B. The Company and each Subsidiary has all requisite power and
authority  (corporate and other) and,  other than the filing and  termination of
the waiting  period  pursuant  to the HSR Act,  has in full force and effect all
Governmental  Authorizations and Private Authorizations in order to enable it to
execute and

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<PAGE>

deliver,  and  to  perform  its  obligations  under,  this  Agreement  and  each
Collateral Document executed or required to be executed by it pursuant hereto or
thereto and to consummate the Acquisition  Merger and the Transactions,  and the
execution,  delivery  and  performance  of this  Agreement  and each  Collateral
Document  executed or required to be executed  pursuant  hereto or thereto  have
been duly authorized by all requisite corporate or other action (other than that
of the  Company's  stockholders).  This  Agreement  has been duly  executed  and
delivered by the Company and constitutes,  and each Collateral Document executed
or required  to be  executed  pursuant  hereto or thereto or to  consummate  the
Acquisition  Merger and the  Transactions,  when  executed and  delivered by the
Company will constitute,  legal,  valid and binding  obligations of the Company,
enforceable  in  accordance  with  their  respective   terms,   except  as  such
enforceability   may  be  subject   to   bankruptcy,   moratorium,   insolvency,
reorganization, arrangement, voidable preference, fraudulent conveyance or other
similar laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors, and except as the
same may be subject to the effect of general  principles of equity.  Approval by
the affirmative  vote of a majority of the outstanding  shares of Company Common
Stock  entitled to vote is the only action by the holders of any class or series
of the capital  stock of the Company  necessary to approve this  Agreement,  the
Acquisition  Merger and the Transactions  under Applicable Law and the Company's
Organic Documents.

                  C.  Except  as set  forth in  Section  3.1(C)  of the  Company
Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any
Collateral  Document  executed or required  to be  executed  pursuant  hereto or
thereto, nor the consummation of the Acquisition Merger or the Transactions, nor
compliance  with the terms,  conditions and provisions  hereof or thereof by the
Company or any of the other parties  hereto or thereto which is Affiliated  with
the Company:

                           (i)      will conflict with, or result in a breach or
                                    violation of, or constitute a default under,
                                    any  Applicable  Law  on  the  part  of  the
                                    Company or any  Subsidiary  or will conflict
                                    with, or result in a breach or violation of,
                                    or constitute a default under, or permit the
                                    acceleration  of any obligation or liability
                                    in, or but for any  requirement of giving of
                                    notice  or  passage  of time  or both  would
                                    constitute  such a conflict with,  breach or
                                    violation  of, or default  under,  or permit
                                    any such  acceleration  in, any  Contractual
                                    Obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary,

                           (ii)     will  result in or permit  the  creation  or
                                    imposition of any Lien (except to the extent
                                    set forth in Section  3.1(C) of the  Company
                                    Disclosure  Schedule)  upon any property now
                                    owned  or  leased  by  the  Company  or  any
                                    Subsidiary or any such other party, or

                                        8

<PAGE>

                           (iii)    will require any Governmental  Authorization
                                    or    Governmental    Filing   or    Private
                                    Authorization,     except     for     filing
                                    requirements   under   Applicable   Law   in
                                    connection with the  Acquisition  Merger and
                                    the  Transactions and except pursuant to the
                                    HSR Act.

         SECTION 3.2 Financial and Other Information.

                  A. The Company has  heretofore  furnished to the Parent copies
of the consolidated financial statements of the Company listed in Section 3.2(A)
of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule (the "Company Financial  Statements").  The
Company  Financial  Statements,  including in each case the notes thereto,  have
been  prepared  in  accordance  with GAAP (or,  with  regard to  interim  period
financial  statements,  in  accordance  with SEC rules)  applied on a consistent
basis with the Company's past practice  throughout the periods covered  thereby,
are true and correct in all material  respects  and,  except as otherwise  noted
therein,  fairly and completely present the consolidated financial condition and
results of operations of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  on the bases therein
stated,  as of the  respective  dates thereof,  and for the  respective  periods
covered thereby subject,  in the case of unaudited Company Financial  Statements
to normal nonmaterial year-end audit adjustments and accruals.

                  B. The  Company  does not own any  capital  stock or equity or
proprietary  interest  in any  Entity  or  enterprise  and has no  Subsidiaries,
however  organized  and however such interest may be  denominated  or evidenced,
except as set forth in Section 3.2(B) of the Company Disclosure  Schedule.  With
respect to any Subsidiary  disclosed in such Section  3.2(B),  the Company owns,
and at the Closing will own,  100% of the issued and  outstanding  capital stock
and all Convertible Securities and Option Securities of such Subsidiary, and all
of such  securities  are, and at the Closing will be, duly  authorized,  validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free of preemptive rights and Liens.

         SECTION 3.3 Authorized and  Outstanding  Capital Stock.  The authorized
capital stock of the Company  consists of 1,000,000  shares of Preferred  Stock,
$1.00 par value,  of which no shares are  outstanding  and 10,000,000  shares of
Common Stock,  $.01 par value (the "Company Common  Stock"),  of which 3,326,775
shares are issued and  outstanding.  All of such  outstanding  capital stock has
been duly authorized and validly issued,  is fully paid and nonassessable and is
not subject to any preemptive or similar rights.  Except as set forth in Section
3.3 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there is neither outstanding nor has the
Company agreed to grant or issue any additional  equity securities or any Option
Security or  Convertible  Security.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a
party to or bound by any  agreement,  put or commitment  pursuant to which it is
obligated to purchase,  redeem or otherwise acquire any equity securities or any
Option  Security  or  Convertible  Security.  Except  as  contemplated  by  this
Agreement,  between the date hereof and the  Closing,  the Company will not, and
will cause its

                                        9
<PAGE>

Subsidiaries not to, issue, sell or purchase or agree to issue, sell or purchase
any equity  securities  or any Option  Security or  Convertible  Security of the
Company or any Subsidiary.  All of the issued and outstanding  shares of capital
stock of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  have been issued in compliance  with
applicable Federal and state securities laws.

         SECTION  3.4  Changes in  Condition.  Since the date of the most recent
audited financial  statements forming part of the Company Financial  Statements,
except to the  extent  specifically  described  in  Section  3.4 of the  Company
Disclosure  Schedule or disclosed in the  Company's  periodic  reports under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, there has been no Adverse Change in
the Company.  There is no Event known to the Company which Adversely Affects the
Company,  or the ability of the Company to perform  any of the  obligations  set
forth in this  Agreement or any Collateral  Document  executed or required to be
executed  pursuant  hereto or  thereto  except for  changes in general  economic
conditions and to the extent set forth in Section 3.4 of the Company  Disclosure
Schedule.

         SECTION 3.5  Liabilities.  At the date of the most recent balance sheet
forming  part  of  the  Company  Financial  Statements,   the  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries  had no  obligations  or  liabilities,  past,  present or deferred,
accrued or unaccrued, fixed, absolute,  contingent or other, except as disclosed
in Section 3.5 of the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule  (or  immaterial  items not
required to be disclosed thereon),  in such balance sheet, or the notes thereto,
and since such date no such obligations or liabilities have been incurred, other
than  obligations  and  liabilities  incurred in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, which do not, in the aggregate,  Adversely Affect
the  Company  except to the  extent  set  forth in  Section  3.5 of the  Company
Disclosure Schedule.

         Neither the  Company  nor any  Subsidiary  has  Guaranteed,  and is not
otherwise  primarily  or  secondarily  liable in respect of, any  obligation  or
liability of any other Person material to the Company,  except for  endorsements
of  negotiable  instruments  for  deposit in the  ordinary  course of  business,
consistent  with prior  practice,  or as  disclosed  in the most recent  audited
balance  sheet,  or the notes  thereto,  forming  part of the Company  Financial
Statements or in Section 3.5 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

         SECTION 3.6 Title to Properties; Leases.

                  A. The Company (or a Subsidiary) has good, legal and insurable
title, with respect to all real property owned or leased (in fee simple if owned
and leasehold if leased) and good,  clear,  record and marketable title if owned
(in fee  simple),  if any,  reflected  as an asset on the  most  recent  audited
balance sheet forming part of the Company Financial  Statements,  or held by the
Company (or a Subsidiary) for use in its business if not so reflected,  and good
and clear indefeasible and merchantable title to all other assets,  tangible and
intangible, reflected on such balance sheet, or (excluding leased property) held
by the Company

                                       10
<PAGE>

(or a Subsidiary)  for use in its business if not so reflected,  or purported to
have been  acquired  by the Company (or a  Subsidiary)  since such date,  except
inventory sold or depleted,  or property,  plant and other  equipment used up or
retired,  since  such  date,  in each case in the  ordinary  course of  business
consistent with past practice,  free and clear of all Liens,  except (x) such as
are reflected in the most recent audited  balance  sheet,  or the notes thereto,
forming part of the Company  Financial  Statements,  (y) Liens  securing  taxes,
assessments,  governmental  charges  or levies,  or the  claims of  materialmen,
carriers,  landlords and like persons,  which are not yet due or payable, or (z)
as set forth in Section 3.6(A) of the Company Disclosure Schedule. Each Lease or
other  occupancy or other  agreement  under which the Company (or a  Subsidiary)
holds real or personal property has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by the  Company  (or a  Subsidiary);  each  such  Lease  is a  legal  and  valid
obligation of the Company (or a Subsidiary). The Company (or a Subsidiary) has a
valid leasehold interest in and enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under
all Leases  pursuant to which it holds any real  property  or tangible  personal
property.  All of such  Leases  are valid and  subsisting  and in full force and
effect; and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary,  nor to the knowledge of the
Company any other party thereto, is in default in the performance, observance or
fulfillment  of any  obligation,  covenant or  condition  contained  in any such
Lease.

                  B. Section 3.6(B) of the Company Disclosure  Schedule contains
a true,  correct and complete  description of all real estate owned or leased by
the  Company  (or a  Subsidiary)  and all  Leases and an  identification  of all
material  items of fixed assets and machinery and  equipment.  The real property
(other than land),  fixtures,  fixed assets and  machinery  and equipment of the
Company (or a Subsidiary)  are in a state of good repair and maintenance and are
in good operating condition,  reasonable wear and tear excepted. The Company (or
a  Subsidiary)  owns,  rents or leases all  tangible  assets  necessary  for the
conduct  of the  combined  business  of the  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  as
presently conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted until the Closing.

                  C. With respect to each parcel of such real property  owned by
the  Company  (or a  Subsidiary),  except as set forth in Section  3.6(C) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule:

                           (i)      there are no pending or, to the knowledge of
                                    the   Company,    threatened    condemnation
                                    proceedings  relating  to such  parcel,  and
                                    there are no pending or, to the knowledge of
                                    the  Company,   threatened   litigation   or
                                    administrative   actions  relating  to  such
                                    parcel or other matters Adversely  Affecting
                                    the use, occupancy or value thereof;

                           (ii)     the buildings and  improvements  may be used
                                    as of right under applicable zoning and land
                                    use laws for the  operation  of the business
                                    of  the  Company  (or a  Subsidiary)  as now
                                    conducted (the "Current

                                       11

<PAGE>



                                    Uses") and such  buildings and  improvements
                                    are located within the boundary lines of the
                                    described   parcels  of  land,  are  not  in
                                    violation  of  Applicable  Laws  and  do not
                                    encroach  on any  easement  which may burden
                                    the  land;  the  land  does  not  serve  any
                                    adjoining    property    for   any   purpose
                                    inconsistent  with the use of the land;  and
                                    such parcel is not located  within any flood
                                    plain  or  subject  to  any   similar   type
                                    restriction   for  which  any   permits   or
                                    licenses  necessary  to the use thereof have
                                    not been obtained;

                           (iii)    there are no  outstanding  options or rights
                                    of first refusal to purchase such parcel, or
                                    any portion thereof or interest therein;

                           (iv)     all  facilities  located on such  parcel are
                                    supplied with  utilities and other  services
                                    necessary   for   the   operation   of  such
                                    facilities,   including  gas,   electricity,
                                    water,  telephone,  sanitary sewer and storm
                                    sewer,  all of which  services  are adequate
                                    for the Current Uses and in accordance  with
                                    all  material   Applicable   Laws,  and  are
                                    provided via public roads or via  permanent,
                                    irrevocable,      appurtenant      easements
                                    benefiting such parcel;

                           (v)      such   parcel   abuts  on  and  has   direct
                                    vehicular  access to a public road or access
                                    to  a   public   road   via   a   permanent,
                                    irrevocable, appurtenant easement benefiting
                                    such parcel;

                           (vi)     the Company (or a  Subsidiary)  has received
                                    no written notice of any proposed or pending
                                    proceeding  to change or redefine the zoning
                                    classification  of all or any portion of the
                                    parcels; and

                           (vii)    each  parcel is an  independent  unit  which
                                    does not rely on any facilities  (other than
                                    the  facilities of public  utility and water
                                    companies) located on any other property (a)
                                    to fulfill any  zoning,  building  code,  or
                                    other municipal or governmental requirement,
                                    (b) for structural support or the furnishing
                                    of  any   essential   building   systems  or
                                    utilities,  including,  but not  limited  to
                                    electric,  plumbing,  mechanical,   heating,
                                    ventilating,  and air conditioning  systems,
                                    or (c) to fulfill  the  requirements  of any
                                    lease. No building or other  improvement not
                                    included in the  parcels  relies on any part
                                    of the parcels to fulfill any requirement of
                                    Applicable Laws or for structural support or
                                    the  furnishing  of any  essential  building
                                    systems or utilities. Each of the parcels is
                                    assessed by local  property  assessors  as a
                                    tax  parcel  or  parcels  separate  from all
                                    other tax parcels.

                                       12
<PAGE>


                  D. With respect to each Lease,  except as set forth in Section
3.6(D) of the Company Disclosure Schedule:

                           (i)      there are no disputes,  oral  agreements  or
                                    forbearance  programs  in  effect  as to any
                                    Lease;

                           (ii)     all facilities occupied under each Lease are
                                    supplied with  utilities and other  services
                                    necessary   for   the   operation   of  said
                                    facilities;

                           (iii)    to the  knowledge of the Company,  the owner
                                    of the  facility  occupied  under each Lease
                                    has good and  clear  record  and  marketable
                                    title to the parcel of real  property,  free
                                    and clear of any Lien,  except for  recorded
                                    easements, covenants, and other restrictions
                                    which  do  not  impair  the  Current   Uses,
                                    occupancy or value of the  property  subject
                                    thereto; and

                           (iv)     no Event has occurred which,  with notice or
                                    lapse of time,  would constitute a breach or
                                    default or permit termination,  modification
                                    or acceleration of any Lease.

         SECTION  3.7   Inventory.   The   inventory  of  the  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries  as set  forth  on the most  recent  balance  sheet in the  Company
Financial Statements, was, and the inventory of the Company and its Subsidiaries
on the date hereof is and on the Closing Date will be, in good and  merchantable
condition,  and in  reasonably  useable or saleable  condition  in the  ordinary
course of business,  except for obsolete or defective  materials  and any excess
stock items which alone and in the aggregate are not  material.  Such  inventory
does not  include  any  material  amounts of any item that was at any prior time
written off or written  down by the  Company.  To the  knowledge of the Company,
there is no Adverse  condition  currently  affecting  the supply of materials or
inventory available to the Company.

         SECTION 3.8  Accounts  and Notes  Receivable.  All  accounts  and notes
receivable  reflected on the most recent balance sheet in the Company  Financial
Statements and all accounts and notes receivable  arising subsequent to the date
of such  balance  sheet  have or will  have  arisen  in the  ordinary  course of
business, represent valid obligations to the Company (or a Subsidiary), and have
been collected or will be collected in the aggregate amounts thereof recorded on
the  books  of the  Company,  in each  case  net of the  reserve  for bad  debts
reflected on such balance sheet.

         SECTION 3.9 Compliance with Private Authorizations.  Section 3.9 of the
Company  Disclosure  Schedule  sets forth a true,  correct and complete list and
description of each Private  Authorization which individually is material to the
Company and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole,  all of which are in full force
and effect. The Company (or a Subsidiary) has obtained all Private

                                       13
<PAGE>
Authorizations  which are necessary for its ownership of its  properties and the
conduct of its business as now conducted,  except to the extent that the failure
to have  obtained  any such  Private  Authorization  would  not have an  Adverse
Effect.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in breach or violation of, or
in  default in the  performance,  observance  or  fulfillment  of,  any  Private
Authorization,  except for such defaults,  breaches or violations,  as do not in
the  aggregate  have any  Adverse  Effect on the  Company or the  ability of the
Company (or a Subsidiary)  to perform any of the  obligations  set forth in this
Agreement  or any  Collateral  Document  executed  or  required  to be  executed
pursuant  hereto or  thereto or to  consummate  the  Acquisition  Merger and the
Transactions.  No Private Authorization is the subject of any pending or, to the
Company's knowledge, threatened attack, revocation or termination.

         SECTION 3.10 Compliance with Governmental Authorizations and Applicable
Law.

                  A.  Section 3.10(A) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
contains a description of:

                           (i)      all Legal  Actions  which are pending or, to
                                    the  Company's   knowledge,   threatened  or
                                    contemplated   against,  and  which  in  any
                                    manner  relate  Adversely to, the Company or
                                    the business,  operations or properties,  or
                                    the officers or directors or any  Subsidiary
                                    of the Company in connection therewith; and

                           (ii)     each material Governmental  Authorization to
                                    which the  Company  (or any  Subsidiary)  is
                                    subject and which  relates to the  business,
                                    operations, properties, prospects, condition
                                    (financial   or   other),   or   results  of
                                    operations    of   the   Company   and   its
                                    Subsidiaries, all of which are in full force
                                    and effect.

                  B. The Company (or a Subsidiary) has obtained all Governmental
Authorizations  which are necessary for the ownership or uses of its  properties
and the conduct of its business as now conducted or as presently  proposed to be
conducted by it or which, if not obtained and maintained, could singly or in the
aggregate, have any Adverse Effect on the Company, except as otherwise described
in  Section  3.10(B)  of  the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule.   No  Governmental
Authorization  is the  subject of any pending  or, to the  Company's  knowledge,
threatened  attack,  revocation  or  termination.  Neither  the  Company nor any
Subsidiary  is, or at any time  since  January  1,  1994 has been,  or is or has
during such time been charged with, or to the Company's knowledge, is threatened
or under  investigation  with respect to any material breach or violation of, or
default  in the  performance,  observance  or  fulfillment  of any  Governmental
Authorization  or any Applicable  Law,  except for such breaches,  violations or
defaults as do not have in the  aggregate  any Adverse  Effect on the Company or
the

                                       14

<PAGE>



ability  of the  Company  to perform  any of the  obligations  set forth in this
Agreement  or any  Collateral  Document  executed  or  required  to be  executed
pursuant  hereto or thereto,  or to consummate  the  Acquisition  Merger and the
Transaction,  except as otherwise  described  in Section  3.10(B) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule.

