COLD METAL PRODUCTS INC
8-K, 1999-04-14
STEEL WORKS, BLAST FURNACES & ROLLING & FINISHING MILLS
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<PAGE>   1
                       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): March 30, 1999



                            COLD METAL PRODUCTS, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

    New York                       1-12870                   16-1144965
(State of incorporation)         (Commission               (IRS Employer
                                File Number)            Identification No.)


      8526 South Avenue, Youngtown, Ohio                  44514
   (Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (330) 758-1194


<PAGE>   2



ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

         Effective March 30, 1999, the Registrant, acting through its wholly
owned Canadian subsidiary, Cold Metal Products, Limited, disposed of the assets
and certain liabilities of its steel service centers located in Hamilton and
Concord, Ontario, Canada pursuant to an agreement entered into on that date with
Maksteel Inc., an independent automotive steel service center company
headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The service centers employ
approximately 100 people and slit steel for the automotive and industrial goods
markets. The Registrant received consideration of $14.6 million in cash and a
subordinated promissory note due in one year for approximately $1.0 million. The
buyer also assumed $7.1 million of accounts payable. The consideration was
determined pursuant to arm's length negotiations and was based on final net book
value of the assets of the service centers as of March 25, 1999.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENT, PRO FORMA INFORMATION AND  EXHIBITS.

(b)  Pro Forma Financial Information (Unaudited)

         Pro Forma Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet
         ----------------------------------------------

                  The Registrant's unaudited pro forma balance sheet gives
effect to the disposition of the service center assets and liabilities as if the
transaction had occurred, for balance sheet purposes, on December 31, 1998. Pro
forma adjustments were made to eliminate the affected assets and liabilities of
the sale, with proceeds received reflected as a reduction of bank debt.
Estimated closing costs were accrued, deferred tax effects were recorded, and a
portion of the foreign currency translation amount was recognized as an
adjustment to equity.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      Fiscal Period Ended
                                                                       December 31, 1998
                                                                Condensed    Pro Forma   Pro Forma
                                                                Historical  Adjustments    Amount
                                                                         (in thousands)
<S>                                                          <C>       <C>          <C> 
Assets:
   Current Assets                                              $  72,004  $ (13,861)   $  58,143
   Property, plant and equipment                                  45,442     (5,619)      39,823
   Other non-current assets                                       11,508       (841)      10,667
                                                              ----------------------------------
      Total assets                                             $ 128,954  $ (20,321)   $ 108,633
                                                              ==================================

Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
   Current liabilities                                         $  31,415  $  (6,167)   $  25,248
   Long-term debt                                                 56,710    (13,722)      42,988
   Other liabilities                                              16,055          0       16,055
   Shareholders' equity                                           24,774       (432)      24,342
                                                              ----------------------------------
      Total liabilities and shareholders' equity               $ 128,954  $ (20,321)   $ 108,633
                                                              ==================================

</TABLE>


<PAGE>   3



         Pro Forma Consolidated Income Statement
         ---------------------------------------

                  The following unaudited pro forma statements of operations
have been derived from the Registrant's statements of operations for fiscal 
1998 and for the nine month period ended December 31, 1998, and adjust such 
information to give effect to the disposition of the service centers as if the 
disposition had occurred on April 1, 1997. In preparing the pro forma results 
of operations for fiscal 1998 and the nine month period ended December 31, 
1998, adjustments have been made for certain corporate allocations which would 
remain as costs of the Registrant. Proceeds from the disposition were used to 
reduce debt and interest expense is adjusted accordingly. The pro forma  
statements of operations are presented for informational purposes only and do 
not purport to be indicative of the results of operation that actually would 
have resulted if the sale had been consummated on April 1, 1997, nor which may 
result from future operations.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  Nine Months Ended
                                                  December 31, 1998
                                       Actual          Pro Forma      Pro Forma
                                                      Adjustments       Amount
                                   (dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
<S>                               <C>              <C>             <C>      
Net sales                            $ 186,901        $ (42,673)      $ 144,228
Cost of sales                          178,525          (45,671)        132,854
                                     ------------------------------------------
Gross profit                             8,376            2,998          11,374
Selling, general and administrative     11,923           (1,060)         10,863
expenses
Impairment of long-lived assets          3,065           (3,065)              0
Interest expense                         3,384             (665)          2,719
                                     ------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before income taxes       (9,996)           7,788          (2,208)
Income taxes                            (2,953)          (2,092)           (861) 
                                     ------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                    $  (7,043)       $   5,696       $  (1,347)
                                     ==========================================
Net income (loss) per share          $   (1.00)       $     .81       $    (.19)
                                     ==========================================
Weighted average shares  
  outstanding                        7,054,350        7,054,350       7,054,350
                                     ==========================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   4


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                        March 31, 1998
                                                             Actual       Pro Forma      Pro Forma
                                                                         Adjustments       Amount
                                                       (dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

<S>                                                 <C>            <C>            <C>       
Net sales                                                 $  289,213     $ (75,812)     $  213,401
Cost of sales                                                264,799       (73,180)        191,619
                                                          ----------------------------------------
Gross profit                                                  24,414        (2,632)         21,782
Selling, general and administrative expenses                  16,019        (2,390)         13,629
Interest expense                                               4,624          (920)          3,704
                                                          ----------------------------------------
Income before income taxes                                     3,771            678          4,449
Income taxes                                                   1,438            224          1,662
Net income                                                $    2,333     $      454     $    2,787
                                                          ========================================

Net income  per share                                     $     0.33     $     0.06     $     0.39
                                                          ========================================
Weighted average shares outstanding                        7,142,026       7,142,026      7,142,026
                                                          ========================================
</TABLE>


(c) Exhibits

         2(b) Asset Purchase Agreement between Cold Metal Products, Limited
and Maksteel Inc. dated March 30, 1999 not including schedules setting forth
detailed information regarding the assets and liabilities transferred and
assumed, pension plans, and other employee matters. Copies of schedules to the 
Agreement which are not included herewith may be obtained by submitting a 
written request to the Company.

                                   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.


                                 COLD METAL PRODUCTS, INC.

                                 BY /s/ Raymond P. Torok
                                   ---------------------

                                        Raymond P. Torok
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer


April 14, 1999




<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 99c

                          COLD METAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED


                                     -and-


                                 MAKSTEEL, INC.

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


                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                 March 30, 1999


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


                            Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt


<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                           PAGE NO.


<S>                                                                                                          <C>
ARTICLE 1
         DEFINITIONS AND PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION
         1.1      Definitions.................................................................................... 1
         1.2      Certain Rules of Interpretation............................................................... 13
         1.3      Knowledge..................................................................................... 14
         1.4      Entire Agreement.............................................................................. 14
         1.5      Applicable Law................................................................................ 14
         1.6      Accounting Principles......................................................................... 14
         1.7      Schedules..................................................................................... 14

ARTICLE 2
         PURCHASE AND SALE
         2.1      Action by Vendor and Purchaser................................................................ 15
         2.2      Place of Closing.............................................................................. 16
         2.3      Tender........................................................................................ 16
         2.4      No Assumption of Liabilities.................................................................. 16
         2.5      Assignment of Contracts....................................................................... 17

ARTICLE 3
         PURCHASE PRICE
         3.1      Purchase Price................................................................................ 18
         3.2      Satisfaction of Purchase Price................................................................ 18
         3.3      Schedule Corrections ......................................................................... 19
         3.4      Interest...................................................................................... 20
         3.5      Allocation of Purchase Price.................................................................. 20

ARTICLE 4
         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE VENDOR
         4.1      Incorporation and Registration................................................................ 20
         4.2      Residence of the Vendor....................................................................... 21
         4.3      No Shares..................................................................................... 21
         4.4      Title to the Assets........................................................................... 21
         4.5      Due Authorization............................................................................. 21
         4.6      Enforceability of Obligations................................................................. 21
         4.7      Absence of Conflicting Agreements............................................................. 21
         4.8      Regulatory Approvals.......................................................................... 22
         4.9      Financial Statements.......................................................................... 22
         4.10     Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities............................................................ 22
         4.11     Absence of Changes and Unusual Transactions................................................... 22

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                                                          <C>
         4.12     No Joint Venture Interests.................................................................... 24
         4.13     Major Suppliers and Customers................................................................. 24
         4.14     Condition of Assets........................................................................... 24
         4.15     Inventories................................................................................... 24
         4.16     Accrued Liabilities........................................................................... 24
         4.17     Government Grants............................................................................. 25
         4.18     Business in Compliance with Law............................................................... 25
         4.19     Governmental Authorizations................................................................... 25
         4.20     Restrictive Covenants......................................................................... 25
         4.21     Intellectual Property......................................................................... 25
         4.22     Equipment Contracts........................................................................... 25
         4.23     Real Property................................................................................. 26
         4.24     Leased Real Property.......................................................................... 26
         4.25     Real Property Generally....................................................................... 26
         4.26     Environmental Matters......................................................................... 29
         4.27     Employment Matters............................................................................ 30
         4.28     Collective Agreement.......................................................................... 32
         4.29     Pension Plans and Benefit Plans............................................................... 33
         4.30     Material Contracts............................................................................ 35
         4.31     Copies of Agreements, etc..................................................................... 36
         4.32     Litigation.................................................................................... 36
         4.33     Tax Matters................................................................................... 36
         4.34     Books and Records............................................................................. 37
         4.35     Trade Allowances.............................................................................. 37
         4.36     Third Party Consents.......................................................................... 37
         4.37     Location of the Assets........................................................................ 37
         4.38     No Broker..................................................................................... 37
         4.39     Year 2000 Compliance.......................................................................... 37
         4.40     Full Disclosure............................................................................... 38

ARTICLE 5
         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER
         5.1      Incorporation and Residence................................................................... 38
         5.2      Due Authorization............................................................................. 38
         5.3      Enforceability of Obligations................................................................. 38
         5.4      Absence of Conflicting Agreements............................................................. 39
         5.5      Litigation.................................................................................... 39
         5.6      Goods and Services Tax and Harmonized Sales Tax Registration.................................. 39
         5.7      No Broker..................................................................................... 39

ARTICLE 6
         NON-WAIVER; SURVIVAL
         6.1      Non-Waiver.................................................................................... 40
         6.2      Nature and Survival........................................................................... 40

</TABLE>

                                      -ii-

<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


<S>                                                                                                          <C>
ARTICLE 7
         PURCHASER'S CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
         7.1      Truth and Accuracy of Representations of Vendor at the Closing Time........................... 41
         7.2      Performance of Obligations.................................................................... 41
         7.3      Receipt of Closing Documentation.............................................................. 41
         7.4      Opinion of Vendor's Counsel................................................................... 41
         7.5      Consents to Assignment........................................................................ 42
         7.6      Consents, Authorizations and Registrations.................................................... 42
         7.7      No Proceedings................................................................................ 42
         7.8      Encumbrances.................................................................................. 42
         7.9      Real Estate Title Work........................................................................ 42
         7.10     Non-Competition............................................................................... 42
         7.11     Actual Possession............................................................................. 42
         7.12     Releases...................................................................................... 43
         7.13     Support Services Agreement ................................................................... 43
         7.14     Remediation Agreement......................................................................... 43

ARTICLE 8
         VENDOR'S CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
         8.1      Truth and Accuracy of Representations of the Purchaser at Closing Time........................ 43
         8.2      Performance of Obligations.................................................................... 43
         8.3      Opinion of Purchaser's Counsel................................................................ 44
         8.4      Competition Act Approval...................................................................... 44


         ARTICLE 9
         OTHER COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
         9.1      Conduct of Business Prior to Closing.......................................................... 44
         9.2      Access for Investigation...................................................................... 45
         9.3      Confidentiality............................................................................... 46
         9.4      Actions to Satisfy Closing Conditions......................................................... 47
         9.5      Employees..................................................................................... 47
         9.6      Pension and Other Benefit Plans............................................................... 48
         9.7      Sales and Transfer Taxes...................................................................... 53
          ...................................................................................................... 53
         9.8      Goods and Services Tax and Harmonized Sales Tax............................................... 53
         9.9      Accounts Receivable Election.................................................................. 53
         9.10     Preservation of Records....................................................................... 53
         9.11     Risk of Loss.................................................................................. 54
         9.12     Accounts Receivable Buy-Back.................................................................. 54
         9.13     Surveys....................................................................................... 55
         9.14     Payment of Trade Payables .................................................................... 55

</TABLE>

                                      iii
<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                                                          <C>
ARTICLE 10
         INDEMNIFICATION
         10.1     Mutual Indemnifications for Breaches of Covenants and Warranty, etc........................... 55
         10.2     Environmental Indemnity....................................................................... 56
         10.3     Product Liability and Warranties.............................................................. 57
         10.4     Indemnification Procedures for Third Party Claims............................................. 57
         10.5     Bulk Sales Act Indemnity...................................................................... 58

ARTICLE 11
         GENERAL
         11.1     Public Notices................................................................................ 59
         11.2     Expenses...................................................................................... 59
         11.3     Notices....................................................................................... 59
         11.4     Assignment.................................................................................... 61
         11.5     Planning Act (Ontario)........................................................................ 61
         11.7     Further Assurances ........................................................................... 62
         11.8     Counterparts.................................................................................. 62

</TABLE>

                                      -iv-

<PAGE>   6




         THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT is made this 30th of March, 1999

BETWEEN:

                  COLD METAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED, a corporation governed
                  by the laws of Ontario

                  (the "Vendor")

                                    - and -

                  MAKSTEEL INC., a corporation governed by the laws of Ontario

                  (the "Purchaser")


RECITALS:

A.       The Vendor carries on a flat rolled steel service centre business
         through two such centres (the "Business").

B.       The Vendor has agreed to sell to the Purchaser and the Purchaser has
         agreed to purchase from the Vendor the "Purchased Assets" (as
         hereinafter defined) and the Purchaser has agreed to assume the
         "Assumed Liabilities" (as hereinafter defined), on the terms and
         conditions of this Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1
                  DEFINITIONS AND PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION

1.1 DEFINITIONS - Whenever used in this Agreement the following words and terms
shall have the meanings set out below:

<PAGE>   7

                                      -2-

         "ACCOUNTS PAYABLE" means the amounts in connection with the Business
         due and owing to traders, suppliers and other persons in the ordinary
         course of business as of the Time of Closing (other than amounts due
         and owing to persons who are not dealing at Arm's Length with the
         Vendor) as listed on Schedule 1.1(a);

         "ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE" means the accounts receivable, bills receivable,
         trade accounts, book debts and insurance claims recorded as receivable
         in the Books and Records and other amounts due to the Vendor in
         connection with the Business including any refunds and rebates
         receivable in connection with the Business or the Purchased Assets as
         listed in Schedule 1.1(b), and the benefit of all security (including
         cash deposits), guarantees and other collateral held by the Vendor in
         connection with the Business;

         "ACCRUED LIABILITIES" means the accrued liabilities of the Business
         incurred in the ordinary course of business, including accruals for
         vacation pay, customer rebates and allowances for product returns,
         shown on Schedule 1.1(a);

         "AFFILIATE" shall have the meaning given in the Business Corporations
         Act (Ontario), as amended from time to time;

         "AGREEMENT" means this Asset Purchase Agreement, including all
         schedules, and all instruments supplementing or amending or confirming
         this Agreement and references to "Article" or "Section" mean and refer
         to the specified Article or Section of this Agreement;

         "ASSUMED LIABILITIES" means (i) the Accounts Payable plus (ii) the
         Accrued Liabilities plus (iii) the liabilities and obligations of the
         Vendor relating to the Business accrued due on, or accruing due
         subsequent to, the Effective Date under the Contracts, the Governmental
         Authorizations and the Permitted Encumbrances, plus (iv) the
         liabilities and obligations of the Vendor accrued due on, or accruing
         due subsequent to, the Closing Date in connection with the Transferred
         Employees plus (v) any other obligations or liabilities specifically
         provided for under this Agreement;

         "BALANCE SHEET" means the balance sheet of the Business as at January
         31, 1999 forming part of the Financial Statements;

         "BENEFIT PLANS" means all plans, arrangements, agreements, programs,
         policies, practices, or understandings, whether oral or written, formal
         or informal, funded or unfunded, 


