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                                                                 Exhibit 10.18

July 16, 1996





Mr. Bruce  McH. Kirchner
41 Fairview Court
Grand Island, NY 14072

Dear Bruce:

I am pleased to offer you the position of Chief Financial Officer of Easco
Corporation. This letter will confirm the details of our offer of employment.

1.   Base Salary

     Your base salary will be $175,000 per year. Your salary and performance
     will be reviewed at least annually with adjustments to salary being made at
     the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer.

2.   Annual Bonus

     You will be eligible to participate in Easco's cash incentive program. You
     will be eligible for a bonus equal to 60% of your base pay. Detailed
     information regarding the plan will be provided to you, but the basic
     components are based 75% on the company's consolidated EBIT and 25% on
     individual performance. In 1996 you will be able to receive a pro rata
     award based on months of service.

3.   Stock Options

     You will be awarded options on 75,000 shares of Easco stock through the
     company's non-qualified stock option plan. The exercise price will be fixed
     on the date of award which should occur not later than September 1, 1996.
     The vesting period will be three years with 25,000 shares vesting at the
     end of each year.

4.   Automobile

     You will be provided the use of a new, full sized automobile with all
     related expenses paid by the company.
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Mr. Bruce McH. Kirchner
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5.  Health Care Insurance and Pension

     You will be eligible for Easco's executive health care and pension
     packages, details of which have been provided to you. If you have any
     questions, please contact me.

6.   Employment Agreement

     If during the first two years your employment is terminated for reasons
     other than cause, your service will be continued for 12 months and you will
     receive a continuation of base pay and all benefits other than the bonus
     plan for that period or until such time as you secure other employment,
     whichever comes first. After two years you will receive not less than six
     months severance pay.

7.   Vacation

     You will be eligible for three weeks of vacation. After five years you will
     be eligible for four weeks.

8.   Relocation

     All reasonable and customary expenses associated with your relocation to
     Ohio will be paid by the company. This includes movement of household
     effects and real estate transaction fees grossed up for taxes. You will
     also be allowed 90 days temporary living expenses and reasonable costs
     associated with house hunting trips for your wife.

9.   Start Date

     As we have agreed, your start date may be as early as July 31, 1996 but in
     no case later than August 5, 1996. We will set a firm date by Friday, July
     19.

Bruce, on behalf of the Board of Directors, I extend to you a warm welcome. I am
confident that you will make a significant contribution to our shareholders and
fellow employees. I look forward to working with you and I am committed to your
success in the years ahead.

Sincerely,

EASCO ALUMINUM



Michael M. Hagerty

MMH/slr