                  C.  Except  as set forth in  Section  3.10(C)  of the  Company
Disclosure  Schedule,  the  Company  and each  Subsidiary,  and the  conduct and
operations of its business,  is in compliance with all Applicable Laws which (i)
affect or relate to this Agreement or the Transactions or (ii) are applicable to
it or its  business,  except  for  any  violation  of,  or  default  under,  any
Applicable Law which reasonably may be expected not to have an Adverse Effect on
the Company.

         SECTION 3.11   Intangible Assets; Intellectual Property.

                  A. Section 3.11 of the Company Disclosure  Schedule sets forth
a true,  correct and complete  description  of all  Governmental  Authorizations
relating to Intangible  Assets or  Intellectual  Property or rights with respect
thereto,   that  are  necessary  for  the  present   conduct  of  the  Company's
consolidated business,  including without limitation the nature of the Company's
(or a Subsidiary's)  interest in each and the extent to which the same have been
duly  registered  in  the  offices  as  indicated  therein.  The  Company  (or a
Subsidiary)  owns or possesses  or  otherwise  has the right to use all material
Governmental   Authorizations,   Intangible  Assets  and  Intellectual  Property
necessary for the conduct of the Company's  business free and clear of all Liens
and  without  any  conflict  with the  rights of  others.  Except  as  otherwise
described in Section 3.11 of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  no Governmental
Authorization,  Intangible  Asset or  Intellectual  Property  has been or is now
involved in any opposition,  invalidation, or cancellation,  and no Intellectual
Property materially  infringes any trade name,  trademark or service mark of any
third party. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has taken all necessary or
desirable  action to protect each item of Intellectual  Property that it owns or
uses. None of the Company and its Subsidiaries  has interfered  with,  infringed
upon,  misappropriated,  or otherwise  come into conflict with any  Intellectual
Property rights of third parties,  and none of the Company and its  Subsidiaries
has ever  received any charge,  complaint,  claim,  or notice  alleging any such
knowledge of the Company,  no third party has interfered  with,  infringed upon,
misappropriated,  or otherwise come into conflict with any Intellectual Property
rights of any of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

                  B. With respect to each item of Intellectual Property that any
of the Company and its Subsidiaries owns:

                           (i)      the  identified  owner  possesses all right,
                                    title, and interest in and to the item;


                                       15

<PAGE>



                           (ii)     the item is not  subject to any  outstanding
                                    judgment,   order,   decree,    stipulation,
                                    injunction, or charge;

                           (iii)    no   charge,   complaint,    action,   suit,
                                    proceeding, hearing,  investigation,  claim,
                                    or demand is pending or, to the knowledge of
                                    the Company,  is threatened which challenges
                                    the legality, validity, enforceability, use,
                                    or ownership of the item; and

                           (iv)     none of the Company and its Subsidiaries has
                                    ever  agreed  to  indemnify  any  person  or
                                    entity  for  or  against  any  interference,
                                    infringement,   misappropriation,  or  other
                                    conflict with respect to the item.

                  C. Section 3.11 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  also  identifies
each item of Intellectual Property that any third party owns and that any of the
Company and its Subsidiaries uses pursuant to license, sublicense,  agreement or
permission. The Company has supplied the Parent with correct and complete copies
of all such licenses,  sublicenses,  and permissions (as amended to date).  With
respect to each such item of used Intellectual Property:

                           (i)      the   license,   sublicense,   agreement  or
                                    permission   covering  the  item  is  legal,
                                    valid,  binding,  enforceable  and  in  full
                                    force and effect;

                           (ii)     the   license,   sublicense,   agreement  or
                                    permission will continue to be legal, valid,
                                    binding,  enforceable  and in full force and
                                    effect  on  identical  terms  following  the
                                    Closing;

                           (iii)    no   party  to  the   license,   sublicense,
                                    agreement  or   permission  is  in  material
                                    breach or default, and no event has occurred
                                    which  with  notice  or lapse of time  would
                                    constitute  a breach  or  default  or permit
                                    termination,  modification  or  acceleration
                                    thereunder;

                           (iv)     no   party  to  the   license,   sublicense,
                                    agreement or permission  has  repudiated any
                                    provision thereof;

                           (v)      with   respect  to  each   sublicense,   the
                                    representation  and  warranties set forth in
                                    subsections  (i) through (iv) above are true
                                    and correct with  respect to the  underlying
                                    license;

                           (vi)     the underlying item of Intellectual Property
                                    is not subject to any outstanding  judgment,
                                    order,  decree,  stipulation,  injunction or
                                    charge;

                           (vii)    no   charge,   complaint,    action,   suit,
                                    proceeding, hearing,  investigation,  claim,
                                    or demand is

                                       16
<PAGE>
                                    pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company
                                    and  the   directors   and   officers   (and
                                    employees    with     responsibility     for
                                    Intellectual   Property   matters)   of  the
                                    Company and its Subsidiaries,  is threatened
                                    which challenges the legality,  validity, or
                                    enforceability  of the  underlying  item  of
                                    Intellectual property; and

                           (viii)   none of the Company and its Subsidiaries has
                                    granted any sublicense or similar right with
                                    respect   to   the   license,    sublicense,
                                    agreement or permission.

         SECTION  3.12  Related  Transactions.   Section  3.12  of  the  Company
Disclosure  Schedule sets forth a true, correct and complete  description of any
Contractual  Obligation  or  transaction  between  the  Company  and  any of its
officers,  directors,  employees,  stockholders, or any Affiliate of any thereof
(other than  reasonable  compensation  for services as officers,  directors  and
employees and reimbursement for out-of-pocket  expenses  reasonably  incurred in
support of the Company's  business),  including without limitation any providing
for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of property, real,
personal or mixed,  to or from,  or  providing  for the lending or  borrowing of
money  to or from or  otherwise  requiring  payments  to or from,  any  officer,
director, stockholder or employee, or any Affiliate of any thereof.

         SECTION  3.13  Insurance.  The Company and its  Subsidiaries  have been
covered  during  the  past  five (5)  years by  insurance  in scope  and  amount
reasonable  for the business in which they have been engaged during such period.
Section 3.13 of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule  lists all insurance  policies
maintained  by the Company (or a Subsidiary)  and includes the insurers'  names,
policy numbers,  expiration dates,  risks insured against,  amounts of coverage,
annual  premiums,   exclusions,   deductibles  and  self-insured  retention  and
describes  in  reasonable  detail  any  retrospective   rating  plan,   fronting
arrangement  or any other  self-insurance  or risk  assumption  agreed to by the
Company (or a Subsidiary)  or imposed upon the Company (or a Subsidiary)  by any
such insurers, as well as any self-insurance  program that is in effect. Neither
the Company nor any  Subsidiary is in breach or violation of or in default under
any such policy,  and all  premiums  due thereon  have been paid,  and each such
policy or a  comparable  replacement  policy  will  continue  to be in force and
effect up to and including the Closing Date.  The Company (or a Subsidiary)  has
not  received  any  written  notice  from the  insurer  disclaiming  coverage or
reserving  rights with respect to a particular  claim or such policy in general.
The Company (or a  Subsidiary)  has not  incurred  any  material  loss,  damage,
expense or liability  covered by any such insurance  policy for which it has not
properly asserted a claim under such policy.


                                       17
<PAGE>
         SECTION 3.14 Tax Matters.

                  A. The Company (or a Subsidiary)  has in  accordance  with all
Applicable  Laws filed all Tax Returns  which are required to be filed,  and has
paid,  or made adequate  provision for the payment of, all material  Taxes which
have or may  become  due and  payable  pursuant  to said  Returns  and all other
material  governmental charges and assessments received to date. All Taxes which
the Company (or a  Subsidiary)  is required by law to withhold  and collect have
been duly withheld and  collected,  and have been paid over, in a timely manner,
to the proper Authorities to the extent due and payable,  except as set forth on
Section  3.14 (A) of the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule.  The  Company  (nor any
Subsidiary) has not executed any waiver to extend,  or otherwise taken or failed
to take any  action  that would have the  effect of  extending,  the  applicable
statute of  limitations  in respect of any Tax  liabilities of the Company (or a
Subsidiary)  for the fiscal years prior to and  including the most recent fiscal
year.  Except  as set  forth  in  Section  3.14  (A) of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule,  adequate  provision  has been made on the most recent  balance  sheet
forming  part of the  Company  Financial  Statements  for all Taxes of any kind,
including  interest and penalties in respect  thereof,  whether disputed or not,
and whether past, current or deferred, accrued or unaccrued,  fixed, contingent,
absolute  or other.  Neither the Company  nor any  Subsidiary  is a  "consenting
corporation" within the meaning of Section 341(f) of the Code.

                  B. The Company (or a Subsidiary)  has paid all material  Taxes
which have become due pursuant to its Returns.

                  C.  From the end of its most  recent  fiscal  year to the date
hereof, the Company and its Subsidiaries have not made any payment on account of
any Taxes except regular  payments  required in the ordinary course of business,
consistent with prior practice,  with respect to current  operations or property
presently owned.

                  D. The information  shown on the  consolidated  Federal income
Tax Returns of the  Company and its  Subsidiaries  (true,  correct and  complete
copies of which  have been  furnished  by the  Company  to the  Parent) is true,
correct  and  complete  and  fairly  and  accurately  reflects  the  information
purported to be shown.  Federal and state income Tax Returns of the Company have
been  examined  by the IRS or  applicable  state  Authority  through the taxable
periods set forth in Section 3.14(D) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, and the
Company has not been notified regarding any pending examination, except as shown
in Section 3.14(D) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

                  E. The Company is not a party to any tax sharing  agreement or
arrangement,  except as set forth in Section  3.14(E) of the Company  Disclosure
Schedule.

                  F. The Company is not and within five years of the date hereof
has not been, a "United States real property holding  corporation" as defined in
Section 897 of the Code.

                                       18
<PAGE>

         SECTION 3.15 Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

                  A. The Company  (which for purposes of this Section 3.15 shall
include any  Subsidiary or ERISA  Affiliate  with respect to any Plan subject to
Title IV of  ERISA)  does not  contribute  to any  Plan or  sponsor  any Plan or
Benefit  Arrangement and has not contributed to or sponsored any Plan or Benefit
Arrangement,  except as set forth in Section  3.15(A) of the Company  Disclosure
Schedule.  As to all Plans and Benefit Arrangements listed in Section 3.15(A) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, and except as disclosed in such Section 3.15(A)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule:

                           (i)      all Plans and  Benefit  Arrangements  comply
                                    and have been  administered  in all material
                                    respects in form and in  operation  with all
                                    Applicable  Laws,  and the  Company  has not
                                    received  any  outstanding  notice  from any
                                    Authority  questioning or  challenging  such
                                    compliance;

                           (ii)     all   Plans    maintained    or   previously
                                    maintained  by the Company  that are or were
                                    intended to comply  with  Section 401 of the
                                    Code  comply  and  complied  in form  and in
                                    operation with all  applicable  requirements
                                    of such  Section,  and no event has occurred
                                    which will or could  reasonably  be expected
                                    to give rise to disqualification of any such
                                    Plan under such Section;

                           (iii)    none of the assets of any Plan are  invested
                                    in  employer  securities  or  employer  real
                                    property;

                           (iv)     there are no "prohibited  transactions"  (as
                                    described in Section 406 of ERISA or Section
                                    4975 of the Code)  with  respect to any Plan
                                    for which the Company has any liability;

                           (v)      there  are no  Claims  (other  than  routine
                                    claims for  benefits)  pending or threatened
                                    involving Plans or the assets of Plans;

                           (vi)     neither the Company nor any ERISA  Affiliate
                                    has  maintained  any Plan that is subject to
                                    Title IV of ERISA;

                           (vii)    to the extent that the most  recent  balance
                                    sheet forming part of the Company  Financial
                                    Statements  do not include a pro rata amount
                                    of the  contributions  which would otherwise
                                    have  been  made  in  accordance  with  past
                                    practices  for the Plan years which  include
                                    the Closing Date, such amounts are set forth
                                    in Section 3.15(A) of the Company Disclosure
                                    Schedule;


                                       19
<PAGE>

                           (viii)   the  Company  nor  any  of  its   directors,
                                    officers,  employees or any other  fiduciary
                                    has   committed   any  breach  of  fiduciary
                                    responsibility  imposed  by ERISA that would
                                    subject the Company or any of its respective
                                    directors,  officers  or  employees  to  any
                                    material liability under ERISA;

                           (ix)     except as set forth in  Section  3.15(A)  of
                                    the  Company   Disclosure   Schedule  (which
                                    entry,  if  applicable,  shall  indicate the
                                    present    value   of    accumulated    plan
                                    liabilities    calculated    in   a   manner
                                    consistent  with FAS 106 and  actual  annual
                                    expense  for such  benefits  for each of the
                                    last  two (2)  years)  and  pursuant  to the
                                    provisions of COBRA,  the Company  maintains
                                    no Plan that provides benefits  described in
                                    Section   3(1)  of  ERISA   to  any   former
                                    employees or retirees of the Company; and

                           (x)      the Company has made  available to the Buyer
                                    a  copy  of  the  two  most  recently  filed
                                    Federal  Form 5500  series and  accountant's
                                    opinion, if applicable, for each Plan.

                  B.  The  Company  is not nor  ever  has  been a  party  to any
Multiemployer Plan or made contributions to any such plan.

         SECTION 3.16 Employment Arrangements.

                  A. The Company  (which term for  purposes of this Section 3.16
shall include any  Subsidiary)  has no  obligation  or liability,  contingent or
other,  under any  Employment  Arrangement  (whether  or not  listed in  Section
3.15(A)  of the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule),  other  than  those  listed  or
described in Section 3.16(A) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.  The Company is
not now nor during the past three (3) years has been  subject to or  involved in
or, to the Company's knowledge,  threatened with any union elections,  petitions
therefor or other  organizational  activities,  except as  described  in Section
3.16(A) of the Company Disclosure Schedule. None of the employees of the Company
is  represented  by any  labor  union or other  employee  collective  bargaining
organization and there are no pending grievances, disputes or controversies with
any union or any  other  employee  collective  bargaining  organization  of such
employees.

                  B.  Except  as set forth in  Section  3.16(B)  of the  Company
Disclosure  Schedule,  no employee shall accrue or receive additional  benefits,
service or  accelerated  rights to  payments of  benefits  under any  Employment
Arrangement, including the right to receive any parachute payment, as defined in
Section 280G of the Code, or become entitled to severance, termination allowance
or similar payments as a direct result of this Agreement, the Acquisition Merger
or the Transactions.

         SECTION 3.17 Material Agreements. Listed on Section 3.17 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule are all Material Agreements

                                       20

<PAGE>

relating to the  ownership  or  operation  of the  business  and property of the
Company (or a Subsidiary) presently held or used by it or to which it is a party
or to which it or any of its  property is subject or bound.  True,  complete and
correct  copies of each of the Material  Agreements  have been  furnished by the
Company to the Parent  (or, if oral,  true,  complete  and correct  descriptions
thereof have been set forth in Section 3.17 of the Company Disclosure Schedule).
All of the  Material  Agreements  are valid,  binding  and  legally  enforceable
obligations  of the Company (or a Subsidiary)  and, to the Company's  knowledge,
the other  parties  thereto  (except  as such  enforceability  may be subject to
bankruptcy,  moratorium,  insolvency,   reorganization,   arrangement,  voidable
preference,  fraudulent  conveyance  and  other  similar  laws  relating  to  or
affecting  the rights of creditors  and except as the same may be subject to the
effect of general principles of equity), and the Company is validly and lawfully
operating  its  business  and owning  its  property  under each of the  Material
Agreements.  Except as  disclosed  in  Section  3.17 of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule:  (i) the Company (or any  Subsidiary) is not in default in the payment
or performance of any of its obligations under any Material  Agreement;  (ii) no
Event  which,  with the  giving  of  notice  or the  passage  of time,  or both,
constitutes  an event of  default by the  Company  (or a  Subsidiary)  under any
Material Agreement has occurred and is continuing; and (iii) to the knowledge of
the  Company,  no other  party to any  Material  Agreement  is in default in any
material respect in the payment or performance of its obligations thereunder and
no Event  which,  with the  giving of notice or the  passage  of time,  or both,
constitutes  a material  event of default by such other party under any Material
Agreement has occurred and is continuing.

         SECTION 3.18 Ordinary Course of Business.

                  A. The Company  (which term for  purposes of this Section 3.18
shall include any Subsidiary),  from the date of the most recent audited balance
sheet  forming part of the Company  Financial  Statements to the date hereof and
until the Closing  Date,  except as may be described  on Section  3.18(A) of the
Company Disclosure  Schedule,  disclosed in the Company's periodic reports under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or as may expressly be required
or permitted by the terms of this Agreement:

                           (i)      has operated,  and will continue to operate,
                                    its  business  in  the  normal,   usual  and
                                    customary  manner in the ordinary  course of
                                    business, consistent with prior practice;

                           (ii)     has not sold or  otherwise  disposed  of, or
                                    contracted to sell or otherwise  dispose of,
                                    and will not sell or otherwise dispose of or
                                    contract  to sell or  otherwise  dispose of,
                                    any of its properties or assets,  other than
                                    in the ordinary course of business;


                                       21
<PAGE>

                           (iii)    except in each case in the  ordinary  course
                                    of business, consistent with prior practice,

                                    (a)      has not incurred and will not incur
                                             any  Indebtedness,  obligations  or
                                             liabilities  (fixed,  contingent or
                                             other);

                                    (b)      has not  entered and will not enter
                                             into any commitments;

                                    (c)      has  not   canceled  and  will  not
                                             cancel any debts or claims; and

                                    (d)      has not prepaid and will not prepay
                                             any  Indebtedness in advance of its
                                             contractual maturity date.

