<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10e

                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                             --------------------



          THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the 24th day of October,
1998, by and between JPS PACKAGING COMPANY (the "Company") and EDWIN W.
STRANBERG ("Executive").

                                    RECITALS

          A.  The Company is duly organized and validly existing as a
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is
engaged principally in the design and manufacture of flexible packaging
products.

          B.  Executive is duly qualified to render services in connection with
the business of the Company.

          C.  The Company has offered to employ Executive on the basis set forth
in this Agreement, and Executive has indicated his willingness to accept said
offer.

          D.  The parties believe that it is in their best interests to provide
for the specific terms and conditions of Executive's employment.

                                   AGREEMENT

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
as hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:

          1.  Employment.

              The Company agrees to employ Executive as Senior Vice President -
Operations of the Company pursuant to the terms set forth below, and Executive
agrees to accept such employment with the Company in accordance with the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

          2.  Term.

              The term of this Agreement shall begin on November 9, 1998, and
shall continue until either party gives the other thirty (30) days written
notice of its/his election to terminate this Agreement.
<PAGE>

          3.  Compensation.

          For services rendered by Executive pursuant to this Agreement,
Executive shall receive from the Company the following:

              (a)  Base Compensation. Executive's starting monthly salary shall
     be $14,583 ($175,000, annualized amount ["Base Compensation"]). During the
     term of this Agreement, the Compensation Committee of the Board of the
     Directors of the Company (the "Board") (or, if no such committee or similar
     committee exists, the entire Board) (the "Compensation Committee") shall
     review the performance of Executive, which review shall serve as the basis
     for determining the amount of increase, if any, of Executive's Base
     Compensation. The amount and terms of any such adjustments shall be in the
     discretion of the Compensation Committee.

              (b)  Bonuses/Incentive Compensation. Upon commencement of
     employment with the Company, Executive shall receive a one-time bonus
     payment of $40,000. As an executive officer of the Company, Executive will
     be eligible to participate in the Company's Incentive Compensation Plan
     (the "Incentive Plan"), which shall be jointly developed by Executive and
     the Compensation Committee. Under the Incentive Plan, Executive will be
     eligible to receive annual incentive compensation in an amount of not less
     than 50% of his current Base Compensation, including any adjustments
     thereto. Pursuant to the Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee will
     annually establish both the Company-wide goal and individual target awards.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, payment of bonuses under the Incentive Plan
     for any year is dependent upon Executive's employment with the Company at
     the end of such calendar year.

              (c)  Stock Options. Subject to the terms and conditions of the JPS
     Packaging Company 1998 Long-Term Compensation Plan (the "Plan") and the
     Stock Option Agreement between the Company and Executive attached hereto as
     Exhibit A (the "Option Agreement") and subject to approval by the Board of
     Directors at its scheduled December 1998 meeting, the Company will grant to
     Executive an "incentive stock option" (as defined in the Plan) to purchase
     40,000 shares of the common stock of the Company (the "Option"). The terms
     and conditions of the Option are set forth in the Option Agreement, which
     is incorporated herein and made part of this Agreement. Additionally,
     Executive will receive additional stock options to purchase 10,000 shares
     of the Company's common stock at the end of each of the calendar years 1999
     and 2000 (an aggregate of 20,000 shares), provided, that specified and
     mutually agreeable financial targets for the Company are met or exceeded in
     each such calendar year. Thereafter, Executive will be eligible to
     participate in any incentive stock option plan then in place for employees
     and officers of the Company.

          4.  Benefits.

          Executive shall be entitled to participate in all benefit programs and
incentive compensation plans that the Company makes generally available to its
executive officers, subject to Executive's meeting the eligibility provisions
thereof and, if applicable, as

                                       2
<PAGE>

     determined by the Compensation Committee. With respect to the Company's
     qualified benefit plans (including the Company's Savings Plan), Executive
     shall receive credit (for purposes of qualification, vesting and benefit
     calculation) for the period of his prior employment with Huntsman Packaging
     Corporation or its affiliates and Packaging Industries. Nothing contained
     herein shall preclude the Company, in its sole discretion, from changing or
     amending, in whole or in part, or revoking any one or more of such benefit
     programs or compensation plans or adopting new employee benefit programs or
     compensation plans.

