<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 2(d)

================================================================================



                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                  By and Among

                                STEELSCAPE, INC.,


                            GRUPO IMSA, S.A. de C.V.,


                         MATERIAL SCIENCES CORPORATION,


                           MSC PINOLE POINT STEEL INC.


                                       And


                         MSC PRE FINISH METALS (PP) INC.


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

                            Dated as of May 31, 2002

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



================================================================================

<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS/1/

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
ARTICLE I.   DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS ..............................   1

    1.1      Defined Terms ................................................   1
    1.2      Principles of Construction ...................................  12

ARTICLE II.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MSC ........................  13

    2.1      Organization .................................................  13
    2.2      Binding Effect; Authorization; Capacity ......................  13
    2.3      No Conflict ..................................................  13
    2.4      Litigation and Arbitration ...................................  13
    2.5      Brokers Fees .................................................  13

ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS AND MSC ............  14

    3.1      Existence and Good Standing ..................................  14
    3.2      Binding Effect; Authorization; Capacity ......................  14
    3.3      Subsidiaries and Investments .................................  14
    3.4      Consents and Approvals; No Violations ........................  14
    3.5      Financial Statements .........................................  15
    3.6      Title to Assets; Encumbrances ................................  15
    3.7      Real Property ................................................  16
    3.8      Material Contracts ...........................................  17
    3.9      Litigation ...................................................  18
    3.10     Taxes ........................................................  18
    3.11     Insurance ....................................................  19
    3.12     Intellectual Properties ......................................  20
    3.13     Compliance with Laws .........................................  22
    3.14     Governmental Licenses ........................................  22
    3.15     Labor Matters ................................................  22
    3.16     Employee Benefit Plans .......................................  23
    3.17     Interests in Clients, Suppliers, Etc .........................  24
    3.18     No Changes Since Financial Statement Date ....................  24
    3.19     Disclosure ...................................................  24
    3.20     Broker's or Finder's Fees ....................................  24
    3.21     Environmental Matters ........................................  24
    3.22     Accounts Receivable ..........................................  25
    3.23     Accounts Payable .............................................  26
    3.24     Product Warranty .............................................  26
    3.25     Product Liability ............................................  26
</TABLE>

_____________________

/1/ This Table of Contents is provided for convenience only and does not form a
    part of this Asset Purchase Agreement.

                                      -i-

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
    3.26     Inventory                                                       26
    3.27     Consent Decree ...............................................  26

ARTICLE IV.  REPRESENTATIONS OF THE BUYER .................................  26

    4.1      Organization .................................................  26
    4.2      Binding Effect; Authorization; Capacity ......................  26
    4.3      No Conflict ..................................................  27
    4.4      Litigation and Arbitration ...................................  27
    4.5      Brokers Fees .................................................  27
    4.6      Financing ....................................................  27

ARTICLE V.   PURCHASE AND SALE ............................................  27

    5.1      Purchase and Sale of Purchased Assets ........................  27
    5.2      Excluded Assets ..............................................  29
    5.3      Assumed Liabilities ..........................................  29
    5.4      Excluded Liabilities .........................................  30
    5.5      Total Amount Due Sellers At Closing ..........................  32
    5.6      Final Closing Statement; Adjustment Amount ...................  33
    5.7      Closing ......................................................  37
    5.8      Nonassignable Contracts ......................................  37
    5.9      Method of Conveyance .........................................  38

ARTICLE VI.  COVENANTS ....................................................  38

    6.1      Conduct of Business Prior to Closing .........................  38
    6.2      Exclusive Dealing ............................................  39
    6.3      Full Access ..................................................  39
    6.4      Notices and Consents .........................................  40
    6.5      Tax Covenants ................................................  40
    6.6      Parties to Maintain Existence ................................  41
    6.7      Maintenance of Real Property .................................  41
    6.8      Title Insurance and Surveys ..................................  41
    6.9      WARN .........................................................  42
    6.10     Aged Accounts Receivable .....................................  42
    6.11     Non-competition ..............................................  42
    6.12     Working Space and Access .....................................  42
    6.13     Use of Names .................................................  43
    6.14     Customer-Owned Inventory .....................................  43
    6.15     Information ..................................................  44
    6.16     Receipt of Payments in Respect of Accounts Receivable ........  44

ARTICLE VII. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT .........................................  44

    7.1      Conditions of all Parties ....................................  44
    7.2      Conditions of the Buyer ......................................  45
    7.3      Conditions of MSC and the Sellers ............................  46
</TABLE>

                                      -ii-

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>
ARTICLE VIII. TERMINATION .....................................................  46

    8.1       Events of Termination ...........................................  46
    8.2       Effect of Termination; Termination Fee ..........................  47

ARTICLE IX.   SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS; INDEMNIFICATION ....................  48

    9.1       Survival of Representations .....................................  48
    9.2       Indemnification .................................................  48
    9.3       Indemnification Procedure .......................................  50

ARTICLE X.    CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS ...................................  51

    10.1      ENVIRON's Phase II Audit ........................................  51
    10.2      Responsibility for Known On-Site Environmental Matters ..........  51
    10.3      Responsibility for Post-Closing On-Site Environmental Matters ...  52
    10.4      Responsibility for Undiscovered Pre-Closing On-Site
              Environmental Matters ...........................................  52
    10.5      Reimbursement ...................................................  53
    10.6      Remedial Action .................................................  53

ARTICLE XI.   TAX MATTERS .....................................................  54

    11.1      Tax Returns .....................................................  54
    11.2      Payment of Taxes ................................................  54
    11.3      Controversies ...................................................  54
    11.4      Transfer Taxes ..................................................  55
    11.5      Amended Returns .................................................  55
    11.6      Indemnification .................................................  55
    11.7      Allocation of Purchase Price ....................................  56
    11.8      Books and Records ...............................................  56

ARTICLE XII.  MISCELLANEOUS ...................................................  57

    12.1      Expenses ........................................................  57
    12.2      Governing Law ...................................................  57
    12.3      Submission to Jurisdiction ......................................  58
    12.4      Notices .........................................................  58
    12.5      Parties in Interest .............................................  59
    12.6      Counterparts ....................................................  59
    12.7      Entire Agreement ................................................  59
    12.8      Amendments ......................................................  60
    12.9      Severability ....................................................  60
    12.10     Third Party Beneficiaries .......................................  60
    12.11     Further Assurances ..............................................  60
    12.12     No Other Representations or Warranties ..........................  60
    12.13     Specific Performance ............................................  60
    12.14     Limited Guarantee ...............................................  60
</TABLE>

                                     -iii-

<PAGE>

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         This ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (as the same may be amended, modified and
supplemented, this "Agreement") is entered into as of May 31, 2002 by and among
STEELSCAPE, INC., a California corporation (the "Buyer"), GRUPO IMSA, S.A. de
C.V., a Mexican corporation ("IMSA"), MATERIAL SCIENCES CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation ("MSC"), MSC PINOLE POINT STEEL INC., a Delaware corporation
("PPS"), and MSC PRE FINISH METALS (PP) INC., a Delaware corporation ("PFM";
each of PPS and PFM are sometimes referred to herein as a "Seller" and
collectively as the "Sellers"). The Buyer, MSC, PPS and PFM are each referred to
herein as a "Party" and collectively as the "Parties."

                              W I T N E S S E T H :


         WHEREAS, MSC owns beneficially and of record all of the issued and
outstanding common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of PPS, and PPS owns
beneficially and of record all of the issued and outstanding common stock, par
value $0.01 per share, of PFM; and

         WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, MSC
desires to cause PPS and PFM to sell to the Buyer, and the Buyer desires to
purchase from PPS and PFM, certain assets of PPS and PFM in exchange for cash
and the assumption of certain liabilities of PPS and PFM.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants, representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, the
Parties agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I.
                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS

         1.1 Defined Terms. In this Agreement the following words and
expressions shall have the following meanings (such meaning to be equally
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

             "1997 Acquisition Agreement" shall mean the Asset Purchase
         Agreement dated as of November 14, 1997 among Colorstrip, PPS and PFM.

             "Accounts Payable" shall mean all obligations of the Sellers to pay
         creditors for goods purchased, leased or rented or for services
         rendered (but excluding negative cash balances that are reclassified as
         accounts payable in accordance with GAAP).

             "Accrued Claims Amount" shall mean the aggregate amount paid by the
         Buyer from and after the Closing Date to and including November 30,
         2002 (and, if the Buyer has received notice of a claim but has not yet
         processed the claim, the amount of such claim) in respect of (a) claims
         by the Sellers' customers for non-conforming product delivered or
         shipped before the Closing but not installed by the Closing Date, for
         shipping and billing discrepancies of conforming product delivered or
         shipped before the Closing but not installed by the Closing Date and
         for other customer claims historically

<PAGE>

         charged by the Sellers against their accrued claims reserves in the
         ordinary course and (b) claims by the Buyer's customers for
         non-conforming product produced by the Sellers prior to the Closing
         and shipped by the Buyer on or after the Closing Date so long as such
         claims are limited to physical defects resulting from the production
         or finishing of the product by the Sellers or any one of them.

                  "Actions" shall mean any and all actions, suits, proceedings,
         investigations, charges, complaints, injunctions, judgments, orders,
         decrees, rulings, arbitrations, hearings, claims, demand letters,
         administrative actions, notices of violation or proceedings.

                  "Adjustment Amount" shall mean, subject to the adjustments, if
         any, required to be made pursuant to Section 5.6(g), the amount set
         forth opposite the line item entitled "Adjustment Amount Due MSC
         (Steelscape)" in the Final Closing Statement.

                  "Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other
         Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under
         common control with, such Person; provided that, for the purposes of
         this definition, "control" (including, with correlative meanings, the
         terms "controlled by" and "under common control with"), as used with
         respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or
         indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
         management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership
         of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

                  "Aged Accounts Receivable" shall mean all rights to receive
         payment on accounts for services rendered or goods sold or to be sold
         by either Seller which remain unpaid for a period greater than 45 days
         from and including the applicable invoice date, and which are listed on
         Schedule 5.6(a) under the caption "Total Greater Than 45 Days."

                  "Agreed Claims" shall have the meaning provided in Section
         9.3(d).

                  "Agreement" shall have the meaning provided in the
         introductory paragraph.

                  "Antitrust Law" means the Sherman Act, as amended, the Clayton
         Act, as amended, the HSR Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, as
         amended, and all other U.S. and foreign federal and state statutes,
         rules, regulations, orders, decrees, administrative and judicial
         doctrines, and other laws that are designed or intended to prohibit,
         restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of
         monopolization or restraint of trade.

                  "Assignment and Assumption Agreement" shall have the meaning
         provided in Section 5.9.

                  "Assignment of Intellectual Property" shall have the meaning
         provided in Section 5.9.

                  "Assumed Contracts" shall have the meaning provided in Section
         5.1(b).

                  "Assumed Liabilities" shall have the meaning provided in
         Section 5.3.

                                       -2-

<PAGE>

                  "Auditor" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.6(g).

                  "Bill of Sale" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.9.

                  "Business Day" shall mean any day excluding Saturday, Sunday
         and any day on which banks in New York, New York or Monterrey, Mexico
         are authorized by law or other Governmental action to close.

                  "Buyer" shall have the meaning provided in the introductory
         paragraph.

                  "Buyer's Account" shall mean a bank account maintained on
         behalf of the Buyer at a commercial bank located in the United States
         of America and designated as such in writing to MSC no later than the
         second Business Day prior to the Closing Date.

                  "CBA" shall mean a collective bargaining or labor union
         agreement.

                  "Certificate" shall have the meaning provided in Section
         9.3(a).

                  "Claims Handling Fee" shall mean an amount equal to the
         product of 0.10 and the amount of the Accrued Claims Amount.

                  "Closing" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.7.

                  "Closing A/P Balance" shall mean the sum of the amounts set
         forth on the Closing A/P Schedule opposite the following general ledger
         accounts: accounts payable system (215-2000), accounts payable manual
         (215-2010), accounts payable accrued steel (215-2100) and accounts
         payable unvouchered liabilities (215-2120).

                  "Closing A/P Schedule" shall have the meaning provided in
         Section 5.6(c).

                  "Closing A/R Balance" shall mean the sum of the amounts set
         forth on the Closing A/R Schedule opposite the names of the account
         debtors listed in Schedule 5.6(a).

                  "Closing A/R Schedule" shall have the meaning provided in
         Section 5.6(a).

                  "Closing Accrued Claims Reserve Balance" shall mean the sum of
         the amounts set forth on the Closing Accrued Claims Reserve Schedule
         opposite the following line items: allowance for customer claims
         (016-1055) and allowance for customer claims (PFM) (016-1055).

                  "Closing Accrued Claims Reserve Schedule" shall have the
         meaning provided in Section 5.6(d).

                  "Closing Balance" and "Closing Balances" shall have the
         meanings provided in Section 5.6(f).

                  "Closing Date" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.7.

                                       -3-

<PAGE>

                  "Closing Inventory Schedule" shall have the meaning provided
         in Section 5.6(b).

                  "Closing Non-Steel Inventory Balance" shall mean the sum of
         the amounts set forth on the Closing Inventory Schedule opposite the
         following line items: paint, packaging, zinc, zinc dross, brightener,
         zinc pot material, chemicals, solvents and spares.

                  "Closing Prepaid Assets Balance" shall mean the sum of the
         amounts set forth on the Closing Prepaid Assets Schedule opposite the
         line item entitled "prepaid property taxes (030-1230)."

                  "Closing Prepaid Assets Schedule" shall have the meaning
         provided in Section 5.6(e).

                  "Closing Schedule" and "Closing Schedules" has the meaning
         provided in Section 5.6(f).

                  "Closing Steel Inventory Balance" shall mean the amount set
         forth on the Closing Inventory Schedule opposite the line item
         substrate valuation (raw materials, work-in-progress and finished
         goods).

                  "COBRA" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.16.

                  "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
         amended, and the regulations promulgated, and the rulings issued,
         thereunder.

                  "Colorstrip" shall mean Colorstrip, Inc., a California
         corporation.

                  "Consent Decree" shall mean the Consent Decree Regarding
         Injunctive and Monetary Relief for Gender and Race Hiring Claims, dated
         as of June 18, 1996, as amended and supplemented.

                  "Contract" shall mean any note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
         guarantee, pledge, license, franchise, permit, purchase order,
         agreement, contract, commitment, evidence of indebtedness, lease,
         franchise agreement or other instrument or obligation (whether oral or
         written), each, including all amendments thereto.

                  "Disclosure Schedule" shall mean the written disclosure
         schedule delivered by MSC and the Sellers to the Buyer on the date
         hereof and attached hereto. Notwithstanding anything else in this
         Agreement, nothing in the Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed adequate
         to disclose an exception to a representation or warranty made herein
         unless the Disclosure Schedule identifies the representation and
         warranty to which such exception relates and describes (taking into
         account the Knowledge of MSC at the time) the exception with reasonable
         particularity. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
         mere listing (or inclusion of a copy) of a document or other item shall
         not be deemed adequate to disclose an exception to a representation or
         warranty made herein (unless the representation or warranty has to do
         with the existence of the document or other item itself). The
         Disclosure Schedule will be arranged in paragraphs corresponding to the
         lettered and numbered paragraphs contained in Article III.

                                       -4-

<PAGE>

                  "Disputed Balances" shall have the meaning provided in Section
         5.6(f).

                  "Employee Benefit Plans" shall have the meaning provided in
         Section 3.16.

                  "Encumbrances" shall mean all liens, security interests,
         options, rights of first refusal, claims, easements, mortgages,
         charges, indentures, deeds of trust, rights of way, covenants or
         restrictions on the use of real property, encroachments, licenses to
         third parties, leases to third parties, security agreements, or any
         other encumbrances and other restrictions or limitations on use of real
         or personal property or imperfections in title thereto.

                  "Entity" shall mean any Person that is not a natural person.

                  "Environmental Law" shall mean all federal, state, local and
         foreign statutes, regulations, ordinances and other provisions having
         the force and effect of law, all judicial and administrative orders and
         determinations, all contractual obligations and all common law, in each
         case concerning public health and safety, worker health and safety and
         pollution or protection of the environment (including without
         limitation, all those relating to the presence, use, production,
         generation, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal,
         distribution, labeling, testing, processing, discharge, release,
         threatened release, control, or cleanup of any hazardous or otherwise
         regulated materials, substances or wastes, chemical substances or
         mixtures, pesticides, pollutants, contaminants, toxic chemicals,
         petroleum products or byproducts, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls,
         noise or radiation, each as amended, and as now or hereafter in effect.

                  "Environmental Losses" shall mean (a) all costs required to
         investigate and/or remediate an On-Site Environmental Matter (including
         response costs paid to others) to the extent required by a Governmental
         Entity with authority to require investigations and/or remediation or
         otherwise required by Environmental Laws, and (b) all other Losses to
         the extent caused by or arising from such On-Site Environmental
         Matters, including without limitation, damages for personal injury,
         damages to adjacent property, and natural resource damages.

                  "ERISA" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.16.

                  "Excluded Accounts Receivable" shall mean all rights to
         receive payment on accounts for services rendered or to be rendered and
         goods sold or to be sold by either Seller that are not Purchased
         Accounts Receivable.

                  "Excluded Assets" shall have the meaning provided in Section
         5.2.

                  "Excluded Contracts" shall have the meaning provided in
         Section 5.1(b).

                  "Excluded Liabilities" shall have the meaning provided in
         Section 5.4.

                  "Final Closing Statement" shall have the meaning provided in
         Section 5.6(f).

                                       -5-

<PAGE>

                  "Financial Statements" shall mean the audited consolidated
         financial statements of the Sellers as of and for the fiscal years
         ended February 29, 2000, February 28, 2001 and February 28, 2002.

                  "Financial Statement Date" shall mean February 28, 2002.

                  "Financial Statement Date A/P Balance" shall mean $10,951,052.

                  "Financial Statement Date Accrued Claims Reserve Balance"
         shall mean $919,653.

                  "Fixed Asset Deficiency" shall have the meaning provided in
         Section 5.5(g).

                  "GAAP" shall mean United States generally accepted accounting
         principles applied on a consistent basis with the financial statements
         as of and for the year ended February 28, 2002 included in the
         Financial Statements.

                  "Government" and "Governmental" shall mean or refers to the
         United States of America, any other nation or sovereign state, the
         European Union, any federal, bilateral or multilateral Governmental
         authority, any state, possession, territory, county, district, city or
         other Governmental unit or subdivision.

                  "Governmental Entity" shall mean (a) any Government, political
         subdivision thereof or local jurisdiction therein, (b) any
         instrumentality, board commission, court or agency of any of the
         foregoing, however constituted and (c) any association, organization or
         institution of which any of the foregoing is a member or to whose
         jurisdiction any thereof is subject or in whose activities any of the
         above is a participant.

                  "HSR Act" shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
         Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations
         promulgated thereunder.

                  "HSR Filing" shall have the meaning provided in Section
         6.4(b).

                  "Indebtedness" of any Person shall mean and include (a)
         indebtedness for borrowed money or indebtedness issued or incurred in
         substitution or exchange for indebtedness for borrowed money, (b)
         amounts owing as deferred purchase price for property or services,
         including notes and "earn-out" payments (other than Accounts Payable),
         (c) indebtedness evidenced by any note, bond, debenture, mortgage or
         other debt instrument or debt security, (d) commitments or obligations
         by which such Person assures a creditor against loss (including
         contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of
         credit), (e) indebtedness secured by an Encumbrance on assets or
         properties of such Person, (f) net payment obligations under any
         interest rate, currency or other hedging agreement and (g) guarantees
         or other contingent liabilities (including so called take-or-pay or
         keep-well agreements, but excluding Assumed Contracts and the supply
         agreements listed in Section 3.8(a) of the Disclosure Schedule) with
         respect to any indebtedness, obligation, claim or liability of any
         other Person of a type described in clauses (a) through (f) above.

                                       -6-

<PAGE>

                  "Indemnified Party" shall have the meaning provided in Section
         9.3(a).

                  "Indemnifying Party" shall have the meaning provided in
         Section 9.3(a).

