COLLINS & AIKMAN CORP
10-Q, 1997-11-12
CARPETS & RUGS
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<PAGE>

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

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

                    For the quarter ended September 27, 1997

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

                        For the transition period from ______ to _______.

                         Commission File Number 1-10218




                          COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION



A Delaware Corporation                              (IRS Employer Identification
                                                                 No. 13-3489233)



                              701 McCullough Drive
                         Charlotte, North Carolina 28262
                            Telephone (704) 547-8500





Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No .

As of November 10, 1997, the number of outstanding shares of the Registrant's
common stock, $.01 par value, was 66,043,564 shares.



<PAGE>




                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION



Item 1.  Financial Statements.

                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)
                    (in thousands, except for per share data)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      QUARTER ENDED                      NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                           ------------------------------------   ------------------------------
                                                           SEPTEMBER 27,          SEPTEMBER 21,   September 27,    September 21,
                                                               1997                    1996             1997            1996
                                                           -------------         -------------     -------------   -------------

<S>                                                        <C>                   <C>               <C>             <C>
Net sales........................................          $     368,008         $    266,903      $   1,199,586   $   827,411
                                                           -------------         -------------     -------------   -------------
Cost of goods sold...............................                351,055              220,495          1,040,199       674,040
Selling, general and administrative
   expenses......................................                 34,202               21,680           94,458          68,252
Impairment of long lived assets..................                 22,600                   --           22,600              --
                                                           -------------         -------------     -------------   -------------
                                                                 407,857              242,175          1,157,257       742,292
                                                           -------------         -------------     -------------   -------------
Operating income (loss)..........................                (39,849)              24,728             42,329        85,119

Interest expense, net............................                 19,807               11,631             57,891        28,517
Loss on sale of receivables......................                    532                1,084              3,295         3,668
Other income.....................................                 (2,269)                 (15)            (1,297)         (402)
                                                           -------------         -------------     -------------   -------------
Income (loss) from continuing operations
   before income taxes...........................                (57,919)              12,028            (17,560)       53,336
Income tax expense (benefit) ....................                (15,917)               5,141              1,577      (127,711)
                                                           -------------         -------------     -------------   -------------
Income (loss) from continuing operations.........                (42,002)               6,887            (19,137)      181,047
Income (loss) from discontinued operations,
   net of income taxes of $(336),  $2,801, $2,835
   and $6,391 ...................................                   (496)               4,791              4,306       (12,271)
Gain on sale of discontinued operations,
   net of income taxes of $32,000 and $85,358....                  76,449                    -           161,741             -
                                                           -------------         -------------     -------------   -------------
Income before extraordinary loss.................                  33,951              11,678            146,910       168,776
Extraordinary loss, net of income taxes of $443
   and $4,709....................................                       -                   -               (721)       (6,610)
                                                           -------------         -------------     -------------   -------------
Net income.......................................          $       33,951        $     11,678      $     146,189   $   162,166
                                                           ==============        =============     =============   =============

Net income per primary and fully diluted common share:
   Continuing operations.........................          $      (.62)          $         .10     $      (.28)    $      2.59
   Income (loss) from discontinued operations....                 (.01)                    .07             .06            (.18)
   Gain on sale of discontinued operations.......                 1.13                      -             2.39               -
   Extraordinary loss............................                    -                      -             (.01)           (.09)
                                                           --------------        -------------     -------------   -------------
   Net income....................................          $       .50           $        .17      $      2.16     $      2.32
                                                           ==============        =============     =============   =============

Average common shares outstanding:
   Primary.......................................                 67,248               69,925             67,590        70,016
   Fully diluted.................................                 67,260               69,937             67,692        70,020
                                                           ==============        =============     =============   =============

</TABLE>


                                      I-1

<PAGE>


                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (in thousands)




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                                  SEPTEMBER 27,       DECEMBER 28,
                            ASSETS                                    1997               1996
                                                                 --------------   -----------------
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>
Current Assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents...................................    $     89,369   $        14,314
   Accounts and other receivables, net.........................         212,380           200,763
   Inventories.................................................         138,549           121,971
   Net assets of discontinued operations.......................          46,800           263,523
   Other.......................................................         102,205           128,762
                                                                 --------------   -----------------
     Total current assets......................................         589,303           729,333

Property, plant and equipment, net.............................         353,822           351,282
Deferred tax assets............................................          98,549            91,690
Goodwill, net..................................................         260,401           283,271
Other assets...................................................          84,350            74,713
                                                                 --------------   -----------------
                                                                   $  1,386,425    $    1,530,289
                                                                 ==============   ==================


LIABILITIES AND COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current Liabilities:
   Notes payable...............................................    $      1,187   $         1,920
   Current maturities of long-term debt........................          38,992            37,565
   Accounts payable............................................         126,833           123,899
   Accrued expenses............................................         228,073           176,147
                                                                 --------------   -----------------
     Total current liabilities.................................         395,085           339,531

Long-term debt.................................................         803,651         1,138,029
Other, including postretirement benefit obligation.............         256,425           247,307
Commitments and contingencies..................................

Common stock (150,000 shares authorized, 70,521
     shares issued and 66,046 shares outstanding at
     September 27, 1997 and 70,521 shares issued and
     67,723 shares outstanding at December 28, 1996)...........             705              705
Other paid-in capital..........................................         586,945           585,207
Accumulated deficit............................................        (585,864)         (729,315)
Foreign currency translation adjustments.......................         (25,303)          (20,798)
Pension equity adjustment......................................         (10,165)          (10,165)
Treasury stock, at cost (4,475 shares at September 27, 1997
and 2,798 shares at December 28, 1996).........................         (35,054)          (20,212)
                                                                 --------------    -----------------
     Total common stockholders' deficit........................         (68,736)         (194,578)
                                                                 --------------    -----------------
                                                                   $  1,386,425     $   1,530,289
                                                                 ==============    ==================

</TABLE>


                                      I-2



<PAGE>


                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)
                                 (in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                Quarter Ended               Nine Months Ended
                                                                        ----------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                                        September 27,  September 21,   September 27, September 21,
                                                                            1997            1996           1997          1996
                                                                        ------------  --------------  -------------- -------------
<S>                                                                  <C>                 <C>              <C>           <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Income (loss) from continuing operations.................................$ (42,002)    $    6,887       $  (19,137)   $   181,047
Adjustments to derive cash flow from continuing operating activities:
      Impairment of long lived assets....................................   22,600              -           22,600              -
      Deferred income tax expense (benefit)..............................   (4,854)         1,473            1,930       (137,691)
      Depreciation and leasehold amortization............................   10,524          6,623           32,004         19,187
      Amortization of goodwill...........................................    1,682          1,011            5,139          2,947
      Amortization of other assets.......................................    1,817          1,803            5,260          5,031
      Decrease (increase) in accounts and other receivables..............   34,807          5,295           41,095        (38,847)
      Increase in inventories............................................  (10,118)        (9,968)         (14,492)          (161)
      Increase (decrease) in accounts payable............................   (7,389)         7,245              253         18,991
      Increase in interest payable.......................................   13,908         12,993           13,121         14,385
      Other, net.........................................................    6,666         (4,715)            (283)        (1,751)
                                                                         ------------ ---------------  -------------  -------------

         Net cash provided by continuing operating
            activities...................................................    27,641         28,647           87,490         63,138
                                                                         ------------ ---------------  -------------  -------------
Cash provided by (used in) Wallcoverings,  Floorcoverings, Airbag and
   the Mastercraft Group discontinued operations.........................   (4,401)        12,328            1,485         22,797
Cash provided by (used in) other discontinued operations.................   (2,208)        (3,380)          (6,936)           552
                                                                         ------------ ---------------  -------------  -------------

            Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations.......   (6,609)         8,948           (5,451)        23,349
                                                                         ------------ ---------------  -------------  -------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment...............................  (16,153)       (22,965)         (51,003)       (67,313)
Sales of property, plant and equipment...................................      404             41            1,176          3,087
Proceeds from disposition of discontinued operations.....................  366,500              -          562,100              -
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired..........................  (13,554)        (3,077)         (13,554)      (191,106)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback arrangement.................................        -              -                -          7,404
Other, net...............................................................  (58,688)       (43,006)         (95,442)       (47,925)
                                                                         ------------ ---------------  -------------  -------------

         Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities.............  278,509        (69,007)         403,277       (295,853)
                                                                         ------------ ---------------  -------------  -------------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of long-term debt...............................................        -          2,381            4,495        599,927
Repayment of long-term debt..............................................  (92,905)        (6,015)        (134,905)      (283,035)
Proceeds from (reduction of)  participating interests in accounts
   receivable, net of redemptions........................................  (67,000)        15,000          (55,000)        (9,000)
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolving credit facilities...............  (60,000)        22,000         (204,000)       (70,000)
Net repayments on notes payable..........................................     (319)          (634)            (499)        (1,540)
Purchase of treasury stock...............................................   (1,673)          (491)         (17,910)        (2,440)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options..................................        -            141              328            406
Other, net...............................................................     (696)             -           (2,770)       (17,169)
                                                                         ------------ ---------------  -------------  -------------

         Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities............. (222,593)        32,382         (410,261)       217,149
                                                                         ------------ ---------------  -------------  -------------

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents................................   76,948            970           75,055          7,783
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.........................   12,421          7,774           14,314            961
                                                                         ------------ ---------------  -------------  -------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period...............................$  89,369     $    8,744       $   89,369    $     8,744
                                                                         ============ ===============  =============  =============
</TABLE>
                                      I-3

<PAGE>


                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL REPORT
                                   (Unaudited)



A.          Organization:

            Collins & Aikman Corporation (the "Company") (formerly Collins &
Aikman Holdings Corporation) is a Delaware corporation. Prior to July 13, 1994,
the Company was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Collins & Aikman Holdings II
Corporation ("Holdings II"). In connection with an initial public offering of
common stock ("Common Stock") and a recapitalization (the "Recapitalization"),
Holdings II was merged into the Company. Concurrently, Collins & Aikman Group,
Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("Group"), was merged into its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Collins & Aikman Corporation, which changed its name to
Collins & Aikman Products Co. ("C&A Products"). On July 7, 1994, the Company
changed its name from Collins & Aikman Holdings Corporation to Collins & Aikman
Corporation.

            Prior to the Recapitalization, the Company was jointly owned by
Blackstone Capital Partners L.P. ("Blackstone Partners") and Wasserstein Perella
Partners, L.P. ("WP Partners") and their respective affiliates. As of September
27, 1997, Blackstone Partners and WP Partners and their respective affiliates
collectively own approximately 81% of the Common Stock.

            The Company conducts all of its operating activities through its
wholly-owned C&A Products subsidiary.

B.          Basis of Presentation:

            The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts
of the Company and its subsidiaries. In the opinion of management, the
accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments
(consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair
presentation of financial position and results of operations. Results of
operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the
full year. Certain reclassifications have been made to these condensed
consolidated financial statements for the quarter and nine months ended
September 21, 1996 to conform to the fiscal 1997 presentation and are primarily
related to the Mastercraft Group being reclassified as a discontinued operation
(see Note K) and to the change in fiscal year (see Note C).

            For further information, refer to the consolidated financial
statements and footnotes thereto included in the Collins & Aikman Corporation
Transition Report on Form 10-K for the transition period from January 28, 1996
to December 28, 1996.

C.          Change in Fiscal Year:

            During fiscal 1996, the Company changed its fiscal year-end to the
last Saturday in December. For comparative purposes, quarterly data presented
for fiscal 1996 has been restated to reflect this change.

D.          Acquisitions:

            On August 31, 1997, the Company purchased certain automotive
acoustics assets in Germany and assumed certain liabilities from Perstorp AB
("Perstorp") for approximately $13.6 million, subject to post closing
adjustment. On December 11, 1996, the Company had acquired Perstorp's automotive
supply operations (primarily acoustical products) in North America, the United
Kingdom and Spain (collectively referred to as "Perstorp Components") for
approximately $108 million, subject to adjustment. Additionally, in December
1996, the Company and Perstorp entered into a joint venture agreement relating
to Perstorp's automotive supply operations (primarily acoustical and plastic
components) in Sweden, Belgium and France. On December 11, 1996, the Company
also completed the acquisition of JPS Automotive L.P. ("JPS Automotive") for a
purchase price of $220 million, subject to post closing adjustment, consisting
of approximately $195 million of indebtedness of JPS Automotive and
approximately $25 million in cash. In connection with the

                                      I-4

<PAGE>


                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
          NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL REPORT (Continued)
                                   (Unaudited)

acquisition of JPS Automotive, the Company acquired the minority interest in a
JPS Automotive subsidiary for $10 million. On May 1, 1996, the Company acquired
the business of BTR Fatati Limited ("Fatati"), a manufacturer and supplier of
molded floor carpets and luggage component trim for the European automotive
market. On January 3, 1996, the Company completed the acquisition of Collins &
Aikman Plastics ("C&A Plastics") (formerly known as Manchester Plastics) for a
purchase price of approximately $184.0 million, including $40.4 million of debt
extinguished in connection with the acquisition.

E.          Interest Rate and Foreign Currency Protection Programs:

            The Company utilizes derivative financial instruments to manage
risks associated with foreign exchange rate and interest rate market volatility.
Gains and losses on hedges of existing assets or liabilities are included in the
carrying amounts of those assets or liabilities and are ultimately recognized in
income as part of those carrying amounts. Gains and losses related to qualifying
hedges of firm commitments or anticipated transactions are deferred and are
recognized in income or as adjustments of carrying amounts when the hedged
transaction occurs. Material gains and losses on derivative contracts that do
not qualify as hedges are recognized currently in "Other expense (income)".
The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading
purposes.

            The Company has limited its exposure through April 2, 1998 on $80
million of notional principal amount utilizing zero cost collars with 4.75%
floors and a weighted average cap of 7.86%. In addition, during April 1997, the
Company entered into a two year interest rate swap agreement in which the
Company effectively exchanged $27 million of 11-1/2% fixed rate debt for
floating rate debt at six month LIBOR plus a 4.72% margin. In connection with
this swap agreement, the Company also limited its interest rate exposure by
entering into an 8.50% cap on LIBOR on $27 million of notional principal amount.
Payments to be received, if any, as a result of these agreements are accrued as
a reduction of interest expense.

            Amortization of certain interest rate protection agreements that
expired during October 1996 amounted to $.3 million and $.8 million during the
quarter and nine months ended September 21, 1996, respectively.

            During April 1997, the Company entered into an agreement to limit
its foreign currency exposure related to $45 million of US dollar denominated
borrowings of a Canadian subsidiary. The agreement swaps LIBOR based interest
rates for the Canadian equivalent as well as fixes the exchange rate for the
principal balance when the amount comes due in 2002.

F.          Goodwill and Impairment of Long Lived Assets:

            Goodwill, representing the excess of purchase price over the fair
value of net assets of the acquired entities, is being amortized on a
straight-line basis over the period of forty years. Amortization of goodwill
applicable to continuing operations was $1.7 million and $5.1 million for the
quarter and nine months ended September 27, 1997, respectively, and $1.0 million
and $2.9 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 21, 1996,
respectively. Accumulated amortization at September 27, 1997 was $9.3 million.
The carrying value of goodwill is reviewed periodically based on the
nondiscounted cash flows and pretax income of the entities acquired over the
remaining amortization periods.

            During the third quarter of 1997, C&A Plastics incurred charges of
$31.3 million for provisions for certain programs operating at a loss, inventory
adjustments, certain previously deferred costs and other provisions. In
addition, the recoverability of C&A Plastics' assets and goodwill was evaluated
and the Company determined that the carrying values of certain assets and
goodwill allocated to two of its manufacturing facilities were impaired.
Accordingly, the Company wrote down fixed assets by $5.1 million and the
carrying value of goodwill was reduced by $17.5 million. At September 27, 1997,
the Company believes its remaining 



                                       I-5


<PAGE>

                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
          NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL REPORT (Continued)
                                   (Unaudited)


goodwill of $260.4 million was fully recoverable.

G.          Receivables Facility:

            On March 31, 1995, C&A Products entered, through a trust (the
"Trust") formed by Carcorp, Inc., a wholly-owned, bankruptcy remote subsidiary
of C&A Products ("Carcorp"), into a new receivables facility (the "Receivables
Facility") comprised of (i) term certificates, which were issued on March 31,
1995, in an aggregate face amount of $110 million and have a term of five years
and (ii) variable funding certificates, which represent revolving commitments of
up to an aggregate of $75 million and have a term of five years. Carcorp
purchases on a revolving basis and transfers to the Trust virtually all trade
receivables generated by C&A Products and certain of its subsidiaries (the
"Sellers").

            Availability under the variable funding certificates at any time
depends primarily on the amount of receivables generated by the Sellers from
sales to the automotive industry, the rate of collection on those receivables
and other characteristics of those receivables which affect their eligibility
(such as the bankruptcy or downgrading below investment grade of the obligor,
delinquency and excessive concentration). Based on these criteria, at September
27, 1997, approximately $69.9 million was available under the variable funding
certificates, none of which was utilized.

            The term certificates bear interest at an average rate equal to
one-month LIBOR plus .34% per annum. The variable funding certificates bear
interest, at Carcorp's option, at LIBOR plus .40% per annum or a prime rate.

            As of September 27, 1997, the Trust's receivables pool was $192.9
million, net of allowances for doubtful accounts. As of September 27, 1997, the
holders of term certificates and variable funding certificates collectively
possessed an $80.0 million undivided senior interest (net of settlements in
transit) in the Trust's receivables pool and, accordingly, such receivables were
not reflected in the Company's accounts receivable balance as of that date.


            In connection with the proposed disposition by the Company of its
Imperial Wallcoverings Inc. subsidiary ("Wallcoverings"), as discussed in Note
K, Wallcoverings was terminated as a Seller of receivables under the Receivables
Facility on September 21, 1996. Also, in connection with the sale of its
Floorcoverings subsidiary ("Floorcoverings"), as discussed in Note K,
Floorcoverings was terminated as a Seller of receivables under the Receivables
Facility on February 6, 1997. On March 25, 1997, the Trust redeemed $30.0
million face value of term certificates primarily as a result of the Trust
collecting Wallcoverings and Floorcoverings receivables which were not replaced
with eligible receivables. In connection with the sale of the Mastercraft Group,
effective July 16, 1997, receivables generated by members of the Mastercraft
Group ceased to be sold in connection with the Receivables Facility and
Ack-Ti-Lining, Inc., a member of the Mastercraft Group, was terminated as a
Seller of receivables under the Receivables Facility. The Company believes that
approximately $30 million face value of term certificates will ultimately be
redeemed as receivables of the Mastercraft Group previously sold to Carcorp are
collected by the Trust. The Trust currently maintains $24.5 million in cash
collateral to effect the redemption.


            See Note K for loss on sale amounts allocated to discontinued
operations associated with the Receivables Facility.


                                      I-6

<PAGE>


                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
          NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL REPORT (Continued)
                                   (Unaudited)


H.          Inventories:

            Inventory balances are summarized as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                   September 27,                December 28,
                                                        1997                          1996
                                             --------------------------  ---------------------------
<S>                                             <C>                           <C>
             Raw materials..................    $        68,268               $      60,930
             Work in process................             31,212                      26,663
             Finished goods.................             39,069                      34,378
                                            --------------------------   -----------------------------
                                                $       138,549               $     121,971

                                             ==========================   ============================
</TABLE>


I.          Interest Expense, Net:

            Interest expense allocated to continuing operations for the quarters
ended September 27, 1997 and September 21, 1996 is net of interest income of
$2.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Interest expense allocated to
continuing operations for the nine months ended September 27, 1997 and September
21, 1996 is net of interest income of $3.0 million and $2.5 million,
respectively. See Note K for interest expense allocated to discontinued
operations.

J.          Facility Closing Costs:


            In January 1996, the Company in its continuing operations provided
for the cost to rationalize one manufacturing facility affecting approximately
90 employees. Additionally, the Company provided for the cost to exit one
manufacturing and three distribution centers in its discontinued Wallcoverings
segment. During the nine months ended September 27, 1997, the Company expended
approximately $.1 million related to closure and disposal of idled facilities
and severance benefits for continuing operations. No expenditures were made for
facility closing costs for continuing operations in the quarter ended September
27, 1997. Cash outlays for facility closing costs related to discontinued
operations during the quarter and nine months ended September 27, 1997 were
approximately $.1 million and $.6 million, respectively, for severance benefits
and $.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively, for closing and disposal of
idled facilities.

            In connection with the acquisition of JPS Automotive, the Company
has developed preliminary plans for JPS Automotive to rationalize certain
manufacturing locations as well as marketing and administrative functions. These
plans have not been finalized. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996, costs
accrued for the shutdown of facilities and severance and other personnel costs
were $2.2 million and $7.0 million, respectively. The Company expended
approximately $.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively, during the quarter and
nine months ended September 27, 1997 for the shutdown of facilities and
severance and other personnel costs related to the JPS Automotive facilities and
personnel.

K.          Discontinued Operations:


            On July 24, 1997, JPS Automotive completed the sale of its Air
Restraint and Technical Products Division, an airbag and industrial fabric
business ("Airbag"), to Safety Components International, Inc. for a purchase
price of $56.3 million, subject to adjustment. No gain or loss was recorded on
the sale since the sales price approximated the acquisition fair value of
Airbag. Pursuant to the indenture governing the JPS Automotive 11-1/8% Senior
Notes due 2001 (the "JPS Automotive Senior Notes"), in connection with an offer
to purchase (up to the amount of the net 


                                       I-7



<PAGE>

                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
          NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL REPORT (Continued)
                                   (Unaudited)


proceeds from the sale) the JPS Automotive Senior Notes at 100% of their
principal amount. Pursuant to such offer (which expired September 16, 1997), JPS
Automotive repurchased and retired $23 thousand principal amount of JPS
Automotive Senior Notes. During October 1997, the Company caused JPS Automotive
to use a portion of the proceeds remaining from the sale of Airbag to make a
distribution of $35.0 million to C&A Products, as permitted under the restricted
payments provisions of the JPS Automotive Senior Notes indenture. See "Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources".

            In July, 1997, the Company completed its sale of the Mastercraft
Group for a purchase price of approximately $310 million, subject to adjustment.
A portion of the net proceeds from the sale were used to reduce the Company's
long-term debt.

            In February 1997, the Company completed the sale of its
Floorcoverings subsidiary for $195.6 million and the net proceeds were used to
pay down debt incurred to finance the Company's automotive strategy.

            On April 9, 1996, the Company announced a proposed plan to spin off
Wallcoverings to the Company's stockholders in the form of a stock dividend. On
October 28, 1997, the Company announced that it received a proposal for the
acquisition of Wallcoverings and was reviewing all its options with respect to
Wallcoverings. On November 5, 1997, the Company announced that it entered into
an agreement to sell Wallcoverings to a company sponsored by an affiliate of
Blackstone Partners. The sale of Wallcoverings is subject to financing,
regulatory clearance and other conditions and there can be no assurance that the
transaction will be completed or as to the timing thereof. The transaction is
expected to close in the first quarter of 1998. If the transaction is not
completed by May 31, 1998, either party may terminate the agreement. In
connection with the transaction, the Company recorded a loss of approximately
$21.1 million in the third quarter of 1997. See Note R.


            The Company has accounted for the financial results and net assets
of Airbag, the Mastercraft Group, Floorcoverings and Wallcoverings as
discontinued operations. Accordingly, previously reported financial results for
all periods have been restated to reflect these businesses as discontinued
operations.

            The following information relates to income (loss) from discontinued
operations, net of income taxes, (in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                           <C>                     <C>                              <C>                         <C>


                                               Quarter Ended                                               Nine Months Ended
                          -------------------------------------------------     --------------------------------------------------

                          September 27, 1997         September 21, 1996          September 27 , 1997         September 21, 1996
                          ----------------------    -----------------------      ------------------------  -----------------------

Mastercraft Group            $       (.6)           $            1.8               $        3.4            $           4.4
Floorcoverings                         -                         3.0                         .5                        6.5
Airbag                                .1                         -                           .4                        -
Wallcoverings                          -                         -                          -                        (23.2)
                          ======================    =======================      ========================  =======================
                             $       (.5)           $            4.8               $        4.3            $         (12.3)
                          ======================    =======================      ========================  =======================

</TABLE>


            Wallcoverings incurred operating losses subsequent to April 29, 1996
which were charged to the Company's existing discontinued operations reserves.
The Wallcoverings' operating losses were in excess of management's forecasted
expectations as of the date of discontinuance but within previously established
accruals. Included in the loss on sale of Wallcoverings discussed above are
expected operating losses to be incurred through the date of disposition.
Included in Wallcoverings' first quarter 1996 loss were $9.9 million in charges
related to the consolidation of distribution activities and the closure of the
segment's Hammond, Indiana facility. See Note J for further discussion on
facility closings. Additionally, $3.0 million in charges related to the
impairment of assets and $10.8 million related to a write-down of inventory were
incurred in the first quarter of 1996.


                                      I-8


<PAGE>



                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
          NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL REPORT (Continued)
                                   (Unaudited)


            Net interest expense of discontinued operations including amounts
attributable to discontinued operations was $12.6 million for the nine months
ended September 27, 1997, and $8.0 million and $21.1 million, respectively, for
the quarter and nine months ended September 21, 1996. Interest expense of $12.6
million for the nine months ended September 27, 1997, and $7.9 million and $20.9
million, respectively, for the quarter and nine months ended September 21, 1996,
was allocated to discontinued operations based upon the ratio of net book value
of discontinued operations to consolidated invested capital. No interest expense
was allocated to discontinued operations for the quarter ended September 27,
1997.


            A portion of the loss on sale of receivables has been allocated to
discontinued operations based on the ratio of (x) receivables included in the
Trust's receivable pool related to Floorcoverings and the Mastercraft Group to
(y) the total of the Trust's receivables pool. For the nine months ended
September 27, 1997, $.6 million of loss on sale of receivables was allocated to
discontinued operations. No allocation of loss on sale of receivables was made
to discontinued operations in the quarter ended September 27, 1997. For the
quarter and nine months ended September 21, 1996, $.6 million and $1.8 million,
respectively, of loss on sale of receivables was allocated to discontinued
operations.


L.          Related Party Transactions:


            Under the Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement among the
Company, C&A Products, Blackstone Partners and WP Partners, the Company pays
Blackstone Partners and WP Partners, or their respective affiliates, each an
annual monitoring fee of $1.0 million, which is payable quarterly. During the
third quarter of 1997, in connection with the sale of the Mastercraft Group, the
Company incurred fees and expenses for services performed by Blackstone Partners
and WP Partners, or their respective affiliates, totaling approximately $4.2
million. During the first quarter of 1997, the Company incurred fees and
expenses for services performed by Blackstone Partners and WP Partners, or their
respective affiliates, in connection with the sale of Floorcoverings, totaling
approximately $2.7 million. During the first quarter of 1996, the Company
incurred fees and expenses for services performed by Blackstone Partners and WP
Partners, or their respective affiliates, in connection with the acquisition of
Manchester Plastics totaling $2.5 million. During the second quarter of 1996,
Wasserstein Perella Securities, Inc., an affiliate of WP Partners, participated
as a lead underwriter in C&A Products' offering of Subordinated Notes and was
paid fees of approximately $5.4 million in connection therewith.

            On November 5, 1997, the Company announced that it entered into an
agreement to sell Wallcoverings to a company sponsored by an affiliate of
Blackstone Partners. The transaction was approved by a special committee of the
Company's Board of Directors composed of independent directors. The sale of
Wallcoverings is subject to financing, regulatory clearance and other conditions
and there can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed or as to
the timing thereof. See Note R.

M.          Information About the Company's Operations:

            The geographic dispersion of the operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries did not change significantly from December 28, 1996 to September
27, 1997.


N.          Commitments and Contingencies:

            See "PART II - OTHER INFORMATION, Item 1. Legal Proceedings." The
ultimate outcome of the legal proceedings to which the Company is a party will
not, in the opinion of the Company's management, 



                                      I-9


<PAGE>


                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
          NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL REPORT (Continued)
                                   (Unaudited)


based on the facts presently known to it, have a material effect on the
Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

            See also "PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION, Item 2. Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

            C&A Products (or its predecessor, Group) has assigned leases related
to real and personal property of divested businesses. Although C&A Products has
obtained releases from the lessors of certain of these properties, C&A Products
remains contingently liable under most of the leases. C&A Products' future
liability for these leases, in management's opinion, based on the facts
presently known to it, will not have a material effect on the Company's
consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

O.          Common Stockholders' Deficit:

            Activity in common stockholders' deficit is as follows (in
thousands):


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                               <C>          <C>           <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>   


                                                                               Foreign
                                                Other                         Currency          Pension
                                    Common      Paid-in      Accumulated      Translation       Equity       Treasury
                                     Stock      Capital        Deficit        Adjustments     Adjustment      Stock         Total
                                 -----------  -----------   -------------    -------------  --------------  ----------   -----------
Balance at December 28, 1996.....$      705   $   585,207  $    (729,315)   $    (20,798)   $   (10,165)   $  (20,212)   $ (194,578)

Compensation expense
   adjustment....................        -         1,738              -               -              -             -         1,738
Net income.......................        -             -        146,189               -              -             -       146,189
Purchases of treasury stock
   (2,041 shares) ...............        -             -              -               -              -       (17,910)      (17,910)
Exercise of stock options
   (363 shares)..................        -             -         (2,738)              -              -         3,068           330
Foreign currency
   translation adjustments.......        -             -              -          (4,505)             -                      (4,505)
                                ----------- ------------  --------------- -------------  --------------  ------------ -------------



Balance at September 27, 1997.... $     705  $    586,945  $    (585,864)   $    (25,303)  $    (10,165)   $  (35,054)  $   (68,736)

                                 =========== ============  ===============  =============  =============  ============ =============
</TABLE>

P.          Earnings Per Share:

            Earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding during each period and the assumed
exercise of employee stock options less the number of treasury shares assumed to
be purchased from the proceeds, including applicable deferred compensation
expense.

                                      I-10

<PAGE>

                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
          NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL REPORT (Continued)
                                   (Unaudited)


Q.          Significant Subsidiary:

            The Company conducts all of its operating activities through its
wholly-owned subsidiary, C&A Products. The following represents summarized
consolidated financial information of C&A Products and its subsidiaries for the
following periods (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    For the Quarter Ended                     For the Nine Months Ended
                                           September 27, 1997   September 21, 1996     September 27, 1997    September 21, 1996
                                           ------------------    -----------------     ------------------    ------------------
<S>                                          <C>                 <C>                    <C>                   <C>
Net sales..................................  $  368,008          $    266,903           $    1,199,586        $  827,411
Gross margin ..............................      16,953                46,408                  159,387           153,371
Income (loss) from continuing operations...     (42,206)                6,791                  (19,243)          180,873
Income before extraordinary loss...........      33,747                11,582                  146,804           168,602
Net income ................................      33,747                11,582                  146,083           161,992

                                         September 27, 1997     December 28, 1996
                                         ------------------     -----------------
Current assets.............................  $  589,084         $     728,586
Noncurrent assets..........................     797,122               800,594
Current liabilities........................     395,083               339,519
Noncurrent liabilities.....................   1,057,494             1,382,754
</TABLE>

            Separate financial statements of C&A Products are not presented
because they would not be material to the holders of any debt securities of C&A
Products that have been or may be issued, there being no material differences
between the financial statements of C&A Products and the Company. The absence of
separate financial statements of C&A Products is also based upon the fact that
any debt of C&A Products issued, and the assumption that any debt to be issued,
under the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by the Company and C&A
Products (Registration No. 33-62665) is or will be fully and unconditionally
guaranteed by the Company.

R.          Subsequent Events

            On October 28, 1997, the Company announced that it received a
proposal for the acquisition of Wallcoverings. The Company had previously
announced that it intended to spin-off Wallcovering to the Company's
shareholders and expected the spin-off to take place in the second half of 1997.
In view of the acquisition proposal, however, the Company stated that it was
reviewing all its options with respect to Wallcoverings and no longer expected a
spin-off to take place in 1997.

            On November 5, 1997, the Company announced that it entered into an
agreement to sell Wallcoverings to a company sponsored by Blackstone Capital
Partners III Merchant Banking Fund LP, an affiliate of Blackstone Partners. The
purchaser entered into a separate agreement to purchase the wallcovering and
vinyl units of Borden Inc. (the "Borden Business") and has stated that it
intends to combine Wallcoverings with the Borden Business. The purchase price
for Wallcoverings includes $58.0 million in cash, subject to adjustment based on
the cash flow of Wallcoverings between November 2, 1997 and the closing, and an
option for 6.7% of the outstanding common stock of the new company (which will
include Wallcoverings and the Borden Business). The Company estimates the
after-tax value of the transaction to the Company to be in the range of
approximately $90.0 million to $97.0 million, depending on the closing date. In
connection with the transaction, the Company recorded a loss of approximately
$21.1 million in the third quarter of 1997.

            The sale of Wallcovering is subject to financing, regulatory
clearance and other conditions (including the satisfaction or waiver of the
purchaser's conditions to consummating the acquistion of the Borden


                                      I-11

<PAGE>


                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
          NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL REPORT (Concluded)
                                   (Unaudited)

Business) and there can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed
or as to the timing thereof. The sale is expected to close in the first quarter
of 1998. If the transaction is not completed by May 31, 1998, either party may
terminate the agreement.


                                      I-12

<PAGE>



                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations


RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

            On October 28, 1997, the Company announced that it received a
proposal for the acquisition of Wallcoverings. The Company had previously
announced that it intended to spin-off Wallcovering to the Company's
shareholders and expected the spin-off to take place in the second half of 1997.
In view of the acquisition proposal, however, the Company stated that it was
reviewing all its options with respect to Wallcoverings and no longer expected a
spin-off to take place in 1997.

            On November 5, 1997, the Company announced that it entered into an
agreement to sell Wallcoverings to a company sponsored by Blackstone Capital
Partners III Merchant Banking Fund LP, an affiliate of Blackstone Partners. The
purchaser entered into a separate agreement to purchase the wallcovering and
vinyl units of Borden Inc. (the "Borden Business") and has stated that it
intends to combine Wallcoverings with the Borden Business. The purchase price
for Wallcoverings includes $58.0 million in cash, subject to adjustment based on
the cash flow of Wallcoverings between November 2, 1997 and the closing, and an
option for 6.7% of the outstanding common stock of the new company (which will
include Wallcoverings and the Borden Business). The Company estimates the
after-tax value of the transaction to the Company to be in the range of
approximately $90 million to $97 million, depending on the closing date. In
connection with the transaction, the Company recorded a loss of approximately
$21.1 million in the third quarter of 1997.

            The sale of Wallcovering is subject to financing, regulatory
clearance and other conditions (including the satisfaction or waiver of the
purchaser's conditions to consummating the acquisition of the Borden Business)
and there can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed or as to
the timing thereof. The sale is expected to close in the first quarter of 1998.
If the transaction is not completed by May 31, 1998, either party may terminate
the agreement.

            On August 31, 1997, the Company purchased certain automotive
acoustics assets and assumed certain liabilities in Germany from Perstorp for
approximately $13.6 million, subject to post closing adjustment.


            On July 24, 1997, JPS Automotive completed its sale of Airbag, its
airbag and industrial fabric division, to Safety Components International, Inc.
for a purchase price of $56.3 million, subject to adjustment. Pursuant to the
indenture governing the JPS Automotive Senior Notes, in connection with such
sale, the Company caused JPS Automotive to make an offer to purchase (up to the
amount of the net proceeds from the sale) the JPS Automotive Senior Notes at
100% of their principal amount. Pursuant to such offer (which expired September
16, 1997), JPS Automotive repurchased and retired $23 thousand principal amount
of JPS Automotive Senior Notes. During October 1997, the Company caused JPS
Automotive to use a portion of the proceeds remaining from the sale of Airbag to
make a distribution of $35 million to C&A Products, under the restricted
payments provisions of the JPS Automotive Senior Notes indenture. See "-
Liquidity and Capital Resources". The Company intends to use the proceeds of
this distribution to reduce its long-term debt.

            In July, 1997, the Company completed its sale of the Mastercraft
Group, a leading manufacturer of upholstery fabric, to Joan Fabrics Corporation,
for a purchase price of $310 million, subject to adjustment. A portion of the
net proceeds were used to reduce the Company's long-term debt.

GENERAL


            The Company is a global supplier of automotive interior systems,
including textile and plastic trim, acoustics and convertible top systems.


                                      I-13

<PAGE>



                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations (Continued)


            During 1996 and the first nine months of 1997, the Company took
major steps in implementing its automotive growth strategy, which is to expand
the Company's core automotive businesses in North America and globally as well
as to add complementary product offerings.

            The automotive supply industry in which the Company competes is
cyclical and is influenced by the level of North American vehicle production.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The results for 1996 have been restated to reflect the Company's change in
fiscal year end for comparative purposes.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           Quarter Ended
                                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       September 27, 1997                  September 21, 1996
                                                  --------------------------         ----------------------------
                                                    Amount          Percent             Amount            Percent
                                                  ----------       ---------         ----------           -------
                                                                         (dollar amounts in thousands)
<S>                                               <C>               <C>              <C>                   <C>   
Net sales.......................................  $  368,008        100.0%           $  266,903            100.0%
Cost of goods sold..............................     351,055         95.4               220,495             82.6
                                                  ----------       ---------         ----------           -------
Gross margin....................................      16,953          4.6                46,408             17.4
Selling, general & administrative expenses            34,202          9.3                21,680              8.1
Impairment of long lived assets ................      22,600          6.1                     -              - 
                                                  ----------       ---------         ----------           -------

Operating income (loss) ........................  $  (39,849)       (10.8)%          $   24,728              9.3%
                                                  ==========       ==========        ==========           ========
EBITDA (1)......................................  $     (936)         (.3)%          $   33,166             12.4%





                                                                             Nine Months Ended
                                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       September 27, 1997                September 21, 1996
                                                  --------------------------         -----------------------------
                                                    Amount          Percent            Amount             Percent
                                                  ----------       ---------         ----------           -------
                                                                 (dollar amounts in thousands)
Net sales.......................................  $ 1,199,586        100.0%         $ 827,411              100.0%
Cost of goods sold..............................    1,040,199         86.7            674,040               81.5
                                                  -----------      ---------         ---------             -------
Gross margin....................................      159,387         13.3            153,371               18.5
Selling, general & administrative expenses             94,458          7.9             68,252                8.2
Impairment of long lived assets.................       22,600          1.9                  -                -
                                                  -----------      ---------         ---------             -------
Operating income................................  $    42,329          3.5%         $  85,119               10.3%
                                                  ===========      =========        ==========             =======
EBITDA (1)......................................  $   108,865          9.1%         $ 109,524               13.2%

</TABLE>


               (1) EBITDA represents earnings before deductions for net interest
expense, loss on sale of receivables, income tax, depreciation, amortization and
other non-cash charges. EBITDA does not represent and should


                                      I-14


<PAGE>


                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations (Continued)


not be considered as an alternative to net income or cash flow from operations
as determined by generally accepted accounting principles.


