PORTEC INC
8-K, 1998-03-16
CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY & EQUIP
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                                UNITED STATES
                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549



                                  FORM 8-K

                               CURRENT REPORT
               Pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the

                       Securities Exchange Act of 1934

      Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 11, 1998



                                PORTEC, INC.
           (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


          Delaware               1-500              36-1637250
      (State or other         (Commission          (IRS Employer
      jurisdiction of         File Number)      Identification No.)
       incorporation)


   One Hundred Field Drive, Suite 120, Lake Forest, IL            60045  
             (Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip Code)


    Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (847) 735-2800


   <PAGE>  2


   ITEM 5.   OTHER EVENTS.

             Portec, Inc. announced on March 11, 1998 that it had entered
   into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 11, 1998 with
   MHD Acquisition Corp., an affiliate of J Richard Industries, L.P. (the
   "Merger Agreement").  Under the Merger Agreement, each share of Portec
   common stock will be converted into the right to receive $16.00 per
   share in cash for a total transaction value of approximately $76
   million.  The transaction is subject to MHD's satisfactory completion
   of due diligence and MHD obtaining acceptable financing arrangements
   on or prior to April 10, 1998. In addition, the transaction is subject
   to approval by Portec's stockholders and certain regulatory agencies,
   and other customary conditions.

             The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by
   reference to the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is filed under Item
   7 as Exhibit 99.

   ITEM 7.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND
             EXHIBITS.

   (c) Exhibits.

   99   Agreement and Plan of Merger Dated as of March 11, 1998 by and
        between MHD Acquisition Corp. and Portec, Inc.


   <PAGE>  3

                                 SIGNATURES

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


                                      PORTEC, INC.


   Date:  March 13, 1998              By:   /s/ N. A. Kindl
                                         ---------------------------
                                           N. A. Kindl
                                           Vice President and Secretary


   <PAGE>  4

                              INDEX TO EXHIBITS


   Exhibit Number      Description
   --------------      -----------

        99             Agreement and Plan of Merger Dated as of March 11,
                       1998 by and between MHD Acquisition Corp. and
                       Portec, Inc.



                                                               EXHIBIT 99








                        AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                         DATED AS OF MARCH 11, 1998

                               BY AND BETWEEN

                            MHD ACQUISITION CORP.

                                     AND

                                PORTEC, INC.


   <PAGE>  6

                              TABLE OF CONTENTS


   ARTICLE 1  THE MERGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9
        SECTION 1.1  THE MERGER  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9
        SECTION 1.2  CLOSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9
        SECTION 1.3  EFFECTIVE TIME  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10
        SECTION 1.4  CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION  . . . . . . . . .   10
        SECTION 1.5  BY-LAWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10
        SECTION 1.6  DIRECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10
        SECTION 1.7  OFFICERS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10
        SECTION 1.8  EFFECT OF MERGER ON ACQUIROR CAPITAL STOCK  . .   10
        SECTION 1.9  CONVERSION OF COMMON SHARES . . . . . . . . . .   10
             Section 1.9.1  OUTSTANDING COMMON SHARES  . . . . . . .   10
             Section 1.9.2  TREASURY SHARES  . . . . . . . . . . . .   11
        SECTION 1.10  EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES AND RELATED MATTERS .   11
             Section 1.10.1 PAYING AGENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   11
             Section 1.10.2 EXCHANGE PROCEDURES  . . . . . . . . . .   11
             Section 1.10.3 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL  . . . . . . . . .   12
             Section 1.10.4 NO FURTHER OWNERSHIP RIGHTS IN SHARES  .   12
             Section 1.10.5 TERMINATION OF PAYMENT FUND  . . . . . .   12
             Section 1.10.6 NO LIABILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   13
        SECTION 1.11 STOCK OPTIONS.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   13
        SECTION 1.12 DISSENTING SHARES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   13
        SECTION 1.13 FURTHER ASSURANCES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   14

   ARTICLE 2  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY  . . . .   14
        SECTION 2.1 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND CORPORATE POWER . . .   14
        SECTION 2.2 CAPITAL STRUCTURE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   15
        SECTION 2.3 SUBSIDIARIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   15
        SECTION 2.4 AUTHORITY; NONCONTRAVENTION  . . . . . . . . . .   16
        SECTION 2.5 SEC DOCUMENTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   17
        SECTION 2.6  ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS  . . . . .   18
        SECTION 2.7  ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES  . . . . . .   19
        SECTION 2.8  BENEFIT PLANS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   19
        SECTION 2.9  TAXES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   21
        SECTION 2.10  COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS  . . . . . . .   22
        SECTION 2.11  OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR . . . . . . . . .   23
        SECTION 2.12  BROKERS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   23
        SECTION 2.13  ENVIRONMENTAL  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   23
        SECTION 2.14  LITIGATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
        SECTION 2.15  LABOR RELATIONS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
        SECTION 2.16  CONTRACTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
        SECTION 2.17  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. . . . . . . . . . . . .   26
        SECTION 2.18  REAL ESTATE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   26
        SECTION 2.19  VOTING REQUIREMENTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . .   26

   ARTICLE 3  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR . . . . . .   27
        SECTION 3.1  ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND CORPORATE POWER  . .   27
        SECTION 3.2  AUTHORITY; NONCONTRAVENTION . . . . . . . . . .   27
        SECTION 3.3  FINANCING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
        SECTION 3.4  BROKERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28


   <PAGE>  7


   ARTICLE 4  ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
        SECTION 4.1  PREPARATION OF PROXY STATEMENT. . . . . . . . .   28
             Section 4.1.1  PROXY STATEMENT  . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
             Section 4.1.2  COMPANY INFORMATION  . . . . . . . . . .   29
             Section 4.1.3  ACQUIROR INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . .   29
        SECTION 4.2  MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
        SECTION 4.3  ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY  . . . .   29
        SECTION 4.4  REASONABLE EFFORTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
        SECTION 4.5  PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
        SECTION 4.6  ACQUISITION PROPOSALS . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
        SECTION 4.7  FIDUCIARY DUTIES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
        SECTION 4.8  FILINGS; OTHER ACTION . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
        SECTION 4.9  INDEMNIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
        SECTION 4.10  FAILURE TO CLOSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
        SECTION 4.11  FINANCING COMMITMENTS  . . . . . . . . . . . .   34

   ARTICLE 5   COVENANTS  RELATING TO CONDUCT  OF BUSINESS  PRIOR TO
        MERGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   34
        SECTION 5.1  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY THE COMPANY  . . . . . .   34
        SECTION 5.2  MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES  . .   36
        SECTION 5.3  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY ACQUIROR . . . . . . . .   36
        SECTION 5.4  OTHER ACTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
        SECTION 5.5  NOTIFICATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37

   ARTICLE 6  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
        SECTION 6.1  CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT
             THE MERGER  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
             Section 6.1.1  STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL . . . . . . . . . .   37
             Section 6.1.2  GOVERNMENTAL AND REGULATORY CONSENTS . .   37
             Section 6.1.3  HSR ACT  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
             Section 6.1.4  NO PROCEEDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
             Section 6.1.5  FINANCING  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
        SECTION 6.2  CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR . . . . .   38
             Section 6.2.1  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES . . . . .   38
             Section  6.2.2    PERFORMANCE  OF  OBLIGATIONS  OF  THE
                  COMPANY  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
             Section 6.2.3.  THIRD PARTY APPROVALS . . . . . . . . .   38
             Section 6.2.4  NO MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT . . . . . . .   38
        SECTION 6.3  CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY . . . .   38
             Section 6.3.1  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES . . . . .   39
             Section 6.3.2  PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR .   39

   ARTICLE 7  TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER  . . . . . . . . . .   39
        SECTION 7.1  TERMINATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   39
        SECTION 7.2  EFFECT OF TERMINATION . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41
        SECTION 7.3  AMENDMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   42
        SECTION 7.4  EXTENSION; WAIVER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43
        SECTION 7.5  PROCEDURE FOR TERMINATION, AMENDMENT, EXTENSION
             OR WAIVER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43

   ARTICLE 8  SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43
        SECTION 8.1  SURVIVAL  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43


   <PAGE>  8


   ARTICLE 9 NOTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43
        SECTION 9.1  NOTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43

   ARTICLE 10  MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
        SECTION 10.1  ENTIRE AGREEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
        SECTION 10.2  EXPENSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
        SECTION 10.3  COUNTERPARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
        SECTION 10.4  NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY . . . . . . . . . .   45
        SECTION 10.5  GOVERNING LAW  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
        SECTION 10.6  ASSIGNMENT; BINDING EFFECT . . . . . . . . . .   45
        SECTION 10.7  DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE  . . . . . . . . . . . . .   46
        SECTION 10.8  ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT  . . . . . . . .   46
        SECTION 10.9  HEADINGS, GENDER, ETC  . . . . . . . . . . . .   46


   <PAGE>  9


                        AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

        THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the "Agreement") is made and
   entered into as of March 11, 1998 by and between MHD Acquisition
   Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Acquiror"), and Portec, Inc., a
   Delaware corporation (the "Company").

                                  PREAMBLE

        WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Acquiror and the
   Company have determined that the Merger (as defined in Section 1.1) is
   in the best interests of their respective stockholders and have
   approved the Merger, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
   forth herein;

        WHEREAS, Acquiror and the Company desire to make certain
   representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection
   with such Merger; and

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

                                  ARTICLE 1

                                 THE MERGER

        SECTION 1.1  THE MERGER. Subject to the terms and conditions of
   this Agreement, at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.3),
   Acquiror shall be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger"), in
   accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "Delaware
   Code"), and the separate corporate existence of Acquiror shall cease
   and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation under the
   laws of the State of Delaware (as such, the "Surviving Corporation")
   with all the rights, privileges, immunities and powers, and subject to
   all the duties and liabilities, of a corporation organized under the
   Delaware Code. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in the
   Delaware Code.

        SECTION 1.2  CLOSING. Unless this Agreement shall have been
   terminated and the transactions herein contemplated shall have been
   abandoned pursuant to Section 7.1, and subject to the satisfaction or
   waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 6, the closing of the
   Merger (the "Closing") will take place at 9:00 a.m. on the first
   business day following the date on which the last of the conditions
   set forth in Section 6.1 shall be fulfilled or waived in accordance
   with this Agreement (the "Closing Date"), at the offices of Schiff
   Hardin & Waite, 7200 Sears Tower, 233 Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois
   60606, unless another date, time or place is agreed to in writing by
   the parties hereto.


   <PAGE>  10

        SECTION 1.3  EFFECTIVE TIME. The parties hereto will file with
   the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware
   Secretary of State") on the date of the Closing (or on such other date
   as Acquiror and the Company may agree) a certificate of merger or
   other appropriate documents, mutually satisfactory in form and
   substance to Acquiror and the Company and executed in accordance with
   the relevant provisions of the Delaware Code, and make all other
   filings or recordings required under the Delaware Code in connection
   with the Merger. The Merger shall become effective upon the filing of
   the certificate of merger with the Delaware Secretary of State, or at
   such later time as is specified in the certificate of merger (the
   "Effective Time").

        SECTION 1.4  CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION. At the Effective Time,
   the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company shall be the
   Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until
   thereafter amended in accordance with its terms and as provided by
   applicable law.

        SECTION 1.5  BY-LAWS. The By-Laws of Acquiror, as in effect
   immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the By-Laws of the
   Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided by law, the
   By-Laws or the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving
   Corporation.