<PAGE>   8

                                      -3-

         registered or unregistered to which the Vendor is a party to or bound
         by or under which the Vendor has, or will have, any liability or
         contingent liability, relating to:

         (a)      incentives;

         (b)      performance compensation;

         (c)      bonuses;

         (d)      profit sharing;

         (e)      deferred compensation;

         (f)      share purchase, share option, stock appreciation, phantom
         stock;

         (g)      hospitalization, health, medical, dental treatment or
         expenses;

         (h)      disability or wage continuation benefits;

         (i)      supplementary employment benefit, life insurance, death or
         survivor's benefits, arrangements or understandings;

         (j)      employee loans;

         (k)      accrued sick pay or vacation pay;

         (l)      severance or termination pay, or separation from services 
         benefits; or

         (m)      other benefits of any other type offered through any 
         arrangement that could be characterized as providing for additional
         compensation or fringe benefits,

         with respect to any of its Employees or former employees, (or any
         dependents or beneficiaries of any such Employees or former employees)
         individuals working on contract with it or other individuals providing
         services to it of a kind normally provided by employees or eligible
         dependents of such persons, but shall not include the Pension Plan(s);

<PAGE>   9

                                      -4-

         "BOOKS AND RECORDS" means all books, records, books of account, sales
         and purchase records (including copies of sales and purchase invoices),
         lists of suppliers and customers, lists of Inventory, lists of Accounts
         Receivable, lists of Accounts Payable, credit information, research
         materials, research and development files, formulae, business reports,
         plans and projections and all other documents, surveys, plans, files,
         records, correspondence, and other data and information, financial or
         otherwise of the Vendor, relating to the Business or the Purchased
         Assets, including all data and information stored on computer-related
         or other electronic media;

         "BUSINESS" shall have the meaning given to it in the first recital of
         this Agreement;

         "BUSINESS DAY" means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which
         the principal commercial banks in the City of Toronto are open for
         business during normal banking hours;

         "CLAIMS" means any claim, demand, action, cause of action, damage,
         loss, cost, liability or expense, including reasonable professional
         fees and all costs incurred in investigating or pursuing any of the
         foregoing or any proceeding relating to any of the foregoing;

         "CLOSING" means the completion of the sale to and purchase by the
         Purchaser of the Purchased Assets under this Agreement;

         "CLOSING DATE" means March 30, 1999 or such other date as the Parties
         may agree in writing as the date upon which the Closing shall take
         place;

         "CLOSING TIME" means 9 O'clock a.m. Toronto time, on the Closing Date
         or such other time on such date as the Parties may agree in writing as
         the time at which the Closing shall take place;

         "COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT" means the collective agreements and all related
         documents including all benefit agreements, letters of understanding,
         letters of intent and other written communications with bargaining
         agents relating to the Employees or the Business by which the Vendor is
         bound or which impose any obligations upon the Vendor or set out the
         understanding of the parties thereto with respect to the meaning of any
         provisions of such collective agreements;

<PAGE>   10

                                      -5-

         "COMPETITION ACT APPROVAL" means (a) the issuance of an advance ruling
         certificate pursuant to Section 102 of the Competition Act (Canada) by
         the Director of Investigation and Research appointed under the
         Competition Act (Canada) to the effect that he is satisfied that he
         would not have sufficient grounds upon which to apply to the
         Competition Tribunal for an order under Section 92 of such Act with
         respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (b) that
         the waiting period under Section 123 of the Competition Act (Canada)
         shall have expired;

         "CONTRACTS" means all contracts, licences, leases, agreements,
         commitments, entitlements and engagements of the Vendor relating to the
         Business or the Purchased Assets and including all quotations, orders
         or tenders for contracts which remain open for acceptance and any
         manufacturers' or suppliers' warranty, guarantee or commitment (express
         or implied);

         "CONTROL" shall have the meaning given in the Business Corporations Act
         (Ontario);

         "DISABLED EMPLOYEE" means a Non- Unionized Employee who was not
         available for work at the Business on the Closing Date due to illness,
         injury, accident or any other disabling condition;

         "EFFECTIVE DATE" means March 24, 1999 or such other date as the Parties
         may agree in writing;

         "EMPLOYEES" means only those persons employed or retained by the Vendor
         in connection with the Business listed on Schedule 4.27;

         "ENCUMBRANCES" means any pledge, lien, charge, security interest,
         lease, title retention agreement, mortgage, restriction, development or
         similar agreement, easement, right-of-way, title defect, option or
         adverse claim or encumbrance of any kind or character whatsoever;

         "ENVIRONMENT" means the environment or natural environment as defined
         in any Environmental Law and includes air, surface, water, ground
         water, land surface, soil and subsurface strata;

         "ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVALS" means all permits, certificates, licences and
         authorizations; all consents, instructions or directions having the
         force of law; and all registrations or 


<PAGE>   11

                                      -6-


         approvals issued or required by Governmental Authorities pursuant to
         Environmental Laws with respect to the operation of the Business or
         pertaining to the Purchased Assets and includes any sewer surcharge
         agreement;

         "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means all Laws relating in full or in part to the
         protection of the Environment, and public health and safety, and
         includes those relating to the storage, generation, use, handling,
         manufacture, processing, labelling, advertising, sale, display,
         transportation, treatment, Release and disposal of Hazardous
         Substances;

         "EQUIPMENT CONTRACTS" means the motor vehicle leases, equipment leases,
         conditional sales contracts, title retention agreements and other
         agreements listed in Schedule 4.22;

         "EXCLUDED ASSETS" means:

         (a)      all cash, bank balances, moneys in possession of banks and
                  other depositories, term or time deposits and similar cash
                  items of, owned or held by or for the account of the Vendor;

         (b)      all shares, notes, bonds, debentures or other securities of or
                  issued by corporations or other persons and all certificates
                  or other evidences of ownership thereof owned or held by or
                  for the account of the Vendor;

         (c)      the corporate, financial, taxation and other records of the
                  Vendor not pertaining exclusively or primarily to the
                  Business;

         (d)      all extra-provincial, sales, excise or other licences or
                  registrations issued to or held by the Vendor, whether in
                  respect of the Business or otherwise;

         (e)      the benefit of any litigation

         (f)      any refunds in respect of reassessments for Taxes paid and
                  pertaining to the Business or Purchased Assets prior to
                  Closing;

         (g)      refundable Taxes and duty drawbacks;

<PAGE>   12

                                      -7-

         (h)      all amounts owing from any director, officer, former director
                  or officer, shareholder, employee or any Affiliate;

         (i)      all insurance policies and the right to receive insurance
                  recoveries under such policies;

         (j)      Prepaid Expenses and Deposits;

         (k)      Intellectual Property;

         (l)      Goodwill;

         (m)      Leased Real Property and Real Property Leases, if any.

         (n)      scrap metal removed by the Vendor from the Real Property prior
                  to Closing;

         (o)      the Vendor's storage facility municipality known as Building
                  18, 65 Imperial Street, Hamilton, Ontario; and

         (p)      the mainframe computer at Youngstown, Ohio and the Stelplan
                  software.

         "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" means the unaudited pro forma financial
         statements of the Business for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998,
         together with interim financial statements of the Business for the
         period April 1, 1998 to January 31, 1999, inclusive, consisting of a
         balance sheet and a statement of earnings, a copy of which are annexed
         as Schedule 4.9;

         "FIXED ASSETS" means the fixed assets, machinery, equipment, fixtures,
         furniture, furnishings, vehicles, material handling equipment,
         implements, parts, spare parts, tools, jigs, discs, molds, patterns and
         tooling listed in Schedule 4.14;

         "GOODWILL" means the goodwill of the Business and all rights in respect
         of the name "Cold Metal Products" and any variations of such name, but
         does not include Books and Records, information and documents relevant
         thereto and the exclusive right of the Purchaser to represent itself as
         carrying on the Business in succession to the Vendor;


<PAGE>   13

                                      -8-


         "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES" means any government, regulatory authority,
         governmental department, bureau, agency, commission, board, tribunal,
         or court or other law, rule or regulation-making entity having or
         purporting to have jurisdiction on behalf of any nation, or province or
         state or other subdivision thereof or any municipality, district or
         other subdivision thereof;

         "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION" means all authorizations, approvals,
         including Environmental Approvals, orders, consents, directives,
         notices, licences, permits variances, registrations or similar rights
         issued to or required by the Vendor in connection with the Business or
         any of the Purchased Assets by any Governmental Authorities;

         "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE" means any pollutant, contaminant, waste of any
         nature, hazardous substance, hazardous material, toxic substance,
         prohibited substance, dangerous substance or dangerous good as defined,
         judicially interpreted or identified in any Environmental Law,
         including any asbestos or asbestos containing materials;

         "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY" means all patents, copyrights, registered and
         unregistered trademarks, trade-names, logos, commercial symbols,
         industrial designs, circuit topographies (including applications for
         all of the foregoing and renewals, divisions, extensions and reissues,
         where applicable, relating thereto), inventions, licences, trade
         secrets, patterns, drawings, computer software, formulae, technical
         information, research data, concepts, methods, procedures, designs,
         know-how, and all other intellectual property relating to the Business
         or the Purchased Assets;

         "INTERIM PERIOD" means the period between the Effective Date and
         Closing;

         "INVENTORIES" means the inventories of raw materials, work-in-progress,
         finished goods and by-products, operating supplies and packaging
         materials and other inventories listed in Schedule 4.15;

         "LAWS" means all applicable laws, by-laws, rules, regulations, orders,
         ordinances, protocols, codes, guidelines, tax treaties, policies,
         notices, directions and judgements or other requirements of any
         Governmental Authority;

         "LEASED REAL PROPERTY" means all premises which are leased, subleased,
         licensed or otherwise occupied by the Vendor as tenant or licensee and
         the interest of the Vendor in all 

<PAGE>   14


                                      -9-

         plants, buildings, structures, fixtures, erections, improvements,
         easements, rights-of-way, spur tracks and other appurtenances situate
         on or forming part of such premises;

         "MATERIAL CONTRACT" means any Contract (i) involving aggregate payments
         to or by the Vendor in excess of $100,000, (ii) involving rights or
         obligations that may reasonably extend beyond three (3) months, (iii)
         which is outside the ordinary course of business, or (iv) which does
         not terminate or cannot be terminated without penalty on less than one
         (1) month's notice;

         "NON-UNIONIZED EMPLOYEE" has the meaning given in subsection 9.5(b);

         "NOTICE" shall have the meaning given in Section 11.3;

         "OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY LAWS" means all Laws relating in full
         or in part to the protection of employee health and safety and safety
         in the workplace;

         "PARTIES" means the Vendor and the Purchaser collectively, and "Party"
         means any one of them;

         "PENSION PLAN(S)" means each plan, arrangement, agreement, program,
         policy or practice to which the Vendor is a party to or bound by or
         under which the Vendor has any liability or obligation with respect to
         its Employees or former employees (or their eligible beneficiaries and
         dependants) that is a "registered pension plan" as that term is defined
         in subsection 249(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) or other pension
         plan or retirement arrangement, including any group registered
         retirement savings plan or supplemental pension or retirement plans;

         "PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES" means the Encumbrances listed in Schedule 4.4;

         "PERSON" means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership,
         unincorporated association, unincorporated syndicate, unincorporated
         organization, trust, body corporate, Governmental Authority, and a
         natural person in such person's capacity as trustee, executor,
         administrator or other legal representative;

         "PREPAID EXPENSES AND DEPOSITS" means all amounts prepaid in connection
         with the Business or the Purchased Assets including taxes, business
         taxes, rents, telephone and 



<PAGE>   15

                                      -10-

         insurance premiums (but excluding income or other taxes which are
         personal to the Vendor and any amounts paid in respect of the Pension
         Plans or Benefit Plans) and all deposits with any public utility or any
         Governmental Authority;

         "PRIME RATE" means the prime rate of interest per annum quoted by Bank
         of Montreal from time to time as its reference rate of interest for
         Canadian dollar loans made to its commercial customers in Canada and
         which it refers to as its "prime rate", as such rate may be changed
         from time to time, and for greater certainty, the Prime Rate is not
         necessarily the lowest rate of interest charged by Bank of Montreal to
         its customers;

         "PURCHASE PRICE" shall have the meaning given in Section 3.1;

         "PURCHASED ASSETS" means all of the Vendor's right, title and interest
         in, to and under the assets, property and undertaking, other than the
         Excluded Assets, owned or used or held by Vendor for use in, or in
         respect of the operation of, the Business, including the following
         properties, assets and rights:

         (a)      the Real Property;

         (b)      the Contracts, including the Material Contracts and the 
                  Equipment Contracts;

         (c)      the Inventories;

         (d)      the Fixed Assets;

         (e)      the Accounts Receivable;

         (f)      the Books and Records;

         (g)      the Government Authorizations; and

         (h)      all other rights, properties and assets (other than any
                  Excluded Assets) of the Vendor used primarily in the Business,
                  of whatsoever nature or kind and wherever situated;

         "PURCHASER'S BENEFIT PLANS" has the meaning given in subsection 9.6(m);

<PAGE>   16

                                      -11-

         "PURCHASER'S COUNSEL" means the firm of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt;

         "PURCHASER'S NON-UNION PENSION PLAN" has the meaning given in
         subsection 9.6(b);

         "PURCHASER'S UNION PENSION PLAN" has the meaning given in Section
         9.6(f);

         "REAL PROPERTY" means the real properties municipally known as 215
         Doughton Road, Concord, Ontario and 475 Kenora Avenue, Hamilton,
         Ontario, as more particularly described in Schedule 4.23;

         "REAL PROPERTY LEASES" means those agreements to lease, leases,
         subleases or licences or other occupancy rights pursuant to which the
         Vendor uses or occupies any part of the Leased Real Property as tenant
         or licensee;

         "RELEASE" has the meaning prescribed in any Environmental Law and
         includes any release, spill, leak, pumping, pouring, emission,
         emptying, discharge, injection, escape, leaching, disposal, dumping,
         deposit, spraying, burial, abandonment, incineration, seepage, or
         placement;

         "REMEDIAL ORDER" means any administrative complaint, direction, order
         or sanction issued, filed or imposed by any Governmental Authority
         pursuant to any Environmental Laws and includes any order requiring any
         remediation or clean-up of any Hazardous Substance, or requiring that
         any Release or any other activity be reduced, modified or eliminated;

         "TAX RETURNS" includes all returns, reports, declarations, elections,
         notices, filings, information returns and statements filed or required
         to be filed in respect of Taxes;

         "TAXES" includes all taxes, duties, fees, premiums, assessments,
         imposts, levies and other charges of any kind whatsoever imposed by any
         Governmental Authority, together with all interest, penalties, fines,
         additions to tax or other additional amounts imposed in respect
         thereof, including those levied on, or measured by, or referred to as
         income, gross receipts, profits, capital, transfer, land transfer,
         sales, goods and services, harmonized sales, use, value-added, excise,
         stamp, withholding, business, franchising, property, payroll,
         employment, health, employer health, social services, education and
         social security taxes, all surtaxes, all customs duties and import and
         export taxes, all license, franchise and 

<PAGE>   17

                                      -12-

         registration fees and all unemployment or employment insurance, health
         insurance and Canada, Quebec and other government pension plan premiums
         and contributions;

         "TRANSFERRED EMPLOYEES" means Employees who become employed by the
         Purchaser after Closing either because their employment is governed by
         the terms of the Collective Agreement or because they are Non-Unionized
         Employees (other than Disabled Employees) who have accepted an offer of
         employment from the Purchaser as of the Closing Date or are Disabled
         Employees who have accepted an offer of employment from the Purchaser
         in accordance with section 9.5(b);

         "VENDOR'S BENEFIT PLANS" means the Benefit Plans listed in Schedule
         4.29;

         "VENDOR'S COUNSEL" means the firm of Blake, Cassels & Graydon;

         "VENDOR'S NON-UNION PENSION PLAN" means The Pension Plan for Salaried
         Employees of Cold Metal Products, Limited;

         "VENDOR'S UNION PENSION PLAN" means The Pension Plan for Hourly
         Employees of Cold Metal Products, Limited;

         "YEAR 2000 COMPLIANT" means the status of whether:

         (a)      all dates receivable by software and hardware used in the
                  Business or Purchased Assets (input data) have a century
                  indicator, all dates produced by software and hardware used in
                  the Business or Purchased Assets (output or results) have a
                  century indicator;

         (b)      date calculations involving either a single century or
                  multiple centuries neither cause an abnormal ending nor
                  generate incorrect results;

         (c)      when sorting by date, all records are sorted by accurate
                  sequence; and when the date is used as a key, records are read
                  and written in accurate sequence; and

         (d)      leap years are determined by the following standard:


<PAGE>   18

                                      -13-

                  (i)      if the year is evenly divisible by 4, it is a leap
                           year, except for years ending in 00; and

                  (ii)     a year ending in 00 is a leap year if it is evenly
                           divisible by 400.

