ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT by and among NORTHCOAST OF TEXAS CRYOGENICS, INC., (a "Seller") NORTHCOAST OF KANSAS CRYOGENICS, INC., (a "Seller") MARK A. BAUMAN and PATRICK J. FLYNN ("Shareholders") and NORTHCOAST ACQUISITION CORP. ("Buyer") March 15, 1999...

EXHIBIT 10.2

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

by and among

NORTHCOAST OF TEXAS CRYOGENICS, INC.,
(a "Seller")

NORTHCOAST OF KANSAS CRYOGENICS, INC.,
(a "Seller")

▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
("Shareholders")

and

NORTHCOAST ACQUISITION CORP.
("Buyer")

March 15, 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
----

ARTICLE 1 SALE AND PURCHASE OF ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
1.1 Purchased Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
1.2 Retained Assets.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

ARTICLE 2 ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2.1 Assumed Liabilities.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2.2 Retained Liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.3 Satisfaction of Liabilities by Seller.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

ARTICLE 3 PURCHASE PRICE; PAYMENT; ADJUSTMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
3.1 Purchase Price. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
3.2 Estimated Purchase Price Payment at Closing.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
3.3 Adjustments.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
3.3.1 Closing Balance Sheet Preparation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
3.3.2 Closing Balance Sheet Review.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
3.3.3 Closing Balance Sheet Dispute. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
3.4 Post-Closing Refund.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
3.5 Allocation of Purchase Price. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER AND SHAREHOLDERS . . . . . . . 10
4.1 Organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.1.1 Organization and Power.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.1.2 Qualification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.1.3 Other Ventures.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.1.4 Ownership of Seller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.2 Agreements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.2.1 Seller Enforceability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.2.2 Shareholder Enforceability.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.2.3 Consents.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.2.4 No Conflicts.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.3 Financial.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.3.1 Financial Records. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.3.2 Liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.3.3 No Changes.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.3.4 Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.4 Legal.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.4.1 Compliance with Laws.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

4.4.2 Product and Service Warranties.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.4.3 Product Liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.4.4 Litigation.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.5 Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.5.1 Employment.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.5.2 Employment Termination.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.5.3 Contracts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.5.4 Compliance with Contracts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.5.5 Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.5.6 Customers and Suppliers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.5.7 Purchases and Sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.5.8 Prepayments and Deposits.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.5.9 Capital Projects.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.6 Employee Benefits.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.7 Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.7.1 Title. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.7.2 Receivables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.7.3 Inventories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.7.4 Environmental Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.7.5 Condition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.7.6 Location.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.7.7 Intellectual Property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.7.8 Extent.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.8 Real Property.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.9 Additional Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.9.1 Conflicts of Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.9.2 Full Disclosure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

ARTICLE 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.1 Organization and Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.2 Agreements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.2.1 Enforceability.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.2.2 Consents.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
5.2.3 No Conflicts.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

ARTICLE 6 CLOSING; CLOSING CONDITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.1 Closing.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.2 Conditions to Buyer's Obligation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.3 Conditions to Seller's and Shareholders' Obligations. . . . . . . . . . . 25

ARTICLE 7 ADDITIONAL COVENANTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7.1 Pre-Closing Covenants.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7.1.1 Conduct of Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

iii

7.1.2 Access.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
7.1.3 Interim Financial Statements.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
7.1.4 Supplemental Disclosure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
7.1.5 Satisfaction of Conditions.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.1.6 Termination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.2 Nondisclosure, Noncompetition and Noninterference.. . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.3 Publicity.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7.4 Expenses; Transfer Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7.5 Assignment of Contracts, Rights, Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7.6 Receivables.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7.7 Employment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7.8 Product Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7.9 No Assignment.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7.10 Consent to Jurisdiction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7.11 Further Assurances and Assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

ARTICLE 8 INDEMNIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
8.1 Indemnification by Seller and Shareholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
8.2 Indemnification by Buyer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
8.3 Notification of and Participation in Claims.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
8.4 Survival; Limitations on Indemnification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

ARTICLE 9 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
9.1 Notices.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
9.2 Binding Effect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
9.3 Inclusion.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
9.4 "Seller". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
9.5 Headings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
9.6 Execution in Counterparts; Signature Pages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
9.7 Severability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
9.8 Amendments, Waivers.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
9.9 No Third-Party Rights.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
9.10 Entire Agreement.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
9.11 Schedules and Exhibits.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
9.12 Time Periods.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
9.13 Governing Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

LIST OF SCHEDULES:

Schedule 2.1(c) (Assumed Liabilities: Scheduled Contracts)
Schedule 3.5-1 (Allocation of Purchase Price: Northcoast/Texas)
Schedule 3.5-2 (Allocation of Purchase Price: Northcoast/Kansas)
Schedule 4.1.2-1 (Qualification: Northcoast/Texas)
Schedule 4.1.2-2 (Qualification: Northcoast/Kansas)
Schedule 4.2.3 (Consents)
Schedule 4.2.4 (Conflicts)
Schedule 4.3.1-1 (Financial Statements: Northcoast/Texas)
Schedule 4.3.1-2 (Financial Statements: Northcoast/Kansas)
Schedule 4.3.1(c) (Exceptions from GAAP)
Schedule 4.3.2 (Liabilities)
Schedule 4.4.1 (Compliance with Laws)
Schedule 4.4.2 (Product and Service Warranties)
Schedule 4.4.3 (Product Liability)
Schedule 4.4.4 (Litigation)
Schedule 4.5.1 (Employment)
Schedule 4.5.2 (Employment Termination)
Schedule 4.5.3 (Contracts)
Schedule 4.5.5 (Insurance)
Schedule 4.5.8 (Prepayments and Deposits)
Schedule 4.5.9 (Capital Projects)
Schedule 4.6 (Employee Benefits)
Schedule 4.7.1 (Title)
Schedule 4.7.2 (Receivables)
Schedule 4.7.6-1 (Location of Purchased Assets: Northcoast/Texas)
Schedule 4.7.6-2 (Location of Purchased Assets: Northcoast/Kansas)
Schedule 4.7.7 (Intellectual Property)
Schedule 4.8-1 (Real Property: Northcoast/Texas)
Schedule 4.8-2 (Real Property: Northcoast/Kansas)
Schedule 4.9.1 (Conflicts of Interest)

LIST OF EXHIBITS:

Exhibit 6.2.1 (Form of ▇▇▇▇ of Sale and Assignment)
Exhibit 6.3(f) (Form of Assumption of Liabilities Agreement)

INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

Where
Term Defined
--------------------------------------------------------- ------------------

Acquisition Balance Sheet (Northcoast/Kansas) . . . . . . Section 4.3.1(b)
Acquisition Balance Sheet (Northcoast/Texas). . . . . . . Section 4.3.1(a)
Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 1
Assumed Balance Sheet Liabilities (Northcoast/Kansas) . . Section 2.1(a)(ii)
Assumed Balance Sheet Liabilities (Northcoast/Texas). . . Section 2.1(a)(i)
Assumed Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 2.1
Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 1.1(g)
Buyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 1
Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 6.2(n)
Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 6.1
Closing Date. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 6.1
Closing Working Capital (Northcoast/Kansas) . . . . . . . Section 3.1(b)
Closing Working Capital (Northcoast/Texas). . . . . . . . Section 3.1(a)
Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 1.1(f)
Current Purchased Assets (Northcoast/Kansas). . . . . . . Section 3.1(b)
Current Purchased Assets (Northcoast/Texas) . . . . . . . Section 3.1(a)
Estimated Purchase Price. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 3.2
Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 8.1
F&B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 6.2(l)
Final Closing Balance Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 3.3.2 OR
Section 3.3.3
Final Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustment. . . . . . . Section 3.3.2 OR
Section 3.3.3
Hazardous Substances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 4.7.4
Hazardous Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 4.7.4
Independent Accountants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 3.3.3
Intellectual Property Rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 1.1(h)
Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 2.2
Liens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 1.1
Losses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 8.1
NCI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 6.2(n)
NCI Merger Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 6.2(n)
Net Worth Differential. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 3.1(a) OR
Section 3.1(b)
Northcoast/America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 6.2(n)
Northcoast/Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 1
Northcoast/Texas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 1
NREL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 6.2(l)
Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustment (Northcoast/Kansas) Section 3.1(b)

Where
Term Defined
--------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustment (Northcoast/Texas) Section 3.1(a)
Preliminary Closing Balance Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 3.3.1
Preliminary Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustment. . . . Section 3.3.1
Product Liability Claim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 4.4.3
Purchase Price (Northcoast/Kansas). . . . . . . . . . . . Section 3.1(b)
Purchase Price (Northcoast/Texas) . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 3.1(a)
Purchased Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 1.1
Retained Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 1.2
Retained Liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 2.2
Seller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 1
Shareholder AND Shareholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 1
Stock Purchase Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 6.2(n)
Target Working Capital (Northcoast/Kansas). . . . . . . . Section 3.1(b)
Target Working Capital (Northcoast/Texas) . . . . . . . . Section 3.1(a)
Tax Returns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 4.3.4
Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 4.3.4

vii

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is entered
into as of the 15th day of March, 1999, by and among NORTHCOAST OF TEXAS
CRYOGENICS, INC., an Ohio corporation ("Northcoast/Texas"), NORTHCOAST OF
KANSAS CRYOGENICS, INC., an Ohio corporation ("Northcoast/Kansas"), ▇▇▇▇ ▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, the shareholders of Northcoast/Texas and
Northcoast/Kansas (each, a "Shareholder," and collectively, the
"Shareholders"), and NORTHCOAST ACQUISITION CORP., an Ohio corporation
("Buyer"). Northcoast/Texas and Northcoast/Kansas are each referred to
hereinafter, individually and not collectively, as a "Seller."

