PORTEC INC
SC 13D, 1998-04-20
CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY & EQUIP
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              SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                    Washington, D.C. 20549

                         Schedule 13D

          Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                     (Amendment No. __)*

                         Portec, Inc.
  ---------------------------------------------------------
                       (Name of Issuer)

                Common Stock, $1.00 par value

                (Title of Class of Securities)
 
                           73620210
  ---------------------------------------------------------
                        (CUSIP Number)

                    MHD Acquisition Corp.
               10 South Wacker Drive Suite 3175
                   Chicago, Illinois 60606
                    c/o Thomas J. Formolo

                       with a copy to:
                       Mark T. Kindelin
                       Altheimer & Gray
                    10 South Wacker Drive
                   Chicago, Illinois 60606
                        (312) 715-4072
        ---------------------------------------------
        (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
      Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

                        April 10, 1998
                  --------------------------
   (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

  If the filing person has previously filed a statement on
  Schedule 13G to report the acquisition which is the
  subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this Schedule
  because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following
  box.  /  /

  Note:  Six copies of this statement, including all
  exhibits, should be filed with the Commission. See Rule
  13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

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

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


  ---------------------------------------------------------
   1.  Name of Reporting Person:

       MHD Acquisition Corp.

  ---------------------------------------------------------
   2.  Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group:
                                                   (a) /  /

                                                    (b) /x/
  ---------------------------------------------------------
   3.  SEC Use Only

  ---------------------------------------------------------
   4.  Source of Funds: Not Applicable

  ---------------------------------------------------------
   5.  Check box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is
       Required Pursuant to Items 2(e) or 2(f):
                                                       /  /
  ---------------------------------------------------------
   6.  Citizenship or Place of Organization:  Delaware
                -------------------------------------------
   Number of     7.  Sole Voting Power:    0
   Shares       -------------------------------------------
   Beneficially  8.  Shared Voting Power: 1,020,328
   Owned By     -------------------------------------------
   Each          9.  Sole Dispositive Power:    0    
   Reporting    -------------------------------------------
   Person       10.  Shared Dispositive Power:  0
   With
  ---------------------------------------------------------
   11. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each
       Reporting Person:

       1,020,328
  ---------------------------------------------------------
   12. Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11)
       Excludes Certain Shares:
                                                       /  /
  ---------------------------------------------------------
   13. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11):
       22.9% 
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   14. Type of Reporting Person: CO
  ---------------------------------------------------------- 
<PAGE>
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   1.  Name of Reporting Person:

       J Richard Industries, L.P.
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   2.  Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group:
                                                   (a) /  /

                                                    (b) /x/
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   3.  SEC Use Only
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   4.  Source of Funds: Not Applicable
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   5.  Check box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is
       Required Pursuant to Items 2(e) or 2(f):
                                                       /  /
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   6.  Citizenship or Place of Organization:  Delaware
                --------------------------------------------
   Number of     7.  Sole Voting Power:    0
   Shares       --------------------------------------------
   Beneficially  8.  Shared Voting Power: 1,020,328 (1) 
   Owned By     --------------------------------------------
   Each          9.  Sole Dispositive Power:    0
   Reporting    --------------------------------------------
   Person       10.  Shared Dispositive Power:  0
   With
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   11. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each
       Reporting Person:

       1,020,328 (1)
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   12. Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11)
       Excludes Certain Shares:
                                                       /  /
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   13. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11):
       22.9% 
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   14. Type of Reporting Person: PN
  ----------------------------------------------------------

  (1)  Solely in its capacity as the owner of 100% of the
  outstanding common stock of MHD Acquisition Corp. See
  Item 2. <PAGE>
 
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   1.  Name of Reporting Person:

       J Richard Holdings, L.P.
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   2.  Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group:
                                                   (a) /  /

                                                    (b) /x/
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   3.  SEC Use Only
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   4.  Source of Funds: Not Applicable
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   5.  Check box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is
       Required Pursuant to Items 2(e) or 2(f):
                                                       /  /
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   6.  Citizenship or Place of Organization:  Delaware
                --------------------------------------------
   Number of     7. Sole Voting Power:    0
   Shares       --------------------------------------------
   Beneficially  8. Shared Voting Power: 1,020,328 (1)
   Owned By     --------------------------------------------
   Each          9. Sole Dispositive Power:    0 
   Reporting    --------------------------------------------
   Person       10. Shared Dispositive Power:  0
   With
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   11. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each
       Reporting Person:

       1,020,328 (1)
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   12. Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11)
       Excludes Certain Shares:
                                                       /  /
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   13. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11):
       22.9%
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   14. Type of Reporting Person: PN
  ----------------------------------------------------------

  (1)  Solely in its capacity as general partner of J
  Richard Industries, L.P., the owner of 100% of the
  outstanding common stock of MHD Acquisition Corp. See
  Item 2. <PAGE>
 

  ----------------------------------------------------------
   1.  Name of Reporting Person:

       J Richard Industries, Inc.
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   2.  Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group:
                                                   (a) /  /

                                                   (b) /x/
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   3.  SEC Use Only
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   4.  Source of Funds: Not Applicable
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   5.  Check box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is
       Required Pursuant to Items 2(e) or 2(f):
                                                       /  /
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   6.  Citizenship or Place of Organization:  Delaware
                 -------------------------------------------
   Number of      7.  Sole Voting Power:    0
   Shares        -------------------------------------------
   Beneficially   8.  Shared Voting Power: 1,020,328 (1)    
   Owned By      -------------------------------------------
   Each           9.  Sole Dispositive Power:    0
   Reporting     -------------------------------------------
   Person        10.  Shared Dispositive Power:  0
   With
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   11. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each
       Reporting Person:

       1,020,328 (1)
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   12. Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11)
       Excludes Certain Shares:
                                                       /  /
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   13. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11):
       22.9% 
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   14. Type of Reporting Person: CO
  ----------------------------------------------------------

  (1)  Solely in its capacity as general partner of J
  Richard Holdings, L.P., general partner of J Richard
  Industries, L.P., the owner of 100% of the outstanding
  common stock of MHD Acquisition Corp. See Item 2. <PAGE>
 
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   1.  Name of Reporting Person:

       Code, Hennessy & Simmons II, L.P.
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   2.  Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group:
                                                   (a) /  /

                                                    (b) /x/
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   3.  SEC Use Only
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   4.  Source of Funds: Not Applicable
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   5.  Check box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is
       Required Pursuant to Items 2(e) or 2(f):
                                                       /  /
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   6.  Citizenship or Place of Organization:  Delaware
                --------------------------------------------
   Number of     7.  Sole Voting Power:    0
   Shares       -------------------------------------------- 
   Beneficially  8.  Shared Voting Power:  1,020,328 (1)
   Owned By     --------------------------------------------
   Each          9.  Sole Dispositive Power:    0    
   Reporting    --------------------------------------------
   Person       10.  Shared Dispositive Power:  0
   With
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   11. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each
       Reporting Person:

