EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 


          AGREEMENT, made August 24, 1996 by and between BAR TECHNOLOGIES INC.,

a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and JOHN G. ASIMOU (the "Executive").


                                    RECITALS
                                    --------


          In order to induce the Executive to serve as the Vice President of

Technology and Development of the Company, the Company desires to provide the

Executive with compensation and other benefits on the terms and conditions set

forth in this Agreement.

          The Executive is willing to accept such employment and perform

services for the Company, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

          It is therefore hereby agreed by and between the parties as follows:

          1.  Employment.

          1.1  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the

Company agrees to employ Executive during the Term hereof as its Vice President

of Technology and Development.  In his capacity as the Vice President of

Technology and Development of the Company, the Executive shall report to the

Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the "CEO") and shall have the customary

powers, responsibilities and authorities of vice presidents of corporations of

the size, type and nature of the Company, as it exists from time to time, and

as are assigned by the CEO.

          1.2  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the

Executive hereby accepts employment as the Vice President of Technology and

Development of the Company commencing as of August 24, 1996, and agrees to

devote his full business time and efforts to the performance of services,

duties and responsibilities in connection therewith, subject at all times to

review and control of the CEO.  During the Term of Employment, the Executive
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also agrees to serve, if elected, as an officer and/or director of any

Subsidiary of the Company, without the payment of any additional compensation

therefor.

          1.3  Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the Executive from

engaging in charitable and community affairs, from managing any passive

investment (i.e., an investment with respect to which the Executive is in no

way involved with the management or operation of the entity in which the

Executive has invested) made by him in publicly traded equity securities or

other property (provided that no such investment may exceed 1% of the equity of

any entity, without the prior approval of the CEO) or from serving, subject to

the prior approval of the CEO, as a member of boards of directors or as a

trustee of any other corporation, association or entity, to the extent that any

of the above activities do not interfere with the performance of his duties

hereunder.  For purposes of the preceding sentence, any approval by the CEO

required therein shall not be unreasonably withheld. 

          2.  Term of Employment.  The Executive's term of employment under

this Agreement (the "Term of Employment") shall commence on August 24, 1996

and, subject to the terms hereof, shall terminate on the earlier of (i)

September 30, 1999 (the "Initial Term") or (ii) termination of the Executive's

employment pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that subsequent to

the Initial Term, the Executive's Term of Employment under this Agreement shall

automatically renew annually for one year renewal terms (the "Renewal Term");

unless the Company shall deliver to the Executive or the Executive shall

deliver to the Company written notice, at least 90 days prior to the expiration

of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, that the Term of Employment shall not

be extended, in which case the Term of Employment will end at its then

scheduled expiration date and shall not be further extended except by written

agreement of the Company and the Executive.  

          3.  Compensation.
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          3.1  Salary.  During the Initial Term of the Executive's employment

under the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall pay Executive a base

salary ("Base Salary") at the rate of not less than $180,000 per annum.  Base

Salary shall be payable in accordance with the ordinary payroll practices of

the Company.  During the Term of Employment, the CEO shall, in good faith,

review and, if determined by the CEO to be appropriate, increase the

Executive's salary at least annually and in accordance with the Company's

customary procedures and practices regarding the salaries of senior executives,

which procedures and practices, for example, will include a review of the

performance of the Company, and the Executive and any increase in the cost of

living during the relevant period.  Increases in the rate of salary, once

granted, shall not be subject to revocation or decrease thereafter.

          3.2  Annual Bonus.  In addition to his base salary, the Executive

shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus").  Annual

Bonus amounts payable to the Executive shall be determined in the sole

discretion of the CEO and those members of the Board of Directors who were

nominated and elected at the request of Blackstone.  Subject to the foregoing,

the Annual Bonus shall be determined in accordance with the Company's customary

procedures and practices regarding bonus awards to senior executives, which

procedures and practices, for example, shall include an evaluation of the

Company's progress in meeting its cash flow targets during the relevant period;

provided, however, the Annual Bonus shall not be less than $70,000 for the

fiscal years ending September 30, 1997 and September 30, 1998 (the "Minimum

Bonus").  If EBITDA (as such term is defined in Appendix A attached hereto)

