SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549



                                    Form 8-K

             Current Report Pursuant to Section 12, 13, or 15(d) of
                       The Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                        Date of Report: February 21, 1997



                                 SPX Corporation
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


   DELAWARE                    1-6948                      38-1016240
(State or other         (Commission File Number)        (I.R.S. Employer
 Jurisdiction of                                       Identification Number)
 Incorporation)                                               


700 Terrace Point Drive
Muskegon, Michigan                                   49443-3301
(Address of principal executive offices)             (zip code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (616) 724-5000






Item 2.  Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

         On  February  7,  1997,  pursuant  to the terms of the  Asset  Purchase
Agreement dated December 31, 1996 between SPX Corporation ("SPX or the company")
and Dana Corporation ("Dana"),  SPX consummated the disposition of substantially
all the assets and rights used in the  manufacture  and  distribution  of piston
rings and cylinder liners,  known as Sealed Power Division ("SPD"). SPD included
the accounts of Sealed Power,  a U.S.  division  owned by SPX, SP Europe Limited
Partnership  which was 70% owned by SPX, Allied Ring  Corporation  which was 50%
owned by SPX, and Promec  which was 40% owned by SPX. In addition,  Dana assumed
substantially all of the liabilities and obligations of the business,  excluding
liabilities  relating to income and other  taxes,  certain  liabilities  arising
outside the  ordinary  course of  business,  debt and certain  employee  related
liabilities.  SPD manufactures and distributes  piston rings and cylinder liners
to vehicular  original  equipment  manufacturers  and to the aftermarket in both
North America and Europe.

         Effective  November 1, 1996, the company also sold its Hy-Lift Division
to W.A. Thomas Company.  Hy-Lift manufactured and distributed engine valve train
components for both the original equipment market and the aftermarket.

         The gross sales  proceeds for SPD were $223  million and Hy-Lift  gross
sales proceeds were $15 million, aggregating $238 million, and were paid in cash
at the closings.  The sales price is currently subject to finalization  based on
closing net book values, but is not expected to change  materially.  Included in
the sales  price  consideration  is a ten year  noncompetition  agreement  which
precludes the company from competing with SPD.

         Proceeds  from  these  sales  have been used to reduce a portion of the
company's  long-term  debt and have been  invested  in  short-term  investments.
Future use of the proceeds  currently  held in short-term  investments  is being
evaluated by management.








Item 7.  Financial Statements, Proforma Financial Information and Exhibits

         (b)      Unaudited Proforma Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet of SPX
                  Corporation   as  of  September   30,  1996   reflecting   the
                  disposition  of SPD and Hy-Lift as if the sales occurred as of
                  September 30, 1996. Unaudited Proforma Consolidated  Condensed
                  Income Statements for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
                  and  for  the  year  ended   December   31,  1995  as  if  the
                  transactions  occurred  as of the  beginning  of  the  periods
                  indicated.

         (c)      Exhibits:

                  Asset Purchase  Agreement by and between SPX  Corporation  and
                  Dana Corporation (without exhibits and schedules).






                                 SPX CORPORATION
                      Introduction to Proforma Consolidated
                         Condensed Financial Information
                                   (unaudited)


         The unaudited Proforma Consolidated Condensed Income Statements for the
nine  months  ended  September  30,  1996 and the year ended  December  31, 1995
present the results of the  continuing  operations of SPX  Corporation  assuming
that the  divestitures  of  substantially  all the assets and rights used in the
manfacturing of piston rings, cylinder liners and valve train components,  known
as Sealed  Power  Division  ("SPD") and  Hy-Lift  Division  ("Hy-Lift")  to Dana
Corporation and W.A. Thomas Company,  respectively,  were  consummated as of the
beginning  of  the  periods  indicated.  The  statements  include  all  material
adjustments  necessary  to present  the  historical  results  to  reflect  these
assumptions.  The  accounting  gain,  net of  taxes  thereon,  related  to these
divestitures  is  estimated  to be  approximately  $32  million and has not been
reflected in the unaudited Proforma Consolidated Condensed Income Statements.

         The  unaudited  Proforma  Consolidated  Condensed  Balance  Sheet as of
September 30, 1996 assumes that the  divestitures of SPD and Hy-lift occurred on
September 30, 1996. The unaudited Proforma Consolidated  Condensed Balance Sheet
has been presented  assuming that the gross sales proceeds,  approximately  $238
million,  were used to pay  estimated  income taxes of $44.5  million and reduce
revolving credit and other debt by $66.3 million. The balance of the gross sales
proceeds are included in cash.

         The  proforma  information  does not  purport to be  indicative  of the
results of operations or the financial  position  which would have actually been
obtained if the divestitures  had been  consummated on the dates  indicated.  In
addition,  the proforma financial  information does not purport to be indicative
of results of  operations  or financial  positions  which may be obtained in the
future.

         The proforma financial information has been prepared by the company and
all  calculations  have been made based  upon  assumptions  deemed  appropriate.
Certain  of  these  assumptions  are set  forth  under  the  Notes  to  Proforma
Consolidated  Condensed  Financial  Information.  As of this  filing  date,  the
company has reasonably  completed its quantification of the final accounting for
these dispositions based upon currently available information.  Such information
may be revised at a later date based upon additional information.

         The proforma  financial  information should be read in conjunction with
the company's historical  consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in
the 1995 Annual  Report on Form 10-K and  subsequent  Quarterly  Reports on Form
10-Q.






                                 SPX CORPORATION
            PROFORMA CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                 (000's omitted)
Proforma Adjustments Historical Divest Other Proforma (a) ASSETS: Current Assets: Cash and temporary invest. $ 25,239 $ 238,000 $(110,820)(b) $ 152,419 Receivables 150,967 (33,070) - 117,897 Inventories 133,880 (25,612) - 108,268 Deferred income tax asset 44,264 - - 44,264 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 21,222 (2,176) - 19,046 -------- --------- --------- --------- Total current assets $375,572 $ 177,142 $(110,820) $ 441,894 Investments 21,110 (17,509) - 3,601 Property, plant and equipment (at cost) 427,878 (174,906) - 252,972 Less: Acc. depreciation 230,663 (105,396) - 125,267 -------- --------- --------- --------- $197,215 $ (69,510) $ - $ 127,705 Costs in excess of net assets of businesses acquired 187,516 (59,870) - 127,646 Other assets 25,322 (7,981) - 17,341 -------- --------- --------- --------- Total assets $806,735 $ 22,272 $(110,820) $ 718,187 ======== ========= ========= ========= LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt $ 1,755 $ - $ - $ 1,755 Accounts payable 68,214 (17,210) - 51,004 Accrued liabilities 148,876 (17,539) - 131,337 Income taxes payable 5,250 43,939 (44,500)(b) 4,689 -------- --------- --------- --------- Total current liabilities $224,095 $ 9,190 $ (44,500) $ 188,785 Long-term liabilities 112,972 (16,079) - 96,893 Deferred income taxes 11,924 (2,623) - 9,301 Long-term debt 284,085 - (66,320)(b) 217,765 Shareholders' Equity $173,659 $ 31,784 - $ 205,443 -------- --------- --------- --------- $806,735 $ 22,272 $(110,820) $ 718,187 ======== ========= ========= =========
See Notes to Proforma Consolidated Condensed Financial Information. SPX CORPORATION PROFORMA CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENT (UNAUDITED) FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 (000's omitted, except for per share amount)
Proforma Adjustments Historical Divest Other Proforma Revenues $ 857,910 $(209,043) $ - $ 648,867 Costs & Expenses Cost of products sold 655,795 (186,960) - 468,835 Selling, general & admin. 142,951 (11,466) - 131,485 Goodwill/intangible amort 5,432 (1,375) - 4,057 Restructuring charge 15,883 (4,244) - 11,639 Earnings from equity interests (4,025) 3,454 - (571) ---------- --------- -------- ---------- Operating income from continuing operations $ 41,874 $ (8,452) $ - $ 33,422 Other expense, net 526 3 - 529 Interest expense, net 24,865 - (4,919)(c) 19,946 ---------- --------- -------- ---------- Income before income taxes $ 16,483 $ (8,455) $ 4,919 $ 12,947 Provision for income taxes 6,355 (3,213) 1,869 (d) 5,011 ---------- --------- -------- ---------- Income from continuing operations $ 10,128 $ (5,242) $ 3,050 $ 7,936 ========== ========= ======== ========== Income from continuing operations - per share $ .73 $ .57 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 13,881 13,881
See Notes to Proforma Consolidated Condensed Financial Information. SPX CORPORATION PROFORMA CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENT (UNAUDITED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 (000's omitted, except for per share amount)
Proforma Adjustments Historical Divest Other Proforma Revenues $1,098,103 $(273,461) $ - $ 824,642 Costs & Expenses Cost of products sold 853,537 (260,833) - 592,704 Selling, general & admin. 194,485 (14,936) - 179,549 Goodwill/intangible amort 8,824 (2,436) - 6,388 Minority interest (income) 3,278 (3,278) - - Restructuring charge 10,724 (3,724) - 7,000 Earnings from equity interests (3,836) 3,526 - (310) ---------- -------- -------- ---------- Operating income from continuing operations $ 31,091 $ 8,220 $ $ 39,311 Other expense(income), net (3,060) (1,883) - (1,177) Interest expense, net 35,729 - (6,051)(c) 29,678 ---------- --------- -------- ---------- Income (loss) before income taxes $ (1,578) $ 6,337 6,051 $ 10,810 Provision (benefit) for income taxes (227) 878 2,481 (d) 3,132 ---------- --------- -------- ---------- Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (1,351) $ 5,459 $ 3,570 $ 7,678 ========== ========= ======== ========== Income from continuing operations - per share $ (.10) $ .58 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 13,174 13,174
See Notes to Proforma Consolidated Condensed Financial Information. SPX CORPORATION NOTES TO PROFORMA CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (a) Reflects the assets and liabilities of the divested businesses which were sold to or assumed by the purchasers, the gross cash proceeds of $238 million, the estimated income taxes payable on the divestitures of $44.5 million, and the estimated net gain of $31.8 million on the divestitures. (b) To reflect the use of $110.8 million of the cash proceeds to pay estimated income taxes of $44.5 million and to reduce revolving credit and other debt by $66.3 million. (c) Reflect reduced interest expense associated with the reduction in revolving credit and other debt. No reduction in the company's senior subordinated notes or its industrial revenue bonds with the proceeds was assumed in the proforma. (d) Tax effect of interest referred to in (c) above at the company's overall incremental tax rate. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. Date: February 21, 1997 SPX CORPORATION (registrant) By s/s Patrick J. O'Leary Patrick J. O'Leary Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer


                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                 by and between

                                 SPX CORPORATION

                                       and

                                DANA CORPORATION


                                ________________


                                   Dated as of

                                December 31, 1996

















                                       -3-


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                           Page
                                                                          Number

                                    ARTICLE 1

                               Certain Definitions

Section 1.1  Specific Definitions............................................  2
Section 1.2  Other Terms   ...................................................10


                                    ARTICLE 2

                             Sale of Assets; Closing

Section 2.1  Assets to Be Acquired............................................10
Section 2.2  Excluded Assets..................................................12
Section 2.3  Assumption of Liabilities........................................13
Section 2.4  Excluded Liabilities.............................................13
Section 2.5  Consent of Third Parties.........................................13
Section 2.6  Consideration ...................................................14
Section 2.7  Time and Place of Closing........................................14
Section 2.8  Designation of Affiliates by Buyer...............................14
Section 2.9  Allocation of Purchase Price.....................................14


                                    ARTICLE 3

                    Representations and Warranties of Seller

Section 3.1  Incorporation; Authorization; Etc................................15
Section 3.2  Capitalization; Structure........................................16
Section 3.3  Financial Statements.............................................16
Section 3.4  Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities...............................17
Section 3.5  Assets        ...................................................17
Section 3.6  Absence of Certain Changes.......................................18
Section 3.7  Litigation; Orders...............................................19
Section 3.8  Intellectual Property............................................19
Section 3.9  Licenses, Approvals, Other Authorizations,
                             Consents, Reports, Etc...........................20
Section 3.10 Labor Matters ...................................................20
Section 3.11 Compliance with Laws.............................................21
Section 3.12 Contracts     ...................................................21
Section 3.13 Real Property ...................................................22
Section 3.14 Environmental Matters............................................24
Section 3.15 Employee Benefit Plans and Related Matters.......................25
Section 3.16 Brokers, Finders, Etc............................................26
Section 3.17 Customers     ...................................................26
Section 3.18 Suppliers     ...................................................27
Section 3.19 Product Warranties...............................................27
Section 3.20 Absence of Certain Business Practices............................27


                                    ARTICLE 4

                     Representations and Warranties of Buyer

Section 4.1  Incorporation; Authorization; Etc................................27
Section 4.2  Licenses, Approvals, Other Authorizations,
                             Consents, Reports, Etc...........................28
Section 4.3  Brokers, Finders, Etc............................................28


                                    ARTICLE 5

                          Covenants of Seller and Buyer

Section 5.1  Investigation of Business; Access
                             to Properties and Records........................28
Section 5.2  Efforts; Obtaining Consents; Antitrust Laws......................29
Section 5.3  Further Assurances...............................................30
Section 5.4  Conduct of Business..............................................30
Section 5.5  Preservation of Business.........................................31
Section 5.6  Public Announcements.............................................31
Section 5.7  Intercompany and Intracompany Accounts...........................31
Section 5.8  Acquisition of Mahle Transferred
                             Subsidiary Interest..............................31
Section 5.9  Tax Covenants ...................................................31
Section 5.10 Franklin Plant...................................................32


                                    ARTICLE 6

                                Employee Benefits

Section 6.1  Employment of Seller's Employees.................................32
Section 6.2  Retirement Plans.................................................34
Section 6.3  Welfare and Fringe Benefit Plans.................................36
Section 6.4  Workers Compensation.............................................37
Section 6.5  Employment Taxes.................................................37


                                    ARTICLE 7

                                   Tax Matters

Section 7.1  Tax Returns   ...................................................38
Section 7.2  Tax Indemnification by Seller....................................39
Section 7.3  Tax Indemnity by Buyer...........................................40
Section 7.4  Allocation of Certain Taxes......................................40
Section 7.5  Filing Responsibility............................................41
Section 7.6  Refunds       ...................................................41
Section 7.7  Cooperation and Exchange of Information..........................41
Section 7.8  Definitions   ...................................................42


                                    ARTICLE 8

                    Conditions of Buyer's Obligation to Close

Section 8.1  Representations, Warranties and
                             Covenants of Seller..............................43
Section 8.2  Filings; Consents; Waiting Periods...............................43
Section 8.3  No Material Adverse Effect.......................................44
Section 8.4  No Injunction ...................................................44
Section 8.5  Mexican Investments..............................................44
Section 8.6  Union Contracts..................................................44
Section 8.7  Schedules     ...................................................44


                                    ARTICLE 9

                   Conditions of Seller's Obligation to Close

Section 9.1  Representations, Warranties and
                             Covenants of Buyer...............................44
Section 9.2  Filings; Consents; Waiting Periods...............................45
Section 9.3  No Injunction ...................................................45


                                   ARTICLE 10

                            Survival; Indemnification

Section 10.1 Indemnification by Seller........................................45
Section 10.2 Indemnification by Buyer.........................................46
Section 10.3 Indemnification Procedures.......................................47
Section 10.4 Indemnification Procedure Regarding the
                             Manchester Plant.................................47
Section 10.5 Time Limitation..................................................48
Section 10.6 Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc..................48
Section 10.7 Product Warranties...............................................49
Section 10.8 Survival of Covenants ...........................................49
Section 10.9 Sole Remedy   ...................................................49

                                   ARTICLE 11

                              Deliveries at Closing

Section 11.1 Seller's Deliveries at Closing...................................49
Section 11.2 Buyer's Deliveries at Closing....................................51
Section 11.3 Required Documents...............................................51


                                   ARTICLE 12

                                   Termination

Section 12.1 Termination   ...................................................51
Section 12.2 Procedure and Effect of Termination..............................52


                                   ARTICLE 13

                            Post-Closing Obligations

Section 13.1 Working Capital Adjustment.......................................52
Section 13.2 Non-Competition..................................................53
Section 13.3 Operation of the Business as of Cut-Off Date.....................54


                                   ARTICLE 14

                                  Miscellaneous

Section 14.1 Corporate Name...................................................56
Section 14.2 Counterparts  ...................................................56
Section 14.3 Governing Law ...................................................56
Section 14.4 Entire Agreement.................................................57
Section 14.5 Expenses      ...................................................57
Section 14.6 Notices       ...................................................57
Section 14.7 Successors and Assigns...........................................58
Section 14.8 Headings; Definitions............................................58
Section 14.9 Amendments and Waivers...........................................58
Section 14.10              Interpretation; Absence of Presumption.............58
Section 14.11              Severability.......................................59
Section 14.12              Remedies Cumulative................................59
Section 14.13              Specific Performance...............................59
Section 14.14              Attorney-Client Privilege: Work Product............59






                                    EXHIBITS

Exhibit 13.1            Working Capital Computation Procedures


                                    SCHEDULES

Schedule 2.1(n)         Guarantees, Warranties, Indemnities
Schedule 2.1(o)         Rights to Cause of Action, Lawsuits, Judgments,
                        Claims and Demands
Schedule 2.2(b)         Retained Intellectual Property
Schedule 2.5            Waived Consents
Schedule 3.1(b)         Transferred Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.2            Encumbrances
Schedule 3.3            Accounting Principles
Schedule 3.4            Material Undisclosed Liabilities
Schedule 3.5            Encumbrances on Assets
Schedule 3.6            Certain Material Changes
Schedule 3.7            Litigation
Schedule 3.8            Assigned Intellectual Property
Schedule 3.8(d)         Due Registration of Intellectual Property
Schedule 3.9(a)         Material Licenses, Permits, Franchises and Other
                        Authorizations
Schedule 3.9(b)         Consents
Schedule 3.10           Collective Bargaining Agreements and Disputes
Schedule 3.11           Compliance with Laws
Schedule 3.12           Contracts and Commitments
Schedule 3.13(a)        Owned Real Property
Schedule 3.13(b)        Assigned Leases and Subsidiary Leases
Schedule 3.14(a)        Environmental Permits
Schedule 3.14(b)        Violations with respect to Environmental Permits or
                        Environmental Laws
Schedule 3.14(c)        Liabilities of Seller with respect to Environmental
                        Matters
Schedule 3.14(d)        Other Environmental Matters
Schedule 3.15(a)        Employee Benefit Plans
Schedule 3.15(c)        Plans
Schedule 3.17           20 largest Customers of the Division
Schedule 3.18           20 Largest Suppliers to the Division
Schedule 3.19           Product Warranties
Schedule 4.2            List of Registrations, Filings, Applications, Notices,
                        Consents, Approvals, Orders, Qualifications or Waivers
                        of Buyer
Schedule 5.4            Conduct of Business
Schedule 5.7            Intercompany and Intracompany Accounts
Schedule 6.1(b)         List of Employees Not Offered Employment
Schedule 6.3(b)         Incentive Bonuses Payable to Transferred Employees
Schedule 6.4(b)         Reserve relating to Assumed Workers' Compensation
                        Liability
Schedule 7.1(a)         Contested Taxes
Schedule 7.1(b)         Agreements with respect to Extending Assessment or
                        Collection of Taxes
Schedule 7.1(c)         Taxes Due or under Audit by any Governmental Authority
Schedule 7.1(e)         Pending Tax Litigation or Appeals
Schedule 7.1(f)         Exceptions with respect to Accuracy of Tax Returns
Schedule 7.1(g)         Tax Liens
Schedule 7.1(h)         Tax Jurisdictions
Schedule 7.1(i)         Charges, Accruals and Reserves for Taxes
Schedule 7.1(j)         Taxable Assets
Schedule 8.2            Filings; Consents Necessary to Consummate the Asset
                        Purchase
Schedule 13.1(e)        Actions with respect to Working Capital
Schedule 13.3           Anticipated Items to be Paid by Seller for the Benefit
                        of SPD and by SPD for the Benefit of Seller
Schedule 14.10          Individuals with Knowledge




                      

     THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"),  dated as of December 31,
1996, is by and between SPX Corporation,  a Delaware corporation ("Seller"), and
Dana Corporation, a Virginia corporation ("Buyer").

     WHEREAS,  Seller is in the business of  manufacturing  and marketing piston
rings and  cylinder  liners for  automotive  and heavy duty  engines and sealing
rings for automatic transmissions, together with other products related thereto,
in the United States,  Europe,  Mexico and certain other  countries  through its
unincorporated  Sealed Power Division (the "Division") which it operates through
(i)  Sealed  Power  Technologies   Limited   Partnership,   a  Delaware  limited
partnership  ("SPT") of which  Seller  indirectly  owns 100% of the  outstanding
equity interest, (ii) Sealed Power Technologies  Corporation of Nevada, a Nevada
corporation  ("SPT NV") of which Seller  indirectly owns 100% of the outstanding
equity interest, (iii) Allied Ring Corporation,  a Delaware corporation ("Allied
Ring") of which Seller  indirectly owns 50% of the outstanding  equity interest,
(iv) Sealed Power Europe Limited  Partnership,  a Delaware  limited  partnership
("SPE  L.P.") of which  Seller  indirectly  owns 70% of the  outstanding  equity
interest and Mahle GmbH, a German company ("Mahle"),  indirectly owns 30% of the
outstanding  equity  interest,  (v) Sealed Power  Europe GmbH, a German  company
("SPE  GmbH")  of which SPE L.P.  directly  owns 90% of the  outstanding  equity
interest,  (vi) Sealed Power Technologies  Pringy S.A., a French societe anonyme
("SPE  S.A.") of which SPE L.P.  directly  owns 100% of the  outstanding  equity
interest,  and (vii) Sealed Power Technologies  Vilanova S.L., a Spanish company
("SPE  S.L.") of which SPE L.P.  directly  owns 100% of the  outstanding  equity
interest (SPT NV, Allied Ring, SPE GmbH, SPE S.A. and SPE S.L., and all of their
direct or indirect  subsidiaries (and investments in the equity interests of any
person) collectively are referred to herein as the "Transferred Subsidiaries");

     WHEREAS,  of the 10%  outstanding  equity interest of SPE GmbH not owned by
SPE L.P., 7% is indirectly  owned by Seller and 3% is indirectly  owned by Mahle
(such 3% interest,  together  with the 30% equity  interest held by Mahle in SPE
L.P. and the managing general partner thereof, the "Mahle Transferred Subsidiary
Interest");

     WHEREAS,  Seller wishes to sell to Buyer  substantially  all of the assets,
business and goodwill of the Division, and Buyer wishes to purchase such assets,
business,  goodwill, and equity interests and to assume substantially all of the
liabilities relating to the Division and its assets and business,  excluding all
Excluded  Liabilities (as defined herein), all upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein;

     WHEREAS,  it is the  intention  of Seller and of Buyer that the Business be
operated in trust for the benefit of Buyer after  December 31, 1996 and that any
net cash generated by or net cash used by the Business beginning January 1, 1997
be for the sole account of Buyer; and

     WHEREAS,  Seller  and Buyer have  executed a letter of intent,  dated as of
August 26, 1996,  that,  among other things,  indicates the desire and intent of
the parties to  effectuate  promptly the sale of the Division by Seller to Buyer
substantially  in  accordance  with the  terms  set  forth in such  letter,  and
contemplates the entering into by Seller and Buyer of this Agreement.

     NOW THEREFORE,  in consideration  of the premises and the  representations,
warranties,  covenants and agreements  contained herein,  and for other good and
valuable  consideration,   the  receipt  and  sufficiency  of  which  is  hereby
acknowledged,  and intending to be legally  bound  hereby,  the parties agree as
follows:


                                    ARTICLE 1

                               Certain Definitions

     Section 1.1. Specific Definitions.  As used in this Agreement the following
terms shall have the following respective meanings:

     "Action" shall mean any action, suit, arbitration,  inquiry,  proceeding or
investigation  by or before any  Governmental  Authority  of any nature,  civil,
criminal, regulatory or otherwise, in law or in equity.

     "Active Employee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a).

