Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.19

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                  by and among

                          MERKERT AMERICAN CORPORATION
                                    as Buyer

                            UNITED BROKERAGE COMPANY
                                      d/b/a
                 THE SELL GROUP - GRAND RAPIDS, TOLEDO, DETROIT
                           INDIANAPOLIS AND FORT WAYNE
                                 as the Company

                                       and

                         THE STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY

                              As of April 26, 1999

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                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                                      INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                Page

<S>               <C>                                                           <C>
SECTION 1.        SALE OF SHARES AND PURCHASE PRICE...............................1
         1.1      Transfer of Company Shares......................................1
         1.2      Purchase Price and Payment......................................2
         1.3      Place of Closing................................................2
         1.4      Stockholders' Representative....................................3
         1.5      Further Assurances..............................................4
         1.6      Transfer Taxes..................................................4
         1.7      Deliveries at Closing...........................................4

SECTION 2.        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND
                  STOCKHOLDERS....................................................5
         2.1      Making of Representations and Warranties........................5
         2.2      Organization and Qualifications of the Company..................5
         2.3      Capital Stock of the Company; Beneficial Ownership..............6
         2.4      Subsidiaries; Acquisitions......................................6
         2.5      Authority of the Company and the Stockholders...................7
         2.6      No Conflicts....................................................7
         2.7      Real and Personal Property......................................8
         2.8      Financial Statements...........................................10
         2.9      Taxes..........................................................12
         2.10     Collectibility of Accounts Receivable..........................13
         2.11     Inventories....................................................13
         2.12     Absence of Certain Changes.....................................13
         2.13     Ordinary Course................................................15
         2.14     Approvals; Consents............................................15
         2.15     Banking Relations..............................................15
         2.16     Intellectual Property..........................................15
         2.17     Year 2000......................................................17
         2.18     Contracts......................................................17
         2.19     Litigation.....................................................19
         2.20     Compliance with Laws...........................................19
         2.21     Insurance......................................................19
         2.22     Powers of Attorney.............................................20
         2.23     Finder's Fee...................................................20
         2.24     Permits; Burdensome Agreements.................................20
         2.25     Corporate Records; Copies of Documents.........................20
         2.26     Transactions with Interested Persons...........................20
         2.27     Employee Benefit Programs......................................21
         2.28     Environmental Matters..........................................24
         2.29     List of Directors, Officers and Employees......................25
         2.30     Employees; Labor Matters.......................................26
         2.31     Principals.....................................................26
         2.32     Absence of Improper Payments...................................28
         2.33     Transfer of Shares.............................................28
         2.34     Stock Repurchase...............................................28
         2.35     Disclosure.....................................................28
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>
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                                                                                Page
<S>             <C>                                                             <C>
SECTION 3.      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER..........................29
        3.1     Making of Representations and Warranties.........................29
        3.2     Organization of Buyer............................................29
        3.3     Authority of Buyer...............................................29
        3.4     Litigation.......................................................29
        3.5     Finder's Fee.....................................................29
        3.6     No Conflicts.....................................................29
        3.7     Purchase for Investment..........................................30

SECTION 4.      RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS SUBSEQUENT TO CLOSING.....................30
        4.1     Survival of Warranties...........................................30
        4.2     Confidentiality..................................................30

SECTION 5.      INDEMNIFICATION..................................................31
        5.1     Indemnification by the Stockholders..............................31
        5.2     Limitations on Indemnification by the Stockholders...............32
        5.3     Indemnification by Buyer.........................................33
        5.4     Limitation on Indemnification by Buyer...........................33
        5.5     Notice; Defense of Claims........................................33
        5.6     Satisfaction of Stockholder Indemnification Obligations..........34
        5.7     Offset Against Lease Payments....................................34
        5.8     Life Insurance Policies..........................................35

SECTION 6.      DEFINITIONS......................................................35

SECTION 7.      MISCELLANEOUS....................................................39
        7.1     Fees and Expenses................................................39
        7.2     Governing Law....................................................39
        7.3     Notices..........................................................39
        7.4     Entire Agreement.................................................40
        7.5     Assignability; Binding Effect....................................41
        7.6     Execution in Counterparts........................................41
        7.7     Amendments.......................................................41
        7.8     Publicity and Disclosures........................................41
        7.9     Dispute Resolution; Consent to Jurisdiction......................41
        7.10    Consent to Jurisdiction..........................................42
        7.11    No Third-Party Beneficiaries.....................................42
        7.12    Severability.....................................................43
        7.13    No Stock Restrictions............................................43
</TABLE>

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                         LIST OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>         <C> <C>     <C>
Exhibit A:      List of Stockholders, Stockholdings and Consideration to be Paid
Exhibit B:      Omitted
Exhibit C:      Form of Opinion of Counsel for the Company and the Stockholders
Exhibit D:      Form of General Release
Exhibit E:      Form of Opinion of Buyer's Counsel
Exhibit F:      Addendum to Deferred Compensation Plan

Schedule    2.3         Capital Stock of the Company; Beneficial Ownership
            2.4(b)      Acquisition Rights
            2.7(a)      Real Property
            2.7(b)      Personal Property
            2.8(a)-(d)  Financial Statements and Projections
            2.9         Taxes
            2.10        Collectibility of Accounts Receivable
            2.12        Absence of Certain Changes
            2.14        Approval; Consents
            2.15        Banking Relations
            2.16        Intellectual Property and Intellectual Property Rights
            2.18        Contracts, etc.
            2.19        Litigation
            2.20        Compliance with Laws
            2.21        Insurance
            2.22        Powers of Attorney
            2.24        Permits, Burdensome Agreements
            2.26        Transactions with Interested Persons
            2.27        Employee Benefit Programs
            2.28        Environmental Matters
            2.29        List of Officers and Directors
            2.31        Principals
            2.31(e)     Principals
            2.31(f)     Principals
            2.32        Promotional Funds
            2.34        Stock Repurchases
            3.6         No Conflicts
</TABLE>

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                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") entered into as of
April 26, 1999 by and among Merkert American Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("Buyer"), United Brokerage Company, a Michigan corporation, doing business as
The Sell Group - Grand Rapids, Toledo, Detroit, Indianapolis and Fort Wayne (the
"Company"), and the holders of the Company's capital stock listed on Exhibit A
such stockholders being herein collectively referred to as the "Stockholders"
and individually as a "Stockholder"). The Stockholders other than John
Huetteman, III and Gary Van Overloop are referred to herein as "Minority
Stockholders."

                               W I T N E S S E T H

         WHEREAS, the Stockholders own, or will own as of the Closing (as
defined below), of record and beneficially all of the issued and outstanding
shares (the "Company Shares") of the common stock, par value $1.00 per share
(the "Common Stock"), of the Company;

         WHEREAS, the Company Shares constitute all the issued and outstanding
capital stock of the Company; and

         WHEREAS, the Stockholders desire to sell all of the Company Shares to
Buyer, and Buyer desires to acquire all of the Company Shares.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in order to consummate said purchase and sale and in
consideration of the mutual agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto
agree as follows:

SECTION 1.     SALE OF SHARES AND PURCHASE PRICE.

         1.1 Transfer of Company Shares. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, Buyer hereby purchases, and each
Stockholder hereby sells, assigns, conveys, transfers and delivers to Buyer all
of such Stockholder's right, title and interest in any and all of the Company
Shares owned beneficially or of record by such Stockholder free and clear of any
and all liens, encumbrances, charges, claims or adverse interests of any kind at
an aggregate purchase price for all of the Company Shares as set forth in
Section 1.2(a) hereof. At the Closing, each Stockholder shall deliver or cause
to be delivered to Buyer certificates representing all of the Company Shares
owned by such Stockholder, as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto. Such stock
certificates shall be duly endorsed in blank for transfer or shall be presented
with stock powers duly executed in blank, with such signature guarantees and
such other documents as may be reasonably required by Buyer to effect a valid
transfer of such Company Shares by such Stockholder in accordance with this
Agreement. Each Stockholder by execution of this Agreement hereby appoints Buyer
as his attorney-in-fact to effectuate transfer of the Company Shares at the
Closing.

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         1.2 Purchase Price and Payment.

                  (a) In consideration of the sale by Stockholders to Buyer of
the Company Shares and in reliance upon the representations and warranties of
the Company and the Stockholders herein contained, Buyer agrees that, subject to
certain adjustments set forth in this Agreement and on Exhibit A attached hereto
at the Closing it will pay to the Stockholders an aggregate amount equal
$4,862,145.00 (Four Million, Eight Hundred Sixty-Two Thousand One Hundred
Forty-Five Dollars) (the "Total Consideration") which shall be paid by Buyer by
delivering one-fortieth (1/40) of such amount in cash on June 30, September 30,
December 31 and March 31 of each year beginning on June 30, 1999 and ending on
March 31, 2009. The Total Consideration shall be allocated among and paid to the
Stockholders in accordance with Exhibit A, attached hereto, subject to Sections
5.6, 5,7, 5.8 and 7.1 hereof.

                  (b) Each Stockholder hereby specifically acknowledges and
agrees that Buyer's obligation to pay the amounts due hereunder is, and at all
times hereafter will be, junior and subordinate in right of payment and exercise
of remedies to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations owed in
respect of all Senior Debt (as defined below), and that the subordination of the
obligations to each Stockholder under this Agreement is for the benefit of all
holders of Senior Debt whether such Senior Debt is outstanding on the date
hereof or incurred, created or arising hereafter, effective upon receipt of
written notice to such Stockholder. Each Stockholder hereby specifically
acknowledges and agrees that upon the occurrence and during the continuation of
any default or event of default under any Senior Debt, Buyer will have no
obligation to make, and such Stockholder will not accept or receive, any payment
of any portion of the Total Consideration until such delinquent Senior Debt has
been paid in full. Should any payment, distribution, security, or proceeds
thereof be received by any Stockholder contrary to the terms hereof, such
Stockholder immediately will deliver the same to the holders of the Senior Debt
in precisely the form received (except for the endorsement or assignment of such
Stockholder where necessary), for application on or to secure the Senior Debt,
whether it is due or not due, and until so delivered the same shall be held in
trust by such Payee as property of the holders of the Senior Debt. Nothing in
this paragraph (b) shall prohibit any Stockholder from receiving and retaining
any amount due to such Stockholder hereunder provided that at the time such
amount is paid to such Stockholder there shall not have occurred or be
continuing any default or event of default under any Senior Debt.

                  (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, no payment of any portion of the Total Consideration will be made to
any Stockholder until the Company shall have received from the following former
employees of the Company an executed Addendum to Deferred Compensation Plan in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit F: James Cross, Leonard LaBine, Robert
Glass, Jim Kinsey, Reginald Primeau, Michael Hessen and William Huke.

        1.3 Place of Closing. The closing of the purchase and sale provided for
in this Agreement (herein called the "Closing") shall be held at the offices of
Goodwin, Procter & Hoar LLP, Exchange Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 or at
such other place as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties.

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         1.4 Stockholders' Representative.

                  (a) In order to administer efficiently (i) the implementation
of the Agreement by the Stockholders and (ii) the settlement of any dispute with
respect to the Agreement, the Stockholders hereby designate Gary Van Overloop as
their representative (the "Stockholders' Representative").

                  (b) The Stockholders hereby authorize the Stockholders'
Representative (i) to take all action necessary in connection with the
implementation of the Agreement on behalf of the Stockholders or the settlement
of any dispute, (ii) to give and receive all notices required to be given under
the Agreement and (iii) to take any and all additional action as is contemplated
to be taken by or on behalf of the Stockholders by the terms of this Agreement,
including without limitation, the execution and delivery of documents to
transfer the Company Shares to Buyer.

                  (c) In the event that the Stockholders' Representative dies,
becomes legally incapacitated or resigns from such position, John Huetteman, III
shall fill such vacancy and shall be deemed to be the Stockholders'
Representative for all purposes of this Agreement; however, no change in the
Stockholders' Representative shall be effective until Buyer is given notice of
it by the Stockholders.

                  (d) By their execution of this Agreement, the Stockholders
agree that:

                           (i) Buyer shall be able to rely conclusively on the
         instructions and decisions of the Stockholders' Representative as to
         any actions required or permitted to be taken by the Stockholders or
         the Stockholders' Representative hereunder, and no party hereunder
         shall have any cause of action against Buyer for any action taken by
         Buyer in reliance upon the instructions or decisions of the
         Stockholders' Representative;

                           (ii) all actions, decisions and instructions of the
         Stockholders' Representative shall be conclusive and binding upon all
         of the Stockholders and no Stockholder shall have any cause of action
         against the Stockholders' Representative for any action taken, decision
         made or instruction given by the Stockholders' Representative under
         this Agreement, except for fraud or willful breach of this Agreement by
         the Stockholders' Representative;

                           (iii) remedies available at law for any breach of the
         provisions of this Section 1.4 are inadequate; therefore, Buyer shall
         be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief without the
         necessity of proving damages if Buyer brings an action to enforce the
         provisions of this Section 1.4; and

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                           (iv) the provisions of this Section 1.4 are
         independent and severable, shall constitute an irrevocable power of
         attorney, coupled with an interest and surviving death, granted by the
         Stockholders to the Stockholders' Representative and shall be binding
         upon the executors, heirs, legal representatives and successors of each
         Stockholder.

                  (e) All fees and expenses incurred by the Stockholders'
Representative shall be paid by the Stockholders, except as provided in Section
7.1 hereof.

         1.5 Further Assurances. The Stockholders from time to time after the
Closing at the request of Buyer and without further consideration shall execute
and deliver further instruments of transfer and assignment and take such other
action as Buyer may reasonably require to more effectively transfer and assign
to, and vest in, Buyer the Company Shares and all rights thereto, and to fully
implement the provisions of this Agreement.

         1.6 Transfer Taxes. All transfer taxes, fees and duties under
applicable law incurred in connection with the sale and transfer of the Company
Shares under this Agreement will be borne and paid by the Stockholders, and the
Stockholders shall promptly reimburse the Company and Buyer for any such tax,
fee or duty which any of them is required to pay under applicable law.

         1.7 Deliveries at Closing.

                  (a) As of the Closing, the Company shall deliver to Buyer:

                           (i) a certificate of the Company's Secretary dated as
         of the date hereof certifying: (i) the Company's Articles of
         Incorporation as in effect on the date hereof; (ii) the Company's
         by-laws, as in effect on the date hereof; (iii) resolutions duly
         adopted by the Company's Board of Directors authorizing the
         transactions contemplated hereby; and (v) incumbency of the Company's
         officers.

                           (ii) an opinion from Butzel Long, P.C., counsel for
         the Company and the Stockholders, dated as of the Closing Date,
         substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C;

                           (iii) the resignations of all the Directors and
         Officers of the Company, such resignations to be effective at the
         Closing;

                           (iv) general releases signed by each of the
         Stockholders and each optionholder of the Company of all claims which
         any of them may have against the Company in the form attached hereto as
         Exhibit D; and

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                           (v) a certificate of good standing with respect to
         the Company from the Secretary of State of Michigan and each other
         jurisdiction in which the Company is qualified to do business.

         (b) As of the Closing the Buyer shall deliver to the Stockholders:

                           (i) a certificate of Buyer's President and Chief
         Financial Officer dated as of the Closing Date to the effect that the
         Board of Directors of the Company has taken all action necessary for
         the purpose of authorizing the Company to consummate the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof;

                           (ii) Releases from Comerica Bank of any and all
         personal guarantees given by any Stockholder with respect to the
         Company's indebtedness to Comerica Bank.