       1,020,328 (1)
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   12. Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11)
       Excludes Certain Shares:
                                                       /  /
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   13. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11):
       22.9%
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   14. Type of Reporting Person: PN
  ----------------------------------------------------------

  (1)  Solely in its capacity as the owner of 100% of the
  common stock of J Richard Industries, Inc., general
  partner of J Richard Holdings, L.P., general partner of J
  Richard Industries, L.P., the owner of 100% of the
  outstanding common stock of MHD Acquisition Corp. See
  Item 2. <PAGE>
 
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   1.  Name of Reporting Person:

       Code, Hennessy & Simmons, Inc.
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   2.  Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group:
                                                   (a) /  /

                                                    (b) /x/
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   3.  SEC Use Only
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   4.  Source of Funds: Not Applicable
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   5.  Check box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is
       Required Pursuant to Items 2(e) or 2(f):
                                                       /  /
  ----------------------------------------------------------
   6.  Citizenship or Place of Organization: Delaware
                --- -----------------------------------------
   Number of     7. Sole Voting Power: 0 
   Shares       ---------------------------------------------
   Beneficially  8. Shared Voting Power: 1,020,038 (1)
   Owned By     ---------------------------------------------
   Each          9. Sole Dispositive Power: 0    Person
   Reporting    ---------------------------------------------
   Person       10. Shared Dispositive Power: 0
   With
  -----------------------------------------------------------
   11. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each
       Reporting Person:

       1,020,038 (1)
  -----------------------------------------------------------
   12. Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11)
       Excludes Certain Shares:
                                                       /  /
  -----------------------------------------------------------
   13. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11):
       22.9%
  -----------------------------------------------------------
   14. Type of Reporting Person:  CO
  -----------------------------------------------------------

  (1)  Solely in its capacity as the general partner of
  Code, Hennessy & Simmons II, L.P., owner of 100% of the
  common stock of J Richard Industries, Inc., general
  partner of J Richard Holdings, L.P., general partner of J
  Richard Industries, L.P., the owner of 100% of the
  outstanding common stock of MHD Acquisition Corp. See
  Item 2. <PAGE>
 

  Item 1.   Security and Issuer.

       This statement relates to the shares of common
  stock, $1.00 par value per share (the "Shares") of
  Portec, Inc. ("Portec").  The principal executive offices
  of Portec are located at 100 Field Drive, Suite 120, Lake
  Forest, Illinois 60045.

  Item 2.   Identity and Background.

       (a) This Schedule 13D is filed by MHD Acquisition
  Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Acquiror"), J Richard
  Industries, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("J
  Richard L.P."), J Richard Holdings, L.P., a Delaware
  limited partnership ("Holdings"), J Richard Industries,
  Inc., a Delaware corporation ("J Richard Inc."), Code
  Hennessy & Simmons II, L.P., a Delaware limited
  partnership ("CHS L.P."), and Code Hennessy & Simmons,
  Inc., an Illinois corporation ("CHS Inc."), (collectively
  the "Reporting Persons").  The Reporting Persons are
  making this single, joint filing because they may be
  deemed to constitute a "group" within the meaning of
  Section 13(d)(3) of the Act, although neither the fact of
  this filing nor anything contained herein shall be deemed
  to be an admission by the Reporting Persons that a group
  exists.  

       (b)-(c)

       Acquiror is a Delaware corporation, the principal
  business of which is purchasing and holding securities. 
  The principal business and office address of Acquiror is
  3934 Concord Street, Toledo, Ohio 43612.

       J Richard L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership,
  the principal business of which is the manufacture of
  certain materials handling products. Acquiror is a wholly
  owned subsidiary of J Richard L.P. The principal business
  and office address of J Richard L.P., is 3934 Concord
  Street, Toledo, Ohio 43612.

       Holdings is a Delaware limited partnership, the
  principal business of which is holding the general
  partnership interest of J. Richard L.P. Holdings is the
  sole general partner of J Richard L.P. The principal
  business and office address of Holdings is 3934 Concord
  Street, Toledo, Ohio 43612.

       J Richard Inc. is a Delaware corporation, the
  principal business of which is holding the general
  partnership interest in Holdings. J Richard Inc. is the
  sole general partner of Holdings. The principal business
  and office address of J. Richard Inc. is 3934 Concord
  Street, Toledo, Ohio 43612.

       CHS L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership, the
  principal business of which is private equity
  investments. The principal business and office address of
  CHS L.P. is 10 South Wacker, Suite 3175, Chicago,
  Illinois 60606. <PAGE>
 

       CHS Inc. is an Illinois corporation, the principal
  business of which is holding the general partnership
  interest of CHS L.P. and other similar partnership
  interests.  The principal business and office address of
  CHS Inc. is 10 South Wacker, Suite 3175, Chicago,
  Illinois 60606.

       The directors of Acquiror are Thomas J. Formolo and
  Marcus J. George. The executive officers of Acquiror are
  Thomas J. Formolo, Vice President and Treasurer, and
  Marcus George, Vice President and Secretary. 

       The executive officers of J Richard L.P. are Daniel
  J. Hennessy, Chairman of the Board and Vice President,
  Lawrence J. Weber, President and Chief Executive Officer,
  Thomas J. Formolo, Vice President, Secretary and
  Treasurer, Thomas S. Robinson, Vice President and Marcus
  J. George, Vice President.  

       The directors of J Richard Inc., are Daniel J.
  Hennessy, Andrew W. Code, Thomas J. Formolo, Lawrence J.
  Weber and Marcus J. George. The executive officers of J
  Richard Inc. are Daniel J. Hennessy, Chairman of the
  Board and Vice President, Lawrence J. Weber, President
  and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas J. Formolo, Vice
  President, Secretary and Treasurer, Thomas S. Robinson,
  Vice President and Marcus J. George, Vice President. 

       The directors of CHS Inc. are Brian Simmons, Andrew
  W. Code and Daniel J. Hennessy.  The executive officers
  of CHS Inc. are Brian Simmons, Andrew W. Code, Daniel J.
  Hennessy, Peter M. Gotsch, Thomas J. Formolo, Jon S.
  Vesely, principals, and Richard A. Lobo, Steven R. Brown,
  David O. Hawkins, vice presidents.

