JPE INC
8-K, 1998-11-12
MOTOR VEHICLE SUPPLIES & NEW PARTS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

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



       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 28, 1998


                                    JPE, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                    MICHIGAN
                 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)


         0-22580                                       38-2958730
     (Commission File No.)                   (IRS Employer Identification No.)


         775 Technology Drive, Suite 200
                Ann Arbor, Michigan                         48108
     (Address of Principal Executive Offices)             (Zip Code)


                                 (734) 662-2323
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

<PAGE>

ITEM 2     ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

     On September 4, 1998, R&B, Inc., a Delaware  corporation  ("Buyer") entered
into an Asset Purchase  Agreement dated as of August 28, 1998 (the  "Agreement")
(the  Agreement  is filed as  Exhibit  2.1 to this  Report)  with JPE,  Inc.,  a
Michigan   corporation  (the   "Registrant"),   and  Registrant's   wholly-owned
subsidiary,   Allparts,   Incorporated,  a  Missouri  corporation  ("Allparts"),
pursuant to which Buyer  agreed to purchase  substantially  all of the assets of
Allparts.  Allparts is a distributor of hydraulic  brake parts to the automotive
aftermarket.

     On October  15,  1998,  the parties  entered  into  Amendment  No. 1 to the
Agreement  (the  "Amendment")  (the  Amendment  is filed as Exhibit  2.2 to this
Report).

     On  October  28,  1998  (the  "Closing  Date"),  the sale of  Allparts  was
completed.  In accordance  with the  Agreement,  as amended,  the  consideration
received  was  approximately  $10.1  million  in cash,  plus the  assumption  of
Allparts' trade and accrued liabilities.

     In the Agreement,  Allparts made certain  representations and warranties as
to itself.  The only  representations  and warranties which survived the Closing
Date were those  relating to taxes and fraud or gross  negligence.  Allparts and
Registrant are jointly and severally liable for the  indemnification  related to
the surviving representations and warranties. Registrant believes that the taxes
incurred in connection with the business of Allparts have been properly  accrued
on Registrant's balance sheet.

     The proceeds of the sale, net of selling  commissions and related expenses,
were  used  to  permanently   reduce  the  Registrant's   borrowings  under  the
Forbearance  Agreement  dated August 10, 1998, as amended,  among the Registrant
and Comerica Bank, and other banks participant thereto.

     Prior to the disposition,  there were no relationships  between  Registrant
and  Buyer,  any  of  Registrant's  affiliates,   any  director  or  officer  of
Registrant, or any associates of any of Registrant's officers or directors.


ITEM 7(b)  PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     The following  unaudited pro forma consolidated  financial  statements give
effect to the sale of Allparts, Incorporated. The Pro Forma Consolidated Balance
Sheet as of December 31, 1997 and September 30, 1998 and the Statement of Income
for the nine months  ended  September  30, 1998 and the year ended  December 31,
1997 reflect the  divestiture as if it had been completed as of January 1, 1997.
The pro forma data does not purport to be  indicative of the results which would
actually have been reported if this transaction had occurred on January 1, 1997.

<PAGE>

                                    JPE, INC.
<TABLE>
                 Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
                            as of September 30, 1998
                                   (Unaudited)

<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      Pro Forma
                                                     JPE            Allparts,       Pro Forma             JPE
                                                Consolidated           Inc.         Adjustment       Consolidated
                                                ------------        ---------       ----------       ------------
<S>                                               <C>               <C>               <C>             <C>

Cash and cash equivalents                         $    408              --                --          $    408
Accounts receivable trade, net                      18,968          $ 4,923               --            14,045
Inventory, net                                      26,141            5,674               --            20,467
Other current assets                                 3,507              158               --             3,349
                                                  --------          -------           -------         --------
Total current assets                                49,024           10,755               --            38,269
Investment in affiliated companies                  27,232              --                --            27,232
Net fixed assets                                    22,138              540               --            21,598
Goodwill                                             7,322               18               --             7,304
Other assets, long-term                                761              --                --               761
                                                  --------          -------           -------         --------
Total assets                                      $106,477          $11,313               --          $ 95,164
                                                  ========          =======           =======         ========

Current portion long-term debt                    $104,024          $    29           $(9,891) (a)    $ 94,104
Accounts payable trade                              12,049            1,211               --            10,838
Accounts payable - intercompany                        --               687               687  (b)         -- 
Accrued liabilities                                  2,779              124               326  (d)       2,981
Other current liabilities                            1,361              --                --             1,361
                                                  --------          -------           -------         --------
Total current liabilities                          120,213            2,051            (8,878)         109,284

Other long-term accrued liabilities                  1,502              --                --             1,502
Long-term debt                                         141               81               --                60

Foreign currency translation                          (336)             --                --              (336)
Common stock and paid-in capital                    28,051           11,046            11,046  (b)      28,051
Retained earnings - prior                          (43,094)          (1,865)           (2,168) (c)     (43,397)
                                                  --------          -------           -------         --------
Total stockholders' equity                         (15,379)           9,181             8,878          (15,682)
                                                  --------          -------           -------         --------
Total liabilities and equity                      $106,477          $11,313           $   --          $ 95,164
                                                  ========          =======           =======         ========

<FN>

(a)  To reduce debt for net proceeds  received.

(b)  To eliminate intercompany accounts payable and the investment account.

(c)  To adjust  earnings  for the impact of the above  transactions  on retained
     earnings.

(d)  To record tax accrual as a result of interest saving.


</FN>
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                                    JPE, INC.
<TABLE>
                Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
                  for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998
                                   (Unaudited)

<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     Pro Forma
                                                    JPE             Allparts,        Pro Forma          JPE
                                               Consolidated           Inc.           Adjustment     Consolidated
                                               ------------         ---------        ----------     ------------
<S>                                               <C>               <C>                <C>            <C>

Sales                                             $185,217          $14,034               --          $171,183

Cost of sales                                      164,126           10,386               --           153,740
                                                  --------          -------            ------         --------

Gross margin                                        21,091            3,648               --            17,443

Selling expense                                     21,425            2,442               --            18,983

Other expense                                       39,311            5,268               --            34,043
                                                  --------          -------            ------         --------

Income before interest and taxes                   (39,645)          (4,062)              --           (35,583)

Interest                                            10,659              968            $ (816) (a)       8,875
                                                  --------          -------            ------         --------

Income before taxes                                (50,304)          (5,030)              816          (44,458)

Tax expense                                         (1,496)             190               326  (b)      (1,360)
                                                  --------          -------            ------         --------

Net income                                        $(48,808)         $(5,220)           $  490         $(43,098)
                                                  ========          ========           ======         ========

Weighted average shares                              4,602                                               4,602
                                                     =====                                               =====

Earnings per share                                 $(10.61)                                             $(9.37)
                                                   =======                                              ======

<FN>

(a)  Interest expense adjusted for the net cash proceeds paid to the bank
                  Net cash proceeds                              $9,891
                  Average interest                                  11%
                  Annual interest expense                        $1,088

(b) Tax provision computed at an effective rate of 40%.

</FN>
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                                    JPE, INC.
<TABLE>
                 Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
                             as of December 31, 1997
                                   (Unaudited)

<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      Pro Forma
                                                    JPE             Allparts,       Pro Forma             JPE
                                                Consolidated          Inc.          Adjustment       Consolidated
                                                ------------        ---------       ----------       ------------
<S>                                               <C>               <C>               <C>             <C>
Cash and cash equivalents                         $     29              --                --          $     29
Accounts receivable trade, net                      37,997          $ 4,445               --            33,552
Inventory, net                                      39,412            4,784               --            34,628
Other current assets                                 8,375               50               --             8,325
                                                  --------          -------           -------         --------
Total current assets                                85,813            9,279               --            76,534
Net fixed assets                                    72,981            1,254               --            71,727
Goodwill                                            31,962            4,799               --            27,163
Other assets, long-term                              2,459              --                --             2,459
                                                  --------          -------           -------         --------
Total assets                                      $193,215          $15,332               --          $177,883
                                                  ========          =======           =======         ========

Short term debt                                   $  7,723              --                --          $  7,723
Current portion long-term debt                     105,402              --            $(9,891) (a)      95,511
Accounts payable trade                              25,219          $   584               --            24,635
Accounts payable - intercompany                        --               454               454  (b)         -- 
Accrued corporate taxes                                314              725               324  (d)         (87)
Accrued liabilities                                  6,336              274               --             6,062
                                                  --------          -------           -------         --------
Total current liabilities                          144,994            2,037            (9,113)         133,844

Other long-term accrued liabilities                  1,651              105               --             1,546
Deferred income tax                                  3,804               23               --             3,781
Long-term debt                                       9,272              --                --             9,272

Foreign currency translation                          (271)             --                --              (271)
Common stock and paid-in capital                    28,051           11,046            11,046  (b)      28,051
Retained earnings - prior                            5,714            2,121            (1,933) (c)       1,660
                                                  --------          -------           -------         --------
Total stockholders' equity                          33,494            3,167             9,113           29,440
                                                  --------          -------           -------         --------
Total liabilities and equity                      $193,215          $15,332           $   --          $177,883
                                                  ========          =======           =======         ========

<FN>

(a)  To reduce debt for net proceeds received.

(b)  To eliminate intercompany accounts payable and the investment account.

(c)  To adjust  earnings  for the impact of the above  transactions  on retained
     earnings.

(d)  To record tax accrual as a result of interest saving.

</FN>
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                                    JPE, INC.
<TABLE>
                Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
                      for the Year Ended December 31, 1997
                                   (Unaudited)

<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     Pro Forma
                                                    JPE             Allparts,         Pro Forma         JPE
                                                Consolidated           Inc.           Adjustment    Consolidated
                                                ------------        ---------         ----------    ------------
<S>                                               <C>               <C>                <C>            <C>

Sales                                             $287,066          $17,732               --          $269,334

Cost of sales                                      246,903           12,658               --           234,245
                                                  --------          -------            ------         --------

Gross margin                                        40,163            5,074               --            35,089

Selling expense                                     29,254            3,250               --            26,004

Discontinuance of stamping operations                2,164              --                --             2,164

Other expense                                          618              --                --               618
                                                  --------          -------            ------         --------

Income before interest and taxes                     8,127            1,824               --             6,303

Interest                                            10,464              870            $ (811) (a)       8,783
                                                  --------          -------            ------         --------

Income before taxes                                 (2,337)             954               811           (2,480)

Tax expense                                           (194)             442               324  (b)        (312)
                                                  --------          -------            ------         --------

Net income                                        $( 2,143)         $   512            $  487         $ (2,168)
                                                  ========          =======            ======         ========

Weighted average shares                              4,602                                               4,602
                                                     =====                                               =====

Earnings per share                                  $(0.47)                                             $(0.47)
                                                    ======                                              ======

<FN>

(a)  Interest expense adjusted for the net cash proceeds paid to the bank
                  Net cash proceeds                              $9,891
                  Average interest                                 8.2%
                  Annual interest expense                         $ 811

(b) Tax provision computed at an effective rate of 40%.

</FN>
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

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


                                            JPE, INC.


Date:  November 12, 1998                    /s/  James J. Fahrner
                                            ----------------------------------
                                                 James J. Fahrner
                                                 Chief Operating Officer and
                                                 Chief Financial Officer


<PAGE>

                                 Exhibits Index
                                 --------------


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

2.1      Asset Purchase Agreement,  dated as of August 28, 1998, by and between
         R&B, Inc. and Allparts, Inc.

2.2      Amendment No. 1, dated as of October 15, 1998, to Asset Purchase 
         Agreement, dated as of August 28, 1998, by and between R&B, Inc. and
         Allparts, Inc.




                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT


     This Asset  Purchase  Agreement  is entered into and is effective as of the
28th day of August,  1998, by and between R&B, Inc., a Pennsylvania  corporation
("Purchaser"); and Allparts, Inc., a Missouri corporation ("Seller").


                                   BACKGROUND

     Seller is a wholly-owned  subsidiary of JPE,  Inc., a Michigan  corporation
(the  "Company").  This Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions upon which
Purchaser is  purchasing,  and the Seller is selling,  substantially  all of the
assets of Seller.

     Incorporating   the  foregoing  herein,  in  consideration  of  the  mutual
agreements, covenants,  representations and warranties contained herein, and for
other good and  valuable  consideration,  the receipt  and  adequacy of which is
hereby acknowledged, and in reliance thereon, intending to be legally bound, the
parties hereby agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I
                               CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

     As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

     1.1  "Accounts  Receivable"  shall  mean as of any date any trade  accounts
receivable, notes receivable, bid or performance deposits, employee advances and
other miscellaneous receivables associated with the Business as of such date.

     1.2  "Accrued  Expenses"  shall  mean as of any date  accrued  payroll  and
benefits and other  accrued  expenses as would appear on a balance  sheet of the
Business as of such date prepared in accordance  with GAAP,  including,  but not
limited to, those  described in Schedule 1.2, but excluding any amounts  payable
to  Affiliates  of Seller and any  compensation  to Employees  or others  solely
contingent upon or payable solely as a result of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby.

     1.3 "Affiliate"  shall mean any company or other entity which controls,  is
controlled  by or is under common  control with the  designated  Party.  For the
purposes of the foregoing,  ownership, directly or indirectly, of twenty percent
or more of the  voting  stock or  other  equity  interest  shall  be  deemed  to
constitute control.

     1.4 "Agreement" shall mean this Asset Purchase Agreement.

     1.5  "Ancillary  Agreements"  shall  mean,  collectively,   all  agreements
executed in connection herewith, including, but not limited to, the Bill of Sale
and Assignment described in Section 5.2.1, the Trademark Assignment described in
Section 5.2.2,  the Patent  Assignment  described in Section 5.2.3, the Covenant
Deed  described  in Section  5.2.5 and the  Assumption  Agreement  described  in
Section 5.3.1.

     1.6  "Assumed  Liabilities"  shall have the meaning  given to it in Section
2.4.

     1.7 "Balance  Sheet" shall mean the balance  sheet of the Seller as of June
30, 1998 referred to in Section 6.4.

     1.8 "Balance Sheet Date" shall mean June 30, 1998.

     1.9 "Books and Records" shall have the meaning given to it in Section 6.15.

     1.10 "Business" shall mean the business and operations of Allparts, Inc., a
Missouri corporation as presently conducted by Seller.

     1.11 "Closing" shall mean the taking of the actions  described in Article V
of this Agreement.

     1.12 "Closing  Date" shall mean  September 30, 1998,  or, if all conditions
precedent to the Closing set forth in Article X and Article XI of this Agreement
are not satisfied or waived as of September 30, 1998,  the earliest  practicable
date after all such  conditions  precedent are satisfied or waived or such other
date as the Parties shall mutually agree on in writing.

     1.13 "Closing  Inventory" shall mean all Inventory relating to the Business
on the Closing Date.

     1.14 "Code"  shall mean the  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as it may be
amended form time to time, and any successor thereto.  Any reference herein to a
specific  section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference
to any corresponding provision of future law.