     "Affiliate"  (and, with a correlative  meaning,  "affiliated")  shall mean,
with respect to any person,  any direct or indirect  subsidiary  of such person,
and any other  person  that  directly,  or through  one or more  intermediaries,
controls or is controlled by or is under common  control with such first person,
and,  if such a person is an  individual,  any  member of the  immediate  family
(including parents,  spouse and children) of such individual and any trust whose
principal  beneficiary  is  such  individual  or one or  more  members  of  such
immediate  family and any person who is  controlled by any such member or trust.
As used in this definition,  "control"  (including,  with correlative  meanings,
"controlled by" and "under common control with") shall mean possession, directly
or  indirectly,  of power to direct  or cause the  direction  of  management  or
policies  (whether  through  ownership of  securities  or  partnership  or other
ownership interests, by contract or otherwise).

     "Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

     "Allied Ring" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitations.

     "Allocation" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a).

     "Allocation Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a).

     "Antitrust  Laws" shall mean and include the Sherman  Act, as amended,  the
Clayton  Act, as amended,  the HSR Act,  the Federal  Trade  Commission  Act, as
amended,  and all other federal,  state,  foreign (including German and Mexican)
and multinational (including European Community) statutes,  rules,  regulations,
orders, decrees,  administrative and judicial doctrines, and other laws that are
designed or  intended to  prohibit,  restrict  or  regulate  actions  having the
purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade.

     "Applicable   Law"  shall  mean  all  applicable   provisions  of  all  (a)
constitutions,  treaties,  statutes,  laws  (including  the common law),  rules,
regulations,  ordinances,  codes or orders of any  Governmental  Authority,  (b)
Governmental Approvals and (c) orders, decisions, injunctions, judgments, awards
and decrees of or agreements with any Governmental Authority.

     "Assets" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

     "Asset Purchase" shall mean the consummation of the transactions  described
in Section 2.1.

     "Assigned  Intellectual Property" shall mean any Intellectual Property that
is not  Retained  Intellectual  Property,  and shall  include  the name  "Sealed
Power," all names,  marks,  trade names,  trademarks,  trade dress,  and service
marks  incorporating  the name "Sealed Power," and any logos or  representations
based thereon, derived therefrom or used in conjunction therewith.

     "Assigned Leases" shall mean the real property leases, subleases,  licenses
and  occupancy  agreements  pursuant  to which  Seller or any of its  Affiliates
(other than any Transferred  Subsidiary) is the lessee,  sublessee,  licensee or
occupant with respect to Real Property Related to the Business.

     "Assignment and Assumption Agreement" shall mean a Bill of Sale, Assignment
and Assumption Agreement in such form as may be agreed to by Buyer and Seller.

     "Assumed  Contracts" shall mean, except as otherwise  indicated on Schedule
3.12,  all of the  Contracts  together with any  contracts,  agreements or other
instruments  that would be required to be disclosed on Schedule  3.12 if not for
the minimum  dollar values set forth in Sections  3.12(a)(iv),  (viii) and (ix),
and other contracts,  agreements or other  instruments  Related to the Business,
and shall specifically include the collective bargaining agreements with each of
the  International  Association  of Machinists  (District 9) and the United Auto
Workers' Union Local Nos. 221 and 637 (collectively, the "Union Contracts"), but
shall not, except as provided herein, include (i) any Plans or Liabilities under
Plans,  or (ii)  indemnities  in  favor  of  Seller  with  respect  to  Excluded
Liabilities  under that certain Asset Purchase  Agreement between TRW Automotive
Products  Inc.  and  Seller  with  respect  to the  purchase  of the  Manchester
facility.

     "Assumed Liabilities" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

     "Assumed Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(d).

     "Assumed Workers' Compensation  Liability" shall mean the Liabilities to or
in respect of any Employee relating to or arising in connection with any and all
claims  for  workers'  compensation  benefits  arising  in  connection  with any
occupational  injury or disease  occurring or existing on, prior to or following
the Closing  Date,  and any claims  which could  otherwise  be made by Employees
under the general liability and long-term disability insurance policy or program
of Seller.

     "Balance Sheet" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

     "Balance Sheet Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

     "Business" shall mean the business and operations of the Division.

     "Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday,  Wednesday,  Thursday and Friday
which is not a day on which banking  institutions  in Chicago are  authorized or
obligated by law or executive order to close. Any event the scheduled occurrence
of which would fall on a day which is not a Business Day shall be deferred until
the next succeeding Business Day.

     "Buyer" shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

     "Buyer Indemnitees" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

     "Buyer's  Dispute  Notice"  shall  have the  meaning  set forth in  Section
13.1(c).

     "Buyer's Hourly Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(b).

     "Buyer's Pension Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a).

     "Buyer's Savings Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(c).

     "Buyer's Welfare Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(a).

     "CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response,  Compensation
and Liability Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Sec.9601 et seq.

     "Claims" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(d).

     "Closing" shall mean the consummation of the Asset Purchase.

     "Closing  Date" shall mean January 6, 1997, or, if the conditions set forth
in Articles 8 and 9 have not been  satisfied or duly waived on or before January
6, 1997, then the (i) third Business Day following the date on which the last of
such conditions shall have been satisfied or duly waived,  or (ii) if Seller and
Buyer mutually agree on a different date, the date upon which they have mutually
agreed.

     "Code" shall mean the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended,  and any
successor thereto.

     "Combined State Tax" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(d).

     "Confidentiality  Agreement"  shall have the  meaning  set forth in Section
5.1(c).

     "Consent" shall mean any consent, approval, authorization,  waiver, permit,
grant,  franchise,  concession,  agreement,  license,  exemption  or  order  of,
registration,  certificate,  declaration or filing with, or report or notice to,
any person, including but not limited to any Governmental Authority.

     "Continuing  Affiliate"  shall mean any  Affiliate of Seller other than the
Transferred Subsidiaries.

     "Contracts" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.12(a).

     "Controlled  Subsidiaries" shall mean, collectively,  SPT NV, SPE GmbH, SPE
S.A. and SPE S.L.

     "Corporate Assets" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(g).

     "Covered Returns" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a).

     "Cut-Off Date" shall mean (i) January 1, 1997, if the Closing Date is on or
before  January 31, 1997, or (ii) the Closing Date, if the Closing Date is after
January 31, 1997.

     "Determination" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(a).

     "Division" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitations.

     "Employee" shall mean any employee or former employee  employed or formerly
employed in the operation of the Business or the  beneficiaries or dependents of
any such employee or former employee.

     "Encumbrances"  shall  mean  mortgages,   liens,   encumbrances,   security
interests, covenants, conditions, restrictions, claims, charges, options, rights
of  first  refusal,  rights  of use or  occupancy  or other  legal or  equitable
encumbrances and any other matters  affecting title  (including,  in the case of
real property, rights-of-way, easements and encroachments).

     "Environmental  Laws"  shall  mean  all  Applicable  Laws  relating  to the
protection of the environment,  to human health and safety,  or to any emission,
discharge,  generation,  processing,  storage,  holding,  abatement,  existence,
Release,  threatened  Release or  transportation  of any  Hazardous  Substances,
including  (a) CERCLA,  the  Resource  Conservation  and  Recovery  Act, and the
Occupational  Safety and Health Act, (b) all other  requirements  pertaining  to
reporting,  licensing,  permitting,  investigation  or remediation of emissions,
discharges,  Releases or threatened  Releases of Hazardous  Substances  into the
air,  surface  water,  groundwater  or land,  or  relating  to the  manufacture,
processing,  distribution,  use, sale, treatment,  receipt,  storage,  disposal,
transport or handling of Hazardous  Substances,  and (c) all other  requirements
pertaining  to the  protection  of the  health and  safety of  employees  or the
public.

     "Environmental  Liabilities and Costs" shall mean all Liabilities,  whether
direct or  indirect,  known or unknown,  current or  potential,  past,  present,
future,  whether or not imposed by,  under or  pursuant to  Environmental  Laws,
including all  Liabilities  related to Remedial  Actions (to the extent required
pursuant to  Environmental  Laws), and all fees,  disbursements  and expenses of
counsel,  experts,  personnel  and  consultants  based  on,  arising  out  of or
otherwise in respect of: (a) the  ownership or operation of the  Business,  Real
Property,  Assigned  Leases,  Subsidiary  Leases,  or any other real properties,
assets,  equipment  or  facilities,  by Seller,  or any of its  predecessors  or
Affiliates;  (b) the environmental  conditions  existing before, on or after the
Closing Date on, under, above, or about any Real Property or property subject to
an Assigned  Lease,  Subsidiary  Lease,  or any other real  properties,  assets,
equipment or  facilities  currently or previously  owned,  leased or operated by
Seller, or any of its predecessors or Affiliates; and (c) expenditures necessary
to cause any Real  Property or any aspect of the  Business  to be in  compliance
with any and all  requirements  of  Environmental  Laws as of the Closing  Date,
including  all   Environmental   Permits   issued  under  or  pursuant  to  such
Environmental  Laws, and  reasonably  necessary to make full economic use of any
Real Property  including by virtue of maintaining,  expanding,  remodelling,  or
demolishing any such Real Property.

     "Environmental  Permits"  shall mean any  federal,  state or local  permit,
license,   registration,   Consent,   order,   administrative   consent   order,
certificate,  approval or other  authorization  with respect to Seller or any of
its Affiliates  necessary for the conduct of the Business as currently conducted
or previously conducted under any Environmental Law.

     "Environmental Report" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.14(b).

     "ERISA" shall mean the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, and any successor thereto.

     "Excluded Assets" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

     "Excluded Liabilities" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

     "FICA" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(a).

     "Financial Statements" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

     "FUTA" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(a).

     "GAAP" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

     "Governmental  Approval"  shall  mean  any  Consent  of,  with  or  to  any
Governmental Authority.

     "Governmental Authority" shall mean any nation or government,  any state or
other  political   subdivision   thereof,   any  entity  exercising   executive,
legislative,  judicial,  regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining
to government,  including any government authority,  agency, department,  board,
commission  or  instrumentality  of the United  States,  any state of the United
States or any political  subdivision  thereof, and any tribunal or arbitrator(s)
of competent jurisdiction, and any self-regulatory organization.

     "Hazardous  Substances"  shall mean any substance  that: (a) is or contains
asbestos,   urea  formaldehyde  foam  insulation,   polychlorinated   biphenyls,
petroleum  or  petroleum  derived  substances  or  wastes,  radon gas or related
materials; (b) requires investigation, removal, containment or remediation under
any  Environmental  Law, or is defined,  listed or  identified  as a  "hazardous
waste" or "hazardous substance" (or any similar designation) thereunder;  or (c)
is   toxic,   explosive,   corrosive,   flammable,   infectious,    radioactive,
carcinogenic,  mutagenic,  or  otherwise  hazardous  and  is  regulated  by  any
Governmental Authority or Environmental Law.

     "HSR Act" shall mean the  Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvements Act of
1976, as amended.

     "Income Taxes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(b).

     "Indemnified Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.3.

     "Indemnifying Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.3.

     "Intellectual  Property" shall mean such of the following as are Related to
the Business or otherwise  necessary  for the ordinary  conduct of the Business:
all domestic and foreign patents,  industrial designs,  mask works,  copyrights,
names, marks, trade names,  trademarks,  trade dress,  service marks (whether or
not registered) and  registrations,  and  applications  for any of the foregoing
(together  with the goodwill  associated  with such trade names,  trademarks and
service marks), trade secrets,  inventions and other proprietary information and
licenses from third persons granting the right to use any of the foregoing.

     "Interim Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.3(a).

     "Inventories" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(e).

     "IRS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(c).

     "KSOP" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(c).

     "Leased  Real  Property"  shall mean all  interests  leased,  subleased  or
licensed pursuant to the Assigned Leases or the Subsidiary Leases.

     "Liabilities" shall mean any and all debts,  losses,  liabilities,  claims,
damages,  fines,  costs,  royalties,  proceedings,  deficiencies  or obligations
(including those arising out of any Action, such as any settlement or compromise
thereof or judgment or award therein), of any nature,  whether known or unknown,
absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due, and
whether or not resulting from third-party  claims,  and any out-of-pocket  costs
and expenses  (including  attorneys',  accountants',  or other fees and expenses
incurred  in  defending  any  Action or in  investigating  any of the same or in
asserting any rights hereunder).

     "Licenses" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.9(a).

     "Mahle" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitations.

     "Mahle Acquisition" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.8.

     "Mahle Transferred Subsidiary Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in
the recitations.

     "Manchester Liability" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(e).

     "Material  Adverse  Effect"  shall  mean  any  event,   occurrence,   fact,
condition,  change  or  effect  that  is  materially  adverse  to the  business,
operations,   results  of  operations,   prospects,   condition   (financial  or
otherwise),  properties  (including  intangible  properties),  assets (including
intangible assets) or Liabilities of the Business, taken as a whole.

     "Names" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.1.

     "Net Cash Flow" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.3(c).

     "No. 3 Transferred  Employees"  shall have the meaning set forth in Section
6.2(a).

     "Owned Real  Property"  shall mean the real property owned by Seller or any
Affiliate  and  Related to the  Business,  together  with all other  structures,
facilities,  improvements,  fixtures,  systems,  equipment and items of property
presently or hereafter  located thereon,  in each case,  attached or appurtenant
thereto  which are owned by Seller or any  Affiliate,  or owned by Seller or any
Affiliate and located on the Leased Real Property, and all easements,  licenses,
approvals,  permits,  qualifications,  rights and appurtenances  relating to the
foregoing.

     "Permitted Liens" shall mean (a) liens for Taxes not yet due and payable or
which are being  contested  in good faith and by  appropriate  proceedings;  (b)
carriers', warehousemen's,  mechanics', materialmen's, repairmen's or other like
liens arising in the ordinary  course of business which are less than $10,000 in
amount (in the  aggregate)  per property  and which are being  contested in good
faith  and  by  appropriate  proceedings;   or  (c)  easements,   rights-of-way,
encroachments,  restrictions, conditions and other similar encumbrances incurred
or suffered in the ordinary course of business and which, individually or in the
aggregate, (i) are not substantial in character, amount or extent in relation to
the  applicable  Real Property and (ii) do not detract from the use,  utility or
value of the applicable Real Property or otherwise  impair the present  business
operations at such location.

     "person"  shall  mean  any  individual,  corporation,   partnership,  joint
venture,  trust,  unincorporated  organization,  other form of business or legal
entity or Governmental Authority.

     "Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.15(a).

     "Purchase Price" shall mean $225 million (as finally  adjusted  pursuant to
Section 13.1).

     "Real  Property"  shall mean the Owned Real  Property  and the Leased  Real
Property.

     "Real Property Laws" shall have the meaning as defined in Section 3.13(f).

     "Reflected  Taxes"  shall mean Taxes other than Income  Taxes to the extent
and in the amount  reflected  in the  Balance  Sheet and Taxes other than Income
Taxes arising in the ordinary course following the Balance Sheet Date consistent
with prior practice.

     "Related to the  Business"  shall mean relating to, used in or held for use
in  connection  with  or  otherwise  necessary  to  the  Business  as  conducted
immediately prior to the Closing.

     "Related  Person"  shall mean any Affiliate or any other trade or business,
whether or not incorporated,  which, together with Seller or any Affiliate is or
would have been at any date of determination  occurring within the preceding six
years treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

     "Release"  shall mean any  releasing,  disposing,  discharging,  injecting,
spilling,  leaking, leaching,  pumping, dumping, emitting,  escaping,  emptying,
seeping, dispersal, migration, transporting, placing and the like, including the
moving of any materials  through,  into or upon any land,  soil,  surface water,
ground water or air, or otherwise entering into the environment.

     "Relevant Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(b).

     "Remedial  Action"  shall  mean all  actions  undertaken  to: (a) clean up,
remove,  contain,  treat or in any other way remediate any Hazardous Substances;
(b) prevent the Release of Hazardous  Substances  so that they do not migrate or
endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the environment; or
(c)  perform  studies,  investigations  and care  related to any such  Hazardous
Substances, whether or not required by any Environmental Laws.

     "Retained  Intellectual  Property"  shall  mean  all  of  the  Intellectual
Property set forth or described in Schedule 2.2(b).

     "Returns" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(d).

     "Seller" shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

     "Seller Indemnitees" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.

     "Seller's Hourly Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(b).

     "Service Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.1(k).

     "SPD" shall mean the United States operations of SPT.

     "SPE GmbH" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitations.

     "SPE L.P." shall have the meaning set forth in the recitations.

     "SPE S.A." shall have the meaning set forth in the recitations.

     "SPE S.L." shall have the meaning set forth in the recitations.

     "SPT" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitations.

     "SPT NV" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitations.

     "SUB Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(e).

     "Subsidiary  Leases"  shall  mean  the  real  property  leases,  subleases,
licenses and occupancy  agreements pursuant to which any Transferred  Subsidiary
or subsidiary of a Transferred Subsidiary is the lessee, sublessee,  licensee or
occupant with respect to Real Property  used in connection  with,  necessary for
the conduct of, or otherwise material to, the Business.

     "subsidiary"  of any person shall mean any company of which at least 30% of
the  outstanding  capital  stock or other equity  interests  having voting power
under ordinary  circumstances shall at the time be held, directly or indirectly,
by such person,  by such person and one or more  subsidiaries of such person, or
by one or more subsidiaries of such person.

     "Tax Laws" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(f).

     "Taxes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(e).

     "Taxing Authority" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(g).

     "Transferred Employees" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(b).

     "Transferred  Subsidiaries"  shall  have  the  meaning  set  forth  in  the
recitations.

     "Transferred  Subsidiary  Interests"  shall have the  meaning  set forth in
Section 2.1(a).

     "Union  Contracts"  shall have the meaning set forth in the  definition  of
Assumed Contracts.

     "Working  Capital"  shall mean the net amount,  as of the Cut-Off  Date, of
those  assets and  liabilities  to be  included  in the  computation  of Working
Capital in accordance with Exhibit 13.1.

     "Working  Capital  Deficiency"  shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.1(b).

     Section  1.2.  Other  Terms.  Other terms may be defined  elsewhere in this
Agreement and, unless otherwise  indicated,  shall have such meaning  throughout
this Agreement.


                                    ARTICLE 2

                             Sale of Assets; Closing

     Section 2.1. Assets to Be Acquired.  Subject to the  satisfaction or waiver
in writing of the conditions set forth herein and to the other terms, conditions
and  provisions  hereof,  at the  Closing,  Seller shall sell,  convey,  assign,
transfer  and  deliver  to  Buyer  or  cause  to be  sold,  conveyed,  assigned,
transferred  and  delivered  to  Buyer,  as the case  may be,  and  Buyer  shall
purchase,  acquire,  accept and pay for, all of the right, title and interest of
Seller and its Affiliates  (other than the Transferred  Subsidiaries)  in all of
the  properties,  assets and rights of every  nature,  tangible  and  intangible
(including goodwill), whether real, personal or mixed, wherever located, whether
now existing or hereafter acquired (excluding the Excluded Assets, and excluding
any right,  title or interest of any of the  Transferred  Subsidiaries in any of
such properties,  assets or rights) Related to the Business  (collectively,  the
"Assets").

     The Assets shall include but not be limited to the following:

     (a) all of the outstanding equity interests in each of Allied Ring, SPT NV,
SPE GmbH, SPE S.L. and SPE S.A. (the "Transferred Subsidiary Interests");

     (b) the Owned Real  Property  (other  than Owned Real  Property  owned by a
Transferred Subsidiary);

     (c) the Assigned Leases;

     (d)  all  apparatus,   computers  and  other   electronic  data  processing
equipment,  fixtures, machinery,  equipment,  furniture, office equipment, motor
vehicles, tools and other tangible personal property;

     (e) all inventories of raw materials,  work in process,  finished products,
goods,  spare  parts,  replacement  and  component  parts,  and office and other
supplies  (collectively,  the "Inventories"),  including Inventories held at any
location  controlled  by Seller or any  Affiliate  (other  than the  Transferred
Subsidiaries),  Inventories previously purchased and in transit to Seller or any
Affiliate (other than the Transferred  Subsidiaries),  Inventories  consigned to
vendors,  resellers or customers,  and  Inventories  in transit to such vendors,
resellers or customers;

     (f)  all  rights  in and  to  products  of  the  Business  sold  or  leased
(including,  but not limited to, products  hereafter returned or repossessed and
unpaid rights of  rescission,  replevin,  reclamation  and rights to stoppage in
transit);

     (g) the Assumed Contracts;

     (h) all written technical information,  data, specifications,  research and
development  information,  engineering  drawings and operating  and  maintenance
manuals;

     (i) the  Assigned  Intellectual  Property and all rights  thereunder  or in
respect  thereof,  including,  but not limited to, rights to sue and collect for
and remedies against past, present and future infringements  thereof, and rights
of  priority  and  protection  of  interests  therein  under  the  laws  of  any
jurisdiction worldwide and all tangible embodiments thereof;

     (j) all  computer  applications,  programs  and other  software,  including
systems documentation and instructions;

     (k) all accounting and other books and records, cost information, sales and
pricing data,  customer  lists,  quality  records and reports,  and other books,
records, studies, surveys, reports, plans and documents;

     (l) all  expenses  and  payments of the  Division  prepaid or advanced  for
periods after the Cut-Off Date;

     (m)  all  accounts  and  notes  receivable   (excluding   intercompany  and
intracompany  receivables,  which shall be treated as provided in Section  5.7),
and all  notes,  bonds and other  evidences  of  indebtedness  of and  rights to
receive payments from any person, in each case, arising from the Business;

     (n) except as set forth on Schedule  2.1(n),  all  guarantees,  warranties,
indemnities and similar rights in favor of Seller or any Affiliate (other than a
Transferred  Subsidiary) with respect to any Asset and all letters of credit and
performance   bonds  issued  pursuant  to  which  the  Division  is  a  material
beneficiary;

     (o) except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(o), all rights to causes of action,
lawsuits,  judgments,  claims and  demands of any nature  available  to or being
pursued by Seller or any Affiliate  (other than a Transferred  Subsidiary)  with
respect to the Business or the ownership,  use,  function or value of any Asset,
whether arising by way of counterclaim or otherwise  (except arising pursuant to
the transactions contemplated hereby); and

     (p) all Licenses relating to the Division or any of the Assets.

     Section   2.2.   Excluded   Assets.   Anything  to  the   contrary   herein
notwithstanding,  all of Seller's and its Affiliates'  right, title and interest
in all of the  following  properties,  assets and other  rights  (the  "Excluded
Assets") shall be excluded from the Assets:

     (a) the assets set forth on Schedule 13.1(e);

     (b) the Retained Intellectual Property (as set forth on Schedule 2.2(b));

     (c) except as  specifically  provided  in Article 6, any assets of any Plan
and any rights under any Plan;

     (d) all rights, demands,  claims, Actions and causes of action (whether for
personal  injuries  or  property,  consequential  or other  damages of any kind)
(collectively, "Claims") which Seller, any Continuing Affiliate, the Division or
any of the  Transferred  Subsidiaries  may have,  on or after  the date  hereof,
against any Governmental Authority for refund or credit of any type with respect
to Seller's  Taxes for periods prior to the Cut-Off Date (except with respect to
Income Taxes,  as to which this clause shall apply with respect to periods prior
to the Closing Date);

     (e) all Claims which Seller, any Continuing Affiliate,  the Division or any
of the Transferred  Subsidiaries  may have against any person with respect to or
which are exclusively related to any Excluded Liabilities or Excluded Assets;

     (f) cash and cash  equivalents  held directly by Seller or any  Transferred
Subsidiary (other than Allied Ring or the Mexican investments of SPT NV); and

     (g) assets related to the selling,  general and administrative functions of
the  Business  currently  afforded  to the  business  by Seller,  located in the
corporate office of Seller located at 700 Terrace Point Drive,  Muskegon,  MI or
held by Seller at the corporate  level,  and not necessary to the conduct of the
Business by Buyer (e.g.  corporate aircraft of Seller that may from time to time
be used by the Business) (the "Corporate Assets").

     Section 2.3. Assumption of Liabilities. Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth  herein,  at the Closing  Date,  Buyer shall  assume and agree to pay,
honor and  discharge  when due all  Liabilities  to the  extent  relating  to or
arising  out of the  past,  present  or future  operations  of the  Business  or
ownership of the Assets, other than any Excluded Liabilities (collectively,  the
"Assumed Liabilities").

