SYNALLOY CORP
SC 13D, 2000-12-15
STEEL PIPE & TUBES
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549



                                  SCHEDULE 13D


                    Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                               (Amendment No. __)*


                       Span-America Medical Systems, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                                  Common Stock
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                   846 396 109
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                               James G. Lane, Jr.
                             Chief Executive Officer
                             2155 West Croft Circle
                              Spartanburg, SC 29302
                                  864-585-3605
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and
Communications)

                                December 5, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)


If the filing person has previously  filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the  acquisition  that is the subject of this  Schedule  13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Sections 240.13d-1(e),  240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g),  check
the following box [ ].

Note:  Schedules  filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five
copies of the schedule,  including all  exhibits.  See Rule  240.13d-7 for other
parties to whom copies are to be sent.

*The  remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting  person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for  any  subsequent   amendment   containing   information  which  would  alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise  subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but  shall be  subject  to all other  provisions  of the Act  (however,  see the
Notes).





<PAGE>





                                  SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP NO.  846 396 109                                           PAGE  2  OF  13


1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (entities only)

     Synalloy Corporation          570426694
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*              (a) [X]
                                                                    (b) [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.   SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.   SOURCE OF FUNDS*

       WC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.   CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d)
     or 2(e) [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

     7.   SOLE VOTING POWER

          79,433
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     8.   SHARED VOTING POWER

          0
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

          79,433
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

          0
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     79,433
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.  CHECK IF THE  AGGREGATE  AMOUNT IN ROW (11)  EXCLUDES  CERTAIN  SHARES (See
     Instructions )                                                     [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     3.17%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

     CO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP NO.  846 396 109                                          PAGE  3  OF   13

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (entities only)

     Metchem, Inc.                51-0373317
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*              (a) [X]
                                                                    (b) [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.   SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.   SOURCE OF FUNDS*

     WC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.   CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d)
     or 2(e)                                                            [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

     7.   SOLE VOTING POWER

          79,433
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     8.   SHARED VOTING POWER

          0
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

          79,433
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

          0
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     79,433
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12.  CHECK IF THE  AGGREGATE  AMOUNT IN ROW (11)  EXCLUDES  CERTAIN  SHARES (See
     Instructions)                                                      [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     3.17%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

     CO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



<PAGE>



                                  SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP NO. 846 396 109                                           PAGE  4  OF   13

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (entities only)

     James G. Lane, Jr.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*              (a) [X]
                                                                    (b) [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.   SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.   SOURCE OF FUNDS*

     PF
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5.   CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d)
     or 2(e)                                                            [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     United States
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

     7.   SOLE VOTING POWER

          18,000
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     8.   SHARED VOTING POWER

          79,433
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

          18,000
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

          79,433
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     97,433
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.  CHECK IF THE  AGGREGATE  AMOUNT IN ROW (11)  EXCLUDES  CERTAIN  SHARES (See
     Instructions)                                                      [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     3.89%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

     IN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>



                                  SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP NO.  846 396 109                                          PAGE  5  OF   13

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (entities only)

     Carroll D. Vinson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*              (a) [X]
                                                                    (b) [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.   SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.   SOURCE OF FUNDS*

     PF
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5.   CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d)
     or 2(e)                                                            [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     United States
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

     7.   SOLE VOTING POWER

          45,600
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     8.   SHARED VOTING POWER

          79,433
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

          45,600
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

          79,433
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     125,033
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.  CHECK IF THE  AGGREGATE  AMOUNT IN ROW (11)  EXCLUDES  CERTAIN  SHARES (See
     Instructions)                                                      [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     4.99%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

     IN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



<PAGE>



                                  SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP NO.  846 396 109                                          PAGE  6  OF   13

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (entities only)

     Glenn R. Oxner
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*              (a) [X]
                                                                    (b) [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.   SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.   SOURCE OF FUNDS*