     1.15  "Confidential  Information" shall have the meaning given to such term
in Section 12.1.

     1.16 "Employee" shall mean any individual employed by Seller in the conduct
of the  Business  as listed on Schedule  1.16 (such  Schedule  being  subject to
change  between  the date  hereof and the  Closing  Date as a result of employee
changes in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices).

     1.17 "Encumbrance" shall mean any right to, or interest in, property, which
subsists in a third-party and which constitutes a claim, lien or charge attached
to and binding  upon the  property,  including,  but not limited to, a mortgage,
judgment  lien,  tax lien,  mechanic's  lien,  security  interest,  easement and
right-of-way.

     1.18  "Environmental Law" shall mean any federal (including but not limited
to the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C.  Sections 1251 et seq.,  the Toxic  Substances
Control  Act,  15 U.S.C.  Sections  2601 et seq.,  the Clean Air Act,  42 U.S.C.
Sections 7401 et seq., the Safe Drinking  Water Act, 42 U.S.C.  Sections 300f et
seq., the Comprehensive Environmental Response,  Compensation and Liability Act,
42 U.S.C.  Sections 9601 et seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42
U.S.C.  Section 6901 et seq.,  the River and Harbor Act, 33 U.S.C.  Section 407,
and the  Occupational  Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C.  Section 651 et.  seq.),
state or  local  statute,  ordinance  or  promulgated  rule or  regulation,  any
judicial or administrative  order or judgment  (whether or not by consent),  and
any  provision  or  condition  of  any  permit,   license  or  other   operating
authorization  relating to (i) the  protection of the  environment or the public
welfare  from actual or  potential  exposure (or the effects of exposure) to any
actual or potential  release,  discharge,  disposal or emission (whether past or
present)  of any  Regulated  Substance  or  (ii)  the  manufacture,  processing,
distribution,  use, treatment,  storage, disposal,  transport or handling of any
Regulated Substance.

     1.19 Section intentionally left blank.

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

     1.21 "ERISA  Plans" shall mean defined  benefit  pension  plans and defined
contribution pension plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.

     1.22 "Excluded Assets" shall mean those assets that are not included in the
sale contemplated hereby and as are further defined in Section 2.2.

     1.23 "Excluded  Liabilities"  shall have the meaning given to it in Section
2.5.

     1.24 Section intentionally left blank.

     1.25 "GAAP" shall mean  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  in the
United States of America, consistently applied.

     1.26 "Inventory" shall mean the inventory of the Business,  including,  but
not limited to, raw materials, supplies, work in process and finished goods.

     1.27  "Knowledge"  and words of similar import shall mean,  with respect to
Purchaser,  actual  knowledge of a particular fact being known by any officer or
other   individual   having   principal   responsibility   for  a  business   or
administrative  function of such Party and with  respect to Seller,  "Knowledge"
shall mean the actual  knowledge  of a  particular  fact being known by the Vice
President-General  Manager,  Operations  Manager or Vice  President  of Sales of
Seller.

     1.28 "Losses" shall mean all losses,  costs,  claims,  liabilities,  fines,
penalties,  damages and  expenses,  including  interest  which may be imposed in
connection  therewith and court costs and reasonable fees and  disbursements  of
counsel and  consultants,  but after taking into account any insurance  proceeds
received by the party  incurring  the Losses (net of any premiums  paid for such
insurance or premium increases resulting  therefrom) and any net tax benefits to
such party resulting therefrom.

     1.29  "Material  Contracts"  shall have the meaning  given to it in Section
6.10.

     1.30 "Party" shall mean either Seller, or Purchaser,  individually,  as the
context so requires,  and the term  "Parties"  shall mean Seller,  and Purchaser
together.

     1.31  "Payables"  as of any date  shall  mean any of the  accounts  payable
associated with the Business as of such date in accordance with GAAP, other than
to an Affiliate of Seller.

     1.32 "Permits" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 6.11.

     1.33  "Permitted   Encumbrances"  shall  mean  (i)  those  Encumbrances  as
specifically  set forth on  Schedule  1.35  hereto or (ii)  liens of  mechanics,
materialmen, laborers, warehousemen,  carriers, real and personal property taxes
and other similar common law or statutory  liens arising in the ordinary  course
of business  which (A) are not yet due and payable or, if due and payable,  have
been adequately  bonded or which are being contested in good faith or (B) do not
exceed $5,000 individually or in the aggregate.

     1.34 "Person" shall mean any  individual,  corporation,  limited  liability
company,  limited  or  general  partnership,  company,  trust or  estate,  joint
venture, association or other entity.

     1.35  "Prepaid  Expenses" as of any date shall mean payments made by Seller
with respect to the Business which  constitute  prepaid expenses of the Business
in accordance with GAAP.

     1.36 "Product"  shall mean any of the products  distributed by Seller as of
the Closing Date.

     1.37  "Proprietary  Rights"  shall have the  meaning  given to such term in
Section 6.9.1.

     1.38 "Purchase  Price" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section
3.1.1.

     1.39  "Purchased  Assets"  shall  have the  meaning  given to such  term in
Section 2.1.

     1.40 "Purchaser"  shall have the meaning given to such term in the preamble
of this Agreement.

     1.41  "Real  Property"  shall  mean the Real  Property  Leased and the Real
Property Owned, collectively.

     1.42 "Real Property  Leased" shall mean the real property  leased by Seller
in connection with the Business as more fully described in Schedule 1.42 hereto.

     1.43 "Real  Property  Owned" shall mean the real property  owned by Seller,
and used in  connection  with the  Business as more fully  described in Schedule
1.43 hereto.

     1.44 "Regulated  Substance" shall mean any substance that is identified (by
listing  or  characteristic)  and  regulated  (or the  clean-up  of which can be
required) by any federal,  state or local law or regulation  intended to protect
the  environment  or the public health or welfare,  including but not limited to
the statutes,  ordinances  or  regulations  relating to clean air,  clean water,
hazardous and solid waste  disposal,  safe drinking water,  endangered  species,
occupational  safety and health, oil spill prevention,  groundwater  protection,
and toxic substances control, among others.

     1.45 "Seller"  shall have the meaning given to such term in the preamble of
this Agreement.

     1.46 "Taxes" shall mean all taxes, duties,  charges,  fees, levies or other
assessment  imposed  by any taxing  authority,  including,  without  limitation,
income, gross receipts, valueadded, excise, withholding, personal property, real
estate,  sale,  use, ad valorem,  license,  lease,  service,  severance,  stamp,
transfer, payroll,  employment,  customs, duties,  alternative,  add-on minimum,
estimated and franchise  taxes  (including any interest,  penalties or additions
attributable to or imposed on or with respect to any such assessment).


                                   ARTICLE II
                        PURCHASE OF ASSETS AND PROPERTIES
                          AND ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES

     2.1  Purchased  Assets.  Subject  to  the  terms  and  conditions  of  this
Agreement,  Seller  shall sell and convey to  Purchaser,  good,  marketable  and
indefeasible title to, free and clear of all Encumbrances whatsoever (other than
Permitted Encumbrances, the Assumed Liabilities and except as expressly provided
herein),  and  Purchaser  shall  purchase  from Seller,  the Business as a going
concern  and all of  Seller's  right,  title and  interest in and to the assets,
properties and rights of every kind and description,  real,  personal and mixed,
tangible and intangible,  wherever situated, constituted or used in the Business
(the "Purchased Assets") as the same shall exist on the Closing Date (other than
the Excluded Assets), including, without limitation, the following:

          2.1.1 Real Property Owned. The Real Property Owned,  together with the
     buildings,  structures,  improvements and fixtures located thereon, and all
     rights,   privileges,   easements,   licenses,   hereditaments   and  other
     appurtenances relating thereto;

          2.1.2 Real Property Leased.  Seller's interest, as lessee, in the Real
     Property Leased;

          2.1.3 Equipment,  Machinery and Other Tangible Personal Property.  All
     machinery,   equipment,   leasehold  improvements,   trucks,   automobiles,
     supplies,   office   furniture   and  office   equipment,   computing   and
     telecommunications  equipment and other items of personal property that are
     owned by  Seller  and used in  connection  with  the  Business,  including,
     without limitation, those described in Schedule 2.1.3 hereto;

          2.1.4  Contracts  Relating  to the  Business.  All of the  interest of
     Seller in all contracts, leases of machinery,  equipment and other personal
     property,   sale  orders,   purchase   orders,   guarantees,   commitments,
     instruments  and all other  agreements  relating  to the  Purchased  Assets
     and/or the  operation  of the  Business  (collectively,  the  "Contracts"),
     including,  without  limitation,  those listed in Schedule 2.1.4 hereto and
     those  Contracts  not required to be listed on Schedule  2.1.4 because they
     relate to amounts in any one case of less than $2,500;

          2.1.5  Customer  Lists,  Sales and Marketing  Materials.  All customer
     lists, sales data,  catalogs,  brochures,  suppliers' names, mailing lists,
     art work, photographs and advertising material,  whether in electronic form
     or otherwise;

          2.1.6  Permits,  Licenses.  All of  Seller's  interest  in Permits (as
     hereinafter  defined),  including,  without  limitation,  those  listed  in
     Schedule 2.1.6 hereto;

          2.1.7  Trade  Secrets.   All  trade  secrets,   secret  processes  and
     procedures, engineering,  production, assembly, design, installation, other
     technical drawings and specifications,  working notes and memoranda, market
     studies,  consultants' reports,  technical and laboratory data, competitive
     samples,  engineering  prototypes,  and all similar property of any nature,
     tangible or intangible,  of Seller and/or  utilized in connection  with the
     Business;

          2.1.8 Intellectual  Property.  All right, title and interest of Seller
     in its  Proprietary  Rights,  including,  but not limited to, the  patents,
     trademarks, trademark registrations, trade names, service marks, copyrights
     and copyright  registrations  of Seller and/or  utilized in connection with
     the Business,  including,  without limitation,  those described in Schedule
     2.1.8;

          2.1.9 Property, Personnel and Accounting Records. All other records of
     Seller, including,  without limitation,  property records and to the extent
     permitted by applicable law,  copies of personnel  records of Employees who
     become employees of Purchaser;

          2.1.10 Goodwill. All right, title and interest of Seller in and to the
     goodwill incident to the Business;

          2.1.11 Inventory. All Closing Inventory;

          2.1.12 Accounts  Receivable.  All Accounts  Receivable existing at the
     Closing Date;

          2.1.13 Prepaid  Expenses.  All Prepaid Expenses of, or for the benefit
     of, the Business at the Closing Date including,  without limitation,  those
     described in Schedule 2.1.13;

          2.1.14 Computer Software. All computer applications software, owned or
     licensed,  whether for  general  business  usage  (e.g.,  accounting,  word
     processing,    graphics,   spreadsheet   analysis,   etc.)   or   specific,
     unique-to-the-business   usage  (e.g.,  order  processing,   manufacturing,
     process control,  shipping,  etc.) and all computer operating,  security or
     programming  software,  owned or  licensed  by Seller  and/or  utilized  in
     connection with the Business,  including,  without limitation, those listed
     in Schedule 2.1.14;

          2.1.15 Other Intangible Assets.  All other assets (including,  without
     limitation,  all causes of action,  rights of action,  contract  rights and
     warranty and product  liability  claims against third parties)  relating to
     the Purchased Assets or the Business; and

          2.1.16 Insurance Plans. All insurance policies which fund all employee
     benefit  plans or  arrangements,  such  plans  and  arrangements  listed on
     Schedule 2.1.16 attached hereto.

     2.2 Excluded  Assets.  Notwithstanding  Section 2.1, the  following  assets
(collectively, the "Excluded Assets") shall be excluded from this Agreement, and
shall not be assigned or transferred to Purchaser:

          2.2.1 The  consideration  paid to Seller  pursuant  to this  Agreement
     and/or the Ancillary Agreements;

          2.2.2 Assets  constituting  any pension or other funds for the benefit
     of  Employees,  except as  provided in  connection  with the 401(k) Plan in
     Section 4.4;

          2.2.3 Corporate minute books and stock books;

          2.2.4 Any claims and rights against third parties (including,  without
     limitation,  insurance carriers),  to the extent they relate to liabilities
     or obligations that are not assumed by Purchaser  hereunder  (except to the
     extent  Purchaser  shall have  incurred  costs and expenses with respect to
     such claims and rights); and

          2.2.5  Claims for refunds of Taxes and other  governmental  charges to
     the extent such refunds relate to periods ending on or prior to the Closing
     Date.

     2.3  License  to Use  Certain  Assets.  To the  extent  that  there are any
tangible or  intangible  assets used by Seller in  connection  with the Business
that are not included under Section 2.1 (that are not specifically designated as
Excluded  Assets by  Section  2.2  (without  reference  to this  Section)),  the
Purchased Assets shall include an irrevocable, nonexclusive, perpetual, paid-up,
royalty-free, transferable license to utilize such assets in connection with the
operation of the Business  after the Closing  Date.  To the extent that any such
assets may not be  licensed,  Seller  shall use its best  efforts to assure that
Purchaser obtains the benefit of such assets.

     2.4 Assumed  Liabilities.  From and after the Closing Date,  and except for
the  Excluded  Liabilities,  and  except as may be as a result of fraud or gross
negligence on the part of Seller, Purchaser shall, without any responsibility or
liability of, or recourse to,  Seller,  or any of its  directors,  shareholders,
officers,   employees,   agents,   consultants,   representatives,   affiliates,
successors  or  assigns,  absolutely  and  irrevocably  assume and be liable and
solely  responsible  for any and all  liabilities and obligations of any kind or
nature, whether foreseen or unforeseen,  known or unknown, existing or which may
arise in the future, fixed or contingent,  material or immaterial, of the Seller
arising  out of or  relating  to (i) the  ownership,  use or  possession  of the
Purchased  Assets or the  operation  or  condition  of the  Business or (ii) the
condition of the Purchased Assets (the "Assumed Liabilities").  Gross negligence
shall mean for purposes of this Agreement the  intentional  failure to perform a
manifest duty in reckless  disregard of the consequences as affecting the assets
or property of any Person.

     2.5 Excluded  Liabilities.  From and after the Closing Date,  Seller shall,
without any responsibility or liability of, or recourse to, Purchaser, or any of
its  directors,   shareholder,   officers,   employees,   agents,   consultants,
representatives,  affiliates,  successors or assigns, absolutely and irrevocably
retain  and be  solely  responsible  for  any  and  all of the  liabilities  and
obligations  of any kind or nature,  whether  foreseen or  unforeseen,  known or
unknown, existing or which may arise in the future, fixed or contingent, matured
or  unmatured  of Seller  arising out of or relating to (a) the payment of Taxes
with  respect  to any period  ending on or prior to the  Closing  Date;  (b) the
Excluded Assets; and (c) intercompany  liabilities of Seller to any Affiliate of
Seller, including without limitation, the Company Loan described in Schedule 2.5
attached hereto.


