Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.23

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                  BY AND AMONG

                              1430640 ONTARIO INC.,

                               IVERS-LEE LIMITED,

                     TMJ SPECIALTY TOOL AND DESIGN LIMITED,

                                       AND

                        ________ KEN YOUNG FAMILY TRUST,
                      ________PALLASADE HOLDINGS INC., AND
                             _______ELIZABETH YOUNG

                                 AUGUST 25, 2000

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                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                  STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT dated as of August 25, 2000 (the
"Effective Date"; this "Agreement") by and among 1430640 ONTARIO INC., a
corporation organized under the laws of Ontario ("Purchaser"), IVERS-LEE LIMITED
("Ivers-Lee"), and TMJ SPECIALTY TOOL AND DESIGN LIMITED ("TMJ"), corporations
organized under the laws of Ontario (together, Ivers-Lee and TMJ are the
"Companies" and each, a "Company"), Ken Young Family Trust (the "Trust"),
Pallasade Holdings Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Ontario
("Pallasade"; together with the Trust, the "Ivers-Lee Shareholders"), and
Elizabeth Young (the "TMJ Shareholder"; together with the Ivers-Lee
Shareholders, the "Sellers"). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this
Agreement are used as defined in APPENDIX A hereto. All dollar amounts are
presented in Canadian currency unless otherwise stated.

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

                  WHEREAS, the Ivers-Lee Shareholders are the record and
beneficial owners of all issued and outstanding shares of capital stock, having
no par value, of Ivers-Lee (the "Ivers-Lee Stock");

                  WHEREAS, the TMJ Shareholder is the record and beneficial
owner of all issued and outstanding shares of capital stock, having no par
value, of TMJ (the "TMJ Stock"; together with the Ivers-Lee Stock, the "Company
Shares");

                  WHEREAS, Sellers desire to sell all outstanding Company Shares
to Purchaser upon the terms and conditions set forth below;

                  WHEREAS, Purchaser desires to purchase all Company Shares from
Sellers upon the terms and conditions set forth below; and

                  WHEREAS, Sellers and the Companies expect to benefit from the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and, to induce Purchaser to
enter into this Agreement, agree to be bound by the terms and provisions in this
Agreement.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual benefits to be
derived and the representations and warranties, conditions and promises herein
contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto hereby
agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                     GENERAL

                  1.1 SALE AND PURCHASE OF COMPANY SHARES. At the Closing,
Sellers shall sell, transfer, assign and deliver unto Purchaser and its
successors and assigns

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forever, and Purchaser shall purchase, all outstanding Company Shares for
purchase price hereinafter set forth.

                  1.2 PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT TERMS. For the Company Shares,
Purchaser shall at the Closing pay to Sellers Eight Million Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($8,500,000) (the "Base Purchase Price"; as adjusted pursuant
to Section 1.3 below, the "Initial Purchase Price") and allocated as shown on
SCHEDULE 1.2. The Initial Purchase Price shall be estimated at the Closing, as
described in Section 1.3, and, less the Escrow Deposit, paid at Closing. In
addition, Purchaser shall pay the Additional Purchase Price described in Section
1.4.

                  1.3 COMBINED PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENTS.

                      (a) The Companies' total net assets, excluding
indebtedness for borrowed money, and cash ("Total Net Assets"), as of the
Closing Date shall be compared to their Total Net Assets at March 31, 2000. Any
increase in Total Net Assets shall be added to the Base Purchase Price and any
decrease in Total Net Assets shall be subtracted from the Base Purchase Price.
The Base Purchase Price shall be further adjusted by (i) subtracting any
indebtedness for borrowed money (including obligations under capitalized leases,
outstanding letters of credit, bankers' acceptances, trade payables more than 30
days overdue, and any obligations of either Company to any Seller), and (ii)
adding any cash on hand, as of the Closing Date. In making such computation,
checks received on the Closing Date shall be treated as cash if they are
actually collected. The net adjustment shall be the "Adjustment Amount."

                      (b) Sellers shall, in good faith, prepare and deliver to
Purchaser at least three Business Days prior to the Closing, estimated unaudited
balance sheets of the Companies as of the Closing Date (the "Closing Balance
Sheets"), and unaudited balance sheets of the Companies as of March 31, 2000
(the "Reference Balance Sheets" and together and with the Closing Balance
Sheets, the "Balance Sheets"), and a computation of the estimated Adjustment
Amount. The Balance Sheets and the computation of the estimated Adjustment
Amount shall be prepared from the Companies' books and records in accordance
with Canadian GAAP consistently applied (as used in this Agreement, "Canadian
GAAP") except that the Balance Sheets shall reserve and treat as excess any
inventory which is more than three (3) months old as of the Closing Date and
will not be utilized within 90 days of the Closing unless it is subject to a
binding written customer commitment received by either Company prior to the
Closing. The estimated Balance Sheets and the estimated Adjustment Amount shall
be used to compute the Initial Purchase Price.

                      (c) Purchaser's Accountants shall perform, at Purchaser's
expense, a review of the Balance Sheets and of the Adjustment Amount and shall,
within 60 days after the Closing Date, deliver to Purchaser and Sellers a report
concerning the computation of the Adjustment Amount. The review of the
computation of the Adjustment Amount shall be based on the books and records of
Companies in accordance with Canadian GAAP consistently applied, except as
needed to deal with provisions of Section 1.3(b) regarding excess inventory. All
parties shall cooperate fully and completely in responding to questions and
requests for information submitted by

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Purchaser's Accountants in connection with the preparation of the report
concerning the computation of the Adjustment Amount and, with reasonable prior
notice, provide them with full access to all books and records of Companies to
the extent related to the preparation of the report or the computation of the
Adjustment Amount.

                      (d) Sellers and Sellers' Accountants shall have twenty
(20) days following the delivery of the report in which to review the report and
the computation of the Adjustment Amount at Sellers' expense, and Sellers'
Accountants shall have access to the Purchaser's Accountants and their
non-proprietary work papers during the preparation of the report and thereafter
for this purpose. If, in Sellers' reasonable judgment, the computation of the
Adjustment Amount is not correct, then Sellers shall, within such 20-day period,
deliver to Purchaser and Purchaser's Accountants a proposed modification to such
closing Balance Sheet or the Adjustment Amount in writing (the "Sellers'
Adjustment Request") setting forth (i) the amount of the proposed modification,
(ii) the item or items to which such proposed modification relates, and (iii)
the facts and circumstances supporting the reasonableness and propriety of such
modification. Purchaser shall cause Purchaser's Accountants and Sellers shall
cause Sellers' Accountants to use their best efforts for fifteen (15) days after
receipt of any Sellers' Adjustment Request, to agree upon each dispute related
to the Balance Sheets, and the parties shall attempt to agree upon the
Adjustment Amount. Upon the expiration of such 15-day period, any party may
submit in writing for resolution to an independent accounting firm ("Independent
Accountants") any dispute with respect to the Balance Sheets or the computation
of the Adjustment Amount which has not been resolved. As promptly as
practicable, but in no event later than thirty (30) days, after such submission,
the parties shall, or cause their accountants to, deliver to the Independent
Accountants written submissions in support of their respective positions with
respect to such dispute and shall direct the Independent Accountants to resolve
such dispute based solely on such written submissions without any independent
investigation of the Companies' books and records. The costs of the Independent
Accountants shall be divided equally between Purchaser, on the one hand, and
Sellers, as a group, on the other hand. The decision of the Independent
Accountants with respect to the Balance Sheets or the computation of the
Adjustment Amount shall be final and binding on each of the parties hereto.

                      (e) If the final adjusted Initial Purchase Price is
greater than the estimated Initial Purchase Price paid at Closing, then
Purchaser shall, within five (5) Business Days following the final determination
of the Initial Purchase Price, pay by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to such accounts as will have been designated by Sellers in writing an
amount equal to the difference between the final adjusted Initial Purchase Price
and the estimated Initial Purchase Price. If the final adjusted Initial Purchase
Price is less than the estimated Initial Purchase Price paid at Closing, then
the Escrow Agent shall, within five (5) Business Days following the final
determination of the Initial Purchase Price, pay by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to such account as will have been designated by Purchaser in
writing, an amount equal to the difference between the estimated adjusted
Initial Purchase Price and the final adjusted Initial Purchase Price, pursuant
to the procedures set forth in the Escrow Agreement.

                  1.4 ADDITIONAL PURCHASE PRICE. Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth below, Purchaser shall pay to the Sellers an Additional
Purchase Price as follows:

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                      (a) If combined Audited Adjusted EBITDA for the Companies
for the year 2000 ("2000 EBITDA") exceeds $2,000,000:

                          (i) 6.5 times the amount by which 2000 EBITDA exceeds
         $2,000,000, up to a maximum of $3,900,000, allocated to all Sellers in
         the percentages set forth on Schedule 1.2; plus

                          (ii) 4.75 times the amount by which 2000 EBITDA
         exceeds $2,600,000, allocated to all Sellers in the percentages set
         forth on Schedule 1.2.

                          If the 2000 EBITDA is less than or equal to
         $2,000,000, there shall be no Additional Purchase Price.

                      (b) The Additional Purchase Price shall be calculated
within twenty (20) Business Days of receipt by the Purchaser of the audited
financial statements of the Companies for the twelve months ended December 31,
2000 (the "2000 Financial Statements"), and shall be paid at later of (i) five
(5) Business Days following completion of such calculation or, (ii) five (5)
Business Days following resolution of all disputes surrounding such calculation.

                  1.5 DISPUTES REGARDING CALCULATION OF EBITDA

                      (a) Within twenty (20) Business Days of receipt by
Purchaser of the 2000 Financial Statements, the Purchaser shall prepare and
deliver to Sellers a schedule reflecting the calculation of 2000 EBITDA and, if
applicable, a statement of the amounts due each Seller pursuant to Section 1.4.
If Sellers object to the determination by the Purchaser of such calculations,
they shall notify Purchaser in writing, in accordance with the notice provisions
of this Agreement, within twenty (20) Business Days after delivery of each such
calculation. If Sellers do not object to each calculation within such time
period, such calculations shall be final, conclusive and binding on Companies,
Sellers and Purchaser.

                      (b) If Sellers timely object to the calculations of 2000
EBITDA then they may retain, at their own expense, Independent Accountants to
determine the 2000 EBITDA. The Independent Accountants shall complete their
determination as promptly as possible but in any event shall have no more than
twenty (20) Business Days to complete its determination. If the determination of
the Independent Accountants differs from that of the Purchaser, the parties
shall negotiate in good faith for a period of fifteen (15) Business Days to
resolve any differences. If, following such period, the parties are unable to
reach an agreement, the determination of the Independent Accountants shall be
final, conclusive and binding on Companies, Sellers and Purchaser.

                      (c) No payments shall be made pursuant to Section 1.4 of
this Agreement until all disputes regarding the calculation of 2000 EBITDA have
been resolved in the manner described in this Section 1.5.

                      (d) For purposes of this Section 1.5, Sellers shall
designate John C. Karram (the "Representative") to represent them in connection
with the dispute

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resolution procedures described herein, and agree that the decision of the
Representative shall be binding upon them.

                  1.6 ESCROW. On the Closing Date, Purchaser shall withhold One
Million Dollars ($1,000,000) from the amount to be paid to Sellers at the
Closing, and pay that amount (the "Escrow Deposit") to The Montreal Trust
Company of Canada (the "Escrow Agent") which shall secure the payment by Sellers
of any adjustments due Purchaser and the indemnity obligations of Sellers under
Article VII and shall be held and released as provided in the Escrow Agreement,
a form of which is attached hereto as EXHIBIT 1. The Escrow Agreement shall
provide that a portion of the Escrow Deposit shall be released, to the extent
needed to pay an adjustment to the Initial Purchase Price due Purchaser, upon
final determination of the Initial Purchase Price, and that the remainder of the
Escrow Deposit shall be released on the second anniversary of the Closing Date,
to the extent not needed to satisfy claims pending on such date.

                                   ARTICLE II

             REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS AND COMPANIES

                  Each Company and each of the Sellers hereby represent and
warrant to Purchaser as follows:

                  2.1 Organization. Each Company is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Ontario, and
has the corporate power and authority to conduct its business as it is presently
being conducted and to own and lease its properties and assets. Each Company is
duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in
which such qualification is necessary under the applicable law as a result of
its conduct of its business, and where the failure to be so qualified would have
a Material Adverse Effect.

                  2.2 Authorization. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement by each Company and the performance of its obligations hereunder have
been duly authorized by the directors and the shareholders of each Company and
no other corporate action or approval by each Company is necessary for the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by each Company. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Company and Sellers and
is a valid and binding obligation of each Company and each Seller, enforceable
against each of them in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability
may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other similar laws, now or hereafter in effect, relating to or limiting
creditors' rights generally and (b) general principles of equity (whether
considered in an action in equity or at law).

