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                                                       EXHIBIT 10.16
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                          [EKCO GROUP, INC. LETTERHEAD]


                                                       September 21, 1995

Mr. Ronald Fox
100 Commons Drive Apartment #7
Shrewsbury, Ma. 01545

HAND DELIVERY BY JEFFREY A. WEINSTEIN

Dear Ron:

This letter will serve to confirm the agreement which you and Ekco Group, Inc.
including all of of its subsidiaries and affiliates, including Frem Corporation
("Frem"), (together they are all hereinafter referred to as "EKCO"), reached
with respect to the severance arrangement occasioned by your voluntary
resignation as an employee and officer of Frem Corporation and EKCO and the
termination of the employment agreement between you on the one hand and Frem and
EKCO Group, Inc. on the other, dated as of February 12, 1995 (together with any
and all amendments, including the amendment of April 4, 1995, are hereinafter
referred to as the "Employment Agreement").

         The following constitutes the agreement:

1.       You hereby voluntarily resign from your positions as Corporate Director
         of Manufacturing as well as any and all other positions you now hold
         either as an officer or director of EKCO and any of its subsidiaries
         and affiliates. Your resignation will be effective as of September 15,
         1995.

2.       The severance arrangements recited herein shall be in lieu of and take
         the place of any and all rights which you may have pursuant to the
         Employment Agreement, EKCO and Frem severance, vacation accrual and
         other types of employment policies, and any rights you may have
         pursuant to any federal, state or local laws, statutes, or ordinances
         and the regulations promulgated thereunder, relating in any way to your
         employment with Frem and EKCO, the termination of such employment or
         severance or compensation benefits incident to either.

3.       Upon the execution of this letter agreement EKCO shall pay you in a
         lump sum the gross amount of $192,088 as detailed specifically on
         Exhibit A attached hereto less amounts required to be withheld for
         Federal and State tax purposes also detailed on Exhibit A. Furthermore,
         through the earlier of September 14, 1997 or when you secure employment
         either as an employee or as an independent contractor (hereinafter the
         "Reemploymnet Date), EKCO shall provide you with continuation of the
         medical, dental and life insurance benefits currently in effect (but
         not disability insurance of any kind). Should any changes be effected
         on this coverage such that the benefits are limited or the cost to you
         increases you agree to accept such changes provided that they are being
         applied to you on a non-discriminatory basis.

4.       From September 15, 1995, you will not be eligible to participate in the
         Ekco Group, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Program, the EKCO 401(K) Plan
         and the Ekco Group, Inc. disability insurance policy and benefits.
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5.       The options detailed below to acquire Ekco Group, Inc. common stock are
         exercisable up to the dates indicated below in accordance with the
         terms of the Ekco Group, Inc. 1987 Stock Option Plan and the respective
         plan agreements. Please contact Linda Millman, Esq. if you desire to
         exercise any of the options detailed below prior to the date applicable
         to each such option.

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         OPTIONS:                                                                     LAST DAY TO EXERCISE
         <S>                                                                                <C>
         20,000 shares at an option price of $2.25 per share (10/28/88 grant date)          12/14/95
         25,000 shares at an option price of $2.5625 per share (1/18/90 grant date)         03/16/96
         27,500 shares at an option price of $10.0625 per share (1/13/92 grant date)        03/13/96
         60,000 shares at an option price of $11.3125 per share (1/19/93 grant date)        03/16/96
         20,000 shares at an option price of $7.5625 per share (1/25/94 grant date)         03/16/96
</TABLE>

6.       You have purchased 2,540 shares of EKCO common stock pursuant to EKCO's
         restricted stock purchase plans. As of September 15, 1995 the
         restrictions against transfer will lapse. Pursuant to Federal income
         tax regulations EKCO is required to withhold no less than 28% of the
         value as of September 15, 1995 of such restricted stock (less the
         initial purchase price paid by you). You have asked and we have
         withheld Federal income taxes at the rate of 35%.

7.       You have returned to EKCO on September 18, 1995 the Cadillac Seville
         automobile owned by EKCO which you had been utilizing as your company
         vehicle. EKCO accepts the condition of the automobile as returned by
         you.