                           (iv)     has not made or committed to make,  and will
                                    not make or commit to make, any additions to
                                    its  property or any  purchases of machinery
                                    or equipment,  except for normal maintenance
                                    and replacements;

                           (v)      has not  discharged or  satisfied,  and will
                                    not  discharge or satisfy,  any Lien and has
                                    not paid and will not pay any  obligation or
                                    liability  (absolute  or  contingent)  other
                                    than  current   liabilities  or  obligations
                                    under  contracts then existing or thereafter
                                    entered  into  in  the  ordinary  course  of
                                    business,  consistent  with prior  practice,
                                    and  commitments  under  Leases  existing on
                                    that date or incurred since that date in the
                                    ordinary course of business;

                           (vi)     has not created or  permitted to be created,
                                    and will not  create or permit to be created
                                    any Lien on any of its tangible property;

                           (vii)    has not transferred or created, or permitted
                                    to be  created,  and  will not  transfer  or
                                    create, or permit to be created, any Lien on
                                    any Intangible Assets;

                           (viii)   except in the  ordinary  course of business,
                                    consistent  with  prior  practice,  has  not
                                    increased   and   will  not   increase   the
                                    compensation payable or to become payable to
                                    any of its directors,  officers,  employees,
                                    advisers, consultants, salesmen or agents or
                                    otherwise alter,  modify or change the terms
                                    of their employment or engagement;

                           (ix)     has  not  suffered   any  material   damage,
                                    destruction  or loss (whether or not covered
                                    by insurance) or

                                       22
<PAGE>
                                    any acquisition or taking of property by any
                                    Authority;

                           (x)      has not  waived,  and  will not  waive,  any
                                    rights of material  value  without  fair and
                                    adequate consideration;

                           (xi)     has not experienced any work stoppage;

                           (xii)    has not entered into,  amended or terminated
                                    and will not enter into,  amend or terminate
                                    any   Lease,   Governmental   Authorization,
                                    Private Authorization, Material Agreement or
                                    Employment  Arrangement  or any  Contractual
                                    Obligation   or    transaction    with   any
                                    Affiliate,    except   for   amendments   or
                                    terminations   in  the  ordinary  course  of
                                    business, consistent with prior practice, in
                                    accordance  with  the  terms  thereof,   and
                                    except   for   the    termination   of   all
                                    outstanding option, employment and severance
                                    agreements as of the Effective Date;

                           (xiii)   has not amended or  terminated  and will not
                                    amend  or  terminate,  and has kept and will
                                    keep  in full  force  and  effect  including
                                    without  limitation  renewing  to the extent
                                    the   same   would   otherwise   expire   or
                                    terminate,   all   insurance   policies  and
                                    coverage;

                           (xiv)    has not  entered  into,  and will not  enter
                                    into,  any  other  transaction  or series of
                                    related  transactions  which individually or
                                    in the aggregate is material to the Company,
                                    except in the  ordinary  course of business,
                                    consistent with prior practice;

                           (xv)     has not  incurred  and  will not  incur  any
                                    Indebtedness  owing to any  Stockholder  and
                                    has not made and will not make any  loans or
                                    advances to any Stockholder;

                           (xvi)    has not split,  combined or reclassified any
                                    of the Company's  capital stock or issued or
                                    authorized the issuance of any securities in
                                    respect of, in lieu of or in substitution of
                                    any shares of the Company's  capital  stock,
                                    and will not do any of the foregoing;

                           (xvii)   has not issued,  sold or otherwise  disposed
                                    of any  of  its  capital  stock,  or  issued
                                    Option Securities or Convertible  Securities
                                    or  preemptive  rights  or other  rights  to
                                    purchase or obtain any of its capital stock,
                                    and has not declared, set aside, or paid any
                                    dividend or  distributions  with  respect to
                                    its capital stock or redeemed, purchased, or
                                    otherwise acquired any of its capital stock;

                                       23
<PAGE>

                           (xviii)  has not  amended  and will not  amend any of
                                    its Organic Documents;

                           (xix)    has not  changed  and  will not  change  any
                                    method of accounting or accounting  practice
                                    or policy,  except as required by Applicable
                                    Law or by GAAP; and

                           (xx)     has  not  accelerated  accounts  receivable,
                                    delayed  accounts  payable,   or  liquidated
                                    inventory, and will not do so, except in the
                                    ordinary course of business  consistent with
                                    past practice.

                  B.  From the end of its most  recent  fiscal  year to the date
hereof,  except as  described  in  Section  3.18(B)  of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule,  the Company  has not,  or on or prior to the Closing  Date will have,
declared, made or paid, or agreed to declare, make or pay, any Distribution.

         SECTION  3.19  Broker or  Finder.  Other than the  Management  Resource
Center,  Inc.,  which acted as the financial  adviser to the Company,  no Person
assisted in or brought about the negotiation of this Agreement,  the Acquisition
Merger or the  subject  matter of the  Transactions  in the  capacity of broker,
agent or finder or in any  similar  capacity  on  behalf  of the  Company  (or a
Subsidiary).

         SECTION 3.20 Environmental Matters. Except as set forth in Section 3.20
of the Company Disclosure Schedule:

                  A. As of the date hereof, to the knowledge of the Company,  no
underground storage tanks are present under any property that the Company (which
term for  purposes of this  Section 3.20 shall  include any  Subsidiary)  or any
Affiliate has at any time owned,  operated,  occupied or leased.  As of the date
hereof,  to the  knowledge of the Company,  no material  amount of any substance
that has been  designated by any federal,  state or local  governmental  agency,
board or authority (a "Governmental  Entity") or by applicable  federal state or
local law to be radioactive, toxic, hazardous or otherwise a danger to health or
the environment,  including,  without limitation,  PCB's,  asbestos,  petroleum,
urea-formaldehyde  and all substances listed as hazardous substances pursuant to
the Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation,  and Liability Act of
1980, as amended,  or defined as a hazardous waste pursuant to the United States
Resource  Conservation  Recovery Act of 1976,  as amended,  and the  regulations
promulgated  pursuant to said laws,  (a  "Hazardous  Material"),  but  excluding
office and janitorial  supplies,  are present, as a result of the actions of the
Company or to the  knowledge  of the  Company  any actions of any third party or
otherwise,   in,  on  or  under  any  property,   including  the  land  and  the
improvements,  ground water and surface water, that the Company or any Affiliate
has at any time owned, operated, occupied or leased. The Company is not aware of
any Event which could involve the Company in any environmental

                                       24
<PAGE>

litigation or impose upon the Company any environmental  liabilities which would
have an Adverse Effect on the Company.

                  B. To the knowledge of the Company, at no time has the Company
or an Affiliate transported,  stored, used, manufactured,  disposed of, released
or exposed its  employees or others to  Hazardous  Materials in violation of any
law in  effect  on or  before  the  Closing  Date,  nor has the  Company  or any
Affiliate disposed of, transported, sold, or manufactured any product containing
a  Hazardous  Material  (collectively,   "Hazardous  Materials  Activities")  in
material violation of any rule, regulation, treaty or statute promulgated by any
Governmental Entity to prohibit,  regulate or control Hazardous Materials or any
Hazardous Material  Activity,  which such violation would have an Adverse Effect
on the Company.

                  C. To the Company's knowledge, the Company currently holds all
material environmental  approvals,  permits,  licenses,  clearances and consents
(the  "Environmental  Permits")  necessary  for  the  conduct  of its  Hazardous
Material  Activities and other  businesses as such activities and businesses are
currently being conducted,  the absence of which would have an Adverse Effect on
the Company.

                  D.  To  the  Company's  knowledge,   no  action,   proceeding,
revocation proceeding,  amendment procedure, writ injunction or claim is pending
or threatened  concerning any  Environmental  Permit or any Hazardous  Materials
Activity of the Company.

                  E.  The  Company  has  not  performed  an  environmental  site
assessment,  nor has such an  assessment  been  conducted by or on behalf of the
Company at any property owned or leased by the Company. The Company has received
a copy of the Phase One Environmental Site Assessment,  draft dated May 1, 1998,
by Dames & Moore, attached hereto as Exhibit F (the "Dames & Moore Report").

         SECTION 3.21 Books and Records.  Except as set forth in Section 3.21 of
the Company Disclosure  Schedule,  the minute books and other similar records of
the  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  contain  true and  complete  records of all
actions taken at any meetings of the Company's and  Subsidiaries'  stockholders,
Board of  Directors,  members,  managers  or any  committee  thereof  and of all
written consents executed in lieu of the holding of any such meeting.

         SECTION  3.22  Customers  and  Suppliers.  Section  3.22 of the Company
Disclosure  Schedule  sets forth a list of the ten (10) largest  suppliers and a
list of the ten (10) largest customers of the Company and its Subsidiaries based
on dollar  values of purchases  during the  twelve-month  period ended March 31,
1998.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any reason to believe that any
customer or supplier listed on Section 3.22 of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule
has any plan or intention to materially alter its relationship  with the Company
or any Subsidiary.

                                       25
<PAGE>
         SECTION  3.23  Officers  and  Directors.  Section  3.23 of the  Company
Disclosure  Schedule  sets  forth a true  and  complete  list  of all  officers,
directors, members and managers of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

         SECTION  3.24 Bank  Accounts.  Section  3.24 of the Company  Disclosure
Schedule sets forth all checking accounts, savings accounts, custodial accounts,
certificates of deposit, safe deposit boxes or other similar accounts maintained
by the Company and its Subsidiaries,  together with the name of each person with
signature authority for each such account.

         SECTION 3.25  Anti-takeover  Statutes Not Applicable.  No "fair price",
"moratorium", "control share acquisition" or other form of anti-takeover statute
or regulation is applicable to the Company's or the Stockholders'  entering into
this Agreement and consummating the transactions contemplated hereby.

         SECTION 3.26 Proxy  Statement.  The  information  included in the Proxy
Statement (the "Proxy  Statement") to be sent to the stockholders of the Company
in connection with the solicitation of proxies to approve the Acquisition Merger
shall not, on the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to such  stockholders
or at the Effective Time, contain any statement which, at such time and in light
of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect
to any material  fact, or omit to state any material fact  necessary in order to
make the  statements  made in the Proxy  Statement  not false or  misleading  or
necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication which has become
false or misleading.

         SECTION 3.27 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The financial advisor of the
Company,  Marshall  & Stevens  Incorporated,  has  delivered  to the  Company an
opinion  dated  April  20,  1998  to the  effect  that,  as of  such  date,  the
Consideration  Per  Share  is fair,  from a  financial  point  of  view,  to the
stockholders of the Company. The Company has provided a true and correct copy of
such opinion to the Buyer.

         SECTION  3.28  Litigation.  Section  3.28  of  the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule  sets  forth  each  instance  in  which  any of  the  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries  (i)  is  subject  to  any  unsatisfied  judgment,  order,  decree,
stipulation,  injunction,  or charge or (ii) is a party or, to the  knowledge of
the Company, is threatened to be made a party to any charge, complaint,  action,
suit,  proceeding  or  investigation  of or in any  court or  quasi-judicial  or
administrative  agency of any federal,  state, local or foreign  jurisdiction or
before  any  arbitrator.  None  of  the  charges,  complaints,  actions,  suits,
proceedings,  hearings,  and  investigations  set forth in  Section  3.28 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule could result in any Adverse Change to the Company.

         SECTION 3.29 Product Warranty. Each product manufactured,  distributed,
sold,  or  delivered  by any of the  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  has been in
conformity with all applicable contractual

                                       26
<PAGE>

commitments and all express and implied warranties,  and none of the Company and
its Subsidiaries has any liability for damages in connection therewith,  subject
only to the  reserve for  product  warranty  claims set forth in the most recent
audited balance sheet contained in the Company Financial  Statements as adjusted
for the passage of time  through the Closing  Date in  accordance  with the past
custom and practice of the Company. No product manufactured,  sold, distributed,
serviced,  leased,  or delivered by any of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  is
subject to any  guaranty,  warranty,  or other  indemnity  of the company or any
Subsidiary beyond the applicable standard terms and conditions of sale or lease.

         SECTION 3.30 Product Liability.  Except as set forth in Section 3.28 or
3.30  of  the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule,   none  of  the  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries has any material  liability arising out of any injury to persons or
property  as a  result  of the  ownership,  possession,  or  use of any  product
manufactured,  distributed,  sold,  leased,  serviced or delivered by any of the
Company and its Subsidiaries.

         SECTION 3.31  Continuing  Representations  and  Warranties.  Except for
those  representations  and warranties which speak as of a specific date, all of
the  representations  and  warranties  of the Company set forth in this  Article
shall be true and correct on the Closing  Date with the same force and effect as
though  made on and as of that  date  and  those,  if any,  which  speak as of a
specific date shall be true and correct as of such date on the Closing Date.

         SECTION 3.32 Disclosure.  No  representation or warranty by the Company
contained  in  this  Agreement,  and  no  statement  contained  in  the  Company
Disclosure  Schedule  or any other  document,  certificate  or other  instrument
delivered to or to be delivered by or on behalf of the Company  pursuant to this
Agreement,  contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or,
to the  knowledge of the Company,  omits or will omit to state any material fact
necessary,  in light of the circumstances under which it was or will be made, in
order to make the statements herein or therein not misleading.


                                    ARTICLE 4

                      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
                        PARENT AND THE MERGER SUBSIDIARY

         Each of the Parent and the Merger Subsidiary  represents,  warrants and
covenants to, and agrees with, the Company as follows:


                                       27
<PAGE>

         SECTION 4.1 Organization and Business;  Power and Authority;  Effect of
Transaction.

                  A.  Each of the Parent and the Merger Subsidiary:

                           (i)      is a  corporation  duly  organized,  validly
                                    existing and in good standing under the laws
                                    of the State of Delaware,

                           (ii)     has  all  requisite   corporate   power  and
                                    authority  to own or hold  under  lease  its
                                    properties  and to conduct  its  business as
                                    now  conducted  and  has in full  force  and
                                    effect all Governmental  Authorizations  and
                                    Private  Authorizations  and  has  made  all
                                    Governmental Filings, to the extent required
                                    for such ownership and lease of its property
                                    and conduct of its  business,  except to the
                                    extent that the failure to have obtained any
                                    such  Governmental  Authorization or Private
                                    Authorization  or  to  have  made  any  such
                                    Governmental   Filing   would  not  have  an
                                    Adverse Effect; and

                           (iii)    has duly  qualified  and is authorized to do
                                    business  and  is  in  good  standing  as  a
                                    foreign  corporation in each jurisdiction (a
                                    true and correct  list of which is set forth
                                    in   Section   4.1(A)(iii)   of  the  Parent
                                    Disclosure  Schedule) in which the character
                                    of  its   property  or  the  nature  of  its
                                    business   or   operations   requires   such
                                    qualification  or  authorization,  except to
                                    the extent  the  failure so to qualify or to
                                    maintain such authorizations  would not have
                                    an Adverse Effect.

                  B.  Each of the  Parent  and  the  Merger  Subsidiary  has all
requisite  power and authority  (corporate and other) and, other than the filing
and  termination of the waiting period  pursuant to the HSR Act and as set forth
in  Section  4.1(C) of the  Parent  Disclosure  Schedule,  has in full force and
effect all Governmental  Authorizations  and Private  Authorizations in order to
enable it to execute and deliver,  and to perform its  obligations  under,  this
Agreement and each Collateral Document executed or required to be executed by it
pursuant  hereto or thereto and to  consummate  the  Acquisition  Merger and the
Transactions,  and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
each Collateral  Document executed or required to be executed pursuant hereto or
thereto have been duly  authorized by all  requisite  corporate or other action.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Parent and the Merger
Subsidiary and constitutes, and each Collateral Document executed or required to
be executed  pursuant hereto or thereto or to consummate the Acquisition  Merger
and  the  Transactions,   when  executed  and  delivered  by  the  Company  will
constitute,  legal,  valid  and  binding  obligations  of  the  Parent  and  the
Subsidiary, enforceable in accordance with their respective

                                       28
<PAGE>

terms, except as such  enforceability may be subject to bankruptcy,  moratorium,
insolvency,   reorganization,   arrangement,   voidable  preference,  fraudulent
conveyance  or other  similar  laws  relating  to or  affecting  the  rights  of
creditors,  and  except as the same may be  subject  to the  effect  of  general
principles of equity.

                  C.  Except  as set  forth  in  Section  4.1(C)  of the  Parent
Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any
Collateral  Document  executed or required  to be  executed  pursuant  hereto or
thereto, nor the consummation of the Acquisition Merger or the Transactions, nor
compliance  with the terms,  conditions and provisions  hereof or thereof by the
Parent,  the Merger  Subsidiary  or any of the other  parties  hereto or thereto
which is Affiliated with the Parent or the Merger Subsidiary:

                           (i)      will conflict with, or result in a breach or
                                    violation of, or constitute a default under,
                                    any Applicable Law on the part of the Parent
                                    or any  Subsidiary or will conflict with, or
                                    result  in a  breach  or  violation  of,  or
                                    constitute  a default  under,  or permit the
                                    acceleration  of any obligation or liability
                                    in, or but for any  requirement of giving of
                                    notice  or  passage  of time  or both  would
                                    constitute  such a conflict with,  breach or
                                    violation  of, or default  under,  or permit
                                    any such  acceleration  in, any  Contractual
                                    Obligation of the Parent or any  Subsidiary,
                                    or

                           (ii)     will require any Governmental  Authorization
                                    or    Governmental    Filing   or    Private
                                    Authorization and filing  requirements under
                                    Applicable   Law  in  connection   with  the
                                    Acquisition  Merger and the Transactions and
                                    pursuant to the HSR Act.


                                    ARTICLE 5

               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE STOCKHOLDERS

         Each  Stockholder,  for himself or itself only,  hereby  represents and
warrants to, and agrees with, the Parent and Merger Subsidiary as follows:

         SECTION 5.1 Ownership.  Such  Stockholder is the lawful owner of record
and  beneficial  owner of the number of shares of Company Common Stock set forth
opposite his or its name in Section 5.1 of the Company Disclosure Schedule. Such
Stockholder is not party to or bound by any agreement or commitment  pursuant to
which it is obligated to purchase or  otherwise  acquire any equity  securities,
Option Securities or Convertible Securities of the Company, and (ii) between the
date hereof and the Closing,  such  Stockholder  will not sell or  purchase,  or
agree  to  sell  or  purchase,  any  equity  securities,  Option  Securities  or
Convertible Securities of the Company.

                                       29
<PAGE>

         SECTION 5.2 Liens. The shares of the Company Common Stock owned by such
Stockholder  are free and  clear of all  Liens,  and none of such  shares of the
Company Common Stock is subject to any written or oral agreement whatsoever with
respect to the voting thereof,  the sale of pledge thereof  (including,  without
limitation, any option or right of first refusal to sell any such shares) or any
like  matter,  nor has any proxy been  granted to any Person with respect to any
such shares of the Company  Common  Stock  (except as provided in the Voting and
Option  Agreement  and the Letter of Intent,  dated March 19, 1998,  between the
Parent and the Company).

         SECTION 5.3  Authorization  of Agreement.  This Agreement has been duly
and validly executed and delivered on behalf of such Stockholder and constitutes
a valid obligation such  Stockholder,  enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except to the  extent  that its  enforceability  may be  limited  by  applicable
insolvency,  bankruptcy or similar laws affecting the  enforcement of creditors'
rights generally.

         SECTION 5.4 No  Governmental  Consents.  Except as set forth in Section
5.4 of  the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  no  Governmental  Authorization  or
Governmental Filing or Private  Authorization is required to be obtained or made
by the Company or such Stockholder in connection with the Acquisition Merger and
the  Transactions  except  for  filing  requirements  under  Applicable  Laws in
connection with the Acquisition  Merger and the Transactions and except pursuant
to the HSR Act.