                  "Intellectual Property" shall mean all domestic and foreign
         patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks and other
         indicia of origin, trademark and service mark registrations and
         applications for registrations thereof, copyrights, copyright
         registrations and applications for registration thereof, Internet
         domain names, applications and reservations therefor, uniform resource
         locators ("URLs") and the Internet sites (collectively, the "Sites")
         corresponding thereto, trade secrets, inventions (whether or not
         patentable), invention disclosures, moral and economic rights of
         authors and inventors (however denominated), confidential information,
         technical data, customer lists, corporate and business names, trade
         names, trade dress, brand names, know-how, show-how, mask works,
         formulae, methods (whether or not patentable), designs, processes,
         procedures, technology, source codes, object codes, computer software
         programs, databases (including vendor lists and asset lists), data
         collections and other proprietary information or material of any type,
         whether recorded or unrecorded (and all good will associated with, and
         all derivatives, improvements and refinements of, any of the
         foregoing).

                  "Interim Balance Sheet" shall mean the interim consolidated
         balance sheet and statement of earnings of the Sellers of and for the
         calendar month ended April 30, 2002.

                  "Inventory" shall mean all of Sellers' inventories of raw
         materials and supplies, manufactured and purchased parts, goods in
         process and finished goods, merchandise and other personal property,
         including spare parts, wherever located in the United States of
         America.

                  "Inventory Purchaser" shall have the meaning provided in
         Section 5.5(f).

                  "IRS" shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.

                  "Known On-Site Environmental Matters" shall mean On-Site
         Environmental Matters (excluding those which are cured by MSC to the
         reasonable satisfaction of the Buyer prior to the Closing Date) that
         are (a) identified by the Phase II Audits or (b) discovered after the
         Closing Date in locations assessed in the Phase II Audits and for which
         persuasive evidence exists of pre-Closing origin.

                  "Knowledge of MSC" shall mean the actual knowledge of Gerald
         G. Nadig, James J. Waclawik, Sr., David J. DeNeve and/or David A.
         Catterlin, after making inquiries of David Catterlin's direct reports,
         and in addition, for purposes of Section 3.21(g), the actual knowledge
         of any employee of the Sellers or MSC with management responsibility
         for environmental matters.

                  "Last Review Day (ACR)" shall have the meaning provided in
         Section 5.6(j).

                  "Last Review Day (Closing Balances)" shall have the meaning
         provided in Section 5.6(f).

                                       -7-

<PAGE>

                  "Leased Real Property" shall mean all leasehold or
         subleasehold estates and other rights to use or occupy any land,
         buildings, structures, improvements, fixtures or other interest in real
         property held by either Seller.

                  "Licenses" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.14.

                  "Losses" shall have the meaning provided in Section 9.2(a).

                  "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any event, condition,
         occurrence or consequence that would, individually or in the aggregate,
         be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on (a) the
         possession or ownership of all or any part of the Purchased Assets or
         on the operating condition of the galvanizing and paint lines at
         Sellers' facilities located in Richmond, California following the
         Closing, (b) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, (c) the
         ability of either Seller to perform its obligations under this
         Agreement or any Related Document to which such Seller is a party
         (including Sellers' ability to convey the Purchased Assets to the
         Buyer) or (d) the Assumed Liabilities (other than those described in
         Section 5.3(f)), or which materially increase the Assumed Liabilities
         above levels in existence at April 30, 2002, other than any event,
         condition, occurrence or consequence substantially arising from (i) the
         Buyer's use or lack of use of the Purchased Assets (including any
         idling of the galvanizing or paint lines at Sellers' facilities located
         in Richmond, California at or about the time of the Closing), (ii) the
         impact of any labor reduction on the operation of the galvanizing and
         paint lines at Sellers' facilities located in Richmond, California
         (other than liabilities arising from the termination of employees),
         (iii) non-Ordinary Course reductions in Inventory for the period from
         and including April 30, 2002 to but excluding the Closing Date, (iv)
         non-Ordinary Course changes in Purchased Accounts Receivable for the
         period from and including April 30, 2002 to but excluding the Closing
         Date, (v) non-Ordinary Course changes in Accounts Payable for the
         period from and including April 30, 2002 to but excluding the Closing
         Date, (vi) general economic conditions or conditions that are generally
         applicable to the industries in which the Sellers operate (including
         the tariffs imposed by the U.S. on March 20, 2002 on certain steel
         products pursuant to investigation conducted by the U.S. International
         Trade Commission pursuant to Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974) and
         (vii) the approval or denial of Sellers' request for an exemption from
         the tariffs referred to in the parenthetical of (vi) of this
         definition.

                  "MSC" shall have the meaning provided in the introductory
         paragraph.

                  "MSC Party" shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.11.

                  "Non-Steel Inventory" shall mean all Inventory that is owned
         by the Sellers on the Closing Date that comprises paint, packaging,
         zinc, zinc dross, brightener, zinc pot material, chemicals, solvents
         and spares.

                  "On-Site Environmental Matters" shall mean contamination that
         exists on or has emanated from the Owned Real Property.

                                       -8-

<PAGE>

                  "Ordinary Course" shall mean, with respect to each Seller, the
         ordinary course of commercial operations customarily engaged in by such
         Seller, consistent with past practices (including with respect to
         quantity and frequency), taking into account (a) the Buyer's use or
         lack of use of the Purchased Assets (including any idling of the
         galvanizing or paint lines at Sellers' facilities located in Richmond,
         California at or about the time of the Closing), (b) the impact of any
         labor reduction on the operation of the galvanizing and paint lines at
         Sellers' facilities located in Richmond, California (other than
         liabilities arising from the termination of employees), (c)
         non-ordinary course reductions in Inventory for the period from and
         including April 30, 2002 to but excluding the Closing Date, (d)
         non-ordinary course changes in Purchased Accounts Receivable for the
         period from and including April 30, 2002 to but excluding the Closing
         Date, (e) non-ordinary course changes in Accounts Payable for the
         period from and including April 30, 2002 to but excluding the Closing
         Date, (f) general economic conditions or conditions that are generally
         applicable to the industries in which the Sellers operate (including
         the tariffs imposed by the U.S. on March 20, 2002 on certain steel
         products pursuant to investigation conducted by the U.S. International
         Trade Commission pursuant to Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974) and
         (g) the approval or denial of Sellers' request for an exemption from
         the tariffs referred to in the parenthetical of (f) of this definition.

                  "Owned Real Property" shall mean all land, together with all
         buildings, structures, improvements and fixtures located thereon, and
         all easements and other rights and interests appurtenant thereto, owned
         in whole or in part by any Seller.

                  "Party" or "Parties" shall have the meaning provided in the
         introductory paragraph.

                  "Phase II Audits" means (a) the Designated Buyer's Phase II
         Audit Report (as defined in the 1997 Acquisition Agreement), (b) the
         Seller's Phase II Audit Report (as defined in the 1997 Acquisition
         Agreement) and (c) the extraction prior to the Closing and analyzing of
         soil, soil gas and ground water samples from the Owned Real Property by
         the Buyer (or its representative) (the "ENVIRON Phase II Audit").

                  "Permitted Encumbrances" shall have the meaning provided in
         Section 3.6(a).

                  "Person" shall mean and include any individual, partnership,
         joint venture, association, joint stock company, corporation, trust,
         limited liability company, unincorporated organization, a group and a
         Government or other department, agency or political subdivision
         thereof.

                  "PFM" shall have the meaning provided in the introductory
         paragraph.

                  "Post-Closing Accrued Claims Reserve Schedule" shall have the
         meaning provided in Section 5.6(i).

                  "Post-Closing On-Site Environmental Matters" means On-Site
         Environmental Matters that (a) arise or result from operations or
         activities which occur on or after the Closing Date or (b) are
         discovered in locations assessed in the Phase II Audits but which were
         not discovered or identified by the Phase II Audits (absent persuasive
         evidence of

                                       -9-

<PAGE>

         pre-Closing origin, which evidence may include indications of
         environmental impact occurring after completion of the ENVIRON Phase II
         Audit).

                  "PPS" shall have the meaning provided in the introductory
         paragraph.

                  "Pre-Closing A/P Balance" shall mean the sum of the amounts
         set forth on the Pre-Closing A/P Schedule opposite the following
         general ledger accounts: accounts payable system (215-2000), accounts
         payable manual (215-2010), accounts payable accrued steel (215-2100)
         and accounts payable unvouchered liabilities (215-2120).

                  "Pre-Closing A/P Schedule" shall have the meaning provided in
         Section 5.5(c).

                  "Pre-Closing A/R Balance" shall mean the sum of the amounts
         set forth on the Pre-Closing A/R Schedule opposite the names of the
         account debtors listed in Schedule 5.5(a) under the caption
         "Customers".

                  "Pre-Closing A/R Schedule" shall have the meaning provided in
         Section 5.5(a).

                  "Pre-Closing Claims Handling Fee" shall mean an amount equal
         to $91,965.

                  "Pre-Closing Inventory Schedule" shall have the meaning
         provided in Section 5.5(b).

                  "Pre-Closing Non-Steel Inventory Balance" shall mean the sum
         of the amounts set forth on the Pre-Closing Inventory Schedule opposite
         the following line items: paint, packaging, zinc, zinc dross,
         brightener, zinc pot material, chemicals, solvents and spares.

                  "Pre-Closing Period" shall have the meaning provided in
         Section 3.10(b).

                  "Pre-Closing Prepaid Assets Balance" shall mean the sum of the
         amounts set forth on the Pre-Closing Prepaid Assets Schedule opposite
         the general ledger accounts entitled "prepaid property taxes
         (030-1230)."

                  "Pre-Closing Prepaid Assets Schedule" shall have the meaning
         provided in Section 5.5(d).

                  "Pre-Closing Steel Inventory Balance" shall mean the amount
         set forth on the Pre-Closing Inventory Schedule opposite the line item
         substrate valuation (raw materials, work-in-progress and finished
         goods).

                  "Preliminary Closing Date Statement" shall have the meaning
         provided in Section 5.5(e).

                  "Purchased Accounts Receivable" shall mean all rights to
         receive payment on accounts for services rendered or goods sold or to
         be sold by either Seller which remain unpaid for a period equal to or
         less than 45 days from and including the applicable invoice date, and
         which are listed in Schedule 5.5(a) under the caption "Customers".

                                      -10-

<PAGE>

          "Purchased Assets" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

          "Purchased IP Assets" shall mean Intellectual Property owned or
     licensed by the Sellers, used in the businesses of the Sellers, and
     included in the Purchased Assets.

          "Related Documents" shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.2(e).

          "Remedial Action" shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.6

          "Resolution Period (ACR)" shall have the meaning provided in Section
     5.6(k).

          "Resolution Period (Closing Balances)" shall have the meaning provided
     in Section 5.6(g).

          "Seller" and "Sellers" shall have the meaning provided in the
     introductory paragraph.

          "Seller Intellectual Property" shall mean all Intellectual Property
     owned by the Sellers or used in the businesses of the Sellers.

          "Sellers' Account" shall mean a bank account maintained on behalf of
     MSC, PPS, PFM or any combination thereof at a commercial bank located in
     the United States of America and designated as such in writing to the Buyer
     no later than the second Business Day prior to the Closing Date.

          "Steel Inventory" shall mean all Inventory that is owned by the
     Sellers on the Closing Date that comprises steel, whether in the form of
     raw materials, work-in-progress or finished goods.

          "Subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to any Person, (a) any
     corporation more than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by
     the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the
     directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time
     stock of any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have
     voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time
     owned by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person and (b)
     any Entity (other than a corporation) in which such Person and/or one more
     Subsidiaries of such Person has more than a 50% equity interest at the time
     or otherwise controls the management and affairs of such Entity (including
     the power to veto any material act or decision).

          "Taxes" shall mean all taxes or similar Governmental charges,
     including all Federal, state, local, foreign and other income, franchise,
     profits, gross receipts, capital gains, capital stock, transfer, property,
     sales, use, value-added, occupation, excise, severance, windfall profits,
     stamp, license, payroll, social security, withholding and other taxes or
     similar Governmental charges of any kind whatsoever (whether payable
     directly or by withholding and whether or not requiring the filing of a Tax
     Return), all estimated taxes, deficiency assessments, additions to tax,
     penalties and interest and shall include any liability for such amounts as
     a result either of being a member of a combined,

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

     consolidated, unitary or affiliated group or of a contractual obligation to
     indemnify any Person.

          "Tax Matter" shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.3(a).

          "Tax Returns" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.10(a).

          "Total Amount Due Sellers At Closing" shall mean the amount determined
     as follows: (a) $26,000,000 plus (b) the product of 0.97 and the
     Pre-Closing A/R Balance plus (c) the product of 0.70 and the Pre-Closing
     Steel Inventory Balance plus (d) the Pre-Closing Non-Steel Inventory
     Balance plus (e) the Pre-Closing Prepaid Assets Balance minus (f) the
     Financial Statement Date Accrued Claims Reserve Balance minus (g) the
     Pre-Closing Claims Handling Fee minus (h) the Pre-Closing A/P Balance.

          "Transfer Taxes" shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.4.

          "Undiscovered Pre-Closing On-Site Environmental Matters" means On-Site
     Environmental Matters that are discovered after the Closing Date in
     locations not assessed in the Phase II Audits that arose or resulted from
     operations or activities occurring prior to the Closing Date.

          "WARN" shall mean the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification
     Act, and all related regulations promulgated thereunder.

     1.2  Principles of Construction.

     (a)  All references to Articles, Sections, subsections, Schedules and
Exhibits are to Articles, Sections, subsections, Schedules and Exhibits in or to
this Agreement unless otherwise specified. The words "hereof," "herein" and
"hereunder" and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer
to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement. The terms "include," "includes" and "including" are not limiting and
mean "including without limitation."

     (b)  All references to "dollars" or "$" shall be deemed to be references to
lawful money of the United States of America.

     (c)  The Article and Section headings herein are for convenience only and
shall not affect the construction hereof.

     (d)  All words importing any gender shall be deemed to include other
genders.

     (e)  This Agreement is the result of negotiations among and has been
reviewed by each Party's counsel. Accordingly, this Agreement shall not be
construed against any Party merely because of such Party's involvement in its
preparation.

     (f)  It is understood and agreed that neither the specification of any
dollar amount in the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement
nor the inclusion of any specific item in the Schedules or Exhibits hereto is
intended to imply that such amounts or higher or

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

lower amounts, or the items so included or other items, are or are not material,
and no Party shall use the fact of the setting of such amounts or the fact of
the inclusion of any such item in the Schedules or Exhibits hereto in any
dispute or controversy between the Parties as to whether any obligation, item or
matter is or is not material for purposes of this Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE II.
                      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MSC

     MSC represents and warrants in favor of the Buyer, as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the Closing Date, as follows:

     2.1 Organization. MSC is a corporation, duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

     2.2 Binding Effect; Authorization; Capacity. MSC has the requisite
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
perform its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement by MSC has been duly authorized and approved by all necessary
corporate action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by MSC and
constitutes the valid and binding agreement of MSC enforceable against MSC in
accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws and equitable principles relating to or
affecting the rights of creditors generally from time to time in effect. MSC
does not need to give any notice to, make any filing with, or obtain any
authorization, consent or approval of any Government or Governmental Entity in
order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except as
required pursuant to the HSR Act and except for immaterial notices and filings.

     2.3 No Conflict. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by MSC and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby has not and will not
(a) violate or conflict with, constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of
time or both) a default under or breach of, result in the acceleration of,
create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel, or
require any notice, consent or waiver under, (i) any material Contract to which
MSC is a party or by which MSC is bound or to which its properties or assets are
subject, (ii) any law or Governmental order applicable to MSC or any of its
properties or assets, the failure to comply with would have a Material Adverse
Effect or (iii) the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of MSC and (b) result
in the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance upon or with respect to the
Purchased Assets.

     2.4 Litigation and Arbitration. There is no Action by or before (or to the
Knowledge of MSC any investigation by) any Governmental Entity or other
instrumentality or agency, pending, or, to the Knowledge of MSC, threatened,
against or affecting MSC which could materially and adversely affect the right
or ability of MSC to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations
hereunder.

     2.5 Brokers Fees. Other than amounts payable to Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation and TC Graham (for which MSC will be solely liable), neither MSC nor
any of its Affiliates has any liability or obligation to pay any fees or
commissions to any broker, finder,

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

investment banker or agent with respect to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby.

                                  ARTICLE III.
                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS AND MSC

     Each of PPS, PFM and MSC jointly and severally represents and warrants in
favor of the Buyer, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date,
the following, except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule:

     3.1 Existence and Good Standing. Each Seller is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware. Each Seller has all requisite corporate power and authority to own,
lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being
conducted. Each Seller is duly qualified or licensed to conduct its business,
and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the character or location of
the property owned, leased or operated by such Seller or the nature of the
business conducted by such Seller makes such qualification necessary, other than
jurisdictions not material to the Sellers' businesses as historically conducted
by Sellers. MSC has delivered to the Buyer a true and correct copy of the
certificate of incorporation and bylaws of each Seller.

     3.2 Binding Effect; Authorization; Capacity. Each Seller has the requisite
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
perform its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement by each Seller has been duly authorized and approved by all
necessary corporate action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by each Seller and constitutes the valid and binding agreement of each Seller
enforceable against each Seller in accordance with its terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws and
equitable principles relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally
from time to time in effect.

     3.3 Subsidiaries and Investments. PPS has no subsidiaries other than PFM,
and PFM has no subsidiaries. Immediately prior to the Closing, (i) all issued
and outstanding capital stock of PPS will be owned, of record and beneficially,
by MSC, free and clear of all Encumbrances, and (ii) all issued and outstanding
capital stock of PFM will be owned, of record and beneficially, by PPS, free and
clear of all Encumbrances.

     3.4 Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Assuming the filings required
under the HSR Act are made and the waiting period thereunder has been terminated
or expired, the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other
instruments and agreements to be executed and delivered by the Sellers and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by the Sellers
will not (a) violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws
of either Seller, (b) violate any statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, order or
decree of any court or any Governmental Entity or regulatory body, agency or
authority applicable to (i) either Seller, except where such violation does not
have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) the Purchased Assets, except for matters
which do not detract therefrom to any significant degree, (c) require any filing
with, or permit, consent or approval of, or the giving of any notice to, any
Governmental Entity or regulatory body, agency or authority, except for
immaterial notices and filings, or (d) result in a violation or breach of,
conflict with, constitute

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

(with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to
any right of termination, cancellation, payment or acceleration) under, or
result in the creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets
of either Seller under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any
Contract required to be set forth in Sections 3.8(a) and (b) of the Disclosure
Schedule.

     3.5 Financial Statements. Section 3.5 of the Disclosure Schedule contains
complete copies of the Financial Statements and the Interim Balance Sheet. The
Financial Statements (including the notes thereto) have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP and fairly present in all material respects the
consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Sellers for the
periods and as of the dates thereof. The Interim Balance Sheet has been prepared
in accordance with Sellers' normal practice for interim reporting, subject to
normal year-end adjustments.

     3.6 Title to Assets; Encumbrances.

     (a) Except for properties and assets reflected in the Financial Statements
or acquired since the Financial Statement Date which have been sold or otherwise
disposed of in the Ordinary Course, each Seller has good and marketable title
to, or a valid leasehold interest in, (i) all of its properties and assets
(real, personal and tangible), including all of the properties and assets
reflected in the Financial Statements, except as indicated in the notes thereto
and (ii) all of the properties and assets purchased by it since the Financial
Statement Date; in each case subject to no Encumbrance, except for (A)
Encumbrances reflected in the Financial Statements (not including liens securing
Indebtedness of MSC), (B) Encumbrances consisting of zoning or planning
restrictions, recorded easements, utility easements, covenants, permits and
other restrictions or limitations on the current use of real property or
irregularities in title thereto which do not materially detract from the value
of, or impair the use of, such property by Sellers in the operation of their
business, (C) liens for current taxes, assessments or Governmental charges or
levies on property not yet due and payable or are being contested by appropriate
proceedings and for which appropriate reserves have been made, and (D)
Encumbrances described on Section 3.6(a) of the Disclosure Schedule
(Encumbrances of the type described in clauses (A), (B) and (C) above are
hereinafter sometimes referred to as "Permitted Encumbrances"). Each Seller owns
or leases under valid leases all machinery, equipment and other personal
property necessary for the conduct of such Seller's business as currently being
conducted; and the Purchased Assets include all such assets necessary to operate
such Seller's business as currently being operated, except that Inventory and
working capital levels at Closing may be significantly lower than the levels at
April 30, 2002. At Closing, all of the Purchased Assets shall be transferred by
MSC and the Sellers to the Buyer free and clear of any and all Encumbrances
(other than Permitted Encumbrances and the Assumed Liabilities), together with
any and all consents of third parties required to transfer such assets to the
Buyer, except where the failure to obtain such consent does not have a Material
Adverse Effect.