                           (iii) An opinion from Goodwin, Procter & Hoar LLP,
         counsel for the Buyer, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in
         the form attached hereto as Exhibit E.

SECTION 2.     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND STOCKHOLDERS.

         2.1 Making of Representations and Warranties. As a material inducement
to Buyer to enter into this Agreement and consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby, the Company and each of the Stockholders jointly and
severally hereby make to Buyer the representations and warranties contained in
this Section 2, provided, however, that the representations and warranties of
the Minority Stockholders in Sections 2.3(b), 2.5 and 2.6 hereof are only made
severally by each Minority Stockholder with respect to himself, herself or
itself. For the purposes of this Agreement, to the extent that any disclosure
made by the Company or any Stockholder would be required to be made on more than
one Schedule delivered hereunder, the Company and each Stockholder may make such
disclosure by a cross-reference to information set forth on any other Schedule
delivered hereunder. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in the
Schedules shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in this Agreement.

         2.2 Organization and Qualifications of the Company. The Company is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Michigan with full corporate power and authority to own or lease
its properties and to conduct its business in the manner and in the places where
such properties are owned or leased or such business is currently conducted or
proposed to be conducted. The copies of the Company's Articles of Incorporation,
as amended to date, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of
Michigan, and of the Company's By-laws, as amended to date, certified by the
Company's

                                        5

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Secretary, and heretofore delivered to Buyer's counsel, are complete and
correct, and no amendments thereto are pending. The Company is not in violation
of any term of its Articles of Incorporation or By-laws. The Company is
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in all jurisdictions in which
the nature of the business conducted by the Company or the characters of the
assets owned or leased by it make such qualification necessary or prudent except
for those jurisdictions wherein a failure to be so qualified would not have an
effect that is or would be materially adverse to the business, results of
operations, financial condition, assets or prospects of the Company, excluding
general economic conditions (a "Material Adverse Effect").

         2.3 Capital Stock of the Company; Beneficial Ownership.

                  (a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of
(i) 550,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 341,389 shares are duly and validly
issued, outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable and of which 208,611 shares
are authorized but unissued. No person or entity other than the Stockholders
holds any shares of the capital stock of the Company. Except as set forth on
Schedule 2.3 there are no outstanding subscriptions, calls, options, warrants,
rights, commitments, preemptive rights, arrangements or agreements of any kind
for or relating to the issuance sale transfer, registration or voting of, or
outstanding securities convertible into, exchangeable for or carrying the right
to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire, any shares of capital stock of
any class or any other equity security of the Company or outstanding warrants,
options or other rights to acquire any such convertible securities. None of the
Company's capital stock has been issued in violation of any applicable federal
or state securities law. Except as set forth in the Schedule 2.3 attached
hereto, there are no voting trusts, voting agreements, proxies or other
agreements, instruments or undertakings with respect to the voting of the
Company Shares to which the Company or any of the Stockholders is a party.

                  (b) As of November 30, 1998 and as of the Closing, each of the
Stockholders owns beneficially and of record the Company Shares set forth
opposite such Stockholder's name on Exhibit A hereto free and clear of any lien,
security interest, charge, pledge, restriction, encumbrance or adverse interest
of any kind or nature (collectively, "Liens").

         2.4 Subsidiaries; Acquisitions. (a) Except as set forth on Schedule
2.4(b), the Company does not have and has never had any subsidiaries or
investments in any other corporation or business organization ("Subsidiaries").

         (b) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.4(b) attached hereto, the Company
does not have any rights, warrants or options (the "Acquisition Rights") to
purchase or acquire the capital stock or all or substantially all of the assets
of any other corporation or business organization (an "Acquisition"). Schedule
2.4(b) attached hereto sets forth the name of each

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of the entities subject to any Acquisition Rights, the type of transaction
contemplated by the parties in each Acquisition, the termination rights, if any,
associated with such Acquisition Rights, and whether or not the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement requires the consent of any
other party to such transaction. Each of the Acquisition Rights is fully
enforceable, and will remain so, after the Closing.

         2.5 Authority of the Company and the Stockholders. The Company has full
right, authority and corporate power, and each Stockholder has full right,
power, authority and capacity, to enter into this Agreement and each agreement,
document and instrument to be executed and delivered by the Company or any
Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement and to carry out the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery and performance by the
Company and each Stockholder of this Agreement and each such other agreement,
document and instrument have been duly authorized by all necessary action of the
Company and/or such Stockholder and no other action on the part of the Company
or any Stockholder is required in connection therewith.

         2.6 No Conflicts. This Agreement and each agreement, document and
instrument executed and delivered by the Company and/or any Stockholder pursuant
to this Agreement constitutes, or when executed and delivered will constitute,
valid and binding obligations of the Company and/or such Stockholder enforceable
in accordance with their terms. The execution, delivery and performance by the
Company of this Agreement and each other agreement, document or instrument to be
executed, delivered or performed by the Company or any Stockholder (the
"Transaction Documents") does not and will not, with or without the giving of
notice or the lapse of time or both, (i) does not and will not violate any
provision of the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company; and (ii)
does not and will not violate any laws of the United States or any state or
other jurisdiction applicable to the Company or any Stockholder or require the
Company or any Stockholder to obtain any approval, consent or waiver of, or make
any filing with, any person or entity (governmental or otherwise) that has not
been obtained or made. Neither the course of conduct of the Company or any
Stockholder in connection with the negotiation, execution and delivery of this
Agreement or any other Transaction Document nor the execution, delivery or
performance by the Company or any Stockholder of this Agreement or any
Transaction Document does or will result in a breach of, constitute a default
under, accelerate any obligation under, or give rise to a right of termination
of any indenture or loan or credit agreement or any other agreement, contract,
instrument, mortgage, lien, lease, permit, authorization, order, writ, judgment,
injunction, decree, determination or arbitration award to which the Company or
any Stockholder is a party or by which the property of the Company or any
Stockholder is bound or affected, or result in the creation or imposition of any
mortgage, pledge, or other Lien in any of the Company's assets or the Company
Shares.

                                        7

<PAGE>   12

         2.7 Real and Personal Property.

                  (a) Real Property. The Company does not own and, except as set
forth on Schedule 2.7(a), has never owned, any real property. All of the real
property leased by the Company is identified on Schedule 2.7(a) (herein referred
to as the "Real Property"). Copies of each lease as currently in effect with
respect to the Leased Real Property are attached hereto. The terms of each such
lease are not less favorable to the Company than could be obtained in an arm's
length lease of a comparable property from an unaffiliated third party.

                           (i) Title. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.7(a) the
         Company has good, valid, record and marketable title to enforceable
         leasehold interests in the Real Property in each case, free and clear
         of all easements, covenants, restrictions, leases, mortgages, liens,
         assessments, claims, rights, judgments, encroachments or other matters
         affecting title (collectively, "Encumbrances"), other than:

                           (x)     easements, covenants, restrictions and
                                   similar encumbrances that do not and could
                                   not reasonably be expected to interfere with
                                   the use of the Owned Real Property as
                                   currently used and improved,

                           (y)     minor encroachments that do not and could not
                                   reasonably be expected to adversely affect
                                   the value or use of the Owned Real Property
                                   as currently used and improved and that could
                                   be removed without material cost, and

                           (z)     liens for Taxes (as defined below) not yet
                                   due or delinquent or being contested in good
                                   faith pursuant to appropriate proceedings and
                                   statutory liens arising in the ordinary
                                   course of business by operation of law that
                                   are not yet due or delinquent.

         ((x), (y) and (z) are collectively referred to as "Permitted
         Encumbrances"). To the Knowledge of the Company, the Lessors of leased
         Real Property have good, clear, record and marketable title to the such
         Real Property.

                           (ii) Status of Leases. All leases relating to Real
         Property are identified on Schedule 2.7(a), and true and complete
         copies thereof have been delivered to Buyer. Each of said leases has
         been duly authorized and executed by the parties and is in full force
         and effect. The Company is not in default under any of said leases, nor
         has any event occurred which, with notice or the passage of time, or
         both, would give rise to such a default. To the Company's Knowledge,
         the other party to each of said leases is not in default under any of
         said leases and there is no event which, with notice or the passage of
         time, or both, would give rise to such a default. For purposes of this
         Agreement, the "Knowledge" of any person other than the Company shall
         mean that

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<PAGE>   13

         such person had actual knowledge of the facts at issue and the
         Knowledge of the Company shall mean that the President or Chief
         Operating Officer of the Company knew or should have known the facts at
         issue after inquiry of the officers or employees of the Company who
         would reasonably be expected to know the matters covered by the
         statement in question.

                  (iii) Consents. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.7(a), no
         consent or approval is required with respect to the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement from the other parties to any lease of
         Real Property, from the holder of any Encumbrance on any Real Property,
         or from any regulatory authority, no filing with any regulatory
         authority is required in connection therewith, and to the extent that
         any such consents, approvals or filings are required, the Company or
         the Stockholders will obtain or complete them before the Closing.

                  (iv) Condition of Real Property. Except as set forth in
         Schedule 2.7(a), there are no material defects in the physical
         condition of any land, buildings or improvements constituting part of
         the Real Property, including without limitation, structural elements,
         mechanical systems, parking and loading areas, and all such buildings
         and improvements are in good operating condition and repair, have been
         well maintained and are free from infestation by rodents or insects.
         Except as set forth on Schedule 2.7(a), none of the Real Property is
         located in an area designated by any governmental authority as being
         within a flood plain or subject to special flood or other hazards.
         Access to the Real Property is by a public way or public street. All
         water, sewer, gas, electric, telephone, drainage and other utilities
         required by law or necessary for the current or planned operation of
         the Real Property by the Company have been connected under valid
         permits and pursuant to valid easements where required, and are
         sufficient to service the Real Property and in good operating
         condition.

                  (v) Compliance with Laws. The Company has received no notice
         from any governmental authority of any violation of any law, ordinance,
         regulation, license, permit or authorization issued with respect to any
         Real Property that has not been heretofore corrected and no such
         violation exists which could reasonably be expected to have an adverse
         affect on the operation or value of any Real Property. All improvements
         located on or constituting part of the Real Property and their use and
         operation by the Company were and are now in compliance in all respects
         with all applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, licenses, permits
         and authorizations, except as could not, individually or in the
         aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect and as set forth in Schedule
         2.7(a). No approval or consent to the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement is required of any governmental authority with jurisdiction
         over any aspect of the Real Property or its use or operations except
         where the failure to obtain such approval or consent could not,
         individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The
         Company has received no notice of any real estate tax deficiency

                                        9

<PAGE>   14

         or assessment or is aware of any proposed deficiency, claim or
         assessment with respect to any of the Real Property, or any pending or
         threatened condemnation thereof.

                  (b) Personal Property. A complete description of the machinery
and equipment of the Company is contained in Schedule 2.7(b) hereto. The
material terms of each lease pursuant to which the Company leases personal
property, as in effect on the date hereof, are set forth on Schedule 2.7(b). The
Company's total obligation with respect to automobile leases is set forth on
Schedule 2.7(b). Except as specifically disclosed in said Schedule or in the
Base Balance Sheet (as hereinafter defined), the Company has good and marketable
title to all of its personal property. None of such personal property or assets
is subject to any mortgage, pledge, conditional sale agreement or Lien except as
specifically disclosed in said Schedule or in the Base Balance Sheet. The Base
Balance Sheet reflects all personal property of the Company. Except as otherwise
specified in Schedule 2.7(b) hereto, the leasehold improvements, furnishings,
machinery and equipment of the Company taken as a whole are in good repair
(ordinary wear and tear excepted), have been well maintained, and substantially
comply with all applicable laws, ordinances and regulations, and such machinery
and equipment is in good working order. Neither the Company nor any of the
Stockholders has Knowledge of any pending or threatened change of any such law,
ordinance or regulation which could, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         2.8 Financial Statements.

                  (a) The Company has delivered to Buyer the following financial
statements, copies of which are attached hereto as Schedule 2.8:

                           (i) Balance sheets of the Company for its fiscal
         years ended November 30, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and
         statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for the five
         years then ended, which consolidated statements have been reviewed by
         Beene Garter LLP, independent public accountants (such financial
         statements, the "Reviewed Financial Statements"). The Company's
         compiled consolidated balance sheet as of November 30, 1998, is
         sometimes referred to herein as the "Base Balance Sheet").

                           (ii) The balance sheet of the Company as of February
         28, 1999 (herein the "Interim Balance Sheet") and statements of income,
         retained earnings and cash flows for the three-month period then ended,
         certified by the Company's chief financial officer (the "Interim
         Financial Statements").

                           (iii) The balance sheet of the Company as of March
         31, 1999 and statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for
         the three-month period then ended, certified by the Company's chief
         financial officer (the "March 31 Financial

                                       10

<PAGE>   15

         Statements"). The Reviewed Financial Statements, the Interim Financial
         Statements and the March 31 Financial Statements are referred to
         herein, collectively, as the "Financial Statements."

                  Except as set forth on Schedule 2.8(a), said Financial
Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles applied consistently during the periods covered thereby ("GAAP"), are
complete and correct in all material respects and present fairly the financial
condition of the Company at the dates of said statements and the results of its
operations for the periods covered thereby.

                  (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 2.8(b), as of the date of
the Base Balance Sheet, the Company had no liabilities of any nature, whether
accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, asserted or unasserted, known or
unknown (including without limitation, liabilities as guarantor or otherwise
with respect to obligations of others, liabilities for taxes due or then accrued
or to become due, or contingent or potential liabilities relating to activities
of the Company or the conduct of its business prior to the date of the Base
Balance Sheet regardless of whether claims in respect thereof had been asserted
as of such date), except liabilities stated or adequately reserved against on
the Base Balance Sheet, or reflected in Schedules furnished to Buyer hereunder
as of the date hereof.

                  (c) As of the date hereof, the Company does not have any
liabilities of any nature, whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise,
asserted or unasserted, known or unknown (including without limitation,
liabilities as guarantor or otherwise with respect to obligations of others, or
liabilities for taxes due or then accrued or to become due or contingent or
potential liabilities relating to activities of the Company or the conduct of
its business prior to the date hereof or the Closing, as the case may be,
regardless of whether claims in respect thereof had been asserted as of such
date), except liabilities (i) stated or adequately reserved against on the
Interim Balance Sheet or the notes thereto, (ii) reflected in Schedules
furnished to Buyer hereunder on the date hereof, (iii) set forth on Schedule
2.8(c) hereto, or (iv) incurred after March 31, 1999 in the ordinary course of
business of the Company consistent with the terms of this Agreement.

                  (d) The itemized projections of commission revenues for the 12
months ending March 31, 2000 which have been separately prepared by the Company
and presented to the Buyer are attached hereto as Schedule 2.8(d) and have been
based upon assumptions which are set forth therein and which were reasonable
when made and continue to be reasonable and give effect to the gains and losses
of principal accounts disclosed on Schedules 2.31(e) and 2.31(f) hereto.

                  (e) The outstanding balance under the Company's Comerica Line
of Credit as of the Closing Date does not exceed $639,322.04.

                                       11

<PAGE>   16

         2.9 Taxes.

                  (a) The Company has paid or caused to be paid all federal,
state, local, foreign, and other taxes, including without limitation, income
taxes, estimated taxes, alternative minimum taxes, excise taxes, sales taxes,
use taxes, value-added taxes, gross receipts taxes, franchise taxes, capital
stock taxes, employment and payroll-related taxes, withholding taxes, stamp
taxes, transfer taxes, windfall profit taxes, environmental taxes and property
taxes, whether or not measured in whole or in part by net income, and all
deficiencies, or other additions to tax, interest, fines and penalties owed by
it (collectively, "Taxes"), required to be paid by it through the date hereof
whether disputed or not.

