ELTRAX SYSTEMS INC
8-K, 1997-02-12
COMPUTER INTEGRATED SYSTEMS DESIGN
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<PAGE>


                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                               Washington, D.C.  20549

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

                                       FORM 8-K

                                    CURRENT REPORT

                           Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                        of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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

                           Date of Report (Date of earliest
                          event reported):  January 31, 1997

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

                                 ELTRAX SYSTEMS, INC.
                                 --------------------
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


     Minnesota                         0-22190                41-1484525
     ---------                     --------              ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of      (Commission        (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation)                File Number)         Identification No.)



10901 Red Circle Drive, Minnetonka, MN                       55343
- --------------------------------------                       -----
(Address of principal executive offices)                   (zip code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  612/945-0833
                                                    ------------



                       1775 Old Highway 8, St. Paul, Minnesota
            (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

<PAGE>

ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

On January 31, 1997, pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of 
January 29, 1997 (the "Purchase Agreement") by and among Atlantic Network 
Systems, Inc. ("ANS"), a North Carolina corporation and a wholly owned 
subsidiary of Eltrax Systems, Inc., a Minnesota corporation ("Eltrax"), and 
MRK Technologies, LTD., ("MRK") an Ohio limited liability company, ANS 
acquired from MRK certain assets of MRK's MST Distribution division.

Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, upon the closing of the
acquisition on January 31, 1997, ANS paid to MRK approximately two million
dollars ($2,000,000) for the MST inventory, business contracts, certain personal
property, intangible property, open sales orders and books and records purchased
by ANS.

In addition to the foregoing, MRK agreed to purchase from ANS an amount of 
equipment, at standard ANS prices, to generate a minimum of fifty thousand 
dollars ($50,000.00) gross profit during 1997, or pay the difference in gross 
profit to ANS by the end of 1997.  In accordance with the Purchase Agreement 
ANS has hired eight MST employees.

Additional information concerning the Purchase of MST assets is contained in 
the Purchase Agreement, which is an exhibit hereto and is incorporated 
herein by reference.

<PAGE>

ITEM 6.  RESIGNATIONS OF REGISTRANT'S DIRECTORS

On February 7, 1997 the Board of Directors of Eltrax Systems, Inc. received a
resignation, effective immediately, from Gene A. Bier from his position as
Director of Eltrax Systems.  There was no reason given for the resignation and
there are no disputes pending with Mr. Bier.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

         A.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BUSINESS ACQUIRED.  Not applicable.

         B.   PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION.  Not applicable.

         C.   EXHIBITS.

         99.1      Asset Purchase Agreement dated January 29, 1997 between
                   Atlantic Network Systems, Inc. and MRK Technologies, LTD.
                   Omitted from such exhibit, as filed, are the remaining
                   exhibits referenced in such agreement.  The Registrant will
                   furnish supplementally a copy of any such exhibits to the
                   Commission upon request.

         99.2      Press Release of the Registrant, dated February 3, 1997.

<PAGE>

                                      SIGNATURES

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


                                        ELTRAX SYSTEMS, INC.



                                        /s/ Mack V. Traynor, III
                                       -----------------------------------
                                        Name:    Mack V. Traynor, III
                                        Title:   President, Chief Executive
                                                 Officer


Dated:  February 12, 1997

<PAGE>

                                  INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit                      Description                      Method of Filing
- -------                      -----------                      ----------------
99.1     Asset Purchase Agreement dated January 29, 1997      Filed herewith.
         between Atlantic Network Systems, Inc. and MRK
         Technologies, LTD.  Omitted from such exhibit, as
         filed, are the remaining exhibits referenced in
         such agreement.  The Registrant will furnish
         supplementally a copy of any such exhibits to the
         Commission upon request.

99.2     Press Release of the Registrant, dated               Filed herewith.
         February 3, 1997.






<PAGE>


                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                 BY AND BETWEEN

                             MRK TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
                                   ("SELLER")

                                      AND

                         ATLANTIC NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.
                                   ("BUYER")



<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           PAGE

ARTICLE 1 PURCHASE AND SALE OF ACQUIRED ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

    1.1. Acquisition of the Acquired Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
    1.2. Excluded Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

ARTICLE 2 - ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

    2.1. Liabilities Assumed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

ARTICLE 3 - PURCHASE PRICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

    3.1. Purchase Price. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

    4.1. Collection of Payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
    4.2. Seller's Agreements as to Specified Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
    4.4. Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
    4.5. Further Assurances and Cooperation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
    4.6. Tax Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
    4.7. MST Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
    4.8. Non-Compete Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
    4.9. Support Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
    4.10. Margins on Open Sales Orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
    4.11.Evaluation Units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
    4.12. Accounts Payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
    4.13. MST Product Returns by Customer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

ARTICLE 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

    5.1. Disclosure Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
    5.2. Corporate Organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
    5.3. Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
    5.4. Non-Contravention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
    5.5. Financial Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
    5.6. Absence of Certain Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
    5.7. Title to Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
    5.8. Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
    5.9. Accounts Payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
    5.10. Intangible Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
    5.11. Litigation.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
    5.12. Tax Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
    5.13. Benefit Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
    5.14. Compensation Arrangements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
    5.15. Orders, Commitments and Returns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
    5.16. Labor Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
    5.17. Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

ARTICLE 6 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

    6.1. Organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
    6.2. Authority; Binding Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
    6.3. Litigation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
    6.4. Funds.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13


                                       i
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ARTICLE 7 TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

    7.1. Methods of Termination: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
    7.2. Procedure Upon Termination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
    7.3. Effect of Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

ARTICLE 8 SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

    8.1. Survival. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
    8.2. Indemnification by Buyer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
    8.3. Indemnification by Seller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
    8.4. Claims for Indemnification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
    8.5. Exception Amount on Certain Indemnification Claims. . . . . . . . . 16

ARTICLE 9 CLOSING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

    9.1. Closing Date. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
    9.2. Closing Deliveries by Seller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
    9.3. Closing Deliveries by Buyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

ARTICLE 10 CLOSING PROCEDURES AND SCHEDULES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

    10.1. Preclosing and Closing Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
    10.2. Preparation of Schedule of MST Inventory.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
    10.3. Vendor Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

ARTICLE 11 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER AND SELLER'S OBLIGATION TO
                      CONSUMMATE TRANSACTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

    11.1. Conditions to Buyer's Obligations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
    11.2. Conditions to Seller's Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

ARTICLE 12 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS AND AGREEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

    12.1. Consummation of Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
    12.2. Access to Records. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
    12.3. Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
    12.4. Amendment and Modification.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
    12.5. Waiver of Compliance; Consents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
    12.6. No Third Party Beneficiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
    12.7. Further Assurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
    12.8. Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
    12.9. Arbitration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
    12.10. No Third Party Beneficiary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
    12.11. Waiver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
    12.12. Binding Effect; Assignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
    12.13. Headings; Recitals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
    12.14. Exhibits and Schedules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
    12.15. Entire Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
    12.16. Counterparts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
    12.17. Applicable Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
    12.18. Definition of Material Adverse Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26


                                      ii
<PAGE>

EXHIBITS

5            Disclosure Schedule 
9.2(a)       Bill of Sale and Assignment

SCHEDULES

1.1(a)       MST Inventory
1.1(b)       Business Contracts
1.1(c)       Personal Property
2.1(a)       Open Purchase Orders
2.1(c)       Open Sales Orders
4.7(a)       Transferred Employees and Compensation Arrangements
4.7(d)       Transferred Employees Estimated Commissions
4.9          Support Services
10.2(c)      Excluded Inventory
10.3         Vendor Credits


                                     iii
<PAGE>

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT


         THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made this 29th day of 
January 1997, by and among MRK TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., an Ohio limited liability 
company ("Seller") and  ATLANTIC NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC. a North Carolina 
corporation ("Buyer"). 

                                  WITNESSETH:

         A.   Seller owns and operates a business division (the "Division") 
engaged in the business of value-added distribution of wide-area network 
hardware (the "Business") under the name "MST Distribution." 

         B.   Seller wishes to sell to Buyer, and Buyer wishes to purchase from 
Seller, certain of the assets of the Division upon the terms and subject to the 
conditions set forth herein.

