BREED TECHNOLOGIES INC
8-K, 1997-03-10
MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS & ACCESSORIES
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                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, DC 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): February 25, 1997



                         BREED Technologies, Inc.
           (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)



DELAWARE                                1-11474                       22-2767118
(State or Other Jurisdiction         (Commission File              (IRS Employee
of Incorporation)                        Number)             Identification No.)


5300 Old Tampa Highway, Lakeland, Florida                                  33811
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                              (Zip Code)


                                   941-668-6000
            (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


<PAGE>

Item 2. Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

On February 25, 1997, BREED Technologies,  Inc., (the "Company") consummated the
acquisition of the stock of BTI  Investments,  Inc.,  ("BTI") a holding  company
which owns the Custom Trim Group of Companies. The acquisition was made pursuant
to the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 3, 1997 between the Company
and BTI.

The purchase  price was $70 million in cash,  subject to any post closing  audit
adjustments.  Additionally,  up to  $5,000,000  may be paid on September 1, 2002
contingent upon BTI attaining  certain  operating profit targets for each of the
years subsequent to the acquisition date.

The funds used by the Company to acquire BTI were obtained from borrowings under
the Company's Revolving Credit Agreements.

The  acquired  operations  which  will  be  called  Custom  Trim  Ltd.  produces
leather-wrapped  steering wheels, shift knobs and shift boots,  injection molded
levers and leather/vinyl/cloth sewing of armrests, headrests and seating. Custom
Trim has annual  revenues of  approximately  $100 million and has  manufacturing
locations in Canada and Mexico.



Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

The  acquisition  of BTI does not meet the required  significance  tests for the
filing of audited financial statements and pro forma financial information.

Exhibits.         Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 3, 1997, as amended
                  February 25, 1997 between BREED Technologies, Inc. and BTI
                  Investments, Inc.

<PAGE>




                                           Signatures


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


Date:    March 5, 1997                    BREED Technologies, Inc.
                                          By:  /s/ Edward H. McFadden
                                               Edward H. McFadden
                                               Executive Vice President and
                                               Chief Financial Officer







                         STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

Agreement (the "Agreement") made as of the 3rd day of January, 1997 by and among
BREED  Technologies,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation with its principal office at
Lakeland, Florida, U.S.A. (The "Buyer"), and BTI Investments,  Inc., an Ontario,
Canada corporation with its principal office at Waterloo,  Ontario,  Canada (the
"Company"),   and  the  Stockholders   listed  on  Schedule  I  attached  hereto
(individually,  a "Stockholder" and collectively,  the "Stockholders"),  who own
all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company.

                          Preliminary Statement

1.       Each of the Stockholders  owns the number of the issued and outstanding
         shares (collectively, the "Shares") as set forth in Schedule I attached
         hereto,  which Shares in the aggregate  represent all of the issued and
         outstanding shares of capital stock of the company.

2.       The Buyer desires to purchase, and the Stockholders desire to sell, the
         Shares for the consideration set forth below,  subject to the terms and
         conditions of this Agreement.

3.       All references to dollars in this Agreement shall mean U.S. Dollars.
         All amounts referred to herein shall be converted to U.S. Dollars at an
         exchange rate of $1.00 Canadian/$0.75 U.S.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set
         forth and other good and valuable consideration,  the receipt of which
         is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.       Purchase and Sale of the Shares

1.01     Purchase of the Shares from the  Stockholders.  Subject to and upon the
         terms  and  conditions  of  this  Agreement,  at  the  closing  of  the
         transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  (the  "Closing"),  each
         Stockholder  shall sell,  transfer,  convey,  assign and deliver to the
         Buyer,  and the Buyer  shall  purchase,  acquire  and accept  from each
         Stockholder  either  directly  or  indirectly,  all the  Shares  and/or
         interest  owned  by  such  Stockholder,  as  set  forth  opposite  such
         Stockholder's  name on Schedule I attached  hereto.  The  consideration
         shall be allocated to discharge  shareholder loans, purchase shares and
         to fund  the  redemption  of  Shares  as may be  agreed  upon  prior to
         Closing.  At the Closing  each  Stockholder  shall,  to the extent each
         Stockholder   retains   Shares  at   Closing,   deliver  to  the  Buyer
         certificates  evidencing  the  Shares  owned by such  Stockholder  duly
         endorsed  in  blank  or  with  stock  powers  duly   executed  by  such
         Stockholder.

1.02     Further  Assurances.  At any  time  and  from  time to time  after  the
         Closing, at the Buyer's request and without further consideration, each
         of the Stockholders shall promptly execute and deliver such instruments
         of sale, transfer,  conveyance,  assignment and confirmation,  and take
         all such other action as the Buyer may reasonably request, more


<PAGE>



         effectively to transfer, convey and assign to the Buyer, and to confirm
         the Buyer's title to, all of the Shares owned by such  Stockholder,  to
         put the Buyer in actual possession and operating control of the assets,
         properties and business of the Company and the Subsidiaries (as defined
         in  Subsection  3.03  hereof),  to assist the Buyer in  exercising  all
         rights with respect  thereto and to carry out the purpose and intent of
         this Agreement.

1.03      Consideration.

                  (a) The consideration to be paid by the Buyer shall be:

                           (i) Seventy Million Dollars  ($70,000,000) (the "Base
                           Purchase Price"),  subject to adjustment  pursuant to
                           Subsections  1.04,  1.05, and 12.04 hereof.  The Base
                           Purchase   Price  shall  be  payable  in  the  manner
                           described in paragraph (b) of this Subsection 1.03.

                           (ii) Up to Five  Million  Dollars  ($5,000,000)  (the
                           "Earn  Out"),  to be paid five years from the date of
                           Closing (the  "Closing  Date")  according to Schedule
                           1.03.

                  (b) At the Closing, the Buyer shall deliver:

                           (i) to the Stockholders'  Representative  (as defined
                           in Subsection  1.06 hereof),  the sum of  Sixty-Seven
                           Million Five Hundred Thousand  Dollars  ($67,500,000)
                           by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an
                           account     designated    by    the     Stockholders'
                           Representative,  for distribution to the Stockholders
                           by the Stockholder's Representative in the amount set
                           forth  opposite  each  such   Stockholder's  name  on
                           Schedule I attached  hereto.  Such sum shall  include
                           full repayment of any and all loans outstanding as of
                           the Closing  Date from any  Stockholder,  director or
                           officer to the  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries,
                           and Schedule I shall indicate all such loans.

                           (ii) to an escrow  agent to be  mutually  agreed upon
                           (the  "Escrow  Agent"),  the sum of Two Million  Five
                           Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000),  to be held in
                           an  interest-bearing  escrow account  pursuant to the
                           terms of the  Escrow  Agreement  attached  hereto  as
                           Exhibit  1.03(b)  (the  "Escrow  Agreement"),   as  a
                           reserve (the  "Reserve  Account")  for all or part of
                           any  adjustments  pursuant to Subsection  1.04 and to
                           satisfy  all or  part  of any  claims  for  indemnity
                           pursuant to Section 10 hereof.

1.04     Post Closing Adjustments.  The Base Purchase Price set forth in 
         Subsection 1.03 hereof shall be subject to adjustment after the Closing
         Date as follows:

                  (a)  Within  90 days of  Closing,  the  Company's  independent
                  public accountants (the "Company's  Auditor") shall deliver to
                  the Stockholders and to the Buyer's


<PAGE>



                  independent  public  accountants  (the "Buyer's  Auditor") the
                  consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries
                  as of the Closing  Date (the  "Closing  Balance  Sheet").  The
                  Closing  Balance  Sheet shall be prepared in  accordance  with
                  generally accepted accounting  principles applied consistently
                  with the  Company's  past  practices  (to the extent that such
                  past  practice  was  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
                  accounting  principles),  without any  adjustments  applicable
                  solely as a result  of the  acquisition  of the  Shares by the
                  Buyer on the  Closing  Date,  and shall be  certified  without
                  qualification by the Company's Auditor.

                  (b) Intentionally omitted.

                  (c) Buyer and  Buyer's  Auditor  shall have full access to the
                  books and records of the Company and  Subsidiaries and working
                  papers  of  the  Company's   Auditor  to  confirm  the  values
                  reflected in the Closing Balance Sheet.  The values or amounts
                  for each item reflected on the Closing  Balance Sheet shall be
                  binding upon the Buyer,  unless the Buyer gives written notice
                  within 60 days after receipt of the Closing  Balance Sheet, of
                  disagreement  with any of the values or  amounts  shown on the
                  Closing  Balance  Sheet,  specifying  as to each  such item in
                  reasonable  detail, the nature and extent of such disagreement
                  (the  "Dispute  Notice").  If the Buyer and the  Stockholders'
                  Representative  are  unable to resolve  any such  disagreement
                  within  60 days  after  the date of the  Dispute  Notice,  the
                  disagreement  shall be  submitted to  arbitration  as provided
                  herein.  If as a result of the  resolution  of any disputes by
                  agreement  pursuant to this  Subsection 1.04 or by arbitration
                  hereto,  any  amount  shown in the  Closing  Balance  Sheet is
                  determined to be  erroneous,  such  erroneous  amount shall be
                  deleted from the Closing  Balance Sheet and the correct amount
                  shall be inserted in lieu thereof.  The Closing Balance Sheet,
                  as so corrected,  shall  constitute the Closing  Balance Sheet
                  for purposes of this Agreement.

                           (i) In the event of a  dispute  under  this  Section,
                           either the Buyer or the Stockholders'  Representative
                           may submit the matter to arbitration by notifying the
                           other party and the Escrow  Agent in writing.  Within
                           10 business  days after  receipt of such notice,  the
                           Buyer   and   Stockholders'    Representative   shall
                           designate  in writing one  arbitrator  to resolve the
                           dispute.  If unable to agree, an arbitrator  shall be
                           appointed  by the American  Arbitration  Association.
                           The arbitrator shall not be an employee,  consultant,
                           officer, director or stockholder of any party hereto.

                           (ii)  Within  15 days  after the  designation  of the
                           arbitrator,   the  arbitrator,   the  Buyer  and  the
                           Stockholders'  Representative  shall  meet,  at which
                           time the Buyer and the  Stockholders'  Representative
                           shall set forth in writing all disputed  issues and a
                           proposed ruling on each such issue.

                           (iii) The arbitrator  shall set date for a hearing no
                           later than 30 days after the  submission of proposals
                           pursuant to subparagraph (ii) above to discuss


<PAGE>



                           each of the  issues  identified  by the Buyer and the
                           Stockholders' Representative . The arbitration shall,
                           as to the resolution of any dispute, shall be binding
                           and  conclusive  upon all parties hereto and shall be
                           governed  by the  rules of the  American  Arbitration
                           Association,  provided that the arbitrator shall have
                           sole discretion with regard to the  admissibility  of
                           evidence.

                           (iv) The  arbitrator  shall use his best  efforts  to
                           rule in writing on each disputed issue within 30 days
                           after completion of the aforementioned  hearing.  The
                           determination  of the arbitrator as to the resolution
                           of any dispute shall be binding and  conclusive  upon
                           all parties hereto.

                           (v) The parties shall pay their  respective costs and
                           fees incurred in connection  with the arbitration and
                           shall  share  the  costs  of the  arbitrator  and any
                           hearings.

                           (vi) Any  arbitration  held pursuant  hereto shall be
                           conducted  in  Detroit,   Michigan,   or  such  other
                           location as the parties  shall  mutually  agree.  Any
                           arbitration  award may be entered in and  enforced by
                           any court having jurisdiction thereover.

                  (d) The  Buyer  shall  pay the fees and  disbursements  of the
                  Buyer's Auditor.  The fees and  disbursements of the Company's
                  Auditor  incurred  in the audit of the Closing  Balance  Sheet
                  shall  be  paid  by  the  Company.  Any  audit  fees  incurred
                  subsequent to delivery of the Closing Balance Sheet because of
                  amounts  disputed  by the  Stockholders  shall  be paid by the
                  Stockholders,  in proportion  to their  ownership of Shares as
                  set forth on Schedule I attached hereto.

                  (e)  Immediately  upon the expiration of the 60 day period for
                  giving the Dispute  Notice,  if no Dispute Notice is given, or
                  immediately upon resolution of disputes,  if any,  pursuant to
                  this  Subsection  1.04,  the  Base  Purchase  Price  shall  be
                  adjusted as follows (as so adjusted,  the  "Adjusted  Purchase
                  Price"):

                           (i) If the Net Worth of the  Company (as such term is
                           defined  below) on the Closing  Date, as reflected on
                           the Closing Balance Sheet, is less than  $20,000,000,
                           the  deficiency  shall  be  deducted  from  the  Base
                           Purchase Price to obtain the Adjusted Purchase Price.

                           (ii) The term "Net Worth of the  Company"  is defined
                           as the  excess of the  depreciated  book value of all
                           assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries, including
                           patents,  copy rights,  trademarks  and other similar
                           intangible   items,   over  the  book  value  of  all
                           liabilities,  excluding loans from  Stockholders  and
                           amounts accrued as bonuses or commissions  payable to
                           Stockholders as set forth in Exhibit 1.04 (e)(ii), of
                           the Company and the Subsidiaries, all as shown on the
                           Closing Balance Sheet.


<PAGE>



1.05     Payments on Account of Adjustments.

                  (a) The difference between the Adjusted Purchase Price and the
                  Base Purchase  Price,  together  with interest  thereon at the
                  rate of 6% per annum from the  Closing  Date to the payment of
                  such deficiency,  shall be paid to the Buyer  immediately upon
                  the  expiration  of the 60-day  period for giving the  Dispute
                  Notice,  if no Dispute Notice is given,  or  immediately  upon
                  final  resolution  of  any  dispute  in  connection  with  the
                  determination of the Adjusted Purchase Price.

                  (b) Any amounts  payable to the Buyer,  or the Company (if the
                  Closing   occurs),   in   connection   with  any   claim   for
                  indemnification  pursuant to Section 10 hereof,  shall be paid
                  to the Buyer or the Company,  as the case may be,  immediately
                  upon the  resolution,  by  agreement or  arbitration,  of such
                  indemnification claim.

                  (c) If an amount is payable to the Buyer pursuant to paragraph
                  (a) or (b) or this Subsection  1.05, such amount shall, to the
                  extent of available  funds, be paid to the Buyer by the Escrow
                  Agent from the Reserve  Account  and, to the extent that funds
                  in the Reserve Account are insufficient,  be paid to the Buyer
                  directly by the Stockholders,  jointly and severally, in cash,
                  by  cashier's  or  certified  check  or by  wire  transfer  of
                  immediately  available  funds to an account  designated by the
                  Buyer. Any balance remaining in the Reserve Account, after any
                  payment to the Buyer pursuant to the preceding  sentence,  and
                  subject to the  provisions of paragraph  (d) hereof,  shall be
                  paid by the Escrow Agent to the Stockholders'  Representative.
                  All payments to the Stockholders' Representative by the Escrow
                  Agent shall be distributed by the Stockholders' Representative
                  to  each  of the  Stockholders  in the  proportion  set  forth
                  opposite their respective names on Schedule I attached hereto.

                  (d) Except for Payments  permitted  pursuant to paragraphs (a)
                  and (b) above,  all  amounts in the Reserve  Account  shall be
                  held in such  Account,  until the later of (i) two years  from
                  the Closing Date, (ii) the final determination of the Adjusted
                  Purchase  Price,  whether by agreement or otherwise,  or (iii)
                  the final resolution,  whether by agreement or arbitration, of
                  any claims for  indemnification  under Section 10 hereof which
                  are  asserted in writing by the Buyer,  or the Company (if the
                  Closing occurs), prior to two years from the Closing Date.

1.06     Stockholders' Representative.

                  (a) In order to efficiently  administer (i) the  determination
                  of the Net Worth of the Company,  the Adjusted  Purchase Price
                  and the  Adjusted  Amount  (as  defined  in  Subsection  12.04
                  hereof),  (ii) the waiver of any condition to the  obligations
                  of   the   Stockholders   to   consummate   the   transactions
                  contemplated  hereby,  and (iii) the defense and/or settlement
                  of any claims for which the  Stockholders  may be  required to
                  indemnify  the Buyer or the  Company  pursuant  to  Section 10
                  hereof, the Stockholders hereby designate James Weber as their
                  representative (the  "Stockholders' Representative").


<PAGE>

                  (b)  The  Stockholders   hereby  authorize  the  Stockholders'
                  Representative  (i) to  make  all  decisions  relating  to the
                  determination  of the Net Worth of the  Company,  the Adjusted
                  Purchase  Price and the  Adjustment  Amount,  (ii) to take all
                  action   necessary  in  connection  with  the  waiver  of  any
                  condition to the obligations of the Stockholders to consummate
                  the transactions  contemplated  hereby,  or the defense and/or
                  settlement  of any  claims for which the  Stockholders  may be
                  required to  indemnify  the Buyer or the  Company  pursuant to
                  Section  10  hereof,  (iii) to give and  receive  all  notices
                  required to be given under the Agreement, and (iv) to take any
                  and all additional action as is contemplated to be taken by or
                  on behalf of the Stockholders by the terms of this Agreement.

                  (c) In the event that the Stockholders'  Representative  dies,
                  becomes  unable to perform his  responsibilities  hereunder or
                  resigns from such position, Stockholders holding, prior to the
                  Closing,  a majority  of the Shares as set forth on Schedule I
                  attached  hereto shall select another  representative  to fill
                  such  vacancy  and such  substituted  representative  shall be
                  deemed to be the Stockholders' Representative for all purposes
                  of this Agreement.

                  (d)  All   decisions   and   actions   by  the   Stockholders'
                  Representative,  including,  without limitation, any agreement
                  between  the  Stockholders'   Representative   and  the  Buyer
                  relating to the determination of the Net Worth of the Company,
                  the Adjusted  Purchase Price or the Adjustment  Amount, or the
                  defense or settlement of any claims for which the Stockholders
                  may be  required  to  indemnify  the Buyer  and/or the Company
                  pursuant  to Section 10 hereof,  shall be binding  upon all of
                  the  Stockholders,  and no Stockholder shall have the right to
                  object, dissent, protest or otherwise contest the same.

