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                                                                  Exhibit 10.8.1


                                                                    May 13, 2002


James W. Fennessy
104 Dina Rd.
Maple, Ontario L6A 1S3

Dear Jim:

     This letter will acknowledge our agreement and understanding with respect
to certain modifications to the terms of your employment.

     Section 9 of the Employment Agreement effective as of June 16, 2000 (the
"Employment Agreement") by and between you and Dayton Superior Corporation (the
"Company", "we", "us") prohibits you from competing with the Company during the
Term of the Employment Agreement (as defined in the Employment Agreement) and
for two years following the end of the Term.

     As you know, either you or the Company may decide not to renew the Term of
the Employment Agreement by giving the other party a notice of non-extension no
later than 90 days prior to the end of the Term. Thus, for example, if this
notice of non-extension is given by either you or the Company on or prior to
March 18, 2003, the Employment Agreement will expire on June 16, 2003, the last
day of the Initial Term (as defined in the Employment Agreement). As of June 16,
2003, either (1) your employment with the Company will terminate, or (2) if you
continue to perform services for us, you will do so on an "at-will" basis and
your employment will be terminable at any time without any further obligation,
provided that under the terms of the Employment Agreement, the Company will be
entitled to enforce the non-compete provisions set forth in Section 9 of the
Employment Agreement for a period of two years following the expiration of the
Initial Term on June 16, 2003, whether or not you continue to perform services
for us.

     We hereby agree to modify these terms as follows. If (1) the Company gives
valid notice of non-extension of the Term of the Employment Agreement, (2) you
continue to perform services for us on an at-will basis following the expiration
of the Initial Term, or, as applicable, the expiration of any Extension Term (as
defined in the Employment Agreement) and (3) we terminate your employment
following the expiration of the Initial Term or, as applicable, the expiration
of any Extension Term, for any reason other than for "Cause" (as defined below),
then, effective as of the date of such termination (the "Termination Date"), at
the Company's option, either:

          (i)  The non-compete provisions set forth in Section 9 of your
     Employment Agreement shall be null and void in all respects, or
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James W. Fennessy, Page 2, May 13, 2002


          (ii) The non-compete provisions set forth in Section 9 of your
     Employment Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two years
     following the Termination Date;

provided that, if the Company determines, in accordance with section (ii) above,
that the non-compete provisions set forth in Section 9 of your Employment
Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two years following the
Termination Date, then, subject to (A) your continued compliance with Sections 9
and 10 of your Employment Agreement (as modified by this letter) throughout such
two-year period, and (B) your execution of a general waiver and release of
claims agreement effective as of the Termination Date in the Company's customary
form, we shall:

          (i)  Pay to you, for the twenty-four month period following the
     Termination Date, in accordance with our regular payroll practice, your
     annual base salary as in effect on the Termination Date; and

          (ii) For the year in which the termination occurs, pay to you a
     pro-rated amount of bonus based on our executive annual bonus plan as in
     effect at that time; and

          (iii) Continue for one year your coverage under our medical and dental
     plans and programs in which you were entitled to participate immediately
     prior to the Termination Date (or, if we amend, replace or terminate any
     such plan or program following the Termination Date, our medical and dental
     plans provided to employees similarly situated to you), as if you were an
     active employee during such time, subject to standard employee
     contributions by you as are required under such plans, and further subject
     to your election of "COBRA" continuation coverage during such period. All
     post-employment coverage under such plans shall be co-extensive with COBRA
     continuation coverage required by federal (and where applicable by state)
     law, and shall cease if you become eligible for coverage under another
     employer's plans.

"Cause" shall be defined for purposes of this letter agreement as your:

          (i)  Willful or gross misconduct or material failure in the
     performance of the duties commensurate with your position, other than any
     such failure resulting from your "disability" (as defined below), which
     misconduct or failure continues beyond 14 days after the Company notifies
     you, in writing, of the Company's finding of such misconduct or failure; or

          (ii) Conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendre to, a felony,
     or a crime involving moral turpitude; or

          (iii) Fraud or personal dishonesty involving the Company's assets.
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James W. Fennessy, Page 3, May 13, 2002


"Disability" shall mean your absence from your duties to the Company on a
full-time basis for a total of 180 days during any twelve month period as a
result of physical, mental or emotional incapacity due to illness, injury
or disease.

     In the event that we terminate your employment without Cause following the
expiration of the Initial Term, or, as applicable, the expiration of any
Extension Term, we will provide you with written notice on or prior to the 10th
business day following such termination as to whether or not we intend to
enforce the non-compete and/or offer you severance benefits as described in this
letter.

     This letter agreement shall be deemed to modify Section 9(a) of the
Employment Agreement to reflect the terms set forth herein.

     In consideration of the foregoing agreements and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, you
and the Company agree to the foregoing terms and conditions set forth in this
letter. Please indicate your agreement with and acceptance of the terms and
conditions set forth in this letter by signing below, and return a copy of this
letter to us at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions, please
feel free to call Jim Taronji at 937-428-7161.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            DAYTON SUPERIOR CORPORATION

                                            By: /s/ John A. Ciccarelli
                                                John A. Ciccarelli
                                                Chairman, President & Chief
                                                Executive Officer

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:


/s/ James W. Fennessy
James W. Fennessy

Residence Address:

104 Dina Rd.
Maple, Ontario L6A 1S3