Document:

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                                                                       SECTION 3

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This Agreement is made by and between TRIMAS CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation ("Company") and Terry J. Campbell (hereinafter "Executive") MARCH 3,
2003 ("Effective Date"). In order to induce Executive to serve as its Group
President - Fastening Systems Group, Company enters into this Agreement with
Executive to set out the terms and conditions that will apply to Executive's
employment with Company. Executive is willing to accept such employment and
assignment and to perform services on the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth. It is therefore hereby agreed by and between the parties as follows:

         SECTION 1 - EMPLOYMENT.

         (a)      Company employs Executive as its Group President - Fastening
                  Systems Group. In this capacity, Executive shall report to the
                  President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). Executive
                  accepts employment in accordance with this Agreement and
                  agrees to devote his full business time and efforts to the
                  performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder.

         (b)      Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Executive from
                  engaging in charitable and community affairs, from managing
                  any passive investment (i.e., an investment with respect to
                  which Executive is in no way involved with the management or
                  operation of the entity in which Executive has invested) made
                  by him in publicly traded equity securities or other property
                  (provided that no such investment may exceed five percent (5%)
                  of the equity of any entity, without the prior approval of the
                  Board of Directors of Company (the "Board")), or from serving,
                  subject to the prior approval of the Board, as a member of
                  boards of directors or as a trustee of any other corporation,
                  association or entity, to the extent that any of the above
                  activities do not conflict with any provision of this
                  Agreement.

         SECTION 2 - TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. Executive's term of employment under
this Agreement ("Term of Employment") shall commence on the Effective Date and,
subject to the terms hereof, shall terminate on the earlier of: December 31,
2004 ("Initial Period"); or the date that either party terminates Executive's
employment under this Agreement; provided that subsequent to the Initial Period,
the Term of Employment shall automatically renew each January 1 for one year
("Renewal Period"), unless Company delivers to Executive or Executive delivers
to Company written notice at least thirty (30) days in advance of the expiration
of the Initial Period or any Renewal Period, that the Term of Employment shall
not be extended, in which case the Term of Employment shall end at the end of
the Year in which such notice was delivered and shall not be further extended
except by written agreement of Company and Executive. The expiration of the Term
of Employment under this Agreement shall not be a termination of this Agreement
to the extent that other provisions of this Agreement by their terms survive the
Term of Employment. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Year" shall mean
the twelve-month period commencing on the Effective Date and each anniversary of
the Effective Date.

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                                                                       SECTION 3

         SECTION 3 - COMPENSATION.

         (a)      Salary. During the Initial Period, Company shall pay Executive
                  at the rate of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000)
                  per annum ("Base Salary"). Base Salary shall be payable in
                  accordance with the ordinary payroll practices of Company and
                  shall be subject to all applicable federal, state and local
                  withholding and reporting requirements. Base Salary may be
                  adjusted by the CEO during the Term of Employment.

         (b)      Annual Value Creation Plan ("AVCP"). Executive shall be
                  eligible to participate in the AVCP, a copy of which has been
                  provided to Executive, subject to all the terms and conditions
                  of such plan, as such plan may be modified from time to time.

         SECTION 4 - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

         (a)      Employee Retirement Benefit Programs, Welfare Benefit
                  Programs, Plans and Practices. Company shall provide Executive
                  with coverage under any retirement benefit programs, welfare
                  benefit programs, plans and practices, that Company makes
                  available to its senior executives, in accordance with the
                  terms thereof, as such programs, plans and practices may be
                  amended from time to time in accordance with their terms.

         (b)      Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to twenty (20) business
                  days of paid vacation each calendar year, which shall be taken
                  at such times as are consistent with Executive's
                  responsibilities hereunder. Vacation days shall be subject to
                  the Company's general policies regarding vacation days, as
                  such policies may be modified from time to time.

         (c)      Perquisites. During Executive's employment hereunder, Company
                  shall provide Executive, subject to review and approval by the
                  CEO, with such additional perquisites as are generally
                  available to similarly-situated executives.

         (d)      Stock Options. Executive shall be eligible to participate in
                  the TriMas Corporation 2002 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan in
                  accordance with the terms and conditions of such plan and any
                  grant agreements thereunder.

         SECTION 5 - EXPENSES. Subject to prevailing Company policy or such
guidelines as may be established by the CEO or his delegee, Company will
reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in
carrying out his duties.

         SECTION 6 - TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. The respective rights and
responsibilities of the parties to this Agreement notwithstanding, Executive
remains an employee-at-will, and his Term of Employment may be terminated by
either party at any time for any reason by written notice.

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                                                                    SECTION 6(a)

         (a)      Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason. If Executive's
                  employment is terminated during the Term of Employment by
                  Company for any reason other than Cause (as defined in Section
                  6(c) hereof), Disability (as defined in Section 6(e) hereof)
                  or death, or if Executive's employment is terminated by
                  Executive for Good Reason (as defined in Section 6(a)(2)
                  hereof), then Company shall pay Executive the Severance
                  Package. Any termination of employment that results from a
                  notice of nonrenewal given in accordance with Section 2 of
                  this Agreement shall not be a termination under this Section
                  6(a) but shall instead be a termination under Section 6(b)
                  below. Likewise, a termination by Executive without Good
                  Reason shall be a termination under Section 6(b) below and not
                  a termination under this Section 6(a).

                  (1)      For purposes of this Agreement, "Severance Package"
                           shall mean:

                           (A)   Base Salary continuation for twenty-four (24)
                                 months at Executive's annual Base Salary rate
                                 in effect on the date of termination, subject
                                 to all applicable federal, state and local
                                 withholding and reporting requirements. These
                                 salary continuation payments shall be paid in
                                 accordance with usual Company payroll
                                 practices;

                           (B)   A bonus equal to two hundred percent (200%) of
                                 the target bonus opportunity under AVCP,
                                 payable in equal installments over the
                                 twenty-four (24) month period described in
                                 Section 6(a)(1)(A) above, subject to the same
                                 withholding and reporting requirements. In
                                 addition, Executive shall receive the bonus for
                                 the most recently completed bonus term if a
                                 bonus has been declared for such term but not
                                 paid, and a pro rata bonus for the year of
                                 termination through the date of termination
                                 calculated at one hundred percent (100%) of the
                                 bonus opportunity for target performance for
                                 that term, multiplied by a fraction the
                                 numerator of which is the number of days that
                                 Executive was employed during such bonus term
                                 and the denominator of which is 365. The
                                 prorated bonus for the final year shall be paid
                                 in a single sum within ten (10) days of the
                                 termination of Executive's employment with
                                 Company. Any unpaid bonus shall be paid in
                                 accordance with customary practices for payment
                                 of bonuses under AVCP; and

                           (C)   Continuation of benefits under any life, group
                                 medical, and dental insurance benefits
                                 substantially similar to those which Executive
                                 was receiving immediately prior to termination
                                 of employment until the earlier of:

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                                                           SECTION 6(a)(1)(C)(i)

                           (i)   the end of the twenty-four (24) month period
                                 following Executive's termination of
                                 employment, or

                           (ii)  the date on which Executive becomes eligible to
                                 receive any benefits under any plan or program
                                 of any other employer.

                               The continuing coverage provided under this
                               Section 6(a)(1)(C) is subject to Executive's
                               eligibility to participate in such plans and all
                               other terms and conditions of such plans,
                               including without limitation, any employee
                               contribution requirements and Company's ability
                               to modify or terminate such plans or coverages.
                               Company may satisfy this obligation in whole or
                               in part by paying the premium otherwise payable
                               by Executive for continuing coverage under
                               Section 601 et seq. of the Employee Retirement
                               Income Security Act of 1974, as it may be amended
                               or replaced from time to time. If Executive is
                               not eligible for continued coverage under one of
                               the Company-provided benefit plans noted in this
                               paragraph (C) that he was participating in during
                               his employment, Company shall pay Executive the
                               cash equivalent of the insurance cost for the
                               duration of the applicable period at the rate of
                               the Company's cost of coverage for Executive's
                               benefits as of the date of termination. Any
                               obligation to pay the cash equivalent of such
                               cost under this item may be settled, at Company's
                               discretion, by a lump-sum payment of any
                               remaining premiums.

                  (2)      For purposes of this Agreement, a termination of
                           employment by Executive for "Good Reason" shall be a
                           termination by Executive following the occurrence of
                           any of the following events unless Company has cured
                           as provided below:

                           (A) A material and permanent diminution in
                               Executive's duties or responsibilities;

                           (B) A material reduction in the aggregate value of
                               Base Salary and bonus opportunity; or

                           (C) A permanent reassignment of Executive to another
                               primary office, or a relocation of the Company
                               office that is Executive's primary office, unless
                               Executive's primary office following such
                               reassignment or relocation is within thirty-five
                               (35) miles of Executive's primary office before
                               the reassignment or relocation or Executive's
                               permanent residence on the date of the
                               reassignment or relocation.

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                                                              SECTION 6(a)(2)(C)

                               Executive must notify Company of any event
                               constituting Good Reason within one hundred
                               twenty (120) days after Executive becomes aware
                               of such event or such event shall not constitute
                               Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement
                               provided that Company shall have fifteen (15)
                               days from the date of such notice to cure the
                               Good Reason event. Executive cannot terminate his
                               employment for Good Reason if Cause exists at the
                               time of such termination. A termination by
                               Executive following cure shall not be a
                               termination for Good Reason. A failure of
                               Executive to notify Company after the first
                               occurrence of an event constituting Good Reason
                               shall not preclude any subsequent occurrences of
                               such event (or similar event) from constituting
                               Good Reason.