                  2.3 NO CONFLICT. Neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by each Company or any Seller nor the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereunder nor the fulfillment by either Company or any Seller of
any of its terms will, except as described on SCHEDULE 2.3:

                      (a) conflict with or result in a breach by either Company
or any Seller of, or constitute default by it under, or create an event that,
with the giving of

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notice or the lapse of time, or both, would be a default under or breach of, any
of the terms, conditions or provisions of any indenture, mortgage, lease, deed
of trust, pledge, loan or credit agreement involving $25,000 or more, or any
other material contract, arrangement or agreement to which either Company or any
Seller is a party or to which any material portion of the assets of either
Company is subject, the Charter Documents of either Company, or any judgment,
order, writ, injunction, decree or demand of any Governmental Entity which
materially affects any Seller or either Company, or materially affects the
either Company's ability to conduct its business or own or convey its assets;

                      (b) result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
charge or Encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any material portion of the
assets of either Company or which materially affects either Company's ability to
conduct its business as conducted prior to the date of this Agreement; or

                      (c) cause a loss or adverse modification of any permit,
license, or other authorization granted by a Governmental Entity to or otherwise
held by either Company which is necessary or materially useful to that Company's
business.

Except for this Agreement, neither any Seller nor either Company has any legal
obligation, absolute or contingent, to any other Person to sell any capital
stock, the business, or substantially all of the assets of either Company or to
effect any merger, consolidation or other reorganization of either Company or to
enter into any agreement with respect thereto.

                  2.4 CAPITALIZATION; NO SUBSIDIARIES. Ivers-Lee's authorized
capital stock consists of an unlimited number of common shares, of which 100
shares are issued and outstanding; 10,000 Class A Special shares, none of which
are issued and outstanding; an unlimited number of each of Class B and Class C
shares, none of which are issued and outstanding; an unlimited number of
Preference A shares, of which 1,000 shares are issued and outstanding, and an
unlimited number of Preference B shares, of which 1,000 shares are issued and
outstanding. TMJ's authorized capital stock consists of an unlimited number of
common shares, of which 100 shares are issued and outstanding. All outstanding
shares of Ivers-Lee Stock and TMJ Stock are duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable. There are no outstanding options, warrants or
other rights to acquire, or any securities or obligations convertible into or
exchangeable for, any shares of the capital stock of either Company which have
been issued or granted by or are binding upon Sellers or either Company or, to
the Knowledge of Sellers, by any other Person. Each Seller is the record and
beneficial owner of the number of shares of common stock of each Company set
forth opposite such person's name on SCHEDULE 2.4, free and clear of all
Encumbrances, other than the approvals required to transfer such shares, as
described in the Charter Documents of the Companies. Neither Company has any
Subsidiaries. The delivery to Purchaser at Closing of certificates evidencing
all outstanding Company Shares will convey and transfer to Purchaser, good,
complete and marketable title to all capital stock of the Companies, free and
clear of restrictions or conditions to transfer or assignment (other than
restrictions on transfer imposed by the Charter Documents of the Companies, all
applicable securities laws of Canada) and free and clear of all defects of title
or Encumbrances.

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                  2.5 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                      (a) The Companies have delivered to Purchaser (i) the
audited balance sheets of Ivers-Lee as of December 31, 1997, December 31, 1998,
and December 31, 1999, and the related statements of income and retained
earnings and cash flows for the fiscal years then ended, accompanied by the
unqualified opinion of Norton, McMullen & Co., LLP, (ii) the unaudited balance
sheets of TMJ as of December 31, 1997, December 31, 1998, and December 31, 1999,
and the related statements of income and retained earnings and cash flows for
the fiscal years then ended, and (iii) the unaudited balance sheets and related
statements of income and retained earnings and cash flow of each of Ivers-Lee
and TMJ for the 3-month period ended March 31, 2000 (the "Financial
Statements"). Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 2.5, the Financial Statements are
prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP, consistently applied, as at the dates
and for the periods covered thereby (except that the March 31, 2000 statements
are subject to year-end adjustments and are not accompanied by footnote
disclosures), present fairly in all material respects the financial position and
results of operations and cash flows of each Company as of the dates and for the
periods then ended, are in agreement with the books and records of each Company
in all material respects, and contain and reflect adequate reserves, in
accordance with Canadian GAAP, for all reasonably anticipated losses, costs and
expenses.

                      (b) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 2.5 hereto, neither
Company has any liabilities or obligations, either accrued, contingent or
otherwise, which, individually or in the aggregate, are material to that
Company, and which have not been reflected in its Financial Statements. Except
as set forth in the Financial Statements or SCHEDULE 2.5 hereto, there are no
facts known to either Company or to any Seller or any other reasonable legal
basis known to either Company or any Seller which either Company or any Seller
has recognized as reasonably likely to give rise to any material claims against
or liabilities or obligations of either Company.

                      (c) Each Company has, in accordance with good business
practices, maintained substantially complete and accurate books and records,
including financial records which fairly present its financial condition in all
material respects and substantially correct records of all its material
corporate proceedings.

                  2.6 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN FACTS OR EVENTS. Except as listed on
SCHEDULE 2.6, since December 31,1999 there has not been:

                      (a) any material adverse change in the financial condition
of either Company from that shown on its March 31, 2000 balance sheet, or the
results of operations of either Company from that shown in the statements of
operations and cash flows of either Company for the twelve-month period ended
December 31, 1999;

                      (b) any material damage, destruction or loss to the assets
or business of either Company, whether covered by insurance or not;

                      (c) any increase in the compensation payable or to become
payable by either Company to any employee, officer or director whose annual
remuneration exceeded $45,000 in 1999, or in the coverage or benefits under any
bonus,

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insurance, pension or other Benefit Plan (excluding annual
length-of-service and similar adjustments to the benefits of individual
participants);

                      (d) any issuance of capital stock of either Company or
options or rights to acquire capital stock of either Company, any redemption or
repurchase of outstanding shares of capital stock of either Company, any
declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or distribution thereon,
any merger of either Company with any Person, any purchase or other acquisition
by either Company of capital stock or other interest in any other Person, any
purchase or other acquisition by either Company of all or substantially all of
the business or assets of any other Person, any transfer or sale of a
substantial portion of either Company's business or assets to any Person, any
transaction between either Company and Sellers or their Affiliates, or any
agreement to take any such actions;

                      (e) any sale, assignment or transfer of any contractual
rights, claims or other assets of either Company valued at more than $10,000
individually, or more than $25,000 in the aggregate, other than in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice;

                      (f) any mortgage, pledge, or other lien placed on either
Company's assets to secure debt, or Encumbrance placed on assets of either
Company which would prevent or materially limit the use, modification or sale of
an asset valued at $10,000 or more;

                      (g) the incurrence of any obligation or liability of
either Company as a result of borrowed money (except pursuant to existing credit
agreements) or any capital expenditure in either case, in excess of $20,000 and
not described as planned or contemplated on SCHEDULE 2.6, or, to the Knowledge
of Sellers or either Company, any commitment to borrow money entered into by
either Company, or any increase in any loans made or agreed to be made by either
Company;

                      (h) any failure to pay or perform any obligation of either
Company involving more than $10,000 as, when and to the extent due other than
pursuant to a good faith defense or right of setoff;

                      (i) any intentional or, to the Knowledge of any Seller or
either Company, other waiver of any rights of substantial value to either
Company or any amendment or termination of any agreement to which either Company
is a party which materially adversely affects, or is reasonably likely to
materially adversely affect, either Company's results of operations or its
financial condition;

                      (j) any material transaction entered into or consummated
by either Company, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice;

                      (k) any material addition to or modification of the
Benefit Plans of either Company or other arrangements or practices affecting
personnel of either Company (other than extensions of coverage thereunder to
employees of either Company who became eligible after December 31, 1999 in
accordance with the terms of such Benefit Plans); or

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                      (l) any formal notification, or, to the Knowledge of
Sellers and the Companies, any informal notice, from any customer of either
Company identified on SCHEDULE 2.20 that such customer anticipates its annual
purchases from Company to decrease in any material respect.

                  2.7 PROPERTY, LEASES AND LIENS.

                      (a) SCHEDULE 2.7 hereto accurately sets forth as of March
31, 2000 all owned or leased real properties and all items of equipment and
other personal property of Company having an individual book value in excess of
$5,000 which are used or necessary for the conduct of either Company's business
in accordance with past practice (the "Properties") and contains with respect to
each of the Properties a list of all leases, franchises and similar agreements
creating, or materially modifying or altering rights to such Property, including
zoning or use restrictions, and all Indebtedness secured by any Encumbrance on
any such Property, specifying the nature thereof and the holder of such
Indebtedness. To Sellers' and each Company's Knowledge, the agreements,
contracts and commitments listed in SCHEDULE 2.7 are in full force and effect
without any material default, waiver or indulgence thereunder by either Company
or by any other party thereto. Except as noted on SCHEDULE 2.7, each Company has
good and marketable title to all Properties and other assets of that Company, in
each case, free and clear of all Encumbrances of any nature whatsoever.

                      (b) Except as noted on SCHEDULE 2.7, all Properties of the
Companies are in a reasonably good state of repair (subject to ordinary wear and
tear), are in operable condition, have been maintained in accordance with each
Company's historical practices and are suitable for the uses for which they are
presently being used in the business of that Company.

                  2.8 CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS.

                      (a) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 2.8, neither Company
has any collective bargaining agreements, or any agreements that contain any
severance pay liabilities or obligations; employment, consulting or similar
agreement, contract or commitment which is not terminable without penalty or
cost by that Company on notice of thirty (30) days or less or contains an
obligation of that Company to pay and/or accrue more than $10,000 per year;
lease of real or personal property having a term in excess of one year or
remaining payments of $25,000 or more (as lessor or lessee); note or other
evidence of Indebtedness for borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of
property or services which involves a liability of more than $10,000; agreement
of guaranty or indemnification (other than rights of indemnification to which
officers, directors, employees and agents of either Company may be entitled by
reason of the laws of any state, or by the Bylaws or the Charter of either
Company); agreement, contract or commitment limiting the freedom of either
Company to engage in any line of business or compete with any Person; agreement,
contract or commitment relating to expenditures in excess of $10,000, agreement,
contract or commitment relating to the acquisition of assets of, or any interest
in, any business enterprise involving individual or aggregate payments in excess
of $25,000; or other agreement, contract or commitment (with

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customers or other Persons) which involves $10,000 or more and is not cancelable
without penalty or cost within sixty (60) days.

                      (b) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 2.8: Neither Company
is materially in violation of, and neither Company has received in writing any
claim that it has breached, any of the terms or conditions of any agreement,
contract or commitment set forth or required to be set forth in any of the
Schedules to this Agreement (collectively the "Contracts") in such manner as
would permit any other party thereto to cancel or terminate the same or impose a
fee or charge as a result of such breach, if any such breach or breaches singly
or in the aggregate is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; to
the Knowledge of each Company and Sellers, each Contract is in full force and
effect in the form delivered to Purchaser and there is no material breach or
default by any party thereto; and to the Knowledge of each Company and Sellers,
there are no facts or conditions which have occurred or are, based on facts
presently known to exist, anticipated which, through the passage of time or the
giving of notice, or both, would constitute a material default under any
Contract or would cause the acceleration of any obligation of any party thereto
or the creation of an Encumbrance which is reasonably likely to materially limit
the use, modification or sale of any asset of either Company valued at more than
$5,000.

                  2.9 PERMITS AND AUTHORIZATIONS.

                      (a) SCHEDULE 2.9 lists each consent, license, permit,
grant or other authorization of a Governmental Entity pursuant to which either
Company conducts all or a material part of its business or holds any of its
material assets (herein collectively called "Authorizations"). All
Authorizations are in full force and effect and constitute all Authorizations
required to permit the Companies to operate their assets and conduct their
business following the Closing Date as such assets and business are presently
operated and conducted. SCHEDULE 2.9 also discloses all proposed or pending
applications for Authorizations, and all applications for variances from
compliance, or postponement of the dates for compliance with any laws or
regulations affecting either Company or its business.

                      (b) SCHEDULE 2.9 identifies all Authorizations which
materially restrict the present output of either Company, which limit the term
of possession or operation of any material assets of either Company, or which
pertain to environmental discharge.

                      (c) Except as shown on SCHEDULE 2.9, neither Company nor
any Seller has been notified or presently has reason to believe any of the
Authorizations will not in the ordinary course be renewed upon its expiration.

                      (d) Except as shown on SCHEDULE 2.9, neither Company has
received in writing, or to the Knowledge of either Company or Sellers,
otherwise, any claim or assertion that it has breached any of the terms or
conditions of any Authorizations in such manner as would permit any other Person
to cancel, terminate or materially amend any Authorization necessary to permit
the continued operation of either

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Company as presently conducted or that any such breach or breaches singly or in
the aggregate is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  2.10 NO VIOLATIONS.

                      (a) Except as described on SCHEDULE 2.10 hereto, neither
Company is in violation of any applicable law, statute, order, rule or
regulation promulgated or judgment entered (or, with respect to rules and
regulations of administrative agencies, known by Sellers to be proposed) by any
Governmental Entity in a manner which is reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

                      (b) Except for those filings listed on SCHEDULE 2.10
hereto, no consent, approval or authorization of, or declaration, filing or
registration with, any Governmental Entity is required to be made or obtained by
any Seller or either Company in connection with the execution, delivery and
performance by Sellers and either Company of this Agreement and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby, or the continued operation of either
Company's business.

