Document:

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                                                               EXHBIT 10.69

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         This ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of the 7th day of October, 2002, by and among (i) Atlantis Plastics
Injection Molding, Inc., a Kentucky corporation (the "Buyer"), (ii) Rio Grande
Plastic Products, Inc., a Texas corporation (the "Company"), and (iii) Paul
Spadafore and Paul Hamman (collectively the "Shareholders" and each individually
a "Shareholder").

                                    RECITALS

         A. Buyer desires to purchase substantially all of the Company's assets.

         B. The Company desires to sell and Buyer desires to purchase such
assets upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

         C. The Shareholders own 100% of the Company's outstanding capital
stock.

                                    AGREEMENT

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

                    ARTICLE I. - SALE AND PURCHASE OF ASSETS

         1.1 Sale and Purchase of Assets.

             (a) On the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement,
at the Closing referred to in Section 2.1 hereof, the Company shall sell,
convey, assign, transfer and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase, acquire
and accept delivery of, all assets and properties owned or Used by the Company
in connection with its business, except for (i) the Purchase Price and other
rights of the Company under this Agreement, (ii) the Company's corporate minute
book and stock records, and (iii) those assets specifically listed on Schedule
1.1(a) (such specifically listed assets in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above
being referred to as the "Excluded Assets"), including without limiting the
generality of the foregoing:

                  (i) all cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable;

                  (ii) all raw materials, works-in-process, inventories and
         other materials of the Company wherever located and including all
         inventory in transit or on order and not yet delivered, and all rights
         with respect to the processing and completion of any works-in-process
         of the Company, including the right to collect and receive charges for
         services performed by the Company with respect thereto;

                  (iii) all supplies, equipment, vehicles, machinery, furniture,
         fixtures, leasehold improvements and other tangible property Used by
         the Company in connection with its business, and the Company's interest
         as lessee in any leases with respect to any of the foregoing;

                  (iv) all of the Company's right, title and interest in and to
         its Contracts, including the Contracts listed or required to be listed
         on Schedule 3.13(a) or (c) hereto;

                  (v) all proprietary knowledge, Trade Secrets, Confidential
         Information, computer software and licenses, formulae, designs and
         drawings, quality control data, processes (whether secret or not),
         methods, inventions and other similar know-how or rights Used in the
         conduct of the Company's business, including, but not limited to, the
         areas of manufacturing, marketing, advertising and personnel training
         and recruitment, together with all other Intangible

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         Rights Used in connection with the Company's business, including all
         files, manuals, documentation and source and object codes related
         thereto and all rights of the Company in and to all Web sites, domain
         names, tradenames, trademarks and slogans Used in its business, all
         variants thereof and all goodwill associated therewith; (vi) all
         utility, security and other deposits and prepaid expenses;

                  (vii) the Company's business as a going concern and its
         franchises, Permits and other authorizations of Governmental
         Authorities (to the extent such Permits and other authorizations of
         Governmental Authorities are transferable) and third parties, licenses,
         telephone numbers, customer lists, vendor lists, referral lists and
         contracts, advertising materials and data, restrictive covenants,
         choses in action and similar obligations owing to the Company from its
         present and former shareholders, officers, employees, agents and
         others, together with all books, operating data and records (including
         financial, accounting and credit records), files, papers, records and
         other data of the Company;

                  (viii) all rights to real property Used by the Company;

                  (ix) all lease security deposits; and

                  (x) all other property and rights of every kind or nature Used
         by the Company in the operation of its business.

         It is specifically understood and agreed by the parties hereto that the
Buyer is acquiring, and Company is selling, all of the tangible and intangible
assets attributable to or Used by the Company in its business, except the
Excluded Assets. The aforesaid assets and properties to be transferred to the
Buyer hereunder are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Assets."

         (b) Method of Conveyance. The sale, transfer, conveyance, assignment
and delivery by the Company of the Assets to the Buyer in accordance with
Section 1.1(a) hereof shall be effected on the Closing Date by the Company's
execution and delivery to the Buyer of one or more Bills of Sale, Assignments
and other conveyance instruments with respect to the Company's transfer of
Intangible Rights, real property interests and other Assets in form and scope
reasonably satisfactory to Buyer (collectively the "Conveyance Documents"). At
the Closing, good, valid and marketable title to all of the Assets shall be
transferred, conveyed, assigned and delivered by the Company to the Buyer
pursuant to the Conveyance Documents, free and clear of any and all liens,
encumbrances, mortgages, conditional sales contracts, title retention contracts,
security interests, pledges, claims, equities, charges and other restrictions or
limitations of any kind or nature whatsoever ("Liens").

         (c) Assumed Obligations. At the Closing, the Buyer shall assume, and
agree to satisfy and discharge as the same shall become due, (i) all trade
accounts payable that have been incurred in the ordinary course of the Company's
business and are reflected on the Closing Date Balance Sheet, including, but not
limited to, accrued personal property tax penalty liabilities and accrued
vacation pay liabilities (other than with respect to the Shareholders) reflected
on the Closing Date Balance Sheet, and (iv) the Company's liabilities and other
obligations arising subsequent to the Closing under (x) the Contracts listed on
Schedule 3.13(a) or (c) (other than the CMS software license agreement and the
EZ Storage Rental Lease with respect to 36261Groesbeck Highway Unit #125), and
(y) all other Contracts (other than the entered into by the Company in the
ordinary course of its business (including open purchase orders) and not
required to be listed on Schedule 3.13(a) or (c), in each case to the extent
that the Company's rights thereunder are effectively transferred to Buyer at
Closing (collectively the "Assumed Obligations").

         (d) Excluded Liabilities. Except as expressly set forth in Section
1.1(c), the Buyer shall not assume or be responsible at any time for any
liability, obligation, debt or commitment of the

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Company, whether absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, asserted or
unasserted, or otherwise, including but not limited to any liabilities,
obligations, debts or commitments of the Company incident to, arising out of or
incurred with respect to, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby (including any and all sales, income or other taxes arising out of the
transactions contemplated hereby). Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Company and the Shareholders expressly acknowledge and agree that
the Company shall retain, and that Buyer shall not assume or otherwise be
obligated to pay, perform, defend or discharge, (i) any liability of the Company
and/or the Shareholders for Taxes, whether measured by income or otherwise, (ii)
any liability of the Company in connection with any Plan or Benefit Program or
Agreement, including, without limitation, any liability of the Company under
ERISA, (iii) any liability of the Company under any federal, state or local law,
rule, regulation, ordinance, program, Permit, or other Legal Requirement
applicable to the Company's business and/or the facilities Used by the Company
(whether or not owned by the Company), (iv) any product liability pertaining to
products sold or manufactured by the Company prior to the Closing Date, (v) any
liability or obligation of the Company relating to any default taking place
before the Closing Date under any of the Assumed Obligations to the extent such
default created or increased the liability or obligation, (vi) any obligation of
the Company to the Shareholders (except for lease payments and/or reimbursable
property tax payments related to the Company's Rio Grande facility that are
included in Assumed Obligations pursuant to Section 1.1(c)(i)) or any Affiliate
of the Company or the Shareholders, or (vii) any obligation of the Company to
any Person claiming to have a right to acquire any capital stock or other
securities of the Company. The Company further agrees to satisfy and discharge
as the same shall become due all obligations and liabilities of the Company not
specifically assumed by the Buyer hereunder.

         1.2 Payment for Assets. As payment in full for the Assets being
acquired by the Buyer hereunder and the non-compete covenants set forth in
Section 7.4 hereof, Buyer shall pay to the Company, in the manner set forth in
this Section 1.2, an amount equal to the remainder of (i) Three Million Six
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,600,000), minus (ii) the excess, if any, of
$300,000 over the Company's Working Capital as of the Closing, subject to
further adjustment as provided in Sections 7.3 and 8.2 hereof (such sum, as so
adjusted from time to time, is herein referred to as the "Purchase Price"). On
the Closing Date, Buyer shall make payment of an amount equal to the remainder
of (x) the Estimated Purchase Price (as defined in Section 1.3(a) hereof) minus
(y) Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000) (the amount of such payment is
referred to herein as the "Initial Cash Consideration"), to the Company, by wire
transfer, to an account specified by the Company in writing at least three
business days prior to Closing.

         The Purchase Price shall be allocated, apportioned and adjusted among
the Assets and the non-compete covenants set forth in Section 7.4 hereof in the
manner specified in IRS Form 8594 attached as Schedule 1.2 and the parties agree
to abide by such allocations for all tax reporting purposes.

         1.3      Estimated Purchase Price.

                  (a) Not later than two (2) business days prior to the
scheduled Closing Date, the Buyer and the Company shall jointly estimate the
Purchase Price (the "Estimated Purchase Price").

                  (b) If the Purchase Price, determined in accordance with
Sections 1.4 and 1.5, is greater than the Initial Cash Consideration, then the
Buyer shall pay to the Company an amount equal to the amount of such excess;
provided, however, if the Purchase Price is less than the Initial Cash
Consideration, then the Company shall pay to Buyer the amount of such shortfall.
Any payments made by the Buyer to the Company or by the Company to the Buyer
pursuant to this Section 1.3(b) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the account or accounts designated by the Company or the
Buyer, as the case may be, within ten (10) days after the date in which the
Purchase Price is final and binding on the parties.

                  (c) At least three (3) business days prior to the Closing
Date, the Company will provide the Buyer with customary pay-off letters from all
holders of Funded Indebtedness, and make

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arrangements satisfactory to the Buyer for such holders to provide to the
Company, simultaneously with the Closing, recordable form lien releases,
canceled notes, trademark and patent assignments and other documents reasonably
requested by the Buyer. The Company represents and warrants to Buyer that all
Contracts evidencing its Funded Indebtedness are set forth on Schedule 1.3(c)
hereto.

         1.4 Post-Closing Purchase Price Calculation. As soon as practical (and
in no event later than sixty (60) days after the Closing Date), Buyer shall
cause to be prepared and delivered to the Company a calculation of the Purchase
Price, including such schedules and data as may be appropriate to support such
calculation. The Company and its accountants shall be entitled to review the
balance sheet of the Company as of the Closing Date (the "Closing Date Balance
Sheet"), and any working papers, trial balances and similar materials relating
to the Closing Date Balance Sheet by Buyer or its accountants. Buyer shall also
provide the Company and its accountants with timely access, during Buyer's
normal business hours, to Buyer's personnel, properties, books and records to
the extent related to the determination of the Purchase Price.

         1.5 Disputes. The following clauses (i) and (ii) set forth the
procedures for resolving disputes among the parties with respect to the
determination of the Purchase Price:

                           (i) Within twenty (20) days after delivery to the
         Company of Buyer's calculation of the Purchase Price pursuant to this
         Article I, the Company may deliver to Buyer a written report (the
         "Company's Report") prepared by the Company's accountants (the
         "Company's Accountants") advising Buyer either that the Company's
         Accountants (A) agree with the Buyer's calculations of the Purchase
         Price, or (B) deem that one or more adjustments are required. The costs
         and expenses of the services of the Company's Accountants shall be
         borne by the Company. If Buyer shall concur with the adjustments
         proposed by the Company's Accountants, or if Buyer shall not object
         thereto in a writing delivered to the Company within twenty (20) days
         after Buyer's receipt of the Company's Report, the calculations of the
         Purchase Price set forth in such Company's Report shall become final
         and shall not be subject to further review, challenge or adjustment
         absent fraud. If the Company does not submit a Company's Report within
         the 20-day period provided herein, then the Purchase Price as
         calculated by Buyer shall become final and shall not be subject to
         further review, challenge or adjustment absent fraud.

                           (ii) In the event that the Company submits a
         Company's Report and Buyer and the Company's Accountants are unable to
         resolve the disagreements set forth in such report within twenty (20)
         days after the date of the Company's Report, then such disagreements
         shall be referred to a recognized firm of independent certified public
         accountants selected by mutual agreement of the Company and Buyer (the
         "Settlement Accountants"), and the determination of the Settlement
         Accountants shall be final and shall not be subject to further review,
         challenge or adjustment absent fraud. In the event that the Company and
         Buyer cannot mutually agree on the selection of the Settlement
         Accountants, then the Company and Buyer shall refer the selection of
         the Settlement Accountants to final and binding arbitration in
         accordance with Section 9.7 hereof. The Settlement Accountants shall
         use their best efforts to reach a determination not more than thirty
         (30) days after such referral. The costs and expenses of the services
         of the Settlement Accountants shall be paid by the Company if (A) the
         difference between (i) the Purchase Price resulting from the
         determinations of the Settlement Accountants and (ii) the Purchase
         Price resulting from the determinations set forth in the Company's
         Report, is greater than (B) the difference between (i) the Purchase
         Price resulting from the determinations of the Settlement Accountants,
         and (ii) the Purchase Price resulting from Buyer's calculations as set
         forth in the deliveries pursuant to Section 1.4 hereof; otherwise, such
         costs and expenses of the Settlement Accountants shall be paid by
         Buyer.

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         1.6 Past Due Lease Payments. Buyer shall be entitled to withhold
$175,000 of past due lease payments owed to P & P Properties, Ltd. assumed by
Buyer at the Closing for a period expiring ten (10) days after the date in which
the Purchase Price is final and binding on the parties.

                              ARTICLE II. - CLOSING

         2.1 Closing. Subject to the conditions stated in Article VI of this
Agreement, the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the "Closing")
shall be held at 2:00 p.m., Miami time, on October 7, 2002, or, if the
conditions set forth in Section 6.2 have not been satisfied or waived on such
date, on the fifth (5th) business day after all such conditions shall have been
satisfied or waived, at the Miami offices of Greenberg Traurig, LLP (or at the
request of Buyer, at the offices of counsel to any lender providing financing in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby). The date upon which the
Closing occurs is hereinafter referred to as the "Closing Date." The Closing
shall be deemed completed as of 12:01 a.m. Miami time on the morning of the
Closing Date.

         2.2 Deliveries by the Company. At or prior to the Closing, the Company
shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Buyer:

                           (i)      the Conveyance Documents;

                           (ii) a certificate executed by the Company to the
                  effect that the conditions set forth in Sections 6.2(a) and
                  6.2(c) have been satisfied;

                           (iii) possession of all originals and copies of
         agreements, instruments, documents, deeds, books, records, files and
         other data and information within the possession of the Company or any
         Affiliate of the Company pertaining to the Company (collectively, the
         "Records"); provided, however, that the Company may retain (1) copies
         of any tax returns and copies of Records relating thereto; (2) copies
         of any Records that the Company is reasonably likely to need for
         complying with requirements of law; and (3) copies of any Records that
         in the reasonable opinion of the Company will be required in connection
         with the performance of its obligations under Article VIII hereof;

                           (iv) evidence satisfactory to Buyer that Buyer's
         designees shall be the only authorized signatories with respect to the
         Company's various accounts, credit lines, safe deposit boxes or vaults
         set forth or required to be set forth in Schedule 3.18; and

                           (v) all such other documents, certificates and
                  instruments as the Buyer may reasonably request.

         2.3 Deliveries by Buyer. At or prior to the Closing, Buyer shall
deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company:

                           (i) the amount and form of the Estimated Purchase
                  Price required to be paid at Closing pursuant to Section
                  1.2(a) hereof;

                           (ii) a certificate executed by an authorized officer
                  of the Buyer, on behalf of the Buyer, to the effect that the
                  conditions set forth in Section 6.1(b) have been satisfied;
                  and

                           (iii) all such other documents, certificates and
                  instruments as the Company may reasonably request.

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         2.4      Termination in Absence of Closing.

                  (a) If by the close of business on October 31, 2002, the
Closing has not occurred, then either the Company or the Buyer may thereafter
terminate this Agreement by written notice to such effect, to the other parties
hereto, without liability of or to any party to this Agreement or any
shareholder, director, officer, employee or representative of such party unless
the reason for Closing having not occurred is (i) such party's willful breach of
the provisions of this Agreement, or (ii) if all of the conditions to such
party's obligations set forth in Article VI have been satisfied or waived in
writing by the date scheduled for the Closing pursuant to Section 2.1, the
failure of such party to perform its obligations under this Article II on such
date; provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 9.2 through 9.7 shall
survive any such termination; and provided further, however, that any
termination pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall not relieve any party hereto who
was responsible for Closing having not occurred as described in clauses (i) or
(ii) above of any liability for (x) such party's willful breach of the
provisions of this Agreement, or (y) if all of the conditions to such party's
obligations set forth in Article VI have been satisfied or waived in writing by
the date scheduled for the Closing pursuant to Section 2.1, the failure of such
party to perform its obligations under this Article II on such date.

                  (b) Notwithstanding the approval of the Board of Directors of
Buyer, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein may be terminated
and abandoned at any time on or prior to the Closing Date by the Buyer if:

                           (i) any representation or warranty made herein for
                  the benefit of Buyer, or any certificate, schedule or document
                  furnished to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement is untrue in any
                  material respect;

                           (ii) the Company or the Shareholders shall have
                  defaulted in any material respect in the performance of any
                  material obligation under this Agreement; or

                           (iii) there shall have occurred an event,
                  circumstance or change that had or might have a material
                  adverse effect on the business, operations, prospects,
                  Properties, financial condition or working capital of the
                  Company.

                  (c) This Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein
may be terminated and abandoned at any time on or prior to the Closing Date by
the Company and the Shareholders if:

                           (i) any representation or warranty made herein for
                  the benefit of the Company and the Shareholders, or any
                  certificate, schedule or document furnished to the Company and
                  the Shareholders pursuant to this Agreement is untrue in any
                  material respect; or

                           (ii) The Buyer shall have defaulted in any material
                  respect in the performance of any material obligation under
                  this Agreement, and such default shall have continued
                  following notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure.

        ARTICLE III. - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SHAREHOLDERS
                                 AND THE COMPANY

         Each of the Shareholders and the Company hereby jointly and severally
represents and warrants to Buyer that:

         3.1 Corporate Existence and Qualification. The Company is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Texas; the Company has the corporate power to own, manage, lease and
hold its Properties and to carry on its business as and where such Properties
are presently located and such business is presently conducted; and neither the

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character of the Company's Properties nor the nature of the Company's business
requires the Company to be duly qualified to do business as a foreign
corporation in any jurisdiction outside those identified in Schedule 3.1
attached hereto, and the Company is qualified as a foreign corporation and in
good standing in each listed jurisdiction.

         3.2 Authority, Approval and Enforceability. This Agreement has been
duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Shareholders, and each of the
Shareholders and the Company has all requisite power and legal capacity to
execute and deliver this Agreement and all Collateral Agreements executed and
delivered or to be executed and delivered in connection with the transactions
provided for hereby, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and by
the Collateral Agreements, and to perform its and his obligations hereunder and
under the Collateral Agreements. This Agreement and each Collateral Agreement to
which any of the Shareholders and/or the Company is a party constitutes, or upon
execution and delivery will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation
of such party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such
enforcement may be limited by general equitable principles or by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, or similar laws and judicial decisions from
time to time in effect which affect creditors' rights generally.

         3.3      Capitalization; Corporate Records; and Pyramid Products, Inc..

                  (a) All issued and outstanding shares of the Company's capital
stock are owned beneficially and of record by the Shareholders.

