UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BEFORE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

In the matter of

Quexco Incorporated, a corporation.

File No. 981-0327

AGREEMENT CONTAINING CONSENT ORDER

The Federal Trade Commission ("Commission"), having initiated an investigation of the acquisition by Quexco Incorporated ("Quexco") of certain assets of Pacific Dunlop Limited ("Pacific Dunlop"), and it now appearing that Quexco, hereinafter sometimes referred to as "proposed respondent," is willing to enter into an agreement containing an order to divest certain assets and providing for other relief:

IT IS HEREBY AGREED by and between proposed respondent, by its duly authorized officers and attorneys, and counsel for the Commission that:

2. Proposed respondent admits all the jurisdictional facts set forth in the draft of complaint here attached.

3. Proposed respondent waives:

a. any further procedural steps;

 

b. the requirement that the Commission's decision contain a statement of findings of fact and conclusions of law;

 

c. all rights to seek judicial review or otherwise to challenge or contest the validity of the Order entered pursuant to this agreement; and

 

d. any claim under the Equal Access to Justice Act.

5. This agreement shall not become part of the public record of the proceeding unless and until it is accepted by the Commission. If this agreement is accepted by the Commission it, together with the draft of complaint contemplated thereby, will be placed on the public record for a period of sixty (60) days and information in respect thereto publicly released. The Commission thereafter may either withdraw its acceptance of this agreement and so notify the proposed respondent, in which event it will take such action as it may consider appropriate, or issue and serve its complaint (in such form as the circumstances may require) and decision, in disposition of the proceeding.

6. This agreement is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by proposed respondent that the law has been violated as alleged in the draft of complaint here attached, or that the facts as alleged in the draft complaint, other than jurisdictional facts, are true.

7. This agreement contemplates that, if it is accepted by the Commission, and if such acceptance is not subsequently withdrawn by the Commission pursuant to the provisions of § 2.34 of the Commission's Rules, the Commission may, without further notice to the proposed respondent, (1) issue its complaint corresponding in form and substance with the draft of complaint here attached and its decision containing the following Order to divest in disposition of the proceeding and (2) make information public with respect thereto. When so entered, the Order shall have the same force and effect and may be altered, modified or set aside in the same manner and within the same time provided by statute for other orders. The Order shall become final upon service. Delivery by the U.S. Postal Service of the complaint and decision containing the agreed-to Order to proposed respondent's address as stated in this agreement shall constitute service. Proposed respondent waives any right it may have to any other manner of service. The complaint may be used in construing the terms of the Order, and no agreement, understanding, representation, or interpretation not contained in the Order or the agreement may be used to vary or contradict the terms of the Order.

8. By signing this agreement, proposed respondent represents that it can accomplish the full relief contemplated by this agreement.

9. Proposed respondent has read the proposed complaint and Order contemplated hereby. Proposed respondent understands that once the Order has been issued, it will be required to file one or more compliance reports showing how it is complying or has complied with the Order. Proposed respondent agrees to comply with the terms of the proposed Order from the date it signs this agreement containing consent order. Proposed respondent agrees that if it divests the Vernon Plant Assets pursuant to Paragraph II of the Order prior to the time the Order becomes final, it will include and enforce a provision in the divestiture agreement with Gopher Resource ("Gopher Resource Agreement") requiring the transaction to be rescinded, and the Vernon Plant Assets returned to the proposed respondent, should the Commission not make the Order final or should the Commission notify the proposed respondent that Gopher Resource is not an acceptable acquirer, or that the Gopher Resource Agreement is not an acceptable manner of divestiture. Proposed respondent further understands that it may be liable for civil penalties in the amount provided by law for each violation of the Order after it becomes final.

ORDER

I.

IT IS ORDERED that, as used in this Order, the following definitions shall apply:

B. "RSR Corporation" or "RSR" means RSR Corporation, a corporation organized, existing and doing business under and by virtue of the laws of Delaware, with its office and principal place of business at 2777 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 1800, Dallas, Texas, 75207.

C. "Respondent" means Quexco.

D. "Pacific Dunlop GNB" or "GNB" means Pacific Dunlop GNB Corporation, a corporation organized, existing and doing business under and by virtue of the laws of Delaware with its office and principal place of business located at 375 Northridge Road, #100, Atlanta, Georgia, 30350.

E. "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.

F. "Acquisition" means the acquisition by Quexco, described in the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 5, 1998, between Quexco and Pacific Dunlop Holdings (USA) Inc., a Delaware corporation, pursuant to which Respondent agreed to acquire GNB.