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell, and Buyer desires to purchase,
substantially all of Seller's assets upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth; and

WHEREAS, Shareholders own all of the issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of Seller and will benefit materially from the sale
of Seller's assets to Buyer hereunder;

NOW, THEREFORE, Seller, Shareholders and Buyer hereby agree as
follows:

ARTICLE 1

SALE AND PURCHASE OF ASSETS

1.1 PURCHASED ASSETS.

At the Closing (as defined in Section 6.1), Seller shall sell,
transfer, assign and deliver to Buyer, by ▇▇▇▇ of sale or other appropriate
instruments of assignment and transfer, free and clear of all liens, charges,
covenants, conditions, adverse claims, demands, encumbrances, limitations,
security interests or other title defects or restrictions of any kind
(collectively, "Liens"), and Buyer shall purchase, for the consideration
herein provided, all rights, title and interest in and to all of the assets
of Seller (whether or not reflected on Seller's books and records), except
for the Retained Assets identified in Section 1.2. The assets being
purchased hereunder are hereinafter referred to collectively, as to each
Seller, as the "Purchased Assets." With respect to each Seller, the
Purchased Assets include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS; ETC. All cash, certificates of
deposit and other bank deposits (including payroll accounts), funds in
transit, and marketable securities;

(b) RECEIVABLES. Accounts and notes receivable (except as
provided otherwise in Section 1.2);

(c) INVENTORIES. Inventories of raw materials,
work-in-process and finished products, supplies, spare parts, shipping
containers and packaging materials;

(d) PREPAID EXPENSES AND DEPOSITS. Prepaid expenses and
deposits other than bank deposits;

(e) TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY. All tangible personal
property, including all machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, leasehold
improvements, tools, motor vehicles and computers;

(f) CONTRACT RIGHTS. Rights under all agreements,
contracts, leases, licenses, purchase or sales orders, commitments, promises
and similar arrangements evidencing or creating any obligation, whether
written or oral (collectively, "Contracts");

(g) AUTHORIZATIONS. All licenses, approvals, certificates
and permits issued by any governmental authority relating to or utilized in
connection with the business of manufacturing, selling and servicing
cryogenic equipment and systems and related products and services (the
"Business"), or relating to or utilized in connection with the Purchased
Assets;

(h) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. All intellectual
property, including trade names, trademarks and service marks and all
registrations and applications therefor, together with the goodwill of the
business symbolized or represented by the foregoing, mask works, works of
authorship and all copyrights related thereto and all registrations and
applications therefor, inventions, discoveries, designs, industrial models
and all patent rights relating thereto and all applications therefor and all
reissues, divisions, continuations and extensions thereof, know-how, trade
secrets, processes, technology, discoveries, formulae and procedures
(collectively hereinafter referred to, as to each Seller, as "Intellectual
Property Rights"), together with the right to ▇▇▇ for past infringement or
improper, unlawful or unfair use or disclosure of any of the foregoing;

(i) ARTISTIC WORKS. Literary works, pictorial, graphic and
sculptural works, audiovisual works, sound recordings, all copies of any of
the foregoing and all copyrights therein;

(j) DOCUMENTATION AND RECORDS. Technical documentation,
including patterns, plans, designs, research data, drawings and models, and
all records relating to the Business, including but not limited to property
records, production records, engineering records, purchasing and sales
records, credit records, personnel and payroll records, accounting records,
computer programs, customer and vendor lists and such other records as Buyer
may reasonably require in its conduct of the Business after the Closing;

(k) LISTINGS AND MATERIALS. Interests in and to telephone
and telex numbers, post office boxes and all listings pertaining to Seller in
all telephone books and directories, stationery, forms, labels, shipping
material, catalogs, brochures, and advertising and promotional materials;

(l) WARRANTY RIGHTS. Rights in, to and under third party
manufacturers' warranties;

(m) SELLER'S NAME. With respect to Northcoast/Texas, the
name "Northcoast of Texas Cryogenics, Inc.," and with respect to
Northcoast/Kansas, the name "Northcoast of Kansas Cryogenics, Inc.," and with
respect to each Seller, all variations on such name, and all rights to the
use of such name and any variation thereof as a corporate name, a trade name,
a fictitious name, a trademark, or a service ▇▇▇▇ in any jurisdiction;

(n) GOODWILL. All goodwill and going concern value
associated with the Business; and

(o) OTHER. All other assets reflected on the Acquisition
Balance Sheet (as defined in Section 4.3.1), other than (i) the Retained
Assets and (ii) any assets disposed of by Seller in the ordinary course of
business since the date of the Acquisition Balance Sheet, whether or not
referenced in any paragraph above.

1.2 RETAINED ASSETS.

Seller shall not sell, transfer or assign, and Buyer shall not
purchase, the following assets of Seller (collectively, as to each Seller,
the "Retained Assets"):

(a) TREASURY SHARES. Shares of capital stock of Seller, if
any, held in Seller's treasury;

(b) TAX REFUNDS. Rights to tax refunds, including with
respect to income, personal property, sales, unemployment and workers
compensation taxes;

(c) CERTAIN RECORDS. The corporate minute book, stock
records and tax returns of Seller and other similar corporate books and
records the originals of which Seller is required to maintain under
applicable laws (provided copies of the same are included among the Purchased
Assets);and

(d) CERTAIN RECEIVABLES. Accounts and notes receivable from
NREL or F&B to Seller.

ARTICLE 2

ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES

2.1 ASSUMED LIABILITIES.

Buyer agrees to assume the following obligations of Seller
existing as of the Closing (collectively, as to each Seller, the "Assumed
Liabilities"):

(a) CERTAIN BALANCE SHEET LIABILITIES.

(i) With respect to Northcoast/Texas, its Accounts
Payable-Trade, its Accrued Payroll Taxes, its Accrued Shop Labor, its Accrued
Holiday, Vacation and Sick Pay, its Accrued Utilities, and its Accrued Real
Estate Taxes, each as incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent
with its past practices, but only if and to the extent the same would be
reflected or reserved against on its Final Closing Balance Sheet (as defined
in Section 3.3) if its Final Closing Balance Sheet were prepared without
allowance for any of the exceptions from generally accepted accounting
principles identified on Schedule 4.3.1(c) hereto (collectively, its "Assumed
Balance Sheet Liabilities"); and

(ii) With respect to Northcoast/Kansas, its Accounts
Payable-Trade, its Accrued Shop Labor, its Accrued Payroll Taxes, its Accrued
Holiday, Vacation and Sick Pay, and its Accrued Utilities, each as incurred
in the ordinary course of business consistent with its past practices, but
only if and to the extent the same would be reflected or reserved against on
its Final Closing Balance Sheet (as defined in Section 3.3) if its Final
Closing Balance Sheet were prepared without allowance for any of the
exceptions from generally accepted accounting principles identified on
Schedule 4.3.1(c) (collectively, its "Assumed Balance Sheet Liabilities");

(b) PURCHASE AND SALES ORDERS. Seller's performance
obligations after the Closing under all outstanding purchase and sales orders
entered into by Seller in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, but only to the extent such obligations accrue and relate
solely to the period after the Closing, and only to the extent the
corresponding benefits from such purchase and sales orders are validly
assigned to and received by Buyer; and

(c) SCHEDULED CONTRACTS. Seller's performance obligations
after the Closing under each Contract listed on Schedule 2.1(c), but only to
the extent such obligations accrue and relate solely to the period after the
Closing, and only to the extent the corresponding benefits from such Contract
are validly assigned to and received by Buyer.

Nothing in this Section 2.1 is intended or may be construed to impose upon
Buyer any Liability retained by Seller under Section 2.2.

2.2 RETAINED LIABILITIES.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
Buyer does not assume and will not become responsible for any responsibility,
obligation, duty, commitment, claim or liability, whether known or unknown,
accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise (each, a "Liability"), of Seller,
except the Assumed Liabilities specifically described in Section 2.1. The
Liabilities being retained by Seller are hereinafter collectively referred
to, as to each Seller, as the "Retained Liabilities." Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the following are included among the Retained
Liabilities:

(a) PRODUCT LIABILITY. All Liabilities with respect to
products designed, manufactured, acquired for resale, sold or leased by
Seller, without regard to (i) the basis or theory of the claim, (ii) the
nature of the damages sought, or (iii) whether the claim is asserted before
or after the Closing;

(b) PRODUCT WARRANTY. All Liabilities to customers or other
third parties with respect to defects in goods delivered to customers or in
transit to customers prior to the Closing or placed in finished-goods
inventory prior to the Closing and shipped after the Closing;

(c) SERVICES. All Liabilities to customers or other third
parties with respect to services performed by Seller prior to the Closing;

(d) ENVIRONMENTAL. All Liabilities arising out of or
relating to any environmental contamination by Seller or any violation of
environmental laws by Seller;

(e) LITIGATION. All Liabilities with respect to any
pending, threatened or unasserted litigation, claims, demands, investigations
or proceedings;

(f) BREACHES. All Liabilities arising out of any breach or
default prior to the Closing of any obligations of Seller under any purchase
and sales orders referenced in Section 2.1(b) or under any Contracts
referenced in Section 2.1(c);

(g) EMPLOYEES. Except to the extent, if any, included in
the Assumed Balance Sheet Liabilities, all Liabilities arising out of the
employment relationship between Seller and any of its employees or former
employees, including all Liabilities arising under any employee benefit
plans; and

(h) INDEBTEDNESS FOR BORROWED MONEY. All Liabilities,
whether as a primary obligor or as a guaranty or surety, with respect to any
money borrowed by Seller or any other person from any person, including any
bank.

2.3 SATISFACTION OF LIABILITIES BY SELLER.

To preserve for Buyer the opportunity to maintain good
relations with Seller's creditors and to preclude the assertion of claims for
nonpayment against Buyer, Seller agrees to

pay or otherwise satisfy and discharge promptly after the Closing, or
otherwise in accordance with their terms, all of the Retained Liabilities;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing herein is intended to preclude Seller from
disputing in good faith with any such third party the existence or amount of
any Retained Liability.

ARTICLE 3

PURCHASE PRICE; PAYMENT; ADJUSTMENT

3.1 PURCHASE PRICE.

(a) NORTHCOAST/TEXAS. As to Northcoast/Texas, the aggregate
consideration for the Purchased Assets being sold by it shall consist of the
assumption by Buyer of the Assumed Liabilities applicable to Northcoast/Texas
pursuant to Section 2.1, and the payment by Buyer of the "Purchase Price"
applicable to Northcoast/Texas. The "Purchase Price" applicable to
Northcoast/Texas shall be One Million Ninety-Nine Thousand Dollars
($1,099,000.00), subject to adjustment as provided in this Section 3.1(a)
based on the difference between $85,197.00 (its "Target Working Capital") and
its "Closing Working Capital" (as defined below), and subject to further
adjustment as provided in this Section 3.1(a) based on its "Net Worth
Differential" (as defined below). If Northcoast/Texas' Target Working
Capital exceeds its Closing Working Capital, then its Purchase Price will be
decreased on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount by which its Target
Working Capital exceeds its Closing Working Capital, and if Northcoast/Texas'
Net Worth Differential exceeds $20,000.00, then its Purchase Price will be
decreased on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount by which its Net Worth
Differential exceeds $20,000.00. (collectively, its "Post-Closing Purchase
Price Adjustment").

Northcoast/Texas' "Closing Working Capital" shall mean the
difference between its "Current Purchased Assets" MINUS its Assumed Balance
Sheet Liabilities, each as reflected on the Final Closing Balance Sheet (as
defined in Section 3.3). Its "Current Purchased Assets" shall mean the sum
of its Purchased Assets identified in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) of
Section 1.1, net of applicable reserves, all as reflected on the Final
Closing Balance Sheet. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, for purposes
of calculating the Closing Working Capital of Northcoast/Texas, its Current
Purchased Assets will not include any accounts or notes receivable from NCI,
Northcoast/America or Northcoast/Kansas, and its Assumed Balance Sheet
Liabilities will not include any accounts or notes payable to NCI,
Northcoast/America or Northcoast/Kansas.

