EXHIBIT (4)(xviii)




                                                                  July 15, 1998



Plymouth Rubber Company, Inc.
104 Revere Street
Canton, Massachusetts 02021

Re: Eighth Amendment

Gentlemen:

     Plymouth Rubber Company, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation 
("Borrower") and LaSalle National Bank, a national banking association 
("Bank") have entered into that certain Loan and Security Agreement 
dated June 6, 1996 (the "Security Agreement"). From time to time 
thereafter, Borrower and Bank may have executed various amendments 
(each an "Amendment" and collectively the "Amendments") to the 
Security Agreement (the Security Agreement and the Amendments 
hereinafter are referred to, collectively, as the "Agreement"). Borrower 
and Bank now desire to further amend the Agreement as provided 
herein, subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, 
the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and other good 
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are 
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

     1.      The Agreement hereby is amended as follows:

(a)     Paragraph (10) of Exhibit A of  the Agreement is amended 
to add the following provision:

(10).(1 )       REDEMPTION OF STOCK:  Notwithstanding the 
provisions of subparagraph 11(k) of the Agreement; 
and provided, that (I) such redemption is permitted 
under all applicable laws; and (ii) no Event of Default 
shall have occurred prior to the time of, or would occur 
as a result of such redemption, Borrower may redeem 
the existing shares of its common or preferred stock in 
an amount not to exceed One Hundred Thousand and 
No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) in the aggregate over 
the term of the Loans during the Original Term or 
Renewal Term.   
(10).(2)        YEAR 2000:  Borrower and its Subsidiaries have 
reviewed the areas within their business and 
operations which could be adversely affected by, and 
have developed or are developing a program to 
address on a timely basis, the "Year 2000 Problem" 
(that is, the risk that computer applications used by 
Borrower and its Subsidiaries may be unable to 
recognize and perform properly date-sensitive 
functions involving certain dates prior to and any date 
on or after December 30, 1999), and have made 
related appropriate inquiry of material suppliers and 
vendors.  Based on such review and program, 
Borrower believes that the "Year 2000 Problem" will 
not have a material adverse effect on its business, 
assets or condition, financial or otherwise.  From time 
to time, at the request of Bank, Borrower and its 
Subsidiaries shall provide to Bank such updated 
information or documentation as is requested 
regarding the status of their efforts to address the 
"Year 2000 Problem."
2. This amendment shall not become effective until fully executed by all 
parties hereto.
3. Except as expressly amended hereby and by any other supplemental 
documents or instruments executed by either party hereto in order to 
effectuate the transactions contemplated hereby, the Agreement and 
Exhibit A thereto hereby are ratified and confirmed by the parties hereto 
and remain in full force and effect in accordance with the terms thereof.



LASALLE NATIONAL BANK 
a national banking association



By: /s/ John Mostofi

Title: VP






Accepted and agreed to this 
 30th  day of   July  ,  1998.


PLYMOUTH RUBBER COMPANY, INC.


By:/s/ Joseph J. Berns

Title: VP Finance


Consented and agreed to by the following 
Guarantor of the obligations of PLYMOUTH 
RUBBER COMPANY, INC. to LASALLE 
NATIONAL BANK. 


BRITE-LINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

          By: /s/ Joseph J. Berns

          Title: VP Finance

          Date:        July 30      , 1998




 
==============================================================================





                                                            February 18, 1999




Plymouth Rubber Company, Inc.
104 Revere Street
Canton, Massachusetts 02021

Re: Ninth Amendment

Gentlemen:

     Plymouth Rubber Company, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation 
("Borrower") and LaSalle National Bank, a national banking association 
("Bank") have entered into that certain Loan and Security Agreement 
dated June 6, 1996 (the "Security Agreement"). From time to time 
thereafter, Borrower and Bank may have executed various amendments 
(each an "Amendment" and collectively the "Amendments") to the Security 
Agreement (the Security Agreement and the Amendments hereinafter are 
referred to, collectively, as the "Agreement"). Borrower and Bank now 
desire to further amend the Agreement as provided herein, subject to the 
terms and conditions herein set forth.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, the 
mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and other good and 
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby 
acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

