SMITH A O CORP
8-K, 1999-08-17
MOTORS & GENERATORS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT


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

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


                       Date of Report
                       (Date of earliest
                       event reported):        August 2, 1999


                             A. O. Smith Corporation
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


   Delaware                           1-475                      39-0619790
(State or other                  (Commission File              (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of                      Number)                 Identification No.)
incorporation)


                 P.O. Box 23972, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223-0972
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)


                                 (414) 359-4000
                         (Registrant's telephone number)



<PAGE>



Item 2.   Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

          On August 2, 1999, A. O. Smith  Corporation  (the "Company")  acquired
substantially all of the assets of the Motors and Controls Division of MagneTek,
Inc., a Delaware corporation  ("MagneTek"),  used primarily in the operations of
the business of developing,  manufacturing, selling and distributing fractional,
integral and DC electric  motors (the "Motors  Business"),  pursuant to an Asset
Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 28, 1999, among MagneTek,  MagneTek Service
(U.K.) Limited and the Company (the "Asset Purchase  Agreement").  The Company's
acquisition  of the assets of the Motors  Business  is referred to herein as the
"Acquisition."

          Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement,  except for certain excluded
assets  (including  cash,  tax refunds,  certain  third party  claims,  business
information,  MagneTek's  business  name,  certain  records,  interests in joint
ventures, obligations of affiliates of MagneTek, certain agreements with respect
to  commodities,  MagneTek's  facility  in Cegled,  Hungary,  certain  logistics
facilities,  certain  intellectual  property and certain corporate assets),  the
Company  acquired the stock of six foreign  subsidiaries  of MagneTek and all of
the  business,  rights,  claims and assets of  MagneTek  used  primarily  in the
operation of the Motors Business,  including, but not limited to, (a) owned real
property, (b) leased real property, (c) personal property, (d) inventories,  (e)
intellectual  property,  (f) contracts,  (g) licenses and permits, (h) books and
records, (i) insurance proceeds, (j) accounts receivable,  (k) prepaid expenses,
(l) third party claims,  (m) certain  logistics  facilities  and (n)  intangible
rights and assets.

          As consideration  for the assets of the Motors  Business,  the Company
(i) assumed various  liabilities of MagneTek arising out of the Motors Business,
and  (ii)  paid  approximately  $250  million  in  cash  at the  closing  of the
Acquisition,  subject to adjustment.  The purchase price paid by the Company for
the assets of the Motors  Business was  determined  on the basis of arm's length
negotiations  between the parties.  The Company funded the  Acquisition  through
available cash and proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper and borrowings
under a credit facility with Bank of America,  N. A., The First National Bank of
Chicago, The Bank of New York, Citibank, N. A., Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N. A., M
& I Marshall & Ilsley Bank, Northwest Bank Wisconsin,  N. A., U.S. Bank National
Association, and Wachovia Bank, N. A.

          The Asset  Purchase  Agreement  is filed as an exhibit to this Current
Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The brief summary of
the  material  provisions  of the Asset  Purchase  Agreement  set forth above is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Asset Purchase  Agreement filed as
an exhibit hereto.

          MagneTek  used the assets of the Motors  Business  in the  business of
developing,  manufacturing, selling and distributing fractional, integral and DC
electric  motors.  The  Company  intends to continue to use such assets for that
purpose.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>



Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

          (a) Financial Statements of Business Acquired.

          The  required  financial  statements  for the Motors  Business are not
filed  with  this  Current  Report  on Form  8-K,  but  will be filed as soon as
practicable and in no event later than October 18, 1999.

          (b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

          The required pro forma  financial  information  is not filed with this
Current Report on Form 8-K, but will be filed as soon as  practicable  and in no
event later than October 18, 1999.

          (c) Exhibits.

          The exhibit listed in the accompanying  Exhibit Index is filed as part
of this Current Report on Form 8-K.



                                      -3-
<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.

                               A. O. SMITH CORPORATION



Date:  August 16, 1999         By: /s/ W. David Romoser
                                   --------------------------------------------
                                   W. David Romoser
                                   Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary






                                      -4-
<PAGE>



                             A. O. SMITH CORPORATION

                   Exhibit Index to Current Report on Form 8-K
                              Dated August 2, 1999


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


(2)           Asset  Purchase  Agreement,  dated  as of  June  28,  1999,  among
              MagneTek,  Inc.,  MagneTek  Service (U.K.) Limited and A. O. Smith
              Corporation.*










- ---------------
*      The schedules and exhibits to this document are not being filed herewith.
       The  registrant  agrees  to  furnish  supplementally  a copy of any  such
       schedule  or exhibit  to the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  upon
       request.



                                      -5-




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






                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                                      among


                                 MAGNETEK, INC.,


                         MAGNETEK SERVICE (U.K.) LIMITED


                                       and

                             A.O. SMITH CORPORATION



                             SALE OF MOTORS DIVISION



                            Dated as of June 28, 1999







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




<PAGE>






                                Table of Contents

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----


ARTICLE I  DEFINITIONS.........................................................1

         1.1. Certain Defined Terms............................................1
         1.2. Other Definitional Provisions....................................6

ARTICLE II  CLOSING; PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENT.................................6

         2.1. Sale and Transfer of the Assets..................................6
         2.2. Assets Not Transferred...........................................8
         2.3. Assumed and Excluded Liabilities.................................9
         2.4. Closing.........................................................11
         2.5. Purchase Price Adjustment.......................................12
         2.6. Tax Allocation..................................................14
         2.7. Transfer Taxes..................................................14

ARTICLE III  CONDITIONS TO CLOSING............................................15

         3.1. Buyer's Obligation..............................................15
         3.2. Sellers' Obligation.............................................15

ARTICLE IV  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER..........................16

         4.1. Authority; No Conflicts; Governmental Consents;
              Corporate Matters...............................................16
         4.2. Financial Statements; Absence of Changes........................18
         4.3. Taxes...........................................................20
         4.4. Assets Other than Real Property Interests.......................20
         4.5. Real Property...................................................21
         4.6. Intellectual Property...........................................21
         4.7. Contracts.......................................................22
         4.8. Litigation; Decrees.............................................23
         4.9. Employee and Related Matters....................................23
         4.10. Environmental Matters..........................................24
         4.11. Employee and Labor Relations...................................24
         4.12. Compliance With Law; Permits...................................25
         4.13. Product Warranty and Product Liability.........................25
         4.14. Assets of the Business.........................................26

ARTICLE V  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER............................26

         5.1. Authority; No Conflicts; Governmental Consents..................26

                                       i
<PAGE>

         5.2. Actions and Proceedings, Etc....................................27
         5.3. Buyer's Acknowledgment..........................................27
         5.4. Solvency........................................................27
         5.5. No Knowledge of Sellers' Breach.................................28

ARTICLE VI  COVENANTS OF SELLER...............................................28

         6.1. Access..........................................................28
         6.2. Ordinary Conduct; No Shopping...................................28
         6.3. Insurance.......................................................29
         6.4. Title Commitment................................................29
         6.5. Accounts Receivable.............................................29
         6.6. Noncompetition..................................................30
         6.7. Confidential Information........................................31
         6.8. Repurchase of Certain Accounts Receivable.......................31
         6.9. Resolution or Remediation of Certain Environmental
              Matters Identified Prior to the Closing Date....................32

ARTICLE VII  COVENANTS OF BUYER...............................................35

         7.1. Confidentiality.................................................35
         7.2. Accounts Receivable.............................................35
         7.3. Waiver of Bulk Sales Law Compliance.............................36
         7.4. Excluded Assets.................................................36
         7.5. Cooperation.....................................................36
         7.6. Change of Company Names.........................................36

ARTICLE VIII  MUTUAL COVENANTS................................................36

         8.1. HSR Filings; Permits and Consents...............................36
         8.2. Cooperation.....................................................38
         8.3. Publicity.......................................................38
         8.4. Reasonable Efforts..............................................38
         8.5. Records.........................................................38
         8.6. Access to Former Business Records...............................39
         8.7. Use of Trademark and Trade Names................................39
         8.8. Tax Returns and Payments........................................40
         8.9. Cegled Facility.................................................41

ARTICLE IX  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MATTERS..........................................42

         9.1. Employee Retention..............................................42
         9.2. Employee Benefit Plans..........................................42
         9.3. Vacation and Holiday Pay........................................43
         9.4. Access to Information...........................................43

                                       ii
<PAGE>

         9.5. Company Employees and Plans.....................................43
         9.6. Pension Plan....................................................43
         9.7. 401(k) Plan.....................................................45
         9.8. Third-Party Beneficiaries.......................................45
         9.9. Payroll Tax.....................................................46

ARTICLE X  INDEMNIFICATION....................................................46

         10.1. Indemnification by Seller......................................46
         10.2. Indemnification by Buyer.......................................46
         10.3. Environmental Matters..........................................47
         10.4. Losses Net of Insurance, Etc...................................49
         10.5. Termination of Indemnification.................................50
         10.6. Procedures Relating to Indemnification
               (Other than for Tax Claims)....................................50
         10.7. Procedures Relating to Indemnification of Tax Claims...........51
         10.8. Survival of Representations....................................52

ARTICLE XI  GENERAL PROVISIONS................................................52

         11.1. Assignment.....................................................52
         11.2. No Third-Party Beneficiaries...................................52
         11.3. Termination....................................................53
         11.4. Expenses.......................................................54
         11.5. Equitable Relief...............................................54
         11.6. Amendments.....................................................54
         11.7. Notices........................................................54
         11.8. Interpretation; Exhibits and Schedules.........................55
         11.9. Counterparts...................................................56
         11.10. Entire Agreement..............................................56
         11.11. Fees..........................................................56
         11.12. Severability..................................................56
         11.13. Governing Law.................................................56

EXHIBITS

         Bill of Sale and Assignment and Assumption Agreement..........Exhibit A
         Summary of Terms of Supply and Service Agreements.............Exhibit B
         License Agreement.............................................Exhibit C


                                      iii
<PAGE>







                                List of Schedules
                                -----------------


Schedule 1.1(a)            Knowledge of Seller
Schedule 1.1(b)            Valdarno Development Projects
Schedule 2.1(a)            Owned Property
Schedule 2.1(b)            Leased Property
Schedule 2.1(e)            Intellectual Property
Schedule 2.2(m)            Excluded Facilities
Schedule 4.1(b)            Qualification To Do Business
Schedule 4.1(c)            Seller Required Consents
Schedule 4.1(e)            Capitalization of the Companies
Schedule 4.2               Financial Statements
Schedule 4.2(b)            Certain Changes
Schedule 4.2(c)            Other Liabilities
Schedule 4.3               Taxes
Schedule 4.4(a)            Liens
Schedule 4.4(b)            Year 2000 Remediation Actions; Oracle Implementation
Schedule 4.6               Intellectual Property Matters
Schedule 4.7               Contracts
Schedule 4.8               Litigation
Schedule 4.9               Employee Benefits
Schedule 4.10              Environmental Matters
Schedule 4.11              Labor Matters
Schedule 4.12(a)           Compliance with Law
Schedule 4.12(b)           Permits
Schedule 4.13              Product Warranty and Product Liability
Schedule 4.14              Assets and Services of the Business
Schedule 5.1(b)            Buyer Required Consents
Schedule 5.6               Knowledge of Buyer
Schedule 6.2               Conduct of Business
Schedule 6.6               Restricted Motors
Schedule 6.8               Certain Accounts Receivable
Schedule 6.9               Remediation of Certain Matters
Schedule 9.2(c)            Cafeteria Plan


                                       iv
<PAGE>




                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT


       ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT dated as of June 28, 1999, among MAGNETEK, INC.,
a Delaware  corporation  ("Seller"  or  "MagneTek"),  MAGNETEK  SERVICE  (U.K.),
LIMITED,  a company  organized  under the laws of the United  Kingdom  ("UK" and
together with  MagneTek,  "Sellers"),  and A.O.  SMITH  CORPORATION,  a Delaware
corporation ("Buyer").

       MagneTek, through its Motors and Controls Division (the "Division"),  has
historically engaged in the business of developing,  manufacturing,  selling and
distributing  fractional,  integral  and DC electric  motors  (the  "Business").
MagneTek  conducts  the  Business  domestically  as a  division  (the  "Domestic
Business") and  internationally,  through MagneTek Hungaria Kft., Igmex, S.A. de
C.V.,  MagneTek  Universal Electric Limited,  MagneTek Canada Limited,  MagneTek
(SEA) PTE Ltd. and MagneTek BV, companies formed,  respectively,  under the laws
of Hungary,  Mexico, the United Kingdom,  Canada, Singapore and the Netherlands.
The parties  hereto desire that MagneTek  sell,  transfer,  convey and assign to
Buyer (i) substantially all of the assets,  properties,  interests in properties
and  rights  used in the  Domestic  Business,  and (ii) the stock  ("Stock")  of
MagneTek  Hungaria Kft.,  Igmex,  S.A. de C.V. and MagneTek  Universal  Electric
Limited,  MagneTek  Canada  Limited,  MagneTek  (SEA) PTE Ltd. and MagneTek B.V.
(collectively,  the  "Companies"  and  respectively,   "Hungary,"  "Igmex,"  "UK
Limited,"  "Canada,"  "SEA" and "BV"),  and that Buyer  purchase and acquire the
same,  subject to the assumption by Buyer of the  liabilities and obligations of
Seller  relating to the Business,  upon the terms and subject to the  conditions
hereinafter set forth.

                                    AGREEMENT

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

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

    1.1 Certain Defined Terms.  As used in this  Agreement,  the following terms
shall have the following  meanings  (such  meanings to be equally  applicable to
both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

       "Affiliate"  has  the  meaning  ascribed  to  such  term  in  Rule  12b-2
promulgated under the Exchange Act by the SEC, as in effect on the date hereof.

       "April Balance  Sheet" means the unaudited  balance sheet of the Business
as of April 25, 1999, attached hereto as part of Schedule 4.2.

       "Assets" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

                                       1
<PAGE>

       "Assigned Contracts" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(f).

       "Assumed Liabilities" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

       "Bill of Sale, Assignment and Assumption Agreement" means a Bill of Sale,
Assignment and Assumption Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A.

       "Budapest Facility" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

       "Business" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

       "Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or other day
on which  commercial  banks in New York are  authorized  or  required  by law to
close.

       "Business  Employee"  means any  individual  who, at the Closing Date, is
actively  employed by MagneTek (other than  individuals  located at the Excluded
Facilities) working primarily for the Business, including any employee who is on
vacation  leave or jury  duty,  or who is on other  authorized  leave of absence
other  than  short-term  disability,  family  or  workers'  compensation  leave,
military  service or lay-off with recall rights as of the Closing Date (all such
inactive  employees shall be deemed to be "Business  Employees"  effective as of
the date they return to active  employment in the  Business),  but shall exclude
any other  inactive  or  former  employee  including  any  individual  who is on
long-term  disability  leave  or  unauthorized  leave  of  absence  or  who  has
terminated his or her employment or retired before the Closing Date.

       "Business Property" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5 hereto.

       "Cegled Facility" means the facility of Hungary located in Cegled.

       "Closing  Date"  means the day on which the  Closing  occurs  pursuant to
Section 2.4.

       "Code" means the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended from time to
time.

       "Companies" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

       "Competitive Business" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6.

       "Confidential Information" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7.

       "Contract"  means  any  contract,  agreement,  license,  lease,  sales or
purchase order or other legally binding commitment, whether written or oral.

       "Contractual  Obligation"  means, as to any Person,  any provision of any
note, bond or security issued by such Person or of any mortgage, indenture, deed
of  trust,  lease,  license,  franchise,  contract,  agreement,   instrument  or
undertaking  to  which  such  Person  is a party  or to  which  it or any of its
property or assets is subject.

                                       2
<PAGE>

       "Domestic Business" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

       "EEOC Charge" means the Equal Employment  Opportunity  Commission  Charge
No. ###-##-#### described on Schedule 4.8.

       "Effective Time" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

       "Employee Benefit Arrangements" means each and all pension,  supplemental
pension,  accidental  death and  dismemberment,  life and health  insurance  and
benefits  (including  medical,  dental,  vision  and  hospitalization),   fringe
benefit,   flexible   spending  account  programs  and  other  employee  benefit
arrangements,  plans,  contracts,  policies or practices  providing  employee or
executive compensation or benefits to any Business Employee or current or former
employees of any of the Companies, other than the Employee Benefit Plans.

       "Employee  Benefit Plans" means each and all "employee benefit plans," as
defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA,  maintained or  contributed to by Seller or in
which  Seller  participates  or  participated  and which  provides  benefits  to
Business  Employees,  including  (i) any such plans that are  "employee  welfare
benefit  plans" as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA and (ii) any such plans that
are "employee pension benefit plans" as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA.

       "Environmental  Law" means  collectively the Comprehensive  Environmental
Response,  Compensation  and  Liability  Act of 1980,  as amended,  the Resource
Conservation  and Recovery  Act of 1976,  as amended,  and any other  applicable
statutes,  regulations,  rules, ordinances,  codes or common law which relate to
the  protection  of human  health or the  environment,  as in effect on the date
hereof.

       "ERISA"  means the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time.

       "Estimated  Closing  Balance  Sheet" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.5.

       "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from
time to time, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated  from time to
time thereunder.

       "Excluded Assets" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

       "Excluded Facilities" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

       "Excluded Liabilities" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

       "Facilities" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3.

       "Final Closing Balance Sheet" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.



                                       3
<PAGE>

       "GAAP"  means  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  in the United
States of America.

       "Generator  Agreement" means the Asset Purchase  Agreement between Seller
and  Emerson  Electric  Company  dated as of April 26,  1999 for the sale of the
Generator Business.

       "Generator  Business" means the assets comprising the generator  business
of Seller,  including certain assets which have been used in other businesses of
Seller.

       "Governmental  Authority"  means any nation or  government,  any state or
other  political  subdivision  thereof  and  any  entity  exercising  executive,
legislative,  judicial,  regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining
to government.

       "Hazardous  Material" means any substance which is defined as a hazardous
waste,  hazardous  substance,  pollutant or contaminant  under any Environmental
Law, including but not limited to, polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs"), petroleum
or petroleum fractions, and asbestos.

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

       "Intellectual Property" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(e).

       "Knowledge of Seller" with  reference to any of the  representations  and
warranties  of Seller  means  the  actual  knowledge  of the  Persons  listed on
Schedule 1.1, and does not refer to the  knowledge of any other  Person.  In all
cases in which the Knowledge of Seller is in issue,  Buyer shall bear the burden
of proof with respect thereto.

       "Indemnified  Person" means, with respect to any Loss, the Person seeking
indemnification hereunder.

       "Indemnifying  Person"  means,  with respect to any Loss, the Person from
whom indemnification is being sought hereunder.

       "Lien"   means   any   mortgage,   pledge,   hypothecation,   assignment,
encumbrance,  lien (statutory or other) or other security  agreement of any kind
or nature whatsoever.

       "Loss" means any loss,  liability,  claim,  damage or expense  (including
reasonable  attorneys' fees and disbursements  and the costs of  investigation).
Loss  recoverable  hereunder is subject to the  limitations set forth in Section
10.4.

       "Material Adverse Effect" means any  circumstance,  change or effect that
is materially adverse to the business, assets, financial condition or results of
operations  of the  Business  taken as a whole,  but  excluding  the  effects of
changes that are generally applicable to the industries and markets in which the
Business operates.

                                       4
<PAGE>

       "McMinnville   Facility"  means  the  Facility  located  in  McMinnville,
Tennessee.

       "Mexican Antitrust Law" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c).

       "Motor Supply Agreement" means the Integral Motor Manufacturing  Services
and Facilities sharing Agreement between MagneTek and Emerson Electric Co. dated
as of April 26, 1999.

       "Owned Property" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

       "Permits" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12.

       "Person" means an individual,  partnership,  corporation, business trust,
joint  stock  company,  trust,   unincorporated   association,   joint  venture,
Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever nature.

       "Products" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.13.

       "Records" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.5.

       "Requirement  of  Law"  means,  as to  any  Person,  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation and By-Laws or other organizational or governing documents of such
Person,  and any law,  statute,  treaty,  rule,  regulation,  ordinance,  order,
decree,  consent decree or similar  instrument or  determination  or award of an
arbitrator or a court or other Governmental  Authority,  in each case applicable
to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or
any of its property is subject.

       "Restricted Motors" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6.

       "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

       "Seller" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

       "Seller  Plans"  means each and all Employee  Benefit  Plans and Employee
Benefit Arrangements  sponsored or maintained by Sellers or any of the Companies
under which Business  Employees or current or former  employees of the Companies
participate or are entitled to receive benefits.