Northcoast/Texas' "Net Worth Differential" shall mean the
difference between (i) the excess of all of the Purchased Assets from
Northcoast/Texas (net of depreciation and amortization) over the Assumed
Balance Sheet Liabilities of Northcoast/Texas, as actually reflected on the
Final Closing Balance Sheet, allowing for the variances from generally
accepted accounting principles identified on Schedule 4.3.1(c) hereto, MINUS
(ii) the excess of all of the Purchased Assets from Northcoast/Texas (net of
depreciation and amortization) over the Assumed Balance Sheet Liabilities of
Northcoast/Texas, as it would be reflected on the

Final Closing Balance Sheet if the same were prepared without allowance for
any of the variances from generally accepted accounting principles identified
on Schedule 4.3.1(c) hereto.

(b) NORTHCOAST/KANSAS. As to Northcoast/Kansas, the
aggregate consideration for the Purchased Assets being sold by it shall
consist of the assumption by Buyer of the Assumed Liabilities applicable to
Northcoast/Kansas pursuant to Section 2.1, and the payment by Buyer of the
"Purchase Price" applicable to Northcoast/Kansas. The "Purchase Price"
applicable to Northcoast/Kansas shall be Three Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars
($340,000.00), subject to adjustment as provided in this Section 3.1(b) based
on the difference between $130,600.00 (its "Target Working Capital") and its
"Closing Working Capital" (as defined below), and subject to further
adjustment as provided in this Section 3.1(b) based on its "Net Worth
Differential" (as defined below). If Northcoast/Kansas' Target Working
Capital exceeds its Closing Working Capital, then its Purchase Price will be
decreased on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount by which its Target
Working Capital exceeds its Closing Working Capital, and if
Northcoast/Kansas' Net Worth Differential exceeds zero ($0), then its
Purchase Price will be decreased on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount
by which its Net Worth Differential exceeds zero ($0). (collectively, its
"Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustment").

Northcoast/Kansas' "Closing Working Capital" shall mean the
difference between its "Current Purchased Assets" MINUS its Assumed Balance
Sheet Liabilities, each as reflected on the Final Closing Balance Sheet (as
defined in Section 3.3). Its "Current Purchased Assets" shall mean the sum
of its Purchased Assets identified in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) of
Section 1.1, net of applicable reserves, all as reflected on the Final
Closing Balance Sheet. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, for purposes
of calculating the Closing Working Capital of Northcoast/Kansas, its Current
Purchased Assets will not include any accounts or notes receivable from NCI,
Northcoast/America or Northcoast/Texas, and its Assumed Balance Sheet
Liabilities will not include any accounts or notes payable to NCI,
Northcoast/America or Northcoast/Texas.

Northcoast/Kansas' "Net Worth Differential" shall mean the
difference between (i) the excess of all of the Purchased Assets from
Northcoast/Kansas (net of depreciation and amortization) over the Assumed
Balance Sheet Liabilities of Northcoast/Kansas, as actually reflected on the
Final Closing Balance Sheet, allowing for the variances from generally
accepted accounting principles identified on Schedule 4.3.1(c) hereto, MINUS
(ii) the excess of all of the Purchased Assets from Northcoast/Kansas (net of
depreciation and amortization) over the Assumed Balance Sheet Liabilities of
Northcoast/Kansas, as it would be reflected on the Final Closing Balance
Sheet if the same were prepared without allowance for any of the variances
from generally accepted accounting principles identified on Schedule 4.3.1(c)
hereto.

3.2 ESTIMATED PURCHASE PRICE PAYMENT AT CLOSING.

At the Closing, Buyer will pay to Seller the estimated amount
of the Purchase Price (i.e., $1,099,000.00 in the case of Northcoast/Texas,
and $340,000.00 in the case of Northcoast/Kansas) (as to each Seller, the
"Estimated Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment

pursuant to Section 3.3, by means of a wire-transfer of immediately available
funds to an account designated by Seller.

3.3 ADJUSTMENTS.

3.3.1 CLOSING BALANCE SHEET PREPARATION.

Promptly after the Closing, each Seller will prepare a balance
sheet as of the Closing (as to each Seller, its "Preliminary Closing Balance
Sheet") reflecting the Purchased Assets and the Assumed Balance Sheet
Liabilities. The Preliminary Closing Balance Sheet will be prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and, to the extent
permitted thereby, on a basis consistent with the past practices of Seller;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that it shall reflect only the Purchased Assets and the
Assumed Balance Sheet Liabilities and may omit footnote disclosure, and
PROVIDED, FURTHER, that the preparation of the Preliminary Closing Balance
Sheet may vary from generally accepted accounting principles by not taking
into account the accruals and adjustments identified as "GAAP Adjustments" on
Schedule 4.3.1(c) hereto. Seller conducted a physical inventory as of March
7, 1999 (the "Pre-Closing Inventory"), the results of which shall be
accurately reflected in the Preliminary Closing Balance Sheet. Based on the
Preliminary Closing Balance Sheet, each Seller will prepare a written
calculation of its Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustment in accordance with
the provisions of Section 3.1 (as to each Seller, its "Preliminary
Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustment").

3.3.2 CLOSING BALANCE SHEET REVIEW.

Not later than forty-five (45) days after the Closing Date,
each Seller will deliver to Buyer the Preliminary Closing Balance Sheet and
such Seller's calculation of the Preliminary Post-Closing Purchase Price
Adjustment. All work papers, documents and records used or generated by each
Seller and its accountants and other representatives in connection with the
preparation of its Preliminary Closing Balance Sheet and the calculation of
the Preliminary Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustment will be made available
to Buyer. Unless Buyer gives a Seller a written objection by the thirtieth
(30th) day after Buyer's receipt of its Preliminary Closing Balance Sheet and
the Preliminary Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustment, the Preliminary
Closing Balance Sheet and the Preliminary Post-Closing Purchase Price
Adjustment will become final and finding on the parties and shall be deemed
to be the "Final Closing Balance Sheet" with respect to that Seller and the
"Final Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustment" with respect to that Seller,
respectively.

3.3.3 CLOSING BALANCE SHEET DISPUTE.

If Buyer objects to a Preliminary Closing Balance Sheet or to a
Preliminary Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustment and Buyer and the
applicable Seller are able to resolve their dispute within fifteen (15) days
after Buyer's objection, such Preliminary Closing Balance Sheet and such
Preliminary Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustment (each as adjusted to
reflect such resolution) will become final and binding on the parties and
shall be deemed to be the "Final Closing Balance Sheet" of that Seller and
the "Final Post-Closing Purchase Price

Adjustment" of that Seller respectively. If Buyer objects to a Preliminary
Closing Balance Sheet or to a Preliminary Post-Closing Purchase Price
Adjustment and Buyer and the applicable Seller are unable to resolve their
dispute within fifteen (15) days after Buyer's objection, the dispute will be
resolved in accordance with the terms of this Agreement by the firm of ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP (the "Independent Accountants"). The Independent Accountants
will be instructed to perform their services as expeditiously as possible.
The resolution of the Independent Accountants shall be presented in a "Final
Closing Balance Sheet" with respect to that Seller and a "Final Post-Closing
Purchase Price Adjustment" with respect to that Seller, each prepared by the
Independent Accountants, which shall be final and binding on the parties.
The fees and expenses of the Independent Accountants for the resolution of
any dispute shall be paid by Buyer and each Seller in inverse proportion to
the respective amounts of the disputed matters which are resolved in its
favor. For example, if:

(a) Buyer claims that the Final Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustment
with respect to a Seller should be $100;

(b) that Seller claims that its Final Post-Closing Purchase Price
Adjustment should be $20; and

then the fees and expenses of the Independent Accountants would be paid 25%
by that Seller (i.e., 20 DIVIDED BY 80), and 75% (i.e., 60 DIVIDED BY 80) by
Buyer.

3.4 POST-CLOSING REFUND.

If, after giving effect to the Final Post-Closing Purchase
Price Adjustment, the Purchase Price applicable to a Seller is decreased,
then the applicable Seller shall refund to Buyer the amount of such decrease
by means of a wire-transfer of immediately available funds to an account
designated by Buyer. Any such post-closing refund shall be made not more
than three (3) days after the Preliminary Post-Closing Purchase Price
Adjustment of that Seller becomes the Final Post-Closing Purchase Price
Adjustment of that Seller.

3.5 ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE.

The fair market values of the Purchased Assets and the
allocation of the Purchase Price among the Purchased Assets for purposes of
Section 1060 of the Internal Revenue Code shall be as set forth on Schedule
3.5-1, in the case of Purchased Assets sold by Northcoast/Texas, and Schedule
3.5-2, in the case of Purchased Assets sold by Northcoast/Kansas. Buyer and
each Seller shall each be bound by such determinations of fair market value
and allocation of Purchase Price and shall complete and attach Internal
Revenue Service Form 8594 to their respective Tax returns accordingly.

ARTICLE 4

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER AND SHAREHOLDERS

Seller and each Shareholder jointly and severally represent and
warrant to Buyer as follows:

4.1 ORGANIZATION.

4.1.1 ORGANIZATION AND POWER.

Seller is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio. Seller has full corporate
power (i) to own, lease and operate its assets and carry on its business as
and where such assets are now owned or leased and as such business is
presently being conducted, and (ii) to execute, deliver and perform this
Agreement and all other agreements and documents to be executed and delivered
by it in connection herewith.

4.1.2 QUALIFICATION.

In the case of Northcoast/Texas, Schedule 4.1.2-1, and in the
case of Northcoast/Kansas, Schedule 4.1.2-2, lists each state or foreign
country in which Seller (i) owns or leases real property, (ii) has employees
or sales agents, or (iii) maintains inventory. Seller is qualified to do
business as a foreign corporation in each of the states and foreign countries
listed in Schedule 4.1.2-1 or Schedule 4.1.2-2, as applicable. Seller is not
required to be qualified to do business in any other state or foreign country
where the failure to be so qualified would have a material adverse effect on
Seller.

4.1.3 OTHER VENTURES.

Seller does not have any ownership interest in any other
business entity, is not a member of any partnership, joint venture or limited
liability company, and has never operated as a subsidiary or division of any
other corporation or other business entity.

4.1.4 OWNERSHIP OF SELLER.

All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
Seller are owned of record and beneficially by Shareholders.

4.2 AGREEMENTS.

4.2.1 SELLER ENFORCEABILITY.

All requisite corporate action to approve, execute, deliver and
perform this Agreement and every other agreement and document delivered or to
be delivered by Seller in connection herewith has been taken by Seller, its
board of directors, and its shareholders. This

Agreement and every other agreement and document delivered or to be delivered
by Seller in connection herewith has been, or upon delivery will be, duly
executed and delivered by Seller and constitutes a binding obligation of
Seller, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

4.2.2 SHAREHOLDER ENFORCEABILITY.

Each Shareholder has full power and capacity to execute,
deliver and perform this Agreement and every other agreement and document
delivered or to be delivered by such Shareholder in connection herewith.
This Agreement and every other agreement and document delivered or to be
delivered by each Shareholder in connection herewith has been, or upon
delivery will be, duly executed and delivered by such Shareholder and
constitutes a binding obligation of such Shareholder, enforceable in
accordance with its terms.

