CADMUS COMMUNICATIONS CORP/NEW
SC 13D, 1999-04-09
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<PAGE>
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                  SCHEDULE 13D
                                 (Rule 13d-101)

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


                       CADMUS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION.
                                        
                                (Name of Issuer)

                     COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.50 PER SHARE
                                        
                         (Title of Class of Securities)


                                   127587103
                               ----------------
                                (CUSIP NUMBER)
                                        
                             DECHERT PRICE & RHOADS
                            4000 Bell Atlantic Tower
                                1717 Arch Street
                             Philadelphia, PA 19103
                   Attention:  Christopher G. Karras, Esquire
                                 (215) 994-4000
                                        
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and
                                Communications)

                                 April 1, 1999
                                 -------------
            (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:  Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be
filed with the Commission.  See Rule 13d-1(a) 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.
<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 (the "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).

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                                 SCHEDULE 13D
- -----------------------                                  ---------------------
  CUSIP NO. 127587103                                    PAGE  OF  PAGES
- -----------------------                                  ---------------------
      NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 1    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
                          
      Purico (IOM) Limited                                           
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
 2                                                              (a) [_]
                                                                (b) [X]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SEC USE ONLY
 3
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SOURCE OF FUNDS*
 4    
      00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT 
      TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [_]
 5    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 6    
      Isle of Man
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          SOLE VOTING POWER
                     7     
     NUMBER OF            
                          929,268   
      SHARES       -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY      8    
                          
     OWNED BY             0       
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
       EACH               SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                     9     
    REPORTING             
                          929,268
      PERSON       -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
       WITH          10   
                          0       
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
11    
      
      929,268
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
12                  
      [_]

                                      -3-

<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
13    
      11.84%            
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
14
      CO
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        



                                      -4- 

<PAGE>

                                 SCHEDULE 13D
- -----------------------                                  ---------------------
  CUSIP NO. 127587103                                    PAGE   OF   PAGES
- -----------------------                                  ---------------------
      NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 1    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
                          
      Clary Limited                                           
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
 2                                                              (a) [_]
                                                                (b) [X]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SEC USE ONLY
 3
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SOURCE OF FUNDS*
 4    
      OO
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT 
      TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [_]
 5    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 6    
      Isle of Man
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          SOLE VOTING POWER
                     7     
     NUMBER OF            
                          929,268   
      SHARES       -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY      8    
                          
     OWNED BY             0       
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
       EACH               SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                     9     
    REPORTING             
                          929,268
      PERSON       -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
       WITH          10   
                          0       
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
11    
      
      929,268
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
12                  
      [_]



                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
13    
      11.84%            
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
14
      CO
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                      -6-
<PAGE>
- -----------------------                                  ---------------------
  CUSIP NO. 127587103                                    PAGE  OF  PAGES
- -----------------------                                  ---------------------
 
      NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 1    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
                          
      Nathu Ram Puri                                   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
 2                                                              (a) [_]
                                                                (b) [X]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SEC USE ONLY
 3
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SOURCE OF FUNDS*
 4    
      OO       
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT 
      TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [_]
 5    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 6    
      Indian 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          SOLE VOTING POWER
                     7     
     NUMBER OF            
                          1,058,333   
      SHARES       -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY      8    
                          
     OWNED BY             0       
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
       EACH               SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                     9     
    REPORTING             
                          1,058,333
      PERSON       -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
       WITH          10   
                          0       
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
11    
      
      1,058,333
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
12                  
      [_]




                                      -7-

<PAGE>
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
13    
      13.49%            
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
14
      IN
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
                                 SCHEDULE 13D


ITEM 1    SECURITY AND ISSUER.

          The title of the class of equity securities to which this statement
relates is the common stock, par value $.50 per share (the "Common Stock"), of
Cadmus Communications Corporation, a business corporation incorporated under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia (the "Company"), which has its principal
executive offices at 6620 West Broad Street, Suite 500, Richmond, Virginia
23230.

ITEM 2.  IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.

          This statement on Schedule 13D is being filed by Purico (IOM) Limited,
a business corporation incorporated under the laws of the Isle of Man
("Purico"), Clary Limited, a business corporation incorporated under the laws of
the Isle of man ("Clary"), and Nathu Ram Puri, an individual (collectively, the
"Purico Group").

          Purico, which has its principal executive office and principal
business address at Analyst House, 20-26 Peel Road, Douglas, Isle of Man  1M99
IAP, is a company organized in the Isle of Man and is a wholly owned subsidiary
of Clary.  Its principal business is to invest in equity or equity-related
securities of companies. The name, business address, present principal
occupation and citizenship of each executive officer and director of Purico and
of the sole stockholder of Purico are set forth on Annex A hereto.

          Clary, which has its principal executive office and principal business
address at Analyst House, 20-26 Peel Road, Douglas, Isle of Man  1M99 IAP, is a
company organized in the Isle of Man. Its principal business is to invest in
equity or equity-related securities of companies. The name, business address,
present principal occupation and citizenship of each executive officer and
director of Clary and of the stockholders of Clary are set forth on Annex B
hereto.

          Nathu R. Puri, whose principal business address is at Environment
House, 6 Union Road, Nottingham  NG3 1FH, England, is a citizen of India.  Mr.
Puri's principal occupation is an executive at Melton Medes Limited.  Mr. Puri
owns of record approximately 88% of the equity securities of Clary.  Mr. Puri
also owns of record approximately 88% of the equity securities of Melham
Holdings Limited, a business corporation incorporated under the laws of the
United Kingdom, which wholly owns Melham Limited, a business corporation
incorporated under the laws of the United Kingdom, which wholly owns Melham U.S.
Inc., a business corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of
Delaware ("Melham").

          During the last five years, none of the Purico Group, nor, to the
respective best knowledge of each member of the Purico Group, any of the persons
set forth on Annexes A or B hereto, have been convicted in any criminal
proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or been a
party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent
jurisdiction as a result of which it or he was subject to a judgment, decree or
final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating
activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any
violations with respect to such laws.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 3.  SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.

          Purico has entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of April
1, 1999 (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"), among Purico, Melham, the Company and
Paul F. Mack.  Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, Purico, Melham and Mr.
Mack sold to the Company, and the Company received all of the outstanding
capital stock of Melham Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, from Purico,
Melham and Mr. Mack in exchange for cash consideration, debt consideration and
929,268 Common Shares to Purico, for cash consideration, debt consideration and
129,065 Common Shares to Melham, for cash consideration, debt consideration and
103,252 Common Shares to Mr. Mack.

          The source of funds for the purchases of Common Stock on April 1, 1999
(the "Closing Date") by Purico and Melham will be the purchase of Melham
Holdings Inc. by the Company.

ITEM 4.  PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION.

          Purico and Melham intend to acquire the Common Stock as an investment.
Their investment will be subject to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement,
which is attached hereto as an exhibit and incorporated herein by reference.
Certain provisions of the Stock Purchase Agreement are summarized below.  By
reason of its rights to representation on the Board of Directors of the Company
as more fully discussed below, Purico expects that it will be able to influence
the management and policies of the Company.  However, Purico disclaims any
control over the Company or its management or affairs.

          Purico or Melham may, subject to the terms of applicable securities
laws, market conditions and its assessment of the business prospects of the
Company, acquire additional shares of preferred stock of the Company or Common
Stock from time to time in open market purchases or otherwise, as each
determines in its sole discretion.  Neither Purico nor Melham has determined
whether it will acquire additional shares or fixed any number of shares of
preferred stock of the Company or Common Stock it might seek to acquire or any
additional amount of money it may be willing to invest in the Company.

          Purico and Melham intend to evaluate continuously the business and
business prospects of the Company, and its present and future intentions in, and
intentions with respect to, the Company and at any time may decide to dispose of
any or all of the shares of preferred stock or Common Stock then owned by them,
subject to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement and applicable law.

          Stock Purchase Agreement - Board of Directors.  The Stock Purchase
          ------------------------                                          
Agreement provides that the Company shall as of the Closing Date increase the
number of directors constituting the Company's Board of Directors by one (1)
director and that Mr. Puri  be elected to the Board of Directors of the Company
to fill such vacancy and to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders
of the Company.

          Restrictions on Certain Actions by Purico and Melham.  Each of Purico,
Melham and Mr. Mack agreed that, during the Standstill Period, as hereinafter
defined, such person or entity will not and will cause its affiliates not to (i)
directly or indirectly "solicit" proxies or become a "participant" in any
"election contest" (as such terms are used in Regulation 14A under the Exchange
Act relating to the election of directors of the Company or seek to advise,
encourage or influence any person or entity with respect to the voting of any
shares of any class of capital stock of the Company, (ii) form, join or in any
way participate in a "group" (which, for purposes of the Stock Purchase
Agreement, shall have the 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
meaning set forth in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act) with respect to any shares of
any class of capital stock of the Company, or (iii) otherwise act in concert
with others to seek to change the control of or exercise control over the
policies, management or Board of Directors of the Company or to amend its
Articles of Incorporation; provided, that Purico, Melham and Mr. Mack shall not
be prohibited from voting in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of
Directors of the Company on any proposal for the merger, consolidation or sale
of the Company; and provided, further that nothing in this paragraph (b) will
limit or restrict in any way the right of Mr. Puri to vote on any matter before
the Board of Directors of the Company.

          The "Standstill Period" commenced on April 1, 1999 and shall end on
the earlier of:  (i) April 1, 2001; or (ii) the date on which the Board of
Directors of the Company agrees to recommend (or ceases to oppose) the
consummation of any unsolicited tender or exchange offer for securities
representing more than 50% of the Total Voting Power of the Company, or takes
any action to induce or materially facilitate such a tender or exchange offer
(including by redeeming any rights outstanding under any stockholder rights
plan).  "Total Voting Power" with respect to the Company means the voting power
in the general election of directors of the Company of all outstanding
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the
Company.

          Each of Purico, Melham and Mr. Mack agrees that during the Standstill
Period, such person or entity shall and shall cause its direct and indirect
wholly-owned subsidiaries to (a) vote all the shares of Common Stock held by
them in any annual or special election of directors of the Company in favor of
those nominees recommended by the management of the Company, (b) vote all shares
of Common Shares held by them in any vote to consider the removal from office of
a director of the Company (other than Mr. Puri) in accordance with the
recommendations of the management of the Company and (c) vote all shares of the
Common Stock held by them in any vote of the Common Stock or any other matter in
accordance with the recommendations of the management of the Company, except
with respect to a vote on any charter amendment that would eliminate or reduce
the rights of the Company Common Stock.

          Registration Rights Agreement.  The Company has granted certain
          -----------------------------                                  
registration rights to Purico, Melham and Mr. Mack which are set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement.  A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement has
been attached hereto and is incorporated by reference herein.

          Other than as discussed above, the Purico Group has no plans to
effect:

          (a) the acquisition by any person of additional securities of the
Company, or the disposition of securities of the Company;

          (b) any extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger,
reorganization or liquidation, involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

          (c) a sale or transfer of a material amount of the assets of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries;

          (d) any change in the present Board of Directors  or management of the
Company, including any change in the number or term of directors or the filling
of any vacancies on the Board of Directors;

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
          (e) any material change in the present capitalization or dividend
policy of the Company;

          (f) any other material change in the Company's business or corporate
structure;

          (g) any change in the Company's charter, bylaws, or instruments
corresponding thereto or any other actions which may impede the acquisition of
control of the Company by any person;

          (h) the delisting of any class of securities of the Company from a
national securities exchange or the ceasing to be authorized to be quoted in an
interdealer quotation system of a registered national securities association;

          (i) any class of equity securities of the Company becoming eligible
for termination of registration pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934; or

          (j) any action similar to those enumerated above.

          The Purico Group intends to re-evaluate continuously its proposed
investment in the Company and may, based on such re-evaluation, determine at
future date to change its current position with respect to any action enumerated
above.

ITEM 5.  INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

          Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, Purico owns of record
929,268 shares of Common Stock (11.84% of the Common Stock) and Melham owns of
record 129,065 shares of Common Stock (1.64% of the Common Stock).

          By reason of their relationship to Purico, the parties on Annexes A
and B may be deemed to share voting and dispositive power with respect to the
shares of Common Stock held of record by Purico.

          By reason of Mr. Puri's relationship to Purico and Melham, Mr. Puri
may be deemed to share voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares
of Common Stock held of record by Purico and Melham.

          The Purico Group has not and, to the best knowledge of the Purico
Group, the persons set forth on Annexes A and B have not, effected any
transaction in shares of Common Stock during the period extending from the date
60 days prior to the date hereof to the date hereof.

          To the best knowledge of the Purico Group, no other person has the
right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the
proceeds from the sale of, the Common Stock acquired by Purico or Melham under
the Stock Purchase Agreement.

ITEM 6.  CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENT, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT TO
SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

          Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, 679,268 shares of Common
Stock owned by Purico, 94,343 shares of Common Stock owned by Melham, and 75,474
shares of Common Stock owned 

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
by Mr. Mack are held in escrow. Shares of Common Stock, for purposes of the
escrow, are deemed to be valued at $16.00 per share. The shares of Common Stock
held in escrow are to be used to pay any indemnity amounts due the Company by
Purico, Melham and Mr. Mack. The details of the escrow are set forth in the
Escrow Agreement dated as of April 1, 1999 by and among Purico, Melham, Mr. Mack
and the Company. A copy of the Escrow Agreement has been attached hereto and is
incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 7.  MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.

          (i) Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1999, among Purico,
Melham, Mr. Mack and the Company;

          (ii) the Escrow Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1999, among Purico,
Melham, Mr. Mack and the Company; and

          (iii) the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1999,
among Purico, Melham, Mr. Mack and the Company.

                                    ANNEXES

      A. Executive Officers, Directors and Sole Stockholder of Purico.

      B. Executive Officers, Directors and Stockholders of Clary.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE

          After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.

Dated:  April 9, 1999

                              PURICO (IOM) LIMITED
 
                              By:  /s/ John Scott
                                   _________________________
                                   Name:  John Scott
                                   Title: Director

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE

          After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.

Dated:  April 9, 1999

                              CLARY LIMITED
 
                              By:  /s/ John Scott
                                   _________________________
                                   Name:  John Scott
                                   Title: Director

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE

          After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.

Dated:  April 9, 1999

 
                              /s/ Nathu R. Puri
                              _________________________
                              Nathu R. Puri
 

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
                                    Annex A
             Executive Officers, Directors and Sole Stockholder of
                              Purico (IOM) Limited
 
 
Name and Title          Principal Occupation and Business Address    Citizenship
- ---------------------  --------------------------------------------  -----------
 
James M. Cryer         Chartered Accountant of Pannell Kerr Forster  Isle of Man
Director               Analyst House
                       20-26 Peel Road
                       Douglas, Isle of Man  IM99 1AP
 
Philip E. Dearden      Chartered Accountant of Pannell Kerr Forster  Isle of Man
Director               Analyst House
                       20-26 Peel Road
                       Douglas, Isle of Man  IM99 1AP
 
David A. R. Drewett    Chartered Accountant of Pannell Kerr Forster  Isle of Man
Director, Secretary    Analyst House
                       20-26 Peel Road
                       Douglas, Isle of Man  IM99 1AP
 
John H. Nugent         Tax Consultant of Pannell Kerr Forster        Isle of Man
Director               Analyst House
                       20-26 Peel Road
                       Douglas, Isle of Man  IM99 1AP
 
John Scott             Chartered Accountant of Pannell Kerr Forster  Isle of Man
Director               Analyst House
                       20-26 Peel Road
                       Douglas, Isle of Man  IM99 1AP
 
Paul A. Seaward        Chartered Accountant of Pannell Kerr Forster  Isle of Man
Director, Secretary    Analyst House
                       20-26 Peel Road
                       Douglas, Isle of Man  IM99 1AP


        The sole stockholder of Purico (IOM) Limited is Clary Limited, a company
incorporated under the laws of the Isle of Man.

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
                                    Annex B
               Executive Officers, Directors and Stockholders of
                                 Clary Limited


Name and Title        Principal Occupation and Business Address     Citizenship
- --------------        -----------------------------------------     -----------
 
James M. Cryer        Chartered Accountant of Pannell Kerr Forster  Isle of Man
Director              Analyst House
                      20-26 Peel Road
                      Douglas, Isle of Man  IM99 1AP
 
Philip E. Dearden     Chartered Accountant of Pannell Kerr Forster  Isle of Man
Director              Analyst House
                      20-26 Peel Road
                      Douglas, Isle of Man  IM99 1AP
 
David A. R. Drewett   Chartered Accountant of Pannell Kerr Forster  Isle of Man
Director, Secretary   Analyst House
                      20-26 Peel Road
                      Douglas, Isle of Man  IM99 1AP
 
John H. Nugent        Tax Consultant of Pannell Kerr Forster        Isle of Man
Director              Analyst House
                      20-26 Peel Road
                      Douglas, Isle of Man  IM99 1AP
 
John Scott            Chartered Accountant of Pannell Kerr Forster  Isle of Man
Director              Analyst House
                      20-26 Peel Road
                      Douglas, Isle of Man  IM99 1AP
 
Paul A. Seaward       Chartered Accountant of Pannell Kerr Forster  Isle of Man
Director, Secretary   Analyst House
                      20-26 Peel Road
                      Douglas, Isle of Man  IM99 1AP


        The stockholders of Clary Limited are Nathu Ram Puri, Upendra Puri,
Ashwani Puri, Alka Badhwar, Arvind Puri, Vikas Rai Nanchahal and Vivek Rai
Nanchahal. Nathu Ram Puri owns of record approximately 88% of the equity
securities of Clary Limited.

                                      -18-

<PAGE>
 
                           STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                 BY AND AMONG

                      CADMUS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION,

                               MELHAM U.S. INC.,

                             PURICO (IOM) LIMITED,

                                      AND

                                 PAUL F. MACK



                          __________________________

                           DATED AS OF APRIL 1, 1999
                          __________________________
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           PAGE
                                                                                                           ----      
<S>                                                                                                        <C>
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS......................................................................................   1

   Section 1.01.  Accounts.................................................................................   1
   Section 1.02.  Adjusted Purchase Price..................................................................   1
   Section 1.03.  Adjustment Amount........................................................................   1
   Section 1.04.  Affiliate................................................................................   2
   Section 1.05.  Assets...................................................................................   2
   Section 1.06.  Assigned Receivables.....................................................................   2
   Section 1.07.  Assumed Debt.............................................................................   2
   Section 1.08.  Bank Accounts............................................................................   2
   Section 1.09.  Books and Records........................................................................   2
   Section 1.10.  Bridge Financing Notes...................................................................   2
   Section 1.11.  Buyer....................................................................................   2
   Section 1.12.  Buyer Common Stock.......................................................................   2
   Section 1.13.  Capital Expenditures.....................................................................   2
   Section 1.14.  Closing..................................................................................   3
   Section 1.15.  Closing Date.............................................................................   3
   Section 1.16.  Closing Financial Statements.............................................................   3
   Section 1.17.  Closing Working Capital..................................................................   3
   Section 1.18.  Code.....................................................................................   3
   Section 1.19.  Common Stock.............................................................................   3
   Section 1.20.  Company..................................................................................   3
   Section 1.21.  Company Consolidated Financial Statements................................................   3
   Section 1.22.  Company Consolidating Financial Statements...............................................   4
   Section 1.23.  Confidentiality Agreement................................................................   4
   Section 1.24.  Contracts................................................................................   4
   Section 1.25.  Current Assets...........................................................................   4
   Section 1.26.  Current Balance Sheet....................................................................   4
   Section 1.27.  Current Liabilities......................................................................   4
   Section 1.28.  Debt Payment Obligations.................................................................   5
   Section 1.29.  DOL......................................................................................   5
   Section 1.30.  Effective Time of Closing................................................................   5
   Section 1.31.  Equipment................................................................................   5
   Section 1.32.  Environmental Laws.......................................................................   5
   Section 1.33.  ERISA....................................................................................   5
   Section 1.34.  Escrow Agent.............................................................................   5
   Section 1.35.  Escrow Agreement.........................................................................   5
   Section 1.36.  Escrow Funds.............................................................................   5
   Section 1.37.  Exchange Act.............................................................................   6
   Section 1.38.  Former Subsidiaries......................................................................   6 
</TABLE> 

                                      -i-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
   <S>                                                                                                          <C> 
   Section 1.39.  GAAP........................................................................................   6
   Section 1.40.  Goldman Entities............................................................................   6
   Section 1.41.  Goldman Notes...............................................................................   6
   Section 1.42.  Goldman Purchase Agreement..................................................................   6
   Section 1.43.  Goldman Stock...............................................................................   6
   Section 1.44.  Governmental Authority......................................................................   6
   Section 1.45.  Greenwood...................................................................................   6
   Section 1.46.  Greenwood Purchase Agreement................................................................   6
   Section 1.47.  Hazardous Materials.........................................................................   7
   Section 1.48.  HSR Act.....................................................................................   7
   Section 1.49.  Initial Working Capital.....................................................................   7
   Section 1.50.  Intellectual Property.......................................................................   7 
   Section 1.51.  Inventory...................................................................................   8
   Section 1.52.  IRS.........................................................................................   8
   Section 1.53.  Knowledge of the Buyer......................................................................   8
   Section 1.54.  Knowledge of the Sellers....................................................................   8
   Section 1.55.  Labor Organization..........................................................................   8
   Section 1.56.  Law.........................................................................................   8
   Section 1.57.  Leased Warehouses...........................................................................   8
   Section 1.58.  Liability...................................................................................   8
   Section 1.59.  Liens.......................................................................................   8
   Section 1.60.  Mack........................................................................................   9
   Section 1.61.  Mack Common Stock...........................................................................   9
   Section 1.62.  Mack Financial Statements...................................................................   9
   Section 1.63.  Mack Group..................................................................................   9
   Section 1.64.  Mack Tenant.................................................................................   9
   Section 1.65.  Major Facilities............................................................................   9
   Section 1.66.  Material Adverse Effect.....................................................................   9
   Section 1.67.  Melham, Inc.................................................................................   9
   Section 1.68.  Melham, Inc. Financial Statements...........................................................   9
   Section 1.69.  Melham US...................................................................................  10
   Section 1.70.  PBGC........................................................................................  10
   Section 1.71.  PCP.........................................................................................  10
   Section 1.72.  PCP Financial Statements....................................................................  10
   Section 1.73.  Pay-Off Amount..............................................................................  10
   Section 1.74.  Permits.....................................................................................  10
   Section 1.75.  Permitted Liens.............................................................................  10
   Section 1.76.  Permitted Property Conditions...............................................................  10
   Section 1.77.  Person......................................................................................  11
   Section 1.78.  Pikesville Site.............................................................................  11
   Section 1.79.  Pre-Closing Transactions....................................................................  11
   Section 1.80.  Prepaids....................................................................................  11
   Section 1.81.  Promissory Notes............................................................................  11
   Section 1.82.  Property Surveys............................................................................  11
   Section 1.83.  Purchase Price..............................................................................  11 
</TABLE> 

                                     -ii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                                                             <C>            
   Section 1.84.   Purico.....................................................................................  12
   Section 1.85.   Real Estate Releases.......................................................................  12
   Section 1.86.   Real Property..............................................................................  12
   Section 1.87.   Real Property Lease........................................................................  12
   Section 1.88.   Real Property Title Exceptions.............................................................  12
   Section 1.89.   Recapitalization...........................................................................  12
   Section 1.90.   Receivables Payment........................................................................  12
   Section 1.91.   Regulated Asbestos-Containing Material.....................................................  12
   Section 1.92.   Releases...................................................................................  13
   Section 1.93.   Required Consents..........................................................................  13
   Section 1.94.   Retained Liabilities.......................................................................  13
   Section 1.95.   SEC........................................................................................  14
   Section 1.96.   Securities Act.............................................................................  14
   Section 1.97.   Sellers....................................................................................  14
   Section 1.98.   Series A Preferred Stock...................................................................  14
   Section 1.99.   Significant Customer.......................................................................  14 
   Section 1.100.  Special Purpose Escrow Agreement...........................................................  14
   Section 1.101.  Special Purpose Escrow Funds...............................................................  14
   Section 1.102.  Stock......................................................................................  14
   Section 1.103.  Subsidiaries...............................................................................  14
   Section 1.104.  Tax or Taxes...............................................................................  15
   Section 1.105.  Tax Return.................................................................................  15
   Section 1.106.  Termination Agreements.....................................................................  15
   Section 1.107.  VPI........................................................................................  15
   Section 1.108.  Warrants...................................................................................  15
   Section 1.109.  Working Capital............................................................................  15 

ARTICLE II PURCHASE AND SALE..................................................................................  16

   Section 2.01.  Commitment to Sell..........................................................................  16
   Section 2.02.  Commitment to Purchase; Repayment of Debt Payment Obligations...............................  16
   Section 2.03.  Transaction Prior to Closing................................................................  17
   Section 2.04.  Adjustment Amount and Payment...............................................................  18
   Section 2.05.  Adjustment Procedure........................................................................  19
   Section 2.06.  Deliveries at Closing.......................................................................  21
   Section 2.07.  Escrow......................................................................................  22
   Section 2.08.  Special Purpose Escrow......................................................................  23 

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS.........................................................  24

   Section 3.01.  Organization................................................................................  24
   Section 3.02.  Enforceability..............................................................................  24
   Section 3.03.  Consents and Approvals; No Violation or Conflict by Sellers.................................  24
   Section 3.04.  Title to the Stock, the Warrants and the Promissory Notes...................................  25
   Section 3.05.  Capitalization..............................................................................  26
   Section 3.06.  Organization................................................................................  27 
</TABLE> 

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                                                          <C>  
Section 3.07.  Subsidiaries................................................................................  27
               ------------
Section 3.08.  Company Financial Statements................................................................  28
               ----------------------------
Section 3.09.  Melham, Inc.................................................................................  29
               ----------- 
Section 3.10.  Mack Financial Statements; PCP Financial Statements.........................................  30
               ---------------------------------------------------  
Section 3.11.  Authority; Enforceability; Consents and Approvals; No Violation or Conflict by Mack Group...  30
               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 3.12.  No Adverse Change...........................................................................  31
               -----------------
Section 3.13.  No Litigation...............................................................................  32
               -------------
Section 3.14.  Title to and Sufficiency of Assets..........................................................  33
               ----------------------------------
Section 3.15.  Bank Accounts; Powers of Attorney...........................................................  33
               --------------------------------- 
Section 3.16.  Condition of Equipment......................................................................  33
               ----------------------
Section 3.17.  Books and Records...........................................................................  33
               -----------------
Section 3.18.  Contracts...................................................................................  34
               ---------
Section 3.19.  Real Property...............................................................................  35
               -------------
Section 3.20.  Intellectual Property.......................................................................  39
               ---------------------
Section 3.21.  Insurance...................................................................................  41
               ---------
Section 3.22.  Employee Benefit Plans......................................................................  42
               ---------------------- 
Section 3.23.  Compliance with Law.........................................................................  49
               -------------------
Section 3.24.  Transactions With Affiliates................................................................  50
               ----------------------------
Section 3.25.  Fees and Expenses of Brokers and Others.....................................................  50
               ---------------------------------------
Section 3.26.  Tax Matters.................................................................................  51
               -----------  
Section 3.27.  Environmental Matters.......................................................................  53
               ---------------------
Section 3.28.  Orders, Commitments and Returns.............................................................  54
               -------------------------------
Section 3.29.  Significant Customers.......................................................................  55
               --------------------- 
Section 3.30.  Labor Matters...............................................................................  55
               -------------
Section 3.31.  Year 2000 Compliance........................................................................  56
               --------------------
Section 3.32.  Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities..........................................................  57
               ----------------------------------
Section 3.33.  Accuracy of Information.....................................................................  57
               -----------------------
Section 3.34.  Private Placement...........................................................................  57
               -----------------

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER.....................................................  60
           ------------------------------------------- 

Section 4.01.  Organization................................................................................  60
               ------------
Section 4.02.  Authority; Enforceability...................................................................  60
               -------------------------
Section 4.03.  Capitalization..............................................................................  60
               -------------- 
Section 4.04.  Consents and Approvals; No Violation or Conflict by Buyer...................................  61
               ---------------------------------------------------------
Section 4.05.  Buyer Reports...............................................................................  61
               -------------
Section 4.06.  No Adverse Change...........................................................................  62
               -----------------
Section 4.07.  Fees and Expenses of Brokers and Others.....................................................  62
               ---------------------------------------
Section 4.08.  Year 2000 Compliance........................................................................  62
               --------------------
Section 4.09.  No Litigation...............................................................................  63
               -------------
Section 4.10.  Knowledge of the Buyer......................................................................  63
               ----------------------

ARTICLE V COVENANTS........................................................................................  63
          ---------
</TABLE> 

                                     -iv-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                                                          <C> 
Section 5.01.  Conduct of Business of the Company; Continued Ownership of Common Stock.....................  63
               -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 5.02.  No Solicitation.............................................................................  66
               ---------------
Section 5.03.  Access to Information.......................................................................  67
               ---------------------   
Section 5.04.  Best Efforts................................................................................  68
               ------------
Section 5.05.  Public Announcements........................................................................  68
               --------------------
Section 5.06.  Confidentiality Agreement...................................................................  68
               ------------------------- 
Section 5.07.  HSR Waiting Period..........................................................................  68
               ------------------
Section 5.08.  Registration of Equity Consideration........................................................  68
               ------------------------------------
Section 5.09.  Certain Labor Matters.......................................................................  68
               --------------------- 
Section 5.10.  Financial Statements........................................................................  69
               --------------------
Section 5.11.  Asbestos....................................................................................  69
               --------
Section 5.12.  Groundwater Sampling........................................................................  70
               --------------------
Section 5.13.  VPI Taxes...................................................................................  70
               ---------

ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING.................................................................  71
           -------------------------------

Section 6.01.  Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Buyer............................................  71
               ------------------------------------------------
Section 6.02.  Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Sellers..........................................  73
               --------------------------------------------------

ARTICLE VII TERMINATION; AMENDMENT; WAIVER.................................................................  74
            ------------------------------

Section 7.01.  Termination.................................................................................  74
               -----------
Section 7.02.  Effect of Termination.......................................................................  75
               ---------------------
Section 7.03.  Amendment...................................................................................  75
               ---------
Section 7.04.  Extension; Waiver...........................................................................  75
               -----------------

ARTICLE VIII INDEMNITIES AND ADDITIONAL COVENANTS..........................................................  76
             ------------------------------------

Section 8.01.  Survival....................................................................................  76
               --------
Section 8.02.  Sellers' Indemnity..........................................................................  76
               ------------------
Section 8.03.  Buyer's Indemnity...........................................................................  81
               -----------------
Section 8.04.  Sole and Exclusive Remedy...................................................................  83
               -------------------------
Section 8.05.  Accounts Receivable Guarantee...............................................................  83
               -----------------------------
Section 8.06.  Cooperation With Respect to Tax and SEC Matters.............................................  84
               -----------------------------------------------
Section 8.07.  Records.....................................................................................  85
               -------
Section 8.08.  Litigation Support..........................................................................  86
               ------------------
Section 8.09.  Further Assistance..........................................................................  86
               ------------------   
Section 8.10.  Bulk Sales Compliance.......................................................................  86
               ---------------------  
Section 8.11.  Restricted Securities; Stand Still..........................................................  87
               ----------------------------------

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS...................................................................................  89
           -------------

Section 9.01.  Entire Agreement; Assignment................................................................  89
               ----------------------------
Section 9.02.  Notices.....................................................................................  89
               -------
Section 9.03.  Governing Law...............................................................................  91
               -------------
</TABLE> 

                                      -v-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                                                          <C> 
Section 9.04.  Descriptive Headings........................................................................  91
               --------------------
Section 9.05.  Parties in Interest.........................................................................  91
               -------------------   
Section 9.06.  Counterparts................................................................................  91
               ------------
Section 9.07.  Specific Performance........................................................................  91
               --------------------
Section 9.08.  Fees and Expenses...........................................................................  91
               -----------------
Section 9.09.  Severability................................................................................  92
               ------------
Section 9.10.  No Reliance.................................................................................  92
               -----------
Section 9.11.  Consent to Jurisdiction.....................................................................  92
               ----------------------- 
</TABLE>

                                     -vi-
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 1.10             Bridge Financing Note      
Exhibit 1.35             Escrow Agreement           
Exhibit 1.42             Goldman Purchase Agreement 
Exhibit 1.83             Subordinated Note           
Exhibit 1.100            Special Purpose Escrow Agreement  
Exhibit 1.106            Form of Termination Agreement     
Exhibit 2.03(b)          VPI Purchase Agreement            
Exhibit 2.03(c)          Assignment Agreement Assigning the Greenwood Purchase
                         Agreement from PCP to VPI
Exhibit 5.08             Form of Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit 6.01(n)          Form of Opinions of Sellers' Counsel
Exhibit 6.02(f)          Form of Opinion of Buyer's Counsel

                                SCHEDULE INDEX
 
Schedule 1.08            Bank Accounts
Schedule 1.13            Capital Expenditures
Schedule 1.21            Company Consolidated Financial Statements         
Schedule 1.22            Company Consolidating Financial Statements        
Schedule 1.26            Current Balance Sheet                             
Schedule 1.31            Equipment                                         
Schedule 1.50            Intellectual Property                             
Schedule 1.59            Liens                                             
Schedule 1.62            Mack Financial Statements                         
Schedule 1.68            Melham, Inc. Financial Statements                 
Schedule 1.72            PCP Financial Statements                          
Schedule 1.74            Permits                                           
Schedule 1.76            Permitted Exceptions                              
Schedule 1.85            Real Estate Releases                              
Schedule 1.86            Real Property                                     
Schedule 1.93            Required Consents                                 
Schedule 2.02            Allocation of Purchase Price                       
Schedule 2.03(d)         Certain Pre-Closing Transactions
Schedule 2.04(a)(i)      Certain Bonus Payments
Schedule 2.04(a)(ii)     Sellers Payment Instructions
Schedule 3.04            Title to the Stock, the Warrants and the Promissory
                         Notes
Schedule 3.05            Capitalization                                         
Schedule 3.06            Foreign Qualifications                                 
Schedule 3.07            Subsidiaries and Former Subsidiaries                   
Schedule 3.08            Company Assets                                         
Schedule 3.09            Melham Inc. Assets                                     
Schedule 3.12            Adverse Changes   
Schedule 3.13            Litigation 

                                     -vii-
<PAGE>
 
Schedule 3.16            Certain Equipment
Schedule 3.18            Contracts                                          
Schedule 3.21            Insurance                                          
Schedule 3.22            Employee Benefit Plans                             
Schedule 3.23            Compliance with Law Exceptions                     
Schedule 3.24            Transactions with Affiliates                       
Schedule 3.25            Sellers' Brokers                                   
Schedule 3.26            Tax Matters                                        
Schedule 3.27            Environmental Matters                              
Schedule 3.28            Claims                                             
Schedule 3.29            Certain Significant Customers                      
Schedule 3.32            Certain Liabilities of the Company and Melham, Inc.
Schedule 3.30            Labor Matters                                      
Schedule 4.07            Buyer's Brokers                                    
Schedule 4.09            Buyer's Litigation                                  
Schedule 6.01(h)         Certain Withholding Taxes
Schedule 6.01(m)         Certain Contracts         
Schedule 8.02(a)(v)      Certain Indemnifiable Environmental Matters
Schedule 8.02(a)(vi)     Certain Indemnifiable Employment Matters 
Schedule 8.02(a)(vii)    Certain Other Indemnifiable Matters 

                                    -viii-
<PAGE>
 
                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                            ------------------------

                                        

     STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT, made as of the 1/st/ day of April, 1999, by and
among CADMUS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, a Virginia corporation, as Buyer,
MELHAM U.S. INC., a Delaware corporation, PURICO (IOM) LIMITED, an Isle of Man
company, and PAUL F. MACK, a United States citizen, being the record and
beneficial owners of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock and
warrants of Melham Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, collectively as
Sellers.
 