         (b)      Voluntary Termination by Executive; Expiration of Employment
                  Term. If Executive terminates his employment with Company
                  without Good Reason, or if the Employment Term expires
                  following notice of nonrenewal by either party under Section
                  2, then Company shall pay Executive his accrued unpaid Base
                  Salary through the date of termination and the AVCP award for
                  the most recently completed year if an award has been declared
                  for such year but not paid. The accrued unpaid Base Salary
                  amounts payable under this Section 6(b) shall be payable in a
                  lump sum within ten (10) days of termination of employment.
                  Any accrued unpaid bonus amounts payable under this Section
                  6(b) shall be payable in accordance with customary practices
                  for payment of bonuses under AVCP. No prorated bonus for the
                  year of termination shall be paid. Any other benefits under
                  other plans and programs of Company in which Executive is
                  participating at the time of Executive's termination of
                  employment shall be paid, distributed, settled, or shall
                  expire in accordance with their terms, and Company shall have
                  no further obligations hereunder with respect to Executive
                  following the date of termination of employment.

         (c)      Termination for Cause. If Executive's employment is terminated
                  for Cause, Company shall pay Executive his accrued but unpaid
                  Base Salary through the date of the termination of employment,
                  and no further payments or benefits shall be owed. The accrued
                  unpaid Base Salary amounts payable under this Section 6(c)
                  shall be payable in a lump sum within ten (10) days of
                  termination of employment. As used herein, the term "Cause"
                  shall be limited to:

                  (1)      Executive's conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo
                           contendere to a crime constituting a felony under the
                           laws of the United States or any state thereof or any
                           other jurisdiction in which Company conducts
                           business;

                  (2)      Executive's willful misconduct in the performance of
                           his duties to Company;

                  (3)      Executive's willful and continued failure to follow
                           the instructions of Company's Board or the CEO; or

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<PAGE>

                                                                 SECTION 6(c)(4)

                  (4)      Executive's willful and/or continued neglect of
                           duties (other than any such neglect resulting from
                           incapacity of Executive due to physical or mental
                           illness);

                  provided, however, that Cause shall arise under items (3) or
                  (4) only following ten (10) days written notice thereof from
                  Company which specifically identifies such failure or neglect
                  and the continuance of such failure or neglect during such
                  notice period. Any failure by Company to notify Executive
                  after the first occurrence of an event constituting Cause
                  shall not preclude any subsequent occurrences of such event
                  (or a similar event) from constituting Cause.

         (d)      Termination Following a Change of Control. In the event
                  Executive's employment with Company terminates by reason of a
                  Qualifying Termination (as defined below) within three (3)
                  years after a Change of Control of Company (as defined below),
                  then, in lieu of the Severance Package, and subject to the
                  limitations described in Section 7 below, the Company shall
                  provide Executive the following termination benefits:

                  (1)      Termination Payments. Company shall pay Executive:

                           (A)   A single sum payment equal to two hundred and
                                 fifty percent (250%) of Executive's annual Base
                                 Salary rate in effect on the date of
                                 termination, subject to all applicable federal,
                                 state and local withholding and reporting
                                 requirements. This single-sum payment shall be
                                 paid within ten (10) days of termination of
                                 employment;

                           (B)   A bonus equal to two hundred and fifty percent
                                 (250%) of the target bonus opportunity under
                                 AVCP. In addition, Executive shall receive the
                                 bonus for the most recently completed bonus
                                 term if a bonus has been declared for such term
                                 but not paid, and a pro rata bonus for the year
                                 of termination through the date of termination
                                 calculated at one hundred percent (100%) of the
                                 bonus opportunity for target performance for
                                 that term, multiplied by a fraction the
                                 numerator of which is the number of days that
                                 Executive was employed during such bonus term
                                 and the denominator of which is 365. The
                                 prorated bonus for the final year shall be paid
                                 as a single sum within ten (10) days of
                                 termination of employment. Any unpaid bonus
                                 shall be paid in accordance with customary
                                 practices for payment of bonuses under AVCP.

                           All payments under this Section 6(d), however, are
                           subject to the timing rules, calculations and
                           adjustments described in Sections 7 and 8.

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                                                                 SECTION 6(d)(2)

         (2)      Benefits Continuation. Executive shall continue to receive
                  life, group medical and dental insurance benefits
                  substantially similar to those which Executive was receiving
                  immediately prior to the Qualifying Termination until the
                  earlier of:

                  (A)      the end of the thirty (30) month period following
                           Executive's termination of employment, or

                  (B)      the date on which Executive becomes eligible to
                           receive any benefits under any plan or program of any
                           other employer.

                  The continuing coverage provided under this Section 6(d)(2) is
                  subject to Executive's eligibility to participate in such
                  plans and all other terms and conditions of such plans,
                  including without limitation, any employee contribution
                  requirements and Company's ability to modify or terminate such
                  plans or coverages. Company may satisfy this obligation in
                  whole or in part by paying the premium otherwise payable by
                  Executive for continuing coverage under Section 601 et seq. of
                  the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as it may
                  be amended or replaced from time to time. If Executive is not
                  eligible for continued coverage under one of the
                  Company-provided benefit plans noted in this paragraph (2)
                  that he was participating in during his employment, Company
                  shall pay Executive the cash equivalent of the insurance cost
                  for the duration of the applicable period at the rate of the
                  Company's cost of coverage for Executive's benefits as of the
                  date of termination. Any obligation to pay the cash equivalent
                  of such cost of coverage under this item may be settled, at
                  Company's discretion, by a lump-sum payment of any remaining
                  premiums.

         (3)      Qualifying Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, the
                  term "Qualifying Termination" means a termination of
                  Executive's employment with the Company for any reason other
                  than:

                  (A)      death;

                  (B)      Disability, as defined herein;

                  (C)      Cause, as defined herein; or

                  (D)      A termination by Executive without Good Reason, as
                           defined herein.

         (4)      Change of Control Defined. For purposes of this Agreement, a
                  "Change of Control" means the first of the following events to
                  occur following the date hereof:

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                                                              SECTION 6(d)(4)(A)

         (A)      the sale, lease, or transfer in one or a series of related
                  transactions (i) of eighty percent (80%) or more of the
                  consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, or
                  (ii) of seventy-five percent (75%) or more (appropriately
                  adjusted for stock splits, combinations, subdivisions, stock
                  dividends and similar events) of the Capital Stock (as defined
                  below) of the Company acquired by Heartland Industrial
                  Partners, L.P. on the closing date under the Stock Purchase
                  Agreement among the Company, Heartland Industrial Partners,
                  L.P. and Metaldyne Corporation, dated as of May 17, 2002 (the
                  "Stock Purchase Agreement"), in either case to any Person
                  (within the meaning set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
                  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 Act") or any
                  similar successor provision, and the rules, regulations and
                  interpretations promulgated thereunder) other than an
                  affiliate of Heartland Industrial Partners, L.P., whether by
                  way of any merger, consolidation or other business combination
                  or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning under
                  Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act) or otherwise, but not including
                  (x) sales or transfers which are effected in order to comply
                  with the preemptive rights provisions of Section 4.05 of the
                  Metaldyne Shareholders Agreement with respect to the
                  investment by Heartland Industrial Partners, Inc. in the
                  Company pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, or (y) sales
                  or transfers which are effected within one year after the date
                  of closing under the Stock Purchase Agreement at a price per
                  share of not greater than $20 plus any interest charged
                  (appropriately adjusted for stock splits, combinations,
                  subdivisions, stock dividends and similar events); or

         (B)      the date on which the individuals who constitute the Company's
                  Board of Directors on the date of this Agreement, and any new
                  members of the Company's Board of Directors who are hereafter
                  designated by the Heartland Entities (as defined below) cease,
                  for any reason, to constitute at least a majority of the
                  members of the Board of Directors.

         "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any person, any and all shares,
         interests, participations, rights in or other equivalents (however
         designated) of such person's capital stock, and any rights (other than
         debt securities convertible into capital stock), warrants or options
         exchangeable for or convertible into such capital stock. "Heartland
         Entities" means Heartland Industrial Partners, L.P., Heartland
         Industrial Partners (FF), L.P., Heartland Industrial Partners (E1),
         L.P., Heartland Industrial Partners (K1), L.P., Heartland Industrial
         Partners (C1), L.P. or any controlled affiliate of any of these
         entities.

                                       8

<PAGE>

                                                                    SECTION 6(e)

         (e)      Disability. In the event that Executive is unable to perform
                  his duties under this Agreement on account of a disability
                  which continues for one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days
                  or more, or for an aggregate of one hundred eighty (180) days
                  in any period of twelve (12) months, Company may, in its
                  discretion, terminate Executive's employment hereunder.
                  Company's obligation to make payments under this Agreement
                  shall, except for earned but unpaid Base Salary and AVCP
                  awards, cease on the first to occur of (i) the date that is
                  six (6) months after such termination or (ii) the date
                  Executive becomes entitled to benefits under a
                  Company-provided long-term disability program. For purposes of
                  this Agreement, "Disability" shall be defined by the terms of
                  Company's long-term disability policy, or, in the absence of
                  such policy, as a physical or mental disability that prevents
                  Executive from performing substantially all of his duties
                  under this Agreement and which is expected to be permanent.
                  Company may only terminate Executive on account of Disability
                  after giving due consideration to whether reasonable
                  accommodations can be made under which Executive is able to
                  fulfill his duties under this Agreement. The commencement date
                  and expected duration of any physical or mental condition that
                  prevents Executive from performing his duties hereunder shall
                  be determined by a medical doctor selected by Company. Company
                  may, in its discretion, require written confirmation from a
                  physician of Disability during any extended absence.

         (f)      Death. In the event of Executive's death during the Term of
                  Employment, all obligations of Company to make any further
                  payments, other than an obligation to pay any accrued but
                  unpaid Base Salary to the date of death and any accrued but
                  unpaid bonuses under AVCP to the date of death, shall
                  terminate upon Executive's death.

         (g)      No Duplication of Benefits. Notwithstanding any provision of
                  this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive's employment is
                  terminated for any reason, in no event shall Executive be
                  eligible for payments under more than one subsection of this
                  Section 6.