          5.  Duties.

              During Executive's term of employment by the Company, Executive
     shall devote his normal working hours, attention and energies to the
     Company. Executive shall serve to the best of his ability and shall perform
     the duties and have such responsibilities consistent with Executive's
     position as Senior Vice President - Operations of the Company, which duties
     and responsibilities shall be similar to those of Senior Vice President -
     Operations of companies in the packaging industry having revenues
     comparable to those of the Company. Executive agrees to abide by the rules,
     procedures, regulations, instructions, and practices of the Company and any
     changes therein which may be adopted from time to time by the Company.

          6.  Business Expenses.

              In addition to compensation paid to Executive pursuant to Section
     3, during the term of Executive's employment hereunder, the Company agrees
     to reimburse Executive for all reasonable and necessary business expenses
     which Executive incurs in the performance of his duties hereunder in
     accordance with the policies and procedures adopted from time to time by
     the Company (whether or not in writing).


          7.  Employment Termination.

              The employment of Executive by the Company pursuant to this
     Agreement shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following:

              (a) Death or Disability. Immediately upon the death or disability
     of Executive. For purposes of this Agreement, "disability" shall mean the
     inability of Executive to perform his duties hereunder for a period of
     ninety (90) consecutive calendar days, or for a period of one hundred
     twenty (120) calendar days whether or not consecutive, during any three
     hundred and sixty (360) day period due to a physical or mental incapacity.
     The determination of disability shall be made by a disinterested medical
     doctor, licensed to practice in the State of Kansas, chosen jointly by the
     parties. Notwithstanding the definition of "disability" herein, if and only
     if the Company provides disability insurance coverage to Executive at the
     Company's cost, Executive's employment hereunder shall not be terminated by
     reason of disability until the Company's disability insurance carrier has
     certified Executive as disabled and has commenced (or agreed in writing) to
     pay disability benefits to Executive.

                                       3
<PAGE>

          (b) Cause. At the election of the Company for cause, immediately
     (except as provided below) upon written notice by the Company to Executive.
     For purposes of this Agreement, "cause" shall mean:

              (i)  The willful failure by Executive to perform his material
     duties hereunder (other than any such failure resulting from Executive's
     death or disability), as determined in good faith by a majority of the
     Board;

              (ii) The (A) continued failure (which failure need not be willful)
     by Executive to perform his material duties hereunder (other than any such
     failure resulting from Executive's death or disability) or (B) breach by
     Executive of any material provision of this Agreement (which failure or
     breach has not been cured by Executive within thirty (30) days after
     written notice thereof by the Board of Directors), all as determined in
     good faith by a majority of the Board;

              (iii) Executive's conviction of a felony by a trial court of
     competent jurisdiction, whether or not an appeal is taken; or

              (iv) The willful engaging by Executive in unlawful conduct
     (including acts of dishonesty) in connection with the business of the
     Company, as determined in good faith by a majority of the Board.

          (c) Good Reason. At the election of Executive for good reason,
immediately upon written notice by Executive to the Company. For purposes of
this Agreement, "good reason" shall mean:

              (i)  A change in Executive's responsibilities, titles, or offices
     (including directorships) that is not consistent with Executive's status
     and duties hereunder; or

              (ii) A Change of Control (as hereinafter defined) during the
     period of Executive's employment hereunder. For the purposes of this
     Agreement, the term "Change of Control" shall mean: (A) a person,
     corporation, entity or group, which (collectively) does not beneficially
     own at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the Company's issued and
     outstanding voting stock as of the date hereof, (I) makes a tender or
     exchange offer for the issued and outstanding voting stock of the Company
     and beneficially owns 25% or more of the issued and outstanding voting
     stock after such tender or exchange offer, or (II) acquires, directly or
     indirectly, the beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the issued and
     outstanding voting stock of the Company in a single transaction or series
     of transactions (excluding the acquisition of newly issued voting stock of
     the Company issued in full or part payment for the purchase by the Company
     or any subsidiary of the Company of stock or assets), or (B) the Company is
     a party to a merger, consolidation or similar transaction and following
     such transaction 50% or more of the issued and outstanding voting
     securities of the resulting entity is beneficially owned by a person,
     corporation, entity or group other than the

                                       4
<PAGE>

          stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the transaction, or
          (C) the Company sells 50% or more of its assets to any other person or
          persons.