                  2.11 PROCEEDINGS. SCHEDULE 2.11 lists all suits, actions and
other legal proceedings and all other controversies, and, to Sellers' or either
Company's Knowledge, governmental investigations, pending against any Seller or
either Company or as to which any Seller or either Company has received in
writing any claim or assertion. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.11 hereto,
there are no facts which any Seller or either Company has recognized as
reasonably likely to lead to any additional investigation being conducted or to
any other suit, action or legal proceeding.

                  2.12 INSURANCE. SCHEDULE 2.12 lists all insurance policies
under which either Company is an insured or a beneficiary or for which it is
liable to pay premiums and further sets forth the name of the insurer, type of
coverage, policy limits and deductibles, if any, and the annual premium for each
such policy. Each Company has furnished Purchaser copies of all such policies
and a history of all claimed losses in the past five (5) years. Except as noted
on SCHEDULE 2.12, the policies listed thereon will be outstanding and in full
force and effect on the Closing Date.

                  2.13 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND RIGHTS. SCHEDULE 2.13 hereto
accurately lists all patents, patent applications, patent and know-how licenses,
proprietary formulae, trademarks, service marks, trademark registrations and
applications, trade names, fictitious business names, computer software and
other intellectual property rights (collectively, "Business Rights") used by
either Company. SCHEDULE 2.13 discloses the identity of each other Person which,
to the Knowledge of Sellers or either Company, owns any right, title or interest
in and to the Business Rights. No Business Rights conflict with, infringe on or
otherwise violate any rights of others, or require payments to be made to any
Person, or are subject to any pending or overtly threatened litigation or other
adverse claims or infringement by other Persons, except as set forth in SCHEDULE
2.11 or SCHEDULE 2.13. There has been no written, or to the Knowledge of either
Company or any Seller, other claim of infringement by either Company of any
domestic or foreign patents, trademarks, service marks or copyrights of any
other Person.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

                  2.14 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

                      (a) SCHEDULE 2.14 describes all "employee benefit plans"
and all other arrangements maintained or contributed to or required to be
contributed to by either Company for the benefit of its respective employees (or
former employees) and/or their beneficiaries (collectively, "Benefit Plans").

                      (b) The Companies have delivered to Purchaser true and
complete copies of:

                          (i) Each Benefit Plan and any related funding
         agreements, all of which are legally valid and binding and in full
         force and effect (except for terminated Benefit Plans), and there are
         no defaults thereunder;

                          (ii) The current draft of the Summary Plan Description
         or other document given to employees pertaining to each Benefit Plan
         for which such exist; and

                          (iii) The three most recent annual reports for each
         Benefit Plan (including all relevant schedules) for which such annual
         reports are required; and

                          (iv) The most recently filed reports to governmental
         (including taxing) authorities (if applicable).

                      (c) Each Benefit Plan has been maintained and administered
in all material respects in accordance with its terms and any related
agreements, and with all applicable laws;

                      (d) To the Knowledge of either Company or any Seller,
there are no investigations, proceedings, or lawsuits, either currently in
progress or expected to be instituted in the future, against any Benefit Plan,
by any Governmental Entity or on behalf of any participant, beneficiary or
fiduciary thereunder.

                      (e) All vacation pay, bonuses, commissions, and other
emoluments for employees of the Companies are reflected and have been properly
accrued in the financial statements and the books of account of the Companies
and such accruals are adequate to meet the bona fide claims of employees.

                  2.15 EMPLOYMENT LAWS. Except as shown on Schedule 2.15:

                      (a) Each Company is in compliance in all material respects
with all federal, provincial, state or other applicable laws, respecting
employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, wages
and hours, affirmative action and occupational safety (except for violations or
failures to comply which are not reasonably likely to result in a Material
Adverse Effect), and has not received notice of, and, to the Knowledge of either
Company and Sellers, is not engaged in, any unfair labor practice.

                      (b) No unfair labor practice complaint against either
Company is pending in any forum.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

                      (c) There is no labor strike, dispute, slowdown or
stoppage actually pending or, to Sellers' Knowledge, threatened against or
affecting either Company.

                      (d) Except to the extent expressly provided herein, there
are no material claims, grievances or arbitration proceedings, workers'
compensation proceedings, labor disputes (including charges of violations of any
federal, state or local laws or regulations relating to current or former
employees (including retirees) or current or former applicants for employment),
governmental investigations, or administrative proceedings of any kind pending
or, to the best Knowledge of either Company and Sellers, threatened against or
relating to either Company, its employees or employment practices, or operations
as they pertain to conditions of employment; nor is either Company or any Seller
subject to any order, judgment, decree, award, or administrative ruling arising
from any such matter.

                      (e) No collective bargaining agreement is currently in
existence or is being negotiated by either Company and as of the date of this
Agreement no labor organization has been certified or recognized as the
representative of any employees of either Company or, to the Knowledge of either
Company or any Seller, is seeking such certification or recognition.

                      (f) Each Company's contracts, if any, with temporary
personnel agencies represent bona-fide, arms-length agreements and the personnel
provided by such agencies are not that Company's employees for purposes of any
federal, state, provincial, or local laws, including laws pertaining to tax
withholding, provision of benefits or union representation, except as disclosed
on Schedule 2.15.

                  2.16 ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

                      (a) Except as disclosed on SCHEDULE 2.16, the assets and
the business of the Companies have been operated in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable Environmental Laws, there has been no production,
storage, Release, or disposal of any Hazardous Materials in any material
quantity at, in, on under, about or from any of the Properties by or on behalf
of either Company or to either Company's Knowledge by any previous owner or
tenant of the Properties, there has been no production, storage, Release or
disposal of any Hazardous Materials in any material quantity by or on behalf of
either Company at any other site, there are no underground storage tanks or
electrical equipment containing PCB's on the Properties, or any
asbestos-containing materials on the Properties, and no Governmental Entity or
any other Person has issued to either Company or commenced any notice of
violation, notice to comply, compliance schedule, administrative or judicial
complaint, enforcement action or lien with respect to alleged violations of
Environmental Laws by or on behalf of either Company or relating to the
Properties, or any proceeding or inquiry with respect to any actual or alleged
violation of any Environmental Law or any release or alleged release of a
Hazardous Material by or on behalf of either Company or relating to the
Properties.

                      (b) "Environmental Law" shall mean all laws, federal,
provincial, state or local, including statutes, regulations, rules, ordinances
and orders

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

which purport to regulate the Release of Hazardous Materials to the environment,
or impose requirements relating to environmental protection or public or
employee health and safety.

                      (c) "Hazardous Material(s)" shall mean any substance which
is defined as a hazardous substance, hazardous material, hazardous waste,
pollutant, contaminant or words of similar import under any Environmental Law, a
petroleum hydrocarbon, including crude oil or any fraction thereof, hazardous,
toxic, corrosive, flammable, explosive, infectious, radioactive, carcinogenic or
a reproductive toxicant, or regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

                      (d) "Release" shall mean any spilling, leaking, pumping,
pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching,
dumping, or disposing into the environment (including the abandonment or
discarding of barrels, containers, and other receptacles containing any
Hazardous Material).

                  2.17 TAXES. Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 2.17 hereto, (i)
all federal, provincial, state, foreign and local tax returns and tax reports
(including information returns) required to be filed by each Company have been
filed with the appropriate Governmental Entities in all jurisdictions in which
such returns and reports are required to be filed, and all such returns and
reports are, in all material respects, complete, accurate and in accordance with
all legal requirements applicable thereto; (ii) all federal, provincial, state,
foreign and material local income, profits, franchise, capital, sales, use,
occupation, property, excise, customs (both import and export), withholding and
other taxes (including interest and penalties), duties, charges and assessments
(including unemployment insurance contributions, Canada Pension Plan
contributions, and provincial employer health tax remittances) due from each
Company have been properly withheld and remitted to the proper Governmental
Entity, or (if appropriate) adequately provided for on the books and financial
statements of each Company in accordance with Canadian GAAP, consistently
applied, or are disclosed on SCHEDULE 2.17 and are being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings, and neither Company is in default of any tax
installments due in respect of its current taxation year; (iii) neither Company
has received any written notice or inquiry from the Canada Customs and Revenue
Agency (the "CCRA") or any Canadian federal, provincial or municipal
governmental authority in connection with any of the returns and reports
referred to in the foregoing clause (i) of any pending or threatened examination
or audit which, individually or in the aggregate, if adversely decided against
either Company would reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(iv) no waivers of statutes of limitation have been given or requested with
respect to either Company; (v) the Canadian federal and provincial tax liability
of each Company has been reviewed and determined (or are no longer subject to
examination) by the CCRA and other applicable taxing authorities for the
financial years set forth on SCHEDULE 2.17 for each category of tax return; (vi)
deficiencies asserted or assessments made as a result of such examination by the
CCRA, or any other taxing authorities, have been fully paid or fully reflected
on the books of each Company; (vii) each Company has withheld from all amounts
payable including without limitation, from salaries, bonuses, or dividends paid
by it, all deductions required by law to be made therefrom and has remitted the
same to the proper tax or other authorities; (ix) there are no tax liens on any
of the properties of either Company; and (x) there are currently no

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

outstanding reassessments, suits, actions, investigations or claims or inquiries
from any Governmental Entity in connection with any tax liabilities or filings
of either Company.

                  2.18 NO UNLAWFUL CONTRIBUTIONS. To the Knowledge of the
Companies and Sellers, neither the Companies nor any director, officer, agent,
employee or other Person associated with or acting on behalf of either Company,
has made or used any corporate funds to make any unlawful contributions, gifts,
entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity, made
any direct or indirect unlawful payments to officials or employees of any
Governmental Entity from corporate funds; failed to file any reports required
with respect to lawful contributions; established or maintained any unlawful or
unrecorded fund of corporate monies or other assets; made any intentionally
false or fictitious entries on the books or records of either Company; or made
or received any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other
unlawful payment.

                  2.19 ARM'S-LENGTH TRANSACTIONS Except as disclosed in SCHEDULE
2.19, no Seller nor any Affiliate of any Seller nor any Person who does not deal
at arm's length with any Seller or an Affiliate of any Seller within the meaning
of the Income Tax Act (Canada), nor any trust, partnership or corporation in
which any of the foregoing has an interest, has, directly or indirectly, any
interest (other than as a holder of not more than 3% of the issued and
outstanding securities of a corporation whose securities are traded on a
national securities exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market) in any Person which
furnishes or sells services or products which either Company furnishes or sells,
any interest (other than as a holder of not more than 3% of the issued and
outstanding securities of a corporation whose securities are traded on a
national securities exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market) in any Person which
purchases from or sells or furnishes to either Company any goods or services, a
beneficial interest in any contract, commitment, agreement or understanding to
which either Company is a party or by which it may be bound or affected (except
for written employment contracts listed on a schedule to this Agreement); or any
interest or claim against either Company or any of its assets which could result
in a claim against either Company or could materially and adversely affect
either Company's assets, or either Company's title to or its right to use its
assets, or either Company's right to conduct its business following the Closing.
Except as disclosed on SCHEDULE 2.19, the assets of the Companies do not include
any receivables from any officer, director, shareholder or employee of either
Company.

                  2.20 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE; CUSTOMERS. The accounts receivable
reflected on the Financial Statements, or thereafter acquired by either Company
through the Closing Date were earned by performance in the ordinary course of
business and, except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.20, are not subject to any
material dispute. SCHEDULE 2.20 discloses, as of December 31, 1999 and December
31, 2000 the identity of each of each Company's ten (10) largest customers for
the twelve months then ended, and the amounts receivable from each such customer
at the respective dates, and also discloses, as of March 31, 2000, the fiscal
year-to-date sales for each customer identified on SCHEDULE 2.20 and the amount
owing from such customer on March 31, 2000. Except as disclosed on SCHEDULE
2.20, neither Company has received any written or, to the best Knowledge of
Sellers and the Companies, any other notice that any customer identified on
SCHEDULE 2.20 expects or intends that its future purchases from either Company,
as

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

compared to its purchases for the twelve months ended March 31, 2000, will
decrease in any material respects.

                  2.21 INVENTORIES. The inventories reflected on the Financial
Statements, and thereafter acquired by either Company through the Closing Date,
taken as a whole, are in all material respects of a quality and quantity usable
in the normal course of the business of either Company. The values at which such
inventories are carried on the Financial Statements reflect the normal inventory
valuation policy of the Companies stating inventories at the lower of cost (on a
first-in, first-out basis) or market. SCHEDULE 2.21 lists as of August 25, 2000,
all inventories of raw materials, finished goods, packaging supplies or
ingredients owned or in the custody of the Companies (including customer owned
inventory) ("Inventory") and, with respect to Inventory owned by or held for the
account of a customer, identifies such customer and Inventory in reasonable
detail, and specifies the location of such Inventory. The items of
customer-owned Inventory described on SCHEDULE 2.21 (i) represent all items of
customer-owned Inventory held by the Companies, and (ii) are complete and
accurate lists of all items of Inventory delivered to the Companies for
safekeeping by each customer identified on SCHEDULE 2.21.

                  2.22 BANK ACCOUNTS. SCHEDULE 2.22 lists all bank accounts,
safe deposit boxes, money market funds, certificates of deposit, stocks, bonds,
notes and other securities owned directly or indirectly, beneficially or of
record, by either Company and identifies all persons authorized to sign on such
accounts.

