Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10(k)

                                 ROYAL APPLIANCE

                               PHANTOM STOCK PLAN

                                                  Effective Date: March 31, 2000

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE                                                            NUMBER
-------                                                            ------

PURPOSE                                                               I

DEFINITIONS                                                           II

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION                                         III

AWARD OF PHANTOM SHARES                                               IV

VESTING OF PHANTOM SHARES                                             V

EVENTS OF FORFEITURE                                                  VI

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT                                             VII

DISABILITY OF A PARTICIPANT                                           VIII

DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT                                                IX

PAYMENT OF PHANTOM SHARE VALUE                                        X

NONTRANSFERABILITY OF PHANTOM SHARES                                  XI

ADMINISTRATION                                                        XII

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION                                             XIII

PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS                                               XIV

MISCELLANEOUS                                                         XV

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                                    ARTICLE I

                                     PURPOSE
                                     -------

         1.1 This Plan is intended to serve as an incentive to key employees of
the Company and Participating Employers, and to attract and retain in their
employ persons of outstanding abilities upon whom the future success of the
Company largely depends. This Plan shall become effective March 31, 2000.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   DEFINITIONS

         2.1 The words "Actual Shares" shall mean the common shares, without par
value, of the Company.

         2.2 The word "Administrator" shall mean the Compensation Committee or
the person, persons, committee, corporation, partnership or other entity
designated as Administrator under Article XII.

         2.3 The words "Appeals Committee" shall mean the Appeals Committee
established pursuant to Article XII.

         2.4 The word "beneficiary" shall mean any person who receives or is
designated to receive payment of any amounts under the terms of this Plan
because of the participation of another person in this Plan.

         2.5 The word "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company,
as the same may change from time to time.

         2.6 The word "Cause" shall mean for purposes of this Plan any of the
following occurring while a Participant or former Participant is an employee of
the Company or any Participating Employer:

         (a)      his engaging in any act of fraud or gross dishonesty or
                  criminal activity with respect to the Company or any
                  Participating Employer; or

         (b)      his conviction of any felony; or

         (c)      his engaging in any act of willful misconduct or gross
                  negligence which adversely affects the Companies or any
                  Participating Employer; or

         (d)      his refusal to submit to a medical examination if directed to
                  do so by the Company or Participating Employer to determine
                  whether the Participant is disabled under this Plan.

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         2.7      The words "Change in Control" shall mean:

         (a)      a change in the composition of the Board of Directors of the
                  Company such that a majority of the Board members are not the
                  same persons who were directors twelve (12) months earlier;

         (b)      approval by the stockholders of the Company of a
                  reorganization, merger or consolidation with respect to which,
                  in any such case, the persons who were the stockholders of the
                  Company immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or
                  consolidation do not, immediately thereafter, own more than
                  51% of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the
                  election of directors of the reorganized, merged or
                  consolidated company's then outstanding voting securities; or

         (c)      liquidation or dissolution of the Company or a sale of all or
                  substantially all of the assets of the Company.

         2.8 The word "Company" shall mean Royal Appliance Mfg. Co., and any
successor corporation or business organization which shall assume the duties an
obligations of Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. under this Plan.

         2.9 The words "Compensation Committee" shall mean a committee
consisting of three (3) or more members who are designated by the Board as the
Compensation Committee.

         2.10 The word "Disability" shall mean a physical or mental condition of
a Participant resulting from bodily injury, disease, or mental disorder which
renders him incapable of continuing his usual and customary employment with the
Company. The disability of Participant shall be determined by a licensed
physician chosen by the Administrator. The determination shall be applied
uniformly to all Participants.

         2.11 The words "he," "him," and "his" shall mean, in addition to their
common meaning, "she," "her," "hers," "it" or "its," as the context may require,
and generally, whenever any pronoun is used herein, it shall be construed to
include the masculine pronoun, the feminine pronoun or the neuter pronoun, as
shall be appropriate.

         2.12 The word "Participant" shall mean any individual who is designated
by the Board and who takes the necessary actions to participate in the Plan
pursuant to Article III hereof.

         2.13 The words "Participating Employer" shall mean the Company and such
subsidiaries and affiliated companies of the Company which participate in the
Plan with the consent of the Board of Directors.

         2.14 The words "Phantom Share" shall mean a phantom unit of ownership
awarded to a Participant pursuant to this Plan that represents one (1) Actual
Share.

         2.15 The words "Phantom Share Value" shall mean the fair market value
of an Actual Share. The fair market value of an Actual Share shall be the
closing price of an Actual

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Share on the New York Stock Exchange or other applicable national stock exchange
with which the Company is registered for the trading date for which the fair
market value of an Actual Share is reported which is coincident with or
immediately prior to the date the Phantom Share Value is determined under this
Plan

         2.16 The word "Plan" shall mean the Royal Appliance Phantom Stock Plan
as set forth in this instrument, as amended from time to time.

         2.17 The words "Plan Year" shall mean the calendar year.

         2.18 The words "Termination of Employment" shall mean the Participant's
cessation of his service with a Participating Employer for any reason
whatsoever, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, including by reason of
retirement, death, or Disability.

         2.19 The words "Vested Percentage" shall mean, with respect to any
Phantom Shares in the account of a Participant, the applicable percentage
determined pursuant to Article V hereof.

         2.20 The words "Vested Phantom Shares" shall mean the number of Phantom
Shares in a Participant's account multiplied by the applicable Vested Percentage
determined pursuant to Article V hereof.

         2.21 The words "Vesting Service" shall mean a Participant's period of
continuous employment with the Company and a Participating Employer commencing
on the date the Phantom Shares are awarded to him under the Plan and ending on
his Termination of Employment.

         2.22 The words "Years of Service" shall mean a Participant's period of
continuous employment with the Company and a Participating Employer commencing
on his most recent date of hire and ending on his Termination of Employment.

                                  ARTICLE III

                          ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
                          -----------------------------

         3.1 ELIGIBILITY. The employees who shall be eligible to participate
under this Plan shall be such employees as are designated by the Compensation
Committee (hereinafter the "Committee") to qualify as a member of a "select
group of management or highly compensated employees" as provided in Sections
201(2), 301(a)(3), 401(a)(1) and 4021(b)(6) of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended.

         3.2 PARTICIPATION. The Committee shall notify an employee upon his or
her selection for participation under the Plan of such selection. If an
employee, upon such notification, desires to become a Participant, the employee
shall, within such time as the Committee specifies:

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         (a)      furnish to the Committee all information requested by it;

         (b)      execute such documents and such instruments as the Committee
                  may require to facilitate the administration of this Plan;

         (c)      agree in such form and manner as the Committee may require to
                  be bound by the terms of this Plan and by the terms of such
                  amendments as may be made hereto; and

         (d)      truthfully and fully answer any questions and supply any
                  information which the Committee deems necessary or desirable
                  for the proper administration of this Plan, without any
                  reservations whatsoever.

 An employee who is selected by the Committee to participate in the Plan and who
 performs timely all acts required to become a Participant, shall become a
 Participant on or as of such date as is specified by the Committee.

         3.3 TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION. The Committee may terminate the
participation of any Participant at any time. Such termination of participation
shall not affect the rights of the terminated Participant to the payment,
pursuant to Article X, of the Vested Phantom Shares previously awarded to such
Participant (except as provided in Article VI). A Participant shall
automatically cease to be a Participant on the date of his or her Termination of
Employment.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                             AWARD OF PHANTOM SHARES
                             -----------------------

         4.1 AUTHORIZATION OF PHANTOM SHARES. The Company has authorized 300,000
Phantom Shares which may be awarded under the Plan. In the event there shall be
a change in the number of Actual Shares by reason of a stock split, stock
dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, cash dividend, or other similar
event, a similar change shall be made in the number of Phantom Shares. The
determination of the Compensation Committee with respect to any such adjustment
shall be conclusive and binding upon the Participants and their beneficiaries.

         4.2 AWARD. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may from time to time
award Phantom Shares to a Participant. Subject to all the terms and conditions
of this Plan, each awarded Phantom Share which becomes a Vested Phantom Share
(or is deemed to be a Vested Phantom Share hereunder) shall entitle the
Participant to receive Actual Shares of the Company equal to the number of the
Vested Phantom Shares awarded to a Participant hereunder, on the dates and under
the method of payment as set forth in this Plan. Each Participant shall be
notified by the Committee of the number of Phantom Shares which have been
awarded to him or her.

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         4.3 RIGHTS UNDER PHANTOM SHARES. Phantom Shares awarded under this Plan
shall have no voting rights and shall not be entitled to receive cash or other
dividends declared and paid, and the Participant shall have no other rights as a
shareholder of the Company under the Ohio General Corporation Law or common law.

         4.4 BOOKKEEPING ENTRIES. All grants of Phantom Shares awarded under
this Plan shall be simple bookkeeping entries for the convenience of the
Company. The Company shall not be require to segregate any funds with respect to
the Phantom Shares granted under this Plan. All rights of Participants, former
Participants and beneficiaries under this Plan shall constitute only contractual
claims against the Company and no such claim against the Company shall be
secured or deemed to be secured in any manner.

                                   ARTICLE V

                            VESTING OF PHANTOM SHARES
                            -------------------------

         5.1 VESTING SCHEDULE. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.2 the
Vested Percentage applicable to a Participant shall be determined on the basis
of his Vesting Service in accordance with the following table:

                           Vesting                                   Vested
                           Service                                   Percentage
                           -------                                   ----------

                           Less than 3 years                               0%
                           At least 3 but less than 4 years               60%
                           At least 4 but less than 5 years               80%
                           5 or more years                               100%

         5.2 DEATH OR DISABILITY. Notwithstanding anything in this Article V to
the contrary but subject to the provisions of this Section 5.2 hereof, upon the
death of a Participant or the Termination of Employment of a Participant due to
Disability, the Vested Percentage applicable to a Participant shall be
determined by multiplying the number of his total months of Vesting Service with
the Company commencing the date the Phantom Shares were awarded to him and
ending on his date of death or Termination of Employment due to Disability by
1/60. A fractional month of Vesting Service shall be counted as one month. The
Vested Percentage determined under this Section 5.2 shall not exceed 100%.

         5.3 100% VESTING. Notwithstanding anything in this Article V to the
contrary but subject to the provisions of this Section 5.3 hereof, the Vested
Percentage applicable to a Participant shall become one hundred percent (100%)
with respect to all Phantom Shares previously granted to him pursuant to this
Plan (other than Phantom Shares previously forfeited pursuant to Article VI
hereof) upon the occurrence of a Change in Control.

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                                   ARTICLE VI

                              EVENTS OF FORFEITURE
                              --------------------

         6.1 FORFEITURE. Except as set forth below in Section 6.2, in the event
that a Participant has a Termination of Employment before he is 100% vested
under the provisions of Article V, he shall forfeit all rights whatsoever he
shall have to receive any payments on account of the Phantom Shares that are not
vested on the date of his Termination of Employment.

         6.2 TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Plan, in the event that a Participant's Termination of Employment shall be for
Cause, the Participant shall forfeit all Phantom Shares granted to him and shall
forfeit all rights whatsoever he shall have to receive any payments of Actual
Shares or other amounts under this Plan. If a Participant's employment could be
terminated for Cause hereunder, it shall be considered so terminated regardless
of whether actually so terminated or terminated voluntarily by the Participant
through retirement or otherwise.

         6.3 EFFECT OF FORFEITURE. Upon the occurrence of an event described in
this Article which results in forfeiture of a Participant's Phantom Shares, such
Phantom Shares shall be canceled and neither the Participant nor his beneficiary
shall have any further rights with respect thereto. If a Participant forfeits
all rights to receive payment hereunder as a result of a Termination of
Employment for Cause pursuant to Section 6.2 above, he shall forfeit all rights
to any further payments hereunder but he shall not be required to repay amounts
previously received by him hereunder. Forfeited Phantom Shares shall not be
reinstated by subsequent rehire of the Participant by the Company or a
Participating Employer. Forfeited Phantom Shares shall be available for
reissuance under the Plan.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                            TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

         7.1 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE. In the event of a
Participant's Termination of Employment for a reason other than death or
Disability, and there is no Cause for the Company or any Participating Employer
to terminate his employment, such Participant shall be entitled to receive a
distribution of his Phantom Shares multiplied by his Vested Percentage.

         7.2 PAYMENT OF VESTED PHANTOM SHARES. A Participant's Vested Phantom
Shares shall be paid to such Participant as provided in Article X hereof.

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                                  ARTICLE VIII

                           DISABILITY OF A PARTICIPANT
                           ---------------------------

         8.1 BENEFITS PAYABLE DUE TO DISABILITY. In the event of a Participant's
Termination of Employment due to his Disability, all Phantom Shares awarded to
such disabled Participant which have not vested previously pursuant to this Plan
shall become vested in accordance with the pro-rata vesting formula set out in
Section 5.2 as of the date the Participant's Termination of Employment due to
his Disability.

         8.2 PAYMENT OF VESTED PHANTOM SHARES. A Participant's Vested Phantom
Shares shall be paid to such disabled Participant as provided in Article X
hereof.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                             DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT
                             ----------------------

         9.1 BENEFITS PAYABLE DUE TO DEATH. In the event of the Termination of
Employment of a Participant by reason of his death, his beneficiary shall be
entitled to receive a distribution of his Vested Phantom Shares. All Phantom
Shares awarded to such Participant which have not vested previously pursuant to
this Plan shall become vested in accordance with the pro-rata vesting formula
set out in Section 5.2 as of the Participant's date of Termination of Employment
by reason of his death.

         9.2 PAYMENT OF VESTED PHANTOM SHARES. A Participant's Vested Phantom
Shares shall be paid as provided in Article X hereof to the beneficiary of the
Participant.

         9.3 DEFAULT BENEFICIARY. Unless a Participant or former Participant has
designated a beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.4
hereof, his beneficiary shall be deemed to be the person or persons in the first
of the following classes in which there are any survivors of such Participant or
former Participant:

         (a)      his spouse at the time of his death;

         (b)      his issue, per stirpes;

         (c)      his parents; or

         (d)      the executor or administrator of his estate.

         9.4 DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY. In lieu of having the Vested Phantom Shares
distributable pursuant to this Article distributed to a beneficiary determined
in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.3 hereof, a Participant may sign
a document designating a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive such Vested
Phantom Shares.

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         9.5 PARTIAL DISPOSITION. In the event that a Participant or former
Participant, dies at a time when he has a designation on file with the
Administrator which does not fully dispose of his Vested Phantom Shares under
this Plan upon his death, then the Vested Phantom Shares distributable on behalf
of said Participant or former Participant, the disposition of which was not
determined by the deceased Participant's or former Participant's designation,
shall be distributed to a beneficiary determined under the provisions of Section
9.3 hereof.

         9.6 AMBIGUITY AS TO BENEFICIARY. Any ambiguity in a Participant's
beneficiary designation shall be resolved by the Administrator. Subject to
Section 9.4 hereof, the Administrator may direct a Participant to clarify his
beneficiary designation and if necessary execute a new beneficiary designation
containing such clarification.

                                   ARTICLE X

                            PAYMENT OF PHANTOM SHARES
                            -------------------------

         10.1 PAYMENTS BEFORE TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Subject to Sections
10.2 and 10.4, a Participant who has not had a Termination of Employment may
request a distribution of all or a portion of his Vested Phantom Shares. Such
request shall be made in writing in a form and manner specified by the Company
and must specify the number of Vested Phantom Shares to be distributed and the
date upon which such Vested Phantom Shares shall be paid which must be as soon
as administratively possible following a date that is at least one (1) year
after the date on which the request is made. A Participant may request a
distribution before the date on which his Phantom Shares actually become vested
subject to the other requirements set forth in this Section 10.1. Any
distribution request shall be irrevocable unless, prior to payment, the
Participant dies, has a Termination of Employment due to Disability or has a
Termination of Employment at which time the request shall become null and void
and the Participant's Vested Phantom Shares shall be paid as provided in Section
10.2.

         10.2 PAYMENTS ON OR AFTER A TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Upon a
Participant's Termination of Employment for any reason, including death or
Disability, the Participant or the beneficiary of the deceased Participant shall
be entitled to a distribution equal to his Vested Phantom Shares. Such
distribution shall be in a single lump sum payment on the date determined under
Section 10.5 and shall be in lieu of all other benefits under this Plan.

         10.3 CHANGE IN CONTROL. Any Phantom Shares held by a Participant under
this Plan or any Phantom Shares remaining to be paid to a Participant or
beneficiary under a prior distribution election shall be paid immediately to
such Participant or beneficiary in a single lump sum payment upon the occurrence
of a Change in Control.

         10.4 FORM AND AMOUNT OF PAYMENT.

                  (a)      Subject to such rules, procedures, limits and
                           restrictions as the Administrator may establish from
                           time to time, a Participant, may elect that
                           distributions payable under Section 10.1 shall be
                           made in a single sum or in the form of annual
                           installments over a period of no

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                           less than two (2) calendar years and no more than ten
                           (10) calendar years.

                  (b)      Any installment form of payment shall be equal to the
                           number of Vested Phantom Shares to be distributed to
                           a Participant divided by the number of remaining
                           installments to be paid.

                  (c)      The Administrator, with the consent of the Company,
                           may establish procedures to permit some or all
                           Participants to request to change their prior
                           elections regarding the form of their benefit
                           payments under Section 10.1, provided that any such
                           procedures shall either require such request be made
                           a reasonable period of time, as determined by the
                           Company in its sole discretion, before the Phantom
                           Shares affected by such request shall be
                           distributable, or require a forfeiture of a
                           significant portion of such Phantom Shares. The
                           Administrator may, but is not required to, grant any
                           such requests.

                  (d)      All payments under the Plan shall be made in Actual
                           Shares of the Company. Actual Shares shall be
                           distributed first from treasury shares and then, to
                           the extent treasury shares are not available, from
                           any authorized and unissued Company shares.

         10.5 COMMENCEMENT OF PAYMENTS.

                  (a)      Payments under Section 10.1 of this Plan shall be
                           made as soon as administratively possible following
                           the date elected by the Participant which is at least
                           one (1) year after the date such election is made by
                           the Participant.

                  (b)      The Administrator, with the consent of the Company,
                           may establish procedures to permit some or all
                           Participants who have made a distribution election
                           pursuant to Section 10.1 to request to change their
                           prior elections regarding the time of commencement of
                           benefits hereunder, provided that any such procedures
                           shall either require that the request be made a
                           reasonable period of time, as determined by the
                           Company in its sole discretion, before the amounts
                           affected by such request shall be distributable, or
                           require a forfeiture of a significant portion of such
                           amounts. The Administrator may, but is not required
                           to, grant any such requests.

                  (c)      Single lump sum payments made under Section 10.2 of
                           this Plan shall be made as soon as administratively
                           possible following a Participant's Termination of
                           Employment and, in any event, no later than ninety
                           (90) days after a Participant's Termination of
                           Employment.

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                  (d)      Single lump sum payments made under Section 10.3 of
                           this Plan shall be made immediately upon a Change in
                           Control.

         10.6 PROTECTIVE DISTRIBUTIONS. In the event that the Administrator
determines, in its sole discretion, that a Participant is not, or may not be, a
member of a "select group of management or highly compensated employees" within
the meaning of Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3), 401(a)(1) or 4021(b)(6) of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, then the
Administrator may, in its sole discretion, terminate such Participant's
participation in this Plan, and distribute such Participant's Vested Phantom
Shares in a single lump sum payment. Any such distribution shall be made at such
time as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion.

         10.7 TAX WITHHOLDING. A Participating Employer may withhold from any
payment made by it under the Plan the number of Vested Phantom Shares equal in
value to such amount or amounts as may be required for purposes of complying
with the tax withholding or other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or the
Social Security Act or any state or local income or employment tax act or for
purposes of paying any estate, inheritance or other tax attributable to any
amounts payable hereunder.

         10.8 CANCELLATION OF PHANTOM SHARES. As of the date of payment with
respect to a Phantom Share of a Participant, such Phantom Share shall be deemed
canceled.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                      NONTRANSFERABILITY OF PHANTOM SHARES

         11.1 NONTRANSFERABLE. Except as provided in Article IX hereof with
respect to the designation of beneficiaries, Phantom Shares awarded pursuant to
this Plan and the right to receive payments of Vested Phantom Shares, if any,
attributable thereto, are nontransferable directly, indirectly, as security for
a loan or otherwise by any means, either voluntarily or by operation of law.

                                  ARTICLE XII

                                 ADMINISTRATION
                                 --------------

         12.1 ADMINISTRATION. The Compensation Committee shall be the
Administrator unless and until the Board shall appoint some other person,
persons, committee, corporation, partnership or other entity as Administrator.

         12.2 POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. The Administrator shall administer
and interpret this Plan. In so doing, it shall have full power and discretion:

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                  (a)      to interpret this Plan and any related documents, to
                           resolve ambiguities, inconsistencies and omissions,
                           to determine any questions of fact, to determine the
                           right to benefits of, and the amount of benefits, if
                           any, payable to any person in accordance with the
                           provisions of this Plan;

                  (b)      to enact such rules, regulations, and procedures and
                           to prescribe the use of such administrative forms as
                           it shall deem advisable; and

                  (c)      to appoint or employ such agents, attorneys,
                           appraisers, accountants and assistants at the expense
                           of the Company, as it may deem necessary to keep its
                           records or to assist it in taking any other action
                           authorized or required hereunder.

         12.3 DENIAL OF BENEFITS. If any Participant or beneficiary shall file
an application for benefits hereunder and such application is denied in whole or
in part by the Administrator, the applicant shall be notified in writing of the
specific reason or reasons for such denial. The notice shall also set forth the
specific Plan provisions upon which the denial is based, an explanation of the
provisions of 12.4 hereof, and any other information deemed necessary or
advisable by the Administrator.

         12.4 APPEALS PROCEDURE. Any Participant, any beneficiary, or any
authorized representative of a Participant or beneficiary whose application for
benefits hereunder has been denied, in whole or in part, by the Administrator
may upon written notice to the Appeals Committee request a review by the Appeals
Committee of such denial of his application. Such review may be made by written
briefs submitted by the applicant and the Administrator or at a hearing, or by
both, as shall be deemed necessary by the Appeals Committee. Any such hearing
shall be held in the main office of the Company on such date and at such time as
the Appeals Committee shall designate upon not less than seven (7) days' notice
to the applicant and the Administrator unless both of them accept shorter
notice. The Appeals Committee shall make every effort to schedule the hearing on
a day and at a time which is convenient to both the applicant and the
Administrator. After the review has been completed, the Appeals Committee shall
render a decision in writing, a copy of which shall be sent to both the
applicant and the Administrator. Such decision shall be made no later than sixty
(60) days following the applicant's request for review; provided, however, that
in the event that a hearing is held with respect to the review of the claim,
such decision shall be rendered no later than one hundred twenty (120) days
following the applicant's request for review. In rendering its decision, the
Appeals Committee shall have full power and discretion to interpret this Plan
and related documents, to resolve ambiguities, inconsistencies and omissions, to
determine any question of fact, to determine the right to benefits of, and the
amount of benefits, if any, payable to, the applicant in accordance with the
provisions of this Plan. Such decision shall set forth the specific reason or
reasons for the decision and the specific Plan provisions upon which the
decision is based. Such decision shall be final and binding on the applicant and
the Administrator.

         12.5 ESTABLISHMENT OF APPEALS COMMITTEE. The Company shall appoint the
members of an Appeals Committee which shall consist of three (3) or more
members. The Company may appoint one Appeals Committee to hear all appeals of
denied benefits that may

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arise under the Plan or a number of Appeals Committees with different members to
hear the appeals of denied benefits that arise from Participants employed by a
Participating Employer or group of Participating Employers. The members of the
Appeals Committee shall remain in office at the will of the Company and the
Company, from time to time, may remove any of said members with or without
cause. A member of the Appeals Committee may resign upon written notice to the
remaining member or members of the Appeals Committee and to the Company,
respectively. The fact that a person is a Participant or a former Participant or
a prospective Participant shall not disqualify him from acting as a member of
the Appeals Committee, nor shall any member of the Appeals Committee be
disqualified from acting on any question because of his interest therein, except
that no member of the Appeals Committee may act on any claim which such member
has brought as a Participant, former Participant, or Beneficiary under this
Plan. In case of the death, resignation or removal of any member of the Appeals
Committee, the remaining members shall act until a successor-member shall be
appointed by the Company. At the Administrator's request, the Secretary of the
Company shall notify the Administrator in writing of the names of the original
members of the Appeals Committee, of any and all changes in the membership of
the Appeals Committee, of the member designated as Chairman, and the member
designated as Secretary, and of any changes in either office. Until notified of
a change, the Administrator shall be protected in assuming that there has been
no change in the membership of the Appeals Committee or the designation of
Chairman or of Secretary since the last notification was filed with it. The
Administrator shall be under no obligation at any time to inquire into the
membership of the Appeals Committee or its officers. All communications to the
Appeals Committee shall be addressed to its Secretary at the address of the
Company.

         12.6 OPERATIONS OF APPEALS COMMITTEE. On all matters and questions, the
decision of a majority of the members of the Appeals Committee shall govern and
control; but a meeting need not be called or held to make any decision. The
Appeals Committee shall appoint one of its members to act as its Chairman and
another member to act as Secretary. The terms of office of these members shall
be determined by the Appeals Committee, and the Secretary and/or Chairman may be
removed by the other members of the Appeals Committee for any reason which such
other members may deem just and proper. The Secretary shall do all things
directed by the Appeals Committee. Although the Appeals Committee shall act by
decision of a majority of its members as above provided, nevertheless in the
absence of written notice to the contrary, every person may deal with the
Secretary and consider his acts as having been authorized by the Appeals
Committee. Any notice served or demand made on the Secretary shall be deemed to
have been served or made upon the Appeals Committee.

         12.7 DELEGATION OF POWERS. The Administrator may by appropriate
resolution delegate to one or more of its members the authority to exercise any
of its powers in administering and interpreting this Plan.

         12.8 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Administrator and the Appeals
Committee shall not be liable for any action or determination made with respect
to this Plan and awards under it and the Company shall indemnify all such
persons, individually and collectively, against any and all losses, costs or
expenses which may be incurred by them, individually or collectively, in
connection with their administering this Plan.

