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                                                                  Exhibit 10(a)

                                 SALES AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT, dated this 7th day of October 1997, and entered into by
and between PLASTIPAK PACKAGING, INC., a corporation, having an office at 9135
General Court, Plymouth, Michigan 48170 (hereinafter referred to as "Seller"),
and STEARNS & LEHMAN, INC., 30 Paragon Pkwy., Mansfield, Ohio 44903, and/or its
successors (hereinafter referred to as"Buyer").

         IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, THE
PARTIES HERETO AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

         1.       Buyer agrees to purchase from Seller its total requirements of
                  375 ML and 750 ML OPET wine-style containers.

         2.       The initial term of this Agreement shall be for three (3)
                  years commencing with the date of first regular production
                  bottle shipments. This Agreement shall be automatically
                  extended on a year-to-year basis unless and/or until
                  terminated by either party sending written notice to the other
                  party, ninety (90) days in advance of the expiration date.

                                ESTIMATED ANNUAL BOTTLE REQUIREMENTS

                           375 ML                            326,000 Annually
                           750 ML                          1,300,000 Annually

         Blowmolds used for the production of Seller's bottles as covered by
         this Agreement will be at the expense of the Seller, the total cost of
         $262,192.50 being recovered over three (3) years (to be included in the
         total delivered price of the bottles). Such molds of the Seller shall
         be used exclusively for the business of the Buyer during this Agreement
         unless otherwise approved by the Buyer. Seller agrees to maintain molds
         during the term of this Agreement and provide reasonable protection
         against loss due to fire, theft, and similar casualty. Seller will be
         responsible for providing molds that will produce bottles that meet
         mutually agreed upon specifications.

         Within ninety (90) days of the end of the initial three-year contract
         period, the actual number of units purchased is to be reviewed and
         confirmed by both parties. If the original forecasted volume of
         4,878,000 bottles (the above estimated annual bottle requirements for
         both 375 ml and 750 ml bottles taken over the initial three year
         period) has not been purchased, Buyer agrees to pay Seller in full for
         the total unrecovered cost of the molds stated above (due to the
         purchase shortfall of bottles from the above estimates at $53.75/M) in
         three equal monthly installments to be paid within ninety (90) days
         after the last date of the initial three-year contract period. Upon
         payment in full, Buyer will own the above referenced blow molds.

         3.       Quantity pricing listed for the bottles as outlined below is
                  based on Buyer's estimated annual requirement forecast of
                  326,000 375 ml and 1,300,000 750 ml and is firm (based on
                  costs as of June 9, 1997) for the first year with the
                  exception of PET

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                  material and packaging supplies (labels, corrugated, etc.).
                  Any changes in the cost of these items will be passed on to
                  the Buyer with 30 day written notification.

                           375 ML, 32 gram clear OPET wine-style bottle with
                           28/400mm neck finish, bulk palletized in 410 pack
                           customer provided tier sheets.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                 <C>      
                           FOB Plastipak Plant                                      $163.48/M
                           Delivered to Mansfield, OH (Freight:$1.24/M)             $164.72/M
                           Delivered to Kent, WA (Freight: $22.17/M)                $185.65/M
</TABLE>

                           750 ML, 47 gram clear OPET wine-style bottle with
                           28/400mm neck finish, bulk palletized in 216 pack
                           customer provided tier sheets.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                 <C>      
                           FOB Plastipak Plant                                      $212.76/M
                           Delivered to Mansfield, OH (Freight: $2.10/M)            $214.86/M
                           Delivered to Kent, WA (Freight: $37.58/M)                $250.34/M
</TABLE>

         Delivered prices apply to truckload quantities only (loads may be
         mixed). In order to be competitive with regard to freight, the method
         of shipment for loads from Medina, OH to Kent, WA will be intermodal or
         by similar method. Thus, sufficient lead time will be provided to
         Seller when issuing releases for shipments to Kent. If another method
         of shipment is requested by Buyer, an upcharge based on actual cost
         will apply and be passed on to the Buyer.

         Upon reasonable notification from the Buyer, Seller agrees to warehouse
         up to one full truckload of 750ML bottles and one-half truckload of 375
         ML bottles on the floor throughout the contract period based on Buyer's
         reasonable forecasts.

         New trays will be provided by Buyer to Seller on a backhaul basis. No
         used trays will be backhauled to Seller. Pal lets are to be provided by
         Buyer to Seller for shipments to be sent by Seller to Mansfield and
         Kent. Seller will deliver bottles on standard GMA 4-way entry #1
         hardwood pallets only; such pal lets will be provided by Buyer and
         supplied to Seller on a timely basis.

         Payment terms are net thirty (30) days from receipt of invoice. Buyer
         agrees to pay an interest charge of 1-1/2% per month for all payments
         that are not paid within 45 days of the date of invoice. Additionally,
         if Buyer fails to pay an invoice when due, Seller may suspend further
         delivery until all past-due indebtedness of Buyer has been paid in full
         and, if the default in payment continues thirty (45) days or more,
         Seller may immediately terminate this Agreement. Seller will not be
         liable for any delays or failures in delivery due to circumstances
         beyond its reasonable control. Buyer will not be liable for delays in
         the delivery of timely payments due to delivery circumstances beyond
         Buyer's reasonable control (e.g., mail strikes). If in the reasonable
         opinion of Seller the credit of Buyer becomes impaired so that buyer
         cannot or will not pay its bills when due, Seller may at any time
         suspend further deliveries except for cash in advance.

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         Any change in the mutually agreed specifications for corrugated and/or
         packaging that results in an increase or decrease in the above costs
         will be passed on to Buyer with container production utilizing the new
         specified components.

         4.       Material cost adjustment will be based on the following:

                  Resin Escalator/De-escalator
                  ----------------------------
                  375 ML     Bottle price will be adjusted by $.80/M for each
                             $.01/1b. change in PET resin pricing.

                  750 ML     Bottle price will be adjusted by $1.18!M for each
                             $.01/lb. change in PET resin pricing.

                  Gram Weight Change
                  ------------------
                             Bottle price will be adjusted by $1.35/M for each
                             one gram change in bottle weight.

         5.       Seller has right of first refusal to supply any alternative
                  package either in size or design that may replace or adversely
                  affect the volume of items to be purchased by the Buyer under
                  this Agreement.

         6.       The rights and duties under this Agreement are not assignable
                  or delagable by either party without the other party's prior
                  written consent which will not be unreasonably withheld;
                  except that the rights and duties under this Agreement shall
                  inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors or permitted
                  assigns of this Agreement. In addition, any sale by Buyer of
                  all or a portion of the business to which this Sales Agreement
                  refers, requires an assignment and acceptance by the intended
                  purchaser of such business.

         7.       This Agreement may not be modified except by a writing signed
                  by a duly authorized representative of both parities.

         8.       Waiver by either party of nonperformance or any breach of this
                  Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver for any
                  future nonperformance or other breach of the same or any other
                  provision.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the 7th day of
October, 1997.

STEARNS & LEHMAN, INC.                         PLASTIPAK PACKAGING, INC.
By:    /s/ John A. Chuprinko                   By:    /s/ J. Ronald Overbeck
    ----------------------------                   ----------------------------
Title:  Chief Financial Officer                Title:  Vice President
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Date:   October 2, 1997                        Date:   October 7, 1997
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