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                                                                   Exhibit 10.5



                          [HMI INDUSTRIES LETTERHEAD]



                               December 15, 1996




Mr. James R. Malone
HMI Industries Inc.
100 South Ashley Drive
Tampa, Florida 33602

          Re:  Terms and conditions of employment.

Dear Jim:

     This is to confirm the terms and conditions of your employment as Chairman
of the Board of HMI Industries Inc. (the "COMPANY") beginning on December 15,
1996 and continuing thereafter for an indefinite period, subject to the
severance terms specified below. The other terms and conditions of your
employment are as follows:

     1.   Your duties shall be consistent with the office of Chairman of the
          Board, as may be specified from time to time by the President and
          Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Board of Directors. You
          shall devote a portion of your time, energies and skills on a regular
          basis to performing your duties for the Company.

     2.   You will be based in the Tampa office at the address listed above,
          however your duties will involve traveling to various locations
          outside your office; and more particularly, significant duties will
          require your presence at the Company's Cleveland, Ohio office.

     3.   You shall receive an annual base compensation of $ 325,000, payable
          semi-monthly on the 15th and last day of each month, in the amount of
          $ 13,541.66.

     4.   You shall be eligible to participate in the Company's Executive
          Incentive Plan, and you shall be an eligible participant in the
          Company's 1992 Omnibus Long-Term Compensation Plan (the "OMNIBUS
          PLAN").


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Mr. James R. Malone
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December 15, 1996


     5.   The Company shall reimburse you up to $ 22,000 annually for country
          club charges, professional affiliation dues, and business conferences.

     6.   You shall receive an automobile allowance of $ 1,450 per month plus
          reimbursements for gasoline, oil, maintenance, and automobile
          insurance, including full damage and liability coverage. The personal
          injury liability coverage shall include limits of $ 500,000 per person
          and $ 500,000 per accident, and property damage coverage of $ 250,000.

     7.    The Company shall continue to keep in force the life insurance
           policy that you currently have with Northwestern Mutual pursuant to
           your prior employment, and the Company shall pay the "split dollar"
           premiums on the Northwestern Mutual policy for the duration of your
           employment by the Company. In addition, you shall be eligible for
           participation in all Company benefit plans pertaining to life
           insurance, and you shall be provided with the standard executive life
           insurance coverage that other senior executives of the Company
           receive.

     8.   In the event the Company terminates your employment for any reason
          other than "for cause" (as defined below), you shall receive the
          following severance benefits.

          (a)  You shall receive a full year's salary of $ 325,000, promptly
               upon such termination.

          (b)  All shares of Restricted Common Stock granted or to be granted to
               you under the Omnibus Plan that have not yet vested shall vest
               immediately, and certificates representing such shares shall be
               promptly delivered to you. At that time, all restrictions
               applicable to such shares shall be terminated, except to the
               extent necessary to comply with applicable securities laws.

          (c)  All options granted or to be granted to you to purchase the
               Company's Common Stock that have not yet vested shall vest
               immediately.

          Termination "for cause" shall mean termination of your employment by
          the Company due to your (i) malfeasance or (ii) conviction of, or
          admission to, a crime involving moral turpitude.
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Mr. James R. Malone
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December 15, 1996



     I believe that the above terms and conditions of your employment by the
Company are consistent with the prior discussions we have had. Please
acknowledge your acceptance and agreement below.




                                   Sincerely,

                                   HMI Industries Inc.



                                   By: /s/ Kirk W. Foley 
                                      -------------------------------------
                                       Kirk W. Foley, President
                                       and Chief Executive Officer




ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO BY:


/s/ James R. Malone
-----------------------------
James R. Malone