         (h)      Payments Not Compensation. Any participation by Executive in,
                  and any terminating distributions and vested rights under,
                  Company-sponsored retirement or savings plans, regardless of
                  whether such plans are qualified or nonqualified for tax
                  purposes, shall be governed by the terms of those respective
                  plans. For purposes of determining benefits and the amounts to
                  be paid to Executive under such plans, any salary continuation
                  or severance benefits other than salary or bonus accrued
                  before termination shall not be compensation for purposes of
                  accruing additional benefits under such plans.

         (i)      Executive's Duty to Provide Materials. Upon the termination of
                  the Term of Employment for any reason, Executive or his estate
                  shall surrender to Company all correspondence, letters, files,
                  contracts, mailing lists, customer lists, advertising
                  material, ledgers, supplies, equipment, checks, and all other
                  materials and records of

                                       9

<PAGE>

                                                                 SECTION 7(b)(3)

                  any kind that are the property of Company or any of its
                  subsidiaries or affiliates, that may be in Executive's
                  possession or under his control, including all copies of any
                  of the foregoing.

         SECTION 7 - CAP ON PAYMENTS.

         (a)      General Rules. The Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") may
                  place significant tax burdens on Executive and Company if the
                  total payments made to Executive due to a Change of Control
                  exceed prescribed limits. For example, if Executive's "Base
                  Period Income" (as defined below) is $100,000, Executive's
                  limit or "Cap" is $299,999. If Executive's "Total Payments"
                  exceed the Cap by even $1.00, Executive is subject to an
                  excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code of 20% of all
                  amounts paid to Executive in excess of $100,000. In other
                  words, if Executive's Cap is $299,999, Executive will not be
                  subject to an excise tax if Executive receives exactly
                  $299,999. If Executive receives $300,000, Executive will be
                  subject to an excise tax of $40,000 (20% of $200,000). In
                  order to avoid this excise tax and the related adverse tax
                  consequences for Company, by signing this Agreement, Executive
                  will be agreeing that, subject to the exception noted below,
                  the present value of Executive's Total Payments will not
                  exceed an amount equal to Executive's Cap.

         (b)      Special Definitions. For purposes of this Section, the
                  following specialized terms will have the following meanings:

                  (1)      "Base Period Income". "Base Period Income" is an
                           amount equal to Executive's "annualized includable
                           compensation" for the "base period" as defined in
                           Sections 280G(d)(1) and (2) of the Code and the
                           regulations adopted thereunder. Generally,
                           Executive's "annualized includable compensation" is
                           the average of Executive's annual taxable income from
                           Company for the "base period," which is the five
                           calendar years prior to the year in which the Change
                           of Control occurs. These concepts are complicated and
                           technical and all of the rules set forth in the
                           applicable regulations apply for purposes of this
                           Agreement.

                  (2)      "Cap" or "280G Cap". "Cap" or "280G Cap" shall mean
                           an amount equal to 2.99 times Executive's "Base
                           Period Income." This is the maximum amount which
                           Executive may receive without becoming subject to the
                           excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or
                           which Company may pay without loss of deduction under
                           Section 280G of the Code.

                  (3)      "Total Payments". The "Total Payments" include any
                           "payments in the nature of compensation" (as defined
                           in Section 280G of the Code and the

                                       10

<PAGE>

                                                                 SECTION 7(b)(3)

                           regulations adopted thereunder), made pursuant to
                           this Agreement or otherwise, to or for Executive's
                           benefit, the receipt of which is contingent on a
                           Change of Control and to which Section 280G of the
                           Code applies.

         (c)      Calculating the Cap and Adjusting Payments. If Company
                  believes that these rules will result in a reduction of the
                  payments to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement,
                  it will so notify Executive as soon as possible. Company will
                  then, at its expense, retain a "Consultant" (which shall be a
                  law firm, a certified public accounting firm, and/or a firm of
                  recognized executive compensation consultants) to provide an
                  opinion or opinions concerning whether Executive's Total
                  Payments exceed the limit discussed above. Company will select
                  the Consultant. At a minimum, the opinions required by this
                  Section must set forth the amount of Executive's Base Period
                  Income, the present value of the Total Payments and the amount
                  and present value of any excess parachute payments. If the
                  opinions state that there would be an excess parachute
                  payment, Executive's payments under this Agreement will be
                  reduced to the extent necessary to eliminate the excess.
                  Executive will be allowed to choose the payment that should be
                  reduced or eliminated, but the payment Executive chooses to
                  reduce or eliminate must be a payment determined by such
                  Consultant to be includable in Total Payments. Executive's
                  decision shall be in writing and delivered to Company within
                  thirty (30) days of Executive's receipt of such opinions. If
                  Executive fails to so notify Company, Company will decide
                  which payments to reduce or eliminate. If the Consultant
                  selected to provide the opinions referred to above so requests
                  in connection with the opinion required by this Section, a
                  firm of recognized executive compensation consultants selected
                  by Company shall provide an opinion, upon which such
                  Consultant may rely, as to the reasonableness of any item of
                  compensation as reasonable compensation for services rendered
                  before or after the Change of Control. If Company believes
                  that Executive's Total Payments will exceed the limitations of
                  this Section, it will nonetheless make payments to Executive,
                  at the times stated above, in the maximum amount that it
                  believes may be paid without exceeding such limitations. The
                  balance, if any, will then be paid after the opinions called
                  for above have been received. If the amount paid to Executive
                  by Company is ultimately determined, pursuant to the opinion
                  referred to above or by the Internal Revenue Service, to have
                  exceeded the limitation of this Section, the excess will be
                  treated as a loan to Executive by Company and shall be
                  repayable on the ninetieth (90th) day following demand by
                  Company, together with interest at the lowest "applicable
                  federal rate" provided in Section 1274(d) of the Code. If it
                  is ultimately determined, pursuant to the opinion referred to
                  above or by the Internal Revenue Service, that a greater
                  payment should have been made to Executive, Company shall pay
                  Executive the amount of the deficiency, together with interest
                  thereon from the date such amount should have been paid to the
                  date of such payment, at the rate set forth above, so that
                  Executive will have received or be entitled to receive the
                  maximum amount to which Executive is entitled under this
                  Agreement.

                                       11

<PAGE>

                                                                    SECTION 7(d)

         (d)      Effect of Repeal. In the event that the provisions of Sections
                  280G and 4999 of the Code are repealed without succession,
                  this Section shall be of no further force or effect.

         (e)      Exception. The Consultant selected pursuant to Section 7(c)
                  will calculate Executive's "Uncapped Benefit" and Executive's
                  "Capped Benefit." The limitations of Section 7(a) will not
                  apply to Executive if Executive's Uncapped Benefit is at least
                  one hundred and five percent (105%) of Executive's Capped
                  Benefit. For this purpose, Executive's "Uncapped Benefit" is
                  the amount to which Executive would be entitled pursuant to
                  Section 6(d), without regard to the limitations of Section
                  7(a). Executive's "Capped Benefit" is the amount to which
                  Executive would be entitled pursuant to Section 6(d) after the
                  application of the limitations of Section 7(a).

         SECTION 8 - TAX GROSS-UP.

         (a)      Gross-Up Payment. If the Cap imposed by Section 7(a) does not
                  apply to Executive because of the exception provided by
                  Section 7(e), Company will provide Executive with a "Gross-Up
                  Payment" if an excise tax is imposed on Executive pursuant to
                  Section 4999 of the Code. Except as otherwise noted below,
                  this Gross-Up Payment will consist of a single lump sum
                  payment in an amount such that after payment by Executive of
                  the "total presumed federal and state taxes" and the excise
                  taxes imposed by Section 4999 of the Code on the Gross-Up
                  Payment (and any interest or penalties actually imposed),
                  Executive would retain an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal
                  to the remaining excise taxes imposed by Section 4999 of the
                  Code on Executive's Total Payments (calculated before the
                  Gross-Up Payment). For purposes of calculating Executive's
                  Gross-Up Payment, Executive's actual federal and state income
                  taxes will not be used. Instead, Company will use Executive's
                  "total presumed federal and state taxes." For purposes of this
                  Agreement, Executive's "total presumed federal and state
                  taxes" shall be conclusively calculated using a combined tax
                  rate equal to the sum of the maximum marginal federal and
                  applicable state income tax rates. The state tax rate for
                  Executive's principal place of residence will be used and no
                  adjustments will be made for the deduction of state taxes on
                  the federal return, any deduction of federal taxes on a state
                  return, the loss of itemized deductions or exemptions, or for
                  any other purpose.