                  2.23 WARRANTIES. SCHEDULE 2.23 contains a copy of each
Company's written warranty terms to its customers. Except as set forth on
SCHEDULE 2.23, neither Company has given or made any other written or, to the
Knowledge of either Company and Sellers, oral warranties to any Person with
respect to any products sold or services performed. The Companies and Sellers
have no written or, to their Knowledge, other notice of a claim against either
Company, whether or not fully covered by insurance, for liability on account of
products liability or on account of any express or implied warranty, except for
warranty obligations and returns in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice for which appropriate reserves have been reflected in the
Financial Statements.

                  2.24 DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. Sellers and the Companies have
delivered to Purchaser true and correct copies of all documents, and any and all
amendments to any such documents, referred to in this Agreement or in any
Schedule delivered to Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement.

                  2.25 NO FINDERS OR BROKERS. Neither any Seller nor either
Company nor any of their Affiliates has entered into any agreement, arrangement
or understanding with any Person which could result in the obligation to pay any
finder's fee, brokerage commission, advisory fee or similar payment in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  2.26 RESIDENCE. None of the Sellers is a non-resident of
Canada within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE III

                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

                  Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to Sellers as
follows:

                  3.1 ORGANIZATION. Purchaser is a corporation properly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Ontario, and
has full corporate power and authority to perform this Agreement.

                  3.2 AUTHORIZATION. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement by Purchaser and the performance of its obligations hereunder have
been authorized by the directors of Purchaser and no other corporate action or
approval by Purchaser is necessary for the execution, delivery or performance of
this Agreement by Purchaser. This Agreement has been executed and delivered by
Purchaser, and is a valid and binding obligation of Purchaser, enforceable
against it in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar
laws, now or hereafter in effect, relating to or limiting creditors' rights
generally, and general principles of equity (whether considered in an action in
equity or at law).

                  3.3 NO CONFLICT. Neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by Purchaser nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereunder nor the fulfillment by Purchaser of any of its terms will:

                      (a) conflict with or result in a breach by Purchaser of,
or constitute a default by it under, or create an event that, with the giving of
notice or the lapse of time, or both, would be a default under or breach of, any
of the terms, conditions or provisions of (i) any indenture, mortgage, lease,
deed of trust, pledge, loan or credit agreement or any other material contract,
arrangement or agreement to which Purchaser is a party or to which a material
portion of its assets is subject, (ii) Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of
Purchaser, or (iii) any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or demand of
any Governmental Entity which materially affects Purchaser or which materially
affects the Purchaser's ability to conduct its business;

                      (b) result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
charge or Encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any material portion of the
assets of Purchaser or which materially affects the Purchaser's ability to
conduct its business as conducted prior to the date of this Agreement; or

                      (c) cause a loss or adverse modification of any permit,
license, or other authorization granted by any Governmental Entity to or
otherwise necessary or materially useful to Purchaser's business.

                  3.4 INVESTMENT INTENT. Purchaser is acquiring the Company
Shares for investment purposes, and not with a view to the resale or
distribution thereof; Purchaser has the Knowledge and sophistication to purchase
the Company Shares; Purchaser has

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

had access to all information regarding Companies that it has requested and has
had the opportunity to ask questions regarding Companies, their operations and
such other matters that Purchaser has deemed material to its investment
decision; and Purchaser will not dispose of Company Shares without compliance
with all applicable securities laws of Canada.

                  3.5 NO FINDERS OR BROKERS. Purchaser has not entered into any
agreement, arrangement or understanding with any Person which could result in
the obligation to pay any finder's fee, brokerage commission, advisory fee or
similar payment in connection with this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby, except StoneCreek Capital, Inc., whose fees and expenses
will be paid by Purchaser or its Affiliates.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    COVENANTS

                  4.1 CONFIDENTIALITY.

                      (a) Until the Closing, Purchaser shall treat in confidence
all non-public documents, materials and other information which Purchaser shall
have obtained regarding the Companies during the course of the negotiations
leading to the transactions contemplated hereby, the investigation of the
Companies and the preparation of this Agreement, and in the event the sale and
purchase hereunder shall not be consummated, Purchaser shall return all copies
of non-public documents and materials which have been furnished in connection
therewith. However, nothing contained herein shall prohibit Purchaser hereto
from:

                          (i) using such documents, materials and other
         information in connection with any action or proceeding brought or any
         claim asserted by Sellers or the Companies hereto in respect of any
         breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made in or pursuant
         to this Agreement, or

                          (ii) supplying or filing such documents, materials or
         other information to or with any Governmental Entity or other Person
         which Purchaser and Seller deem reasonably necessary in connection with
         the obtaining of any consent, waiver, amendment, modification,
         approval, authorization, permit or license which may be necessary to
         effectuate this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
         contemplated hereby, or

                          (iii) disclosing any information required by law or in
         connection with a legal proceeding.

                      (b) From and after the date hereof, each Seller shall
treat, and shall cause each of its Affiliates to treat, in confidence all
documents, materials and other information regarding Purchaser or the Companies
or their respective Affiliates which are in his or its possession or control.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

                  4.2 DELIVERY OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. As soon as practical
after the end of each of the Companies' fiscal months ending after March 31,
2000, but in any event at least twenty (20) days following each month end,
Sellers and the Companies will deliver to Purchaser each Company's unaudited
balance sheet as of such month end and the related statements of income and
retained earnings and cash flows for the fiscal month then ended (the "Monthly
Financials") which shall (i) be prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP,
consistently applied, as at the dates and for the periods covered thereby
(except that they are subject to year-end adjustments and are not accompanied by
footnote disclosures); (ii) present fairly in all material respects the
financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of each Company as
of the date and for the periods then ended; (iii) be in agreement with the books
and records of each Company in all material respects, and (iv) contain and
reflect adequate reserves, to the extent required by Canadian GAAP and each
Company's prior practice, for all reasonably anticipated losses, costs and
expenses.

                  4.3 Fulfillment of Conditions.

                      (a) Each Seller will use all reasonable efforts, and each
Seller will cause each Company to use all reasonable efforts, to perform, comply
with and fulfill all obligations, covenants and conditions required by this
Agreement to be performed, complied with or fulfilled by Sellers or either
Company prior to or as of the Closing Date. Purchaser will use all reasonable
efforts to perform, comply with and fulfill all obligations, covenants and
conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, complied with or
fulfilled by Purchaser prior to or as of the Closing Date.

                      (b) Each Seller will use all reasonable efforts, and will
cause each Company to use all reasonable efforts, to secure all necessary
consents, waivers, permits, approvals, licenses and authorizations and will
make, and will cause each Company to make, all necessary filings in order to
enable Sellers or either Company to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby, including but not limited to (i) obtaining consents of any third parties
required by the terms of any leases, documents, security agreements or other
agreements to which either Company or any Seller is a party, (ii) notification
pursuant to the Investment Canada Act, and (iii) any other required filings.
Purchaser will use all reasonable efforts to secure all necessary consents,
waivers, permits, approvals, licenses and authorizations and will make all
necessary filings in order to enable Purchaser to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby.

                  4.4 PURCHASER'S ACCESS TO RECORDS AND INSPECTION RIGHTS. Each
Seller will make reasonable efforts to cause each Company to allow Purchaser and
its lenders and other representatives, through its officers, employees, counsel,
accountants and other authorized representatives, to inspect the properties and
records of each Company and to discuss the affairs and accounts of each Company
with such officers, employees, counsel, accountants and other agents of each
Company as shall have been approved (including the procedures in respect of such
inspection and discussions) in advance by the Representative, which approval
will not be unreasonably withheld. Purchaser shall conduct any inspection or
discussion in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with normal business
of the Companies.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

                  4.5 OPERATION IN ORDINARY COURSE. From the execution of this
Agreement until the Closing, Sellers shall cause each Company to operate its
business only in a manner consistent with its present and historical practice,
and, in particular, to assure that unless Purchaser otherwise consents in
writing, no action or event within the control of either Company or Sellers
occurs which, had it occurred prior to the execution of this Agreement, would
have been required to be disclosed on SCHEDULE 2.6.

                  4.6 POST-CLOSING ACCESS BY SELLERS. After the Closing,
Purchaser shall cause each Company to cooperate with Sellers to the extent
reasonably requested by any of the Sellers, and to make available to Sellers all
financial, insurance, tax and other information (including reasonable access to
books and records) of each Company with respect to any fiscal period of the
Companies ending on or prior to the Closing Date to the extent reasonably
required by any of the Sellers in connection with (a) any audit or other
investigation by any taxing authority, or (b) the prosecution or defense of any
tax claims or related litigation that might give rise to indemnification
payments hereunder, or the preparation by any of Sellers of tax returns or any
other reports or submissions to any Governmental Entity required to be made by
any Seller with respect to either Company; PROVIDED that such cooperation and
availability of information do not unreasonably interfere with normal business
of that Company and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that each of the Sellers reimburses that
Company for any third-party expenses incurred to provide such information.
Purchaser shall cause the Companies to preserve all such information, including
without limitation, the books and records of each Company, for at least six (6)
years after the Closing Date, PROVIDED that if any Seller delivers written
notice within three months prior to the sixth anniversary to Purchaser of its
desire to remove and retain such identified information, books and records after
the end of such six-year period, then Purchaser shall give such party the
opportunity (at such party's expense) to remove and retain such information,
books and records prior to their destruction. In the event of conflicting
requests or directions by Sellers, the Representative's decision about which
Seller shall receive original documents shall be followed and other Sellers may
have copies.

                  4.7 TERMINATION OF AFFILIATE RELATIONSHIPS. Prior to the
Closing, Sellers will cause any and all obligations of either Company to or for
the benefit of any Seller or any Affiliate of any Seller to be discharged or
terminated prior to the Closing.

                  4.8 BANK ACCOUNTS. Sellers shall, on or prior to the Closing
Date cause each Company to cancel the authority of each Person listed in
SCHEDULE 2.22 who is specified by Purchaser in a written notice delivered to
Sellers on or prior to the Closing Date, to draw checks on any of the bank
accounts maintained by either Company and Sellers shall submit evidence
satisfactory to Purchaser of such cancellation.

                  4.9 INDEBTEDNESS OF SELLERS TO COMPANY. On the Closing Date,
each Seller will repay in full to each Company all principal and accrued
interest outstanding under any Indebtedness of such Seller to that Company.

                  4.10 NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENTS; CONSULTING AGREEMENTS. Each
of the TMJ Shareholder, Pallasade, and the Trust shall enter into a
Non-Competition Agreement with the Companies and Purchaser, substantially in the
form of EXHIBIT 2

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

attached hereto (the "Non-Competition Agreements"), and each of Kenneth Young
and Tom Young shall enter into Consulting Agreements with Ivers-Lee,
substantially in the forms of EXHIBITS 3 and 4 attached hereto (the "Consulting
Agreements"), each of which provides, among other things, for a five (5) year
non-compete period following the Closing Date, or, if applicable, following the
termination of the Consulting Agreement.

                  4.11 LEASE AGREEMENT WITH YOUNG RENTAL. Ivers-Lee shall enter
into a Lease Agreement with Young Rental Inc., substantially in the form of
EXHIBIT 5 attached hereto (the "Lease").

                                    ARTICLE V

                              CONDITIONS OF CLOSING

                  5.1 CONDITIONS OF OBLIGATIONS OF PURCHASER. The obligation of
Purchaser to consummate the purchase of Company Shares pursuant to this
Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, any of
which may be waived by Purchaser:

                      (a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; PERFORMANCE OF
OBLIGATIONS. The representations and warranties of Sellers and Companies set
forth in Article II hereof and in all agreements, documents and instruments
executed and delivered pursuant hereto or in connection with the Closing shall
have been and be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof
and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date. Each
Seller and each Company shall have performed in all material respects the
agreements and obligations necessary to be performed by him or it under this
Agreement prior to the Closing Date. This condition shall not be deemed
unsatisfied if Sellers deliver new, revised or updated Schedules to this
Agreement; provided that no information on such Schedules is, in Purchaser's
reasonable judgment, adverse to either Company's or Purchaser's ability to
operate its business following the Closing, or either Company's financial
condition or prospects, or to Purchaser's financing.

                      (b) CERTIFICATE AND DELIVERIES BY SELLERS. Purchaser shall
have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed by each of Sellers,
certifying that the conditions specified in Section 5.1(a) have been fulfilled.

                      (c) NO INJUNCTION. No preliminary or permanent injunction
or order that would prohibit or restrain the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereunder shall be in effect and no Governmental Entity or other
Person shall have commenced or threatened to commence an action or proceeding
seeking to enjoin the consummation of such transactions or to impose liability
on the parties hereto in connection therewith.

                      (d) FINANCING. Purchaser shall not have received from
Purchaser's lenders any notice or claim that to consummate the transactions
contemplated

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

hereunder or to pay either the Initial or the Additional Purchase Price, will
constitute or result in a default under Purchaser's lending arrangements.

                      (e) OTHER CONSENTS. Purchaser, Companies and Sellers shall
have received all consents required to be obtained in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder, including, but not
limited to, any consent required pursuant to the Investment Canada Act.