              (d)  Election of Company. Upon thirty (30) days prior written
     notice from the Company to Executive, for reasons other than "cause," as
     defined in 7(b), above.

              (e)  Election of Executive. Upon thirty (30) days prior written
     notice from Executive to Company, for reasons other than "good reason," as
     defined in 7(c), above.


          8.  Effect of Termination.

              (a)  Base Compensation and Benefits. In the event Executive's
     employment is terminated for any reason, all compensation and benefits
     shall cease, except that the Company shall pay to Executive that portion of
     his then Base Annual Compensation that has been earned but unpaid at the
     time of such termination and reimbursable expenses incurred by but not yet
     reimbursed to Executive at the time of such termination.

              (b)  Termination Payment. In the event Executive's employment is
     terminated by Executive pursuant to Section 7(c) or by the Company pursuant
     to Section 7(d), the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to
     Executive's current Base Compensation, including any adjustments thereto,
     as a termination payment, payable in equal installments over the twelve
     (12) months following the date of Executive's termination and including
     continuation of existing medical coverage for 12 months. Such termination
     payment shall be in addition to any amounts owed to Executive pursuant to
     Section 8(a).

               (c)  Stock Options.

                    (i)  In the event Executive's employment is terminated
     pursuant to Section 7(a), (c) or (d), Executive's Option, to the extent not
     previously vested, shall immediately vest and shall become exercisable for
     the total amount of unexercised Option Shares (as defined in the Option
     Agreement) thereunder until the first to occur of: (A) midnight on the
     tenth anniversary of the Grant Date; or (B) the one year anniversary date
     of the termination of Executive. Any such exercise following Executive's
     death may be made only by such Executive's personal representative, unless
     Executive's will specifically disposes of the Option, in which case such
     exercise shall be made only by the recipient of such specific disposition.
     If Executive's personal representative, or such recipient, shall be
     entitled to exercise the Option pursuant to the preceding sentence, such
     representative or recipient shall be bound by all the terms and conditions
     of this Agreement, the Option Agreement and the Plan which would have
     applied to Executive's exercise of the Option.

              (ii) In the event Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to
     Section 7(b) or by Executive pursuant to Section 7(e), the Option shall

                                       5
<PAGE>

          terminate and expire on the day Executive's employment terminates;
          provided, however, that in the discretion of the Board, the Option
          shall terminate and expire on the day Executive is notified of his
          dismissal.

          9.  Restrictive Covenants. In consideration of the Company employing
Executive as the Senior Vice President - Operations of the Company, during
Executive's employment with the Company hereunder or otherwise and for a period
equal to two (2) years after Executive is no longer employed by the Company,
Executive shall not:

          (a) directly or indirectly, either individually, or as a principal,
     partner, member, manager, agent, employee, employer, consultant,
     stockholder, joint venturer, or investor, or as a director or officer of
     any corporation or association, or in any other manner or capacity
     whatsoever, (i) divert or attempt to divert from the Company any customer
     or account as set forth on a mutually agreeable list attached hereto as
     Schedule A, or (ii) induce or cause, or attempt to induce or cause, any
     employee, member, manager, partner, shareholder, director or officer of the
     Company to leave the employ of the Company.

          (b) If Executive violates any of the provisions of this Section 9
     after the date hereof, the time period set forth in this Section 9 shall be
     extended for a period of time equal to the period of any such violation.

          10. Non-Disclosure. Executive shall not at any time or in any manner,
directly or indirectly, use or disclose to any party other than the Company any
trade secrets or other Confidential Information (defined herein) learned or
obtained by him while a shareholder, officer or director of the Company. As used
herein, the term "Confidential Information" means information disclosed to or
known by Executive as a consequence of his position with the Company and not
generally known in the industry in which the Company is engaged and that in any
way relates to the products, processes, services, inventions (whether patentable
or not), formulas, techniques or know-how, including, but not limited to,
information relating to distribution systems and methods, research, development,
manufacturing, purchasing, accounting, procedures, engineering, marketing,
merchandising and selling, of the Company.