         (b)      Calculations. All determinations concerning whether a Gross-Up
                  Payment is required pursuant to Section 8(a) and the amount of
                  any Gross-Up Payment (as well as any assumptions to be used in
                  making such determinations) shall be made by the Consultant
                  selected pursuant to Section 7(c). The Consultant shall
                  provide Executive and Company with a written notice of the
                  amount of the excise taxes that Executive is required to pay
                  and the amount of the Gross-Up Payment. The notice from the
                  Consultant shall include any necessary calculations in support
                  of its conclusions. All fees and expenses of the Consultant
                  shall be paid by Company. Any Gross-Up

                                       12
<PAGE>

                                                                    SECTION 8(b)

                  Payment shall be made by Company within fifteen (15) days
                  after the mailing of such notice. As a general rule, the
                  Consultant's determination shall be binding on Executive and
                  Company. The application of the excise tax rules of Section
                  4999, however, is complex and uncertain and, as a result, the
                  Internal Revenue Service may disagree with the Consultant
                  concerning the amount, if any, of the excise taxes that are
                  due. If the Internal Revenue Service determines that excise
                  taxes are due, or that the amount of the excise taxes that are
                  due is greater than the amount determined by the Consultant,
                  the Gross-Up Payment will be recalculated by the Consultant to
                  reflect the actual excise taxes that Executive is required to
                  pay (and any related interest and penalties). Any deficiency
                  will then be paid to Executive by Company within fifteen (15)
                  days of the receipt of the revised calculations from the
                  Consultant. If the Internal Revenue Service determines that
                  the amount of excise taxes that Executive paid exceeds the
                  amount due, Executive shall return the excess to Company
                  (along with any interest paid to Executive on the overpayment)
                  immediately upon receipt from the Internal Revenue Service or
                  other taxing authority. Company has the right to challenge any
                  excise tax determinations made by the Internal Revenue
                  Service. If Company agrees to indemnify Executive from any
                  taxes, interest and penalties that may be imposed upon
                  Executive (including any taxes, interest and penalties on the
                  amounts paid pursuant to Company's indemnification agreement),
                  Executive must cooperate fully with Company in connection with
                  any such challenge. Company shall bear all costs associated
                  with the challenge of any determination made by the Internal
                  Revenue Service and Company shall control all such challenges.
                  The additional Gross-Up Payments called for by the preceding
                  paragraph shall not be made until Company has either exhausted
                  its (or Executive's) rights to challenge the determination or
                  indicated that it intends to concede or settle the excise tax
                  determination. Executive must notify Company in writing of any
                  claim or determination by the Internal Revenue Service that,
                  if upheld, would result in the payment of excise taxes in
                  amounts different from the amount initially specified by the
                  Consultant. Such notice shall be given as soon as possible but
                  in no event later than fifteen (15) days following Executive's
                  receipt of notice of the Internal Revenue Service's position.

         SECTION 9 - NOTICES. All notices or communications hereunder shall be
in writing, addressed as follows:

                  To Company:          TriMas Corporation
                                       c/o Heartland Industrial Partners, L.P.
                                       55 Railroad Avenue, 1st Floor
                                       Greenwich, CT  06830
                                       Attn:  David A. Stockman

                                       13

<PAGE>

                                                                       SECTION 9

                  with a copy to:     R. Jeffrey Pollock, Esq.
                                      McDonald, Hopkins, Burke &
                                         Haber Co., L.P.A.
                                      600 Superior Avenue, Suite 2100
                                      Cleveland, OH  44114

                  To Executive:
                                      ---------------------------------

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

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

                  with a copy to:
                                      ---------------------------------

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

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

Any such notice or communication shall be delivered by hand or by courier or
sent certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as above (or to such other address as such party may designate in a
notice duly delivered as described above), and the third (3rd) business day
after the actual date of mailing shall constitute the time at which notice was
given.

         SECTION 10 - SEPARABILITY; LEGAL FEES. If any provision of this
Agreement shall be declared to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part,
such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions
hereof which shall remain in full force and effect. In the event of a dispute by
Company, Executive or others as to the validity or enforceability of, or
liability under, any provision of this Agreement, Company shall reimburse
Executive for all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by him in
connection with such dispute if Executive substantially prevails in the dispute
and if Executive has not substantially prevailed in such dispute one-half (1/2)
the amount of all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by him in
connection with such dispute except to the extent Executive's position is found
by a tribunal of competent jurisdiction to have been frivolous.

         SECTION 11 - ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION. This contract shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs and representatives of Executive and
the assigns and successors of Company, but neither this Agreement nor any rights
or obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to
hypothecation by Executive (except by will or by operation of the laws of
intestate succession) or by Company, except that Company may assign this
Agreement to any successor (whether by merger, purchase or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the stock, assets or business of Company.

         SECTION 12 - AMENDMENT. This Agreement may only be amended by written
agreement of the parties hereto.

                                       14

<PAGE>

                                                                      SECTION 13

         SECTION 13 - NON-COMPETITION; NON-SOLICITATION; CONFIDENTIALITY.

         (a)      Executive represents that acceptance of employment under this
                  Agreement and performance under this Agreement are not in
                  violation of any restrictions or covenants under the terms of
                  any other agreements to which Executive is a party.

         (b)      Executive acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive
                  nature of the business of Company and accordingly agrees that,
                  in consideration of this Agreement, the rights conferred
                  hereunder, and any payment hereunder, during the Term of
                  Employment and for the two (2) year period following the
                  termination of Executive's employment with Company, for any
                  reason ("Non-Compete Term"), Executive shall not engage,
                  either directly or indirectly, as a principal for Executive's
                  own account or jointly with others, or as a stockholder in any
                  corporation or joint stock association, or as a partner or
                  member of a general or limited liability entity, or as an
                  employee, officer, director, agent, consultant or in any other
                  advisory capacity in any business other than Company or its
                  subsidiaries which designs, develops, manufacturers,
                  distributes, sells or markets the type of products or services
                  sold, distributed or provided by Company or its subsidiaries
                  during the two (2) year period prior to the date of
                  termination (the "Business"); provided that nothing herein
                  shall prevent Executive from owning, directly or indirectly,
                  not more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of,
                  or any other equity interest in, any entity engaged in the
                  Business and listed or traded on a national securities
                  exchanges or in an over-the-counter securities market.

         (c)      During the Non-Compete Term, Executive shall not (i) directly
                  or indirectly employ or solicit, or receive or accept the
                  performance of services by, any active employee of Company or
                  any of its subsidiaries who is employed primarily in
                  connection with the Business, except in connection with
                  general, non-targeted recruitment efforts such as
                  advertisements and job listings, or directly or indirectly
                  induce any employee of Company to leave Company, or assist in
                  any of the foregoing, or (ii) solicit for business (relating
                  to the Business) any person who is a customer or former
                  customer of Company or any of its subsidiaries, unless such
                  person shall have ceased to have been such a customer for a
                  period of at least six (6) months.

         (d)      Executive shall not at any time (whether during or after his
                  employment with Company) disclose or use for Executive's own
                  benefit or purposes or the benefit or purposes of any other
                  person, firm, partnership, joint venture, association,
                  corporation or other business organization, entity or
                  enterprise other than Company and any of its subsidiaries, any
                  trade secrets, information, data, or other confidential
                  information of the Company, including but not limited to,
                  information relating to customers, development programs,
                  costs, marketing, trading, investment, sales activities,
                  promotion, credit and financial data, financing methods, plans
                  or the business and affairs of Company generally, or of any
                  subsidiary of Company, unless

                                       15

<PAGE>

                                                                   SECTION 13(d)

                  required to do so by applicable law or court order, subpoena
                  or decree or otherwise required by law, with reasonable
                  evidence of such determination promptly provided to Company.
                  The preceding sentence of this paragraph (d) shall not apply
                  to information which is not unique to Company or which is
                  generally known to the industry or the public other than as a
                  result of Executive's breach of this covenant. Executive
                  agrees that upon termination of employment with Company for
                  any reason, Executive will return to Company immediately all
                  memoranda, books, papers, plans, information, letters and
                  other data, and all copies thereof or therefrom, in any way
                  relating to the business of Company and its subsidiaries,
                  except that Executive may retain personal notes, notebooks and
                  diaries. Executive further agrees that Executive will not
                  retain or use for Executive's account at any time any trade
                  names, trademark or other proprietary business designation
                  used or owned in connection with the business of Company or
                  its subsidiaries.

         (e)      It is expressly understood and agreed that although Executive
                  and Company consider the restrictions contained in this
                  Section 13 to be reasonable, if a final judicial determination
                  is made by a court of competent jurisdiction that the time or
                  territory or any other restriction contained in this Agreement
                  is an unenforceable restriction against Executive, the
                  provisions of this Agreement shall not be rendered void but
                  shall be deemed amended to apply as to such maximum time and
                  territory and to such maximum extent as such court may
                  judicially determine or indicate to be enforceable.
                  Alternatively, if any tribunal of competent jurisdiction finds
                  that any restriction contained in this Agreement is
                  unenforceable, and such restriction cannot be amended so as to
                  make it enforceable, such finding shall not affect the
                  enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained
                  herein.

         (f)      As a condition to the receipt of any benefits described in
                  this Agreement, Executive shall be required to execute an
                  agreement pursuant to which Executive releases any claims he
                  may have against Company and agrees to the continuing
                  enforceability of the restrictive covenants of this Agreement.

         (g)      This Section 13 will survive the termination of this
                  Agreement.

         SECTION 14 - REMEDIES. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Company's
remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of
Section 13 would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, Executive
agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to
any remedies at law, Executive shall forfeit all payments otherwise due under
this Agreement and shall return any Severance Package payment made. Moreover,
Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to seek equitable relief in
the form of specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or
permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available.

                                       16

<PAGE>

                                                                   SECTION 13(d)

         SECTION 15- SURVIVORSHIP. The respective rights and obligations of the
parties hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent
necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations. The
provisions of this Section 15 are in addition to the survivorship provisions of
any other section of this Agreement.

         SECTION 16 - GOVERNING LAW; REVENUE AND JURISDICTION. If any judicial
or administrative proceeding or claim relating to or pertaining to this
Agreement is initiated by either party hereto, such proceeding or claim shall
and must be filed in a state or federal court located in Wayne County, Michigan
and such proceeding or claim shall be governed by and construed under Michigan
law, without regard to conflict of law and principals.

         SECTION 17 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION. Any dispute related to or arising
under this Agreement shall be resolved in accordance with the TriMas Dispute
Resolution Policy in effect at the time such dispute arises. The TriMas Dispute
Resolution Policy in effect at the time of this Agreement is attached to this
Agreement.

         SECTION 18 - EFFECT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS. This Agreement contains the
entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes in all respects
any prior or other agreement or understanding, both written and oral, between
Company, any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of Company or any predecessor of
Company or parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of any predecessor of Company and
Executive.

         SECTION 19 - WITHHOLDING. Company shall be entitled to withhold from
payment any amount of withholding required by law.