        SECTION 1.6  DIRECTORS. The directors of Acquiror at the
   Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation and
   will hold office from the Effective Time until their respective
   successors are duly elected or appointed and qualify in the manner
   provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the
   Surviving Corporation, or as otherwise provided by law.

        SECTION 1.7  OFFICERS. The officers of Acquiror at the Effective
   Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation and will hold
   office from the Effective Time until their respective successors are
   duly elected or appointed and qualify in the manner provided in the
   Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation,
   or as otherwise provided by law.

        SECTION 1.8  EFFECT OF MERGER ON ACQUIROR CAPITAL STOCK. Each
   share of capital stock of Acquiror issued and outstanding immediately
   prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into one validly
   issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value
   $.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation.

        SECTION 1.9  CONVERSION OF COMMON SHARES. 

             Section 1.9.1  OUTSTANDING COMMON SHARES. Subject to the
        other provisions of this Section 1.9, each share of common stock,
        $1.00 par value, of the Company (the "Common Shares") issued and
        outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
        shares held as treasury shares by the Company and Dissenting


   <PAGE>  11


        Shares (as defined in Section 1.12)) shall, by virtue of the
        Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof,
        be converted into the right to receive $16.00 in cash, without
        interest (the "Merger Consideration").

             Section 1.9.2  TREASURY SHARES. Each Common Share issued and
        outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time which is then
        held as a treasury share by the Company immediately prior to the
        Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any
        action on the part of the Company, be cancelled and retired and
        cease to exist, without any conversion thereof.

        SECTION 1.10  EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES AND RELATED MATTERS.

             Section 1.10.1 PAYING AGENT.  At the Effective Time,
        Acquiror shall cause the Surviving Corporation to deposit with a
        paying agent appointed by the Company and reasonably acceptable
        to Acquiror (the "Paying Agent"), for the benefit of the holders
        of Common Shares, cash in an aggregate amount equal to the
        aggregate Merger Consideration (such amount being sometimes
        hereinafter referred to as the "Payment Fund").

             Section 1.10.2 EXCHANGE PROCEDURES. Upon surrender to the
        Paying Agent for cancellation of a certificate which immediately
        prior to the Effective Time represented Common Shares, together
        with a letter of transmittal and such other customary documents
        as may be required by the instructions to the letter of
        transmittal (collectively, the "Certificate") and acceptance
        thereof by the Paying Agent, the holder of such Certificate shall
        be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the amount of cash
        into which the number of Common Shares previously represented by
        such Certificate shall have been converted pursuant to Section
        1.9.1. The Paying Agent shall accept such Certificate upon
        compliance with such reasonable terms and conditions as the
        Paying Agent may impose to effect an orderly exchange thereof in
        accordance with normal exchange practices. If the Merger
        Consideration (or any portion thereof) is to be delivered to any
        person other than the person in whose name the Certificate
        representing Common Shares surrendered in exchange therefor is
        registered on the record books of the Company, it shall be a
        condition to such exchange that the Certificate so surrendered
        shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper form for
        transfer and that the person requesting such exchange shall pay
        to the Paying Agent any transfer or other taxes required by
        reason of the payment of such consideration to a person other
        than the registered holder of the Certificate surrendered, or
        shall establish to the satisfaction of the Paying Agent that such
        tax has been paid or is not applicable. After the Effective Time,
        there shall be no further transfer on the records of the Company
        or its transfer agent of any Certificate representing Common
        Shares and if any such Certificate is presented to the Company
        for transfer, it shall be cancelled against delivery of the


   <PAGE>  12


        Merger Consideration as hereinabove provided. Until surrendered
        as contemplated by this Section 1.10.2, each Certificate
        representing Common Shares (other than a Certificate representing
        Common Shares to be cancelled in accordance with Section 1.9.2),
        shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent
        only the right to receive upon such surrender the Merger
        Consideration, without any interest thereon.

             Section 1.10.3 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. Promptly after the
        Effective Time (but in no event more than five business days
        thereafter), the Surviving Corporation shall require the Paying
        Agent to mail to each record holder of Certificates that
        immediately prior to the Effective Time represented Common Shares
        which have been converted pursuant to Section 1.9, a letter of
        transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected,
        and risk of loss and title shall pass, only upon proper delivery
        of Certificates representing Common Shares to the Paying Agent
        and shall be in such form and have such provisions as the
        Surviving Corporation reasonably may specify) and instructions
        for use in surrendering such Certificates and receiving the
        Merger Consideration to which such holder shall be entitled
        therefor pursuant to Section 1.9.  The Surviving Corporation also
        shall require the Paying Agent to have such letter of transmittal
        and instructions available at its offices immediately after the
        Effective Date in order to accommodate record holders of
        Certificates desiring to receive the Merger Consideration at the
        earliest possible date.

             Section 1.10.4 NO FURTHER OWNERSHIP RIGHTS IN SHARES. The
        Merger Consideration paid upon the surrender for exchange of
        Certificates representing Common Shares in accordance with the
        terms of this Article I shall be deemed to have been issued and
        paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the Common
        Shares theretofore represented by such Certificates, subject,
        however, to the Surviving Corporation's obligation (if any) to
        pay any dividends or make any other distributions with a record
        date prior to the Effective Time which may have been declared by
        the Company on such Common Shares in accordance with the terms of
        this Agreement or prior to the date of this Agreement and which
        remain unpaid at the Effective Time.

             Section 1.10.5 TERMINATION OF PAYMENT FUND. Any portion of
        the Payment Fund which remains undistributed to the holders of
        the Certificates representing Common Shares for 120 days after
        the Effective Time shall be delivered to Acquiror, upon demand,
        and any holders of Common Shares who have not theretofore
        complied with this Article I shall thereafter look only to
        Acquiror and only as general creditors thereof for payment,
        without interest, of their claim for any Merger Consideration
        with respect to their Common Shares.


   <PAGE>  13


             Section 1.10.6 NO LIABILITY. None of Acquiror, the Surviving
        Corporation or the Paying Agent shall be liable to any person in
        respect of any cash, shares, dividends or distributions payable
        from the Payment Fund delivered to a public official pursuant to
        any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law. If any
        Certificates representing Common Shares shall not have been
        surrendered prior to seven years after the Effective Time (or
        immediately prior to such earlier date on which any Merger
        Consideration in respect of such Certificate would otherwise
        escheat to or become the property of any Governmental Entity (as
        defined in Section 2.4)), any such cash, shares, dividends or
        distributions payable in respect of such Certificate shall, to
        the extent permitted by applicable law, become the property of
        the Surviving Corporation free and clear of all claims or
        interest of any person previously entitled thereto.

        SECTION 1.11 STOCK OPTIONS.  Immediately prior to the Effective
   Time, each outstanding option to purchase Common Shares (each, a
   "Stock Option") granted under the 1988 Portec, Inc. Employees' Stock
   Benefit Plan (the "Plan") or pursuant to any other stock option plan
   or agreement entered into by the Company with any employee or director
   of the Company or any Subsidiary (as defined in Section 2.3) thereof,
   whether or not then vested or exercisable, shall become vested,
   exercisable and cancelled, and each holder of a Stock Option shall be
   entitled to receive as soon as practicable thereafter from the Company
   in consideration for the cancellation of such Stock Option an amount
   in cash (less applicable withholding taxes) equal to the product of
   (i) the number of Common Shares previously subject to such Stock
   Option multiplied by (ii) the excess, if any, of the Merger
   Consideration over the exercise price per Common Share previously
   subject to such Stock Option.

        SECTION 1.12 DISSENTING SHARES. Notwithstanding anything in this
   Agreement to the contrary, the Common Shares outstanding immediately
   prior to the Effective Time and held by a holder who has not voted in
   favor of the Merger or consented thereto in writing and who has
   demanded properly in writing appraisal for such Common Shares in
   accordance with Section 262 of the Delaware Code and who shall not
   have withdrawn such demand or otherwise have forfeited appraisal
   rights shall not be converted into or represent the right to receive
   the Merger Consideration ("Dissenting Shares"). Such stockholders
   shall be entitled to receive payment of the appraised value of such
   Common Shares held by them in accordance with the provisions of such
   Section 262, except that all Dissenting Shares held by stockholders
   who shall have failed to perfect or who effectively shall have
   withdrawn or lost their rights to appraisal of such Common Shares held
   by them under such Section 262 shall thereupon be deemed to have been
   converted into and to have become exchangeable, as of the Effective
   Time, for the right to receive, without any interest thereon, the
   Merger Consideration, upon surrender, in the manner provided in
   Section 1.10.2, of the Certificate or Certificates that formerly
   evidenced such Common Shares. The Company shall give Acquiror prompt


   <PAGE>  14


   notice of any demands for appraisal received by the Company,
   withdrawals of such demands, and any other instruments served pursuant
   to Delaware law and received by the Company, and Acquiror shall have
   the right to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with
   respect to such demands. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company
   shall not, except with the prior written consent of Acquiror, make any
   payment with respect to any demands for appraisal, or settle or offer
   to settle, any such demands.

        SECTION 1.13 FURTHER ASSURANCES.  If, at any time after the
   Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall consider or be advised
   that any deeds, bills of sale, assignments or assurances or any other
   acts or things are necessary, desirable or proper (i) to vest, perfect
   or confirm, of record or otherwise, in the Surviving Corporation its
   right, title and interest in, to or under any of the rights,
   privileges, powers, franchises, properties or assets of either of the
   Company or Acquiror, or (ii) otherwise to carry out the purposes of
   this Agreement, the Surviving Corporation and its proper officers and
   directors or their designees shall be authorized to execute and
   deliver, in the name and on behalf of either the Company or Acquiror,
   all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances and do, in
   the name and on behalf of such corporations, all such other acts and
   things as may be necessary, desirable or proper to vest, perfect or
   confirm the Surviving Corporation's right, title and interest in, to
   and under any of the rights, privileges, powers, franchises,
   properties or assets of such corporations and otherwise to carry out
   the purposes of this Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE 2

                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

        The Company hereby represents and warrants to Acquiror, except as
   set forth in the written disclosure schedule delivered on or prior to
   the date hereof by the Company (the "Disclosure Schedule") as follows:


        SECTION 2.1 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND CORPORATE POWER. The
   Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
   standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the requisite
   corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now being
   conducted. The Company is duly qualified to do business and is in good
   standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which the
   nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties
   makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so
   qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
   Adverse Effect. As used in this Agreement, the term "Material Adverse
   Effect" means with respect to the Company a material adverse effect on
   the business, assets, properties, liabilities, results of operations
   or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined
   in Section 2.3) taken as a whole. The Company has delivered to


   <PAGE>  15


   Acquiror complete and correct copies of its Certificate of
   Incorporation and By-Laws, as amended to the date of this Agreement.

        SECTION 2.2 CAPITAL STRUCTURE. The authorized capital stock of
   the Company consists of 10,000,000 Common Shares and 1,000,000 shares
   of preferred stock, without par value. At the close of business on
   March 10, 1998, (i) 4,449,601 Common Shares were issued and
   outstanding; (ii) no Common Shares were held as treasury stock; (iii)
   719,657 Common Shares were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of
   Stock Options; and (iv) no shares of preferred stock were issued or
   outstanding.  All outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company
   are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and
   not subject to preemptive rights. No bonds, debentures, notes or other
   indebtedness of the Company having the right to vote (or convertible
   into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any
   matters on which the stockholders of the Company may vote are issued
   or outstanding. Section 2.2 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth the
   following information with respect to each Stock Option outstanding on
   the date hereof, (a) the name of the recipient, (b) the number of
   Common Shares subject to such Stock Option, and (c) the applicable
   exercise price for each Stock Option. Except as set forth above or in
   Section 2.2 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not have any
   outstanding option, warrant, subscription or other right, agreement or
   commitment which either obligates the Company to issue, sell or
   transfer, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or vote any shares
   of capital stock of the Company, or which restricts the transfer of
   Common Shares.