G. "Secondary Lead Products" means lead recovered from scrap sources, such as scrap or spent lead-acid type batteries.

H. "Vernon Plant Assets" means GNB's lead smelter located in Vernon, California, and all tangible and intangible assets used in operating said smelter as an ongoing business engaged in lead recycling, lead smelting and refining operations, provided, however, that the Vernon Plant Assets shall not include, in the case of the Gopher Resource Agreement defined in subparagraph J of this Paragraph I, those assets specifically excluded in Section 1.02 of the Gopher Resource Agreement.

I. "Gopher Resource" means Gopher Resource Corporation, a corporation organized, existing and doing business under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Minnesota with its office and principal place of business at 3385 South Highway 149, Eagan, Minnesota 55121, and its subsidiaries, divisions, groups, and affiliates.

J. "Gopher Resource Agreement" means the Asset Purchase Agreement between GNB Technologies Inc. and Gopher Resource Corporation entered into on or about December 7, 1998, including Exhibits A through D thereto, the Agreement With Respect to NL-GNB Agreement, and the Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement Between GNB Technologies Inc. and Golden State Resource, LLC, dated April 5, 1999, including Exhibits E (Agreement between Golden State Resource, LLC, and Pacific Dunlop Investments, Inc.) and F (Guaranty by Pacific Dunlop Limited in favor of Golden State Resource, LLC) to the Asset Purchase Agreement attached to the Amendment.

II.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:

B. The divestiture shall be made no later than ten (10) days after the date on which this Order becomes final to Gopher Resource, in accordance with the Gopher Resource Agreement (which agreement shall not vary or contradict the terms of this Order or the Hold Separate Agreement). Provided, however, that if, at the time the Commission determines to make the Order final, the Commission notifies the Respondent that Gopher Resource is not an acceptable acquirer, or the Gopher Resource Agreement is not an acceptable manner of divestiture, then Respondent shall immediately rescind the transaction with Gopher Resource and shall divest the Vernon Plant Assets, within six (6) months after the date on which the Order becomes final, to an acquirer that receives the prior approval of the Commission, and only in a manner that receives the prior approval of the Commission.

C. The purpose of the divestiture of the Vernon Plant Assets is to ensure the continued use of the Vernon Plant Assets in the production of Secondary Lead Products and in the recycling of lead scrap into Secondary Lead Products, and to remedy the lessening of competition resulting from the Acquisition as alleged in the Commission's complaint.

D. Pending divestiture of the Vernon Plant Assets, respondent shall take such actions as are necessary to maintain the viability and marketability of the Vernon Plant Assets and to prevent the destruction, removal, wasting, deterioration, or impairment of any of the Vernon Plant Assets except for ordinary wear and tear.

E. Respondent shall comply with all terms of the Agreement to Hold Separate, attached to this Order and made a part hereof as Appendix I. The Agreement to Hold Separate shall continue in effect until such time as respondent has divested all the Vernon Plant Assets as required by this Order.

III.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:

B. If a trustee is appointed by the Commission or a court pursuant to Paragraph III.A. of this Order, respondent shall consent to the following terms and conditions regarding the trustee's powers, duties, authority, and responsibilities:

1. The Commission shall select the trustee, subject to the consent of respondent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The trustee shall be a person with experience and expertise in acquisitions and divestitures. If respondent has not opposed, in writing, including the reasons for opposing, the selection of any proposed trustee within ten (10) days after notice by the staff of the Commission to respondent of the identity of any proposed trustee, respondent shall be deemed to have consented to the selection of the proposed trustee.

 

2. Subject to the prior approval of the Commission, the trustee shall have the exclusive power and authority to divest the Vernon Plant Assets.

 

3. Within ten (10) days after appointment of the trustee, respondent shall execute a trust agreement that, subject to the prior approval of the Commission and, in the case of a court-appointed trustee, of the court, transfers to the trustee all rights and powers necessary to permit the trustee to effect the divestiture required by this Order.

 

4. The trustee shall have twelve (12) months from the date the Commission approves the trust agreement described in Paragraph III B. 3. to accomplish the divestiture, which shall be subject to the prior approval of the Commission. If, however, at the end of the twelve-month period, the trustee has submitted a plan of divestiture or believes that divestiture can be achieved within a reasonable time, the divestiture period may be extended by the Commission, or, in the case of a court-appointed trustee, by the court; provided, however, the Commission may extend this period only two (2) times.

 

5. The trustee shall have full and complete access to the personnel, books, records and facilities related to the Vernon Plant Assets or to any other relevant information, as the trustee may request. Respondent shall develop such financial or other information as such trustee may request and shall cooperate with the trustee. Respondent shall take no action to interfere with or impede the trustee's accomplishment of the divestiture. Any delays in divestiture caused by respondent shall extend the time for divestiture under this Paragraph in an amount equal to the delay, as determined by the Commission or, for a court-appointed trustee, by the court.