1.2      CERTAIN RULES OF INTERPRETATION - In this Agreement and the Schedules:

         (a)      TIME - time is of the essence in the performance of the 
         Parties' respective obligations;

         (b)      CURRENCY - unless otherwise specified, all references to money
         amounts are to Canadian currency;

         (c)      HEADINGS - descriptive headings of Articles and Sections are
         inserted solely for convenience of reference and are not intended as
         complete or accurate descriptions of the content of such Articles or
         Sections;

         (d)      SINGULAR, ETC. - use of words in the singular or plural, or 
         with a particular gender, shall not limit the scope or exclude the
         application of any provision of this Agreement to such person or
         persons or circumstances as the context otherwise permits;

         (e)      CONSENT - whenever a provision of this Agreement requires an
         approval or consent by a Party to this Agreement and notification of
         such approval or consent is not delivered within the applicable time
         limited, then, unless otherwise specified, the Party whose consent or
         approval is required shall be conclusively deemed to have withheld its
         approval or consent;

         (f)      CALCULATION OF TIME - unless otherwise specified, time periods
         within or following which any payment is to be made or act is to be
         done shall be calculated by excluding the day on which the period
         commences and including the day on which the period ends and by
         extending the period to the next Business Day following if the last day
         of the period is not a Business Day;

         (g)      BUSINESS DAY - whenever any payment is to be made or action 
         to be taken under this Agreement is required to be made or taken on a
         day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made or action
         taken on the next Business Day following such day;

<PAGE>   19

                                      -14-

         (h)      INCLUSION - where the words "including" or "includes" appear 
         in this Agreement, they mean "including (or includes) without
         limitation".

1.3      KNOWLEDGE - Any reference to the knowledge of any Party shall mean to 
the best of the knowledge, information and belief of such Party after reviewing
all relevant records and making due inquiries regarding the relevant matter of
all relevant officers and directors of such Party.

1.4      ENTIRE AGREEMENT - This Agreement together with the agreements and 
other documents to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement, constitute the
entire agreement between the Parties pertaining to the subject matter of this
Agreement and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and
discussions, whether oral or written, of the Parties including the letter of
intent between the Parties dated March 1, 1999 and the confidentiality agreement
between Cold Metal Products, Inc., the Vendor and the Purchaser dated February
4, 1999, and there are no warranties, representations or other agreements
between the Parties in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement
except as specifically set forth in this Agreement and any document delivered
pursuant to this Agreement. No supplement, modification or waiver or termination
of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the Party to be
bound thereby.

1.5      APPLICABLE LAW - This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with 
the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein
and shall be treated, in all respects, as an Ontario contract.

1.6      ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES - All reference to generally accepted accounting
principles means to principles recommended, from time to time, in the Handbook
of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and all accounting terms not
otherwise defined in this Agreement have the meanings assigned to them in
accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.

1.7      SCHEDULES - The schedules to this Agreement, as listed below, are an
integral part of this Agreement:

       Schedule                  Description
       --------                  -----------

       Schedule 1.1(a)   Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
       Schedule 1.1(b)   Accounts Receivable
       Schedule 3.2      Form of Promissory Note


<PAGE>   20

                                      -15-

       Schedule 3.7      Allocation of Purchase Price
       Schedule 4.4      Permitted Encumbrances
       Schedule 4.9      Financial Statements
       Schedule 4.11     Undisclosed Liabilities
       Schedule 4.14     Fixed Assets
       Schedule 4.15     Inventories
       Schedule 4.19     Licences
       Schedule 4.18     Compliance with Law
       Schedule 4.21     Intellectual Property
       Schedule 4.22     Equipment Contracts
       Schedule 4.23     Real Property
       Schedule 4.25     Real Property Surveys
       Schedule 4.26     Environmental Matters
       Schedule 4.27     Employment Matters
       Schedule 4.28     Collective Agreement
       Schedule 4.29     Pension Plans and Benefit Plans
       Schedule 4.30     Material Contracts
       Schedule 4.35     Trade Allowances
       Schedule 4.36     Third Party Consents and Notifications
       Schedule 4.37     Location of the Assets
       Schedule 7.4      Opinion of Vendor's Counsel
       Schedule 7.10     Non-Competition Agreement
       Schedule 7.13     Support Services Agreement
       Schedule 7.14     Environmental Indemnification and Remediation Agreement
       Schedule 8.3      Opinion of Purchaser's Counsel
       Schedule 9.6      Actuarial Methods and Assumptions


                                    ARTICLE 2
                                PURCHASE AND SALE

2.1      ACTION BY VENDOR AND PURCHASER - At the Closing Time but with effect 
as of and from the Effective Date:

<PAGE>   21

                                      -16-

         (a)      PURCHASE AND SALE OF PURCHASED ASSETS - the Vendor shall sell 
         and the Purchaser shall purchase the Purchased Assets for the Purchase
         Price payable as provided in this Agreement;

         (b)      ASSUMPTION OF ASSUMED LIABILITIES - the Purchaser shall assume
         the Assumed Liabilities;

         (c)      PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE - the Purchaser shall deliver to the
         Vendor the Purchase Price as provided in Section 3.2; and

         (d)      TRANSFER AND DELIVERY OF PURCHASED ASSETS - the Vendor shall
         execute and deliver to the Purchaser all such bills of sale,
         assignments, instruments of transfer, deeds, assurances, consents and
         other documents as shall be necessary to effectively transfer to the
         Purchaser all the Vendor's right, title and interest in, to and under,
         or in respect of, the Purchased Assets; shall deliver up to the
         Purchaser possession of the Purchased Assets, free and clear of all
         Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances). In connection with
         the transfer of ownership to the Purchaser of the Purchased Assets, the
         Vendor shall effect the registrations, recordings and filings with
         public authorities required to discharge any Encumbrances (other than
         Permitted Encumbrances) on the Purchased Assets or which may be
         required to be made or filed by it and the Purchaser shall effect the
         other registrations, recordings and filings with public authorities.

2.2      PLACE OF CLOSING - The Closing shall take place at the Closing Time at 
the offices of the Purchaser's Solicitors located at Toronto, or at such other
place as may be agreed upon by the Vendor and the Purchaser.

2.3      TENDER - Any tender of documents or money under this Agreement may be 
made upon the Parties or their respective counsel and money may be tendered by
official bank draft drawn upon a Canadian chartered bank or by negotiable cheque
payable in Canadian funds and certified by a Canadian chartered bank or trust
company or, with the consent of the Party entitled to payment, by wire transfer
of immediately available funds to the account specified by that Party.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the payment contemplated by subsection 3.2(c)
shall be made by wire transfer to BNY Financial Corp. ("BNY") against the
release of all BNY's Encumbrances on the Purchased Assets.

2.4      NO ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES - For greater certainty, the Purchaser is 
not assuming and shall not be responsible for any of the liabilities, debts or
obligations of the Vendor, whether present or

<PAGE>   22

                                      -17-


future, absolute or contingent and whether or not relating to the Business,
other than the Assumed Liabilities.

2.5      ASSIGNMENT OF CONTRACTS - Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed
as an assignment of, or an attempt to assign to the Purchaser, any Contract or
Governmental Authorization which, as a matter of law or by its terms, is (i) not
assignable, or (ii) not assignable without the approval or consent of the issuer
thereof or the other party or parties thereto, without first obtaining such
approval or consent (collectively "Non-Assignable Rights"). In connection with
such Non-Assignable Rights, and without prejudice to the rights of the Purchaser
under Section 7.5, the Vendor shall, at the request of the Purchaser:

         (a)      apply for and use all reasonable efforts to obtain all 
         consents or approvals contemplated by the Contracts or Governmental
         Authorization, in a form satisfactory to the Purchaser acting
         reasonably;

         (b)      co-operate with the Purchaser in any reasonable and lawful
         arrangements designed to provide the benefits of such Non-Assignable
         Rights to the Purchaser, including holding any such Non-Assignable
         Rights in trust for the Purchaser or acting as agent for the Purchaser;

         (c)      enforce any rights of the Vendor arising from such
         Non-Assignable Rights against the issuer thereof or the other party or
         parties thereto;

         (d)      take all such actions and do, or cause to be done, all such 
         things at the request of the Purchaser as shall reasonably be necessary
         and proper in order that the value of any NonAssignable Rights shall be
         preserved and shall enure to the benefit of the Purchaser; and

         (e)      pay over to the Purchaser, all monies collected by or paid to 
         the Vendor in respect of such Non-Assignable Rights.

The Purchaser shall indemnify and save the Vendor harmless from any Claims in
respect of any NonAssignable Rights in connection with or arising as a result of
any action of the Vendor taken in accordance with the foregoing. If the Vendor
is unable to lawfully provide the benefit of any Governmental Authorization to
the Purchaser, it shall not, at any time, use such Governmental Authorization
for its own purposes or assign or provide the benefit of such Governmental
Authorization to any other party.

<PAGE>   23

                                      -18-

2.6      ECONOMIC EFFECT OF TRANSFER - It is the intention of the parties that 
the economic effect of the purchase and sale of the Purchased Assets pursuant to
this Agreement shall be as of the Effective Date. Accordingly, subject to
compliance with the terms of this Agreement and from and after the Effective
Date to the Closing Date, the Purchased Assets and the Business shall be and
shall have been held by the Vendor in trust for and on behalf of the Purchaser
and all operations of the Business shall be and shall have been conducted by the
Vendor for and on behalf of, and for the economic benefit of the Purchaser and
any income or loss of the Business from and after the Effective Date shall be
for the account of the Purchaser. Accordingly, all assets acquired or
liabilities incurred by the Business in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement from and after the Effective Date shall be assets and liabilities of
the Purchaser and the Vendor shall account to the Purchaser for the income and
loss of the Business and any changes in the assets and liabilities of the
Business from the Effective Date in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.


                                    ARTICLE 3
                                 PURCHASE PRICE

3.1      PURCHASE PRICE - The amount payable by the Purchaser for the Purchased
Assets, subject to any adjustments required by Section 3.3 and subsection 9.6(j)
and exclusive of all applicable sales and transfer taxes, shall be $35,522,000
(the "Purchase Price").

3.2      SATISFACTION OF PURCHASE PRICE - The Purchaser shall pay and satisfy 
the Purchase Price as follows:

         (a)      as to the amount equal to the book value as at the Effective 
         Date of the Assumed Liabilities, by the assumption by the Purchaser of
         the Assumed Liabilities;

         (b)      as to $1.5 million, by the delivery of the promissory note in 
         the form attached as Schedule 3.2; and

         (c)      as to the balance, by payment at the Closing Time in 
         accordance with Section 2.3.

<PAGE>   24

                                      -19-

3.3      SCHEDULE CORRECTIONS -

         (a)      DELIVERY OF OBJECTION NOTICE - In the event that the Purchaser
         determines in good faith that Schedules 1.1(a), 1.1(b), 4.14 and 4.15
         are incorrect in any way, the Purchaser shall so advise the Vendor by
         delivery to the Vendor of a written notice (the "Objection Notice")
         within forty-five (45) days after the date of this Agreement. The
         Objection Notice shall set out the reasons for the Purchaser's
         objection as well as the amount under dispute and reasonable details of
         the calculation of such amount.

         (b)      AGREEMENT OF PARTIES - In the event that the Parties agree on 
         a resolution of the dispute set out in the Objection Notice, the
         Parties shall confirm this resolution in writing and shall thereafter
         be bound by such resolution.

         (c)      ARBITRATION - In the event that the Parties are unable to 
         settle any dispute set out in the Objection Notice within thirty (30)
         days after the delivery by the Purchaser to the Vendor of the Objection
         Notice, the dispute shall forthwith, and in any event within sixty (60)
         days after the delivery by the Purchaser to the Vendor of the Objection
         Notice, be referred to arbitration by a partner of Ernst & Young LLP
         Chartered Accountants or, if such firm is unable or unwilling to act,
         KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants or its successor as a single
         arbitrator, if the Parties can agree upon one arbitrator, or otherwise
         by three arbitrators, of whom one shall be appointed by the Purchaser
         and one shall be appointed by the Vendor and the third shall be chosen
         by the first two named arbitrators. The arbitration and the appointment
         of the arbitrator shall, except to the extent provided for in this
         Section, be conducted in Toronto in accordance with the Arbitrations
         Act (Ontario). The Purchaser and the Vendor shall cooperate in
         completing any arbitration as expeditiously as possible and the
         arbitrators may hire such experts as may appear to be appropriate. If a
         single arbitrator is used, all of the costs and expenses of the
         arbitration shall be borne equally by the Parties or in such other
         manner as the arbitrator may determine to be appropriate. If three
         arbitrators are used the costs and expenses of the third arbitrator and
         of any experts engaged by such arbitrator shall be borne equally by the
         Parties and each Party shall pay the costs and expenses of the
         arbitrator appointed by it. Arbitration under this Section shall be in
         substitution for and precludes the bringing of any action in any court
         in connection with any objection made by the Purchaser pursuant to this
         Section.

         (d)      DETERMINATION OF ARBITRATOR - The determination of the 
         arbitrator shall be made within thirty (30) days after the date on
         which the dispute was referred to it and the

<PAGE>   25

                                      -20-

         determination of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on all
         Parties. The Purchase Price shall be increased to the extent the
         arbitrator determines that items included in Schedule 1.1(a) ought not
         to have been included or items which ought to have been included in
         Schedules 1.1(b), 4.14 or 4.15 were omitted and shall be decreased to
         the extent that the arbitrator determines that items which ought to
         have been included in Schedule 1.1(a) were omitted or items included in
         Schedules 1.1(b), 4.14 or 4.15 ought not to have been included.

         (e)      PAYMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH DETERMINATION - Within five (5) 
         days after resolution, by agreement of the Parties, of the dispute
         which was the subject of the Objection Notice or, failing such
         resolution, within five (5) days after the final determination of the
         arbitrator, the Vendor or the Purchaser, as the case may be, shall pay
         to the other the amount by which the Purchase Price is to be adjusted
         as a result of such resolution or final determination.

3.4      INTEREST - All amounts paid as adjustments to the Purchase Price under
Section 3.3 shall be paid together with interest thereon calculated monthly from
the Closing Date to the date of payment, at the Prime Rate quoted by the Bank of
Montreal on the Closing Date.

3.5      ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE - The Purchase Price shall be allocated in
accordance with the provisions of Schedule 3.7 provided that if the Purchase
Price shall be adjusted pursuant to Section 3.3 and subsection 9.6(j), the
amount of adjustment required shall, if such amount cannot be reasonably
allocated to a particular asset, be allocated on a pro rata basis among the
various categories of assets listed in Schedule 3.7. The Vendor and the
Purchaser agree to report the purchase and sale of the Purchased Assets in any
returns required to be filed under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and other
taxation statutes in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 3.7, as
adjusted.


                                    ARTICLE 4
                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE VENDOR

The Vendor hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser, the matters set out
below.

4.1      INCORPORATION AND REGISTRATION - The Vendor is a corporation duly
incorporated and validly existing under the laws of Ontario and has all
necessary corporate power, authority and capacity to own the Purchased Assets
and to carry on the Business as presently conducted. Neither the nature of the
Business nor the location or character of the Purchased Assets requires it to be
registered, 

<PAGE>   26

                                      -21-

licensed or otherwise qualified as an extra-provincial or foreign corporation in
any jurisdiction where it is not duly registered, licensed or otherwise
qualified for such purpose, other than jurisdictions where the failure to be so
registered, licensed or otherwise qualified would not have a material adverse
effect on the Business.