                                    RECITALS
                                    --------

     WHEREAS, Sellers own the Stock, which comprises all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of the Company, and the Warrants, which, together with
the Promissory Notes, comprise all warrants or options to acquire capital stock
of the Company;

     WHEREAS, the Sellers desire to sell the Stock and the Warrants to Buyer,
and Buyer desires to purchase the Stock and the Warrants from Sellers.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Recitals and of the mutual
covenants, conditions and agreements set forth herein and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which hereby are
acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, it hereby is agreed
that:

                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

     Section 1.01. Accounts. "Accounts" shall mean all accounts receivable,
                   --------   
notes receivable and the associated rights owned by the Mack Group.

     Section 1.02. Adjusted Purchase Price. "Adjusted Purchase Price" shall mean
                   -----------------------
an amount equal to the Purchase Price, increased or decreased by the Adjustment
Amount.

     Section 1.03. Adjustment Amount. "Adjustment Amount" shall have the
                   ----------------- 
meaning set forth in Section 2.04 hereof.
                     ------------    
<PAGE>
 
     Section 1.04.  Affiliate. "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in
                    ---------
Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

     Section 1.05.  Assets. "Assets" shall mean all of the assets of the members
                    ------
of the Mack Group, including, without limitation, the Accounts, Bank Accounts,
Books and Records, Contracts, Equipment, Intellectual Property, Inventory,
Prepaids and Real Property.

     Section 1.06.  Assigned Receivables. "Assigned Receivables" shall have the
                    --------------------      
meaning set forth in Section 8.05 hereof.
                     ------------ 

     Section 1.07.  Assumed Debt. "Assumed Debt" shall mean all debt obligations
                    ------------
of the Mack Group for monies borrowed and all obligations with respect to
capitalized leases, other than Current Liabilities and Debt Payment Obligations.

     Section 1.08.  Bank Accounts. "Bank Accounts" shall mean the checking
                    -------------
accounts, savings accounts, custodial accounts, certificates of deposit, safe
deposit boxes and other bank accounts maintained by the Mack Group, all of such
Bank Accounts being listed on Schedule 1.08 attached hereto.
                              -------------                 

     Section 1.09.  Books and Records. "Books and Records" shall mean all
                    -----------------
original books, records, data and information relating to each member of the
Mack Group, including without limitation, all minute books, corporate stock
books, customer lists, financial and accounting records, purchase orders and
invoices, sales orders and sales order log books, credit and collection records
with respect to customers and supply sources, the corporate seal and all other
general correspondence, records, books and files related to the referenced
party.

     Section 1.10.  Bridge Financing Notes. "Bridge Financing Notes" shall mean
                    ----------------------
the promissory notes issued by Buyer to the Sellers in the form of Exhibit 1.10
                                                                   ------------
attached hereto.
                              
     Section 1.11.  Buyer. "Buyer" shall mean Cadmus Communications Corporation,
                    -----
a Virginia corporation.

     Section 1.12.  Buyer Common Stock. "Buyer Common Stock" shall mean the
                    -------------------
shares of common stock, par value $0.50 per share, of the Buyer.

     Section 1.13.  Capital Expenditures. "Capital Expenditures" shall mean the
                    --------------------
sum of (i) the dollar amount of capital expenditures actually paid by the Mack
Group between December 31, 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
1998 and the Closing Date as set forth on Schedule 1.13 hereto and (ii) any
                                          -------------   
prepayments or advances on capital expenditure commitments outstanding as of
December 31, 1998 and set forth on Schedule 1.13 hereto, which sum shall be
                                   -------------
reduced by (iii) the amount paid or to be paid for the repair of roofs at the
Major Facilities, and the amount paid or to be paid for the repair and removal
of Regulated Asbestos Containing Material at the Major Facilities, in each case
during the period from December 31, 1998 to the Effective Time of Closing and
only to the extent of the scope of work described in the attached Schedule 1.13,
                                                                  -------------
and also reduced by (iv) the aggregate depreciation with respect to all such
capital expenditures from December 31, 1998 through the Effective Time of
Closing.

     Section 1.14.  Closing. "Closing" shall mean the conference held at 10:00
                    -------
a.m., local time, on the Closing Date, at the offices of Hunton & Williams, 951
E. Byrd Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219 or such other place as may be agreed
upon by Buyer and Sellers.

     Section 1.15.  Closing Date. "Closing Date" shall mean the date of this
                    ------------
Agreement. 


     Section 1.16.  Closing Financial Statements. "Closing Financial Statements"
                    ---------------------------- 
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.05 hereof.
                                    ------------        

     Section 1.17.  Closing Working Capital. "Closing Working Capital" shall
                    -----------------------
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.05 hereof.
                              ------------

     Section 1.18.  Code. "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
                    ----
as amended.

     Section 1.19.  Common Stock. "Common Stock" shall mean all of the issued
                    ------------
and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the
Company, consisting of 0 shares owned of record and beneficially by Melham US,
36,000 shares owned of record and beneficially by Purico and 4,000 shares owned
of record and beneficially by Paul F. Mack.

     Section 1.20.  Company. "Company" shall mean Melham Holdings Inc., a
                    ------- 
Delaware corporation.

     Section 1.21.  Company Consolidated Financial Statements. "Company
                    ----------------------------------------- 
Consolidated Financial Statements" shall mean the audited consolidated balance
sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as of December 31, 1998, and the
notes thereto, and the related audited 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the year ended December 31,
1998 and the notes thereto, attached hereto as Schedule 1.21.
                                               ------------- 

     Section 1.22.  Company Consolidating Financial Statements. "Company
                    ------------------------------------------
Consolidating Financial Statements" shall mean the unaudited consolidating
balance sheets of the Company, as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related
consolidating statements of income and cash flows for the year ended December
31, 1998 and for the nine month period beginning on the date of the Company's
formation and ended December 31, 1997, attached hereto as Schedule 1.22
                                                          -------------

     Section 1.23.  Confidentiality Agreement. "Confidentiality Agreement" shall
                    -------------------------     
mean the letter agreement, dated as of July 8, 1998, by and between Mack and
Buyer.

     Section 1.24.  Contracts. "Contracts" shall mean all contracts, agreements,
                    ---------
leases and licenses, whether written or oral, to which any member of the Mack
Group is a party or by which any member of the Mack Group or any of their
respective properties is bound.

     Section 1.25.  Current Assets. "Current Assets" shall mean (a) with respect
                    --------------     
to the Current Balance Sheet, items of the type identified as current assets on
the Current Balance Sheet and (b) with respect to the Closing Financial
Statements, items of the type identified as current assets on the balance sheet
included in the Closing Financial Statements.

     Section 1.26.  Current Balance Sheet. "Current Balance Sheet" shall mean
                    ---------------------     
the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Mack Group as of December 31,
1998, prepared on the same basis and applying the same accounting principles,
policies, assumptions, methodologies and practices that were used in preparing
the balance sheet included in the Company Consolidated Financial Statements,
adjusted to reflect consummation of the Pre-Closing Transactions contemplated in
Section 2.03(b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) hereof, which balance sheet is included
- --------------------------------------
in the financial statements attached as Schedule 1.26 hereto.
                                        -------------

     Section 1.27.  Current Liabilities. "Current Liabilities" shall mean (a)
                    -------------------
with respect to the Current Balance Sheet, items of the type identified as
current liabilities on the Current Balance Sheet and (b) with respect to the
Closing Financial Statements, items of the type identified as current
liabilities on the balance sheet included in the Closing Financial Statements,
but, in either case, shall exclude any current liabilities related to the Debt
Payment Obligations, and, in either case, shall also include all Taxes of the
Company or its Subsidiaries (other than VPI) arising 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without
limitation, Taxes arising from the transactions described in Section 2.03(b)
                                                             ------------
(c), (d), (e) and (f), but in
- ---------------------


     Section 1.28. Debt Payment Obligations. "Debt Payment Obligations" shall
                   ------------------------ 
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(a) hereof.
                              ------------     

     Section 1.29.  DOL. "DOL" means the United States Department of Labor.
                    ---

     Section 1.30.  Effective Time of Closing. "Effective Time of Closing" shall
                    -------------------------
mean 12:01 a.m., Eastern Standard time, on the Closing Date.

     Section 1.31.  Equipment. "Equipment" shall mean all machinery, vehicles,
                    ---------     
equipment, furniture, fixtures, furnishings, parts, tools, engineering and other
items of tangible personal property owned or leased by any member of the Mack
Group, including, without limitation, the Equipment listed on Schedule 1.31
                                                              -------------  
attached hereto.

     Section 1.32.  Environmental Laws. "Environmental Laws" shall mean any and
                    ------------------
all foreign or domestic federal, state, local or municipal laws, rules, orders,
regulations, statutes, common law, ordinances, codes, decrees or requirements of
any Governmental Authority regulating, relating to or imposing liability or
standards of conduct concerning any Hazardous Materials or environmental
protection or human health as affected by Hazardous Materials as in effect as of
Closing or at any time in the past.

     Section 1.33.  ERISA. "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income
                    -----
Security Act of 1974, as amended.

     Section 1.34.  Escrow Agent. "Escrow Agent" shall mean State Street Bank
                    ------------
and Trust Company, N.A.

     Section 1.35.  Escrow Agreement. "Escrow Agreement" shall mean the Escrow
                    ----------------     
Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.35.
                                                       ------------ 

     Section 1.36.  Escrow Funds. "Escrow Funds" shall mean 849,085 shares of
                    ------------
Buyer Common Stock comprising part of the Equity Consideration and $6,414,640
aggregate principal amount of the Buyer Notes comprising part of the Debt
Consideration to be deposited by Buyer with the Escrow Agent in accordance with
Section 2.07.
- ------------ 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 1.37.  Exchange Act. "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities
                    ------------
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Section 1.38. Former Subsidiaries .

        
     Section 1.38.  Former Subsidiaries. "Former Subsidiaries" shall have the
                    -------------------
meaning set forth in Section 3.07 hereof.

     Section 1.39.  GAAP. "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting
                    ----     
principles as in effect in the United States of America as of the date and
period covered by the subject financial statement.

     Section 1.40.  Goldman Entities. "Goldman Entities" shall mean G. S.
                    ----------------
Mezzanine Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, G. S. Mezzanine
Partners Offshore, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, Stone
Street Fund 1997, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and Bridge Street Fund
1997, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, collectively.

     Section 1.41.  Goldman Notes. "Goldman Notes" shall mean the subordinated
                    -------------
notes having an original principal amount of $25,000,000 of Mack or its
Subsidiaries held of record and beneficially by the Goldman Entities.

     Section 1.42.  Goldman Purchase Agreement. "Goldman Purchase Agreement"
                    ---------------------------     
shall mean the agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.42 pursuant to
                                                        ------------
which Mack shall redeem or purchase the Goldman Stock and the Goldman Notes.

     Section 1.43.  Goldman Stock. "Goldman Stock" shall mean the 75,000 shares
                    --------------                   
of Mack Common Stock previously owned of record and beneficially by the Goldman
Entities and redeemed pursuant to the Goldman Purchase Agreement.

     Section 1.44.  Governmental Authority. "Governmental Authority" shall mean
                    ----------------------
any federal, state, municipal or other governmental department, commission,
board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, or any court.

     Section 1.45.  Greenwood. "Greenwood" shall mean 1323 Greenwood LLC, a
                    ---------
Maryland limited liability company.

     Section 1.46.  Greenwood Purchase Agreement. "Greenwood Purchase Agreement"
                    ----------------------------
shall mean the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, dated November 12, 1998, as
amended, by and between PCP and Mesirow Realty Sale-Leaseback, Inc.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 1.47.  Hazardous Materials. "Hazardous Materials" shall mean shall
                    ------------------- 
mean any hazardous material, hazardous waste, infectious medical waste,
hazardous or toxic substance defined or regulated as such in or under any
Environmental Law, including, without limitation, petroleum, crude oil or
fractions thereof, petroleum products, waste or used oil, natural or synthetic
gas, materials exhibiting the characteristics of ignitability, corrosivity,
reactivity or extraction procedure toxicity, as such terms are defined in
connection with hazardous materials or hazardous wastes or hazardous or toxic
substances in any Environmental Law.

     Section 1.48. HSR Act. "HSR Act" shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino
                   -------
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

     Section 1.49. Initial Working Capital. "Initial Working Capital" shall have
                   ----------------------- 
the meaning set forth in Section 2.05 hereof.
                         ------------

     Section 1.50. Intellectual Property. "Intellectual Property" shall mean
                   ---------------------     
(a) all inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not
reduced to practice), all improvements thereto and all patents, patent
applications and patent disclosures, together with all reissuances,
continuations, continuations-in-part, revisions, extensions and reexaminations
thereof, (b) all trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names and
corporate names, together with all translations, adaptations, derivations and
combinations thereof and including all goodwill associated therewith and all
applications, registrations and renewals in connection therewith, (c) all
copyrightable works, all copyrights and all applications, registrations and
renewals in connection therewith, (d) all trade secrets and confidential
business information (including ideas, research and development, know-how,
formulas, compositions, manufacturing and production processes and techniques,
technical data, designs, drawings, specifications, customer and supplier lists,
pricing and cost information and business and marketing plans and proposals),
(e) all computer software (including data and related documentation), (f) all
other proprietary rights, (g) all rights as a licensee or authorized user of the
intellectual property of any third party and (h) all copies and tangible
embodiments thereof (in whatever form or medium) owned by or used in the
business of the Mack Group, including, without limitation, the Intellectual
Property listed on Schedule 1.50 attached hereto.
                   -------------

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 1.51.  Inventory. "Inventory" shall mean all inventories of goods
                    ---------
and supplies owned by any member of the Mack Group.

     Section 1.52.  IRS. "IRS" shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.
                    ---

     Section 1.53.  Knowledge of the Buyer. "Knowledge of the Buyer" shall mean
                    ---------------------- 
the actual knowledge of C. Stephenson Gillispie, Jr., David G. Wilson, Jr.,
Bruce V. Thomas, Joseph J. Ward, David E. Bosher, Karen Snyder, Carla S. Keeney,
Walter Peter, Janet Ciarvino, Robert Eastep and Boyd Votens, officers or
employees of Buyer.

     Section 1.54.  Knowledge of the Sellers. "Knowledge of the Sellers" shall
                    -------------------------     
mean the actual knowledge of Steve H. Smith, Mark R. Ploucha, Paul F. Mack, Paul
B. Knox, Frank A. Barry, Scott E. M. DeNardo, Thomas N. Plath, and Robert C.
Potts.

     Section 1.55.  Labor Organization. "Labor Organization" shall have the
                    -------------------     
meaning set forth in Section 2(5) of the National Labor Relations Act, as
amended.

     Section 1.56.  Law. "Law" shall mean any federal, state, local or other law
                    --- 
(including common law) or governmental requirement of any kind, domestic or
foreign, and the rules, regulations and orders promulgated thereunder.

     Section 1.57.  Leased Warehouses. "Leased Warehouses" shall mean
                    -----------------
collectively, (i) the facility operated by PCP at 7190 Parkway Drive, Hanover,
Maryland, (ii) the facility operated by Mack at 7 Wynfield Drive, Building 14,
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and (iii) the facility at 175 East King Street,
Ephrata, Pennsylvania, operated by a subsidiary of Mack.

     Section 1.58.  Liability.  "Liability" shall mean any direct or indirect
                    ---------
liability, indebtedness, obligation, commitment, expense, claim, deficiency,
deferred income, guaranty or endorsement of or by any Person of any type,
whether known, unknown, accrued, unaccrued, absolute, contingent, matured or
unmatured.

     Section 1.59.  Liens. "Liens" shall mean those liens, encumbrances,
                    -----
mortgages, charges, claims, restrictions, pledges, security interests, and other
matters affecting any of the Assets that are specifically listed on Schedule
                                                                    --------
1.59 attached hereto and all liens for taxes, assessments and municipal charges
- ----
that are not yet delinquent.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 1.60.  Mack. "Mack" shall mean Mack Printing Company, a
                    ---- 
Pennsylvania corporation.

     Section 1.61.  Mack Common Stock. "Mack Common Stock" shall mean all of the
                    -----------------
issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of
Mack, consisting of 425,000 shares owned of record and beneficially by Melham
Inc., after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Goldman
Purchase Agreement.

     Section 1.62.  Mack Financial Statements. "Mack Financial Statements" shall
                    -------------------------     
mean the audited consolidated balance sheets of Mack and its Subsidiaries, as of
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, and the notes thereto, and the audited
consolidated statements of income and cash flows of Mack and its Subsidiaries
for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997, and 1996, and the notes thereto,
attached hereto as Schedule 1.62.
                   -------------

    Section 1.63.   Mack Group. "Mack Group" shall mean the Company, Melham,
                    ---------- 
Inc., Mack and their respective Subsidiaries (other than VPI and Greenwood).

     Section 1.64.  Mack Tenant. "Mack Tenant" has the meaning set forth in
                    ----------- 
Section 3.19.
- ------------ 

     Section 1.65.  Major Facilities. "Major Facilities" shall mean the
                    ----------------
facilities operated by Subsidiaries of the Company and located at (i) 1991
Northampton Street, Easton, Pennsylvania (consisting of more than one parcel of
land), (ii) 34 North Crystal Street, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania (consisting
of more than one parcel of land), (iii) 300 West Chestnut Street, Ephrata,
Pennsylvania, and (iv) 1323 Greenwood Road, Baltimore, Maryland. Any one of the
Major Facilities shall be a "Major Facility."

     Section 1.66.  Material Adverse Effect. "Material Adverse Effect" with
                    -----------------------
respect to any Person shall mean any material adverse event, change or effect on
the business, assets, liabilities, results of operations or financial condition
of such Person and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     Section 1.67.  Melham, Inc.. "Melham, Inc." shall mean Melham, Inc., a
                    ------------     
Delaware corporation. 

     Section 1.68.  Melham, Inc. Financial Statements. "Melham, Inc. Financial
                    ---------------------------------- 
Statements" shall mean the unaudited consolidating balance sheet of Melham,
Inc., and its Subsidiaries, as of 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidating statements of
income and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
attached hereto as Schedule 1.68.


     Section 1.69.  Melham US. "Melham US" shall mean Melham U.S. Inc., a
                    ---------     
Delaware corporation.


     Section 1.70.  PBGC. "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty
                    ----
Corporation.

     Section 1.71.  PCP. "PCP" shall mean Port City Press, Inc., a Maryland
                    ---
corporation.

     Section 1.72.  PCP Financial Statements. "PCP Financial Statements" shall
                    -------------------------     
mean the audited balance sheets of PCP, as of September 1, 1998 and December 31,
1996 and 1995, and the notes thereto, and the audited consolidated statements of
income and cash flows of PCP for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, and
the notes thereto, attached hereto as Schedule 1.72.
                                      ------------- 

     Section 1.73.  Pay-Off Amount. "Pay-Off Amount" shall have the meaning set
                    --------------
forth in Section 2.03 hereof.

     Section 1.74.  Permits. "Permits" shall mean all permits, licenses and
                    ------- 
governmental authorizations, registrations and approvals used or required in the
conduct of the businesses of the Mack Group, including, without limitation,
those Permits listed on Schedule 1.74 attached hereto.
                        -------------      

     Section 1.75.  Permitted Liens. "Permitted Liens" shall mean those Liens
                    ---------------
that are specifically identified on Schedule 1.59 as "Permitted Liens," and all
                                    -------------
liens for taxes, assessments and municipal charges that are not yet delinquent.

     Section 1.76.  Permitted Property Conditions. "Permitted Property
                    -----------------------------
Conditions" shall mean (i) the permitted exceptions listed in Schedule 1.76
                                                              -------------   
attached hereto, (ii) all liens for taxes, assessments and municipal charges
that are not yet delinquent, (iii) all zoning, building, subdivision, wetlands
and other land use laws, codes, rules, ordinances and regulations, whether
state, federal or local, and all statutory and regulatory conditions and
restrictions, (iv) all matters, states of fact and defects that are or should be
apparent from a physical inspection of the Real Property or that would be
disclosed by an on the ground survey that do not and could not reasonably be
expected to materially and adversely affect operations or materially impair the

                                     -10-
<PAGE>
 
marketability of title to such parcel, and (v) those encumbrances (excluding
mortgages, liens and charges with respect to a specified monetary amount)
exceptions, agreements, easements, defects, encroachments, covenants,
reservations, restrictions, conditions and other matters affecting title that do
not and could not reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect
operations or materially impair the marketability of title to such parcel.

     Section 1.77.  Person.  "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation,
                    ------     
partnership, limited liability company or other entity.


     Section 1.78.  Pikesville Site. "Pikesville Site" shall have the meaning
                    ---------------
set forth in Section 3.19(c) hereof.
             ---------------

     Section 1.79.  Pre-Closing Transactions. "Pre-Closing Transactions" shall
                    ------------------------ 
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.03.
                              ------------

     Section 1.80.  Prepaids. "Prepaids" shall mean all prepaid expenses and
                    --------
deposits of the Mack Group.

     Section 1.81.  Promissory Notes.  "Promissory Notes" means the $12 million
                    ----------------
aggregate principal amount of 11% Promissory Notes of the Company, dated March
31, 1997, due March 31, 2007, consisting of $10.8 million aggregate principal
amount owned beneficially and of record by Melham US and $1.2 million aggregate
principal amount owned beneficially and of record by Paul F. Mack.

     Section 1.82.  Property Surveys.  "Property Surveys" shall mean ALTA
                    ----------------
surveys of the Major Facilities performed at the Buyer's direction and at the
Buyer's expense by surveyors licensed in the states in which the respective
Major Facilities are located.

     Section 1.83.  Purchase Price.  "Purchase Price" for the Stock and Warrants
                    --------------
shall consist of (a) the aggregate principal amount of the Bridge Financing
Notes in the amount of $60,000,000.00, (b) an amount in cash equal to
$12,134,883.21 (the "Cash Consideration"), (c) 1,161,585 shares of Buyer Common
Stock (the "Equity Consideration"), and (d) $6,414,640 in original principal
amount of subordinated notes (the "Buyer Notes") of Buyer in the form attached
as Exhibit 1.83, (the Buyer Notes and the aggregate principal amount of the
   ------------
Bridge 

                                     -11-
<PAGE>
 
Financing Notes referred to in clause (a) above shall be referred to herein as
the "Debt Consideration"), as adjusted pursuant to Section 2.05 hereof.
                                                   ------------

     Section 1.84.  Purico.  "Purico" shall mean Purico (IOM) Limited, an Isle
                    ------
     of Man company. 

     Section 1.85.  Real Estate Releases.  "Real Estate Releases" shall mean
                    --------------------
releases, in form sufficient for recording in the title records of the
jurisdictions in which the Real Property is located of the mortgages, deeds of
trust, and security interests encumbering the Real Property and listed on
Schedule 1.85 attached hereto.
- -------------                 

     Section 1.86.  Real Property.  "Real Property" shall mean the real property
                    -------------
owned or leased by the Mack Group, together with the improvements located
thereon, including all appurtenant rights, claims and interests, all of such
Real Property being listed on Schedule 1.86 attached hereto.
                              -------------

     Section 1.87.  Real Property Lease.  "Real Property Lease" has the meaning
                    -------------------
set forth in Section 3.19.
             ------------

     Section 1.88.  Real Property Title Exceptions.  "Real Property Title
                    ------------------------------
Exceptions" shall mean all recorded or unrecorded liens, encumbrances,
mortgages, charges, claims, restrictions, pledges, security interests, and other
matters affecting the Real Property.

     Section 1.89.  Recapitalization.  "Recapitalization" shall mean the series
                    ----------------
of transactions constituting the corporate restructuring and redemption of
shares consummated by Mack, Melham, Inc., the Company and certain other parties
on, prior to and around March 28, 1997.

     Section 1.90.  Receivables Payment.  "Receivables Payment" shall have the
                    -------------------
meaning set forth in Section 8.05.
                     ------------

     Section 1.91.  Regulated Asbestos-Containing Material.  "Regulated 
                    --------------------------------------
Asbestos-Containing Material" ("RACM") means (a) Friable asbestos material, (b)
Category I nonfriable ACM that has become friable prior to Closing, (c) Category
I nonfriable ACM that has been subjected to sanding, grinding, cutting, or
abrading prior to Closing, or (d) Category II nonfriable ACM that has become
crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder prior to Closing. The terms used in
this 

                                     -12-
<PAGE>
 
definition and not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning
set forth at 40 C.F.R. 61.141.

     Section 1.92.  Releases.  "Releases" shall mean all releases, UCC-
                    --------
termination statements and other documents and instruments as may be necessary
to release all Liens listed on Schedule 1.59 attached hereto, other than those
                               -------------
liens identified as Permitted Liens.

     Section 1.93.  Required Consents.  "Required Consents" shall mean those
                    -----------------
material consents, approvals and waivers that are required in connection with
the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and that are
specifically listed in Schedule 1.93 attached hereto.
                       -------------

     Section 1.94.  Retained Liabilities.  "Retained Liabilities" shall mean (i)
                    --------------------
except for Liabilities identified on Schedule 3.32, all Liabilities of Melham,
                                     -------------
Inc., existing as of, or arising out of events, actions or circumstances
occurring on or prior to, the Closing Date, other than obligations, claims and
liabilities arising solely as a result of Melham, Inc.'s ownership of the
capital stock of Mack and, except as provided in (vi) below, other than Taxes
attributable to the activities of Mack and its Subsidiaries and for which
Melham, Inc. would not be liable but for Treas. Reg. (S) 1.1502-6 or analogous
provisions of state or local law; (ii) except for Liabilities identified on
Schedule 3.32, all Liabilities of the Company existing as of, or arising out of
- -------------
events, actions or circumstances occurring on or prior to, the Closing Date,
other than obligations, claims and liabilities arising solely as a result of the
Company's indirect ownership of the capital stock of Mack and, except as
provided in (vi) below, other than Taxes attributable to the activities of Mack
and its Subsidiaries and for which the Company would not be liable but for
Treas. Reg. (S) 1.1502-6 or analogous provisions of state or local law; (iii)
all Liabilities of VPI and Greenwood, including any Liability arising or related
to the Accounts Receivable Management and Security Agreement, dated as of
February 5, 1999, between BNY Financial Corporation and VPI or the guaranty by
the Company of any such Liability; (iv) any Liability arising out of or related
to the guaranty of SPA lease; (v) any amounts due with respect to or arising out
of the Debt Payment Obligations that are not included in the Pay-off Amount;
(vi) any Liability of any member of the Mack Group for Taxes arising out of or
related to the Recapitalization; and (vii) Liabilities for withholding Taxes for
payments to or for the benefit of any Person that is a foreign 

                                     -13-
<PAGE>
 
person for United States tax purposes made by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries on or prior to the Closing Date.

     Section 1.95.  SEC.  "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange
                    ---
Commission.

     Section 1.96.  Securities Act.  "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities
                    --------------
Act of 1933, as amended. 

     Section 1.97.  Sellers.  "Sellers" shall mean Melham U.S., Purico, and Paul
                    -------
F. Mack.

     Section 1.98.  Series A Preferred Stock.  "Series A Preferred Stock" shall
                    ------------------------
mean all of the issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, $100
liquidation preference, of the Company, consisting of 14,069 shares owned of
record by Melham U.S., 43,752 shares owned of record by Purico, and 6,422 shares
owned of record by Paul F. Mack. 

     Section 1.99.  Significant Customer.  "Significant Customer" shall mean
                    --------------------
each of the 30 customers of the Mack Group to whom the Company had the highest
total sales for the calendar year 1998.

     Section 1.100. Special Purpose Escrow Agreement.  "Special Purpose Escrow
                    -------------------------------- 
Agreement" shall mean the Special Purpose Escrow Agreement in substantially the
form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.100.
                        ------------- 

     Section 1.101. Special Purpose Escrow Funds.  "Special Purpose Escrow
                    ----------------------------
Funds" shall mean, initially, the $2.0 million Bridge Financing Note issued in
the name of the Escrow Agent and, following repayment of the Bridge Financing
Notes, an amount in cash equal to the principal amount of such Bridge Financing
Note (as determined pursuant to the Special Purpose Escrow Agreement) to be
deposited with the Escrow Agent in accordance with Section 2.08.
                                                   ------------ 

     Section 1.102. Stock.  "Stock" shall mean all of the issued and outstanding
                    -----
shares of capital stock of the Company, consisting of the Common Stock and the
Series A Preferred Stock.

     Section 1.103. Subsidiaries.  "Subsidiaries" means, as to any Person, all
                    ------------
corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships or other entities with
respect to which such Person owns or otherwise controls, directly or indirectly,
through one or more subsidiaries, corporations, limited liability companies,
partnerships, joint ventures or other business associations, shares 

                                     -14-
<PAGE>
 
representing 50% or more of the votes eligible to be cast in the election of
directors, managers or other applicable governors of each such entity.

     Section 1.104.  Tax or Taxes.  "Tax" or "Taxes" shall mean any federal,
                     ------------
state, county, local, or foreign taxes, charges, levies, imposts, duties, other
assessments, or similar charges of any kind whatsoever, including any interest,
penalties, and additions imposed thereon or with respect thereto.

     Section 1.105.  Tax Return.  "Tax Return" shall mean any report, return,
                     ----------
information return, or other information required to be supplied to a taxing
authority in connection with Taxes, including any return of an affiliated or
combined or unitary group.

     Section 1.106.  Termination Agreements.  "Termination Agreements" shall
                     ----------------------
mean the agreements in the form attached as Exhibit 1.106 to terminate the
                                            -------
contracts specified as being terminated on Schedule 6.01(m).
                                           ---------------- 

     Section 1.107.  VPI.  "VPI" means Vital Public Information, Inc., a
                     ---
Delaware corporation.

     Section 1.108.  Warrants.  "Warrants" shall mean the warrants to purchase
                     --------
5,000 shares of Common Stock, owned beneficially and of record by Melham US
pursuant to the Warrant Agreement by and between Melham US and the Company dated
March 31, 1997.

     Section 1.109.  Working Capital.  "Working Capital" shall have the meaning
                     ---------------
set forth in Section 2.05 hereof.
             ------------

                                     -15-
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE II

                               PURCHASE AND SALE
                               -----------------

     Section 2.01.  Commitment to Sell.  Each of the Sellers hereby agrees that
                    ------------------
at the Closing, and upon all of the terms and subject to all of the conditions
of this Agreement, it shall sell, transfer, assign, convey and deliver to Buyer,
by assignment, stock power or other appropriate instrument, free and clear of
all liens, encumbrances, charges, claims, restrictions, pledges or security
interests (other than those arising under the Securities Act or any state's
securities laws or pursuant to this Agreement), all of the then-outstanding
Stock and Warrants owned by it or him.

     Section 2.02.  Commitment to Purchase; Repayment of Debt Payment
                    -------------------------------------------------
Obligations. (a) Buyer hereby agrees that at the Closing, and upon all of the
- -----------
terms and subject to all of the conditions of this Agreement, it shall purchase
from the Sellers all of the then-outstanding Stock and Warrants and, subject to
Sections 2.04 and 2.05, in full and final payment therefor Buyer shall deliver,
- ----------------------                                                         
after deduction of all applicable withholding Taxes required under applicable
law,

          (i)  the Cash Consideration, the Equity Consideration and the Debt
Consideration to Sellers (less the Escrow Funds and the Special Purpose Escrow
Funds) and  (ii)  the Escrow Funds and the Special Purpose Escrow Funds to the
Escrow Agent.  The Cash Consideration, the Equity Consideration and the Debt
Consideration (less the Escrow Funds and the Special Purpose Escrow Funds) shall
be paid to the Sellers in accordance with the payment instructions and allocated
to each of the Sellers in accordance with Schedule 2.02.
                                          ------------- 

          (b)  At the Closing, the Buyer will, or will cause a member of the
Mack Group to, satisfy the Debt Payment Obligations (as defined below) by (i)
issuing to the holders of the Promissory Notes an original principal amount of
Bridge Financing Notes equal to the portion of the Pay-off Amount attributable
to such Promissory Notes, (ii) paying to Fleet Capital Corporation and Fleet
Capital Leasing their respective portions of the Pay-Off Amount in cash by wire
transfer of immediately available funds and (iii) paying to the Goldman Entities
a combination of cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds and
promissory notes as provided in the Goldman Purchase Agreement (it being
understood that the Buyer's provision of funds for the payment of the Pay-off
Amount may, at Buyer's option, be reflected in one or more 

                                     -16-
<PAGE>
 
loans from Buyer to the Mack Group entities that are the obligors of the Debt
Payment Obligations).