4.2.3 CONSENTS.

Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2.3, no approval or consent
of, or filing with, any person, entity or governmental authority is required
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or the execution,
delivery or performance by Seller or either Shareholder of this Agreement or
any other agreement or document delivered or to be delivered by or on behalf
of Seller or either Shareholder in connection herewith.

4.2.4 NO CONFLICTS.

Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2.4, no action taken by or on
behalf of Seller or either Shareholder in connection herewith, including but
not limited to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
each other agreement and document delivered to be delivered by any of them in
connection herewith, (i) gives rise to a right of termination or acceleration
or the loss or impairment of any material right or benefit under any Contract
by which Seller or any of its assets is bound, (ii) disrupts or impairs any
business relationship which Seller has with any dealer, distributor, sales
representative, supplier or customer, (iii) conflicts with or violates any
law, Seller's Articles of Incorporation, Seller's Code of Regulations, any
Contract by which Seller or either Shareholder is bound, or any order,
arbitration award, judgment, decree or other similar restriction to which
Seller or either Shareholder is subject, or (iv) constitutes an event which,
after notice or lapse of time or both, could result in any of the foregoing.

4.3 FINANCIAL.

4.3.1 FINANCIAL RECORDS.

(a) Schedule 4.3.1-1 consists of (i) the balance sheets of
Northcoast/Texas as of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 and the related
statements of income and retained earnings for the twelve-month periods then
ended, and (ii) the balance sheet of Northcoast/Texas as of November 30,
1998, and the related income statement for the 11-month period then ended,
and (iii) the balance sheet of Northcoast/Texas as of January 31, 1999 (as to
Northcoast/Texas, its "Acquisition Balance Sheet"), all as prepared by
Northcoast/Texas.

(b) Schedule 4.3.1-2 consists of (iii) the balance sheets of
Northcoast/Kansas as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the related statements
of income and retained earnings for the twelve-month periods then ended, and
(iv) the balance sheet of Northcoast/Kansas as of November 30, 1998, and the
related income statement for the 11-month period then ended, and (v) the
balance sheet of Northcoast/Kansas as of January 31, 1999 (as to
Northcoast/Kansas, its "Acquisition Balance Sheet"), all as prepared by
Northcoast/Kansas.

(c) Except as expressly disclosed in Schedule 4.3.1(c), all
such financial statements were prepared from each Seller's books of account
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently
applied, are accurate and complete, and present fairly the financial position
and results of operations of Seller at the dates and for the periods
indicated, except, in the case of the Acquisition Balance Sheet and related
income statement, for customary year-end adjustments of a normal recurring
type which would not be material in the aggregate and the absence of
footnotes. The books of account of Seller accurately reflect all items of
income and expense (including, but not limited to, accruals) and all assets
and Liabilities of Seller in accordance with normal accrual accounting
practices, subject to customary year-end adjustments of a normal, recurring
type which would not be material in the aggregate.

4.3.2 LIABILITIES.

Seller has no Liabilities except (i) to the extent provided for
or reserved against on the Acquisition Balance Sheet, (ii) current
Liabilities which have arisen in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice since the date of the Acquisition Balance Sheet (all of
which have been recorded on Seller's books), or (iii) as listed on Schedule
4.3.2. Since the date of the Acquisition Balance Sheet, there has not been
any incurrence (whether discharged or not) of any Liability by Seller other
than current Liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice.

4.3.3 NO CHANGES.

Since the date of the Acquisition Balance Sheet, Seller has
been operated only in the ordinary course, consistent with past practice.
Since that date, there has not been any adverse change, or event or
circumstance which might reasonably be expected to result in an adverse
change, in Seller's assets, Liabilities, operating performance, business
relationships or prospects. Since the date of the Acquisition Balance Sheet,
there has been no change in any accounting policy or practice of Seller,
including practices with respect to the payment of accounts payable or the
collection of accounts receivable. Since the date of the Acquisition Balance
Sheet, Seller has not paid any dividend (whether in cash or in property) or
engaged in any transaction that has resulted in any shareholder of the
Company, any relative of a shareholder of the Company, or any entity
affiliated with any such shareholder or relative receiving any direct or
indirect economic benefit, other than payments of normal wages, salaries or
rents, and reimbursement of deductible business expenses actually incurred in
the ordinary course of business.

4.3.4 TAXES.

All tax returns, reports and declarations (collectively, "Tax
Returns") required by any governmental authority to be filed in connection
with the properties, business, income, expenses, net worth or franchises of
Seller have been timely filed, and all such Tax Returns are correct and
complete. Seller has delivered to Buyer copies of each of its most recent
federal, state and local Tax Returns. All governmental taxes, charges or
assessments and related deficiencies, interest and penalties (collectively,
"Taxes") due in connection with the properties, business, income, expenses,
net worth or franchises of Seller have been paid. There are no Tax claims,
audits or proceedings pending in connection with the properties, business,
income, expenses, net worth or franchises of Seller, and, to the best
knowledge of Seller and each Shareholder, there are no such threatened
claims, audits or proceedings.

4.4 LEGAL.

4.4.1 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.

Seller is not in violation of (i) any outstanding arbitration
award, judgment, order or decree, or (ii) any law, regulation or ordinance
(each, a "law"), including any law relating to discrimination, employment
practices, protection of the environment, occupational health or safety,
working conditions, payroll withholding, pensions, zoning, or Taxes. Except
as disclosed on Schedule 4.4.1, there have been no allegations of or
inquiries concerning any violations of any law by Seller within the past
three years. Neither Seller nor either Shareholder has received any notice or
allegation from any governmental authority of any jurisdiction to the effect
that Seller is or might be required to acquire or modify any asset or change
any aspect of its business operations in order to comply with any applicable
law. Except as listed on Schedule 4.4.1, no permits, licenses, approvals or
authorizations of any governmental authority are required to conduct Seller's
business. All such permits, licenses, approvals and authorizations have been
legally obtained and maintained by Seller and are in full force and effect.
No proceeding is pending to revoke or limit any of them or otherwise to
impose any conditions or obligations on the possession or transfer of any of
them. In addition, there is no state of facts or event which could
reasonably be expected to form the basis for any revocation or limitation of
them or other imposition of conditions or obligations on the possession or
transfer of any of them. In the past three years, there have been no claims,
notices, orders or directives issued by any governmental authority with
respect to the Business or any of Seller's assets. Seller is not required to
make, and has no reasonable expectation that Buyer will be required to make
in order to operate the Business after the Closing, any expenditures to
achieve or maintain compliance with any law, except in amounts similar to
those reflected in the financial statements contained on Schedule 4.3.1.

4.4.2 PRODUCT AND SERVICE WARRANTIES.

Except as set forth on Schedule 4.4.2, there have been no
product warranty or service warranty claims made by customers of Seller in
the past three years and there are no product warranties or service
warranties outstanding or currently being offered to customers of Sellers.

4.4.3 PRODUCT LIABILITY.

Except as set forth on Schedule 4.4.3, no claims alleging
bodily injury or property damage as a result of any defect in the design or
manufacture of any product or the breach of any duty to warn, test, inspect
or instruct of dangers therein (each a "Product Liability Claim"), have been
made or threatened against Seller within the past three years. There are no
defects in the design or manufacture of products manufactured or sold by
Seller which defects could result in a Product Liability Claim, and there
has not been any failure by Seller to warn, test, inspect or instruct of
dangers which could form the basis for a product recall or any Product
Liability Claim against Seller.

4.4.4 LITIGATION.

Except as set forth on Schedule 4.4.4, no claim, litigation,
investigation or proceeding is pending or, to the knowledge of Seller and
either Shareholder, threatened against Seller or involving Seller has been
concluded in the past three years, and there is no state of facts or event
which could reasonably be expected to form the basis for such a claim,
litigation, investigation or proceeding. No arbitration award, judgment,
order, decree or similar restriction is outstanding against or relating to
Seller or its assets, business or products.

4.5 BUSINESS.

4.5.1 EMPLOYMENT.

Northcoast/Texas employs a total of seventeen (17) employees.
Northcoast/Kansas employs a total of two (2) employees. Seller does not use
any leased or temporary employees. Schedule 4.5.1 lists the names, current
annual compensation rates and other compensation arrangements of all of
Seller's employees whose compensation paid or accrued during 1998 exceeded
$50,000.00 on an annualized basis. Seller has paid in full to all employees,
or made appropriate accruals for on its books of account, all wages,
commissions, bonuses and other direct compensation for all services performed
by its employees. Seller has withheld or collected from each payment made to
each of its employees the amount of all Taxes required to be withheld or
collected therefrom, and Seller has paid the same when due to the proper
governmental authorities. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.5.1, during the
past three years there have been no controversies, grievances or claims by
any of the employees, former employees or beneficiaries of any employees of
Seller with respect to their employment or employment benefits, including but
not limited to any discrimination claims, sexual harassment claims or
workers' compensation claims. There is no union representation of any of
Seller's employees and, to the knowledge of Seller and each Shareholder,
there has never been any attempt by a labor organization to organize Seller's
employees into a collective bargaining unit. Since the date of the
Acquisition Balance Sheet, there has not been any general increase made or
promised in the level or rate of salaries or other compensation of any of
Seller's employees.

4.5.2 EMPLOYMENT TERMINATION.

Upon the termination of employment of any of Seller's
employees, Buyer will not by reason of anything done prior to or at the
Closing be liable to any of Seller's employees for so-called "severance pay"
or any other payments. To the knowledge of Seller and each Shareholder, none
of the employees of Seller intends to resign or seek other employment as a
result of the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise.

4.5.3 CONTRACTS.

Schedule 4.5.3 contains a complete and accurate list of:

(a) all Contracts to which Seller is a party or by which it
is bound, involving amounts in excess of $50,000.00 or which are cancelable
by Seller only after giving at least 30 days' notice;

(b) all loan, financing, security, credit or other Contracts
evidencing or relating to indebtedness, guarantees or Liens;

(d) all management, employment, consulting, or agency
Contracts and all collective bargaining Contracts;

(e) all Contracts providing employee benefits;

(f) all Contracts which contain an obligation of
confidentiality with respect to information furnished by Seller to a third
party or received by Seller from a third party;

(g) all Contracts containing covenants limiting the freedom
of Seller to compete in any line of business or with any person or in any
geographic area or market;

(h) all Contracts relating to patents, trademarks, trade
names or copyrights or applications for any of the foregoing, inventions,
trade secrets or other proprietary information;

(i) all Contracts relating to the past or present disposal
of waste;

(j) all Contracts pursuant to which Seller leases or
subleases any real property, or any interest therein, from or to any person;

(k) all Contracts pursuant to which Seller leases or
subleases any personal property, or any interest therein, from or to any
person;

(l) all Contracts with any shareholder, officer, director,
consultant or employee of Seller, or any relative of any of the foregoing, or
any corporation, partnership,

limited liability company or other entity directly or indirectly owned or
controlled by either Shareholder, or one or more of their respective
relatives; and

(m) all other Contracts entered into other than in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, including but not
limited to Contracts (i) with suppliers for the purchase of goods or services
in excess of normal requirements or at prices in excess of the current market
price, (ii) for the sale by Seller of goods or services at prices not
reasonably calculated to produce gross profit margins consistent with those
achieved by Seller during its three prior fiscal years, or (iii) which
contain terms or conditions which Seller cannot reasonably expect to fulfill
in their entirety.

