Document:

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                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

           NORTEK, INC., NORTEK HOLDINGS, INC. AND ALMON C. HALL, III
                   AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") among NORTEK, INC., a
Delaware corporation ("Nortek"), NORTEK HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation
("Nortek Holdings") (Nortek and Nortek Holdings, collectively referred to
hereinafter as "Employer"), and Almon C. Hall, III, a resident of Rhode Island
(hereinafter called "Employee"), amends and restates that certain Employment
Agreement among Nortek, Prior Holdings (as defined below) and Employee dated as
of January 9, 2003 (the "Prior Agreement").

      WHEREAS, on July 15, 2004, THL Buildco Holdings, Inc. and THL Buildco,
Inc., companies affiliated with Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P., entered into a
stock purchase agreement with affiliates of Kelso & Company, L.P., Employee and
certain other parties (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"), pursuant to which THL
Buildco, Inc. agreed to purchase all the outstanding capital stock of the
then-existing Nortek Holdings, Inc. ("Prior Holdings");

      WHEREAS, immediately following the Closing, as defined in the Stock
Purchase Agreement, (A) THL Buildco, Inc. merged with and into Prior Holdings
and Prior Holdings merged with and into Nortek, with Nortek continuing as the
surviving corporation, and (B) THL Buildco Holdings, Inc. became the new parent
company of Nortek and was renamed "Nortek Holdings, Inc" (which acquisition by
THL Buildco, Inc. and the related mergers are collectively referred to
hereinafter as the "Acquisition.");

      WHEREAS, Employer desires to assure that it will have the benefit of the
continued service and experience of Employee as Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Employer and an integral part of its management for a
period of time and Employee is willing to enter into an agreement to such ends
upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

      WHEREAS, Employee and Employer desire to enter into this Agreement, which
shall amend and restate the Prior Agreement and govern the terms of Employee's
employment with Employer as of the date of, and immediately following, the
Acquisition (the "Effective Time"). In consideration of the foregoing and the
mutual agreements herein contained, the parties mutually agree as follows:

1.    Employment Period and Duties

      (a)   Commencing at the Effective Time and ending on the termination of
            the Employee's employment as provided herein (hereinafter called the
            "Employment Period"), Employer shall employ Employee, and Employee
            shall serve as an employee of Employer.

      (b)   During the Employment Period, Employee shall serve as Vice President
            and Chief Financial Officer of Employer, or in such other executive

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            capacity at a similar level of responsibility and with such other
            duties as the Chief Executive Officer of Employer (the "CEO") and
            Employee may from time to time mutually determine, and Employee
            accepts employment on the terms and conditions contained herein and
            agrees to devote a substantial part of his working time and energies
            to the business of Employer and to faithfully and diligently perform
            the customary duties of his office and such other duties, reasonable
            vacations (of not less than five weeks per year) and time devoted to
            charitable and community service, and absences due to illness and
            holidays excepted. Such other duties may include the performance of
            services for any of Employer's subsidiaries and, without further
            remuneration (except as otherwise agreed), may also include service
            as an officer or director of one or more of Employer's subsidiaries.

      (c)   During the Employment Period, Employer shall maintain an
            appropriately appointed executive office for Employee in Providence,
            Rhode Island (or at such other location as Employee and Employer
            shall mutually agree) of not less than the size of Employee's
            current office and associated administrative space from which
            Employee shall perform his duties and shall provide Employee with
            executive secretarial and other administrative staff and services
            suitable to his offices and duties.

      2.    Compensation

      (a)   Basic Salary. Employee shall, during the Employment Period, receive
            a basic annual salary of not less than $430,000, subject to such
            adjustments as the CEO shall make at the beginning of each year
            (hereinafter called the "Basic Salary") payable monthly.

      (b)   Incentive Compensation. In each year of the Employment Period,
            Employee shall receive incentive compensation in an amount
            recommended by the CEO and approved by the Compensation Committee
            (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors of Nortek Holdings (the
            "Board").

      (c)   Equity Issuance. THL-Nortek Investors, LLC (the "LLC") shall issue
            to Employee at the Effective Time 4,246.02 Class C Units of the LLC,
            subject to the terms and conditions of the Management Unit
            Subscription Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2004, between
            Employee and the LLC.

      (d)   Lifetime Medical Coverage.

            (i)   Employer shall provide Employee, his Spouse and dependents
                  with lifetime Medical Coverage at no cost to Employee,
                  beginning upon the termination of Employee's employment with
                  Employer, howsoever caused, (the "Triggering Date"). For
                  purposes of this

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                  Agreement, (A) "Spouse" shall mean any individual married to
                  Employee only during the time such individual is married to
                  Employee, provided that an individual who is married to
                  Employee at the time of Employee's death shall be a Spouse for
                  the remainder of such individual's lifetime and (B) "Medical
                  Coverage" shall mean all medical and dental benefits that are
                  provided Employee at the Effective Time, any medical or dental
                  expense that would be deductible by Employee under section 213
                  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
                  including insurance premiums, long term care benefits
                  (determined without regard to any limitation under section 213
                  of the Code), co-payments and deductible amounts (all
                  determined without regard to the deductible threshold set
                  forth in section 213(a) of the Code) if paid by the Employee
                  directly, and such other reasonable medical and dental
                  expenses that Employer may approve from time to time, but in
                  no event shall Employer's reimbursement obligation for
                  Employee, his Spouse or dependents under this Section 2(d)
                  exceed $1,000,000 (exclusive of any gross up for taxes
                  pursuant to Sections 2(d)(v) or 5 hereof and determined
                  without regard to reimbursements made prior to the Triggering
                  Date under the Nortek Executive Health Reimbursement Plan) in
                  the aggregate during Employee's and his Spouse's lifetimes.
                  Such Medical Coverage shall be extended to any dependent of
                  Employee but only for so long as such person remains a
                  "dependent" under the terms and conditions of Employer's
                  health plan in existence at the Effective Time. Employer shall
                  make all reasonable efforts to include Employee, his Spouse
                  and dependents in any comprehensive medical and/or dental plan
                  provided to active employees from time to time. Employee must
                  make all reasonable effort to obtain and to maintain (at
                  Employer's expense as provided herein) any form of
                  comprehensive medical and/or dental insurance that Employer
                  may require from time to time. If Employee is or becomes
                  eligible for Medicare benefits, the coverage provided by this
                  Section shall be supplemental to Medicare coverage, Parts A
                  and B, and the Participant shall be required to submit claims
                  to Medicare before making any claim for medical care under
                  this Section.