                  (b) The Company has in accordance with applicable law filed
all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed by it
through the date hereof, and all such returns correctly and accurately set forth
the amount of any Taxes relating to the applicable period. A list of all
federal, state, local and foreign income tax returns filed with respect to the
Company for taxable periods ended on or after December 31, 1993 is set forth in
Schedule 2.9 attached hereto, and said Schedule indicates those returns that
have been audited or currently are the subject of an audit. For each taxable
period of the Company ended on or after December 31, 1993, the Company has
delivered to Buyer correct and complete copies of all federal, state, local and
foreign income tax returns, examination reports and statements of deficiencies
assessed against or agreed to by the Company.

                  (c) Neither the United States Internal Revenue Service (the
"IRS") nor any other governmental authority is now asserting or, to the
Knowledge of the Company or any Stockholder, has threatened to assert against
the Company any deficiency or claim for additional Taxes. No claim has ever been
made in writing by an authority in a jurisdiction where the Company does not
file reports and returns that the Company is or may be subject to taxation by
that jurisdiction. There are no security interests on any of the assets of the
Company that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay
any Taxes. The Company has never entered into a closing agreement pursuant to
Section 7121 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code").

                  (d) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.9 attached hereto, there
has not been any audit of any tax return filed by the Company, no such audit is
in progress, and the Company has not been notified by any tax authority that any
such audit is contemplated or pending. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.9, no
extension of time with respect to any date on which a tax return was or is to be
filed by the Company is in force, and no waiver or agreement by the Company is
in force for the extension of time for the assessment or payment of any Taxes.

                  (e) The Company has never been (or has ever had any liability
for unpaid Taxes because it once was) a member of an "affiliated group" (as
defined in Section 1504(a) of

                                       12

<PAGE>   17

the Code). Except as set forth in Schedule 2.9, the Company has never filed, and
has never been required to file, a consolidated, combined or unitary tax return
with any other entity. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.9, the Company does not
own and has never owned a direct or indirect interest in any trust, partnership,
corporation or other entity. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.9 attached
hereto, the Company is not a party to any tax sharing agreement.

                  (f) For purposes of this Agreement, all references to Sections
of the Code shall include any predecessor provisions to such Sections and any
similar provisions of federal, state, local or foreign law.

         2.10 Collectibility of Accounts Receivable. All of the accounts
receivable of the Company shown or reflected on the Interim Balance Sheet or
existing at the date hereof (less the reserve therefor set forth on the Interim
Balance Sheet) are or will be at the Closing valid and enforceable claims, fully
collectible and subject to no set off or counterclaim. The Company has no
accounts or loans receivable from any person, firm or corporation which is
affiliated with the Company or from any director, officer or employee of the
Company, except as disclosed on Schedule 2.10 hereto, and all accounts and loans
receivable from any such person, firm or corporation shall be paid in cash prior
to the Closing.

         2.11 Inventories. [Intentionally omitted.]

         2.12 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as disclosed in Schedule 2.12
attached hereto, since the date of the Base Balance Sheet there has not been:

                  (a) Any change in the condition (financial or otherwise),
properties, assets, liabilities, business, operations or prospects of the
Company, which change by itself or in conjunction with all other such changes,
whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                  (b) Any amendment or termination, or to the Knowledge of the
Company, proposed or threatened amendment or termination, whether written or
oral, of any Contract (as defined in Section 2.17) or material lease;

                  (c) Any contingent liability incurred by the Company as
guarantor or otherwise with respect to the obligations of others or any
cancellation of any material debt or claim owing to, or waiver of any material
right of, the Company;

                  (d) Any Encumbrance or Lien placed on any of the properties of
the Company which remains in existence on the date hereof or will remain on the
Closing Date;

                  (e) Any obligation or liability of any nature, whether
accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, asserted or unasserted, known or
unknown (including without

                                       13

<PAGE>   18

limitation liabilities for Taxes due or to become due or contingent or potential
liabilities relating to products or services provided by the Company or the
conduct of the business of the Company since the date of the Base Balance Sheet
regardless of whether claims in respect thereof have been asserted), incurred by
the Company other than obligations and liabilities incurred in the ordinary
course of business consistent with the terms of this Agreement (it being
understood that product or service liability claims shall not be deemed to be
incurred in the ordinary course of business);

                  (f) Any purchase, sale or other disposition, or any agreement
or other arrangement for the purchase, sale or other disposition, of any of the
properties or assets of the Company other than in the ordinary course of
business;

                  (g) Any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by
insurance, materially and adversely affecting the properties, assets or business
of the Company;

                  (h) Any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend
by the Company, or the making of any other distribution in respect of the
capital stock of the Company, or any direct or indirect redemption, purchase or
other acquisition by the Company of its own capital stock;

                  (i) Any labor trouble or claim of unfair labor practices
involving the Company; any change in the compensation payable or to become
payable by the Company to any of its officers, employees, agents or independent
contractors other than normal merit increases in accordance with its usual
practices; or any bonus payment or arrangement made to or with any of such
officers, employees, agents or independent contractors;

                  (j) Any change with respect to the officers or management of
the Company ;

                  (k) Any payment or discharge of a material lien or liability
of the Company which was not shown on the Base Balance Sheet or incurred in the
ordinary course of business thereafter;

                  (l) Any obligation or liability incurred by the Company to any
of its officers, directors, stockholders or employees, or any loans or advances
made by the Company to any of its officers, directors, stockholders or
employees, except normal compensation and expense allowances payable to officers
or employees;

                  (m) Any resignation or termination of the Company's
representation of any Principal (with respect to all or any of the products of
such Principal or with respect to any Customers), or any reduction in commission
rate paid by any Principal, or any notice of same (for purposes of this
Agreement, "Principal" shall mean any manufacturer, grower, processor, producer,
distributor or other wholesaler, or any supplier whose goods, products or lines
are

                                       14

<PAGE>   19

offered for sale or for retail merchandising by the Company, and "Customer"
shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other business entity from which
the Company obtains product orders on behalf of its Principals);

                  (n) Any change in accounting methods or practices, credit
practices or collection policies used by the Company;

                  (o) Any other transaction entered into by the Company other
than transactions in the ordinary course of business; or

                  (p) Any agreement or understanding whether in writing or
otherwise, for the Company to take any of the actions specified in paragraphs
(a) through (o) above.

         2.13 Ordinary Course. Since the date of the Base Balance Sheet, the
Company has conducted its business only in the ordinary course and consistently
with its prior practices.

         2.14 Approvals; Consents. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.14 attached
hereto, no approval, consent, authorization or exemption from or filing with any
person or entity not a party to this Agreement is required to be obtained or
made by the Company in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the Transaction Documents or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby.

         2.15 Banking Relations. All of the arrangements which the Company has
with any banking institution are completely and accurately described in Schedule
2.15 attached hereto, indicating with respect to each of such arrangements the
type of arrangement maintained (such as checking account, borrowing
arrangements, safe deposit box, etc.) and the person or persons authorized in
respect thereof.

         2.16 Intellectual Property.

                  (a) Except as described in Schedule 2.16, the Company has
exclusive ownership of, or exclusive license to use, all material patent,
copyright, trade secret, trademark, or other proprietary rights (collectively,
"Intellectual Property") used or to be used in the business of the Company as
presently conducted or contemplated. All of the rights of the Company in such
Intellectual Property are freely transferable. There are no claims or demands of
any other person pertaining to any of such Intellectual Property and no
proceedings have been instituted, or are pending or threatened, which challenge
the rights of the Company in respect thereof. Except as described in Schedule
2.16, the Company has the right to use, free and clear of claims or rights of
other persons, all customer lists, designs, processes, computer software,
systems, data compilations, research results and other information required for
or incident to its products or its business as presently conducted or
contemplated.

                                       15

<PAGE>   20

         (b) All patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark
applications and registrations and registered copyrights which are owned by or
licensed to the Company or used to be used by the Company in their businesses as
presently conducted or contemplated, and all other items of Intellectual
Property which are material to the business or operations of the Company, are
listed in Schedule 2.16. All of such patents, patent applications, trademark
registrations, trademark applications and registered copyrights have been duly
registered in, filed in or issued by the United States Patent and Trademark
Office, the United States Register of Copyrights, or the corresponding offices
of other jurisdictions as identified on said Schedule, and have been properly
maintained and renewed in accordance with all applicable provisions of law and
administrative regulations of the United States and each such jurisdiction.

         (c) There are no licenses or other agreements under which the Company
is granted rights in Intellectual Property except with respect to off-the-shelf
computer software. All said licenses or other agreements are in full force and
effect, there is no material default by any party thereto, and, except as set
forth on Schedule 2.16, all of the rights of the Company thereunder will
continue in full force and effect upon consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby. To the actual knowledge of the Company and the
Stockholders, the licensors under said licenses and other agreements have and
had all requisite power and authority to grant the rights purported to be
conferred thereby. True and complete copies of all such licenses or other
agreements, and any amendments thereto, have been provided to Buyer.

         (d) All licenses or other agreements under which the Company has
granted rights to others in Intellectual Property owned or licensed by the
Company are listed in Schedule 2.16. All of said licenses or other agreements
are in full force and effect, there is no material default by any party thereto,
and, except as set forth on Schedule 2.16, all of the rights of the Company
thereunder will continue in full force and effect upon consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby. True and complete copies of all such licenses
or other agreements, and any amendments thereto, have been provided to Buyer.

         (e) The Company has taken all steps required in accordance with prudent
business practice to establish and preserve its ownership of all material
Intellectual Property rights with respect to its products, services and
technology. The Company has not made any valuable non-public information of the
Company available to any person other than employees of Company except pursuant
to written agreements requiring the recipients to maintain the confidentiality
of such information and appropriately restricting the use thereof. The Company
has no Knowledge of any infringement by others of any material Intellectual
Property rights of the Company.

         (f) The present and, as of the date hereof, contemplated business,
activities and products of the Company do not infringe any Intellectual Property
of any other person.

                                       16

<PAGE>   21

No proceeding charging the Company with infringement of any adversely held
Intellectual Property has been filed or, to the Company's Knowledge, is
threatened to be filed. The Company is not making any unauthorized use of any
confidential information or trade secrets of any person, including without
limitation, to the Company's Knowledge, any former employer of any past or
present employee of Company. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.16, neither the
Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of its employees have any
agreements or arrangements with any persons other than the Company related to
confidential information or trade secrets of such persons or restricting any
such employee's ability to engage in business activities of any nature. The
activities of its employees on behalf of the Company do not violate any such
agreements or arrangements known to the Company.

         2.17 Year 2000.

                  (a) (i) The Company has (x) undertaken a comprehensive and
         detailed inventory, review and assessment of all areas within its
         business and operations to address the "Year 2000 Problem" (i.e., the
         risk that applications and/or hardware used by the Company may be
         unable to recognize and properly perform date-sensitive functions
         involving certain dates prior to and any date on or after January 1,
         2000), (y) developed a detailed plan and time line for becoming Year
         2000 Compliant on a timely basis, and (z) to date, implemented that
         plan in accordance with its timetable in all material respects;

                      (ii) The Company's Year 2000 program includes feasible
         contingency plans to ensure uninterrupted and unimpaired business
         operation, including liquidity needs, in the event of its own failure
         to be Year 2000 Compliant;

                      (iii) The Company reasonably believes that the Year 2000
         Problem will not have a Material Adverse Effect .

                  (b) For purposes of this Section, "Year 2000 Compliant" means,
with respect to the operations of the Company, that all computer-controlled
processes, electronic communications interfaces, software, hardware, machinery,
equipment, programs, and tools operate for all date-sensitive functions before,
on or after January 1, 2000 consistently, predictably, accurately and
unambiguously, without interruption or manual intervention;

         2.18 Contracts. Except for contracts, commitments, plans, agreements
and licenses described in Schedule 2.18 or disclosed in another schedule hereto
and cross-referenced to the relevant subsection of this Section 2.18 (true and
complete copies of which have been delivered to Buyer), the Company is not a
party to or subject to:

                  (a) any agreement for the sale, lease or other disposition of
products or other assets not made in the ordinary course of business;

                                       17

<PAGE>   22

                  (b) any plan or contract providing for bonuses, pensions,
options, stock purchases, deferred compensation, retirement payments, profit
sharing, collective bargaining or the like, or any contract or agreement with
any labor union;

                  (c) any employment contract or contract for services which
requires the payment of more than $20,000 annually or which is not terminable
within 30 days by the Company without liability for any penalty or severance
payment;

                  (d) any contract or agreement for the purchase of any
commodity, material or equipment except purchase orders in the ordinary course
for less than $5,000 each, such orders not exceeding $20,000 in the aggregate;

                  (e) any other contracts or agreements creating any obligations
of the Company of $5,000 or more on an individual basis or $20,000 or more on an
aggregate basis, with respect to any such contract or agreement not specifically
disclosed elsewhere under this Agreement;

                  (f) any contract or agreement providing for the purchase of
all or substantially all of its requirements of a particular product from a
supplier;

                  (g) any contract or agreement which by its terms does not
terminate or is not terminable without penalty by the Company or its successor
within one year after the date hereof;

                  (h) any contract or arrangement with any sales agent or
distributor of products of the Company;

                  (i) any contract containing covenants limiting the freedom of
the Company to compete in any line of business or with any person or entity;

                  (j) any contract or agreement for the purchase of any fixed
asset for a price in excess of $5,000 whether or not such purchase is in the
ordinary course of business;

                  (k) any license agreement (as licensor or licensee) except
standard computer software license agreements for off-the-shelf software;

                  (l) any indenture, mortgage, promissory note, loan agreement,
guaranty or other agreement or commitment for the borrowing of money; or

                  (m) any contract or agreement with any officer, employee,
director or stockholder of the Company or with any persons or organizations
controlled by or affiliated with any of them.

                                       18

<PAGE>   23

         The Company is not in default under any such contracts, commitments,
plans, agreements or licenses described in said Schedule (individually a
"Contract" and collectively the "Contracts") and the Company has no Knowledge of
conditions or facts which with notice or passage of time, or both, would
constitute a default, except where any such default could not reasonably be
expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
Each of the Contracts is valid and in full force and effect, and will be
enforceable by the Company against the other party thereto in accordance with
its terms, except for any non-competition provision or agreement limiting the
freedom of any party thereto to compete in any line of business or with any
person or entity, the benefits of which run to the Company, the enforceability
of which may be limited by the principles governing the availability of
equitable remedies.

         2.19 Litigation. Schedule 2.19 hereto lists all currently pending
litigation and governmental or administrative proceedings or investigations to
which the Company is a party. There is no litigation or governmental or
administrative proceeding or investigation pending or, to the Knowledge of the
Company or the Stockholders, threatened against the Company or its affiliates
and there is no litigation or governmental or administrative proceeding or
investigation pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company or the Stockholders,
threatened against any Stockholder relating to the business of the Company which
may individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect have or
which would prevent or hinder the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement. With respect to each matter set forth therein, Schedule 2.19
sets forth a description of the matter, the forum (if any) in which it is being
conducted, the parties thereto and the type and amount of relief sought. Except
as disclosed in Schedule 2.19 hereto, there are no (i) existing product
liability, warranty or other similar claims, against the Company for products or
services which are defective or fail to meet any product or service warranties,
(ii) to the Company's Knowledge, claims of such nature which have been
threatened or (iii) to the Knowledge of the Company or the any Stockholder, any
facts upon which a material claim of such nature reasonably could be based.
Except as disclosed in Schedule 2.19, no claim has been asserted against the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries for renegotiation or price redetermination of
any business transaction, and there are no facts upon which any such claim could
be based.