        SECTION 2.3 SUBSIDIARIES. (i) Section 2.3(i) of the Disclosure
   Schedule sets forth the name of each Subsidiary (as defined below) of
   the Company and the state or jurisdiction of its incorporation. Each
   Subsidiary is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
   good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation
   and has the corporate power and authority and all necessary government
   approvals to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its
   business as now being conducted, except where the failure to be so
   organized, existing and in good standing or to have such power and
   authority or necessary governmental approvals would not, individually
   or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Subsidiary
   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 in such jurisdictions
   where the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed and in good
   standing has not had and would not, individually or in the aggregate,
   have a Material Adverse Effect.  As used herein, "Subsidiary" means
   any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other legal entity and
   of which the Company (either alone or through or together with any
   other Subsidiary), owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the
   capital stock or other equity interests the holders of which are
   generally entitled to vote with respect to matters to be voted on in
   such corporation, partnership, joint venture or other legal entity. 


   <PAGE>  16


   Except as disclosed in the Filed SEC Documents (as herein defined),
   the Company and its Subsidiaries are not subject to any material joint
   venture, joint operating or similar arrangement or any material
   shareholders agreement relating thereto.

        (ii) Section 2.3(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth, as to
   each Subsidiary, its authorized capital stock and the number of its
   issued and outstanding shares of capital stock. The Company is,
   directly or indirectly, the record and beneficial owner of all of the
   outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the Subsidiaries, and
   no capital stock of any Subsidiary is or may become required to be
   issued by reason of any options, warrants, rights to subscribe to,
   calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or
   securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable
   for, shares of any capital stock of any Subsidiary, and there are no
   contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the
   Company or any Subsidiary is or may be bound to issue, redeem,
   purchase or sell additional shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary
   or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any
   such shares. All of such shares so owned by the Company are validly
   issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by it or by another
   wholly-owned Subsidiary thereof free and clear of all liens, claims,
   encumbrances, restraints on alienation, or any other restrictions with
   respect to the transferability or assignability thereof (other than
   restrictions on transfer imposed by federal or state securities laws).

        SECTION 2.4 AUTHORITY; NONCONTRAVENTION.   The Company has the
   requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement
   and to carry out its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery
   of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company
   of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by
   all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, subject, in
   the case of the Merger, to the approval of its stockholders as set
   forth in Section 4.2.  The Board of Directors of the Company has
   determined that the Merger is advisable and fair to and in the best
   interests of the stockholders of the Company and has approved (and has
   resolved to recommend to stockholders for approval) the Merger and
   this Agreement.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
   by the Company and, assuming this Agreement has been duly executed and
   delivered by Acquiror, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
   the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its
   terms except that the enforcement thereof may be limited by (a)
   bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws now
   or hereafter in effect relating to creditor's rights generally and (b)
   general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is
   considered in a proceeding at law or in equity). Except as disclosed
   in Section 2.4 of the Disclosure Schedule, the execution and delivery
   of this Agreement do not, and the consummation of the transactions
   contemplated by this Agreement and compliance with the provisions
   hereof will not, (i) conflict with or violate any of the provisions of
   the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company, (ii)
   subject to the governmental filings and other matters referred to in


   <PAGE>  17


   the following sentence, conflict with, result in a breach of or
   default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or
   give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of
   any obligation or loss of a material benefit under, or require the
   consent of any person under, any loan agreement, note, indenture or
   other agreement, permit, concession, franchise, lease, contract,
   license or similar instrument, obligation or undertaking 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 assets is bound or
   affected, or (iii) subject to the governmental filings and other
   matters referred to in the following sentence, contravene any law,
   rule or regulation of any state or of the United States or any
   political subdivision thereof or therein, or any order, writ,
   judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award currently in
   effect, subject, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), to those
   conflicts, breaches, defaults and similar matters, which, individually
   or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected
   to  have a Material Adverse Effect, nor materially and adversely
   affect the Company's ability to consummate the transactions
   contemplated hereby. No consent, approval or authorization of, or
   declaration or filing with, or notice to, any governmental agency or
   regulatory body, court, agency, commission, division, department,
   public body or other authority (a "Governmental Entity") which has not
   been received or made, is required by or with respect to the Company
   or any Subsidiary in connection with the execution and delivery of
   this Agreement by the Company or the consummation by the Company of
   the transactions contemplated hereby, except for (i) the filing of
   premerger notification and report forms under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
   Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act") with
   respect to the Merger, (ii) the filing with the SEC of (x) a proxy
   statement relating to the approval by the stockholders of the Company
   of the Merger (the "Proxy Statement"), and (y) such reports under the
   Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as
   may be required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
   contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) the filing of the certificate of
   merger with the Delaware Secretary of State and appropriate documents
   with the relevant authorities of other states in which the Company is
   qualified to do business, and (iv) such other consents, approvals,
   authorizations, filings or notices as are set forth in Section 2.4 of
   the Disclosure Schedule.

        SECTION 2.5 SEC DOCUMENTS. The Company has timely filed all
   required reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents
   with the SEC since January 1, 1996 (such reports, schedules, forms,
   statements and other documents are hereinafter referred to as the "SEC
   Documents"). As of their respective dates, the SEC Documents complied
   with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
   "Securities Act"), or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the
   rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to
   such SEC Documents, and none of the SEC Documents as of such dates
   contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state
   a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to


   <PAGE>  18


   make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
   they were made, not misleading. The consolidated financial statements
   of the Company included in the SEC Documents comply as to form in all
   material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the
   published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have
   been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
   principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis during the periods
   involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the
   case of unaudited interim financial statements, as permitted by Rule
   10-01 of Regulation S-X) and fairly present, in all material respects,
   the consolidated financial position of the Company and its
   consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated
   results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended
   (subject, in the case of unaudited interim financial statements, to
   normal recurring adjustments).

        SECTION 2.6  ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Except as
   disclosed in the SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof (the
   "Filed SEC Documents") or in Section 2.6 of the Disclosure Schedule or
   as otherwise contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, since the
   date of the most recent audited financial statements included in the
   Filed SEC Documents, the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted
   their business only in the ordinary course (which conduct has not had
   a Material Adverse Effect), and except as otherwise expressly
   permitted by this Agreement, there has not been (i) any event, effect
   or change which has had or which would reasonably be expected to  have
   a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) any declaration, setting aside or
   payment of any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock
   or property) with respect to any of the Company's outstanding capital
   stock (other than regular quarterly cash dividends of $.08 per Common
   Share in accordance with usual record and payment dates and in
   accordance with the Company's present dividend policy), (iii) any
   split, combination or reclassification of any of its outstanding
   capital stock or any issuance or the authorization of any issuance of
   any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for
   shares of its outstanding capital stock, (iv) (a) any granting by the
   Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any director, officer or other
   employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any increase in
   compensation, except in the case of employees in the ordinary course
   of business consistent with prior practice, or as was required under
   employment agreements in effect as of the date of the most recent
   audited financial statements included in the Filed SEC Documents, (b)
   any granting by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any such
   director, officer or other employee of any increase in severance or
   termination pay, except as was required under any employment,
   severance or termination agreements in effect as of the date of the
   most recent audited financial statements included in the Filed SEC
   Documents, (c) any entry by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
   into any employment, severance, change of control, termination or
   similar agreement with any officer, director or other employee,  (v)
   any change in the method of accounting or policy used by the Company
   or any of its Subsidiaries, except as disclosed in the financial


   <PAGE>  19


   statements included in the Filed SEC Documents, (vi) any loss or
   material interference with the Company's business or assets from fire,
   accident, flood or other casualty (whether or not covered by
   insurance) that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a
   Material Adverse Effect; or (viii) any material increase in
   indebtedness.

        SECTION 2.7  ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Except as
   disclosed in the Filed SEC Documents or in Section 2.7 of the
   Disclosure Schedule or which were incurred after December 31, 1997 in
   the ordinary course of business (which has not had a Material Adverse
   Effect), or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
   Agreement, the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) do not have any
   material liabilities or obligations (whether direct or indirect,
   contingent or otherwise) and (ii) have not entered into any material
   oral or written agreement or other transaction which has had or would
   reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

        SECTION 2.8  BENEFIT PLANS. Schedule 2.8 sets forth a complete
   and correct list of all Benefit Plans (as defined below). Except as
   disclosed in Section 2.8 of the Disclosure Schedule:

             (i) Each "employee pension benefit plan" (as defined in
        Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
        1974, as amended ("ERISA")) (hereinafter a "Pension Plan"),
        "employee welfare benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(1) of
        ERISA) (hereinafter a "Welfare Plan"), and each other plan,
        arrangement or policy (written or oral) relating to stock
        options, stock purchases, stock incentives, compensation,
        deferred compensation, severance, employment, consulting,
        vacation, bonus, fringe benefits or other employee benefits, in
        each case maintained or contributed to, or required to be
        maintained or contributed to, by the Company or any person or
        entity that together with the Company is treated as a single
        employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code (each
        a "Commonly Controlled Entity") for the benefit of any present or
        former officers, employees, agents, directors or independent
        contractors (or their beneficiaries) of the Company or its
        Commonly Controlled Entities or with respect to which the Company
        or its Commonly Controlled Entities may have any liability (all
        the foregoing being herein called "Benefit Plans") has been
        administered in accordance with its terms. The Company, its
        Subsidiaries and all the Benefit Plans are in compliance with the
        applicable provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code of
        1986, as amended (the "Code"), all other applicable laws and all
        applicable collective bargaining agreements. Complete and correct
        copies of all current and prior documents, including all
        amendments thereto, with respect to each Benefit Plan have been
        delivered to Acquiror.

             (ii) None of the Company or any Commonly Controlled Entity
        has incurred any liability to a Pension Plan covered by Title IV


   <PAGE>  20


        of ERISA (other than for contributions not yet due) or to the
        Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (other than for the payment
        of premiums not yet due) which liability has not been fully paid
        as of the date hereof.  The aggregate present value of all
        benefits, including the maximum value of all subsidized benefits
        pursuant to each Benefit Plan covered by Title IV or ERISA,
        determined on an ongoing basis and on the basis of projected
        compensation for active participants, and earnings, mortality and
        other actuarial assumptions set forth in the most recent
        actuarial report for the Benefit Plan does not exceed the current
        fair market value of the Benefit Plan's assets.  All
        contributions and other amounts payable as of the Effective Time
        by the Company or its Subsidiaries with respect to each Benefit
        Plan in respect of current or prior plan years have been either
        paid or accrued on the balance sheet of the Company or its
        Subsidiaries.

             (iii) No Commonly Controlled Entity is required to
        contribute to, or has or could have any liability with respect
        to, any "multiemployer plan" (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of
        ERISA) or has withdrawn from any multiemployer plan where such
        withdrawal has resulted or could result in any "withdrawal
        liability" (within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA) that has
        not been fully paid.

             (iv) No matter is pending or, to the knowledge of the
        Company threatened, relating to any Benefit Plan before any court
        or governmental agency.

             (v) Neither the Company nor a Commonly Controlled Entity,
        nor any of their respective employees or directors, nor any
        fiduciary, has engaged in any transaction, including the
        execution and delivery of this Agreement and other agreements,
        instruments and documents for which execution and delivery by the
        Company is contemplated herein, in violation of Section 406(a) or
        (b) of ERISA or which is a "prohibited transaction" (as defined
        in Section 4975(c)(i) of the Code) for which no exemption exists
        under Section 408(b) of ERISA or Section 4975(d) of the Code or
        for which no administrative exemption has been granted under
        Section 408(a) of ERISA.