         SECTION 5.5 Information Supplied. None of the information  specifically
supplied or to be supplied by such  Stockholder with respect to such Stockholder
for inclusion or  incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement will, at the
date the Proxy  Statement is first mailed to the  stockholders of the Company or
at the time of the  stockholders'  meeting,  contain any untrue  statement  of a
material fact or omit to state any material  fact required to be stated  therein
or  necessary  in  order  to  make  the  statements  therein,  in  light  of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.


                                    ARTICLE 6

                              ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

         SECTION 6.1 Confidentiality; Access to Information.

                  A. The Company and the Parent acknowledge that the Company and
the Parent have heretofore executed  confidentiality letters, dated November 25,
1997 and December 1, 1997 (the "Confidentiality  Letters"), which separately and
as  incorporated  herein  shall  remain  in full  force  and  effect  after  and
notwithstanding  the  execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement,   and  that
information obtained from the Company by the Parent or its Representatives or by
the Company or its Representatives from the Parent,  pursuant to Section 6.1(B),
the Confidentiality Letters or

                                       30
<PAGE>

otherwise shall be subject to the provisions of the Confidentiality Letters.

                  B. The  Company  will  afford to the Parent  and the  Parent's
Representatives  full access during normal business hours  throughout the period
prior  to  the  Closing  Date  to  all  of  its  properties,  books,  contracts,
commitments and records  (including  without limitation Tax Returns) and, during
such period, shall furnish promptly upon request all information relating to the
Company,  that the  Parent or any of its  Representatives  reasonably  requires.
Subject to the terms and  conditions  of the  Confidentiality  Letter  which are
expressly  incorporated  herein by  reference  thereto  for the  benefit  of the
parties  hereto,  the Parent  shall hold and shall use its best efforts to cause
the Parent's  Representatives  to hold, and the Company shall hold and shall use
its best efforts to cause its  Representatives to hold, in strict confidence all
non-public  documents and  information  furnished  (whether  prior or subsequent
hereto) to the Parent or the  Company,  as the case may be, in  connection  with
this Agreement, the Acquisition Merger and the Transactions.

                  C. Subject to the terms and conditions of the  Confidentiality
Letter,  the Parent and the  Company may  disclose  such  information  as may be
necessary in connection with seeking all Governmental and Private Authorizations
or that is required by Applicable  Law to be  disclosed.  In the event that this
Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, the Parent and the Company
shall each promptly  redeliver all non-public written material provided pursuant
to this  Section  or any other  provision  of this  Agreement  or  otherwise  in
connection with the Acquisition Merger and the Transactions and shall not retain
any copies,  extracts or other reproductions in whole or in part of such written
material  other than one copy thereof  which shall be  delivered to  independent
counsel for such party.

                  D. No investigation  pursuant to this Section 6.1 shall affect
any  representation  or warranty in this  Agreement  of any Party  hereto or any
condition to the  obligations of the Parties  hereto;  provided,  however,  that
Parent and the Merger Subsidiary  acknowledge and agree that the representations
and  warranties  of the Company in Section  3.20 are subject to the  information
concerning  the  premises  leased  by the  Company  in  Santa  Ana,  California,
contained in the Dames & Moore Report.

         SECTION 6.2 Approval of Stockholders.  The Company will (a) as promptly
as  practicable,  take all steps necessary to duly call, give notice of, convene
and  hold a  meeting  of its  stockholders  for the  purpose  of  approving  the
Acquisition  Merger and will use best efforts to obtain the necessary  approvals
of its stockholders of the Acquisition Merger. In connection therewith, Benjamin
C. Harris,  Willard V. Harris, Jr., Willard P. Harris, James L. Behrens and John
D. Hornsby have  simultaneously  with the execution of this Agreement,  executed
and  delivered  to the  Company a Voting  and  Option  Agreement  in the form of
Exhibit A hereto (the "Voting and Option Agreement").

                                       31
<PAGE>

         SECTION 6.3 Agreement to Cooperate.

                  A. Company Proxy  Solicitation.  The Parties will cooperate in
connection  with the  preparation  and filing by the  Company  with the SEC such
proxy or information  materials as may be necessary or  appropriate  relating to
the  Acquisition  Merger (the "Proxy  Statement"),  or as shall be  necessary or
desirable  in  order  to  consummate  the  transactions   contemplated  by  this
Agreement,  each to be  undertaken as promptly as  practicable,  and the Company
will  use its  best  efforts  to  mail  the  Proxy  Statement  to the  Company's
stockholders as promptly as practicable.

                  B. Each of the Parties  shall use its 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  under   Applicable  Law  to  consummate  the
Acquisition Merger and make effective the Transactions, including using its best
efforts (i) to prepare and file with the  applicable  Authorities as promptly as
practicable after the execution of this Agreement all requisite applications and
amendments  thereto,  together  with  related  information,  data and  exhibits,
necessary to request issuance of orders approving the Acquisition Merger and the
Transactions by all such applicable Authorities; (ii) to obtain all necessary or
appropriate waivers,  consents and approvals,  and (iii) to effect all necessary
registrations,  filings and submissions  (including  without  limitation filings
under federal or state securities laws or the HSR Act and any other  submissions
requested by the Federal Trade  Commission or Department of Justice) and (iv) to
lift any  injunction  or  other  legal  bar to the  Acquisition  Merger  and the
Transactions  (and, in such case, to proceed with the Acquisition Merger and the
Transactions as expeditiously as possible).  Each of the Parties recognizes that
the  consummation of the Acquisition  Merger and the  Transactions is subject to
the preacquisition  notification  requirements of the HSR Act. Each agrees that,
to the extent required by Applicable Law to consummate the  Acquisition  Merger,
it will file with the  Antitrust  Division of the  Department of Justice and the
Federal  Trade  Commission a  Notification  and Report Form in a manner so as to
constitute substantial compliance with the notification  requirements of the HSR
Act.  Each  covenants  and agrees to use its best  efforts to achieve the prompt
termination or expiration of any waiting  period or any extension  thereof under
the HSR Act.

                  C. Each of the Parties  agrees to take such  actions as may be
necessary to obtain any  Governmental  Authorizations  legally  required for the
consummation  of the  Acquisition  Merger and the  Transactions,  including  the
making of any Governmental Filings, publications and requests for extensions and
waivers.

                  D. The  Company  will use its best  efforts on or prior to the
Closing  Date (i) to obtain the  satisfaction  of the  conditions  specified  in
Sections  7.1 and 7.2;  and (ii) if  requested  by the  Parent,  to  obtain  the
consents (to the extent required) to the continued  existence in accordance with
its then-stated terms of all

                                       32
<PAGE>

long-term debt of each of the Company and each  Subsidiary.  The Parent will use
its best efforts on or prior to the Closing Date to obtain the  satisfaction  of
the conditions applicable to it specified in Sections 7.1 and 7.3.

         SECTION 6.4  Notification  of Certain  Matters.  The Company shall give
prompt  notice to the Parent,  and the Parent  shall give  prompt  notice to the
Company,  of the  occurrence or  non-occurrence  of any Event the  occurrence or
non-occurrence  of which  would be  likely to cause  (i) any  representation  or
warranty  of the Company or the Parent (or Merger  Subsidiary),  as the case may
be,  contained  in this  Agreement  to be untrue or  inaccurate  in any material
respect,  or  (ii) in the  case of the  Company,  any  change  to be made in the
Company  Disclosure  Schedule  and any  failure of the Company or the Parent (or
Merger Subsidiary), as the case may be, to comply with or satisfy, or be able to
comply with or satisfy,  any  material  covenant,  condition  or agreement to be
complied with or satisfied by it hereunder; provided, however, that the delivery
of any notice hereunder shall not limit or otherwise affect the liability of any
Party  giving  such  notice or the  remedies  available  hereunder  to the Party
receiving such notice.

         SECTION  6.5  Public  Announcements.  Except  as  may  be  required  by
applicable  law,  the  Parties  agree  that they will  consult  with each  other
concerning any proposed press release or public  announcement  pertaining to the
transactions contemplated hereby and shall endeavor to agree on the text of such
release or the  making of such  public  announcement.  The  foregoing  shall not
restrict  in any way the  method  and  timing  of any  Party's  compliance  with
securities or other laws applicable to it, even if the same require a unilateral
public  disclosure of the matters  addressed in this Agreement or any Collateral
Document. Any Party making any public disclosure of the matters addressed herein
shall  give the other  Parties  prompt  notice  thereof,  in  advance  of public
disclosure if practicable and legally permissible.

         SECTION 6.6  Conveyance  Taxes.  The Parties shall  cooperate  with one
another in the preparation, execution and filing of all Returns, questionnaires,
applications,  or other documents regarding any real property transfer or gains,
sales, use, transfer, value added, stock transfer and stamp Taxes, any transfer,
recording,  registration  and other  fees,  and any similar  Taxes which  become
payable in connection with the Transactions that are required or permitted to be
filed on or before the Closing  Date.  Any such Taxes shall be paid by the Party
required to do so under Applicable Law.

         SECTION 6.7 No Solicitation.

                  A. The Company shall not, and shall cause its  Representatives
not to, and no  Stockholder  shall,  during the  period  commencing  on the date
hereof and ending with the earlier to occur of the Closing or the termination of
this Agreement in accordance with its terms,  directly or indirectly (i) solicit
or initiate the submission of proposals or offers from any Person for, (ii)

                                       33
<PAGE>

participate in any  discussions  pertaining to, or (iii) furnish any information
to any Person  other than the Parent and its  Representatives  relating  to, any
acquisition  or purchase of any of the Company Common Stock or all or a material
portion of the assets of the  Company,  or a merger,  consolidation  or business
combination of the Company (or a Subsidiary),  or any Other  Transaction  (other
than the Acquisition Merger).

                  B.  Nothing  contained  in the  foregoing  shall  prevent  the
Company or its Board of Directors from furnishing non-public  information to, or
entering  into  discussions  or  negotiations  with,  any  person  or  entity in
connection with an unsolicited bona fide written proposal in respect of an Other
Transaction by such person or entity or  recommending  an unsolicited  bona fide
written  proposal in respect of an Other  Transaction to the shareholders of the
Company,  if and only to the extent that the Board of  Directors  of the Company
determines in good faith by a majority  vote,  (x) after  consultation  with its
financial advisor,  that such proposal in respect of an Other Transaction would,
if consummated,  result in a transaction  more favorable to the  shareholders of
the Company from a financial point of view than the transaction  contemplated by
this Agreement (any such more favorable Other  Transaction  being referred to in
this Agreement as a "Superior Proposal") and (y) based on the written opinion of
outside legal counsel, that failing to take such action would likely result in a
breach of its fiduciary  duties to shareholders  under  applicable law.  Nothing
contained in this Agreement  shall prevent the Company's Board of Directors from
performing its fiduciary duties,  however,  such performance of fiduciary duties
shall under no circumstances  absolve the Company of its obligations  under this
Agreement.

                  C. The Company will notify  Parent  immediately  (and no later
than 24 hours) after receipt by the Company (or its advisors) of any proposal in
respect of any Other  Transaction or any request for  non-public  information in
connection with any Other Transaction or for access to the properties,  books or
records of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  by any person or entity that
informs  the  Company  that it is  considering  making,  or has made a  proposal
concerning any Other Transaction. Such notice to Parent shall be made orally and
in writing and shall  indicate in reasonable  detail the identity of the offeror
and the terms and conditions of such proposal,  inquiry or contact.  The Company
will keep Parent  informed of all  material  developments  and the status of any
proposal in respect of any Other  Transaction,  any  negotiations or discussions
with  respect to any such  proposal in respect of any Other  Transaction  or any
request for  non-public  information  in  connection  with any such  proposal in
respect  of any Other  Transaction  or for  access to the  properties,  books or
records of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  by any person or entity that
is  considering  making,  or has  made,  a  proposal  in  respect  of any  Other
Transaction.  The Company  will  provide  Parent  with  copies of all  documents
received  from or delivered or sent to any person or entity that is  considering
making or has made, a proposal in respect of any Other Transaction.


                                       34
<PAGE>

         SECTION 6.8 Environmental Inspections.

                  A. Prior to the  Closing,  the Parent  shall have the right to
conduct  environmental and other tests,  audits,  studies and assessments of the
real property owned or leased by the Company (or a Subsidiary) and the buildings
and  improvements  thereon,  and to review such records and  documents as may be
required by the Parent to enable it to evaluate the  condition of and  potential
liabilities affecting such property.

                  B. If, in the course of the Parent's tests,  audits,  studies,
assessments  and review  pursuant  to  subsection  (A) above,  the Parent  shall
determine that any of the Company's  representations and warranties set forth in
Section  3.20 are untrue  and such  misrepresentations,  individually  or in the
aggregate,  could  reasonably be expected to have an Adverse Effect,  the Parent
may terminate this Agreement pursuant and subject to Section 8.1(D).

                                    ARTICLE 7

                               CLOSING CONDITIONS

         SECTION  7.1  Conditions  to  Each  Party's   Obligations   Under  This
Agreement.  The respective  obligations of each Party under this Agreement shall
be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Time of the following
conditions, none of which may be waived:

                  A.  Stockholders'  Approval.  This Agreement,  the Acquisition
Merger and the  Transactions  shall have been approved by the requisite  vote of
the stockholders of the Company.

                  B. Governmental Consents. All authorizations, consents, orders
or approvals of, or declarations or filings with, and all expirations of waiting
periods imposed by, any governmental or regulatory authority or agency which are
necessary  for  the  consummation  of  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this
Agreement,  including without limitation the Acquisition Merger, shall have been
filed, occurred or been obtained (all such authorizations, orders, declarations,
approvals,  filings and consents and the lapse of all such waiting periods being
referred to as the  "Requisite  Regulatory  Approvals")  and all such  Requisite
Regulatory Approvals shall be in full force and effect.

                  C. No  Injunctions  or  Restraints.  No temporary  restraining
order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of
competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition (an "Injunction")
preventing the consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement
shall be in effect; nor shall there be any statute,  rule or regulation enacted,
enforced  or  deemed  applicable  to the  Acquisition  Merger  which  makes  the
consummation of the Acquisition Merger illegal.


                                       35
<PAGE>

                  D.  Exchange  Agreement.  Parent and the Exchange  Agent shall
have executed and delivered the Exchange Agreement.

         SECTION  7.2  Conditions  to the  Obligations  of Parent and the Merger
Subsidiary  Under This  Agreement.  The obligations of the Parent and the Merger
Subsidiary  under this Agreement shall be further subject to the satisfaction or
waiver by the  Parent and the Merger  Subsidiary,  at or prior to the  Effective
Time, of the following conditions:

                  A. Absence of Material Adverse  Changes.  There shall not have
occurred  any  change  since  December  31,  1997  in the  assets,  liabilities,
business, operations, results of operations, financial condition or prospects of
the Company which has had,  individually or in the aggregate,  an Adverse Effect
on the Company.

                  B. Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations.
The obligations of the Company and the Stockholders  required to be performed by
it or them at or prior  to the  Effective  Time  pursuant  to the  terms of this
Agreement   shall  have  been  duly   performed   and  complied   with  and  the
representations and warranties of the Company and the Stockholders  contained in
this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date
of this  Agreement and as of the Effective  Time as though made at and as of the
Effective Time (except as otherwise specifically  contemplated by this Agreement
and except as to any representation or warranty which specifically relates to an
earlier  date) and the Parent shall have  received  certificates  to that effect
signed on behalf of the  Company  by the  chairman  or  president  and the chief
financial  officer  or  chief  accounting  officer  of the  Company  and by each
Stockholder on behalf of himself. The use of the term "material" in this Section
7.2(B) shall be  disregarded  when  determining  whether any  representation  or
warranty of the Company or the Stockholders  contained in this Agreement is true
and correct if the term  "material,"  "materially"  or any other similar term is
used in the text of any such representation or warranty.

                  C.  Third-Party  (Non-Governmental)  Approvals.  Any  and  all
permits,  consents,  waivers,  clearances,  approvals and  authorizations  of or
notices to all  non-governmental  and  non-regulatory  third  parties  which are
necessary in connection with the consummation of the  transactions  contemplated
by this  Agreement  and are  required  to be  received,  made or obtained by the
Company or the  Stockholders,  shall have been so  received,  made or  obtained,
other than permits, consents, waivers, clearances, approvals, authorizations and
notices the failure of which to have  received,  made or obtained  would neither
make it impossible to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
nor result in any Adverse Effect on the Parent after the Effective Time.

                  D.  Burdensome  Condition.  None of the  Requisite  Regulatory
Approvals  shall  impose any term,  condition  or  restriction  upon Parent that
Parent in good faith reasonably  determines would so materially adversely impact
the economic or business benefits of the transactions contemplated by this

                                       36

<PAGE>

Agreement  as to render  inadvisable  in the  reasonable  judgment of Parent the
consummation of the Acquisition Merger.

                  E. Legal  Opinion.  The Parent shall have received the opinion
of Jeffer,  Mangels,  Butler & Marmaro LLP,  counsel to the  Company,  dated the
Closing Date covering the matters set forth on Exhibit C hereto.

                  F.  Litigation.  There  shall  be  no  pending  or  threatened
litigation  or  proceeding  which,  in the  judgment  of  the  Buyer,  makes  it
inadvisable to proceed with the  Acquisition  Merger;  nor shall there be issued
and in effect any Injunction limiting or restricting the conduct of the business
of the Company by Parent or Buyer after the Acquisition Merger.

                  G.  Dissenters.  The  holders  of no  more  than  10%  of  the
Company's  outstanding  Common Stock of record shall have  asserted  dissenters'
rights under Chapter 13 of the CGCL in connection with the Acquisition Merger.

                  H. Voting and Option  Agreement.  The Stockholders  shall have
executed and shall be in full compliance with the Voting and Option Agreement.

                  I.  Cancellation  of  Severance  Provisions.  All  contractual
provisions  whereby an  obligation of the Company to pay severance to any person
may be triggered in whole or in part by a change of control  transaction such as
the Acquisition Merger shall be terminated.

                  J. Cancellation of Options.  All outstanding options and other
securities convertible or exchangeable into Company Common Stock shall have been
canceled.

                  K.  Employment  Agreements.  Willard  P.  Harris  and  John D.
Hornsby shall have entered into employment agreements with the Company, all such
agreements to be  substantially  in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D and to
become effective at the closing of the Acquisition Merger.

                  L.  Indebtedness  for Borrowed  Money.  The Company shall have
delivered a certificate executed by an officer representing in reasonable detail
the amount of the Company's Indebtedness for Borrowed Money on the Closing Date.

                                       37

<PAGE>

                  M. Non-Competition  Agreements.  Parent and Willard V. Harris,
Jr., Willard P. Harris, John D. Hornsby and James L. Behrens shall have executed
and delivered non-competition  agreements substantially in the form of Exhibit B
hereto, which shall include provisions for one-time  non-competition payments of
$1,000,000  to each of Messrs.  Harris,  Harris and Hornsby and  $250,000 to Mr.
Behrens, respectively.