            (ii)  From and after the Triggering Date or the occurrence of a
                  Change in Control after the Effective Time, upon the written
                  request of Employee or his Spouse, Employer shall authorize
                  and pay to Employee or his Spouse a lump sum cash payment in
                  lieu of lifetime Medical Coverage in an amount established by
                  the Board that is reasonably sufficient to provide the
                  lifetime Medical Coverage, but in no event less than $650,000.
                  Such amount is calculated before the gross-up provided in
                  Sections 2(d)(v) and 5.

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                  At the time of such lump-sum payment, Employer shall also pay
                  such amount as is necessary to cover the income tax gross-up
                  provided in Section 2(d)(v). For illustrative purposes, a
                  sample calculation of such lump sum cash payment is set forth
                  in Exhibit A hereto.

            (iii) For purposes of Section 2(d)(ii), "Change in Control" means an
                  "Exit Event" as defined in the Limited Liability Company
                  Agreement of the LLC dated as of August 27, 2004, or an "IPO"
                  or "Change in Control" as defined in the Securityholders
                  Agreement of the LLC dated as of August 27, 2004 (the
                  "Securityholders Agreement")

            (iv)  As long as he remains employed by the Employer, Employee shall
                  continue to be covered by the Nortek Executive Health
                  Reimbursement Plan as in effect on the Effective Time, and
                  benefits received under that Plan prior to the Triggering Date
                  shall have no effect on benefits to be provided under the
                  Medical Coverage or the amount of any lump-sum payment to be
                  made under (ii) above.

            (v)   Employer agrees to make a "gross-up" payment to Employee to
                  cover any and all state and federal income taxes and section
                  4999 taxes (as defined in Section 5 herein), and the tax on
                  any such reimbursement or payment, that may be due as a result
                  of the benefits provided under Section 2(d)(i) above and on
                  any lump sum payment under Section 2(d)(ii) above.

            (vi)  Following the Triggering Date, Employee shall notify the
                  Company of any change in (A) his marital status or (B) the
                  status of his dependents as "dependents", as soon as
                  practicable following such change.

      (e)   Benefits. Employee shall be eligible to participate in any deferred
            compensation, supplemental executive retirement, pension, bonus,
            incentive or other benefit plan in which executive personnel of
            Employer are eligible to participate and shall be eligible for
            discretionary bonuses. In addition, Employee shall be entitled to
            receive all other benefits or participate in any employee benefit
            plans generally available to executive personnel of Employer,
            including without limitation, any hospital, medical, accident,
            disability, life insurance, and dental coverage, tax return
            preparation, any stock option or savings plans, or any pension or
            other retirement benefit plans.

      (f)   Reimbursement and Perquisites. Employer shall promptly reimburse
            Employee for all business expenses incurred by Employee during the

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            Employment Period; shall promptly pay or reimburse Employee for
            professional association dues, assessments and fees for at least
            such associations as Employee was a member of and Employer was
            making such payments or reimbursements at the Effective Time; shall
            pay or reimburse Employee for membership dues, assessments and fees
            at one country/golf club of Employee's choice; and shall provide to
            Employee for his exclusive business and personal use an automobile
            (selected by Employee not inconsistent with type of automobile
            provided to Employee at the Effective Time), pay all expenses of
            ownership, operation, repair and maintenance of such vehicle and
            permit the Employee to replace such automobile not less often than
            the earlier of every three years or 50,000 miles.

      (g)   Securityholders Agreement. Employee shall be listed on the Schedule
            of Management Securityholders and Exhibit A of the Securityholders
            Agreement.

3.    Termination

      (a)   In the event of Employee's death, the Employment Period shall be
            deemed to end on the date of his death.

      (b)   If Employee is incapacitated by accident, sickness, or otherwise so
            as to render him, for a period of 365 consecutive days, mentally or
            physically incapable of performing the services required of him
            under this Agreement and, if requested by Employee, the basis for
            such incapacity is certified by a licensed physician, then Employer
            or Employee may terminate the Employment Period. Such incapacity
            shall be referred to herein as a "Disability."

      (c)   Employee shall have the right to terminate the Employment Period
            without Good Reason at any time by written notice to the Board not
            less than 20 business days in advance of such termination.

      (d)   Employer shall have the right to terminate the Employment Period for
            Cause (as hereinafter defined), without further obligation hereunder
            on the part of the Employer or Employee except payment to Employee
            of amounts earned or accrued hereunder to the date of termination,
            pursuant to the procedures specified in this Section 3(d); provided
            that the Employment Period shall not be terminated for Cause if the
            Employment Period shall have terminated for any other reason. For
            purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean good faith
            determination by the CEO that either of the following has occurred:
            (i) the willful and continued failure of Employee to perform (other
            than as a result of disability) Employee's material duties as Vice
            President and Chief Financial Officer of Employer (or such other
            duties as the CEO and Employee may from time to time

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            mutually determine), after written notice to Employee which notice
            specifically identifies the manner in which Employee has not
            substantially performed his material duties and provides the
            Employee a reasonable time to cure such failure, or (ii) because of
            the conviction of Employee of a crime involving theft, embezzlement
            or fraud against Employer or a civil judgment in which Employer is
            awarded damages from Employee in respect of a claim of loss of funds
            through fraud or misappropriation by Employee.

      (e)   Employer shall have the right to terminate the Employment Period
            without Cause, by written notice to Employee not less than 20
            business days in advance of such termination.

      (f)   Employee shall have the right to terminate the Employment Period at
            any time with Good Reason (as defined in Section 4(b)) by written
            notice to Employer not less than 20 business days in advance of such
            termination.

      (g)   Any amounts due Employee hereunder in the event of termination of
            the Employment Period shall be considered severance pay in
            consideration of his past services and in consideration of his
            continued services from the date hereof, are considered reasonable
            by Employer and not in the nature of a penalty, shall not be reduced
            by compensation or income received by Employee from any other
            employment or other source and shall not be offset by any claims
            Employer may have against Employee; timely payment of such amounts
            is further agreed by the parties hereto to be in full satisfaction
            and compromise of any claims arising out of the performance or
            nonperformance of this Agreement that either party might have
            against the other, other than any claims Employee may have under the
            provisions of Sections 5 and 6 hereof.

