ALLTRISTA CORP
8-K/A, 1999-06-10
COATING, ENGRAVING & ALLIED SERVICES
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
- ---------------------------

FORM 8-K/A

AMENDMENT TO APPLICATION OR REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12, 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report: June 10, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                     <C>                           <C>
Alltrista Corporation
- ---------------------

Indiana                                 0-21052                       35-1828377
State of Incorporation                  Commission File Number        IRS Identification Number

5875 Castle Creek Parkway, North
Drive, Suite 440
Indianapolis, IN 46250

Registrant's telephone number,
including area code: (317) 577-5000
- -----------------------------------
</TABLE>




<PAGE>

Amendment No. 1

     The undersigned  registrant  hereby amends and restates in its entirety the
Form 8-K filed by it on June 4, 1999.  This  Amendment is filed pursuant to Rule
103 of  Regulation  S-T of the  Securities  Act of 1933  due to an  error in the
electronic  filing  resulting  from  electronic  transmission  errors beyond the
control of the filer. The wrong text was included in the Form 8-K electronically
submitted on June 4, 1999.

Item 2.  Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

     Effective  May  24,  1999,  Alltrista  Plastics   Corporation   ("Alltrista
Plastics"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Alltrista Corporation,  sold the assets
of its  plastic  packaging  operation  to  Spartech  Plastics,  Inc.  ("Spartech
Plastics"),  a subsidiary of Spartech  Corporation,  for $28.7 million cash plus
assumption by Spartech  Plastics of certain  liabilities of Alltrista  Plastics.
The purchase price is subject to post-closing  adjustment  based upon actual net
working capital as of the closing date.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

     (c)  Exhibit 2.1  Asset  Purchase Agreement dated May 4, 1999 (exclusive of
                       schedules referred to in the agreement)

          Exhibit 2.2  First Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement dated May 21,
                       1999



<PAGE>


SIGNATURES

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

                            ALLTRISTA CORPORATION
                            (Registrant)




                            By: /s/ Kevin D. Bower
                               -----------------------------------------------
                               Kevin D. Bower
                               Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                               June 10, 1999

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLTRISTA CORPORATION
FORM 8-K/A
EXHIBIT INDEX

<S>               <C>                                                   <C>
Exhibit           Description                                           Page

Ex 2.1            Asset Purchase Agreement dated                         4
                  May 4, 1999

   2.2            First Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement           51
                  dated May 21, 1999

</TABLE>

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

ALLTRISTA PLASTICS CORPORATION

AND

SPARTECH CORPORATION

MAY 4, 1999



<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<S>                                                                             <C>
                                                                                Page

ARTICLE I  DEFINITIONS............................................................5

         1.1      Definitions.....................................................5
         1.2      Index of Other Defined Terms....................................8

ARTICLE II  TRANSFER OF ASSETS....................................................9

         2.1      Purchase and Sale of Assets.....................................9
         2.2      Excluded Assets.................................................9
         2.3      Instruments of Transfer and Assignment..........................9
         2.4      Consents to Assignments........................................10
         2.5      Subsequent Documentation.......................................10

ARTICLE III  PURCHASE PRICE......................................................10

         3.1      Consideration, Payment.........................................10
         3.2      Adjustment.....................................................11
         3.3      Allocation of Consideration....................................12

ARTICLE IV  ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES............................................12

ARTICLE V  REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND
           AGREEMENTS OF SELLER..................................................12

         5.1      Disclosure Schedule............................................12
         5.2      Organization; Power............................................12
         5.3      Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws...........................13
         5.4      Authorization of Agreement.....................................13
         5.5      No Conflicts...................................................13
         5.6      Consents and Approvals.........................................13
         5.7      Financial Information..........................................13
         5.8      No Undisclosed Liabilities, Claims, Etc........................14
         5.9      Litigation.....................................................14
         5.10     Taxes..........................................................14
         5.11     Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable.......................15
         5.12     Inventory......................................................15
         5.13     Absence of Certain Changes or Events...........................15
         5.14     Contracts and Commitments......................................17
         5.15     OSHA, Environmental............................................17



<PAGE>



         5.16     Customers and Vendors..........................................18
         5.17     Books and Records..............................................19
         5.18     Employment Matters.............................................19
         5.19     Employee Benefits Plans........................................20
         5.20     Employees......................................................21
         5.21     Finder.........................................................21
         5.22     Sufficiency of Assets..........................................21
         5.23     Governmental Authorizations....................................22
         5.24     Compliance with Applicable Laws................................22
         5.25     Title to Assets, Absence of Liens and Encumbrances, Etc........22
         5.26     Intellectual Property..........................................22
         5.27     Real Property..................................................23
         5.28     Personal Property..............................................23
         5.29     Year 2000 Compliance.  ........................................23

ARTICLE VI   REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS OF BUYER

         6.1      Organization ..................................................24
         6.2      Authorization of Agreement.....................................24
         6.3      Approvals......................................................24
         6.4      Finder.........................................................25
         6.5      No Conflicts...................................................25
         6.6      Projections....................................................25
         6.7      Financial Condition............................................25

ARTICLE VII  COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES............................................25

         7.1      Operation Of Business Prior To Closing.........................25
         7.2      Approvals, Consents, Etc.......................................27
         7.3      Access Prior to Closing........................................27
         7.4      Seller's Employees, Retirement Benefits........................27
         7.5      Access After the Closing.......................................27
         7.6      Taxes..........................................................28
         7.7      No Solicitation................................................29
         7.8      Confidentiality................................................29
         7.9      Reassignment of Uncollected Receivables........................29
         7.10     Covenant Not to Compete........................................30

ARTICLE VIII  CLOSING............................................................31

         8.1      Closing........................................................31
         8.2      Buyer's Conditions to Closing..................................31
         8.3      Seller's Conditions to Closing.................................32

ARTICLE IX  DISPUTE RESOLUTION

         9.1      Initial Meeting................................................33
         9.2      Mediation......................................................34
         9.3      Binding Arbitration............................................34


<PAGE>



         9.4      Discovery......................................................34
         9.5      Expeditious Proceedings........................................34
         9.6      Attorneys' Fees................................................35
         9.7      Enforcement of Awards..........................................35
         9.8      Equitable Relief...............................................35

ARTICLE X  INDEMNIFICATION

         10.1     Indemnification by Seller......................................35
         10.2     Indemnification by Buyer.......................................35
         10.3     Limits.........................................................36
         10.4     Procedure......................................................36
         10.5     Exclusive Remedy...............................................37
         10.6     Insurance and Taxes............................................37

ARTICLE XI  TERMINATION

         11.1     Termination....................................................37
         11.2     Risk of Loss...................................................38

ARTICLE XII   GENERAL

         12.1     Expenses.......................................................38
         12.2     Survival of Representations and Warranties.....................38
         12.3     Updates to Schedules...........................................38
         12.4     Waivers........................................................38
         12.5     Binding Effect; Benefits; Assignment...........................39
         12.6     Notices........................................................39
         12.7     Entire Agreement...............................................40
         12.8     Headings.......................................................40
         12.9     Governing Law..................................................40
         12.10    Amendments.....................................................40
         12.11    Severability...................................................40
         12.12    Press Releases.................................................40
         12.13    Counterparts...................................................41
         12.14    Interpretation.................................................41


<PAGE>



ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT


     This ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the  "Agreement"),  dated as of May 4, 1999,
is  entered  into by and  between  ALLTRISTA  PLASTICS  CORPORATION,  an Indiana
corporation (the "Seller") and SPARTECH CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the
"Buyer").

RECITALS:

     WHEREAS,   Alltrista  Plastic  Packaging  Company,  a  division  of  Seller
("APPC"),  is engaged in the business of producing  co-extruded  plastic barrier
roll stock and plastic formed  containers from such roll stock for human and pet
foods applications (the "Business");

     WHEREAS,  Seller  desires  to sell to Buyer the  assets of APPC used in the
Business pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

     WHEREAS,  Buyer desires to purchase from Seller such assets and  properties
used in the Business pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

AGREEMENT:

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the premises and mutual  agreements
hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

     1.1  Definitions.  As used herein,  the following  terms have the following
meanings:

     "Accounts  Receivable" means Seller's  accounts  receivable in existence on
the Closing Date.

     "Closing Approvals" means those approvals and consents to be obtained prior
to  Closing,  all of  which  are  designated  on  Sections  5.5  and  5.6 of the
Disclosure  Schedule as  exceptions  to the  representations  and  warranties of
Seller in Section 5.5. and 5.6 hereof.

     "Confidential Information" means non-public information that is proprietary
to, about or concerning  the Business  and/or the Assets the disclosure of which
would have a Material  Adverse Effect.  Confidential  Information  shall include
information  relating to customer  lists,  account lists,  price lists,  product
designs,  marketing  plans  or  proposals,  customer  information,   accounting,
financing, merchandising, know how, trademarks, trade names, trade practices and
trade secrets.

     "Current Assets" means Accounts Receivable (net of reserves) plus Inventory
plus other current assets of Seller related to the Business.


<PAGE>



     "Current  Liabilities"  means  Seller's  accounts  payable  related  to the
Business  plus accrued  salaries and benefits of Seller's  employees  associated
with the  Business  plus  other  current  liabilities  of Seller  related to the
Business.

     "Environmental  Conditions"  means the state of the environment,  including
soil,  surface  water,  ground water,  any present or potential  drinking  water
supply, subsurface strata or ambient air, relating to or arising out of the use,
handling storage,  treatment,  recycling generation,  transportation,  spilling,
leaking, pumping, pouring, injecting, emptying, discharging, emitting, escaping,
leaching,  dumping,  disposal,  release,  or  threatened  release  of  Hazardous
Substances.

     "Environmental Laws" means any applicable laws (including duties imposed by
common law), rules, regulations,  orders,  ordinances,  judgments and decrees of
all  governmental  authorities  relating to the  environment,  including but not
limited to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act of 1980, as amended  ("CERCLA")  (42 U.S.C.  Sections  9601,  et seq.),  the
Emergency  Planning  and  Community  Right-to-Know  Act of 1986,  as amended (42
U.S.C.  ss.  11001 et seq.),  the  Hazardous  Materials  Transportation  Act, as
amended  (49 U.S.C.  Section  1801,  et seq.),  the  Resource  Conservation  and
Recovery Act, as amended (42 U.S.C.  Sections 6901, et seq.),  the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act, as amended (33 U.S.C.  Sections 1251, et seq.), the Clean
Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C.  Sections  7401, et seq.),  the Toxic  Substances
Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. Sections 2601, et seq.), the Clean Water Act,
as amended (33 U.S.C.  Sections 1251, et seq.), OSHA and similar state and local
laws and any regulations issued in connection with the foregoing.

     "Estimated Net Working  Capital" means an amount equal to One Million Three
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,300,000).

     "Excluded  Records"  means  any tax  analysis  and  work  papers  and  core
corporate records, including Seller's minute books.

     "Hazardous  Substances" means asbestos,  solvents,  pollutants,  chemicals,
flammables,  contaminants,  gasoline, petroleum products, crude oil, explosives,
radioactive materials,  hazardous materials or toxic materials,  substances,  or
wastes, or polychlorinated biphenyls.

     "HSR Act" means the Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended to date.

     "Intellectual  Property"  means all United  States and foreign  patents and
patent applications (whether utility, design, or plant product),  registered and
unregistered  trademarks,  service marks, trade names, logos,  brands,  business
identifiers,  private labels, trade dress (including all goodwill and reputation
symbolized by any of the foregoing), rights of publicity,  processes, industrial
designs,  inventions,  registered  and  unregistered  copyrights  and  copyright
applications, product formulas, know-how, and trade secrets, and all rights with
respect to the  foregoing,  and all other  proprietary  rights that Seller owns,
licenses,  or  possesses  the right to use with  respect to the Assets or in the
conduct of the Business.


<PAGE>

     "Inventory" means all inventory, work in progress, raw materials,  finished
products,  supplies,  packaging and shipping  containers and materials of Seller
(on-site,  off-site and consigned),  and all rights to customer-owned  inventory
(e.g., regrind material), as of the Closing Date.

     "Knowledge"  or "best  knowledge"  or "known"  or the like,  when used with
respect to Seller,  means the actual knowledge of Robert Burt, Tom Clark,  Kevin
Bower, Tim Sigley and Dave Gorenc.

     "Material  Adverse  Effect" means a material  adverse effect on the Assets,
operations,  business,  competitive  position  or  financial  condition  of  the
Business.

     "Net Working Capital" means Current Assets minus Current Liabilities.

     "OSHA" means the  Occupational  Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C.  ss.651 et
seq., as amended.

     "Permitted  Encumbrances"  means  any  encumbrance  set  forth on  Schedule
1.1(b).

     "Permitted  Liens" means the liens set forth on Schedule 1.1(c),  liens for
taxes or governmental assessments, charges or claims the payment of which is not
yet due,  statutory  liens of  landlords  and liens of  carriers,  warehousemen,
mechanics,  materialmen  and other  similar  persons and other liens  imposed by
applicable  law  incurred in the  ordinary  course of business  for sums not yet
delinquent or immaterial in amount and being contested in good faith,  and liens
constituting or securing executory obligations under any lease.  Permitted Liens
shall also include Permitted Encumbrances.

     "Person" means any  individual,  corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,
association,   limited  liability  company,  joint  stock  company,   trust,  or
unincorporated  association,  or any governmental agency,  officer,  department,
commission, board, bureau or instrumentality thereof.

     "Post-Closing  Tax Period" means any tax period (or portion thereof) ending
after the Closing Date.

     "Pre-Closing  Tax Period" means any tax period (or portion  thereof) ending
on or before the close of business on the Closing Date.

     "Real  Property" means the real property owned by Seller and related to the
Business which is located at the locations set forth on Schedule 1.1(d) hereto.

     "Taxes" means all federal, state, local, or foreign taxes (including excise
taxes, occupancy taxes, employment taxes,  unemployment taxes, ad valorem taxes,
custom duties,  transfer taxes, and fees), levies,  imposts, fees,  impositions,
assessments,  or other governmental  charges of any nature imposed upon a Person
including  all taxes or  governmental  charges  imposed upon any of the personal
properties,  real properties,  tangible or intangible assets, income,  receipts,
payrolls,  transactions, stock transfers, capital stock, net worth or franchises
of a Person (including all sales, use, withholding or other taxes which a Person
is  required  to collect  and/or pay over to any  government),  and all  related
additions to tax, penalties or interest thereon.