                  N. Partnership Interest.  The Company shall have completed the
transfer,  sale and  assignment of its entire  limited  partnership  interest in
California Real Estate Partners to Willard V. Harris,  Jr. under terms which (i)
provide for nominal  consideration  (approximately  $25,000) to be paid for such
interest,  (ii) are reasonably  satisfactory to Parent,  Company and Mr. Harris,
and (iii) provide for full indemnification of the Company for any and all Claims
based upon,  attributable  to or resulting from the Company's  ownership,  sale,
disposition or transfer of such interest.

         In addition to the foregoing,  the Company will furnish the Parent with
such additional  certificates,  instruments or other documents in the name or on
behalf of the Company  executed  by  appropriate  officers or others,  including
without  limitation  certificates or correspondence of governmental  agencies or
authorities or  nongovernmental  third parties,  to evidence  fulfillment of the
conditions set forth in this Section 7.2 as the Parent may reasonably request.

         SECTION  7.3  Conditions  to the  Obligations  of the  Company  and the
Stockholders  Under This  Agreement.  The  obligations  of the  Company  and the
Stockholders  under this Agreement shall be further subject to the  satisfaction
or waiver by the Company,  at or prior to the  Effective  Time, of the following
conditions:

                  A. Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations.
The obligations of the Parent and the Merger Subsidiary required to be performed
by it at or prior to the Effective  Time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
shall have been duly  performed  and complied with and the  representations  and
warranties of the Parent and the Merger  Subsidiary  contained in this Agreement
shall  be true  and  correct  in all  material  respects  as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made at and as of the Effective
Time (except as otherwise specifically contemplated by this Agreement and except
as to any  representation or warranty which  specifically  relates to an earlier
date) and the Company shall have received a certificate to that effect signed by
the president and chief financial  officer (or other  authorized  officer(s)) of
the Parent.

                  B. Legal Opinion.  The Company shall have received the opinion
of Sullivan & Worcester  LLP,  counsel to Parent,  dated the Closing  Date, in a
form that is customary for transactions of this type.


                                       38
<PAGE>
         In addition to the foregoing,  the Parent will furnish the Company with
such additional  certificates,  instruments or other documents in the name or on
behalf of the Parent,  executed  by  appropriate  officers or others,  including
without  limitation  certificates or correspondence of governmental  agencies or
authorities or  nongovernmental  third parties,  to evidence  fulfillment of the
conditions set forth in this Section 7.3 as the Company may reasonably request.


                                    ARTICLE 8

                        TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

         SECTION 8.1  Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time
prior to the Closing Date:

                  A.  by mutual consent of the Parent and the Company;

                  B. by  either  the  Parent  or the  Company  if any  permanent
injunction,  decree or judgment by any Authority  preventing the consummation of
the Acquisition Merger shall have become final and nonappealable;

                  C. by the  Company:  (i) in the event of a material  breach of
this Agreement by the Parent or the Merger  Subsidiary  that has not been cured,
or if any  representation  or  warranty  of the Parent or the Merger  Subsidiary
shall  have  become  untrue in any  material  respect,  which in either  case is
incapable  of  being  cured  by the  Closing  Date  or  will  prevent  or  delay
consummation  of the Acquisition  Merger by or beyond the  Termination  Date; or
(ii) if the Closing shall not have occurred on or before the Termination Date by
reason of the failure of any condition precedent under Section 7.1 or 7.3 hereof
(unless the failure  results  primarily from the Company's or any  Stockholder's
breaching any  representation,  warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement
or any Collateral Document);

                  D.  by  the  Parent  (on  behalf  of  itself  and  the  Merger
Subsidiary):  (i) in the event of a  material  breach of this  Agreement  by the
Company or the Stockholders that has not been cured, or if any representation or
warranty of the  Company or the  Stockholders  shall have  become  untrue in any
material  respect,  which in  either  case is  incapable  of being  cured by the
Closing Date or will prevent or delay  consummation of the Acquisition Merger by
or beyond the  Termination  Date; or (ii) if the Closing shall not have occurred
on or before the  Termination  Date by reason of the  failure  of any  condition
precedent under Section 7.1 or 7.2 hereof (unless the failure results  primarily
from the Parent's or Merger Subsidiary's breaching any representation,  warranty
or covenant contained in this Agreement or any Collateral Document); or

                  E.  by  the  Parent  (on  behalf  of  itself  and  the  Merger
Subsidiary),  if (i) the Board of Directors of the Company shall have  withdrawn
or modified its recommendation in favor of the

                                       39
<PAGE>
Acquisition  Merger in a manner  adverse to Parent or shall have  resolved to do
so;  (ii) the Company or its Board of  Directors  or any  Stockholder  takes any
action  prohibited by Section 6.7;  (iii) the Company or its Board of Directors,
in  accordance  with the  provisions  of Section  6.7(B),  furnishes  non-public
information to, or enters into  discussions or negotiations  with, any Person in
connection  with,  or the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Company  recommends  an
unsolicited bona fide written proposal concerning, an Other Transaction; or (iv)
any of the Stockholders shall have breached any material provision of the Voting
and Option Agreement referenced in Section 6.2.

         The use of the term  "material"  in any  provision  of this Section 8.1
shall be  disregarded  when  determining  whether the breach of any term of this
Agreement  has  occurred,  or whether  any  representation  or  warranty  of the
Company,  Parent,  Merger Sub or any Stockholder has become untrue,  if the term
"material,"  "materially"  or any other  similar term is used in the text of any
such term of this Agreement or representation or warranty.

         SECTION 8.2 Effect of  Termination.  Except as provided in Sections 6.1
and 8.5, in the event of the  termination of this Agreement  pursuant to Section
8.1, this Agreement shall forthwith  become void, there shall be no liability on
the part of any Party, or any of their respective officers or directors,  to the
other and all  rights  and  obligations  of any  Party  shall  cease;  provided,
however,  that such  termination  shall not relieve any Party from liability for
the breach of any of its  representations,  warranties,  covenants or agreements
set forth in this Agreement.

         SECTION 8.3 Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended by the Parties by
action taken by or on behalf of the  respective  Boards of Directors  thereof at
any time prior to the Closing Date; provided,  however,  that any such amendment
executed after approval of this Agreement by the Company's stockholders which by
law  requires  further  approval of such  stockholders  shall be subject to such
further  approval.  This  Agreement may not be amended to impose any  additional
material  obligation  on a Party or to burden or limit a material  right of such
Party except by an agreement in writing signed by the Party so affected.

         SECTION 8.4 Waiver.  At any time prior to the Closing  Date,  except to
the extent Applicable Law does not permit, either the Parent and the Company may
extend the time for the  performance of any of the  obligations or other acts of
the other,  subject,  however, to the terms and conditions of Section 8.1, waive
any  inaccuracies in the  representations  and warranties of the other contained
herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto, and waive compliance by the
other with any of the agreements,  covenants or conditions contained herein. Any
such  extension  or waiver  shall be valid only if set forth in an  agreement in
writing signed by the Party or Parties to be bound thereby.

         SECTION 8.5 Fees,  Expenses and Other Payments.  Each of the Parent and
the Merger Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Company,

                                       40

<PAGE>

on the  other  hand,  shall be  responsible  for the  filing  fees and  expenses
incurred by such Party under the HSR Act.  In the event of  termination  of this
Agreement,  all costs and expenses,  incurred in connection with this Agreement,
the Acquisition Merger and the Transactions,  and compliance with Applicable Law
and  Contractual  Obligations  as a consequence  hereof and thereof,  including,
without  limitation,  fees and disbursements of counsel,  financial advisors and
accountants,  incurred by the Parties  shall be borne solely and entirely by the
Party which has incurred such costs and expenses.

         SECTION  8.6  Effect  of  Investigation.  The  right  of any  Party  to
terminate this Agreement  pursuant to Section 8.1 shall remain  operative and in
full force and effect  regardless of any  investigation  made by or on behalf of
any Party,  any  Person  controlling  any such party or any of their  respective
Representatives whether prior to or after the execution of this Agreement.


                                    ARTICLE 9

           SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; INDEMNIFICATION

         SECTION 9.1 Effectiveness of Representations,  etc. Except as set forth
in Section 6.1(D),  regardless of any investigation  made by or on behalf of any
other party hereto, any Person controlling such party or any of their respective
Representatives whether prior to or after the execution and consummation of this
Agreement, the representations,  warranties,  covenants and agreements set forth
in Article 3 and Article 4 and Article 5 hereof  shall  survive the  Acquisition
Merger and remain  operative and in full force and effect until the date that is
twelve months after the Closing Date, except for (i) those  representations  and
warranties  set forth in Sections 3.20 which shall remain  operative and in full
force and effect until the date that is three (3) years after the Closing  Date,
(ii) those  representations  and  warranties set forth in Sections 3.3, 3.14 and
3.15,  which  shall  remain  operative  and in full force and  effect  until the
expiration of the applicable  statute of limitations after the Closing Date, and
(iii) those  representations  and warranties set forth in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
and 5.5 which shall remain operative and in full force and effect indefinitely.

         SECTION 9.2   Indemnification.

                  A. The Company and the  Stockholders,  jointly and  severally,
agree to make whole,  indemnify and hold the Parent and its Affiliates,  agents,
successors and assigns (collectively, the "Parent Indemnified Parties") harmless
as a result of, from or against:

                           (i)      any and all Claims of the Parent Indemnified
                                    Parties  or  other   Persons   based   upon,
                                    attributable   to  or  resulting   from  any
                                    inaccuracy    in   or    breach    of    any
                                    representation or warranty on the part of

                                       41

<PAGE>

                                    any  one  or  more  of  the  Company  or any
                                    Stockholder  under  this  Agreement  or  any
                                    Collateral Document;

                           (ii)     any and all Claims of the Parent Indemnified
                                    Parties  or  other   Persons   based   upon,
                                    attributable   to  or  resulting   from  the
                                    material  breach  of any  covenant  or other
                                    agreement  on the part of any one or more of
                                    the  Company or any  Stockholder  under this
                                    Agreement or any Collateral Document;

                           (iii)    any and all Claims of the Parent Indemnified
                                    Parties  or other  Persons  incident  to the
                                    foregoing  or to  the  enforcement  of  this
                                    Section;

                           (iv)     all  transaction  costs and  expenses of the
                                    sort   specified   in  clause  (ix)  of  the
                                    definition  of  "Indebtedness  for  Borrowed
                                    Money",  set forth in Article 11 hereof,  to
                                    the extent such costs and  expenses  are not
                                    deducted from the Merger  Consideration paid
                                    at the Closing; and

                           (v)      any and all Claims of the Parent Indemnified
                                    Parties  or other  Persons  asserted  within
                                    three (3) years after the Closing Date based
                                    upon,  attributable to or resulting from any
                                    matters  set  forth  in the  Dames  &  Moore
                                    Report.

                  B. The Parent hereby agrees to make whole,  indemnify and hold
the Company, the Stockholders and their respective  Affiliates,  agents,  heirs,
successors  and  assigns  (collectively,   the  "Company  Indemnified  Parties")
harmless as a result of, from or against:

                           (i)      any   and   all   Claims   of  the   Company
                                    Indemnified  Parties or other  Persons based
                                    upon,  attributable to or resulting from any
                                    inaccuracy    in   or    breach    of    any
                                    representation  or  warranty  on the part of
                                    the   Parent  or  Merger   Sub  under   this
                                    Agreement or any Collateral Document;

                           (ii)     any   and   all   Claims   of  the   Company
                                    Indemnified  Parties or other  Persons based
                                    upon,  attributable to or resulting from the
                                    material  breach  of any  covenant  or other
                                    agreement on the part of the Parent; and

                           (iii)    any   and   all   Claims   of  the   Company
                                    Indemnified   Parties   or   other   Persons
                                    incident   to  the   foregoing   or  to  the
                                    enforcement of this Section.

                  C. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

                           (i)      None  of the  Company  or  the  Stockholders
                                    shall  be  required  to pay any  amount  for
                                    indemnification  to the  Parent  Indemnified
                                    Parties except to the

                                       42
<PAGE>

                                    extent the aggregate  amount of Claims under
                                    this  Section  9.2   asserted   against  the
                                    Company  and the  Stockholders  exceeds  Two
                                    Hundred  Thousand  Dollars  ($200,000),  and
                                    then only  with  respect  to such  Claims in
                                    excess of such sum (the "Deductible"); and

                           (ii)     The  aggregate  amount  that the Company and
                                    the  Stockholders  shall be  required to pay
                                    for    indemnification    to   the    Parent
                                    Indemnified  Parties  under this Section 9.2
                                    shall  be  limited  to  One  Million   Seven
                                    Hundred   and   Fifty    Thousand    Dollars
                                    ($1,750,000),  provided, that such aforesaid
                                    sum   shall  be   increased   by  up  to  an
                                    additional  Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand
                                    Dollars ($750,000) (the "Additional Cap") in
                                    respect of, and solely in respect of, Claims
                                    made in connection with Section 9.2(A)(v) or
                                    Section  9.2(A)(i) (solely on account of any
                                    inaccuracy  in  or  breach  of  any  of  the
                                    representations and warranties  contained in
                                    Section  3.20).   All   obligations  of  the
                                    Company and the  Stockholders  in respect of
                                    the Additional Cap shall  terminate upon the
                                    earliest to occur of:

                                    (a)      the amendment of Section 4.B of the
                                             lease of the Company's  facility in
                                             Santa Ana,  California,  to provide
                                             in   substance   as  set  forth  in
                                             Exhibit E hereto; or

                                    (b)      the  date  which  is two (2)  years
                                             after the Closing  Date,  provided,
                                             that no  notice  of any  Claim  has
                                             been  given  with  respect  to  the
                                             Additional Cap prior thereto.

                           (iii)    Notwithstanding   anything   else   in  this
                                    Article  9, to the  extent  that  any  Claim
                                    relates  to a breach by a  Stockholder  of a
                                    representation  or  warranty   contained  in
                                    Article V of this Agreement,  then only such
                                    breaching  Stockholder  shall be  subject to
                                    this  Article  9 with  respect  to the Claim
                                    resulting from such breach.

                           (iv)     The  Deductible and cap set forth in clauses
                                    (i) and (ii) of this  Section  9.2(C)  shall
                                    not apply to or limit indemnification Claims
                                    under Section 9.2(A)(iv).

         SECTION 9.3 Procedures  Concerning Claims by Third Parties;  Payment of
Damages; etc.

                  A. In the event that any Legal Action shall be  instituted  or
asserted  by any Person  other than such  indemnified  party in respect of which
payment may be sought  hereunder,  the  indemnified  party shall  reasonably and
promptly  cause written  notice of the assertion of any Legal Action of which it
has

                                       43
<PAGE>

knowledge which is covered by the indemnities  under Section 9.2 to be forwarded
to the indemnifying  party. In such event,  unless in such  indemnified  party's
reasonable  judgement a conflict of interest  between the indemnified  party and
the  indemnifying  party may exist in respect of the  Claims,  the  indemnifying
party shall have the right, at its sole option and expense, to be represented by
counsel of its choice, which must be reasonably  satisfactory to the indemnified
party, and to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with any Legal
Action which  relates to any Claims  instituted  or asserted by any Person other
than  such  indemnified  party  and  indemnified  against  hereunder;  provided,
however,  that no  settlement  thereof  shall be made without the prior  written
consent  of the  indemnified  party,  which  consent  shall not be  unreasonably
withheld,  conditioned or delayed.  If the  indemnifying  party elects to defend
against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with any Legal Action which relates
to any such Claims,  it shall within thirty (30) days (or sooner,  if the nature
of the Legal Action so requires)  notify the indemnified  party of its intent to
do so. If the indemnifying party elects not to defend against, negotiate, settle
or otherwise deal with any Legal Action which relates to any such Claims,  fails
to notify the  indemnified  party of its election as herein provided or contests
its  obligation  to indemnify the  indemnified  party for such Claims under this
Agreement,  or the indemnified  party determines that a conflict of interest may
exist, the indemnified party may defend against,  negotiate, settle or otherwise
deal with such Legal Action.  If the indemnified party defends any Legal Action,
then the  indemnifying  party shall reimburse the  indemnified  party for Claims
incurred in defending such Legal Action upon submission of periodic  bills.  The
indemnified  party may not settle any Legal  Action  without  the prior  written
consent of the  indemnifying  party,  which  consent  shall not be  unreasonably
withheld,  conditioned or delayed.  If the  indemnifying  party shall assume the
defense of any Legal Action  instituted  or asserted by any Person other than an
indemnified  party, the indemnified party may participate in the defense of such
Legal Action at such party's own expense.

                  B. After any final  judgment or award shall have been rendered
by a court,  arbitration  board  (which  may be engaged  as  required  by law or
contract  or  upon  the  consent  of  each  of the  indemnifying  party  and the
indemnified parties) or administrative agency of competent  jurisdiction and the
expiration of the time in which to appeal therefrom,  or a settlement shall have
been consummated, or the indemnified party and the indemnifying party shall have
arrived  at  a  mutually  binding  agreement  with  respect  to a  Legal  Action
hereunder,  the  indemnifying  party shall deliver to the indemnified  party, by
wire transfer of immediately  available  funds,  an amount equal to the sums due
and owing to the  indemnified  party within five business days after the date of
notice of such judgment or award.

                  C. The  failure of the  indemnified  party to give  reasonably
prompt  notice of any Legal  Action  instituted  or asserted by any Person other
than such indemnified party and indemnified against hereunder shall not release,
waive or otherwise affect the

                                       44
<PAGE>

indemnifying  party's obligations with respect thereto except to the extent that
the indemnifying  party can demonstrate  actual loss or material  prejudice as a
result of such  failure.  The  indemnified  parties  shall not be deemed to have
notice of any Legal  Action by virtue of  knowledge  acquired on or prior to the
Closing  Date by an  employee  or other  Representative  of the  Company  or the
Parent.

                  D. No Legal Action to enforce a claim for  indemnity  shall be
stayed or dismissed for failure to join one or more  indemnifying  parties or to
permit an indemnifying party to cross- claim against another indemnifying party,
nor shall the  failure  to join an  indemnifying  party be  deemed  grounds  for
preventing  a  separate  or  subsequent  Legal  Action  to  enforce  a Claim for
indemnification  against  such  party,  each such Legal  Action  being  deemed a
separate and independent Claim for indemnification.

                  E. If such  claim  does not  arise  from the  Claim of a third
party,  the  indemnifying  party  shall have  forty five (45) days after  notice
thereof to either  cure the  conditions  giving rise to such claim or to present
the indemnified  party with materials  indicating that such Claim is not subject
to indemnity under Section 9.2 hereof before the indemnified  party may commence
legal action against the indemnifying party in respect thereof.

                  F.  Notwithstanding  anything  herein  to the  contrary,  with
respect to any indemnification claim by the Parent for Claims arising out of any
breach or inaccuracy of any  representation  or warranty made by the Company and
the  Stockholders  set forth in Section 3.14 hereof with  respect to Taxes,  the
Stockholders   shall  have  the  right  to  participate  in  any  Tax  audit  or
administrative,   judicial  or  other  proceeding  to  the  extent  such  audit,
proceeding  or  determination  affects  the  amount  of the  Claim for which the
Company and Stockholders are liable under Section 9.2 hereof.