     1.      The Agreement hereby is amended as follows:

     (a)     Paragraph (1) of the Agreement is amended to add the 
following provision:

(a)(a)  "LIBOR Rate" shall mean with respect to any LIBOR Rate 
Loan for any Interest Period (as defined in subparagraph 
(5)(b) of Exhibit A of the Agreement), a rate per annum 
equal to the offered rate for deposits in United States 
dollars for a period equal to such Interest Period as it 
appears on Telerate page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London 
time) two Business Days prior to the first day of such 
Interest Period.  "Telerate page 3750" means the display 
designated as "Page 3750" on the Telerate Service (or 
such other page as may replace page 3750 of that service 
or such other service as may be nominated by the British 
Bankers' Association as the vendor for the purpose of 
displaying British Bankers' Association interest settlement 
rates for United States dollar deposits).
(b)     Subparagraph (7)(c) of the Agreement is deleted in its entirety 
and the following is substituted in its place:

     (c)     Bank shall, within two (2) business days after receipt by Bank 
at its office in Chicago, Illinois of cash or other immediately 
available funds from collections of items of payment and 
proceeds of any Collateral, apply the whole or any part of 
such collections or proceeds against the Liabilities in such 
order as Bank shall determine in its sole discretion.

(c)     Paragraph (1) of Exhibit A of the Agreement is deleted in its entirety 
and the following is substituted in its place:

          (1)   LOAN LIMIT: Bank may, in its sole discretion, advance an 
amount up to the sum of the following sublimits (the "Loan 
Limit"):

(a)     Subject to Paragraph (4) of this Exhibit A, up to eighty-
five percent (85%) of the face amount (less maximum 
discounts, credits and allowances which may be taken 
by or granted to Account Debtors in connection 
therewith) of Borrower's Eligible Accounts; provided, 
that with respect to Eligible Accounts which are payable 
in currencies other than U.S. Dollars, the face amount 
and all discounts, credits and allowances shall be 
determined using the U.S. Dollar equivalent thereof at 
such time, determined with such frequency as Bank 
shall require, but not less than weekly, based on the 
exchange rates published in the Wall Street Journal on 
the date of determination; plus

          (b)  Up to fifty-five percent (55%) of the lower of the cost or 
market value of Borrower's Eligible Inventory or Six 
Million and No/100 Dollars ($6,000,000.00), whichever 
is less; plus

          (c)  Subject to subparagraph (3)(a) of this Exhibit A, Three 
Million and No/100 Dollars ($3,000,000.00) against that 
certain real property described in subparagraph (13)(a) 
of this Exhibit A ; minus

          (d)  Such reserves as Bank elects, in its sole discretion, to 
establish from time to time;

                provided, that the aggregate amount of Loans made 
pursuant to (i) subparagraph (b) above; and (ii) Loans, 
as such term is defined in that certain Loan and Security 
Agreement entered into by and between Brite-Line 
Technologies, Inc. ("Brite-Line") and Bank dated 
February 25, 1997 (the "Brite-Line Agreement"), made 
pursuant to subparagraph (1)(b) of Exhibit A of the Brite-
Line Agreement shall in no event exceed Seven Million 
Two Hundred Fifty Thousand and No/100 Dollars 
($7,250,000.00);

       further provided, that the aggregate Loan Limit shall in 
no event exceed Eighteen Million and No/100 Dollars 
($18,000,000.00), except as such amount may be 
increased or decreased by Bank, in its sole discretion, 
from time to time; and

       further provided, that the aggregate amount of Loans to 
(i) Borrower under this Agreement; and (ii) the 
aggregate amount of Loans to Brite-Line under the 
Brite-Line Agreement, shall in no event exceed 
Eighteen Million and No/100 Dollars ($18,000,000.00).