     Section  2.4.  Excluded  Liabilities.   Notwithstanding  Section  2.3,  and
regardless  of any  disclosure  to  Buyer,  Buyer  shall not  assume  any of the
following  Liabilities,  whether  or  not  relating  to or  arising  out  of the
operation of the Business or the ownership of the Assets or otherwise:

     (a) all Liabilities  relating to Actions,  whether asserted before or after
the  Closing  Date,  relating  to or arising  out of the sale,  use or misuse of
products  manufactured or sold by the Division prior to the Closing Date, if and
to the extent such Actions assert as the basis for any recovery,  the occurrence
of damages prior to the Closing Date;

     (b) any Liabilities for the repair or replacement of products  manufactured
or sold by the  Business  before  the  Closing,  but  only  to the  extent  such
Liabilities arise as a result of occurrences prior to the Closing;

     (c) except as  otherwise  specifically  provided  in Articles 7 and 13, all
Liabilities  relating to Income Taxes with respect to periods ending on or prior
to the Closing Date, except with respect to the Transferred  Subsidiaries (other
than SPT NV) for which the  Cut-Off  Date shall be  substituted  for the Closing
Date for purposes of this Section 2.4(c);

     (d) all Liabilities  relating to indebtedness  for borrowed money of Seller
or any Transferred Subsidiary (other than Allied Ring or the Mexican investments
of SPT NV);

     (e) any  Environmental  Liabilities  and Costs related to or arising out of
the ownership or use of the properties and business at the Division's Manchester
facility to the extent such  Environmental  Liabilities and Costs are related to
or arise out of ownership or use of such  properties  and business  prior to the
Closing Date (the "Manchester Liability"); and

     (f) all  Liabilities  relating to or with  respect to Employees or relating
to,  with  respect  to,  under  or  pursuant  to  Plans,  except  to the  extent
specifically assumed by Buyer pursuant to Article 6;

(all the  liabilities  described in clauses (a) through (f) of this Section 2.4,
collectively, the "Excluded Liabilities").

     Section  2.5.  Consent of Third  Parties.  Anything to the contrary in this
Agreement  notwithstanding,  this Agreement shall not constitute an agreement to
assign or transfer  any  Governmental  Approval,  instrument,  contract,  lease,
permit or other agreement or arrangement or any claim,  right or benefit arising
thereunder or resulting  therefrom if an assignment or transfer or an attempt to
make such an assignment  or transfer  without the Consent of a third party would
constitute a breach or violation  thereof or affect materially and adversely the
rights of Buyer thereunder; and any transfer or assignment to Buyer by Seller of
any  interest  under any such  instrument,  contract,  lease,  permit,  or other
agreement  or  arrangement  that  requires the Consent of a third party shall be
made subject to such Consent  being  obtained.  In the event any such Consent is
not obtained on or prior to the Closing Date,  Seller shall, at its own expense,
use its best  efforts to obtain any such  Consent  after the Closing  Date until
such time as such Consent has been  obtained,  and, if such Consent has not been
obtained  prior to the Closing  Date,  Seller will  cooperate  with Buyer in any
lawful arrangement to provide that Buyer shall receive the interest of Seller or
the  relevant  Affiliate,  as the case may be,  in the  benefits  under any such
instrument,  contract,  lease or  permit  or  other  agreement  or  arrangement,
including  performance by Seller or the relevant Affiliate,  as the case may be,
as  agent,   provided  that  Buyer  shall   undertake  to  pay  or  satisfy  the
corresponding  liabilities  for the enjoyment of such benefit only to the extent
Buyer would have been  responsible  therefor  hereunder if such Consent had been
obtained.  Except as set forth on Schedule 2.5, nothing in this Section shall be
deemed a waiver by Buyer of its right to have  received on or before the Closing
an effective  assignment of all of the Assets,  nor shall this Section be deemed
to constitute an agreement to exclude from the Assets any properties,  assets or
rights described under Section 2.1.

     Section 2.6. Consideration.  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at
the Closing,  Buyer shall (a) pay to Seller the Purchase  Price by wire transfer
of same day funds to the account or accounts specified by Seller, and (b) assume
the Assumed Liabilities pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption Agreement.

     Section 2.7. Time and Place of Closing. The Closing shall take place on the
Closing Date at 10:00 A.M.,  Chicago time,  at the offices of Gardner,  Carton &
Douglas, Chicago, Illinois.

     Section 2.8. Designation of Affiliates by Buyer. Prior to the Closing, upon
at least one day's  written  notice to Seller,  Buyer may  designate one or more
Affiliates  to acquire at the Closing all or part of the Assets,  in which event
all  references  herein  to  "Buyer"  shall  be  deemed  also to  refer  to such
Affiliates, as appropriate; provided, however, that no such designation shall in
any event limit or affect the obligations of Buyer under this Agreement.

     Section 2.9.  Allocation of Purchase Price. (a) The parties shall use their
best efforts to enter into an agreement as soon as practicable after the Closing
Date  concerning the allocation (the  "Allocation")  of the Purchase Price among
the  Assets in  accordance  with  Section  1060 of the Code and the  regulations
promulgated  thereunder  (the  "Allocation  Agreement").  Buyer shall deliver to
Seller a proposed  Allocation  Agreement  which will allocate the Purchase Price
among the  Assets  within  120 days after the  Closing  Date.  If Seller has not
objected  to such  Allocation  Agreement  within  30 days  after  receipt,  such
agreement  shall be deemed  accepted and shall be the Allocation  Agreement.  If
Seller objects to Buyer's proposed Allocation Agreement, Seller shall give Buyer
notice of its objections  and Buyer and Seller shall use all reasonable  efforts
to resolve  their  differences.  If, 60 days after the date on which  Seller has
given  Buyer  notice  of its  objections,  the  parties  have  not  adopted  the
Allocation  Agreement,  any disputes related thereto shall be referred to a "big
six" accounting firm having no material  relationship with either party or their
respective  Affiliates during the 12-month period preceding the date of referral
mutually  agreed on by the parties  and shall be  resolved  within 30 days after
such referral.  The costs,  expenses and fees of such  accounting  firm shall be
borne equally by the parties.

     (b) Seller and Buyer agree to (i) be bound by the  Allocation,  (ii) act in
accordance  with the Allocation in the  preparation of financial  statements and
filing of all Tax Returns  (including  filing Form 8594 with its federal  Income
Tax Return for the taxable  year that  includes  the date of the Closing) and in
the course of any Tax audit,  Tax review or Tax litigation  relating thereto and
(iii)  take  no  position  and  cause  their  Affiliates  to  take  no  position
inconsistent with the Allocation for all Tax and accounting purposes.

     (c) Not later than 30 days prior to the  filing of their  respective  Forms
8594 relating to this transaction, each party shall deliver to the other party a
copy of its Form 8594.


                                    ARTICLE 3

                    Representations and Warranties of Seller

           Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

     Section  3.1.  Incorporation;   Authorization;  Etc.  (a)  Seller  is  duly
incorporated,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
of Delaware.  Seller (i) has all requisite corporate power to own its properties
and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being  conducted,  and (ii)
is in good standing and is duly qualified to transact  business in each domestic
jurisdiction  in which  the  nature  of  property  owned or  leased by it or the
conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified, except where the failure
to be in good standing or to be duly qualified to transact business,  would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

     (b)  Schedule  3.1(b)  sets  forth a list of each  Transferred  Subsidiary,
together  with  its   jurisdiction  of  organization   and  its  authorized  and
outstanding  capital stock or other equity  interests.  Each such entity is duly
organized,  validly  existing,  and in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of its
jurisdiction  of organization  and has all requisite  corporate or similar power
and authority to own and operate its  properties  and assets and to carry on its
portion of the  Business as  presently  conducted  and is duly  qualified  to do
business  and is in good  standing as a foreign  corporation  or other entity in
each jurisdiction  where the ownership or operation of its properties and assets
or the conduct of its business  requires  such  qualification,  except where the
failure to be in good  standing or to be duly  qualified  to transact  business,
would not,  individually  or in the aggregate,  have a Material  Adverse Effect.
Seller has  heretofore  delivered to Buyer true,  complete and correct copies of
each such entity's governing documents as in effect as of the date hereof.

     (c) Seller has full  corporate  power to execute and deliver this Agreement
and to perform its  obligations  hereunder.  The  execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the performance of Seller's  obligations  hereunder have been duly
and validly  authorized by all necessary  corporate  proceedings  on the part of
Seller and no other corporate or stockholder  proceedings or actions on the part
of Seller or its Affiliates or any of their  partners,  boards of directors,  or
stockholders,  as the  case  may be,  are  necessary  therefor.  The  execution,
delivery and  performance  by Seller of this  Agreement will not (i) violate any
provision of Seller's certificate of incorporation or by-laws,  (ii) violate any
provision  of any  Transferred  Subsidiary's  certificate  of  incorporation  or
by-laws or similar organizational instrument, (iii) violate any provision of, or
be an event that is (or with the passage of time will result in) a violation of,
or result in the  acceleration  of or entitle any party to  accelerate  (whether
after the giving of notice or lapse of time or both) any  obligation  under,  or
result in the imposition of any lien upon or the creation of a security interest
in  any of  the  Assets  or any  of  the  Transferred  Subsidiaries'  assets  or
properties pursuant to, any mortgage, lien, lease, agreement, instrument, order,
arbitration award, judgment,  injunction or decree to which Seller or any of its
Affiliates  is a party or by  which  any of them is  bound,  or (iv)  except  as
disclosed in Schedule  3.9(a) or 3.9(b),  violate or conflict  with any statute,
rule or regulation applicable to Seller or any of its Affiliates or any of their
properties or assets or any other material  restriction of any kind or character
to which Seller or any of its Affiliates is subject,  except, in the case of any
of clauses (ii),  (iii) and (iv), such violations as would not,  individually or
in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect or prevent or make unlawful the
Asset  Purchase.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller,
and,  assuming the due execution and delivery  hereof by Buyer,  this  Agreement
constitutes  the legal,  valid and  binding  obligation  of Seller,  enforceable
against Seller in accordance with its terms,  subject to applicable  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium  or other laws relating to or affecting
the rights and  remedies of creditors  generally  and to general  principles  of
equity (regardless of whether in equity or at law).

     (d) Seller has all requisite power to transfer to Buyer good and marketable
title to the Assets  free and clear of all  Encumbrances,  except for  Permitted
Liens.

     Section 3.2.  Capitalization;  Structure.  All of the outstanding shares of
capital stock or other equity interests of each of the Transferred  Subsidiaries
constituting the Transferred  Subsidiary  Interests,  and all of the outstanding
shares of  capital  stock or other  equity  interests  of each  subsidiary  of a
Transferred  Subsidiary  owned,  directly  or  indirectly,  by such  Transferred
Subsidiary,  have been validly issued and are fully paid and  non-assessable and
are owned, directly or indirectly, by Seller free and clear of all Encumbrances,
except as set forth in Schedule 3.2. There are no outstanding options,  warrants
or other  rights of any kind to acquire,  obligations  to issue,  or  securities
convertible  into,  shares of  capital  stock of any  class of, or other  equity
interests  in  any of the  Transferred  Subsidiaries.  Except  as set  forth  in
Schedule 3.2, the outstanding  shares of capital stock or other equity interests
owned by Seller of each of the Transferred  Subsidiaries  are not subject to any
restriction  of transfer  that would be violated or breached by the execution of
this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby, and
no person has any preemptive  right,  right of first  refusal,  or other similar
right in connection with such shares or interests owned by Seller.

     Section 3.3. Financial Statements.  Seller has furnished to Buyer copies of
the unaudited  balance sheets,  income statements and cash flow statements as at
and for the period ended  September 30, 1996 of (a) that portion of the Division
directly  owned and  operated  by SPT,  (b) SPE L.P.  and (c)  Allied  Ring (the
"Financial  Statements").  The  Financial  Statements  were  prepared on a basis
consistent with the divisional  statements  historically prepared by Seller with
respect to the Business  and  collectively  present  fairly in  accordance  with
United States generally accepted  accounting  principles  ("GAAP")  consistently
applied the  financial  condition of the Business  represented  by the Financial
Statements  as of such  date  and the  results  of  operations  of the  Business
represented by the Financial Statements for such period,  except for differences
from GAAP and other accounting practices described in Schedule 3.3, and with the
exception  of any  assets  and  liabilities  reflected  in the  Working  Capital
computation  described  in Section  13.1 or  historically  reflected on Seller's
corporate  office financial  statements.  The Balance Sheet does not include any
properties, assets or rights or Liabilities that do not constitute a part of the
Business or Assets after giving effect to the transactions  contemplated  hereby
and presents fairly the financial condition of the Business at the Balance Sheet
Date,  in  accordance  with  GAAP,  except for  differences  from GAAP and other
accounting  practices  described in Schedule  3.3, and with the exception of any
assets and  liabilities  historically  reflected  on Seller's  corporate  office
financial  statements  described in Schedule 3.3,  Excluded  Assets and Excluded
Liabilities.  The  statements  of  income  and of  cash  flows  included  in the
Financial  Statements  do not reflect the  operations  of any entity or business
that does not  constitute a part of the Business after giving effect to all such
transactions,  fairly present all costs that  historically have been incurred by
the  Business  (other than those  related to the  Excluded  Liabilities)  and do
present  fairly the results of operations and cash flows of the Business for the
periods indicated, in accordance with GAAP, except for differences from GAAP and
other accounting  practices described in Schedule 3.3, and with the exception of
any assets and liabilities  historically  reflected on Seller's corporate office
financial  statements  described in Schedule 3.3,  Excluded  Assets and Excluded
Liabilities.  As used herein,  the "Balance Sheet Date" shall mean September 30,
1996 and the "Balance Sheet" shall mean the collective  balance sheets described
in the first sentence of this Section 3.3.

     Section 3.4. Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.  Seller has no Liabilities
arising out of or Related to the Business (including  Liabilities for the repair
or replacement of products manufactured or sold by the Business),  except (a) as
set forth in  Schedule  3.4,  (b) as and to the extent  expressly  disclosed  or
reserved  against in the  Balance  Sheet or  reflected  in the  Working  Capital
computation described in Section 13.1 or the balance sheet of Seller's corporate
office dated  September 30, 1996,  which reserves are described on Schedule 3.4,
and (c) as and to the extent both (i) incurred  after the Balance  Sheet Date in
the  ordinary  course  of  business  consistent  with  prior  practice  and (ii)
individually and in the aggregate, not material to the Business and have not had
or resulted in, and will not have or result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

     Section 3.5.  Assets.  Except as disclosed in Schedule  3.5,  Seller or its
subsidiaries  has good title to all of the Assets  free and clear of any and all
Encumbrances other than Permitted Liens. The Assets together with the properties
and assets of the Transferred Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, constitute all the
properties,  assets and rights  necessary  for Buyer to conduct  and operate the
Business as conducted currently or at any time within the past 12 months (except
Inventory  sold,  cash  disposed  of,  accounts  receivable  collected,  prepaid
expenses realized,  contracts fully performed,  properties or assets replaced by
equivalent  or  superior  properties  or assets (in each case,  in the  ordinary
course of  business)  and the Excluded  Assets).  The Assets  together  with the
properties and assets of the  Transferred  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  are
adequate for the purposes for which they are currently used or are held for use,
are in good repair and  operating  condition  (subject to normal wear and tear),
other than Assets that are under repair or out of service in the ordinary course
of business,  and, to the knowledge of Seller,  there are no facts or conditions
affecting them which could,  individually or in the aggregate,  interfere in any
material respect with the use, occupancy or operation thereof as currently used,
occupied  or  operated,  or their  adequacy  for such use.  EXCEPT AS  OTHERWISE
EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN,  ALL WARRANTIES  (WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED)  IN  REGARD  TO  MERCHANTABILITY,  FITNESS  FOR A  PARTICULAR  PURPOSE,
CONDITION,  DESIGN, OPERATION,  MAINTENANCE,  VALUE OR OTHERWISE WITH RESPECT TO
THE ASSETS OF THE DIVISION OR ANY TRANSFERRED SUBSIDIARY ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED.

     Section 3.6.  Absence of Certain  Changes.  Except as set forth in Schedule
3.6, since the Balance Sheet Date,  Seller and its Affiliates have conducted the
Business  only in the ordinary  course  consistent  with prior  practice and (x)
Seller,  (y) each of Seller's  subsidiaries that holds Assets or suffers Assumed
Liabilities,  and (z) the  Transferred  Subsidiaries,  have not on behalf of, in
connection with or relating to the Business or the Assets:

     (a) suffered any Material Adverse Effect;

     (b) mortgaged,  pledged or subjected to  Encumbrance  (except for Permitted
Liens),  any  property,  business  or assets,  tangible or  intangible,  held in
connection with the Business;

     (c) sold, transferred, leased to others or otherwise disposed of any of the
Assets  or  any  assets  held,  directly  or  indirectly,   by  any  Transferred
Subsidiary, except for Inventory sold in the ordinary course of business;

     (d) cancelled or compromised  any debt or claim,  or waived or released any
right of substantial value;

     (e)  received any notice of  termination  of any  contract,  lease or other
agreement or suffered any damage, destruction or loss (whether or not covered by
insurance)  which, in any case or in the aggregate,  has had a Material  Adverse
Effect;

     (f) transferred or granted any rights under, or entered into any settlement
regarding the breach or infringement of, any Assigned  Intellectual  Property or
any  Intellectual  Property  held,  directly or indirectly,  by any  Transferred
Subsidiary, or modified any existing rights with respect thereto;

     (g)  declared,  set  aside or paid any  dividends  or other  distributions,
directly  or  indirectly,  in  respect  of  its  capital  stock  or  partnership
interests;

     (h) other than in the  ordinary  course of  business  consistent  with past
practices  or as required by  Applicable  Laws or  contracts  entered into on or
before the date hereof, made any change in the rate of compensation, commission,
bonus or other  direct or indirect  remuneration  payable,  or paid or agreed or
orally  promised  to pay,  conditionally  or  otherwise,  any bonus,  incentive,
retention  or other  compensation,  retirement,  welfare,  fringe  or  severance
benefit or vacation pay, to or in respect of any shareholder, director, officer,
employee,  distributor or sales  representative  of Seller,  or the  Transferred
Subsidiaries, relating to the Business;

     (i) encountered any labor union organizing activity,  had any actual or, to
Seller's knowledge,  threatened employee strikes,  work stoppages,  slowdowns or
lockouts,  or had any  material  change  in its  relations  with its  employees,
agents, customers or suppliers;

     (j) failed to  replenish  the  Businesses'  Inventories  and  supplies in a
normal and customary  manner  consistent  with its prior  practice,  or made any
purchase commitment in excess of the normal,  ordinary and usual requirements of
its business or, to the knowledge of Seller,  at any price in excess of the then
current market price or upon terms and conditions  more onerous than those usual
and  customary  in the  industry,  or made any change in its  selling,  pricing,
advertising or personnel practices inconsistent with its prior practice;

     (k) made any capital  expenditures or capital  additions or improvements in
excess of an aggregate of $100,000 individually or $2,000,000 in the aggregate;

     (l)  instituted,  settled  or agreed to settle  any  litigation,  Action or
proceeding before any court or governmental  body relating to the Business,  the
Assets or any assets  held by the  Transferred  Subsidiaries,  other than in the
ordinary  course of business  consistent with past practices but not in any case
involving amounts in excess of $100,000 or $1,000,000 in the aggregate;

     (m) entered into any transaction,  contract or commitment other than in the
ordinary  course of  business  or paid or agreed to pay any  legal,  accounting,
brokerage, finder's fee, Taxes or other expenses in connection with, or incurred
any severance pay  obligations by reason of, this Agreement or the  transactions
contemplated hereby which would result in an Assumed Liability; or

     (n) taken any action or omitted to take any action that would result in the
occurrence of any of the foregoing; or

     (o) entered into any agreement to do any of the foregoing.

     Section 3.7. Litigation; Orders. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.7, there
are no Actions, pending or, to Seller's knowledge,  threatened against Seller or
any of its  Affiliates  in  connection  with the Assets,  any assets held by the
Transferred  Subsidiaries,  or the  Business,  or  against  or  relating  to the
transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement,  and  neither  Seller  nor  any
Transferred  Subsidiary knows of any basis for the same.  Except as disclosed in
Schedule  3.7,  there  are no  judgments  or  outstanding  orders,  injunctions,
decrees,  stipulations or awards (whether  rendered by a court or administrative
agency,  or by  arbitration)  against  Seller or any of its Affiliates or any of
their respective  properties or businesses that would reasonably be expected to,
individually or in the aggregate,  have a Material  Adverse Effect or that could
prohibit or make unlawful the Asset Purchase.

     Section 3.8. Intellectual  Property.  (a) Assigned  Intellectual  Property.
Schedule 3.8 lists the Assigned  Intellectual  Property.  Except as disclosed in
Schedule  3.8, no notices  have been given nor claims have been  asserted by any
person  (i) to the  effect  that the  manufacture,  use or sale of any  product,
invention,   design,  machine,  process,  technology,   know-how,   information,
literature,  copyright table work, name, trade name, trademark,  service mark or
trade  dress as now  manufactured,  sold or used by Seller or any  Affiliate  in
connection with the Business infringes on any patents,  intellectual property or
other right or (ii) challenging the ownership,  validity or effectiveness of any
of the Assigned Intellectual Property or any of the Intellectual Property of any
Transferred Subsidiary.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.8, Seller owns or has
the  exclusive  right to use  pursuant  to  license,  sublicense,  agreement  or
permission all Assigned  Intellectual  Property and all Intellectual Property of
any Transferred  Subsidiary,  free from any  Encumbrances  (other than Permitted
Liens) and free from any  requirement  of any past,  present  or future  royalty
payments, license fees, charges or other payments, or conditions or restrictions
whatsoever.  The Assigned Intellectual Property and all Intellectual Property of
any Transferred  Subsidiary comprises all of the intellectual property necessary
for Buyer to conduct and operate the Business as now being conducted, other than
as relates to use of the Names.

     (b)  Transfer.  Seller has all  requisite  power to transfer  the  Assigned
Intellectual Property to Buyer, free from any Encumbrances (other than Permitted
Liens) and on terms and  conditions no less favorable than as in effect prior to
the Closing.

     (c) No  Infringement.  The  conduct of the  Business  does not  infringe or
otherwise  conflict  with any rights of any  person in  respect of any  patents,
trademarks,  copyrights  or other  Intellectual  Property.  To the  knowledge of
Seller, none of the Assigned  Intellectual  Property nor any of the Intellectual
Property of any  Transferred  Subsidiary is being infringed or, to the knowledge
of Seller, otherwise used or available for use, by any other person.

     (d) Due  Registration,  Etc.  Except as set forth on Schedule  3.8(d),  the
Assigned  Intellectual Property and all Intellectual Property of any Transferred
Subsidiary has been duly registered with, filed in or issued by, as the case may
be, the United  States  Patent and Trademark  Office,  United  States  Copyright
Office or such  other  filing  offices,  domestic  or  foreign.  Seller  and its
Affiliates  have taken such other  actions,  and to the knowledge of Seller,  no
other actions will be required to be taken within the 180-day period  commencing
the date  hereof,  to  ensure  full  protection  under  any  Applicable  Laws or
regulations, and such registrations, filings, issuances and other actions remain
in full force and effect, in each case, to the extent Related to the Business.

     Section 3.9. Licenses, Approvals, Other Authorizations,  Consents, Reports,
Etc.  (a)  Schedule  3.9(a) lists all  material  licenses,  permits,  approvals,
franchises and other authorizations of any Governmental Authority necessary for,
or otherwise  material to, the conduct of the Business (the "Licenses").  Except
as disclosed in Schedule 3.9(a),  all such Licenses are in full force and effect
except  for  those  whose  failure  to be in full  force  and  effect  would not
reasonably be expected to,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  have a Material
Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.9(a), no proceeding is pending
or, to the knowledge of Seller,  threatened seeking the revocation or limitation
of any such License.