                  (e) By their execution of this Agreement, the Stockholders 
                      agree that:

                           (i) the Buyer shall be able to rely  conclusively  on
                           the instructions  and decisions of the  Stockholders'
                           Representative  as to the  determination  of the  Net
                           Worth of the Company,  the Adjusted Purchase Price or
                           the  Adjustment  Amount,  or  the  settlement  of any
                           claims  for  indemnification  by  the  Buyer  or  the
                           Company  pursuant  to  Section 10 hereof or any other
                           actions  required  to be taken  by the  Stockholders'
                           Representative  hereunder,  and  no  party  hereunder
                           shall have any cause of action  against the Buyer for
                           any action  taken by the Buyer in  reliance  upon the
                           instructions   or  decisions  of  the   Stockholders'
                           Representative;

                           (ii) all actions,  decisions and  instructions of the
                           Stockholders'  Representative shall be conclusive and
                           binding   upon  all  of  the   Stockholders   and  no
                           Stockholder  shall  have any cause of action  against
                           the  Stockholders'   Representative  for  any  action
                           taken, decision made or instruction given by the 


<PAGE>



                           Stockholders'Representative under  this  Agreement,  
                           except for fraud or willful breach  of  this   
                           Agreement  by  the   Stockholders' Representative;

                           (iii)  the  provisions  of this  Subsection  1.06 are
                           independent   and  severable,   are  irrevocable  and
                           coupled  with an  interest  and shall be  enforceable
                           notwithstanding  any  rights  or  remedies  that  any
                           Stockholder   may   have  in   connection   with  the
                           transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

                           (iv) remedies  available at law for any breach of the
                           provisions of this  Subsection  1.06 are  inadequate;
                           therefore,   the  Buyer  and  the  Company  shall  be
                           entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief
                           without the  necessity  of proving  damages if either
                           the Buyer or the Company  brings an action to enforce
                           the provisions of this Subsection 1.06; and

                           (v) the provisions of this  Subsection  1.06 shall be
                           binding   upon   the    executors,    heirs,    legal
                           representatives  and successors of each  Stockholder,
                           and any references in this Agreement to a Stockholder
                           or  the  Stockholders  shall  mean  and  include  the
                           successors  to the  Stockholders'  rights  hereunder,
                           whether  pursuant to  testamentary  disposition,  the
                           laws of descent and distribution or otherwise.

                  (f)  All  fees  and  expenses  incurred  by the  Stockholders'
                  Representative shall be paid by the Stockholders in proportion
                  to their  ownership  of  Shares  as set  forth on  Schedule  I
                  attached hereto.

1.07     Closing. The Closing shall take place at the offices of McDowell Welch,
         Waterloo,  Ontario, within four weeks of receipt of "Hart-Scott-Rodino"
         approval as required by Section 8.03,  or at such other place,  time or
         date as may be  mutually  agreed  upon in writing by the  parties.  The
         transfer of the Shares by the Stockholders to the Buyer shall be deemed
         to occur at 12:01 a.m., EST, on the day of the Closing.

2.       Representations of the Stockholders Regarding the Shares

                  Each  stockholder  severally  represents  and  warrants to the
Buyer as follows:

                  (a) Such  Stockholder  has good  and  marketable  title to the
                  Shares  which  are to be  transferred  to the  Buyer  by  such
                  Stockholder  pursuant  hereto,  free and  clear of any and all
                  covenants,    conditions,     restrictions,    voting    trust
                  arrangements,   liens,  charges,  encumbrances,   options  and
                  adverse  claims  or rights  whatsoever.  Schedule  I  attached
                  hereto sets forth a true and correct description of all Shares
                  owned by such Stockholder.

                  (b) Such  Stockholder has the full right,  power and authority
                  to enter into this Agreement and to transfer,  convey and sell
                  to the Buyer at the Closing the Shares to  be  sold  by  such


<PAGE>

                  Stockholder hereunder and, upon consummation of the purchase 
                  contemplated  hereby,  the Buyer will acquire from such  
                  Stockholder  good and marketable title to such Shares,  free 
                  and clear of all covenants, conditions, restrictions, voting  
                  trust arrangements, liens, charges, encumbrances, options and 
                  adverse claims or rights whatsoever.

                  (c) Such Stockholder is not a party to, subject to or bound by
                  any  agreement or any  judgement,  order,  writ,  prohibition,
                  injunction or decree of any court or other  governmental  body
                  which  would   prevent  the  execution  or  delivery  of  this
                  Agreement by such Stockholder or the transfer,  conveyance and
                  sale of the Shares to be sold by such Stockholder to the Buyer
                  pursuant to the terms hereof.

                  (d) Except as set forth in  Section  14  hereof,  no broker or
                  finder has acted for such  Stockholder in connection with this
                  agreement  or the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  and no
                  broker or finder is entitled to any  brokerage or finder's fee
                  or other  commissions  in respect of such  transactions  based
                  upon agreements,  arrangements or understandings made by or on
                  behalf of such Stockholder.

3.       Representations of the Stockholders and the Company Regarding the 
         Company.

                  Each  of  the  Stockholders  and  the  Company,   jointly  and
                  severally, represent and warrant to the Buyer that:

3.01     Organization.  The Company is a  corporation  duly  organized,  validly
         existing  and in  good  standing  under  the  laws of the  Province  of
         Ontario,  Canada, and has all requisite power and authority  (corporate
         and otherwise) to own its  properties,  to carry on its business as now
         being  conducted,  to  execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement  and  the
         agreements  contemplated  herein,  and to consummate  the  transactions
         contemplated  hereby and thereby.  The Company is duly  qualified to do
         business  and is in good  standing  in all  jurisdictions  in which its
         ownership of property or the  character of its business  requires  such
         qualification. Certified copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and
         Bylaws  of the  Company,  as  amended  to date,  have  been  previously
         delivered  to the Buyer or will be promptly  provided  and are complete
         and  correct,  and no  amendments  have been made  thereto or have been
         authorized since date thereof.

3.02     Capitalization  of the Company.  The  Company's  authorized  and issued
         capital stock is set forth in Schedule 3.02 attached hereto.  Except as
         set forth in Schedule  3.02,  there are not,  and on the  Closing  Date
         there  will not be,  outstanding  (i) any  options,  warrants  or other
         rights to purchase  from the Company any capital  stock of the Company;
         (ii) any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of such
         stock;  or (iii) any other  commitments of any kind for the issuance of
         additional  shares  of  capital  stock or  options,  warrants  or other
         securities of the Company.

3.03     Subsidiaries.



<PAGE>



                  (a) Schedule 3.03 attached hereto sets forth:

                           (i) the name and percentage  ownership by the Company
                           of each  corporation,  partnership,  joint venture or
                           other  entity in which the Company  has,  directly or
                           indirectly,  an equity  interest in the capital stock
                           thereof   or   other   equity    interests    therein
                           (individually,  a "Subsidiary" and, collectively, the
                           "Subsidiaries");

                           (ii) intentionally omitted.

                           (iii) the jurisdiction of incorporation, 
                           capitalization and ownership of each Subsidiary and
                           Affiliated Entity;

                           (iv) the names of the officers and directors of each 
                           Subsidiary and Affiliated Entity; and

                           (v) the  jurisdiction  in which  each  Subsidiary  is
                           qualified  or  holds  licenses  to do  business  as a
                           foreign corporation.

                  (b) Except as set forth in Schedule  3.03,  the  Company  owns
                  directly  or  indirectly  all of  the  outstanding  shares  of
                  capital  stock of each of the  Subsidiaries  free and clear of
                  all covenants,  conditions,  restrictions,  liens, charges and
                  encumbrances.

                  (c) Each of the  Subsidiaries is a corporation or other entity
                  duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under
                  the laws of the state of its incorporation or organization and
                  has all requisite  power and  authority to own its  properties
                  and carry on its business as now being conducted.  Each of the
                  Subsidiaries  is duly  qualified to do business and is in good
                  standing  in all  jurisdictions  in  which  its  ownership  of
                  property  or the  character  of  its  business  requires  such
                  qualification.  Certified  copies of the  charter,  bylaws and
                  other  governing  instruments  of the  Subsidiaries,  each  as
                  amended to date, have been previously  delivered to the Buyer,
                  are  complete and correct,  and no  amendments  have been made
                  thereto  or  have  been  authorized  since  the  date  of such
                  delivery.  The Company  does not own any  capital  stock of or
                  other equity interest in any corporation, partnership or other
                  entity,  other  than the  Subsidiaries.  The shares of capital
                  stock of each  Subsidiary  as set forth in Schedule  3.03 have
                  been  duly  and   validly   issued  and  are  fully  paid  and
                  non-assessable.

                  (d)  Except  as  set  forth  in  Schedule  3.03,  none  of the
                  Subsidiaries   holds  shares  of  its  capital  stock  in  its
                  treasury,  and there are not,  and on the  Closing  Date there
                  will not be,  outstanding  any (i) options,  warrants or other
                  rights  with  respect  to  the  capital  stock  of  any of the
                  Subsidiaries,   (ii)  any  securities   convertible   into  or
                  exchangeable  for  shares  of such  stock,  or (iii) any other
                  commitments of any kind for the issuance of additional  shares
                  of capital stock or options,  warrants or other  securities of
                  any of them.


<PAGE>



3.04     Authorization.  The  execution  and  delivery  by the  Company  of this
         Agreement and the agreements  provided for herein, and the consummation
         by  the  Company  of  all  transactions   contemplated   hereunder  and
         thereunder by the Company,  have been duly  authorized by all requisite
         corporate action.  This Agreement has been duly executed by the Company
         and the  Stockholders.  This  Agreement  and all other  agreements  and
         obligations   entered  into  and  undertaken  in  connection  with  the
         transactions  contemplated  hereby to which the  Company  or any of the
         Stockholders  is a party  constitute  the  valid  and  legally  binding
         obligations of the Company and the  Stockholders,  enforceable  against
         them in accordance with their respective terms. The execution, delivery
         and  performance by the Company and the  Stockholders of this Agreement
         and the agreements  provided for herein,  and the  consummation  by the
         Company and the  Stockholders of the transactions  contemplated  hereby
         and  thereby,  will not,  with or  without  the giving of notice or the
         passage of time or both, (a) violate the provisions of any law, rule or
         regulation  applicable to the Company of any of the  Stockholders;  (b)
         violate the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of
         the Company;  (c) violate any judgement,  decree, order or award of any
         court,  governmental body or arbitrator; or (d) conflict with or result
         in the breach or termination of any term or provision of, or constitute
         a default under, or cause any acceleration under, or cause the creation
         of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon the properties or assets of the
         Company  pursuant to, any indenture,  mortgage,  deed of trust or other
         instrument or agreement to which the Company is a party or by which the
         Company  or any of its  properties  is or may be bound.  No  consent or
         approval  of any  third  party  is  required  in  connection  with  the
         consummation  by the Company of the  transactions  contemplated by this
         Agreement, other than the consent of the Toronto Dominion Bank pursuant
         to its lending agreement.

3.05     Financial Statements.

                  (a) The  Stockholders  have previously  delivered to the Buyer
                  the audited and  unaudited  balance  sheets of the Company and
                  the  Subsidiaries  as listed in Exhibit 3.05 (the  "Historical
                  Balance  Sheet") and the  related  statements  of income,  and
                  where applicable,  shareholders'equity,  retained earnings and
                  statements  of cash flow of the Company  and the  Subsidiaries
                  for the fiscal year then ended (collectively,  the "Historical
                  Financial Statements").  The Company's latest fiscal year end,
                  July 31,  1996,  is  hereinafter  referred to as the  "Balance
                  Sheet Date".  The  Stockholders  will deliver  promptly to the
                  Buyer the unaudited  consolidated balance sheet of the Company
                  and the  Subsidiaries  as of November  28, 1996 (the  "Interim
                  Balance  Sheet") and the  related  statements  of income,  and
                  where applicable,  shareholders' equity, retained earnings and
                  statements  of cash flow of the Company  and the  Subsidiaries
                  for  the  four-month  period  then  ended  (collectively,  the
                  "Interim  Financial  Statements").  The  Historical  Financial
                  Statements and the Interim Financial Statements (collectively,
                  the "Financial  Statements")  have been prepared in accordance
                  with  generally   accepted   accounting   principles   applied
                  consistently  with  past  practices  and,  in the  case of the
                  Interim Financial Statements, have been (or will be) certified
                  by the Company's chief financial officer.


<PAGE>



                  (b) The  Financial  Statements  fairly  present,  as of  their
                  respective dates, the financial condition,  retained earnings,
                  assets and liabilities of the Company and the Subsidiaries and
                  the  results  of   operations   of  the   Company's   and  the
                  Subsidiaries' business for the periods indicated. With respect
                  to  contracts  and  commitments  for the  sale of goods or the
                  provision of services by the Company and the Subsidiaries, the
                  Financial  Statements  contain and reflect adequate  reserves,
                  which are consistent  with previous  reserves  taken,  for all
                  reasonably anticipated material losses and costs and expenses.
                  The amounts  shown as accrued for current and deferred  income
                  and other taxes in the Financial Statements are sufficient for
                  the  payment of all accrued  and any unpaid  taxes,  interest,
                  penalties,  assessments  or  deficiencies  applicable  to  the
                  Company or any  Subsidiary,  whether  disputed or not, for the
                  applicable period then ended and periods prior thereto.

3.06     Absence  of  Undisclosed  Liabilities.  Except as and to the extent (a)
         reflected in the Interim Balance Sheet,  (b) set forth on Schedule 3.06
         attached hereto,  or (c) incurred in the ordinary course of business or
         (d) not material in amount,  either  individually  or in the aggregate,
         neither the Company nor any of the  Subsidiaries  has any  liability or
         obligation,   secured  or   unsecured,   whether   accrued,   absolute,
         contingent, unasserted or otherwise, which is material to the condition
         (financial  or  otherwise)  of  the  assets,  properties,  business  or
         prospects  of the Company and the  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole.  For
         purposes of this Subsection 3.06, "material" means any amount in excess
         of $100,000.

3.07     Litigation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.07  attached  hereto (a)
         there is no action,  suit or  proceeding to which the Company or any of
         the  Subsidiaries  is a party  (either  as a  plaintiff  or  defendant)
         pending  or,  to the best  knowledge  of the  Stockholders,  threatened
         before any court or governmental agency,  authority, body or arbitrator
         and to the best  knowledge of the  Stockholders,  there is no basis for
         any such action, suit or proceeding; (b) neither the Company nor any of
         the Subsidiaries,  nor, to the best knowledge of the Stockholders,  any
         officer,  director  or  employee  of  any of the  foregoing,  has  been
         permanently or temporarily enjoined by any order, judgment or decree of
         any court or any governmental  agency,  authority or body from engaging
         in or  continuing  any  conduct  or  practice  in  connection  with the
         business,   assets,  or  properties  of  the  Company  or  any  of  the
         Subsidiaries;  and (c) there is not in existence on the date hereof any
         order,  judgement or decree of any court,  tribunal or agency enjoining
         or requiring the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries to take any action
         of any kind with respect to its business, assets or properties.

3.08     Insurance. Schedule 3.08 attached hereto sets forth a true, correct and
         complete list of all fire, theft, casualty, general liability,  workers
         compensation, business interruption,  environmental impairment, product
         liability,  automobile and other insurance  policies  maintained by the
         Company or any of the Subsidiaries  and of all life insurance  policies
         maintained on the lives of any of their employees,  specifying the type
         of coverage,  the amount of coverage,  the premium, the insurer and the
         expiration  date of each  such  policy  (collectively,  the  "Insurance
         Policies") and all claims made under such Insurance Policies


<PAGE>



         since  January  1,  1992.  True,  correct  and  complete  copies of all
         Insurance  Policies have been previously  delivered by the Stockholders
         or the Company to the Buyer or will be promptly provided. The Insurance
         Policies  are in full  force and  effect and are in amounts of a nature
         which  are  adequate  and   customary   for  the   Company's   and  the
         Subsidiaries'  business.  All premiums due on the Insurance Policies or
         renewals  thereof  have been paid,  and there is no  default  under the
         Insurance  Policies.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.08, neither the
         Company nor any of the  Subsidiaries  has  received any notice or other
         communication  from any issuer of the Insurance  Policies since January
         1,  1993,  canceling  or  materially  amending  any  of  the  Insurance
         Policies,  materially  increasing any  deductibles or retained  amounts
         thereunder,  or  materially  increasing  the  annual or other  premiums
         payable thereunder, and, to the best knowledge of the Stockholders,  no
         such cancellation,  amendment or increase of deductibles, retainages or
         premiums is threatened.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.08,  neither
         the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries  has any outstanding  claims or
         any dispute with any insurance carrier regarding claims, settlements or
         premiums and neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has failed
         to give any notice or present any claim under any  Insurance  Policy in
         due and  timely  fashion.  There  are no  outstanding  requirements  or
         recommendations by any issuer of the Insurance Policies or by any Board
         of Fire Underwriters or other similar body exercising similar functions
         or by any governmental  authority  exercising  similar  functions which
         requires or  recommends  any changes in the conduct of the business of,
         or any  repairs or other  work to be done on or with  respect to any of
         the properties or assets of, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.