    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, representations 
and warranties herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, 
the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby 
agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE
                                       1.
                             PURCHASE AND SALE OF
                                ACQUIRED ASSETS

1.1.  ACQUISITION OF THE ACQUIRED ASSETS.  Subject to the terms and
      conditions hereof, at the Closing Date, as defined herein, Seller shall
      sell, transfer, convey, assign and deliver to the Buyer, and Buyer shall
      purchase and acquire from Seller, all of Seller's right, title and 
      interest in and to the following assets (the "Assets"):

      (a)  MST INVENTORY.  The inventory of the Business which is set forth on
           Schedule 1.1(a) to be attached to the Closing Statement, as provided
           in Section 10.2 (the "MST Inventory"), and the inventory that is
           delivered to Buyer's facility in North Carolina after the Closing 
           Date pursuant to Open Purchase Orders as provided in Section 2.1(b);
           and

      (b)  BUSINESS CONTRACTS.  The contracts which are set forth on Schedule
           1.1(b), including all work-in-progress related to such contracts and
           rights for services rendered or products provided under such 
           contracts that were not billed out as of the Closing Date, except 
           with respect to Excluded Inventory set forth on Schedule 10.2(c); and

      (c)  PERSONAL PROPERTY.  The furniture, fixtures, equipment and office
           supplies which are set forth on Schedule 1.1(c) attached hereto (the
           "Personal Property"); and


                                      1
<PAGE>

      (d)  INTANGIBLE PROPERTY.  The names "MST," "MST Distribution" and all
           derivatives thereof, including the trademark and servicemark
           registrations related thereto, MST's telephone numbers (including 800
           numbers) and, to the extent assignable,  in all intangible property
           rights used or held for use by Seller in the conduct of the Business,
           including goodwill and customer lists, which are primarily relating 
           to the Business or the Assets, including all rights of Seller in and
           under any trademark, servicemark or trade name (and registrations and
           applications therefore), and trademark licenses, confidential
           information, logos, and similar rights and other intellectual
           properties used in the Business (collectively, the "Intangible
           Assets"); and 

      (e)  OPEN SALE ORDERS.  Seller's Open Sales Orders as defined in Section
           2.1(d); and

      (f)  BOOKS AND RECORDS.  Copies of all books and records primarily used or
           held in the operation of the Business or related to the Assets,
           including, for at least the two (2) years prior to the Closing Date,
           all (i) lists of past and present customers and suppliers; (ii) price
           and supply quotations and books; (iii) sales orders; (iv) a diskette
           containing master files on MST product advertising materials, mailing
           lists, sales materials and records; (v) MST product catalogs; and 
           (vi) files, records and data related to the foregoing (collectively, 
           the "Books and Records").

1.2.  EXCLUDED ASSETS.  The parties to this Agreement expressly understand
      and agree that Seller is not selling, assigning, transferring or conveying
      to Buyer the following assets, rights and properties (the "Excluded
      Assets"):

      (a)  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS.  All of Seller's cash or cash equivalents;
           and 

      (b)  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE.  All of Seller's accounts receivable; and

      (c)  CONTRACTS NOT ASSUMED.  All of Seller's rights to and under any
           contracts, agreements or other documents or instruments which are not
           listed on Schedule 1.1(b); and

      (d)  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.   Any interest in, or assets related to, any
           employee benefit plan (health or otherwise) of Seller; and

      (e)  PROCEEDS.   All rights of Seller under this Agreement, including the
           proceeds of the sale contemplated herein, or any other payments to
           Seller contemplated herein.


                                      2
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE
                                       2.
                           ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES

2.1.  LIABILITIES ASSUMED.  Subject to the Closing, and as of the Closing
      Date, the Buyer assumes and will discharge only the following obligations
      of the Seller (the "Assumed Liabilities"):

      (a)  Seller's obligations under Seller's open purchase orders with vendors
           related to the Business which will be set forth on Schedule 2.1(a) to
           be attached to the Closing Statement to the extent, and as and when,
           the underlying inventory is actually received by Buyer at its North
           Carolina facility ("Open Purchase Orders"); and

      (b)  Seller's obligations under those certain contracts which will be set
           forth on Schedule 1.1(b) to be attached to the Closing Statement, 
           with respect to operations of the Business after the Closing Date; 
           and

      (c)  Seller's obligations under Seller's open sales orders with customers
           of the Division which will be set forth on Schedule 2.1(c) to be
           attached to the Closing Statement (the "Open Sales Orders").

      (d)  Seller's obligations to pay commissions to Transferred Employees 
           (and payroll taxes payable as required by law) only in accordance 
           with Section 4.7(d).

      The above liabilities assumed by Buyer are the only liabilities of the
      Seller to be assumed by the Buyer.  Other than the Assumed Liabilities
      above, Buyer is not assuming any liability of the Seller, the Division 
      or the Business.

                                    ARTICLE
                                       3.
                                 PURCHASE PRICE

3.1.  PURCHASE PRICE.

      (a)  The total consideration to be paid by Buyer to the Seller for the
           Assets (the "Purchase Price") will be an amount equal to:

           (i)    One Million Two Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars 
                  ($1,265,000) for the name, customer lists and goodwill of the 
                  Division; and

           (ii)   Plus, the amount specified on the MST Inventory list as set 
                  forth on Schedule 1.1(a); and

           (iii)  Plus Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) for the Personal 
                  Property.


                                      3
<PAGE>

      (b)  PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE.  At the Closing, the Buyer will pay the 
           Seller, by federal wire transfer, immediately available funds in the 
           amount of the Closing Statement Price, as defined in Section 10.1 of 
           this Agreement, to Seller's bank account pursuant to written 
           instructions given to the Buyer at least 48 hours prior to Closing. 

                                  ARTICLE
                                     4.
                                 COVENANTS

4.1.  COLLECTION OF PAYMENTS.  The parties acknowledge that from time to 
      time following the Closing Date, each party may receive one or more 
      payments from customers of the Business which are actually intended for or
      are made payable to the other party.  In such event, the party receiving 
      the check or payment shall immediately remit the same to the other party 
      and if the payment is in the form of a check made payable to the other 
      party, such check will not be negotiated by the receiving party absent 
      written permission of the other party unless received directly into a 
      lock-box facility, in which case the party shall promptly cause such funds
      to be remitted to the other party.  Each party agrees to report to the 
      other with respect to such matters on a reasonably prompt basis.

4.2.  SELLER'S AGREEMENTS AS TO SPECIFIED MATTERS.  Except as specifically 
      set forth in this Agreement or on the Disclosure Schedule, and except as 
      may be otherwise agreed in writing by the Buyer, from the date hereof 
      until the Closing, the Seller will conduct the business and operations of 
      the Division according to its ordinary and usual course of business, to 
      preserve substantially intact the Business and the Assets and to preserve 
      the Division's current relationships with customers, employees and 
      suppliers.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and, except 
      as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, prior to the Closing 
      Date, without the prior written consent of the Buyer, the Seller will not:

      (a)  Take any action that will have a Material Adverse Effect on the 
           condition of the Assets or the Business; 

      (b)  Permit or allow any of the Assets to be subjected to any liens, other
           than liens which Seller will cause to be released not later than the 
           Closing Date; 

      (c)  Enter into sales orders for the sale of products and performance of 
           services relating to the Business ("Sales Orders") except on pricing 
           terms that are in the ordinary course of its business and on an 
           arms-length basis; 

      (d)  Place purchase orders for inventory of the Business ("Purchase 
           Orders") other than in the ordinary course of its business; or 

      (e)  Agree, whether in writing or otherwise, to take any action described 
           in this subsection. 


                                      4
<PAGE>

4.3.  FULL ACCESS TO BUYER.  Throughout the period prior to Closing, the 
      Seller will afford to the Buyer and their directors, officers, 
      employees, counsel, accountants, investment advisors and other 
      authorized representatives and agents access to the facilities, 
      properties, books and records of the Division in order that the Buyer 
      may make such investigations as it will desire to make of the affairs 
      of the Division.  In order to meet Buyer's reporting requirements under 
      applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange 
      Commission, the Seller will furnish such additional financial and 
      operating data and other information as the Buyer will, from time to 
      time, reasonably request, whether before or after Closing, including 
      without limitation access to the working papers of its independent 
      certified public accountants ("Accountants"). Seller will authorize and 
      direct Seller's Accountants to be reasonably available to Buyer to 
      respond to questions and make available documents and working papers 
      with respect to such information.  Any expenses incurred by Seller with 
      respect to making Seller's Accountants available to Buyer shall be 
      borne by Seller if the services relating to those expenses were 
      rendered prior to the Closing, and by Buyer if the services were 
      rendered after the Closing.

4.4.  CONFIDENTIALITY.  Each of the parties hereto agrees that it will not
      use, or permit the use of, any of the information relating to any other 
      party hereto furnished to it in connection with the transactions 
      contemplated herein ("Information") in a manner or for a purpose 
      detrimental to such other party or otherwise than in connection with 
      the transaction, and that they will not disclose, divulge, provide or 
      make accessible (collectively, "Disclose"), or permit the Disclosure 
      of, any of the Information to any person or entity, other than their 
      respective directors, officers, employees, investment advisors, 
      accountants, counsel and other authorized representatives and agents, 
      except as may be required by judicial or administrative process or, in 
      the opinion of such party's counsel, by other requirements of law; 
      provided, however, that prior to any Disclosure of any Information 
      permitted hereunder, the disclosing party will first obtain the 
      recipients' undertaking to comply with the provisions of this 
      subsection with respect to such information.  The term "Information" as 
      used herein will not include any information relating to a party which 
      the party disclosing such information can show:  (i) to have been 
      properly obtained and rightfully in its possession prior to its receipt 
      from another party hereto; (ii) to be now or to later become generally 
      available to the public through no fault of the disclosing party; (iii) 
      to have been available to the public at the time of its receipt by the 
      disclosing party; (iv) to have been received separately by the 
      disclosing party in an unrestricted manner from a person authorized to 
      disclose such information; or (v) to have been developed independently 
      by the disclosing party without regard to any information received in 
      connection with this transaction.  Each party hereto also agrees to 
      promptly return to the party from whom it originally received such 
      information all original and duplicate copies of written materials 
      containing Information should the transactions contemplated herein not 
      occur.  A party hereto will be deemed to have satisfied its obligations 
      to hold the Information confidential if it exercises the same care as 
      it takes with respect to its own similar information.