                                   ARTICLE III
                             CONSIDERATION AND TERMS

     3.1 Consideration for Purchased Assets.

          3.1.1  Subject  to any  adjustments  pursuant  to  Section  3.4 and/or
     Section 15.2, the aggregate monetary  consideration to be paid by Purchaser
     to Seller for the  Purchased  Assets shall consist of a cash payment in the
     amount of Nine Million Six Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($9,650,000) (the
     "Purchase Price").

          3.1.2 As  additional  consideration,  Purchaser  also shall assume the
     Assumed  Liabilities  and pay to Seller at the  Closing the  Estimated  Tax
     Payment (as  hereinafter  defined)  and the  Additional  Consideration  (as
     specified on Schedule 3.1.2).  The Additional  Consideration  shall be paid
     according to the terms of Schedule 3.1.2

     3.2 Payment of  Consideration.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, at the Closing,  Purchaser shall deliver to Seller the Purchase Price
plus the Estimated Tax Payment by wire transfer of immediately  available  funds
to a bank account  designated in writing by Seller.  The "Estimated Tax Payment"
shall mean the Seller's  estimated Tax  liability  relating to federal and state
corporate  income taxes and reflected on Seller's  closing balance sheet for the
period  prior to and  including  the Closing  Date as  indicated  on a statement
delivered to Purchaser not less than one business day prior to the Closing Date.

     3.3 Allocation of Purchase Price. The Parties agree that the Purchase Price
shall be allocated in accordance with Schedule 3.3, attached hereto.  Each Party
agrees not to assert,  in connection  with any tax return,  tax audit or similar
proceeding,  any  allocation of the Purchase Price that differs from that agreed
upon pursuant to this Section.

     3.4 Certain Price Adjustments.  The Purchase Price shall be adjusted by the
amount,  if any, by which the Net Worth (as hereafter  defined) of Seller, as of
the Closing Date, as finally  determined,  is greater or less than the Net Worth
of Seller as of June 30, 1998 (the "Reference Net Worth"). Further, the Seller's
Estimated  Tax Payment  shall be  adjusted  by the amount,  if any, by which the
Seller's  actual Tax liability  relating to federal and state  corporate  income
taxes and  reflected on Seller's  closing  balance sheet for the period prior to
and including the Closing Date (the "Actual Tax Amount") exceeds or is less than
the Estimated Tax Payment.

          3.4.1 On or within one day after the Closing Date,  personnel assigned
     by each of Seller and Purchaser  shall jointly inspect all Inventory of the
     Business and prepare a physical count of the Closing Inventory.

          3.4.2 As soon as practicable following the Closing Date, but not later
     than 60 days thereafter,  the Parties shall jointly determine the Net Worth
     of Seller as of the Closing Date and shall execute a certificate  (the "Net
     Worth  Certificate")  setting forth such Net Worth and a calculation of the
     Actual Tax Amount.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  "Net Worth" as of any
     date shall be the aggregate value determined in accordance with GAAP of (x)
     the  Purchased  Assets net of (y) the  Assumed  Liabilities.  The Net Worth
     Certificate shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP,  consistent with the
     accounting principles and practices utilized in preparing the Reference Net
     Worth Statement,  provided all such accounting principles and practices are
     in  accordance  with  GAAP.  If the  parties  are  unable to reach  written
     agreement as to the Net Worth  Certificate  and/or the  calculation  of the
     Actual Tax Amount within 60 days after the Closing  Date,  then the Parties
     shall (i) retain KPMG Peat  Marwick LLP (the "Firm") to review such matters
     as to which written  agreement has not been reached.  The Firm shall render
     its  decision  within 45 days after  being  retained by the Parties and the
     same  shall  be  final,  conclusive  and  binding  upon  the  parties.  The
     determination  of the Firm for any item in dispute cannot,  however,  be in
     excess of, nor less  than,  the  greatest  or lowest  value,  respectively,
     claimed by either Party for that particular  item. The fees and expenses of
     the Firm shall be shared equally by Seller and Purchaser.

          3.4.3 Not later than five business days after written agreement by the
     Parties or the written determination of the Firm pursuant to Section 3.4.2,
     an adjustment payment, if any, shall be made as follows:

               (i) If the Net  Worth  as of the  Closing  Date is less  than the
          Reference  Net Worth,  Seller shall pay to Purchaser the amount of the
          difference;  if the Net Worth as of the Closing  Date is more than the
          Reference Net Worth, Purchaser shall pay Seller the difference;

               (ii) If the Estimated Tax Payment  exceeds the Actual Tax Amount,
          Seller shall pay to  Purchaser  the amount of the  difference;  if the
          Estimated  Tax Payment is less than the Actual Tax  Amount,  Purchaser
          shall pay to Seller the amount of the difference.

     Any amounts paid pursuant to this Section 3.4.3 shall be paid with interest
     thereon at 9% per annum from but  excluding  the Closing  Date  through and
     including the date of payment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  in no event
     shall any payment by Seller  pursuant to this Section 3.4 result in the sum
     of the Purchase  Price plus the  Estimated  Tax  Payment,  each as adjusted
     pursuant to this Section 3.4,  being less than  $10,500,000  and  Purchaser
     acknowledges  that its  adjustment  pursuant  to this  Section  3.4 for the
     matters  specified  herein  shall be its sole remedy  with  respect to such
     matters whether or not any adjustment to be paid by Seller pursuant to this
     Section 3.4 is so limited as specified above.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                EMPLOYEE MATTERS

     4.1 Offer of Employment.  Purchaser shall offer employment on and as of the
Closing Date, on an at-will  basis,  to all Employees in  substantially  similar
jobs, at substantially the same base salaries or wages and benefits as were paid
or provided by Seller  immediately  prior to the Closing Date,  except for those
employees set forth on Schedule 4.1.  Purchaser  shall be responsible  for COBRA
coverage  for any  employee  set forth on  Schedule  4.1,  and for any claims of
discrimination  under Federal or state laws, if such claim for discrimination is
based on Purchaser's failure to extend an offer of employment to the employee.

     4.2 Vacation  Liability.  Purchaser shall assume liability for the vacation
entitlement  that each Employee who becomes an employee of Purchaser has accrued
as of the Closing Date,  provided such accrual is reflected on the balance sheet
of Seller at the Closing Date and included within the determination of Net Worth
pursuant to Section 3.4.2 hereof. Purchaser shall pay each such Employee's wages
or salary during his or her vacation entitlement, when taken.

     4.3  Assumption  of Medical  Plan.  As of the Closing  Date,  Seller  shall
transfer  to  Purchaser  and  Purchaser  shall  accept,  all of the  assets  and
liabilities of the medical plan covering  Employees and former Employees who are
eligible for COBRA  coverage.  Purchaser's  assumption of the medical plan shall
include  continuation of all former  Employees who are eligible to elect or have
elected  COBRA,  as  well as the  obligation  to  offer  COBRA  coverage  to any
Employees on the Closing Date who are not  employed by Purchaser  following  the
Closing Date.  Employees who are hired by Purchaser shall receive service credit
for employment with the Seller for eligibility to participate  under the medical
plan and shall not be subject to any pre-existing condition exclusions.

     4.4 Other Employee Benefits. Effective on the Closing Date, Purchaser shall
cover the Employees it hires with  coverage  under either newly  established  or
existing  employee  benefit and insurance plans, and Purchaser shall continue to
provide  such  coverage  for a period of no less than six months  following  the
Closing Date.  Employees who are hired by the  Purchaser  shall receive  service
credit for their  employment  with the Seller for eligibility to participate and
vesting  purposes  under  Purchaser's  employee  benefit  and  insurance  plans.
Effective on the Closing Date, Purchaser shall cover Employees under Purchaser's
401(k)  plan.  Purchaser  agrees to  accept  either a plan to plan  transfer  or
rollover of vested  account  balances  (either of which may include  401(k) plan
loans), from the JPE, Inc. 401(k) Plan in which Seller's Employees  participate,
on behalf of the Employees it hires,  provided the JPE,  Inc.  401(k) Plan meets
the IRS regulations for such plan to plan transfer or rollover.


                                    ARTICLE V
                                     CLOSING

     5.1 Time; Location. Subject to the conditions contained herein, the Closing
shall be held on the Closing Date at 10:00 a.m.,  local time,  at the offices of
R&B,  Inc., or such other time or place as the Parties shall  mutually  agree in
writing.

     5.2  Documents.  At the  Closing,  Seller  shall  execute  and  deliver the
following instruments of transfer and assignment:

          5.2.1 A general bill of sale and assignment  substantially in the form
     of Exhibit 5.2.1 (the "Bill of Sale and Assignment")  hereto,  transferring
     to  Purchaser  good,  marketable  and  indefeasible  title  to  all  of the
     Purchased  Assets (subject only to Permitted  Encumbrances  and the Assumed
     Liabilities) and assigning to Purchaser  Seller's right, title and interest
     in each of the  contracts,  licenses and other  agreements  included in the
     Purchased  Assets,  together  with all  consents of third  parties that are
     required to make each such assignment effective as to such third parties;

          5.2.2  Assignments  of Trademarks (as  hereinafter  defined) (U.S. and
     Foreign) substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.2.2 hereto;

          5.2.3  Assignments  of Patents  (as  hereinafter  defined)  (U.S.  and
     Foreign), substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.2.3 hereto;

          5.2.4  Certificates of title to all vehicles included in the Purchased
     Assets with assignments related thereto to Purchaser;

          5.2.5 Covenant Deed substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.2.5 hereto;
     and

          5.2.6 Such additional instruments and items of conveyance and transfer
     (including,  but not limited to, applicable keys, codes, etc.) as Purchaser
     may reasonably  require in order to more effectively vest in it, and put it
     in possession of, the Purchased Assets.

     5.3 Buyer Document and Deliveries. At the Closing,  Purchaser shall pay the
Purchase  Price and the  Estimated Tax Payment and shall execute and deliver the
following:

          5.3.1.  A general  assumption  agreement in the form of Exhibit  5.3.1
     (the "Assumption Agreement") hereto pursuant to which Purchaser assumes the
     Assumed Liabilities.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                                    OF SELLER

     Seller represents and warrants to Purchaser as follows:

     6.1  Organization,  Good Standing and Power.  Seller is a corporation  duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Missouri, and
has all  requisite  corporate  power and  authority  to execute and deliver this
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which Seller is a party, to consummate
the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby and to perform all the terms
and conditions hereof and thereof to be performed by it. The Seller is qualified
to do  business  as a  foreign  corporation  and is in  good  standing  in  each
jurisdiction  where it is required to be so qualified,  except where the failure
to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect.  Seller has delivered to
the Purchaser  copies of Seller's  Articles of  Incorporation  and By-laws as in
effect on the date when delivered. The Company owns, beneficially and of record,
all of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Seller.  There is no other
capital  stock of any class or any other  securities  of the Seller  authorized,
issued or outstanding. There are no outstanding subscriptions,  rights, options,
warrants,  calls or commitments  relating to the Seller's  capital stock, or any
securities or indebtedness  convertible into the Seller's capital stock. Neither
the Seller nor its Affiliates  are a party to or bound by any contract  relating
to the  issuance,  ownership,  sale,  exchange,  disposition  or purchase of any
shares of the Seller's capital stock or any other of Seller's securities.

     6.2 Authorization of Agreement and  Enforceability.  Seller and Shareholder
have each taken all  necessary  corporate  action to authorize the execution and
delivery of this  Agreement  and the  Ancillary  Agreements to which Seller is a
party,  the performance by it of all terms and conditions  hereof and thereof to
be performed by it and the consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby
and thereby. This Agreement  constitutes,  and the Ancillary Agreements to which
Seller  is  a  party,  upon  Seller's  execution  and  delivery  thereof,   will
constitute,  the legal, valid and binding obligations of Seller,  enforceable in
accordance  with their  terms  except to the extent that  enforceability  may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws presently or
hereafter  in effect  relating to or affecting  the  enforcement  of  creditors'
rights  generally  and by general  principles of equity  (regardless  of whether
enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

     6.3 No Violation.  Consents.  The  execution,  delivery and  performance by
Seller of this  Agreement  and the  Ancillary  Agreements  to which  Seller is a
party, and the consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby
will not (with or without  the  giving of notice or the lapse of time,  or both)
(i) violate any provision of the charter or bylaws of Seller,  (ii) violate,  or
require any consent,  authorization  or approval of, or exemption  by, or filing
under any provision of any law, statute, rule or regulation to which Seller, the
Business or the Purchased Assets are subject, (iii) violate any judgment, order,
writ or decree of any court applicable to Seller,  the Business or the Purchased
Assets,  (iv) conflict with,  result in a breach of, constitute a default under,
or  accelerate or permit the  acceleration  of the  performance  required by, or
require any consent,  authorization or approval under any contract, agreement or
instrument  to  which  Seller  is a  party  or the  Business  and/or  any of the
Purchased  Assets is bound or (v) result in the  creation or  imposition  of any
Encumbrance  upon the Business  and/or the Purchased  Assets,  which  violation,
conflict, breach, default,  acceleration or Encumbrance,  or the failure to make
or obtain such filing,  consent,  authorization or approval,  individually or in
the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
the Purchased  Assets or the results of operations of the Business or prevent or
delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     6.4 Financial Statements.  Schedule 6.4, attached hereto,  consists of true
and complete copies of (i) the unaudited  balance sheets of the Business for the
years then ended at December 31, 1997,  1996 and 1995 and the related  unaudited
statements of income and cash flows for the years then ended,  on which a review
has been  performed  by  PricewaterhouseCoopers,  independent  certified  public
accountants;  and (ii) an unaudited  balance sheet of Seller as of June 30, 1998
and related  statements of income and cash flows for the period then ended.  All
of such financial  statements shall  hereinafter  collectively be referred to as
the "Financial  Statements".  Except as set forth on Schedule 6.4, the Financial
Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Financial  Statements
are  consistent  with the  books and  records  of the  Seller,  and there are no
material  transactions  required  by  GAAP  to  be  recorded  in  the  Financial
Statements or the  accounting  records  (which have been delivered to Purchaser)
underlying the Financial Statements that have not been recorded in the Financial
Statements or accounting  records (which have been  delivered to Purchaser),  as
applicable.  The  Financial  Statements,  including the related  notes,  present
fairly in all  material  respects  the  financial  position  and the  assets and
liabilities  of  the  Seller  as of the  dates  indicated  and  the  results  of
operations and cash flows of the Seller for the periods then ended in accordance
with GAAP.

     6.5  Accounts  Receivable.  All  Accounts  Receivable  as set  forth on the
Balance  Sheet  (i) have or will  have  arisen  only in the  ordinary  course of
business  consistent with past practice for goods sold and delivered or services
performed and (ii) are or will be  collectible  in full at the recorded  amounts
thereof  (subject to no  defenses,  setoffs or  counterclaims)  in the  ordinary
course of business  (without  resort to litigation or assignment to a collection
agency) no later than 90 days after the Closing  Date,  net of any allowance for
bad debts reflected on the Balance Sheet.