3.09     Personal Property.  Schedule 3.09 attached hereto sets forth (i) a
         true, correct and complete list of all items of tangible personal 
         property owned by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries as of the date
         hereof having either a net book value per unit in excess of $10,000; or
         not owned by the Company or any Subsidiary but in the possession of or
         used or useful in the business of the Company or any of the 
         Subsidiaries and having rental Payments therefore in excess of $10,000 
         per month or $100,000 per year (collectively, the "Personal Property");
         and (ii) a description of the owner of, and any agreement relating to
         the use of, each item of Personal Property not owned by the Company or 
         a Subsidiary and the circumstances under which such Property is used.
         Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.09:

                  (a) the Company or the  relevant  Subsidiary,  as the case may
                  be, has or will have at Closing good and  marketable  title to
                  each item of  Personal  Property  free and clear of all liens,
                  leases,  encumbrances,   claims  under  bailment  and  storage
                  agreements,  equities,  conditional sales contracts,  security
                  interests, charges and restrictions, except for liens, if any,
                  for  personal  property  taxes not due  subject to the general
                  security agreement in favor other Toronto Dominion Bank;

                  (b) no  officer,  director,  stockholder  or  employee  of the
                  Company  or any  Subsidiary,  nor any  spouse,  child or other
                  relative or affiliate thereof, owns directly or indirectly, in
                  whole or in part,  any of the Personal  Property  described in
                  Schedule 3.09;


<PAGE>



                  (c) each item of Personal Property not owned by the Company or
                  a Subsidiary is in such condition that upon the return of such
                  property to its owner in its present  condition  at the end of
                  the relevant  lease term or as otherwise  contemplated  by the
                  applicable  agreement  between  the  Company  or the  relevant
                  Subsidiary,  as the  case  may be,  and the  owner  or  lessor
                  thereof,  the  obligations  of the  Company  or  the  relevant
                  Subsidiary,  as the case may be, to such owner or lessor  will
                  be discharged;

                  (d) the Personal  Property is in good operating  condition and
                  repair,  normal wear and tear  excepted,  is currently used by
                  either the Company or the relevant  Subsidiary in the ordinary
                  course  of  its  business  and  normal  maintenance  has  been
                  consistently  performed with respect to the Personal Property;
                  and

                  (e) the Company and the Subsidiaries own or otherwise have the
                  right to use all of the  Personal  Property now used or useful
                  in the  operation  of  their  business  or the use of which is
                  necessary  for or useful in the  performance  of any  material
                  contract, letter of intent or proposal to which any of them is
                  a party.

3.10     Intangible  Property.  Schedule 3.10 attached hereto sets forth:  (i) a
         true, correct and complete list and, where  appropriate,  a description
         of,  all items of  intangible  property  owned by, or used or useful in
         connection   with  the   business   of,  the  Company  or  any  of  the
         Subsidiaries,   United  States  and  foreign   patents,   trade  names,
         trademarks,  trade name and  trademark  registrations,  copyrights  and
         copyright registrations, and applications for any of the foregoing (the
         "Intangible  Property");  and (ii) a true, correct and complete list of
         all licenses or similar agreements or arrangements to which the Company
         or any of the  Subsidiaries is a party,  either as license or licensor,
         with respect to the Intangible Property.  Except as otherwise disclosed
         in Schedule 3.10:

                  (a) Subject to the general security  agreement in favor of the
                  Toronto  Dominion Bank and a lien in favor of the Stockholders
                  which will be discharged at or before Closing,  the Company or
                  a  Subsidiary  is the sole and  exclusive  owner of all right,
                  title and interest in and to the  Intangible  Property and all
                  designs, permits, labels and packages used on or in connection
                  therewith,  free and clear of all liens,  security  interests,
                  charges, encumbrances, equities or other adverse claims;

                  (b) the Company or the relevant  Subsidiary  has the right and
                  authority  to use,  and to continue to use after the  Closing,
                  the Intangible  Property in connection with the conduct of its
                  business in the manner  presently  conducted,  and such use or
                  continuing use does not and will not conflict  with,  infringe
                  upon or violate any rights of any other person, corporation or
                  entity;

                  (c)  neither  the  Company  nor  any of the  Stockholders  has
                  received  notice of, or has any  knowledge of any basis for, a
                  pleading or  threatened  claim,  interference  action or other
                  judicial or  adversarial  proceeding  against the Company that
                  any of  the  operations,  activities,  products,  services  or
                  publications of the Company or any  of  its  customers  or


<PAGE>



                  distributors  infringes  or  will infringe any patent, 
                  trademark,  trade name, copyright,  trade secret or other 
                  property right of a third party, or that it is illegally or 
                  otherwise  using the trade  secrets,  formulae or property 
                  rights of others;

                  (d) there are no outstanding, nor to the best knowledge of the
                  Stockholders,  any threatened  disputes or other disagreements
                  with  respect  to  any  licenses  or  similar   agreements  or
                  arrangements  described  in Schedule  3.10 or with  respect to
                  infringement  by a  third  party  of  any  of  the  Intangible
                  Property;

                  (e) the  Intangible  Property owned or licensed by the Company
                  or the  relevant  Subsidiary  is  sufficient  to  conduct  the
                  Company's or the relevant  Subsidiary's  business as presently
                  conducted;

                  (f) the Company or the relevant Subsidiary has taken all steps
                  reasonably  necessary to protect its right, title and interest
                  in and to the Intangible Property and the continued use of the
                  Intangible Property;

                  (g) no  officer,  director,  stockholder  or  employee  of the
                  Company  or any  Subsidiary,  nor any  spouse,  child or other
                  relative or affiliate thereof, owns directly or indirectly, in
                  whole or in part, any of the Intangible Property; and

                  (h) neither the Company nor the  relevant  Subsidiary  nor any
                  Stockholder   has  any  knowledge  that  any  third  party  in
                  infringing,  or will  threaten to infringe,  upon or otherwise
                  violate any of the Intangible Property in which the Company or
                  any Subsidiary has ownership rights.

3.11     Leases.  Schedule 3.11 attached  hereto sets forth (a) a true,  correct
         and complete list as of the date hereof of all leases of real property,
         identifying  separately  each ground lease, to which the Company or any
         of the  Subsidiaries  is a party  (collectively,  the "Leases").  True,
         correct  and  complete   copies  of  all  Leases  and  all  amendments,
         modifications and supplemental agreements thereto, have previously been
         delivered by the  Stockholders or the Company to the Buyer.  The Leases
         are in full force and effect, are binding and enforceable  against each
         of the parties thereto in accordance with their  respective  terms and,
         except as set forth on Schedule 3.11, have not been modified or amended
         since the date of delivery to the Buyer. No party to any Lease has sent
         written  notice to the other  claiming  that such  party is in  default
         thereunder and that such default remains  uncured.  Except as set forth
         on  Schedule  3.11,  there  has not  occurred  any  event  which  would
         constitute a material  breach of or default in the  performance  of any
         covenant,  agreement or condition contained in any Lease, nor has there
         occurred  any event  which  with the  passage  of time or the giving of
         notice or both  would  constitute  such a material  breach or  material
         default.  Neither the Company nor any of the  Subsidiaries is obligated
         to pay any leasing or brokerage  commission  relating to any lease and,
         except as set forth on Schedule  3.11,  will not have any obligation to
         pay any leasing or brokerage  commission upon the renewal of any Lease.
         Except as set froth on Schedule 3.11, no construction,


<PAGE>



         alteration or other leasehold  improvement  work with respect to any of
         the Leases  remains to be paid for or to be performed by the Company or
         any of the  Subsidiaries.  The Financial  Statements  contain  adequate
         reserves to provide for the restoration of the property  subject to the
         Leases at the end of the respective Lease terms, to the extent required
         by the Leases.  Any leases for which any  Stockholder has any direct or
         indirect  interest is  currently  and shall be renewed at or below fair
         market value rents.

3.12     Real Estate.

                  (a) Schedule 3.12A attached  hereto  contains a true,  correct
                  and complete list of (i) the addresses and legal  descriptions
                  of all real  property  owned by the Company or any  Subsidiary
                  (the  "Real  Estate"),   and  (ii)  all  liabilities,   liens,
                  encumbrances,    easements,    restrictions,     reservations,
                  tenancies,  agreements or other obligations affecting the Real
                  Estate (collectively,  the "Exceptions"). On the Closing Date,
                  the Company or the relevant  Subsidiary will have good, clear,
                  record and marketable title to the Real Estate, free and clear
                  of all such  Exceptions,  other that the permitted  exceptions
                  set forth on Schedule 3.12B (the "Permitted Exceptions").

                  (b) Except as set forth on  Schedule  3.12A,  no work has been
                  performed on or materials  supplied to the Real Estate  within
                  any  applicable  statutory  period  which  could  give rise to
                  mechanics or materialman's liens.

                  (c) There is no pending or threatened  condemnation or eminent
                  domain proceeding with respect to the Real Estate.

                  (d) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12A,  there are no taxes
                  or  betterment  assessments  other than  ordinary  real estate
                  taxes pending or payable against the Real Estate and there are
                  no contingencies  existing under which any assessment for real
                  estate  taxes  may be  retroactively  filed  against  the Real
                  Estate,  and  there  are no taxes or  levies,  permit  fees or
                  connection  fees which must be paid  respecting  existing curb
                  cuts, sewer hookups,  water-main hookups or services of a like
                  nature.

                  (e) The Real  Estate is legally  subdivided  and  consists  of
                  separate  tax lots so that it is assessed  separate  and apart
                  from any other property.

                  (f) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12A, all utility systems
                  serving  the  Real  Estate,  public  or  private,  are in good
                  operating  condition,  all installation charges therefore have
                  been fully paid and all service charges therefore have been or
                  will be paid by the Company or the relevant  Subsidiary  up to
                  and including the Closing Date. Since January 1, 1996, neither
                  the Company nor any of the  Subsidiaries  has  experienced any
                  material  interruption in the delivery of adequate  quantities
                  of any utilities (including, without limitation,  electricity,
                  natural  gas,  potable  water,  water for  cooling  or similar
                  purposes and fuel oil) or other public services (including, 


<PAGE>



                  without limitation, sanitary and industrial  sewer  service)
                  required in the  operation of its business during such period.

                  (g)  Except  for the South  Padre  Island  property,  the Real
                  Estate  is  not  located  in any  special  flood  hazard  area
                  designated by any federal, state, county or local governmental
                  agencies   having    jurisdiction   over   the   Real   Estate
                  (collectively, the "Governmental Agencies").

                  (h) The Real  Estate  complies  with the  requirements  of all
                  building, zoning, subdivision,  health, safety, environmental,
                  pollution  control,  waste  products,  sewage  control and all
                  other applicable  statutes,  laws, codes,  ordinances,  rules,
                  orders,    regulations   and   decrees   (collectively,    the
                  "Governmental   Regulations")  of  any  and  all  Governmental
                  Agencies.  The Company and its Subsidiaries have obtained, and
                  the  Stockholders or the Company have previously  provided the
                  Buyer with  copies of, all  consents,  permits,  licenses  and
                  approvals  required  by such  Governmental  Regulations.  Such
                  consents,  permits,  licenses and  approvals are in full force
                  and effect and have been properly and validly issued. There is
                  no action pending or threatened by any  Governmental  Agencies
                  claiming  that  the  Real  Estate  violates  any  Governmental
                  Regulations  or  threatening  to shut down the business of the
                  Company or any of the Subsidiaries.

                  (i) There  are no suits,  petitions,  notices  or  proceedings
                  pending,  given or  threatened  by an persons or  Governmental
                  Agencies   before  any   court,   Governmental   Agencies   or
                  instrumentalities,   administrative  or  otherwise,  which  if
                  given,  commenced or concluded would have an adverse effect on
                  the Company's title to the Real Estate or the operation of the
                  business  of  the  Company  or  any  Subsidiary  as  presently
                  operated.

                  (j)  Neither  the  Company  nor  any of the  Subsidiaries  has
                  received   notice   from  any   insurer  of  the  Real  Estate
                  threatening to cancel any insurance  coverage or requiring any
                  changes or  corrective  work to the Real Estate  which has not
                  been satisfied.

                  (k) All of the  buildings,  fixtures  and  other  improvements
                  located on the Real Estate are in good operating condition and
                  repair,  and the operation  thereof as presently  conducted is
                  not in  violation  of any  applicable  building  code,  zoning
                  ordinance or other law or regulation.

                  (l)  Schedule  3.12A sets forth a true,  correct and  complete
                  list of all  title  insurance  policies,  surveys  engineering
                  reports and hazardous  waste reports  prepared with respect to
                  the Real Estate  since  January 1, 1992,  copies of which have
                  previously  been delivered by the  Stockholders or the Company
                  to the Buyer or will be promptly provided.

3.13     Inventory. Schedule 3.13 attached hereto sets forth a true, correct and
         complete list of the inventory of the Company and the Subsidiaries
         (the  "Inventory") as of the date  hereof.  The  inventory  consists
         of items of a quality  and quantity which are usable or saleable  
         without discount in the ordinary course of the business  conducted by
         the Company and the  Subsidiaries.  The value of all items of obsolete
         materials and of materials of below standard quality have been written
         down to net realizable  market value and the values at which such
         inventory  is carried  reflect the normal inventory  valuation  policy
         of the  Company  and the  Subsidiaries  of stating  Inventory at the
         lower of cost or market  value in  accordance with generally accepted
         accounting principles.

3.14     Accounts  Receivable.  Schedule 3.14 attached hereto sets forth a true,
         correct and complete  list of the accounts and notes  receivable of the
         Company and the Subsidiaries (the "Accounts Receivable"), including the
         aging thereof as of the date hereof.  All Accounts  Receivable arose in
         the  ordinary  course of  business  and are  collectible  in the normal
         industry terms, using normal collection procedures,  net of the reserve
         for doubtful accounts set forth thereon,  which reserve is adequate and
         was  calculated  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted   accounting
         principles consistently applied.
<PAGE>
3.15     Tax Matters.

                  (a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.15 attached hereto:

                           (i) Within the times and in the manner  prescribed by
                           law,  the Company and each of the  Subsidiaries  have
                           filed all  federal,  state and local tax  returns and
                           all tax returns for foreign countries,  provinces and
                           other  governing  bodies having  jurisdiction to levy
                           taxes upon them which are required to be filed;

                           (ii) The  Company and each of the  Subsidiaries  have
                           paid all taxes, interest, penalties,  assessments and
                           deficiencies which have become due or which have been
                           claimed  to  be  due,  including  without  limitation
                           income, franchise, real estate, sales and withholding
                           taxes and other employee benefits, taxes and imports;

                           (iii) To the best knowledge of the Stockholders,  all
                           tax returns filed by the Company and the Subsidiaries
                           for  the  taxable  years  ending  1990  through  1995
                           constitute  complete and accurate  representations of
                           the respective tax liabilities of the Company and the
                           Subsidiaries  for such years and accurately set forth
                           all items (to the extent  required  to be included or
                           reflected in such  returns)  relevant to their future
                           tax  liabilities,  including  the tax  bases of their
                           properties and assets;

                           (iv) Neither the Company nor any of the  Subsidiaries
                           has  waived or  extended  any  applicable  statute of
                           limitations  relating to the  assessment  of federal,
                           state, local or foreign taxes;



                           (v) No examinations of the federal,  state,  local or
                           foreign  tax  returns  of the  Company  or any of the
                           Subsidiaries  is  currently  in progress  nor, to the
                           best knowledge of the Stockholders, threatened and no
                           deficiencies  have been asserted or assessed  against
                           either the  Company or any of the  Subsidiaries  as a
                           result of any audit by the Internal  Revenue  Service
                           or any state or local  taxing  authority  and no such
                           deficiency has been proposed or threatened;

                  (b) Schedule  3.15  attached  hereto sets forth those  taxable
                  years  for  which  the  tax  returns  of the  Company  and the
                  Subsidiaries  have been  reviewed  or  audited  by  applicable
                  federal, state, local and foreign taxing authorities and those
                  tax years for which said tax returns have received  clearances
                  or other  indications  of approval  from  applicable  federal,
                  state,  local  and  foreign  taxing  authorities.  To the best
                  knowledge  of the  Stockholders,  no issue or issues have been
                  raised in connection with any prior or pending review or audit
                  of said federal, state, local or foreign tax returns which the
                  Stockholders  reasonable  believe may be expected to be raised
                  in the future by such taxing  authorities  in connection  with
                  the audit or review of the tax  returns of the  Company or any
                  of the Subsidiaries.

3.16     Books and  Records.  The  general  ledgers  and books of account of the
         Company and the  Subsidiaries,  all  federal,  state and local  income,
         franchise,  property and other tax returns filed by the Company and the
         Subsidiaries are in all material respects complete and correct and have
         been  maintained  in  accordance  with good  business  practice  and in
         accordance  with  all  applicable   procedures  required  by  laws  and
         regulations.