Net Sales: The Company's net sales increased 37.9% to approximately $368.0
million in the third quarter of 1997, up $101.1 million over the comparable 1996
quarter. For the first nine months of 1997, the Company's net sales of $1,199.6
million were $372.2 million higher than the comparable period in 1996. The
overall increase was due primarily to the acquisitions of JPS Automotive and
Perstorp Components in December 1996, which together generated approximately
$99.0 million and $310.6 million in net sales during the quarter and nine months
ended September 27, 1997, respectively. In addition, during the nine months
ended September 27, 1997, sales increased in plastic trim components, molded
carpet, accessory mats and luggage compartment trim. These increases were
partially offset by decreased sales of convertible top systems as well as by
reduced sales of approximately $17.0 million as a result of strikes at Chrysler
and General Motors in the second quarter of 1997. During the first quarter of
1996, the Company's sales were negatively impacted by the General Motors strike
in March 1996. During the third quarter of 1997, there was a 2.0% decrease in
the North American vehicle build compared to the comparable quarter of the prior
year. For the remainder of the year, the Company currently does not expect any
increase or decrease in the North American vehicle build versus last year.

Automotive bodycloth sales increased 8.7% and 4.5% in the quarter and nine
months ended September 27, 1997, respectively, compared to the prior year
periods. An increase in sales resulting from the acquisition of JPS Automotive
was offset by reduced sales to the Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique and Ford
Explorer. Sales for the nine months ended September 27, 1997 were also
negatively impacted by the strikes at Chrysler and General Motors in the second
quarter of 1997 as well as by reduced sales to the Chrysler Caravan/Voyager.

Molded carpet sales increased 38.3% and 40.5% in the quarter and nine months
ended September 27, 1997, respectively, over the comparable prior year periods
primarily resulting from the JPS Automotive acquisition and increased sales to
the European automotive market. Increased sales to the Buick Park Avenue, Toyota
Camry and Dodge Dakota truck were partially offset by reduced sales to the Buick
Century and Oldsmobile Cutlass Cierra.

Convertible top system sales decreased 34.3% and 20.5% in the quarter and nine
months ended September 27, 1997, respectively, over the comparable prior year
periods principally due to decreased production of the Chrysler Sebring and the
Ford Mustang convertibles. For the balance of the year, the Company expects
convertible sales to continue to be below last year's outstanding performance.

Accessory mat sales increased 12.7% and 33.5% in the quarter and nine months
ended September 27, 1997, respectively, over the comparable prior year periods.
The overall increase is attributable to increased sales to General Motors'
Minivans, the Oldsmobile Cutlass, Buick Regal, Pontiac Grand Prix, Toyota Camry,
Nissan Maxima and Sentra and new export programs, offset by decreased sales to
the Honda Accord and Civic and Mitsubishi Gallant.

Luggage compartment trim sales increased 56.7% and 69.8% in the quarter and nine
months ended September 27, 1997, respectively, over the comparable prior year
periods, primarily due to the acquisition of JPS Automotive. Sales increases
also resulted from higher Toyota Camry volumes and the full year impact of the
Buick Park Avenue and Subaru Legacy Wagon which started in mid-1996.


Plastic interior trim component sales increased 44.4% and 71.0% in the quarter
and nine months ended September 27, 1997, respectively. The increase in sales
relates primarily to the launch during the latter 


                                      I-15


<PAGE>


                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations (Continued)


part of 1996 of new programs for which C&A Plastics is the supplier as well as
the negative impact of a General Motors strike on C&A Plastics' sales for the
first quarter of 1996.

Acoustical products, which was acquired in December 1996, contributed $39.6
million and $131.0 million in net sales to the North American and European
automotive markets during the quarter and nine months ended September 27, 1997,
respectively.


Of the Company's sales approximately 16% were attributable to products utilized
in vehicles built outside of North America.

The above factors resulted in the Company's continuing operations' average sales
content per vehicle built in North America of approximately $88 for the third
quarter of 1997 compared to an average of approximately $68 for the fiscal 1996
year.

Gross Margin: For the third quarter of 1997, gross margin was 4.6%, down from
17.4% in the comparable period in 1996. For the nine months ended September 27,
1997, gross margin decreased to 13.3% from 18.5% in the comparable 1996 period.
During the third quarter of 1997, the Company incurred charges of approximately
$57.9 million principally related to C&A Plastics. These charges included asset
impairments, reductions in goodwill, provisions for certain programs operating
at a loss, inventory adjustments, certain previously deferred costs and other
provisions. Of the $57.9 million of charges, $34.0 million is included in cost
of goods sold, $22.6 million is discussed below as impairment of long lived
assets and $1.3 million relates to selling costs. Adjusted for certain of the
charges taken by C&A Plastics, gross margin was 8.9% and 14.6% in the quarter
and nine months ended September 27, 1997. The decrease in gross margin is
attributable primarily to the lower margins in products sold by JPS Automotive
and Perstorp Components, the decrease in sales of higher margin convertible top
systems and manufacturing inefficiencies and product launch costs at C&A
Plastics and Akro.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased 57.8% to $34.2 million in the third quarter of
1997, up $12.5 million over the comparable 1996 period. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased to $94.5 million for the nine months ended
September 27, 1997, up $26.2 million over the comparable 1996 period. The
increase is primarily due to the acquisitions of JPS Automotive and Perstorp
Components as well as $1.3 million of charges incurred in the third quarter of
1997 discussed above.

Impairment of Long Lived Assets: As previously discussed, during the third
quarter of 1997, C&A Plastics wrote down fixed assets by $5.1 million to
realizable value and reduced its goodwill by $17.5 million, as a result of an
evaluation of the recoverability of the long lived assets of C&A Plastics that
was conducted in connection with the determination of the charges discussed
above.

Interest Expense: Interest expense allocated to continuing operations, net of
interest income of $2.3 million in the third quarter of 1997 and $1.0 million in
the third quarter of 1996, increased $8.2 million to $19.8 million in the third
quarter of 1997 from $11.6 million in the third quarter of 1996. Interest
expense allocated to continuing operations, net of interest income of $3.0
million and $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 27, 1997 and
September 21, 1996, respectively, increased to $57.9 million for the nine months
ended September 27, 1997 as compared to $28.5 million for the comparable period
in 1996. Total interest expense, including amounts allocated to discontinued
operations and excluding interest income, increased to $22.2 million and $73.5
million in the quarter and nine months ended September 27, 1997, respectively,
from $20.6 million and $52.2 million in the quarter and nine months ended
September 21, 1996, respectively. 


                                      I-16


<PAGE>


                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations (Continued)


The overall increase in interest expense was due to a higher amount of overall
outstanding indebtedness, primarily related to the JPS Automotive and Perstorp
Components acquisitions, as well as the higher interest rates associated with
the $400 million principal amount of 11-1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006
(the "Subordinated Notes") issued by C&A Products in June 1996. The Subordinated
Notes are guaranteed by the Company.


Loss on the Sale of Receivables: The Company sells on a continuous basis,
through its Carcorp subsidiary, interests in a pool of accounts receivable. In
connection with the receivables sales, a loss of $.5 million was allocated to
continuing operations in the third quarter of 1997 compared to a loss of $1.1
million, net of amounts allocated to discontinued operations, in the prior year
quarter. Losses of $3.3 million and $3.7 million were allocated to continuing
operations for the nine months ended September 27, 1997 and September 21, 1996,
respectively. Total loss on sale of receivables, including amounts allocated to
discontinued operations, was $.5 million and $3.9 million in the quarter and
nine months ended September 27, 1997, respectively, and $1.7 million and $5.4
million in the quarter and nine months ended September 21, 1996, respectively.
The decrease in the loss for the nine months ended September 27, 1997 as
compared to the prior year period relates to fewer receivables being sold to
Carcorp during 1997 as a result of Floorcoverings, Wallcoverings and the
Mastercraft Group being terminated as Sellers under the Receivables Facility.

Other Income: The Company recognized a foreign currency transaction gain of $.1
million in the quarter ended September 27, 1997 related to obligations to be
settled in currencies other than the functional currency of its foreign
operations. No foreign currency transaction gain or loss was recognized in the
quarter ended September 21, 1996. For the nine months ended September 27, 1997
and September 21, 1996, the Company recognized a foreign currency transaction
loss of $1.7 million and a gain of $.4 million, respectively. In the quarter and
nine months ended September 27, 1997, the Company recognized a gain of $1.7
million related to the sale of the Borg Textiles division. Also, in the quarter
and nine months ended September 27, 1997, the Company recognized income of $.4
million and $1.2 million, respectively, related to its investment in the
Perstorp joint venture.

Income Taxes: In the quarter ended September 27, 1997, the Company reported an
income tax benefit of $15.9 million compared to tax expense of $5.1 million in
the prior year quarter. For the nine months ended September 27, 1997 the
provision for income taxes was $1.6 million compared with a benefit of $127.7
million for the nine months ended September 21, 1996. In the third quarter and
first nine months of 1997, and in the third quarter of 1996, income tax expense
consisted of foreign, state, franchise and federal taxes. In the first nine
months of 1996, the benefit principally resulted from a reduction of valuation
allowances against the Company's federal net operating loss carryforwards and
other deferred tax assets offset by current foreign, state, franchise and
federal taxes.


Discontinued Operations: The Company's loss from discontinued operations was $.5
million in the third quarter of 1997 compared to income of $4.8 million in the
comparable 1996 period. The decrease results primarily from the sale of
Floorcoverings in February 1997 and the sale of the Mastercraft Group in July
1997. For the nine months ended September 27, 1997, income from discontinued
operations was $4.3 million compared to a loss of $12.3 million for the nine
months ended September 21, 1996. The increase relates primarily to
Wallcoverings' results subsequent to April 29, 1996 being charged to the
Company's existing discontinued operations reserves offset by the sale of
Floorcoverings in February 1997 and the sale of the Mastercraft Group in July
1997. Wallcoverings has continued to experience sales declines since it was
classified as discontinued in April 1996. In January 1996, Wallcoverings
reported a $23.3 million loss which resulted from certain charges for the
write-down of inventory, the consolidation of operations and the closing of
facilities.

                                      I-17


<PAGE>


                        


                 COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCAIL CONDITION AND 
        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
        (CONTINUED)

            The sale of Floorcoverings for approximately $195.6 million was
completed in February 1997 and resulted in a gain of $85.3 million net of income
taxes of $53.4 million. The sale of the Mastercraft Group was completed in July
1997 for approximately $310.0 million, resulting in a gain on the sale of
discontinued operations of $97.5 million, net of taxes of $65.0 million in the
quarter ended September 27, 1997. In connection with the agreement to sell
Wallcoverings, the Company recorded a loss of $21.1 million, net of an income
tax benefit of $33.0 million, during the third quarter of 1997.

Extraordinary Loss: For the nine months ended September 27, 1997, the Company
recognized a loss of $.7 million, net of income taxes of $.4 million, in
connection with the purchase of $19.4 million principal amount of JPS Automotive
Senior Notes on the open market at prices in excess of the carrying values. For
the nine months ended September 21, 1996, the Company recognized a non-cash
extraordinary charge of $6.6 million, net of income taxes of $4.7 million,
related to the refinancing of its bank facilities. The refinancing was done in
conjunction with the Company's offering of the Subordinated Notes.

Net Income: The combined effect of the foregoing resulted in net income of $34.0
million in the third quarter of 1997 compared to net income of $11.7 million for
the comparable period of 1996. Net income for the nine months ended September
27, 1997 and September 21, 1996 was $146.2 million and $162.2 million,
respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

       The Company and its subsidiaries had cash and cash equivalents totaling
$89.4 million and $14.3 million at September 27, 1997 and December 28, 1996,
respectively. The Company had a total of $297.3 million of borrowing
availability under its credit arrangements as of September 27, 1997. The total
was comprised of $227.8 million under the Revolving Facility, $58.3 million
under the Delayed Draw Term Loan and approximately $11.2 million under bank
demand lines of credit in Canada and Austria. In addition, $88.7 million was
available at that date under the Delayed Draw Term Loan for specified purposes
as discussed below.

        During February 1997, the Company sold its Floorcoverings subsidiary for
$195.6 million. The net proceeds were used to pay down the outstanding portion
of the Revolving Facility. The Company completed the sale of the Mastercraft
Group in July 1997 for a purchase price of $310 million, subject to adjustment.
The Company utilized a portion of the net proceeds from the sale to further
reduce long-term debt. In addition, effective July 16, 1997 receivables
generated by members of the Mastercraft Group are no longer being sold in
connection with the Receivables Facility, as discussed below. Also, the Company
completed the sale of Airbag in July 1997 for a purchase price of $56.3 million,
subject to adjustment. Pursuant to the indenture governing the JPS Automotive
Senior Notes, in connection with such sale, the Company caused JPS Automotive to
make an offer to purchase ( up to the amount of the net proceeds from the sale)
the JPS Automotive Senior Notes at 100% of their principal amount. Pursuant to
such offer (which expired September 16, 1997), JPS Automotive repurchased and
retired $23 thousand principal amount of JPS Automotive Senior Notes. During
October 1997, the Company caused JPS Automotive to use a portion of the proceeds
remaining from the sale of Airbag to make a distribution of $35 million to C&A
Products as permitted under the restricted payments provisions of the JPS
Automotive Senior Notes indenture discussed below. The Company intends to use
the proceeds of such distribution to reduce its long-term debt.

            As part of the Recapitalization, the Company entered into credit
facilities consisting of (i) a Term Loan Facility, (ii) a Revolving Facility
(together with the Term Loan Facility, the "Credit Agreement Facilities") 
                                      I-18

<PAGE>
                 COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCAIL CONDITION AND 
        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
        (CONTINUED)


and (iii) a bridge receivables facility, which was terminated and replaced with
the Receivables Facility described below. On December 22, 1995, the Company and
C&A Products entered into a $197 million credit facility (the "Term Loan B
Facility") to finance the January 1996 purchase of C&A Plastics.

            On June 3, 1996, the Company and C&A Products entered into an
amendment and restatement (the "Amendment") of the Credit Agreement Facilities
and the Term Loan B Facility (collectively, the "Bank Credit Facilities"). The
Amendment was effected in connection with the sale of the Subordinated Notes
described below and the use of proceeds from such sale to repay various
outstanding loans under the Credit Agreement Facilities. As a result of the
Amendment and the repayment of a portion of the Credit Agreement Facilities with
a portion of the proceeds from the Subordinated Notes, the Bank Credit
Facilities consist of (i) the Term Loan Facility, in an aggregate principal
amount of $195 million (including a $45 million facility in Canada), payable in
installments until final maturity on July 13, 2002, (ii) the Term Loan B
Facility, in the principal amount of $195.8 million, payable in installments
until final maturity on December 31, 2002, and (iii) the Revolving Facility,
having an aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million and terminating on
July 13, 2001. The Bank Credit Facilities, which are guaranteed by the Company
and its U.S. subsidiaries (subject to certain exceptions), contain restrictive
covenants including maintenance of EBITDA (i.e. earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges) and interest coverage
ratios, leverage and liquidity tests and various other restrictive covenants
which are customary for such facilities. Certain of these tests and covenants
were waived for the second and third quarters of 1997 as a result of the sales
of the Mastercraft Group and Floorcoverings. The Company requires a modification
of these tests and covenants for the fourth quarter of 1997 and beyond due to
these sales and expects to renegotiate them in connection with a broader
modification of its existing credit facilities to conform to the Company's
current financing structure. In addition, C&A Products is generally prohibited
from paying dividends or making other distributions to the Company except to the
extent necessary to allow the Company to (w) pay taxes and ordinary expenses,
(x) make permitted repurchases of shares or options, (y) make permitted
investments in finance, foreign or acquired subsidiaries and (z) effect the
distribution of certain net proceeds of a sale of Wallcoverings or a spin-off of
Wallcoverings. In addition, the Company is permitted to pay dividends and
repurchase shares of the Company in any fiscal year in an aggregate amount equal
to the greater of (i) $12 million (which amount has been increased to $24
million for fiscal 1997) and (ii) if certain financial ratios are satisfied, 25%
of the Company's consolidated net income for the previous fiscal year, and is
permitted to pay additional dividends in amounts representing certain net
proceeds from a sale of Wallcoverings or a spin-off of Wallcoverings. The
Company's obligations under the Bank Credit Facilities are secured by a pledge
of the stock of C&A Products and its significant subsidiaries.

            On June 10, 1996 C&A Products issued $400 million principal amount
of Subordinated Notes, which mature in 2006. The Subordinated Notes are
guaranteed by the Company. The indenture governing the Subordinated Notes
generally prohibits the Company, C&A Products and any Restricted Subsidiary (as
defined) from making certain payments and investments (generally, dividends and
distributions on their capital stock; repurchases or redemptions of their
capital stock; repayment prior to maturity of debt subordinated to the
Subordinated Notes; and investments (other than permitted investments))
("Restricted Payments") if (i) there is a default under the Subordinated Notes
or (ii) after giving pro forma effect to the Restricted Payment, C&A Products
could not incur at least $1.00 of additional indebtedness under the indenture's
general test for the incurrence of indebtedness, which is a specified ratio
(currently 2.0 to 1.0) of cash flow to interest expense or (iii) the aggregate
of all such Restricted Payments from the issue date exceeds a specified
threshold (based, generally, on 50% of cumulative consolidated net income since
the quarter in which the issue date occurred plus 100% of the net proceeds of
capital contributions to C&A Products from stock issuances by the Company).
These prohibitions are subject to a number of significant exceptions, including
dividends to stockholders of the Company or stock repurchases not exceeding $10


                                      I-19
<PAGE>

                 COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCAIL CONDITION AND 
        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
        (CONTINUED)


million in any fiscal year or $20 million in the aggregate until the maturity of
the Subordinated Notes, dividends to stockholders of the Company of the net
available proceeds from the sale or other disposition of Wallcoverings and
dividends to the Company to permit it to pay its operating and administrative
expenses. The Subordinated Notes indenture also contains other restrictive
covenants (including, among others, limitations on the incurrence of
indebtedness, asset dispositions and transactions with affiliates) which are
customary for such securities. These covenants are also subject to a number of
significant exceptions.

            In connection with the closing of the acquisition of JPS Automotive
(the "JPS Automotive Acquisition"), in early December 1996 the Company amended
the Bank Credit Facilities primarily to allow for the existence of the JPS
Automotive Senior Notes and to allow the Company to use the proceeds from the
sale of Floorcoverings to pay down the Revolving Facility and a portion of the
Receivables Facility. As part of the JPS Automotive Acquisition, the Company
paid off approximately $15 million of outstanding bank indebtedness of JPS
Automotive. The cash portion of the purchase price of the JPS Automotive
Acquisition, the purchase price for the acquisition of a minority interest in a
JPS Automotive subsidiary and the bank indebtedness at JPS Automotive that was
repaid at the time of closing were funded through the Company's Revolving
Facility. In addition, as a result of the JPS Automotive Acquisition, holders of
the JPS Automotive Senior Notes had the right to put their notes to JPS
Automotive at a price of 101% of their principal amount plus accrued interest.
Approximately $3.9 million principal amount of JPS Automotive Senior Notes were
so put to JPS Automotive and then purchased by JPS Automotive in the first
quarter of 1997. During the second quarter of 1997, an additional $19.4 million
principal amount of JPS Automotive Notes were purchased by JPS Automotive on the
open market and retired. No open market purchases were made during the third
quarter of 1997, although $23 thousand principal amount of JPS Automotive Senior
Notes were repurchased and retired pursuant to an offer to purchase made as a
result of the sale of Airbag. After giving effect to the above, JPS Automotive
had as of September 27, 1997 approximately $92.1 million of indebtedness
outstanding (including a premium of $3.4 million recorded in connection with the
acquisition) related to the JPS Automotive Senior Notes. The Company is 
operating JPS Automotive as a restricted subsidiary under the Bank Credit
Facilities and the indenture governing the Subordinated Notes.

            The indenture governing the JPS Automotive Senior Notes generally
prohibits JPS Automotive from making certain restricted payments and investments
(generally, dividends and distributions on its equity interests; purchases or
redemptions of its equity interests; purchases of any indebtedness subordinated
to the JPS Automotive Senior Notes; and investments other than as permitted)
("JPS Automotive Restricted Payments") unless (i) there is no default under the
JPS Automotive Senior Notes indenture; (ii) after giving pro forma effect to the
JPS Automotive Restricted Payment, JPS Automotive would be permitted to incur at
least $1.00 of additional indebtedness under the indenture's general test for
the incurrence of indebtedness which is a specified ratio (currently 2.5 to 1.0)
of cashflow to interest expense, and (iii) the aggregate of all JPS Automotive
Restricted Payments from the issue date is less than a specified threshold
(based, generally, on 50% of JPS Automotive's cumulative consolidated net income
since the issue date plus 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds of the
issuance by JPS Automotive of certain equity and convertible debt securities and
cash contributions to JPS Automotive) (the "JPS Automotive Restricted Payments
Tests"). These conditions were satisfied immediately following the closing of
the JPS Automotive Acquisition and as of September 27, 1997. The JPS Automotive
Restricted Payments Tests are subject to a number of significant exceptions. The
indenture governing the JPS Automotive Senior Notes also contains other
restrictive covenants (including, among others, limitations on the incurrence of
indebtedness and issuance of preferred stock, asset dispositions and
transactions with affiliates including the Company and C&A Products) which are
customary for such securities. These covenants are also subject to a number of
significant exceptions.


                                      I-20
<PAGE>

                 COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCAIL CONDITION AND 
        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
        (CONTINUED)


            Additionally, in December 1996, in connection with the JPS
Automotive Acquisition, the Company entered into a $200 million delayed draw
term loan (the "Delayed Draw Term Loan"). The Delayed Draw Term Loan is a 5.25
year term loan which was entered into to finance or refinance the purchase of
any JPS Automotive Senior Notes put by the holders to JPS Automotive as a result
of the change in control resulting from the JPS Automotive Acquisition or
otherwise acquired. The Delayed Draw Term Loan is available until December 11,
1997. Up to $20 million of the Delayed Draw Term Loan can be utilized for
general corporate purposes, including premium and accrued interest on the JPS
Automotive Senior Notes. Prior to the JPS Automotive Acquisition, the Company
had purchased in the open market $68.0 million principal amount of JPS
Automotive Senior Notes, which were subsequently retired by JPS Automotive. As
of September 27, 1997, $53.0 million had been drawn under the Delayed Draw Term
Loan and $147.0 million was available, consisting of $38.3 million available to
refinance previously acquired JPS Automotive Senior Notes, $20.0 million
available for general corporate purposes and $88.7 million available for future
purchases of JPS Automotive Senior Notes. The Board of Directors of the general
partner of JPS Automotive has authorized JPS Automotive to expend for the
repurchase of JPS Automotive Senior Notes up to the amount of funds that may be
drawn for such purpose under the Delayed Draw Term Loan. The Delayed Draw Term
Loan's security and restrictive covenants are identical to those in the Bank
Credit Facilities. Certain of these covenants were waived for the second and
third quarters as a result of the sales the of the Mastercraft Group and
Floorcoverings. The Company requires a modification of these covenants for the
fourth quarter of 1997 and beyond due to these sales and expects to renegotiate
them in connection with a broader modification of its existing credit
facilities.

            On March 31, 1995, C&A Products entered, through the Trust formed by
Carcorp, into the Receivables Facility, comprised of (i) term certificates,
which were issued on March 31, 1995, in an aggregate face amount of $110 million
and have a term of five years and (ii) variable funding certificates, which
represent revolving commitments of up to an aggregate of $75 million and have a
term of five years. Carcorp purchases on a revolving basis and transfers to the
Trust virtually all trade receivables generated by C&A Products and certain of
its subsidiaries (the "Sellers"). The certificates represent the right to
receive payments generated by the receivables held by the Trust.

            Availability under the variable funding certificates at any time
depends primarily on the amount of receivables generated by the Sellers from
sales to the automotive industry, the rate of collection on those receivables
and other characteristics of those receivables which affect their eligibility
(such as the bankruptcy or downgrading below investment grade of the obligor,
delinquency and excessive concentration). Based on these criteria, at September
27, 1997 approximately $69.9 million was available under the variable funding
certificates, none of which was utilized.

            In connection with the proposed disposition of Wallcoverings,
Wallcoverings was terminated as a Seller of receivables under the Receivables
Facility on September 21, 1996. The Company also terminated Floorcoverings as of
February 6, 1997 as a Seller of receivables under the Receivables Facility in
connection with the Company's sale of Floorcoverings. On March 25, 1997, the
Trust redeemed $30 million face value of term certificates primarily as a result
of the Trust collecting Wallcoverings and Floorcoverings receivables which were
not replaced by eligible receivables. In connection with the sale of the
Mastercraft Group, effective July 16, 1997 receivables generated by the
Mastercraft Group ceased to be sold to Carcorp and transferred to the Trust, and
the Company terminated Ack-Ti-Lining, Inc., a member of the Mastercraft Group,
as a Seller of receivables under the Receivables Facility. The Company believes
that due to the sale of the Mastercraft Group, approximately $30 million face
value of term certificates will ultimately be redeemed as the related
receivables are collected by the Trust. The redemption will not significantly
impact the Company's liquidity as the Trust currently maintains $24.5 million in
cash collateral to effect the 



                                      I-21
<PAGE>

                 COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCAIL CONDITION AND 
        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
        (CONTINUED)


redemption. The Company's liquidity will be positively impacted by utilizing
receivables generated upon the addition of recently acquired subsidiaries of the
Company as Sellers to increase the amount available to the Company under the
variable funding certificates.

            The proceeds received by Carcorp from collections on receivables,
after the payment of expenses and amounts due on the certificates, are used to
purchase new receivables from the Sellers. Collections on receivables are
required to remain in the Trust if at any time the Trust does not contain
sufficient eligible receivables to support the outstanding certificates. The
Receivables Facility contains certain other restrictions on Carcorp (including
maintenance of $25 million net worth) and on the Sellers (including limitations
on liens on receivables, modifications of the terms of receivables, and changes
in credit and collection practices) customary for facilities of this type. The
commitments under the Receivables Facility are subject to termination prior to
their term upon the occurrence of certain events, including payment defaults,
breach of covenants, bankruptcy, insufficient eligible receivables to support
the outstanding certificates, default by C&A Products in servicing the
receivables and, in the case of the variable funding certificates, failure of
the receivables to satisfy certain performance criteria.

            The Company has a master equipment lease agreement for a maximum of
$50 million of machinery and equipment. At September 27, 1997, the Company had
$20.0 million of potential availability under this master lease for future
machinery and equipment requirements of the Company subject to the lessor's
approval. In the quarter and nine months ended September 27, 1997, the Company
made lease payments relating to continuing operations of approximately $1.4
million and $4.2 million, respectively, for machinery and equipment sold and
leased back under this master lease. The Company expects lease payments for
continuing operations under this master lease to be $1.4 million during the
remainder of 1997.

            The Company's principal sources of funds are cash generated from
continuing operating activities, borrowings under the Bank Credit Facilities,
the sale of receivables under the Receivables Facility and the proceeds from the
sales of the Mastercraft Group and, to the extent permitted by the JPS
Automotive Restricted Payments Tests, Airbag. Net cash provided by the operating
activities of the Company's continuing operations was $27.6 million and $87.5
million for the quarter and nine months ended September 27, 1997, respectively.

            The Company's principal uses of funds for the next several years
will be to fund interest and principal payments on its indebtedness, net working
capital increases, capital expenditures and, to a lesser extent, acquisitions.
At September 27, 1997, the Company had total outstanding indebtedness of $842.6
million (excluding approximately $22.2 million of outstanding letters of credit
and $.3 million of indebtedness of the discontinued operations) at an average
interest rate of 9.7% per annum. Of the total outstanding indebtedness, $735.1
million relates to the Bank Credit Facilities and the Subordinated Notes.

            The Company's Board of Directors authorized the expenditure of up to
$24 million in 1997 to repurchase shares of the Company's Common Stock in
management's discretion. The Company believes it has sufficient liquidity under
its existing credit arrangements to effect the repurchase program. The Company
spent an aggregate of $1.7 million and $17.9 million to repurchase shares during
the quarter and nine months ended September 27, 1997, respectively, and $9.6
million to repurchase shares during fiscal 1996.

            Indebtedness under the Term Loan Facility, the Revolving Facility
and the Delayed Draw Term Loan bears interest at a per annum rate equal to the
Company's choice of (i) Chase Manhattan Bank's ("Chase's") Alternate Base Rate
(which is the highest of Chase's announced prime rate, the Federal Funds Rate
plus .5% and Chase's base certificate of deposit rate plus 1%) plus a margin
(the "ABR Margin") 


                                      I-22
<PAGE>

                 COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCAIL CONDITION AND 
        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
        (CONTINUED)


ranging from 0% to .75% or (ii) the offered rates for Eurodollar deposits
("LIBOR") of one, two, three, six, nine or twelve months, as selected by the
Company, plus a margin ranging from 1% to 1.75%. Margins, which are subject to
adjustment based on changes in the Company's ratios of senior funded debt to
EBITDA and cash interest expense to EBITDA, were 1.75% in the case of the "LIBOR
Margin" and .75% in the case of the ABR Margin on September 27, 1997. Such
margins will increase by .25% over the margins then in effect on July 13, 1999.
Indebtedness under the Term Loan B Facility bears interest at a per annum rate
equal to the Company's choice of (i) Chase's Alternate Base Rate (as described
above) plus a margin of 1.25% or (ii) LIBOR of one, two, three or six months, as
selected by the Company, plus a margin of 2.25%. The weighted average rate of
interest on the Bank Credit Facilities and the Delayed Draw Term Loan at
September 27, 1997 was 7.83%. The weighted average interest rate on the sold
interests under the Receivables Facility at September 27, 1997 was 6.0%. Under
the Receivables Facility, the term certificates bear interest at an average rate
equal to one month LIBOR plus .34% per annum and the variable funding
certificates bear interest, at Carcorp's option, at LIBOR plus .40% per annum or
a prime rate. The Subordinated Notes bear interest at a rate of 11.5% per annum.
The JPS Automotive Senior Notes bear cash interest at a rate of 11.125% per
annum. Cash interest paid was $7.6 million and $6.6 million in the quarters
ended September 27, 1997 and September 21, 1996, respectively. Cash interest
paid for the nine months ended September 27, 1997 and September 21, 1996 was
$58.4 million and $35.5 million, respectively.

            Due to the variable interest rates under the Bank Credit Facilities,
the Delayed Draw Term Loan and the Receivables Facility, the Company is
sensitive to increases in interest rates. Accordingly, during April 1996, the
Company limited its exposure through April 2, 1998 on $80 million of notional
principal amount utilizing zero cost collars with 4.75% floors and a weighted
average cap of 7.86%. In addition, during April 1997, the Company entered into a
two year interest rate swap agreement in which the Company effectively exchanged
$27 million of 11-1/2% fixed rate debt for floating rate debt at six month LIBOR
plus a 4.72% margin. In connection with this swap agreement, the Company also
limited its interest rate exposure by entering into an 8.50% cap on LIBOR on $27
million of notional principal amount. Based upon amounts outstanding at
September 27, 1997, a .5% increase in LIBOR (5.7% at September 27, 1997) would
impact interest costs by approximately $1.7 million annually on the Bank Credit
Facilities and the Delayed Draw Term Loan and $.4 million annually on the
Receivables Facility. During April 1997, the Company entered into an agreement
to limit its foreign currency exposure related to $45 million of US dollar
denominated borrowings of a Canadian subsidiary. The agreement swaps LIBOR based
interest rates for the Canadian equivalent as well as fixes the exchange rate
for the principal balance when the amount comes due in 2002.

            The current maturities of long-term debt primarily consist of the
current portion of the Bank Credit Facilities, vendor financing, industrial
revenue bonds and other miscellaneous debt.

            The maturities of long-term debt of the Company's continuing
operations during the remainder of 1997 and for 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 are
$11.2 million, $37.2 million, $44.0 million $48.9 million and $144.2 million,
respectively. The JPS Automotive Senior Notes, to the extent not previously put
to JPS Automotive or otherwise acquired by the Company or JPS Automotive, will
mature in 2001. In addition, the Bank Credit Facilities and the Delayed Draw
Term Loan provide for mandatory prepayments of the Term Loan and Term Loan B
Facilities and the Delayed Draw Term Loan with certain excess cash flow of the
Company, net cash proceeds of certain asset sales or other dispositions by the
Company other than proceeds generated from the sale of Floorcoverings, net cash
proceeds of certain sale/leaseback transactions and net cash proceeds of certain
issuances of debt obligations. The indenture governing the Subordinated Notes
provides that in the event of certain asset dispositions, C&A Products must
apply net proceeds (to the extent not reinvested in the business) first to repay
Senior Indebtedness (as defined, which includes the Bank Credit Facilities and
the Delayed Draw Term Loan) and then, to the extent of remaining net proceeds,
to make an offer to 


                                      I-23
<PAGE>
                 COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCAIL CONDITION AND
        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
        (CONTINUED)



purchase outstanding Subordinated Notes at 100% of their principal amount plus
accrued interest. C&A Products must also make an offer to purchase outstanding
Subordinated Notes at 101% of their principal amount plus accrued interest if a
Change in Control (as defined) of the Company occurs. In addition, the Delayed
Draw Term Loan, if fully drawn, will require a payment of $27 million on
December 11, 1997 (the anniversary date of the initial draw) and equal quarterly
payments in annual amounts equal to $38 million in 1998, $41 million in 1999,
$42 million in 2000, $41 million in 2001 and $11 million at termination. In
addition, the indenture governing the JPS Automotive Senior Notes requires JPS
Automotive to apply the net proceeds from the sale of assets of JPS Automotive
to offer to purchase JPS Automotive Senior Notes, to the extent not applied
within 270 days of such asset sale to an investment in capital expenditures or
other long term tangible assets of JPS Automotive, to permanently reduce senior
indebtedness of JPS Automotive or to purchase JPS Automotive Senior Notes in the
open market. As discussed above, the Company caused JPS Automotive to make such
an offer to purchase JPS Automotive Senior Notes in connection with the recent
sale of Airbag.

            The Company makes capital expenditures on a recurring basis for
replacements and improvements. As of September 27, 1997, the Company's
continuing operations had approximately $27.2 million in outstanding capital
expenditure commitments. The Company currently anticipates that its capital
expenditures for continuing operations in fiscal 1997 will aggregate
approximately $90 million, a portion of which may be financed through leasing.
The Company's capital expenditures in future years will depend upon demand for
the Company's products and changes in technology. As of September 27, 1997,
Wallcoverings had approximately $6.2 million in outstanding capital expenditure
commitments.

            The Company is sensitive to price movements in its raw material
supply base. During the third quarter and first nine months of 1997, prices for
most of the Company's primary raw materials remained constant with price levels
at December 28, 1996. While the Company may not be able to pass on future raw
material price increases to its customers, it believes that a significant
portion of the increased cost can be offset by continued results of its value
engineering/value analysis and cost improvement programs and by continued
reductions in the cost of nonconformance.

            Since Wallcoverings was classified as a discontinued operation in
April 1996 Wallcoverings has continued to experience sales declines and the
Company has expended approximately $66.2 million to fund operations, working
capital and capital expenditures and to replace receivables previously sold to
Carcorp. Of these amounts, $21.0 million represents repayments of intercompany
amounts owed to Wallcoverings. During the remainder of 1997, the Company
currently expects to expend (subject to the discretion of the Company's Board of
Directors) approximately $6.0 million principally to fund Wallcoverings' future
operations, working capital and capital expenditure requirements. Amounts
actually required for these purposes could differ materially from expected
amounts due to, among other things, changes in Wallcoverings' operating results.

            The Company has significant obligations relating to postretirement,
casualty, environmental, lease and other liabilities of discontinued operations.
In connection with the sale and acquisition of certain businesses, the Company
has indemnified the purchasers and sellers for certain environmental
liabilities, lease obligations and other matters. In addition, the Company is
contingently liable with respect to certain lease and other obligations assumed
by certain purchasers and may be required to honor such obligations if such
purchasers are unable or unwilling to do so. Management currently anticipates
that the net cash requirements of its discontinued operations, excluding
Wallcoverings, will be approximately $17 million in fiscal 1997. However,
because the requirements of the Company's discontinued operations are largely a
function of contingencies, it is possible that the actual net cash requirements
of the Company's discontinued operations could differ materially from
management's estimates. Management believes that the


                                      I-24
<PAGE>

                 COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCAIL CONDITION AND 
        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
        (CONTINUED)


Company's cash needs relating to discontinued operations can be provided by
operating activities from continuing operations and by borrowings under the Bank
Credit Facilities.

Tax Matters

            The Company recognized a $150 million tax benefit in the first
quarter of 1996 by reducing the valuation allowance related to its deferred tax
assets to reflect the amount the Company expects to be realized in the future.
The valuation allowance was reduced as a result of management's reassessment of
the Company's improved financial performance since its recapitalization and
initial public offering in July 1994, management's outlook for the Company's
continuing businesses, and the then proposed plan to spin-off of the Company's
Wallcoverings subsidiary to its shareholders.

            At December 28, 1996, the Company had outstanding net operating
losses ("NOLs") of approximately $284.2 million for Federal income tax purposes,
which excludes $10.4 million related to the Company's discontinued Wallcoverings
subsidiary. Substantially all of these NOLs expire over the period from 2000 to
2008. The Company also has unused Federal tax credits of approximately $12.7
million, $4.2 million of which expire during the period 1997 to 2007. The
Company anticipates that utilization of these NOLs, tax credits and deductions
will result in the payment of minimal Federal income taxes until these NOLs and
tax credits are exhausted.

            As a result of the 1997 sales of Floorcoverings and the Mastercraft
Group, a substantial portion of the tax attributes described above will be
utilized. In addition, the terms of the proposed sale of Wallcoverings enabled
the Company to realize a tax benefit in the third quarter of 1997 related to the
deferred tax assets of Wallcoverings.
See "--Recent Developments".

            Approximately $85.9 million of the Company's NOLs and $4.2 million
of the Company's unused Federal tax credits may be used only against the income
and apportioned tax liability of the specific corporate entity that generated
such losses or credits or its successors. The Company believes that a
substantial portion of these tax benefits will be realized in the future. Future
sales of common stock by the Company or its principal shareholders, or changes
in the composition of its principal shareholders, could constitute a "change in
control" that would result in annual limitations on the Company's use of its
NOLs and unused tax credits. Management cannot predict whether such a "change in
control" will occur. If such a "change in control" were to occur, the resulting
annual limitations on the use of NOLs and tax credits would depend on the value
of the equity of the Company and the amount of "built-in gain" or "built-in
loss" in the Company's assets at the time of the "change in control", which
cannot be known at this time.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

       The Company is subject to Federal, state and local environmental laws and
regulations that (i) affect ongoing operations and may increase capital costs
and operating expenses and (ii) impose liability for the costs of investigation
and remediation and otherwise related to on-site and off-site soil and
groundwater contamination. The Company's management believes that it has
obtained, and is in material compliance with, all material environmental permits
and approvals necessary to conduct its various businesses. Environmental
compliance costs for continuing businesses currently are accounted for as normal
operating expenses or capital expenditures of such business units. In the
opinion of management, based on the facts presently known to it, such
environmental compliance costs will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's consolidated financial condition or future results of operations.