     6.6 Inventory.  The Inventory as set forth on the Balance Sheet was or will
be acquired and maintained in accordance with the regular business  practices of
the Business,  consists or will consist of new and unused items of a quality and
quantity  usable or salable in the ordinary  course of business  consistent with
past  practice,  and is or will be valued in accordance  with GAAP  consistently
applied and, with respect to Inventory intended for sale, was or will be salable
in the  aggregate at prices at least equal to the value  thereof on the books of
Seller.

     6.7 Absence of Certain  Changes or Events.  Except as set forth in Schedule
6.7 hereto, since the Balance Sheet Date, in its conduct of the Business, Seller
has not:

          6.7.1 Amended in any respect or terminated any Material Contract other
     than in the ordinary course of the business consistent with past practice;

          6.7.2 Suffered the occurrence of any events that,  individually  or in
     the  aggregate,  have had,  or could  reasonably  be  expected  to have,  a
     material  adverse  effect  on  the  Purchased  Assets  or  the  results  of
     operations of the Business;

          6.7.3  Incurred any damage or  destruction  having a material  adverse
     effect on the Purchased Assets or the results of operations of the Business
     by fire, storm, or similar casualty, whether or not covered by insurance;

          6.7.4  Sold,  transferred,  replaced  or leased  any of the  Purchased
     Assets or sold any Inventory at a discount,  except for transactions in the
     ordinary course of the business consistent with past practice;

          6.7.5  Waived or released  any  material  rights  with  respect to the
     Purchased  Assets or the Business,  except where such waiver or release did
     not have a material  adverse effect on the Purchased  Assets or the results
     of operations of the Business;

          6.7.6  Transferred  or granted any rights to any  Proprietary  Rights,
     except where such transfer or grant did not have a material  adverse effect
     on the Purchased Assets or the results of operations of the Business;

          6.7.7  Entered  into  any  transaction  or made any  commitments  (for
     capital  expenditures  or  otherwise)  individually  or  in  the  aggregate
     exceeding  $5,000,  other  than  in the  ordinary  course  of the  Business
     consistent with past practice;

          6.7.8 Changed its methods of accounting;

          6.7.9 Increased the compensation of Employees, except following normal
     review procedures and as reasonably deemed necessary in the ordinary course
     of the Business consistent with past practice; or

          6.7.10 Materially  altered its conduct in its relations with suppliers
     or customers,  except where such alteration did not have a material adverse
     effect  on  the  Purchased  Assets  or the  results  of  operations  of the
     Business.

     6.8 Title to Properties: Absence of Liens and Encumbrances. Seller owns and
will  transfer to  Purchaser  at the Closing  good and valid title to all of the
Purchased  Assets,  including  without  limitation  the material  properties and
assets reflected on the Balance Sheet (except as disposed of by Seller after the
Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary  course of the Business  consistent with past
practice),   free  and  clear  of  all   Encumbrances,   other  than   Permitted
Encumbrances.  Each of the leases covering Real Property Leased is in full force
and effect and, to Seller's Knowledge,  constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the lessor  thereunder,  enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except to the extent that enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy,  insolvency,
moratorium or other similar laws presently or hereinafter in effect  relating to
or affecting  the  enforcement  of  creditors'  rights  generally and by general
principles  of equity  (regardless  of whether  enforcement  is  considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law).

     6.9 Proprietary Rights.

          6.9.1  Schedule 2.1.8 hereto sets forth a correct and complete list of
     all Patents (as hereinafter defined), logos, and Trademarks (as hereinafter
     defined),  owned  and/or used by the Seller,  and Schedule 6.9 sets forth a
     correct list of all  inventions,  intellectual  property and trade  secrets
     owned and/or used by the Seller (all of the items set forth in this Section
     6.9.1  (whether  described  on Schedule  2.1.8 and/or  Schedule  6.9) shall
     hereinafter  collectively  be  referred  to as the  "Proprietary  Rights").
     "Patents"  means all patents and patent  applications.  "Trademarks"  means
     registered trademarks or trade names,  registered service marks, trademark,
     trade name and service mark applications and unregistered trademarks, trade
     names and service marks.

          6.9.2  Except as  disclosed  in Schedule  6.9 hereto:  (i) Seller owns
     and/or  possesses  adequate  licenses or other valid rights of use (without
     the making of any payment to others and without  having the  obligation  to
     grant rights to others in exchange) for all the  Proprietary  Rights;  (ii)
     the Proprietary Rights included in the Purchased Assets constitute all such
     rights  necessary to conduct the Business in accordance with past practice;
     (iii) the  validity  of the  Proprietary  Rights and the rights  therein of
     Seller have not been  questioned  in any  litigation  to which  Seller is a
     party, nor, to Seller's Knowledge, is any such litigation threatened;  (iv)
     the  conduct of the  Business  does not  materially  conflict  with  patent
     rights, licenses,  trademark rights, trade name rights, copyrights or other
     intellectual  property  rights  of  others;  and (v) the  Seller  does  not
     infringe  upon or  unlawfully  or  wrongfully  use any Patents,  Trademarks
     and/or other intellectual property owned or claimed by another Person.

          6.9.3 Except as disclosed in Schedule 6.9 hereto, Seller does not have
     Knowledge that any material use of any  Proprietary  Rights owned by Seller
     has heretofore been, or is now being, made by any Person other than Seller.
     Seller has no  Knowledge of any material  infringement  of any  Proprietary
     Rights owned or licensed by Seller. No present or former director, officer,
     employee,  shareholder,  owner, consultant or other Person of Seller or any
     Affiliate of Seller has any interest in any of the Proprietary Rights.

     6.10 Contracts and Commitments.  Except as listed and described on Schedule
2.1.4 hereto, Seller is not with respect to the Purchased Assets or the Business
a party to any written or oral:

          (i) agreement,  contract or commitment for the future  purchase of, or
     payment for,  supplies or products,  or for the  performance of services by
     another party, involving in any one case $5,000 or more;

          (ii)  agreement,  contract or commitment to sell or supply products or
     to perform services, involving in any one case $5,000 or more;

          (iii)  agreement,  contract or commitment  continuing over a period of
     more than six months from the date hereof or exceeding $5,000 in value;

          (iv) representative,  sales agency,  dealer or distributor  agreement,
     consulting contract or commitment;

          (v) lease under  which  Seller is either  lessor or lessee  other than
     with respect to the Real Property Leased;

          (vi) note,  debenture,  bond,  conditional  sale agreement,  equipment
     trust  agreement,  letter  of credit  agreement,  loan  agreement  or other
     contract or  commitment  for the  borrowing or lending of money  (including
     without  limitation  loans to or from  employees) or  guarantee,  pledge or
     undertaking of the indebtedness of any other Person, except for the Company
     Loan described in Schedule 2.5 attached hereto;

          (vii)  agreement,   contract  or  commitment  for  any  charitable  or
     political contribution;

          (viii)  agreement,  contract or  commitment  limiting  or  restraining
     Seller or any  successor or assign from  engaging or competing in any lines
     of business with any Person;

          (ix) license, franchise, distributorship or other agreement, including
     those that relate in whole or in part to any patent, trademark, trade name,
     service mark or copyright or to any ideas,  technical  assistance  or other
     know-how of or used by the Business.

The  foregoing  contracts are referred to herein  collectively  as the "Material
Contracts"  and each  individually  as a "Material  Contract."  Except as may be
disclosed on Schedule 2.1.4 hereto, (i) each of the Material Contracts, is valid
and  enforceable  in  accordance  with  its  terms,  Seller  is not,  and to the
Knowledge of Seller,  no other party  thereto is in default in the  performance,
observance  or  fulfillment  of any material  obligation,  covenant or condition
contained therein,  and no event has occurred that with or without the giving of
notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default thereunder; (ii) no
advance  payments  have been  received by Seller by or on behalf of any party to
any of the  Material  Contracts  for  services  to be rendered or products to be
delivered to such party after the Closing Date; and (iii) no consent or approval
of any party to any  Material  Contract is required  for the  execution  of this
Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

     6.11  Permits.   Licenses.  Seller  has  all  material  permits,  licenses,
registrations,  orders and  approvals of federal,  state or local  government or
regulatory bodies that are related to and/or are required to own and utilize the
Purchased  Assets and/or operate the Business as currently  operated  (including
without  limitation those required under any Environmental  Law)  (collectively,
the  "Permits")  and,  except  as  described  in  Schedule  6.11,  Seller  is in
compliance with the material terms and conditions of the Permits. Schedule 2.1.6
hereto sets forth a correct and complete list of all Permits,  each one of which
is in full force and effect. No suspension or cancellation of any of the Permits
is in effect,  and to Seller's  Knowledge,  no  suspension  or  cancellation  is
threatened.  Any Permits that cannot be  transferred  are identified on Schedule
2.1.6 hereto.

     6.12  Compliance  with Laws.  Except as described in Schedule  6.12 hereto,
Seller has,  except where such  non-compliance  did not have a material  adverse
effect on the Purchased Assets or the results of operations of the Business, and
is presently  conducting the Business so as to comply with all laws,  ordinances
and  regulations  applicable  to the conduct or operation of the Business or the
ownership or use of the Purchased Assets,  except where  noncompliance  will not
have a material adverse effect.

     6.13 Legal Proceedings.  Except as described in Schedule 6.13 hereto, there
is no claim, action, suit,  proceeding,  investigation or inquiry pending before
any federal,  state or other court or governmental or administrative  agency or,
to Seller's  Knowledge,  threatened against the Business or any of the Purchased
Assets,  or relating to the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement that
could  reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Purchased
Assets or the results of  operations  of the  Business,  nor does Seller know or
have reasonable grounds to know of any basis for any such claim,  action,  suit,
proceeding,  investigation,  or inquiry.  Except as set forth on  Schedule  6.13
hereto,  Seller is not a party to or subject to the  provisions of any judgment,
order,  writ,  injunction,   decree  or  award  of  any  court,   arbitrator  or
governmental,  regulatory or  administrative  official,  body or authority  that
relates to the  Purchased  Assets or the  Business or that could  reasonably  be
expected to affect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     6.14 Absence of  Undisclosed  Liabilities.  Except as set forth in Schedule
6.14,  Seller has no liabilities or obligations  known to Seller relating to the
Business  except (i) those  liabilities and obligations set forth on the Balance
Sheet  and not  heretofore  paid  or  discharged;  (ii)  those  liabilities  and
obligations  arising  after the  Balance  Sheet Date in the  ordinary  course of
business  consistent  with  past  practice  under  any  agreement,  contract  or
commitment specifically disclosed on Schedule 2.1.4 hereto or not required to be
disclosed  because of the  amount  involved;  and (iii)  those  liabilities  and
obligations  incurred in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past
practice since the Balance Sheet Date.

     6.15 Books and Records.  All material books of account and other  financial
records of Seller  directly  relating to the Business  (the "Books and Records")
are  complete  and  correct in all  material  respects  and have been,  and will
continue to be, made  available to Purchaser.  All of the Books and Records have
been prepared and  maintained in accordance  with good business  practices  and,
where  applicable,  in conformity with GAAP (except as otherwise stated therein)
and in compliance in all material respects with applicable laws, regulations and
other requirements.

     6.16  Employees.  Schedule  1.16 sets forth a true and correct  list of all
individuals  (i)  employed  by Seller in the conduct of the  Business  and their
present  position  and rate of  compensation  and (ii)  retained  by  Seller  as
independent  contractors,  sales  representatives  or  consultants  (or  similar
positions) and their present rate of  compensation.  The Seller's  employees are
all at-will employees,  and the Seller has the right to terminate the employment
of each of its  employees at any time with or without cause and to terminate the
engagement of any of its  independent  contractors,  sales  representatives  and
consultants at any time with or without cause without  payment to such employee,
independent  contractor,  sales  representative  or  consultant  other  than for
services  rendered  through  termination  and without  incurring  any penalty or
liability. The Seller's relations with its employees are currently on a good and
normal  basis.  The  Seller  does  not  have any  belief  that the  transactions
contemplated  by  this  Agreement  will  adversely  affect  relations  with  its
employees.  Except as set forth on Schedule 6.16,  all accrued  wages,  vacation
pay, and  miscellaneous  employee  benefit  expenses owed to any employees shall
have  been  paid in full as of the  Closing  Date  and/or  fully  recorded  as a
liability on the Balance Sheet.  Except as set forth on Schedule 6.16, as of the
Closing  Date,  the  Company  shall  have  no  liability,   whether  contingent,
liquidated or unliquidated,  to any employee benefit plans,  including,  without
limitation, any ERISA Plans.

     6.17 Labor Disputes. Except as described in Schedule 6.17 hereto, there are
no  discrimination  complaints nor any other kind of employment or labor related
disputes  against Seller in connection  with the Business  pending before or, to
Seller's  Knowledge,  threatened  before any  federal,  state or local  court or
agency, and, to Seller's Knowledge,  no material dispute respecting minimum wage
or  overtime  claims or other  conditions  or terms of  employment  exists.  The
Business has not  experienced  any material  labor disputes or any material work
stoppage due to labor disagreements within the past three years. With respect to
the Business and except to the extent set forth in Schedule  6.17:  (i) there is
no unfair labor  practice  charge or  complaint  against  Seller  pending or, to
Seller's Knowledge,  threatened, before the National Labor Relations Board; (ii)
there  is no  labor  strike,  slowdown  or  stoppage  pending  or,  to  Seller's
Knowledge,  threatened  against  or  affecting  Seller;  and  (iii) no  question
concerning  representation  has been  raised  within the past three years or, to
Seller's Knowledge,  is threatened respecting the Employees.  Neither the Seller
nor the  Business  is or has  been  (i) a party  to or  otherwise  bound  by any
collective  bargaining or other type of union agreement or (ii)  negotiating any
collective  bargaining  or  other  type of union  agreement.  The  Seller  is in
material compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and other requirements
respecting  employment  and  employment  practices,   terms  and  conditions  of
employment and wages and hours, and is not engaged in any unfair labor practice.

     6.18 Payroll Practice/Employee Arrangements.

          6.18.1  Schedule 6.18 contains a complete list and description of each
     employee  benefit  plan,  including,  but not limited to, those  subject to
     ERISA,  and/or  holiday,  vacation  or other  bonus  practice  or any other
     employee pay practice,  arrangement,  agreement or commitment (the "Payroll
     Practice/Employee  Arrangement"),  that is  maintained  by  Seller  or with
     respect to which Seller has any liability or obligation,  whether actual or
     contingent,  with respect to Employees or their  respective  beneficiaries.
     Except as set forth in  Schedule  6.18,  the  Seller  has not  established,
     maintained or contributed to any employee benefit plans, and the Seller has
     not proposed any changes to any employee  benefit  plans now in effect.  If
     required by applicable law or regulation, Seller has properly submitted all
     of Seller's  employee  benefit  plans in good faith to meet the  applicable
     requirements  of ERISA and/or the Code to the IRS for its  approval  within
     the  time  prescribed   therefor  under  applicable  federal   regulations.
     Favorable  letters of determination of such  tax-qualified  status from the
     IRS are attached to Schedule 6.18.