     (b) Schedule 3.9(b) lists all Consents required to be made, filed, given or
obtained by Seller or any Affiliate with, to or from any Governmental  Authority
or other person in connection with the  consummation by it of the Asset Purchase
except for those (i) that become  applicable  solely as a result of the specific
regulatory status of Buyer or its Affiliates, or (ii) the failure to make, file,
give or obtain which would not, individually or in the aggregate,  either have a
Material Adverse Effect or prevent the consummation of the Asset Purchase.

     Section 3.10. Labor Matters.  Schedule 3.10 lists all collective bargaining
agreements  with labor  unions or  associations  representing  Employees  of the
Division.  No material  work  stoppage  against  the  Division is pending or, to
Seller's  knowledge,  threatened.  Except as set  forth in  Schedule  3.10,  the
Division is not a party to or, to the knowledge of Seller,  threatened  with any
labor dispute,  arbitration,  lawsuit or administrative  proceeding  relating to
labor matters  (excluding  routine workers'  compensation  claims) involving the
Employees of the Division.

     Section 3.11.  Compliance with Laws.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.11,
since January 1, 1995,  Seller and its Affiliates  have complied in all material
respects with all Applicable Laws applicable to the Business or the Assets,  and
neither  Seller nor any  Transferred  Subsidiary has received any written notice
alleging any such conflict, violation, breach or default of an Applicable Law.

     Section 3.12. Contracts.  (a) Schedule 3.12 contains a complete and correct
list  of all  agreements,  contracts,  commitments  and  other  instruments  and
arrangements (whether written or oral) of the types described below (1) by which
any of the  Assets (or the assets of any  Transferred  Subsidiary)  are bound or
affected or (2) to which  Seller or any  Affiliate  is a party or by which it is
bound or affected in connection with the Business or the Assets,  other than any
which relate  solely to Excluded  Liabilities  and Plans (which are set forth in
Schedule 3.15(a)) (collectively, "Contracts"):

     (i) leases and other contracts, agreements,  arrangements or understandings
concerning or relating to the Real Property;

     (ii) employment, consulting, agency, collective bargaining or other similar
contracts, agreements, and other instruments and arrangements relating to or for
the  benefit  of  current,  future or  former  employees,  officers,  directors,
stockholders, sales representatives,  distributors, dealers, agents, independent
contractors or consultants;

     (iii) loan agreements,  indentures,  letters of credit, mortgages, security
agreements,  pledge agreements,  deeds of trust, bonds, notes,  guarantees,  and
other agreements and instruments relating to the borrowing of money or obtaining
of or extension of credit;

     (iv) licenses,  licensing  arrangements  and other contracts  providing for
payments by Seller in excess of $10,000  per annum which  provide in whole or in
part for the use of, or limiting the use of, any Assigned Intellectual Property;

     (v) brokerage or finder's agreements;

     (vi) joint venture,  partnership and similar contracts  involving a sharing
of  profits  or  expenses  (including  but not  limited  to joint  research  and
development and joint marketing contracts);

     (vii)  asset  purchase  agreements  and other  acquisition  or  divestiture
agreements,  including, but not limited to, any agreements relating to the sale,
lease or  disposal  of any  Assets  (or any assets  held or owned,  directly  or
indirectly,  by a Transferred  Subsidiary) (other than sales of Inventory in the
ordinary  course  of  business)  or  involving  continuing  indemnity  or  other
obligations;

     (viii)  orders and other  contracts  for the purchase or sale of materials,
supplies,  products or services,  each of which involves or could  reasonably be
expected to involve aggregate annual payments in excess of $250,000, in the case
of purchases, or $250,000, in the case of sales;

     (ix) contracts  other than of the type described  elsewhere in this Section
3.12 with respect to which the aggregate amount that could  reasonably  expected
to be paid or received  thereunder in the future  exceeds  $500,000 per annum or
$2,000,000 in the aggregate;

     (x)   sales   agency,   manufacturer's    representative,    marketing   or
distributorship agreements;

     (xi)   contracts,   agreements   or   arrangements   with  respect  to  the
representation of the Business in foreign countries;

     (xii)  master  lease  agreements  providing  for the  leasing  of  personal
property  primarily  used in, or held for use primarily in connection  with, the
Business; and

     (xiii) any other contracts,  agreements or commitments that are material to
the Business.

     (b) Seller has  delivered  to Buyer or has  afforded  Buyer access to true,
complete  and  correct  copies  of all  written  Contracts,  together  with  all
amendments  thereto,  and  accurate  and  complete   descriptions  of  all  oral
Contracts, set forth or required to be set forth in Schedule 3.12.

     (c) All  Contracts  are in full force and effect  and  enforceable  against
Seller and/or a  Transferred  Subsidiary  and, to the  knowledge of Seller,  all
Contracts are in full force and effect and enforceable  against each other party
thereto.  There does not exist under any  Contract any event of default or event
or condition  that,  after notice or lapse of time or both,  would  constitute a
violation, breach or event of default thereunder on the part of Seller or any of
its Affiliates or, to the knowledge of Seller, any other party thereto except as
set forth in  Schedule  3.12 and  except  for such  events or  conditions  that,
individually  and in the  aggregate,  (i) have not had or resulted in, and would
not  reasonably be expected to have or result in, a Material  Adverse Effect and
(ii) have not and would not  reasonably  be  expected  to impair the  ability of
Seller to perform its obligations  under this Agreement.  Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.12, no Consent of any third party is required under any Contract as a
result of or in connection  with, and the  enforceability  of each Contract will
not be affected in any manner by, the  execution,  delivery and  performance  of
this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

     Section 3.13.  Real  Property.  (a) Owned Real Property.  Schedule  3.13(a)
contains a complete and correct list of all Owned Real  Property  setting  forth
the  address  and owner of each  parcel of Owned  Real  Property.  Seller or its
Affiliates  have good,  valid and  marketable fee simple title to the Owned Real
Property  indicated on Schedule  3.13(a) as being owned by it, free and clear of
all  Encumbrances  other than Permitted  Liens.  There are no  outstanding  sale
agreements,  options,  rights of first refusal or similar agreements to lease or
purchase the Owned Real Property, or any portion thereof or interest therein.

     (b) Assigned Leases.  Schedule 3.13(b) contains a complete and correct list
of all Assigned  Leases and all  Subsidiary  Leases  setting  forth the address,
landlord and tenant for each Assigned Lease and each  Subsidiary  Lease.  Seller
has  delivered to Buyer correct and complete  copies of the Assigned  Leases and
Subsidiary  Leases  (including  any  amendments,  modifications  or  supplements
thereto).  Each  Assigned  Lease  and each  Subsidiary  Lease is  legal,  valid,
binding,  enforceable against Seller or the Transferred Subsidiary,  as the case
may be, and, to Seller's  knowledge,  against the other parties thereto,  and in
full  force and  effect,  except as may be limited  by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
reorganization  and  similar  laws  affecting  creditors  generally  and  by the
availability of equitable remedies.  Neither Seller, any Transferred  Subsidiary
nor, to Seller's knowledge,  any other party is in default,  violation or breach
in any material respect under any Assigned Lease or any Subsidiary Lease, and no
event has occurred and is  continuing  that  constitutes  or, with notice or the
passage of time or both, would constitute a default,  violation or breach in any
material respect under any Assigned Lease or any Subsidiary Lease. Each Assigned
Lease and each  Subsidiary  Lease grants the tenant under the Assigned  Lease or
the Subsidiary  Lease,  respectively,  the exclusive right to use and occupy the
demised premises thereunder.  Seller, or the Transferred Subsidiary indicated on
Schedule 3.13(b),  as the case may be, has good and valid title to the leasehold
estate under each Assigned Lease or Subsidiary  Lease,  as the case may be, free
and  clear of all  Encumbrances  other  than  Permitted  Liens.  Seller,  or the
Transferred Subsidiary indicated on Schedule 3.13(b), as the case may be, enjoys
peaceful and undisturbed possession under its respective Assigned Leases.

     (c) Fee and Leasehold Interests, Etc. The Real Property constitutes all the
fee and leasehold  interests in real property used by Seller or the  Transferred
Subsidiaries  in  connection  with,  necessary  for the conduct of, or otherwise
material to, the Business.

     (d)  No  Proceedings.   There  are  no  eminent  domain  or  other  similar
proceedings  pending or threatened  affecting any portion of the Real  Property.
There is no writ,  injunction,  decree, order or judgment  outstanding,  nor any
Action  pending  or, to the  knowledge  of Seller,  threatened,  relating to the
ownership,  lease,  use,  occupancy  or  operation  by any  person  of any  Real
Property,  or  relating to the Real  Property  Taxes or  assessments  payable in
respect thereof.

     (e) Current Use. The use and  operation of the Real Property in the conduct
of the Business do not violate any instrument of record or any other  instrument
or agreement affecting the Real Property. There is no violation of any covenant,
condition,  restriction,  easement or order of any Governmental Authority having
jurisdiction  over such property or of any other person  entitled to enforce the
same affecting the Real Property or the use or occupancy  thereof.  No damage or
destruction  has  occurred  with respect to any of the Real  Property  since the
Balance Sheet Date that would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect.

     (f)  Compliance  with Real  Property  Laws.  The Real  Property  is in full
compliance with all applicable building,  zoning, subdivision and other land use
and similar Applicable Laws affecting the Real Property (collectively, the "Real
Property  Laws"),  and neither Seller nor any of its Affiliates has received any
notice of violation or claimed  violation of any Real  Property  Law. No current
use by Seller or any of its  Affiliates  of the Real  Property is dependent on a
nonconforming  use or other  Governmental  Approval  the  absence of which would
materially limit the use of such properties or assets Related to the Business.

     (g) Utilities.  All water,  sewer, gas, electric,  telephone,  drainage and
other utility  equipment,  facilities and services now used for the operation of
the Real  Property  are  adequate to service the use of such  properties  as now
operated.

     Section 3.14. Environmental Matters. (a) Permits. All Environmental Permits
currently held by Seller or any of the Transferred  Subsidiaries  are identified
in Schedule 3.14(a),  and, to the extent  transferable,  all such  Environmental
Permits shall be validly transferred to Buyer (except for all such Environmental
Permits held by a  Transferred  Subsidiary,  all of which shall remain valid) on
the Closing  Date.  Neither  Seller nor any  Affiliate  has been notified by any
relevant Governmental  Authority that any Environmental Permit will be modified,
suspended,  cancelled or revoked, or cannot be renewed in the ordinary course of
business.

     (b) No Violations Asserted. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.14(b) or in a
report  prepared  at  Buyer's   direction  by  RMT,  Inc.   entitled  Phase  1.5
Environmental  Site Assessment  Summaries,  Sealed Power Division  Sites,  dated
October 1996  (including any  revisions,  supplements  or addenda  thereto,  the
"Environmental  Report"), to the knowledge of Seller, no person has alleged in a
writing  received by Seller or its Affiliates any violation  within the past two
years by Seller or any of its  Affiliates  of any  Environmental  Permits or any
applicable Environmental Law relating to the conduct of the Business or the use,
ownership or  transferability  of the Real  Property  (other than the air permit
violation  described  in the  Environmental  Report  for  which  Seller  agrees,
notwithstanding  any other provision  hereof, to be responsible for any fines or
penalties in connection  therewith),  and no citations,  fines or penalties have
been  asserted  against  Seller or any of its  Affiliates  with  respect  to the
Division  since the  Balance  Sheet  Date,  under any  Environmental  Law or any
foreign, federal, state or local law relating to occupational health or safety.

     (c)  No  Actions.   Except  as  set  forth  in  Schedule   3.14(c)  or  the
Environmental Report,  neither Seller nor any of its Affiliates has knowledge of
any  material  Liability  of  Seller  or its  Affiliates  relating  to  (i)  the
environmental  conditions on, under,  or about any Real Property,  the Assets or
other  properties  or  assets  owned,  leased  or used by  Seller  or any of its
Affiliates  held for use in  connection  with,  necessary for the conduct of, or
otherwise  material  to, the  Business,  other  than  unaffiliated  third  party
disposal  sites,  or  (ii)  the  past  or  present  use,  management,  handling,
transport, treatment, generation, storage or Release of any Hazardous Substances
with respect to any Real Property.  To the knowledge of Seller and except as set
forth in Schedule 3.14(c) or as set forth in the  Environmental  Report:  (i) no
Hazardous  Substances  have  ever  been  buried,  spilled,  leaked,  discharged,
emitted,  or released,  and no Hazardous  Substances are now present in soils or
groundwater  in, on, or under the Real Property in quantities  that did or would
reasonably  be  expected  to have a  Material  Adverse  Effect  or  resulted  in
contamination or remediation in excess of any applicable  cleanup or remediation
standards,  other than in  compliance  with  Environmental  Laws,  (ii) the Real
Property  is not  being  used and never  has been  used in  connection  with the
manufacturing, storing or transporting of Hazardous Substances, and no Hazardous
Substances  have  been  treated,  stored  or  disposed  of there  other  than in
compliance with  Environmental  Laws, and (iii) there are not now and never have
been  any  underground  or  aboveground   storage  tanks  or  other  containment
facilities  of any kind on the Real  Property  which contain or ever did contain
any Hazardous Substances.

     (d) Other.  Except as set forth in the Environmental  Report or on Schedule
3.14(d):

     (i)  None  of the  current  or  past  operations  of the  Business,  or any
by-product  thereof,  and none of the  currently or formerly  owned  property or
assets of Seller or any Affiliate  used in the  Business,  including the Assets,
the assets of the Transferred  Subsidiaries and the Real Property, is related to
or subject to any  pending or  threatened  investigation  or  evaluation  by any
Governmental Authority as to whether any Remedial Action is needed to respond to
a Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Substances.

     (ii) Neither Seller nor any Affiliate is subject to any outstanding  order,
judgment, injunction, decree or writ from, or contractual or other obligation to
or with,  any  Governmental  Authority  or other  person in respect of which has
resulted in, or may result in, the incurrence of any  Environmental  Liabilities
and  Costs  arising  from the  Release  or  threatened  Release  of a  Hazardous
Substance.

     (iii) None of the Real  Property is, and neither  Seller nor any  Affiliate
has transported or arranged for transportation,  directly or indirectly,  of any
Hazardous  Substances  relating  to the  Assets,  the assets of the  Transferred
Subsidiaries or the Real Property to any location that is listed or proposed for
listing under CERCLA,  or on any other list of  contaminated  property issued or
maintained by any Governmental  Authority,  or the subject of federal,  state or
local enforcement actions or investigations or Remedial Action.

     (iv)  Except  in the  ordinary  course  of  business,  no work,  repair  or
construction, and no material capital expenditure, is required or planned by the
Division pursuant to or to comply with any Environmental  Law, nor has Seller or
any Affiliate received any written notice of any such requirement.

     (e) Full  Disclosure.  Seller has disclosed or made  available to Buyer all
information,   including  all  studies,   analyses  and  test  results,  in  the
possession,  custody or control of Seller and its Affiliates relating to (i) the
environmental  conditions  on,  under  or  about  the  Real  Property,  and (ii)
Hazardous Substances used, managed, handled,  transported,  treated,  generated,
stored or Released by Seller,  any  Affiliate or any other person at any time on
any Real Property,  or otherwise in connection  with the use or operation of the
properties or assets used in or held for use in connection with the Business.

     Section  3.15.  Employee  Benefit Plans and Related  Matters.  (a) Employee
Benefit  Plans.  Schedule  3.15(a) sets forth a true and  complete  list of each
"employee  benefit  plan," as such term is defined in section 3(3) of the ERISA,
whether  or not  subject  to  ERISA,  and  each  bonus,  incentive  or  deferred
compensation,  severance,  termination,  retention,  change  of  control,  stock
option,   stock   appreciation,   stock   purchase,   phantom  stock,  or  other
equity-based,  performance or other employee or retiree  benefit or compensation
plan, program, arrangement, agreement, policy or understanding,  whether written
or unwritten,  that provides or may provide  benefits or compensation in respect
of any  Employees  or under  which any  Employee  is or may become  eligible  to
participate  or  derive  a  benefit  and  that  is or  has  been  maintained  or
established  by Seller or any Related  Person or to which  Seller or any Related
Person contributes or is or has been obligated or required to contribute or with
respect to which  Seller,  any  Affiliate or the Business may have any Liability
(collectively, the "Plans"). With respect to each such Plan, Seller has provided
Buyer  complete  and  correct  copies of or has  afforded  Buyer  access to: all
written  Plans;  descriptions  of all  unwritten  Plans;  all trust  agreements,
insurance contracts or other funding arrangements; the two most recent actuarial
and trust reports; the two most recent Forms 5500 and all schedules thereto; the
most recent IRS Determination  letter;  current summary plan  descriptions;  all
material  communications  received from or sent to the IRS, the Pension  Benefit
Guaranty Corporation or the Department of Labor (including a written description
of any oral  communication);  an actuarial study of any post-employment  life or
medical  benefits  provided  under any such Plan,  if any;  statements  or other
communications regarding withdrawal or other multiemployer plan liabilities,  if
any; and all amendments and modifications to any such document.

     (b) Qualification.  Each Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a)
of the Code,  and the trust,  if any,  forming a part  thereof,  has  received a
favorable  Determination  letter from the IRS as to its qualification  under the
Code and to the  effect  that each  such  trust is exempt  from  taxation  under
Section 501(a) of the Code, and nothing has occurred that could adversely affect
such qualification or Tax-exempt status.

     (c)  Liability.  (i) No Liability has been or is expected to be incurred by
Seller,  any Related  Person or the  Business  (either  directly or  indirectly,
including  as a result of an  indemnification  obligation)  under or pursuant to
Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty, excise Tax or joint and several liability
provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans that could,  following
the Closing,  become or remain a Liability of the Business or become a Liability
of Buyer or of any employee benefit plan established or contributed to by Buyer,
and, to the knowledge of Seller, no event, transaction or condition has occurred
or exists that could result in any such Liability to the Business or,  following
the Closing, Buyer.

     (ii) No Transferred  Employee is or may become entitled to  post-employment
benefits of any kind by reason of employment in the Business, including death or
medical  benefits  (whether or not  insured),  other than (a) coverage  provided
pursuant to the terms of any Plan  specifically  identified  as  providing  such
coverage in  Schedule  3.15(c) or  mandated  by Section  4980B of the Code,  (b)
retirement benefits payable under any Plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the
Code, or (c) deferred  compensation accrued as a Liability on the Balance Sheet.
The  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement will not
result  in an  increase  in  the  amount  of  compensation  or  benefits  or the
acceleration of the vesting or timing of payment of any compensation or benefits
payable to or in respect of any Transferred Employee.

     (d)  Certain  Assumed  Plans.   Without  limiting  the  generality  of  the
foregoing:  (i) each of the  Assumed  Plans  and each of the SUB  Plans has been
maintained and  administered in compliance with its terms,  ERISA,  the Code and
all other  applicable laws and regulations  and contractual  undertakings,  (ii)
each of the Assumed Plans has at all times during its existence been  maintained
and  operated  as a separate  plan,  and has never been the  subject of any plan
merger,  spin-off,  split-up or similar  transaction,  and (iii) each of the SUB
Plans has been maintained and  administered in compliance with its terms and all
applicable laws, regulations and contractual undertakings.

     Section 3.16.  Brokers,  Finders,  Etc.  Seller and its Affiliates have not
employed any broker, finder, consultant or other intermediary in connection with
the Asset  Purchase  who would have a valid claim for a fee or  commission  from
Buyer in connection with such transaction.

     Section 3.17.  Customers.  Schedule 3.17 sets forth (a) the names of the 20
largest  customers of the Division during the 11-month period ended November 30,
1996 and (b) the amount for which each such  customer was  invoiced  during such
period.  To Seller's  knowledge,  except as set forth in Schedule 3.17,  neither
Seller nor any of its  Affiliates has received any notice that any such customer
of the Division (i) has ceased,  or will cease,  to use the  products,  goods or
services of the Division, (ii) has reduced or will reduce,  materially,  the use
of  products,  goods or  services of the  Division  or (iii) has  sought,  or is
seeking,  to  reduce  materially  the price it will pay for  products,  goods or
services of the Division, including, in each case, after the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

     Section 3.18.  Suppliers.  Schedule 3.18 sets forth (a) the names of the 20
largest  suppliers  (including  Seller or any of its Affiliates)  from which the
Division  ordered  raw  materials,  supplies,  merchandise  and other  goods and
services  during the 11-month  period ended November 30, 1996 and (b) the amount
for which each such  supplier  invoiced  the  Division  during such  period.  To
Seller's knowledge, except as set forth on Schedule 3.18, neither Seller nor any
of its  Affiliates  has  received  any notice  that there has been any  material
adverse  change in the price of such raw  materials,  supplies,  merchandise  or
other goods or services,  or that any such supplier will not sell raw materials,
supplies,  merchandise and other goods to Buyer at any time after the Closing on
terms and conditions similar to those used in its current sales to the Division.

     Section 3.19. Product Warranties.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19 and
for  warranties  under  Applicable  Law, (a) there are no warranties  express or
implied,  written or oral,  with respect to the products of the Business and (b)
there are no pending or threatened claims with respect to any such warranty, and
neither Seller nor any Transferred  Subsidiary has any liability with respect to
any such warranty,  whether known or unknown, absolute,  accrued,  contingent or
otherwise and whether due or to become due.

     Section 3.20. Absence of Certain Business Practices.  None of Seller or its
Affiliates,  any officer,  employee or agent of any thereof, or any other person
acting on their behalf, has, directly or indirectly, within the past five years,
given or agreed to give any gift or similar  benefit to any customer,  supplier,
governmental  employee or other person who is or may be in a position to help or
hinder the Business (or assist Seller or any of the Transferred  Subsidiaries in
connection with any actual or proposed transaction relating to the Business) (a)
which subjected or might have subjected Seller or any Transferred  Subsidiary to
any damage or  penalty in any civil,  criminal  or  governmental  litigation  or
proceeding,  (b)  which if not  given in the  past,  would  have had a  Material
Adverse Effect, (c) which, if not continued in the future, would have a Material
Adverse  Effect or  subject  Seller  or any  Transferred  Subsidiary  to suit or
penalty in any private or governmental litigation or proceeding,  or (d) for the
purpose of  establishing  or  maintaining  any concealed  fund or concealed bank
account.


                                    ARTICLE 4

                     Representations and Warranties of Buyer

           Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

     Section 4.1. Incorporation; Authorization; Etc. Buyer is duly incorporated,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Virginia. Buyer has full
corporate  power to execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement  and to  perform  its
obligations  hereunder.  The  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement and the
performance  of  Buyer's  obligations  hereunder  have  been  duly  and  validly
authorized by all necessary  corporate  proceedings  on the part of Buyer and no
other  corporate or  stockholder  proceedings or actions on the part of Buyer or
its Affiliates,  or any of their partners,  boards of directors or stockholders,
as the  case  may be,  are  necessary  therefor.  The  execution,  delivery  and
performance  of this Agreement will not (a) violate any provision of the charter
or  by-laws  or  similar  organizational  instrument  of  Buyer  or  any  of its
Affiliates,  or (b) violate or conflict  with any  statute,  rule or  regulation
applicable to Buyer,  any of its Affiliates or any of their properties or assets
or any other material restriction of any kind or character to which Buyer or any
of its  Affiliates  is subject,  that would  prohibit or make unlawful the Asset
Purchase.  This  Agreement has been duly  executed and delivered by Buyer,  and,
assuming the due execution  hereof by Seller,  this  Agreement  constitutes  the
legal,  valid and binding  obligation  of Buyer,  enforceable  against  Buyer in
accordance  with  its  terms,  subject  to  applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors  generally and to general principles of equity (regardless
of whether in equity or at law).

     Section 4.2. Licenses, Approvals, Other Authorizations,  Consents, Reports,
Etc. Schedule 4.2 contains a list of all registrations,  filings,  applications,
Consents  or  qualifications  required to be made,  filed,  given or obtained by
Buyer or any of its  Affiliates  with, to or from any person in connection  with
the  consummation  of the  Asset  Purchase  except  for  those  (a) that  become
applicable solely as a result of the specific regulatory status of Seller or any
of its Affiliates, or (b) where the failure to make, file, give or obtain any of
them would not prohibit or make unlawful the consummation of the Asset Purchase.