<PAGE>

     "Tax  Returns"  means any  return,  report,  information  return,  or other
document (including any related or supporting  information) filed or required to
be filed with any governmental agency, department, commission, board, bureau, or
instrumentality in connection with the determination, assessment, collection, or
administration of any Taxes.

     1.2 Index of Other Defined Terms.  In addition to terms defined above,  the
following terms shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Sections
set forth below:


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          <S>                                                 <C>
          Defined Term                                        Section
          ------------                                        -------

          Aggregate Consideration                             3.1
          Agreement                                           Preamble
          APPC                                                Recitals
          Assets                                              2.1
          Assumed Liabilities                                 4
          Basket                                              10.3
          Benefit Plan                                        5.19
          Business                                            Recitals
          Business Employees                                  5.18
          Buyer                                               Preamble
          Cap                                                 10.3
          CERCLA                                              1.1
          Claims                                              10.1
          Closing                                             8.1
          Closing Date                                        8.1
          Closing Date Statement                              3.2
          Contracts                                           5.14
          Code                                                3.3
          Customers                                           5.16
          Disclose                                            7.8
          Disclosure Schedule                                 5.1
          Drop Dead Date                                      11.1
          ERISA                                               5.19
          Excluded Assets                                     2.2
          Financial Information                               5.7
          Information                                         7.8
          Indemnifying Party                                  10.4


<PAGE>



          Indemnified Party                                   10.4
          Intellectual Property                               5.26
          Material Adverse Change                             8.2(k)
          Minimum Claim                                       10.3
          Notice of Dispute                                   9.1
          Physical Inventory                                  3.2
          Plan                                                5.19
          Purchase Price                                      3.1
          Section 10.1 Indemnified Parties                    10.1
          Section 10.2 Indemnified Parties                    10.2
          Receivables Basket                                  10.3
          Seller                                              Preamble
          Statement of Objections                             3.2
          Transferred Employees                               7.6
          Vendors                                             5.16
</TABLE>


ARTICLE II

TRANSFER OF ASSETS

     2.1 Purchase and Sale of Assets. At the Closing and on the Closing Date, on
the terms and conditions set forth herein,  Seller shall sell, assign,  transfer
and deliver to Buyer and Buyer shall  purchase  from Seller all of the Assets of
the  Business  free and clear of all liens,  encumbrances,  security  interests,
options,  pledges  of any  kind  whatsoever,  except  for  Permitted  Liens  and
Permitted  Encumbrances other than the Excluded Assets and Excluded Records. The
assets,  properties and rights to be sold by Seller and purchased by Buyer under
this Agreement (collectively, the "Assets") are set forth on Schedule 2.1.

     2.2 Excluded Assets.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Assets shall not
include  the items set forth on Schedule  2.2  attached  hereto  (the  "Excluded
Assets").

     2.3  Instruments  of Transfer  and  Assignment.  On the Closing Date Seller
shall  deliver or cause to be  delivered to Buyer duly  executed  bills of sale,
deeds  (which,  with respect to the Real  Property  owned by Seller,  shall be a
limited  warranty  deed),  licenses and such other  instruments  of transfer and
assignment as may be necessary to vest in Buyer,  subject to Section 2.4 and the
Assumed  Liabilities,  good and valid title to, and all of Seller's right, title
and interest in and to, the Assets,  free and clear of all liens,  encumbrances,
options  and  pledges  of any kind  other  than  Permitted  Liens and  Permitted
Encumbrances and except as noted herein and the Schedules hereto, which bills of
sale, deeds,  licenses and other instruments of transfer and assignment shall be
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer.


<PAGE>

     2.4 Consents to Assignments.  Nothing in this Agreement or the documents to
be executed  and  delivered  at the  Closing  shall be deemed to  constitute  an
assignment  or an attempt to assign any permit,  contract or other  agreement to
which Seller is a party, if the attempted assignment thereof without the consent
of the other party to such permit,  contract or other agreement would constitute
a breach  thereof or affect in any way the rights of Seller  thereunder.  If any
such  consent  shall  not be  obtained  at or  prior  to the  Closing,  or if an
attempted  assignment  would be ineffective or would  adversely  affect Seller's
rights  thereunder,   Seller  shall  cooperate  in  any  arrangement  Buyer  may
reasonably request (provided that the payment of money to any party shall not be
required) to provide for Buyer the benefits under such permit, contract or other
agreement.

     2.5 Subsequent  Documentation.  At any time and from time to time after the
Closing  Date,  Seller shall,  upon the request and expense of Buyer,  and Buyer
shall, upon the request and expense of Seller,  promptly  execute,  acknowledge,
and deliver, or cause to be executed,  acknowledged, and delivered, such further
instruments  and other  documents,  and  perform or cause to be  performed  such
further acts, as may be reasonably  required to evidence or effectuate the sale,
conveyance,  transfer,  assignment,  and delivery  hereunder of the Assets,  the
assumption by Buyer of the Assumed  Liabilities,  the performance by the parties
of any of their other respective obligations under this Agreement,  and to carry
out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

ARTICLE III

PURCHASE PRICE

     3.1 Consideration, Payment.

     (a) Subject to adjustments  provided in Section 3.2, the cash consideration
to be paid by  Buyer  to  Seller  for  the  Assets  is  Thirty  Million  Dollars
($30,000,000) (the "Purchase Price").

     (b) The Purchase  Price shall be paid at Closing in  immediately  available
funds.

     (c) The Purchase Price is in addition to all liabilities and obligations of
Seller to be assumed by Buyer pursuant to Article IV. Such Assumed  Liabilities,
together with the Purchase Price, are collectively referred to as the "Aggregate
Consideration".
<PAGE>

     3.2 Adjustment.

     (a) Not more than sixty (60) days following the Closing Date,  Seller shall
deliver to Buyer an unaudited  statement  as of the Closing  Date (the  "Closing
Date Statement")  that sets forth the actual Net Working Capital  transferred on
the Closing Date and the Assumed Liabilities as of the Closing Date. The Closing
Date Statement shall be prepared  consistent with generally accepted  accounting
principles and the accounting methods used to prepare the Financial  Information
and the line items presented therein.

     (b)  During  the  two  days   immediately   following   the  Closing  Date,
representatives  of Buyer shall perform an actual  physical  inventory count and
valuation of each item of Inventory (the "Physical  Inventory")  for purposes of
establishing  the  valuation of Inventory to be used in the  calculation  of Net
Working  Capital.  The  Physical  Inventory  shall be  performed in all respects
consistent  with Seller's past practices  which  practices are  consistent  with
generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  Representatives of Seller shall be
allowed to attend the  Physical  Inventory  and  participate  in  verifying  and
reviewing  the count and  valuation of all items.  Each party shall bear its own
costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Physical Inventory.

     (c) Upon  receipt  of the  Closing  Date  Statement,  Buyer (and at Buyer's
expense, its independent certified public accountants) shall be permitted during
the succeeding 30 day period to examine,  and Seller shall make  available,  the
books and records relied upon by Seller in preparing the Closing Date Statement.
As promptly as  practicable,  and in no event later than the last day of such 30
day period,  Buyer shall either  inform  Seller in writing that the Closing Date
Statement is acceptable or object to the Closing Date Statement by delivering to
Seller a written  statement  setting  forth a  specific  description  of Buyer's
objection to the Closing Date  Statement  (the  "Statement of  Objections")  and
Buyer's calculation of any disputed amounts.

     (d) If Buyer shall fail to deliver a Statement of Objections within such 30
day period,  the Closing Date Statement shall be deemed to have been accepted by
Buyer. If a Statement of Objections is delivered, Buyer and Seller shall attempt
in good faith to resolve any dispute  within 30 days after  delivery.  If Seller
and Buyer are unable to  resolve  the  dispute  within  such 30 days,  Buyer and
Seller shall engage an accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Buyer and Seller
to resolve  any  unresolved  objections.  The fees of such firm shall be paid by
Seller if Buyer's  calculation of disputed amounts as set forth in the Statement
of Objections is closer to such accountant's  final  determination than Sellers'
determination,  and  otherwise  such fees  shall be paid by Buyer.  Such  firm's
resolution of the dispute  shall be conclusive  and binding upon the parties and
nonappealable  and shall not be  subject  to further  review  under the  dispute
resolution provisions of Article IX.

     (e) If Net Working Capital on the Closing Date Statement (after  resolution
of all disputes related thereto)  exceeds  Estimated Net Working Capital,  Buyer
shall pay Seller the  difference  between Net Working  Capital and Estimated Net
Working Capital. If Estimated Net Working Capital exceeds Net Working Capital on
the Closing Date Statement (after  resolution of all disputes related  thereto),
Seller shall pay Buyer the difference  between Estimated Net Working Capital and
Net Working Capital.  The amount of any payment  hereunder shall be increased by
an interest factor,  equal to the reference rate publicly announced by U.S. Bank
(or other  major  financial  institution  agreed by the  parties) on the Closing
Date. Such interest shall accrue from the Closing Date through and including the
date such payment is made, with such prime rate being compounded annually.  Such
payments shall be made in immediately available funds within five (5) days after
deemed  acceptance  of or  resolution  of disputes  related to the Closing  Date
Statement.


<PAGE>

     3.3 Allocation of Consideration.  Within 60 days after Closing,  Seller and
Buyer shall  agree upon  allocation  of the  Aggregate  Consideration  among the
Assets.  Buyer and Seller  shall file,  in  accordance  with Section 1060 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") an Asset Allocation Statement on Form
8594 which reflects such  allocation  with its federal income tax return for the
tax year in which the Closing  Date occurs and shall  contemporaneously  provide
the other party with a copy of the Form 8594 being filed.  Each party agrees not
to assert, in connection with any tax return, audit or other similar proceeding,
any  allocation  of  the  Aggregate   Consideration   which  differs  from  such
allocation.

ARTICLE IV

ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES

     Buyer agrees to assume or discharge  the  liabilities  and  obligations  of
Seller  set forth on  Schedule 4 (the  "Assumed  Liabilities")  for which  Buyer
agrees to be solely  responsible.  Seller shall pay and be  responsible  for any
liabilities  or  obligations  of Seller arising from or relating to the Business
which are not Assumed  Liabilities.  Any payroll-related  Assumed Liabilities on
the books of Seller at Closing may, at Buyer's option,  be paid by Seller (under
Seller's tax  identification  number) and reimbursed to Seller by Buyer on terms
reasonably acceptable to Seller;  provided that Seller shall reimburse Buyer for
any  damages  suffered  by Buyer as a result of  Seller's  failure to timely and
fully pay such Assumed Liabilities, without regard to the Basket.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS OF SELLER

     Seller hereby  represents and warrants to and agrees with Buyer as follows,
all of which representations,  warranties and agreements are made as of the date
of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date:

     5.1  Disclosure  Schedule.  The  disclosure  schedule  attached  hereto  as
Schedule  5.1  (the  "Disclosure  Schedule")  is  divided  into  sections  which
correspond  to the  Sections  of this  Agreement.  Any  item  on the  Disclosure
Schedule shall be considered an exception to all  representations and warranties
even if not specifically cross referenced or referred to herein or therein.

     5.2 Organization; Power. Seller is a corporation duly organized and validly
existing  under the laws of the State of  Indiana.  Seller  is  qualified  to do
business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character and
location of the Assets or the nature of the  Business  makes such  qualification
necessary or the failure to qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect. Seller
has the requisite  corporate power and authority to own or lease and operate the
Assets and conduct the Business and to consummate the transactions  contemplated
hereby.


<PAGE>

     5.3 Articles of Incorporation  and Bylaws.  Seller has furnished Buyer with
(a) its  Articles of  Incorporation,  as amended to date and (b) its Bylaws,  as
amended to date. Such Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are in full force and
effect.

     5.4 Authorization of Agreement. The execution,  delivery and performance of
this  Agreement  by  Seller  has been  duly and  effectively  authorized  by all
necessary  corporate action of the part of Seller.  This Agreement  constitutes,
and the  documents  to be executed  at  Closing,  upon  execution  and  delivery
thereof, will constitute, valid and binding obligations of Seller enforceable in
accordance with their terms,  except that such enforcement may be limited by (a)
bankruptcy,  insolvency  or other  similar laws  affecting  the  enforcement  of
creditors' rights generally, and (b) general principles of equity, regardless of
whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law.

     5.5 No  Conflicts.  Except  as set  forth on the  Disclosure  Schedule,  to
Seller's knowledge, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by
Seller and consummation by Seller of the transactions  contemplated  hereby will
not,  with or without  the giving of notice or the lapse of time,  or both,  (a)
violate any  provision of law,  statute,  rule or  regulation to which Seller is
subject, (b) violate any judgment, order, writ or decree of any court applicable
to Seller,  (c) have any Material Adverse Effect on, or be a material  violation
of, any of the permits,  licenses, orders or approvals relating to the Business,
or (d)  result in a  material  breach of or  conflict  with any term,  covenant,
condition or provision of, result in a material  modification or termination of,
constitute a material  default under, or result in the creation or imposition of
any lien, security interest,  restriction, charge or encumbrance upon any of the
Assets (other than Permitted Liens and the Assumed Liabilities) pursuant to, the
Articles of  Incorporation  or Bylaws of Seller or any  commitment,  contract or
other  agreement or instrument to which Seller is a party or by which any of the
Assets are or may be bound or affected  or from which  Seller  derives  benefits
with respect to the Business.

     5.6 Consents and Approvals. Except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule,
no  permit,   application,   notice,   transfer,   consent,   approval,   order,
qualification,  waiver from,  or  authorization  of, or  declaration,  filing or
registration  with, any  governmental  authority is necessary in connection with
the execution and delivery by Seller of this  Agreement or the  consummation  by
Seller of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  and no  consent of any third
party is required to consummate any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

     5.7 Financial  Information.  Buyer has been provided with certain financial
information  of Seller  relating  to the  Business as of and for the years ended
December 31, 1998,  1997 and 1996 and for the quarter ended March 28, 1999 which
are attached to the Disclosure Schedule (the "Financial Information"). Except as
set  forth on the  Disclosure  Schedule,  the  Financial  Information  (a) is in
accordance  with the books and  records of Seller,  (b)  presents  fairly in all
material  respects  the  operations  and  financial  condition of Seller for the
periods and as of the dates indicated and (c) was derived from the  consolidated
financial  statements of Alltrista  Corporation which financial  statements were
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.