Seller has delivered to Buyer accurate and complete copies of each such
written Contract, and an accurate and complete written description of each
such oral Contract, in each case with all modifications and amendments
thereto. Since the date of the last year-end balance sheet included in the
financial statements on Schedule 4.3.1, there has been no modification or
termination of any Contract under circumstances which might have an adverse
effect on Seller.

4.5.4 COMPLIANCE WITH CONTRACTS.

With respect to each Contract which is required to be disclosed
on any Schedule to this Agreement, and with respect to each Contract,
Seller's obligations under which are being assumed by Buyer hereunder, (i)
Seller is not in default under or in violation thereof, and (ii) no event has
occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a
default or violation. There have been no discussions or correspondence
concerning the breach by Seller of, or the termination of, any of such
Contracts. To the knowledge of Seller and each Shareholder, there is no
default under or violation of any such Contract by any other party thereto.

4.5.5 INSURANCE.

Schedule 4.5.5 lists all insurance policies maintained by
Seller and identifies for each such policy the following information:
underwriter, policy number, coverage type, premium, expiration date, coverage
amount and deductible. All such policies are in full force and effect, and
all premiums have been paid. Seller is not, and has not been at any time,
subject to Liability as a self-insurer. Schedule 4.5.5 also sets forth a
description of all claims pending under such insurance policies.

4.5.6 CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS.

No customer or supplier which has accounted for more than two
percent (2%) of Seller's sales or purchases in the past year and no other
customer or supplier material to Seller's business (including any supplier
which is Seller's sole source of supply of any product or service) has
terminated, or threatened to terminate, its relationship with Seller or has
during the past year decreased or delayed materially, or threatened to
decrease or delay materially, its purchases from Seller or its sale of
services or supplies to Seller, and there is no state of facts or event which
could reasonably be expected to form the basis for such a decrease or delay.

To the knowledge of Seller and each Shareholder, the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement will not adversely affect the relationship of
Seller with any customer or supplier. Seller is not required, in the
ordinary course of business, to provide any bonding or any other financial
security arrangements in connection with transactions with any supplier.

4.5.7 PURCHASES AND SALES.

Since the date of the most recent year-end balance sheet
included in the financial statements on Schedule 4.3.1, Seller has not made
any purchase commitments in excess of its normal business requirements and
there has not been any reduction in the aggregate dollar volume of Seller's
backlog of sales orders.

4.5.8 PREPAYMENTS AND DEPOSITS.

Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.5.8, Seller has not received
any prepayments or deposits from customers for products to be shipped, or for
services to be performed, after the Closing.

4.5.9 CAPITAL PROJECTS.

Schedule 4.5.9 contains a description of all capital projects
committed for or authorized by Seller involving the expenditure of $10,000.00
or more. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.5.9, the estimated aggregate cost
of completing all capital projects does not exceed $50,000.00.

4.6 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

Except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 4.6, Seller does not
maintain and is not required to contribute to any employee benefit plan,
welfare benefit plan or pension plan. Seller has delivered to Buyer accurate
and complete copies of each such written plan, and an accurate and complete
written description of each such oral plan, in each case with all
modifications and amendments thereto. Each employee benefit plan, welfare
benefit plan or pension plan maintained by Seller has been operated in
accordance with its terms and all applicable laws. Seller has not engaged in
any prohibited transaction with respect to any employee benefit plan which it
maintains or to which it contributes. Seller has the right to amend or
terminate, without the consent of any other person or entity, any employee
benefit plan which it maintains, except as otherwise prohibited by law. No
welfare benefit plan maintained by Seller is funded by a trust or fails to
satisfy any applicable requirement for tax-favored treatment. There are no
unfunded benefit liabilities or accumulated funding deficiencies under any
pension plan maintained by Seller. Seller is not required, nor has it ever
been required, to contribute to or with respect to any multiemployer plan.

4.7 ASSETS.

4.7.1 TITLE.

The Purchased Assets are free and clear of all Liens. All of
the Contracts of Seller with respect to which Buyer is acquiring any rights
hereunder are valid, are in full force and effect, and are enforceable in
accordance with their terms by Seller. There exists no condition affecting
the title to or use of any part of the Purchased Assets which would prevent
Buyer from occupying, using or enforcing its rights with respect to any part
of the Purchased Assets to the same full extent that Seller could continue to
do so if the transactions contemplated hereby did not take place.

4.7.2 RECEIVABLES.

All of Seller's accounts receivable represent valid obligations
arising from sales actually made or services actually performed. None of
Seller's accounts receivable is subject to any set-off or counterclaim, and,
to the knowledge of Seller and each Shareholder, all of Seller's accounts
receivable are collectible to the extent included in the Final Closing
Balance Sheet. Schedule 4.7.2 sets forth a 30/60/90 day aging summary of
Seller's accounts receivable as of January 31, 1999. Seller has delivered to
its Buyer its complete aging schedule of accounts receivables as of such date.

4.7.3 INVENTORIES.

All inventory has been valued on the Acquisition Balance Sheet
and on Seller's records and books of account at the lower of cost (determined
on a first-in, first-out basis) or market value on a basis consistent with
that reflected in the annual financial statements included on Schedule
4.3.1-1 or Schedule 4.3.1-2. Obsolete inventory and inventory of
below-standard quality has been written down to amounts not in excess of net
realizable value. All of Seller's finished goods inventories are currently
salable in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice at
gross profit margins consistent with the levels reflected in the annual
financial statements included on Schedule 4.3.1-1 or Schedule 4.3.1-2. All
of Seller's work-in-process, raw materials and supplies inventories can be
used or consumed in the usual and ordinary course of business as now
conducted and are not in amounts in excess of normal requirements. The
Pre-Closing Inventory was conducted in accordance with Seller's past
practices and will be accurately reflected in the Preliminary Closing Balance
Sheet. Seller's actual inventories as of the Closing will be the same as
reflected in the Pre-Closing Inventory except for sales or purchases of
inventory in the ordinary course of business during the period from March 7,
1999, to the Closing.

4.7.4 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

Seller has not generated, used, treated, released, stored or
disposed of any Hazardous Substances or any Hazardous Waste (as such terms
are hereinafter defined) in a manner that has caused or could cause Seller or
Buyer to incur any Liability under any applicable laws. Seller has complied
in all respects with all federal, state and local

environmental laws, rules and regulations applicable to Seller and its
operations. To the knowledge of Seller and each Shareholder, there are no
underground storage tanks located on (nor, to the knowledge of Seller and
each Shareholder, have any underground storage tanks been removed from) any
real property currently owned or leased by Seller or formerly owned or leased
by Seller. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Hazardous Substances"
shall have the meaning set forth in the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, and the regulations
thereunder, or as defined by any similar law of any jurisdiction where Seller
has conducted business or has generated, used, treated, released, stored or
disposed of any Hazardous Substances, and also shall include petroleum
products, asbestos, urea formaldehyde and polychlorinated biphenyls. For
purposes of this Agreement, the term "Hazardous Waste" shall have the meaning
set forth in the Resource Conversation and Recovery Act, as amended, and the
regulations thereunder, or as defined by any similar law of any jurisdiction
where Seller has conducted business or has generated, used, treated,
released, stored or disposed of any Hazardous Waste. To the knowledge of
Seller and each Shareholder, there has not been any release of Hazardous
Substances or Hazardous Waste at or from any properties adjacent to any
current or former facilities of Seller. To the knowledge of Seller and each
Shareholder, there are no materials containing asbestos or urea formaldehyde
incorporated into the building or interior improvements that are part of
Seller's owned or leased facilities, and there is no equipment or fixture
containing any polychlorinated biphenyls located at any of Seller's owned or
leased facilities.

4.7.5 CONDITION.

All of the tangible assets included among the Purchased Assets,
and all of the tangible assets covered by any Contracts listed on Schedule
2.1(c), are in good operating condition, normal wear and tear excepted,
neither require nor are reasonably expected to require any special or
extraordinary expenditures to remain in such condition beyond maintenance and
repairs necessary in the ordinary course of business, and are capable of
being used for their intended purpose in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice.

4.7.6 LOCATION.

All of the Purchased Assets being sold by Northcoast/Texas
hereunder are located at the address or addresses set forth on Schedule
4.7.6-1. All of the Purchased Assets being sold by Northcoast/Kansas
hereunder are located at the address or addresses set forth on Schedule
4.7.6-2.

4.7.7 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

Schedule 4.7.7 lists all Intellectual Property Rights owned by
Seller or in which (as noted on such Schedule) Seller has any rights or
licenses. To the knowledge of Seller and each Shareholder, there has not
been any infringement or alleged infringement by others of any such
Intellectual Property Rights. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7.7, Seller
is not a party to any Contract, whether as licensor, licensee, franchisor,
franchisee, dealer, distributor or otherwise, with respect to any
Intellectual Property Rights. Seller has the right to use all Intellectual
Property Rights as are necessary to enable Seller to conduct, and Buyer to
continue

to conduct after the Closing, all phases of the Business in the manner
presently conducted by Seller, and that use has not conflicted with,
infringed upon or otherwise violated any rights of any person or entity.
Seller has the unrestricted right to sell or assign to Buyer all such
Intellectual Property Rights and all such licenses or other rights. The
Intellectual Property Rights listed on Schedule 4.7.7 are valid and in full
force and effect and are not subject to any Taxes, maintenance fees, or
actions falling due within the next three months. Except as set forth on
Schedule 4.7.7, there have been no interference actions or other judicial,
arbitration or other adversary proceedings concerning the Intellectual
Property Rights listed on Schedule 4.7.7. Seller has not infringed any
intellectual property right or other right of any other person or entity. To
the knowledge of Seller and each Shareholder, none of the Intellectual
Property Rights has been used, divulged or appropriated for the benefit of
any past or present employees of Seller or any other person or entity, or to
the detriment of Seller. Seller has not disposed of or permitted to lapse,
or otherwise failed to preserve Seller's right to use, any rights referenced
in this Section 4.7.7.

4.7.8 EXTENT.

The Purchased Assets include all assets used by Seller to
conduct the Business in the ordinary course as presently conducted, all
assets reflected on the Acquisition Balance Sheet, and all assets acquired by
Seller after the date of the Acquisition Balance Sheet, except those assets
of Seller which (i) have been disposed of prior to the Closing in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) have been
disposed of with the prior written consent of Buyer, or (iii) constitute
Retained Assets. Since the date of the most recent fiscal year-end balance
sheet included on Schedule 4.3.1, there has not been any damage to or
disposition (except for the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice) or loss of (whether or not covered by
insurance) any asset of Seller. Over the period covered by the financial
statements included on Schedule 4.3.1, no aspect of the Business was
conducted by any affiliate of Seller or any affiliate of either Shareholder
or any former shareholder of Seller.