         2.20 Compliance with Laws. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.20 hereto,
the Company is in compliance with all applicable statutes, ordinances, orders,
judgements, decrees, rules and regulations promulgated by any federal, state,
municipal entity, agency, court or other governmental authority which apply to
the Company or to the conduct of its business, and the Company has received no
notice of a violation or alleged violation of any such statute, ordinance,
order, rule or regulation except as could not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         2.21 Insurance. The physical properties and assets of the Company are
insured to the extent disclosed in Schedule 2.21 attached hereto and all such
insurance policies and

                                       19

<PAGE>   24

arrangements are disclosed in said Schedule. Said insurance policies and
arrangements are in full force and effect, all premiums with respect thereto are
currently paid, and the Company is in compliance in all material respects with
the terms thereof. Said insurance is adequate and customary for the business
engaged in by the Company and is sufficient for compliance by the Company with
all requirements of law and all agreements and leases to which the Company is a
party except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         2.22 Powers of Attorney. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.22, neither
the Company nor any Stockholder has granted to any other person or entity any
outstanding power of attorney.

         2.23 Finder's Fee. The Company has not incurred or become liable for
any broker's commission or finder's fee relating to or in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         2.24 Permits; Burdensome Agreements. Schedule 2.24 lists all permits,
registrations, licenses, franchises, certifications and other approvals
(collectively, the "Approvals") required from federal, state or local
authorities in order for the Company to conduct its business. The Company has
obtained all such Approvals, which are valid and in full force and effect, and
is operating in compliance therewith. Such Approvals include, but are not
limited to, those required under federal, state, or local statutes, ordinances,
orders, requirements, rules, regulations, or laws pertaining to environmental
protection, public health and safety or worker health and safety. Except as
disclosed in Schedule 2.24, the Company is not subject to or bound by any
agreement, judgment, decree or order which could reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect.

         2.25 Corporate Records; Copies of Documents. The corporate record books
of the Company accurately record all corporate action taken by their respective
stockholders and board of directors and committees. The copies of the corporate
records of the Company, as made available to Buyer for review, are true and
complete copies of the originals of such documents. The Company has made
available for inspection and copying by Buyer and its counsel true and correct
copies of all documents referred to in this Section or in the Schedules
delivered to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement.

         2.26 Transactions with Interested Persons. Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.26 hereto, neither the Company nor any Stockholder, officer,
supervisory employee or director of the Company nor, to the Knowledge of
Company, any of their respective spouses or family members, owns directly or
indirectly on an individual or joint basis any material interest in, or serves
as an officer or director or in another similar capacity of, any competitor or
supplier of Company, or any organization which has a material contract or
arrangement with the Company.

                                       20

<PAGE>   25

         2.27 Employee Benefit Programs.

                  (a) Schedule 2.27 sets forth a list of every Employee Program
that has been maintained by the Company or an Affiliate (including, without
limitation, any entity or business which the Company has acquired by asset
purchase, stock purchase, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction) at
any time during the six-year period ending on the Closing Date.

                  (b) Each Employee Program which has ever been maintained by
the Company or an Affiliate and which has been intended to qualify under Section
401(a) or 501(c)(9) of the Code has received a favorable determination or
approval letter from the IRS regarding its qualification under such section and
has, in fact, been qualified under the applicable section of the Code from the
effective date of such Employee Program through and including the Closing Date
(or, if earlier, the date that all of such Employee Program's assets were
distributed). No event or omission has occurred which would cause any such
Employee Program to lose its qualification or otherwise fail to satisfy the
relevant requirements to provide tax-favored benefits under the applicable Code
Section (including without limitation Code Sections 105, 125, 401(a) and
501(c)(9)). Each asset held under any such Employee Program may be liquidated or
terminated without the imposition of any redemption fee, surrender charge or
comparable liability. No partial termination (within the meaning of Section
411(d)(3) of the Code) has occurred with respect to any Employee Program.

                  (c) Neither the Company nor any Affiliate knows, nor should
any of them reasonably know, of any failure of any party to comply with any laws
applicable with respect to the Employee Programs that have ever been maintained
by the Company or any Affiliate. With respect to any Employee Program ever
maintained by the Company or any Affiliate, there has been no (i) "prohibited
transaction," as defined in Section 406 of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA") or Code Section 4975, (ii) failure to
comply with any provision of ERISA, other applicable law, or any agreement, or
(iii) non-deductible contribution, which, in the case of any of (i), (ii), or
(iii), could subject the Company or any Affiliate to liability either directly
or indirectly (including, without limitation, through any obligation of
indemnification or contribution) for any damages, penalties, or taxes, or any
other loss or expense. No litigation or governmental administrative proceeding
(or investigation) or other proceeding (other than those relating to routine
claims for benefits) is pending or threatened with respect to any such Employee
Program. All payments and/or contributions required to have been made (under the
provisions of any agreements or other governing documents or applicable law)
with respect to all Employee Programs ever maintained by the Company or any
Affiliate, for all periods prior to the Closing Date, either have been made or
have been accrued (and all such unpaid but accrued amounts are described on
Schedule 2.27).

                                       21

<PAGE>   26

                  (d) Neither the Company nor any Affiliate has incurred any
liability under title IV of ERISA which has not been paid in full prior to the
Closing. There has been no "accumulated funding deficiency" (whether or not
waived) with respect to any Employee Program ever maintained by the Company or
any Affiliate and subject to Code Section 412 or ERISA Section 302. With respect
to any Employee Program maintained by the Company or any Affiliate and subject
to Title IV of ERISA, there has been no (nor will there be any as a result of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (i) "reportable event," within
the meaning of ERISA Section 4043 or the regulations thereunder, for which the
notice requirement is not waived by the regulations thereunder, and (ii) event
or condition which presents a material risk of a plan termination or any other
event that may cause the Company or any Affiliate to incur liability or have a
lien imposed on its assets under Title IV of ERISA. Except as described in
Schedule 2.27, no Employee Program maintained by the Company or any Affiliate
and subject to Title IV of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) has any
"unfunded benefit liabilities" within the meaning of ERISA Section 4001(a)(18),
as of the Closing Date. Neither the Company nor any Affiliate has ever
maintained a Multiemployer Plan. None of the Employee Programs ever maintained
by the Company or any Affiliate has ever provided health care or any other
non-pension benefits to any employees after their employment is terminated
(other than as required by part 6 of subtitle B of title I of ERISA) or has ever
promised to provide such post-termination benefits.

                  (e) With respect to each Employee Program maintained by the
Company within the six years preceding the Closing Date, complete and correct
copies of the following documents (if applicable to such Employee Program) have
previously been delivered to Buyer: (i) all documents embodying or governing
such Employee Program, and any funding medium for the Employee Program
(including, without limitation, trust agreements) as they may have been amended
to the date hereof; (ii) the most recent IRS determination or approval letter
with respect to such Employee Program under Code Section 401(a) or 501(c)(9),
and any applications for determination or approval subsequently filed with the
IRS; (iii) the six most recently filed IRS Forms 5500, with all applicable
schedules and accountants' opinions attached thereto; (iv) the six most recent
actuarial valuation reports completed with respect to such Employee Program; (v)
the summary plan description for such Employee Program (or other descriptions of
such Employee Program provided to employees) and all modifications thereto; (vi)
any insurance policy (including any fiduciary liability insurance policy or
fidelity bond) related to such Employee Program; (vii) any registration
statement or other filing made pursuant to any federal or state securities law
and (viii) all correspondence to and from any state or federal agency within the
last six years with respect to such Employee Program.

                  (f) Each Employee Program required to be listed on Schedule
2.27 may be amended, terminated, or otherwise modified by the Company to the
greatest extent permitted by applicable law, including the elimination of any
and all future benefit accruals under any Employee Program and no employee
communications or provision of any Employee Program

                                       22
<PAGE>   27

document has failed to effectively reserve the right of the Company or the
Affiliate to so amend, terminate or otherwise modify such Employee Program.

                  (g) Each Employee Program ever maintained by the Company
(including each non-qualified deferred compensation arrangement) has been
maintained in compliance with all applicable requirements of federal and state
securities laws including (without limitation, if applicable) the requirements
that the offering of interests in such Employee Program be registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and/or state "Blue Sky" laws.

                  (h) Each Employee Program ever maintained by the Company or an
Affiliate has complied with the applicable notification and other applicable
requirements of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985,
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the Newborns' and
Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996, the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 and
the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998.

                  (i) For purposes of this section:

                           (i) "Employee Program" means (A) all employee benefit
                  plans within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(3), including, but
                  not limited to, multiple employer welfare arrangements (within
                  the meaning of ERISA Section 3(40)), plans to which more than
                  one unaffiliated employer contributes and employee benefit
                  plans (such as foreign or excess benefit plans) which are not
                  subject to ERISA; (B) all stock option plans, stock purchase
                  plans, bonus or incentive award plans, severance pay policies
                  or agreements, deferred compensation agreements, supplemental
                  income arrangements, vacation plans, and all other employee
                  benefit plans, agreements, and arrangements (including any
                  informal arrangements) not described in (A) above, including
                  without limitation, any arrangement intended to comply with
                  Code Section 120, 125, 127, 129 or 137; and (C) all plans or
                  arrangements providing compensation to employee and
                  non-employee directors. In the case of an Employee Program
                  funded through a trust described in Code Section 401(a) or an
                  organization described in Code Section 501(c)(9), or any other
                  funding vehicle, each reference to such Employee Program shall
                  include a reference to such trust, organization or other
                  vehicle.

                           (ii) An entity "maintains" an Employee Program if
                  such entity sponsors, contributes to, or provides benefits
                  under or through such Employee Program, or has any obligation
                  (by agreement or under applicable law) to contribute to or
                  provide benefits under or through such Employee Program, or if
                  such Employee Program provides benefits to or otherwise covers
                  employees of such entity (or their spouses, dependents, or
                  beneficiaries).

                                       23

<PAGE>   28

                           (iii) An entity is an "Affiliate" of the Company if
                  it would have ever been considered a single employer with the
                  Company under ERISA Section 4001(b) or part of the same
                  "controlled group" as the Company for purposes of ERISA
                  Section 302(d)(8)(C).

                           (iv) "Multiemployer Plan" means an employee pension
                  or welfare benefit plan to which more than one unaffiliated
                  employer contributes and which is maintained pursuant to one
                  or more collective bargaining agreements.

         (j) The Company's liabilities with respect to deferred compensation as
of the Closing Date do not exceed $1,660,066.00 in the aggregate.

         (k) Schedule 2.27 accurately sets forth the current salaries and hourly
rates of the Company's employees as of the Closing Date together with a
reasonable estimate of the annualized salaries payable to the Company's
part-time employees. The aggregate amount of full-time salaries as of the
Closing is set forth on Schedule 2.27.

         2.28 Environmental Matters.

                  (a) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.28 hereto, (i) neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has never generated, transported, used,
stored, treated, disposed of, or managed any Hazardous Waste (as defined below);
(ii) the Company has never spilled, released, or disposed of any Hazardous
Material (as defined below) at any site presently or formerly owned, operated,
leased, or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and to the Knowledge
of the Company and the Stockholders, no Hazardous Material has ever been located
in the soil or groundwater at any such site or spilled, released or disposed of
at such site; (iii) the Company has never transported any Hazardous Material
from any site presently or formerly owned, operated, leased, or used by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries for treatment, storage, or disposal at any
other place; (iv) to the Knowledge of the Company and the Stockholders, the
Company does not presently own, operate, lease, or use, nor has it previously
owned, operated, leased, or used any site on which underground storage tanks are
or were located; and (v) to the Knowledge of the Company and the Stockholders,
no lien has ever been imposed by any governmental agency on any property,
facility, machinery, or equipment owned, operated, leased, or used by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the presence of any
Hazardous Material.

                  (b) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.28 hereto, (i) the
Company has no liability under, nor has it ever violated, any Environmental Law
(as defined below); (ii) the Company, any property owned, operated, leased, or
used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and any facilities and
operations thereon, are presently in compliance with all applicable
Environmental Laws, except as a result of activities occurring prior to the date
as of which the Company first owned or leased such property of which the Company
has no

                                       24

<PAGE>   29

Knowledge; (iii) the Company has never entered into or been subject to any
judgment, consent decree, compliance order, or administrative order with respect
to any environmental or health and safety matter or received any request for
information, notice, demand letter, administrative inquiry, or formal or
informal complaint or claim with respect to any environmental or health and
safety matter or the enforcement of any Environmental Law; and (iv) the Company
has no reason to believe that any of the items enumerated in clause (iii) of
this subsection will be forthcoming.

                  (c) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.28 hereto, to the
Knowledge of the Company and the Stockholders, no site owned, operated, leased,
or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries contains any asbestos or
asbestos-containing material, any polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or equipment
containing PCBs, or any urea formaldehyde foam insulation.

                  (d) The Company has provided to Buyer copies of all documents,
records, and information reasonably available to the Company concerning any
environmental or health and safety matter relevant to the Company, whether
generated by the Company or others, including without limitation, environmental
audits, environmental risk assessments, site assessments, documentation
regarding off-site disposal of Hazardous Materials, spill control plans, and
reports, correspondence, permits, licenses, approvals, consents, and other
authorizations related to environmental or health and safety matters issued by
any governmental agency.

                  (e) For purposes of this Section 2.28, (i) "Hazardous
Material" shall mean and include any hazardous waste, hazardous material,
hazardous substance, petroleum product, oil, toxic substance, pollutant,
contaminant, or other substance which may pose a threat to the environment or to
human health or safety, as defined or regulated under any Environmental Law;
(ii) "Hazardous Waste" shall mean and include any hazardous waste as defined or
regulated under any Environmental Law; (iii) "Environmental Law" shall mean any
environmental or health and safety-related law, regulation, rule, ordinance, or
by-law at the foreign, federal, state, or local level, whether existing as of
the date hereof, previously enforced, or subsequently enacted; and (iv)
"Company" shall mean and include the Company and all other entities for whose
conduct the Company is or may be held responsible under any Environmental Law.

         2.29 List of Directors, Officers and Employees. Schedule 2.29 hereto
contains a true and complete list of all current directors and officers of the
Company. In addition, Schedule 2.29 hereto contains a list of all managers,
employees and consultants of the Company, in each case such Schedule includes
the current job title, current compensation rate and aggregate compensation
during the preceding twelve (12) months of each such individual.

                                       25

<PAGE>   30

         2.30 Employees; Labor Matters. The Company employs a total of 56
full-time employees and 127 part-time employees and generally enjoys good
employer-employee relationships. The Company is not delinquent in payments to
any of its employees for any wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses or other
direct compensation for any services performed for it to the date hereof or
amounts required to be reimbursed to such employees. Upon termination of the
employment of any of said employees, neither the Company, nor Buyer will by
reason of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement or anything done
prior to the Closing be liable to any of said employees for so-called "severance
pay" or any other payments. The Company has no policy, plan or program of paying
severance pay or any form of severance compensation in connection with the
termination of employment. The Company is in compliance with all applicable laws
and regulations respecting labor, employment, fair employment practices, work
place safety and health, terms and conditions of employment, and wages and
hours. There are no charges of employment discrimination or unfair labor
practices, nor are there any strikes, slowdowns, stoppages of work, or any other
concerted interference with normal operations which are existing, pending or, to
the knowledge of the Company or any Stockholder, threatened against or involving
the Company. No question concerning representation exists respecting any
employees of the Company. There are no grievances, complaints or charges that
have been filed against the Company under any dispute resolution procedure
(including, but not limited to, any proceedings under any dispute resolution
procedure under any collective bargaining agreement) that could, individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and
there is no arbitration or similar proceeding pending and no claim therefor has
been asserted. No collective bargaining agreement is in effect or is currently
being or is about to be negotiated by the Company. The Company has received no
information indicating that any of its employment policies or practices is
currently being audited or investigated by any federal, state or local
government agency. The Company is, and at all times since November 6, 1986 has
been, in compliance with the requirements of the Immigration Reform Control Act
of 1986.