                                      I-25
<PAGE>
                 COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCAIL CONDITION AND 
        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
        (CONTINUED)


            The Company is legally or contractually responsible or alleged to be
responsible for the investigation and remediation of contamination at various
sites. It also has received notices that it is a potentially responsible party
("PRP") in a number of proceedings. The Company may be named as a PRP at other
sites in the future, including with respect to divested and acquired businesses.
The Company is currently engaged in investigation or remediation at certain
sites. In estimating the total cost of investigation and remediation, the
Company has considered, among other things, the Company's prior experience in
remediating contaminated sites, remediation efforts by other parties, data
released by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the professional
judgment of the Company's environmental experts, outside environmental
specialists and other experts, and the likelihood that other parties which have
been named as PRPs will have the financial resources to fulfill their
obligations at sites where they and the Company may be jointly and severally
liable. Under the theory of joint and several liability, the Company could be
liable for the full costs of investigation and remediation even if additional
parties are found to be responsible under the applicable laws. It is difficult
to estimate the total cost of investigation and remediation due to various
factors including incomplete information regarding particular sites and other
PRPs, uncertainty regarding the extent of environmental problems and the
Company's share, if any, of liability for such problems, the selection of
alternative compliance approaches, the complexity of environmental laws and
regulations and changes in cleanup standards and techniques. When it has been
possible to provide reasonable estimates of the Company's liability with respect
to environmental sites, provisions have been made in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. As of September 27, 1997, excluding sites at
which the Company's participation is anticipated to be de minimis or otherwise
insignificant or where the Company is being indemnified by a third party for the
liability, there are 21 sites where the Company is participating in the
investigation or remediation of the site, either directly or through financial
contribution, and 9 additional sites where the Company is alleged to be
responsible for costs of investigation or remediation. As of September 27, 1997,
the Company's estimate of its liability for these 30 sites, which exclude sites
related to Wallcoverings, is approximately $32.5 million. As of September 27,
1997, the Company has established reserves of approximately $45.0 million for
the estimated future costs related to all its known environmental sites,
excluding sites related to Wallcoverings. In the opinion of management, based on
the facts presently known to it, the environmental costs and contingencies will
not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial
condition or future results of operations. However, there can be no assurance
that the Company has identified or properly assessed all potential environmental
liability arising from the activities or properties of the Company, its present
and former subsidiaries and their corporate predecessors.

Safe Harbor Statement

            This Report on Form 10-Q contains statements which, to the extent
they are not historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Safe Harbor Acts"). All forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements in
this Report on Form 10-Q are intended to be subject to the safe harbor
protection provided by the Safe Harbor Acts.

            Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary
materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements included in
this Report on Form 10-Q include industry-based factors such as possible
declines in the North American automobile and light truck build, labor strikes
at the Company's major customers, changes in consumer tastes, dependence on
significant automotive customers and the level of competition in the automotive
supply industry as well as factors more specific to the Company, such as the
substantial leverage of the Company and its subsidiaries, limitations imposed by
the Company's debt facilities and changes made in connection with operations
acquired by the Company. The Company's divisions may also be affected by changes
in the popularity of particular car models or the loss of

                                      I-26

<PAGE>

                  COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results 
        of Operations
        (Concluded)

programs on particular car models. For a discussion of certain of these and
other important factors which may affect the Company's operations, products and
markets, see the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including
without limitation "ITEM 1. BUSINESS" and "ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of the Company's
Transition Report on Form 10-K for the transition period from January 28, 1996
to December 28, 1996.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

            Disclosures not required at this time.

                                      I-27

<PAGE>




                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.             Legal Proceedings.

            There have been no material developments in legal proceedings
involving the Company or its subsidiaries since those reported in the Company's
Transition Report on Form 10-K for the transition period from January 28, 1996
to December 28, 1996.

Item 6.             Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a) Exhibits.

            Please note that in the following description of exhibits, the title
of any document entered into, or filing made, prior to July 7, 1994 reflects the
name of the entity a party thereto or filing, as the case may be, at such time.
Accordingly, documents and filings described below may refer to Collins & Aikman
Holdings Corporation, Collins & Aikman Group, Inc. or Wickes Companies, Inc., if
such documents and filings were made prior to July 7, 1994.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<C>         <C>       <S>    


Exhibit
Number                                 Description

2.1         -           Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of June 30, 1997 by and between JPS Automotive L.P. 
                        and Safety Components  International,  Inc. is hereby  incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 2.1 of JPS Automotive L.P.'s and JPS Automotive Products Corp.'s 
                        Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 24, 1997.

2.2         -           Closing Agreement dated July 24, 1997 between JPS Automotive L.P., Safety Components 
                        International,  Inc. and Safety Components Fabric Technologies, Inc. is
                        hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of JPS Automotive L.P.'s and 
                        JPS Automotive Products Corp.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 24, 1997.

2.3         -           Acquisition Agreement dated as of November 4, 1997, among Collins & Aikman 
                        Products Co., Imperial Wallcoverings Inc. and BDPI Holdings Corporation.

3.1         -           Restated  Certificate of Incorporation of Collins & Aikman Corporation is hereby 
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Collins & Aikman  Corporation's
                        Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 30, 1994.

3.2         -           By-laws of Collins & Aikman Corporation,  as amended,  are hereby incorporated by reference 
                        to Exhibit 3.2 of Collins & Aikman  Corporation's Report on Form
                        10-K for the fiscal year ended January 27, 1996.

3.3         -           Certificate of Elimination of Cumulative  Exchangeable  Redeemable  Preferred Stock of  
                        Collins & Aikman  Corporation is hereby  incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 3.3 of Collins & Aikman Corporation's Report on Form 10-Q for 
                        the fiscal quarter ended October 28, 1995.

4.1         -           Specimen  Stock  Certificate  for the Common  Stock is hereby  incorporated  by reference  
                        to Exhibit 4.3 of  Amendment  No. 3 to Collins & Aikman  Holdings
                        Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-2 (Registration No. 33-53179) filed June 21, 1994.

4.2         -           Indenture,  dated as of June 1, 1996,  between Collins & Aikman Products Co., 
                        Collins & Aikman  Corporation and First Union National Bank of North Carolina,
                        as Trustee, is hereby incorporated 


                                       II-1
<PAGE>



                        by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Collins & Aikman  Corporation's Report on Form 10-Q 
                        for the fiscal quarter ended April 27, 1996.

4.3         -           First Supplemental  Indenture dated as of June 1, 1996, between Collins & Aikman Products Co., 
                        Collins & Aikman Corporation and First Union National Bank of
                        North Carolina,  as Trustee, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 
                        of Collins & Aikman Corporation's Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
                        ended April 27, 1996.

4.4         -           Amended and Restated  Credit  Agreement,  dated as of June 3, 1996,  among  Collins & Aikman 
                        Products  Co., as Borrower,  Collins & Aikman  Canada Inc., as
                        Canadian Borrower,  Collins & Aikman  Corporation,  as Guarantor,  the lenders named therein,  
                        Bank of America N.T.S.A.  and NationsBank,  N.A., as Managing
                        Agents, and Chemical Bank, as Administrative Agent, is hereby
                        incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Collins & Aikman Corporation's Current Report 
                        on Form 8-K dated June 3, 1996.

4.5         -           Amendment,  dated as of December 5, 1996, to the Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement,  
                        dated as of June 3, 1996,  among Collins & Aikman Products Co., as
                        Borrower,  Collins & Aikman Canada Inc., as Canadian  Borrower,  Collins & Aikman  Corporation, 
                        as Guarantor,  the Lenders parties  thereto,  and The Chase
                        Manhattan Bank, as Administrative  Agent, is hereby incorporated by reference to 
                        Exhibit 4.5 of Collins & Aikman  Corporation's  Report on Form 10-Q for the
                        fiscal quarter ended October 26, 1996.

4.6         -           Waiver,  dated as of June 28, 1997, to the Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement,  
                        dated as of June 3, 1996 among Collins & Aikman Products Co.,  Collins &
                        Aikman Canada, Inc., Collins & Aikman Corporation,  the Lenders parties thereto 
                        and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent is hereby incorporated
                        by reference to exhibit 4.6 of Collins & Aikman Corporation's Report on 
                        Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 1997.

4.7         -           Waiver, dated as of October 27, 1997, to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,  
                        dated as of June 3, 1996 among Collins & Aikman Products Co., Collins &
                        Aikman Canada Inc., Collins & Aikman Corporation, the Lenders parties thereto, 
                        and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent.

4.8         -           Credit Agreement,  dated as of December 5, 1996, among Collins & Aikman Products Co., 
                        as Borrower,  Collins & Aikman Corporation,  as Guarantor, the Lenders
                        named therein and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative  Agent, 
                        is hereby  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of Collins & Aikman  Corporation's
                        Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 26, 1996.

4.9         -           Waiver,  dated as of June 28,  1997,  to the Credit  Agreement,  dated as 
                        of  December  5,  1996,  among  Collins & Aikman  Products  Co.,  Collins & Aikman
                        Corporation,  the Lenders  parties  thereto and The Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  
                        as  Administrative  Agent is hereby  incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.8 of
                        Collins & Aikman Corporation's Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 1997.

4.10        -           Waiver,  dated as of October  27,1 997, to the Credit  Agreement,  
                        dated as of December  5, 1996,  among  Collins & Aikman  Products  Co.,  Collins & Aikman
                        Corporation, the Lenders parties thereto, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent.

4.11        -           Indenture  dated as of June 28, 1994,  between JPS Automotive  Products Corp., as Issuer,  
                        JPS Automotive  L.P., as Guarantor and Shawmut Bank  Connecticut,
                        N.A., as Trustee,  is hereby  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of 
                        JPS  Automotive  Corp.'s  Registration  Statement on Form S-1,  Registration  No. 33-75510.


                                      II-2
<PAGE>

4.12        -           First Supplemental Indenture,  dated as of October 5, 1994, between JPS Automotive Products Corp.
                        and JPS Automotive L.P., as Co-Obligors,  and Shawmut Bank
                        Connecticut,  N.A., as Trustee is hereby  incorporated by reference to 
                        Exhibit 4.48A of JPS Automotive L.P.'s and JPS Automotive  Products Corp.'s Report on
                        Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 2, 1994.


                        Collins & Aikman Corporation agrees to furnish to the Commission upon request in accordance with Item 601
                        (b)(4) (iii) (A) of Regulation S-K copies of instruments defining the rights of holders of 
                        long-term debt of Collins & Aikman Corporation or any of its subsidiaries,
                        which debt does not exceed 10% of the total assets of Collins & Aikman Corporation and 
                        its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

10.1        -           Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement dated as of June 29, 1994 among the Company, 
                        Collins & Aikman Group, Inc., Blackstone Capital Partners L.P. and
                        Wasserstein Perella Partners,  L.P. is hereby incorporated by reference to 
                        Exhibit 10.1 of Collins & Aikman Corporation's Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                        year ended January 28, 1995.

10.2        -           Employment  Agreement dated as of July 18, 1990 between Wickes Companies,  Inc. and an 
                        executive officer is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3
                        of Wickes Companies, Inc.'s Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 26, 1991.

10.3        -           Letter Agreement dated as of May 16, 1991 and Employment  Agreement dated as of 
                        July 22, 1992 between Collins & Aikman  Corporation and an executive officer
                        is hereby  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Collins & Aikman Holdings  
                        Corporation's  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 1993.

10.4        -           First Amendment to Employment  Agreement dated as of February 24, 1994 between
                        Collins & Aikman Corporation and an executive officer is hereby  incorporated
                        by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Collins & Aikman Holdings  Corporation's  
                        Registration  Statement on Form S-2  (Registration  No.  33-53179) filed April 19,
                        1994.

10.5        -           Letter  Agreement dated as of May 16, 1991 between  Collins & Aikman  Corporation  
                        and an executive  officer is hereby  incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                        10.14 of Collins & Aikman Holdings Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-2 
                        (Registration No. 33-53179) filed April 19, 1994.

10.6        -           Employment  Agreement  dated as of April 6, 1995  between  Collins & Aikman  Products Co. 
                        and an executive  officer is hereby  incorporated  by reference to
                        Exhibit 10.24 of Collins & Aikman Corporation's Report on Form 10-K 
                        for the fiscal year ended January 28, 1995.

10.7        -           Letter  Agreement dated as of June 30, 1995 between Collins & Aikman  Corporation  and 
                        an executive  officer is hereby  incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                        10.6 of Collins & Aikman Corporation's Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 27, 1996.

10.8        -           Lease,  executed as of the 1st day of June 1987, between Dura Corporation and 
                        Dura Acquisition Corp. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 of
                        Amendment No. 5 to Collins & Aikman Holdings Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-2 
                        (Registration No. 33-53179) filed July 6, 1994.

10.9        -           Collins & Aikman Corporation 1997 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.

10.10       -           Collins & Aikman  Corporation  Supplemental  Retirement  Income Plan is hereby  incorporated 
                        by reference to Exhibit  10.23 of Amendment No. 5 to Collins &
                        Aikman Holdings Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-2 
                        (Registration No. 33-53179) filed July 6, 1994.


                                      II-3

<PAGE>



10.11       -           1993 Employee Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated,  is hereby incorporated
                        by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of Collins & Aikman  Corporation's Report on
                        Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 29, 1995.

10.12       -           1994  Employee  Stock  Option  Plan,  as amended  through  February  7, 1997,  
                        is hereby  incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  10.12 of Collins & Aikman
                        Corporation's Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 1997.

10.13       -           1994 Directors Stock Option Plan is hereby incorporated by reference to 
                        Exhibit 10.15 of Collins & Aikman  Corporation's  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                        year ended January 28, 1995.

10.14       -           Excess Benefit Plan of Collins & Aikman Corporation is hereby  incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 10.25 of Collins & Aikman  Corporation's  Report on Form
                        10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 1995.

10.15       -           Amended and Restated  Receivables  Sale  Agreement  dated as of March 30, 1995 among
                        Collins & Aikman  Products Co.,  Ack-Ti-Lining,  Inc., WCA Canada Inc.,
                        Imperial  Wallcoverings,  Inc., The Akro Corporation,  Dura Convertible  Systems Inc., 
                        each of the other  subsidiaries of Collins & Aikman Products Co. from
                        time to time parties thereto and Carcorp,  Inc. is hereby incorporated by 
                        reference to Exhibit 10.18 of Collins & Aikman  Corporation's  Report on Form 10-K
                        to the fiscal year ended January 28, 1995.

10.16       -           Servicing  Agreement,  dated as of March 30, 1995,  among Carcorp,  Inc.,  
                        Collins & Aikman Products Co., as Master  Servicer,  each of the  subsidiaries of
                        Collins & Aikman  Products Co. from time to time parties  thereto and Chemical  Bank, 
                        as Trustee is hereby  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.19 of
                        Collins & Aikman Corporation's Report on Form 10-K to the fiscal year ended January 28, 1995.

10.17       -           Pooling  Agreement,  dated as of March 30, 1995, among Carcorp,  Inc.,  
                        Collins & Aikman Products Co., as Master Servicer and Chemical Bank, as Trustee,  is
                        hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of Collins & Aikman Corporation's Report on 
                        Form 10-K to the fiscal year ended January 28, 1995.

10.18       -           Series 1995-1 Supplement,  dated as of March 30, 1995, among Carcorp, Inc., 
                        Collins & Aikman Products Co., as Master Servicer and Chemical Bank, as Trustee,
                        is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of Collins & Aikman Corporation's 
                        Report on Form 10-K to the fiscal year ended January 28, 1995.

10.19       -           Series 1995-2  Supplement,  dated as of March 30, 1995,  among Carcorp,  Inc.,  
                        Collins & Aikman Products Co., as Master  Servicer,  the Initial  Purchasers
                        parties  thereto,  Societe  Generale,  as Agent for the  Purchasers and Chemical Bank, 
                        as Trustee is hereby  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of
                        Collins & Aikman Corporation's Report on Form 10-K to the fiscal year ended January 28, 1995.

10.20       -           Amendment No. 1, dated  September 5, 1995,  among  Carcorp,  Inc., as Company,  
                        Collins & Aikman  Products Co., as Master  Servicer,  and Chemical  Bank, as
                        Trustee,  to the Pooling Agreement,  dated as of March 30, 1995, among the Company,  
                        the Master Servicer and Trustee is hereby  incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 10.2 of Collins & Aikman Corporation's Report on Form 10-Q for the 
                        fiscal quarter ended July 29, 1995.

10.21       -           Amendment No. 2, dated October 25, 1995, among Carcorp, Inc., as Company,  
                        Collins & Aikman Products Co., as Master Servicer, and Chemical Bank, as Trustee,
                        to the Pooling Agreement,  dated as of March 30, 1995, among the Company, 
                        the Master Servicer and the


                                      II-4
<PAGE>


                        Trustee is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Collins & Aikman Corporation's 
                        Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 28, 1995.

10.22       -           Amendment No. 1, dated February 29, 1996, to the Series 1995-1 Supplement,  dated as of 
                        March 30, 1995, among Carcorp,  Inc., Collins & Aikman Products Co.,
                        as Master Servicer,  and Chemical Bank, as Trustee,  is hereby incorporated 
                        by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of Collins & Aikman  Corporation's  Report on Form
                        10-K for the fiscal year ended January 27, 1996.

10.23       -           Amendment No. 1, dated February 29, 1996, to the Series 1995-2 Supplement,  
                        dated as of March 30, 1995, among Carcorp,  Inc., Collins & Aikman Products Co.,
                        as Master Servicer,  Societe  Generale,  as agent, and Chemical Bank, as Trustee,  
                        is hereby  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of Collins & Aikman
                        Corporation's Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 27, 1996.

10.24       -           Master Equipment Lease Agreement dated as of September 30, 1994,  between  
                        NationsBanc  Leasing  Corporation of North Carolina and Collins & Aikman Products
                        Co. is hereby  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.27 of
                        Collins & Aikman  Corporation's  Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal  quarter ended October 29,
                        1994.

10.25       -           Underwriting Agreement dated June 5, 1996 between Collins & Aikman Products Co., 
                        Collins & Aikman Corporation,  Wasserstein Perella Securities,  Inc., Chase
                        Securities  Inc. and BA Securities,  Inc. is hereby  incorporated by reference
                        to Exhibit 1.1 of Collins & Aikman  Corporation's  Current Report on Form 8-K
                        dated June 3, 1996.

10.26       -           Second Amendment,  dated as of October 3, 1996, to the Employment  Agreement,  
                        dated as of July 22, 1992, as amended,  between Collins & Aikman Products Co.
                        and an executive officer is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 of 
                        Collins & Aikman  Corporation's  Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
                        ended October 26, 1996.

10.27       -           Equity Purchase Agreement by and among JPSGP,  Inc., Foamex - JPS Automotive L.P. 
                        and Collins & Aikman Products Co. dated August 28, 1996 is hereby  incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Collins & Aikman Corporation's Report on Form 10-Q
                        for the fiscal quarter ended July 27, 1996.

10.28       -           Amendment No. 1 to Equity Purchase  Agreement by and among JPSGP,  Inc., Foamex - JPS 
                        Automotive L.P., Foamex  International  Inc. and Collins & Aikman Products Co.
                        dated as of  December  11, 1996 is hereby  incorporated  by  reference  to 
                        Exhibit 2.2 of Collins & Aikman  Corporation's  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated
                        December 10, 1996.

10.29       -           Equity Purchase Agreement by and among Seiren U.S.A. Corporation, Seiren Automotive Textile Corporation,
                        Seiren Co., Ltd. and Collins & Aikman Products Co. dated December 11, 1996, is hereby incorporated by 
                        reference to Exhibit 2.3 of Collins & Aikman Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K 
                        dated December 10, 1996.

10.30       -           Acquisition  Agreement between Perstorp A.B. and Collins & Aikman Products Co. dated 
                        December 11, 1996 is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 of Collins
                        & Aikman Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 10, 1996.

10.31       -           Agreement  among Perstorp A. B., Perstorp GmbH,  Perstorp Biotec A.B. and 
                        Collins & Aikman Products Co. dated December 11, 1996 is hereby  incorporated by reference
                        to Exhibit 2.5 of Collins & Aikman Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 10, 1996.

10.32       -           Shareholders  Agreement among Collins & Aikman Products Co., Collins & Aikman Europe,  Inc.,
                        Perstorp GmbH, Perstorp A.B., Perstorp Biotec A.B., Perstorp Components N.V. and Perstorp
                        Components A.B., dated December 11, 1996 is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.6 of
                        Collins & Aikman Corporation's  Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 10, 1996.

                                      II-5

<PAGE>



10.33       -           Acquisition  Agreement  dated as of December 9, 1996 among Collins & Aikman  Products Co.,
                        Collins & Aikman Floor  Coverings  Group,  Inc.,  Collins & Aikman Floor
                        Coverings,  Inc., CAF Holdings,  Inc. and CAF Acquisition Corp. is hereby
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.7 of Collins & Aikman Corporation's Current
                        Report on Form 8-K dated December 10, 1996.

10.34       -           Mastercraft Group Acquisition  Agreement dated as of April 25, 1997 among Collins & Aikman
                        Products Co., Joan Fabrics  Corporation and MC Group Acquisition  Company
                        L.L.C.  is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Collins & Aikman
                        Corporation's Report on  Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 1997.

10.35       -           Third Amendment dated as of August 1, 1997, to the Employment Agreement dated as
                        of July 22, 1992, as amended, between the Corporation and an executive officer.

11          -           Computation of Earnings Per Share.

27          -           Financial Data Schedules.

99          -           Voting Agreement between Blackstone Capital Partners L.P. and Wasserstein  Perella
                        Partners,  L.P. is hereby  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99 of Amendment No. 4
                        to Collins & Aikman Holdings Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-2
                        (Registration No. 33-53179) filed June 27, 1994.
</TABLE>

(b)      Reports on Form 8-K.


         During the quarter for which this Report on Form 10-Q is being filed,
the Company filed a current report on Form 8-K dated July 16, 1997 reporting
under Item 2 thereof the completion of the sale by Collins & Aikman Products Co.
of the Mastercraft Group, a leading manufacturer of flat-woven upholstery
fabrics, to a subsidiary of Joan Fabrics Corporation. The following financial
statements were filed as part of the Report on Form 8-K:

         Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
Fiscal Year ended December 28, 1996.

         Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
Six Months Ended June 28, 1997

         Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet at June 28, 1997


                                      II-6

<PAGE>





                                    SIGNATURE


            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.

Dated:  November 10, 1997


                                COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION
                                (Registrant)

                      By:       /s/ J. Michael Stepp
                                J. Michael Stepp
                                Chief Financial Officer and
                                Executive Vice President

                                (On behalf of the Registrant and as Principal
                                Financial and Accounting Officer)

<PAGE>



                             ACQUISITION AGREEMENT,


                          DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 4, 1997,


                                      AMONG


                         COLLINS & AIKMAN PRODUCTS CO.,

                          IMPERIAL WALLCOVERINGS, INC.,


                                       AND

                            BDPI HOLDINGS CORPORATION





<PAGE>







                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                          (Not a part of the Agreement)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


<S>                                                                                                                 <C>
I.  PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES......................................................................................2
         1.1.  Purchase and Sale of Shares...........................................................................2
         1.2.  Closing Payment.......................................................................................2
         1.3.  Purchase Price Adjustment.............................................................................3
         1.4.  Intercompany Obligations..............................................................................6

II.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES..................................................................................7
         2.1.  Representations and Warranties of Seller..............................................................7
                    2.1.1.  The Imperial Shares......................................................................7
                    2.1.2.  Authorization and Effect of Agreement....................................................8
                    2.1.3.  No Restrictions..........................................................................8
                    2.1.4.  Financial Statements.....................................................................9
                    2.1.5.  Brokers.................................................................................10
         2.2.  Representations and Warranties of Purchaser..........................................................11
                    2.2.1.  Authorization and Effect of Agreement...................................................11
                    2.2.2.  No Restrictions.........................................................................11
                    2.2.3.  Financial Capacity......................................................................11
                    2.2.4.  Disclosure..............................................................................12
         2.3.  Certain Limitations on Representations and Warranties.
                     ...............................................................................................12

III.  COVENANTS.....................................................................................................12
         3.1.  Investigation by Purchaser...........................................................................12
         3.2.  Press Releases.......................................................................................14
         3.3.  Regulatory Filings...................................................................................14
         3.4.  Injunctions..........................................................................................15
         3.5.  Operation of the Business............................................................................15
         3.6.  Satisfaction of Conditions...........................................................................17
         3.7.  Negotiations With Others.............................................................................18
         3.8.  Certain Additional Covenants.........................................................................18
         3.9.  Efforts to Consummate................................................................................18
         3.10.  Resignations........................................................................................18
         3.11.  Certain Conditions..................................................................................19
         3.12.  Certain Pre-Closing Transactions....................................................................19

IV.  THE CLOSING....................................................................................................19

4.1.  Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Purchaser and Seller
          ..........................................................................................................19
         4.2.  Additional Conditions Precedent to Obligations of
                    Purchaser.......................................................................................20
                    4.2.1.  No Material Breach......................................................................20
                    4.2.2.  Transfer Documents, Etc.................................................................20
                    4.2.3.  Other Documents.........................................................................20
                    4.2.4.  Borden Closing..........................................................................20
                    4.2.5.  Material Adverse Change.................................................................20
                    4.2.6.  No Litigation...........................................................................20
                    4.2.7.  Certain Approvals.......................................................................20
                    4.2.8.  Release of Liens........................................................................20

                                        i

<PAGE>



         4.3.  Additional Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Seller
                                                                                                                    21
                    4.3.1.  No Material Breach......................................................................21
                    4.3.2.  Closing Payment.........................................................................21
                    4.3.3.  Option..................................................................................21
                    4.3.4.  Other Documents.........................................................................21
         4.4.  The Closing..........................................................................................21
         4.5.  Termination..........................................................................................22

V.  SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION....................................................................................22
         5.1.  Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants
                     ...............................................................................................22
         5.2.  Limitations on Liability.............................................................................23
         5.3.  Indemnification......................................................................................24
         5.4.  Defense of Claims....................................................................................25

VI.  OTHER POST-CLOSING COVENANTS...................................................................................27
         6.1.  Personnel Matters....................................................................................27
                    6.1.1.  Employees and Employee Benefit Plans....................................................27
                    6.1.2.  Assumption of Obligations...............................................................28
                    6.1.3.  Retirement Plans........................................................................29
                    6.1.4.  Employment and Plan Amendments or Terminations
                            ........................................................................................30
                    6.1.5.  Transitional Matters....................................................................30
                    6.1.6.  Employee Information....................................................................31
         6.2.  General Post-Closing Matters.........................................................................31
                    6.2.1.  Post-Closing Notifications..............................................................31
                    6.2.2.  Access..................................................................................31
                    6.2.3.  Certain Tax Matters.....................................................................32
                    6.2.4.  Insurance...............................................................................39
                    6.2.5.  Receivables.............................................................................40
                    6.2.6.  Surety Obligations......................................................................40
                    6.2.7.  Assumed Push-Down Liabilities...........................................................41
                    6.2.8.  1994 Financial Statements...............................................................41
                    6.2.9.  Certain Contracts.......................................................................42

VII.  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS......................................................................................43
         7.1.  Notices..............................................................................................43
         7.2.  Expenses.............................................................................................44
         7.3.  Successors and Assigns...............................................................................44
         7.4.  Waiver...............................................................................................44
         7.5.  Entire Agreement.....................................................................................45
         7.6.  Amendments, Supplements, Etc.........................................................................45
         7.7.  Rights of the Parties................................................................................45
         7.8.  Further Assurances...................................................................................45
         7.9.  Applicable Law; Jurisdiction.........................................................................46
         7.10.  Titles and Headings.................................................................................46
         7.11.  Certain Interpretive Matters and Definitions........................................................46
         7.12.  Bulk Transfer Laws..................................................................................46

</TABLE>

                                       ii

<PAGE>








                              ACQUISITION AGREEMENT

         This Acquisition Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into
as of the 4th day of November, 1997, among Collins & Aikman Products Co., a
Delaware corporation ("Seller"), Imperial Wallcoverings, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Imperial"), and BDPI Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("Purchaser").

                                    RECITALS:

         A. Imperial, together with its wholly owned subsidiaries Imperial
Wallcoverings Limited, a company incorporated in England ("Imperial UK"),
Marketing Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("MSI"), and Imperial
Wallcoverings (Canada) Inc. ("Imperial Canada"), a Canadian corporation owned by
Imperial and Collins & Aikman Canada Inc., a Canadian corporation and indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of Seller ("C&A Canada") (Imperial UK, MSI and Imperial
Canada being referred to herein collectively as the "Subsidiaries" and, together
with Imperial, the "Company" and Imperial UK, MSI and Imperial being referred to
herein as the "Purchased Imperial Companies"), is presently engaged in the
business (the "Business") of the development, production, manufacture,
marketing, distribution and sale of paper and vinyl decorative surface products
and related products for residential, commercial and industrial applications
("Products") and performing certain related services;

         B. Seller is the record and beneficial owner of all of the issued and
outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Imperial (the
"Imperial Shares") and C&A Canada is the record and beneficial owner of
3,100,000 issued and outstanding shares of common stock, without par value, of
Imperial Canada, which shares, together with the 1,000,000 shares of common
stock of Imperial Canada owned of record and beneficially by Imperial, represent
all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Imperial Canada;

         C. Purchaser intends to effect the recapitalization (the "Borden
Recap") of Borden Decorative Products Holdings, Inc. ("BDPH") pursuant to, among
other transactions, the merger of Purchaser into BDPH (the "Merger"), whereupon
all rights and obligations of Purchaser hereunder will be, by virtue of the
Merger, vested in BDPH (which will be renamed "Royal Wall Fashions, Inc." in the
Merger);

         D. Seller desires to sell, assign and deliver ("Transfer") to
Purchaser, and Purchaser desires to purchase and accept from Seller, the
Imperial Shares on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement; and


                                        1

<PAGE>



         E. Seller desires to cause Imperial Canada to Transfer to Purchaser,
and Purchaser desires to purchase and accept from Imperial Canada, the C&A
Imperial Canada Assets and to assume the C&A Imperial Canada Assumed Liabilities
(together, the "Imperial Canada Business Acquisition").

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                         I. PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES

         1.1. Purchase and Sale of Shares. On the terms and subject to the
conditions hereof, at the Closing, Seller will Transfer, or cause to be
Transferred, to Purchaser, and Purchaser will purchase and accept from Seller
and Imperial Canada, the Imperial Shares and the C&A Imperial Canada Assets,
free and clear of all Liens, for the amount determined pursuant to Section 1.3
and in consideration of the grant of the Option to be delivered at Closing
pursuant to Section 4.3.3 and the assumption of the C&A Imperial Canada Assumed
Liabilities (such amount, together with the Option and the C&A Imperial Canada
Assumed Liabilities, the "Purchase Price"). Notwithstanding any other provision
hereof, in no event will the total amount of the accounts payable and accrued
liabilities included in the C&A Imperial Assumed Liabilities (other than any
liabilities under the Canadian Pension Plan) exceed $5.0 million. For purposes
of this Agreement, (a) the "C&A Imperial Canada Assets" means all assets,
properties and rights, of whatever kind and nature, real or personal, tangible
or intangible, contractual or legal, wherever located, of Imperial Canada as of
the Closing and (b) "C&A Imperial Canada Assumed Liabilities" means all
obligations and liabilities, fixed or contingent, primary or secondary, direct
or indirect, absolute or contingent, known or unknown, whether or not accrued,
of Imperial Canada as of the Closing, except for (i) any Indebtedness of
Imperial Canada and (ii) such of the foregoing as are retained by Seller or any
of its Post-Closing Affiliates hereunder or as to which Seller has agreed to
indemnify the Purchaser or the Purchased Imperial Companies under any provision
of Article VI.

         1.2. Closing Payment. (a) The cash portion of the Purchase Price will
be (i) $58 million, plus the amount of cash of Imperial UK as of immediately
prior to the Closing, less $500,000 (the "Base Amount"), (ii) plus the
Adjustment Amount, and (iii) minus the amount of any Indebtedness of any
Purchased Imperial Company outstanding immediately prior to the Closing
(calculated after giving effect to any payments of any such Indebtedness prior
to the Closing and in accordance with this Agreement (provided, however, that
nothing in this Section 1.2 will be deemed to constitute an authorization of the
incurrence or maintenance of any such Indebtedness by the Company)). For
purposes of this Agreement (A) "Adjustment Amount" means, if Net

                                        2

<PAGE>



Cash Flow is negative, a positive amount equal to such negative Net Cash Flow
and, if Net Cash Flow is positive, a negative amount equal to such positive Net
Cash Flow; (B) "Indebtedness" means any liability or obligation (whether primary
or secondary as a guarantor or other surety other than arising out of the
endorsement of checks for collection in the ordinary course of business), for
borrowed money, for deferred purchase price of any asset (other than obligations
to pay for inventory purchased in the ordinary course of business), under a
capitalized lease and any other liability or obligation which should be shown as
indebtedness on a consolidated balance sheet for the Company prepared in
accordance with GAAP, whether or not evidenced by a note, bond or similar
instrument, and any prepayment penalties, accrued interest or other amounts due
on or in respect of any of the foregoing; and (C) the term "Net Cash Flow" means
an amount, for the period from and including November 2, 1997 through the
opening of business on the Closing Date, calculated in accordance with Schedule
1.2, giving effect to an additional deemed positive cash flow amount (regardless
of the actual amount thereof) of $6.0 million.

         (b) Not less than two business days prior to the Closing Date, Seller
and Purchaser will jointly prepare estimates of the Adjustment Amount and
Indebtedness (such estimated Adjustment Amount minus such estimated Indebtedness
being the "Estimated Purchase Price Adjustment Amount"), determined in
accordance with Section 1.2(a) and based upon their respective review of monthly
financial information then available to Seller and Purchaser and their
respective inquiries of personnel responsible for the preparation of financial
information relating to the Company in the ordinary course thereof. If the
parties are unable so to agree on the Estimated Purchase Price Adjustment
Amount, then the amount thereof as estimated by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
Purchaser's independent accountants ("D&T"), in good faith will be the Estimated
Purchase Price Adjustment Amount for all purposes of this Agreement and the
amount to be paid by Purchaser at the Closing will be the Base Amount, plus or
minus, as the case may be, the Estimated Purchase Price Adjustment Amount (such
amount, the "Closing Payment").

         (c) On the Closing Date, Purchaser will cause to be paid by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to such account as Seller has
theretofore designated an amount equal to the Closing Payment.

         1.3. Purchase Price Adjustment. (a) In order finally to determine the
Purchase Price, the Closing Payment will be increased or decreased, as the case
may be, by the amount, if any, by which the Adjustment Amount and Indebtedness,
each as finally determined in accordance with this Section 1.3, differ (on a
combined basis) from the amounts thereof reflected

                                        3

<PAGE>



Estimated Purchase Price Adjustment Amount. For purposes of this Agreement, (x)
the adjustment referred to in the immediately preceding sentence will be finally
calculated on a net basis and (y) all determinations of the actual amounts
thereof (the "Actual Purchase Price Adjustment Amount") will be determined by
reference to the amounts thereof required to be shown, with respect to
Indebtedness, on a consolidated balance sheet as of the opening of business on
the Closing Date and, with respect to Net Cash Flow, on a consolidated statement
of cash flows for the period from and including November 2, 1997 through the
opening of business on the Closing Date (collectively, the "Closing Statement"),
each on a basis consistent with, and using the same accounting principles,
policies, practices and procedures used in preparing, the Financial Statements
and in accordance with Schedule 1.2 and Section 1.2(a).

         (b) Within 60 calendar days after the Closing Date, Purchaser will in
good faith prepare and deliver, or cause to be prepared and delivered, to Seller
a Closing Statement setting forth Purchaser's determination of the Actual
Purchase Price Adjustment Amount. The parties and their respective authorized
representatives will be entitled to review, during normal business hours, the
books, records and work papers of the Company to prepare or review, as the case
may be, the Closing Statement and to determine the Actual Purchase Price
Adjustment Amount. Without limiting the generality or effect of any other
provision hereof, (i) the parties will provide the other parties and their
authorized representatives access, during normal business hours, to the
facilities, personnel and accounting and other records of the Company and the
parties, as the case may be, to the extent reasonably determined by such other
parties to be necessary to permit Purchaser to prepare or have prepared the
Closing Statement and to compute the Actual Purchase Price Adjustment Amounts as
herein provided and to permit Seller to review such Closing Statement and
computation (including, if requested by Seller, such access as may be necessary
or appropriate to permit Arthur Andersen L.L.P. ("AA") to perform an audit of
Net Cash Flow); provided, however, that the parties will conduct any such review
in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with the conduct of any other
party's business, and (ii) Seller will take such actions as may be reasonably
requested by Purchaser to close, or to assist Purchaser in closing, as of the
opening of business on the Closing Date, or as of the Closing, as the case may
be, the books and accounting records of the Company and otherwise reasonably to
cooperate with Purchaser and its representatives in the preparation of the
Closing Statement. Concurrently with the delivery of the Closing Statement,
Seller will use its reasonable efforts to cause AA to provide Purchaser access
to any of such firm's workpapers, trial balances and similar materials prepared
in connection with such firm's audits or reviews of any of the Financial
Statements (the "Workpapers").