          11.  Affiliate Transactions. For as long as Executive is employed by
the Company, neither Executive, any member of his family nor any affiliate of
Executive shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any business transaction with
the Company without the written approval of the Board of Directors of the
Company.

          12. Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that their rights
under Sections 9 and 10 of this Agreement are special and unique and that any
violation thereof would not be adequately compensated by money damages, and each
grants the other the right to specifically enforce (including injunctive relief
where appropriate) the terms of Sections 9 and 10 of this Agreement. In any
proceeding, in equity or law, Executive specifically waives any proof that any
violation of the terms of Sections 9 or 10 of this Agreement will cause
irreparable injury or that there is not an adequate remedy at law. In addition,
Executive also agrees not to raise as a defense in any such proceeding any
allegation that any of the provisions of Sections 9 or 10 of

                                       6
<PAGE>

     this Agreement are either unnecessary or unreasonable or that any of them
     illegally restrain trade or any of his personal rights or that payments
     made by the Company subsequent to gaining knowledge of a violation of this
     Agreement prejudices the Company's rights to enforce this Agreement or to
     recover payments made.

          13. Notices.

              Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered
personally or if sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, with first
class postage prepaid, addressed (a) to Executive at 6371 Hardwick Circle,
Hudson, Ohio 44236, and (b) to the Company at 4200 Somerset Drive, Prairie
Village, Kansas 66208, Attention: Brian Stevenson. Any notice which is required
to be made within a stated period of time shall be deemed timely if made before
midnight of the last day of such period.

          14.  Alteration, Amendment or Termination.

               No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless
the same is in writing and signed by all the parties hereto. No waiver of any
provision of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the
person against whom it is sought to be enforced. The failure of any party at any
time to insist, or a delay in insisting, upon strict performance of any
condition, promise, agreement or understanding set forth herein shall not be
construed as a waiver or relinquishment of the right to insist upon strict
performance of the same condition, promise, agreement, or understanding at a
future time. A waiver or consent given by a party hereto on one occasion shall
be effective only in that instance and shall not be construed as a bar or waiver
of any right on any other occasion. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions
hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid
or unenforceable provisions were omitted.

          15. Integration.

              This Agreement sets forth (and is intended to be an integration
of) all of the promises, agreements, conditions, understandings, warranties and
representations, oral or written, express or implied, among the parties hereto
with respect to the terms of employment, and there are no promises, agreements,
conditions, understandings, warranties or representations, oral or written,
express or implied, among the parties hereto with respect to the terms of
employment other than as set forth herein.

          16. Governing Law and Venue.

              This Agreement and all disputes arising hereunder shall be subject
to, governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Kansas, irrespective of the fact that one or more of the parties now is or may
become a resident of a different state. Executive hereby expressly submits and
consents to the exclusive in personam jurisdiction and exclusive venue of the
courts of competent jurisdiction in the State of Kansas, including the United
States District Court for the District of Kansas.

                                       7
<PAGE>

          17. Benefit and Burden.

              This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding
     upon, the parties hereto and their respective successors, heirs, and
     personal representatives. This Agreement, including the Option granted
     herein, shall not be assignable, except the Option may be assignable
     pursuant to Section 9(c)(i).

          18. Captions.

              The headings of the sections and paragraphs are for convenience
     only and in no way define, limit or affect the scope or substance of any
     section or paragraph of this Agreement.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be signed
     by its duly authorized officers and its corporate seal to be affixed
     hereto, and each of the parties hereto has executed this Agreement
     effective as of the date and year first above written.

                              COMPANY:

                              JPS PACKAGING COMPANY

                                   /s/ Brian Stevenson
                              By:  ________________________________
                              Name: Brian Stevenson
                              Title: Chief Executive Officer


                              EXECUTIVE:


                              /s/ Edwin W. Stranberg
                              _____________________________________
                              Name: Edwin W. Stranberg

                                       8
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                        INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                                   UNDER THE
                             JPS PACKAGING COMPANY
                        1998 LONG-TERM COMPENSATION PLAN


          THIS AGREEMENT, made effective as of the 14th day of December, 1998
("Date of Grant"), by and between JPS PACKAGING COMPANY, a Delaware corporation
(hereinafter called the "Company"), and EDWIN W. STRANBERG (hereinafter called
"Optionee"),