       "Stock" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto

       "Supply and Service Agreements" means (i) the agreement for the supply of
wire  and  capacitors,  to the  Business  between  Buyer  and  Seller;  (ii) the
agreement  between  Buyer and  Seller in respect of  sharing  and  provision  of
certain services and facilities relating to MagneTek's logistics function; (iii)
the agreement of Seller to provide certain  services to Buyer in respect of data
processing,  software  support and upgrade,  and the  remediation of "Year 2000"
matters,  in each case  described in clauses (i) through  (iii),  as outlined on
Exhibit B; (iv) the agreement of


                                       5
<PAGE>


Seller to supply Buyer with certain  products in connection with the development
projects listed on Schedule  1.1(b),  such agreement to be similar to comparable
agreements  for supply of custom  products by  MagneTek's  business in Valdarno,
Italy;  and (v) the license  agreement  pursuant  to which  Seller and Buyer are
cross-licensing  certain  intellectual  property  in  substantially  the form of
Exhibit C hereto (the "License Agreement").

       "Tax" or "Taxes" means, with respect to any Person,  any federal,  state,
local or foreign  net income,  gross  income,  gross  receipts,  sales,  use, ad
valorem, value-added, capital, unitary, intangible, franchise, profits, license,
withholding,   payroll,   employment,   excise,   severance,   stamp,  transfer,
occupation, premium, property or windfall profit tax, custom, duty or other tax,
governmental  fee or other  like  assessment  or charge of any kind  whatsoever,
together  with any  interest or penalty,  addition to tax or  additional  amount
imposed by any jurisdiction or other taxing authority, on such Person.

       "Transaction Documents" means (i) this Agreement,  (ii) the Bill of Sale,
Assignment  and  Assumption  Agreement,  (iii) the deeds of  conveyance of Owned
Property and (iv) the Supply and Service Agreements.

       "Transactions"  means the  transactions  contemplated  by the Transaction
Documents.

       "Transferred Employees" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.

    1.2 Other Definitional Provisions.

       (a) Terms  defined in this  Agreement in Sections  other than Section 1.1
shall have the meanings as so defined when used in this Agreement.

       (b) As used  herein,  accounting  terms not  defined or to the extent not
defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP.

       (c) Unless express reference is made to Business Days, references to days
shall be to calendar days.

                                   ARTICLE II

                       CLOSING; PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENT

    2.1 Sale and Transfer of the Assets.  Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, on the Closing Date Sellers will sell, convey, transfer,  assign
and deliver to Buyer all of  Sellers'  right,  title and  interest in and to the
Stock and all of the business,  rights,  claims and assets  (except the Excluded
Assets) of Seller,  to the extent that they are used primarily (unless otherwise
stated) in the operations of the Domestic  Business,  as the same shall exist on
the Closing Date (collectively,  the "Assets").  The Assets include, but are not
limited to, the following assets or rights of Seller:

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<PAGE>


       (a)  the  real  property  (including  all  buildings,   improvements  and
structures   located   thereon  and  all  rights,   privileges,   easements  and
appurtenances   thereto)   described  on  Schedule  2.1(a)  hereto  (the  "Owned
Property");

       (b) the  leasehold  interests  used by the  Business  listed on  Schedule
2.1(b) (the "Leased Property");

       (c) all tangible personal property,  including,  without limitation,  the
fixtures,  furnishings,  furniture,  office supplies,  vehicles,  rolling stock,
tools, machinery,  equipment,  computer equipment (including software),  located
upon or affixed  to or  normally  located  in, at or upon,  even if  temporarily
removed from, any of the Business Properties (collectively, the "Equipment");

       (d)  all  inventory,   including  without   limitation,   raw  materials,
work-in-process,  finished goods, packaging materials,  spare parts and supplies
relating primarily to the Business;

       (e) all  know-how,  trade  secrets,  processes  and  specifications  used
primarily in the  Business and all  trademarks,  trade names,  patents,  service
marks,  copyrights (whether registered or unregistered) and pending applications
for the foregoing listed on Schedule 2.1(e) (the "Intellectual Property");

       (f) all Contracts to which Seller is a party that relate primarily to the
Domestic  Business,  including but not limited to all Contracts of Seller listed
on Schedule 4.7, the Motor Supply  Agreement  and all Contracts  entered into by
Seller through the Closing Date (the "Assigned Contracts");

       (g) all transferable business licenses and permits used exclusively in or
relating exclusively to the Business or the Assets (the "Permits");

       (h) all books and records (other than Tax records),  or portions  thereof
relating to the Domestic Business,  including plans and specifications,  surveys
and title policies  relating to the Owned Property,  sales  literature,  product
information,  employment records and files and all other information and/or data
related to or used by Seller  primarily  in  connection  with the Assets and the
operation of the Business and located at the Business Property (the "Records");

       (i) all insurance  proceeds  paid or payable by any  insurance  provider,
other than Seller or any Affiliate of Seller, for any Asset that is destroyed or
damaged after the date hereof and prior to the Closing;

       (j) all notes,  drafts and  accounts  receivable,  or  portions  thereof,
arising exclusively out of the Domestic Business;

       (k) all  prepaid  expenses,  advances  and  deposits  (including  utility
deposits), or portions thereof, arising exclusively out of the Business;



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<PAGE>


       (l) all causes of action, claims,  demands, rights and privileges against
third parties that relate  primarily to the Assets or the  Business,  including,
without  limitation,  all claims for past infringement of Intellectual  Property
and  all  warranties  and  guaranties   received  from  vendors,   suppliers  or
manufacturers with respect to the Assets or the Business;

       (m) the  facilities  listed with an asterisk  and  described as logistics
facilities on Schedule 2.1(b), whether or not historically used primarily in the
Business; and

       (n) all  other  intangible  rights  and  assets  of  Seller  that  relate
primarily  to the  Business,  including  and without  limitation,  the rights to
intellectual  property developed primarily for the Business at Seller's Advanced
Development  Center in St.  Louis,  all goodwill  appurtenant  to the  foregoing
Assets and the right to represent to third  parties that Buyer is the  successor
to the Business.

    2.2 Assets Not Transferred. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
the  following  assets are not  included  in the Assets and shall be retained by
Seller (the "Excluded Assets"):

       (a) all cash and cash  equivalent  items  (except as described in Section
2.1(i) and (k)) including, without limitation, checking accounts, bank accounts,
lock box numbers,  certificates of deposit, time deposits,  securities,  and the
proceeds of accounts  receivable,  including uncashed checks in payment thereof,
received by Seller on or prior to the Closing Date;

       (b) all rights,  properties,  and assets which have been used or held for
use in  connection  with the  Business  and which  shall  have been  transferred
(including  transfers  by way of sale)  or  otherwise  disposed  of prior to the
Closing,  provided such transfers and disposals  shall have been in the ordinary
course of the business of the Business as conducted at the date hereof;

       (c)  rights  to or  claims  for  refunds  or  rebates  of Taxes and other
governmental  charges for periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date and the
benefit of net  operating  loss  carryforwards,  carrybacks  or other credits of
Seller, whether or not attributable to the Business;

       (d) claims or rights  against  third  parties  not  described  in Section
2.1(l),  except those arising with respect to events or breaches occurring after
the Closing  Date under the  Assigned  Contracts;  provided,  however,  that any
rights of  indemnification,  contribution or reimbursement  that may exist under
the  Assigned  Contracts in respect of Excluded  Assets or Excluded  Liabilities
hereunder shall be Excluded Assets;

       (e) all of Seller's right, title and interest in the assets sold pursuant
to the Generator Agreement;

       (f)  proprietary  or  confidential  business  or  technical  information,
records and policies that relate  generally to Seller and are not used primarily
in the Business, including, without limitation,  organization manuals, strategic
plans and Tax records and related information;



                                       8
<PAGE>

       (g) subject to the limited  rights granted in Section 8.7, all "MagneTek"
marks, and all trademarks or service marks,  trade names,  slogans or other like
property  relating to or including the name  "MagneTek," the mark "MagneTek," or
any derivative thereof,  and the "MagneTek" logo or any derivative thereof,  the
name "Energy  Engineered,"  the "Power M" design or any  derivative  thereof and
Seller's  proprietary  computer  programs or other  software,  including but not
limited to Seller's  proprietary data bases,  accounting and reporting  formats,
systems and procedures,  but excluding any software developed  primarily for the
Business;

       (h) all Records  relating to pending lawsuits (other than any included in
the  Assumed  Liabilities)  to which  Seller is a party and  which  involve  the
Business;

       (i) any  interests  in any joint  venture  to which any of  Sellers  is a
party;

       (j) all notes,  drafts and accounts  receivable or other  obligations for
the payment of money made or owed by any Affiliate of Sellers;

       (k) all Seller's  rights in, to and under any  commodity  options,  puts,
calls,  forwards or similar  agreements with respect to commodities  used by the
Business;

       (l) the Cegled Facility;

       (m) the logistics facilities of Seller,  whether or not historically used
primarily in the Business,  set forth on Schedule 2.2(m) and any facility closed
by the Business before the Closing Date  (collectively with the Cegled Facility,
the "Excluded Facilities");

       (n) the intellectual  property that is licensed as part of the Supply and
Service Agreements; and

       (o) all other assets used primarily in connection with Seller's corporate
functions  (including  but not limited to the  corporate  charter,  taxpayer and
other  identification  numbers,  seals,  minute books and stock transfer books),
whether or not used for the benefit of the Business.

    2.3 Assumed and  Excluded  Liabilities.  On the  Closing  Date,  Buyer shall
execute and deliver to Sellers the Assignment and Assumption  Agreement pursuant
to which Buyer shall assume and agree to pay,  perform and  discharge  when due,
all the liabilities  and obligations of Sellers arising out of the Business,  of
any kind or nature,  whether  absolute,  contingent,  accrued or otherwise,  and
whether arising before or after the Closing including,  without limitation,  all
liabilities  and  obligations  for (i) Taxes assumed by Buyer under Section 2.7,
(ii) under the Assigned  Contracts and (iii) all  liabilities and obligations of
Buyer set forth in Article IX hereof (collectively,  the "Assumed Liabilities");
provided,  however,  that the Assumed  Liabilities shall in no event include the
following liabilities (the "Excluded Liabilities"):



                                       9
<PAGE>

       (a) any liability in respect of litigation  pending  (including  the EEOC
Charge)  against any Seller or Company in respect of the  Business  prior to the
Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 4.8 hereto;

       (b) any liability,  responsibility  or obligation with respect to (i) any
Seller  Plan,  except as  provided  in Article IX and,  subject to clause  (ii),
excluding any Assigned Contract, (ii) any payments required to be made under any
severance  or change of  control  plan or  agreement  and (iii) any  payroll  or
payroll tax obligation;

       (c) any liability for (i) warranty claims made after the Closing Date for
service,  repair,  replacement  and similar work  required  under the  Business'
written  warranties with respect to products sold or services  provided prior to
the Closing,  the expenses of which in the aggregate exceed the warranty reserve
on the Final Closing Balance Sheet,  (ii) claims under health insurance plans of
Seller for covered Business Employees with respect to services rendered prior to
the Closing Date,  (iii) any product  liability  claims for  injuries,  property
damage or other Losses  incurred  prior to the third  anniversary of the closing
Date in respect of any product  manufactured  by a Seller or a Company  prior to
the  Closing  Date,  (iv) any claims  based upon an  employee  of the  Business'
exposure to asbestos prior to the Closing Date or (v) any liability for workers'
compensation claims for injuries incurred prior to the Closing Date, but only if
written notice of such claims  described in clause (i), (ii),  (iv) or (v) shall
have been delivered to Seller within the two-year  period  following the Closing
Date;

       (d) any liability for Taxes of Seller (but not of the  Companies) for any
period or portion thereof ending on or prior to the Closing Date,  excluding the
Taxes that are the  responsibility  of Buyer  pursuant  to Section  2.7 or those
reflected on the Final Closing Balance Sheet.

       (e) any liability for any claim  relating to motors  manufactured  by the
Business that contain or are alleged to contain asbestos;

       (f) any liability  attributable,  based on events, facts or circumstances
existing  or  occurring  prior  to the  Closing  Date,  to  Hazardous  Materials
transported  offsite  from  a  Facility  for  treatment,  storage,  disposal  or
recycling prior to the Closing Date;

       (g) any obligation of Seller under and pursuant to any commodity options,
puts, calls,  forwards or similar agreements with respect to commodities used by
the Business;

       (h) except pursuant to the Motor Supply Agreement,  any liability arising
from or related to the Excluded Assets, the disposition by any of Sellers of any
business or part thereof at any time or from any facility closed by the Business
before the Closing Date;

       (i) all notes,  drafts and accounts payable or other  obligations for the
payment of money made or owed to any Affiliate of Sellers; and



                                       10
<PAGE>

       (j) any liability covered by the insurance  policies of Sellers in effect
on or prior  to the  Closing  Date,  but  only to the  extent a Seller  receives
proceeds  thereunder  from a party  other  than a Seller  or an  Affiliate  of a
Seller.

    2.4  Closing.  The closing (the  "Closing")  of the purchase and sale of the
Assets  shall be held at the  offices  of Foley &  Lardner,  777 East  Wisconsin
Avenue,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin 53202-5367, at 9:00 a.m. on August 2, 1999, or if
the conditions to Closing set forth in Article III shall not have been satisfied
or waived by such date,  subject to Section 11.3, as soon as  practicable  after
such  conditions  shall have been  satisfied  or  waived.  The date on which the
Closing  shall  occur is  hereinafter  referred  to as the  "Closing  Date." The
Closing  will be  deemed  effective  at 12:01  a.m.  on the  Closing  Date  (the
"Effective  Time").  At the  Closing,  Buyer  shall  deliver  to  Seller by wire
transfer (to a bank account  designated  at least two Business Days prior to the
Closing  Date in  writing by Seller)  immediately  available  funds in an amount
equal to the sum of Two Hundred  Fifty-Three  Million Dollars  ($253,000,000) as
adjusted  based upon the estimated  Closing Equity as reflected on the Estimated
Closing  Balance  Sheet,  and  such  other  documents  as are  required  by this
Agreement. The purchase price (the "Purchase Price") for the Assets shall be (a)
the assumption of the Assumed  Liabilities  and (b)  $253,000,000  minus (i) the
amount,  if any, by which the Closing  Equity as reflected on the Final  Closing
Balance Sheet is less than the sum of (x) $161,067,000  plus (y) the face amount
of any accounts receivable  described on Schedule 6.8, whether or not collected,
plus (ii) the amount,  if any, by which the Closing  Equity as  reflected on the
Final Closing  Balance Sheet  exceeds the sum of (x)  $161,067,000  plus (y) the
face amount of any accounts receivable described on Schedule 6.8, whether or not
collected.

    At the Closing,  Seller shall  deliver or cause to be delivered to Buyer (a)
the  Bill  of  Sale,  Assignment  and  Assumption  Agreement,  (b)  certificates
representing the Stock accompanied by stock powers,  duly executed in blank, (c)
limited  warranty deeds (or the equivalent  thereof in any jurisdiction in which
limited  warranty  deeds  may not be used)  in  recordable  form  for the  Owned
Property  being  conveyed,  (d) the Supply and Service  Agreements  and (e) such
other   instruments  of  transfer  and  documents   (including   assignments  of
Intellectual  Property) as Buyer may reasonably request, and Buyer shall deliver
to Seller (a) the Assignment and Assumption Agreement (b) the Supply and Service
Agreements and (c) such other  instruments of assumption and documents as Seller
may  reasonably  request.  In  addition,  Seller  shall  deliver to Buyer at the
Closing an affidavit in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to Buyer,
duly executed and  acknowledged,  certifying that Seller is not a foreign person
within the  meaning of Section  1445(f)(3)  of the Code.  Prior to the  Closing,
Seller and Buyer will negotiate in good faith the terms of the definitive Supply
and Service Agreements in respect of the matters outlined on Exhibit B.

    2.5 Purchase Price Adjustment.

       (a) The Purchase Price shall be subject to appropriate  adjustment  after
the  Closing  Date,  based  upon  the  calculation  of the  Closing  Equity  (as
hereinafter  defined) on the Closing  Date.  The  "Closing  Equity"  will be the
difference between the value of the Assets and


                                       11
<PAGE>


the Assumed Liabilities,  all as shown on the Estimated Closing Balance Sheet or
the Final Closing Balance Sheet, as applicable.

       (b) For  purposes  of  determining  the  amount  payable  by Buyer at the
Closing,  not less than ten (10) business days prior to the Closing Date, Seller
shall,  in  consultation  with Buyer,  prepare and deliver to Buyer an estimated
balance sheet of the Business as of the Effective  Time,  which shall  represent
Seller's  reasonable  estimate of the Final Closing  Balance Sheet. In the event
Buyer shall object to any of the information set forth on the Estimated  Closing
Balance Sheet as presented by Seller,  the parties shall negotiate in good faith
and agree on  appropriate  adjustments  such that such balance sheet  reflects a
reasonable estimate of the Final Closing Balance Sheet and the Closing Equity to
be  reflected on the Final  Closing  Balance  Sheet,  but in the absence of such
agreement, the most recent month-end balance sheet of the Business shall control
(the  estimated  balance  sheet as agreed  to by the  parties  pursuant  to this
Section 2.5(b),  or in the absence of such agreement,  the most recent month-end
balance sheet of the Business,  is herein referred to as the "Estimated  Closing
Balance Sheet").  In connection with the  determination of the Estimated Closing
Balance  Sheet,  Seller shall  provide to Buyer such  information  and detail as
Buyer shall reasonably request.

       (c)  Within 60 days after the  Closing  Date,  Buyer  shall  prepare  and
deliver  to Seller a balance  sheet of the  Business  as of the  Effective  Time
comprising  the Assets and the  outstanding  Assumed  Liabilities  prepared in a
manner  consistent with the April Balance Sheet and this Section 2.5 (the "Final
Closing  Balance  Sheet").  The balances of the following  accounts on the Final
Closing  Balance Sheet will be identical to the balances of such accounts on the
April Balance Sheet: (i) capitalized interest; (ii) accrued vacation and holiday
pay and (iii) FIFO reserve.

           During  the 30 days  immediately  following  Seller's  receipt of the
Final  Closing  Balance  Sheet,  Seller  shall be  entitled  to review the Final
Closing  Balance Sheet and Buyer's  working papers relating to the Final Balance
Sheet.  The Final Closing  Balance Sheet shall become final and binding upon the
parties on the  thirtieth  day following  delivery  thereof  unless Seller gives
written notice to Buyer of its  disagreement  with the method of presentation of
the Final Closing Balance Sheet (a "Notice of Disagreement")  prior to such date
(the "Review  Expiration  Date").  Any Notice of  Disagreement  shall specify in
reasonable  detail the nature of any  disagreement  so asserted  and the reasons
therefor.  If a timely Notice of  Disagreement is received by Buyer with respect
to the Final Closing  Balance  Sheet,  then the Final Closing  Balance Sheet (as
revised in  accordance  with clause (x) or (y) below),  shall  become  final and
binding  upon the  parties  on the  earlier of (x) the date the  parties  hereto
resolve  in  writing  any  differences  they have  with  respect  to any  matter
specified in a Notice of  Disagreement  or (y) the date any matters  properly in
dispute  are  finally  resolved  in writing by the  Accounting  Firm (as defined
below).  During the 30 days immediately  following the delivery of any Notice of
Disagreement,  Seller  and Buyer  shall seek in good faith to resolve in writing
any differences which they may have with respect to any matter specified in such
Notice of  Disagreement.  During such  period,  Seller and Buyer shall each have
access to the other party's working papers prepared in connection with the other
party's  preparation  of a Notice  of  Disagreement.  At the


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<PAGE>


end of such  30-day  period,  Seller and Buyer  shall  submit to an  independent
accounting  firm (the  "Accounting  Firm") for review and resolution any and all
matters which remain in dispute and which were  properly  included in any Notice
of Disagreement, and the Accounting Firm shall reach a final, binding resolution
of all matters which remain in dispute.  The Accounting  Firm will be instructed
to use every reasonable  effort to issue its  determination  within fifteen (15)
days of submission  of the dispute to it, and in all events,  within thirty (30)
days  after  such  submission.  The  Final  Closing  Balance  Sheet,  with  such
adjustments necessary to reflect the Accounting Firm's resolution of the matters
in dispute,  shall  become final and binding on Buyer and Seller on the date the
Accounting  Firm  delivers its final  resolution to the parties (such date being
the "Settlement  Date"). The Accounting Firm shall be Arthur Andersen LLP, or if
such  firm is unable or  unwilling  to act,  such  other  nationally  recognized
independent public accounting firm as shall be agreed upon by the parties hereto
in  writing.  The fees and  expenses  of the  Accounting  Firm  pursuant to this
Section 2.5 shall be borne 50% by Buyer and 50% by Seller.