         SECTION 9.4 Exclusive Remedy. The indemnification  provisions set forth
in this Article 9 shall be the  exclusive  remedy  following  and subject to the
Closing for any breaches or alleged breaches of any representation,  warranty or
covenant  contained in this  Agreement or any  Collateral  Document,  except for
breaches arising from intentional fraud or intentional misconduct.

         SECTION  9.5 Net  Recovery.  The  amount to which a Parent  Indemnified
Party or a Company Indemnified Party may become entitled in respect of any Claim
under this Article 9 shall be reduced by any tax, insurance or other third party
recovery,  reimbursement or benefit received in respect of such Claim before the
expiration of two years after payment of such Claim by the  indemnifying  party.
The amount of any such recovery, less all reasonable costs, charges and expenses
incurred by the relevant Parent Indemnified Party or Company  Indemnified Party,
as the case may be, in obtaining  such recovery  from the third party,  shall be
repaid by the relevant Parent Indemnified Party or Company Indemnified Party, as
the case may be, to the relevant  indemnifying  Party  promptly upon the receipt
thereof from the third party.


                                       45
<PAGE>

         SECTION 9.6  Indemnification of Officers and Directors.  From and after
the  Effective  Date,  Parent shall  indemnify  persons who served as directors,
officers and agents of the Company on or before the Effective Date in accordance
with  and  subject  to the  provisions  of the  Company's  current  Articles  of
Incorporation  and By-laws as delivered to the Parent prior to the  execution of
this Agreement until the date that is three years after the Closing Date.


                                   ARTICLE 10

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

         SECTION 10.1  Notices.  All notices and other  communications  given or
made  pursuant  hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
given or made as of the date  delivered or  transmitted,  and shall be effective
upon receipt,  if delivered  personally,  mailed by registered or certified mail
(postage  prepaid,  return  receipt  requested)  to the parties at the following
addresses  (or at such other  address for a party as shall be  specified by like
changes of address) or sent by electronic  transmission to the facsimile  number
specified below:

                  A.  If to the Parent or the Merger Subsidiary:

                             DESA International, Inc.
                             2701 Industrial Drive
                             Bowling Green, Kentucky 42102
                             Attn.:  Robert H. Elman
                                     Facsimile No.:  (502) 781-9807

                        with copies to:

                             J.W. Childs Associates, L.P.
                             One Federal Street, 21st Floor
                             Boston, MA  02110
                             Attn: Adam L. Suttin
                                     Facsimile No.:  (617) 753-1101

                             Sullivan & Worcester LLP
                             One Post Office Square
                             Boston, MA 02109
                             Attn: Christopher Cabot, Esquire
                                     Facsimile No.:  (617) 338-2880


                  B. If to the Company or the Stockholders:

                             Fireplace Manufacturers, Inc.
                             2701 South Harbor Boulevard
                             Santa Ana, CA 92704.
                             Attn.: Willard P. Harris
                                     Facsimile No.:  (714) 549-4723


                                       46

<PAGE>

                        with a copy to:

                             Jeffer, Mangles, Butler & Marmaro LLP
                             2121 Avenue of the Stars, 10th Fl
                             Los Angeles, CA 90067-5010
                             Attn.:  Ronald P. Givner, Esquire
                                     Facsimile No.:  (310) 203-0567

         SECTION 10.2 Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
purposes  of  reference  only and shall not  affect  in any way the  meaning  or
interpretation of this Agreement.

         SECTION  10.3  Severability.  If any  term or other  provision  of this
Agreement is invalid,  illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law
or public policy,  all other  conditions and provisions of this Agreement  shall
nevertheless  remain in full force and effect so long as the  economic  or legal
substance  of the  Transactions  is not  affected  in any manner  Adverse to any
party. Upon determination  that any term or other provision is invalid,  illegal
or incapable of being  enforced,  the Parent and the Company shall  negotiate in
good faith to modify this  Agreement so as to effect the original  intent of the
Parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law
in an acceptable  manner to the end that the  Transactions  are fulfilled to the
extent possible.

         SECTION  10.4  Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  (together  with the
Company Disclosure Schedule, the Confidentiality Letter and the other Collateral
Documents delivered in connection herewith), constitutes the entire agreement of
the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements (other than the  Confidentiality
Letter) and undertakings,  both written and oral, between the Parties, or any of
them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

         SECTION  10.5  Assignment.  This  Agreement  shall not be  assigned  by
operation of law or otherwise  and any  purported  assignment  shall be null and
void.

         SECTION 10.6 Parties in Interest.  This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure  solely to the benefit of each Party,  and nothing in this  Agreement,
express or implied,  is  intended to or shall  confer upon any Person any right,
benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

         SECTION 10.7 Governing  Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by, and
construed in  accordance  with,  the  substantive  laws of the State of Delaware
governing contracts made and to be performed in such jurisdiction, regardless of
the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of
law.

         SECTION 10.8  Enforcement of the Agreement.  Each Party  recognizes and
agrees that each other Party's remedy at law for any breach of the provisions of
this  Agreement  would  be  inadequate  and  agrees  that  for  breach  of  such
provisions,  such Party  shall,  in  addition  to such other  remedies as may be
available to it at law or

                                       47

<PAGE>

in equity or as provided in this Agreement, be entitled to injunctive relief and
to  enforce  its  rights by an action  for  specific  performance  to the extent
permitted by  Applicable  Law.  Each Party  hereby  waives any  requirement  for
security  or the  posting  of any bond or other  surety in  connection  with any
temporary or permanent award of injunctive, mandatory or other equitable relief.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting a Party from pursuing
any other remedies  available to such Party for any breach or threatened  breach
hereof or failure to take or refrain  from any action as required  hereunder  to
consummate the Acquisition Merger and carry out the Transactions.

         SECTION 10.9  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be executed in one or
more counterparts, and by the different Parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when  executed  shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

         SECTION  10.10  Mutual  Drafting.  This  Agreement is the result of the
joint efforts of the Parent and the Company,  and each provision hereof has been
subject to the mutual consultation, negotiation and agreement of the parties and
there shall be no  construction  against any Party based on any  presumption  of
that Party's involvement in the drafting thereof.

         SECTION 10.11  Disclosure  Supplements.  From time to time prior to the
Closing  Date,  each  Party will  promptly  supplement  or amend its  respective
Disclosure  Schedule delivered in connection herewith with respect to any matter
which, if existing, occurring or known at the date of this Agreement, would have
been required to be set forth or described in such Company  Disclosure  Schedule
or which is necessary  to correct any  information  in such  Company  Disclosure
Schedule  which has been  rendered  inaccurate  thereby.  The making of any such
amendment shall not otherwise  affect the liability of any Party delivering such
Amendment or the rights of any Party receiving such amendment.


                                   ARTICLE 11

                                   DEFINITIONS

         As used herein,  unless the context otherwise  requires,  the following
terms  (or any  variant  in the  form  thereof)  have the  following  respective
meanings.  Terms  defined in the singular  shall have a comparable  meaning when
used in the plural,  and vice versa,  and the  reference  to any gender shall be
deemed to include all genders. Unless otherwise defined or the context otherwise
clearly  requires,  terms for which meanings are provided herein shall have such
meanings when used in the  Disclosure  Schedules and each  Collateral  Document,
notice,  certificate,  communication,  opinion  or other  document  executed  or
required to be executed pursuant hereto or thereto or otherwise delivered,  from
time to time, pursuant hereto or thereto.


                                       48
<PAGE>

         Acquisition Merger shall have the meaning given to it in Section 2.1.

         Adverse,  Adversely, when used alone or in conjunction with other terms
(including without limitation  "Affect," "Change" and "Effect") shall mean, with
respect to the  Company,  or to the Parent,  as the case may be, any Event which
could   reasonably  be  expected  to  (a)  adversely   affect  the  validity  or
enforceability of this Agreement or any Collateral Document executed or required
to be executed pursuant hereto or thereto, or (b) adversely affect the business,
properties,  assets, results of operations,  financial condition or prospects of
the  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  taken  as a  whole  or the  Parent  and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as the case may be, or (c) impair the ability of
the Company and/or its  Subsidiaries or the Parent and Buyer, as applicable,  to
fulfill its obligations  under the terms of any Collateral  Document executed or
required to be executed pursuant hereto or thereto,  or (d) adversely affect the
aggregate  rights and remedies of the Parent and Buyer or the Company and/or its
Subsidiaries,  as the  case  may be,  under  this  Agreement  or any  Collateral
Document executed or required to be executed pursuant hereto or thereto,  in all
cases, unless otherwise  specifically set forth, in a material respect or manner
or to a material degree.

         Affiliate,  Affiliated shall mean, with respect to any Person,  (a) any
other Person at the time  directly or indirectly  controlling,  controlled by or
under direct or indirect  common control with such Person,  (b) any other Person
of which such Person at the time owns, or has the right to acquire,  directly or
indirectly,  fifty  percent  (50%) or more of any class of the capital  stock or
beneficial  interest,  (c) any other Person  which at the time owns,  or has the
right to acquire,  directly or  indirectly,  fifty  percent (50%) or more of any
class of the  capital  stock or  beneficial  interest  of such  Person,  (d) any
executive  officer  or  director  of  such  Person,  (e)  with  respect  to  any
partnership,  joint venture or similar Entity, any general partner thereof,  and
(f) when used with respect to an  individual,  shall  include any member of such
individual's immediate family or a family trust.

         Agreement  shall  mean this  Agreement  and Plan of  Reorganization  as
originally  in effect,  including  unless  the  context  otherwise  specifically
requires, all schedules, including the Disclosure Schedules and exhibits hereto,
and as the same may from  time to time be  supplemented,  amended,  modified  or
restated in the manner herein or therein provided.

         Alternative  Merger  Structure  shall have the  meaning  given to it in
Section 2.9.

         Applicable Law shall mean any Law of any Authority, whether domestic or
foreign,  including without limitation all federal and state securities laws and
Environmental  Laws,  to or by which a Person  or it or any of its  business  or
operations is subject or any of its property or assets is bound.


                                       49
<PAGE>

         Articles of Merger shall have the meaning given to it in Section 2.2.

         Authority shall mean any governmental or quasi-governmental  authority,
whether  administrative,  executive,  judicial,  legislative  or  other,  or any
combination   thereof,   including  without   limitation  any  federal,   state,
territorial,   county,   municipal  or  other   government  or  governmental  or
quasi-governmental agency, arbitrator,  authority,  board, body, branch, bureau,
central bank or comparable  agency or Entity,  commission,  corporation,  court,
department,  instrumentality,  master, mediator, panel, referee, system or other
political unit or  subdivision or other Entity of any of the foregoing,  whether
domestic or foreign.

         Benefit  Arrangement  shall  mean,  with  respect  to any  Person,  any
material benefit arrangement that is not a Plan, including (i) any employment or
consulting  agreement,  (ii) any arrangement providing for insurance coverage or
workers'  compensation  benefits,  (iii) any incentive  bonus or deferred  bonus
arrangement, (iv) any arrangement providing termination allowance,  severance or
similar  benefits,   (v)  any  equity   compensation  plan,  (vi)  any  deferred
compensation plan and (vii) any compensation policy and practice.

         best efforts shall mean commercially reasonable, good faith
efforts.

         Buyer shall have the meaning given in the recitals to this Agreement.

         Certificate shall have the meaning given to it in Section 2.7.

         Certificate  of Merger  shall have the  meaning  given to it in Section
2.2.

         CGCL shall mean the California General Corporation Law.

         Claim  shall  mean  any  debt,  liability,  obligation,  loss,  damage,
deficiency,  assessment or penalty,  together with any Legal Action,  pending or
threatened,  or any claim or  judgment  of  whatever  kind and  nature  relating
thereto,  and all fees,  costs,  expenses and disbursements  (including  without
limitation  reasonable  attorneys'  and other  legal fees,  costs and  expenses)
relating to any of the  foregoing,  provided  that in no event shall a change in
the value of Parent Common Stock give rise to or constitute a Claim.

         Closing shall have the meaning given to it in Section 1.1.

         Closing Date shall mean the date which is (a) five  business days after
the later to occur of (i) approval of the  Acquisition  Merger under the HSR Act
or (ii) approval of the Acquisition Merger by the Company's stockholders, or (b)
upon the  agreement of the Parent and the Company,  a date or  successive  dates
subsequent thereto not later than the Termination Date.


                                       50

<PAGE>

         COBRA shall mean the Consolidated Omnibus Budget  Reconciliation Act of
1985, as amended,  as set forth in Section 4980B of the Code and Part 6 of Title
I of ERISA.

         Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         Collateral Document shall mean any agreement, instrument,  certificate,
opinion, memorandum, schedule or other document delivered by a Party pursuant to
this  Agreement  or  in  connection   with  the   Acquisition   Merger  and  the
Transactions.

         Company  shall have the  meaning  given to it in the  recitals  of this
Agreement.

         Company Common Stock shall have the meaning given it in Section 3.3.

         Company Disclosure  Schedule shall mean the Company Disclosure Schedule
dated as of the date of this Agreement delivered by the Company to the Parent.

         Company  Financial  Statements  shall have the  meaning  given to it in
Section 3.2.

         Company  Indemnified  Parties  shall  have the  meaning  given to it in
Section 9.2(B).

         Confidentiality  Letter  shall have the meaning  given to it in Section
6.1(A).

         Consideration Per Share shall mean the Merger Consideration  divided by
the number of shares of Company Common Stock entitled pursuant to Section 2.5(A)
to be converted into the right to receive the Consideration Per Share.

         Constituent  Corporations shall have the meaning given to it in Section
2.1.

         Contract, Contractual Obligation shall mean, with regard to any Person,
any term, condition, provision,  representation,  warranty, agreement, covenant,
undertaking,  commitment, indemnity or other obligation set forth in the Organic
Documents  of such  Person  or  which  is  outstanding  or  existing  under  any
instrument,  contract, lease or other contractual undertaking (including without
limitation any instrument  relating to or evidencing any  Indebtedness) to which
such  Person  is a party or by which it or any of its  business  is  subject  or
property or assets is bound, to the extent that any of the foregoing is material
to such Person.

         control (including the terms  "controlled,"  "controlled by" and "under
common control with") means the possession, directly or indirectly or as trustee
or executor,  of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or
policies of a Person,  or the disposition of such Person's assets or properties,
whether through the ownership of stock, equity or other ownership, by

                                       51

<PAGE>

contract,  arrangement or understanding,  or as trustee or executor, by contract
or credit arrangement or otherwise.

         Convertible Securities shall mean any evidences of indebtedness, shares
of capital  stock  (other than  common  stock) or other  securities  directly or
indirectly  convertible into or exchangeable for equity  securities,  whether or
not the right to convert or exchange thereunder is immediately exercisable or is
conditioned  upon the  passage of time,  the  occurrence  or  non-occurrence  or
existence or non-existence of some other Event, or both.

         Current Uses shall have the meaning given to it in Section 3.6(C).

         DGCL shall mean the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended.

         Distribution  shall mean, with respect to a Party:  (a) the declaration
or payment of any  dividend  (except  dividends  payable in common stock of such
Party) on or in  respect  of any  shares of any class of  capital  stock of such
Party or any equity  securities of any  Subsidiary  owned by a Person other than
such Party or a Subsidiary, (b) the purchase,  redemption or other retirement of
any shares of any class of capital  stock of such Party or any shares of capital
stock of any Subsidiary owned by a Person other than such Party or a Subsidiary,
and (c) any other  distribution  on or in  respect of any shares of any class of
capital  stock of such Party or any shares of  capital  stock of any  Subsidiary
owned by a Person other than such Party or a Subsidiary.

         Effective  Time shall mean the  specific  time on the  Closing  Date at
which the  Acquisition  Merger has become  effective  pursuant to  Delaware  and
California law.

         Employment  Arrangement  shall mean,  with  respect to any Person,  any
employment,  consulting,  retainer,  severance or similar  contract,  agreement,
plan,  arrangement or policy (exclusive of any which is terminable within thirty
(30) days  without  liability,  penalty or payment of any kind by such Person or
any  Affiliate),  or providing for severance,  termination  payments,  insurance
coverage  (including  any  self-insured  arrangements),   workers  compensation,
disability benefits, life, health, medical, dental or hospitalization  benefits,
supplemental unemployment benefits,  vacation or sick leave benefits, pension or
retirement benefits or for deferred compensation, profit-sharing, bonuses, stock
options,  stock  purchase or  appreciation  rights or other  forms of  incentive
compensation or  post-retirement  insurance,  compensation  or benefits,  or any
collective  bargaining  or  other  labor  agreement,  whether  or not any of the
foregoing is subject to the provisions of ERISA.

         Entity shall mean any corporation,  firm, unincorporated  organization,
association,   partnership,  limited  liability  company,  trust,  estate  of  a
deceased, insane or incompetent individual,

                                       52

<PAGE>

business trust, joint stock company, joint venture or other organization, entity
or business,  whether acting in an individual,  fiduciary or other capacity,  or
any Authority.

         Environmental Law shall mean any Law relating to or otherwise  imposing
liability or  standards of conduct  concerning  pollution or  protection  of the
environment.

         Environmental  Permits  shall have the  meaning  given to it in Section
3.20 (C).

         ERISA shall mean the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974,
and the rules and regulations thereunder, all as from time to time in effect, or
any successor law, rules or  regulations,  and any reference to any statutory or
regulatory  provision  shall  be  deemed  to be a  reference  to  any  successor
statutory or regulatory provision.

         ERISA  Affiliate  shall  mean any  Person  that is  treated as a single
employer  under  Sections  414(b),  (c),  (m)  or (o) of  the  Code  or  Section
4001(b)(1) of ERISA.

         Event  shall  mean the  occurrence  or  existence  of any act,  action,
activity,  circumstance,  condition,  event,  fact,  failure  to act,  omission,
incident or practice, or any set or combination of any of the foregoing.

         Exchange  Agent,  Exchange  Agreement  and Exchange Fund shall have the
meanings given to in Section 2.7.

         GAAP shall mean generally accepted  accounting  principles as in effect
from time to time in the United States of America.

         Governmental  Authorizations shall mean, with regard to any Person, all
approvals,   concessions,   consents,  franchises,   licenses,  permits,  plans,
registrations  and other  authorizations of all Authorities that are material to
such Person.

         Governmental  Entity  shall  have the  meaning  given to it in  Section
3.20A.

         Governmental  Filings shall mean all filings,  including  franchise and
similar Tax  filings,  and the payment of all fees,  assessments,  interest  and
penalties associated with such filings, with all Authorities.