         SECTION 20 - SECTION HEADINGS AND CONSTRUCTION. The headings of
sections in this Agreement are provided for convenience only and will not effect
its construction or interpretation. All references to "Section" or "Sections"
refer to the corresponding section or sections of this Agreement unless
otherwise specified. All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of
such gender or number as circumstances require.

         SECTION 21 - COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one (1) or
more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this
Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute
one and the same Agreement.

                                       17

<PAGE>

         Intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties have executed this
Agreement on the dates set forth next to their names below.

                                                         COMPANY

                                                   TRIMAS CORPORATION

                                                By: /s/ Grant H. Beard
------------------------------                      ------------------
           Date
                                                Its: President & CEO
                                                    ------------------

                                                        EXECUTIVE

                                                   /s/ Terry J. Campbell
------------------------------             -----------------------------------
           Date
                                                    ------------------

                                       18<PAGE>

                                                                       SECTION 3

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This Agreement is made by and between TRIMAS CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation ("Company") and Edward Schwartz (hereinafter "Executive") February
3, 2003 ("Effective Date"). In order to induce Executive to serve as its Group
President - Industrial Specialties Group, Company enters into this Agreement
with Executive to set out the terms and conditions that will apply to
Executive's employment with Company. Executive is willing to accept such
employment and assignment and to perform services on the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth. It is therefore hereby agreed by and between the parties
as follows:

     SECTION 1 - EMPLOYMENT.

     (a)  Company employs Executive as its Group President - Industrial
          Specialties Group. In this capacity, Executive shall report to the
          President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). Executive accepts
          employment in accordance with this Agreement and agrees to devote his
          full business time and efforts to the performance of his duties and
          responsibilities hereunder.

     (b)  Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Executive from engaging in
          charitable and community affairs, from managing any passive investment
          (i.e., an investment with respect to which Executive is in no way
          involved with the management or operation of the entity in which
          Executive has invested) made by him in publicly traded equity
          securities or other property (provided that no such investment may
          exceed five percent (5%) of the equity of any entity, without the
          prior approval of the Board of Directors of Company (the "Board")), or
          from serving, subject to the prior approval of the Board, as a member
          of boards of directors or as a trustee of any other corporation,
          association or entity, to the extent that any of the above activities
          do not conflict with any provision of this Agreement.

     SECTION 2 - TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. Executive's term of employment under this
Agreement ("Term of Employment") shall commence on the Effective Date and,
subject to the terms hereof, shall terminate on the earlier of: December 31,
2004 ("Initial Period"); or the date that either party terminates Executive's
employment under this Agreement; provided that subsequent to the Initial Period,
the Term of Employment shall automatically renew each January 1 for one year
("Renewal Period"), unless Company delivers to Executive or Executive delivers
to Company written notice at least thirty (30) days in advance of the expiration
of the Initial Period or any Renewal Period, that the Term of Employment shall
not be extended, in which case the Term of Employment shall end at the end of
the Year in which such notice was delivered and shall not be further extended
except by written agreement of Company and Executive. The expiration of the Term
of Employment under this Agreement shall not be a termination of this Agreement
to the extent that other provisions of this Agreement by their terms survive the
Term of Employment. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Year" shall mean
the twelve-month period commencing on the Effective Date and each anniversary of
the Effective Date.

<PAGE>

                                                                       SECTION 3

     SECTION 3 - COMPENSATION.

     (a)  Salary. During the Initial Period, Company shall pay Executive at the
          rate of Two Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars ($280,000) per annum
          ("Base Salary"). Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the
          ordinary payroll practices of Company and shall be subject to all
          applicable federal, state and local withholding and reporting
          requirements. Base Salary may be adjusted by the CEO during the Term
          of Employment.

     (b)  Annual Value Creation Plan ("AVCP"). Executive shall be eligible to
          participate in the AVCP, a copy of which has been provided to
          Executive, subject to all the terms and conditions of such plan, as
          such plan may be modified from time to time.

     SECTION 4 - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

     (a)  Employee Retirement Benefit Programs, Welfare Benefit Programs, Plans
          and Practices. Company shall provide Executive with coverage under any
          retirement benefit programs, welfare benefit programs, plans and
          practices, that Company makes available to its senior executives, in
          accordance with the terms thereof, as such programs, plans and
          practices may be amended from time to time in accordance with their
          terms.

     (b)  Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to twenty (20) business days of
          paid vacation each calendar year, which shall be taken at such times
          as are consistent with Executive's responsibilities hereunder.
          Vacation days shall be subject to the Company's general policies
          regarding vacation days, as such policies may be modified from time to
          time.

     (c)  Perquisites. During Executive's employment hereunder, Company shall
          provide Executive, subject to review and approval by the CEO, with
          such additional perquisites as are generally available to
          similarly-situated executives.

     (d)  Stock Options. Executive shall be eligible to participate in the
          TriMas Corporation 2002 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan in accordance
          with the terms and conditions of such plan and any grant agreements
          thereunder.

     SECTION 5 - EXPENSES. Subject to prevailing Company policy or such
guidelines as may be established by the CEO or his delegee, Company will
reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in
carrying out his duties.

     SECTION 6 - TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. The respective rights and
responsibilities of the parties to this Agreement notwithstanding, Executive
remains an employee-at-will, and his Term of Employment may be terminated by
either party at any time for any reason by written notice.

<PAGE>

                                                                    SECTION 6(a)

     (a)  Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason. If Executive's
          employment is terminated during the Term of Employment by Company for
          any reason other than Cause (as defined in Section 6(c) hereof),
          Disability (as defined in Section 6(e) hereof) or death, or if
          Executive's employment is terminated by Executive for Good Reason (as
          defined in Section 6(a)(2) hereof), then Company shall pay Executive
          the Severance Package. Any termination of employment that results from
          a notice of nonrenewal given in accordance with Section 2 of this
          Agreement shall not be a termination under this Section 6(a) but shall
          instead be a termination under Section 6(b) below. Likewise, a
          termination by Executive without Good Reason shall be a termination
          under Section 6(b) below and not a termination under this Section
          6(a).

          (1)  For purposes of this Agreement, "Severance Package" shall mean:

               (A)  Base Salary continuation for twenty-four (24) months at
                    Executive's annual Base Salary rate in effect on the date of
                    termination, subject to all applicable federal, state and
                    local withholding and reporting requirements. These salary
                    continuation payments shall be paid in accordance with usual
                    Company payroll practices;

               (B)  A bonus equal to two hundred percent (200%) of the target
                    bonus opportunity under AVCP, payable in equal installments
                    over the twenty-four (24) month period described in Section
                    6(a)(1)(A) above, subject to the same withholding and
                    reporting requirements. In addition, Executive shall receive
                    the bonus for the most recently completed bonus term if a
                    bonus has been declared for such term but not paid, and a
                    pro rata bonus for the year of termination through the date
                    of termination calculated at one hundred percent (100%) of
                    the bonus opportunity for target performance for that term,
                    multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the
                    number of days that Executive was employed during such bonus
                    term and the denominator of which is 365. The prorated bonus
                    for the final year shall be paid in a single sum within ten
                    (10) days of the termination of Executive's employment with
                    Company. Any unpaid bonus shall be paid in accordance with
                    customary practices for payment of bonuses under AVCP; and

               (C)  Continuation of benefits under any life, group medical, and
                    dental insurance benefits substantially similar to those
                    which Executive was receiving immediately prior to
                    termination of employment until the earlier of:

<PAGE>

                                                           SECTION 6(a)(1)(C)(i)

                    (i)  the end of the twenty-four (24) month period following
                         Executive's termination of employment, or

                    (ii) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receive
                         any benefits under any plan or program of any other
                         employer.

                    The continuing coverage provided under this Section
                    6(a)(1)(C) is subject to Executive's eligibility to
                    participate in such plans and all other terms and conditions
                    of such plans, including without limitation, any employee
                    contribution requirements and Company's ability to modify or
                    terminate such plans or coverages. Company may satisfy this
                    obligation in whole or in part by paying the premium
                    otherwise payable by Executive for continuing coverage under
                    Section 601 et seq. of the Employee Retirement Income
                    Security Act of 1974, as it may be amended or replaced from
                    time to time. If Executive is not eligible for continued
                    coverage under one of the Company-provided benefit plans
                    noted in this paragraph (C) that he was participating in
                    during his employment, Company shall pay Executive the cash
                    equivalent of the insurance cost for the duration of the
                    applicable period at the rate of the Company's cost of
                    coverage for Executive's benefits as of the date of
                    termination. Any obligation to pay the cash equivalent of
                    such cost under this item may be settled, at Company's
                    discretion, by a lump-sum payment of any remaining premiums.

          (2)  For purposes of this Agreement, a termination of employment by
               Executive for "Good Reason" shall be a termination by Executive
               following the occurrence of any of the following events unless
               Company has cured as provided below:

               (A)  A material and permanent diminution in Executive's duties or
                    responsibilities;

               (B)  A material reduction in the aggregate value of Base Salary
                    and bonus opportunity; or

               (C)  A permanent reassignment of Executive to another primary
                    office, or a relocation of the Company office that is
                    Executive's primary office, unless Executive's primary
                    office following such reassignment or relocation is within
                    thirty-five (35) miles of Executive's primary office before
                    the reassignment or relocation or Executive's permanent
                    residence on the date of the reassignment or relocation.

<PAGE>

                                                              SECTION 6(a)(2)(C)

                    Executive must notify Company of any event constituting Good
                    Reason within one hundred twenty (120) days after Executive
                    becomes aware of such event or such event shall not
                    constitute Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement
                    provided that Company shall have fifteen (15) days from the
                    date of such notice to cure the Good Reason event. Executive
                    cannot terminate his employment for Good Reason if Cause
                    exists at the time of such termination. A termination by
                    Executive following cure shall not be a termination for Good
                    Reason. A failure of Executive to notify Company after the
                    first occurrence of an event constituting Good Reason shall
                    not preclude any subsequent occurrences of such event (or
                    similar event) from constituting Good Reason.