     Section  4.3.  Brokers,  Finders,  Etc.  Buyer has not employed any broker,
finder,  consultant or other  intermediary in connection  with the  transactions
contemplated  hereby who would have a valid claim for a fee or  commission  from
Seller or its Continuing Affiliates in connection with such transactions.


                                    ARTICLE 5

                          Covenants of Seller and Buyer

     Section 5.1.  Investigation of Business;  Access to Properties and Records.
(a) After the date hereof and through the Closing Date,  Seller shall, and shall
cause each of its Affiliates to, afford to  representatives  of Buyer reasonable
access to their respective offices, plants, properties, books and records during
normal  business  hours,  in order that Buyer may have full  opportunity to make
such  investigations as it desires of the affairs of the Business.  All requests
for access to the offices,  plants,  properties,  books, and records relating to
the  Business  shall be made to such  representatives  of Seller as Seller shall
designate,  who shall be solely  responsible for  coordinating all such requests
and all access  permitted  hereunder.  It is further  understood and agreed that
Buyer (and its  representatives)  may,  in its  discretion,  contact  customers,
suppliers,  joint venture partners,  or other associates or Affiliates of Seller
or any of its  Affiliates,  in  connection  with the  transactions  contemplated
hereby.

     (b) Buyer will continue its  pre-acquisition  review of the books,  records
and facilities of SPT NV and its investments. Seller and its Affiliates will use
their best efforts to provide Buyer and its representatives,  or cause Buyer and
its representatives to be provided with, as soon as reasonably practicable,  the
access and information requested by Buyer under paragraph (a) of this Section in
connection with such review. Buyer shall use its best efforts to act promptly to
conclude  such review after the date hereof and Buyer shall notify Seller at the
conclusion of such  pre-acquisition  investigation  of all matters then known to
Buyer,  which, in the reasonable  judgment of Buyer, are of such significance as
to be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect the business, assets,
financial  condition or results of  operations  of SPT NV and its  subsidiaries,
taken  together,  and Buyer shall have the right to terminate  this Agreement as
set forth in Section  12.1(e),  notwithstanding  the fact that such  matters may
have been disclosed in the Schedules to this Agreement.

     (c) Any  information  Relating  to the  Business  provided  to Buyer or its
representatives  pursuant  to this  Agreement  shall  be held by  Buyer  and its
representatives  in accordance  with,  and shall be subject to the terms of, the
Confidentiality  Agreement,  dated  November 5, 1993, by and between  Seller and
Buyer (the "Confidentiality Agreement"); provided, however, that confidentiality
provisions in the  Confidentiality  Agreement relating to such information shall
terminate  and be of no  further  force or effect as of the  Closing;  provided,
further, however, that Seller will treat confidentially any information Relating
to the Business until the third anniversary of the Closing.

     (d) Except as provided in Section  7.7(b),  Buyer agrees (i) to hold all of
the books and records of the  Transferred  Subsidiaries  existing on the Closing
Date or  included in the Assets and not to destroy or dispose of any thereof for
a period of seven  years from the  Closing  Date,  and (ii) at any time and from
time to time following the Closing Date to afford Seller,  its  accountants  and
counsel,  during normal business hours, upon reasonable request,  full access to
such books,  records and other data and to the employees engaged in the Business
or any  successor  thereto to the  extent  that such  access  may be  reasonably
requested.

     Section 5.2. Efforts;  Obtaining  Consents;  Antitrust Laws. (a) Subject to
the terms and conditions herein provided, Seller and Buyer each agree to use all
reasonable  efforts to take,  or cause to be taken,  all  actions  and to do, or
cause to be done,  all things  necessary,  proper or advisable to consummate and
make effective as promptly as practicable the transactions  contemplated hereby,
and to cooperate  with the other in  connection  with the  foregoing,  including
using all reasonable efforts (which efforts shall not require Buyer, in order to
obtain  any  Consent  to (a) hold  separate,  sell or  otherwise  dispose of any
assets, including Assets or assets held by the Transferred Subsidiaries,  or (b)
agree to any  conditions,  the  effect of any of which,  in the sole good  faith
judgment of Buyer, would be to materially impair the value of the Asset Purchase
to Buyer) (i) to obtain all  necessary  Consents  from other parties to material
loan agreements,  leases and other  contracts,  (ii) to obtain all Consents that
are required to be obtained under any  Applicable  Law, (iii) to lift or rescind
any  injunction  or  restraining  order or other order  adversely  affecting the
ability  of the  parties  hereto to  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated
hereby,  (iv) to effect all necessary  registrations and filings including,  but
not limited to, filings under German and Mexican  Antitrust Laws and regulations
and submissions of information requested by any Governmental Authority,  and (v)
to fulfill all conditions to this Agreement.

     (b) Each party  hereto  shall  promptly  inform  the other of any  material
communication from the United States Federal Trade Commission, the United States
Department of Justice or any other Governmental  Authority  regarding any of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

     Section 5.3. Further Assurances.  Seller and Buyer agree that, from time to
time,  whether before, at or after the Closing Date, each of them will, and will
cause  their  respective   Affiliates  to,  execute  and  deliver  such  further
instruments  of  conveyance  and  transfer  and take such other action as may be
necessary to carry out the purposes and intents hereof.

     Section  5.4.  Conduct of  Business.  From the date hereof to the  Closing,
except as disclosed on Schedule  5.4 or otherwise  specifically  provided for in
this  Agreement,  and,  except as  consented  to in  writing  by  Buyer,  Seller
covenants and agrees that:

     (a) the Business shall be operated in the ordinary course,  consistent with
past practices except as provided for or permitted by this Section 5.4;

     (b) none of the  Transferred  Subsidiaries  shall  issue,  sell or agree to
issue or sell (i) any  shares  of its  capital  stock  (or,  as the case may be,
equity or partnership  interests),  or (ii) any securities  convertible into, or
options with respect to, or warrants to purchase or rights to subscribe for, any
shares of its  capital  stock  (or,  as the case may be,  equity or  partnership
interests);

     (c) The  Division,  shall  not (i)  create,  incur or assume  any  material
long-term  or  short-term  debt for money  borrowed  (including  obligations  in
respect of capital leases) which would be an Assumed  Liability,  (ii) except in
the ordinary course of business, assume, guarantee,  endorse or otherwise become
liable or  responsible  (whether  directly,  contingently  or otherwise) for the
obligations  of any person other than the  Division,  or (iii) make any material
loans,  advances or capital contributions to or investments in, any person other
than a  Transferred  Subsidiary  (except  for  customary  loans or  advances  to
Employees);

     (d) except as required by law or  contractual  obligations  existing on the
date  hereof,  the  Division,  shall not (i)  increase  in any  manner  the base
compensation  of,  or  enter  into  any new  bonus  or  incentive  agreement  or
arrangement  with, any of its directors,  officers or other key Employees,  (ii)
pay or  agree to pay any  pension,  retirement  allowance  or  similar  employee
benefit to any such director,  officer or key Employee, whether past or present,
(iii)  enter  into  any  new  employment,   severance,   consulting,   or  other
compensation  agreement with any existing director,  officer or key Employee, or
(iv)  commit  itself  to  any  additional  pension,   profit-sharing,   deferred
compensation,  group insurance, severance pay, retirement or other Plan, fund or
similar  arrangement or amend or commit itself to amend any of such plans, funds
or similar arrangements in existence on the date hereof;

     (e) except as required by law or  contractual  obligations  existing on the
date hereof or as  specifically  provided for in this  Agreement,  the Division,
shall not (i) sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its material assets,
(ii) create any new material  Encumbrance  on any of its  properties  or assets,
(iii) enter into any material  joint venture or partnership or (iv) purchase any
material assets or securities of any person;

     (f) neither Seller nor any of its Affiliates  shall take any action or omit
to take any action which  action or omission  would result in a breach of any of
the representations and warranties set forth in Article 3; and

     (g) Seller shall pay or otherwise  discharge the  obligation of SPE GmbH to
satisfy  that  certain  indebtedness  of SPE  GmbH to  Dresdner  Bank  which  is
guaranteed by TRW Inc. and, as of November 30, 1996, amounted to DM 9,400,000.

     (h) neither  Seller nor any Affiliate  shall agree to take or shall condone
any action prohibited by this Section.

     Section 5.5. Preservation of Business.  Subject to the terms and conditions
hereof,  Seller shall,  and shall cause its  Affiliates to preserve the Business
intact,  keep  available to the  Business  the services of the  Employees of the
Division,  and preserve the good will of customers  and others  having  business
relations with the Business.

     Section 5.6. Public  Announcements.  From the date hereof until the Closing
Date,  Seller  and  Buyer  will  consult  with each  other  before  issuing,  or
permitting  any agent or  Affiliate  to issue,  any press  releases or otherwise
making or permitting any agent or Affiliate to make, any public  statements with
respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

     Section 5.7.  Intercompany and Intracompany  Accounts.  Effective as of the
Closing, all intercompany and intracompany receivables,  payables and loans then
existing  between Seller or any Continuing  Affiliate,  on the one hand, and the
Division or any of the  Transferred  Subsidiaries,  on the other hand,  shall be
settled by way of capital  contribution  in kind (with  respect to  payables  or
loans due to Seller or any  Continuing  Affiliate) or by way of dividend in kind
(with respect to  receivables of the Division and the  Transferred  Subsidiaries
and  subsidiaries of Transferred  Subsidiaries  owed by Seller or any Continuing
Affiliate);  provided,  however, the (a) trade payables and receivables,  or (b)
other receivables, payables and loans set forth on Schedule 5.7, shall not be so
settled.

     Section 5.8. Acquisition of Mahle Transferred  Subsidiary  Interest.  At or
prior  to the  Closing,  Seller,  if so  requested  by Buyer  and to the  extent
permitted  by  Mahle,  shall  acquire  all of the Mahle  Transferred  Subsidiary
Interest (the "Mahle Acquisition") upon terms satisfactory to Buyer, in its sole
discretion,  and upon such terms and  pursuant  to such  agreement  as Buyer may
direct so long as such action by Seller  shall not delay the  Closing,  provided
that Buyer shall  reimburse  Seller for any expenses  associated  with the Mahle
Acquisition and indemnify  Seller for any liabilities  associated with the Mahle
Acquisition,  all upon terms satisfactory to Seller, in its sole discretion, and
any  agreement  relating to the Mahle  Acquisition  shall be a Contract  for the
purposes of this Agreement;  and provided,  further, that the foregoing shall in
no way  relieve  Seller of its  obligations  to  obtain  any  Consents  required
pursuant  to Section  8.2.  If Buyer  decides to acquire  the Mahle  Transferred
Subsidiary  Interest,  either directly or indirectly,  Seller hereby consents to
such  acquisition  (provided  that such  acquisition  shall include an option to
Seller to acquire the Mahle  Transferred  Subsidiary  Interest  at Buyer's  cost
thereof in the event this  Agreement  is later  terminated  in which event Buyer
shall not reimburse  Seller for any expenses as provided for in the provision of
the immediately preceding sentence).

     Section 5.9. Tax Covenants. (a) Without the prior written consent of Buyer,
not  to  be   unreasonably   withheld,   neither  Seller  nor  the   Transferred
Subsidiaries,  any subsidiary or any Affiliate of Seller shall, to the extent it
may  affect or relate to the  Transferred  Subsidiaries,  make or change any Tax
election, change any annual tax accounting period, adopt or change any method of
Tax  accounting,  file any amended  Return,  enter into any  closing  agreement,
settle any Tax claim or  assessment,  surrender any right to claim a Tax refund,
consent to any extension or waiver of the limitations  period  applicable to any
Tax claim or assessment  or take or omit to take any other  action,  if any such
action or omission  would have the effect of  increasing  the Tax  liability  or
reducing  any Tax asset  (including  net  operating  losses) of the  Transferred
Subsidiaries.

     (b) Without the prior  written  consent of Seller,  not to be  unreasonably
withheld, neither Buyer nor the Transferred Subsidiaries,  any subsidiary or any
Affiliate  of  Buyer  shall,  to the  extent  it may  affect  or  relate  to the
Transferred Subsidiaries, make or change any Tax election, change any annual Tax
accounting  period,  adopt or  change  any  method of Tax  accounting,  file any
amended  Return,  enter  into any  closing  agreement,  settle  any Tax claim or
assessment,  surrender any right to claim a Tax refund, consent to any extension
or waiver of the limitations period applicable to any Tax claim or assessment or
take or omit to take any other action, if any such action or omission would have
the effect of  increasing  Seller's  Tax  liability or  obligation  to indemnify
Buyer.

     (c) All Returns not required to be filed on or before the Closing Date, the
filing responsibility for which is allocated in accordance with Section 7.5, and
relating,  in whole or in part,  to any  taxable  period  beginning  before  the
Closing Date, (i) will be filed when due in accordance with all Applicable Laws,
and (ii) as of the time of filing,  will accurately  reflect the facts regarding
the  income,  business,  assets,  operations,   activities  and  status  of  the
Transferred  Subsidiaries,  and  any  other  information  required  to be  shown
therein.

     (d) Seller shall include,  to the extent  permissible under Applicable Law,
through the close of business on the Closing  Date,  SPT NV in its  consolidated
federal Tax Return and in the Tax Returns of any state or local jurisdictions in
which  Seller  files Tax  Returns  with SPT NV on a  consolidated,  combined  or
unitary basis for purpose of income or franchise tax ("Combined State Tax").

     (e) Seller and the  Transferred  Subsidiaries  shall not reserve any amount
for or make any payment of Taxes to any person or any Taxing  Authority,  except
for  such  Taxes  as are due or  payable  or have  been  properly  estimated  in
accordance  with  Applicable  Law as  applied in a manner  consistent  with past
practice of Seller.

     Section 5.10. Franklin Plant.  Seller shall prosecute,  using best efforts,
the challenge to the  recognition  and  certification  under the National  Labor
Relations  Act,  as  amended,  and the  regulation  promulgated  thereunder,  as
amended,  of  the  United  Auto  Workers'  Union  as the  collective  bargaining
representative of the employees of Seller's plant located in Franklin, Kentucky,
and use its best  efforts  to  preserve  the rights of Buyer to  prosecute  such
challenge from and after the Closing.


                                    ARTICLE 6

                                Employee Benefits

     Section  6.1.  Employment  of Seller's  Employees.  (a) Seller will use all
reasonable  efforts to cause the Employees of Seller and its  Affiliates who are
employed in connection with the operations of the Business and whose  employment
has not been  terminated or who have not retired  ("Active  Employees")  to make
available their employment services to Buyer. For a period of two years from the
Closing  Date,  Seller  will  not,  and will not  permit  any of its  Continuing
Affiliates to,  solicit,  offer to employ or retain the services of or otherwise
interfere  with  the  relationship  of  Buyer  with any  person  employed  by or
otherwise engaged to perform services for Buyer in connection with the operation
of the Business.

     (b) Effective as of the Closing Date,  Buyer shall offer  employment to all
Active  Employees,  other than the  Employees  set forth on Schedule  6.1(b) who
shall not be offered  employment,  (i) in the case of  Employees  not subject to
collective bargaining agreements,  at wage or salary levels, as applicable,  and
with employee benefits, substantially equivalent in the aggregate to the wage or
salary  and  benefits  enjoyed  by  similarly   situated   employees  of  Buyer,
immediately prior to the Closing Date, and (ii) in the case of Employees subject
to  collective  bargaining  agreements,  with wages and  benefits  substantially
equivalent in the  aggregate to the wages and benefits  enjoyed by such employee
immediately  prior to the Closing Date.  Those Active  Employees who accept such
offers of  employment  effective  as of the  Closing  Date shall be  referred to
herein as the "Transferred  Employees." Seller shall permit Buyer to communicate
with the Employees,  at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice,  concerning
Buyer's plans,  operations,  business,  customer relations and general personnel
matters,  provided  that such  contacts  shall be  conducted in a manner that is
reasonably acceptable to Seller.

     (c) Effective as of the Closing  Date,  Buyer shall assume the Liability of
Seller in  respect  of the  Transferred  Employees  for (i)  accrued  but unpaid
salaries,  wages,  vacation and sick pay, and 1996 incentive  compensation,  but
only to the extent such  Liability is reflected on the Balance Sheet or incurred
after  the  date  of the  Balance  Sheet  in the  ordinary  course  of  business
consistent  with  prior  practice  and in  accordance  with  the  terms  of this
Agreement  (applied  as if this  Agreement  had been in effect from the close of
business  on  the  Balance   Sheet  Date   through  the  Closing   Date),   (ii)
post-retirement  medical and life insurance benefits but only to the extent such
benefits  are  disclosed on Schedule  3.15(c),  and (iii)  welfare  benefits and
Liabilities  from Actions  arising out of or relating to the  employment  or the
actual or  constructive  termination of employment of  Transferred  Employees by
Seller,  other  than  Liabilities   expressly  retained  by  Seller  in  Section
6.1(e)(ii)  or related to Employees who are not  Transferred  Employees or other
than with  respect to claims with  respect to benefits or  compensation.  Seller
shall remain responsible for payment of any and all retention, change in control
or other similar  compensation or benefits which are or may become payable to or
with respect to Employees or other employees and former  employees of Seller and
its Affiliates and beneficiaries and dependents of any such employees and former
employees,  in  connection  with  or as a  result  of  the  consummation  of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     (d) Seller represents and warrants to Buyer that the Liabilities assumed by
Buyer under  Section  6.1(c)(iii)  are  reflected  on the Balance  Sheet or were
incurred  after the  Balance  Sheet  Date in the  ordinary  course  of  business
consistent with past practice.

     (e) Neither Buyer nor any of its  Affiliates  shall have any Liability with
respect to any Employee or Plan or any claim thereof or related thereto,  except
to the extent  expressly  provided in this Article.  From and after the Closing,
Seller shall, except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in this Article,
remain  solely  responsible  for any  and  all  Liabilities  in  respect  of the
Employees,  including  the  Transferred  Employees and their  beneficiaries  and
dependents,  relating to or arising in connection with or as a result of (i) the
employment or the actual or  constructive  termination of employment of any such
Employee  by  Seller  (including  in  connection  with the  consummation  of the
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement),  (ii) the  participation  in or
accrual of benefits or  compensation  under, or the failure to participate in or
to accrue  compensation or benefits under, any Plan or other employee or retiree
benefit  or  compensation  plan,  program,   practice,   policy,   agreement  or
arrangement  of Seller other than the Assumed Plans and the SUB Plans,  or (iii)
accrued but unpaid salaries, wages, bonuses, incentive compensation, vacation or
sick  pay  or  other   compensation   or  payroll  items   (including   deferred
compensation),  except,  in any such case,  to the extent any such  Liability is
specifically assumed by Buyer pursuant to this Article.

     (f) Seller or one of its Affiliates,  as the case may be, shall deliver any
notices to Employees  required  pursuant to the Worker  Adjustment  and Training
Notification Act as a result of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  to the
extent requested by Buyer to do so before the Closing Date.

     (g) This  Agreement  is not  intended  to create  and does not  create  any
contractual or legal rights in or enforceable by any Employee.

     Section 6.2.  Retirement  Plans.  (a) SPX  Corporation  Pension Plan No. 3.
Effective as of the Closing Date, Transferred Employees who are participating in
the SPX Corporation Pension Plan No. 3 ("No. 3 Transferred  Employees") shall be
eligible to  participate  in defined  benefit plans (as defined in ERISA Section
3(35)) sponsored by Buyer and its Affiliates  ("Buyer's Pension Plans"). Any No.
3 Transferred  Employee who retires under Buyer's Pension Plans or any successor
plan  thereto  within one year after the  Closing  Date shall be  entitled  to a
benefit  thereunder  which shall be no less than the difference  between (i) the
benefit that would have been provided under the SPX Corporation Pension Plan No.
3, as in effect on the date hereof, had the No. 3 Transferred Employee continued
to be covered  under the SPX  Corporation  Pension Plan No. 3 until such date of
retirement,  based upon the  information  supplied to Buyer  pursuant to Section
6.2(f) (and Buyer shall have no obligation to inquire as to the accuracy of such
information,  and shall be entitled to rely  conclusively upon it), and (ii) the
benefit  payable  to the No. 3  Transferred  Employee  from the SPX  Corporation
Pension Plan No. 3 as at the date hereof.

     (b) Seller's  Hourly Plans.  Effective as of the Closing Date,  Transferred
Employees who are  participating in the St. Johns Wage Pension Plan No. 201, the
Muskegon Wage Pension Plan No. 001, the Rochester  Wage Pension Plan No. 004 and
the  Manchester  Wage Pension Plan No. 019  ("Seller's  Hourly  Plans") shall be
eligible to  participate  in defined  benefit plans (as defined in ERISA Section
3(35))  sponsored by Buyer and its  Affiliates  ("Buyer's  Hourly  Plans") which
shall be  substantially  similar to Seller's  Hourly Plans for no less than five
years  following the Closing Date in all material  respects except as to monthly
benefit  rates,  retirement  supplements  (which terms are understood to include
without  limitation  "special age benefits" and to refer to supplements  payable
before  and/or after normal  retirement  age),  early  retirement  subsidies and
subsidized actuarial factors as may be negotiated with the applicable collective
bargaining unit. For the period after the Closing Date, (i) Buyer's Hourly Plans
shall recognize  Transferred  Employees' service under Seller's Hourly Plans for
eligibility to participate, eligibility to receive any early retirement subsidy,
eligibility  to receive  subsidized  actuarial  factors,  eligibility to receive
retirement  supplements and eligibility to receive disability benefits,  and for
vesting  purposes,  to the same extent as such service was  recognized  for such
purposes under Seller's Hourly Plans, (ii) Seller's Hourly Plans shall recognize
Transferred  Employees'  service under Buyer's  Hourly Plans for vesting and for
eligibility to receive any early retirement  subsidiary,  eligibility to receive
subsidized actuarial factors,  eligibility to receive retirement supplements and
eligibility to receive disability  benefits,  to the same extent as such service
is recognized  for such  purposes  under  Buyer's  Hourly  Plans;  and (iii) any
Transferred  Employee who  qualifies for  disability  retirement or a retirement
supplement  under Buyer's  Hourly Plans  following  termination  of service with
Buyer  shall  receive pro rata  disability  retirement  benefits  or  retirement
supplements or special age benefits,  as  applicable,  from Buyer's Hourly Plans
and  Seller's  Hourly  Plans based  proportionately  on service  with Seller and
Buyer;  provided,  that any  determination of disability for purposes of Buyer's
Hourly Plans shall be made by Buyer,  and for purposes of Seller's  Hourly Plans
shall  be made by  Seller,  after  consultation  with one  another.  Transferred
Employees, to the extent vested at the time of retirement, shall be eligible for
retirement  benefits under Seller's  Hourly Plans at the monthly  benefit rates,
retirement  supplement  and  disability  benefit  levels,  and early  retirement
subsidies  and levels of subsidy of  actuarial  factors in effect on the Closing
Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  Buyer shall have no obligation to pay any
portion of an early  retirement or other  supplement if such supplement has been
fully earned as of the Closing Date and any Transferred  Employee who receives a
lump-sum  distribution  of all of his or her benefit under Seller's Hourly Plans
shall  thereafter  cease to have any benefit  rights  thereunder.  The covenants
under this  subsection  (b) do not confer any right to continued  employment  by
Transferred  Employees or to service  credits for any period when a  Transferred
Employee is not employed by Seller.

     (c) SPX Corporation  Retirement Savings and Stock Ownership Plan. Effective
as of the Closing Date,  Transferred  Employees who are participating in the SPX
Corporation  Retirement  Savings and Stock  Ownership  Plan No. 005 (the "KSOP")
shall be eligible to participate in one or more defined  contribution  plans (as
defined in ERISA 3(34)) sponsored by Buyer and its Affiliates  ("Buyer's Savings
Plans").  Each  Transferred  Employee  will receive  full credit  under  Buyer's
Savings Plans for such Transferred  Employee's  service with Seller prior to the
Closing  Date for purposes of  eligibility  to  participate  and for purposes of
vesting.  Immediately  following  the Closing Date,  Buyer's  Savings Plan shall
accept individual  transfers of Transferred  Employees'  accounts from the KSOP,
subject to the terms and  conditions  of Buyer's  Savings  Plans  including  any
prohibition  on accepting  transfers of Seller's  common stock.  For purposes of
this Section 6.2(c),  "individual  transfers" shall include both rollovers under
Code  Section  402(c)  and  direct   rollovers  as  described  in  Code  Section
401(a)(31).