4.5.  FURTHER ASSURANCES AND COOPERATION.  Each party hereto will, before, at 
      and after Closing, execute and deliver such instruments and take such 
      other actions as the other 

                                      5

<PAGE>

      party or parties, as the case may be, may reasonably require in order 
      to carry out the intent of this Agreement.  Without limiting the 
      generality of the foregoing, at any time after the Closing, at the 
      request of the Buyer and without further consideration, the Seller will 
      execute and deliver such instruments of sale, transfer, conveyance, 
      assignment and confirmation and take such action as the Buyer may 
      reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to more effectively 
      transfer, convey and assign to the Buyer, and to confirm the Buyer's 
      title to, all of the Assets, to put the Buyer in actual possession 
      thereof.  Not later than thirty (30) days after Closing, Seller will 
      take all action, and will cause any creditor to take all action, 
      necessary to have all liens against the Assets which are in existence 
      on the Closing Date to be released therefrom, and all UCC financing 
      statements with respect thereto to be properly terminated.  Seller will 
      indemnify Buyer for any loss, liability or damage actually incurred by 
      Buyer with respect to the existence of liens and the failure to remove 
      them.

4.6.  TAX MATTERS.

      (a)  TRANSACTIONAL TAXES.  In addition to and without limiting those 
           representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.12 of this 
           Agreement, in the event that any sales or use tax, or any tax in 
           the nature of a sales or use tax, or any transactional tax is 
           payable or assessed relative to the transactions described herein, 
           the Seller will pay all such taxes that are imposed by law on the 
           Seller, and the Buyer will pay all such taxes that are imposed by 
           law on the Buyer. The parties hereto will cooperate to make any 
           necessary filings with state and local taxing authorities and to 
           furnish any required supplemental information with respect to any 
           state and local tax liabilities resulting from the consummation of 
           the transactions contemplated herein.

      (b)  COOPERATION AND RECORDS RETENTION.  The Seller and the Buyer will 
           (i) each provide the other with such assistance as may reasonably 
           be requested by any of them in connection with the preparation of 
           any tax return, audit or other examination by any taxing authority 
           or judicial or administrative proceedings relating to liability 
           for taxes, (ii) each retain and provide the other with any records 
           or other information which may be relevant to such tax return, 
           audit or examination, proceeding or determination, and (iii) each 
           provide the other with any final determination of such audit or 
           examination, proceeding or determination that affects any amount 
           required to be shown on any tax return of the other for any 
           period.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the 
           Seller and the Buyer will retain, until the applicable statutes of 
           limitations (including all extensions) have expired, copies of all 
           tax returns, supporting work schedules and other records or 
           information which may be relevant to such tax returns for all tax 
           periods or portions thereof ending on or before the Closing Date 
           and will not destroy or otherwise dispose of any such records 
           without first providing the other party with a reasonable 
           opportunity to review and copy the same.

                                   6

<PAGE>

4.7.  MST EMPLOYEES.

      (a)  Buyer intends to extend offers of employment to certain of 
           Seller's employees listed on Schedule 4.7(a) hereto for employment 
           beginning on February 1, 1997.  The terms and conditions of each 
           such offer and of any continuing employment will be determined by 
           the Buyer in its sole discretion and any resulting employment 
           relationship will be at will. Any employee of the Division of the 
           Seller who accepts such an employment offer and reports for work 
           on the date directed by the Buyer will be sometimes hereinafter 
           referred to as a "Transferred Employee."  The Seller hereby 
           authorizes the Buyer to enter into discussions with any of such 
           employees listed on Schedule 4.7(a) concerning the future 
           employment of such individual by the Buyer; provided, however, 
           that all such discussions will be conducted in such a manner as 
           not to interfere unreasonably with the business operations of the 
           Division of the Seller.

      (b)  The Seller will not, for a period of two (2) years after the 
           Closing Date, take any action, other than with the written consent 
           of the Buyer, to induce any Transferred Employee, while still 
           employed by the Buyer or any subsidiary of Buyer, to enter into 
           the employ of the Seller or any affiliate of the Seller.  As of 
           the Closing Date, Seller will terminate all non-compete agreements 
           and covenants as they relate to the Business of the Division and 
           Buyer between Seller or the Division and the Transferred Employees 
           who accept employment with Buyer.

      (c)  Buyer hereby specifically disclaims any assumption of, or 
           liability with respect to, any collective bargaining agreement or 
           employee benefit plan, policy, practice or agreement to which the 
           Seller is a party or under which any of the Seller's employees or 
           former employees are covered.  Without limiting the generality of 
           the foregoing, (i) Buyer is not assuming any obligation to 
           contribute to, or has any obligation or liability for any 
           withdrawal liability arising in connection with, any Multiemployer 
           Plan ("Multiemployer Plan") within the meaning of the Employee 
           Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA") 
           attributable to participation therein by current or former 
           employees of the Seller as a result of this Agreement and the 
           transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise, and (ii) with 
           respect to each current or former employee of the Seller, 
           including a Transferred Employee, and each other individual who is 
           a "qualified beneficiary" with respect to such current or former 
           employee in connection with any "group health plan" (as such terms 
           are defined in Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 
           as amended (the "Code")) maintained by the Seller or any of its 
           affiliates, as between Buyer, on the one hand, and the Seller, on 
           the other hand, the Seller is responsible for providing group 
           health plan continuation coverage in accordance with Section 4980B 
           of the Code and Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA (without 
           regard to whether Buyer is ultimately determined to be responsible 
           to provide such coverage to any such current or former employee) 
           and Seller will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Buyer, and 
           its affiliates from and against any liability, expense, cost, tax 
           or obligation of any nature with 

                                      7

<PAGE>

           respect to such current or former employee or other individual 
           arising in connection with group health plan coverage required 
           under Section 4980B of the Code or Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I 
           of ERISA.

      (d)  Seller will prepare a Schedule 4.7(d) of all commissions estimated 
           to be due to the Transferred Employees for sales prior to the 
           Closing, including payroll taxes (calculated at a rate of 7.65% of 
           the commission payable).  Such commissions will be calculated as 
           if all related accounts receivable had been collected as of 
           January 31, 1997, irrespective of the Seller's policy otherwise.  
           This aggregate commission amount will be a credit to the Buyer on 
           the Closing Statement.  Buyer will pay the amount to the 
           Transferred Employees promptly on or after Closing, and these 
           amounts will be trued-up by the Buyer and Seller within 
           thirty-five (35) days after Closing.

4.8.  NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT.  For a period of two (2) years after the Closing 
      Date, Seller will not, either alone nor in any capacity with another 
      person or firm, directly or indirectly, sell any products of the 
      vendors listed on Schedule 1.1(a) to any re-sellers.

4.9.  SUPPORT SERVICES.  Seller and Buyer agree that for the month of 
      February 1997, Seller will provide the services set forth on Schedule 
      4.9 at no cost to Buyer (notwithstanding the quoted prices on such 
      Schedule) except for the actual cost of the direct pass through 
      separately charged telephone calls (for example, long distance).

4.10. MARGINS ON OPEN SALES ORDERS.  Seller and Buyer agree that with respect 
      to the gross margin received by Buyer on the Open Sales Orders, Buyer 
      will pay the sales commission to the Transferred Employees, and the net 
      amount (gross margin less the sales commission) will be split one-half 
      to the Seller and one-half to the Buyer.  Buyer will provide a written 
      report with respect to the calculation of the sales commissions owing 
      and will pay Seller its share in accordance with this Section on a 
      monthly basis as and when Buyer receives payment with respect to the 
      Open Sales Orders.

4.11. EVALUATION UNITS.  Seller represents that there are MST products worth 
      an amount not to exceed $20,000 that are in the field being evaluated 
      by customers of MST who are re-sellers (the "Evaluation Units.").  If 
      such Evaluation Units are returned to the Seller after the Closing 
      Date, and Seller delivers such Evaluation Units to Buyer (at Seller's 
      cost) before the end of February 1997 in salable condition (that is, 
      the Evaluation Units are undamaged, in the box and with all manuals and 
      warranty papers), then Buyer will promptly pay to Seller the Seller's 
      net cost from the manufacturer with respect to such Evaluation Units.

4.12. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE.  Seller will pay, not later than the Closing Date, 
      all outstanding vendor accounts payable (with respect to which invoices 
      have been received by Seller, whether or not then due) with respect to 
      MST Inventory set forth on Schedule 1.1(a), except as provided in 
      Section 10.3. On or before the Closing Date, Seller will provide to 
      Buyer proper written evidence that such accounts payable have been 
      paid.  Seller further 

                                      8

<PAGE>

      agrees to promptly pay all invoices received by Seller after the 
      Closing Date, which relate to MST Inventory.