       For each of the individuals identified above, the
  following table sets forth each such individuals's
  principal occupation and business address:

      Andrew W. Code           Partner, 
                               Code, Hennessy & Simmons, LLC
                               10 South Wacker Drive
                               Suite 3175
                               Chicago, Illinois 60606
      ------------------------ --------------------------

      Daniel J. Hennessy       Partner,
                               Code, Hennessy & Simmons, LLC
                               10 South Wacker Drive
                               Suite 3175
                               Chicago, Illinois 60606
      ------------------------ --------------------------

      Brian P. Simmons         Partner,
                               Code, Hennessy & Simmons, LLC
                               10 South Wacker Drive
                               Suite 3175
                               Chicago, Illinois 60606
      ------------------------ --------------------------<PAGE>


      Thomas J. Formolo        Partner, 
                               Code, Hennessy & Simmons, LLC
                               10 South Wacker Drive
                               Suite 3175
                               Chicago, Illinois 60606
      ------------------------ --------------------------

      Peter M. Gotsch          Partner, 
                               Code, Hennessy & Simmons, LLC
                               10 South Wacker Drive
                               Suite 3175
                               Chicago, Illinois 60606
      ------------------------ --------------------------

      Jon S. Vesely            Partner, 
                               Code, Hennessy & Simmons, LLC
                               10 South Wacker Drive
                               Suite 3175
                               Chicago, Illinois 60606
      ------------------------ --------------------------
      Richard A. Lobo          Partner, 
                               Code, Hennessy & Simmons, LLC
                               10 South Wacker Drive
                               Suite 3175
                               Chicago, Illinois 60606
      ------------------------ --------------------------

      Steven R. Brown          Partner, 
                               Code, Hennessy & Simmons, LLC
                               10 South Wacker Drive
                               Suite 3175
                               Chicago, Illinois 60606
      ------------------------ --------------------------

      David O. Hawkins         Partner, 
                               Code, Hennessy & Simmons, LLC
                               10 South Wacker Drive
                               Suite 3175
                               Chicago, Illinois 60606
      ------------------------ --------------------------

      Marcus J. George         Associate,
                               Code, Hennessy & Simmons, LLC
                               10 South Wacker Drive
                               Suite 3175
                               Chicago, Illinois 60606
      ------------------------ --------------------------
      Lawrence J. Weber        President,
                               J Richard Industries, L.P.
                               3934 Concord Street
                               Toledo, Ohio 43612
      ------------------------ --------------------------

      Thomas S. Robinson       Vice President,
                               J Richard Industries, L.P.
                               3934 Concord Street
                               Toledo, Ohio 43612
      ------------------------ -------------------------- <PAGE>
 

       (d)  None of the entities or persons identified in
  this Item 2 has, during the last five years, have been
  convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic
  violations or similar misdemeanors).

       (e)  None of the entities or persons identified in
  this Item 2 has, during the last five years, have been a
  party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or
  administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a
  result of such proceeding was or is subject to a
  judgment, decree or final order enjoining future
  violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities
  subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding
  any violation with respect to such laws.

       (f)  Acquiror, J Richard L.P., Holdings, J Richard
  Inc., and CHS L.P. are all Delaware entities. CHS Inc.,
  is an Illinois corporation.  All of the individuals named
  are United States citizens.

  Item 3.   Source and Amount of Funds or Other
            Consideration.

       Acquiror acquired the right to vote certain Shares
  of Portec, pursuant to a Voting Agreement among Acquiror,
  Albert Fried, Jr., and Albert Fried & Company, LLC
  (collectively, the "Shareholders") dated March 11, 1998
  (the "Voting Agreement") and a Limited Irrevocable Proxy
  in favor of Acquiror dated March 11, 1998 (the "Proxy")
  delivered by the Shareholders in connection with the
  Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated March 11, 1998 (the
  "Merger Agreement"). See Item 4. No additional
  consideration was paid to the Shareholders in connection
  with the Voting Agreement or the Proxy.

  Item 4.   Purpose of Transaction.

       On March 11, 1998, Portec and Acquiror entered into
  an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement")
  whereby Acquiror will be merged into Portec, with Portec
  as the surviving entity (the "Merger").  In connection
  with the Merger, each share of Portec common stock issued
  and outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of
  the Merger (other than dissenting shares) will be
  converted into and represent the right to receive $16.00
  in cash.

       The obligations of Acquiror to consummate the Merger
  are subject to (i) completion by Acquiror of its due
  diligence investigation with results satisfactory to it
  in its sole discretion and (ii) receipt by Acquiror of
  necessary financing commitments.  The right of Acquiror
  to terminate on the basis of these conditions must have
  been exercised, if at all, by April 10, 1998.  In
  addition, the obligations of the parties are subject to
  certain other usual conditions, including, among other
  things: (i) approval by Portec shareholders; (ii) receipt
  of all governmental and regulatory approvals; and
  (iii) Acquiror obtaining commitments for the necessary
  financing. The Merger Agreement can be terminated (i) by <PAGE>
 

  mutual consent of Acquiror and Portec; (ii) by either
  party if, upon a vote at a shareholders meeting of
  Portec, the Merger Agreement and Merger fail to receive
  the requisite vote for approval and adoption by the
  shareholders of Portec; (iii) by either party if the
  Merger has not been consummated on or before July 31,
  1998; (iv) by either party if any governmental entity has
  issued an order, decree or ruling enjoining, restraining
  or otherwise prohibiting the Merger; (v) by Portec if, on
  or before April 10, 1998, Acquiror has not delivered
  Portec executed financing commitments;(vi) by Portec if
  Acquiror has materially breached any of its
  representations, warranties, covenants or agreements
  contained in the Merger Agreement; (vii) by Acquiror if
  Portec has materially breached any of its
  representations, warranties, covenants or agreements
  contained in the Merger Agreement; (viii) by Acquiror is
  Acquiror determines, at any time before 5:00 P.M. Chicago
  time on April 10, 1998  that it is not satisfied with the
  results of its due diligence investigation of Portec; and
  (ix) by Portec if the board of directors of Portec enters
  into a definitive agreement for a superior proposal with
  another party and Portec simultaneously pays Acquiror a
  termination penalty of $2,500,000 and expenses. 

       As an inducement and a condition to Acquiror
  entering into the Merger Agreement, the Shareholders
  (owners of approximately 22.9% of the outstanding common
  stock of Portec) entered into the Voting Agreement and
  the Proxy. 

       The Voting Agreement provides, among other things,
  that the Shareholders will: (i) attend, in person or by
  proxy, any meeting of the shareholders of Portec called
  pursuant to the Merger Agreement and vote their shares
  for the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and
  the Merger, and the transactions contemplated by the
  Merger Agreement; (ii) not sell, offer to sell or
  otherwise transfer or dispose of any of their Shares
  without the prior written consent of Acquiror; (iii) vote
  their shares against any recapitalization, merger,
  consolidation, sale of assets or other transaction which
  is not endorsed in writing by Acquiror; (iv) solicit any
  inquiries or proposals relating to the Merger of Portec
  from any person other than Acquiror.  The Proxy provides,
  among other things, that the Shareholders revoke all
  prior proxies given by them.