     (b) The machinery, equipment, vehicles and other personal property of the
Sellers included in the Purchased Assets are in good condition and repair,
taking into account the age of the equipment and reasonable wear and tear, and
are usable in the Ordinary Course except where the failure to be in such
condition does not have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

     3.7 Real Property.

     (a) Section 3.7(a) of the Disclosure Schedule contains an accurate and
complete list (including the address of) of all Owned Real Property and includes
the name of the record title holder(s) thereof and a list of all Indebtedness or
other obligations secured by an Encumbrance thereon. Each of the Sellers has
good and marketable indefeasible title in fee simple to all Owned Real Property,
free and clear of all Encumbrances except for Permitted Encumbrances. All of the
buildings, structures and appurtenances situated on the Owned Real Property are
in good operating condition and in a state of good maintenance and repair
(except for unknown latent defects and ordinary wear and tear excepted), are
adequate and suitable for the purposes for which they are presently being used
and, with respect to each, the Sellers have adequate rights of ingress and
egress for operation of the business of the Sellers in the Ordinary Course.
There are no encroachments or overlaps onto any of the Owned Real Property. The
buildings and improvements are located within the boundary lines of the land
comprising the Owned Real Property and do not encroach on any easement which may
burden the land comprising the Owned Real Property. None of such buildings,
structures or appurtenances (or any equipment therein) on the Owned Real
Property, nor the operation or maintenance thereof, violates any restrictive
covenant or any material provision of any law, regulation or order (excluding
Environmental Laws), or encroaches on any property owned by others. All
improvements on the Owned Real Property comply in all material respects with
applicable material laws relating to zoning and access, and such property is
zoned for the purpose for which such real property is currently being utilized.
No condemnation proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of MSC, threatened
which would preclude or impair materially and adversely the use of any such
Owned Real Property by the Sellers for the purposes for which it is currently
used. All facilities on the Owned Real Property have received all material
approvals of Governmental Entities having jurisdiction over such properties
(including material licenses and permits) required in connection with the
ownership or operation thereof (except with respect to Environmental Laws).
There are no parties (other than the Sellers) in possession of the Owned Real
Property and the Sellers have not granted any options to acquire all or part of
such parcel to any third party. All facilities located on the Owned Real
Property are supplied with utilities and other services necessary for the
operation of such facilities in the Ordinary Course, including gas, electricity,
water, telephone, sanitary sewer and storm sewer, all of which services are, to
the Knowledge of MSC, adequate for operation of the Purchased Assets and are
provided via public roads or via permanent, irrevocable, appurtenant easements
benefiting such parcel. All public utilities necessary to the use in the
Ordinary Course of the Owned Real Property are located in the public
right-of-way or private recorded easements or rights of way abutting such real
property. There are no leases, subleases, licenses, concessions or other
agreements granting to any party or parties the right of use or occupancy of any
portion of the Owned Real Property; and there are no outstanding options or
rights of first refusal to purchase such real property.

     (b) Section 3.7(b) of the Disclosure Schedule contains an accurate and
complete list (including the address of the underlying real property) of all
leases, subleases, licenses, concessions and other agreements granting either
Seller the right to use or occupancy of any real property. Sellers have made
available to the Buyer copies of the documents listed in Section 3.7(b) of the
Disclosure Schedule.

                                      -16-

<PAGE>

     3.8  Material Contracts.

     (a)  Neither PPS nor PFM is bound by:

          (i)    any agreement or indenture relating to Indebtedness or to
     placing an Encumbrance on any of the Purchased Assets;

          (ii)   any material management service, consulting or any other
     similar type Contract;

          (iii)  any Contract limiting the ability of such Seller to engage in
     any line of business or to compete with any Person;

          (iv)   any material license or royalty agreements relating to the
     Purchased Assets;

          (v)    any Contract concerning non-competition;

          (vi)   any lease or Contract under which such Seller is lessee of, or
     holds or operates, any property owned by any other Person which constitutes
     a part of the Purchased Assets;

          (vii)  any lease or Contract under which such Seller is lessor of or
     permits any Person to hold or operate any Purchased Assets;

          (viii) any Contract relating to the distribution, marketing or sale of
     its products or the products of others;

          (ix)   any warranty agreement with respect to its services rendered or
     its products sold or leased;

          (x)    any Contract which by its termination has a Material Adverse
     Effect or which would prevent the purchase and sale of the Purchased
     Assets; or

          (xi)   any Contract not entered into in the Ordinary Course which
     involves $50,000 or more and is not cancelable without penalty within 30
     days.

     (b)  Neither Seller is a party to (i) any Contract with any supplier that
provides for aggregate annual payments to such supplier of more than $2,750,000
and (ii) any Contract with any customer that provides for aggregate annual
payments from such customer of more than $2,600,000.

     (c)  Each Contract set forth (or required to be set forth) on Sections
3.8(a) and (b) of the Disclosure Schedule is in full force and effect and there
exists no (i) default or event of default by either Seller or, to the Knowledge
of MSC, any other party to any such Contract with respect to any material term
or provision of any such Contract or (ii) to the Knowledge of MSC, event,
occurrence, condition or act (including the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby) which, with the giving of notice, the lapse of time or
both, would become

                                      -17-

<PAGE>

a default or event of default by either Seller or any other party thereto, with
respect to any material term or provision of any such Contract. Sellers have
delivered or made available to the Buyer true and complete copies, including all
amendments, of each Contract set forth on Sections 3.8(a) and (b) of the
Disclosure Schedule.

     3.9  Litigation. There are no Actions by or before (or to the Knowledge of
MSC any investigation by) any Governmental Entity or other instrumentality or
agency, pending, or, to the Knowledge of MSC, threatened, (a) against either
Seller or any of their respective properties or rights or (b) against or
affecting the Purchased Assets which, in either case, individually or in the
aggregate, has a Material Adverse Effect.

     3.10 Taxes.

     (a)  Tax Returns. Each Seller has timely filed or caused to be timely filed
with the appropriate taxing authorities all material tax returns, statements,
forms and reports (including elections, declarations, disclosures, schedules,
estimates and information tax returns) for Taxes ("Tax Returns") that are
required to be filed with respect to the Purchased Assets on or prior to the
Closing Date. Such Tax Returns have accurately reflected, and will accurately
reflect, all material liability for Taxes with respect to the Purchased Assets
for the periods covered thereby.

     (b)  Payment of Taxes. All material Taxes and Tax liabilities due by or
with respect to the Purchased Assets for all taxable years or other taxable
periods that end on or before the Closing Date and, with respect to any taxable
year or other taxable period beginning on or before and ending after the Closing
Date, the portion of such taxable year or period ending on and including the
Closing Date ("Pre-Closing Period"), have been or will, prior to the Closing
Date, be timely paid in full or (i) with respect to taxable years or periods (or
portions thereof) ending on or prior to the Financial Statement Date, accrued
and fully provided for in accordance with GAAP on the Financial Statements and
(ii) with respect to tax periods (or portions thereof) beginning after the
Financial Statement Date, accrued on the books and records of the Sellers as of
the Closing Date in accordance with GAAP and to the extent not paid when due (A)
with respect to Taxes due on or prior to the date hereof, disclosed in writing
to the Buyer prior to the date hereof and (B) with respect to Taxes due after
the date hereof, but on or prior to the Closing Date, disclosed in writing to
the Buyer prior to the Closing Date.

     (c)  Other Tax Matters.

          (i)  (A) Neither Seller has been the subject of an audit or other
     examination of Taxes related to the Purchased Assets by the tax authorities
     of any nation, state or locality; (B) no such audit is pending or, to the
     Knowledge of MSC, contemplated; and (C) neither Seller has received any
     notices from any taxing authority relating to any issue that could
     reasonably be expected to affect the Tax liability of either Seller related
     to the Purchased Assets.

          (ii) None of MSC, PPS and PFM, as of the Closing Date, (A) has entered
     into an agreement or waiver or been requested to enter into an agreement or
     waiver extending any statute of limitations relating to the payment or
     collection of Taxes of either Seller related to the Purchased Assets, (B)
     is presently contesting the Tax liability of either

                                      -18-

<PAGE>

Seller related to the Purchased Assets before any court, tribunal or agency, (C)
has granted a power-of-attorney relating to Tax matters related to the Purchased
Assets to any Person or (D) has applied for and/or received a ruling or
determination from a taxing authority regarding a past or prospective
transaction of either Seller related to the Purchased Assets.

          (iii)  All Taxes related to the Purchased Assets that each Seller is
     (or was) required by law to withhold or collect in connection with amounts
     paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor,
     stockholder or other third party have been duly withheld or collected, and
     have been timely paid over to the proper authorities to the extent due and
     payable.

          (iv)   No claim has ever been made by any taxing authority in a
     jurisdiction where the Sellers do not file Tax Returns that either Seller
     is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction with respect to the
     Purchased Assets.

          (v)    There are no tax sharing, allocation, indemnification or
     similar agreements in effect as between the Sellers or any predecessor or
     Affiliate thereof and any other party (including MSC and any predecessors
     or Affiliates thereof) under which the Buyer or any Affiliate of the Buyer
     could be liable for any Taxes or other claims of any Person.

          (vi)   Each Seller has delivered or made available to the Buyer copies
     of each of the Tax Returns for income Taxes filed on behalf of such Seller
     since 1997.

          (vii)  None of MSC, PPS and PFM is a "foreign person" within the
     meaning of Section 1445 of the Code.

          (viii) There are no liens or security interests on any of the
     Purchased Assets that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged
     failure) to pay any Taxes.

          (ix)   Immediately prior to, and immediately subsequent to, the
     consummation of the sale of the Purchased Assets pursuant to the provisions
     of this Agreement, each Seller will have the financial wherewithal to
     discharge its debts and obligations as they become due.

     3.11 Insurance. Set forth on the Disclosure Schedule is an accurate and
complete list of each insurance policy that covers each Seller or its respective
businesses, properties, assets or employees (including self-insurance, and
including policies providing property, casualty, liability, and workers'
compensation coverage and bond and surety arrangements). Such policies are in
full force and effect, all premiums thereon have been paid, and each of the
Sellers is otherwise in compliance in all material respects with the terms and
provisions of such policies. Neither Seller has received any notice of
cancellation or non-renewal of any such policy or arrangement nor has the
termination of any such policies or arrangements been threatened in writing,
and, to the Knowledge of MSC, there exists no event, occurrence, condition or
act (including the purchase and sale of the Purchased Assets hereunder) which,
with the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both, would entitle any insurer
to terminate or cancel any such policies.

                                      -19-

<PAGE>

     3.12 Intellectual Properties.

          (a) Section 3.12(a) of the Disclosure Schedule is an accurate and
     complete list of all of the material Purchased IP Assets. For purpose of
     this Section 3.12, the phrase "material Purchased IP Assets" shall mean any
     of the following that are included in the Purchased IP Assets: (i)
     registered trademarks and registered service marks; (ii) Internet domain
     names; and (iii) any software programs or applications used in the day to
     day operations of either Seller's business which cannot be purchased over
     the retail counter (in the numbers used by the Sellers in the conduct of
     their businesses prior to the Closing) for an aggregate cost (for all such
     programs and applications) of less than $15,000.

          (b) Except (i) as set forth in Section 3.12(b) of the Disclosure
     Schedule and (ii) for software used in the day to day operations of the
     Sellers' businesses which can be purchased over the retail counter, in the
     numbers used by the Sellers in the conduct of their businesses prior to
     Closing, for an aggregate cost of less than $15,000, neither Seller is a
     party to any license or agreement, whether as licensor, licensee or
     otherwise, with respect to any Intellectual Property. No notice of a
     material default has been sent or received by such Seller under any license
     for Purchased IP Assets which remains uncured. Each such agreement is a
     legal, valid and binding obligation of the Sellers and, to the Knowledge of
     MSC, each of the other parties thereto, enforceable by the Sellers in
     accordance with the terms thereof.

          (c) The Sellers own exclusively all Purchased IP Assets except process
     and manufacturing technology and know-how and third-party software under
     license; all such title and licenses are free and clear of any Encumbrances
     and without obligation to pay any further royalty or other fees with
     respect thereto (during the then-current term of each license in effect as
     of the Closing Date in the case of licensed Purchased IP Assets) in excess
     of $15,000 per year, for all licenses in aggregate.

          (d) The registered trademarks and/or registered service marks included
     in the Purchased IP Assets have been duly maintained in the United States,
     and not expressly abandoned. To the Knowledge of MSC, no such mark has been
     abandoned or prejudiced in any material manner by failure to use it, pay
     any fee or take any action. There are no contested proceedings, either
     pending or, to the Knowledge of MSC, threatened, in the United States
     Patent and Trademark Office relating to any pending application with
     respect to any trademark or service mark in the Purchased IP Assets. There
     are no actions or payments that must be taken or made within the 180 days
     following the Closing Date which, if not taken or made will adversely
     affect such applications or registrations.

          (e) Neither Seller has received any written notice or claim from any
     third party challenging the right of such Seller to use any of the
     Purchased IP Assets. To the Knowledge of Sellers, the Sellers are not using
     any patents, formulas, techniques or technology (in each case excluding (i)
     software and (ii) process and manufacturing technology and know-how
     ancillary to the production lines) which belong to third parties (under
     license or otherwise) in the conduct of their businesses.

                                      -20-

<PAGE>

          (f) Within the three years prior to the Closing Date, neither Seller
     has asserted or threatened any claim against a third party, alleging
     infringement of any Purchased IP Assets; there is no such claim continuing
     from an earlier time; and, to the Knowledge of MSC, there is currently no
     infringement by any third party of any Purchased IP Assets.

          (g) There are no pending or, to the Knowledge of MSC, threatened
     claims by any third party asserting that use of any Purchased IP Assets is
     a violation, infringement, misuse or misappropriation by either Seller of
     any Intellectual Property owned by any third party, or of the invalidity of
     any Purchased IP Asset.

          (h) Each Seller has taken reasonable steps to protect and preserve the
     confidentiality of all trade secrets, if any, material to the businesses of
     both of the Sellers including customer lists.

          (i) Except for this Agreement and any other agreements expressly
     contemplated by this Agreement, neither Seller has entered into any
     enforceable agreements with MSC or any Affiliate thereof concerning any
     portion of the Purchased IP Assets.

          (j) Each Seller has conveyed, assigned or lawfully provided copies to,
     Buyer of all material documentation in its possession, if any, relating to
     the use, maintenance and operation of the Purchased IP Assets. To the
     extent that at least one copy of documentation relating to the use or
     maintenance of software included in Purchased IP Assets (to which a Seller,
     as licensee or otherwise, had possession or a right of possession) has not
     been conveyed, assigned or provided to the Buyer pursuant to the above, the
     Sellers and MSC shall have a continuing duty to promptly and lawfully
     obtain and deliver at least one copy of each such documentation to the
     Buyer, at MSC's and Sellers' expense, in response to Buyer's written
     request, but only if such request is made prior to the first (1st)
     anniversary of the Closing Date. If, by notice dated within ten days
     following any such request by the Buyer, the Sellers or MSC elect not to
     pursue such documentation for the Buyer, the Sellers or MSC, as applicable,
     shall be relieved of the duty to pursue such documentation and the Buyer
     may seek to obtain such documentation on its own behalf and shall be
     reimbursed and indemnified for the related out-of-pocket costs and
     expenses, subject to the limitation in subsection (l) below.

          (k) The Sellers have entered into a license for each item of third
     party Purchased IP Assets, and the Sellers have used their best efforts to
     deliver to the Buyer, on or before the Closing Date, such originals or
     certified (as complete and accurate) copies of all license or similar
     agreements pursuant to which Sellers enjoy rights of use of each item of
     Purchased IP Assets. The Parties acknowledge that the Sellers are unable to
     provide documentation of licenses for all of the Purchased IP Assets,
     particularly software licenses and, notwithstanding anything to the
     contrary herein (in Article IX or otherwise), the Sellers and MSC agree to
     jointly and severally indemnify and hold the Buyer and each of its
     Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors, partners,
     members, managers, employees and agents and any successors thereto
     harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any and all Losses (as defined in
     Section 9.2 below) incurred or paid as a result of or arising out of any
     Action initiated by any third party relating to the failure

                                      -21-

<PAGE>

     of the Sellers to document any such licenses and rights provided the
     underlying claim against any indemnitee is brought to the notice of the
     Sellers prior to the second (2nd) anniversary of the Closing Date, subject
     to the limitation in subsection (l) below.

          (l) Notwithstanding MSC's and the Sellers' indemnity and reimbursement
     obligations in subsections (j) and (k) above, (i) the Buyer shall be
     responsible for the first $25,000 of aggregated costs and expenses
     otherwise subject to indemnity or reimbursement by the Sellers and MSC and
     incurred by the Buyer to obtain software documentation (as contemplated in
     (j)) and/or as a result of or arising out of Actions covered by subsection
     (k) of this Section 3.12 and (ii) the Sellers' and MSC's total aggregate
     liability in respect of subsections (j) and (k) of this Section 3.12 shall
     be limited to $250,000.

     3.13 Compliance with Laws. Except with respect to Environmental Laws, each
Seller and its Affiliates has complied with all applicable laws (including
rules, regulations, codes, plans, injunctions, judgments, orders, decrees,
rulings, and charges thereunder and including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act,
15 U.S.C. 78dd-1 et seq.) of Governments, and no action, suit, proceeding,
hearing, investigation, charge, complaint, claim, demand, or notice has been
filed or commenced against any of them alleging any failure to so comply, except
where such failure or alleged failure to comply does not have a Material Adverse
Effect.

     3.14 Governmental Licenses. Except with respect to Environmental Laws, each
Seller has all Governmental licenses, permits, franchises, approvals, permits
and other authorizations of, and has made all registrations and or filings with,
all Governmental Entities (the "Licenses"), necessary to own, lease and operate
its respective properties and to enable it to carry on its respective business
in the Ordinary Course, except such Licenses the failure of which to receive
does not have a Material Adverse Effect. All such material Licenses held by the
Sellers are in full force and effect. Any applications for the renewal of any
such material Licenses which are due prior to the Closing Date will be timely
made or filed by the Sellers prior to the Closing Date. Neither Seller has
received notice of any proceeding for suspension or revocation of, or similar
proceedings with respect to, any such material Licenses.

     3.15 Labor Matters.

     (a)  No unfair labor practice charge or complaint against either Seller is
pending before the National Labor Relations Board and, to the Knowledge of MSC,
no unfair labor practice charge or complaint is threatened against either Seller
before the National Labor Relations Board that has a Material Adverse Effect.

     (b)  There is no labor strike, slowdown or stoppage, and no material labor
and/or employment dispute actually pending or, to the Knowledge of MSC,
threatened against or directly affecting either Seller.

     (c)  No union is currently certified, and there is no union representation
question and no union or other organizational activity that would be subject to
the National Labor Relations Act (20 U.S.C.(S).151 et. seq.) existing or, to the
Knowledge of MSC, threatened with respect to the operations of either Seller.

                                      -22-

<PAGE>

     (d)  No grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under a CBA
is pending and no claim thereunder has been filed or, to the Knowledge of MSC,
is threatened with respect to either Seller's operations that would have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     (e)  Neither Seller is subject to or bound by any CBA covering any Person
employed by the Sellers and no CBA is currently being negotiated by either
Seller.

     (f)  There are no occupational health and safety claims pending, or to the
Knowledge of MSC threatened, against either Seller that have a Material Adverse
Effect.

     (g)  Except with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, since the enactment of WARN, neither Seller has effected either (i) a
"plant closing" (as defined in WARN) affecting any site of employment or one or
more facilities or operating units within any site of employment or facility of
the Sellers or (ii) a "mass layoff" (as defined in WARN) affecting any site of
employment or facility of the Sellers during the ninety (90) day period ending
on the date hereof. Except with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, neither Seller has been affected by any transaction or engaged in
layoffs or employment terminations sufficient in number to trigger application
of any similar law during the ninety (90) day period ending on the date hereof.
Each Seller has complied in all material respects with WARN and all actions
taken or not taken by the Sellers with respect to the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement have been, and will be in material compliance with WARN.

     (h)  Each Seller is in compliance in all material respects with the terms
and provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1996, as amended,
and all related regulations promulgated thereunder, and all other applicable
immigration laws and regulations.