     Section 2.03.  Transaction Prior to Closing.  At or prior to Closing, the
                    ----------------------------
Sellers (and, where specified, Buyer) shall cause the following transactions
("Pre-Closing Transactions") to occur:

          (a)  Prior to Closing, Sellers will deliver, or cause to be delivered,
to Buyer (i) pay-off letters from the Goldman Entities setting forth the
aggregate amount, including interest, prepayment penalties and other fees to be
paid as of the Closing Date to satisfy all of Mack's obligations to the Goldman
Entities and their affiliates for the Goldman Stock or under the Goldman Notes
or otherwise pursuant to the Goldman Purchase Agreement; (ii) a pay-off letter
from Fleet Capital Corporation setting forth the aggregate amount, including
interest, prepayment penalties and other fees, to be paid as of the Closing Date
to satisfy all of Mack's obligations under the Loan and Security Agreement,
dated as of March 28, 1997, by and among Fleet Capital Corporation, a Rhode
Island corporation, Mack Printing Company, a Pennsylvania corporation, Mack
Printing Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Science Craftsman, Inc., a New
York corporation and Port City Press, Inc., a Maryland corporation, as amended
and modified from time to time; (iii) pay-off letters from Melham US and Paul F.
Mack setting forth the aggregate amount, including interest, prepayment
penalties and other fees, to be paid as of the Closing Date to satisfy all of
the Company's obligations under the Promissory Notes; and (iv) pay-off letters
from Fleet Capital Leasing setting forth the aggregate amount, including
interest, prepayment penalties and other fees, to be paid as of the Closing Date
to satisfy all of Mack's obligations under the promissory notes, dated September
5, 1997 and January 30, 1998, in the original principal amounts of $923,895.25
and $676,105.00, respectively.  The obligations described in this Section
                                                                  -------
2.03(a) are referred to as the "Debt Payment Obligations" and the aggregate
- -------                                                                    
amount of such obligations is referred to as the "Pay-off Amount."

          (b)  Prior to Closing, the Sellers shall cause the Company to (i) sell
to Sanpur, Inc., a Delaware corporation owned by Purico, and Paul F. Mack, all
shares of capital stock of VPI owned beneficially and of record by the Company
pursuant to the agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 2.03(b).
                                             --------------- 

                                     -17-
<PAGE>
 
          (c)  Prior to Closing, the Sellers shall cause PCP to assign to VPI
(or a wholly owned subsidiary of VPI), and shall cause VPI (or a wholly owned
subsidiary of VPI) to assume, all rights and obligations relating to the
Greenwood Purchase Agreement pursuant to the agreement attached hereto as
Exhibit 2.03(c).
- --------------- 

          (d)  At or prior to Closing and as further discussed below, the
Sellers shall cause the following promissory notes to be paid off or canceled:
(i) promissory notes from VPI to the Company in the aggregate principal amount
of $1,740,000 at February 28, 1999, (ii) promissory notes from the Company to
Purico in the aggregate principal amount of $935,000 at February 28, 1999, (iii)
promissory notes from the Company to Melham US in the aggregate principal amount
of $250,000 at February 28, 1999, (iv) promissory notes from Melham US to
Melham, Inc. in the aggregate principal amount of $40,000 at February 28, 1999
and (v) promissory notes from Melham, Inc. to Purico in the aggregate principal
amount of $30,000 at February 28, 1999. These transactions will be accomplished
as set forth in Schedule 2.03(d). Sellers shall provide Buyer with original
                ----------------                                            
copies of all of the promissory notes referenced herein, marked "canceled."

          (e)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any cash of the
Company or Melham, Inc. reflected on the Current Balance Sheet or the Company
Consolidated Financial Statements shall not be included in the Initial Working
Capital.
          (f)  At or prior to the Closing, Sellers will cause Mack to issue
checks for bonuses in the amounts (reduced by the amount of all withholding
Taxes required under applicable Law) set forth in Schedule 2.04(a)(i), as
                                                  --------------------   
authorized in the resolutions attached to Schedule 2.04(a)(i) (including
                                          -------------------           
appropriate approvals pursuant to Section 280G(b)(5) of the Code), and Buyer
will cause Mack to honor such checks).

     Section 2.04.  Adjustment Amount and Payment.  
                    -----------------------------

          The "Adjustment Amount" (which may be a positive or negative number)
will be equal to the amount determined by (a) subtracting the Initial Working
Capital from the Closing Working Capital, (b) adding to such amount the Capital
Expenditures, (c) subtracting from such amount the difference obtained by
subtracting the Assumed Debt, as set forth on the Company Consolidated Financial
Statement in the amount of $0, from the Assumed Debt, as set forth on 

                                     -18-
<PAGE>
 
the balance sheet included in the Closing Financial Statements, which Assumed
Debt shall be determined in a manner consistent with and using the same
accounting methodologies and practices as the calculation thereof on the Company
Consolidated Financial Statements, and (d) adding to such amount, to the extent
not reflected in clause (a), the excess of (i) the reduction in Taxes realized
by the Company or its Subsidiaries for the current tax year by reason of the
payment of the bonuses at Closing set forth on Schedule 2.04(a)(i) over (ii) the
                                               -------------------              
amount of any Taxes paid or payable by the Company or its Subsidiaries as a
result of the payment of such bonuses.  The Adjustment Amount shall be paid
either (a) by Sellers to an account specified by Buyer (if the Adjustment Amount
is negative) directly by Sellers in cash by wire transfer of immediately
available funds or (b) by Buyer to accounts specified by each of the respective
Sellers in amounts corresponding to the applicable percentages set forth with
respect to each Seller on Schedule 2.04(a)(ii) (if the Adjustment Amount is
                          --------------------                             
positive) in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds.  All payments
shall be made together with interest at 7.5% per annum, which interest shall
begin accruing on the Closing Date and end on the date the payment is made.
Within three (3) business days after the calculation of the Closing Working
Capital becomes binding and conclusive on the parties pursuant to Section 2.05
                                                                  ------------
hereof, Sellers or Buyer, as the case may be, shall make the wire transfer
payment provided for in this Section 2.04.
                             ------------ 

     Section 2.05.  Adjustment Procedure.
                    -------------------- 

          (a)  "Working Capital" as of a given date shall mean the amount
calculated by subtracting the Current Liabilities of the Mack Group from the
Current Assets of the Mack Group as of the date of the Current Balance Sheet or
the Closing Financial Statements, as applicable.  The Working Capital of the
Mack Group as of the date of the Current Balance Sheet (the "Initial Working
Capital") was nineteen million, five hundred thirty-seven thousand, six hundred
forty-two dollars ($19,537,642).

          (b)  Within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall
prepare unaudited consolidated financial statements ("Closing Financial
Statements") of the Mack Group as of the Closing Date and for the period from
the date of the Current Balance Sheet through the Closing Date on the same basis
and applying the same accounting principles, policies, assumptions,
methodologies and practices that were used in preparing the Current Balance
Sheet. 

                                     -19-
<PAGE>
 
The Closing Financial Statements shall reflect consummation of the Pre-Closing
Transactions set forth in Section 2.03(b), Section 2.03(c), Section 2.03(d) and
                          ---------------  ---------------  -------------------
Section 2.03(e) and 2.03(f), but (except for any transfer or similar tax imposed
- ---------------------------     
on or payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) shall not give effect
to the Closing transactions set forth in Section 2.01 and Section 2.02.  Buyer
                                         ------------     ------------
shall then determine the Working Capital as of the Closing Date (the "Closing
Working Capital") based on the Closing Financial Statements and using the same
methodology as was used to calculate the Initial Working Capital. Buyer shall
deliver the Closing Financial Statements and its determination of the Closing
Working Capital, the amount of Capital Expenditures and the Assumed Debt to the
Sellers within sixty (60) days following the Closing Date.

          (c)  If within forty-five (45) days following delivery of the Closing
Financial Statements and the calculations of Closing Working Capital, Capital
Expenditures and Assumed Debt, the Sellers have not given Buyer written notice
of their objection to any of such calculations (which notice must state the
basis of Sellers' objection), Buyer's calculations of the Closing Working
Capital, Capital Expenditures and Assumed Debt shall be binding and conclusive
on the parties and be used in computing the Adjustment Amount and such Closing
Financial Statements shall be the final Closing Financial Statements.

          (d)  If Sellers duly give Buyer such notice of objection, and if
Sellers and Buyer fail to resolve the issues outstanding with respect to the
Closing Financial Statements, the Closing Working Capital, the Capital
Expenditures and the Assumed Debt within thirty (30) days of Buyer's receipt of
Sellers' objection notice, Sellers and Buyer shall submit the issues remaining
in dispute to the Philadelphia office of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, certified public
accountants (the "Independent Accountants"), for resolution applying the
principles, policies and practices referred to in Section 2.05(b).  If issues
                                                  ---------------            
remaining in dispute are submitted to the Independent Accountants for
resolution, (i) Sellers and Buyer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the
Independent Accountants such work papers and other documents and information
relating to the disputed issues as the Independent Accountants may request and
are available to that party or its agents and shall be afforded the opportunity
to present to the Independent Accountants any material relating to the disputed
issues and to discuss the issues with the Independent Accountants (provided,
that Sellers on the one hand, and the Buyer on the 

                                     -20-
<PAGE>
 
other hand, shall not have any contact or communications with the Independent
Accountants without the other party being present or, in the case of written
communications, contemporaneously copied); and (ii) the determination by the
Independent Accountants, as set forth in a notice to be delivered to all such
Sellers and Buyer within thirty (30) days of the submission to the Independent
Accountants of the issues remaining in dispute, shall be final, binding and
conclusive on the parties and shall be used in the calculation of the Adjustment
Amount.

          (e)  In connection with its review, the Sellers and their accountants
shall have the right to review the methods used in the preparation of the
Closing Financial Statements, including the right to review all work papers
reasonably related to the review of the Buyer's accountants, and to request and
receive reasonably relevant information from the Buyer and the Buyer's
accountants.

          (f)  All of the fees and expenses of the Independent Accountant, if
any, shall be paid equally by the Buyer, on the one hand, and the Sellers, on
the other hand; provided, however, that, if the Independent Accountant
                --------  -------                                     
determines that either party's position is totally correct, then the other party
shall pay one hundred percent (100%) of the fees and expenses charged by the
Independent Accountant in connection with any such determination.

     Section 2.06.  Deliveries at Closing.
                    --------------------- 

          (a)       By Sellers to Buyer. At the Closing, Sellers shall deliver,
                    -------------------
or cause to be delivered, to Buyer the following items, each properly executed
and dated as of the Closing Date (i) the opinions of Sellers' counsel required
pursuant to Section 6.01(n) hereof; (ii) executed resignations of those officers
            ---------------                                                     
and directors of the members of the Mack Group who have been designated at least
three (3) days prior to the Closing Date by Buyer; (iii) a Certificate of the
Secretary of each Seller and each member of the Mack Group, certifying as to the
articles of incorporation, bylaws and board resolutions of each such member,
(iv) the Certificates required pursuant to Section 6.01(i) hereof; (v) copies of
                                           ---------------                      
the executed and final documents referred to in Sections 2.03(a), (b), (c), (d),
                                                --------------------------------
(e) and (f)  (vi) certificates representing the then-outstanding Stock and
- -----------                                                               
Warrants, together with duly executed stock powers or instruments of assignment
therefor to convey the Stock and Warrants to the Buyer; (vii) the Releases and
the Real Estate Releases 

                                     -21-
<PAGE>
 
(provided, however, that any Real Estate Release shall be deemed delivered for
purposes of satisfying this condition if Sellers shall have delivered to Buyer's
title company documentation sufficient to cause the title company to insure
title to the applicable parcel of Real Property without exception to the matter
intended to be released by such Real Estate Release); (viii) the Escrow
Agreement; (ix) the Special Purpose Escrow Agreement; (x) the Goldman Purchase
Agreement; (xi) the executed Termination Agreements; (xii) a statement, in the
form set forth in Treasury Regulation (S) 1.1445-2(b)(2) and made under
penalties of perjury by each Seller, other than Purico, that (among other
things) such Seller is not a foreign person; (xiii) a statement of the Company,
in the form set forth in Treas. Reg. (S)(S) 1.1445-2(c)(3) and 1.897-2(h), that
the Company is not (and was not at any time during the previous five years) a
United States real property holding corporation; (xiv) an IRS Form W-9 completed
by each Seller, other than Purico; and (xv) an IRS Form W-8 completed by Purico.

          (b)       By Buyer to Sellers. At the Closing, the Buyer shall deliver
                    -------------------  
to Sellers the following items, each (where applicable) properly executed and
dated as of the Closing Date: (i) the Cash Consideration, the Equity
Consideration and the Debt Consideration (less the Escrow Funds and the Special
Purpose Escrow Funds); (ii) the opinion of Buyer's counsel required pursuant to
Section 6.02(f) hereof; (iii) a Certificate of the Secretary of Buyer as to the
- ---------------
articles of incorporation, bylaws and board resolutions of Buyer; (iv) the
Certificate required pursuant to Section 6.02(d) hereof; (v) the Escrow
                                 ---------------
Agreement; and (vi) the Special Purpose Escrow Agreement.

          (c)       By Buyer to Escrow Agent. At the Closing, the Buyer shall
                    ------------------------    
deliver to the Escrow Agent the following items each (where applicable) properly
executed and dated as of the Closing Date: (i) the Escrow Agreement; (ii) the
Special Purpose Escrow Agreement; (iii) the Escrow Funds; and (iv) the Special
Purpose Escrow Funds.

     Section 2.07.  Escrow.
                    ------ 

          (a)       Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, on
the Closing Date, Buyer will deposit the Escrow Funds with the Escrow Agent in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement. For
purposes of this Agreement, the Buyer Common Stock in the Escrow Funds shall be
valued at $16.00 per share, including, without 

                                     -22-
<PAGE>
 
limitation, for the purpose of valuing any disbursements made in connection with
the Sellers' obligations under
                                                                                
Section 8.02 hereof.
- ------------        

          (b)       To the extent that any indemnity amounts are to be paid
pursuant to Section 8.02 hereof, such amounts shall be payable to Buyer
            ------------
initially from the Escrow Funds in accordance with the Escrow Agreement, and
thereafter by the Indemnifying Parties as provided in Section 8.02 hereof;
                                                      ------------ 
provided, however, Sellers, at their option, may pay any indemnity amounts
- --------  -------
required to be paid pursuant to Section 8.02 hereof in cash directly to Buyer
                                ------------   
and require the Escrow Agent to release to Sellers that number of shares of
Buyer Common Stock in the Escrow Funds having a value equal to the amount of
such indemnity payment actually made to Buyer divided by $16.00 per share.
Eighteen (18) months following the Effective Time and provided no claims by
Buyer or any other Indemnified Party for indemnification pursuant to Section
                                                                     ------- 
8.02 are pending, the Escrow Agent shall release 312,500 shares of Buyer Common
- ----
Stock (or at the Sellers' option $5 million in other Escrow Funds, other than
the Buyer Notes) in the Escrow Funds to the Sellers as provided in the Escrow
Agreement. On the fifth anniversary of the Effective Time and provided no claims
by Buyer or any other Indemnified Party for indemnification pursuant to Section
                                                                        -------
8.02 are pending, the Escrow Agent shall release all Escrow Funds remaining with
- ----
the Escrow Agent to the Sellers as provided in the Escrow Agreement.

     Section 2.08.  Special Purpose Escrow.
                    ---------------------- 

          (a)       Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, on
the Closing Date, Buyer will deposit the Special Purpose Escrow Funds with the
Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Special
Purpose Escrow Agreement. Upon repayment of the Bridge Financing Note initially
comprising the Special Purpose Escrow Funds, the Buyer and the Escrow Agent
shall cause an amount in cash in immediately available funds equal to the
outstanding principal amount of such note (as determined pursuant to the Special
Purpose Escrow Agreement) to be deposited with the Escrow Agent to replace such
note as Special Purpose Escrow Funds in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement and the Special Purpose Escrow Agreement.

          (b)       The Special Purpose Escrow Funds shall be disbursed in
accordance with the terms of the Special Purpose Escrow Agreement.

                                     -23-
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE III

                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS

     Sellers hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to Buyer that
the following representations and warranties are, as of the date hereof, true
and correct:

     Section 3.01.  Organization. With respect to Melham US and Purico, each
                    ------------
such Seller is a corporation or company limited by shares duly organized,
validly existing and, in the case of Melham US, in good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has all requisite corporate power and
authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business
as now being conducted.

     Section 3.02.  Enforceability. With respect to Melham US and Purico: (i)
                    --------------
the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and of all of the
documents and instruments required hereby from the Sellers are within the
corporate power of such Sellers; and (ii) the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby has been
duly authorized by the Board of Directors, and the shareholders, as applicable,
of such Seller, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of such Seller is
necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions
contemplated herein. With respect to Paul F. Mack, such Seller has full power,
legal right and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and all of the
documents and instruments required hereby from such Seller and to perform his
respective obligations hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement has been, and
all of the other documents and instruments required hereby to which such Seller
is a party will be, duly and validly executed and delivered by such Seller. This
Agreement is, and the other documents and instruments required hereby will be,
when executed and delivered by the parties hereto, the valid and binding
obligations of such Seller, enforceable against such Seller in accordance with
their respective terms subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other
similar laws relating to creditors' rights or creditors' remedies generally; and
(ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought
in a proceeding at law or in equity).

     Section 3.03.  Consents and Approvals; No Violation or Conflict by Sellers.
                    ----------------------------------------------------------- 
Except for any applicable filing requirements under the HSR Act, no notice to,
filing or registration with, 

                                     -24-
<PAGE>
 
and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any governmental,
regulatory or self-regulatory agency is necessary or is required to be made or
obtained by such Seller in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by such Seller or for the consummation by such Seller of the
transactions contemplated hereby. Assuming that the Required Consents have been
obtained, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such
Seller and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and
will not (a) with respect to Melham US and Purico, conflict with or result in
any breach of any provision of the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Memorandum
of Association or organizational documents of such Seller, (b) conflict with or
violate any Law, judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree binding on such
Seller, or any of its or his respective properties or assets, or (c) conflict
with or result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without due
notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation, modification or acceleration) under, any of the
terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license,
contract, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which such Seller is a
party or by which such Seller or any of its or his respective properties or
assets may be bound (which would adversely affect such Seller's ability to
consummate the transaction contemplated hereby). The Sellers shall use their
reasonable best efforts (which shall not include the payment of money, other
than that which is currently due and payable, to the party providing such
consent) to obtain, or to cause the Company to obtain, all Required Consents
prior to the Effective Time of Closing.

     Section 3.04.  Title to the Stock, the Warrants and the Promissory Notes.
                    --------------------------------------------------------- 
Each such Seller owns of record and beneficially good and valid title to the
number of shares, the number or the aggregate principal amount, as applicable,
of the Stock, the Warrants and the Promissory Notes set forth opposite such
Seller's name on Schedule 3.04 hereto, free and clear of any and all liens, 
                 -------------
encumbrances, charges, claims, restrictions, pledges or security interests
(other than those arising under the Securities Act or any state's securities
laws or pursuant to this Agreement). Upon delivery of the Stock and the Warrants
to Buyer at the Closing and registration of such securities in the name of Buyer
on the appropriate stock records and upon Buyer's payment of the Purchase Price
therefor, good and valid title to the Stock and the Warrants, free and clear of
all liens, encumbrances, charges, claims, restrictions, pledges or security
interests (other than those 

                                     -25-
<PAGE>
 
arising under the Securities Act or any state's securities laws or pursuant to
this Agreement), will pass to Buyer, except to the extent the Buyer is a party
to fraud or has notice of an adverse claim.

     Section 3.05.  Capitalization. The authorized equity capitalization of the
                    --------------
Company consists of: 50,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share,
and 250,000 shares of series A preferred stock, par value $0.01 and $100
liquidation preference per share. The Stock represents all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of the Company, has been duly and validly issued and
is fully paid and non-assessable, and was not issued in violation of any
preemptive or other similar right. All of the Stock was offered and sold in
compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws and
regulations. Schedule 3.05 describes any agreements to which the Company is a
             -------------
party, and any agreements to which any Seller is a party, relating to the Stock,
and true and correct copies of such agreements have been delivered to the Buyer.
Sellers shall cause all those agreements listed on Schedule 3.05 hereto to be
                                                   -------------   
terminated immediately prior to the Effective Time of Closing, except as noted
thereon. Except for the Warrants, the Series A Preferred Stock and the
Promissory Notes, there are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants,
purchase rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, or other contracts or
commitments to subscribe for or purchase any capital stock of the Company or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or which otherwise confer on
the holder thereof any right to acquire, any capital stock of the Company, nor
is the Company committed to issue any such option, warrant or other right. There
are no outstanding stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or
similar rights with respect to the capital stock of the Company. Except as set
forth on Schedule 3.05 hereto, there are no voting trusts, proxies or other
         ------------- 
agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of any capital stock of
the Company, other than any to which the Buyer is a party.

                                     -26-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 3.06.  Organization. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is a
                    ------------
corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or organization, and each has all requisite corporate or
organizational power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and
to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each of the Company and
its Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing to do
business in each jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased or operated by
it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification or
licensing necessary, except where the failure to so qualify will not result in a
Material Adverse Effect on the Mack Group, taken as a whole. Schedule 3.06
                                                             ------------- 
attached hereto is a true and complete list of all such jurisdictions referred
to in this Section for each of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

     Section 3.07.  Subsidiaries.
                    ------------ 

          (a)       Schedule 3.07(a) is a true and complete list of all of the
                    ----------------                                          
Company's Subsidiaries.  Schedule 3.07(a) accurately sets forth for each such
                         ----------------                                    
Subsidiary (i) its name and jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, (ii)
the number of shares of authorized capital stock of each class of its capital
stock or membership interests, (iii) the number of issued and outstanding shares
of each class of its capital stock or membership interests, the names of the
holders thereof and the number of shares or membership interests held by each
such holder and (iv) the number of shares of its capital stock or membership
interests held in treasury (if any).  All of the issued and outstanding shares
of capital stock or membership interests of each such Subsidiary have been duly
authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

          (b)       Except as set forth on Schedule 3.07(b), giving effect to
                                           ----------------                  
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Goldman Purchase Agreement,
all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or membership
interests of each such Subsidiary are owned of record and beneficially by the
Company or another Subsidiary of the Company, free and clear of any and all
restrictions on transfer (other than restrictions under the Securities Act or
any state's securities laws or pursuant to this Agreement), taxes, liens,
encumbrances, charges, pledges, security interests, contracts, commitments,
equities, claims and demands.

                                     -27-
<PAGE>
 
          (c)       Except as set forth on Schedule 3.07(c), there are no
                                           ----------------  
outstanding or authorized options, warrants, purchase rights, conversion rights,
exchange rights, subscription rights or other contracts or commitments that, by
their terms, could require the Company to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of
any capital stock or membership interests of any of its Subsidiaries, other than
VPI or Greenwood, or that could require any of its Subsidiaries, other than VPI
or Greenwood, to issue, sell or otherwise cause to become outstanding any of its
own capital stock or membership interests. There are no outstanding stock
appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or similar rights with respect
to any such Subsidiary. There are no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements
or understandings with respect to the voting of any capital stock of any such
Subsidiary, other than any to which the Buyer is a party. Schedule 3.07(c)
                                                          ----------------
attached hereto is a true and complete list of all corporations, limited
liability companies, partnership or other entities, with respect to which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries has owned or otherwise controlled a majority
of the outstanding voting securities, and all predecessor entities of the
Company and its Subsidiaries (the "Former Subsidiaries") and accurately sets
forth for each Former Subsidiary (i) its name and jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization, (ii) the nature and extent of the Company's or its Subsidiary's
interest in such Former Subsidiary, (iii) the date such interest was disposed of
and (iv) the manner of such disposition.  Except as set forth on Schedule
                                                                 --------
3.07(c), the Company and its Subsidiaries do not own, and have not owned, any
- -------                                                                      
equity interest in any corporate entity except its Subsidiaries and Former
Subsidiaries.

     Section 3.08.  Company Financial Statements. The Company Consolidated
                    ----------------------------
Financial Statements and the Company Consolidating Financial Statements have
been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as may be indicated in notes
thereto) and fairly present in accordance with GAAP throughout the periods
involved (except to the extent required by changes in GAAP or as described in
notes thereto) the consolidated financial position of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries or the consolidating financial position of the
Company, as applicable, as of the respective dates thereof or for the respective
periods set forth therein and the consolidated or consolidating, as applicable,
results of its or their, as applicable, operation and cash flow from the periods
set forth therein. Except as set forth on the Company Consolidating Financial
Statements or on Schedule 3.08, the Company does not own any assets other than
                 -------------
shares of capital stock of Melham, Inc., which consist of 425,000 shares of
common 

                                     -28-
<PAGE>
 
stock, par value $0.01 per share, 539,978 shares of Senior Preferred Stock, par
value $0.01 and $20 liquidation preference per share, and 548,296 shares of
Junior Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 and $20 liquidation preference per
share.

     The shares of common and preferred stock of Melham, Inc. owned by the
Company represent all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Melham,
Inc., and, except in respect of such preferred stock, Melham, Inc. has no
outstanding options, warrants, purchase rights, conversion rights or similar
rights for the issuance, sale or transfer of the capital stock of Melham, Inc.
The common and preferred shares of Melham, Inc. owned by the Company have been
duly and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and were not issued
in violation of any preemptive or other similar rights, all such shares were
offered and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities
laws and regulations.

     Section 3.09.  Melham, Inc. The Melham, Inc. Financial Statements have been
                    ------------
prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as may be indicated in notes thereto)
and fairly present in accordance with GAAP throughout the periods involved
(except to the extent required by changes in GAAP or as described in notes
thereto) the consolidating financial position of Melham, Inc. as of the
respective dates thereof or for the respective periods set forth therein and the
consolidating results of its operation and cash flow from the periods set forth
therein. Except as set forth on the Melham, Inc. Financial Statements or on
Schedule 3.09, Melham, Inc. does not own any assets other than shares of capital
- -------------
stock of Mack, which, after giving effect to consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Goldman Purchase Agreement, consist of 425,000 shares of
common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 539,978 shares of 13% Senior Preferred
Stock, par value $0.01 and $20 liquidation preference per share, and 548,296
shares of 14% Junior Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 and $20 liquidation
preference per share. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.09 and after giving
                                             -------------
effect to consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Goldman Purchase
Agreement, the shares of common and preferred stock of Mack owned by Melham,
Inc., represent all of the issued and outstanding capital stock, options,
warrants, purchase rights, conversion rights and similar rights for the
issuance, sale or transfer of the capital stock of Mack. Such shares of capital
stock and warrants have been duly and validly issued, are fully paid and non-
assessable and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or 

                                     -29-
<PAGE>
 
other similar rights. All of such shares of capital stock and warrants were
offered and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities
laws and regulations.

     Section 3.10.  Mack Financial Statements; PCP Financial Statements. The
                    ---------------------------------------------------
Mack Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as
may be indicated in notes hereto) and fairly present in accordance with GAAP
throughout the periods involved (except to the extent required by changes in
GAAP or as described in notes thereto) the consolidated financial position of
Mack and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof or for
the respective periods set forth therein and the consolidated results of their
operation and cash flow from the periods set forth therein. The PCP Financial
Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as may be
indicated in notes thereto) and fairly present in accordance with GAAP
throughout the periods involved (except to the extent required by changes in
GAAP or as described in notes thereto) the financial position of PCP as of the
respective dates thereof or for the respective periods set forth therein and the
results of its operation and cash flow from the periods set forth therein. PCP
owns no Subsidiaries.

     Section 3.11.  Authority; Enforceability; Consents and Approvals; No
                    -----------------------------------------------------
Violation or Conflict by Mack Group.
- ----------------------------------- 

          (a)       The execution, delivery and performance by each of the
Company and its Subsidiaries of all of the documents and instruments required
hereby to which it is a party are within the corporate or organizational power,
as the case may be, of each such entity, and have been duly and validly
authorized by all necessary actions by the boards of directors, or shareholders
thereof, as applicable. Each of the documents and instruments required hereby to
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party will be duly and validly
executed and delivered by each such entity prior to Closing. Each of the
documents and instruments required hereby to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party will be, when executed and delivered by the parties
thereto, the valid and binding obligations of each such entity, enforceable
against each such entity in accordance with its terms subject to (i) applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to creditors' rights
or creditors' remedies generally; and (ii) general 

                                     -30-
<PAGE>
 
principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a
proceeding at law or in equity).

          (b)       Except for any applicable filing requirements under the HSR
Act, no notice to, filing or registration with, and no permit, authorization,
consent or approval of, any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory agency
is necessary or is required to be made or obtained by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or
for the consummation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of the
transactions contemplated hereby, except for such notices, filings,
registrations, permits, authorizations, consents or approvals, the failure of
which to be obtained would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

          (c)       Assuming that the Required Consents have been obtained and
subject to the last statement made on Schedule 1.93, the execution, delivery and
                                      -------------                             
performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby do not and will not (a) conflict with or result in any
breach of any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or bylaws of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) conflict with or violate any Law,
judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree binding on the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets or (c) conflict
with or result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without due
notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation, modification or acceleration) under, any of the
terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license,
contract, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound,
including without limitation the Contracts identified on Schedule 3.18, other
                                                         -------------       
than those notes, bonds, mortgages, indentures, licenses, contracts, agreements
or other instruments the breach of or default under which would not reasonably
be likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     Section 3.12.  No Adverse Change. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.12 or
                    -----------------
as contemplated by this Agreement, since December 31, 1997, there has not been:
(a) any change in 

                                     -31-
<PAGE>
 
the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect on the Mack Group taken as a whole; (b) any loss, damage,
condemnation or destruction to any of the properties of any member of the Mack
Group materially adversely affecting the business or properties of any member of
the Mack Group (whether covered by insurance or not); (c) any material increase,
other than in the ordinary course of business, in the rates of pay of any of the
employees of any member of the Mack Group; (d) any labor dispute or disturbance,
litigation, work stoppage or other event or condition that could have an effect
similar to a labor dispute, disturbance, work stoppage or litigation and that
has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (e) any indebtedness for borrowed money or
capitalized leases by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than in the
ordinary course of business; (f) any mortgage, pledge, lien or encumbrance made
on any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
except for Liens, matters to be released by the Real Estate Releases listed on
Schedule 1.85 hereto, and Permitted Property Conditions, or any of the foregoing
- ------------- 
that have been fully and completely released since such date; (g) any sale,
transfer or other disposition of assets of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business and other than
dispositions of obsolete equipment, furniture and fixtures; or (h) any change in
the methods of accounting or accounting practices of any Mack Group entity.
Since December 31, 1997, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any
of the Sellers has adopted or taken any action in contemplation of any plan of
liquidation, dissolution or merger involving the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.

     Section 3.13.  No Litigation. Except as listed in Schedule 3.13 attached
                    -------------                      -------------
hereto, there is no litigation, arbitration proceeding, governmental
investigation or action of any kind pending or, to the Knowledge of the Sellers,
proposed or threatened (a) against any Seller or the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, (b) relating to the business, assets, properties or products of
any Seller or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (c) that seeks
restraint, prohibition, damages or other relief in connection with this
Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Except
for the three (3) matters identified with an asterisk (*) on Schedule 3.13 which
                                                             -------------
are subject to the last paragraph of Schedule 3.13, the matters listed on
                                     -------------   
Schedule 3.13, if decided in a manner adverse to any Seller or the Company or
- -------------
any of its Subsidiaries, have not had and

                                     -32-
<PAGE>
 
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Seller
or on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

     Section 3.14.  Title to and Sufficiency of Assets. The Mack Group owns good
                    ----------------------------------
and valid title to the Assets (other than the Real Property) as constituted as
of the date hereof (excluding, for purposes of this sentence, Assets held under
leases or licenses), and good and marketable title to the Real Property owned by
the Mack Group as constituted as of the date hereof, in each case, free and
clear of any and all mortgages, liens, encumbrances, charges, claims,
restrictions, pledges or security interests, except the Permitted Liens and
Permitted Property Conditions and matters to be released by the Real Estate
Releases listed on Schedule 1.85 hereto and liens on personal property securing
                   -------------
obligations not exceeding $50,000. The Assets include all tangible and
intangible assets, contracts and rights necessary or required for the operation
of the businesses of the Mack Group in accordance with present practice.

     Section 3.15.  Bank Accounts; Powers of Attorney. The Bank Accounts
                    ---------------------------------
constitute all checking accounts, savings accounts, custodial accounts,
certificates of deposit, safe deposit boxes or other similar accounts maintained
by the Mack Group. Schedule 1.08 is a true and complete listing of the Bank
                   ------------- 
Accounts, and sets forth for each Bank Account: the bank name and branch
address; the account number; and the name of each person with signature
authority for each such account. Except as set forth on Schedule 1.08, the
                                                        -------------
members of the Mack Group have granted no outstanding powers of attorney to any
person with respect to any matter.