       The Voting Agreement terminates upon the earlier of
  the close of business on July 31, 1998 or the termination
  of the Merger Agreement. The Proxy terminates upon the
  earlier of: (i) the effectiveness of the Merger; (ii)
  July 31, 1998; (iii) notice from Acquiror that it elects
  to terminate the Proxy; (iv) the termination of the
  Voting Agreement.

       On April 10, 1998, the conditions described above
  with respect to Acquiror's right to terminate the Merger
  Agreement if Acquiror were not satisfied with the results <PAGE>
 

  of its due diligence examination or if Acquiror did not
  receive necessary financing commitments expired.

       The Merger Agreement, Voting Agreement and Proxy are
  attached as Exhibits 1, 2 and 3 hereto respectively.  The
  above summary of these documents does not purport to be
  complete and is subject to qualification in its entirety
  by reference to the text of the Merger Agreement, Voting
  Agreement and Proxy attached hereto.

       Except as set forth in this Item 4 the Reporting
  Persons have no present plans or proposals that relate to
  or that would result in any of the actions specified in
  clauses (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D of the
  Act.

  Item 5.   Interest in Securities of the Issuer.   

       (a)  The aggregate number of Shares that Acquiror
  owns beneficially, pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the Act, is
  1,020,328, which constitutes approximately 22.9% of the
  outstanding Shares, based on 4,454,813 Shares
  outstanding, as reported by the Issuer in its Annual
  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

       Because of its position as the sole general partner
  of J Richard L.P., Holdings may, pursuant to Rule 13d-3
  of the Act, be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the
  Shares beneficially owned directly by Acquiror.

       Because of its position as the sole general partner
  of Holdings, J. Richard Inc. may, pursuant to Rule 13d-3
  of the Act, be deemed to be the beneficial owner of
  Shares beneficially owned directly by Acquiror.

       Because of its position as the owner of all the
  shares of J Richard Inc., CHS L.P. may, pursuant to Rule
  13d-3 of the Act, be deemed to be the beneficial owner of
  the Shares beneficially owned directly by Acquiror.

       Because of its position as general partner of CHS
  L.P., CHS Inc. may, pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the Act, be
  deemed to be the beneficial owner of the Shares owned
  beneficially directly by Acquiror.

       To the best of the knowledge of each of the
  Reporting Persons, other than as set forth above, none of
  the persons named in Item 2 hereof is the beneficial
  owner of any Shares.

       (b)  Pursuant to the Proxy, Acquiror has obtained
  the power to vote or to direct the vote of 1,020,328
  Shares.

       In its capacity as the owner of all the shares of
  Acquiror, J Richard L.P. may be deemed to share power to
  vote or to direct the vote and to dispose or to direct
  the disposition of the Shares beneficially owned directly
  by Acquiror. <PAGE>
 

       In its capacity as the sole general partner of
  J Richard L.P., Holdings, may be deemed to share power to
  vote or to direct the vote and to dispose or to direct
  the disposition of the Shares beneficially owned directly
  by Acquiror.

       In its capacity as the sole general partner of
  Holdings, J Richard Inc. may be deemed to share power to
  vote or to direct the vote and to dispose or to direct
  the disposition of the Shares beneficially owned directly
  by Acquiror.

       In its capacity as the owner of all the shares
  J Richard Inc., CHS L.P., may be deemed to share power to
  vote or to direct the vote and to dispose or to direct
  the disposition of the Shares beneficially owned directly
  by Acquiror.

       In its capacity as the sole general partner of CHS
  L.P., CHS Inc., may be deemed to share power to vote or
  to direct the vote and to dispose or to direct the
  disposition of the Shares owned directly by Acquiror.

       (c)  Except as set forth in Item 4 above, to the
  best of the knowledge of each of the Reporting Persons,
  none of the persons named in response to paragraph (a) of
  this Item 5 has effected any other transactions in Shares
  during the past sixty (60) days.

       (d)  Each of the Reporting Persons affirms that the
  Shareholders have the right to receive or the power to
  direct the receipt of distributions with respect to, or
  the proceeds from the sale of, the Shares owned by such
  Reporting Person.

       (e)  It is inapplicable for the purposes herein to
  state the date on which the Reporting Persons ceased to
  be the owners of more than five percent (5%) of the
  outstanding Shares.

  Item 6.   Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or 
            Relationships with Respect to Securities of the
            Issuer.

       Except as set forth herein or in the Exhibits filed
  herewith, there are no contracts, arrangements,
  understandings or relationships of the type required to
  be disclosed in response to Item 6 of Schedule 13D of the
  Act with respect to the Shares owned by the Reporting
  Persons.<PAGE>


  Item 7.   Materials to be Filed as Exhibits.

       Exhibit 1      Agreement and Plan of Merger between
                      MHD Acquisition Corp. and Portec,
                      Inc. dated March 11, 1998

       Exhibit 2      Voting Agreement among MHD
                      Acquisition Corp., Albert Fried, Jr.
                      and Albert Fried & Company, LLC dated
                      March 11, 1998

       Exhibit 3      Limited Irrevocable Proxy by Albert
                      Fried, Jr. and Albert Fried &
                      Company, LLC in favor of MHD
                      Acquisition Corp. dated March 11,
                      1998 <PAGE>
 

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

  Dated:     April __, 1998

  MHD Acquisition Corp.,
  a Delaware corporation



  By:  /s/Thomas J. Formolo
       ---------------------
  Its: Vice President

  J Richard Industries, L.P.
  a Delaware limited partnership




  By:  /s/ Thomas J. Formolo
       ----------------------
  Its: Vice President

  J Richard Holdings, L.P.
  a Delaware limited partnership


       By:  J Richard Industries, Inc.
            its general partner, a Delaware
            corporation



            By:  /s/ Thomas J. Formolo
                 -----------------------
            Its: Vice President

  J Richard Industries, Inc.




  By:  /s/ Thomas J. Formolo
       -----------------------
  Its: Vice President

  Code, Hennessy & Simmons II, L.P.


       By:  Code, Hennessy & Simmons, Inc.
            its general partner,


       By:  /s/ Thomas J. Formolo
            ----------------------
       Its:

  Code, Hennessy & Simmons, Inc.<PAGE>




  By:  /s/ Thomas J. Formolo
       -----------------------
  Its:<PAGE>


                          EXHIBIT A

       Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(f)(1)(iii) of Regulation 13D-
  G of the General Rules and Regulations under the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the
  undersigned agree that the statement to which this
  Exhibit is attached is filed on behalf of each of them in
  the capacities set forth below.

  Dated:    April ___, 1998

  MHD Acquisition Corp.,
  a Delaware corporation


  By:  /s/ Thomas J. Formolo
       ---------------------
  Its: Vice President


  J Richard Industries, L.P.
  a Delaware limited partnership


  By:  /s/ Thomas J. Formolo
       ----------------------
  Its: Vice President


  J Richard Holdings, L.P.
  a Delaware limited partnership


       By:  J Richard Industries, Inc.
            its general partner, a Delaware
            corporation


            By:  /s/ Thomas J. Formolo
                 ----------------------
            Its: Vice President


  J Richard Industries, Inc.