                                        4

<PAGE>



         (c) If, within 45 calendar days after the date of Purchaser's delivery
of its computation of the Actual Purchase Price Adjustment Amount, Seller
determines in good faith that such computations are inaccurate, Seller will give
written notice to Purchaser within such 45 calendar day period (i) setting forth
Seller's computation of Actual Purchase Price Adjustment Amount and (ii)
specifying in reasonable detail Seller's basis for its disagreement with
Purchaser's computations. The failure by Seller so to express its disagreement
or provide such specification within such 45 calendar day period will constitute
Seller's acceptance of Purchaser's computation of the Actual Purchase Price
Adjustment Amounts. If Purchaser and Seller are unable to resolve any
disagreement between them within ten calendar days after the giving of notice of
such disagreement, the items in dispute will be referred for determination to
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP (the "Accountants") as promptly as practicable. The
Accountants will make a determination as to each of the items in dispute, which
determination will be (A) in writing, (B) furnished to each of the parties
hereto as promptly as practicable after the items in dispute have been referred
to the Accountants, (C) made in accordance with this Agreement, and (D)
conclusive and binding upon each of the parties hereto. In connection with their
determination of the disputed items, the Accountants will be entitled to rely on
the Workpapers and the Company's books and records, and the fees and expenses of
the Accountants will be shared equally by Purchaser and Seller (except as
provided below). Purchaser and Seller will use reasonable efforts to cause the
Accountants to render their decision as soon as practicable, including without
limitation by promptly complying with all reasonable requests by the Accountants
for information, books, records and similar items. If the determination of the
Accountants represents an outcome more favorable to either Purchaser or Seller
than the midpoint of such parties' last written settlement offers related to all
items in dispute, in the aggregate, submitted to the other party at least two
calendar days before the referral of the matter to the Accountants (each a "Last
Offer"), then the party obtaining such favorable result will be deemed the
"Prevailing Party" and the other party will be deemed the "Non-Prevailing
Party". For purposes hereof, all of the fees and expenses of the Accountants,
will be borne by the Non-Prevailing Party. No party will disclose to the
Accountants, and the Accountants will not consider for any purpose, any
settlement offer (other than the Last Offer) made by any party.

         (d) To the extent that the Actual Purchase Price Adjustment Amount,
determined as provided in this Section 1.3 is more or less than the Estimated
Purchase Price Adjustment Amount, Seller or Purchaser, as applicable, will,
within ten calendar days after the final determination of the Actual Purchase
Price Adjustment Amount, calculated on a net basis, pursuant to this Section
1.3,

                                        5

<PAGE>



make or, in the case of Purchaser, cause to be made payment by wire transfer of
immediately available funds of the amount of such difference, together with
interest thereon from the Closing Date to the date of payment (at a rate equal
to The Chase Manhattan Bank's prime rate, as publicly announced and in effect
from time to time during such period, plus 2.0%, calculated on the basis of the
actual number of days elapsed over 365), to such account as has been designated
by Purchaser or Seller, as applicable.

         1.4. Intercompany Obligations. Notwithstanding any other provision
hereof, except for the receivables and payables described in Schedule 1.4
("Post-Closing AR/AP"), any amount owed by Seller or any of its Affiliates other
than the Purchased Imperial Companies (collectively, "Post-Closing Affiliates"),
or owed by any of the Purchased Imperial Companies to Seller or any Post-Closing
Affiliate, in respect of liabilities, obligations or assets of the Purchased
Imperial Companies of a type that would be shown on a consolidated balance sheet
of any of the Purchased Imperial Companies as "Investments and Advances From
(To) Collins & Aikman Products Co." will be settled at or prior to the Closing
and will not be reflected in the Closing Statement. Effective immediately after
the Closing, all intercompany liabilities and obligations owing from Seller or
any Post-Closing Affiliate to any of the Purchased Imperial Companies or owing
from any of the Purchased Imperial Companies to Seller or any Post-Closing
Affiliate (except for any Post-Closing AR/AP) that is not settled as
contemplated by the immediately preceding sentence will be netted against each
other and the net balance thereof will be discharged and deemed forgiven without
further action or payment, will be deemed contributed to or deducted from
capital of the appropriate Purchased Imperial Company and all such amounts will
be excluded from the determination of Net Cash Flow or Indebtedness under
Sections 1.2 and 1.3. As a result, immediately following the Closing, there will
be no further liability or obligation in respect of any such matters between
Seller or any Post-Closing Affiliate, on the one hand, and the Purchased
Imperial Companies, on the other hand, except as expressly provided herein. Any
holder of a note or other evidence of indebtedness deemed settled pursuant to
this Section 1.4 will surrender such note or other evidence of indebtedness to
the obligor thereon. In addition, and without limiting the generality or effect
of the foregoing, effective as of immediately prior to the Closing, all
contracts and other obligations, other than the Transaction Documents and other
than as set forth on Schedule 1.4, between or among the Purchased Imperial
Companies or any of the Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Seller or any
Post-Closing Affiliate, on the other hand, will be terminated without further
action to the extent that they would otherwise apply to any period or act
occurring after the Closing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this

                                        6

<PAGE>



Agreement, Purchaser will not assume any liability or obligation (other than
those listed on Schedule 1.4) owed by Imperial Canada to Seller or any
Post-Closing Affiliate of a type that would be shown on a balance sheet of
Imperial Canada and any such liability or obligation will not be included in the
C&A Imperial Canada Assumed Liabilities.


                       II. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         2.1. Representations and Warranties of Seller. Subject to Section 2.3,
Seller represents and warrants to Purchaser as follows:

                  2.1.1. The Imperial Shares. (a) Except as set forth on
Schedule 2.1.1, (i) Seller owns free and clear of any mortgages, liens, security
interests or other encumbrances (collectively, "Liens") the number of Imperial
Shares listed in Schedule 2.1.1, which Shares represent all of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of Imperial, and (ii) C&A Canada owns the
shares of common stock of Imperial Canada listed in Schedule 2.1.1 as owned by
C&A Canada (the "C&A Canada-Owned Imperial Canada Shares"), which shares,
together with the shares of common stock of Imperial Canada listed in Schedule
2.1.1 as owned by Imperial (the "Imperial-Owned Imperial Canada Shares"),
represent all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Imperial
Canada.

         (b) The Imperial Shares are duly authorized, validly issued and
outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable. The Imperial Shares have not been
issued in violation of, and are not subject to, any preemptive rights, and there
are no outstanding convertible or exchangeable securities, calls, options or
similar Contracts relating to the Imperial Shares or that may require the
Company to issue to any person or entity any shares of any of its capital stock.
Except as listed or described on Schedule 2.1.1, there are no voting trust or
other Contracts restricting the voting, dividend rights or disposition of the
Imperial Shares.

         (c) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.1.1, Seller owns the Imperial
Shares beneficially and of record free and clear of all Liens and at the Closing
will Transfer its entire right, title and interest in and to the Imperial Shares
to Purchaser.

         (d) The Company does not own, beneficially or of record, any stock or
other ownership interests in, or control, any other entity other than the
Subsidiaries, all of the issued and outstanding share capital of which is owned
by Imperial free and clear of all Liens (except for the C&A Canada-Owned
Imperial Canada Shares and as set forth on Schedule 2.1.1); and, except as set
forth on Schedule 2.1.1, there are no outstanding convertible

                                        7

<PAGE>



or exchangeable securities or agreements giving any person or entity any right
to acquire shares of capital stock of either of the Subsidiaries and no voting
trusts or other Contracts restricting the voting, dividend rights or disposition
of shares of either of the Subsidiaries.

                  2.1.2. Authorization and Effect of Agreement. Seller has the
requisite corporate power to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other
agreements or instruments referred to herein other than the Recapitalization
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between Borden, Inc., BDPH and Purchaser
(the "Borden Agreement") (collectively, the "Transaction Documents") to which
Seller is a party and to perform the transactions contemplated hereby to be
performed by it. All necessary corporate action required to be taken under the
Delaware General Corporation Law for the due authorization of the execution and
delivery by Seller of the Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party and
the performance by Seller of the transactions contemplated thereby to be
performed by it has been duly taken by Seller. Each Transaction Document to
which Seller is a party has been, or will be, as the case may be, duly executed
and delivered by Seller, and, assuming the due execution and delivery of such
Transaction Document by Purchaser, constitutes, or will constitute, as the case
may be, valid and binding obligations of Seller enforceable in accordance with
its terms. Imperial and each of the Subsidiaries is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation.

                  2.1.3. No Restrictions. The execution and delivery of the
Transaction Documents by Seller, Imperial Canada and Imperial to which they are
parties does not, and the performance by Seller, Imperial Canada and Imperial of
the transactions contemplated thereby to be performed by them will not, conflict
with, or result in any violation of, or constitute a default (with or without
notice or lapse of time or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination,
cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or the loss of a benefit under,
(i) any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws or comparable
governing documents of Seller, Imperial or any of the Subsidiaries, (ii) any
material lease, agreement, or other contract or legally binding contractual
right or obligation (a "Contract") of the Company, (iii) any permit or approval
("Permit") issued under any domestic, foreign or other statute, law, ordinance,
rule, regulation, judgment, order, injunction, decree or ruling or common law
obligation ("Law") of any domestic, foreign or other court, government,
governmental agency, authority, entity or instrumentality ("Governmental
Entity"), or (iv) any Law (other than a Law requiring a Permit), other than, as
to clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), any such conflicts, violations or defaults as
are listed or described on

                                        8

<PAGE>



Schedule 2.1.3 or which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably
be expected to result in a material undisclosed liability of the Company. No
consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or
filing with, any Governmental Entity is required to be obtained or made by or
with respect to Seller or the Company in connection with the execution and
delivery by Seller and Imperial Canada of the Transaction Documents to which
they are a party or the performance by Seller and Imperial Canada of the
transactions contemplated thereby to be performed by them, except (i) for the
filing of a premerger notification report by an Affiliate of Seller under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR
Act"), if applicable in the circumstances, (ii) for such of the foregoing as are
listed or described on Schedule 2.1.3, and (iii) for such consents, approvals,
orders, authorizations of, or registrations, declarations or filings with, any
Governmental Entity, which, individually or in the aggregate, if not obtained or
made, could not reasonably be expected to result in a material undisclosed
liability of the Company.

                  2.1.4. Financial Statements. (a) Attached as Schedule 2.1.4(a)
are the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of January 27,
1996 and December 28, 1996, the related audited consolidated statements of
stockholders' equity, operations and cash flows for the fiscal years then ended,
accompanied by the accountant's reports thereon, the unaudited combined balance
sheet of the Company as of September 26, 1997 (the "Balance Sheet") and the
unaudited combined statements of operations for the combined first two fiscal
quarters of 1996 and 1997 (collectively, with the related notes, the "Financial
Statements"). The audited Financial Statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of the dates
thereof and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for the
periods specified in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting
principles, consistently applied ("GAAP"), except as set forth in Schedule
2.1.4(a).

                  (b) Seller will deliver audited consolidated balance sheets of
the Company as of September 26, 1997 and the related audited consolidated
statements of stockholders' equity, operations and cash flows for the nine month
periods ended September 26, 1997 (collectively, with the related notes, the
"Offering Financial Statements") as promptly as practicable and in any event by
November 30, 1997. The Offering Financial Statements will present fairly, in all
material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of the
dates thereof and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods
specified in conformity with GAAP.


                                        9

<PAGE>



                  (c) The Company does not have, and as of immediately prior to
the Closing will not have, any liabilities or obligations, whether known or
unknown, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, whether due or to become
due, including any uninsured liabilities, and whether arising by virtue of a
breach of or under any Law, any lawsuit or claim or otherwise, that would be
required by GAAP to be shown as a liability on a consolidated balance sheet of
the Company except (i) as and to the extent set forth in the Balance Sheet or
specifically disclosed in the notes thereto, (ii) liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and not prohibited by
this Agreement, which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) as set forth in Schedule
2.1.4(c), and (iv) other liabilities for which Seller is responsible pursuant to
this Agreement.

                  (d) Except as listed or described on Schedule 2.1.4(d), (i)
from September 26, 1997 to the date of this Agreement, the Company has conducted
the Business only in the ordinary course, consistent with past practice, (ii)
since September 26, 1997, the Company has not taken any action which would have
constituted a violation of Section 3.5 if Section 3.5 had applied since
September 26, 1997, and (iii) during the period from September 26, 1997 to the
Closing Date, there has not been any Material Adverse Effect, including any
damage, destruction, loss or abandonment (whether or not covered by insurance)
which, individually or in the aggregate, has or, to the Knowledge of Seller,
could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, other than, as
applied to the accuracy of this representation in respect of the period between
the date hereof and the Closing Date, changes or effects after the date hereof
that result from general economic conditions or competitive circumstances in the
markets in which the Business is conducted.

                  (e) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Material Adverse
Effect" means an event, circumstance or occurrence that has a material adverse
effect on the Business or the consolidated financial condition or results of
operations of the Company relative, in the case of financial condition or
results of operations, to the management projections for the Business set forth
in Schedule 2.1.4(e).

                  2.1.5. Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial
advisor or other person (other than BancBoston Securities, Inc. and Wasserstein
Perella & Co., Inc., the fees and expenses of which will be paid by Seller) is
entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee or
commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.


                                       10

<PAGE>



         2.2. Representations and Warranties of Purchaser. Subject to Section
2.3, Purchaser represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

                  2.2.1. Authorization and Effect of Agreement. Purchaser has
the requisite corporate power to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
perform the transactions contemplated hereby to be performed by it. All
necessary corporate action required to be taken under the Delaware General
Corporation Law for the due authorization of the execution and delivery by
Purchaser of this Agreement and the performance by Purchaser of the transactions
contemplated hereby to be performed has been duly taken by Purchaser. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Purchaser and, assuming the
due execution and delivery of this Agreement by Seller constitutes a valid and
binding obligation of Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

                  2.2.2. No Restrictions. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement by Purchaser does not, and the performance by Purchaser of the
transactions contemplated hereby to be performed by it will not, conflict with,
or result in any material violation of, or constitute a material default (with
or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or the loss of a
material benefit under, any provision of the charter or bylaws or comparable
governing documents of Purchaser, or any material Contract or Permit applicable
to Purchaser other than any such conflicts, violations or defaults which,
individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in
a material undisclosed liability of Purchaser. No material consent, approval,
order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any
Governmental Entity is required to be obtained or made by or with respect to
Purchaser in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Purchaser or the performance by Purchaser of the transactions contemplated
hereby to be performed by either of them, except (i) for such of the foregoing
as are listed or described on Schedule 2.2.2 and (ii) for such consents,
approvals, orders, authorizations of, or registrations, declarations or filings
with, any Governmental Entity, which, individually or in the aggregate if not
obtained or made, could not reasonably be expected to result in a material
undisclosed liability of Purchaser.

                  2.2.3. Financial Capacity. Purchaser has in hand a commitment
letter (the "Commitment Letter"), which is currently in effect and a true and
correct copy of which has been previously provided to Seller, from the financial
institutions indicated therein, as well as the equity commitment letter of
Blackstone Capital Partners III Merchant Banking Fund, L.P.

                                                        11

<PAGE>



("Blackstone"), to provide the secured debt and equity financing contemplated by
Purchaser for the transactions described in this Agreement and has obtained a
highly confident letter, a true and correct copy of which has been previously
provided to Seller, with respect to the subordinated debt financing so
contemplated. Blackstone has undertaken to provide the equity capital
contemplated by the Commitment Letter, and a true and correct copy of such
undertaking has been previously provided to Seller.

                  2.2.4. Disclosure. As of the date hereof, to the Knowledge of
Purchaser, (a) Seller is not in breach of any of its representations and
warranties set forth in Section 2.1.4 and (b) Purchaser has furnished to
Seller's financial advisors all material information pertaining to the Company
and the Borden Recap that such financial advisors have requested prior to the
date hereof.

         2.3.  Certain Limitations on Representations and Warranties.
 (a)  Each of the parties is a sophisticated legal entity that
was advised by experienced counsel and, to the extent it deemed necessary, other
advisors in connection with this Agreement. Accordingly, each of the parties
hereby acknowledges that (i) there are no representations or warranties by or on
behalf of any party hereto or any of its respective Affiliates or
representatives other than those expressly set forth in this Agreement and (ii)
the parties' respective rights, obligations and remedies with respect to this
Agreement and the events giving rise thereto will be solely and exclusively as
set forth in the Transaction Documents.

                  (b) Any representation and warranty made in this Agreement by
Seller will be deemed for all purposes to be qualified by the disclosures made
in any Schedule specifically referred to in such representation or warranty and
by the information disclosed in any other Schedule if the relevance of such
information to such representation and warranty is reasonably apparent on its
face. References in this Article to matters "primarily" relating to the Business
are to matters which predominantly relate to the Business rather than
predominantly to one of either Seller's or any Post-Closing Affiliate's other
businesses or to the businesses or operations of Seller or any Post-Closing
Affiliate generally.

                                 III. COVENANTS

         3.1. Investigation by Purchaser. (a) Prior to the Closing, upon
reasonable notice from Purchaser to Seller given in accordance with this
Agreement, Seller will, and will cause the Company to, afford to the officers,
attorneys, accountants or other authorized representatives of Purchaser
reasonable access during normal business hours to the facilities and the books
and

                                       12

<PAGE>



records of the Company so as to afford Purchaser a reasonable opportunity to
make, at its sole cost and expense, such review, examination and investigation
of the Company as Purchaser may reasonably desire to make, including without
limitation a so-called "Phase I" (i.e., documentary review and walk-through site
inspection) preliminary environmental evaluation; provided, however, that no
borings or other so-called "Phase II" environmental examinations will be
performed without Seller's prior written consent, which consent may be given or
withheld in Seller's sole discretion. Purchaser will be permitted to make
extracts from or to make copies of such books and records as may be reasonably
necessary. Prior to the Closing, Seller will furnish to Purchaser, or cause to
be furnished to Purchaser, such financial and operating data and other
information pertaining to the Company as Purchaser may reasonably request;
provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement will obligate Seller to take
actions that would unreasonably disrupt the normal course of business of itself,
any Post-Closing Affiliate or the Company, violate the terms of any applicable
Law or rules of any national stock exchange applicable to it or its Affiliates
or any Contract to which any of them is a party or to which any of them or any
of their assets are subject (to the extent described in reasonable detail in
response to any request for information specified above) or grant access to any
of their proprietary or confidential information not related to the Business.

         (b) Subject to Section 3.2, whether or not the Closing occurs,
Purchaser will, and will cause its Affiliates other than Seller to, treat in
confidence all documents, materials and other information (including without
limitation information relating to supply and sales agreements and relationships
with third persons or entities) disclosed by any other party that is not its
Affiliate, whether before, during or after the course of the negotiations
leading to the execution of this Agreement or thereafter, including without
limitation in its investigation of the other parties and in the preparation of
agreements, schedules and other documents relating to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby. Prior to the Closing, and in the event that
this Agreement is terminated, neither Purchaser nor any of its Affiliates will,
and if the Closing occurs, Seller will not and will cause its Affiliates not to,
disclose to any third party any confidential information, except as required by
Law or rules of any national stock exchange or any Governmental Authority
applicable to it or its Affiliates or Purchaser determines is required to be
disclosed in connection with the financing described in Section 2.2.3, subject
to Seller's right to review and reasonably object to such disclosure. If this
Agreement is terminated, Purchaser and each of its Affiliates will return to
Seller all originals and copies of all non-public documents and materials of the
type provided for in this Section 3.1 which have been furnished or made
available in connection

                                       13

<PAGE>



with this Agreement, and Purchaser will destroy all notes, analyses,
compilations, studies or other documents which contain or otherwise reflect such
information.

         3.2. Press Releases. Prior to the Closing, no party will issue or cause
the publication of any press release or other public announcement with respect
to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior
consent of the other parties, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed; provided, however, that nothing herein will prohibit any party from
issuing or causing publication of any such press release or public announcement
to the extent that such party determines such action to be required by Law or
the rules of any national stock exchange applicable to it or its Affiliates or
prohibit Purchaser from making any disclosure it determines may be reasonably
necessary in furtherance of obtaining the financing contemplated by Section
2.2.3, in which event the party making such determination will, if practicable
in the circumstances, use reasonable efforts to allow the other parties
reasonable time to comment on such release or announcement in advance of its
issuance.

         3.3. Regulatory Filings. (a) Not later than two business days after the
date hereof, Purchaser will, and Seller will cause the ultimate parent entity of
Seller to, make such filings, if any, as may be required by the HSR Act with
respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Thereafter, Purchaser will, and Seller will cause the ultimate parent entity of
Seller to, file or cause to be filed as promptly as practicable with the United
States Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") and the United States Department of
Justice (the "DOJ") supplemental information, if any, which may be required or
requested by the FTC or the DOJ pursuant to the HSR Act. To the extent required
by Law, Seller will make, or cause any of its Affiliates to make, such filings
and use its reasonable efforts to obtain the governmental approvals and the
other third party consents (if any) referred to in Section 2.1.3, and Purchaser
will each make such filings and use its reasonable efforts to obtain the
governmental approvals and the other third party consents (if any) referred to
in Section 2.2.2. All filings referred to in this Section 3.3(a) will comply in
all material respects with the requirements of the respective Laws pursuant to
which they are made.

         (b) Without limiting the generality or effect of Section 3.3(a), each
of the parties will (i) use their respective reasonable efforts to comply as
expeditiously as possible with all lawful requests of Governmental Entities for
additional information and documents pursuant to the HSR Act, if applicable,
(ii) not (A) extend any waiting period under the HSR Act or (B) enter into any
agreement with any Governmental Entity not to

                                       14

<PAGE>



consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except with the
prior consent of each of the other parties hereto, and (iii) cooperate with each
other and use reasonable efforts to prevent the entry of, and to cause the
lifting or removal of, any temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction
or other judicial or administrative order which may be entered into in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including
without limitation the execution, delivery and performance by the appropriate
entity of such divestiture agreements or other actions, as the case may be, as
may be necessary to secure the expiration or termination of the applicable
waiting periods under the HSR Act or the removal, dissolution, stay or dismissal
of any temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction or other judicial or
administrative order which prevents the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or requires as a condition thereto that all or any part of
the Business be held separate and, prior to or after the Closing, pursue the
underlying litigation or administrative proceeding diligently and in good faith.

         3.4. Injunctions. Without limiting the generality or effect of any
provision of Section 3.3, Section 3.6 or Section 3.9 or Article IV, if any
Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over any party issues or otherwise
promulgates any injunction, decree or similar order prior to the Closing which
prohibits the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the parties
will use their respective reasonable efforts to have such injunction dissolved
or otherwise eliminated as promptly as possible and, prior to or after the
Closing, to pursue the underlying litigation diligently and in good faith.

         3.5. Operation of the Business. Except in connection with or as a
result of any matter listed or described on Schedule 3.5, as expressly
contemplated herein or as otherwise consented to by Purchaser or requested by
Purchaser or any of its Affiliates, from the date hereof to the Closing Date,
Seller will cause the Company to:

                  (a) Use reasonable efforts to keep the Business intact
         (including without limitation relationships with customers, employees,
         suppliers and others) and not take or permit to be taken or do or
         suffer to be done anything other than in the ordinary course of
         business of the Business as presently conducted, and use reasonable
         efforts to maintain the goodwill associated with the Business; without
         limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, (i) in all events
         Seller will take all actions so that, as of immediately prior to the
         Closing, the total accounts payable and accrued liabilities (other than
         any liabilities under the Canadian Pension Plan) included in the C&A
         Imperial Canada Assumed Liabilities total not more than $5.0 million
         and (ii) not

                                       15

<PAGE>



         effect any transaction between Imperial Canada, on the one hand, and
         any of the Purchased Imperial Companies, on the other hand, except in
         the ordinary course of business;

                  (b) Continue existing practices relating to maintenance of the
         assets owned, leased or otherwise held by the Company for use in the
         Business ("Assets") in good repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted,
         and continue to make capital expenditures substantially in accordance
         with budgets previously delivered to Purchaser (and Imperial hereby
         agrees to continue to make capital expenditures only substantially in
         accordance with budgets previously delivered to Purchaser unless each
         other party otherwise consents);

                  (c) Not purchase, sell, lease or dispose of, or enter into any
         Contract for the purchase, sale, lease or disposition of, or subject to
         Lien, any of the Assets other than (i) Products or (ii) in the ordinary
         course of business of the Business;

                  (d) Not adopt or make any amendment to any Employee Plan or
         increase the general rates of compensation of Employees, except (i) as
         required by Law or (ii) pursuant to any Contract in effect on the date
         of this Agreement (Seller representing that, to the Knowledge of
         Seller, no Contract providing for such adoption, amendment or increase
         is in effect other than collective bargaining agreements the terms of
         which have been previously disclosed to Purchaser);

                  (e) Not enter into, amend, modify or cancel any material
         Contract except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
         practice;

                  (f) Not incur indebtedness for borrowed money, or assume,
         guarantee, endorse or otherwise become responsible for the obligations
         of any other person or entity, or make loans or advances to any person
         or entity (other than advances to Employees in the ordinary course of
         business consistent with past practice reflected on the Company's books
         and records);

                  (g) Not enter into any joint venture, partnership or similar
         arrangement;

                  (h) Not amend its Certificate of Incorporation or ByLaws;

                  (i) Not dispose of, permit to lapse or otherwise fail to
         preserve any of its Intellectual Property or other similar rights,
         dispose of or permit to lapse any material

                                       16

<PAGE>



         Permit, or dispose of or disclose to any person or entity other than an
         authorized representative of Purchaser, any trade secret (except for
         such of the foregoing as may occur by operation of Law or the terms of
         any of the foregoing);

                  (j) Not make any change in the accounting methods, principles
         or practices of the Business, except as required by GAAP;

                  (k) Not sell or factor any account receivable of the Business
         or otherwise participate in any accounts receivable facility other than
         to accept payments made by account debtors to the Company at an
         existing lock-box of the Company (which lock-box arrangement will be
         terminated as promptly as practicable);

                  (l) With respect to the Pension Plan for Salaried Employees of
         Imperial Wallcoverings (Canada), Inc.(the "Canadian Pension Plan"), (1)
         not withdraw any assets from the Canadian Pension Plan other than to
         pay benefits in accordance with its existing terms, (2) not make any
         amendment to the Canadian Pension Plan and (3) other than as may be
         required by Law, make any change to the actuarial assumptions used in
         determining the actuarial present value of the liabilities of the
         Canadian Pension Plan;

                  (m) Not fail to pay when due any amount owed to a third party,
         including without limitation, any Taxes, in accordance with the
         applicable payment terms;

                  (n) Not prepay any obligation of the Company other than (i) in
         the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (ii)
         Indebtedness; and

                  (o) Not enter into a Contract to do any of the foregoing
         (other than as may be required by Section 3.5(a) or 3.5(b).

For purposes of this Agreement, "Intellectual Property" means all patents and
trademarks and all material trade names, service marks and registered
copyrights, and registrations and applications therefor, used or held for use in
the conduct of the Business.

         3.6. Satisfaction of Conditions. Without limiting the generality or
effect of any provision of Section 3.3, 3.4 or 3.9 or Article IV, prior to the
Closing, each of the parties hereto will use its respective reasonable efforts
with due diligence and in good faith to satisfy promptly all conditions required
hereby to be satisfied by such party in order to expedite the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby.

                                       17

<PAGE>



         3.7. Negotiations With Others. From the date hereof until the
termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms or the Closing,
Seller and its Affiliates will not, and will cause its and their respective
officers, directors, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other agents
not to: (i) initiate, solicit (including by way of furnishing information) or
accept, any offer or proposal which constitutes, an Alternative Proposal or (ii)
in the event of an unsolicited Alternative Proposal, engage in substantive
discussions or negotiations, or enter into any Contract, with, or furnish
information to, any Person relating to any Alternative Proposal. All such
negotiations prior to the date hereof have been terminated. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Alternative Proposal" means any proposal or offer from any Person
relating to any acquisition or purchase of all or substantially all of the
assets or common stock of the Company or any merger, consolidation, business
combination or similar transaction involving the Company, other than the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         3.8. Certain Additional Covenants. Seller will use its reasonable best
efforts to cause the independent accountants that issued the reports relating to
the Offering Financial Statements to consent to Purchaser's use of the Offering
Financial Statements as may be required by applicable Law in the disclosure
documents relating to the financing contemplated by this Agreement or any
subsequent financing involving a public offering.

         3.9. Efforts to Consummate. Subject to the terms and conditions herein
provided, Seller and Purchaser will use their reasonable efforts to take or
cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things
necessary to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and to cooperate with the other in connection with the foregoing.
Seller will, at its sole expense, cause to be included in the assets and
properties of the Company prior to the Closing all assets, properties, permits,
authorizations, rights and related obligations which are being used or held for
use primarily or exclusively by the Company (whether or not such assets,
properties, permits, authorizations, rights and related obligations are
presently owned or held by the Company), all on terms and conditions, and
pursuant to documentation, reasonably acceptable to Purchaser.

         3.10. Resignations. Prior to the Closing, upon Purchaser's specific
request, Seller will cause to resign or to be removed from office such officers
and directors of Imperial and each of the Subsidiaries whose full-time
employment is not in the Business.


                                       18

<PAGE>



         3.11. Certain Conditions. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof,
in the event that the condition to the Closing set forth in Section 4.2.4 is not
satisfied, Purchaser will have no liability or obligation to Seller or any other
Person under any provision of, or actual or alleged breach of, this Article III
(other than Section 3.1(b) or 3.2), the parties hereby expressly acknowledging
and agreeing that Purchaser will have no liability or obligation hereunder if
the Borden Recap shall not have been consummated.

         3.12. Certain Pre-Closing Transactions. Immediately prior to the
Closing, Seller will cause Imperial to Transfer to C&A Canada the Imperial-Owned
Imperial Canada Shares for $1.00; such Transfer will be deemed not to constitute
a breach of any representation, warranty or covenant herein. If, between the
date of this Agreement and the Closing, any party reasonably determines that
additional agreements with any other party are necessary and appropriate to
effect the Transfer of the C&A Imperial Canada Assets and the assumption of the
C&A Imperial Canada Assumed Liabilities on economic terms as close as
practicable to a transaction in which Purchaser acquired all the stock of
Imperial Canada, then the parties will negotiate in good faith with respect to
such additional agreements (including, without limitation, any such agreements
relating to the transfer of the assets and liabilities of the Canadian Pension
Plan). The parties agree that Seller may cause C&A Canada to amalgamate with
Imperial Canada prior to the Closing. If such amalgamation were to take place,
the parties agree to amend the Agreement as necessary so that C&A Canada will be
the seller of the same Imperial Canada assets and Purchaser will assume the same
liabilities as described in the present Agreement.


                                 IV. THE CLOSING

         4.1. Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Purchaser and Seller. The
obligations of Purchaser and Seller under this Agreement to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby will be subject to the satisfaction, at or
prior to the Closing, of the conditions that there shall be no injunction,
restraining order or decree of any nature of any court or governmental agency or
body of competent jurisdiction that is in effect that prohibits the Closing and
the waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the Imperial Canada
Business Acquisition and the purchase and sale of the Imperial Shares
contemplated hereby under the HSR Act shall have lapsed or been terminated. The
foregoing conditions may be waived (i) insofar as it is a condition to the
obligations of Purchaser, by Purchaser at its option and (ii) insofar as it is a
condition to the obligations of Seller, by Seller at its option.


                                       19

<PAGE>



         4.2. Additional Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Purchaser. The
obligations of Purchaser under this Agreement to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby will be subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the
Closing, of all of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be
waived at the option of Purchaser:

         4.2.1. No Material Breach. There shall have been no material breach by
Seller in the performance of any of the covenants herein to be performed by it
in whole or in part prior to the Closing.

         4.2.2. Transfer Documents, Etc. Seller shall have delivered or caused
to be delivered to Purchaser the certificates representing the Imperial Shares,
and certificates representing all shares of capital stock of the Subsidiaries
other than Imperial Canada, which certificates shall have been duly endorsed for
transfer or accompanied by duly executed stock powers, with (if applicable) any
required tax stamps affixed thereto.

         4.2.3. Other Documents. Seller shall have duly executed and delivered
to Purchaser a Management Services Agreement in substantially the form of
Schedule 4.2.3(a) (the "MSA") and a Noncompetition Agreement in substantially
the form of Schedule 4.2.3(b) (the "NCA"), and Seller shall have delivered to
Purchaser an opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore, counsel to Seller,
substantially to the effect set forth in Schedule 4.2.3(c).

         4.2.4. Borden Closing. The conditions to the obligations of Purchaser
to consummate the Borden Recap shall have been satisfied or duly waived in
accordance with the requirements thereof.

         4.2.5. Material Adverse Change. Since September 26, 1997, there shall
not have occurred (a) a Material Adverse Effect or (b) any event which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         4.2.6. No Litigation. There shall not be pending or threatened any
litigation seeking to enjoin this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby or the Borden Recap or seeking substantial damages as a result thereof.

         4.2.7. Certain Approvals. All filings and approvals specified in
Schedule 2.1.3 shall have been made or obtained and shall be in full force and
effect.

         4.2.8.  Release of Liens.  Seller shall have delivered to
Purchaser evidence reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser of the
release and termination of all Liens in respect of Indebtedness

                                       20

<PAGE>



and any guarantees of indebtedness of Seller or any Post-Closing
Affiliate.

         4.3. Additional Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Seller. The
obligations of Seller under this Agreement to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby will be subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the
Closing, of all the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived
at the option of Seller:

         4.3.1. No Material Breach. There shall have been no material breach by
Purchaser in the performance of any of the covenants herein to be performed by
it in whole or in part prior to the Closing.

         4.3.2.  Closing Payment.  Purchaser shall have delivered the
Closing Payment to Seller in the manner specified in Section 1.2.

         4.3.3. Option. Purchaser shall have executed and delivered to Seller an
Option Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit A (the "Option Agreement")
under which Seller will have the right (the "Option") to purchase 6.7% of the
common stock of BDPH issuable in the Merger calculated as specified in Footnote
1 of Exhibit A at an initial option exercise price (the "Initial Exercise
Price") calculated in accordance with Note 2 of Exhibit A and otherwise on the
terms set forth in Exhibit A. The Initial Exercise Price will be proportionately
increased to the extent that stockholders of Purchaser make any additional
contributions to the capital of BDPH to fund any adjustments required by Section
1.3 and the comparable provisions of the Borden Agreement.

         4.3.4. Other Documents. Purchaser shall have caused the Company to have
duly executed and delivered to Seller the MSA and the NCA, and Purchaser shall
have delivered to Seller an opinion of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, counsel to
Purchaser, substantially to the effect set forth in Schedule 4.3.4.

         4.4. The Closing. Subject to the fulfillment or waiver of the
conditions precedent specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3, the consummation of
the purchase and sale of the Shares contemplated hereby (the "Closing") will
take place on December 31, 1997 (or as soon as practicable thereafter as all of
the conditions to the Closing set forth in Section 4.3 are satisfied or waived)
(the actual date of the Closing, the "Closing Date"). The Closing will take
place at 10:00 A.M., Eastern Time, at the offices of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue,
599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022 or at such other time or place or
on such date as shall be agreed upon the parties. At the Closing, the parties
will execute and deliver such transfer and assumption documentation as may be
customary to evidence the Transfer of the

                                       21

<PAGE>



C&A Imperial Canada Assets and the assumption of the C&A Imperial Canada Assumed
Liabilities, as contemplated herein.

         4.5.  Termination.  Notwithstanding anything contained in
this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated
at any time prior to the Closing:

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

                  (b) By Purchaser or Seller if the Closing shall not have
         occurred on or before May 31, 1998 (the "Drop Dead Date");

                  (c) By either Purchaser or Seller if there shall have been
         entered a final, nonappealable order or injunction of any Governmental
         Entity restraining or prohibiting the consummation of the transactions
         contemplated hereby or any material part thereof;

                  (d) By Purchaser, in its sole discretion, on December 5, 1997
         or, if later, the fifth day following Seller's delivery of the Offering
         Financial Statements, but neither before nor after such date, if the
         Offering Financial Statements reflect an adverse difference from the
         financial information for the first three quarters of fiscal year 1997
         previously provided to Purchaser by Imperial in any material respect as
         determined by Purchaser, which determination will be conclusive for all
         purposes; or

                  (e) By Purchaser, in its sole discretion, by notice given to
         Seller prior to 5:00 p.m., New York time, on November 5, 1997.

In the event of the termination of this Agreement under this Section 4.5, each
party hereto will pay all of its own fees and expenses. There will be no further
liability hereunder on the part of any party hereto if this Agreement is so
terminated, except under Sections 3.1(b), 3.2 and 7.2 or by reason of a breach
of any covenant or representation or warranty contained in this Agreement,
including without limitation the covenants contained in Sections 3.3, 3.4 and
3.7.


                         V. SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION
         5.1. Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. (a) Each of
the representations and warranties contained in Article II and in the last
sentence of Section 6.1.3(b) will survive the Closing and remain in full force
and effect until the later of (i) the expiration of the applicable statute of

                                       22

<PAGE>



limitations and (ii) the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, except that the
representations and warranties contained in clauses (ii) and (iii) of the first
sentence of Section 2.1.3 and Sections 2.1.4, 2.2.2 and 2.2.4 will not survive
the Closing. Any claim for indemnification with respect to such matters which is
not asserted by a notice given as herein provided specifically identifying the
particular breach underlying such claim (whether or not the Indemnifiable Loss
has been actually incurred as of the date of such notice) and the facts and
Indemnifiable Loss relating thereto (to the extent reasonably determinable as of
the date of such notice), within such specified periods of survival may not be
pursued and is hereby irrevocably waived.

         (b) The covenants contained in Sections 3.1(b), 3.3(b), 3.4,
3.5(a)(i)-(iii), 3.5(l), 3.5(m), 3.5(n), 3.8 and 3.9 (second sentence only), in
this Article V and in Articles I, VI and VII (the "Post-Closing Covenants") will
survive the Closing and remain in effect indefinitely unless a specified period
is otherwise set forth in this Agreement (in which event such specified period
will control). All other covenants contained in this Agreement will terminate,
without further action, upon the occurrence of the Closing, with the result that
any claim for an alleged breach of any such covenant may not be pursued and is
hereby irrevocably waived.

         5.2. Limitations on Liability. (a) For purposes of this Agreement, (i)
"Indemnity Payment" means any amount of Indemnifiable Losses required to be paid
pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) "Indemnitee" means any person or entity
entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (iii) "Indemnifying Party"
means any person or entity required to provide indemnification under this
Agreement, (iv) "Indemnifiable Losses" means any and all claims, demands,
actions, suits or proceedings (by any person or entity, including without
limitation any Governmental Entity), settlements and compromises relating
thereto and reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses in connection therewith or
in enforcing the Indemnifying Party's obligations hereunder, losses,
liabilities, costs and expenses, reduced by the amount of insurance proceeds
actually received from any person or entity that is not an Affiliate of the
Indemnitee, and (v) "Third Party Claim" means any claim, demand, action, suit or
proceeding made or brought by any person or entity who or which is not a party
to this Agreement or an Affiliate of a party to this Agreement.

         (b) After the Closing, as between Seller and any Post- Closing
Affiliate, on the one hand, and Purchaser, the Purchased Imperial Companies and
any Affiliate of either of them, on the other hand, the rights and obligations
set forth in this Article V will be the sole and exclusive remedies for breach
of this Agreement.

