Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.7

                           CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT

THIS CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as
of August 1, 2000, by and between COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and GRAHAM TOMPSON (the "Executive").

                              Statement of Purpose

         The Company wishes to encourage the continued service and dedication of
Executive in the event of any actual or contemplated Change in Control (as
defined below) of the Company. The Company has determined that these objectives
are best accomplished by providing Executive with individual financial security
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, which the Company believes are fair and
reasonable and consistent with the practices of other major corporations.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual convenants
herein contained, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

         1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:

         (a)      Change in Control means and shall be deemed to have occurred
                  upon:

                  (i)      the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any
                           "person" (within the meaning of Section (13(d) or
                           14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (as
                           amended) within any 12 month period of more than 80%
                           of the combined voting power of the then outstanding
                           voting securities of the Company entitled to vote
                           generally in the election of directors, including,
                           but not limited to, by merger, consolidation or
                           similar corporate transaction or by purchase;
                           excluding, however, the following ("Excluded
                           Transactions"): (A) any acquisition of beneficial
                           ownership by the Company, any subsidiary of the
                           Company, Wasserstein Perella Partners, L.P.,
                           Blackstone Capital Partners L.P. or an affiliate of
                           any of the foregoing, (B) any acquisition by an
                           employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
                           maintained by the Company or any subsidiary of the
                           Company, and (C) any merger, consolidation or other
                           form of business acquisition or combination
                           transaction in which, immediately after the
                           transaction and giving effect thereto and the
                           issuance of securities therein, holders of Common
                           Stock of the Company beneficially own or are entitled
                           to receive equity securities of the acquiring,
                           surviving or resulting entity (or any parent company
                           or

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                           other affiliate thereof) that, in the aggregate,
                           represent more than 20% of the combined voting power
                           entitled to be cast generally; or

                  (ii)     the sale of any business, businesses or assets of the
                           Company in any single transaction or series of
                           related transactions effected within any 12 month
                           period, which, on an aggregate basis, produced at
                           least 80% of the consolidated net sales of the
                           Company, calculated by giving pro forma effect to
                           such transactions, and any acquisitions effected
                           during the relevant period, for the fiscal year
                           immediately preceding such transaction or, if
                           applicable, the first such transaction in the 12
                           month period in which the transaction or series of
                           related transactions occurred, excluding, however,
                           any Excluded Transaction.

         (b)      Change in Control Period means the period commencing three
                  months prior to the date of a Change in Control and ending on
                  the first anniversary of such date or if later, the expiration
                  of the 45 day period referred to in Section 1 (d)(3) below.

         (c)      Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         (d)      Constructive Termination means a termination of Executive's
                  employment by Executive during a Change in Control Period
                  which is due to:

                  (i)      the involuntary relocation of Executive to any office
                           or location more fifty (50) miles from the office or
                           location at which Executive is then located;

                  (ii)     a material reduction in Executive's total
                           compensation and benefit package; or

                  (iii)    a significant reduction in Executive's
                           responsibilities, position or authority (including
                           changes resulting from the assignment to Executive of
                           any duties inconsistent with his responsibilities,
                           position or authority in effect immediately prior to
                           the Change in Control Period);

         provided, however, that, notwithstanding any other provision hereof, no
         event or circumstance will constitute "Constructive Termination" for
         purposes of this Agreement (A) if Termination For Cause exists or (B)
         unless (1) Executive shall have given notice to the Company of
         Executive's determination of the occurrence of such event, (2) such
         event constitutes one of the events specified in clauses (i) - (iii)
         above, and (3) such event shall be continuing as of the end of 45 days
         after the giving of such notice.

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         (e)      Date of Termination means the later of (i) the date of receipt
                  of the Notice of Termination by the Company or Executive, as
                  the case may be, or (ii) any later date specified therein
                  (which shall be not more than thirty (30) days after giving of
                  such notice).

         (f)      ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
                  1974, as amended.