8.       You have returned to EKCO on or September 18, 1995, in a condition
         acceptable to EKCO, the facsimile machine and AST personal lap top
         computer which are owned by EKCO and were in your possession. You also
         returned to EKCO on September 18, 1995 all business records and
         documents and all copies thereof relating to any of EKCO's activities
         which are not otherwise public documents.

9.       You returned to EKCO on September 18, 1995, any and all credit cards,
         travel cards, travel letters, telephone credit cards, and the like
         which were in your possession which belong to EKCO. You are further
         directed and agree not to use any of the above-mentioned cards or
         credit devices. Effective September 15, 1995 any charges by you to the
         telephone numbers (508) 979-0542 shall be on your account and not for
         the account of EKCO.

10.      Reference is made to "Section 8, Confidentiality and Non Competition",
         in the Employment Agreement . You hereby reaffirm and agree to the
         obligations you assumed pursuant thereto for the period running to and
         through September 14, 1997.

11.      You, on the one hand, and EKCO, on the other hand, acknowledge to one
         another the obligation to continue the relationship between the two in
         a fair and responsible manner. As a result, you and EKCO agree not to
         intentionally disparage or damage the other.


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12.      You hereby represent that, except for the continuing obligations of
         EKCO specifically described in this letter, there are no claims which
         may or will be made against EKCO, their employees, officers, directors
         and stockholders and any and all of their subsidiaries and affiliates
         arising out of any events which occurred prior to today's date.

13.      You irrevocably and unconditionally release, remise, and forever
         discharge EKCO, their affiliates and their officers, directors,
         employees, agents, owners and attorneys on account of any claim which
         you may have on the date of this agreement, including, without
         limitation, any claim arising from or related to your employment
         relationship with EKCO or the termination thereof including, without
         limitation, claims for discrimination under the Massachusetts Fair
         Employment Practices Statute, M.G.L. c. 151B (as amended) (including,
         but not limited to, claims for discrimination based upon age), the Age
         Discrimination in Employment Act (as amended), 29 U.S.C.Sections 621 et
         seq., the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (as amended), the
         Americans with Disabilities Act, wrongful discharge, breach of express
         or implied contract, breach of a covenant of good faith and fair
         dealing, violation of public policy, defamation, interference with
         contractual relations, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional
         distress, misrepresentation, deceit, fraud, negligence, or any other
         statutory or common law claim under any state or federal law.

14.      The parties agree that you shall have until October 12, 1995 to accept
         the terms of this agreement by signing below, and you are advised to
         consult an attorney before signing. In addition, should you accept the
         terms of this agreement, you may rescind your assent to this agreement
         if, within seven (7) days from the date you sign this agreement, you
         deliver in writing to Jeffrey A. Weinstein at Ekco Group, Inc., 98 Spit
         Brook Road, Nashua, NH, a written notice of recision. To be effective,
         such recision must be: (1) postmarked within the seven-day period; (2)
         properly addressed to Ekco Group, Inc. 98 Spit Brook Road, Suite 102,
         Nashua, New Hampshire 03062, Attention Jeffrey A. Weinstein; and (3)
         sent by certified mail, return receipt requested and include the check
         presented to you by EKCO on September 22, 1995 in the amount of $110,
         204. If you cash the aforementioned check you will have waived your
         right to rescind this Agreement. You and EKCO and FREM, will execute a
         mutual, general release in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

15.      This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and EKCO
         with respect to your separation. No variations or modifications hereof
         shall be deemed valid unless reduced to writing and signed by the
         parties hereto.

16.      This Agreement is made pursuant to the laws of the State of New
         Hampshire, and questions as to its validity and effect shall be
         governed thereby. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited
         or unenforceable in accordance with such laws shall be ineffective as
         to the extent of such prohibition and unenforceability without
         invalidating the remaining provisions hereof.


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If the above accurately represents our agreement, please indicate your
acknowledgement thereof by signing your name below where indicated.


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<S>                                              <C>
ACCEPTED AND AGREED:                             EKCO GROUP, INC. ON BEHALF
                                                 OF ITSELF AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                                                 AND AFFILIATES

/S/RONALD N. FOX                                 By: /S/DONATO A. DENOVELLIS
-----------------------                             ----------------------------
Ronald N. Fox                                    
                                                 Title: EVP/CFO
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