<PAGE>

     5.8 No Undisclosed  Liabilities,  Claims,  Etc.  Except as set forth on the
Disclosure  Schedule,  Seller has no  outstanding  liabilities  or  obligations,
whether  accrued,  absolute,  contingent or otherwise,  relating to the Business
except (i) to the extent  reflected  or taken into  account in  determining  net
worth in the most recent  balance  sheet for Seller  included  in the  Financial
Information  and  required to be accrued  under  generally  accepted  accounting
principles consistently applied; (ii) to the extent specifically set forth in or
incorporated by express reference in the Disclosure Schedule or any of the other
schedules or information  attached hereto;  (iii) normal liabilities incurred in
the ordinary course of business since December 31, 1998; (iv) the Contracts; and
(v) to the extent  there would be no Material  Adverse  Effect.  It is expressly
agreed  that  Buyer  shall have no claim for  breach of the  foregoing  warranty
related to an undisclosed  liability which is not assumed by Buyer under Article
IV, except as otherwise provided by Article X.

     5.9 Litigation. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, there is no
claim, action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, investigation or hearing or notice
of hearing pending or, to the best of Seller's  knowledge,  threatened,  against
Seller  relating  to the  Business  or any of the Assets or with  respect to the
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement.  No such  claim,  action,  suit,
proceeding,  arbitration,  investigation  or hearing will prevent the closing of
this Agreement or the consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby. There
are no  unsatisfied  judgments  against  Seller  relating to the Business or the
Assets.

     5.10 Taxes. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule,  (a) Seller has
prepared and filed, with the appropriate foreign,  federal,  state and local tax
authorities, all income, excise and other Tax Returns required to be filed by it
related to the  Business  as of the date  hereof,  and Seller has paid all Taxes
shown on such  returns  to be due or  which  have  become  due  pursuant  to any
assessments,  deficiency notice, 30 day letter or similar notice received by it;
(b) to Seller's  knowledge,  there are no claims pending or threatened for Taxes
against Seller  attributable to the Business in excess of the amounts  reflected
on the books and the Financial Information for such Taxes for Seller; (c) Seller
has  paid or  provided  adequate  reserves  for all  Taxes  attributable  to the
Business; (d) no deficiencies on Seller's Tax Returns or reports attributable to
or otherwise  allocable to the Business known to Seller have been  threatened in
writing as of the date hereof; and (e) Seller has made all withholding  required
to be made under all  applicable  federal,  state,  local and  foreign  laws and
regulations  with  respect to  compensation  paid to  employees  relating to the
Business and amounts  withheld have been  properly paid over to the  appropriate
authorities.


<PAGE>

     5.11 Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable.

     (a) All Accounts Receivable reflected on the Financial Information,  and to
be in existence on the Closing  Date,  represent  sales  actually made or leases
entered  into in the  ordinary  course of business  or valid  claims as to which
substantial performance has been rendered. Except as set forth in the Disclosure
Schedule  or to the  extent  reserved  against,  no  material  counterclaims  or
offsetting  claims  with  respect  to the  Accounts  Receivable  are  pending or
threatened.  The  listing of  Accounts  Receivable  attached  to the  Disclosure
Schedule is true and  correct  (including  the aging  thereon) as of the date of
preparation,  and no material change has occurred since the date of preparation,
except in the ordinary  course of business.  All such  Accounts  Receivable  are
collectible in the ordinary  course of business except to the extent of reserves
therefor as of the Closing  Date.  For purposes of  determining  collectability,
cash received from account debtors without  reference to specific  invoice shall
be applied to the oldest  outstanding  invoice to such account debtor,  unless a
bona fide dispute exists with respect to such invoice.

     (b) The accounts  payable of Seller  relating to the Business and reflected
on the Financial  Information  and to be in existence on the Closing Date arose,
or will arise,  from bona fide  transactions in the ordinary course of business,
and all such accounts payable either have been paid, are not yet due and payable
under Seller's  payment policies and procedures or are being contested by Seller
in good  faith.  The  listing of accounts  payable  attached  to the  Disclosure
Schedule  is true and  correct as of the date of  preparation,  and no  material
change has occurred since that date, except in the ordinary course of business.

     5.12  Inventory.  The Inventory is (a) except to the extent of normal scrap
quantities  incurred  in the  production  process  and  except to the  extent of
reserves therefor in the Financial Information,  salable or usable in the normal
course of the Business,  (b) at levels  consistent  with the ordinary  course of
business and consistent with past practices of the Business,  and (c) carried on
the books of Seller  pursuant  to the normal  inventory  valuation  policies  of
Seller, as reflected in the applicable Financial Information.

     5.13  Absence  of Certain  Changes  or  Events.  Except as set forth on the
Disclosure Schedule,  since December 31, 1998, Seller has conducted the Business
only in the ordinary  course and  consistent  with past practices and Seller has
not:

     (a) suffered any uninsured damage, destruction or loss of any of the Assets
in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000);

     (b) suffered any change in the financial condition of Seller related to the
Business  or  suffered  any other  event or  condition  of any  character  which
individually or in the aggregate had or has a Material Adverse Effect;


<PAGE>

     (c) paid,  discharged or satisfied any claims,  liabilities  or obligations
(absolute,  accrued,  contingent  or  otherwise)  of the Business  except in the
ordinary course of business;

     (d) waived any claims or rights of  substantial  value to Seller related to
the Business, except in each case in the ordinary course of business;

     (e)  pledged  or  permitted  the  imposition  of any  lien on  (other  than
Permitted Liens and the Assumed Liabilities) or sold,  assigned,  transferred or
otherwise  disposed of any of the Assets,  except the sale of  Inventory  in the
ordinary course of business;

     (f) made any change in any method of accounting or accounting  principle or
practice;

     (g) except for de minimus adjustments,  written up or down the value of the
Inventory or determined as  collectible  any notes or Accounts  Receivable of or
arising out of the Business that were previously considered to be uncollectible,
except for write-ups or  write-downs  and other  determinations  in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with past practice;

     (h) granted any general increase in the  compensation  payable or to become
payable  to the  employees  associated  with the  Business  (including  any such
increase  pursuant  to any  bonus,  pension,  profit-sharing  or  other  plan or
commitment),  or any special increase in the  compensation  payable or to become
payable to any such  employee,  or made any bonus payments to any such employee,
except for normal merit and cost of living  increases in the ordinary  course of
business and in accordance with past practice;

     (i) entered into any employment  agreements  with any employees  associated
with the Business, except in the ordinary course of business;

     (j) sold,  encumbered,  assigned or transferred any of the Assets except in
the normal course of business;

     (k) executed or suffered any amendment, cancellation, or termination of any
contract, license, or other instrument material to the Business;

     (l) failed to repay any  material  obligation,  except  where such  failure
would not have a Material Adverse Effect;

     (m) failed to operate the  Business in the  ordinary  course or to preserve
the Business intact, to keep available to Buyer the services of the employees of
Seller related to the Business and, to the extent  associated  with the Business
to preserve for Buyer the goodwill of Seller's suppliers,  customers,  and other
having  business  relations  with it, except where such failure would not have a
Material Adverse Effect;

     (n) made  individual  capital  commitments  on behalf of or relating to the
Business in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000);


<PAGE>

     (o) failed to maintain accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable and
other tangible capital accounts relating to the Business; or

     (p) agreed,  whether in writing or otherwise,  to take any action described
in this Section 5.13.

     5.14 Contracts and  Commitments.  The Disclosure  Schedule lists all of the
following  which  relate to the Assets,  the  Business  and/or the  employees of
Seller employed in connection with the Business (collectively, the "Contracts"):

     (a) employment, consulting, bonus, profit-sharing, percentage compensation,
deferred compensation,  pension,  welfare,  retirement,  stock purchase or stock
option plans and agreements with any employees, directors, agents or affiliates,
excluding  agreements  terminable  by Seller  on not more  than 30 days'  notice
without liability or penalty;

     (b) contracts,  agreements,  and commitments relating to any joint venture,
partnership,  strategic  alliance,  or sharing  of  profits  or losses  with any
person;

     (c) contracts,  agreements, and commitments containing covenants purporting
to limit the  freedom  of Seller or any of their  employees  to  compete  in any
business or in any geographic area;

     (d)  contracts,   agreements,   and  commitments   requiring   payments  or
distributions  to  any  director  or  employee  of  Seller,   any  sales  agent,
manufacturer's representative,  distributor or similar agent, or any relative or
affiliate of any such person;

     (e)  contracts,  agreements,  and  commitments  not  disclosed on any other
Schedule  to this  Agreement  and which  involve or may  involve  the payment or
receipt by Seller  (whether in payment of a debt,  as a result of a guarantee or
indemnification,  for goods or services,  or otherwise) of more than $25,000 per
year or $75,000 over the initial term thereof,  or are otherwise material to the
Business; and

     (f) contracts not made in the ordinary course of business.

     Seller  has made true and  correct  copies of the  Contracts  available  to
Buyer.

     5.15  OSHA,  Environmental.  (a)  Except  as set  forth  on the  Disclosure
Schedule,  Seller  has not  received  any  written  notice  from a  governmental
authority  that the  Business  or Assets  have not been in the  preceding  three
fiscal years or are presently  not in  compliance  in any material  respect with
OSHA and any applicable state  provisions,  and to the knowledge of Seller,  the
Assets  and  operations  of  Seller  related  to the  Business  are in  material
compliance with OSHA and any similar or related applicable state law provisions.


<PAGE>

     (b) To Seller's knowledge, except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule:

          (i) Seller has not deposited or caused to be  deposited,  on, under or
     about any Real Property, including without limitation into the ambient air,
     surface  water,  groundwater,  land  surface,  or  subsurface  strata,  any
     Hazardous  Substances,  except in material  compliance  with  Environmental
     Laws;

          (ii) Seller has not used any Real  Property to generate,  manufacture,
     refine,  transport,  treat,  store,  handle,  dispose,  transfer,  produce,
     process  or in  any  manner  deal  with  Hazardous  Substances,  except  in
     compliance, in all material respects, with applicable Environmental Laws;

          (iii) With respect to the  Business,  Seller has obtained all required
     registrations,  permits,  licenses,  and  other  authorizations  which  are
     required under federal,  state and local laws and  regulations  relating to
     pollution or protection of the environment,  including, but not limited to,
     all  Environmental  Laws and  including  all laws  relating  to  emissions,
     discharges,  releases,  or threatened  releases of Hazardous  Substances or
     otherwise  relating  to the  manufacture,  processing,  distribution,  use,
     treatment,   storage,   disposal,   transport   or  handling  of  Hazardous
     Substances;

          (iv) With  respect to the  Business,  Seller is in  compliance  in all
     material respects with all terms and conditions of required  registrations,
     permits,  licenses and  authorizations  and is also in compliance  with all
     other   material   limitations,    restrictions,   conditions,   standards,
     prohibitions, requirements, obligations, schedules and timetables contained
     in the  Environmental  Laws or contained  in any  regulation,  code,  plan,
     order,  decree,  judgment,  injunction,  notice  or demand  letter  issued,
     entered, promulgated or approved thereunder;

          (v) There is no  civil,  criminal,  or  administrative  action,  suit,
     demand, claim,  hearing,  notice of violation,  investigation,  proceeding,
     notice or demand letter pending or threatened  with respect to the Business
     relating  in any  way to (a) the  violation  of  Environmental  Laws or any
     regulation,  code, plan, order,  decree,  judgment,  injunction,  notice or
     demand letter issued, entered,  promulgated, or approved thereunder, or (b)
     the release into the  environment of any Hazardous  Substances,  whether or
     not occurring at or on a site owned,  leased or operated by Seller relating
     to the Business;

          (vi)  With  respect  to the  Business,  Seller  has  timely  filed all
     reports,  obtained all required  approvals,  generated and  maintained  all
     required data, documentation and records required by the Environmental Laws
     or any regulation, code, plan, order, decree, judgment,  injunction, notice
     or demand letter issued, entered, promulgated, or approved thereunder.

     5.16 Customers and Vendors.  The Disclosure Schedule sets forth correct and
complete  lists of the  customers  of the  Business  which  resulted in revenues
during the most recently completed fiscal year in excess of One Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($100,000)  ("Customers") and vendors ("Vendors") of the Business during
the most recently completed fiscal year which resulted in expenditures by Seller
in such fiscal year in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).  Since
December 31, 1998, there has not been any material shortage or unavailability of
the raw materials necessary to manufacture the products sold by Seller.


<PAGE>

     5.17  Books and  Records.  The books of  account  and other  financial  and
corporate records of Seller related to the Accounts Receivable, Inventory, other
current assets, fixed assets,  accounts payable and other current liabilities of
Seller  relating to the  Business  are in all  material  respects  substantially
complete  and  correct  and are  maintained  in  accordance  with good  business
practices.

     5.18 Employment  Matters.  (a) Except as provided in Section 5.18(a) of the
Disclosure  Schedule,  Seller is in material compliance with all laws, rules and
regulations respecting employment, employment practices, terms and conditions of
employment  and wages and hours with respect to employees of Seller  relating to
the Business.  With respect to the employees of Seller  relating to the Business
("Business  Employees"),  Seller has  withheld  all  amounts  required by law or
agreement to be withheld  from the wages or salaries  of, and other  payments to
such Business  Employees and any former Business Employees and is not liable for
any  arrearage of wages,  salaries or other  payments to such  employees and any
former employees or any taxes or penalties for failure to comply with any of the
foregoing.