          WITNESSETH THAT:

          WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company ("Board of Directors")
has adopted the JPS Packaging Company 1998 Long-Term Compensation Plan (the
"Plan") pursuant to which options covering shares of the Common Stock of the
Company may be granted to employees of the Company; and

          WHEREAS, Optionee is employed as the Senior Vice President -
Operations of the Company; and

          WHEREAS, the Company has granted to Optionee the option to purchase
certain shares of its stock under the terms of the Plan in accordance with this
Agreement.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and of the mutual
agreements hereinafter set forth, it is agreed as follows:

          1.  Grant Subject to Plan.  This option is granted under, and is
expressly subject to, all the terms and provisions of the Plan and Sections 7
and 8 of the Employment Agreement dated as of even date herewith between the
Company and Optionee (the "Employment Agreement"), which terms are incorporated
herein and made part of this Agreement. The Compensation Committee ("Committee")
of the Board of Directors has been appointed by the Board of Directors, and
designated by it, to make grants of options.

          2.  Grant and Terms of Option.  As of the Date of Grant, pursuant to
action of the Committee, the Company has granted to Optionee the option to
purchase all or any part of forty thousand (40,000) shares (the "Option Shares")
of the common stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"),
for a period of ten (10) years from the Date of Grant, unless the option is
sooner terminated pursuant to Section 7 below, at the purchase price per share
equal to $4.00 per share (the "Option Price"); provided, however, that the right
to exercise such option shall be, and is hereby, restricted as follows:

                                       9
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Cumulative Shares/Percentage
          Commencing                        Exercisable (Vested)
          ----------                        --------------------
          <S>                           <C>
          12/  /98 (Grant Date)                        0/0%

          12/  /99                                8,000/20%

          12/  /00                               16,000/40%

          12/  /01                               24,000/60%

          12/  /02                               32,000/80%

          12/  /03                              40,000/100%
</TABLE>

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a "Change of Control" (as defined in the
Employment Agreement) occurs, any portion of this option which is unvested shall
immediately mature and vest in full.  It is intended that the option shall
qualify as an "incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422A of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          3.  Exercise of Option.  Optionee shall exercise the option by giving
written notice to the Company, indicating that he desires to exercise the option
and the number of Option Shares he desires to purchase. The Option Price shall
be paid in full (a) in cash, (b) by the tender to the Company of shares of
Common Stock of the Company owned by Optionee and registered in his name having
a Fair Market Value equal to the Option Price, or (c) by any combination of the
payment methods specified in (a) and (b). After receipt of such notice, the
Company shall provide Optionee with a restricted, legended certificate for the
Option Shares. Optionee is required to exercise this option with respect to 10%
of the vested Option Shares annually, as measured from the date of this
Agreement (the "Mandatory Option Exercise"); provided, however, all prior
exercises of this option will be considered in satisfying this requirement.
Failure to comply with the Mandatory Option Exercise will result in the
termination of Optionee's right to exercise the number of vested Option Shares
which were required to be purchased.

          4.  Anti-Dilution Provisions.  In the event that, during the term of
this Agreement, there is any change in the number of shares of outstanding
Common Stock of the Company by reason of stock dividends, recapitalizations,
mergers, consolidations, split-ups, combinations or exchanges of shares and the
like, the number of shares covered by this option agreement and the price
thereof shall be adjusted, to the same proportionate number of shares and price
as in this original agreement so that the value of the option to the Optionee
shall remain the same, all as provided for pursuant to the Plan.

          5.  Investment Purpose.  Optionee represents that, in the event of the
exercise by him of the option hereby granted, or any part thereof, he intends to
purchase the shares acquired on such exercise for investment and not with a view
to resale or other distribution and Optionee agrees to execute and deliver to
the Company a letter or certificate containing such investment representations,
agreements restricting sale (including, without limitation, provision for stop
transfer orders and restrictive legend on stock certificates) and