4.13. MST PRODUCT RETURNS BY CUSTOMER.  With respect to MST products sold by 
      Seller prior to Closing, the parties agree that: (a) if such MST 
      products are returned by the customer to Seller, Seller may ship such 
      products to Buyer (at Seller's cost), and if any such product is in 
      salable condition (that is, the product is undamaged, in the box and 
      with all manuals and warranty papers), then Buyer will promptly pay to 
      Seller the Seller's net cost from manufacturer with respect to such 
      product; and (b) if such MST products are returned by the customer to 
      Buyer, and such product is in salable condition (as described above), 
      then Buyer will notify Seller of such facts, Seller will credit that 
      customer's account (assuming the return is authorized by Seller) and 
      Buyer will promptly pay to Seller the Seller's net cost from 
      manufacturer with respect to such product.  Buyer will ship back to 
      Seller MST products that are not in salable condition.

                                   ARTICLE
                                      5.
                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

Seller represents and warrants to Buyer, as of the date of this Agreement, that:

5.1.  DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE.  The disclosure schedule of Seller attached as 
      Exhibit 5 hereto (the "Disclosure Schedule") is divided into sections 
      which correspond to the subsections of this Article 5.  The Disclosure 
      Schedule is accurate and complete at the time this Agreement is 
      executed and will be accurate and complete on the Closing Date.  
      Nothing in the Disclosure Schedule will be deemed adequate to disclose 
      an exception to a representation or warranty made herein, unless the 
      Disclosure Schedule identifies the exception with reasonable 
      particularity and describes the relevant facts in reasonable detail.  
      Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the mere listing (or 
      inclusion of a copy) of a document or other item will not be deemed 
      adequate to disclose an exception to a representation or warranty made 
      herein (unless the representation or warranty has to do with the 
      existence of the document or other item itself).  Disclosures in any 
      subsection thereof will not constitute disclosure for purposes of any 
      other subsection and any other section or subsection of this Agreement 
      or any exhibit to or other writing which is designated herein as being 
      part of this Agreement.

5.2.  CORPORATE ORGANIZATION.  The Seller is a limited liability company duly 
      organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the 
      State of Ohio.

5.3.  AUTHORIZATION.  The Seller has full corporate power and authority to 
      enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions 
      contemplated herein and therein.  The Members of the Seller has taken 
      all action required by law, the Seller's articles of organization and 
      bylaws and otherwise to authorize the execution, delivery and 
      performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions 
      contemplated herein. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed 
      and delivered by the Seller 

                                      9

<PAGE>

      and no other corporate action is necessary.  This Agreement is, when 
      executed, a valid and binding legal obligation of the Seller, 
      enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms.

5.4.  NON-CONTRAVENTION.  Neither the execution, delivery and performance of 
      this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated 
      herein or therein will violate or be in conflict with any provision of 
      the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Seller.

5.5.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  Section 5.5 of the Disclosure Schedule contains 
      true and complete copies of the calculation of contribution margin of 
      the Division for the following periods:  the seven-month period ended 
      December 31, 1994, the twelve-month period ended December 31, 1995 and 
      the twelve-month period ended December 31, 1996.  Except as disclosed 
      therein, the foregoing calculations of contribution margin and the 
      accounts reflected therein:  (i) are in accordance with the books and 
      records of the Seller and have been prepared consistently for all 
      periods, and (ii) fairly present the identified accounts thereon for 
      the periods shown.

5.6.  ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES.  Except as set forth on the Disclosure 
      Schedule, since December 31, 1996, the Seller has owned and operated 
      the Assets and operated the Business in the ordinary course of business 
      and substantially consistent with past practice.  Without limiting the 
      generality of the foregoing and except as set forth on the Disclosure 
      Schedule, the Seller has not suffered any loss, damage, destruction or 
      other casualty (whether or not covered by insurance) or suffered any 
      loss of officers, employees, distributors, independent contractors, 
      customers, or suppliers which had or may reasonably be expected to 
      result in a Material Adverse Effect on the condition of the Assets and 
      the Business, since December 31, 1996.

5.7.  TITLE TO ASSETS.  Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, the 
      Seller has good and marketable right, title and interest in and to all 
      of the Assets.  Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, there 
      are no leasehold interests relating to the Personal Property.  Except 
      as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Assets is subject 
      to any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or encumbrance of any 
      kind or nature (whether or not of record), and will not become subject 
      to any such mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or encumbrance 
      (including any UCC Article 6 liens) because of the transactions 
      described herein, other than liens which Seller will cause to be 
      released on the Closing Date (and the related financing statements 
      which Seller will cause to be terminated within 30 days after the 
      Closing Date).

5.8.  INVENTORIES.  All MST Inventory will be valued on Schedule 1.1(b) at 
      Seller's net cost from the manufacturer without reduction for marketing 
      development or co-op funds.

5.9.  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE.  On or before the Closing Date, Seller has paid all 
      outstanding vendor accounts payable with respect to the Assets of the 
      Business with respect to invoices received by Seller, except as 
      provided in Section 10.3.

                                      10

<PAGE>

5.10.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS.  Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, 
       the Seller owns or has the unrestricted right to use, and to assign and 
       sell, all the Intangible Assets.  Except as set forth on the Disclosure 
       Schedule, the use of all Intangible Assets does not and will not infringe
       or violate or allegedly infringe or violate the intellectual property 
       rights of any person or entity.  Except as described on the Disclosure 
       Schedule, the Seller (i) does not own or use any Intangible Assets 
       pursuant to any written license agreement; and (ii) has not granted any 
       person or entity any rights, pursuant to written license agreement or 
       otherwise, to use the Intangible Assets. 

5.11.  LITIGATION.  Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, there is 
       no action, suit, proceeding at law or in equity by any person or entity, 
       or any arbitration or any administrative or other proceeding by or before
       (or any investigation by) any Authority, pending or, to the best of 
       Seller's knowledge, threatened, against the Seller affecting the Assets, 
       or which questions or challenges the validity of this Agreement or any 
       action taken or to be taken by the parties hereto pursuant to this 
       Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated herein, 
       and there does not exist any valid basis for any such action, proceeding 
       or investigation.

5.12.   TAX MATTERS.  There are no facts or circumstances which could, 
       directly or indirectly, subject the Buyer or any of its affiliates to any
       liability of any nature with respect to any federal, state, local, 
       foreign or other income, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, 
       profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, 
       employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, real or 
       personal property, windfall profits, customs, duties or other taxes that 
       was or will be owing by the Seller with respect to the Assets.  Seller 
       is not required by the Ohio state taxing authority to obtain any tax 
       clearance certificate or similar document(s) in order to relieve the 
       Buyer of any obligation to withhold any portion of the Purchase Price. 

5.13.  BENEFIT PLANS. There are no facts or circumstances which could, 
       directly or indirectly, subject Buyer or any of its affiliates to any 
       liability of any nature with respect to any pension, welfare, incentive, 
       perquisite, paid time off, severance or other benefit plan, policy, 
       practice or agreement sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the 
       Seller or any affiliate, to which the Seller or any affiliate is a party 
       or with respect to which the Seller or any affiliate could have any 
       liability. 

5.14.  COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS.  Schedule 4.7(a) sets forth a true and 
       complete listing of the base salary and other compensation and benefits 
       arrangements for each of the Transferred Employees for the calendar year 
       1996. 

5.15.  ORDERS, COMMITMENTS AND RETURNS.  Except as set forth in the Disclosure 
       Schedule, all Open Sales Orders and all Open Purchase Orders were made 
       in bona fide transactions in the ordinary course of business.  Except as 
       set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, to the best of Seller's knowledge, 
       there are no claims against the Seller to return products of the Division
       by reason of alleged over-shipments, defective products or otherwise 
       (except the


                                      11
<PAGE>

       Micom EREs), or of products in the hands of customers, retailers or 
       distributors under an understanding that such products would be 
       returnable. 