                                       12
<PAGE>   15

                                  ARTICLE XIII

                            AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

         13.1 POWER TO AMEND AND TERMINATE PLAN. This Plan may be amended by the
Company at any time, or from time to time, and may be terminated by the Company
with respect to any or all Participants at any time, but no such amendment or
termination will deprive any Participant of the right to receive any payment in
accordance with the terms of the Plan as of the date of such amendment or
termination.

                                  ARTICLE XIV

                             PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS

         14.1 LIST OF PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS. The initial Participating
Employers as of the Effective Date are as follows:

                             Participating Employers
                             -----------------------

                            Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.

The Company may designate additional Participating Employers or remove
Participating Employers during the period of the Plan's existence by action of
an appropriate officer of Company authorized or ratified by the Board. Such
addition or deletion shall not require a formal amendment hereto.

                                   ARTICLE XV

                                  MISCELLANEOUS
                                  -------------

         15.1 NO IMPLIED RIGHTS. Neither the establishment of the Plan nor any
amendment thereof shall be construed as giving any Participant, beneficiary or
any other person any legal or equitable right unless such right shall be
specifically provided for in the Plan or conferred by specific action of the
Company in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Plan. Except as
expressly provided in this Plan, neither the Company nor any other Participating
Employer shall be required or be liable to make any payment under the Plan.

         15.2 NO RIGHT TO PARTICIPATING EMPLOYER ASSETS. Neither the Participant
nor any other person shall acquire by reason of the Plan any right in or title
to any assets, funds or property of a Participating Employer whatsoever
including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any specific funds,
assets or other property which a Participating Employer, in its sole discretion,
may set aside in anticipation of a liability hereunder. The Participant shall
have only a contractual right to the amounts, if any, payable hereunder
unsecured by any asset of a Participating Employer. Nothing contained in the
Plan constitutes a guarantee by a Participating Employer that the assets of a
Participating Employer shall be sufficient to pay any benefit to any person.

                                       13
<PAGE>   16

         15.3 NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS CREATED. This Plan shall not be deemed to
constitute a contract of employment between any of the Participating Employers
and any Participant, nor confer upon any Participant or employee the right to be
retained in the service of any Participating Employer for any period of time,
nor shall any provision hereof restrict the right of any Participating Employer
to discharge or otherwise deal with any Participant or other employees, with or
without cause. Nothing herein shall be construed as fixing or regulating the
compensation, salary, bonus or other remuneration payable to any Participant or
other employee of a Participating Employer.

         15.4 OFFSET. If, at the time payments or installments of payments are
to be made hereunder, the Participant or the beneficiary or both are indebted or
obligated to a Participating Employer, then the payments remaining to be made to
the Participant or the beneficiary or both may, at the discretion of the
Company, be reduced by the amount of such indebtedness or obligation, provided,
however, that an election by the Company not to reduce any such payment or
payments shall not constitute a waiver of its claim for such indebtedness or
obligation.

         15.5 NON-ASSIGNABILITY. Neither the Participant nor any other person
shall have any voluntary or involuntary right to commute, sell, assign, pledge,
anticipate, mortgage or otherwise encumber, transfer, hypothecate or convey in
advance of actual receipt the amounts, if any, payable hereunder, or any part
thereof, and any attempt to do so shall be void. All amounts payable under this
Plan are expressly declared to be unassignable and non-transferable. No part of
the amounts payable under this Plan shall be, prior to actual payment, subject
to seizure or sequestration for the payment of any debts, judgments, alimony or
separate maintenance owed by the Participant or any other person, or be
transferable by operation of law in the event of the Participant's or any other
person's bankruptcy or insolvency.

         15.6 NOTICE. Any notice required or permitted to be given under the
Plan shall be sufficient if in writing and hand delivered, or sent by registered
or certified mail, and if given to the Company, delivered to the principal
office of the Company, directed to the attention of the Secretary of the
Company. Such notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery or, if
delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark or the receipt
for registration or certification.

         15.7 GOVERNING LAWS. The Plan shall be construed and administered
according to the laws of the State of Ohio to the extent not preempted by the
laws of the United States of America.

         15.8 INCAPACITY. If the Administrator determines that any Participant
or beneficiary entitled to payments under the Plan is incompetent by reason of
physical or mental disability and is consequently unable to give a valid receipt
for payments made hereunder, or is a minor, the Administrator may order the
payments becoming due to such Participant or beneficiary to be made to another
person for the benefit of such Participant or beneficiary, without
responsibility on the part of the Administrator to follow the application of
amounts so paid. Payments made pursuant to this Section shall completely
discharge the Plan, the Administrator, the Participating Employers and the
Appeals Committee with respect to such payments.

                                       14
<PAGE>   17

         15.9 ADMINISTRATIVE FORMS. All applications, elections and designations
in connection with the Plan made by a Participant or beneficiary shall become
effective only when duly executed on forms provided by the Administrator and
filed with the Administrator.

         15.10 INDEPENDENCE OF PLAN. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, this Plan shall be independent of, and in addition to, any other
employee benefit agreement or plan or any rights that may exist from time to
time thereunder.

         15.11 RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEGAL EFFECT. Neither the Company, any other
Participating Employer, the Administrator, the Appeals Committee, nor any
officer, member, delegate or agent of any of them, makes any representations or
warranties, express or implied, or assumes any responsibility concerning the
legal, tax, or other implications or effects of this Plan.

         15.12 SUCCESSORS. The terms and conditions of this Plan shall inure to
the benefit of and bind the Company, the Participating Employers, the
Administrator, the Appeals Committee and its members, the Participants, their
beneficiaries, and the successors, assigns, and personal representatives of any
of them.

         15.13 HEADINGS AND TITLES. The Section headings and titles of Articles
used in this Plan are for convenience of reference only and shall not be
considered in construing this Plan.

         15.14 GENERAL RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. The masculine gender shall include
the feminine and neuter, and vice versa, as the context shall require. The
singular number shall include the plural, and vice versa, as the context shall
require. The present tense of a verb shall include the past and future tenses,
and vice versa, as the context may require.

         15.15 SEVERABILITY. In the event that any provision or term of this
Plan, or any agreement or instrument required by the Administrator hereunder, is
determined by a judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative body to be void or
not enforceable for any reason, all other provisions or terms of this Plan or
such agreement or instrument shall remain in full force and effect and shall be
enforceable as if such void or nonenforceable provision or term had never been a
part of this Plan, or such agreement or instrument.

         15.16 ACTIONS BY THE COMPANY. Except as otherwise provided herein, all
actions of the Company under this Plan shall be taken by the Board, by any
officer of the Company, or by any other person designated by any of the
foregoing.

                                       15
<PAGE>   18

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Royal Appliance Mfg. Co., by its duly authorized
officers, has caused this Phantom Stock Plan to be executed as of this 31st day
of March 2000.

                                             ROYAL APPLIANCE MFG. CO.

                                             By___________________________

                                             And__________________________

                                       16<PAGE>   1

                                Exhibit 10(l)
                                -------------

          2

                                LEASE AGREEMENT

<PAGE>   2

                            DATED: OCTOBER 15, 1996

        DUKE REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, AN INDIANA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
                                    LANDLORD

                     HEALTH O METER PRODUCTS, INC., TENANT

          3

                                LEASE AGREEMENT
                     TENANT: HEALTH O METER PRODUCTS, INC.

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Page
                                                                               ----

<S>                                                                             <C>
ARTICLE 1  TERM OF LEASE ........................................................2
           SECTION 1.1   INITIAL TERM ...........................................2
           SECTION 1.2   OPTIONS TO RENEW .......................................2
           SECTION 1.3   EXERCISE OF OPTIONS TO RENEW ...........................2

ARTICLE 2  CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS .........................................2
           INTENTIONALLY OMITTED ................................................2
           SECTION 2.2   APPROVAL OF PLANS ......................................3
           SECTION 2.3   SCOPE OF WORK ..........................................4
           SECTION 2.4   CHANGES IN WORK ........................................4
           SECTION 2.5   COMPLETION .............................................5
                   (A)   INITIAL IMPROVEMENT COMPLETION DATES ...................5
                   (B)   PERMITTED DELAYS-TENANT EXTENSION ......................5
                   (C)   AFFECT OF PERMITTED DELAYS OR TENANT EXTENSION .........6
                   (D)   PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION ...............................6
           SECTION 2.6   SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION .................................7
           SECTION 2.7   TENANT'S REMEDIES FOR LANDLORD DELAY ...................7
           SECTION 2.8   WARRANTY ...............................................8
           SECTION 2.9   PUNCH LIST .............................................9
           SECTION 2.10  INDEMNITY .............................................10
           SECTION 2.10  EARLY OCCUPANCY .......................................10

ARTICLE 2A EXPANSION OF DEMISED PREMISES .......................................11
           SECTION 2A.1  OPTION TO EXPAND ......................................11
                   (A)   EXPANSION NOTICE ......................................11
           SECTION 2A.2  LANDLORD'S PROPOSED EXPANSION SPACE PARAMETERS ........12
           SECTION 2A.3  TENANT'S NOTICE TO PROCEED AND EXPANSION SPACE TERM ...12
           SECTION 2A.4  PREPARATION OF EXPANSION PLANS ........................13
           SECTION 2A.5  EXPANSION COMMENCEMENT DATE ...........................14
           SECTION 2A.6  SCOPE OF WORK - EXPANSION SPACE .......................14
           SECTION 2A.7  EXPANSION CHANGE ORDERS ...............................14
           SECTION 2A.8  WARRANTY AS TO EXPANSION SPACE ........................15
           SECTION 2A.9  EXPANSION PUNCH LIST ..................................15
           SECTION 2A.10 EXPANSION COSTS .......................................15

ARTICLE 3  RENT ................................................................16
           SECTION 3.1   BASE RENT .............................................16
                   (A)   BASE RENT FOR INITIAL IMPROVEMENTS ....................16
                           (1)  INITIAL TERM ...................................16
                           (2)  RENEWAL TERM ...................................16
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
                   (B)  EXPANSION SPACE RENT .........................................16
                           (1)  EXPANSION SPACE TERM .................................17
                           (2)  RENEWAL TERMS ........................................18
                   (C)  FAIR MARKET BASE RENT DETERMINATION ..........................18
           SECTION 3.2  RENT PAYABLE WITHOUT PRIOR DEMAND; MAXIMUM RATE OF INTEREST ..19
           SECTION 3.3. GOVERNMENTAL ASSISTANCE ......................................20

ARTICLE 4  PAYMENT OF TAXES, ASSESSMENTS, ETC. .......................................21
           SECTION 4.1  ADDITIONAL RENT ..............................................21
           SECTION 4.2  RIGHT TO CONTEST IMPOSITIONS .................................23
           SECTION 4.3  TAXES ON RENT ................................................23
           SECTION 4.4  RECEIPTS FOR IMPOSITIONS .....................................24
           SECTION 4.5  LANDLORD'S RIGHT TO CONTEST IMPOSITIONS ......................24

ARTICLE 5  INSURANCE .................................................................25
           SECTION 5.1  PROPERTY INSURANCE ...........................................25
           SECTION 5.2  MUTUAL WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND SUBROGATION RIGHTS ...............26
           SECTION 5.3  COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE .......................26
           SECTION 5.4  TENANT'S PROPERTY INSURANCE ..................................27
           SECTION 5.5  TENANT'S BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE .....................27
           SECTION 5.6  PROCEEDS, PAYMENT AND POLICY PROVISIONS ......................27
           SECTION 5.7  INSURANCE APPROVAL ...........................................27

ARTICLE 6  USE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE DEMISED PREMISES ...............................28
           SECTION 6.1  PREMISES USE .................................................28
           SECTION 6.2  TENANT'S REPAIRS .............................................28
           SECTION 6.3  LANDLORD'S REPAIRS ...........................................30
           SECTION 6.4  PROHIBITION AGAINST WASTE ....................................30
           SECTION 6.5  MISUSE OR NEGLECT ............................................30
           SECTION 6.6  LIMITATION ON TENANT'S REPAIRS ...............................30

ARTICLE 7  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND ORDINANCES .......................................31
           SECTION 7.1  COMPLIANCE ...................................................31
           SECTION 7.2  OTHER COMPLIANCE .............................................32
           SECTION 7.3  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS ........................................33
                   (A)  DEFINITIONS ..................................................33
                   (B)  LANDLORD INDEMNITY ...........................................34
                   (C)  TENANT INDEMNITY .............................................34
                   (D)  NOTICE .......................................................35
                   (E)  EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AND SURVIVAL ................................35
                   (F)  COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS ...................................35
                   (G)  STORAGE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ...............................35
                   (H)  ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS .........................................35
                   (I)  TERMINATION OF LEASE .........................................36

ARTICLE 8  MECHANIC'S LIENS AND OTHER LIENS ..........................................37
           SECTION 8.1  LIENS AND RIGHT OF CONTEST ...................................37
</TABLE>

                                       ii

          5

<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                           <C>
           SECTION 8.2 LIENS ON LANDLORD'S WORK ...............................................38
           SECTION 8.3 OTHER LIENS ............................................................39

ARTICLE 9  INTENT OF PARTIES ..................................................................39
           SECTION 9.1 NET RENT ...............................................................39
           SECTION 9.2 LANDLORD'S PERFORMANCE FOR TENANT ......................................39
           SECTION 9.3 PAYMENT FOR LANDLORD'S PERFORMANCE FOR TENANT ..........................40

ARTICLE 10 DEFAULTS AND LANDLORD'S REMEDIES ...................................................40
           SECTION 10.1 DEFAULT ...............................................................40
           SECTION 10.2 RE-LETTING AFTER DEFAULT ..............................................41
           SECTION 10.3 ACCEPTANCE AFTER DEFAULT ..............................................42
           SECTION 10.4 REMEDIES CUMULATIVE ...................................................42

ARTICLE 11 DESTRUCTION AND RESTORATION ........................................................43
           SECTION 11.1 RESTORATION ...........................................................43
           SECTION 11.2 INSURANCE PROCEEDS ....................................................43
           SECTION 11.3 TENANT'S OBLIGATIONS FOLLOWING A CASUALTY .............................43
           SECTION 11.4 DESTRUCTION PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT DATE ................................44
           SECTION 11.5 RESTORATION AT END OF TERM ............................................44

ARTICLE 12 CONDEMNATION .......................................................................44
           SECTION 12.1 TOTAL CONDEMNATION ....................................................44
           SECTION 12.2 PARTIAL CONDEMNATION ..................................................45
           SECTION 12.3 RESTORATION AFTER CONDEMNATION ........................................45
           SECTION 12.4 BASE RENT REDUCTION ...................................................45

ARTICLE 13 ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING ..........................................................46
ARTICLE 14 SUBORDINATION, NON-DISTURBANCE, NOTICE TO MORTGAGEE AND ATTORNMENT .................46
           SECTION 14.1 SUBORDINATION .........................................................46
           SECTION 14.2 MORTGAGEE PROTECTION CLAUSE ...........................................46
           SECTION 14.3 ATTORNMENT ............................................................47
           SECTION 14.4 COSTS .................................................................47

ARTICLE 15 SIGNS ..............................................................................47

ARTICLE 16 TRADE FIXTURES .....................................................................48

ARTICLE 17 CHANGES AND ALTERATIONS ............................................................48

ARTICLE 18 SURRENDER OF PREMISES ..............................................................50
</TABLE>

                                      iii

          6

<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                           <C>
           SECTION 18.1  SURRENDER OF POSSESSION ..............................................50
           SECTION 18.2  REMOVAL OF TENANT'S PROPERTY; HOLDOVER RENT ..........................50

ARTICLE 19 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS ...........................................................51
           SECTION 19.1  RIGHT OF INSPECTION ..................................................51
           SECTION 19.2  DISPLAY OF DEMISED PREMISES ..........................................52
           SECTION 19.3  INDEMNITIES ..........................................................52
                  (A)    TENANT ...............................................................52
                  (B)    LANDLORD .............................................................53
           SECTION 19.4  NOTICES ..............................................................53
           SECTION 19.5  QUIET ENJOYMENT ......................................................54
           SECTION 19.6  LANDLORD AND SUCCESSORS ..............................................54
           SECTION 19.7  ESTOPPELS ............................................................54
           SECTION 19.8  SEVERABILITY; GOVERNING LAWS .........................................55
           SECTION 19.9  BINDING EFFECT .......................................................55
           SECTION 19.10 CAPTIONS .............................................................55
           SECTION 19.11 LANDLORD TENANT RELATIONSHIP .........................................55
           SECTION 19.12 MERGER OF AGREEMENTS .................................................55
           SECTION 19.13 LANDLORD'S PROPERTY ..................................................55
           SECTION 19.14 SURVIVAL .............................................................55
           SECTION 19.15 REASONABLENESS .......................................................56
           SECTION 19.16 REAL ESTATE BROKER ...................................................56
           SECTION 19.17 EXHIBITS; RIDER PROVISIONS ...........................................56
           SECTION 19.18 RECORDING ............................................................56
           SECTION 19.19 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS .................................................56
           SECTION 19.20 LIMITATION OF LANDLORD'S LIABILITY ...................................56

ARTICLE 20 CONTINGENCIES ......................................................................57
           SECTION 20.1  LANDLORD'S CONTINGENCIES .............................................57
           SECTION 20.2  TENANT'S CONTINGENCIES ...............................................57
           SECTION 20.3  WAIVER ...............................................................57
</TABLE>

                                       iv

          7

                                LEASE AGREEMENT
                     TENANT: HEALTH O METER PRODUCTS, INC.

         This LEASE AGREEMENT (the "Lease") is made this 15th day of October,
1996, by and between Duke Realty Limited Partnership, a limited partnership
existing under the laws of the State of Indiana (the "Landlord") and HEALTH O
METER PRODUCTS, INC., a corporation existing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, (the "Tenant").

                                  WITNESSETH:

         A. Landlord, for and in consideration of the rents, covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, hereby leases, rents, lets and demises, unto
Tenant, and Tenant does hereby take and hire, upon and subject to the conditions
and limitations hereinafter expressed, all that parcel of land containing
approximately 35.059 acres, more or less, situated in the Village of Glenwillow
(the "Village"), County of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, described in Exhibit A
attached hereto and made a part hereof (the "Land"), together with all
improvements located on and to be constructed thereon pursuant to the terms and
conditions hereof. The initial improvements to be constructed on the Land by
Landlord as provided in Article 2 hereto, are referred to as the "Initial
Improvements." The improvements, if any, to be constructed by Landlord pursuant
to Tenant's right to expand as provided in Article 2A hereof are referred to as

<PAGE>   6

the "Expansion Space." The Initial Improvements and the Expansion Space, if any,
are collectively referred to as "Landlord's Improvements".

         B. Landlord's Improvements and all other improvements, fixtures and
other property, real, personal or mixed, except those items of Tenant's attached
or unattached personalty, which are deemed to be Trade Fixtures (as discussed in
Article 16, the "Trade Fixtures") installed or located thereon, together with
all additions, alterations and replacements thereof are collectively referred to
as the "Improvements." The Land, Landlord's Improvements and any alterations,
modifications or additions thereto are hereafter collectively referred to as the
"Demised Premises." The structures located upon and forming a part of the
Demised Premises which are constructed for human occupancy or for manufacturing,
assembly or storage of goods, merchandise, equipment, or other personal property
are collectively called the "Building."

         NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and
conditions herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

                                       1

          8

                                   ARTICLE 1
                                 TERM OF LEASE

         SECTION 1.1 INITIAL TERM. The initial term of this Lease (the "Initial
Term") shall be for fifteen (15) years commencing on August 1, 1997 (the
"Commencement Date") and ending on July 31, 2012 (the "Termination Date").
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commencement Date and Termination Date are
subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 2.5 hereof, but in no instance
shall the Initial Term be less than fifteen (15) years, unless sooner terminated
as provided herein.

         SECTION 1.2 OPTIONS TO RENEW. Tenant shall have the option (or the
requirement as provided in Section 2A.3 in respect to Expansion Space) to extend
the Initial Term for up to two (2) additional periods of five (5) years each
(individually a "Renewal Term," and collectively, the "Renewal Terms") upon the
terms and conditions contained in this Lease, except that the Base Rent for the
Renewal Terms shall be as set forth in Sections 3.1 hereof. The Initial Term and
Renewal Terms, if any, are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Term."

         SECTION 1.3 EXERCISE OF OPTIONS TO RENEW. The options to renew granted
in Section 1.2 hereof may be exercised by Tenant giving written notice to
Landlord (herein the "Renewal Notice") not later than twelve (12) months prior
to the expiration of the then applicable portion of the Term. Should Tenant
neglect to provide Landlord with a Renewal Notice as provided herein, Tenant's
right to exercise Tenant's option to extend (and any succeeding option) shall
expire. It shall be a condition of exercise of each option to renew that Tenant
shall not be in Default (as defined in Section 10.1) of any of the terms and
conditions of this Lease, either at the time of delivery of the Renewal Notice
in question, or at the commencement of the Renewal Term in question.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, regardless of a Renewal Notice, Tenant shall be
deemed to have exercised its option for the applicable number of Renewal Terms
in the instance of Expansion Space as provided in Section 2A.3 hereof.

                                   ARTICLE 2
                          CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS

         SECTION 2.1       INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

                                       2

          9

<PAGE>   7

         SECTION 2.2       APPROVAL OF DESIGN PACKAGE PLANS.

         Landlord will cause to be prepared and delivered to Tenant for Tenant's
approval by the following dates all of the design components of the Building in
four specific design plan packages (the "Design Plan Packages") :

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      DATE TO BE                 DATE TO BE
                                                      ----------                 ----------
     DESIGN PLAN                                    DELIVERED TO                AGREED UPON BY
     -----------                                    ------------                --------------
     PACKAGE NO.         DESCRIPTION                    TENANT                     LANDLORD
     -----------         -----------                    ------                     --------
                                                                                  AND TENANT

<S>               <C>                           <C>                             <C>
         1        Earthwork and Site Utilities  Received prior to Date of       October 14, 1996
                                                this Lease

         2        Building Shell                October 7, 1996                 October 21, 1996

         3        Warehouse Finishes            November 4, 1996                November 18, 1996

         4        Office Finishes (including    January 20, 1997                February 3, 1997
                  Landscaping Plans)
</TABLE>

The Design Plan Package No. 1 shall be prepared by M-E Civil Engineering, Inc.
(the "Civil Engineer"), an Ohio licensed engineer, all of which shall be in
substantial compliance with Tenant's Performance Criteria Specifications and
Outline Plans (the "Performance Criteria") attached hereto as Exhibit B. The
Design Plan Packages Nos. 2, 3 and 4 shall be prepared by Ford, Berry
Architects, Inc. (the "Initial Architect") an Ohio licensed architect, all of
which shall be in substantial compliance with the Performance Criteria. Upon
receipt, Tenant shall either approve or disapprove the same. If a Design Plan
Package (or a portion thereof) is disapproved, Tenant shall notify Landlord in
writing, detailing, with appropriate specificity, that portion or element of the
Design Plan Package disapproved and the reasons for such disapproval. The Tenant
shall use the submitted documents to record the written commentary, and return a
copy to the Landlord. Upon Tenant's disapproval, Landlord shall undertake to
have such disapproved element of the Design Plan Package modified and shall
promptly resubmit same to Tenant. Such submission and resubmission process shall
continue until such time as all of the components comprising the Design Plan
Packages have been approved by Tenant and Landlord but in no event later than
the dates set forth in the table above.

         In the event Landlord and Tenant fail to agree on the final content of
the Design Plan Packages, Tenant and the Civil Engineer, in the event the
failure to agree is with respect to Design Plan Package No. 1 shall appoint an
independent engineer to make such determination, and in the event the
disagreement is as to Design Plan Packages Nos. 2, 3 or 4, Tenant and the
Initial

                                       3

         10

Architect shall appoint an Independent Architect to make such determination. The
decision of the Civil Engineer or Independent Architect, as the case may be,
shall be binding on the parties.

         When each of the components of the Design Plan Packages have ultimately
been approved by Tenant, Tenant and Landlord shall each affix their respective
signatures or initials to each page comprising the Design Plan Packages, and
when all components comprising the Design Plan Packages have been so signed or

<PAGE>   8

initialed they shall become a part of this Lease as Exhibit C and together shall
constitute the Final Plans.

         SECTION 2.3 SCOPE OF WORK. Landlord agrees to furnish at Landlord's
sole cost and expense (except in the instance of Change Orders), all of the
material, labor and equipment necessary for the commencement and completion of
construction on the Land of the Initial Improvements specified on the Final
Plans. The Initial Improvements shall be constructed using new materials in a
good and workmanlike manner in accordance with the Final Plans. Landlord agrees
to complete the construction thereof in full compliance with all Laws as then in
effect (except as such compliance may be affected as a result of work performed
or to be performed in or about the Demised Premises by Tenant or Tenant's
separate contractors). In the event any materials specified in the Final Plans
are unavailable, Landlord reserves the right to substitute materials of higher
or equal quality, provided that Tenant consents, in writing, to such
substitutions, which consents shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed.

         Landlord shall cause the Initial Improvements to be constructed, and,
as of the Commencement Date, to be in full compliance with the requirements of
the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, and any and all rules and
regulations theretofore issued pursuant thereto ("ADA").

         SECTION 2.4 CHANGES IN WORK. Although it may constitute a Tenant
Extension (as hereafter defined), Tenant, without invalidating this Lease, may
order changes in the work (or may be deemed to have ordered changes in the work)
consisting of additions or deletions to, or other revisions in, the Final Plans
(or the Expansion Plans, if applicable and as hereafter defined), with an
appropriate adjustment, if any, for a credit to or payment by Tenant as
hereafter provided and with an appropriate adjustment, if any, to the following
hereafter defined dates: The Initial Completion Date; Commencement Date;
Expansion Commencement Date; and any applicable dates on which Landlord is
required to deliver components of the Final Plans (or Expansion Plans). Any such
changes in work which have been authorized by a written change order (which
shall be executed as hereafter provided), or have otherwise been deemed
hereunder to have been so authorized and executed, is herein sometimes referred
to as "Change Order."