     Section 3.16.  Condition of Equipment. Except as set forth on Schedule
                    ----------------------                         --------   
3.16, (a) the Equipment, taken as a whole, is (i) in working condition and
- ----
repair, subject to ordinary wear and tear, and (ii) capable of producing work of
the same quality as has been acceptable to the specific customers served, and
(b) to the Knowledge of the Sellers, no required rebuilds or unbudgeted major
repairs of the Equipment are necessary within the 12 months following the
Effective Time of Closing.

     Section 3.17.  Books and Records. The Books and Records are complete and
                    -----------------
correct in all material respects and the Company has made available to the Buyer
for examination the originals or true and correct copies of all documents which
the Buyer and Buyer's counsel have requested in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

                                     -33-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 3.18.  Contracts. Schedule 3.18 attached hereto is a true and
                    ---------  -------------    
complete list of all of the Contracts (and in the case of oral contracts with
Significant Customers a brief summary of the terms of payment, target selling
price, length of relationship, 1998 annual volume, special pricing arrangements,
and any paper over-consumption and under-consumption arrangement) that
constitute: (a) a lease of any personal property with aggregate annual rental
payments in excess of $100,000 or remaining term in excess of one year; (b) an
agreement to purchase or sell a capital asset for a price in excess of $100,000;
(c) an agreement relating to the borrowing or lending of money other than
accounts payable or accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of
business; (d) a guaranty, contribution agreement, support, indemnity, letter of
credit or other agreement that includes any contribution, support or indemnity
obligation that may exceed $100,000; (e) an agreement limiting in any respect
the ability of any member of the Mack Group to compete in any line of business
or with any person; (f) a license or franchise agreement involving payments by,
on behalf of or to any Mack Group entity in excess of $100,000; (g) an agreement
pursuant to which any Mack Group entity may be expected to supply goods or to
perform services in excess of $100,000; (h) an agreement pursuant to which any
Mack Group entity may be obligated to pay for goods and services to be delivered
or performed with a value in excess of $100,000; (i) a collective bargaining
agreement or other labor agreement or employment agreement (other than at will
employment agreements) or consulting agreement pursuant to which services are
rendered to a Mack Group entity; (j) an agreement pursuant to which any Mack
Group entity may become obligated to pay any amount or receive any benefit in
respect of indemnification obligations, purchase price adjustments or otherwise
in connection with any (i) acquisition or disposition of assets having a value
in the aggregate in excess of $100,000 other than sales or purchases of
inventory in the ordinary course of business, (ii) merger, consolidation or
other business combination, or (iii) series or group of related transactions or
events of a type specified in clauses (i) or (ii) above; and (k) any other
agreement involving an amount over its term in excess of $100,000 or pursuant to
which any member of the Mack Group has any obligation or Liability which exceeds
$100,000. Schedule 3.18 includes a true and correct copy of the Memorandum of
          -------------
Understanding between Carden Jennings Publishing Company, Ltd. and The Mack
Printing Group, dated April 14, 1997.  The Company has delivered to the Buyer
true and complete copies of each Contract listed on Schedule 3.18.  
                                                    -------------       

                                     -34-
<PAGE>
 
Each contract listed on Schedule 3.18 (i) is in full force and effect and (ii)
                        -------------    
is enforceable against the applicable Mack Group entity in accordance with its
terms, subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating
to creditors' rights or creditors' remedies generally; and (ii) general
principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a
proceeding at law or in equity). Each member of the Mack Group has performed
and, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, every other party has performed, each
material term, covenant and condition of each of the Contracts identified on
Schedule 3.18 that is to be performed by any of them at or before the date
- -------------                                                             
hereof.  No event has occurred that would, with the passage of time or
compliance with any applicable notice requirements, constitute a default by any
member of the Mack Group or, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, any other party
under any of the Contracts identified on Schedule 3.18.  To the Knowledge of the
                                         -------------                          
Sellers, no party to any of the Contracts identified on Schedule 3.18 has
                                                        -------------    
advised any Mack Group entity of its intention to cancel, terminate or exercise
any option under any of the Contracts. Sellers shall use reasonable best efforts
to provide Buyer with evidence, reasonably satisfactory to Buyer, of the
termination of all liabilities and obligations for borrowed monies identified on
Schedule 3.18 prior to the Effective Time of Closing. Except for agreements
- -------------                                                               
with customers, no member of the Mack Group is a party to any oral contract with
aggregate payment obligations or revenues of $100,000 or more.

     Section 3.19.  Real Property. Schedule 1.86 is a true and correct list of
                    -------------      
all of the Real Property. With respect to each Major Facility and, where
representations and warranties set forth below are expressly applicable to
leased Real Property, with respect to each such parcel of Real Property, except
as set forth on Schedule 1.86:
                ------------- 
 
          (a)       there are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Sellers,
threatened condemnation proceedings, lawsuits or administrative actions relating
to the parcel;

          (b)       with respect to each parcel of Real Property leased by any
member of the Mack Group (the member of the Mack Group leasing such parcel being
referred to herein as the "Mack Tenant"), the lease (the "Real Property Lease")
under which such Real Property is leased is in full force and effect, the Mack
Tenant has received no notice of any default from the landlord or its agents,
and, after reasonable inquiry of the Mack Tenant, to the Knowledge of 

                                     -35-
<PAGE>
 
Sellers, there exists no condition, event, act or omission which, with or
without notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute a default under the Real
Property Lease. The Company has made available to the Buyer a copy of such Real
Property Lease, and such copy is true, correct and complete in all material
respects, and includes any and all modifications and amendments thereof. The
interest of the Mack Tenant in and under such Real Property Lease is
unencumbered and subject to no present Real Property Title Exception, except for
any Permitted Property Condition. To the Knowledge of Sellers, after reasonable
inquiry of the Mack Tenant and the Company, neither the Mack Tenant nor the
Company has received notice of any claim, contest, dispute, action, or
threatened action at law or in equity otherwise that could reasonably be
expected to (i) in the case of a Major Facility or a Leased Warehouse,
materially and adversely affect operations or materially impair the
marketability of title to such parcel, or (ii) in the case of any other parcel
of Real Property subject to a Real Property Lease, to have a Material Adverse
Effect upon the Mack Group taken as a whole. Schedule 1.86 completely and
                                             -------------
accurately sets forth the termination date, rental rate and, where applicable,
current charges assessed by the lessor for maintenance, taxes, and other
operating expenses applicable to the Real Property Lease;

          (c)       the legal description for the parcel (together with the
appurtenances thereto) contained in the deed or deeds thereof or lease therefor
is not materially different than the description of the real property used in
connection with the operation of the facility located on such parcel.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Buyer acknowledges that the rear loading dock
of the facility operated by PCP at 1323 Greenwood Road, Pikesville, Maryland
(the "Pikesville Site") is served by a driveway located in part on the property
adjoining such facility to the north, and that the existence of such driveway on
such adjoining property shall not be deemed a violation of the Sellers'
representations and warranties under this Section 3.19;
                                          ------------ 

          (d)       to the Knowledge of the Sellers, and except as shown on the
Property Survey for the Pikesville Site, which the Buyer has received and
accepted, (i) the buildings and improvements on such parcel are located within
the boundary lines of the described parcels and do not encroach on any easement
that may burden the parcel except to an extent that would constitute a Permitted
Property Condition, (ii) no building or improvement on any neighboring parcel
encroaches on such parcel except to an extent that would constitute a Permitted
Property 

                                     -36-
<PAGE>
 
Condition, (iii) and the building and improvements on such parcel comply with
all applicable setback requirements, parking requirements, zoning laws and
ordinances. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Buyer acknowledges that one or
more of the Major Facilities may be improved with a structure or structures that
are legal non-conforming structures under the provisions of the zoning ordinance
applicable thereto. Buyer further acknowledges that the building at 300 West
Chestnut Street, Ephrata, Pennsylvania (the "Ephrata Site") violates certain
restrictive covenants applicable to the Ephrata Site. Such violations shall not
be deemed a violation of Sellers' representations and warranties herein.

          The Sellers have received no notice that the zoning and Permits in
place for such parcel are  inadequate to permit the use presently being made of
the parcel, and to the Knowledge of the Sellers, there is no pending or
threatened challenge to any zoning designation or Permit affecting the parcel
that could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect operations
or materially impair the marketability of title to such parcel.

          (e)       no parking or storm water drainage or management facilities
necessary to satisfy applicable zoning requirements or private restrictions of
record, or necessary for the continuation of the current use of the parcel as
presently operated, are located off the parcel and serve such parcel, except
pursuant to permanent, appurtenant easements benefiting the parcel or dedicated
to the public. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the present
operations at the Ephrata Site, some parking for the site is provided on the
land of a church facility across the street from the Real Property, pursuant to
an informal oral agreement with the church, as described in the report prepared
by Don Blair entitled "Mack Printing Group, Inspection, January 1999." The use
of such parking for the site shall not be considered a violation of the Sellers'
representations and warranties hereunder;

          (f)       the buildings on the parcel are not located within any flood
plain and the parcel is not subject to any similar type restriction for which
any Permits necessary to the use thereof have not been obtained;

          (g)       all facilities have received all approvals of governmental
authorities (including Permits) required in connection with the ownership,
occupation or present operation thereof and are currently being operated and
maintained in accordance with applicable Law;

                                     -37-
<PAGE>
 
          (h)       except for the permitted exceptions listed on Schedule 1.76,
                                                                  -------------
there are no leases, subleases, licenses, concessions or other agreements,
written or oral, granting to any party or parties the right of use or occupancy
of any portion of the parcel (the representations and warranties in this
subparagraph are applicable to Real Property leased by any member of the Mack
Group). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mack subleases approximately 11,500
square feet of the New York Sales Office at 708 third Avenue, New York, New
York, to Scott Jeffries Associates, Inc., under a Sublease dated August, 1995,
at the rate of $2,500 per month. The initial term of such sublease expired
September 30, 1998, and such subtenant has exercised its right to extend the
term of such sublease for two additional years;

          (i)       no member of the Mack Group has granted any options or
rights of first refusal that remain executory to purchase the parcel, or any
portion thereof or interest therein, and no member of the Mack Group occupying
such parcel has granted, and to the Knowledge of the Sellers, after reasonable
inquiry of the member of the Mack Group occupying such parcel, there are no
unrecorded restrictions, covenants, condition, or agreements, affecting such
parcel, except Permitted Property Conditions, and except matters of record in
the zoning or planning office of the jurisdiction in which such parcel is
located (the representations and warranties in this subparagraph are applicable
to Real Property leased by any member of the Mack Group);

          (j)       there are no parties (other than members of the Mack Group)
in possession of all or part of the parcel, other than tenants under any leases
or subleases disclosed in Schedule 1.86 or Section 3.19(h), who are in
                          -------------    ---------------    
possession of space to which they are entitled (the representations and
warranties in this subparagraph are applicable to Real Property leased by any
member of the Mack Group);

          (k)       the parcel is supplied with utilities and other services
necessary for the present operation of such facilities, including gas,
electricity, water, telephone, sanitary sewer or septic system, and storm water
management, all of which services are adequate for the present operation of the
facilities on the parcel, and, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, all such
utilities and other services are provided via public roads or via permanent,
irrevocable, appurtenant easements benefiting the parcel or dedicated to the
public; and

                                     -38-
<PAGE>
 
          (l)       each parcel abuts on and has direct vehicular access to a
public road, or has access to a public road via a permanent, irrevocable,
appurtenant easement benefiting the parcel, and access to the property is
provided by paved public right-of-way with adequate duly permitted curb cuts at
each driveway on the parcel.

          (m)       if the parcel is a Major Facility, improvements on the
parcel and the mechanical and utility systems serving the parcel are in fair
condition, considering the age and use (except as otherwise disclosed in
Schedule 3.16).
- -------------- 

     Buyer has raised certain objections to matters revealed by the title
examinations performed on the Major Facilities and by the surveys performed for
the Major Facilities (collectively, "Title Objections").  Sellers have
undertaken no obligation to correct any of the Title Objections, and, subject to
Sellers' delivery of the Real Property Releases, Buyer has waived all Title
Objections.  The representations and warranties set forth in Subsections (c),
(d), (e), (f), (k), and (l) of this Section 3.19 shall not survive Closing and,
                                    ------------                               
notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, shall not be subject
to the indemnity provisions of Section 8.02.
                               ------------ 

     Section 3.20.  Intellectual Property.
                    --------------------- 

          (a)       Except as set forth on Schedule 1.50 and except where a
                                           -------------    
failure to own or have the right to use would not have a Material Adverse Effect
on the Mack Group taken as a whole, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, the members
of the Mack Group own exclusively or have the right to use pursuant to license,
sublicense, agreement or permission all Intellectual Property necessary for the
operation of the businesses of the Mack Group as presently conducted. To the
Knowledge of the Sellers, each material item of Intellectual Property owned by
the Mack Group immediately prior to the Effective Time of Closing will be owned
or available for use by them on identical terms and conditions immediately
subsequent to the Effective Time of Closing, except as may be caused solely by
actions or the status of the Buyer. The members of the Mack Group have, in their
sole discretion, taken action, as deemed by the Mack Group to be necessary
and/or desirable to maintain and protect each item of Intellectual Property that
they own or use. To the Knowledge of the Sellers, each material item of
Intellectual Property used by the Mack Group pursuant to license or other
authorization of a third party is used with the authorization of the licensor or
authorizing party and, except as to those licenses or other authorizations that
are 

                                     -39-
<PAGE>
 
terminable upon a change of control of the licensee and specifically identified
on Schedule 1.50, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by
   -------------                                                 
the Sellers and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will
not impair such use, except where such impairment could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Mack Group taken as a whole,
and except as may be caused solely by actions or the status of the Buyer.

          (b)       Except as set forth on Schedule 1.50, the Company and its
                                           -------------                     
Subsidiaries have not received written notice of any unresolved charge,
complaint, claim, demand or notice alleging that the Company and its
Subsidiaries have interfered with, infringed upon, misappropriated or otherwise
come into conflict with any intellectual property rights of any third party
(including any claim that the Company or any Subsidiary must license or refrain
from using any intellectual property rights of any third party).  To the
Knowledge of the Sellers, the Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any
pending claims that a third party has interfered with, infringed upon,
misappropriated or otherwise come into conflict with any Intellectual Property
rights of the Mack Group.

          (c)       Schedule 1.50 identifies each patent, trademark and
                    -------------    
copyright registration or other registration that has been issued to the Mack
Group with respect to any of its Intellectual Property, identifies each pending
application or application for registration that any member of the Mack Group
has made with respect to any of its Intellectual Property and identifies each
material license, agreement or other permission that any member of the Mack
Group has granted to any third party with respect to any of its Intellectual
Property (together with any exceptions thereto). The Company has made available
to the Buyer correct and complete copies of all such patents, registrations,
applications, and material licenses, agreements and permissions (as amended to
date). Schedule 1.50 also identifies each registered trade name used by the
       -------------                                                       
Mack Group in the operation of its businesses.  Except as set forth on Schedule
                                                                       --------
1.50, with respect to each item of Intellectual Property required to be
- ----                                                                   
identified therein:

                    (i)   to the Knowledge of the Sellers, the item is not
subject to any outstanding injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling or
charge; and

                                     -40-
<PAGE>
 
                    (ii)   no action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation,
charge, complaint, claim or demand is pending or, to the Knowledge of the
Sellers, is threatened which challenges the legality, validity, enforceability,
use or ownership of the item; and

                    (iii)  except as set forth on Schedule 1.50, neither the
                                                  -------------   
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has licensed or permitted any third party to
use any such item.

     Section 3.21.  Insurance. (a) Schedule 3.21 attached hereto accurately sets
                    ---------      -------------
forth the following information with respect to each insurance policy (including
policies providing property, casualty, liability and worker's compensation
coverage and bond and surety arrangements) to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or Former Subsidiaries has been a party, a named insured or
otherwise the beneficiary of coverage at any time since January 1, 1994:

                    (i)    the name, address and telephone number of the agent;

                    (ii)   the name of the insurer, the name of the
policyholder, and the name of each covered insured;

                    (iii)  the policy number and the period of coverage;

                    (iv)   the scope (including an indication of whether the
coverage was on a claims made, occurrence or other basis) and amount (including
a description of how deductibles and ceilings are calculated and operate) of
coverage; and

                    (v)    a description of any retroactive premium adjustments
or other loss-sharing arrangements.

          (b)       With respect to each such insurance policy which is still in
effect or under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Former
Subsidiaries has any continuing rights or obligations: (i) the policy is legal,
valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect; (ii) the policy will
continue to be legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect
on identical terms following the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby, other than as a result of any action taken by or the status of the
Buyer; (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the
Knowledge of the Sellers, any other party to the policy is in breach or default
thereunder (including with respect to the payment of premiums or the giving of
notices), 

                                     -41-
<PAGE>
 
and no event has occurred that, with notice or the lapse of time, would
constitute such a breach or default, or permit termination, modification or
acceleration under the policy; and (iv) to the Knowledge of the Sellers, no
party to the policy has repudiated any provision thereof. Schedule 3.21
                                                          -------------
describes any self-insurance arrangements affecting the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.

     Section 3.22.  Employee Benefit Plans.
                    ---------------------- 

          (a)       Definitions.  When used in this Section 3.22:
                    -----------                     ------------ 

                    (i)   "Affiliated Entity" means any corporation, trade or
business (whether or not incorporated) that is, along with the Company, a member
of a controlled group of corporations or a controlled group of trades or
businesses, as described in Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or Section
4001(a)(14) of ERISA, or which, with the Company, is treated as a single
employer under the Code or ERISA;

                    (ii)  "Employee Benefit Plan" means any employee pension
benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), welfare benefit plan (as
defined on Section 3(1) of ERISA), bonus, stock purchase, stock ownership, stock
options, deferred compensation, incentive, severance, termination or other
compensation or insurance plan or arrangement, or other material employee fringe
benefit plan or arrangement presently maintained, or contributed to, by the
Company or any Affiliated Entity.

                    (iii) "Employee" means any person employed by the Company or
an Affiliated Entity at the Effective Time of Closing. Any person who has ceased
employment with the Company or an Affiliated Entity before the Effective Time of
Closing shall not be an Employee for purposes of this Agreement, even if such
person has rights under an Employee Benefit Plan as a result of service with the
Company or an Affiliated Entity.

          (b)       Identification of Plans. Schedule 3.22 includes a complete
                    -----------------------  -------------
list of all Employee Benefit Plans. Each Employee Benefit Plan providing
benefits funded through a policy of insurance is so indicated by the word
"insured" in Schedule 3.22.
             ------------- 

          (c)       Claims Against Employee Benefit Plans. Except as set forth
                    -------------------------------------     
on Schedule 3.22, no actions, suits or claims (other than routine claims for
   -------------                                                            
benefits) have been filed or, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, are contemplated
or threatened against any Employee Benefit Plan or against the assets of any
Employee Benefit 

                                     -42-
<PAGE>
 
Plan and, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, there is no basis for any such
action, suit or claim.

            (d)     Prohibited Transactions and Fiduciary Violations. Except as
                    ------------------------------------------------    
set forth on Schedule 3.22, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, neither any 
             -------------  
Affiliated Entity nor the Company has engaged in any prohibited transaction
or breach of fiduciary responsibility that could subject the Company or any
Affiliated Entity to any material tax or penalty imposed under Section 4975(a)
of the Code or Section 502(i) or 502(l) of ERISA with respect to any Employee
Benefit Plan.

          (e)       Plan Documents. The Company has made available to Buyer a
                    --------------                             
true, correct and complete copy of each instrument constituting a part of each
Employee Benefit Plan or a summary of any such Employee Benefit Plan that is not
evidenced by a written plan document.  Such documents include, without
limitation, plan documents, benefit schedules, insurance contracts, trusts and
other funding vehicles and published announcements, policy statements,
procedures, summary plan descriptions, summaries of material modifications and
similar instruments setting forth the provisions of any Employee Benefit Plan.
As to each funded Employee Benefit Plan, the Company has delivered to Buyer the
most recent annual financial report with respect to such plan, any information
regarding subsequent contributions or withdrawals and any subsequent interim
report.  Each such financial report is an accurate description of the financial
status of the subject Employee Benefit Plan as of the date thereof, and there
have been no material adverse changes in the financial status of any such
Employee Benefit Plan since the date of the most recent report provided for each
plan.

          (f)       Plan Provision Changes. Except as set forth on Schedule
                    ----------------------                         --------
3.22, neither the Company nor any Affiliated Entity has made any written or
- ----
oral, implied or express representations that are inconsistent with the terms of
the documents described in the preceding paragraph (e). Further, except as set
forth on Schedule 3.22, neither the Company nor any Affiliated Entity has made
         -------------                                                        
any written or oral, express or implied representations regarding the
continuation of any Employee Benefit Plan after the Effective Time of Closing;
and except as set forth on Schedule 3.22, each such Employee Benefit Plan may be
                           -------------                                        
amended or terminated at any time with no obligation to provide any further
benefits other than those accrued to the date of the 

                                     -43-
<PAGE>
 
amendment or termination in the case of pension benefits or earned and vested to
the date of the amendment or termination in the case of welfare or other
benefits.

          (g) Tax Status of Certain Plans.  Schedule 3.22 specifically
              ---------------------------   -------------             
identifies each Employee Benefit Plan that is represented or intended to be a
qualified plan under Code Section 401(a) using the words "Qualified Plan", that
is or is funded through a cafeteria plan under Code Section 125 using the words
"Cafeteria Plan", or that is funded with a trust intended to be a voluntary
employees' beneficiary association under Code Section 501(c)(9) using the term
"VEBA".

              (i)  With respect to each Employee Benefit Plan so identified as a
Qualified Plan and except as set forth on Schedules 3.22, the IRS has issued a
                                          --------------                      
favorable determination letter to such plan to the effect that the form of such
Qualified Plan (or predecessor plan) satisfies the requirements of Code Section
401(a) as specified in such determination letter. Each Qualified Plan has
materially satisfied, in form and operation, the qualification requirements of
Code Section 401(a), and no action that has been taken or not taken with respect
to the Qualified Plan subsequent to the date of the most recent determination
letter has had or is reasonably expected to have any adverse impact on the
continued qualification of the Qualified Plan through the Effective Time of
Closing.  The IRS has not revoked any letter of determination or opinion letter
to which reference is made above, nor has the IRS threatened any such
revocation.  For this purpose, an operational defect is material if it can not
be corrected under the APRSC program or the VCR program contained in IRS Rev.
Proc. 98-22.

              (ii) Except as set forth on Schedules 3.22, each identified
                                          --------------
Cafeteria Plan and each related Employee Benefit Plan has been established and
operated in accordance with the applicable requirements of Code Section 125 for
all years subsequent to the establishment of the Cafeteria Plan and up to the
Effective Time of Closing, and with respect to which the Company's and the
Affiliated Entities' tax returns and the Cafeteria Plan's tax returns are open
to audit, has materially satisfied, in form and operation, the requirements of
Code Section 125, and no action that has been taken or not taken with respect to
the Cafeteria Plan has had or is reasonably expected to have any adverse impact
on the Cafeteria Plan's continued satisfaction of such requirements through the
Effective Time of Closing. The IRS has not

                                     -44-
<PAGE>
 
threatened any denial of the treatment of the Cafeteria Plan as a cafeteria plan
under Code Section 125.

               (iii) With respect to each Employee Benefit Plan so identified as
being funded by a VEBA and except as set forth on Schedules 3.22, the IRS has
                                                  --------------             
issued an exemption letter for each such VEBA to the effect that the form of
such VEBA (or predecessor trust) satisfies the requirements of Code Section
501(c)(9).  The VEBA has materially satisfied, in form and operation, the
requirements of Code Section 501(c)(9), and no action that has been taken or not
taken with respect to the VEBA subsequent to the date of the most recent
exemption letter has had or is reasonably expected to have any adverse impact on
the continued exemption of the VEBA through the Effective Time of Closing.  The
IRS has not revoked any exemption letter to which reference is made above, nor
has the IRS threatened any such revocation.

          (h)  Funding Status.
               -------------- 


               (i)   Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22, no "accumulated
                                            -------------    
funding deficiency" within the meaning of either Code Section 412 or ERISA
Section 302 exists with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan subject to such
sections nor would any such deficiency exist but for the application of an
alternative minimum funding standard. No waiver of the minimum funding standards
imposed by the Code with respect to any such plan has been requested or issued.

               (ii)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22, no unfunded or
                                            -------------   
uninsured liability with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan or any
entitlement, including, without limitation, any entitlement under any executive
compensation, supplemental retirement or any employment continuity agreement,
other than a Qualified Plan, exists, nor are any actual or contingent reserves
maintained to fund the liabilities of such plans or entitlements; and all
contributions due to be made during the last five years have been made to each
Employee Benefit Plan by the Company and the Affiliated Entities on a timely
basis.

               (iii) As to each plan identified in Schedule 3.22 with the word
                                                   -------------              
"insured", all premiums due or payable for coverage through the Effective Time
of Closing have been paid in full, and no such premium is overdue or in its
grace period.  Further, except as disclosed in Schedule 3.22, the Company and
                                               -------------                 
any Affiliated Entity have funded each Employee 

                                     -45-
<PAGE>
 
Benefit Plan in accordance with its terms through the Effective Time of Closing.
Any premium stabilization and other reserve held under such contract is also
listed in Schedule 3.22.
          ------------ 

               (iv) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22, the fair market value
                                           ------------- 
of the assets of each funded defined benefit pension plan maintained by the
Company or an Affiliated Entity equals or exceeds the actuarial present value of
all accrued benefits under the plan (whether or not forfeitable), including,
without limitation, early retirement subsidies, automatic cost of living
adjustments and all other amounts considered to be benefit liabilities upon a
standard termination of a defined benefit plan subject to Title IV of ERISA,
with such actuarial present value being determined by application of the
actuarial methods and assumptions applied by the plan's enrolled actuary in the
most recent annual valuation of the plan.

               (v)  Schedule 3.22 discloses any liability for post-retirement
                    ------------- 
benefits that would be required to be recorded under Financial Accounting
Standards Board Statement No. 106, assuming that the Company or any Affiliated
Entity were subject to such standard and it was fully effective as of the
Effective Time of Closing.

          (i)  Government Contract Matters.  The Company has not received
               ---------------------------                               
reimbursement for any contributions made to, benefits accrued under or other
costs incurred in connection with any defined benefit pension plan under any
provision of any contract with the government of the United States, any agency
thereof, any state or any political subdivision thereof.

          (j)  Excise Tax Liability and Liens.  To the Knowledge of the Sellers,
               ------------------------------                                   
neither the Company nor any Affiliated Entity (i) has engaged in any transaction
that may result in the imposition on the Company or any Affiliated Entity of any
excise tax under Section 4971, 4972, 4976 through 4980B, 4980D, 4980E and 5000
of the Code, or otherwise incurred a liability for any excise tax, other than
excise taxes that have heretofore been paid or have been accrued, and, in either
case, are fully reflected on the Current Balance Sheets, or (ii) is now, nor at
any time will be by virtue of any action taken prior to the Effective Time of
Closing, subject to a requirement to provide security under Section 401(a)(29)
of the Code, nor shall any asset of the Company or any Affiliated Entity be
subject to a lien by reason of the provisions of Section 412(n) of the Code.

                                     -46-
<PAGE>
 
          (k) Administrative Agency Matters.  Except as identified in Schedule
              -----------------------------                           --------
3.22, there is not any investigation, proceeding, administrative review or other
- ----                                                                            
administrative agency process pending or, to the Knowledge of the Sellers,
contemplated or threatened that could result in the imposition on the Company or
an Affiliated Entity of any penalty or other assessment in connection with any
of the Employee Benefit Plans identified in Schedule 3.22.
                                            ------------- 

          (l) Title IV Contingent Employer Liability.  Except as identified in
              --------------------------------------                          
Schedule 3.22, neither the Company nor any Affiliated Entity presently maintains
- -------------                                                                   
one or more qualified defined benefit pension plans which are subject to the
provisions of Title IV of ERISA.

          (m) Plan Withdrawal/Termination Liability.  Neither the Company nor
              -------------------------------------                          
any Affiliated Entity is a party to any multiemployer plan, as defined in
Section 3(37) of ERISA.  Neither the Company nor any Affiliated Entity is now
liable or has potential for liability under Sections 4063 or 4064 of ERISA, and
cannot be treated, whether by reason of the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement or otherwise, as a withdrawing substantial employer under a plan to
which more than one employer makes contributions by application of Section 4068
of ERISA.  Neither the Company nor any Affiliated Entity has either primary or
secondary liability under the provisions of Section 4204 of ERISA or any
agreement entered into in accordance with the provisions of that Section.

          (n) General Compliance with Plan Terms and Applicable Law.  The
              -----------------------------------------------------      
Company and each Affiliated Entity have operated, and have caused their
appointees and nominees to operate, each and every Employee Benefit Plan
identified on Schedule 3.22 (or improperly omitted from said Schedule) and each
              -------------                                                    
and every plan or arrangement which would be considered an Employee Benefit Plan
if the definition of that term included any plan or arrangement maintained or
contributed to by the Company or an Affiliated Entity within the last five years
before the Closing in a manner which is in material compliance with the terms of
each such Employee Benefit Plan, plan or arrangement and with all Laws
applicable thereto.  For this purpose, an operational defect relating to a plan
intended to be qualified under Code Section 401(a) is material if it can not be
corrected under the APRSC program or the VCR program contained in IRS Rev. Proc.
98-22.  To the Knowledge of the Sellers, every Employee, every former employee
of the Company or any Affiliated Entity, and every dependent of the foregoing
<PAGE>
 
entitled to continuation of benefit coverage under any employee welfare benefit
plan, has been accorded all of the rights to which such person is entitled as a
matter of the terms of each such Employee Benefit Plan and of Law.

          (o) Information with Respect to Employees.  The Company has provided
              -------------------------------------                           
Buyer with the names of each of the Employees and each Employee's current
salary, age, employment date, position and address.  Information provided to the
Buyer regarding the costs of benefits and administration of the Employee Benefit
Plans for Employees, former employees, and their spouses, former spouses,
dependents and beneficiaries is accurate and complete.

          (p) SERP and Other Retirement Income Obligations.  The Company shall
              --------------------------------------------                    
have taken the following action with respect to the Mack Printing Company
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP") and its related trust:

              (i)   At least two days before the occurrence of a "Change of
Control" (as defined for purposes of the Mack Printing Company Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP") and its related trust), the Company shall
have eliminated the requirement of the SERP and its related trust to fund the
related trust with an amount equal to the then present value of all then accrued
benefit liabilities under the SERP upon the occurrence or in connection with
such a "Change of Control" and shall have revoked the SERP's related trust.

              (ii)  At or prior to Closing, the Company shall have provided for
the cessation of benefit accrual under the SERP conditioned upon, and effective
as of or prior to the Effective Time, of Closing.

              (iii) At or prior to Closing, the Company shall have received the
written consent of at least two-thirds of the ten participants in the SERP to
the actions described in clause (i) above, with such consent conditioned on (A)
in the case of the seven currently active employee participants in the SERP,
payment of their benefits earned under the SERP to the Effective Time of the
Closing in a lump sum amount, subject to any applicable tax withholding, equal
to the then present value of such accrued benefits (which the Company represents
will be in the approximate amount of $109,900) and (B) in the case of the three
currently retired participants in the SERP, benefit payments under a specific
payment schedule, in each case in complete satisfaction of all of their benefit
entitlements under the SERP, provided that Buyer 

                                     -48-
<PAGE>
 
commits irrevocably in individual written agreements with the participants (1)
to pay or cause the Company to pay such present value to the seven currently
active employee participants as soon as practicable after the Closing, and (2)
to pay or cause the Company to continue to pay to the three retired participants
currently receiving retirement benefits the following monthly amounts for their
respective lives, subject to any applicable tax withholding:

          Emerson H. Heilman            $1,393   
          Paul F. Mack                  $7,989      
          Robert A. Sadler, III         $6,525               

Buyer also commits irrevocably to pay or cause the Company to continue to pay
the following monthly amounts to the five additional retirees currently
receiving nonqualified retirement benefits listed below for their respective
lives, subject to any applicable tax withholding:

          John G. Burroughs             $  117
          Charles E. Fessler            $  871
          Cyrus S. Fleck                $  655
          Walter Kowalick               $  619
          John W. Mack                  $2,256

Notwithstanding anything in this agreement to the contrary, the SERP
participants and the five additional retirees currently receiving nonqualified
retirement benefits listed above shall be considered third party beneficiaries
of this subsection of this Agreement and shall be entitled to enforce the
provisions of this subsection as if expressly named herein as parties to this
Agreement.

          (q) ERISA Indemnity Agreement.  At or prior to the Closing, that
              -------------------------                                   
certain ERISA Indemnity Agreement dated March 27, 1997 between Mack Printing
Company and others shall be terminated.

     Section 3.23.  Compliance with Law. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.23
                    -------------------                         -------------  
attached hereto, the conduct of the businesses of the Company and its
Subsidiaries and their use of the Assets does not violate or conflict with, and
has not violated or conflicted with, any Law, except for such violations or
conflicts that have not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, a
Material Adverse Effect on the Mack Group taken as a whole. Except for those
Permits that 

                                     -49-
<PAGE>
 
are not material to the operation of the business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, all Permits required with respect to the conduct of the businesses
of the Company and its Subsidiaries are listed on Schedule 1.74, have been
                                                  -------------        
obtained, are in full force and effect and are being complied with in all
material respects. The Permits will be in full force and effect immediately
following the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than
as a result of any action taken by or the status of Buyer.