     (b) Except as set forth in Section 5.18(b) of the Disclosure  Schedule,  to
Seller's  knowledge,  there are no pending demands for recognition of a union as
collective  bargaining  agent for all or any part of Business  Employees  and no
labor  representation  questions exist with respect to such Business  Employees.
Except as set forth in Section 5.18(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, Seller is not
and  has  never  been a  party  to any  collective  bargaining  or  other  labor
agreement, and there is no unfair labor practice charge or complaint relating to
the Business  against Seller pending or, to the knowledge of Seller,  threatened
before the National Labor  Relations  Board or any other  comparable  authority.
There is no labor strike, dispute, slowdown, or stoppage actually pending or, to
the knowledge of Seller,  threatened in writing against or involving  Seller; no
attempt  to  organize  the  Business  Employees  has been made or,  to  Seller's
knowledge,  proposed in the last five years;  no grievance or arbitration  which
might have a Material  Adverse  Effect on Seller or the Business is pending and,
to the  knowledge  of Seller,  no such  grievance  or claim for  arbitration  is
threatened;  to Seller's  knowledge,  there is no basis for such  grievances  or
arbitration; no private agreement restricts Seller from relocating,  closing, or
terminating any of its operations or facilities;  and Seller has not in the past
five years  experienced any work stoppage or other labor difficulty or committed
any unfair labor practice related to the Business.

     (c) No current or former  Business  Employee has a formal or informal claim
against Seller, which is currently pending, on account of or for:

          (i) overtime  pay,  other than  overtime  pay for the current  payroll
     period;

          (ii)  wages or salary for any period  other than the  current  payroll
     period;

          (iii) vacation, time off or pay in lieu of vacation or time off, other
     than that earned with respect to the current fiscal year;

          (iv) any  violation  of any law  relating to minimum  wages or maximum
     hours of work and;

          (v)  violation  of any  federal,  state or  local  anti-discrimination
     statute,  breach of the terms of employment or wrongful discharge,  whether
     arising under any contract or statute, or any tort.


<PAGE>



     (d) Except as set forth in  Schedule  5.18(d),  Seller  has no  outstanding
commitment  or agreement  to effect any general wage or salary  increase for any
Business  Employees,  has not increased the salary or wages of any such Business
Employees  since March 28, 1999,  and has no plan or  outstanding  commitment to
implement or amend any Benefit Plan.

     (e) Except for persons hired on a short-term,  temporary basis, none of the
Business  Employees is provided to the Seller under  contract with a third party
(except workers made available under contracts disclosed in Schedule 5.18(e)).

     (f) With respect to the Business Employees, except as indicated in Schedule
5.19(f),  Seller has fully  implemented any orders or consent decrees  remedying
any violation in any material respect of the Americans with  Disabilities Act of
1990 or any law,  regulation or order relating to employment  discrimination  or
occupational  safety, and Seller has not received any unresolved  complaint from
any Federal or state agency or regulatory  body alleging  violations of any such
laws or regulations.

     (g) Seller has not entered into any contract  with any employee or made any
oral or written representation,  direct or implied, which would require Buyer to
provide  post-retirement  medical  benefits or  post-retirement  life  insurance
benefits.

     5.19 Employee  Benefits Plans.  (a) Each employee  pension benefit plan (as
defined in Section 3(2) of Title I of the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security
Act of 1974, as amended  ("ERISA")) of Seller under which any benefits have been
provided to any  Business  Employee  and that is intended to be a tax  qualified
plan  under  Section  401(a)  of the  Code  (the  "Plan")  has been and is being
operated in accordance with the documents and  instruments  governing such Plan,
and such documents and instruments are consistent with those provisions of ERISA
and the regulations  adopted  pursuant thereto which are effective and operative
as of the date of this  Agreement,  except to the extent that such documents and
instruments  have  not  yet  been  amended  for  certain  changes  in  laws  and
regulations.  To the  best of  Seller's  knowledge,  no Plan  has  incurred  any
material  accumulated  funding  deficiency  within the meaning of Section 302 of
ERISA, whether or not waived, and Seller has not incurred any material liability
with respect to the Plan that is not reflected in the Financial  Information  in
accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  To the  best  of
Seller's knowledge,  no Plan nor any trust created thereunder nor any trustee or
administrator thereof has engaged in a prohibited transaction within the meaning
of Section 406 of ERISA or Section  4975 of the Code for which an  exception  is
not available.  Seller shall make all required Contributions to each Plan within
the period required by ERISA and the Code.

     (b)  Section  5.19(b) of the  Disclosure  Schedule  contains a list of each
Plan,  "employee  welfare  benefit plan" (as defined in Section  3(1)of  ERISA),
pension plan,  stock  option,  stock  purchase,  deferred  compensation  plan or
arrangement,  and other employee  fringe  benefit plan or arrangement  currently
maintained,  contributed  to or required to be maintained or  contributed  to by
Seller for the benefit of any present  Business  Employees and their  dependents
(all the foregoing being herein called "Benefit Plans"). Seller has delivered or
made  available to Buyer true,  complete and correct  copies of (1) each Benefit
Plan (or, in the case of any unwritten Benefit Plans,  descriptions thereof) and
(2) the most recent summary plan  description for each Benefit Plan (if any such
description was required).


<PAGE>

     (c) Each Benefit Plan has been  operated and is being  operated in material
compliance  with all  applicable  requirements  of the Code  and  ERISA,  and in
accordance  with the  documents  and  instruments  governing  such Benefit Plan,
except to the  extent  that such  documents  and  instruments  have not yet been
amended for certain changes in laws and  regulations,  which  amendments are not
yet legally required.

     (d) Buyer will not at any time, by reason of  transactions  contemplated by
this  Agreement,  incur  and  liability  pursuant  to  Title  IV of ERISA or any
liability under any Benefit Plan maintained by Seller for Business Employees.

     5.20  Employees.  Section  5.20 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  sets  forth a
complete  and accurate  list of all Business  Employees as of the date set forth
therein,  showing for each:  name, hire date,  current job title or description,
current  salary  level  or  wage  rate  and  any  bonus,   commission  or  other
remuneration paid during the most recently  completed fiscal year. Except as set
forth on Section 5.20 of the Disclosure Schedule,  as of the date hereof none of
the  Business  Employees is currently  on  short-term  or long-term  disability,
absence, maternity or other leave of absence.

     5.21  Finder.  There is no person or entity  that is entitled to a finder's
fee or  any  type  of  commission  in  relation  to or in  connection  with  the
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  as a result of any  agreement or
understanding with Seller.

     5.22 Sufficiency of Assets.  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement
or the Disclosure Schedule and except for the Excluded Assets and any consent to
assignment  of a contract,  license or permit,  which is not  received  prior to
Closing, the Assets to be transferred by Seller at the Closing Date will include
all  of the  assets  associated  with  the  Business,  including  fixed  assets,
intangible assets, licenses, permits, contracts and rights that relate to, arise
from,  are used or held by Seller in the  operation of the Business as presently
conducted.


<PAGE>

     5.23 Governmental Authorizations. Seller has all licenses, permits or other
authorizations  from  governmental,  regulatory  or  administrative  agencies or
authorities  required for the operation of the Business in the manner  presently
conducted,  each of which will be in full force and effect on the  Closing  Date
except to the extent failure to obtain any such license does not have a Material
Adverse Effect.

     5.24 Compliance with Applicable Laws. Except as set forth in the Disclosure
Schedule, Seller has been for the prior fiscal year, is, and on the Closing Date
will continue to be, in compliance with all applicable  laws  (including  duties
imposed by common law), rules, regulations,  orders,  ordinances,  judgments and
decrees of all  governmental  authorities  (federal,  state,  local and foreign)
having  jurisdiction over,  applicable to or otherwise  concerning the Business,
Assets, and the products and employees of Seller related to the Business, except
to the extent any non-compliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

     5.25 Title to Assets, Absence of Liens and Encumbrances, Etc.

     (a) Schedule 2.1 contains a summary description of all of Seller's material
fixed assets (other than the Real Property and the Excluded  Assets).  As of the
Closing Date and except for the Assumed  Liabilities and subject to Section 2.4,
Seller will own all right,  title and  interest  in and to its Assets,  free and
clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, options and pledges, other
than Permitted Liens.

     (b)  The  leases  and  other  agreements  or  instruments  included  in the
Contracts,  under which  Seller  holds,  leases or is entitled to the use of any
personal  property  used in the  Business,  are in full force and effect and all
rentals, or other payments payable thereunder prior to the date hereof have been
duly paid, and Seller enjoys peaceable and undisturbed possession under all such
leases.

     5.26 Intellectual Property. The Disclosure Schedule lists all United States
and foreign (a) registered patents and patent applications used in the Business,
(b)  registered  trademarks  and  service  marks  used in the  Business  and (c)
registered copyrights used in the Business (the "Intellectual Property"). Except
as set forth in Section 5.26 of the Disclosure Schedule,  to Seller's knowledge,
all Intellectual  Property material to the Business is owned by Seller, free and
clear of all Liens, and is in good standing,  is duly authorized,  valid, issued
and  enforceable,  has not been  canceled,  and is not known by Seller to be the
subject of any challenge.  Except as disclosed in Section 5.26 of the Disclosure
Schedule,  (x) there are no licenses now  outstanding or other rights granted to
third parties under any Intellectual  Property, and (y) Seller is not a party to
any agreement or understanding with respect to any Intellectual Property. Except
as disclosed in Section 5.26 of the Disclosure  Schedule,  there are no material
unresolved claims made, and there has not been communicated to Seller the threat
of any such claim, that any of the Intellectual Property or activities of Seller
in connection with the Intellectual  Property  constitutes unfair competition or
is in violation or infringement of any patent,  trademark,  trade name,  service
mark, trade dress, right of publication, copyright, or registration therefor, of
any other person or entity. All filings or recordations necessary or appropriate
to protect the interests of Seller in any  Intellectual  Property have been duly
made and are in full force and effect.


<PAGE>

     5.27 Real Property.

     (a) Except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule,  to Seller's knowledge,
there are no physical or mechanical  defects in any of the  improvements  on the
Real  Property  which  would  materially  impair  the  intended  use of the Real
Property,  and all such improvements are in good operating  condition and repair
(subject to normal wear and tear);

     (b) Seller is the sole owner of good,  marketable  and insurable fee simple
title to the Real  Property  free and clear of all  liens,  security  interests,
covenants, conditions, rights-of-way,  easements and encumbrances of any kind or
character whatsoever, subject only to the Permitted Encumbrances and the Assumed
Liabilities as noted in the Schedules hereto.  Seller is the sole owner of good,
marketable and insurable fee simple title to the Real Property;

     (c) Seller has not committed or obligated  itself in any manner  whatsoever
to sell the Real Property,  or any interest therein or any portion  thereof,  to
any party other than Buyer.  Except with respect to Permitted  Encumbrances  and
Permitted  Liens,  Seller has not  hypothecated  or assigned any rents or income
from the Real Property, or any portion thereof, in any manner except pursuant to
secured financing to be assumed or discharged at Closing.

     5.28 Personal Property. (a) Seller has a legal, valid and binding leasehold
interest in all leased personal property used by it in the Business.

     (b) Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule,  to Seller's knowledge,
all material tangible personal properties and assets of Seller which are used by
it in the Business are in all material  respects  structurally  sound and are in
operating  condition  and  repair  (subject  to  normal  wear and  tear) and are
adequate for the uses to which they are put,  except for such  required  routine
replacement,  maintenance  and  repair,  which,  if  not  performed,  could  not
reasonably  be expected to have a Material  Adverse  Effect on the  Business and
except for routine replacements.

     5.29 Year 2000 Compliance.  Except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule,
the equipment,  software,  manufacturing  systems and information systems of the
Business  are Year 2000  Compliant,  except  where the  failure  to be Year 2000
Compliant would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  "Year 2000 Compliant" means
that  applicable  equipment,  software,  manufacturing  systems and  information
systems are able to:

          (i) handle date information before,  during and after January 1, 2000,
     including but not limited to accepting  date input,  providing date output,
     and performing calculations on dates or portions of dates;

          (ii) function accurately and without interruption  before,  during and
     after January 1, 2000, without any change in operations associated with the
     advent of the new century;


<PAGE>

          (iii) respond to two-digit  year-date input in a way that resolves the
     ambiguity as to century in a disclosed,  defined and predetermined  manner;
     and

          (iv) store and  provide  output of date  information  in ways that are
     unambiguous as to century.

Seller has either  undertaken or is undertaking a study of vendors and customers
of the  Business to  determine  whether  their  potential  Year 2000  Compliance
problems will have a Material  Adverse Effect.  Seller has no knowledge that the
effect of Year 2000 issues on the Business is likely to be materially  different
or more  severe  than the  effect  of such  issues on  manufacturing  businesses
generally.

ARTICLE VI

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS OF BUYER

     Buyer hereby  represents,  warrants and covenants to and agrees with Seller
as follows, all of which representations,  warranties and agreements are made as
of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date:

     6.1  Organization,  Etc. Buyer is a corporation  duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of its state of  incorporation.  Buyer has the requisite
corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

     6.2 Authorization of Agreement. The execution,  delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have
been duly  authorized  by all necessary  corporate  action on the part of Buyer.
This Agreement  constitutes,  and the documents to be executed at Closing,  upon
execution and delivery thereof,  will constitute,  valid and binding obligations
of  Buyer  enforceable  in  accordance  with  their  terms,   except  that  such
enforcement may be limited by (a)  bankruptcy,  insolvency or other similar laws
affecting  the  enforcement  of  creditors'  rights  generally,  and (b) general
principles  of  equity,  regardless  of  whether  enforcement  is  sought  in  a
proceeding in equity or at law.

     6.3   Approvals.   Except  for  filings  under  the  HSR  Act,  no  permit,
application,  notice, transfer, consent, approval, order, qualification,  waiver
from or  authorization  of or  declaration,  filing  or  registration  with  any
governmental  authority  is  necessary  in  connection  with the  execution  and
delivery  by  Buyer  of this  Agreement  or the  consummation  by  Buyer  of the
transactions  contemplated hereby, and no consent of any third party is required
to consummate any of the transactions contemplated hereby.


<PAGE>

     6.4 Finder. There is no person or entity that is entitled to a finder's fee
or any type of commission in relation to or in connection with the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement as a result of any  agreement or  understanding
with Buyer.