                                       4

         11

         Except as hereafter provided, a Change Order is a written order signed
by Tenant and accepted, in writing, by Landlord stating in detail the change in
the work, any adjustment in the foregoing dates or the time for the preparation
of components of the Final Plans (or Expansion Plans, if applicable), and any
credit to be afforded to Tenant or any additional payment obligation to be made
by Tenant as a result thereof. If, in the instance of the Initial Improvements a
Change Order results in a credit to Tenant, meaning that the Change Order Cost
(as hereafter defined) is less than the original charge for the work being
changed, such credit shall be effected by a credit to the Base Rent first owing
under this Lease. If in the instance of either the Initial Improvements or the
Expansion Space, a Change Order results in an additional charge to Tenant,
meaning that the Change Order Cost is greater than the original charge for the
work being changed, Tenant shall pay to Landlord the Change Order Cost with
Tenant's first payment of Base Rent. The "Change Order Cost" shall be equal to
the sum of all actual costs incurred in connection with the subject change. The
actual costs of the subject change shall be the aggregate of all payment
obligations under those contracts or modifications to contracts entered into by
Landlord, including standard construction management fees, plus applicable
general conditions, which are necessary to effectuate the specific Change Order.

         SECTION 2.5       COMPLETION.

         (a) INITIAL IMPROVEMENT COMPLETION DATES. Subject to Permitted
Delays and Tenant Extensions, the Initial Improvements shall be Substantially

<PAGE>   9

Complete (as defined in Section 2.6) or if not Substantially Complete, at least
completed to the extent that Tenant may begin to perform certain of its facility
preparation work (as described in Section 2.11), on or before June 30, 1997
(herein the "Initial Completion Date"). Subject to Tenant Extensions, all of the
Initial Improvements shall be Substantially Complete on or before the
Commencement Date.

         (b) PERMITTED DELAYS-TENANT EXTENSION. The Initial Completion Date and
Commencement Date (and Expansion Commencement Date, it applicable) shall be
extended if Landlord is delayed as a result of: (1) strikes, labor disputes,
unusual delays or shortages encountered in weather, transportation, fuel,
material or labor shortages; (2) casualties, acts of God or the public enemy; or
(3) governmental embargo restrictions or action or inaction of local, state or
federal governments affecting the work (clauses (1) through (3) above are
hereinafter individually referred to as a "Permitted Delay" and collectively as
"Permitted Delays").

         A "Tenant Extension" shall mean any delay encountered by Landlord as a
result of any act or omission or neglect of Tenant, including the requesting and
negotiating of Change Orders, or any act or neglect of any employee of Tenant or
by any separate

                                       5

         12

contractor employed by Tenant, including, but not limited to the failure of
Tenant or any of Tenant's contractors to complete interior construction or
racking causing the Village to withhold its certificate of occupancy for the
Initial Improvements (or Expansion Space) as a result thereof or causing the
Initial Improvements (or Expansion Space) not to be in compliance with all
applicable laws as a result thereof.

         (c) EFFECT OF PERMITTED DELAYS OR TENANT EXTENSION. Landlord shall use
best efforts to overcome or mitigate the effect of a Permitted Delay. "Best
efforts" (as used throughout this Lease) shall mean those efforts that are
commercially reasonable under the circumstances. Promptly following the
occurrence of a Permitted Delay or a Tenant Extension, Landlord, in writing,
shall notify Tenant of such occurrence. Thereafter, promptly following
Landlord's determination of the effect such occurrence will have, if any, on the
time within which the Initial Improvements (or the Expansion Space, as the case
may be) shall be Substantially Completed and ready for occupancy by Tenant and,
in the instance of a Tenant Extension, only, the additional cost, if any, to
Tenant, Landlord shall notify Tenant of same. Landlord shall endeavor to make
such determination within ten (10) days following the occurrence, but in any
event it shall be made with due diligence. In the case of continuing Permitted
Delays or Tenant Extensions, only one such notice from Landlord is necessary. In
the instance of a Permitted Delay, the Initial Completion Date, Commencement
Date, Expansion Commencement Date (as hereafter defined) shall be moved back to
the date necessary as a result of a Permitted Delay. In the instance of a Tenant
Extension, the Commencement Date or the Expansion Commencement Date, if
applicable, shall be the date on which the Initial Improvements or Expansion
Space, respectively, would have been Substantially Complete, but for the Tenant
Extension. Also, in the instance of a Tenant Extension, the Initial Completion
Date and the dates when the applicable components of the Design Plan Packages
(or Expansion Plans) must be prepared shall be moved back to the date necessary
as a result of a Tenant Extension.

         (d) PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION. Landlord agrees to provide to Tenant
construction schedules monthly which will depict the various stages of
construction of the Initial Improvements, the progress to date, and Landlord's
estimates for completion of future stages of construction. Such schedules shall
also be updated by the Landlord from time to time in order to reflect any major

<PAGE>   10

changes in construction conditions and/or in the estimated time for delivery of
the various stages of completion. Tenant may consult with the Initial Architect
in the presence of Landlord in regard to the construction schedule and suggest
methods in which such schedule may be modified in order to facilitate
Substantial Completion in accordance with the dates provided herein. If, in
Tenant's reasonable judgment, and after consultation with Landlord and the
Initial Architect, Tenant believes that the dates contained herein for the
delivery of the various stages of the

                                       6

         13

Initial Improvements cannot be met, then Tenant shall notify Landlord in writing
of same. Landlord, upon receipt of such a notice agrees to consult with the,
Initial Architect, and the major subcontractors to insure that all reasonable
steps necessary to meet the time requirements set forth herein are being taken.
In no event, however, shall the failure of Landlord to comply with or implement
any suggestions or requests by Tenant be deemed to be a default by Landlord
hereunder. Nothing contained in the previous sentence shall be construed as a
limitation on the obligation of Landlord to use their best efforts to mitigate
the effect of any Permitted Delay hereunder.

         SECTION 2.6 SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION. Except for Tenant Extensions, the
Initial Improvements and the Expansion Space, as the case may be, shall be
deemed to be "Substantially Complete" or be deemed to have achieved "Substantial
Completion" on the date on which: (i) the improvements in question are completed
in compliance with all applicable laws (except as provided in Section 2.3
hereof) and in conformity in all material respects with the Final Plans (or the
Expansion Plans, as the case may be); and (ii) when the Village (or other
governmental authority having jurisdiction) has issued a certificate of
occupancy (or other consent to or approval of Tenant's use and occupancy as may
be necessary) of the Initial Improvements (or Expansion Space). In the event of
any disagreement between Landlord and Tenant on the issue of whether Substantial
Completion has been achieved under clause (i) above, Tenant and the Initial
Architect shall appoint an independent third party architect (the "Independent
Architect") to make such determination and the decision of the Independent
Architect shall be binding on the parties. The issuance of a certificate of
occupancy (or other consent or approval, as aforesaid, if necessary) by the
Village (or other governmental authority having jurisdiction) which is temporary
or conditional on the subsequent completion of weather-sensitive work, if any,
or completion of minor Punch List Items (as defined in Section 2.9) which do not
interfere with Tenant's use and occupancy of the Demised Premises, shall
nevertheless fulfill the requirement of clause (ii) above. In the instance of
the occurrence of Tenant Extensions, Substantial Completion of the Initial
Improvements (or the Expansion Space, if applicable) shall be the date on which
the improvements in question would have been completed in compliance with all
applicable Laws (except as provided in Section 2.3 hereof) and in conformity in
all material respects with the Final Plans (or the Expansion Plans, if
applicable) and the Village (or other governmental authority having
jurisdiction) would have issued a certificate of occupancy (or other consent or
approval, as aforesaid, as may be necessary), but for the occurrence of a Tenant
Extension.

         SECTION 2.7 TENANT'S REMEDIES FOR LANDLORD DELAY. Landlord acknowledges
that Tenant's current lease expires on June 30, 1997 and Tenant will incur
significant expense in the event

                                       7

         14

<PAGE>   11

the time periods for Substantial Completion as set forth in this Lease are not
met. Accordingly, Landlord agrees as follows:

         (a) Subject to Permitted Delays and Tenant Extensions, in the event
that Substantial Completion of all of the Initial Improvements is not achieved
on or before July 31, 1997, then for each day that Substantial Completion is
delayed beyond said date, the Commencement Date shall be extended by one day.

         (b) In addition, subject to Permitted Delays and Tenant Extension, in
the event that Substantial Completion of all of the Initial Improvements is not
achieved on or before August 22, 1997, then for each day that Substantial
Completion is delayed beyond said date, Tenant shall be entitled to full
abatement of one (1) day of Base Rent following the Commencement Date.

         SECTION 2.8 WARRANTY. Subject to Section 2.3 hereof with respect to
compliance with ADA and Landlord's, and Tenant's respective obligations in
regard thereto, Landlord represents and warrants that all Initial Improvements
to be constructed hereunder shall be constructed in full compliance with all
applicable Laws and Landlord represents and warrants that the Initial
Improvements shall be constructed in full compliance with all Laws (except as
provided in Section 2.3 hereof) and in accordance with the Final Plans in all
material respects. Landlord warrants all portions of the Initial Improvements
constructed pursuant to the Final Plans for a period of one (1) year after
Substantial Completion thereof, plus, for any Warranty Work, one (1) year after
the date of completion of such Warranty Work (herein the "Warranty Period").
After the conclusion of the Warranty Period, Landlord shall assign and transfer
to Tenant all warranties then in effect which were given to Landlord (except any
such warranties with respect to portions of the Initial Improvements for which
Landlord retains Landlord's Repair obligations). If, during the Warranty Period,
Tenant notifies Landlord in writing of defective work in the design or
construction of the Initial Improvements, Landlord shall promptly cause such
defective work to be corrected.

         In the event Landlord performs any work during the Warranty Period for
purposes of correcting any specific defect in the work (hereinafter referred to
as "Warranty Work"), such Warranty Work, as provided above, shall be warranted
by Landlord for a period of one (1) year from the date performed. The warranty
which is provided hereunder is limited in certain respects, and is conditioned
on certain user performance criteria, as follows:

         (a) Tenant agrees to use Landlord's Improvements in accordance with the
design capacities and criteria established for same. Tenant acknowledges that
any material misuse of same may void the warranty hereunder, and may void any
manufacturers' warranties which may be assigned to Tenant hereunder.

                                       8

         15

         (b) In addition to the foregoing, the warranty hereunder shall not
extend to the electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems servicing the Building
unless said systems are maintained and operated in substantial compliance with
the manufacturers' specifications for same by one or more professionals
experienced in the maintenance and servicing of such systems at least through
the Warranty Period (provided that Landlord provides Tenant with copies of
manufacturers' specifications or maintenance manuals or other similar
information to enable Tenant to properly meet its obligations hereunder).
Landlord shall be responsible for initially providing training to Tenant's
operating and maintenance personnel (up to three people) with respect to the
above referenced Building Systems

         (c) Warranty Work hereunder shall not in any way include, or require
Landlord to perform, any routine and appropriate regular maintenance of the
Landlord's Improvements required to be performed by Tenant during the Warranty
Period as part of Tenant's Repairs (see Section 6.2 below).

<PAGE>   12

         (d) The warranty hereunder specifically excludes (and Tenant waives any
claims with respect to) damages to Tenant's products, equipment, or other
personal property which may be located within the Demised Premises, Tenant
hereby acknowledging and agreeing that it has acquired (or will acquire), and
will maintain, appropriate amounts of insurance in order to manage said risks.

         (e) The obligations under this warranty shall be to correct those
portions of the Landlord's Improvements which are not constructed in conformance
with Final Plans (or Expansion Plans, as the case may be), are defective, or
which fail due to faulty design or workmanship.

         SECTION 2.9 PUNCH LIST. Landlord shall notify Tenant of the date which
is approximately seven (7) days prior to the estimated date on which Substantial
Completion for the Initial Improvements is expected to be achieved (herein
referred to as "Inspection Date"). Landlord, and Tenant shall, on the
Inspection Date, make a joint physical inspection of the Building to list the
items of work to be completed (herein referred to as "Punch List Items").
Landlord shall deliver, in writing, Landlord's promise to complete the Punch
List Items within such reasonable period of time in respect to each item as is
necessary to complete same, taking into account diligence and good workmanlike
practices. In the event of a disagreement between the parties as to the
inclusion or the exclusion of an item on the "Punch List," Tenant and the
Initial Architect shall appoint an Independent Architect to make such
determination and the decision of the Independent Architect (which decision
shall be based solely on the determination of whether the item in question was
constructed in conformity with Final Plans) shall control.

                                       9

         16

         SECTION 2.10      INDEMNITY.

         (a) Landlord agrees to indemnify and save Tenant harmless from and
against any and all loss, cost or damage that Tenant may sustain, including,
without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees incurred by Tenant in connection
with any claim, lien, charge, encumbrance or action brought, maintained or filed
by any party for any labor performed or materials furnished for or in connection
with the Initial Improvements.

         (b) Further, Landlord shall indemnify and hold harmless Tenant, its
agents and employees from and against all claims, damages, losses and expenses,
including reasonable attorney's fees (except to the extent caused by the
negligence or willful misconduct of Tenant, its agents, employees or
contractors) to the extent arising out of or resulting from the performance of
any work in connection with the construction of the Initial Improvements,
provided that any such claim, damage, loss or expense is (i) attributable to
bodily injury, sickness, disease or death, or due to injury to or destruction of
tangible property (other than the Improvements); and (ii) caused by any
negligent or willful misconduct of Landlord or any of Landlord's employees,
contractors, subcontractors or anyone directly or indirectly employed by any of
them or anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable.

         (c) Tenant shall indemnify and hold harmless Landlord, its agents and
employees from and against all claims, damages, losses and expenses, including
reasonable attorney's fees (except to the extent caused by the willful
misconduct of Landlord, Landlord's agents, employees or contractors) to the
extent arising out of or resulting from the performance of any work in
connection with Tenant's use and occupancy of the Demised Premises to complete
its facility preparation provided that such claim, damages, loss or expense is
(i) attributable to bodily injury, sickness, disease or death, or due to injury
to or destruction of tangible property; and (ii) caused by any negligent or
willful misconduct of Tenant or any of Tenant's employees, contractors,
subcontractors or anyone directly or indirectly employed by any of them or
anyone of whose acts any for them may be liable.

<PAGE>   13

         (d) Tenant and Landlord shall promptly notify the other party of any
claim under the indemnities contained in this Section 2.10 of which Landlord or
Tenant has knowledge.

         SECTION 2.11 EARLY OCCUPANCY. Landlord will use good faith efforts to
allow Tenant to take possession of the warehouse portion of the Leased Premises
on or before June 30, 1997 for fixturing purposes. Tenant agrees to coordinate
its fixturing work with the work of the Landlord such that Tenant's work does
not interfere with or delay Landlord's work; provided, however, that neither
Landlord nor any of Landlord's affiliates shall have

                                       10

         17

any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any injury (including death) to
any persons or loss or damage to any of Tenant's leasehold improvements,
fixtures, equipment or any other materials installed or left in the Leased
Premises prior to the Commencement Date unless and to the extent such injury or
damage is caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord or any of
Landlord's employees, contractors, subcontractors or anyone directly or
indirectly employed by any one of them or anyone for whose acts any of them may
be liable. All of the terms and conditions of this Lease will become effective
upon Tenant taking possession of the Leased Premises except for the payment of
rent, which will commence on the Commencement Date.

                                   ARTICLE 2A
                         EXPANSION OF DEMISED PREMISES

         SECTION 2A.1      OPTION TO EXPAND.

         (a) EXPANSION NOTICE. Provided (i) Tenant is not then in material
default hereunder, and (ii) Tenant's "Stockholder's Equity" as shown on Tenant's
most recently prepared quarterly consolidated balance sheet, as of the date of
Tenant's delivery of the Expansion Notice, is greater than or equal to Tenant's
"Stockholder's Equity," as of the date hereof, by written notice provided to
Landlord (herein an "Expansion Notice"), Tenant shall have the right, at any
time (or times, up to a maximum of twice) during the Initial Term, to direct
Landlord to prepare Expansion Plans (defined below) and to construct the
Expansion Space. Tenant's Expansion Notice shall request Expansion Space of at
least 80,000 square feet but not more than 160,000 square feet of additional
manufacturing, assembly, warehouse or office space as Tenant may determine is
necessary or desirable, provided such size is in compliance with the parameters
hereafter provided and would then be in compliance with all Village codes, and
other applicable governmental laws, statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations
and further provided that the percentage of office space to be included within
the Expansion shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the Total Expansion
Space. Tenant shall have the right to direct Landlord to construct the Expansion
Space in increments of 80,000 square feet over the Initial Term of this Lease.
The Expansion Space shall be constructed on that portion of the Land delineated
as "Expansion" on the Final Plans.
Tenant's Expansion Notice shall contain the following information:

                  (1)      The desired size of the Expansion Space (at least
                           80,000 square feet but not greater than 160,000
                           square feet;

                  (2)      The proposed configuration and other relevant data
                           concerning the desired Expansion Space (provided the
                           Expansion Space shall be in conformity with the clear
                           height of the Initial Improvements, and in conformity
                           with the architecture, engineering

<PAGE>   14

                                       11

          18

                           and general aesthetics of the Initial Improvements),
                           all in sufficient detail to enable Landlord to
                           reasonably determine the Expansion Cost (as hereafter
                           defined) thereof; and

                  (3)      The estimated date on which Tenant requests that the
                           Expansion Space be completed and ready for occupancy
                           for Tenant's use (which date shall in no case be
                           earlier than nine (9) months after Tenant's approval
                           of the Expansion Plans).

         SECTION 2A.2 LANDLORD'S PROPOSED EXPANSION SPACE PARAMETERS. Within
thirty (30) days following Landlord's receipt of the Expansion Notice, Landlord
shall consult with Tenant concerning Tenant's specific requirements in regard to
its need for expansion, and within said time period shall notify Tenant, in
writing, of Landlord's proposal (which shall not be binding on Landlord or
Tenant, but shall nonetheless be given, in good faith, by Landlord) of: (a) the
size of the Expansion Space that Landlord is willing and able to construct in
accordance with the then applicable ordinances of all governmental authority
having jurisdiction over the Demised Premises and in accordance with the
parameters set forth in Section 2A.l above; (b) Landlord's estimate of the total
Expansion Costs (defined in Section 2A.10 hereof) which will be incurred in
planning and constructing the Expansion Space and other Land improvements or
modifications necessary to accommodate the Expansion Space; and (c) Landlord's
estimate, based on the Expansion Costs, of the Expansion Space Rent as provided
in Section 3.1 (b) hereof.

         SECTION 2A.3 TENANT'S NOTICE TO PROCEED AND EXPANSION SPACE TERM.
Within thirty (30) days following receipt of Landlord's proposal set forth in
Section 2A.2 above, Tenant shall notify Landlord, in writing ("Notice to
Proceed"), that (i) Tenant authorizes Landlord to proceed with the preparation
of Expansion Plans, and the commencement of construction of the Expansion Space
(as hereafter provided); or (ii) Tenant elects not to expand. If Tenant fails to
serve said Notice to Proceed on Landlord within said thirty (30) day period,
then Tenant shall be deemed to have elected not to expand. However, if a Notice
to Proceed is given by Tenant authorizing the planning and construction of the
Expansion Space, then concurrently therewith Tenant shall be deemed to have
exercised that number of Renewal Terms that is necessary to extend the Term for
a period of not less than fifteen (15) years following the Expansion
Commencement Date (as hereafter defined). That portion of the Term equal to
fifteen (15) years on and after the Expansion Commencement Date plus that
portion of the applicable Renewal Term remaining after the expiration of said
fifteen (15) years is hereafter referred to as the "Expansion Space Term." By
way of example, if the Expansion Commencement Date occurs on the seventh (7th)
anniversary of the Commencement Date, by delivery of the Notice to Proceed,
Tenant shall he deemed to have elected to extend the Term for two (2) Renewal
Terms, the

                                       12

          19

Term will be for not less than eighteen (18) years and the Expansion Space Term
shall be for fifteen (15) years.

         SECTION 2A.4 PREPARATION OF EXPANSION PLANS. Following the date
Landlord receives the Tenant's Notice to Proceed, Landlord shall cause to be
prepared and delivered to Tenant all of the components of plans and
specifications for the Expansion Space (herein, the "Expansion Plans") prepared
by an Ohio licensed architect ("Expansion Architect") reasonably acceptable to
Tenant, and in substantial conformity with the Expansion Notice.

<PAGE>   15

         Said components of the Expansion Plans will be prepared for delivery as
follows: (i) on or prior to the date sixty (60) days following Landlord's
receipt of the Notice to Proceed, Landlord shall cause to be delivered to Tenant
the base building plans component of the Expansion Plans in substantial
compliance with the Landlord's proposal set forth in Section 2A.2, and which
shall be in a form sufficiently complete to enable the issuance of a building
permit by the Village for the construction of the base building portion of the
Expansion Space. Within thirty (30) days after Tenant's approval of said base
building plans component of the Expansion Plans as hereafter provided, Landlord
shall cause to be delivered to Tenant the final plan component of the Expansion
Plans (which shall contain substantially similar components as the Final Plans
for the Initial Improvements).

         If: (i) each component submitted by Landlord is in substantial
compliance with the Expansion Notice; and (ii) the character and quality of the
systems and improvements described in the final plan component of the Expansion
Plans are consistent with the character and quality of the improvements
described in the base building component of the Expansion Plans, Tenant agrees
that it will not unreasonably withhold its approval of any such submitted
component, except for just and reasonable cause, and Tenant further agrees not
to act in an arbitrary and capricious manner with respect to approval of such
components. Any disapproval of the components by Tenant which, in order to
obtain Tenant's approval upon resubmission, requires a revision thereto, which
revision in Landlord's reasonable opinion is a substantial deviation from the
Expansion Notice shall be deemed a Change Order as set forth in Section 2.7
hereof. Landlord, within seven (7) days following Landlord's receipt of such
deviating disapproved component shall notify Tenant, in writing, of Landlord's
good faith estimate of the amount, if any, of delay in the completion of
construction of the Expansion Space and, if applicable, the extra cost to or
savings to Tenant resulting from the requested revision. In no instance shall
Tenant be permitted to order such deviation if such deviation would cause the
Expansion Plans not to be in compliance with all applicable laws.

         When each of the components of the Expansion Plans have been ultimately
approved by Tenant, Tenant and Landlord shall each affix their respective
signatures or initials to each page

                                       13

         20

comprising such component. Thereafter, such approved components shall constitute
the Expansion Plans and shall be deemed a part of this Lease as Exhibit C.

         SECTION 2A.5 EXPANSION COMMENCEMENT DATE. Except for Permitted Delays
and Tenant Extensions, the Expansion Space shall be Substantially Completed on
the date (herein the "Expansion Completion Date") which is nine (9) months
following the final approval of all of the Expansion Plans. In the event that
the Landlord Substantially Completes the Expansion Space on a date which is
later than the date nine (9) months after the approval of the Expansion Plans
(or earlier if Tenant commences use or occupancy of the Expansion Space) such
later or earlier date, as the case may be, shall be the "Expansion Commencement
Date." On the Expansion Commencement Date, the Expansion Space shall be deemed
to be part of the Demised Premises. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event
of Tenant Extensions, the Expansion Commencement Date shall be the date on which
the Expansion Space would have been Substantially Complete, but for Tenant
Extensions.

         SECTION 2A.6 SCOPE OF WORK - EXPANSION SPACE Subject to Permitted
Delays, promptly following the approval of the Expansion Plans, Landlord agrees
to furnish, at Landlord's sole cost and expense (except in the instance of
Change Orders), all the material, labor and equipment necessary for the
commencement and completion of construction of the Expansion Space. The

<PAGE>   16

Expansion Space shall be constructed in a good and workmanlike manner using new
materials in accordance with the Expansion Plans, and Landlord agrees to
complete the construction thereof in full compliance with all Laws as then in
effect, except as such compliance may be affected as a result of any work to be
performed by or on behalf of Tenant (other than by Landlord) in the Expansion
Space on or prior to the Expansion Commencement Date. In the event Tenant
requires any such work to be performed, Tenant shall timely advise Landlord, in
writing, of the plans and specifications for such work. In the event Landlord
approves such plans and specifications, Landlord shall cause the Expansion
Space, on the Expansion Commencement Date to be in full compliance with all
Laws, including ADA. In the event Tenant subsequently modifies such approved
plans and specifications or Tenant's separate contractors fail to perform such
work in compliance with such approved plans and specifications, then the
procedures in respect to such subsequent modification or the affect of Tenant's
separate contractors to comply with the approved plans and specifications shall
be considered a Tenant Extension with respect to the Expansion Space.

         SECTION 2A.7 EXPANSION CHANGE ORDERS. Tenant shall be allowed to
request Change Orders with respect to the Expansion Space in the same manner and
with the same effect as Change Orders to the Initial Improvements. Any Change
Orders with respect to the Expansion Space shall modify the Expansion Costs,
upwards or downwards, as the case may be, that is set forth in the proposal

                                       14

         21

required to be delivered by Landlord to Tenant pursuant to Section 2A.2 hereof.
Any increase in the amount of the Expansion Costs set forth in said Landlord's
proposal as a result of a Change Order in respect to the Expansion Space shall
be paid by Tenant within thirty (30) days of Tenant's receipt of an invoice
therefor.

         SECTION 2A.8 WARRANTY AS TO EXPANSION SPACE. Landlord shall warrant all
portions of the improvements constructed pursuant to the Expansion Plans for a
period of one (1) year after Substantial Completion thereof, under the same
terms, conditions and undertakings, and with the same limitations as set forth
in Section 2.8 above.

         SECTION 2A.9 EXPANSION PUNCH LIST. Landlord shall notify Tenant of the
date which is approximately seven (7) days prior to the estimated date on which
Substantial Completion for the Expansion Space is expected to be achieved
(herein referred to as "Expansion Inspection Date"). Landlord and Tenant shall,
on the Expansion Inspection Date, make a joint physical inspection of the
Expansion Space to list any items of work to be completed or corrected (herein
referred to as "Expansion Punch List Items"). Landlord shall deliver, in
writing, its promise to complete the Expansion Punch List Items, within such
reasonable period of time in respect to each item as is necessary to complete
same, taking into account diligence and good workmanlike practices. In the event
of a disagreement between the parties as to the inclusion or the exclusion of an
item as an Expansion Punch List Item, Tenant and the Expansion Architect shall
appoint an Independent Architect to make such determination, and the decision of
the Independent Architect (which decision shall be based solely on the
determination of whether the item in question was constructed in substantial
conformity with the Expansion Plans) shall control.