4.    Termination Benefit

      (a)   If the Employment Period shall terminate by reason of Employer's
            exercise of its right under Section 3(e) to terminate without Cause
            or in the event Employee elects to terminate the Employment Period
            for Good Reason or the Employment Period is terminated on account of
            Employee's death or Disability, then Employer shall thereafter be
            obligated to pay Employee (or his estate) and Employee (or his
            estate) shall be entitled to receive as severance pay hereunder, for
            a period of two years beginning on the first day following such
            termination (or if longer, for a period commencing on such date and
            ending on the third anniversary of the Effective Time) (the
            "Severance Period"), an amount for each year, equal to his Basic
            Salary as of the date of such termination plus the highest amount of
            bonus or incentive compensation (exclusive of the Nortek, Inc. 1999
            Equity Performance Plan) paid or payable in cash to Employee with
            respect to any one of the three calendar years immediately prior to
            the

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            Effective Time (or, if higher, the three calendar years immediately
            prior to such termination). For purposes of the preceding sentence,
            the term "bonus or incentive compensation" shall mean, with respect
            to any calendar year, (i) compensation awarded once annually on the
            basis of over-all performance (whether performance of Employee or
            Employer or both and whether paid in a single lump sum or in
            installments, but excluding without limitation base salary) earned
            by Employee pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof or previously pursuant
            to the equivalent provision of a previous employment agreement or,
            if none, then pursuant to the annual cash bonus plan or arrangement
            that was applicable to him in that year plus (ii) any compensation
            awarded with respect to that calendar year as bonus or incentive
            compensation for the achievement of one or more specific projects or
            goals. Payments under this Section 4(a) will be made in the same
            manner as Employee's Basic Salary was paid immediately prior to
            termination and will be subject to appropriate tax withholding.

            In the event of such a termination, Employee shall continue, during
            the Severance Period, to be covered at the expense of the Employer
            by the same or equivalent accident, disability and life insurance
            coverage as he was covered immediately prior to the Effective Time
            (or, if greater, immediately prior to such termination).

      (b)   Termination for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good
            Reason" shall mean a material adverse change in the Employee's terms
            of employment, including:

            (i)   any reduction of or failure to pay, Employee's Basic Salary or
                  other compensation as described in Sections 2(a) and (b)
                  hereof;

            (ii)  any failure to provide the benefits or payments required by
                  Sections 2(c) ("Equity Issuance"), 2(d) ("Lifetime Medical
                  Coverage"), 5 ("Gross-Up Payment") and 7 ("Indemnification")
                  of this Agreement, any deferred compensation plan established
                  on or after the Effective Time in which Employee is a
                  participant or Sections 6.4(a), 7.1, 8.2 or Article X of the
                  Securityholders Agreement by and among Employee, the LLC and
                  certain other parties, dated as of August 27, 2004 (the
                  "Securityholders Agreement") or the registration rights
                  provided in the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in
                  the Securityholders Agreement) when in effect;

            (iii) assignment to Employee of any duties materially inconsistent
                  with his position (including status, offices and titles),
                  authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by
                  Section 1(b) above or any other action by Employer which
                  results in a material diminution of such position, authority,
                  duties or responsibilities;

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            (iv)  relocation of Employer's principal executive offices, or any
                  event that causes Employee to have his principal place of work
                  changed, to any location outside Providence, Rhode Island;

            (v)   any requirement by Employer that Employee travel away from his
                  office in the course of his duties significantly more than the
                  number of consecutive days or aggregate days in any calendar
                  year than was required of him prior to the Effective Time; and

            (vi)  without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing,
                  any other material breach by Employer or LLC or any successor
                  thereto or transferee of substantially all the assets thereof,
                  of this Agreement, the Securityholders Agreement or the
                  Registration Rights Agreement or any material breach by the
                  LLC of the Limited Liability Company Agreement with respect to
                  Employee;

            provided, however, that Employee may not terminate the Employment
            Period for Good Reason unless and until he has given Employer notice
            specifically identifying the nature of the Good Reason and provided
            Employer a reasonable opportunity to cure and the Good Reason
            continues uncured.

5.    Gross-up Payment

      (a)   All payments and benefits provided to Employee by Employer or any of
            their predecessors are intended to be reasonable compensation for
            services by Employee, and the Employer intends that Employee
            receives the full economic benefit of such payments and benefits. In
            the event that it is determined that any payment or benefit provided
            by Employer or any of their predecessors to or for the benefit of
            Employee, either under this Agreement or otherwise, whether paid
            before or after the Effective Time, and regardless of under what
            plan or arrangement it was made, will be subject to the excise tax
            imposed by section 4999 of the Code or any successor provision
            ("section 4999"), Employer will, prior to the date on which any
            amount of the excise tax must be paid or withheld, make an
            additional lump-sum payment (the "gross-up payment") to Employee.
            The gross-up payment will be sufficient, after giving effect to all
            federal, state and other taxes and charges (including interest and
            penalties, if any) with respect to the gross-up payment, to make
            Employee whole for all taxes (including withholding taxes) and any
            associated interest and penalties, imposed under or as a result of
            section 4999.

      (b)   Determinations under this Section 5 will be made by the Employer's
            tax accountant unless Employee has reasonable objections to the use
            of that firm, in which case the determinations will be made by a
            comparable firm chosen by Employee after consultation with Employer
            (the firm making the determinations to be referred to as the
            "Firm"). The determinations of

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            the Firm will be binding upon Employer and Employee except as the
            determinations are established in resolution (including by
            settlement) of a controversy with the Internal Revenue Service to
            have been incorrect. All fees and expenses of the Firm will be paid
            by Employer.

      (c)   If the Internal Revenue Service asserts a claim that, if successful,
            would require Employer to make a gross-up payment or an additional
            gross-up payment, Employer and Employee will cooperate fully in
            resolving the controversy with the Internal Revenue Service.
            Employer will make or advance such gross-up payments as are
            necessary to prevent Employee from having to bear the cost of
            payments made to the Internal Revenue Service in the course of, or
            as a result of, the controversy. The Firm will determine the amount
            of such gross-up payments or advances and will determine after
            resolution of the controversy whether any advances must be returned
            by Employee to Employer. Employer will bear all expenses of the
            controversy and will gross Employee up for any additional taxes that
            may be imposed upon Employee as a result of its payment of such
            expenses.