equals or exceeds the EBITDA targets, as set forth in the "Projections" section

of the Registration Statement of the Company dated as of August 1, 1996 (the

"Registration Statement"), for any fiscal year under this Agreement, the Annual

Bonus shall be at least $130,000; provided, however, that such methodology for

the determination of the Annual Bonus shall only be utilized until such time as
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a formula based on increase in shareholder value is mutually agreed upon by the

parties hereto; provided, further, if due to conditions beyond the Executive's

control, the EBITDA targets are not met for any fiscal year during the Term of

this Agreement, or targets are not met under such other methodology as is being

utilized for any fiscal year during the Term of this Agreement, the CEO and the

Board, in their sole discretion, may override such targets, and award the

Executive an Annual Bonus irrespective of the achievement of such targets. 

"Blackstone" shall mean, collectively, Blackstone Capital Partners II Merchant

Banking Fund L.P., Blackstone Offshore Capital Partners II L.P., Blackstone

Family Investment Partnership II L.P., The Blackstone Group L.P. and their

affiliates. 

          The Annual Bonus shall be payable as soon as practicable after

September 30 of each fiscal year in which such Annual Bonus was earned (the

"Bonus Term"); but in any event, the Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than

90 business days following the end of the Bonus Term; provided, however, no

Annual Bonus shall be payable unless the Executive is employed on the last day

of such Bonus Term.  The proviso in the previous sentence shall not apply if

the Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 6.1 of this

Agreement.

          3.3  Signing Bonus.  Within 30 days after the Executive's Term of

Employment commences, the Company shall pay the Executive a signing bonus of

$135,000 (the "Signing Bonus").  If the Executive resigns or the Executive's

Term of Employment is terminated for Cause (as defined in Section 6.2(b)

hereof), the Executive shall immediately repay the following portion of the

Signing Bonus to the Company: if such resignation or termination occurs (i) on

or before September 30, 1997, 100%; (ii) after September 30, 1997 but on or

before September 30, 1998, 66.67%; or (iii) after September 30, 1998 but on or

before September 30, 1999, 33.33%. 

          4.  Employee Benefits.
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          4.1  Stock Options.  The Executive shall be entitled to the benefits

of an Option Agreement (the "Option Agreement"), which such Option Agreement

shall be drafted subsequent to the signing of this Agreement, and which Option

Agreement shall contain terms substantially similar to the Option Term Sheet, a

copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix A.  The Executive shall not be

eligible to receive any stock option or other equity incentive other than as

described in this Section 4.1. 

          4.2  Employee Benefit Programs, Plans and Practices.  The Company

shall provide the Executive while employed hereunder with coverage under all

welfare benefit programs, plans and practices (commensurate with his position

in the Company and to the extent permitted under any employee benefit plan) in

accordance with the terms thereof, which the Company makes available to its

senior executives.  In addition, the Company shall provide substantially

similar benefits as provided under The Birmingham Steel Corporation Management

Security Plan (the "Management Security Plan") dated as of July 27, 1993;

provided, however, that such benefits shall be subject to the same terms and

conditions as under the Management Security Plan; provided, further, that the

Executive shall be given credit for his Years of Employment (as such term is

defined in the Management Security Plan) at Birmingham Steel, which such

employment began January 1, 1994, without contribution by the Executive for

years prior to the commencement date of employment hereunder. 

          4.3  Vacation.  The Executive shall be entitled to twenty (20)

business days paid vacation each calendar year, which shall be taken at such

times as are consistent with the Executive's responsibilities hereunder.  For

any calendar year in which the Executive is not employed for the entire period

of such calendar year, the Executive's vacation days shall be prorated pursuant

to the following formula:  twenty multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of

which is the number of days during such calendar year that the Executive has

been actively employed by the Company and the denominator of which is 365.  Any
<PAGE>
vacation days not taken by March 31 of the following year shall be forfeited

without pay.