             (vi) The Benefit Plans and their related trusts intended to
        qualify under Sections 401 and 501(a) of the Code, respectively,
        received favorable determination letters from the Internal
        Revenue Service and the Company believes such Plans and their
        related trusts continue to qualify and operate as designed. Any
        voluntary employee benefit association which provides benefits to
        current or former employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
        or their beneficiaries received a favorable determination letter
        from the Internal Revenue Service and the Company believes such
        associations continue to qualify and operate as designed.  Each
        Benefit Plan which is intended to meet the requirements of


   <PAGE>  21


        Section 125 of the Code meets those requirements and each program
        of benefits for which employee contributions are provided
        pursuant to elections under any such Benefit Plan meets the
        requirements of the Code applicable thereto.

             (vii) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
        any liability (contingent or otherwise) under Section 4069, 
        Section 4212(c) or Section 4062(c) of ERISA.

             (viii) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
        nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
        will, as a result of such transactions or any event occurring
        thereafter (i) result in any payment becoming due to any employee
        (current, former or retired) director or consultant of the
        Company or its Subsidiaries, or to a trustee under any "rabbi
        trust" or similar arrangement, (ii) increase any benefits under
        any Benefit Plan or (iii) result in the acceleration of the time
        of payment of, vesting of or other rights with respect to any
        such benefits.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has made
        any payments or provided any compensation or benefits nor are
        they or any successor under any agreement, arrangement or Benefit
        Plan obligated to make any payments or provide any compensation
        or benefits, the deductibility of which may be limited by Section
        280G or 162(m) of the Code.  Neither the Company nor any Commonly
        Controlled Entity or any officer or employee thereof has made any
        promises, commitments or representations, whether legally binding
        or not, to create any additional benefit plan, agreement or
        arrangement, or modify or change any existing Benefit Plan.  No
        event, condition or circumstance exists that would prevent the
        amendment or termination of any Benefit Plan.

        SECTION 2.9  TAXES. Except as disclosed in Section 2.9 of the
   Disclosure Schedule:

             (i) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has filed all
        tax returns and reports required to be filed by it or requests
        for extensions to file such returns or reports have been timely
        filed, granted and have not expired.  All tax returns filed by
        the Company and each of its Subsidiaries are complete and
        accurate except to the extent that such failure to be complete
        and accurate would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The
        Company and each of its Subsidiaries has paid (or the Company has
        paid on the Subsidiaries' behalf) all taxes shown as due on such
        returns and all taxed required to be paid. The most recent
        financial statements contained in the SEC Documents reflect an
        adequate reserve for all taxes payable by the Company and the
        Subsidiaries for all taxable periods and portions thereof accrued
        through the date of such financial statements.

             (ii) No deficiencies for any taxes have been proposed,
        asserted or assessed against the Company or any of its
        Subsidiaries that are not adequately reserved for, and, except as


   <PAGE>  22


        set forth on Section 2.9 of the Disclosure Schedule, no requests
        for waivers of the time to assess any such taxes have been
        granted or are pending. The Federal income tax returns of the
        Company and each of its Subsidiaries consolidated in such returns
        have been examined by and settled with the United States Internal
        Revenue Service, or the statute of limitations on assessment or
        collection of any Federal income taxes due from the Company or
        the any of its Subsidiaries has expired, through such taxable
        years as are set forth in Section 2.9 of the Disclosure Schedule.

             (iii) As used in this Agreement, "taxes" shall include all
        Federal, state, local and foreign income, property, premium,
        franchise, sales, excise, employment, payroll, withholding and
        other taxes, tariffs or governmental charges of any nature
        whatsoever and any interest, penalties, additional amounts and
        additions to taxes relating thereto.

             (iv) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
        made any election, filed any consent or entered into any
        agreement with respect to taxes that is not reflected on the
        federal income tax returns of the Company and its Subsidiaries
        for the three years ended December 31, 1996 (copies of which
        returns have been made available to Acquiror for review prior to
        the date of this Agreement) and that would reasonably be expected
        to be material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a
        whole.

        SECTION 2.10  COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. Except as
   disclosed in Section 2.10 of the Disclosure Schedule:

             (i) The business of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries
        is being, and has been since December 31, 1995, conducted in
        compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal,
        state, local and foreign laws, statutes, ordinances, rules and
        regulations, decrees, judgments and orders of any Governmental
        Entity, and all material notices, reports, documents and other
        information required to be filed thereunder within the last three
        years were properly filed and were in compliance in all material
        respects with such laws.   The assets, properties, facilities and
        operations of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries are in
        compliance in all material respects with all  applicable laws
        relating to public and worker health and safety.

             (ii) The Company, and each of the Subsidiaries, has all
        licenses, permits, authorizations, franchises, and rights
        ("Licenses") which are necessary for it to own, lease or operate
        its properties and assets and to conduct its business as now
        conducted. The business of the Company and each of the
        Subsidiaries has been and is being conducted in compliance in all
        material respects with all such Licenses.  All such Licenses are
        in full force and effect, and there is no proceeding or
        investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,


   <PAGE>  23


        threatened which would reasonably be expected to lead to the
        revocation, amendment, failure to renew, limitation, suspension
        or restriction of any such License.

        SECTION 2.11  OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. The Company has
   received the written opinion of Wasserstein Perella & Co., dated the
   date of the Board's approval of this Agreement, to the effect that, as
   of such date, the Merger Consideration to be received in the Merger is
   fair to the Company's stockholders from a financial point of view.

        SECTION 2.12  BROKERS. Except for Wasserstein Perella & Co.,
   whose fees will be paid by the Company pursuant to its amended
   agreement with the Company (a copy of which has been or will be
   furnished to Acquiror), all negotiations relative to this Agreement
   and the transactions contemplated hereby have been carried out by the
   Company directly with Acquiror, and no person or entity is entitled to
   a finder's fee, brokerage commission, or similar payment in connection
   with the Merger.

        SECTION 2.13  ENVIRONMENTAL. Except as set forth in Section 2.13
   of the Disclosure Schedule:

             (i) The operations and properties of the Company and the
        Subsidiaries (a) are in compliance in all material respects with
        all applicable Environmental Laws (as defined) and (b) have not
        generated, used, stored, transported, manufactured, released or
        disposed of any Hazardous Materials (as defined) on or off the
        Company's premises in material violation of Environmental Laws. 
        No material expenditure will be required to comply with
        Environmental Laws in connection with the operation or continued
        operation of the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries
        after the Effective Date in a manner consistent with the current
        operation thereof by the Company and the Subsidiaries.  To the
        knowledge of the Company and the Subsidiaries, no material
        expenditure will be required to remediate, clean up, abate or
        remove any Hazardous Materials on any of any real property owned,
        operated or leased by the Company or the Subsidiaries.

             (ii) There are no actions, complaints, citations,
        investigations or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the
        Company, threatened against the Company or the Subsidiaries
        alleging the violation of or seeking to impose liability pursuant
        to any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit (as defined
        below);

             (iii) The Company has provided or will provide Acquiror with
        copies of all environmental audits, assessments, studies,
        reports, analyses, investigation results or similar
        environmentally-related documents of any real property currently
        or formerly owned, operated or leased by the Company or any of
        its Subsidiaries that are in the possession, custody or control
        of the Company or its subsidiaries.


   <PAGE>  24


             (iv) The Company has provided or will provide Acquiror with
        copies of all requests for information (and responses thereto),
        notices of violation, complaints, claims or other documents or
        correspondence related to or referring to any actual or alleged
        violations of Environmental Laws, including but not limited to
        the Federal Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Cleanup and
        Liability Act ("CERCLA") and similar state laws, at (a) any real
        property currently or formerly owned, operated or leased by the
        Company or any Subsidiaries, including but not limited to
        facilities located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Novi, Michigan
        and Troy, New York, or (b) at CERCLA or similar state sites at
        which the Company or any Subsidiaries are named as potentially
        responsible parties, or for which the Company or any Subsidiaries
        have received a CERCLA Section 122(c), Section 104(e) or similar
        notice or request for information.

             (v) The Company and Subsidiaries possess, and have
        maintained in full force and effect, all Environmental Permits
        required for the operation of their respective businesses, and
        are in compliance with the provisions of all such Environmental
        Permits. No modification, revocation, reissuance, alteration,
        transfer or amendment of any material Environmental Permit, or
        any review by, or approval of, any third party of any
        Environmental Permit is required in connection with the execution
        or delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the
        transactions contemplated hereby.

             (vi) The Company and the Subsidiaries have not contractually
        created or assumed any liabilities or obligations or
        indemnifications under any Environmental Laws at or related to
        any real property currently or formerly owned, operated or leased
        by the Company or any Subsidiaries.

             (vii) As used in this Section 2.13, each of the following
        terms shall have the following meanings: (a) "Environmental Law"
        means any applicable federal, state, local, or foreign law,
        statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation or other requirement
        (including common law) relating to the environment (including
        air, soil, surface water, groundwater, drinking water, plant life
        and animal life), or public or employee health and safety; (b)
        "Environmental Permit" means any permit, consent, approval,
        authorization, license, variance, registration, identification
        number or permission required under or issued pursuant to any
        applicable Environmental Law or order, writ, injunction or
        decree; and (c) "Hazardous Materials" means any hazardous, toxic
        or dangerous substances, materials and wastes, including but not
        limited to naturally occurring or man-made petroleum or other
        hydrocarbons, flammable explosives, asbestos containing
        materials, urea formaldehyde insulation, radioactive materials,
        radioactive wastes, by-products and/or ores, polychlorinated
        biphenyls, pesticides, herbicides and any other pollutants or
        contaminants (including materials with hazardous constituents),


   <PAGE>  25


        sewage, sludge, industrial and/or mining slag, tailings, solvent
        and/or any other similar substance, material, or waste and
        including any other substances, materials or wastes regulated
        under Environmental Law.

        SECTION 2.14  LITIGATION.  Except as set forth in the Filed SEC
   Documents or in Section 2.14 of the Disclosure Schedule: (i) there are
   no outstanding orders, judgments, injunctions, awards or decrees of
   any Governmental Entity against the Company or any of its
   Subsidiaries, any of its or their properties, assets or business, any
   Pension Plan or Welfare Plan ("Company Plan") or, to the knowledge of
   the Company, any of its or their current or former directors or
   officers, as such, that have had or would reasonably be expected to
   have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;
   (ii) there are no actions, suits or claims or legal, administrative or
   arbitration proceedings or investigations pending or, to the knowledge
   of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its
   Subsidiaries, any of its or their properties, assets or business, any
   Company Plan or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of its or their
   current or former directors or officers, as such, that have had or
   would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
   aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) there are no actions,
   suits or claims or legal, administrative or arbitration proceedings or
   investigations pending or, to the knowledge or the Company, threatened
   against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any of its or their
   properties, assets or business, any Company Plan or, to the knowledge
   of the Company, any of its or their current or former directors or
   officers, as such, relating to the transactions contemplated by this
   Agreement.

        SECTION 2.15  LABOR RELATIONS. Except as set forth in Section
   2.15 of the Disclosure Schedule:

             (i) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to any
        collective bargaining agreement or other labor union contract
        applicable to persons employed by the Company or any Subsidiary
        and there are no known organizational campaigns, petitions or
        other unionization activities seeking recognition of a collective
        bargaining unit.