     (b)  Voluntary Termination by Executive; Expiration of Employment Term. If
          Executive terminates his employment with Company without Good Reason,
          or if the Employment Term expires following notice of nonrenewal by
          either party under Section 2, then Company shall pay Executive his
          accrued unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination and the
          AVCP award for the most recently completed year if an award has been
          declared for such year but not paid. The accrued unpaid Base Salary
          amounts payable under this Section 6(b) shall be payable in a lump sum
          within ten (10) days of termination of employment. Any accrued unpaid
          bonus amounts payable under this Section 6(b) shall be payable in
          accordance with customary practices for payment of bonuses under AVCP.
          No prorated bonus for the year of termination shall be paid. Any other
          benefits under other plans and programs of Company in which Executive
          is participating at the time of Executive's termination of employment
          shall be paid, distributed, settled, or shall expire in accordance
          with their terms, and Company shall have no further obligations
          hereunder with respect to Executive following the date of termination
          of employment.

     (c)  Termination for Cause. If Executive's employment is terminated for
          Cause, Company shall pay Executive his accrued but unpaid Base Salary
          through the date of the termination of employment, and no further
          payments or benefits shall be owed. The accrued unpaid Base Salary
          amounts payable under this Section 6(c) shall be payable in a lump sum
          within ten (10) days of termination of employment. As used herein, the
          term "Cause" shall be limited to:

          (1)  Executive's conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to
               a crime constituting a felony under the laws of the United States
               or any state thereof or any other jurisdiction in which Company
               conducts business;

          (2)  Executive's willful misconduct in the performance of his duties
               to Company;

          (3)  Executive's willful and continued failure to follow the
               instructions of Company's Board or the CEO; or

                                       5

<PAGE>

                                                                 SECTION 6(c)(4)

          (4)  Executive's willful and/or continued neglect of duties (other
               than any such neglect resulting from incapacity of Executive due
               to physical or mental illness);

          provided, however, that Cause shall arise under items (3) or (4) only
          following ten (10) days written notice thereof from Company which
          specifically identifies such failure or neglect and the continuance of
          such failure or neglect during such notice period. Any failure by
          Company to notify Executive after the first occurrence of an event
          constituting Cause shall not preclude any subsequent occurrences of
          such event (or a similar event) from constituting Cause.

     (d)  Termination Following a Change of Control. In the event Executive's
          employment with Company terminates by reason of a Qualifying
          Termination (as defined below) within three (3) years after a Change
          of Control of Company (as defined below), then, in lieu of the
          Severance Package, and subject to the limitations described in Section
          7 below, the Company shall provide Executive the following termination
          benefits:

          (1)  Termination Payments. Company shall pay Executive:

               (A)  A single sum payment equal to two hundred and fifty percent
                    (250%) of Executive's annual Base Salary rate in effect on
                    the date of termination, subject to all applicable federal,
                    state and local withholding and reporting requirements. This
                    single-sum payment shall be paid within ten (10) days of
                    termination of employment;

               (B)  A bonus equal to two hundred and fifty percent (250%) of the
                    target bonus opportunity under AVCP. In addition, Executive
                    shall receive the bonus for the most recently completed
                    bonus term if a bonus has been declared for such term but
                    not paid, and a pro rata bonus for the year of termination
                    through the date of termination calculated at one hundred
                    percent (100%) of the bonus opportunity for target
                    performance for that term, multiplied by a fraction the
                    numerator of which is the number of days that Executive was
                    employed during such bonus term and the denominator of which
                    is 365. The prorated bonus for the final year shall be paid
                    as a single sum within ten (10) days of termination of
                    employment. Any unpaid bonus shall be paid in accordance
                    with customary practices for payment of bonuses under AVCP.

               All payments under this Section 6(d), however, are subject to the
               timing rules, calculations and adjustments described in Sections
               7 and 8.

                                       6

<PAGE>

                                                                 SECTION 6(d)(2)

          (2)  Benefits Continuation. Executive shall continue to receive life,
               group medical and dental insurance benefits substantially similar
               to those which Executive was receiving immediately prior to the
               Qualifying Termination until the earlier of:

               (A)  the end of the thirty (30) month period following
                    Executive's termination of employment, or

               (B)  the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receive any
                    benefits under any plan or program of any other employer.

               The continuing coverage provided under this Section 6(d)(2) is
               subject to Executive's eligibility to participate in such plans
               and all other terms and conditions of such plans, including
               without limitation, any employee contribution requirements and
               Company's ability to modify or terminate such plans or coverages.
               Company may satisfy this obligation in whole or in part by paying
               the premium otherwise payable by Executive for continuing
               coverage under Section 601 et seq. of the Employee Retirement
               Income Security Act of 1974, as it may be amended or replaced
               from time to time. If Executive is not eligible for continued
               coverage under one of the Company-provided benefit plans noted in
               this paragraph (2) that he was participating in during his
               employment, Company shall pay Executive the cash equivalent of
               the insurance cost for the duration of the applicable period at
               the rate of the Company's cost of coverage for Executive's
               benefits as of the date of termination. Any obligation to pay the
               cash equivalent of such cost of coverage under this item may be
               settled, at Company's discretion, by a lump-sum payment of any
               remaining premiums.

          (3)  Qualifying Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, the term
               "Qualifying Termination" means a termination of Executive's
               employment with the Company for any reason other than:

               (A)  death;

               (B)  Disability, as defined herein;

               (C)  Cause, as defined herein; or

               (D)  A termination by Executive without Good Reason, as defined
                    herein.

          (4)  Change of Control Defined. For purposes of this Agreement, a
               "Change of Control" means the first of the following events to
               occur following the date hereof:

                                       7

<PAGE>

                                                              SECTION 6(d)(4)(A)

               (A)  the sale, lease, or transfer in one or a series of related
                    transactions (i) of eighty percent (80%) or more of the
                    consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, or
                    (ii) of seventy-five percent (75%) or more (appropriately
                    adjusted for stock splits, combinations, subdivisions, stock
                    dividends and similar events) of the Capital Stock (as
                    defined below) of the Company acquired by Heartland
                    Industrial Partners, L.P. on the closing date under the
                    Stock Purchase Agreement among the Company, Heartland
                    Industrial Partners, L.P. and Metaldyne Corporation, dated
                    as of May 17, 2002 (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"), in
                    either case to any Person (within the meaning set forth in
                    Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
                    1934 ("1934 Act") or any similar successor provision, and
                    the rules, regulations and interpretations promulgated
                    thereunder) other than an affiliate of Heartland Industrial
                    Partners, L.P., whether by way of any merger, consolidation
                    or other business combination or purchase of beneficial
                    ownership (within the meaning under Rule 13d-3 of the 1934
                    Act) or otherwise, but not including (x) sales or transfers
                    which are effected in order to comply with the preemptive
                    rights provisions of Section 4.05 of the Metaldyne
                    Shareholders Agreement with respect to the investment by
                    Heartland Industrial Partners, Inc. in the Company pursuant
                    to the Stock Purchase Agreement, or (y) sales or transfers
                    which are effected within one year after the date of closing
                    under the Stock Purchase Agreement at a price per share of
                    not greater than $20 plus any interest charged
                    (appropriately adjusted for stock splits, combinations,
                    subdivisions, stock dividends and similar events); or

               (B)  the date on which the individuals who constitute the
                    Company's Board of Directors on the date of this Agreement,
                    and any new members of the Company's Board of Directors who
                    are hereafter designated by the Heartland Entities (as
                    defined below) cease, for any reason, to constitute at least
                    a majority of the members of the Board of Directors.

          "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any person, any and all shares,
          interests, participations, rights in or other equivalents (however
          designated) of such person's capital stock, and any rights (other than
          debt securities convertible into capital stock), warrants or options
          exchangeable for or convertible into such capital stock. "Heartland
          Entities" means Heartland Industrial Partners, L.P., Heartland
          Industrial Partners (FF), L.P., Heartland Industrial Partners (E1),
          L.P., Heartland Industrial Partners (K1), L.P., Heartland Industrial
          Partners (C1), L.P. or any controlled affiliate of any of these
          entities.

                                       8

<PAGE>

                                                                    SECTION 6(e)

     (e)  Disability. In the event that Executive is unable to perform his
          duties under this Agreement on account of a disability which continues
          for one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days or more, or for an
          aggregate of one hundred eighty (180) days in any period of twelve
          (12) months, Company may, in its discretion, terminate Executive's
          employment hereunder. Company's obligation to make payments under this
          Agreement shall, except for earned but unpaid Base Salary and AVCP
          awards, cease on the first to occur of (i) the date that is six (6)
          months after such termination or (ii) the date Executive becomes
          entitled to benefits under a Company-provided long-term disability
          program. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall be defined
          by the terms of Company's long-term disability policy, or, in the
          absence of such policy, as a physical or mental disability that
          prevents Executive from performing substantially all of his duties
          under this Agreement and which is expected to be permanent. Company
          may only terminate Executive on account of Disability after giving due
          consideration to whether reasonable accommodations can be made under
          which Executive is able to fulfill his duties under this Agreement.
          The commencement date and expected duration of any physical or mental
          condition that prevents Executive from performing his duties hereunder
          shall be determined by a medical doctor selected by Company. Company
          may, in its discretion, require written confirmation from a physician
          of Disability during any extended absence.

     (f)  Death. In the event of Executive's death during the Term of
          Employment, all obligations of Company to make any further payments,
          other than an obligation to pay any accrued but unpaid Base Salary to
          the date of death and any accrued but unpaid bonuses under AVCP to the
          date of death, shall terminate upon Executive's death.