         (g)      Involuntary Termination means a termination of Executive's
                  employment by the Company during a Change in Control Period
                  other than a Termination for Cause. Termination of Executive's
                  employment during a Change in Control Period by reason of
                  Executive's death or disability shall not be considered an
                  Involuntary Termination.

         (h)      Notice of Termination means a written notice which (i)
                  indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement
                  relied upon, (ii) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts
                  and circumstances claimed to provide the basis for termination
                  of Executive's employment under the provision so indicated,
                  and (iii) if the termination date is other than the date of
                  receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which
                  shall be not more than thirty (30) days after the giving of
                  such notice).

         (i)      Termination For Cause means a termination of Executive's
                  employment by the Company as a result of:

                  (i)      Executive's fraud or misappropriation with respect to
                           the business of the Company or intentional damage to
                           the property or business of the Company or any
                           substantial asset;

                  (ii)     willful failure by Executive to perform his duties
                           and responsibilities and to carry out his authority.

                  (iii)    willful malfeasance or misfeasance or breach of
                           fiduciary duty or misrepresentation to the Company or
                           it stockholders;

                  (iv)     willful failure to act in accordance with any
                           specific lawful instructions of the Chairman and CEO
                           or a majority of the Board of Directors of the
                           Company; or

                  (v)      conviction of Executive of a felony.

         2.       Benefits Upon Involuntary Termination or Constructive
                  Termination During Change in Control Period. Subject to the
                  limitations of Section 3, in the event of an Involuntary
                  Termination or Constructive Termination of Executive for which
                  the Date of Termination is within a Change in Control Period,
                  the Company shall pay to Executive the following benefits in a

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                  lump sum payment (without discounting to present value) within
                  30 days of the Date of Termination:

                  (a)      to the extent not theretofore paid, Executive's base
                           salary through the Date of Termination;

                  (b)      a pro rata bonus equal to (1) Executive's target
                           bonus immediately preceding the Change in Control
                           Period multiplied by (2) a fraction, the numerator of
                           which is the number of whole months (rounded for
                           portions of months) elapsed in the relevant bonus
                           year prior to the Date of Termination, and the
                           denominator of which is 12;

                  (b)      twenty-four (24) months of base salary based on the
                           monthly rate of base salary in effect immediately
                           preceding the Change in Control Period, or if
                           greater, the rate of Base Salary in effect
                           immediately preceding the Date of Termination; and

                  (c)      Executive's target annual bonus in effect immediately
                           preceding the Change in Control Period multiplied by
                           two (2).

         In addition, (i) the Company shall offer Executive the opportunity to
         purchase his Company automobile at its net book value as of the Date of
         Termination, (ii) Executive shall be deemed to continue as an employee
         of the Company for 2 years following the Date of Termination for
         purposes of eligibility and vesting (but not benefit accrual), under
         any otherwise applicable retirement income plan or arrangement, and
         (iii) Executive will be entitled to continue to participate in all
         welfare benefit plans for such 2 year period, or, if earlier, the
         period ending on the date the Executive obtains new full-time
         employment. Subject to the limitations of Section 3, the Company shall
         also reimburse Executive for the cost of any continued coverage elected
         by Executive for himself and his eligible dependents under the
         Company's group health plan(s) at the end of the welfare benefit
         continuation period described in clause (iii) of the immediately
         preceding sentence pursuant to Section 4980B of the Code and Section
         601 et seq. of ERISA.

         3.       Limitation on Benefits.

         (a)      General. Any benefits payable or to be provided to Executive,
                  whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, which
                  constitute Parachute Payments (as defined below) shall be
                  subject to the limitation of this Section 3 so that the
                  benefits payable or to be provided to Executive under this
                  Agreement, as well as any payments or benefits provided
                  outside of this Agreement, shall not cause the Company to have
                  paid an Excess Parachute Payment (as defined below).
                  Accordingly, anything in this Agreement to the contrary
                  notwithstanding, in the event that the certified public
                  accountants regularly employed by the Company

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                  immediately prior to a Change in Control (the "Accounting
                  Firm") shall determine that Executive's receipt of all
                  Parachute Payments would cause the Company to pay an Excess
                  Parachute Payment, it shall determine the Reduced Amount, and
                  the aggregate Parachute Payments shall be reduced to such
                  Reduced Amount in accordance with the provisions of Section 3
                  (c) below.