                  (b) The copies of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of
the Company provided to Buyer are true, accurate, and complete and reflect all
amendments made through the date of this Agreement. The Company's stock and
minute books made available to Buyer for review were correct and complete as of
the date of such review, no further entries have been made through the date of
this Agreement, and such minute books contain an accurate record of all
shareholder and corporate actions of the shareholders and directors (and any
committees thereof) of the Company taken by written consent or at a meeting. All
corporate actions taken by the Company have been duly authorized or ratified.
All accounts, books, ledgers and official and other records of the Company
fairly and accurately reflect all of the Company's transactions, properties,
assets and liabilities.

                  (c) The Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any
outstanding voting securities of or other interests in any other corporation,
partnership, joint venture or other business entity.

                  (d) Pyramid Products, Inc., a Michigan corporation has not
conducted operations since January 1, 2000 and has not had any assets or
liabilities since such date.

         3.4 No Shareholder Defaults or Consents. Except as otherwise set forth
in Schedule 3.4 hereto, the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Collateral Agreements by the Shareholders and the performance by the
Shareholders of their obligations hereunder and thereunder will not violate any
provision of law or any judgment, award or decree or any indenture, agreement or
other instrument to which any of the Shareholders is a party, or by which the
properties or assets of any of the Shareholders is bound or affected, or
conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of
time or both) a default under, any such indenture, agreement or other
instrument, in each case except to the extent that such violation, default or
breach could not reasonably be expected to delay or otherwise significantly
impair the ability of the parties to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby.

         3.5 No Company Defaults or Consents. Except as otherwise set forth in
Schedule 3.5 attached hereto, neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement nor the carrying out of any of the transactions contemplated hereby
will:

                           (i) violate or conflict with any of the terms,
                  conditions or provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or
                  bylaws of the Company;

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                           (ii) violate any Legal Requirements applicable to the
                  Company;

                           (iii) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of,
                  constitute a default under (whether with or without notice or
                  the lapse of time or both), or accelerate or permit the
                  acceleration of the performance required by, or give any other
                  party the right to terminate, any Contract or Permit binding
                  upon or applicable to the Company;

                           (iv) result in the creation of any lien, charge or
                  other encumbrance on any Properties of the Company; or

                           (v) require any of the Shareholders or the Company to
                  obtain or make any waiver, consent, action, approval or
                  authorization of, or registration, declaration, notice or
                  filing with, any private non-governmental third party or any
                  Governmental Authority.

         3.6 No Proceedings. No suit, action or other proceeding is pending or,
to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened before any Governmental Authority
seeking to restrain the Company or any of the Shareholders or prohibit their
entry into this Agreement or prohibit the Closing, or seeking damages against
the Company or its Properties as a result of the consummation of this Agreement.

         3.7      Employee Benefit Matters.

                  (a) Schedule 3.7(a) provides a description of each of the
following, if any, which is sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the
Company for the benefit of the employees or agents of the Company, which has
been so sponsored, maintained or contributed to at any time during the Company's
existence or with respect to which the Company has or may have any actual or
contingent liability:

                           (i) each "employee benefit plan," as such term is
                  defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income
                  Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") (including, but not limited to,
                  employee benefit plans, such as foreign plans, which are not
                  subject to the provisions of ERISA) ("Plans"); and,

                           (ii) Schedule 3.7(a) provides true, correct and
                  complete copies of each of the Plans (if any), and related
                  trusts, if applicable, including all amendments thereto.
                  Schedule 3.7(a) also provides the three most recent reports on
                  Form 5500 and the summary plan description with respect to
                  each Plan required to file such report and description. True,
                  correct and complete copies or descriptions of all Benefit
                  Programs or Agreements have also been furnished in Schedule
                  3.7(a).

                  (b) Schedule 3.7(b) provides each personnel policy, employee
manual or other written statements of rules or policies concerning employment,
stock option plan, collective bargaining agreement, bonus plan or arrangement,
incentive award plan or arrangement, vacation and sick leave policy, severance
pay policy or agreement, deferred compensation agreement or arrangement,
consulting agreement, employment contract and each other employee benefit plan,
agreement, arrangement, program, practice or understanding which is not
described in Section 3.7(a) ("Benefit Program or Agreement").

                  (c)      Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 3.7(c),

                           (i) The Company does not contribute to or have an
         obligation to contribute to, and the Company has not at any time
         contributed to or had an obligation to contribute to, and the Company
         does not have any actual or contingent liability under a multiemployer
         plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA ("Multiemployer
         Plan") or a multiple employer plan within the meaning of Section 413(b)
         and (c) of the Code.

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<PAGE>
                           (ii) The Company has substantially performed all
                  obligations, whether arising by operation of law or by
                  contract, required to be performed by it in connection with
                  the Plans and the Benefit Programs and Agreements, and to the
                  Knowledge of the Company, there have been no defaults or
                  violations by any other party to the Plans or Benefit Programs
                  or Agreements;

                           (iii) All reports and disclosures relating to the
                  Plans required to be filed with or furnished to governmental
                  agencies, Plan participants or Plan beneficiaries have been
                  filed or furnished in accordance with applicable law in a
                  timely manner, and each Plan and each Benefit Program or
                  Agreement has been administered in substantial compliance with
                  its governing documents;

                           (iv) Each of the Plans intended to be qualified under
                  Section 401 of the Code satisfies the requirements of such
                  Section and has received a favorable determination letter from
                  the Internal Revenue Service regarding such qualified status
                  and has not, since receipt of the most recent favorable
                  determination letter, been amended or operated in a way which
                  could adversely affect such qualified status;

                           (v) There are no actions, suits or claims pending
                  (other than routine claims for benefits) or, to the Knowledge
                  of the Company, threatened against, or with respect to, any of
                  the Plans or Benefit Programs or Agreements or their assets;

                           (vi) All contributions required to be made to the
                  Plans pursuant to their terms and provisions and applicable
                  law have been made timely;

                           (vii) As to any Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA,
                  there has been no event or condition which presents the
                  material risk of Plan termination, no accumulated funding
                  deficiency, whether or not waived, within the meaning of
                  Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code has been
                  incurred, no reportable event within the meaning of Section
                  4043 of ERISA (for which the disclosure requirements of
                  Regulation Section 2615.3 promulgated by the Pension Benefit
                  Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") have not been waived) has
                  occurred, no notice of intent to terminate the Plan has been
                  given under Section 4041 of ERISA, no proceeding has been
                  instituted under Section 4042 of ERISA to terminate the Plan,
                  there has been no termination or partial termination of the
                  Plan within the meaning of Section 411(d)(3) of the Code, no
                  liability to the PBGC has been incurred, and the assets of the
                  Plan equal or exceed the aggregate present value of the
                  benefit liabilities (within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(16)
                  of ERISA) under the Plan, computed on a "plan termination
                  basis" based upon reasonable actuarial assumptions and the
                  asset valuation principles established by the PBGC;

                           (viii) None of the Plans nor any trust created
                  thereunder or with respect thereto has engaged in any
                  "prohibited transaction" or "party-in-interest transaction" as
                  such terms are defined in Section 4975 of the Code and Section
                  406 of ERISA which could subject any Plan, the Company or any
                  officer, director or employee thereof to a tax or penalty on
                  prohibited transactions or party-in-interest transactions
                  pursuant to Section 4975 of the Code or Section 502(i) of
                  ERISA;

                           (ix) To the Knowledge of the Company, there is no
                  matter pending (other than routine qualification determination
                  filings) with respect to any of the Plans or Benefit Programs
                  or Agreements before the Internal Revenue Service, the
                  Department of Labor or the PBGC;

                           (x) Each trust funding a Plan, which trust is
                  intended to be exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to
                  Section 501(c)(9) of the Code, satisfies the requirements of
                  such section and has received a favorable determination letter
                  from the Internal Revenue Service

                                      -ix-
<PAGE>
                  regarding such exempt status and has not, since receipt of the
                  most recent favorable determination letter, been amended or
                  operated in a way which would adversely affect such exempt
                  status.

                           (xi) The Company does not have any obligation to
                  provide health benefits or death benefits to former employees,
                  except as specifically required by law;

                           (xii) Neither the execution and delivery of this
                  Agreement nor the consummation of any or all of the
                  transactions contemplated hereby will: (A) entitle any current
                  or former employee of the Company to severance pay,
                  unemployment compensation or any similar payment, (B)
                  accelerate the time of payment or vesting or increase the
                  amount of any compensation due to any such employee or former
                  employee, or (C) directly or indirectly result in any payment
                  made to or on behalf of any person to constitute a "parachute
                  payment" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code;

                           (xiii) The Company has not incurred any liability or
                  taken any action, and no action or event has occurred that
                  could cause the Company to incur any liability (A) under
                  Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA with respect to
                  any "single-employer plan" within the meaning of Section
                  4001(a)(15) of ERISA that is not a Plan, or (B) to any
                  Multiemployer Plan, including without limitation an account of
                  a partial or complete withdrawal within the meaning of
                  Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA.

                           (xiv) Since January 1, 1996, there have not been any
         (i) work stoppages, labor disputes or other significant controversies
         between the Company and its employees, (ii) labor union grievances or
         organizational efforts, or (iii) unfair labor practice or labor
         arbitration proceedings pending or threatened.

                  (d) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.7(a), (b), or (c), the
Company is not a party to any agreement, and has not established any policy or
practice, requiring the Company to make a payment or provide any other form or
compensation or benefit to any person performing services for the Company upon
termination of such services which would not be payable or provided in the
absence of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (e) Schedule 3.7(e) sets forth by number and employment
classification the approximate numbers of employees employed by the Company as
of the date of this Agreement, and, except as set forth on Schedule 3.7(e)(1),
none of said employees are subject to union or collective bargaining agreements
with the Company.

                  (f) Neither the Buyer nor any of its Affiliates shall have any
liability or obligations under or with respect to the Workers Adjustment
Retraining Notification Act in connection with any of the transactions
contemplated in connection herewith.

         3.8 Financial Statements; Liabilities; Accounts Receivable;
Inventories.

                  (a) The Company has delivered to Buyer true and complete
copies of Financial Statements with respect to the Company and its business as
of and for the years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001, and as of and for
the seven months ended July 31, 2002, and said Financial Statements are attached
hereto as Schedule 3.8(a). All of such Financial Statements present fairly the
financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the dates or
periods indicated thereon. Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 3.8(a), all
of such Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied
on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated.

                  (b) Except for (i) the liabilities reflected on the Company's
July 31, 2002 balance sheet included with the Financial Statements attached as
Schedule 3.8(a), (ii) trade payables and

                                      -x-
<PAGE>
accrued expenses incurred since July 31, 2002 in the ordinary course of
business, none of which are material, (iii) executory contract obligations under
(x) Contracts listed on Schedule 3.13(a) or (c), and/or (y) Contracts not
required to be listed on Schedule 3.13(a) or (c), and (iv) the liabilities set
forth in Schedule 3.8(b) attached hereto, the Company does not have any
liabilities or obligations (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, known,
unknown or otherwise, and whether or not of a nature required to be reflected or
reserved against in a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP).

                  (c) Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 3.8(c), the
accounts receivable reflected on the July 31, 2002 balance sheet included in the
Financial Statements referenced in Section 3.8(a) and all of the Company's
accounts receivable arising since December 31, 2001 (the "Balance Sheet Date")
arose from bona fide transactions in the ordinary course of business, and the
goods and services involved have been sold, delivered and performed to the
account obligors, and no further filings (with Governmental Authorities,
insurers or others) are required to be made, no further goods are required to be
provided and no further services are required to be rendered in order to
complete the sales and fully render the services and to entitle the Company to
collect the accounts receivable in full. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.8(c),
no such accounts receivable have been assigned or pledged to any other person,
firm or corporation, and, except only to the extent fully reserved against as
set forth in the July 31, 2002 balance sheet included in such Financial
Statements, no defense or set-off to any such account has been asserted by the
account obligor or exists.

                  (d) Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 3.8(d), the
Inventory of the Company as of the Closing Date shall consist of items of a
quality, condition and quantity consistent with normal seasonally-adjusted
Inventory levels of the Company and be usable and saleable in the ordinary and
usual course of business for the purposes for which intended, except to the
extent written down or reserved against on the Closing Date Balance Sheet.
Except as otherwise set forth in hn 3.8(d), the Company's Inventory is valued on
the Company's books of account in accordance with GAAP (on an average cost
basis) at the lower of cost or market, and the value of obsolete materials,
materials below standard quality and slow-moving materials have been written
down in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of the representation in this Section
3.8(d), "slow-moving inventory" shall be deemed not to include inventory for
which there is a corresponding open purchase order that the Company has no
reason to believe will not be fulfilled.

                  (e) Except as provided under the provisions of the agreements
described in Schedule 3.8(e), the Company has and will have as of the Closing
Date legal and beneficial ownership of its Properties, free and clear of any and
all Liens.

         3.9      Absence of Certain Changes.

                  (a) Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 3.9(a) attached
hereto, since the Balance Sheet Date, there has not been:

                           (i) any event, circumstance or change that had or
         might have a material adverse effect on the business, operations,
         prospects, Properties, financial condition or working capital of the
         Company;

                           (ii) any damage, destruction or loss (whether or not
         covered by insurance) that had or might have a material adverse effect
         on the business, operations, prospects, Properties or financial
         condition of the Company; or

                           (iii) any material adverse change in the Company's
         sales patterns, pricing policies, accounts receivable or accounts
         payable.

                  (b) Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 3.9(b) attached
hereto, since the Balance Sheet Date, the Company has not done any of the
following:

                                      -xi-
<PAGE>
                           (i) merged into or with or consolidated with, any
                  other corporation or acquired the business or assets of any
                  Person;

                           (ii) purchased any securities of any Person;

                           (iii) created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed or
                  otherwise become liable or obligated with respect to any
                  indebtedness, or made any loan or advance to, or any
                  investment in, any person, except in each case in the ordinary
                  course of business and as set forth on Schedule 3.9(b);

                           (iv) made any change in any existing election, or
                  made any new election, with respect to any tax law in any
                  jurisdiction which election could have an effect on the tax
                  treatment of the Company or the Company's business operations;

                           (v) entered into, amended or terminated, or waived
                  any of the Company's rights under, any agreement specified on
                  Schedule 3.13(a) or (b);

                           (vi) sold, transferred, leased, mortgaged, encumbered
                  or otherwise disposed of, or agreed to sell, transfer, lease,
                  mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of, any Properties
                  except (i) in the ordinary course of business and as set forth
                  on Schedule 3.9(a) or (b), or (ii) pursuant to any agreement
                  specified in Schedule 3.13(a) or (b);

                           (vii) settled any claim or litigation, or filed any
                  motions, orders, briefs or settlement agreements in any
                  proceeding before any Governmental Authority or any
                  arbitrator;

                           (viii) incurred, approved or entered into any
                  agreement or commitment to make, any expenditures in excess of
                  $25,000 (other than those required pursuant to any agreement
                  specified in Schedule 3.13(a) or (b));

                           (ix) maintained its books of account other than in
                  the usual, regular and ordinary manner in accordance with
                  generally accepted accounting principles and on a basis
                  consistent with prior periods or made any change in any of its
                  accounting methods or practices that would be required to be
                  disclosed under GAAP;

                           (x) adopted any Plan or Benefit Program or Agreement,
                  or granted any increase in the compensation payable or to
                  become payable to directors, officers or employees (including,
                  without limitation, any such increase pursuant to any bonus,
                  profit-sharing or other plan or commitment), other than merit
                  increases to non-officer employees in the ordinary course of
                  business and consistent with past practice;

                           (xi) suffered any extraordinary losses or waived any
                  rights of material value;

                           (xii) made any payment to any Affiliate or forgiven
                  any indebtedness due or owing from any Affiliate to the
                  Company;

                           (xiii) (A) liquidated Inventory or accepted product
                  returns other than in the ordinary course, (B) accelerated
                  receivables, (C) delayed payables, (D) changed in any material
                  respect the Company's practices in connection with the payment
                  of payables and/or the collection of receivables, (E) offered
                  discounts on sales other than in the ordinary course, or (F)
                  purchased inventory other than in the ordinary course;

                           (xiv) engaged in any one or more activities or
                  transactions with an Affiliate or outside the ordinary course
                  of business;

                                     -xii-
<PAGE>
                           (xv) declared, set aside or paid any dividends, or
                  made any distributions or other payments in respect of its
                  equity securities, or repurchased, redeemed or otherwise
                  acquired any such securities;

                           (xvi) amended its Articles of Incorporation or
                  bylaws;

                           (xvii) issued any capital stock or other securities,
                  or granted, or entered into any agreement to grant, any
                  options, convertible rights, other rights, warrants, calls or
                  agreements relating to its capital stock; or

                           (xviii) committed to do any of the foregoing.

         3.10 Compliance with Laws. Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule
3.10(1), the Company is and has been in compliance in all respects with any and
all Legal Requirements applicable to the Company, other than failures to so
comply that would not have an adverse effect on the business, operations,
prospects, Properties or financial condition of the Company. Except as otherwise
set forth in Schedule 3.10(2), the Company (x) has not received or entered into
any citations, complaints, consent orders, compliance schedules, or other
similar enforcement orders or received any written notice from any Governmental
Authority or any other written notice that would indicate that there is not
currently compliance with all such Legal Requirements, except for failures to so
comply that would not have an adverse effect on the business, operations,
prospects, Properties or financial condition of the Company, and (y) is not in
default under, and no condition exists (whether covered by insurance or not)
that with or without notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default
under, or breach or violation of, any Legal Requirement or Permit applicable to
the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company has
not received notice of and there is no basis for, any claim, action, suit,
investigation or proceeding that might result in a finding that the Company is
not or has not been in compliance with Legal Requirements relating to (a) the
development, testing, manufacture, packaging, distribution and marketing of
products, (b) employment, safety and health, (c) environmental protection,
building, zoning and land use and/or (d) the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

         3.11 Litigation. Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 3.11, there
are no claims, actions, suits, investigations or proceedings against the Company
pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in any court or before
or by any Governmental Authority, or before any arbitrator, that might have an
adverse effect (whether covered by insurance or not) on the business,
operations, prospects, Properties or financial condition of the Company or on
its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and there is no
basis for any such claim, action, suit, investigation or proceeding. Schedule
3.11 also includes a true and correct listing of all material actions, suits,
investigations, claims or proceedings that were pending, settled or adjudicated
since January 1, 1998.

         3.12     Real Property.

                  (a) Schedule 3.12(a) sets forth a list of all real property or
any interest therein (including without limitation any option or other right or
obligation to purchase any real property or any interest therein) currently
owned, or ever owned, by the Company, in each case setting forth the street
address and legal description of each property covered thereby (the "Owned
Premises").