         SECTION 2A.10 EXPANSION COSTS. For purposes of determining the Base
Rent for the Expansion Space for the fifteen (15) year period of the Term
occurring on and after the Expansion Commencement Date, "Expansion Costs" shall
be the aggregate of all payment obligations of those contracts for so-called
"hard costs" and "soft costs," including, but not necessarily limited to, all
actual construction costs, direct project overhead, insurance, reasonable

<PAGE>   17

construction interest costs, architect's and engineer's fees, permit fees
(including impact fees imposed by any governmental authority) and other
municipality costs, which are incurred by or on behalf of Landlord for the
construction of the Expansion Space pursuant to the Expansion Plans. Landlord
agrees to conduct its construction of the Expansion Space on an "open-book"
basis so that Tenant shall have the opportunity to review and verify all of the
component elements that comprise the Expansion Costs.

                                       15

         22

                                   ARTICLE 3
                                      RENT

         SECTION 3.1 BASE RENT. Tenant shall pay to Landlord at such place or to
such other party as Landlord may from time to time designate in writing, in coin
or currency which, at the time of payment, is legal tender for private or public
debts of the United States of America, base rent (the "Base Rent") during the
Term, which shall be the sum applicable for the Initial Improvements described
in sub-paragraph (a) below, plus the sum applicable for the Expansion Space Rent
(if any) described in sub-paragraph (b) below.

         (a) BASE RENT FOR INITIAL IMPROVEMENTS. Subject to adjustments referred
to in Section 3.3, if any, for each of the following periods during the Term,
the Base Rent applicable for the Initial Improvements shall be as follows:

         (1)      INITIAL TERM. Base Rent for the Initial Improvements for the
                  Initial Term shall be as follows:

                        Years 1-5         $3.32 per square foot
                        Years 6-10        $3.74 per square foot
                        Years 11-15       $4.19 per square foot

                  On or before the Commencement Date, Landlord shall deliver to
                  Tenant the Initial Architect's determination of the square
                  footage contained within the Building. Tenant shall have the
                  right to review and approve such determination and in the
                  event of a disagreement between the parties as to the square
                  footage contained within the Building, Tenant and the Initial
                  Architect shall appoint an Independent Architect to make such
                  determination, and the decision of the Independent Architect
                  shall control.

         (2)      RENEWAL TERM. Base Rent for the Initial Improvements for the
                  Renewal Term shall be the greater of (a) Base Rent for the
                  Initial Improvements during the Initial Term or the last year
                  of the preceding Renewal Term, as the case may be, and (b)
                  ninety-five percent (95%) of the "Fair Market Base Rent"
                  determined pursuant to Section 3.1(c) below.

         (b) EXPANSION SPACE RENT. For each of the following periods during the
Term on and after the Expansion Commencement Date, Tenant shall pay to Landlord,
as Base Rent for the Expansion Space, the following amounts ("Expansion Space
Rent"):

                                       16
         23

         (1)      EXPANSION SPACE TERM. As of the date this Lease is executed,
                  Landlord shall determine the "Spread" defined as the
                  difference between the yield on 20-year United States Treasury
                  Bonds on the date this Lease is executed and 9.75%. For the
                  period commencing on the Expansion Commencement Date to the
                  end of the fifth year

<PAGE>   18

                  of the Expansion Space Term, the Expansion Space Rent shall be
                  the annual amount equal to the Expansion Costs (as defined in
                  Section 2A.10 hereof) multiplied by the greater of (i) the sum
                  of the Spread plus the yield on 20-year United States Treasury
                  Bonds on the Expansion Commencement Date or (ii) 9.00%, with
                  such product then being divided by 97.5% to take into account
                  a 2.5% vacancy factor, and then adding a $.05 per square foot
                  structural reserve. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, in
                  the event that at the time that Tenant delivers the Expansion
                  Notice to Landlord, the yield on 20-year Treasury Bonds has
                  increased to such an extent that it would be advantageous for
                  Tenant to fund the proposed expansion through other sources
                  available to Tenant, then Tenant, at the time of delivery of
                  such Expansion Notice, shall be given the opportunity to
                  negotiate with Landlord with respect to such other funding of
                  the expansion, provided that an acceptable return for Landlord
                  with respect to the expansion project can be agreed upon by
                  the parties. Based upon the foregoing computations, within
                  seven (7) days after the Expansion Commencement Date, Landlord
                  shall advise Tenant, in writing, of the amount of the
                  Expansion Space Rent and Landlord's calculation thereof as
                  provided above. The Expansion Space Rent shall increase every
                  five (5) years of the Expansion Space Term commencing on the
                  fifth (5th) anniversary date of the Expansion Commencement
                  Date and every five (5) years thereafter by twelve and
                  one-half percent (12 1/2%) over the Expansion Space Rent
                  payable during the immediately preceding five (5) year period.

                  For example, assuming the 20-year Treasury Bond rate on the
                  Lease execution date is 6.94%, and such rate is 8.00% on the
                  Expansion Commencement Date, and the Expansion Costs for a
                  requested 160,000 square foot expansion totaled $4,800,000,
                  the annual Expansion Space Rent for the first five years of
                  the Expansion Space Term would be $540,185.00, calculated as
                  follows:

                  $4,800,000 x (9.75% - 6.94% + 8.00%) / 97.5% + (160,000 x
                  $.05) = $540,185.00

                                       17

         24

                  (2) RENEWAL TERMS. The Expansion Space Rent for the Renewal
                  Terms shall be the greater of (a) the Expansion Space Rent
                  required to be paid by Tenant during the last year of the
                  Expansion Space Term or the last preceding Renewal Term, as
                  the case may be, and (b) ninety five percent (95%) of the Fair
                  Market Base Rent for the Expansion Space determined pursuant
                  to Section 3.1(c) below.

         (c)      FAIR MARKET BASE RENT DETERMINATION. The parties agree that
                  the Base Rent for the Initial Improvements or for the entire
                  Demised Premises, as applicable, for the applicable Renewal
                  Term, shall be the current market rent then being charged by
                  landlords for new tenants (as opposed to a "renewing tenant")
                  in arms length bona fide negotiations of similar size and
                  stature to Tenant for buildings comparable to the Building in
                  the Solon/Glenwillow suburban market and taking into account
                  all allowances and concessions provided, or paid to tenants,
                  including, but not limited to: free rent, tenant improvements,
                  buy-out of existing leases, signing bonuses, relocation
                  expenses, and payment of service providers such as architects
                  and brokers.

                  In the event that the foregoing rent determination cannot
                  reasonably be made, then, the Fair Market Base Rent for the
                  applicable Renewal Term shall be determined by appraisal, and
                  Landlord, in a notice to Tenant sent fifteen (15) months prior
                  to

<PAGE>   19

                  the commencement of a Renewal Term, shall notify Tenant of the
                  identity of Landlord's third-party appraiser. Tenant, within
                  fifteen (15) days of receipt of Landlord's notice, shall
                  identify, in writing, its third-party appraiser. Thereafter,
                  within fifteen (15) days after Tenant identifies to Landlord
                  its third-party appraiser, both third-party appraisers shall
                  mutually agree on the designation of a third-party,
                  independent appraiser ("Independent Appraiser"). If a party
                  fails to identify its third-party appraiser or the identified
                  appraisers fail to mutually agree on the designation of an
                  Independent Appraiser, then such unidentified or undesignated
                  appraiser shall be appointed by the Chief Judge of the United
                  States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio,
                  Eastern Division. Landlord shall pay all costs associated with
                  the appraiser designated by Landlord; Tenant shall pay all
                  costs associated with the appraiser designated by Tenant; and
                  Landlord and Tenant shall share equally in all costs
                  associated with the Independent Appraiser. All three
                  appraisers shall be reputable real estate appraisers, each of
                  whom shall be knowledgeable and experienced in the appraisals
                  of

                                       18

         25

                  rent for office-warehouse-manufacturing buildings in the
                  Cuyahoga County, Ohio suburban and, in particular, the
                  Solon/Glenwillow market.

                  Fair Market Base Rent shall be determined based upon such
                  criteria as the appraisers deem appropriate, but such criteria
                  shall include: (1) the then current use of the Demised
                  Premises; (2) the size and condition of the entire Demised
                  Premises; (3) the duration of the Renewal Term; and (4) rental
                  rates then being charged by landlords for new tenants of
                  similar size and stature in the Solon/Glenwillow suburban
                  market.

                  After their appointment, the appraisers shall be directed to
                  independently determine the Fair Market Base Rent, which shall
                  include a determination of appropriate periodic increases to
                  the Fair Market Base Rent as so determined during the period
                  for which the determination is being made, and which shall be
                  determined on a per square foot basis. Within thirty (30) days
                  after the designation of the Independent Appraiser, all three
                  appraisals of the Fair Market Base Rent shall be submitted, in
                  writing, to Landlord and Tenant. The weighted-average of the
                  Fair Market Base Rent determined by the appraisers as
                  aforesaid shall be used in determining the Base Rent for the
                  applicable Renewal Term as provided in Section 3.1(a) and (b)
                  hereof.

                  If the Fair Market Base Rent is not determined until after the
                  commencement of any such subsequent period, Tenant shall
                  continue to pay the Base Rent paid in the year immediately
                  preceding. When the Fair Market Base Rent is determined as
                  provided above, and if such determination would have caused
                  the Base Rent for the Initial Improvements or the entire
                  Demised Premises, as applicable, for the subsequent period to
                  increase, within thirty (30) days following such
                  determination, Tenant shall pay to Landlord the deficiency of
                  the Base Rent theretofore paid, prorated from the commencement
                  of the subsequent period to the date paid.

         SECTION 3.2 RENT PAYABLE WITHOUT PRIOR DEMAND; MAXIMUM RATE OF

<PAGE>   20

INTEREST. Except as set forth herein, all payments of Base Rent for the Initial
Improvements and, if applicable, Expansion Space and Additional Rent (as
hereafter defined) shall be payable without previous demand therefor. If the
Initial Term or any Renewal Term commences other than on the first day of a
month or ends other than on the last day of a month, the Base Rent for such
month and such portion of the Demised Premises shall be pro-rated accordingly.
Except as specifically provided herein, the Base Rent shall be absolutely net to
Landlord so that this Lease shall yield, net to Landlord, the Base Rent
specified in

                                       19

         26

Section 3.1. Except as otherwise provided herein, in each year of the Term, all
impositions, insurance premiums, utility charges, maintenance, repair and
replacement expenses (except for Warranty Work, Landlord's Repairs and Punch
List Items), all expenses relating to Compliance with Laws (as hereafter
defined) chargeable to Tenant in accordance with the terms of Section 7.1
hereof, and all other costs, fees, charges, expenses, reimbursements and
obligations of every kind and nature whatsoever relating to the Demised Premises
which may arise or become due during the Term or by reason of events then
occurring shall be paid or discharged by Tenant as additional rent
(collectively, the "Additional Rent"). Tenant hereby agrees to indemnify,
defend and save Landlord harmless from and against any and all such impositions,
insurance premiums, utility charges, maintenance, repair and replacement
expenses, all expenses relating to Compliance with Laws chargeable to Tenant in
accordance with the terms of Section 7.1 hereof, and all other costs, fees,
charges, expenses, reimbursements and obligations. Base Rent, Additional Rent
and all other payment obligations of Tenant to Landlord hereunder are sometimes
hereinafter collectively referred to as "Rent." In case of nonpayment by Tenant
of any item of Rent payable to Landlord when the same is due, Landlord,
following five (5) days' notice to Tenant, shall have, in addition to all its
other rights and remedies, all of the rights and remedies available to Landlord
under the provisions of this Lease or by law as if in the case of nonpayment of
Base Rent. The performance and observance by Tenant of all the terms, covenants,
conditions and agreements to be performed or observed by Tenant hereunder shall
be performed and observed by Tenant at Tenant's sole cost and expense.

         Any installment of Base Rent or Additional Rent payable to Landlord or
any other charges payable by Tenant to Landlord under the provisions hereof
which shall not be paid when due shall bear interest at an annual rate equal to
three (3.0%) percentage points per annum in excess of the rate of interest from
time to time announced by KeyBank National Association (or similar institution
if said bank shall cease to exist or to publish such a rate) as its corporate
base rate of interest, but in no event in excess of the maximum lawful rate
permitted to be charged by Landlord against Tenant plus an administrative charge
equal to one percent (1%) of such late payments. Said rate of interest is
sometimes hereinafter referred to as the "Maximum Rate of Interest".
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant shall be granted a "grace" period two (2)
times per any consecutive twelve (12) month period during the Term for which
interest on late payments shall not be charged provided same are received by
Landlord within five (5) days following written notice from Landlord to Tenant.

         SECTION 3.3. GOVERNMENTAL ASSISTANCE. Base Rent shall be reduced in the
event Landlord receives contributions from any governmental entity for on-site
costs which are part of Landlord's original scope of work. The reduction in Base
Rent

                                       20

<PAGE>   21

         27

shall be calculated as the product of the total cost savings multiplied by
9.75%. Such reduction, however, does not apply to off-site costs, such as road
curb cuts, deceleration lanes or sewer extensions which are not a part of
Landlord's original cost estimates.

                                   ARTICLE 4
                      PAYMENT OF TAXES, ASSESSMENTS, ETC.

         SECTION 4.1 ADDITIONAL RENT. Tenant covenants and agrees to pay as
Additional Rent, before any fine, penalty, interest or cost may be added thereto
for the nonpayment thereof, all real estate taxes, special assessments, water
rates and charges, sewer rates and charges, including any sum or sums payable
for sewer or water capacity, charges for public utilities (the charges for the
electric power portion thereof to be at rates charged by the applicable
regulated utility providing such electricity, at Tenant's request), insurance
premiums, street lighting, excise levies, licenses, permits, governmental
inspection fees (incurred after Substantial Completion) and all other charges or
burdens of whatsoever kind and nature (including costs, fees, and expenses of
complying with any restrictive covenants or similar agreements to which the
Demised Premises is subject) incurred in the use, occupancy, operation, leasing
or possession of the Demised Premises (except as otherwise provided in Section
4.3 hereof), without particularizing by any known name or by whatever name
hereafter called, and whether any of the foregoing be general or special,
ordinary or extraordinary, foreseen or unforeseen (collectively, "Impositions"),
which at any time during the Term may be payable. Landlord represents that it
has received no notice of any change in the assessed valuation of the Land or
any special assessment applicable to the Land. Tenant shall pay all components
of Additional Rent as set forth in this Section 4.1 directly to the applicable
public utility or other entity.

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Landlord agrees that
Impositions shall not include: (i) leasing commissions and attorneys fees
incurred in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Lease; (2)
costs incurred by Landlord in the discharge of its obligations under this Lease;
(3) any amortization or depreciation on the Building; (4) costs incurred by
Landlord to the extent due to a violation by Landlord of any of the terms of
this Lease; (5) interest on debt or amortization payments on any mortgages or
any other debt for borrowed money; (6) repairs or other work occasioned by fire,
windstorm, or other casualty to the extent same are paid by the proceeds of
insurance or condemnation awards; and (7) costs incurred to the extent resulting
from the failure of the Building to comply with any applicable law, rule,
regulation, or code in effect as of the Commencement Date of any governmental
authority having jurisdiction over the Building.

                                       21

         28

         Tenant shall pay all special (or similar) assessments or installments
thereof (including interest thereon) for public improvements or benefits which,
during the Term shall be laid, assessed, levied or imposed upon or become a lien
upon the Demised Premises and which are payable during the Term, or any portion
thereof; provided, however, that if by law any special assessment is payable
(without default) or, at the option of the party obligated to make such payment,
may be paid (without default) in installments (whether or not interest shall
accrue on the unpaid balance of such special assessment), Tenant may pay the
same, together with any interest accrued on the unpaid balance of such special
assessment in installments as the same respectively become payable and before
any fine, penalty, interest or cost may be added thereto for the nonpayment of
any such installment and the interest thereon.

         Except as hereafter provided, Tenant shall pay all special assessments
or installments thereof (including interest accrued thereon), whether
heretofore

<PAGE>   22

or hereafter laid, assessed, levied or imposed upon the Demised Premises, or any
portion thereof, which are due and payable during the Term (regardless of the
period to which such assessments relate). Landlord shall pay all installments of
special assessments (including interest accrued on the unpaid balance) which are
payable prior to the commencement and after the termination of this Lease.
Except as hereafter provided, Tenant shall pay all real estate taxes, whether
heretofore or hereafter levied or assessed upon the Demised Premises, or any
portion thereof, which are due and payable during the Term (regardless of the
period to which such taxes relate). Provisions herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, Landlord shall pay that portion of the real estate taxes and
installments of special assessments due and payable in respect to the Demised
Premises during the year the Term commences and the year in which the Term ends
which the number of days in said year not within the Term of this Lease bears to
365, and except as hereafter provided, Tenant shall pay the balance of said real
estate taxes and installments of special assessments during said years. The
provisions of this Section 4.1 shall survive the expiration or earlier
termination of this Lease.

         In the event the Land is currently taxed as part of a larger parcel for
real estate tax purposes, promptly upon the execution of this Lease, Landlord
will use good faith efforts to have the Land divided into a separate and
distinct real estate tax parcel. Until such time as said tax division occurs,
Landlord shall compute the portion of the real estate tax bill attributable to
the Demised Premises and which portion is attributable to other property, if
necessary.

         Landlord agrees to provide copies of all tax bills and Landlord's
calculation of Tenant's proportionate share of the Real Estate taxes (until the
tax division) promptly upon receipt of the tax bill. After the tax division of
the Land occurs, Landlord will cause all real estate tax bills, assessments and
notices to

                                       22

         29

be sent directly to Tenant, and Tenant agrees promptly to furnish copies of same
to Landlord. Tenant's address for real estate tax purposes shall be the address
for the Leased Premises.

         SECTION 4.2 RIGHT TO CONTEST IMPOSITIONS. Landlord agrees to notify
Tenant of any Impositions as soon as possible so as to enable Tenant, if it so
elects, to contest the validity, amount, propriety, or accuracy of any
Imposition in a timely manner. If Tenant desires to contest the validity,
amount, propriety, or accuracy of any Imposition, Tenant shall notify Landlord
of same which notice shall state the nature of the Imposition being contested
and the grounds for such contest.

         Tenant shall have the right, at its own expense, to contest the amount,
propriety, accuracy, or validity, in whole or in part, of any Imposition by
appropriate proceedings diligently conducted in good faith, but only after
payment of such Imposition, unless non-payment would not cause a lien to be
filed against title to the Demised Premises or would otherwise jeopardize title
to the Demised Premises or Tenant's leasehold interest therein; in which event,
notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.1 hereof, Tenant may postpone or
defer payment of such Imposition. Upon the termination of any such proceedings,
Tenant shall pay the amount of such Imposition or part thereof, if any, as
finally determined in such proceedings, the payment of which may have been
deferred during the prosecution of such proceedings, together with any costs,
fees, including attorney's fees, interest, penalties, fines and other liability
in connection therewith. Tenant shall be entitled to the refund of any
Imposition, penalty, fine and interest thereon received by Landlord or that are
paid directly to Tenant which have been paid by Tenant or which have been paid

<PAGE>   23

by Landlord but for which Landlord has been previously reimbursed in full by
Tenant.

         Landlord shall not be required to join in any proceedings referred to
in this Section 4.2 unless the provisions of any law, rule or regulation at the
time in effect shall require that such proceedings by brought by or in the name
of Landlord, in which event Landlord shall join in such proceedings or permit
the same to be brought in Landlord's name upon compliance with such conditions
as Landlord may reasonably require. Landlord shall not ultimately be subject to
any liability for the payment of any fees, including attorney's fees, costs and
expenses in connection with such proceedings. Tenant agrees to pay all such fees
(including reasonable attorney's fees), costs and expenses or, on demand, to
make reimbursement to Landlord for such payment.

         SECTION 4.3 TAXES ON RENT. Except for any net income tax, if at any
time during the Term, any method of taxation shall be such that there shall be
levied, assessed or imposed on Landlord, or on the Base Rent or Additional Rent,
or on the Demised Premises, or any portion thereof, in lieu of real property
taxes, a capital levy, gross receipts tax (based on receipts from

                                       23

         30

the Demised Premises only) or other tax on the rents received therefrom, or a
franchise tax, or an assessment, gross levy or charge measured by or based in
whole or in part upon such gross Rents, Tenant, to the extent permitted by law,
covenants to pay and discharge the same, it being the intention of the parties
hereto that the Base Rent to be paid hereunder shall be paid to Landlord
absolutely net without deduction or charge of any nature whatsoever, foreseeable
or unforeseeable, ordinary or extraordinary, or of any nature, kind or
description, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Lease.
Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, in the event that any method of taxation
shall be such that there shall be levied, assessed, or imposed on Landlord, or
on the Base Rent or Additional Rent, in lieu of a net income tax, a gross
receipts tax (based on receipts from the Demised Premises only) or other tax on
the rents received therefrom, Landlord shall be responsible for such tax without
any right to pass the cost thereof through to Tenant. If such is the case that
it cannot reasonably be determined whether a gross receipts tax is imposed in
lieu of real property taxes or in lieu of a net income tax, Landlord and Tenant
shall share the cost of such tax equally. Nothing contained in this Lease shall
require Tenant to pay any Municipal, County, State or Federal net income or
excess profits taxes assessed against Landlord, or any Municipal, State, County
or Federal, estate, succession, inheritance or transfer taxes of Landlord, or
corporation franchise taxes imposed upon any corporate owner of the fee of the
Demised Premises.

         SECTION 4.4 RECEIPTS FOR IMPOSITIONS. Tenant covenants to furnish
Landlord, within ten (10) days after the date upon which any Imposition or other
tax, assessment, levy or charge is finally payable by Tenant, official receipts
of the appropriate taxing authority, or other appropriate proof satisfactory to
Landlord, evidencing the payment of the same. The certificate, advice or bill of
the appropriate official designated by law to make or issue the same or to
receive payment of any Imposition or other tax, assessment, levy or charge may
be relied upon by Landlord as sufficient evidence that such Imposition or other
tax, assessment, levy or charge is due and unpaid at the time of the making or
issuance of such certificate, advice or bill.

         SECTION 4.5 LANDLORD'S RIGHT TO CONTEST IMPOSITIONS. In addition to the
right of Tenant under Section 4.2 to contest the amount or validity of
Impositions, Landlord shall also have the right, but not the obligation, to
contest the amount or validity, in whole or in part, of any Impositions not
contested by Tenant, by appropriate proceedings conducted in the name of

<PAGE>   24

Landlord or in the name of Landlord and Tenant. If Landlord elects to contest
the amount or validity, in whole or in part, of any Impositions, such contests
by Landlord shall be at Landlord's expense, provided, however, that if the
amounts payable by Tenant for Impositions are reduced (or if a proposed increase
in such amounts is avoided or reduced) by reason of Landlord's contest of

                                       24

         31

Impositions, Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for costs incurred by Landlord in
contesting Impositions, but such reimbursements shall not be in excess of the
amount saved by Tenant by reason of Landlord's actions in contesting such
Impositions.

                                   ARTICLE 5
                                   INSURANCE

         SECTION 5.1 PROPERTY INSURANCE. Tenant shall obtain and continuously
maintain in full force and effect at all times during the Term, at Tenant's sole
cost and expense, policies of insurance covering Landlord's Improvements
constructed, installed or located on the Demised Premises, which insurance shall
be for the benefit of Landlord and Landlord's designated mortgagee, trust deed
holder or ground lessor (individually, "Mortgagee," and collectively,
"Mortgagees"), as the named insured, against (i) loss or damage by fire; (ii)
loss or damage from such other risks or hazards now or hereafter embraced by an
"Extended Coverage Endorsement," including, but not limited to, windstorm, hail,
explosion, vandalism, riot and civil commotion, damage from vehicles, smoke
damage, water damage and debris removal; (iii) loss from flood if the Demised
Premises is in a Federally designated flood area; (iv) loss from so-called
explosion, earthquake (if appropriate), collapse and underground hazards; and
(v) loss or damage from such other risks or hazards of a similar or dissimilar
nature which are now or may hereafter be customarily insured against with
respect to improvements similar in construction, design, general location, use
and occupancy to the Demised Premises (hereinafter referred to as "Property
Insurance").

         At all times the Property Insurance coverage shall be in an amount
equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the then "Full Replacement Cost" of
Landlord's Improvements and shall include a so-called "Agreed Value
Endorsement." Full Replacement Cost shall be interpreted to mean the cost of
replacing Landlord's Improvements without deduction for depreciation,
obsolescence, or wear and tear, and it shall include a reasonable sum for
architectural, engineering, legal, interest charges, administrative and
supervisory fees connected with the restoration or replacement of Landlord's
Improvements in the event of damages thereto or destruction thereof. Full
Replacement Cost shall be determined from time to time, at the request of Tenant
or of Landlord or its mortgagee or trust deed holder, by an appraiser, engineer,
architect or contractor designated by the party requesting such determination
and at such party's expense.

         The Property Insurance provided by Tenant under this Section 5.1 shall:
(a) be written with companies licensed to do business in the State of Ohio,
having a Best's "General Policy Holding Rating" of A+ or better and a financial
rating class of IX or better; (b) cite the interest of Landlord and Landlord's
mortgagee(s) or trust deed holder(s) in standard mortgagee clauses

                                       25

         32

<PAGE>   25
effective as of the Commencement Date (or earlier if required elsewhere herein);
and (c) be maintained continuously through the Term hereof.

         During any period of construction of Landlord's Improvements, Landlord
shall maintain in full force and effect, (i) worker's compensation insurance as
may be required by the statutes of the State of Ohio or any applicable federal
or municipal laws or regulations and (ii) on a completed value basis, insurance
coverage on the Initial Improvements and the Expansion Space, as the case may
be, through "builder's risk" insurance, an installation floater, or other
comparable coverage.

         SECTION 5.2 MUTUAL WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND SUBROGATION RIGHTS. Whenever
any loss, cost, damage, or expense resulting from fire, explosion or any other
casualty or occurrence is incurred by either of the parties to this Lease, or
anyone claiming by through, or under them in connection with the Demised
Premises, and such party is then covered in whole or in part by insurance with
respect to such loss, cost, damage or expense, which is required under this
Lease to be so insured, the party so insured (or required to be insured) hereby
waives all claims against and releases the other party from any liability which
such other party may have on account of such loss, cost, damage or expense to
the extent of any amount recovered by reason of such insurance (or which could
have been recovered had such insurance been carried as so required) and waives
any right of subrogation which might otherwise exist in or accrue to any person
on account thereof.