5.16.  LABOR MATTERS.  Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, in 
       connection with the business of the  Division:  (i) the Seller is and has
       been in material compliance with all applicable laws respecting 
       employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment 
       and wages and hours, including without limitation any such laws 
       respecting employment discrimination and occupational safety and health 
       requirements, and has not and is not engaged in any unfair labor 
       practice; (ii) to the best of Seller's knowledge, there is no unfair 
       labor practice complaint against the Seller pending or threatened before 
       the National Labor Relations Board or any other comparable Authority; 
       (iii) to the best of Seller's knowledge, there is no labor strike, 
       dispute, slowdown or stoppage actually pending or threatened against or 
       directly affecting the relating to the  Division; (iv) no labor 
       representation question exists respecting the employees of the  Division 
       and there is not pending or, to the best of Seller's knowledge, 
       threatened any activity intended or likely to result in a labor 
       representation vote respecting the employees of the  Division; (v) no 
       grievance or any arbitration proceeding arising out of or under 
       collective bargaining agreements is pending and no claims therefor exist 
       or, to the best of Seller's knowledge, have been threatened; (vi) no 
       collective bargaining agreement is binding and in force against the 
       Seller or currently being negotiated by the Seller relating to the 
       Division; (vii) the Seller has not experienced any significant work 
       stoppage relating to the  Division; (viii) to the best of Seller's 
       knowledge, the Seller is not delinquent in payments to any persons 
       performing services for the Division for any wages, salaries, 
       commissions, bonuses or other direct or indirect compensation for any 
       services performed by them or amounts required to be reimbursed to such 
       persons, including without limitation any amounts due under any Pension 
       Plan, Welfare Plan or Compensation Plan; and (ix) upon termination of the
       employment of any person, neither the Seller, nor Buyer nor any 
       subsidiary of Buyer will, by reason of anything done at or prior to or as
       of the Closing Date, be liable to any of such persons for so-called 
       "severance pay" or any other payments (other than wages, vacation 
       benefits and other benefits which Seller will pay in accordance with 
       Seller's customary payroll practices).

5.17.  DISCLOSURE.  There is no material fact as of the date hereof which has 
       not been disclosed in writing to the Buyer related to the  Division, the 
       Assets or the operations, properties, financial condition or prospects of
       the  Division which has a Material Adverse Effect or, in the future may 
       have a Material Adverse Effect on the  Division or the Assets in the 
       context of this transaction taken as a whole.  The representations and 
       warranties contained in this Article 5 or elsewhere in this Agreement or 
       any document delivered pursuant hereto will not be affected or deemed 
       waived by reason of the fact that the Buyer or their respective 
       representatives knew (other than as a result of the Disclosure Schedule 
       or other writing delivered to the Buyers on the Closing Date) or should 
       have known that any such representation or warranty is or might be 
       inaccurate in any respect. 


                                      12
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE
                                       6.
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

The Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller that:

6.1.   ORGANIZATION.  Buyer is a corporation duly existing and in good standing 
       under the laws of the State of North Carolina.

6.1.   AUTHORITY; BINDING EFFECT.  Buyer has full corporate power and authority 
       to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the other instruments,
       agreements and documents to be executed by it hereunder and to consummate
       the transactions provided for herein and therein.  Such execution, 
       delivery and performance have been duly authorized by all necessary 
       action on the part of Buyer and does not and will not contravene the 
       articles of incorporation or bylaws of Buyer.  This Agreement is, and 
       each of such other instruments, agreements and documents will be, when
       executed and delivered, a valid and binding obligation of Buyer.

6.3.   LITIGATION.  There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation at law
       or in equity or by or before any governmental instrumentality or other 
       judicial or quasi-judicial agency threatened or now pending, against 
       Buyer, or any affiliate or subsidiary of Buyer, which would adversely 
       affect the business or financial condition of the Buyer or the ability of
       Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

6.4.   FUNDS.  At the Closing Date, and any other time thereafter necessitating 
       the transfer of funds by Buyer to Seller contemplated herein, Buyer will 
       have the funds required to consummate the Transactions contemplated 
       hereby.

                                    ARTICLE
                                       7.
                          TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT

7.1.   METHODS OF TERMINATION.  This Agreement may be terminated and the 
       transactions contemplated herein may be abandoned at any time, but not 
       later than the Closing: 

       (a)  By mutual written consent of the Buyer and the Seller; or 

       (b)  By the Buyer on or after the Termination Date or such later date as 
            may be established pursuant to Section 1 hereof, if any of the 
            conditions provided for in Section 11.1 of this Agreement will not 
            have been satisfied or waived in writing by the Buyer prior to such 
            date; or 

       (c)  By the Seller on or after the Termination Date or such later date as
            may be established pursuant to Section 1 hereof, if any of the 
            conditions provided for in Section 11.2 of this Agreement will not 
            have been satisfied or waived in writing by the Seller prior to such
            date; or 


                                      13
<PAGE>

       (d)  By any party if the Closing will not have occurred on or before 
            February 7, 1997 ("Termination Date"). 

7.2.   PROCEDURE UPON TERMINATION.  In the event of termination and abandonment
       pursuant to Section 7.1(a), written notice thereof will forthwith be 
       given to the other party or parties, and the provisions of this Agreement
       will terminate, and the transactions contemplated herein will be 
       abandoned, without further action by any party hereto. 

7.2.   EFFECT OF TERMINATION.  If this Agreement is terminated as provided 
       herein: (i) each party will, upon request, redeliver all documents, work 
       papers and other material of any other party (and all copies thereof) 
       relating to the transactions contemplated herein, whether so obtained 
       before or after the execution hereof, to the party furnishing the same; 
       (ii) the confidentiality obligations of Section 4.4 will continue to be 
       applicable; and (iii) except as provided in this subsection, no party 
       will have any liability for a breach of any representation, warranty, 
       agreement, covenant or other provision of this Agreement, unless such 
       breach was due to a willful or bad faith action or omission of such party
       or any representative, agent, employee or independent contractor thereof.
       If either party fails to close after all conditions to that party's 
       obligation to close have been satisfied, and the other party is not in 
       breach of any material obligation or representation under this initial 
       Agreement, then the party that fails to close shall pay the other party a
       break-up fee in the amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).

                                    ARTICLE
                                       8.
                         SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION

8.1.   SURVIVAL.  All representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and 
       agreements of each of the parties hereto contained in this Agreement 
       (including any exhibits, certificates, or documents delivered pursuant 
       hereto) survive the Closing (and not be affected in any respect by the 
       Closing) of the transactions contemplated hereby for a period of eighteen
       (18) months therefrom. 

8.2.   INDEMNIFICATION BY BUYER.  The Buyer agrees to indemnify, defend and 
       hold the Seller harmless from and against any and all loss, liability or 
       damage suffered or incurred by Seller by reason of: 

       (a)  any untrue representation of, or breach of any warranty, 
            representation or agreement by the Buyer in any part of this 
            Agreement; and 

       (b)  any nonfulfillment of any covenant, agreement or undertaking of the 
            Buyer in any part of this Agreement which by its terms is to remain 
            in effect after the Closing and has not been specifically waived in 
            writing at the Closing by the party or parties hereto entitled to 
            the benefits thereof; and


                                      14
<PAGE>
      (c)  any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, 
           assessments, judgments, costs and expenses, including, without 
           limitation, legal fees and expenses, incident to any of the 
           foregoing. 

8.3.  INDEMNIFICATION BY SELLER.  The Seller agrees to indemnify, defend and
      hold the Buyer harmless from and against any and all loss, liability or
      damage suffered or incurred by the Buyer or any of its affiliates by 
      reason of: 

      (a)  any untrue representation of, or breach of any warranty,
           representation or agreement by the Seller in any part of this 
           Agreement;

      (b)  any nonfulfillment of any covenant, agreement or undertaking of the 
           Seller in this Agreement which by its terms is to remain in 
           effect after the Closing and has not been specifically waived in 
           writing at the Closing by the party or parties hereto entitled to 
           the benefits thereof; and

      (c)  any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, 
           assessments, judgments, costs and expenses, including, without 
           limitation, legal fees and expenses, incident to any of the 
           foregoing.
           
8.4.  CLAIMS FOR INDEMNIFICATION.  Whenever any claim will arise for 
      indemnification hereunder (other than a claim to be submitted pursuant 
      to aforesaid terms and provisions), the party seeking indemnification 
      (the "Indemnified Party") will promptly notify the party from whom 
      indemnification is sought (the "Indemnifying Party") of the claim and, 
      when known, all of the facts constituting the basis for such claim.  
      The failure so to notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve the 
      Indemnifying Party of any liability that it may have to the 
      Indemnified Party except to the extent the Indemnifying Party 
      demonstrates that the defense of such action is prejudiced thereby.  
      In the case of any such claim for indemnification hereunder resulting 
      from or in connection with any claim or legal proceedings of a third 
      party (a "Proceeding"), the Indemnifying Party will, unless the claim 
      involves taxes, be entitled to participate in such legal proceedings 
      and, to the extent that it will wish (unless  the Indemnifying Party 
      is also a party to such Proceeding and the Indemnified Party 
      determines in good faith that joint representation would be 
      inappropriate or  the Indemnifying Party fails to provide reasonable 
      assurance to the Indemnified Party of its financial capacity to defend 
      such Proceeding and provide indemnification with respect thereto), to 
      control the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to 
      the Indemnified Party and, after notice from Indemnifying Party to the 
      Indemnified Party of its election so to control the defense thereof, 
      the Indemnifying Party will not be liable to such the Indemnified 
      Party under this Section for any fees of other counsel or any other 
      expenses with respect to the defense of such Proceeding, in each case 
      subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the 
      defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of investigation.  If an 
      Indemnifying Party controls the defense of such a Proceeding, (i) no 
      compromise or settlement thereof may be effected by the Indemnifying 
      Party without the Indemnified Party's consent unless (A) there is no 
      finding or admission of any violation of Law or any violation of the 

                                         15

<PAGE>

      rights of any person and no effect on any other claims that may be 
      made against the Indemnified Party and (B) the sole relief provided is 
      monetary damages that are paid in full by the Indemnifying Party and 
      (ii) the Indemnifying Party will have no liability with respect to any 
      compromise or settlement thereof effected without its consent.  If 
      notice is given to an Indemnifying Party of the commencement of any 
      Proceeding and it does not, within ten (10) days after the Indemnified 
      Party's notice is given, give notice to the Indemnified Party of its 
      election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnifying Party will be 
      bound by any determination made in such action or any compromise or 
      settlement thereof effected by the Indemnified Party.  Notwithstanding 
      the foregoing, if an Indemnified Party determines in good faith that 
      there is a reasonable probability that a Proceeding may adversely 
      effect it or its affiliates other than as a result of monetary 
      damages, or the Proceeding involves taxes, such Indemnified Party may, 
      by notice to the Indemnifying Party, assume the exclusive right to 
      defend, compromise or settle such Proceeding, but the Indemnifying 
      Party will not be bound by any determination of a Proceeding so 
      defended or any compromise or settlement thereof effected without its 
      consent (which will not be unreasonably withheld). 
      