                  (b) Schedule 3.12(b) sets forth a list of all leases, licenses
or similar agreements relating to the Company's use or occupancy of real estate
owned by a third party ("Leases"), true and correct copies of which have
previously been furnished to Buyer, in each case setting forth (i) the lessor
and lessee thereof and the commencement date, term and renewal rights under each
of the Leases, and (ii) the street address and legal description of each
property covered thereby (the "Leased Premises"). The Leases and all guaranties
with respect thereto, are in full force and effect and have not been amended in
writing or otherwise, and no party thereto is in default or breach under any
such Lease. No

                                     -xiii-
<PAGE>
event has occurred which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or
both, would cause a material breach of or default under any of such Leases.
Neither the Company nor its agents or employees have received written notice of
any claimed abatements, offsets, defenses or other bases for relief or
adjustment.

                  (c) With respect to each Owned Premises and Leased Premises,
as applicable: (i) the Company has good, marketable and insurable fee simple
interest in the Owned Premises and a valid leasehold interest in the Leased
Premises, free and clear of any Liens, encumbrances, covenants and easements or
title defects that have had or could have an adverse effect on the Company's use
and occupancy of the Owned Premises and the Leased Premises; (ii) the portions
of the buildings located on the Owned Premises and the Leased Premises that are
used in the business of the Company are each in good repair and condition,
normal wear and tear excepted, and are in the aggregate sufficient to satisfy
the Company's current and reasonably anticipated normal business activities as
conducted thereon and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there is no latent
material defect in the improvements on any Owned Premises, structural elements
thereof, the mechanical systems (including, without limitation, any heating,
ventilating, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, utility and sprinkler
systems) therein, the utility system servicing each Owned Premises and the roofs
which have not been disclosed to Buyer in writing prior to the date of this
Agreement; (iii) each of the Owned Premises and the Leased Premises (a) has
direct access to public roads or access to public roads by means of a perpetual
access easement, such access being sufficient to satisfy the current
transportation requirements of the business presently conducted at such parcel;
and (b) is served by all utilities in such quantity and quality as are necessary
and sufficient to satisfy the current normal business activities conducted at
such parcel; and (iv) the Company has not received notice of (a) any
condemnation, eminent domain or similar proceeding affecting any portion of the
Owned Premises or the Leased Premises or any access thereto, and, to the
Knowledge of the Company, no such proceedings are contemplated, (b) any special
assessment or pending improvement liens to be made by any governmental authority
which may affect any of the Owned Premises or the Leased Premises, or (c) any
violations of building codes and/or zoning ordinances or other governmental
regulations with respect to the Owned Premises or the Leased Premises.

         3.13     Commitments.

                  (a) Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 3.13(a) or (c),
the Company is not a party to or bound by any of the following, whether written
or oral:

                           (i) any Contract that cannot by its terms be
                  terminated by the Company with 30 days' or less notice without
                  penalty or whose term continues beyond one year after the date
                  of this Agreement;

                           (ii) contract or commitment for capital expenditures
                  by the Company in excess of $25,000 per calendar quarter in
                  the aggregate;

                           (iii) lease or license with respect to any
                  Properties, real or personal, whether as landlord, tenant,
                  licensor or licensee;

                           (iv) agreement, contract, indenture or other
                  instrument relating to the borrowing of money or the guarantee
                  of any obligation or the deferred payment of the purchase
                  price of any Properties;

                           (v) partnership agreement, joint venture agreement or
                  limited liability company agreement;

                           (vi) contract with any Affiliate of the Company
                  (including the Shareholders) relating to the provision of
                  goods or services by or to the Company;

                                     -xiv-
<PAGE>
                           (vii) agreement for the sale of any assets that in
                  the aggregate have a net book value on the Company's books of
                  greater than $5,000;

                           (viii) agreement that purports to limit the Company's
                  freedom to compete freely in any line of business or in any
                  geographic area;

                           (ix) preferential purchase right, right of first
                  refusal, or similar agreement; or

                           (x) other Contract that is material to the business
                  of the Company.

                  (b) All of the Contracts listed or required to be listed in
Schedule 3.13(a) or (c) are valid, binding and in full force and effect, and the
Company has not been notified or advised by any party thereto of such party's
intention or desire to terminate or modify any such Contract in any respect,
except as disclosed in Schedule 3.13(a) or (c). Neither the Company nor, to the
Knowledge of the Company, any other party is in breach of any of the terms or
covenants of any Contract listed or required to be listed in Schedule 3.13(a) or
(c). Following the Closing, the Buyer will continue to be entitled to all of the
benefits currently held by the Company under each Contract listed or required to
be listed in Schedule 3.13(a) or (c).

                  (c) Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 3.13(c), the
Company is not a party to or bound by any Contract or Contracts the terms of
which were arrived at by or otherwise reflect less-than-arm's-length
negotiations or bargaining.

         3.14 Insurance. Schedule 3.14 hereto is a complete and correct list of
all insurance policies (including, without limitation, fire, liability, product
liability, workers' compensation and vehicular) presently in effect that relate
to the Company or its Properties, including the amounts of such insurance and
annual premiums with respect thereto, all of which have been in full force and
effect from and after the date(s) set forth on Schedule 3.14. Such policies are
sufficient for compliance by the Company with all applicable Legal Requirements
and all material Contracts. None of the insurance carriers has indicated to the
Company an intention to cancel any such policy or to materially increase any
insurance premiums (including, without limitation, workers' compensation
premiums), or that any insurance required to be listed on Schedule 3.14 will not
be available in the future on substantially the same terms as currently in
effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14, the Company has no claim pending
or anticipated against any of its insurance carriers under any of such policies
and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there has been no actual or alleged
occurrence of any kind which could reasonably be expected to give rise to any
such claim. During the prior three years, all notices required to have been
given by the Company or the Shareholders to any insurance company have been
timely and duly given, and no insurance company has asserted that any claim is
not covered by the applicable policy relating to such claim.

         3.15 Intangible Rights. Set forth on Schedule 3.15(1) is a list and
description of all material foreign and domestic patents, patent rights,
trademarks, service marks, trade names, brands and copyrights (whether or not
registered and, if applicable, including pending applications for registration)
owned, Used, licensed or controlled by the Company and all goodwill associated
therewith. The Company owns or has the right to use and shall as of the Closing
Date own or have the right to use any and all information, know-how, trade
secrets, patents, copyrights, trademarks, tradenames, software, formulae,
methods, processes and other intangible properties that are necessary or
customarily Used by the Company for the ownership, management or operation of
its Properties ("Intangible Rights") including, but not limited to, the
Intangible Rights listed on Schedule 3.15(1). Except as set forth on Schedule
3.15(2), (i) the Company is the sole and exclusive owner of all right, title and
interest in and to all of the Intangible Rights, and has the exclusive right to
use and license the same, free and clear of any claim or conflict with the
Intangible Rights of others; (ii) no royalties, honorariums or fees are payable
by the Company to any person by reason of the ownership or use of any of the
Intangible Rights; (iii) there have been no claims made against the Company
asserting the invalidity, abuse, misuse, or unenforceability of any of the
Intangible Rights and no grounds for any such claims exist; (iv) the Company has
not made

                                      -xv-

<PAGE>

any claim of any violation or infringement by others of any of its Intangible
Rights or interests therein and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no grounds for
any such claims exist; (v) the Company has not received any notice that it is in
conflict with or infringing upon the asserted intellectual property rights of
others in connection with the Intangible Rights, and neither the use of the
Intangible Rights nor the operation of the Company's businesses is infringing or
has infringed upon any intellectual property rights of others; (vi) the
Intangible Rights are sufficient and include all intellectual property rights
necessary for the Company to lawfully conduct its business as presently being
conducted; (vii) no interest in any of the Company's Intangible Rights has been
assigned, transferred, licensed or sublicensed by the Company to any person
other than the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement; (viii) to the extent that any
item constituting part of the Intangible Rights has been registered with, filed
in or issued by, any Governmental Authority, such registrations, filings or
issuances are listed on Schedule 3.15(1) and were duly made and remain in full
force and effect; (ix) to the Knowledge of the Company, there has not been any
act or failure to act by the Company or any of its directors, officers,
employees, attorneys or agents during the prosecution or registration of, or any
other proceeding relating to, any of the Intangible Rights or of any other fact
which could render invalid or unenforceable, or negate the right to issuance of
any of the Intangible Rights; (x) to the extent any of the Intangible Rights
constitutes proprietary or confidential information, the Company has adequately
safeguarded such information from disclosure; and (xi) all of the Company's
current Intangible Rights will remain in full force and effect following the
Closing without alteration or impairment.

      3.16 Tangible Property. Except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 3.16,
the Company's furniture, vehicles, structures, fixtures and other tangible
property included in the Properties other than equipment and Inventory, (the
"Tangible Company Properties"), is suitable for the purposes for which intended
and in good operating condition and repair consistent with normal industry
standards, except for ordinary wear and tear, and except for such Tangible
Company Properties as shall have been taken out of service on a temporary basis
for repairs or replacement consistent with the Company's prior practices and
normal industry standards. To the Knowledge of the Company, the Tangible Company
Properties are free of any structural or engineering defects, and during the
past five years there has not been any significant interruption of the Company's
business due to inadequate maintenance or obsolescence of the Tangible Company
Properties. The equipment is being purchased in an "AS-IS" condition.

      3.17 Permits; Environmental Matters.

            (a) Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 3.17(a), the Company
has all Permits necessary for the Company to own, operate, use and/or maintain
its Properties and to conduct its business and operations as presently conducted
and as expected to be conducted in the future. Except as otherwise set forth in
Schedule 3.17(a), all such Permits are in effect, no proceeding is pending or,
to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened to modify, suspend or revoke,
withdraw, terminate, or otherwise limit any such Permits, and no administrative
or governmental actions have been taken or, to the Knowledge of the Company,
threatened in connection with the expiration or renewal of such Permits which
could adversely affect the ability of the Company to own, operate, use or
maintain any of its Properties or to conduct its business and operations as
presently conducted and as expected to be conducted in the future. Except as
otherwise set forth in Schedule 3.17(a), (i) no violations have occurred that
remain uncured, unwaived, or otherwise unresolved, or are occurring in respect
of any such Permits, other than inconsequential violations, and (ii) no
circumstances exist that would prevent or delay the obtaining of any requisite
consent, approval, waiver or other authorization of the transactions
contemplated hereby with respect to such Permits that by their terms or under
applicable law may be obtained only after Closing.

            (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17(b), there are no claims,
liabilities, investigations, litigation, administrative proceedings, whether
pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, or judgments or orders
relating to any Hazardous Materials (collectively called "Environmental Claims")
asserted or threatened against the Company or relating to any real property
currently or formerly owned, leased or otherwise Used by the Company. Neither
the Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any prior owner, lessee or
operator of said real property, has caused or

                                      -xvi-
<PAGE>
permitted any Hazardous Material to be used, generated, reclaimed, transported,
released, treated, stored or disposed of in a manner which could form the basis
for an Environmental Claim against the Company or the Buyer. Except as set forth
on Schedule 3.17(b), the Company has not assumed any liability of any Person for
cleanup, compliance or required capital expenditures in connection with any
Environmental Claim.

            (c) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17(c), no Hazardous Materials
are or were stored or otherwise located, and no underground storage tanks or
surface impoundments are or were located, on real property currently or formerly
owned, leased or Used by the Company or, to the Knowledge of the Company, on
adjacent parcels of real property, and no part of such real property or, to the
Knowledge of the Company, any part of such adjacent parcels of real property,
including the groundwater located thereon, is presently contaminated by
Hazardous Materials.

            (d) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17(d), the Company has been
and is currently in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, including
obtaining and maintaining in effect all Permits required by applicable
Environmental Laws.

      3.18 Banks. Schedule 3.18 sets forth (i) the name of each bank, trust
company or other financial institution and stock or other broker with which the
Company has an account, credit line or safe deposit box or vault, (ii) the names
of all persons authorized to draw thereon or to have access to any safe deposit
box or vault, (iii) the purpose of each such account, safe deposit box or vault,
and (iv) the names of all persons authorized by proxies, powers of attorney or
other like instrument to act on behalf of the Company in matters concerning any
of its business or affairs. Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 3.18, no
such proxies, powers of attorney or other like instruments are irrevocable.

      3.19 Suppliers and Customers. Schedule 3.19 sets forth (i) the ten
principal suppliers of the Company during each of the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2000 and 2001 and the seven months ended July 31, 2002, together
with the dollar amount of goods purchased by the Company from each such supplier
during each such period, and (ii) the ten principal customers of the Company
during each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001 and the seven
months ended July 31, 2002, together with the dollar amount of goods and/or
services sold by the Company to each such customer during each such period.
Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 3.19, the Company maintains good
relations with all suppliers and customers listed or required to be listed in
Schedule 3.19 as well as with governments, partners, financing sources and other
parties with whom the Company has significant relations, and no such party has
canceled, terminated or made any threat to the Company to cancel or otherwise
terminate its relationship with the Company or to materially decrease its
services or supplies to the Company or its direct or indirect purchase or usage
of the products or services of the Company.

      3.20 Absence of Certain Business Practices. None of the Shareholders, the
Company, nor any other Affiliate or agent of the Company, or any other person
acting on behalf of or associated with the Company, acting alone or together,
has (a) received, directly or indirectly, any rebates, payments, commissions,
promotional allowances or any other economic benefits, regardless of their
nature or type, from any customer, supplier, employee or agent of any customer
or supplier; or (b) directly or indirectly given or agreed to give any money,
gift or similar benefit to any customer, supplier, employee or agent of any
customer or supplier, any official or employee of any government (domestic or
foreign), or any political party or candidate for office (domestic or foreign),
or other person who was, is or may be in a position to help or hinder the
business of the Company (or assist the Company in connection with any actual or
proposed transaction), in each case which (i) may subject the Company to any
damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental litigation or
proceeding, (ii) if not given in the past, may have had an adverse effect on the
assets, business, operations or prospects of the Company, or (iii) if not
continued in the future, may adversely affect the assets, business, operations
or prospects of the Company.

                                     -xvii-
<PAGE>
      3.21 Products, Services and Authorizations.

            (a) Each Product designed, manufactured, repaired or serviced by the
Company has been designed, manufactured, repaired or serviced in accordance with
(i) the specifications under which the Product is normally and has normally been
manufactured, and (ii) the provisions of all applicable laws, policies,
guidelines and any other governmental requirements.

            (b) Schedule 3.21(b) sets forth (i) a list of all Products which at
any time have been recalled, withdrawn or suspended by the Company, whether
voluntarily or otherwise, including the date recalled, withdrawn or suspended
and a brief description of all completed or pending proceedings seeking the
recall, withdrawal, suspension or seizure of any Product, (ii) a brief
description of all completed or pending proceedings seeking the recall,
withdrawal, suspension or seizure of any Product, and (iii) a list of all
regulatory letters received by the Company or the Seller or any of its agents
relating to the Company or any of the Products or the Company's establishments.

            (c) There exists no set of facts which could reasonably be expected
to furnish a basis for the recall, withdrawal or suspension of any product
registration, product license, repair or overhaul license, manufacturing
license, wholesale dealers license, export license or other license, approval or
consent of any governmental or regulatory authority with respect to the Company
or any of the Products.

            (d) There are no claims existing or threatened under or pursuant to
any warranty, whether express or implied, on products or services sold by the
Company. There are no claims existing and there is no basis for any claim
against the Company for injury to persons, animals or property as a result of
the sale, distribution or manufacture of any product or performance of any
service by the Company, including, but not limited to, claims arising out of the
defective or unsafe nature of its products or services. The Company has full and
adequate insurance coverage for products liability claims against it.

            (e) Set forth on Schedule 3.21(e) is a list of all authorizations,
consents, approvals, franchises, licenses and permits required by any Person
(other than a Governmental Authority) for the operation of the business of the
Company as presently operated (the "Other Person Authorizations"). All of the
Other Person Authorizations have been duly issued or obtained and are in full
force and effect, and the Company is in compliance with the terms of all the
Other Person Authorizations. Neither the Company nor any of the Shareholders has
any knowledge of any facts which could be expected to cause them to believe that
the Other Person Authorizations will not be renewed by the appropriate Person in
the ordinary course. Each of the Other Person Authorizations may be assigned and
transferred to the Buyer in accordance with this Agreement and will continue in
full force and effect thereafter, in each case without (i) the occurrence of any
breach, default or forfeiture of rights thereunder, or (ii) the consent,
approval, or act of, or the making of any filings with, any Person.

      3.22 Transactions With Affiliates. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22
and except for normal advances to employees consistent with past practices,
payment of compensation for employment to employees consistent with past
practices, and participation in scheduled Plans or Benefit Programs and
Agreements by employees, the Company has not purchased, acquired or leased any
property or services from, or sold, transferred or leased any property or
services to, or loaned or advanced any money to, or borrowed any money from, or
entered into or been subject to any management, consulting or similar agreement
with, or engaged in any other significant transaction with any of the
Shareholders or any other officer, director or shareholder of the Company or any
of their respective Affiliates. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22, none of
the Shareholders nor any other Affiliate of the Company is indebted to the
Company for money borrowed or other loans or advances, and the Company is not
indebted to any such Affiliate.

                                    -xviii-
<PAGE>
      3.23 Other Information. The information furnished by the Shareholders and
the Company to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation,
information contained in the exhibits hereto, the Schedules identified herein,
the instruments referred to in such Schedules and the certificates and other
documents to be executed or delivered pursuant hereto by the Shareholders and/or
the Company at or prior to the Closing) is not, nor at the Closing will be,
false or misleading in any material respect, or contains, or at the Closing will
contain, any misstatement of material fact, or omits, or at the Closing will
omit, to state any material fact required to be stated in order to make the
statements therein not misleading.

             ARTICLE IV. - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

      Buyer hereby represents and warrants to the Company that:

      4.1 Corporate Existence and Qualification. Buyer is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Florida; has the corporate power to own, manage, lease and hold its properties
and to carry on its business as and where such properties are presently located
and such business is presently conducted; and is duly qualified to do business
and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each of the jurisdictions
where the character of its properties or the nature of its business requires it
to be so qualified.

      4.2 Authority, Approval and Enforceability. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by Buyer and Buyer has all requisite corporate power and
legal capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and all Collateral
Agreements executed and delivered or to be executed and delivered by Buyer in
connection with the transactions provided for hereby, to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and by the Collateral Agreements, and to
perform its obligations hereunder and under the Collateral Agreements. Upon the
approval of this Agreement by the Board of Directors of Buyer, the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Collateral Agreements and the performance of
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will be duly and validly
authorized and approved by all corporate action necessary on behalf of Buyer.
Subject to such Board approval, this Agreement and each Collateral Agreement to
which Buyer is a party constitutes, or upon execution and delivery will
constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by general
equitable principles or by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, or
similar laws and judicial decisions from time to time in effect which affect
creditors' rights generally.

      4.3 No Default or Consents. Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 4.3,
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the carrying out of the
transactions contemplated hereby will:

                  (i) violate or conflict with any of the terms, conditions or
      provisions of Buyer's Articles of Incorporation or bylaws;

                  (ii) violate any Legal Requirements applicable to Buyer;

                  (iii) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of,
      constitute a default under (whether with or without notice or the lapse of
      time or both), or accelerate or permit the acceleration of the performance
      required by, or give any other party the right to terminate, any contract
      or Permit applicable to Buyer;

                  (iv) result in the creation of any lien, charge or other
      encumbrance on any property of Buyer; or

                                     -xix-
<PAGE>
                  (v) require Buyer to obtain or make any waiver, consent,
      action, approval or authorization of, or registration, declaration, notice
      or filing with, any private non-governmental third party or any
      Governmental Authority.