             (ii) There are no strikes, slowdowns, work stoppages or
        material labor relations controversies pending or, to the
        knowledge of the Company, threatened between the Company or any
        Subsidiary and any of their respective employees, and neither the
        Company nor any Subsidiary has experienced any such strike,
        slowdown, work stoppage or material controversy within the past
        three years.

        SECTION 2.16  CONTRACTS.  Except as set forth in the Filed SEC
   Documents or as set forth in Section 2.16 of the Disclosure Schedule,
   there are no agreements, contracts or other instruments to which the
   Company is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries


   <PAGE>  26


   or any of their assets is bound or affected that are material to the
   business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company
   or its Subsidiaries taken as a whole ("Company Agreements").  Neither
   the Company or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the
   Company, any other party is in breach of or default under any Company
   Agreements which are currently in effect, except for such breaches and
   defaults which would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
   or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.  Except as set forth
   in the Filed SEC Documents or as set forth in Section 2.16 of the
   Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
   is a party to or bound by any non-competition agreement or any other
   agreement or obligation which purports to limit in any material
   respect the manner in which, or the localities in which, the Company
   or any such Subsidiary is entitled to conduct all or any material
   portion of the business of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

        SECTION 2.17  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.  Except as set forth in
   Section 2.17 of the Disclosure Schedule: 

             (i) the Company and each Subsidiary has exclusive ownership
        of and title to each issued patent, pending patent application,
        registered trademark, registered trade name, registered service
        mark and registered copyright owned or used in the business of
        the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (collectively,
        the "Registered Intellectual Property"), and to the knowledge of
        the Company, the Company and each Subsidiary has ownership of and
        rights to use each material patent application, unregistered
        trademark application, unregistered trade name, unregistered
        service mark, unregistered copyright and other trade secret or
        other proprietary intellectual property (the "Other Intellectual
        Property" and collectively with the Registered Intellectual
        Property, the "Intellectual Property") owned or used in the
        business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. 

             (ii) To the Company's knowledge, the use by the Company and
        each Subsidiary of such Intellectual Property does not infringe
        upon the rights of any other person, and no other person is
        infringing upon the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary in
        any such Intellectual Property, except for any such
        infringements, that would not reasonably be expected to have,
        individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

        SECTION 2.18  REAL ESTATE.  The Company and its Subsidiaries do
   not own any real estate other than the premises identified in the
   Filed SEC Documents or as set forth in Section 2.18 of the Disclosure
   Schedule as being so owned.  The Company and its Subsidiaries do not
   lease any real estate other than the premises identified in the Filed
   SEC Documents or as set forth in Section 2.18 of the Disclosure
   Schedule as being so leased.

        SECTION 2.19  VOTING REQUIREMENTS. The affirmative vote of the
   holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Shares entitled to


   <PAGE>  27


   vote at the Stockholders Meeting (as defined in Section 4.2) is the
   only vote of the holders of any class of the Company's capital stock
   necessary to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
   by this Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE 3

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR

        Acquiror represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

        SECTION 3.1  ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND CORPORATE POWER. 
   Acquiror is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
   standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.  Acquiror has not
   engaged in any business since it was incorporated other than in
   connection with its organization and the transactions contemplated by
   this Agreement.

        SECTION 3.2  AUTHORITY; NONCONTRAVENTION. Acquiror has all
   requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement
   and to carry out its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery
   of this Agreement by Acquiror and the consummation by Acquiror of the
   transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all
   necessary corporate action on the part of Acquiror. This Agreement has
   been duly executed and delivered by and, assuming this Agreement has
   been duly executed and delivered by the Company, constitutes a valid
   and binding obligation of Acquiror, enforceable against it in
   accordance with its terms except that the enforcement thereof may be
   limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
   similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditor's rights
   generally and (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether
   enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity). The
   execution and delivery of this Agreement do not, and the consummation
   of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and compliance with
   the provisions of this Agreement will not (i) conflict with or violate
   any of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws
   of Acquiror, (ii) subject to the governmental filings and other
   matters referred to in the following sentence, conflict with, result
   in a breach of or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or
   both) under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or
   acceleration of any obligation or loss of a material benefit under, or
   require the consent of any person under, any indenture, or other
   agreement, permit, concession, franchise, license or similar
   instrument or undertaking to which Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries
   is a party or by which Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries or any of
   their assets is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the
   governmental filings and other matters referred to in the following
   sentence, contravene any law, rule or regulation of any state or of
   the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, or
   any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award
   currently in effect, subject, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii),
   to those conflicts, breaches, defaults and similar matters, which,


   <PAGE>  28


   individually or in the aggregate, would not materially and adversely
   affect Acquiror's ability to consummate the transactions contemplated
   hereby. No consent, approval or authorization of, or declaration or
   filing with, or notice to, any Governmental Entity which has not been
   received or made is required by or with respect to Acquiror in
   connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
   Acquiror or the consummation by Acquiror of any of the transactions
   contemplated hereby, except for (i) the filing of premerger
   notification and report forms under the HSR Act with respect to the
   Merger, (ii) the filing of the certificate of merger with the Delaware
   Secretary of State, and appropriate documents with the relevant
   authorities of the other states in which the Company is qualified to
   do business, and (iii) such other consents, approvals, authorizations,
   filings or notices as are set forth in Section 2.4 of the Disclosure
   Schedule.

        SECTION 3.3  FINANCING.  Acquiror has delivered to the Company
   true and correct copies of letters from PNC Bank and PNC Equity
   Management Corp (collectively, the "Lenders"), stating Lenders'
   interest in providing the debt financing ("Financing") which, together
   with equity to be obtained by Acquiror will be in an amount necessary
   to pay the Merger Consideration and consummate the transactions
   contemplated hereby, subject to the negotiation, preparation and
   execution of binding financing commitments with respect to the
   Financing ("Financing Commitments"), and to the fulfillment of the
   conditions precedent to be contained in the  Financing Commitments.

        SECTION 3.4  BROKERS.  All negotiations relative to this
   Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby have been carried
   out by Acquiror directly with the Company, without the intervention of
   any person on behalf of Acquiror in such manner as to give rise to any
   valid claim by any person against Acquiror, the Company or any
   Subsidiary for a finder's fee, brokerage commission, or similar
   payment.

                                  ARTICLE 4

                            ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

        SECTION 4.1  PREPARATION OF PROXY STATEMENT.

             Section 4.1.1  PROXY STATEMENT. As soon as practicable
        following the date of this Agreement, the Company shall prepare
        and file with the SEC the Proxy Statement. The Company will use
        its reasonable efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed
        to the Company's stockholders as promptly as practicable. 
        Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the
        Company reserves the right to use an Information Statement in
        lieu of the Proxy Statement if it determines to obtain the
        approval of this Agreement and the Merger by means of a written
        consent procedure in lieu of a vote at the Stockholders Meeting
        (as defined in Section 4.2).


   <PAGE>  29


             Section 4.1.2  COMPANY INFORMATION. The Company agrees that
        none of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Company
        specifically for inclusion in the Proxy Statement will, at the
        date it is first mailed to the Company's stockholders or at the
        time of the Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of
        a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
        stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
        therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made,
        not misleading. The Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all
        material respect with the requirements of the Exchange Act and
        the rules and regulations thereunder.

             Section 4.1.3  ACQUIROR INFORMATION. Acquiror agrees that
        none of the information supplied or to be supplied by Acquiror
        specifically for inclusion in the Proxy Statement will, at the
        date it is first mailed to the Company's stockholders or at the
        time of the Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of
        a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
        stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
        therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made,
        not misleading.

        SECTION 4.2  MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS. The Company will take all
   action necessary in accordance with applicable law and its Certificate
   of Incorporation and By-laws to convene a meeting of its stockholders
   (the "Stockholders Meeting") to consider and vote upon the approval of
   this Agreement and the Merger.  Subject to Section 4.7 hereof, the
   Company will, through its Board of Directors, recommend to its
   stockholders approval of this Agreement and the Merger. Without
   limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company agrees that,
   subject to its right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section
   7.1(vi),  its obligations pursuant to the first sentence of this
   Section 4.2 shall not be affected by (i) the commencement, public
   proposal, public disclosure or communication to the Company of any
   Acquisition Proposal (as defined in Section 4.6) or (ii) the
   withdrawal or modification by the Board of Directors of the Company of
   its approval or recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger. The
   Company will use its reasonable efforts to hold the Stockholders
   Meeting as soon as practicable after the date hereof.  Notwithstanding
   anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company reserves the
   right to obtain the approval of this Agreement and the Merger by means
   of a written consent procedure in lieu of a vote at the Stockholders
   Meeting.

        SECTION 4.3  ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY. Upon
   reasonable notice, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries
   to, afford to Acquiror and to the officers, employees, accountants,
   counsel, financial advisors, financing sources and other
   representatives of Acquiror reasonable access during normal business
   hours during the period prior to the Effective Time to all its
   properties, books, contracts, commitments, personnel and records. 
   During such period, the Company shall furnish promptly to, upon


   <PAGE>  30


   request, a copy of (i) each SEC Document filed by it during such
   period, and (ii) all correspondence or written communication with any
   Governmental Entity which relates to the transactions contemplated
   hereby or which is otherwise material to the financial condition or
   operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. 
   Except as required by law, Acquiror will hold, and will cause its
   respective directors, officers, partners, employees, accountants,
   counsel, financial advisors and other representatives and affiliates
   to hold, any nonpublic information obtained from the Company in
   confidence to the extent required by, and in accordance with, the
   provisions of the letter dated August 18, 1997, between Acquiror and
   the Company (the "Confidentiality Agreement").

        SECTION 4.4  REASONABLE EFFORTS. Upon the terms and subject to
   the conditions and other agreements set forth in this Agreement, each
   of the parties agrees to use its reasonable efforts to take, or cause
   to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to
   assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things
   necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective, in
   the most expeditious manner practicable, the Merger and the other
   transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

        Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary,
   in connection with any filing or submission or other action required
   to be made or taken by either Acquiror or the Company to effect the
   Merger and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, neither
   Acquiror nor the Company shall, without the other's prior written
   consent, commit to any divestiture transaction, and neither Acquiror,
   the Company nor any of their affiliates shall be required to divest or
   hold separate or otherwise take or commit to take any action that
   limits its freedom of action with respect to, or its ability to
   retain, the Company and its Subsidiaries or any material portions
   thereof.

        SECTION 4.5  PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. Acquiror and the Company will
   consult with each other before issuing, and shall provide each other a
   reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon, any press release
   or public statement with respect to this Agreement or the transactions
   contemplated hereby, except to the extent disclosure prior to such
   consultation, review and comment may be required by applicable law,
   court process or obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with
   any national securities exchange.