     (d) Assumed  Plans.  As of the  Closing  Date,  Buyer  shall  assume all of
Seller's  rights,  obligations and Liabilities  under the Pension and Retirement
Plan for  Franklin  employees  No.  401 and the  Manchester  Plan  No.  401 (the
"Assumed  Plans")  and  shall  take  such  steps as are  necessary  to adopt and
continue  such Assumed  Plans.  Seller shall make all  governmental  filings and
reports as may be due with  respect to plan years of the  Assumed  Plans  ending
prior to the  Closing  Date and  Buyer  shall be  responsible  for  governmental
filings and  reports for plan years  ending  after the Closing  Date,  provided,
however,  that Seller shall promptly  assist Buyer in preparing such reports for
the plan year in which the Closing  Date  occurs.  Following  the Closing  Date,
Seller  shall  cause the  trustee of the SPX  Master  Trust to  continue  to pay
benefit  payments  under  the  terms of the  Assumed  Plans,  so as to avoid any
interruption in benefit  payments to persons  entitled  thereto.  Within 90 days
after  the  Closing   Date,   Buyer  shall  notify  Seller  in  writing  of  the
Tax-qualified  pension  trust  maintained by Buyer that will be the recipient of
the assets of the Assumed Plans,  and, within 90 days  thereafter,  Seller shall
cause the assets of the SPX Master Trust properly allocable to the Assumed Plans
(less the amount of subsequent  benefit payments,  less the amounts of allocable
expenses  and other  proper  charges) to be  transferred  to the trustee of such
successor  trust.  Seller and Buyer  agree to  execute,  at or after the Closing
Date, such succession agreements or assignment agreements as may be necessary to
effectuate properly the transfer of the administration,  sponsorship, assets and
Liabilities relating to the Assumed Plan.

     (e) Supplemental  Unemployment Benefit Plans. As of the Closing Date, Buyer
shall  assume all of Seller's  rights,  obligations  and  Liabilities  under the
Muskegon  Operations  Supplemental  Unemployment  Benefit Plan and the St. Johns
Plant  Supplemental  Unemployment  Benefit Plan (the "SUB Plans") and shall take
such steps as are necessary to adopt and continue such SUB Plans.  Following the
Closing Date, Seller shall cause the trustee of the SUB Plans' trust to continue
to pay  benefit  payments  under the terms of the SUB Plans,  so as to avoid any
interruption in benefit  payments to persons  entitled  thereto.  Within 90 days
after the Closing Date, Buyer shall notify Seller in writing of the Code Section
501(c)(17)  Tax-exempt  trust  maintained by Buyer that will be the recipient of
the assets of the SUB Plans, and within 90 days  thereafter,  Seller shall cause
the assets of the SUB Plans  (less the amount of  subsequent  benefit  payments,
less  the  amounts  of  allocable  expenses  and  other  proper  charges)  to be
transferred  to the trustee of such successor  trust.  Seller and Buyer agree to
execute, at or after the Closing Date, such succession  agreements or assignment
agreements  as may be  necessary  to  effectuate  properly  the  transfer of the
administration,  sponsorship,  assets and Liabilities relating to the SUB Plans.
Seller hereby  represents and warrants to Buyer that the assets of the SUB Plans
are adequate for the purposes of covering Liabilities under the SUB Plans.

     (f) Information Sharing. As soon as reasonably practicable, and in no event
less than 180 days,  following the Closing Date, Seller shall provide Buyer with
a schedule of benefits  accrued,  as of the Closing Date,  for each  Transferred
Employee in the SPX Corporation Pension Plan No. 3 and Seller's Hourly Plans, as
applicable,  and a  schedule  of the data  used to  determine  each  Transferred
Employee's benefit rights, including the period of service used to determine the
Transferred  Employee's  vesting of  benefits,  the  period of service  used for
benefit  accrual  purposes,   the  Transferred  Employee's  age  and  applicable
compensation  data, to the extent such information is not in Buyer's  possession
in a readily usable form.

     Section 6.3.  Welfare and Fringe Benefit Plans. (a) Buyer shall provide the
Transferred  Employees,  during their  employment by Buyer,  and their  eligible
dependents  and  beneficiaries,  coverage  under any welfare and fringe  benefit
plans, programs, policies or arrangements established or maintained by Buyer for
such persons  ("Buyer's  Welfare  Plans") for claims  incurred after the Closing
Date.  Buyer's  Welfare Plans shall treat service by Transferred  Employees with
Seller  and its  Affiliates  in the same  manner as  service  with Buyer and its
Affiliates for purposes of eligibility to participate in Buyer's  Welfare Plans,
and Buyer  shall use its  reasonable  best  efforts so that any  limitations  on
coverage of pre-existing  conditions  under Buyer's Welfare Plans will be waived
with  respect  to  Transferred  Employees  and  their  eligible  dependents  and
beneficiaries.

     (b) From and after the Closing Date, Seller shall remain solely responsible
for any and all  Liabilities  relating to or arising in connection  with (i) the
requirements of Section 4980B of the Code to provide continuation of health care
coverage under any Plan in respect of (A) Employees,  other than the Transferred
Employees  and their  covered  dependents,  and (B) to the  extent  related to a
qualifying event occurring on or before the Closing Date,  Transferred Employees
and their  covered  dependents,  (ii)  except for claims  for  welfare  benefits
assumed by Buyer under Section 6.1(c),  claims for welfare benefits  incurred by
Transferred Employees on or before the Closing Date, and (iii) incentive bonuses
payable to  Transferred  Employees  in excess of the amounts  allocated  to such
Transferred Employees by the Division as set forth on Schedule 6.3(b).

     Section 6.4. Workers Compensation. (a) From and after the Closing Date: (i)
Seller shall remain  solely  responsible  for any and all  Liabilities  to or in
respect of any Employee who is not a Transferred Employee relating to or arising
in connection with any and all claims for workers' compensation benefits arising
in connection with any occupational  injury or disease occurring or existing on,
prior to or after the Closing Date;  and (ii) Buyer shall be solely  responsible
for  any  and all  Liabilities  to or in  respect  of any  Transferred  Employee
relating to or arising in  connection  with any  occupational  injury or disease
occurring  or  arising  after  the  Closing  Date and for all  Assumed  Workers'
Compensation Liability.

     (b)  Seller  hereby  represents  and  warrants  to Buyer  that  the  amount
disclosed  on Schedule  6.4(b)  relating to the  Assumed  Workers'  Compensation
Liability  as of  December  28, 1996 is an  accurate  estimate  of such  Assumed
Workers'   Compensation   Liability  based  on  the  outstanding  claim  reserve
information provided by Seller's insurance carrier or third-party  administrator
on such date.

     Section 6.5.  Employment Taxes. (a) Seller shall, and Buyer shall (i) treat
Buyer as a  "successor  employer"  and  Seller as a  "predecessor,"  within  the
meaning of Sections  3121(a)(1)  and  3306(b)(1)  of the Code,  with  respect to
Transferred  Employees  who are employed by Buyer for purposes of Taxes  imposed
under the United  States  Federal  Unemployment  Tax Act  ("FUTA") or the United
States Federal  Insurance  Contributions  Act ("FICA"),  and (ii) cooperate with
each  other to avoid,  to the extent  possible,  the filing of more than one IRS
Form W-2 with respect to each such  Transferred  Employee for the calendar  year
within which the Closing Date occurs.

     (b) At the request of Buyer with respect to any  particular  applicable Tax
Law relating to employment, unemployment insurance, social security, disability,
workers'  compensation,  payroll,  health  care or other  similar Tax other than
Taxes imposed under FICA and FUTA, Seller will and Buyer will (i) treat Buyer as
a successor employer and Seller as a predecessor employer, within the meaning of
the relevant  provisions of such Tax Law, with respect to Transferred  Employees
who are employed by Buyer,  and (ii) cooperate with each other to avoid,  to the
extent possible,  the filing of more than one individual  information  reporting
form  pursuant  to each  such  Tax Law with  respect  to each  such  Transferred
Employee for the calendar year within which the Closing Date occurs.


                                    ARTICLE 7

                                   Tax Matters

     Section 7.1.  Tax Returns.  (a) Seller or an Affiliate of Seller has (or by
the  Closing  will  have) duly and  timely  filed all  Returns of Seller and the
Transferred  Subsidiaries  relating to the  Business  required to be filed on or
before  the  Closing  Date  ("Covered  Returns").  Except for Taxes set forth on
Schedule  7.1(a),  which are being  contested  in good faith and by  appropriate
proceedings,  the  following  Taxes have (or by the Closing Date will have) been
duly and timely paid: (i) all Taxes shown to be due on the Covered Returns, (ii)
all deficiencies and assessments of Taxes of which notice has (or by the Closing
Date will have) been  received by Seller or an  Affiliate  of Seller that are or
may become payable by Buyer or the  Transferred  Subsidiaries or chargeable as a
lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon the Business,  and (iii) all other Taxes
due and  payable  on or before  the  Closing  Date for which  neither  filing of
Covered  Returns nor notice of deficiency  or assessment is required.  All Taxes
required to be withheld by or on behalf of Seller or any Transferred  Subsidiary
in  connection  with  amounts  paid  or  owing  to  any  employee,   independent
contractor,  creditor  or other  party with  respect to the  Business  have been
withheld,  and such withheld  Taxes have either been duly and timely paid to the
proper Governmental Authorities or set aside in accounts for such purpose.

     (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 7.1(b),  no agreement or other document
extending,  or having  the effect of  extending,  the  period of  assessment  or
collection  of any  Taxes,  and no power of  attorney  with  respect to any such
Taxes, has been filed with the IRS or any other Governmental Authority.

     (c) Except as set forth on Schedule 7.1(c), (i) there are no Taxes asserted
in writing by any  Governmental  Authority to be due, and (ii) no issue has been
raised in writing by any Governmental  Authority in the course of any audit with
respect to Taxes. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.1(c), no Taxes are currently
under  audit by any  Governmental  Authority.  Except as set  forth on  Schedule
7.1(c),  neither the IRS nor any other  Governmental  Authority is now asserting
or, to the  knowledge of Seller,  threatening  to assert  against  Seller or any
Transferred  Subsidiary,  any  deficiency or claim for  additional  Taxes or any
adjustment  of Taxes  that  would,  if paid by Buyer,  have a  Material  Adverse
Effect,  and there is no reasonable basis for any such assertion of which Seller
or any Transferred Subsidiary is or reasonably should be aware.

     (d) Buyer will not be required to deduct and withhold  any amount  pursuant
to Section 1445(a) of the Code upon the transfer of the Business to Buyer.

     (e)  Except as set forth on  Schedule  7.1(e),  there is no  litigation  or
administrative  appeal pending or, to the knowledge of Seller threatened against
or relating to Seller, any Transferred Subsidiary in connection with Taxes.

     (f) Except as set forth on Schedule 7.1(f),  as of the time of filing,  the
Tax Returns  accurately  reflected  the facts  regarding  the income,  business,
assets,  operations,  activities  and  status  of the  Division  and  any  other
information  required to be shown  therein.  On the Closing  Date,  after giving
effect to the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  there will be available  and
utilizable to SPE GmbH,  German Tax loss  carryforwards in an amount equal to at
least DM 69 million at December 31, 1995 for corporation income tax purposes and
DM 67 million at December 31, 1995 for trade Tax on income  purposes,  with both
Tax loss  carryforwards  being  increased to reflect Tax losses  incurred  after
December 31, 1995 and prior to the Closing Date.

     (g) Except as set forth on Schedule 7.1(g),  there are no liens for any Tax
on the assets of the Transferred Subsidiaries,  except for Taxes not yet due and
payable, or on the stock of any Transferred Subsidiary in the hands of Seller or
another Transferred Subsidiary.

     (h)  Except  as set  forth  on  Schedule  7.1(h),  none of the  Transferred
Subsidiaries has (i) been a member of any affiliated,  consolidated, combined or
unitary  group  other than one of which  Seller  was the  common  parent or (ii)
participated  in any  other  arrangement  (including  by  way  of a Tax  sharing
agreement) whereby any income,  revenues,  receipts,  gain, loss or Tax asset of
the  Transferred  Subsidiaries  was  determined  or taken into  account  for Tax
purposes  with  references  to or in  conjunction  with  any  income,  revenues,
receipts,  gain,  loss,  asset,  liability  or Tax  asset of any  other  person.
Schedule  7.1(h)  contains  a list  of all  jurisdictions  (whether  foreign  or
domestic) to which any Tax is properly payable by the Division.

     (i) Except as set forth on  Schedule  7.1(i),  the  charges,  accruals  and
reserves for Taxes with respect to the Assets or  Transferred  Subsidiaries  for
any taxable period beginning before and ending on, prior to or after the Balance
Sheet  Date  (including  taxable  period  for which no Return  has yet be filed)
reflected on the Balance Sheet  (excluding  any  provision  for deferred  Income
Taxes) are  adequate  to cover any  unpaid  such Taxes for the period or portion
thereof ending on or before the Balance Sheet Date.

     (j) Except as set forth on Schedule 7.1(j),

          (i)none of the Assets is Tax-exempt use property within the meaning of
     Section 168(h) of the Code.

          (ii)None of the Assets is  property  that is or will be required to be
     treated as being  owned by another  person  pursuant to the  provisions  of
     Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended,  and in
     effect immediately prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986.

          (iii)None  of the Assets  (including  assets  held by any  Transferred
     Subsidiaries or subsidiaries of Transferred  Subsidiaries)  is subject to a
     lease  other  than a "true  lease"  for United  States  federal  Income Tax
     purposes.

     Section 7.2. Tax Indemnification by Seller. Seller shall be liable for, and
shall hold Buyer, the Transferred  Subsidiaries,  and any successor corporations
thereto and  affiliates  thereof  harmless from and against the following  Taxes
with respect to the Business:

     (a) any several liability of the Transferred  Subsidiaries for Income Taxes
under Treasury  Regulation  Section  1.1502-6 or under any comparable or similar
provision  under state,  local or foreign laws or regulations for periods ending
on or prior to the Closing Date; and

     (b) any sales,  transfer,  documentary,  use,  filing and similar Taxes and
fees, whether levied on Buyer,  Seller,  the Transferred  Subsidiaries or any of
their respective  Affiliates,  resulting from the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement.

     Section 7.3. Tax  Indemnity by Buyer.  Buyer shall be liable for, and shall
hold Seller and the Seller  Indemnitees  harmless from and against,  any and all
(i) Income Taxes for any taxable period or portion thereof beginning on or after
the Closing Date, (ii) Reflected  Taxes, and (iii) Taxes other than Income Taxes
for any  taxable  period or portion  thereof  beginning  on or after the Cut-Off
Date, in each case, due or payable with respect to the Business.

     Section 7.4.  Allocation of Certain Taxes.  (a) Buyer and Seller agree that
if any of the  Transferred  Subsidiaries  is permitted  but not  required  under
applicable foreign,  state or local Tax Laws to treat the day before the Closing
Date or the Closing Date as the last day of a taxable  period,  Buyer and Seller
shall treat such day as the last day of a taxable period.

     (b) For  purposes  hereof,  in the case of any Taxes that are  imposed on a
periodic basis and are payable for a period that begins before the Closing Date,
the Cut-Off Date or the Balance  Sheet Date, as the case may be, with respect to
any particular Tax in accordance with this Agreement  (each, for the purposes of
this paragraph,  a "Relevant  Date") and ends after a Relevant Date, the portion
of such Tax that  shall be deemed to be  payable  for the  portion of the period
ending on the Relevant  Date shall (i) in the case of any Taxes other than Taxes
based upon or related to income, payroll or receipts, be deemed to be the amount
of such Taxes for the entire period (or, in the case of such Taxes determined on
an  arrears  basis,  the  amount  of such  Taxes for the  immediately  preceding
period), whether actually paid before, during, or after such period,  multiplied
by a  fraction  the  numerator  of which is the number of  calendar  days in the
period ending on (and  including) the Relevant Date and the denominator of which
is the number of calendar days in the entire period, and (ii) in the case of any
Taxes  based upon or related to income or receipts  (including,  but not limited
to, sales, use and withholding Taxes), be deemed equal to the amount which would
be payable if the taxable  year ended on the close of  business on the  Relevant
Date and, in the case of any Taxes  attributable  to the  ownership by Seller or
any  of  the  Transferred  Subsidiaries  or  any  subsidiary  of  a  Transferred
Subsidiary  of any equity  interest in any  partnership  or other  "flowthrough"
entity, as if a taxable period of such partnership or the  "flowthrough"  entity
ended as of the close of business on the a Relevant Date. Any credits for such a
period  shall be prorated  except  credits for Taxes paid or  deposited  will be
allocated to the party that paid or deposited  such Taxes and credits  which are
allocated in a different manner under the Code, based upon the fraction employed
in clause (i) of the preceding  sentence.  Such clause (i) shall be applied with
respect to Taxes for such  period  relating to capital  (including  net worth or
long-term  debt) or  intangibles  by reference to the level of such items on the
Relevant Date. In the event that Seller or any of its Affiliates has prepaid any
Taxes referred to herein to the extent that such Taxes exceed  Seller's share of
such Taxes under this Section,  Buyer shall pay Seller the amount of such excess
within 120 days of the Closing Date upon receipt from Seller at the Closing of a
statement detailing such prepayments.

     Section 7.5.  Filing  Responsibility.  (a) Seller shall prepare and file or
shall  cause the  Transferred  Subsidiaries  to prepare  and file the  following
Returns with respect to the Business:

     (i) all Income Tax Returns for any taxable  period  ending on or before the
Closing Date; and

     (ii)  all  other  Returns   required  to  be  filed  (taking  into  account
extensions) prior to the Closing Date.

     (b) Buyer or the Transferred  Subsidiaries shall, subject to the provisions
of paragraph  (c) of this  Section,  file all other  Returns with respect to the
Business.

     (c) With  respect to any Income Tax Return for  taxable  periods  beginning
before the Closing Date and ending after the Closing  Date,  Buyer shall consult
with Seller  concerning  such Return and shall  report all items with respect to
the period ending on the Closing Date in  accordance  with the  instructions  of
Seller,  unless otherwise agreed by Seller and Buyer. Buyer shall provide Seller
a copy of its  proposed  Return  at least 15 days  prior to the  filing  of such
Return,  and Seller may  provide  comments  to Buyer,  which  comments  shall be
delivered to Buyer within seven days of receiving such copies from Buyer.

     (d) Seller and Buyer shall  cooperate in the filing of any elections  under
Section  338  and  338(h)(10)  of the  Code  with  respect  to  the  Transferred
Subsidiaries or any of the Affiliates as Buyer shall request.

     Section  7.6.  Refunds.  (a) Seller  shall be  entitled  to any  refunds or
credits  of Income  Taxes  attributable  to or  arising  in  taxable  periods or
portions  thereof  ending on or before  the  Closing  Date with  respect  to the
Business other than (i) any refunds  reflected on the Balance Sheet and (ii) any
refunds attributable to carrybacks from post-Closing Date periods.

     (b) Buyer or the  Transferred  Subsidiaries,  as the case may be,  shall be
entitled  to any  refunds  or  credits  of Taxes  attributable  to or arising in
taxable periods or portions thereof  beginning on or after the Closing Date with
respect to the Business and to all refunds not described in Section  7.6(a),  in
each case, after deducting reasonable costs incurred in securing such refund.

     (c) Buyer shall, and shall cause the Transferred  Subsidiaries promptly to,
forward to Seller or to  reimburse  Seller for any refunds or credits due Seller
(pursuant to the terms of this Article) after receipt thereof,  and Seller shall
promptly  forward to Buyer  (pursuant to the terms of this Article) or reimburse
Buyer for any refunds or credits due Buyer after receipt thereof.

     Section  7.7.  Cooperation  and  Exchange  of  Information.  (a) As soon as
practicable,  but in any event within 30 days after Seller's  request,  from and
after the Closing Date,  Buyer shall provide  Seller with such  cooperation  and
shall deliver to Seller such  information  and data  concerning the  pre-Closing
operations of the Business and make  available such  knowledgeable  employees of
the Business as Seller may request, including providing the information and data
required by Seller's  customary Tax and accounting  questionnaires,  in order to
enable  Seller to complete and file all Returns which it may be required to file
with respect to the operations and business of the Business  through the Closing
Date or to  respond  to audits by any Taxing  Authorities  with  respect to such
operations.  Such cooperation and information  shall include provision of powers
of attorney for the purpose of signing Returns and defending audits and promptly
forwarding  copies of  appropriate  notices  and  forms or other  communications
received from or sent to any Taxing Authority which relate to the Business,  and
providing copies of all relevant Returns,  together with accompanying  schedules
and related workpapers, documents relating to rulings or other determinations by
any Taxing  Authority  and records  concerning  the  ownership  and Tax basis of
property, which Buyer and the Transferred Subsidiaries may possess.

     (b) For a period of ten years after the Closing Date or such longer  period
as may be required by law  (including  any period  during  which any  applicable
statute of  limitations  for the  assessment  or  collection of any Taxes remain
open,  whether  by waiver  or  otherwise),  Buyer  shall,  and  shall  cause the
Transferred  Subsidiaries  to, retain,  and neither  destroy nor dispose of, all
Returns, books and records (including computer files) of, or with respect to the
activities  of, the Business for all taxable  periods  ending on or prior to the
Closing  Date and to make  such  books  and  records  available  to  Seller on a
reasonable  basis.  Thereafter,  Buyer  shall not destroy or dispose of any such
Returns, books or records unless it first offers such Returns, books and records
to Seller in writing and Seller fails to accept such offer within 60 days of its
being made.

     (c) Buyer and Seller and their  respective  Affiliates shall cooperate (and
make  available  knowledgeable  employees)  in the  preparation  of all  Returns
relating,  in whole or in part,  to  taxable  periods  ending  on or  before  or
including  the Closing Date that are required to be filed after such date.  Such
cooperation  shall  include,  but not be limited  to,  furnishing  prior  years'
Returns or Return preparation packages illustrating previous reporting practices
or  containing  historical  information  relevant  to the  preparation  of  such
Returns,  and furnishing such other information  within such party's  possession
requested by the party filing such Returns as is relevant to their  preparation.
In the  case of any  state,  local or  foreign  joint,  consolidated,  combined,
unitary or group relief system Returns,  such  cooperation  shall also relate to
any other  taxable  periods  in which one party  could  reasonably  require  the
assistance of the other party in obtaining any necessary information.

     Section 7.8. Definitions. For purposes of this Article, the following terms
shall have the meanings ascribed to them below:

     (a)  "Determination"  means a "determination" as defined by Section 1313(a)
of the Code.

     (b)  "Income  Taxes"  means all (i) Taxes based upon or measured by income,
together with any interest,  additions or penalties with respect thereto and any
interest in respect of such  additions  or  penalties  and (ii) any  obligations
under any  agreements  or  arrangements  with respect to any Taxes  described in
clause (i) above.

     (c) "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.

     (d) "Returns"  means  returns,  reports and forms required to be filed with
any domestic or foreign Taxing Authority.

     (e)  "Taxes"  means  (i) all  federal,  state,  local  and  foreign  taxes,
including but not limited to income, gross receipts, windfall profits, goods and
services, ad valorem, value added, severance,  property,  production,  transfer,
sales,  use,  license,  excise,  franchise,  employment,  withholding or similar
taxes, and any custom, duty, governmental fee or other like assessment or charge
of any kind whatsoever,  together with any interest, additions or penalties with
respect  thereto and any interest in respect of such  additions or penalties and
(ii) any obligations  under any agreements or  arrangements  with respect to any
Taxes described in clause (i) above.

     (f) "Tax Laws" means the Code,  federal,  state,  county,  local or foreign
laws  relating  to  Taxes  and  any   regulations  or  official   administrative
pronouncements released thereunder.

     (g) "Taxing Authority" means any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction
over the assessment, Determination, collection, or other imposition of Tax.