      4.4 No Proceedings. No suit, action or other proceeding is pending or, to
Buyer's knowledge, threatened before any Governmental Authority seeking to
restrain Buyer or prohibit its entry into this Agreement or prohibit the
Closing, or seeking Damages against Buyer or its properties as a result of the
consummation of this Agreement.

      4.5 Employee Benefits. The former employees of the Company hired by Buyer
after the Closing shall immediately thereafter be eligible to participate in the
employee benefit plans of Buyer.

                   ARTICLE V. - OBLIGATIONS PRIOR TO CLOSING

      From the date of this Agreement through the Closing:

      5.1 Buyer's Access to Information and Properties. The Company shall permit
Buyer and its authorized employees, agents, accountants, legal counsel and other
representatives to have access to the books, records, employees, counsel,
accountants, engineers and other representatives of the Company at all times
reasonably requested by Buyer for the purpose of conducting an investigation of
the Company's financial condition, corporate status, operations, prospects,
business and Properties. The Company shall make available to Buyer for
examination and reproduction all documents and data of every kind and character
relating to the Company in possession or control of, or subject to reasonable
access by, the Company and/or the Shareholders, including, without limitation,
all files, records, data and information relating to the Properties (whether
stored in paper, magnetic or other storage media) and all agreements,
instruments, contracts, assignments, certificates, orders, and amendments
thereto. Also, the Company shall allow Buyer access to, and the right to
inspect, the Properties, except to the extent that such Properties are operated
by a third-party operator, in which case the Company shall use its best efforts
to cause the operator of such Properties to allow Buyer access to, and the right
to inspect, such Properties.

      5.2 Company's Conduct of Business and Operations. The Company and the
Shareholders shall keep Buyer advised as to all material operations and proposed
material operations relating to the Company. The Company shall (a) conduct its
business in the ordinary course, (b) keep available the services of present
employees, (c) maintain and operate its Properties in a good and workmanlike
manner, (d) pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses (including but not
limited to insurance premiums) incurred in connection therewith in a timely
manner, (e) use reasonable efforts to keep all Contracts listed or required to
be listed on Schedule 3.13(a) or (c) in full force and effect, (f) comply with
all of the covenants contained in all such material Contracts, (g) maintain in
force until the Closing Date insurance policies (subject to the provisions of
Section 5.7) equivalent to those in effect on the date hereof, and (h) comply in
all material respects with all applicable Legal Requirements. Except as
otherwise contemplated in this Agreement, the Company will use its best efforts
to preserve the present relationships of the Company with persons having
significant business relations therewith.

      5.3 General Restrictions. Except as otherwise expressly permitted in this
Agreement, without the prior written consent of Buyer, which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld, the Company shall not:

                  (i) declare, set aside or pay any dividends, or make any
      distributions or other payments in respect of its equity securities, or
      repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such securities;

                                      -xx-
<PAGE>
                  (ii) merge into or with or consolidate with, any other
      corporation or acquire the business or assets of any person;

                  (iii) purchase any securities of any person;

                  (iv) amend its Articles of Incorporation or bylaws;

                  (v) issue any capital stock or other securities, or grant, or
      enter into any agreement to grant, any options, convertibility rights,
      other rights, warrants, calls or agreements relating to its securities;

                  (vi) create, incur, assume, guarantee or otherwise become
      liable or obligated with respect to any indebtedness, or make any loan or
      advance to, or any investment in, any person, except in each case in the
      ordinary course of business;

                  (vii) make any change in any existing election, or make any
      new election, with respect to any tax law in any jurisdiction which
      election could have an effect on the tax treatment of the Company or the
      Company's business operations;

                  (viii) enter into, amend or terminate any material agreement;

                  (ix) sell, transfer, lease, mortgage, encumber or otherwise
      dispose of, or agree to sell, transfer, lease, mortgage, encumber or
      otherwise dispose of, any Properties except (i) in the ordinary course of
      business, or (ii) pursuant to any agreement specified in Schedule 3.13(a)
      or (c);

                  (x) settle any material claim or litigation, or file any
      material motions, orders, briefs or settlement agreements in any
      proceeding before any Governmental Authority or any arbitrator;

                  (xi) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent
      with past practices, incur or approve, or enter into any agreement or
      commitment to make, any expenditures in excess of $10,000 (other than
      those required pursuant to any agreement specified in Schedule 3.13(a) or
      (c);

                  (xii) maintain its books of account other than in the usual,
      regular and ordinary manner in accordance with generally accepted
      accounting principles and on a basis consistent with prior periods or make
      any change in any of its accounting methods or practices;

                  (xiii) make any change, whether written or oral, to any
      agreement or understanding with any of the suppliers or customers listed
      or required to be listed on Schedule 3.19;

                  (xiv) accelerate or delay collection of any notes or accounts
      receivable in advance of or beyond their regular due dates or the dates
      when they would have been collected in the ordinary course of business
      consistent with past practices;

                  (xv) delay or accelerate payment of any accrued expense, trade
      payable or other liability beyond or in advance of its due date or the
      date when such liability would have been paid in the ordinary course of
      business consistent with past practices;

                  (xvi) allow its levels of inventory to vary in any material
      respect from the levels customarily maintained;

                                     -xxi-
<PAGE>
                  (xvii) adopt any Plan or Benefit Program or Agreement or
      increase the compensation payable to any employee (including, without
      limitation, any increase pursuant to any bonus, profit-sharing or other
      incentive plan or commitment);

                  (xviii) become a party to or bound by any of the arrangements
      described in Section 3.13(a) or (c), whether written or oral;

                  (xix) engage in any one or more activities or transactions
      outside the ordinary course of business;

                  (xx) enter into any transaction or make any commitment which
      could result in any of the representations, warranties or covenants of the
      Company and/or Seller contained in this Agreement not being true and
      correct after the occurrence of such transaction or event; or

                  (xxi) commit to do any of the foregoing.

      5.4 Notice Regarding Changes. The Company and the Shareholders shall
promptly inform Buyer in writing of any change in facts and circumstances that
could render any of the representations and warranties made herein by the
Company and/or the Shareholders inaccurate or misleading if such representations
and warranties had been made upon the occurrence of the fact or circumstance in
question. The Buyer shall promptly inform the Company in writing of any change
in facts and circumstances that could render any of the representations and
warranties made herein by it inaccurate or misleading if such representations
and warranties had been made upon the occurrence of the fact or circumstance in
question.

      5.5 Preferential Purchase Rights. To the extent there are any parties
entitled or who may become entitled to exercise preferential purchase or consent
rights with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company and the
Shareholders shall promptly use their best efforts to obtain the agreement in
writing of such parties to waive or not exercise such rights, which request
shall be in form reasonably satisfactory to and approved by Buyer.

      5.6 Ensure Conditions Met. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, each party hereto shall use all reasonable commercial efforts to take
or cause to be taken all actions and do or cause to be done all things required
under applicable Legal Requirements in order to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, (i) obtaining all Permits,
authorizations, consents and approvals of any Governmental Authority or other
person which are required for or in connection with Buyer's conduct of the
Company's business (as currently conducted by the Company) subsequent to Closing
and/or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the
Collateral Agreements, (ii) taking any and all reasonable actions necessary to
satisfy all of the conditions to each party's obligations hereunder as set forth
in Article VI, and (iii) executing and delivering all agreements and documents
required by the terms hereof to be executed and delivered by such party on or
prior to the Closing.

      5.7 Termination of Insurance Policies. The Company shall take all actions
necessary or appropriate to cause any and all insurance coverage currently
carried by or for the benefit of the Company to remain in full force and effect;
provided, however, that the Company shall cooperate with Buyer to cause
termination as of the Closing Date of the insurance coverage identified in
writing for this purpose by Buyer to the Company and the Company shall take all
actions necessary to discharge any and all liabilities or obligations of the
Company arising with respect to any such coverage that is to be terminated
hereunder.

      5.8 Casualty Loss. If, between the date of this Agreement and the Closing,
any of the Properties of the Company shall be destroyed or damaged in whole or
in part by fire, earthquake, flood, other casualty or any other cause, then the
Company shall, at Buyer's election, (i) cause such Properties

                                     -xxii-
<PAGE>
to be repaired or replaced prior to the Closing with Properties of substantially
the same condition and function, (ii) deposit in a separate account an amount
sufficient to cause such Properties to be so repaired or replaced, or (iii)
enter into contractual arrangements satisfactory to Buyer so that the Company
will have at the Closing the same economic value as if such casualty had not
occurred.

      5.9 Employee Matters.

            (a) Effective as of 12:01 a.m., local time, on the day after the
Closing Date, the employment by the Company of the employees listed on Schedule
5.9(a) shall terminate and the Buyer shall be deemed to have offered employment
to each individual whose employment was so terminated (the "Business
Employees"), effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, on the day after the Closing
Date or, in the case of a Business Employee not actively at work on the Closing
Date on account of a disability, on the day such employee reports for work after
termination of such disability upon substantially the same terms and conditions
with substantially the same duties and responsibilities and at substantially the
same rate of pay as in effect on the Closing Date while such individuals were
employed by the Company. The Company shall retain responsibility for the payment
of any employee benefits or entitlement, including severance pay, accrued
vacation, sick or holiday pay, to any Business Employee pursuant to any Plan,
Benefit Program or Agreement or law or regulation as a result of the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

            (b) The parties acknowledge that the transactions provided for in
this Agreement may result in obligations on the part of the Company and one or
more of the Plans that is a welfare benefit plan (within the meaning of Section
3(1) of ERISA) to comply with the health care continuation requirements of Part
6 of Title 1 of ERISA and Code Section 4980B, as applicable. The parties
expressly agree that Buyer and Buyer's benefit plans shall have no
responsibility for compliance with such health care continuation requirements
(i) for qualified beneficiaries who previously elected to receive continued
coverage under the Company's ERISA benefit plans or who between the date of this
Agreement and the Closing Date elect to receive continued coverage, or (ii) with
respect to those employees or former employees of the Company who may become
eligible to receive such continued coverage as a result of the transactions
provided for in this Agreement.

            (c) Except as specifically set forth in this Agreement: (i) the
Buyer shall not be obligated to assume, continue or maintain any of the Plans or
Benefit Programs or Agreements; (ii) no assets or liabilities of the Plans shall
be transferred to, or assumed by, the Buyer or the Buyer's benefit plans; and
(iii) the Company shall be solely responsible for funding and/or paying any
benefits under any of the Plans or Benefit Programs or Agreements, including any
termination benefits and other employee entitlements accrued under such plans by
or attributable to employees of the Company prior to the Closing Date.

            (d) Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, shall confer upon
any employee of the Company, or any representative of any such employee, any
rights or remedies, including any right to employment or continued employment
for any period, of any nature whatsoever.

            (e) The Company shall permit Buyer to contact and make arrangements
with the Company's employees for the purpose of assuring their continued
employment by the Company after the Closing and for the purpose of ensuring the
continuity of the Company's business, and the Company agrees not to discourage
any such employees from consulting with Buyer.

            (f) The Company shall use its best efforts to keep available the
services of its present employees through the Closing Date.

      5.10 Environmental Assessment. As part of its general due diligence review
of the assets, properties, books and records of the Company, Buyer shall be
entitled at its expense to conduct prior to Closing an environmental assessment
of the Leased Premises (hereinafter referred to as "Environmental

                                    -xxiii-
<PAGE>
Assessment"). The Environmental Assessment may include, but not be limited to, a
physical examination of the Leased Premises and any structures, facilities or
equipment located thereon, soil samples, ground and surface water samples,
storage tank testing, review of pertinent records (including but not limited to,
off-site disposal records and manifests), documents and licenses of the Company.
The Company shall cause its landlord to provide Buyer or its designated agents
or consultants with the access to such property which Buyer, its agents or
consultants require to conduct the Environmental Assessment, and Buyer shall
provide such landlord with reasonable indemnification protections in connection
with such Environmental Assessment. If the Environmental Assessment identifies
Recognized Environmental Conditions (as defined by ASTM Standard Practice
E-1527) which require remediation or further evaluation under applicable
environmental Legal Requirements, or if the results of the Environmental
Assessment are otherwise not satisfactory to Buyer in its sole discretion, then
Buyer shall notify the Company in writing prior to Closing, and (a) with respect
to any unsatisfactory results other than any Recognized Environmental Condition,
the Company and Seller shall take all remedial action reasonably required to
comply with the representations and warranties in Article III; and (b) with
respect to Recognized Environmental Conditions, the Company and Seller shall be
financially responsible for the remediation of all such Recognized Environmental
Conditions for which remediation is, may or would be required by any appropriate
governmental agency; provided, however, that if the cost of the remedial action
for any Recognized Environmental Condition would equal or exceed $250,000, then
the Company will have the option of taking the remedial action or, unless Buyer
agrees to bear remedial costs in excess of $250,000, terminating this Agreement.
Buyer's failure or decision not to conduct any such Environmental Assessment
shall not affect any representation or warranty of the Company and/or the Seller
under this Agreement.

      5.11 Survey. The Company will cooperate with Buyer if Buyer elects in its
sole discretion to obtain at Buyer's expense an as-built plat or survey of the
Leased Premises (the "Survey") prepared by a registered land surveyor or
engineer, licensed in the state in which such property is located, dated on or
after the date hereof, certified to Buyer, and such other entities as Buyer may
designate in writing to the Company prior to the Closing, and conforming to
current ALTA Minimum Detail Requirements for Land Title Surveys. The Survey
shall show access from the land to dedicated roads and shall include a flood
plain certification. The Survey may be a recertification of a prior survey;
provided, that it meets the above-described criteria.

      5.12 Payoff and Estoppel Letters. Prior to Closing, (a) the Company shall
request payoff and estoppel letters with respect to all Funded Indebtedness,
which letters shall contain payoff amounts, per diems, wire transfer
instructions and an agreement to deliver, upon full payment, UCC-3 termination
statements, other appropriate releases and any original promissory notes or
other evidences of indebtedness marked canceled, and (b) the Company shall
provide Buyer with evidence of satisfaction in full or release of all
guarantees, notes, or obligations of the Company to or on behalf of each of the
Shareholders or any other Affiliate of the Company.

      5.13 No Shop. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of (i) the
Closing Date, or (ii) the termination of this Agreement, the Company shall not,
and the Company shall cause the Company's shareholders, officers, directors,
employees and other agents not to, directly or indirectly, take any action to
solicit, initiate or encourage any offer or proposal or indication of interest
in a merger, consolidation or other business combination involving any equity
interest in, or a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, other than
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company
shall immediately advise the Buyer of the terms of any offer, proposal or
indication of interest that it receives or otherwise becomes aware of.

      5.14 Name Change. The Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants to
the Buyer that the corporate name of the Company is as set forth on the
signature page hereof and further agrees and acknowledges that such name is
included with the Assets and that the exclusive right to use such name will be
transferred to the Buyer on the Closing Date. The Company and the Shareholders
shall, prior to Closing, file an appropriate amendment to the Company's Articles
of Incorporation changing its

                                     -xxiv-
<PAGE>
name to a name which is in no way similar to the corporate name set forth on the
signature page hereof and shall furnish such written consents and assignments as
the Buyer shall hereafter reasonably request in connection with such name
change.

          ARTICLE VI. - CONDITIONS TO COMPANY'S AND BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS

      6.1 Conditions to Obligations of the Company. The obligations of the
Company to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are
subject, at the option of the Company, to the satisfaction or waiver of the
following conditions:

            (a) Buyer shall have furnished the Company with a certified copy of
all necessary corporate action required on its behalf approving its execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement.

            (b) All representations and warranties of Buyer contained in this
Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects at and as of the
Closing, and Buyer shall have performed and satisfied in all material respects
all covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed and
satisfied by Buyer at or prior to the Closing.

            (c) As of the Closing Date, no suit, action or other proceeding
(excluding any such matter initiated by or on behalf of the Company or any
Shareholder) shall be pending or threatened before any Governmental Authority
seeking to restrain the Company or prohibit the Closing or seeking Damages
against the Company as a result of the consummation of this Agreement.

            (d) The Company shall have received the opinion of Greenberg
Traurig, counsel to Buyer, dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect of Sections 4.1, 4.2 and
4.3(i). In rendering such opinion, Greenberg Traurig may rely as to factual
matters on certificates of officers and directors of Buyer and on certificates
of governmental officials.

            (e) Buyer shall have executed and delivered to the Buyer the
Employment Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

            (f) Buyer shall have executed and delivered to the Buyer the
Employment Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

            (g) P & P Properties, Ltd. shall have executed and delivered to the
Buyer the Lease Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

      6.2 Conditions to Obligations of Buyer. The obligations of Buyer to carry
out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject, at the option
of Buyer, to the satisfaction, or waiver by Buyer, of the following conditions:

            (a) All representations and warranties of the Company and the
Shareholders contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all
material respects at and as of the Closing, and the Company and the Shareholders
shall have performed and satisfied in all material respects all agreements and
covenants required by this Agreement to be performed and satisfied by them at or
prior to the Closing.

            (b) As of the Closing Date, no suit, action or other proceeding
(excluding any such matter initiated by or on behalf of Buyer) shall be pending
or threatened before any court or governmental agency seeking to restrain Buyer
or prohibit the Closing or seeking Damages against Buyer or the Company or its
Properties as a result of the consummation of this Agreement.

                                     -xxv-
<PAGE>
            (c) Except for matters disclosed in Schedule 3.9(a) or (b) attached
hereto, since the Balance Sheet Date and up to and including the Closing, there
shall not have been any event, circumstance, change or effect that, individually
or in the aggregate, had or might have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operations, prospects, Properties or financial condition.

            (d) The Buyer shall have received the opinion of Hirt, MacArthur,
Ruggirello, Velardo, Novara & Ver Beek, counsel to the Company ("Company
Counsel"), dated as of the Closing Date, addressed to the Buyer and in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer, to the effect set forth on
Exhibit D hereto. In rendering such opinion, Company Counsel may rely as to
factual matters on certificates of officers, directors and shareholders of the
Company and on certificates of governmental officials.

            (e) The Company shall have furnished Buyer with a certified copy of
all necessary corporate action on its behalf approving the Company's execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement.

            (f) All agreements, commitments and understandings between the
Company and any Affiliate thereof shall have been terminated in all respects on
terms satisfactory to Buyer, and all obligations, claims or entitlements
thereunder shall be unconditionally waived and released by such Affiliates and
written evidence thereof satisfactory in form and substance to Buyer shall have
been delivered to Buyer.

            (g) Buyer shall have completed its due diligence investigation, and
the results thereof shall not have revealed that any of the representations of
the Company or the Shareholders set forth herein are untrue or incorrect in any
respect or otherwise be unsatisfactory to Buyer.

            (h) All proceedings to be taken by the Company in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby and all documents incident thereto shall be
satisfactory in form and substance to Buyer and its counsel, and Buyer and said
counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other
copies of such documents as it or they may reasonably request.