     Section 3.24.  Transactions With Affiliates. Except as set forth in 
                    ---------------------------- 
Schedule 3.24(a) attached hereto, since December 31, 1997, the Company and its
- ----------------                                    
Subsidiaries have not, in the ordinary course of business or otherwise,
purchased, leased or otherwise acquired any material property or assets or
obtained any material services from, or sold, leased or otherwise disposed of
any material property or assets or provided any material services to (except
with respect to remuneration for services rendered as a director, officer,
consultant or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary
course), (i) any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any
Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than another member
of the Mack Group), or (iii) any member of the immediate family of any of the
foregoing persons. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.24(b), (i) the Contracts do
                                          ---------------- 
not include any obligation or commitment between any Mack Group entity on the
one hand and any of the persons included in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of the
preceding sentence on the other hand (except for Contracts with employees for
services rendered in the ordinary course at regular wage rates), (ii) the Assets
do not include any receivable or other obligation or commitment from any of the
persons included in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding sentence to any
Mack Group entity and (iii) the liabilities reflected on the Current Balance
Sheet do not include any obligation or commitment to any of the persons included
in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding sentence (except for Contracts
with employees for services rendered in the ordinary course at regular wage
rates).

     Section 3.25.  Fees and Expenses of Brokers and Others. Except as set 
                    --------------------------------------- 
forth in Schedule 3.25, none of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any
         -------------                                 
Seller (i) is committed to any liability for any brokers' or finders' fees or
any similar fees in connection with the conveyance of the Stock and Warrants or
(ii) has retained any investment banking firm, broker or other intermediary to
act on its or their behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. The Sellers shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with
the obligations set 

                                     -50-
<PAGE>
 
forth on Schedule 3.25. All other fees and expenses (including attorneys' and
         -------------                     
accountants' fees and any transfer, recording or release fees and expenses or
other special assessments) of the Sellers and any Mack Group entity in
connection with the transactions contemplated herein shall be paid in full by
the Sellers out of their own assets, except as otherwise provided in Section
                                                                     ------- 
9.08.
- ---- 

     Section 3.26.  Tax Matters.
                    ----------- 

          (a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.26:
                                     ------------- 

              (i)   the Company and its Subsidiaries are members of the
affiliated group, within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code, of which
the Company is the common parent: such affiliated group files a consolidated
federal income Tax Return; and neither the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, any
of the Former Subsidiaries, nor any entity to whose liabilities the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Former Subsidiaries has succeeded, has
ever filed a consolidated federal income Tax Return with (or been included in a
consolidated return of) a different affiliated group;

              (ii)  each of the Company, its Subsidiaries and the Former
Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all Tax Returns required to have
been filed by or for it, and all information set forth in such Tax Returns is
correct and complete in all material respects;

              (iii) each of the Company, its Subsidiaries and the Former
Subsidiaries has paid all Taxes due and payable by it;

              (iv)  there are no unpaid Taxes due and payable by the Company,
its Subsidiaries or the Former Subsidiaries or by any other person that are or
could become a lien on any Asset, or otherwise materially adversely affect the
business, properties or financial condition, of the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or any of the Former Subsidiaries;

              (v)   each of the Company, its Subsidiaries and the Former
Subsidiaries is in material compliance with, and the records of each of them
contain all information and documents (including, without limitation, properly
completed IRS Forms W-9) necessary to comply with, all applicable Tax
information reporting and Tax withholding requirements;

                                     -51-
<PAGE>
 
               (vi)   each of the Company, its Subsidiaries and the Former
Subsidiaries has collected or withheld all amounts required to be collected or
withheld by it for any Taxes, and all such amounts have been paid to the
appropriate governmental agencies or set aside in appropriate accounts for
future payment when due;

               (vii)  the Current Balance Sheet and the Company Financial
Statements fully and properly reflect, as of their dates, the liabilities of the
Company and its Subsidiaries and (insofar as the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries may be liable therefor) the Former Subsidiaries for all Taxes for
all periods ending on or before such dates, and the Books and Records of the
Company and its Subsidiaries fully and properly reflect all liabilities for
Taxes for all periods after December 31, 1998;

               (viii) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has granted (nor
is any of them subject to) any waiver currently in effect of the period of
limitations for the assessment of Tax, no unpaid Tax deficiency has been
asserted against or with respect to any of the Company or its Subsidiaries or
(insofar as the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be liable therefor) the
Former Subsidiaries by any taxing authority, and there is no pending
examination, administrative or judicial proceeding, or deficiency or refund
litigation, with respect to any Taxes of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
or (insofar as the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be liable therefor)
any of the Former Subsidiaries;

               (ix)   none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has made or
entered into, or holds any asset subject to, a consent filed pursuant to Section
341(f) of the Code and the regulations thereunder or a "safe harbor lease"
subject to former Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as
amended before the Tax Reform Act of 1984, and the regulations thereunder;

               (x)    none of the Company or its Subsidiaries is required to
include in income any amount from an adjustment pursuant to Section 481 of the
Code or the regulations thereunder or any similar provision of state Law;

               (xi)   none of the Company or its Subsidiaries is a party to, or
obligated under, any agreement or other arrangement providing for the payment of
any amount that would be an "excess parachute payment" under Section 280G of the
Code;

                                     -52-
<PAGE>
 
               (xii)  there are no excess loss accounts or deferred intercompany
gains with respect to any member of the affiliated group of which the Company is
the common parent or any subgroup thereof;

               (xiii) since April 16, 1997, neither the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries nor any of the Former Subsidiaries has distributed to its
stockholders or security holders stock or securities of a controlled corporation
in a transaction to which Section 355(a) of the Code applies;

               (xiv)  none of the Company or its Subsidiaries is, or has been at
any time within the last five years, a "United States real property holding
corporation" for purposes of Section 897 of the Code.

          (b)  Schedule 3.26 describes all material Tax elections, consents and
               -------------                                                   
agreements made by or affecting any of the Company and its Subsidiaries that
will be in effect after the Closing Date, lists all material types of Taxes paid
and Tax Returns filed by or on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries for
any period ending after December 31, 1994, expressly indicates each Tax with
respect to which any of them is or has been included in a consolidated, unitary
or combined return, and describes the status of all examinations, administrative
or judicial proceedings, and litigation with respect to any Taxes of the
Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Former Subsidiaries.

     Section 3.27.  Environmental Matters.
                    --------------------- 
          (a)  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.27(a) attached hereto:
                                      ----------------                 

               (i)  the conduct of the business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries and their use of the Real Property or Assets does not materially
violate or conflict with, and has not materially violated or conflicted with,
any Environmental Law;

               (ii) to the Knowledge of Sellers, none of the Sellers nor the
Company has received notice that any prior owner of such property or asset or
any tenant, subtenant, prior tenant or prior subtenant thereof has materially
violated any Environmental Law;

                                     -53-

          
<PAGE>
 
          (iii)     all Permits required with respect to the conduct of the
business of the Company and its Subsidiaries have been obtained, are in full
force and effect and are being complied with in all material respects.

Schedule 1.74 includes a true and complete list of all such Permits.  The
- -------------                                                            
consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not cause the Permits
to cease to be in full force and effect.

     (b)  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.27(b):
                                     ---------------- 
          (i) there has been no (A) off-site shipment of any Hazardous Materials
from the Real Property, or (B) use, treatment, storage, disposal, or release of
Hazardous Materials on, under, at, from or in any way affecting any Real
Property, which off-site shipment, use, treatment, storage, disposal or release
would reasonably be expected to give rise to material liabilities or material
obligations under Environmental Laws;

          (ii) neither Sellers nor the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received any notices or claims that it is a responsible party in connection with
any claim or notice asserted pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq., or any
state superfund law, in connection with the Real Property, the Company or the
business of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

          (iii)     there are no storage tanks present, and no Regulated
Asbestos Containing Material remains in place, on the Real Property; and

          (iv) to the Knowledge of Sellers, there are no "wetlands" (as that
term has ever been defined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or any other
Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction) on any of the real property
owned, operated or leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

     Section 3.28.  Orders, Commitments and Returns.
                    ------------------------------- 

     All accepted and unfulfilled orders for the sale of products and the
performance of services entered into by any of the Mack Group entities with
third parties and all outstanding contracts or commitments for the purchase of
supplies, materials and services used or to be used in the businesses of the
Mack Group were made in bona fide transactions in the ordinary course of
                        ---- ----                                       
business.  To the Knowledge of Sellers, except as set forth on Schedule 3.28, as
                                                               -------------    
of January 31, 1999, there were no claims in excess of $25,000 individually or
$100,000 in the aggregate, against any of the Mack Group entities

                                     -54-
<PAGE>
 
relating to credits, billing errors, adulterated, misbranded, damaged or
otherwise defective products, to return products by reason of alleged
overshipments or otherwise related to the shipment of goods or provision of
services by the Mack Group entities to their customers that could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Mack Group taken as a whole.
No products of any of the Mack Group entities are in the hands of customers or
distributors under a consignment arrangement or other understanding that such
products will be returnable.

     Section 3.29.  Significant Customers.
                    --------------------- 

     Except as set forth on Schedule 3.29(a), since December 31, 1997, no member
                            ----------------                                    
of the Mack Group has received notice of, and to the Knowledge of Sellers there
does not exist, any pending or threatened loss of (a) more than $500,000 of
annual sales to Significant Customers in the aggregate or (b) more than 10% of
annual sales to a single Significant Customer as compared to annual sales to
such customer in calendar year 1997.  Consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement will not conflict with, result in a breach of, or
give rise to a right of termination, of any written contract with a Significant
Customer.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.29(b), to the Knowledge of Sellers,
                                  ----------------                              
no Significant Customer that is not a party to a written contract has indicated
that it will terminate its relationship with any member of the Mack Group in the
event of a change of control of the Mack Group or any member thereof.  Buyer
acknowledges that the Significant Customers without written contracts may
terminate their oral contracts or arrangements with the Mack Group at any time,
including as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby.

     Section 3.30.  Labor Matters.
                    ------------- 
          (a) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.30 attached hereto, with respect
                                     -------------                              
to employees of the Mack Group entities:

          (i) to the Knowledge of the Sellers, no executive, key employee or
group of employees has any plans to terminate employment with any of the Mack
Group entities;

          (ii) each of the Mack Group entities is, and has been at all times
during the last five years, in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable Laws governing employment and employment practices, terms and
conditions of employment and wages and hours, including without limitation any
such Laws respecting employment discrimination and

                                     -55-
<PAGE>
 
occupational safety and health requirements, and none of the Mack Group entities
has engaged in any unfair labor practice;

          (iii)     there is no unfair labor practice charge or complaint
against any of the Mack Group entities pending or, to the Knowledge of the
Sellers, threatened before the National Labor Relations Board or any other
comparable authority;

          (iv) as of the date hereof, no grievance or any arbitration proceeding
arising out of or under collective bargaining agreements is pending and, to the
Knowledge of the Sellers, no claims therefor exist or have been threatened; and

          (v) there is no litigation, arbitration proceeding, governmental
investigation, administrative charge, or action of any kind pending or, to the
Knowledge of the Sellers, proposed or threatened against any of the Mack Group
entities relating to employment, employment practices, terms and conditions of
employment, wages and hours, or the safety and health of employees.

          (b) Except as described in Schedule 3.30 attached hereto, none of the
                                     -------------                             
Mack Group entities has any collective bargaining relationship or duty to
bargain with any Labor Organization, and none of the Mack Group entities has
recognized any Labor Organization as the collective bargaining representative of
any of its employees.  To the Knowledge of Sellers, no organizational effort
seeking recognition by any Labor Organization is active or threatened at any
facility of any Mack Group entity.

          (c) No Mack Group entity has received notice of, and to the Knowledge
of Sellers there has not been, any demand by a Labor Organization for a
collective bargaining agreement with terms materially less favorable than the
existing collective bargaining agreement with respect to such Labor
Organization.

     Section 3.31.  Year 2000 Compliance.
                    -------------------- 

     The Company has (i) initiated a review and assessment of all areas within
the business and operations of the Mack Group (including those affected by
suppliers, vendors and customers) that could be adversely affected by the "Year
2000 problem" (that is, the risk that computer applications used by any Mack
Group entity may be unable to recognize and perform properly date-sensitive
functions involving certain dates prior to

                                     -56-
<PAGE>
 
and any date after December 31, 1999), (ii) developed a plan and time line for
addressing the Year 2000 Problem on a timely basis, and (iii) to date,
implemented that plan in accordance with that timetable. Based on the foregoing,
all computer applications of the Mack Group that are material to their business
and operations are reasonably expected on a timely basis to be able to perform
properly date-sensitive functions for all dates (that is, be "Year 2000
Compliant") on or prior to October 31, 1999.

     Section 3.32.  Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.
                    ---------------------------------- 

     Except as set forth on Schedule 3.32, the Company is not subject to any
                            -------------                                   
Liability except as set forth on or reflected or reserved against in the
consolidating balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 1998 included in
the Company Consolidating Financial Statements.  Except as set forth on Schedule
                                                                        --------
3.32, Melham, Inc. is not subject to any Liability except as set forth on or
- ----                                                                        
reflected or reserved against in the consolidating balance sheet of Melham, Inc.
as of December 31, 1998 included in the Melham, Inc. Financial Statements.  The
Mack Group entities are not, as of the date hereof, and will not be, as of the
Effective Time of Closing, subject to any Liability that (a) is not reflected on
the Current Balance Sheet or the Closing Financial Statements, as applicable,
(b) was not incurred in the ordinary course of business, (c) is not listed on a
schedule attached hereto, or (d) does not arise from a Contract.

     Section 3.33.  Accuracy of Information.
                    ----------------------- 

     Neither Seller's representations and warranties in Article III or Sections
                                                        -----------    --------
5.11 and 5.12 of this Agreement nor any of the Schedules attached hereto that
- -------------                                                                
pertain to Article III or the Exhibits are untrue in any material respect.
           -----------                                                    

     Section 3.34.  Private Placement.
                    ----------------- 
          (a) Each Seller understands that the shares of Equity Consideration
and the Buyer Notes (collectively the "Buyer Securities") being issued pursuant
to this Agreement have not been registered under the Securities Act, and the
Buyer Securities are being offered and sold under an exemption from registration
provided by the Securities Act in reliance, in good faith, upon the
representations and warranties of such Seller contained in this Section 3.34.
                                                                ------------ 
          (b) Buyer has made available to each Seller Buyer's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1998, Buyer's Quarterly Report on Form 10-
Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998 and Buyer's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended

                                     -57-
<PAGE>
 
December 31, 1998, and the Buyer's Notice of 1998 Annual Meeting and Proxy
Statement and (such documents are herein collectively referred to as the "Buyer
Information"). No Seller has been furnished by Buyer with any offering
literature, leaflet, public promotional meeting, circular, newspaper or magazine
article, radio or television advertisement, or any other form of general
advertising.

          (c) Each Seller is able to (i) bear the economic risk of its
investment in the Buyer Securities and (ii) hold the Buyer Securities for an
indefinite period of time.

          (d) Each Seller understands the business in which Buyer is engaged and
has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is
capable of evaluating the merits and risks of his investment in the Buyer
Securities and of making an informed investment decision with respect thereto.
Each Seller has obtained sufficient information to evaluate the merits and risks
of its investment and to make such a decision.

          (e) In making its decision to invest in the Buyer Securities, each
Seller has relied upon independent investigations made by it and by its
professional advisors and upon the representations of Buyer set forth in Article
                                                                         -------
IV hereof.  Each Seller and its advisors have been given the opportunity to
- --                                                                         
obtain information and to examine this Agreement, including the representations
of Buyer set forth in Article IV, and the exhibits hereto and to ask questions
                      ----------                                              
of, and to receive answers from, Buyer or any person acting on its behalf
concerning the Buyer Securities, Buyer and terms and conditions of this
investment, and to obtain any additional information to verify the accuracy of
any information previously furnished.  All such questions have been answered to
such Seller's full satisfaction.

          (f) Each Seller confirms that neither Buyer nor any of its affiliates
or agents have made any representations or warranties (oral or written)
concerning such Seller's investment in the Buyer Securities, Buyer, its
business, prospects or anticipated financial results, or other matters, other
than as set forth in this Agreement or any Schedule or Exhibit to this
Agreement.

          (g) The Buyer Securities are being purchased solely for such Seller's
own account, as principal, for investment and not for the interest of any other
Person or entity and not 

                                     -58-
<PAGE>
 
with a current view to, or in connection with, any resale, distribution,
subdivision, or fractionalization of the Buyer Securities.

          (h)  Each Seller understands that:

               (i) Each Seller must bear the economic risk of the investment for
an indefinite period of time because the Buyer Securities cannot be resold
unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act and any applicable
state's securities laws or unless an exemption from such registration is
available, as described by an opinion of counsel satisfactory to Buyer.

          (ii) The certificate(s) evidencing each of the Buyer Securities will
bear the following legend, except to the extent otherwise provided in the
Registration Rights Agreement attached as Exhibit 5.08 hereto:
                                          ------------        

                    THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS [CERTIFICATE] [NOTE] HAVE
                    NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
                    AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES OR "BLUE SKY"
                    LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED,
                    PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNLESS REGISTERED PURSUANT
                    TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH ACT AND BLUE SKY LAWS OR AN
                    EXEMPTION THEREFROM IS AVAILABLE AS DESCRIBED BY A WRITTEN
                    OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO CADMUS COMMUNICATIONS
                    CORPORATION.

          (iii)     No federal or state agency has passed on or made any
recommendations or endorsements of the investment in the Buyer Securities.

          (iv) Each Seller's investment in Buyer involves certain risks in that,
among other factors, (a) successful operation of Buyer may depend on factors
beyond the control of Buyer, and (b) the Buyer Securities may not be
transferred, sold or encumbered unless registered under federal and state
securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available therefor,
and, accordingly, it may not be possible for the Seller to liquidate its
investment in case of imminent need of funds or any other emergency, if at all.

          (i) Such Seller was not organized for the specific purpose of
acquiring the Buyer Securities.

                                     -59-
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE IV

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER
                  -------------------------------------------
     The Buyer represents and warrants to the Sellers that the following
representations and warranties are, as of the date hereof, true and correct:

     Section 4.01.  Organization.
                    ------------ 

     The Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and has all requisite
corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to
carry on its business as now being conducted.

     Section 4.02.  Authority; Enforceability.
                    ------------------------- 

     The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and of all of the
documents and instruments required hereby from the Buyer are within the
corporate power of Buyer.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized
by the Board of Directors of Buyer, and no other corporate proceedings on the
part of Buyer are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the
transactions contemplated herein.  This Agreement has been, and all of the other
documents and instruments required hereby, to which the Buyer is a party will
be, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Buyer.  This Agreement is,
and the other documents and instruments required hereby, including, without
limitation, the Buyer Notes and the Bridge Financing Notes, will be, when
executed and delivered by the parties hereto, the valid and binding obligations
of the Buyer, enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with their respective
terms subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating
to creditors' rights or creditors' remedies generally; and (ii) general
principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a
proceeding at law or in equity).

     Section 4.03.  Capitalization.
                    -------------- 

     The authorized equity capitalization of the Buyer consists of 16,000,000
shares of common stock, $0.50 par value.  As of the close of business on March
29, 1999, 7,846,263 shares of Buyer Common Stock were issued and outstanding.
All issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Buyer have been duly
and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, and were not issued in
violation of any preemptive or other similar

                                     -60-
<PAGE>
 
right. Upon consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the shares of
Buyer Common Stock issued as the Equity Consideration will be validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable and will not have been issued in violation of any
preemptive or other similar rights.

     Section 4.04.  Consents and Approvals; No Violation or Conflict by Buyer.
                    --------------------------------------------------------- 

     Except for any applicable filing requirements under the HSR Act and the
Exchange Act, no notice to, filing or registration with, and no permit,
authorization, consent or approval of, any governmental, regulatory or self-
regulatory agency is necessary or is required to be made or obtained by Buyer in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer or for the
consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby.  The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by Buyer and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (a) conflict with or result
in any breach of any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of
Buyer, (b) conflict with or violate any Law, judgment, order, writ, injunction
or decree binding on Buyer or any of its properties or assets or (c) conflict
with or violate any contract or agreement to which Buyer is a party or by which
it is bound, the breach of which could have a Material Adverse Effect on Buyer
or would adversely affect Buyer's ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

     Section 4.05.  Buyer Reports.
                    ------------- 
          (a) Buyer has filed in a timely manner all forms, reports, statements
and other documents required to be filed with the SEC including, without
limitation, all Annual Reports on Form 10-K, all Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q,
all proxy statements relating to meetings of stockholders (whether annual or
special), all other reports or registration statements and all amendments and
supplements to all such reports and registration statements (all such forms,
reports, statements and other documents being referred to herein, collectively,
as the "Buyer Reports").  The Buyer Reports were prepared in all material
respects in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations promulgated by
the SEC thereunder applicable to such Buyer Reports and did not at the time they
were filed contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which

                                     -61-
<PAGE>
 
they were made, not misleading, except for such statements, if any, as have been
modified by subsequent filings.

          (b) The consolidated financial statements of Buyer included in the
Buyer Reports filed with the SEC comply in all material respects with the
published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as may be indicated in the notes
thereto, or, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for normal recurring
year-end audit adjustments or as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) and fairly
present in accordance with GAAP throughout the periods involved (except to the
extent required by changes in GAAP or as described in the notes thereto) the
consolidated financial position of Buyer and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of
the respective dates thereof or for the respective periods set forth therein and
the consolidated results of their operation and cash flows from the periods set
forth therein.

     Section 4.06.  No Adverse Change.
                    ----------------- 

     Since June 30, 1998, the business of Buyer has been operated in the
ordinary course and there has been no change (and to the Knowledge of Buyer no
fact or condition exists or is contemplated or threatened that might cause such
a change in the future) in the assets or liabilities, or in the business or
condition, financial or otherwise, or in the results of operations, of Buyer
that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on
Buyer.

     Section 4.07.  Fees and Expenses of Brokers and Others.
                    --------------------------------------- 

     Except as set forth in Schedule 4.07 hereto the Buyer (a) has not had any
                            -------------                                     
dealings, negotiations or communications with any investment banking firm,
broker or other intermediary in connection with the transactions contemplated in
this Agreement, (b) has not committed to any liability for any brokers' or
finders' fees or similar fees, and (c) has not retained any investment banking
firm, broker or other intermediary to act on its behalf in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  The Buyer shall pay all fees and
expenses in connection with the obligations set forth on Schedule 4.07.
                                                         ------------- 

     Section 4.08.  Year 2000 Compliance.
                    -------------------- 

     The Buyer has (i) initiated a review and assessment of all areas within the
business and operations of its business (including those affected by suppliers,
vendors and customers) that could be adversely affected by the "Year 2000

                                     -62-
<PAGE>
 
problem" (that is, the risk that computer applications used by Buyer may be
unable to recognize and perform properly date-sensitive functions involving
certain dates prior to and any date after December 31, 1999), (ii) developed a
plan and time line for addressing the Year 2000 Problem on a timely basis, and
(iii) to date, implemented that plan in accordance with that timetable.  Based
on the foregoing, all computer applications of the Buyer that are material to
their business and operations are reasonably expected on a timely basis to be
able to perform properly date-sensitive functions for all dates (that is, be
"Year 2000 Compliant") on or prior to October 31, 1999.

     Section 4.09.  No Litigation.
                    ------------- 

     Except as listed in Schedule 4.09 attached hereto, there is no litigation,
                         -------------                                         
arbitration proceeding, governmental investigation or action of any kind pending
or, to the Knowledge of the Buyer, proposed or threatened (a) against the Buyer
or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the business, assets, properties or
products of the Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries that could have a Material
Adverse Effect or (b) that seeks restraint, prohibition, damages or other relief
in connection with this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.

     Section 4.10.  Knowledge of the Buyer.
                    ---------------------- 

     To the Knowledge of the Buyer, as of the date hereof, none of the
representations and warranties of Sellers included in Article III or Sections
                                                      -----------------------
5.11 or 5.12 of this Agreement, or the Schedules or the Exhibits hereto, is
- ------------                                                               
untrue in any material respect.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                   COVENANTS
                                   ---------

     Section 5.01.  Conduct of Business of the Company; Continued Ownership of
                    ----------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock.
- ------------
 
          (a) Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, during the
period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time of Closing or
earlier termination of this Agreement, the Sellers shall cause the members of
the Mack Group to conduct their operations according to their ordinary and usual
course of business and consistent with past practice, the Sellers shall cause
the members of the Mack Group to use their reasonable best efforts to preserve
intact their business organizations, to keep available the services of their
officers and

                                     -63-
<PAGE>
 
employees and to maintain existing relationships with licensors, licensees,
suppliers, contractors, distributors, customers and others having material
business relationships with them. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, and except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, prior
to the Effective Time of Closing or earlier termination of this Agreement, the
Sellers shall ensure that no Mack Group entity will, without the prior written
consent of the Buyer:

          (i) amend its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws;

          (ii) authorize for issuance or issue, sell or deliver (whether through
the issuance or granting of options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions,
rights to purchase or otherwise) any stock of any class or any other debt or
equity securities or membership interests, other than advances from any member
of the Mack Group to another member of the Mack Group;

          (iii)     split, combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock
or membership interests, declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other
distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) in
respect of its capital stock or membership interests, or redeem, repurchase or
otherwise acquire any of its securities or any securities of its Subsidiaries;

          (iv) participate in any merger, consolidation or share exchange
or other business combination;

          (v) (A) incur or assume any indebtedness for money borrowed not
currently outstanding (except for trade payables or advances under its
outstanding line of credit in the ordinary course of business and consistent
with past practice), (B) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable
or responsible for the obligations of any person or otherwise incur any other
contingent liability, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course
of business, (C) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
investments in, any other person, other than advances from any member of the
Mack Group to another member of the Mack Group, (D) enter into any contract or
agreement other than in the ordinary course of business or in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (E) authorize any single
capital expenditure which is in excess of $75,000 or capital expenditures which
are, in

                                     -64-
<PAGE>
 
the aggregate, in excess of $500,000 for the Mack Group taken as a whole, other
than capital expenditures as to which a Mack Group entity is contractually
committed as of the date hereof;

          (vi)   adopt or amend (except as may be required by Law or as provided
in this Agreement) any bonus, profit sharing, compensation, severance,
termination, stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock, pension,
retirement, deferred compensation, employment, severance or other employee
benefit agreements, trusts, plans, funds or other arrangements for the benefit
or welfare of any present or former director, officer or employee or the
dependent or beneficiary of any present or former director, officer or employee,
or (except for normal increases in the ordinary course of business that are
consistent with past practices and that, in the aggregate, do not result in a
material increase in benefits or compensation expense to any Mack Group entity)
increase in any manner the compensation or fringe benefits of any director,
officer or employee or pay any benefit not required by any existing plan and
arrangement (including, without limitation, the granting of stock options, stock
appreciation rights, shares of restricted stock or performance units) or enter
into any contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement to do any of the
foregoing;

          (vii)  acquire, sell, lease or dispose of any assets outside the
ordinary course of business;

          (viii) take any action other than in the ordinary course of business
and in a manner consistent with past practice with respect to accounting
policies or procedures;

          (ix)   make any material Tax election (other than elections that are
made consistently with past practice) or settle or compromise any material Tax
liability;

          (x)    pay, discharge or satisfy any claims, liabilities or
obligations (absolute, accrued or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other
than the payment, discharge or satisfaction in the ordinary course of business
of liabilities reflected or reserved against in the Current Balance Sheet or
incurred in the ordinary course of business since the respective dates thereof;

          (xi)   incur any trade accounts payable or other expenses, including
without limitation, any commitment to purchase any Inventory in excess of the
respective levels normal in the ordinary course of business;

                                     -65-
<PAGE>
 
                    (xii)   materially alter or accelerate its customary
collection practices;

                    (xiii)  divert or deplete any cash or cash balances in the
Bank Accounts;

                    (xiv)   pledge or hypothecate any of the Assets to secure
indebtedness of any Mack Group entity or any other Person other than Permitted
Liens;

                    (xv)    make any dividend or other distribution to Sellers
or their shareholders or any third party (other than compensation, exclusive of
bonuses and raises, paid in the normal and ordinary course of business of the
Mack Group entity for services previously rendered);

                    (xvi)   waive or release any right of substantial value;

                    (xvii)  change financial or accounting methods or accounting
practices; or

                    (xviii) agree in writing or otherwise to take any of the
foregoing actions.

          (b)       Each Seller agrees that (except as otherwise expressly
contemplated herein) it will not sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, divide,
assign or otherwise alienate any shares of Stock or Warrants or the Promissory
Notes prior to the Effective Time of Closing.

          (c)       Sellers covenant that each Mack Group entity will during the
period from the date hereof to the Effective Time of Closing or earlier
termination of this Agreement:  (i) at all times keep full and complete Books
and Records, both consistent with past practice; (ii) maintain in full force and
effect the insurance policies heretofore maintained by each Mack Group entity
(or policies providing substantially the same coverage); (iii) take such action
as may be reasonably necessary to preserve the Assets in working condition,
ordinary wear and tear excepted; (iv) promptly advise Buyer in writing of any
loss or, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, threatened loss of a Significant
Customer or any material reduction in volume or threatened reduction in volume
of a Significant Customer or any material change in the business prospects,
properties or condition, financial or otherwise, of any Mack Group entity that
has occurred or that any Seller reasonably believes will occur; and (v) conduct
the business of each Mack Group entity in compliance with all material Laws
applicable to the Company.

     Section 5.02.  No Solicitation. The Sellers, the Company and its 
                    --------------- 
Subsidiaries shall not, after the date hereof, through the date that this
Agreement is terminated in accordance with

                                     -66-
<PAGE>
 
Section 7.01 hereof, or the Closing Date, whichever shall occur sooner, directly
- ------------                                                                    
or indirectly, through any officer, director, employee, agent or otherwise,
solicit, initiate or encourage submission of proposals or offers from any person
relating to any acquisition or purchase of all or (other than in the ordinary
course of business) a substantial portion of the assets of, or any equity
interest in, any of the Company or its Subsidiaries or any business combination
involving any of the Company or its Subsidiaries or, participate in any
negotiations regarding, or furnish to any other person any information with
respect to, or otherwise cooperate in any way with, or assist or participate in,
facilitate or encourage, any effort or attempt by any other person to do or seek
any of the foregoing.  The Sellers shall promptly advise the Buyer if any such
proposal or offer, or any inquiry or contact with any person with respect to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, is made, shall promptly inform the Buyer of
all the terms and conditions thereof, and shall furnish to the Buyer copies of
any such written proposal or offer and the contents of any communications by the
Company in response thereto.  None of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall
waive any provisions of any "standstill" agreement between any of the Company or
its Subsidiaries and any party.

     Section 5.03.  Access to Information. Between the date of this Agreement 
                    --------------------- 
and the Effective Time of Closing or earlier termination of this Agreement, the
Buyer and its authorized representatives will be given full and free access to:
(i) the Sellers, together with the Company's legal advisors and accountants; and
(ii) the Books and Records of the Company and its Subsidiaries, provided that
the parties contemplate that such Books and Records will be made available in a
manner intended to preserve the confidentiality of the transactions contemplated
herein prior to Closing and in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement.
During the period from the date hereof to the Effective Time of Closing or
earlier termination of this Agreement, the Sellers shall also provide
representatives of Buyer with reasonable access upon request to other personnel
of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to the premises of the Company and its
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that any such access shall be conducted in a 
              --------  ------- 
mutually satisfactory manner that is intended to preserve the confidentiality of
the transactions contemplated herein prior to Closing and in a manner consistent
with this Agreement. All such information shall be kept confidential in
accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement.

                                     -67-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 5.04.  Best Efforts. Subject to the terms and conditions herein 
                    ------------ 
provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use its reasonable best efforts
(which shall not include the payment of money, other than that which is
currently due and payable) to take, or cause to be taken, all action, and to do,
or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper and advisable under applicable
Law (including, without limitation, the HSR Act), necessary to consummate and
make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In case at any
time after the Effective Time of Closing any further action is necessary or
desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, each Seller and its
respective officers and directors and the proper officers and directors of the
Buyer shall take all such necessary action. The Sellers and the Buyer will
execute any additional instruments necessary to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby.

     Section 5.05.  Public Announcements. The Buyer and the Sellers shall 
                    -------------------- 
consult with each other before the issuance of any press release or the making
of any other public statement with respect to this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated herein. Neither the Buyer nor any Seller nor the
Company nor its Subsidiaries shall issue any such press release or make any such
public statement prior to such consultation or as to which the Buyer or the
Sellers reasonably object, except as may be required by Law or by obligations
pursuant to any listing agreement with any national securities exchange or 
inter-dealer quotation system.

     Section 5.06.  Confidentiality Agreement. Notwithstanding the execution of 
                    ------------------------- 
this Agreement, except as modified by Section 5.05 above, the Confidentiality
                                      ------------  
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect through the Effective Time of
Closing, at which time the Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate and be of
no further force and effect.

     Section 5.07.  HSR Waiting Period. Neither the Sellers nor the Buyer shall
                    ------------------ 
request early termination of the HSR Waiting Period.

     Section 5.08.  Registration of Equity Consideration. Buyer will use its 
                    ------------------------------------ 
best efforts to cause all shares constituting the Equity Consideration received
by Sellers to be registered for resale under the Securities Act in accordance
with the Registration Rights Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit 5.08
                                                               ------------
hereto.
       

     Section 5.09.  Certain Labor Matters. During the period from the date 
                    --------------------- 
hereof to the Effective Time of Closing or earlier termination of this
Agreement, the Sellers shall promptly 

                                     -68-
<PAGE>
 
notify the Buyer and keep Buyer informed, to Buyer's reasonable satisfaction, of
any developments or changes relating to, and the status of any negotiations
relating to, the collective bargaining agreements identified on Schedule 3.30.
                                                                -------------
The Sellers shall provide notice to Buyer two (2) days prior to Closing that as
of such date that no grievance of arbitration proceeding arising out of or under
collective bargaining agreements is pending and, to the Knowledge of the
Sellers, no claims therefor exist or have been threatened except as set forth on
Schedule 3.30 or except as provided in such notice.  Such notice shall be
- -------------                                                            
subject to and in accordance with Section 5.13.
                                  ------------ 

     Section 5.10.  Financial Statements. The Sellers shall use their reasonable
                    -------------------- 
best efforts (which shall not include the payment of money, other than that
which is currently due and payable) to assist Buyer to obtain all financial
statements and supporting information, and the unqualified reports of Ernst
&Young LLP relating thereto, required by Rule 3-05 of Regulation S-X promulgated
by the SEC with respect to Buyer's acquisition of the Company, including without
limitation, (a) an audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and the notes thereto and the related
consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the twelve months ended
December 31, 1997 consisting of consolidated statements of income and cash flows
for the nine months ended December 31, 1997 of the Company and its subsidiaries
and consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 of Melham, Inc. and its Subsidiaries and (b) the audited
consolidated balance sheet of Melham, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of December
31, 1996 and the notes thereto and the related audited consolidated statements
of income and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 1996.