                  (b)      Definitions. For purpose of this Section 3;

                           (ii)     "Excess Parachute Payment" shall have the
                                    same meaning as the term "excess payment"
                                    defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code;

                           (ii)     "Parachute Payment" shall mean any payment
                                    or distribution in the nature of
                                    compensation to or for the benefit of
                                    Executive which is contingent on a "change"
                                    under and within the meaning of Section
                                    280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code, whether paid
                                    or payable pursuant to this Agreement or
                                    otherwise.

                           (iii)    "Present Value" shall mean such value
                                    determined in accordance with Section
                                    280G(d)(4) of the Code; and

                           (iv)     "Reduced Amount" shall mean the the largest
                                    aggregate amount of Parachute Payments
                                    Executive may receive without causing the
                                    Company to have paid an Excess Parachute
                                    Payment.

         (c)      Limitation. If the Accounting Firm determines that Parachute
                  Payments should be limited to the Reduced Amount, the Company
                  shall promptly give Executive notice to that effect and a copy
                  of the detailed calculation thereof, and Executive may then
                  elect, in Executive's sole discretion, which and how much of
                  the Parachute Payments, including without limitation Parachute
                  Payments made outside of this Agreement, shall be eliminated
                  or reduced (as long as after such election the Present Value
                  of the aggregate Parachute Payments is equal to the Reduced
                  Amount), and shall advise the Company in writing of such
                  election within 10 days of Executive's receipt of notice. If
                  no such election is made by Executive within such 10 days
                  period, the Company may elect which of the Parachute Payments,
                  including without limitation Parachute Payments made outside
                  of this Agreement, shall be eliminated or reduced (as long as
                  after such election the Present Value of the aggregate
                  Parachute Payments is equal to the Reduced Amount) and shall
                  notify Executive promptly of such election. All determinations
                  made by the Accounting Firm under this Section 3 shall be
                  binding upon the Company and Executive and shall be made
                  within 45 days immediately following the

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                  Date of Termination. As promptly as practicable following such
                  determination, the Company shall pay to or distribute for the
                  benefit of Executive such Parachute Payments as are then due
                  to Executive under this Agreement.

         4.       Non-Exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall
                  prevent or limit Executive's continuing or future eligibility
                  or participation in any benefits, bonus, incentive or other
                  plan provided by the Company and for which Executive may
                  qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect
                  such rights as Executive may have under any stock option or
                  other agreements with the Company. Amounts which are vested
                  benefits or which Executive is otherwise entitled to receive
                  under any plan or program of the Company subsequent to the
                  Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such
                  plan or program.

         5.       Full Settlement. The Company's obligation to make payments
                  provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its
                  obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off,
                  counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or
                  action which the Company may have against Executive or other
                  parties. In no event shall Executive be obligated to seek
                  other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation
                  of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the
                  provisions of this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay, to
                  the full extent provided by law, all legal fees and expenses
                  which Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any
                  contest by the Company or others of the validity or
                  enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this
                  Agreement or as a result of any contest by Executive about the
                  amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement.

         6.       No Duplication of Benefits. Notwithstanding anything to the
                  contrary herein, the lump sum payment due to Executive under
                  Section 2 hereof shall be reduced by the amount of cash
                  severance or salary continuation benefits paid to Executive
                  pursuant to any other plan or policy of the Company or a
                  written employment agreement between the Company (or one of
                  its affiliates) and Executive, it being the intent of the
                  parties that Executive shall not receive post-employment
                  benefits hereunder and under such other plan, policy or
                  written employment agreement.