            (i) Buyer shall have received written evidence, in form and
substance satisfactory to Buyer, of the consent to the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement of all governmental, quasi-governmental and private third
parties (including, without limitation, persons or other entities leasing real
or personal property to the Company) where the absence of any such consent would
result in a violation of law or a breach or default under any agreement to which
the Company is subject.

            (j) The Board of Directors of Buyer shall have approved this
Agreement and Buyer's acquisition of the Assets contemplated hereby.

            (k) No proceeding in which any of the Shareholders or the Company
shall be a debtor, defendant or party seeking an order for its own relief or
reorganization shall have been brought or be pending by or against such person
under any United States or state bankruptcy or insolvency law.

            (l) The Buyer shall have received copies of "payoff" or "estoppel"
letters or other evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to it, of the
termination (or assumption by the Shareholders), at or prior to Closing, of all
Funded Indebtedness and the termination of any and all Liens that encumber the
Company's Properties pursuant thereto.

            (m) Buyer shall have obtained financing for the transactions
contemplated hereby on terms satisfactory to it in its sole discretion.

            (n) Paul Spadafore shall have executed and delivered to the Buyer
the Employment Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

                                     -xxvi-
<PAGE>
            (o) Paul Hamman shall have executed and delivered to the Buyer the
Employment Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

            (p) P & P Properties, Ltd. shall have executed and delivered to the
Buyer the Lease Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

                    ARTICLE VII. - POST-CLOSING OBLIGATIONS

      7.1 Further Assurances. Following the Closing, the Company, the
Shareholders and the Buyer shall execute and deliver such documents, and take
such other action, as shall be reasonably requested by any other party hereto to
carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

      7.2 Publicity. None of the parties hereto shall issue or make, or cause to
have issued or made, any public release or announcement concerning this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, without the advance approval
in writing of the form and substance thereof by each of the other parties,
except as required by law (in which case, so far as possible, there shall be
consultation among the parties prior to such announcement), and the parties
shall endeavor jointly to agree on the text of any announcement or circular so
approved or required.

      7.3 Post-Closing Indemnity by the Company and the Shareholders. Subject to
the provisions of Section 9.1, from and after the Closing, the Company and the
Shareholders shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless Buyer and
its Affiliates, directors, officers and employees and their respective
affiliates from and against any and all Damages arising out of, resulting from
or in any way related to (i) a breach of, or the failure to perform or satisfy
any of, the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by the
Shareholders and/or the Company in this Agreement or in any document or
certificate delivered by the Shareholders and/or the Company at the Closing
pursuant hereto, (ii) the occurrence of any event on or prior to the date of
Closing that is (or would be, but for any deductible thereunder) covered by
individual policies of insurance, blanket insurance policies or self insurance
programs maintained by the Company, (iii) the Excluded Assets, and/or (iv) the
existence of any liabilities or obligations of the Company or any of the
Shareholders (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, known or unknown, or
otherwise, and whether or not of a nature appropriate for inclusion in a balance
sheet in accordance with GAAP) other than the Assumed Obligations. Any payment
made to Buyer by the Company or the Shareholders pursuant to the indemnification
obligations under this Section 7.3 shall constitute a reduction in the Purchase
Price hereunder.

      7.4 Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and Non-Disclosure.

            (a) General. In consideration of the payment of the Purchase Price,
and in order to induce the Buyer to enter into this Agreement and to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby, each of the Shareholders hereby
acknowledges that he is a beneficiary of the Purchase Price payments to the
Company and each of the Shareholders hereby severally covenants and agrees as
follows:

                  (i) Without the prior written consent of the Buyer, such
      Shareholder shall not for a period of five (5) years from and after the
      Closing Date (A) directly or indirectly acquire or own in any manner any
      interest in any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association or
      other entity which engages or plans to engage in the manufacture, sale
      and/or distribution of plastic parts and components manufactured using an
      injection molding process and/or a profile extrusion manufacturing process
      (the "Business") or which competes or plans to compete in any way with the
      Buyer or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates, anywhere in the world (the
      "Territory"), (B) be employed by or serve as an employee, agent, officer,
      director of, or as a consultant to, any person, firm, partnership,
      corporation, association or other entity which engages or plans to engage
      in any facet of the Business or which competes or plans to compete in any
      way with the Buyer or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates within the
      Territory, or (C) utilize his special

                                    -xxvii-
<PAGE>
      knowledge of the business of the Company and his or its relationships with
      customers, suppliers and others to compete with Buyer and/or any of its
      Affiliates in any business which engages or plans to engage in the
      Business; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to
      prevent such Shareholder from acquiring through market purchases and
      owning, solely as an investment, less than three percent in the aggregate
      of the equity securities of any class of any issuer whose shares are
      registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of
      1934, as amended, and are listed or admitted for trading on any United
      States national securities exchange or are quoted on the National
      Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System, or any
      similar system of automated dissemination of quotations of securities
      prices in common use, so long as such Shareholder is not a member of any
      "control group" (within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the
      United States Securities and Exchange Commission) of any such issuer; and
      further, provided, however, that in the event that a Shareholder is
      terminated without Cause (as defined in the employment agreement between
      such Shareholder and Buyer contemplated by this Agreement), such
      Shareholder shall be permitted to be employed by an entity that engages in
      the Business so long as such entity does not, directly or indirectly, sell
      to or solicit sales from past, current or prospective customers of Buyer
      (such customers to be identified by Buyer in writing to such Shareholder
      at the time of such termination). Such Shareholder acknowledges and agrees
      that the covenants provided for in this Section 7.4(a) are reasonable and
      necessary in terms of time, area and line of business to protect the
      Company's Trade Secrets. Such Shareholder further acknowledges and agrees
      that such covenants are reasonable and necessary in terms of time, area
      and line of business to protect the Buyer's legitimate business interests,
      which include its interests in protecting the Buyer's (i) valuable
      confidential business information, (ii) substantial relationships with
      customers throughout the United States, and (iii) customer goodwill
      associated with the ongoing Business. Shareholder expressly authorizes the
      enforcement of the covenants provided for in this Section 7.4(a) by (A)
      the Buyer and its subsidiaries, (B) the Buyer's permitted assigns, and (C)
      any successors to the Buyer's business. To the extent that the covenants
      provided for in this Section 7.4(a) may later be deemed by a court to be
      too broad to be enforced with respect to its duration or with respect to
      any particular activity or geographic area, the court making such
      determination shall have the power to reduce the duration or scope of the
      provision, and to add or delete specific words or phrases to or from the
      provision. The provision as modified shall then be enforced.

                  (ii) Without the prior consent of Buyer, such Shareholder
      shall not for a period of five (5) years from the Closing Date, directly
      or indirectly, for himself or for any other person, firm, corporation,
      partnership, association or other entity (including the Company), (i)
      attempt to employ or enter into any contractual arrangement with any
      employee or former employee of the Business, unless such employee or
      former employee has not been employed by the Business for a period in
      excess of nine months, and/or (ii) call on or solicit any of the actual or
      targeted prospective customers or clients of the Business, nor shall such
      Shareholder make known the names and addresses of such customers or any
      information relating in any manner to the Company's trade or business
      relationships with such customers.

                  (iii) Such Shareholder shall not at any time divulge,
      communicate, use to the detriment of the Buyer or for the benefit of any
      other person or persons, or misuse in any way, any Confidential
      Information pertaining to the Business. Any confidential information or
      data now known or hereafter acquired by such Shareholder with respect to
      the Business shall be deemed a valuable, special and unique asset of the
      Buyer that is received by such Shareholder in confidence and as a
      fiduciary, and such Shareholder shall remain a fiduciary to the Buyer with
      respect to all of such information.

            (b) Injunction. It is recognized and hereby acknowledged by the
parties hereto that a breach or violation by a Shareholder of any or all of the
covenants and agreements contained in this Section 7.4 may cause irreparable
harm and damage to Buyer in a monetary amount which may be virtually impossible
to ascertain. As a result, each Shareholder recognizes and hereby acknowledges

                                    -xxviii-
<PAGE>
that Buyer shall be entitled (without the requirement of posting a bond) to an
injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining and restraining
any breach or violation of any or all of the covenants and agreements contained
in this Section 7.4 by such Shareholder and/or his associates, Affiliates,
partners or agents, either directly or indirectly, and that such right to
injunction shall be cumulative and in addition to whatever other rights or
remedies the Buyer may possess hereunder, at law or in equity. Nothing contained
in this Section 7.4 shall be construed to prevent Buyer from seeking and
recovering from a Shareholder damages sustained by it as a result of any breach
or violation by such Shareholder of any of the covenants or agreements contained
herein.

      7.5 Delivery of Property Received by the Company After Closing. From and
after the Closing, Buyer shall have the right and authority to collect, for the
account of Buyer, all receivables and other items which shall be transferred or
are intended to be transferred to Buyer as part of the Assets as provided in
this Agreement, and to endorse with the name of the Company any checks or drafts
received on account of any such receivables or other Assets. The Company agrees
that it will transfer or deliver to Buyer, promptly after the receipt thereof,
any cash or other property which the Company receives after the Closing Date in
respect of any claims, contracts, licenses, leases, commitments, sales orders,
purchase orders, receivables of any character or any other items transferred or
intended to be transferred to Buyer as part of the Assets under this Agreement.

      7.6 Buyer Appointed Attorney for the Company. Effective at the Closing
Date, the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Buyer, and Buyer's successors
and assigns, its true and lawful attorney, in the name of either Buyer or the
Company (as Buyer shall determine in its sole discretion) but for the benefit
and at the expense of Buyer (except as otherwise herein provided), (a) to
institute and prosecute all proceedings which Buyer may deem proper in order to
collect, assert or enforce any claim, right or title of any kind in or to the
Assets as provided for in this Agreement; (b) to defend or compromise any and
all actions, suits or proceedings in respect of any of the Assets, and to do all
such acts and things in relation thereto as Buyer shall reasonably deem
advisable; and (c) to take all action which Buyer may reasonably deem proper in
order to provide for Buyer the benefits under any of the Assets where any
required consent of another party to the sale or assignment thereof to Buyer
pursuant to this Agreement shall not have been obtained. The Company
acknowledges that the foregoing powers are coupled with an interest and shall be
irrevocable. Buyer shall be entitled to retain for its own account any amounts
respecting the Assets collected pursuant to the foregoing powers, including any
amounts payable as interest in respect thereof.

      7.7 Assignment of Contracts. At the option of Buyer, and notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement shall not constitute
an assignment of any claim, contract, license, franchise, lease, commitment,
sales order, sales contract, supply contract, service agreement, purchase order
or purchase commitment if an attempted assignment thereof without the consent of
a third party thereto would constitute a breach thereof or in any way adversely
affect the rights of Buyer thereunder. If such consent is not obtained, or if
any attempt at an assignment thereof would be ineffective or would affect the
rights of the Company thereunder so that Buyer would not in fact receive all
such rights, the Company shall cooperate (at its own expense) with Buyer to the
extent necessary to provide for Buyer the benefits under such claim, contract,
license, franchise, lease, commitment, sales order, sales contract, supply
contract, service agreement, purchase order or purchase commitment, including
enforcement for the benefit of Buyer of any and all rights of the Company
against a third party thereto arising out of the breach or cancellation by such
third party or otherwise.

      7.8 Repayment of Certain Obligations to Affiliates. The parties
acknowledge and agree that, to the extent the Assumed Obligations include
delinquent accounts payable to Affiliates of the Company, that Buyer shall be
entitled to repay (without interest or other penalty) such amounts payable over
a term equal to the number of months such amounts payable were aged as of the
Closing.

                                     -xxix-
<PAGE>
                           ARTICLE VIII. - TAX MATTERS

      8.1 Representations and Obligations Regarding Taxes. The Company and the
Shareholders jointly and severally represent and warrant to and agree with the
Buyer as follows:

            (a) The Company has filed all Tax Returns that it was required to
file. All such Tax Returns were correct and complete in all respects. All Taxes
owed by the Company (whether or not shown on any Tax Return and whether or not
any Tax Return was required) have been paid. The Company is not currently the
beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return. No
claim has ever been made by a taxing authority in a jurisdiction where the
Company does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation by
that jurisdiction. There are no liens on any of the assets of the Company that
arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax, except
for liens for Taxes not yet due.

            (b) No director or officer (or employee responsible for Tax matters)
of the Company expects any taxing authority to assess any additional Taxes for
any period for which Tax Returns have been filed. There is no dispute or claim
concerning any Tax liability of the Company either (i) claimed or raised by any
taxing authority in writing or (ii) as to which any of the directors or officers
(or employees responsible for Tax matters) of the Company has actual knowledge
(after reasonable investigation) based upon personal contact with any agent of
such taxing authority. Schedule 8.1(b) lists all Federal, state, local and
foreign income Tax Returns filed with respect to the Company for taxable periods
ended on or after December 31, 1998. Except as set forth on Schedule 8.1(b), no
issue relating to Taxes has been raised in writing by a taxing authority during
any pending audit or examination, and no issue relating to Taxes was raised in
writing by a taxing authority in any completed audit or examination, that
reasonably can be expected to recur in a later taxable period.

            (c) The Company has not waived any statute of limitations in respect
of Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or
deficiency.

            (d) The Company has not made any payments, is not obligated to make
any payments and is not a party to any agreement that under certain
circumstances could obligate it to make any payments that will not be deductible
under section 280G of the Code. The Company is not a party to any Tax allocation
or sharing agreement. The Company has no liability for the Taxes of any Person
under Treasury Regulation section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state,
local or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise.

            (e) The unpaid Taxes of the Company (i) did not, as of the most
recent fiscal month end, exceed the reserve for Tax liability (rather than any
reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between
book and Tax income) set forth on the face of the most recent balance sheet
(rather than in any notes thereto) and (ii) do not exceed that reserve as
adjusted for the passage of time through the Closing Date in accordance with the
past custom and practice of the Company in filing its Tax Returns.

            (f) The Company is not a party to any joint venture, partnership or
other arrangement or contract that could be treated as a partnership for Federal
income tax purposes.

            (g) The Company has not entered into any sale leaseback or leveraged
lease transaction that fails to satisfy the requirements of Revenue Procedure
75-21 (or similar provisions of foreign law) or any safe harbor lease
transaction.

            (h) All material elections with respect to Taxes affecting the
Company are disclosed or attached to a Tax Return of the Company.

                                     -xxx-
<PAGE>
            (i) All private letter rulings issued by the Internal Revenue
Service to the Company (and any corresponding ruling or determination of any
state, local or foreign taxing authority) have been disclosed on Schedule
8.1(i), and there are no pending requests for any such rulings (or corresponding
determinations).

            (j) The Company shall grant to Buyer or its designees access at all
reasonable times to all of the Company's books and records (including tax
workpapers and returns and correspondence with tax authorities), including the
right to take extracts therefrom and make copies thereof, to the extent such
books and records relate to taxable periods ending on or prior to or that
include the Closing Date.

            (k) Buyer shall be responsible for preparing and filing, or causing
the Company to prepare and file, all Tax Returns of the Company required to be
filed after the Closing Date (other than income tax returns). Seller shall pay
to Buyer within five (5) days after the date on which Taxes (other than income
taxes) are paid with respect to periods beginning before the Closing Date and
ending on or after the Closing Date an amount equal to the portion of those
Taxes that relates to the portion of the taxable period ending on the Closing
Date. For purposes of this Agreement, in the case of any period that begins
before the Closing Date and ends after the Closing Date, any Tax based directly
or indirectly on gross or net income or receipts or imposed in respect of
specific transactions, and any credits available with respect to any Tax, shall
be allocated by assuming that the taxable period ended on the Closing Date, and
any other Tax shall be allocated based on the number of days in the taxable
period ending on the Closing Date divided by the total number of days in the
taxable period.

            (l) As used in this Agreement, "Affiliated Group" means any
affiliated group within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code or any
similar group defined under a similar provision of state, local or foreign law;
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; "Company" means the
Company and/or any corporation that at any time has been a subsidiary of the
Company; "Person" means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, an
association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated
organization or a governmental entity (or any department, agency or political
subdivision thereof); "Tax" means any Federal, state, local or foreign income,
gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp,
occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental (including taxes under
Section 59A of the Code), customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits,
withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real
property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added,
alternative or add-on minimum, estimated or other tax of any kind whatsoever,
including any interest, penalty or addition thereto, whether disputed or not,
and "Taxes" means any or all of the foregoing collectively; and "Tax Return"
means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund or information return or
statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto and
including any amendment thereof.

      8.2 Indemnification for Taxes.

            (a) The Company and the Shareholders hereby jointly and severally
agree to indemnify, jointly and severally, Buyer and its Affiliates (each herein
sometimes referred to as an "Indemnified Taxpayer") against, and agrees to
protect, save and hold harmless each Indemnified Taxpayer from, any and all
claims, damages, deficiencies and losses and all expenses, including, without
limitation, attorneys', accountants' and experts' fees and disbursements (all
herein referred to as "Losses") resulting from:

                  (i) A claim by any taxing authority for (A) any Taxes of the
      Company (other than any Taxes specifically assumed by Buyer pursuant to
      Section 1.1(c)) allocable to any taxable period ending on or prior to the
      Closing Date or that relates to that portion of any taxable period on or
      before the Closing Date of any period that begins before and ends after
      the Closing Date, (B) any Taxes of the Company and (C) any Taxes of any
      corporation that is or was a member of an Affiliated Group of which the
      Company was or is a member;

                                     -xxxi-
<PAGE>
                  (ii) A claim by any taxing authority for any Taxes arising
         from or occasioned by the sale of the Company's Assets pursuant to this
         Agreement; or

                  (iii) Any misrepresentation or breach of any representation,
         warranty or obligation set forth in this Article VIII.

         (b) Subject to the resolution of any Tax contest pursuant to Section
8.2(c), upon notice from Buyer to the Company that an Indemnified Taxpayer is
entitled to an indemnification payment for a Loss pursuant to Section 8.2(a),
the Company shall thereupon pay to the Indemnified Taxpayer an amount that, net
of any Taxes imposed on the Indemnified Taxpayer with respect to such payment,
will indemnify and hold the Indemnified Taxpayer harmless from such Loss.

         (c) (i) If a claim shall be made by any taxing authority that, if
successful, would result in the indemnification of an Indemnified Taxpayer, the
Indemnified Taxpayer shall promptly notify the Company in writing of such fact;
provided, however, that any failure to give such notice will not waive any
rights of the Indemnified Taxpayer except to the extent the rights of the
indemnifying party are actually materially prejudiced.