     Section 5.11.  Asbestos.
                    -------- 

          (a)       Prior to Closing, Sellers have entered into a contract with
a contractor reasonably acceptable to Buyer for (i) removal of all material
which is now Regulated Asbestos-Containing Material in the press room, bindery
and boiler room areas of the facility in Easton, Pennsylvania and removal or
repair of damaged RACM in other portions of the Easton, Pennsylvania facility;
(ii) comprehensive asbestos survey of remaining asbestos containing

                                     -69-
<PAGE>
 
material at the Easton, Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Maryland facilities; and
(iii) preparation of an operations and maintenance plan for the facility in
Easton, Pennsylvania.

          (b)       This work shall be at Sellers' expense and conducted in
accordance with all applicable or relevant and appropriate Environmental Laws
and industry standards, including but not limited to 40 C.F.R. Part 61, Subpart
M, 40 C.F.R. Part 763 and 29 C.F.R. (S) (S) 1901.1001 and 1926.58.

          (c)       If, within 90 days after Closing, Buyer discovers Regulated
Asbestos Containing Materials not included in the survey prepared in accordance
with Section 5.11(a)(ii) that meet the standards for repair or removal in
     -------------------                                                 
Section 5.11(a)(i) or (ii), as applicable, for reasons unrelated to Buyer's
- --------------------------                                                 
activities or omissions, Sellers shall repair or remove such asbestos in
compliance with Section 5.11(a) and (b).
                ----------------------- 

          (d)       Any material removed pursuant to Section 5.11(c) shall be 
                                                     ---------------  
replaced with a suitable non-asbestos containing material of like insulating
capacity at Sellers' expense.

     Section 5.12.  Groundwater Sampling. Prior to the date hereof, Sellers have
                    -------------------- 
sampled water from the existing deep well located at the Easton, Pennsylvania
facility and have had that sample analyzed for volatile organic compounds.
Sellers have provided Buyer with a written report describing the results of such
sampling and analytical results and Buyer acknowledges receipt of such report.

     Section 5.13.  VPI Taxes. The Sellers shall cause VPI to pay to the 
                    --------- 
Company upon demand of the Buyer or the Company any portion of the consolidated
federal income Tax (including, without limitation, alternative minimum Tax)
liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries attributable to VPI for 1998 and
for the portion of 1999 ending on the Closing Date. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, the federal taxable income (or alternative minimum taxable
income) of VPI (if any) for each such period shall be the amount shown as such
on its pro forma Tax Return prepared under Section 8.06(b).
                                           --------------- 

                                     -70-
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VI
                        CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING
                        -------------------------------

     Section 6.01.  Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Buyer. The 
                    ------------------------------------------------ 
obligations of the Buyer to consummate the purchase of the Stock and the
Warrants as contemplated herein are subject to the satisfaction or waiver at or
prior to the Effective Time of Closing of the following conditions precedent:

          (a)       there shall have occurred no material adverse change in the
business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole from the date hereof to the Closing Date;

          (b)       each of the representations and warranties of the Sellers
contained in Article III that are qualified by materiality shall be true and
             -----------                                                    
correct when made and at and as of the Closing Date (except with respect to such
representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular
date, which shall be true and correct as of such particular date), and each of
the representations and warranties of the Sellers contained in Article III that
                                                               -----------     
are not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects when
made and at and as of the Closing Date (except with respect to such
representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular
date, which shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such
particular date), with the same force and effect as if those representations and
warranties had been made at and as of such time (with such exceptions, if any,
necessary to give effect to events or transactions expressly permitted herein);
provided that if any such representation or warranty is not true and correct as
of the Closing Date solely by reason of events occurring after the date hereof,
the failure of such representation or warranty to be true and correct shall not
result in a failure of the condition set forth in this Section 6.01(b) to be
                                                       ---------------      
fulfilled unless such failure of such representation or warranty to be true has
or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries;

          (c)       the Sellers and/or the Company, as the case may be, shall,
in all material respects, have performed all obligations and complied with all
covenants necessary to be performed or complied with by them or it on or before
the Closing Date;

                                     -71-
<PAGE>
 
          (d) the Sellers and the Company shall have obtained all of the
Required Consents;

          (e) any waiting period applicable to the transactions contemplated
herein under the HSR Act shall have been terminated or shall have expired;

          (f) the Pre-Closing Transactions referred to in Sections 2.03(a), (b),
                                                          ----------------------
(c), (d), (e) and (f) shall have been completed in accordance with the
- ---------------------                                                 
agreements attached hereto as Exhibits 2.03(b) and 2.03(c), where applicable,
                              ----------------------------                   
or, if requested by the parties to such agreements, with such changes as agreed
to by such parties with the consent of Buyer, not to be unreasonably withheld;

          (g) the Sellers, the Company and the Goldman Entities shall have
consummated the transactions contemplated by the Goldman Purchase Agreement, in
accordance with the Goldman Purchase Agreement;

          (h) the Sellers and the Company and its Subsidiaries shall have paid
all withholding Taxes set forth on Schedule 6.01(h) and shall have delivered
                                   ----------------                         
satisfactory evidence thereof to the Buyer;

          (i) the Buyer shall have received a certificate executed by each of
the chief executive officers of Melham US and Purico, certifying fulfillment of
the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) through (h) of this Section 6.01 and a
                                                              ------------      
certificate executed by Paul F. Mack certifying fulfillment of the matters
referred to in paragraph (a) through (f) of this Section 6.01;
                                                 ------------ 
          (j) no investigation, suit, action or other proceeding shall be
threatened or pending before any court or governmental agency that seeks
constraint, prohibition, damages or other relief in connection with this
Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and that
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company
and its Subsidiaries or the ability of the parties to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby;

          (k) the Buyer shall have received all Releases and Real Estate
Releases, except to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 2.06(a)(vii)
                                                     --------------------
hereof;

                                     -72-
<PAGE>
 
          (l)       the Buyer shall have received the Escrow Agreement and the
Special Purpose Escrow Agreement executed by each Seller and the Escrow Agent;

          (m)       the Contracts identified on Schedule 6.01(m) shall have been
                                                ----------------                
terminated pursuant to the Termination Agreements; and

          (n)       the Buyer shall have received the opinions of Dechert, Price
& Rhoads, United States counsel for the Sellers and the Company, and Dickinson,
Cruikshank & Co., Isle of Man counsel to the Sellers dated the Closing Date, in
the form of Exhibit 6.01(n) hereto.
            ---------------        

     Section 6.02.  Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Sellers. The
                    -------------------------------------------------- 
obligation of the Sellers to consummate the sale of the Stock and the Warrants
as contemplated herein is subject to the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to
the Effective Time of Closing of the following conditions precedent:

          (a)       each of the representations and warranties of the Buyer
contained in Article IV that are qualified by materiality shall be true and
             ----------
correct when made and at and as of the Closing Date (except with respect to such
representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular
date, which shall be true and correct as of such particular date), and each of
the representations and warranties of the Buyer contained in Article IV that are
                                                             ----------         
not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects when made
and at and as of the Closing Date (except with respect to such representations
and warranties that address matters only as of a particular date, which shall be
true and correct in all material respects as of such particular date), with the
same force and effect as if those representations and warranties had been made
at and as of such time (with such exceptions, if any, necessary to give effect
to events or transactions expressly permitted herein); provided that if any such
representation or warranty is not true and correct as of the Closing Date solely
by reason of events occurring after the date hereof, the failure of such
representation or warranty to be true and correct shall not result in a failure
of the condition set forth in this Section 6.01(a) to be fulfilled unless such
                                   ---------------                            
failure of such representation or warranty to be true has or would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided, that if the
representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.10 are not true and
                                            ------------                 
correct then Buyer shall deliver at Closing a schedule of all exceptions to such
representations and warranties;

                                     -73-
<PAGE>
 
          (b)       the Buyer shall, in all material respects, have performed
all obligations and complied with all covenants necessary to be performed or
complied with by it on or before the Closing Date;

          (c)       any waiting period applicable to the transactions
contemplated herein under the HSR Act shall have been terminated or shall have
expired;

          (d)       the Sellers shall have received a certificate of the Chief
Executive Officer of the Buyer, in form satisfactory to counsel for the Sellers,
certifying fulfillment of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) through (c)
of this Section 6.02;
        ------------ 

          (e)       no investigation, suit, action or other proceeding shall be
threatened or pending before any court or governmental agency that seeks
constraint, prohibition, damages or other relief in connection with this
Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and that
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Buyer or
the ability of the parties to consummate the transaction contemplated hereby;

          (f)       the Sellers shall have received the opinion of Hunton &
Williams, counsel for the Buyer, dated the Closing Date, with respect to such
matters as the Sellers may reasonably request and substantially in the form of
Exhibit 6.02(f) hereto; and
- ---------------            

          (g)       the Buyer shall have delivered resolutions of Buyer's Board
of Directors providing that as of the Closing the number of directors
constituting Buyer's Board of Directors be increased by one (1) director and
that Nathu R. Puri be elected to the Board of Directors of Buyer to fill such
vacancy and to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders of Buyer.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                        TERMINATION; AMENDMENT; WAIVER
                        ------------------------------

     Section 7.01.  Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the
                    ----------- 
transactions contemplated herein may be abandoned at any time prior to the
Effective Time of Closing:

          (a)       by mutual written consent of the Buyer and the Sellers;

          (b)       by the Buyer at any time following the Buyer becoming aware
that the Sellers have breached any representation, warranty or covenant
contained in this Agreement in any material respect, if the Buyer has notified
the Sellers of the breach and the breach has

                                     -74-
<PAGE>
 
continued without cure for a period of thirty (30) days after the notice of
breach; provided that Buyer has not breached any representation, warranty or
covenant contained in this Agreement (other than any representation, warranty or
covenant contained in Section 4.10) in any material respect;
                      ------------                 

          (c)       by the Sellers at any time following the Sellers becoming
aware that the Buyer has breached any representation, warranty or covenant
contained in this Agreement (other than any representation, warranty or covenant
contained in Section 4.10) in any material respect, if the Sellers have notified
             ------------
the Buyer of the breach and the breach has continued without cure for a period
of thirty (30) days after the notice of breach; provided that the Sellers have
not breached any representation, warranty or covenant contained in this
Agreement in any material respect;

          (d)       by the Buyer or the Sellers, if the Effective Time of
Closing shall not have occurred on or before April 5, 1999; or

          (e)       by the Buyer or the Sellers, if any court of competent
jurisdiction in the United States or other United States governmental body shall
have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action restraining,
enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated herein and such
order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and nonappealable.

     Section 7.02.  Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated 
                    --------------------- 
pursuant to Section 7.01 hereof, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and 
            ------------             
have no effect, without any liability on the part of any party or its directors,
officers or shareholders except as provided in this Section; provided, however,
                                                             --------  -------
that nothing contained in this Section 7.02 shall relieve any party from
                               ------------
liability for any breach of this Agreement.

     Section 7.03.  Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by action taken by
                    --------- 
the Buyer and the Sellers; provided that no amendment to this Agreement shall be
                           --------
made except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of all of the parties.

     Section 7.04.  Extension; Waiver. Subject to Section 5.13 hereof, at any 
                    -----------------             ------------ 
time prior to the Effective Time of Closing, the parties may (i) extend the time
for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties
hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the 

                                     -75-
<PAGE>
 
representations and warranties contained herein or in any document, certificate
or writing delivered pursuant hereto or (iii) waive compliance with any of the
agreements or conditions contained herein. Subject to Section 5.13 on the part
                                                      ------------
of any party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in
an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party.

                                 ARTICLE VIII

                     INDEMNITIES AND ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
                     ------------------------------------

     Section 8.01.  Survival. All representations, warranties, covenants, and
                    -------- 
obligations in this Agreement, the Schedules, Exhibits, and any other
certificate or document delivered pursuant to this Agreement will survive the
Closing until the termination of the indemnification provisions contained in
Sections 8.02 and 8.03 hereof with respect to such representation, warranty or 
- ----------------------
covenant. Buyer acknowledges that Sellers have not made any representations or
warranties other than as set forth in this Agreement or the schedules or
exhibits attached hereto.

     Section 8.02.  Sellers' Indemnity.
                    ------------------ 
          (a) Each of the Sellers (collectively, the "Indemnifying Parties")
hereby jointly and severally agrees to indemnify and hold the Buyer and the Mack
Group entities, their officers, directors and shareholders and their successors
and permitted assigns (each, an "Indemnified Party"), harmless from and against,
any and all losses, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities, obligations, claims
of any kind, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and other
legal costs and expenses and diminution in value, whether or not involving a
third party claim (hereinafter referred to collectively as "Losses"), that any
Indemnified Party may at any time suffer or incur, or become subject to, as a
result of or in connection with: (i) any breach or inaccuracy of any of the
representations and warranties made by the Sellers in or pursuant to this
Agreement (other than those contained in Section 3.19(c), (d), (e), (f), (k) and
                                         ---------------------------------------
(l); (ii) any failure of the Sellers to (or to cause any of the Company or its
- ---
Subsidiaries to) carry out, perform, satisfy and discharge any of their
covenants, agreements, undertakings, liabilities or obligations under this
Agreement or under any of the documents and instruments delivered by the
Company, its Subsidiaries, the Sellers pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the
Retained Liabilities; (iv) the fees and obligations described on Schedule 3.25;
                                                                 -------------
(v) environmental-related Losses to the extent arising from the operation of the
business or ownership of the Real Property or Assets by the 

                                     -76-
<PAGE>
 
Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date, including, without
limitation, those matters listed on Schedule 8.02(a)(v); (vi) Losses arising
                                    -------------------
from the matters set forth on Schedule 8.02(a)(vi); and (vii) Losses arising
                              --------------------
from the matters set forth on Schedule 8.02(a)(vii); provided, however, that the
                              ---------------------  --------  -------
Indemnifying Parties shall not be required to indemnify and hold the Indemnified
Parties harmless (A) pursuant to Section 8.02(a)(i) or (ii) unless such right is
                                 --------------------------                     
asserted (whether or not the Losses have actually been incurred) by written
notice to the Indemnifying Parties within 18 months of the Effective Time
describing with specificity the facts giving rise to the asserted right (unless
such right is asserted pursuant to the representations, warranties, covenants or
obligations made in (x) Section 3.27 in which event such right is asserted in
                        ------------                                         
the same manner (whether or not the Losses have actually been incurred) within
five (5) years of the Effective Time, (y) Section 3.26 in which event such right
                                          ------------                          
is asserted in the same manner (whether or not the Losses have actually been
incurred) prior to 90 days after the expiration of the applicable statute of
limitations relating to any Tax, or (z) Section 3.04 and Section 3.07(b) in
                                        --------------------------------   
which event there shall be no time limitation on when each right is asserted) or
(B) pursuant to Section 8.02(a)(v) or (vi) unless such right is asserted in the
                --------------------------                                     
same manner (whether or not the Losses have actually been incurred) within five
(5) years of the Effective Time of Closing; provided, further, that the
                                            --------  -------          
Indemnifying Parties shall not be required to indemnify the Indemnified Parties
under Section 8.02(a)(i) or (ii) unless and until the amount of all Losses for
      --------------------------                                              
which indemnification is sought with respect to Sections 8.02(a)(i) and (ii)
                                                ----------------------------
hereof shall exceed $500,000, and, thereafter, the Indemnifying Parties shall
indemnify the Indemnified Parties for all additional Losses in excess of
$500,000 with respect to Sections 8.02(a)(i) and (ii); provided, further,
                         ----------------------------                    
however, that no Indemnifying Party shall have any obligation to indemnify the
Indemnified Parties under Section 8.02(a)(i), (ii), (v), (vi), or (vii) for any
                          ---------------------------------------------        
Losses that, when added to all Losses for which indemnification is sought
pursuant to Section 8.02(a)(i), 8.02(a)(ii), 8.02(a)(v), 8.02(a)(vi) and
            ------------------------------------------------------------
8.02(a)(vii) of this Agreement, exceed $20,000,000 (except that any Losses
- ------------                                                              
incurred by the Indemnified Parties as a result of the breach of the
representations, warranties or covenants made by Sellers in Section 3.04 or
                                                            ---------------
3.07(b) shall be indemnifiable without regard to the $500,000 and $20,000,000
- ------                                                                       
limits and any Losses incurred by the Indemnified Parties as a result of the
breach of the representations, warranties, covenants or 

                                     -77-
<PAGE>
 
obligations made by Sellers in Section 3.26, 3.27, 8.02(a)(v), 8.02(a)(vi) or
                               ------------  ----  --------------------------
(vii), shall be indemnifiable without regard to the $500,000 limit but shall be
- -----
subject to the $20,000,000 limit).

          (b) The amounts for which the Indemnifying Parties shall be liable
under Section 8.02(a) of this Agreement shall be net of any insurance proceeds
      ---------------                                                         
received by the Indemnified Parties in connection with the facts and
circumstances giving rise to the right of indemnification.  In addition, such
amounts shall be (i) net of any federal or state income tax benefit realized or
the then-present value (based on a discount rate of 6%) of any such income tax
benefit to be realized by the indemnified party by reason of the facts and
circumstances giving rise to the indemnification, and (ii) increased by the
amount of any federal or state income tax required to be paid by the indemnified
party as a result of the accrual or receipt of the indemnification payment
(including any amount payable pursuant to this clause (ii)).  For purposes of
the preceding sentence, the amount of any state income tax benefit or cost shall
take into account the federal income tax effect of such benefit or cost.

          (c) In the event a claim against an Indemnified Party that is covered
by the indemnity provisions of Section 8.02(a) of this Agreement, notice shall
                               ---------------                                
be given promptly by one of the Indemnified Parties to the Indemnifying Parties.
Provided that the Indemnifying Parties admit in writing to the party seeking
indemnification that such claim is covered by the indemnity provisions of
Section 8.02(a) hereof, the Indemnifying Parties shall have the right to contest
- ---------------                                                                 
and defend by all appropriate legal proceedings such claim and to control all
settlements (unless the party seeking indemnification agrees to assume the cost
of settlement and to forgo such indemnity) and to select lead counsel to defend
any and all such claims at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying
Parties; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Parties may not effect any
         --------  -------                                                  
settlement that could result in any cost, expense or liability to, or have any
Material Adverse Effect upon any Indemnified Party unless such party consents in
writing to such settlement and the Indemnifying Parties agree to indemnify such
party therefor.  In the event the Indemnifying Parties do not admit in writing
to a party seeking indemnification that such claim is covered by the indemnity
provisions of Section 8.02(a) hereof, the Indemnified Party shall take such
              ---------------                                              
actions as it deems necessary to defend such claim; provided, however, that the
Indemnified Parties may not effect any settlement that could result in any cost,
expense, liability to, or have any Material Adverse Effect upon, any
Indemnifying Party without consent of such Indemnifying 

                                     -78-
<PAGE>
 
Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld and which consent or
objection thereto must be provided in a timely manner as the circumstances
dictate and in any event within ten (10) business days of such request. The
party seeking indemnification may select counsel to participate in any defense,
in which event such counsel shall be at the sole cost and expense of such party.
In connection with any such third party claim, action or proceeding, the parties
shall cooperate with each other and provide each other with access to relevant
books and records in their possession.

          (d) The Buyer shall recover any Losses in accordance with the terms of
the Escrow Agreement for as long as such agreement is in effect.  In the event
Buyer incurs any Losses after the Escrow Agreement has been terminated or in
amounts in excess of the funds available pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, Buyer
may offset such amounts, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section
                                                                     -------
8.02, against amounts due under the Buyer Notes or may proceed directly against
- ----                                                                           
one or more Indemnifying Parties.  In the event Buyer elects to offset any
losses against the Buyer Notes, the Buyer shall give the Sellers ten (10)
business days prior written notice of the amount of and grounds for any such
offset.  Unless, within ten (10) business days following receipt of the Buyer's
notice, the Sellers object to such offset by a writing setting forth the grounds
for such objection, such offset shall become effective at the close of business
on the 30/th/ day following the Sellers' receipt of the Buyer's notice.  If the
Sellers timely object to any offset, the Buyer and the Sellers will use their
reasonable best efforts to resolve such objection.  If a final resolution is not
obtained within seven days after the Buyer's receipt of the Sellers' objections,
the Buyer and the Sellers will submit the matter for arbitration to a third
party selected by them.  If the Buyer and the Sellers are unable to agree on the
choice of a third party arbitrator within 10 days after the Buyer's receipt of
the Sellers' objections, the Buyer and the Sellers will apply to the American
Arbitration Association for appointment of an arbitrator and shall accept such
appointment.  The arbitrator shall rule on the Sellers' objections within 20
days from submission of the matter to him, and the Buyer and the Sellers agree
that the arbitrator's decision shall be conclusive.  The Buyer and the Sellers
shall share equally the fees and expenses of any arbitrator appointed under this
Section 8.02(d).
- --------------- 

          (e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no
Indemnified Party shall be entitled to recover any Losses pursuant to Sections
                                                                      --------
8.02(a)(i) or (ii) 
- ------------------                                                              

                                     -79-
<PAGE>
 
arising out of any matter set forth on any schedule delivered pursuant to
Section 6.02(a) hereof or if Buyer has breached its representations and 
- ---------------                                                    
warranties set forth in Section 4.10 hereof with respect to the matters giving
                        ------------                                   
rise to the Loss claimed by the Indemnified Party.

          (f)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this
Agreement:

               (i)   If a Loss relates to an environmental condition at or
remediation of Real Property then owned, operated or leased by Buyer or an
Affiliate, in no event shall Sellers be required to indemnify Buyer for Losses
relating to any remediation in excess of that acceptable to the government
agencies with jurisdiction thereof and which is achieved by the most cost-
effective means that can be implemented without unreasonable impact on Buyer's
or its Affiliates' activities at the Real Property;

               (ii)  if a Loss relates to violations of Environmental Laws, in
no event shall Sellers be required to indemnify Buyer for responses to such
violations in excess of the most cost-effective means to correct such violation
acceptable to the governmental agencies with jurisdiction thereof that does not
unreasonably interfere with the operations of Buyer;

               (iii) if Sellers fail to complete work required by Section 5.11
                                                                  ------------
before Closing, Sellers shall complete such work within the earlier of 120 after
Closing, or 30 days after Buyer notifies Sellers of Regulated Asbestos-
Containing Material discovered after Closing under Section 5.11(c).
                                                   --------------- 

               (iv)  in no event shall Sellers be required to indemnify Buyer
for a Loss under Section 8.02(a)(i) for breach of Section 3.27, or for
                 ------------------               ------------
environmental matters under Section 8.02(a)(ii) or under Section 8.02(a)(v)
                            -------------------          ------------------
unless: (A) the Loss arises from a claim by a government agency or third party
unrelated to Buyer (which claim was not instigated, initiated, or encouraged by
Buyer or its Affiliates) or from a mandatory obligation under Environmental
Laws; and (B) as to Losses related to a condition or violation on the Real
Property, the underlying condition or violation giving rise to the Loss was
discovered (1) in the course of an investigation mandated under Environmental
Law, (2) because of information learned in the day-to-day operation of the
Business or (3) during the renovation, expansion or repair of the Company's
facilities.

                                     -80-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 8.03.  Buyer's Indemnity.
                    ----------------- 

          (a) The Buyer hereby indemnifies and holds the Sellers and their
officers, directors and shareholders and their successors and permitted assigns
("Seller Indemnified Parties") harmless from and against, any and all Losses
that the Seller Indemnified Parties may at any time suffer or incur, or become
subject to, as a result of or in connection with: (i) any breach or inaccuracy
of any of the representations and warranties made by the Buyer in or pursuant to
this Agreement; (ii) any failure by the Buyer to carry out, perform, satisfy and
discharge any of its covenants, agreements, undertakings, liabilities or
obligations under this Agreement or under any of the documents and instruments
delivered by the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the fees and expenses
described in Schedule 4.07; and (iv) the operation and ownership of the Mack
Group entities by the Buyer from and after the Effective Time of Closing other
than with respect to the Retained Liabilities; provided, however, that the 
                                               --------  -------      
Buyer shall not be required to indemnify and hold the Seller Indemnified Parties
harmless pursuant to Section 8.03(a)(i) or (ii) unless such right is asserted
                     --------------------------
(whether or not the Losses have actually been incurred) by written notice to the
Buyer within 18 months of the Effective Time of Closing describing with
specificity the facts giving rise to the asserted right; provided, further, that
                                                         --------  -------
the Buyer shall not be required to indemnify the Seller Indemnified Parties
under Section 8.03(a)(i) or (ii) unless and until the amount of all Losses for
      --------------------------
which indemnification is sought with respect thereto, together with all Losses
for which indemnification is sought pursuant Section 7.03 of the Goldman
                                             ------------
Purchase Agreement, shall exceed $500,000, and, thereafter, the Buyer shall
indemnify the Seller Indemnified Parties for all additional Losses with respect
thereto up to but not in excess of, when added to all Losses for which
indemnification is sought pursuant to Section 7.03 of the Goldman Purchase
                                      ------------ 
Agreement, $20,000,000.

          (b) The amounts for which the Buyer shall be liable under Section
                                                                    -------
8.03(a) of this Agreement shall be net of any insurance proceeds received by the
- -------                                                                         
Sellers in connection with the facts and circumstances giving rise to the right
of indemnification.  In addition, such amounts shall be (i) net of any federal
or state income tax benefit realized or the then-present value (based on a
discount rate of 6%) of any such income tax benefit to be realized by the
indemnified party by reason of the facts and circumstances giving rise to the
indemnification, and (ii) increased by the amount of any federal or state income
tax required to be paid by the indemnified party as a 

                                     -81-
<PAGE>
 
result of the accrual or receipt of the indemnification payment (including any
amount payable pursuant to this clause (ii)). For purposes of the preceding
sentence, the amount of any state income tax benefit or cost shall take into
account the federal income tax effect of such benefit or cost.

          (c) In the event a claim against the Indemnified Parties arises that
is covered by the indemnity provisions of Section 8.03(a) of this Agreement,
                                          ---------------                   
notice shall be given promptly by the Seller Indemnified Parties to the Buyer.
Nathu R. Puri is designated as representative for all Seller Indemnified Parties
for purposes of Article VIII of this Agreement (the "Seller Representative").
                ------------                                                  
The Seller Representative shall be authorized to act on behalf of, and to bind,
all the Seller Indemnified Parties, and Buyer shall be entitled to rely on the
Seller Representative without any investigation.  Provided that the Buyer admits
in writing to the Seller Representative, that such claim is covered by the
indemnity provisions of Section 8.03(a) hereof, the Buyer shall have the right
                        ---------------                                       
to contest and defend by all appropriate legal proceedings such claim and to
control all settlements (unless Seller Representative agrees to assume the cost
of settlement and to forgo such indemnity) and to select lead counsel to defend
any and all such claims at the sole cost and expense of the Buyer; provided,
                                                                   -------- 
however, that the Buyer may not effect any settlement that could result in any
- -------                                                                       
cost, expense or liability to, or have any Material Adverse Effect upon, Seller
Indemnified Parties unless Seller Representative consents in writing to such
settlement and the Buyer agrees to indemnify Seller Indemnified Parties
therefor.  In the event the Buyer does not admit in writing to a party seeking
indemnification that such claim is covered by the indemnity provisions of 
Section 8.03(a) hereof, Seller Representative shall take such actions as he
- ---------------                                                            
deems necessary to defend such claim; provided, however, that the Seller
Representative and Seller Indemnified Parties may not effect any settlement that
could result in any cost, expense, liability to, or have any Material Adverse
Effect upon Buyer without consent of Buyer, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld and which consent or objection thereto must be provided in
a timely manner as the circumstances dictate and in any event within ten (10)
business days of request.  The Seller Representative may select counsel to
participate in any defense, in which event the Seller Indemnified Parties'
counsel shall be at the sole cost and expense of the Seller Indemnified Parties.
In connection with any such third party claim, action 

                                     -82-
<PAGE>
 
or proceeding, the parties shall cooperate with each other and provide each
other with access to relevant books and records in their possession.

          (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Purchase Price is
adjusted pursuant to Section 2.04 hereof in a manner favorable to Buyer as a
                     ------------                                           
result of the write-down or write-off of certain working capital items, the
Buyer shall not be entitled to make a claim for Losses as a result of a breach
of the representations or warranties of the Sellers set forth herein to the
extent any representation or warranty of the Sellers herein is untrue because
the Working Capital of the Mack Group was over-stated by the amount of the
write-down or write-off.

     Section 8.04.  Sole and Exclusive Remedy. The provisions of 
                    ------------------------- 
indemnification set forth in this Article VIII shall constitute the sole and 
                                  ------------      
exclusive remedy of the Buyer, the Mack Group Entities, the Sellers, and their
respective officers, directors and shareholders for any Losses sustained by such
party except with respect to (a) Losses sustained by the Buyer, the Mack Group
Entities, or any of their respective officers, directors or shareholders as a
result of or in connection with (i) fraud under any applicable Law, or (ii) any
intentional misrepresentation in making any representations or (b) Losses
sustained by the Sellers or any of their respective officers, directors or
shareholders as a result of or in connection with (i) fraud under any applicable
Law, or (ii) any intentional misrepresentation in making any representations.

     Section 8.05.  Accounts Receivable Guarantee. (a) Buyer shall have the 
                    ----------------------------- 
right, at any time after the 180th day and before the 240th day following the
Effective Time of Closing, to cause the Company to assign to Sellers any
accounts receivable (meaning those items identified as accounts receivable on
the Current Balance Sheet or the Closing Financial Statements (less an allowance
for uncollectible accounts) which shall specifically exclude "recoverable income
taxes" on the Current Balance Sheet or Closing Financial Statements) outstanding
at the Effective Time of Closing that have not been collected by the Company
within 180 days after the Effective Time of Closing (the "Assigned 
Receivables"); provided, however, that prior to such assignment, Buyer shall 
               --------  -------                    
cause the Company to use its reasonable commercial efforts to collect such
accounts receivable and the Company shall not release any party from liability
for any unpaid accounts receivable without the prior written consent of Sellers;
and provided, further the Assigned Receivables shall not include any notes
receivable that are being paid in accordance 

                                     -83-
<PAGE>
 
with their terms during the 120 day period following the Effective Time of
Closing. Buyer shall cause the Company to deliver to Sellers all documents that
relate to the Assigned Receivables and any similar documents generated with
respect thereto by the Company after the Closing Date. Upon receipt of a
document from the Company transferring the Assigned Receivables to Sellers,
Sellers shall promptly pay Buyer by wire transfer an amount equal to the face
amount of the Assigned Receivables (the "Receivables Payment") to be paid to the
Buyer. Buyer shall cause the Company to cooperate with Sellers in any reasonable
collection efforts relating to the Assigned Receivables.

          (b) The parties agree that, subsequent to the Closing Date and prior
to the assignment of the Assigned Receivables, in the absence of specific
customer instructions to apply, or not to apply, payments to specific invoices,
the payments received by the Company from customers of the Company shall be
applied against the oldest outstanding balances of such Accounts.  After the
Company has assigned the Assigned Receivables to Sellers, if Buyer receives
payment from a customer for such Assigned Receivable, Buyer shall cause the
Company to pay Sellers in cash the amount of such payment.  After the Company
has assigned the Assigned Receivables to Sellers, a payment from a customer will
not be deemed to be payment of an Assigned Receivable unless (i) written
instructions received from the customer indicate that the payment is to be
applied to an Assigned Receivable or (ii) the Company has not continued to do
business with such customer after the Effective Time of Closing.

     Section 8.06.  Cooperation With Respect to Tax and SEC Matters. (a) The 
                    ----------------------------------------------- 
Sellers agree to cooperate with the Buyer, at Buyer's expense, and the Buyer
agrees to cooperate with the Sellers, to the extent necessary in connection with
the filing, pursuant to any provision of the Code or regulations thereunder, of
any Tax Return relating to the Buyer's acquisition of the Company and any of the
other transactions contemplated by Article II of this Agreement. For purposes 
                                   ----------                    
of the preceding sentence, Buyer shall only be responsible for the reasonable
actual out-of-pocket costs of Sellers. In addition, the Sellers agree to
cooperate with the Buyer and the Company in preparing any historical and pro-
forma financial statements required to be filed by the Buyer with the SEC under
the Exchange Act with respect to the transactions contemplated herein.

                                     -84-
<PAGE>
 
          (b) This paragraph relates solely to (i) the Delaware corporate income
Tax Returns to be filed by the Company and by Melham, Inc. for 1998 and the
portion of 1999 ending on the Closing Date and (ii) the separate company pro
forma Tax Returns of the Company, Melham, Inc., and VPI to be used in preparing
the consolidated federal income Tax Returns of the Mack Group for 1998 and the
portion of 1999 ending on the Closing Date.  In the case of such actual or pro
forma Tax Returns of the Company, Melham, Inc., and VPI, the Buyer will cause
such Tax Returns to be prepared but will consult with the Seller Representative
in doing so, and the Seller Representative will provide (and cause VPI to
provide) any information reasonably requested by the Buyer to prepare such Tax
Returns.  Each such Tax Return will be prepared using the same tax accounting
methods and elections as used in the corresponding Tax Return for 1997, except
as otherwise required by Law or agreed upon by the Buyer and the Seller
Representative.  The Buyer will submit a draft of each such Tax Return, together
with any workpapers reasonably requested by the Seller Representative, at least
45 days before the due date (including any extensions thereof) for the filing of
the Tax Return.  No later than 15 days after the Buyer submits the draft Tax
Return, the Seller Representative will notify the Buyer in writing of any item
on the draft Tax Return that the Seller Representative believes should be
changed.  In such event, the Buyer and the Seller Representative will consult in
good faith to determine the appropriate treatment of each such item, with the
objective that the Tax reported on each such Tax Return be the minimum amount
required under applicable Law; provided, however, that no item will be changed
in any way that could increase any Tax attributable to any period after the
Closing Date; and, provided further, that the Sellers shall not be relieved of
any Retained Liability by reason of this paragraph.