         7.       Succession. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
                  shall be binding upon the Company and it successors and
                  assignees, but, without the prior written consent of
                  Executive, this Agreement may not be assigned other than in
                  connection with a merger, sale, consolidation or similar
                  transaction of all or substantially all of the business and/or
                  assets of the Company in which the successor or assignee
                  assumes (whether by operation of law or express assumption)
                  all obligations of the Company hereunder. The Company shall
                  require any successor to assume and

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                  agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the
                  same extent that the Company would be required to perform it
                  if no such succession had taken place. The obligations and
                  duties of Executive hereunder shall be personal and not
                  assignable otherwise than by the laws of descent and
                  distribution.

         8.       Miscellaneous.

         (a)      Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed, construed
                  and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of
                  Michigan.

         (b)      Notices. All notices and communications hereunder shall be in
                  writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party
                  by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
                  postage prepaid, or by overnight mail, addressed as follows:

         If to Executive:

                  Mr. Graham Tompson

                  -------------------------------

                  -------------------------------

         If to the Company:

                  Collins & Aikman Corporation
                  5755 New King Court
                  Troy, Michigan 48098
                  Attention: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

                  or to such other addresses as either party shall have
                  furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith.
                  Notice and communications shall be effective when actually
                  received by the addressee.

         (c)      Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision
                  of this contract shall not affect the validity or
                  enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

         (d)      Tax Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts
                  payable under this Agreement such federal, state and local
                  taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any
                  applicable law or regulation.

         (e)      Waiver. The waiver of the breach of any term or of any
                  condition of this Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute
                  the waiver of any other breach of the same or any other term
                  or condition hereof.

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         (f)      Entire Agreement. This instrument contains the entire
                  agreement of the parties relating to the subject matter
                  hereof, and it replaces and supersedes any prior agreements
                  between the parties relating to said subject matter. No
                  modifications of this Agreement shall be valid unless made in
                  writing and signed by the parties hereto.

         (g)      No Right of Employment. Executive and the Company acknowledge
                  that the employment of Executive by the Company is "at will",
                  and prior to the date of a Change in Control, may be
                  terminated by either Executive or the Company at any time.
                  Upon a termination of Executive's employment prior to the date
                  of a Change in Control, there shall be no further rights under
                  this Agreement and this Agreement shall terminate and be of no
                  further force and effect.

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

                                    EXECUTIVE:

                                    /s/ Graham Tompson
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                    Graham Tompson

                                    COMPANY:

                                    COLLINS & AIKMAN CORPORATION

                                    BY: /s/ Thomas E. Evans
                                        -------------------------------------
                                        THOMAS E. EVANS
                                        CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.8

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into
as of August 1, 2000, by and between COLLINS & AIKMAN PRODUCTS CO., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and JOE ROBICH ("Employee").

                               W I T N E S S E T H

         WHEREAS, the Company wishes to retain Employee's services by providing
Employee the compensation and benefits set forth in this Agreement;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained
herein, the parties agree as follows:

         1. Term of Employment. The Company hereby agrees to employ Employee,
and Employee hereby accepts employment, for a period of 3 years, commencing
August 1, 2000 and ending July 31, 2003, subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement. At the end of such initial 3 year term, unless the Company shall
have given Employee 60 days prior written notice of its intention to terminate
this Agreement at the end of the initial term hereof, the term of this Agreement
shall automatically be extended by an additional one year period. Thereafter,
unless the Company shall have given Employee 60 days prior written notice of its
intention to terminate this Agreement at the end of the term then in effect, the
term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended by an additional one year
period.

         2. Position of Employment. During the term of this Agreement, Employee
shall be employed in the position of Senior Vice President - Procurement &
Supply Chain Management and shall perform such services for the Company and its
affiliates as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Chairman or the
Board of Directors of the Company. Employee shall devote his entire business
time and attention to the affairs of the Company and the performance of his
duties hereunder and shall serve the Company diligently and to the best of his
abilities.. The initial location of Employee's employment hereunder shall be the
Company's Global Headquarters in Troy, Michigan.

         Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit Employee from participating in
civic or community organizations or from making passive investments using his
personal assets so long as such participation and investments do not interfere
with the performance of Employee's duties under this Agreement. In addition,
Employee may, with the prior written approval of the Chairman or the Board of
Directors of the Company, serve as a member of the board of directors of any
business that is not a direct or indirect competitor of the Company and its
affiliates.

         3. Compensation.

         (a) Base Salary. The Company shall pay to Employee base salary at an
annual rate of not less than $170,000 during the term of his employment
hereunder. Such amount shall be

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reviewed annually by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and
may be increased in his sole discretion.

         (b) Bonus Plans. During the term of Employee's employment hereunder,
Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Company's annual Executive
Incentive Compensation Plan (the "EIC Plan") in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the EIC Plan. The standard bonus for Employee under the EIC Plan
shall be thirty percent (30%) of Employee's base salary.

         4. Benefits and Perquisites.

         (a) General. Employee shall be entitled to such fringe benefits and
perquisites, and to participate in such pension, profit sharing and benefit
plans as are generally made available to executives of the Company during the
term hereof, including consideration for annual stock option awards, major
medical, extended medical and disability insurance, supplemental retirement
income plan, group term life insurance and appropriate annual holidays, sick
days and vacation time with no fixed schedule. The Company also shall pay the
monthly dues at a luncheon club in the Troy, Michigan area of Employee's choice.
The Company shall reimburse Employee for the reasonable initiation fee payable
by Employee to such club.

         (b) Company Automobile. The Company shall furnish to Employee the use
of a Buick Park Avenue or comparable automobile or an annual allowance in
accordance with the Company's policy in effect from time to time and shall
reimburse Employee for normal gasoline and maintenance charges for the operation
thereof, subject to proper allocation of personal use for income tax purposes.

         (c) Relocation Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Employee for the
reasonable expenses incurred by Employee in connection with the relocation of
Employee and his wife from Weisbaden, Germany to the Troy, Michigan area, in
accordance with the relocation policy of the Company. The Company shall pay
Employee a one-time relocation allowance of $25,000, payable in a lump sum
payment upon completion of the purchase of a principal residence by Employee in
the Troy, Michigan area. In addition to the payment of the relocation allowance
as provided in this Paragraph 4(c), the Company shall pay Employee an additional
amount such that after all applicable federal, state and local income,
employment and other taxes on Employee's relocation allowance and on any
additional amount payable in accordance with this sentence, Employee has
received the entire $25,000 relocation allowance on an after-tax basis.

         5. Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Employee for
all reasonable travel, entertainment and other reasonable business expenses
reasonably incurred by Employee in connection with the performance of his duties
hereunder, provided that Employee furnishes to the Company adequate records or
other evidence respecting such expenditures.

         6. Termination of Employment. Employee's employment under this
Agreement may be terminated:

                  (a) by the Company upon Employee's death (which shall be
         referred to as a "Death Termination") or Employee's physical or mental
         disability for any consecutive

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         six-month period (measured from the first date on which Employee is
         absent from work due to such disability to the same date in the sixth
         succeeding calendar month, or, if there is no such date or such date is
         not a business day, the next succeeding business day) (which shall be
         referred to as an "Inability Termination");

                  (b) by the Company for Cause, which means (i) fraud or
         misappropriation with respect to the business of the Company or
         intentional material damage to the property or business of the Company,
         (ii) willful failure by Employee to perform his duties and
         responsibilities and to carry out his authority, (iii) willful
         malfeasance or misfeasance or breach of fiduciary duty or
         representation to the Company or its stockholders, (iv) willful failure
         to act in accordance with any specific lawful instructions of a
         majority of the Board of Directors of the Company, or (v) conviction of
         Employee of a felony (which shall be referred to as a "For Cause
         Termination");

                  (c) by the Company at any time for any reason other than a For
         Cause Termination, Death Termination or Inability Termination (which
         shall be referred to as a "No Cause Termination");

                  (d) by Employee at any time for any reason other than a
         "Constructive Termination" (as defined below) (which shall be referred
         to as a "Voluntary Termination"); or