          6.18.2 Except as contemplated by Section 4.3, Seller has not taken any
     action  that may  result in  Purchaser  being a party to, or bound by,  any
     ERISA Plan, and Purchaser  shall have no liability  under, or be subject to
     any  liability  on account of, any ERISA Plan or Payroll  Practice/Employee
     Arrangement  following the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated
     hereby.

          6.18.3 With respect to Seller's  employee  benefit plans,  Seller will
     have made,  on or prior to the Closing  Date,  all payments  required to be
     made by it on or  prior to the  Closing  Date and  will  have  accrued  (in
     accordance  with GAAP) as of the Closing  date all payments due but not yet
     payable as of the Closing Date, so there will not have been, nor will there
     be, any Accumulated Funding  Deficiencies (as defined in ERISA or the Code)
     or waivers of such deficiencies. Seller has furnished Buyer with a true and
     correct  copy of the most  current  Form 5500 and any other  form or filing
     required to be submitted to any  governmental  agency with regard to all of
     Seller's  employee benefit plans and the most current actuarial report with
     regard to all of Seller's employee benefit plans covering Employees. All of
     Seller's  employee  benefit plans are, and have been,  operated in material
     compliance   with  their   provisions  and  with  all  applicable  law  and
     regulations,  including,  without  limitation,  ERISA  and the Code and the
     regulations and rulings  thereunder.  There have been no Reportable  Events
     (as defined in ERISA),  no events  described in Sections 4062, 4063 or 4064
     of  ERISA,  and  no  termination  or  partial  termination  (including  any
     termination  or partial  termination  attributable  to this sale) of any of
     Seller's  employee  benefit  plans.  There would be no  liability of Seller
     under  Title IV of ERISA if any of  Seller's  employee  benefit  plans were
     terminated  as of the Closing Date.  Seller has not incurred,  and will not
     incur,  any  withdrawal  liability,  nor does  Seller  have any  contingent
     withdrawal liability,  under ERISA to any Multiemployer Plan (as defined in
     ERISA or the  Code).  Seller  has not  incurred,  and will not  incur,  any
     liability to the Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  (or any successor
     thereto).

          6.18.4 No ERISA Plan or other  employee  arrangement  has provided for
     the payment of retiree benefits by Purchaser.

          6.18.5  Neither the execution  and delivery of this  Agreement nor the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i) result in any
     payment   (including,   without   limitation,    severance,    unemployment
     compensation, golden parachute or otherwise) becoming due from Seller under
     any  of  Seller's  employee  benefit  plans,  (ii)  increase  any  benefits
     otherwise  payable under any of Seller's  employee  benefit plans, or (iii)
     result in the  acceleration  of the time of  payment or vesting of any such
     benefits to any extent.  There are no pending  actions,  claims or lawsuits
     which have been  asserted or  instituted  against any of Seller's  employee
     benefit plans,  the assets of any of the trusts under such plans,  the plan
     sponsor, the plan administrator or against any fiduciary of any of Seller's
     employee  benefit plans (other than routine benefit  claims).  There are no
     investigations  or audits of any of Seller's  employee  benefit plans,  any
     trusts under such plans,  the plan sponsor,  the plan  administrator or any
     fiduciary  of any of  Seller's  employee  benefit  plans  which  have  been
     threatened or  instituted.  Except as disclosed in Schedule  6.18, no event
     has  occurred  or will occur which will  result in  liability  to Seller in
     connection  with any employee  benefit  plan  established,  maintained,  or
     contributed  to (currently or  previously) by Seller or by any other entity
     which, together with Seller, constitute elements of either (i) a controlled
     group of  corporations  (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code),
     (ii) a group of trades or  businesses  under  common  control  (within  the
     meaning  of  Sections  414(c)  of the  Code  or 4001 of  ERISA),  (iii)  an
     affiliated  service  group  (within  the  meaning of Section  414(m) of the
     Code), or (iv) another arrangement covered by Section 414(o) of the Code.

     6.19 No  Finder.  Except  for  Roney & Co.  (all of whose  fees,  expenses,
commissions  and the like  will be paid by  Seller),  Seller  has not  taken any
action  that would  give to any Person a right to a finder's  fee or any type of
brokerage  commission in relation to, or in connection  with,  the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

     6.20  Interest  in  Business.  Seller  has not  granted,  and  there is not
outstanding,  any option, right, agreement or other obligation pursuant to which
any  Person  could  claim a right to  acquire  in any way all or any part of, or
interest in, the Business.

     6.21 Condition of Assets. All tangible assets and properties which are part
of the  Purchased  Assets  are in good  operating  condition  and repair and are
usable in the ordinary course of the Business  consistent with past practice and
conform in all material respects to all applicable laws and regulations relating
to their construction, use and operation.

     6.22 Affiliate  Transactions.  Schedule 6.22 hereto sets forth a summary of
all  purchases of goods or services by  Affiliates of Seller for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997,  and for the period ended June 30, 1998.  Except as set
forth in Schedule 6.22 hereto,  neither the Shareholder nor any other Affiliates
of the Seller provide services or products to, or purchase services and products
from, the Seller.

     6.23 Environmental Matters.

          6.23.1  Except as set forth in Schedule  6.23  hereto,  Seller has not
     received  any  written  notice,  nor to Seller's  knowledge  has the Seller
     received  oral  notice,  relating  to the  Business  or the  Real  Property
     alleging any violation of any  Environmental Law or any written request for
     information  from any  governmental  agency or other Person pursuant to any
     Environmental  Law,  and, the Seller,  with respect to the Business and the
     Real  Property,  is  in  compliance  in  all  material  respects  with  all
     applicable Environmental Laws;

          6.23.2  Except as set forth in Schedule  6.23  hereto,  Seller has not
     released any Regulated Substances on or beneath the Real Property except in
     compliance  with  Environmental  Laws  and in such a manner  that  does not
     require response actions under the Environmental Laws;

          6.23.3  Except as set forth in Schedule  6.23  hereto,  Seller has not
     received  any  notice or order from any  governmental  agency or private or
     public  entity in connection  with the Business  advising it that Seller is
     responsible for or potentially responsible for the cost of investigation or
     remediation of any Regulated Substance,  nor is Seller currently paying for
     any of the  foregoing,  and  Seller  has not  entered  into any  agreements
     pertaining thereto;

          6.23.4  Except as set  forth in  Schedule  6.23  hereto,  to  Seller's
     knowledge the Real Property does not contain any: (i)  underground  storage
     tanks,  (ii)  underground  injection  wells;  (iii)  septic  tanks in which
     process  wastewater or any Regulated  Substances  have been disposed;  (iv)
     asbestos; (v) equipment using PCBs; or (vi) drums buried in the ground; and

          6.23.5 Schedule 6.23 hereto  identifies all  environmental  studies in
     the possession of Seller or its  Affiliates  relating to the Real Property,
     and true and  complete  copies  of such  studies  have  been  delivered  to
     Purchaser.

     6.24  Insurance.  Schedule 6.24 sets forth a complete list of all insurance
policies maintained by Seller or its Affiliates and all insurance policies known
by Seller to have been  maintained  by any other  Person  which may  provide any
coverage for Environmental Losses.

     6.25 No Significant Items Excluded.  Except for Excluded Assets,  there are
no assets or  properties of Seller or  agreements,  contract or  commitments  to
which Seller is a party that (i) relate to the Business and (ii) are of material
importance to the ongoing operation of the Business.

     6.26  Customers.  Seller  has  used  its  reasonable  business  efforts  to
maintain,  and currently maintains,  good working  relationships with all of its
customers.  Schedule  6.26  hereto  contains  a list of the names of the  twenty
customers  that, for the year ended  December 31, 1997,  were the largest dollar
volume  customers  of  products  sold  and  provided  by  Seller.  None  of such
customers, or any other customers,  has given Seller written notice terminating,
canceling  or  threatening  to terminate  or cancel any  Contract,  arrangement,
understanding or relationship with Seller.

     6.27  Taxes.  Seller  has filed all  state,  county  and local Tax  returns
(including,  without  limitation,  all  income,  excise,  payroll,  withholding,
property,  sales, use, franchise and other tax returns and related  information)
that are  required  to be filed by it and that were due prior to the date hereof
and the  Closing  Date,  and has paid in full all  Taxes,  interest,  penalties,
deficiencies  and  assessments  shown as being due  pursuant to such  returns or
pursuant to any assessment received.  Seller is not required to file any Federal
or foreign  Tax  returns.  All Taxes and other  assessments  and levies that the
Seller  has been  required  by law to  withhold  or to  collect  have  been duly
withheld  and  collected  and have  been paid  over to the  proper  governmental
authorities  or are properly held by the Seller for such payment.  Except as set
forth on Schedule 6.27, there are no audits,  proceedings or other actions,  nor
to the knowledge of Seller, have any audits,  proceedings or other actions,  for
the assessment or collection of additional  Taxes of any kind for any period for
which returns have or should have been filed been threatened.

     6.28  Subsidiaries.  The Seller does not own,  directly or indirectly,  any
interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, business, trust, joint venture or other Person.

     6.29 Completeness and Accuracy. All information furnished,  to be furnished
or caused to be furnished to the Purchaser by the Seller and/or the Company with
respect to the Seller,  the Company,  the Business,  the Purchased Assets,  this
Agreement,  the  Ancillary  Agreements  and/or  the  transactions   contemplated
hereunder or thereunder,  is, or if furnished  after the date of this Agreement,
will be,  true and  complete  in all  material  respects  and does not,  and, if
furnished  after  the date of this  Agreement,  will  not,  contain  any  untrue
statement of material fact or fail to state any material fact  necessary to make
such information not misleading.

     6.30  Representations  and Warranties on Closing Date. The  representations
and  warranties  contained  in this  Section 6 are true and  correct on the date
hereof and shall be true and correct in all  material  respects on and as of the
Closing Date with the same force and effect as though such  representations  and
warranties had been made on and as of the Closing Date.

     6.31.Disclaimer of Other Representations and Warranties: Best Knowledge

          (a) Seller does not make,  and has not made,  any  representations  or
     warranties  relating to Seller or the Business or  otherwise in  connection
     with the  transactions  contemplated  hereby other than those expressly set
     forth herein. It is understood that any cost estimate,  projection or other
     prediction,  any  data,  any  financial  information  or any  memoranda  or
     offering  materials or presentations  are not and shall not be deemed to be
     or to include  representations  or warranties of Seller. No person has been
     authorized  by Seller to make any  representation  or warranty  relating to
     Seller, the Purchased Assets, the Business, or otherwise in connection with
     the transactions  contemplated  hereby and, if made, such representation or
     warranty must not be relied upon as having been authorized by Seller.

          (b)  Except as  expressly  set forth in the  Agreement  the  Purchased
     Assets and the Business  are, and are  understood by Purchaser to have been
     sold on an "AS IS, WHERE IS" BASIS AND, EXCEPT AS TO THE EXPRESS WARRANTIES
     SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN
     LAW OR IN FACT, WITH RESPECT TO THE PURCHASED ASSETS,  INCLUDING WARRANTIES
     OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

          (c) Whenever a representation or warranty made by Seller herein refers
     to the knowledge or  expectation  of Seller,  such knowledge or expectation
     shall be deemed to consist only of the actual  knowledge or  expectation of
     any of those persons  listed on Schedule 6.31.  Seller has not  undertaken,
     nor shall Seller have any duty to undertake,  any investigation  concerning
     any  matter  as to which a  representation  or  warranty  is made as to the
     Seller's knowledge or expectation.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                             WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

     Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

     7.1  Organization  Good Standing,  Power.  Purchaser is a corporation  duly
organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Pennsylvania
and has all  requisite  corporate  power  and  authority  to own and  lease  the
Purchased  Assets and to carry on the  Business  and to execute and deliver this
Agreement  and the  Ancillary  Agreements  to which  Purchaser  is a  party,  to
consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby and to perform all
the terms and conditions hereof and thereof to be performed by it.

     7.2 Authorization of Agreement and Enforceability.  Purchaser has taken all
necessary  corporate  action to  authorize  the  execution  and delivery of this
Agreement  and the  Ancillary  Agreements  to which  Purchaser  is a party,  the
performance by it of all terms and conditions hereof and thereof to be performed
by it and the consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby.
This  Agreement  constitutes,  and the Ancillary  Agreements,  upon  Purchaser's
execution and delivery thereof,  will constitute,  the legal,  valid and binding
obligations of Purchaser,  enforceable in accordance  with their terms except to
the  extent  that  enforceability  may be  limited  by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
moratorium  or other similar laws  presently or hereafter in effect  relating to
affecting  the  enforcement  of  creditors'  rights  generally  and  by  general
principles  of equity  (regardless  of whether  enforcement  is  considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law).

     7.3 No Violations,  Consents.  The execution,  delivery and  performance by
Purchaser of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which Purchaser is a
party and the consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby
will not (with or without  the  giving of notice or the lapse of time,  or both)
(i) violate any provision of the charter or bylaws of  Purchaser,  (ii) violate,
or require any consent, authorization or approval of, or exemption by, or filing
under any provision of any law,  statute,  rule or regulation to which Purchaser
is subject,  (iii)  violate  any  judgment,  order,  writ or decree of any court
applicable to Purchaser, (iv) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a
default  under,  or accelerate  or permit the  acceleration  of the  performance
required  by, or  require  any  consent,  authorization  or  approval  under any
contract,  agreement or instrument  to which  Purchaser is a party or any of its
assets is bound or (v) result in the creation or imposition  of any  Encumbrance
upon its assets, which violation,  conflict,  breach,  default,  acceleration or
Encumbrance,   or  the  failure  to  make  or  obtain  such   filing,   consent,
authorization or approval, with respect to the matters specified in clauses (ii)
through (v) could,  individually or in the aggregate,  reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on Purchaser or prevent or delay the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     7.4  Legal  Proceedings.  There  is no  claim,  action,  suit,  proceeding,
investigation  or inquiry  pending  before any federal,  state or other court or
governmental or administrative agency or, to Purchaser's  Knowledge,  threatened
against  Purchaser  or any of  Purchaser's  properties,  assets,  operations  or
businesses  that might  prevent or delay the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated hereby.

     7.5 No Finder.  Purchaser  has not taken any action which would give to any
Person a right to a finder's fee or any type of brokerage commission in relation
to, or in connection with, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     7.6  Financial  Capability.  Purchaser  has  the  financial  capability  to
purchase the Purchased  Assets and assume the Assumed  Liabilities  on the terms
and conditions  contained in this Agreement and will have such capability on the
Closing Date.