         SECTION 5.3 COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE. Landlord and
Tenant, during the Term, shall obtain and continuously maintain in full force
and effect, at such party's sole cost and expense, commercial general liability
insurance with broad liability endorsement for personal injury or property
damage for any loss, liability or damage on, about or relating to the Demised
Premises, or any portion thereof, having limits of not less than Five Million
and 00/100 Dollars ($5,000,000.00) combined single limit coverage on an
occurrence basis written by a reputable and financially sound insurance company
authorized to insure such risks in the State of Ohio. Tenant's policy shall name
Landlord, its mortgagee(s), beneficiaries, partners, and agents as additional
insureds and Landlord's policy shall name Tenant and its beneficiaries and
agent's as additional insureds. Tenant's and Landlord's insurance shall
specifically insure (by contractual liability endorsement) Tenant's indemnity
obligations under Section 19.3(a) and Section 2.10(c) of this Lease, and
Landlord's indemnity obligations under Sections 2.10(a), 2.10(b) and 19.3(b) of
this Lease respectively, but only to the extent that same directly or indirectly
relate to death, bodily or personal injuries, and/or property damage.

                                       26

         33

         SECTION 5.4 TENANT'S PROPERTY INSURANCE. Tenant shall maintain
insurance coverage upon all personal property of Tenant (including boiler and
pressure vessel and machinery peculiar to Tenant's use of the Demised Premises),
and the personal property of others kept, stored or maintained on the Demised
Premises against loss or damage by fire, windstorm or other casualties or causes
for the full replacement cost thereof. Tenant shall also maintain such other
insurance and in such amounts as may from time to time be reasonably required by
Landlord, against other insurable hazards which at the time are commonly insured
against in the case of premises and/or buildings and/or improvements similar in
construction, design, general location, use and occupancy to those on or
appurtenant to the Demised Premises. At Tenant's election, Tenant may choose not
to obtain insurance to manage the risks described in this Section, and shall be
entitled to self-insure as to same; provided, however, that Tenant releases
Landlord from any damages that would otherwise have been covered had Tenant
maintained such insurance, and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Landlord
against such damages.

SECTION 5.5 TENANT'S BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE. Tenant shall

<PAGE>   26
maintain business interruption insurance with a coverage period of not less than
one (1) year and policy limits equal to the Rent paid for the preceding twelve
(12) month period. For the first year of the Initial Term, the policy limits
shall be One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000).

         SECTION 5.6 PROCEEDS, PAYMENT AND POLICY PROVISIONS. All policies of
insurance required by Section 5.1 shall provide that the proceeds thereof shall
be payable to Landlord and shall be applied to the repair, replacement or
Restoration (as that term is defined in Section 11.1) of Landlord's Improvements
(or paid to Landlord in the event of Lease termination). Each policy of
insurance required of Tenant or Landlord under this Article 5 shall have
attached thereto (i) an endorsement that such policy shall not be canceled or
materially changed without at least thirty (30) days' prior written notice to
the other party, and (ii) an endorsement to the effect that the insurance as to
the interests of the other party shall not be invalidated by any act or neglect
of any person.

         SECTION 5.7 INSURANCE APPROVAL. All policies of insurance required of
Tenant and Landlord under this Article shall be written in such form and by such
companies licensed to do business in the State of Ohio as shall be reasonably
satisfactory to Landlord. Certificates of insurance acceptable to Landlord and
Tenant shall be delivered to the other party on or before the Commencement Date
(or upon the date upon which Tenant exercises its rights to Early Access
described herein). A new or replacement certificate of insurance acceptable to
each party shall be delivered to both parties not less than fifteen (15) days
prior to the expiration of the then current policy term.

                                       27

         34

                                   ARTICLE 6
                  USE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE DEMISED PREMISES

         SECTION 6.1 PREMISES USE. Tenant shall use and occupy the Demised
Premises as a manufacturing, storage, assembly facility, sales office and for
general office purposes, and for such other purposes consistent with all zoning
and other applicable laws (the "Premises Use"). Tenant shall not use or occupy
the same, or knowingly permit them to be used or occupied, contrary to any
statute, rule, order, ordinance, requirement or regulation applicable thereto,
or in any manner which would violate any certificate of occupancy affecting the
same, or which would make void or voidable any insurance then in force with
respect thereto or which would make it impossible to obtain fire or other
insurance thereon required to be furnished hereunder by Tenant, or which would
cause structural injury to Landlord's Improvements or which would constitute a
public or private nuisance or waste. Tenant agrees that it will promptly, upon
discovery of any such use, compel the discontinuance of such use.

         Tenant shall not use, suffer or permit the Demised Premises, or any
portion thereof, to be used by Tenant, any third party or the public (as such),
without restriction or in such manner as might reasonably tend to impair
Landlord's title to the Demised Premises, or in such manner as might reasonably
make possible a claim or claims of adverse usage or adverse possession by the
public, as such, or third persons, or of implied dedication of the Demised
Premises, or any portion thereof. Nothing contained in this Lease and no action
or inaction by Landlord shall be deemed or construed to mean that Landlord has
granted to Tenant any right, power or permission to do any act or make any
agreement that may create, or give rise to or be the foundation for any such
right, title, interest, lien, charge or other encumbrance upon the estate of
Landlord in the Demised Premises.

         SECTION 6.2 TENANT'S REPAIRS. Except for Landlord's Repairs, Warranty
Work and subject to the limitation set forth in Section 6.6 below, Tenant, at
its sole cost and expense, throughout the Term of this Lease, shall take good

<PAGE>   27

care of the Demised Premises, and shall keep the same in good order, condition
and repair, and shall make and perform all routine maintenance thereof and all
necessary repairs thereto, interior and exterior. All repairs made by Tenant,
except as hereafter provided, shall be at least equal in quality to the original
work and, in all events, shall be made by Tenant in Compliance with Laws. The
necessity for or adequacy of maintenance and repairs shall be measured by the
standards which are appropriate for improvements of similar construction and
class, provided that Tenant shall in any event make all repairs necessary to
avoid any structural damage or other damage or injury to the Improvements.

                                       28

         35

         In addition, Tenant shall timely and properly maintain all of the
Demised Premises, including, but not necessarily limited to mechanical systems,
electrical systems, plumbing and sewage systems, fire protection systems, floor
slabs, roof, foundation walls and footings, structural steel, driveways,
roadways, sidewalks, curbs, parking areas, loading areas, and landscaping.
Tenant shall obtain a preventative maintenance contract on the heating,
ventilating and air conditioning systems which shall be subject to Landlord's
reasonable approval. Tenant shall provide Landlord with a copy of the
preventative maintenance contract no later than ninety (90) days after the
Commencement Date. The preventative maintenance contract shall provide for the
inspection and maintenance of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning
system on not less than a semi-annual basis. Tenant shall also keep all portions
of the Demised Premises in a clean and orderly condition, free from unreasonable
accumulations of snow, ice, dirt rubbish, debris and unlawful obstructions. All
of Tenant's obligations and requirements described above in this Section 6.2 are
collectively called "Tenant's Repairs." In addition to the foregoing, except for
Landlord's Repairs, Warranty Work and the limitation set forth in Section 6.6
hereof, Tenant's Repairs shall include the following maintenance (but not repair
or replacement obligations that are a part of Landlord's Repair) of the
following portions of the Demised Premises:

         (a)      ROOF. Tenant shall maintain the roof of the Demised Premises
                  in accordance with the specifications therefor established by
                  the manufacturer of the roof membrane. Such maintenance shall
                  not include repair or replacement of the roof provided Tenant
                  maintains the same as described in the foregoing sentence.

         (b)      STRUCTURAL MEMBERS. Tenant shall maintain the structural
                  members of the Demised Premises which shall include, but shall
                  not necessarily be limited to, painting, snow removal and
                  prevention of undermining.

The time permitted by Tenant to effectuate Tenant's Repairs shall be extended
for such period as may reasonably be necessary provided Tenant is continuously,
diligently and in good faith prosecuting the same. In addition, Landlord, may
cause at Landlord's expense, independent private building inspectors, qualified
in the specific discipline, to make inspections of the Building and Building
systems or segments thereof to determine Tenant's compliance under this Section.

         If Tenant does not timely or properly perform Tenant's Repairs as above
provided, Landlord may, but need not, after thirty (30) days' notice to Tenant,
make such repairs, replacements or maintenance in a reasonably diligent fashion,
and Tenant shall pay Landlord forthwith upon being billed for same by Landlord
all of Landlord's actual costs incurred in connection therewith. Landlord may,
but shall not be required to, enter the Demised Premises at all reasonable times
upon reasonable notice

                                       29

         36

<PAGE>   28

(except in the instance of an emergency) to make such repairs, alterations,
improvements and additions to the Demised Premises or to any equipment, fixtures
or landscaping located on the Demised Premises as Landlord deems reasonably
necessary and which Tenant failed to do as required in this Lease after written
notice from Landlord. However, any and all repairs, replacements or maintenance
made by Landlord pursuant to this Lease shall be done in a reasonably diligent
manner and so as to minimize any disruption to Tenant's business operations.

         SECTION 6.3 LANDLORD'S REPAIRS. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in Section 6.2, from and after the date constructed and
during the Term, at Landlord's sole cost and expense, Landlord shall repair and
replace the roof, and repair any defect in materials or workmanship relating to
the foundation walls, footings, and structural steel which comprise a part of
the Landlord's Improvements (collectively, "Landlord's Repairs").
Notwithstanding the foregoing, that portion of Landlord's Repairs the scope of
which was materially increased or necessitated as a result of (a) the willful or
negligent failure of Tenant to timely (except in emergency conditions) notify
Landlord of a condition which does or, with the passage of time, could
necessitate Landlord's Repairs; (b) the willful or negligent failure of Tenant
to make Tenant's Repairs; and (c) any act or omission of Tenant in contravention
to the provisions of this Lease, shall be performed by Landlord at Tenant's cost
and expense.

         SECTION 6.4 PROHIBITION AGAINST WASTE. Tenant shall not do or suffer
any waste or damage, disfigurement or injury to the Demised Premises, or any
improvements hereinafter erected thereon, or to the fixtures or equipment
therein, or permit or suffer any overloading of the floors or other use of the
Improvements that would place an undue stress on the same or any portion thereof
beyond that for which the same was designed.

         SECTION 6.5 MISUSE OR NEGLECT. Tenant shall be responsible for all
repairs to the Demised Premises which are made necessary by any misuse or
neglect by: (i) Tenant or any of its officers, agents, employees, contractors,
licensees, or subtenants; or (ii) any visitors, patrons, guests, or invitees of
Tenant or its subtenant while in or upon the Demised Premises, exclusive of
Landlord and its contractors, sub-contractors, employees or agents.

         SECTION 6.6 LIMITATION ON TENANT'S REPAIRS. If: (i) Tenant's Repairs
requires Tenant to replace a capital item, being an item which is reasonably
expected to have a useful life in excess of one year ("Capital Replacement"),
and (ii) such Capital Replacement is required at any time during the last sixty
(60) months of the Term, and (iii) the Capital Replacement is expected to cost
in excess of $10,000.00, and (iv) the Capital Replacement has a "Recovery
Period" (as determined under the Internal Revenue Code and Regulations
applicable thereto) which exceeds the balance

                                       30

          37

of the Term, then Tenant shall so notify Landlord in writing, and of the cost
and other specific arrangements in regard to Tenant's proposed Capital
Replacement, and the remaining provisions of this Section shall apply. Landlord
and Tenant shall reasonably and mutually agree whether the Capital Replacement
proposed by Tenant is appropriate under the circumstances, or whether a less
costly Capital Replacement is appropriate, or whether a satisfactory repair not
including a Capital Replacement is practicable. Such agreement shall be based
on, among other things, local industry standards for properties comparable to
the Demised Premises. Neither party's agreement shall be unreasonably withheld
or delayed.

         The cost of each and every Capital Replacement upon which Landlord and
Tenant agree, as aforesaid, shall be shared by Landlord and Tenant as follows:

<PAGE>   29

(i) Landlord shall pay the amount determined by multiplying the total costs paid
for such Capital Replacement by a fraction, the numerator of which is the total
number of days contained in the Recovery Period of the Capital Replacement less
the number of days from the date the Capital Replacement was placed in service
to the date of the expiration of the Term, and the denominator of which is the
total number of days contained in the Recovery Period of the Capital
Replacement; and (ii) Tenant shall pay the entire balance of the total costs for
such Capital Replacement. Each of the parties shall pay its portion of the costs
of a Capital Replacement as and when payment for the same is due with respect to
all such Capital Replacement work. If after the computation of the cost of the
Capital Replacement as aforesaid, the Term is extended for either the Expansion
Space Term or a Renewal Term, Landlord's portion of the cost of Capital
Replacement shall be re-computed within thirty (30) days after each such
extension, and Tenant shall then pay to Landlord the difference between that
which the Landlord paid as of the date of the original computation and that
which Landlord is required to pay as a result of such re-computation.

                                   ARTICLE 7
                      COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND ORDINANCES

         SECTION 7.1 COMPLIANCE. Except as required of the Landlord to construct
the Initial Improvements as provided in Section 2.3 hereof, and except as
required of Landlord to construct the Expansion Space as provided in Section
2A.6, Tenant shall, throughout the Term and at Tenant's sole cost and expense,
promptly fully comply or cause full compliance with or remove or cure any
violation of any and all present and future laws, ordinances (zoning or
otherwise), orders, rules, regulations and requirements of all Federal, State,
County, Municipal and other governmental bodies having jurisdiction over the
Demised Premises and the appropriate departments, commissions, boards and
officers thereof (excluding only Environmental Laws which are separately
addressed in Section 7.3), and the orders, rules and regulations

                                       31

         39

of the Board of Fire Underwriters where the Demised Premises is situated, or any
other body now or hereafter constituted exercising lawful or valid authority
over the Demised Premises, or any portion thereof, or the sidewalks, curbs,
roadways, alleys or entrances adjacent or appurtenant thereto, or exercising
authority with respect to the use or manner of use of the Demised Premises and
whether the compliance, curing or removal of any such violation and the costs
and expenses necessitated thereby shall have been foreseen or unforeseen,
ordinary or extraordinary, and whether or not the same shall be presently within
the contemplation of Landlord or Tenant or shall involve any change of
governmental policy, or require structural or extraordinary repairs, alterations
or additions by Tenant and irrespective of the costs thereof (hereafter referred
to as "Laws" and the compliance therewith as aforesaid is hereafter referred to
as "Compliance with Laws").

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a change in any laws,
statutes or ordinances of any governmental authority having jurisdiction over
the Demised Premises or over Tenant and Tenant's business operations, and such
change in the law requires physical alterations or improvements to be made to
the Building, then if such change in law is such that the required physical
alterations or improvements to the Building are specific or peculiar to Tenant
or to Tenant's business operations, all costs associated with making such
physical alterations or improvements and otherwise complying with the changes in
said law shall be borne by Tenant. Otherwise all costs associated with making
such physical alterations or improvements and otherwise complying with the
changes in said law shall be borne initially by Landlord and such costs shall be
amortized over the Recovery Period of such alteration or physical improvement

<PAGE>   30

and Tenant shall reimburse Landlord the amount determined by multiplying the
total costs paid for such alteration or improvement by a fraction, the numerator
of which is the total number of days remaining in the Term and the denominator
of which is the total number of days in the Recovery Period. If after the
computation of the cost of an alteration or improvement described in this
Section 7.1, the Term is extended for either the Expansion Space Term or a
Renewal Term, Landlord's portion of the cost of Capital Replacement shall be
recomputed within thirty (30) days after each such extension, and Tenant shall
then pay to Landlord the difference between that which the Landlord paid as of
the date of the original computation and that which Landlord is required to pay
as a result of such re-computation.

         SECTION 7.2 OTHER COMPLIANCE. Tenant, at its sole cost and expense,
shall comply with all agreements, contracts, easements, restrictions,
reservations or covenants, if any, running with the Land, or hereafter created
by Tenant or consented to, in writing, by Tenant or requested, in writing, by
Tenant. Tenant shall also comply with, observe and perform all provisions and
requirements of all policies of insurance at any time in force

                                       32

         39

with respect to the Demised Premises and required to be obtained and maintained
under the terms of Article 5 hereof and shall comply with all development
permits issued by governmental authorities issued in connection with development
of the Demised Premises.

         SECTION 7.3 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Tenant acknowledges receipt of a
copy of the environmental report (the "Environmental Report") prepared by EDP
Consultants, Inc. as attached hereto as Exhibit D. In addition to the compliance
requirements set forth herein, and not by way of limitation thereof, Tenant and
Landlord mutually covenant and agree as follows:

         (a)      DEFINITIONS: As used in this Section 7.3:

                           (1) "Environmental Condition(s)" means the presence
                  on, in, under, or migrations from the Demised Premises of a
                  Hazardous Substance(s), except naturally occurring substances,
                  which exceed any applicable and effective state or federal
                  cleanup standards, whether such presence is in ambient air,
                  surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata.

                           (2) "Environmental Liability(ies)" means any
                  Environmental Conditions with respect to which there are
                  effective and applicable Environmental Laws pursuant to which
                  the regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the
                  Demised Premises would have authority to require remediation
                  activities. Designation of a condition as an Environmental
                  Liability by regulatory authorities or other third parties,
                  pursuant to this Agreement shall not be construed as an
                  admission by either party.

                           (3) "Environmental Laws" means all federal and state
                  environmental laws and regulations thereunder that are
                  applicable to the Demised Premises, including, but not limited
                  to, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
                  Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601, et seq. (CERCLA); the
                  Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA) and Resource Conservation and
                  Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. Section 6901, et seq.; the
                  Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1251, et seq.; the Clean
                  Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401, et seq.; the Toxic Substances
                  Control Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601, et seq.; and the Safe

<PAGE>   31

                  Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 300f through 300j, and
                  the Ohio Environmental Protection Act, Ohio Revised Code
                  Section 3745, et. seq.

                           (4) "Hazardous Substances" means all hazardous
                  substances, as that term is defined in CERCLA or other
                  Environmental Laws, petroleum or petroleum products,

                                       33

         40

                  and any other federal, state or local environmental law,
                  ordinance, rule or regulation now or hereafter in effect.

         (b)      LANDLORD INDEMNITY. Except to the extent Tenant, its
                  employees, agents, contractors or subcontractors cause
                  Environmental Conditions, to the extent Landlord is
                  indemnified by Milstein (as defined in Section 20.1) pursuant
                  to Section 15 of that certain Real Property Purchase Agreement
                  dated as of August 29, 1996, Landlord shall defend, hold
                  harmless and indemnify Tenant and its directors, officers,
                  parent, subsidiaries and affiliates from and against any and
                  all claims, liabilities, damages, costs, penalties,
                  forfeitures, losses, or expenses (including attorney fees)
                  that such indemnified party or person may sustain, suffer, or
                  incur arising out of any Environmental Liabilities based on
                  Environmental Laws in existence, effective and applicable to
                  the Demised Premises and attributable to Environmental
                  Conditions existing as of the Commencement Date.

         (c)      TENANT INDEMNITY. Except to the extent Landlord, its
                  employees, agents, contractors, or subcontractors cause
                  Environmental Conditions, and except to the extent Landlord
                  indemnifies Tenant pursuant to Section 7.3(b) hereof, Tenant
                  shall defend, hold harmless and indemnify Landlord and its
                  beneficiaries, officers, agents, partners and affiliates from
                  and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, costs,
                  penalties, forfeitures, losses or expenses (including
                  attorneys fees) that such indemnified party or person may
                  sustain, suffer, or incur arising out of Environmental
                  Liabilities based on Environmental Laws in existence as of the
                  Commencement Date or enacted or adopted at any time
                  thereafter, arising out of, or as a direct result of the acts
                  or omissions of Tenant, its employees, contractors, agents,
                  subtenants, assignees, or business invitees, or as a direct
                  result of a spill, discharge or other release of Hazardous
                  Substances onto the Demised Premises caused by the acts or
                  omissions of Tenant, its employees, contractors, agents,
                  subtenants, assignees or business invitees during the Term. In
                  the event the Environmental Condition which gives rise to an
                  Environmental Liability for which a claim for indemnification
                  is made by Landlord hereunder, is the migration onto or within
                  the Demised Premises during the Term of Hazardous Substances
                  from a source or sources other than the Demised Premises, then
                  Tenant's obligations to indemnify Landlord hereunder shall
                  only be effective if (i) Tenant has actual knowledge of such
                  Environmental Condition, or in the exercise of reasonable
                  business practices should have known thereof, and (ii) Tenant
                  failed to promptly take all

                                       34

<PAGE>   32

         41

                  reasonable steps necessary to abate, mitigate or otherwise
                  prevent such migrating Hazardous Substances onto the Demised
                  Premises. If Tenant becomes aware of an Environmental
                  Condition which could give rise to any Environmental
                  Liability, Tenant shall promptly notify Landlord of same.

         (d)      NOTICE. If a claim by a third person (including without
                  limitation any governmental entity) is made against any person
                  indemnified hereunder and the party against which said claim
                  is made intends to seek indemnification with respect to such
                  claim under this Section 7.3, the party seeking such
                  indemnification shall promptly give notice of such claim to
                  the indemnifying party. In addition, if a party indemnified
                  under this Section 7.3 comes into possession of facts which
                  could reasonably lead to a claim for indemnification under
                  this Section 7.3, such party shall promptly give notice of
                  such facts to the indemnifying party.

         (e)      EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AND SURVIVAL. Notwithstanding the indemnity
                  provided in Section 19.3 of this Lease, the parties agree that
                  the foregoing indemnifications shall exclusively define their
                  rights and obligations with respect to Environmental
                  Liabilities arising from or related to the Demised Premises.
                  Except as expressly provided otherwise in this Lease, the
                  provisions of this Section 7.3 shall survive the termination
                  of the Lease and be effective for so long as Landlord or
                  Tenant may have any liability whatsoever with respect to the
                  Demised Premises.

         (f)      COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS. Tenant, at its sole cost and
                  expense, shall fully comply with, and provide to Landlord all
                  information needed from time to time in regard to, all
                  provisions of the federal and state environmental protection
                  acts, responsible property transfer laws, RCRA, CERCLA, and
                  any other applicable federal, state or local environmental
                  liability or protection or cleanup responsibility laws, either
                  currently in effect or hereafter enacted which affect Tenant's
                  operations at the Demised Premises.

         (g)      STORAGE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Tenant agrees not to use or
                  store on or in the Demised Premise, any Hazardous Substances
                  or any material deemed to be toxic or hazardous by any
                  governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Land,
                  except in full compliance with all applicable laws, statutes,
                  regulations or ordinances.

         (h)      ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS. Upon request by Landlord during the Term
                  of this Lease, prior to the exercise of any

                                       35

         42

                  option to renew for any Renewal Term and/or prior to Tenant's
                  vacation of the Demised Premises, Tenant shall undertake and
                  submit to Landlord an environmental audit from an
                  environmental company reasonably acceptable to Landlord which
                  audit shall evidence Tenant's compliance with this Article 7.
                  If Tenant, at any time during the Term prior to Landlord's
                  request for an environmental audit, has been cited for
                  violation of any Environmental Requirements, or

<PAGE>   33

                  other hazardous materials laws by any governmental body having
                  jurisdiction thereof, or if a violation of an Environmental
                  Law or a breach of this Section 7.3 is discovered or confirmed
                  by such audits, then such environmental audits shall be at
                  Tenant's sole cost and expense. In all other instances,
                  Landlord shall pay the cost and expense of such requested
                  environmental audits.

         (i)      TERMINATION OF LEASE. In the event of an Environmental
                  Liability affecting the health and welfare of the occupants
                  and invitees of the Land, Building or any portion thereof that
                  is not the subject of the Landlord indemnity set forth in
                  subparagraph (b) above or the Tenant indemnity contained in
                  sub-paragraph (c) above (a "Third Party Cause"), Landlord, at
                  its option, upon written notice to Tenant within sixty (60)
                  days following the date of such Third Party Cause (or such
                  later date that Landlord knew of the occurrence of such Third
                  Party Cause), shall elect to either remediate such Third Party
                  Cause or decline the obligation of such remediation. If
                  Landlord fails to give such notice, it shall be presumed that
                  Landlord has elected not to remediate. If Landlord elects to
                  remediate, it shall do so, at its sole cost and expense, as
                  promptly as practical under the circumstances, but in any
                  event with diligence. If Landlord elects or is presumed to
                  have elected not to remediate, Tenant, at its option upon
                  written notice to Landlord within sixty (60) days following
                  the date Landlord elected or was presumed to have elected not
                  to remediate the Third Party Cause, shall elect to either
                  remediate such Third Party Cause or terminate this Lease
                  effective on the date provided below. If Tenant elects to
                  remediate, it shall do so, at its sole cost and expense, as
                  promptly as practical under the circumstances, but in any
                  event with diligence. If Tenant has elected to terminate this
                  Lease, Landlord, within ten (10) business days thereafter,
                  upon written notice to Tenant, shall have the further option
                  to either elect to remediate the Third Party Cause (thereby
                  voiding Tenant's option to terminate this Lease as above
                  provided) or to decline such remediation. If Landlord fails to
                  give such ten (10) business day notice, it shall be presumed
                  that Landlord has elected to decline remediation and this

                                       36

         43

                  Lease shall terminate as hereafter provided. However, if
                  Landlord elects to remediate, it shall do so at its sole cost
                  and expense, as promptly as possible under the circumstances,
                  but in any event with diligence, and this Lease shall remain
                  in full force and effect in such event. However, if Landlord
                  elected or is presumed to have elected not to remediate as
                  last above provided, within ten (10) business days following
                  Landlord's election or presumed election (whichever first
                  occurs), Tenant may notify Landlord, in writing, that Tenant
                  elects to have the Term remain in effect, on a year to year
                  basis, on the same terms and conditions as provided in this
                  Lease (except as hereafter provided), commencing on the first
                  to occur of the date Landlord last above elected or is
                  presumed to have elected not to remediate, and ending on the
                  day before the first anniversary of such commencement (but in
                  no instance

<PAGE>   34

                  longer than the Term provided for in Article 1 hereof),
                  unless, one hundred twenty (120) days prior to such
                  anniversary, Tenant, by written notification to Landlord,
                  elects to further cause the Term to remain in effect for one
                  (1) additional calendar year (but in no instance longer than
                  the Term provided for in Article 1 hereof). If Tenant so
                  elects to cause the Term to remain in effect for one (1) or
                  two (2) more years as above provided, it shall be on the same
                  terms and conditions provided for in this Lease, except that
                  Landlord, in no instance, shall be liable to Tenant or anyone
                  claiming by, through or under Tenant for any loss, damage,
                  injury, claim, demand, action or cause of action (Tenant
                  hereby releasing and waiving the same) resulting from the
                  subject Third Party Cause Environmental Liabilities. If Tenant
                  does not elect to have the Term remain in effect as aforesaid,
                  this Lease shall terminate on the date Landlord last above
                  elected or is presumed to have elected not to remediate,
                  whichever first occurs.