                                       23

<PAGE>



         5.3. Indemnification. (a) Subject to Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.4, Seller
will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Purchaser and its Affiliates and their
respective directors, officers, partners, shareholders, employees, agents and
representatives (including, without limitation, any predecessor or successor to
any of the foregoing) (such persons and entities, "Purchaser Indemnitees") from
and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses relating to, resulting from or
arising out of:

                         (i) Any breach by Seller of any of the representations
         or warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement;

                        (ii) Any breach by Seller of any Post-Closing Covenant
         of Seller contained in this Agreement;

                      (iii) Any controlled group liability under (A) Title IV of
         ERISA, (B) Section 302 of ERISA, (C) Sections 412 and 4971 of the
         Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), (D)
         continuation coverage requirements of Sections 601, et seq. of ERISA
         and Section 4980B of the Code, and (E) corresponding or similar
         provisions of foreign Laws, other than such liabilities that arise
         solely out of, or relate solely to, Employees or Former Employees;

                        (iv) All Indemnifiable Losses incurred by any Purchaser
         Indemnitee by reason of any liability or obligation of Seller or any of
         its Post-Closing Affiliates that does not solely arise out of the
         Business or the Company; and

                  (v) The assertion against Purchaser or any of its Affiliates
         of any liability or obligation of Imperial Canada that is not a C&A
         Imperial Canada Assumed Liability.

         (b) Subject to Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.4, Purchaser will, and, if the
Closing occurs, Imperial, jointly and severally with Purchaser will, indemnify,
defend and hold harmless Seller and each Post-Closing Affiliate and their
respective directors, officers, partners, shareholders, employees, agents and
representatives (including, without limitation, any predecessor or successor to
any of the foregoing) (such persons and entities, "Seller Indemnitees") from and
against any and all Indemnifiable Losses relating to, resulting from or arising
out of:

                         (i) Any breach by Purchaser of any of the
         representations or warranties of Purchaser contained in this
         Agreement;

                        (ii) Any breach by Purchaser of any Post-Closing
         Covenant of Purchaser contained in this Agreement;

                       (iii) The Assumed Push-Down Liabilities;

                                       24

<PAGE>



                        (iv) All Indemnifiable Losses incurred by any Seller
         Indemnitee by reason of any liability or obligation of the Company that
         solely arises out of the Business or the operations of the Company,
         provided, however, that this Section 5.3(b)(iv) will not apply to any
         matter for which Purchaser is entitled to indemnification under Section
         5.3(a); and

                  (v)      The assertion against Seller or any of its Post-
         Closing Affiliates of any C&A Imperial Canada Assumed
         Liability.

         5.4. Defense of Claims. (a) If any Indemnitee receives notice of the
assertion or commencement of any Third Party Claim against such Indemnitee with
respect to which an Indemnifying Party is obligated to provide indemnification
under this Agreement, the Indemnitee will give such Indemnifying Party
reasonably prompt written notice thereof, but in any event not later than 30
calendar days after receipt of such written notice of such Third Party Claim.
Such notice by the Indemnitee will describe the Third Party Claim in reasonable
detail, will include copies of all material written evidence thereof and will
indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Indemnifiable
Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnitee. The Indemnifying Party
will have the right to participate in, or, by giving written notice to the
Indemnitee, to assume, the defense of any Third Party Claim at such Indemnifying
Party's own expense and by such Indemnifying Party's own counsel (reasonably
satisfactory to the Indemnitee), and the Indemnitee will cooperate in good faith
in such defense.

         (b) If, within ten calendar days after giving notice of a Third Party
Claim to an Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 5.4(a), an Indemnitee
receives written notice from the Indemnifying Party that the Indemnifying Party
has elected to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim as provided in the
last sentence of Section 5.4(a), the Indemnifying Party will not be liable for
any legal expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with
the defense thereof; provided, however, that if the Indemnifying Party fails to
take reasonable steps necessary to defend diligently such Third Party Claim
within ten calendar days after receiving written notice from the Indemnitee that
the Indemnitee believes the Indemnifying Party has failed to take such steps or
if the Indemnifying Party has not undertaken fully to indemnify the Indemnitee
in respect of all Indemnifiable Losses relating to the matter, the Indemnitee
may assume its own defense, and the Indemnifying Party will be liable for all
reasonable costs or expenses paid or incurred in connection therewith. Without
the prior written consent of the Indemnitee, the Indemnifying Party will not
enter into any settlement of any Third Party Claim which would lead to liability

                                       25

<PAGE>



or create any financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnitee for
which the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification hereunder, or which
provides for injunctive or other non-monetary relief applicable to the
Indemnitee or does not include an unconditional release of all Indemnified
Parties. If a firm offer is made to settle a Third Party Claim without leading
to liability or the creation of a financial or other obligation on the part of
the Indemnitee for which the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification
hereunder and the Indemnifying Party desires to accept and agree to such offer,
the Indemnifying Party will give written notice to the Indemnitee to that
effect. If the Indemnitee fails to consent to such firm offer within ten
calendar days after its receipt of such notice, the Indemnitee may continue to
contest or defend such Third Party Claim and, in such event, the maximum
liability of the Indemnifying Party as to such Third Party Claim will not exceed
the amount of such settlement offer.

         (c) Any claim by an Indemnitee on account of an Indemnifiable Loss
which does not result from a Third Party Claim (a "Direct Claim") will be
asserted by giving the Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice
thereof, but in any event not later than 30 calendar days after the Indemnitee
becomes aware of such Direct Claim. Such notice by the Indemnitee will describe
the Direct Claim in reasonable detail, will include copies of all material
written evidence thereof and will indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably
practicable, of the Indemnifiable Loss that has been or may be sustained by the
Indemnitee. The Indemnifying Party will have a period of 30 calendar days within
which to respond in writing to such Direct Claim. If the Indemnifying Party does
not so respond within such 30 calendar day period, the Indemnifying Party will
be deemed to have rejected such claim, in which event the Indemnitee will be
free to pursue such remedies as may be available to the Indemnitee on the terms
and subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

         (d) A failure to give timely notice or to include any specified
information in any notice as provided in Sections 5.4(a), 5.4(b) or 5.4(c) will
not affect the rights or obligations of any party hereunder except and only to
the extent that, as a result of such failure, any party which was entitled to
receive such notice was deprived of its right to recover any payment under its
applicable insurance coverage or was otherwise prejudiced as a result of such
failure.

         (e) If the amount of any Indemnifiable Loss, at any time subsequent to
the making of an Indemnity Payment to the Indemnitee, is reduced by recovery,
settlement or otherwise under or pursuant to any insurance coverage, or pursuant
to any claim, recovery, settlement, rebate or other payment by or against any

                                       26

<PAGE>



other person or entity, the amount of such reduction, less any costs, expenses,
premiums or taxes incurred in connection therewith, will promptly be repaid by
the Indemnitee to the Indemnifying Party. Upon making any Indemnity Payment the
Indemnifying Party will, to the extent of such Indemnity Payment, be subrogated
to all rights of the Indemnitee against any third person or entity that is not
an Affiliate of the Indemnitee in respect of the Indemnifiable Loss to which the
Indemnity Payment relates; provided, however, that (i) the Indemnifying Party
shall then be in compliance with its obligations under this Agreement in respect
of such Indemnifiable Loss and (ii) until the Indemnitee recovers full payment
of its Indemnifiable Loss, any and all claims of the Indemnifying Party against
any such third person or entity on account of said Indemnity Payment will be
subrogated and subordinated in right of payment to the Indemnitee's rights
against such third person or entity. Without limiting the generality or effect
of any other provision hereof, each such Indemnitee and Indemnifying Party will
duly execute upon request all instruments reasonably necessary to evidence and
perfect the above-described subrogation and subordination rights.

                        VI. OTHER POST-CLOSING COVENANTS

         6.1.  Personnel Matters.

         6.1.1. Employees and Employee Benefit Plans. (a) Purchaser and
Imperial, jointly and severally, will indemnify Seller and each of its
Affiliates for any Indemnifiable Loss relating to, resulting from or arising out
of any change by Purchaser or the Company in employee plan benefits or levels of
compensation following the Closing Date from those existing on the Closing Date
or any liability or obligation to any Employee in the event that Purchaser or
the Company terminates the employment of any person who is an Employee as of the
Closing Date. Subject to Section 6.1.4, effective as of the Closing Date,
Purchaser will, or will cause one of its Affiliates to, offer employment to each
Employee employed as of the Closing Date by Imperial Canada.

         (b) Purchaser agrees that, under any employee benefit plan made
available or established after the Closing, Employees will receive credit for
their years of service with Seller, any Post- Closing Affiliate or the Company
prior to the Closing in determining eligibility and vesting thereunder, and in
determining the amount of benefits under any applicable sick leave, vacation or
severance plan. Purchaser will, or will cause one of its Affiliates to, cover
Employees and Former Employees as of the Closing under a group health plan and
waive any preexisting condition limitations applicable to Employees under any
group health plan made available to Employees to the extent that an Employee's
condition would not have operated as a preexisting condition limitation under
any applicable group

                                       27

<PAGE>



health plan prior to the Closing, and Purchaser will, or will cause one of its
Affiliates to, take all action necessary to ensure that Employees and Former
Employees are given full credit for all co-payments and deductibles incurred
under any group health plan for the plan year that includes the Closing Date.

         (c) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Employee Plan" means each
employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and each other material plan,
program, agreement or arrangement, whether or not subject to ERISA, that (i)
provides benefits for Employees or Former Employees and (ii) is maintained by
Seller, any Post-Closing Affiliate or the Company or to which Seller, any
Post-Closing Affiliate or the Company contributes or is obligated to contribute,
or under which Seller, any Post-Closing Affiliate or the Company is liable in
respect of Employees or Former Employees. As used in this Agreement, (A) the
term "Employee" means each person (if any) listed or described as such on
Schedule 6.1.1 and each person who is employed by the Company as of the Closing
(Seller hereby covenanting that no such person will be so employed who also
works for Seller or any Post-Closing Affiliate) and (B) the term "Former
Employee" means any person formerly so employed by the Company in the conduct of
the Business but does not include person who became an employee of Seller (or
any entity that is or was an Affiliate of Seller) following the termination of
their employment with the Company. The terms "Employee" and "Former Employee"
will include, where an Employee Plan provides benefits for beneficiaries or
dependents, the beneficiaries and dependents of an Employee or Former Employee.

         6.1.2. Assumption of Obligations. (a) Effective as of the Closing,
Purchaser will cause the Company to assume and be solely responsible for all
liabilities and obligations of any of Seller and each Post-Closing Affiliate
arising at any time and relating to the employment or termination of employment
of any Employee or Former Employee, except to the extent that any of such
liabilities or obligations are expressly retained by any Seller or any
Post-Closing Affiliate pursuant to this Section 6.1.

         (b) Except as provided in Section 6.1.3, effective as of the Closing,
Purchaser will cause the Company to, assume and be solely responsible for all
liabilities and obligations of Seller or any Post-Closing Affiliate with respect
to Employees and Former Employees under any Employee Plan and Seller and each
Post-Closing Affiliate will be relieved of all liabilities and obligations with
respect to such Employee Plans. The liabilities and obligations assumed by
Purchaser and all of its Affiliates pursuant to this Section 6.1.2(b) include
without limitation (i) any liability or obligation relating to (x) short-term
and long-term disability benefits, (y) group medical benefits, and

                                       28

<PAGE>



(z) retiree health and life insurance benefits; including in each case any
claims for disability, medical, health and life insurance benefits incurred
prior to the Closing; and (ii) any liability or obligation to provide such
Employees and Former Employees and their qualified beneficiaries with
continuation coverage (within the meaning of Section 4980B(f)(2) of the Code)
under each Employee Plan that is a group health plan, and any liability or
obligation relating to such coverage, including without limitation any liability
or obligation to provide such Employees and Former Employees with the notice
required under Section 4980B(f)(6) of the Code with respect to qualifying events
that occur as a result of the Transfer of the Assets. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, neither Purchaser nor any of its Affiliates will assume any
liabilities or obligations with respect to Seller's cafeteria plan arrangement
arising out of any failure of Seller to set forth the terms of such plan in a
written plan document.

         (c) Seller will, and will cause Imperial Canada to, take all steps (i)
as are necessary (including obtaining all required governmental or third party
consents) to effect the assumption by Purchaser or one of Purchaser's Affiliates
of the Employee Benefit Plans maintained or sponsored by Imperial Canada and the
collective bargaining agreements covering Employees employed by Imperial Canada
and (ii) as are reasonably calculated to ensure that Purchaser or its Affiliate
assuming such Employee Benefit Plans and collective bargaining agreements do not
incur any obligations or liabilities with respect to such plans and agreements
that are greater than, or in addition to, Imperial Canada's obligations or
liabilities under the terms of such plans and agreements as of the Closing Date.

         6.1.3. Retirement Plans. (a) As of the Closing, Seller will cause
Employees to fully vest in their accrued benefits under the Collins & Aikman
Corporation Employees' Profit Sharing and Personal Savings Plan and the Collins
& Aikman Corporation Employees' Pension Account Plan (collectively, the
"Retirement Plans"). Neither Purchaser nor any of its Affiliates will assume any
liabilities or obligations with respect to the Retirement Plans, which will be
retained by Seller. As soon as practicable after the Closing, to the extent
permitted by Law and the terms of the Retirement Plans, Seller will permit
distributions to Employees of their vested benefits under the Retirement Plans.
With respect to Retirement Plans from which distributions are to be made,
Purchaser will, or will cause one of its Affiliates to, take all action
necessary to cause one or more qualified retirement plans maintained by
Purchaser or any one of its Affiliates to accept an eligible rollover
distribution (within the meaning of Section 402(f)(2) of the Code) of the
amounts distributed from the Retirement Plans to each Employee who shall become
an employee of Purchaser's affiliated group and a rollover

                                       29

<PAGE>



contribution (within the meaning of Section 408(d)(3) of the Code) with respect
to such amounts. To the extent distributions are not permitted under Law,
Purchaser and Seller will take such mutually agreed upon action with respect to
Employees' plan accounts, whether that be a spin-off, trustee-to-trustee
transfer to a plan maintained by Purchaser or any of its Affiliates, or
retention in the Retirement Plans for eventual distribution pursuant to the
terms of such plan. All distributions under any Retirement Plan which is a
defined benefit plan will satisfy all requirements for funding as are required
by Law giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Seller
represents and warrants that distributions to Employees as contemplated by this
Section 6.1.3 are permitted by the terms of the Collins & Aikman Corporation
Employees' Pension Account Plan.

         (b) Seller will, and will cause Imperial Canada to, take all steps as
are necessary or reasonably requested by Purchaser, to transfer to Purchaser, or
one of Purchaser's Affiliates, the Canadian Pension Plan and the Canadian
Pension Plan assets and liabilities (including obtaining all required
governmental and third party consents). To the extent such a transfer is not
permitted by the terms of the Canadian Pension Plan or applicable Law, Seller
and Purchaser will permit distributions or make other arrangements as are
contemplated with respect to Retirement Plans by the third and fourth sentences
of Section 6.1.3(a).

         6.1.4. Employment and Plan Amendments or Terminations. Except as
provided in Section 6.1.1, no provision of this Section 6.1 will limit
Purchaser's or any of its Affiliates' right and authority to discontinue,
suspend or modify the employment of any Employee or benefits provided to any or
all Employees or Former Employees after the Closing; provided, however, that in
the event of any such discontinuance, suspension or modification Purchaser will,
or will cause one of its Affiliates to, remain liable for all Employee Plan and
other employee benefit liabilities or obligations assumed pursuant to this
Agreement and will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller, each Post-Closing
Affiliate and their respective directors, officers, partners, employees, agents
and representatives (including without limitation any predecessor or successor
to any of the foregoing) from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses they
may suffer or incur as a result thereof. Neither Seller nor any Post- Closing
Affiliate will be liable for any liability or obligation that may arise from the
amendment or termination by Purchaser or any of its Affiliates of any employee
benefit plan assumed, established or continued by Purchaser or any of its
Affiliates under this Section 6.1.

         6.1.5.  Transitional Matters.  Each of Seller and Purchaser
will use its respective reasonable efforts to cooperate to
(a) transfer to Purchaser or any of its Affiliates any insurance

                                       30

<PAGE>



and administrative services contracts that Purchaser wishes to continue with
respect to any Employee Plan that Purchaser or any of its Affiliates is assuming
or continuing pursuant to this Agreement and (b) cause any insurance carrier
administering workers' compensation and other employee benefit liabilities or
obligations assumed by Purchaser or any of its Affiliates to deal directly with
Purchaser or such Affiliate.

         6.1.6. Employee Information. Each of Seller and Purchaser will provide
the other, in a timely manner, any information with respect to any Employee's or
Former Employee's employment with and compensation from Seller, any Post-Closing
Affiliate or Purchaser or any of its Affiliates, as the case may be, or rights
or benefits under any employee benefit plan which the other party hereto may
reasonably request.

         6.2.  General Post-Closing Matters.

         6.2.1. Post-Closing Notifications. Purchaser and Seller will, and each
will cause its respective Affiliates to, comply with any post-Closing
notification or other requirements, to the extent then applicable to such party,
of any antitrust, trade competition, investment, control or other Law of any
Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over the Business.

         6.2.2. Access. (a) On the Closing Date, or as soon thereafter as
practicable, and in no event later than 30 calendar days after the Closing Date,
Seller will deliver or cause to be delivered to Purchaser all original
agreements, documents, books, records, including without limitation Employee
records and records relating to obligations of the Company to Employees under
Employee Plans retained or assumed by Purchaser or the Company hereunder, and
files primarily relating to the Business or the Company (collectively,
"Records") in the possession of Seller or any Post-Closing Affiliate to the
extent not in the possession of the Company or Purchaser, subject to the
following exceptions:

                  (i) Purchaser recognizes that certain Records may contain only
         incidental information relating to the Company or may primarily relate
         to Seller or any Post-Closing Affiliate, or the businesses of Seller or
         any Post-Closing Affiliate other than the Business, and Seller and its
         Post- Closing Affiliates may retain such Records and Seller may deliver
         appropriately excised copies of such Records; and

                  (ii) Seller and each Post-Closing Affiliate may retain any Tax
         Returns so long as true and complete copies of the portions thereof
         relating to the Business are delivered to Purchaser at or before the
         Closing or made available to Purchaser following the Closing.


                                       31

<PAGE>



After the Closing, each party will, and will cause its Affiliates to, retain all
Records (except those Records referred to in Section 6.2.2(a)(i) and (ii))
required to be retained pursuant to obligations imposed by any applicable Law.
Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, each party will, and
will cause its Affiliates to, retain all Records for a period of seven years
after the Closing Date. After the end of such seven-year period, before
disposing, or permitting its Affiliates to dispose, of any such Records, each
party will, and will cause its Affiliates to, give notice to such effect to the
other party and give the other party at its cost and expense an opportunity to
remove and retain all or any part of such Records as the other party may elect.

         (b) After the Closing, upon reasonable notice, each party hereto will
give, or cause to be given, to the representatives, employees, counsel and
accountants of the other parties hereto access, during normal business hours, to
Records relating to periods prior to or including the Closing, and will permit
such persons to examine and copy such Records to the extent reasonably requested
by the other party in connection with tax and financial reporting matters
(including, without limitation, any Tax Return relating to state or local real
property transfer or gains taxes), audits, legal proceedings, governmental
investigations and other business purposes and to make inquiries relating
thereto of the relevant personnel; provided, however, that nothing herein will
obligate any party to take actions that would unreasonably disrupt the normal
course of its business, violate the terms of any contract to which it is a party
or to which it or any of its assets is subject or grant access to any of its
proprietary, confidential or classified information (except to the extent
required for purposes of defending or prosecuting any third party lawsuits or
administrative or other adjudicative proceedings ("Legal Proceedings")). Each
party will, and will cause its respective Affiliates controlled by it to,
provide or make available to the other and the other's respective Affiliates
access to employees of Purchaser and the Company for the purposes of, and with
the limitations described in, the preceding sentence (including without
limitation for the purpose of providing, and preparing to provide, testimony in
connection with third party Legal Proceedings).

         6.2.3. Certain Tax Matters. (a) Seller will prepare and file or cause
to be prepared and filed all Income Tax Returns for the Purchased Imperial
Companies required to be filed with the appropriate foreign, United States,
state and local taxing authorities for any taxable period that ends on or before
the Closing Date (each a "Pre-Closing Tax Period"). Seller will prepare and, if
required to do so by applicable Law, deliver to Purchaser for signing and filing
any Income Tax Returns of the Purchased Imperial Companies with respect to any
Pre-Closing Tax

                                       32

<PAGE>



Period (including any short period) that have not been filed prior to the
Closing Date. Seller will pay all Taxes required to be paid with respect to such
Tax Returns. Seller will prepare and file or cause to be prepared and filed all
Income Tax Returns for Imperial Canada and will pay all Income Taxes required to
be paid with respect to such Tax Returns.

         (b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.2.3(a) or Section
6.2.3(c), Purchaser will prepare and file or cause to be prepared and filed all
Tax Returns for the Purchased Imperial Companies that are required to be filed
with the appropriate United States, state, local and foreign taxing authorities
for all periods as to which such Tax Returns are due after the Closing Date
(taking into account all extensions of due dates). Subject to Section 6.2.3(r)
and Section 6.2.3(v), Purchaser will pay or cause to be paid all Taxes required
to be paid with respect to such Tax Returns.

         (c) With respect to any taxable period that would otherwise include but
not end on the Closing Date, to the extent permissible pursuant to applicable
Law, Seller will, and Purchaser will cause the Purchased Imperial Companies and
Imperial Canada to, insofar as possible, (i) take all steps as are or may be
reasonably necessary, including without limitation the filing of elections or
returns with applicable taxing authorities, to cause such period to end on the
Closing Date or (ii) if clause (i) is inapplicable, report (insofar as possible)
the operations of the Purchased Imperial Companies only for the portion of such
period ending on the Closing Date in a combined, consolidated or unitary Tax
Return filed by Seller or a Post- Closing Affiliate, and report the operations
of Imperial Canada only for the portion of such period ending at the close of
business on the Closing Date, notwithstanding that such taxable period does not
end on the Closing Date. If clause (ii) applies to a taxable period of the
Purchased Imperial Companies, the portion of such taxable period included in
such return filed by Seller will be treated as a Pre-Closing Tax Period
described in Section 6.2.3(a) and Purchaser will not be responsible for filing
such return for such portion of such year pursuant to Section 6.2.3(b), provided
that the foregoing will not relieve Purchaser of its obligation under Section
6.2.3(b) to file a Tax Return reporting the operations of the Purchased Imperial
Companies for the portion of such taxable period beginning after the Closing
Date. If it is not possible for a Tax Return to be filed for Non-Income Taxes
that reports the operations of Imperial Canada only for the period ending at the
close of business on the Closing Date, the parties shall cooperate in preparing
a return for the whole taxable period.

         (d) Purchaser will prepare and deliver, or will cause to be prepared
and delivered, within 60 calendar days of receipt of

                                       33

<PAGE>



Seller's request therefor, to Seller, Seller's standard international, federal
and state Income Tax Return data gathering packages relating to the Purchased
Imperial Companies, and Seller's standard Tax Return data gathering packages
relating to the Non-Income Taxes of Imperial Canada (if appropriate pursuant to
Section 6.2.3(c)). Such packages will be prepared on a basis consistent with the
prior year's Income Tax or Non-Income Tax (if appropriate) Returns. In addition
to providing such packages to Seller, Purchaser will promptly provide or cause
to be provided to Seller such other information as Seller may reasonably request
in order for the operations of the Company to be properly reported in such
Income Tax or Non-Income Tax(if appropriate) Returns.

         (e) Seller will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Purchaser and each
of its Affiliates from and against any and all liability for any taxable period
as a result of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any comparable provision
of state, local or foreign law) for Income Taxes of any corporation, other than
the Purchased Imperial Companies which is or has been affiliated with Seller or
Collins & Aikman Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("C&A Corp.").

         (f) Purchaser is eligible to and will make a timely and effective
election under Section 338(g) of the Code (and any comparable provision of state
or local law) with respect to the purchase of the Imperial Shares hereunder.
Both Seller and Purchaser are eligible to, and Purchaser will make and Seller
will cause C&A Corp. to make, a timely and effective election under Section
338(h)(10) of the Code (and any comparable provision of state or local law) with
respect to such purchase (the "Section 338(h)(10) Election").

         (g) At the Closing, Purchaser will deliver to Seller a completed
Internal Revenue Service Form 8023A, and the required schedules thereto ("Form
8023A"), providing for the Section 338(h)(10) Election. Provided that the
information on such Form 8023A is, in the reasonable determination of Seller,
correct and complete in all material respects, Seller will, at the Closing,
execute and deliver such Form 8023A to Purchaser. If any changes or supplements
are required to the Form 8023A as a result of any information that is first
available after the Closing, Seller and Purchaser will promptly agree upon and
make such changes. Purchaser and Seller (or C&A Corp.) will timely file the Form
8023A, and any required supplements thereto, and will provide written evidence
to the other that it has done so.

         (h) Purchaser and Seller agree that neither of them will take, or
permit their Affiliates to take, any action to modify or revoke the elections
contained in or the content of any Form 8023A without the express written
consent of the other party.

                                       34

<PAGE>



         (i) Seller will pay and indemnify and hold Purchaser and Imperial
harmless from (i) any and all Taxes arising from the Section 338(h)(10) Election
and (ii) any Tax liability, cost or expense arising out of the failure to pay
such Tax. Seller will also pay any state or local Tax (and indemnify and hold
Purchaser and the Purchased Imperial Companies harmless against any Tax
liability, cost or expense arising out of any failure to pay such Tax)
attributable to any election under state or local law comparable to the election
available under Section 338(g) of the Code (or which results from the making of
an election under Section 338(g) of the Code) with respect to Purchaser's
acquisition of the Purchased Imperial Companies.

         (j) Purchaser and Seller agree to report transactions under this
Agreement consistent with the Section 338(h)(10) Election and will take no
position contrary thereto unless required to do so pursuant to a final
determination by any Taxing authority or judicial proceeding.

         (k) Seller will cause any tax sharing agreements between the Company
and Seller or any other Post-Closing Affiliate to be terminated, effective as of
the Closing Date, to the extent that any such agreement relates to the Company.

         (l) Purchaser and Seller agree that for purposes of all Tax Returns and
other appropriate documents, (i) $10 million of the Purchase Price will be
allocated to the Imperial Canada Business Acquisition, (ii) the balance of the
Purchase Price and the liabilities of the Purchased Imperial Companies (plus
other relevant items) will be allocated to the assets of the Purchased Imperial
Companies (with the Option deemed for this purpose to be valued at $6 million)
in a manner consistent with the purchase price allocation to be determined by
the parties in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.338(h)(10)-1, and
(iii) the sum of $10 million and the C&A Imperial Assumed Liabilities will be
allocated among the C&A Imperial Canada Assets as follows: (A) Purchaser will
propose such an allocation and (B) if Seller disagrees in good faith, after
consultation with its Canadian tax advisors, with Purchaser's proposed
allocation, Purchaser, Seller and their respective Canadian tax advisors will
negotiate to determine such an allocation based on the principle that
Purchaser's proposed allocation will be used to the maximum extent permitted by
Canadian tax law. Such allocation as finally determined will be evidenced by a
writing signed by Seller and Purchaser. The parties agree that, if requested by
Seller, the parties will make any election under Canadian tax law necessary to
permit C&A Canada or Imperial Canada to treat any loss on inventory as an
ordinary loss unless Purchaser determines in its sole discretion that such
election could have a negative impact on Purchaser or any of its Affiliates.


                                       35

<PAGE>



         (m) On or before the Closing Date, Seller agrees to provide Purchaser
and the Company with all required clearance certificates or similar documents
that may be required by any state, local or other Taxing authority in order, to
the extent allowed, to relieve Purchaser of any obligation to withhold any
portion of the Purchase Price. If necessary to avoid sales or use Taxes, Seller
will, to the extent allowed, provide Purchaser with all appropriate state and
local resale certificates.

         (n) Seller will furnish to Purchaser on or before the Closing Date a
certification of Seller's non-foreign status as set forth in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.1445-2(b).

         (o) Seller, Purchaser and the Company will reasonably cooperate with
each other in connection with the preparation and filing of all Tax Returns or
any audit examinations for any period, including without limitation the timely
furnishing or making available of records, books of account and any other
information necessary for the preparation of the Tax Returns.

         (p) (i) With respect to any Income Tax Return of the Purchased Imperial
Companies for a Pre-Closing Tax Period and any Income Tax Return of Imperial
Canada for any tax period, Seller and its duly appointed representatives will
have the sole right, at its or their expense, to supervise or otherwise
coordinate any examination process and to negotiate, resolve, settle or contest
any asserted Tax deficiencies or assert and prosecute any claims for refund;
notwithstanding the foregoing, without the express written consent of Purchaser
or Imperial, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, Seller
will not file any amended Tax Return, settle any Tax claim or assessment, or
surrender any right to claim a refund of Tax, if such action could have the
effect of increasing the Tax liabilities of the Purchased Imperial Companies or
Purchaser.

                  (ii) With respect to any other Tax Return of C&A Imperial
Canada or the Purchased Imperial Companies, Purchaser, the Purchased Imperial
Companies and their duly appointed representatives will have the sole right, at
the expense of Purchaser or the Purchased Imperial Companies, to supervise or
otherwise coordinate any examination process and to negotiate, resolve, settle
or contest any asserted Tax deficiencies or assert and prosecute any claims for
refund; notwithstanding the foregoing, without the express written consent of
Seller, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, neither
Purchaser nor the Purchased Imperial Companies will file any amended Tax Return,
settle any Tax claim or assessment, or surrender any right to claim a refund of
Tax, if such action could have the effect of increasing the Tax liabilities of
Seller or any Post-Closing Affiliate.


                                       36

<PAGE>



                  (iii) Each party hereto will notify the other within 30
calendar days (unless action is required sooner, then as soon as practicable) of
the assertion of any claim or the commencement of any suit, action, proceeding,
investigation or audit with respect to the operations of the Company that is the
subject of this Section 6.2.3(p), and will provide the other copies (subject to
deletion of nonrelevant information) of all correspondence relating to such
contest.

         (q) (i) "Income Tax" or "Income Taxes" means all Taxes imposed on,
measured by or which require reference to, net or taxable income (including any
income, franchise, estimated, alternative, minimum, add-on minimum or other Tax
imposed on, measured by or which require reference to, net or taxable income),
together with interest and penalties thereon and estimated payments thereof,
(ii) "Taxes" means all federal, state, local, foreign and other taxes (including
without limitation income, profits, premium, estimated, excise, sales, use,
occupancy, gross receipts, franchise, ad valorem, severance, capital levy,
production, transfer, withholding, social security, employment, unemployment
compensation, payroll-related and property taxes, alternative minimum, estimated
stamp, value added, windfall profits, import duties and other governmental
charges and assessments), whether or not measured in whole or in part by net
income, and including deficiencies, interest, additions to tax or additional
amounts, interest and penalties with respect thereto (such term shall also
include any "Taxes" as to which the Company is liable as a successor or
transferee or pursuant to a contractual obligation), (iii) "Non-Income Taxes"
means all Taxes that are not Income Taxes, and (iv) "Tax Returns" means all
returns, reports or information returns or statements relating to Taxes as are
required to be filed with any United States, state, local and foreign taxing
authorities.

         (r) Seller will defend, indemnify and hold harmless Purchaser and the
Purchased Imperial Companies and their respective directors, officers,
employees, agents and representatives (including, without limitation, any
predecessor or successor to any of the foregoing) from and against any breach of
a covenant contained in this Section 6.2.3 and against the following Taxes and,
except as otherwise provided in Section 6.2.3(s), against any loss, damage,
liability, or expense, including reasonable fees for attorneys and consultants,
incurred in contesting or otherwise in connection with any such Taxes and in
enforcing their rights under this Section 6.2.3: (i) all Income Taxes imposed on
the Purchased Imperial Companies with respect to taxable periods ending before
or on the Closing Date, (ii) all Income Taxes of Imperial Canada with respect to
any Tax period, (iii) with respect to taxable periods beginning before the
Closing Date and ending after the Closing Date, Income Taxes imposed on the
Purchased Imperial Companies that are allocable,

                                       37

<PAGE>



pursuant to Section 6.2.3(s), to the portion of such period ending on the
Closing Date, (iv) all Non-Income Taxes of Imperial Canada that arise or accrue
after the close of business on the Closing Date, and (v) all Canadian Non-Income
Taxes arising out of or related to the pre-Closing transfer pricing practices of
Seller and its Affiliates.

         (s) Purchaser will, and, if the Closing occurs, Imperial jointly and
severally with Purchaser will, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller, each
Post-Closing Affiliate and their respective directors, officers, partners,
employees, agents and representatives (including, without limitation, any
predecessor to any of the foregoing) from and against (i) all Income Taxes
imposed on the Purchased Imperial Companies with respect to taxable periods
beginning after the Closing Date and, with respect to taxable periods beginning
before the Closing Date and ending after the Closing Date, Income Taxes imposed
on the Purchased Imperial Companies that are allocable, pursuant to Section
6.2.3(t), to the portion of such period beginning after the Closing Date, (ii)
all Income Taxes relating to or arising out of the operation by Purchaser or any
of its Affiliates of the business of Imperial Canada after the Closing Date,
(iii) all Non-Income Taxes of the Purchased Imperial Companies with respect to
any Tax period and Non-Income Taxes of Imperial Canada that arise or accrue
through the close of business on the Closing Date, in each case other than sales
and transfer Taxes which are Seller's responsibility pursuant to Section
6.2.3(v) and Taxes which are Seller's responsibility pursuant to Section
6.2.3(r)(v), and (iv) any loss, damage, liability, or expense, including
reasonable fees for attorneys and consultants, incurred in contesting or
otherwise in connection with any such Taxes and in enforcing their rights under
this Section 6.2.3.

         (t) In the case of Income Taxes of the Purchased Imperial Companies and
Non-Income Taxes of Imperial Canada that are payable with respect to a taxable
period that begins before the Closing Date and ends after the Closing Date, the
portion of any such Tax that is allocable to the portion of the period ending on
the Closing Date or, in the case of Non-Income Taxes of Imperial Canada, at the
close of business on the Closing Date, will be deemed equal to the amount that
would be payable if the taxable year ended immediately prior to the Closing Date
(including the taxable years of organizations in which the Company owns a
partnership interest or equity interest) (except that, solely for purposes of
determining the marginal tax rate applicable to income or receipts during such
period in a jurisdiction in which such tax rate depends upon the level of income
or receipts, annualized income or receipts may be taken into account if
appropriate for an equitable sharing of such Taxes). The portion of Tax
allocable to the portion of the period ending on the Closing Date shall be
computed on a per diem basis in the case of

                                       38

<PAGE>



Taxes that are neither (x) Income Taxes nor (y) imposed in connection with any
sale or other transfer or assignment of property, real or personal, tangible or
intangible.

         (u) Any Tax refund (or comparable benefit resulting from a reduction in
Tax liability) for a period ending on or before the Closing Date arising out of
the carryback of a loss or credit incurred by the Purchased Imperial Companies
in a taxable period (or allocable portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date
will be the property of Purchaser and, if received by Seller or any Post-Closing
Affiliate will be paid over promptly to Purchaser (including any interest
received from or credited thereon by the applicable taxing authority). Any other
Income Tax refund for a period ending on or before the Closing Date or for the
allocable portion of a period including the Closing Date will be the property of
Seller. Purchaser will pay or cause the Company to pay to Seller all refunds or
credits of Taxes (including any interest received from or credited thereon by
the applicable taxing authority) received by Purchaser or any of its Affiliates
after the Closing Date and attributable to Income Taxes paid by the Purchased
Imperial Companies or any other Post-Closing Affiliate with respect to a
Pre-Closing Tax Period or by Seller. Such payment will be made to Seller
promptly after receipt of any such refund from, or allowance of such credit by,
the relevant taxing authority. In all other events, any Tax refund will be the
property of the Purchased Imperial Companies and paid to the Purchased Imperial
Companies.

         (v) Seller and Purchaser will each pay one-half of all sales and
transfer Taxes, if any, which may be payable with respect to the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any and all sales,
transfer, recording and other Taxes arising from the Imperial Canada Business
Acquisition being effected in the form of a purchase and sale of assets rather
than a stock acquisition, and to the extent any exemptions from such Taxes are
available Seller and Purchaser will cooperate to prepare any certificates or
other documents necessary to claim such exemptions.

         6.2.4. Insurance. With respect to any loss, liability or damage
suffered by Purchased Imperial Companies after the Closing Date relating to,
resulting from or arising out of the conduct of the Business prior to the
Closing Date or included in the C&A Imperial Canada Assumed Liabilities, for
which Seller or any Post-Closing Affiliate would be entitled to assert, or cause
any other Person to assert, a claim for recovery under any policy of insurance
maintained by Seller or a Post-Closing Affiliate or for the benefit of Seller or
the Company, in respect of the Business, products, employees or the Company
("Insurance"), at the request of Purchaser, Seller will use its reasonable
efforts to assert, or to assist Purchaser or the Purchased Imperial Companies to

                                       39

<PAGE>



assert, one or more claims under such Insurance covering such loss, liability or
damage if Purchaser or any of the Purchased Imperial Companies is not itself
entitled to assert such claim, provided that all of Seller's and any
Post-Closing Affiliate's out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection
with the foregoing, including without limitation any liability, obligation or
expense referred to in the last sentence of this Section 6.2.4, are promptly
reimbursed by Purchaser. Seller will be deemed, solely for the purpose of
asserting claims for Insurance pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence,
to have assumed or retained liability for such loss, liability or damage to the
extent of the policy limits of the applicable policy of Insurance; provided,
however, that (a) Purchaser's obligations under Section 5.3(b) will not be
affected by the provisions of this Section 6.2.4 and (b) with respect to any
claim made at the request of Purchaser or the Purchased Imperial Companies by
Seller or any Seller Affiliate under any Insurance pursuant to this Section
6.2.4, Purchaser will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller and each
Post-Closing Affiliate and their respective directors, officers, partners,
employees, agents and representatives (including without limitation any
predecessor or successor of any of the foregoing) from and against any
Indemnifiable Loss relating to, resulting from or arising out of any deductible,
policy limit, obligation, indemnity, reinsurance due to the liquidation or
insolvency of the reinsurer, self-insurance retention, premium adjustments
resulting from claims made at the request of Purchaser or the Purchased Imperial
Companies under this Section 6.2.4 or other like arrangement by which any such
entity retains any liability or obligation under any such policy of Insurance or
otherwise.

         6.2.5. Receivables. As of the Closing, Seller will terminate any
agreements to which Imperial or any of the Subsidiaries is a party that is
related to the accounts receivables facility operated by a finance subsidiary of
Seller for its affiliates and Seller will indemnify, defend and hold harmless
the Company or Purchaser for any Indemnifiable Loss arising out of the Company's
prior participation in this facility or performance under such agreements,
provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity obligation will not apply to any
loss on the sale of receivables prior to the Closing Date or the collection (or
failure to collect) the receivables. Seller hereby agrees that all monies
(regardless of any prior discount or loss on sale) collected after the Closing
by Seller or any Post-Closing Affiliate with respect to receivables attributable
to the Company will be paid to the Company within three business days of
Seller's or Post-Closing Affiliate's receipt thereof.