 

6. The trustee shall use his or her best efforts to negotiate the most favorable price and terms available in each contract that is submitted to the Commission, subject to respondent's absolute and unconditional obligation to divest expeditiously at no minimum price. The divestiture shall be made in the manner and to the acquirer or acquirers as set out in Paragraph II of this Order; provided, however, if the trustee receives bona fide offers from more than one acquiring entity, and if the Commission determines to approve more than one such acquiring entity, the trustee shall divest to the acquiring entity or entities selected by respondent from among those approved by the Commission; provided further, however, that respondent shall select such entity within five (5) days after receiving notification of the Commission's approval.

 

7. The trustee shall serve, without bond or other security, at the cost and expense of respondent, on such reasonable and customary terms and conditions as the Commission or a court may set. The trustee shall have the authority to employ, at the cost and expense of respondent such consultants, accountants, attorneys, investment bankers, business brokers, appraisers, and other representatives and assistants as are necessary to carry out the trustee's duties and responsibilities. The trustee shall account for all monies derived from the divestiture and all expenses incurred. After approval by the Commission and, in the case of a court-appointed trustee, by the court, of the account of the trustee, including fees for his or her services, all remaining monies shall be paid at the direction of the respondent, and the trustee's power shall be terminated. The trustee's compensation shall be based at least in significant part on a commission arrangement contingent on the trustee's divesting the Vernon Plant Assets.

 

8. Respondent shall indemnify the trustee and hold the trustee harmless against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses arising out of, or in connection with, the performance of the trustee's duties, including all reasonable fees of counsel and other expenses incurred in connection with the preparation for, or defense of any claim, whether or not resulting in any liability, except to the extent that such liabilities, losses, damages, claims, or expenses result from misfeasance, gross negligence, willful or wanton acts, or bad faith by the trustee.

 

9. If the trustee ceases to act or fails to act diligently, a substitute trustee shall be appointed in the same manner as provided in Paragraph III.A. of this Order.

 

10. The Commission or, in the case of a court-appointed trustee, the court, may on its own initiative or at the request of the trustee issue such additional orders or directions as may be necessary or appropriate to accomplish the divestiture required by this Order.

 

11. In the event that the trustee determines that he or she is unable to divest the Vernon Plant Assets in a manner consistent with the Commission's purpose as described in Paragraph II, the trustee may divest such additional ancillary assets related to the Vernon Plant Assets and effect such arrangements as are necessary to satisfy the requirements of this Order.

 

12. The trustee shall have no obligation or authority to operate or maintain the Vernon Plant Assets.

 

13. The trustee shall report in writing to respondent and the Commission every sixty (60) days concerning the trustee's efforts to accomplish divestiture.

IV.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within thirty (30) days after the Respondent signed the Agreement Containing Consent Order and every thirty (30) days thereafter until respondent has fully complied with the provisions of Paragraphs II or III of this Order, respondent shall submit to the Commission a verified written report setting forth in detail the manner and form in which it intends to comply, is complying, and has complied with Paragraphs II and III of this Order. Respondent shall include in its compliance reports, among other things that are required from time to time, a full description of the efforts being made to comply with Paragraphs II and III of the Order, including a description of all substantive contacts or negotiations for the divestiture and the identity of all parties contacted. Respondent shall include in its compliance reports copies of all written communications to and from such parties, all internal memoranda, and all reports and recommendations concerning divestiture.

V.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent shall notify the Commission at least thirty (30) days prior to any proposed change in the corporate respondent such as dissolution, assignment, sale resulting in the emergence of a successor corporation, or the creation or dissolution of subsidiaries or any other change in the corporation that may affect compliance obligations arising out of the Order.

VI.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the purpose of determining or securing compliance with this Order, upon written request, respondent shall permit any duly authorized representative of the Commission:

B. Upon five days' notice to respondent and without restraint or interference from it, to interview officers, directors, employees, agents or independent contractors of respondent.

Signed this _____ day of _______________, 19____.

QUEXCO INCORPORATED

By:

________________________
Howard M. Meyers
Chairman of the Board, President, Treasurer
Quexco Incorporated

By:

 ________________________
Owen M. Johnson, Jr.
Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P.
Counsel for Quexco Incorporated

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

By:

 ________________________
Philip M. Eisenstat Morris A. Bloom
Attorney Acting Deputy Assistant Director
Mergers II Division

William J. Baer
Director
Bureau of Competition

APPENDIX I

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BEFORE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

In the matter of

Quexco Incorporated, a corporation.

File No. 981-0327

AGREEMENT TO HOLD SEPARATE

This Agreement to Hold Separate ("Hold Separate Agreement") is by and between Quexco Incorporated ("Quexco"), a corporation having its principal offices at 2777 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 1800, Dallas, Texas, 75207, and the Federal Trade Commission (the "Commission"), an independent agency of the United States Government, established under the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914, 15 U.S.C. § 41, et seq. (collectively, the "Parties").