     Section 8.07.  Records. The Buyer shall cause the Company to preserve and
                    ------- 
keep, free of charge, all original Books and Records of the Company and its
Subsidiaries that are in the possession of the Company at the Effective Time of
Closing in accordance with the Buyer's corporate document retention policy. The
Buyer agrees to permit the Sellers and their attorneys, accountants, agents and
designees access to such books, papers and records from and after the Closing
Date for all reasonable purposes. Any such examination shall be at the expense
of the Sellers, shall be performed at the place where such books, papers and
records are regularly 

                                     -85-
<PAGE>
 
maintained and shall not interfere unreasonably with the Buyer's or the
Company's normal business activities.

     Section 8.08.  Litigation Support. Except in connection with any action, 
                    ------------------
suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, charge complaint or claim between
Sellers, on the one hand, and the Buyer or any Mack Group entity, on the other
hand, in the event and for so long as the Buyer, the Company, any Subsidiary of
the Company or the Sellers is actively contesting or defending against any
action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, charge, complaint, claim or
demand in connection with (i) any transactions contemplated under this
Agreement, or (ii) any fact, situation, circumstance, status, condition,
activity, practice, plan, occurrence, event, incident, action, failure to act or
transaction on or prior to the Closing Date involving the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, each of the other parties will cooperate with him or it and his or
its counsel in the contest or defense, make available their personnel and
provide such testimony and access to their books and records as shall be
necessary in connection with the contest or defense, all at the sole cost and
expense of the contesting or defending party.

     Section 8.09.  Further Assistance. In case at any time after the Closing
                    ------------------ 
Date any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of
this Agreement, each of the parties to this Agreement will take, without
additional consideration, such further action (including the execution and
delivery of such further instruments and documents and the grant of access to
any individuals, premises, books or records) as any other party reasonably may
request. The Sellers acknowledge and agree that from and after the Closing Date,
and subject to Section 8.07 hereof, the Buyer will be entitled to possession of
               ------------                       
all documents, Books and Records (including tax records), agreements and
financial data of any sort relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries and the
businesses of the Mack Group.

     Section 8.10.  Bulk Sales Compliance. The Buyer hereby waives compliance by
                    ---------------------
each member of the Mack Group with the provisions of the bulk sales laws of any
state, insofar as any such laws may apply to the transactions contemplated
herein. The Sellers hereby covenant and agree to pay and discharge when due all
claims of creditors that could be asserted against the Buyer or the Company by
reason of such non-compliance. The Sellers hereby agree to indemnify and hold
the Buyer and the Company harmless from and against and shall on demand
reimburse

                                     -86-
<PAGE>
 
the Buyer and the Company for any and all losses, damages, costs, expenses,
liabilities, obligations and claims of any kind, including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees and other legal costs and expenses, suffered by the
Buyer or the Company by reason of Sellers' failure to pay and discharge any such
claims.

     Section 8.11.  Restricted Securities; Stand Still.
                    ---------------------------------- 

          (a)  Transfer Restricted. Subject to Section 2.07 hereof, each Seller,
               -------------------             ------------                     
for itself and for its permitted transferees pursuant to this Section (all of
which transferees will be made subject to the terms of this Agreement), agrees
that the shares of Buyer Common Stock constituting the Equity Consideration (the
"Shares") and the Buyer Notes may be sold, pledged, transferred or otherwise
disposed of only under the circumstances set forth below:

               (i)   At any time prior to the first anniversary of the Closing
Date, the Shares may not be sold, pledged, transferred or otherwise disposed of;

               (ii)  At any time after the first anniversary of the Closing Date
and prior to the second anniversary of the Closing Date, the Shares may be sold
only in compliance with Rule 144 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (or
any successor rule) or pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement attached as
Exhibit 5.08 hereto;
- --------            

               (iii) thereafter only in compliance with the Securities Act and
applicable state securities Laws; and

               (iv)  with respect to any Shares or Buyer Notes held in escrow,
such Shares and Buyer Notes may be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of
only in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement and otherwise subject
to the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.11(a);
                                    --------------- 

provided, however, that each of Purico and Melham US may transfer the Buyer
- --------  -------                                                          
Notes held by such entity, subject to the provisions of the Escrow Agreement, to
a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of such entity if:  (A) such
transferee delivers to Buyer a written agreement consenting to the provisions of
Sections 8.02, 8.11, 9.02 and 9.11 of this Agreement and the terms of the Buyer
- ----------------------------------                                             
Note; and (B) such transferor and transferee agree in writing to indemnify Buyer
for any Losses Buyer or its Affiliates may suffer or incur, or become subject
to, as a result 

                                     -87-
<PAGE>
 
of or in connection with such transfer; provided, further, that such transfer or
assignment shall not relieve the transferor of any of its obligations under this
Agreement or under the Buyer Note. Buyer shall cooperate with any sales to be
made pursuant to Section 8.11(a)(ii) (including by timely filing SEC Reports).
                 -------------------                     

          (b)  Standstill Agreement.  Each Seller agrees that, during the
               --------------------                                      
Standstill Period, as hereinafter defined, such Seller will not and will cause
its affiliates not to (i) directly or indirectly "solicit" proxies or become a
"participant" in any "election contest" (as such terms are used in Regulation
14A under the Exchange Act relating to the election of directors of Buyer or
seek to advise, encourage or influence any person or entity with respect to the
voting of any shares of any class of capital stock of Buyer, (ii) form, join or
in any way participate in a "group" (which, for purposes of this Agreement,
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act) with respect to any
shares of any class of capital stock of Buyer, or (iii) otherwise act in concert
with others to seek to change the control of or exercise control over the
policies, management or Board of Directors of Buyer or to amend its Articles of
Incorporation; provided, that Sellers shall not be prohibited from voting in
accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors of Buyer on any
proposal for the merger, consolidation or sale of Buyer; and provided, further
that nothing in this paragraph (b) will limit or restrict in any way the right
of Nathu R. Puri to vote on any matter before the Board of Directors of Buyer.

     The "Standstill Period" shall commence on the Closing Date and shall end on
the earlier of:  (i) the second anniversary of the Effective Time of Closing; or
(ii) the date on which the Board of Directors of the Buyer agrees to recommend
(or ceases to oppose) the consummation of any unsolicited tender or exchange
offer for securities representing more than 50% of the Total Voting Power of
Buyer, or takes any action to induce or materially facilitate such a tender or
exchange offer (including by redeeming any rights outstanding under any
stockholder rights plan).  "Total Voting Power" with respect to the Buyer means
the voting power in the general election of directors of the Buyer of all
outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
of the Buyer.

          (c)  Voting of Shares.  Each Seller agrees that during the Standstill
               ----------------                                                
Period, such Seller shall and shall cause its direct and indirect wholly-owned
subsidiaries to (a) vote all 

                                     -88-
<PAGE>
 
Buyer Common Stock held by them in any annual or special election of directors
of Buyer in favor of those nominees recommended by the management of Buyer, (b)
vote all Shares held by them in any vote to consider the removal from office of
a director of Buyer (other than Nathu R. Puri) in accordance with the
recommendations of the management of Buyer and (c) vote all shares of Buyer
Common Stock held by them in any vote of Buyer Common Stock or any other matter
in accordance with the recommendations of the management of Buyer, except with
respect to a vote on any charter amendment that would eliminate or reduce the
rights of the Buyer Common Stock.

                                  ARTICLE IX

                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------

     Section 9.01.  Entire Agreement; Assignment. This Agreement, together with
                    ----------------------------
any Schedules, Exhibits, and the Confidentiality Agreement (a) constitute the
entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
between the parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter hereof,
and (b) shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise; provided, that
                                                                --------
the Buyer may assign its rights and obligations, in whole or in part, to any
direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Buyer, but no such assignment
shall relieve the Buyer of its obligations hereunder.

     Section 9.02.  Notices.   All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
                    -------                                                     
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given if personally delivered or, if mailed, ten (10) business days after
being mailed by United States first-class, certified or registered mail, postage
prepaid, or, if sent by overnight delivery by a nationally recognized courier
such as DHL, Federal Express or United Parcel Service, two (2) business days
after deposit with such courier, or, if sent by telecopy, upon confirmation of
receipt, to the other party at the following address (or at such other address
as shall be given in writing by any party to the other):

                                     -89-
<PAGE>
 
If to Buyer:             Cadmus Communications Corporation       
                         6620 West Broad Street                  
                         Richmond, Virginia  23230               
                         Attention: Bruce V. Thomas              
                                    Chief Financial Officer      
                         Telephone: (804) 287-5690               
                         Facsimile: (804) 287-5683               
                                                                 
With a copy to:          Hunton & Williams                    
                         Riverfront Plaza, East Tower            
                         951 East Byrd Street                    
                         Richmond, Virginia  23219-4074          
                         Telephone: (804) 788-8464               
                         Facsimile: (804) 788-8218              
                         Attention: T. Justin Moore, III, Esq.   

If to the Sellers:       Purico (IOM) Limited
                         P.O. Box 16                                       
                         Analyst House                                     
                         20-26 Peel Road                                   
                         Douglas                                           
                         Isle of Man                                       
                         IM99 IAP                                          
                         Facsimile No.: 44-1624-629-983                   
                         Attention: President                             
                                                                           
                         Melham U.S. Inc.                                  
                         c/o Mack Printing Group                           
                         1991 Northampton Street                           
                         Easton, PA 18042-3189                             
                         Attention: President                             
                         Facsimile No.: (610) 250-7285                    
                                                                           
                         Paul F. Mack                                      
                         3580 Magnolia Drive                               
                         Easton, Pennsylvania  18045                        

With a copy to:          Dechert Price & Rhoads
                         4000 Bell Atlantic Tower               
                         1717 Arch Street                       
                         Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2793  
                         Telephone: (215) 994-4000             
                         Facsimile: (215) 994-2222             
                         Attention: Christopher G. Karras, Esq. 

                                     -90-
<PAGE>
 
or to such other address as the person to whom notice is given may have
previously furnished to the others in writing in the manner set forth above.

     Section 9.03.  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
                    -------------
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to
its conflicts of laws principles or rules.

     Section 9.04.  Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings herein are
                    --------------------
inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or
to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

     Section 9.05.  Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon
                    -------------------
and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, their respective
successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or
implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person any rights,
benefits or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this
Agreement.

     Section 9.06.  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
                    ------------
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
shall constitute one and the same agreement.

     Section 9.07.  Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that
                    --------------------
irreparable damage would occur in the event any of the provisions of this
Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the
parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in
addition to any other remedy at law or equity.

     Section 9.08.  Fees and Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in this
                    -----------------
Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such
expenses, whether or not the transactions contemplated herein are consummated.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, all costs and expenses incurred in connection
with (a) Sellers' compliance with the covenant set forth in Section 5.10 hereof,
                                                            ------------
other than the preparation of the Company Consolidating Financial Statements,
the Company Consolidated Financial Statements, the Mack Financial Statements,
the Melham, Inc. Financial Statements, the PCP Financial Statements and the
Current Balance Sheet, and (b) the preparation of the Bridge Financing Notes,
shall be paid by the Buyer; provided, that Buyer shall 
                            --------

                                     -91-
<PAGE>
 
not be obligated to pay in excess of $125,000 in the aggregate of such costs and
expenses referred to in this sentence. Notwithstanding the foregoing, $300,000
of the fees and expenses payable to J. P. Morgan Securities, Inc. and First
Union Capital Markets in connection with Buyer's issuance of the Bridge
Financing Notes shall be paid by Sellers.

     Section 9.09.  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 contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner
adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision
is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall
negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effectuate the
original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to
the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent
possible.

     Section 9.10.  No Reliance. Except with respect to the rights of the Mack
                    -----------
Group entities under Section 8.02 hereof, no third party is entitled to rely on
                     ------------
any of the representations, warranties and agreements contained in this
Agreement; the Buyer and the Sellers assume no liability to any third party
because of any reliance on the representations, warranties and agreements of the
Buyer and the Sellers contained in this Agreement.

     Section 9.11.  Consent to Jurisdiction. Buyer and Sellers each irrevocably
                    -----------------------
submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of (a) the state courts of the State of
New York and (b) the United States District Court for the Southern District of
New York, for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out
of this Agreement or any transactions contemplated hereby. Sellers agree that
process may be served in connection with any matter in New York in accordance
with the provisions of Section 9.02 hereof.
                       ------------

                                     -92-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Stock Purchase Agreement
to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

                         BUYER:

                         CADMUS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION


                         By: /s/ Bruce V. Thomas
                             -------------------
                             Name:  Bruce V. Thomas
                             Title: Senior Vice President, Finance and
                                    Administrator



                         SELLERS:

                         MELHAM U.S. INC.


                         By: /s/ Scott E.M. DeNardo
                             ----------------------
                             Name:  Scott E.M. DeNardo
                             Title: Secretary



                         PURICO (IOM) LIMITED


                         By: /s/ Steven H. Smith
                             -------------------
                             Name:  Steven H. Smith
                             Title: Attorney-in-Fact


                         ___________________________
                         PAUL F. MACK

                                     -93-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Stock Purchase Agreement
to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

                         BUYER:

                         CADMUS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION


                         By: ___________________________
                             Name:  Bruce V. Thomas
                             Title: Senior Vice President, Finance and
                                    Administrator



                         SELLERS:

                         MELHAM U.S. INC.


                         By: ___________________________
                             Name:  Scott E.M. DeNardo
                             Title: Secretary



                         PURICO (IOM) LIMITED


                         By: ___________________________
                             Name:  Steven H. Smith
                             Title: Attorney-in-Fact


                         /s/ Paul F. Mack
                         ----------------
                         PAUL F. MACK

<PAGE>
 
                               ESCROW AGREEMENT


          THIS AGREEMENT is made this 1st day of April, 1999 (the "Agreement"),
by and among CADMUS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, a Virginia corporation
("Buyer"), MELHAM U.S. INC., a Delaware corporation, PURICO (IOM) LIMITED, an
Isle of Man company, and PAUL F. MACK, a United States citizen (collectively,
"Sellers"), as the sole shareholders of Melham Holdings Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("MHI"), and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, N.A., a national
banking association, as escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent").

          WHEREAS, Buyer and Sellers have entered into a Stock Purchase
Agreement, dated April 1, 1999 (the "Purchase Agreement"), pursuant to which the
Shareholders have agreed to sell and Buyer has agreed to purchase all of the
issued and outstanding stock of MHI;

          WHEREAS, the Purchase Agreement provides that Buyer shall deposit
849,085 shares of Buyer Common Stock (the "Shares") and $6,414,640 principal
amount of the Buyer Notes (the "Notes," ) on the date hereof with the Escrow
Agent, which Shares and Notes shall be held, invested and disbursed in
accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement and this Agreement;

          WHEREAS, for purposes of this Agreement, the term "Escrow Shares"
shall mean (i) the Shares, and (ii) the shares of common stock, par value $0.50
per share, of Buyer (the "Buyer Common Stock") or other securities issued as, or
upon the conversion or exercise of other securities issued as, a dividend or
other distribution with respect to or in replacement of other Shares or the
Notes;

          WHEREAS, for purposes of this Agreement, the term "Escrow Funds" shall
include the Escrow Shares, the Notes and cash and other investments permitted
pursuant to Section 12 hereof or otherwise deposited in the escrow account (but
            ----------                                                         
not any interest, cash dividends or earnings thereon); and

          WHEREAS, the Escrow Agent has agreed to serve as escrow agent under
this Agreement and to accept delivery of the Escrow Funds and to hold, invest
and disburse the Escrow Funds in accordance with the terms and conditions
specified in this Agreement.

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and agreements set
forth below and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

          1.  Capitalized Terms.  All capitalized terms used herein that are not
              -----------------                                                 
otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Purchase
Agreement.
<PAGE>
 
          2.  Appointment of Escrow Agent.  Buyer and Sellers hereby appoint the
              ---------------------------                                       
Escrow Agent as escrow agent to receive, hold, invest and disburse the Escrow
Funds and the Escrow Agent hereby accepts its appointment as escrow agent on the
terms described herein.

          3.  Appointment of Seller Representative.  Sellers hereby appoint
              ------------------------------------                         
Nathu R. Puri (the "Seller Representative") to act as agent and representative
on Sellers' behalf with respect to all matters in connection with this Agreement
and authorizes Nathu R. Puri, as Seller Representative, to take any and all
actions as required hereunder or in connection herewith, whether or not
specifically described herein. Nathu R. Puri hereby accepts such appointment as
Seller Representative. Any action taken or communication given or received by
the Seller Representative shall be deemed to be taken, given or received by each
Seller.

          4.  Deposit With Escrow Agent.  Concurrently with the execution of
              -------------------------                                     
this Agreement, Buyer has deposited with the Escrow Agent certificates
representing 849,085 shares of Buyer Common Stock and $6,414,640 aggregate
principal amount of its 11.5% subordinated notes. The Shares deposited in escrow
shall be accompanied by appropriate stock powers.

          Sellers and Buyer agree that the Escrow Funds will remain in escrow
with the Escrow Agent and neither Sellers, on the one hand, nor Buyer, on the
other, will withdraw or attempt to withdraw the Escrow Funds from the Escrow
Agent, except as provided in this Agreement. The parties agree that Sellers
shall be treated as the owners of the Escrow Funds for tax purposes.

          5.  Escrow.  Upon receipt of the Escrow Funds, the Escrow Agent shall
              ------                                                           
deposit the Escrow Funds in a separate escrow account and shall hold the Escrow
Funds in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

          6.  Termination of Escrow Account.  The release and payment of the
              -----------------------------                                 
balance of the Escrow Funds by the Escrow Agent in accordance with this Escrow
Agreement shall terminate the escrow described herein and will act as a complete
discharge of the Escrow Agent from all liability with respect to such funds,
except for a breach of the Escrow Agent's obligations hereunder prior to such
termination.

          7.  Release of Escrow Funds from Escrow.
              ----------------------------------- 

              (a) The Escrow Funds will be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent
until required to be released pursuant to this Section 7 or Section 8 below.
                                               ---------    ---------       

              (b) On October 1, 2000 (the "Initial Release Date"), the Escrow
Agent shall release to Seller Representative an amount of Escrow Funds, subject
to the terms described below, equal to $5,000,000 less (A) an amount equal to
all Escrow Funds released to Buyer pursuant to Section 8 hereof on or prior to
the Initial Release Date and (B) an amount equal to any then pending but
unresolved Claims (the "Unresolved Claims") based upon the amount of such Claim,
as set forth in the Notice of Claim, as it may be amended from time to time. Not
less than three (3) business days prior to the Initial Release Date, Buyer shall
provide the Seller 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Representative and Escrow Agent with written notice specifying in reasonable
detail the amount of Escrow Funds to be released and whether such Escrow Funds
to be released shall be in the form of Escrow Shares or other Escrow Funds
(other than the Notes) (it being understood that the form of Escrow Funds to be
released shall be at Seller Representative's discretion, but shall not include
the Notes), which will be valued at Fair Market Value, as defined below. On
April 1, 2004 (the "Final Release Date"), the Escrow Agent shall release to
Seller Representative all of the Escrow Funds then in escrow minus the Escrow
Funds then in escrow that may be subject to delivery to the Buyer in accordance
with Section 8 below with respect to any Unresolved Claims based upon the amount
     ---------                                            
of such Claim, as set forth in the Notice of Claim, as it may be amended from
time to time. Not less than three (3) business days prior to the Final Release
Date, Buyer shall provide the Seller Representative and Escrow Agent with
written notice in reasonable detail of the amount of any Escrow Funds to be
retained as a result of Unresolved Claims and whether such Escrow Funds to be
retained shall be Escrow Shares, the Notes or other forms of Escrow Funds (it
being understood that the form of Escrow Funds to be released shall be at Seller
Representative's discretion, but shall not include the Notes unless the amount
of the Unresolved Claims is less than the aggregate face amount of the Notes in
which event the Escrow Agent will surrender the Notes to the Buyer in exchange
for new Notes in the amount of the Unresolved Claims and the Buyer shall issue
to Sellers new Notes for the amount to be released). If no such notice shall
have been delivered to the Seller Representative and the Escrow Agent at least
three (3) business days prior to the Final Release Date, no Escrow Funds shall
thereafter be retained and the Escrow Agent shall release to the Seller
Representative on the Final Release Date all of the remaining Escrow Funds.
Following final resolution of any Unresolved Claims thereafter, the Escrow Agent
shall promptly (but in no event later than one business day thereafter) release
to the Seller Representative all of the Escrow Funds remaining in escrow, if
any, after delivery to the Buyer of the Escrow Funds to which it is entitled
with respect to such Unresolved Claims.

          (c) Any delivery of Escrow Shares, Notes or other Escrow Funds to be
made pursuant to this Agreement to the Seller Representative, as the agent and
representative of the beneficial holder of such Escrow Shares, Notes and other
Escrow Funds, will be in the form of (i) with respect to the Escrow Shares and
the Notes, one or more stock certificates of Buyer Common Stock reissued by
Buyer's transfer agent or Notes reissued by Buyer in the names specified in the
original certificates representing the Escrow Shares and Notes and in the
aggregate amount of the aggregate Escrow Funds to be released to the Seller
Representative at such time (it being understood that the portion of the Escrow
Funds that is represented by such stock certificate or Note and that is to be
retained by the Escrow Agent shall be returned to Escrow Agent in the form of
one or more stock certificates of Buyer Common Stock reissued by Buyer's
transfer agent or Notes reissued by Buyer in the names specified in the original
certificates representing the Escrow Shares and Notes in the aggregate amount of
the portion of the Escrow Funds to be retained by the Escrow Agent at such time)
or (ii) with respect to the Escrow Funds other than the Escrow Shares and the
Notes, such Escrow Funds as they exist on the date of such delivery. The Escrow
Agent shall not be responsible for the reissuance of such stock certificates or
Notes or the return of the portion of the Escrow Funds to be retained by the
Escrow Agent to the Escrow Agent.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          (d) The parties hereby authorize the Escrow Agent to apply to the
Buyer's transfer agent, First Union National Bank, or any successor transfer
agent for the Escrow Shares for any division of certificates evidencing Escrow
Shares which may be required in connection with the distribution of Escrow
Shares pursuant to this Agreement.

          (e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) the
Escrow Agent shall not be required to make distributions in excess of the amount
of the Escrow Funds from time to time held hereunder; (ii) any delivery of
Escrow Shares to be made to the Buyer shall be made by delivery of the Escrow
Shares representing the Claim amount together with stock powers, if any; and
(iii) if any calculation of Escrow Shares to be distributed would otherwise
result in fractional shares with respect to any party to whom a distribution is
to be made, such fractions shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share.

    8.    Notice and Resolution of Claims.
          ------------------------------- 

          (a) In the event that the Buyer desires to seek recovery against the
Escrow Funds pursuant to Section 8.02 of the Purchase Agreement with respect to
any Loss that may be indemnifiable thereunder (a "Claim"), the Buyer
concurrently will give each of the Escrow Agent and the Seller Representative
written notice of such Claim. Each notice of a Claim made by the Buyer (a
"Notice of Claim") will contain the following information to the extent it is
reasonably available to the Buyer:

              (i)  the amount of the Claim and the applicable provisions of the
          Purchase Agreement upon which such Claim is based (which amount may be
          revised by the Buyer at any time prior to the release of Escrow Funds
          with respect to such Claim); and

              (ii) a reasonably detailed description of the facts, circumstances
          or events giving rise to the Claim, including, without limitation,
          whether such Claim is a third party Claim or a Claim between Buyer and
          any of the Sellers, the identity and address of any third-party
          claimant (to the extent reasonably available to the Buyer) and copies
          of any formal demand or complaint.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Escrow Agent shall have no
responsibility as to the accuracy of the information set forth in a Notice of
Claim, whether the description of or the nature of the claim is set forth in
reasonable detail or whether the Notice of Claim describes a  Claim for which
the Buyer is entitled to be paid pursuant to any agreement between the Buyer and
the Sellers, including the Purchase Agreement.

          (b) The Escrow Agent will not transfer any of the Escrow Funds held in
escrow and subject to a Notice of Claim until such Notice of Claim has been
resolved in accordance with the following provisions (the "Determination Date"):

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
               (i)  If within thirty (30) calendar days after a Notice of Claim
          is received by the Escrow Agent and the Seller Representative (it
          being understood the Escrow Agent is under no duty to confirm that the
          Seller Representative has received such notice), the Seller
          Representative does not contest the Notice of Claim in writing to the
          Buyer and the Escrow Agent, then the Escrow Agent will promptly
          deliver to the Buyer , subject to Section 7(c) of this Agreement, that
                                            ------------
          amount of Escrow Funds (it being understood the Seller Representative
          shall have the discretion to determine, by notice to the Escrow Agent,
          whether to satisfy any claim with Escrow Shares, with Notes or with
          Escrow Funds other than Escrow Shares or Notes) having an aggregate
          Fair Market Value determined as of the date of transfer equal to the
          amount of damages specified in the Notice of Claim and will notify the
          Seller Representative of such transfer. As used herein, the term "Fair
          Market Value" means, (i) with respect to each Escrow Share that is a
          share of Buyer Common Stock, $16.00, (ii) with respect to the Notes,
          the aggregate principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest
          outstanding on such Notes and (iii) with respect to Escrow Funds other
          than Escrow Shares or Notes, the value determined in accordance with
          Section 12 hereof.
          ----------

               (ii) In the event that the Seller Representative gives written
          notice (a "Notice of a Contested Claim") contesting all or a portion
          of a Notice of Claim to the Escrow Agent and the Buyer (which Claim is
          thereafter a "Contested Claim") within the 30-day period provided for
          above, the following procedures shall apply: (A) for matters that are
          subject to third party claims asserted against the Buyer or other
          Indemnified Party under the Purchase Agreement, the Seller
          Representative will await the final decision, award or settlement of
          such claim and any related litigation, arbitration or other
          proceeding; provided that any such asserted claim will be deemed
          resolved (and no action shall be required by the Escrow Agent) if,
          within six (6) months following the Notice of Contested Claim, such
          asserted claim does not result in the actual commencement of, or
          written correspondence threatening the commencement of, any
          litigation, arbitration or other such proceedings; and/or (B)
          Contested Claims asserted by the Buyer for Claims that are wholly
          between any of the Buyer or other Indemnified Party under the Purchase
          Agreement and any of the Sellers (i.e., Claims that do not include
          claims asserted by third parties), will be settled by mutual agreement
          of the Seller Representative and the Buyer or by a final, binding and
          non-appealable order by a court having competent jurisdiction. Either
          the Buyer or the Seller Representative may provide the Escrow Agent
          with a copy of any such final decision, accompanied by a certificate
          from such representative to the Escrow Agent certifying that such
          decision is a final decision and that the Escrow Agent may
          conclusively rely on such certificate. The Escrow Agent shall have no
          duty to determine if the procedures described below were followed in
          connection with such decision.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
               (iii) Any amount owed to the Buyer or other Indemnified Party
          under the Purchase Agreement hereunder, determined pursuant to Section
                                                                         -------
          8(b)(i) or (ii) above, will be immediately payable to the Buyer out of
          -------    ----
          the Escrow Funds at a value equal to the applicable Fair Market Value
          (it being understood the Seller Representative shall have the
          discretion to determine, by notice from the Seller Representative to
          the Escrow Agent, whether to satisfy any claim with Escrow Shares,
          with Notes or with Escrow Funds other than Escrow Shares or Notes)
          provided that if such notice is not provided, the Buyer will notify
          the Escrow Agent as to the type of Escrow Funds to be used to satisfy
          the Claim.

          (c)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after the Seller
Representative receives the Notice of Claim prior to the Determination Date, the
Seller Representative may deposit with the Escrow Agent cash (by wire transfer
of immediately available funds) in an amount equal to the Claim and the Escrow
Agent will deliver to the Seller Representative the number of Escrow Shares
equal to the cash amount so deposited divided by $16.00, rounding down to the
nearest whole share; provided, that the Sellers shall then hold such shares
subject to the provisions of Section 8.11 of the Purchase Agreement.

     9.   Voting and Rights of Ownership.
          ------------------------------ 

          (a) Except for any stock splits, stock dividends paid in shares of
capital stock of Buyer or reclassifications declared with respect to the Buyer
Common Stock and except for any payments of principal on the Notes, any cash
dividends, dividends payable in securities other than Buyer Common Stock,
interest or other distributions of any kind made with respect to the Escrow
Funds will be distributed by Buyer to the Seller Representative, and in the
event the Escrow Agent receives any such dividends, interest or distributions,
it shall deliver them to the Seller Representative. Any shares of capital stock
of Buyer to be issued on the Escrow Shares as a consequence of any stock split,
stock dividend paid in shares of capital stock of Buyer or reclassification and
any payments of principal on the Notes shall be deemed to be included with the
Escrow Funds previously placed in escrow under this Agreement and shall be
deposited by the Seller Representative into escrow. All interest, cash dividends
and earnings of the Escrow Funds will be paid quarterly to the Seller
Representative.

          (b) So long as any Escrow Funds are held in escrow pursuant to this
Agreement, the Sellers shall be the record and beneficial owners of such Escrow
Funds, and the Sellers will have the right to vote, or not vote, the Escrow
Shares, or any portion thereof. While any Escrow Funds remain in escrow pursuant
to this Agreement, the Sellers will retain and will be able to exercise all
other incidents of ownership of such Escrow Funds that are not inconsistent with
the terms and conditions hereof.

          (c) Except as provided in the Purchase Agreement, no Escrow Funds or
any beneficial interest therein may be pledged, sold, hedged, assigned or
otherwise transferred (including by operation of law) by the Sellers to any
Person, and each of the Sellers covenants to take all action reasonably
necessary so that no Escrow Funds may be taken or reached by any

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
legal or equitable process in satisfaction of any debt or other liability of the
Sellers (other than as expressly contemplated by this Agreement and the Purchase
Agreement) prior to the release from escrow of such Escrow Funds to such party
pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that in the event of a tender
offer, merger or other reorganization of Buyer in which the holders of the
outstanding capital stock of Buyer are to receive (either directly or upon
subsequent liquidation) stock or securities of another entity or cash in
connection with such reorganization, the Buyer and the Seller Representative
shall take all actions necessary to cause the Escrow Agent to release the Escrow
Funds in exchange for a portion of such stock, securities or cash having a
market value equal to the Fair Market Value of such Escrow Funds and which shall
become "Escrow Funds" for all purposes of, and subject to, this Agreement.

              (d) Notwithstanding paragraph (c) above, Melham U.S., Inc. and
Purico (IOM) Limited may transfer the Notes held of record by such entity to a
direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of such entity if (i) such transferee
delivers to Buyer a written agreement consenting to the provisions of this
Escrow Agreement and such Notes remain in escrow subject to Sections 7 and 8 of
                                                            ----------     -   
this Agreement.

              (e) Escrow Funds represented by certificate(s) or note(s) shall
bear the following legend:

              THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS [CERTIFICATE]
              [NOTE] ARE SUBJECT TO AN ESCROW AGREEMENT DATED 
              APRIL 1, 1999 BY AND AMONG CADMUS COMMUNICATIONS 
              CORPORATION, MELHAM U.S. INC., PURICO (IOM) 
              LIMITED, PAUL F. MACK, AND STATE STREET BANK AND 
              TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS THE SAME MAY BE AMENDED 
              FROM TIME TO TIME, PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF WHICH 
              THE TRANSFER OF SUCH AGREEMENT ALSO PROVIDES FOR 
              VARIOUS OTHER LIMITATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS.

          10. Replacement of Escrow Funds With Cash. At any time following
              -------------------------------------                       
April 1, 2000, the Seller Representative may deposit with the Escrow Agent cash
(by wire transfer of immediately available funds) and the Escrow Agent will
deliver to the Seller Representative the number of Escrow Shares equal to the
cash amount so deposited divided by $16.00. The Escrow Agent shall not release
any Escrow Funds represented by the Notes to the Seller Representative in the
event Seller Representative deposits cash as provided in the preceding sentence.
It is agreed that in the event of a registration of securities of Buyer for
offer and sale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to
which Sellers have registration rights under the Registration Rights Agreement,
dated April 1, 1999, among the Sellers and the Buyer, the Escrow Agent and the
Buyer will cooperate to permit Escrow Shares to be included in such registration
and released from escrow upon receipt by the Escrow Agent of the proceeds from
the sale of such Escrow Shares as replacement Escrow Funds in accordance with
this Agreement.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
          11. Disagreement.  In the event (a) of any disagreement between Buyer
              ------------                                                     
and Sellers or the Seller Representative with respect to this Agreement or the
Escrow Funds or (b) the Escrow Agent is in doubt as to what action should be
taken hereunder, the Escrow Agent shall have the absolute right at its election
to do either or both of the following: (a) withhold or stop all performance of
this Agreement, save and accept safekeeping of the Escrow Funds (and all notices
or instructions received in connection herewith) until the Escrow Agent is
satisfied that such disagreement has been resolved in accordance with Section 8
                                                                      ---------
hereof; or (b) file a suit in interpleader and obtain an order of the court of
appropriate jurisdiction requiring all persons involved to litigate in such
court their respective claims arising out of or in connection with the Escrow
Funds. In the event that the Escrow Agent files a suit in interpleader, the
Escrow Agent's reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses in filing and prosecuting
such lawsuit shall be paid half by Buyer and half by Sellers.