       (d) If the Closing Equity as reflected on the Final Closing Balance Sheet
is determined  to be less than the Closing  Equity as reflected on the Estimated
Closing Balance Sheet, there will be a dollar-for-dollar  downward adjustment of
the Purchase  Price,  with Seller being  obligated to pay Buyer the sum by which
the Closing Equity as reflected on the Final Closing  Balance Sheet is less than
the Closing Equity as reflected on the Estimated  Closing  Balance Sheet. If the
Closing Equity as reflected on the Final Closing  Balance Sheet is determined to
be greater than the Closing Equity as reflected on the Estimated Closing Balance
Sheet,  there will be a  dollar-for-dollar  upward  adjustment  of the  Purchase
Price,  with Buyer  being  obligated  to pay Seller any sum by which the Closing
Equity as  reflected  on the Final  Closing  Balance  Sheet  exceeds the Closing
Equity as reflected on the Estimated  Closing Balance Sheet.  The Purchase Price
shall also be subject to  adjustment  after the  Closing  Date on account of the
proration of water, electricity, gas, sewage and other utility charges and taxes
applicable  to the  Business  if and only to the  extent  such  amounts  are not
reflected on the Final Closing  Balance Sheet.  In addition,  the Purchase Price
shall be reduced (but no other change will be made to the April Balance Sheet or
the Final  Closing  Balance  Sheet) to reflect  the  exclusion  of any  Business
Property at the Closing  pursuant  to Section  6.9 by  multiplying  the net book
value of such  Business  Property as reflected on the April  Balance  Sheet by a
fraction,  the numerator of which is the Purchase  Price and the  denominator of
which is the net book value of the Business as  reflected  on the April  Balance
Sheet.  If the Purchase Price is subject to adjustment  pursuant to this Section
2.5(d), the required adjustment, together with interest on the amount being paid
from the  Closing  Date to the date of payment at a rate per annum  equal to the
90-day London  Inter-Bank  Offered Rate ("LIBOR") on the Closing Date,  shall be
paid  within five (5) days after the Review  Expiration  Date or, if a Notice of
Disagreement  was delivered by Seller,  the Settlement  Date, and, if a Business
Property that was not  transferred  to Buyer at the Closing  pursuant to Section
6.9 is subsequently  transferred to Buyer after the Closing, the related portion
of the Purchase  Price will be paid,  within five (5) days after the date of the
transfer of such Business Property pursuant to Section 6.9. Either party may, in
its  discretion,  make a payment  pursuant to this  Section  2.5(d) prior to the
final  determination  of the Final  Closing  Balance  Sheet for the  purpose  of
reducing the interest it may be obligated to pay pursuant to such provision.



                                       13
<PAGE>

       (e) The Estimated  Closing  Balance  Sheet and the Final Closing  Balance
Sheet shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP,  applied in a manner consistent
with that followed in the  preparation of the balance sheet described in Section
4.2(b)(iii).

       (f) Buyer  agrees,  with respect to  adjustments  to the  Purchase  Price
pursuant to Section  2.5(d) hereof,  that following the Closing,  Buyer will not
take any actions with respect to the  accounting  books,  records,  policies and
procedures  of the Business on which the Final  Closing  Balance  Sheet is to be
based that are not consistent  with GAAP applied in the manner  consistent  with
the past practices of the Business.

    2.6 Tax  Allocation.  Within  ninety (90) days  following  the Closing Date,
representatives of Buyer and Seller shall meet and discuss the allocation of the
amount of the Purchase Price (to the extent identifiable or reasonably estimable
and  taken  into  account  for  federal  tax   purposes)  to  broad   categories
constituting  components of the Assets and the covenant not to compete contained
in  Section  6.6 hereof  that each party  believes  is  appropriate.  Within one
hundred  twenty (120) days  following the Closing  Date,  Buyer shall deliver to
Seller Buyer's reasonable  determination,  taking into account in good faith the
discussion between the  representatives of Buyer and Seller, of such allocation,
which  determination  shall be subject to Seller's consent,  which consent shall
not be  unreasonably  withheld.  If Buyer and Seller are unable to agree on such
allocation,  then  the  Accounting  Firm  will be  retained  to  determine  such
allocation (the cost of which shall be borne equally by Buyer and Seller). Buyer
and Seller shall report the purchase and sale of the Assets in  accordance  with
such  allocation  (as finally  determined)  for all Tax purposes  (including the
filing of the forms  prescribed  under Section 1060 of the Code and the Treasury
Regulations promulgated thereunder).

    2.7 Transfer Taxes. Buyer and Seller shall cooperate in preparing, executing
and filing use, sales,  real estate,  transfer and similar Tax returns  relating
to, and at the Closing, Buyer and Seller each shall pay one-half, of any and all
sales,  real  estate,  transfer,  use and similar  Taxes due with regard to, the
purchase  and sale of the Assets.  To the extent such Taxes are not  computed at
the Closing,  the parties shall each pay their respective one-half of such Taxes
when they are due. Under no circumstances shall Buyer's obligation  hereunder or
the Taxes giving rise  thereto be reflected as a liability on the Final  Closing
Balance  Sheet nor will Seller's  obligation  hereunder or the Taxes giving rise
thereto be considered an Assumed  Liability.  Such Tax returns shall be prepared
in a manner that is consistent  with the  allocation  of the Purchase  Price and
Assumed  Liabilities  contemplated  by Section 2.6.  Buyer will  cooperate  with
Seller in  providing  such resale  certificates  as may be requested in order to
comply with the requirements of applicable state taxation laws. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing,  if requested by Seller,  Buyer agrees to enter
into a separate agreement that is entirely consistent with the terms hereof, but
evidences  solely  the  transfer  of the Stock of Igmex and the  portion  of the
Purchase Price allocable thereto.



                                       14
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE III

                              CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

    3.1 Buyer's Obligation. The obligations of Buyer to purchase and pay for the
Assets are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by Buyer) as of the Closing of
the following conditions:

       (a) The  representations  and warranties of Seller made in this Agreement
shall be true and  correct in all  material  respects as of the date hereof and,
except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement, on and as of the Closing,
as though made on and as of the Closing Date,  and Sellers shall have  performed
or complied in all material respects with all obligations and covenants required
by this  Agreement to be performed or complied with by Seller by the time of the
Closing;  and  Seller  shall have  delivered  to Buyer a  certificate  dated the
Closing  Date and  signed by an  authorized  officer  of Seller  confirming  the
foregoing.

       (b) No  injunction  or order  shall  have  been  granted  by any court or
administrative  agency or instrumentality  of competent  jurisdiction that would
restrain or prohibit any of the  Transactions  or that would impose damages as a
result thereof, and no action or proceeding shall be pending before any court or
administrative agency or instrumentality of competent  jurisdiction in which any
Person seeks such a remedy (if in the opinion of counsel to Buyer there exists a
reasonable  risk of a  materially  adverse  result  in such  pending  action  or
proceeding).

       (c) The  waiting  period  under the HSR Act shall  have  expired  or been
terminated and the parties shall have received the necessary  approval under the
Mexican Federal Law of Economic Competition (the "Mexican Antitrust Law").

       (d) All authorizations, approvals, notices, consents and waivers that are
required  to  effect  the  Transactions,  the  failure  to  obtain  or  provide,
individually  or in the aggregate,  could  reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect, shall have been obtained and copies thereof provided to
Buyer.

    3.2 Seller's  Obligation.  The  obligation of Seller to sell and deliver the
Assets to Buyer is subject to the  satisfaction  (or waiver by Seller) as of the
Closing of the following conditions:

       (a) The  representations  and  warranties of Buyer made in this Agreement
shall be true and correct in all material  respects as of the date hereof and on
and as of the Closing,  as though made on and as of the Closing Date,  and Buyer
shall have performed or complied in all material  respects with all  obligations
and  covenants  required by this  Agreement to be performed or complied  with by
Buyer by the time of the  Closing;  and Buyer shall have  delivered  to Seller a
certificate dated the Closing Date and signed by an authorized  officer of Buyer
confirming the foregoing.



                                       15
<PAGE>

       (b) No  injunction  or order  shall  have  been  granted  by any court or
administrative  agency or instrumentality  of competent  jurisdiction that would
restrain or prohibit the  Transactions  or that would impose damages as a result
thereof,  and no action  or  proceeding  shall be  pending  before  any court or
administrative agency or instrumentality of competent  jurisdiction in which any
person  seeks such a remedy (if in the opinion of counsel to Seller there exists
a reasonable  risk of a  materially  adverse  result in such  pending  action or
proceeding).

       (c) The  waiting  period  under the HSR Act shall  have  expired  or been
terminated and the parties shall have received the necessary  approval under the
Mexican Antitrust Law.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

    Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

    4.1 Authority; No Conflicts; Governmental Consents; Corporate Matters.

       (a) Seller is a corporation duly organized,  validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. UK is a company duly organized
and validly existing under the laws of the United Kingdom.  Hungary is a company
duly organized,  validly existing under the laws of Hungary. Canada is a company
duly  organized and existing  under the laws of Canada.  Igmex is a company duly
organized under the laws of Mexico. SEA is a company duly organized and existing
under the laws of Singapore.  BV is a company duly  organized and existing under
the laws of the Netherlands.  Each Seller has all requisite  corporate power and
authority  to  enter  into  the  Transaction  Documents  and to  consummate  the
Transactions.  All corporate acts and other proceedings  required to be taken by
Sellers to authorize the execution,  delivery and performance of the Transaction
Documents and the consummation of the  Transactions  have been duly and properly
taken, including,  without limitation, any shareholder approvals. This Agreement
has been, and each of the Transaction  Documents,  when executed,  will be, duly
executed  and  delivered  by each  Seller  and  constitute  a valid and  binding
obligation of such Seller,  enforceable  against such Seller in accordance  with
their respective terms,  except as enforceability  may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium  and other  similar laws relating to or
affecting  creditors'  rights  generally  or  by  general  equitable  principles
(regardless  of whether such  enforceability  is  considered  in a proceeding in
equity or at law).

       (b)  Schedule  4.1(b)  sets  forth  a  true  and  complete  list  of  all
jurisdictions  in the  United  States  in  which  MagneTek  is  qualified  to do
business.

       (c) The  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement  does not and of the
other  Transaction  Documents will not, and the consummation of the Transactions
and  compliance  with the terms of the  Transaction  Documents will not conflict
with, or result in any violation of or


                                       16
<PAGE>


default (with or without  notice or lapse of time, or both) under,  or give rise
to a right of termination,  cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or to
loss of a benefit  under,  or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the
properties or assets of Sellers or the Companies under, any provision of (i) the
Certificate of  Incorporation  or By-Laws or other  organizational  or governing
documents of Sellers or the Companies,  (ii) subject to the matters disclosed in
Schedule 4.1(c), any Contractual Obligation of Sellers or the Companies or (iii)
any judgment,  order or decree or,  subject to the matters  described in clauses
(A)-(D)  below,  Requirement  of Law  applicable  to Sellers or the Companies or
their respective property or assets, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and
(iii) above,  any such conflicts,  violations,  defaults,  rights or Liens that,
individually or in the aggregate,  would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  No
consent, approval,  license, permit, order or authorization of, or registration,
declaration  or filing  with,  any  Governmental  Authority  is  required  to be
obtained or made by or with respect to Sellers in connection  with the execution
and  delivery  of  the  Transaction   Documents  or  the   consummation  of  the
Transactions  contemplated  hereby,  other than (A) compliance  with and filings
under  Section  13(a) or 15(d),  as the case may be, of the  Exchange  Act,  (B)
compliance with and filings and  notifications  under  applicable  Environmental
Laws, (C) those that may be required  solely by reason of Buyer's  participation
in the transactions  contemplated  hereby, (D) compliance with and filings under
the HSR Act and the Mexican  Antitrust  Law and (E) those  that,  if not made or
obtained,  individually or in the aggregate,  would not have a Material  Adverse
Effect.

       (d) Each of the Companies is duly incorporated and is validly  subsisting
and, in  jurisdictions  in which the concept is recognized,  is in good standing
under  the  laws of the  jurisdiction  in  which  it is  organized,  and has all
requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties
and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted.  Each of the Companies
is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing as a foreign  corporation  in
each  jurisdiction  in which the  ownership of its property or the nature of the
business  conducted  by it  is  such  as to  require  it  to be so  licensed  or
qualified,  except  where the failure to be so licensed or  qualified  would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on the Companies.

       (e) The authorized shares of each of the Companies consists of the shares
listed  on  Schedule  4.1(e),  all of  which  are  issued  and  outstanding  and
constitute  the  Stock.  Schedule  4.1(e)  sets  forth the  respective  dates of
formation  of each  Company.  Except  as set forth on such  Schedule,  since the
respective  dates the  Companies  were  acquired  or  formed  by the  respective
Sellers,  no other Person has merged with or into any of the Companies.  All the
outstanding shares of Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are
fully paid,  nonassessable and free of preemptive rights,  except as provided by
applicable law. The only business each of the Companies currently conducts,  and
has  conducted  since the Company was acquired or formed by the Sellers,  is the
Business.  The Companies do not own or lease any real properties  other than the
Business Properties.

       (f) None of the Companies has granted any outstanding options,  warrants,
rights or other  securities  convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for
its shares or any other commitments or agreements  providing for the issuance of
additional  shares,  the  sale of  treasury  shares,  or for the  repurchase  or
redemption of such Company's  shares.  There are no

                                       17
<PAGE>


agreements of any kind which  obligate one of the Companies to issue,  purchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire any of its shares.

       (g) None of the Companies directly or indirectly owns any interest in any
other corporation,  partnership,  joint venture or other business association or
entity, foreign or domestic.

    4.2 Financial Statements; Absence of Changes.

       (a) Schedule 4.2 contains a true and complete copy of the following:

              (i) the  unaudited  balance  sheet of the  Business as at June 30,
       1998, and the related unaudited  statements of income for the fiscal year
       then ended; and

              (ii) the  unaudited  balance  sheet of the Business as of December
       31, 1998, and the related  statements of income for the six-month  period
       ended December 31, 1998; and

              (iii) the unaudited  balance sheet of the Business as of April 30,
       1999 and the related  statements of income for the ten-month period ended
       April 25, 1999.

The financial  statements described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)
are collectively referred to herein as the "Financial Statements." Except as set
forth on  Schedule  4.2(a),  the  Financial  Statements:  (A) were  prepared  in
accordance  with the books and  records  of  MagneTek,  (B) fairly  present  the
financial  position  of the  Business  in  each  case  at  and  as of the  dates
indicated,  and the  results of  operations,  of the  Business  for the  periods
indicated  and (C)  except as  otherwise  set  forth on  Schedule  4.2(a),  were
prepared in accordance  with GAAP  consistently  applied  throughout the periods
covered  thereby  (subject  to the  absence  of  notes  and to  normal  year-end
adjustments).

       (b) Absence of Changes.  Except as set forth on  Schedule  4.2(b),  since
December 31, 1998,  the  Business has been  operated in the ordinary  course and
consistent with past practice, and there have not been any:

              (i) material  adverse  changes in the assets  (including,  without
       limitation,  levels  of  working  capital  and  the  material  components
       thereof), liabilities, earnings or financial condition of the Business;

              (ii)  occurrences  resulting  in the damage,  destruction  or loss
       (whether or not covered by  insurance)  affecting  any tangible  asset or
       property of the Business in excess of $500,000;



                                       18
<PAGE>

              (iii) (x)  material  increases  in the  benefits  under any Seller
       Plans;  (y) material  increases in salary  payable to any employee of the
       Business (other than employees described in clause (z)) other than in the
       ordinary  course of the business of the Business and consistent with past
       practice  or (z) other than any  increases  approved in advance by Buyer,
       any  increases in salary or bonus payable to any employee of the Business
       who is a participant in MagneTek's Incentive Compensation Program;

              (iv) to the Knowledge of Seller, material changes in the manner in
       which the Business extends discounts or credits to customers or otherwise
       deals with customers;

              (v) changes in the accounting  methods or practices followed by or
       with  respect  to  the  Business,  or  any  changes  in  depreciation  or
       amortization policies or rates theretofore adopted;

              (vi)  agreements or commitments  to merge or  consolidate  with or
       otherwise acquire any other Person, or any part or division thereof;

              (vii)  actions or  efforts  made by or on behalf of Sellers or the
       Companies,  which would, or would have the effect of,  accelerating sales
       of the Business or revenue recognition relating to the Business, which in
       the ordinary  course of business would be  attributable  to  post-Closing
       periods, to pre-Closing periods;

              (viii) other material transactions relating to the Business, other
       than in the  ordinary  course of the Business  and  consistent  with past
       practice; or

              (ix)   agreements  or   understandings,   whether  in  writing  or
       otherwise, for any of Sellers or the Companies to take any of the actions
       specified in items (i) through (viii) above.

       (c)  Absence  of  Undisclosed  Liabilities.  Except as and to the  extent
specifically disclosed in the April Balance Sheet, or in Schedule 4.2(c), Seller
does  not  have  any  liabilities  relating  to the  Business,  and  none of the
Companies has any liabilities, other than:

              (i)  liabilities  and  obligations  incurred since the date of the
       April  Balance  Sheet in the ordinary  course of business and  consistent
       with past  practice  and which  have not had or will not have a  Material
       Adverse Effect, or

              (ii)  liabilities  disclosed in this  Agreement or any schedule to
       this Agreement, or which are of the type or kind required to be disclosed
       in the  schedules,  but are not disclosed  solely because they fall below
       the minimum  threshold  amount,  term or materiality  of the  disclosures
       required  by the  terms  of  this  Agreement  to be  set  forth  in  such
       schedules.



                                       19
<PAGE>

    4.3 Taxes.

       (a) Except as disclosed  on Schedule  4.3, (i) Seller has filed or caused
to be filed all  material  Tax  returns of Seller  which have become due (taking
into account valid extensions of time to file) prior to the date hereof, and has
paid or caused to be paid all Taxes due, in each case to the extent  Buyer would
incur liability under a successor  liability (or similar) statute for failure to
file  such  returns  or pay  such  Taxes by  reason  of its  acquisition  of the
Business,  (ii) Seller has filed or caused to be filed all  material Tax returns
of the Companies which have become due (taking into account valid  extensions of
time to file)  prior to the date  hereof,  and has paid or caused to be paid all
Taxes due, (iii) there are no outstanding  Tax Liens that have been filed by any
Tax authority  against any property or assets of the Business and (iv) no claims
are being asserted in writing with respect to any Taxes relating to the Business
for which Buyer could be held liable  under a successor  liability  (or similar)
statute by reason of its acquisition of the Business.

       (b) The provision made for Taxes on the April Balance Sheet is sufficient
for the  payment of all Taxes of the  Companies  due as of the date of the April
Balance Sheet. Since the date of the April Balance Sheet, the Companies have not
incurred any Taxes other than Taxes incurred in the ordinary  course of business
consistent in type and amount with past practices of the Companies.

       (c) Since they were  acquired or  incorporated  by  Sellers,  none of the
Companies  has been part of an  affiliated,  consolidated,  combined  or unitary
group other than the consolidated group of one of the Sellers.

       (d) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.3, (i) none of the Assets comprises
"tax exempt use property"  within the meaning of Section  168(h) of the Code and
(ii) the  Assigned  Contracts  do not include any lease made  pursuant to former
Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

       (e)  Seller is not a  "foreign  person"  within  the  meaning  of Section
1445(f)(3) of the Code.

    4.4  Assets  Other  than  Real  Property  Interests.  Seller  has  good  and
marketable  title to all assets  reflected  on the Balance  Sheet or  thereafter
acquired,  except  those sold or  otherwise  disposed  of since the date of such
Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past practice,
in each case free and clear of all Liens  except:  (a) such as are  disclosed on
Schedule 4.4 and (b) mechanics', carriers', workmen's, repairmen's or other like
Liens  arising or incurred in the  ordinary  course of business,  Liens  arising
under original  purchase price  conditional sales contracts and equipment leases
with third parties  entered into in the ordinary  course of business,  Liens for
Taxes and other governmental  charges which are not due and payable or which may
thereafter  be  paid  without  penalty,   and  other   imperfections  of  title,
restrictions  or  encumbrances,  if any,  which Liens,  imperfections  of title,
restrictions  or other  encumbrances  do not,  individually or in the aggregate,
materially  impair the  continued  use and


                                       20
<PAGE>

operation  of the specific  assets to which they relate (the Liens  described in
the preceding clause (b) are hereinafter  referred to collectively as "Permitted
Liens").  Seller has  completed  each of the actions  described  on Schedule 4.4
under the heading "Year 2000 Remediation and Oracle Implementation Actions."

    This  Section  4.4 does not relate to real  property  or  interests  in real
property, such items being the subject of Section 4.5.

