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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.15
                                               775 Corporate Woods Parkway
                                               Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061-3112
                                               (847) 215-4500
SCOTSMAN                                       Fax (847) 634-8823
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I N D U S T R I E S


October 17, 1996



Mr. Michael de St. Paer
Whitlenge Drink Equipment, Ltd.
Chanel Way - Halesowen Industrial Park
Halesowen, West Midlands
U.K. B628SE

RE: EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Dear Mike:

1.   This letter confirms your employment by SCOTSMAN GROUP, INC. ("the
     Company") as Managing Director, Whitlenge Drink Equipment.  In that
     capacity you are entitled to the following:

     a.   An annual salary of British Pounds .82,000;

     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:
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          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;

     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
     judgment in your favor form 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
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Michael de St. Paer
October 17, 1996 - Page 3



     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 15,
     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.

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/ R. C. Osborne
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ACCEPTED AND AGREED to the date first above set forth.


/s/ M. de St. Paer
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Employee