                  (ii) The Company shall have the right to defend the
         Indemnified Taxpayer against such claim with counsel of its choice
         satisfactory to the Indemnified Taxpayer so long as (A) the Company
         notifies the Indemnified Taxpayer in writing within 15 days after the
         Indemnified Taxpayer has given notice of such claim that the Company
         will indemnify the Indemnified Taxpayer from and against the entirety
         of any Losses the Indemnified Taxpayer may suffer resulting from,
         arising out of, relating to, in the nature of, or caused by the claim,
         (B) the Company provides the Indemnified Taxpayer with evidence
         acceptable to the Indemnified Taxpayer that the Company will have the
         financial resources to defend against the claim and fulfill his
         indemnification obligations hereunder, (C) if requested by the
         Indemnified Taxpayer, the Company provides to the Indemnified Taxpayer
         an opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to the Indemnified
         Taxpayer, of counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Taxpayer, that
         there exists a reasonable basis for the Company to prevail in that
         contest, (D) if the Indemnified Taxpayer is requested to pay the Tax
         claimed and sue for a refund, the Company shall have advanced to the
         Indemnified Taxpayer, on an interest free basis, the full amount the
         Indemnified Taxpayer is required to pay, and (E) the Company conducts
         the defense of the claim actively and diligently.

                  (iii) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (ii) above, the
         Company shall be entitled to prosecute such contest to a determination
         in a court of initial jurisdiction, and if the Company shall reasonably
         request, to a determination in an appellate court provided that, if
         requested by the Indemnified Taxpayer, the Company shall provide to the
         Indemnified Taxpayer an opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to
         the Indemnified Taxpayer, of counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified
         Taxpayer, that there exists a reasonable basis for the Company to
         prevail on that appeal.

                  (iv) The Company shall not be entitled to settle or to contest
         any claim relating to Taxes if the settlement of, or an adverse
         judgment with respect to, the claim would be likely, in the good faith
         judgment of the Indemnified Taxpayer, to cause the liability for any
         Tax of the Indemnified Taxpayer or of any Affiliate of the Indemnified
         Taxpayer for any taxable period ending after the Closing Date to
         increase (including, without limitation, by making any election or
         taking any action having the effect of making any election, by
         deferring the inclusion of any amount in income or by accelerating the
         deduction of any amount or the claiming of any credit) or to take a
         position that, if applied to any taxable period ending after the
         Closing Date, would be adverse to the interest of the Indemnified
         Taxpayer or any Affiliate of the Indemnified Taxpayer.

                  (v) If, after actual receipt by the Indemnified Taxpayer of an
         amount advanced by the Company pursuant to paragraph (ii)(D) above, the
         extent of the liability of the

                                    -xxxii-
<PAGE>
         Indemnified Taxpayer with respect to the indemnified matter shall be
         established by the judgment or decree of a court that has become final
         or a binding settlement with an administrative agency having
         jurisdiction thereof that has become final, the Indemnified Taxpayer
         shall promptly pay to the Company any refund received by or credited to
         the Indemnified Taxpayer with respect to the indemnified matter
         (together with any interest paid or credited thereon by the taxing
         authority and any recovery of legal fees from such taxing authority);
         provided, however, that the Indemnified Taxpayer shall have been
         indemnified and held harmless from all Losses by reason of any
         indemnification payments retained by the Indemnified Taxpayer net of
         any Taxes imposed on the Indemnified Taxpayers with respect to
         indemnification payments received by the Indemnified Taxpayer or with
         respect to the receipt of any payment from the taxing authority.
         Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnified Taxpayer shall not be
         required to make any payment hereunder before such time as the Company
         shall have made all payments or indemnities then due with respect to
         Indemnified Taxpayer pursuant to this Article VIII.

                  (vi) If any of the conditions in Section 8.2(c)(ii) above are
         or become unsatisfied, (A) the Indemnified Taxpayer may defend against,
         and consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement
         with respect to, the claim in any manner it may deem appropriate (and
         the Indemnified Taxpayer need not consult with, or obtain any consent
         from, the Company in connection therewith), (B) the Company will
         reimburse the Indemnified Taxpayer promptly and periodically for the
         costs of defending against the claim (including, without limitation,
         attorneys', accountants' and experts' fees and disbursements) and (C)
         the Company will remain responsible for any Losses the Indemnified
         Taxpayer may suffer to the fullest extent provided in this Section 8.2.

         (d) Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding, the
indemnification obligations of the Company and the Shareholders under this
Article VIII shall survive the Closing until the end of the applicable statutes
of limitations. With respect to any indemnification obligation for any Tax for
which a taxing authority asserts a claim within 90 days before the end of the
applicable statute of limitations, an Indemnified Taxpayer shall be treated as
having provided timely notice to the Company by providing written notice to the
Company on or before the 90th day after the Indemnified Taxpayer's receipt of a
written assertion of the claim by the taxing authority.

         (e) All transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and
other such Taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in
connection with this Agreement shall be paid by the Company when due, and the
Company will, at its own expense, file all necessary Tax Returns and other
documentation with respect to all such transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp,
registration and other Taxes and fees, and, if required by applicable law, Buyer
will, and will cause its Affiliates to, join in the execution of any such Tax
Returns and other documentation.

                          ARTICLE IX. - MISCELLANEOUS

         9.1 Limitation on Liability.

         (a) The representations, warranties, agreements, and indemnities of the
Company and the Shareholders set forth in this Agreement or in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby shall survive the Closing except as
expressly provided in Section 9.1(b).

         (b) The Company and the Shareholders shall have no liability under the
agreement to indemnify under either (A) clause (iii) of Section 7.3, or (B)
clause (i) of Section 7.3 against breaches of the provisions of Sections 3.5
(clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v)), 3.6, 3.8 through 3.16, and 3.18 through
3.23 (collectively the "Business Indemnities"), in each case unless the Company
receives notice in writing from Buyer of Buyer's claim under said indemnity on
or before the two-year anniversary of the Closing Date. Said limitations shall
not apply to any breaches of or obligations to comply with any of the other
provisions

                                    -xxxiii-
<PAGE>
of this Agreement, regardless of whether such breach or obligation also
constitutes a breach or obligation under any of the provisions specifically
listed in this Section 9.1(b).

         (c) The Company and the Shareholders shall be obligated to indemnify as
and to the extent set forth in Section 7.3 of this Agreement only if the
aggregate of all of their liability under such indemnity obligations exceeds
$25,000, it being understood that such $25,000 figure is to serve as a "trigger"
for the indemnification and not as a "deductible" (for example, if the indemnity
claims for which the Company and the Shareholders would, but for the provisions
of this paragraph (c), be liable aggregate $26,000, the Company and the
Shareholders would then be liable for the full $26,000, and not just $1,000). In
addition, in no event shall the aggregate liability of the Company and the
Shareholders with respect to the Business Indemnities exceed Three Million Six
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,600,000).

         (d) For purposes of this Section 9.1(d), a party making a claim for
indemnity under Section 7.3 is hereinafter referred to as an "Indemnified Party"
and the party against whom such claim is asserted is hereinafter referred to as
the "Indemnifying Party." All claims by any Indemnified Party under Section 7.3
hereof shall be asserted and resolved in accordance with the following
provisions. If any claim or demand for which an Indemnifying Party would be
liable to an Indemnified Party is asserted against or sought to be collected
from such Indemnified Party by a third party (a "Third-Party Claim"), said
Indemnified Party shall with reasonable promptness notify in writing the
Indemnifying Party of such Third-Party Claim stating with reasonable specificity
the circumstances of the Indemnified Party's claim for indemnification;
provided, however, that any failure to give such notice will not waive any
rights of the Indemnified Party except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party
demonstrates that the rights of the Indemnifying Party are actually prejudiced
or to the extent that any applicable period set forth in Section 9.1(b) has
expired without such notice being given. After receipt by the Indemnifying Party
of such notice, then upon reasonable notice from the Indemnifying Party to the
Indemnified Party (unless (i) the Indemnifying Party is also a Person against
whom such Third-Party Claim is made and the Indemnified Party determines in good
faith that joint representation would be inappropriate or (ii) the Indemnifying
Party fails to provide assurance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified
Party or its financial capacity to defend such Third-Party Claim and provide
indemnification with respect to such Third-Party Claim, or upon the request of
the Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying Party shall defend, manage and conduct
any proceedings, negotiations or communications involving any claimant whose
claim is the subject of the Indemnified Party's notice to the Indemnifying Party
as set forth above, and shall take all actions necessary, including but not
limited to the posting of such bond or other security as may be required by any
Governmental Authority, so as to enable the claim to be defended against or
resolved without expense or other action by the Indemnified Party.

         If written notice is given to the Indemnifying Party of the assertion
of a Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party does not, within twenty-five
(25) days after the Indemnified Party gives such notice, give written notice to
the Indemnified Party of its election to assume the defense of such Third-Party
Claim, the Indemnifying Party will be bound by any determination made in such
Third-Party Claim or any compromise or settlement effected by the Indemnified
Party.

         If the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of such Third-Party
Claim, (i) such assumption shall conclusively establish for purposes of this
Agreement that claims made in such Third-Party Claim are within the scope of and
subject to indemnification under this Agreement, and (ii) no compromise or
settlement of such Third-Party Claim may be effected by the Indemnifying Party
without the written consent of the Indemnified Party, unless (A) there is no
finding or admission of any violation of any Legal Requirement or violation of
the rights of any Person; (B) the sole relief provided is monetary damages that
are paid in full by the Indemnifying Party; and (C) the Indemnified Party shall
have no liability with respect to any compromise or settlement of such
Third-Party Claim effected without its written consent.

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if an
Indemnified Person

                                    -xxxiv-
<PAGE>
determines in good faith that there is a reasonable probability that a
Third-Party Claim may adversely effect it or its Affiliates other than as a
result of monetary damages for which it would be entitled to indemnification
under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party may, by written notice to the
Indemnifying Party, assume the exclusive right to defend, compromise or settle
such Third-Party Claim, but in such event the Indemnifying Party will not be
bound by any determination of any Third-Party Claim so defended for the purposes
of this Agreement or any compromise or settlement effected without its written
consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

         9.2 Confidentiality.

         (a) Prior to the Closing, Buyer shall, and shall cause its Affiliates
and its and their employees, agents, accountants, legal counsel and other
representatives and advisers to, hold in strict confidence all, and not divulge
or disclose any, information of any kind concerning the Company and its
business; provided, however, that the foregoing obligation of confidence shall
not apply to (i) information that is or becomes generally available to the
public other than as a result of a disclosure by Buyer or its Affiliates or any
of its or their employees, agents, accountants, legal counsel or other
representatives or advisers, (ii) information that is or becomes available to
Buyer or its Affiliates or any of its or their employees, agents, accountants,
legal counsel or other representatives or advisers on a nonconfidential basis
prior to its disclosure by Buyer or its Affiliates or any of its or their
employees, agents, accountants, legal counsel or other representatives or
advisers and (iii) information that is required to be disclosed by Buyer or its
Affiliates or any of its or their employees, agents, accountants, legal counsel
or other representatives or advisers as a result of any applicable law, rule or
regulation of any Governmental Authority; and provided further that Buyer
promptly shall notify the Company of any disclosure pursuant to clause (iii) of
this Section 9.2(a); and, provided, further, that the foregoing obligation of
confidence shall not apply to the furnishing of information by Buyer in bona
fide discussions or negotiations with prospective lenders.

         (b) The Company and each of the Shareholders shall, and shall cause its
or his Affiliates and their respective employees, agents, accountants, legal
counsel and other representatives and advisers to, hold in strict confidence
all, and not divulge or disclose any, information of any kind concerning the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Company, Buyer or their
respective businesses; provided, however, that the foregoing obligation of
confidence shall not apply to (i) information that is or becomes generally
available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by the Company,
any of the Shareholders or any of their respective Affiliates, employees,
agents, accountants, legal counsel or other representatives or advisers, (ii)
information that is or becomes available to the Company, any of the Shareholders
or any of their respective Affiliates, employees, agents, accountants, legal
counsel or other representatives or advisers after the Closing on a
nonconfidential basis prior to its disclosure by the Company, any of the
Shareholders or any of their respective employees, agents, accountants, legal
counsel or other representatives or advisers and (iii) information that is
required to be disclosed by the Company, any of the Shareholders or any of their
respective employees, agents, accountants, legal counsel or other
representatives or advisers as a result of any applicable law, rule or
regulation of any Governmental Authority; and provided further that the Company
shall promptly shall notify Buyer of any disclosure pursuant to clause (iii) of
this Section 9.2(b).

         9.3 Brokers. Regardless of whether the Closing shall occur, (i) the
Company and the Shareholders shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold
harmless Buyer from and against any and all liability for any brokers or
finders' fees arising with respect to brokers or finders retained or engaged by
the Company or any of the Shareholders in respect of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and (ii) Buyer shall indemnify and hold harmless
the Company from and against any and all liability for any brokers' or finders'
fees arising with respect to brokers or finders retained or engaged by Buyer in
respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                                     -xxxv-
<PAGE>
         9.4 Costs and Expenses. Each of the parties to this Agreement shall
bear his or its own expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation,
preparation, execution and closing of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.

         9.5 Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, correspondence or other
document to be given hereunder by any party hereto to another (herein
collectively called "Notice") shall be in writing and delivered personally or
mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt
requested, or by telecopier, as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>
IF TO BUYER:                                         c/o Trivest, L.LP.
                                                     2665 South Bayshore Drive
                                                     Suite 800
                                                     Miami, Florida 33133
                                                     Attention:  David Gershman, Esq.
                                                     Fax No.  (305) 858-1629

                                                     With a copy to:
                                                     --------------

                                                     Greenberg Traurig, LLP
                                                     2375 East Camelback Road, Suite 700
                                                     Phoenix, Arizona 85016
                                                     Attention:  Michael L. Kaplan, Esq.
                                                     Fax No. (602) 445-8615

IF TO THE COMPANY AND/OR ANY OF THE                  c/o Paul Spadafore
      SHAREHOLDERS:                                  Rio Grande Plastic Products, Inc.
                                                     15 Mile Road, Suite 200
                                                     Clinton Township, Michigan 48035
                                                     Fax No.  (586) 792-8799

                                                     With a copy to:
                                                     --------------

                                                     Hirt, MacArthur, Ruggirello, Velardo
                                                     Novara & Ver Beek
                                                     65 Southbound Gratiot Avenue
                                                     Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043
                                                     Attention:  Armand Velardo, Esq.
                                                     Fax No. (586) 463-6997
</TABLE>

Each of the above addresses for notice purposes may be changed by providing
appropriate notice hereunder. Notice given by personal delivery or registered
mail shall be effective upon actual receipt. Notice given by telecopier shall be
effective upon actual receipt if received during the recipient's normal business
hours, or at the beginning of the recipient's next normal business day after
receipt if not received during the recipient's normal business hours. All
Notices by telecopier shall be confirmed by the sender thereof promptly after
transmission in writing by registered mail or personal delivery. Anything to the
contrary contained herein notwithstanding, notices to any party hereto shall not
be deemed effective with respect to such party until such Notice would, but for
this sentence, be effective both as to such party and as to all other persons to
whom copies are provided above to be given.

         9.6 Governing Law. The provisions of this agreement and the documents
delivered pursuant hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Florida (excluding any conflict of law rule or
principle that would refer to the laws of another jurisdiction).

                                    -xxxvi-
<PAGE>
         9.7 Dispute Resolution. If the parties should have a material dispute
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the parties' respective rights
and duties hereunder, then the parties will resolve such dispute in the
following manner: (i) any party may at any time deliver to the others a written
dispute notice setting forth a brief description of the issue for which such
notice initiates the dispute resolution mechanism contemplated by this Section
9.7; (ii) during the forty-five (45) day period following the delivery of the
notice described in Section 9.7(i) above, appropriate representatives of the
various parties will meet and seek to resolve the disputed issue through
negotiation, (iii) if representatives of the parties are unable to resolve the
disputed issue through negotiation, then within fifteen (15) days after the
period described in Section 9.7(ii) above, the parties will refer the issue (to
the exclusion of a court of law) to final and binding arbitration in Miami,
Florida in accordance with the then existing rules (the "Rules") of the American
Arbitration Association ("AAA"), and judgment upon the award rendered by the
arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof; provided,
however, that the law applicable to any controversy shall be the law of the
State of Florida, regardless of principles of conflicts of laws. In any
arbitration pursuant to this Agreement, (i) discovery shall be allowed and
governed by the Florida Code of Civil Procedure and (ii) the award or decision
shall be rendered by a single arbitrator. Such single arbitrator shall be
selected by two party-appointed arbitrators. Buyer and the Company (or its
representative pursuant to Section 9.20) shall each appoint one of the
party-appointed arbitrators. In the event of the failure of said two
party-appointed arbitrators to agree within thirty (30) days after the
commencement of the arbitration proceeding upon the appointment of the single
arbitrator, the single arbitrator shall be appointed by the AAA in accordance
with the Rules. In the event that either party shall fail to appoint a
party-appointed arbitrator within fifteen (15) days after the commencement of
the arbitration proceedings, such party-appointed arbitrator shall be appointed
by the AAA in accordance with the Rules. Upon the completion of the selection of
the single arbitrator, an award or decision shall be rendered within no more
than thirty (30) days. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the request by either
party for preliminary or permanent injunctive relief, whether prohibitive or
mandatory, shall not be subject to arbitration and may be adjudicated only by
the courts of the State of Florida or the Federal District Court for the
Southern District of Florida. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY LEGALLY AND EFFECTIVELY DO
SO, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING HEREUNDER.

         9.8 Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and
warranties of each of the parties to this Agreement shall be deemed to have been
made, and the certificates delivered pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 2.2 and
clause (ii) of Section 2.3 by a party are agreed to and shall be deemed to
constitute the making of such representations and warranties, again at and as of
the Closing by and on behalf of the party on behalf of whom such certificates
are delivered.

         9.9 Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement, together
with all exhibits and schedules attached hereto, constitutes the entire
agreement between and among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter
hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and
discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties, and there are no
warranties, representations or other agreements between the parties in
connection with the subject matter hereof except as set forth specifically
herein or contemplated hereby. No supplement, modification or waiver of this
Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party to be bound
thereby. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or
shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (regardless of whether
similar), nor shall any such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless
otherwise expressly provided.

         9.10 Binding Effect and Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
permitted successors and assigns; but neither this Agreement nor any of the
rights, benefits or obligations hereunder shall be assigned, by operation of law
or otherwise, by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other
party, provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit the assignment of
Buyer's rights and obligations to any direct or indirect subsidiary or prohibit
the assignment of Buyer's rights to any financial institution. Nothing in this
Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any person or entity
other than the parties

                                    -xxxvii-
<PAGE>
hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, any rights,
benefits or obligations hereunder.

         9.11 Remedies. The rights and remedies provided by this Agreement are
cumulative, and the use of any one right or remedy by any party hereto shall not
preclude or constitute a waiver of its right to use any or all other remedies.
Such rights and remedies are given in addition to any other rights and remedies
a party may have by law, statute or otherwise.

         9.12 Interest on Overdue Payments. Except if held pursuant to a right
to withhold such payment provided in Section 9.13, if any amount payable under
this Agreement is not paid when due, the amount unpaid shall bear interest from
the due date to the actual date of payment calculated and compounded at a rate
equal to the lesser of (i) the prime rate established from time to time by
Citibank, N.A. plus two percent (2%), or (ii) the maximum lawful interest rate
permitted under applicable law.