  By:  /s/ Thomas J. Formolo
       ----------------------
  Its: Vice President


  Code, Hennessy & Simmons II, L.P.

       By:  Code, Hennessy & Simmons, Inc.
            its general partner,


       By:  /s/ Thomas J. Formolo
            ----------------------
       Its: <PAGE>
 


  Code, Hennessy & Simmons, Inc.


  By:  /s/ Thomas J. Formolo
       ---------------------------
            Its: <PAGE>






                 AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                  DATED AS OF MARCH 11, 1998

                        BY AND BETWEEN

                     MHD ACQUISITION CORP.

                              AND

                         PORTEC, INC. <PAGE>
 


                       TABLE OF CONTENTS


   ARTICLE 1 THE MERGER  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
        SECTION 1.1    The Merger  . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
        SECTION 1.2    Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
        SECTION 1.3    Effective Time  . . . . . . . . . . 1
        SECTION 1.4    Certificate of Incorporation  . . . 2
        SECTION 1.5    By-Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
        SECTION 1.6    Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
        SECTION 1.7    Officers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
        SECTION 1.8    Effect of Merger on Acquiror
                       Capital Stock . . . . . . . . . . . 2
        SECTION 1.9    Conversion of Common Shares . . . . 2
              1.9.1    Outstanding Common Shares . . . . . 2
              1.9.2    Treasury Shares . . . . . . . . . . 2
        SECTION 1.10   Exchange of Certificates and
                       Related Matters . . . . . . . . . . 3
              1.10.1   Paying Agent  . . . . . . . . . . . 3
              1.10.2   Exchange Procedures . . . . . . . . 3
              1.10.3   Letter of Transmittal . . . . . . . 3
              1.10.4   No Further Ownership Rights
                       in Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
              1.10.5   Termination of Payment Fund . . . . 4
              1.10.6   No Liability  . . . . . . . . . . . 4
        SECTION 1.11   Stock Options.  . . . . . . . . . . 4
        SECTION 1.12   Dissenting Shares . . . . . . . . . 5
        SECTION 1.13   Further Assurances  . . . . . . . . 5

   ARTICLE 2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY 6
        SECTION 2.1    Organization, Standing and
                       Corporate Power . . . . . . . . . . 6
        SECTION 2.2    Capital Structure . . . . . . . . . 6
        SECTION 2.3    Subsidiaries  . . . . . . . . . . . 6
        SECTION 2.4    Authority; Noncontravention . . . . 7
        SECTION 2.5    SEC Documents . . . . . . . . . . . 8
        SECTION 2.6    Absence of Certain Changes or
                       Events  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
        SECTION 2.7    Absence of Undisclosed
                       Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . .  10
        SECTION 2.8    Benefit Plans . . . . . . . . . .  10
        SECTION 2.9    Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
        SECTION 2.10   Compliance with Applicable Laws .  13
        SECTION 2.11   Opinion of Financial Advisor  . .  13
        SECTION 2.12   Brokers . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
        SECTION 2.13   Environmental . . . . . . . . . .  13
        SECTION 2.14   Litigation  . . . . . . . . . . .  15
        SECTION 2.15   Labor Relations . . . . . . . . .  15
        SECTION 2.16   Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
        SECTION 2.17   Intellectual Property.  . . . . .  16
        SECTION 2.18   Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . .  16
        SECTION 2.19   Voting Requirements . . . . . . .  17 <PAGE>
 


   ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR   17
        SECTION 3.1    Organization, Standing and
                       Corporate Power . . . . . . . . .  17
        SECTION 3.2    Authority; Noncontravention . . .  17
        SECTION 3.3    Financing . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
        SECTION 3.4    Brokers . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18

   ARTICLE 4 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . .  18
        SECTION 4.1    Preparation of Proxy Statement  .  18
              4.1.1    Proxy Statement . . . . . . . . .  18
              4.1.2    Company Information . . . . . . .  19
              4.1.3    Acquiror Information  . . . . . .  19
        SECTION 4.2    Meeting of Stockholders . . . . .  19
        SECTION 4.3    Access to Information;
                       Confidentiality . . . . . . . . .  19
        SECTION 4.4    Reasonable Efforts  . . . . . . .  20
        SECTION 4.5    Public Announcements  . . . . . .  20
        SECTION 4.6    Acquisition Proposals . . . . . .  20
        SECTION 4.7    Fiduciary Duties  . . . . . . . .  21
        SECTION 4.8    Filings; Other Action . . . . . .  22
        SECTION 4.9    Indemnification . . . . . . . . .  22
        SECTION 4.10   Failure to Close  . . . . . . . .  23
        SECTION 4.11   Financing Commitments . . . . . .  23

   ARTICLE 5 COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS 
        PRIOR TO MERGER  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
        SECTION 5.1    Conduct of Business by
                       the Company . . . . . . . . . . .  23
        SECTION 5.2    Management of the Company
                       and Subsidiaries  . . . . . . . .  25
        SECTION 5.3    Conduct of Business by Acquiror .  26
        SECTION 5.4    Other Actions . . . . . . . . . .  26
        SECTION 5.5    Notification  . . . . . . . . . .  26

   ARTICLE 6 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT  . . . . . . . . . . .  26
        SECTION 6.1    Conditions to Each Party's
                       Obligation To Effect the Merger .  26
              6.1.1    Stockholder Approval  . . . . . .  26
              6.1.2    Governmental and Regulatory
                       Consents  . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
              6.1.3    HSR Act . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
              6.1.4    No Proceedings  . . . . . . . . .  27
              6.1.5    Financing . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
        SECTION 6.2    Conditions to Obligations
                       of Acquiror . . . . . . . . . . .  27
              6.2.1    Representations and Warranties  .  27
              6.2.2    Performance of Obligations of
                       the Company . . . . . . . . . . .  27
              6.2.3    Third Party Approvals . . . . . .  27
              6.2.4    No Material Adverse Effect  . . .  27 <PAGE>
 


        SECTION 6.3    Conditions to Obligation of
                       the Company . . . . . . . . . . .  27
              6.3.1    Representations and Warranties  .  27
              6.3.2    Performance of Obligations
                       of Acquiror . . . . . . . . . . .  28

   ARTICLE 7 TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER . . . . .  28
        SECTION 7.1    Termination . . . . . . . . . . .  28
        SECTION 7.2    Effect of Termination . . . . . .  30
        SECTION 7.3    Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
        SECTION 7.4    Extension; Waiver . . . . . . . .  31
        SECTION 7.5    Procedure for Termination,
                       Amendment, Extension or Waiver  .  31

   ARTICLE 8 SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS  . . . . . . . . . .  32
        SECTION 8.1    Survival  . . . . . . . . . . . .  32

   ARTICLE 9 NOTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
        SECTION 9.1    Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32

   ARTICLE 10 MISCELLANEOUS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
        SECTION 10.1   Entire Agreement  . . . . . . . .  33
        SECTION 10.2   Expenses  . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
        SECTION 10.3   Counterparts  . . . . . . . . . .  34
        SECTION 10.4   No Third Party Beneficiary  . . .  34
        SECTION 10.5   Governing Law . . . . . . . . . .  34
        SECTION 10.6   Assignment; Binding Effect  . . .  34
        SECTION 10.7   Disclosure Schedule . . . . . . .  34
        SECTION 10.8   Enforcement of this Agreement . .  35
        SECTION 10.9   Headings, Gender, etc . . . . . .  35 <PAGE>
 



                 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 <PAGE>
 


   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.