          12. Investment of Escrow.  The Escrow Agent shall hold the Escrow
              --------------------                                         
Funds delivered to it under the terms of this Agreement and shall invest and
reinvest any cash included in the Escrow Funds held by it hereunder in Permitted
Investments (as defined below) as directed in writing by the Seller
Representative, or in the case of clause (iv) below as directed in writing by
Buyer and Seller Representative. "Permitted Investments" means any of the
                                  ---------------------                  
following: (i) any investment in direct obligations of the United States of
America or any state, commonwealth or territory thereof or any agency of the
foregoing or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any
state, commonwealth or territory thereof or any agency of the foregoing, (ii)
investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit having a maturity
of 6 months or less and money market deposits issued by a bank or trust company
which is organized under the laws of the United States of America having capital
and surplus in excess of $250,000,000, (iii) any money market deposit accounts
issued or offered by a domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in
excess of $250,000,000, or investments in money market funds complying with the
risk limiting conditions of Rule 2a-7 (or any successor rule) of the Securities
Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and
(iv) corporate obligations or equity securities to the extent approved in
advance of any investment in writing by both Buyer and Seller Representative.
For purposes of determining the Fair Market Value of any particular Permitted
Investment for purposes of this Agreement: (a) the Fair Market Value of any
investment of the type described in clause (i) or (iv) above shall be determined
by reference to the valuation of such investment set forth in the Wall Street
                                                                  ---- ------
Journal, Eastern Edition, for the date immediately prior to the date of
- -------                                                                
valuation, or if not reported therein, then the determination shall be made by
reference to the Telerate Service, and if not reported therein then Bloomberg
News Service, and if not reported therein then such other reporting service as
agreed to in writing by Buyer and the Seller Representative; and (b) the Fair
Market Value of any investment of the type described in clause (ii) or (iii)
above shall be the face amount of such investment as of the date of valuation.
The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for any losses direct or indirect
relating to the investment of the Escrow Funds, except where the Escrow Agent
breached its obligations to invest such Escrow Funds in accordance with this
Agreement.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          13. Periodic Reporting.  Within five (5) business days after the last
              ------------------                                               
day of each calendar month, the Escrow Agent shall provide to Buyer and Seller
Representative the following information (a "Portfolio Report"): (i) the
respective amounts of Escrow Shares, Notes and Escrow Funds held in Permitted
Investments (together with a description of any amounts attributable to the
Permitted Investments), and (ii) the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Escrow
Funds as of the last day of the preceding calendar month.

          14. Agreement of Escrow Agent.  The Escrow Agent hereby agrees to
              -------------------------                                    
receive the Escrow Funds and hold the same intact, and to invest the Escrow
Funds in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and shall not permit any
withdrawal thereof except under the terms of this Agreement. The Escrow Agent
shall be responsible only for the safekeeping and the investment of any funds
included in the Escrow Funds and the disbursements or delivery thereof in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, the Escrow Agent shall have no responsibility for the
performance by Buyer, Sellers and Seller Representative of any of their
obligations under this Agreement or be bound in any way by any agreement
(including, but not limited to the Purchase Agreement) for, between or among
Buyer, Sellers and Seller Representative or any of them and any other person or
party (whether or not Escrow Agent has knowledge of any such agreement), other
than this Agreement.

          15. Performance of Escrow Agent.  The Escrow Agent shall perform such
              ---------------------------                                      
duties and only such duties as are expressly set forth herein and there are no
implied duties. In performing any of its duties under this Agreement or upon the
claimed failure to perform its duties hereunder, the Escrow Agent shall not be
liable to anyone for any damages, losses or expenses that they may incur as a
result of the Escrow Agent so acting or failing to act; provided, however, the
Escrow Agent shall be liable for damages arising out of its willful misconduct
or negligence under this Agreement or any breach of this Agreement. Accordingly,
the Escrow Agent shall not incur any such liability with respect to (a) any
action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith upon advice of its counsel
given with respect to any questions relating to the duties and responsibilities
of the Escrow Agent hereunder or (b) any action taken or omitted to be taken in
reliance upon any document, including any written notice or instructions
provided for in this Agreement, not only as to its due execution and to the
validity and effectiveness of its provisions but also as to the truth and
accuracy of any information contained therein, that the Escrow Agent shall in
good faith believe to be genuine, to have been signed or presented by proper
person or persons and to conform with the provisions of this Agreement.

          16. Indemnification and Hold Harmless.  Buyer and Sellers hereby
              ---------------------------------                           
jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold the Escrow Agent and its
directors, employees, officers, agents, successors and assigns harmless from and
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, including
without limitation, reasonable costs of investigation and reasonable counsel
fees and expenses which may be imposed on the Escrow Agent or incurred by it in
connection with its acceptance of this appointment as the Escrow Agent hereunder
or the performance of its duties hereunder, except in the case of breach,
negligence or willful misconduct. Such indemnity includes, without limitation,
all losses, damages, liabilities and 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
expenses (including counsel fees and expenses) incurred in connection with any
litigation (whether at the trial or appellate levels) arising from this
Agreement or involving the subject matter hereof. The indemnification provisions
contained in this Section are in addition to any other rights any of the
indemnified parties may have at law or otherwise and shall survive the
termination of this Agreement or the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent.

          17. Fees of Escrow Agent.  Buyer and Sellers shall be equally
              --------------------                                     
responsible for payment of the fee to the Escrow Agent for its ordinary services
hereunder (which shall include receipt, investment and disbursement of the
Escrow Funds in the manner described herein).

          18. Instructions and Notices.  All notices, requests, claims, demands
              ------------------------                                         
and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given if personally delivered or, if mailed, ten (10) business
days after being mailed by United States first-class, certified or registered
mail, postage prepaid, or, if sent by overnight delivery by a nationally
recognized courier such as DHL, Federal Express or United Parcel Service, two
(2) business days after deposit with such courier, or, if sent by telecopy, upon
confirmation of receipt, to the other party at the following address (or at such
other address as shall be given in writing by any party to the other):

          If to Buyer:

              Cadmus Communications Corporation
              6620 Broad Street
              Suite 240
              Richmond, VA 23230
              Attention: General Counsel
              Telephone No.: (804) 287-5680
              Telecopier No.: (804) 287-5683
              Employer Identification No.: 54-1274108

          If to Sellers:

              Sellers:

              Purico (IOM) Limited
              P.O. Box 16
              Analyst House
              20-26 Peel Road
              Douglas
              Isle of Man
              IM99 IAP
              Facsimile No.: 44-1624-629-983
              Attention: President

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
              Melham U.S. Inc.
              c/o Mack Printing Group
              1991 Northampton Street
              Easton, PA 18042-3189
              Attention:  President
              Facsimile No.: (610) 250-7285

              Paul F. Mack
              3580 Magnolia Drive
              Easton, Pennsylvania 18045

              With a required copy to:

              Dechert Price & Rhoads
              4000 Bell Atlantic Tower
              1717 Arch Street
              Philadelphia, PA 19103
              Attention: Christopher G. Karras, Esq.
              Facsimile No.: (215) 994-2222

          If  to Seller Representative:

              Nathu R. Puri
              Melton Medes Limited
              Environment House
              6 Union Road
              Nottingham NG3 IFH England
              Facsimile No: 011-44-115-901-3100

              With a required copy to:

              Dechert Price & Rhoads
              4000 Bell Atlantic Tower
              1717 Arch Street
              Philadelphia, PA 19103
              Attention: Christopher A. Karras, Esq.
              Facsimile No: (215) 994-2222

              and to:

              Paul F. Mack
              3580 Magnolia Drive

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
             Easton, Pennsylvania 18045


          If to Escrow Agent:

              State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A.
              61 Broadway
              New York, New York 10006
              Attention: Ms. Jean Clarke
              Corporate Trust Division
              Facsimile No.: (212) 612-3202

          19. Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
              -------------                                                    
accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Each of the parties hereto
and the Seller Representative irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction
of the (a) the state courts of the State of New York and (b) the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York, for the purposes of any
suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any
transactions contemplated hereby. Each of Sellers and Seller Representative
agrees that process may be served in connection with any matter in New York in
accordance with the provisions of Section 18 hereof.

          20. Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are inserted for
              --------                                                  
convenience and identification only and are in no way intended to interpret,
define or limit the scope, extent or intent of this Agreement or any provision
hereof.

          21. Severability.  Each provision of this Agreement is intended to be
              ------------
severable. If any term or provision hereof is illegal or invalid for any reason
whatsoever, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the validity or
enforcement of the remainder of this Agreement.

          22. Counterparts.  This Agreement and any amendment hereto may be
              ------------                                                 
executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original,
but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          23. Amendment.  No modification or amendment to this Agreement shall
              ---------                                                       
be valid unless produced in writing and signed by all of the parties hereto.

          24. Successors.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
              ----------                                                    
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by or incur any liability with respect to
the Agreement or any other agreement or understanding between Buyer and Sellers,
except as herein expressly provided. The Escrow Agent shall not have any duties
hereunder except those specifically set forth herein.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
          25. Resignation/Removal of Escrow Agent.  The Escrow Agent may resign
              -----------------------------------                              
at any time by giving Buyer and Seller Representative 30 days' written notice of
such intention. Buyer and Seller Representative may remove the Escrow Agent, as
such, by giving Escrow Agent 30 days' written notice of such removal signed by
Buyer and Seller Representative. Upon the effective date of its resignation or
removal, the Escrow Agent will deliver the Escrow Funds held hereunder to such
successor escrow agent directed by the joint written instructions of Buyer and
Seller Representative. After the effective date of its resignation or removal,
the Escrow Agent shall have no duty with respect to the Escrow Funds except to
hold such property in safekeeping and to deliver same to its successor or as is
directed in writing by Buyer and Seller Representative. If no successor escrow
agent has been appointed by Buyer and Seller Representative within 30 days from
the date such notice of resignation or removal has been given, the Escrow Agent
shall be entitled to tender into the registry or custody of any court of
competent jurisdiction all or part of the escrowed funds.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Escrow Agreement as
of the date first above written.

 

 
                       CADMUS COMMUNICATION CORPORATION


                       By: /s/ Bruce V. Thomas
                           -------------------
                           Name:  Bruce V. Thomas
                           Title: Senior Vice President,
                                  Finance and Administration


                       MELHAM U.S. INC.


                       By: /s/ Scott E. M. DeNardo
                           -----------------------
                           Name:  Scott E.M. DeNardo
                           Title: Secretary


                       PURICO (IOM) LIMITED


                       By: /s/ Steven H. Smith
                           --------------------
                           Name:  Steven H. Smith
                           Title: Attorney-in-Fact



                       ___________________________
                       PAUL F. MACK

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Escrow Agreement as
of the date first above written.

 

 
                       CADMUS COMMUNICATION CORPORATION


                       By:
                           ___________________________     
                           Name:  Bruce V. Thomas
                           Title: Senior Vice President,
                                  Finance and Administration


                       MELHAM U.S. INC.


                       By:
                           _________________________   
                           Name:  Scott E.M. DeNardo
                           Title: Secretary


                       PURICO (IOM) LIMITED


                       By:
                           ______________________
                           Name:  Steven H. Smith
                           Title: Attorney-in-Fact



                       /s/ Paul F. Mack
                       ----------------
                       PAUL F. MACK
<PAGE>
 
                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
                       COMPANY, N.A.

                       By: /s/ Jean Clarke
                           ---------------
                           Name:  Jean Clarke
                           Title: Assistant Secretary



                       Acknowledged and Agreed:



                       ______________________________   
                       NATHU R. PURI

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
                       COMPANY, N.A.

                       By: 
                           ______________________
                           Name:  
                           Title: 



                       ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:



                       /s/ N. R. Puri
                       --------------
                       NATHU R. PURI

<PAGE>
 
                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
                         -----------------------------

     THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated April 1, 1999,
is by and between CADMUS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, a Virginia corporation
("Cadmus"), MELHAM U.S. INC., a Delaware corporation ("Melham US"), PURICO (IOM)
LIMITED, an Isle of Man company ("Purico"), and PAUL F. MACK ("Mack" and
together with Melham US and Purico, the "Sellers").

     WHEREAS, Cadmus and Sellers have entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement,
dated April 1, 1999, (the "Purchase Agreement") pursuant to which Sellers have
agreed to sell and Cadmus has agreed to purchase all of the issued and
outstanding stock and warrants of Melham Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation;
and

     WHEREAS, the Purchase Agreement provides that Cadmus shall register the
shares of common stock of Cadmus, $0.50 par value per share ("Cadmus Common
Stock") received by Sellers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and agreements set forth
below and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

          1.   Definitions.
               ------------

     As used in this Agreement, all undefined terms shall have the meaning given
to them in the Purchase Agreement and, unless the context otherwise requires,
the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

          "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated
thereunder.

          "Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited
liability company, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or
agency or political subdivision thereof.

          "Registrable Securities" shall mean the 1,161,585 shares of Cadmus
Common Stock originally issued to the Sellers, and any securities issued or
issuable with respect to any such Cadmus Common Stock by way of stock dividend
or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization,
merger, consolidation or other reorganization or otherwise, until (i) the date
on which such Cadmus Common Stock has been effectively registered under the
Securities Act and disposed of pursuant to an effective registration statement,
(ii) the date on which all of such Cadmus Common Stock is saleable pursuant to
Rule 144 (k) under the Securities Act (or any similar provision then in effect),
or (iii) the date on which such Cadmus Common Stock ceases to be outstanding.
<PAGE>
 
          "Registration Expenses" shall mean all expenses incident to Cadmus's
performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including, without limitation,
all registration, filing and listing fees, all fees and expenses of complying
with federal or state securities laws with respect to the initial registration
of Cadmus Common Stock and maintaining the effectiveness of such registration,
all word processing, duplicating and printing expenses, messenger and delivery
expenses, the fees and expenses of counsel for Cadmus and of Cadmus's
independent auditors, including the expenses of any opinions of counsel for
Cadmus in connection with the Sellers' sale of Registrable Securities under the
registration statement required under this Agreement, and premiums and other
costs of insurance policies obtained by Cadmus against liabilities arising out
of any registration effected pursuant to this Agreement.

          "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
time to time, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated
thereunder.

          2.   Piggy-Back Registration under the Securities Act.
               -------------------------------------------------

               a.   Right to Include Registrable Securities.  If Cadmus, at any
                    ---------------------------------------
time beginning on the first anniversary of the date hereof and ending on the
second anniversary of the date hereof, proposes to register any of its
securities under the Securities Act (other than by a registration on Form S-4,
Form S-8 or any successor or similar form), whether or not for sale for its own
account, it will at each such time give written notice to all Sellers of its
intention to do so and of such Sellers rights under this Section 2(a) promptly
                                                         ------------
thereafter (but in no event later than 45 days prior to the date such
registration statement is filed with Commission). Upon the written request of
any such Seller made within 30 days after the receipt of any such notice (which
request shall specify the Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by
such Seller and the intended method of disposition thereof), Cadmus will use its
reasonable best efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of
all Registrable Securities of such Seller which Cadmus has been so requested to
register by the Sellers, to the extent requisite to permit the disposition by
such Seller (in accordance with the intended methods thereof) of the Registrable
Securities so to be registered, provided that if, at any time after giving
written notice of its intention to register any securities and prior to the
effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such
registration, Cadmus shall determine for any reason not to register or to delay
registration of such securities, Cadmus may, at its election, give written
notice of such determination to each Seller requesting registration of
Registrable Securities and, thereupon, (i) in the case of a determination not to
register, shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable
Securities in connection with such registration (but not from its obligation to
pay the Registration Expenses in connection therewith), and (ii) in the case of
a determination to delay registering, shall be permitted to delay registering
any Registrable Securities, for the same period as the delay in registering such
other securities.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     The Sellers shall provide Cadmus with customary information regarding the
intended disposition of the Registrable Securities and other information
required to enable Cadmus to effect the registration.

          b.   Apportionment in Piggy-Back Registrations.  If (i) a registration
               -----------------------------------------
pursuant to this Section 2 involves an underwritten offering of the securities
                 ---------   
being registered, whether or not for sale for the account of Cadmus, to be
distributed (on a firm commitment basis) by or through one or more underwriters
of recognized national or regional standing under underwriting terms appropriate
for such a transaction, and (ii) the managing underwriter of such underwritten
offering shall inform Cadmus and the Sellers requesting such registration by
letter of its belief that the number of securities requested to be included in
such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in (or during the time
of) such offering or that the inclusion would adversely affect the marketing of
the securities to be sold by Cadmus therein, then Cadmus may include all
securities proposed by Cadmus to be sold for its own account and may decrease
the number of Registrable Securities and other securities of Cadmus so proposed
to be sold and so requested by Sellers to be included in such registration pro
rata on the basis of the percentage of the securities of Cadmus held by the
Sellers requesting registration of such Registrable Securities and such other
securities) to the extent necessary to reduce the number of securities to be
included in the registration to the level recommended by the managing
underwriter (it being understood that if securities are being offered for the
account of any person or entity other than Cadmus, then the proportion by which
the amount of Registrable Securities intended to be offered for the account of
any Seller is reduced shall not exceed the proportion by which the amount of
securities to be offered for the account of such other person or entity is
reduced).

          c.   Expenses.  Cadmus will pay all Registration Expenses in
               --------
connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities pursuant to this
Agreement.

          d.   Effective Registration Statement.  The registration required
               --------------------------------
pursuant to this Agreement shall not be deemed to have been effected unless a
registration statement under the Securities Act, for an offering of the
Registrable Securities has become effective in accordance with Section 2(e)
                                                               ------------
hereof.

          e.   Registration Procedures.  If and whenever Cadmus is under an
               -----------------------
obligation pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement to effect the
registration of the Registrable Securities, Cadmus shall, as expeditiously as
practicable, use its reasonable efforts to:

               (i)    Prepare and file with the Commission the registration
                      statement specified herein with respect to such securities
                      and cause such registration statement to become effective
                      in accordance with Section 2(e)(ii) hereof; provided that
                                         ----------------
                      the Company may discontinue any registration of its
                      securities which are not Registrable Securities and, under
                      the 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                      circumstances specified in Section 2(a), its securities
                                                 ------------
                      which are Registrable Securities at any time prior to the
                      effective date of the registration statement relating
                      thereto;

               (ii)   Until such time as the Sellers have satisfied the holding
                      period requirements of Rule 144(k) under the Securities
                      Act, prepare and file with the Commission all amendments
                      and supplements to such registration statement, and the
                      prospectus used in connection therewith, take all other
                      action and make all other filings as are required to
                      update such registration statement or prospectus, as the
                      case may be, and comply with the provisions of the
                      Securities Act with respect to the sale or other
                      disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such
                      registration statement;

               (iii)  Furnish to the Sellers such number of conformed copies of
                      such registration statement, each such amendment and
                      supplement thereto, including such number of copies of the
                      prospectus contained in such registration statement
                      (including each preliminary prospectus, and any summary
                      prospectus) and any other prospectus filed under Rule 424
                      under the Securities Act, in conformity with the
                      requirements of the Securities Act, and such other
                      documents, as the Sellers may reasonably request;

               (iv)   Until such time as the Sellers have satisfied the holding
                      period requirements of Rule 144(k) under the Securities
                      Act, use its reasonable efforts to register, or obtain
                      exemption from registration or qualification for, all
                      Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue
                      sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Sellers shall
                      reasonably request, to update such registration,
                      qualification or exemption and take any other action which
                      may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the
                      Sellers to consummate the disposition in such
                      jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by the
                      Sellers, except that Cadmus shall not for any such purpose
                      be required to qualify generally to do business as a
                      foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would
                      not but for the requirements of this Section 2(e)(iv) be
                                                           ----------------
                      obligated to be so qualified, to consent to general
                      service of process in any

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                      such jurisdiction or to comply with any requirement or
                      condition to registration or qualification which would
                      impose an unreasonable burden on Cadmus or any of its
                      officers, directors or shareholders;

               (v)    Cause all Registrable Securities covered by such
                      registration statement to be registered with or approved
                      by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may
                      be necessary to enable the Sellers to consummate the
                      disposition of such Registrable Securities;

               (vi)   Provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent for
                      all Registrable Securities covered by such registration
                      statement from and after a date not later than the
                      effective date of such registration statement;

               (vii)  List all Registrable Securities covered by such
                      registration statement on any securities exchange or
                      automated trading system on which any of the shares of
                      Cadmus Common Stock is then listed;

               (viii) Advise the Sellers, and, if requested by the Sellers,
                      confirm such advice in writing, when a registration
                      statement and any amendment thereto has been filed with
                      the Commission and when the registration statement or any
                      post-effective amendment thereto has become effective;

               (ix)   Notify each Seller of Registrable Securities covered by
                      such registration statement, at any time when a prospectus
                      relating thereto is required to be delivered under the
                      Securities Act, upon discovery that, or upon the happening
                      of any event as a result of which, the prospectus included
                      in such registration statement, as then in effect,
                      includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits
                      to state any material fact required to be stated therein
                      or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading
                      in the light of the circumstances under which they were
                      made, and at the request of any such Seller promptly
                      prepare to furnish to such Seller a reasonable number of
                      copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such
                      prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter
                      delivered to the purchasers of such securities, such
                      prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a
                      material fact or omit to state a material fact 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                      required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
                      statements therein not misleading in the light of the
                      circumstances under which they were made; and

               (x)    Otherwise comply with all applicable rules and regulations
                      of the Commission, and will furnish to each such Seller at
                      least two business days prior to the filing thereof a copy
                      of any amendment or supplement to such registration
                      statement or prospectus and shall not file any thereof to
                      which any such Seller shall have reasonably objected on
                      the grounds that such amendment or supplement does not
                      comply in all material respects with the requirements of
                      the Securities Act or of the rules or regulations
                      thereunder.

     Cadmus may require the Sellers, as a condition precedent to including each
Seller Registrable Securities in any registration, to furnish to Cadmus within
10 business days after written request for such information has been made by
Cadmus, such customary information regarding the Sellers and the distribution of
such securities as Cadmus may from time to time reasonably request for inclusion
in such registration statement and such other information as may be necessary or
advisable in the reasonable opinion of Cadmus and its counsel, in connection
with such registration statement.  The Sellers shall not be entitled to use the
prospectus unless and until they shall have furnished the information required
by this paragraph and all such information required to be disclosed in order to
make the information previously furnished to Cadmus by the Sellers not
materially misleading.

     Each Seller agrees that upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the
happening of any event of the kind described in subdivision (ix) of this Section
                                                                         -------
2(e), such Seller will keep the fact of such notice confidential, forthwith
- ----                                                                       
discontinue such Seller's disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the
registration statement relating to such Registrable Securities until such
Seller's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus
contemplated by subdivision (ix) of this Section 2(e) and, if so directed by the
                                         ------------                           
Company, will deliver to the Company (at the Company's expense) all copies,
other than permanent file copies, then in such holder's possession of the
prospectus relating to such Registrable Securities current at the time of
receipt of such notice.  Sales of such Registrable Securities pursuant to a
registration statement shall only be made in the manner set forth in such
currently effective registration statement.

          f.   Incidental Underwritten Offerings.  If Cadmus at any time
               ---------------------------------
proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act as
contemplated by Section 2(a) and such securities are to be distributed by or
                ------------
through one or more underwriters, Cadmus will, if requested by any Seller as
provided in Section 2(a) and subject to the provisions of Section 2(b), arrange
            ------------                                  ------------
for such underwriters to include all the Registrable Securities to be offered
and sold by such Seller among the securities to be distributed by such
underwriters. The Sellers requesting

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
registration of Registrable Securities to be distributed by such underwriters
shall be parties to the underwriting agreement between Cadmus and such
underwriters, including representations, warranties, or agreements regarding
such Seller, such Seller's Registrable Securities and such Seller's intended
method of distribution, any other information supplied by such Seller to Cadmus
for use in the Registration Statement and any other representation required by
law, but only to the extent that is customary for such an underwriting
agreement.

               g.   Holdback Agreements.
                    ------------------- 

                    (i)  Each Seller requesting registration of Registrable
                         Securities agrees, if so required by the managing
                         underwriter, not to effect any sale or distribution of
                         any equity securities of the Company during the five
                         days prior to and the 90-day period (or such shorter
                         period agreed to by the underwriter) beginning on the
                         effective date of any underwritten registration
                         pursuant to Section 2 hereof in which Registrable
                                     --------- 
                         Securities are included (except as part of such
                         underwritten registration).

                    (ii) Cadmus agrees not to effect any sale or distribution of
                         its equity securities, or any securities convertible
                         into or exchangeable or exercisable for such
                         securities, during the five days prior to and during
                         the 90-day period beginning on the effective date of
                         any underwritten registration pursuant to Section 2
                                                                   ---------
                         hereof (except as part of such underwritten
                         registration or pursuant to registrations on Form S-8
                         or any successor form).

          3.   Preparation; Reasonable Investigation. In connection with the
               --------------------------------------
preparation and filing of the registration statement pursuant to this Agreement,
Cadmus will give the Sellers and their counsel the opportunity to participate in
the preparation of such registration statement to the extent necessary, in the
opinion of the Sellers' counsel to conduct a reasonable investigation within the
meaning of the Securities Act, provided that Cadmus may condition its disclosure
of information upon receipt of agreements in form acceptable to counsel to
Cadmus restricting trading by such holders in violation of applicable securities
laws and containing usual and customary confidentiality provisions.

          4.   Indemnification.
               ----------------

               a.   Indemnification by Cadmus. Cadmus will, and hereby does, 
                    ------------------------- 

indemnify and hold harmless the Sellers in selling Registrable Securities
covered by the registration statement required under this Agreement, the
directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates of Sellers and each other
Person, if any, who control the Sellers within the meaning

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (the "Sellers Indemnified Parties"),
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings,
whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof), joint or several, to which
the Sellers Indemnified Parties may become subject under the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act, state securities or blue sky laws or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings, whether
commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained (or
incorporated by reference) in the registration statement (or any amendment or
supplement thereto) under which such Registrable Securities were registered
under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or
summary prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or
any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and
Cadmus will reimburse the Sellers Indemnified Parties for any legal or any other
expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or
defending any such loss, claim, liability, action or proceeding; provided that
                                                                 --------
the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 4 shall not apply to amounts
                                          ---------   
paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such
settlement is effected without the consent of Cadmus (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld) nor shall Cadmus be liable in any such case to the extent
that any such loss, claim, damage, liability (or action or proceeding in respect
thereof) or expense arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such
registration statement, any such preliminary prospectus, final prospectus,
summary prospectus, amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished to Cadmus by the Sellers or its agents or
representatives specifically for use in the preparation thereof. Such indemnity
shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or
on behalf of the Sellers or any such controlling Person of the Sellers
Indemnified Parties and shall survive the transfer of such Registrable
Securities by the Sellers.

               b.   Indemnification by the Sellers. The Sellers, jointly and 
                    ------------------------------ 

severally, will, and hereby do, indemnify and hold harmless Cadmus in selling
Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement required under this
Agreement, Cadmus's directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates and
each other Person, if any, who controls Cadmus within the meaning of the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act, (the "Cadmus Indemnified Parties") against
any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings, whether
commenced or threatened, in respect thereof), joint or several, to which the
Cadmus Indemnified Parties may become subject under the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act, state securities or blue sky laws or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings, whether
commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained (or
incorporated by reference) in the registration statement (or any amendment or
supplement thereto) under which such Registrable Securities were registered
under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or
summary prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or
any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required  

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
but only to the extent that such loss, claim, damage, liability (or action or
proceeding in respect thereof) or expense arises out of or is based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made in such registration statement, any such preliminary prospectus, final
prospectus, summary prospectus, amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to Cadmus by the Sellers or their
agents or representatives specifically for use in the preparation thereof, and
the Sellers, jointly and severally, will reimburse the Cadmus Indemnified
Parties for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred by them in
connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, liability,
action or proceeding; provided, however, the indemnity contained in this Section
                                                                         -------
4 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage,
- -
liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of
Sellers (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). Such indemnity shall
remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on
behalf of the Cadmus Indemnifying Parties and shall survive the transfer of such
Registrable Securities by the Sellers.

               c.   Notices of Claims; Right to Assume Defense. Promptly after
                    ------------------------------------------ 

receipt by an indemnified party of notice of the commencement of any action or
proceeding involving a claim referred to in the preceding subdivisions of this
Section 4, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be
- ---------                                   
made against an indemnifying party, give written notice to the latter of the
commencement of such action; provided that the failure of any indemnified party 
                             --------     
to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the indemnifying party of
its obligations under the preceding subdivisions of this Section 4, except to
                                                         ---------
the extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced by such failure to
give notice. In case any such action is brought against an indemnified party and
indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such claim, the indemnifying party
shall be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense thereof, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly notified to the extent that it may
wish, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after
notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so
to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to
such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
the latter in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation (unless the indemnified party reasonably concludes that there may
be different defenses available to it, in which case the indemnified party shall
be indemnified for the reasonable expenses incurred in retaining separate legal
counsel). No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified
party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does
not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or
plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect
to such claim or litigation.

               d.   Other Indemnification. Indemnification similar to that 
                    --------------------- 
specified in the preceding subdivisions of this Section 4 (with appropriate
                                                ---------
modifications) shall be given by Cadmus and the Sellers with respect to any
required registration or other qualification of 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
Registrable Securities under any federal or state law or regulation of any
governmental authority other than the Securities Act.

               e.   Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this
                    ------------ 
Section 4 is for any reason unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an 
- ---------                  
indemnified party under Section 4(a), Section 4(b) or Section 4(c), then the
                        ------------  ------------    ------------ 
indemnifying party shall contribute the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities
referred to in this Section 4 in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect 
                    ---------                   
the relative fault of Cadmus on the one hand and the Sellers on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by Cadmus or the Sellers and the party's relative intent, knowledge,
access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue
statement or omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. Each party entitled to contribution agrees that upon the
service of a summons or other initial legal process upon it in any action
instituted against it in respect of which contribution may be sought, it shall
promptly give written notice of such service to the party or parties from whom
contribution may be sought, but the omission so to notify such party or parties
of any such service shall not relieve the party from whom contribution may be
sought from any obligation it may have hereunder or otherwise, unless the
failure to give notice is prejudicial to such party from whom contribution may
be sought.

          5.   Rule 144 Requirements. Whenever any Seller is able to reasonably
               ---------------------
demonstrate to Cadmus (and its counsel) that the provisions of Rule 144(k) under
the Securities Act are available to it, such Sellers shall be entitled to
receive from Cadmus, at Cadmus's expense, a new certificate that does not bear
the restrictive legend set forth in Section 3.34(h) of the Purchase Agreement.
                                    ---------------                           

          6.   Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
               -------
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given if personally delivered or, if mailed, ten (10) business days after
being mailed by United States first-class, certified or registered mail, postage
prepaid, or, if sent by overnight delivery by a nationally recognized courier
such as DHL, Federal Express or United Parcel Service, two (2) business days
after deposit with such courier, or, if sent by telecopy, upon confirmation of
receipt, to the other party at the following address (or at such other address
as shall be given in writing by any party to the other):

If to Buyer:   Cadmus Communications Corporation
               6620 West Broad Street

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
                    Richmond, Virginia  23230   
                    Attention:  Bruce V. Thomas 
                                Chief Financial Officer     
                    Telephone:  (804) 287-5690   
                    Facsimile:  (804) 287-5683   

With a copy to:     Hunton & Williams
                    Riverfront Plaza, East Tower          
                    951 East Byrd Street                  
                    Richmond, Virginia  23219-4074        
                    Telephone:  (804) 788-8464             
                    Facsimile:  (804) 788-8218            
                    Attention:  T. Justin Moore, III, Esq. 


If to the Sellers:  Purico (IOM) Limited
                    P.O. Box 16                              
                    Analyst House                            
                    20-26 Peel Road                          
                    Douglas                                  
                    Isle of Man                              
                    IM99 IAP                                 
                    Facsimile No.:  44-1624-629-983          
                    Attention:  President                    
                                                             
                    Melham U.S. Inc.                         
                    c/o Mack Printing Group                  
                    1991 Northampton Street                  
                    Easton, PA 18042-3189                    
                    Attention:  President                    
                    Facsimile No.:  (610) 250-7285           
                                                             
                    Paul F. Mack                             
                    3580 Magnolia Drive                      
                    Easton, Pennsylvania 18045                

With a copy to:     Dechert Price & Rhoads
                    4000 Bell Atlantic Tower              
                    1717 Arch Street                      
                    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2793 
                    Telephone:  (215) 994-4000            
                    Facsimile:  (215) 994-2222            

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
                    Attention: Christopher G. Karras, Esq. 

or to such other address as the person to whom notice is given may have
previously furnished to the others in writing in the manner set forth above.

          7.   Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
               -------------
in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia without regard to
its conflicts of laws principles or rules.

          8.   Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings herein are
               --------------------
inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or
to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

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

          10.  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 contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner adverse to
any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid,
illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in
good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effectuate the original intent of
the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the
transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.

          11.  Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by action taken by the
               ---------
Buyer and the Sellers; provided that no amendment to this Agreement shall be
                       --------  
made except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of all of the parties.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights
Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.


                                        BUYER:

                                        CADMUS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION


                                        By: /s/ Bruce V. Thomas
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:  Bruce V. Thomas
                                           Title: Senior Vice President,
                                                  Finance and Administration



                                        SELLERS:

                                        MELHAM U.S. INC.


                                        By: /s/ Scott E. M. DeNardo
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:  Scott E. M. DeNardo
                                           Title: Secretary



                                        PURICO (IOM) LIMITED


                                        By: /s/ Steven H. Smith
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:  Steven H. Smith
                                           Title: Attorney-in-Fact


                                        /s/ Paul F. Mack
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        PAUL F. MACK

                                       13


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