         6.2.6.  Surety Obligations.   (a) From and after the
Closing, Purchaser will, and will cause the Company to, use
reasonable efforts to obtain and have issued replacements for any

                                       40

<PAGE>



guarantee, performance bond, letter of credit or other agreement guaranteeing or
securing liabilities and obligations (including without limitation in respect of
operating or other leases and the surety bonds listed on Schedule 6.2.6)
(collectively, "Surety Obligations") relating to the Business or the Company
under which Seller or any Post-Closing Affiliate has any liability to a third
party and to obtain any amendments, novations, releases, waivers, consents or
approvals necessary to release Seller and each Post- Closing Affiliate to such
Surety Obligations from all liability thereunder relating to the Business or the
Company, in each case as promptly as practicable. In the event and for the
period that Purchaser and the Company fail to obtain any such replacement,
amendment, novation, release, waiver, consent or approval, without limiting the
generality of Section 5.3(b), Purchaser will indemnify, defend, and hold
harmless Seller and each Post-Closing Affiliate and their respective directors,
officers, partners, employees, agents and representatives (including without
limitation the predecessors or successors of any of the foregoing) from and
against any Indemnifiable Loss relating to, resulting from or arising out of any
such failure by Purchaser or the Company.

                  (b) From and after the Closing, Seller will use reasonable
efforts to obtain and have issued replacements for any Surety Obligations
relating to any business other than the Business or any Post-Closing Affiliate
or under which the Company has any liability to a third party and to obtain any
amendments, novations, releases, waivers, consents or approvals necessary to
release the Company from all liability thereunder relating to any business other
than the Business or any Post-Closing Affiliate, in each case as promptly as
practicable. In the event and for the period that Seller fails to obtain any
such replacement, amendment, novation, release, waiver, consent or approval,
without limiting the generality of Section 5.3(a), Seller will indemnify,
defend, and hold harmless the Company and its respective Affiliates, directors,
officers, partners, employees, agents and representatives (including without
limitation the predecessors or successors of any of the foregoing) from and
against any Indemnifiable Loss relating to, resulting from or arising out of any
such failure by Seller.

         6.2.7. Assumed Push-Down Liabilities. Without further action, effective
as of the Closing, the Company will assume the liabilities of Seller listed on
Schedule 6.2.7 (the "Assumed Push-Down Liabilities") but only to the extent
related exclusively to the Business.

         6.2.8.  1994 Financial  Statements.  Seller will deliver as promptly as
practicable  after Purchaser's  written request,  audited  consolidated  balance
sheets  of  the  Company  as  of  January  28,  1995  and  the  related  audited
consolidated statements of

                                       41

<PAGE>



stockholders' equity, operations and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended,
accompanied by the accountant's report thereon.

         6.2.9. Certain Contracts. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Agreement, to the extent that (i) any Contract that is a C&A Imperial
Canada Asset (an "Assumed Contract") is not capable of being assigned to
Purchaser in connection with the Closing without the consent or waiver of a
third Person (including without limitation a Governmental Entity) which has not
been obtained on or before the Closing Date, or (ii) any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement constituted or would constitute a breach of any
Assumed Contract, or a violation of any Law or Order or other governmental
edict, Seller will be deemed not to have Transferred, and will not be obligated
to Transfer, to Purchaser any direct or indirect right, title or interest in or
to any such Contract without first having obtained all necessary consents and
waivers. Seller will use reasonable efforts to obtain such consents and waivers
as may be necessary to cure such potential breach or violation; provided,
however, but without affecting Seller's obligations under Section 5.3, Seller
will not be obligated to pay any consideration therefor to the party from whom
the consent or waiver is requested. Purchaser agrees that neither Seller nor any
of its Affiliates will have any liability whatsoever arising out of or relating
to the failure to obtain any consents or waivers that may have been or may be
required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
because of a breach of, default under or termination of any Assumed Contract as
a result thereof.

                  (b) To the extent that the consents and waivers referred to in
the immediately preceding paragraph are not obtained, or until the breaches or
violations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph are resolved,
Seller will use reasonable efforts, (i) with reasonable costs of Purchaser and
its Affiliates related thereto to be promptly reimbursed by Seller, to provide
to Purchaser, at its request, the benefits of any such Contract and cooperate in
any reasonable and lawful arrangement designed to provide such benefits to
Purchaser, without incurring any financial obligation to Seller or any of its
Affiliates, and (ii) with reasonable costs of Seller and its Affiliates related
thereto to be promptly reimbursed by Purchaser, to enforce, at the request and
for the account of Purchaser, any rights of Seller arising from any such
Contract against the other party or parties to such Contract (including the
right to elect to terminate in accordance with the terms thereof upon the advice
of Purchaser). Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein,
Purchaser will perform or pay for the benefit of the other party or parties
thereto the obligations of Seller under or in connection with any such Contract
and will indemnify and hold Seller and its

                                       42

<PAGE>



Affiliates harmless from any Indemnifiable Losses relating to, resulting from or
arising out of any failure by Purchaser so to perform or pay. Purchaser will
comply with all reasonable requests of Seller for cooperation in connection with
the performance of Seller's obligations under this Section 6.2.9.


                          VII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         7.1. Notices. All notices and other communications required or
permitted hereunder will be in writing and, unless otherwise provided in this
Agreement, will be deemed to have been duly given when delivered in person or by
a nationally recognized overnight courier service or when dispatched during
normal business hours by electronic facsimile transfer (confirmed in writing by
mail simultaneously dispatched) to the appropriate party at the address
specified below:

                  (a)  If to Purchaser, to:

                                    BDPI Holdings Corporation
                                    c/o The Blackstone Group
                                    345 Park Avenue
                                    New York, New York  10154
                                    Facsimile No.:  (212) 754-8720
                                    Attention:  Mr. David A. Stockman
                                                       Senior Managing Director

                           with a copy to:

                                    Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
                                    599 Lexington Avenue
                                    New York, New York  10022
                                    Facsimile No.:  (212) 755-7306
                                    Attention:  Robert A. Profusek, Esq.


                  (b)        If to Seller, to:

                                    Collins & Aikman Products Co.
                                    701 McCullough Drive
                                    Charlotte, North Carolina  28262
                                    Facsimile No.:  (704) 548-2010
                                    Attention:  Corporate Counsel

                           with a copy to:

                                    Collins & Aikman Products Co.
                                    200 Madison Avenue, 6th Floor
                                    New York, New York  10016
                                    Facsimile No.:  (212) 578-1269

                                       43

<PAGE>



                                    Attention:  Elizabeth R. Philipp, Esq.
                                                Executive Vice President - Law


or to such other address or addresses as any such party may from time to time
designate as to itself by like notice.

         7.2. Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, (a)
Seller will pay or cause to be paid all expenses incurred by Seller incident to
this Agreement and in preparing to consummate and consummating the transactions
provided for herein and (b) Purchaser will pay any expenses incurred by it
incident to this Agreement and in preparing to consummate and consummating the
transactions provided for herein, including without limitation the fees and
expenses of any broker, finder, financial advisor or similar person engaged by
such party.

         7.3. Successors and Assigns. (a) Subject to Section 7.3(b), this
Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective successors and permitted assigns, but will not be
assignable or delegatable by any party without the prior written consent of the
other parties hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, Purchaser may
assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any lender to
Purchaser or any subsidiary of Purchaser as security for obligations to such
lender in respect of the financing arrangements entered into in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby and any refinancings, extensions,
refundings or renewals thereof, or to any subsidiary of Purchaser or BDPH or any
entity of which Purchaser is a subsidiary, provided however, that no assignment
hereunder shall in any way affect Purchaser's or the Company's obligations or
liabilities under this Agreement.

         (b) Nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit Purchaser's ability
to sell or to Transfer the Shares following the Closing Date provided that such
sale or Transfer will not result in a termination of any of Purchaser's
covenants, duties, responsibilities, obligations or liabilities hereunder,
including without limitation under Sections 3.1(b) and Articles V and VI, unless
the person or entity acquiring the Shares pursuant to such sale or Transfer
assumes all of such covenants, duties, responsibilities, obligations and
liabilities in a written instrument reasonably satisfactory to Seller.

         7.4. Waiver. Either Purchaser or Seller by written notice to the other
may (a) extend the time for performance of any of the obligations or other
actions of the other under this Agreement, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the
representations or warranties of the other contained in this Agreement, (c)
waive compliance with any of the conditions or covenants of the other

                                       44

<PAGE>



contained in this Agreement, or (d) waive or modify performance of any of the
obligations of the other under this Agreement; provided, however, that neither
Purchaser nor Seller may, without the prior written consent of the other, make
or grant such extension of time, waiver of inaccuracies or compliance or waiver
or modification of performance with respect to its (or any of its Affiliates')
representations, warranties, conditions or covenants hereunder. Except as
provided in the immediately preceding sentence, no action taken pursuant to this
Agreement will be deemed to constitute a waiver of compliance with any
representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement and will
not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach, whether of a
similar or dissimilar nature.

         7.5. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Schedules hereto)
supersedes any other agreement, whether written or oral, that may have been made
or entered into by any party or any of their respective Affiliates (or by any
director, officer or representative thereof) prior to the date hereof relating
to the matters contemplated hereby. This Agreement (together with the Schedules
hereto) constitutes the entire agreement by and among the parties hereto and
there are no agreements or commitments by or among such parties or their
Affiliates except as expressly set forth herein.

         7.6. Amendments, Supplements, Etc. This Agreement may be amended or
supplemented at any time by additional written agreements as may mutually be
determined by Purchaser and Seller to be necessary, desirable or expedient to
further the purposes of this Agreement, or to clarify the intention of the
parties hereto.

         7.7. Rights of the Parties. Except as provided in Article V or in
Sections 6.2.3 and 7.3, nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is
intended or will be construed to confer upon or give any person or entity other
than the parties hereto and their respective Affiliates any rights or remedies
under or by reason of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby.

         7.8. Further Assurances. From time to time, whether at or after the
Closing as and when requested by either Purchaser or Seller, the other will
execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents
and instruments as may be reasonably necessary or otherwise reasonably requested
by Purchaser or Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or otherwise to carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement and
to assure that the Company holds all of the assets, properties, permits,
authorizations, rights and related obligations used or held for use primarily or
exclusively in the Business, including without limitation the proper filing,
registration or recordation of such documents and instruments.

                                       45

<PAGE>



         7.9. Applicable Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal
relations among the parties hereto will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the substantive Laws of the State of New York, without giving
effect to the principles of conflict of laws thereof.

         7.10. Titles and Headings. Titles and headings to Sections herein are
inserted for convenience of reference only, and are not intended to be a part of
or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         7.11. Certain Interpretive Matters and Definitions. (a) Unless the
context otherwise requires, (i) all references to Sections or Schedules are to
Sections or Schedules of or to this Agreement, (ii) each term defined in this
Agreement has the meaning assigned to it, (iii) each accounting term not
otherwise defined in this Agreement has the meaning assigned to it in accordance
with GAAP, (iv) "or" is disjunctive but not necessarily exclusive, (v) words in
the singular include the plural and vice versa, (vi) the terms "subsidiary" and
"Affiliate" have the meanings given to those terms in Rule 12b-2 of Regulation
12B under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, provided, however,
that, except with respect to Section 1.3, none of Purchaser, its parent or any
entity controlled by either of them will be deemed to be Affiliates of Seller
and none Seller, C&A Corp. or any entity controlled by either of them will be
deemed to be Affiliates of Purchaser, (vii) all references to "$" or dollar
amounts will be to lawful currency of the United States of America, and (viii)
"Knowledge of Seller" means solely to the actual knowledge of the persons listed
on Schedule 7.11(a), and (ix) "Knowledge of Purchaser" means solely to the
actual knowledge of the persons listed on Schedule 7.11(b).

         (b) No provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in favor of, or
against, any of the parties hereto by reason of the extent to which any such
party or its counsel participated in the drafting thereof or by reason of the
extent to which any such provision is inconsistent with any prior draft hereof
or thereof.

         7.12. Bulk Transfer Laws. Purchaser hereby waives compliance by Seller
with the provisions of any so-called "bulk transfer" Law of any jurisdiction in
connection with the sale of the C&A Imperial Canada Assets to Purchaser.

                                       46

<PAGE>



                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement the day and year first above written.

                                        COLLINS & AIKMAN PRODUCTS CO.



                                       By: /s/ J. Michael Stepp
                                      Name:
                                     Title:


                                        IMPERIAL WALLCOVERINGS, INC.



                                       By: /s/ J. Michael Stepp
                                      Name:
                                     Title:


                                        BDPI HOLDINGS CORPORATION


                                       By: /s/ Anthony Grillo
                                      Name:
                                     Title:


<PAGE>
                                                                       Exhibit A

                                    AGREEMENT


         This Agreement, dated as of __________, 199_, is made and entered into
by and among Royal Wall Fashions, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
Collins & Aikman Products Co., a Delaware corporation ("C&A" and, together with
its Permitted Transferees of Option Shares, collectively "Holder"), and BDPI
Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a stockholder of the
Company ("BDPI").

                                    RECITALS

         A. BDPI Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Purchaser"),
agreed to acquire the entire issued and outstanding share capital of Imperial
Wallcoverings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Imperial"), pursuant to an
Acquisition Agreement, dated as of November 3, 1997, among C&A, Imperial and
Purchaser (the "Acquisition Agreement");

         B. Purchaser effected the recapitalization of the Company pursuant to,
among other transactions, the merger (the "Merger") of Purchaser into the
Company, whereupon by virtue of the Merger the Company assumed Purchaser's
obligations under the Acquisition Agreement; and

         C. The Acquisition Agreement provides for this Agreement to be entered
into by the parties hereto.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein set
forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

         1. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to C&A an option (the
"Option") to purchase ______ shares (the "Option Shares")1 of Common Stock at a
purchase price per Option Share2 payable upon the exercise of the Option (the
"Option Price") of $_____ per Option Share, payable in cash in immediately
available funds upon exercise of the Option as provided in Section 2. The Option
Price and the number and kind of Option Shares purchasable upon exercise of the
Option are subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 3.
- --------
1        6.7% of the total number of shares of the Common Stock issuable in the
         Merger, calculated without giving effect to any shares or potentially
         dilutive options, warrants or other rights issued or granted to
         management or in connection with the financing of the Borden Recap and
         the transactions contemplated by the Agreement.

2        130% of the amount per share of capital contributed by BDPI to the
         Company as of the close of business on the Closing Date, giving effect
         to the Merger and subject to adjustment as provided in the Acquisition
         Agreement.


                                        1

<PAGE>



         2. Exercise of Option. (a) The Option may be exercised by C&A, in whole
or in part, at any time and, subject to the last sentence of this Section 2,
from time to time after the date hereof and prior to 5:00 p.m., New York, New
York time on ___________,3 (the "Expiration Date") by delivering to the Company,
at its principal office designated for such purpose, the following:

                     (i)   a written notice of exercise of the Option duly
         executed by Holder (a "Notice of Exercise"); and

                    (ii) cash, a certified or bank cashier's check payable to
         the order of the Company or a wire transfer to an account designated by
         the Company, in each case in an amount in immediately available funds
         equal to the product of (A) the number of Option Shares and (B) the
         Option Price.

If Holder delivers a Notice of Exercise as to less than all of the Option
Shares, the Option will expire without further action to the extent then
unexercised unless such Notice of Exercise is given in respect of a transaction
referred to in Section 7.3 or 7.4, in which event the Option may be exercised in
part (to the extent that Option Shares are included in any such transaction) and
will remain in effect in accordance with its terms with respect to the
unexercised portion thereof.

                  (b) As promptly as practicable after the exercise of the
Option in accordance with Section 2(a), and in any event within 10 Business Days
after such exercise, the Company will (i) requisition from any transfer agent
for the Common Stock certificates representing the Option Shares, (ii) after
receipt of such certificates, cause them to be delivered to C&A, registered in
C&A's name, and (iii) if applicable, deliver to or upon the order of C&A the
amount of cash to be paid in lieu of the issuance of fractional Option Shares in
accordance with the provisions of Section 4.

                  (c) The Company will take all such action as may be necessary
to ensure that all Option Shares delivered upon exercise of the Option, at the
time of delivery of the certificates for such Option Shares, will (subject to
payment of the Option Price) be (i) duly and validly authorized and issued,
fully paid and nonassessable and (ii) if shares of Common Stock are then listed
on any national securities exchange (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended) or qualified for quotation on the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System, duly listed or qualified
for quotation thereon, as the case may be.

                  (d) The Company will pay all expenses of the preparation,
issuance and delivery of certificates representing Option Shares in connection
with any exercise of the Option in accordance with Section 2(a), including any
documentary or stamp taxes payable as a result of the issuance of Option Shares
to C&A. In connection with any exercise of the Option
- --------
3 Insert the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date.


                                        2

<PAGE>



in accordance with Section 2(a), the Option will be deemed to have been
exercised, any certificate representing Option Shares issued on account thereof
will be deemed to have been issued and the Person in whose name any such
certificate is issued will be deemed for all purposes to have become a holder of
record of the Option Shares represented thereby as of the date of such exercise.

         3. Adjustments of Option Price and Option Shares. The Option Price and
the number and kind of Option Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Option
will be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the occurrence of certain
events as provided in this Section 3.

         3.1. Mechanical Adjustments. The Option Price and the number and kind
of Option Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Option will be subject to
adjustment as follows:

                  (a) Subject to Section 3.1(c), if the Company (i) pays a
         dividend or otherwise distributes to holders of its Common Stock, as
         such, shares of its capital stock (whether Common Stock or capital
         stock of any other class), (ii) subdivides its outstanding shares of
         Common Stock into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, (iii)
         combines its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number
         of shares of Common Stock, or (iv) issues any shares of its capital
         stock in a reclassification of its outstanding shares of Common Stock
         (excluding any such reclassification in connection with a
         consolidation, merger or other business combination transaction), then
         the number and kind of Option Shares purchasable upon exercise of the
         Option immediately prior thereto will be adjusted so that C&A will be
         entitled to receive (A) in the case of a dividend or distribution, the
         sum of (1) the number of Option Shares that, if the Option had been
         exercised immediately prior to such adjustment, C&A would have received
         upon such exercise and (2) the number and kind of additional shares of
         capital stock that C&A would have been entitled to receive as a result
         of such dividend or distribution by virtue of its ownership of the
         Option Shares, (B) in the case of a subdivision or combination, the
         number of Option Shares that, if the Option had been exercised
         immediately prior to such adjustment, C&A would have received upon such
         exercise, adjusted to give effect to such subdivision or combination as
         if the Option Shares had been subject thereto, or (C) in the case of an
         issuance in a reclassification, the sum of (1) the number of Option
         Shares that, if the Option had been exercised immediately prior to such
         adjustment, C&A would have received upon such exercise and retained
         after giving effect to such reclassification as if the Option Shares
         had been subject thereto and (2) the number and kind of additional
         shares of capital stock that C&A would have been entitled to receive as
         a result of such reclassification as if the Option Shares had been
         subject thereto. An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3.1(a)
         will become effective immediately after the record date for the
         determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or
         distribution in the case of a dividend or distribution and will become
         effective immediately after the effective date of such subdivision,
         combination or reclassification in the case of a subdivision,
         combination or reclassification.



                                        3

<PAGE>



                           (b) (i) In the event of a distribution by the Company
         to holders of its outstanding common stock of stock of a subsidiary or
         securities convertible into or exercisable for such stock, then in lieu
         of an adjustment in the number of Option Shares purchasable upon the
         exercise of the Option, C&A will be entitled to (A) receive from such
         subsidiary, an option (a "Subsidiary Option") having terms (including
         adjustments of number of option shares and exercise price)
         substantially similar to the terms of the Option and (B) an adjustment
         to the Option Price, such that the Exercise Price plus the exercise
         price of the Subsidiary Option shall equal the Option Price immediately
         prior to such distribution.

                                    (ii)  If the Company distributes to holders
         of its Common Stock evidences of indebtedness of the Company or assets
         or securities other than Common Stock (including any contractual or
         other right to purchase Common Stock but excluding ordinary cash
         dividends payable out of consolidated retained earnings and dividends
         or distributions referred to in Section 3.1(a)) (any such evidences of
         indebtedness, assets or securities, the "assets or securities"), then,
         in each case, the Option Price shall be adjusted by subtracting from
         the Option Price then in effect the fair market value of the assets or
         securities that C&A would have been entitled to receive as a result of
         such distribution had the Option been exercised and the relevant Option
         Shares issued in the name of C&A immediately prior to the record date
         for such distribution; provided, however, that if such adjustment would
         result in an Option Price of less than $0.01 per share (or such other
         amount equal to the then par value of the Common Stock), then the
         Company shall distribute such assets or securities to C&A as if C&A had
         exercised the Option and the Option Shares had been issued in the name
         of C&A immediately prior to the record date for such distribution.

                  (c) No adjustment in the number of Option Shares purchasable
         upon the exercise of the Option will be required unless such adjustment
         would require an increase or decrease in the number of Option Shares
         purchasable upon the hypothetical exercise of the Option of at least
         1%. All calculations with respect to the number of Option Shares will
         be made to the nearest one-thousandth of a share and all calculations
         with respect to the Option Price will be to the nearest whole cent.

                  (d) Whenever the number of Option Shares purchasable upon the
         exercise of the Option is adjusted as herein provided, the Option Price
         will be correspondingly adjusted by multiplying the Option Price in
         effect immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction, the
         numerator of which will be the number of Option Shares purchasable upon
         the exercise of the Option immediately prior to such adjustment, and
         the denominator of which will be the number of Option Shares so
         purchasable immediately thereafter.

                  (e) For the purpose of this Section 3, the term "Common Stock"
         means (i) the class of shares designated as the Common Stock of the
         Company as of the date of this Agreement, (ii) all shares of any class
         or classes (however designated) of the Company, now or hereafter
         authorized, the holders of which have the right, without limitation as


                                        4

<PAGE>



         to amount, either to all or to a part of the balance of current
         dividends and liquidating dividends after the payment of dividends and
         distributions on any shares entitled to preference, and the holders of
         which are ordinarily entitled to vote generally in the election of
         directors of the Company, or (iii) any other class of shares resulting
         from successive changes or reclassifications of such shares consisting
         solely of changes in par value, or from par value to no par value, or
         from no par value to par value.

         3.2. Notice of Adjustment. Whenever the Option Price or the number or
kind of Option Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Option is adjusted
pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement, the Company will promptly
give notice to C&A of such adjustment or adjustments, together with a
certificate of a firm of independent public accountants selected by the Company
(who may be the regular accountants employed by the Company) setting forth the
adjustments in the Option Price and the number or kind of Option Shares
purchasable upon exercise of the Option, and also setting forth a brief
statement of the facts requiring such adjustments and the computations upon
which such adjustments are based. Such certificate will be conclusive evidence
of the correctness of such adjustments.

         3.3. Preservation of Purchase Rights Upon Merger, Consolidation, Etc.
In case of any consolidation of the Company with or merger of the Company into
another corporation or in case of any sale or transfer to another entity in any
one transaction or series of related transactions effected pursuant to a common
plan of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (any such
transaction, a "Company Sale"), the Company or such successor, as the case may
be, will execute an agreement providing that C&A will have the right thereafter,
upon payment of an amount equal to the amount payable upon the exercise of the
Option immediately prior thereto, to purchase upon exercise of the Option in
accordance with Section 2 the kind and amount of securities or property that it
would have owned or have been entitled to receive after giving effect to the
Company Sale on account of the Option Shares that would have been purchasable
upon the exercise of the Option had the Option been exercised immediately prior
thereto, provided that (a) to the extent that C&A would have been so entitled to
receive cash on account of such Option Shares, C&A may elect in connection with
the exercise of the Option in accordance with Section 2.1 to reduce the amount
of cash that it would be entitled to receive upon such exercise in exchange for
a corresponding reduction in the amount payable upon such exercise), (b) no
adjustment in respect of dividends, interest or other income on or from such
shares or other securities or property will be made during the term of the
Option or upon the exercise of the Option, and (c) nothing herein will diminish
or otherwise affect the provisions of Sections 7.3 and 7.4. Such agreement will
provide for adjustments that will be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable
to the adjustments provided for in this Section 3. The provisions of this
Section 3.3 will similarly apply to successive consolidations, mergers, sales or
transfers.

         4. Fractional Interests. The Company may, but will not be required to,
issue fractional Option Shares or fractional interests in any other securities
on the exercise of the Option. If any fraction of an Option Share or other
security would, except for the provisions of this Section 4, be issuable upon
the exercise of the Option, the Company will pay or issue, as the case may be,
such fractional interest or, at the Company's option, an amount in cash (a) in
lieu


                                        5

<PAGE>



of a fractional Option Share, equal to the Current Market Price for one share of
Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the
Option is presented for exercise, multiplied by such fraction of an Option
Share, or (b) in lieu of a fractional interest in any other security, equal to
the fair value of such fractional interest, determined in a manner as similar as
possible, taking into account the difference in the fractional interest being
valued, to the calculation described in clause (a) of this Section 4.

         5. Notices to C&A. Nothing contained in this Agreement will be
construed as conferring upon Holder the right to vote, or to receive dividends,
or to consent or to receive notice as a stockholder in respect of any meeting of
stockholders for the election of directors of the Company or any other matter or
any rights whatsoever as a stockholder of the Company; provided, however, that
if, at any time prior to the Expiration Date and prior to the exercise of the
Option, any of the following events occurs:

                  (a) The Company declares any dividend payable in any
         securities upon its shares of Common Stock or makes any distribution
         (other than a regular cash dividend payable out of consolidated
         retained earnings) to the holders of its shares of Common Stock;

                  (b) The Company offers to the holders of its Common Stock any
         shares of capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary or securities
         convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the
         Company or any Subsidiary or any option, right or warrant to subscribe
         for or purchase any thereof;

                  (c) The Company distributes to the holders of its Common Stock
         evidences of indebtedness or assets (including any cash dividend which
         would result in an adjustment under Section 3.1) of the Company or any
         Subsidiary;

                  (d) Any reclassification of the Common Stock, any
         consolidation of the Company with or merger of the Company into another
         entity, any sale, transfer or lease to another entity of all or
         substantially all the property of the Company; or

                  (e) Any proposal by the Company to effect a dissolution,
         liquidation or winding up of the Company that has been publicly
         announced by the Company;

then in any one or more of such events the Company will give notice of such
event to Holder, as provided in Section 10 hereof, such giving of notice to be
completed at least ten Business Days prior to the date fixed as a record date or
the date of closing the transfer books for the determination of the stockholders
entitled to such dividend, distribution or subscription rights, or for the
determination of stockholders entitled to vote on such proposed
reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease, dissolution,
liquidation or winding up. Such notice will specify such record date or the date
of closing the transfer books, as the case may be, for such event. Failure to
mail or receive such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof will
not affect the validity of any action taken in connection with such event.


                                        6

<PAGE>



         6. Reports to C&A. (a) To the extent such documents are required to be
sent by the Company to the holders of outstanding Common Stock, the Company will
provide to C&A, within 15 calendar days after it files them with the SEC, copies
of its annual report and of the information, documents and other reports (or
copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and
regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

                  (b) The Company will provide to C&A copies of its annual
financial statements and quarterly financial statements in the forms provided to
its senior bank lenders, within 15 calendar days after they are provided to such
lenders.

         7. Agreements of Holder and the Company with Respect to Option Shares.
The provisions of this Section 7 will apply to all Option Shares acquired upon
exercise of the Option and any other shares of Common Stock which Holder
hereafter acquires by means of a stock split, stick dividend, distribution,
exercise of options or warrants or otherwise (other than pursuant to a Public
Offering) (all such Option Shares or other shares, "Shares").

         7.1. Limitations on Transfer. (a) No Holder may Transfer any Shares (i)
other than in accordance with Sections 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 or 7.5 or (ii) to a
Transferee engaged in the business of the development, production, marketing,
distribution or sale of vinyl and/or paper decorative surface products (a
"Competitor"). C&A may not, directly or indirectly, Transfer the Option in part
or to a Competitor and may Transfer its entire rights in and under the Option
only in the circumstances, and subject to the same conditions, permitted and
specified in Sections 7.3 and 7.5 as applicable to Transfers of Shares.

                  (b) In the event of any purported Transfer of the Option or
any Shares in violation of the provisions of this Agreement, such purported
transfer will be void and the Company will not give effect to such Transfer.

                  (c) Each certificate representing Shares issued to Holder will
bear the following legend on the face thereof:

         "THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT
         TO AN AGREEMENT AMONG THE COMPANY, BDPI HOLDINGS LLC AND THE HOLDER
         HEREOF, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.
         NO TRANSFER, SALE, ASSIGNMENT, PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATION OR OTHER
         DISPOSITION OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE
         MADE EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH OPTION AGREEMENT.
         THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS CERTIFICATE,
         AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ALL OF THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH OPTION AGREEMENT.

         "THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE
         HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND


                                        7

<PAGE>



         MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNLESS THEY
         HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THAT ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM
         REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE."

The aforesaid legend will be removed by the Company by the delivery of
substitute certificates without such legend in the event of (i) a Transfer
permitted by this Agreement and in which the Transferee is not required to enter
into an Assumption Agreement or (ii) the termination of Sections 7.1, 7.2 and
7.5 pursuant to the terms hereof, provided however, that the second paragraph of
such legend will only be removed if at such time it is no longer required for
purposes of the Securities Act.

         7.2. Transfers to Affiliates. Subject to Section 7.1, Holder may
Transfer the Option as an entirety or any or all of the Shares held by it to any
of its Affiliates who duly executes and delivers an Assumption Agreement,
provided that in connection therewith the Company has been furnished with an
opinion in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company of counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Company that such Transfer is exempt from or not
subject to the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act and any other
applicable securities laws.

         7.3. Tag-Along Rights. (a) So long as this Agreement remains in effect,
with respect to any proposed Transfer by BDPI or any Person to whom BDPI assigns
its rights in accordance with Section 7.4(c) of shares of Common Stock to any
Person not an Affiliate of BDPI, other than in a Public Offering, whether
pursuant to a stock sale, a tender or exchange offer or a similar transaction
(any such transaction, a "BDPI Sale"), BDPI will have the obligation, and Holder
will have the right, to require the proposed Transferee or acquiring Person to
purchase from a Holder who exercises its rights under Section 7.3(b) (a "Tagging
Stockholder") a number of Shares up to the product (rounded up to the nearest
whole number) of (i) the quotient determined by dividing (A) the aggregate
number of Shares owned by such Tagging Stockholder by (B) the aggregate number
of shares of Common Stock owned by BDPI, the Tagging Stockholder and any other
Stockholder entitled to participate in such transaction, and (ii) the total
number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be directly or indirectly
Transferred to the Transferee or acquiring Person in the contemplated BDPI Sale,
at the same price per share of Common Stock and upon the same terms and
conditions (including, without limitation, time of payment and form of
consideration) as to be paid and given to BDPI; provided, that in order to be
entitled to exercise its right to sell Shares to the proposed Transferee or
acquiring Person pursuant to this Section 7.3, each Tagging Stockholder must
agree to make to the Transferee or acquiring Person substantially the same
representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and agreements as BDPI
agrees to make in connection with the proposed BDPI Sale. Each Tagging
Stockholder will be responsible for its proportionate share of the costs of the
BDPI to the extent not paid or reimbursed by the Company or the Transferee.

                  (b) BDPI will give notice to each Tagging Stockholder of each
proposed BDPI Sale at least 15 Business Days prior to the proposed consummation
of such BDPI Sale, setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock proposed
to be so Transferred, the name and address of the proposed Transferee or
acquiring Person, the proposed amount and form of consideration (and if such
consideration consists in part or in whole of property other than cash, BDPI
will provide such information, to the extent reasonably available to BDPI,
relating to such


                                        8

<PAGE>



consideration as the Tagging Stockholder may reasonably request in order to
evaluate such non-cash consideration) and other terms and conditions of payment
offered by the proposed Transferee or acquiring Person, and a representation
that the proposed Transferee or acquiring Person has been informed of the
tag-along rights provided for in this Section 7.3. BDPI will deliver or cause to
be delivered to each Tagging Stockholder copies of all transaction documents
relating to the proposed BDPI Sale (including draft and final versions of such
documents) as the same become available. The tag-along rights provided by this
Section 7.3 must be exercised by each Tagging Stockholder within 12 Business
Days following receipt of the notice required by the preceding sentence by
delivery of a written notice to BDPI indicating the desire of such Tagging
Stockholder to exercise its or his rights and specifying the number of Shares it
desires to sell. The Tagging Stockholder will be entitled under this Section 7.3
to Transfer to the proposed Transferee or acquiring Person the number of Shares
calculated in accordance with Section 7.3(a).

                  (c) If any Tagging Stockholder exercises its rights under
Section 7.3(a), the closing of the purchase of the Shares with respect to which
such rights have been exercised will take place concurrently with the closing of
the sale of BDPI's Common Stock to the proposed Transferee or acquiring Person.

         7.4. Drag-Along Rights. (a) So long as this Agreement remains in
effect, if BDPI receives a bona fide offer from a Person other than an Affiliate
of BDPI (a "Third Party") to purchase in an arms'-length transaction of a type
referred to in the first sentence of Section 7.3(a) at least a majority of the
shares of Common Stock then outstanding and such offer is accepted by BDPI, then
Holder hereby agrees that it will Transfer to such Third Party on the terms of
the offer so accepted by BDPI, including the same time of payment and per Share
consideration, the number of Shares equal to the number of Shares owned by
Holder multiplied by the percentage of the then-outstanding shares of Common
Stock to which the Third Party offer is applicable.

                  (b) BDPI will give notice (the "Drag-Along Notice") to Holder
of any proposed Transfer giving rise to the rights of BDPI set forth in Section
7.4(a) as soon as practicable following BDPI's acceptance of the offer referred
to in Section 7.4(a). The Drag-Along Notice will set forth the number of shares
of Common Stock proposed to be so Transferred, the name of the proposed
Transferee or acquiring Person, the proposed amount and form of consideration
(and if such consideration consists in part or in whole of property other than
cash, BDPI will provide such information, to the extent reasonably available to
BDPI, relating to such consideration as Holder may reasonably request in order
to evaluate such non-cash consideration), the number of shares of Common Stock
sought and the other terms and conditions of the offer. BDPI will notify Holder
at least ten Business Days in advance of entering into a definitive agreement in
connection with such offer. In any such agreement, Holder will be required (i)
to make the same representations, warranties and indemnities as BDPI makes, so
long as they are made severally and not jointly, and (ii) to pay its
proportionate share of the costs of such Transfer to the extent not paid or
reimbursed by the Company or the Transferee or acquiring Person. If the Transfer
referred to in the Drag-Along Notice is not consummated within 180 days from the
date of the Drag-Along Notice, BDPI must deliver another Drag-Along Notice in
order to exercise its rights under this Section 7.4 with respect to such
Transfer or any other Transfer.


                                        9

<PAGE>


                  (c) Notwithstanding Section 12, BDPI may assign its rights
under this Section 7.4 to a single Transferee of at least a majority of the
shares of Common Stock then owned by BDPI, provided, however, that upon such an
assignment BDPI's rights under this Section 7.4 will terminate.

                  (d) If more than one Person is included in Holder when the
Company exercises drag-along rights under this Section 7.4, each such Person
will participate pro rata by reference to the number of Shares owned by each
such Person.

                  (e) If the Company has drag-along rights similar to this
Section 7.4 with respect to any holder of Common Stock other than Holder, then
the Company may not exercise its drag-along rights under this Section 7.4 unless
it simultaneously exercises (to the maximum proportional extent permitted) its
drag-along rights against such other holder.

         7.5. Right of First Offer. (a) Except as otherwise expressly permitted
by Sections 7.2, 7.3 or 7.4, during the period from the date hereof until the
earlier to occur of the completion of an IPO and the fifth anniversary of the
date on which a Notice of Exercise is given (the "ROFO Period"), prior to any
Holder proposing to effect a Transfer of Common Stock to any Person not an
Affiliate of the Transferor (a "Third-Party Sale"), such Holder (the "Offering
Stockholder") will deliver to BDPI a written Notice (an "Offer Notice")
specifying (i) the aggregate amount of cash consideration (the "Offer Price")
for which the Offering Stockholder proposes to sell the Common Stock to be
offered in such Third-Party Sale (the "Offered Stock"), (ii) the identity of the
purchaser in such Third-Party Sale (if then known), and (iii) all other material
terms of the proposed Third-Party Sale.

                  (b) Prior to negotiating (or committing to negotiate) with any
third party in respect of a possible sale Third-Party Sale of any Common Stock,
the Offering Stockholder will negotiate with BDPI in good faith concerning the
possible sale to BDPI of the Common Stock proposed or otherwise intended to be
sold in a Third Party Sale for a period of 30 calendar days following the date
on which BDPI receives the Offer Notice. If BDPI delivers to the Offering
Stockholder a written Notice (an "Acceptance Notice") within such 30 calendar
day period (such period being referred to herein as the "ROFO Acceptance
Period") stating that BDPI is willing to purchase all of the Offered Stock for
the Offer Price and on the other terms set forth in the Offer Notice, the
Offering Stockholder will sell all of the Offered Stock to BDPI, and BDPI will
purchase such Offered Stock from the Offering Stockholder, on the proposed terms
and subject to the conditions set forth below.

                  (c) The consummation of any purchase of the Offered Stock by
BDPI pursuant to this Section 7.5 (the "ROFO Closing") will occur no more than
90 calendar days following the delivery of the Acceptance Notice (such 90
calendar day period being referred to herein as the "ROFO Closing Period") at
10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) at the offices of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue at 599
Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022, or at such other time of day and
place as may be mutually agreed upon by the Offering Stockholder and BDPI. At
the ROFO Closing, (i) BDPI will deliver to the Offering Stockholder by certified
or official bank check or


                                       10

<PAGE>



wire transfer to an account designated by the Offering Stockholder an amount in
immediately available funds equal to the Offer Price, (ii) the Offering
Stockholder will deliver one or more certificates evidencing the Common Stock,
together with such other duly executed instruments or documents (executed by the
Offering Stockholder) as may be reasonably requested by BDPI to acquire the
Offered Stock free and clear of any and all claims, liens, pledges, charges,
encumbrances, security interests, options, trusts, commitments and other
restrictions of any kind whatsoever (collectively, "Encumbrances"), except for
Encumbrances created by this Agreement, federal or state securities laws or BDPI
or as specified in the Offer Notice ("Permitted Encumbrances"), and (iii) the
Offering Stockholder will be deemed to represent and warrant to BDPI that, upon
the ROFO Closing, the Offering Stockholder will convey and Blackstone will
acquire the entire record and beneficial ownership of, and good and valid title
to, the Offered Stock, free and clear of any and all Encumbrances, except for
Permitted Encumbrances.