        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 <PAGE>
 


   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. 

              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 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").

              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.

              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").

              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 <PAGE>
 


        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 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.

              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 <PAGE>
 


        after the Effective Date in order to accommodate
        record holders of Certificates desiring to receive
        the Merger Consideration at the earliest possible
        date.

              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.

              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.

              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. <PAGE>
 


        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 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. <PAGE>
 


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


        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, <PAGE>
 


   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.  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 <PAGE>
 


   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 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)<PAGE>


   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
   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 <PAGE>
 


   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 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 <PAGE>
 


   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 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 <PAGE>
 


        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 <PAGE>
 


        designed.  Each Benefit Plan which is intended to
        meet the requirements of 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 <PAGE>
 


        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 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, <PAGE>
 


        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,
        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 <PAGE>
 


        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.

             (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. <PAGE>
 


             (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), 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 <PAGE>
 


   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
   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 <PAGE>
 


   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 <PAGE>
 


   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 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 <PAGE>
 


   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, 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 <PAGE>
 


   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.

              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).

              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.

              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 <PAGE>
 


   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 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 <PAGE>
 


   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 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, <PAGE>
 


   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 advice of its outside legal and <PAGE>
 


   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 <PAGE>
 


   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, 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 <PAGE>
 


   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.

        (iii) 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.

        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; <PAGE>
 


             (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 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 <PAGE>
 


        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, 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 <PAGE>
 


        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 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 <PAGE>
 


   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:

              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.

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


              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.

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

              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:

              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.

              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.

              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.

              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. <PAGE>
 


        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:

              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.

              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<PAGE>


             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 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; <PAGE>
 


             (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

             (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 <PAGE>
 


   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.

        (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 <PAGE>
 


   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 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 <PAGE>
 


   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:

        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 <PAGE>
 




        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>
 



                          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.<PAGE>


        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 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 <PAGE>
 


   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.


        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<PAGE>


                       VOTING AGREEMENT

        VOTING AGREEMENT, dated as of March 11, 1998, by and
   among MHD Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation
   ("Acquiror"), and Albert Fried, Jr. and Albert Fried &
   Company, LLC, in their respective capacities as
   stockholders ("Stockholders") of Portec, a Delaware
   corporation (the "Company"), on the other hand (this
   "Agreement");

        WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, Acquiror and the
   Company are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
   dated March 11, 1989 providing for a Merger at price of
   $16.00 per share (the "Merger Agreement"; capitalized
   terms used without definition herein having the meanings
   ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement);

        WHEREAS, Stockholders are as of the date hereof the
   beneficial owners of 1,020,328 shares of Common Stock,
   par value $1.00 per share, of the Company (collectively,
   the "Shares");

        WHEREAS, approval of the Merger Agreement by the
   Company's stockholders is a condition to the consummation
   of the Merger;

        WHEREAS, as a condition to its entering into the
   Merger Agreement, Acquiror has required that Stockholders
   agree, and Stockholders have agreed, to enter into this
   Agreement; and

        WHEREAS, Stockholders have been informed that the
   Board of Directors of the Company has approved the Merger
   Agreement.

        Now, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing
   and the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein,
   the parties hereto agree as follows:

        Section 1.  Agreement to Vote, Restrictions on
                    Dispositions, Etc.

             a.   Each Stockholder hereby agrees to attend
        any stockholders meeting of the Company, in person
        or by proxy, and to vote (or cause to be voted) all
        Shares, and any other voting securities of the
        Company, owned by such Stockholder whether issued
        heretofore or hereafter, that such person owns or
        has the right to vote, for approval and adoption of
        the Merger Agreement and the Merger, and the
        transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement,
        such agreement to vote to apply also to any
        adjournment of the stockholder meeting of the
        Company.  Each Stockholder agrees not to grant any <PAGE>
 


        proxies or enter into any voting agreement or
        arrangement inconsistent with this Agreement or the
        Limited Irrevocable Proxy of even date herewith
        executed by Stockholders in favor of Acquiror
        ("Irrevocable Proxy").

             b.   Each Stockholder hereby agrees that,
        without the prior written consent of Acquiror, such
        Stockholder shall not, directly or indirectly, sell,
        offer to sell, grant any option for the sale of or
        otherwise transfer or dispose of, or enter into any
        agreement to sell, any Shares and any other voting
        securities of the Company that such Stockholder owns
        beneficially or otherwise.  Each Stockholder agrees
        that Acquiror may instruct the Company to enter stop
        transfer orders with the transfer agent(s) and the
        registrar(s) of the  Shares against the transfer of
        Shares and any other voting securities of the
        Company that Stockholder owns beneficially or
        otherwise.  If requested by Acquiror, each
        Stockholder agrees to surrender or cause to be
        surrendered to the transfer agent(s) and
        registrar(s) of the  Shares certificates
        representing  Shares registered in the name of
        Stockholder, in exchange for certificates
        representing  Shares containing a legend to the
        effect of the following:

                  (i)  The shares represented by this
             certificate are subject to restrictions on
             transfer, and disposition as set forth in the
             Voting Agreement dated as of March 11, 1998,
             among MHD Acquisition Corp., Delaware
             corporation, and Albert J. Fried, Jr. and
             Albert Fried & Company, LLC.  A copy of such
             agreement may be obtained from the Secretary of
             the Company.