      (d)   Employer's obligations under this paragraph 5 shall survive the
            termination of the Employment Period and any termination of this
            Agreement.

6.    Non-competition and Confidentiality.

      (a)   Employee agrees that he shall not compete with Employer as
            hereinafter provided for a period (the "Noncompete Period") equal
            to:

            (i)   if the Employment Period is terminated pursuant to Section
                  3(c) or (d) hereof, one year beginning as of the first day
                  following such termination, or

            (ii)  if the Employment Period is terminated pursuant to Section
                  3(b), (e) or (f) hereof, the longer of (A) two years beginning
                  as of the first day following such termination of the
                  Employment Period and (B) a period commencing on such date and
                  ending on the third anniversary of the Effective Time.

      (b)   Employee's agreement not to compete with Employer during the
            Noncompete Period shall be limited to prohibiting Employee from
            owning a greater than 5% equity interest in, serving as a director,
            officer, employee or partner of, or being a consultant to or
            co-venturer with any business enterprise or activity that competes
            in North America with any line of business conducted by Employer or
            any of its subsidiaries at the termination of the Employment Period
            and accounting for more than 5% of Employer's gross revenues for its
            fiscal year ending immediately prior

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            to the year in which the Employment Period ends. During the
            Noncompete Period, Employee agrees that he will not hire or attempt
            to hire any person employed by Employer or any of its subsidiaries
            during the 24 month period prior to the termination of the
            Employment Period, assist such a hiring by any other person or
            entity, encourage any such employee to terminate his relationship
            with Employer (or any such subsidiary) or solicit or encourage any
            customer or vendor of Employer to terminate its relationship with
            Employer.

      (c)   Employee shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of
            Employer all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data
            relating to Employer or any of its subsidiaries, and their
            respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by Employee
            during Employee's employment by Employer or any of its predecessors
            and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by
            acts by Employee or representatives of Employee in violation of this
            Agreement). After termination of Employee's employment with
            Employer, Employee shall not, without the prior written consent of
            Employer or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process,
            communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to
            anyone other than Employer and those designated by it.

      (d)   It is agreed that Employer, in addition to any other remedies
            available to it, shall be entitled to preliminary and permanent
            injunctive relief against any breach or threatened breach by
            Employee of any of the covenants in this Section 6. Employee and
            Employer further agree that, in the event that any provision of this
            Section 6 shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction
            to be unenforceable by reason of its being extended over too great a
            time, too large a geographic area or too great a range of
            activities, such provision shall be deemed to be modified to permit
            its enforcement to the maximum extent permitted by law.

7.    Indemnification

            Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, Employer
            agrees to pay all costs and expenses incurred by Employee in
            connection with the enforcement of this Agreement and will indemnify
            and hold harmless Employee from and against any damages, liabilities
            and expenses (including without limitation fees and expenses of
            counsel) incurred by Employee in connection with any litigation or
            threatened litigation, including any regulatory proceedings, arising
            out of the making, performance or enforcement of this Agreement or
            termination of the Employment Period. Employer's obligations under
            this paragraph 7 shall survive the termination of any other
            provisions of the Agreement.

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8.    Effectiveness / Prior Agreement

            This Agreement shall be binding on Employee and Employer as of
            Effective Time. If the Effective Time does not occur, this Agreement
            shall be of no force and effect. As of the Effective Time, the Prior
            Agreement shall terminate and no payments shall thereafter be made
            thereunder. Under no circumstances shall the Closing or the
            Acquisition or any shareholder approval thereof or any event
            relating thereto be deemed a "Change of Control" for any purposes
            under the Prior Agreement. This Agreement will constitute the entire
            agreement between Employer and Employee and will supersede all prior
            negotiations and written or oral agreements with respect to the full
            time employment of Employee by Employer, including the Prior
            Agreement and all other prior employment agreements between Employee
            and Employer or any of its predecessors

9.    Notices

            All notices or other communications given hereunder shall be in
            writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed by
            certified mail or hand delivered, if to Employer, at 50 Kennedy
            Plaza, Providence, Rhode Island 02903-2360, attention of the
            Chairman and CEO, with a copy to Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P., 75
            State Street Boston, MA 02109, attention of Anthony DiNovi, or at
            such other address(es) as Employer shall have furnished to Employee
            in writing, or if to Employee, at 23 Halsey Street, Providence,
            Rhode Island 02906 or at such other address as Employee shall have
            furnished to Employer in writing.

10.   Governing Law

            This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Rhode
            Island and Providence Plantations.

11.   Severability

            The provisions of this Agreement are severable, and in the event
            that any one or more paragraphs are deemed illegal or unenforceable,
            the remaining paragraphs shall remain in full force and effect.

12.   Assignments

            This Agreement is personal to Employee and without the prior written
            consent of Employer shall not be assignable by Employee other than
            by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
            shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Employer's legal
            representative. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
            binding upon Employer and its successors and assigns.

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13.   Counterparts

            This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in one or more
            counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but
            all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

14.   Amendments

            No changes, alterations or modifications may be made to this
            Agreement, except by a writing signed by each of the parties hereto.

15.   Waivers and Acknowledgements

      (a)   Employee acknowledges that he is not a participant in the Nortek,
            Inc. Change in Control Severance Benefit Plan for Key Employees, As
            Amended and Restated June 12, 1997 or any similar plan and waives
            any and all rights to participate in the Nortek, Inc. Second Amended
            and Restated Change in Control Severance Benefit Plan for Key
            Employees or any other such plans. Employee acknowledges that
            Exhibit B hereto sets forth all life insurance policies to which
            Employer and he, or any trust established by him, are a party and
            agrees that, upon the transfer of those life insurance policies from
            Employer to Employee, any split dollar agreements associated with
            any of those policies shall terminate and Employer shall have no
            further obligation with respect to those policies and agreements,
            including without limitation the payment of any further premiums.

      (b)   The parties agree that the following are to be accomplished at the
            Effective Time: (a) payment to Employee in accordance with Section 6
            of the amended and restated agreement between Nortek and Employee
            dated as of the 1st of June, 2001 and (b) transfer to Employee of
            the life insurance policy listed on Exhibit B hereto.

                     [Remainder of page intentionally blank]

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      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Agreement as
of August 27, 2004.

                                              NORTEK, INC.

                                              By:______________________________
                                              Name:
                                              Title:

                                              NORTEK HOLDINGS, INC.