          4.4  Additional Perquisites.  During the Executive's employment

hereunder, the Company shall provide the Executive with (i) term life insurance

in an amount equal to two times Base Salary; (ii) payment for initiation fees

at a country club; (iii) the right to participate in any 401(k) plan which the

Company may establish and (iv) long-term disability coverage providing a

monthly benefit of $12,500. 

          5.  Expenses.  Subject to prevailing Company policy or such

guidelines as may be established by the CEO, the Company will reimburse the

Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in carrying out

his duties.
<PAGE>
          6.  Termination of Employment.

          6.1  Termination Not for Cause or for Good Reason.  (a)  The Company

or Executive may terminate the Executive's Term of Employment at any time for

any reason by written notice.  If the Executive's employment is terminated (i)

by the Company other than for Cause (as defined in Section 6.2(b) hereof),

Disability (as defined in Section 6.3 hereof) or death or (ii) by the Executive

for Good Reason (as defined in Section 6.1(b) hereof) prior to the end of the

Initial Term or any Renewal Term, the Company shall continue to pay Executive's

Base Salary and the Minimum Bonus for the longer of (i) the remainder of the

Term of Employment as in effect immediately prior to such termination or (ii)

one year, with such payments to be made in accordance with the terms of

Sections 3.1 and 3.2.  In addition, Executive shall receive such payments, if

any, under applicable plans or programs to which he is entitled pursuant to the

terms of such plans or programs.

          (b)  For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean any of

the following (without Executive's express prior written consent):

          (i)  A reduction by the Company in Executive's Base Salary or
     material reduction in bonus opportunities; or

         (ii)  A substantial diminution or material adverse change in the
     Executive's duties, responsibilities or reporting responsibility, unless
     due to a promotion or increased responsibility.


          6.2  Voluntary Termination by the Executive; Discharge for Cause. 

(a)  In the event that the Executive's employment is terminated (i) by the

Company for Cause, as hereinafter defined or (ii) by the Executive other than

for Good Reason, Disability or death, the Executive shall only be entitled to

receive (i) any Base Salary accrued but unpaid prior to such termination and

(ii) any benefits provided under the employee benefit programs, plans and

practices referred to in Section 4.2 hereof, in accordance with their terms. 

After the termination of the Executive's employment under this Section 6.2, the

obligations of the Company under this Agreement to make any further payments,
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or provide any benefits specified herein, to the Executive shall thereupon

cease and terminate.

          (b)  As used herein, the term "Cause" shall be limited to (i) willful

gross misconduct by the Executive in the performance of his duties hereunder,

(ii) willful gross neglect by the Executive of his duties hereunder (other than

due to Disability, as such term is defined in Section 6.3 hereof) or repeated

and willful failure to follow reasonable instructions of the CEO, (iii) any

breach of the provisions of Section 11 of this Agreement by the Executive or

(iv) conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the Executive to any

felony (or indictable offense).  Termination of the Executive pursuant to this

Section 6.2 shall be made by delivery to the Executive of written notice, given

at least 30 days prior to such Termination, from the CEO specifying the

particulars of the conduct by the Executive set forth in any of clauses (i)

through (iv) above.  Termination shall be effected by the CEO at a meeting at

which the Executive shall have had the opportunity (along with his counsel) to

be heard, unless within 30 days after receiving such notice, the Executive

shall have cured Cause to the reasonable satisfaction of the CEO; provided,

however, that no cure shall be possible for (A) any breach of Section 11 of

this Agreement by the Executive or (B) a conviction or plea of nolo contendere

by the Executive to any felony (or indictable offense).  

          6.3  Disability.  In the event of the Disability (as defined below)

of the Executive during the Term of Employment, the Term of Employment and the

obligation of the Company to make payments under Section 3 shall, except for

earned but unpaid salary and bonuses, cease six months after the date the

Executive's Disability occurs if either the Company or the Executive has given

notice of termination for reasons of Disability or, if later, the date the

Executive becomes entitled to benefits under the Company's long term disability

program with respect to such Disability.  The term "Disability," for purposes

of this Agreement, shall mean the Executive's absence from the full-time
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performance of the Executive's duties pursuant to a determination made in

accordance with the Company's disability plan that the Executive is disabled as

a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness that lasts for at

least six months.