                  (ii) Upon the termination of this
             Agreement pursuant to Section 5, Stockholders
             shall have the right to unilaterally instruct
             the transfer agent(s) and registrar(s) of the 
             Shares to deliver to the Stockholders
             certificates representing  Shares registered in
             the name of the Stockholders and not bearing
             the foregoing legend in exchange for
             certificates representing  Shares registered in
             the name of the Stockholders and bearing such
             legend.

             c.   Each Stockholder agrees to vote (or cause
        to be voted) all Shares, and any other voting
        securities of the Company, owned by such Stockholder
        whether issued heretofore or hereafter, that such <PAGE>
 


        person owns or has the right to vote, (i) against
        any recapitalization, merger, consolidation, sale of
        assets or other business combination or similar
        transaction involving the Company or any of its
        Subsidiaries, securities or assets which is not
        endorsed in writing by Acquiror and (ii) any other
        action or agreement that would result in a breach of
        any covenant, representation or warranty or any
        other obligation or agreement of the Company under
        the Merger Agreement or which could result in any of
        the conditions to the Company's obligations under
        the Merger Agreement not being fulfilled.

             d.   Each Stockholder agrees not to directly or
        indirectly solicit, or authorize any person to
        solicit, any inquiries or proposals from any person
        other than Acquiror relating to the merger or
        consolidation of the Company with any person other
        than Acquiror or its subsidiaries, or the
        acquisition of the Company's or any of its
        significant subsidiaries' voting securities by, or
        the direct or indirect acquisition or disposition of
        a significant amount of assets of the Company or any
        of its significant subsidiaries otherwise than in
        the ordinary course of business of the Company or
        such significant subsidiary, from or to any person
        other than Acquiror or its subsidiaries or directly
        or indirectly enter into or continue any
        discussions, negotiations or agreements relating to,
        or vote (or cause to be voted) in favor of, any such
        transaction.  Nothing contained herein shall be
        construed to limit or otherwise affect each
        Stockholder, any Affiliate or representative of
        Stockholder who shall serve as a director of the
        Company from taking any action permitted by Section
        4.6 or Section 4.7 of the Merger Agreement in his or
        her capacity as such director.

             e.   Each Stockholder agrees to promptly notify
        Acquiror in writing of the nature and amount of any
        acquisition by Stockholder after the date hereof of
        any voting securities of the Company.

        Section 2.  Additional Representations and
   Warranties of Stockholder.  Each Stockholder represents
   and warrants to Acquiror as follows:  Stockholder has all
   necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this
   Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to
   consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  This
   Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
   Stockholder.  Assuming the due authorization, execution
   and delivery of this Agreement by Acquiror, this
   Agreement constitutes the valid and binding agreement of
   Stockholder enforceable against Stockholder in accordance <PAGE>
 


   with its terms, except as may be limited by applicable
   bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and
   other similar laws of general application which may
   affect the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and
   by general equitable principles.  The  Shares of
   Stockholder are the only voting securities of the Company
   owned (beneficially or of record) by Stockholder and are
   owned free and clear of all liens, charges, encumbrances,
   restrictions and commitments of any kind other than
   shares pledged as margin stock.  Other than the
   Irrevocable Proxy, Stockholder has not appointed or
   granted any irrevocable proxy, which appointment or grant
   is still effective, with respect to the Shares.  The
   execution and delivery of this Agreement by Stockholder
   does not (a) conflict with or violate any agreement, law,
   rule, regulation, order, judgment or decision or other
   instrument binding upon it, nor require any consent,
   notification, regulatory filing or approval or (b) result
   in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event
   that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a
   default) under, or give to others any rights of
   termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of,
   or result in the creation of a lien or encumbrance on any
   of the Shares owned by Stockholder pursuant to, any note,
   bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease,
   license, permit, franchise or other instrument or
   obligation to which Stockholder is a party or by which
   Stockholder or the Shares owned by Stockholder are bound
   or affected.  Stockholder acknowledges that the
   restrictions imposed upon it are so imposed only in
   Stockholder's capacity as a stockholder of the Company.

        Section 3.  Further Assurances.  Each party shall
   execute and deliver such additional instruments and other
   documents and shall take such further actions as may be
   necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and
   comply with all of their obligations under this
   Agreement.  Without limiting the generality of the
   foregoing, neither of the parties hereto shall enter into
   any agreement or arrangement (or alter, amend or
   terminate any existing agreement or arrangement) if such
   action would materially impair the ability of either
   party to effectuate, carry out or comply with all the
   terms of this Agreement.

        Section 4.  Representations and Warranties of
   Acquiror.  Acquiror represents and warrants to the
   Stockholders as follows:  Each of this Agreement and the
   Merger Agreement has been approved by the Board of
   Directors of Acquiror.  Each of this Agreement and the
   Merger Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
   a duly authorized officer of Acquiror.  Assuming the due
   authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement
   by the Stockholders and the Merger Agreement by the <PAGE>
 


   Company, each of this Agreement and the Merger Agreement
   constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Acquiror,
   enforceable against Acquiror in accordance with its
   terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
   insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar
   laws of general application which may affect the
   enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general
   equitable principles.

        Section 5.  Effectiveness and Termination.  It is a
   condition precedent to the effectiveness of this
   Agreement that the Merger Agreement shall have been
   executed and delivered and be in full force and effect. 
   This Agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no
   further force or effect:  (i) upon the close of business
   on July 31, 1998, if the Merger shall not have been
   effected by such time, or (ii) upon the earlier
   termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with
   its terms.  Upon any termination of this Agreement,
   except for any rights either party may have in respect of
   any breach by either party of its obligations hereunder,
   none of the parties hereto shall have any further
   obligation or liability hereunder.  The provisions of
   Section 1 of this Agreement shall terminate and be of no
   further force or effect from and after the Effective Time
   of the Merger.

        Section 6.  Covenants of Stockholder Not to Enter
   Into Inconsistent Agreements.  Each Stockholder hereby
   agrees that, except as contemplated by this Agreement,
   the Irrevocable Proxy and the Merger Agreement, each
   Stockholder shall not enter into any voting agreement or
   grant an irrevocable proxy or power of attorney with
   respect to the Shares which is inconsistent with this
   Agreement.

        Section 7.  Miscellaneous.

        a.   Notices, Etc.  All notices, requests, demands
   or other communications required by or otherwise given
   with respect to this Agreement shall be in writing and
   shall be deemed to have been duly given to either party
   when delivered personally (by courier service or
   otherwise), when delivered by telecopy and confirmed by
   return telecopy, or seven days after being mailed by
   first-class mail, postage prepaid in each case to the
   applicable addresses set forth below: <PAGE>
 


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

        with a copy to:

        Altheimer & Gray
        10 South Wacker Drive
        Chicago, Illinois  60606
        Attention:  Mark T. Kindelin
        Facsimile:  312/715-4800

        If to Stockholders:

        40 Exchange Place
        New York, New York 10005
        Attention:  Albert Fried, Jr.
        Facsimile:  _________________

        with a copy to:

        Schiff Hardin & Waite
        7300 Sears Tower
        Chicago, Illinois 60606
        Attention:  Robert J. Regan
        Facsimile:  312-258-5600

   or to such other address as such party shall have
   designated by notice so given to each other party.