                                              By:______________________________
                                              Name:
                                              Title:

                                              _________________________________
                                              Almon C.  Hall, III

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                                                                       EXHIBIT A

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                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                              LIFE INSURANCE POLICY

New York Life Policy No. 75-500-650

                                      -15-<PAGE>

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

            NORTEK, INC., NORTEK HOLDINGS, INC. and KEVIN W. DONNELLY
                   AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") among NORTEK, INC, a Delaware
corporation ("Nortek"), NORTEK HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Nortek
Holdings") (Nortek and Nortek Holdings, collectively referred to hereinafter as
"Employer"), and Kevin W. Donnelly, a resident of Massachusetts, (hereinafter
called "Employee"), amends and restates that certain Employment Agreement among
Nortek, Prior Holdings (as defined below) and Employee dated as of January 9,
2003 (the "Prior Agreement").

      WHEREAS, on July 15, 2004, THL Buildco Holdings, Inc. and THL Buildco,
Inc., companies affiliated with Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P., entered into a
stock purchase agreement with affiliates of Kelso & Company, L.P., Employee and
certain other parties (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"), pursuant to which THL
Buildco, Inc. agreed to purchase all the outstanding capital stock of the
then-existing Nortek Holdings, Inc. ("Prior Holdings");

      WHEREAS, immediately following the Closing, as defined in the Stock
Purchase Agreement, (A) THL Buildco, Inc. merged with and into Prior Holdings
and Prior Holdings merged with and into Nortek, with Nortek continuing as the
surviving corporation, and (B) THL Buildco Holdings, Inc. became the new parent
company of Nortek and was renamed "Nortek Holdings, Inc" (which acquisition by
THL Buildco, Inc. and the related mergers are collectively referred to
hereinafter as the "Acquisition.");

      WHEREAS, Employer desires to assure that it will have the benefit of the
continued service and experience of Employee as Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary of Employer and an integral part of its management for a period of
time and Employee is willing to enter into an agreement to such ends upon the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

      WHEREAS, Employee and Employer desire to enter into this Agreement, which
shall amend and restate the Prior Agreement and govern the terms of Employee's
employment with Employer as of the date of, and immediately following, the
Acquisition (the "Effective Time"). In consideration of the foregoing and the
mutual agreements herein contained, the parties mutually agree as follows:

1.    Employment Period and Duties

      (a)   Commencing at the Effective Time and ending on the termination of
            the Employee's employment as provided herein (hereinafter called the
            "Employment Period"), Employer shall employ Employee, and Employee
            shall serve as an employee of Employer.

      (b)   During the Employment Period, Employee shall serve as Vice
            President, General Counsel and Secretary of Employer, or in such
            other executive capacity at a similar level of responsibility and
            with such other duties as

                                       1
<PAGE>

            the Chief Executive Officer of Employer (the "CEO") and Employee may
            from time to time mutually determine, and Employee accepts
            employment on the terms and conditions contained herein and agrees
            to devote a substantial part of his working time and energies to the
            business of Employer and to faithfully and diligently perform the
            customary duties of his office and such other duties, reasonable
            vacations (of not less than four weeks per year) and time devoted to
            charitable and community service, and absences due to illness and
            holidays excepted. Such other duties may include the performance of
            services for any of Employer's subsidiaries and, without further
            remuneration (except as otherwise agreed), may also include service
            as an officer or director of one or more of Employer's subsidiaries.

      (c)   During the Employment Period, Employer shall maintain an
            appropriately appointed executive office for Employee in Providence,
            Rhode Island (or at such other location as Employee and Employer
            shall mutually agree) of not less than the size of Employee's
            current office and associated administrative space from which
            Employee shall perform his duties and shall provide Employee with
            executive secretarial and other administrative staff and services
            suitable to his offices and duties.

2.    Compensation

      (a)   Basic Salary. Employee shall, during the Employment Period, receive
            a basic annual salary of not less than $280,000, subject to such
            adjustments as the CEO shall make at the beginning of each year
            (hereinafter called the "Basic Salary") payable monthly.

      (b)   Incentive Compensation. In each year of the Employment Period,
            Employee shall receive incentive compensation in an amount
            recommended by the CEO and approved by the Compensation Committee
            (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors of Nortek Holdings (the
            "Board").

      (c)   Equity Issuance. THL-Nortek Investors, LLC (the "LLC") shall issue
            to Employee at the Effective Time 2,830.68 Class C Units of the LLC,
            subject to the terms and conditions of the Management Unit
            Subscription Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2004, between
            Employee and the LLC.

      (d)   Lifetime Medical Coverage.

            (i)   Employer shall provide Employee, his Spouse and dependents
                  with lifetime Medical Coverage at no cost to Employee,
                  beginning upon the termination of Employee's employment with
                  Employer, howsoever caused, (the "Triggering Date"). For
                  purposes of this Agreement, (A) "Spouse" shall mean any
                  individual married to

                                       2
<PAGE>

                  Employee only during the time such individual is married to
                  Employee, provided that an individual who is married to
                  Employee at the time of Employee's death shall be a Spouse for
                  the remainder of such individual's lifetime and (B) "Medical
                  Coverage" shall mean all medical and dental benefits that are
                  provided Employee at the Effective Time, any medical or dental
                  expense that would be deductible by Employee under section 213
                  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
                  including insurance premiums, long term care benefits
                  (determined without regard to any limitation under section 213
                  of the Code), co-payments and deductible amounts (all
                  determined without regard to the deductible threshold set
                  forth in section 213(a) of the Code) if paid by the Employee
                  directly, and such other reasonable medical and dental
                  expenses that Employer may approve from time to time, but in
                  no event shall Employer's reimbursement obligation for
                  Employee, his Spouse or dependents under this Section 2(d)
                  exceed $1,000,000 (exclusive of any gross up for taxes
                  pursuant to Sections 2(d)(v) or 5 hereof and determined
                  without regard to reimbursements made prior to the Triggering
                  Date under the Nortek Executive Health Reimbursement Plan) in
                  the aggregate during Employee's and his Spouse's lifetimes.
                  Such Medical Coverage shall be extended to any dependent of
                  Employee but only for so long as such person remains a
                  "dependent" under the terms and conditions of Employer's
                  health plan in existence at the Effective Time. Employer shall
                  make all reasonable efforts to include Employee, his Spouse
                  and dependents in any comprehensive medical and/or dental plan
                  provided to active employees from time to time. Employee must
                  make all reasonable effort to obtain and to maintain (at
                  Employer's expense as provided herein) any form of
                  comprehensive medical and/or dental insurance that Employer
                  may require from time to time. If Employee is or becomes
                  eligible for Medicare benefits, the coverage provided by this
                  Section shall be supplemental to Medicare coverage, Parts A
                  and B, and the Participant shall be required to submit claims
                  to Medicare before making any claim for medical care under
                  this Section.