                  (d) If no Acceptance Notice relating to the proposed
Third-Party Sale is delivered to the Offering Stockholder prior to the
expiration of the ROFO Acceptance Period, or an Acceptance Notice is so
delivered to the Offering Stockholder but the ROFO Closing fails to occur prior
to the expiration of the ROFO Closing Period (unless BDPI was ready, willing and
able prior to the expiration of the ROFO Closing Period to consummate the
transactions to be consummated by BDPI at the ROFO Closing), the Offering
Stockholder may (without affecting its rights, if any, arising out of such
failure) consummate the Third-Party Sale, but only (i) during the 90 calendar
day period immediately following the expiration of the ROFO Acceptance Period
(in the event that no Acceptance Notice was timely delivered to the Offering
Stockholder) or the 90 calendar day period immediately following the expiration
of the ROFO Closing Period (in the event that an Acceptance Notice was timely
delivered to the Offering Stockholder but the ROFO Closing failed timely to
occur), (ii) at a price at least equal to the Offer Price, (iii) upon other
terms not materially less favorable to the Offering Stockholder than those set
forth in the Offer Notice, (iv) if the transferee in the Third-Party Sale enters
into an Assumption Agreement, and (v) if the Third-Party Sale is not to or with
a Competitor or for consideration other than cash.

                  (e) This Section 7.5 will not apply to any transaction in
which the consideration payable in the Third-Party Sale is other than cash.

         7.6 Registration Rights. Holder will be entitled to cause the Company
to register Option Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of
Appendix A hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.

         7.7 Conflicting Provisions. (a) The Company will not enter into any
agreement that prevents it from complying with its obligations under this
Agreement (including Sections 7.3, 7.4 and 7.6).

                  (b) If the Company grants to Borden, Inc. (or any of its
Affiliates or transferees) transfer rights, tag-along rights, preemptive rights,
or registration rights, with respect to the Common Stock, more favorable to such
Person than the comparable rights granted to Holder hereunder, the Company will
offer to amend this Agreement to include such favorable rights.


                                       11

<PAGE>



         8. Reservation of Common Stock. The Company will, for so long as the
Option remains outstanding, reserve and keep available, solely for issuance and
delivery upon the exercise of, a number of shares of Common Stock (or, if
applicable, other securities) sufficient to provide for the exercise of the
Option. The transfer agent for the Common Stock (or, if applicable, other
securities) will be irrevocably authorized and directed at all times until the
exercise or expiration of the Option to reserve such number of authorized shares
of Common Stock (or, if applicable, other securities) as necessary for such
purpose. The Company will keep copies of this Agreement on file with the
transfer agent and will supply the transfer agent with duly executed stock
certificates for such purpose.

         9. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby
represents and warrants to Holder that:

                  (a) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly
         existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware
         and has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver
         and perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the
         transactions contemplated hereby;

                  (b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
         by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
         contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all
         necessary corporate action on the part of the Company;

                  (c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
         by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
         contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms hereof will not
         conflict with, violate or constitute a breach of the Certificate of
         Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company, or any material contract,
         agreement or instrument by which the Company is bound or any judgment,
         order, decree, law, statute, rule, regulation or other judicial or
         governmental restriction to which the Company is subject;

                  (d) This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding
         obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
         accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability hereof may be
         limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other
         similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally; and

                  (e) The Option, when issued and delivered to C&A as provided
         in this Agreement, and the Option Shares issued upon exercise of the
         Option, when issued, paid for and delivered as provided in this
         Agreement, will be duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid
         and nonassessable.

         10. Notices. All notices, requests, waivers, releases, consents and
other communications required or permitted by this Agreement (collectively,
"Notices") must be in writing. Except as expressly otherwise provided herein
with respect to manner of delivery, notices will be deemed sufficiently given
for all purposes when delivered in person, when


                                       12

<PAGE>



dispatched by telegram or electronic facsimile transmission, when sent by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, or upon confirmation of receipt when
dispatched by a nationally recognized overnight courier service to the
appropriate party as follows: (a) if to Holder, at 701 McCullough Drive,
Charlotte, North Carolina 28262, Attention: Controller, Telecopy: (704) 548-2278
and (b) if to the Company or BDPI, c/o The Blackstone Group, 345 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10054, Attention: David A. Stockman, Telecopy No. (212)
754-8720, or at such other address as either such party may from time to time
designate in writing.

         11. Amendment and Waiver. No failure or delay of the Holder in
exercising any power or right hereunder (other than a failure to exercise the
Option in accordance with the provisions hereof) will operate as a waiver
thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or
any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power,
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right or power. No notice or demand on the Company in any case will entitle the
Company to any other or future notice or demand in similar or other
circumstances. The terms of this Agreement cannot be changed, waived, released
or discharged otherwise than by a writing signed by each party thereto. Any such
amendment, modification, or waiver effected pursuant to and in accordance with
the provisions of this Section 11 will be binding upon Holder and the Company.

         12. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement will be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, their respective successors and
permitted assigns, but will not be assignable or delegable by any party in whole
or in part without the prior written consent of the other parties, except as
otherwise provided in Section 7.4. In the absence of such prior written consent,
any purported assignment or delegation of any right or obligation hereunder will
be null and void.

         13. Rights of the Parties. Except as provided in Section 12, nothing
expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or will be construed to
confer upon or give any Person other than the Company and Holder any rights or
remedies under or by reason of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated
hereby. All rights of action in respect of this Agreement are vested in Holder,
and Holder may enforce its rights hereunder, including the right to exercise or
exchange the Option Certificate in accordance with the provisions hereof.

         14. Titles and Headings. Titles and headings to Sections herein are
inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of
or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         15. Termination. This Agreement will terminate and be of no further
force and effect (other than with respect to prior breaches) (i) with respect to
Sections 1 and 2 on the Expiration Date, (ii) with respect to Sections 3, 4, 5
and 8, six months after the Expiration Date, (iii) with respect to Sections 6
and 9, at such time as the Option is no longer exercisable and none of C&A or
any of its Affiliates owns any Option Shares, (iv) with respect to Sections 7.1
through 7.4, upon the consummation of an IPO, (v) with respect to Section 7.5,
upon the earlier to occur of (A) the fifth anniversary of the date on which a
Notice of Exercise is given and (B) the


                                       13

<PAGE>



consummation of an IPO, (vi) with respect to Section 7.6 and Appendix A (except
for Section 5 of Appendix A), at such time as no Holder holds any Registrable
Securities (as defined in Appendix A), (vii) with respect to Section 5 of
Appendix A, upon expiration of the applicable statutes of limitations, and
(viii) with respect to all other Sections of this Agreement, at such time as all
Sections other than such Sections have terminated.

         16. Certain Interpretive Matters and Definitions. (a) As used in this
Agreement, the following capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below:

                  "AFFILIATE" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any Person
         that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under
         common control with, such Person, (ii) any director, officer, partner
         or employee of such Person or of any Person specified in clause (i)
         above; provided, however, that no Person controlling or controlled by
         BDPI will be deemed to be an Affiliate of C&A.

                  "AGREEMENT" means this Agreement, as the same may be amended,
         supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT" means a writing reasonably satisfactory
         in form and substance to the Company whereby a transferee of Option
         Shares becomes a party to, and agrees to be bound to the same extent as
         its transferor by the terms of, this Agreement.

                  "BUSINESS DAY" means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday,
         federal or New York State holiday or other day on which commercial
         banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close.

                  "COMMON STOCK" means the shares of common stock, par value
         $.01 per share, of the Company.

                   "CURRENT MARKET PRICE" per share of Common Stock on any date
         means the average of the daily closing prices for three Trading Days
         before the date of such computation. The closing price for each day
         will be the last reported sales price regular way or, in case no such
         reported sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid
         and asked prices regular way for such day, in each case on the
         principal national securities exchange on which the shares of the
         Common Stock are listed or admitted to trading or, if not so listed or
         admitted to trading, the Board of Directors of the Company will
         determine the Current Market Price in good faith on the basis of such
         quotations or other relevant information as it considers appropriate.

                  "IPO" means the initial Public Offering of Common Stock by the
         Company.

                  "PERMITTED TRANSFEREES" means any Person to whom Option Shares
         are Transferred in a Transfer pursuant to Section 7.2 or Section 7.5 or
         otherwise not in violation of this Agreement and who is required to,
         and does, enter into an Assumption Agreement, and includes any Person
         to whom a Permitted Transferee (or a Permitted


                                       14

<PAGE>



         Transferee of a Permitted Transferee) so further transfers shares and
         who is required to, and does, become bound by the terms of this
         Agreement.

                  "PERSON" means any individual, corporation, limited liability
         company, partnership, trust, joint stock company, business trust,
         unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority or
         other entity of any nature whatsoever.

                  "PUBLIC OFFERING" means the sale of shares of any class of the
         Common Stock to the public pursuant to an effective registration
         statement (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 or
         any similar or successor form) filed under the Securities Act.

                  "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                  "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
         and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may
         be amended from time to time.

                  "STOCKHOLDERS" means each of the holders of common stock of
         the Company, and "Stockholder" means any one of the Stockholders.

                   "TRADING DAY" means any day on which shares of Common Stock
         are traded on the principal national securities exchange on which the
         shares of Common Stock are listed or admitted to trading or, if shares
         of Common Stock are not so listed or admitted to trading, in the
         over-the-counter market.

                  "TRANSFER" means a transfer, sale, assignment, pledge,
         hypothecation or other disposition.

                  (b) Unless the context otherwise requires, (i) all references
to Sections or Exhibits are to Sections or Exhibits of or to this Agreement,
(ii) each term defined in this Agreement has the meaning assigned to it, (iii)
"or" is disjunctive but not necessarily exclusive and (iv) words in the singular
include the plural and vice versa. All references to "$" or dollar amounts are
to lawful currency of the United States of America.

                  (c) No provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in
favor of, or against, any party hereto by reason of the extent to which such
party or its counsel participated in the drafting thereof or by reason of the
extent to which any such provision is inconsistent with any prior draft hereof
or thereof.

         17. Injunctive Relief. The parties acknowledge and agree that a
violation of any of the terms of this Agreement will cause the non-breaching
party irreparable injury for which adequate remedy at law is not available.
Accordingly, it is agreed that each party will be entitled to an injunction,
restraining order or other equitable relief to prevent breaches of the
provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and
provisions hereof in any


                                       15

<PAGE>



court of competent jurisdiction, in addition to any other remedy to which it may
be entitled at law or equity.

         18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are
no agreements among the parties hereto with respect thereto except as expressly
set forth herein.

         19. Severability. In case any provision contained in this Agreement is
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and
the invalid, illegal or unenforceable term will be deemed replaced by a term or
provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the
intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision.

         20. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the
principles of conflict of laws thereof.

         21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which so executed will be deemed to be an original; such
counterparts will together constitute but one agreement.

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

                                          ROYAL WALL FASHIONS, INC.



                                          By:  _________________________________
                                               Name:
                                               Title:


                                          COLLINS & AIKMAN PRODUCTS CO.



                                          By:  _________________________________
                                               Name:
                                               Title:


                                          BDPI HOLDINGS LLC



                                       16

<PAGE>




                                          By:  _________________________________
                                               Name:
                                               Title:



                                       17

<PAGE>





                                                                      APPENDIX A

                               REGISTRATION RIGHTS


                  1.  Certain Definitions.  For purposes of this Appendix A, the
following terms will have the following meanings:

                  "BDPI" means BDPI Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability
         company, and its transferees and their transferees.

                  "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" means (i) any Option Shares, (ii) any
         Common Stock issued as (or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of
         any warrant, right, option or other convertible security which is
         issued as) a dividend or other distribution with respect to, or in
         exchange for, or in replacement of, such Option Shares, and (iii) any
         Common Stock issued by way of a stock split of the Common Stock
         referred to in clauses (i) or (ii) above. For purposes of this
         Agreement, any Registrable Securities will cease to be Registrable
         Securities when (w) a registration statement covering such Registrable
         Securities has been declared effective and such Registrable Securities
         have been disposed of pursuant to such effective registration
         statement, (x) such Registrable Securities have been distributed
         pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in effect) under
         the Securities Act or may be sold in a single transaction without
         registration pursuant to Rule 144, (y) such Registrable Securities are
         sold by a Person in a transaction in which rights under the provisions
         of this Agreement are not assigned, or (z) such Registrable Securities
         cease to be outstanding.

                  "REGISTRATION EXPENSES" means any and all expenses incident to
         the performance by the Company of or compliance by the Company with
         Section 2 or 3 hereof, including, without limitation, (i) all SEC,
         stock exchange, National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and
         other comparable regulatory agencies, registration and filing fees,
         (ii) all fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky
         laws (including fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters
         in connection with blue sky qualifications), (iii) all printing,
         messenger and delivery expenses, (iv) the fees and disbursements of
         counsel for the Company and of its independent public accountants, (v)
         the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of its
         independent public accountants, including the expenses of any special
         audits and/or "cold comfort" letters required by or incident to such
         performance and compliance, (vi) fees and disbursements of underwriters
         (but not discounts or similar compensation) customarily paid by issuers
         or sellers of securities, (vii) liability insurance if the Company so
         desires or if the underwriters so require and (viii) the reasonable
         fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in
         connection with the requested registration.



                                        1

<PAGE>



         2. Piggyback Rights. (a) Each time the Company is planning to file a
registration statement under the Securities Act in connection with the sale of
shares of securities of the Company that are of the type that are Registrable
Securities by (i) the Company (other than in connection with an IPO comprised
solely of the primary offer and sale of Common Stock by the Company or a
registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 or any similar or successor form) or
(ii) any Stockholder (the Company or such Stockholder in such case, the
"Initiating Party"), the Company will give prompt written notice thereof to
Holder and to BDPI, at least 15 Business Days prior to the anticipated filing
date of such registration statement. Upon the written request of Holder made
within 12 Business Days after the receipt of any such notice from the Company,
which request will specify the Registrable Securities (the "Piggy-Back Shares")
intended to be disposed of by Holder in such offering, the Company will use its
reasonable best efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of
all Piggy-Back Shares which the Company has been so requested to register by
Holder to the extent required to permit the disposition of the PiggyBack Shares
to be registered; provided, that (i) if, at any time after giving written notice
of its intention to register any securities and prior to the effective date of
the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, any
Initiating Party determines for any reason not to proceed with the proposed
registration, the Company may at its election give written notice of such
determination to each holder of Piggy-Back Shares and thereupon will be relieved
of its obligation to register any Piggy-Back Shares in connection with such
registration, and (ii) if such registration involves an underwritten offering,
Holder must sell the Piggy-Back Shares to the underwriters on the same terms and
conditions as apply to the Initiating Parties.

                  (b) If a registration pursuant to this Section 2 involves an
underwritten offering and the managing underwriter or underwriters in good faith
advise the Company in writing that, in their opinion, (i) the number of
Registrable Securities which the Initiating Party intends to include in such
registration, together with the Piggy-Back Shares, exceeds the largest number of
such securities which can be sold in such offering without having an adverse
effect on such offering (including, but not limited to, the price at which the
Registrable Securities can be sold) or (ii) the inclusion of Registrable
Securities owned by Holder in such registration would have an adverse effect on
such offering, then the Company will include in such registration (A) first,
100% of the securities, if any, that the Company proposes to sell for its own
account, and (B) second, to the extent that the number of securities which the
Company proposes to sell is less than the number of securities which the Company
has been advised can be sold in such offering without having the adverse effect
referred to above, the number of Registrable Securities of Holder determined on
the basis of the relative percentage relationships of (x) the number of
Registrable Securities to be included by Holder and (y) the number of
Registrable Securities to be included by all other Stockholders.

         3. Demand Registrations. (a) From and after 180 days following an IPO,
Holder may request in a written notice (the "Request") that the Company effect
the registration under the Securities Act of all or any part of the Registrable
Securities owned by Holder. Following the receipt of the Request, the Company
will (i) within ten days notify all other Stockholders having registration
rights of such Request in writing and (ii) thereupon, will as expeditiously as
practicable, use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration under
the Securities Act of any or all Registrable Securities of Holder as are
specified in the Request and any Registrable Securities of any other Stockholder
having registration rights as are specified in a subsequent


                                        2

<PAGE>


Request received by the Company, within ten days after the Company has given
such notice, and will cause such registration statement to remain effective for
a period of not less than 180 days; provided, however, that the Company will not
be required to effect more than one registration pursuant to this Section 3,
unless the Holder is unable to sell all of the Registrable Securities requested
be included in such offering solely because of the participation by BDPI and any
other Stockholders (other than Holder) in such offering, in which case Holder
will be entitled to make one additional Request.

                  (b) The Company and Holder will reasonably mutually agree on
the managing underwriter of any underwritten offering effected under this
Section 3.

                  (c) If a registration pursuant to this Section 3 involves an
underwritten offering and the managing underwriter or underwriters in good faith
advise the Company in writing that, in their opinion, the number of Registrable
Securities which Holder and any other Stockholders intend to include in such
registration exceeds the largest number of securities which can be sold in such
offering without having an adverse effect on such offering (including, but not
limited to, the price at which the securities can be sold), then the number of
Registrable Securities of each Stockholder to be included in such offering will
be determined on the basis of the relative percentage relationships of (x) the
number of Registrable Securities to be included by such Stockholder and (y) the
number of Registrable Securities to be included by all other Stockholders.

         4. Other Registration-Related Matters. (a) (i) If (A) during the term
of this Agreement, the Company files or proposes to file a registration
statement (other than in connection with the registration of securities issuable
pursuant to a continuous "at the market offering" pursuant to Rule 415(a)(4)
under the Securities Act or an employee stock option, stock purchase, dividend
reinvestment plan or similar plan) with respect to any securities of the
Company, and (B) with reasonable prior notice, (1) the Company (in the case of a
non-underwritten offering pursuant to such registration statement) advises
Holder in writing that a sale or distribution of securities owned by Holder
would adversely affect such offering or (2) the managing underwriter or
underwriters (in the case of an underwritten offering) advise the Company in
writing (in which case the Company will notify Holder), that a sale or
distribution of securities owned by Holder would adversely affect such offering,
then Company will not be obligated to effect the initial filing of a
registration statement pursuant to Section 3 (A) in the case of an IPO, during
the period commencing on the date that is 30 calendar days prior to the date the
Company in good faith estimates (as certified in writing by an officer of the
Company to the Holder following a request for registration pursuant to Section
3) will be the date of the filing of, and ending on the date which is 150
calendar days following the effective date of, such registration statement but
in no event for more than 180 consecutive days, or (B) in the case of any
offering subsequent to an IPO, during the period commencing on the date that is
30 calendar days prior to the date the Company in good faith estimates (as
certified in writing by an officer of the Company to Holder following a request
for registration pursuant to Section 3) will be the date of filing of, and
ending on the date which is 60 calendar days following the effective date of,
such registration statement but in no event for more than 90 consecutive days.


                                        3

<PAGE>



                           (ii) If the Board of Directors of the Company
determines in good faith that the registration and distribution of Registrable
Securities (A) would materially impede, delay or interfere with any pending
financing, acquisition, corporate reorganization or other significant
transaction involving the Company or (B) would require disclosure of non-public
material information, the disclosure of which would materially and adversely
affect the Company, the Company will promptly give Holder written notice of such
determination and will be entitled to postpone the filing or effectiveness of a
registration statement for a reasonable period of time not to exceed 180
calendar days (a "Section 4(a)(ii) Period"); provided, however, that in
connection therewith the Company will be required to deliver to Holder (as
identified at such time to the Company) a general statement, signed by an
officer of the Company, describing in reasonable detail the reasons for such
postponement or restriction on use and an estimate of the anticipated delay. The
Company will promptly notify Holder of the expiration or earlier termination of
a Section 4(a)(ii) Period.

                  (b) The Company may require any Person that is selling shares
of Common Stock in a Public Offering pursuant to Section 2 or 3 to furnish to
the Company in writing such information regarding such Person and the
distribution of the shares of Common Stock which are included in a Public
Offering as may from time to time reasonably be requested in writing in order to
comply with the Securities Act.

                  (c) The Company will pay all Registration Expenses in
connection with each registration or proposed registration of Registrable
Securities pursuant to Section 2 or 3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (y) the
fees or expenses of counsel to any Stockholder or of any other expert hired
directly by any Stockholder will be the sole responsibility of such Stockholder
and (z) each Stockholder will be responsible for its pro rata share (determined
by reference to the number of shares included in the applicable registration) of
all underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes.

                  (d) Before filing a registration statement or prospectus, or
any amendments or supplements thereto, in connection with any registration or
proposed registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2 or 3, the
Company will furnish to Holder's counsel copies of all documents proposed to be
filed.

                  (e) The Company will furnish to each seller of Registrable
Securities such number of copies of the applicable registration statement and of
each amendment or supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits), such
number of copies of the prospectus included in such registration statement
(including each preliminary prospectus and summary prospectus), in conformity
with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as such
seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of
Registrable Securities by such seller.

                  (f) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to
register or qualify Registrable Securities covered by a registration statement
under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as each
seller reasonably requests, and do any and all other acts and things which may
be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the
disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such
seller, except that


                                        4

<PAGE>



the Company will not for any such purpose be required to qualify generally to do
business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where, but for the
requirements of this paragraph (f), it would not be obligated to be so
qualified, to subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction, or to consent
to general service of process in any such jurisdiction.

                  (g) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause
the Registrable Securities covered by a registration statement to be registered
with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be
necessary to enable the seller thereof to consummate the disposition thereof.

                  (h) The Company will notify each seller of Registrable
Securities covered by a registration statement, at any time when a prospectus
relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act within the
appropriate period of the Company's becoming aware that the prospectus included
in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement
of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light
of the circumstances then existing, and at the request of any such seller,
prepare and furnish to such seller a reasonable number of copies of an amended
or supplemental prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered
to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus will not
include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading in the light of the circumstances than existing.

                  (i) The Company will enter into such customary agreements
(including an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other
actions as sellers of a majority of holders of securities covered by a
registration statement or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order
to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

                  (j) The Company will make available for inspection by any
seller of Registrable Securities covered by a registration statement, by any
underwriter participating in any disposition to be effected pursuant to such
registration statement and by any attorney, accountant or other agent retained
by any such seller or any such underwriter, all pertinent financial and other
records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause
all of the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all information
reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or
agent in connection with such registration statement.

                  (k) The Company will obtain a "cold comfort" letter or letters
from the Company's independent public accountants in customary form and covering
matters of the type customarily covered by "cold comfort" letters as the sellers
of a majority of the outstanding shares of Registrable Securities covered by the
registration statement reasonably requests.

                  (l) Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the
Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in paragraph (h)
Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of pursuant to the registration
statement covering such Registrable Securities until Holder's receipt of the
copies of the amended or supplemented prospectus contemplated by


                                        5

<PAGE>



paragraph (h) and, if so directed by the Company, Holder will deliver to the
Company (at the Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies
then in Holder's possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable
Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the
Company gives any such notice, the period for which the Company will be required
to keep the registration statement effective will be extended by the number of
days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice
pursuant to paragraph (h) to and including the date when each seller of
Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement has received the
copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by paragraph (h).

                  (m) Holder will, in connection with an offering of the
Company's securities, upon the request of the Company of the underwriters
managing any underwritten offering of the Company's securities, agree in writing
not to effect any sale, disposition or distribution of Registrable Securities
(other than those included in the registration) without the prior written
consent of the managing underwriter for such period of time (not to exceed (i)
180 days, in the case of an IPO, or (ii) 90 days, in the case of any other
offering of Company securities) from the effective date of such registration as
the Company or the underwriters may specify.

         5.  Indemnification.

                  (a) Indemnification by the Company. In the event of any
registration of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act pursuant
to Section 2 or 3, the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold harmless,
to the extent permitted by law, each party hereto who is a holder ("Selling
Holder") of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, each
Affiliate of such Selling Holder and their respective directors and officers or
general and limited partners (and the directors, officers, affiliates and
controlling Persons thereof), each other Person who participates as an
underwriter in the offering or sale of such securities and each other Person, if
any, who controls such Selling Holder or any such underwriter within the meaning
of the Securities Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties"), against any and
all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, and expenses to
which such Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, common
law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions or proceedings in respect thereof, whether or not such Indemnified Party
is a party thereto) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration
statement under which such securities were registered under the Securities Act,
any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein, or any amendment
or supplement thereto, or (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then
existing, and the Company will reimburse such Indemnified Party for any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or
defending any such loss, claim, liability, action or proceeding; provided, that
the Company will not be liable to any Indemnified Party in any such case to the
extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability (or action proceeding in
respect thereof) or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such
registration statement, in any such preliminary, final or summary prospectus, or
any amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information with respect to such Indemnified Party


                                        6

<PAGE>



furnished to the Company by such Indemnified Party for use in the preparation
thereof; and provided, further, that the Company will not be liable to any
Person who participates as an underwriter in the offering or sale of Registrable
Securities or any other Person, if any, who controls such underwriter within the
meaning of the Securities Act, under the indemnity agreement in this Section 5
with respect to any preliminary prospectus or the final prospectus or the final
prospectus as amended or supplemented, as the case may be, to the extent that
any such loss, claim, damage or liability of such underwriter or controlling
Person results from the fact that such underwriter sold Registrable Securities
to a Person to whom there was not sent or given, at or prior to the written
confirmation of such sale, a copy of the final prospectus or of the final
prospectus as then amended or supplemented, whichever is most recent, if the
Company has previously furnished copies thereof to such underwriter. Such
indemnity will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation
made by or on behalf of such Selling Holder or any Indemnified Party and will
survive the transfer of such securities by such Selling Holder.

                  (b) Indemnification by the Selling Holders and Underwriters.
The Company may require, as a condition to including any Registrable Securities
in any registration statement filed in accordance with this Appendix A, that the
Company shall have received an undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it from
the Selling Holder of such Registrable Securities or any prospective underwriter
to indemnify and hold harmless (in the same manner and to the same extent as set
forth in Section 5(a)) the Company, all other Selling Holders or any prospective
underwriter, as the case may be, and any of their respective Affiliates,
directors, officers and controlling Persons, with respect to any statement or
alleged statement in or omission or alleged omission from such registration
statement, any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein, or
any amendment or supplement, if such statement or alleged statement or omission
or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information with respect to such Selling Holder or underwriter furnished to the
Company by such Selling Holder or underwriter expressly for use in the
preparation of such registration statement, preliminary, final or summary
prospectus or amendment or supplement, or a document incorporated by reference
into any of the foregoing. Such indemnity will remain in full force and effect
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or any of
the Selling Holders, or any of their respective affiliates, directors, officers
or controlling Persons and will survive the transfer of such securities by such
Selling Holder.

                  (c) Notices of Claims, Etc. Promptly after receipt by an
indemnified party hereunder of written notice of the commencement of any action
or proceeding with respect to which a claim for indemnification may be made
pursuant to this Section 5, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect
thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party, give written notice to the
latter of the commencement of such action; provided, that the failure of the
indemnified party to give notice as provided herein will not relieve the
indemnifying party of its obligations under Sections 5(a) or 5(b), except to the
extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced by such failure to
give notice. In case any such action is brought against an indemnified party,
unless in such indemnified party's reasonable judgment a conflict of interest
between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such
claim, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and to assume
the defense thereof, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly
notified to the extent that it may wish, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to
such indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to


                                        7

<PAGE>


such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the
indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by the latter in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. If, in such
indemnified party's reasonable judgment, having common counsel would result in a
conflict of interest between the interests of such indemnified and indemnifying
parties, then such indemnified party may employ separate counsel reasonably
acceptable to the indemnifying party to represent or defend such indemnified
party in such action, it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party
will not be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one
separate firm of attorneys at any time for all such indemnified parties (and not
more than one separate firm of local counsel at any time for all such
indemnified parties) in such action. No indemnifying party will consent to entry
of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an
unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such
indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or
litigation.

                  (d) Other Indemnification. Indemnification similar to that
specified in this Section 3.10 (with appropriate modifications) will be given by
the Company and each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities with respect to
any required registration or other qualification of securities under any federal
or state law or regulation or governmental authority other than the Securities
Act.

                  (e) Contribution. If recovery is not available under the
foregoing indemnification provisions of this Section 5 for any reason other than
as expressly specified therein, the parties entitled to indemnification by the
terms thereof will be entitled to contribution to liabilities and expenses
except to the extent that contribution is not permitted under Section 11(f) of
the Securities Act. In determining the amount of contribution to which the
respective parties are entitled, consideration will be given to the relative
benefits received by each party from the offering of the Registrable Securities
(taking into account the portion of the proceeds realized by each), the parties'
relative knowledge and access to information concerning the matter with respect
to which the claim was asserted, the opportunity to correct and prevent any
misstatement or omission and any other equitable considerations appropriate
under the circumstances.

                  (f) Non-Exclusivity. The obligations of the parties under this
Section 5 will be in addition to any liability which any party may otherwise
have to any other party.



                                        8

<PAGE>


                                    Schedules

Set forth below is a list of schedules to the foregoing Exhibit that have been
omitted as permitted by Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The registrant hereby
agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the
Commission upon request.

Schedule 1.2.                       Net Cash Flow
Schedule 1.4.                       Post-Closing AR/AP
Schedule 2.1.1.                     Imperial Shares/Liens
Schedule 2.1.3.                     Conflicts; Consents
Schedule 2.1.4.                     Financial Statements
Schedule 2.2.2.                     Conflicts; Consents
Schedule 3.5.                       Operation of the Business
Schedule 4.2.3.(a)                  Management Services Agreement
Schedule 4.2.3.(b)                  Noncompetition Agreement
Schedule 4.2.3.(c)                  Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore
Schedule 4.3.4.                     Opinion of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
Schedule 6.1.1.                     Certain Employees
Schedule 6.2.6.                     Surety Obligations
Schedule 6.2.7.                     Assumed Push-Down Liabilities
Schedule 7.11.(a)                   Knowledge of Seller
Schedule 7.11.(b)                   Knowledge of Purchaser




                                                     AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                                    CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED
                                                        AS OF JUNE 3, 1996


                                     WAIVER


                  WAIVER, dated as of October 27, 1997 (this "Waiver"), under
the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 3, 1996 (as amended
prior to the date hereof and as further amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among COLLINS & AIKMAN
PRODUCTS CO., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), COLLINS & AIKMAN CANADA
INC., a Canadian corporation (the "Canadian Borrower"), COLLINS & AIKMAN
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Holdings"), the financial institutions
parties thereto (the "Lenders") and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a New York banking
corporation, as agent to the lenders thereunder (in such capacity, the
"Administrative Agent").


                              W I T N E S S E T H:


                  WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Canadian Borrower and Holdings have
requested the Lenders to waive certain covenants in the Credit Agreement as set
forth herein; and

                  WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to waive such covenants in
the Credit Agreement on and subject to the terms and conditions thereof;

                  NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by each of the parties
hereto, the parties agree as follows:

                  SECTION 1. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms
defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as therein defined.

                  SECTION 2. Waiver of Section 6.14 (Interest Coverage Ratio).
Section 6.14 of the Credit Agreement is hereby waived for the fiscal quarter
ending September 27, 1997; provided that such waiver is effective only if the
Interest Coverage Ratio is at least 1.70 to 1.00 for such fiscal quarter.

                  SECTION 3. Waiver of Section 6.16 (Leverage Ratio). Section
6.16 of the Credit Agreement is hereby waived for the fiscal quarter ending
September 27, 1997; provided that such waiver is effective only if the Leverage
Ratio is no greater than 3.30 to 1.00 for such fiscal quarter.

                  SECTION 4. Representations and Warranties.  The parties hereto
hereby  represent and warrant to the  Administrative  Agent and each Lender that
after giving effect to



<PAGE>


                                                                              2



the waivers contained herein, each party hereto hereby confirms, reaffirms and
restates the representations and warranties set forth in Article III of the
Credit Agreement as if made on and as of the Waiver Effective Date, except as
they may specifically relate to an earlier date; provided that such
representations and warranties shall be and hereby are amended so that all
references to the Agreement therein shall be deemed a reference to (i) the
Credit Agreement, (ii) this Waiver and (iii) the Credit Agreement as amended by
this Waiver.

                  SECTION 5. Conditions Precedent. This Waiver shall become
effective as of the date hereof (the "Waiver Effective Date") when each of the
conditions precedent set forth below shall have been fulfilled:

                  (a) Waiver. The Administrative Agent shall have received this
Waiver, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of each of the
Borrower, the Canadian Borrower, Holdings and the Required Lenders.

                  (b) No Default or Event of Default. On and as of the Waiver
Effective Date and after giving effect to this Waiver and the transactions
contemplated hereby, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing.

                  (c) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties made by the Borrower and the Canadian Borrower in the Credit
Agreement and herein after giving effect to this Waiver and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as
of the Waiver Effective Date as if made on such date, except where such
representations and warranties relate to an earlier date in which case such
representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such earlier
date.

                  (d) Acknowledgement and Consent. The Administrative Agent
shall have received from each of Holdings, the Borrower, the Canadian Borrower
and the other Loan Parties with respect to each Loan Document to which it is a
party a duly executed Acknowledgment and Consent, substantially in the form of
Exhibit A hereto.

                  SECTION 6. Continuing Effect of Credit Agreement. This Waiver
shall not constitute an amendment or waiver of any provision of the Credit
Agreement not expressly referred to herein and shall not be construed as an
amendment, waiver or consent to any action on the part of any party hereto that
would require an amendment, waiver or consent of the Administrative Agent or the
Lenders except as expressly stated herein. Except as expressly waived hereby,
the provisions of the Credit Agreement are and shall remain in full force and
effect.

                  SECTION 7. Expenses. The Borrower and the Canadian Borrower
agree to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all of its reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with (a) the
negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of this Waiver and any other
documents prepared in connection herewith, and consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, including the fees and expenses of Simpson
Thacher & Bartlett, counsel to the Administrative Agent, and (b) the enforcement
or preservation of any rights under this Waiver and any other such documents.



<PAGE>


                                                                             3




                  SECTION 8.  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS WAIVER SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.

                  SECTION 9. Counterparts. This Waiver may be executed in any
number of counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which counterparts when so
executed shall be an original, but all counterparts taken together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Waiver
to be duly executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers
as of the day and year first above written.


                                           COLLINS & AIKMAN PRODUCTS CO.


                                           By /s/ J. Michael Stepp
                                             -----------------------
                                             Name: J. Michael Stepp
                                             Title: Chief Financial Officer and
                                                      Executive Vice President


                                          COLLINS & AIKMAN CANADA INC.


                                          By /s/ J. Michael Stepp
                                             -----------------------
                                            Name: J. Michael Stepp
                                            Title: Chief Financial Officer and
                                                     Executive Vice President


                                         COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION


                                         By /s/ J. Michael Stepp
                                             -----------------------
                                           Name: J. Michael Stepp
                                           Title: Chief Financial Officer and
                                                    Executive Vice President


                                         THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                           as Administrative Agent
                                           and as a Lender


                                         By /s/ Rosemary Bradley
                                           -----------------------
                                           Name: Rosemary Bradley
                                           Title: Vice President





<PAGE>


                                                                            4



                                         BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND
                                           SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as Managing
                                           Agent and a Lender


                                         By /s/ Daniel T. Pervicia
                                            -----------------------
                                            Name: Daniel T. Pervicia
                                            Title: Vice President


                                         NATIONSBANK, N.A., as Managing Agent
                                          and a Lender


                                         By /s/ John R. Clemens
                                            -----------------------
                                            Name: John R. Clemens
                                            Title: Senior Vice President


                                         AERIES FINANCE LTD.


                                         By /s/ Andrew Ian Wignall
                                           -----------------------
                                           Name: Andrew Ian Wignall
                                           Title: Director


                                         CERES FINANCE LTD.


                                         By /s/ David Egglishaw
                                            -----------------------
                                            Name: David Egglishaw
                                            Title: Director


                                         STRATA FUNDING LTD.


                                         By /s/ David Egglishaw
                                            -----------------------
                                            Name: David Egglishaw
                                            Title: Director





<PAGE>


                                                                             5



                                         BANK OF IRELAND - GRAND CAYMAN BRANCH


                                         By____________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                                         By /s/ John Yancey
                                           -----------------------
                                           Name: John Yancey
                                           Title: Vice President


                                         THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA


                                          By: /s/ W. E. Zarrett
                                            -----------------------
                                            Name:  William E. Zarrett
                                            Title: Senior Relationship Manager


                                         BANK OF SCOTLAND


                                         By /s/ Janet Taffe
                                            -----------------------
                                           Name: Janet Taffe
                                           Title: Asst. Vice President


                                        BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI TRUST COMPANY


                                        By  ___________________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:





<PAGE>


                                                                              6



                                         BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY


                                         By /s/ Thatcher L. Townsend
                                            -------------------------
                                           Name: Thatcher L. Townsend, III
                                           Title: Vice President


                                         OCTAGON CREDIT INVESTORS LOAN
                                          PORTFOLIO (a unit of The Chase
                                          Manhattan Bank)



                                           By /s/ James Ferguson
                                             -------------------------
                                              Name: James P. Ferguson
                                              Title: Managing Director


                                         CIBC INC.


                                          By /s/ Roger Colden
                                             ------------------------
                                             Name: Roger Colden
                                             Title: Director


                                         COMPAGNIE FINANCIERE DE CIC ET
                                          DEL'UNION EUROPEENNE


                                         By /s/ Anthony Rock
                                           ------------------------
                                           Name: Anthony Rock
                                           Title: Vice President

                                         By /s/ Sean Mounier
                                            ------------------------
                                            Name: Sean Mounier
                                            Title: First Vice President

                                         COMMERCIAL LOAN FUNDING TRUST I


                                         By /s/ Christopher Ryan
                                           ------------------------
                                           Name: Christopher Ryan
                                           Title:





<PAGE>


                                                                           7



                                         CREDIT LYONNAIS, NEW YORK BRANCH AND
                                          CREDIT LYONNAIS ATLANTA AGENCY


                                           By________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


                                         CREDITANSTALT CORPORATE FINANCE, INC.


                                         By___________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                         CRESCENT/MACH I PARTNERS, L.P.

                                         By: TCW Asset Management Company
                                               its Investment Manager


                                         By__________________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                                         CRESTAR BANK


                                         By__________________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                                         CYPRESS TREE INVESTMENT PARTNERS I


                                         By__________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:




<PAGE>


                                                                             8



                                         DRESDNER BANK, A.G.  NEW YORK AND
                                           GRAND CAYMAN BRANCH


                                         By /s/ Beverly Cason
                                           ------------------------
                                           Name: Beverly Cason
                                           Title: Vice President


                                         By /s/ Christopher Sarisky
                                           ------------------------
                                          Name: Christopher Sarisky
                                          Title: Assistant Treasurer


                                         FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF NORTH
                                          CAROLINA


                                         By /s/ David Trotter
                                           ------------------------
                                           Name: David Trotter
                                           Title: Vice President


                                         FUJI BANK, LIMITED


                                         By /s/ Teiji Teramoto
                                           ------------------------
                                           Name: Teiji Teramoto
                                           Title: Vice President & Manager


                                         GIROCREDIT BANK


                                         By /s/ John S. Runnion
                                           ------------------------
                                           Name: John S. Runnion
                                           Title: First Vice President





<PAGE>


                                                                              9



                                         INDOSUEZ CAPITAL FUNDING II LTD.