         2.31 Principals.

                  (a) The list of the Company's Principals and the aggregate
brokerage commission revenues received by the Company during the period from
November 30, 1997 to the Closing Date from each such Principal, attached hereto
as Schedule 2.31, is true, correct and complete. The Company has delivered to
Buyer true and complete copies of all those written brokerage agreements and/or
letters of appointment with or from the Company's Principals that exist and in
effect as of the date of this Agreement. Set forth on Schedule 2.31 is a list of
all other agreements and documents with or involving any person or entity and
relating to financial obligations of the Company with respect to commissions or
other payments received by the Company (or an affiliate of the Company) from
Principals. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.31, since November 30, 1997, the
Company has had no commitment, understanding or agreement with any Principal or
any other person or entity relating to payments to be made by the Company to any
person or entity computed in whole or in part with respect to sales of or
commissions paid or to be paid by any Principal.

                                       26

<PAGE>   31

                  (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 2.31, the Company is not
currently, and since November 30, 1997 has not been, subject to any notice of
probation from any Principal. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.31, since
November 30, 1997, the Company has not received any oral or written
communication from any Principal which places the Company on probation or
otherwise suggests, threatens or implies possible termination of the Company's
appointment as broker for such Principal, any reduction in the commission rate
paid to the Company or any reduction as to the geographic area, Customers or
products represented by the Company, conditionally or unconditionally.

                  (c) To the Knowledge of the Company and the Stockholders, no
Principal intends to, or is considering, amending the terms of the Company's
brokerage agreement with such Principal in order or reappoint, or continue the
appointment of, the Company as broker with respect to a lesser portion of the
applicable territory than the greatest portion of such area in which, or with
respect to fewer than the greatest number of product items or Customers than,
the Company acted as broker for such Principal during the period from November
30, 1997 through the Closing Date, or at a lower commission rate than the
highest rate paid by such Principal to the Company with respect to sales during
such period. The relationships of the Company with its Principals are good
commercial working relationships.

                  (d) Except as set forth on Schedule 2.31, there are, and since
November 30, 1997 there have been, no disputes or claims involving individually
in excess of $5,000 or in the aggregate in excess of $20,000, (i) between the
Company and any Principal, (ii) between the Company and any Customer, or (iii)
to the Knowledge of the Company, between any Principal and any Customer. As used
in this Section 2.30(d), the terms "disputes" or "claims" shall mean (A) matters
which, to the Knowledge of the Company, have been referred to counsel or are the
subject of litigation, or (B) matters as to which a Principal has threatened to
seek recourse against the Company, or may be reasonably expected to seek
recourse against the Company, if such matter is not resolved to the satisfaction
of such Principal.

                  (e) With respect to all Principals (i) which, since November
30, 1997, have terminated such party's brokerage relationship with the Company
or (ii) which, since November 30, 1997, have reduced or otherwise adversely
modified the geographic territory in which the Company acts as broker or the
product item(s) represented by the Company or (iii) from which, since November
30, 1997, the Company has resigned, in whole or in part, its representation as a
food broker, Schedule 2.31(e) sets forth (A) the name of such Principal and the
effective date of such termination, reduction or resignation and (B) the
Company's estimated annualized commission revenues from each such Principal for
the twelve months ending March 31, 2000 in the absence of such modification,
termination or resignation, which estimates were reasonable when made and
continue to be reasonable.

                                       27
<PAGE>   32

                  (f) With respect to all Principals which, since November 30,
1997, have entered into a brokerage relationship with the Company, or have
substantially increased an existing brokerage relationship with the Company,
Schedule 2.31(f) sets forth (i) the name of such Principal and the date on which
such Principal entered into a brokerage agreement with the Company and (ii) the
Company's estimated annualized commission revenues attributable to such
Principal for the twelve months ending March 31, 2000, which estimates were
reasonable when made and continue to be reasonable.

         2.32 Absence of Improper Payments.

                  (a) Since January 1, 1989 the Company: (i) has not made any
                  contributions, payments or gifts of its property to or for the
                  private use of any governmental official, employee or agent
                  where either the payment or the purpose of such contribution,
                  payments or gift is illegal under the laws of the United
                  States, any state thereof or any other jurisdiction (foreign
                  or domestic), (ii) has not established or maintained any
                  unrecorded fund or asset for any purpose, or made any false or
                  artificial entries on its books or records for any reason,
                  (iii) has not made any payments to any person where the
                  Company intended or understood that any part of such payment
                  was to be used for any other purpose other than that described
                  in the documents supporting the payment, (iv) has not made any
                  contribution, or reimbursed any political gift or contribution
                  made by any other person, to candidates for public office,
                  whether federal, state or local, where such contribution would
                  be in violation of applicable law or (v) has not misused,
                  misapplied or improperly handled, administered or managed
                  market development or promotional funds or market development
                  or promotional fund accounts in any material respect.

                  (b) Schedule 2.32 sets forth each of the Company's promotional
                  funds.

         2.33 Transfer of Shares. No holder of stock of the Company has at any
time transferred any of such stock to any employee of the Company, which
transfer constituted or could reasonably be expected to be viewed as
compensation for services rendered to the Company by said employee.

         2.34 Stock Repurchase. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.34, the
Company has not redeemed or repurchased, or entered into any written or oral
agreement to redeem or repurchase, any of its capital stock.

         2.35 Disclosure. The representations, warranties and statements
contained in this Agreement and in the agreements, certificates, exhibits and
schedules delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement to Buyer do not
contain any untrue statement of a

                                       28

<PAGE>   33

material fact, and, when taken together, do not omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make such
representations, warranties or statements not misleading in light of the
circumstances under which they were made. To the Knowledge of the Company and
the Stockholders, there are no facts which presently or could reasonably be
expected in the future to have a Material Adverse Effect which have not been
specifically disclosed herein or in a Schedule furnished herewith, other than
general economic conditions affecting the industries in which the Company
operates.

SECTION 3.     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER.

         3.1 Making of Representations and Warranties. As a material inducement
to the Company and the Stockholders to enter into this Agreement and consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby, Buyer hereby makes the representations and
warranties to the Company and the Stockholders contained in this Section 3.

         3.2 Organization of Buyer. Buyer is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware
with full corporate power to own or lease its properties and to conduct its
business in the manner and in the places where such properties are owned or
leased or such business is conducted by it.

         3.3 Authority of Buyer. Buyer has full right, authority and power to
enter into this Agreement and each agreement, document and instrument to be
executed and delivered by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement and to carry out the
transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance by
Buyer of this Agreement and each such other agreement, document and instrument
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of Buyer and no
other action on the part of Buyer is required in connection therewith. This
Agreement and each other agreement, document and instrument executed and
delivered by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement constitute, or when executed and
delivered will constitute, valid and binding obligations of Buyer enforceable in
accordance with their terms.

         3.4 Litigation. There is no litigation pending or, to the Buyer's
Knowledge, threatened against Buyer which would prevent or hinder the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         3.5 Finder's Fee. Except for the arrangement between the Buyer and
Monroe & Company, LLC as previously disclosed to the Company, Buyer has not
incurred or become liable for any broker's commission or finder's fee relating
to or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         3.6 No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of
this Agreement and each other agreement contemplated by this Agreement to which
such entity is a

                                       29

<PAGE>   34

party does not and will not with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of
time or both, (a) violate any provision of Buyer's Certificate of Incorporation,
as amended to date, (b) constitute a violation of, or conflict with or result in
any breach of, acceleration of any obligation under, right of termination under,
or default under, any agreement or instrument to which Buyer is a party or by
which either of them is bound, (c) to the Knowledge of Buyer violate any
judgment, decree, order, statute, law, rule or regulation applicable to Buyer
(d) except as set forth on Schedule 3.6 attached hereto, require Buyer to obtain
any approval, consent or waiver of, or to make any filing with, any person or
entity (governmental or otherwise) that has not been obtained or made or (e)
result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of property or assets of
Buyer.

         3.7 Purchase for Investment. Buyer is acquiring the Company Shares
pursuant to this Agreement for its own account and not with a view to a public
distribution thereof and acknowledges that the Company Shares being so acquired
have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or any state
securities act and cannot be transferred or sold unless registered under all
such applicable laws or pursuant to an available exemption from the registration
requirements thereof.

SECTION 4.     RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS SUBSEQUENT TO CLOSING.

         4.1 Survival of Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties
herein or in any schedule, exhibit, certificate or financial statement delivered
by any party to the other party incident to the transactions contemplated hereby
are material, shall be deemed to have been relied upon by the other party and
shall survive the Closing regardless of any investigation and shall not merge in
the performance of any obligation by either party hereto.

         4.2 Confidentiality. The Company and the Stockholders shall hold in
strict confidence, and will not use, any confidential or proprietary data or
information obtained from Buyer with respect to the Buyer's business or
financial condition. Information generally known in the Buyer's industry or
which has been disclosed to the Company or any Stockholder by third parties
which have a right to do so shall not be deemed confidential or proprietary
information for purposes of this Agreement. At Buyer's request, the Company and
each Stockholder will return to the Buyer all copies of such data and
information, including but not limited to financial information, customer lists,
business and corporate records, worksheets, test reports, tax returns, lists,
memoranda, and other documents prepared by or made available to the Company or
any Stockholder in connection with the transaction.

                                       30
<PAGE>   35

SECTION 5.  INDEMNIFICATION.

         5.1 Indemnification by the Stockholders. The Stockholders jointly and
severally agree subsequent to the Closing to indemnify and hold the Company,
Buyer and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates and persons serving as
officers, directors, partners or employees of any of the foregoing (individually
a "Buyer Indemnified Party" and collectively the "Buyer Indemnified Parties")
harmless from and against any damages, liabilities, losses, taxes, fines,
penalties, costs, and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees
of counsel) of any kind or nature whatsoever (whether or not arising out of
third-party claims and including all amounts paid in investigation, defense or
settlement of the foregoing) which may be sustained or suffered by any of them
arising out of or based upon any of the following matters:

                  (a) fraud, intentional misrepresentation or a deliberate or
wilful breach by the Company or any Stockholder of any of their representations,
warranties or covenants under this Agreement or in any agreement, document,
instrument, certificate, schedule or exhibit delivered pursuant hereto;

                  (b) any other breach of any representation, warranty or
covenant of the Company or any Stockholder under this Agreement or in any
agreement, document, instrument, certificate, schedule or exhibit delivered
pursuant hereto, or by reason of any claim, action or proceeding asserted or
instituted arising out of any matter or thing constituting a breach of such
representations or warranties; provided, however, that with respect to any
breach of the representations contained in Sections 2.3(b), 2.5 and 2.6, the
indemnification obligations of each Minority Stockholder shall be only with
respect to breaches of any such representation by such Minority Stockholder.

                  (c) any liability of the Company for Taxes arising from an
event or transaction prior to the Closing or as a result of the Closing which
have not been paid or provided for or adequately reserved against by the
Company, including without limitation, any increase in Taxes due to the
unavailability of any loss or deduction claimed by the Company (except to the
extent such unavailability is solely attributable to the actions or
circumstances of Buyer).

                  (d) any liability relating to the operation, activities or
conduct of the business of the Company on or prior to the Closing Date, other
than (i) liabilities or obligations of the Company reflected on the Base Balance
Sheet or incurred thereafter in the ordinary course of business (except for any
such liability required to be disclosed on a Schedule to this Agreement that is
not so disclosed), (ii) liabilities under the Contracts or any contract,
agreement or arrangement not required to be disclosed on any Schedule to this
Agreement and (iii) other liabilities disclosed in this Agreement or any
Schedule furnished pursuant hereto; and

                                       31

<PAGE>   36

                  (e) any liability of the Company in respect of any claim made
by any third party and relating to, arising out of or in connection with any
event occurring on or prior to the Closing Date, except to the extent reserved
or reflected on the Financial Statements or set forth on Schedule 2.8(c) hereto.

                  (f) Each Stockholder hereby acknowledges and agrees that no
Stockholder shall have any right of indemnity or contribution from the Company
with respect to any breach of any representation or warranty hereunder.

         5.2 Limitations on Indemnification by the Stockholders.

                  (a) Threshold. Subject to the exceptions set forth in Section
9.2(b) below, no indemnification shall be payable by the Stockholders with
respect to claims except to the extent that the cumulative amount of all such
claims first exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) in the aggregate (the
"Threshold Amount"), whereupon the Buyer Indemnified Parties shall be entitled
to dollar-for-dollar indemnification from the first dollar in accordance with
the terms hereof.

                  (b) Maximum Indemnification. Subject to the exceptions set
forth in Section 9.2(c) below, the Stockholders shall not be obligated to
indemnify any Indemnified Party for any amount of otherwise indemnifiable losses
in excess of One Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,750,000.00)
(the "Maximum Indemnification") and no Stockholder shall be obligated to
indemnify Company Indemnified Parties for an aggregate amount greater than the
aggregate amount of the Total Consideration which such Stockholder would
otherwise have been entitled to receive pursuant to Exhibit A hereto (the
"Stockholder Limit").

                  (c) No Limitation on Certain Claims. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, Buyer Indemnified Parties (i) shall be entitled to
dollar-for-dollar indemnification from the first dollar, (ii) shall not be
subject to the Threshold Amount, (iii) shall not be subject to the Maximum
Indemnification, and (iv) shall not be subject to the Stockholder Limit in
seeking indemnification from the Stockholders with respect to any of the
following:

                           (i) Losses involving a breach by the Company or any
         Stockholder of any of the representations and warranties contained in
         Section 2.3, 2.5, 2.8(b) or (c), 2.9, 2.22, 2.27, 2.28 or 2.32; or

                           (ii) Losses described in Sections 5.1(a) or
         5.1(c)-(e), inclusive.

                  (d) Time Limitation. No indemnification shall be payable to a
Buyer Indemnified Party with respect to claims asserted pursuant to Subsection
5.1(b) after the date which is the second anniversary of the Closing Date (the
"Indemnification Cut-Off Date"); provided that (i) any claim as to which notice
is given by a Buyer Indemnified Party to the

                                       32

<PAGE>   37

Stockholders prior to the Indemnification Cut-Off Date shall survive the
Indemnification Cut-Off Date until final resolution of such claim; (ii) claims
based upon or related to a breach of any representation or warranty contained in
Sections 2.5, 2.9, 2.22, 2.23, 2.27, 2.28 or 2.32 or in Sections 5.1(c)-5.1(e),
inclusive may be asserted until the 60th day following expiration of the statute
of limitations (if any) applicable to such claim; and (iii) claims based upon a
breach of any representation or warranty contained in Section 2.3 or pursuant to
Section 5.1(a) shall continue without limitation as to time.