                      (f) CERTIFICATES AND INSTRUMENTS OF TRANSFER. Each Seller
shall have delivered to Purchaser certificates representing Company Shares,
accompanied by duly executed stock powers, with all required stock transfer tax
stamps affixed. All certificates, instruments and documents delivered by each
Seller in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and necessary to
evidence such transactions shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Purchaser and its counsel.

                      (g) ESCROW AGREEMENT. Purchaser shall have received the
Escrow Agreement, executed by all Sellers.

                      (h) NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENTS; CONSULTING AGREEMENTS.
Purchaser shall have received original Non-Competition Agreements from each of
the TMJ Shareholder, Pallasade, and the Trust, and original Consulting
Agreements from each of Kenneth Young and Tom Young.

                      (i) LEASE. Purchaser shall have received the Lease,
executed by Young Rental Inc. and Ivers-Lee.

                      (j) OPINION OF COUNSEL TO SELLERS AND COMPANIES. Purchaser
shall have received the opinion of McCarthy Tetrault, counsel to Sellers and the
Companies, supported by officers' certificates in respect of the Sellers and the
Companies, dated the Closing Date, such certificates and opinion to be
substantially in the form of EXHIBIT 6 hereto.

                      (k) DUE DILIGENCE. Purchaser and its lenders shall have
completed prior to Closing a due diligence investigation of the business,
operations, condition (financial and otherwise) and prospects of the Companies,
and the results of such investigation shall be satisfactory to Purchaser in its
sole discretion and to its lenders.

                      (l) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Purchaser shall be
satisfied in its reasonable discretion, after review of the Monthly Financial
Statements, that there has been no material adverse change after the date hereof
in the business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of
either Company since March 31, 2000.

                      (m) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Purchaser shall be satisfied
with its review of the Financial Statements of the Companies.

                      (n) SCHEDULES. All Schedules required pursuant to this
Agreement shall have been delivered to Purchaser and shall be acceptable to
Purchaser in its sole reasonable discretion.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>

                      (n) CERTIFICATE OF RESIDENCY. Purchaser shall have
received from each Seller a certificate stating that such Seller is not a
non-resident of Canada within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

                      (o) RESIGNATIONS OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS. Purchaser
shall have received from each Company resignations and releases from all
officers and directors of such Company.

                      (p) GENERAL RELEASES. Purchaser shall have received from
each Seller a general release with respect to its rights against the Companies,
except in connection with this Agreement.

                      (q) CERTIFIED RESOLUTIONS. Purchaser shall have received
from Sellers certified copies of all resolutions required pursuant to the
Charter Documents of the Companies, and such other corporate approvals or
documents as are required, to validly transfer the Company Shares to Purchaser.

                      (r) CORPORATE BOOKS AND RECORDS. Purchaser shall have
received from Sellers the original minute books and all other corporate records
of the Companies.

                      (s) STATEMENT OF BANKS. Purchaser shall have received from
Sellers a statement from the banker(s) of the Companies (the "Bankers")
verifying the amounts required to discharge all debts owed to the Bankers, and
an undertaking by the Bankers to discharge all security held by them upon
receipt of such amounts.

                      (t) DISCHARGE OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS. Purchaser shall
have received evidence that all obligations of the Company referenced in Section
4.7, and all obligations of the Sellers referenced in Section 4.9, have been
fully satisfied.

                  5.2 CONDITIONS OF OBLIGATIONS OF SELLERS. The obligations of
Sellers to consummate the sale and purchase under this Agreement are subject to
the satisfaction of the following conditions, each of which may be waived by
Sellers:

                      (a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; PERFORMANCE OF
OBLIGATIONS. The representations and warranties of Purchaser set forth in
Article III hereof and in all agreements, documents and instruments executed and
delivered pursuant hereto or in connection with the Closing shall have been and
be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the
Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date. Purchaser shall have
performed in all material respects the agreements and obligations necessary to
be performed by it under this Agreement prior to the Closing Date.

                      (b) CERTIFICATION BY PURCHASER. Sellers shall have
received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed by an officer of
Purchaser, certifying that the conditions specified in Section 5.2(a) have been
fulfilled.

                      (c) NO INJUNCTION. No preliminary or permanent injunction
or order that would prohibit or restrain the consummation of the transactions
contemplated

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

hereunder shall be in effect and no Governmental Entity or other Person shall
have commenced or threatened to commence an action or proceeding seeking to
enjoin the consummation of such transactions or to impose liability on the
parties hereto in connection therewith.

                      (d) OPINION OF COUNSEL TO PURCHASER. Sellers shall have
received the opinion of Weir & Foulds, counsel to Purchaser, dated the Closing
Date, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT 7 hereto.

                      (e) PURCHASE PRICE. Sellers shall have received the
Initial Purchase Price payable on the Closing Date as provided in Section 1.2.

                      (f) ESCROW AGREEMENT. Sellers shall have received the
Escrow Agreement, executed by Purchaser.

                      (g) LEASE. Sellers shall have received the Lease, executed
by Young Rental Inc. and Ivers-Lee.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                    CLOSING DATE AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

                  6.1 CLOSING DATE. The closing for the consummation of the
purchase and sale contemplated by this Agreement (the "Closing") shall, unless
another date or place is agreed to in writing by Sellers and Purchaser, take
place at the offices of Weir & Foulds in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on the later
of August 30, 2000 or on the date (the "Closing Date") on which each condition
set forth in Article V is satisfied or waived.

                  6.2 TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement may be terminated
and abandoned at any time prior to the Closing Date:

                      (a) By mutual consent of Purchaser, on the one hand, and
Sellers, on the other hand; or

                      (b) By Purchaser, if the Sellers increase the Purchase
Price, or if the Sellers refuse to sell the Company Shares to Purchaser on the
terms set forth in this Agreement; or

                      (c) By Sellers, if Purchaser chooses not to purchase the
Company Shares on the terms set forth in this Agreement; or

                      (d) By Purchaser or Sellers if, without fault of such
terminating party, the Closing shall not have been consummated on or before
August 31, 2000.

                      If the Agreement is terminated pursuant to (b) above,
Sellers shall reimburse Purchaser for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with this transaction, including professional advisory
fees; provided, however, that such

                                      -24-
<PAGE>

amounts paid by Sellers in such circumstances shall not exceed $100,000. If the
Agreement is terminated pursuant to (c) above, Purchaser shall reimburse Sellers
for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with this
transaction, including professional advisory fees; provided, however, that such
amounts paid by Purchaser in such circumstances shall not exceed $100,000.

                  6.3 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of termination of this
Agreement as provided in Section 6.2, notice thereof shall be promptly given by
the terminating party to the other parties and thereafter this Agreement shall
forthwith become void, and there shall be no liability or obligation on the part
of Purchaser or Sellers or any of their respective Affiliates (a) except that
Section 4.1 shall remain in full force and effect, and (b) except that nothing
herein will relieve any party from liability for any willful breach of any
agreement or covenant herein or any Seller from liability for breach of its
representations in Sections 2.2 and 2.4 herein as they pertain to such Seller
and the shares such Seller purports to own.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

                  7.1 INDEMNIFICATION BY SELLERS.

                      (a) Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.1(b) and 7.3
below, Sellers shall jointly and severally indemnify Purchaser and its
Affiliates including, without limitation, each Company, and each of their
respective stockholders, officers, directors, employees and representatives
(each a "Purchaser Indemnitee") against, and hold each Purchaser Indemnitee
harmless from, any and all loss, damage, liability, payment, and obligation, and
all expenses, including without limitation reasonable legal fees (collectively
"Losses"), incurred, suffered, sustained or required to be paid, directly or
indirectly, by, or sought to be imposed upon, such Purchaser Indemnitee after
the Closing Date resulting from, related to or arising out of (i) any inaccuracy
in or breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants made by
Sellers or the Companies in or pursuant to this Agreement or in any agreement,
document or instrument executed and delivered pursuant hereto or in connection
with the Closing of the transactions contemplated hereunder; and (ii) any
severance agreement, settlement arrangement, judgment or other liability or
obligation of either Company with Mr. David Moyer, whether claimed or actual.

                      (b) No Purchaser Indemnitee shall be entitled to
indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.1 in respect of an inaccuracy in or
breach of any representation or warranty (other than with respect to the
representations and warranties in Sections 2.2 (Authorization); or 2.4
(Capitalization; No Subsidiaries) and with respect to any breach or inaccuracy
of any representation or warranty known by Sellers, or the Companies, prior to
Closing), until such time as the Losses of all Purchaser Indemnitees exceed One
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) ("Sellers' Basket") in the aggregate;
PROVIDED that all claims by Purchaser Indemnitees for indemnification shall
accrue in the aggregate until the Losses of all Purchaser Indemnitees exceed the
Sellers' Basket and thereupon Sellers shall become obligated to indemnify the
Purchaser

                                      -25-
<PAGE>

Indemnitees only for the amount by which all such claims exceed Sellers' Basket.
In no event shall Sellers' indemnification obligations in this Section 7.1 in
the aggregate exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000)("Sellers' Cap"). Sellers'
Basket and Sellers' Cap shall not apply to any Losses resulting from, related to
or arising out of (i) any liabilities or obligations of either Company to David
Moyer, whether claimed or actual (ii) any claims stemming from inaccuracies in
customer owned inventories as represented in Section 2.21 and described on
Schedule 2.21, and (iii) any losses related to uncollectibilty of the amounts
due Ivers-Lee from Telmark Packaging Corporation, in the principal amount of
$15,330.

                      (c) Each Purchaser Indemnitee shall promptly give written
notice to Sellers of the assertion by any Person of any claim, action, suit or
proceeding with respect to which Sellers are obligated to provide
indemnification hereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the rights of a Purchaser
Indemnitee to be indemnified hereunder shall only be affected by the failure to
give such notice if and to the extent such failure prejudices Sellers in the
defense of such third party claim. Amounts due with respect to Losses covered by
this Section 7.1 shall be paid promptly after delivery of reasonably documented
written notice of the amount of Losses incurred. Sellers shall have the right,
but not the obligation, to contest, defend or litigate, and to retain counsel of
their choice in connection with, any claim, action, suit or proceeding by any
third party alleged or asserted against a Purchaser Indemnitee that is subject
to indemnification by Sellers hereunder, and the cost and expense thereof shall
be subject to the indemnification obligations of Sellers hereunder; PROVIDED,
that each Purchaser Indemnitee shall have the right and option to participate
in, but not control, the defense of such action at its own expense; and
PROVIDED, FURTHER, that, (i) if Sellers elect not to defend any such action or
(ii) if a Purchaser Indemnitee shall have defenses not available to Sellers and
if counsel to Purchaser shall advise in a written opinion that common
representation is not appropriate, then such Purchaser Indemnitee shall be
entitled, at its option through counsel of its choice, but at Sellers' expense,
to assume and control the defense of such action. Neither Sellers, on the one
hand, nor any Purchaser Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be entitled to
settle or compromise any such claim, action, suit or proceeding without the
prior written consent of such Purchaser Indemnitee or Sellers, as the case may
be, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Decisions about counsel
and the course of any defense and consents to settlements shall be made by the
Representative if Sellers are unable, among themselves, to agree, except that no
Seller shall be subject to a settlement which provides for anything but the
payment of money or the release of claims without such Seller's consent.

                  7.2 INDEMNIFICATION BY PURCHASER.

                      (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 7.2(b) and 7.3
below, Purchaser shall indemnify Sellers and their Affiliates (other than the
Companies) and each of their respective stockholders, officers, directors,
employees and representatives (each a "Seller Indemnitee") against, and hold
each Seller Indemnitee harmless from, any and all Losses incurred, suffered,
sustained or required to be paid, directly or indirectly, by or sought to be
imposed upon, such Seller Indemnitee resulting from, related to or arising out
of any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations, warranties or
covenants made by Purchaser in or pursuant to this Agreement or in any
agreement,

                                      -26-
<PAGE>

document or instrument executed and delivered pursuant hereto or in connection
with the Closing of the transactions contemplated hereunder.

                      (b) No Seller Indemnitee shall be entitled to
indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.2 in respect of an inaccuracy in or
breach of any representation or warranty, until such time as the Losses of all
Seller Indemnitees exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) ("Purchaser's
Basket") in the aggregate; PROVIDED that all claims by Seller Indemnitees for
indemnification shall accrue in the aggregate until the Losses of all Seller
Indemnitees exceed the Purchaser's Basket and thereupon Purchaser shall become
obligated to indemnify the Seller Indemnitees only for the amount by which all
such claims exceed Purchaser's Basket. In no event shall Purchaser's
indemnification obligations in this Section 7.2 in the aggregate exceed One
Million Dollars ($1,000,000).