         9.13 Withholding of Payments.

         (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company
and the Shareholders agree that Buyer shall after the Closing have the right to
withhold any payment (other than payments related to Section 1.3b) owing to the
Company and/or the Shareholders to the extent of any and all payments due to but
not yet received by the Buyer from the Company and/or the Shareholders pursuant
to this Agreement and/or any of the Collateral Agreements. The Shareholders and
the Company specifically agree that (i) any claims for indemnification by Buyer
against the Shareholders and/or the Company hereunder may be satisfied by
deducting and otherwise offsetting such claims against any amounts that might
otherwise be payable by Buyer to such persons hereunder, and (ii) to the extent
that there remain unsatisfied indemnification claims after the deductions and
set-offs described above, Buyer shall have full recourse against the
Shareholders and the Company (including their assets of whatsoever kind or
nature) for payment of such indemnification claims.

         (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, P & P
Properties, Ltd. agrees that the Buyer shall after the Closing have the right to
withhold up to $175,000 of past due lease payments owed to P & P Properties,
Ltd. assumed by Buyer as of the Closing Date to the extent of any and all
payments due to but not yet received by the Buyer from the Company and/or the
Shareholders pursuant to this Agreement and/or any of the Collateral Agreements.
P & P Properties, Ltd. specifically agrees that any claims for indemnification
by Buyer against the Shareholders and/or the Company hereunder may be satisfied
by deducting and otherwise offsetting such claims against any amounts that might
otherwise be payable with respect to the $175,000 of past due lease payments
owed to P & P Properties, Ltd. assumed by Buyer as of the Closing. Buyer shall
not have the right under this Section 9.13(b) to offset any payments due but not
yet received by the Buyer from the Company pursuant to this Agreement against
amounts owed by Buyer to P & P Properties, Ltd. under the Lease Agreement
referenced in Section 6.1(g).

         9.14 Exhibits and Schedules. The exhibits and Schedules referred to
herein are attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. Disclosure
of a specific item in any one Schedule shall be deemed restricted only to the
Section to which such disclosure specifically relates except where (i) there is
an explicit cross-reference to another Schedule, and (ii) Buyer could reasonably
be expected to ascertain the scope of the modification to a representation
intended by such cross-reference.

         9.15 Multiple Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                                   -xxxviii-
<PAGE>
         9.16 References and Construction.

                (a) Whenever required by the context, and is used in this
Agreement, the singular number shall include the plural and pronouns and any
variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter,
singular or plural, as the identification the person may require. References to
monetary amounts, specific named statutes and generally accepted accounting
principles are intended to be and shall be construed as references to United
States dollars, statutes of the United States of the stated name and United
States generally accepted accounting principles, respectively, unless the
context otherwise requires.

                (b) The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed
according to their fair meaning and neither for nor against any party hereto
irrespective of which party caused such provisions to be drafted. Each of the
parties acknowledge that it has been represented by an attorney in connection
with the preparation and execution of this Agreement.

         9.17 Survival. Any provision of this Agreement which contemplates
performance or the existence of obligations after the Closing Date, and any and
all representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement, shall not be
deemed to be merged into or waived by the execution and delivery of the
instruments executed at the Closing, but shall expressly survive Closing and
shall be binding upon the party or parties obligated thereby in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement, subject to any limitations expressly set forth in
this Agreement.

         9.18 Attorneys' Fees. In the event any suit or other legal proceeding
is brought for the enforcement of any of the provisions of this Agreement, the
parties hereto agree that the prevailing party or parties shall be entitled to
recover from the other party or parties upon final judgment on the merits
reasonable attorneys' fees (and sales taxes thereon, if any), including
attorneys' fees for any appeal, and costs incurred in bringing such suit or
proceeding.

         9.19 Risk of Loss. Prior to the Closing, the risk of loss of damage to,
or destruction of, any and all of the Company's assets, including without
limitation the Properties, shall remain with the Company, and the legal doctrine
known as the "Doctrine of Equitable Conversion" shall not be applicable to this
Agreement or to any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

         9.20 Representative of the Company and the Shareholders. Each of the
Shareholders and the Company designates Paul Spadafore as its representative for
all purposes under this Agreement, including receipt of disclosures, granting
and/or executing consents or waivers, receiving notices and agreeing to and
executing amendments and/or modifications to this Agreement. Any such receipt,
grant, agreement and/or execution by Paul Spadafore shall be valid and binding
on the Company and the Shareholders. The designation by the Company and the
Shareholders of such representative may not be revoked without the written
consent of Buyer.

                            ARTICLE X. - DEFINITIONS

         Capitalized terms used in this Agreement are used as defined in this
Article X or elsewhere in this Agreement.

         10.1 Affiliate. The term "Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any
person, any other person controlling, controlled by or under common control with
such person. The term "Control" as used in the preceding sentence means, with
respect to a corporation, the right to exercise, directly or indirectly, more
than 50% of the voting rights attributable to the shares of the controlled
corporation and, with respect to any person other than a corporation, the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management or policies of such person.

                                    -xxxix-
<PAGE>
         10.2 Collateral Agreements. The term "Collateral Agreements" shall mean
any or all of the exhibits to this Agreement and any and all other agreements,
instruments or documents required or expressly provided under this Agreement to
be executed and delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.

         10.3 Confidential Information. The term "Confidential Information"
shall mean confidential data and confidential information relating to the
business of the Company (which does not rise to the status of a Trade Secret
under applicable law) which is or has been disclosed to any of the Shareholders
or of which any of the Shareholders became aware as a consequence of or through
his employment or other relationship with the Company and which has value to the
Company and is not generally known to the competitors of the Company.
Confidential Information shall not include any data or information that (i) has
been voluntarily disclosed to the general public by the Company or its
Affiliates, (ii) has been independently developed and disclosed to the general
public by others, or (iii) otherwise enters the public domain through lawful
means.

         10.4 Contracts. The term "Contracts," when described as being those of
or applicable to any person, shall mean any and all contracts, agreements,
franchises, understandings, arrangements, leases, licenses, registrations,
authorizations, easements, servitudes, rights of way, mortgages, bonds, notes,
guaranties, liens, indebtedness, approvals or other instruments or undertakings
to which such person is a party or to which or by which such person or the
property of such person is subject or bound, excluding any Permits.

         10.5 Damages. The term "Damages" shall mean any and all damages,
liabilities, obligations, penalties, fines, judgments, claims, deficiencies,
losses, costs, expenses and assessments (including without limitation income and
other taxes, interest, penalties and attorneys' and accountants' fees and
disbursements).

         10.6 Financial Statements. The term "Financial Statements" shall mean
any or all of the financial statements, including balance sheets and related
statements of income and statements of cash flows and the accompanying notes
thereto, of the Company prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied, except as may be otherwise provided
herein.

         10.7 Funded Indebtedness. "Funded Indebtedness" shall mean the
aggregate amount (including the current portions thereof) of all (i)
indebtedness for money borrowed from others, capital lease obligations,
dividends payable to the Shareholders, bonus payables to employees, and purchase
money indebtedness of the Company, (ii) indebtedness of the type described in
clause (i) above guaranteed, directly or indirectly, in any manner by the
Company, or in effect guaranteed, directly or indirectly, in any manner by the
Company, through an agreement, contingent or otherwise, to supply funds to, or
in any other manner invest in, the debtor, or to purchase indebtedness, or to
purchase and pay for property if not delivered or to pay for services if not
performed, primarily for the purpose of enabling the debtor to make payment of
the indebtedness or to assure the owners of the indebtedness against loss, but
excluding endorsements of checks and other instruments in the ordinary course,
(iii) indebtedness of the type described in clause (i) above secured by any Lien
upon property owned by the Company, even though the Company has not in any
manner become liable for the payment of such indebtedness and (iv) interest
expense accrued but unpaid, and all prepayment premiums, on or relating to any
of such indebtedness.

         10.8 GAAP. "GAAP" means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

         10.9 Governmental Authorities. The term "Governmental Authorities"
shall mean any nation or country (including but not limited to the United
States) and any commonwealth, territory or possession thereof and any political
subdivision of any of the foregoing, including but not limited to courts,
departments, commissions, boards, bureaus, agencies, ministries or other
instrumentalities.

                                      -x1-
<PAGE>
         10.10 Hazardous Material. The term "Hazardous Material" shall mean all
or any of the following: (a) substances that are defined or listed in, or
otherwise classified pursuant to, any applicable laws or regulations as
"hazardous substances," "hazardous materials," "Hazardous wastes," "toxic
substances" or any other formulation intended to define, list or classify
substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability,
corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity or "EP
toxicity"; (b) oil, petroleum or petroleum derived substances, natural gas,
natural gas liquids or synthetic gas and drilling fluids, produced waters and
other wastes associated with the exploration, development or production of crude
oil, natural gas or geothermal resources; (c) any flammable substances or
explosives or any radioactive materials; and (d) asbestos in any form or
electrical equipment which contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing
levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of fifty parts per million.

         10.11 Inventory. The term "Inventory" shall mean all goods, merchandise
and other personal property owned and held for sale, and all raw materials,
works-in-process, materials and supplies of every nature which contribute to the
finished products of the Company in the ordinary course of its business,
specifically excluding, however, damaged, defective or otherwise unsaleable
items.

         10.12 Knowledge of the Company. The term "Knowledge of the Company"
shall mean the actual knowledge of either of the Shareholders or any of the
other directors, officers or managerial personnel of the Company with respect to
the matter in question, and such knowledge as either of the Shareholders or any
of the other directors, officers or managerial personnel of the Company
reasonably should have obtained (i) in the performance of their duties to the
Company and/or (ii) upon diligent investigation and inquiry into the matter in
question.

         10.13 Legal Requirements. The term "Legal Requirements," when described
as being applicable to any person, shall mean any and all laws (statutory,
judicial or otherwise), ordinances, regulations, judgments, orders, directives,
injunctions, writs, decrees or awards of, and any Contracts with, any
Governmental Authority, in each case as and to the extent applicable to such
person or such person's business, operations or properties.

         10.14 Net Worth. The term "Net Worth" shall mean the Company's
"stockholders' equity" computed in accordance with GAAP except that no effect
shall be given to any purchase accounting or other similar adjustments resulting
from the consummation of the transaction contemplated herein.

         10.15 Permits. The term "Permits" shall mean any and all permits,
rights, approvals, licenses, authorizations, legal status, orders or Contracts
under any Legal Requirement or otherwise granted by any Governmental Authority.

         10.16 Person. The term "Person" shall mean any individual, partnership,
joint venture, firm, corporation, association, limited liability company,
limited liability partnership, trust or other enterprise or any governmental or
political subdivision or any agency, department or instrumentality thereof.

         10.17 Product. The term "Product" shall mean each product, repair
process or service under development, developed, manufactured, licensed,
distributed or sold by the Company and any other products in which the Company
has any proprietary rights or beneficial interest.

         10.18 Properties. The term "Properties" shall mean any and all
properties and assets (real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible) owned or
Used by the Company, including all Assets to be conveyed to Buyer pursuant to
this Agreement.

         10.19 Real Property. The term "Real Property" shall mean the real
property Used by the Company in the conduct of its business.

                                     -xli-
<PAGE>
         10.20 Regulations. The term "Regulations" shall mean any and all
regulations promulgated by the Department of the Treasury pursuant to the
Internal Revenue Code.

         10.21 Subsidiary. The term "Subsidiary" shall mean any Person of which
a majority of the outstanding voting securities or other voting equity interests
are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.

         10.22 Trade Secrets. The term "Trade Secrets" shall mean information of
the Company including, but not limited to, technical or nontechnical data,
formulas, patterns, compilations, programs, financial data, financial plans,
product or service plans or lists of actual or potential customers or suppliers
which (i) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally
known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons
who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use, and (ii) is the
subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its
secrecy.

         10.23 Used. The term "Used" shall mean, with respect to the Properties,
Contracts or Permits of the Company, those owned, leased, licensed or otherwise
held by the Company which were acquired for use or held for use by the Company
in connection with the Company's business and operations, whether or not
reflected on the Company's books of account.

         10.24 Working Capital. The term "Working Capital" shall mean the
remainder of (a) the sum of the Company's (i) accounts receivable, (ii)
Inventory, and (iii) $31,000 of the security deposit transferred to Buyer with
respect to the Company's Rio Grande, Texas facility, minus (b) the sum of the
Company's (i) accounts payable (which shall include lease and other obligations
to Affiliates of the Company and reimbursable property tax payments related to
the Company's Rio Grande, Texas facility), (ii) accrued liabilities related to
tax penalties, (iii) accrued liabilities related to vacation pay, and (iv)
accrued liabilities related to tooling maintenance and repair.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

                                     -xlii-
<PAGE>
         EXECUTED as of the date first written above.

                                       BUYER:

                                       ATLANTIS PLASTICS INJECTION MOLDING, INC.

                                       By:  /s/Paul Saari
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Paul Saari, Senior Vice President

                                       COMPANY:

                                       RIO GRANDE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, INC.

                                       By:  /s/Paul Spadafore
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Paul Spadafore, President

                                       SHAREHOLDERS:

                                       /s/  Paul Spadafore
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Paul Spadafore, Individually

                                       /s/  Paul Hamman
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Paul Hamman, Individually

         By execution below, the undersigned agrees to the provisions set forth
in Sections 1.6 and 9.13(b) of this Agreement.

                                       P & P Properties, LTD.

                                       By:  /s/Paul Hamman
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Paul Hamman, President

                                    -xliii-EX 10.9

SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN THE WYOMING
BUSINESS COUNCIL, ENERGY SECTION, INVESTMENT
READY COMMUNITIES DIVISION, AND RENTECH, INC.

         THIS SERVICES CONTRACT (Contract) made this 30th day of January,  2001,
between the Wyoming Business Council  (hereinafter WBC), whose address is Becker
Building, 214 West 15th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002, and Rentech, Inc., 1331
17th Street,  Suite 720, Denver,  Colorado 80202  (hereinafter  Contractor),  in
which the  Contractor  undertakes  to conduct a  feasibility  study to convert a
portion of the Cheyenne  Coastal  Chemical  plant from the production of MTBE, a
fuel additive to the production of super clean,  environmentally friendly liquid
fuels and chemicals.

RECITALS

1. The Energy Section, WBC, has received concurrence from the U.S. Department of
Energy, on the use of eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000) of Stripper Well
petroleum violation escrow funds.

2. The U.S.  Department  of Energy has  approved  the  program  proposed  by the
Contractor to study the feasibility of plant conversion,  and super clean liquid
fuel/chemical stock production.

3. Negotiations have occurred between the Contractor and WBC, following the U.S.
Department  of Energy's  concurrence,  wherein the terms of this  Contract  were
agreed upon.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS BETWEEN THE WYOMING
BUSINESS COUNCIL AND CONTRACTOR

ARTICLE 1. CONTRACTOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES

4. SCOPE OF SERVICES

4.1 The  Contractor  shall  conduct a feasibility  study,  the scope of which is
listed on slide No. 14 found in Attachment A, at the Cheyenne  Coastal  Chemical
Plant  to  determine  the  opportunities  to  convert  part of the  plant to the
production  of super clean liquid  fuels and  chemical  feed stock such as super
clean  diesel.  In conducting  the  feasibility  study,  Rentech will attempt to
determine  the number of jobs to be lost if the MTBE  plant is  closed,  and how
many employees might be required if the plant is converted,  and clean fuels are
produced.

4.2 The Contractor will complete the feasibility study within nine (9) months of
the last signature on this Contract.

4.3 The Contractor will identify any appropriate  opportunities  to use State of
Wyoming  owned  natural  gas or coal bed  methane as partial  feed stock for any
future diesel production.

4.4 The Contractor will certify that neither they, nor any of their partners who
will  benefit  from the  feasibility  study for any  reason,  are parties to the
original  Stripper Well  litigation and were required to pay  restitution to the
American public.

4.5 If  Contractor  determines  that it is not  feasible  to  proceed  with  the
conversion of the plant, Rentech will repay the grant at the rate of one hundred
twenty  percent  (120%)  of  the  original   eight  hundred   thousand   dollars

<PAGE>

($800,000.00)  for a total of nine hundred sixty thousand dollars  ($960,000.00)
over a period of time not to exceed six (6) years.  The repayment will be from a
five percent (5%) share of royalties from the conversion of methanol  facilities
to Rentech GTL technology  worldwide.  If Contractor chooses to proceed with the
conversion  and/or  purchases the Coastal  Chemical  Methanol/MTBE  facility the
grant will be repaid at  financial  closing at the rate of 100%.  In addition to
the repayment of the grant at closing,  Rentech would provide a royal of fifteen
cents  ($.15)/barrel  of Rentech Fisher  Tropsch liquid  produced (C5+) from the
plant after conversion is complete using the Rentech Fisher Tropsch  technology.
The  royalty  would be paid based on monthly  production  of the Fisher  Tropsch
liquids (C5 + fraction) starting at the date of Commercial  Operation as defined
by the  engineers/constructors  and  contract  documents  for  plant  commercial
acceptance.  The  royalty  would be paid for the first four years of  commercial
operation of the Wyoming facility.

4.6 Failure to meet any of the conditions of the scope of services may result in
the immediate  cancellation of the contract and the  requirement  that all funds
previously paid be returned.

5. TERM OF CONTRACT

5.1 For the sake of this grant, this Contract will be in effect from the date of
last signature on this Contract until nine (9) calendar  months have passed.  It
may be  extended  for a period of three (3) months  with the  agreement  of both
parties and if funding is still  available.  Repayment  fees will be enforceable
until all funds have been  returned  as outlined  in the  repayment  schedule in
paragraph 4.5.

6. PAYMENT

6.1 The total cost for  providing  the scope of services  shall not exceed eight
hundred thousand dollars ($800,000.00).

6.2 Payment shall be made in two phases. The first payment,  seven hundred fifty
thousand dollars ($750,000.00),  will be paid no later than thirty (30) calendar
days after  receipt by WBC of a signed copy of this  Contract  and a request for
payment. The second and last payment of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) will
be paid no later than thirty (30)  calendar  days after  receipt by the WBC of a
copy of the final feasibility report.

7. EMPLOYMENT OF CONTRACTOR

7.1  Contractor  is  an  independent  contractor,  and  neither  Contractor  nor
Contractor's principals,  partners, employees or agents are servants, agents, or
employees of WBC. Contractor shall perform all work by its own means and methods
and WBC shall have no direct control of the work, it being  understood  that WBC
is  interested  only in the ultimate  results of the completed  job.  Contractor
shall be solely responsible for its own acts and the acts of its employees while
engaged  in  the  work.  As  an  independent  contractor,  Contractor  shall  be
responsible  for (i) all  applicable  state,  federal,  and other payroll taxes,
including  contributions  and taxes  assessed  against any  amounts  paid to its
employees,  and  (ii) any and all  taxes  or  charges  imposed  by  governmental
authorities based upon or measured by Contractor's income or receipts, including
without limitation any federal, state or local income of franchise taxes. Except
where expressly authorized in writing by WBC, no employee, agent, subcontractor,
or  representative  of  Contractor  shall  represent  himself  to be an agent or
authorized  to act in the name or on behalf of WBC,  nor at any time  enter into
any contract that shall purport to bind WBC in any way.