                  (e) by Employee within 30 days after the occurrence of one or
         more of the following: (i) any reduction in Employee's base salary,
         unless such reduction is being made in conjunction with an
         across-the-board reduction in the salaries of all senior executives of
         the Company in response to adverse economic conditions, (ii) a material
         breach of this Agreement by the Company, (iii) a material reduction in
         Employee's total compensation and benefits package or (iv) the
         Company's giving notice of the non-renewal of this Agreement at the end
         of the term then in effect pursuant to Paragraph 1 hereof (which shall
         be referred to as a "Constructive Termination"); provided, however, no
         event or circumstance described in clause (ii) or (iii) shall give rise
         to a "Constructive Termination" for purposes of this Agreement unless
         Employee shall have given notice to the Company of Employee's
         determination of the occurrence of an event or circumstance described
         in clause (ii) or (iii) and such event or circumstance shall be
         continuing as of the end of 45 days after the giving of such notice.

For purposes of Paragraph 6(c), no act or failure to act on Employee's part
shall be considered "willful" unless knowingly done or failed to be done by
Employee in bad faith and without the reasonable belief that Employee's action
or omission was in the best interest of the Company.

         7. Termination Procedure.

         (a) Notice of Termination. Any termination of Employee's employment by
the Company or by Employee under Paragraph 6 hereof shall be communicated by
written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto in accordance with
Paragraph 13. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall
mean a notice that indicates the specific termination

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provision in this Agreement relied upon and sets forth in reasonable detail the
facts and circumstances providing a basis for termination of Employee's
employment under the provision so indicated.

         (b) Termination Date. " Termination Date" shall mean (i) if Employee's
employment is terminated pursuant to Paragraph 6(a) or (b) above, the date on
which a Notice of Termination is given or (ii) if Employee's employment is
terminated pursuant to Paragraph 6(c), (d) or (e) above, 30 days after the date
on which a Notice of Termination is given.

         8. Benefits Upon Termination.

         (a) Termination as a Result of Death, Inability, Voluntary or For Cause
Termination. If Employee's employment under this Agreement is terminated prior
to the expiration of the term of this Agreement as a result of a Death
Termination, an Inability Termination, a Voluntary Termination or a For Cause
Termination, the Company shall pay Employee or, if applicable, Employee's estate
or legal representative, (i) Employee's unpaid base salary under Paragraph 3(a)
accrued to the date on which his employment terminates, (ii) any accrued but
unused vacation and (iii) all vested and accrued benefits earned by Employee
under any employee benefit plans and programs sponsored by the Company in which
Employee participates.

         (b) Termination as a Result of No Cause Termination or Constructive
Termination. If Employee's employment under this Agreement is terminated prior
to the expiration of the term of this Agreement as a result of a No Cause
Termination or a Constructive Termination, the Company shall pay and provide to
Employee the following benefits:

                  (i) Employee's unpaid base salary accrued to the Termination
         Date and any accrued but unused vacation;

                  (ii) base salary for 24 months, based on the rate of base
         salary in effect immediately preceding the Termination Date;

                  (iii) an amount equal to Employee's standard annual bonus
         under Paragraph 3(b); and

                  (iv) continued participation in the benefit plans, programs
         and arrangements described in Paragraphs 4(a) and (b) during the
         severance period described in Paragraph 8(b)(ii) above (other than the
         annual executive physical program, long-term disability plan and
         supplemental retirement income plan); provided, however, that
         participation in such benefit plans, programs and arrangements shall
         cease prior to the expiration of the severance period to the extent
         Employee actually participates in comparable benefit plans, programs or
         arrangements during such period, and Employee shall report any such
         participation to the Company.

         In addition, all outstanding stock options granted to Employee under
the Company's stock option plans will immediately vest upon a No Cause
Termination or a Constructive

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Termination prior to the expiration of the term of this Agreement and will
continue to be fully exercisable until the earlier of 90 days after the
Termination Date or the original expiration date of said options. The Company
shall also cause Employee to receive all vested and accrued benefits earned by
Employee under all employee benefit plans and programs sponsored by the Company
in which Employee participates.