                      (c) Each Seller Indemnitee shall promptly give written
notice to Purchaser of the assertion by any Person of any claim, action, suit or
proceeding with respect to which Purchaser is obligated to provide
indemnification hereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the rights of a Seller
Indemnitee to be indemnified hereunder shall only be affected by the failure to
give such notice if and to the extent such failure prejudices Purchaser in the
defense of such third party claim. Amounts due with respect to Losses covered by
this Section 7.2 shall be paid promptly after delivery of reasonably documented
written notice of the amount of Losses incurred and if the provisions of Section
7.2(b) apply to limit the payment of all amounts claimed, shall be paid on a
pro-rata basis according to the number of shares sold. Purchaser shall have the
right, but not the obligation, to contest, defend or litigate, and to retain
counsel of its choice in connection with, any claim, action, suit or proceeding
by any third party alleged or asserted against a Seller Indemnitee that is
subject to indemnification by Purchaser hereunder, and the cost and expense
thereof shall be subject to the indemnification obligations of Purchaser
hereunder; PROVIDED, that each Seller Indemnitee shall have the right and option
to participate in, but not control, the defense of such action at its own
expense; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that if Purchaser elects not to defend any such
action or if a Seller Indemnitee shall have defenses not available to Purchaser
and if counsel to Sellers shall in a written opinion advise that common
representation is not appropriate, then such Seller Indemnitee shall be
entitled, at its option through counsel of its choice, but at Purchaser's
expense, to assume and control the defense of such action. Neither any Seller
Indemnitee, on one hand, nor Purchaser, on the other hand, shall be entitled to
settle or compromise any such claim, action, suit or proceeding without the
prior written consent of such Seller Indemnitee or Purchaser, as the case may
be, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

                  7.3 INDEMNITY FOR TAXES AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

                      (a) Notwithstanding any limitations or exceptions stated
within the provisions of this Article VII, including the limitation in Section
7.1(b), Sellers shall indemnify Purchaser Indemnitees from and against any
Losses for Taxes based upon or arising out of matters prior to the Closing (even
if disclosed).

                      (b) Notwithstanding any limitations of or exceptions
stated in the provisions of this Article VII, including the limitation in
Section 7.1(b), Sellers shall

                                      -27-
<PAGE>

indemnify Purchaser Indemnitees from and against any Losses arising under any
Environmental Laws based upon or arising out of acts, omissions, events or
conditions which occurred or existed prior to the Closing (even if disclosed).
Purchaser shall indemnify Sellers from and against all Losses arising under any
Environmental Law based upon or arising out of acts, omissions, events or
conditions which first occur following the Closing.

                  7.4 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; RELIANCE.

                      (a) All representations and warranties contained herein or
made pursuant hereto shall survive the Closing hereunder until the second
anniversary of the Closing Date, except that the representations and warranties
in Sections 2.2 (Authorization) and 2.4 (Capitalization; No Subsidiaries) shall
survive indefinitely, and the representations and warranties in Sections 2.16
(Environmental Laws) and 2.17 (Taxes) shall survive the Closing until the
expiration of the longer of (i) the applicable statute of limitations or (ii)
the period during which either the Companies or the Purchaser have any
liabilities or obligations in connection with the subject matter of such
representations and warranties. The expiration of any representation and
warranty shall not affect any claim for indemnification made prior to the date
of such expiration.

                      (b) The representations and warranties made by any party
in this Agreement or in any agreement, certificate, schedule or exhibit
delivered in connection with this Agreement may be fully and completely relied
upon by each other party unless the party seeking to avoid such representation
or warranty can demonstrate that the investigation made by or on behalf of such
other party actually revealed or disclosed the inaccuracy in question.

                  7.5 SOLE REMEDY. Following the Closing, the indemnification
provided in this Article VII shall be the sole remedy of the parties for a
breach of this Agreement except for claims based upon actual fraud inducing a
party to execute and perform obligations under this Agreement; however, all
claims for indemnification pursuant to this Article VII shall first be made
against the Escrow Deposit in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
Escrow Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

                  8.1 FURTHER ACTIONS. From time to time, as and when requested
by Purchaser, Sellers shall execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and
delivered, such documents and instruments and shall take, or cause to be taken,
such further or other actions as Purchaser may reasonably deem necessary or
desirable to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement, to transfer,
assign and deliver to Purchaser effective as of the Closing, and its successors
and assigns, Company Shares (or to evidence the foregoing) and to consummate and
give effect to the other transactions, covenants and agreements contemplated
hereby.

                  8.2 EXPENSES. Except as otherwise specifically provided
herein, Sellers and Purchaser shall each bear their own legal fees and other
costs and expenses

                                      -28-
<PAGE>

with respect to the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the consummation of the transactions hereunder. Purchaser shall pay all sales,
transfer and documentary taxes and other expenses incident to the transfer of
Company Shares.

                  8.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, which includes the
Appendix, the Schedules and the Exhibits hereto and the other documents,
agreements and instruments executed and delivered pursuant to this Agreement,
contain the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and supersedes all prior
arrangements or understandings with respect thereto.

                  8.4 DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. The descriptive headings of this
Agreement are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning
or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

                  8.5 NOTICES. All notices or other communications which are
required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if (a)
delivered personally or (b) sent by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, or (c) sent by overnight courier with an internationally recognized
courier, or (d) via facsimile confirmed in writing in any of the foregoing
manners, as follows:

                  If to Sellers:           Elizabeth Young
                                           4904 Tenth Line
                                           Terra Cotta, Ontario
                                           L0P 1N0
                                           Facsimile: (905) 877-2460

                                           Pallasade Holdings Inc.
                                           RR #5
                                           Georgetown, Ontario
                                           L7G 4S8
                                           Facsimile:  (905) 877-1611

                                           Ken Young Family Trust
                                           c/o McCarthy Tetrault
                                           Attention:  Michael Croghan, Q.C.
                                           Box 48, Suite 4700
                                           Toronto Dominion Bank Tower
                                           Toronto, Ontario
                                           Canada, M5K1E6
                                           Facsimile: (416) 868-0673

                                      -29-
<PAGE>

with a copy to:                            McCarthy Tetrault
                                           Attention:  Michael Croghan, Q.C.
                                           Box 48, Suite 4700
                                           Toronto Dominion Bank Tower
                                           Toronto, Ontario
                                           Canada, M5K1E6
                                           Facsimile:  (416) 868-0673

If to Companies:                           31 Hansen Road South
                                           Brampton, Ontario
                                           Canada L6W 3H7
                                           Facsimile: (905) 451-1255

If to Purchaser:                           1430640 Ontario Inc.
                                           c/o Outsourcing Services Group, Inc.
                                           Attention:  Perry Morgan
                                           11 King Street
                                           Port Jervis, NY  12771
                                           Facsimile:  (212) 656-1586

with a copy to:                            Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
                                           Attention:  Peter J. Tennyson, Esq.
                                           695 Town Center Drive, 17th Floor
                                           Costa Mesa, California 92656-1924
                                           Facsimile:  (714) 668-6337

If sent by mail, notice shall be considered delivered five (5) Business Days
after the date of mailing, and if sent by any other means set forth above,
notice shall be considered delivered upon receipt thereof. Any party may by
notice to the other parties change the address to which notice or other
communications to it are to be delivered or mailed.

                  8.6 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario. Any action,
suit or other proceeding initiated by Sellers or Purchaser against any other
party under or in connection with this Agreement may be brought in any Federal
or state court in the Province of Ontario, as the party bringing such action,
suit or proceeding shall elect, having jurisdiction over the subject matter
thereof. Sellers and Purchaser hereby submit themselves to the jurisdiction of
any such court and agree that service of process on them in any such action,
suit or proceeding may be effected by the means by which notices are to be given
to it under this Agreement.

                  8.7 ASSIGNABILITY. This Agreement shall not be assignable by
any party without the written consent of the other parties and any such
purported assignment by any party without such consent shall be void, except
that:

                      (a) any or all rights of Purchaser to receive the
performance of the obligations of Sellers hereunder (but not the obligations of
Purchaser to Sellers hereunder) and rights to assert claims against Sellers in
respect of any inaccuracy in or

                                      -30-
<PAGE>

breach of any representations, warranties or covenants of Sellers hereunder, may
be assigned by Purchaser to a direct or indirect subsidiary of Purchaser, and

                      (b) Purchaser may assign to any bank, insurance company or
other financial institution providing financing or extending credit to Purchaser
any or all of its rights to assert claims against Sellers in respect of any
inaccuracy in or breach of representations, warranties or covenants under this
Agreement, but any assignee of such rights under clause (a) or clause (b) shall
take such rights subject to any defenses, counterclaims and rights of set-off to
which Sellers might be entitled under this Agreement. This Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.

                  8.8 WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS. Any waiver of any term or
condition of this Agreement, or any amendment or supplementation of this
Agreement, shall be effective only if in writing. A waiver of any breach or
failure to enforce any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement shall not in
any way affect, limit or waive a party's rights hereunder at any time to enforce
strict compliance thereafter with every term or condition of this Agreement.

                  8.9 THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, and except as expressly provided in Section 7.1 or 7.2 hereof or
as permitted pursuant to Section 8.7 hereof, this Agreement shall not create
benefits on behalf of any shareholder or employee of Purchaser or either Company
(other than the parties hereto), or any other Person (including without
limitation any broker or finder), and this Agreement shall be effective only as
between the parties hereto, their successors and permitted assigns.

                  8.10 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. Prior to the Closing, Purchaser and
the Representative will consult with each other before issuing any press release
or otherwise making any public statements with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and neither Purchaser, nor Sellers shall issue
any such press release or make any such public statement without the prior
written approval of the other parties (which as to Sellers may be provided by
the Representative) both as to the making of such release or statement and as to
the form and content thereof, except to the extent that such party is advised by
counsel, in good faith, that such release or statement is required as a matter
of law.

                  8.11 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be
an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but
one agreement. Facsimile signatures shall be treated as if they were originals.

                            (Signature Page Follows)

                                      -31-
<PAGE>

                  [SIGNATURE PAGE TO STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT]

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed and
delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                     "Purchaser"

                                     1430640 ONTARIO INC.

                                     By:   /s/ Perry Morgan
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Perry Morgan
                                          --------------------------------------
                                     Title: Chief Financial Officer
                                           -------------------------------------

                                     "Companies"

                                     IVERS-LEE LIMITED

                                     By: /s/ Kenneth E. Young
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                     Name: Kenneth E. Young
                                     Title: Chairman of the Board

                                     TMJ SPECIALTY TOOL AND DESIGN LIMITED

                                     By: /s/ Kenneth E. Young
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     Name: Kenneth E. Young
                                     Title: President

                                     "Sellers"

                                     /s/ Elizabeth Young
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Elizabeth Young

                                     PALLASADE HOLDINGS INC.

                                     By: /s/ Kenneth E. Young
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     Name: Kenneth E. Young
                                     Title: President

                                      -32-
<PAGE>

                                     KEN YOUNG FAMILY TRUST
                                     By Its Trustees

                                     By: /s/ Kenneth E. Young
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Kenneth E. Young, as Trustee,
                                        liability limited to the assets of
                                        the Trust

                                     By: /s/ Michael Croghan
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Michael Croghan, as Trustee,
                                        liability limited to the assets of
                                        the Trust

                                     By: /s/ John C. Karram
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        John C. Karram, as Trustee,
                                        liability limited to the assets of
                                        the Trust

                                     By: /s/ George Kingsley
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        George Kingsley Ward, as Trustee,
                                        liability limited to the assets of
                                        the Trust

                                      -33-
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX A

                                   DEFINITIONS

                  Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in this Appendix A unless such terms are defined elsewhere in
this Agreement:

                  AUDITED ADJUSTED EBITDA: EBITDA, as defined herein, (i) plus
Sellers' Non-Recurring Expenses, Excess Information Technology Expenses, Excess
Professional Fees, officer life insurance and Excess Commissions, and (ii)
reduced by $13,000 for additional salary attributable to the hiring of a plant
controller.

                  AFFILIATE: Shall have the same meaning as that term is given
in the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) as in effect on the date hereof.

                  BUSINESS DAY: Any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day
on which commercial banks in Toronto are required or permitted by law to be
closed.

                  CANADIAN GAAP: Generally accepted accounting principles in
Canada, and statements and interpretations in respect thereof (if applicable)
which are issued by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and any
successor body in effect from time to time, unless otherwise stated,
consistently applied.

                  CHARTER DOCUMENTS: Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, and/or
other similar documents.

                  EBITDA: Shall mean the earnings of each Company, if any,
before extraordinary items, interest income or expense, income taxes,
depreciation and amortization as determined under generally accepted accounting
principles, consistently applied, including as an expense any bonus paid,
payable or earned in accordance with any plan or arrangement in existence prior
to the acquisition of the Companies pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement,
but not including as either income or expense: (i) performance bonuses paid to
either Company's employees pursuant to any bonus plan adopted by the Board of
Directors of either Company after the date hereof; (ii) costs and expenses
incurred in connection with the purchase of the Companies by Purchaser; (iii)
the premium for any director and officer liability insurance obtained by or for
either Company in connection with the acquisition by the Purchaser; and (iv) any
adjustment for excess inventory which was purchased during fiscal year 2000
("Fiscal 2000"), subject to agreement by Purchaser and Sellers' Accountants.

                  ENCUMBRANCE: Any lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest,
charge or encumbrance of any kind, whether voluntary or involuntary, (including
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature
thereof, and any agreement to give any security interest) and, with respect to
capital stock, any option or other right to purchase or any restriction on
voting or other rights.

                  EXCESS COMMISSIONS: Monies paid to Telmark Packaging
Corporation ("Telmark") and expensed in Fiscal 2000, in excess of commissions
earned by Telmark

                                      -34-
<PAGE>

in accordance with the agreement between Ivers-Lee and Telmark, dated December
29, 1999.