     PF
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.   CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d)
     or 2(e)                                                            [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     United States
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

     7.   SOLE VOTING POWER

          10,000
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     8.   SHARED VOTING POWER

          79,433
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

          10,000
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

          79,433
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     89,433
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.  CHECK IF THE  AGGREGATE  AMOUNT IN ROW (11)  EXCLUDES  CERTAIN  SHARES (See
     Instructions)                                                      [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     3.57%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

     IN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



<PAGE>
                                                                    PAGE 7 OF 13
Item 1. Security and Issuer

(i)  Title of Class of Equity Securities to which this Statement relates: Common
     Stock

(ii) Name and Address of  Principal  Executive  Offices of Issuer:  Span-America
     Medical Systems, Inc., 70 Commerce Drive, Greenville, SC 29615 (hereinafter
     referred to as the "Company" or "Issuer").


Item 2. Identity and Background

     (a)-(c)   This  statement is being filed on behalf of Synalloy  Corporation
               ("Synalloy"),  Metchem,  Inc.,  James G.  Lane,  Jr.,  Carroll D.
               Vinson,  and  Glenn  R.  Oxner   (collectively,   the  "Reporting
               Persons").

               Synalloy's  principal  business is metals and  chemicals  and its
               principal  place of business and offices are located at 2155 West
               Croft  Circle,  Spartanburg,  SC  29302.

               Metchem,  Inc. is a passive  investment company and its principal
               place of business and offices are located at 300 Delaware Avenue,
               Suite 900, Wilmington, DE 19801. Metchem, Inc., is a wholly owned
               subsidiary of Synalloy.

               James G. Lane,  Jr. has served as  Chairman  and Chief  Executive
               Officer of Synalloy since 1987. His business address is 2155 West
               Croft Circle, Spartanburg, SC 29302.

               Carroll  D.  Vinson  is owner of C. D.  Vinson  &  Associates,  a
               consulting  firm,  and a principal in VH, LLC, a privately  owned
               real  estate   investment  company.  His   business   address  is
               P. O. Box 5627, Spartanburg, SC 29304.

               Glenn R. Oxner is Chairman and Chief  Executive  Officer of Edgar
               M.  Norris  Co.,  Inc.,  an  investment   securities  company  in
               Greenville, SC. His busines address is P. O. Box 434, Greenville,
               SC 29602.

               Each of Messrs. Lane, Vinson and Oxner is a director of Synalloy.

               The only other  director of Synalloy  is Sibyl N.  Fishburn.  The
               other executive officers of Synalloy are Ronald H. Braam,  Joseph
               N. Avento, Ronald L. Matthews and Gregory M. Bowie.

               Sibyl N.  Fishburn  serves  on the Board of the  Virginia  Nature
               Conservancy. Her business address is P. O. Box 5627, Spartanburg,
               SC 29304.

               Ronald H. Braam is President of  Manufacturers  Chemicals,  LP, a
               wholly-owned  subsidiary of Synalloy.  His business address is P.
               O. Box 2788, Cleveland, TN 37320-2788.

               Joseph  N.  Avento  is  President  of  Bristol  Metals,  L.P.,  a
               wholly-owned  subsidiary  of Synalloy.  His  business  address is
               P. O. Box 1589, Bristol, TN 37621.

               Ronald L. Matthews is President of Blackman Uhler Chemical Co., a
               division of  Synalloy.  His  business  address is P. O. Box 5627,
               Spartanburg, SC 29304.

               Gregory M. Bowie is Vice  President,  Finance,  of Synalloy.  His
               business  address  is 2155 West  Croft  Circle,  Spartanburg,  SC
               29302.

               The executive  officers and directors of Metchem,  Inc. are James
               G. Lane, Jr., Gregory M. Bowie and Linda S. Bubacz.

               Ms. Bubacz is Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of Metchem, Inc.,
               and her  business  address  is 300  Delaware  Avenue,  Suite 900,
               Wilmington, DE 19801.