     (d)     Subparagraph (3)(a) of Exhibit A of the Agreement is deleted in 
its entirety and the following is substituted in its place:

     (a)     The availability described in subparagraph (1)(c) of this 
Exhibit A shall be automatically curtailed by Fifty 
Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($50,000.00) per month, 
commencing on July 2, 1999 and continuing on the 
corresponding day of each month thereafter until the 
earliest to occur of (i) the date on which said 
availability shall be reduced in full; (ii) the date upon 
which demand for repayment of the Loans is made by 
Bank, on which date said availability shall be reduced 
in full; and (iii) the date upon which this Agreement 
terminates pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 9 of 
the Agreement, on which date said availability shall be 
reduced in full.

     (e)     Paragraph (5) of Exhibit A of the Agreement (but excluding 
Paragraph (5).(1) of Exhibit A of the Agreement) is deleted in its entirety 
and the following is substituted in its place:

     (5)     INTEREST RATE: Subject to the terms and conditions set forth 
below, the Loans shall bear interest at the per annum rate of 
interest set forth in subsection (a) or (b) below:

               (a)     Bank's publicly announced prime rate per annum 
(which is not intended to be Bank's lowest or most favorable 
rate in effect at any time) (the "Prime Rate") in effect 
from time to time, payable on the last Business Day of 
each month in arrears.  Said rate of interest shall 
increase or decrease by an amount equal to each 
increase or decrease in the Prime Rate effective on the 
effective date of each such change in the Prime Rate.

(b)     Two percent (2%) per annum in excess of the LIBOR 
Rate for the applicable Interest Period, such rate to 
remain fixed for such Interest Period. "Interest Period" 
shall mean any continuous period of thirty (30), sixty 
(60), ninety (90) or one hundred eighty (180) days, as 
selected from time to time by Borrower by irrevocable 
notice (in writing, by telex, telegram or cable) given to 
Bank not less than three (3) Business Days prior to 
the first day of each respective Interest Period) 
commencing on the date hereof; provided that:  (i) 
each such period occurring after such initial period 
shall commence on the day on which the immediately 
preceding period expires; (ii) the final Interest Period 
shall be such that its expiration occurs on or before 
the end of the Original Term or any Renewal Term; 
and (iii) if for any reason Borrower shall fail to timely 
select a period, then such Loans shall continue as, or 
revert to, Prime Rate Loans.  Interest shall be 
payable on the last Business Day of each month, at 
maturity, and on the date of any payment hereon by 
Borrower.
          Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and the 
continuance thereof, the Loans shall bear interest at the 
rate of two percent (2.0%) per annum in excess of the 
interest rate otherwise payable thereon, which interest 
shall be payable on demand.  All interest shall be 
calculated on the basis of a 360-day year.

(f)     Subparagraph (5).(1)(f) of Exhibit A of the Agreement is 
deleted in its entirety and the following is substituted in its place:

           (f) Each request for LIBOR Rate Loans shall be in an amount not 
less than One Million and No/100 Dollars ($1,000,000.00), and in 
integral multiples of Two Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars 
($200,000.00).

(g)     Subparagraph (6)(a) of Exhibit A of the Agreement is deleted 
in its entirety and the following is substituted in its place:

          (a) Unused Line Fee: Borrower and Brite-Line shall jointly pay to 
Bank an unused line fee of one-half of one percent (1/2 of 
1%) of the average aggregate monthly loan balance of 
Borrower and Brite-Line, which fee shall be fully earned by 
Bank and payable monthly in arrears on each day that interest 
is payable hereunder. Said fee shall be calculated on the 
basis of a 360 day year.