    4.5 Real Property.  Schedule  2.1(a) sets forth a complete list of all Owned
Properties  and  Schedule  2.1(b)  sets  forth a  complete  list  of all  Leased
Properties and, as to Leased  Property,  identifies any leases relating  thereto
(an Owned  Property  or  Leased  Property  being  sometimes  referred  to herein
individually   as  a  "Business   Property"   and   collectively   as  "Business
Properties").  Seller has good,  marketable and insurable fee title to all Owned
Property, free and clear of all Liens, easements,  covenants,  rights-of-way and
other  similar  restrictions  of any nature  whatsoever,  except:  (i) Permitted
Liens, (ii) easements,  covenants,  rights-of-way and other similar restrictions
of record (or  contained  in the  respective  title deeds) and (iii) (A) zoning,
building and other similar restrictions,  (B) Liens that have been placed by any
developer,  landlord  or other third  party on  property  over which  Seller has
easement  rights  or  on  any  Leased  Property  and  subordination  or  similar
agreements   relating   thereto  and  (C)   unrecorded   easements,   covenants,
rights-of-way  or other similar  restrictions,  none of which items set forth in
clauses (A), (B) and (C) above,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  materially
impair the continued use and operation of the property to which they relate.

    4.6 Intellectual Property. Schedule 2.1(e) sets forth a list of all material
Intellectual  Property (excluding  know-how,  trade secrets,  specifications and
processes  and any such  Intellectual  Property  that is  included  in  Excluded
Assets). MagneTek or one of the Companies is the owner of record, free and clear
of any Liens other than  Permitted  Liens,  in the relevant  Patent or Trademark
Office of all  patents,  trademark  registrations  or  applications  therefor on
Schedule 2.1(e). With respect to registered trademarks, Schedule 2.1(e) contains
a list of all  jurisdictions  in which such trademarks are registered or applied
for and all  registration  and  application  numbers.  Except  as  disclosed  on
Schedule  4.6 and  except for  licenses  of  software  or  firmware  used in the
Business  that  are  generally  available   "off-the-shelf"  through  commercial
software vendors, MagneTek or one of the Companies owns or has the right to use,
without payment to any other party, the  Intellectual  Property except where the
failure so to own or have the right to use such Intellectual  Property would not
have a Material  Adverse  Effect.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.6, no third
party has been  licensed or permitted to use any of the  Intellectual  Property.
Except as set forth on Schedule  4.8, no claims are pending or, to the Knowledge
of Seller,  threatened against Seller or any of the Companies by any person with
respect to the ownership,  validity,  enforceability  or use of any Intellectual
Property,  challenging or questioning the validity or  effectiveness of any such
Intellectual  Property  or  alleging  that  any of  Seller  (in  respect  of the
Business) or any Company is infringing upon the intellectual  property rights of
others,  except in each such case, such claims as would not,  individually or in
the  aggregate,  have a Material  Adverse  Effect.  To the  Knowledge of Seller,
except as  disclosed  on such  Schedule,  none of the  Companies or MagneTek (in
respect  of the  Business)  are  infringing


                                       21
<PAGE>

on any third  party's  intellectual  property in the  operation  of the Business
except for such infringement which, individually or in the aggregate,  would not
have a Material Adverse Effect.

    4.7 Contracts. Schedule 4.7 sets forth a list of each of the following types
of  Contracts  to which  MagneTek  is a party and which  relate to the  Domestic
Business or to which any Company is a party:

       (a) any employment or severance  agreement  that has an aggregate  future
liability in excess of $100,000  (including  any  contracts or  agreements  with
certain employees that relate to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
which are not being assumed by Buyer, referred to as "Stay and Pay" Agreements);

       (b) any employee collective  bargaining  agreement or other contract with
any labor union covering Business Employees;

       (c) any  Contract  pursuant to which the  aggregate of payments to become
due from or to Seller or a Company is equal to or exceeds $500,000, and which is
not  terminable  by no more  than 60 days'  notice  or as to  which  the cost to
terminate such Contract equals or exceeds $500,000;

       (d)  (i)   any   distributor,   dealer,   sales,   advertising,   agency,
manufacturer's  representative,  franchise  or  similar  Contract  currently  in
effect,  regardless of the amount of commissions payable thereunder, or (ii) any
other  contract  requiring the payment of any  commissions in excess of $500,000
per year;

       (e) any option or other  agreement  to purchase or  otherwise  acquire or
sell or otherwise dispose of any interest in real property;

       (f) any guaranty of the obligations of third parties;

       (g) any  agreement  under  which the  Business or a Company has agreed to
indemnify any third party with respect to, or to share, the Tax liability of any
third party;

       (h) any commitment to make a capital expenditure or to purchase a capital
asset in excess of  $100,000  by or on  behalf  of  Seller or the  Companies  in
connection with the operation of the Business;

       (i) any agreement or commitment  relating to the location of employees or
minimum  number of  employees  to be  employed  by Seller  with  respect  to the
Business or the Companies; or

       (j) any other Contract  which is material to the Business,  the Assets or
Assumed Liabilities other than this Agreement and the Transaction Documents.



                                       22
<PAGE>

       Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.7, each Contract listed on Schedule 4.7
(and to the extent  leases are not listed on Schedule 4.7, each lease in respect
of Leased  Property)  is valid,  binding  and in full  force and  effect  and is
enforceable  by the Seller or the Company  that is party  thereto in  accordance
with its terms.  Except as disclosed in Schedule  4.7, the Seller or the Company
that is party  thereto has  performed  all material  obligations  required to be
performed by it to date under the  Contracts  and is not in breach or default in
any material respect  thereunder and, to the Knowledge of Seller, no other party
to any of  the  Contracts  is in  breach  or  default  in any  material  respect
thereunder.

       The Motor Supply  Agreement  contains  methodology  for  determining  the
actual cost of the motors  produced under such Agreement that is the same in all
material  respects  as the  methodology  historically  used in the  Business  to
determine such costs.

    4.8 Litigation;  Decrees.  Schedule 4.8 sets forth a list, as of the date of
this  Agreement,  of all pending  and, to the  Knowledge  of Seller,  threatened
lawsuits or claims with respect to which Seller or one of the Companies has been
contacted in writing by the claimant or by counsel for the claimant  relating to
the  Business  which (a) has or can be  reasonably  expected  to have an adverse
effect on the Business exceeding $250,000 in damages or costs of compliance with
an order or judgment,  (b) seeks any  injunctive  relief or (c) seeks to prevent
the  Transactions.  Schedule  4.8 sets forth a  description  of Sellers' and the
Companies'  product  liability  experience  in respect of the  Business  for the
period beginning July 1, 1997 to the present.  Neither Seller nor any Company is
in default  under any  judgment,  order or decree of any  court,  administrative
agency or commission or other Governmental Authority applicable to the Business;
except where the default would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

    4.9 Employee  and Related  Matters.  Schedule  4.9 sets forth each  material
Seller Plan.  Each such Seller Plan has been  maintained in material  compliance
with all  applicable  laws and  regulations  and in  accordance  in all material
respects with the provisions of such Seller Plan.  None of MagneTek's  assets is
subject to a Lien,  actual or contingent,  under Section 4068 of ERISA, nor will
consummation  of the  Transactions  give rise to liability  under Sections 4062,
4063,  4064,  4069 or 4201 of ERISA.  Seller has made  available  to Buyer true,
complete and correct copies of (i) each such Seller Plan (or, in the case of any
unwritten  Seller  Plans,  descriptions  thereof),  (ii) the most recent  annual
report on Form 5500 filed with the IRS with  respect to each Seller Plan that is
subject to Title IV of ERISA and (iii) the most recent summary plan  description
for each Seller Plan for which such a summary plan description is required.

    4.10 Environmental Matters.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.10, or in any
report  prepared for Buyer  reflecting  results of  investigations  conducted in
connection with Buyer's  acquisition-related due diligence ("Buyer Environmental
Reports"):

       (a) (i) the Business is in compliance  with all applicable  Environmental
Laws,   including  permitting   requirements,   except  where  any  instance  of
non-compliance  would not have a Material  Adverse Effect and (ii) since January
1, 1997  Seller has not  received  written  notice of any claim,  investigation,
demand or notice by any Person alleging  non-compliance  with or


                                       23
<PAGE>

liability  under any  Environmental  Law in respect of the Business which would,
individually  or in the  aggregate,  have a Material  Adverse Effect and, to the
Knowledge of Seller, Seller is not the subject of any such claim,  investigation
or demand. To the Knowledge of Seller,  there is no underground  storage tank at
any Business  Property,  and there has not been any underground  storage tank at
any Business Property of the Domestic Business.

       (b)  Except for the  existing  conditions  at and around the  McMinnville
Facility,  there is no  existing  contamination  by,  and there has not been the
release of, any  Hazardous  Material on, at or under any Business  Property that
has or would have a Material  Adverse  Effect.  Except  where the  presence of a
Hazardous  Material or the  knowledge  of the  presence of a Hazardous  Material
constitutes a failure to comply with Environmental Laws, nothing in this Section
4.10(b)  pertains to any  compliance  or permitting  matters,  which are covered
solely by Section 4.10(a).

No  representation  or  warranty  is made in this  Agreement  as to any  matters
relating to the environment, Environmental Laws or Hazardous Materials except in
this Section 4.10.

    4.11 Employee and Labor Relations. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11:

       (a)  there is no labor  strike,  dispute,  or work  stoppage  or  lockout
pending, or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened, involving the Business;

       (b) to the  Knowledge  of Seller,  no union  organization  campaign is in
progress  with  respect  to the  employees  of  the  Business,  and no  question
concerning representation exists respecting such employees;

       (c) there is no unfair labor practice charge or complaint  against Seller
or any Company pending, or, to the Knowledge of Seller,  threatened,  before the
National Labor  Relations  Board or similar  governmental  agency outside of the
United States  involving the Business that has or can be reasonably  expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect;

       (d) there is no  pending,  or, to the  Knowledge  of Seller,  threatened,
grievance  involving an employee of the Business  that has or can be  reasonably
expected to have, if adversely decided, a Material Adverse Effect; and

       (e) no charges  with  respect to or  relating to Seller or any Company in
respect of the  Business  are pending  before the Equal  Employment  Opportunity
Commission or any other Governmental Authority responsible for the prevention of
unlawful  employment  practices that has or can be reasonably expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

    4.12 Compliance With Law; Permits.

       (a)  Except  as set  forth in  Schedule  4.12(a),  none of  Seller or the
Companies are in violation of any Requirement of Law applicable to the Business,
which  violation has or


                                       24
<PAGE>

can be reasonably  expected to have an adverse effect on the Business  exceeding
$250,000 in damages or costs of compliance with Requirements of Law.

       (b) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.12(b), (i) Seller and the Companies
have all licenses,  permits,  orders,  approvals and other  authorizations of or
from all  Governmental  Authorities  which are  necessary  in the conduct of the
Business ("Permits"),  (ii) such Permits are in full force and effect, and (iii)
no  violations  or  claimed  violations  are  pending  before  any  Governmental
Authority  with  respect to such  Permits  except any such  violation or claimed
violation as would not be required to be set forth on Schedule 4.8.

    4.13 Product Warranty and Product Liability.  Schedule 4.13 contains a true,
correct and complete copy of Seller's and the  Companies'  standard  warranty or
warranties  for sales of Products.  Except as set forth or described on Schedule
4.13,  neither  Seller nor the  Companies  has  outstanding  any warranty  which
differs in any material  respect from such  standard  warranties.  Except as set
forth on Schedule 4.13,  MagneTek has not received  notice,  since July 1, 1998,
from any  customer  to the effect that such  customer  has  experienced  product
quality problems of such significance that it has reason to believe a concession
of over $25,000 would be required in order to resolve such customer's  concerns.
Each of the Products  produced or sold by Seller in connection with the Business
or by the  Companies  is, and at all times up to and  including the sale of such
Product  has  been,  (i)  in  compliance  in  all  material  respects  with  all
Requirements of Law, (ii) fit for the ordinary purposes for which it is intended
to be used and (iii)  conforms  in all  material  respects  to any  promises  or
affirmations of fact made on the packaging or  instructions  for such product or
in connection  with its sale.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13, on the date
of this Agreement,  to the extent required by law or by a customer, all Products
currently  offered by the Business have been rated and approved by  Underwriters
Laboratories or the analogous  foreign body, as the case may be. The Business is
in compliance in all material  respects with all  requirements  relating to such
ratings and approvals, and Seller and the Companies have not received any notice
that such ratings or approvals may be revoked or  withdrawn.  Schedule 4.13 sets
forth a description of all warranty claims  processed since July 1, 1998 and all
customer concessions, in each case that have been recorded in amounts exceeding,
in any one such claim or  concession,  $50,000.  The term  "Products" as used in
this Section 4.13 means any and all products currently  designed,  manufactured,
distributed or sold by Seller or the Companies or subject to ongoing warranty.

    4.14 Assets of the  Business.  Except for any  Excluded  Assets  (other than
those  described in Section 2.2(e) or (f)) or Assets that may not be transferred
to Buyer  pursuant to Section 8.1 and except as set forth on Schedule  4.14, the
Assets,  the assets of the Companies and the rights conferred by the Transaction
Documents comprise all of the properties, assets (including, without limitation,
computer software and licenses  therefor) and rights of Seller and the Companies
material to the conduct of the Business as presently  conducted and are adequate
to conduct the Business on a basis consistent with past practice.  Schedule 4.14
lists all material  services  provided by employees of Seller or its  Affiliates
(other than employees located at the Facilities) that relate to the Business and
all material supply  arrangements  between the Business and another  business of
Seller or any  Affiliate of Seller,  in each case since July 1, 1998.  EXCEPT


                                       25
<PAGE>

AS  EXPRESSLY  PROVIDED  HEREIN,  SELLER  MAKES NO  REPRESENTATION  OR  WARRANTY
CONCERNING THE ASSETS OR THE BUSINESS,  INCLUDING AS TO THE QUALITY,  CONDITION,
MERCHANTABILITY,  SALABILITY,  OBSOLESCENCE,  WORKING  ORDER  OR  FITNESS  FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE THEREOF.  EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, THE ASSETS ARE
SOLD TO BUYER "AS IS AND WHERE IS."

                                    ARTICLE V

                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

           Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

    5.1 Authority; No Conflicts; Governmental Consents.

       (a) Buyer is a corporation  duly organized,  validly existing and in good
standing  under  the laws of the  State of  Delaware.  Buyer  has all  requisite
corporate  power and  authority to enter into the  Transaction  Documents and to
consummate the Transactions.  All corporate acts and other proceedings  required
to be taken by Buyer to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the
Transaction  Documents and the  Transactions  have been duly and properly taken.
This Agreement has been, and the Transaction Documents,  when executed, will be,
duly  executed  and  delivered  by  Buyer  and  constitute   valid  and  binding
obligations  of  Buyer,  enforceable  against  Buyer in  accordance  with  their
respective  terms  except  as  enforceability  may  be  limited  by  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium  and other  similar laws relating to or
affecting  creditors' rights generally or by general  principles  (regardless of
whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or law).

       (b) Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.1(b), the execution and delivery of
this Agreement does not and of the other Transaction Documents will not, and the
consummation  of  the   Transactions  and  compliance  with  the  terms  of  the
Transaction  Documents will not, conflict with, or result in any violation of or
default (with or without  notice or lapse of time, or both) under,  or give rise
to a right of termination,  cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or to
loss of a material benefit under, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any
of the  properties  or assets  of the  Buyer  under,  any  provision  of (i) the
Certificate  of  Incorporation  or  By-Laws  of  Buyer,   (ii)  any  Contractual
Obligation  of Buyer or (iii) any judgment,  order or decree or,  subject to the
matters described in clauses (A)-(D) below,  statute,  law,  ordinance,  rule or
regulation  applicable to Buyer or its property or assets.  No material consent,
approval,   license,   permit  order  or  authorization   of,  or  registration,
declaration  or filing with, any court,  administrative  agency or commission or
other  Governmental  Authority  is  required  to be  obtained or made by or with
respect to Buyer or its Affiliates in connection with the execution and delivery
of the Transaction  Documents or the consummation by Buyer of the  Transactions,
other than (A) compliance with and filings under Section 13(a) and 15(d), as the
case  may  be,  of the  Exchange  Act,  (B)  compliance  with  and  filings  and
notifications under applicable state environmental laws, (C) compliance with and
filings  under the HSR Act and the Mexican  Antitrust Law and (D) those


                                       26
<PAGE>

that may be required solely by reason of Seller's (as opposed to any other third
party's) participation in the transactions contemplated hereby.

    5.2 Actions and Proceedings,  Etc. There are no: (a) outstanding  judgments,
orders,  writs,  injunctions  or decrees of any  court,  governmental  agency or
arbitration  tribunal  against  Buyer or (b)  actions,  suits,  claims or legal,
administrative or arbitration  proceedings or investigations  pending or, to the
knowledge of Buyer,  threatened against Buyer in either case that are reasonably
likely to materially and adversely affect the ability of Buyer to enter into and
perform its obligations under this Agreement.

    5.3 Buyer's  Acknowledgment.  Buyer  acknowledges and agrees that, (a) other
than the representations and warranties of Seller specifically contained in this
Agreement, there are no representations or warranties of Seller either expressed
or implied with respect to such Seller, the Business or the Transactions and (b)
it shall have a right to indemnification  solely as provided in Article X hereof
and  shall  have no  claim  or  right to  indemnification  with  respect  to any
information,  documents  or materials  furnished by either  Seller or any of its
officers,  directors,  employees,  agents or advisors, or otherwise available to
Buyer.

    5.4 Solvency.  Immediately  after giving effect to the  Transactions,  Buyer
will be able to pay its debts as they become due and will own property which has
a fair  salable  value  greater  than  the  amounts  required  to pay its  debts
(including a reasonable  estimate of the amount of all contingent  liabilities).
Immediately  after giving effect to the  Transactions,  Buyer will have adequate
capital to carry on its businesses. No transfer of property is being made and no
obligation is being incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this  Agreement  with the intent to hinder,  delay or defraud  either  person or
future creditors of Buyer.

    5.5 No Knowledge of Seller's  Breach.  Buyer does not have  knowledge of any
breach of any  representation  or warranty by Seller. If Buyer obtains knowledge
relevant to the  representations  and  warranties of Seller under this Agreement
before the Closing Date  (whether  through  Seller or  otherwise),  then for the
purposes of Seller's  liability  under such  representations  and warranties the
effect shall be as if the  representations  and  warranties  were so modified in
this  Agreement,  and no claim for  indemnification  may be made under Article X
hereof  to  the  extent  such  claim   would  not  arise  under  such   modified
representation or warranty.  For purposes of this Section 5.6, Buyer will not be
deemed to have knowledge of any breach of any  representation or warranty unless
one of the individuals named in Schedule 5.6 has actual knowledge  thereof,  and
Seller shall bear the burden of proof with respect thereto.



                                       27
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VI

                               COVENANTS OF SELLER

    Seller covenants and agrees as follows:

    6.1 Access.  Subject to the  provisions of Section 7.1 hereof,  prior to the
Closing, Seller will give Buyer and its representatives,  employees, counsel and
accountants  reasonable  access during normal business hours and upon reasonable
notice,  to the  personnel,  properties,  books and records of the  Business for
purposes of investigating  its assets,  operations,  prospects,  obligations and
liabilities;  provided,  however, that such access does not unreasonably disrupt
the normal operations of the Business.  Additionally,  subject to the provisions
of Section 7.1 hereof and to prior  notification and the consent (which will not
be unreasonably  withheld or delayed) of Buyer,  Buyer and such  representatives
may contact the  principal  customers and suppliers of the Business for purposes
of the foregoing investigation. Without limiting Seller's obligations under this
Section 6.1, upon the Closing or sooner with the consent of Seller,  which shall
not be unreasonably  withheld,  Buyer may arrange,  at Buyer's expense,  to have
such financial  statements for the Business audited as Buyer is required to file
with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  in a Current  Report on Form 8-K
pursuant  to  Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
amended.

    6.2 Ordinary Conduct; No Shopping.  Except as contemplated by this Agreement
or as set forth in Schedule  6.2,  from the date hereof to the  Closing,  Seller
agrees to cause the  business of the  Business to be  conducted  in the ordinary
course in substantially the same manner as presently conducted and will make all
reasonable efforts,  consistent with past practices,  to preserve  relationships
with  employees,  customers,  suppliers and others with whom the Business deals.
Except as  contemplated by this  Agreement,  Seller will not,  without the prior
written  consent of Buyer,  which consent will not be  unreasonably  withheld or
delayed,  (i)  take  any  action  which  would  cause  the  representations  and
warranties  of  Seller  herein  to be untrue  in any  material  respect  or (ii)
transfer  any  employee  of the  Business  to another  business  of  MagneTek or
transfer any employee of another MagneTek business to the Business.  Seller will
provide  Buyer with interim  monthly  financial  statements  of the Business and
other  management  reports  as and when  they  are  available.  Seller  will not
directly  or  indirectly  (through a  representative  or  otherwise)  solicit or
furnish any information to any prospective buyer, commence, or conduct presently
ongoing,  negotiations with any other party or enter into any agreement with any
other  party  concerning  the sale of the  Business  or the  Assets  or any part
thereof (an "Acquisition Proposal"), and Seller will immediately advise Buyer of
the receipt of any Acquisition Proposal.