                                   ARTICLE 8
                        MECHANIC'S LIENS AND OTHER LIENS

         SECTION 8.1 LIENS AND RIGHT OF CONTEST. Tenant shall not suffer or
permit any mechanic's lien or other lien to be filed against the Demised
Premises, or any portion thereof, by reason of work, labor, skill, services,
equipment or materials supplied or claimed to have been supplied to the Demised
Premises at the request of Tenant, or any one holding the Demised Premises, or
any portion thereof, through or under Tenant. If any such mechanic's lien or
other lien shall at any time be filed against the Demised Premises, or any
portion thereof, Tenant shall, within forty-five (45) days after the date of
filing the same, either cause the same to be discharged of record or bond over
the same, if pursuant to

                                       37

         44

Ohio law such bonding over has the effect of expunging the encumbrance of the
lien. However, in the event Tenant desires to contest the validity of any lien,
it shall, within forty-five (45) days of the date such lien was recorded, notify
Landlord, in writing, that Tenant intends to so contest same, and either (i)
bond over the lien, if pursuant to Ohio law such bonding over has the effect of
expunging the encumbrances of the lien; or (ii) cause a title insurer
satisfactory to Landlord to insure over such lien, in form and content
satisfactory to Landlord.

         If Tenant complies with the foregoing, and Tenant continues, in good
faith, to contest the validity of such lien by appropriate legal proceedings
which shall operate to prevent the collection thereof and the sale or forfeiture
of the Demised Premises, or any part thereof, to satisfy the same, Tenant shall
be under no obligation to pay such lien until such time as the same has been
decreed, by court order, to be a valid lien on the Demised Premises. Provided
that nonpayment of such lien does not cause Landlord to be in violation of any
of its contractual undertakings, Landlord agrees not to pay such lien during the
period of Tenant's contest. Tenant shall indemnify and defend Landlord against
and save Landlord and the Demised Premises, and any portion thereof, harmless
from and against all losses, costs, damages, expenses, liabilities, suits,
penalties, claims, demands and obligations, including, without limitation,
reasonable attorney's fees, resulting from the assertion, filing, foreclosure or
other legal proceedings with respect to any such mechanic's lien or other lien
or the attempt by Tenant to discharge same as above provided.

<PAGE>   35

         All materialmen, contractors, artisans, mechanics, laborers and any
other person now or hereafter furnishing any labor, services, materials,
supplies or equipment to Tenant with respect to the Demised Premises, or any
portion thereof, are hereby charged with notice that they must look exclusively
to Tenant to obtain payment for the same. Notice is hereby given that Landlord
shall not be liable for any labor, services, materials, supplies, skill,
machinery, fixtures or equipment furnished or to be furnished to Tenant upon
credit, and that no mechanic's lien or other lien for any such labor, services,
materials, supplies, machinery, fixtures or equipment shall attach to or affect
the estate or interest of Landlord in and to the Demised Premises, or any
portion thereof.

         SECTION 8.2 LIENS ON LANDLORD'S WORK. The provisions of Section 8.1
above shall not apply to any mechanic's lien or other lien for labor, services,
materials, supplies, machinery, fixtures or equipment furnished to the Demised
Premises in the performance of Landlord's obligations to construct the
Landlord's Improvements, provide Warranty Work, or Punch List Item or Expansion
Punch List Item work required herein. Landlord agrees to indemnify and defend
Tenant against and save Tenant and the Demised Premises, and any portion
thereof, harmless from all

                                       38

         45

losses, costs, damages, expenses, liabilities and obligations, including,
without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees resulting from the assertion,
filing, foreclosure or other legal proceedings with respect to any such
mechanic's lien or other lien.

         SECTION 8.3 OTHER LIENS. Tenant shall not create, permit or suffer,
and, subject to the right to contest as set forth in Section 8.1 hereof, shall
promptly discharge and satisfy of record, any other lien, encumbrance, charge,
security interest, or other right or interest which, as a result of Tenant's
action or inaction contrary to the provisions hereof, shall be or become a lien,
encumbrance, charge or security interest upon the Demised Premises, or any
portion thereof, or the income therefrom.

                                   ARTICLE 9
                               INTENT OF PARTIES

         SECTION 9.1 NET RENT. Landlord and Tenant do each state and represent
that it is their respective intention that this Lease be interpreted and
construed as an absolute net lease and all Base Rent and Additional Rent shall
be paid by Tenant without abatement, deduction, diminution, deferment,
suspension, reduction, set off, defense or counterclaim with respect to the same
(except as expressly provided herein). Except as otherwise provided herein, the
obligations of Tenant shall not be affected by reason of damage to or
destruction of the Demised Premises from whatever cause, nor shall the
obligations of Tenant be affected by reason of any condemnation, eminent domain
or like proceedings. Except as provided herein, all Impositions, insurance
premiums, utility expense, repair and maintenance expenses, and all other costs,
fees, interest, charges, expenses reimbursements and obligations of every kind
and nature whatsoever relating to the Demised Premises, or any portion thereof,
which may arise or become due during the Term, or any extension or renewal
thereof, shall be paid or discharged by Tenant as Additional Rent.

         SECTION 9.2 LANDLORD'S PERFORMANCE FOR TENANT. If Tenant shall at any
time fail to pay any Imposition in accordance with the provisions of Article 4,
or to take out, pay for, maintain and deliver any of the insurance policies or
certificates of insurance provided for in Article 5, or shall fail to make any
other payment or perform any other act on its part to be made or performed, then

<PAGE>   36

Landlord, after fifteen (15) days prior written notice to Tenant (or without
notice in case of emergency), and without waiving or releasing Tenant from any
obligation of Tenant contained in this Lease, may, but shall be under no
obligation to do so, (i) pay after said fifteen (15) days' written notice to
Tenant, any Imposition payable by Tenant pursuant to the provisions of Article
4; (ii) take out, pay for and maintain any of the insurance policies provided
for in this Lease; or (iii) make any other payment on Tenant's part to be paid
hereunder. Landlord may enter

                                       39

         46

upon the Demised Premises for any such purpose and take all such action therein
or thereon as may be necessary therefor and all such action taken by Landlord
shall be in a reasonably diligent fashion.

         SECTION 9.3 PAYMENT FOR LANDLORD'S PERFORMANCE FOR TENANT. All sums so
paid by Landlord and all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney's
fees, reasonably incurred by Landlord in connection with the performance of any
such act, together with interest thereon at the Maximum Rate of Interest from
the respective dates of Landlord's making of each payment of such cost and
expense, including reasonable attorney's fees, shall be paid by Tenant to
Landlord on demand.

                                   ARTICLE 10
                        DEFAULTS AND LANDLORD'S REMEDIES

         SECTION 10.1 DEFAULT. The following events, following the expiration of
the applicable cure periods, in this Article are sometimes referred to as an
event of "Default:"

         (a)      If default shall be made by Tenant, under the provisions of
                  Article 13 hereof relating to assignment, sublease, mortgage
                  or other transfer of Tenant's interest in this Lease or in the
                  Demised Premises or in the income arising therefrom;

         (b)      If default shall be made in the due and punctual payment of
                  Base Rent or any installment thereof and such default shall
                  continue for five (5) business days after written notice to
                  Tenant, or if default shall be made in the payment of
                  Additional Rent or in the payment of any other sum required to
                  be paid by Tenant under this Lease and such default shall
                  continue for seven (7) business days after written notice to
                  Tenant;

         (c)      If default shall be made in the observance or performance of
                  any of the other covenants or conditions in this Lease which
                  Tenant is required to observe and perform and such default
                  shall continue for thirty (30) days after written notice to
                  Tenant, or if a default involves a hazardous or emergency
                  condition and is not cured by Tenant immediately; provided,
                  however, the time allowed Tenant (except in the instance of
                  hazardous or emergency conditions) within which Tenant is
                  permitted to cure the same shall be extended for such
                  reasonable period as may be necessary for the curing provided
                  Tenant is continuously, diligently and in good faith
                  prosecuting such cure; and

         (d)      If, during the term of this Lease: (1) Tenant shall make an
                  assignment for the benefit of creditors; (2) a

<PAGE>   37

                                       40

         47

                  voluntary petition shall be filed by Tenant under any law
                  having for its purpose the adjudication of Tenant a bankrupt,
                  or Tenant shall be adjudged a bankrupt pursuant to an
                  involuntary petition in bankruptcy; (3) a receiver is
                  appointed for the property of Tenant; (4) any department of
                  the state or federal government, or any officer thereof duly
                  authorized, shall take possession of the business or property
                  of Tenant; or (5) any involuntary petition in bankruptcy shall
                  be filed against Tenant under any federal or state bankruptcy
                  or insolvency laws and shall not have been dismissed within
                  ninety (90) days from the filing thereof.

         Landlord may treat the occurrence of any one or more of the foregoing
events of Default as a breach of this Lease. In any such event, Landlord, at any
time thereafter during the continuance of any such event of Default, may give
written notice to Tenant specifying such event of Default or events of Default
and stating that this Lease and the Term hereby demised shall expire and
terminate on the date specified in such notice, and upon the date specified in
such notice this Lease and the Term hereby demised, and all rights of Tenant
under this Lease, including all rights of renewal whether exercised or not,
shall expire and terminate, or in the alternative or in addition to the
foregoing remedy, Landlord may assert and have the benefit of any and all other
remedies and rights provided at law or in equity.

         SECTION 10.2 RE-LETTING AFTER DEFAULT. To the extent permitted by law,
in the event of a Default, Landlord may terminate Tenant's right of possession
and may repossess the Demised Premises by forcible entry and detainer suit, by
taking peaceful possession or otherwise, without terminating this Lease, in
which event Landlord shall use commercially reasonable efforts to relet the same
for the account of Tenant, for such rent and upon such terms as may be
satisfactory to Landlord. For the purpose of such re-letting, Landlord is
authorized to repair the Demised Premises. If Landlord shall fail to relet the
Demised Premises, Tenant shall pay to Landlord, as damages, a sum equal to the
amount of Rent reserved in this Lease for the balance of the Initial Term or the
Renewal Term, as the case may be, as the same becomes due and payable. If the
Demised Premises is relet and a sufficient sum shall not be realized from such
re-letting after paying all of the costs and expenses of all repairs and the
reasonable expenses of such re-letting (which expenses shall be limited to
attorneys' fees and brokerage commissions) and of the collection of the rent
accruing therefrom to satisfy the Rent provided for in this Lease, Tenant shall
satisfy and pay the same upon demand therefor from time to time. For purposes of
this Article 10, costs relating to remodeling or altering the Demised Premises
shall not be deemed expenses of re-letting. It is understood and agreed that if
Landlord incurs any cost or expense for re-letting as described above, such cost
and expense shall be

                                       41

         48

amortized over the term of the lease that is the subject of such re-letting, and
Tenant's obligation to Landlord in respect thereto shall be an amount equal to
such cost and expense multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of days remaining in the unexpired Term hereof, and the denominator of
which is the number of days in the term of the lease that is the subject of the
re-letting. Tenant agrees that Landlord may file suit to recover any sums
falling due under the terms of this Article 10 from time to time and that no
suit or recovery of any portion due to Landlord hereunder shall be any defense
to any subsequent action brought for any amount not theretofore reduced to
judgment in favor of Landlord.

<PAGE>   38

         SECTION 10.3 ACCEPTANCE AFTER DEFAULT. No failure by Landlord or
Tenant, as the case may be, to insist upon the performance of any of the terms
of this Lease or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach
thereof, and no acceptance by Landlord of full or partial Rent from Tenant or
any third party during the continuance of any such breach, shall constitute a
waiver of any such breach or of any of the terms of this Lease. None of the
terms of this Lease to be kept, observed or performed by either party hereunder,
and no breach thereof, shall be waived, altered or modified except by a written
instrument executed by Landlord and by Tenant. No waiver of any breach shall
affect or alter this Lease, but each of the terms of this Lease shall continue
in full force and effect with respect to any other then existing or subsequent
breach of this Lease. No waiver of any Default of Tenant herein shall be implied
from any omission by Landlord to take any action on account of such Default, if
such Default persists or is repeated and no express waiver shall affect any
Default other than the Default specified in the express waiver and that only for
the time and to the extent therein stated. One or more waivers by Landlord or by
Tenant, as the case may be, shall not be construed as a waiver of a subsequent
breach of the same covenant, term or condition.

         SECTION 10.4 REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. In the event of any breach or
threatened breach by Tenant of any of the terms contained in this Lease,
Landlord shall be entitled to invoke any right or remedy allowed at law or in
equity or by statute or otherwise (including injunctive relief) as though entry,
re-entry, summary proceedings and other remedies, as the case may be, were not
provided for in this Lease. Each remedy or right of Landlord provided for in
this Lease shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other right or
remedy provided for in this Lease, or now or hereafter existing at law or in
equity or by statute or otherwise, and the exercise or the beginning of the
exercise by Landlord of any one or more of such rights or remedies except as
otherwise provided herein, shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise
by Landlord of any or all other rights or remedies.

                                       42

         49

                                   ARTICLE 11
                          DESTRUCTION AND RESTORATION

         SECTION 11.1 RESTORATION. In case of damage to or destruction of all or
a portion of the Landlord's Improvements by fire or other casualty (a
"Casualty"), after the date on which Substantial Completion of the Initial
Improvements is achieved and during the Term, Landlord, to the extent of
insurance proceeds received shall promptly restore, repair, replace and rebuild
the same as nearly as possible to the condition for which the Property Insurance
set forth in Section 5.1 was procured. Tenant shall forthwith give Landlord
written notice, except in cases of emergency when Landlord may be notified by
telephone, of Casualty upon the occurrence thereof and specify in such notice,
in reasonable detail, the extent thereof. Such restoration, repairs,
replacements, rebuilding, including the cost of temporary repairs for the
protection of the Demised Premises, or any portion thereof, pending completion
thereof are sometimes hereinafter referred to as the "Restoration."

         Landlord shall employ its diligent good faith efforts to complete the
Restoration reasonably promptly and with as little disruption as to the Premises
Use as is reasonably possible. If Landlord advises Tenant thirty (30) days after
damage or destruction that Landlord is unable to complete the Restoration within
nine (9) months following the destruction, Tenant, on not less than thirty (30)
days written notice to Landlord, may terminate this Lease provided Tenant
vacates the undamaged portion of the Demised Premises as otherwise provided in
this Lease.

         SECTION 11.2 INSURANCE PROCEEDS. All insurance moneys recovered by
Landlord or its Mortgagee on account of such Casualty, less the costs, if any,

<PAGE>   39

to Landlord or its Mortgagee of such recovery, shall be applied by Landlord to
the payment of the costs of the Restoration and shall be paid out from time to
time as the Restoration progresses. If the net amount of the insurance proceeds
(after deduction of all costs, expenses and fees related to recovery of the
insurance proceeds) recovered is insufficient to complete the Restoration of
such improvements (exclusive of Tenant's personal property and Tenant's Trade
Fixtures which shall be restored, repaired or rebuilt out of Tenant's separate
funds), Tenant shall provide all additional funds necessary to complete the
Restoration.

         SECTION 11.3 TENANT'S OBLIGATIONS FOLLOWING A CASUALTY. If the Casualty
shall render the Demised Premises wholly untenantable or unusable for the
Premises Use in Tenant's reasonable judgment, Base Rent payable hereunder shall
abate from the date of Casualty to the date on which Restoration is complete. If
the Casualty shall render a portion of the Demised Premises untenantable or
unusable for the Premises Use in Tenant's reasonable judgment, Base Rent shall
abate proportionately to the square footage of the Demised Premises rendered
untenantable or

                                       43

         50

unusable until Restoration of such portion of the Demised Premises is complete.

         SECTION 11.4 DESTRUCTION PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT DATE. The provisions of
this Article 11 apply only to a Casualty occurring (a) as to the Initial
Improvements, after the Commencement Date and (b) as to the Expansion Space,
after the Expansion Commencement Date. Any such Casualty occurring to the
Initial Improvements prior to the Commencement Date or occurring to the
Expansion Space prior to the Expansion Commencement Date shall be restored,
repaired, replaced and rebuilt by Landlord, and during such period of
construction, Landlord shall obtain and maintain the insurance coverage referred
to in Section 5.1 hereof. All moneys received by Landlord under its insurance
coverage shall be applied by Landlord to complete the Restoration of such
Casualty, and if such insurance proceeds are insufficient, Landlord shall
provide all additional funds necessary to complete the Restoration of the
Initial Improvements or the Expansion Space, as appropriate.

         SECTION 11.5 RESTORATION AT END OF TERM. If, within twelve (12) full
calendar months prior to the expiration of the Initial Term, Expansion Space
Term or Renewal Term(s), as the case may be, Landlord's Improvements shall be
destroyed or damaged, Landlord shall be relieved of the obligation to make the
Restoration, and this Lease shall terminate, provided, however, if Tenant,
within thirty (30) days following such Casualty, elects, in writing with no
right of withdrawal, to extend the Term for whatever Renewal Term then is
available to Tenant (if such a Renewal Term is available), Landlord shall not be
permitted to terminate this Lease pursuant to the provisions of this Section
11.5 and shall be required to complete the necessary Restoration in accordance
with the terms of this Article 11.

                                   ARTICLE 12
                                  CONDEMNATION

         SECTION 12.1 TOTAL CONDEMNATION. If, during the Term, the entire
Demised Premises shall be taken as the result of the exercise of the power of
eminent domain (the "Proceedings"), this Lease and all right, title and interest
of Tenant hereunder shall terminate on the date of vesting of title pursuant to
such Proceedings, and Landlord shall be entitled to and shall receive the total
award made in such Proceedings. Except in the instance of a separate award for
moving expenses and loss of Tenant's Trade Fixtures, or in the instance of a
single award where moving expenses and loss of Tenant's Trade Fixtures are

<PAGE>   40

reasonably and separately ascertainable, Tenant hereby assigns any interest in
such award, damages, consequential damages and compensation to Landlord.
Landlord agrees that it will not object to the petition of Tenant for a separate
award as set forth herein provided such

                                       44

         51

petition or award in no way diminishes the award otherwise payable to Landlord
hereunder.

         SECTION 12.2 PARTIAL CONDEMNATION. If during the Term, less than the
entire Demised Premises shall be taken in any such Proceedings, this Lease
shall, upon vesting of title in the Proceedings, terminate as to the portion of
the Demised Premises so taken. If the portion of the Demised Premises taken
shall, in the good faith exercise of Tenant's reasonable business judgment,
substantially and materially interfere with or inhibit Tenant's use of the
Demised Premises, Tenant may, at its option, terminate this Lease as to the
remainder of the Demised Premises. Such termination as to the remainder of the
Demised Premises shall be effected by notice in writing given not more than
sixty (60) days after the date of vesting of title in such Proceedings, and
shall specify a date not more than sixty (60) days after the giving of such
notice as the date for such termination. Upon the date specified in such notice,
the Term, and all right, title and interest of Tenant hereunder, shall cease and
terminate. If this Lease is terminated as provided in this Section 12.2,
Landlord and Tenant shall receive so much of the award as is provided in Section
12.1 hereof In the event that Tenant elects not to terminate this Lease as to
the remainder of the Demised Premises, the rights and obligations of Landlord
and Tenant shall be governed by the provisions of Section 12.3 hereof.

         SECTION 12.3 RESTORATION AFTER CONDEMNATION. If, in the case of partial
taking, this Lease is not terminated as provided in Section 12.2 hereof, this
Lease shall, upon vesting of title pursuant to the Proceedings, terminate as to
the parts so taken, and, except as provided in Section 12.1 hereof, Tenant shall
have no claim or interest in the award, damages, consequential damages and
compensation, or any part thereof. Landlord, in such case and to the extent
Landlord receives proceeds from such Proceedings, covenants and agrees to
promptly restore that portion of the Demised Premises not so taken to a complete
architectural and mechanical unit for Tenant's use as provided in this Lease.

         SECTION 12.4 BASE RENT REDUCTION. In the event of a partial taking of
the Demised Premises under Section 12.2 hereof, followed by Tenant's election
not to terminate this Lease, the fixed Base Rent payable hereunder during the
period from and after the date of vesting of title pursuant to such Proceedings
to the earlier of the termination of this Lease or until the next date upon
which Rent is determined under Section 3.1 above, shall be determined by
multiplying the Base Rent then being paid by Tenant by a fraction, the numerator
of which is the square footage of the Building after such taking and after the
same has been restored to a complete architectural unit, and the denominator of
which is the square footage of the Building prior to such taking.

                                       45

         52

                                   ARTICLE 13
                           ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING

         Provided Tenant remains primarily liable for all of Tenant's
obligations under this Lease, Tenant may assign or sublet all or any portion of
the Demised Premises upon prior written consent of Landlord, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Landlord's consent shall be deemed to

<PAGE>   41

have been unreasonably withheld if: (a) the proposed assignee's or sublessee's
stockholder's equity is equal to or greater than Tenant's Stockholder's Equity
as of the date of the proposed assignment or subletting, and (b) the proposed
assignee's or sublessee's business reputation is at least as good as Tenant's.
Thirty (30) days prior to Tenant assigning or subletting all or any portion of
the Premises or any assignee or sublessee subsequently assigning or subletting
all or any portion of the Demised Premises, Tenant shall notify Landlord, in
writing, with reasonable specificity, of the terms, provisions and conditions of
such assignment or sublease.

                                   ARTICLE 14
                        SUBORDINATION, NON-DISTURBANCE,
                       NOTICE TO MORTGAGEE AND ATTORNMENT

         SECTION 14.1 SUBORDINATION. This Lease and all rights of Tenant herein,
and any and all interest or estate of Tenant in the Demised Premises, or any
portion thereof, shall be subject and subordinate to the lien held by or in
favor of any Mortgage which at any time may be placed upon the Demised Premises,
or any portion thereof, by Landlord, and to any replacements, renewals,
amendments, modifications, extensions or refinancing thereof, and to each and
every advance made under any Mortgage; provided however, the subordination
herein agreed upon shall not be effective unless and until Landlord, Landlord's
mortgagee and Tenant execute and deliver a subordination, non-disturbance and
attornment agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F (the
"Subordination Agreement"). Landlord and Tenant agree at any time hereafter,
and from time to time on demand of the other party, to promptly execute and
deliver to each other any reasonable instruments, releases or other documents
that may reasonably be required to carry out the intent of this Section 14.1.
The lien of any Mortgage shall not cover Tenant's Trade Fixtures or other
personal property located in or on the Demised Premises.

         SECTION 14.2 MORTGAGEE PROTECTION CLAUSE. In the event of any act or
omission of Landlord constituting a default by Landlord, Tenant shall not
exercise any remedy until Tenant has given Landlord and any mortgagee (whose
identity and address have been provided to Tenant) of the Demised Premises a
thirty (30) day written notice of such act or omission, and until a reasonable
period of time to allow Landlord or the mortgagee to remedy such

                                       46

         53

act or omission shall have elapsed following the giving of such notice. However,
if such act or omission cannot, with due diligence and in good faith, be
remedied within such thirty (30) day period, Landlord and the mortgagee shall be
allowed such further reasonable period of time as may be reasonably necessary
provided that it commence remedying the same with due diligence and in good
faith within said thirty (30) day period. Nothing herein contained shall be
construed or interpreted as requiring any mortgagee to remedy such act or
omission.

         SECTION 14.3 ATTORNMENT. If any mortgagee shall succeed to the rights
of Landlord under this Lease or to ownership of the Demised Premises, whether
through possession or foreclosure or delivery of a deed in lieu of foreclosure,
then, upon the written request of such mortgagee so succeeding to Landlord's
rights hereunder, provided such mortgagee assumes, in writing, the obligations
of Landlord hereunder accruing on and after the date such mortgagee acquired
title to the Demised Premises, and further provided such mortgagee executes and
delivers to Tenant a Subordination Agreement, Tenant shall attorn to and
recognize such mortgagee as Tenant's landlord under this Lease. In the event of
any other transfer of Landlord's interest hereunder, upon the written request of
the transferee and Landlord, provided such transferee assumes, in writing, the

<PAGE>   42

obligations of Landlord hereunder accruing on and after the date of such
transfer, Tenant shall attorn to and recognize such transferee as Tenant's
landlord under this Lease and shall execute and deliver any reasonable
instrument that such transferee and Landlord may reasonably request to evidence
such attornment.

         SECTION 14.4 COSTS. Landlord agrees to reimburse Tenant up to One
Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for its reasonable fees of outside counsel incurred
in connection with the review of any Subordination Agreements (other than the
form of Subordination Agreement set forth as Exhibit F attached hereto) or
estoppel letter described in Section 19.7 (other than the form of "Estoppel
Letter" set forth as Exhibit E attached hereto) which Landlord may request
Tenant to execute.

                                   ARTICLE 15
                                     SIGNS

         Tenant may erect signs on the exterior or interior of the Building or
on the landscaped area adjacent thereto, provided that such sign or signs (i) do
not cause any structural damage or other damage to the Building; (ii) do not
violate applicable governmental laws, ordinances, rules or regulations; (iii) do
not violate any existing restrictions affecting the Demised Premises are
compatible with the architecture of the Building and the landscaped area
adjacent thereto and (iv) have been approved by Landlord, which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

                                       47

         54

                                   ARTICLE 16
                                 TRADE FIXTURES

         It is the intent of the parties that Trade Fixtures shall include those
items of personal property which are specifically used by Tenant in the conduct
of the Tenant's business and shall belong to Tenant. The parties agree that all
items contained in the Final Plans and Expansion Plans shall be deemed not to be
Trade Fixtures, but shall (absent the written agreement of the parties to the
contrary) constitute fixtures or real property and shall belong to the Landlord
as part of the Landlord's Improvements.