     3.16 Employee Benefit Plans. Set forth on Section 3.16 of the Disclosure
Schedule is a true and complete list of each employee benefit plan (as defined
in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended ("ERISA")) or material fringe benefit plan maintained or contributed to
or required to be contributed to by MSC, any Seller, or any of their respective
Affiliates, with respect to any present or former employee of any Seller and/or
its business ("Employee Benefit Plans"). Neither Seller nor any of Sellers'
Affiliates (nor any employer (whether or not incorporated) that would be treated
together with either Seller or any such Affiliate as a single employer within
the meaning of Section 414 of the Code), has incurred any unsatisfied withdrawal
liability under Part 1 of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA to any "employee
pension benefit plan," within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA, that is a
"multiemployer plan," within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA that would
result in liability to the Buyer. Each Employee Benefit Plan that is an
"employee pension benefit plan" within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA is
intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code. Neither Seller has
incurred, and no event has occurred and no condition or circumstance exists that
could result, directly or indirectly, in, any unsatisfied liability (including,
without limitation, any indirect, contingent or secondary liability) of any
Seller under Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of
ERISA arising in connection with any employee pension benefit plan covered or
previously covered by Title IV of ERISA or such sections of the Code or ERISA.
Each Seller has complied in all material respects with the applicable
requirements of Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and Section 4980B of
the

                                      -23-

<PAGE>

Code ("COBRA"), and will comply with all COBRA obligations arising in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby. Full payment has been made of all
amounts which any Seller is required under applicable law or under any Employee
Benefit Plan or any agreement relating to any Employee Benefit Plan to have paid
as contributions or premiums thereunder as of the last day of the most recent
fiscal year of such Employee Benefit Plan ended prior to the date hereof. No
litigation or administrative or other proceeding, audit, examination or
investigation is pending or asserted, or, to the Knowledge of MSC, threatened,
anticipated or expected to be asserted with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan
or the assets of any such plan (other than routine claims for benefits arising
in the ordinary course). No Seller has any obligation under any Employee Benefit
Plan or otherwise to provide post-employment or retiree welfare benefits to any
former employee or any other person, except as specifically required by COBRA.

     3.17 Interests in Clients, Suppliers, Etc. None of MSC or its Subsidiaries
or, to the Knowledge of MSC, their respective Affiliates (excluding for this
purpose the Sellers) owns any material asset, tangible or intangible, which is
used in the business of, or provides any material service to, the Sellers.

     3.18 No Changes Since Financial Statement Date. Except as expressly
permitted or contemplated by this Agreement, since the Financial Statement Date,
there has not been any Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the foregoing,
except as expressly permitted or contemplated by this Agreement, since the
Financial Statement Date, neither Seller has (a) permitted any of its assets to
be subjected to any Encumbrance other than Permitted Encumbrances, (b) sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of any assets except in the Ordinary Course,
(c) made any capital expenditure or commitment therefor, except in the Ordinary
Course, (d) written off as uncollectible any notes or accounts receivable of any
customer listed in the Pre-Closing A/R Schedule under the caption "Customers",
except write-offs in the Ordinary Course charged to applicable reserves, none of
which individually or in the aggregate is material to either Seller, (e)
canceled or waived any claims or rights of material value (other than Purchased
Accounts Receivable listed on the Pre-Closing A/R Schedule), (f) made any change
in any method of accounting or auditing practice or (g) agreed, whether or not
in writing, to do any of the foregoing.

     3.19 Disclosure. The representations and warranties contained in this
Article III do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit any
statement of a material fact necessary in order to make the representations and
warranties (including the information set forth in the Disclosure Schedule)
contained in this Article III not misleading.

     3.20 Broker's or Finder's Fees. Other than amounts payable to Credit Suisse
First Boston Corporation and TC Graham (for which MSC will be solely liable),
the Sellers do not have any liability or obligation to pay any fees or
commissions to any broker, finder or agent with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

     3.21 Environmental Matters.

     (a)  To the Knowledge of MSC, the Sellers have complied with and are
currently in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws,
and no Seller has received any oral or written notice, report or information
regarding any liabilities (whether accrued, absolute,

                                      -24-

<PAGE>

contingent, unliquidated or otherwise) or any corrective, investigatory or
remedial obligations arising under Environmental Laws which relate to either
Seller, its business, the Owned Real Property or the Leased Real Property.

     (b)  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the Knowledge of
MSC each Seller has obtained and complied with, and is currently in compliance
with, all material permits, licenses and other authorizations that have been
required pursuant to any Environmental Laws for the occupancy or use of the
Owned Real Property or the Leased Real Property or the operation of its
business. A list of all such permits, licenses and other authorizations which
are material to each such Seller is set forth in Section 3.21 of the Disclosure
Schedule.

     (c)  Neither this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby will impose any obligations for site investigation or
cleanup, or notification to or consent of any government agencies or third
parties under any Environmental Laws (including any so called
"transaction-triggered" or "responsible property transfer" laws and
regulations), except for any such obligations which arise as a result of facts
or circumstances peculiar to the Buyer's future use of the Owned Real Property
or Leased Real Property.

     (d)  To the Knowledge of MSC, none of the following exists at any Owned
Real Property or Leased Real Property: (i) underground storage tanks or surface
impoundments, (ii) asbestos in damaged and friable condition, (iii) materials or
equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls or (iv) landfills, surface
impoundments or other disposal areas.

     (e)  To the Knowledge of MSC, no Seller has treated, stored, disposed of,
arranged for or permitted the disposal of, transported, handled or released any
substance (including without limitation, any hazardous substance), or owned,
occupied or operated any facility or property (and no such facility or property,
including without limitation the Owned Real Property and the Leased Real
Property, is contaminated with such substances), so as to give rise to material
or potentially material liabilities or investigatory, corrective or remedial
obligations of such Seller or its business under Environmental Laws, including,
without limitation, liability for response costs, natural resource damages or
attorneys' fees pursuant to CERCLA.

     (f)  No Environmental Lien has attached to any Owned Real Property or
Leased Real Property.

     (g)  To the Knowledge of MSC, MSC and the Sellers have disclosed to the
Buyer all material facts, and have provided copies of all material documents in
their possession, with respect to environmental liabilities or obligations
relating to the past or present properties, facilities, and operations of the
Sellers.

     (h)  To the extent that there is a breach of a representation or warranty
contained in this Section 3.21 (with the exception of Section 3.21(g)) relating
to contamination at or beneath, or migrating onto or from the Owned Real
Property, the indemnification for any resulting Loss shall be governed
exclusively by Article X.

     3.22 Accounts Receivable. All accounts receivable included in the Purchased
Assets are valid and reflected on the books and records of the Sellers in
accordance with GAAP and, to

                                      -25-

<PAGE>

the Knowledge of MSC, subject to the Sellers' accrued claims reserve, are
subject to no setoffs or counterclaims.

     3.23  Accounts Payable. All accounts payable of each Seller included in the
Assumed Liabilities are reflected properly on the books and records of such
Seller in accordance with GAAP. Neither Seller has delayed or postponed the
payment of any accounts payable included in the Assumed Liabilities outside of
the Ordinary Course.

     3.24  Product Warranty. To the Knowledge of MSC, each product shipped or
delivered by each Seller on or before the Closing but not yet installed has been
in conformity with all applicable contractual commitments and all express and
implied warranties, and no Seller has any liability for replacement or repair
thereof or other damages in connection therewith, subject only to the Sellers'
accrued claims reserve. No product manufactured, sold, leased or delivered by
either Seller is subject to any guaranty, warranty or other indemnity beyond the
applicable standard terms and conditions of sale or lease.

     3.25  Product Liability. To the Knowledge of MSC, neither Seller has any
liability arising out of any injury to individuals or property as a result of
the ownership, possession or use of any product delivered by either Seller and
installed at or before the Closing.

     3.26  Inventory. The Inventory of the Sellers consists of raw materials and
supplies, manufactured and purchased parts, goods in process and finished goods,
merchandise and purchased parts, each of which is merchantable and fit for use
in the Sellers' businesses as currently being conducted.

     3.27  Consent Decree. Each Seller has complied in all material respects
with the Consent Decree and each of its obligations thereunder.

                                  ARTICLE IV.
                          REPRESENTATIONS OF THE BUYER

     The Buyer represents and warrants in favor of the Stockholders, as of the
date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, as follows:

     4.1  Organization. The Buyer is a corporation, duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of California.

     4.2  Binding Effect; Authorization; Capacity. The Buyer has the requisite
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
perform its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement by the Buyer has been duly authorized and approved by all
necessary corporate action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by the Buyer and constitutes the valid and binding agreement of the Buyer
enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with its terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws and
equitable principles relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally
from time to time in effect. The Buyer does not need to give any notice to, make
any filing with, or obtain any authorization, consent or approval of any
Government or Governmental Entity in order to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, except as required pursuant to the HSR Act and
except for immaterial items.

                                      -26-

<PAGE>

     4.3  No Conflict. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Buyer
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby has not and will
not violate or conflict with, constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of
time or both) a default under or breach of, result in the acceleration of,
create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel, or
require any notice, consent or waiver under, (a) any material Contract to which
the Buyer is a party or by which the Buyer is bound or to which its properties
or assets are subject, (b) any law or Governmental order applicable to the Buyer
or any of its properties or assets, the failure to comply with would not have a
material adverse effect on the Buyer or (c) the articles of incorporation or
bylaws of the Buyer.

     4.4  Litigation and Arbitration. There is no Action by or before (or to the
knowledge of the Buyer any investigation by) any Governmental Entity or other
instrumentality or agency, pending, or, to the knowledge of the Buyer,
threatened, against or affecting the Buyer which could materially and adversely
affect the right or ability of the Buyer to enter into this Agreement and to
purchase the Purchased Assets hereunder.

     4.5  Brokers Fees. Neither the Buyer nor any of its Affiliates has any
liability or obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder,
investment banker or agent with respect to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby.

     4.6  Financing. At the Closing, the Buyer will have sufficient funds
available (through existing credit arrangements or otherwise) to enable it to
purchase the Purchased Assets and from and after the Closing, the Buyer will
have the financial wherewithal to discharge the Assumed Liabilities in Section
5.3(a), (b) and (c) as they become due.

                                   ARTICLE V.
                                PURCHASE AND SALE

     5.1  Purchase and Sale of Purchased Assets. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, each Seller shall, and MSC agrees to cause each
Seller to, sell, assign, convey and transfer to the Buyer, and the Buyer agrees
to purchase from the Sellers, at the Closing, all of such Seller's right, title
and interest in and to the assets used in, or constituting a part of, Sellers'
businesses, wherever located, free and clear of any Encumbrances and
Indebtedness (other than Permitted Encumbrances and the Assumed Liabilities),
including the following assets, but excluding the Excluded Assets (collectively,
the "Purchased Assets"):

          (a)  all assets set forth in Schedule 5.1(a), including the Purchased
     IP Assets listed in Section 3.12(a) of the Disclosure Schedule;

          (b)  except for those Contracts listed on Schedule 5.1(b) (the
     "Excluded Contracts"), all of each Seller's rights and interests arising
     under or in connection with any Contracts to which such Seller is a party
     and which relates to such Seller's business and all other agreements
     relating to such Seller's business, including all supply contracts related
     to raw materials, energy and other deliverables necessary for the operation
     of businesses of Sellers listed in Schedule 5.1(a) or entered into after
     April 29, 2002 if approved in writing by the Buyer (the "Assumed
     Contracts");

                                      -27-

<PAGE>

          (c) except for those book and records set forth in Schedule 5.1(c),
     which the Sellers and/or MSC shall retain and make available to the Buyer
     and its representatives for inspection and copying upon reasonable notice
     during regular business hours for the periods set forth in Schedule 5.1(c)
     following the Closing Date, all sales data, customer lists, all other
     information relating to customers, suppliers' names and contact
     information, mailing lists, books, records, ledgers, files, documents,
     correspondence, lists, plats, architectural plans, drawings, and
     specifications, creative materials, advertising and promotional materials,
     studies, reports, and other printed or written materials relating to each
     Seller's business (except for such advertising matter and stationary using
     the term "Pre Finish Metals");

          (d) all intangible assets, including all Purchased IP Assets
     (including the names "Colorstrip, Inc." and "Pinole Point Steel" but
     excluding "MSC" and "Pre Finish Metals");

          (e) all tangible personal property of each Seller, including machinery
     and equipment, tools, Steel Inventory (to the extent not purchased by a
     third party inventory purchaser nominated by the Buyer pursuant to Section
     5.5(f)), Inventory (other than Non-Steel Inventory), manufactured and
     purchased parts, goods in process and finished goods, furniture, fixtures,
     motor vehicles, computers, data and telephone equipment, and books and
     records;

          (f) all Licenses and other permits, consents and certificates of any
     regulatory, administrative or other Governmental Entity issued to or held
     by each Seller that are transferable and related to such Seller's business;

          (g) all rights to indemnification for all environmental conditions
     under the 1997 Acquisition Agreement; provided that the Sellers and MSC
     shall be subrogated to the rights of the Buyer under such indemnification
     to the extent the Sellers and MSC make payments to the Buyer under Section
     10.2;

          (h) all Purchased Accounts Receivable not purchased by a third party
     accounts receivable purchaser nominated by the Buyer pursuant to Section
     5.5(f); provided, however, the aggregate value of the Purchased Accounts
     Receivable transferred hereunder shall not exceed $10,620,695 (it being
     understood that Purchased Accounts Receivable in excess of such amount
     shall be reduced by excluding the smallest accounts first until the
     aggregate amount of Purchased Accounts Receivable is equal to or less than
     $10,620,695);

          (i) all claims, warranties, guarantees, refunds, causes of action,
     choses in action, rights of recovery, rights of set off, insurance proceeds
     and rights of recoupment (excluding any such item relating to the payment
     of Taxes) relating to each Seller's business, except in respect of Excluded
     Assets and Excluded Liabilities;

          (j) all Owned Real Property; and

          (k) all prepaid property taxes in respect of the Owned Real Property.

                                      -28-

<PAGE>

     5.2  Excluded Assets. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the following assets are expressly excluded from the Purchased Assets
(collectively, the "Excluded Assets"):

          (a)  all assets listed on Schedule 5.2;

          (b)  all prepaid assets other than prepaid property taxes in respect
     of the Owned Real Property;

          (c)  all cash and cash equivalents;

          (d)  subject to Section 6.10, all Excluded Accounts Receivable and
     Collected Accounts Receivable;

          (e)  the corporate charter, qualifications to conduct business as a
     foreign corporation, arrangements with registered agents relating to
     foreign qualifications, taxpayer and other identification numbers, seals,
     minute books, stock transfer books, blank stock certificates, and other
     documents relating to the organization, maintenance, and existence of each
     Seller as a corporation;

          (f)  all right, title and interest in and to the mark "Pre Finish
     Metals";

          (g)  any tax refund in respect of any Pre-Closing Period;

          (h)  any settlement received from Marwais Steel Company, its
     Affiliates and their respective successors arising from, or relating to,
     damage done to the Sellers' natural gas line on July 2, 2001, including
     consequential damages resulting from the stoppage of production on the
     steel galvanizing and paint lines;

          (i)  all accounts receivable from MSC and its Affiliates;

          (j)  all Leased Real Property;

          (k)  all Purchased Accounts Receivable in excess of $10,620,695 (it
     being understood that such accounts receivable shall not be treated as Aged
     Accounts Receivable);

          (l)  all Excluded Contracts;

          (m)  all securities held beneficially or of record by either Seller;
     and

          (n)  all of the rights of MSC and the Sellers under this Agreement.

     5.3  Assumed Liabilities. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, in addition to the payment to the Sellers of the Total Amount Due
Sellers At Closing and the Adjustment Amount, and as additional consideration
for the Purchased Assets, the Buyer agrees that from and after the Closing, the
Buyer shall assume and become responsible for only the

                                      -29-

<PAGE>

following specific liabilities of Sellers, but excluding the Excluded
Liabilities (collectively, the "Assumed Liabilities"):

          (a)  all liabilities and obligations under the Assumed Contracts;

          (b)  all of the Accounts Payable comprising the following line items
     on the Sellers' balance sheet: accounts payable system (215-2000), accounts
     payable manual (215-2010), accounts payable accrued steel (215-2100) and
     accounts payable unvouchered liabilities (215-2120);

          (c)  all liabilities for (a) claims by the Sellers' customers for
     non-conforming product delivered or shipped before the Closing but not
     installed by the Closing Date, for shipping and billing discrepancies of
     conforming product delivered or shipped before the Closing but not
     installed by the Closing Date and for other customer claims historically
     charged by the Sellers against their accrued claims reserves in the
     ordinary course and (b) claims by the Buyer's customers for non-conforming
     product produced by the Sellers prior to the Closing and shipped by the
     Buyer on or after the Closing Date so long as such claims are limited to
     physical defects resulting from the production or finishing of the product
     by the Sellers or any one of them;

          (d)  all liabilities or obligations of Sellers, if any, with respect
     to product warranty and product liability claims arising after the Closing
     Date;

          (e)  Transfer Taxes arising as a result of the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement as set forth in Section 11.4;

          (f)  all obligations related to the ownership or operation of the
     Purchased Assets on and after the Closing Date, other than costs and
     liabilities related to any work force reduction that occurs on or prior to
     the Closing Date; and

          (g)  all liabilities or obligations of Sellers, if any, arising
     directly under the Consent Decree for conduct occurring after the Closing
     Date, but only to the extent that the Buyer itself would be liable with
     respect to such matters under applicable law.

     5.4  Excluded Liabilities. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, except for Assumed Liabilities, the Buyer shall not and does not
assume any liabilities, obligations or commitments of MSC or Sellers or their
businesses, whether accrued, absolute or contingent, whether known or unknown,
whether disclosed on the Schedules to this Agreement, whether due or to become
due and whether related to the Purchased Assets, Sellers' businesses or
otherwise and regardless of when or by whom asserted, including the following
(collectively, the "Excluded Liabilities"), which shall be retained and timely
discharged by Sellers and MSC:

          (a)  all liabilities and obligations of each Seller and MSC under this
     Agreement and the Related Documents to which it is a party;

          (b)  all liabilities and obligations of Sellers and MSC for expenses
     or fees incident to or arising out of their negotiation, preparation,
     approval or authorization of this Agreement and the Related Documents or
     their consummation of the transactions

                                      -30-

<PAGE>

     contemplated hereby or thereby (including all of their attorneys' and
     accountants' fees and fees of investment banks or brokers);

          (c) all liabilities or obligations of Sellers, if any, with respect to
     product warranty (other than those included in Section 5.3(c) above) and
     product liability claims arising on or prior to the Closing Date;

          (d) all liabilities or obligations of Sellers, if any, arising
     directly under the Consent Decree for conduct occurring on or prior to the
     Closing Date;

          (e) all liabilities or obligations solely in respect of any of the
     Excluded Assets (including under any Contracts, commitments or
     understandings related thereto);

          (f) (i) any and all liabilities or obligations of each Seller in
     respect of vacation pay, sick pay, salary, bonuses, retention, severance or
     other compensation or benefits or payments in respect of such Seller's
     current, former or future employees, and all liabilities or obligations of
     any kind (including arising under any common law, statute, regulation or
     contract, including WARN) associated with the termination of Seller's
     employees prior to, on or after the Closing Date and (ii) any and all
     liabilities and obligations each Seller (or each Seller's predecessors) may
     have in respect of any current, future or former employee of, or applicant
     for employment with, any Seller or any predecessors of Sellers (with
     respect to all or any part of the Purchased Assets and Assumed Liabilities
     or otherwise) prior to, on or after the Closing Date with respect to
     discrimination or harassment claims;

          (g) all liabilities or obligations relating to or arising under the
     Employee Benefit Plans;

          (h) any withdrawal liability (including contingent or secondary
     withdrawal liability) within the meaning of Section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA
     to any "multiemployer plan" (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA);

          (i) all liabilities or obligations of each Seller to indemnify its
     directors and officers;

          (j) all liabilities or obligations of each Seller resulting from any
     claim, action, suit or proceeding brought by any person or entity claiming
     to have a right to purchase such Seller or the business, properties or
     assets of such Seller (whether by merger, sale of assets, sale of shares,
     recapitalization or otherwise);

          (k) all liabilities and obligations for Taxes (other than Transfer
     Taxes) of each Seller and any other person that forms part of a
     consolidated group for tax reporting purposes or with whom either Seller
     has entered into a tax allocation, sharing or indemnification agreement;

          (l) all liabilities and obligations in respect of accounts payable to
     MSC or its Affiliates;

                                      -31-

<PAGE>

          (m) all liabilities and obligations in respect of Accounts Payable
     other than Accounts Payable described in Section 5.3(b);

          (n) all liabilities or obligations of Seller arising from Sellers'
     activities on and after the Closing Date; and

          (o) all liabilities or obligations in respect of the litigation
     disclosed on Section 3.9(ii), (iii) and (iv) of the Disclosure Schedule.