                  EXCESS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EXPENSES: Costs incurred in
Fiscal 2000 in support of the business related to all data processing, local
area networks, computers or any other information technology software or
hardware in excess of $60,000, not including those items properly capitalized
consistent with the policy of Ivers-Lee and generally accepted accounting
principles.

                  EXCESS PROFESSIONAL FEES: Costs incurred in Fiscal 2000 for
legal or accounting services in excess of $50,000.

                  GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY: Any nation or any state, commonwealth,
territory, possession or tribe and any political subdivision, courts,
departments, commissions, boards, bureaus, agencies or other instrumentalities
of any of the foregoing.

                  INDEBTEDNESS: With respect to any Person (a) all indebtedness
for borrowed money; (b) that portion of obligations with respect to capital
leases that is properly classified as a liability on a balance sheet in
conformity with GAAP; (c) notes payable and drafts accepted representing
extensions of credit whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money;
(d) any obligation owed for all or any part of the deferred purchase price of
property or services if the purchase price is due more than six months from the
date the obligation is incurred or is evidenced by a note or similar written
instrument; and (e) all indebtedness secured by any Encumbrance on any property
or asset owned or held by that Person regardless of whether the indebtedness
secured thereby shall have been assumed by that Person or is nonrecourse to the
credit of that Person.

                  "KNOWLEDGE" of either Company or any Seller, or statements
about facts or circumstances recognized by either Company or any Seller, shall
refer to (i) the knowledge attributable, after such inquiry of Company personnel
and review of Company records (but without independent inquiry) as is
appropriate under the circumstances, of John Karram, Kenneth Young, and Brian
Munro, with respect to either Company, and (ii) the knowledge attributable to
each Seller after such inquiry and review as is appropriate under the
circumstances.

                  MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT: A material adverse effect on the
business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the
Companies, taken as a whole.

                  PERSON: An individual, corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or unincorporated organization or association or other form of
business enterprise or a Governmental Entity.

                  PURCHASER'S ACCOUNTANTS: Deloitte & Touche LLP.

                  SELLERS' ACCOUNTANTS: Norton, McMullen & Co., LLP.

                                      -35-
<PAGE>

                  SELLER'S NON-RECURRING EXPENSES: Expenses associated with any
Seller, and any Affiliate of such Seller, including, with respect to any
individual, members of such Person's family, that will not continue following
the Closing Date.

                  SUBSIDIARY: With respect to any Person, any other Person whose
voting securities or other ownership interests directly or indirectly are owned
by such Person.

                  TAX: Any and all license and registration fees, taxes
(including, without limitation, income, minimum or alternative minimum tax,
gross receipts, ad valorem, value added, environmental tax, turnover, sales,
use, personal property (tangible and intangible), stamp, leasing, lease, user,
leasing use, excise, payroll, franchise, transfer, fuel, excess profits,
occupational, interest equalization and other taxes), levies, imposts, duties,
charges or withholdings of any nature whatsoever, imposed by any Governmental
Entity, together with any and all penalties, fines, additions to tax and
interest thereon, whether or not such Tax shall be existing or hereafter
adopted.

                  OTHER DEFINITIONS: The following terms have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Sections noted:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         SECTION
<S>                                                                      <C>
Adjustment Amount                                                        1.3(a)

Agreement                                                                Recitals

Authorizations                                                           2.9(a)

Balance Sheets                                                           1.3(b)

Bankers                                                                  5.1(s)

Base Purchase Price                                                      1.2

Benefit Plans                                                            2.14(a)

Business Rights                                                          2.13

CCRA                                                                     2.17

Closing                                                                  6.1

Closing Balance Sheets                                                   1.3(b)

Closing Date                                                             6.1

Companies                                                                Recitals

Company                                                                  Recitals

Company Shares                                                           Recitals
</TABLE>

                                      -36-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                      <C>
Consulting Agreements                                                    4.11

Contracts                                                                2.8(b)

Environmental Law                                                        2.16(b)

Escrow Agent                                                             1.6

Escrow Deposit                                                           1.6

Financial Statements                                                     2.5(a)

Hazardous Materials                                                      2.16(c)

Independent Accountants                                                  1.3(d)

Initial Purchase Price                                                   1.2

Inventory                                                                2.21

Ivers-Lee                                                                Recitals

Ivers-Lee Shareholders                                                   Recitals

Ivers-Lee Stock                                                          Recitals

Lease                                                                    4.11

Losses                                                                   7.1(a)

Monthly Financials                                                       4.2

Non-Competition Agreements                                               4.11

Pallasade                                                                Recitals

Properties                                                               2.7(a)

Purchaser                                                                Recitals

Purchaser Indemnitee                                                     7.1(a)

Purchaser's Basket                                                       7.2(b)

Reference Balance Sheets                                                 1.3(b)

Release                                                                  2.16(d)

Representative                                                           1.5(d)

Seller Indemnitee                                                        7.2(a)
</TABLE>

                                      -37-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                      <C>

Sellers                                                                  Recitals

Sellers' Adjustment Request                                              1.3(d)

Sellers' Basket                                                          7.1(b)

Sellers' Cap                                                             7.1(b)

2000 EBITDA                                                              1.4(a)

2000 Financial Statements                                                1.4(b)

TMJ                                                                      Recitals

TMJ Shareholder                                                          Recitals

TMJ Stock                                                                Recitals

Total Net Assets                                                         1.3(a)

Trust                                                                    Recitals
</TABLE>

                                      -38-
<PAGE>

                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                      PAGE
                                                                                                      ----
<S>               <C>                                                                                 <C>
Article I         GENERAL...............................................................................1

         1.1      Sale and Purchase of Company Shares...................................................1

         1.2      Purchase Price and Payment Terms......................................................2

         1.3      Combined Purchase Price Adjustments...................................................2

         1.4      Additional Purchase Price.............................................................3

         1.5      Disputes Regarding Calculation of EBITDA..............................................4

         1.6      Escrow................................................................................4

Article II        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS AND COMPANY.................................5

         2.1      Organization..........................................................................5

         2.2      Authorization.........................................................................5

         2.3      No Conflict...........................................................................5

         2.4      Capitalization; No Subsidiaries.......................................................6

         2.5      Financial Statements..................................................................6

         2.6      Absence of Certain Facts or Events....................................................7

         2.7      Property, Leases and Liens............................................................8

         2.8      Contracts and Commitments.............................................................9

         2.9      Permits and Authorizations...........................................................10

         2.10     No Violations........................................................................10

         2.11     Proceedings..........................................................................10

         2.12     Insurance............................................................................11

         2.13     Proprietary Information and Rights...................................................11

         2.14     Employee Benefits....................................................................11

         2.15     Employment Laws......................................................................12

         2.16     Environmental Laws...................................................................13

         2.17     Taxes................................................................................13

         2.18     No Unlawful Contributions............................................................14

         2.19     No Insider Transactions..............................................................14

         2.20     Accounts Receivable; Customers.......................................................15

         2.21     Inventories..........................................................................15
</TABLE>

                                      -i-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                      PAGE
                                                                                                      ----
<S>               <C>                                                                                 <C>
         2.22     Bank Accounts........................................................................15

         2.23     Warranties...........................................................................15

         2.24     Delivery of Documents................................................................15

         2.25     No Finders or Brokers................................................................16

Article III       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER..........................................16

         3.1      Organization.........................................................................16

         3.2      Authorization........................................................................16

         3.3      No Conflict..........................................................................16

         3.4      Investment Intent....................................................................17

         3.5      No Finders or Brokers................................................................17

Article IV        COVENANTS............................................................................17

         4.1      Confidentiality......................................................................17

         4.2      Delivery of Financial Statements.....................................................18

         4.3      Fulfillment of Conditions............................................................18

         4.4      Purchaser's Access to Records and Inspection Rights..................................18

         4.5      Operation in Ordinary Course.........................................................19

         4.6      Post-Closing Access by Sellers.......................................................19

         4.7      Termination of Affiliate Relationships...............................................19

         4.8      Bank Accounts........................................................................19

         4.9      Indebtedness of Sellers to Company...................................................19

         4.10     Management Offering..................................................................20

         4.11     Non-Competition Agreements...........................................................20

Article V         CONDITIONS OF CLOSING................................................................20

         5.1      Conditions of Obligations of Purchaser...............................................20

                  (a)      Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations..................20

                  (b)      Certificate and Deliveries by Sellers.......................................20

                  (c)      No Injunction...............................................................20

                  (d)      Financing...................................................................20
</TABLE>

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                      PAGE
                                                                                                      ----
<S>               <C>                                                                                 <C>
                  (e)      Other Consents..............................................................21

                  (f)      Certificates and Instruments of Transfer....................................21

                  (g)      Escrow Agreement............................................................21

                  (h)      Non-Competition Agreements..................................................21

                  (i)      Opinion of Counsel to Sellers and Companies.................................21

                  (j)      Due Diligence...............................................................21

                  (k)      No Material Adverse Change..................................................21

                  (l)      Financial Statements........................................................21

                  (m)      Schedules...................................................................21

         5.2      Conditions of Obligations of Sellers.................................................21

                  (a)      Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations..................21

                  (b)      Certification by Purchaser..................................................22

                  (c)      No Injunction...............................................................22

                  (d)      Opinion of Counsel to Purchaser.............................................22

                  (e)      Purchase Price..............................................................22

                  (f)      Escrow Agreement............................................................22

Article VI        CLOSING DATE AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT............................................22

         6.1      Closing Date.........................................................................22

         6.2      Termination of Agreement.............................................................22

         6.3      Effect of Termination................................................................23

Article VII       INDEMNIFICATION......................................................................23

         7.1      Indemnification by Sellers...........................................................23

         7.2      Indemnification by Purchaser.........................................................24

         7.3      Indemnity for Taxes and Environmental Matters........................................25

         7.4      Survival of Representations and Warranties; Reliance.................................26

         7.5      Sole Remedy..........................................................................26

Article VIII      MISCELLANEOUS........................................................................26

         8.1      Further Actions......................................................................26
</TABLE>

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                      PAGE
                                                                                                      ----
<S>               <C>                                                                                 <C>
         8.2      Expenses.............................................................................26

         8.3      Entire Agreement.....................................................................26

         8.4      Descriptive Headings.................................................................27

         8.5      Notices..............................................................................27

         8.6      Governing Law........................................................................28

         8.7      Assignability........................................................................28

         8.8      Waivers and Amendments...............................................................28

         8.9      Third Party Rights...................................................................28

         8.10     Public Announcements.................................................................28

         8.11     Counterparts.........................................................................29

         APPENDIX A....................................................................................31

         Definitions...................................................................................31

         Audited Adjusted EBITDA.......................................................................31

         Affiliate.....................................................................................31

         Charter.......................................................................................31

         EBITDA........................................................................................31

         Encumbrance...................................................................................31

         GAAP..........................................................................................31

         Governmental Entity...........................................................................31

         Indebtedness..................................................................................32

         "Knowledge"...................................................................................32

         Material Adverse Effect.......................................................................32

         Person........................................................................................32

         Purchaser's Accountants.......................................................................32

         Seller's Accountants..........................................................................32

         Subsidiary....................................................................................32

         Tax...........................................................................................32

         Other Definitions.............................................................................32
</TABLE>

                                      -iv-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                      PAGE
                                                                                                      ----
<S>               <C>                                                                                 <C>

LIST OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS
EXHIBITS

Exhibit 1         Escrow Agreement
Exhibit 2         Non-Competition Agreement
Exhibit 3         Consulting Agreement (Kenneth Young)
Exhibit 4         Consulting Agreement (Thomas Young)
Exhibit 5         Form of Lease
Exhibit 6         Opinion of Counsel to Sellers and Companies
Exhibit 7         Opinion of Counsel to Purchaser

SCHEDULES

Schedule 1.2      Allocations
Schedule 2.3      No Conflict
Schedule 2.4      Shareholdings
Schedule 2.5      Financial Statements
Schedule 2.6      Absence of Certain Facts or Events
Schedule 2.7      Property, Leases and Liens
Schedule 2.8      Contracts and Commitments
Schedule 2.9      Permits and Authorizations
Schedule 2.10     No Violations
Schedule 2.11     Proceedings
Schedule 2.12     Insurance
Schedule 2.13     Proprietary Information and Rights
Schedule 2.14     Employee Benefits
Schedule 2.15     Employment Laws
Schedule 2.16     Environmental Laws
Schedule 2.17     Taxes
Schedule 2.19     Arm's-Length Transactions
Schedule 2.20     Accounts Receivable; Customers
Schedule 2.21     Inventories
Schedule 2.22     Bank Accounts
Schedule 2.23     Warranties
Schedule 3.3      Conflicts (Purchaser)
</TABLE>

                                      -v-
<PAGE>

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                                      -1-<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.24

                     SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE

         This Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release (this "Agreement") is
entered into as of the 8 th day of December, 2000, by and among Outsourcing
Services Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("OSG"), Piedmont Laboratories,
Inc., a Georgia corporation ("PLI"), and Samuel Garretson, an individual
("Indemnitor").