     6.5 No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
by Buyer and consummation by Buyer of the transactions  contemplated hereby will
not,  with or without  the giving of notice or the lapse of time,  or both,  (a)
violate any  provision of law,  statute,  rule or  regulation  to which Buyer is
subject, (b) violate any judgment, order, writ or decree of any court applicable
to Buyer,  or (c) result in the  material  breach of or conflict  with any term,
covenant,  condition or provision  of,  result in the material  modification  or
termination of,  constitute a material  default under, or result in the creation
or imposition of any lien, security interest, restriction, charge or encumbrance
upon any of the assets of Buyer  pursuant to the  Articles of  Incorporation  or
Bylaws of Buyer, or any commitment, contract or other agreement or instrument to
which  Buyer  is a party  or by which  any of the  Assets  is or may be bound or
affected or from which Buyer derives benefit.

     6.6 Projections.  In connection with Buyer's investigation of the Business,
Buyer has received from Seller certain estimates, projections, forecasts, plans,
budgets  and  pro-forma   information.   Buyer   acknowledges   that  there  are
uncertainties  inherent  in  attempting  to make  such  estimates,  projections,
forecasts, plans, budgets and pro-forma information, that Buyer is familiar with
such uncertainties,  that Buyer is taking full responsibility for making its own
evaluation  of  the  adequacy  and  accuracy  of  all  estimates,   projections,
forecasts,  plans,  budgets and pro-forma  information  furnished to it and that
Buyer  will  not  assert  any  claims  against  Seller  or its  subsidiaries  or
affiliates or any of their respective directors,  officers, employees, agents or
representatives  or hold any of them liable in connection  with such  estimates,
projections, forecasts, plans, budgets and pro forma information.

     6.7 Financial Condition. Buyer has the liquidity and financial condition to
consummate the  transaction  without any financing  (except for any financing or
commitments in place as of the date hereof) and knows of no reason why it cannot
timely  consummate the  transactions  contemplated  herein prior to the time set
forth in the first sentence of Section 8.1.

ARTICLE VII

COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES

     7.1 Operation Of Business Prior To Closing. Between the date hereof and the
earlier of the  termination of this  Agreement  pursuant to Article XI hereof or
the Closing Date:


<PAGE>

     (a) Negative Covenants. Seller covenants and agrees with Buyer that, except
(1) as contemplated by this Agreement,  or (2) with the prior written consent of
Buyer, it shall not do any of the following with respect to the Business and the
Assets other than in the ordinary course of business:

          (i) sell or otherwise dispose of any material Assets, cancel any debts
     or claims  involving  any person  related  to the  Business  or Assets,  or
     pledge, assign or otherwise convey, or cause any lien to be placed upon any
     Asset other than Permitted Liens or the Assumed Liabilities;

          (ii) amend its  Articles  of  Incorporation  or Bylaws in any way that
     could  reasonably be expected to have a Material  Adverse  Effect either on
     the  Business  and the  Assets or on the  prospects  for  consummating  the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

          (iii) permit its  corporate  existence or any permit to be  suspended,
     lapsed, revoked or modified in any way that could reasonably be expected to
     have a Material Adverse Effect;

          (iv) amend or terminate any material Contract;

          (v)  except  as would not be  material,  allow  any  insurance  policy
     relating to the Business or any Asset to be amended or  terminated  without
     replacing  such policy  with a policy  providing  substantially  equivalent
     coverage,  insuring  comparable  risks and issued by an  insurance  company
     financially comparable to the prior insurance company; and

          (vi)  except  as would  not be  material  or  except  pursuant  to any
     agreements  disclosed  in the  Disclosure  Schedule  or for  normal  salary
     adjustments  consistent with past practice,  increase any benefits payable,
     enact any termination pay policies or enter into any employment  agreements
     with any employee of the Business.

     (b) Affirmative Covenants.  Seller shall use all reasonable efforts, in the
ordinary course of business, to:

          (i) operate the Business in the normal  course and maintain its assets
     and properties used in the Business,  reasonable  wear and tear,  damage by
     fire and other casualty excepted;

          (ii) comply in all respects  with all  applicable  laws  affecting the
     Business, except for such noncompliance as could not reasonably be expected
     to have a Material Adverse Effect;

          (iii) pay accounts payable of the Business in accordance with its past
     practice;


<PAGE>

          (iv) preserve its relationships with customers of and suppliers to the
     Business and others having business relations with the Business; and

          (v) promptly following the Closing, request third parties who received
     confidential  information  in  connection  with the sale of the Business to
     destroy such  information and certify in writing that such  information has
     been destroyed.

     7.2 Approvals,  Consents,  Etc. Each party shall use its reasonable efforts
to consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby prior to the time set forth
in Section 8.1 and to obtain in writing  prior to the  Closing  Date all Closing
Approvals in order to effectuate  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and to
assume the Assumed  Liabilities  and shall  deliver to the other party copies of
such approvals and consents in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
other party. Buyer and Seller shall proceed diligently and in good faith to make
and coordinate  filings under the HSR Act as promptly as practicable  and to the
extent  feasible  shall make such filings on the same date and each of Buyer and
Seller shall request early termination of the waiting period.

     7.3 Access Prior to Closing.  Prior to the Closing Date (or if earlier, the
date this  Agreement  is  terminated),  and except as set forth in Section  7.8,
Seller shall provide Buyer and its  representatives  with reasonable  access to,
and will make  available  for  inspection  and review,  all  properties,  books,
records and accounts,  and with prior approval of Seller,  personnel,  of Seller
relating to the Business in order that Buyer may have a  reasonable  opportunity
to make such  investigation  as it shall desire to make of the  Business  during
normal business hours.

     7.4 Seller's  Employees,  Retirement  Benefits.  Prior to the Closing Date,
Buyer may,  but shall not be  required  to,  offer  employment  to the  Business
Employees listed on Section 5.20 of the Disclosure  Schedule effective as of the
Closing Date. Seller shall make reasonable efforts to assist Buyer to secure the
employment of such  Business  Employees.  The terms of employment  with Buyer of
such  Business   Employees  who  accept  employment  with  Buyer   ("Transferred
Employees") shall provide for compensation and benefits  comparable to similarly
situated  employees  of  Buyer;  provided,  however,  that the  compensation  of
Transferred  Employees  for their  employment  with Buyer shall not be less than
their basic  compensation  or basic hourly rate of pay with Seller as of the day
immediately  preceding the Closing Date.  Buyer shall amend its Benefit Plans to
provide that  Transferred  Employees  shall  receive  service  credit under such
Benefit  Plans,  for  purposes  of  eligibility  and  vesting,  for  periods  of
employment  with Seller.  Nothing in this Section 7.4 shall  prohibit Buyer from
terminating  the  employment  of a  Transferred  Employee  at any time after the
Closing.

     7.5 Access After the Closing.  Seller shall afford Buyer reasonable  access
to the Excluded Assets and Excluded  Records  (including  related  computers and
computer  records) or core corporate  records retained by Seller if necessary to
operate the Business and Buyer shall afford Seller  reasonable access to records
acquired hereunder and to the Transferred  Employees to the extent necessary for
Seller to operate  its  business,  to prepare its tax returns and to prepare the
Closing Date Statement.  After the Closing Buyer shall afford Seller  reasonable
access to any records acquired hereunder for legitimate business purposes.


<PAGE>

     7.6 Taxes.  (a)  Payment;  Filing  Returns.  Seller shall pay all state and
local sales, transfer,  excise,  value-added,  or other similar taxes (including
without limitation, all state and local taxes in connection with the transfer of
the Real  Property)  and any  deficiency,  interest,  or penalty  asserted  with
respect thereto, and all recording and filing fees that may be imposed by reason
of the sale, transfer,  assignment,  or delivery by Seller of the Assets. Seller
shall be responsible  for the preparation and filing of all required Tax Returns
and  (except  for Taxes  assumed  by Buyer  hereunder)  shall be liable  for the
payment of any and all Taxes  relating to all periods  through the Closing  Date
(including  all Taxes  resulting  from the sale and transfer by Seller of Assets
hereunder).

     (b)  Cooperation.  The  parties  hereto  agree  to  furnish  or cause to be
furnished  to one  another,  upon  request,  as  promptly as  practicable,  such
information and assistance  relating to the Assets, the Assumed  Liabilities and
the Business as is reasonably  necessary for the filing of all Tax Returns,  and
making of any election  related to Taxes,  the  preparation for any audit by any
taxing  authority,  and  the  prosecution  or  defense  of any  claim,  suit  or
proceeding  relating to any Tax Return.  The parties hereto shall cooperate with
each  other in the  conduct  of any audit or other  proceeding  related to taxes
involving the Business and each shall  execute and deliver such other  documents
as are necessary to carry out the intent of this Section 7.6. Each of Seller and
Buyer shall preserve until the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date all records
possessed by such party after the Closing relating to any of the Assets, Assumed
Liabilities  or the  Business.  The parties shall  cooperate  with each other to
retain records for a longer period if reasonably requested by either of them. In
addition,  from and after the Closing Date,  upon  reasonable  notice and during
normal business hours,  the parties shall provide access to each other and their
respective attorneys, accountants, and other representatives,  at the expense of
the requesting  party,  to such files and records as Seller may reasonably  deem
necessary to properly prepare for, file, prove, answer, prosecute, and/or defend
any  such  return,  filing,  audit,  protest,  claim,  suit,  inquiry,  or other
proceeding.

     (c)  Allocations.  All  property  taxes  levied  with  respect  to the Real
Property and any personal  property  included in the Assets for a taxable period
that  includes  (but  does not end on) the  Closing  Date  shall be  apportioned
between  Seller and Buyer as of the Closing  Date based on the number of days of
such taxable  period  included in the  Pre-Closing  Tax Period and the number of
days of such taxable  period  included in the  Post-Closing  Tax Period.  Seller
shall be liable for the proportionate  amount of such taxes that is attributable
to the Pre-Closing Tax Period,  and Buyer shall be liable for the  proportionate
amount of such  taxes  that is  attributable  to the  Post-Closing  Tax  Period.
Utility  payments  shall also be  allocated  among Buyer and Seller based on the
portion of the relevant period that such person occupied the property.  Within a
reasonable period after the Closing,  Seller and Buyer shall present a statement
to the other setting forth the amount of reimbursement to which each is entitled
under this Section 7.6, together with such supporting  evidence as is reasonably
necessary to calculate the proration amount.  The proration amount shall be paid
by the party owing it to the other  within  thirty  (30) days after  delivery of
such  statement.  Buyer and Seller shall cooperate prior to the Closing to agree
on mutually  acceptable  allocations  with  respect to any other cost  typically
allocated in connection with similar real property closings.


<PAGE>

     7.7 No  Solicitation.  From the date hereof  until the Closing  Date or the
date this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article XI and except with respect
to the  permitted  disposition  of assets in the  ordinary  course of  business,
Seller  shall  not,  and  shall  ensure  that each of its  directors,  officers,
consultants,   counsel,   accountants,   investment   advisors  and  other  such
representatives  and  agents  shall  not,  solicit  or  entertain  offers  from,
negotiate  with, or enter into any agreement  with,  any third party relating to
the  acquisition  of  any  of  the  Assets,  in  whole  or in  part  other  than
dispositions of Inventory in the ordinary course of business.

     7.8 Confidentiality. (a) Each of the parties hereto agrees that it will not
use,  or permit the use of, any of the  information  relating to any other party
hereto  or  the  Assets  or  the  Business  with  respect  to  the  transactions
contemplated herein  ("Information") in a manner or for a purpose detrimental to
such other party or otherwise than in connection with the transaction,  and that
they will not  disclose,  divulge,  provide  or make  accessible  (collectively,
"Disclose"),  or permit the Disclosure of, any of the  Information to any person
or  entity,  other  than  their  respective  directors,   officers,   employees,
investment advisors,  accountants,  counsel and other authorized representatives
and agents (who shall be bound by this Section  7.8),  except as may be required
by  judicial  or  administrative  process  or, in the  opinion  of such  party's
counsel,  by other  requirements of law;  provided,  however,  that prior to any
Disclosure of any Information  permitted  hereunder,  the disclosing party shall
first obtain the  recipients'  undertaking to comply with the provisions of this
subsection  with respect to such  information.  The term  "Information"  as used
herein  shall not  include any  information  relating to a party which the party
disclosing such  information can show: (i) to have been in its possession  prior
to its receipt  from  another  party  hereto;  (ii) to be now or to later become
generally  available  to the public  through no fault of the  disclosing  party;
(iii) to have been  available  to the  public at the time of its  receipt by the
disclosing party; (iv) to have been received  separately by the disclosing party
in an unrestricted  manner from a person entitled to disclose such  information;
or (v) to have been  developed  independently  by the  disclosing  party without
regard to any  information  received in connection with this  transaction.  Each
party hereto also agrees to promptly return to the party from whom it originally
received such information all original and duplicate copies of written materials
containing Information should the transactions  contemplated herein not occur. A
party  hereto  shall be deemed to have  satisfied  its  obligations  to hold the
Information  confidential if it exercises the same care as it takes with respect
to its own similar information.

     7.9 Reassignment of Uncollected Receivables. Buyer shall attempt to collect
all  Accounts  Receivable  for a period  of 120 days  after  the  Closing  Date.
Collection  efforts  during this period shall be  consistent  with Seller's past
collection practices. All collections during the period which are not designated
for  application to a particular  invoice shall be applied to the oldest invoice
first.  At the end of  such  period,  Buyer  may  reassign  to  Seller,  without
recourse, any uncollected Accounts Receivable. If the provision for bad debts on
the Closing  Date  Statement is less than the amount of Accounts  Receivable  so
reassigned to Seller,  the Purchase  Price shall be reduced by the amount of the
difference,  and if the  provision  for bad debts on the Closing Date  Statement
exceeds the amount of Accounts  Receivable so reassigned to Seller, the Purchase
Price shall be increased  by the amount of such  difference;  provided,  that in
either case no change in the Purchase  Price shall be made if the  difference is
less than $75,000.  The amount of any such change in the Purchase Price shall be
paid to Buyer or Seller, as the case may be, upon demand.