        b.   Amendments, Waivers, Etc.  This Agreement may
   not be amended, changed, supplemented, waived or
   otherwise modified or terminated except by an instrument
   in writing signed by Acquiror and Stockholder.

        c.   Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall
   be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of and be
   enforceable by the parties and their respective
   successors and assigns, including without limitation any
   corporate successor by merger or otherwise. 
   Notwithstanding any transfer of Shares, the transferor
   shall remain liable for the performance of all
   obligations of the transferor under this Agreement.

        d.   Entire Agreement.  This Agreement (together
   with the Merger Agreement, the Irrevocable Proxy dated
   March 11, 1998) embodies the entire agreement and
   understanding among the parties relating to the subject
   matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and
   understandings relating to such subject matter.  There <PAGE>
 


   are no representations, warranties or covenants by the
   parties hereto relating to such subject matter other than
   those expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Merger
   Agreement, the Irrevocable Proxy.

        e.   Severability.  If any term of this Agreement or
   the application thereof to either party or circumstance
   shall be held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the
   remainder of this Agreement and the application of such
   term to the other parties or circumstances shall not be
   affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest
   extent permitted by applicable law; provided that in such
   event the parties shall negotiate in good faith in an
   attempt to agree to another provision (in lieu of the
   term or application held to be invalid or unenforceable)
   that will be valid and enforceable and will carry out the
   parties' intentions hereunder.

        f.   Specific Performance.  The parties acknowledge
   that money damages are not an adequate remedy for
   violations of this Agreement and that either party may,
   in its sole discretion, apply to a court of competent
   jurisdiction for specific performance or injunction or
   such other relief as such court may deem just and proper
   in order to enforce this Agreement or prevent any
   violation hereof and, to the extent permitted by
   applicable law, each party waives any objection to the
   imposition of such relief.

        g.   Remedies Cumulative.  All rights, powers and
   remedies provided under this Agreement or otherwise
   available in respect hereof at law or in equity shall be
   cumulative and not alternative, and the exercise or
   beginning of the exercise of any thereof by either party
   shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise of
   any other such rights, power or remedy by such party.

        h.   No Waiver.  The failure of either party hereto
   to exercise any right, power or remedy provided under
   this Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof
   at law or in equity, or to insist upon compliance by the
   other party hereto with its obligations hereunder, and
   any custom or practice of the parties at variance with
   the terms hereof, shall not constitute a waiver by such
   party of its right to exercise any such or other right,
   power or remedy or to demand such compliance.

        i.   No Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement
   is not intended to be for the benefit of and shall not be
   enforceable by any person or entity who or which is not a
   party hereto.

        j.   Jurisdiction. Each party hereby irrevocably
   submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of <PAGE>
 




   Chancery in the State of Delaware in any action, suit or
   proceeding arising in connection with this Agreement, and
   agrees that any such action, suit or proceeding shall be
   brought only in such court (and waives any objection
   based on forum non conveniens or any other objection to
   venue therein) provided, however, that such consent to
   jurisdiction is solely for the purpose referred to in
   this paragraph (j) and shall not be deemed to be in
   general submission to the jurisdiction of said Court or
   in the State of Delaware other than for such purposes. 
   Each party hereto waives any right to a trial by jury in
   connection with any such action, suit or proceeding.

        k.   Governing Law.  This Agreement and all disputes
   hereunder shall be governed by and construed and enforced
   in accordance with the internal laws of the State of
   Delaware without regard to principles of conflicts of
   law.

        l.   Name, Captions, Gender.  The name assigned this
   Agreement and the section captions used herein are for
   convenience of reference only and shall not affect the
   interpretation or construction hereof.  Whenever the
   context may require, any pronoun used herein shall
   include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter
   forms.

        m.   Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed
   in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
   deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall
   constitute one instrument.  Each counterpart may consist
   of a number of copies each signed by less than all, but
   together signed by all, the parties hereto.

        n.   Expenses.  Each party shall bear its own
   expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and
   the transactions contemplated hereby.<PAGE>




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



                            /s/ ALBERT FRIED, JR.
                            -----------------------------
                            Albert Fried, Jr.
            
                            ALBERT FRIED & COMPANY LLC


                            By:  /s/ ALBERT FRIED, JR.
                               --------------------------
                                 Name:  Albert Fried, Jr.
                                       ------------------
                                 Title:
                                       ------------------ <PAGE>


                   LIMITED IRREVOCABLE PROXY

        The undersigned stockholders of Portec, Inc., a
   Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby irrevocably
   appoint MHD Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation
   ("Acquiror"), the attorney-in-fact and proxy of the
   undersigned, within the limitations of this Proxy, with
   respect to shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value per
   share, of the Company owned of record or beneficially by
   the undersigned (the "Shares").  Upon the execution
   hereof, all prior proxies given by the undersigned with
   respect to the Shares are hereby revoked and no
   subsequent proxies will be given.  This Proxy is
   irrevocable (to the extent permitted under Delaware law),
   and coupled with an interest and is granted in
   consideration of the Company and Acquiror entering into
   the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 11, 1998
   among Acquiror and the Company (the "Merger Agreement"). 
   The attorney and proxy named above will be empowered at
   any time prior to the earliest of (i) the effectiveness
   of the Merger as defined in the Merger Agreement, (ii)
   July 31, 1998, (iii) notice from Acquiror that Acquiror
   elects to terminate this Proxy or (iv) the termination of
   the Voting Agreement among Acquiror and the undersigned
   in accordance with its terms, to exercise all voting and
   other rights to the extent specified in the succeeding
   paragraph.  Upon the occurrence of the earliest of the
   foregoing events described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or
   (iv) above, this Proxy shall expire and be of no further
   force or effect.

        The attorney and proxy named above may only exercise
   this proxy to vote the Shares subject hereto in favor of
   approval of the Merger Agreement and the Merger at any
   annual, special or other meeting of the holders of
   capital stock of the Company and any adjournments thereof
   (including, without limitation, the power to execute and
   deliver written consents with respect to the Shares) or
   for the purpose of voting against a business combination
   of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates
   with any party other than Acquiror or any of its
   subsidiaries and affiliates and may not exercise this
   Proxy on any other matters.  The undersigned stockholder
   may vote the Shares on all other matters.  The
   undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any
   additional documents deemed by the above-named attorney-
   in-fact and proxy to be necessary or desirable to effect
   the limited irrevocable proxy created hereby.


                            /s/ ALBERT FRIED, JR.
                            -----------------------------
                            Albert Fried, Jr.
                            Shares Owned:  1,020,328<PAGE>





   Dated:  March 11, 1998   ALBERT FRIED & COMPANY LLC.



                            By:  /s/ ALBERT FRIED, JR.
                                 ------------------------
                                 Name:  Albert Fried, Jr.
                                       ------------------
                                 Title:
                                       ------------------<PAGE>


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