<PAGE>
                                                                    PAGE 8 OF 13

     (d),(e)   During the last five years,  none of the Reporting  Persons,  nor
               any  director or executive  officer of Synalloy or Metchem,  Inc.
               listed  above (i) has been  convicted  in a  criminal  proceeding
               (excluding  traffic  violations or similar  misdemeanors) or (ii)
               has  been  a  party  to  a  civil  proceeding  of a  judicial  or
               administrative body of competent  jurisdiction and as a result of
               such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment,  decree or final
               order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating
               activities  subject  to,  federal  or  state  securities  laws or
               finding any violation with respect to such laws.

     (f)       Each of  Messrs.  Lane,  Vinson and Oxner and each  director  and
               executive officer of Synalloy and Metchem,  Inc. named above is a
               citizen of the United States.

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

The shares of Common Stock of the Company held by  Synalloy/Metchem,  Inc.  were
acquired in open market  purchases  from September 1, 2000 to December 15, 2000,
at an aggregate purchase price of approximately $318,043.50.  The shares held by
Mr. Vinson were acquired in open market purchases from April 30, 1999 to January
3, 2000 at an aggregate  purchase price of  approximately  $175,992.  The shares
held by Mr. Lane were acquired in open market  purchases  from December 22, 1999
to August 24, 2000 at an aggregate purchase price of approximately  $67,246. The
shares held by Mr. Oxner were  acquired in open market  purchases  from July 23,
1993 to July 31, 1995 at an aggregate  purchase price of approximately  $50,172.
Such purchases  were funded with working  capital of Synalloy and personal funds
of the other  Reporting  Persons.  None of the  purchases  made by the Reporting
Persons were funded with borrowed money.

Item 4. Purpose of Transaction

The Shares have been acquired by the Reporting Persons with a view to ultimately
acquiring  control of the Company  pursuant to a merger with, or  acquisition of
additional  stock  by,  Synalloy  or one of its  subsidiaries.  Such  merger  or
acquisition would likely result in changes to the present Board of Directors and
management  of the  Company,  and  might  result  in  changes  in the  Company's
capitalization and dividend policy, business,  corporate structure and governing
documents.  The  nature  of any  such  changes  has  not  yet  been  determined.
Additionally,  such a transaction  would likely  result in the Company's  common
stock  ceasing  to  be  quoted  in  an  inter-dealer  quotation  system  and  in
termination  of  the  Company's  registration  under  Section  12(g)(4)  of  the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Synalloy has contacted the Chairman of the Board of the Company and expressed an
interest in acquiring the Company and expects to have further  discussions  with
management of the Company.

The  Reporting  Persons  reserve the right to acquire  additional  shares of the
Company and/or to dispose of all or part of their holdings.

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer

     (a)  Synalloy  indirectly  owns the 79,433  Shares of Common Stock owned by
          its subsidiary,  Metchem, Inc., which constitutes  approximately 3.17%
          of the Company's outstanding Shares of Common Stock.

          Mr.  Lane  owns  18,000  shares  of  Common  Stock.  Mr.  Lane  may be
          considered  the  beneficial  owner of the 79,433  shares of the Common
          Stock  beneficially  owned by  Synalloy,  as to which  shares Mr. Lane
          disclaims beneficial ownership, representing in the aggregate 3.89% of
          the Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock.

          Mr.  Vinson  owns 45,600  shares of Common  Stock.  Mr.  Vinson may be
          considered  the  beneficial  owner of the 79,433  shares of the Common
          Stock  beneficially  owned by Synalloy,  as to which shares Mr. Vinson
          disclaims beneficial ownership, representing in the aggregate 4.99% of
          the Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock.

          Mr.  Oxner  owns  10,000  shares of  Common  Stock.  Mr.  Oxner may be
          considered  the  beneficial  owner of the 79,433  shares of the Common
          Stock  beneficially  owned by  Synalloy,  as to which shares Mr. Oxner
          disclaims beneficial ownership, representing in the aggregate 3.57% of
          the Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock.