                                         By: Indosuez Capital,
                                             as Portfolio Advisor



                                         By /s/ Francoise Berthelot
                                           ------------------------
                                            Name: Francoise Berthelot
                                            Title: Vice President


                                         THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN, LTD.


                                         By___________________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                                         THE LONG-TERM CREDIT BANK OF JAPAN
                                          LTD., NEW YORK BRANCH


                                         By________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                         MERRILL LYNCH SENIOR FLOATING RATE
                                          FUND, INC.


                                         By /s/ Gilles Marchand
                                           ------------------------
                                            Name: Gilles Marchand, CFA
                                            Title: Authorized Signatory


                                         MERRILL LYNCH PRIME RATE PORTFOLIO


                                         By:  Merrill Lynch Asset Management,
                                               L.P.,
                                               as Investment Advisor

                                         By /s/ Gilles Marchand
                                           ------------------------
                                            Name: Gilles Marchand, CFA
                                            Title: Authorized Signatory


<PAGE>


                                                                            10



                                         MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.


                                         By /s/ Christopher Pudillo
                                           ------------------------
                                           Name:  Christopher Pudillo
                                           Title:  Vice President


                                         PARIBAS CAPITAL FUNDING LLC


                                         By____________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                         SENIOR HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO, INC.


                                         By /s/ Gilles Marchand
                                           ------------------------
                                           Name: Gilles Marchand, CFA
                                           Title: Authorized Signatory


                                         THE MITSUBISHI TRUST AND BANKING
                                           CORPORATION


                                         By___________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                         NATIONAL CITY BANK


                                         By___________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:





<PAGE>


                                                                              11



                                         THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO


                                         By /s/ Larry Cooper
                                           ------------------------
                                           Name: Larry E. Cooper
                                           Title: First Vice President


                                         NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


                                         By____________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                         NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY
                                          CORPORATION


                                         By___________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                         SOCIETE GENERALE


                                         By____________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


                                         SUNTRUST BANK, ATLANTA


                                         By /s/ Jeffrey D. Drucker
                                           ------------------------
                                            Name: Jeffrey D. Drucker
                                            Title: Banking Officer


                                         By /s/ R. B. King
                                           ------------------------
                                           Name: Raymond B. King
                                           Title: V. P. Team Leader





<PAGE>


                                                                           12



                                        THE SUMITOMO TRUST & BANKING CO., LTD.


                                         By__________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                         THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK


                                         By__________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                        THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY


                                         By___________________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                                       UNITED STATES NATIONAL BANK OF OREGON


                                       By___________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                       VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL PRIME
                                        RATE INCOME TRUST


                                       By /s/ Kathleen A. Zarn
                                           ------------------------
                                          Name: Kathleen A. Zarn
                                          Title: Vice President





<PAGE>


                                                                             13



                                          WACHOVIA BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA, N.A.


                                          By /s/ Sarah T. Warren
                                           ------------------------
                                             Name: Sarah T. Warren
                                             Title: Vice President


                                          WELLS FARGO BANK


                                           By_________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


                                         THE YASUDA TRUST & BANKING CO., LTD.



                                           ___________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


                                           NASEXIS BANQUE BFCE


                                          By: _______________________________
                                               Name:
                                               Title:


                                         SENIOR DEBT PORTFOLIO
                                         By:  Boston Management and Research,
                                               as Investment Advisor


                                         By:   /s/ Scott Page
                                           ------------------------
                                              Name: Scott H. Page
                                              Title: Vice President




<PAGE>



                                                                   EXHIBIT A TO
                                                                         WAIVER

                           ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT

         Each of the undersigned corporations hereby:

         (a) acknowledges and consents to the execution, delivery and
performance of the Waiver, dated as of October 27, 1997 (the "Waiver") to the
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 3, 1996 (as the same may
be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit
Agreement"), among Collins & Aikman Canada Inc. (the "Canadian Borrower")
Collins & Aikman Products Co. (the "Borrower"), Collins & Aikman Corporation
("Holdings"), the several banks and other institutions from time to time parties
to the Credit Agreement (the "Lenders") and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
administrative agent to the lenders thereunder (in such capacity, the
"Administrative Agent"); and

         (b) agrees that such execution, delivery and performance shall not in
any way affect such corporation's obligations under any Loan Document (as
defined in the Credit Agreement) to which such corporation is a party, which
obligations on the date hereof remain absolute and unconditional and are not
subject to any defense, set-off or counterclaim;

Dated:  October 27, 1997
                                        COLLINS & AIKMAN PRODUCTS CO.

                                         By: _________________________________
                                              Name:
                                              Title:

                                         COLLINS & AIKMAN CANADA INC.

                                         By: _________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                         COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION

                                         By: _________________________________
                                             Name:  
                                             Title:

                                         PACJ, INC.

                                         By: _________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Trustees:





<PAGE>


                                                                              2



                                         THE AKRO CORPORATION

                                         By:_________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                                         DURA CONVERTIBLE SYSTEMS, INC.

                                           By:_________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                        IMPERIAL WALLCOVERINGS, INC.

                                        By:_________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                                         MARKETING SERVICE, INC.

                                         By:_________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:

                                            

                                         GREFAB, INC.

                                         By:_________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                                         WICKES ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
  
                                         By:_________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:





<PAGE>


                                                                              3



                                         COLLINS & AIKMAN INTERNATIONAL
                                            CORPORATION

                                        By:_______________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


                                         WICKES MANUFACTURING COMPANY

                                          By:_________________________
                                              Name:
                                              Title:


                                         WICKES REALTY, INC.

                                         By:_________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                                        AMCO CONVERTIBLE FABRICS, INC.

                                        By:_________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                                         MANCHESTER PLASTICS, INC.

                                         By:_________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:



                                         HUGHES PLASTICS, INC.

                                         By:_________________________
                                                Name:
                                                Title:






<PAGE>


                                                                               4


                                         ACK-TI-LINING, INC.

                                         By:_________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                                         COLLINS & AIKMAN PROPERTIES, INC.

                                         By:_________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:



<PAGE>


                                                       CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED
                                                       AS OF DECEMBER 5, 1996

                                     WAIVER


                  WAIVER, dated as of October 27, 1997 (this "Waiver"), under
the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 5, 1996 (as amended prior to the date
hereof and as further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time, the "Credit Agreement"), among COLLINS & AIKMAN PRODUCTS CO., a Delaware
corporation (the "Borrower"), COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation ("Holdings"), the financial institutions parties thereto (the
"Lenders") and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a New York banking corporation, as
agent to the lenders thereunder (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent").


                              W I T N E S S E T H:


                  WHEREAS, the Borrower and Holdings have requested the Lenders
to waive certain covenants in the Credit Agreement as set forth herein; and

                  WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to waive such covenants in
the Credit Agreement on and subject to the terms and conditions thereof;

                  NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by each of the parties
hereto, the parties agree as follows:

                  SECTION 1. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms
defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as therein defined.

                  SECTION 2. Waiver of Section 6.14 (Interest Coverage Ratio).
Section 6.14 Of the Credit Agreement is hereby waived for the fiscal quarter
ending September 27, 1997; provided that such waiver is effective only if the
Interest Coverage Ratio is at least 1.70 to 1.00 for such fiscal quarter.

                  SECTION 3. Waiver of Section 6.16 (Leverage Ratio). Section
6.16 of the Credit Agreement is hereby waived for the fiscal quarter ending
September 27, 1997; provided that such waiver is effective only if the Leverage
Ratio is no greater than 3.30 to 1.00 for such fiscal quarter.

                  SECTION 4. Representations and Warranties. The parties hereto
hereby represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that
after giving effect to the waivers contained herein, each party hereto hereby
confirms, reaffirms and restates the representations and warranties set forth in
Article III of the Credit Agreement as if made on



<PAGE>


                                                                               2



and as of the Waiver Effective Date, except as they may specifically relate to
an earlier date; provided that such representations and warranties shall be and
hereby are amended so that all references to the Agreement therein shall be
deemed a reference to (i) the Credit Agreement, (ii) this Waiver and (iii) the
Credit Agreement as waived by this Waiver.

                  SECTION 5. Conditions Precedent. This Waiver shall become
effective as of the date hereof (the "Waiver Effective Date") when each of the
conditions precedent set forth below shall have been fulfilled:

                  (a) Waiver. The Administrative Agent shall have received this
Waiver, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of each of the
Borrower, Holdings and the Required Lenders.

                  (b) No Default or Event of Default. On and as of the Waiver
Effective Date and after giving effect to this Waiver and the transactions
contemplated hereby, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing.

                  (c) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties made by the Borrower in the Credit Agreement and herein after giving
effect to this Waiver and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be true and
correct in all material respects on and as of the Waiver Effective Date as if
made on such date, except where such representations and warranties relate to an
earlier date in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and
correct as of such earlier date.

                  (d) Acknowledgement and Consent. The Administrative Agent
shall have received from each of Holdings, the Borrower and the other Loan
Parties with respect to each Loan Document to which it is a party a duly
executed Acknowledgment and Consent, substantially in the form of Exhibit A
hereto.

                  SECTION 6. Continuing Effect of Credit Agreement. This Waiver
shall not constitute an amendment or waiver of any provision of the Credit
Agreement not expressly referred to herein and shall not be construed as an
amendment, waiver or consent to any action on the part of any party hereto that
would require an amendment, waiver or consent of the Administrative Agent or the
Lenders except as expressly stated herein. Except as expressly waived hereby,
the provisions of the Credit Agreement are and shall remain in full force and
effect.

                  SECTION 7. Expenses. The Borrower agrees to pay or reimburse
the Administrative Agent for all of its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses incurred in connection with (a) the negotiation, preparation, execution
and delivery of this Waiver and any other documents prepared in connection
herewith, and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby,
including the fees and expenses of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, counsel to the
Administrative Agent, and (b) the enforcement or preservation of any rights
under this Waiver and any other such documents.




<PAGE>
                                                                              3



                  SECTION 8.  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS WAIVER SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.

                  SECTION 9. Counterparts. This Waiver may be executed in any
number of counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which counterparts when so
executed shall be an original, but all counterparts taken together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Waiver
to be duly executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers
as of the day and year first above written.



                                       COLLINS & AIKMAN PRODUCTS CO.


                                       By /s/ J. Michael Stepp
                                         -----------------------
                                         Name: J. Michael Stepp
                                         Title: Chief Financial Officer and
                                                  Executive Vice President


                                       COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION


                                       By /s/ J. Michael Stepp
                                         -----------------------
                                         Name: J. Michael Stepp
                                         Title:  Chief Financial Officer and
                                                   Executive Vice President

                                      THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                           as Administrative Agent and as
                                           a Lender


                                       By /s/ Rosemary Bradley
                                         -----------------------
                                         Name:  Rosemary Bradley
                                         Title: Vice President





<PAGE>


                                                                               4



                                       BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND
                                           SAVINGS ASSOCIATION


                                       By /s/ Daniel T. Pervicia
                                         -----------------------
                                           Name: Daniel T. Pervicia
                                           Title: Vice President


                                        NATIONSBANK, N.A.


                                       by   /s/ E. Phifer Helms
                                         -----------------------
                                            Name: E. Phifer Helms
                                            Title: Senior Vice President


                                       BANK OF IRELAND - GRAND CAYMAN BRANCH


                                       By______________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                       THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                                        By   /s/ John Yancey
                                         -----------------------
                                        Name:  John Yancey
                                        Title: Vice President


                                        THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA



                                         By /s/ W. E. Zarrett
                                            ----------------------
                                              Name: W. E. Zarrett
                                              Title: Senior Relationship Manager






<PAGE>


                                                                               5




                                       BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI TRUST
                                        COMPANY


                                       By   ________________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                                       BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY


                                       By /s/ Thatcher L. Townsend
                                         -------------------------
                                            Name:  Thatcher L. Townsend, III
                                            Title: Vice President


                                       CAISSE NATIONALE DE CREDIT AGRICOLE


                                       By /s/ David Bouhl
                                         ------------------------
                                           Name: David Bouhl, FVP
                                           Title: Head of Corporate Banking


                                       CIBC INC.


                                       By /s/ Roger Colden
                                         ------------------------
                                           Name: Roger Colden
                                           Title: Director


                                       COMERICA BANK


                                        By __________________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:




<PAGE>


                                                                              6




                                       COMMERCIAL LOAN FUNDING TRUST I


                                       By /s/ Christopher Mann
                                         _________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:


                                       COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-
                                        BOERENLEENBANK, B.A., "RABOBANK
                                        NEDERLAND", NEW YORK BRANCH


                                       By __________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                       By__________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                       CREDIT LYONNAIS, NEW YORK BRANCH AND
                                        CREDIT LYONNAIS ATLANTA AGENCY


                                       By __________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                       By  __________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                       CREDITANSTALT CORPORATE FINANCE, INC.


                                       By /s/ Craig Stamm
                                         ------------------------
                                          Name: W. Craig Stamm
                                          Title: Vice President

                                       By /s/ Robert M. Biringer
                                         ------------------------
                                          Name: Robert M. Biringer
                                          Title: Executive Vice President

<PAGE>


                                                                              7




                                       DRESDNER BANK, A.G. NEW YORK AND
                                        GRAND CAYMAN BRANCHES


                                      By /s/ Beverly Cason
                                         ------------------------
                                         Name: Beverly Cason
                                         Title: Vice President


                                      By /s/ Christopher Sarisky
                                         ------------------------
                                         Name: Christopher Sarisky
                                         Title: Assistant Treasurer


                                       FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO


                                       By /s/ Larry E. Cooper
                                         ------------------------
                                         Name: Larry E. Cooper
                                         Title: First Vice President


                                       FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF NORTH
                                         CAROLINA


                                       By /s/ David Trotter
                                         ------------------------
                                          Name:  David Trotter
                                          Title:  Vice President


                                      FUJI BANK


                                      By /s/ Teiji Teramoto
                                         ------------------------
                                         Name: Teiji Teramoto
                                         Title: Vice President & Manager





<PAGE>


                                                                              8




                                       THE LONG-TERM CREDIT BANK OF JAPAN
                                         LTD., NEW YORK BRANCH


                                       By /s/ Shuichi Tajima
                                         ------------------------
                                          Name: Shuichi Tajima
                                          Title: Deputy General Manager


                                       THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, PLC


                                       By __________________________________
                                         Name:
                                         Title:


                                       SOCIETE GENERALE


                                       By /s/ Ralph Saheb
                                         ------------------------
                                          Name: Ralph Saheb
                                          Title: Vice President and Manager


                                       SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED


                                       By _______________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                       THE SUMITOMO TRUST & BANKING CO., LTD.


                                       By /s/ Suraj Bhatia
                                         ------------------------
                                          Name: Suraj Bhatia
                                          Title: Senior Vice President





<PAGE>


                                                                              9




                                       SUNTRUST BANK, ATLANTA



                                       By /s/ David W. Penter
                                         ------------------------
                                           Name: David W. Penter
                                           Title: Group Vice President


                                       By /s/ Jeffrey D. Drucker
                                         ------------------------
                                          Name: Jeffrey D. Drucker
                                          Title: Banking Officer


                                       THE TORONTO-DOMINION (NEW YORK), INC.


                                       By /s/ Jorge A. Garcia
                                         ------------------------
                                          Name: Jorge A. Garcia
                                          Title: Vice President


                                       WACHOVIA BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA, N.A.


                                       By /s/ Sarah T. Warren
                                         ------------------------
                                          Name: Sarah T. Warren
                                          Title: Vice President


                                       ALLIED SIGNAL INC.


                                       By __________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:



<PAGE>



                                                                  EXHIBIT A TO
                                                                    WAIVER



                           ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT

         Each of the undersigned corporations hereby:

         (a) acknowledges and consents to the execution, delivery and
performance of the Waiver, dated as of October 27, 1997 (the "Waiver") under the
Credit Agreement dated as of December 5, 1996 (as the same may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"),
among Collins & Aikman Products Co. (the "Borrower"), Collins & Aikman
Corporation ("Holdings"), the several banks and other institutions from time to
time parties to the Credit Agreement (the "Lenders") and The Chase Manhattan
Bank, as administrative agent to the lenders thereunder (in such capacity, the
"Administrative Agent"); and

         (b) agrees that such execution, delivery and performance shall not in
any way affect such corporation's obligations under any Loan Document (as
defined in the Credit Agreement) to which such corporation is a party, which
obligations on the date hereof remain absolute and unconditional and are not
subject to any defense, set-off or counterclaim.

Dated:  October 27, 1997
                                       COLLINS & AIKMAN PRODUCTS CO.

                                        By: __________________________________
                                                Name:
                                                Title:

                                       COLLINS & AIKMAN CANADA INC.

                                       By:__________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                       COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION

                                      By:__________________________________
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

                             
                                      PACJ, INC.



                                      By:   __________________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:


<PAGE>


                                                                              2





                                       THE AKRO CORPORATION

                                       By:_________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:










                                        DURA CONVERTIBLE SYSTEMS, INC.

                                        By:_________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                       IMPERIAL WALLCOVERINGS, INC.

                                       By:_________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                       MARKETING SERVICE, INC.

                                       By:_________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                       GREFAB, INC.

                                       By:_________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                       WICKES ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.

                                       By:_________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:





<PAGE>


                                                                             3




                                       COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION


                                       By:_________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                       WICKES MANUFACTURING COMPANY


                                       By:_________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                                       WICKES REALTY, INC.

                                       By:_________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                       AMCO CONVERTIBLE FABRICS, INC.

                                       By:_________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


                                       MANCHESTER PLASTICS, INC.

                                       By:_________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                       HUGHES PLASTICS, INC.

                                       By:_________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:





<PAGE>


                                                                              4



                                       ACK-TI-LINING, INC.

                                       By:_________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:



                                       COLLINS & AIKMAN PROPERTIES, INC.

                                       By:_________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title: 




<PAGE>



                                                                    Exhibit 10.9

                               [GRAPHIC OMITTED]








                          COLLINS & AIKMAN PRODUCTS CO.



                            1997 EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE
                                COMPENSATION PLAN





                                                                    AUGUST, 1997

<PAGE>



[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

                         COLLINS & AIKMAN PRODUCTS CO.
                   1997 EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN


ARTICLE 1.  INTRODUCTION:  PLAN SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES

1.1    PLAN SUMMARY. The Collins & Aikman Products Co. (the "Company") 1997
       Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the "Plan") establishes the annual
       (fiscal year) bonus program for key employees ("Participants") who are in
       a position to have an impact on the attainment of the goals of the
       Company, and the Company's operating divisions. The Plan provides for
       substantial awards to Participants whose unit meets or exceeds the
       specified performance goal.

       The bonuses of Participants in the 1997 Plan will be based primarily on
       one financial measure: Earnings Before Interest and Taxes ("EBIT") of the
       Participant's unit. Threshold, Target and Maximum performance goals will
       be established for this financial measure. These goals shall be
       associated, respectively, with lowest, expected and maximum bonus levels
       for each measure.

       Awards are determined by assigning each Participant a "Target Bonus" or
       expected bonus level that is equal to a specified percent of base salary.
       The bonus actually paid to the Participant will be based on the extent to
       which the performance of his or her unit meets or exceeds the
       predetermined goals, and on the Participant's performance relative to
       other Plan Participants. The maximum bonus payable shall be equal to 200%
       of the Target Bonus.

1.2    PLAN OBJECTIVES. The Plan objectives are:

          a. to motivate key employees to achieve and exceed the specified
             financial objectives,

          b. to maintain management's focus on the importance of earnings,

          c. to encourage management to balance the longer term needs of the
             business with shorter term requirements, and

          d. to attract and retain the quality and quantity of key employees
             required to successfully manage the Company's operations.


ARTICLE 2.  PLAN DEFINITIONS

2.1    "Base Salary" means the annual base rate of pay, exclusive of bonuses,
       long term incentive awards, benefits, car allowances, awards under this
       Plan and any other non- salary items, as in effect for a Participant on
       the last day of the fiscal year ending in the Plan Year for which an
       incentive award is made.

                                                                               1

<PAGE>



2.2    "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.3    "Cause" means

          a. fraud, misappropriation or gross misconduct with respect to any
             business of the Company or an affiliate of the Company or
             intentional material damage to any property or business, or the
             reputation, of the Company or an affiliate of the Company,

          b. willful failure by a Participant to perform his/her duties and
             responsibilities and to carry out his/her authority,

          c. willful malfeasance or misfeasance or breach of duty or
             representation to the Company or an affiliate of the Company,

          d. willful failure to act in accordance with any specific lawful
             instructions of a majority of the Board of Directors of the
             Company, or breach of any written agreement between Participant and
             the Company or an affiliate of the Company, or

          e. conviction of a Participant of a felony.

2.4    "Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board of
       Directors of the Company or any parent company, whose members are
       determined and appointed by the Board or by the Board of Directors of any
       parent company in their sole discretion.

2.5    "Company" shall mean Collins & Aikman Products Co.

2.6    "Division" means an operating division of the Company for which EBIT
       performance goals are established and approved by the Committee and the
       President and CEO.

2.7    "Earnings Before Interest and Taxes" ("EBIT") means earnings before
       interest and taxes (including imputed interest and taxes) as determined
       by the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting
       principles.

2.8    "Effective Date" means December 29, 1996.


2.9    "Maximum Performance Goal" means the highest level of performance
       specified for the EBIT financial measure. Performance at (and above) this
       level is associated with the maximum level of bonus payouts for each
       measure.

2.10   "Participant" means a key executive or staff person designated as being
       eligible for an award under the Plan.

                                                                               2

<PAGE>

2.11   "Plan Year" means the 1997 fiscal year ending December 27, 1997.
       

2.12   "Target Bonus" means a specified percentage of a Participant's Base
       Salary as determined pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.

2.13   "Target Performance Goal" is the expected level of performance
       established for the EBIT financial performance measure based on the
       Company's and, where applicable, Division's budget and other
       considerations. This level of performance is associated with the Target
       Bonus level of bonus payouts.

2.14   "Threshold Performance Goal" is the lowest acceptable level of
       performance specified for the EBIT financial performance measure. This
       level of performance is associated with the lowest level of bonus
       payouts.


ARTICLE 3. ELIGIBLE EXECUTIVES

3.1    ELIGIBLE EXECUTIVES. Key executives and staff of the Company and
       Divisions are eligible to be named Participants in the Plan for the Plan
       Year. Generally, only those executives and staff whose potential
       contributions are deemed to be important to the success of the Company or
       Division in achieving its objectives will be designated as Participants.
       The designation of eligible executives shall be the responsibility of the
       Vice President - Human Resources and President and CEO of the Company.
       See Article 5 regarding Participant selection.


ARTICLE 4.   SETTING PERFORMANCE GOALS

4.1    BUDGETS AND PERFORMANCE GOALS

       The annual budget of the Company shall form the initial basis for setting
       financial performance goals.

       Threshold, Target and Maximum EBIT Performance Goals will be established
       for the Company and each Division. Threshold and Maximum goals may or may
       not be pre-determined based on a fixed percent of the Target goal.

       The final determination of goals shall be subject to the approval of the
       Committee, in their sole discretion.

4.2    PERFORMANCE GOAL SETTING PROCESS

          a. Performance Goal Recommendations: Upon finalization of the
             Company's budget, the President and CEO shall submit recommended
             Threshold, Target and Maximum EBIT Performance Goals and any
             interim goals.

                                                                               3

<PAGE>




         b.    Performance  Goal  Approval:  Final  approval of the  performance
               goals  shall  be  the  responsibility  of  the  Committee.  It is
               contemplated  that such goals,  once set, will not change for any
               reason  during the fiscal year.  The  Committee  may, in its sole
               discretion,  alter or amend  these goals if deemed  necessary  or
               appropriate.


ARTICLE 5. SELECTING PLAN PARTICIPANTS; ASSIGNING TARGET BONUSES

5.1    PARTICIPANT SELECTION.

           The President and CEO and each Division head (as appropriate) shall
           recommend as a Plan Participant any executive or key employee whose
           potential contributions to his/her unit's performance are considered
           important to the success of their unit. Such recommendations are
           subject to the Plan and the final approval of the Vice President -
           Human Resources and President and CEO.

                                                                                
         a.    Eligible  Group.  The group of eligible  employees shall include,
               but not be limited to, senior executives and their direct reports
               at the Company staff level,  Division heads and senior management
               of the Divisions and their direct  reports.  Key employees  below
               these levels may be included.

         b.    Approval. No employee shall become a participant in the Plan, nor
               shall Plan  participation  be discussed  with an employee,  until
               approval is received in writing  from the Vice  President - Human
               Resources.

5.2     ASSIGNMENT OF TARGET BONUSES

         a.    Target Bonus Guidelines The Vice President - Human Resources and
               the President  and CEO have the  responsibility  to  assign  and
               recommend a Target Bonus for each  Participant.  The  recommended
               Target  Bonus,  will  take into  account  the  Participant's:  a)
               position relative to those of other Participants,  b) anticipated
               contribution  to the  organization's  performance and c) external
               competitive   bonus  rates  for  similar   positions  in  similar
               industries.

         b.    Target Bonus Changes. From time to time, due primarily to changes
               in position,  it may be  necessary  to modify an assigned  Target
               Bonus. The Vice President - Human Resources and President and CEO
               shall have the  authority to make such  modifications  subject to
               the terms of this Plan.



                                                                           4

<PAGE>



5.3  COMMUNICATION  OF PERFORMANCE  GOALS,  PARTICIPANT  ELIGIBILITY  AND TARGET
BONUSES

        The Vice President - Human Resources has the responsibility to
        communicate to each Participant his or her unit's performance goals,
        Participant eligibility and Participant Target Bonus, provided: a) the
        necessary approvals have been obtained before any communication takes
        place, b) any communication regarding the Target Bonus, written or
        otherwise, is fully consistent with this Plan, c) it is clear that the
        recommendation for program participation and bonus eligibility is not a
        guarantee of payment or amount, and d) a Participant be provided a copy
        of this Plan upon request.


ARTICLE 6.  GRANTING PARTICIPANT BONUSES

6.1     INTRODUCTION

        Bonuses based on EBIT performance will be paid only if the Participant's
        unit (i.e., Division or Company, as appropriate) hits its EBIT
        Threshold. It is not necessary for the Company to achieve its EBIT
        threshold for a Division to receive a bonus based on EBIT.

        All bonuses are subject to the final approval of the Committee.

6.2     EBIT BONUS CALCULATION.  When the EBIT bonus is determined, it is
        calculated  as a percent  of the Target  Bonus per the  following
        schedule:

        Company/Division EBIT
        Performance Level Achieved:         Threshold     Target       Maximum
                                           ---------     ------       -------

        Payout as a % of Target Bonus         50%           100%        200%


        In addition, the Committee may establish interim EBIT performance
        levels. Straight line interpolation is used between Threshold and
        Target; and between Target and Maximum.


6.3     BONUS RECOMMENDATIONS, APPROVALS AND DISTRIBUTION

        a.     Bonus  Recommendations.  The  President  & CEO shall,  as soon as
               possible following the determination of year-end results,  submit
               to  the  Committee  a  list  of  recommendations   for  all  Plan
               Participants  for  actual  bonus  awards.  In  determining  bonus
               awards,  the President and CEO may, in his sole  discretion,  use
               other  factors--  such as cash flow,  etc.-- in  determining  the
               level of


                                                                              5
<PAGE>


           achievement of the financial performance measure. Where a recommended
           award is different than a calculated  award,  the variance  should be
           noted.  In arriving at the recommended  awards,  the Vice President -
           Human Resources shall work with each Division head in considering the
           Participants'  Target Bonus levels,  the  calculated  awards based on
           actual EBIT performance, and the Participants' relative contributions
           to the unit's  performance.  The Division  head has,  therefore,  the
           discretion  to modify  individual  calculated  awards to account  for
           different  performance  levels. If one individual's award is modified
           upward,  however, other awards have to be adjusted downward such that
           the net change of all modifications is $0. In other words, the sum of
           all awards calculated must stay the same regardless of any changes in
           individual awards.

           Subject to the other provisions hereof, in no event shall a
           Participant who is eligible for a calculated award have his/her award
           reduced below 75% of the award as calculated. Recommendations for
           Company staff shall normally be based entirely on the actual
           performance of the Company as a whole.

       b.      Final  Approval.  The  Committee  shall  have final  approval  of
               Company  and  Division  operating  results  to be used  in  bonus
               calculations and the timing, and amount of all bonus payments.

       c.      Bonus  Distribution.   Final  approval  by  the  Committee  shall
               authorize the President and CEO to make bonus grants as approved.
               The Vice President - Human  Resources shall effect the payment of
               the  bonus as soon as is  administratively  practicable  once the
               bonuses are approved.


ARTICLE 7.   PLAN ADMINISTRATION

7.1  ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

       a.      Overall Plan  administration  shall be the  responsibility of the
               Committee who shall have absolute and final discretion  regarding
               interpretation  of Plan and sole  authority to make all decisions
               with respect to Plan.

       b.      The Committee  shall have the authority to, at their  discretion,
               approve  all  performance  goals,  actual  performance   results,
               recommended  bonuses,  Plan interpretations and modifications and
               to take any and all other actions at any time they deem necessary
               or appropriate for the administration of the Plan.

       c.      Responsibility  for plan  implementation  and  operation has been
               delegated by the  Committee to the President and CEO and the Vice
               President  - Human  Resources  who shall have the  responsibility
               for:

              1.   approving Participant rosters and Participant Target Bonuses,


                                                                               6

<PAGE>


              2.   ensuring that performance  goals are submitted,  reviewed and
                   approved on a timely basis;



              3.   ensuring that year-end  results and  recommended  bonuses for
                   all  eligible   Participants  are  submitted,   reviewed  and
                   approved on a timely basis; and

              4.   maintaining  appropriate  records with respect to performance
                   goals, eligible Participants,  Target Bonuses, actual awards,
                   all  necessary   written   approvals  and  other  records  as
                   appropriate.

            7.2   AWARD PAYMENTS

       a.     Payment of awards  shall be made on or before  March 1 of the year
              immediately  following  the year for which the  performance  goals
              have been set.

       b.     In the event of a change of  assignment  or  transfer  that  would
              result in a change of Target  Bonus during the course of the year,
              the participant's  bonus calculation shall be determined by mutual
              agreement  with the Division  head,  the President and CEO and the
              Vice President - Human Resources.

       c.     If a person is not on the payroll at the end of the fiscal year, a
              bonus will not be paid  regardless  of length of service or reason
              for termination except as noted herein.  Exceptions may be made by
              the Vice President - Human  Resources and the President and CEO in
              their sole  discretion  for  terminations  prior to the end of the
              fiscal  year due to death,  total  and  permanent  disability  (as
              defined by the applicable disability plan(s)), and Early or Normal
              Retirement (as defined by the applicable  retirement plan(s)).  An
              exception  may also be made for  employees  on approved  leaves of
              absence.  A pro rata bonus based on the executive's  contributions
              to his/her objectives may be payable under these circumstances. In
              the  event  of  the  death  of a  Participant,  the  Participant's
              beneficiaries  shall be entitled  to the awards,  if any, to which
              the Participant would have otherwise been entitled.

              An additional  exception may be made in the event of the sale of a
              unit. In such cases,  the Committee  may, in its sole  discretion,
              award discretionary bonuses based on performance to date. The sale
              of a unit does not  necessarily  entitle a Plan  participant  to a
              bonus under this Plan.

       d.     A former Plan  Participant  who is not on the payroll  when awards
              are distributed (approximately March 1) but who was on the payroll
              at the end of the fiscal  year,  shall  generally be entitled to a
              bonus, subject to the terms of this Plan.

       e.     An employee  discharged for Cause, as defined above, shall forfeit
              any and  all  rights  to a  bonus  under  this  Plan,  even if the
              employee is on the payroll at the end of the fiscal year.

                                                                             7
<PAGE>


       f.     Notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary  set forth in the Plan,
              any amounts  payable as a bonus under the Plan which would cause a
              Plan participant's compensation for the purposes of Section 162(m)
              of the  Internal  Revenue  Code to  exceed  $1  million  shall  be
              deferred  in the amount of any such excess  (the  "Deferred  Bonus
              Amount"). Any such Deferred Bonus Amount shall not be payable to a
              Plan participant until after March 15, 1998, after which date such
              Deferred Bonus Amount shall be paid as soon as practicable.

7.3   GENERAL PROVISIONS

       a.     The Plan is  intended to  constitute  an  "unfunded"  plan for the
              incentive  compensation  of  a  select  group  of  key  management
              employees of the Company and its Divisions.

       b.     Neither  the Plan nor any  action  taken  under the Plan  shall be
              construed as:

           1) giving any  employee any right to be retained in the employ of the
              Company, or Division.

           2) affecting the right of the  above-mentioned  entities to terminate
              the employment of any individual at any time for any reason; or

           3) interfering  with the rights  created  under any separate  written
              employment or severance agreement.

       c.     Should the provisions of a Participant's  employment  contract not
              be consistent  with the  provisions of the Plan, the provisions of
              the employment contract shall control.

       d.     The Committee  may alter,  amend or terminate the Plan at any time
              or from time to time.

       e.     Neither  the  Board nor the  Committee,  nor the  Company  nor any
              Division, nor any officers,  directors or employees shall have any
              liability to any Participant (or his/her  beneficiaries) under the
              Plan or otherwise on account of any action taken, or not taken, in
              good faith by any of the  foregoing  persons  with  respect to the
              business or operations of such entities  notwithstanding  the fact
              that  any  such  action  or  inaction  in any way  whatsoever  may
              adversely affect the value of any awards,  rights or benefits of a
              Participant (or his/her  beneficiaries) under the Plan. Unless the
              Participant  specifies  otherwise  in  writing  to the  Committee,
              beneficiaries,  for the  purposes  of this  Plan,  shall  mean the
              beneficiaries  identified by the Participant for his/her qualified
              pension or retirement plan(s).

                                                                             8
<PAGE>


       f.     The Plan  and all  actions  taken  pursuant  to the Plan  shall be
              governed by, and construed in accordance  with,  the internal laws
              of the State of New York.

       g.     The invalidity or  unenforceability  of any one or more provisions
              of the Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any
              other provisions of the Plan, which shall remain in full force and
              effect.

       h.     Correspondence  regarding  this  Plan  should  be sent to the Vice
              President - Human  Resources,  Collins & Aikman Products Co., Post
              Office Box 32665, Charlotte, NC 28232.

                                                                              9 

<PAGE>



THIRD AMENDMENT, dated as of August 1, 1997 to Agreement dated as of July 22,
1992, as amended by the First Amendment dated February 24, 1994 and by the
Second Amendment dated as of October 3, 1996 (as so amended, the "Agreement")
between COLLINS & AIKMAN PRODUCTS CO. (which was formerly named Collins & Aikman
Corporation) (the "Company") and THOMAS E. HANNAH ("Employee").

         WHEREAS,  the Company and  Employee  desire to amend the  Agreement  as
         hereinafter provided;

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
contained  herein and for other good and  valuable  consideration,  the  parties
hereto hereby agree as follows:

         1. Section  3.1  of  the  Agreement  is  hereby   amended  by  changing
            "$525,000" to "$600,000".

         2. The validity, interpretation and performance of this Amendment shall
            be governed by the laws of the State of New York,  regardless of the
            laws that might be applied under applicable  principles of conflicts
            of laws.  Each of the parties hereby waives any right such party may
            have to a trial by jury.

         3. All references in the Agreement to this  "Agreement"  shall mean the
            Agreement,  as amended hereby.  Except as expressly  amended hereby,
            the Agreement  shall continue in full force and effect in accordance
            with the provisions thereof.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Amendment
as of the day and year first above written.

                                            /s/ Thomas E. Hannah   [L.S.]
                                            --------------------
                                            THOMAS E. HANNAH

                                            COLLINS & AIKMAN PRODUCTS CO.


                                            By   /s/ David A. Stockman
                                                 ----------------------
                                                     Title: Co-Chairman


                                            By   /s/ Randall J. Weisenburger
                                                 ---------------------------
                                                     Title: Co-Chairman



<PAGE>



                                                                      EXHIBIT 11

                          COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION
                        COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
                       IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            QUARTER ENDED                 NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                    SEPTEMBER 27,    SEPTEMBER 21,    SEPTEMBER 27,    SEPTEMBER 21,
                                                                        1997            1996               1997            1996
<S>                                                                <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>
Average shares outstanding during the period...................            66,072           69,060           66,447         69,075
Incremental shares under stock options computed under the
treasury stock method using the average market price of issuer's
stock during the period........................................
                                                                            1,176              865            1,143            941
     Total shares for primary EPS..............................            67,248           69,925           67,590         70,016

Additional shares under stock options computed under the treasury
stock method using the ending price of issuer's stock..........

                                                                               12              12               102              4
     Total shares for fully diluted EPS........................            67,260           69,937           67,692         70,020

Income (loss) applicable to common shareholders:
     Continuing operations.....................................    $      (42,002)  $        6,887   $      (19,137)  $    181,047
     Discontinued operations...................................              (496)           4,791            4,306        (12,271)
     Gain on sale of discontinued operations...................            76,449                -          161,741              -
     Extraordinary loss........................................                 -                -             (721)        (6,610)
     Net income................................................    $       33,951   $       11,678   $      146,189   $    162,166

Income per primary and fully diluted common share:
     Continuing operations.....................................    $         (.62)   $         .10    $        (.28)   $      2.59
     Discontinued operations...................................              (.01)             .07              .06           (.18)
     Gain on sale of discontinued operations...................              1.13              -               2.39            -
     Extraordinary loss........................................                 -              -               (.01)          (.09)
     Net income................................................    $          .50    $         .17    $        2.16    $      2.32
</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
                             FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 AND SUCH IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-27-1997
<CASH>                                         89,369
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  222,042
<ALLOWANCES>                                   9,662
<INVENTORY>                                    138,549
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               589,303
<PP&E>                                         477,604
<DEPRECIATION>                                 123,782
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1,386,425
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          395,085
<BONDS>                                        803,651
                          0
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       705
<OTHER-SE>                                     (69,441)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1,386,425
<SALES>                                        1,199,586
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1,199,586
<CGS>                                          1,040,199
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  1,040,199
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               21,303
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               640
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             57,891
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (17,560)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   1,577
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (19,137)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 166,047
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (721)
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   146,189
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  2.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  2.16
        

</TABLE>


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