4.2      RESIDENCE OF THE VENDOR - The Vendor is not a non-resident of Canada 
for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

4.3      NO SHARES - The Purchased Assets do not include any interest in any 
shares of any corporation.

4.4      TITLE TO THE ASSETS - The Vendor is the absolute beneficial owner of 
the personal property forming part of the Purchased Assets with good and valid
title, free and clear of all Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances and
those Encumbrances set out on Schedule 4.4 which are to be discharged prior to
Closing and is exclusively entitled to possess and dispose of same (subject
only, in the case of Contracts or Governmental Authorizations, to the necessity
for obtaining consents to their assignment). There has been no assignment,
subletting or granting of any licence (of occupation or otherwise) of or in
respect of any of the Purchased Assets or any granting of any agreement or right
capable of becoming an agreement or option for the purchase of the Purchased
Assets other than pursuant to the provisions of, or as disclosed in, this
Agreement or pursuant to purchase orders accepted by the Vendor in the ordinary
course.

4.5      DUE AUTHORIZATION - The Vendor has all necessary corporate power, 
authority and capacity to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its
obligations under this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the
Vendor.

4.6      ENFORCEABILITY OF OBLIGATIONS - This Agreement constitutes a valid and
binding obligation of the Vendor enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, subject to limitations with respect to enforcement imposed by law in
connection with bankruptcy or similar proceedings and to the extent that
equitable remedies such as specific performance and injunction are in the
discretion of the court from which they are sought.

4.7      ABSENCE OF CONFLICTING AGREEMENTS - Except for those Contracts and
Governmental Authorizations which require consent to their assignment or
transfer and the requirement for Competition Act Approval, the Vendor is not a
party to, bound or affected by or subject to any 

<PAGE>   27

                                      -22-

indenture, mortgage, lease, agreement, obligation, instrument, charter or by-law
provision, statute, regulation, order, judgment, decree, licence, permit or law
which would be violated, contravened, breached by, or under which default would
occur or an Encumbrance would be created as a result of the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or any other agreement to be entered into under the
terms of this Agreement, or the performance by the Vendor of any of its
obligations provided for under this Agreement or any other agreement
contemplated under this Agreement.

4.8      REGULATORY APPROVALS - No approval, order, consent of or filing with 
any Governmental Authority is required other than Competition Act Approval on
the part of the Vendor, in connection with the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement or any other documents and agreements to be
delivered under this Agreement or the performance of the Vendor's obligations
under this Agreement or any other documents and agreements to be delivered under
this Agreement.

4.9      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - The Financial Statements have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis
consistent with that of the preceding period and present fairly:

         (a)      all of the assets, liabilities and financial position of the 
         Vendor related to the Business as at March 31, 1998; and

         (b)      the sales, earnings and results of operation of the Business 
         for the period ended January 31, 1999 except that they will be
         presented in a form which facilitates internal reporting and the income
         taxes shall have been calculated on a divisional rather than a legal
         entity basis.

4.10     ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES - Since the date of the Balance 
Sheet, the Vendor has not incurred any material liabilities or obligations
(whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) relating to the Business,
which continue to be outstanding, except as disclosed on Schedule 4.10 or
incurred in the ordinary course of business.

4.11     ABSENCE OF CHANGES AND UNUSUAL TRANSACTIONS - Except as set forth in
Schedule 4.11, since the date of the Balance Sheet:

         (a)      there has not been any material change in the financial 
         condition or operations of the Business or the Purchased Assets other
         than changes in the ordinary and usual course of business, none of
         which has been materially adverse;


<PAGE>   28

                                      -23-

         (b)      there has not been any damage, destruction, loss, unfair 
         labour practice complaint, organizing drive, application for
         certification or other event, development or condition of any character
         (whether or not covered by insurance) materially and adversely
         affecting the business, assets or properties of the Business;

         (c)      there has not been any material change in the nature, level 
         and condition of the Inventories.

         (d)      the Vendor has not transferred, assigned, sold or otherwise
         disposed of any of the assets shown or reflected in the Balance Sheet
         or cancelled any debts or entitlements except, in each case, in the
         ordinary and usual course of business;

         (e)      the Vendor has not incurred or assumed any obligation or 
         liability (fixed or contingent) relating to or affecting the Business,
         except unsecured current obligations and liabilities incurred in the
         ordinary and usual course of business;

         (f)      the Vendor has not discharged or satisfied any lien or 
         encumbrance, or paid any obligation or liability (fixed or contingent),
         in each case relating to the Business, other than liabilities included
         in the Balance Sheet and liabilities incurred since the date of the
         Balance Sheet in the ordinary and usual course of business;

         (g)      the Vendor has not suffered any extraordinary loss, waived or
         omitted to take any action in respect of any rights of substantial
         value, or entered into any commitment or transaction not in the
         ordinary and usual course of business in connection with the Business
         where such loss, rights, commitment or transaction is or would be
         material in relation to the Purchased Assets or the Business;

         (h)      the Vendor has not granted any bonuses, whether monetary or
         otherwise, or made any general wage or salary increases in respect of
         personnel which it employs in the Business, other than as provided for
         in the Collective Agreement or changed the terms of employment for any
         Employee except in the usual course of business and consistent with
         past practice or agreed to a change in interpretation or application of
         any provision of the Collective Agreement;
<PAGE>   29

                                      -24-

         (i)      except as disclosed by the Vendor to the Purchaser in writing,
         the Vendor has not hired or dismissed any senior employees or hired or
         dismissed more than (20) employees, in each case who are or were
         dedicated primarily to the Business;

         (j)      the Vendor has not, except as disclosed in the Schedule of
         Permitted Encumbrances, mortgaged, pledged, subjected to lien, granted
         a security interest in or otherwise encumbered any of its assets or
         property used in the Business, whether tangible or intangible; or

         (k)      the Vendor has not authorized, agreed or otherwise become 
         committed to do any of the foregoing.

4.12     NO JOINT VENTURE INTERESTS - The Vendor, in connection with the 
Business, is not a party, beneficiary, trustee, co-tenant, joint-venturer or
otherwise a participant in any partnership, trust, joint venture, co-tenancy or
similar joint owned business undertaking and the Vendor has no significant
investment interests in any business owned or controlled by any third party.

4.13     MAJOR SUPPLIERS AND CUSTOMERS - The Vendor has provided to the 
Purchaser a comprehensive listing of each supplier of goods and services to, and
each customer of, the Business to whom the Vendor paid or billed in excess of
$5,000 in the aggregate during the period commencing April 1, 1998, together
with, in each case, the amount so billed or paid. To the knowledge of the
Vendor, no Major Supplier or Customer intends to change its relationship or the
terms upon which it conducts business with the Purchaser following completion of
the transactions contemplated in this Agreement. A Major Supplier or Customer is
one from whom or to whom sales in the last twelve months was at least $500,000.

4.14     CONDITION OF ASSETS - The Fixed Assets are being delivered to the 
Purchaser in their "as is" condition as inspected by and demonstrated to the
Purchaser on March 4, 1999.

4.15     INVENTORIES - All Inventories are valued on the books of the Vendor at 
the lower of cost or net realizable value.

4.16     ACCRUED LIABILITIES - The amounts of the Accrued Liabilities have been
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied
on a basis consistent with the Financial Statements.

<PAGE>   30

                                      -25-

4.17     GOVERNMENT GRANTS - The Vendor has not received any grants or other 
forms of assistance including loans with interest at below market rates,
received by the Vendor in connection with the Business from any government,
governmental department, agency, commission, board, bureau or instrumentality,
domestic or foreign.

4.18     BUSINESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH LAW - Except as set out in Schedule 4.18, 
all material respects, the operations of the Business have been conducted in
compliance with all Laws of each jurisdiction in which the Business has been and
is carried on and the Vendor has not received any notice of any alleged
violation of any such Laws.

4.19     GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS - Schedule 4.19 sets forth a complete list 
of the Governmental Authorizations. The Governmental Authorizations listed in
Schedule 4.19 are all the authorizations required by the Vendor to enable it to
carry on the Business in compliance with all Laws. The Governmental
Authorizations are in full force and effect in accordance with their terms, in
all material respects and there have been no violations thereof and no
proceedings are pending or, to the knowledge of the Vendor, threatened, which
could result in their revocation or limitation.

4.20     RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS - The Vendor is not a party to or bound or 
affected by any commitment, agreement or document containing any covenant which
(i) expressly limits the freedom of the Vendor and (ii) may after the Closing
limit the freedom of the Purchaser, to compete in any line of business, transfer
or move any of its assets or operations or which materially or adversely affects
the business practices, operations or conditions of the Business or the
continued operation of the Business after the Closing.

4.21     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY - Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.21, the 
Vendor has no knowledge that the Business, any activity in which the Vendor is
engaged in connection with the Business or any product which the Vendor
manufactures, uses or sells in connection with the Business, or any process,
method, packaging, advertising, or material that the Vendor employs in the
manufacture, marketing or sale of any such product, or the use of any
intellectual property used in connection with the Business breaches, violates,
infringes or interferes with any intellectual property rights of any third party
or requires payment for the use of any patent, trade-name, trade secret,
trade-mark, copyright or other intellectual property right or technology of
another.

4.22     EQUIPMENT CONTRACTS - Schedule 4.22 sets forth a complete list of all
Equipment Contracts together with a description of the equipment and vehicles to
which the Equipment Contracts relate. The Equipment Contracts listed in Schedule
4.22 are all those used to earn the revenue shown on the 

<PAGE>   31

                                      -26-

Financial Statements. All of the Equipment Contracts are in full force and
effect and no material default exists and no event has occurred which with the
giving of notice or the lapse of time would become a material default on the
part of the Vendor, or, to the knowledge of the Vendor, on the part of any of
the other parties thereto. The entire interest of the Vendor under each of the
Equipment Contracts is held by it free and clear of any Encumbrances other than
Permitted Encumbrances and all payments due under the Equipment Contracts have
been duly and punctually paid.

4.23     REAL PROPERTY -

         (a)      Schedule 4.23 sets forth a complete list of:

                  (i) the Real Property in each case by reference to the owner,
                  municipal address and legal description which is used or is
                  reasonably required for the Business; and

                  (ii) the matters described in Section 4.25 (f) and (q) as
                  applicable.

         (b)      The Vendor is the legal and beneficial owner of the Real 
         Property in fee simple, with good and marketable title thereto, free
         and clear of all Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances.

         (c)      There are no agreements, undertakings or other documents which
         affect or relate to the title to, or ownership of such Real Property
         except for the Permitted Encumbrances.

4.24     LEASED REAL PROPERTY - The Vendor is not a party to any Real Property 
Leases.

4.25     REAL PROPERTY GENERALLY -

         (a)      The plant, buildings, structures, erections, improvements and
         fixtures situate on the Real Property are being delivered to the
         Purchaser in their "as is" condition as inspected by and demonstrated
         to the Purchaser on March 4, 1999.

         (b)      The Vendor has such rights of entry and exit to and from the 
         Real Property as are reasonably necessary to carry on the Business upon
         the Real Property.

<PAGE>   32

                                      -27-

         (c)      No person has any right to purchase any of the Real Property, 
         and no person other than the Vendor is using or has any right to use,
         as tenant, or is in possession or occupancy of, any part of such Real
         Property other than rights which are Permitted Encumbrances.

         (d)      The Vendor has not granted any option, right of first refusal 
         or other contractual rights with respect to any of the Real Property
         other than to the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement or as set out in
         Schedule 4.4 respecting Permitted Encumbrances.

         (e)      The Vendor has not entered into any agreement to sell, 
         transfer, encumber, or otherwise dispose of or impair the right, title
         and interest of the Vendor in and to the Real Property or the air,
         density and easement rights relating to the Real Property except as set
         out in Schedule 4.4 respecting Permitted Encumbrances.

         (f)      Schedule 4.25 provides details on the most up-to-date surveys,
         prepared by licensed land surveyors, relating to the Real Property
         which are available, and such surveys have been delivered or made
         available to the Purchaser.

         (g)      The Vendor has not received any notification of and has no
         knowledge of, any outstanding or incomplete work orders in respect of
         any of the buildings, improvements or other structures constructed on
         the Real Property or of any current non-compliance (other than
         non-compliances which are legal non-conforming under relevant zoning
         by-laws) with applicable statutes and regulations or building and
         zoning by-laws and regulations.

         (h)     To the knowledge of the Vendor, the current uses of the Real
         Property are permitted under current zoning regulations.

         (i)      The Vendor has not made application for a rezoning of any of 
         the Real Property and has no knowledge of any proposed or pending
         change to any zoning affecting the Real Property.

         (j)      To the knowledge of the Vendor, no part of the Real Property 
         is subject to any building or use restriction that would restrict or
         prevent the use and operation of the Real Property for the Business by
         the Purchaser.

<PAGE>   33
                                      -28-



         (k)      Except as may be shown on the surveys for the Real Property
         delivered to the Purchaser, to the knowledge of the Vendor no
         improvements constituting a part of the Real Property encroaches on
         real property not forming part of the Real Property.

         (l)      The Vendor has no knowledge of any expropriation or 
         condemnation or similar proceeding pending or threatened against the
         Real Property or any part of the Real Property.

         (m)      All accounts for work and services performed or materials 
         placed or furnished upon or in respect of the construction and
         completion of any of the buildings, improvements or other structures
         constructed on the Real Property have been fully paid and no one is
         entitled to claim a lien under the Construction Lien Act (Ontario) or
         other similar legislation for such work performed by or on behalf of
         the Vendor.

         (n)      The Real Property is fully serviced to permit the operations 
         of the Business by the Purchaser as at the Closing Date. All municipal
         levies, local improvements, imposts and permit fees due and payable
         prior to the Closing Date have been or will as at the Closing Date be
         paid by the Vendor, subject to pro rating for the number of days
         elapsed prior to Closing.

         (o)      To the knowledge of the Vendor, all Permitted Encumbrances 
         which are easements, agreements, rights-of-way, restrictive covenants
         or restrictions are in good standing and the Vendor has performed in
         all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it
         thereunder and there is no material breach or default in any respect
         thereunder nor has there occurred any event nor does there exist any
         condition which, in either case, with the giving of notice or the lapse
         of time, would constitute such a material breach or default. 

         (p)      To the knowledge of the Vendor, the easements, rights-of-way
         and other similar appurtenant interests which benefit the Real Property
         or to which the Real Property is subject and which are necessary for
         the continued use and operation of the Real Property for the Business
         are listed in Schedule 4.25. None of such easements, rights-of-way or
         other interests requires the consent of any other party to the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         (q)      There are no matters affecting the right, title and interest 
         of the Vendor in and to the Real Property which, in the aggregate,
         would materially and adversely affect the ability of

<PAGE>   34

                                      -29-

         the Purchaser as of the Closing Date, to carry on the Business upon
         the Real Property as it has been carried on in the ordinary course in
         the past.

4.26     ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS - Except as referred to in the documents listed 
in Schedule 4.26:

         (a)      Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.26, there are no 
         Environmental Approvals.

         (b)      All operations of the Vendor pertaining to the Business or the
         Purchased Assets or conducted on the Real Property and the Real
         Property itself while occupied by the Vendor, and, to the knowledge of
         the Vendor, while occupied by the Vendor's predecessors in title, have
         been and are now, in compliance with all Environmental Laws. Any
         Release by the Vendor and, to the knowledge of the Vendor, by the
         Vendor's predecessors in title of any Hazardous Substance from the
         Business or the Purchased Assets into the Environment complied and
         complies with all Environmental Laws.

         (c)      The Environmental Approvals have been obtained, are valid and
         in full force and effect, have been and are being complied with, and
         there have been and are no proceedings commenced or threatened to
         revoke or amend any Environmental Approvals.

         (d)      Neither the Business nor any of the Purchased Assets has been 
         or is now the subject of any Remedial Order, nor does the Vendor have
         any knowledge of any investigation or evaluation commenced as to
         whether any such Remedial Order is necessary nor, to the knowledge of
         the Vendor, has any threat of any such Remedial Order been made nor, to
         the knowledge of the Vendor, or any circumstance arisen which could
         likely result in the issuance of any such Remedial Order with respect
         to the Business or the Purchased Assets.