         Guaranty  or  Guaranteed  shall  mean  any  agreement,  undertaking  or
arrangement  by which a Party  guarantees,  endorses or otherwise  becomes or is
liable, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, upon any Indebtedness
of any other Person  including  without  limitation the payment of amounts drawn
down by  beneficiaries  of  letters of credit  (other  than by  endorsements  of
negotiable  instruments  for deposit or  collection  in the  ordinary  course of
business).  The amount of the obligor's  obligation  under any Guaranty shall be
deemed to be the outstanding amount (or

                                       53
<PAGE>

maximum permitted amount, if larger) of the Indebtedness  directly or indirectly
guaranteed thereby (subject to any limitation set forth therein).

         Hazardous  Materials shall have the meaning given to it in Section 3.20
(A).

         Hazardous  Materials  Activities  shall have the meaning given to it in
Section 3.20 (B).

         HSR Act shall mean the  Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust Improvement Act of
1976,  and the rules  and  regulations  thereunder,  all as from time to time in
effect,  or any successor  law, rules or  regulations,  and any reference to any
statutory  or  regulatory  provision  shall be deemed to be a  reference  to any
successor statutory or regulatory provision.

         Indebtedness shall mean, with respect to a Party, (a) all items, except
items of capital stock or of surplus on the  consolidated  balance sheet of such
Party,  which in  accordance  with GAAP would be included in  determining  total
liabilities  as shown on the liability  side of a balance sheet of such Party or
such Subsidiary,  (b) all obligations  secured by any Lien to which any property
or asset owned or held by such Party is subject,  whether or not the  obligation
secured  thereby shall have been assumed,  and (iii) to the extent not otherwise
included,  all Contractual  Obligations of such Party  constituting  capitalized
leases and all  obligations  of such Party with  respect to Leases  constituting
part of a sale  and  leaseback  arrangement  and  off-balance  sheet  financings
(including,  without  limitation,  synthetic leases and other similar  financing
arrangements).

         Indebtedness  for Borrowed Money shall mean,  without  duplication on a
consolidated  basis  with its  Subsidiaries,  all  indebtedness  of the  Company
(without regard to the above definition of Indebtedness) for or under any of the
following:  (i) borrowed  money,  whether  current,  short-term,  or  long-term,
secured or unsecured, (ii) the deferred purchase price for purchases of property
(other than trade  payables  which are not overdue by more than 90 days),  (iii)
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property
acquired,  (iv) all off-balance sheet financings including,  without limitation,
synthetic  leases and other similar  financing  arrangements,  and excluding the
operating  leases  described  in Note 9 to the  most  recent  audited  financial
statements  forming part of the Company  Financial  Statements,  (v) any payment
obligations in respect of banker's  acceptances or letters of credit (other than
stand-by letters of credit in support of ordinary course trade  payables),  (vi)
any  liability  with respect to interest rate swaps,  collars,  caps and similar
obligation,  (vii) any debt paid or  prepaid  since the date of this  Agreement,
which payment or prepayment is a breach of the  representations  and  warranties
set forth in Section 3.18(A)(iii)(d),  (viii) any accrued and unpaid interest or
other charges  (including  any  contractual  prepayment  premiums,  penalties or
similar charges resulting from the transactions contemplated

                                       54

<PAGE>

hereby  or  the  discharge  of  such  obligations)  with  respect  to any of the
foregoing,  and (ix) all costs or expenses incurred by the Company in connection
with  the   transactions   contemplated   hereby,   including   legal  fees  and
disbursements,  and any other payments to any broker, finders, agents or similar
intermediary,  which have not been paid on or before the Closing,  to the extent
that the  Company  at the  Effective  Time  does  not have on hand  cash or cash
equivalents in an amount sufficient to pay such costs and expenses.

         Injunction shall have the meaning given to it in Section 7.1.

         Intangible  Assets shall mean all assets and property  lacking physical
properties the evidence of ownership of which must  customarily be maintained by
independent  registration,  documentation,  certification,  recordation or other
means.

         Intellectual  Property  means  all (a)  patents,  patent  applications,
patent disclosures,  and improvements  thereto,  (b) trademarks,  service marks,
trade dress,  logos,  tradenames,  and  corporate  names and  registrations  and
applications  for registration  thereof,  (c) copyrights and  registrations  and
applications  for registration  thereof,  (d) mask works and  registrations  and
applications  for  registration  thereof,  (e)  computer  software,   data,  and
documentation,   (f)  trade  secrets  and  confidential   business   information
(including ideas,  formulas,  compositions,  inventions  (whether  patentable or
unpatentable  and whether or not reduced to practice),  know-how,  manufacturing
and production processes and techniques,  research and development  information,
drawings,   specifications,    designs,   plans,   proposal,   technical   data,
copyrightable works, financial,  marketing,  and business data, pricing and cost
information,  business and marketing  plans, and customer and supplier lists and
information),  (g)  other  proprietary  rights,  and  (h)  copies  and  tangible
embodiments thereof (in whatever form or medium.

         knowledge  of  a  Party  means  actual   knowledge   after   reasonable
investigation  (or what such party would have known if reasonable  investigation
had been made).

         Law shall mean any (a) administrative,  judicial,  legislative or other
action,  code,  consent  decree,  constitution,  decree,  directive,  enactment,
finding, guideline, law, injunction, interpretation, judgment, order, ordinance,
policy statement,  proclamation,  promulgation,  regulation,  requirement, rule,
rule of law, rule of public policy,  settlement  agreement,  statute, or writ or
any  Authority,  domestic  or  foreign;  (b) the common  law,  or other legal or
quasi-legal  precedent;  or (c)  arbitrator's,  mediator's  or referee's  award,
decision,  finding or recommendation;  including, in each such case or instance,
any interpretation,  directive,  guideline or request, whether or not having the
force of law including, in all cases, without limitation any particular section,
part or provision thereof.

         Lease  shall mean any lease or  sublease  of  property,  whether  real,
personal or mixed, and all amendments thereto.

                                       55
<PAGE>

         Legal  Action  shall  mean any  litigation  or legal or other  actions,
arbitrations, counterclaims,  investigations, proceedings, requests for material
information by or pursuant to the order of any Authority, or suits, at law or in
arbitration,  equity  or  admiralty  commenced  by any  Person,  whether  or not
purported to be brought on behalf of a party hereto  affecting such party or any
of such party's business, property or assets.

         Lien shall mean any of the  following:  mortgage;  lien  (statutory  or
other);  preference,  priority  or  other  security  agreement,  arrangement  or
interest;  hypothecation,  pledge  or  other  deposit  arrangement;  assignment;
charge; levy; executory seizure; attachment; garnishment; encumbrance (including
any easement,  exception,  variance,  reservation or  limitation,  right of way,
zoning  restriction,  building or use  restriction,  encroachment,  and the like
except  utility and similar  easements  which do not  interfere  in any material
respect with the use of the property  involved or which  materially  reduces the
fair market value of such property);  conditional sale, title retention or other
similar  agreement,  arrangement,  device or restriction;  preemptive or similar
right; any financing lease involving  substantially  the same economic effect as
any of the foregoing;  the filing of any financing  statement  under the Uniform
Commercial  Code or comparable  law of any  jurisdiction;  restriction  on sale,
transfer,  assignment,  disposition,  Lease or other alienation;  or any option,
equity,  claim or right of or obligation to, any other Person,  of whatever kind
and character.

         material or  materiality  for the  purposes of this  Agreement,  shall,
unless specifically stated to the contrary,  be determined without regard to the
fact  that  various  provisions  of this  Agreement  set forth  specific  dollar
amounts.

         Material Agreement or Material Commitment shall mean, with respect to a
Party, any Contractual Obligation which (a) was not entered into in the ordinary
course of  business,  (b) was entered  into in the  ordinary  course of business
which  (i)  involves  the  purchase,  sale or lease of  goods  or  materials  or
performance of services  aggregating more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000),
(ii)  extends  for more than three (3)  months,  or (iii) is not  terminable  on
thirty (30) days or less notice without  penalty or other payment,  (c) involves
Indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of Fifty Thousand  Dollars  ($50,000),
(d)  is  or  otherwise   constitutes   a  written   agency,   dealer,   license,
distributorship, sales representative or similar written agreement, or (e) would
account for more than ten percent  (10%) of purchases  or sales  projected to be
made by such Party during its current fiscal year.

         Merger  Consideration shall mean Twenty Three Million Seven Hundred and
Fifty  Thousand  Dollars  ($23,750,000)  minus the  Company's  Indebtedness  for
Borrowed Money at the Effective Time.

         Merger Subsidiary shall have the meaning given to it in the recitals of
this Agreement.

                                       56
<PAGE>

         Merger  Subsidiary  Common Stock shall mean the common stock, par value
$1.00 per share, of the Merger Subsidiary.

         Multiemployer Plan shall mean a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning
of Section 4001(a)3 of ERISA.

         Option  Securities  shall mean all rights,  options and  warrants,  and
calls or  commitments  evidencing  the right,  to  subscribe  for,  purchase  or
otherwise acquire shares of capital stock or Convertible Securities,  whether or
not the right to subscribe  for,  purchase or otherwise  acquire is  immediately
exercisable  or is  conditioned  upon the  passage of time,  the  occurrence  or
non-occurrence or the existence or non-existence of some other Event.

         Organic  Document  shall mean,  (a) with respect to a Person which is a
corporation, its charter, its by-laws and all Company agreements,  voting trusts
and  similar  arrangements  applicable  to any of its  capital  stock,  (b) with
respect to a Person which is a  partnership,  its agreement and  certificate  of
partnership,  any  agreements  among  partners,  and any  management and similar
agreements  between the partnership  and any general  partners (or any Affiliate
thereof), and (c) with respect to a Person which is a limited liability company,
its certificate of organization  and operating  agreement,  any agreements among
members, and any management and similar agreements between the limited liability
company and any members (or any Affiliate thereof).

         Other  Transaction  shall  mean a  transaction  or  series  of  related
transactions  (other than the Acquisition Merger) resulting in (a) any change in
control of the Company,  (b) any merger or  consolidation  of the Company or any
Subsidiary, regardless of which is the surviving Entity, (c) any tender offer or
exchange offer for, or any acquisition of, any securities of the Company, or (d)
any sale or other  disposition  of assets of the Company or any  Subsidiary  not
otherwise permitted under Section 3.18 hereof.

         Parent  shall  have the  meaning  given to it in the  recitals  of this
Agreement.

         Parent Common Stock shall have the meaning given to it in Section 4.3.

         Parent Disclosure  Schedule shall mean the disclosure schedule dated as
of the date of this Agreement delivered by the Parent to the Company.

         Parent  Indemnified  Parties  shall  have  the  meaning  given to it in
Section 9.2(A).

         Party shall mean a signatory to this Agreement.

         Person shall mean any natural individual or any Entity.


                                       57
<PAGE>

         Plan shall mean, with respect to a Party and at a particular  time, any
employee  benefit  plan  which is  covered by ERISA and in respect of which such
Party is an  "employer"  as  defined  in  Section  3(5) of ERISA,  other  than a
Multiemployer Plan.

         Private Authorizations shall mean all approvals, concessions, consents,
franchises,  licenses,  permits,  and other authorizations of all Persons (other
than Authorities) including without limitation those with respect to agreements,
leases, contracts, patents, trademarks,  service marks, trade names, copyrights,
computer software programs, technology and know-how.

         Proxy Statement shall have the meaning given to it in Section 6.3.

         Purchase Price shall have the meaning given to it in Section 2.5.

         Representatives  (of a  Party)  shall  mean  the  officers,  directors,
employees,  accountants,  counsel,  financial advisors,  consultants,  financing
sources, and other representatives (of such Party or its Affiliates).

         Required  Regulatory  Approvals  shall have the meaning  given to it in
Section 7.1.

         Stockholders shall have the meaning given to it in the recitals of this
Agreement.

         Subsidiary shall mean, with respect to a Person,  any Entity a majority
of the capital stock  ordinarily  entitled to vote for the election of directors
of which,  or if no such voting stock is  outstanding,  a majority of the equity
interests of which, is owned directly or indirectly, legally or beneficially, by
such Person or any other Person controlled by such Person.

         Superior Proposal shall have the meaning given to it in Section 6.7.


         Surviving  Corporation  shall have the  meaning  given to it in Section
2.1.

         Surviving  Corporation  Common Stock shall mean the common stock of the
Surviving Corporation as provided in Section 2.5(B).

         Tax (and "Taxable",  which shall mean subject to Tax), shall mean, with
respect to a Party,  (a) all taxes  (domestic  or  foreign),  including  without
limitation any income (net, gross or other including  recapture of any tax items
such as  investment  tax  credits),  alternative  or add-on  minimum tax,  gross
income,  gross receipts,  gains,  sales, use, leasing,  lease, user, ad valorem,
transfer, recording, franchise, profits, property (real or personal, tangible or
intangible),  fuel,  license,  withholding  on amounts paid to or by such Party,
payroll, employment,

                                       58
<PAGE>

unemployment,  social security, excise, severance,  stamp, occupation,  premium,
environmental  or windfall profit tax, custom,  duty or other tax,  governmental
fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with any
interest, levies, assessments, charges, penalties, addition to tax or additional
amount imposed by any Taxing  Authority,  (b) any joint or several  liability of
such Party  with any other  Person  for the  payment of any  amounts of the type
described  in (a),  and (c) any  liability  of such Party for the payment of any
amounts  of the type  described  in (a) as a result of any  express  or  implied
obligation to indemnify any other Person.

         Tax Return or Returns shall mean all returns, consolidated or otherwise
(including without limitation  information  returns),  required to be filed with
any Authority with respect to Taxes.

         Taxing   Authority  shall  mean  any  Authority   responsible  for  the
imposition of any Tax.

         Termination Date shall mean September 30, 1998.

         Transactions  shall mean the other  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement or the Acquisition  Merger or by any Collateral  Document  executed or
required to be executed in connection herewith or therewith.

                                       59

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parent, the Merger Subsidiary,  the Company and
the Stockholders  have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first
written above.


                            DESA INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                              By: /s/ Robert H. Elman
                                  Chairman, President or VP


                              By: /s/ Edward G. Patrick
                                  Secretary or Assistant Secretary


                            FMI ACQUISITION, INC.


                              By: /s/ Adam Suttin
                                  Chairman, President or VP

                              By: /s/ Adam Suttin
                                  Secretary or Assistant Secretary


                            FIREPLACE MANUFACTURERS, INC.


                              By: /s/ Willard P. Harris
                                  Chairman, President or VP

                              By: /s/ John D. Hornsby
                                  Secretary or Assistant Secretary


                            STOCKHOLDERS


                            /s/ Willard P. Harris, Jr.
                            Name: Willard V. Harris, Jr.

                            /s/ Willard P. Harris
                            Name: Willard P. Harris

                            /s/ Benjamin C. Harris
                            Name: Benjamin C. Harris

                            /s/ John D. Hornsby
                            Name: John D. Hornsby

                                       60

<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBITS


Exhibit A -       Voting and Option Agreement

Exhibit B -       Non-competition agreements

Exhibit C -       Matters to be addressed in Company counsel opinion

Exhibit D -       Form of Employment Agreement

Exhibit E -       Form of Lease amendment under Section 9.2(C)

Exhibit F -       Phase One Environmental Site Assessment, draft dated
                  May 1, 1998, by Dames & Moore

                                       61

<PAGE>



                                    SCHEDULES


Company Disclosure Schedule

Parent Disclosure Schedule

                                       62


                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.2
                           VOTING AND OPTION AGREEMENT


                                  BY AND AMONG


                            DESA INTERNATIONAL, INC.,


                              FMI ACQUISITION, INC.


                                       AND


                                     CERTAIN
                               SECURITYHOLDERS OF
                          FIREPLACE MANUFACTURERS, INC.


                            Dated as of May 13, 1998






<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


ARTICLE 1  DEFINITIONS.....................................................2
           1.1   Definitions...............................................2

ARTICLE 2  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SECURITYHOLDERS...........2
           2.1   Representations and Warranties of the
                     Securityholders.......................................2

ARTICLE 3  COVENANTS.......................................................2
           3.1   No Disposition of Securities..............................2
                 
           3.2   Voting Arrangements.......................................3
                 
           3.3   Satisfaction of Conditions to the Merger..................3
                 
           3.4   Surrender of Company Option Securities....................4
                 

ARTICLE 4  PROXY; CONVERSION; ELECTIONS; WAIVER OF RIGHTS..................4
           4.1   Proxy.....................................................4 
           4.2   Waiver of Appraisal Rights................................5
           4.3   Waiver of Certain Rights..................................6

ARTICLE 5  OPTION..........................................................6
           5.1   Grant of Option; Price....................................6
           5.2   Exercise of Option; Duration..............................6
           5.3   Manner of Exercise; Closing...............................7

ARTICLE 6  MISCELLANEOUS...................................................8
           6.1   Termination...............................................8
           6.2   Amendment.................................................8
           6.3   Notices...................................................8
           6.4   Counterparts..............................................8
           6.5   Applicable Law............................................8
           6.6   Severability; Enforcement.................................8
           6.7   Further Assurances........................................8
           6.8   Parties in Interest; Assignment...........................9
           6.9   Entire Agreement..........................................9
           6.10  Specific Performance......................................9
           6.11  Headings; References......................................9



<PAGE>
                           VOTING AND OPTION AGREEMENT


         THIS VOTING AND OPTION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), is dated as of May
13, 1998, by and among each of the undersigned securityholders  (individually, a
"Securityholder"   and  collectively,   the   "Securityholders")   of  Fireplace
Manufacturers,  Inc., a California corporation ("Company"),  Desa International,
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Parent"),  and FMI Acquisition,  Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Acquiror").


                                    RECITALS

         A. Each Securityholder is the beneficial and record owner of the number
of  shares,  if any,  of common  stock,  par value  $.01 per  share,  of Company
("Company  Common  Stock")  set forth  opposite  such  Securityholder's  name on
Schedule A hereto.

         B.  Each  Securityholder  is the  beneficial  and  record  owner of the
Company Option  Securities,  if any,(which under existing  circumstances  may be
exercised  for the number of shares of Company  Common Stock set forth  opposite
each such  Securityholder's  name on Schedule A hereto) set forth  opposite such
Securityholder's name on Schedule A hereto.

         C. Parent, Acquiror,  Company and the Securityholders have concurrently
herewith  entered  into an  Agreement  and Plan of  Reorganization  (the "Merger
Agreement"),  pursuant  to which  Company  will be  merged  with  Acquiror  (the
"Merger").

         D. The Board of Directors of Company has approved the Merger  Agreement
and this Agreement.

         E. In order to induce  Parent  and  Acquiror  to enter  into the Merger
Agreement, the Securityholders wish to make certain representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the foregoing  recitals and the
mutual  covenants  hereinafter  set  forth,  and for  other  good  and  valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:



<PAGE>


                                    ARTICLE 1

                                   DEFINITIONS

         1.1 Definitions.  Terms defined in the singular shall have a comparable
meaning  when used in the plural,  and vice versa.  The  reference to any gender
shall be deemed to include all  genders.  Capitalized  terms used herein but not
otherwise defined herein shall have the respective  meanings ascribed thereto in
the Merger Agreement. The following terms shall have the following meanings:

                  "beneficially  own" shall have the  meaning  set forth in Rule
         13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

                  "Option" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
         hereof

                  "Representatives"  shall mean in  respect of a person,  any of
         its  partners,  officers,  affiliates,  employees,  agents,  investment
         bankers, attorneys, financial advisors or other representatives.