          6.4  Death.  In the event of the Executive's death during his Term of

Employment hereunder or at any time thereafter while payments are still owing

to the Executive under the terms of this Agreement, all obligations of the

Company to make any further payments, other than the obligation to pay any

accrued but unpaid Base Salary and a pro rata share of the prior year's Annual

Bonus, shall terminate upon the Executive's death, and benefits shall become

payable under the Company's life and accidental death insurance program in

accordance with its terms.

          6.5  No Further Notice, Compensation or Indemnity.  The Executive

understands and agrees that he shall not be entitled to any further notice,

compensation or indemnity upon Termination of Employment under this Agreement

other than amounts specified in this Section 6 and the Option Shares as set

forth in Appendix A hereto.  Executive shall not have any obligation to seek

comparable employment following such termination or resignation; provided,

however, that any payment hereunder shall be offset by any compensation the

Executive earns with a new employer or from self-employment. 

          6.6  The Executive's Duty to Provide Materials.  Upon the termination

of the Term of Employment for any reason, the Executive or his estate shall

surrender to the Company all correspondence, letters, files, contracts, mailing

lists, customer lists, advertising materials, ledgers, supplies, equipment,

checks, and all other materials and records of any kind that are the property

of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, that may be in the

Executive's possession or under his control, including all copies of any of the

foregoing; provided, however, the Executive shall not be required to surrender
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his personal rolodex, telephone book and personal materials acquired by the

Executive prior to the date hereof.

          7.   Notices.  All notices or communications hereunder shall be in

writing, addressed as follows:

          To the Company:
               c/o The Blackstone Group
               345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
               New York, New York 10154
               Attention:  Mikael Salovaara

          with a copy to:

               Alvin H. Brown, Esq.
               Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
               425 Lexington Avenue
               New York, New York  10017

          To Executive:

               John G. Asimou    
               31910 Lake Road    
               Avon Lake, Ohio 44012

          with a copy to:

               Mary Ann Jorgenson, Esq.
               Squire Sanders & Dempsey
               127 Public Square
               Cleveland, Ohio  44114

Any such notice or communication shall be delivered by hand or by courier or

sent certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,

addressed as above (or to such other address as such party may designate in a

notice duly delivered as described above), and the third business day after the

actual date of mailing shall constitute the time at which notice was given. 

          8.  Separability; Legal Fees.  If any provision of this Agreement

shall be declared to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such

invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof

which shall remain in full force and effect.  Each party shall bear the costs

of any legal fees and other fees and expenses which may be incurred in respect

of enforcing its respective rights under this Agreement.
<PAGE>
          9.  Assignment.  This contract shall be binding upon and inure to the

benefit of the heirs and representatives of the Executive and the assigns and

successors of the Company, but neither this Agreement nor any rights or

obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to hypothecation

by the Executive (except by will or, in the case of the Options, by trust for

the benefit of the Executive's spouse and/or children or by operation of the

laws of intestate succession) or by the Company, except that the Company may

assign this Agreement to any successor (whether by merger, purchase or

otherwise) to all or substantially all of the stock, assets or businesses of

the Company, if such successor expressly agrees to assume the obligations of

the Company hereunder. 

          10.  Amendment.  This Agreement may only be amended by written

agreement of the parties hereto. 

          11.  Nondisclosure of Confidential Information; Non-Competition.  (a) 

The Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, use,

divulge, disclose or make accessible to any other person, firm, partnership,

corporation or other entity any Confidential Information pertaining to the

business of the Company or any of its affiliates, except (i) while employed by

the Company, in the business of and for the benefit of the Company, or

(ii) when required to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction, by any

governmental agency having supervisory authority over the business of the

Company, or by any administrative body or legislative body (including a

committee thereof) with jurisdiction to order the Executive to divulge,

disclose or make accessible such information.  For purposes of this Section

11(a), "Confidential Information" shall mean non-public information concerning

the financial data, strategic business plans, product development (or other

proprietary product data), customer lists, marketing plans and other non-

public, proprietary and confidential information of the Company, Bliss &

Laughlin Industries Inc. or their respective affiliates or customers, that, in
<PAGE>
any case, is not otherwise available to the public (other than by the

Executive's breach of the terms hereof).