         (c) Method of Payment of Severance Compensation. The amount due to
Employee pursuant to Paragraph 8(b)(ii) above shall be paid on a periodic basis
in accordance with the Company's normal pay practice. The amount due to Employee
pursuant to Paragraph 8(b)(iii) above shall be paid in a lump sum upon the
expiration of the severance period described in Paragraph 8(b)(ii).

         9. Covenants of Employee.

         (a) Non-disparagement. Employee shall at all times refrain from taking
any action or making any statements, written or oral, which are intended to and
do disparage the goodwill or reputation of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates or any directors or officers thereof or which could
adversely affect the morale of employees of the Company or its subsidiaries.

         (b) Non-Competition. Employee shall not Compete (as hereinafter
defined) with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in any way
during the term of his employment with the Company and for the 24 month period
following the Date of Termination (the "Restricted Period"). "Compete" means to
engage in any business activity whatsoever related in any manner or fashion to
any business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, Employee shall not, during the
Restricted Period, directly or indirectly (whether for compensation or
otherwise), alone or as an agent, principal, partner, officer, employee,
trustee, director, shareholder or in any other capacity, own, manage, operate,
join, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control
of, or furnish any capital to, or be connected in any manner with, or provide
any services as a consultant for, any business which Competes with the Company
or any of its subsidiaries of affiliates; provided, however, that
notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in the Agreement shall be
deemed to preclude Employee from owning not more than 5% of the publicly traded
securities of any entity which Competes with the Company.

         (c) Non-Solicitation. Employee covenants and agrees that he will not,
during the Restricted Period, (i) solicit, employ or otherwise engage as an
employee, independent contractor or otherwise, any person who is or was an
employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates at any time
during the 12 month period immediately preceding Employee's Date of Termination,
(ii) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate such employment or (iii) interfere with
the relationship of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates with
any person, including any person who, at any time during the 12 month period
immediately preceding Employee's Date of Termination, was an employee,
contractor, supplier or customer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates.

                                        5

<PAGE>   6

         (d) Confidential Information. Employee understands that in the
performance of services hereunder Employee may obtain knowledge of "confidential
information" (as hereinafter defined) relating to the business of the Company
(or of any of its subsidiaries or affiliates). Employee shall not, without the
prior written consent of the Chairman or the Board of Directors of the Company,
either during Employee's employment by the Company or thereafter, (i) use or
disclose any such confidential information outside the Company (or any of its
subsidiary or affiliated companies) except as otherwise required by law, (ii)
publish any article with respect thereto, (iii) except in the performance of
services hereunder, remove from the premises of the Company, or aid in such
removal, any such confidential information or any property or material related
thereto or (iv) sell, exchange or give away or otherwise dispose of any such
confidential information now or hereafter owned by the Company whether or not
the same shall or may have been originated, discovered or developed by Employee.
It is understood that for purposes of this Agreement the term "confidential
information" shall be construed broadly to include all information or
compilations of information which (i) is, or designed to be, used in the
business of the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates) or results
from its (or their) research or development activities, (ii) is private or
confidential in that it is not generally known or available to the public and
(iii) gives the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates) an
opportunity to obtain an advantage over competitors who do not know or use it.

         (e) Return of Materials. Upon the termination of Employee's employment,
Employee shall return to the Company all property of the Company in or under
Employee's possession or control, including without limitation all tangible
"confidential information" described in Paragraph 9(d) above. Such return shall
be made at such place in Troy, Michigan as the Company shall specify and shall
be made within 5 days after Employee's Date of Termination.