4.8 REAL PROPERTY.

Complete and accurate legal descriptions of all real property
owned or leased by Northcoast/Texas are set forth on Schedule 4.8-1. Complete
and accurate legal descriptions of all real property owned or leased by
Northcoast/Kansas are set forth on Schedule 4.8-2. There is no state of
facts or event which could reasonably be expected to form the basis for any
condemnation proceedings which could effect such real property or any future
improvements by any public authority, any part of the cost of which could be
assessed against such real property. In the past three years, Seller has not
experienced any interruption in the delivery of adequate utilities required
in the operation of the Business. The roof and foundation of the real
property owned or leased by Seller are watertight and free of leaks, seepages
and moisture.

4.9 ADDITIONAL MATTERS.

4.9.1 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.

Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9.1, no shareholder, director
or employee of Seller, nor any relative of any shareholder, director or
employee of Seller, nor any affiliate of any of the foregoing, (i) owns,
directly or indirectly, any interest in, or is an employee or agent of, any
entity which is a competitor, lessor, lessee, customer or supplier of Seller,
(ii) owns, directly or indirectly, any interest in any tangible or intangible
property, asset or right which Seller uses in its business, (iii) has any
cause of action or claim against, owes any amount to, or is owed any amount
by Seller other than salary and reimbursement of deductible business expenses
in the ordinary course of business, or (iv) is a party to any Contract with
Seller.

4.9.2 FULL DISCLOSURE.

No representation or warranty by Seller or either Shareholder
in this Agreement, and no statement contained in any Schedule to this
Agreement, contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, in
light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading. To the
knowledge of Seller and each Shareholder, there is no event or circumstance
which Seller has not disclosed to Buyer in writing which adversely affects or
could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the business, prospects, or
condition (financial or otherwise) of Seller or the ability of Seller or
either Shareholder to perform this Agreement.

ARTICLE 5

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

Buyer represents and warrants to Seller and Shareholders as
follows:

5.1 ORGANIZATION AND POWER.

Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio. Buyer has full corporate
power to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and all other agreements
and documents to be executed and delivered by it in connection herewith.

5.2 AGREEMENTS.

5.2.1 ENFORCEABILITY.

All requisite corporate action to approve, execute, deliver and
perform this Agreement and each other agreement and document delivered or to
be delivered by Buyer in connection herewith has been taken by Buyer. This
Agreement and every other agreement and document delivered or to be delivered
by Buyer in connection herewith has been, or upon

delivery will be, duly executed and delivered by Buyer and constitutes a
binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

5.2.2 CONSENTS.

No approval or consent of, or filing with, any person, entity
or governmental authority is required in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby or the execution, delivery or performance by Buyer of
this Agreement or any other agreement or document delivered or to be
delivered by or on behalf of Buyer in connection herewith, except for filings
required to be made by Buyer or its affiliates under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations thereunder.

5.2.3 NO CONFLICTS.

No action taken by or on behalf of Buyer in connection
herewith, including, but not limited to, the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and each other agreement and document delivered
or to be delivered by it in connection herewith, (i) conflicts with or
violates any law, Buyer's Articles of Incorporation, Buyer's Code of
Regulations, or any Contract by which Buyer is bound, or (ii) constitutes an
event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, could result in any of
the foregoing.

ARTICLE 6

CLOSING; CLOSING CONDITIONS

6.1 CLOSING.

The consummation of the purchase and sale of the Purchased
Assets and the other transactions contemplated hereby (as to each Seller, the
"Closing") shall take place simultaneously with the execution and delivery of
this Agreement on the date hereof, or on such other date as Buyer and Seller
may agree in writing, at the offices of ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Halter & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP at ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, or at such other place as
Buyer and Seller may agree in writing. The date on which the Closing occurs
is referred to herein, as to each Seller, as the "Closing Date." The
transfers and deliveries described in this Article 6 shall be mutually
interdependent and shall be regarded as occurring simultaneously, and,
notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no such transfer or
delivery shall become effective or shall be deemed to have occurred until all
of the other transfers and deliveries provided for in this Article 6 shall
also have occurred or have been waived. Such transfers and deliveries shall
be deemed to have occurred and the Closing shall be effective as of the
commencement of business of Seller on the Closing Date.

6.2 CONDITIONS TO BUYER'S OBLIGATION.

The obligation of Buyer to perform this Agreement with respect
to EITHER Seller is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions at or
before the Closing with respect to BOTH Sellers:

(a) AGREEMENTS PERFORMED. Seller and each Shareholder shall
have performed all of the obligations under this Agreement to be performed by
them at or before the Closing;

(b) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ACCURATE. The
representations and warranties of Seller and Shareholders contained herein
shall continue to be accurate in all material respects just as if made at and
as of the Closing;

(c) CERTIFICATE OF SELLER AND SHAREHOLDERS. Buyer shall
have received a certificate from Seller and each Shareholder certifying as to
the fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.2(a) and 6.2(b),
signed by Seller's chief executive officer and each Shareholder;

(d) NAME CHANGE. Seller shall have caused to be taken all
corporate and shareholder action necessary in order to adopt an amendment to
Seller's Articles of Incorporation changing Seller's corporate name to one
not including either of the words "Northcoast" or "Cryogenics," and Seller
shall have delivered to Buyer a Certificate of Amendment with respect to such
amendment, duly executed by an authorized officer of Seller and in proper
form for filing with the Ohio Secretary of State, and all such other
documentation as may be necessary to permit Buyer to use Seller's corporate
name in the State of Ohio and in all other states in which Seller is
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation;

(e) GOOD STANDING. Buyer shall have received a certificate
as to Seller's good standing, dated no more than 10 days prior to the Closing
Date, from the secretary of state of Ohio and of each other state in which
Seller is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation;

(f) NO CHANGE. There shall not have occurred any material
adverse change, or any event, fact or circumstance which might reasonably be
expected to result in a material adverse change, in the financial condition,
results of operations, assets, business or prospects of Seller;

(g) LEGAL ACTION. There shall be no pending or threatened
legal action or inquiry which challenges the validity or legality of or seeks
to or could reasonably be expected to prevent, delay or impose conditions on
the consummation of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement;

(h) LIEN TERMINATIONS. Buyer shall have received
terminations or releases of all Liens on the Purchased Assets, including any
required Uniform Commercial Code termination statements. In order to secure
any such termination or release from the holder of any such Lien, Buyer may,
upon appropriate instructions from the holder of such Lien, deduct from the
portion of the Estimated Purchase Price otherwise payable to Seller at the
Closing pursuant to Section 3.2 the amount of the indebtedness secured by
such Lien and pay such amount over to such lienholder for the account of
Seller, and such payment to such lienholder shall constitute payment to
Seller for purposes of Section 3.2 and Section 6.3(e);

(i) TRANSFER INSTRUMENTS. Buyer shall have received a
general ▇▇▇▇ of sale and assignment substantially in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit 6.2(i), and such certificates of title, assignments, and other
instruments of transfer as shall be required to permit Buyer to acquire the
Purchased Assets free and clear of all Liens, in each case duly executed by
Seller;

(j) CONSENTS. Buyer shall have received all consents,
approvals, permits, licenses and registrations of all persons, entities, and
governmental authorities necessary for Buyer, Seller and each Shareholder to
execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and for Buyer to operate the
Business as heretofore conducted;

(k) ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATES; EVIDENCE OF DUE AUTHORIZATION,
ETC. Buyer shall have received an estoppel certificate from each lessor of
real property leased by Seller to the effect that Seller has not breached any
of its obligations to such lessor and an agreement from each mortgagee of
such lessor to the effect that so long as Buyer fulfills Seller's
post-Closing obligations under the applicable lease, Buyer will be entitled
to occupy the premises for the remainder of the lease term and will be
entitled to all other rights of Seller under such lease;

(l) REAL ESTATE LEASES. Northcoast/America shall have
received (i) a lease agreement with respect to the premises located at ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇.▇. ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Michigan Lease"), including
the form of Purchase and Sale Agreement appended thereto (the "Michigan
Option Agreement"), mutually satisfactory to Buyer and Northcoast Real
Estate, Ltd., an Ohio limited liability company ("NREL"), with the Michigan
Lease duly executed by NREL, and (ii) a lease agreement with respect to the
premises located at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Georgia Lease"), mutually satisfactory to Buyer and NREL, duly
executed by NREL; and Buyer shall have received a lease agreement with
respect to the premises located at 16655 Buffalo Speedway, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Texas Lease"), including the form of Purchase and Sale Agreement
appended thereto (the "Texas Option Agreement"), mutually satisfactory to
Buyer and F&B Real Estate LLC, an Ohio limited liability company ("F&B"),
with the Texas Lease duly executed by F&B; and all prior lease agreements
with respect to such Michigan, Georgia and Texas facilities shall have been
terminated to Buyer's satisfaction;

(m) EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. Buyer shall have received an
Employment Agreement in a form mutually satisfactory to Buyer and ▇▇▇▇ ▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇, duly executed by ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇;

(n) OTHER CLOSINGS. The "Closing," as defined in that
certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date of this Agreement (the
"Stock Purchase Agreement"), by and between Buyer and ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ with
respect to all of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of
Northcoast of America Cryogenic Inc., an Ohio corporation
("Northcoast/America"), shall have occurred; and the "Closing," as defined in
that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date of this
Agreement (the "NCI Merger Agreement"), by and among Chart Industries, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation ("Chart"), NCI Acquisition Corp., an Ohio corporation,
Shareholders and NCI Sales and Leasing, Inc., an Ohio corporation ("NCI"),
shall have occurred;

(o) {Intentionally omitted.}

(p) RELEASE OF GUARANTY. Northcoast/Texas shall have
received an unconditional release of its obligations under that certain
Commercial Guaranty, dated September 3, 1998, by Northcoast/Texas in favor of
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Financial, Inc., and evidence of such release shall have been given to
Buyer;

(q) OTHER. Buyer shall have received each other document
required to be delivered to Buyer hereunder.

Any agreement or document to be delivered to Buyer pursuant to this Section
6.2, the form of which is not attached to this Agreement as an exhibit, shall
be in form and substance satisfactory to Buyer.

6.3 CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S AND SHAREHOLDERS' OBLIGATIONS.

The obligations of each Seller and Shareholders to perform this
Agreement are subject to satisfaction of the following conditions at or
before the Closing with respect to BOTH Sellers:

(a) AGREEMENTS PERFORMED. Buyer shall have performed all of
the obligations under this Agreement to be performed by it at or before the
Closing;

(b) REPRESENTATIONS ACCURATE. The representations and
warranties of Buyer contained herein shall continue to be accurate in all
material respects just as if made at and as of the Closing;

(c) CERTIFICATE OF BUYER. Seller shall have received a
certificate from Buyer certifying as to the fulfillment of the conditions set
forth in Sections 6.3(a) and 6.3.(b), signed by Buyer's chief executive officer;

(d) LEGAL ACTION. There shall be no pending or threatened
legal action or inquiry which challenges the validity or legality of or seeks
to or could reasonably be expected to prevent, delay or impose conditions on
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(e) WIRE TRANSFER. Seller shall have received immediately
available funds by wire transfer in the amount of the Estimated Purchase
Price;

(f) ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES AGREEMENT. Seller shall have
received an Assumption of Liabilities Agreement substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit 6.3(f), duly executed by Buyer;

(g) REAL ESTATE LEASES. NREL shall have received the
Michigan Lease and the Georgia Lease, each duly executed by
Northcoast/America, and F&B shall have received the Texas Lease, duly
executed by Buyer;

(h) OTHER CLOSINGS. The "Closing," as defined in the Stock
Purchase Agreement, shall have occurred; and the "Closing," as defined in the
NCI Merger Agreement, shall have occurred;

(i) EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall have received
an Employment Agreement, in a form mutually satisfactory to him and Buyer,
duly executed by Buyer; and

(j) OTHER. Seller and Shareholders shall have received each
other document required to be delivered to them hereunder.