     7.7 Representations and Warranties on Closing Date. The representations and
warranties  contained  in this Section 7 are true and correct on the date hereof
and shall be true and correct in all material  respects on and as of the Closing
Date  with  the same  force  and  effect  as  though  such  representations  and
warranties had been made on and as of the Closing Date.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                    COVENANTS OF SELLER PRIOR TO CLOSING DATE

     8.1 Required  Actions.  Between the date of this  Agreement and the Closing
Date,  Seller covenants that it will, in its conduct of the Business,  except as
otherwise agreed by Purchaser in writing:

          8.1.1  Access  to  Information.  Give to  Purchaser  and its  counsel,
     accountants,  consultants and other representatives,  at their sole expense
     and risk,  reasonable access,  during normal business hours, to such of the
     properties,  books,  accounts,  contracts  and  records  of  Seller  as are
     relevant to the Purchased Assets and the Business, and furnish or otherwise
     make available to Purchaser all such  information  concerning the Purchased
     Assets and the Business as Purchaser may reasonably request,  provided that
     the  confidentiality  of any  data or  information  so  acquired  shall  be
     maintained  as  confidential  by  Purchaser  and  its   representatives  in
     accordance with Section 9.1.1;

          8.1.2  Conduct of Business.  Operate the  Business  only in the usual,
     regular and ordinary  manner as such  Business was  conducted  prior to the
     date hereof, and use its commercially  reasonable efforts until the Closing
     Date to (i) preserve and keep intact the Business,  (ii) keep available the
     services  of the  Employees  and  (iii)  preserve  its  relationships  with
     customers,  suppliers  and others having  business  dealings with Seller in
     connection with the Business;

          8.1.3  Maintenance  of  Properties.  Maintain  the  Purchased  Assets,
     whether owned or leased, in good repair, order and condition, in accordance
     with manufacturers' instructions and Seller's past practices, ordinary wear
     and tear excepted;

          8.1.4 Maintenance of Books and Records. Maintain the Books and Records
     in the usual,  regular and ordinary manner, on a basis consistent with past
     practice;

          8.1.5 Compliance with Applicable Law. Comply in all material  respects
     with all laws and regulations applicable to the Purchased Assets and to the
     conduct of the Business;

          8.1.6  Performance  of  Obligations.  Perform all the  obligations  of
     Seller relating to the Purchased Assets and the Business in accordance with
     the past practices of Seller;

          8.1.7 Approvals,  Consents.  Obtain in writing as promptly as possible
     all other approvals and consents required to be obtained by Seller in order
     to effectuate the transactions contemplated hereby and deliver to Purchaser
     copies of such approvals and consents;

          8.1.8  Notice of Material  Damage.  Give to Purchaser  prompt  written
     notice of any material  damage by fire or other casualty upon the Purchased
     Assets or the Business;

          8.1.9 Advise of Changes.  Advise Purchaser  promptly in writing of any
     fact that, if known at the Closing Date, would have been required to be set
     forth or disclosed in or pursuant to this Agreement,  or which would result
     in  the  breach  in  any   material   respect  by  Seller  of  any  of  its
     representations, warranties, covenants or agreements hereunder;

          8.1.10   Update   Schedules.   Promptly   disclose  to  Purchaser  any
     information  contained  in the  representations  and  warranties  of Seller
     contained in Article VI or in the Schedules to this  Agreement  which is no
     longer  complete  or  correct   (including   furnishing  updated  financial
     statements);

          8.1.11 Pay  Employees  to Closing  Date.  Pay all wages,  salaries and
     other sums due Employees  through the close of business on the day prior to
     the Closing Date;

          8.1.12  Termination.  Terminate the  employment of all Employees as of
     the Closing Date; and

          8.1.13  Compliance with Agreement.  Not undertake any course of action
     inconsistent with satisfaction of the conditions applicable to it set forth
     in this Agreement,  and use all reasonable  efforts to do all such acts and
     take all such  measures as may be  reasonably  necessary to comply with the
     representations,  agreements,  conditions  and  other  provisions  of  this
     Agreement.

     8.2 Prohibited Actions.  Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing
Date,  in its conduct of the  Business,  Seller  shall not,  except as otherwise
agreed by Purchaser in writing:

          8.2.1  Sale  of  Purchased  Assets.  Sell,  transfer,  assign,  lease,
     encumber or otherwise  dispose of any or all of the Purchased  Assets other
     than in the ordinary course of the Business consistent with past practices;

          8.2.2 Business  Changes.  Change in any material respect the character
     of the Business;

          8.2.3 Incurrence of Material Obligations.  Incur any material fixed or
     contingent  obligation or enter into any material agreement,  commitment or
     other  transaction or arrangement that is not in the ordinary course of the
     Business consistent with past practices;

          8.2.4 Incurrence of Liens.  Subject to lien,  security interest or any
     other Encumbrance,  other than Permitted Encumbrances, any of the Purchased
     Assets;

          8.2.5 Change in Employee Compensation and Benefits.  Increase the rate
     of  compensation  paid,  or pay any  bonus,  to anyone  connected  with the
     Business,  except for those increases or bonuses  planned,  in the ordinary
     course of business  consistent with past  practices,  or establish or adopt
     any new pension or profit-sharing plan, deferred compensation  agreement or
     any other  employee  benefit  plan or  arrangement  of any kind  whatsoever
     covering or affecting Employees;

          8.2.6 Publicity,  Advertisement. Except as required by law, publicize,
     advertise  or announce to any third party,  except as required  pursuant to
     this Agreement to obtain the consent of such third party, the entering into
     of  this  Agreement,  the  terms  of  this  Agreement  or the  transactions
     contemplated hereby;

          8.2.7 No  Release.  Except  in the  ordinary  course  of the  Business
     consistent with past practices,  cancel, release or relinquish any debts of
     or claims  against  others held by Seller with  respect to the  Business or
     waive any rights relating to the Business; and

          8.2.8 No Termination or  Modification.  Terminate or modify any lease,
     contract,  governmental license, permit or other authorization or agreement
     affecting the Business or the Purchased Assets or the operation thereof.

     8.3  Exclusivity.  From the date hereof until the earlier of the Closing or
the  termination  of this  Agreement,  neither the Seller nor its  Affiliates or
agents shall,  directly or indirectly,  initiate,  solicit or negotiate or enter
into any agreement  with any other  Person,  or provide any  information  to any
other Person,  with respect to or in furtherance of any proposal for a merger or
business  combination  involving,  or acquisition of any interest in, or sale of
assets by, the Seller.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                  COVENANTS OF PURCHASER PRIOR TO CLOSING DATE

     9.1 Required  Actions.  Between the date of this  Agreement and the Closing
Date, Purchaser shall, except as otherwise agreed by Seller in writing:

          9.1.1  Confidentiality.  Not publish or disclose and not  authorize or
     permit any of its officers, employees, directors, agents or representatives
     to publish or disclose any trade secrets or other confidential  information
     or any data or business or financial books, records or other information of
     or pertaining to Seller,  which have been  furnished to Purchaser by Seller
     or to  which  Purchaser,  or  any of its  officers,  employees,  directors,
     agents,  attorneys or accountants,  or any financial  institution  have had
     access during any investigation  made in connection with this Agreement and
     which is not otherwise  available to  Purchaser,  except as required by law
     (this section shall survive the termination of this Agreement);

          9.1.2 Advise of Changes. Advise Seller promptly in writing of any fact
     that,  if known at the  Closing  Date,  would have been  required to be set
     forth or disclosed in or pursuant to this Agreement,  or which would result
     in  the  breach  in  any  material  respect  by  Purchaser  of  any  of its
     representations, warranties, covenants or agreements hereunder;

          9.1.3  Compliance with  Agreement.  Not undertake any course of action
     inconsistent with satisfaction of the conditions applicable to it set forth
     in this Agreement,  and Purchaser shall use its best efforts to do all such
     acts and take all such  measures as may be  reasonably  necessary to comply
     with the  representations,  agreements,  conditions and other provisions of
     this Agreement; and

          9.1.4  Publicity:  Advertisement.  Except  as  required  by  law,  not
     publicize,  advertise or announce to any third party the  entering  into of
     this   Agreement,   the  terms  of  this  Agreement  or  the   transactions
     contemplated  hereby.  This  section  shall  survive  termination  of  this
     Agreement.

     9.2  Investigation.  Prior to the Closing,  Purchaser  shall use reasonable
efforts to conduct  its  investigation  of the  Business  in such a manner as to
prevent  disruption of relations with the employees,  customers and suppliers of
Seller.


                                    ARTICLE X
                CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF PURCHASER

     The obligations of Purchaser hereunder are subject to the fulfillment at or
prior to the Closing of each of the following conditions:

     10.1 Accuracy of Representations  and Warranties.  The  representations and
warranties  of Seller  contained in this  Agreement  shall have been true in all
material  respects on the date hereof and shall be true in all material respects
on and as of the  Closing  Date with the same force and effect as though made on
and as of the Closing Date.

     10.2  Performance  of  Agreement.  The Seller  shall have  performed in all
material  respects all  obligations  and agreements and complied in all material
respects  with all covenants and  conditions  contained in this  Agreement to be
performed or complied with by it at or prior to the Closing Date.

     10.3 Seller's Certificate. Purchaser shall have received a certificate from
Seller,  dated  as of the  Closing  Date,  reasonably  satisfactory  in form and
substance to Purchaser and its counsel,  certifying as to the matters  specified
in Section 10.1 and Section 10.2 hereof.

     10.4  Secretary's  Certificate.  The  Seller  shall have  delivered  to the
Purchaser a certificate dated as of the Closing Date and signed on its behalf by
the Secretary of the Seller (a) stating that (i) the certified (by the Secretary
of State) copy of the Seller's Charter  Document  attached to the certificate is
true,  correct and  complete,  (ii) no amendment  to such  Charter  Document has
occurred  since  the  date  of the  last  amendment  annexed  (such  date  to be
specified), (iii) a true and correct copy of the Seller's bylaws as in effect on
the date thereof and at all times since the adoption of the resolutions referred
to below is annexed to such  certificate,  (iv) the  resolutions by the Board of
Directors and the Seller's Board of Directors and sole  shareholder  authorizing
the  execution,   delivery  and  performance  of  the  Agreement  and  Ancillary
Agreements  (and all other  documents  and  instruments  executed in  connection
herewith), and authorizing the transactions  contemplated thereunder,  were duly
adopted and continue in full force and effect (a copy of such  resolutions to be
annexed to such certificate);  (b) setting forth the Seller's incumbent officers
and including  specimen  signatures on such certificate or certificates as their
genuine  signatures;  and (c) confirming  that the Seller is in good standing in
all  jurisdictions  where the  ownership,  lease or operation of property or the
conduct of its business requires it to qualify to do business,  except for those
jurisdictions  where the failure to be duly  qualified,  authorized  and in good
standing would not have a material adverse effect upon the business,  prospects,
operations,  results of operations,  assets, liabilities or condition (financial
or otherwise) of the Seller.  The  certification  referred to above in (c) shall
attach  certificates of good standing or similar  certificates  certified by the
Secretaries of State or other appropriate officials of such states.

     10.5 Injunction.  On the Closing Date, there shall be no injunction,  writ,
preliminary  restraining  order or any order of any nature in effect issued by a
court of competent  jurisdiction  directing that the  transactions  provided for
herein,  or any of them,  not be  consummated  as herein  provided  and no suit,
action,  investigation,  inquiry or other legal or administrative  proceeding by
any governmental body or other Person shall have been instituted which questions
the  validity or legality of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby or which if
successfully asserted is necessarily likely to have a material adverse effect on
the conduct of the Business.

     10.6 Actions and Proceedings.  All corporate  actions of the Seller's Board
of  Directors  and  sole  shareholder  required  to carry  out the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  or  incidental  thereto  shall  be  reasonably
satisfactory to counsel for Purchaser.

     10.7 Consents.  Any third-party  and  governmental  consents,  approvals or
authorizations  necessary for the  conveyance  of the Purchased  Assets or valid
consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby shall have been obtained,
including,  but not limited to, any consents or  expiration  or  termination  of
waiting periods pursuant to the HSR Act.

     10.8 Searches. The Seller shall deliver to Purchaser at Closing the Uniform
Commercial Code and/or title searches for Encumbrances,  judgments and tax liens
(collectively, the "Searches"), conducted by the Seller, showing at Closing that
the  Purchased  Assets and Business are (or upon payment at Closing by Seller of
the indebtedness thereby secured will be) free and clear of all Encumbrances and
judgments  other than  Permitted  Encumbrances.  If any of the  Searches  reveal
Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances) on any of the Purchased Assets,
the Seller  shall  remove the same by paying  such  indebtedness  (and all costs
associated therewith) at or prior to Closing, and shall, at or prior to Closing,
deliver to the Purchaser executed Uniform Commercial Code termination statements
terminating all such Encumbrances, judgments and tax liens relating thereto.

     10.9 Section intentionally left blank.

     10.10 Due  Diligence.  Prior to  Purchaser's  delivery of the Due Diligence
Completion  Certificate (as hereinafter defined), the Purchaser's completion and
satisfaction  (as determined in Purchaser's sole discretion) with the results of
its due  diligence  review in  connection  with the Seller,  the  Business,  the
Company and the transactions contemplated hereunder.

     10.11  Opinion of Counsel.  Purchaser  shall have  received  the  favorable
opinion of Dykema Gossett, counsel for Seller, satisfactory to Purchaser and its
counsel as to the matters set forth in Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 hereof.

     10.12 Title Insurance. To the extent applicable hereunder,  Purchaser shall
have received,  obtained at its expense,  a title  insurance  policy issued by a
reputable  title  insurance  company  selected  by  Purchaser  at regular  rates
insuring  Purchaser's title to the Real Property as good and marketable and free
of all Encumbrances except Permitted Encumbrances.

     10.13  No  Material  Adverse  Change.  From  and  after  the  date  of this
Agreement,  there shall not have  occurred  or be  threatened  any  development,
event,  circumstance  or  condition  that had or is  reasonably  likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate,  a material  adverse effect upon the Purchased
Assets or the business,  operations,  results of operations, assets, liabilities
or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Seller.

     10.14 Miscellaneous.  The Seller shall have complied with the provisions of
any and all laws relating to bulk  transfers in connection  with the sale of the
Purchased Assets,  and shall have delivered to the Purchaser the following:  (a)
to the extent available,  the original invoices together with the manufacturer's
or dealer's guarantees and/or warranties and assignments  thereof,  covering the
Purchased  Assets;  (b) copies or  originals  of all files,  books and  records,
Permits, Contracts, applications, correspondence and other documents relative to
the Purchased Assets, the Business and the Seller,  other than those included in
Excluded  Assets;  (c) receipts  acknowledging  the  Purchaser's  payment of the
Purchase  Price;  (d)  Articles  of  Amendment  amending  the  Seller's  Charter
Documents  to  change  its  name to one  which  is not  similar  to its  present
corporate  name,  which  Articles  of  Amendment  shall  be in  proper  form and
accompanied by the proper check for filing with the Secretary of State;  (e) all
keys and codes for the Purchased Assets;  and (f) all such further documents and
instruments  that may be reasonably  requested by the Purchaser in order to more
effectively transfer title of the Purchased Assets to the Purchaser.