8.5.  EXCEPTION AMOUNT ON CERTAIN INDEMNIFICATION CLAIMS.  Buyer will not be
      entitled to indemnification pursuant to Article 8 with respect to a 
      loss, liability or damage amount that relates to any untrue 
      representation or warranty of Seller set forth in Sections 5.2, 5.3, 
      5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.10, 5.11 and 5.16 hereof unless and until the 
      aggregate amount of all indemnification claims with respect to such 
      representations or warranties is more than Twenty-Five Thousand 
      Dollars ($25,000) (the "Exception Amount").  Seller will not be 
      entitled to indemnification pursuant to Article 8 with respect to a 
      loss, liability or damage amount that relates to any untrue 
      representation or warranty of Buyer set forth in Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 
      6.3 unless and until the aggregate amount of all indemnification 
      claims with respect to such representations and warranties is more 
      than the Exception Amount.  The Exception Amount applies only to the 
      indemnification claims of each party with respect to these specified 
      representations and warranties and does not apply to any other valid 
      indemnification claim by such party.  Buyer or Seller, as the case may 
      be, will be entitled to full indemnification of the entire amount of 
      such claims if the amount of such claims (individually or in the 
      aggregate) exceeds the Exception Amount.  The parties hereto do not 
      intend that the Exception Amount be deemed to be a definition of what 
      is "material" for purposes of this Agreement.
      
                                    ARTICLE
                                       9. 
                                    CLOSING

9.1.  CLOSING DATE.  The closing of the transactions described herein
      ("Closing") shall be held at 11:00 A.M., Cleveland time on Friday, 
      January 31, 1997 (the "Closing Date"), at the Seller's place of 
      business located at 3 Summit Park Drive, Suite 300, Independence, Ohio 
      44131.  A pre-closing shall be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 
      30, 1997 at the same location.
      
                                        16

<PAGE>

9.2.  CLOSING DELIVERIES BY SELLER.    At the Closing, Seller shall, subject
      to the fulfillment to its satisfaction of the conditions set forth in 
      Section 11.2 or its waiver thereof, deliver to Buyer:

      (a)  a Bill of Sale and Assignment in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
           9.2(a), dated the Closing Date and duly executed by an authorized 
           officer of Seller for all the Assets; 

      (b)  Closing Statement, including the Schedules thereto, dated as of the
           Closing Date and duly executed by an authorized officer of Seller;

      (c)  possession of the Assets;  

      (d)  a certificate by the Seller, dated the Closing Date and executed by 
           a duly authorized officer of Seller, certifying that the 
           conditions set forth in Section 11.1 have been satisfied;

      (e)  copies of a resolutions of Seller's Members authorizing this 
           Agreement and the transactions described herein relating to the 
           Agreement, certified by the authorized representative of Seller 
           as being in full force and effect on the Closing Date;

      (f)  certificate of good standing of Seller indicating that Seller is an
           Ohio limited liability company, duly organized and in good 
           standing in the State of Ohio;

      (g)  letters and partial releases from Deutsche Financial Services Corp.
           (formerly known as ITT Commercial Finance Corp.), IBM and any other
           third party having a secured interest in all or  a portion of the
           Assets or such other evidence of termination as is reasonably
           equivalent; and

      (h)  documentation evidencing the proper termination of all rights and
           obligations of all parties in connection with any employment, 
           non-competition and other agreements with respect to the 
           Transferred Employees who accept employment with Buyer.

9.3.  CLOSING DELIVERIES BY BUYER.  Contemporaneous with the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, Buyer shall have executed and delivered, in 
      a form acceptable to Seller, the following:

      (a)  the Closing Statement Price;

      (b)  a Closing Statement, dated as of the Closing Date and duly executed 
           by an officer of the Buyer;

      (c)  a certificate, dated the Closing Date and executed by a duly
           authorized officer of Buyer, certifying that the conditions set 
           forth in Section 11.2 have been satisfied;

                                        17

<PAGE>

      (d)  copies of the resolutions of the Boards of Directors of Buyer and
           other requisite approvals authorizing the transactions 
           contemplated hereby or otherwise relating to this Agreement and 
           the transactions contemplated hereby, certified by the Secretary 
           of Buyer as being in full force and effect on the Closing Date;

      (e)  certificates or other evidence satisfactory to Seller that each Buyer
           is duly incorporated and in good standing in North Carolina; and

      (f)  such other documents and instruments as are required to be delivered
           to Seller by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to Closing.

                                       ARTICLE
                                         10.
                         CLOSING PROCEDURES AND SCHEDULES

10.1. PRECLOSING AND CLOSING PROCEDURES.  

      (a)  The parties agree that at the execution of this Agreement, the
           schedules of MST Inventory and Open Purchase Orders, Vendor 
           Credits and Transferred Employees Estimated Commissions will not 
           be attached to the Agreement, but will be prepared by Seller, 
           reviewed by Buyer, initialed by the parties and included in the 
           Closing Statement to be delivered on the Closing Date.  The Open 
           Sales Orders Schedule will not be attached at execution of the 
           Agreement.  Seller will prepare an estimated Schedule of Open 
           Sales Orders at Closing and will deliver the final such schedule 
           to Buyer as soon as possible after Closing.

      (b)  On the Closing Date, the Closing Statement will set forth the 
           Purchase Price calculation and will reflect all adjustments to 
           the Purchase Price agreed upon by the parties, including a credit 
           to the Buyer for the commissions payable by Buyer pursuant to 
           Section 4.7(d) and a credit to the Buyer for the amount of the 
           Credit Holdback as defined under Section 10.3 herein.  The 
           Purchase Price, as adjusted, shall be the "Closing Statement 
           Price."
           
10.2. PREPARATION OF SCHEDULE OF MST INVENTORY.  

      (a)  Seller agrees that no shipments of MST Inventory will be made out of
           Seller's facility, nor shipments of MST Inventory received into 
           Seller's facility, after the close of business on Thursday, 
           January 30, 1997.  

      (b)  Seller represents that it has not, and agrees that it will not, place
           Open Purchase Orders with vendors where the expected receipt of 
           such inventory is a delivery date on or after January 31, 1997.  

                                        18

<PAGE>

      (c)  Seller will prepare the MST Inventory for physical count.  After the
           physical count on January 31, Seller will keep the MST Inventory 
           secure, and Buyer will remove it from Seller's warehouse not 
           later than February 1, 1997.

      (d)  On Friday, January 31, 1997, the parties agree to together conduct a
           physical inventory of the MST Inventory, commencing at 5:00 a.m.  
           In the preparation of Schedule 1.1(a), the parties will use the 
           Seller's net cost from the manufacturer for all MST Inventory.  
           The MST Inventory will not include any items which are listed on 
           Schedule 10.2(d), which will be the list of Excluded Inventory.  

10.3. VENDOR CREDITS.

      (a)  Seller represents that it has certain credit rights known as co-op
           credits, MDF credits, stock rotation credits, price protection 
           credits and promotional credits, of which an amount not to exceed 
           $60,000 are listed on Schedule 10.3 (collectively, the "Credits," 
           and individually, a "Credit" and relate to a particular "Credit 
           Holdback Vendor"). which Seller has deducted from its accounts 
           payable balances before payment pursuant to Section 4.12.

      (b)  At the Closing, Buyer shall be entitled to a credit on the Closing
           Statement in an amount equal to the Credits (the "Credit Holdback");

      (c)  In the event that any Credit Holdback Vendor of Seller listed on
           Schedule 10.3 (a "Vendor") asserts a claim against Buyer for any 
           unpaid account payable, then Buyer may pay such unpaid account 
           payable amount, after notifying Seller at least seven (7) days 
           prior thereto and granting Seller the opportunity within such 
           seven (7) days the ability to satisfy its obligation to such 
           Credit Holdback Vendor.  For the purpose of this paragraph, a 
           claim by a Credit Holdback Vendor need not be a legal proceeding, 
           but must be more than a request for payment.  The term "claim" 
           will include any legal proceeding or threat thereof, any credit 
           hold or threat thereof, and any cancellation or other substantial 
           alteration of the business relationship between the Credit 
           Holdback Vendor and the Buyer or threat thereof. Payments by 
           Buyer made under this subsection shall reduce the Credit Holdback.