<PAGE>

7.2 The Contractor shall assume sole responsibility for any debts or liabilities
that may be incurred by the Contractor in fulfilling the terms of this Contract.

8. ASSIGNMENT

8.1 Contractor's rights and obligations  hereunder are deemed to be personal and
may not be  delegated or assigned and any attempt at  delegation  or  assignment
without so complying shall be void.

9. INDEMNITY AND LIABILITY

9.1 Contractor  shall  indemnify,  defend and hold WBC harmless from and against
any and all claims, to the extent caused by or resulting from the negligent acts
or omissions of Contractor or Contractor's willful misconduct,  or any entity or
person retained or employed by the  Contractor,  in connection with the work for
this  Contract.  "Claims"  shall mean suits,  actions,  legal or  administrative
proceedings,  claims, causes of action, demands, damages of every kind and type,
liabilities,  fines, penalties,  losses, costs and expenses,  including costs of
defense and attorney's fees.

9.2 Contractor  shall  indemnify,  defend and hold WBC harmless from and against
any and all claims  arising from any actual or  threatened  infringement  of any
patent,  service,  trademark,  copyright or other intellectual property right in
connection  with any  material,  article,  or  process  embodied  in the work or
performance  of the work provided by the  Contractor,  or anyone  performing the
work on behalf of the Contractor.

10. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

10.1  Contractor   shall  comply  with  all  federal,   state  and  local  laws,
regulations,  requirements,  decrees, codes, ordinances,  resolutions, and other
acts of any governmental authority which are applicable to this Contract and any
work provided or undertaken by Contractor  pursuant to or in furtherance of this
Contract,  including,  but not limited to, all  federal,  state and local labor,
safety and environmental laws.

11. OWNERSHIP OF DOCUMENTS

11.1 All reports,  publications  and other  material  prepared by the Contractor
specifically  for this Contract,  which are not general in nature,  shall become
the  joint  property  of  the  WBC  and  the  Contractor.  The  WBC  shall  have
unrestricted  authority to publish,  disclose,  distribute  and otherwise use in
whole or in part any reports, data or other materials prepared by the Contractor
under  this  Contract.  All data,  material  and  information  generated  by the
Contractor  shall  become  the  joint  property  of the WBC and the  Contractor,
regardless of whether the terms of this Contract are fulfilled.

ARTICLE II WBC RESPONSIBILITIES

12. COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL FINANCING REGULATIONS

12.1 WBC will  provide  technical  assistance  on the use of PVE  Funds and will
submit any required federal reports.

13. PAYMENT

13.1 WBC shall pay Contractor per the payment schedule under Article I, 6.2.

<PAGE>

ARTICLE III GENERAL PROVISIONS

14. USE OF WYOMING FIRMS, AGENCIES AND RESIDENTS

14.1 It is the intention of the Contractor to use Wyoming firms,  State agencies
and Wyoming residents as much as possible fulfilling the terms of this Contract.

15. CHOICE OF LAW PROVISION

15.1 The laws of the State of Wyoming and rules and regulations  issued pursuant
thereto shall be applied in the  interpretation,  execution and  enforcement  of
this Contract.

16. CONFLICT OF INTEREST

16.1 The  signatories  swear that, to their  knowledge,  no WBC employee has any
personal or beneficial  interest whatsoever in the services described herein. No
staff  member of the  Contractor,  compensated  either  partially or wholly with
funds from the  Contract,  shall engage in any contract or activity  which would
constitute a conflict of interest, as related to this Contract.

17. TERMINATION

17.1 WBC may  terminate  this Contract for any reason upon fifteen (15) calendar
days written notice.  Upon such termination,  WBC shall pay Contractor,  in full
satisfaction  of all  obligations  owed to  Contractor  payments  due  for  work
actually performed in accordance with the requirements of this Contract.

17.2 In the event of a breach or  default of this  Contract,  either  party,  in
addition to the right of termination, shall have all other remedies available at
law or in equity.  All such remedies shall be cumulative,  and the waiver of one
right or remedy  hereunder shall not constitute the waiver of any other right or
remedy hereunder.

18. CHANGES/MODIFICATIONS TO CONTRACT

18.1 WBC and the Contractor  may from time to time request  changes in the scope
of services to be performed  hereunder.  Such changes which are mutually  agreed
upon by and between both parties shall be incorporated  by written  amendment to
this Contract,  signed by an authorized  employee of WBC and an authorized agent
of the Contractor.

18.2 The failure of WBC to insist upon or enforce  strict  performance of any of
the  terms of this  Contract  or to  exercise  any  rights  herein  shall not be
construed  as  a  waiver  of  rights  on  any  future  occasion.  No  waiver  or
modification  of any of the  terms  or  conditions  of this  Contract  shall  be
effective  unless said  waiver  shall be in writing and signed by the CEO of the
WBC. If any action at law or in equity is necessary to enforce or interpret  the
terms of this Contract, the prevailing party shall be entitled to its reasonable
attorneys'  fees,  costs and necessary  disbursements,  in addition to any other
relief to which that party may be entitled.

18.3 This Contract,  consisting of seven (7) pages,  Attachment A, consisting of
two (2) pages,  and Attachment B,  consisting of ten (10) pages,  represents the
entire and  integrated  Contract  between the parties and  supersedes  all prior
negotiations, representations, and agreements, whether written or oral.

<PAGE>

19. SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY

19.1  The  State of  Wyoming  and the WBC do not  waive  sovereign  immunity  by
entering into this Contract,  and specifically  retain immunity and all defenses
available to them as sovereigns  pursuant to WYO. STAT. Section  1-39-104(a) and
all other state law.

ARTICLE IV. SIGNATURES

         By signing this Contract,  the parties  certify that they have read and
understood  it, that they agree to be bound by the terms of the  Contract,  that
they have the authority to sign it.

         This  Contract  is not binding on either  party  until  approved by the
Governor of the State of Wyoming or his  designee,  if  required  by WYO.  STAT.
Section 8-2-1016(b)(iv).

WYOMING BUSINESS COUNCIL

                                        01/30/01
_______________________________         ____________________________
Tucker Fagan, CEO                       Date

RENTECH INC.

                                        01/26/01
_______________________________         ____________________________
Richard Sheppard,                       Date
  Director, GTL Marketing

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE APPROVAL AS TO FORM

                                         01/23/01
_______________________________          ____________________________
Michael L. Hubbard,                      Date
  Deputy Attorney General

ATTACHMENT A

RENTECH
GAS TO LIQUIDS
FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT PROPOSAL
FOR THE
COASTAL CHEMICAL FACILITY
CHEYENNE, WYOMING

o        Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) is a proven technology which converts natural gas
to premium liquids (GTL).

o        The  liquids  include low  emissions  diesel  fuels and other  chemical
feedstocks.

o        The F-T diesel exceeds all the new EPA proposed diesel standards.

o        Rentech owns proprietary F-T catalyst technology.

o        Rentech and Coastal Chemical desire to complete a feasibility  analysis
for conversion of the Coastal MTBE Facility in Cheyenne to produce F-T diesel.

<PAGE>

o        MTBE, a gasoline  additive,  is being banned because it pollutes ground
water.

o        Forty (40) existing technical jobs are at risk should Coastal close its
MTBE operations.

o        In  working  with the  Wyoming  Business  Council  (WBC),  Rentech  has
developed  a  feasibility  assessment  plan for the  conversion  of the  Coastal
Facility; cost of the assessment is estimated at $800,000.

o        The assessment would include:
         o        MTBE plan conversion costs and schedule
         o        Market  evaluation  for clean diesel and other  products $ Gas
                  supply methodologies
         o        Options for using Wyoming's in-kind gas royalties
         o        Determine financial feasibility and implementation plan

o        Rentech  requests  that  the  WBC  loan  $800,000  from  the  petroleum
overcharge restitution fund to conduct the feasibility assessment.

o        Rentech  shall  repay  the loan  from  proceeds  from the  construction
financing of the conversion at Coastal,  or from  royalties  received by Rentech
from other methanol or MTBE conversions worldwide.

BENEFITS TO WYOMING

o        Establish Wyoming as a world leader in clean fuel technologies.

o        Retain skilled, well paying jobs for Wyoming workers.

o        Enhance the competitiveness of Coastal's ammonia operation.

o        Create high value added products from Wyoming's  commodity  natural gas
resources.

o        Induce substantial capital investment in Wyoming;
o        Approximately $35 million for the Coastal conversion;
o        Additional $200 million to expand the GTL capacity

o        Provide  super-clean diesel fuel for Wyoming's state vehicles and other
         crucial vehicles, such as locomotives, from in-kind gas royalties.

o        Create   incremental   demand  for  other  Wyoming   suppliers  of  gas
         compressors, engineering and construction services, contract operations
         and natural gas.

o        Establish  the  precedent  for coal  gasification  and  subsequent  GTL
         conversion using Texaco coal gasification process.

<PAGE>

ATTACHMENT B
AWARD DOCUMENTS

WYOMING BUSINESS COUNCIL LETTERHEAD

To:  Steve Achter
     Bob Ugland
     Tucker Fagan
     Governor Geringer

Subject:  Request for $800,000 of Petroleum  Violation  Escrow (PVE) funds to be
used by Rentech,  Inc. in order to determine the  feasibility of converting part
of the Coastal  Chemical plant located in Cheyenne  Wyoming from the manufacture
of MTBE, an additive  originally  thought to make automotive fuel burn with less
environmental  problems,  to the  manufacture of super clean diesel fuel,  using
Wyoming natural gas.

Background:

The  Environmental  Protection  Agency  has  mandated  the use of MTBE as a fuel
additive  in  automotive  gas  in  order  to  produce  a  less   environmentally
destructive  automotive fuel. This fuel must be used in non-attainment areas. As
a result of this mandate, a number of plants across the nation spent hundreds of
millions of dollars converting portions,  or all, of their plants in order to be
able to produce this additive.  The Coastal  Chemical plant in Wyoming is one of
these.  However,  since the introduction of MTBE as a fuel additive, it has been
discovered  that  MTBE,  as a result  of the  combustion  process,  has begun to
accumulate  in ground water  aquifers,  causing taste and odor problems and long
term health  concerns.  It has been banned in California and it is expected that
the Environmental  Protection Agency will son ban its use nationwide.  As result
of this  expected  ban,  Coastal  is in the  unenviable  position  of  having  a
substantial  portion of their plant which is unusable and with no reasonable way
to recover their capital costs.  However,  an opportunity  has been presented to
them by Rentech, Inc., which will help to offset their potential losses and more
importantly to Cheyenne and Wyoming, the loss of jobs that will otherwise occur.
Rentech has  proposed  to lease or  purchase  the portion of the plant that will
soon be unusable by Coastal. With the installation of some additional equipment,
and with the  modification of some existing  equipment,  Rentech will be able to
use Wyoming  natural gas, or coal bed methane gas, to produce an extremely clean
and environmentally friendly diesel fuel. Rentech needs to perform a feasibility
study in order to determine the reasonableness of this course of action.

Description:

There has long  existed a process  that is used to convert gas to liquids.  This
process  is called  the  "Fisher-Tropsch"  process.  Over  some  period of time,
different  companies  and  individuals  have  experimented  with and refined the
process  in order to  improve  the  conversion  efficiency.  Rentech is one such
company. The result of this research has left Rentech with their own proprietary
Fisher-Tropsch  process  which  they  feel is at least 50% more  efficient  than
anything currently being used by their competitors. Using their process, Rentech
is able to convert  natural  gas and coal bed methane  gas into  premium  liquid
hydrocarbons  such as clean  diesel  fuel,  naptha,  waxes,  and other  valuable
products.  Environmental  Testing  Corporation  of Aurora  Colorado  has  tested
Rentech Diesel against standard  commercial  diesel available at any pump in the
area, and found the following:

Rentech  "Diesel"  has a cetane  (power)  rating of 67,  compared to  commercial
diesel which has a rating of 46, has 35% less  particulate  emissions,  53% less
hydrocarbon emissions, and 41% reduction in carbon monoxide. Rentech "Diesel" is
less than .001%  sulphur by weight as compared to  approximately  .35% sulfur by
weight.

Rentech  proposes to conduct a  feasibility  study to  determine  if it would be
appropriate to convert part of the Cheyenne Coastal Chemical plant so that clean
diesel can be produced. If the feasibility study points to a positive conclusion
that such a project should be undertaken,  Rentech proposes to convert the plant

<PAGE>

in two phases.  Phase I will result in the  production  of 1600-2000  bbl/day of
product  using coal bed  methane.  The  capital  cost for this phase will be $35
million.  Successful market  penetration will result in Phase II, which will see
the production of over 5000 bbl/day of product at a capital cost of$200 million.

Rentech will have several partners in order to proceed with Phase I and Phase II
developments. These partners will include Coastal Chemical, and Jacobs Engineers
and  Constructors.  Rentech  has  nineteen  year  experience  in gas  to  liquid
technologies and has designed, built, and operated five (5) Fisher-Tropsch pilot
plants.  Jacobs,  an  international  engineering  company  has 23,000  employees
worldwide,  some at the Cheyenne  refinery,  and is well versed in gas synthesis
technology.  Coastal  Chemical has several plants  throughout the west,  and, in
addition to MTBE and other chemicals, produces fertilizer.

Need:

Rentech  needs  $800,000 in order to conduct  the  feasibility  study  needed to
determine if the Coastal  facilities  should be  converted  or not.  Rentech has
requested that they be given a loan or grant from currently  available Petroleum
Violation  Escrow funds in order to meet this  financial  requirement.  They key
goals to be derived from the feasibility study include:

         1.       Estimated Phase I conversion costs

         2.       Define project schedule

         3.       Evaluate products market

         4.       Develop gas supply methodology

Rentech  has  offered to repay the loans in either of two ways.  If Phase I does
not proceed,  Rentech will repay the loan from royalties  gained from converting
other plants  worldwide.  The payment would be 5% of Rentech's  royalties  until
Wyoming  receives  120% of the  feasibility  study  loan.  If Phase I  proceeds,
Rentech will repay the loan at time of financial  closing at the rate of 120% of
the amount borrowed.

Discussion:

Rentech has met with Wyoming Business Council employees on a number of different
occasions  in order to discuss  this  request  specifically,  and the project in
general. In view of the benefits to Wyoming, and the opportunity to use, and yet
recover,  the requested PVE funds, the discussions have always been favorable to
all parties involved.

Benefits to Wyoming:

         Funds in the PVE account  will  actually  grow over a period of time if
reimbursed at the rate proposed by Rentech.

         The  technology  and the production of the super clean diesel will show
that Wyoming is  environmentally  sensitive  and willing to put forth effort and
money in order to help our own  environment as well as that of our sister states
which may end up the  recipient  of our  fuels.  We would be seen as a leader in
clean fuels.

         Commercialization  efforts  and the  implementation  of Phases I and II
will result in the retention of jobs that will be lost due to the closing of the
MTBE plant as well as the addition of jobs and revenues  that will result due t

<PAGE>

the construction phases and any additional permanent jobs that will arise due to
more manpower requirements for the Phase I and II operations.

         A guaranteed  return of the PVE funds  regardless of the outcome of the
feasibility study.

         The opportunity to increase the value of State owned natural gas.

         If Phase I implemented,  super clean diesel will be available for State
and other Wyoming fleets.

  Potential Downfalls:

         Possibility  of Rentech  going out of business and not repaying the PVE
funds.

         Time for  repayment  of loan based on  royalties  from sales  worldwide
cannot be determined and may be considerable.

If Rentech is given a loan, as opposed to a grant,  and for any reason  defaults
on this loan, the State,  i.e. The  Governor's  office would have to make up any
principal not recovered from Rentech.

Recommendations:

The Energy  Conservation  Staff,  Investment Ready  Communities,  recommends the
funding  of  this  proposal.   It  is  our  feeling  that  the  opportunity  for
technological  growth in the state  along  with the  benefits  to be  accrued by
Rentech far outweigh the  consequences of the PVE funds not being  returned.  We
further  recommend  that we make this award a grant rather than a loan, and that
we make  arrangements  for some sort of  payment  from  Rentech  back to the PVE
account a condition of the grant.  An outright  loan is not out of the question,
but we must feel  extremely  comfortable  with this  position  since the Federal
Courts have stated that a State cannot lose PVE funds in bad loans and must make
up any  unrecoverable  amounts.  By  making  a grant  and  then  coming  to some
understanding  on a suitable  arrangement  for returning our funds at some later
date,  the issue of loans and loan losses is eliminated.  Furthermore,  we would
recommend  that instead of  accepting a 20% return on our funds,  that we take a
small equity  position in the over all royalties for the life of the plant.  For
instance,  using Rentech's  figures of 1600BBL/day for a period of ten years, if
we received  $.50/bbl,  we would stand to recover a minimum of $2,420,000 on our
investment  of  $800,000.  If the plant grows as Rentech  projects,  the bbl/day
output should actually approach 5,000 bbl/day.  In Rentech's initial proposal to
the energy  office,  in which they  requested  twice the amount they are seeking
now,  Rentech had offered a payback derived from 5% of royalties until the State
had received a 300% return on the funding.  The suggested  $.50/bbl would insure
at least a similar return.  While this would most likely result in a much longer
payback of the funds into the  appropriate  PVE account,  it should  result in a
much  higher  rate of return  over the  course  of the  lifetime  of the  plant.
Frankly, we would like to see a greater return than 20% given that we don't know
how long it will take Rentech to repay a loan, if that is the  instrument  used,
or  return  funds  based on a  grant,  based  off of  royalties  collected  from
worldwide  sales at other plants,  and given  Rentech's  initial offer of a 300%
return.  The terms of any grant or loan  require the  services  of the  Attorney
General's Office.

The Energy  Conservation Staff  specifically  recommends that Rentech be given a
grant and that Rentech later repay the grant to the appropriate PVE account at a
rate  equivalent to at least a 300% return.  We will,  however,  accept whatever

<PAGE>

instrument  and rate of  return  the  reviewers  so  choose  prior to the  final
recommendation to the Governor. If the Governor wishes, he could okay the use of
the funding,  and leave the terms up to the Business Council to be negotiated at
a later date.

Once concurrence on the use of the funds is received from the Governor, the U.S.
Department of Energy will have to be approached for their concurrence on the use
of the funds.  This is a requirement  set by the Federal Courts in order for any
State to use its petroleum violation funds.

Stripper Well Funding:

Current Balance:    $5,704,600.00
  Open Obligated Projects:  Remaining SEP funds           $   79,350.00
                            Wheatland Energy Park         $  229,000.00
                            Rocky Mountain Oilfield       $  100,000.00
                            Testing Center

Current Available Funds: $5,296,250.00

  Other Potential Projects:  SEP Program Match            $  650,000.00
                             Rough Rider Dual Fuel Demo   $  156,000.00
                              TMA Wind Demonstration      $  950,000.00
                              Derek Resources
                                Crude Recovery            $  800,000.00

Governor's Action:

  JG   August 30, 2000
-----------------------       -----------------------
Approve                       Disapprove

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