                                   ARTICLE XI
                CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF SELLER

     The obligations of Seller are subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the
Closing of each of the following conditions:

     11.1 Accuracy of Representations  and Warranties.  The  representations and
warranties of Purchaser  contained in this Agreement shall have been true in all
material  respects on the date hereof and shall be true in all material respects
on and as of the  Closing  Date with the same force and effect as though made on
and as of the Closing Date.

     11.2  Performance  of  Agreement.  Purchaser  shall have  performed  in all
material  respects all  obligations  and agreements and complied in all material
respects  with all covenants and  conditions  contained in this  Agreement to be
performed or complied with by it at or prior to the Closing Date.

     11.3 Purchaser's Certificate. Seller shall have received a certificate from
Purchaser,  dated as of the Closing Date,  reasonably  satisfactory  in form and
substance to Seller and its counsel,  certifying  as to the  fulfillment  of all
matters specified in Section 11.1 and Section 11.2 hereof.

     11.4  Secretary's  Certificate.  Seller shall have received a  certificate,
dated the Closing Date, of the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of Purchaser
with  respect  to the  incumbency  and  specimen  signature  of each  officer or
representative of Purchaser executing this Agreement,  the certificate  referred
to in Section 11.3 and the Ancillary Agreements to which Purchaser is a party.

     11.5 Injunction.  On the Closing Date, there shall be no injunction,  writ,
preliminary  restraining  order or any order of any nature in effect issued by a
court of competent  jurisdiction  directing that the  transactions  provided for
herein, or any of them, not be consummated as herein provided.

     11.6 Actions or Proceedings.  All corporate actions of Purchaser's Board of
Directors required to carry out the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement
or incidental thereto shall be reasonably satisfactory to counsel for Seller.

     11.7 Consents.  Any third-party  and  governmental  consents,  approvals or
authorizations necessary for the conveyance of the Purchased Assets or the valid
consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby shall have been obtained,
including,  but not limited to, any consents or  expiration  or  termination  of
waiting periods pursuant to the HSR Act.

     11.8 Opinion of Counsel.  Seller and  Shareholder  shall have  received the
favorable   opinion  of  Barry  D.  Myers,   Esquire,   counsel  for  Purchaser,
satisfactory  to Seller and  Shareholder and their counsel as to the matters set
forth in Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 hereof.


                                   ARTICLE XII
                       OBLIGATIONS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE

     12.1  Confidentiality.  Seller hereby covenants and agrees that,  except as
may be required by law, rule,  regulation or court order, or as may be permitted
by this Agreement,  it will not at any time reveal, divulge or make known to any
Person (other than  Purchaser or as may be permitted by this  Agreement,  or its
agents or  Affiliates)  any  information  that  relates to this  Agreement,  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby,  the Purchaser  (and its  Affiliates) or the
Business  (whether now  possessed  by Seller  and/or the Company or furnished by
Purchaser after the Closing Date), including, but not limited to, customer lists
or other customer  information,  trade secrets or formulae,  marketing  plans or
proposals,  financial  information  or any data,  written  material,  records or
documents used by or relating to the Business  (collectively,  the "Confidential
Information"). This Section shall survive termination of this Agreement.

     12.2 Covenant Not to Interfere.  Seller and Purchaser  hereby  covenant and
agree that, unless this Agreement is terminated  pursuant to Section 13.1, for a
period of five years after the Closing  Date,  they will not,  whether for their
own account or for the account of any other Person, endeavor to entice away from
the other Party any person who is an employee of such Party.

     12.3 Noncompetition. From the Closing Date and to the end of the fifth year
following the Closing Date, each of the Seller and its Affiliates  (except those
Affiliates  set forth on Schedule 12.3) will not,  directly or  indirectly,  for
their benefit or any other Person's  benefit,  unless acting in accordance  with
Purchaser's written consent, own, manage, operate, finance or participate in the
ownership,  management,  operation or financing of or permit its name to be used
by or in connection with any business or enterprise  engaged in the manufacture,
processing,  distribution or sale of Product in the United States or anywhere in
the  world.  Seller  acknowledges  that  the  provisions  of  this  Section  are
reasonable  and  necessary  to protect  the  interests  of  Purchaser,  that any
violation of this Section may result in an  irreparable  injury to Purchaser and
that damages at law may not be reasonable or adequate  compensation to Purchaser
for  violation  of this  Section and that,  in  addition to any other  available
remedies,  Purchaser  shall be entitled to have the  provisions  of this Section
specifically enforced by preliminary and permanent injunctive relief without the
necessity of proving  actual  damages or posting a bond or other security and to
an equitable accounting of all earnings,  profits and other benefits arising out
of any  violation  of this  Section.  In the event that the  provisions  of this
Section  shall ever be deemed to exceed the time,  geographic,  product or other
limitations  permitted by applicable  law, then the  provisions  shall be deemed
reformed to the maximum  extent  permitted by applicable  law. In no event shall
the  provisions  of this Section 12.3 be deemed to be binding upon Seller or any
Affiliate following the sale of substantially all of the assets or a majority of
the stock of any such entity to an unaffiliated third party.

     12.4  Transition of Employees.  From and after the Closing Date,  Purchaser
and Seller shall cooperate to ensure an orderly  transition of the Employees who
accept employment with Purchaser.

     12.5 Administrative Assistance by Seller. To the extent applicable,  except
as otherwise agreed,  Seller shall provide such accounting,  data processing and
other  support  services to Purchaser as are  reasonably  required in connection
with the transfer of the Business and the Purchased Assets to Purchaser  without
cost to Purchaser  for a period of not more than 90 days  following  the Closing
Date and thereafter  for an additional  period of up to 180 days at a reasonable
cost to be  negotiated.  Seller shall  cooperate  with  Purchaser's  auditors in
connection  with the  preparation of any report or filing required in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereunder, such cooperation to be provided by
Seller at no cost to Purchaser.

     12.6 Further Assurances of Seller.  From and after the Closing Date, Seller
shall,  at the  request  of  Purchaser,  execute,  acknowledge  and  deliver  to
Purchaser,   without  further  consideration,   all  such  further  assignments,
conveyances, endorsements, deeds, special powers of attorney, consents and other
documents,  and take such other action, as Purchaser may reasonably  request (i)
to transfer to and vest in Purchaser,  and protect is rights, title and interest
in, all the Purchased  Assets and (ii) otherwise to consummate the  transactions
contemplated  by this Agreement.  In addition,  from and after the Closing Date,
Seller  shall  afford  Purchaser  and  its  attorneys,   accountants  and  other
representatives  access,  during normal business hours, to any books and records
relating to the Business that Seller may retain as may reasonably be required in
connection with the preparation of financial  information,  tax returns or other
reports of Purchaser.

     12.7 Further  Assurances  of  Purchaser.  From and after the Closing  Date,
Purchaser  shall  afford  to Seller  and its  attorneys,  accountants  and other
representatives,  access (with prior written  notice),  during  normal  business
hours,  to such books and records  relating to the Business as may reasonably be
required in connection with the preparation of financial information for periods
concluding on or prior to the Closing  Date.  Purchaser  shall  cooperate in all
reasonable  respects  with  Seller  with  respect to its former  interest in the
Business and in  connection  with  financial  account  closing and reporting and
claims and litigation asserted by or against third parties.

     12.8 Accounts Receivable or Other Payments.  In the event that either Party
hereto at any time  receives  any funds from any third  party that are  properly
payable to the other Party hereto, the Party receiving such funds shall promptly
remit such funds to the Party entitled to such funds.


                                  ARTICLE XIII
                                   TERMINATION

     13.1 Termination of Agreement. This Agreement may be terminated:

          (i) by the mutual written consent of Seller and Purchaser;

          (ii) by Seller or  Purchaser  if the Closing has not taken place on or
     before September 30, 1998; provided,  however, that no Party then in breach
     of any representations and warranties or covenants hereunder shall have the
     right to terminate;

          (iii) by Purchaser,  on the one hand, or Seller,  on the other hand if
     in the event of a breach of any  representation or warranty of Seller or of
     Purchaser,  respectively, set forth in this Agreement which breach shall or
     shall  reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on the
     assets or  business  of  Purchaser  or  Seller,  as the case may be, or the
     ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;

          (iv) by Seller or  Purchaser if Purchaser  has not  delivered  the Due
     Diligence Completion  Certificate on or before the expiration of the Review
     Period; and

          (v) by  Purchaser if there has been a material  adverse  change in the
     Business from the Balance Sheet Date.

     13.2 Return of Documents.  If this  Agreement is terminated  for any reason
pursuant to this  Article  XIII,  each Party shall return to the other Party all
documents and copies thereof which shall have been furnished to it by such other
Party or, with the written agreement of the other Party,  shall destroy all such
documents and copies  thereof and certify in writing to the other Party any such
destruction.

     13.3  Remedies.  If this  Agreement is terminated by Seller or Purchaser as
permitted   under   Section  13.1  and  not  as  a  result  of  a  breach  of  a
representation,  warranty or covenant or the failure of any Party to perform its
obligations hereunder, such termination shall be without liability of any Party.
If  a  Party   terminates   this  Agreement  as  a  result  of  a  breach  of  a
representation,  warranty  or  covenant by the other Party or the failure of the
other Party to perform its obligations  hereunder,  the nonbreaching Party shall
be  entitled  to all of its  remedies  under law and  equity.  If any  condition
precedent to a Party's obligation is not met and if such Party does not exercise
its right to terminate this Agreement by reason  thereof,  the other Party shall
have no liability or obligation whatsoever to such Party by reason of the breach
of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth herein known to
such Party that gave rise to the failure of such condition precedent.


                                   ARTICLE XIV
                           SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS
                         AND WARRANTIES; INDEMNIFICATION

     14.1 Survival of  Representations,  Etc. The representations and warranties
given by the Seller and the Purchaser under this Agreement shall not survive the
Closing,  except that all  representations  and warranties  contained in Section
6.27 shall  survive  the  Closing  for the period of the  applicable  statute of
limitations plus any extensions or waivers thereof by Seller.

     14.2 Indemnification by the Seller. Seller shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless  Purchaser  from  and  against  any and all  damages,  claims,  losses,
obligations, liabilities, deficiencies, interest, costs and expenses arising out
of or related to (i) payment of, or  obligations  in respect of,  Taxes due with
respect to any period  ending on or prior to the Closing Date and,  with respect
to income  taxes based on the  operations  of Seller  prior to the Closing  Date
and/or (ii) fraud or gross negligence (as defined in Section 2.4) on the part of
the Seller  (collectively,  "Fraud  Actions").  Purchaser  shall  promptly  give
written notice hereunder to Seller after becoming aware of any claim as to which
recovery  may be sought  against  the Seller  because of the  indemnity  in this
Section,  and, if such  indemnity  shall arise from the claim of a third  party,
shall  permit  the  Seller  to  assume  the  defense  of any such  claim and any
litigation  or other  proceeding  resulting  from  such  claim;  provided,  that
Purchaser may, in any event, at its own expense, monitor and participate in, but
not control,  the defense of any such claim or litigation.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  the right to indemnification  hereunder shall not be affected by any
failure of  Purchaser  to give such notice (or by delay by  Purchaser  in giving
such notice)  unless,  and then only to the extent that, the rights and remedies
of the Seller shall have been  prejudiced as a result of the failure to give, or
delay in giving,  such notice.  The notice required  hereunder shall specify the
basis for the claim for indemnification to the extent  ascertainable at the time
of the notice.  Failure by Seller to notify  Purchaser of its election to defend
any such claim or action by a third party  within 10 days after  notice  thereof
shall have been  given to the  Seller  shall be deemed a waiver by the Seller of
its right to defend  such claim or  action.  Nothing  herein  shall be deemed to
prevent Purchaser from making a contingent claim for indemnification  hereunder,
provided  the  Purchaser  has  reasonable  grounds to believe  that the claim or
demand for  indemnification  will be made and sets forth the estimated amount of
such claim to the  extent  then  ascertainable.  The  Seller  shall not,  in the
defense of such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom, consent to entry of
any judgment (other than a judgment of dismissal on the merits without costs) or
enter into any settlement,  except with the written consent, which consent shall
not be unreasonably  withheld,  of the Purchaser.  If the Seller does not assume
the  defense  of any  such  claim  by a third  party,  or  litigation  resulting
therefrom,  after  receipt  of notice  from the  Purchaser,  or if the Seller is
negligent in handling such defense,  the Purchaser may, at the Seller's expense,
defend against such claim or litigation in such manner as it deems  appropriate.
Seller  shall pay  promptly  to  Purchaser  the amount of all  damages,  losses,
deficiencies,  liabilities,  costs,  expenses,  claims and other  obligations to
which the foregoing indemnity relates.

     14.3 Effect of Investigation.  Any claim for  indemnification  shall not be
invalid,  and shall be unaffected,  as a result of any  investigation or any due
diligence  review by, or  opportunity  to  investigate  or perform due diligence
afforded to, the Purchaser, except where Purchaser had Knowledge of the material
facts giving rise to the claim for indemnification prior to the Closing Date.


                                   ARTICLE XV
                      DUE DILIGENCE COMPLETION CERTIFICATE
                              AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

     15.1 Due Diligence  Completion  Certificate.  Within twenty-five days after
the date of this Agreement and delivery of the Schedules (the "Review  Period"),
Purchaser  shall  deliver  to the  Seller  a  certificate  (the  "Due  Diligence
Completion  Certificate")  evidencing completion and satisfaction of Purchaser's
due  diligence  (in its sole  discretion)  with the results of its due diligence
review ("Due Diligence Review").

     15.2 Business Opportunity Fee. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that
the other party has expended significant time and expense, and has forgone other
business   opportunities  in  connection  with  the  transactions   contemplated
hereunder.  Therefore,  if the Closing  does not occur on or before  October 15,
1998 and, if the Agreement has not been  terminated as permitted by Section 13.1
by October 15, 1998,  each party  hereunder is obligated under this Agreement to
consummate  the  transactions  set forth herein  (each such  party's  respective
conditions  precedent  having  been  satisfied),  the party that  breaches  this
Agreement by not  performing  its  obligations  to consummate  the  transactions
contemplated  hereunder  shall  pay the  other  party  $500,000  in  immediately
available funds on or before October 17, 1998.


                                   ARTICLE XVI
                                     GENERAL

     16.1 Expenses.  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, and whether
or not the transactions herein contemplated shall be consummated,  Purchaser and
Seller and the Company  shall pay their own fees,  expenses  and  disbursements,
including the fees and expenses of their  respective  counsel,  accountants  and
other experts,  in connection  with the subject matter of this Agreement and all
other  costs  and  expenses  incurred  in  performing  and  complying  with  all
conditions to be performed under this Agreement.  This Section shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.