     (h)     Subparagraph (6)(b) of Exhibit A of the Agreement is deleted 
in its entirety and the following is substituted in its place:

          (b)     Prepayment Fee: If Borrower and Brite-Line elect to 
terminate this Agreement and the Brite-Line Agreement 
prior to the termination dates thereof, Borrower and 
Brite-Line shall jointly pay to Bank a prepayment fee in 
the aggregate equal to (i) Three Hundred Thousand and 
No/100 Dollars ($300,000.00) if this Agreement and the 
Brite-Line Agreement are terminated on or before June 
2, 2000; (ii) Two Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars 
($200,000.00) if this Agreement and the Britle-Line 
Agreement are terminated after June 2, 2000 and prior to 
June 2, 2001; and (iii) One Hundred Thousand and 
No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) if this Agreement and the 
Brite-Line Agreement are terminated after June 2, 2001 
but prior to the end of the Original Term or any Renewal 
Term; provided that if Borrower and Brite-Line sell all or 
substantially all of their assets or stock to a Person other 
than an Affiliate and such sale is consented to by Bank 
and the Liabilities are prepaid and this Agreement and 
the Brite-Line Agreement are terminated as a result 
thereof, then Borrower and Brite-Line shall be required 
to jointly pay a prepayment fee of one percent (1%) of 
the aggregate Loan Limit under this Agreement and the 
Brite-Line Agreement.

     (i)     Paragraph (6) of Exhibit A of the Agreement is amended to 
add the following provision:

          (6).(1) ORIGINAL TERM: The date of the Original Term set 
forth in Paragraph 9 of the Agreement is deleted and 
the date of June 2, 2002 is substituted in its place.

     (j)     Paragraph (8) of Exhibit A of the Agreement is deleted in its 
entirety and the following is substituted in its place:

          (8)     TANGIBLE NET WORTH:  Notwithstanding the provisions of 
subparagraph 11(o) of the Agreement, Borrower's and Brite-
Line's consolidated tangible net worth in the aggregate shall 
not, on the last day of each fiscal quarter, be less than the 
Minimum Tangible Net Worth, as hereinafter defined. On the 
last day of the first, second and third fiscal quarters of 
Borrower's 1999 fiscal year, "Minimum Tangible Net Worth" 
shall equal One Million Eight Hundred Nineteen Thousand 
and No/100 Dollars ($1,819,000.00).  On the last day of 
Borrower's1999 fiscal year end and on the last day of the first, 
second and third fiscal quarters of Borrower's 2000 fiscal 
year, Minimum Tangible Net Worth shall equal One Million 
Nine Hundred Nineteen Thousand and No/100 Dollars 
($1,919,000.00). Thereafter, on the last day of each of 
Borrower's fiscal quarters, Minimum Tangible Net Worth shall 
be equal to Minimum Tangible Net Worth on the last day of 
the immediately preceding fiscal year plus One Hundred 
Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00). "Tangible Net 
Worth" being defined for purposes of this subparagraph as 
Borrower's and Brite-Line's shareholders' equity (including 
retained earnings) less the book value of all intangible assets 
as determined solely by Bank on a consistent basis plus the 
amount of any LIFO reserve plus the amount of any debt 
subordinated to Bank, all as determined under generally 
accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent 
with the financial statement dated October 30, 1998 except as 
set forth herein.  For purposes of this subparagraph, (a) 
intangible assets are: (i) intangible asset-FAS #87, (ii) 
deferred tax asset, net of the valuation reserve-FAS #109, 
and (iii) trade names; and (b) pension liability adjustments are 
excluded.

2.      This amendment shall not become effective until (a) fully 
executed by all parties hereto and (b) June 3, 1999.

     3.      Except as expressly amended hereby and by any other 
supplemental documents or instruments executed by either party hereto in 
order to effectuate the transactions contemplated hereby, the Agreement 
and Exhibit A thereto hereby are ratified and confirmed by the parties 
hereto and remain in full force and effect in accordance with the terms 
thereof.
                              LASALLE NATIONAL BANK
                              a national banking association

                              By: /s/ John Mostofi

                               Title: VP


Accepted and agreed to this
 19th day of February,1999.
               
PLYMOUTH RUBBER COMPANY, INC.

By: /s/ Joseph J. Berns

Title: VP Finance








Consented and agreed to by the following
Guarantor of the obligations of PLYMOUTH 
RUBBER COMPANY, INC. to LASALLE 
NATIONAL BANK.

BRITE-LINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

By: /s/ Joseph J. Berns

Title: VP Finance

Date: February 19, 1999
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