<PAGE>



3.17     Contracts and Commitments.

                  (a) Except as set forth in Schedule  3.17(a) the Company  will
                  make available all contracts and agreements (collectively, the
                  "Contracts"), including but not limited to:

                           (i) all loan  agreements,  indentures,  mortgages and
                           guaranties  to  which  the  Company  or  any  of  the
                           Subsidiaries  is a party or by which the  Company  or
                           any of the  Subsidiaries  or any of their property is
                           bound;

                           (ii) all pledges, conditional sale or title retention
                           agreements,     security    agreements,     equipment
                           obligations,   personal  property  leases  and  lease
                           purchase  agreements  to which the  Company or any of
                           the  Subsidiaries  is a party or by which the Company
                           or any of the  Subsidiaries  or any of their property
                           is bound;

                           (iii)   all   contracts,   agreements,   commitments,
                           purchase   orders   or   other    understanding    or
                           arrangements  to  which  the  Company  or  any of the
                           Subsidiaries  is a party or by which the  Company  or
                           any of the  Subsidiaries  or any of their property is
                           bound which (A)  involve  Payments or receipts by the
                           Company or any of the Subsidiaries in the case of any
                           single contract, agreement, commitment, understanding
                           or   arrangement   under   which   full   performance
                           (including  payment)  has not  been  rendered  by all
                           parties thereto or (B) which may materially adversely
                           affect the condition  (financial or otherwise) or the
                           properties,  assets,  business  or  prospects  of the
                           Company or any of the Subsidiaries;

                           (iv) all collective bargaining agreements, employment
                           and  consulting  agreements,  executive  compensation
                           plans, bonus plans, deferred compensation agreements,
                           pension  plans,   retirement  plans,  employee  stock
                           option or stock purchase plans and group life, health
                           and accident  insurance  and other  employee  benefit
                           plans,  agreements,  arrangements  or  commitments to
                           which the  Company  or any of the  Subsidiaries  is a
                           party  or  by  which  the   Company  or  any  of  the
                           Subsidiaries or any of their property is bound;

                           (v) all agency,  distributor,  sales  representative,
                           sales   agency   agreement,   franchise   or  similar
                           agreements  to  which  the  Company  or  any  of  the
                           Subsidiaries  is a party or by which the  Company  or
                           any of the  Subsidiaries  or any of their property is
                           bound;

                           (vi)    all    contracts,    agreements    or   other
                           understandings  or  arrangements  between the Company
                           and  any  of the  Subsidiaries  (including,  but  not
                           limited to, any tax sharing  arrangements) or between
                           the  Company  and any of the  Stockholders  or  their
                           affiliates:


<PAGE>



                           (vii) Intentionally omitted;

                           (viii) all contracts,  agreements and other documents
                           or  information  relating  to past  disposal of waste
                           (whether or not hazardous), and sales of steel scrap,
                           prototypes, tools and dies;

                           (ix) all contracts, agreements or other arrangements 
                           imposing a non-competition or non-solicitation
                           obligation on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
                           and

                  (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17(b):

                           (i) each Contract is a valid and binding agreement of
                           the Company or the relevant  Subsidiary,  enforceable
                           against the  Company or the  relevant  Subsidiary  in
                           accordance  with its  terms,  and the  Company or the
                           relevant  Subsidiary does not have any knowledge that
                           any Contract is not a valid and binding  agreement of
                           the other parties thereto;

                           (ii)  the  Company  or the  relevant  Subsidiary  has
                           fulfilled all material  obligations required pursuant
                           to  the  Contracts  to  have  been  performed  by the
                           Company or the relevant  Subsidiary,  as the case may
                           be,  on its part  prior to the date  hereof,  and the
                           Company or the relevant  Subsidiary,  as the case may
                           be, has no reason to believe that is will not be able
                           to fulfill,  when due, all of its  obligations  under
                           the Contracts  which remain to be performed after the
                           date hereof;

                           (iii) the Company or the relevant  Subsidiary  is not
                           in material  breach of or default under any Contract,
                           and no event has  occurred  which with the passage of
                           time or giving of  notice  or both  would  constitute
                           such a default,  result in a loss of rights or result
                           in the creation of any lien,  charge or  encumbrance,
                           thereunder or pursuant thereto;

                           (iv) to the best knowledge of the Stockholders, there
                           is no  existing  material  breach or  default  by any
                           other  party  to  any  Contract,  and  no  event  has
                           occurred  which with the passage of time or giving of
                           notice or both  would  constitute  a default  by such
                           other party,  result in a loss of rights or result in
                           the  creation  of any  lien,  charge  or  encumbrance
                           thereunder or pursuant thereto;

                           (v) there are not and,  since  January 1, 1994,  have
                           not  been,  any  material  claims  not in the  normal
                           course of  business  relating  to the  Company or any
                           Subsidiary  by customers of the Company or any of the
                           Subsidiaries under any warranties, whether express or
                           implied;

                           (vi) the Company and the Subsidiaries are not
                           expressly restricted by any Contract from carrying on


<PAGE>



                           their business anywhere in the world; (vii) neither 
                           the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has any 
                           written or oral contracts to sell products or perform
                           services  which are  expected to be performed at, or
                           to result in, a material loss;

                           (viii)   neither   the   Company   nor   any  of  the
                           Subsidiaries   has   experienced   any  shortages  of
                           components    or   other    supplies    (collectively
                           "Supplies")  within  the  twelve  (12)  month  period
                           preceding  the date  hereof,  and the Company and the
                           Subsidiaries  have on hand, or have reason to believe
                           they can timely  obtain,  a  sufficient  quantity  of
                           Supplies to satisfy all outstanding orders heretofore
                           received  and all orders  anticipated  to be received
                           from the date hereof through December 31, 1997; and

                           (ix) neither the Company nor any of the  Subsidiaries
                           has  experienced any shortages of raw materials ("Raw
                           Materials")  within  the  twelve  (12)  month  period
                           preceding  the date  hereof,  and the Company and the
                           Subsidiaries  have on hand, or have reason to believe
                           they can timely obtain, a sufficient  quantity of Raw
                           Materials   to   satisfy   all   outstanding   orders
                           heretofore  received and all orders anticipated to be
                           received through December 31, 1997.

                           (x) there are no other material agreements or
                           contracts entered into by the Company or any of the 
                           Subsidiaries.

3.18     Compliance with  Agreements and Laws. The Company and the  Subsidiaries
         each have all requisite licenses,  permits and certificates,  including
         environmental, health and safety permits, from federal, state and local
         authorities  necessary to conduct their respective business and own and
         operate their respective assets (collectively, the "Permits"). Schedule
         3.18  attached  hereto sets forth a true,  correct and complete list of
         all such Permits, copies of which have previously been delivered by the
         Company or the  Stockholders to the Buyer.  Neither the Company nor any
         of the Subsidiaries is in violation of any law, regulation or ordinance
         (including,   without  limitation,   laws,  regulations  or  ordinances
         relating to  building,  zoning,  environmental,  disposal of  hazardous
         substances,  land use or similar  matters)  relating to its properties.
         The business of the Company and the  Subsidiaries  as  conducted  since
         January 1, 1992,  has not  violated,  and on the date  hereof  does not
         violate, in any material respect, any federal,  state, local or foreign
         laws, regulations or orders (including,  but not limited to, any of the
         foregoing relating to employment  discrimination,  occupational safety,
         environmental  protection,  hazardous waste,  conservation,  or corrupt
         practices),  the  enforcement  of which  would have a material  adverse
         effect  on  the  results  of   operations,   condition   (financial  or
         otherwise),  assets, properties business or prospects of the Company or
         any of the Subsidiaries.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.18, neither
         the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has had notice or communication
         from any federal,  state or local governmental or regulatory  authority
         or otherwise since of any such violation or


<PAGE>



         noncompliance.

3.19     Employee Relations.

                  (a) The Company and each of the  Subsidiaries is in compliance
                  with  all  federal,   state  and  municipal  laws   respecting
                  employment and employment  practices,  terms and conditions of
                  employment,  and wages and  hours,  and is not  engaged in any
                  unfair labor practice, and there are no arrears in the payment
                  of wages or social security taxes.

                  (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19 attached hereto:

                           (i) none of the employees of the Company or the 
                           Subsidiaries is represented by any labor union;

                           (ii)  there is no  unfair  labor  practice  complaint
                           against  the  Company  or  any  of  the  Subsidiaries
                           pending  before  the U.S.  National  Labor  Relations
                           Board,  or any federal,  state or local agency of any
                           jurisdiction in which the Company or its Subsidiaries
                           conducts its operations.

                           (iii)  there  is no  pending  labor  strike  or other
                           material  labor trouble  affecting the Company or any
                           of the Subsidiaries  (including,  without limitation,
                           any organizational drive);

                           (iv) there is no material labor grievance pending
                           against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries;

                           (v) there is no pending representation question
                           respecting the employees of the Company or any of the
                           Subsidiaries:

                           (vi)  there  are  no  material  pending   arbitration
                           proceedings  arising  out of or under any  collective
                           bargaining  agreement  to which the Company or any of
                           the Subsidiaries is a party, or to the best knowledge
                           of the Stockholders,  any basis for which a claim may
                           be made under any collective  bargaining agreement to
                           which the  Company  or any of the  Subsidiaries  is a
                           Party; and

                           (vii) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries
                           has  any  continuing  obligation  for  health,  life,
                           medical insurance or other similar fringe benefits to
                           any former employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

                  (c) Schedule 3.19 sets forth a true, correct and complete list
                  of the current  payroll of the  Company and the  Subsidiaries,
                  including  the job  descriptions  and  salary or wage rates of
                  each of their  employees,  showing  separately  for each  such
                  person who received an annual  salary in excess of $25,000 the
                  maximum  amounts paid or payable as salary and bonus  Payments
                  for the fiscal year ended 1996.


<PAGE>



3.20     Employee Benefit Plans.

                  (a) Except as listed in Schedule  3.20  attached  hereto,  the
                  Company  does not have,  and is not  subject to any present or
                  future  obligation  or  liability  under,  any  pension  plan,
                  deferred  compensation  plan,  retirement  income plan,  stock
                  option or stock purchase plan, profit sharing plan, bonus plan
                  or policy,  employee  group  insurance  plan,  hospitalization
                  plan, disability plan or other employee benefit plan, program,
                  policy or practice, formal or informal, with respect to any of
                  its employees,  whether or not established pursuant to statute
                  (the  plans  and   programs   listed  in  Schedule   3.20  are
                  collectively  referred  to  as  the  "Benefit  Plans").  True,
                  correct and  complete  copies of all of the written  plans and
                  agreements and related funding  arrangements and true, correct
                  and  complete   written   descriptions  of  all  of  the  oral
                  arrangements  described in such Schedule 3.20 have  heretofore
                  been delivered by the Company,  or will be promptly  provided.
                  Except as set forth in Schedule  3.20,  the  Company  does not
                  have any written general policies or procedures in effect with
                  respect to employees of the Company, including but not limited
                  to  policies  regarding   holidays,   sick  leave,   vacation,
                  disability  and  death  benefits,  automobile  allowances  and
                  expense reimbursements.  Any oral policies have been disclosed
                  to the Buyer.

                  (b) The employee  benefit plans  included in the Benefit Plans
                  which are required to be registered under  applicable  federal
                  and provincial laws are registered under and are in compliance
                  with  all  applicable  federal  and  provincial  laws  and all
                  reports,  returns and filings  required to be made  thereunder
                  have  been  made.   Each  of  the   Benefit   Plans  has  been
                  administered  in accordance  with its terms and the provisions
                  of applicable  law and has been funded in accordance  with its
                  terms and  provisions  of  applicable  law. No funds have been
                  withdrawn by the Company from any Benefit Plans.  There are no
                  pending claims by any employee covered under the Benefit Plans
                  or by any other  person  which  allege a breach  of  fiduciary
                  duties or violation  of  governing  law or which may result in
                  liability to the Company.  No promises of benefit  improvement
                  under  the  Benefit  Plans  have  been  made  except as may be
                  required  by  law,   regulation   or   collective   bargaining
                  agreement.

                  (c)  Compliance.  With  respect  to all  Employee  Plans,  the
                  Company  and  its  Affiliates  are  in  Compliance   with  the
                  requirements  prescribed  by any and all  statutes,  orders or
                  governmental  rules or  regulations  currently in effect.  The
                  Company and its  Subsidiaries  have in all respects  performed
                  all obligations required to be performed by them under, and is
                  not in  violation  in any  respect  of,  and there has been no
                  default or  violation  by any other party with respect to, any
                  of the Employee Plans.

                  (e) Retiree Benefits. No Employee Plan provides health or life
                  insurance benefits for retirees.  No such plan contains any 
                  provisions, and no commitments or agreements exist, which in 
                  any way would limit or prohibit the Buyer from amending any


<PAGE>

                  such plan to reduce or eliminate such retiree benefits.

                  (f) No Implied  Rights.  Nothing  expressed or implied  herein
                  shall confer upon any past or present employee of the Company,
                  his  or her  representatives,  beneficiaries,  successors  and
                  assigns, nor upon any collective  bargaining agent, any rights
                  or remedies of any nature, including,  without limitation, any
                  rights to employment or continued employment with the Company,
                  the Buyer, or any successor or affiliate.

                  (m) Liabilities.  Except as heretofore  accrued on the Interim
                  Financial Statements, there are no liabilities with respect to
                  any Employee Plan which liability  relates to any period prior
                  to the Closing Date, including, without limitation, any taxes,
                  accrued vacation or sick pay (whether or not vested),  accrued
                  vacation,   sick  and  personal  leaves,   employee  policies,
                  employee  benefit  claims or liability to the Pension  Benefit
                  Guaranty  Corporation.  Without  limitation of the  foregoing,
                  severance pay has been accrued for any employees who have been
                  notified prior to the Closing Date of their  termination after
                  the Closing Date.

3.21     Absence of Certain Changes or Events.

                  (a)  Except as set forth on  Schedule  3.21  attached  hereto,
                  since the Balance  Sheet Date,  neither the Company nor any of
                  the Subsidiaries has entered into any transaction which is not
                  in the usual and  ordinary  course of business,  and,  without
                  limiting the generality of the foregoing,  neither the Company
                  nor any of the Subsidiaries has:

                           (i) incurred any material obligation or liability for
                            borrowed money;

                           (ii)  discharged or satisfied any lien or encumbrance
                           or  paid  any  obligation  or  liability  other  than
                           current liabilities  reflected in the Interim Balance
                           Sheet and the  Stockholders'  loans and/or bonuses or
                           commissions as listed in Schedule 1.04(e)(ii);

                           (iii) mortgaged, pledged or subjected to lien, charge
                           or other encumbrance any of their respective 
                           properties or assets;

                           (iv) sold or purchased,  assigned or transferred  any
                           of its  tangible  assets  or  canceled  any  debts or
                           claims,  except for inventory  sold and raw materials
                           purchased in the ordinary course of business;

                           (v) made any material amendment to or termination of 
                           any Contract or done any act or omitted to do any act
                           which would cause the breach of any Contract;

                           (vi) suffered any net losses of personal or real 
                           property, whether insured or


<PAGE>



                           uninsured,  and  whether or not in the control of the
                           Company or the relevant  Subsidiary,  as the case may
                           be, in excess of $100,000  per  occurrence  or waived
                           any rights of any value.

                           (vii)   authorized  any  declaration  or  payment  of
                           dividends by the Company of any  Subsidiary  which is
                           not  wholly  owned by the  Company,  or paid any such
                           dividends,  or  authorized  any transfer of assets of
                           any  kind  whatsoever  by the  Company  or  any  such
                           Subsidiary  to any of their  respective  stockholders
                           with  respect to any shares of their  capital  stock,
                           except as set forth in Schedule  1.04(e)(ii),  all of
                           which will be paid before Closing;

                           (viii) authorized or issued recall notices for any of
                           its products or initiated any safety investigations;

                           (ix) received notice of any litigation, material
                            warranty claim or products liability claims;

                           (x) made any material change in the terms,  status or
                           funding condition of any Employee Plan, as defined in
                           Subsection 3.20 hereof:

                           (xi) engaged any new employee for a salary in excess
                           of $75,000 per annum;

                           (xii) made, or committed to make, any changes in the 
                           compensation payable to any officer,  director,  
                           employee or agent of the Company or any Subsidiary,  
                           or any bonus  payment or  similar  arrangements  made
                           to or with any of such  officers, directors, 
                           employees or agents;

                           (xiii)  except  for  expenditures   outlined  in  the
                           capital spending plan in Schedule 3.21(a)(xiii),  
                           incurred any capital expenditure  in excess of 
                           $25,000 in any instance or $100,000 in the aggregate;

                           (xiv) made any  material  alteration  in the manner 
                           of keeping the  books,   accounts  or  records  of  
                           the  Company  or  any Subsidiary, or in the 
                           accounting practices therein reflected;

                           (xv) suffered any material  adverse change in the 
                           consolidated results of  operation, condition 
                           (financial  or  otherwise), assets, liabilities 
                           (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise),
                           business  or  prospects  of the  Company  and the
                           Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

         (b)  Neither the Company nor the  Stockholders  have  knowledge  of any
         existing or threatened  occurrence,  event or development which, as far
         as can be reasonably foreseen,  could have a material adverse effect on
         the business, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or
         prospects of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

3.22     Customers.

         (a)  Schedule  3.22  attached  hereto  sets forth a true,  correct  and
         complete  list of (a) the names and  addresses of each  customer of the
         Company and the  Subsidiaries  which  accounted for more than 5% of the
         consolidated revenues of the Company and the Subsidiaries in the fiscal
         year ended 1996.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22, the Company and
         each of its  Subsidiaries  has good customer  relations and none of the
         customers of either the Company or any of the Subsidiaries has notified
         the  Company or the  relevant  Subsidiary,  as the case may be, that it
         intends  to  discontinue  its  relationship  with  the  Company  or the
         relevant  Subsidiary,  excluding declines which may result from Buyer's
         acquisition of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

         (b) To the best of the  Stockholders'  knowledge,  the three-year  unit
         sales projections prepared by the Company and/or it Subsidiaries, which
         have been provided to the Buyer, support volume growth of 10% annually,
         excluding  declines  which may result from Buyer's  acquisition  of the
         Company and its Subsidiaries.
<PAGE>
         (c)  total  sales  to  Petri  and  TRW/Izumi,   collectively,  are  not
         anticipated to exceed 15% of total  consolidated sales as projected for
         the fiscal year ended July 31, 1997.

         (d) To the best of  Stockholders'  knowledge,  there  are no  committed
         price  reductions on Core Products in excess of 5% of the selling price
         as of the date of this Agreement for any customer  program  currently 
         in effect or  anticipated  to be given within 12 months  after the 
         Closing  Date except for  situations  where such price  reductions are 
         offset by anticipated cost reductions as set forth in Schedule 3.22(d).

3.23     Suppliers. Schedule 3.23 attached hereto sets forth a true, correct and
         complete  list of (i) the names and  addresses of each of the suppliers
         of the Company and the Subsidiaries which accounted for a dollar volume
         of purchases by the Company and the  Subsidiaries in excess of $100,000
         for the fiscal  year  ended  1996,  and (ii) the  present  sole  source
         suppliers of significant goods or services,  other than utilities,  for
         any product  with  respect to which  practical  alternative  sources of
         supply are not available on comparable terms and conditions, indicating
         the  contractual  arrangements  fro  continued  supply  from  each such
         supplier. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.23 (a) the Company and each
         of the Subsidiaries has good relations with all of its suppliers.