         (f) Cooperation. During Employee's employment by the Company and
thereafter, Employee shall promptly notify the Company of any threatened,
pending or completed investigation, claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative ("Proceeding"), in which he may
be involved, whether as an actual or potential party or witness or otherwise, or
with respect to which he may receive requests for information, by reason of his
future, present or past association with the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or affiliates. Employee shall cooperate fully with the Company and its
subsidiaries and affiliates in connection with any Proceeding at no expense to
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates other than the
reimbursement of Employee's reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Employee shall
not disclose any confidential or privileged information in connection with any
Proceeding without the consent of the Company and shall give prompt notice to
the Company of any request therefor.

         (g) Acknowledgement Regarding Covenants. Executive acknowledges and
agrees that the promises and restrictive covenants set forth in this Paragraph 9
are reasonable and necessary to protect the interest of the Company and
reasonably limited in time, scope and territory. Executive acknowledges that,
given his former position and the information he possesses regarding the Company
and its operations, the business of the Company would be substantially and
materially damaged in the event of any violation of the promises and covenants
herein contained, and the Company shall be entitled (in addition to any other
remedy that may be available to it) to (i) a decree or order for specific
performance of any such promise or covenant and (ii) an injunction

                                        6

<PAGE>   7

restraining the violation or threatened violation of any such promise or
covenant. The covenants of Employee contain in this Paragraph 9 shall survive
the expiration of this Agreement or the termination of this Agreement by either
party.

         10. Release. In consideration of the compensation continuance available
in certain events pursuant to this Agreement, Employee unconditionally releases
and covenants not to sue the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates and
directors, officers, employees and stockholders thereof, from any and all
claims, liabilities and obligations of any nature pertaining to termination of
employment other than those explicitly provided for by this Agreement including,
without limitation, any claims arising out of alleged legal restrictions on the
Company's rights to terminate its employees, such as any implied contract of
employment or termination contrary to public policy, and Employee shall be
required to provide written confirmation of such release upon his Date of
Termination as a condition precedent to the Company's obligation to provide any
severance benefits under Paragraph 8.

         11. Governing Law. The validity, interpretation and performance of this
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of Michigan, regardless of the laws that
might be applied under applicable principles of conflicts of laws.

         12. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the matters
referred to herein and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings
between the parties hereto with respect to the matters referred to herein.

         13. Notice. Any written notice required to be given by one party to the
other party hereunder shall be deemed effective if mailed by certified or
registered mail:

       To the Company:          Collins & Aikman Products Co.
                                5755 New King Court
                                Troy, Michigan  48098
                                Attention:  Mr. Thomas E. Evans,
                                            Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

       To Employee:             Mr. Joe Robich
                                6100 Horger St.
                                Dearborn, MI  48126

or such other address as may be stated in notice given under this Paragraph 13.

         14. Severability. The invalidity, illegality or enforceability of any
provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity,
legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such
jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of this Agreement or
such provision in any other jurisdiction, it being the intent of the parties
hereto that all rights and obligations of the parties hereto under this
Agreement shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

                                        7

<PAGE>   8

         15. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their personal representatives,
and, in the case of the Company, its successors and assigns, and Paragraph 10
shall also inure to the benefit of the other persons and entities identified
therein; provided, however, that Employee shall not, without the prior written
consent of the Company, transfer, assign, convey, pledge or encumber this
Agreement or any interest under this Agreement. Employee understands that the
assignment of this Agreement or any benefits hereof or obligations hereunder by
the Company to any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or to any purchaser of all
or a substantial portion of the assets of the Company or of any affiliated
company then employing Employee, and the employment of Employee by such
subsidiary or affiliate or by any such purchaser or by any successor of the
Company in a merger or consolidation, shall not be deemed a termination of
Employee's employment for purposes of Paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 or otherwise.

         16. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or canceled only by an
instrument in writing duly executed and delivered by each party to this
Agreement.

         17. Headings. Headings contained in this Agreement are for or
convenience only and shall not limit this Agreement or affect the interpretation
thereof.

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

                                       /s/ Joseph P. Robich
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       JOE ROBICH

                                       COLLINS & AIKMAN PRODUCTS CO.

                                       By: /s/ Thomas E. Evans
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Thomas E. Evans, Chairman and Chief
                                           Executive Officer

                                        8

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