     5.5  Total Amount Due Sellers At Closing.

     (a)  No later than May 28, 2002, MSC shall deliver to the Buyer a schedule
in the form of Schedule 5.5(a) listing the account parties and amounts in
respect of the Purchased Accounts Receivable completed as of 12:00 midnight,
Pacific Standard time, on May 23, 2002, which schedule shall be certified by
MSC's chief financial officer as being his good faith estimate of the amounts
required to be set forth therein (the "Pre-Closing A/R Schedule").

     (b)  No later than May 28, 2002, MSC shall deliver to the Buyer a schedule
in the form of Schedule 5.5(b) with information completed as of 12:00 midnight,
Pacific Standard time, on May 23, 2002, which schedule shall be certified by
MSC's chief financial officer as being his good faith estimate of the amounts
required to be set forth therein (the "Pre-Closing Inventory Schedule").

     (c)  No later May 28, 2002, MSC shall deliver to the Buyer a schedule in
the form of Schedule 5.5(c) with information completed as of 12:00 midnight,
Pacific Standard time, on May 23, 2002, which schedule shall be certified by
MSC's chief financial officer as being his good faith estimate of the amounts
required to be set forth therein (the "Pre-Closing A/P Schedule").

     (d)  No later May 28, 2002, MSC shall deliver to the Buyer a schedule in
the form of Schedule 5.5(d) with information completed as of 12:00 midnight,
Pacific Standard time, on May 23, 2002, which schedule shall be certified by
MSC's chief financial officer as being his good faith estimate of the amounts
required to be set forth therein (the "Pre-Closing Prepaid Assets Schedule").

     (e)  No later than May 28, 2002, MSC shall deliver to the Buyer a schedule
in the form of Schedule 5.5(e) with information completed from the Pre-Closing
A/R Schedule, the Pre-Closing Inventory Schedule, the Pre-Closing A/P Schedule
and the Pre-Closing Prepaid Assets Schedule, which schedule shall be certified
by MSC's chief financial officer as being his good faith estimate of the amounts
required to be set forth therein, including the Total Amount Due Sellers At
Closing (the "Preliminary Closing Date Statement").

     (f)  In consideration for the purchase by the Buyer of the Purchased
Assets, the Buyer shall, in addition to assuming the Assumed Liabilities, pay on
the Closing Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Sellers'
Account or to the order of the Sellers an aggregate amount equal to the Total
Amount Due Sellers At Closing as set forth in the Preliminary Closing Date
Statement. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Buyer shall have the
right to cause a third party (i) inventory purchaser (the "Inventory Purchaser")
to acquire the Steel Inventory at Closing for payment in immediately available
funds to the Sellers' Account or to the order of the

                                      -32-

<PAGE>

Sellers an amount equal to the product of 0.70 and the Pre-Closing Steel
Inventory Balance, and/or (ii) accounts receivable purchaser to acquire the
Purchased Accounts Receivable at Closing for payment in immediately available
funds to the Sellers' Account or to the order of the Sellers an amount equal to
the product of 0.97 and the Pre-Closing A/R Balance.

     (g) On the Closing Date, the Buyer or its representatives together with the
Sellers or their representative shall conduct a walk-through of the Sellers'
facilities to confirm the presence or note the absence of the assets listed on
Schedule 5.1(a) or any portion thereof. To the extent that the walk-through
reveals that certain fixed assets listed on Schedule 5.1(a) or any portion
thereof are absent from the Sellers' facilities, the Buyer and MSC (on behalf of
itself and Sellers) shall mutually agree upon the aggregate value of such absent
fixed assets based upon the book value of such absent fixed assets (the "Fixed
Asset Deficiency"). Following completion of the walk-through and determination
of the Fixed Asset Deficiency, if any, the Buyer as soon as practicable
thereafter (but in any event, not later than 11:59 p.m. on June 4, 2002) shall
deliver to the Sellers a certificate specifying that, except to the extent of
any Fixed Asset Deficiency, all of the fixed assets listed on Schedule 5.1(a)
are present and accounted for as of the Closing Date.

     5.6 Final Closing Statement; Adjustment Amount.

     (a) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than June 12, 2002, the
Buyer shall deliver to MSC a schedule in the form of Schedule 5.6(a) listing the
account parties and amounts in respect of the Purchased Accounts Receivable
completed as of 12:00 midnight, Pacific Standard time, on the day immediately
preceding the Closing Date, which schedule shall be certified by the Buyer's
chief financial officer as being his good faith estimate of the amounts required
to be set forth therein (the "Closing A/R Schedule"). Subject to Section 6.12,
MSC shall have the right to have one or more of its employees and/or agents
present during the review undertaken by the Buyer in order to prepare the
Closing A/R Schedule.

     (b) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than June 12, 2002, the
Buyer shall deliver to MSC a schedule in the form of Schedule 5.6(b) with
information completed as of 12:00 midnight, Pacific Standard time, on the day
immediately preceding the Closing Date, which schedule shall be certified by the
Buyer's chief financial officer as being his good faith estimate of the amounts
required to be set forth therein (the "Closing Inventory Schedule"). Subject to
Section 6.12, MSC shall have the right to have one or more of its employees
and/or agents present during the review undertaken by the Buyer in order to
prepare the Closing Inventory Schedule.

     (c) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than June 12, 2002, the
Buyer shall deliver to MSC a schedule in the form of Schedule 5.6(c) with
information completed as of 12:00 midnight, Pacific Standard time, on the day
immediately preceding the Closing Date, which schedule shall be certified by the
Buyer's chief financial officer as being his good faith estimate of the amounts
required to be set forth therein (the "Closing A/P Schedule"). Subject to
Section 6.12, MSC shall have the right to have one or more of its employees
and/or agents present during the review undertaken by the Buyer in order to
prepared the Closing A/P Schedule.

                                       -33-

<PAGE>

     (d) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than June 12, 2002, the
Buyer shall deliver to MSC a schedule in the form of Schedule 5.6(d) with
information completed as of 12:00 midnight, Pacific Standard time, on the day
immediately preceding the Closing Date, which (i) information shall be
calculated in accordance with the methodology used by the Sellers in the
preparation of the consolidated balance sheet of the Sellers at February 28,
2002 and included in the Financial Statements and (ii) schedule shall be
certified by the Buyer's chief financial officer as being his good faith
estimate of the amounts required to be set forth therein (the "Closing Accrued
Claims Reserve Schedule"). Subject to Section 6.12, MSC shall have the right to
have one or more of its employees and/or agents present during the review
undertaken by the Buyer in order to prepare the Closing Accrued Claims Reserve
Schedule.

     (e) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than June 12, 2002, the
Buyer shall deliver to MSC a schedule in the form of Schedule 5.6(e) with
information completed as of 12:00 midnight, Pacific Standard time, on the day
immediately preceding the Closing Date, which schedule shall be certified by the
Buyer's chief financial officer as being his good faith estimate of the amounts
required to be set forth therein (the "Closing Prepaid Assets Schedule").

     (f) After receipt of the Closing A/R Schedule, the Closing Inventory
Schedule, the Closing A/P Schedule, the Closing Accrued Claims Reserve Schedule
and the Closing Prepaid Assets Schedule (individually, a "Closing Schedule",
and, collectively, the "Closing Schedules"), the Buyer shall prepare and deliver
to MSC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than June 12, 2002, a final
closing statement in the form of Schedule 5.6(f) completed to include the
Closing A/R Balance, the Closing Steel Inventory Balance, the Closing Non-Steel
Inventory Balance, the "A/P Balance Due to MSC (Steelscape)" determined in
accordance with the Closing A/P Schedule, the Closing Accrued Claims Reserve
Balance, the Claims Handling Fee, the Closing Prepaid Assets Balance, in each
case as set forth in the applicable Closing Schedule (individually, a "Closing
Balance", and, collectively, the "Closing Balances"), the "Total Amount Due
Seller at Closing from Steelscape" in the Preliminary Closing Date Statement,
the "Accounts Receivable Sold to Third Party A/R Purchaser" in the Preliminary
Closing Date Statement, the "Post-Closing Steel Inventory Adjustment Due Seller
(Buyer) - Third Party Inventory Purchaser" from the Closing Inventory Schedule,
the "Inventory Invoiced to Third Party Inventory Purchaser" in the Preliminary
Closing Date Statement, the Fixed Asset Deficiency and the Adjustment Amount
(such schedule as so completed, the "Final Closing Statement"). After receipt of
the Final Closing Statement and the Closing Schedules, MSC shall have fifteen
(15) days (such fifteenth day being the "Last Review Day (Closing Balances)") to
review the Final Closing Statement and the Closing Schedules and supporting
documentation to determine whether or not it reasonably agrees with the Buyer's
calculation of the Closing Balances and the Adjustment Amount. Unless MSC
delivers a written notice to the Buyer on or before the Last Review Day (Closing
Balances) stating that it reasonably objects to the determination of one or more
Closing Balances (the "Disputed Balances") and the basis for such objection, MSC
and the Sellers will be deemed to have accepted and agreed to the Buyer's
calculation of each of the other Closing Balances and the Adjustment Amount.

     (g) In the event of a Disputed Balance, the Buyer and MSC shall, within
five (5) days (or such longer period of time as may be agreed upon by the Buyer
and MSC, the "Resolution Period (Closing Balances)") following the Last Review
Day (Closing Balances) attempt to resolve their differences and any such
resolution of a Disputed Balance shall be final and binding

                                      -34-

<PAGE>

on the Parties. In the event the Parties resolve all Disputed Balances, the
Final Closing Statement shall be revised to reflect the resolution of the
Disputed Balances and the Adjustment Amount shall be recalculated. All Disputed
Balances remaining unresolved at the conclusion of the Resolution Period
(Closing Balances) shall be submitted to a mutually agreeable, nationally
recognized accounting firm (after excluding the accounting firms which audit the
financial statements of the Buyer, IMSA, MSC and Sellers) (the "Auditor"),
within five (5) days after the expiration of the Resolution Period (Closing
Balances). The Parties agree to execute, if requested by the Auditor, a
reasonable engagement letter. All fees and expenses relating to the services of
the Auditor shall be borne pro rata by MSC and the Buyer in proportion to the
allocation of the remaining Disputed Balances on an aggregate basis by the
Auditor such that the prevailing Party pays a lesser portion of the Auditor's
fees and expenses. The Auditor's determination of the remaining Disputed
Balances shall be made within fifteen (15) days after the submission of the
dispute to the Auditor and shall set forth its determination of the applicable
Closing Balances in a written statement delivered to MSC and the Buyer. Absent
manifest error, the determination of the Auditor shall be final and binding upon
the Parties. Upon the Auditor's determination of all Disputed Balances, the
Final Closing Statement Balance shall be revised to reflect the resolution of
the Disputed Balances and the Adjustment Amount shall be recalculated.

     (h)  Upon a final determination of the Adjustment Amount (whether upon
acceptance or deemed acceptance by MSC of the Buyer's Final Closing Statement,
whether as a result of dispute resolution or whether based upon a determination
by the Auditor), the Parties shall make the following payments in immediately
available funds no later than the second Business Day following such final
determination:

          (i)  If the Adjustment Amount is a positive amount, the Buyer shall
     pay the Adjustment Amount to the Sellers at the Sellers' Account.

          (ii) If the Adjustment Amount is a negative amount, the Sellers shall
     pay the Adjustment Amount to the Buyer at the Buyer's Account.

     (i)  As soon as practicable, but in no event later than December 13, 2002,
the Buyer shall deliver to MSC a schedule with information completed as of 12:00
midnight, Pacific Standard time, on November 30, 2002, which (i) information
shall be calculated in accordance with the methodology used by the Sellers in
the preparation of the consolidated balance sheet of the Sellers at February 28,
2002 and included in the Financial Statements and (ii) schedule shall be
certified by the Buyer's chief financial officer as being his good faith
estimate of the Accrued Claims Amount (the "Post-Closing Accrued Claims Reserve
Schedule"). Subject to Section 6.12, MSC shall have the right to have one or
more of its employees and/or agents present during the review undertaken by the
Buyer in order to prepare the Post-Closing Accrued Claims Reserve Schedule.

     (j)  After receipt of the Post-Closing Accrued Claims Reserve Schedule, MSC
shall have five (5) days (such fifth day being the "Last Review Day (ACR)") to
review the Post-Closing Accrued Claims Reserve Schedule and supporting
documentation to determine whether or not it reasonably agrees with the Buyer's
calculation of the Accrued Claims Amount. Unless MSC delivers a written notice
to the Buyer on or before the Last Review Day (ACR) stating that it reasonably
objects to the determination of the Accrued Claims Amount and the basis for such

                                      -35-

<PAGE>

objection, MSC will be deemed to have accepted and agreed to the Buyer's
calculation of the Accrued Claims Amount. If the Accrued Claims Amount is
accepted or deemed accepted, the Parties shall make the following payments in
immediately available funds no later that the second Business Day following the
Last Review Day (ACR):

          (i)   If the Accrued Claims Amount is less than the product of 0.80
     and the Closing Accrued Claims Reserve Balance, the Buyer shall pay to the
     Sellers at the Sellers' Account an amount equal to 50% of the difference
     obtained by subtracting the Accrued Claims Amount from the Closing Accrued
     Claims Reserve Balance.

          (ii)  If the Accrued Claims Amount is greater than the product of 1.20
     and the Closing Accrued Claims Reserve Balance, MSC shall pay to the Buyer
     at the Buyer's Account an amount equal to 50% of the difference obtained by
     subtracting the Closing Accrued Claims Reserve Balance from the Accrued
     Claims Amount.

          (iii) If the Accrued Claims Amount is equal to or greater than the
     product of 0.80 and the Closing Accrued Claims Reserve Balance but less
     than or equal to the product of 1.20 and the Closing Accrued Claims Reserve
     Balance, no payment shall be made by either Party.

     (k) In the event of a dispute as to the Accrued Claims Amount, the Buyer
and MSC shall, within thirty (30) days (or such longer period of time as may be
agreed upon by the Buyer and MSC, the "Resolution Period (ACR)") following the
Last Review Day (ACR) attempt to resolve their differences and any such
resolution of the Accrued Claims Amount shall be final and binding on the
Parties. In the event the Parties resolve the Accrued Claims Amount, the
resolved Accrued Claims Amount shall be subject to the applicable post-closing
adjustment described in subsection (i) above and shall, if a payment is to be
made, be settled within two (2) Business Days of resolution. Any dispute as to
the Accrued Claims Amount remaining in dispute at the conclusion of the
Resolution Period (ACR) shall be submitted to the Auditor or some other third
party selected by MSC and the Buyer, within five (5) days after the expiration
of the Resolution Period (ACR). The Parties agree to execute, if requested by
the Auditor or such third party, a reasonable engagement letter. All fees and
expenses relating to the services of the Auditor or such third party shall be
borne pro rata by MSC and the Buyer in proportion to the difference between the
Accrued Claims Amount determined by the Buyer, the Accrued Claims Amount
determined by MSC and the Sellers and the Accrued Claims Amount determined by
the Auditor or such third party such that the Party whose determination is
closest to the determination made by the Auditor or third party pays a lesser
portion of such fees and expenses. The Auditor's or third party's determination
of the Accrued Claims Amount shall be made within fifteen (15) days after the
submission of the dispute to the Auditor or such third party, as applicable, and
shall set forth the determination of the Accrued Claims Amount in a written
statement delivered to MSC and the Buyer. Absent manifest error, the
determination of the Auditor or such third party shall be final and binding upon
the Parties. Within two (2) Business Days of resolution of the Auditor's or such
third party's determination of the Accrued Claims Amount, the resolved Accrued
Claims Amount shall be subject to the applicable post-closing adjustment
described in subsection (i) above and shall, if a payment is to be made, be
settled within two (2) Business Days of resolution.

                                      -36-

<PAGE>

     (l)  As soon as practicable following the Closing, the Buyer and MSC shall
jointly make a good faith estimation of the Transfer Taxes to be paid in respect
of the purchase and sale of the Purchased Assets and Assumed Liabilities
hereunder (except for Owned Real Property), but in no event later than 12:00
noon, Pacific Standard time, on June 26, 2002. Not later than 5:00 p.m., Pacific
Standard Time, on June 28, 2002, the Buyer shall pay such estimated amount of
the Transfer Taxes to the Sellers at the Sellers' Account. Based upon such
estimates, the Sellers shall timely make all filings, returns, reports and forms
necessary to comply with the provisions of all applicable laws in connection
with the payment of such Transfer Taxes and shall pay to the appropriate
Governmental Entities the amount of the estimated Transfer Taxes determined by
the Buyer and MSC to be due. As soon as practicable following the final
determination of the allocation of the purchase price pursuant to Section 11.7
of this Agreement, the Buyer and MSC shall jointly determine the actual amount
of Transfer Taxes to be paid in respect of the purchase and sale of the
Purchased Assets and Assumed Liabilities hereunder (except for Owned Real
Property). If the Buyer and MSC determine that, in the aggregate, an amount of
Transfer Taxes in excess of the amount the Buyer previously paid to the Sellers
is due and payable, the Buyer shall pay such additional amount to the Sellers at
the Sellers' Account within three (3) Business Days of such determination and
the Sellers shall make, amend, supplement, or otherwise revise, and file with
the appropriate Governmental Entities, any filings, returns, reports or forms
necessary to comply with the provisions of all applicable laws in connection
with the payment of such additional amount of Transfer Taxes. If the Buyer and
MSC determine that, in the aggregate, the Buyer or MSC is entitled to a refund
due to the Buyer's overpayment of Transfer Taxes, the Sellers shall make, amend,
supplement, or otherwise revise, and file with the appropriate Governmental
authorities, any filings, returns, reports, forms or claims for refund necessary
to claim an overpayment of such Transfer Taxes and an entitlement to a refund
thereof. Within three (3) Business Days of the Sellers' receipt of such refund
or refunds of Transfer Taxes, the Sellers shall pay such amount received to the
Buyer. All determinations of estimated Transfer Taxes and of actual Transfer
Taxes shall be reasonable and made in good faith by both the Buyer and MSC.

     5.7  Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (the "Closing") shall take place at 10:00 a.m. local time at the
offices of White & Case LLP in Los Angeles, California, or such other location
as the Parties agree, on May 31, 2002, or if later, as soon as practicable after
all conditions precedent to the Closing described in Article VII are met or
waived (the "Closing Date").

     5.8  Nonassignable Contracts. To the extent that the assignment hereunder
by the Sellers to the Buyer of any Assumed Contract is not permitted or is not
permitted without the consent of any other party to such Assumed Contract, this
Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute an assignment of any such Assumed
Contract if such consent is not given or if such assignment otherwise would
constitute a breach of, or cause a loss of contractual benefits under, any such
Assumed Contract, and the Buyer shall assume no obligations or liabilities under
any such Assumed Contract until such consent is obtained. Each Seller shall use
its reasonable best efforts to advise the Buyer promptly with respect to any
Assumed Contract which either Seller knows will not be subject to assignment to
the Buyer hereunder. If any consent or waiver necessary for the sale, transfer,
assignment and delivery of an Assumed Contract is not obtained or if such
assignment is not permitted irrespective of consent and the Closing hereunder is
consummated, each Seller shall cooperate with the Buyer following the Closing
Date in any

                                      -37-

<PAGE>

reasonable arrangement designed to provide the Buyer with the rights and
benefits (subject to the Buyer's assumption of all of the obligations and
liabilities thereunder) under any such Assumed Contract, including enforcement
for the benefit of the Buyer and at the Buyer's expense of any and all rights of
each Seller against any other party arising out of any breach or cancellation of
any such Assumed Contract by such other party and, if requested by the Buyer,
acting as an agent on behalf of the Buyer or as the Buyer shall otherwise
reasonably require; provided that the Buyer shall bear the Sellers' reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses as such agent (and shall advance the Sellers' reasonable
anticipated out-of-pocket expenses). The Buyer and the Sellers shall use their
reasonable best efforts to cause all of MSC's and the Sellers' obligations under
MSC's agreement with PanCanadian Energy Services Inc. to provide the Sellers
natural gas to be assigned to the Buyer on or prior to the sixtieth (60/th/) day
following the Closing. To the extent the assignment of all of MSC's obligations
under such agreement has not occurred on or prior to the sixtieth (60/th/) day
following the Closing, MSC will terminate the agreement as soon as reasonably
practicable thereafter and the Buyer will be responsible for, and be obligated
to pay to MSC within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of notice thereof, any
and all out-of-pocket costs required to terminate such agreement, and any
additional costs incurred by MSC under such agreement during the sixty (60) day
period following the Closing, as reasonably determined by MSC.