                                    ARTICLE 2

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                             OF THE SECURITYHOLDERS

         2.1  Representations  and  Warranties  of  the   Securityholders.   The
provisions of Article 5 of the Merger Agreement are incorporated herein in their
entirety.


                                    ARTICLE 3

                                    COVENANTS

         3.1 No Disposition of Securities.  Each Securityholder agrees that such
Securityholder  shall  not,  except  pursuant  to the Merger  Agreement  or this
Agreement,  sell, transfer, pledge,  hypothecate,  encumber or otherwise dispose
of, or enter into any

                                        2

<PAGE>



contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale,
transfer, pledge, hypothecation,  encumbrance or other disposition of, any of or
any  interest  in any of the shares of Company  Common  Stock or Company  Option
Securities, or shares of Company Common Stock issuable upon exercise of any such
Company  Option  Securities,  set forth opposite such  Securityholder's  name on
Schedule A or hereafter owned beneficially or of record by such  Securityholder.
Each  Securityholder  agrees  that  (a)  at  the  request  of  the  Parent,  the
certificates  representing the shares of Company Common Stock and Company Option
Securities  owned  by  such  Securityholder,  and  the  certificates  and  other
instruments  representing  any shares of Company  Common Stock or Company Option
Securities  hereafter  owned by such  Securityholder,  shall bear the  following
legend:

         "The  securities  represented  by this  certificate  are subject to the
         terms of that certain Voting and Option Agreement,  dated May 13, 1998,
         by and among  DESA  International,  Inc.,  FMI  Acquisition,  Inc.  and
         certain  securityholders of Fireplace  Manufacturers,  Inc. This legend
         shall  terminate  upon  the  termination  of  such  Voting  and  Option
         Agreement."

(b) that any attempted or purported  transfer of Company Common Stock or Company
Option  Securities  in  violation of this Section 3.1 shall be null and void and
without  effect,  and (c) Company shall not be required to enter in its stock or
other  records,  or reflect,  recognize or give effect to for any  purpose,  any
transfer of securities of Company in violation of this Agreement.

         3.2  Voting  Arrangements.  Each  Securityholder  agrees  that,  except
pursuant to this Agreement,  it shall not grant any proxies,  deposit any shares
of Company  Common Stock into a voting trust or enter into any voting  agreement
with  respect to any  shares of  Company  Common  Stock now or  hereafter  owned
beneficially  or of record by such  Securityholder,  other than  proxies to vote
such  shares at any annual or  special  meeting  of  stockholders  of Company on
matters unrelated to the matters set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.

         3.3  Satisfaction  of  Conditions  to the Merger.  Each  Securityholder
agrees  that,  subject to its  fiduciary  duty as a director  of  Company,  such
Securityholder,  in its capacity as such,  shall assist and  cooperate  with the
parties to the Merger Agreement

                                        3

<PAGE>



in doing all things  necessary,  proper or advisable  under  Applicable  Laws as
promptly as  practicable  to  consummate  and make  effective the Merger and the
other  transactions  contemplated by the Merger Agreement.  Each  Securityholder
agrees that it shall not take any action in its capacity as such  Securityholder
that would or is reasonably likely to result in any of its  representations  and
warranties  set forth in this  Agreement  being untrue as of the date made or in
any of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement not being satisfied.

         3.4 Surrender of Company Option Securities.  Each Securityholder hereby
agrees,  at and  subject to the  Closing,  to  deliver  to,  and  surrender  for
cancellation by, Company all Company Option  Securities  legally or beneficially
owned by such  Securityholder  on the Closing Date, and  acknowledges and agrees
that such  Securityholder  shall not be entitled to any payment of monies or any
other  consideration  in  connection  with the  delivery  and  surrender of such
Company Option Securities.


                                    ARTICLE 4

                               PROXY; CONVERSION;
                           ELECTIONS; WAIVER OF RIGHTS

         4.1 Proxy.

                  (a) Each Securityholder hereby agrees that, during the term of
this Agreement,  at any meeting of the stockholders of Company,  however called,
and at every  adjournment  thereof,  and in any action by written consent of the
stockholders  of Company,  to (i) vote all of the shares of Company Common Stock
then  owned  by such  Securityholder  in  favor of the  adoption  of the  Merger
Agreement as in effect on the date hereof (as such agreement may be amended) and
each of the other transactions  contemplated  thereby and any action required in
furtherance thereof,  (ii) vote such shares against any action or agreement that
would result in a breach in any material respect of any covenant, representation
or warranty or any other obligation of Company under the Merger  Agreement,  and
(iii) vote such shares  against  any Other  Transaction  or any other  action or
agreement that,  directly or indirectly,  is inconsistent with or that would, or
is reasonably  likely to,  directly or  indirectly,  impede,  interfere  with or
attempt to

                                        4

<PAGE>



discourage  the  Merger  or any other  transaction  contemplated  by the  Merger
Agreement,  including  but  not  limited  to  (I)  any  extraordinary  corporate
transaction (other than the Merger), such as a merger,  consolidation,  business
combination,  reorganization,  recapitalization or liquidation involving Company
or any of its  Subsidiaries,  (II) a sale or  transfer  of a material  amount of
assets of Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (III) any redemption of
securities of Company, or (IV) any material change in Company's  capitalization,
corporate structure or business; provided, however, that, if such Securityholder
is a director of Company,  nothing  herein shall be  construed to obligate  such
Securityholder  to  act in his  capacity  as a  director  in  any  manner  which
conflicts with such Person's fiduciary duties as a director of Company.

                  (b) In furtherance of the foregoing,  (i) each  Securityholder
hereby appoints Parent and the proper officers of Parent, and each of them, with
full  power  of  substitution  in the  premises,  its  proxies  to vote all such
Securityholder's   shares  of  Company  Common  Stock  now  or  hereafter  owned
beneficially  or of record by such  Securityholder  at any  meeting,  general or
special,  of the  stockholders  of Company,  and to execute one or more  written
consents  or other  instruments  from time to time in order to take such  action
without the necessity of a meeting of the stockholders of Company, in accordance
with the provisions of the preceding  paragraph and (ii) Parent hereby agrees to
vote such shares or execute written consents or other  instruments in accordance
with the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

                  (c) The proxy and power of attorney  granted  herein  shall be
irrevocable  during  the term of this  Agreement,  shall be deemed to be coupled
with an  interest  and shall  revoke all prior  agreements  to vote and  proxies
granted by such Securityholder. Such Securityholder shall not grant any proxy to
any person which conflicts with the proxy granted herein,  and any attempt to do
so shall be void.  The power of attorney  granted  herein is a durable  power of
attorney   and  shall   survive  the   disability   or   incompetence   of  such
Securityholder.

         4.2 Waiver of Appraisal Rights. Each  Securityholder  hereby waives its
dissenters'  rights  under  Chapter 13 of the CGCL with respect to any shares of
Company  Common  Stock  owned by it or  issuable  to it in  connection  with the
transactions contemplated by

                                        5

<PAGE>



the Merger Agreement.

         4.3 Waiver of Certain  Rights.  Each  Securityholder  hereby waives and
agrees not to assert any claims or rights it may have  against  any  director of
Company  in respect of  approval  or  adoption  of the Merger  Agreement  or the
consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated thereby.


                                    ARTICLE 5

                                     OPTION

         5.1  Grant of  Option;  Price.  Each  Securityholder  hereby  grants to
Acquiror  the  unconditional,  irrevocable  (during the term of this  Agreement)
option (the  "Option") to purchase from such  Securityholder  all Company Common
Stock and Company Option Securities beneficially owned by such Securityholder at
the time of exercise  of the  Option,  as  provided  below.  The Option  granted
hereunder may be exercised for all, but not less than all,  Company Common Stock
and Company Option Securities  beneficially owned by all such Securityholders at
the time of exercise.  The price for Company Common Stock  purchased by Acquiror
hereunder  shall be $7.14 per share and the price for Company Option  Securities
shall be the  product of (x) the number of shares of Company  Common  Stock with
respect  to which  such  Company  Option  Securities  are  vested at the time of
exercise and (y) the excess,  if any, of $7.14 over the per share exercise price
of such Company Option Securities.

         5.2   Exercise of Option; Duration.

                  (a) The Acquiror may exercise the Option in the event that (i)
Parent has the right to  terminate  the  Merger  Agreement  pursuant  to Section
8.1(D)(i) or 8.1(E) thereof  (irrespective of whether it actually terminates the
Merger Agreement);  or (ii) if any Securityholder shall breach the terms of this
Agreement  in any  material  respect or seeks to rescind or revoke any  material
provision hereof.

                  (b)  The  Option  will  terminate  automatically  if it is not
exercised  by the later of 120 days  after  the date of the  Voting  and  Option
Agreement  and Buyer's  receipt of requisite  governmental  approvals  under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of

                                        6

<PAGE>



1976, as amended, and in any event it will terminate if not exercised within 180
days after the date hereof.

                  (c) The terms and  provisions  of this Article 5 shall survive
any  termination  of this Agreement  triggered by the  Termination of the Merger
Agreement by Parent pursuant to Section 8.1(D) or (E) thereof.

         5.3 Manner of  Exercise;  Closing.  In the event that the  Acquiror  is
entitled  to  and  wishes  to  exercise  the  Option,   it  shall  send  to  the
Securityholders  a written  notice  specifying  a place and time,  not more than
thirty (30) business days after the date of such notice, for the closing of such
purchase.  At the  closing,  the  Acquiror  shall  pay the  Securityholders  the
aggregate  purchase price  specified  above for Company Common Stock and Company
Option  Securities  in  immediately  available  funds by wire  transfer  to bank
accounts designated by the Securityholders.  At the closing, each Securityholder
shall deliver to the Acquiror (i) a certificate or certificates representing all
of the shares of Company Common Stock held by such Securityholder  together with
stock powers duly executed,  with signatures guaranteed,  and endorsed in blank;
and (ii) duly executed instruments of assignment in form reasonably satisfactory
to  Acquiror  in  respect  of  all  Company  Option   Securities  held  by  such
Securityholder.  The Acquiror  shall  deliver to each  Securityholder  a written
undertaking  that it will not sell or offer to sell or otherwise  dispose of any
Company  Common Stock and Company  Option  Securities in violation of Applicable
Law.

         Simultaneously with the exercise of the Option,  Parent shall cause the
Company (then its subsidiary) to enter into Non- Competition Agreements,  in the
Form of Exhibit B to the Merger  Agreement,  with  those  Securityholders  named
Section   7.2(M)  of  the  Merger   Agreement.   Upon  full  execution  of  such
Non-Competition  Agreements the Parent shall pay the amounts,  by wire transfer,
provided for in Section 7.2(M) of the Merger  Agreement to the  Securityholders.
The  refusal  of any  Securityholder  to enter  into  any  such  Non-Competition
Agreement  shall not prevent the  exercise of the Option under the terms of this
Agreement.


                                        7

<PAGE>




                                    ARTICLE 6

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         6.1  Termination.  This Agreement  shall  terminate upon the earlier to
occur  of  (a)  the  mutual  consent  of  Parent,   Acquiror  and  each  of  the
Securityholders,  (b)  the  termination  of the  Merger  Agreement  and  (c) the
Effective Time of the Merger.

         6.2  Amendment.  This  Agreement  may  be  amended  only  by a  written
instrument executed by the parties or their respective successors or assigns.

         6.3  Notices.  The  notice  provisions  of  Section  10.1 of the Merger
Agreement are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

         6.4  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in  one or  more
counterparts and each counterpart shall be deemed to be an original,  but all of
which shall constitute one and the same original.

         6.5 Applicable  Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance  with,  the laws of the State of California  without  reference to
choice of law principles,  including all matters of  construction,  validity and
performance.

         6.6  Severability;  Enforcement.  The  invalidity of any portion hereof
shall not affect the validity, force or effect of the remaining portions hereof.
If it is ever  held  that any  restriction  hereunder  is too  broad  to  permit
enforcement of such restriction to its fullest extent,  each party agrees that a
court of  competent  jurisdiction  may enforce such  restriction  to the maximum
extent  permitted by law,  and each party  hereby  consents and agrees that such
scope may be  judicially  modified  accordingly  in any  proceeding  brought  to
enforce such restriction.

         6.7 Further  Assurances.  Each party hereto  shall  execute and deliver
such  additional  documents as may be necessary or desirable to  consummate  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.


                                        8

<PAGE>



         6.8 Parties in Interest;  Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of
the rights,  interest or obligations  hereunder  shall be assigned by any of the
parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties; provided,
however, that the Acquiror may assign the Option to an Affiliate.

         6.9 Entire  Agreement.  This Agreement and the Merger Agreement contain
the entire  understanding  of the parties hereto and thereto with respect to the
subject matter contained herein and therein,  and supersede and cancel all prior
agreements, negotiations, correspondence, undertakings and communications of the
parties,  oral  or  written,  respecting  such  subject  matter.  There  are  no
restrictions, promises, representations,  warranties, agreements or undertakings
of any party hereto or to the Merger  Agreement with respect to the transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement and the Merger  Agreement  other than those set
forth herein or therein or made hereunder or thereunder.

         6.10 Specific Performance.  The parties hereto agree that the remedy at
law for any breach of this  Agreement  will be inadequate  and that any party by
whom this Agreement is enforceable shall be entitled to specific  performance or
injunctive  relief in addition to any other appropriate  relief or remedy.  Such
party may, in its sole  discretion,  apply to a court of competent  jurisdiction
for specific performance or injunctive relief or such other relief as such court
may deem just and  proper in order to enforce  this  Agreement  or  prevent  any
violation  hereof and, to the extent  permitted by  applicable  law,  each party
waives any objection to the imposition of such relief or any requirement for the
posting of a bond or other collateral in connection therewith.

         6.11 Headings; References. The section and paragraph headings contained
in this  Agreement are for  reference  purposes only and shall not affect in any
way the meaning or  interpretation  of this Agreement.  All references herein to
"Sections"  or  "Exhibits"  shall be  deemed to be  references  to  Articles  or
Sections hereof or Exhibits hereto unless otherwise indicated.

                  [remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                        9

<PAGE>



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

                                     PARENT:

                                         DESA INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                         By: /s/ Robert H. Elman
                                            Name: Robert H. Elman
                                            Title: Chairman and CEO

                                     ACQUIROR:

                                         FMI ACQUISITION, INC.


                                         By: /s/ Adam L. Suttin
                                            Name:  Adam L. Suttin
                                            Title: President

                                     SECURITYHOLDERS:


                                             /s/ Benjamin C. Harris
                                             Name: Benjamin C. Harris


                                             /s/ Willard V. Harris, Jr.
                                             Name: Willard V. Harris, Jr.


                                             /s/ Willard P. Harris
                                             Name: Willard P. Harris


                                             /s/ John D. Hornsby
                                             Name: John D. Hornsby


                                             /s/ James L. Behrens
                                             Name: James L. Behrens




<PAGE>





                                             /s/ Debby Hornsby
                                             Name: Debby Hornsby


                                             /s/ Sheila F. Harris
                                             Name: Sheila F. Harris


                                             Marisa E. Harris


                                             /s/ Willard P. Harris
                                             By: Willard P. Harris
                                             Title: Custodian


                                             Willard P. Harris, Jr.


                                             /s/ Willard P. Harris
                                             By: Willard P. Harris
                                             Title: Custodian


                                             Burton-Harris Family Trust


                                            /s/ Benjamin C. Harris
                                            By: Benjamin C. Harris
                                            Title:


                                            Harris-Taylor Family Trust


                                            /s/ Willard P. Harris
                                            By: Willard P. Harris
                                            Title: President




<PAGE>



                                            Hornsby Family Trust


                                            /s/ John Hornsby
                                            By: John Hornsby
                                            Title: Trustee


                                            Whittier College


                                            -----------------------------
                                            By:
                                            Title:


                                            Prentice School


                                            -----------------------------
                                            By:
                                            Title:





<PAGE>




         Fireplace  Manufacturers,  Inc, a  California  corporation  ("Company")
hereby  approves and consents to the foregoing  Voting and Option  Agreement and
hereby agrees that it will not enter in its stock or other records,  or reflect,
recognize  or give effect to for any  purpose,  any  transfer of  securities  of
Company  in  violation  of  Section  3.1  of the  foregoing  Voting  and  Option
Agreement. Company hereby waives any and all transfer restrictions applicable to
any and all Company  Common Stock and Company Option  Securities  held by any of
the Securityholders in connection with the transfer thereof to Acquiror pursuant
to the Option (as defined in the foregoing Voting and Option Agreement).

                                         FIREPLACE MANUFACTURERS, INC.


                                         By: /s/ Willard V. Harris, Jr.
                                             Name: Willard V. Harris, Jr.
                                             Title: Chairman of the Board-FMI



<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE A


                                                 Number of
                                                 Shares of
                                                  Company             Company
                                                   Common             Option
                                                   Stock            Securities
Name and Address of Securityholder                 Owned               Owned

Benjamin C. Harris                                225,250                   0
7300 Hummingbird Circle
Anaheim Hills, CA 92808

Willard V. Harris, Jr.                            340,780             250,000
2706 Bayside Drive
Corona Del Mar, CA  92662

Willard P. Harris                                 352,992             250,000
23 Creek View Road
Trabuco Canyon, CA  92679

Sheila F. Harris                                   50,000                   0
23 Creek View Road
Trabuco Canyon, CA  92679

Marisa E. Harris                                    5,200                   0
23 Creek View Road
Trabuco Canyon, CA  92679

Willard P. Harris, Jr.                              5,200                   0
23 Creek View Road
Trabuco Canyon, CA  92679

John D. Hornsby                                   380,748             250,000
17635 Sierra Cello
Jamul, CA  91935

John and Debby Hornsby                             50,000                   0
17635 Sierra Cello
Jamul, CA  91935




<PAGE>



Hornsby Family Trust                               50,000                   0
c/o John D. Hornsby
17635 Sierra Cello
Jamul, CA  91935

James L. Behrens                                  101,252              50,000
35955 Highway 79
Warner Springs, CA  92086

Burton-Harris Family Trust                         34,000                   0
c/o Benjamin C. Harris
7300 Hummingbird Circle
Anaheim Hills, CA 92808

Harris-Taylor Family Trust                         28,000                   0
c/o Willard V. Harris, Jr.
2706 Bayside Drive
Corona Del Mar, CA  92662

Prentice School                                     3,000                   0




Whittier College                                   31,333                   0




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