         (e)      With respect to the Business and the Purchased Assets, the 
         Vendor has never been prosecuted for or convicted of any offence under
         Environmental Laws, nor has the Vendor been found liable in any
         proceeding to pay any fine, penalty or judgment to any person as a
         result of any Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Substance
         into the Environment or the breach of any Environmental Law and, to the
         knowledge of the Vendor, there is no basis for any such proceeding.

         (f)      No part of the Real Property or any other Purchased Assets has
         ever been used by the Vendor, as a landfill or for the disposal of
         waste and, to the knowledge of the Vendor, no part 

<PAGE>   35

                                      -30-

         of the Real Property has been used by any other person as a landfill or
         for the disposal of waste.

         (g)      To the knowledge of the Vendors, no asbestos or asbestos 
         containing materials are used, stored or otherwise present in or on the
         Real Property or any other Purchased Asset.

         (h)      No equipment, waste or other material containing 
         polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are used, stored or otherwise present
         in or on the Real Property or other Purchased Assets.

         (i)      All material environmental data and studies (including the 
         results of any environmental audit possessed by or within the control
         of the Vendor) with respect to the Business or the Purchased Assets
         have been delivered or made available to the Purchaser.

         (j)      There has been no Release by the Vendor or, to the knowledge 
         of the Vendor by any other party, of any Hazardous Substance which is
         now present in, on or under any of the Real Property or any other
         Purchased Assets (including underlying soils and substrata, surface
         water and groundwater) at levels which exceed decommissioning or
         remediation standards under any Environmental Laws or standards
         published or administered by those Governmental Authorities responsible
         for establishing or applying such standards.

         (k)      To the knowledge of the Vendor, no underground storage tanks 
         have been or are on the Real Property.

         (l)      The Vendor has no knowledge of any Hazardous Substance 
         originating from any neighbouring or adjoining properties which has
         migrated onto, or is migrating towards any of the Real Property or any
         other Purchased Assets.

4.27     EMPLOYMENT MATTERS -

         (a)      Schedule 4.27 sets forth a complete list of all Employees, 
         together with the titles, service dates and material terms of
         employment, including current wages, salaries or hourly rate of pay of,
         and bonus (whether monetary or otherwise) paid and/or payable since the
         beginning of the most recently completed fiscal year or payable in the
         current fiscal year to each such Employee, the date upon which such
         wage, salary, rate or bonus became effective and the date upon which
         each such Employee was first hired by the Vendor. Except as 

<PAGE>   36

                                      -31-

         disclosed, no Employee is on long-term disability leave, extended
         absence or receiving benefits pursuant to the Workplace Safety and
         Insurance Act (Ontario).

         (b)      Except for those written employment contracts with salaried
         Employees identified in Schedule 4.27, there are no written contracts
         of employment entered into with any Employees or any oral contracts of
         employment which are not terminable on the giving of reasonable notice
         in accordance with applicable law.

         (c)      Except as set out in Schedule 4.27 there are no employment 
         policies or plans, including policies or plans regarding incentive
         compensation, stock options, severance pay or other terms or conditions
         of employment or terms or conditions upon which Employees may be
         terminated, which are binding upon the Vendor.

         (d)      The Business has been and is being operated in compliance in 
         all material respects with all Laws relating to employees, including
         employment standards, Occupational Health and Safety Laws, human
         rights, labour relations, workplace safety and insurance and pay
         equity. The Vendor has complied with and posted plans as required under
         the Ontario Pay Equity Act. There have been no claims or complaints,
         nor to the knowledge of the Vendor are there any threatened claims or
         complaints, against the Vendor pursuant to any such Laws. To the
         knowledge of the Vendor nothing has occurred which might lead to a
         claim or complaint against the Vendor under any such Laws. There are no
         issued or, to the knowledge of the Vendor, pending decisions or
         settlements which place any obligation upon the Vendor to do or refrain
         from doing any act.

         (e)      All current assessments under the Workplace Safety and 
         Insurance Act (Ontario) in relation to the Business have been paid or
         accrued by the Vendor and the Business has not been and is not subject
         to any special or penalty assessment or surcharge under such
         legislation which has not been paid.

         (f)      The Vendor has made available to the Purchaser for review, all
         inspection reports under the Occupational Health and Safety Act
         (Ontario) relating to the Business. There are no outstanding inspection
         orders made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Ontario)
         relating to the Business. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.27, the
         Vendors are operating in compliance with all Occupational Health and
         Safety Laws in all material respects, including but not limited to the
         Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), in connection
         with the Business. To the knowledge of the Vendor, there 



<PAGE>   37

                                      -32-

         are no pending or threatened charges against the Business under
         Occupational Health and Safety Laws relating to the Business. Except as
         set out in Schedule 4.27, there have been no fatal or critical
         accidents which have occurred in the course of the operation of the
         Business which might lead to charges under Occupational Health and
         Safety Laws. To the knowledge of the Vendor, there are no materials
         present in the Business, exposure to which may result in an
         occupational disease as defined in the Workplace Safety and Insurance
         Act (Ontario). If such materials, including asbestos, are required to
         be removed to comply with Occupational Health and Safety Laws, the
         Vendor agrees to indemnify the Purchaser for any and all reasonable
         costs arising from such removal. The Vendor has complied in all
         respects with any Remedial Orders issued under Occupational Health and
         Safety Laws. To the knowledge of the Vendor, there are no appeals of
         any Remedial Orders under Occupational Health and Safety Laws relating
         to the Business which are currently outstanding.

4.28     COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT -

         (a)      Schedule 4.28 describes any Collective Agreement, either 
         directly or by operation of law, with any trade union or association
         which may qualify as a trade union in respect of the Business.

         (b)      There are no outstanding or, to the knowledge of the Vendor,
         threatened labour board proceedings of any kind, including any
         proceedings which could result in certification of a trade union as
         bargaining agent for Employees or dependent contractors of the Vendor
         not already covered by the Collective Agreement, and there have not
         been any such proceedings within the last three (3) years.

         (c)      To the knowledge of the Vendor, there are no threatened or 
         apparent union organizing activities involving Employees or dependent
         contractors of the Vendor in respect of the Business, not already
         covered by the Collective Agreement and no trade union has bargaining
         rights for such Employees or dependant contractors.

         (d)      To the knowledge of the Vendor, the Vendor is not in breach 
         of or default under any Collective Agreement.

         (e)      There is no strike or lock out occurring or to the knowledge 
         of the Vendor threatened affecting the Business.

<PAGE>   38

                                      -33-

         (f)      The Vendor does not have any unresolved grievances or pending
         arbitration cases outstanding relating to the Business. To the
         knowledge of the Vendor, the Vendor does not have any labour problems
         that might materially affect the value or operation of the Business.

         (g)      None of the Collective Agreements contain provisions relating 
         to the establishment or maintenance of any Pension Plan or Benefit Plan
         or contributions thereto except as set out in Schedule 4.28.

4.29     PENSION PLANS AND BENEFIT PLANS -

         (a)      Schedule 4.29 sets forth a complete list of the Pension Plans 
         and the Benefit Plans.

         (b)      Current and complete copies of all written Pension Plans and
         Benefit Plans or, where oral, written summaries of the material terms
         thereof, have been provided or made available to the Purchaser together
         with current and complete copies of all documents relating to the
         Pension Plans and Benefit Plans, including, as applicable,

                  (i)      all documents establishing, creating or amending any
                  of the Pension Plans or Benefit Plans as in effect on the date
                  of this Agreement;

                  (ii)     all trust agreements and funding agreements as in 
                  effect on the date of this Agreement;

                  (iii)    all insurance contracts, subscription agreements and
                  participation agreements as in effect on the date of this
                  Agreement;

                  (iv)     the most recent financial statements required to be 
                  filed under Laws, and the most recent actuarial report for the
                  Vendor's Union Pension Plan;

                  (v)      the most recent material reports, statements, annual
                  information returns or other returns, filings and material
                  correspondence with any regulatory authority;

                  (vi)     all material legal opinions, consultants' reports and
                  correspondence relating to the administration or funding of
                  any Pension Plan or the use of funds held under such plans
                  which impacts on the portion of the Pension Plans to be
                  transferred to the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement; and

<PAGE>   39

                                      -34-

                  (vii)    all booklets, summaries, manuals and written
                  communications of a general nature distributed or available to
                  any Employees concerning any Pension Plan or Benefit Plan
                  whether or not such communications have been or are required
                  to be filed with any Governmental Authorities as in effect on
                  the date of this Agreement.

         (c)      Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.29 each Pension Plan and 
         Benefit Plan, and any amendment to any Pension Plan or Benefit Plan,
         is, and has been, established, registered (where required), qualified,
         administered and invested, in compliance with (i) the terms thereof,
         (ii) all Laws and (iii) the Collective Agreement.

         (d)      All obligations under the Pension Plans and Benefit Plans 
         (whether pursuant to the terms thereof, any Collective Agreements, or
         any Laws) have been satisfied, and there are no outstanding defaults or
         violations thereunder by the Vendor nor does the Vendor have any
         knowledge of any default or violation by any other party to any Pension
         Plan or Benefit Plan.

         (e)      Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.29, there have been no
         improvements, increases or changes to or promised improvements,
         increases or changes to the benefits provided under the Pension Plans
         or Benefit Plans. None of the Pension Plans or Benefit Plans provide
         for benefit increases or the acceleration of funding obligations that
         are contingent upon or will be triggered by the entering into of this
         Agreement or the completion of the transactions contemplated herein.

         (f)      All employer or employee payments, contributions and premiums
         required to be remitted, paid to or in respect of each Pension Plan and
         each Benefit Plan have been paid or remitted in a timely fashion in
         accordance with the terms thereof and all Laws, and no Taxes, penalties
         or fees are owing or exigible under any Pension Plan or Benefit Plan.

         (g)      There is no proceeding, action, investigation by Governmental
         Authorities, suit or claim (other than routine claims for payment of
         benefits) pending or threatened involving any Pension Plan or Benefit
         Plan or their assets, and to the knowledge of the Vendor no facts exist
         which could reasonably be expected to give rise to any such proceeding,
         action, investigation, suit or Claim (other than routine claims for
         payment of benefits).

<PAGE>   40

                                      -35-

         (h)      Schedule 4.29 discloses the amount of any going concern 
         unfunded actuarial liabilities, past service unfunded liabilities or
         solvency deficiencies respecting any of the Pension Plans.

         (i)      No material changes have occurred in respect of any Pension 
         Plan since the date of the most recent financial, accounting, actuarial
         or other report, as applicable, issued in connection with any Pension
         Plan, which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the
         relevant report (including rendering it misleading in any material
         respect).

         (j)      The Vendor has not received, or applied for, any payment of 
         surplus out of any Pension Plans and the Vendor has not taken any
         contribution or premium holidays under any Pension Plans.

         (k)      None of the Pension Plans or Benefit Plans is a multi-employer
         pension plan as defined under Laws.

         (l)      All employee data necessary to administer each Pension Plan 
         and Benefit Plan for the Transferred Employees is in the possession of
         the Vendor and is complete, correct and in a form which is sufficient
         for the proper administration of each Pension Plan or Benefit Plan in
         accordance with the terms thereof and all Laws.

         (m)      None of the Benefit Plans, other than Pension Plans and any 
         Benefit Plans specifically identified as such in Schedule 4.29, provide
         benefits beyond retirement or other termination of service to Employees
         or former employees or to the beneficiaries or dependents of such
         employees.

         (n)      Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.29, none of the insured 
         Benefit Plans require or permit a retroactive increase in premiums or
         payments and the level of insurance reserves, if any, under each
         insured Benefit Plan is reasonable and sufficient to provide for all
         incurred but unreported claims.

4.30     MATERIAL CONTRACTS - Schedule 4.30 sets forth a complete list of the
Material Contracts. The Material Contracts are all in full force and effect
unamended and no default exists under such Material Contracts on the part of the
Vendor or, to the knowledge of the Vendor, on the part of any other party to
such Contracts. To its knowledge, the Vendor, through the Business and the

<PAGE>   41

                                      -36-

Purchased Assets, has the capacity, including the necessary personnel, equipment
and supplies, to perform all its obligations under the Material Contracts listed
in Schedule 4.30.

4.31     COPIES OF AGREEMENTS, ETC. - Current and complete copies of the 
Material Contracts have been delivered to the Purchaser and there are no current
or pending negotiations with respect to the renewal, repudiation or amendment of
any such agreement, plan or policy.

4.32     LITIGATION - There is no suit, action, litigation, investigation, 
claim, complaint, grievance or proceeding, including appeals and applications
for review, in progress, or, to the knowledge of the Vendor, pending or
threatened against or relating to the Vendor before any Governmental Authority
or arbitration panel which, if determined adversely to the Vendor, would,

         (a)      materially and adversely affect the properties, business, 
         future prospects or financial condition of the Business or the
         Purchased Assets,

         (b)      enjoin, restrict or prohibit the transfer of all or any part 
         of the Purchased Assets as contemplated by this Agreement, or

         (c)      prevent the Vendor from fulfilling all of its obligations 
         set out in this Agreement or arising from this Agreement,

and the Vendor has no knowledge of any existing ground on which any such action,
suit, litigation or proceeding might be commenced with any reasonable likelihood
of success. There is not presently outstanding against the Vendor any judgment,
decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator.

4.33     TAX MATTERS -

         (a)      No failure, if any, of the Vendor to duly and timely pay all 
         Taxes, including instalments on account of Taxes for the current year,
         that are due and payable by it, will result in an Encumbrance on the
         Purchased Assets.

         (b)      There are no actions, suits, proceedings, investigations, 
         audits or claims now pending or, to the knowledge of the Vendor,
         threatened against the Vendor in respect of any Taxes and there are no
         matters under discussion, audit or appeal with any Governmental
         Authority relating to Taxes, which will result in an Encumbrance on the
         Purchased Assets.

<PAGE>   42

                                      -37-

         (c)      The Vendor has timely withheld from any amount paid or 
         credited by it to of for the account or benefit of any person,
         including any of its employees, officers or directors and any
         non-resident person, the amount of all Taxes and other deductions
         required by any Laws to be withheld from any amount and has duly and
         timely remitted the same to the appropriate Governmental Authority.

4.34     BOOKS AND RECORDS - The Vendor has made available to the Purchaser all
Books and Records. The Books and Records fairly and correctly set out and
disclose in all material respects the financial position of the Business and all
material financial transactions relating to the Business have been accurately
recorded in the Books and Records.

4.35     TRADE ALLOWANCES - Schedule 4.35 sets out any agreements or 
understandings (whether written or oral) with, or concessions granted to, any
customer of the Business which will continue to be binding on the Business on or
after the Closing Date to receive discounts, allowances, volume rebates or
similar reductions in price or other trade terms.

4.36     THIRD PARTY CONSENTS - Except as set out in Schedule 4.36, no 
notification, approval or consent is required to be obtained by the Vendor in
connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or any
other documents and agreements to be delivered under this Agreement.

4.37     LOCATION OF THE ASSETS - Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.37, all of 
the Purchased Assets are located on the Real Property or are in transit to or
from the Real Property.

4.38     NO BROKER - The Vendor has carried on all negotiations relating to this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated in this Agreement directly and
without intervention on its behalf of any other party in such manner as to give
rise to any valid claim for a brokerage commission, finder's fee or other like
payment against the Purchaser or the Purchased Assets.

4.39     YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE - Most of the Vendor's critical information 
technology systems in the Business have been modified, tested, and/or certified
from vendors as being Year 2000 Compliant. Other non-information technology
systems have been inventoried, tested or certified in accordance with a
compliance plan. The Vendor has initiated a formal inquiry process with its
suppliers and vendors with which the Vendor has significant relationships to
evaluate the extent to which the Business is vulnerable to third party failure
to remedy Year 2000 problems. The Vendor 

<PAGE>   43

                                      -38-

continues to evaluate replies as it receives them and is working with the third
parties to correct those problems or monitoring their efforts to achieve
compliance. The Vendor has received replies from many of its significant
suppliers and vendors. The Vendor estimates that the total cost of becoming Year
2000 Compliant for its internal systems and equipment for the Business is less
than $150,000.00, of which only a nominal amount remains to be spent. Most of
the cost to date has been funded by allocation of existing resources rather than
incurring incremental costs. Any remaining costs may be funded by allocation of
existing resources. Based on an assessment of its major information technology
and noninformation technology systems in the Business, the Vendor believes that
all necessary modifications and testing will be completed in a timely manner to
ensure that the Business achieves Year 2000 Compliance December 31, 1999.