3.24     Warranty and Product  Liability  Claims.  Schedule 3.24 attached hereto
         contains a true correct and complete list of all material  Warranty and
         product  liability  claims  made  against  the  Company  or  any of the
         Subsidiaries from January 1, 1994, through the date hereof, the current
         status  of all  such  claims  and the  costs  of all  actions  taken in
         satisfaction of such claims.  All  information  relative to such claims
         and those arising  thereafter  shall be available to the Buyer from and
         after the date hereof.

3.25     Prepayments and Deposits.  There are no Prepayments and deposits, which
         have been received by the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries as of the
         date hereof,  from customers for products to be shipped, or services to
         be performed, after the Closing Date.

3.26     Indebtedness to and from Officers, Directors and Stockholders. Except 
         for intercompany indebtedness payable among the Company and any 
         Subsidiary or among the Subsidiaries, as of the Closing Date neither
         the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is indebted, directly or
         indirectly, to any person who is an officer, director or stockholder of
         any of the foregoing entities or any affiliate of any such person in
         any amount whatsoever other than for salaries for services rendered or 
         reimbursable business expenses, all of which have been reflected on the
         Interim Financial Statement, and no such officer, director, stockholder
         or affiliate is indebted to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries
         except for advances made to employees of the Company or any of the
         Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to meet reimbursable
         business expenses anticipated to be incurred by such obligor.

3.27     Banking Facilities. Schedule 3.27 attached hereto sets forth a true, 
         correct and complete list of:

                  (a)  each  bank,   savings  and  loan  or  similar   financial
                  institution  in which the  Company or any of the  Subsidiaries
                  has an account or safety  deposit  box and the  numbers of the
                  accounts or safety deposit boxes  maintained by the Company or
                  any of the Subsidiaries thereat; and



<PAGE>



                  (b) the names of all persons  authorized  to draw on each such
                  account  or to have  access  to any such  safety  deposit  box
                  facility,  together with a description  of the authority  (and
                  conditions  thereof,  if any) of each such person with respect
                  thereto.

3.28     Powers of  Attorney  and  Suretyships.  Except as set forth on Schedule
         3.28 attached  hereto,  neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries
         has any general or special powers of attorney  outstanding  (whether as
         grantor or grantee thereof) or has any obligation or liability (whether
         actual,  accrued,  accruing,  continent  or  otherwise)  as  guarantor,
         surety,  co-signer,  endorser,  co-maker,  indemnitor  or  otherwise in
         respect of the  obligation  of any  person,  corporation,  partnership,
         joint venture,  association,  organization  or other entity,  except as
         endorser  or  maker of  checks  or  letters  of  credit,  respectively,
         endorsed or made in the ordinary course of business.

3.29     Conflicts of Interest.  Except as set forth on Schedule  3.29  attached
         hereto,  no  officer,  director  or  Stockholder  of the Company or any
         Subsidiary nor, to the best knowledge of the Stockholder, any affiliate
         of any such  person,  now has or within  the last  three (3) years had,
         either directly or indirectly:

                  (a)  an  equity   or  debt   interest   in  any   corporation,
                  partnership, joint venture, association, organization or other
                  person  or entity  which  furnishes  or sells or  during  such
                  period  furnished or sold  services or products to the Company
                  or any of the Subsidiaries, or purchases or during such period
                  purchased  from the  Company  or any of the  Subsidiaries  any
                  goods or services,  or  otherwise  does nor during such period
                  did business with the Company or any of the Subsidiaries; or

                  (b) a  beneficial  interest  in any  contract,  commitment  or
                  agreement to which the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries  is
                  or was a party or under which any of them is or was  obligated
                  or bound or to which any of their respective properties may be
                  or may have been  subject,  other than stock options and other
                  contracts,  commitments  or agreements  between the Company or
                  any of the  Subsidiaries  and such persons in their capacities
                  as  employees,  officers or  directors  of the Company or such
                  Subsidiary.

3.30     Regulatory Approvals. No consents,  approvals,  authorizations or other
         requirements  are  prescribed  by any  law,  rule or  regulation  to be
         obtained or satisfied by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries nor are
         necessary for the execution  and delivery by the  Stockholders  and the
         Company of this Agreement or any documents to be executed and delivered
         by the Stockholders or the Company in connection herewith.

3.31     Disclosure. The information concerning the Company and the Subsidiaries
         set forth in this Agreement, the Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto
         and any document, statement or certificate furnished or to be furnished
         to the Buyer pursuant hereto,  does not and will not contain any untrue
         statement of a material  fact or omit to state a material fact required
         to be stated herein or therein or necessary to make the  statements and
         facts contained  herein or therein,  in light of the  circumstances  in
         which they are made, not false and


<PAGE>



         misleading.  The  Stockholders  and the Company  have  disclosed to the
         Buyer all material facts pertaining to the transactions contemplated by
         this  Agreement  and  the  Exhibits  hereto.  Copies  of all  documents
         heretofore  or  hereafter  delivered  or made  available  to the  Buyer
         pursuant to this Agreement were or will be complete and accurate copies
         of such documents.

3.32     Conditions Existing as of November 28, 1996. As reflected in the 
         Interim Financial Statements, the Company and its Subsidiaries have 
         achieved the following:

                  (i) 35% Gross Margin on Core Products. Gross margin is defined
                  as:  Total Sales (net of raw  materials  supplied by customer)
                  less  Direct  Costs.   Direct  Costs  are  defined  as  direct
                  materials,  direct labor and direct selling expenses excluding
                  commissions paid to Cove Sales and Engineering.  Core Products
                  is defined as leather-wrapped steering wheels, leather-wrapped
                  accessories, injection-molded parts and shift and lever boots.

                  (ii)  15%  Earnings  Before  Taxes  ("EBT")  on  Total  Sales,
                  including products other than Core Products. EBT is defined as
                  Sales less Direct  costs,  both as defined in 3.32(i) less all
                  other costs and expenses  associated with the period excluding
                  interest on Stockholders' loans.

                  (iii)  Operating  Cash  Flow,  defined  as EBT  plus  interest
                  (excluding interest on Stockholders' loans),  non-cash charges
                  and net change in working capital, is greater than $5 million.

3.33     Cash Available for Working Capital  Purposes.  On the Closing Date, the
         Company and the Subsidiaries will have in the aggregate  available cash
         or borrowing capacity sufficient for working capital needs through July
         31, 1997,  based on the current  business  plans of the Company and the
         Subsidiaries.

3.34     Repayment of Indebtedness. On the Closing Date, the aggregate amount of
         long term  indebtedness of the Company and the  Subsidiaries  shall not
         exceed $4 million and any  short-term  indebtedness  of the Company and
         its  Subsidiaries  will have been  incurred in the  ordinary  course of
         business.

3.35     Trade Payables. On the Closing Date, neither the Company nor any of the
         Subsidiaries  will have any  obligation  in excess of  $250,000  to any
         individual  supplier  or vendor of goods and  services  and other trade
         creditors  outside  the  ordinary  course of  business  which have been
         outstanding for more than 60 days.

4.       Representations of the Buyer.

         The Buyer  represents  and  warrants  to each  Stockholder  as
         follows:

4.01     Organization and Authority. The Buyer is a corporation duly organized,
         validly existing


<PAGE>



         and in good standing  under the laws of the State of Delaware,  and has
         all  requisite  power and  Authority  (corporate  and other) to own its
         properties  and to carry on its  business as now being  conducted.  The
         Buyer has full power to execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement  and the
         agreements  contemplated  herein,  and to consummate  the  transactions
         contemplated hereby and thereby. Certified copies of the Certificate of
         Incorporation  and the  Bylaws of the Buyer,  as amended to date,  have
         been  previously  delivered to the  Stockholders,  or will be delivered
         promptly after  execution  hereof and are complete and correct,  and no
         amendments  have been made  thereto or have been  authorized  since the
         date thereof.

4.02     Capitalization of the Buyer. On the date hereof, the Buyer's authorized
         capital stock consists of fifty million (50,000,000) shares of common 
         stock, $.01 par value, of which 31,661,293 shares  are issued and  
         outstanding. All of the  outstanding shares of capital  stock of the 
         Buyer have been and on the Closing Date will be duly and  validly  
         issued and are,  or will be,  fully paid and non-assessable.

4.03     Authorization. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.03 attached hereto, 
         the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Buyer, and the 
         agreements provided for herein, and the consummation by the Buyer of 
         the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly 
         authorized by all requisite corporate action.  This Agreement and all 
         such other agreements and written obligations entered into and 
         undertaken in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby 
         constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of the Buyer, 
         enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with their respective
         terms.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and 
         the agreements provided for herein, and the consummation by the Buyer
         of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will not, with or
         without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both, (a)
         violate the provisions of any law, rule or regulation applicable to the
         Buyer; (b) violate the provisions of the Buyer's Certificate of 
         Incorporation or Bylaws, (c) violate any judgment, decree, order or 
         award of any court, governmental body or arbitrator; or (d) conflict 
         with or result in the breach or termination of any term or provision 
         of, or constitute a default under, or cause any acceleration under, or 
         cause the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon the 
         properties or assets of the Buyer pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage,
         deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which the Buyer is
         a party or by which the Buyer is or may be bound.  Schedule 4.03 
         attached hereto sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all 
         consents and approvals of third parties that are required in connection
         with the consummation by the Buyer of the transactions contemplated by 
         this Agreement.

4.04     Regulatory Approvals. All consents, approvals, authorizations and other
         requirements  prescribed by any law,  rule or regulation  which must be
         obtained  or  satisfied  by the Buyer and which are  necessary  for the
         consummation  of  the  transactions   contemplated  by  this  Agreement
         including, without limitation, "Hard-Scott-Rodino" approval, have been,
         or will be prior to the Closing Date, obtained and satisfied.

4.05     Disclosure. No representation or warranty by the Buyer in this 
         Agreement or in any Exhibit hereto, or in any list, statement,


<PAGE>



         document or information set forth  in or  attached  to  any  Schedule 
         deliver  or to be  delivered pursuant  hereto,  contains or will  
         contain any untrue  statement of a material  fact or omits or will omit
         any  material  fact  necessary  in order to make the statements 
         contained therein not misleading.

4.06     Investment Representation.  The Buyer is acquiring the Shares from each
         Stockholder  for its own account for investment and not with a view to,
         or for sale in connection with, any distribution  thereof, nor with any
         present  intention of  distributing or selling the same; and, except as
         contemplated by this Agreement and the agreements  contemplated herein,
         the  Buyer  has no  present  or  contemplated  agreement,  undertaking,
         arrangement,  obligation,  indebtedness or commitment providing for the
         disposition thereof.

5.       Access to Information; Public Announcements.

5.01     Access to Management. Properties and Records.

                  (a) From the date of this  Agreement  until the Closing  Date,
                  the  Stockholders  and the Company  shall afford the officers,
                  attorneys, accountants and other authorized representatives of
                  the Buyer  reasonable  access upon  reasonable  notice to such
                  management personnel,  offices,  properties, books and records
                  of the  Company  and the  Subsidiaries,  so that the Buyer may
                  have an  opportunity  to make such  investigation  as it shall
                  reasonable  desire  to  make  of  the  management,   business,
                  properties  and affairs of the  Company and the  Subsidiaries,
                  and the Buyer shall be permitted to make  abstracts  from,  or
                  copies of, such books and records.  The  Stockholders  and the
                  Company  shall  furnish  to  the  Buyer  such   financial  and
                  operating data and other information as to the business of the
                  Company and the  Subsidiaries  as the Buyer  shall  reasonably
                  request.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision
                  of  this  Agreement  to  the  contrary,   certain  information
                  relating  to customer  programs,  product  costs by  function,
                  gross margin by product or by customer programs, suppliers and
                  employees and other information  considered to be essential to
                  the  Company's  competitiveness,  will not be  provided to the
                  Buyer until after receipt of "Hart-Scott-Rodino" approval.

                  (b) If the Buyer, at its option and expense, elects within ten
                  days  following  the date hereof,  to have a report or reports
                  prepared by an engineer or other professional  selected by the
                  Buyer,  certifying  that the Real Estate (i) complies with all
                  applicable federal, state and local environmental and wetlands
                  laws,  rules and  regulations  and that there is not now,  and
                  never has been, manufacture, storage, or disposal of hazardous
                  wastes at the Real Estate in violation of said laws, rules and
                  regulations,  (ii)  complies  with  all  applicable  building,
                  health and fire codes, and subdivision control laws, rules and
                  regulations,  and (iii) does not contain any friable asbestos,
                  the  Stockholders  and the Company shall  cooperate  with such
                  engineer or  professional  to the extent  necessary to prepare
                  such reports,  including,  without limitation,  providing such
                  engineer  or  professional  access  to  the  Real  Estate  and
                  necessary records, and arranging interviews with employees


<PAGE>



                  of the Company and the Subsidiaries.

                  (c) If the  Buyer  elects,  at its  option,  within  ten  days
                  following the date hereof,  to have an appraisal of all or any
                  part of the Real Estate owned by the  Company,  prepared by an
                  appraiser   selected  by  the  Buyer,   the  Company  and  the
                  Stockholders shall cooperate with such appraiser to the extent
                  necessary  to  prepare  the  appraisal,   including,   without
                  limitation,  providing the  appraiser  with access to the Real
                  Estate and the necessary  records,  and  arranging  interviews
                  with employees of the Company and the Subsidiaries.

                  (d) The  Stockholders  and the  Company  shall  authorize  the
                  release to the Buyer of all files  pertaining  to the business
                  or operation of the Company and the  Subsidiaries  held by any
                  federal,  state,  county  or local  authorities,  agencies  or
                  instrumentalities.   The   Stockholders'   and  the  Company's
                  authorization  shall specifically waive all previous claims of
                  privilege  or  other  restrictions,  and in any  case  where a
                  release by a present or former  employee of the Company or any
                  Subsidiary  is  necessary,  the  Stockholders  and the Company
                  shall exercise their best efforts to obtain such a release.

5.02     Confidentiality.

                  (a) The Company and the  Stockholders  have furnished and will
                  continue to furnish the Buyer with certain  information  which
                  is either  non-public,  confidential  or proprietary in nature
                  and which (i)  [intentionally  omitted],  (ii) is not  already
                  known to persons  other  than the  Company,  the  Stockholder,
                  their  representatives  and third  parties  which have entered
                  into written  non-disclosure  agreements  with the Company and
                  (iii) has not been  independently  developed by the Buyer. All
                  such  information   furnished  to  the  Buyer  its  directors,
                  officers,  employees,  agents or  representatives,  including,
                  without  limitation,  attorneys,   accountants,   consultants,
                  potential   lenders,    investors   and   financial   advisors
                  (collectively   "representatives"),   by  the  Company  ,  the
                  Stockholders, or any of their respective representatives,  and
                  all analyses,  compilations,  data, studies or other documents
                  prepared  by the Buyer or its  representatives  containing  or
                  based in whole or in part on any such furnished information or
                  reflecting  the Buyer's review of, or interest in, the Company
                  is hereinafter referred to as "Information".

                  (b) Subject to the  requirements  of applicable law, the Buyer
                  hereby agrees to use the Information solely in connection with
                  the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
                  Agreement  and to  transmit  the  Information  only  to  those
                  representatives of the Buyer who need to know the Information.

5.03     Public Announcements.  The parties agree that prior to the Closing Date
         any and all  general  public  pronouncements  or other  general  public
         communications  concerning  this Agreement and the purchase and sale of
         the Shares by the Buyer,  and the  timing,  manner and  content of such
         disclosures, shall be subject to the mutual agreement of the


<PAGE>



         Company, the Stockholders' Representative and the Buyer.

6.       Pre-Closing Covenants of the Stockholders, the Company and the 
         Subsidiaries. From and after the date hereof and until the Closing 
         Date:

6.01     Conduct of Business.  The Company and the  Subsidiaries  shall carry on
         their  business  diligently  and  substantially  in the same  manner as
         heretofore  and shall not make or institute  any unusual or new methods
         of  manufacture,   purchase,   sale,   shipment  or  delivery,   lease,
         management,  accounting or operation, and shall not ship or deliver any
         quantity of products in excess of normal  shipment or delivery  levels,
         except as agreed to in writing by the Buyer. All of the property of the
         Company and the  Subsidiaries  shall be used,  operated,  repaired  and
         maintained in a normal business manner consistent with past practice.

6.02     Absence of Material Changes. Without the prior written consent of the 
         Buyer, neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries shall:

                  (a) take any action to amend its charter documents or bylaws;

                  (b) issue any stock,  bonds or other  corporate  securities or
                  grant any option or issue any warrant to purchase or subscribe
                  for any of such securities or issue any securities convertible
                  into such securities;

                  (c) incur any obligation or liability (absolute or 
                  contingent), except in the ordinary course of business:

                  (d)  declare  or  make  any  payment  or  distribution  to its
                  stockholders  with  respect to its stock or purchase or redeem
                  any  shares  of its  capital  stock  except  as  disclosed  on
                  Schedule 1.04(d)(ii);

                  (e) mortgage, pledge, or subject to any lien, charge or any
                  other encumbrance any of their respective assets or 
                  properties;

                  (f) sell, assign, or transfer any of its assets, except for
                  inventory sold in the ordinary course of business;

                  (g) cancel any debts or claims, except in the ordinary course 
                  of business;

                  (h) merge or consolidate with or into any corporation or other
                  entity;

                  (i) make,  accrue  or  become  liable  for any  bonus,  profit
                  sharing  or  incentive  payment,  except  for  accruals  under
                  existing  plans,  if any, or increase the rate of compensation
                  payable  or to become  payable  by it to any of its  officers,
                  directors or employees,  other than  increases in the ordinary
                  course of business consistent with past practice;


<PAGE>



                  (j) make any  election or give any  consent  under the Code or
                  the tax  statutes of any state or other  jurisdiction  or make
                  any  termination,  revocation  or  cancellation  of  any  such
                  election or any consent or  compromise or settle any claim for
                  past or present tax due;

                  (k) waive any rights of material value;

                  (l) modify, amend, alter or terminate any of its executory 
                  contracts of a material value or which are material in amount;

                  (m) take or permit any act or omission constituting a material
                  breach or default under any  contract,  indenture or agreement
                  by which it or its properties are bound;

                  (n) fail to (i)  preserve  the  possession  and control of its
                  assets and business,  (ii) attempt to keep in faithful service
                  its present  officers and key  employees,  (iii)  preserve the
                  goodwill  of its  consumers,  suppliers,  agents,  brokers and
                  others having  business  relations  with it, and (iv) keep and
                  preserve  its  business  existing on the date hereof until the
                  Closing Date, excluding the impact of the acquisition;

                  (o) fail to  operate  its  business  and  maintain  its books,
                  accounts  and  records  in  the  customary  manner  and in the
                  ordinary  and regular  course of business and maintain in good
                  repair its business premises, fixtures,  machinery,  furniture
                  and equipment;

                  (p)   enter   into   any   lease,   contract,   agreement   or
                  understanding,  other than those  entered into in the ordinary
                  course of business;

                  (q) incur any capital  expenditure(s)  in excess of $25,000 in
                  any instance or $100,000 in the aggregate  except as set forth
                  in the capital spending plan in Schedule 3.21(a)(xiii);

                  (r) engage any new employee for a salary in excess of $75,000 
                  per annum;

                  (s) materially alter the terms, status or funding condition of
                  any Employee Plan; or

                  (t) commit or agree to do any of the foregoing in the future.