         5.3 Indemnification by Buyer. Buyer agrees to indemnify and hold the
Stockholders (individually a "Stockholder Indemnified Party" and collectively
the "Stockholder Indemnified Parties") harmless from and against any damages,
liabilities, losses and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees
of counsel) of any kind or nature whatsoever (whether or not arising out of
third-party claims and including all amounts paid in investigation, defense or
settlement of the foregoing) which may be sustained or suffered by any of them
arising out of or based upon any breach of any representation or warranty made
by Buyer in this Agreement or in any certificate delivered by Buyer hereunder,
or by reason of any claim, action or proceeding asserted or instituted growing
out of any matter or thing constituting such a breach.

         5.4 Limitation on Indemnification by Buyer. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no indemnification shall be payable to the Stockholders with respect
to claims asserted pursuant to Section 9.3 above after the Indemnification
Cut-Off Date.

         5.5 Notice; Defense of Claims. An indemnified party may make claims for
indemnification hereunder by giving written notice thereof to the indemnifying
party within the period in which indemnification claims can be made hereunder.
If indemnification is sought for a claim or liability asserted by a third party,
the indemnified party shall also give written notice thereof to the indemnifying
party promptly after it receives notice of the claim or liability being
asserted, but the failure to do so shall not relieve the indemnifying party from
any liability except to the extent that it is prejudiced by the failure or delay
in giving such notice. Such notice shall summarize the bases for the claim for
indemnification and any claim or liability being asserted by a third party.
Within 20 days after receiving such notice the indemnifying party shall give
written notice to the indemnified party stating whether it disputes the claim
for indemnification and whether it will defend against any third party claim or
liability at its own cost and expense. If the indemnifying party fails to give
notice that it disputes an indemnification claim within 20 days after receipt of
notice thereof, it shall be deemed to have accepted and agreed to the claim,
which shall become immediately due and payable. The indemnifying party shall be
entitled to direct the defense against a third party claim or liability with
counsel selected by it (subject to the consent of the indemnified party, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) as long as the indemnifying party is
conducting a good faith and diligent defense. The indemnified party shall at all
times have the right to fully participate in the defense of a third party claim
or liability at its own expense directly or through counsel; provided, however,
that if the named parties to the action or

                                       33

<PAGE>   38

proceeding include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and the
indemnified party is advised that representation of both parties by the same
counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional
conduct, the indemnified party may engage separate counsel at the expense of the
indemnifying party. If no such notice of intent to dispute and defend a third
party claim or liability is given by the indemnifying party, or if such good
faith and diligent defense is not being or ceases to be conducted by the
indemnifying party, the indemnified party shall have the right, at the expense
of the indemnifying party, to undertake the defense of such claim or liability
(with counsel selected by the indemnified party), and to compromise or settle
it, exercising reasonable business judgment. If the third party claim or
liability is one that by its nature cannot be defended solely by the
indemnifying party, then the indemnified party shall make available such
information and assistance as the indemnifying party may reasonably request and
shall cooperate with the indemnifying party in such defense, at the expense of
the indemnifying party.

         5.6 Satisfaction of Stockholder Indemnification Obligations. In order
to satisfy the indemnification obligations of the Stockholders pursuant to
Section 5.1 above and without limiting any right of any Buyer Indemnified Party
with respect to any claim for indemnification thereunder, subject to the
limitations set forth in Section 5.2, claims for indemnity by a Buyer
Indemnified Party hereunder shall first be recovered by offset against any
portion of the Total Consideration outstanding and payable to the Stockholders
hereunder and may not be asserted against the assets of any Stockholder except
to the extent that the amount recoverable exceeds the portion of the Total
Consideration available to be offset. Nothing herein shall limit the right of a
Stockholder to challenge or dispute a claim for indemnification.

         5.7 Offset Against Lease Payments.

                  (a) To the extent that the Company is required under the terms
of those certain leases between Patton Company and U.B.C. Marketing with respect
to the property at 4267 Canal Avenue, Grandville, Michigan 49418 and between
Huettehoff Properties and United Brokerage Corporation, with respect to the
property at 8200 Old Thirteen Mile, Warren, Michigan 48093, each as amended to
date (the "Leases"), to make rental payments for periods occurring more than six
(6) months after the Company provides notice of its election to terminate such
lease or leases, the Company shall have the right to offset the amounts of all
such rental payments against any portion of the Total Consideration outstanding
and payable to the Stockholders hereunder.

                  (b) If the Company at any time gives at least six (6) months'
notice to the lessor under that certain lease between LaCross Company and the
Company with respect to the property designated Lot Number Five (5) in Holiday
Park, a subdivision in Perrysburg Township, Wood County, Ohio, that the Company
intends to vacate such leased premises, and the Company in fact vacates such
premises, the Company shall have the right to offset the amounts of all rental
payments with respect to such property for all periods from and after date the
Company vacates such premises against any portion of the Total Consideration
outstanding and payable to the Stockholders hereunder.

                                       34

<PAGE>   39

         5.8 Life Insurance Policies. The Stockholders jointly and severally
agree subsequent to the Closing to indemnify and hold each Buyer Indemnified
Party harmless from and against any damages, liabilities, losses, taxes, fines,
penalties, costs, and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees
of counsel) of any kind or nature whatsoever (whether or not arising out of
third-party claims and including all amounts paid in investigation, defense or
settlement of the foregoing) which may be sustained or suffered by any of them
arising out of or based upon any breach of the representations of the Company
contained in this Section 5.8. Such indemnification shall not be subject to the
Maximum Indemnification, the Threshold Amount, the Stockholder Limit or the
Indemnification Cut-Off Date. The Company represents and warrants to the Buyer
that: (i) the aggregate cash surrender value of life insurance policies owned by
the Company as of the Closing Date is $293,771.18 (the "CSV Amount"); (ii) the
Company has the right to terminate each applicable life insurance policy to
obtain the CSV amount in cash, (iii) the Company has no obligation to continue
any payments with respect to any life insurance policy after the Closing Date,
and (iv) upon termination of each such life insurance policy owned by the
Company and receipt of the CSV Amount by the Company, the Company will have all
right, title and interest in and to the CSV Amount, and no natural person or
entity of any type will have any valid claim to any portion of the CSV Amount.
The Company, Buyer and the Stockholders acknowledge that certain life insurance
policies owned by the Company will be distributed to certain Stockholders to
satisfy deferred compensation obligations of the Company to such Stockholders.

SECTION 6.  DEFINITIONS.

         For the purposes of this Agreement, the capitalized terms set forth
below shall have the meanings indicated.

         "Accountants" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2 hereof.

         "Accumulated Funding Deficiency" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 2.27 hereof.

         "Acquisition" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4 hereof.

         "Acquisition Rights" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4
         hereof.

         "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27 hereof.

         "Affiliated Group" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9
         hereof.

                                       35

<PAGE>   40

         "Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.

         "Approvals" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.24 hereof.

         "Base Balance Sheet" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8
         hereof.

         "Blue Sky" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27 hereof.

         "Buyer" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.

         "Buyer Indemnified Party" and "Buyer Indemnified Parties" shall have
         the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 hereof.

         "Closing" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.3 hereof.

         "Closing Date" shall mean the date on which the Closing occurs.

         "Code" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9 hereof.

         "Common Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.

         "Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.

         "Company Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals
         hereto.

         "Contract" and "Contracts" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         2.18 hereof.

         "Controlled Group" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27
         hereof.

         "CPR Rules" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.10 hereof.

         "Customers" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12 hereof.

         "Employee Program" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27
         hereof.

         "Encumbrances" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7 hereof.

         "Environmental Law" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.28
         hereof.

         "ERISA" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27 hereof.

                                       36

<PAGE>   41

         "Financial Statements" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8
         hereof.

         "GAAP" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8 hereof.

         "Hazardous Material" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.28
         hereof.

         "Hazardous Waste" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.28
         hereof.

         "Indemnified Cut-Off Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         5.2 hereof.

         "Intellectual Property" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         2.16 hereof.

         "Interim Balance Sheet" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8
         hereof.

         "Interim Financial Statements" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 2.8 hereof.

         "IRS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9 hereof.

         "Knowledge" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7 hereof.

         "Liens" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3 hereof.

         "Maintains" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27 hereof.

         "Material Adverse Effect" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         2.2 hereof.

         "Maximum Indemnification" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         5.

         "Minority Stockholders" shall have the meaning set forth in the
         Recitals hereto.

         "Multiemployer Plan" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27
         hereof.

         "Permitted Encumbrances" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         2.7 hereof.

         "Principal" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.

         "Products" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.16 hereof.

         "Prohibited Transaction" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         2.27 hereof.

         "Real Property" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7 hereof.

         "Reportable Event" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27
         hereof.

                                       37

<PAGE>   42

         "Reviewed Financial Statements" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 2.8 hereof.

         "Senior Debt" shall mean and include all principal of, interest on,
         premium, if any, and other obligations of Buyer with respect to any (i)
         indebtedness to any bank, trust company, insurance company or other
         institutional lender providing financing to Buyer whether outstanding
         on the date hereof or incurred, created or arising hereafter pursuant
         to any agreement or instrument which Buyer may have executed and
         delivered prior to the date hereof, or may execute and deliver as of
         the date hereof or at any time hereafter, including, without
         limitation, the indebtedness of Buyer under that certain Credit
         Agreement, as amended from time to time, dated as of December 18, 1998,
         by and between Buyer, First Union National Bank, as agent and certain
         other lenders named therein, (ii) indebtedness of Buyer for monies
         borrowed from other entities, (iii) obligations of Buyer as lessee
         under leases of real or personal property, (iv) principal of, interest
         on and premium, if any, relating to any indebtedness or obligations of
         others of the kinds described (i), (ii) and (iii) above assumed or
         guaranteed in any manner by Buyer, and (v) any amendment, modification,
         supplement, restatement, refinancing, deferral, renewal, extension or
         refunding of any such indebtedness described in (i), (ii), (iii), and
         (iv) above (including, without limitation, any of the foregoing having
         the effect of increasing the principal amount of the indebtedness
         outstanding or available thereunder) as may be entered into by Buyer
         from time to time. Each Stockholders agrees, and each successor or
         assign of such Stockholder by the acceptance of this Agreement agrees,
         to execute any subordination agreement(s) consistent with the terms of
         this Agreement that Buyer and the holders of any Senior Debt may
         request to better reflect the subordination of the indebtedness
         evidenced hereby to any Senior Debt incurred by Buyer.

         "Severance Pay" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.31
         hereof.

         "Stockholder" and "Stockholders" shall have the meaning set forth in
         the Recitals hereto.

         "Stockholder Indemnified Party and "Stockholder Indemnified Parties"
         shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.3 hereof.

         "Stockholders' Representative" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 1.4 hereof.

         "Taxes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9 hereof.

         "Threshold Amount" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2
         hereof.

                                       38

<PAGE>   43

         "Transaction Documents" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6
         hereof.

         "Unfunded Benefit Liabilities" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 2.27 hereof.

SECTION 7.  MISCELLANEOUS.

        7.1    Fees and Expenses.

                  (a) Buyer shall pay all of its fees, expenses and costs
incurred in connection with the preparation and negotiation of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  (b) The Company shall pay the fees, expenses and costs
incurred by the Stockholders prior to the Closing in connection with the
preparation and negotiation of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby. The Stockholders will reimburse the Buyer for
any such fees, expenses and costs paid by the Company. The Buyer shall offset
the amount of any such fees, costs and expenses against all amounts payable to
the Stockholders hereunder or in connection herewith (pro rata among the
Stockholders in proportion to the amount of the Total Consideration payable to
each Stockholder) and no amount shall be paid to any Stockholder hereunder or in
connection herewith until the Buyer shall have been fully reimbursed for all
such fees, expenses and costs.

                  (c) The Stockholders will pay all fees, expenses and costs
incurred subsequent to the Closing in connection with the transfer of the
Company Shares to Buyer as contemplated by this Agreement, including without
limitation, all transfer taxes and charges applicable to such transfer, and all
costs of obtaining permits, waivers, registrations or consents with respect to
any assets, rights or contracts of the Company.

         7.2 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed under and governed
by the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to its
conflict of laws provisions.

         7.3 Notices. Any notice, request, demand or other communication
required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been given if delivered or sent by facsimile transmission, upon receipt, if sent
by a nationally recognized overnight courier for next day delivery, on the next
business day following delivery to such overnight courier, or if sent by
registered or certified mail, upon the sooner of the date on which receipt is
acknowledged or the expiration of three days after deposit in United States post
office facilities properly addressed with postage prepaid. All notices to a
party will be sent to the addresses set forth below or to such other address or
person as such party may designate by notice to each other party hereunder:

                                       39

<PAGE>   44

TO BUYER:                  Merkert American Corporation
                           490 Turnpike Street
                           Canton, Massachusetts 02021
                           Attn:  Chief Executive Officer

With a copy to:            Goodwin, Procter & Hoar  LLP
                           Exchange Place
                           Boston, MA  02109
                           Attn.: Stuart M. Cable, P.C.

TO COMPANY:                The Sell Group - Grand Rapids, Toledo, Detroit,
                           Indianapolis and Fort Wayne
                           4267 Canal Avenue
                           Grandville, Michigan 49418
                           Attn: Gary Van Overloop

With a copy to:            Butzel Long, P.C.
                           150 West Jefferson
                           Suite 900
                           Detroit, Michigan 48226-4430
                           Attn:  Justin G. Klimko, Esq.

TO ANY STOCKHOLDER:        The Sell Group - Grand Rapids, Toledo, Detroit,
                           Indianapolis and Fort Wayne
                           4267 Canal Avenue
                           Grandville, Michigan 49418
                           Attn: Gary Van Overloop

Any notice given hereunder may be given on behalf of any party by his counsel or
other authorized representatives.

         7.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Schedules and
Exhibits referred to herein and the other writings specifically identified
herein or contemplated hereby, is complete, reflects the entire agreement of the
parties with respect to its subject matter, and supersedes all previous written
or oral negotiations, commitments and writings. No promises, representations,
understandings, warranties and agreements have been made by any of the parties
hereto except as referred to herein or in such Schedules and Exhibits or in such
other writings; and all inducements to the making of this Agreement relied upon
by either party hereto have been expressed herein or in such Schedules or
Exhibits or in such other writings.

                                       40

<PAGE>   45

         7.5 Assignability; Binding Effect. This Agreement shall only be
assignable by Buyer to a corporation, partnership or other entity controlling,
controlled by or under common control with Buyer upon written notice to the
Company and the Stockholders. This Agreement may not be assigned by the
Stockholders or the Company without the prior written consent of Buyer. This
Agreement shall be binding upon and enforceable by, and shall inure to the
benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted
assigns.

         7.6 Execution in Counterparts. For the convenience of the parties and
to facilitate execution, this Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall
constitute one and the same document.

         7.7 Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended or modified, nor may
compliance with any condition or covenant set forth herein be waived, except by
a writing duly and validly executed by each party hereto, or in the case of a
waiver, the party waiving compliance.

         7.8 Publicity and Disclosures. No press releases or public disclosure,
either written or oral, of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
shall be made by a party to this Agreement without the prior knowledge and
written consent of Buyer and the Company.

         7.9 Dispute Resolution; Consent to Jurisdiction.

                  (a) Except as provided below, any dispute arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination or validity hereof shall
be finally settled by arbitration conducted expeditiously in accordance with the
Center for Public Resources Rules for Nonadministered Arbitration of Business
Disputes (the "CPR Rules"). The Center for Public Resources shall appoint a
neutral advisor from its National CPR Panel. The arbitration shall be governed
by the United States Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Sections 1-16, and judgment upon
the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered by any court having
jurisdiction thereof.

                  (b) Any such arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with
the following:

                           (i) The arbitrator shall be authorized, but not
         required, award to the prevailing party the costs of arbitration,
         including the reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and
         accountants.