4.40     FULL DISCLOSURE - The Vendor has made available to the Purchaser, all
information, including the financial, marketing, sales and operational
information on a historical basis in respect of the Business which would be
material to a purchaser of the Business. All information, which has been
provided to the Purchaser relating to the Business is true and correct in all
material respects and the Vendor has not knowingly omitted any material fact or
facts therefrom which would make such information misleading.

                                    ARTICLE 5
                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER

The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Vendor the matters set out
below.

5.1      INCORPORATION AND RESIDENCE - The Purchaser is a corporation duly
incorporated and validly existing under the laws of Ontario. The Purchaser is
not a non resident of Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada). The
Purchaser is a "WTO Investor" for the purposes of the Investment Canada Act.

5.2      DUE AUTHORIZATION - The Purchaser has all necessary corporate power,
authority and capacity to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its
obligations under this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transaction contemplated under this Agreement have
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Purchaser.

5.3      ENFORCEABILITY OF OBLIGATIONS - This Agreement constitutes a valid and
binding obligation of the Vendor enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, subject to limitations with respect 

<PAGE>   44

                                      -39-

to enforcement imposed by law in connection with bankruptcy or similar
proceedings and to the extent that equitable remedies such as specific
performance and injunction are in the discretion of the court from which they
are sought.

5.4      ABSENCE OF CONFLICTING AGREEMENTS - Except for Competition Act 
Approval, the Purchaser is not a party to, bound or affected by or subject to
any indenture, mortgage, lease, agreement, obligation, instrument, charter or
by-law provision, statute, regulation, order, judgment, decree, license, permit
or law which would be violated, contravened or breached by, or under which any
default would occur or a lien, claim, restriction or encumbrance would be
created as a result of the execution and delivery by it of this Agreement or the
performance by it of any of the terms of this Agreement.

5.5      LITIGATION - There is no suit, action, litigation, investigation, 
claim, complaint or proceeding before any Governmental Authority or arbitration
panel in progress or, to the knowledge of the Purchaser, pending or threatened
against or relating to the Purchaser, which, if determined adversely to the
Purchaser, would,

         (a)      prevent the Purchaser from paying the Purchase Price to the 
         Vendor;

         (b)      enjoin, restrict or prohibit the transfer of all or any part 
         of the Purchased Assets as contemplated by this Agreement; or

         (c)      prevent the Purchaser from fulfilling all of its obligations 
         set out in this Agreement or arising from this Agreement,

and the Purchaser has no knowledge of any existing ground on which any such
action, suit, litigation or proceeding might be commenced with any reasonable
likelihood of success.

5.6      GOODS AND SERVICES TAX AND HARMONIZED SALES TAX REGISTRATION - The 
Purchaser is duly registered under Subdivision (d) of Division V of Part IX of
the Excise Tax Act (Canada) with respect to the goods and services tax and
harmonized sales tax and its registration number is R103467965RT0001.

5.7      NO BROKER - The Purchaser has carried on all negotiations relating to 
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated in this Agreement directly and
without the intervention on its behalf of 

<PAGE>   45

                                      -40-

any other party in such manner as to give rise to any valid claim for a
brokerage commission, finder's fee or other like payment against the Vendor or
the Purchase Price.

                                    ARTICLE 6
                              NON-WAIVER; SURVIVAL

6.1      NON-WAIVER - No investigations made by or on behalf of the Purchaser 
at any time shall have the effect of waiving, diminishing the scope or otherwise
affecting any representation or warranty made by the Vendor in or pursuant to
this Agreement. No waiver of any condition or other provisions, in whole or in
part, shall constitute a waiver of any other condition or provision (whether or
not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless
otherwise expressly provided.

6.2      NATURE AND SURVIVAL -

         (a)      Subject to subsection (b), all representations, warranties and
         covenants contained in this Agreement on the part of each of the
         Parties shall survive the Closing, the execution and delivery under
         this Agreement of any bills of sale, instruments of conveyance,
         assignments or other instruments of transfer of title to any of the
         Purchased Assets and the payment of the consideration for the Purchased
         Assets.

         (b)      Representations and warranties concerning tax matters, set 
         out in Section 4.33, shall survive for a period of ninety days after
         the relevant authorities shall no longer be entitled to assess
         liability for tax against the Vendor or Purchaser for any particular
         taxation year ended on or prior to the Closing Date, having regard,
         without limitation, to any waivers given by the Vendor in respect of
         any such taxation year. All other representations and warranties shall
         only survive for a period of two (2) years from the Closing Date. If no
         claim shall have been made under this Agreement against a Party for any
         incorrectness in or breach of any representation or warranty made in
         this Agreement prior to the expiry of these survival periods, such
         Party shall have no further liability under this Agreement with respect
         to such representation or warranty.

         (c)      Notwithstanding the limitations set out in subsection (b) any 
         Claim which is based on title to the Purchased Assets, intentional
         misrepresentation or fraud may be brought at any time.


<PAGE>   46

                                      -41-

                                    ARTICLE 7
                        PURCHASER'S CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

The obligation of the Purchaser to complete the purchase of the Purchased Assets
under this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction of, or compliance
with, at or before the Closing Time, each of the following conditions precedent
(each of which is acknowledged to be inserted for the exclusive benefit of the
Purchaser and may be waived by it in whole or in part):

7.1      TRUTH AND ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS OF VENDOR AT THE CLOSING TIME - 
The representations and warranties of the Vendor contained in Sections 4.1, 4.4,
4.5 and 4.6 of this Agreement and any representations and warranties of the
Vendor made in or pursuant to this Agreement containing a materiality
qualification shall be true and correct, and any representations and warranties
of the Vendor made in or pursuant to this Agreement without a materiality
qualification (other than the representations and warranties contained in
Sections 4.1, 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6) shall be true and correct in all material
respects, in each case as at the Closing Time and with the same effect as if
made at and as of the Closing Time (except as such representations and
warranties may be affected by the occurrence of events or transactions expressly
contemplated and permitted by this Agreement).

7.2      PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS - The Vendor shall have performed or 
complied with, in all respects, all its obligations, covenants and agreements
under this Agreement.

7.3      RECEIPT OF CLOSING DOCUMENTATION - All instruments of conveyance and 
other documentation relating to the sale and purchase of the Purchased Assets
including assignments of Contracts (and consents to such assignments, where
required), deeds of Real Property in registrable form, surveys, bills of sale
and trade-mark assignments, documentation relating to the due authorization and
completion of such sale and purchase and all actions and proceedings taken on or
prior to the Closing in connection with the performance by the Vendor of its
obligations under this Agreement shall be satisfactory to the Purchaser, acting
reasonably, and the Purchaser shall have received copies of all such
documentation or other evidence as it may reasonably request in order to
establish the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and the taking of all corporate proceedings in connection with such transactions
in compliance with these conditions, in form (as to certification and otherwise)
and substance satisfactory to the Purchaser.

7.4      OPINION OF VENDOR'S COUNSEL - The Purchaser shall have received an 
opinion dated the Closing Date from the Vendor's Counsel, substantially in the
form of Schedule 7.4.

<PAGE>   47

                                      -42-

7.5      CONSENTS TO ASSIGNMENT - All consents or approvals from or 
notifications to any landlord, lessor or other person required under the terms
of any of the Contracts with respect to the assignment of such Contracts to the
Purchaser, shall have been duly obtained or given, as the case may be, on or
before the Closing Time, other than any such consents or approvals where the
failure to obtain such consents or approvals does not and will not have, either
individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Business.

7.6      CONSENTS, AUTHORIZATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS - All consents, approvals, 
orders and authorizations of any person (or registrations, declarations, filings
or recordings with any such authorities), required in connection with the
completion of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than
with respect to the Pension Plans(s) or Benefit Plan(s)), the execution of this
Agreement, the Closing or the performance of any of the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, including Competition Act Approval, all clearance certificates
required pursuant to any applicable retail sales tax legislation and a Purchase
Certificate from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (Ontario) shall have
been obtained at or before the Closing Time.

7.7      NO PROCEEDINGS - There shall be no injunction or restraining order 
issued preventing, and no pending or threatened claim, action, litigation or
proceeding, judicial or administrative, or investigation against any Party by
any person, for the purpose of enjoining or preventing the consummation of the
transactions contemplated in this Agreement or otherwise claiming that this
Agreement or the consummation thereof is improper or would give rise to
proceedings under any statute or rule of law.

7.8      ENCUMBRANCES - The Purchaser shall have received evidence satisfactory 
to it that all Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances have been
discharged and that the Purchased Assets are free and clear of all Encumbrances
other than Permitted Encumbrances.

7.9      REAL ESTATE TITLE WORK - The Purchaser shall have received from its 
counsel, title opinions relating to the Real Property in form and substance
satisfactory to it.

7.10     NON-COMPETITION - The Vendor shall have executed and delivered a
non-competition agreement substantially in the form attached as Schedule 7.10.

7.11     ACTUAL POSSESSION - The Vendor shall have delivered actual possession 
of the Purchased Assets to the Purchaser.

<PAGE>   48

                                      -43-

7.12     RELEASES - The Vendor shall have released any employees of the 
Business to be employed by the Purchaser from and after the Closing from any
confidentiality agreements with the Vendor except to the extent that these have
been assigned to the Purchaser.

7.13     SUPPORT SERVICES AGREEMENT - The Parties shall have entered into a 
support services agreement in the form set out in Schedule 7.13.

7.14     REMEDIATION AGREEMENT - The Parties shall have entered into an
environmental indemnification and remediation agreement in the form set out in
Schedule 7.14.

If any of the foregoing conditions in this Article has not been fulfilled by
Closing, the Purchaser may terminate this Agreement by notice in writing to the
Vendor, in which event the Purchaser is released from all obligations under this
Agreement, and unless the Purchaser can show that the condition relied upon
could reasonably have been performed by the Vendor, the Vendor is also released
from all obligations under this Agreement. However, the Purchaser may waive
compliance with any condition in whole or in part if it sees fit to do so,
without prejudice to its rights of termination in the event of non-fulfilment of
any other condition, in whole or in part, or to its rights to recover damages
for the breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or condition contained
in this Agreement.

                                    ARTICLE 8
                          VENDOR'S CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

The obligations of the Vendor to complete the sale of the Purchased Assets under
this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction of or compliance with, at or
before the Closing Time, each of the following conditions precedent (each of
which is acknowledged to be inserted for the exclusive benefit of the Vendor and
may be waived by it in whole or in part):

8.1      TRUTH AND ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASER AT CLOSING TIME 
- - All of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser made in or pursuant
to this Agreement shall be true and correct as at the Closing Time and with the
same effect as if made at and as of the Closing Time.

8.2      PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS - The Purchaser shall have performed or 
complied with, in all respects, all its obligations, covenants and agreements
under this Agreement.

<PAGE>   49

                                      -44-

8.3      OPINION OF PURCHASER'S COUNSEL - The Vendor shall have received an 
opinion dated the Closing Date, from the Purchaser's Counsel, substantially in
the form attached as Schedule 8.3.

8.4      COMPETITION ACT APPROVAL - Competition Act Approval shall have been 
received.

8.5      SERVICES AGREEMENT - The Purchaser and the Vendor shall have entered 
into an agreement in the form set out in Schedule 7.13.

If any of the foregoing conditions in this Article has not been fulfilled by
Closing, the Vendor may terminate this Agreement by notice in writing to the
Purchaser, in which event the Vendor is released from all obligations under this
Agreement, and unless the Vendor can show that the condition relied upon could
reasonably have been performed by the Purchaser, the Purchaser is also released
from all obligations under this Agreement. However, the Vendor may waive
compliance with any condition in whole or in part if it sees fit to do so,
without prejudice to its rights of termination in the event of non-fulfilment of
any other condition in whole or in part or to its rights to recover damages for
the breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or condition contained in
this Agreement.

                                    ARTICLE 9
                         OTHER COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES

9.1      CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PRIOR TO CLOSING - During the period from the date 
of this Agreement to the Closing Time:

         (a)      CONDUCT BUSINESS IN THE ORDINARY COURSE - Except as otherwise
         contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, the Vendor shall conduct
         the Business in the ordinary and normal course, consistent with past
         practice and regular customer service and business policies and not,
         without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, enter into any
         transaction which, if effected before the date of this Agreement, would
         constitute a breach of the representations, warranties or agreements of
         the Vendor contained in this Agreement.

         (b)      MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONS - The Vendor shall use all reasonable
         efforts to maintain good relations with the Employees, its customers
         and suppliers.

<PAGE>   50

                                      -45-

         (c)      CONTINUE INSURANCE - The Vendor shall continue in force all
         policies of insurance maintained by the Vendor in respect of the
         Business and give all notices and present claims under all insurance
         policies in a timely fashion.

         (d)      PERFORM OBLIGATIONS - The Vendor shall comply with all Laws
         affecting the operation of the Business.

         (e)      PREVENT CERTAIN CHANGES - The Vendor shall not, without the 
         prior written consent of the Purchaser, take any of the actions, do any
         of the things or perform any of the acts described in Section 4.11.

         (f)      APPROVALS - The Vendor shall co-operate with the Purchaser and
         the Parties will use all reasonable efforts and diligently pursue
         obtaining Competition Act Approval. The Purchaser will be responsible
         for the $25,000.00 filing fee in respect of the application to obtain
         Competition Act Approval but the Parties shall otherwise bear their own
         costs in connection with such filing.

9.2      ACCESS FOR INVESTIGATION -

         (a)      The Vendor shall permit the Purchaser and its representatives,
         between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Time, without
         interference to the ordinary conduct of the Business, to have free and
         unrestricted access during normal business hours to (i) the Real
         Property, (ii) all other locations where Books and Records or other
         material relevant to the Business is stored; (iii) to all the Books and
         Records and (iv) the properties and assets used in the Business. The
         Vendor shall furnish to the Purchaser copies of Books and Records
         (subject to any confidentiality agreements or covenants relating to any
         such Books and Records) as the Purchaser shall from time to time
         reasonably request to enable confirmation of the matters warranted in
         Article 4. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is
         agreed that the accounting representatives of the Purchaser shall be
         afforded ample opportunity to make a full investigation of all aspects
         of the financial affairs of the Business.

         (b)      Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Vendor shall not be 
         required to disclose any information, records, files or other data to
         the Purchaser where prohibited by any law. If any consent of any person
         or Governmental Authority is required to permit the Vendor to release
         any information to the Purchaser, the Vendor shall make all reasonable
         effort to obtain such consent.

<PAGE>   51

                                      -46-

         (c)      The Vendor shall forthwith, upon request by the Purchaser or
         Purchaser's Counsel, execute and deliver to the Purchaser all necessary
         consents to permit the Purchaser to have inspections made and have
         existing records released to the Purchaser by the municipal building
         and zoning department, fire department, public works, environmental
         agencies, the elevator inspections branch of the provincial department
         of labour and other appropriate authorities as the Purchaser may
         consider advisable, acting reasonably, between the date of this
         Agreement and Closing. Such consents will authorize and direct the
         release of information to the Purchaser.

9.3      CONFIDENTIALITY -

         (a)      Prior to the Closing, the Purchaser shall keep confidential 
         all information disclosed to it by the Vendor or its agents relating to
         the Vendor or the Business, except information which:

                  (i)      is or becomes generally available to the public other
                  than through the fault of the Purchaser;

                  (ii)     the Purchaser received from an independent third 
                  party, who had obtained the information lawfully and was under
                  no obligation of secrecy, or

                  (iii)    the Purchaser can show was lawfully in its possession
                  before receipt of such information from the Vendor.