                  (u)  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  Stockholders and Company
                  will be causing the occurrence of the  transactions  listed in
                  Exhibit 6.02(u).

6.03     Intentionally Omitted

6.04     Communications with Customers and Suppliers.

                  (a) The Company and each of the Subsidiaries will continue to
                  accept customer


<PAGE>



                  orders in the ordinary  course of business and consistent with
                  past practice for all products  offered by the Company and the
                  Subsidiaries  but  expected  to be shipped  after the  Closing
                  Date.

                  (b) The Company, the Subsidiaries and the Buyer will cooperate
                  in  communications  with suppliers and customers to accomplish
                  the transfer of the Shares to the Buyer on the Closing Date.

6.05     Compliance  with Laws.  The Company and each of the  Subsidiaries  will
         comply with all laws and  regulations  which are applicable to it or to
         the  conduct of its  business  and will  perform  and  comply  with all
         contracts, commitments and obligations by which they are bound.

6.06     Continued  Truth  of  Representations   and  Warranties.   Neither  the
         Stockholders  nor the Company nor any Subsidiary  will take any actions
         which would  result in any of the  representations  or  warranties  set
         forth in Sections 2 and 3 hereof being untrue.

6.07     Continuing  Obligation  to  Inform.  From  time  to time  prior  to the
         Closing,  the Stockholders will deliver or cause to be delivered to the
         Buyer supplemental information concerning events subsequent to the date
         hereof which would render any statement,  representation or warranty in
         this Agreement or any  information  contained in any Schedule  attached
         hereto  inaccurate or  incomplete  in any material  respect at any time
         after the date hereof until the Closing  Date;  provided,  that none of
         such supplemental  information shall constitute a material amendment of
         any  statement,  representation  or warranty in this  Agreement  or any
         Schedule, Exhibit or document furnished pursuant hereto.

6.08     Exclusive  Dealing.  Neither the  Stockholders  nor the  Company  will,
         directly  or  indirectly,  through  any  officer,  director,  agent  or
         otherwise,  (a) solicit,  initiate or encourage submission of proposals
         or offers from any person relating to an acquisition or purchase of all
         or a material  portion of the  assets of or an equity  interest  in the
         Company or any of the  Subsidiaries  or any  merger,  consolidation  or
         business  combination with the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries,  or
         (b)  participate  in any  discussions  or  negotiations  regarding,  or
         furnish to any other person, any non-public information with respect to
         or otherwise  cooperate in any way with, or assist or  participate  in,
         facilitate or  encourage,  any effort or attempt by any other person to
         do or seek any of the foregoing. The Stockholders,  the Company and the
         Subsidiaries agree to promptly notify the Buyer of any such proposal or
         offer, or any inquiry or contact with respect  thereto  received by the
         Company, any of the Stockholders or any Subsidiary.

6.09     Reports.  Taxes. The Company and the Subsidiaries  will duly and timely
         file all reports or returns  required to be filed with federal,  state,
         local and foreign authorities and will promptly pay all federal, state,
         local and foreign taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or
         assessed upon them or any of their properties  (unless  contesting such
         in good faith and adequate provision has been made therefor).


<PAGE>



7.       Best Efforts to Obtain Satisfaction of Conditions.

                  The Stockholders,  the Company, the Subsidiaries and the Buyer
                  covenant  and agree to use their  best  efforts  to obtain the
                  satisfaction of the conditions  specified in this Agreement In
                  particular,  but not by way of limitation,  Buyer shall make a
                  diligent,     good    faith    effort    to    complete    the
                  "Hart-Scott-Rodino" filing as quickly as possible.

8A.      Continued Truth of Representations and Warranties of the Stockholders 
         and the Company; Compliance with Covenant and Obligations. 
         The representations and warranties of the Stockholders and the Company 
         shall be true on and as of the Closing Date as though such 
         representations and warranties were made on and as of such date(unless 
         expressly provided to have been given on a date prior to the Closing 
         Date), except for any changes permitted by the terms hereof or 
         consented to in writing by the Buyer. The Stockholders, the Company 
         and the Subsidiaries shall have performed and complied with all terms, 
         conditions, covenants, obligations, agreements and restrictions 
         required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by each of 
         them prior to or at the Closing Date.

8B.      Conditions  to  Obligations  of the Buyer.  It is the  intention of the
         parties that this  agreement be binding upon the parties hereto and may
         not be terminated  except as provided herein.  Closing shall be subject
         only  to  the  fulfillment,  at the  Closing  Date,  of  the  following
         conditions  precedent,  each of which may be waived in  writing  in the
         sole discretion of the Buyer.

8.01     Continued Truth of Certain Representations and Warranties of the 
         Stockholders and the Company. The continued truth of the following 
         representations and warranties shall be considered Conditions to 
         Obligations of Buyer: 3.01, 3.02, 3.03, 3.04, 3.22(c), 3.30, 3.32.

8.02     Performance by the  Stockholders and the Company.  At the Closing,  the
         Stockholders  and the  Company  shall  have  delivered  to the  Buyer a
         certificate  signed by each such Stockholder or the President and Chief
         Financial  Officer  of the  Company,  as the case  may be,  as to their
         compliance with Subsection 8.01 hereof.

8.03     Governmental Approvals. All governmental agencies, department, bureaus,
         commissions and similar bodies, the consent,  authorization or approval
         of  which  is  necessary  under  any  applicable  law,  rule,  order or
         regulation for the  consummations by the  Stockholders,  the Company or
         the  Subsidiaries of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,
         including approval pursuant to "Hart-Scott-Rodino" and the operation of
         the  business of the Company  and the  Subsidiaries  by the Buyer shall
         have consented to, authorized, permitted or approved such transactions.

8.04     Consent of Lenders, Lessors and Other Third Parties. The Stockholders, 
         the Company and the Subsidiaries shall have received all requisite 
         consents and approvals of all lenders, lessors and other third parties 
         whose consent or approval is required in order for


<PAGE>



         the  Stockholders,  the Company and the  Subsidiaries to consummate the
         transactions   contemplated  by  this  Agreement,   including   without
         limitation, those set forth in Schedule 3.04 attached hereto.

8.05     Adverse Proceedings.  No action or proceeding by or before any court or
         other governmental body shall have been instituted or threatened by any
         governmental  body or person  whatsoever  which shall seek to restrain,
         prohibit or invalidate the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement
         or which  might  affect  the right of the Buyer to own the Shares or to
         own or operate the business of the Company and the  Subsidiaries  after
         the Closing.

8.06     Opinion of Counsel. The Buyer shall have received an opinion of counsel
         to the Stockholders, the Company and the Subsidiaries,  dated as of the
         Closing Date, in  substantially  the form attached hereto as Exhibit B,
         and as to such other  matters  as may be  reasonably  requested  by the
         Buyer or its counsel.

8.07     Intentionally Omitted.

8.08     Employment Contracts.  On or prior to the Closing Date, the Buyer shall
         have  executed  Employment  contracts and other  arrangements  with the
         individuals  listed on Schedule  8.08  attached  hereto,  upon mutually
         agreeable terms and conditions.


8.09     No Material Adverse Change to Financial Condition.  Between the date of
         this Agreement and the Closing Date,  there shall have been no material
         adverse  change  to the  financial  condition  of the  Company  and its
         Subsidiaries.  For purposes of this provision,  Material Adverse Change
         is defined as either:

                  (i)  Discontinuation  of  one  or  more  sales  programs  by a
                  customer   or   customers   that   represented   5%  or  more,
                  individually  or in the  aggregate,  of  fiscal  year 1996 net
                  sales of  Custom  Trim,  Ltd.,  excluding  declines  which may
                  result  from  Buyer's  acquisition  of  the  Company  and  its
                  Subsidiaries.

                  (ii) An event  causing an impairment in the value of the fixed
                  assets  of the  Company  or its  Subsidiaries  in excess of $2
                  million in the aggregate.

8.10     Confirmation  of Income and Balance Sheet  Reconciliations.  The Income
         and Balance Sheet  Reconciliations  for fiscal years 1992 through 1996,
         as attached in Schedule  8.10,  are not deficient by more than $100,000
         in any year, as sustained by Buyer's Auditor.

8.11     Closing Deliveries.  The Buyer shall have received at or prior to the 
         Closing such documents, instruments or certificates as the Buyer may 
         reasonably request including, without limitation:

                  (a) the stock certificates representing the Shares duly 
                  endorsed in accordance with Subsection 1.01 of this Agreement;

                  (b) such  certificates  of the  Company's  officers and of the
                  Stockholders and such other documents evidencing  satisfaction
                  of the  conditions  specified  in this  Section 8 as the Buyer
                  shall reasonably request;

                  (c) a certificate of status from the appropriate Ontario 
                  ministry as to the legal existence and good standing of the
                  Company in the Providence of Ontario;

                  (d) certificates of the Secretary of the Company  attesting to
                  the incumbency of the Company's officers,  the authenticity of
                  the resolutions  authorizing the transactions  contemplated by
                  this Agreement,  and the authenticity and continuing  validity
                  of the charter  documents  delivered  pursuant  to  Subsection
                  3.01;

                  (e)  where   required  by  the  applicable   Lease,   estoppel
                  certificates  from each  lessor  from whom the  Company or any
                  Subsidiary leases real or personal property  consenting to the
                  acquisition   of  the  Shares  by  the  Buyer  and  the  other
                  transactions  contemplated hereby, and representing that there
                  are  no  outstanding   claims  against  the  Company  or  such
<PAGE>                  
                  Subsidiary under such Lease;

                  (f) Intentionally omitted.

                  (g) certificates of appropriate governmental officials in each
                  state in which the Company  or its  Subsidiaries  are required
                  to qualify to do business as a foreign  corporation as to the 
                  due qualification and good  standing  of the  Company in each 
                  such  jurisdiction (failure to obtain  such  certificates  by
                  Closing  through no fault of Stockholders shall not constitute
                  a breach of this condition);

                  (h) written resignations of all members of the Company's or 
                  its Subsidiaries' Board of Directors as required;

                  (i) the original corporate minute books of the Company and its
                  Subsidiaries and all corporate seals; and

                  (j)a cross receipt executed by the Buyer and the Stockholders.

         The  foregoing   shall   constitute  the  only  conditions  to  Buyer's
         obligation to consummate  this  transaction.  The sole remedies for any
         other breach shall be an adjustment of the purchase price in accordance
         with Section 1.04, a claim for indemnity in accordance  with Section 10
         or damages.

9.       Conditions to Obligations of the Stockholders.

         The obligations of the Stockholders under this Agreement are subject to
         the  fulfillment,  at the Closing  Date,  of the  following  conditions
         precedent,  each  of  which  may be  waived  in  writing  in  the  sole
         discretion  of the  Stockholders'  Representative,  who shall  have the
         power and authority to bind all of the Stockholders:

9.01     Continued  Truth,  of  Representations  and  Warranties  of the  Buyer;
         Compliance  with Covenants and  Obligations.  The  representations  and
         warranties  of the Buyer in this  Agreement  shall be true on and as of
         the Closing Date as though such  representations  and  warranties  were
         made on and as of such date,  except for any  changes  consented  to in
         writing  by the  Stockholders'  Representative.  The Buyer  shall  have
         performed   and  complied  with  all  terms,   conditions,   covenants,
         obligations,  agreements and restrictions required by this Agreement to
         be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing Date.

9.02     Corporate Proceedings.  All corporate and other proceedings required to
         be taken on the part of the Buyer to authorize or carry out this
         Agreement shall have been taken.

9.03     Governmental   Approvals.   All  governmental  agencies,   departments,
         bureaus, commissions and similar bodies, the consent,  authorization or
         approval of which is necessary under any applicable law, rule, order or
         regulation  for  the  consummation  by the  Buyer  of the  transactions
         contemplated  by this Agreement  shall have  consented to,  authorized,
         permitted or approval such transactions.

9.04     Consents of Lenders, Lessors and Other Third Parties.  The Buyer shall
         have received all requisite consents and approvals of all lenders, 
         lessors and other third parties whose consent or approval  is  required
         in order for the Buyer to  consummate the  transactions  contemplated 
         by this Agreement,  including,  without limitation, those set forth on
         Schedule 4.03 attached hereto.

9.05     Adverse Proceedings.  No action or proceeding by or before any court or
         other governmental body shall have been instituted or threatened by any
         governmental  body or person  whatsoever  which shall seek to restrain,
         prohibit or invalidate the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement
         or which might  affect the right of the  Stockholders  to transfer  the
         Shares.

9.06     Intentionally Omitted.

9.07     Closing Deliveries.  The Stockholders shall have received at or prior 
         to the Closing such documents, instruments or certificates as the Buyer
         may reasonably request including, without limitation: 

                  (a) such  certificates of the Buyer's  officers and such other
                  documents evidencing  satisfaction of the conditions specified
                  in this Section 9 as the  Stockholders'  Representative  shall
                  reasonably request;
<PAGE>
                  (b) a certificate of the Secretary of State of the State of 
                  Delaware as to the legal existence and good standing 
                  (including tax) of the Buyer in Delaware;

                  (c) a certificate  of the Secretary of the Buyer  attesting to
                  the incumbency of the Buyer's  officers,  the  authenticity of
                  the resolutions  authorizing the transactions  contemplated by
                  this Agreement,  and the authenticity and continuing  validity
                  of the charter  documents  and by-laws  delivered  pursuant to
                  Subsection 4.01;

                  (d) payment of the Base Purchase Price; and

                 (e) a cross receipt executed by the Buyer and the Stockholders.

10.      Indemnification.

10.01    By the Stockholders and the Company.  If the Closing occurs, the 
         Stockholders, jointly and severally, hereby indemnify and hold harmless
         the Buyer and the Company, and if the Closing does not occur, the 
         Stockholders and the Company, jointly and severally, hereby indemnify 
         and hold harmless the Buyer, from and against all claims, damages,
         losses, liabilities, costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
         settlement costs and any legal, accounting or other expenses for 
         investigating or defending any actions or threatened actions) 
         (collectively, the "Losses") in connection with each and all of the
         following (a "Breach of Warranty"):

                  (a) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or
                  warranty made by the Stockholders or the Company in this 
                  Agreement;


                  (b) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the
                  Stockholders or the Company contained in this Agreement or any
                  other agreement,  instrument or document  contemplated by this
                  Agreement;

                  (c)  any   misrepresentation   contained  in  any   statement,
                  certificate or schedule  furnished by the  Stockholders or the
                  Company  pursuant to this Agreement or in connection  with the
                  transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

                  (d) any  violation  by the  Company  of, or any failure by the
                  Company  to  comply  with,  any law,  ruling,  order,  decree,
                  regulation  or  zoning,  environmental  or permit  requirement
                  applicable to the Company, its assets or its business, whether
                  or not any  such  violation  or  failure  to  comply  has been
                  disclosed to the Buyer,  including  any costs  incurred by the
                  Buyer (A) in order to bring the Company into  compliance  with
                  environmental laws as a consequence of noncompliance with such
                  laws  on  the  Closing  Date  or (B) in  connection  with  the
                  transfer of the Shares;

                  (e) any claims against,  or liabilities or obligations of, the
                  Company with respect to  obligations  under Employee Plans not
                  specifically assumed by the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement.

10.02    Claims  for  Indemnification.   Whenever  any  claim  shall  arise  for
         indemnification under this Section 10, the Buyer or the Company, as the
         case may be, seeking  indemnification (the "Indemnified Party"),  shall
         promptly notify the Stockholders' Representative of the claim and, when
         known, the facts constituting the basis for such claim. In the event of
         any such  claim  for  indemnification  hereunder  resulting  from or in
         connection  with any claim or legal  proceedings by a third party,  the
         notice shall specify, if known, the amount or an estimate of the amount
         of the liability  arising  therefrom.  The Indemnified  Party shall not
         settle  or  compromise  any  claim  by a third  party  for  which it is
         entitled  to  indemnification   hereunder  without  the  prior  written
         consent,  which shall not be unreasonably  withheld or delayed,  of the
         Stockholders' Representative, who shall have the power and authority to
         bind all of the  Stockholders;  provided,  however,  that if suit shall
         have  been   instituted   against   the   Indemnified   Party  and  the
         Stockholders'  Representative shall not have taken control of such suit
         after  notification  thereof as  provided in  Subsection  10.03 of this
         Agreement,  the  Indemnified  Party  shall  have the right to settle or
         compromise   such  claim  upon  giving  notice  to  the   Stockholders'
         Representative as provided in Subsection 10.03. Any amount  recoverable
         hereunder  shall be the net amount of loss  suffered  after taking into
         account any benefits which the  Indemnified  Party may otherwise  enjoy
<PAGE>         
         relating   to  the   circumstances   giving   rise   to   such   claim.
         Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  Seller  shall  not  be  obligated  to
         indemnify  and hold the Buyer  harmless  for any such loss,  liability,
         damage,  or expense  unless (i) the  amount for which  indemnity  would
         otherwise  be due for any  single  item of loss,  liability,  damage or
         expense exceeds  Twenty-Five  Thousand Dollars  ($25,000),  or (ii) the
         total of all amounts for which indemnity would otherwise be due for all
         such single items exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).