    6.3  Insurance.  Seller  shall  keep,  or cause to be  kept,  all  insurance
policies presently  maintained  relating to the Business and its properties,  or
replacements therefor, in full force and effect through the close of business on
the  Closing  Date.  Buyer  will not have any  rights  under any such  insurance
policies from and after the Closing Date.



                                       28
<PAGE>

    6.4 Title Commitment. Prior to Closing, Seller shall furnish to Buyer at the
parties'  expense,  equally  shared a standard ALTA Form 1992  commitment for an
owner's policy of title insurance (the "Title Commitment"), together with a copy
of each  document  referenced  in said  commitments,  issued by a title  company
selected by Buyer  ("Title  Company") in an amount  determined by Buyer prior to
the Closing and reasonably  acceptable to Seller as to each Owned Property being
conveyed  insuring good and marketable  title thereto  (expressly  including all
easements and other  appurtenances) and including extended coverage deleting all
of the standard  exceptions,  nonimputation  endorsements  and  containing  such
additional  endorsements as Buyer shall reasonably request;  provided that Buyer
shall bear all incremental  premium expense for such  endorsements to the extent
such expense  exceeds ten thousand  dollars  ($10,000) in the aggregate.  Seller
agrees to  provide  the Title  Company  with such  affidavits,  certificates  or
indemnitees  as  the  Title  Company  may   reasonably   require  to  issue  the
above-referenced  Title Commitment and corresponding title policy.  Seller shall
also cooperate  with Buyer to enable Buyer to obtain,  at Buyer's  expense,  not
less  than ten (10)  Business  Days  prior to  closing,  surveys  of each  Owned
Property prepared in accordance with current ALTA/ASCM  standards,  certified to
Buyer and the Title  Company  each dated no more than  ninety (90) days prior to
Closing and containing a detailed  legal  description,  such  ALTA/ASCM  Table A
requirements  as  may  be  requested  by  Buyer,  and a  surveyor's  certificate
acceptable   to  Buyer  and  the  Title  Company  and  prepared  by  a  surveyor
satisfactory to Buyer licensed to practice in the state where the Owned Property
is located.  Buyer shall have ten (10) Business Days after receipt of said Title
Commitments  and surveys in which to raise title  objections  as to any material
matters.  If such objections are raised by Buyer, then Seller shall have fifteen
(15)  days  from the date such  objections  are  raised to cure the same and the
Closing Date shall be extended  accordingly.  If objections are not satisfied by
the extended Closing Date, this Agreement shall terminate unless Buyer elects to
waive the unsatisfied objections and consummate the Transactions.

    6.5 Accounts Receivable.  For a period of sixty (60) days after the Closing,
on the first business day of each week after the Closing Date,  and  thereafter,
promptly following receipt of proceeds from accounts receivable of the Business,
Seller  agrees to promptly  forward to Buyer any and all proceeds  from accounts
receivable  of the Business  that are received by Seller after the Closing Date.
If, after the Closing Date,  Seller  receives any payment from any Person who at
the time of such payment has outstanding  accounts payable to Seller, on the one
hand (for the purposes of this Section,  "Seller Accounts  Receivable"),  and to
the Buyer, on the other hand (for the purposes of this Section,  "Buyer Accounts
Receivable"),  and the payment (a) does not indicate whether it is in respect of
Seller Accounts Receivable or Buyer Accounts Receivable or (b) indicates that it
is in payment of both Seller Accounts  Receivable and Buyer Accounts  Receivable
without  specifying  the portion to be allocated to each,  then Seller and Buyer
shall  consult  with one  another to  determine  the proper  allocation  of such
payment;  and, if they are unable to reach  agreement on the proper  allocation,
such payment shall be applied so as to retire  Seller  Accounts  Receivable  and
Buyer Accounts  Receivable in chronological  order based upon the period of time
such accounts  receivable  have existed on the books of Seller or Buyer,  as the
case may be.



                                       29
<PAGE>

    6.6 Noncompetition.

       (a) Each Seller  acknowledges  and recognizes  that the Business has been
conducted by Sellers,  and  substantial  sales of its  products  have been made,
throughout  the  world,  and  further  acknowledges  and  recognizes  the highly
competitive   nature  of  the  industry  in  which  the  Business  is  involved.
Accordingly,   in  consideration  of  the  premises  contained  herein  and  the
consideration  to  be  received  hereunder,  and  in  consideration  and  as  an
inducement to Buyer to consummate the  Transactions,  Sellers shall not from and
after the Closing until the fifth  anniversary  of the Closing Date (A) directly
or  indirectly  engage,  whether or not such  engagement  shall be as a partner,
stockholder,  Affiliate or other participant,  in any Competitive  Business,  or
represent in any way any Competitive Business, whether or not such engagement or
representation  shall be for profit (and  including  the license of the MagneTek
mark in connection with a Competitive  Business),  or (B) induce any employee of
Buyer or the Business to terminate his  employment  with Buyer.  As used herein,
"Competitive  Business" shall mean any business involving the sale of any of the
products  described in Schedule 6.6 ("Restricted  Motors") in any city or county
in any state of the  United  States  or  anywhere  outside  the  United  States.
Anything in this Section 6.6 to the contrary notwithstanding, the acquisition by
any  Seller of any  Person,  less than 10% of the  gross  revenues  of which are
derived in a Competitive Business, shall not constitute a breach of this Section
6.6 if such Competitive Business of such Person is sold or otherwise disposed of
or discontinued within the year following such acquisition. In addition, nothing
in this Agreement shall prohibit  Sellers from (i) acquiring no more than 5%, in
the case of a privately  held  Person,  and no more than 5%, in case of a Person
whose securities are actively traded in any securities market worldwide,  of the
securities of any class of a Person  engaged in a  Competitive  Business or (ii)
selling any Restricted Motor in combination with any drive product. In addition,
the provisions of this Section 6.6 will automatically expire and become null and
void in the event of a change of  control  of  MagneTek.  For  purposes  of this
Section 6.6, a change of control of MagneTek will be deemed to have occurred if,
as a result of one or a series of  related  transactions,  Persons  beneficially
owning  at  least  51% of  MagneTek's  voting  stock  prior  to the  first  such
transaction cease to continue to beneficially own such voting stock (directly or
through one or more holding companies),  it being understood that this provision
is  intended  to apply to  circumstances  in which a third  Person  acquires  or
succeeds to ownership or control of substantially  all of the assets or business
of MagneTek as constituted  immediately prior to such acquisition or succession.
In the event of a change of control,  the successor to MagneTek  shall be bound,
for the  remainder of the term of this Section 6.6, not to use the MagneTek mark
in connection with the sale of any Restricted Motors.

       (b) The  prohibition  in  Section  6.6(a)  shall  apply to all  political
subdivisions or regions in all states of the United States and all  geographical
areas worldwide. Sellers agree that, in connection with the purchase by Buyer of
the Assets  (including  the goodwill) of the Business,  the time and  geographic
restrictions  set forth above are  reasonable.  Sellers agree that the remedy at
law for any breach by Sellers of this  Section 6.6 will be  inadequate  and that
Buyer shall be  entitled  to  injunctive  relief.  The  parties  intend that the
unenforceability  or  invalidity  of any term or  provision  of this Section 6.6
shall not render any other term or provision  contained herein  unenforceable or
invalid. If the activities  described in Section 6.6(a) or the period of time or




                                       30
<PAGE>


the  geographical  area  covered  by this  Section  6.6  should  be  deemed  too
extensive,  then the parties  intend that this Section 6.6 be construed to cover
the maximum scope of business  activities,  period of time and geographical area
(not exceeding those  specifically set forth herein) as may be permissible under
applicable law.

    6.7 Confidential  Information.  On and after the day of the Closing, Sellers
will hold, and will use their best efforts to cause their  respective  officers,
directors,  employees,  accountants,  counsel, consultants,  advisors and agents
("Representatives") to hold, in confidence,  unless compelled to disclose by any
Requirement of Law, all  confidential  documents and information  concerning the
Business  (including any  confidential  information or documents  provided to it
pursuant to Section 8.6 and any trade secrets or other  proprietary  information
forming a part of the Intellectual  Property) (the "Confidential  Information"),
except to the extent that such  information  is (a) in the public domain through
no fault  of  Sellers  or any of their  Representatives  or (b)  later  lawfully
acquired by Sellers on a non-confidential basis from sources other than Buyer or
any of its Affiliates. The obligation of Sellers to hold any such information in
confidence  shall be  satisfied  if they  exercise the same care with respect to
such information as they would take to preserve the confidentiality of their own
similar information. Nothing in the foregoing is intended to expand the covenant
of Seller  contained in Section  6.6, it being  understood,  however,  that this
Section  6.7  shall  continue  to  preclude  the   divulgence  of   Confidential
Information  by Sellers to third  parties  after the  expiration of the covenant
contained in Section 6.6.

    6.8 Repurchase of Certain Accounts Receivable.  MagneTek agrees that it will
purchase,  for the face amount  thereof,  any or all of the accounts  receivable
described on Schedule 6.8 as to which the Buyer  notifies  MagneTek that it will
require  such  repurchase.  Such  notice  must be given by Buyer,  if at all, no
earlier than October 31, 1999 and no later than November 15, 1999.

    6.9 Resolution or Remediation of Certain  Environmental  Matters  Identified
Prior to the Closing Date.

       (a) MagneTek agrees,  at its own expense no later than the 90th day after
the Closing Date, to resolve or correct the matters described on Schedule 6.9 as
required under applicable  Environmental  Law, with the rights and duties of the
parties in  respect  of the  conduct  of such  activities  being  subject to the
provisions of Section 10.3 hereof. In the event MagneTek fails to fulfill timely
the foregoing  obligation,  Buyer shall be entitled to assume the remaining work
necessary to perform such obligations, and MagneTek will indemnify Buyer for all
of its out-of-pocket  expenses reasonably  incurred in such performance.  In all
events,   MagneTek  will  indemnify  Buyer  for  any  Losses  arising  from  any
non-compliance   of  the  Business  or  Business   Properties   with  applicable
Environmental Law reflected on Schedule 6.9.

       (b) Buyer will  provide  MagneTek  with the Buyer  Environmental  Reports
promptly as these become available. In respect of all such properties other than
the  McMinnville  Facility and the facility at Owosso,  Michigan (the "Secondary
Properties"),  MagneTek  will


                                       31
<PAGE>

notify Buyer on or before the Closing Date as to whether it elects to retain any
such Secondary Property or to transfer it (or the related leasehold interest) to
Buyer. In the event MagneTek elects to transfer a Secondary  Property,  MagneTek
will  thereby  have  agreed  to  perform,  at its  sole  cost and  expense,  all
investigation  and remediation  necessary under  Environmental Law in respect of
such  Secondary  Property,  in which case the  provisions  of Section 10.3 shall
govern the parties' respective rights and duties. In the event MagneTek does not
so elect to  transfer a Secondary  Property,  MagneTek  will have an  additional
120-day  period  during  which  to  evaluate  the  necessary  investigation  and
remediation,  at the end of which it will have the right to notify Buyer that it
does elect to transfer the Secondary  Property,  and such notification will also
evidence  MagneTek's  agreement  to  perform  the  required   investigation  and
remediation  as  aforesaid.  MagneTek  may  also  determine,  at the end of such
120-day period, that it will not transfer the Secondary Property,  in which case
such Secondary Property will be considered an Excluded Facility for all purposes
hereunder  except that the employees of such facility who would not otherwise be
Business  Employees will continue to be treated as Business Employees under this
Agreement.  During such 120-day period, the Purchase Price will be provisionally
adjusted to reflect the  exclusion of any  Secondary  Property not  transferred,
subject to payment of the amount provisionally  excluded (as adjusted to reflect
changes  in the  ordinary  course  of  business  in the net  book  value of such
Business  Property from that  reflected on the April Balance Sheet) in the event
MagneTek  elects to transfer the  Secondary  Property at the end of such period.
The parties'  conduct during such 120-day period will comply with the provisions
of Section 10.3. In the event MagneTek  ultimately retains a Secondary Property,
MagneTek  and Buyer will  negotiate  in good faith prior to the Closing to enter
into a lease (which will be a sublease, if permitted,  in the case of a Business
Property  as to which  Seller  holds only a  leasehold  interest)  ending on the
second anniversary of the date on which MagneTek notifies Buyer that it will not
transfer the applicable Secondary Property,  or such earlier date as Buyer shall
request, such lease to provide for payment by Buyer of (i) all expenses relating
to the ownership and  operation of the Secondary  Property  (subject to Seller's
obligations  under this  Agreement,  and other than certain  significant  repair
items to be negotiated)  and (ii) market rental in the vicinity of the Secondary
Property.  MagneTek will be  responsible  for all  severance  costs of employees
terminated in connection with Buyer's vacating the Secondary Property,  which it
will pay to  terminated  employees  on the same  basis as it would have paid had
such  employees  remained in or been in  MagneTek's  employ  through the date of
their  termination  assuming  payment in accordance  with  MagneTek's  severance
guidelines  and policies in effect on the date hereof.  In all events,  MagneTek
will indemnify Buyer for any Losses it reasonably incurs under Environmental Law
as a result of the continued  existence,  during such 120-day  period and of any
lease term, of the condition of the relevant  Secondary  Property on the Closing
Date.  Any risk and cost of vacating  the  Secondary  Property at the end of the
lease term will, except as aforesaid, be entirely borne by Buyer.

       (c) In  respect  of the  Owosso  facility,  Buyer  will have the right to
notify  Seller on or before  the  Closing  Date that it elects not to accept the
transfer of such  facility  and Seller will have the right to notify Buyer on or
before the Closing  Date that it elects not to transfer  such  facility.  In the
absence of such  notice,  the  Owosso  facility  will be  treated  the same as a


                                       32
<PAGE>

Secondary Facility that is transferred to Buyer as described in subparagraph (b)
above. In the event Buyer so notifies  MagneTek,  or MagneTek so notifies Buyer,
both parties will have 270 days at their own respective  expense to evaluate the
necessary  investigation  and  remediation.  In the event either party gives the
foregoing notice,  MagneTek and Buyer will negotiate in good faith to enter into
a lease prior to the Closing upon the same terms as are set forth above, and the
employees of such facility will be treated as Business  Employees.  The parties'
conduct during such period shall comply with Section 10.3,  except that MagneTek
will  cooperate  with Buyer and Buyer will be  permitted  (before  and after the
Closing)  to  take  such  actions  as are  necessary  to  complete  a  "Baseline
Environmental  Assessment"  and file a report with respect thereto in accordance
with  Michigan  law, and Buyer will give  MagneTek a reasonable  opportunity  to
comment upon materials  prepared for such filings and will accept any reasonable
input from MagneTek in the process.  Buyer will have the right, prior to the end
of such  270-day  period  or the time the  Governmental  Authorities  exercising
jurisdiction   over  such  remediation   have  approved  an  investigation   and
remediation  plan  relating  to the  facility,  whichever  is  later,  to notify
MagneTek  whether  it will  accept the  transfer  of the  Owosso  facility,  and
MagneTek will have the right,  within such 270-day period,  to notify Buyer that
it elects not to transfer such facility.  If neither party elects to prevent the
transfer,  the Owosso facility will be transferred promptly after the expiration
or waiver of the  applicable  period and  MagneTek  will  thereby have agreed to
perform,  at its sole  cost  and  expense,  all  investigation  and  remediation
necessary under  Environmental  Law in respect of the Owosso  facility,  and the
provisions  of Section  10.3 will  govern  the  parties'  respective  rights and
duties. If either party elects to provisionally exclude the Owosso facility from
the Transaction,  the Purchase Price will be provisionally adjusted as set forth
in Section  2.5(d),  subject  to the  payment  to  MagneTek  in the event of the
subsequent  transfer  of the  Owosso  facility  of the  amount so  excluded  (as
adjusted to reflect  changes in the ordinary  course of business in the net book
value of the Owosso facility from that reflected on the April Balance Sheet). In
the event either Buyer or MagneTek  elects not to transfer the Owosso  facility,
the parties will extend the lease until no later than the second  anniversary of
the date on which notice is given by a party that the Owosso  facility  will not
be transferred.  In the event the exclusion of the facility occurs at MagneTek's
election,  MagneTek will have the same responsibility for severance to employees
as is described under subparagraph (b) above, and in the event such exclusion is
at the election of Buyer,  Buyer will have all  responsibility  for severance of
such employees. In each such case and except as to the employees as described in
this subparagraph (c), the Owosso facility will as a result of such exclusion be
considered  an Excluded  Facility  for all  purposes  hereunder.  MagneTek  will
indemnify Buyer for any Losses it reasonably incurs under Environmental Law as a
result of the continued  existence,  during the period during which  transfer of
the Owosso  facility is held in abeyance and of any lease term, of the condition
of the Owosso  facility on the Closing  Date.  Any risk and cost of vacating the
Owosso  facility  at the end of the lease term  will,  except as  aforesaid,  be
entirely borne by Buyer.

       (d) MagneTek agrees to use commercially  reasonable  efforts to assign or
otherwise  make  available  to the Buyer  the  benefits  of its  indemnification
agreement from GA-TEK, Inc. (a purported  successor to Gould, Inc.  hereinafter,
"Gould") pertaining to the conditions at the McMinnville  Facility, in each case
without  breaching  any  obligations  or


                                       33
<PAGE>

releasing any rights it has in respect thereto,  it being the parties' intention
to  respect  all of the  provisions  of such  indemnification  agreement  and to
cooperate with each other in respect of its enforcement.  Buyer agrees,  whether
or not such consent is obtained,  to use  commercially  reasonable  efforts (but
without  expenditure  of  more  than  incidental  monies  or the  obligation  to
institute  litigation or to materially  delay) to seek performance from Gould of
such  indemnification  prior to  pursuing  MagneTek.  Buyer also  agrees that if
MagneTek obtains and pays all premiums for and maintains insurance in respect of
the foregoing  conditions  at the  McMinnville  Facility  that is  substantially
commensurate  with the  indemnification  provided  to the  Buyer  under  Section
10.1(d) in respect of the  McMinnville  Facility  (and retains all liability and
obligation  in respect  of any  deductible  or  retention  associated  with such
insurance),  and such  insurance is reasonably  acceptable  to Buyer,  then such
indemnification will expire automatically and MagneTek will have no liability or
obligation  to Buyer  thereunder  except the premiums and  deductibles  for such
insurance.  In addition, in the event MagneTek obtains the consent to assignment
from Gould as described  above in form and  substance  reasonably  acceptable to
Buyer,  and  Buyer  obtains,  and is  able  to  substantiate  to its  reasonable
satisfaction,  evidence that Gould is at least as fiscally viable as MagneTek as
of the Closing Date, Buyer will also release  MagneTek from its  indemnification
obligation in respect of the  McMinnville  Facility  (except insofar as MagneTek
has any  independent  responsibility  for  such  conditions  at the  McMinnville
Facility).  The parties  agree that to the extent  MagneTek is  responsible  for
performing or ensuring the performance of the  investigation  and remediation of
the McMinnville  Facility, as between the parties the provisions of Section 10.3
hereof  will  govern  the  parties'  rights  and  duties.  In  addition,  unless
MagneTek's   indemnification   liability  for  the   McMinnville   Facility  has
theretofore  been  released  under  this  subparagraph  by  virtue  of  MagneTek
providing  insurance to Buyer,  if at any time after the Closing  MagneTek's net
worth shall be less than  $80,000,000,  MagneTek  will at its expense  within 30
days after receiving a request from Buyer to do so, obtain and deliver to Buyer,
and  thereafter  maintain,  a  letter  of  credit,  suretyship  bond or  similar
instrument  in  form  and  substance  (including  the  identity  of the  issuer)
reasonably  acceptable  to Buyer in favor of Buyer in respect  of the  remaining
estimated  clean-up  cost  for  the  McMinnville  Facility  in  respect  of  the
indemnification  provided  to Buyer  under  Section  10.1(d)  (to be  determined
without regard to any future contribution  thereto by Gould), such bond or other
instrument to be  progressively  reduced as the clean-up  progresses  (and to be
cancelled at such time as the remaining exposure is less than $1,000,000). Buyer
and MagneTek  will at such time  negotiate  in good faith as to the  appropriate
amount  to be  secured  by such  instrument  (or  any  reduction  in the  amount
thereof).  If Buyer and MagneTek fail to agree as to the  appropriate  amount of
such  surety  (or any  reduction  thereof),  then at any time at the  request of
either party they shall select a nationally recognized  environmental consultant
to resolve the dispute.  Buyer and  MagneTek  will use  commercially  reasonable
efforts to ensure that the  appropriate  amount to be secured by such instrument
(or any reduction  thereof) is determined within 30 days after the first request
by a party to determine such amount.  If MagneTek (or a successor in interest to
its obligation  hereunder)  ceases to report  financial  information in publicly
available filings with the SEC, then MagneTek will, at the reasonable request of
Buyer from time to time, furnish Buyer with financial  statements from which its
net worth is reasonably ascertainable.