ARTICLE 7

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

7.1 PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS.

7.1.1 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.

From the date hereof until the Closing, except to the extent
that Buyer otherwise consents in writing, the Business will be operated
substantially as presently operated and only in the ordinary course. Seller
and each Shareholder will use their respective best efforts to preserve
intact the present business organization and the relationships with persons
having business dealings with Seller. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Seller will not:

(i) purchase or lease (or commit to purchase or lease)
any assets (other than inventory) in excess of
$10,000.00 individually or $50,000.00 in the
aggregate, except as otherwise expressly
contemplated by Section 4.5.9 hereof;

(ii) create, incur or assume any debt; assume, guarantee,
endorse or otherwise become liable or responsible
for the obligation of any other person or entity; or
make any loans, advances or capital contributions
to, or investments in, any other person or entity;

(iii) increase in any manner the rate of compensation of
any of its employees, other than normal increases
using standards consistent with past practice or as
required by any collective bargaining agreement; or
pay or agree to pay any bonus, pension, retirement
allowance, severance or other employee benefit not
required by any existing employee benefit plan;

(iv) permit any of its assets to be subjected to any
Lien;

(v) enter into any Contract, except in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, or
modify or terminate any Contract

under circumstances which might adversely affect the
condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of
the Business;

(vi) sell or dispose of any assets other than inventory
in the ordinary course of business;

(vii) engage in any unusual or novel method of transacting
business, or change any accounting procedures or
practices, including practices with respect to the
payment of accounts payable or the collection of
accounts receivable, or change its financial
structure; or

(viii) take any action the taking of which, or omit to take
any action the omission of which, would cause any of
the representations and warranties herein to fail to
be true and correct in all respects as of the date
of such action or omission as though made at and as
of the date of such action or omission, except as
otherwise specifically contemplated by this
Agreement.

7.1.2 ACCESS.

From the date hereof until the Closing, Seller and Shareholders
shall provide Buyer, its lenders and their representatives full access to
Seller's personnel, facilities and all books and records and such other
information and persons relating to Seller or the Business as Buyer may
request. In addition, Seller and Shareholders shall permit Buyer to perform
engineering, environmental and workplace condition surveys and such other
physical inspections as Buyer deems necessary. If the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated for any reason, Buyer
agrees to return to Seller all materials obtained from Seller and not to use
for its own benefit any information not available to Buyer from a source
other than Seller and not to disclose any information contained in the
materials except information available to Buyer from a source other than
Seller or required to be disclosed by law.

7.1.3 INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

Within 15 days after the end of each calendar month, if any,
prior to the Closing, Seller will deliver to Buyer unaudited balance sheets
of Seller and the related statements of income for the months then ended and
for that portion of such fiscal year ended with the last day of such monthly
accounting period, in each case certified by Seller to fairly present the
financial position and results of operations of Seller as at or for the
periods indicated on a basis consistent with past practice.

7.1.4 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE.

Seller and Shareholders will immediately notify Buyer of any
event or circumstance which makes it necessary to correct any representation
and warranty contained in

Article 4 which has been rendered inaccurate thereby; or arises hereafter and
which, had it existed on or prior to the date hereof, would have resulted in
an inaccuracy in a representation and warranty contained in Article 4.

7.1.5 SATISFACTION OF CONDITIONS.

Seller and Shareholders shall use their respective best efforts
to cause each of the conditions set forth in Section 6.2 to Buyer's
proceeding with the Closing to be satisfied at or before the Closing, as such
conditions may apply to that Seller hereunder AND as such conditions may
apply to the other Seller hereunder. Buyer shall use its best efforts to
cause each of the conditions set forth in Section 6.3 to each Seller's and
Shareholders' proceeding with the Closing to be satisfied at or before the
Closing.

7.1.6 TERMINATION.

As to each Seller, this Agreement may be terminated (i) by the
written agreement of Buyer and that Seller, or (ii) by Buyer or that Seller
at any time after March 23, 1999, if the Closing shall not have taken place
on or before such date. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to clause
(i) of the preceding sentence, all provisions of this Agreement except
Sections 7.3, 7.4 and 8 shall become void without any liability on the part
of any party. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to clause (ii) of the
first sentence of this Section 7.1.6, all rights and remedies of each party
hereunder and all other provisions hereof related thereto shall survive
termination to the extent required so that any party responsible for any
breach or nonperformance of its obligations hereunder prior to termination
shall remain liable for the damages resulting therefrom.

7.2 NONDISCLOSURE, NONCOMPETITION AND NONINTERFERENCE.

Northcoast/Texas, Northcoast/Kansas, and each Shareholder (i)
shall at all times hold in strictest confidence any and all confidential data
and other confidential information concerning the products, services,
businesses, suppliers and customers of the Business, (ii) for a period of
five (5) years following the Closing Date, shall not, without the prior
written consent of Buyer, either directly or indirectly operate or perform
any advisory or consulting services for, invest in (other than publicly
traded stock constituting less than 5% of the equity of a publicly held
corporation), or otherwise operate or become associated in any capacity with,
any corporation, partnership, organization, proprietorship or other business
entity or association which sells or performs services then in competition
with the Business at any place within the United States of America, and (iii)
for a period of five (5) years following the Closing Date, shall not, without
the prior written consent of Buyer, directly or indirectly induce or attempt
to induce any employee, agent or other representative or associate of Buyer
to terminate his or its relationship with Buyer, or in any way knowingly
interfere with such a relationship or a relationship between Buyer and any of
its suppliers or customers. Northcoast/Texas, Northcoast/Kansas, and each
Shareholder acknowledges that compliance with their respective covenants in
this Section 7.2 is necessary to protect Buyer's legitimate business
interests and that any breach of any such covenant will result in irreparable
and continuing damage to Buyer for which money damages alone will not provide
an adequate

remedy, and that in the event of any such breach or threatened breach of any
such covenant, Buyer and its successors and assigns shall be entitled to
injunctive relief, without having to post any bond, and to such other and
further relief at law or in equity as is proper under the circumstances.

7.3 PUBLICITY.

Neither Buyer, Seller nor either Shareholder will make any
public announcement relating to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby without the written consent of Buyer and Seller, unless
and except to the extent otherwise required by law. If public disclosure or
notice is required by law, Buyer, Seller or a Shareholder, as the case may
be, will use his or its best efforts to give the other parties prior written
notice of the disclosure to be made.

7.4 EXPENSES; TRANSFER TAXES.

Except to the extent otherwise specifically provided herein,
Buyer shall pay all of the expenses incident to the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement which are incurred by Buyer or its representatives, and
each Seller and Shareholders shall pay all of the expenses incident to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement which are incurred by such Seller
or Shareholders or their respective representatives. Each Seller shall pay
all sales, bulk transfer or other transfer Taxes, if any, which may be
payable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

7.5 ASSIGNMENT OF CONTRACTS, RIGHTS, ETC.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or of any
▇▇▇▇ of sale or other assignment instrument delivered hereunder, this
Agreement and any such ▇▇▇▇ of sale or assignment instrument shall not
constitute an agreement to assign any Contract or any claim or any right or
benefit arising thereunder or resulting therefrom if an attempted assignment
thereof, without the consent of a third party thereto, would constitute a
breach thereof or in any way affect the rights of Buyer thereunder. Seller
and Shareholders shall use their respective best efforts to obtain the
consent of the other party to any such Contract to the assignment of such
Contract to Buyer in all cases in which such consent is required for
assignment or transfer. If such consent is not obtained, Seller and
Shareholders agree to cooperate with Buyer in any reasonable arrangement
designed to provide for Buyer the benefits thereunder, including but not
limited to having Buyer act as agent for Seller and having Seller enforce for
the benefit of Buyer any and all rights of Seller against the other party
thereto.

7.6 RECEIVABLES.

Buyer shall use all reasonable efforts to collect the accounts
receivable included in the Purchased Assets but Buyer shall not be required
to take or threaten legal action to collect any such accounts receivable. At
the option of Buyer, Seller and Shareholders jointly and severally agree to
repurchase from Buyer, for an amount equal to the unpaid balance thereof,
less any allowance for doubtful accounts reflected on the Final Closing
Balance Sheet,

all or any part of the accounts receivable included in the Purchased Assets
applicable to such Seller which shall not have been paid within ninety (90)
days after the Closing Date (other than accounts receivable from the other
Seller hereunder or from Northcoast/America or NCI), it being understood that
Buyer shall exercise such option at any time after such date up to the first
anniversary of the Closing Date without waiving any rights hereunder. Seller
shall have the right to verify the existence of the unpaid balance of any
accounts receivable.

7.7 EMPLOYMENT.

Pending the Closing, Seller and Shareholders shall use their
respective best efforts to retain the services of those employees of Seller
whom Buyer desires to employ and to encourage such employees to continue
their employment with Buyer after the Closing. Buyer may offer employment,
on such terms and conditions as shall be determined by Buyer in its sole
discretion, to those employees of Seller as Buyer may determine in its sole
discretion, but Buyer, subject to Sections 6.2(m) and 6.3(i), shall not be
required to offer employment to any of Seller's employees. The employment by
Buyer of any employee of Seller who accepts the terms of employment offered
by Buyer will commence at the Closing. Seller shall pay the cost of any
compensation, severance or other benefits which may be payable to Seller's
employees to whom Buyer does not offer employment or to such other persons as
shall claim compensation, severance or other benefits in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Subject to
Sections 6.2(m) and 6.3(i), nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to
require Buyer to retain any of the employees it hires for any period of time
or at any particular compensation rate or in any particular position.

7.8 PRODUCT WARRANTY.

Although Buyer does not expressly or by implication assume any
of Seller's product warranty or product liability obligations, Buyer shall
have the right after the Closing, on Seller's behalf, to perform Seller's
obligations under Seller's product warranties in accordance with Buyer's
business judgment consistent with the ongoing operation of the Business. The
performance by Buyer of any of Seller's product warranty obligations shall
not give rise to any rights in Seller, either Shareholder, or any third
party. Seller and Shareholders, jointly and severally, agree to reimburse
Buyer upon demand for Buyer's reasonable costs in performing such obligations
for Seller, including but not limited to reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
reasonable internal labor, material and overhead costs at Buyer's customary
rates.