<PAGE>

     7.10 Covenant Not to Compete.

     (a) Seller  hereby agrees that for a period of five years after the Closing
Date,  it will not,  directly  or  indirectly,  as a  partner,  joint  venturer,
employer, consultant,  shareholder, manager, principal, agent or otherwise, own,
manage,  operate,  join,  control or participate  in the ownership,  management,
operation or control of any business,  whether in corporate,  limited  liability
company or  partnership  form or otherwise,  which engages in the Business or is
substantially  similar  to the  Business  as  carried  on at the  time  of  this
Agreement  or at Closing in any  geographic  area in which the Business has sold
its products within the two years prior to the Closing Date; provided,  however,
that  Seller may (i)  continue to own and/or  sell or  otherwise  dispose of the
Excluded Assets.  The parties hereto  specifically  acknowledge and agree that a
remedy at law for any breach of the foregoing will be inadequate and that Buyer,
in addition to any other relief  available to it, shall be entitled to temporary
and permanent  injunctive relief without the necessity of proving actual damage,
provided,  however, that nothing herein shall be construed to prevent Seller for
holding  collectively  not more than five  percent of the shares in any  company
whose shares are quoted on any stock exchange,  even though that company carries
on the activities conducted by the Business.

     (b) From and after the Closing Date and until the fifth  anniversary of the
Closing, Seller will maintain in secrecy all Confidential  Information using the
same  safeguards as customarily  used to protect  confidential  information of a
similar  character,  but at least using reasonable care.  Seller will not use or
disclose in any manner to any third party any Confidential  Information  without
the express  prior  written  consent of Buyer  unless or until the  Confidential
Information is: (i) publicly available or otherwise in the public domain or (ii)
disclosed  by  Seller  without  restriction  pursuant  to  judicial  action,  or
government  regulations  or other  requirements  provided  the  Seller has given
notice to Buyer of any such  requirement of disclosure and cooperates with Buyer
if it elects to pursue legal means to contest and avoid the disclosure.

     (c)  Seller  acknowledges  and  agrees  that in view of the  nature  of the
Business and the Assets and the business  objectives of Buyer in acquiring  them
and  the  consideration  paid to  Seller  therefor,  the  territorial  and  time
limitations  contained in this Section 7.10 are reasonable and properly required
for the adequate  protection of Buyer.  The parties  intend for the covenants of
this Section 7.10 to be enforceable to the maximum extent  permitted by law, and
if any  reviewing  court  deems any of such  covenants  to be  unenforceable  or
invalid,  the parties  authorize such court to reform (i) the  unenforceable  or
invalid  provisions  and to impose such  restrictions  as reformed  and (ii) the
remaining provisions that it deems reasonable.


<PAGE>

ARTICLE VIII

CLOSING

     8.1 Closing.  The closing (the "Closing") of the transactions  contemplated
hereby shall occur five (5)  business  days after the  conditions  to closing in
this Article VIII have been met. The parties will  endeavor to cause the Closing
to occur no later than May 28, 1999.  The Closing will be held at the offices of
Ice Miller Donadio & Ryan,  Indianapolis,  Indiana at 10:00 a.m. (local time) or
at such other time and place as the parties  mutually agree. The date upon which
the Closing occurs is referred to herein as the "Closing Date" and the effective
time of the Closing shall be 11:59 p.m., Indianapolis time, on the Closing Date.

     8.2 Buyer's  Conditions  to Closing.  The  obligations  of Buyer under this
Agreement are subject to the satisfaction of the following  conditions as of the
Closing Date, any or all of which  conditions may be waived by Buyer in its sole
discretion:

     (a)  Accuracy  of   Representations,   Warranties   and   Agreements.   The
representations  and warranties  made by Seller herein shall be true and correct
on the date of this  Agreement  and at the Closing  Date with the same effect as
though  made at such time  (except to the extent  Buyer  shall  waive the same).
Seller  shall have  performed  and complied in all  material  respects  with all
agreements,  covenants and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed
and complied with by it at or prior to the Closing  Date,  and Seller shall have
delivered to Buyer a certificate of an officer dated the Closing Date certifying
to such compliance and completion.

     (b) Consents and Approvals. Buyer shall have received all Closing Approvals
in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to Buyer. Any waiting period (and
any  extension  thereof)  under  the  HSR  Act  applicable  to the  transactions
contemplated hereby shall have expired or been terminated.

     (c) Transfer Documents.  Seller shall have executed and delivered a bill of
sale and deeds conveying the Assets to Buyer in form reasonably  satisfactory to
Buyer and its counsel and any other instrument required by Section 1.3 including
assignments  of contracts  and leases free and clear of all  encumbrances  other
than Permitted Liens, the Assumed  Liabilities and other  encumbrances  noted in
the Schedules and Exhibits hereto.

     (d) Motor Vehicles.  Seller shall have executed and delivered  certificates
of title and assignments thereof for all motor vehicles  transferred to Buyer as
part of the Assets.

     (e) Assets.  Seller shall have delivered a list of the Inventory,  Accounts
Receivable  and fixed  assets as of the close of  business on a date as close as
practicable to the Closing Date, which list shall be reasonably  satisfactory to
Buyer.


<PAGE>

     (f) Litigation.  No temporary  restraining order,  preliminary or permanent
injunction,  or cease and  desist  order,  issued  by any court or  governmental
authority  preventing the transfers  contemplated  hereby or the consummation of
the Closing,  shall be in effect at the Closing  Date,  and no proceeding by any
court or governmental authority seeking to restrict or prohibit the transfer and
exchange contemplated hereby or the consummation of the Closing shall be pending
or  threatened  on the  Closing  Date,  except for such  proceedings  which,  if
concluded  successfully in such court or by such governmental  authority,  could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     (g) Secretary's Certificate. Buyer shall have received a certificate of the
Secretary of Seller with respect to the resolutions  adopted by Seller approving
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

     (h)  Certificates  of  Existence.  Buyer shall have  received a certificate
dated  within  five (5) days  before  the  Closing  Date from the  office of the
Secretary  of State of the  state of  incorporation  of Seller  certifying  that
Seller is duly  incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its state of
incorporation.

     (i) Opinion of Counsel to Seller.  Buyer shall have received the opinion of
Ice  Miller  Donadio & Ryan  dated the  Closing  Date,  in the form set forth in
Exhibit 8.2(i).

     (j) Title  Insurance.  A commitment for an Owners Policy of Title Insurance
on an ALTA  standard  form shall have been  issued to Buyer with  respect to the
Real Property, at Seller's expense, in such face amounts as shall be agreed upon
by Buyer and Seller prior to the Closing Date.

     (k) No  Material  Adverse  Change.  There  shall not have  been a  material
adverse change in the condition of the Assets, operations, business, competitive
position  or  financial  condition  of Seller  since the date of this  Agreement
("Material Adverse Change").

     (l) Schedules. Any material Schedule supplements, amendments or corrections
delivered by Seller shall be reasonably acceptable to Buyer; provided,  that any
such Schedule shall be deemed  acceptable to Buyer unless Buyer notifies  Seller
of its objection  within five days after delivery of any such Schedule or by the
completion  of Closing,  whichever  occurs first,  and provided  further that no
supplement,  amendment or correction  shall be deemed material  hereunder unless
the matter  thereby  disclosed  could be reasonably  expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

     8.3 Seller's  Conditions to Closing.  The  obligations of Seller under this
Agreement are subject to the satisfaction of the following  conditions as of the
Closing  Date,  any  or  all of  which  may be  waived  by  Seller  in its  sole
discretion:


<PAGE>

     (a)  Accuracy  of   Representations,   Warranties   and   Agreements.   The
representations,  warranties  and  agreements  of Buyer herein shall be true and
correct on the date of this  Agreement  and at the Closing  Date  (except to the
extent Seller waives the same); Buyer shall have performed and complied with all
agreements,  covenants, and conditions to be performed or complied with by it in
all  material  respects  at or prior to the Closing  Date;  and Buyer shall have
delivered  to  Seller  a  certificate  of an  officer  dated  the  Closing  Date
certifying to such compliance and completion.

     (b)  Consents  and  Approvals.  Seller  shall  have  received  the  Closing
Approvals  all in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to Seller.  Any
waiting  period (and any extension  thereof) under the HSR Act applicable to the
transactions contemplated hereby shall have expired or been terminated.

     (c) Litigation.  No temporary  restraining order,  preliminary or permanent
injunction,  or cease and  desist  order,  issued  by any court or  governmental
authority  preventing the transfers  contemplated  hereby or the consummation of
the Closing,  shall be in effect at the Closing  Date,  and no proceeding by any
court or governmental authority seeking to restrict or prohibit the transfer and
exchange contemplated hereby or the consummation of the Closing shall be pending
or  threatened  on the  Closing  Date,  except for such  proceedings  which,  if
concluded  successfully in such court or by such governmental  authority,  could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     (d)  Secretary's  Certificate.  Seller shall have received a certificate of
the  Secretary  of  Buyer  with  respect  to the  resolutions  adopted  by Buyer
approving this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

     (e) Opinion of Counsel to Buyer.  Seller shall have received the opinion of
Armstrong  Teasdale,  LLP,  counsel to Buyer,  dated at the Closing Date, in the
form set forth in Exhibit 8.3(e) attached hereto.

     (f)  Purchase  Price.  The  Purchase  Price  shall  have  been paid by wire
transfer in accordance with Section 3.1.

     (g) Assumption Agreement. The parties shall have entered into an assumption
agreement,  pursuant to which Buyer will assume all  obligations of Seller under
the Assumed Liabilities in a form reasonably acceptable to Seller.

ARTICLE IX

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

     9.1 Initial Meeting. In the event that there is a dispute arising out of or
relating to this  Agreement  (other  than a dispute to be  resolved  pursuant to
Section 3.2) the parties  shall  attempt in good faith to resolve such  disputes
promptly  by  negotiation  between  the  parties.  Any  party may give the other
parties written notice that a dispute exists (a "Notice of Dispute"). The Notice
of Dispute shall include a statement of such party's  position.  Within ten (10)
days of the  delivery  of the Notice of  Dispute,  the  parties  shall meet at a
mutually  acceptable  time and place,  and thereafter as long as they reasonably
deem  necessary,  to attempt to resolve the  dispute.  All  documents  and other
information  or data on which each party relies  concerning the dispute shall be
furnished or made available on reasonable  terms to the other party at or before
the first meeting of the parties as provided by this Section 9.1.


<PAGE>

     9.2 Mediation.  If the dispute has not been resolved by negotiation  within
thirty (30) days of the delivery of a Notice of Dispute,  or if the parties have
failed to meet within ten (10) days of the Notice of Dispute,  the parties shall
endeavor to settle the  dispute by  mediation  under the then  current CPR Model
Mediation Procedure for Business Disputes.  Unless otherwise agreed, the parties
shall agree upon a mediator or, if they cannot agree upon a mediator, a mediator
selected by Seller, a mediator  selected by Buyer and a third mediator  selected
by those just  selected by Buyer and  Seller.  Expenses  of  mediation  shall be
divided equally between Seller and Buyer.

     9.3  Binding  Arbitration.  Any  controversy  or  claim  arising  out of or
relating to this Agreement or any agreement or document in connection therewith,
the breach,  termination or validity thereof,  or the transactions  contemplated
herein  (including  any question  arising as to whether or not any dispute falls
within the terms of this Section or the selection of  arbitrators  but excluding
any  dispute  to be  resolved  pursuant  to  Section  3.2)  if  not  settled  by
negotiation  or  mediation  as  provided in Section 9.1 and Section 9.2 shall be
settled by  arbitration in  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  in accordance  with the CPR
Rules for Non-Administered  Arbitration of Business Disputes,  by an independent
and impartial  arbitrator  mutually  acceptable to Seller and Buyer, or, if they
cannot  agree  upon an  arbitrator,  an  independent  and  impartial  arbitrator
selected by Seller,  an independent and impartial  arbitrator  selected by Buyer
and a third independent and impartial arbitrator selected by those just selected
by Buyer and Seller.  Any party may initiate  arbitration from and after 60 days
following  the  delivery of a Notice of Dispute if the dispute has not then been
settled by negotiation or mediation.  Except as otherwise  provided herein,  the
arbitration  procedure shall be governed by the United States Arbitration Act, 9
U.S.C.  ss. 1-16, and the award rendered by the  arbitrators  shall be final and
binding  on the  parties  and may be entered  in any court  having  jurisdiction
thereof.

     The  arbitrator  shall be bound to follow  the laws of the State of Indiana
and the Federal laws of the United States of America.  The  arbitrators  may not
award damages in excess of compensatory damages.

     9.4 Discovery.  Each party shall have  discovery  rights as provided by the
Federal Rules of Civil  Procedure;  provided,  however,  that all such discovery
shall be commenced  and concluded  within ninety (90) days of the  initiation of
arbitration.

     9.5  Expeditious  Proceedings.  It is the  intent of the  parties  that any
arbitration shall be concluded as quickly as reasonably practicable.  Unless the
parties  otherwise  agree,  once commenced,  the hearing on the disputed matters
shall be held four days a week until concluded,  with each hearing date to begin
at 9:00  a.m.  and to  conclude  at 5:00  p.m.  The  arbitrators  shall  use all
reasonable  efforts to issue the final  award or awards  within a period of five
(5) business days after closure of the  proceedings.  Failure of the arbitrators
to meet the time limits of this Section 9.5 shall not be a basis for challenging
the award.


<PAGE>

     9.6 Attorneys' Fees. The arbitrators may instruct the non-prevailing  party
to pay all costs of the  proceedings,  including  the fees and  expenses  of the
arbitrators  and the reasonable  attorneys'  fees and expenses of the prevailing
party,  but only for the  prevailing  party that shall  have  complied  with the
provisions  of  Sections  9.1 and  Section  9.2  above.  In the  absence of such
instruction,  Seller and Buyer shall be  instructed to bear its own costs and to
pay one-half of the fees and expenses of the arbitrators.

     9.7  Enforcement  of Awards.  Each party  agrees that any legal  proceeding
instituted to enforce an arbitration  award  hereunder may be brought in a court
of competent jurisdiction (either state or federal) in Indianapolis, Indiana and
hereby  submits to  personal  jurisdiction  therein and  irrevocably  waives any
objection as to venue  therein,  and further agrees not to plead or claim in any
such court that any such proceeding has been brought in an  inconvenient  forum.
Either  party may appeal the award on the basis that the  arbitrators  failed to
follow the laws or procedures set forth in Section 9.3.