            (ii)  From and after the Triggering Date or the occurrence of a
                  Change in Control after the Effective Time, upon the written
                  request of Employee or his Spouse, Employer shall authorize
                  and pay to Employee or his Spouse a lump sum cash payment in
                  lieu of the lifetime Medical Coverage in an amount established
                  by the Board that is reasonably sufficient to provide the
                  lifetime Medical Coverage, but in no event less than $650,000.
                  Such amount is calculated before the gross-up provided in
                  Sections 2(d)(v) and 5. At the time of such lump-sum payment,
                  Employer shall also pay such amount as is necessary to cover
                  the income tax gross-up provided in Section 2(d)(v). For
                  illustrative purposes, a sample

                                       3
<PAGE>

                  calculation of such lump sum cash payment is set forth in
                  Exhibit A hereto.

            (iii) For purposes of Section 2(d)(ii), "Change in Control" means an
                  "Exit Event" as defined in the Limited Liability Company
                  Agreement of the LLC dated as of August 27, 2004, or an "IPO"
                  or "Change in Control" as defined in the Securityholders
                  Agreement of the LLC dated as of August 27, 2004 (the
                  "Securityholders Agreement")

            (iv)  As long as he remains employed by the Employer, Employee shall
                  continue to be covered by the Nortek Executive Health
                  Reimbursement Plan as in effect on the Effective Time, and
                  benefits received under that Plan prior to the Triggering Date
                  shall have no effect on benefits to be provided under the
                  Medical Coverage or the amount of any lump-sum payment to be
                  made under (ii) above.

            (v)   Employer agrees to make a "gross-up" payment to Employee to
                  cover any and all state and federal income taxes and section
                  4999 taxes (as defined in Section 5 herein), and the tax on
                  any such reimbursement or payment, that may be due as a result
                  of the benefits provided under Section 2(d)(i) above and on
                  any lump sum payment under Section 2(d)(ii) above.

            (vi)  Following the Triggering Date, Employee shall notify the
                  Company of any change in (A) his marital status or (B) the
                  status of his dependents as "dependents", as soon as
                  practicable following such change.

      (e)   Benefits. Employee shall be eligible to participate in any deferred
            compensation, supplemental executive retirement, pension, bonus,
            incentive or other benefit plan in which executive personnel of
            Employer are eligible to participate and shall be eligible for
            discretionary bonuses. In addition, Employee shall be entitled to
            receive all other benefits or participate in any employee benefit
            plans generally available to executive personnel of Employer,
            including without limitation, any hospital, medical, accident,
            disability, life insurance, and dental coverage, tax return
            preparation, any stock option or savings plans, or any pension or
            other retirement benefit plans.

      (f)   Reimbursement and Perquisites. Employer shall promptly reimburse
            Employee for all business expenses incurred by Employee during the
            Employment Period; shall promptly pay or reimburse Employee for
            professional association dues, assessments and fees for at least
            such associations as Employee was a member of and Employer was
            making such payments or reimbursements at the Effective Time; shall
            pay or

                                       4
<PAGE>

            reimburse Employee for membership dues, assessments and fees at one
            country/golf club of Employee's choice; and shall provide to
            Employee for his exclusive business and personal use an automobile
            (selected by Employee not inconsistent with type of automobile
            provided to Employee at the Effective Time), pay all expenses of
            ownership, operation, repair and maintenance of such vehicle and
            permit the Employee to replace such automobile not less often than
            the earlier of every three years or 50,000 miles.

      (g)   Securityholders Agreement. Employee shall be listed on the Schedule
            of Management Securityholders and Exhibit A of the Securityholders
            Agreement.

3.    Termination

      (a)   In the event of Employee's death, the Employment Period shall be
            deemed to end on the date of his death.

      (b)   If Employee is incapacitated by accident, sickness, or otherwise so
            as to render him, for a period of 365 consecutive days, mentally or
            physically incapable of performing the services required of him
            under this Agreement and, if requested by Employee, the basis for
            such incapacity is certified by a licensed physician, then Employer
            or Employee may terminate the Employment Period. Such incapacity
            shall be referred to herein as a 'Disability."

      (c)   Employee shall have the right to terminate the Employment Period
            without Good Reason at any time by written notice to the Board not
            less than 20 business days in advance of such termination.

      (d)   Employer shall have the right to terminate the Employment Period for
            Cause (as hereinafter defined), without further obligation hereunder
            on the part of Employer or Employee except payment to Employee of
            amounts earned or accrued hereunder to the date of termination,
            pursuant to the procedures specified in this Section 3(d); provided
            that the Employment Period shall not be terminated for Cause if the
            Employment Period shall have terminated for any other reason. For
            purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean good faith
            determination by the CEO that either of the following has occurred:
            (i) the willful and continued failure of Employee to perform (other
            than as a result of disability) Employee's material duties as Vice
            President, General Counsel and Secretary of Employer (or such other
            duties as the CEO and Employee may from time to time mutually
            determine), after written notice to Employee which notice
            specifically identifies the manner in which Employee has not
            substantially performed his material duties and provides the
            Employee a reasonable time to cure such failure, or (ii) because of
            the conviction of Employee of a crime involving theft, embezzlement
            or fraud against Employer or a civil

                                       5
<PAGE>

            judgment in which Employer is awarded damages from Employee in
            respect of a claim of loss of funds through fraud or
            misappropriation by Employee.

      (e)   Employer, shall have the right to terminate the Employment Period
            without Cause, by written notice to Employee not less than 20
            business days in advance of such termination.

      (f)   Employee shall have the right to terminate the Employment Period at
            any time with Good Reason (as defined in Section 4(b)) by written
            notice to Employer not less than 20 business days in advance of such
            termination.