                           (ii) The arbitrator shall not be authorized or
         empowered to award damages in excess of compensatory damages.

                           (iii) The arbitrator shall enforce the following
         agreed upon procedures: (A) mandatory exchange of all relevant
         documents to be accomplished

                                       41

<PAGE>   46

         within 30 days of the initiation of the arbitration procedure; (B)
         hearings before the arbitrator shall be limited to a summary
         presentation by each party not to exceed six hours for each party; (C)
         all hearings shall have concluded not more than 60 days after the
         initiation of the arbitration procedure; and (D) the arbitrator's
         decision shall be rendered not more than 10 days after the conclusion
         of such hearings.

                  (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
the provisions of this Section 7.9 shall not apply with regard to any equitable
remedies to which any party may be entitled hereunder.

                  (d) Each of the parties hereto (i) hereby irrevocably submits
to the jurisdiction of the any state or federal court sitting in Boston,
Massachusetts for the purpose of enforcing the award or decision in any such
proceeding, (ii) hereby waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a
defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it
is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that
its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit,
action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the
suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or the subject
matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court, and (iii) hereby waives
and agrees not to seek any review by any court of any other jurisdiction which
may be called upon to grant an enforcement of the judgment of any such court.
Each of the parties hereto hereby consents to service of process by registered
mail at the address to which notices are to be given. Each of the parties hereto
agrees that its submission to jurisdiction and its consent to service of process
by mail is made for the express benefit of the other parties hereto. Final
judgment against any party hereto in any such action, suit or proceeding may be
enforced in other jurisdictions by suit, action or proceeding on the judgment,
or in any other manner provided by or pursuant to the laws of such other
jurisdiction; provided, however, that any party hereto may at its option bring
suit, or institute other judicial proceedings, in any state or federal court of
the United States or of any country or place where the other parties or their
assets, may be found.

         7.10 Consent to Jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereby consents to
the exclusive personal jurisdiction, service of process and venue in the federal
or state courts sitting in Boston, Massachusetts for any claim, suit or
proceeding arising under this Agreement, or in the case of a third party claim
subject to indemnification hereunder, in the court where such claim is brought.
The provisions of this Section 7.10 shall be subject to the mandatory dispute
resolution provisions of Section 7.9 hereof.

         7.11 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended solely
for the benefit of the parties hereto. Neither this Agreement nor any of the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to create or enlarge any rights
in any party not a party hereto.

                                       42

<PAGE>   47

         7.12 Severability. The parties agree that, in the event that any
provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any
party is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be contrary to law, the
provision in question shall be construed so as to be lawful and the remaining
provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

         7.13 No Stock Restrictions. The Company and each Stockholder hereby
waives the application of any Stock Purchase and Option Agreement or similar
agreement between the Company and such stockholder to the transactions
contemplated hereby.

                  [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

                                       43

<PAGE>   48

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the date first set forth above by their duly authorized
representatives.

                                             MERKERT AMERICAN
                                             CORPORATION

                                             By:
                                                -------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                             UNITED BROKERAGE COMPANY

                                             By:
                                                -------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                             STOCKHOLDERS:

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             David L. Bassett

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Donald J. Beverwyk

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Christian E. Bunse

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Steven R. Cole

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Jon G. Cross

<PAGE>   49

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Richard D. Egloff

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Joseph A. Fuller

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Robert E. Host

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             John Huetteman III

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Robert C. Kemmer

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             David W. McIntosh

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Dennis F. Nagel

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Roger E. Osmun

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Mark A. Petrell

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Ted S. Reiter

<PAGE>   50

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Michael L. Schofield

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Gerald D. Schwark

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Douglas L. Smith

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Kenneth E. Sobecki

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             David A. Vander Meer

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Everet VanKuiken

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Gary H. Van Overloop<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21

                     EMPLOYMENT AND NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT

     This AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is entered into as of April 27, 1999, by
and between Merkert American Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Employer"), and Gerald R. Leonard (the "Executive"). This Agreement will become
effective on the Effective Date (as defined in Section 3 hereof) and until the
Effective Date, neither the Employer nor Executive shall have any rights or
obligations hereunder. Upon the Effective Date, this Agreement will supersede
and replace in its entirety the Employment and Noncompetition Agreement dated as
of December 18, 1998 by and between the Employer and the Executive and neither
party will have any further rights or obligations thereunder. This Agreement
will terminate upon, and will not become effective in the event of, any
termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 27, 1999 by
and among the Employer, Richmont Marketing Specialists, Inc. and the other
parties thereto (as amended from time to time, the "Merger Agreement"). In
consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, the Employer
and the Executive agree as follows:

     1.   Employment. The Employer agrees to employ the Executive and the
Executive agrees to be employed by the Employer on the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement.

     2.   Capacity. The Executive shall serve the Employer as Chief Executive
Officer. In such capacity, the Executive shall perform such services and duties
in connection with the business, affairs and operations of the Employer
consistent with such position as may be assigned or delegated to the Executive
from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Directors of the
Employer (the "Board of Directors").

     3.   Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 6, the term of employment
pursuant to this Agreement shall be five (5) years from the Effective Date (the
"Initial Term") and shall continue from month to month thereafter (the "Extended
Term"), subject to either party's thirty (30) day advance notice of non-renewal
(a "Non-renewal Notice"). The Effective Date of this Agreement shall be the date
on which the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the
Merger (as defined therein), are consummated.

     4.   Compensation and Benefits. The regular compensation and benefits
payable to the Executive under this Agreement shall be as follows:

          (a)  Salary. For all services rendered by the Executive under this
     Agreement, the Employer shall pay the Executive a salary (the "Salary") at
     the annual rate of FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($450,000), subject
     to increase from time to time in the discretion of the Board of Directors
     or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Compensation
     Committee"). The Salary shall be payable in periodic installments in
     accordance with the Employer's usual practice for its senior executives.

<PAGE>   2

          (b)  Bonus. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in annual
     incentive program established by the Board of Directors or the Compensation
     Committee with such terms as may be established in the sole discretion of
     the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee; provided that such annual
     incentive plan shall be adopted on or before the closing of the Merger and
     shall provide for annual cash bonus incentives commensurate with the
     Executive's position.

          (c)  Stock Options. On the Effective Date, the Employer will grant to
     the Executive options to purchase sixty thousand (60,000) shares of common
     stock of the Employer. Such stock options shall have a per share exercise
     price equal to the greater of (i) Fair Market Value (as defined in the
     Employer's 1998 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the "Plan")) at the date
     of grant and (ii) $13.50, shall vest ratably over a five (5) year period,
     and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

          (d)  Regular Benefits. From and after the commencement of the Initial
     Term, the Executive shall continue to participate in such employee benefit
     plans of the Employer in which the Executive participated prior to the
     Merger (the "Predecessor Plans"). The Executive may continue to participate
     in each such Predecessor Plan, in accordance with and subject to each such
     Predecessor Plan's terms and conditions, as may be modified or amended from
     time to time by the Employer, until such time as the Employer terminates
     any such Predecessor Plan. Thereafter, the Executive shall be entitled to
     participate in any employee benefit plans, including, without limitation,
     medical insurance plans, life insurance plans, disability income plans,
     retirement plans, and other benefit plans, which the Employer may from time
     to time have in effect for all or most of its senior executives.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employer will keep in place the current
     disability policy in effect for the Executive for the duration of his
     employment. During the Initial Term, the Employer shall provide the
     Executive with medical insurance coverage that is substantially equivalent
     to the medical insurance coverage applicable to the Executive immediately
     prior to the Merger. The Executive's participation in any employee benefit
     plan shall at all times be subject to the terms of the applicable plan
     documents, generally applicable policies of the Employer, applicable law
     and the discretion of the Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee or
     any administrative or other committee provided for in or contemplated by
     any such plan. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to
     create any obligation on the part of the Employer to establish any such
     plan or to maintain the effectiveness of any such plan which may be in
     effect from time to time.

          (e)  Other Benefits and Perquisites.

               (i)  Expenses. The Employer shall reimburse the Executive for
               expenses reasonably incurred by the Executive in furtherance of
               his duties for the Employer hereunder. The Employer's obligation
               to reimburse the Executive for such expenses shall be subject to
               the

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<PAGE>   3

               Employer's expense reimbursement policies, as established,
               modified or amended by the Employer from time to time, and the
               submission by the Executive of documentation in a form acceptable
               to the Employer.

               (ii) Automobile. During the Initial Term, the Executive shall be
               entitled to use an automobile supplied by the Employer and to
               receive reimbursement from the Employer for business-related
               automobile expenses to the extent that and subject to
               substantially equivalent terms and conditions on which the
               Employer provided such benefits to the Executive immediately
               prior to the Merger.

               (iii) Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks
               of paid vacation per year which shall accrue on a pro rata basis.
               The Executive's entitlement to carry-over unused vacation from
               year to year shall be subject to vacation policies established,
               and as modified or amended, from time to time by the Employer;
               provided, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to
               require the Employer to permit the carry-over of unused vacation.
               The number of days of paid vacation accrued for the Executive as
               of the Effective Date will carry forward until used and will be
               deemed to be used after all accrued vacation under this Agreement
               has been used.

          (f)  Taxation of Payments and Benefits. The Employer shall undertake
     to make deductions, withholdings and tax reports with respect to payments
     and benefits under this Agreement to the extent that it reasonably and in
     good faith believes that it is required to make such deductions,
     withholdings and tax reports. Payments under this Agreement shall be
     reduced by any such deductions or withholdings. Nothing in this Agreement
     shall be construed to require the Employer to make any payments to
     compensate the Executive for any adverse tax effect associated with any
     payments or benefits or for any deduction or withholding from any payment
     or benefit.

          (g)  Exclusivity of Salary and Benefits. The Executive shall not be
     entitled to any payments or benefits other than those provided under this
     Agreement.

     5.   Extent of Service. During the Executive's employment under this
Agreement, the Executive shall, subject to the direction and supervision of the
Board of Directors, devote the Executive's full business time, best efforts and
business judgment, skill and knowledge to the advancement of the Employer's
interests and to the discharge of the Executive's duties and responsibilities
under this Agreement. The Executive shall not engage in any other business
activity, except as may be approved by the Board of Directors; provided that
nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as preventing the Executive from:

          (a)  investing the Executive's assets in any company or other entity
     in a manner not prohibited by Section 7(d) and in such form or manner as
     shall not require

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<PAGE>   4

     any material activities on the Executive's part in connection with the
     operations or affairs of the companies or other entities in which such
     investments are made; or

          (b)  engaging in religious, charitable or other community or
     non-profit activities that do not impair the Executive's ability to fulfill
     the Executive's duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.

     6.   Termination and Termination Benefits. Notwithstanding the provisions
of Section 3, the Executive's employment under this Agreement shall terminate
under the following circumstances set forth in this Section 6.

          (a)  Termination by the Employer for Cause. The Executive's employment
     under this Agreement may be terminated for cause without further liability
     on the part of the Employer effective immediately upon a vote of the Board
     of Directors and written notice to the Executive. Only the following shall
     constitute "cause" for such termination:

               (i)  intentional dishonest statements or acts of the Executive
          with respect to the Employer or any affiliate of the Employer which
          constitute material disloyalty or dishonesty toward the Employer or
          any affiliate of the Employer or cause significant damage to the
          Employer or any affiliate of the Employer, including damage to the
          business reputation of the Employer or any affiliate of the Employer;

               (ii) the conviction of the Executive for (A) a felony or (B) any
          crime involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud;

               (iii) subject to the provisions of subsection (e) below, failure
          or refusal to perform to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board of
          Directors a substantial portion of the Executive's duties and
          responsibilities reasonably assigned or delegated under this
          Agreement, which failure continues, in the reasonable judgement of the
          Board of Directors, after the Board of Directors has given written
          notice to the Executive detailing the substance of the alleged failure
          or refusal and the Executive has been given a reasonable opportunity
          to cure such alleged failure or refusal;

               (iv) gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Executive with
          respect to the Employer or any affiliate of the Employer which is
          repeated or continued by the Executive, in the reasonable judgment of
          the Board of Directors, after the Board of Directors has given written
          notice to the Executive detailing the substance of the alleged
          negligence or misconduct and the Executive has been given a reasonable
          opportunity to cure such alleged negligence or misconduct; or

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

               (v)  material breach by the Executive of any of the Executive's
          other material obligations under this Agreement, which breach is
          repeated or continued by the Executive, in the reasonable judgment of
          the Board of Directors, after the Board of Directors has given written
          notice to the Executive detailing the substance of the alleged breach
          and the Executive has been given a reasonable opportunity to cure such
          alleged breach.

          (b)  Termination by the Executive. The Executive's employment under
     this Agreement may be terminated by the Executive by written notice to the
     Board of Directors at least thirty (30) days prior to such termination.

          (c)  Termination by the Employer Without Cause. Subject to the payment
     of Termination Benefits pursuant to Section 6(d), the Executive's
     employment under this Agreement may be terminated by the Employer without
     cause upon written notice to the Executive of a vote by the Board of
     Directors to terminate delivered to the Executive at least thirty (30) days
     prior to such termination, provided that, the Employer, in its sole
     discretion, may elect to earlier terminate the Executive without such
     notice upon payment to the Executive of additional compensation for the
     number days by which thirty (30) exceeds the number of days by which such
     notice preceded the date of such termination. Notwithstanding anything
     herein to the contrary, the Employer shall be deemed to have terminated the
     Executive under this Section 6(c), thereby entitling him to all of the
     rights and benefits set forth herein for termination under this Section
     6(c), if the Employer, without the Executive's prior written consent, (i)
     changes the Executive's position or title set forth in Section 2 hereof or
     the level of responsibilities generally accorded to the Chief Executive
     Officer, (ii) breaches its obligations to the Executive under this
     Agreement, or (iii) moves the primary location of his employment or directs
     the Executive to work more than two weeks in any calender month at, a
     location which is outside of a 50-mile radius of the city limits of Canton,
     Massachusetts.

          (d)  Certain Termination Benefits. Unless otherwise specifically
     provided in this Agreement or otherwise required by law, all compensation
     and benefits payable to the Executive under this Agreement shall terminate
     on the date of termination of the Executive's employment under this
     Agreement pursuant to this Section 6 or due to delivery of a Non-renewal
     Notice from either party to the other. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in
     the event of termination of the Executive's employment with the Employer
     pursuant to Section 6(c) above, the Employer shall provide to the Executive
     the following termination benefits ("Termination Benefits"):

               (i)  continuation of the Salary at the rate then in effect
               pursuant to Section 4(a);

               (ii) continuation of group health plan benefits, (A) if permitted
               by Employer's health plan or if Employer self-insures (provided
               that

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

               Employer shall have no obligation to self-insure), until the
               expiration of the Initial Term, or (B) if not permitted by
               Employer's health plan, to the extent authorized by and
               consistent with 29 U.S.C Section 1161 et seq. (commonly known as
               "COBRA"), in either case with the cost of the regular premium for
               such benefits shared in the same relative proportion by the
               Employer and the Executive as in effect on the date of
               termination; and

               (iii) continuation of automobile benefits as in effect on the
               date of termination pursuant to Section 4(d)(ii).