     5.9  Method of Conveyance. The sale, transfer, conveyance and assignment by
the MSC and the Sellers of the Purchased Assets and the Assumed Liabilities to
the Buyer in accordance with this Agreement shall be effected on the Closing
Date by the execution and delivery by MSC and the Sellers to the Buyer of
instruments of transfer reasonably requested by the Buyer, including (a) one or
more bills of sale in substantially the form of Exhibit B attached hereto (the
"Bill of Sale"), (b) assignments of trademarks for the Seller Intellectual
Property to be assigned to the Buyer in substantially the form of Exhibit C
attached hereto (the "Assignment of Intellectual Property"), (c) warranty deeds
with respect to the Owned Real Property to be conveyed to the Buyer containing
warranties customarily provided in the jurisdiction where the property is
located, (d) an assignment and assumption agreement substantially in the form of
Exhibit D attached hereto (the "Assignment and Assumption Agreement") and (e)
transfer documents for the certificates of title for all of the motor vehicles
used in the Sellers' businesses.

                                   ARTICLE VI.
                                    COVENANTS

     6.1  Conduct of Business Prior to Closing. Except as otherwise contemplated
by this Agreement, during the period from and including the date of this
Agreement to but excluding the Closing Date, each Seller shall, and MSC shall
cause each Seller to, conduct its operations only according to the Ordinary
Course, to maintain its books, records and accounts in accordance with GAAP, and
use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain satisfactory relationships with
suppliers whose supply contracts the Buyer will assume and customers designated
on Schedule 5.5(a). Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, prior to
the Closing Date, except as may be first approved in writing by the Buyer, each
Seller shall, and MSC shall cause each Seller to (a) refrain from amending or
modifying their respective certificate of incorporation and bylaws from their
respective forms on the date of this Agreement, (b) refrain from entering into
any Contract except Contracts in the Ordinary Course with terms no less
favorable to the Sellers than those entered into prior to the date hereof, (c)
refrain from canceling or waiving any claim

                                      -38-

<PAGE>

or right of substantial value, (d) refrain from making any change in accounting
methods or practices, except as required by law or GAAP, (e) refrain from
selling, leasing or otherwise disposing of any asset or property other than
Excluded Assets and sales of Inventory in the Ordinary Course, (f) refrain from
making any capital expenditure or commitment therefor, except in the Ordinary
Course, (g) refrain from painting any steel except pursuant to a specific
purchase order, (h) refrain from galvanizing any steel except to maintain
galvanized product historically ordered, (i) refrain from increasing raw
materials or supplies beyond historic levels and (j) refrain from agreeing in
writing to do any of the foregoing; provided that nothing in this Section 6.1
shall prevent either Seller from terminating any or all employees.

     6.2  Exclusive Dealing. During the period from and including the date of
this Agreement to but excluding the date, if any, on which this Agreement
terminates in accordance with its terms, MSC shall not permit either Seller to,
and Sellers shall not, take any action or authorize or permit any officer,
director or employee of, or any financial advisor, attorney, accountant or other
advisor or representative retained by, either Seller or MSC, as the case may be,
to, directly or indirectly, encourage, initiate or engage in discussions or
negotiations with, or provide any information to, any Person, other than the
Buyer and its representatives and advisers, concerning the sale or exchange of
all or any part of the Purchased Assets other than sales of Inventory and
settlement and collection of accounts receivable in the Ordinary Course, any
other interest in either Seller or any merger, sale of all or substantially all
of the assets of the Sellers or similar transaction involving either Seller.

     6.3  Full Access.

     (a)  The Buyer may, prior to the date, if any, on which this Agreement
terminates in accordance with its terms, directly or through its representatives
and advisers, review the properties, books and records of each Seller and its
financial and legal condition to the extent the Buyer deems necessary or
advisable to familiarize itself with such properties and other matters;
provided, however, such review shall not affect the representations and
warranties made by MSC and Sellers in this Agreement or the remedies of the
Buyer for breaches of those representations and warranties. MSC shall cause each
Seller to, and each Seller shall, permit the Buyer and its representatives to
have reasonable access to the premises and to all the books and records of each
Seller and to cause the officers of each Seller to furnish the Buyer with such
financial and operating data and other information in their possession with
respect to the business and properties of each Seller at reasonable times during
normal business hours as the Buyer shall from time to time reasonably request.

     (b)  In the event of a termination of this Agreement, (i) the Buyer shall
keep confidential all information obtained from the Sellers and MSC concerning
the properties, operations and business (unless readily ascertainable from
public or published information or trade sources) of the Sellers and, at the
request of the Sellers or MSC shall return to the Sellers or MSC all written
information obtained in connection therewith or, lieu thereof, shall destroy all
such written information and provide the relevant Seller or MSC with a
certificate to such effect; and (ii) the Sellers and MSC shall keep confidential
all information obtained from IMSA and the Buyer concerning the properties,
operations and business (unless readily ascertainable from public or published
information or trade sources) of the Buyer and, at the request of the Buyer or
IMSA shall return to the Buyer or IMSA all written information obtained in
connection therewith

                                      -39-

<PAGE>

or, lieu thereof, shall destroy all such written information and provide the
Buyer or IMSA with a certificate to such effect.

     6.4  Notices and Consents.

     (a)  Each of the Parties will, and MSC shall cause each Seller to, give any
required notices to third parties, and each of the Parties will, and MSC shall
cause each Seller to, use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any third
party consents that the other Party reasonably may request in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby. Each of the Parties will, and MSC shall
cause each Seller to, give any notices to, make any filings with, and use its
reasonable efforts to obtain any authorizations, consents, and approvals of
Governments and Governmental agencies in order to consummate the transactions
described in this Agreement.

     (b)  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Buyer, MSC and
each Seller shall (i) make such filings as may be required by the HSR Act with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (each, an "HSR Filing"), (ii)
respond promptly to inquiries from the Department of Justice and the Federal
Trade Commission in connection with such filings, (iii) file or cause to be
filed as promptly as practicable with the Department of Justice and Federal
Trade Commission any supplemental information that may be requested pursuant to
the HSR Act, and (iv) seek the earliest possible termination or waiver of the
waiting period under such statute. The Buyer, MSC and each Seller shall also
promptly file or cause the filing of the notices, applications, and requests
with federal, state and local Governmental authorities described in Schedule
6.4. The Buyer shall be solely responsible for all filing fees in connection
with any such filings.

     (c)  Subject to Section 8.1(d), each of the Buyer, MSC and each Seller
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to resolve such objections, if any, as
may be asserted with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
under any Antitrust Law. Subject to Section 8.1(d), if any administrative,
judicial or legislative action or proceeding is instituted (or threatened to be
instituted) challenging any transaction contemplated by this Agreement as
violative of any Antitrust Law, the Buyer, MSC and each Seller shall cooperate
reasonably with each other to contest and resist any such action or proceeding,
and to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any decree, judgment,
injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is
in effect and that restricts, prevents or prohibits consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, by
pursuing all reasonable avenues of administrative and judicial appeal.

     (d)  Each of the Buyer, MSC and each Seller shall promptly inform each
other of any material communication made to, or received by such party from, the
Federal Trade Commission, the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice or
any other Governmental or regulatory authority regarding any of the transactions
contemplated hereby.

     6.5  Tax Covenants. MSC and each Seller agrees, from and after the date of
this Agreement and until and including the Closing Date, that MSC shall cause
each Seller to, and each Seller shall (a) prepare all Tax Returns related to the
Purchased Assets in a manner that is consistent with the past practices of such
Seller with respect to the treatment of items on such Tax Returns except to the
extent that any inconsistency would not or may not reasonably be

                                      -40-

<PAGE>

expected to materially increase the Buyer's liability for Taxes for any period,
(b) refrain from incurring any material liability for Taxes related to the
Purchased Assets other than in the Ordinary Course, (c) refrain from entering
into any settlement or closing agreement with a taxing authority that increases
or may reasonably be expected to increase the Tax liability of the Buyer for any
period and (d) refrain from filing or causing to the filed any amended Tax
Returns or claims for refund related to the Purchased Assets which would or
could reasonably be expected to increase the Buyer's liability for Taxes for any
period, in each case without the consent of the Buyer, which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

         6.6   Parties to Maintain Existence. So long as any Party has any
obligations, contingent or otherwise, to any other Party under the Related
Documents, such first Party shall not voluntarily liquidate or dissolve;
provided, however, that either or both of the Sellers may liquidate or dissolve
to the extent MSC continues in existence with assets that would enable MSC to
perform Sellers' obligations hereunder.

         6.7   Maintenance of Real Property. Each Seller shall, and MSC shall
use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Seller to, maintain its Owned
Real Property, including all buildings, structures, fixtures, building systems
and equipment, and all components thereof, in substantially the same condition
as of the date of this Agreement, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and shall not
demolish or remove any of the existing buildings, structures, fixtures, building
systems and equipment, or erect new improvements on such real property or any
portion thereof, without the prior written consent of the Buyer; provided, that
any changes or damages to the operating condition of equipment as a result of
idling of the galvanizing line or the paint line shall be for the Buyer's
account, unless such change or damage is caused by actions or inactions of
either Seller that are willful, reckless or grossly outside of industry
standards.

         6.8   Title Insurance and Surveys. Each Seller shall, and MSC shall
cause each Seller to, obtain the following title insurance commitments, policies
and riders in preparation for the Closing:

               (a)   With respect to each parcel of Owned Real Property, an ALTA
         Owner's Policy of Title Insurance Form B-1992 (or equivalent policy
         reasonably acceptable to the Buyer if the real property is located in
         a state in which an ALTA Owner's Policy of Title Insurance Form B-1992
         is not available) issued by a title insurer reasonably satisfactory to
         the Buyer (and, if requested by the Buyer, reinsured in whole or in
         part by one or more insurance companies and pursuant to a direct
         access agreement reasonably acceptable to the Buyer), in such amount
         as the Buyer reasonably may determine to be the fair market value of
         such real property (including all improvements located thereon),
         insuring title to such real property to be in the Buyer's name as of
         the Closing Date.

               (b)   Each title insurance policy delivered under clause (a)
         above shall (1) insure title to the real property and all recorded
         easements benefiting such real property, (2) contain an "extended
         coverage endorsement" insuring over the general exceptions contained
         customarily in such policies to the extent available in the applicable
         jurisdiction, (3) contain an ALTA Zoning Endorsement 3.1 (or
         equivalent), (4) contain an endorsement insuring that each street
         adjacent to such real property is a public street and that there is
         direct and unencumbered pedestrian and vehicular access to such street
         from

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<PAGE>

         the real property and (5) if the real property consists of more than
         one record parcel, contain a "contiguity" endorsement insuring that all
         of the record parcels are contiguous to one another.

         6.9   WARN. Each Seller shall, and MSC shall cause each Seller to,
fully comply with any obligations imposed by WARN as a result of any "mass
lay-offs" (as defined in WARN) or any plant closing resulting in employees
suffering an "employment loss" (as defined in WARN) at Sellers' facilities.

         6.10  Aged Accounts Receivable. For a period of sixty (60) days from
and including the Closing Date, the Buyer shall be solely responsible for
collecting, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to collect, amounts
due to the Sellers in respect of Aged Accounts Receivable in exchange for a fee
of 15% of the amounts collected; provided, however, that the Buyer shall not be
liable to MSC, PPS or PFM for any failure to collect on such accounts so long as
the Buyer has used commercially reasonable efforts to collect such accounts.
Each Seller shall, and MSC shall cause each Seller to, reasonably assist the
Buyer in its collection efforts hereunder. Immediately following such sixty (60)
day period, all responsibility for collecting amounts due in respect of Aged
Accounts Receivable shall revert to Sellers with no further action by the
Parties. In furtherance of, and not by way of limitation of, the foregoing
provisions of this Section 6.10, the Parties agree to the procedures set forth
in Schedule 6.10.

         6.11  Non-competition. For a period of three (3) years commencing on
the Closing Date, MSC agrees that it and its Subsidiaries and their successors
that are Subsidiaries of MSC (collectively, the "MSC Party") shall not build or
purchase any steel galvanizing or coil coating facility in the United States
west of the Mississippi River (or obtain any interest in any such facility or
any entity that owns such facility) that produces hot-dipped galvanized or
organically coated steel product; provided, however, the MSC Party may make such
an investment if the MSC Party does not derive any profit or other benefit from
such facility's production of hot-dipped galvanized or organically coated steel
product (other than incidental profit on organically coated steel product if
associated with MSC's laminate and composite offerings). For a period of two (2)
years commencing on the Closing Date, the Buyer agrees that it and its
Subsidiaries and their successors that are Subsidiaries of the Buyer shall not
relocate the coil coating line of PFM east of the Mississippi River, or in
Minnesota, Iowa or Missouri. For a period of eighteen (18) months following the
Closing Date, no MSC Party shall actively market to the customers set forth on
Schedule 6.11 the products sold by the Sellers on or prior to the Closing Date.

         6.12  Working Space and Access. During the period from and including
the Closing Date to and including the forty-fifth (45th) day following the
Closing Date, the Buyer shall provide MSC with reasonable working space at the
facilities of the Sellers located in Richmond, California for up to twenty (20)
individuals during the ten (10) Business Day Period from and after the Closing
Date, and up to ten (10) individuals thereafter for the remainder of such
forty-five day period (unless the parties agree to a greater or lesser amount),
and shall provide access to the same during normal business hours, for the
purpose of reviewing the books, records and work papers of the Buyer relevant to
(a) the collection of Excluded Accounts Receivable in accordance with Section
6.10, (b) pre-Closing environmental matters, (c) the Excluded Liabilities (d)
the Closing Balances and (e) shipping inventory owned by customers in accordance
with Section 6.14. In addition, the Buyer shall reasonably cooperate with MSC
and

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<PAGE>

its representatives and agents in connection with MSC's review of the
Post-Closing Accrued Claims Reserve Schedule and shall provide access during
normal business hours of the Buyer for the purpose of reviewing the books,
records and work papers of the Buyer relevant to the determination of the
Accrued Claims Amount.

         6.13  Use of Names. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding:

               (a)   No interest in or right to use the names "MSC" or "Pre
         Finish Metals" and derivatives thereof is being transferred by the
         Sellers and MSC to the Buyer hereunder; provided that the Buyer shall
         be permitted to use such names to collect Collected Accounts Receivable
         in accordance with Section 6.10. The Buyer agrees that it will as
         promptly as practicable, but in any event within ninety (90) days
         following the Closing Date, discontinue using such names and any
         corresponding logos, trademarks, trade names and the like, and remove
         or obliterate them from all signs, purchase orders, invoices, sales
         orders, packaging stock, labels, letterheads, shipping documents and
         other materials used or produced by the Buyer.

               (b)   All right, title and interest in and to, and the right to
         use the names "Pinole Point Steel" and "Colorstrip, Inc." and
         derivatives thereof is being transferred by the Sellers and MSC to the
         Buyer hereunder. The Sellers and MSC agree that each will as promptly
         as reasonably practicable, but in any event within ninety (90) days
         following the Closing Date (except for company-wide materials printed
         prior to the Closing Date, of which the Sellers and MSC shall
         discontinue their use as promptly as reasonably practicable),
         discontinue using such names and any corresponding logos, trademarks,
         trade names and the like, and remove or obliterate them from all signs,
         purchase orders, invoices, sales orders, packaging stock, labels,
         letterheads, shipping documents and other materials used or produced by
         the Sellers or MSC. The Sellers and MSC agree that as promptly as
         practicable, but in any event within fifteen (15) Business Days
         following the Closing Date, PPS will change its corporate name in its
         jurisdiction of organization and in each jurisdiction where it is
         qualified to do business to remove "Pinole Point Steel" therefrom. At
         the Buyer's request and expense, MSC and the Sellers will cooperate,
         and will cause each of its Affiliates to cooperate, in taking all steps
         reasonably necessary in any jurisdiction to preserve for the Buyer and
         its Affiliates and, where appropriate, assign to the Buyer and its
         Affiliates, all right, title and interest in and to said names, logos,
         trademarks, trade names, and the like, registration and usage thereof,
         and the goodwill associated therewith. The Sellers and MSC will not,
         and will cause each of their Affiliates not to, misappropriate,
         misrepresent or otherwise infringe, abuse or diminish the value of said
         trade names, names, trademarks or logos.

         6.14  Customer-Owned Inventory. Each Seller shall be permitted to store
at the Sellers' facilities finished and packaged product that has been purchased
by customers prior to the Closing Date, but which could not have reasonably been
shipped prior to the Closing Date, for a period of time from and including the
Closing Date to but excluding the thirtieth (30th) day following the Closing
Date, for the purpose of shipping such product (such shipping to be prepaid
freight or freight paid by MSC); provided, however, that in no event shall more
than two (2) days worth of production be so stored without the prior written
consent of the Buyer. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, each of
MSC, PPS and PFM agree to jointly

                                      -43-

<PAGE>

and severally indemnify and hold the Buyer and each of its Affiliates and each
of their respective officers, directors, partners, members, managers, employees
and agents and any successors thereto harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any
Losses incurred or paid as a result of or arising out of the loss of such
customer-owned inventory due to events of force majeure.

         6.15  Information. Within fifteen (15) days after the end of each
calendar month from and including June 1, 2002 to and including November 30,
2002, the Buyer shall provide MSC with a list of the claims settled during the
preceding calendar month and debited against the accrued claims reserve of the
Buyer with respect to the facilities located in Richmond, California.

         6.16  Receipt of Payments in Respect of Accounts Receivable.

         (a)   Each of PPS and PFM shall, and MSC shall cause each of PPS and
PFM to, document receipt of amounts from account debtors in respect of (a)
Purchased Accounts Receivable and (b) Aged Accounts Receivable. Each of PPS and
PFM shall, and MSC shall cause each of PPS and PFM to, pay to the Buyer at the
Buyer's account no less than once every other week an amount equal to (i) 100%
of the amounts received in respect of Purchased Accounts Receivable, if any, and
(ii) 15% of the amounts received in respect of Aged Accounts Receivable during
the sixty-day period referred to in Section 6.10.

         (b)   The Buyer shall document receipt of amounts from account debtors
in respect of (a) Excluded Accounts Receivable and (b) Aged Accounts Receivable.
The Buyer shall pay to the Sellers at the Sellers' account no less than once
every other week an amount equal to (i) 100% of the amounts received in respect
of Excluded Accounts Receivable, if any, (ii) 85% of the amounts received in
respect of Aged Accounts Receivable during the sixty-day period referred to in
Section 6.10 and (iii) 100% of the amounts received in respect of Aged Accounts
Receivable following the sixty-day period referred to in Section 6.10.

                                  ARTICLE VII.
                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

         7.1   Conditions of all Parties. The obligation of each of the Parties
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby is subject to the
satisfaction or waiver by such Party on or before the Closing, of the following
conditions precedent:

               (a)   Injunction. No preliminary or permanent injunction or other
         order shall have been issued by any court or by any Governmental Entity
         which prohibits the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
         this Agreement and the other Related Documents and which is in effect
         on the Closing Date.

               (b)   Statutes; Governmental Approvals. No statute, rule,
         regulation, executive order, decree or order of any kind shall have
         been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any court or other
         Governmental Entity which prohibits the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Related
         Documents; all Governmental and other consents and approvals, if any,
         necessary to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated
         by the Related Documents shall have

                                      -44-

<PAGE>

         been received and all applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act with
         respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have
         expired or been terminated.

               (c)   No Litigation. As of the Closing Date, no action or
         proceedings shall have been instituted before a court or other
         Government body or by any public authority to restrain or prohibit the
         consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
         other Related Documents.

         7.2   Conditions of the Buyer. The obligation of the Buyer to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and in the other Related
Documents is additionally subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or before the
Closing Date of the following conditions precedent:

               (a)   Truth of Representations and Warranties. The
         representations and warranties of the MSC and Sellers contained herein
         shall be true and accurate in all material respects, in each case at
         and as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date (except
         to the extent a representation or warranty speaks specifically as of an
         earlier date or as expressly provided for in this Agreement), and MSC
         and each Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer a certificate dated
         the Closing Date, to such effect.