      (g)   Any amounts due Employee hereunder in the event of termination of
            the Employment Period shall be considered severance pay in
            consideration of his past services and in consideration of his
            continued services from the date hereof, are considered reasonable
            by Employer and not in the nature of a penalty, shall not be reduced
            by compensation or income received by Employee from any other
            employment or other source and shall not be offset by any claims
            Employer may have against Employee; timely payment of such amounts
            is further agreed by the parties hereto to be in full satisfaction
            and compromise of any claims arising out of the performance or
            nonperformance of this Agreement that either party might have
            against the other, other than any claims Employee may have under the
            provisions of Sections 5 and 6 hereof.

4.    Termination Benefit

      (a)   If the Employment Period shall terminate by reason of Employer's
            exercise of its right under Section 3(e) to terminate without Cause
            or in the event Employee elects to terminate the Employment Period
            for Good Reason or the Employment Period is terminated on account of
            Employee's death or Disability, then Employer shall thereafter be
            obligated to pay Employee (or his estate) and Employee (or his
            estate) shall be entitled to receive as severance pay hereunder, for
            a period of two years beginning on the first day following such
            termination (or if longer, for a period commencing on such date and
            ending on the third anniversary of the Effective Time) (the
            "Severance Period"), an amount for each year, equal to his Basic
            Salary as of the date of such termination plus the highest amount of
            bonus or incentive compensation (exclusive of the Nortek, Inc. 1999
            Equity Performance Plan) paid or payable in cash to Employee with
            respect to any one of the three calendar years immediately prior to
            the Effective Time (or, if higher, the three calendar years
            immediately prior to such termination). For purposes of the
            preceding sentence, the term "bonus or incentive compensation" shall
            mean, with respect to any calendar year, (i) compensation awarded
            once annually on the basis of over-all performance (whether
            performance of Employee or Employer or both and whether paid in a
            single lump sum or in installments, but

                                       6
<PAGE>

            excluding without limitation base salary) earned by Employee
            pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof or previously pursuant to the
            equivalent provision of a previous employment agreement or, if none,
            then pursuant to the annual cash bonus plan or arrangement that was
            applicable to him in that year plus (ii) any compensation awarded
            with respect to that calendar year as bonus or incentive
            compensation for the achievement of one or more specific projects or
            goals. Payments under this Section 4(a) will be made in the same
            manner as Employee's Basic Salary was paid immediately prior to
            termination and will be subject to appropriate tax withholding.

            In the event of such a termination, Employee shall continue, during
            the Severance Period, to be covered at the expense of the Employer
            by the same or equivalent accident, disability and life insurance
            coverage as he was covered immediately prior to the Effective Time
            (or, if greater, immediately prior to such termination).

      (b)   Termination for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good
            Reason" shall mean a material adverse change in the Employee's terms
            of employment, including:

            (i)   any reduction of, or failure to pay, Employee's Basic Salary
                  or other compensation as described in Sections 2(a) and (b)
                  hereof;

            (ii)  any failure to provide the benefits or payments required by
                  Sections 2(c) ("Equity Issuance"), 2(d) (Lifetime Medical
                  Coverage), 5 ("Gross-Up Payment") and 7 ("Indemnification") of
                  this Agreement, any deferred compensation plan established on
                  or after the Effective Time in which Employee is a
                  participant, or Sections 6.4(a), 7.1, 8.2 or Article X of the
                  Securityholders Agreement by and among Employee, the LLC and
                  certain other parties, dated as of August 27, 2004 (the
                  "Securityholders Agreement") or the registration rights
                  provided in the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in
                  the Securityholders Agreement) when in effect;

            (iii) assignment to Employee of any duties materially inconsistent
                  with his position (including status, offices and titles),
                  authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by
                  Section 1(b) above or any other action by Employer which
                  results in a material diminution of such position, authority,
                  duties or responsibilities;

            (iv)  relocation of Employer's principal executive offices, or any
                  event that causes Employee to have his principal place of work
                  changed, to any location outside Providence, Rhode Island;

            (v)   any requirement by Employer that Employee travel away from his
                  office in the course of his duties significantly more than the
                  number

                                       7
<PAGE>

                  of consecutive days or aggregate days in any calendar year
                  than was required of him prior to the Effective Time; and

            (vi)  without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing,
                  any other material breach by Employer, LLC or any successor
                  thereto or transferee of substantially all the assets thereof,
                  of this Agreement, the Securityholders Agreement or the
                  Registration Rights Agreement or any material breach by the
                  LLC of the Limited Liability Company Agreement with respect to
                  Employee;

            provided, however, that Employee may not terminate the Employment
            Period for Good Reason unless and until he has given Employer notice
            specifically identifying the nature of the Good Reason and provided
            Employer a reasonable opportunity to cure and the Good Reason
            continues uncured.

5.    Gross-up Payment

      (a)   All payments and benefits provided to Employee by Employer or any of
            their predecessors are intended to be reasonable compensation for
            services by Employee, and the Employer intends that Employee
            receives the full economic benefit of such payments and benefits. In
            the event that it is determined that any payment or benefit provided
            by Employer or any of their predecessors to or for the benefit of
            Employee, either under this Agreement or otherwise, whether paid
            before or after the Effective Time, and regardless of under what
            plan or arrangement it was made, will be subject to the excise tax
            imposed by section 4999 of the Code or any successor provision
            ("section 4999"), Employer will, prior to the date on which any
            amount of the excise tax must be paid or withheld, make an
            additional lump-sum payment (the "gross-up payment") to Employee.
            The gross-up payment will be sufficient, after giving effect to all
            federal, state and other taxes and charges (including interest and
            penalties, if any) with respect to the gross-up payment, to make
            Employee whole for all taxes (including withholding taxes) and any
            associated interest and penalties, imposed under or as a result of
            section 4999.

      (b)   Determinations under this Section 5 will be made by the Employer's
            tax accountant unless Employee has reasonable objections to the use
            of that firm, in which case the determinations will be made by a
            comparable firm chosen by Employee after consultation with Employer
            (the firm making the determinations to be referred to as the
            "Firm"). The determinations of the Firm will be binding upon
            Employer and Employee except as the determinations are established
            in resolution (including by settlement) of a controversy with the
            Internal Revenue Service to have been incorrect. All fees and
            expenses of the Firm will be paid by Employer.