        SECTION 4.6  ACQUISITION PROPOSALS. The Company shall not, nor
   shall it authorize or permit any officer, director or employee of, or
   any investment banker, attorney or other advisor or representative of,
   the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, (i)
   solicit, initiate or encourage the submission of any Acquisition
   Proposal (as defined below), (ii) participate in any discussions or
   negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any non-public
   information with respect to, or take any other action to facilitate
   any inquiries or the making of any proposal that constitutes, an


   <PAGE>  31


   Acquisition Proposal or (iii) enter into any agreement with respect to
   an Acquisition Proposal; provided, however, that nothing contained in
   this Section 4.6 shall prohibit the Company or the Board of Directors
   of the Company from furnishing non-public information to, or entering
   into discussions or negotiations with, any person or entity with
   respect to an unsolicited Acquisition Proposal if (but only if), (a)
   the Board determines reasonably and in good faith, after due
   investigation and after consultation with and based upon the advice of
   its outside financial advisor, that such Acquisition Proposal is or
   could reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal (as
   defined below); (b) the Board determines reasonably and in good faith,
   after due investigation and after consultation with and based upon the
   advice of outside counsel, that the failure to take such action would
   cause the Board to violate its fiduciary duties to stockholders under
   applicable law and (c) the Company (x) provides at least two business
   days' notice to Acquiror to the effect that it is taking such action
   and (y) receives from such person or entity an executed
   confidentiality agreement substantially similar to the Confidentiality
   Agreement, except that such confidentiality agreement need not
   prohibit such person or entity from making an unsolicited Acquisition
   Proposal directly and privately to the Board of Directors of the
   Company.  In the event that the Company executes such a
   confidentiality agreement, the Confidentiality Agreement shall
   automatically be amended to provide Acquiror with the right to make an
   unsolicited Acquisition Proposal directly and privately to the Board
   of Directors of the Company.  Notwithstanding anything in this
   Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall promptly advise Acquiror
   orally and in writing of the receipt by it (or by any of the other
   entities or persons referred to above) after the date hereof of any
   Acquisition Proposal or any inquiry which could reasonably lead to an
   Acquisition Proposal, the material terms and conditions of such
   Acquisition Proposal or inquiry, and the identity of the person or
   entity making any such Acquisition Proposal, provided that the Company
   shall have no obligation to disclose the identity of such person or
   entity if such disclosure would violate the terms of any agreement
   with such person or entity, or the Board of Directors, after
   consultation with and based upon the advice of outside counsel,
   concludes in good faith that such disclosure would violate its
   fiduciary duties. The Company agrees that it will fully enforce
   (including by way of obtaining an injunction), and not waive any
   provision of, any confidentiality agreement to which it is a party. 
   For purposes of this Agreement, "Acquisition Proposal" means any bona
   fide proposal with respect to a merger, consolidation, share exchange
   or similar transaction involving the Company or any significant
   Subsidiary or any purchase of all or any significant portion of the
   assets or capital stock of the Company or any significant Subsidiary
   or any other business combination (including without limitation the
   acquisition of an equity interest therein) involving the Company other
   than the transactions contemplated hereby; and "Superior Proposal"
   means an Acquisition Proposal which the Board believes in good faith,
   after due investigation (taking into account, among other things, the
   financing terms and the likelihood of consummation) and based upon the


   <PAGE>  32


   advice of its outside legal and financial advisors, is more favorable
   to the Company's stockholders from a financial point of view than the
   Merger.

        SECTION 4.7  FIDUCIARY DUTIES. The Board of Directors of the
   Company shall not (i) withdraw or modify the approval or
   recommendation by such Board of Directors of this Agreement or the
   Merger, or (ii) approve or recommend an Acquisition Proposal, unless
   the Company receives an unsolicited Acquisition Proposal in accordance
   with Section 4.6 and the Board of Directors of the Company determines
   in good faith, after due investigation and after consultation with and
   based upon the advice of outside counsel, that the failure of the
   Board of Directors to withdraw or modify its approval or
   recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger, or approve or
   recommend such Acquisition Proposal would cause the Board to violate
   its fiduciary duties to stockholders under applicable law.  Nothing
   contained in this Section 4.7 shall prohibit the Company from taking
   and disclosing to its stockholders a position contemplated by Rule
   14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act or from making any
   disclosure to the Company's stockholders which, in the good faith
   judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company based on advice of
   outside counsel, is required under applicable law; provided that the
   Company does not withdraw or modify its position with respect to the
   Merger or approve or recommend an Acquisition Proposal, except under
   the circumstances described in the immediately preceding sentence and
   on two business days' notice to Acquiror to the effect that it is
   taking such action. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
   Agreement to the contrary, any action by the Board of Directors
   permitted by this Section 4.7 shall not constitute a breach of this
   Agreement by the Company.

        SECTION 4.8  FILINGS; OTHER ACTION. As promptly as practicable
   after the date of this Agreement, (i) the Company and Acquiror shall
   make all filings and submissions under the HSR Act, and (ii) the
   Company and Acquiror shall cooperate in all reasonable respects with
   each other in (a) determining if other filings are required to be made
   prior to the Effective Time with, or if other material consents,
   approvals, permits, notices or authorizations are required to be
   obtained prior to the Effective Time from any Governmental Entity in
   connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
   consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) timely
   making all such filings and timely seeking all such consents,
   approvals, permits, notices or authorizations. In connection with the
   foregoing, the Company will provide Acquiror, and Acquiror will
   provide the Company, with copies of correspondence, filings or
   communications (or memoranda setting forth the substance thereof)
   between such party or any of its representatives, on the one hand, and
   any Governmental Entity or members of their respective staffs, on the
   other hand, with respect to this Agreement and the transactions
   contemplated hereby. Each of Acquiror and the Company acknowledge that
   certain actions may be necessary with respect to the foregoing in
   making notifications and obtaining clearances, consents, approvals,


   <PAGE>  33


   waivers or similar third party actions which are material to the
   consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and each of
   Acquiror and the Company agree to take such action as is reasonably
   necessary to complete such notifications and obtain such clearances,
   approvals, waivers or third party actions.

        SECTION 4.9  INDEMNIFICATION. (i) From and after the Effective
   Time, the Surviving Corporation will indemnify and hold harmless each
   present and former director and officer of the Company and its
   Subsidiaries, determined as of the Effective Time (the "Indemnified
   Parties"), against any costs or expenses (including reasonable
   attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages or
   liabilities (collectively, "Costs") incurred in connection with any
   claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil,
   criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or
   pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the
   Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the
   Effective Time, to the fullest extent that the Company or such
   Subsidiary would have been permitted under applicable law and the
   Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company or such
   Subsidiary in effect on the date hereof to indemnify such person (and
   the Surviving Corporation shall also advance expenses as incurred to
   the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, provided the person
   to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such
   advances if it is ultimately determined that such person is not
   entitled to indemnification).

        (ii) For a period of six (6) years after the Effective Time, the
   Surviving Corporation shall cause to be maintained in effect the
   current policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance
   maintained by the Company (provided that the Surviving Corporation may
   substitute therefor policies of at least the same coverage and amounts
   containing terms and conditions which are no less advantageous in all
   material respects to the Indemnified Parties) with respect to claims
   arising from facts or events which occurred before the Effective Time;
   provided, however, that the Surviving Corporation shall not be
   obligated to make annual premium payments for such insurance to the
   extent such premiums exceed 200% of the premiums paid as of the date
   hereof by the Company for such insurance.

        (iv) The provisions of this Section 4.9 are intended to be for
   the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party,
   his heirs and his personal representatives, and shall be binding on
   all successors and assigns of the Surviving Corporation.

        SECTION 4.10  FAILURE TO CLOSE.  If this Agreement is terminated
   for any reason pursuant to Article 7, the parties agree that for a
   period of two (2) years from the date of termination, Acquiror and its
   Subsidiaries will not solicit for employment any officer or employee
   of the Company or its Subsidiaries.


   <PAGE>  34


        SECTION 4.11  FINANCING COMMITMENTS.  Promptly following the date
   of this Agreement, Acquiror will use its reasonable efforts to (i)
   negotiate, execute and deliver the Financing Commitments with the
   Lenders or such other reputable financing sources reasonably
   acceptable to the Company, (ii) satisfy the covenants and the
   conditions included in the Financing Commitments and (iii) obtain the
   proceeds of the Financing.

                                  ARTICLE 5

          COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PRIOR TO MERGER

        SECTION 5.1  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY THE COMPANY. Except as
   contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth in Section 5.1 of the
   Disclosure Schedule, during the period from the date of this Agreement
   to the Effective Time, the Company shall, and shall cause its
   Subsidiaries to, act and carry on their respective businesses in the
   ordinary course of business and, to the extent consistent therewith,
   use reasonable efforts to preserve intact their current business
   organizations, keep in full force and effect their Licenses, keep
   available the services of their current key officers, employees and
   agents, and preserve the goodwill of regulators or those engaged in
   material business relationships with them. Without limiting the
   generality of the foregoing, during the period from the date of this
   Agreement to the Effective Time, the Company shall not, and shall not
   permit any of the Subsidiaries to, without the prior consent of
   Acquiror:

             (i) adopt or propose any change to its Certificate of
        Incorporation or By-Laws;

             (ii) (a) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make
        any other distributions with respect to, any of the Company's
        outstanding capital stock, other than regular quarterly cash
        dividends not in excess of $.08 per Common Share so long as the
        Common Shares remain outstanding, in accordance with usual record
        and payment dates and in accordance with the Company's present
        dividend policy (except that no dividends shall be declared, set
        aside or paid prior to July 31, 1998), (b) split, combine or
        reclassify any of its outstanding capital stock or issue or
        authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in
        lieu of or in substitution for shares of its outstanding capital
        stock or (c) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of
        capital stock or other securities of, or other ownership
        interests of the Company other than the Stock Options to be
        purchased as contemplated by Section 1.11 above and as may be
        necessary to fund matching contributions under the Company's
        401(k) plan;

             (iii) issue, sell, grant, pledge or otherwise encumber any
        shares of its capital stock, any other voting securities or any
        securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options


   <PAGE>  35


        to acquire, any such shares, voting securities or convertible
        securities other than upon the exercise of Stock Options
        outstanding on the date of this Agreement;

             (iv) acquire any business or any corporation, partnership,
        joint venture, association or other business organization or
        division or acquire any material assets or make any investment in
        any person or enter into any reorganization;

             (v) take any action that, if taken prior to the date of this
        Agreement, would have been required to be disclosed in Section
        2.6 of the Disclosure Schedule or that would otherwise cause any
        of the representations and warranties contained in Article 2 not
        to be true and correct in all material respects at any time;

             (vi) sell, mortgage or otherwise encumber or subject to any
        lien or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets that
        are material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a
        whole, except in the ordinary course of business;

             (vii) (a) except for the dollar amount required to cancel
        and cash out the Stock Options as contemplated by Section 1.11
        above, incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee or
        otherwise become responsible for any such indebtedness of another
        person, other than indebtedness owing to or guarantees of
        indebtedness owing to the Company or any direct or indirect
        wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company or enter into any
        agreement for indebtedness or (b) make any loans or advances to
        any other person, other than to the Company, or to any direct or
        indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company and other than
        routine advances in the ordinary course of business to employees
        or agents;

             (viii) make any tax election or settle or compromise any
        income tax liability that would reasonably be expected to be
        material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

             (ix) pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any claims,
        liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or
        unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than the payment,
        discharge or satisfaction, in the ordinary course of business
        consistent with past practice or in accordance with their terms
        of liabilities reflected or reserved against in, or contemplated
        by, the most recent consolidated financial statements (or the
        notes thereto) of the Company included in the Filed SEC Documents
        or incurred since the date of such financial statements in the
        ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

             (x) except in the ordinary course of business, modify, amend
        or terminate, or waive, release or assign any material rights or
        claims under any material agreement, permit, concession,


   <PAGE>  36


        franchise, license or similar instrument to which the Company or
        any Subsidiary is a party;

             (xi) authorize any of, or commit or agree to take any of the
        foregoing actions;

             (xii) make any capital expenditures other than as
        contemplated by the Company's annual budget;

             (xiii) (a) enter into, adopt or amend or increase the amount
        or accelerate the payment or vesting of any benefit or amount
        payable under, any Benefit Plan, or increase in any manner, the
        compensation or fringe benefits, or otherwise extend, expand or
        enhance the engagement, employment or any related rights, of any
        director, officer or other employee of the Company or any of its
        Subsidiaries, except for normal increases in the ordinary course
        of business consistent with past practice that, in the aggregate,
        do not result in a material increase in benefits or compensation
        expense to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (b) enter into
        or amend any employment, severance or special pay arrangement
        with respect to the termination of employment with any director
        or officer or other employee other than in the ordinary course of
        business consistent with past practice; or (c) deposit into any
        trust (including any "rabbi trust") amounts in respect of any
        employee benefit obligations or obligations to directors;

             (xiv) make any changes in accounting methods, except as
        required by law, rule, regulation, the SEC or GAAP; or

             (xv) enter into any agreement or arrangement with any
        Affiliate (other than wholly owned Subsidiaries).  As used in
        this Agreement, the term "Affiliate," shall mean, as to any
        person, any other person which directly or indirectly controls,
        or in under common control with, or is controlled by, such
        person.  As used in this definition, "control" (including, with
        its correlative meanings, "controlled by" and "under common
        control with") shall mean possession, directly or indirectly, of
        power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies
        (whether through ownership of securities or partnership or other
        ownership interests, by contract or otherwise).