     9.8  Equitable  Relief.  Nothing  herein  shall be construed to prevent any
party from seeking  equitable  relief in any court of competent  jurisdiction to
restrain  or prohibit  any breach or  threatened  breach of any  covenant of the
parties  set forth in this  Agreement,  whether  or not the  parties  have first
sought to resolve the dispute  through  negotiation,  mediation  or  arbitration
pursuant to this Article IX.

ARTICLE X

INDEMNIFICATION

     10.1 Indemnification by Seller. Seller covenants and agrees with Buyer that
it shall indemnify Buyer and its directors and officers,  and their  successors,
assigns,  heirs and legal  representatives  ("Section 10.1 Indemnified Parties")
and hold them  harmless  from,  against  and in  respect  of any and all  costs,
losses, claims,  contribution claims,  liabilities,  fines, penalties,  damages,
response costs,  remedial action costs,  clean-up costs and expenses  (including
interest  which may be  imposed  in  connection  therewith  and court  costs and
reasonable  fees and  disbursements  of  counsel)  (hereinafter  referred  to as
"Claims") arising out of or with respect to:

     (a) any  liabilities  or obligations of Seller arising prior to the Closing
Date other than the Assumed Liabilities; and

     (b) any  breach of any of the  representations,  warranties,  covenants  or
agreements made by Seller in this Agreement or in any  certificate  executed and
delivered by Seller pursuant hereto.

     10.2  Indemnification  by Buyer.  Buyer  hereby  covenants  and agrees with
Seller that it shall indemnify Seller and each of Seller's directors,  officers,
and  successors,  heirs and legal  representatives  ("Section  10.2  Indemnified
Parties"),  and hold them harmless  from,  against and in respect of any and all
Claims, arising out of or with respect to:


<PAGE>

     (a) the operation of the Business or the Assets by Buyer or its successors,
assigns or transferees on and following the Closing Date;

     (b) Buyer's  assuming  and  agreeing  to pay,  perform  and  discharge  the
obligations  of  Seller  related  to  future  performance  to be  discharged  or
performed after the Closing Date under the Assumed Liabilities; and

     (c) any  breach of any of the  representations,  warranties,  covenants  or
agreements made by Buyer in this Agreement or in any other certificate  executed
and delivered by Buyer pursuant hereto.

     10.3  Limits.  (a) No claim  for  indemnification  may be made by any party
hereto  except to the extent the  aggregate  amount of such Claims by such party
exceed Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars  ($350,000) (the "Basket") (and then
only to the extent that such claims  exceed the Basket).  In addition,  no claim
for  indemnification  shall be made for any item that is less than Five Thousand
Dollars  ($5,000)  ("Minimum  Claim"),  but all such claims shall be  considered
Claims for purposes of calculating the Basket. The Basket shall not apply to any
monies due to be paid under  Sections  3.2 or 7.9 or to any  failure of Buyer to
pay the Assumed Liabilities.

     (b) The aggregate Claims indemnified against shall not exceed Three Million
Dollars  ($3,000,000)  (the "Cap").  The Cap shall not apply to (i) any Claim by
the Section 10.2 Indemnified Parties for indemnification from Buyer with respect
to Buyer's  failure to timely perform and discharge the Assumed  Liabilities and
(ii) any payment or indemnification  due the Section 10.2 Indemnified Parties or
the Section 10.1 Indemnified Parties pursuant to Sections 3.2 or 7.9.

     (c) No claim  for  indemnification  shall be made (i) by  either  party for
indirect,  special,  consequential or punitive damages, (ii) by the Section 10.1
Indemnified Parties for any breach of any  representation,  warranty or covenant
of this Agreement by Seller of which Buyer has knowledge prior to the Closing as
a result of its due diligence  investigation  or otherwise or (iii) with respect
to any  matter set forth in Section  12.2,  beyond the time  period set forth in
such Section.

     (d) It is recognized  that the Purchase  Price  payable  hereunder has been
determined,  in part,  based on a  multiple  of  earnings.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  no claim for an indemnity payment hereunder shall be made based on a
multiple of damages incurred,  whether such claim relates to an overstatement of
prior earnings or other breach of a representation, warranty or covenant, except
in the case of fraud.

     10.4  Procedure.  (a)  Promptly  (and in any event within 15 days after the
service of any citation or summons) after  acquiring  knowledge of any Claim for
which  one  of  the   parties   hereto  (the   "Indemnified   Party")  may  seek
indemnification  against another party (the  "Indemnifying  Party")  pursuant to
this Article X, the Indemnified  Party shall given written notice thereof to the
Indemnifying Party. Failure to provide notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying
Party of its  obligations  under this  Article X except to the  extent  that the
Indemnifying  Party  demonstrates  actual  damage  caused by that  failure.  The
Indemnifying  Party shall have the right to assume the defense of any Claim with
counsel  reasonably  acceptable to the Indemnified Party upon delivery of notice
to that  effect to the  Indemnified  Party.  If the  Indemnifying  Party,  after
written notice from the Indemnified Party, fails to take timely action to defend
the action resulting from the Claim, the Indemnified  Party shall have the right
to defend the action  resulting  from the Claim by counsel of its own  choosing,
but at the cost and expense of the  Indemnifying  Party.  The Indemnified  Party
shall have the right to settle or compromise  any Claims against it, and, as the
case may be, recover from the  Indemnifying  Party any amount paid in settlement
or  compromise   thereof,  if  it  has  given  written  notice  thereof  to  the
Indemnifying  Party and the Indemnifying  Party has failed to take timely action
to defend the same.  The  Indemnifying  Party  shall have the right to settle or
compromise  any claim against the  Indemnified  Party without the consent of the
Indemnified  Party  provided  that the  terms of the  settlement  or  compromise
provide for the  unconditional  release of the Indemnified Party and require the
payment of monetary damages only.


<PAGE>

     (b) Upon its receipt of any amount paid by the Indemnifying  Party pursuant
to this Article X, the Indemnified Party shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party
such documents as it may reasonably  request assigning to the Indemnifying Party
any and all rights,  to the extent  indemnified,  that the Indemnified Party may
have against third  parties with respect to the Claim for which  indemnification
is being received.

     10.5  Exclusive  Remedy.  The  indemnification  set forth in this Article X
shall be the sole and  exclusive  remedy of the  parties  against  the other for
breach of the  representations,  warranties  and covenants of this Agreement and
any  Agreement or document  executed in connection  herewith,  except for claims
arising from fraud.

     10.6 Insurance and Taxes. Any claim for indemnification  hereunder shall be
reduced  by  any  insurance  payment  to  be  received  by  the  party  claiming
indemnification  and any tax  benefit  to be  realized  by such  indemnity  with
respect to the matter for which indemnification is sought.

ARTICLE XI

TERMINATION

     11.1   Termination.   Anything   in   this   Agreement   to  the   contrary
notwithstanding,   this  Agreement  may  be  terminated  and  the   transactions
contemplated herein abandoned:

     (a) by the mutual written consent of both of the parties hereto at any time
prior to the Closing.

     (b) by Buyer in the event of a breach by  Seller of any  provision  of this
Agreement,  which breach is not remedied  within ten (10) days after  receipt of
notice thereof (or if earlier, the Drop Dead Date);

     (c) by Seller in the  event of a breach by Buyer of any  provision  of this
Agreement,  which breach is not remedied  within ten (10) days after  receipt of
notice thereof (or if earlier, the Drop Dead Date);

     (d) by either  party if the  Closing  does not occur on or before  June 30,
1999 (the "Drop Dead Date").

     In the  event  this  Agreement  is  terminated,  no  party  shall  have any
obligation  or  liability to the other party for the  transactions  contemplated
herein  or for  breach  of any  representation,  warranty  or  covenant  of this
Agreement  or any  document  executed  in  connection  herewith,  except for the
provisions which survive pursuant to the next paragraph hereof

     The provisions set forth in Article IX, this Section 11.1, and Sections 7.8
and 12.1 shall survive any termination.


<PAGE>

     11.2 Risk of Loss.  The risk of loss to the Assets and all  liability  with
respect to injury and damage occurring in connection therewith shall remain with
and be the sole responsibility of Seller until the time of the Closing.

ARTICLE XII

GENERAL

     12.1 Expenses. Buyer and Seller shall pay their own respective expenses and
the fees and  expenses of their  respective  counsel and  accountants  and other
experts.

     12.2  Survival of  Representations  and  Warranties.  The  representations,
warranties in this Agreement and in any ancillary  certificate or document shall
survive  the  Closing  for a period  ending on  December  31,  2001,  except the
representations  and warranties  contained in Sections 5.2, 5.4, 5.10,  5.25(a),
6.2 and 6.6 which shall survive  indefinitely and except the representations and
warranties  contained  in  Section  5.15  and 5.19  which  shall  survive  until
expiration of the applicable statute of limitations.

     12.3  Updates to  Schedules.  Seller may  update the  Schedules  to reflect
changes  permitted by this Agreement and shall update them promptly as needed to
maintain their accuracy.  For the purposes of determining the accuracy as of the
date  hereof  of the  representations  and  warranties  of Seller as of the date
hereof  contained  in  Article  V in  order  to  determine  the  fulfillment  of
conditions set forth in Section 8.2, the Disclosure  Schedule shall be deemed to
exclude  any  information  contained  in  any  supplement  or  amendment  hereto
delivered after delivery of the Disclosure Schedule.

     12.4  Waivers.  The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision
of  this  Agreement  shall  not  operate  or be  construed  as a  waiver  of any
subsequent  breach. The waiver by any party hereto at or before the Closing Date
of any  condition to its  obligations  hereunder  which is not  fulfilled  shall
preclude such party from seeking  redress from the other party hereto for breach
of any  representation,  warranty,  covenant  or  agreement  contained  in  this
Agreement related to such waiver.


<PAGE>

     12.5 Binding Effect;  Benefits;  Assignment.  This Agreement shall inure to
the  benefit  of and be binding  upon the  parties  hereto and their  respective
successors and permitted  assigns,  heirs and legal  representatives.  Except as
otherwise set forth herein,  nothing in this Agreement,  express or implied,  is
intended  to  confer  on any  person  other  than the  parties  hereto  or their
respective successors and permitted assigns any rights,  remedies,  obligations,
or  liabilities  under or by reason of this  Agreement.  No party may assign its
rights  hereunder  without the consent of the other party  except in  connection
with the sale of substantially  all of such party's assets and except that Buyer
may assign its rights  hereunder  in whole or in part to a  subsidiary  if Buyer
guarantees  full and complete  performance by the subsidiary of its  obligations
hereunder in a form reasonably satisfactory to Seller.

     12.6 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications which
are required to be or may be given under this Agreement  shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given when  delivered in person or transmitted
by facsimile or three (3) days after  deposit by certified or  registered  first
class mail, postage prepaid,  return receipt requested, to the party to whom the
same is so given or made:

         If to Buyer, to:           Spartech Corporation
                                    120 South Central, Suite 1700
                                    Clayton, Missouri 63105
                                    Attention:  Randy C. Martin, Vice President
                                    and Chief Financial Officer
                                    Fax:  (314) 721-1543

         With a copy to:            Armstrong Teasdale LLP
                                    One Metropolitan Square, Suite 2600
                                    St. Louis, Missouri  63102
                                    Attention:  Jeffrey D. Fisher
                                    Fax:  (314) 621-5065

         If to Seller, to:          Alltrista Plastics Corporation
                                    5875 Castle Creek Parkway North Drive
                                    Suite 440
                                    Indianapolis, Indiana 46250
                                    Attention: Kevin D. Bower,
                                    Chief Financial Officer
                                    Fax: (317) 577-5002

         With a copy to:            ICE MILLER DONADIO & RYAN
                                    One American Square
                                    Box 82001
                                    Indianapolis, IN  46282
                                    Attention:  Joseph E. DeGroff
                                    Fax:  (317) 236-2219

or to such other address or facsimile  number as such party shall have specified
by notice to the other party hereto.


<PAGE>

     12.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits
hereto) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings, oral and written, between the parties hereto with respect to the
subject  matter  hereof  and  cannot  be  changed  or  terminated   orally.   No
representations or warranties,  express or implied, are made with respect to the
Business, Seller or the Assets except as expressly set forth herein.

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

     12.9 Governing  Law. This Agreement  shall be construed as to both validity
and  performance and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the
State of Indiana, without giving effect to the choice of law principles thereof

     12.10  Amendments.  This Agreement may not be modified or changed except by
an  instrument  or  instruments  in  writing  signed by the party  against  whom
enforcement of any such modification or amendment is sought.

     12.11   Severability.   The   invalidity   of  all  or  any   part  of  any
representation,  warranty, covenant or indemnification Section of this Agreement
shall not render  invalid the  remainder of this  Agreement or the  remainder of
such  Section.  If any  representation,  warranty,  covenant or  indemnification
Section of this Agreement or portion thereof is so broad as to be unenforceable,
it shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

     12.12  Press  Releases.  Neither of Seller or Buyer  shall  issue any press
release  or  written   statement  for  general   circulation   relating  to  the
transactions  contemplated hereby without providing such release or statement to
the other party for review and comment a reasonable time prior to such issue.


<PAGE>

     12.13 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall  constitute one and the
same  instrument.  However,  in making  proof  hereof it shall be  necessary  to
produce only one copy hereof signed by the party to be charged.  Signature pages
delivered by facsimile to this Agreement or any document delivered in connection
herewith or at the Closing shall be binding to the same extent as an original.

     12.14  Interpretation.   Unless  otherwise  specifically  provided  herein,
whenever  consent of a party is required for any action,  such consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

<TABLE>

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this  Agreement to be
signed in their respective names by an officer  thereunto duly authorized on the
date first above written.
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                 <C>
SELLER:                                             BUYER:

ALLTRISTA PLASTICS CORPORATION                      SPARTECH CORPORATION


By: /s/ Kevin D. Bower                              By: /s/ Randy C. Martin
   ---------------------------------------             ---------------------------------------
   Kevin D. Bower, Secretary                           Randy C. Martin, Vice President
                                                       and Chief Financial Officer
</TABLE>

     The undersigned  corporation  hereby fully and  unconditionally  guarantees
prompt and timely  performance by Seller of all of Seller's  covenants set forth
in the foregoing Agreement.