               (b)   Performance of Agreements. All of the agreements of MSC and
         each Seller to be performed pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to
         the Closing shall have been duly performed in all material respects,
         and MSC and each Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer a
         certificate, dated the Closing Date, to such effect.

               (c)   Consents. All consents by the third parties identified in
         Schedule 7.2(c) shall have been obtained unless the goods or services
         provided for in the Contracts with such parties may be obtained on a
         commercially equivalent basis, and, with respect to any other third
         party consents, except to the extent that the failure to obtain such
         consent does not have a Material Adverse Effect.

               (d)   Proceedings. As of the Closing Date, the Buyer shall have
         received copies of all resolutions of the boards of directors of MSC
         and each Seller authorizing each such Party's execution, delivery and
         performance of this Agreement and the Related Documents to which each
         is a party, and MSC and each Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer a
         certificate, dated the Closing Date, certifying that such resolutions
         were duly adopted, have not been amended and remain in full force and
         effect.

               (e)   Related Documents. Each Bill of Sale, the Assignment and
         Assumption Agreement, each Assignment of Intellectual Property and each
         other document described in Section 5.9 (together with this Agreement,
         the "Related Documents") shall have been duly executed and delivered by
         the parties (other than the Buyer) thereto.

               (f)   Real Estate. The Buyer shall have received (i) deeds as are
         customary in the applicable jurisdiction conveying title to all Owned
         Real Property and containing warranties customarily provided in the
         jurisdiction where the property is located, (ii) commitments for title
         insurance in the amounts allocated to the Owned Real Property as
         provided by Section 6.8, (iii) transfer tax forms and affidavits as may
         be reasonably requested in connection with the recordation of special
         or limited warranty deeds and (iv)

                                      -45-

<PAGE>

     affidavits of title as may be required by the title company to issue the
     requested title insurance policy to the Buyer.

          (g)  Non-foreign Person Affidavit. Each Seller shall furnish to the
     Buyer on or before the Closing Date a non-foreign person affidavit as
     required by Section 1445 of the Code.

     7.3  Conditions of MSC and the Sellers. The obligations of MSC and the
Sellers to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and in the other
Related Documents are additionally subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or
before the Closing Date of the following conditions precedent:

          (a)  Truth of Representations and Warranties. The representations and
     warranties of the Buyer contained herein shall be true and accurate in all
     material respects, in each case at and as of the date of this Agreement and
     as of the Closing Date (except to the extent a representation or warranty
     speaks specifically as of an earlier date or as expressly provided for in
     this Agreement), and the Buyer shall have delivered to MSC a certificate
     dated the Closing Date, to such effect.

          (b)  Performance of Agreements. All of the agreements of the Buyer to
     be performed pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to the Closing shall
     have been duly performed in all material respects, and the Buyer shall have
     delivered to MSC a certificate, dated the Closing Date, to such effect.

          (c)  Proceedings. As of the Closing Date, MSC shall have received
     copies of all resolutions of the board of directors of the Buyer and IMSA
     authorizing the Buyer's and IMSA's execution, delivery and performance of
     this Agreement and the Related Documents to which it is a party, and the
     Buyer and IMSA shall have delivered to MSC a certificate, dated the Closing
     Date, certifying that such resolutions were duly adopted, have not been
     amended and remain in full force and effect.

          (d)  Related Documents. Each of the Related Documents shall have been
     duly executed and delivered by the parties (other than MSC and the Sellers)
     thereto.

                                  ARTICLE VIII.
                                   TERMINATION

     8.1  Events of Termination. This Agreement may be terminated prior to the
Closing:

          (a)  at any time by mutual written agreement of the Parties;

          (b)  if early termination of the waiting period with respect to the
     HSR Filings is not granted, or the waiting period does not expire within
     thirty (30) days of the date the last HSR Filing is deemed accepted for
     filing by the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice (such
     thirtieth day, the "Acceptance Date") without a request for additional
     information, then any Party may terminate this Agreement by written notice
     to the other Parties at any time prior to the end of the tenth (10th) day
     immediately following the Acceptance Date;

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<PAGE>

          (c)  if any Party receives a second request for information from the
     applicable Governmental agency reviewing the HSR Filings, and such review
     has not concluded within sixty (60) days of the Acceptance Date, then any
     Party may terminate this Agreement by written notice to the other Parties
     at any time prior to the end of the tenth (10th) day immediately following
     such sixtieth day;

          (d)  if any administrative, judicial or legislative investigation,
     action or proceeding is instituted (other than in connection with an HSR
     Filing) challenging any transaction contemplated by this Agreement as
     violative of any Antitrust Law and which seeks to restrain or prohibit the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, then the
     Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts for a thirty (30) day
     period to dismiss such action or proceeding or terminate such
     investigation. If at the end of such thirty (30) day period, such action or
     proceeding has not been dismissed or such investigation shall not have been
     terminated, then either Party may terminate this Agreement by written
     notice to the other Parties at any time during the five (5) Business Day
     period beginning immediately following the expiration of such thirty (30)
     day period; and

          (e)  by either Party, by written notice to the other Parties, if (i)
     the occurrence of unknown events substantially damages or impairs the
     Purchased Assets as a result of actions or omissions by MSC, PPS, PFM or
     their Subsidiaries and Affiliates (other than actions contemplated by this
     Agreement) and (ii) the Phase II Audit reveals the existence of
     environmental conditions the remediation of which would reasonably require
     the shutdown of manufacturing operations (1) on the galvanizing line for a
     period of thirty (30) consecutive days or more and (2) on the paint line
     for a period equal to the greater of (A) five (5) consecutive days or more
     and (B) such longer period that the Buyer determines in its sole
     discretion.

     8.2  Effect of Termination; Termination Fee.
          --------------------------------------

     (a)  If this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Section 8.1(a),
(c), (d) or (e), then no termination fee shall be payable by the terminating
Party.

     (b)  If this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Section 8.1(b),
then the terminating Party shall pay to the non-terminating Party an aggregate
cash break-up fee of $1,000,000 in immediately available funds as liquidated
damages in lieu of any and all amounts, claims and other damages that may be
asserted by the non-terminating Party against the terminating Party. For
purposes of this Section 8.2, "terminating Party" and "non-terminating Party"
shall mean MSC, PPS and PFM, jointly and severally on the one hand, and the
Buyer on the other hand, as appropriate.

     (c)  If any Party terminates this Agreement for any reason other than as
set forth in Section 8.2(a) or (b) or otherwise fails to close the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, notwithstanding that the other Parties (i) are
willing and able to perform their respective obligations hereunder, (ii) have
satisfied (or are ready and able to satisfy) on the Closing Date each and every
condition to closing set forth in Sections 7.1; 7.2(a), (b), (c) and (f); and
7.3(a) and (b), as applicable, and (iii) are not otherwise in breach of any of
the terms or conditions

                                      -47-

<PAGE>

hereof, the terminating Party shall pay the non-terminating Party an aggregate
cash break-up fee of $3,000,000 in immediately available funds as liquidated
damages in lieu of any and all amounts, claims and other damages that may be
asserted by the non-terminating Party against the terminating Party.

     (d)  In the event that this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to
Section 8.1, all further obligations of the Parties hereto under this Agreement
(other than pursuant to Sections 6.3(b), 8.2(d), 12.1 and 12.2, which shall
continue in full force and effect) shall terminate without further liability or
obligation of any Party to any other Party hereunder.

     (e)  The parties agree that the termination fees provided for in this
Section 8.2 are reasonable estimates of damages, and shall be treated as
liquidated damages. The parties further agree that the sole and exclusive remedy
for termination of this Agreement shall be the termination fees provided for in
this Section 8.2.

                                  ARTICLE IX.
                  SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS; INDEMNIFICATION

     9.1  Survival of Representations. The representations and warranties of the
Parties contained in Articles II, III and IV (and in any Schedule or Exhibit
attached hereto or certificate delivered in connection with the Closing) shall
survive until February 29, 2004; provided that the representations and
warranties contained in Sections 2.5, 3.6(a), 3.10, 3.15, 3.16, 3.20, 3.21(g),
3.27 and 4.5 shall survive indefinitely; and provided, further, that Sections
3.12(j) and 3.12(k) shall survive for the periods set forth therein.

     9.2  Indemnification.

     (a)  Each of MSC, PPS and PFM agree to jointly and severally indemnify and
hold the Buyer and each of its Affiliates and each of their respective officers,
directors, partners, members, managers, employees and agents and any successors
thereto harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any and all claims, losses,
liabilities, obligations, damages, costs and out-of-pocket expenses (including
reasonable attorney fees) (collectively, "Losses") incurred or paid as a result
of or arising out of the failure of any representation or warranty made by MSC,
PPS or PFM in Articles II or III of this Agreement, other than the
representations and warranties contained in Section 3.10, (or in any Schedule or
Exhibit attached hereto or certificate delivered by MSC, PPS or PFM in
connection with the Closing) to be true and correct in all material respects as
of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date.

     (b)  The Buyer agrees to indemnify and hold each of MSC, PPS and PFM and
each of their Affiliates and each of their officers, directors, partners,
members, managers, employees and agents harmless, on an after-tax basis, from
any and all Losses incurred or paid as a result of or arising out of the failure
of any representation or warranty made by the Buyer in Article IV of this
Agreement (or in any Schedule or Exhibit attached hereto or certificate
delivered by the Buyer in connection with the Closing) to be true and correct in
all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date.

     (c)  Subject to Articles X and XI, the sole recourse and remedy of the
Buyer for any inaccuracy in any representation or warranty or alleged
representation or warranty by or on

                                      -48-

<PAGE>

behalf of MSC, PPS and/or PFM contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement
(or in any Schedule or Exhibit attached hereto or certificate delivered by the
Buyer in connection with the Closing) shall be under the provisions of and to
the extent provided in this Article IX. Subject to Articles X and XI, the Buyer
shall comply with this Section 9.2(c) and will not assert any inaccuracy in any
representation or warranty or alleged representation or warranty or seek any
recourse or remedy in respect thereof other than under the provisions of this
Article IX.

     (d)  Subject to Articles X and XI, the sole recourse and remedy of MSC, PPS
and PFM for any inaccuracy in any representation or warranty or alleged
representation or warranty by or on behalf of the Buyer contained in or made
pursuant to this Agreement (or in any Schedule or Exhibit attached hereto or
certificate delivered by the Buyer in connection with the Closing) shall be
under the provisions of and to the extent provided for in this Article IX. MSC,
PPS and PFM shall comply with this Section 9.2(d) and none of MSC, PPS and PFM
will assert any such inaccuracy in any representation or warranty or alleged
representation or warranty or seek any recourse or remedy in respect thereof
other than under the provisions of this Article IX.

     (e)  The obligations to indemnify and hold harmless pursuant to this
Section 9.2 shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement for the time periods set forth in Section 9.1, except for claims
for indemnification asserted prior to the end of such periods, which claims
shall survive until final resolution thereof.

     (f)  The total obligations of MSC, PPS and PFM, on one hand, and the total
obligations of the Buyer, on the other hand, to indemnify and hold harmless
pursuant to this Section 9.2 shall be limited to an aggregate amount of
$5,000,000, and no Indemnified Party shall be entitled to recovery for Losses
pursuant to such Section until the aggregate amount of Losses exceeds $500,000
(in which case the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to recover for all such
Losses relating back to the first dollar); provided, however, that the
limitations provided in this Section 9.2(f) shall not apply to Losses that arise
from a breach of any of the representations and warranties contained in Sections
2.2, 2.5, 3.2, 3.6(a), 3.15, 3.16, 3.20, 3.21(g), 3.27, 4.2 and 4.5; and
provided, further, that Section 3.12(l) (and not this Section 9.2(f)) shall
govern the amount of Losses recoverable by an Indemnified Party for a breach of
any of the representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.12(j) and
3.12(k).

     (g)  Limitation on Damages. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Agreement, no Party (or any of its Affiliates) shall, in any event, be
liable to the other Party (or any of its Affiliates) for any consequential,
special, indirect or punitive damages of such other Party (or any of its
Affiliates), including loss of future revenue or income or loss of business
reputation or opportunity relating to the breach or alleged breach of this
Agreement. The Buyer shall not be entitled to indemnification for a breach of
any representation or warranty under Section 9.2 if, on the date of this
Agreement, Cesar Jarero, Pat Finan and Bruce Hopkins had actual knowledge that
MSC or the Sellers were in breach of the representation or warranty in question
(taking into account the Disclosure Schedules); provided that nothing in this
sentence shall apply to or limit the Buyer's rights to recover for any breach of
a representation or warranty set forth in Section 3.10.

                                      -49-

<PAGE>

     9.3  Indemnification Procedure.

     (a)  Promptly after the incurring of Losses by any Party or other Person
entitled to indemnification under this Article IX (each, an "Indemnified
Party"), including any claim by a third party described in Section 9.3(c) which
might give rise to indemnification hereunder, the Indemnified Party shall
promptly deliver a certificate containing the information described below (a
"Certificate") to the Party that is required to indemnify such Indemnified Party
under Article IX (such indemnifying party, the "Indemnifying Party"). Such
Certificate shall:

          (i)  state that the Indemnified Party has paid or properly accrued
     Losses or reasonably anticipates that it will incur liability for Losses
     for which such Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification pursuant to
     this Agreement; and

          (ii) specify in reasonable detail each individual item of damage
     included in the amount so stated, the date such item was paid or properly
     accrued, the basis for any anticipated liability and the nature of the
     misrepresentation, inaccuracy or claim to which each such item is related
     and the computation of the amount to which such Indemnified Party claims to
     be entitled under Section 9.2 of this Agreement.

     (b)  In case the Indemnifying Party shall object to the indemnification of
an Indemnified Party in respect of any claim or claims specified in any
Certificate, the Indemnifying Party shall, within thirty (30) days after receipt
by the Indemnifying Party of such Certificate, deliver to the Indemnified Party
a written notice to such effect and the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified
Party shall, within the thirty (30) day period beginning on the date of receipt
by the Indemnified Party of such written objection, attempt in good faith to
agree upon the rights of the respective parties with respect to each of such
claims to which the Indemnifying Party shall have so objected. If the
Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party shall succeed in reaching agreement
on their respective rights with respect to any of such claims, the Indemnified
Party and the Indemnifying Party shall promptly prepare and sign a memorandum
setting forth such agreement. Should the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying
Party be unable to agree as to any particular item or items or amount or
amounts, then such dispute shall be settled by binding arbitration in New York,
New York in accordance with the then-current Rules of Arbitration of the
International Chamber of Commerce. The arbitration shall be conducted in
English, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered
in any court having jurisdiction. There shall be three arbitrators, one to be
chosen by each Party directly at will, and the third arbitrator to be selected
by the two arbitrators so chosen. Each arbitrator shall be an attorney (i) whose
primary practice area comprises mergers and acquisitions, (ii) with at least
fifteen years of practice experience and (iii) that is a partner of a law firm
consisting of at least 200 attorneys. Each Party shall pay the fees of the
arbitrator it selects and of its own attorneys and the expenses of its
witnesses, and all other fees and costs shall be borne equally by the MSC and
the Buyer. Judgment on any award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in
any court having jurisdiction and no Party shall object to the entry of such
award.

     (c)  Promptly after the assertion by any third party of any claim against
any Indemnified Party that, in the judgment of such Indemnified Party, may
result in the incurring by such Indemnified Party of Losses for which such
Indemnified Party would be entitled to

                                      -50-

<PAGE>

indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, such Indemnified Party shall deliver
to the Indemnifying Party a written notice describing in reasonable detail such
claim and such Indemnifying Party may, at its option, assume the defense of the
Indemnified Party against such claim (including the employment of counsel, who
shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party) and the payment of
expenses. An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel
in any such action or claim and to participate in the defense thereof, but the
fees and expenses of such counsel shall not be at the expense of the
Indemnifying Party unless (x) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed, within a
reasonable time after having been notified by the Indemnified Party of the
existence of such claim as provided in the preceding sentence, to assume the
defense of such claim, (y) the employment of such counsel has been specifically
authorized in writing by the Indemnifying Party or (z) the named parties to any
such action (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified
Party and the Indemnifying Party and such Indemnified Party shall have been
advised in writing by counsel that there are one or more material legal defenses
available to the Indemnified Party which are not available to the Indemnifying
Party, or available to the Indemnifying Party, but the assertion of which would
be adverse to the interests of the Indemnified Party. No Indemnifying Party
shall be liable to indemnify any Indemnified Party for any settlement of any
such action or claim effected without the written consent of the Indemnifying
Party, but if settled with the written consent of the Indemnifying Party, or if
there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the Indemnifying
Party shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against
any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.

     (d)  Claims for Losses specified in any Certificate to which an
Indemnifying Party shall not object in writing within thirty (30) days of
receipt of such Certificate, claims for Losses covered by a memorandum of
agreement of the nature described in Section 9.3(b), claims for Losses the
validity and amount of which have been the subject of binding arbitration as
described in Section 9.3(b) and claims for Losses the validity and amount of
which shall have been the subject of a final judicial determination, or shall
have been settled with the consent of the Indemnifying party, as described in
Section 9.3(c) are hereinafter referred to as "Agreed Claims". Within ten (10)
Business Days of the determination of the amount of any Agreed Claims, the
Indemnifying Party shall pay to the Indemnified Party an amount equal to the
Agreed Claim by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the bank account
or accounts designated in writing by the Indemnified Party not less than three
(3) Business Days prior to such payment.

                                   ARTICLE X.
                          CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

     10.1 ENVIRON's Phase II Audit. The Buyer (or the Buyer's consultant) has
completed the field work for the ENVIRON Phase II Audit and shall provide a copy
of the final report of such audit to MSC as promptly as reasonably practicable.

     10.2 Responsibility for Known On-Site Environmental Matters. MSC and each
Seller shall jointly and severally be responsible for, and pay for,
Environmental Losses to the extent arising from any Known On-Site Environmental
Matters, including any Environmental Losses relating to the offsite treatment,
storage, disposal or arrangement for disposal of materials, substances or wastes
identified in the Phase II Audits. Notwithstanding the prior sentence, with

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<PAGE>

respect to any Environmental Losses from Known On-Site Environmental Matters
identified in the Designated Buyer's Phase II Audit Report (as defined in the
1997 Acquisition Agreement) or the Seller's Phase II Audit Report (as defined in
the 1997 Acquisition Agreement) prepared pursuant to the 1997 Acquisition
Agreement, the Buyer shall first assert and pursue a claim against Colorstrip,
and MSC and each Seller shall jointly and severally be responsible for, and pay
for, only those Environmental Losses for Known Onsite Environmental Matters for
which Colorstrip has not, within 120 calendar days after such claim was made,
honored or otherwise reasonably acknowledged its indemnification obligation.

     10.3 Responsibility for Post-Closing On-Site Environmental Matters. The
Buyer shall be responsible and pay for Environmental Losses to the extent
arising from any Post-Closing On-Site Environmental Matters.

     10.4 Responsibility for Undiscovered Pre-Closing On-Site Environmental
Matters. The Buyer, on the one hand, and MSC, PPS and PFM jointly and severally
on the other hand, agree to share responsibility and costs between them for
Environmental Losses to the extent arising from any Undiscovered Pre-Closing
On-Site Environmental Matters, in accordance with the following percentages
during the time periods specified, based upon the twelve (12) calendar month
period following the Closing Date in which the condition giving rise to the
applicable claim is first discovered:

                                                                MSC
Period Following Closing                                    and Sellers    Buyer
------------------------                                    -----------    -----

During the First Year following the Closing Date                80%         20%

During the Second Year following the Closing Date               60%         40%

During the Third Year following the Closing Date                40%         60%

During the Fourth Year following the Closing Date               20%         80%

After the Fourth Year following the Closing Date                 0         100%

provided, however, that MSC's and Sellers' liability under this Section 10.4
shall be limited to an aggregate maximum amount based upon the twelve (12)
calendar month period following the Closing Date in which the condition giving
rise to the applicable claim is first discovered:

Period Following Closing                                   Aggregate Maximum
------------------------                                   -----------------

During the First Year following the Closing Date               $3,000,000

During the Second Year following the Closing Date              $2,250,000

During the Third Year following the Closing Date               $1,500,000

                                      -52-

<PAGE>

During the Fourth Year following the Closing Date                  $750,000

After the Fourth Year following the Closing Date                          0

Notwithstanding the foregoing, MSC's and Sellers' liability under this Section
10.4 shall be subject to a cumulative maximum amount of $3,000,000. For example,
if MSC and the Sellers would otherwise be responsible for Environmental Losses
of $1,000,000 for conditions discovered during the first year after Closing,
$1,500,000 for conditions discovered during the second year after Closing and
$2,000,000 for conditions discovered during the third year after Closing, then
MSC and the Sellers would only be required to pay the Buyer $1,000,000,
$1,500,000 and $500,000 for the conditions discovered during such first, second
and third years, respectively. By way of further example, if no conditions were
discovered during the first and second years after Closing but MSC and the
Sellers would otherwise be responsible for $2,500,000 for conditions discovered
during the third year after Closing, then MSC and the Sellers would only be
required to pay the Buyer $1,500,000 in respect of such conditions.