         If this Agreement is terminated without completion of the transactions
         contemplated herein, the Purchaser shall promptly return all documents,
         work papers and other written material (including all copies) obtained
         from the Vendor in connection with this Agreement, and not previously
         made public and shall continue to maintain the confidence of all such
         information.

         (b)      After the Closing, the Vendor shall keep confidential all
         information relating to the Business, except information which:

                  (i)      is or becomes generally available to the public, or
<PAGE>   52

                                      -47-

                  (ii)     the Vendor received after Closing from an independent
                  third party, who had obtained the information lawfully and was
                  under no obligation of secrecy, or

                  (iii)    the Vendor is required by law to disclose provided 
                  that the Vendor shall give prompt notice to the Purchaser of
                  such requirement and, unless the Purchaser waives any
                  objection to compliance with the requirement, the Vendor will
                  cooperate with the Purchaser on a reasonable basis in the
                  Purchaser's efforts to obtain a protective order or other
                  remedy to avoid disclosure or obtain assurance that the
                  information will be accorded confidential treatment.

9.4      ACTIONS TO SATISFY CLOSING CONDITIONS - Each of the Parties agrees to 
take all such actions as are within its power to control, and to use its best
efforts to cause other actions to be taken which are not within its power to
control, so as to ensure compliance with each of the conditions and covenants
set forth in Articles 7, 8 or 9 which are for the benefit of any other Party.

9.5      EMPLOYEES -

         (a)      The Purchaser shall become the successor employer under the
         Collective Agreement and shall be bound by and comply with the terms of
         such Collective Agreement effective from the Closing Date. For greater
         certainty, the Purchaser will not assume any liability for any former
         employees of the Vendor who have resigned, retired or ceased to be
         employed by the Vendor for any reason before the Closing Date.

         (b)      The Purchaser shall offer employment, effective from the
         Closing Date, to the Employees listed on Schedule 9.5 ("Non-Unionized
         Employees") (other than the Disabled Employees). The Purchaser shall
         also offer employment to the Disabled Employees who by June 30, 1999
         have ceased to be disabled or injured and who have notified the
         Purchaser that they are ready, willing and able to return to work, each
         offer to be effective upon the date such Disabled Employee ceases to be
         disabled or injured and is ready, willing and able to return to work.
         Such offers shall be on terms and conditions of employment including
         salary, incentive compensation and benefits which are substantially
         equivalent in the aggregate to those presently paid to the
         Non-Unionized Employees. Prior to its presentation to any NonUnionized
         Employee, the Purchaser shall provide the Vendor with a copy of its
         offer of employment to the Non-Unionized Employees and the form of
         offer of employment shall be settled by the Parties, acting reasonably.
         The Vendor and the Purchaser shall 

<PAGE>   53

                                      -48-

         exercise reasonable efforts to persuade the Non-Unionized Employees to
         accept such offers of employment.

         (c)      The Vendor shall be responsible for all notices of 
         termination, pay in lieu of reasonable notice of termination, severance
         and other obligations to the Non-Unionized Employees who are not
         offered employment by the Purchaser or who do not accept employment
         with the Purchaser and to Disabled Employees respecting whom the
         Purchaser is not required pursuant to subsection (b) to make an offer
         of employment and the Vendor shall indemnify and save the Purchaser
         harmless in respect of all such obligations.

         (d)      The Purchaser shall recognize the service of the Transferred
         Employees with the Vendor and, to the extent such service was
         recognized by the Vendor, with the Vendor's predecessors for the
         Business up to the Closing Date for all purposes as if such service had
         occurred with the Purchaser.

9.6      PENSION AND OTHER BENEFIT PLANS -

         (a)      Effective as of the Closing Date, the Transferred Employees 
         who participate in the Vendor's Non-Union Pension Plan shall cease to
         participate in such plan.

         (b)      Effective as of the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall provide 
         at its own expense a pension plan registered with the appropriate
         federal and provincial regulatory authorities for the Transferred
         Employees who are Non-Unionized Employees who were participating, or
         who would be eligible to participate, in the Vendor's Non-Union Pension
         Plan had their employment with the Vendor continued after the Closing
         Date (the "Purchaser's Non-Union Pension Plan").

         (c)      The Purchaser's Non-Union Pension Plan shall recognize service
         prior to the Closing Date and membership in the Vendor's Non-Union
         Pension Plan to the extent required under Laws for purposes of the
         Purchaser's Non-Union Pension Plan.

         (d)      The Vendor shall cause the funding agent of the Vendor's 
         Non-Union Pension Plan to effect a transfer of assets from the Vendor's
         Non-Union Pension Plan to the funding agent of the Purchaser's
         Non-Union Pension Plan equal to the assets held in the defined
         contribution accounts (the "Accounts") for the Transferred Employees
         who are NonUnionized Employees in the Vendor's Non-Union Pension Plan
         at the Closing Date, plus (or 

<PAGE>   54

                                      -49-

         minus) investment returns earned (or losses suffered) by such Accounts
         from the Closing Date to the time of transfer. Such Accounts shall be
         transferred within 60 days after the establishment of the Purchaser's
         Non-Union Pension Plan, or if later, within 60 days after receipt of
         written approval for the transfer of such Accounts from the applicable
         regulatory authorities. For greater certainty, until such transfer, the
         Accounts will continue to be invested and managed in accordance with
         the terms of the Vendor's Non-Union Pension Plan and such Accounts will
         continue to bear their proportionate share of management and custodial
         fees charged to such plan. The Parties shall use reasonable efforts to
         avoid any adverse investment costs or losses to the Accounts as a
         result of the transfer of assets from the Vendor's Non-Union Pension
         Plan to the Purchaser's Non-Union Pension Plan contemplated in this
         subsection 9.6(d).

         (e)      Effective as of the Closing Date, the unionized Transferred
         Employees whose employment is governed by the Collective Agreement and
         who participate in the Vendor's Union Pension Plan shall cease to
         participate in and accrue benefits under the Vendor's Union Pension
         Plan.

         (f)      Effective as of the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall provide 
         at its own expense, a pension plan, registered with the appropriate
         federal and provincial regulatory authorities, for the Transferred
         Employees whose employment is governed by the Collective Agreement (the
         "Purchaser's Union Pension Plan"). The Purchaser's Union Pension Plan
         shall provide benefits to such Transferred Employees in respect of
         their service prior to Closing and after the Closing Date to the expiry
         of the Collective Agreement on the same basis as provided under the
         Vendor's Union Pension Plan as constituted at the Closing Date. The
         Purchaser's Union Pension Plan shall recognize Transferred Employees'
         period of service and membership in the Vendor's Union Pension Plan for
         equivalent purposes of the Purchaser's Union Pension Plan.

         (g)      Within 60 days after the Closing Date, the Vendor shall cause 
         its actuary to perform actuarial valuations, effective as at the
         Closing Date, in accordance with the methods and assumptions described
         in Schedule 9.6 hereto in order to determine (i) the going concern and
         solvency liabilities for all benefits under the Vendor's Union Pension
         Plan and (ii) the going concern and solvency liabilities for all
         benefits for the Transferred Employees whose employment is governed by
         the Collective Agreement under the Vendor's Union Pension Plan, and
         (iii) the market value of the assets of the Vendor's Union Pension
         Plan, and shall cause the amounts thereof to be reported to the
         Purchaser and to the Purchaser's actuary and 

<PAGE>   55

                                      -50-

         shall furnish to each of them such other information and data as may be
         reasonably requested to permit a review and verification of such
         determinations by the Purchaser and its actuary. Any data errors or
         inaccuracies identified by either Party will be corrected and will be
         reflected in the calculation of the amounts referred to in this
         subsection 9.6(g). If the Purchaser does not agree in writing to the
         determinations within 30 days after receiving such information, the
         determinations shall be referred to and settled with full and final
         effect by a qualified independent actuary (jointly selected by the
         Parties) within 30 days thereafter and the reasonable costs and
         expenses of such independent actuary shall be borne equally by the
         Vendor and the Purchaser. For greater certainty, the determination of
         going concern and solvency liabilities under subsection 9.6(g) shall be
         in accordance with any and all applicable standards, guidelines or
         policies issued by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and in
         accordance with Laws.

         (h)      Within 14 days following the determination of the liabilities
         and assets referred to in subsection 9.6(g), the Vendor shall promptly
         apply for such regulatory approvals as may be required to transfer from
         the Vendor's Union Pension Plan to the Purchaser's Union Pension Plan
         such maximum amount (determined as at the Closing Date) as may be
         permitted by the applicable regulatory authorities to be transferred
         from the Vendor's Union Pension Plan to the Purchaser's Union Pension
         Plan in respect of the Transferred Employees whose employment is
         governed by the terms of the Collective Agreement (the "Transfer
         Amount"). The Vendor shall deliver a true and complete copy of the
         Vendor's application to the Purchaser at the time the Vendor makes such
         application and shall promptly provide to the Purchaser copies of all
         correspondence with the applicable regulators relating thereto.

         (i)      Promptly after the determination of the Transfer Amount and 
         subject to receipt by the Vendor of such regulatory approvals as may be
         required, and subject to the adjustments referred to in subsections
         9.6(j) and (k), the Vendor shall cause the funding agent of the
         Vendor's Union Pension Plan to transfer the Transfer Amount, in cash,
         (together with interest thereon at the rate prescribed in Schedule 9.6)
         to the funding agent of the Purchaser's Union Pension Plan. The date on
         which such amount is transferred from the Vendor's Union Pension Plan
         to the Purchaser's Union Pension Plan pursuant to this subsection
         9.6(i) shall be referred to as the "Transfer Date". Written
         confirmation and copies of any and all such regulatory approvals shall
         be forwarded by each party to the other promptly upon receipt.

<PAGE>   56

                                      -51-


         (j)      As soon as practicable after the Closing Date, but in any 
         event no later than the Transfer Date, the Vendor shall make a payment
         to the Purchaser (which shall be deemed to be an adjustment to the
         Purchase Price) of an amount equal to the sum of:

                  (i)      the amount, if any, by which the going concern
                           liability determined as at the Closing Date for
                           Transferred Employees whose employment is governed by
                           the terms of the Collective Agreement (determined in
                           accordance with subsection 9.6(g)) exceeds the
                           Transfer Amount as at the Closing Date, and

                  (ii)     the amount, if any, by which the Solvency Deficiency
                           (defined below) exceeds $250,000,

                  together with interest adjustments thereon from the Closing
                  Date to the date of payment at the rate prescribed therefor in
                  Schedule 9.6. For purposes of Section 9.6, the "Solvency
                  Deficiency" shall be the amount, if any, by the which the
                  solvency liability determined as at the Closing Date for
                  Transferred Employees whose employment is governed by the
                  terms of the Collective Agreement (determined in accordance
                  with subsection 9.6(g)) exceeds the greater of (A) the
                  Transfer Amount as of the Closing Date, and (B) the going
                  concern liability determined as at the Closing Date for
                  Transferred Employees whose employment is governed by the
                  terms of the Collective Agreement (determined in accordance
                  with subsection 9.6(g)).

         (k)      From the Closing Date to the Transfer Date, the Vendor shall 
         cause the funding agent of the Vendor's Union Pension Plan to pay from
         the Vendor's Union Pension Plan and record as required, all pension and
         ancillary benefit payments relating to the unionized Transferred
         Employees as directed by the Purchaser and the Purchaser's direction in
         respect thereof shall be in accordance with the Purchaser's Union
         Pension Plan and Laws. The amount of the aforesaid payment together
         with interest thereon from the date of payment to the Transfer Date (as
         adjusted in accordance with Schedule 9.6) shall be deducted from the
         Transfer Amount.

         (l)      The Vendor and Purchaser each shall file such information 
         returns and reports, obtain such regulatory approvals and take all
         other actions in connection with the implementation of this Section 9.6
         as may be necessary and reasonable to give effect to the Pension Plan
         transactions contemplated in this Section 9.6.

<PAGE>   57

                                      -52-

         (m)      Promptly after the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall establish
         or cause to be established with effect as of the Closing Date, benefit
         plans ("Purchaser's Benefit Plans") to provide non-pension life,
         health, dental and disability benefits for the Transferred Employees in
         connection with any and all claims of Transferred Employees incurred on
         and after the Closing Date.

         (n)      The Purchaser's Benefit Plans shall comply with the 
         requirements of applicable Collective Agreements. Transferred Employees
         who participate in the Vendor's Benefit Plans according to the terms of
         the Vendor's Benefit Plans shall, with effect as of the Closing Date,
         cease to participate in and accrue benefits under the Vendor's Benefit
         Plans and shall commence participation in and accrue benefits under the
         Purchaser's Benefit Plans in accordance with, and subject to, the
         membership, eligibility and coverage requirements of the Purchaser's
         Benefit Plans, except that with respect to such Transferred Employees,
         the Purchaser's Benefit Plans shall waive any pre-existing condition
         limitations, shall accept any pre-approvals and shall honour any
         deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Transferred
         Employees during (calendar) 1999. Transferred Employees who are not
         participants in the Vendor's Benefit Plans as at the Closing Date shall
         become participants in and accrue benefits under the Purchaser's
         Benefit Plans on and after the Closing Date in accordance with, and
         subject to, the membership, eligibility and coverage requirements
         thereof. The Vendor shall retain responsibility under the Vendor's
         Benefit Plans for all amounts payable by reason of or in connection
         with any and all claims incurred by the Transferred Employees (or their
         eligible beneficiaries and dependants) before the Closing Date and for
         any claims incurred by any person who is not a Transferred Employee.
         For the purposes of this subsection (n), a claim shall be deemed to
         have been incurred on the date of occurrence of an injury, the later of
         diagnosis of an illness and absence from work because of that illness,
         or any other event giving rise to such claim or series of related
         claims.

         (o)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, each Disabled
         Employee and each Transferred Employee covered under the Collective
         Agreement who is in receipt of long term disability benefits under the
         Vendor's Benefit Plans on the Closing Date shall remain the
         responsibility of the Vendor and the Vendor's Benefit Plans until such
         employee commences active employment with the Purchaser.

         (p)      The Vendor shall provide to the Purchaser, no later than 45 
         days after the Closing Date, such data, records, documentation and
         information relating to Transferred Employees 

<PAGE>   58

                                      -53-

         and their participation in any Pension Plan or Benefit Plan as
         Purchaser may reasonably request.

9.7      SALES AND TRANSFER TAXES - The Purchaser shall pay direct to the 
appropriate taxing authorities all sales and transfer taxes, registration
charges and transfer fees other than the goods and services tax/harmonized sales
tax imposed under Part IX of the Excise Tax Act (Canada) payable by it,
applicable in respect of the purchase and sale of the Purchased Assets under
this Agreement and, upon the reasonable request of the Vendor, the Purchaser
shall furnish proof of such payment.

9.8      GOODS AND SERVICES TAX AND HARMONIZED SALES TAX - The Vendor and the
Purchaser shall jointly elect under subsection 167(1) of Part IX of the Excise
Tax Act (Canada) and any provincial legislation imposing a similar value added
or multi-staged tax that no such tax be payable with respect to the sale and
purchase of the Purchased Assets pursuant to this Agreement. The Vendor and the
Purchaser shall make such election in the prescribed form containing prescribed
information pursuant to the Excise Tax Act (Canada) and any provincial
legislation imposing a similar value added or multi-staged tax and the Purchaser
shall file the joint election in compliance with the requirements of the Excise
Tax Act (Canada) and any provincial legislation imposing a similar value added
or multi-staged tax. The Purchaser shall indemnify and save harmless the Vendor
from and against any such tax imposed on the Vendor as a result of any failure
by any Governmental Authority to accept any such election.

9.9      ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ELECTION - The Purchaser and the Vendor shall with
respect to the accounts receivable jointly execute and file an election under
Section 22 of the Income Tax Act (Canada), and any equivalent provision under
applicable provincial tax legislation, and shall designate therein the portion
of the Purchase Price allocated thereto under Section 3.2 of this Agreement as
the consideration paid by the Purchaser to the Vendor.

9.10     PRESERVATION OF RECORDS - The Purchaser shall take all reasonable 
steps to preserve and keep the records of the Vendor and the Business delivered
to it in connection with the completion of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement for a period of six (6) years from the Closing Date, or for any longer
period as and when may be required by any Law or Governmental Authority, and
shall make such records available to the Vendor as may be reasonably required by
it. The Vendor acknowledges that the Purchaser shall not be liable to the Vendor
in the event of any accidental destruction of such records, unless such
destruction was wilfully caused by the Purchaser.