                                       34
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VII

                               COVENANTS OF BUYER

    Buyer covenants and agrees as follows:

    7.1 Confidentiality.  Buyer acknowledges that the information being provided
to it by Seller is subject to the terms of a  confidentiality  agreement between
Buyer  and  Seller  (the  "Confidentiality  Agreement"),  the terms of which are
incorporated  herein by reference.  Effective  upon, and only upon, the Closing,
the  Confidentiality  Agreement will terminate;  provided,  however,  that Buyer
acknowledges that the Confidentiality Agreement will terminate only with respect
to information relating solely to the Business; and provided,  further, however,
that Buyer  acknowledges  that any and all other  information  provided to it by
Seller or Seller's representatives concerning Seller shall remain subject to the
terms and  conditions  of the  Confidentiality  Agreement  after the date of the
Closing.

    7.2 Accounts Receivable.  For a period of sixty (60) days after the Closing,
on the first business day of each week after the Closing Date,  and  thereafter,
promptly following receipt of proceeds from accounts receivable of Seller, Buyer
agrees to  promptly  forward  or cause to be  forwarded  to  Seller  any and all
proceeds from accounts receivable of Seller that are received by Buyer after the
Closing Date.  If, after the Closing Date,  Buyer  receives any payment from any
person  who at the time of such  payment  has  outstanding  accounts  payable to
Seller,  on the one hand (for the  purposes of this  Section,  "Seller  Accounts
Receivable"), and to Buyer, on the other hand (for the purposes of this Section,
"Buyer Accounts  Receivable"),  and the payment (a) does not indicate whether it
is in respect of Seller Accounts Receivable or Buyers Accounts Receivable or (b)
indicates  that it is in payment of both Seller  Accounts  Receivable  and Buyer
Accounts Receivable without specifying the portion to be allocated to each, then
Seller  and Buyer  shall  consult  with one  another  to  determine  the  proper
allocation  of such payment;  and, if they are unable to reach  agreement on the
proper allocation, such payment shall be applied so as to retire Seller Accounts
Receivable and Buyer Accounts  Receivable in chronological  order based upon the
period of time such accounts  receivable  have existed on the books of Seller or
Buyer, as the case may be.

    7.3 Waiver of Bulk Sales Law Compliance.  Buyer hereby waives  compliance by
Seller with the  requirements,  if any,  of Article 6 of the Uniform  Commercial
Code as in force in any state in which Assets are located and all other  similar
Requirements  of Law  applicable  to bulk  sales and  transfers,  to the  extent
applicable to the Transactions.

    7.4 Excluded  Assets.  If,  after the Closing  Date,  Excluded  Assets shall
remain on the premises  utilized or controlled  by Buyer,  then Buyer shall take
reasonable  steps at the request and expense of Seller to deliver such  Excluded
Assets to such  Seller,  and so long as such assets  remain in Buyer's  control,
shall exercise  reasonable care with respect thereto,  and in no event less care
than with respect to its own properties.



                                       35
<PAGE>

    7.5  Cooperation.  Buyer agrees to cooperate  with MagneTek in resolving any
action, suit,  investigation or proceeding relating to issues raised directly or
indirectly  by the EEOC Charge,  which  cooperation  shall  include,  but not be
limited to, not unreasonably withholding its consent to be bound by any order or
directive  issued by the EEOC.  MagneTek  will  indemnify  Buyer for any Loss it
incurs as a result of such cooperation  including,  but not limited to, training
costs  associated with any equitable  remedy imposed by any court or pursuant to
any settlement agreement.

    7.6 Change of Company  Names.  Effective  on or  promptly  after the Closing
Date,  Buyer will take such actions as are  necessary  under local law to remove
the name  "MagneTek" from that of any of the Companies it will operate after the
Closing.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                MUTUAL COVENANTS

    Each of Seller and Buyer covenant and agree as follows:

    8.1 HSR Filings; Permits and Consents.

       (a) Seller and Buyer will as  promptly  as  practicable,  but in no event
later than ten  Business  Days  following  the  execution  and  delivery of this
Agreement,  file with the United States Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") and
the United States  Department of Justice (the "DOJ") the notification and report
form, if any,  required for the Transactions  and any  supplemental  information
requested in connection therewith pursuant to the HSR Act. Any such notification
and report form and supplemental  information will be in substantial  compliance
with the  requirements  of the HSR Act.  Seller and Buyer  shall  furnish to the
other such  necessary  information  and  reasonable  assistance as the other may
request in connection with its preparation of any filing or submission  which is
necessary  under the HSR Act. Seller and Buyer shall keep each other apprised of
the status of any communications  with, and inquiries or requests for additional
information  from,  the FTC and the DOJ and shall comply  promptly with any such
inquiry or request.  Seller and Buyer will use all reasonable  efforts to obtain
any clearance required under the HSR Act for the Transactions.

       (b) As promptly as  practicable  after the date hereof,  Buyer and Seller
shall make all other  filings  with  governmental  bodies  and other  regulatory
authorities,  and use all reasonable  efforts to obtain all permits,  approvals,
authorizations  and consents of all third  parties,  required to consummate  the
Transactions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Seller shall use
commercially  reasonable  efforts to assist Buyer in replicating all of Seller's
Underwriters  Laboratories  and  similar  product  testing  service  association
approvals and certifications related to the Business;  provided, that Buyer will
reimburse Seller for any  out-of-pocket  expense incurred in such activities and
Seller  will not be  required  to provide  more than  incidental  and de minimus
employee  services  in  connection  therewith.  Buyer and Seller  shall  furnish
promptly to each other


                                       36
<PAGE>

all information that is not otherwise available to the other party and that such
party may  reasonably  request in  connection  with any such  filing.  Buyer and
Seller shall use reasonable efforts to obtain such consents to the assignment of
the Assigned  Contracts as may be required.  Buyer acknowledges that consents to
the  Transactions may be required from parties to the Assigned  Contracts,  that
such  consents  have not been  obtained  and  that,  notwithstanding  any  other
provision  hereof,  Seller will not assign to Buyer at the Closing any  Assigned
Contract that by its terms requires,  prior to such  assignment,  the consent of
any other  contracting party thereto unless such consent has been obtained prior
to the Closing Date.

       (c) Buyer agrees that Seller shall have no liability  whatsoever to Buyer
arising  out of or  relating  to the  failure  to  obtain  any  consents  to the
assignment of Contracts that may be required in connection with the Transactions
or because of the default,  acceleration or termination of any Assigned Contract
as a result thereof.  Buyer further agrees that no  representation,  warranty or
covenant of Seller contained  herein shall be breached or deemed breached,  as a
result of (i) the failure to obtain any such  consent or as a result of any such
acceleration or termination or (ii) any lawsuit,  action,  claim,  proceeding or
investigation  commenced or threatened by or on behalf of any Person arising out
of or  relating  to  the  failure  to  obtain  any  such  consent  or  any  such
acceleration or termination. Seller shall cooperate with Buyer in any reasonable
manner in connection with Buyer obtaining any such consents;  provided, however,
that such cooperation shall not include any requirement that Seller commence any
litigation or offer or grant any  accommodation  (financial or otherwise) to any
third party.  The Purchase Price shall not be subject to adjustment by reason of
any such consents that are not obtained.

       (d) With  respect to each such  Assigned  Contract  not  assigned  on the
Closing  Date,  after the Closing  Date Seller  shall  continue to deal with the
other contracting  party(ies) to such Assigned Contract as the prime contracting
party,  and Buyer and such Seller shall  continue to use  reasonable  efforts to
obtain the consent of all required  parties to the  assignment  of such Assigned
Contract.  Such Assigned  Contract shall be promptly assigned by Seller to Buyer
after  receipt of such  consent  after the  Closing  Date.  Notwithstanding  the
absence of any such  consent,  Buyer shall be  entitled to the  benefits of such
Assigned  Contract accruing after the Closing Date to the extent that Seller may
provide Buyer with such benefits  without  violating the terms of such contract;
and to the extent such benefits are so provided,  Buyer agrees to perform at its
sole  expense  all of the  obligations  of Seller  to be  performed  under  such
Assigned Contract after the Closing Date; provided, however, that, to the extent
such benefits are not so provided,  Buyer shall have no  obligation  pursuant to
Section 2.3 with  respect to such  Contract and any such  Contract  shall not be
deemed to be an Asset, and the related  liability shall not be deemed an Assumed
Liability.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8.1, Seller
shall  not  be  relieved  of  its  obligations  under  the  Supply  and  Service
Agreements.

    8.2 Cooperation.  Buyer and Seller shall cooperate with each other and shall
cause  their  officers,  employees,  agents,  auditors  and  representatives  to
cooperate with each other after the Closing to ensure the orderly  transition of
the  Business  to  Buyer  and to  minimize  any  disruption  to  the  respective
businesses  of Seller or the Business  that might result from the


                                       37
<PAGE>

Transactions.  Neither  party shall be required by this  Section 8.2 to take any
action that would unreasonably interfere with the conduct of its business.

    8.3 Publicity. Seller and Buyer agree that, from the date hereof through the
Closing Date, no public  release or  announcement  concerning  the  Transactions
shall be issued without the prior consent of each party (which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed), except as such release or announcement may
be required by any  Requirement of Law, in which case the party required to make
the  release or  announcement  shall allow the other  party  reasonable  time to
comment  on  such  release  or   announcement   in  advance  of  such  issuance.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  Seller  shall  provide  Buyer  access  to, and
facilitate  meetings  with,  the  employees  of the Business for the purposes of
making  announcements  concerning,  and preparing for the  consummation  of, the
Transactions.

    8.4  Reasonable  Efforts.  Subject  to the  terms  and  conditions  of  this
Agreement  (including the limitations set forth in Section 8.1), each party will
use all  reasonable  efforts to cause the  Closing to occur.  Each of Seller and
Buyer will promptly  notify the other  promptly after learning of the occurrence
of any event or  circumstance  which would  reasonably  be expected to cause any
condition to Closing not to be satisfied.

    8.5  Records.  On the  Closing  Date,  Seller  shall  deliver or cause to be
delivered to Buyer all Records and materials that would be Records if located at
a Business Property which are material to and used primarily in the Business (to
the extent  not then in the  possession  of the  Business),  except any  Records
relating to Excluded Liabilities (including, without limitation, to Seller's Tax
liability or to any litigation or claim not assumed by Buyer  hereunder).  After
the Closing, upon reasonable written notice and at Buyer's sole expense,  Seller
agrees to  furnish  or cause to be  furnished  to Buyer and its  representatives
(including its auditors),  access at reasonable times and during normal business
hours to such information  relating to the Business in such Seller's  possession
as is reasonably  necessary for financial reporting and accounting matters,  the
preparation  and filing of any Tax  returns,  reports or forms or the defense of
any Tax Claim or assessment,  and will permit Buyer or such  representatives  to
make  abstracts  from,  or  copies  of,  any of such  information,  or to obtain
temporary  possession of any thereof as may be  reasonably  required by Buyer at
Buyer's  sole cost and  expense;  provided,  however,  that such access does not
unreasonably disrupt the normal operations of such Seller. For a period of seven
(7) years  following the Closing,  MagneTek will retain all of such  information
relating to the Business.

    8.6  Access  to  Former  Business  Records.  For a period of seven (7) years
following the Closing,  Buyer will retain all Records.  During such period, upon
reasonable  written  notice and at  Seller's  sole  expense  Buyer  will  afford
authorized  representatives  of Seller  (including its auditors)  access to such
Records in Buyer's  possession  at reasonable  times and during normal  business
hours  at the  principal  business  office  of the  Business,  or at such  other
location or  locations at which such  Records may be stored or  maintained  from
time to time, and will permit such  representatives  to make abstracts  from, or
copies of, any of such Records, or to obtain temporary possession of any thereof
as may be reasonably  required by Seller at such Seller's sole

                                       38
<PAGE>

cost and  expense;  provided,  however,  that such access does not  unreasonably
disrupt the normal  operations  of Buyer.  During such  period,  Buyer will,  at
Seller's  expense  (limited,   however,  to  Buyer's  reasonable   out-of-pocket
expenditures  without regard to any employee cost or other  overhead  expenses),
cooperate with Seller in furnishing information,  evidence, testimony, and other
reasonable assistance in connection with any action,  proceeding,  Tax audit, or
investigation  to which such Seller or any of its Affiliates is subject relating
to the  business  of the  Business  prior to the  Closing.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  while the existence of an adversarial proceeding between the parties
will not abrogate or suspend the  provisions  of this Section 8.6, as to Records
or information  directly applicable  pertinent to such dispute,  the parties may
not utilize  this  Section 8.6 but rather,  absent  agreement,  must utilize the
available  rules of  discovery.  The term  "Record" as used in this  Section 8.6
shall include any data processing files or other computerized data.

    8.7 Use of  Trademark  and  Trade  Names.  Notwithstanding  anything  to the
contrary in this  Agreement,  Buyer may continue to use the name  "MagneTek" and
related trademarks,  corporate names, and trade names incorporating  "MagneTek,"
and the stylized "MagneTek" logos (i) in displays,  signage and postings for the
period after the Closing  Date  necessary to permit the removal of such names as
promptly  as is  reasonably  feasible,  and only to the  extent  such  displays,
signage or postings  exist on the Closing Date;  (ii) for a period of two years,
to state the  Business'  former  affiliation  with MagneTek  (e.g.,  "formerly a
division  of  MagneTek,  Inc.");  (iii)  to the  extent  any such  trade  names,
trademarks,  service marks or logos appear on stationery,  packaging  materials,
supplies or  inventory on hand as of the Closing Date or on order at the time of
the Closing, until such is exhausted;  provided, however, that in respect of all
such items other than finished  goods  inventory (and if such finished goods are
packaged,  the  packaging),   such  continued  use  will  cease  on  the  second
anniversary of the Closing Date, and in respect of finished goods  inventory and
any related  packaging,  such continued use will cease on the fourth anniversary
of the Closing Date;  (iv) as to any item of tooling in existence on the Closing
Date that bears such trade names,  trademarks,  service marks or logos, until it
becomes  necessary  for Buyer to replace such tooling in the ordinary  course of
business,  at which time Buyer shall replace such tooling with tooling that does
not bear such trade names,  trademarks,  service marks or logos;  and (v) to the
extent  any such  trade  names,  trademarks,  service  marks or logos  appear or
inventory  produced  after the Closing  Date using  tooling  described in clause
(iv), until such inventory is exhausted. In addition,  Buyer agrees that it will
not use the name  "Universal"  (alone or with the name "Electric") in connection
with any lighting  product it may manufacture or sell now or in the future,  and
MagneTek agrees not to use such name in connection with any Restricted Motors or
drives  product  it may  manufacture  or sell in the  future or drives  product.
Except for  "Universal,"  MagneTek  will not use any of the  trademarks or trade
names on Schedule 2.1(e), or any trademarks or trade names  confusingly  similar
thereto,  in  connection  with any  products it may  manufacture  or sell in the
future.

    8.8 Tax Returns and Payments.

       (a) Seller shall  prepare or cause to be prepared and shall file or cause
to be filed all Tax returns of the Companies required to be filed on or prior to
the Closing Date (taking


                                       39
<PAGE>

into account valid extensions of time to file), and Buyer shall prepare or cause
to be  prepared  and file or cause to be filed  all  other  Tax  returns  of the
Companies.  All returns prepared by Seller and Buyer (to the extent such returns
cover periods prior to the Closing Date) shall,  except as otherwise required by
law, be prepared in a manner consistent with past practice of the Companies.

       (b) To the extent permitted by law, Seller and Buyer shall use their best
efforts to cause any  Taxable  period of the  Companies  to close on the Closing
Date.

       (c) With the view to minimize all Taxes  payable by each of the Companies
or payable as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to the
maximum extent  permitted by applicable law, Seller and Buyer shall cooperate in
good  faith in (i)  preparing  and filing all Tax  returns  with  respect to the
Companies and the sale of the Business, (ii) maintaining and making available to
each other all  records  necessary  in  connection  with Taxes  relating to such
returns and (iii)  resolving all disputes and audits with respect to such Taxes.
Buyer and Seller  recognize that each may need access,  from time to time, after
the Closing Date, to certain  accounting and tax records and information held by
the other, including all computerized books and records and any such information
stored on any other form of media ("Tax Records");  therefore,  Buyer and Seller
agree (x) to allow (and Buyer and Seller  shall  cause the  Companies  to allow)
each other and their  agents and  representatives,  at times and dates  mutually
acceptable  to the  parties,  to  inspect,  review  and make  copies of such Tax
Records and to make available the  appropriate  personnel with knowledge of such
Tax Records to help answer  questions,  such  activities to be conducted  during
normal  business  hours  and with the  requesting  party  paying  out of  pocket
expenses only and (y) to offer the other parties such records before  destroying
such records. Buyer shall, and shall cause the Companies to, provide information
to Seller  necessary  for the  preparation  of all Tax  returns  required  to be
prepared or filed by Seller.

       (d) Seller  shall have the sole and  exclusive  authority to file amended
United  States  Federal Tax returns for any periods that end prior to or include
the Closing  Date.  Any refunds  with  respect to such Tax returns  shall be the
property of Seller.  Buyer shall have the sole and  exclusive  authority to file
amended Tax returns of the Companies  (other than such Federal Tax returns),  to
enter into any  settlement  with  respect  to any  period  that ends prior to or
includes the Closing Date and to receive all refunds relating thereto;  provided
that Seller shall have no liability to Buyer for a breach of  representation  or
warranty or otherwise  caused by, and Buyer shall hold Seller  harmless from and
against any and all costs,  expenses and liabilities  (including but not limited
to Taxes) arising from, any such amendment or settlement.

       (e) Buyer shall not and shall not permit its  Affiliates  (including  the
Companies)  to make any election  under Section 338 of the Code (with respect to
the purchase of the  Companies)  or any other Tax election that could affect the
liability of Seller for Taxes.

    8.9 Cegled  Facility.  On the Closing  Date,  Seller  will cause  Hungary to
convey the Cegled  Facility to a Hungarian  subsidiary of MagneTek,  without any
adjustment  to the  Purchase  Price.  Hungary  will enter into a lease in a form
reasonably  satisfactory  to Buyer with the


                                       40
<PAGE>


transferee  of the Cegled  Facility  expiring  on the first  anniversary  of the
Closing Date,  providing  for Hungary to pay all costs and expenses  (subject to
Seller's  obligations under this Agreement and excluding  significant repairs to
be  negotiated)  associated  with the  ownership  and  operation  of the  Cegled
Facility (but no additional  rent).  Buyer will be entitled at any time prior to
the first anniversary of the Closing Date to remove from the Cegled Facility all
such  physical  assets and  fixtures  as can be  removed  without  damaging  the
facility,  at Buyer's sole risk and expense.  On such first  anniversary,  Buyer
will be deemed to have  executed a quitclaim in favor of the owner of the Cegled
Facility in respect of any assets left at the Cegled Facility. Upon the Closing,
the employees at the Cegled Facility will remain  employees of Hungary until the
first  anniversary  of the Closing  Date.  Buyer will notify Seller on or before
such first anniversary of its desire to terminate any such Cegled employees and,
if Buyer so elects,  MagneTek will pay half of the associated severance costs in
respect  of any such  terminated  employees,  provided  that  Buyer  will not be
required to pay more than  $200,000,  and  MagneTek  will  assume any  remaining
severance liability.  As soon as practicable after the date hereof,  Seller will
deliver to Buyer all  environmental  reports in its possession or the possession
of its agents or consultants relating to the Cegled Facility. If the contents of
such reports are not reasonably  satisfactory  to Buyer,  then Buyer may request
and, if so requested,  the parties shall negotiate in good faith an amendment to
this Agreement to provide that instead of purchasing the Stock of Hungary at the
Closing,  Buyer will  acquire the assets of Hungary and assume its  liabilities,
with the Cegled Facility as an Excluded Facility.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                            EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MATTERS

    9.1 Employee  Retention.  Buyer shall offer employment to commence as of the
Closing Date to all Business Employees,  at salaries and wages commensurate with
the  responsibilities  such Business  Employees will have after the Closing Date
and otherwise on terms and  conditions  that in the aggregate are  substantially
the same as those in effect  immediately prior to the Closing Date. The Business
Employees who accept and actually commence employment with Buyer are hereinafter
collectively   referred  to  as  "Transferred   Employees."  It  is  agreed  and
acknowledged,  subject to the  foregoing,  that Buyer may  terminate at any time
after the Closing Date the employment of any Transferred Employee or employee of
any Company.  Buyer assumes all obligations and  liabilities,  if any, under the
Worker  Adjustment  and  Retraining  Notification  Act (the "WARN  Act") and any
comparable state or foreign laws arising out of the Transactions.