                                 R E C I T A L S

         A. OSG and Indemnitor are parties to that certain Stock Purchase
Agreement, dated June 26, 1996 (the "Purchase Agreement"), pursuant to which OSG
acquired all of Indemnitor's interest in PLI, and Indemnitor became a
stockholder of OSG.

         B. In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase
Agreement, Indemnitor agreed to indemnify OSG for certain losses resulting from
breaches of representations and warranties made in the Purchase Agreement, and
in particular for environmental matters relating to PLI (the "Indemnification
Obligations"), in an mount not to exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) (the
"Indemnity Cap").

         C. OSG made claims against Indemnitor to recover indemnifiable expenses
incurred by OSG and PLI in connection with litigation and environmental matters
following the closing of the transactions under the Purchase Agreement.

         D. The parties hereto desire to settle the outstanding obligations of
Indemnitor with respect to the Indemnification Obligations, on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.

         E. The parties hereto, on behalf of themselves and on behalf of all
their respective parent corporations, subsidiary corporations, affiliates,
predecessors, successors and owners, and all of their respective officers,
directors, partners, members, employees, agents, servants, consultants,
advisors, attorneys, heirs, executors, representatives, administrators,
affiliates, predecessors, successors and assigns (all such released parties
being referred to herein collectively as the "Released Parties"), desire to
fully, finally and forever settle and compromise the claims or causes of action
held or asserted by each one against the other in connection with or arising out
of the Indemnification Obligations, the Purchase Agreement, and all other
agreements and matters related thereto, except as specifically stated below.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by the parties, the
parties hereby agree as follows:

<PAGE>

                               A G R E E M E N T:

         1. SETTLEMENT OF INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS.

            (a) In settlement of the Indemnification Obligations, Indemnitor
shall return to OSG that number of shares of common stock of OSG (the "Common
Shares"), which, when valued at Sixteen Dollars ($16.00) per share, has an
aggregate value equal to the Indemnity Cap, or Sixty-Two Thousand Five Hundred
(62,500) Common Shares (the "Settlement Shares"). Indemnitor shall deliver to
OSG stock certificates representing the Settlement Shares concurrently with the
execution of this Agreement. Upon receipt of certificate(s) representing the
Settlement Shares, OSG shall issue to Indemnitor a certificate for the balance
of the Common Shares represented by the surrendered certificate, if required.

            (b) Indemnitor represents and warrants to OSG that he is the record
and beneficial owner of the Settlement Shares, and there are no liens or
encumbrances on the Settlement Shares, including the right of any third party to
purchase, or the obligation of Indemnitor to sell, the Settlement Shares, except
for any restrictions in OSG's Amended and Restated Stockholder Agreement, as
amended (the "Stockholder Agreement").

         2. ADDITIONAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES. In connection with the
settlement of the Indemnification Obligations, the parties further agree to the
following:

            (a) Indemnitor will resign his position as a member on the Boards of
Directors of OSG and each of its subsidiaries (the "Boards"), including PLI.
Such resignation shall be effective immediately following the execution of this
Agreement by Indemnitor, and Indemnitor shall no longer be entitled to receive
any fees associated with his membership on the Boards.

            (b) Indemnitor acknowledges and agrees that, except as specifically
stated otherwise in this Agreement, the remaining Common Shares beneficially
owned by him shall remain subject to the Stockholder Agreement, as the same may
be amended or revised, in all respects, including the provisions of Sections 1
and 6 regarding the transfer of the Common Shares.

            (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, OSG shall continue to provide
Indemnitor with the same group health benefits that he presently receives, or is
entitled to receive, on behalf of himself and his spouse, as a member of the
Boards, through August 1, 2001.

         3. MUTUAL RELEASES. Except for any continuing obligations of OSG
pursuant to Section 2(c) of this Agreement, and Indemnitor pursuant to the

<PAGE>

Indemnification Obligations described in Section 15, OSG and PLI, on the one
hand, and Indemnitor, on the other hand, do hereby release and discharge and
agree to hold harmless each other and all of the other party's respective
Released Parties from any and all rights, claims, debts, demands, acts,
agreements, liabilities, obligations, damages, costs, fees (including, without
limitation, those of attorneys and accountants), expenses, actions and/or causes
of action of every nature, character and description, whether known or unknown,
suspected or unsuspected, which the parties may now have or hereafter have or
claim to have against one another by reason of any matter, act or omission,
arising out of or related in any way to the Indemnification Obligations, the
Purchase Agreement, or any allegations, matter or agreement contained therein or
related thereto.

         4. WAIVER OF CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542 AND RELATED STATUTES. The parties
hereto understand and agree that the releases provided herein extend to all
claims released above whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected. As to
those matters released herein only, the parties expressly waive and relinquish
any and all rights they may have under California Civil Code Section 1542, or
any similar state law, which provides as follows:

         "A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES
         NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE
         RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS
         SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR."

The parties expressly waive and release any rights and benefits which they have
or may have under any similar law or rule of any other jurisdiction pertaining
to the matters released herein. It is the intention of each party through this
Release and with the advice of counsel to fully, finally and forever settle and
release the claims and disputes existing between them as set forth above. In
furtherance of such intention, the releases herein given shall be and remain in
effect as full and complete releases of such matters notwithstanding the
discovery of any additional claims or facts relating thereto.

         5. BINDING UPON SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; EFFECTIVENESS. This Agreement
shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and
assigns of the parties hereto.

         6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The parties represent and warrant to
and agree with each other as follows:

            (a) Each party has received independent legal advice from attorneys
of its choice with respect to the advisability of making this settlement and the
releases provided herein and with respect to the advisability of executing this
Agreement.

<PAGE>

            (b) Except as expressly stated in this Agreement, no party has made
any statement or representation to any other party regarding any fact, which
statement or representation is relied upon by any other party in entering into
this Agreement. In connection with the execution of this Agreement or the making
of the settlement provided for herein, no party to this Agreement has relied
upon any statement, representation or promise of any other party not expressly
contained herein.

            (c) This Agreement is intended to be final and binding upon the
parties and is further intended to be effective as a full and final accord and
satisfaction among them regardless of any claims of fraud, misrepresentation,
concealment of fact, mistake of fact or law, duress, or any other circumstances
whatsoever. Each party relies upon the finality of this Agreement as a material
factor inducing that party's execution of this Agreement.

            (d) There are no other agreements or understandings between the
parties hereto relating to the matters referred to in this Agreement.

            (e) The parties hereto and their counsel have made such
investigation of the facts pertaining to the releases contained herein as they
deem necessary.

            (f) The terms of this Agreement are contractual and are the result
of negotiation among the parties.

            (g) This Agreement has been carefully read by the parties hereto and
the contents thereof are known and understood by each of the parties. This
Agreement is signed freely by each party executing it.

            (h) Each party covenants and agrees not to bring any action, claim,
suit or proceeding against any party hereto directly or indirectly regarding or
relating to the matters released hereby, and each further covenants and agrees
that this Agreement is a bar to any such claim, action, suit or proceeding,
except as described in Section 13 hereof.

         7. ASSIGNMENT. The parties hereto, and each of them, represent and
warrant to each other that each is the sole and lawful owner of all right, title
and interest in and to every claim and other matter which each purports to
release herein, and that they have not heretofore assigned or transferred, or
purported to assign or transfer, to any person, firm, association, corporation
or other entity, any right, title or interest in any such claim or other matter.
In the event that such representation is false, and any such claim or matter is
asserted against any Released Party (and/or the successor of such party) by any
party or entity who is the assignee or transferee of such claim or matter, then
the party hereto who assigned or transferred such claim or matter shall fully
indemnify, defend and hold harmless the party against whom such claim or matter
is

<PAGE>

asserted (and its successors) from and against such claim or matter and from all
actual costs, fees, expenses, liabilities and damages which that party (and/or
its successors) incurs as a result of the assertion of such claim or matter.

         8. SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES. The representations and warranties contained
in this Agreement are deemed to and do survive the execution hereof.

         9. MODIFICATIONS. This Agreement may not be amended, canceled, revoked
or otherwise modified except by written agreement executed by all of the parties
to be charged with such modification.

         10. ATTORNEYS' FEES. All parties hereto agree to pay their own costs
and attorneys' fees except as follows:

            (a) In the event that any action, suit or other proceeding
         (excepting any proceedings to enter and enforce judgment pursuant to
         the terms of this Agreement) is instituted to remedy, prevent or obtain
         relief from a breach of this Agreement, involving claims within the
         scope of the releases contained in this Agreement, or pertaining to a
         declaration of rights under this Agreement, the prevailing party, as
         determined by the court, shall recover all of such party's attorneys'
         fees incurred in each and every such action, suit or other proceeding,
         including any and all appeals or petitions therefrom.

            (b) As used herein, attorneys' fees shall be deemed, to the extent
         allowed by law, to mean the full and actual costs of any legal services
         actually performed in connection with the matters involved, calculated
         on the basis of the usual fee charged by the attorneys performing such
         services, and shall not be limited to "reasonable attorneys' fees" as
         defined in any statute or rule of court.

         11. SEVERABILITY. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be
held to be void, voidable or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall
remain in full force and effect.

         12. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
and be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

         13. VENUE. Any action, suit or other proceeding brought by or against
any of the parties hereto to enforce this Agreement shall be instituted and
maintained in any Federal or state court in the State of Delaware having proper
jurisdiction over the subject matter thereof.

         14. WARRANTY OF AUTHORITY. Each party whose signature is affixed hereto
in a representative capacity represents and warrants that he is authorized to

<PAGE>

execute this Agreement on behalf of and to bind the entity on whose behalf his
signature is affixed.

         15. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN CLAIMS. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
parties hereto agree that no provision of this Agreement shall prevent OSG from
making a claim against the Indemnitor under the Indemnification Obligations with
respect to any assertion that the Indemnitor did not have valid title to the
stock of PLI at the time of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the
Purchase Agreement. OSG shall be entitled to proceed with any such claims as set
forth in Article VII of the Purchase Agreement, and may assert all rights and
remedies to which it is entitled, whether at law or at equity.

         16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties and supersedes any and all other agreements, understandings,
negotiations, or discussions, either oral or in writing, express or implied,
relative to the matters which are the subject of this Agreement.

         17. NOTICES. All notices or other communications required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be personally delivered or delivered by
overnight commercial carrier, sent by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested, telegraphed, delivered or sent by telex,
telecopy, cable or facsimile and shall be deemed received and effective upon the
earlier of (i) if personally delivered, the date of delivery to the address of
the person to receive such notice; (ii) if delivered by overnight commercial
carrier, one (1) day following the receipt of such communication by such carrier
from the sender, as shown on the sender's delivery receipt from such carrier;
(iii) if mailed, on the date of delivery as shown by the sender's registry or
certification receipt; (iv) if given by telegraph or cable, when delivered to
the telegraph company with charges prepaid; (v) if given by telex or telecopy,
when sent; or (vi) if sent by facsimile with confirmation of good transmission
and receipt, when sent. Any notice, request, demand, direction or other
communication sent by cable, telex or telecopy must be confirmed within
forty-eight (48) hours by letter mailed or delivered in accordance with the
foregoing in order to be deemed received and effective. The address of each
party for purposes of the delivery of notices hereunder is as follows:

                  OSG/PLI:                Outsourcing Services Group, Inc.
                                          25 Commerce Drive
                                          Allendale, NJ  07401
                                          Attn: Perry Morgan
                                          Facsimile No.: (212) 656-1586

                  With a copy to:         Peter J. Tennyson, Esq.
                                          Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
                                          17th Floor
                                          695 Town Center Drive

<PAGE>

                                          Costa Mesa, California  92626
                                          Facsimile No.: (714) 979-1921

                  Indemnitor:             Samuel D. Garretson
                                          1665 Chevron Way, N.E.
                                          Atlanta, Georgia  30350
                                          Facsimile No.: (770) 394-5065

                  With a copy to:         David S. Stone, Esq.
                                          Seyfarth Shaw
                                          Suite 4200
                                          55 East Monroe Street
                                          Chicago, Illinois  60603
                                          Facsimile No.: (312) 269-8869

Notice of change of address shall be given by written notice in the manner
detailed in this Section 17. Rejection or other refusal to accept or the
inability to deliver because of changed address of which no notice was given
shall be deemed to constitute receipt of the notice, demand, request or
communication sent.

         18. FURTHER ACTS. Each party hereto agrees to perform any further acts
and execute and deliver any further documents which reasonably may be necessary
to carry out the provisions and intent of this Agreement.

         19. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be an original,
and all of which when executed shall constitute one and the same instrument. For
this purpose, the parties agree that facsimile signatures shall be accepted as
originals.

                            [Signature page follows]

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first above written.

"OSG"                               OUTSOURCING SERVICES GROUP, INC.,
                                            a Delaware corporation

                                         By: /s/ Perry Morgan
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Print Name: Perry Morgan
                                                       -------------------------
                                            Print Title: Chief Financial Officer
                                                        ------------------------

                                         PIEDMONT LABORATORIES, INC.,
                                         a Georgia corporation

                                         By: /s/ Perry Morgan
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Print Name: Perry Morgan
                                                       -------------------------
                                            Print Title: Chief Financial Officer
                                                        ------------------------

"INDEMNITOR"                                /s/ Samuel D. Garretson
                                            ------------------------------------
                                               Samuel D. Garretson

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