                                   ARTICLE 17
                            CHANGES AND ALTERATIONS

         Tenant shall have the right at any time, and from time to time during
the Term, to make such changes and alterations, structural or otherwise, to the
Building, improvements and fixtures hereafter erected on the Demised Premises as
Tenant shall deem necessary or desirable in connection with the requirements of
its business, which changes and alterations (other than changes or alterations
of Tenant's Trade Fixtures and equipment) shall be made in all cases subject to
the following conditions, which Tenant covenants to observe and perform:

         (a)      No change or alteration shall be undertaken until Tenant shall
                  have procured and paid for, so far as the same may be required
                  from time to time, all Municipal, State and Federal permits
                  and authorizations of the various governmental bodies and
                  departments having jurisdiction thereof, and Landlord agrees
                  to join in the application for such permits or authorizations
                  whenever such action is necessary, all at Tenant's sole cost
                  and expense, provided such applications do not cause Landlord
                  to become liable for any cost, fees or expenses, and provided,
                  at Landlord's direction, such approval is terminated, at the
                  option of

<PAGE>   43

                  Landlord, at the expiration of the Term.

         (b)      In any undertaking of Tenant pursuant to this Article 17,
                  except in the instance of interior decorating, no structural
                  change or alteration shall be undertaken until detailed plans
                  and specifications have been first submitted to and approved
                  in writing by Landlord, which approval shall not unreasonably
                  be withheld or delayed. Before commencement of any such
                  change, alteration, restoration or construction ("New Work")
                  which in Landlord's reasonable judgment would alter the
                  mechanical, structural, or other Building systems, Tenant
                  shall: (i) obtain Landlord's prior written

                                       48

         55

                  consent, (which consent may be withheld if the change or
                  alteration would, in the reasonable judgment of Landlord,
                  impair the value or usefulness to Landlord of the Land or
                  Landlord's Improvements, or any substantial part thereof or
                  would unreasonably alter the aesthetics of the Demised
                  Premises); (ii) guarantee the completion thereof within a
                  reasonable time thereafter (1) free and clear of all
                  mechanic's liens or other liens, encumbrances, security
                  interests and charges, and (2) in accordance with the plans
                  and specifications approved by Landlord; and (iii) Tenant
                  shall promptly upon the completion of the New Work deliver to
                  Landlord two (2) complete sets of "as built" drawings for the
                  New Work.

         (c)      Any change or alteration shall, when completed, be of such
                  character as not to reduce the value or utility of the Demised
                  Premises below its value or utility to Landlord immediately
                  before such change or alteration, nor shall such change or
                  alteration reduce the ares or cubic content of the Building,
                  nor change the character of the Demised Premises as to use
                  without Landlord's express written consent.

         (d)      All New Work shall be done promptly and in a good and
                  workmanlike manner and in Compliance with Laws and in
                  accordance with the orders, rules and regulations of the Board
                  of Fire Underwriters where the Demised Premises is located, or
                  any other body exercising similar functions. The cost of any
                  such change or alteration shall be paid by Tenant so that the
                  Demised Premises and all portions thereof shall at all times
                  be free of liens for labor and materials supplied to the
                  Demised Premises, or any portion thereof. The New Work shall
                  be prosecuted with reasonable dispatch, delays due to strikes,
                  lockouts, acts of God, inability to obtain labor or materials,
                  governmental restrictions or similar causes beyond the
                  reasonable control of Tenant excepted. Tenant shall obtain and
                  maintain, at its sole cost and expense, during the performance
                  of the New Work, workers' compensation insurance covering all
                  persons employed in connection with the New Work and with
                  respect to which death or injury claims could be asserted
                  against Landlord or Tenant or against the Demised Premised or
                  any interest therein, together with comprehensive general
                  liability insurance for the mutual benefit of Landlord and
                  Tenant with limits of not less than One Million Dollars
                  ($1,000,000.00) in the event of injury to one person, Three
                  Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00) in respect to any one accident
                  or occurrence, and Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00)
                  for property damage, and the fire insurance with "extended
                  coverage" endorsement required by Section 5.1 hereof shall be
                  supplemented

<PAGE>   44

                  with

                                       49

         56

                  "builder's risk" insurance on a completed value form or other
                  comparable coverage on the New Work. All such insurance shall
                  be in a company or companies authorized to do business in Ohio
                  and reasonably satisfactory to Landlord. All such policies of
                  insurance or certificates of insurance shall be delivered to
                  Landlord endorsed "Premium Paid" by the company or agency
                  issuing the same, or with other evidence of payment of the
                  premium satisfactory to Landlord, prior to the commencement of
                  any New Work.

         (e)      All improvements and alterations (other than Tenant's Trade
                  Fixtures, equipment and signs) made or installed by Tenant
                  shall immediately, upon completion or installation thereof,
                  become the property of Landlord without payment therefor by
                  Landlord, and shall be surrendered to Landlord on the
                  expiration of the Term (unless the parties agree to the
                  contrary).

         (f)      No change, alteration, restoration or new construction shall
                  be in or connect Landlord's Improvements with any property,
                  building or other improvement located outside the boundaries
                  of the Land and Expansion Land, nor shall the same obstruct or
                  interfere with any then existing easement.

                                   ARTICLE 18
                             SURRENDER OF PREMISES

         SECTION 18.1 SURRENDER OF POSSESSION. Tenant shall, upon termination of
this Lease for any reason whatsoever, surrender to Landlord the Demised
Premises, together with all buildings, structures, fixtures and building
equipment or real estate fixtures upon the Demised Premises, together with all
additions, alterations and replacements thereof (except Tenant's personalty and
Trade Fixtures) in good order, condition and repair, with all mechanical,
electrical and plumbing systems in good working order and repair, reasonable
wear and tear excepted (provided that said exception shall in no way be deemed
to relieve Tenant from its obligations to make all necessary and appropriate
Tenant Repairs as and when required hereunder).

         SECTION 18.2 REMOVAL OF TENANT'S PROPERTY; HOLDOVER RENT. Except as
otherwise provided herein, at the expiration of the Term, Tenant shall surrender
the Demised Premises and shall surrender all keys to the Demised Premises to
Landlord at the place then fixed for the payment of Base Rent and shall inform
Landlord of all combinations on locks, safes and vaults, if any. Except as
otherwise provided herein, Tenant shall at such time remove all of its property
(including its Trade Fixtures) therefrom and all alterations and improvements
placed thereon by Tenant if so requested by Landlord pursuant to Article 17
hereof.

                                       50

         57

Tenant shall repair any damage to the Demised Premises caused by such removal,
and any and all such property not so removed when required shall, at Landlord's
option, become the exclusive property of Landlord or be disposed of by Landlord,
at Tenant's cost and expense, without further notice to or demand upon Tenant.

<PAGE>   45

         In addition to Additional Rent, Tenant shall pay to Landlord a sum
equal to 125% of the Base Rent herein provided for the month immediately prior
to the termination during each month or portion thereof for which Tenant shall
remain in possession of the Demised Premises or any part thereof after the
termination of the Term or of Tenant's rights of possession, whether by lapse of
time or otherwise and in such case, Tenant shall become a tenant from month to
month. The provisions of this Section 18.2 shall not be deemed to limit or
constitute a waiver of any other rights or remedies of Landlord provided herein
at law or at equity, and shall not be deemed to be a consent to any holdover nor
to grant Tenant any right to holdover.

         All property of Tenant not removed on or before the last day of the
Term of this Lease shall be deemed abandoned. Tenant hereby appoints Landlord
its agent to remove all property of Tenant from the Demised Premises upon
termination of this Lease and to cause its transportation and storage for
Tenant's benefit, all at the sole cost and risk of Tenant and Landlord shall not
be liable for damage, theft, misappropriation or loss thereof and Landlord shall
not be liable in any manner in respect thereto. Tenant shall pay all costs and
expenses of such removal, transportation and storage. Tenant shall reimburse
Landlord upon demand for any expenses incurred by Landlord with respect to
removal or storage of abandoned property and with respect to restoring said
Demised Premises to good order, condition and repair.

                                   ARTICLE 19
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         SECTION 19.1 RIGHT OF INSPECTION. Upon reasonable advance notice to
Tenant (except for emergency situations), Tenant agrees to permit Landlord and
its authorized representatives to enter upon the Demised Premises at all
reasonable times during ordinary business hours for the purpose of inspecting
the same and, pursuant to the terms of this Lease, making any necessary repairs
to comply with any laws, ordinances, rules, regulations or requirements of any
public body, or the Board of Fire Underwriters, or any similar body. Except as
otherwise provided herein, nothing shall imply any duty upon the part of
Landlord to do any such work which, under any provision of this Lease, Tenant
may be required to perform and the performance thereof by Landlord shall not
constitute a waiver of Default in failing to perform the same. Landlord shall
not unreasonably interfere with the use and occupancy of the Demised Premises
pursuant to the provisions of this Section 19.1.

                                       51

         58

         SECTION 19.2 DISPLAY OF DEMISED PREMISES. Upon reasonable advance
notice to Tenant, Landlord is hereby given the right during usual business hours
at any time during the Term to enter upon the Demised Premises and to exhibit
the same for the purpose of mortgaging or selling the same. During the final
year of the Term, Landlord shall be entitled to display the Demised Premises for
sale or lease without such prior notice, and shall be allowed to post
appropriate signage in or about the Demised Premises but in such manner as to
not unreasonably interfere with Tenant's business. Landlord shall not
unreasonably interfere with the use and occupancy of the Demised Premises
pursuant to the provisions of this Section 19.2.

         SECTION 19.3 INDEMNITIES.

         (a) TENANT. Tenant shall at all times indemnify, defend and hold
Landlord and Landlord's mortgagee(s), beneficiaries, partners, and managing
agent harmless against and from any and all claims, costs, liabilities, actions
and damages (including, without limitation,'reasonable attorneys' fees and
costs) by or on behalf of any person or persons, firm or firms, corporation or
corporations, to the extent arising from the conduct or management, or from any
work or things whatsoever done in or about the Demised Premises during the Term,
and will further indemnify, defend and hold Landlord harmless against and from

<PAGE>   46

any and all claims arising during the term of this Lease, to the extent arising
from any condition of the Improvements or any curb or sidewalk adjoining the
Demised Premises, or of any passageways or space therein or appurtenant thereto,
or to the extent arising from any breach or default on the part of Tenant in the
performance of any covenant or agreement on the part of Tenant to be performed,
pursuant to the terms of this Lease, or arising from any negligence of Tenant,
its agents, servants, employees or licensees, or arising from any accident,
injury or damage whatsoever caused to any person, firm or corporation occurring
during the term of this Lease, in or about the Demised Premises, or upon the
sidewalk and the land adjacent thereto, and from and against all costs,
reasonable attorney's fees, expenses and liabilities incurred in or about any
such claim or action or proceeding brought thereto; and in case any action or
proceeding be brought against Landlord by reason of any such claim, Tenant, upon
notice from Landlord, covenants to defend such action proceeding by counsel
reasonably satisfactory to Landlord. The indemnity obligations of Tenant under
this Section 19.3(a) which relate directly or indirectly to death, bodily or
personal injury or property damage, shall be insured by contractual liability
endorsement on Tenant's policies of insurance required under the provisions of
Article 5. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Tenant's
obligations to indemnify, defend and hold Landlord harmless against and from any
and all claims, costs, liabilities, actions and damages shall not apply to any
claims, costs, liabilities, actions and damages to the extent

                                       52

         59

arising as a result of (i) the negligence or willful misconduct or omissions of
Landlord; and/or (ii) the failure of Landlord to comply with a provision of this
Lease.

         (b) LANDLORD. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Landlord shall at
all times indemnify, defend and hold Tenant and Tenant's shareholders and
employees harmless from any and all claims, costs, liabilities, actions and
damages (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs) by
or on behalf of any person or persons, firm or firms, corporation or
corporations, to the extent arising from the conduct of or the failure to
conduct any of Landlord's obligations hereunder, or any negligence in the
performance thereof and from and against all costs, reasonable attorneys' fees,
expenses and liabilities incurred in or about any such claim, action or
proceeding brought thereon; and in case any action or proceeding be brought
against Tenant by reason of such claim, Landlord, upon notice from Tenant,
covenants to defend such action or proceeding by counsel reasonably satisfactory
to Tenant. The indemnity obligations of Landlord under this Section 19.3(b)
which relate directly or indirectly to death, bodily or personal injury or
property damage, shall be insured by contractual liability endorsement on
Landlord's policy of insurance required under the provisions of Section 5.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Landlord's
obligations to indemnify, defend and hold Tenant harmless against and from any
and all claims, costs, liabilities, actions and damages shall not apply to any
claims, costs, liabilities, actions and damages to the extent arising as a
result of (i) the negligence or willful misconduct or omissions of Tenant;
and/or (ii) the failure of Tenant to comply with a provision of this Lease.

         SECTION 19.4 NOTICES. All notices, demands and requests which may be or
are required to be given, demanded or requested by any party to the other shall
be in writing. All transmittals by Landlord or Tenant shall be delivered by
private messenger, or sent by United States registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid, or by Federal Express or similar overnight courier service,
addressed to Tenant (prior to the Commencement Date) as follows:

                              Health o meter Products, Inc.
                              24700 Miles Road

<PAGE>   47

                              Bedford Heights, Ohio 44146
                              Attention: Steven M. Billick

and thereafter, to each of them, at the Demised Premises, or at such other place
as Tenant may from time to time designate by written notice to Landlord.
Tenant's address for billing and invoicing is same as above.

         Any such transmittals by Tenant to Landlord shall be delivered by
private messenger, or sent by United States

                                       53

         60

registered or certified mail, postage prepaid or by Federal Express or similar
overnight delivery service, addressed to Landlord at the following address:

                              Duke Realty Limited Partnership
                              8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1200
                              Indianapolis, Indiana  46240
                              Attn: Legal Department

or at such other place as Landlord may from time to time designate by written
notice to Tenant. Notices, demands and requests which shall be served upon
Landlord by Tenant, or upon Tenant by Landlord, in the manner aforesaid, shall
be deemed to be sufficiently served or given for all purposes hereunder three
(3) days after the time such transmittals shall be mailed, or upon the actual
date of delivery to the addressee if sent by private messenger, or overnight
courier.

         SECTION 19.5 QUIET ENJOYMENT. Landlord covenants and agrees that
Tenant, upon paying the Rent, and upon observing and keeping the covenants,
agreements and conditions of this Lease on its part to be kept, observed and
performed, shall lawfully and quietly hold, occupy, and enjoy the Demised
Premises during the Term without hindrance or molestation.

         SECTION 19.6 LANDLORD AND SUCCESSORS. The term "Landlord", as used in
this Lease so far as covenants or obligations on the part of Landlord are
concerned, shall be limited to mean and include only the owner or owners at the
time in question of the fee of the Demised Premises, and in the event of any
transfer or transfers or conveyance (provided that such grantee assumes in
writing the obligations of Landlord hereunder on and after the date of such
conveyance), the then grantor shall be automatically freed and relieved, from
and after the date of such transfer or conveyance, of all liability with respect
to any covenants or obligations on the part of Landlord contained in this Lease,
the performance of which first accrues on or after the date of such transfer,
provided that any funds in the hands of such landlord or the then grantor at the
time of such transfer, in which Tenant has an interest, shall be turned over to
the grantee, and any amount then due and payable to Tenant by Landlord or the
then grantor under any provision of this Lease shall be paid to Tenant. It is
intended that the covenants and obligations contained in this Lease on the part
of Landlord shall, subject to the aforesaid, be binding on Landlord, its
successors and assigns, only during and in respect of their respective
successive periods of ownership.

         SECTION 19.7 ESTOPPELS. Tenant shall, without charge at any time and
from time to time, within thirty (30) days after written request by Landlord,
certify by written instrument in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit E
hereto, duly executed, acknowledged, and delivered to any mortgagee, assignee

                                       54

<PAGE>   48

         61

of a mortgagee, proposed mortgagee, or to any purchaser or proposed purchaser,
or to any other person dealing with Landlord or the Demised Premises as to the
matters set forth in Exhibit E attached hereto.

         SECTION 19.8 SEVERABILITY; GOVERNING LAWS. If any covenant, condition,
provision, term or agreement of this Lease shall, to any extent, be held invalid
or unenforceable, the remaining covenants, conditions, provisions, terms and
agreements of this Lease shall not be affected thereby, but each covenant,
condition, provision, term or agreement of this Lease shall be valid and in
force to the fullest extent permitted by law. This Lease shall be construed and
be enforceable in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.

         SECTION 19.9 BINDING EFFECT. The covenants and agreements herein
contained shall bind and inure to the benefit of Landlord, its successors and
assigns, and Tenant and its permitted successors and assigns.

         SECTION 19.10 CAPTIONS. The caption of each Article and Section of this
Lease is for convenience of reference only, and in no way defines, limits or
describes the scope or intent of such Article or Section of this Lease.

         SECTION 19.11 LANDLORD TENANT RELATIONSHIP. This Lease does not create
the relationship of principal and agent, or of partnership, joint venture, or of
any association or relationship between Landlord and Tenant, the sole
relationship between Landlord and Tenant being that of landlord and tenant; nor,
except as otherwise provided herein, shall any person, firm or corporation be
entitled to claim any rights as a third party beneficiary hereof.

         SECTION 19.12 MERGER OF AGREEMENTS. All preliminary and contemporaneous
negotiations are merged into and incorporated in this Lease. This Lease contains
the entire agreement between the parties and shall not be modified or amended in
any manner except by an instrument in writing executed by the parties hereto.
Submission of the form of the Lease for examination shall not bind Landlord in
any manner, and no Lease or obligations of Landlord shall arise until this
instrument is signed by both Landlord and Tenant and is delivered to each.

         SECTION 19.13 LANDLORD'S PROPERTY. Tenant acknowledges that the Demised
Premises is the property of Landlord and that Tenant has only the right to
possession and use thereof upon the covenants, conditions, provisions, terms and
agreements set forth in this Lease.

         SECTION 19.14 SURVIVAL. All obligations of the parties hereunder
(together with interest on Tenant's monetary obligations

                                       55

         62

at the Maximum Rate of Interest) accruing prior to expiration of the Term shall
survive the expiration or other termination of this Lease.

         SECTION 19.15 REASONABLENESS. Any consent, action or inaction required
to be given (or which may be withheld), done or not done by any of the parties
hereto shall, at all times, be given (or not withheld), done or not done in a
commercially reasonable fashion.

         SECTION 19.16 REAL ESTATE BROKER. The Tenant represents that Tenant has
dealt with (and only with) Cleveland Real Estate Partners as its broker in
connection with this Lease (whose commission shall be paid by Landlord in
accordance with its agreement with same), and that insofar as Tenant knows, no
other outside broker negotiated this Lease (although Tenant acknowledges
Landlord is a broker but further understands Tenant is not paying Landlord a

<PAGE>   49

commission) or is entitled to any commission in connection therewith. Tenant
agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Landlord harmless from and against any
claims made by any broker or finder other than the broker named above for a
commission or fee in connection with this Lease, provided that Landlord has not
in fact retained such broker or finder. Landlord agrees to indemnify, defend and
bold Tenant harmless from and against any claims made by any broker or finder
other than the broker named above for a commission or fee in connection with
this Lease.

         SECTION 19.17 EXHIBITS; RIDER PROVISIONS. Any Exhibits attached hereto
are an integral part hereof and this Lease Agreement shall be construed as
though such Exhibits were set forth in full herein. In the event that there are
one or more Riders attached to this Lease, then the provisions of such Rider(s)
shall take precedent over any conflicting provisions contained herein.

         SECTION 19.18 RECORDING. A Memorandum of Lease prepared by Tenant and
acceptable in form and content to Landlord, reciting the operative provisions of
this Lease, may, at the request of either party, be executed and recorded with
the Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Recorder of Deeds Office.

         SECTION 19.19 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. During the Term, Tenant shall
provide to Landlord on an annual basis, within one hundred twenty (120) days
following the end of the Tenant's fiscal year, a copy of Tenant's most recent
audited financial statements prepared as of the end of Tenant's fiscal year.

         SECTION 19.20. LIMITATION OF LANDLORD'S LIABILITY. If Landlord shall
fail to perform or observe any term, condition, covenant or obligation required
to be performed or observed by it under this Lease and if Tenant shall, as a
consequence thereof, recover a money judgment against Landlord (whether
compensatory

                                       56
         63

or punitive in nature), Tenant agrees that it shall look solely to Landlord's
right, title and interest in and to the Building and to Landlord's insurance for
indemnity obligations insured under the provisions of Article 5 for the
collection of such judgment; and Tenant further agrees that no other assets of
Landlord shall be subject to levy, execution or other process for the
satisfaction of Tenant's judgment and that Landlord shall not be personally
liable for any deficiency.

                                   ARTICLE 20
                                 CONTINGENCIES

         SECTION 20.1 LANDLORD'S CONTINGENCIES. The obligations of Landlord
hereunder are contingent upon the following:

         (a) Landlord's purchase by October 31, 1996 of the Land from Carl
Milstein, Trustee for the Carl Milstein Trust ("Milstein") on terms and
conditions satisfactory to Landlord, at a cost not to exceed Forty Thousand
Dollars ($40,000.00) per acre.

         (b) The Village establishing by October 30, 1996 a Community
Reinvestment Area and abating 100% of the taxes of the real estate taxes
relating to the Demised Premises for fifteen (15) years.

         SECTION 20.2 TENANT'S CONTINGENCIES. The obligations of Tenant
hereunder are contingent upon the Village establishing by October 30, 1996 a
Community Reinvestment Area and abating 100% of the real estate taxes relating
to the Demised Premises for fifteen (15) years.

<PAGE>   50

         SECTION 20.3 WAIVER. Landlord may waive in writing any of the
contingencies set forth in Section 20.1 and Tenant may waive in writing any of
the contingencies set forth in Section 20.2 and thereafter, such contingency
shall be of no further force or effect.

                                       57

         64

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this LEASE
AGREEMENT, to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

Signed in the presence of:                   LANDLORD:

                                             DUKE REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
/s/ R.C. Farro
-------------------------------------        -----------------------------------

Print Name: R.C. Farro
            -------------------------        By: Duke Realty Investments, Inc.
/s/ Brent D. Ballard                         Its: General Partner
-------------------------------------
Print Name: Brent D. Ballard
            -------------------------        By: /s/ William E. Linville, III
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 William E. Linville, III,
                                                 Vice President-Indiana
                                                 Industrial Group

                                             TENANT:

                                             HEALTH O METER PRODUCTS, INC.

/s/ R.C. Farro                               By: /s/ Steven H. Billick
-------------------------------------        -----------------------------------
Print Name: R.C. Farro                       Steven M. Billick,
           --------------------------        Senior Vice President, Treasurer
                                             and Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Brent D. Ballard
-------------------------------------
Print Name: Brent D. Ballard
           --------------------------

                                       58

         65

STATE OF Ohio              )
         ----------------- )ss
COUNTY OF Cuyahoga         )
         -----------------

         Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally
appeared William E. Linville, III, Vice President, Indiana Industrial Group of
Duke Realty Investments, Inc., general partner of Duke Realty Limited
Partnership, who acknowledged that he did execute the foregoing on behalf of
said partnership and said corporation and that the same is his free act and deed

<PAGE>   51

as such officer and the free act and deed of said partnership and corporation.

         WITNESS my hand and Notarial Seal this 15th day of October, 1996.

                              /s/ Brent D. Ballard
                              -----------------------------------------
                              Notary Public
                              Printed Name: Brent D. Ballard
                                            ---------------------------

                              My commission expires: No Expiration Date
                                                     ------------------

STATE OF Ohio            )
         --------------  ) ss
COUNTY OF Cuyahoga       )
         --------------

         Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally
appeared Steven M. Billick, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer of Health o Meter Products, Inc., who acknowledged that he did execute
the foregoing on behalf of said corporation and that the same is his free act
and deed as such officer and the free act and deed of said corporation.

         WITNESS my hand and Notarial Seal this 15th day of October, 1996.

                              /s/ Brent D. Ballard
                              -----------------------------------------
                              Notary Public
                              Printed Name: Brent D. Ballard
                                            ---------------------------
                              My commission expires: No Expiration Bate
                                                     ------------------

                                       59

         66

                                LEASE AGREEMENT
                     TENANT: HEALTH O METER PRODUCTS, INC.

                              SCHEDULE OF EXHIBITS
                              --------------------

     EXHIBITS     DESCRIPTION
     --------     -----------

         A        Legal Description of Land

         B        Performance Criteria

         C        Design Plan Packages (to be
                  attached when complete)

         D        Environmental Report

         E        Estoppel Letter

         F        Subordination Agreement

<PAGE>   52
                                       60

1

<PAGE>   53

PHG/JLK/kk
8/15/97

                             FIRST LEASE AMENDMENT
                             ---------------------

     THIS FIRST LEASE AMENDMENT (the "Amendment") is executed this 9 day of
September, 1997 by and between DUGAN REALTY, L.L.C., an Indiana limited
liability company ("Landlord"), and SIGNATURE BRANDS, INC., an Ohio corporation
("Tenant").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              - - - - - - - - - -

     WHEREAS, Duke Realty Limited Partnership, as predecessor in interest to
Landlord, and Health O meter Products, Inc., as predecessor in interest to
Tenant, entered into a certain lease dated October 15, 1996 (the "Lease"),
whereby Tenant leased from Landlord certain premises consisting of
approximately 458,000 square feet of space (the "Leased Premises") located in
an office/warehouse building in the Village of Greenwillow, County of
Cuyahoga, State of Ohio; and

     WHEREAS, Landlord and Tenant desire to amend the Base Rent under the Lease
to incorporate the amortization of certain tenant finish improvement and
infrastructure costs;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the mutual
covenants herein contained and each act performed hereunder by the parties,
Landlord and Tenant hereby enter into this Amendment.

     1. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 3.1. BASE RENT. Section 3.1(a)(1) of the Lease is
hereby amended by deleting:

          "Years 1-5               $3.32 per square foot
          Years 6-10               $3.74 per square foot
          Years 11-15              $4.19 per square foot"

     and substituting the following in lieu thereof:

          "Years 1-5               $128,772.82 per month
          Years 6-10               $144,802.82 per month
          Years 11-15              $161,977.82 per month"

     2. TENANT'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The undersigned represents and
warrants to Landlord that (i) Tenant is duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing in accordance with the laws of the state under which it was
organized; (ii) all action necessary to authorize the execution

<PAGE>   54
of this Amendment has been taken by Tenant; and (iii)  the individual executing
and delivering this Amendment on behalf of Tenant has been authorized to do so,
and such execution and delivery shall bind Tenant. Tenant, at Landlord's
request, shall provide Landlord with evidence of such authority.