                                    ARTICLE 8

                    Conditions of Buyer's Obligation to Close

     Buyer's obligation to consummate the Asset Purchase shall be subject to the
satisfaction  on or prior to the Closing Date, or waiver by Buyer, of all of the
following conditions:

     Section 8.1.  Representations,  Warranties  and  Covenants  of Seller.  The
representations  and warranties of Seller  contained in this Agreement (a) shall
be true  and  correct  in all  respects  (in the case of any  representation  or
warranty  containing any materiality  qualification) or in all material respects
(in  the  case  of  any  representation  or  warranty  without  any  materiality
qualification) at and as of the date hereof, and (b) shall be repeated and shall
be true  and  correct  in all  respects  (in the case of any  representation  or
warranty  containing any materiality  qualification) or in all material respects
(in  the  case  of  any  representation  or  warranty  without  any  materiality
qualification) on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made
on and as of the  Closing  Date.  Seller  and its  Affiliates  shall  have  duly
performed  and  complied  in all  material  respects  with  all  agreements  and
conditions  required by this  Agreement to be  performed or complied  with by it
prior  to or on the  Closing  Date.  Seller  shall  have  delivered  to  Buyer a
certificate,  dated the Closing Date and signed by its duly authorized officers,
to the foregoing effect.

     Section 8.2. Filings; Consents; Waiting Periods. Seller shall have obtained
and shall  have  delivered  to Buyer  copies of (a) all  Governmental  Approvals
required to be obtained by Seller in connection  with the execution and delivery
of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby,
and (b) all Consents  necessary to be obtained in order to consummate  the Asset
Purchase,  including all those specified in Schedule 8.2 and including all those
as may be necessary to obtain the benefit of the Assumed Contracts, the Assigned
Intellectual Property and the Assigned Leases. All applicable approvals, and all
applicable  waiting  periods,  under  German  and  Mexican  Antitrust  Laws  and
regulations  shall have been obtained or shall have expired or been  terminated,
as the case may be.

     Section  8.3. No  Material  Adverse  Effect.  No event,  occurrence,  fact,
condition,  change,  development or effect shall have occurred, exist or come to
exist  since  the  date  hereof  that,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  has
constituted  or resulted in, or would  reasonably  be expected to  constitute or
result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

     Section  8.4.  No  Injunction.  There  shall  not  (a)  be  in  effect  any
injunction,  order or decree,  restraining,  enjoining or  otherwise  preventing
consummation of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  or permitting
such consummation  only subject to any condition or restriction  unacceptable to
Buyer, in its sole judgment,  or (b) be any Actions pending, or to the knowledge
of Seller,  threatened,  which could  reasonably  be expected to have any of the
effects set forth in clause (a) of this Section.

     Section 8.5.  Mexican  Investments.  Buyer shall be satisfied,  in its sole
discretion,  as to the prospects for developing a suitable working  relationship
with the management of SPT NV's Mexican  investments and as to all other aspects
of the operations, assets, finances and governance of such enterprise.

     Section 8.6. Union Contracts. The unions party to the Union Contracts shall
have ratified and consented to the  assignment by Seller of the Union  Contracts
and the assumption thereof by Buyer.

     Section  8.7.  Schedules.  Buyer shall have  agreed to the  contents of the
Schedules to this Agreement provided to Buyer by Seller and such Schedules shall
be satisfactory to Buyer, in its sole  discretion;  provided that this condition
shall either be satisfied or this  Agreement  terminated  by Buyer no later than
the last to occur of:  (i) five  Business  Days  after  receipt  by Buyer of the
Schedules or (ii) January 9, 1997.


                                    ARTICLE 9

                   Conditions of Seller's Obligation to Close

     Seller's  obligation  to  consummate  the Asset  Purchase is subject to the
satisfaction on or prior to the Closing Date, or waiver by Seller, of all of the
following conditions:

     Section  9.1.  Representations,  Warranties  and  Covenants  of Buyer.  The
representations and warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement (a) shall be
true and correct in all respects (in the case of any  representation or warranty
containing any materiality  qualification)  or in all material  respects (in the
case of any representation or warranty without any materiality qualification) at
and as of the date  hereof  and (b)  shall  be  repeated  and  shall be true and
correct  in all  respects  (in  the  case  of  any  representation  or  warranty
containing any materiality  qualification)  or in all material  respects (in the
case of any representation or warranty without any materiality qualification) on
and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made at and as of such
time. Buyer shall have duly performed and complied in all material respects with
all  agreements  and  conditions  required by this  Agreement to be performed or
complied with by it prior to or on the Closing Date.  Buyer shall have delivered
to  Seller  a  certificate,  dated  the  Closing  Date  and  signed  by its duly
authorized officer, to the foregoing effect.

     Section 9.2. Filings;  Consents; Waiting Periods. Buyer shall have obtained
and shall have delivered to Seller copies of all Governmental Approvals required
to be obtained by Buyer in  connection  with the  execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  All
applicable   waiting  periods  under  German  and  Mexican  Antitrust  Laws  and
regulations shall have expired or been terminated.

     Section  9.3.  No  Injunction.  At the  Closing  Date,  there  shall  be no
injunction,  restraining  order  or  decree  of  any  nature  of  any  court  or
Governmental  Authority  of  competent  jurisdiction  that  is  in  effect  that
restrains, prohibits or makes unlawful the consummation of the Asset Purchase.


                                   ARTICLE 10

                            Survival; Indemnification

     Section 10.1.  Indemnification  by Seller.  Seller  covenants and agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless Buyer, its officers,  directors,  employees, agents,
advisers, representatives and Affiliates (collectively, the "Buyer Indemnitees")
from and against,  and pay or reimburse the Buyer  Indemnitees  for, any and all
Liabilities,  (a) as  provided  for in  Section  7.2 and (b)  resulting  from or
arising out of:

     (i) any inaccuracy of any  representation or warranty made by Seller herein
or any  certificate  delivered  pursuant to this Agreement and which survive the
Closing  (but only,  with  respect to  Transferred  Subsidiaries  other than the
Controlled Subsidiaries and their subsidiaries, other than with respect to those
representations  and warranties  contained in Section 3.1 and 3.2, to the extent
Seller has knowledge of the facts or circumstances  constituting such inaccuracy
(and with respect to the Mexican investments held by SPT NV, only such knowledge
has  Seller  has  without   having   undertaken   any   additional   inquiry  or
investigation)) (it being understood and agreed that notwithstanding anything to
the  contrary  contained  in this  Agreement,  to determine if there had been an
inaccuracy  or  breach  of a  representation  or  warranty  of  Seller  and  the
Liabilities  arising from such  inaccuracy  or breach,  such  representation  or
warranty  shall be read as if it were not  qualified by  materiality,  including
qualifications  indicating accuracy in all material respects, or accuracy except
to the extent the inaccuracy will not have a Material Adverse Effect);

     (ii) any failure of Seller to perform any covenant or  agreement  hereunder
or fulfill any other obligation in respect hereof, including the obligations set
forth in Sections 13.1 and 13.2,  except to the extent that such failure  arises
due to acts or omissions of the Mexican investments held by SPT NV;

     (iii) any Excluded Liabilities or Excluded Assets;

     (iv) any and all Liabilities in respect of any and all Income Taxes for any
taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date, or allocable, in accordance
with the provisions of Section 7.4, to periods prior to the Closing Date;

     (v) any and all  Liabilities  in respect of any and all Taxes  (other  than
Income  Taxes) other than  Reflected  Taxes for any taxable  period ending on or
before the Cut-Off  Date, or allocable,  in  accordance  with the  provisions of
Section 7.4, to periods prior to the Cut-Off Date;

     (vi) any  failure of Seller to comply with any  applicable  bulk sales laws
(unless  any  Liabilities  thereunder  arise as a result of  Buyer's  failure to
satisfy the Assumed Liabilities); and

     (vii)  any and all  out-of-pocket  costs of  Seller  seeking  to  obtain or
obtaining  any Consents  whether  before or after the Closing Date in accordance
with Section 2.5.

     As  to  indemnification   for  inaccuracies  in  the   representations  and
warranties  contained in this Agreement  (other than those in Sections 3.1, 3.2,
3.15(a),  (b),  (c) and (d),  as to which the  following  limitations  shall not
apply), and as to indemnification  pursuant to Section 10.1(b)(v),  Seller shall
not be required to indemnify the Buyer Indemnitees with respect to any unrelated
claims which  individually do not exceed $25,000,  and in any event shall not be
required  to  indemnify  the Buyer  Indemnitees  unless and until the  aggregate
amount of all claims in excess of $25,000  against  Seller with respect  thereto
exceeds $2,500,000;  provided,  however,  that, if such aggregate amount of such
claims  exceeds  $2,500,000,  Seller shall be obligated to pay the entire amount
thereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  Liabilities incurred
by Buyer in connection with the disqualification or possible disqualification of
any Assumed Plan (including in connection  with any audit by,  application to or
other proceeding before or negotiation with the IRS relating to the issue of the
qualification or disqualification of an Assumed Plan or any other plan sponsored
by Buyer with  which an Assumed  Plan may be merged  after the  Closing),  which
Liabilities would not have been incurred if all of the representations set forth
in Section 3.15 had been  accurate,  shall be considered to result from or arise
out of the inaccuracy of such representations.

     Section  10.2.  Indemnification  by Buyer.  Buyer  covenants  and agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless Seller, its officers, directors,  employees, agents,
advisers,    representatives   and   Affiliates   (collectively,   the   "Seller
Indemnitees") from and against, and pay or reimburse the Seller Indemnitees for,
any and all Liabilities (a) as provided for in Section 7.3 or (b) resulting from
or arising out of:

     (i) any  inaccuracy  in any  representation  or  warranty  by Buyer made or
contained in this Agreement;

     (ii) any failure of Buyer to perform  any  covenant  or  agreement  made or
contained in this Agreement or fulfill any other obligation in respect thereof;

     (iii) the Assumed Liabilities;

     (iv) the operation of the Business by Buyer or Buyer's ownership, operation
or use of the Assets on or after the Cut-Off Date;

     (v) any  retroactive  pension  benefit  increases with respect to Employees
covered by Seller's  Hourly  Plans which  result from any action  taken by Buyer
(unless  the  obligation  to take such  action  exists,  whether  contingent  or
otherwise, on the Closing Date);

except,  in the case of clauses (iii) and (iv),  to the extent such  Liabilities
result from or arise out of the Excluded  Liabilities or constitute  Liabilities
for which Seller is required to indemnify  the Buyer  Indemnitees  under Section
10.1.

     Section 10.3. Indemnification Procedures. In the case of any claim asserted
by a third  party  against  a  party  entitled  to  indemnification  under  this
Agreement (the  "Indemnified  Party"),  notice shall be given by the Indemnified
Party to the  party  required  to  provide  indemnification  (the  "Indemnifying
Party") promptly after such Indemnified  Party has actual knowledge of any claim
as to which indemnity may be sought,  and the Indemnified Party shall permit the
Indemnifying  Party (at the  expense of such  Indemnifying  Party) to assume the
defense of any claim or any litigation  resulting  therefrom,  provided that (a)
the counsel  for the  Indemnifying  Party who shall  conduct the defense of such
claim or litigation shall be reasonably  satisfactory to the Indemnified  Party,
(b) the Indemnified  Party may  participate in such defense at such  Indemnified
Party's expense, and (c) the omission by any Indemnified Party to give notice as
provided herein shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its  indemnification
obligation  under this Agreement except to the extent that such omission results
in a failure of actual notice to the  Indemnifying  Party and such  Indemnifying
Party is materially  damaged as a result of such failure to give notice.  Except
with the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, no Indemnifying  Party,
in the defense of any such claim or  litigation,  shall  consent to entry of any
judgment or enter into any  settlement  that  provides for  injunctive  or other
nonmonetary  relief affecting the Indemnified  Party or that does not include as
an  unconditional  term thereof the giving by each claimant or plaintiff to such
Indemnified  Party of a release from all Liability with respect to such claim or
litigation.  In the  event  that  the  Indemnified  Party  shall  in good  faith
determine   that  the   conduct  of  the   defense  of  any  claim   subject  to
indemnification  hereunder or any proposed  settlement  of any such claim by the
Indemnifying Party might be expected to affect adversely the Indemnified Party's
Tax  Liability  or the  ability of Buyer to conduct  its  business,  or that the
Indemnified Party may have available to it one or more defenses or counterclaims
that are  inconsistent  with one or more of those that may be  available  to the
Indemnifying Party in respect of such claim or any litigation  relating thereto,
the Indemnified  Party shall have the right at all times to take over and assume
control over the defense, settlement, negotiations or litigation relating to any
such claim, with counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnifying Party, at the
sole cost of the  Indemnifying  Party,  provided that, if the Indemnified  Party
does so take over and assume  control,  the  Indemnified  Party shall not settle
such claim or litigation without the written consent of the Indemnifying  Party,
such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. In the event that the Indemnifying
Party  does  not  accept  the  defense  of any  matter  as above  provided,  the
Indemnified  Party shall have the full right to defend against any such claim or
demand  and shall be  entitled  to settle or agree to pay in full such  claim or
demand.  In any event,  the Indemnifying  Party and the Indemnified  Party shall
cooperate in the defense of any claim or litigation  subject to this Article and
the  records  of each  shall be  available  to the other  with  respect  to such
defense.

     Section 10.4.  Indemnification  Procedure  Regarding the Manchester  Plant.
With respect to indemnification claims relating to Environmental Liabilities and
Costs which are Excluded Liabilities, Buyer Indemnitees shall give prompt notice
to  Seller  describing  in  detail  the  facts  giving  rise  to any  claim  for
indemnification.  Seller shall have the right and  responsibility  of defending,
remedying,  and settling any claim for  Environmental  Liabilities and Costs and
Buyer  Indemnitees  shall fully cooperate in connection  therewith to the extent
reasonably  requested  by Seller.  Seller shall have  complete  control over any
Manchester  Liability,  including the performance of any Remedial  Actions,  for
which  indemnification  is being sought by Buyer  Indemnities  hereunder.  Buyer
Indemnitees  shall  provide  Seller and any of its  representatives  and agents,
including,  when deemed necessary by Seller, the  representatives  and agents of
TRW Automotive  Products  Inc.,  such  reasonable  access as may be necessary or
desirable   by  Seller  or  its   representatives   or  agents  to  address  any
Environmental   Liabilities  and  Costs.  Such  actions  shall  include,   where
desirable,  cooperation  in the  placement  and  operation  of any  wells at the
Manchester plant. Buyer Indemnitees shall provide Seller and its representatives
or agents with such  utility  service at the  Manchester  plant as may be deemed
necessary by Seller or any of its representatives or agents, provided,  however,
that Seller shall reimburse Buyer Indemnitees for reasonable out of pocket costs
for such services.  Except during a reasonable period following the Closing Date
required  to  discontinue  ongoing  operations  which  may  be  aggravating  the
Environmental  Liabilities and Costs,  Buyer  Indemnitees  shall take no actions
which  aggravate  any  Environmental  Liabilities  and Costs being  addressed by
Seller and shall  conduct no  subsurface  sampling,  drilling or digging  unless
required by law or necessary for the continued  operation of the Business at the
Manchester plant. Seller shall have no obligation to indemnify Buyer Indemnitees
to the extent that Buyer  Indemnitees fail to comply with their duties set forth
herein.  Seller's obligation to indemnify Buyer Indemnitees for Remedial Actions
at the  Manchester  plant shall be limited to the  completion  of those  actions
consistent  with the  industrial  use of the  Manchester  Plant  and only to the
extent that such actions are required or requested by any Governmental Authority
or court order. Seller agrees to perform whatever investigations or remediations
which are required or reasonably requested by a Governmental authority or court,
however,   nothing   herein  shall   preclude   Seller  from   challenging   the
appropriateness of any investigations or remediations or Seller's  obligation to
conduct  any such  actions.  Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary in this
Agreement,  this  indemnification  survives the Closing and  continues in effect
indefinitely.

     Section 10.5. Time Limitation.  All claims for indemnification under clause
(i) of Section  10.1(b) or clause (i) of Section 10.2(b) must be asserted within
30 days of the  termination  of the  respective  survival  periods  set forth in
Section 10.6.

     Section  10.6.  Survival  of  Representations  and  Warranties,   Etc.  The
representations  and warranties  contained in this  Agreement  shall survive the
execution and delivery of this Agreement,  the  consummation of the transactions
contemplated  hereby,  any examination by or on behalf of the parties hereto and
the completion of the transactions  contemplated  herein, but only to the extent
specified below:

     (a) except as set forth in clauses (b) and (c) below,  the  representations
and  warranties  of any party  contained in this  Agreement  shall survive for a
period of three years following the Closing Date;

     (b) the  representations  and  warranties  contained in Sections  3.1, 3.2,
3.15(b), 3.15(c) and 4.1 shall survive without limitation;

     (c) any  representations  and warranties  relating to matters  addressed in
Section 3.14 or 3.19 shall not survive the Closing Date, other than with respect
to any  breach  thereof  as to which  Seller  has  knowledge  on or prior to the
Closing  Date (nor shall any claim for  indemnification  arising from an alleged
breach of Section 3.4 survive the Closing  Date to the extent the basis for such
claim also constitutes a breach of the representations and warranties  contained
in Section 3.14 or 3.19),  and,  accordingly,  after the Closing,  except to the
extent  Buyer's  claim is based on  Seller's  failure  to  disclose  any fact or
circumstance known to Seller relating to Environmental Liabilities and Costs and
otherwise  forming  the  basis  of  an  appropriate  claim  for  indemnification
hereunder,  Seller  shall  have no  Liability  to  Buyer  for any  Environmental
Liabilities and Costs relating to or arising out of the past,  present or future
operations  of the Business or  ownership of the Assets  (other than those which
are Excluded Liabilities); and

     (d) the representations  and warranties  contained in Sections 7.1, 7.2 and
7.3 shall survive as to any Tax covered by such  representations  and warranties
for so long as any statute of limitations for such Tax remains open, in whole or
in part, including by reason of waiver of such statute of limitations.

     Section 10.7. Product Warranties.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19 and
for  warranties  under  Applicable  Law, (a) there are no warranties  express or
implied,  written or oral,  with respect to the products of the Business and (b)
there are no pending or threatened claims with respect to any such warranty, and
neither Seller nor any Transferred  Subsidiary has any Liability with respect to
any such warranty,  whether known or unknown, absolute,  accrued,  contingent or
otherwise and whether due or to become due.

     Section 10.8.  Survival of Covenants.  The covenants and  agreements of the
parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing in accordance with
the terms hereof.

     Section 10.9. Sole Remedy. The remedy provided for in this Article 10 shall
be the exclusive remedy of Buyer and Seller under this Agreement with respect to
money damages,  but shall not preclude any assertion by a Buyer  Indemnitee or a
Seller  Indemnitee,  as the case may be, of any causes of action  that may exist
for fraud.


                                   ARTICLE 11

                              Deliveries at Closing

     Section  11.1.  Seller's  Deliveries  at Closing.  In addition to the other
things  required to be done hereby,  at the Closing,  Seller shall  deliver,  or
cause to be delivered, to Buyer the following:

     (a) a certificate  dated the Closing Date and validly executed on behalf of
Seller to the effect  that the  conditions  set forth in Section 8.1 and Section
8.2 have been satisfied;

     (b) a copy of the  resolutions  of the board of  directors  of  Seller,  or
similar enabling document,  authorizing the execution,  delivery and performance
hereof by Seller,  and a certificate of its  Secretary,  dated as of the Closing
Date, that such resolutions were duly adopted and are in full force and effect;

     (c) evidence or copies of any Consents required pursuant to Section 8.2;

     (d) in the case of each Transferred  Subsidiary that is a stock corporation
with  certificated  shares,  stock  certificates  representing  the  Transferred
Subsidiary  Interests with all  appropriate  transfer Tax stamps  affixed,  duly
endorsed in blank or  accompanied  by stock  powers  duly  executed in blank and
sufficient  to  transfer  the  Transferred   Subsidiary  on  the  books  of  the
Transferred Subsidiaries, or, in the case of each Transferred Subsidiary that is
a stock corporation,  joint venture or partnership with  uncertificated  shares,
such originals or certified  copies of all  documentation  necessary to evidence
Seller's partnership or joint venture interests in such Transferred Subsidiary;

     (e) in the case of each Transferred Subsidiary that is a stock corporation,
the stock book,  stock ledger,  minute book,  corporate seal and other corporate
books and records of each of such Transferred Subsidiaries;

     (f) an opinion, addressed to Buyer and dated the Closing Date, from counsel
to Seller, in substance and form reasonably satisfactory to Buyer;

     (g) all documents,  certificates  and  agreements  necessary to transfer to
Buyer good and  marketable  title to the  Assets,  free and clear of any and all
Encumbrances thereon, other than Permitted Liens, including:

     (i) a duly executed Assignment and Assumption Agreement;

     (ii) assignments of all Assumed Contracts,  Assigned  Intellectual Property
and any other agreements and instruments  constituting Assets, dated the Closing
Date,  assigning to Buyer all of Seller's right,  title and interest therein and
thereto, with any required Consent endorsed thereon;

     (iii) a general  warranty deed,  dated as of the Closing Date, with respect
to each parcel of Owned Real  Property,  together  with any  necessary  transfer
declarations or other filings;

     (iv) an assignment of lease,  dated as of the Closing Date, with respect to
each Assigned Lease, in such form as Buyer and Seller shall agree, together with
any necessary transfer declarations or other filings; and

     (v)  certificates of title to all motor vehicles  included in the Assets to
be transferred to Buyer hereunder, duly endorsed for transfer to Buyer as of the
Closing Date;

     (h) all documents necessary to transfer to Buyer the Assigned  Intellectual
Property;

     (i) Consents  from the lessor of each Assigned  Lease to the  assignment of
such Assigned Lease to Buyer;

     (j) a "FIRPTA"  certificate of Seller,  dated the Closing Date and sworn to
under  penalty of  perjury,  setting  forth the name,  address  and  federal Tax
identification  number of  Seller  and  stating  that  Seller is not a  "foreign
person" within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code,  such  certificate to be
in the form set forth in the regulations thereunder;

     (k) a duly executed services  agreement  relating to interim services to be
provided by the  Division to Seller's  Filtran and Contech  divisions  ("Service
Agreement") in such form as shall be agreed by Buyer and Seller.

     Section  11.2.  Buyer's  Deliveries  at  Closing.  In addition to the other
things required to be done hereby, at the Closing, Buyer shall deliver, or cause
to be delivered, to Seller the following:

     (a) a certificate  dated the Closing Date and validly executed on behalf of
Buyer to the effect that the  conditions set forth in Sections 9.1 and 9.2 shall
have been satisfied;

     (b) a copy of the  resolutions  of the  board of  directors  of  Buyer,  or
similar enabling document,  authorizing the execution,  delivery and performance
hereof by Buyer,  and a  certificate  of its  secretary or assistant  secretary,
dated as of the Closing Date, that such resolutions were duly adopted and are in
full force and effect;

     (c) evidence or copies of any Consents required pursuant to Section 9.2;

     (d) a duly executed Assignment and Assumption Agreement;

     (e) an opinion,  addressed to Seller and dated the Closing Date, of counsel
for Buyer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Seller;

     (f) a duly executed Service Agreement; and

     (g) letters of credit to replace  letters of credit  obtained or guaranteed
by Seller in favor of suppliers to the Business.

     Section 11.3. Required  Documents.  All documents to be delivered by Seller
or to  be  entered  into  by  Seller  and  Buyer  necessary  to  carry  out  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or contemplated by the terms of this
Agreement  shall be  satisfactory  in form and substance to Buyer and counsel to
Buyer and all  documents  to be  delivered  by Buyer  necessary to carry out the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement or to be entered into by Seller and
Buyer  necessary to carry out the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement
shall be satisfactory in form and substance to Seller and counsel to Seller.