          None of the other  executive  officers  or  directiors  of Synalloy or
          Metchem, Inc. owns any shares of the Company's Common Stock.

<PAGE>
                                                                    PAGE 9 OF 13


          All  of  the  above   calculations  are  based  on  outstanding  share
          information derived from the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
          September 30, 2000.

     (b)  Synalloy, as sole shareholder of Metchem,  Inc., has the sole power to
          vote and the sole power to dispose of 79,433  Shares of Common  Stock.
          Messrs.  Lane,  Vinson and Oxner,  as the  directors  and  officers of
          Synalloy,  may be deemed to have shared power to vote and shared power
          to dispose of the shares held by Synalloy.

          Mr.  Lane has the sole  power to vote and the sole power to dispose of
          18,000 Shares of Common Stock.

          Mr. Vinson has the sole power to vote and the sole power to dispose of
          45,600 Shares of Common Stock.

          Mr.  Oxner has the sole power to vote and the sole power to dispose of
          10,000 Shares of Common Stock.


     (c)  Metchem has made the following purchases of the Company's stock in the
          past 60 days:

          Transaction        Number of         Price           Total
              Date            Shares         Per Share         Cost
              ----            ------         ---------         ----

             10/6/00          5,033            3 7/8        19,502.88
            10/13/00         11,200            3 7/8        43,400.00
            11/13/00          8,200            4 11/64      34,209.38
            11/20/00          3,500            3 15/16      13,781.25
            11/24/00          1,000            4             4,000.00
            11/27/00          2,000            3 15/16       7,875.00
             12/5/00         23,300            4            93,200.00
            12/14/00          4,800            4            19,200.00
                             ------            -------     ----------
            Total            59,033            3.984       235,168.51

          All of such purchases were made in broker's transactions.


<PAGE>
                                                                   PAGE 10 OF 13


          There  were no other  purchases  or sales of shares  of the  Company's
          Common  Stock by the  Reporting  Persons  or the  other  directors  or
          executive officers of Synalloy or Metchem, Inc. in the past 60 days.

     (d)  No other person is known by any Reporting  Person to have the right to
          receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends  from,  or the
          proceeds  from the  sale  of,  any  Shares  beneficially  owned by any
          Reporting Person.

     (e)  Not applicable.



Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to
        Securities of the Issuer.

          To the extent that Shares owned by the  Reporting  Persons may be held
          in a margin account, they may be pledged along with other positions in
          such  accounts  as  collateral  security  for the  repayment  of debit
          balances in the account.  Because  other  securities  are held in such
          accounts, however, it is not possible to determine the amount, if any,
          of margin used by the Reporting Persons with respect to the Shares.



Item 7. Material to Be Filed as Exhibits

     (a)  Copy  of the  written  agreement  relating  to  the  filing  of  joint
          acquisition statements.

     (b)  Power of Attorney.


<PAGE>
                                                                   PAGE 11 OF 13


                                    Signature

After  reasonable  inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Date: December 15, 2000
     ------------------

                                SYNALLOY CORPORATION

                                By:/s/James G. Lane, Jr.
                                   ---------------------------------------------

                                Name:  James G. Lane, Jr.
                                     -------------------------------------------

                                Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                                      ------------------------------------------


                                METCHEM, INC.

                                By:/s/James G. Lane, Jr.
                                   ---------------------------------------------

                                Name: James G. Lane, Jr.
                                     -------------------------------------------

                                Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                                      ------------------------------------------

                                /s/James G. Lane, Jr.
                                ------------------------------------------------
                                James G. Lane, Jr.