      (d)  As and when Seller delivers to Buyer credit memos or other proper
           written evidence that the Credit Holdback Vendor has agreed to 
           the Credit having been applied to the accounts payable balance, 
           as described in Section 10.3(a), then Buyer shall promptly pay 
           the amount of the Credit to Seller, until the Credit Holdback is 
           exhausted.

      (e)  If there is any Credit Holdback remaining on June 1, 1997, then Buyer
           shall promptly pay such amount to Seller.

      (f)  In no event shall payments by Buyer hereunder be more than the
           original Credit Holdback.


                                      19
<PAGE>

                                     ARTICLE
                                       11.
           CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER AND SELLER'S OBLIGATION TO
                              CONSUMMATE TRANSACTIONS

11.1.    CONDITIONS TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS.  The obligations of Buyer are 
         subject to satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing, of each of the
         following conditions (all or any of which may be waived in whole or in
         part by Buyer):

         (a)  ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The 
              representations and warranties of Seller contained in this 
              Agreement (including the Schedules, and in all certificates 
              and other documents delivered and to be delivered by Seller to 
              Buyer in connection with the transactions described herein) 
              and the covenants made hereunder by Seller shall be true, 
              complete, accurate, and correct in all material respects when 
              made and, except as contemplated or permitted herein or therein 
              or except as consented to by Buyer in writing, shall continue to 
              be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing 
              Date with the same effect as though made at the Closing Date, 
              and Seller shall have performed and complied with, in all 
              material respects, all agreements, obligations and conditions 
              required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by 
              Seller prior to or at the Closing. 

         (b)  LITIGATION.  No action, suit, investigation, inquiry or proceeding
              relating to the transactions contemplated hereby shall be 
              instituted or threatened by any party, governmental body or 
              other person, in which there is, or is likely to be, sought a 
              temporary, preliminary or permanent judgment, order or decree 
              restraining or enjoining consummation of the transactions 
              contemplated hereby, requiring any holding separate or 
              divestiture of any substantial portion of the Assets by Buyer 
              or which questions the validity or legality of the 
              transactions contemplated hereby. 

         (c)  PERFORMANCE.  Seller shall have performed and complied with all
              agreements, obligations and conditions required by this Agreement
              to be performed or complied with by them on or prior to the 
              Closing.

         (d)  NO INJUNCTION.  On the Closing Date there shall be no effective
              injunction, writ, preliminary restraining order or any order of 
              any nature issued by a court of competent jurisdiction directing 
              that the transactions provided for herein or any of them not be 
              consummated as so provided or imposing any conditions on the 
              consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

         (e)  CERTIFICATES.  Seller shall have furnished Buyer with such
              certificates of their officers and others to evidence compliance 
              with the conditions set forth in Section 9.2 this Section 11.1 as 
              may be reasonably requested by Buyer.

                                       20


<PAGE>

         (f)  DOCUMENTATION FOR CONVEYANCE OF THE ASSETS.  The Buyer will have
              received, in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer
              and its counsel, dated the Closing Date, all bills of sale, deeds,
              assignments and other conveyance documentation as set forth in 
              this Agreement to vest title in the Assets in the Buyer.

         (g)  RELEASE LETTER.  Seller will have furnished Buyer with a letter
              satisfactory in form and substance to the parties from creditors 
              who have existing security interests in the Assets, including 
              Deutsche Financial Services Corp. (formerly known as ITT 
              Commercial Finance Corp.), pursuant to which such creditors 
              release their security interests against the Assets.

11.2.    CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATIONS.  The obligations of Seller under
         this Agreement are subject to satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing,
         of each of the following conditions (all or any of which may be waived
         in whole or in part by  Seller):

         (a)  ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The representations
              and warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement (including the
              Schedules, and in all certificates and other documents 
              delivered or to be delivered by Buyer to Seller in connection 
              with the transactions described herein) shall have been true 
              and correct in all respects when made and, except as otherwise 
              provided or permitted herein or except as consented to by 
              Seller in writing, shall continue to be true and correct in 
              all material respects on and as of the Closing Date with the 
              same effect as though made at the Closing Date, and Buyer 
              shall have performed and complied with, in all material 
              respects, all agreements, obligations and conditions required by
              this Agreement to be performed or complied with by its prior to or
              at the Closing.

         (b)  LITIGATION.  No action, suit or proceeding relating to the
              transactions contemplated hereby shall be instituted by any 
              party and remain pending, in which there is, or is likely to 
              be sought, a temporary, preliminary or permanent judgment, 
              order injunction or decree restraining or enjoining 
              consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

         (c)  PERFORMANCE.  Buyer shall have performed and complied with all
              agreements, obligations and conditions required by this 
              Agreement to be performed or complied with by them on or prior 
              to the Closing. 

         (d)  NO INJUNCTION.  On the Closing Date there shall be no effective
              injunction, writ, preliminary restraining order or any order 
              of any nature issued by a court of competent jurisdiction 
              directing that the transactions provided for herein or any of 
              them not be consummated as so provided or imposing any 
              conditions on the consummation of the transactions contemplated 
              hereby.

                                       21


<PAGE>

         (e)  CERTIFICATES.  Buyer shall have furnished Seller with such
              certificates of their officers and others to evidence 
              compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 9.3 or 
              this Section 11.2 as may be reasonably requested by Seller.

                                   ARTICLE
                                      12.
                    MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS AND AGREEMENTS

12.1.    CONSUMMATION OF TRANSACTIONS.  Upon the terms and subject to the
         conditions of this Agreement, each of the parties hereto agrees to use
         its best efforts (i) to take, or cause to be taken, all such actions 
         and to do, or cause to be done, all other things necessary to carry 
         out its obligations hereunder; (ii) to cause the conditions to the 
         obligations of the other party hereto to be satisfied prior to or at 
         the Closing; and (iii) to consummate and make effective, as soon as 
         reasonably practicable, the transactions contemplated by this 
         Agreement; provided, however, that this Section 12.1 shall not 
         require either party to take any action the result of which, in its 
         reasonable judgment, would be to impose material limitations on its 
         ability to consummate and retain the full benefits of the transactions
         contemplated hereby.

12.2.    ACCESS TO RECORDS.   Each party to this Agreement agrees that on and
         after the Closing it will permit the other party and its 
         representatives, during normal business hours, to have access to and 
         examine and make copies of all of any books and records with respect 
         to costs, inventory and guaranty and warranty information, which are 
         delivered to the other party pursuant hereto in order to confirm 
         such party's compliance with respect to any ongoing obligation 
         hereunder.  Each party also agrees that it will cooperate with the 
         other party and make information available to each party as 
         reasonably requested by it in connection with any litigation.  All 
         such books and records which are delivered to the other party will 
         be preserved by such party for a period of seven (7) years after the 
         Closing. 

12.3.    EXPENSES.  Buyer and Seller will each bear their own costs and
         expenses relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, including
         without limitation, fees and expenses of legal counsel, accountants,
         investment bankers, brokers or finders, printers, copiers, 
         consultants or other representatives for the services used, hired or 
         connected with the transactions contemplated hereby.  Buyer and 
         Seller will each pay any commission or finder's fee or similar 
         amount incurred by them by agreement or otherwise for retaining or 
         consulting any broker, finder or investment banker in connection 
         with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  

12.4.    AMENDMENT AND MODIFICATION.  Subject to applicable law, this Agreement
         may be amended or modified by the parties hereto at any time prior 
         to the Closing with respect to any of the terms contained herein; 
         provided, however, that all such amendments and modifications must 
         be in writing duly executed by all of the parties hereto. 

                                       22


<PAGE>

 12.5.   WAIVER OF COMPLIANCE; CONSENTS.  Any failure of a party to comply with
         any obligation, covenant, agreement or condition herein may be 
         expressly waived in writing by the party entitled hereby to such 
         compliance, but such waiver or failure to insist upon strict 
         compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition 
         will not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any 
         subsequent or other failure.  No single or partial exercise of a 
         right or remedy will preclude any other or further exercise thereof 
         or of any other right or remedy hereunder.  Whenever this Agreement 
         requires or permits the consent by or on behalf of a party, such 
         consent will be given in writing in the same manner as for waivers 
         of compliance. 

12.6.    NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES.  Nothing in this Agreement will entitle
         any person or entity (other than a party hereto and his, her or its
         respective successors, heirs and assigns permitted hereby) to any 
         claim, cause of action, remedy or right of any kind. 