                                   ARTICLE 12

                                   Termination

     Section  12.1.  Termination.  This  Agreement may be terminated at any time
prior to the Closing by:

     (a) written agreement of Seller and Buyer; or

     (b) either  Seller or Buyer if the Closing has not occurred by the close of
business  on  February  28,  1997 and if the  failure  to  consummate  the Asset
Purchase  on or before  such date did not result  from the  failure by the party
seeking  termination of this Agreement to fulfill any  undertaking or commitment
provided for herein that is required to be fulfilled prior to Closing; or

     (c)  either  Seller or Buyer if any  Governmental  Authority  of  competent
jurisdiction shall have issued a final nonappealable order permanently enjoining
or otherwise  prohibiting the consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement;

     (d) by either  Buyer or Seller in the event that (i) all of the  conditions
to the  obligation of such party to consummate  the Asset  Purchase set forth in
Sections  8 and 9 shall  have  been  satisfied  and  (ii) any  condition  to the
obligation of such party to effect the Asset Purchase set forth in Section 8 (in
the case of Buyer) or Section 9 (in the case of Seller) is not  capable of being
satisfied prior the end of the period referred to in Section 12.1(b);

     (e) by Buyer in the event it notifies Seller as provided in Section 5.1; or

     (f) by Buyer in the circumstances contemplated by Section 8.7.

     Section  12.2.  Procedure  and  Effect  of  Termination.  In the  event  of
termination  of this Agreement by either or both of Seller and Buyer pursuant to
Section 12.1, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given by the terminating
party to the other party hereto,  and this Agreement shall  thereupon  terminate
and become void and have no effect,  and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby
shall be abandoned without further action by the parties hereto, except that the
provisions  of Sections  5.1(c) and 14.5 shall survive the  termination  of this
Agreement;  provided, however, that such termination shall not relieve any party
hereto of any liability for any breach of this  Agreement.  If this Agreement is
terminated as provided herein all filings,  applications  and other  submissions
made  in  accordance   with  Sections  3.9(b)  and  4.2  shall,  to  the  extent
practicable, be withdrawn from the persons to which they were made.


                                   ARTICLE 13

                            Post-Closing Obligations

     Section 13.1. Working Capital Adjustment.  (a) By the date which is 30 days
after the Cut-Off Date,  Seller will prepare the Working Capital  computation as
of the Cut-Off Date in accordance with the procedures set forth in Exhibit 13.1.
Seller will  provide  Buyer  reasonable  detail of such  computation,  including
copies of any computations, work papers (including accountants' work papers) and
all  other  underlying  books  and  records  used in  connection  with  Seller's
preparation  of its  Working  Capital  computation.  Buyer  will make  available
necessary  Division  personnel and other  resources  under its control to assist
Seller in performing such computation.

     (b)  Concurrent  with the delivery of the Working  Capital  computation  to
Buyer from Seller, if the Working Capital is less than $29,955,000 (the absolute
amount of any such deficiency  being referred to herein as the "Working  Capital
Deficiency"),  Seller shall  promptly pay to Buyer by wire  transfer of same day
funds to an account  identified by Buyer an amount equal to the Working  Capital
Deficiency.

     (c) By the date  which is 60 days after  delivery  of the  Working  Capital
computation  to Buyer,  Buyer will  notify  Seller in writing  setting  forth in
reasonable  detail Buyer's  disagreement  with the Working Capital  computation,
including  the basis  therefor and the dollar  amount  involved and will provide
Buyer's Working Capital computation ("Buyer's Dispute Notice"). Seller and Buyer
shall  negotiate in good faith to resolve any  disagreement  with respect to the
determination of Working  Capital.  To the extent Seller and Buyer are unable to
agree with respect to the Working Capital  computation  within 30 days after the
date of  Buyer's  Dispute  Notice,  Seller  and Buyer  shall  select a  mutually
acceptable  accounting firm with no material  relationship to Seller or Buyer or
their Affiliates within the previous  12-month period,  and submit their dispute
to such accounting firm for a binding  resolution.  If no Buyer's Dispute Notice
is received  within 60 days after the date of  delivery  of the working  capital
computation to Buyer,  Seller's Working Capital  computation  shall be final and
binding on all the parties.

     (d) If the Working  Capital is adjusted in accordance with paragraph (c), a
final Working Capital  Deficiency will be computed using the agreed upon Working
Capital  computation,  and, if the final Working  Capital  Deficiency is greater
than the Working  Capital  Deficiency  computed in paragraph  (b),  Seller shall
promptly  pay to  Buyer  by  wire  transfer  of same  day  funds  to an  account
identified by Buyer an amount equal to the difference.

     (e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Seller may,
in its discretion,  lengthen the payment of certain accounts payable in order to
achieve the Working  Capital of  $29,955,000 as of the Cut-Off Date, but only if
any such lengthening of payments could not reasonably have a non-trivial adverse
effect on the Division's  relationship  with any of its suppliers,  and, if such
lengthening  is outside the ordinary  course of business,  only with the written
approval of Buyer,  which approval shall not be  unreasonably  withheld.  Seller
shall  deliver to Buyer on the Closing Date  Schedule  13.1(e),  which shall set
forth any  actions  taken  under  the  preceding  sentences.  If  undertaken  in
compliance  with this Section,  the actions set forth on Schedule  13.1(e) shall
not be deemed to breach any other  representation  and  warranty or covenant set
forth in this  Agreement,  regardless of whether  disclosure of such items might
have been otherwise required or such action otherwise prohibited.

     Section 13.2. Non-Competition. (a) For the period commencing on the Closing
Date and terminating on the first  anniversary of the Closing Date, Seller shall
not,  and shall not permit any of its  Continuing  Affiliates  to,  directly  or
indirectly,  manufacture, sell, market, advertise or distribute, anywhere in the
world, any items or products currently manufactured,  sold, marketed, advertised
or  distributed,  serviced or otherwise made or offered by the Business,  or any
items or products competitive with or substitutable therefor, and shall not, and
shall not permit its Continuing Affiliates to, license,  sublicense or otherwise
permit any other person to do so.

     (b) For the period  commencing on the first anniversary of the Closing Date
and terminating on the 10th  anniversary of the Closing Date,  Seller shall not,
and  shall  not  permit  any  of  its  Continuing  Affiliates  to,  directly  or
indirectly,  (i)  manufacture or (ii) sell,  market,  advertise or distribute to
original  equipment  manufacturers  anywhere in the world, any items or products
currently manufactured,  sold, marketed, advertised or distributed,  serviced or
otherwise made or offered by the Business,  or any items or products competitive
with or  substitutable  therefor,  and  shall  not,  and shall  not  permit  its
Continuing  Affiliates  to license,  sublicense  or  otherwise  permit any other
person to do so.

     (c) During the period  commencing on the first  anniversary  of the Closing
Date and terminating on the 10th  anniversary of the Closing Date,  Seller shall
provide  Buyer  with the first  opportunity  to supply all of  Seller's  and its
Affiliates'  requirements of piston rings and cylinder liners. Seller also shall
provide  Buyer  with  the  opportunity  to meet  another  supplier's  terms  for
supplying  piston rings and liners prior to acceptance  thereof by Seller and if
Buyer meets such terms, Seller shall contract with Buyer.

     Section 13.3.  Operation of Business as of Cut-Off Date. (a) If the Cut-Off
Date is not the same as the  Closing  Date,  during the period  from the Cut-Off
Date to the  Closing  Date (the  "Interim  Period"),  Seller  shall  operate the
business  for the benefit of Buyer and Net Cash Flow will accrue to Buyer during
such period.

     (b) Within five business days  following the Closing,  Seller shall deliver
to Buyer a detailed  calculation of Net Cash Flow for the Interim  Period.  This
calculation  will set forth in reasonable  detail the basis for the calculation,
together with copies of any computations,  work papers  (including  accountants'
work papers) and all other  underlying books and records used in connection with
Seller's  preparation  and  calculation  of Net Cash  Flow.  If Net Cash Flow is
positive,  then Seller shall  promptly pay to buyer by wire transfer of same day
funds to an account identified by Buyer the amount of Net Cash Flow. If Net Cash
Flow is negative,  then Buyer shall  promptly pay to Seller by wire  transfer of
same day funds to an account  identified  by Seller the amount of  negative  Net
Cash Flow.

     (c) For the purposes hereof,  "Net Cash Flow" will,  except as specifically
otherwise  provided  in the  following  paragraphs,  be  measured by actual cash
receipts of and payments by the Division  (including  by Seller on behalf of the
Division),  as captured using Seller's established cash management systems which
directly identifies any cash received or cash disbursed by or for the benefit of
the Division.

     (i) Seller  maintains  bank accounts  designated for cash receipts and cash
disbursements  of SPD.  On a daily  basis,  these bank  accounts  are swept into
Seller's  overall  bank  account  via a positive  transfer  to Seller if the SPD
account  has a positive  balance or via a  reimbursement  from Seller if the SPD
account has a negative  balance.  Using summary reports on the daily activity of
the SPD bank  accounts,  the Net Cash Flow will be computed by  summarizing  the
activity in these accounts during the Interim Period.

     (ii) In addition,  Seller will separately  track all third-party  expenses,
services  and  goods,  that  are for the  benefit  of SPD and  that are paid for
directly by Seller other than through the SPD accounts,  and SPD will separately
track any payments made for all third-party expenses, services and goods for the
benefit of Seller and that are paid for directly by SPD. All such payments shall
be taken  into  account  in  computing  Net Cash Flow,  and  appropriate  detail
describing the payments  shall be included in the  computation of Net Cash Flow.
Schedule 13.3 provides a listing of the  anticipated  items that will be paid by
Seller  for the  benefit of SPD and by SPD for the  benefit of Seller,  although
additional items may arise in the ordinary course of business.

     (iii)  During the  Interim  Period,  no  interest  will accrue on any funds
advanced by Seller to the Division or any of the Transferred Subsidiaries, or in
any event be included in the determination of Net Cash Flow.

     (iv) As to SPE L.P.,  any cash  required by SPE L.P.  and its  subsidiaries
during the Interim  Period will be  provided  by Seller via wire  transfer,  all
efforts will be made to avoid having any of these operations  distribute cash to
Seller in any form,  and Net Cash Flow will be  decreased  by any such cash wire
transferred by Seller, and Net Cash Flow will be increased by any cash received,
if any, from these operations by the Seller. Any cash balances existing at these
operations  on the Closing  Date shall be  included in the Assets,  and any cash
balances  existing at these  operations on the Cut-Off Date and not  distributed
shall be deemed to be funds provided by Seller to SPE L.P. and its  subsidiaries
for purposes of computing Net Cash Flow.

     (v)  Additionally,  any net cash  activity  between the Seller and SPD with
Allied Ring will be treated the same as any other third-party transaction.

     (vi)  Any cash  received  by SPT NV  shall  be  retained  by SPT NV and not
distributed.

     (vii) Net Cash Flow derived from the United States operations of SPT (other
than SPT NV and  Allied  Ring)  shall be  decreased  by the amount of any Income
Taxes  actually  payable by Seller in respect of such Net Cash Flow and shall be
increased by any Income Tax actually  realized by Seller as a result of negative
Net Cash Flow arising from the United  States  operations of SPT (other than SPT
NV and Allied Ring).

     (viii) For purposes of Section  13.3(c)(vii),  the Income Taxes  payable by
Seller in  respect of Net Cash Flow  shall be the  product of (A) the  estimated
taxable income from  operations,  if any, for the period  (excluding any taxable
income arising from the Asset  Purchase),  and (B) an assumed  combined  federal
foreign  and state  Income Tax rate of 38% and the Income  Taxes  receivable  by
Seller in  respect of Net Cash Flow  shall be the  product of (A) the  estimated
taxable  loss from  operations,  if any, for the period  (excluding  any taxable
income arising from the Asset  Purchase),  and (B) an assumed  combined  federal
foreign and state Income Tax rate of 38%.  Buyer and Seller shall use their best
efforts to determine the foregoing amounts within 60 days of the Closing Date.

     (d) To the extent  that  either  party  disagrees  with Net Cash Flow,  any
specific  receipt or disbursement  within Net Cash Flow, or any invoice received
from the other party,  Seller and Buyer shall negotiate in good faith to resolve
any  disagreement.  To the  extent  Buyer and  Seller  are  unable to agree with
respect to such items within 30 days after either party  notifies the other of a
disagreement,  Buyer and Seller  shall select a mutually  acceptable  accounting
firm with no  material  relationship  to Buyer or  Seller  within  the  previous
12-month period,  and submit their dispute to such accounting firm for a binding
resolution.

     (e) This Agreement contains certain cash adjustment  provisions  (including
this Section 13.3) which  contemplates that Seller and/or Buyer may make certain
payments  to the other  following  the  Closing  Date in order to put Seller and
Buyer in the respective positions of having sold and acquired the Business as of
the Cut-Off Date.  Seller and Buyer  acknowledge  and agree that nothing in this
Agreement is intended to produce any double  counting of benefits and detriments
to Seller or Buyer.


                                   ARTICLE 14

                                  Miscellaneous

     Section 14.1.  Corporate Name. Buyer  acknowledges that, from and after the
Closing  Date,  Seller  and the  Continuing  Affiliates  have the  absolute  and
exclusive  proprietary  right to all names,  marks,  trade names and  trademarks
(collectively  "Names")  incorporating "SPX Corporation" or "SPX," by themselves
or in  combination  with any other Name,  and that none of the rights thereto or
goodwill  represented thereby or pertaining thereto are being transferred hereby
or in connection herewith.  Buyer agrees that from and after the Closing Date it
will not, nor will it permit any of its Affiliates  to, use any name,  phrase or
logo  incorporating  any of the  Names  in or on  any of its  literature,  sales
materials or products or otherwise in  connection  with the sale of any products
or services;  provided,  however, that Buyer may, for 180 days after the Closing
Date, in accordance  with procedures and practices used by the Business prior to
the  Closing  Date,  continue to use any printed  literature,  sales  materials,
purchase  orders and sales,  maintenance  or  license  agreements,  and sell any
products,  that are  included  in the  Assets or the  Inventories  of any of the
Transferred  Subsidiaries  on the Closing  Date and that bear a name,  phrase or
logo  incorporating any Name, until the supplies thereof existing on the Closing
Date have been exhausted. With respect to the printed purchase orders and sales,
maintenance or license agreements  referred to in the preceding  sentence,  from
and after the Closing Date, Buyer shall sticker or otherwise mark such documents
as  necessary in order to indicate  clearly  that neither  Seller nor any of its
Affiliates is a party to such documents.

     Section 14.2.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts,  all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement,  and
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of
the parties and  delivered to the other party.  Copies of executed  counterparts
transmitted by telecopy,  telefax or other electronic transmission service shall
be  considered  original  executed  counterparts  for purposes of this  Section,
provided that receipt of copies of such counterparts is confirmed.

     Section  14.3.  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall be  governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan without reference
to the choice of law principles thereof.

     Section  14.4.  Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  (including  agreements
incorporated herein (other than the Confidentiality Agreement) and the Schedules
and  Exhibits  hereto  contain the entire  agreement  between  the parties  with
respect  to  the   subject   matter   hereof   and  there  are  no   agreements,
understandings,  representations  or  warranties  between the parties other than
those set forth or referred to herein.  Except for Sections 10.2 and 10.3, which
are intended to benefit, and to be enforceable by, any of the Seller Indemnitees
and the Buyer Indemnitees, as the case may be, this Agreement is not intended to
confer  upon any person not a party  hereto  (and their  successors  and assigns
permitted by Section 14.7) any rights or remedies hereunder.

     Section 14.5. Expenses.  Except as set forth in this Agreement,  whether or
not the Asset  Purchase is  consummated,  all legal and other costs and expenses
incurred in connection  with this  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses.

     Section 14.6. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall
be  sufficiently  given for all purposes  hereunder if in writing and  delivered
personally,  sent by  documented  overnight  delivery  service or, to the extent
receipt is confirmed, telecopy, telefax or other electronic transmission service
to the appropriate address or number as set forth below.  Notices to Buyer shall
be addressed to:

                           Dana Corporation
                           P.O. Box 1000
                           Toledo, Ohio 43697
                           Attention: Martin J.Strobel, Esq.
                           Telecopy Number: (419) 535-4790

                           with a copy to:

                           Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
                           51 West 52nd Street
                           New York, New York  10019
                           Attention:  Adam O. Emmerich, Esq.
                           Telecopy Number:  (212) 403-2000

or at such other  address and to the attention of such other person as Buyer may
designate by written notice to Seller. Notices to Seller shall be addressed to:

                           SPX Corporation
                           700 Terrace Point Drive
                           Muskegon, Michigan  49443-3301
                           Attention:  James M. Sheridan, Esq.
                           Telecopy Number:  (616) 724-5824

                           with copies to:

                           Gardner, Carton & Douglas
                           312 North Clark Street
                           Chicago, Illinois  60610
                           Attention:  George C. McKann, Esq.
                           Telecopy Number:  (312) 644-3381

                           and

                           Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
                           333 West Wacker Drive
                           Chicago, Illinois  60606
                           Attention:  Charles W. Mulaney, Jr., Esq.
                           Telecopy Number:  (312) 407-0411

or at such other address and to the attention of such other person as Seller may
designate by written notice to Buyer.

     Section 14.7.  Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their  respective  successors
and assigns; provided,  however, that no party hereto shall assign its rights or
delegate its obligations  under this Agreement without the express prior written
consent of each other party hereto.

     Section  14.8.  Headings;  Definitions.  The  Section,  Article  and  other
headings  contained in this Agreement are inserted for  convenience of reference
only and will not affect the meaning or  interpretation  of this Agreement.  All
capitalized terms defined herein are equally applicable to both the singular and
plural forms of such terms.

     Section 14.9.  Amendments  and Waivers.  This Agreement may not be amended,
modified,  superseded,  cancelled,  renewed  or  extended  except  by a  written
instrument  signed by the party to be charged  therewith.  No  provision of this
Agreement  may be  waived  except by a  written  instrument  signed by the party
waiving  compliance.  No waiver by any party  hereto of any of the  requirements
hereof  or of any of such  party's  rights  hereunder  shall  release  the other
parties from full performance of their remaining  obligations  stated herein. No
failure to exercise or delay in  exercising  on the part of any party hereto any
right,  power or privilege of such party shall operate as a waiver thereof,  nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any right,  power or privilege  preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right,  power
or privilege by such party.

     Section 14.10. Interpretation; Absence of Presumption. (a) For the purposes
hereof,  (i) words in the singular  shall be held to include the plural and vice
versa and words of one gender shall be held to include the other  genders as the
context requires, (ii) the terms "hereof," "herein," and "herewith" and words of
similar import shall,  unless  otherwise  stated,  be construed to refer to this
Agreement as a whole  (including  all of the Schedules and Exhibits  hereto) and
not to any  particular  provision  of  this  Agreement,  and  Article,  Section,
paragraph,  Exhibit  and  Schedule  references  are to the  Articles,  Sections,
paragraphs, Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement unless otherwise specified,
(iii)  the word  "including"  and  words of  similar  import  when  used in this
Agreement  shall  mean  "including,  without  limitation,"  unless  the  context
otherwise requires or unless otherwise  specified,  (iv) the word "or" shall not
be exclusive, (v) provisions shall apply, when appropriate, to successive events
and transactions,  and (vi) "knowledge" of a party means the knowledge of any of
the  individuals  of such party set forth on Schedule  14.10 and any  individual
reporting  directly  to any  person  set forth on  Schedule  14.10,  which  such
individual should reasonably have after due inquiry and investigation.

     (b) This Agreement shall be construed  without regard to any presumption or
rule  requiring  construction  or  interpretation  against the party drafting or
causing any instrument to be drafted.

     Section  14.11.  Severability.  Any  provision  hereof  which is invalid or
unenforceable  shall  be  ineffective  to  the  extent  of  such  invalidity  or
unenforceability, without affecting in any way the remaining provisions hereof.

     Section  14.12.  Remedies  Cumulative.  All  rights,  powers  and  remedies
provided under this Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof at law or
in equity shall be cumulative and not alternative, and the exercise or beginning
of the exercise of any thereof by any party shall not preclude the  simultaneous
or later exercise of any other such right, power or remedy by such party.

     Section 14.13.  Specific  Performance.  The parties hereto each acknowledge
that,  in view of the  uniqueness  of the  subject  matter  hereof,  each of the
parties would not have an adequate  remedy at law for money damages in the event
that this  Agreement  were not  performed  in  accordance  with its  terms,  and
therefore agree that each party shall be entitled to specific enforcement of the
terms hereof in addition to any other remedy to which the parties  hereto may be
entitled at law or in equity.

     Section 14.14.  Attorney-Client  Privilege:  Work Product. Anything in this
Agreement  notwithstanding,  except  with  respect to matters  addressed  in the
opinion referred to in Section 11.1(f),  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby
shall not be deemed to waive, any  attorney-client  privilege  between Seller or
its Affiliates and its legal counsel with respect to legal advice concerning the
business or  operations  of the Business or Seller which  constitute  privileged
communications (or work product related thereto).

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  this Agreement has been signed by or on behalf of each
of the parties as of the day first above written.

                                   SPX CORPORATION



                                   By:  /s/ Robert C. Huff
                                        Name: Robert C. Huff
                                        Title: Vice President


                                   DANA CORPORATION



                                   By:  /s/ William J. Carroll
                                        Name:  William J. Carroll
                                        Title: President--Diversified Products






                                  Exhibit 13.1
                                 Working Capital


Seller and Buyer have agreed that Working  Capital  shall be defined as follows:
the sum of  accounts  receivable,  net,  plus net  inventory  and less  accounts
payable, of SPD and SPE L.P.

Each  such  line item of  Working  Capital  shall be  consistent  with  Seller's
internal  balance  sheets of the  portion  of the  Division  directly  owned and
operated by SPD and SPE L.P.,  and  calculated  in accordance  with GAAP,  using
Seller's  accounting  practices  on a  consistent  basis with prior years and as
described in Section 3.3.

For  purposes  of  reviewing  the  determination  of Working  Capital,  Seller's
historical accounting practices, consistently applied, will prevail. However, if
Seller's  accounting  practices  are  not  in  accordance  with  GAAP  and  such
differences from GAAP are not described on Schedule 3.3 or in this Exhibit 13.1,
GAAP will prevail. Additionally, for purposes of assessing asset realization and
determination  of  liabilities in Working  Capital as of the Cut-Off Date,  only
facts and  circumstances  existing up to the date on which  Seller  delivers the
Working Capital computation to Buyer shall be considered.

In order to provide  certain  clarifications,  the  following  are summaries and
descriptions of certain of Seller's historical  accounting  practices related to
certain items included in Working Capital:

Accounts Receivable, net

Accounts  receivable,  net, represents accounts receivable for shipments made to
customers or for other amounts in connection  with customer  orders  (including,
but not limited to, tooling, freight and applicable Taxes).

The Division records general reserves or reserves  calculated under formula type
methodologies  for  customer  returns,  allowances,  discounts  and  bad  debts.
Additionally,  a  specific  reserve  for bad  debts is  established  based  upon
specific identification of amounts deemed uncollectible from customers.

Net Inventory

(i) Supply and MRO  inventory.  Supplies  and MRO items used in  production  are
valued at standard  costs  approximating  the most recent  purchase price of the
item.

(ii)  Production  inventory.  Production  inventory is costed at the  Division's
standard cost which approximates actual first-in, first-out ("FIFO") cost in the
aggregate.  Standard costs are revised in December of each year and inventory is
revalued at that time. For the United States and German production  inventories,
the  inventories  are restated to the  last-in,  first-out  ("LIFO")  cost using
computations consistent with the prior years.

The  Division  provides  for excess and  obsolete  Inventory  based upon various
methodologies  and procedures at each location.  These  methodologies  are based
upon,   among  other   factors,   historical  and  forecast   Inventory   usage.
Additionally, any formula based calculations are then reviewed by management and
adjusted for non-formula  based  circumstances  (e.g. new products,  aftermarket
usage) to arrive at a required excess and obsolete Inventory reserve.

During  1996,  the German  production  Inventories  were  restated to exclude an
amount  for  production  scrap  and yield  that are  included  in the  Inventory
valuation.  An inventory  reserve has been  included to reduce the  inventory to
exclude such scrap and yield factors.

Accounts Payable

Trade  accounts  payable are recorded  upon receipt of the goods or services and
include  amounts due for  receipts in which  vendor  invoices  may not have been
received.

Checks which have been released to payees, but which have not yet been presented
to the bank (outstanding checks) are included in accounts payable.