                                /s/Carroll D. Vinson
                                ------------------------------------------------
                                Carroll D. Vinson

                                /s/Glenn R. Oxner
                                ------------------------------------------------
                                Glenn R. Oxner



<PAGE>
                                                                   PAGE 12 OF 13


                                                                     Exhibit (a)

                     AGREEMENT TO FILE SCHEDULES 13D JOINTLY

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of Rule  13d-1(k)(1)(iii),  the  undersigned
hereby  agree that  whenever one or more of them is required to file a statement
containing the  information  required by Schedule 13D (or an amendment  thereto)
relating to shares of Span-America  Medical  Systems,  Inc.,  which Schedule 13D
relates as to each of them to the same securities, they agree that only one such
statement  shall be filed on behalf of all such persons  containing the required
information with regard to each such person.

Dated this 15th day of December, 2000.


                                  Synalloy Corporation


                                           /s/James G. Lane, Jr.
                                  By:-----------------------------------------
                                     Its President and Chief Executive Officer


                                METCHEM, INC.

                                By:/s/James G. Lane, Jr.
                                   ---------------------------------------------

                                Name: James G. Lane, Jr.
                                     -------------------------------------------

                                Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                                      ------------------------------------------


                                           /s/James G. Lane, Jr.
                                  --------------------------------------------
                                              James G. Lane, Jr.


                                           /s/Carroll D. Vinson
                                  --------------------------------------------
                                              Carroll D. Vinson


                                           /s/Glenn R. Oxner
                                  --------------------------------------------
                                              Glenn R. Oxner




 <PAGE>
                                                                   PAGE 13 OF 13

                                                                     Exhibit (b)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of Synalloy Corporation, Metchem,
Inc.,  Carroll D.  Vinson and Glenn R.  Oxner,  hereby  makes,  constitutes  and
appoints  James G. Lane,  Jr., its and his true and lawful  attorney,  with full
power of  substitution,  to execute,  deliver and file in its or his name and on
its  or  his  behalf,   with  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission   (the
"Commission")  reports (and  amendments  and  supplements  thereto)  relating to
beneficial  ownership of securities in  Span-America  Medical  Systems,  Inc. on
Forms 3, 4 and 5 and Schedule 13D under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and
on such other forms as may be promulgated  from time to time by the  Commission;
and each of Synalloy Corporation,  Metchem, Inc., Carroll D. Vinson and Glenn R.
Oxner , grants to said attorney, full power and authority to do and perform each
and  every act and thing  whatsoever  as said  attorney  may deem  necessary  or
advisable  to carry out fully the intent of this power of  attorney  to the same
extent and with the same effect as Synalloy Corporation and Metchem,  Inc. might
or could do, and as each of said individuals  might or could do personally,  and
each of  Synalloy  Corporation,  Metchem,  Inc.,  and  such  individuals  hereby
ratifies and confirms all acts and things which said attorney  might do or cause
to be done by virtue of this power of attorney and its or his  signatures as the
same may be signed by said attorney,  to any or all of the following (and/or any
and all amendments and supplements to any or all thereof):  Forms 3, 4 and 5 and
Schedule 13D and any other forms  promulgated  by the Commission for the purpose
of  reporting  beneficial  ownership  or  changes  in  beneficial  ownership  of
securities, with respect to securities owned or hereafter acquired by any or all
of them in Span-America Medical Systems, Inc.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of Synalloy  Corporation and Metchem,  Inc., has
caused  this  power of  attorney  to be  signed on its  behalf,  and each of the
undersigned has hereunto set his hand, as of the dates indicated below.

                                   Synalloy Corporation


December 15, 2000                      /s/James G. Lane, Jr.
                                   By:------------------------------------------
                                      Its President and Chief Executive Officer


                                METCHEM, INC.

                                By:/s/James G. Lane, Jr.
                                   ---------------------------------------------

                                Its: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                                   ---------------------------------------------

                                        /s/Carroll D. Vinson
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Carroll D. Vinson

                                        /s/Glenn R. Oxner
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Glenn R. Oxner





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