10.03    Defense by the  Stockholders.  In  connection  with any claim which may
         give rise to, indemnity  hereunder resulting from or arising out of any
         claim or legal proceeding by a person other than the Indemnified Party,
         the Stockholders'  Representative,  at the sole cost and expense of the
         Stockholders, may, upon written notice to the Indemnified Party, assume
         the defense of any such claim or legal proceeding if the  Stockholders'
         Representative  acknowledges  to the  Indemnified  Party in writing the
         obligation of the Stockholders to indemnify the Indemnified  Party with
         respect  to  all   elements  of  such  claim.   If  the   Stockholders'
         Representative   assumes  the  defense  of  any  such  claim  or  legal
         proceeding,  the  Stockholders'  Representative  shall  select  counsel
         reasonably  acceptable to the Indemnified  Party to conduct the defense
         of such claims or legal proceedings and at the sole cost and expense of
         the  Stockholders  shall  take all steps  necessary  in the  defense or
         settlement thereof. The Stockholders'  Representative shall not consent
         to a settlement of, or the entry of any judgment arising from, any such
         claim or legal  proceeding,  without the prior  written  consent of the
         Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably  withheld or
         delayed).  The  Indemnified  Party shall be entitled to  participate in
         (but not control) the defense of any such action,  with its own counsel
         and at its own expense.  If the Stockholders'  Representative  does not
         assume the defense of any such claim or litigation  resulting therefrom
         within 30 days after the date such claim is made:  (a) the  Indemnified
         Party may defend  against such claim or litigation in such manner as it
         may deem  appropriate,  including,  but not limited to,  settling  such
         claim  or   litigation,   after  giving  notice  of  the  same  to  the
         Stockholders'  Representative,  on such terms as the Indemnified  Party
         may deem appropriate, and (b) the Stockholders' Representative shall be
         entitled  to  participate  in (but not  control)  the  defense  of such
         action, with its counsel and at its own expense. If the Stockholders or
         the Stockholders' Representative thereafter seek to question the manner
         in which the  Indemnified  Party defended such third party claim or the
         amount  or  nature  of any such  settlement,  the  Stockholders  or the
         Stockholders'  Representative  shall  have  the  burden  to  prove by a
         preponderance of the evidence that the Indemnified Party did not defend
         or settle such third party claim in a reasonably prudent manner.

10.04    Payment of Indemnification  Obligation. Each of the Stockholders hereby
         agrees that any claim for  indemnification by the Buyer, or the Company
         (if the  Closing  occurs),  under  this  Section  10 or under any other
         provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation, Subsections
         1.03,  1.04,  and 12.04 hereof,  may, at the option of the Buyer or the
         Company,  as the case may be, be offset against any amount remaining in
         the Reserve  Account  following any  adjustment  pursuant to Subsection
         1.04 hereof. All indemnification by the Stockholders  hereunder (to the
         extent  not  satisfied  in  the  manner   specified  in  the  preceding
         sentence),  and any  indemnification by the Company if the Closing does
         not  occur,  shall be  effected  by payment  of cash or  delivery  of a
         cashier's  or  certified  check in the  amount  of the  indemnification
         liability.

10.05    Survival   of   Representations;   Claims  for   Indemnification.   All
         representations and warranties made by the Stockholders and the Company
         in this  Agreement,  or in any  instrument  or  document  furnished  in
         connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby,
         shall survive the Closing and any investigation at any time made by
<PAGE>
         or on behalf of the  Indemnified  Party for a period of two years.  All
         such   representations  and  warranties  shall  expire  on  the  second
         anniversary  of the  Closing  Date,  except  for  claims,  if any,  (a)
         asserted in writing prior to such anniversary identified as a claim for
         indemnification  pursuant  to this  Section  10, or (b) which are based
         upon  fraud  by any of the  Stockholders,  which  shall  survive  until
         finally resolved and satisfied in full.

11.      Post-Closing Agreements.

         The Stockholders agree that from and after the Closing Date:

11.01    Proprietary Information.

                  (a) Each of the Stockholders and each of their affiliates (for
                  purposes  of this  section,  as such  term is  defined  in the
                  Securities  Act  of  1933,  as  amended,  and  the  rules  and
                  regulations   promulgated   thereunder)   (individually,    an
                  "Affiliate"  and  collectively  "Affiliates")  shall  hold  in
                  confidence  and  shall  use  their  best  efforts  to have all
                  officers,  directors  and  personnel  who  continue  after the
                  Closing  to  be  employed  by  any  such  Stockholder  or  any
                  Affiliate  thereof to hold in  confidence  all  knowledge  and
                  information of a secret or confidential nature with respect to
                  the  business of the Company and the  Subsidiaries  and not to
                  disclose,  publish or make use of the same without the consent
                  of the Buyer, except to the extent that such information shall
                  have  become  public  knowledge  other  than by breach of this
                  Agreement by the Stockholders.

                  (b) If (i) the  employment  of an  officer,  director or other
                  employee of a Stockholder  or any Affiliate  thereof,  to whom
                  secret or confidential knowledge or information concerning the
                  business  of  the  Company  or  the   Subsidiaries   has  been
                  disclosed,  is terminated and (ii) such  individual is subject
                  to an obligation to maintain such  knowledge or information in
                  confidence after such termination,  the Stockholders shall, up
                  request  by the  Buyer,  take  all  reasonable  steps at their
                  expense  to enforce  such  confidentiality  obligation  in the
                  event of an actual or  threatened  breach  thereof.  Any legal
                  counsel  retained by any such  Stockholder in connection  with
                  any  such  enforcement  or  attempted   enforcement  shall  be
                  selected  by such  Stockholder,  but shall be  subject  to the
                  approval   of  the  Buyer,   which   approval   shall  not  be
                  unreasonably withheld.

                  (c) Each  Stockholder  agrees  that the  remedy at law for any
                  breach of this  Subsection  11.01 would be inadequate and that
                  the Buyer shall be entitled to  injunctive  relief in addition
                  to any other  remedy it may have upon breach of any  provision
                  of this Subsection 11.01.

11.02    No  Solicitation or Hiring of Former  Employees.  Except as provided by
         law, for a period of 2 years after the Closing Date, no Stockholder nor
         any Affiliate  thereof shall (a) solicit any person who was an employee
         of either the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries on the date hereof or
         the Closing Date to terminate his employment with the Buyer (or the


<PAGE>



         Company or any of the Subsidiaries, as the case may be) or to become an
         employee of such  Stockholder or Affiliate,  or (b) hire any person who
         was such an employee on the date hereof or on the Closing Date.

11.03    Non-Competition Agreement.

                  (a) For a  period  of 5  years  after  the  Closing  Date,  no
                  Stockholder  nor any  Affiliate  thereof  shall,  except as an
                  officer or employee of the Company: (i) develop,  manufacture,
                  market or sell any product which competes with any existing or
                  proposed product  manufactured by either the Company or any of
                  the  Subsidiaries  on or prior to the  Closing  Date,  or (ii)
                  engage in any  business  competitive  with the business of the
                  Company or any of the  Subsidiaries  as  conducted on the date
                  hereof or on the  Closing  Date,  in the United  States or any
                  other country in which the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries
                  conducted  its  business  during  the two  years  prior to the
                  Closing Date.

                  (b) The parties  hereto agree that the duration and geographic
                  scope  of the  non-competition  provision  set  forth  in this
                  Subsection  11.03 are reasonable.  In the event that any court
                  of competent jurisdiction  determines that the duration or the
                  geographic  scope,  or both,  are  unreasonable  and that such
                  provision is to that extent unenforceable,  the parties hereto
                  agree that the provision shall remain in full force and effect
                  for the  greatest  time period and in the  greatest  area that
                  would not render it  unenforceable.  The  parties  intend that
                  this  non-competition  provision  is  essential to the bargain
                  between  the  parties  and  shall be  deemed to be a series of
                  separate covenants,  one for each and every county of each and
                  every state of the United States of America and each and every
                  political  subdivision  of each and every country  outside the
                  United Sates of America where this provision is intended to be
                  effective.   The  Stockholders   agree  that  damages  are  an
                  inadequate  remedy for any breach of this  provision  and that
                  the Buyer shall,  whether or not it is pursuing any  potential
                  remedies at law, be entitled to  equitable  relief in the form
                  of preliminary and permanent injunctions without bond or other
                  security  upon  any  actual  or  threatened   breach  of  this
                  non-competition provision.

12.      Termination of Agreement; Option to Proceed; Damages.

12.01    Termination by Lapse of Time.  This Agreement  shall  terminate at 5:00
         p.m., EST on March 15, 1997, if the  transactions  contemplated  hereby
         have not been consummated,  unless such date is extended by the written
         consent of the Company, the Buyer and the Stockholders'  Representative
         (whose consent shall bind each of the Stockholders).

12.02    Termination  by  Agreement  of  the  Parties.  This  Agreement  may  be
         terminated by the mutual written  agreement of the parties  hereto.  In
         the event of such  termination  by  agreement,  the Buyer shall have no
         further  obligation  or  liability to the  Stockholders  or the Company
         under  this  Agreement,  and the  Stockholders  shall  have no  further
         obligation or liability to the Buyer under this Agreement.


<PAGE>



12.03    Termination  by Reason of Breach.  This  Agreement may be terminated by
         the Stockholders, if at any time prior to the Closing there shall occur
         a breach of any of the representations,  warranties or covenants of the
         Buyer  or  the  failure  by the  Buyer  to  perform  any  condition  or
         obligation  hereunder,  and may be terminated  by the Buyer,  if at any
         time  prior to the  Closing  there  shall  occur a breach of any of the
         representations,  warranties  or  covenants  of the  Stockholders,  the
         Company or any of the  Subsidiaries or the failure of the  Stockholder,
         the  Company or any of the  Subsidiaries  to perform any  condition  or
         obligation hereunder (such a breach by the Stockholders, the Company or
         any of the  Subsidiaries  shall be referred to herein as a "Pre-Closing
         Breach").

12.04    Option to Proceed.

                  (a)  Notwithstanding a Pre-Closing Breach by the Stockholders,
                  the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries,  or the  inability of
                  the  Stockholders  to give title,  make  conveyance or deliver
                  possession  of any of the  Shares,  or to  satisfy  all of the
                  terms and conditions precedent to Closing as set forth in this
                  Agreement,  all as herein  stipulated,  the Buyer may elect by
                  written notice given to the Stockholders' Representative at or
                  prior  to  the  Closing  Date  either  to (i)  terminate  this
                  Agreement,  or (ii) extend the  scheduled  Closing  Date by 30
                  days,  during  which period the  Stockholders  shall use their
                  best efforts to remove all encumbrances, if any, not permitted
                  by the  terms of this  Agreement,  and  shall  use  reasonable
                  efforts to remove all other  defects in title,  and to deliver
                  possession and good,  clear and marketable title to the Shares
                  and to satisfy  all other  conditions  to closing as  provided
                  herein,  and to  make  the  assets  of  the  Company  and  the
                  Subsidiaries conform to the provisions herein, as the case may
                  be. If the  Stockholders  are unable,  upon expiration of such
                  30-day period, to remove all such encumbrances and defects and
                  to  satisfy  all such  conditions  to  Closing,  the Buyer may
                  elect,   by  written   notice   given  to  the   Stockholders'
                  Representative,  to (x)  terminate  this  Agreement,  (y) take
                  title to the  Shares,  or (z) extend the  Closing  Date for an
                  additional 30 days.

                  (b) If the  Buyer  elects to extend  the  Closing  Date for an
                  additional  30 days  pursuant to clause (z) of  paragraph  (a)
                  above, the Buyer and the Stockholders'  Representative  shall,
                  within the 30-day period  specified in clause (z) of paragraph
                  (a)  above,  agree upon the  amount of the  diminution  in the
                  value of the Shares being transferred to the Buyer as a result
                  of the  Pre-Closing  Breach or the cost to the Buyer of curing
                  such defect (the "Adjustment  Amount"),  and the Base Purchase
                  Price shall be reduced by the Adjustment Amount. The Buyer and
                  the Stockholders'  Representative shall use their best efforts
                  to agree upon the Adjustment Amount within such 30-day period;
                  provided,  however,  that if the Buyer  and the  Stockholders'
                  Representative  cannot agree upon the Adjustment Amount within
                  such 30-day period,  the Buyer may terminate this Agreement in
                  accordance with clause (i) of paragraph (a) above.

12.05    Availability of Remedies at Law.  In the event this Agreement is 
         terminated by the Buyer


<PAGE>



         or the Stockholders, pursuant to the provisions of this Section 12, the
         parties  hereto shall have  available to them all remedies  afforded to
         them by applicable law.

13.      Governing  Law/Jurisdiction.  This  agreement  shall be governed by and
         construed in  accordance  with the laws of the State of  Michigan.  Any
         legal  proceedings  related  to this  Agreement  shall  be filed in and
         resolved  by the  federal  courts  of the State of  Michigan,  to whose
         jurisdiction the parties hereby consent.

14.      Brokers.

14.01    For the Stockholders, the Company and the Subsidiaries.  Each of the 
         Stockholders, the Company and the Subsidiaries represent and warrant 
         that, no person, firm or corporation has acted in the capacity of 
         broker or finder on its behalf to bring about the negotiation of
         this Agreement.  The Stockholders jointly and severally agree to 
         indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer against any claims or liabilities
         asserted against it by any person acting or claiming to act as a broker
         or finder on behalf of the Stockholders, the Company or the 
         Subsidiaries.

14.02    For  the  Buyer.  The  Buyer  agrees  to pay  all  fees,  expenses  and
         compensation  owed to any person,  firm or corporation who has acted in
         the  capacity  of broker or  finder  on its  behalf to bring  about the
         negotiation of this  Agreement.  The Buyer agrees to indemnify and hold
         harmless the  Stockholders  against any claims or liabilities  asserted
         against  it by any  person  acting  or  claiming  to act as a broker or
         finder on behalf of the Buyer.

15.      Notices.

         Any notices or other  communications  required or  permitted  hereunder
         shall be sufficiently  given if delivered  personally or sent by telex,
         federal  express,   registered  or  certified  mail,  postage  prepaid,
         addressed as follows or to such other  address of which the parties may
         have given notice:

           To the Buyer:

                                    BREED Technologies, Inc.
                                    5300 Old Tampa Highway
                                    Lakeland, FL  33811
                                    ATTN: General Counsel

          To the Stockholders: [c/o the Stockholders' Representative]:

                                    James Weber
                                    c/o McDowell Welch
                                    100 Regina St. South, Suite 290
                                    Waterloo, Ontario N2J 4P9



<PAGE>



         Unless otherwise specified herein, such notices or other communications
         shall be  deemed  received  (a) on the  date  delivered,  if  delivered
         personally,  or (b) three  business  days after being sent,  if sent by
         registered or certified mail.

16.      Successors and Assigns.

         This  Agreement  shall be binding  upon and inure to the benefit of the
         parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, except that
         the Buyer, on the one hand, and the  Stockholders,  the Company and the
         Subsidiaries,  on the  other  hand,  may not  assign  their  respective
         obligations  hereunder  without the prior written  consent of the other
         party; provided, however, that the Buyer may assign this Agreement, and
         its rights and obligations  hereunder,  to a subsidiary or Affiliate of
         the Buyer.  Any assignment in  contravention of this provision shall be
         void. No  assignment  shall release the Buyer,  the  Stockholders,  the
         Company or the Subsidiaries from any obligation or liability under this
         Agreement.

17.      Entire Agreement; Amendments; Attachments.

                  (a) This Agreement, all Schedules and Exhibits hereto, and all
                  agreements  and  instruments  to be  delivered  by the parties
                  pursuant  hereto  represent  the  entire   understanding   and
                  agreement  between  the  parties  hereto  with  respect to the
                  subject matter hereof and supersede all prior oral and written
                  and all  contemporaneous  oral  negotiations,  commitments and
                  understandings between such parties. The Buyer, by the consent
                  of its  Board of  Directors  or  officers  authorized  by such
                  Board, and the  Stockholders  holding a majority of the Shares
                  (who shall have the authority to bind all of the Stockholders)
                  may amend or modify this  Agreement,  in such manner as may be
                  agreed upon, by a written instrument executed by the Buyer and
                  such majority of the Stockholders.

                  (b) If the  provisions  of any  Schedule  or  Exhibit  to this
                  Agreement  are  inconsistent   with  the  provisions  of  this
                  Agreement,  the provisions of the Agreement shall prevail. The
                  Exhibits  and  Schedules  attached  hereto  or to be  attached
                  hereafter are hereby  incorporated  as integral  parts of this
                  Agreement.

18.      Severability.

         Any  provision  of  this  Agreement   which  is  invalid,   illegal  or
         unenforceable in any jurisdiction  shall, as to that  jurisdiction,  be
         ineffective   to  the  extent  of  such   invalidity,   illegality   or
         unenforceability,  without affecting in any way the remaining provision
         hereof in such jurisdiction or rendering that or any other provision of
         this  Agreement   invalid,   illegal  or  unenforceable  in  any  other
         jurisdiction.

19.      Investigation of the Parties.

         All representations and warranties contained herein which are made to 
         the best Knowledge  of a party  shall  require  that such party make  
         reasonable investigation  and  inquiry  with  respect  thereto  to  
         ascertain  the correctness and validity thereof.