     (g)  No Duplication of Benefits. Notwithstanding any provision of this
          Agreement to the contrary, if Executive's employment is terminated for
          any reason, in no event shall Executive be eligible for payments under
          more than one subsection of this Section 6.

     (h)  Payments Not Compensation. Any participation by Executive in, and any
          terminating distributions and vested rights under, Company-sponsored
          retirement or savings plans, regardless of whether such plans are
          qualified or nonqualified for tax purposes, shall be governed by the
          terms of those respective plans. For purposes of determining benefits
          and the amounts to be paid to Executive under such plans, any salary
          continuation or severance benefits other than salary or bonus accrued
          before termination shall not be compensation for purposes of accruing
          additional benefits under such plans.

     (i)  Executive's Duty to Provide Materials. Upon the termination of the
          Term of Employment for any reason, Executive or his estate shall
          surrender to Company all correspondence, letters, files, contracts,
          mailing lists, customer lists, advertising material, ledgers,
          supplies, equipment, checks, and all other materials and records of

                                       9

<PAGE>

                                                                 SECTION 7(b)(3)

          any kind that are the property of Company or any of its subsidiaries
          or affiliates, that may be in Executive's possession or under his
          control, including all copies of any of the foregoing.

     SECTION 7 - CAP ON PAYMENTS.

     (a)  General Rules. The Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") may place
          significant tax burdens on Executive and Company if the total payments
          made to Executive due to a Change of Control exceed prescribed limits.
          For example, if Executive's "Base Period Income" (as defined below) is
          $100,000, Executive's limit or "Cap" is $299,999. If Executive's
          "Total Payments" exceed the Cap by even $1.00, Executive is subject to
          an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code of 20% of all amounts
          paid to Executive in excess of $100,000. In other words, if
          Executive's Cap is $299,999, Executive will not be subject to an
          excise tax if Executive receives exactly $299,999. If Executive
          receives $300,000, Executive will be subject to an excise tax of
          $40,000 (20% of $200,000). In order to avoid this excise tax and the
          related adverse tax consequences for Company, by signing this
          Agreement, Executive will be agreeing that, subject to the exception
          noted below, the present value of Executive's Total Payments will not
          exceed an amount equal to Executive's Cap.

     (b)  Special Definitions. For purposes of this Section, the following
          specialized terms will have the following meanings:

          (1)  "Base Period Income". "Base Period Income" is an amount equal to
               Executive's "annualized includable compensation" for the "base
               period" as defined in Sections 280G(d)(1) and (2) of the Code and
               the regulations adopted thereunder. Generally, Executive's
               "annualized includable compensation" is the average of
               Executive's annual taxable income from Company for the "base
               period," which is the five calendar years prior to the year in
               which the Change of Control occurs. These concepts are
               complicated and technical and all of the rules set forth in the
               applicable regulations apply for purposes of this Agreement.

          (2)  "Cap" or "280G Cap". "Cap" or "280G Cap" shall mean an amount
               equal to 2.99 times Executive's "Base Period Income." This is the
               maximum amount which Executive may receive without becoming
               subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or
               which Company may pay without loss of deduction under Section
               280G of the Code.

          (3)  "Total Payments". The "Total Payments" include any "payments in
               the nature of compensation" (as defined in Section 280G of the
               Code and the

                                       10

<PAGE>

                                                                 SECTION 7(b)(3)

               regulations adopted thereunder), made pursuant to this Agreement
               or otherwise, to or for Executive's benefit, the receipt of which
               is contingent on a Change of Control and to which Section 280G of
               the Code applies.

     (c)  Calculating the Cap and Adjusting Payments. If Company believes that
          these rules will result in a reduction of the payments to which
          Executive is entitled under this Agreement, it will so notify
          Executive as soon as possible. Company will then, at its expense,
          retain a "Consultant" (which shall be a law firm, a certified public
          accounting firm, and/or a firm of recognized executive compensation
          consultants) to provide an opinion or opinions concerning whether
          Executive's Total Payments exceed the limit discussed above. Company
          will select the Consultant. At a minimum, the opinions required by
          this Section must set forth the amount of Executive's Base Period
          Income, the present value of the Total Payments and the amount and
          present value of any excess parachute payments. If the opinions state
          that there would be an excess parachute payment, Executive's payments
          under this Agreement will be reduced to the extent necessary to
          eliminate the excess. Executive will be allowed to choose the payment
          that should be reduced or eliminated, but the payment Executive
          chooses to reduce or eliminate must be a payment determined by such
          Consultant to be includable in Total Payments. Executive's decision
          shall be in writing and delivered to Company within thirty (30) days
          of Executive's receipt of such opinions. If Executive fails to so
          notify Company, Company will decide which payments to reduce or
          eliminate. If the Consultant selected to provide the opinions referred
          to above so requests in connection with the opinion required by this
          Section, a firm of recognized executive compensation consultants
          selected by Company shall provide an opinion, upon which such
          Consultant may rely, as to the reasonableness of any item of
          compensation as reasonable compensation for services rendered before
          or after the Change of Control. If Company believes that Executive's
          Total Payments will exceed the limitations of this Section, it will
          nonetheless make payments to Executive, at the times stated above, in
          the maximum amount that it believes may be paid without exceeding such
          limitations. The balance, if any, will then be paid after the opinions
          called for above have been received. If the amount paid to Executive
          by Company is ultimately determined, pursuant to the opinion referred
          to above or by the Internal Revenue Service, to have exceeded the
          limitation of this Section, the excess will be treated as a loan to
          Executive by Company and shall be repayable on the ninetieth (90th)
          day following demand by Company, together with interest at the lowest
          "applicable federal rate" provided in Section 1274(d) of the Code. If
          it is ultimately determined, pursuant to the opinion referred to above
          or by the Internal Revenue Service, that a greater payment should have
          been made to Executive, Company shall pay Executive the amount of the
          deficiency, together with interest thereon from the date such amount
          should have been paid to the date of such payment, at the rate set
          forth above, so that Executive will have received or be entitled to
          receive the maximum amount to which Executive is entitled under this
          Agreement.

                                       11

<PAGE>

                                                                    SECTION 7(d)

     (d)  Effect of Repeal. In the event that the provisions of Sections 280G
          and 4999 of the Code are repealed without succession, this Section
          shall be of no further force or effect.

     (e)  Exception. The Consultant selected pursuant to Section 7(c) will
          calculate Executive's "Uncapped Benefit" and Executive's "Capped
          Benefit." The limitations of Section 7(a) will not apply to Executive
          if Executive's Uncapped Benefit is at least one hundred and five
          percent (105%) of Executive's Capped Benefit. For this purpose,
          Executive's "Uncapped Benefit" is the amount to which Executive would
          be entitled pursuant to Section 6(d), without regard to the
          limitations of Section 7(a). Executive's "Capped Benefit" is the
          amount to which Executive would be entitled pursuant to Section 6(d)
          after the application of the limitations of Section 7(a).

     SECTION 8 - TAX GROSS-UP.

     (a)  Gross-Up Payment. If the Cap imposed by Section 7(a) does not apply to
          Executive because of the exception provided by Section 7(e), Company
          will provide Executive with a "Gross-Up Payment" if an excise tax is
          imposed on Executive pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code. Except as
          otherwise noted below, this Gross-Up Payment will consist of a single
          lump sum payment in an amount such that after payment by Executive of
          the "total presumed federal and state taxes" and the excise taxes
          imposed by Section 4999 of the Code on the Gross-Up Payment (and any
          interest or penalties actually imposed), Executive would retain an
          amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the remaining excise taxes
          imposed by Section 4999 of the Code on Executive's Total Payments
          (calculated before the Gross-Up Payment). For purposes of calculating
          Executive's Gross-Up Payment, Executive's actual federal and state
          income taxes will not be used. Instead, Company will use Executive's
          "total presumed federal and state taxes." For purposes of this
          Agreement, Executive's "total presumed federal and state taxes" shall
          be conclusively calculated using a combined tax rate equal to the sum
          of the maximum marginal federal and applicable state income tax rates.
          The state tax rate for Executive's principal place of residence will
          be used and no adjustments will be made for the deduction of state
          taxes on the federal return, any deduction of federal taxes on a state
          return, the loss of itemized deductions or exemptions, or for any
          other purpose.

     (b)  Calculations. All determinations concerning whether a Gross-Up Payment
          is required pursuant to Section 8(a) and the amount of any Gross-Up
          Payment (as well as any assumptions to be used in making such
          determinations) shall be made by the Consultant selected pursuant to
          Section 7(c). The Consultant shall provide Executive and Company with
          a written notice of the amount of the excise taxes that Executive is
          required to pay and the amount of the Gross-Up Payment. The notice
          from the Consultant shall include any necessary calculations in
          support of its conclusions. All fees and expenses of the Consultant
          shall be paid by Company. Any Gross-Up

                                       12

<PAGE>

                                                                    SECTION 8(b)

          Payment shall be made by Company within fifteen (15) days after the
          mailing of such notice. As a general rule, the Consultant's
          determination shall be binding on Executive and Company. The
          application of the excise tax rules of Section 4999, however, is
          complex and uncertain and, as a result, the Internal Revenue Service
          may disagree with the Consultant concerning the amount, if any, of the
          excise taxes that are due. If the Internal Revenue Service determines
          that excise taxes are due, or that the amount of the excise taxes that
          are due is greater than the amount determined by the Consultant, the
          Gross-Up Payment will be recalculated by the Consultant to reflect the
          actual excise taxes that Executive is required to pay (and any related
          interest and penalties). Any deficiency will then be paid to Executive
          by Company within fifteen (15) days of the receipt of the revised
          calculations from the Consultant. If the Internal Revenue Service
          determines that the amount of excise taxes that Executive paid exceeds
          the amount due, Executive shall return the excess to Company (along
          with any interest paid to Executive on the overpayment) immediately
          upon receipt from the Internal Revenue Service or other taxing
          authority. Company has the right to challenge any excise tax
          determinations made by the Internal Revenue Service. If Company agrees
          to indemnify Executive from any taxes, interest and penalties that may
          be imposed upon Executive (including any taxes, interest and penalties
          on the amounts paid pursuant to Company's indemnification agreement),
          Executive must cooperate fully with Company in connection with any
          such challenge. Company shall bear all costs associated with the
          challenge of any determination made by the Internal Revenue Service
          and Company shall control all such challenges. The additional Gross-Up
          Payments called for by the preceding paragraph shall not be made until
          Company has either exhausted its (or Executive's) rights to challenge
          the determination or indicated that it intends to concede or settle
          the excise tax determination. Executive must notify Company in writing
          of any claim or determination by the Internal Revenue Service that, if
          upheld, would result in the payment of excise taxes in amounts
          different from the amount initially specified by the Consultant. Such
          notice shall be given as soon as possible but in no event later than
          fifteen (15) days following Executive's receipt of notice of the
          Internal Revenue Service's position.