     The Termination Benefits set forth in (i) above shall continue effective
until the later of (A) the expiration of the Initial Term or (B) for twelve
months from the date of termination of employment, provided that the Executive
shall not have materially breached, (1) as of the date of termination, any of
his or her covenants or agreements contained in Sections 7 and 8 of this
Agreement or (2) thereafter, any of his or her covenants or agreements contained
in this Agreement. The Termination Benefits set forth in (ii) and (iii) above
shall continue effective until the expiration of the Initial Term, provided that
the Executive shall not have materially breached, (x) as of the date of
termination, any of his or her covenants or agreements contained in Section 7
and 8 of this Agreement or (y) thereafter, any of his or her covenants or
agreements contained in this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing
in this Section 6(d) shall be construed to affect the Executive's right to
receive COBRA continuation entirely at the Executive's own cost to the extent
that the Executive may continue to be entitled to COBRA continuation after the
Executive's right to cost sharing under Section 6(d)(ii) ceases.

          (e)  Disability. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a)(iii)
     above, if the Executive shall be disabled so as to be unable to perform the
     essential functions of the Executive's then existing position or positions
     under this Agreement with or without reasonable accommodation, the Board of
     Directors may remove the Executive from any responsibilities and/or
     reassign the Executive to another position with the Employer for the
     remainder of the Initial Term or, if the Initial Term has expired, any
     Extended Term, or during the period of such disability. Notwithstanding any
     such removal or reassignment, the Executive shall continue to receive the
     Executive's full Salary (less any disability pay or sick pay benefits to
     which the Executive may be entitled under the Employer's policies) and
     benefits under Section 4 of this Agreement (except to the extent that the
     Executive may be ineligible for one or more such benefits under applicable
     plan terms) for a period of time equal to the remainder of the Initial Term
     or, if the Initial Term has expired, any Extended Term, provided that the
     Executive remains employed by the Employer during such period. In the event
     that the Employer terminates the Executive's employment without cause
     pursuant to Section 6(c) or the Employer delivers a Non-renewal Notice to
     the Executive, in either case due to the Executive's continuing inability
     to perform the essential functions of the Executive's then existing
     position or positions, the Executive shall be eligible to receive

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

     Termination Benefits subject to and in accordance with the terms and
     conditions of Section 6(d), provided that the Executive's Termination
     Benefit additionally shall be subject to reduction by the amount of any
     payments the Executive receives under any disability benefit plan or plans
     or insurance policies the Employer maintains for the Executive, or under
     worker's compensation, or state or federal disability benefit programs. If
     any question shall arise as to whether during any period the Executive is
     disabled so as to be unable to perform the essential functions of the
     Executive's then existing position or positions with or without reasonable
     accommodation, the Executive may, and at the request of the Employer shall,
     submit to the Employer a certification in reasonable detail by a physician
     selected by the Employer to whom the Executive or the Executive's guardian
     has no reasonable objection as to whether the Executive is so disabled or
     how long such disability is expected to continue, and such certification
     shall for the purposes of this Agreement be conclusive of the issue. The
     Executive shall cooperate with any reasonable request of the physician in
     connection with such certification. If such question shall arise and the
     Executive shall fail to submit such certification, the Employer's
     determination of such issue shall be binding on the Executive. Nothing in
     this Section 6(e) shall be construed to waive the Executive's rights, if
     any, under existing law including, without limitation, the Family and
     Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq. and the Americans
     with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.

     7.   Confidential Information, Noncompetition and Cooperation.

          (a)  Confidential Information. As used in this Agreement,
     "Confidential Information" means information belonging to the Employer
     which is of value to the Employer in the course of conducting its business
     and the disclosure of which could result in a competitive or other
     disadvantage to the Employer. Confidential Information includes, without
     limitation, financial information, reports, and forecasts; market or sales
     information, plans, methods and techniques; pricing policies; customer
     lists; price lists; inventions, improvements and other intellectual
     property; trade secrets; know-how; designs, processes or formulae;
     software; and business plans, prospects and opportunities (such as possible
     acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or facilities) which have been
     discussed or considered by the management of the Employer. Confidential
     Information includes information developed by the Executive in the course
     of the Executive's employment by the Employer, as well as other information
     to which the Executive may have access in connection with the Executive's
     employment. Confidential Information also includes the confidential
     information of others with which the Employer has a business relationship,
     including without limitation its principals, packers and suppliers.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information does not include
     information in the public domain, unless due to breach of the Executive's
     duties under Section 7(b).

          (b)  Confidentiality. The Executive understands and agrees that the
     Executive's employment creates a relationship of confidence and trust
     between the

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<PAGE>   8

     Executive and the Employer with respect to all Confidential Information. At
     all times, both during the Executive's employment with the Employer and
     after its termination, the Executive will keep in confidence and trust all
     such Confidential Information, and will not use or disclose any such
     Confidential Information without the written consent of the Employer,
     except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing the
     Executive's duties to the Employer.

          (c)  Documents, Records, etc. All documents, records, data, apparatus,
     equipment and other physical property, whether or not pertaining to
     Confidential Information, which are furnished to the Executive by the
     Employer or are produced by the Executive in connection with the
     Executive's employment will be and remain the sole property of the
     Employer. The Executive will return to the Employer all such materials and
     property as and when requested by the Employer. In any event, the Executive
     will return all such materials and property immediately upon termination of
     the Executive's employment for any reason. The Executive will not retain
     with the Executive any such material or property or any copies thereof
     after such termination.

          (d)  Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. During the Initial Term and
     any Extended Term(s) and for one (1) year thereafter (or during the period
     during which the Executive is entitled to receive Termination Benefits, if
     longer) (the "Restricted Period"), the Executive (i) will not, directly or
     indirectly, whether as owner, partner, shareholder, advisor, consultant,
     agent, employee, co-venturer, creditor, officer, director, trustee or
     otherwise, engage, participate, assist or invest in any Restricted Business
     within the Territory (as those terms are hereinafter defined); (ii) will
     refrain from directly or indirectly employing, attempting to employ,
     recruiting or otherwise soliciting, inducing or influencing any person to
     leave employment with the Employer (other than terminations of employment
     of subordinate employees undertaken in the course of the Executive's
     employment with the Employer); and (iii) (other than on behalf of the
     Employer) will refrain from directly or indirectly, in any manner,
     providing Services to any principal, customer or supplier of the Employer,
     soliciting such principal, customer or supplier of the Employer where a
     purpose or effect of such solicitation is to provide Services directly or
     indirectly, from soliciting or encouraging any principal, customer or
     supplier to terminate or otherwise modify adversely its business
     relationship with the Employer. The Executive understands that the
     restrictions set forth in this Section 7(d) are intended to protect the
     Employer's interest in its Confidential Information and established
     employee, customer and supplier relationships and goodwill, and agrees that
     such restrictions are reasonable and appropriate for this purpose.

     For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Restricted Business" shall mean
     any person, business or entity that provides Services.

     For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Services" shall mean:

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

          (A)  any business actively conducted by the Employer on the date of
          the termination of Executive's employment with the Employer, and

          (B)  any business conducted by the Employer within the twelve (12)
          month period immediately preceding the termination of Executive's
          employment with the Employer, and

          (C)  any business the Employer actively considered entering within
          twelve (12) months preceding the date of the termination of
          Executive's employment with the Employer if the Executive had
          knowledge of such consideration and the Employer in fact commences
          conducting such business during the Initial Term, any Extended Term(s)
          or during the six-month period thereafter, provided that any business
          included under this clause (C) will cease to be included if the
          Employer ceases to engage in such business.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the term "Services" shall exclude
     any business which derives all of its revenues from the sale of products
     which are manufactured by such business and (ii) the Executive may own up
     to one percent (1%) of the outstanding stock of a publicly held corporation
     which constitutes or is affiliated with a Restricted Business.

     For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Territory" shall mean:

          (A)  any geographic area in which the Employer engaged in business and
          for which the Executive had any responsibility at the time of the
          termination of the Executive's employment or within the twelve (12)
          month period preceding termination, and

          (B)  any geographic area in which the Employer engaged in business at
          the time of the termination of the Executive's employment or within
          the twelve (12) month period preceding termination, and

          (C)  any geographic area in which the Employer actively considered
          conducting business within twelve (12) months preceding the date of
          the termination of Executive's employment with the Employer if the
          Executive had knowledge of such consideration and the Employer in fact
          commences conducting business therein during the Initial Term, any
          Extended Term(s) or during the six-month period thereafter, provided
          that any geographic area included under this clause (C) will cease to
          be included if the Employer ceases to engage in business in such
          geographic area.

          The parties acknowledge and agree that for purpose of this Section 7,
     the term "Employer" includes the Employer, its related and affiliated
     entities, and their respective predecessors, successors and assigns.

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

          (e)  Principals and Customers. For purposes of construing the
     provisions of this Section 7, any and all persons, firms and entities for
     whom the Employer performs services, to whom the Employer sells or from
     whom the Employer solicits and obtains orders, in the course of its
     business, are and shall be deemed the principals and/or customers of the
     Employer (or its principals), both during and after the period of the
     Executive's employment with the Employer, notwithstanding the fact that
     some or all of said persons, firms or entities may have been induced to
     give their business to the Employer by the solicitation by the Executive,
     or by someone on his or her behalf, either during the usual working hours
     of the Executive or otherwise, and notwithstanding the fact that all or
     some of such persons, firms or entities may have previously been principals
     or customers of (i) the Executive, (ii) any corporation or other entity
     with which the Executive was formerly employed or which was controlled or
     owned, in whole or in part, by the Executive, or (iii) any principal of
     such corporation or entity.

          (f)  Third-Party Agreements and Rights. The Executive hereby confirms
     that the Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any
     previous employer or other party which restricts in any way the Executive's
     use or disclosure of information or the Executive's engagement in any
     business. The Executive represents to the Employer that the Executive's
     execution of this Agreement, the Executive's employment with the Employer
     and the performance of the Executive's proposed duties for the Employer
     will not violate any obligations the Executive may have to any such
     previous employer or other party. In the Executive's work for the Employer,
     the Executive will not disclose or make use of any information in violation
     of any agreements with or rights of any such previous employer or other
     party, and the Executive will not bring to the premises of the Employer any
     copies or other tangible embodiments of non-public information belonging to
     or obtained from any such previous employment or other party.

          (g)  Litigation and Regulatory Cooperation. During and after the
     Executive's employment, the Executive shall cooperate fully with the
     Employer in the defense or prosecution of any claims or actions now in
     existence or which may be brought in the future against or on behalf of the
     Employer which relate to events or occurrences that transpired while the
     Executive was employed by the Employer. The Executive's full cooperation in
     connection with such claims or actions shall include, but not be limited
     to, being reasonably available to meet with counsel to prepare for
     discovery or trial and to act as a witness on behalf of the Employer at
     mutually convenient times. During and after the Executive's employment, the
     Executive also shall cooperate fully with the Employer in connection with
     any investigation or review of any federal, state or local regulatory
     authority as any such investigation or review relates to events or
     occurrences that transpired while the Executive was employed by the
     Employer. The Employer shall reimburse the Executive for any reasonable
     out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the Executive's
     performance of obligations pursuant to this Section 7(g).

                                       10
<PAGE>   11

          (h)  Injunction. The Executive agrees that it would be difficult to
     measure any damages caused to the Employer which might result from any
     breach by the Executive of the promises set forth in this Section 7, and
     that in any event money damages would be an inadequate remedy for any such
     breach. Accordingly, subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, the Executive
     agrees that if the Executive breaches, or proposes to breach, any portion
     of this Agreement, the Employer shall be entitled, in addition to all other
     remedies that it may have, to an injunction or other appropriate equitable
     relief to restrain any such breach without showing or proving any actual
     damage to the Employer.

     8.   Arbitration of Disputes. Any controversy or claim arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof or otherwise arising out of the
Executive's employment or the termination of that employment (including, without
limitation, any claims of unlawful employment discrimination whether based on
age or otherwise) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be settled by
arbitration in any forum and form agreed upon by the parties or, in the absence
of such an agreement, under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association
("AAA") in Boston, Massachusetts in accordance with the Employment Dispute
Resolution Rules of the AAA, including, but not limited to, the rules and
procedures applicable to the selection of arbitrators. In the event that any
person or entity other than the Executive or the Employer may be a party with
regard to any such controversy or claim, such controversy or claim shall be
submitted to arbitration subject to such other person or entity's agreement.
Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court
having jurisdiction thereof. This Section 8 shall be specifically enforceable.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 8 shall not preclude either party
from pursuing a court action for the sole purpose of obtaining a temporary
restraining order or a preliminary injunction in circumstances in which such
relief is appropriate; provided that any other relief shall be pursued through
an arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section 8.

     9.   Consent to Jurisdiction. To the extent that any court action is
permitted consistent with or to enforce Section 8 of this Agreement, the parties
hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and (to the extent subject matter jurisdiction exists therefor) of
the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Accordingly,
with respect to any such court action, the Executive (a) submits to the personal
jurisdiction of such courts; (b) consents to service of process; and (c) waives
any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise)
with respect to personal jurisdiction or service of process.

     10.  Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
agreements between the parties with respect to any related subject matter.

     11.  Assignment; Successors and Assigns, etc. Neither the Employer nor the
Executive may make any assignment of this Agreement or any interest herein, by
operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other
party; provided that the

                                       11
<PAGE>   12

Employer may assign its rights under this Agreement without the consent of the
Executive in the event that the Employer shall effect a reorganization,
consolidate with or merge into any other corporation, partnership, organization
or other entity, or transfer all or substantially all of its properties or
assets to any other corporation, partnership, organization or other entity. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Employer and the
Executive and their respective successors, executors, administrators, heirs and
permitted assigns.

     12.  Enforceability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement
(including, without limitation, any portion or provision of any section of this
Agreement) shall to any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court
of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, or the
application of such portion or provision in circumstances other than those as to
which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby,
and each portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable
to the fullest extent permitted by law.

     13.  Waiver. No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless
made in writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of any party to
require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the
waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent any
subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any
subsequent breach.

     14.  Notices. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications
provided for by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered
in person or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service or by
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the
Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the
Employer or, in the case of the Employer, at its main offices, attention of the
Chief Executive Officer, and shall be effective on the date of delivery in
person or by courier or three (3) days after the date mailed.

     15.  Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written
instrument signed by the Executive and by a duly authorized representative of
the Employer.

     16.  Governing Law. This is a Massachusetts contract and shall be construed
under and be governed in all respects by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles of such
Commonwealth. With respect to any disputes concerning federal law, such disputes
shall be determined in accordance with the law as it would be interpreted and
applied by the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

     17.  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be taken to be
an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same
document.

                                       12
<PAGE>   13

     18.  Promissory Note. The outstanding Promissory Note of the Executive to
the Employer in the original principal amount of $1,500,000 due and payable
April, 2004, shall, upon the Effective Date, be amended to provide that, upon
the occurrence of a change in control of the Employer subsequent to the
Effective Date, all amounts outstanding under such Note (including principal and
interest) will be forgiven, cancelled and deemed discharged in full.

     19.  Pledged Shares. Upon the Effective Date, a number of shares of common
stock of the Employer owned by the Executive which have been pledged to the
Employer to secure the payment of the Note referred to in Section 18 shall be
released from such pledge. The number of shares to be released shall equal that
number of shares having a fair market value, determined as of January 11, 1999,
equal to $1,500,000. The Executive shall have the right to designate which of
the pledged shares remain encumbered and which of such shares shall be released.

                                  [End of text]

                                       13
<PAGE>   14

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as a sealed instrument
by the Employer, by its duly authorized officer, and by the Executive, as of the
Effective Date.

                                        EMPLOYER:

                                        MERKERT AMERICAN CORPORATION

                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Joseph T. Casey
                                            Chief Financial Officer

                                        EXECUTIVE:

                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Gerald R. Leonard

                                       14

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