20.      Expenses.

         Except as otherwise  expressly  provided herein,  the Buyer, on the one
         hand, and the Stockholders,  jointly and severally,  on the other hand,
         will pay all fees and expenses  (including,  without limitation,  legal
         and accounting  fees and expenses)  incurred by them in connection with
         the transactions  contemplated hereby. In no event will any of the fees
         or  expenses  incurred  in  connection  with  this  transaction  by the
         Stockholders or the Stockholders'  Representative,  including,  without
         limitation,  the fees and expenses of counsel to the  Stockholders,  be
         billed to or paid by the Company or any  Subsidiary.  Each  Stockholder
         shall be responsible for payment of all sales or transfer taxes arising
         out of the conveyance of the Shares owned by such Stockholder.

21.      Intentionally Omitted.

22.      Intentionally Omitted.
<PAGE>
23.      Section Headings.

         The section  headings are for the  convenience of the parties and in no
         way  alter,   modify,   amend,   limit,  or  restrict  the  contractual
         obligations of the parties.

24.      Counterparts.

         This  Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,  each of
         which shall be deemed to be an original,  but all of which shall be one
         and the same document.

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this  Agreement  has been duly  executed  by the
         parties hereto as of and on the date first above written.

         Witness:                            BREED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                                             By: /s/ Charles J. Speranzella, Jr.
                                                 Charles J. Speranzella, Jr.

                                                 /S/ George Chuchman
                                                 George Chuchman

                                                 /s/ James E. Weber
                                                 James E. Weber

                                                 /s/ Adrian Raetsen
                                                 Adrian Raetsen

                                                 /s/ Detlef Martell
                                                 Detlef Martell

                                             CARMADY HOLDINGS, LTD.

                                             By: /s/ Carole Epstein
                                                 Carole Epstein 

                                             By: /s/ Marvin Epstein
                                                 Marvin Epstein

                                             By: /s/ Wendy Katz
                                                 Wendy Katz

                                             R.A.M. HOLDINGS, INC.

                                             By: /S/ Roman Maksymiw
                                                 Roman Maksymiw

                                             By: /S/ Oksana Maksymiw
                                                 Oksana Maksymiw


<PAGE>
                              SCHEDULE 1.03

                       CONTINGENT SHARE PROCEEDS


It is the  intention of "Buyer" to pay to the  "Stockholders"  additional  share
proceeds of up to $5,000,000,  contingent upon the "Company" achieving specified
levels of financial  performance  for each of five  consecutive  12 month fiscal
periods commencing July 1, 1997.

For the purposes of the component of the "Agreement",  the following definitions
shall apply:

"Contribution  Margin after  Directs"  shall consist of "Sales Value" less "Base
Costs",  "Sales Costs",  "Direct  Labour",  and "Direct  Material"  based on the
consolidated financial records of BTI Investments Inc.

"Sales Values" consist of invoice amounts for third party sales and, in the case
of  internal  or  non-arms  length  sales,  an  imputed  value  consistent  with
comparable pricing for comparable product sold to external parties.

"Base  Cost"  consists  of the cost of  steering  wheel  bases and  other  major
components which are not subject to normal mark-up.

"Sales Cost" consists of sales  commissions costs for sales services rendered by
arms-length  independent  sales  agents and the cost of  incentive  or  discount
programs  impacting the "Sales Value" such as volume discounts,  long-term price
reduction programs, etc.

"Direct  Material"  consists of the material  purchase cost (excluding the "Base
Cost") as  determined in  accordance  with the methods  employed in prior fiscal
years.

"Direct Labour" consists of the cost of direct labour including benefits related
thereto as determined in  accordance  with the methods  employed in prior fiscal
years.

The following  represents the minimum financial  performance levels that must be
met for each of the  applicable  12 month  fiscal  periods as  indicated  in the
period end records:

                                     Minimum                         Annual
  12 Month                      "Contribution Margin           Contingent Share
  Fiscal Period                    After Directs"              Proceeds Earned

  June 30, 1998                      $44,000,000                     $  500,000
  June 30, 1999                      $48,400,000                     $  500,000
  June 30, 2000                      $53,240,000                     $1,000,000
  June 30, 2001                      $58,564,000                     $1,500,000
  June 30, 2002                      $64,420,000                     $1,500,000



<PAGE>



In each fiscal period that the minimum  "contribution  margin after  directs" is
met or exceeded,  the  corresponding  contingent share proceeds amount reflected
above will be accrued to the credit of the "Stockholders".


For the purposes of calculating the "contribution  margin after directs" for the
fiscal  periods  ending June 30, 2001 and June 30, 2002, the percentage of sales
cost,  direct  labour  and  material  to the sales  value  shall not  exceed the
percentage amounts actually experienced for each cost element for the year ended
June 3, 2000.  To the extent  that the actual  percentage  experienced  for each
category cost in 2001 or 2002 exceeds the category  percentages  experienced  in
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000, the actual excess cost so experienced would
be ignored for the purposes of the "contribution after directs"  calculation for
that particular year.

The total of the annual contingent share proceeds amounts earned will be paid to
the stockholders on or before September 1, 2002.

The ability for the company to meet the  performance  objectives  is  contingent
upon  continued  investments  in technology,  processes,  and  material/supplier
development in amounts  consistent  with prior years.  Breed warrants  continued
commitment to these practices provided historical practices continue to indicate
corresponding returns and reflect sound business practice.

The "Stockholders" will notify the "Buyer" promptly in writing of any investment
decision that, in the opinion of the  "Stockholders"  is inconsistent with prior
investment   practices  and  will  have  a  material   negative  impact  on  the
"Stockholders'" ability to meet the targeted minimums.

Any significant  changes directed by Breed in the corporate  operating structure
that has a material  negative  impact on the  "contribution  after  directs"  as
calculated  for any fiscal period,  will be quantified  and the mutually  agreed
upon impact will be adjusted accordingly.

To the extent that any such changes may have occurred,  it is the responsibility
of the  "Stockholders"  to notify the  "Buyer" of such  change and the  negative
impact  thereof on the  performance  in any fiscal  period within 90 days of the
applicable impacted period end.

The "Stockholders" will have the burden of establishing that investment decision
or change in corporate operating  structure did, in fact,  negatively affect the
"Stockholders'" ability to meet the minimums.

In  the  event  of  a  dispute  and/or  to  measure  performance   "Stockholders
Representative"  will be provided  reasonable  access to the "Company" books and
records for the purpose of establishing the "Stockholders" claim or compliance.

Any amounts paid pursuant to this element of the agreement  will be allocated to
the stockholders on the following basis:


<PAGE>



                     CONTINGENT SHARE PROCEEDS ALLOCATION

Payor                  Recipient            # of Shares                    %
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Redemption 1

BTI Investments        Adrian Raetsen       290                            .3
BTI Investments        Jim Weber            290                            .3
BTI Investments        RAM Holdings         2199                          2.2


Redemption 2

BTI Investments        Mondem                       16,522               16.9
BTI Investments        Adrian Raetsen                1,821                1.9
BTI Investments        1221049 Ontario Inc.          9,475                9.7
BTI Investments        Jim Weber                     1,620                1.7
BTI Investments        Ike T Inc.                    9,475                9.7
BTI Investments        RAM Holdings                  9,475                9.7
BTI Investments        George Chuchman              41,314               42.3
BTI Investments        Detlef Martell                2,842                2.9


Sale of Shares

Breed Canada           Adrian Raetsen                1,127                 1.2
Breed Canada           Jim Weber                     1,128                 1.2
                                                     -----                 ---
                                                    97,578               100.0
                                                    ======               =====



<PAGE>



                     AMENDMENT TO STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This Amendment to Stock Purchase  Agreement (the  "Amendment") is made as of the
25th day of  February,  1997 by and among  BREED  Technologies,  Inc.,  a United
States corporation, organized under the laws of the State of Delaware ("BREED"),
1224194 Ontario, Inc., an Ontario, Canada corporation, BTI Investments, Inc., an
Ontario,  Canada  corporation  ("BTI"),  the  Original  Stockholders  listed  on
Schedule I attached hereto, and the Successor Stockholders listed on Schedule I.

          Preliminary Statement

1.        BREED, BTI and the Original Stockholders entered into a Stock Purchase
          Agreement dated January 3, 1997 (the "Agreement").

2.        BREED, BTI and the Original Stockholders wish to amend the Agreement 
          to reflect certain agreements and understandings between the parties.

3.        BREED and the  Original  Stockholders  further  wish to assign
          their  interests to other  entities or  individuals,  without,
          however,  relieving  themselves of their respective rights and
          obligations under the Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth and other good
and  valuable  consideration,  the receipt and  sufficiency  of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1.        Throughout the Agreement, 1224194 Ontario, Inc. shall be deemed the 
          "Buyer" and the Successor Stockholders shall be deemed the 
          "Stockholders". Notwithstanding this change in designation, BREED 
          shall remain responsible for and be entitled to all of the rights, 
          responsibilities, liabilities and obligations of the Buyer under the 
          Agreement and the Original Stockholders shall remain responsible for 
          and be entitled to all of the rights, responsibilities, liabilities 
          and  obligations of the Stockholders under the Agreement according to
          their respective percentage ownership of BTI on January 3, 1997.

2.                Paragraph 1.01 is revised to read as follows:

                  1.01 Purchase of the Shares from the Stockholders.  Subject
                  to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the
                  closing of the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement
                  (the  "Closing"),   each  Stockholder  shall  sell,  transfer,
                  convey,  assign and deliver to the Buyer,  and the Buyer shall
                  purchase,  acquire  and accept  from each  Stockholder  either
                  directly  or  indirectly,  all of the Shares  and/or  interest
                  owned  by  such  Stockholder,   as  set  forth  opposite  each
                  Stockholder's   name  on  Schedule  I  attached  hereto.   The
                  consideration  shall be  allocated  to  discharge  shareholder
                  loans, purchase shares and to fund the redemption of Shares as
                  described in Schedule 1.01. At the Closing each


<PAGE>



                  Stockholder  shall,  to the extent  each  Stockholder  retains
                  Shares  at   Closing,   deliver  to  the  Buyer   certificates
                  evidencing the shares owned by such  Stockholder duly endorsed
                  in blank or with stock powers duly executed by such 
                  Stockholder.

2.        Paragraph 1.03 (b) (i) is revised to read as follows:

                                            (i)      the   total  sum  of  Sixty
                                                     Seven  Million Five Hundred
                                                     Thousand            Dollars
                                                     $67,500,000   by  check  or
                                                     wire       transfer      of
                                                     immediately available funds
                                                     to be distributed according
                                                     to Exhibit 1.01.

3.        Paragraph 1.04 (a) is revised by substituting the following for the 
          last sentence of this subparagraph:

                                            The Closing  Balance  Sheet shall be
                                            prepared    in    accordance    with
                                            generally    accepted     accounting
                                            principles applied consistently with
                                            the Company's  past practice (to the
                                            extent that such past  practice  was
                                            in   accordance    with    generally
                                            accepted   accounting   principles),
                                            without any  adjustments  applicable
                                            solely    as   a   result   of   the
                                            acquisition  of  the  Shares  by the
                                            Buyer on the Closing  Date,  or as a
                                            result  of  the  redemption  of  the
                                            Shares  by  the   Company   and  the
                                            related   repayment  of  Stockholder
                                            loans and shall be certified without
                                            qualification   by   the   Company's
                                            Auditor.

4.        Paragraph 1.06 (b) is revised by adding the following subsection (v):

          (v) to represent  Stockholders  in all  post-closing  matters,
          including  the  settlement of the Escrow  Account  established
          pursuant to paragraph 1.03(b)(ii).

5.        Paragraph 3.05 is revised to reflect that the date of the Interim 
          Balance Sheet shall be November 23, 1996.

6.        Paragraph 3.09 is revised to reflect that a Schedule of Personal 
          Property shall not be required to be attached to the Agreement.  
          In all other respects, the Paragraph shall remain in effect.

7.        Paragraph 3.13 is revised to reflect that a Schedule of Inventory is 
          not required to be attached to the Agreement.  In all other respects,
          the Paragraph shall remain in effect.

8.        Paragraph 3.14 is revised to reflect that a Schedule of Accounts 
          Receivable is not required to be attached to the Agreement.  In all 
          other respects, the Paragraph shall remain in effect.

9.        Paragraph 3.18 is revised as follows:


<PAGE>



                  a. The first sentence of this paragraph is revised to read as
                     follows:

                     3.18 Compliance with Agreements and Laws.
                     Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.18, the Company and the
                     Subsidiaries each have all requisite

                                            licenses,  permits and certificates,
                                            including environmental,  health and
                                            safety permits, from federal,  state
                                            and local  authorities  necessary to
                                            conduct  their  respective  business
                                            and own and operate their respective
                                            assets      (collectively,       the
                                            "Permits").

                  b. The second sentence of this paragraph is deleted in its
                  entirety.

10.               The heading of Paragraph 3.32 is revised to read :

                  Conditions  Existing  as of November 23, 1996.

11.               Paragraph  4.01 is revised  to reflect  that the Buyer is duly
                  organized,  validly  existing and in good  standing  under the
                  laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada.

12.               Paragraph 4.02 is deleted in its entirety.

13.               Paragraph 4.04 is revised to add the following:

                  Buyer has filed a  notification  with the Federal  Competition
                  Commission of the Mexican  government  but will not, as of the
                  date of closing, have received approval.

14.               The preparatory language of Paragraph 6.02 is revised to read 
                  as follows:

                  6.02     Absence of Material Changes.  Except as set forth in
                  Paragraph 6.03, without the prior written consent of
                  the Buyer, neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries 
                  shall:

15.               Paragraph 6.03 is revised as follows:

                  6.03     Transaction Structure. At the request of the Original
                  Stockholders the form of the transaction and the
                  payment of consideration shall follow that described
                  in Schedule 1.01.

16.               Paragraph 9.03 is revised to add the following preparatory 
                  language:

                                            With the  exception  of the approval
                                            of the Mexican  Federal  Competition
                                            Commission, ...

17.               Paragraph 10.01 is revised to add the following subparagraphs:



<PAGE>



                                         (f) the Stockholders'  restructuring
                                         of the sales  transaction  from that
                                         originally     contemplated,      as
                                         referenced  in  paragraph  6.03  and
                                         described  in  Schedule  1.01 net of
                                         amounts  specifically  set  aside to
                                         fund an obligation.

                  (g) the litigation matter identified in Schedule 3.07 entitled
                  Salazar and Salazar, et als (Cause No. 97-01-86A) as it may
                  be amended from time to time.

18.               Paragraph 10.02 is revised as follows:

                  a. The entire paragraph, excluding the final sentence shall be
                     re-numbered as subparagraph (a).

                  b. The final sentence shall be revised to read as follows:

                     (b)      Except as provided in subparagraphs (c) below, the
                     Stockholders shall not be obligated to indemnify and
                     hold the Buyer harmless for any such loss, liability,
                     damage or expense unless (i) the amount for which
                     indemnity would otherwise be due for any single
                     item of loss, liability, damage or expense exceeds
                     Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000), or (ii) the
                     total of all amounts for which indemnity would
                     otherwise be due for all such single items exceeds
                     One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).

                  c. The following two subparagraphs shall be added:

                     (c)  the minimum thresholds of paragraph 10.02 (b) shall
                     not apply to the indemnification obligation of
                     paragraph 10.01(f).

                     (d) With    regard    to    the indemnification  obligation
                     of paragraph 10.01(g),  the Stockholders'    obligation
                     shall  exist  only  to  the extent    the     Company's
                     liability  for this  matter(through settlement, judgment 
                     or otherwise)exceeds  $500,000 over any insurance coverage.

19. Paragraph 10.04 is revised to add the following to the end of the paragraph:

                                            Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  any
                                            indemnification  obligation  for tax
                                            liabilities which extends beyond two
                                            years  from  Closing  may be  offset
                                            against any  amounts  owed under the
                                            Earn  Out  referenced  in  Paragraph
                                            1.03 (a) (ii).



<PAGE>



20. Paragraph 10.05 is revised to add the following to the end of the paragraph:

                                            Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the
                                            Buyer shall have four years from the
                                            Closing   to   assert   claims   for
                                            indemnification   relating   to  tax
                                            liability  in excess  of  reasonable
                                            provisions    established   in   the
                                            closing  balance  sheet  prepared in
                                            accordance  with Generally  Accepted
                                            Accounting Principles.

21. By signing this Amendment, BTI hereby ratifies its Agreement to be bound by
    the terms and conditions of the Agreement.

22. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which
    shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall be one and the 
    same document.

Except as set forth above, all other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect.


<PAGE>



IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  this Amendment has been duly executed by the parties hereto
as of and on the date first above written.


Witness:                            BREED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                                    By:  /s/ Stuart D. Boyd
                                         Stuart D. Boyd

                                    BTI INVESTMENTS, INC.

                                    By:  /s/ James E. Weber
                                         James E. Weber

                                    1224194 ONTARIO, INC.
                            
                                    By:  /s/ Stuart D. Boyd
                                         Stuart D. Boyd

                                        /s/ George Chuchman
                                         George Chuchman
                                         (as Original and Successor Stockholder)

                                         /s/ James E. Weber
                                         James E. Weber
                                         (as Original and Successor Stockholder)

                                         /s/ Adrian Raetsen
                                         Adrian Raetsen 
                                         (as Original and Successor Stockholder)

                                         /s/ Detlef Martell
                                         Detlef Martell 
                                         (as Original and Successor Stockholder)

<PAGE>

                                    R.A.M. HOLDINGS INC.
                                    (As Original and Successor Stockholder)

                                    By: /s/ Roman Maksymiw
                                        Roman Maksymiw

                                      
                                   MONDEM HOLDINGS LIMITED
                                   (formerly known as Carmady Holdings Ltd.)
                                   (As Original and Successor Stockholder)


                                   By: /s/ Marvin Epstein
                                       Marvin Epstein


                                   IKE T. INC.

                                   By: /s/ James E. Weber
                                       James E. Weber


                                   1221049 ONTARIO INC.

                                   By: /s/ Adrian Raetsen
                                       Adrian Raetsen


<PAGE>


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