7.9 NO ASSIGNMENT.

Without the consent of Seller or Shareholders, Buyer may assign
all or any part of this Agreement and all or any part of its rights and
obligations hereunder to any affiliate of Buyer, to any of Buyer's lenders,
and to any person or entity which purchases from Buyer substantially all of
the business purchased by Buyer hereunder, in which event Seller and
Shareholders shall execute and deliver any documents reasonably requested by
the assignee in connection with such assignment. Except as for provided in
the preceding sentence, no assignment by any party of this Agreement or any
right or obligation hereunder may be made

without the prior written consent of all other parties, and any assignment
attempted without such consent will be void.

7.10 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.

Any action or proceeding brought by a party against any other
party in connection with this Agreement may be commenced in any federal or
state court located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, or ▇▇▇▇▇ County, Ohio, and all
objections to personal jurisdiction and venue in any action or proceeding so
commenced are hereby waived. So long as service and process is by notice as
provided in Section 9.1 of this Agreement or as required by any such court,
all objections to improper service of process are hereby waived.

7.11 FURTHER ASSURANCES AND ASSISTANCE.

The parties agree that each will execute and deliver any and
all documents in addition to those expressly provided for herein that may be
necessary or appropriate to effect or give evidence to the provisions of this
Agreement and each of the other agreements and instruments delivered by them
in connection herewith and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby. Seller further agrees that at any time and from time to time after
the Closing, it will execute and deliver to Buyer such further conveyances,
assignments or other written assurances as Buyer may reasonably request to
perfect and protect Buyer's title to the Purchased Assets.

ARTICLE 8

INDEMNIFICATION

8.1 INDEMNIFICATION BY SELLER AND SHAREHOLDERS.

Seller and Shareholders shall jointly and severally indemnify
Buyer against and hold Buyer harmless from (i) any and all loss, damage,
liability or deficiency (collectively, "Losses") resulting from or arising
out of any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation, warranty, covenant
or obligation made or incurred by Seller or Shareholders herein or in any
other agreement, instrument or document delivered by or on behalf of Seller
or Shareholders in connection herewith; (ii) any imposition (including by
operation of any bulk transfer or other law) or attempted imposition by a
third party (including any business broker or finder) upon Buyer of any
Retained Liability; and (iii) any and all costs and expenses (including
reasonable legal and accounting fees) (collectively, "Expenses") related to
any of the foregoing. In addition, and notwithstanding any disclosure to
Buyer hereunder or otherwise, Seller and Shareholders shall jointly and
severally indemnify Buyer against and hold Buyer harmless from any and all
Losses resulting from or arising out of: (i) the death of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇. in or about September 1998, and any and all Expenses related thereto,
including in any present or future litigation relating thereto; and (ii) any
matters alleged by plaintiffs in the pending litigation captioned ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ vs. Northcoast of Texas Cryogenic, Inc. [sic],
Case No. 98-42541 in the 151st Judicial District, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ County, Texas, or in
the pending litigation captioned ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ v.
Northcoast

Cryogenic, Inc. [sic], Case No. 2:98-CV-296 PG in the United States District
Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Hattiesburg Division, and any
and all Expenses related thereto, including in any other present or future
litigation relating to such matters; and (iii) any matters alleged in or
arising out of the pending litigation captioned Milwaukee Precision Casting,
Inc. vs. Northcoast of America Cryogenic, Inc., Case No. 98CV009914 in the
Circuit Court of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, and any and all Expenses
related thereto, including in any other present or future litigation relating
to such matters.

8.2 INDEMNIFICATION BY BUYER.

Buyer shall indemnify Seller and Shareholders against and hold
each of them harmless from (i) any and all Losses resulting from or arising
out of any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation, warranty, covenant
or obligation made or incurred by Buyer herein or in any other agreement,
instrument or document delivered by or on behalf of Buyer in connection
herewith; (ii) any imposition (including by operation of any bulk transfer or
other law) or attempted imposition by a third party (including any business
broker or finder) upon Seller or either Shareholder of any Assumed Liability;
and (iii) any and all Expenses related to any of the foregoing.

8.3 NOTIFICATION OF AND PARTICIPATION IN CLAIMS.

No claim for indemnification will arise until notice thereof is
given to the party from whom indemnity is sought. In the event that any
legal proceedings shall be instituted or any claim or demand be asserted by
any third party in respect of which Seller or either Shareholder on the one
hand, or Buyer on the other hand, may have an obligation to indemnify the
other(s), the party asserting such right to indemnity shall give or cause to
be given to the party from whom indemnity may be sought written notice
thereof, and such party shall have the right, at its option and expense, to
be present at the defense of such proceeding, claim or demand, but not to
control the defense, negotiation or settlement thereof, which control shall
at all times rest with the party asserting such right to indemnity, unless
the party from whom indemnity may be sought irrevocably acknowledges full and
complete responsibility for indemnification of the party asserting such right
to indemnity, in which case such party may assume such control through
counsel of its choice. The parties agree to cooperate fully with each other
in connection with the defense, negotiation or settlement of any such third
party legal proceeding, claim or demand.

8.4 SURVIVAL; LIMITATIONS ON INDEMNIFICATION.

The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of
the parties contained herein or in any other agreements or documents executed
in connection herewith shall survive the Closing. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the indemnification of Buyer provided under Section 8.1 shall be
limited in certain respects as follows: any claim for indemnification
relating to any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty of
Seller or Shareholders must be made within eighteen (18) months after the
Closing Date, except that (i) there shall be no limits on the time for making
a claim for indemnification relating to the representations and warranties
contained in Sections 4.1.1 ("Organization and

Power"), 4.1.4 ("Ownership of Seller"), 4.2.1 ("Seller Enforceability"),
4.2.2 ("Shareholder Enforceability") or 4.7.1 ("Title"), (ii) any claim for
indemnification relating to the representations and warranties contained in
Section 4.3.4 ("Taxes") may be made until the expiration of the applicable
statute of limitations for either the assessment or collection of Taxes for
the periods referred to therein, and (iii) any claim for indemnification
relating to the representations and warranties contained in Sections 4.6
("Employee Benefits") or 4.7.4 ("Environmental Matters") may be made until
the second (2nd) anniversary of the Closing Date. There shall be no limits
on the time for making a claim for indemnification relating to the
undertakings of Seller set forth in the second sentence of Section 8.1 hereof.

ARTICLE 9

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

9.1 NOTICES.

All notices and other communications required by this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered by hand or mailed
by registered or certified mail to the parties at the following addresses (or
at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

(a) If to Buyer, to: Northcoast Acquisition Corp.
c/o Chart Industries, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇

With a copy to: ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Center
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.

(b) If to ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, to: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇

If to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, to: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇

If to Seller, to Seller in care of both ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ at their respective addresses as provided
herein.

In each case,
with a copy to: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇
300 Inns of Court Building
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.

9.2 BINDING EFFECT.

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

9.3 INCLUSION.

In every place where it is used in this Agreement, the word
"including" is intended and shall be construed to mean "including, without
limitation".

9.4 "SELLER".

In every place where it is used in this Agreement, the word
"Seller" is intended and shall be construed to mean, simultaneously, both (a)
Northcoast/Texas, individually and severally, and (b) Northcoast/Kansas,
individually and severally; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the representations and
warranties of each Seller in Article 4 are made by that Seller jointly and
severally with Shareholders, and the obligations of each Seller in Article 8
are incurred by that Seller jointly and severally with Shareholders.

9.5 HEADINGS.

The headings in this Agreement are intended solely for
convenience of reference and shall be given no effect in the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.

9.6 EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS; SIGNATURE PAGES.

This Agreement may be executed and delivered in multiple
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be
executed and delivered with separate signature pages with the same effect as
though all parties had executed and delivered the same signature page.

9.7 SEVERABILITY.

In the event any part of Section 7.2 of this Agreement shall be
found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable for
any reason, Seller and each Shareholder hereby grants to such court full
authority and discretion, and hereby authorizes and requests such court to
exercise all such authority and discretion as it may possess hereunder or
under applicable law, to reform such provision to the end that Seller and
Shareholders shall be subject to nondisclosure, noncompetition and
noninterference covenants that are reasonable under the circumstances and
enforceable by Buyer. In the event any other provision of this Agreement
shall be held unenforceable or invalid to any extent for any reason, such
provision shall remain in force and effect to the maximum extent permitted,
and the enforceability or validity of the remaining provisions of this
Agreement shall not be affected thereby.

9.8 AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS.

No amendment to or waiver of any of the provisions of this
Agreement, including this Section 9.8, shall be valid or enforceable unless
such amendment or waiver is set forth in writing and signed by the party
against whom enforcement of such amendment or waiver is sought or such
party's authorized representative. Unless otherwise expressly stated
therein, each such amendment or waiver shall be effective only with respect
to the specific instance in which it is given, and no such amendment or
waiver shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or
not similar), or a continuing waiver.

9.9 NO THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS.

Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or
shall be construed to confer on any person, other than the parties hereto and
their respective successors and permitted assigns, any rights under this
Agreement.

9.10 ENTIRE AGREEMENT.

This Agreement and the other agreements and documents to be
delivered hereunder constitute the entire agreement among the parties
pertaining to the subject matter

hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous negotiations, agreements
and understandings of the parties. There are no warranties, representations
or other agreements between the parties in connection with the subject matter
hereof except as specifically set forth herein or in the agreements or
instruments delivered in connection herewith, and no supplement,
modification, waiver or termination of this Agreement shall be binding unless
executed in writing by the party sought to be bound thereby.

9.11 SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS.

The schedules and exhibits referenced in this Agreement
constitute an integral part of this Agreement as if fully rewritten herein.
All references in this document to "this Agreement" and the terms "herein,"
"hereof," "hereunder" and the like shall be deemed to include all of such
schedules and exhibits.

9.12 TIME PERIODS.

Any action required hereunder to be taken within a certain
number of days shall, except as may otherwise be expressly provided herein,
be taken within that number of calendar days; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the
last day for taking such action falls on a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day which
shall be in Cleveland, Ohio, or New York, New York, a legal holiday or a day
on which banking institutions therein are authorized by law to close, then
the period during which such action may be taken shall automatically be
extended to the next business day.

9.13 GOVERNING LAW.

This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, without giving effect to the
choice-of-laws or conflict-of-laws provisions thereof.

{The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.}

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Asset
Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.

NORTHCOAST OF TEXAS CRYOGENICS, INC.

By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, President

NORTHCOAST OF KANSAS CRYOGENICS, INC.

By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, President

/s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
-------------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇

/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
-------------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇

NORTHCOAST ACQUISITION CORP.

By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
President and Chief Operating Officer

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT by and among NORTHCOAST OF TEXAS CRYOGENICS, INC., (a "Seller") NORTHCOAST OF KANSAS CRYOGENICS, INC., (a "Seller") MARK A. BAUMAN and PATRICK J. FLYNN ("Shareholders") and NORTHCOAST ACQUISITION CORP. ("Buyer") March 15, 1999...

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