    9.2 Employee Benefit Plans.

       (a) Effective as of the Closing Date,  (i)  Transferred  Employees  shall
cease  accruing any benefits  under any Seller Plan,  and Seller shall take,  or
cause to be taken,  all such action,  if any, as may be necessary to effect such
cessation  of  participation  and (ii) Buyer shall adopt or  designate  employee
benefit plans providing  benefits which in the aggregate are  substantially  the
same as the  benefits  provided to such  Transferred  Employees  under  Seller's


                                       41
<PAGE>



FlexCare Plus Retirement  Savings Plan,  FlexCare Plus Retirement  Pension Plan,
Self-Funded Benefit Plan and Insured Benefit Plan (the "Buyer's Benefit Plans").
With respect to the Buyer's  Benefit  Plans,  Buyer shall grant all  Transferred
Employees from and after the Closing Date credit for all service with Seller and
its Affiliates and their respective  predecessors  prior to the Closing Date for
all purposes (other than the accrual of benefits under a defined benefit pension
plan, however,  this proviso shall not preclude Buyer from granting such credit)
for which such service was recognized by Seller and its Affiliates. With respect
to Buyer's  Benefit Plans that provide  health  benefits after the Closing Date,
such  plans  shall  waive  any  exclusions  or   limitations   with  respect  to
pre-existing  conditions  and  actively-at-work  exclusions,  except to the same
extent  the  Transferred  Employee  is subject to a  pre-existing  condition  or
actively-at-work  exclusion  on the  Closing  Date  under any  Seller  Plan that
provides health  benefits,  and shall provide that any expenses  incurred during
1999 on or before the  Closing  Date by a  Transferred  Employee  or his covered
dependents  shall be taken into  account  under such Buyer's  Benefit  Plans for
purposes  of  satisfying   applicable   deductible,   coinsurance   and  maximum
out-of-pocket  provisions.  Buyer  shall  also  cause its  health  plan(s) to be
responsible  for all  health  benefit  claims by  Business  Employees  and their
covered dependents for services rendered after the Closing Date.

       (b) Buyer shall assume  liability for retiree health  benefits in respect
of  Transferred  Employees  who were employed by Seller prior to January 1, 1992
and who are or will be entitled to retiree  health  benefits  under the terms of
Seller's Retiree Medical Plan ("Participating Transferred Employees"). Effective
as of the Closing Date, Buyer shall adopt or designate a retiree medical plan in
which all Participating  Transferred Employees shall be eligible to participate,
and which shall  provide  retiree  medical  benefits  that are in the  aggregate
substantially  similar in value to those provided under Seller's Retiree Medical
Plan.

       (c) On the Closing Date,  Seller shall spinoff to Buyer,  and Buyer shall
become the sponsor of, that portion of the MagneTek, Inc. Cafeteria Plan that is
applicable to  Transferred  Employees,  as provided in the  spinoff/transfer  of
sponsorship agreement attached as Schedule 9.2(c) hereof.

    9.3 Vacation and Holiday Pay. As of the Closing Date, Buyer shall assume all
of  Seller's  obligations  for  vacation  and  holiday  pay to  all  Transferred
Employees.

    9.4 Access to Information. Commencing with the date hereof and continuing to
the Closing Date and thereafter, Seller shall make reasonably available to Buyer
such  actuarial,   financial,  personnel  and  related  information  as  may  be
reasonably requested by Buyer with respect to any Seller Plan as it relates to a
Business Employee,  including,  but not limited to,  compensation and employment
histories.

    9.5 Company Employees and Plans.  Buyer  acknowledges  that, by operation of
law, the Companies shall be and remain liable for all  obligations  under Seller
Plans pertaining to the current and former employees of the Companies.



                                       42
<PAGE>


    9.6 Pension Plan.

       (a) The Transferred  Employees participate in a qualified defined benefit
plan maintained by MagneTek  ("Seller's  Pension Plan").  Seller  represents and
warrants that Seller's  Pension Plan and related trust meet the requirements for
qualification  under  Section 401 of the Code,  and shall  continue to meet such
requirements as of the date of the transfer described in subparagraph (c) below.
Seller shall provide to Buyer copies of Seller's  Pension Plan and related trust
and a copy of the  most  recent  determination  letter  issued  by the  Internal
Revenue  Service with respect to Seller's  Pension Plan.  Seller agrees to cause
(or to amend  Seller's  Pension Plan to require) the  administrator  of Seller's
Pension Plan to credit to the Retirement  Account of each Business  Employee who
becomes a Transferred  Employee on or within 90 days following the Closing (such
date employment with Seller ceases being the "Transfer Date"),  (i) the employer
contribution  credit that would have been allocated to the Retirement Account of
such Transferred  Employee had such Transferred  Employee  remained  employed by
Seller  through the last day of the plan year in which the  Closing  occurs (but
taking into account only the  compensation  earned by the  Transferred  Employee
through his or her Transfer Date),  and (ii) the interest credit that would have
been allocated to the Retirement  Account of such  Transferred  Employee for the
plan year in which the Closing  occurs,  prorated based upon the ratio of number
of days in such plan year which fall on or before  his or her  Transfer  Date to
365.

       (b) Buyer shall  establish or designate a qualified  defined benefit plan
("Buyer's Retirement Plan") for the benefit of the Transferred Employees.  Buyer
represents  and warrants  that Buyer's  Retirement  Plan and related trust shall
meet the requirements for qualification  under Section 401 of the Code as of the
date  of the  transfer  described  in  subparagraph  (c)  below.  Prior  to such
transfer,  Buyer shall  provide to Seller  satisfactory  evidence  that  Buyer's
Retirement Plan meets such qualification requirements. Buyer shall cause Buyer's
Retirement Plan: (i) to recognize the past service of the Transferred  Employees
with  Seller and its  affiliates  for  participation,  benefit  eligibility  and
vesting  purposes under Buyer's  Retirement Plan to the same extent as such past
service is recognized for such purposes under Seller's  Pension Plan immediately
prior to the  Closing  Date;  and (ii) to  recognize  the future  service of the
Transferred  Employees  with Buyer and its  affiliates  on and after the Closing
Date for all purposes under Buyer's Retirement Plan.

       (c) As soon as reasonably practical after, but within 120 days following,
the Closing Date, the actuary for Seller's  Pension Plan shall  determine,  with
respect to those  Business  Employees  who become  Transferred  Employees on, or
within 90 days after, the Closing Date, the amount of assets of Seller's Pension
Plan to be allocated (the  "Allocated  Assets") to the accrued  benefits of such
Transferred  Employees  under  Seller's  Pension  Plan as of the  Closing  Date,
excluding  those  benefits  funded by the  annuity  contracts  owned by Seller's
Pension Plan or Seller (the "Annuity Contracts"). With respect to those Business
Employees who become  Transferred  Employees after, but within 90 days following
the Closing Date for purposes of this  allocation,  their accrued benefits shall
include the additional  benefits  accrued under  Seller's  Pension Plan from the
Closing Date to their  respective  Transfer  Dates.  The  determination  of such
Allocated  Assets shall be performed on a plan  termination  basis in accordance
with the rules and procedures  described in Section 4044 of ERISA. The actuarial
assumptions used for the allocation


                                       43
<PAGE>

determination  shall be the  assumptions  used by the Pension  Benefit  Guaranty
Corporation on the Closing Date for valuing plan benefits of trusteed plans. The
accrued  benefits being spunoff to the Buyer's  Retirement Plan are all benefits
accrued by the  Transferred  Employees under Seller's  Pension Plan,  other than
those benefits  provided  under the Annuity  Contracts and the benefits of those
Business Employees who become Transferred  Employees more than 90 days after the
Closing Date (the  "Transferred  Benefits").  As soon as reasonably  practicable
after the calculation of the Allocated  Assets is completed,  Seller shall cause
the  trustee of  Seller's  Pension  Plan to  transfer  to the trustee of Buyer's
Retirement Plan cash or other assets reasonably acceptable to Buyer equal to the
amount of Allocated  Assets,  plus interest  thereon at the applicable  interest
rate used in the calculations of the Allocated Assets,  from the Closing Date to
the actual date of transfer of such assets. After the Closing Date, the sole and
exclusive responsibility for providing the Transferred Benefits shall be that of
the Buyer's Retirement Plan and Buyer. As soon as reasonably  practicable after,
but within 120 days  following,  the  Closing  Date,  Seller  shall  request the
actuary  for  Seller's  Pension  Plan to  determine  the  present  value  of the
Transferred Benefits (the "ABO Amount"). Such calculation shall be determined as
of the Closing Date using a 7.25%  discount rate,  1983 Group Annuity  Mortality
Table (applied to each Transferred  Employee whose benefit is being  transferred
on an age and  gender-specific  basis), and such other actuarial  assumptions as
were used by the actuary for Seller's Pension Plan for purposes of preparing the
January 1, 1998  actuarial  valuation  report for purposes of  determining  plan
funding.  Buyer's  actuary shall have the  opportunity to review and approve the
accuracy  of the  calculations.  As soon as  reasonably  practicable  after such
calculations  are  completed and approved by Buyer's  actuary,  Seller shall pay
Buyer an amount  equal to the excess,  if any, of the ABO Amount over the amount
of Allocated  Assets,  as defined in Section 9.6(c) plus interest on such excess
from the Closing  Date to the date of payment at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR
on the Closing Date.  However, if the amount of Allocated Assets exceeds the ABO
Amount,  Buyer  shall  pay  Seller  an  amount  equal to such  excess as soon as
reasonably  practical  following such determination plus interest on such excess
from the Closing  Date to the date of payment at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR
on the Closing Date.

    9.7 401(k) Plan.

       (a)  Effective  on the Closing  Date,  Buyer  shall adopt or  designate a
defined  contribution  plan qualified under Section 401(a) and Section 401(k) of
the Code (the  "Buyer  401(k)  Plan") in which  Transferred  Employees  shall be
eligible to  participate  on and after the Closing  Date to the same extent such
Transferred Employees were eligible to participate in the MagneTek Flexcare Plus
Retirement  Savings Plan ("Seller 401(k) Plan") immediately prior to the Closing
Date.

       (b)  Effective on the Closing  Date,  Seller shall  spin-off to the Buyer
401(k) Plan the accounts of the Transferred  Employees in the Seller 401(k) Plan
and as soon as practicable  following the Closing Date, but not later than sixty
days after the Closing Date,  Seller shall cause to be  transferred to the Buyer
401(k) Plan the assets allocated to such accounts,  including shares of MagneTek
stock held in the Company  Stock Fund.  Buyer  agrees to cause the Buyer  401(k)
Plan to continue to maintain the spunoff  Company Stock Fund for a period of not



                                       44
<PAGE>

less than one year from the Closing Date;  provided that Buyer's  401(k) Plan is
not  obligated  to permit  additional  contributions  to be made to said Company
Stock  Fund.  Prior to the  actual  transfer  of such  assets,  the  Transferred
Employees  shall not be permitted to make  withdrawals or loans from the spunoff
accounts and any loan repayments with respect to spunoff participant notes shall
be made to the trustee of the Buyer 401(k) Plan trust.

       (c) Seller and Buyer shall  cooperate  with each other  during the period
beginning  on the date hereof and ending on the date the assets are  transferred
to the trust  maintained  under  the Buyer  401(k)  Plan to ensure  the  ongoing
operation and administration of the Seller 401(k) Plan and the Buyer 401(k) Plan
with respect to such Transferred  Employees.  Following such transfer of assets,
the sole and  exclusive  responsibility  for  providing  the  benefits  that are
attributable to plan assets  transferred to Buyer's 401(k) Plan shall be that of
Buyer's 401(k) Plan and Buyer.

    9.8 Third-Party Beneficiaries.  No provision of this Article IX shall create
any  third-party  beneficiary  rights in any employee of former  employer of the
Business  (including any beneficiary or dependent thereof),  including,  without
limitation,  any right to continued  employment or employment in any  particular
position with Buyer for any specified period of time after the Closing Date.

    9.9  Payroll  Tax.  Seller and Buyer agree  that,  with  respect to Business
Employees who accept employment with Buyer upon the Closing,  they will take the
position  that they  respectively  meet the  definitions  of  "predecessor"  and
"successor" as defined in Revenue  Procedure  96-60 and IRS  Regulation  Section
31.3121(a)(1)-1(b).  Absent a mutual agreement to the contrary, Seller and Buyer
will use "Standard Procedure" described in Section 4 of Revenue Procedure 96-60.
Seller shall supply to Buyer, with respect to all Business  Employees who accept
employment with Buyer upon the Closing, all cumulative payroll information as of
the  Closing  Date that Buyer  shall  reasonably  request in order to employ IRS
Regulation Section 31.3121(a)(1)-1(b).

                                    ARTICLE X

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

    10.1 Indemnification by Seller.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Article X, Seller shall indemnify  Buyer and each of its  Affiliates,  officers,
directors,  employees and agents against,  and hold them harmless from, any Loss
suffered or incurred by any such  Indemnified  Person to the extent arising from
(a) if the  Closing  occurs,  any breach of any  representation  or  warranty of
Seller  contained  in  this  Agreement  which  survives  the  Closing  or in any
certificate,  instrument or other document  delivered pursuant hereto (ignoring,
for purposes of  determining  the existence of any such  inaccuracy or breach or
the amount of Loss with respect thereto,  any "materiality" or "Material Adverse
Effect"  qualification set forth in such  representation  or warranty),  (b) any
breach of any covenant of Seller contained in this Agreement, (c) if the Closing
occurs, the existence of, or the failure of Seller to pay, perform and discharge
when due,


                                       45
<PAGE>

any  of  the  Excluded  Liabilities,   whether  such  Excluded  Liabilities  are
liabilities of Seller or of any of the Companies (including, without limitation,
any Losses as a result of the  failure  of Seller to comply  with any Bulk Sales
Laws  referred  to in  Section  7.3)  or (d)  Losses  related  to  the  existing
conditions at the  McMinnville  Facility  (including the  remediation  thereof),
subject  to the  potential  release  of  such  indemnification  pursuant  to the
provisions of Section 6.9(d) hereof;  provided,  however, that Seller shall have
no liability  under Section  10.1(a) unless the aggregate of all Losses relating
thereto  for  which  Seller  would,  but for this  proviso,  be  liable  exceeds
$3,000,000  (Three  Million  Dollars)  (and then only to the  extent of any such
excess); and provided further,  however, that Seller's aggregate liability under
Section 10.1(a) shall in no event exceed 25% of the Purchase Price.

    10.2  Indemnification by Buyer.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Article X, Buyer shall indemnify  Seller and each of its  Affiliates,  officers,
directors,  employees and agents against,  and hold them harmless from, any Loss
suffered or incurred by any such  Indemnified  Person to the extent arising from
(a) if the Closing occurs, any breach of any representation or warranty of Buyer
contained in this Agreement  which  survives the Closing or in any  certificate,
instrument or other document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith
(ignoring,  for purposes of determining  the existence of any such inaccuracy or
breach  or the  amount  of Loss  with  respect  thereto,  any  "materiality"  or
"Material  Adverse Effect"  qualification  set forth in such  representation  or
warranty),  (b) any breach of any covenant of Buyer  contained in this Agreement
requiring  performance  after the Closing Date, (c) if the Closing  occurs,  the
existence of, or the failure of Buyer to pay,  perform and  discharge  when due,
any of the Assumed Liabilities and (d) if the Closing occurs, any Loss caused by
the ongoing  operations of Buyer and the Assets after the Closing Date provided,
however,  that Buyer shall have no  liability  under clause  10.2(a)  unless the
aggregate of all Losses  relating  thereto for which Buyer  would,  but for this
proviso,  be liable  exceeds on a cumulative  basis  $3,000,000  (Three  Million
Dollars) (and then only to the extent of any such excess); and provided further,
however,  that Buyer's  aggregate  liability  under Section  10.2(a) shall in no
event exceed 25% of the Purchase Price.

    10.3 Environmental Matters.

       (a)  With  respect  to  any  Losses  relating  to  or  arising  from  any
Environmental   Laws  for  which  Buyer  seeks   indemnity  under  Section  10.1
("Environmental  Losses"),  Buyer shall provide  notice to Seller  specifying in
reasonable  detail, to the extent known, the nature of the Environmental  Losses
and  the  estimated  amount  to  remediate  the  condition  giving  rise  to the
Environmental  Losses,  to the extent it is then  quantifiable  (which  estimate
shall not be conclusive of the final amount of any  Environmental  Losses).  The
obligations and restrictions of this Section 10.3(a) as to notice will not apply
to Losses relating to or arising from any Environmental  Laws for which Buyer is
indemnified  pursuant  to  Section  6.9.   Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the
obligations  and  restrictions  of this  Section  10.3 shall not apply to Losses
relating  to or  arising  from any  Environmental  Laws for  which  Buyer  seeks
indemnity  under  Section  10.1(c)  as  Excluded  Liabilities  except  that  the
provisions of Section 10.3(d) below will apply to such indemnity.



                                       46
<PAGE>

       (b)  Seller  shall  have the  right to  control  and  investigate  and/or
remediate any condition giving rise to a claim or demand for  indemnification by
Buyer under this Agreement with respect to any Environmental  Losses;  provided,
however, that in such circumstances, Seller shall (i) not unreasonably interfere
with Buyer's  operations;  (ii) provide Buyer with an  opportunity to review and
comment in advance on all work  plans,  investigations  and other  environmental
remediation  activities,  and incorporate  all reasonable  comments of Buyer and
(iii) be  permitted  to  place  title  restrictions  on any  affected  property,
provided such restrictions do not interfere with the like industrial use thereof
or violate the terms of any Business  Lease;  provided,  further,  that if after
written  notice and a  reasonable  opportunity  to cure Seller does not exercise
such right to control,  investigate or remediate within a reasonable  period, or
fails to diligently  continue to control,  investigate and remediate,  Buyer may
exercise such right and Seller will indemnify Buyer for all of its out-of-pocket
expenses reasonably incurred in doing so. Seller and its employees, contractors,
representatives  and agents shall have reasonable  access at reasonable times to
facilities  used in  connection  with the Business  (the  "Facilities")  for the
purpose of  conducting  any  investigation  and/or  remediation,  including  any
sampling or  monitoring  required to be  performed  by Seller  after the Closing
Date.  Seller shall use all  reasonable  efforts to minimize  disruption  to the
Business as a result of conducting any such  investigation  or remediation,  and
will keep Buyer generally informed as to the progress of remediation  activities
and generally  consult with Buyer and consider Buyer's input in respect thereof.
The  parties  acknowledge  that  Buyer  will  have  the  right  to  control  any
environmental  matter as to which the  expense  is not  expected  to exceed  the
threshold for indemnification and no claim is expected to be made hereunder, but
that the provisions of this Section 10.3(b) will become  applicable at such time
as Buyer desires to seek indemnification hereunder in respect of such a claim as
a result of greater than anticipated  expenses or because the threshold has been
satisfied independently. "Business Lease" means any lease of a Business Property
that is in effect on the  Closing  Date,  including  any  extension  or  renewal
thereof that does not adversely affect the duties of MagneTek under this Article
X.

       (c) Buyer shall use  reasonable  efforts to cooperate  with the Seller to
minimize costs with respect to Environmental  Losses.  Nothing in this Agreement
shall  require  Seller to perform any  environmental  remediation  activities or
other  environmental  testing,  sampling  or  monitoring  activities  beyond the
minimum required by applicable  Environmental  Laws or the terms of any Business
Lease  (except  that as to the  McMinnville  Facility,  remediation  will not be
deemed completed until the Governmental Authorities exercising jurisdiction over
such remediation have completed their approval process in respect thereof).

       (d) Except as required by law, as  contemplated  by Section  6.9(c) or in
the  circumstances  in Section  6.9(a) and  10.3(b)  where  Buyer is entitled to
assume   control  and  does  so,   Buyer  shall  not   initiate  or  direct  any
correspondence to a Governmental Authority in respect of an environmental matter
covered by the  indemnification  in Section  10.1 and shall give prompt  written
notice to Seller of any report or other  document  submitted by requirement of a
Governmental  Authority,  to a Governmental  Authority  which describes any such
matter. To the extent reasonably possible in the circumstances, Buyer shall have
the right to review and comment upon any submission to a Governmental  Authority
which  describes or addresses  any


                                       47
<PAGE>

environmental condition for which Buyer is claiming  indemnification from Seller
hereunder  (and Seller will cooperate with Buyer in responding to such requests,
including  making  available all relevant records in its possession or under its
control),  and Seller shall revise such  submission in  accordance  with Buyer's
reasonable   comments  thereon.   To  the  extent  reasonably  possible  in  the
circumstances,  Seller  shall give  Buyer  prompt  written  notice of, and Buyer
and/or its  representatives  shall have the right to  participate  in, any phone
call or  meeting  with any  Governmental  Authority  at which any  environmental
condition for which Buyer is claiming  indemnification  from Seller hereunder is
to be discussed or addressed in any manner.