        SECTION 5.2  MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES. The
   Company shall, from the date of this Agreement through the Effective
   Time, cause its management and that of the Subsidiaries to consult on
   a regular basis and in good faith with the employees and
   representatives of Acquiror concerning the management of the Company
   and its Subsidiaries' businesses.

        SECTION 5.3  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY ACQUIROR. Except as
   contemplated by this Agreement, during the period from the date of
   this Agreement to the Effective Time, Acquiror shall, and shall cause
   its subsidiaries to, act and carry on their respective businesses in


   <PAGE>  37


   the ordinary course of business except where the failure to do so
   would not adversely affect Acquiror's ability to pay the Merger
   Consideration.

        SECTION 5.4  OTHER ACTIONS. The Company and Acquiror shall not,
   and shall not permit any of their respective subsidiaries to, take or
   omit to take any action that would, or that would reasonably be
   expected to, result in (i) any of the representations and warranties
   of such party set forth in this Agreement becoming untrue in any
   material respect at any time or (ii) any of the conditions of the
   Merger set forth in Article 6 not being satisfied.

        SECTION 5.5  NOTIFICATION. The Company shall give prompt notice
   to Acquiror and Acquiror shall give prompt notice to the Company of
   (i) the occurrence, or non-occurrence of any event whose occurrence or
   non-occurrence would reasonably be expected to cause (a) any
   representation or warranty contained in this Agreement which is
   qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect to be untrue or
   inaccurate at any time from the date hereof to the Effective Time, (b)
   any other representation or warranty made contained in this Agreement
   to be untrue or inaccurate at any time from the date hereof to the
   Effective Time, or (c) any condition set forth in Article 6 to be
   unsatisfied at any time from the date hereof to the Effective Time,
   and (ii) any failure of the Company, or Acquiror, as the case may be,
   to comply with or satisfy in any material respect any material
   covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by
   it hereunder; provided, however, that the delivery of any notice
   pursuant to this Section 5.5 shall not limit or otherwise affect the
   remedies available hereunder to the party receiving such notice or the
   right of such party to terminate this Agreement.


                                  ARTICLE 6

                            CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

        SECTION 6.1  CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT THE
   MERGER. The respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger
   is subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Closing
   Date of the following conditions:

             Section 6.1.1  STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. This Agreement and the
        Merger shall have been approved and adopted by an affirmative
        vote of the holders of the requisite number of shares present, in
        person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the Merger at the
        Stockholders Meeting.

             Section 6.1.2  GOVERNMENTAL AND REGULATORY CONSENTS. The
        Company and Acquiror shall have made all such filings, and
        obtained such authorizations, consents, or approvals required by
        any Governmental Entity to consummate the transactions
        contemplated hereby; provided, however that such authorizations,


   <PAGE>  38


        consents or approvals shall impose no conditions that could
        reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

             Section 6.1.3  HSR ACT. The waiting period (and any
        extension thereof) applicable to the Merger under the HSR Act
        shall have been terminated or shall have otherwise expired.

             Section 6.1.4  NO PROCEEDINGS.  No proceeding shall have
        been commenced and be continuing, seeking to restrain or enjoin
        the consummation of the Merger.

             Section 6.1.5  FINANCING.  Acquiror shall have obtained the
        proceeds of the Financing contemplated by the Financing
        Commitments.

        SECTION 6.2  CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR. The
   obligations of Acquiror to effect the Merger are further subject to
   the following conditions:

             Section 6.2.1  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The
        representations and warranties of the Company contained in this
        Agreement shall be true and correct on the date hereof and
        (except to the extent specifically given as of an earlier date)
        on and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date,
        and the Company shall have delivered to Acquiror a certificate
        dated as of the Closing Date signed by an executive officer to
        the effect set forth in this Section 6.2.1.

             Section 6.2.2  PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY.
        The Company shall have performed in all material respects all
        obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement
        at or prior to the Closing Date, and the Company shall have
        delivered to Acquiror a certificate dated as of the Closing Date
        signed by an executive officer to the effect set forth in this
        Section 6.2.2.

             Section 6.2.3.  THIRD PARTY APPROVALS.  All authorizations,
        consents and approvals of any third party required to be obtained
        by the Company which, if not obtained, would have a Material
        Adverse Effect, shall have been obtained and shall be in full
        force and effect.

             Section 6.2.4  NO MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT.  Since the date
        of this Agreement, no event, effect or change shall have occurred
        which has had or which would reasonably be expected to have a
        Material Adverse Effect, and the Acquiror shall have received a
        certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief
        Financial Officer of the Company to such effect.

        SECTION 6.3  CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY. The
   obligation of the Company to effect the Merger is further subject to
   the following conditions:


   <PAGE>  39


             Section 6.3.1  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The
        representations and warranties of Acquiror contained in this
        Agreement shall be true and correct on the date hereof and
        (except to the extent specifically given as of an earlier date)
        on and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date,
        and Acquiror shall have delivered to the Company a certificate
        dated as of the Closing Date, signed by an executive officer and
        to the effect set forth in this Section 6.3.1.

             Section 6.3.2  PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR.
        Acquiror shall have performed in all material respects all
        obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement
        at or prior to the Closing Date, and Acquiror shall have
        delivered to the Company a certificate dated as of the Closing
        Date, signed by an executive officer and to the effect set forth
        in this Section 6.3.2.

                                  ARTICLE 7

                      TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

        SECTION 7.1  TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated and
   abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or
   after approval of matters presented in connection with the Merger by
   the stockholders of the Company:

             (i)  by mutual written consent of Acquiror and the Company; 

             (ii) by either Acquiror or the Company: 

                  (a) if, upon a vote at a duly held Stockholders
             Meeting, this Agreement and the Merger shall fail to receive
             the requisite vote for approval and adoption by the
             stockholders of the Company at the Stockholders Meeting;

                  (b) if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or
             before July 31, 1998; provided, that either party may
             terminate this Agreement on or after such earlier date on
             which it can be reasonably determined that it will be
             impossible to consummate the Merger by July 31, 1998; and
             provided, further, that the party seeking to terminate this
             Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(ii)(b) shall not have
             breached in any material respect its obligations under this
             Agreement in any manner that shall have caused or
             contributed to the failure to consummate the Merger by July
             31, 1998;

                  (c) if any Governmental Entity shall have issued an
             order, decree or ruling or taken any other action, or there
             shall be enacted any law having the effect of, permanently
             enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting, or making
             illegal the Merger and such order, decree, ruling or other


   <PAGE>  40


             action shall have become final and nonappealable, provided
             the party seeking to terminate this Agreement under this
             clause (c) shall have used reasonable efforts to remove or
             overturn such order, decree, ruling or other action; or

                  (d) if, on or before April 10, 1998, Acquiror has not
             delivered to the Company executed Financing Commitments
             providing that the Financing is subject only to conditions
             substantially similar to the conditions set forth in
             Sections 6.1 and 6.2, and such other commercially reasonable
             conditions as may be required by the Lenders or such other
             reputable financing sources reasonably acceptable to the
             Company (which conditions shall be reasonably acceptable to
             the Company), and to definitive documentation;

             (iii) by the Company, upon a material breach of any
        representation or warranty of Acquiror or Acquiror fails to
        comply in any material respect with any of its covenants or
        agreements, or if any representation or warranty of Acquiror
        shall be or become untrue in any material respect, which breach
        or non-compliance is not curable or, if curable, is not cured by
        Acquiror within 30 days after written notice of such breach or
        non-compliance from the Company;

             (iv) by Acquiror, upon a material breach of any
        representation, or warranty of the Company or the Company fails
        to comply in any material respect with any of its covenants or
        agreements, or if any representation or warranty of the Company
        shall be or become untrue in any material respect, which breach
        or non-compliance is not curable or, if curable, is not cured by
        the Company within 30 days after written notice of such breach or
        non-compliance from Acquiror;

             (v) by Acquiror, at any time before 5:00 p.m. Chicago time
        on April 10, 1998 if Acquiror shall determine in good faith that
        it is not satisfied with the results of its due diligence
        investigation of the Company; provided, however, that Acquiror
        must advise the Company orally and in writing of any such
        determination prior to terminating this Agreement pursuant to
        this Section 7.1(v);

             (vi) by the Company, if the Board determines to enter into
        and enters into a definitive agreement providing for a Superior
        Proposal which was obtained consistent with Section 4.6;
        provided, however, that the Company shall have no right to
        terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.1(vi) unless (a)
        the Company has provided Acquiror with written notice of the
        material terms of the Superior Proposal at least two business
        days prior to such termination, and (b) the Company
        simultaneously pays to Acquiror the Termination Penalty (as
        defined herein) required under Section 7.2(ii); or


   <PAGE>  41


             (vii) by Acquiror, if: (a) the Board shall have taken any
        action contemplated by Section 4.7, (b) a tender offer or
        exchange offer for 30% or more of the Common Shares of the
        Company is commenced, and the Board fails to recommend against
        acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer by its
        stockholder within the time period required by Section 14e-2 of
        the Exchange Act (the taking of no position by the expiration of
        such period with respect to the acceptance of such tender offer
        or exchange offer by its stockholders constituting such a
        failure), (c) the Company shall have intentionally breached any
        of its covenants or agreements in Section 4.6, or (d) after April
        10, 1998 there shall be pending any proceeding seeking material
        damages on account of the consummation of the Merger which
        Acquiror determines in good faith, after due investigation and
        consultation with counsel representing the Company in such
        proceeding, could reasonably be expected to result in the Company
        incurring a material amount of damages or expenses, after taking
        into account applicable insurance coverage; provided, however,
        Acquiror shall not then be in material breach of its obligations
        under this Agreement.

        SECTION 7.2  EFFECT OF TERMINATION. (i) In the event of
   termination of this Agreement by either the Company or Acquiror as
   provided in Section 7.1, except as provided below in Section 7.2(ii),
   (iii) or (iv), this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no
   effect, without any liability or obligation on the part of Acquiror or
   the Company, other than the last sentence of Section 4.3 and Sections
   7.2 and 10.2. Nothing contained in this Section shall relieve any
   party from any liability resulting from any material breach of the
   representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this
   Agreement.