         3. DEFINITIONS. Except as otherwise provided herein, the capitalized
terms used in this Amendment shall have the definitions set forth in the Lease.

         4. INCORPORATION. This Amendment shall be incorporated into and made
a part of the Lease, and all provisions of the Lease not expressly modified or
amended hereby shall remain in full force and effect.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment to be
executed on the day and year first written above.

                                    LANDLORD:

                                    DUGAN REALTY, L.L.C., an Indiana
                                    limited liability company
Witnesses:
                                    By: Duke Realty Limited Partnership,
/s/ Lisa J. Hurley                      an Indiana limited partnership,
-----------------------                 its member
    Lisa J. Hurley
-----------------------                 By: Duke Realty Investments, Inc.,
(Printed)                                   an Indiana corporation, its
                                            general partner
/s/ Denna M. Francescon
-----------------------                     By /s/ William E. Linville, III
    Denna M. Francescon                       -----------------------------
-----------------------                       William E. Linville, III
(Printed)                                     Executive Vice President
                                              Industrial Group

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   55
                                    TENANT:

                                    SIGNATURE BRANDS, INC., an Ohio
                                    corporation
Witnesses:
                                    By: /s/ Steven M. Billick
/s/ Jean E. Kalies                      ---------------------------------
-----------------------             Printed: Steven M. Billick
    Jean E. Kalies                           ----------------------------
-----------------------                      Senior Vice President, Treasurer
 (Printed)                           Title:  and Chief Financial Officer
                                             ---------------------------
/s/ Barbara L. Zimmer
-----------------------
    Barbara L. Zimmer
-----------------------
(Printed)

STATE OF Indiana  )
         -------  )  SS:
COUNTY OF Marion  )
          ------

         Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State,
personally appeared William E. Linville, III, by me known and by me known to be
the Executive Vice President/Industrial Group of Duke Realty Investments, Inc.,
an Indiana corporation, the general partner of Duke Realty Limited Partnership,
an Indiana limited partnership, which is a member of Dugan Realty, L.L.C., an
Indiana liability company, who acknowledged the execution of the foregoing
"First Lease Amendment" on behalf of said company.

         WITNESS my hand and Notarial Seal this 9th day of September, 1997.

                                    /s/ Kristine L. Todd
                                    -------------------------------------
                                    Notary Public

                                    -------------------------------------
                                    (Printed Signature)

KRISTINE TODD
BOONE COUNTY
EXP. 06-19-01

My Commission Expires:
                        -----------------------------

My County of Residence: -----------------------------

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   56
STATE OF OHIO     )
                  ) SS:
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA)

     Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally
appeared /s/ Steven M. Billick by me known and by me known to be the Sr. VP,
Treas. & CFO of Signature Brands, Inc., an Ohio corporation, who acknowledged
the execution of the foregoing "First Lease Amendment" on behalf of said
corporation.

     WITNESS my hand and Notarial Seal this 8th day of September, 1997.

                                   /s/ Gloria D. Newhouse
                                   ---------------------------
                                   Notary Public

                                   /s/ Gloria D. Newhouse
                                   ----------------------------
                                   (Printed Signature)

My Commission Expires: 6-6-2002
                      --------------------

My County of Residence: Portage
                       -------------------

                                        GLORIA D. NEWHOUSE, Notary Public
                                                  STATE OF OHIO
                                              Resident Portage County
                                        My Commission Expires June 6, 2002

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   57

                  ASSIGNMENT, ASSUMPTION AND AMENDMENT OF LEASE
                  ---------------------------------------------

                      I. ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF LEASE

           FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION of receipt of One Dollar ($1.00) and other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, SUNBEAM PRODUCTS, INC., an Ohio corporation (hereinafter referred
to as "Assignor"), ROYAL APPLIANCE MFG. CO., an Ohio corporation (hereinafter
referred to as "Assignee") " and DUGAN REALTY, L.L.C., (hereinafter referred to
as "Landlord") agree as follows regarding a certain Lease dated October 15,
1996, as amended September 9, 1997 by and between HEALTH O METER PRODUCTS, INC.,
as predecessor in interest to Assignor, as "Tenant" and Landlord's predecessor
in interest (the "Lease") for certain space described therein consisting of
approximately 458,000 square feet (the "Premises") located in an
office/warehouse building in the Village of Glenwillow, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

         1. ASSIGNMENT. Assignor and Assignee agree to execute the Assignment
and Assumption of Lease (the "Assignment"), in the form attached hereto as
EXHIBIT "B", as of July 1, 2000 (the "Effective Date"). Possession of the
Premises, in its "AS-IS" "WHERE -IS" condition, will be delivered to Assignee on
the Effective Date, and, except as set forth herein, all of Assignor's personal
property, inventory, equipment and furniture shall be removed from the Premises
prior to the Effective Date.

         2. CONSIDERATION. In consideration for the assignment and assumption of
the Lease, Assignor shall pay Assignee Five Hundred Thirty-three Thousand
Dollars ($533,000.00). Commencing upon the Effective Date, such amount shall be
paid by Assignor to Assignee in twelve (12) consecutive, equal monthly
installments of Forty-four Thousand Four Hundred Sixteen and 67/100 Dollars
($44,416.67) upon the first (1st) day of each month commencing upon the
Effective Date.

         3. PRORATIONS. Base Rent, Additional Rent and Impositions, as said
terms are defined in the Lease, shall be prorated as of the Effective Date. All
utilities shall be prorated as of the Effective Date. Any amounts due to
Assignee or Assignor due to such prorations shall be paid on the Effective Date.
The amount of the proration for Real Estate taxes shall be paid directly to
Landlord and Assignee shall only be responsible for Real Estate taxes accruing
after the Effective Date.

         4. FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT. Between the date hereof and April 14, 2000,
Assignor and Assignee shall mutually determine the items and the purchase price
of furniture and equipment in the Premises owned by Assignor to be purchased by
Assignee from Assignor. In no event shall Assignee purchase any underground
storage tanks or any equipment and fixtures taken out of service prior to the
Effective Date. Any furniture and equipment which is not purchased by Assignee
shall be removed from the Premises by Assignor prior to the Effective Date. The
total purchase price for such furniture and equipment shall be taken as a
prorated credit against the payment(s) due from Assignor to Assignee under
Section 2 hereof. Assignor shall execute and deliver to Assignee the Bill of
Sale, in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT "D", on or before the Effective
Date.

         5. REPRESENTATION OF ASSIGNOR. Assignor represent and warrants to
Assignee that

                  (a) Neither Assignor nor Landlord are in default under the
         terms of the Lease.

                  (b) Assignor has not received any notice from any governmental
         authority that a condemnation or appropriation proceeding affecting the
         Premises exists or is contemplated.

                  (c) To the best knowledge of Assignor, there are no
         assessments, which have or will become a lien against the Premises, or
         any mechanic's or materialmen's liens filed or, to the best of
         Assignor's knowledge, threatened against the Premises, and no work has
         been performed or materials provided for which a lien could be filed.

                  (d) There are no suits, actions or proceedings pending or, to
         the best of Assignor's knowledge, threatened against or concerning the
         Premises.

                  (e) The Assignor has not received notice from any governmental
         authority advising that the Premises is in violation of any applicable
         zoning, building, health, safety, environmental, subdivision and other
         laws, ordinances and regulations; and all certificates of occupancy and
         other required approvals have been issued for the Premises.

                  (f) Assignor has received no notice that Hazardous Substances
         have been used, manufactured, released, treated, stored or disposed of
         beneath, on or at the Premises or off-site so as to affect the Premises
         by Assignor, Assignor's predecessors-in-interest or by any other person
         or from any source whatsoever. The term "Hazardous Substance" includes,
         without limitation, those substances included within the definitions of
         "Hazardous Substances," "Hazardous Materials," "Toxic Substances,"
         "Hazardous Waste," or "Solid Waste" in any Environmental

<PAGE>   58

         Law, and oil and petroleum products, asbestos, polychlorinated
         biphenyls, urea formaldehyde and lead-based paint. The term
         "Environmental Law" includes any federal, state or local law, statute,
         ordinance or regulation pertaining to health, industrial hygiene or the
         environmental conditions on, under or about the Premises, including,
         without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
         Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. Sections 9601 ET SEQ., the
         Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901 ET SEQ.,
         and the Hazardous Material Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. Section 1801,
         ET SEQ. No above ground or underground storage tanks are or were
         located on, under or about the Premises.

                  (h) The Lease has not been modified, altered or amended,
         except as hereinabove provided.

         Assignor agrees that the foregoing representations and warranties are
true on the date of this Agreement and shall, as a condition to the execution of
the Assignment, be true in all material respects on the Effective Date. Assignor
shall update the aforesaid representations and warranties on the Effective Date
by delivering to Assignee a certificate (the "Assignor's Certificate") of the
Assignor restating such representations and warranties as of the Effective Date.
All representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and in the
Assignor's Certificate shall survive the delivery and recording of the
Assignment for a period of six (6) months and shall not be deemed merged
therein.

         6. RISK OF LOSS. Risk of loss until the Effective Date shall be borne
exclusively by Assignor. In the event of damage or destruction to all or part of
the Premises prior to the Effective Date and the cost to repair such damage or
destruction exceeds ten percent (10%) of the value of the Premises, the Assignee
shall have the option of terminating this Agreement.

         7. NO MODIFICATION This Assignment and Assumption of Lease shall not be
construed to modify, waive, impair or affect any of the terms, provisions or
conditions of the Lease.

         8. NO FURTHER CONSENT This Assignment and Assumption of Lease shall not
constitute a consent to any further assignment of the Lease or subletting of the
premises demised thereby.

         9. LANDLORD REPRESENTATION As of the date of this Assignment and
Assumption of Lease, (i) Assignor has fully paid all rent, additional rent and
other sums due and payable under the Lease on or before the date of this
Assignment and Assumption of Lease and no rent, penalties or other sums are due
by Assignor to Landlord, (ii), neither Landlord nor Assignor is in default under
any of the terms, conditions or covenants of the Lease to be performed or
complied with by Landlord or Assignor and (iii) Landlord has not received any
written notice alleging that the Premises is in violation of any federal, state
or local law or regulation.

         10. LANDLORD CONSENT Landlord consents to the assignment of the Lease
from Assignor to Assignee and the assumption by Assignee of all of Assignor's
obligations under the Lease from and after the Effective Date. Landlord agrees
that Assignee shall have no responsibility or liability for Assignor's
obligations under the Lease which arose prior to the Effective Date, and
Landlord waives any claims against Assignee for such obligations.

                             II. AMENDMENT OF LEASE

         WHEREAS, Landlord and Assignee (hereinafter referred to as "Tenant")
desire to extend the Lease Term and to amend certain other provisions of the
Lease;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the mutual
covenants herein contained and each act performed hereunder by the parties,
Landlord and Tenant hereby enter into this Amendment effective on the Effective
Date.

         1. EXTENSION OF TERM. The Lease Term is hereby extended through July
31, 2015.

         2. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 3.1. BASE RENT. Section 3.1(a)(1) of the Lease
is hereby amended by adding the following:

            "Years 16-18    $169,992.82 per month"

         3. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 6.2. TENANT'S REPAIRS. Section 6.2 of the Lease
is hereby amended to provide that, as of the effective date hereof, Landlord
shall take over all responsibility for performance of landscaping and Tenant
shall have no further responsibility for performance thereof. Landlord shall
maintain such landscaping in a first class, high quality manner. Tenant shall
pay to Landlord as Additional Rent hereunder, all costs associated with such
landscaping within thirty (30) days after receipt of an invoice therefor. In the
event Tenant is not satisfied with the quality or cost of such landscaping, in
its reasonable judgment, Landlord, at Tenant's request, shall solicit at least
three (3) bids for the performance of such work from landscaping contractors and
Tenant shall have the right to approve such contractors, which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

<PAGE>   59

         In addition to the foregoing, Tenant agrees that certain landscaping
upgrades are currently required, as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto.
Landlord shall promptly perform such upgrades and Tenant shall pay Landlord for
two-thirds (2/3) of the cost thereof within thirty (30) days after receipt of an
invoice therefor, provided that the sum Tenant is required to pay for such
upgrades shall not exceed Sixty-Seven Thousand Dollars ($67,000.00).

         4. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 19.4. NOTICES. The notice addresses for
Landlord and Tenant shall be amended as follows:

         Tenant:                    Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
                                    650 Alpha Drive
                                    Cleveland, Ohio 44143
                                    Attn: Richard Vasek

         Landlord:                  Dugan Realty, L.L.C.
                                    6150 Oak Tree Blvd., Suite 550
                                    Independence, OH  44131-2547

         With Rental
         Payments to:               Dugan Realty, L.L.C.
                                    P.O. Box 931845
                                    Cleveland, OH  44193-1186

         5. INDEMNIFICATION FOR LEASING COMMISSIONS. Landlord shall not be
responsible for the payment of any leasing commissions or fees whatsoever in
connection with this transaction and Tenant hereby indemnifies, defends and
holds Landlord harmless from and against any and all claims made by any broker
or finder in connection with this transaction, including but not limited to,
Grubb & Ellis, C.B. Richard Ellis and Victor S. Voinovich Co.

         6. CONTINGENCY. This Amendment is contingent upon the satisfaction or
waiver of the contingencies set forth in Article III below.

                     III. CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER PROVISIONS

         1. This Assignment, Assumption and Amendment of Lease is contingent
upon the satisfaction of the following two (2) contingencies:

            (i) Full and proper execution of a Release Agreement by and between
Landlord and Assignor and fulfillment of all terms thereof by the parties
thereto; and

            (ii) Confirmation by the Village of Glenwillow that the CRA/tax
abatement program currently in place has been transferred to the benefit of
Tenant.

            (iii) Obtaining a release from C.B. Richard Ellis for any and all
brokerage fees or commission regarding this transaction.

            In the event contingencies (i) and (ii) are not satisfied or waived
or mutually extended by all parties hereto on or before May 19, 2000, this
Assignment, Assumption and Amendment of Lease shall be null and void and of no
further force or effect. In the event contingency (iii) is not satisfied or
waived by Assignee by April 19, 2000, Assignee, may terminate this Assignment,
Assumption and Amendment of Lease upon written notice to Assignor and Landlord
and thereafter, this Assignment, Assumption and Amendment of Lease shall be null
and void and of no further force or effect.

         2. The undersigned represent and warrant that (i) the respective party
is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (if applicable) in
accordance with the laws of the state under which it was organized; (ii) all
action necessary to authorize the execution of this agreement has been taken;
and (iii) the individual executing and delivering this agreement on behalf of
each party hereto has been authorized to do so, and such execution and delivery
shall bind such party.

         3. Submission of this instrument for examination or signature does not
constitute a reservation or option, and it is not effective until execution by
all parties hereto.

         4. Except as otherwise provided herein, the capitalized terms used in
this agreement shall have the definitions set forth in the Lease.

         5. This agreement shall be incorporated into and made a part of the
Lease, and all provisions of the Lease not expressly modified or amended hereby
shall remain in full force and effect.

<PAGE>   60

         EXECUTED as of the 14th of April, 2000.

                                    "Assignor"

                                    SUNBEAM PRODUCTS, INC., an
                                    Ohio corporation

Witnesses:
                                    By:
---------------------                  -------------------------------
                                    Printed:
---------------------                       --------------------------
                                    Title:
                                          ----------------------------

                                    "Assignee"/"Tenant"

                                    ROYAL APPLIANCE MFG. CO.,
                                    an Ohio corporation

Witnesses:
                                    By:
---------------------                  -------------------------------
                                    Printed:
---------------------                       --------------------------
                                    Title:
                                          ----------------------------

                                    "Landlord"

                                    DUGAN REALTY, L.L.C., an Indiana
                                    limited liability company

                                    By:  Duke-Weeks Realty Limited Partnership,
                                    its member

Witnesses:                          By:  Duke-Weeks Realty Corporation, its
                                         general partner
---------------------
                                         By:
                                            --------------------------
-----------------------                      Spencer N. Pisczak
                                             Senior Vice President
                                             Cleveland Industrial

STATE OF ____________________)
                             ) SS:
COUNTY OF __________________ )

         Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally
appeared ________________________ , by me known and by me known to be the
________________ of Sunbeam Products, Inc., an Ohio corporation, who
acknowledged the execution of the foregoing "Assignment, Assumption and
Amendment of Lease" on behalf of said corporation.

         Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this ______ day of _____________,
2000.

                                              -------------------------------
                                              Notary Public

                                              -------------------------------
                                              (Printed Signature)
My Commission Expires:  ______________

My County of Residence:  _____________

<PAGE>   61

STATE OF ____________________)
                             )SS:
COUNTY OF __________________ )

         Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally
appeared ________________________ by me known and by me known to be the
________________ of Royal Appliance Mfg. Co., an Ohio corporation, who
acknowledged the execution of the foregoing "Assignment, Assumption and
Amendment of Lease" on behalf of said corporation.

         Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this _____ day of ____________, 2000.

                                              -------------------------------
                                              Notary Public

                                              -------------------------------
                                              (Printed Signature)
My Commission Expires:  ______________

My County of Residence:  ______________

STATE OF _________________)
                          ) SS:
COUNTY OF _______________ )

         Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally
appeared Spencer N. Pisczak, by me known to be the Senior Vice President,
Cleveland Industrial of Duke-Weeks Realty Corporation, an Indiana corporation,
the general partner of Duke-Weeks Realty Limited Partnership, an Indiana limited
partnership, who acknowledged the execution of the foregoing "Assignment,
Assumption and Amendment of Lease" on behalf of said partnership.

           WITNESS my hand and Notarial Seal this ___ day of _________ 2000.

                                                 ------------------------------
                                                 Notary Public

                                                 ------------------------------
                                                 (Printed Signature)

My Commission Expires:  ________________

My County of Residence:  ________________

<PAGE>   62

                                   EXHIBIT "B"

                       ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF LEASE
                       ----------------------------------

         THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF LEASE (the "Assignment"), made the
____ day of ___________, 2000, by and among SUNBEAM PRODUCTS, INC. ("Assignor"),
ROYAL APPLIANCE MFG. CO. ("Assignee"), and DUGAN REALTY L.L.C. ("Landlord") is
to evidence the following understandings and agreements among the parties.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, Landlord's predecessor-in-interest and Health O Meter
Products, Inc., Assignor's predecessor-in-interest, entered into a lease dated
October 15, 1996, as amended September 9, 1997 (collectively the "Lease") for
real estate and all improvements thereto located at 7005 Cochran Road,
Glenwillow, Ohio ("Premises") as further described in Exhibit "A" attached
hereto; and

         WHEREAS, Assignor now desires to transfer, set over and assign all of
Assignor's right, title and interest as tenant under the Lease to Assignee and
Assignee desires to accept all of Assignor's interest and obligations as tenant
under the Lease; and

         WHEREAS, Landlord hereby agrees to said assignment and assumption of
the Lease upon the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

         NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt, adequacy and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:

         1. ASSIGNMENT AND INDEMNIFICATION BY ASSIGNOR. Effective as of July 1,
2000 (the "Effective Date"), Assignor hereby assigns all of its right, title and
interest in and to the Lease to Assignee upon the terms and conditions herein
contained. Assignor hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless
Assignee, its shareholders, officers, directors, affiliates, agents and
employees and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and
assigns from any and all claims, actions liabilities, losses, damages, costs or
expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs,
arising from injury, to person or property of any and every nature, and from any
matter or thing, growing out of the occupation, possession, use, construction,
alteration, repair, maintenance or control of the Premises and/or the Building
(including parking areas) and all areas adjoining or appurtenant thereto
originating prior to the Effective Date.

         2. ASSUMPTION AND INDEMNIFICATION BY ASSIGNEE. Assignee hereby assumes
all of Assignor's duties, liabilities and obligations as Tenant under the Lease
and agrees to perform all of the terms, covenants and conditions of the Lease,
on the part of Assignor, as Tenant, to be performed under the Lease arising on
or after the Effective Date. Assignee further agrees to indemnify, defend and
hold harmless Assignor, its shareholders, officers, directors, affiliates,
agents and employees and their respective heirs, executors, administrators,
successors and assigns from any and all claims, actions liabilities, losses,
damages, costs or expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys'
fees and costs, arising from injury, to person or property of any and every
nature, and from any matter or thing, growing out of the occupation, possession,
use, construction, alteration, repair, maintenance or control of the Premises
and/or the Building (including parking areas) and all areas adjoining or
appurtenant thereto originating on or subsequent to the Effective Date, or
arising out of Assignee's failure to perform each and every covenant, condition
and agreement herein provided to be performed by Assignee

         3. ATTORNMENT. From and after the Effective Date, Assignee hereby
agrees to attorn to the Landlord under the Lease and hereby assumes and agrees
with the Assignor to pay, perform and observe all of the terms, covenants,
conditions and provisions contained in the Lease on the part of Assignor, as
tenant, to be performed, all as fully and effectively as if Assignee has been
named the original tenant therein; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Assignee shall not
assume any liabilities or obligations incurred by Assignor or in any way arising
under the Lease or out of the occupation of the Premises prior to the Effective
Date.

         4. LANDLORD'S APPROVAL. Landlord, by signing this Assignment, hereby
consents to the above assignment of the Lease by Assignor to Assignee, and the
above assumption by Assignee of Assignor's obligations under the Lease.

<PAGE>   63

         5. ATTORNEYS' FEES. If either party hereto be made or becomes a party
to any litigation commenced by or against the other party involving the
enforcement of any of the rights and remedies of such party, or arising on
account of the default of the other party in the performance of such party's
obligations hereunder, or if either party shall be made or become a party to any
litigation as a result of the act or omission (or claimed act or omission) of
the other party, then the prevailing party or the party in any such litigation,
or the party becoming involved in such litigation because of a claim against
such other party, as the case may be, shall receive from the other party all
reasonable costs and attorneys' fees incurred by such party in such litigation.

         6 GOVERNING LAW. This Assignment and the rights and obligations of the
parties hereunder shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the state of
Ohio.

         This Assignment may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one
instrument.

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

Signed in the presence of:
                             SUNBEAM PRODUCTS, INC.

                             By:
--------------------------      --------------------------------------
Printed Name:
             -------------

--------------------------
Printed Name:
             -------------

                             ROYAL APPLIANCE MFG. CO.

                             By:
--------------------------      ----------------------------------
Printed Name:
             -------------

-------------------------
Printed Name:
             -------------

                             DUGAN REALTY, L.L.C., an Indiana
                             limited liability company

                             By:  Duke-Weeks Realty Limited Partnership,
                             its member

                             By:  Duke-Weeks Realty Corporation, its
                                  general partner

                             By:
--------------------------      ----------------------------
Printed Name:                   Spencer N. Pisczak
             -------------      Senior Vice President
                                Cleveland Industrial
-------------------------
Printed Name:
             ------------

<PAGE>   64

STATE OF ________________ )
                          ) SS:
COUNTY OF _______________ )

Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared
Spencer N. Pisczak, by me known to be the Senior Vice President, Cleveland
Industrial of Duke-Weeks Realty Corporation, an Indiana corporation, the general
partner of Duke-Weeks Realty Limited Partnership, an Indiana limited
partnership, who acknowledged the execution of the foregoing "Assignment,
Assumption and Amendment of Lease" on behalf of said partnership.

           WITNESS my hand and Notarial Seal this ___ day of _________ 2000.

                                                 ------------------------------
                                                 Notary Public

                                                 ------------------------------
                                                 (Printed Signature)

My Commission Expires:  ________________

My County of Residence:  ________________

 STATE OF OHIO                      :
                                    : SS
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA                  :

         BEFORE ME, a Notary Public in and for said county and state appeared
______________, to me personally known who, being by me sworn, did say that he
is the _______________of ROYAL APPLIANCE MFG. CO., the corporation named in and
which executed the within instrument; that said instrument was signed on behalf
of said corporation by authority of its Board of Directors; and that said
instrument is his free act and deed individually and the free act and deed of
said corporation.

         IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal at
_________, Ohio, this _____ day of _______________, 2000.

                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Notary Public

STATE OF ______________    :
                           : SS
COUNTY OF ____________     :

         BEFORE ME, a Notary Public in and for said county and state appeared
______________, to me personally known who, being by me sworn, did say that he
is the _______________of SUNBEAM PRODUCTS, INC., the corporation named in and
which executed the within instrument; that said instrument was signed on behalf
of said corporation by authority of its Board of Directors; and that said
instrument is his free act and deed individually and the free act and deed of
said corporation.

         IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal at
_________, _________, this _____ day of _______________, 2000.

                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Notary Public

<PAGE>   65

                                   EXHIBIT "D"

                       GENERAL ASSIGNMENT AND BILL OF SALE
                       -----------------------------------

         THIS GENERAL ASSIGNMENT AND BILL OF SALE executed as of _________, 2000
by SUNBEAM PRODUCTS, INC. ("Seller") is to evidence the following agreements and
understandings:

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              --------------------

         WHEREAS, pursuant to an Agreement dated _________, 2000 (the "
Agreement") between Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. ("Buyer") and Seller, Buyer is
purchasing certain of the assets of Seller used by Seller at the premises
located at 7005 Cochran Road, Glenwillow, Ohio; and

         WHEREAS, Seller desires to execute and deliver this instrument in
furtherance of the Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, Seller, for good and valuable consideration, the
receipt, adequacy and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged and pursuant
to the terms and conditions contained in the Agreement, hereby sells, conveys,
transfers, assigns, and delivers to Buyer, its successors and assigns, free and
clear of all indebtedness, all of Seller's right and title in and to all of the
assets set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto.

         Seller further agrees to execute and deliver to Buyer such further
instruments of transfer and assignment as Buyer may from time to time reasonably
request in order to transfer and assign to, and vest in, Buyer all of the
rights, privileges and property hereby transferred and assigned or intended to
be transferred and assigned hereunder.

         This General Assignment and Bill of Sale and the covenants and
agreements contained in this General Assignment and Bill of Sale shall inure to
the benefit of Buyer and its successors and shall bind Seller and its
successors.

         This General Assignment and Bill of Sale shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio. Terms not otherwise
defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Seller has caused this General Assignment and Bill
of Sale to be duly executed and delivered as of ________, 2000.

                                                 SUNBEAM PRODUCTS, INC.,

                                                 By:
                                                    ---------------------------

<PAGE>   66

                                   SCHEDULE 1

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