     16.2  Publicity.  All  notices  to third  parties  and all other  publicity
concerning the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  shall be jointly
planned and  coordinated by and between  Purchaser and Seller.  Except as may be
required  by law,  no Party shall act  unilaterally  in this regard  without the
prior written approval of the other Party,  such approval not to be unreasonably
withheld. This Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

     16.3  Waivers.  The  waiver  by  either  Party  hereto  of a breach  of any
provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any
subsequent breach.

     16.4 Binding Effect;  Benefits;  Assignment.  This Agreement shall inure to
the  benefit  of,  and shall be  binding  upon,  the  Parties  hereto  and their
respective  successors  and  assigns.  Nothing  in this  Agreement,  express  or
implied,  is intended to confer on any Person other than the Parties hereto,  or
their respective  successors and assigns, any rights,  remedies,  obligations or
liabilities  under or by reason of this Agreement.  Neither Seller nor Purchaser
shall assign, or otherwise  transfer any interest in this Agreement to any other
Person,  except  Purchaser may assign this Agreement or an interest therein to a
Person which is an Affiliate of Purchaser or a purchaser of the Purchased Assets
from Purchaser.

     16.5  Notices.  All  notices,   requests,   demands,  elections  and  other
communications which either Party to this Agreement may desire or be required to
give  hereunder  shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given
if delivered personally, by a reputable overnight courier service which requires
a signature upon delivery,  by mailing the same by registered or certified first
class mail, postage prepaid,  return receipt  requested,  or by telecopying with
receipt  confirmation  (followed  by a first  class  mailing of the same) to the
Party  to whom the same is so given  or  made.  Such  notice,  request,  demand,
waiver,  election or other communication will be deemed to have been given as of
the date so delivered or electronically  transmitted or seven days after mailing
thereof.

          16.5.1 If to Seller, to:

                           Donna L. Bacon, President
                           JPE, Inc.
                           775 Technology Drive
                           Suite 200
                           Ann Arbor, MI  48108

                 With a copy to:

                           Barbara A. Kaye, Esquire
                           Dykema Gossett PLLC
                           400 Renaissance Center
                           Detroit MI 48243-1668

          16.5.2 If to Purchaser, to:

                           Richard N. Berman, President
                           R&B, Inc.
                           3400 East Walnut Street
                           Colmar, PA 18915

                 With a copy to:

                           Barry D. Myers, Esquire
                           Vice President and General Counsel
                           R&B, Inc.
                           3400 East Walnut Street
                           Colmar, PA 18915

or to such other  address as such Party  shall have  specified  by notice to the
other Party hereto.

     16.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Exhibits and Schedules
hereto)  and the  documents  delivered  pursuant  hereto  constitute  the entire
agreement  and  understanding  between the Parties  hereto as to the matters set
forth herein and supersede and revoke all prior  agreements and  understandings,
oral and written,  between the Parties  hereto or otherwise  with respect to the
subject matter hereof. No change, amendment,  termination or attempted waiver of
any of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon any Party unless set forth in
an  instrument  in writing  signed by the Party to be bound or their  respective
successors in interest.

     16.7 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or
more  counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original  and all of which
together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

     16.8 Headings.  The article,  section and other headings  contained in this
Agreement are for  reference  purposes only and shall not be deemed to be a part
of this Agreement or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

     16.9  Construction.  Within this Agreement,  the singular shall include the
plural and the plural shall include the  singular,  and any gender shall include
all other genders,  all as the meaning and the context of this  Agreement  shall
require.

     16.10 Governing Law and Choice of Forum. The validity and interpretation of
this  Agreement  shall be  construed  in  accordance  with,  and governed by the
internal laws of the State of Delaware. All claims, disputes or causes of action
(with the exception of those to be arbitrated in accordance  with Section 3.4.4)
relating  to or  arising  out of this  Agreement  shall be  brought,  heard  and
resolved  solely  and  exclusively  by  and  in  a  federal  court  situated  in
Wilmington,  Delaware or state court  situated in New Castle  County,  Delaware.
Each of the parties hereto agrees to submit to the  jurisdiction  of such courts
and that such jurisdiction shall be proper for all purposes of this Agreement.

     16.11  Cooperation.  The Parties hereto shall  cooperate fully at their own
expense,  except as otherwise  provided in this  Agreement,  with each other and
their  respective  counsel and  accountants  in connection  with all steps to be
taken as part of their obligations under this Agreement.

     16.12 Severability.  If any term, covenant,  condition or provision of this
Agreement or the  application  thereof to any  circumstance  shall be invalid or
unenforceable  to any extent,  the remaining  terms,  covenants,  conditions and
provisions of this  Agreement  shall not be affected  thereby and each remaining
term,  covenant,  condition and provision of this  Agreement  shall be valid and
shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. If any provision of
this  Agreement  is so broad as to be  unenforceable,  such  provision  shall be
interpreted to be only as broad as is enforceable.

     16.13 Attorneys' Fees. If a dispute arises among the Parties as a result of
which an action is  commenced  to  interpret or enforce any of the terms of this
Agreement,  the  losing  Party  shall  pay to the  prevailing  Party  reasonable
out-of-pocket  attorneys' fees,  costs and expenses  incurred in connection with
the prosecution or defense of such action.

                                    * * * * *

     The Parties  have caused this  Agreement  to be signed in their  respective
names by an officer thereof duly authorized as of the date first above written.


R&B, INC.                              ALLPARTS, INC.

By:  /s/ Steven Berman                 By:  /s/ James J. Fahrner
     -------------------------              ---------------------------
         Steven Berman                          James J. Fahrner
         Executive VP                           Vice President and
                                                  Chief Financial Officer


The undersigned  JPE, Inc.,  intending to be legally bound,  hereby agrees to be
jointly and severally obligated and responsible in connection with Articles 3.4,
12 and 14 of this Asset Purchase Agreement.

JPE, Inc.

By:  /s/ Donna L. Bacon
     -------------------------
         Donna Bacon, President





                               AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                                 BY AND BETWEEN
                          R&B, INC. AND ALLPARTS, INC.
                           Dated as of August 19, 1998



     This  Amendment  No. 1 (the  "Amendment")  to that certain  Asset  Purchase
Agreement,  dated as of August  19,  1998  (the  "Purchase  Agreement"),  by and
between R&B, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation ("Purchaser"), and Allparts, Inc.,
a Missouri corporation ("Seller"), is executed as of October 15, 1998.


                                   BACKGROUND

     Seller and  Purchaser  desire to amend  certain  provisions of the Purchase
Agreement as a result of  Purchaser's  due  diligence  investigation,  which the
parties now  acknowledge is complete.  Except as  specifically  provided in this
Amendment,  the  Purchase  Agreement  shall  not be  modified  in  any  respect.
Capitalized  terms used and not defined  herein shall have the meanings given to
such terms in the Purchase Agreement.


                                   AGREEMENTS

     Incorporating   the  foregoing  herein,  in  consideration  of  the  mutual
agreements, covenants,  representations and warranties contained herein, and for
other good and  valuable  consideration,  the receipt  and  adequacy of which is
hereby acknowledged, and in reliance thereon, intending to be legally bound, the
parties hereby agree as follows:

     1. Article I. Certain Definitions. The definition set forth below is hereby
amended and restated to reflect the parties agreement to revise the Closing Date
and shall read in its entirety as follows:

          "1.12 `Closing Date' shall mean October 28, 1998."

     2. Article III.  Consideration and Terms. Article III is hereby amended and
restated to revise the Purchase  Price and the  adjustment to the Purchase Price
and shall read in its entirety as follows:

                                  "ARTICLE III
                             CONSIDERATION AND TERMS

          3.1  Consideration  for  Purchased  Assets.   The  aggregate  monetary
     consideration  to be paid by Purchaser to Seller for the  Purchased  Assets
     shall  consist of a cash  payment in the amount of Ten  Million One Hundred
     Thousand  Dollars  ($10,100,000)  plus or  minus,  as the case may be,  the
     amount by which the  intercompany  account  of  Seller,  as of the close of
     business  on the day  preceding  the  Closing  Date,  is more or less  than
     $667,000,  respectively (the `Purchase Price').  Seller and Purchaser shall
     mutually agree upon the amount of the intercompany  account as of the close
     of business on the day preceding the Closing Date.

          3.2 Payment of  Consideration.  Subject to the terms and conditions of
     this  Agreement,  at the  Closing,  Purchaser  shall  deliver to Seller the
     Purchase  Price by wire transfer of immediately  available  funds to a bank
     account designated in writing by Seller.

          3.3 Allocation of Purchase Price.  The Parties agree that the Purchase
     Price shall be allocated in accordance with Schedule 3.3,  attached hereto.
     Each Party agrees not to assert,  in  connection  with any tax return,  tax
     audit or similar  proceeding,  any  allocation  of the Purchase  Price that
     differs from that agreed upon pursuant to this Section."

     3. Article IV. Employee Matters. Section 4.1 is hereby amended and restated
to indicate  that  Purchaser  shall offer  employment to all Employees and shall
assume specific contracts with respect to certain employees.

          "4.1 Offer of Employment.  Purchaser shall offer  employment on and as
     of the Closing Date, on an at-will basis, to all Employees in substantially
     similar jobs, at substantially the same base salaries or wages and benefits
     as were paid or provided by Seller  immediately  prior to the Closing Date.
     Purchaser  shall be responsible for COBRA coverage for any employee to whom
     Purchaser  fails to extend  an offer of  employment  and for any  claims of
     discrimination   under   Federal   or  state   laws,   if  such  claim  for
     discrimination  is based  on  Purchaser's  failure  to  extend  an offer of
     employment to the employee. In addition, Purchaser shall be responsible for
     any claims for severance  benefits under those certain Executive  Severance
     Agreements listed on Schedule 2.1.4 to this Agreement."

     4. Article VI.  Representations  and  Warranties of Seller.  Section 6.3 is
hereby  amended and  restated to permit  Seller to identify  exceptions  to this
representation and shall read in its entirety as follows:

          "6.3 No  Violation;  Consents.  Except  as set forth in  Schedule  6.3
     hereto, the execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement
     and  the  Ancillary  Agreements  to  which  Seller  is  a  party,  and  the
     consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby will not
     (with or without  the  giving of notice or the lapse of time,  or both) (i)
     violate any provision of the charter of bylaws of Seller,  (ii) violate, or
     require any consent,  authorization  or approval  of, or  exemption  by, or
     filing under any provision of any law, statute, rule or regulation to which
     Seller, the business or the Purchased Assets are subject, (iii) violate any
     judgment,  order,  writ or decree of any court  applicable  to Seller,  the
     Business or the Purchased  Assets,  (iv) conflict with,  result in a breach
     of, constitute a default under, or accelerate or permit the acceleration of
     the  performance  required  by, or require any  consent,  authorization  or
     approval  under any contract,  agreement or instrument to which Seller is a
     party or the Business  and/or any of the  Purchased  Assets is bound or (v)
     result in the creation or imposition of any  Encumbrance  upon the Business
     and/or the Purchased Assets, which violation,  conflict,  breach,  default,
     acceleration or Encumbrance,  or the failure to make or obtain such filing,
     consent, authorization or approval, individually or in the aggregate, could
     reasonably be expected to have a material  adverse  effect on the Purchased
     Assets or the results of the Business or prevent or delay the  consummation
     of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement."

     5. Article X.  Conditions  Precedent to Obligations  or Purchaser.  Section
10.10 is hereby amended and restated to reflect that Purchaser has completed and
is satisfied with its due diligence and shall read:

          "10.10. Section intentionally left blank."

     6. Article XIII.  Termination.  Section 13.1 is hereby amended and restated
to reflect the parties agreement with respect to the Closing Date and shall read
in its entirety as follows:

          "13.1 Termination of Agreement. This Agreement may be terminated:

                    (i) by the mutual written consent of Seller and Purchaser;

                    (ii) by Seller or  Purchaser  if the  Closing  has not taken
               place on or before October 28, 1998; provided,  however,  that no
               Party then in breach of any  representations  and  warranties  or
               covenants hereunder shall have the right to terminate;

                    (iii) by Purchaser, on the one hand, or Seller, on the other
               hand if any representation or warranty of Seller or of Purchaser,
               respectively,  set forth in this Agreement  which breach shall or
               shall  reasonably  be  expected  to result in a material  adverse
               effect on the assets or business or Purchaser  or Seller,  as the
               case  may be,  or the  ability  to  consummate  the  transactions
               contemplated hereby; and

                    (iv) by  Purchaser  if  there  has been a  material  adverse
               change in the Business from the Balance Sheet Date."

     7.   Article   XIV.   Survival   of    Representations    and   Warranties;
Indemnification. A new Section 14.4 is hereby added to read as follows:

          "14.4 Indemnification by Purchaser.  Purchaser shall indemnify, defend
     and hold  harmless  Seller from and against  any and all  damages,  claims,
     losses,  obligations,   liabilities,   deficiencies,  interest,  costs  and
     expenses arising out of or related to any breach or violation of any of the
     covenants of Purchaser in Article IV of this Agreement."

     8. Article XV. Due Diligence  Completion  Certificate and Other Agreements.
Article  XV is hereby  amended  and  restated  to  reflect  that  Purchaser  has
completed and is satisfied with its due diligence.

                                   "ARTICLE XV

                      DUE DILIGENCE COMPLETION CERTIFICATE
                              AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

          15.1  Due   Diligence   Completion   Certificate.   Purchaser   hereby
     acknowledges that it has completed and is satisfied with the results of its
     due diligence review.  This provision shall have the same effect as any Due
     Diligence Certificate contemplated by the Purchase Agreement.

          15.2 Business Opportunity Fee. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges
     that the other party has expended  significant  time and  expense,  and has
     foregone other business  opportunities  in connection with the transactions
     contemplated  hereunder.  Therefore,  if the  Closing  does not occur on or
     before  October 28, 1998 and if the  Agreement  has not been  terminated as
     permitted  by Section  13.1 by October 28,  1998,  each party  hereunder is
     obligated  under this  Agreement to consummate the  transactions  set forth
     herein  (each such  party's  respective  conditions  precedent  having been
     satisfied),  the party that breaches this  Agreement by not  performing its
     obligations to consummate the transactions contemplated hereunder shall pay
     the  other  party  $500,000  in  immediately  available  funds on or before
     October 30, 1998."


     The Parties  have caused this  Amendment  to be signed in their  respective
names by an officer thereof duly authorized as of the date first above written.


R&B, INC.                                   ALLPARTS, INC.

By:  /s/ Barry D. Myers                     By:  /s/ Donna L. Bacon
     -------------------------                   -------------------------
         Barry D. Myers                              Donna L. Bacon
         VP - General Counsel                        Vice President



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