<PAGE>   59

                                      -54-

9.11     RISK OF LOSS- The Purchased Assets shall be and remain until Closing 
at the risk of the Vendor. Pending Closing, the Vendor shall hold all insurance
policies and the proceeds thereof notwithstanding that such insurance policies
and proceeds of insurance may be an Excluded Asset in trust for the Parties as
their interests may appear.

9.12     ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE BUY-BACK -

         (a)      The Vendor shall repurchase from the Purchaser, any of the 
         Accounts Receivable which remain uncollected as of the close of
         business on August 1, 1999 (the "Repurchase Date") (including any
         uncollected Accounts Receivable which are subject to any defense,
         counterclaim or set off) in excess of the agreed to aggregate reserves
         on Schedule 1.1(b) at a price equal to the aggregate face value
         thereof, payable by certified cheque, bank draft or wire transfer
         within two Business Days of delivery by the Purchaser to the Vendor of
         a statement setting out any such uncollected Accounts Receivable as of
         the Repurchase Date. The Purchaser shall deliver to the Vendor the
         contracts, invoices and other documentation furnished by the Vendor in
         connection with this transaction relating to such repurchased Accounts
         Receivable. The Purchaser shall communicate with the Vendor respecting
         any customer claims or refusals or failures to pay Accounts Receivable
         on not less than a weekly basis until August 1, 1999 and, in accordance
         with the Non-Competition Agreement, shall permit the Vendor to rework
         orders in order to attempt to collect any such repurchased Accounts
         Receivable. The Purchaser shall at the request of the Vendor provide
         evidence satisfactory to the Vendor, acting reasonably, of the release
         by its lenders of any security interest in such repurchased Accounts
         Receivable and the Vendor shall not be obliged to repurchase without
         such evidence.

         (b)      Any payment made by an account debtor to the Purchaser in 
         respect of the Accounts Receivable shall be deemed to have been paid
         with respect to and shall be applied against the oldest portion of any
         indebtedness owed by the trade debtor to the Purchaser, unless at the
         time of payment, such trade debtor directs, in writing, that the
         payment be applied to the payment of a particular account receivable,
         in which case, such payment shall be applied as directed.

         (c)      Prior to the Repurchase Date of the Accounts Receivable, the
         Purchaser shall use all reasonable efforts to collect the Accounts
         Receivable in the ordinary course of business.

<PAGE>   60

                                      -55-

9.13     SURVEYS - The Vendor has delivered to the Purchaser (i) three (3) 
original copies of a survey and real property report for each Real Property
prepared by a duly licenced surveyor.

9.14     PAYMENT OF TRADE PAYABLES - Within 75 days from the date of this 
Agreement, Purchaser shall deliver a certificate to the Vendor confirming that
substantially all trade payables included in the Accounts Payable have been paid
or satisfied.


                                   ARTICLE 10
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

10.1     MUTUAL INDEMNIFICATIONS FOR BREACHES OF COVENANTS AND WARRANTY, ETC. - 
The Vendor covenants and agrees with the Purchaser, and the Purchaser covenants
and agrees with the Vendor (the Party or Parties so covenanting and agreeing to
indemnify another Party being referred to in this Section as the "Indemnifying
Party" and the Party so to be indemnified being called the "Indemnified Party")
to indemnify and save harmless, on an after-Tax basis, the Indemnified Party,
effective as and from the Closing Time, from and against all Claims which may be
made or brought against the Indemnified Party or which it may suffer or incur,
directly or indirectly as a result of or in connection with any non-fulfilment
of any covenant or agreement on the part of the Indemnifying Party under this
Agreement or any incorrectness in or breach of any representation or warranty of
the Indemnifying Party contained in this Agreement or in any certificate or
other document furnished by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Agreement.
The foregoing obligation of indemnification in respect of such Claims shall be
subject to:

         (a)      the limitation contained in Section 6.2 respecting the 
         survival of the representations and warranties of the Parties;

         (b)      the requirement that the Indemnifying Party shall, in respect 
         of any Claim made by any third person, be afforded an opportunity at
         its sole expense to resist, defend and compromise such Claim in
         accordance with Section 10.4; and

         (c)      the limitation that the Indemnifying Party shall not be 
         required to pay any such amount until the aggregate of such claims by
         the Indemnified Party exceeds $25,000 and, upon the aggregate of such
         claims exceeding $25,000, the Indemnifying Party shall be required to
         pay the amount owing in respect of all of such claims including the
         $25,000. Solely for purposes of calculating the foregoing amounts (but,
         for greater certainty, not for 

<PAGE>   61

                                      -56-

         purposes of determining whether any representation or warranty is
         incorrect or has been breached), any representation or warranty which
         contains the words "material" or "materially" shall be read and
         construed as though such words were not contained therein.

10.2     ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNITY - The Vendor covenants and agrees to indemnify 
and save harmless, on an after-Tax basis, the Purchaser and each of its
officers, directors, employees and agents (collectively referred to in this
Section as the "Indemnified Parties") for a period of two (2) years from the
Closing Date from and against all Claims which may be made or brought against
the Indemnified Parties or which they may suffer or incur, directly or
indirectly as a result of or in connection with:

         (a)      the presence of any Hazardous Substances which are not in
         compliance with applicable Environmental Laws upon or within the Real
         Property prior to the Closing Date (including underlying soils and
         substrata, surface water, groundwater and vegetation);

         (b)      the presence of any Hazardous Substances which are not in
         compliance with applicable Environmental Laws on, upon or within
         properties adjoining or approximate to any of the Real Property
         relating to any act or omission of the Vendor, each case prior to the
         Closing Date or in any way to the carrying on of the Business by the
         Vendor;

         (c)      any Remedial Order imposed in connection with the Business or 
         the Real Property (including underlying soils and substrata, surface
         water, groundwater and vegetation) relating to any condition, event or
         circumstance existing or occurring prior to Closing;

         (d)      any Remedial Order imposed in connection with the Business in
         connection with properties adjoining or approximate to the Real
         Property (including underlying soils and substrata, surface water,
         groundwater and vegetation), in each case relating to any act or
         omission of the Vendor prior to the Closing Date or in any way to the
         carrying on of the Business by the Vendor;

         (e)      any other Claims brought or imposed at any time by third 
         parties in connection with environmental matters relating to the Real
         Property relating to any period prior to the Closing Date.

The benefit of this indemnity may be assigned by the Purchaser to any successor
or assign of the Purchaser and the Vendor hereby consents to any such
assignment.

<PAGE>   62

                                      -57-

10.3     PRODUCT LIABILITY AND WARRANTIES -

         (a)      All liability to third persons and warranty obligations 
         respecting products manufactured or sold or services provided by the
         Business prior to the Closing Date shall remain the sole responsibility
         of the Vendor and the Vendor covenants and agrees to indemnify the
         Purchaser in respect of such liability and warranty obligations.

         (b)      All liability to third persons and warranty obligations 
         respecting products manufactured and sold or services provided by the
         Business from and after the Closing Date shall be the sole
         responsibility of the Purchaser and the Purchaser covenants and agrees
         to indemnify the Vendor in respect of such liability and warranty
         obligations.

10.4     INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR THIRD PARTY CLAIMS -

         (a)      In the case of Claims made by a third party with respect to 
         which indemnification is sought, the Party seeking indemnification
         shall give prompt written notice, and in any event within 20 days, to
         the other Party of any such Claims made upon it. In the event of a
         failure to give such notice, such failure shall not preclude the Party
         seeking indemnification to obtain such indemnification but its right to
         indemnification may be reduced to the extent that such delay prejudiced
         the defense of the Claim or increased the amount of liability or cost
         of defense and provided that, notwithstanding anything else herein
         contained, no claim for indemnity in respect of the breach of any
         representation or warranty contained herein may be made unless notice
         of such claim has been given prior to the expiry of the survival period
         applicable to such representation and warranty pursuant to Section 6.2.

         (b)      The Indemnifying Party shall have the right, by notice to the
         Indemnified Party given not later than 60 days after receipt of the
         notice described in subsection (a) to assume the control of the
         defense, compromise or settlement of the Claim, provided that such
         assumption shall, by its terms, be without cost to the Indemnified
         Party and provided the Indemnifying Party acknowledges in writing its
         obligation to indemnify the Indemnified Party in accordance with the
         terms contained in this Section in respect of that Claim.

         (c)      Upon the assumption of control of any Claim by the 
         Indemnifying Party as set out in subsection (b), the Indemnifying Party
         shall diligently proceed with the defence, compromise or settlement of
         the Claim at its sole expense, including, if necessary, employment of
         counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and, in
         connection 

<PAGE>   63

                                      -58-

         therewith, the Indemnified Party shall cooperate fully, but at the
         expense of the Indemnifying Party with respect to any out-of-pocket
         expenses incurred, to make available to the Indemnifying Party all
         pertinent information and witnesses under the Indemnified Party's
         control, make such assignments, provide access to any Real Property or
         Purchased Assets for the purpose of carrying out investigations or
         remedial actions and take such other steps as in the opinion of counsel
         for the Indemnifying Party are reasonably necessary to enable the
         Indemnifying Party to conduct such defence. The Indemnified Party shall
         also have the right to participate reasonably in the negotiation,
         settlement or defence of any Claim at its own expense.

         (d)      The final determination of any Claim pursuant to this Section,
         including all related costs and expenses, will be binding and
         conclusive upon the Parties as to the validity or invalidity, as the
         case may be of such Claim against the Indemnifying Party.

         (e)      If the Indemnifying Party does not assume control of a Claim 
         as permitted in subsection (b), the Indemnified Party shall not be
         entitled to any indemnity from the Indemnifying Party in respect of
         such Claim if the Indemnified Party settles such Claim without the
         consent of the Indemnifying Party.

10.5     BULK SALES ACT INDEMNITY - It is agreed that the Purchaser shall not
require the Vendor to comply, or to assist the Purchaser to comply, with the
requirements of the Bulk Sales Act (Ontario), section 6 of the Retail Sales Tax
Act (Ontario) and any other comparable bulk sales or retail sales tax
legislation as may be applicable in respect of the purchase and sale of the
Purchased Assets pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Vendor agrees to indemnify and save harmless the Purchaser on an after Tax basis
from and against any Claims which may be made or brought against the Purchaser
or which the Purchaser may suffer or incur as a result of, in respect of, or
arising out of such non-compliance. The Purchaser shall indemnify and save
harmless the Vendor on an after Tax basis from and against any Claim which may
be made or brought against the Vendor or which the Vendor may suffer or incur as
a result of a failure by the Purchaser to discharge the Assumed Liabilities in
accordance with their terms.

<PAGE>   64

                                      -59-


                                   ARTICLE 11
                                     GENERAL

11.1     PUBLIC NOTICES - All public notices to third parties and all other
publicity concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be
jointly planned and coordinated by the Vendor and the Purchaser and no Party
shall act unilaterally in this regard without the prior approval of the other
Party, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, except:

         (a)      in the case of the Vendor for communications made in 
         confidence to the Vendor's employees affected by such transactions; or

         (b)      where required to do so by law or by the applicable 
         regulations or policies of any provincial or Canadian, U.S. or other
         regulatory agency of competent jurisdiction or any stock exchange
         whether or not in Canada in circumstances where prior consultation with
         the other Party is not practicable.

11.2     EXPENSES - Each of the Parties shall pay their respective legal,
accounting, and other professional advisory fees, costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the purchase and sale of the Purchased Assets and the
preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and all documents and
instruments executed pursuant to this Agreement and any other costs and expenses
incurred. Each Party shall be responsible for any fees and expenses of any
broker or investment advisor retained by it in connection with the sale of the
Purchased Assets.

11.3     NOTICES - Any notice or other writing required or permitted to be given
under this Agreement or for the purposes of this Agreement (in this Section
referred to as a "Notice") shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given
if delivered, or if sent by prepaid registered mail or if transmitted by
facsimile or other form of recorded communication tested prior to transmission
to such Party:

         (a)      in the case of a Notice to the Vendor at:

                           Cold Metal Products, Limited
                           65 Imperial Street
                           Hamilton, ON  L8E 5A9

                           Attention:       Martin Whitlock
                           Fax:             (905) 544-2320

<PAGE>   65

                                      -60-

                  with a copy to the Vendor's Counsel at:

                           Blake, Cassels & Graydon
                           Commerce Court West
                           P. O. Box 25, Commerce Court
                           TORONTO, ON  M5L 1A9

                           Attention:       Alan F. Brown
                           Fax:             (416) 863-2653

                  with a copy to:

                           Cohen Swados Wright Hanifin Bradford & Brett, LLP
                           70 Niagara Street
                           BUFFALO, NY 14202-3467
                           USA

                           Attention:       Jane Clemens
                           Fax:             (716) 856-5228

         (b)      in the case of a Notice to the Purchaser at:

                           Maksteel Inc.
                           7615 Torbram Road
                           MISSISSAUGA, ON  L4T 4A8

                           Attention:       Robert E. Rollwagen
                           Fax:             (905) 678-6755

<PAGE>   66

                                      -61-


                  with a copy to Purchaser's Counsel:

                           Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt 
                           PO Box 50 
                           1 First Canadian Place, Suite 6600 
                           TORONTO, ON M5X 1B8

                           Attention:       Adrian P. Hartog
                           Fax:             (416) 862-6666

or at such other address as the Party to whom such Notice is to be given shall
have last notified the Party giving the same in the manner provided in this
Section. Any Notice delivered to the Party to whom it is addressed as provided
above shall be deemed to have been given and received on the day it is so
delivered at such address, provided that if such day is not a Business Day then
the Notice shall be deemed to have been given and received on the next Business
Day. Any Notice sent by prepaid registered mail shall be deemed to have been
given and received on the fifth Business Day following the date of its mailing.
Any Notice transmitted by facsimile or other form of recorded communication
shall be deemed given and received on the first Business Day after its
transmission.

11.4     ASSIGNMENT - Neither this Agreement nor any benefits or burdens under 
this Agreement shall be assignable by any Party without the prior written
consent of each of the other Parties, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall enure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors
(including any successor by reason of amalgamation of any Party) and permitted
assigns.

11.5     PLANNING ACT (ONTARIO) - This Agreement shall only be effective to 
create an interest in the Real Property if the subdivision control provisions of
the Planning Act, (Ontario), as amended, are complied with by the Vendor on or
before the Closing and the Vendor covenants to proceed diligently at its expense
to obtain any necessary consent on or before Closing. The Vendor has no
knowledge that completion of the transactions provided for in this Agreement
will require any consent under the Planning Act (Ontario) and if any consent is
required the Vendor will obtain such consent prior to the Closing, at its sole
cost and expense.

11.6     SET-OFF - In the event that the Purchaser is entitled to receive 
amounts from the Vendor under this Agreement (other than pursuant to Section
9.12), such amounts shall be set-off against the then outstanding principal
amount and any accrued and unpaid interest of the promissory note referred 

<PAGE>   67

                                      -62-

to in Section 3.2(b) and the principal amount of such promissory note shall be
reduced from time to time on the dates amounts are set-off against it pursuant
to this Section. To the extent the aggregate of the amounts which the Purchaser
is entitled to receive from the Vendor hereunder (other than pursuant to Section
9.12) exceeds the principal amount of such promissory note plus any accrued and
unpaid interest thereon, such excess may be claimed by the Purchaser from the
Vendor.

11.7     FURTHER ASSURANCES - The Parties shall, with reasonable diligence, do 
all such things and provide all such reasonable assurances as may be required to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and each Party shall
provide such further documents or instruments required by any other Party as may
be reasonably necessary or desirable to effect the purpose of this Agreement and
carry out its provisions, whether before or after the Closing.

11.8     COUNTERPARTS - This Agreement may be executed by the Parties in 
separate counterparts each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an
original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same
instrument.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have duly executed this Agreement.

                                      COLD METAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED


                                      Per:_______________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                                      Per:_______________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                                      MAKSTEEL INC.


                                      Per:_______________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                                      Per:_______________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:


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