                                       8
<PAGE>

      (c)   If the Internal Revenue Service asserts a claim that, if successful,
            would require Employer to make a gross-up payment or an additional
            gross-up payment, Employer and Employee will cooperate fully in
            resolving the controversy with the Internal Revenue Service.
            Employer will make or advance such gross-up payments as are
            necessary to prevent Employee from having to bear the cost of
            payments made to the Internal Revenue Service in the course of, or
            as a result of, the controversy. The Firm will determine the amount
            of such gross-up payments or advances and will determine after
            resolution of the controversy whether any advances must be returned
            by Employee to Employer. Employer will bear all expenses of the
            controversy and will gross Employee up for any additional taxes that
            may be imposed upon Employee as a result of its payment of such
            expenses.

      (d)   Employer's obligations under this paragraph 5 shall survive the
            termination of the Employment Period and any termination of this
            Agreement.

6.    Non-competition and Confidentiality.

      (a)   Employee agrees that he shall not compete with Employer as
            hereinafter provided for a period (the "Noncompete Period") equal
            to:

            (i)   if the Employment Period is terminated pursuant to Section
                  3(c) or (d) hereof, one year beginning as of the first day
                  following such termination, or

            (ii)  if the Employment Period is terminated pursuant to Section
                  3(b), (e) or (f) hereof, the longer of (A) two years beginning
                  as of the first day following such termination of the
                  Employment Period and (B) a period commencing on such date and
                  ending on the third anniversary of the Effective Time.

      (b)   Employee's agreement not to compete with Employer during the
            Noncompete Period shall be limited to prohibiting Employee from
            owning a greater than 5% equity interest in, serving as a director,
            officer, employee or partner of, or being a consultant to or
            co-venturer with any business enterprise or activity that competes
            in North America with any line of business conducted by Employer or
            any of its subsidiaries at the termination of the Employment Period
            and accounting for more than 5% of Employer's gross revenues for its
            fiscal year ending immediately prior to the year in which the
            Employment Period ends. During the Noncompete Period, Employee
            agrees that he will not hire or attempt to hire any person employed
            by Employer or any of its subsidiaries during the 24 month period
            prior to the termination of the Employment Period, assist such a
            hiring by any other person or entity, encourage any such employee to
            terminate his relationship with Employer (or any such subsidiary) or

                                       9
<PAGE>

            solicit or encourage any customer or vendor of Employer to terminate
            its relationship with Employer.

      (c)   Employee shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of
            Employer all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data
            relating to Employer or any of its subsidiaries, and their
            respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by Employee
            during Employee's employment by Employer or any of its predecessors
            and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by
            acts by Employee or representatives of Employee in violation of this
            Agreement). After termination of Employee's employment with
            Employer, Employee shall not, without the prior written consent of
            Employer or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process,
            communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to
            anyone other than Employer and those designated by it.

      (d)   It is agreed that Employer, in addition to any other remedies
            available to it, shall be entitled to preliminary and permanent
            injunctive relief against any breach or threatened breach by
            Employee of any of the covenants in this Section 6. Employee and
            Employer further agree that, in the event that any provision of this
            Section 6 shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction
            to be unenforceable by reason of its being extended over too great a
            time, too large a geographic area or too great a range of
            activities, such provision shall be deemed to be modified to permit
            its enforcement to the maximum extent permitted by law.

7.    Indemnification

            Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, Employer
            agrees to pay all costs and expenses incurred by Employee in
            connection with the enforcement of this Agreement and will indemnify
            and hold harmless Employee from and against any damages, liabilities
            and expenses (including without limitation fees and expenses of
            counsel) incurred by Employee in connection with any litigation or
            threatened litigation, including any regulatory proceedings, arising
            out of the making, performance or enforcement of this Agreement or
            termination of the Employment Period. Employer's obligations under
            this paragraph 7 shall survive the termination of any other
            provisions of the Agreement.

8.    Effectiveness / Prior Agreement

            This Agreement shall be binding on Employee and Employer as of
            Effective Time. If the Effective Time does not occur, this Agreement
            shall be of no force and effect. As of the Effective Time, the Prior
            Agreement shall terminate and no payments shall thereafter be made
            thereunder. Under no circumstances shall the Closing or the
            Acquisition or any shareholder approval thereof or any event
            relating thereto be

                                       10
<PAGE>

            deemed a "Change of Control" for any purposes under the Prior
            Agreement. This Agreement will constitute the entire agreement
            between Employer and Employee and will supersede all prior
            negotiations and written or oral agreements with respect to the full
            time employment of Employee by Employer, including the Prior
            Agreement and all other prior employment agreements between Employee
            and Employer or any of its predecessors

9.    Notices

            All notices or other communications given hereunder shall be in
            writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed by
            certified mail or hand delivered, if to Employer, at 50 Kennedy
            Plaza, Providence, Rhode Island 02903-2360, attention of the
            Chairman and CEO, with a copy to Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P., 75
            State Street Boston, MA 02109, attention of Anthony DiNovi, or at
            such other address(es) as Employer shall have furnished to Employee
            in writing, or if to Employee, at 123 Abbott Road, Wellesley, MA
            02481, or at such other address as Employee shall have furnished to
            Employer in writing.

10.   Governing Law

            This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Rhode
            Island and Providence Plantations.

11.   Severability

            The provisions of this Agreement are severable, and in the event
            that any one or more paragraphs are deemed illegal or unenforceable,
            the remaining paragraphs shall remain in full force and effect.

12.   Assignments

            This Agreement is personal to Employee and without the prior written
            consent of Employer shall not be assignable by Employee other than
            by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
            shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Employer's legal
            representative. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
            binding upon Employer and its successors and assigns.

13.   Counterparts

            This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in one or more
            counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but
            all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

14.   Amendments

                                       11
<PAGE>

            No changes, alterations or modifications may be made to this
            Agreement, except by a writing signed by each of the parties hereto.

15.   Acknowledgements

            Employee acknowledges that he is not a participant in the Nortek,
            Inc. Change in Control Severance Benefit Plan for Key Employees, As
            Amended and Restated June 12, 1997 or any similar plan and waives
            any and all rights to participate in the Nortek, Inc. Second Amended
            and Restated Change in Control Severance Benefit Plan for Key
            Employees or any other such plans.

                     [Remainder of page intentionally blank]

                                       12
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Agreement as
of August 27, 2004.

                                              NORTEK, INC.

                                              By:______________________________
                                              Name:
                                              Title:

                                              NORTEK HOLDINGS, INC.

                                              By:______________________________
                                              Name:
                                              Title:

                                              _________________________________
                                              Kevin W. Donnelly

                                       13
<PAGE>

                                    Exhibit A

                                       14

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