     SECTION 9 - NOTICES. All notices or communications hereunder shall be in
writing, addressed as follows:

          To Company:               TriMas Corporation
                                    c/o Heartland Industrial Partners, L.P.
                                    55 Railroad Avenue, 1st Floor
                                    Greenwich, CT  06830
                                    Attn:  David A. Stockman

                               13

<PAGE>

                                                                       SECTION 9

          with a copy to:           R. Jeffrey Pollock, Esq.
                                    McDonald, Hopkins, Burke &
                                       Haber Co., L.P.A.
                                    600 Superior Avenue, Suite 2100
                                    Cleveland, OH  44114

          To Executive:
                                    ------------------------

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

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

          with a copy to:
                                    ------------------------

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

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

Any such notice or communication shall be delivered by hand or by courier or
sent certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as above (or to such other address as such party may designate in a
notice duly delivered as described above), and the third (3rd) business day
after the actual date of mailing shall constitute the time at which notice was
given.

     SECTION 10 - SEPARABILITY; LEGAL FEES. If any provision of this Agreement
shall be declared to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such
invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof
which shall remain in full force and effect. In the event of a dispute by
Company, Executive or others as to the validity or enforceability of, or
liability under, any provision of this Agreement, Company shall reimburse
Executive for all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by him in
connection with such dispute if Executive substantially prevails in the dispute
and if Executive has not substantially prevailed in such dispute one-half (1/2)
the amount of all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by him in
connection with such dispute except to the extent Executive's position is found
by a tribunal of competent jurisdiction to have been frivolous.

     SECTION 11 - ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION. This contract shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the heirs and representatives of Executive and the
assigns and successors of Company, but neither this Agreement nor any rights or
obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to hypothecation
by Executive (except by will or by operation of the laws of intestate
succession) or by Company, except that Company may assign this Agreement to any
successor (whether by merger, purchase or otherwise) to all or substantially all
of the stock, assets or business of Company.

     SECTION 12 - AMENDMENT. This Agreement may only be amended by written
agreement of the parties hereto.

                                       11

<PAGE>

                                                                      SECTION 13

     SECTION 13 - NON-COMPETITION; NON-SOLICITATION; CONFIDENTIALITY.

     (a)  Executive represents that acceptance of employment under this
          Agreement and performance under this Agreement are not in violation of
          any restrictions or covenants under the terms of any other agreements
          to which Executive is a party.

     (b)  Executive acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of
          the business of Company and accordingly agrees that, in consideration
          of this Agreement, the rights conferred hereunder, and any payment
          hereunder, during the Term of Employment and for the two (2) year
          period following the termination of Executive's employment with
          Company, for any reason ("Non-Compete Term"), Executive shall not
          engage, either directly or indirectly, as a principal for Executive's
          own account or jointly with others, or as a stockholder in any
          corporation or joint stock association, or as a partner or member of a
          general or limited liability entity, or as an employee, officer,
          director, agent, consultant or in any other advisory capacity in any
          business other than Company or its subsidiaries which designs,
          develops, manufacturers, distributes, sells or markets the type of
          products or services sold, distributed or provided by Company or its
          subsidiaries during the two (2) year period prior to the date of
          termination (the "Business"); provided that nothing herein shall
          prevent Executive from owning, directly or indirectly, not more than
          five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of, or any other equity
          interest in, any entity engaged in the Business and listed or traded
          on a national securities exchanges or in an over-the-counter
          securities market.

     (c)  During the Non-Compete Term, Executive shall not (i) directly or
          indirectly employ or solicit, or receive or accept the performance of
          services by, any active employee of Company or any of its subsidiaries
          who is employed primarily in connection with the Business, except in
          connection with general, non-targeted recruitment efforts such as
          advertisements and job listings, or directly or indirectly induce any
          employee of Company to leave Company, or assist in any of the
          foregoing, or (ii) solicit for business (relating to the Business) any
          person who is a customer or former customer of Company or any of its
          subsidiaries, unless such person shall have ceased to have been such a
          customer for a period of at least six (6) months.

     (d)  Executive shall not at any time (whether during or after his
          employment with Company) disclose or use for Executive's own benefit
          or purposes or the benefit or purposes of any other person, firm,
          partnership, joint venture, association, corporation or other business
          organization, entity or enterprise other than Company and any of its
          subsidiaries, any trade secrets, information, data, or other
          confidential information of the Company, including but not limited to,
          information relating to customers, development programs, costs,
          marketing, trading, investment, sales activities, promotion, credit
          and financial data, financing methods, plans or the business and
          affairs of Company generally, or of any subsidiary of Company, unless

                                       15

<PAGE>

                                                                   SECTION 13(d)

          required to do so by applicable law or court order, subpoena or decree
          or otherwise required by law, with reasonable evidence of such
          determination promptly provided to Company. The preceding sentence of
          this paragraph (d) shall not apply to information which is not unique
          to Company or which is generally known to the industry or the public
          other than as a result of Executive's breach of this covenant.
          Executive agrees that upon termination of employment with Company for
          any reason, Executive will return to Company immediately all
          memoranda, books, papers, plans, information, letters and other data,
          and all copies thereof or therefrom, in any way relating to the
          business of Company and its subsidiaries, except that Executive may
          retain personal notes, notebooks and diaries. Executive further agrees
          that Executive will not retain or use for Executive's account at any
          time any trade names, trademark or other proprietary business
          designation used or owned in connection with the business of Company
          or its subsidiaries.

     (e)  It is expressly understood and agreed that although Executive and
          Company consider the restrictions contained in this Section 13 to be
          reasonable, if a final judicial determination is made by a court of
          competent jurisdiction that the time or territory or any other
          restriction contained in this Agreement is an unenforceable
          restriction against Executive, the provisions of this Agreement shall
          not be rendered void but shall be deemed amended to apply as to such
          maximum time and territory and to such maximum extent as such court
          may judicially determine or indicate to be enforceable. Alternatively,
          if any tribunal of competent jurisdiction finds that any restriction
          contained in this Agreement is unenforceable, and such restriction
          cannot be amended so as to make it enforceable, such finding shall not
          affect the enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained
          herein.

     (f)  As a condition to the receipt of any benefits described in this
          Agreement, Executive shall be required to execute an agreement
          pursuant to which Executive releases any claims he may have against
          Company and agrees to the continuing enforceability of the restrictive
          covenants of this Agreement.

     (g)  This Section 13 will survive the termination of this Agreement.

     SECTION 14 - REMEDIES. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Company's
remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of
Section 13 would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, Executive
agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to
any remedies at law, Executive shall forfeit all payments otherwise due under
this Agreement and shall return any Severance Package payment made. Moreover,
Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to seek equitable relief in
the form of specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or
permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available.

                                       16

<PAGE>

                                                                   SECTION 13(d)

     SECTION 15- SURVIVORSHIP. The respective rights and obligations of the
parties hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent
necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations. The
provisions of this Section 15 are in addition to the survivorship provisions of
any other section of this Agreement.

     SECTION 16 - GOVERNING LAW; REVENUE AND JURISDICTION. If any judicial or
administrative proceeding or claim relating to or pertaining to this Agreement
is initiated by either party hereto, such proceeding or claim shall and must be
filed in a state or federal court located in Wayne County, Michigan and such
proceeding or claim shall be governed by and construed under Michigan law,
without regard to conflict of law and principals.

     SECTION 17 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION. Any dispute related to or arising under
this Agreement shall be resolved in accordance with the TriMas Dispute
Resolution Policy in effect at the time such dispute arises. The TriMas Dispute
Resolution Policy in effect at the time of this Agreement is attached to this
Agreement.

     SECTION 18 - EFFECT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS. This Agreement contains the entire
understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes in all respects any
prior or other agreement or understanding, both written and oral, between
Company, any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of Company or any predecessor of
Company or parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of any predecessor of Company and
Executive.

     SECTION 19 - WITHHOLDING. Company shall be entitled to withhold from
payment any amount of withholding required by law.

     SECTION 20 - SECTION HEADINGS AND CONSTRUCTION. The headings of sections in
this Agreement are provided for convenience only and will not effect its
construction or interpretation. All references to "Section" or "Sections" refer
to the corresponding section or sections of this Agreement unless otherwise
specified. All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of such
gender or number as circumstances require.

     SECTION 21 - COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one (1) or
more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this
Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute
one and the same Agreement.

                                       17

<PAGE>

     Intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties have executed this
Agreement on the dates set forth next to their names below.

                                                           COMPANY

                                                     TRIMAS CORPORATION

                                          By:      /s/ Grant H. Beard
---------------------------                  ---------------------------------
           Date
                                              Its:   President & CEO
                                                  ----------------------------

                                                          EXECUTIVE

                                            /s/ Edward Schwartz
---------------------------               ------------------------------------
           Date

                                       18

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