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                                                                   Exhibit 10.20



October 17, 1996



Mr. Christopher D. Hughes
Booth/Crystal Tips, Inc.
2007 Royal Lane - Suite 100
Dallas, Texas 75229

RE: EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Dear Chris:

1.       This letter confirms your employment by SCOTSMAN GROUP, INC. ("the
         Company") as President-Booth/Crystal Tips, Inc. In that capacity you
         are entitled to the following:

         a.       An annual salary of $140,000;

         b.       Benefits as described in, and in accordance with, the
                  Company's benefit plans; and

         c.       An annual par bonus equal to 30% of your annual salary. The
                  amount of bonus that you actually receive, if any, will depend
                  on the achievement of corporate and your individual goals.

2.       During your employment with the Company, you will devote your full time
         and energies to the faithful and diligent performance of the duties
         inherent in, and implied by, your executive position.

3.       In consideration of your having accepted employment with the Company, 
         it is mutually agreed that:

         a.       In the event your employment with the Company is terminated by
                  the Company during the period covered by this agreement for
                  any reason other than:

                  i.       willful and deliberate misconduct; or

                  ii.      inability, for reasons of disability, reasonably to
                           perform your duties for 6 consecutive calendar
                           months; or

         b.       In the event you resign your position with the Company during
                  the period covered by this agreement because:

                  i.       you are assigned to a position of lesser rank or
                           status; or

                  ii.      your annual salary, annual par bonus or your benefits
                           are reduced; or

                  iii.     you are reassigned to a geographical area more than
                           50 miles from your present residence;
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Mr. Christopher D. Hughes
October 17, 1996 - Page 2


         the Company shall be required, and hereby agrees, to continue paying
         your then annual salary, to pay your then annual bonus at par level and
         to provide all pension, profit sharing, deferred compensation, medical
         and life insurance benefits under the Company's benefit plans, or the
         economic equivalent thereof, for a period of twelve (12) months from
         the date of such termination or resignation. If, pursuant to the terms
         of a benefit plan, a benefit would be earned or accrued during such 12
         month period but would be payable on a deferred basis (were you to be
         employed during such 12 month period) the benefit similarly shall be
         deferred hereunder; provided, however, that the Company reserves the
         right to pay the present value of such benefit to you in cash at the
         end of such 12 month period.

4.       You are not required to mitigate the amount of any payments to be made
         by the Company pursuant to this Agreement by seeking other employment,
         or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payments provided for in this
         Agreement be reduced by any compensation earned by you as the result of
         self-employment or your employment by another employer after the date
         of termination of your employment with the Company.

5.       If a dispute arises regarding the termination of your employment or the
         interpretation or enforcement of this Agreement and you obtain a final
         judgement in your favor from a court of competent jurisdiction from
         which no appeal may be taken, whether because the time to do so has
         expired or otherwise, or your claim is settled by the Company prior to
         the rendering of such a judgement, all reasonable legal and other
         professional fees and expenses incurred by you in contesting or
         disputing any such termination or in seeking to obtain or enforce any
         right or benefit provided for in this Agreement or in otherwise
         pursuing your claim will be promptly paid by the Company with interest
         thereon at the highest statutory rate of your state of domicile for
         interest on judgements against private parties from the date of payment
         thereof by you to the date of reimbursement to you by the Company.

6.       This agreement shall commence on October 16, 1996 and will continue in
         effect for one full calendar year, the last day which shall be October
         1 5, 1997. However, at the end of such year and, if extended, at the
         end of each additional year thereafter, the term of this Agreement
         shall be extended automatically for one additional year, unless the
         Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors delivers written
         notice three months prior to the end of such term, or extended term, to
         you, that this Agreement will not be extended. In such case, this
         Agreement will terminate at the end of the term, or extended term, then
         in progress.
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Mr. Christopher D. Hughes
October 17, 1996 - Page 3

If the foregoing terms and provisions are acceptable to you, please sign where
indicated on the enclosed copy of this Agreement and return it to me. We look
forward to your many contributions to the success of SCOTSMAN GROUP, INC.

Sincerely,

SCOTSMAN  GROUP, INC.


By/s/ Richard C. Osborne  
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ACCEPTED AND AGREED to the date first above set forth.


/s/ Christopher Hughes          
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         Employee