                                        ALLTRISTA CORPORATION

                                        By: /s/ Kevin D.Bower
                                           -------------------------------------
         `                                  Kevin D. Bower, Sr. Vice President
                                            and Chief Financial Officer
                                            Dated as of May 4, 1999


<PAGE>



EXHIBIT 8.2(i)

[TO BE DELIVERED BY ICE MILLER DONADIO & RYAN TO
SPARTECH CORPORATION]

[DRAFT SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND COMMENT BY
ICE MILLER DONADIO & RYAN OPINIONS COMMITTEE]





May ___, 1999



Spartech Corporation
120 South Central
Suite 1700
Clayton, Missouri 63105

     Re: Alltrista Plastics Corporation

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as  counsel to  Alltrista  Plastics  Corporation,  an Indiana
corporation (the "Seller"),  in connection with the  negotiation,  execution and
delivery of a certain Asset Purchase  Agreement  dated as of May 4, 1999, by and
between  Seller and Spartech  Corporation  (the  "Agreement")  and certain other
documents,  instruments  and  agreements  entered  into in  connection  with the
transactions  contemplated  by the  Agreement  (collectively,  together with the
Agreement, the "Transaction Documents") and as counsel to Alltrista Corporation,
an Indiana  corporation  ("Alltrista"),  in connection with the guarantee of the
Seller's obligations set forth in the Agreement (the "Guaranty").

     This  opinion  letter  ("Opinion  Letter")  is  being  delivered  to you in
accordance  with Section 8.2(i) of the  Agreement.  All  capitalized  terms used
herein  without  definition  have  the  respective  meanings  specified  in  the
Agreement  or in the Legal  Opinion  Accord of the ABA Section of  Business  Law
(1991), as applicable (the "Accord").

     This Opinion  Letter is governed by, and shall be interpreted in accordance
with the Accord. As a consequence,  it is subject to a number of qualifications,
exceptions,  definitions,  limitations on coverage and other limitations, all as
more  particularly  described in the Accord,  and this Opinion  Letter should be
read in conjunction therewith. Except as further limited herein, the law covered
by the Opinions  expressed herein are limited to the Law of the State of Indiana
and the federal law of the United States.


<PAGE>



     The words "to our knowledge," "known to us" or words of like import as used
herein and when applied to a statement herein mean that during the course of our
representation  of Seller in  connection  with the execution and delivery of and
the transactions  contemplated by the Transaction Documents,  no facts have come
to the  attention  of the  Primary  Lawyer  Group that would  constitute  Actual
Knowledge that would cause us to express a contrary  statement.  For purposes of
this Opinion  Letter,  the "Primary  Lawyer Group"  consists of Joseph  DeGroff,
Gretchen Snelling and Jason Ty Sibbitt. As to facts material to this Opinion, we
have,  with your  permission,  relied upon the  certificates  of the officers of
Seller  attached  to this  Opinion  Letter  as well as the  representations  and
certifications of Seller contained in the Transaction Documents.

     Based upon the foregoing  and subject to the  assumptions,  exceptions  and
qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

1.   Seller  and  Alltrista  are  corporations  duly  incorporated  and  validly
     existing under the laws of the State of Indiana.

2.   Seller  has the  requisite  corporate  power  and  corporate  authority  to
     execute,  deliver and perform the  Transaction  Documents and carry out the
     transactions contemplated thereby. The execution,  delivery and performance
     by Seller of the  Transaction  Documents  have  been  duly  authorized  and
     approved by all required corporate actions on the part of Seller. Alltrista
     has the  requisite  power and corporate  authority to execute,  deliver and
     perform the Guaranty. The execution,  delivery and performance by Alltrista
     of the  Guaranty  have been duly  authorized  and  approved by all required
     corporate actions on the part of Alltrista.

3.   The  Transaction  Documents  constitute  valid and binding  obligations  of
     Seller enforceable in accordance with their terms. The Guaranty constitutes
     a valid and binding obligation of Alltrista  enforceable in accordance with
     its terms.

4.   Except  as set  forth in any  Transaction  Documents  or any  schedules  or
     exhibits thereto, to our knowledge,  no permit or waiver from,  application
     or notice to, approval or qualification by, order, authorization or consent
     of, or filing or  registration  with any  governmental  authority or entity
     which has not been made or obtained and which if not made or obtained could
     reasonably be expected to have a Material  Adverse Effect is or has been or
     will be required on the part of Seller or Alltrista in connection  with the
     execution  and  delivery  by Seller  of the  Transaction  Documents  or the
     consummation  by Seller of the  transactions  contemplated  thereby and the
     execution and delivery by Alltrista of the Guaranty.

5.   The execution,  delivery and performance of the  Transaction  Documents and
     the  transactions  contemplated  thereby  will not violate the  Articles of
     Incorporation or Bylaws of Seller. The execution,  delivery and performance
     of the Guaranty will not violate the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of
     Alltrista.

<PAGE>

     Pursuant to Section 21 of the Accord,  without  expanding  any Opinions set
forth in this  letter,  the Opinions set forth in this letter are subject to the
following qualifications, limitations, and assumptions, in addition to those set
forth elsewhere in this letter or the Accord:

          (i) The  General  Qualifications  of the  Accord  apply  to all of the
     Opinions set forth in this letter.

          (ii) The enforceability of the Transaction Documents may be limited or
     otherwise  affected by  applicable  Laws of the state of Indiana  which may
     render certain of the rights,  remedies,  waivers and indemnities contained
     in the Transaction Documents  unenforceable,  but the inclusion of which do
     not affect the validity of the Transaction Documents as a whole.

          (iii)  The  opinions  with  respect  to  the   enforceability  of  any
     noncompetition  agreement or restrictive  covenant  constitute our reasoned
     judgment based on existing judicial  precedent as to how the enforceability
     of such provisions  should be viewed by the courts of the State of Indiana.
     The  enforceability  of such provisions is subject to judicial  discretion,
     and is  dependent  upon a  favorable  determination  by the court as to the
     existence of protectable  interests and the fairness and  reasonableness of
     the  restrictions  contained in such covenants,  including the fairness and
     reasonableness  of  the  geographic  scope,  time  periods  and  amount  of
     liquidated damages, and to public policy considerations.

          (iv)  The  Opinions  expressed  herein  are  matters  of  professional
     judgment and are not a guarantee of result.

          (v) The Opinions  are rendered as of the date hereof,  and we disclaim
     any undertaking to advise you hereafter of developments hereafter occurring
     or coming to our attention,  whether or not the same would (if existing and
     known to us) cause any change or modification in the Opinions.

     This  letter  is  rendered  to  you in  connection  with  the  transactions
contemplated by the Transaction  Documents and may not be used or relied upon by
you in any other context or for any other purpose.  It may not be used or relied
upon by any other  person  for any  purpose  whatsoever,  except  to the  extent
authorized in the Accord, without in each instance our prior written consent.

                                Very truly yours,

                                ICE MILLER DONADIO & RYAN
<PAGE>
Exhibit 8.3(e)
- --------------




[Letterhead of Armstrong Teasdale LLP]


May __, 1999



Alltrista Plastics Corporation
5875 Castle Creek Parkway North Drive, Suite 440
Indianapolis, Indiana 46250

Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to Spartech  Corporation,  a Delaware  corporation
("Buyer") in connection  with the Asset  Purchase  Agreement  dated as of May 4,
1999  between  Alltrista   Plastics   Corporation   ("Seller")  and  Buyer  (the
"Agreement")  and certain other  documents,  instruments and agreements  entered
into in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Agreement (together
with  the  Agreement,  the  "Transaction   Documents"),   and  the  transactions
contemplated  thereby.  This  opinion  is being  delivered  to you  pursuant  to
paragraph 8.3(e) of the Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

     In connection with rendering the opinions  hereinafter  expressed,  we have
examined and relied upon such records, documents,  instruments,  certificates of
public  officials  and  certificates  of officers and employees of Buyer and its
affiliated   companies  as  we  have  deemed  appropriate.   In  conducting  our
examination,  we have  assumed the legal  capacity of all natural  persons,  the
genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us
as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to
us as certified,  photostatic or facsimile  copies and the  authenticity  of the
originals of such copies,  the  accuracy  and  completeness  of all records made
available  to us by Buyer,  and the  accuracy  of all  statements  as to factual
matters made by officers and employees  of, and  accountants  for,  Buyer and by
public officials. In conducting our examination of documents executed by parties
other than Buyer, we have assumed,  without investigation,  that each such other
party  had  the  power  and  capacity  to  enter  into  and  perform  all of its
obligations  under such documents and have also assumed the due authorization by
all requisite  action,  execution and delivery by such parties of such documents
and the validity and binding effect thereof.

     We express no opinion as to any matters governed by any laws other than the
laws of the  State of  Missouri,  the  General  Corporation  Law of the State of
Delaware, and the Federal laws of the United States.

     Based upon the foregoing,  and with due regard to such legal considerations
as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:
<PAGE>

     1.   Buyer is a corporation  duly organized,  validly  existing and in good
          standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

     2.   Buyer has the  requisite  corporate  power and  authority  to execute,
          deliver  and perform the  Transaction  Documents  and to carry out the
          transactions  contemplated  thereby.  The  execution,   delivery,  and
          performance  of  the  Transaction   Documents  and  the   transactions
          contemplated  thereby do not and will not violate the  certificate  of
          incorporation or bylaws of Buyer.

     3.   The execution,  delivery and performance of the Transaction  Documents
          by Buyer and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby
          have been duly authorized by all required corporate action on the part
          of the Buyer. The Transaction  Documents  constitute (or to the extent
          any Transaction  Documents are to be executed after the Closing,  such
          Transaction  Documents  when duly  executed and delivered on behalf of
          Buyer  will  constitute),  valid  and  binding  obligations  of Buyer,
          enforceable  against Buyer in accordance  with their terms,  except as
          may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization, moratorium,
          fraudulent  transfer or other similar laws limiting the enforcement of
          creditors' rights generally,  and by general  principles of equity and
          the  general  equitable  discretion  of the  court  before  which  any
          proceeding in equity may be brought.

     4.   To the  best of our  knowledge,  after  reasonable  investigation,  no
          permit  or  waiver  from,   application  or  notice  to,  approval  or
          qualification  by,  order,  authorization  or consent of, or filing or
          registration with, any governmental authority or entity, which has not
          been  made  or  obtained  and  which  if not  made or  obtained  could
          reasonably  be  expected  to have a  material  adverse  effect  on the
          business,  assets or financial  condition  of Buyer, is or has been or
          will be required on the part of Buyer in connection with the execution
          and delivery by Buyer of the Transaction Documents or the consummation
          by Buyer of the transactions contemplated thereby.

     Except as set forth  below,  this  opinion is  rendered  only to you and is
solely for your benefit in connection with the transactions  covered hereby, and
may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose,  or furnished to, quoted or
relied upon by any other person,  firm or corporation  for any purpose,  without
our prior written consent.

Very truly yours,



ARMSTRONG TEASDALE LLP


FIRST AMENDMENT TO ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT


     THIS FIRST  AMENDMENT TO ASSET PURCHASE  AGREEMENT  ("First  Amendment") is
made and  entered  into  this  21st day of May,  1999 by and  between  ALLTRISTA
PLASTICS   CORPORATION,   an  Indiana  corporation   ("Seller"),   and  SPARTECH
CORPORATION,  a Delaware corporation  ("Buyer").  Capitalized terms used but not
defined  herein shall have the meanings  ascribed to them in the Asset  Purchase
Agreement (as hereinafter defined).

RECITALS:

     A.   Buyer and Seller are  parties to a certain  Asset  Purchase  Agreement
          dated May 4, 1999 (the  "Asset  Purchase  Agreement")  whereby  Seller
          agreed to sell,  and Buyer  agreed to buy,  certain  of the  assets of
          Alltrista Plastics Packaging Company.

     B.   Buyer and  Seller  desire to amend the  Asset  Purchase  Agreement  to
          adjust the Purchase Price to be paid at Closing.

AGREEMENT:

     In  consideration   of  the  mutual  promises,   covenants  and  conditions
hereinafter  set  forth,  and for other  good and  valuable  consideration,  the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby  acknowledged,  the parties agree as
follows:

     1.  Section  3.1 is hereby  deleted in its  entirety  and  replaced  by the
following:

          3.1 Consideration, Payment.

               (a)  Subject to  adjustments  provided in Section  3.2,  the cash
                    consideration  to be paid by Buyer to Seller  for the Assets
                    is  Twenty-Eight  Million  Seven  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars
                    ($28,700,000) (the "Purchase Price").

               (b)  The Purchase  Price shall be paid at Closing in  immediately
                    available funds.

               (c)  The  Purchase  Price is in addition to all  liabilities  and
                    obligations  of Seller to be  assumed by Buyer  pursuant  to
                    Article  IV. Such  Assumed  Liabilities,  together  with the
                    Purchase  Price,  are   collectively   referred  to  as  the
                    "Aggregate Consideration".

     2. Except as expressly  amended and modified  hereby,  all of the terms and
provisions of the Asset Purchase Agreement shall remain in full force and effect
and hereby are restated and ratified by the parties.
<PAGE>

     3. The  Asset  Purchase  Agreement,  as  amended  by this  First  Amendment
(including  the Schedules  and Exhibits  hereto and  thereto),  constitutes  the
entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understanding, oral and
written,  between the parties  hereto with respect to the subject  matter hereof
and cannot be changed or terminated orally.

     4. This First Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which  shall be deemed an  original  but all of which  taken  together  shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

     The parties hereto have caused this First  Amendment to be duly executed as
of the date first written above.

                         ALLTRISTA PLASTICS CORPORATION


                         By: /s/ Kevin D. Bower
                            ------------------------------------
                         (Signature)

                         Kevin D. Bower
                         ---------------------------------------
                         (Printed Name)

                         Secretary
                         ---------------------------------------
                         (Title)


                         SPARTECH CORPORATION


                         By: /s/ Randy C. Martin
                            ------------------------------------
                         (Signature)

                         Randy C. Martin
                         ---------------------------------------
                         (Printed Name)

                         VP Finance & CFO
                         ---------------------------------------
                         (Title)



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