        (ii) In the event of termination of this Agreement by the Company
   pursuant to Section 7.1(vi) or by Acquiror pursuant to Section
   7.1(vii)(a) or (b), the Company shall (a) pay Acquiror $2,500,000 in
   cash as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, immediately upon such
   termination, in same-day funds (the "Termination Payment"), by wire
   transfer to an account designated by Acquiror; provided however, that
   the Termination Payment shall be $2,000,000 if such termination occurs
   on or before April 10,1998; and (b) reimburse Acquiror for its out-of-
   pocket costs and expenses reasonably incurred and due to third parties
   in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
   thereby (including fees and disbursements of counsel, accountants,
   financial advisors and consultants, commitment fees, due diligence
   expenses, travel costs, filing fees and similar fees, all of which
   shall be conclusively established by vouchers or other statements
   therefor) (collectively, "Covered Expenses"), up to a maximum of
   $500,000, by wire transfer of same-day funds to an account designated
   by Acquiror, immediately following receipt and verification of the
   Covered Expenses set forth in such vouchers or other statements.


   <PAGE>  42


        (iii)  The Company shall pay Acquiror the Termination Payment
   (less the amount, if any, of Covered Expenses paid under Section
   7.2(iv) in excess of $500,000) if: (x) this Agreement is terminated
   pursuant to Section 7.1(ii)(a), AND (y) the Company, within twelve
   (12) months from the date of this Agreement, enters into a written
   agreement to effect an Acquisition Proposal with, or an Acquisition
   Proposal is made by, a party other than Acquiror or any of its
   subsidiaries, AND (z) in each such case the Acquisition Proposal is
   thereafter consummated within such twelve-month period.  The
   Termination Payment contemplated by the prior sentence shall be paid
   in same-day funds by wire transfer to an account designated by
   Acquiror on the earlier of the consummation of such Acquisition
   Proposal or within sixty (60) days after a meeting at which the
   stockholders of the Company approve such Acquisition Proposal. 
   Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the
   Termination Payment, if payable, shall be paid only once and shall be
   Acquiror's sole and exclusive remedy hereunder for the termination of
   the Agreement under the circumstances in which the Termination Payment
   is paid (regardless of any breach of this Agreement), except for the
   reimbursement of Acquiror's Covered Expenses, and upon such delivery
   of the Termination Payment to Acquiror, no person shall have any
   further claim or rights against the Company under this Agreement with
   respect thereto; provided, however that this sentence shall not apply
   to and shall in no way restrict the right of Acquiror to assert a
   counterclaim in response to any action brought by the Company against
   Acquiror with respect to such events.  The Company shall reimburse
   Acquiror for all costs incurred in connection with the collection of
   the Termination Payment and the Covered Expenses under this Agreement.

        (iv) In the event of (x) termination of this Agreement pursuant
   to Section 7.1(ii)(a), or (y) termination of this Agreement pursuant
   to Section 7.1(iv) based solely on the Company's intentional breach of
   a representation or warranty or intentional non-compliance of a
   covenant, the Company shall reimburse Acquiror for its Covered
   Expenses up to a maximum of $1,100,000, by wire transfer of same-day
   funds to an account designated by Acquiror, immediately following
   receipt and verification of the Covered Expenses set forth in
   Acquiror's vouchers or other statements.  In the event of termination
   of this Agreement by Acquiror pursuant to Section 7.1 (vii)(d), the
   Company shall reimburse Acquiror for one-half of its Covered Expenses
   up to a maximum obligation of the Company of $350,000, by wire
   transfer of same-day funds to an account designated by Acquiror,
   immediately following receipt and verification of the Covered Expenses
   set forth in Acquiror's vouchers or other statements.

        SECTION 7.3  AMENDMENT. Subject to the applicable provisions of
   the Delaware Code, at any time prior to the Effective Time, the
   parties hereto may modify or amend this Agreement, by written
   agreement executed and delivered by duly authorized officers of the
   respective parties; provided, however, that after approval of the
   Merger by the stockholders of the Company, no amendment shall be made
   which reduces the amount of the Merger Consideration payable in the


   <PAGE>  43


   Merger or adversely affects the rights of the Company's stockholders
   hereunder without the approval of such stockholders. This Agreement
   may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf
   of each of the parties.

        SECTION 7.4  EXTENSION; WAIVER. At any time prior to the
   Effective Time, the parties may (a) extend the time for the
   performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other
   parties, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and
   warranties of the other parties contained in this Agreement or in any
   document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or (c) subject to
   Section 7.3, waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions
   of the other parties contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the
   part of a 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.
   The failure of any party to this Agreement to assert any of its rights
   under this Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of
   such rights.

        SECTION 7.5  PROCEDURE FOR TERMINATION, AMENDMENT, EXTENSION OR
   WAIVER. A termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1, an
   amendment of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.3 or an extension or
   waiver pursuant to Section 7.4 shall, in order to be effective,
   require in the case of Acquiror or the Company, action by its Board of
   Directors or the duly authorized designee of its Board of Directors.

                                  ARTICLE 8

                           SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS

        SECTION 8.1  SURVIVAL. The representations and warranties
   respectively made by the Company, Acquiror in this Agreement, or in
   any certificate, respectively, delivered by the Company, Acquiror
   pursuant to Section 6.2 or Section 6.3 hereof, will terminate upon the
   Closing and be of no further force or effect.

                                  ARTICLE 9

                                   NOTICES

        SECTION 9.1  NOTICES. Any notice or communication given pursuant
   to this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been
   duly given if mailed (by registered or certified mail, postage
   prepaid, return receipt requested), or, if transmitted by facsimile,
   or if delivered by courier, as follows:


   <PAGE>  44


        If to the Company, to: 

             Portec, Inc.
             M. T. Yonker
             Chief Executive Officer and President
             100 Field Drive
             Lake Forest, IL 60045
             Telecopy: (847) 735-2828

        with a copy to: 

             Schiff Hardin & Waite
             233 South Wacker Drive
             Suite 7300
             Chicago, Illinois 60606
             Attention: Robert J. Regan, Esq.
             Telecopy: (312) 258-5600

        If to Acquiror, to: 

             c/o Code Hennessy & Simmons LLC
             10 South Wacker Drive
             Suite 3175
             Chicago, Illinois 60606
             Attention: Thomas J.  Formolo
             Telecopy: (312) 876-3854

        with copies to:

             Altheimer & Gray
             10 South Wacker Drive
             Suite 4000
             Chicago, Illinois 60606
             Attention:   Mark T. Kindelin, Esq.
             Telecopy: (312) 715-8400

   All notices and other communications required or permitted under this
   agreement that are addressed as provided in this Section 9.1 will,
   whether sent by mail, facsimile, or courier, be deemed given upon the
   first Business Day after actual delivery to the addressed destination
   to which such notice or other communication is sent (as evidenced by
   the return receipt or shipping invoice signed by a representative of
   such party or by facsimile confirmation). Any party from time to time
   may change its address for the purpose of notices to that party by
   giving a similar notice specifying a new address, but no such notice
   will be deemed to have been given until it is actually received by the
   party sought to be charged with the contents thereof. For purposes of
   this Section 9.1, "Business Day" shall mean a day other than Saturday,
   Sunday or any day on which the principal commercial banks located in
   Chicago, Illinois are authorized or obligated to close under the laws
   of Illinois.


   <PAGE>  45



                                 ARTICLE 10

                                MISCELLANEOUS

        SECTION 10.1  ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the
   Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the
   parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede
   all prior communications, agreements, understandings, representations,
   and warranties whether oral or written between the parties hereto.
   There are no oral or written agreements, understandings,
   representations, or warranties between the parties hereto with respect
   to the subject hereof other than those set forth in this Agreement and
   the Confidentiality Agreement.  In the event of any conflict between
   the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Confidentiality
   Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

        SECTION 10.2  EXPENSES.  Except as otherwise provided in this
   Agreement, the Company and Acquiror each will pay its own costs and
   expenses incident to preparing for, entering into and carrying out
   this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
   hereby except that the expenses incurred in connection with the
   printing, mailing and distribution of the Proxy Statement (or an
   Information Statement in lieu thereof) shall be borne equally by the
   Company and Acquiror.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to
   the contrary, the Company covenants and agrees that, assuming the
   Closing Date occurs on or before July 31, 1998, the fees and expenses
   of the Company incurred in connection with this Agreement and the
   Merger shall not exceed $1,100,000 in the aggregate, and all such fees
   and expenses shall have been accrued or paid as of the Effective Time.

        SECTION 10.3  COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one
   or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but
   all of which will constitute one and the same instrument and shall
   become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by
   each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

        SECTION 10.4  NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY. Except as otherwise
   specifically provided in Section 4.9, this Agreement is not intended
   and may not be construed to create any rights in any parties other
   than the Company and Acquiror and their respective successors or
   assigns, and it is not the intention of the parties to confer third-
   party beneficiary rights upon any other person.

        SECTION 10.5  GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by
   and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware
   (without regard to the principles of conflicts of law) applicable to a
   contract executed and to be performed in such State.

        SECTION 10.6  ASSIGNMENT; BINDING EFFECT. Neither this Agreement
   nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement
   shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of law or


   <PAGE>  46


   otherwise by any of the parties without the prior written consent of
   the other parties, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld and
   any such assignment that is not consented to shall be null and void,
   except that Acquiror shall have the right to assign this Agreement to
   affiliate of J. Richard Industries, L.P.  Subject to the preceding
   sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of
   and be enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and
   assigns.

        SECTION 10.7  DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE. The Company shall have the
   right to amend or supplement the Disclosure Schedule at any time prior
   to April 10, 1998, provided no such amendment or supplement shall be
   deemed to cure or otherwise alter or change any representation or
   warranty of the Company made as of the date hereof.  If the amended or
   supplemented disclosure (if originally made at the closing in the
   certificate required by Section 6.2.1) would excuse Acquiror from
   performing its obligations under this Agreement or otherwise permit
   Acquiror to terminate this Agreement, Acquiror may then elect to
   terminate this Agreement.  If Acquiror does not terminate this
   Agreement within five (5) days after receipt of such amended or
   supplemented disclosure, Acquiror will be deemed to have waived the
   right to terminate this Agreement on the basis of such amended or
   supplemented  disclosure.

        SECTION 10.8  ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT.  The parties hereto
   agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the
   terms or provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance
   with their specific terms or were otherwise breached.  It is
   accordingly agreed that each of the parties hereto shall be entitled
   to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement
   and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any
   court of the United States of America or any state having
   jurisdiction, such remedy being in addition to any other remedy to
   which any party may be entitled at law or in equity.

        SECTION 10.9  HEADINGS, GENDER, ETC. The headings used in this
   Agreement have been inserted for convenience and do not constitute
   matter to be construed or interpreted in connection with this
   Agreement. Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires,
   (a) words of any gender are deemed to include each other gender; (b)
   words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or
   singular number, respectively; (c) the terms "hereof," "herein,"
   "hereby," "hereto," and derivative or similar words refer to this
   entire Agreement; (d) the terms "Article" or "Section" refer to the
   specified Article or Section of this Agreement; (e) all references to
   "dollars" or "$" refer to currency of the United States of America;
   (f) the term "person" shall include any natural person, corporation,
   limited liability company, general partnership, limited partnership,
   or other entity, enterprise, authority or business organization; and
   (g) the term "or" is disjunctive but not necessarily exclusive.


   <PAGE>  47


        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and
   delivered by the duly authorized officers of the Company and Acquiror
   effective as of the date first written above.


                                           MHD ACQUISITION CORP.


                                           By:  /s/  THOMAS J. FORMOLO
                                              ----------------------------

                                           Name:  Thomas J. Formolo
                                           Its:  Vice President

                                           PORTEC, INC.


                                           By:  /s/  M. T. YONKER
                                              ----------------------------

                                           Name:  M. T. Yonker
                                           Its:  Chief Executive Officer
                                           and President




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