     10.5 Reimbursement. The Buyer, on the one hand, and MSC, PPS and PFM
jointly and severally on the other hand, each agrees to reimburse the other for
Environmental Losses incurred by such other Party as needed to achieve the
allocation set forth in Sections 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 above. Such reimbursement
shall be made immediately upon presentation of evidence of the Environmental
Loss incurred.

     10.6 Remedial Action. With respect to any indemnification claim hereunder
with respect to Onsite Environmental Matters after the Closing Date as to which
investigatory, corrective or remedial work ("Remedial Action") is to be
conducted at the Owned Real Property, the Buyer shall have the right to
principally manage the subject matter of the claim, which right shall include,
without limitation, the right acting reasonably to select and retain technical
and legal experts, determine the type and scope of any Remedial Action,
determine appropriate cleanup levels, and conduct negotiations and reach
settlements with government agencies and third parties. In connection therewith,
the Buyer shall reasonably consult with MSC throughout the course of the
Remedial Action, provide MSC with copies of all material reports and
correspondence submitted to Governmental agencies with respect to the Remedial
Action, and provide a reasonable opportunity for MSC to participate in the
planning of and attend any material meetings or negotiations with governmental
agencies and third parties and to afford MSC the right to approve material
decisions relating to such matter (not to be unreasonably withheld). As between
Colorstrip and the Buyer, with respect to any On-Site Environmental Matters as
to which Colorstrip has the right to principally manage Remedial Action pursuant
to Section 8.7 of the 1997 Acquisition Agreement, such Section 8.7 shall govern
the control of such Remedial Action. The Parties additionally agree to generally
conduct themselves in a manner which complies with, and preserves rights of
indemnification pursuant to, Article VIII of the 1997 Acquisition Agreement.

                                      -53-

<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE XI.
                                  TAX MATTERS

     11.1 Tax Returns.

     (a)  MSC shall have the exclusive authority and obligation to prepare,
execute on behalf of the Sellers and timely file, or cause to be prepared and
timely filed, all Tax Returns related to the Purchased Assets and the Assumed
Liabilities that are due with respect to any taxable year or other taxable
period. Such authority shall include the determination of the manner in which
any items of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit arising out of the income,
properties and operations of the Sellers shall be reported or disclosed in such
Tax Returns; provided that, except for Tax Returns filed with respect to the Tax
issues set forth on Schedule 11.1, such Tax Returns, to the extent they relate
to the Purchased Assets or the Assumed Liabilities, shall be prepared by
treating items on such Tax Returns in a manner consistent with the past
practices of the Sellers with respect to such items except to the extent that
any inconsistency would not or may not reasonably be expected to materially
increase the Buyer's liability for Taxes for any period.

     (b)  Except as provided in Section 11.1(a), the Buyer shall have the
exclusive authority and obligation to prepare and timely file, or cause to be
prepared and timely filed, all Tax Returns related to the Purchased Assets and
the Assumed Liabilities. Such authority shall include the determination of the
manner in which any items of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit arising out
of the income, properties and operations related to the Purchased Assets and the
Assumed Liabilities shall be reported or disclosed on such Tax Returns; provided
that such Tax Returns, to the extent that they relate to the Purchased Assets or
the Assumed Liabilities, shall, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be
prepared by treating items or such Tax Returns in a manner consistent with past
practices of the Sellers with respect to such items except to the extent that
any inconsistency would not or may not reasonably be expected to materially
increase the Sellers' liability for Taxes for any period.

     11.2 Payment of Taxes. MSC shall be responsible and liable for the timely
payment of any and all Taxes imposed on or with respect to the Purchased Assets
and the Assumed Liabilities for all Pre-Closing Periods and the Buyer shall be
responsible and liable for the timely payment of any and all Taxes imposed on or
with respect to the Purchased Assets and the Assumed Liabilities for all periods
beginning after the Closing Date.

     11.3 Controversies.

     (a)  MSC shall promptly notify the Buyer upon receipt by MSC or any
Affiliate thereof of written notice of any inquiries, claims, assessments,
audits or similar events with respect to Taxes related to the Purchased Assets
and the Assumed Liabilities (any such inquiry, claim, assessment, audit or
similar event, a "Tax Matter"). MSC, at is sole expense, shall have the
authority to represent the interests of the Sellers with respect to any Tax
Matter before the IRS, any other taxing authority, any other Governmental Entity
or any court and shall have the sole right to control the defense, compromise or
other resolution of any Tax Matter, including responding to inquiries, filing
Tax Returns and contesting, defending against and resolving any assessment for
additional Taxes or notice of Tax deficiency or other adjustment of Taxes of, or

                                      -54-

<PAGE>

relating to, a Tax Matter; provided that neither MSC nor any Affiliate thereof
shall enter into any settlement of or otherwise compromise any Tax Matter that
would or may reasonably be expected to materially increase the Tax liability of
the Buyer or any of its Affiliates with respect to the Purchased Assets or the
Assumed Liabilities for any period without the prior written consent of the
Buyer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

     (b)  Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.3(a) above, the Buyer shall
have the sole right to control any audit or examination by any taxing authority,
initiate any claim for refund or amend any Tax Return which the Buyer is
permitted or required to file, and contest, resolve and defend against any
assessment for additional Taxes, notice of Tax deficiency or other adjustment of
Taxes of, or relating to the Purchased Assets and the Assumed Liabilities for
all taxable periods; provided that the Buyer shall not enter into any settlement
of or otherwise compromise any Tax Matter that would or may reasonably be
expected to materially increase the Tax liability of the Sellers with respect to
the Purchased Assets or the Assumed Liabilities for any period without the prior
written consent of MSC, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed.

     11.4 Transfer Taxes. All transfer, sales and use, registration, stamp and
documentary transfer taxes and similar Taxes imposed in connection with the
purchase and sale of the Purchased Assets and the Assumed Liabilities ("Transfer
Taxes") shall, subject to the "true-up" under Section 5.6(l) hereof, be borne
solely by the Buyer. MSC and the Sellers shall cooperate with the Buyer in
obtaining any reduction of or exemption from Transfer Taxes that may be
available.

     11.5 Amended Returns. The Sellers shall not file or cause to be filed any
amended Tax Return or claims for refund related to the Purchased Assets and the
Assumed Liabilities without the prior written consent of the Buyer, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, except to the extent that
any such amended Tax Return or claim for refund would not or may not reasonably
be expected to materially increase the Buyer's liability for any period.

     11.6 Indemnification.

     (a)  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, MSC, PPS and PFM agree to jointly and severally indemnify, defend and
hold the Buyer, its Affiliates and the successors to the foregoing (and their
respective stockholders, officers, partners, members, managers, directors,
employees agents, successors and assigns) harmless on an after-tax basis from
and against (i) all Taxes and Losses resulting from, arising out of, or incurred
with respect to, any claims that may be asserted by any party based on,
attributable to, or resulting from the failure of any representation or warranty
made pursuant to Section 3.10 to be true and correct in all respects as of the
date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, (ii) all Taxes imposed on or
asserted against the properties, income or operations of the Sellers, or for
which the Sellers may otherwise be liable, for all Pre-Closing Periods and (iii)
all Taxes (except Transfer Taxes to the extent such Transfer Taxes have not been
paid to the Sellers pursuant to Section 5.6(l) hereof) imposed on the Sellers,
or for which the Sellers may be liable, as a result of any transaction
contemplated by this Agreement.

                                      -55-

<PAGE>

     (b)  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, the Buyer agrees to indemnify, defend and hold MSC, PPS, PFM, any of
their respective Affiliates and the successors to the foregoing (and their
respective stockholders, officers, partners, members, managers, directors,
employees, agents, successors and assigns) harmless on an after-tax basis from
and against (i) all Taxes imposed on or asserted against the properties, income
or operations of the Buyer, or for which the Buyer may otherwise be liable, for
all periods other than Pre-Closing Periods and (ii) all Taxes (except Transfer
Taxes to the extent such Transfer Taxes have been paid by the Buyer to the
Sellers pursuant to Section 5.6(l) hereof) imposed on the Buyer, or for which
the Buyer may be liable, as a result of any transaction contemplated by this
Agreement.

     (c)  All amounts paid by MSC to the Buyer pursuant to Section 11.6(a)
and all amounts paid by the Buyer to any Seller pursuant to Section 11.6(b)
above, shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be treated as
adjustments to the purchase price for all Tax purposes.

     11.7 Allocation of Purchase Price. MSC, the Sellers and the Buyer agree to
allocate the aggregate purchase price to be paid for the Purchase Assets in
accordance with Section 1060 of the Code. MSC, the Sellers and the Buyer agree
that the Buyer shall prepare and provide to MSC a draft allocation of the of the
purchase price among the Purchased Assets and the Assumed Liabilities within
ninety (90) days after the Closing Date. MSC shall notify the Buyer within
thirty (30) days of receipt of such draft allocation of any objection MSC or the
Sellers may have thereto. MSC, the Sellers and the Buyer agree to resolve any
disagreement with respect to such allocation in good faith. In addition, MSC,
the Sellers and the Buyer hereby undertake and agree to file timely any
information that may be required to be filed pursuant to Treasury Regulations
promulgated under Section 1060(b) of the Code, and shall use the allocation
determined pursuant to this Section 11.7 in connection with the preparation of
Internal Revenue Service Form 8594 as such form relates to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. None of MSC, the Sellers or the Buyer shall file
any Tax Return or other document or otherwise take any position which is
inconsistent with the allocation determined pursuant to this Section 11.7 except
as may be adjusted by subsequent agreement following an audit by the IRS or by
court decision.

     11.8 Books and Records. Until the seventh anniversary of the Closing Date,
MSC shall cause the Sellers, to the extent necessary in connection with any
Taxes related to the Purchased Assets and the Assumed Liabilities (including,
without limitation, the tax basis of any Purchased Asset) or other matter
relating to the Purchased Assets and the Assumed Liabilities for any period
ending at or prior to the Closing, and without charge to the Buyer, (a) retain
and, as the Buyer may reasonably request, permit the Buyer and its agents to
inspect and copy all original books, records and other documents and all
electronically archived data not deliverable to the Buyer at Closing related to
the Purchased Assets and the Assumed Liabilities and (b) make reasonably
available to the Buyer the officers, directors, employees and agents of MSC, the
Sellers and their Affiliates. Likewise, until the seventh anniversary of the
Closing Date, the Buyer will, without charge to MSC, retain, and, as MSC may
reasonably request, permit MSC and its agents to inspect all books and records
relating to the Purchased Assets and the Assumed Liabilities previously
delivered by the Sellers to the Buyer relating to any period prior to the
Closing Date.

                                      -56-

<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE XII.
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     12.1 Expenses.

     (a)  Except as expressly provided herein, each Party shall bear its own (i)
costs incurred as a result of the transfer of the Purchased Assets and the
Assumed Liabilities, including payments to third parties, if any, to obtain
their consent to such transfer; provided that no Party shall be required to make
any payment or offer or furnish other value to obtain any such consent unless
required by the terms of the agreement under which consent is sought, and (ii)
professional fees and related costs (including fees and costs of investment
bankers, accountants, attorneys, benefits specialists, tax advisors and
appraisers) incurred by it in connection with the preparation, execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Related Documents and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby.

     (b)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, all legal, accounting,
investment banking and other expenses of MSC and the Sellers in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be the responsibility of
MSC and shall not be, and shall not become, liabilities of the Buyer, and shall
not be assumed in any way whatsoever by the Buyer.

     (c)  Confidentiality; Public Announcements. Subject to the requirements of
applicable law, each Party shall maintain in confidence (i) the provisions of
this Agreement and (ii) all information received from another Party as a result
of any due diligence investigation conducted relative to the execution of this
Agreement and shall use such information only in connection with evaluating the
transactions contemplated hereby. The obligation of confidentiality and non-use
shall not apply to any information which (a) is or becomes generally available
to the public through no fault of the receiving party, (b) is independently
developed by the receiving party or (c) is received in good faith from a third
party who is lawfully in possession of such information and has the lawful right
to disclose or use it. After the Closing, the prohibition under this Section
12.1 on the Buyer's use of the Sellers' information will terminate. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Party shall, nor shall any of their
respective Affiliates, without the prior written approval of the other Parties,
issue any press releases or otherwise make any public statements with respect to
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except as may be required by
applicable law or regulation or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement
with any national securities exchange so long as such Party has used
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the approval of the other Parties
prior to issuing such press release or making such public disclosure.

     12.2 Governing Law. THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT,
AND ALL MATTERS RELATING HERETO, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS EXECUTED AND TO BE PERFORMED SOLELY
WITHIN SUCH STATE, EXCLUSIVE OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

                                      -57-

<PAGE>

     12.3 Submission to Jurisdiction. The Parties and IMSA agree that, except as
set forth in this Agreement, any disputes arising out of or in connection with
this Agreement shall be finally settled by arbitration under the then current
Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce ("ICC") by three
arbitrators in accordance with such Rules. The Buyer and MSC shall each choose
one arbitrator at will, and the two arbitrators so chosen shall select the third
arbitrator. The non-prevailing Party to an arbitration will pay its own
expenses, the fees of each arbitrator, the administrative costs of the
arbitration and the expenses, including reasonable attorneys' and witness fees
and costs, incurred by the other Party to the arbitration. The site of
arbitration shall be New York, New York, and the language of the proceeding
shall be English. Each Party hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of
the ICC solely for such purpose and the purpose of the following sentence. The
decision of the arbitrators so appointed shall be final and shall be enforceable
in any court of competent jurisdiction.

     12.4 Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted under
this Agreement shall be sufficiently given if delivered in person or sent by
facsimile or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:

          (a)  if to the Buyer or IMSA, to:

          Steelscape, Inc.
          222 West Kalama River Road
          Kalama, Washington 98625
          Telephone:   (360) 673-8206
          Facsimile:   (360) 673-8498
          Attention:   President

          and

          IMSA Steel Corp.
          Ave. Universidad 992 Nte.
          San Nicolas de los Garza, N.L.
          66450 Mexico
          Attention:   Ing. Cesar F. Jarero de las C.
          Telephone:   011-52818-329-8500
          Facsimile:   011-52818-329-8551

          with copies to:

          Grupo IMSA, S.A. de C.V.
          Ave. Batallon de San Patricio #111
          Piso 26, Frac. Valle Oriente,
          San Pedro Garza Garcia, N.L.
          66269 Mexico
          Attention:   Lic. Jose Enrique Gonzalez G.
          Telephone:   011-52818-153-8382
          Facsimile:   011-52818-153-8385

                                      -58-

<PAGE>

          and

          White & Case LLP
          633 West Fifth Street
          Los Angeles, California 90071
          Telephone:   (213) 620-7700
          Facsimile:   (213) 687-0758
          Attention:   Neil W. Rust

          (b)  if to MSC, PPS or PFM, to:

          Material Sciences Corporation
          2200 East Pratt Boulevard
          Elk Grove Village, IL 6007
          Attention:   Chief Financial Officer
          Telephone:   (847) 718-8243
          Facsimile:   (847) 439-0737

          with a copy to:

          Kirkland & Ellis
          200 East Randolph Drive
          Chicago, Illinois 60601
          Attention:   Keith S. Crow
          Telephone:   (312) 861-2181
          Facsimile:   (312) 861-2200

or such other address or number as shall be furnished in writing by any such
Party, and such notice or communication shall, if properly addressed, be deemed
to have been given as of the date so delivered, sent by facsimile or three
business days after deposit into the U.S. mail by certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid.

     12.5 Parties in Interest. This Agreement may not be transferred, assigned,
pledged or hypothecated by any Party hereto, other than by operation of law,
except that the Buyer may assign any of its rights and benefits hereunder to any
of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns.

     12.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one instrument.

     12.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the other Related
Documents and the other documents referred to herein and Schedules hereto which
form a part hereof, contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter contained herein and therein. This Agreement
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the Parties with
respect to such subject matter, including the Letter of Intent dated April 29,
2002 between MSC and IMSA. Without limiting the foregoing, the Parties hereby
waive any

                                      -59-

<PAGE>

statutory, equitable or common law right that would create in any Party any
remedy other than breach of contract in respect of this Agreement.

     12.8 Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended or modified orally, but
only by an agreement in writing signed by the Parties.

     12.9 Severability. In case any provision in this Agreement shall be held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions hereof will not in any way be affected or impaired
thereby.

     12.10 Third Party Beneficiaries. Each Party hereto intends that this
Agreement shall not benefit or create any right or cause of action in or on
behalf of any Person other than the Parties hereto or any permitted assignee of
the Buyer.

     12.11 Further Assurances. From time to time after the Closing, MSC shall,
and shall cause each Seller to, and each Seller shall, execute and deliver, or
cause to be executed and delivered such documents to the Buyer as the Buyer
shall reasonably request in order to consummate more effectively the
transactions contemplated hereby and from time to time after the Closing, the
Buyer shall execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered such
documents to MSC, PPS or PFM as MSC shall reasonably request in order to
consummate more effectively the transactions contemplated hereby.

     12.12 No Other Representations or Warranties. EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY AND
EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLES II, III AND IV, NONE OF MSC, SELLERS, THE BUYER
AND IMSA MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AT LAW OR IN
EQUITY, RELATING TO THE PURCHASED ASSETS AND THE ASSUMED LIABILITIES OR ANY
OTHER MATTER, INCLUDING ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AS TO VALUE,
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR FOR ORDINARY PURPOSES.

     12.13 Specific Performance. The agreements of the Parties in Sections 6.11
and 6.13 hereof are an integral part of this Agreement, the obligations to be
performed under such Sections are special, unique and extraordinary in
character, and in the event of breach by any Party of the terms and conditions
of such Section or Sections, each non-breaching Party shall be entitled, if it
so elects, to institute and prosecute proceedings, either at law or in equity,
to obtain damages for any breach of the terms or conditions thereof, or to
enforce the specific performance thereof, or to enjoin such breaching Party from
continuing to breach such Section or Sections.

     12.14 Limited Guarantee. IMSA hereby unconditionally guarantees the full
performance (a) by the Buyer of (i) its obligation to close the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) its payment obligations under Sections 5.5
and 5.6 of this Agreement and (iii) its obligations to pay any amounts under
Section 8.2 of this Agreement and (b) by the Inventory Purchaser of its payment
obligations under Section 5.6(f)(iii) of this Agreement.

                                 *      *      *

                                      -60-

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused its name to be hereunto
subscribed by its duly authorized signatory as of the day and year first above
written.

                                  STEELSCAPE, INC.


                                       /s/ Santiago Clariond Reyes
                                  By:_____________________________________
                                     Name:   Santiago Clariond Reyes
                                     Title:  Representative

                                  GRUPO IMSA, S.A. de C.V.


                                       /s/ Santiago Clariond Reyes
                                  By:_____________________________________
                                     Name:   Santiago Clariond Reyes
                                     Title:  Attorney-In-Fact

                                  MATERIAL SCIENCES CORPORATION


                                       /s/ Gerald G. Nadig
                                  By:_____________________________________
                                     Name:   Gerald G. Nadig
                                     Title:  Chairman, President and CEO


                                  MSC PINOLE POINT STEEL INC.


                                       /s/ James J. Waclawik, Sr.
                                  By:_____________________________________
                                     Name:   James J. Waclawik, Sr.
                                     Title:  Vice President and CFO


                                  MSC PRE FINISH METALS (PP) INC.


                                       /s/ James J. Waclawik, Sr.
                                  By:_____________________________________
                                     Name:   James J. Waclawik, Sr.
                                     Title:  Vice President and CFO

                                -Signature Page-
                            Asset Purchase Agreement