                                       10
<PAGE>

confirmation of other relevant facts to support any exemption from the
registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933 and such state
securities laws on which the Company intends to rely, all as shall be deemed
reasonably necessary by counsel for the Company and in such form as such counsel
shall determine; except that the Company, at its election, may waive or release
this condition in the event the shares acquired on exercise of the option are
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, or upon the happening of any other
contingency which the Company shall determine warrants the waiver or release of
this condition. Optionee agrees that the certificates evidencing the shares
acquired by him on exercise of all or any part of this option, may bear a
restrictive legend, if appropriate, indicating that the shares have not been
registered under said Act and are subject to restrictions on the transfer
thereof, which legend may be in the following form (or such other form as the
Company shall determine to be proper), to-wit:

     (i)  "The shares represented by this certificate have not been registered
     under the Securities Act of 1933, but have been issued or transferred to
     the registered owner pursuant to the exemption afforded by Section 4(2) of
     said Act. No transfer or assignment of these shares by the registered owner
     shall be valid or effective, and the issuer of these shares shall not be
     required to give any effect to any transfer or attempted transfer of these
     shares, including without limitation, a transfer by operation of law,
     unless (a) the issuer shall have received an opinion of its counsel that
     the shares may be transferred without requirement of registration under
     said Act, or (b) there shall have been delivered to the issuer a `no-
     action' letter from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or
     (c) the shares are registered under said Act."

          6.  Non-Transferability.  Neither the option hereby granted nor any
rights thereunder or under this Agreement may be assigned, transferred or in any
manner encumbered except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and
any attempted assignment, transfer, mortgage, pledge or encumbrance, shall be
void and of no effect. The option hereby granted may be exercised, during the
lifetime of Optionee, only be Optionee.

          7.  Termination of Employment. In the event of Optionee's Termination
of employment with the Company, the treatment of Optionee's vested and unvested
options shall be governed by the terms of the Employment Agreement.

          8.  Shares Issued on Exercise of Option.  Upon any exercise of this
option, the Company will transfer to Optionee shares of its Common Stock to
satisfy its obligations to deliver shares on any exercise hereof.

          9.  Committee Administration.  This option has been granted pursuant
to a determination made by the Committee or the Board of Directors, and such
Committee or any successor or substitute committee authorized by the Board of
Directors or the Board of Directors itself, subject to the express terms of this
option, shall have plenary authority to interpret any provision of this option
and to make any determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of
this option and the exercise of the rights herein granted, and may waive or
amend any provisions hereof in any manner not adversely affecting the rights
granted to Optionee by the express terms hereof.

                                       11
<PAGE>

          10.  Non-Waiver of Rights.  The failure to enforce at any time any of
the provisions of this Agreement or to require at any time performance by the
other party of any of the provisions hereof shall in no way be construed as a
waiver of such provisions or to affect either the validity of this Agreement, or
any part hereof, or the right of either party thereafter to enforce each and
every provision in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

          11.  Invalidity of Provisions.  If any provision of this Agreement is
declared invalid by any tribunal, then such provision shall be deemed
automatically adjusted to the minimum extent necessary to conform to the
requirements for validity as declared at such time and, as so adjusted, shall be
deemed a provision of this Agreement as though originally included herein. In
the event that the provision invalidated is of such a nature that it cannot be
so adjusted, the provision shall be deemed deleted from this Agreement as though
such provision had never been included herein. In either case, the remaining
provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect.

          12.  Assignments.  This Agreement shall be assignable without
Optionee's consent by the Company to, and upon such assignment shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of, any other entity which shall succeed to the
business presently being operated by the Company.

          13.  Amendments.  No modification, amendment or waiver of any of the
provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing specifically
referring hereto, and signed by the parties hereto.

          14.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance
with and governed by the laws of the State of Kansas as applied to contracts to
be wholly performed within such state.

          15.  Definitions.  Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized
terms shall be defined as set forth in the Plan.

                                       12
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed on its behalf, pursuant to due authorization, and Optionee has signed
this Agreement to evidence his acceptance of the option herein granted and of
the terms hereof, effective as of the Date of Grant.

                              COMPANY:

                              JPS PACKAGING COMPANY

                                   /s/ Brian Stevenson
                              By:  __________________________________
                              Name: Brian Stevenson
                              Title: Chief Executive Officer


                              OPTIONEE:


                              /s/ Edwin W. Stranberg
                              _______________________________________
                              Edwin W. Stranberg

                                       13