          (b)  In consideration of the Company's obligations under this

Agreement the Executive agrees that during the period of his employment

hereunder and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, without the prior

written consent of the Board, (A) he will not, directly or indirectly, either

as principal, manager, agent, consultant, officer, stockholder, partner,

investor, lender or employee or in any other capacity, carry on, be engaged in

or have any financial interest in, any business which is in competition with

the business of the Company and (B) he shall not, on his own behalf or on

behalf of any person, firm or company, directly or indirectly, solicit or offer

employment to any person who has been employed by the Company at any time

during the 12 months immediately preceding such solicitation.

          (c)  For purposes of this Section 11, a business shall be deemed to

be in competition with the Company if it is principally involved in the

purchase, sale or other dealing in any property or the rendering of any service

purchased, sold, dealt in or rendered by the Company as a part of the business

of the Company within the same geographic area in which the Company effects

such purchases, sales or dealings or renders such services.  Nothing in this

Section 11 shall be construed so as to preclude the Executive from investing in

any publicly or privately held company, provided the Executive's beneficial

ownership of any class of such company's securities does not exceed 1% of the

outstanding securities of such class.  

          (d)  The Executive agrees that this covenant not to compete is

reasonable under the circumstances and will not interfere with his ability to

earn a living or to otherwise meet his financial obligations.  The Executive

and the Company agree that if in the opinion of any court of competent

jurisdiction such restraint is not reasonable in any respect, such court shall

have the right, power and authority to excise or modify such provision or
<PAGE>
provisions of this covenant as to the court shall appear not reasonable and to

enforce the remainder of the covenant as so amended.  The Executive agrees that

any breach of the covenants contained in this Section 11 would irreparably

injure the Company.  Accordingly, the Executive agrees that the Company may, in

addition to pursuing any other remedies it may have in law or in equity, cease

making any payments otherwise required by this Agreement and obtain an

injunction against the Executive from any court having jurisdiction over the

matter restraining any further violation of this Agreement by the Executive.

          12.  Beneficiaries; References.  The Executive shall be entitled to

select (and change, to the extent permitted under any applicable law) a

beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive any compensation or benefit payable

hereunder following the Executive's death, and may change such election, in

either case by giving the Company written notice thereof.  In the event of the

Executive's death or a judicial determination of his incompetence, reference in

this Agreement to the Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to

his beneficiary, estate or other legal representative.  Any reference to the

masculine gender in this Agreement shall include, where appropriate, the

feminine.

          13.  Survivorship.  The respective rights and obligations of the

parties hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent

necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.  The

provisions of this Section 13 are in addition to the survivorship provisions of

any other section of this Agreement.

          14.  Arbitration.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 11(d)

hereof, any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this

Agreement shall be resolved by binding arbitration held in the Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania and conducted in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules

of the American Arbitration Association in effect at the time of the

arbitration.  Each party shall bear its own expenses in connection with any
<PAGE>
such arbitration and joint expenses shall be borne by both parties in equal

portions.

          15.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted

and governed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,

without reference to rules relating to conflicts of law.

          16.  Effect on Prior Agreements.  This Agreement contains the entire

understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes in all respects any

prior or other agreement or understanding, both written and oral, between the

Company, any affiliate of the Company or any predecessor of the Company or

affiliate of the Company and the Executive.

          17.  Withholding.  The Company shall be entitled to withhold from

payment any amount of withholding required by law.

          18.  Survival.  Notwithstanding the expiration of the term of this

Agreement, the provisions of Section 11 hereunder shall remain in effect as

long as is necessary to give effect thereto.

          19.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more

counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original.

                                                  COMPANY



                                                  By_______________________
                                                    Name: 
                                                    Title: 


                                                   ________________________
                                                    John G. Asimou