       (e)  Seller  shall  not  have  any  obligation  to  indemnify  any  Buyer
Indemnified Party from and against (i) any Environmental  Losses arising from or
related to any change in the use of the Business  Property from  industrial use;
(ii) any  Environmental  Losses  arising from or related to any  amendment to or
change in any  Environmental Law from that which is in effect on the date hereof
(except  that as to the  McMinnville  Facility,  remediation  will not be deemed
completed until the Governmental  Authorities exercising  jurisdiction over such
remediation  have completed their approval  process in respect thereof) or (iii)
any  remediation  or other  liability  arising  as a result of the  presence  of
asbestos in or upon any of the improvements  located on the Business Property at
any time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Seller will
not have any obligation to indemnify Buyer Indemnified  Parties from and against
any Environmental  Losses (w) which do not relate to an environmental  condition
in existence prior to the Closing,  (x) arising with respect to any release of a
Hazardous   Material  by  Buyer,  (y)  resulting  from  Buyer,  its  agents  and
representatives,  conducting invasive investigations,  sampling or monitoring of
the  Facilities  unless  (A)  required  to  do  so by  Environmental  Laws  or a
Governmental Authority or (B) conducted in response to a material claim asserted
by a third party, in connection with Buyer's  acquisition-related due diligence,
or as  contemplated  by  Section  6.9 or (z)  resulting  from any act or knowing
failure to act of Buyer, its employees,  contractors,  representatives or agents
to  further  cause or  exacerbate  the  leaking,  migration  or  release  of any
Hazardous  Materials at the  Facilities  (but only to the extent of such further
cause or  exacerbation).  Seller will not have any obligation to indemnify Buyer
with  respect  to  supervision,  information  or  oversight  costs  incurred  in
connection  with any  remediation  performed  by Seller  for which  Buyer  seeks
indemnity.  Buyer  acknowledges that nothing contained herein absolves it of any
obligation under any Environmental Law for Environmental  Losses with respect to
violations  of  Environmental   Laws  by  Buyer,  its  employees,   contractors,
representatives or agents.

    10.4 Losses Net of Insurance, Etc.

       (a) The amount of any Loss for which  indemnification  is provided  under
this Article X shall be net of any amounts actually  recovered or which could be
recovered,  on a commercially  reasonable basis, by the Indemnified Person under
insurance  policies  with  respect  to such Loss and of any  related  reserve in
respect thereof reflected on the Final Closing Balance Sheet; provided, however,
that the amount of such Loss will not be  reduced to the extent the  Indemnified
Person can demonstrate that a net increase in insurance premiums has occurred or
is  reasonably   likely  to  occur  as  a  result  of  such  claim  (whether  by
retrospective  or  retroactive


                                       48
<PAGE>

premium  adjustment,  and giving effect to the present value of any such premium
increase over the period for which it is reasonably anticipated to be effective)
and provided,  further,  that this Section 10.4(a) will not be applicable to the
extent it constitutes an improper waiver of the insurer's  rights of subrogation
against the Indemnifying Person.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  Buyer will not
have any obligation  (i) to seek insurance  recovery in respect of Losses to the
extent such  recovery  would be  precluded or would  preclude  other (A) pending
claims or (B) claims reasonably likely, based upon past claims experience, to be
submitted  as a result  of the  applicable  policy  coverage  limit,  or (ii) to
maintain insurance for the benefit or in the name of Sellers, or to make Sellers
named insureds, after the Closing.

       (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement,
no Indemnifying Person shall, in any event, be liable to the other party for any
consequential damages, including, but not limited to, loss of revenue or income,
cost  of  capital,  diminution  in  value,  or loss of  business  reputation  or
opportunity  relating to the breach or alleged  breach of this  Agreement.  Each
party  agrees  that it will not seek  punitive  damages as to any matter  under,
relating  to or arising  out of the  Transactions.  The  foregoing  shall not be
interpreted,  however, to limit  indemnification for Losses incurred as a result
of the  assertion  by a  claimant  (other  than the  parties  hereto  and  their
successors  and  assigns)  in a  Third-Party  Claim of claims for damages of the
foregoing type.

       (c) Except as expressly  set forth in Section  6.6(b) and Section 11.5 as
to  equitable  remedies,  the  parties  hereto  agree  that the  indemnification
provisions of this Article X are intended to provide the exclusive  remedy as to
all Losses  either may incur arising from or relating to the  Transactions,  and
each party  hereby  waives,  to the extent  they may do so, any other  rights or
remedies that may arise under any applicable statute, rule or regulation.

    10.5 Termination of  Indemnification.  The obligations to indemnify and hold
harmless a party  hereto,  pursuant  to  Sections  10.1(a)  and  10.2(a),  shall
terminate when the applicable  representation or warranty terminates pursuant to
Section 10.8;  provided,  however,  that such  obligations to indemnify and hold
harmless  shall not terminate with respect to any item as to which the person to
be  indemnified  shall have,  before the  expiration of the  applicable  period,
previously made a claim by delivering a notice (stating in reasonable detail the
basis of such claim) to the Indemnifying Person.

    10.6 Procedures Relating to Indemnification  (Other than for Tax Claims). In
order for an Indemnified Person to be entitled to any  indemnification  provided
for under this Agreement  (other than for Tax Claims) in respect of, arising out
of or  involving  a claim or demand made by any Person  against the  Indemnified
Person  (a  "Third-Party  Claim"),  such  Indemnified  Person  must  notify  the
Indemnifying  Person in writing,  and in reasonable  detail,  of the Third-Party
Claim  within 10  Business  Days  after  receipt by such  Indemnified  Person of
written notice of the Third-Party Claim; provided, however, that failure to give
such notification shall not affect the indemnification provided hereunder except
to the extent the Indemnifying  Person shall have been actually  prejudiced as a
result of such failure (except that the Indemnifying  Person shall not be liable
for any Losses incurred during the period in which the Indemnified Person failed
to give


                                       49
<PAGE>

such  notice).   Thereafter,   the  Indemnified  Person  shall  deliver  to  the
Indemnifying  Person,  within five Business Days after the Indemnified  Person's
receipt  thereof,  copies of all notices and documents  (including court papers)
received by the Indemnified Person relating to the Third-Party Claim.

       If a  Third-Party  Claim  is made  against  an  Indemnified  Person,  the
Indemnifying  Person will be entitled to participate in the defense thereof and,
if it so chooses,  to assume the defense  thereof with  counsel  selected by the
Indemnifying  Person and  reasonably  satisfactory  to the  Indemnified  Person.
Should the  Indemnifying  Person so elect to assume the defense of a Third-Party
Claim, the Indemnifying  Person will not be liable to the Indemnified Person for
legal fees and  expenses  subsequently  incurred  by the  Indemnified  Person in
connection with the defense  thereof.  If the  Indemnifying  Person assumes such
defense,  the  Indemnified  Person  shall have the right to  participate  in the
defense  thereof and to employ  counsel,  at its own expense,  separate from the
counsel  employed  by the  Indemnifying  Person,  it being  understood  that the
Indemnifying Person shall control such defense. The Indemnifying Person shall be
liable for the fees and expenses of counsel  employed by the Indemnified  Person
for any period during which the Indemnifying  Person has not assumed the defense
thereof (other than during any period in which the Indemnified Person shall have
failed to give  notice  of the  Third-Party  Claim as  provided  above).  If the
Indemnifying  Person chooses to defend or prosecute any Third-Party  Claim,  all
the parties hereto shall cooperate in the defense or prosecution  thereof.  Such
cooperation  shall  include the retention  and (upon the  Indemnifying  Person's
request) the  provision to the  Indemnifying  Person of records and  information
which are reasonably  relevant to such  Third-Party  Claim, and making employees
available on a mutually  convenient basis in the manner specified in Section 8.6
hereof  to  provide  additional  information  and  explanation  of any  material
provided hereunder.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  in the event a Third-Party
Claim is made against an Indemnified  Person as to which such Indemnified Person
is entitled to seek  indemnification  hereunder and (i) such Indemnified  Person
reasonably  concludes  that the  Indemnifying  Person  lacks the  financial  and
personnel  resources to vigorously  defend such Indemnified  Person, or that the
Indemnifying Person is not diligently defending such Indemnified Person, or (ii)
if there is a reasonable probability that a Third-Party Claim may materially and
adversely  affect an Indemnified  Person other than as a result of money damages
or money payments,  then in each such case the  Indemnified  Person may elect to
retain  the  defense  of such  Third-Party  Claim  and  will be  entitled  to be
reimbursed by the  Indemnifying  Person for its Losses incurred in such defense,
such  expenditures  to be  reimbursed  promptly  after  submission  of  invoices
therefor.  Whether or not the Indemnifying Person shall have assumed the defense
of a Third-Party  Claim,  the  Indemnified  Person shall not admit any liability
with respect to, or settle,  compromise or  discharge,  such  Third-Party  Claim
without the Indemnifying Person's prior written consent (which consent shall not
be  unreasonably  withheld  or  delayed).  All Tax Claims (as defined in Section
10.7) shall be governed by Section 10.7.

    10.7 Procedures Relating to Indemnification of Tax Claims.

       (a) If notice of an audit,  examination  or other  proceeding is received
from any Tax  authority,  which,  if  successful,  might  result in an indemnity
payment to any Person



                                       50
<PAGE>

hereunder (a "Tax  Indemnitee"),  the Tax Indemnitee  shall promptly  notify the
party against whom  indemnification  is sought (the "Tax Indemnitor") in writing
of such potential  claim (a "Tax Claim").  If notice of a Tax Claim is not given
to the Tax  Indemnitor  within a  sufficient  period  of time to  allow  the Tax
Indemnitor to effectively participate in such audit,  examination or proceeding,
or in reasonable  detail to apprise the Tax  Indemnitor of the nature of the Tax
Claim, in each case taking into account the facts and circumstances with respect
to such Tax Claim,  the Tax Indemnitor shall not be liable to the Tax Indemnitee
to the extent that the Tax Indemnitor's  ability to effectively contest such Tax
Claim is actually prejudiced as a result thereof.

       (b) With respect to any Tax Claim,  the Tax Indemnitor  shall control all
audits,  examinations  and other  proceedings in connection  with such Tax Claim
(including, without limitation,  selection of counsel) and, without limiting the
foregoing,   may  in  its  sole   discretion   pursue  or  forego  any  and  all
administrative  appeals,  proceedings,  hearings and conferences with any taxing
authority with respect thereto and may, in its sole  discretion,  either pay any
Tax claimed and sue for a refund where  applicable law permits such refund suits
or contest the Tax Claim in any permissible manner; provided,  however, that the
Tax  Indemnitor  shall not settle or  compromise a Tax Claim  without  giving 15
days' prior  notice to the Tax  Indemnitee,  and  without  the Tax  Indemnitee's
consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, if such settlement
or compromise would have a material adverse effect on the Tax liabilities of the
Tax Indemnitee. The Tax Indemnitee, and each of its Affiliates,  shall cooperate
with the Tax Indemnitor in contesting  any Tax Claim,  which  cooperation  shall
include,  without  limitation,  the  retention  and (upon  the Tax  Indemnitor's
request) the provision to Tax  Indemnitor of Records and  information  which are
reasonably  relevant  to such Tax Claim,  and making  employees  available  on a
mutually  convenient basis to provide  additional  information or explanation of
any material  provided  hereunder or to testify at proceedings  relating to such
Tax Claim.

    10.8 Survival of Representations. The representations and warranties in this
Agreement  and in any other  document  delivered in  connection  herewith  shall
survive the Closing  solely for  purposes of Sections  10.1(a) and 10.2(a)  and,
except  as set  forth in the next  sentence,  shall  terminate  at the  close of
business 18 months after the Closing Date. The representations and warranties in
Sections 4.1 and 4.10(b) shall terminate on the fifth anniversary of the Closing
Date,  the  representations  and warranties in Section 4.3 shall survive for the
applicable statute of limitations pertaining to the underlying tax liability and
the  representations  and warranties  contained in Section 4.5 shall not survive
the Closing.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

    11.1  Assignment.  This Agreement and the rights and  obligations  hereunder
shall not be assignable or  transferable by either party other than by operation
of law or in connection with a merger or sale of substantially all the assets of
such party  without the prior written


                                       51
<PAGE>

consent of the other, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld; provided,
however,  that Buyer may assign its right to purchase the Assets hereunder to an
Affiliate  of Buyer  without the prior  written  consent of  MagneTek;  provided
further,  however,  that no assignment shall limit or affect Buyer's obligations
hereunder.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  it shall be deemed unreasonable for
(i) either  MagneTek or Buyer to withhold their consent to an assignment of this
Agreement  in  whole,  to an  entity  of the net  worth  of which is equal to or
exceeds  that of the  assignor or (ii)  MagneTek  to withhold  its consent to an
assignment of this  Agreement in part to an entity the net worth of which equals
or exceeds the prior  twelve  months'  revenues  for the portion of the Business
being sold.

    11.2 No  Third-Party  Beneficiaries.  Except as  provided in Article X as to
Indemnified  Persons,  this  Agreement  is for the sole  benefit of the  parties
hereto and their permitted assigns and nothing herein expressed or implied shall
give or be  construed  to give to any person or entity,  other than the  parties
hereto and such assigns, any legal or equitable rights hereunder.

    11.3 Termination.

       (a)  Anything  contained  herein to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  this
Agreement  may be  terminated  (except as set forth in Section  11.3(c)) and the
Transactions abandoned at any time prior to the Closing Date:

              (i) by mutual written consent of Seller and Buyer;

              (ii) by Seller (x) if any of the  conditions  set forth in Section
       3.1 shall have become  incapable of fulfillment,  and shall not have been
       waived by Seller or (y) the  condition  in Section  3.1(c) shall not have
       been satisfied on or before July 12, 1999;

              (iii) by Buyer if any of the  conditions  set forth in Section 3.2
       shall  have  become  incapable  of  fulfillment,  and shall not have been
       waived by Buyer; or

              (iv) by either party  hereto,  if the Closing does not occur on or
       prior to September 30, 1999.

       (b) In the  event of  termination  by Seller  or Buyer  pursuant  to this
Section 11.3, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other party
and the  Transactions  shall be  terminated,  without  further  action by either
party. If the Transactions are terminated as provided herein:

              (i) Buyer shall return all documents and copies and other material
       received from Seller  relating to the  Transactions,  whether so obtained
       before or after the execution hereof, to Seller; and

              (ii) all confidential  information  received by Buyer with respect
       to the  Business  and  Seller  shall be treated  in  accordance  with the
       Confidentiality

                                       52
<PAGE>

       Agreement which shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the
       termination of this Agreement.

       (c) If this  Agreement is terminated  and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby are abandoned as described in this Section  11.3,  this  Agreement  shall
become void and of no further force and effect, except for the provisions of (i)
Section 7.1 relating to the  obligation  of Buyer to keep  confidential  certain
information  and data  obtained by it, (ii) Section 8.3  relating to  publicity,
(iii) Section 11.4 relating to certain expenses,  (iv) Section 11.11 relating to
finder's  fees and  broker's  fees and (v) this  Section  11.3.  Nothing in this
Section 11.3 shall be deemed to release  either party from any liability for any
breach by such party of the terms and  provisions of this Agreement or to impair
the right of either party to compel  specific  performance by the other party of
its obligations under this Agreement.

    11.4  Expenses.  Whether  or not the  transactions  contemplated  hereby are
consummated,  and except as otherwise provided in this Section 11.4, Section 2.7
or  elsewhere  in this  Agreement,  all fees,  costs and  expenses  incurred  in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
paid by the party incurring such fees, costs or expenses.

    11.5  Equitable  Relief.  The  parties  hereto  agree  that in the  event of
Sellers' breach of its obligations to consummate the  Transactions,  damages may
prove  insufficient  and Buyer  should be  entitled  to the  remedy of  specific
performance.

    11.6 Amendments. No amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless it
shall be in writing and signed by MagneTek and A.O. Smith Corporation.

    11.7 Notices. All notices or other  communications  required or permitted to
be given  hereunder  shall be in writing and shall be  delivered by hand or sent
prepaid  telex,  cable or telecopy,  or sent,  postage  prepaid,  by registered,
certified or express mail, or reputable  overnight  courier service and shall be
deemed given when so delivered by hand,  telexed,  cabled or  telecopied,  or if
mailed,  three days after  mailing (one business day in the case of express mail
or overnight courier service), as follows:

                    (i)      if to Buyer, to:

                             A.O. Smith Corporation
                             11270 West Park Place
                             P.O. Box 23972
                             Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53223-0972
                             Attention:  Steve W. Rettler
                             Telephone:  (414) 359-4048
                             Telecopier:  (414) 359-4198

                                       53
<PAGE>

                             with a copy to:

                             A.O. Smith Corporation
                             11270 West Park Place
                             P.O. Box 23972
                             Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53223-0972
                             Attention:  W. David Romoser, Esq.
                             Telephone:  (414) 359-4137
                             Telecopier:  (414) 359-4143

                             and to:

                             Foley & Lardner
                             777 East Wisconsin Avenue
                             Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53202-5367
                             Attention:  Patrick G. Quick, Esq.
                             Telephone:  (414) 297-5678
                             Telecopier:  (414) 297-4900

                    (ii)     if to Seller, to:

                             MagneTek, Inc.
                             26 Century Boulevard
                             Nashville, Tennessee  37214
                             Attention:  Samuel A. Miley, Esq.
                             Telephone:  (615) 316-5260
                             Telecopier:  (615) 316-5192

                             with a copy to:

                             Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
                             333 South Grand Avenue
                             Los Angeles, California  90071
                             Attention:  Jennifer Bellah Maguire, Esq.
                             Telephone:  (213) 229-7986
                             Telecopier:  (213) 229-7520

    11.8 Interpretation;  Exhibits and Schedules. The headings contained in this
Agreement,  in any  Exhibit or  Schedule  hereto and in the table of contents to
this Agreement,  are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way
the meaning or interpretation  of this Agreement.  Information set forth in each
Schedule  specifically  refers to the article and section of this  Agreement  to
which such information is responsive,  and such information  shall not be deemed
to have been  disclosed with respect to any statement in any article and section
that is not  qualified by reference to the  pertinent  Schedule or,  except with
regard  to  information  set  forth  on the  face  of any  Schedule  that  makes
reasonably apparent its applicability to any other Schedule,


                                       54
<PAGE>

with respect to any other article or section of this  Agreement or for any other
purpose.  The  Schedules  shall not vary,  change or alter the  language  of the
representations  and warranties  contained in this  Agreement.  All Exhibits and
Schedules  annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby  incorporated  in and
made a part of this  Agreement as if set forth in full herein.  Any  capitalized
terms used in any Schedule or Exhibit, but not otherwise defined therein,  shall
have the meaning as defined in this Agreement.

    11.9   Counterparts.   This  Agreement  may  be  executed  in  one  or  more
counterparts,  all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement,  and
shall become  effective when one or more such  counterparts  have been signed by
each of the parties and delivered to the other party.

    11.10 Entire  Agreement.  This Agreement and the  Confidentiality  Agreement
contain the entire agreement and  understanding  between the parties hereto with
respect to the subject  matter  hereof and  supersede all prior oral and written
agreements and understandings relating to such subject matter.

    11.11 Fees.  Each party hereto hereby  represents  and warrants that (a) the
only brokers or finders that have acted for such party in  connection  with this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or that may be entitled to any
brokerage fee, finder's fee or commission in respect thereof are Robert W. Baird
& Co.  Incorporated  with  respect to Buyer and  Goldman  Sachs with  respect to
Seller,  and (b) each of Buyer and  Seller  agrees  that it will pay all fees or
commissions  which may be payable to such  firm(s) as are describe in clause (a)
as relating to it.

    11.12 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of
any such provision to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid,  illegal
or  unenforceable  in any  respect by a court of  competent  jurisdiction,  such
invalidity,  illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision
hereof.

    11.13  Governing Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in
accordance  with  the  internal  laws of the  State of New  York  applicable  to
agreements made and to be performed  entirely within such State,  without regard
to the conflicts of law principles of such State.




                                       55
<PAGE>





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

                                 SELLERS:

                                 MAGNETEK, INC.


                                 By: /s/ David P. Reiland
                                 Name: David P. Reiland
                                 Title: Sr. Vice President - CFO


                                 MAGNETEK SERVICE (U.K.) LIMITED


                                 By: /s/ David P. Reiland
                                 Name: David P. Reiland
                                 Title: Authorized Signer



                                 BUYER:

                                 A.O. SMITH CORPORATION

                                 By: /s/ Glen R. Bomberger
                                 Name: Glen R. Bomberger
                                 Title: Executive Vice President and Chief
                                          Financial Officer




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