12.7.    FURTHER ASSURANCES.   Each of the parties shall execute such documents
         and other papers and take such further actions as may be reasonably
         required or desirable in the judgment of their counsel to carry out the
         provisions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

12.7.    NOTICES.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications made
         hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given when
         personally delivered or sent by telecopier or telex (receipt 
         confirmed) or registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, as 
         follows, or to such other address or person as any party may designate
         by notice to the other party:

              If to Buyer:        Atlantic Network Systems, Inc.
                                  Attn:  Walter C. Lovett
                                  8205 Brownleigh Drive
                                  Raleigh, NC  27612

              with a copy to:     Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly
                                  Plaza VII
                                  45 South Seventh Street
                                  Suite 3400
                                  Minneapolis, MN  55402
                                  Attn:  Thomas R. Marek

              If to Seller:       MRK TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
                                  3 Summit Park Drive, Suite 300
                                  Independence, Ohio  44131
                                  Attention:  Michael Joseph, President



                                       23

<PAGE>

              with a copy to:  MRK TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
                               3 Summit Park Drive, Suite 300
                               Independence, Ohio  44131
                               Attention: Andrew Cargo, Vice President & 
                                General Counsel

12.9.    ARBITRATION.  

    (a)  In the event that there shall be any controversy, claim  or dispute
         between the parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement
         ("Arbitrable Dispute"), the parties shall first attempt to resolve the
         Arbitrable Dispute through a meeting or meetings between the senior
         executive officers of each party.  If, after thirty (30) calendar days
         after the senior executive officers have first met to resolve an
         Arbitrable Dispute, such Arbitrable Dispute is not resolved, then it
         shall be resolved by final and binding arbitration as provided in
         subsections (b) through (d) of this Section.

    (b)  Arbitration shall be initiated by one party making a written demand on
         the other party and simultaneously filing copies of the demand,
         together with the required fees, with the office of the American
         Arbitration Association ("AAA") in Cleveland, Ohio.  In no event,
         however, may any demand for arbitration be made after the date that
         institution of legal or equitable proceedings based upon the claim,
         dispute or other Arbitrable Dispute would have otherwise been barred
         by the applicable statute of limitations or otherwise barred by this
         Agreement.

    (c)  The arbitration proceeding shall be conducted by one arbitrator who
         may be a retired judge (the "Arbitrator") selected by the parties in
         accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association
         within 60 business days after notification of selection of the
         Arbitrator.  Arbitration shall be conducted under the auspices of AAA,
         and the AAA's commercial arbitration rules of practice then in effect
         (the "Rules") shall govern all proceedings unless otherwise provided
         herein (or otherwise agreed to by the parties.)  In case of conflict
         between the Rules and this Agreement (or such other subsequent
         understanding reached between the parties hereto), the provisions of
         this Agreement (or such other agreement) shall govern.

    (d)  Within thirty (30) days of the selection of the Arbitrator, the
         parties involved in the dispute shall meet in Cleveland, Ohio with
         such Arbitrator at a place and time designated by the Arbitrator after
         consultation with the parties and present their respective positions
         on the dispute.  Each party shall have no longer than two (2) days to
         present its position and the entire proceeding shall be on no more
         than (five) 5 consecutive business days in duration.  The Arbitrator's
         award, which may include equitable relief, shall  be rendered within
         ten (10) days following completion of the proceeding and shall be a
         final and binding determination of the dispute and shall be fully
         enforceable as an arbitration award in any court having jurisdiction
         and venue over such parties.  The prevailing party (as may be

                                       24
<PAGE>

         determined by the Arbitrator) may in addition be awarded by the
         Arbitrator such party's own attorneys' fees and expenses in connection
         with such proceeding.  The non-prevailing party (as may be determined
         by the Arbitrator) shall pay the Arbitrator's fees and expenses.

12.10.   NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY.   This Agreement shall not confer any 
         rights and remedies upon any person other than the parties hereto 
         and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

12.11.   WAIVER.  No waiver of compliance with any provision or condition 
         hereof and no consent provided for herein shall be effective unless 
         evidenced by an instrument in writing duly executed by the 
         appropriate party.

12.12.   BINDING EFFECT; ASSIGNMENT.  This Agreement shall be binding upon 
         and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective 
         successors and permitted assigns.  Neither this Agreement nor the 
         rights and obligations of the Buyer hereunder shall be assignable, 
         except by operation of law and with prior written notice and consent 
         of Seller, provided, however, that Buyer may assign its rights (but 
         not its obligations) under this Agreement, in whole or in any part, 
         and from time to time, to a wholly-owned, direct or indirect 
         subsidiary or parent of Buyer.

12.12.   HEADINGS; RECITALS.   The Article and Section headings used herein 
         are for convenience of reference only and do not form a part hereof 
         and do not in any way modify, interpret or set forth the intentions 
         of the parties. The recitals appearing at the head of this Agreement 
         are hereby incorporated into this Agreement by this reference as if 
         the same were fully herein rewritten.

12.14.   EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES.  The Exhibits and Schedules to this 
         Agreement are, by this reference, incorporated herein and made a 
         part of this Agreement as if fully set forth herein.

12.15.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  Upon the execution of this Agreement, the Letter 
         of Intent between the parties shall terminate.  This Agreement and 
         the Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto, and the other writings 
         specifically identified herein, contain the entire agreement among 
         the parties hereto with respect to the transactions described herein 
         and supersede all previous written or oral statements, negotiations, 
         commitments, promises and writings.

12.16.   COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto 
         in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and 
         delivered such counterparts shall together constitute one and the 
         same instrument.

12.17.   APPLICABLE LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed 
         and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio 
         without regard to laws relating to conflicts of laws.  Any legal 
         proceeding related to this Agreement will be brought in an 
         appropriate

                                       25
<PAGE>

         Ohio court, and both parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of 
         such court for this purpose.

12.18.   DEFINITION OF MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT.  For purposes of this 
         Agreement, the term, "Material Adverse Effect" means an event, 
         change or occurrence which has a material negative impact on the 
         condition (financial or otherwise), businesses, results of 
         operations or prospects of the Business, taken as a whole (and going 
         concern value, in the case of the Division), or the ability of the 
         Seller or the Buyer, as the case may be, to consummate the 
         transactions contemplated hereby, other than any such event, change 
         or occurrence resulting or arising from (i) general economic 
         conditions or (ii) the loss of any customer as a result of the 
         announcement or consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties, have each executed this Agreement as of 
the day and year first set forth above.

                                  BUYER:

                                  ATLANTIC NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.


                                  By   /s/  Walter C. Lovett       
                                     ------------------------------

                                  Its  Vice President
                                     ------------------------------
                                  (Print Name)   Walter C. Lovett 
                                              ---------------------

                                  SELLER:

                                  MRK TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.


                                  By   /s/  Wm. Andrew Cargo 
                                     ------------------------------

                                  Its  Vice President and Secretary
                                     ------------------------------

                                  (Print Name)  Wm. Andrew Cargo   
                                              ---------------------

                                       26




<PAGE>

DATE:    February 3, 1997

FROM:    Eltrax Systems, Inc.
         10901 Red Circle Drive
         Suite 345
         Minnetonka, MN 55343
         (Nasdaq:  ELTX)

         Mack V. Traynor, III  (612)945-0833

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ELTRAX SYSTEMS, INC. ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF ACQUISITION


Minnetonka, MN - Eltrax Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq Smallcap Market:  ELTX) is 
pleased to announce the closing, effective January 31, 1997, of the acquisition 
of the business and certain assets of the MST operating division ("MST") of MRK 
Technologies, LTD of Cleveland, Ohio.  MST markets wide area networking 
equipment including modems, multiplexers, voice and data transmission devices, 
firewalls and call concentrators to integrators and resellers throughout the 
U.S. for use in enterprise wide data communications networks of corporate and 
government users.

Eltrax paid approximately $2.0 million to MRK Technologies, LTD for the 
inventory, goodwill and certain fixed assets of MST.  While the financial 
statements of MST will not be audited, MST has disclosed to Eltrax that it 
achieved approximately $9.0 million in sales for the year ended December 31, 
1996 with a contribution margin (earnings before general and administrative 
expenses) of approximately $1.0 million.

The acquisition of MST and the previously announced acquisitions of ANS and 
Datatech gives Eltrax a combined company with a current annual revenue run rate 
in excess of $50 million.  The combined revenue growth rates of these entities 
on an unaudited basis is approximately 25% over 1995 results.

"We are extremely pleased to have closed this acquisition within the time frame 
we established for ourselves.  This acquisition is one more step in the 
complete remaking of Eltrax into a premier data communications network system 
and service organization.  We have successfully created a platform company, 
with steady growth, which is in the business of designing and implementing 
sophisticated communications networks to solve customers' enterprise-wide 
networking needs. We expect to continue this growth strategy both internally 
and with future acquisitions," said Mack V. Traynor, III, Eltrax President.

Eltrax Systems, Inc. headquartered in Minnetonka, MN markets data 
communications products and services nationwide.  The Company went public in 
December, 1992 and its shares are traded on the Nasdaq Smallcap market under 
the symbol ELTX.


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