PREMISES

WHEREAS, on or about July 6, 1998, Quexco, Howard M. Meyers ("Mr. Meyers"), a natural person with his office and principal place of business at 2777 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 1800, Dallas, Texas, 75207 and Quexco's controlling shareholder, and RSR Corporation ("RSR"), a corporation having its principal offices at 2777 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 1800, Dallas, Texas, 75207 and Quexco's wholly-owned subsidiary, announced an intention to acquire from Pacific Dunlop Limited, Pacific Dunlop GNB (the "Acquisition"); and

WHEREAS, the Commission is now investigating the Acquisition to determine whether it would violate any of the statutes enforced by the Commission; and

WHEREAS, if the Commission accepts the attached Agreement Containing Consent Order ("Consent Order"), which would require the divestiture of the Vernon Plant Assets, as defined in the Consent Order, the Commission must place the Consent Order on the public record for a period of at least sixty (60) days and may subsequently withdraw such acceptance pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.34 of the Commission's Rules; and

WHEREAS, the Commission is concerned that if an understanding is not reached, preserving the status quo ante of the Vernon Plant Assets, as defined in the Consent Order, during the period prior to the final acceptance and issuance of the Consent Order by the Commission (after the 60-day public comment period), divestiture resulting from any proceeding challenging the legality of the Acquisition might not be possible, or might be less than an effective remedy; and

WHEREAS, the Commission is concerned that if the Acquisition is consummated, it will be necessary to preserve the Commission's ability to require the divestiture of the Vernon Plant Assets, as described in the Consent Order, and the Commission's right to have the Vernon Plant Assets continue as a viable competitor independent of Quexco, Mr. Meyers, and RSR; and

WHEREAS, if the Commission determines to finally accept the Consent Order, pending a divestiture acceptable to the Commission, it is necessary to hold separate the Vernon Plant Assets, as described in the Consent Order, to protect interim competition pending divestiture or other relief; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the Hold Separate Agreement and the Consent Order is to:

1. preserve, pending a divestiture acceptable to the Commission, the Vernon Plant Assets, as described in the Consent Order, as an ongoing, viable, competitive, and independent entity engaged in the same business in which it is presently engaged;

 

2. prevent interim harm to competition pending divestiture and other relief; and

 

3. remedy any anticompetitive effects of the Acquisition; and

WHEREAS, Quexco's entering into this Hold Separate Agreement shall in no way be construed as an admission by Quexco that the Acquisition is illegal; and

WHEREAS, Quexco understands that no act or transaction contemplated by this Hold Separate Agreement shall be deemed immune or exempt from the provisions of the antitrust laws or the Federal Trade Commission Act by reason of anything contained in this Hold Separate Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, upon the understanding that the Commission has not yet determined whether the Acquisition will be challenged, and in consideration of the Commission's agreement that at the time it accepts the Consent Order for public comment it will grant early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period, Quexco agrees as follows:

1. Quexco agrees that from the date this Hold Separate Agreement is signed by it until the earliest of the dates listed in Paragraphs 1.a and 1.b, it will comply with the provisions of this Hold Separate Agreement:

a. twenty (20) days after the Commission withdraws its acceptance of the Consent Order pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.34 of the Commission's Rules; or

b. The day after the divestiture required by the Consent Order has been completed.

2. Quexco agrees to execute and be bound by the attached Consent Order and to comply with the provisions of the Consent Order as if it were final from the date it signs the Consent Order.

3. As used in this Hold Separate Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:

a. The terms capitalized herein shall have the same definitions as in the Consent Order;

 

b. "Material Confidential Information" means any non-public, competitively sensitive or proprietary information of or about the Vernon Plant Assets, including but not limited to customer lists, price lists, marketing methods, patents, technologies, processes, information within the scope of any privilege under the laws of the State of California or the laws of the United States, information that any person is required to keep confidential pursuant to any agreement or contract, or other trade secrets;

 

c. "Vernon Plant Manager" means the individual appointed pursuant to Paragraph 4(b) of this Hold Separate Agreement;

 

d. "Vernon Plant Operating Employee" means any employee or agent of Quexco or GNB who operates the Vernon Plant Assets during the term of this Hold Separate Agreement. Vernon Plant Operating Employees shall not also be involved in any other of Quexco's, RSR's or Howard Meyer's businesses; and,

 

e. "Support Service Employees" means any employees or agents of Quexco or GNB who provide human resource, legal, tax, accounting, insurance, and internal audit services for the Vernon Plant Assets during the term of this Hold Separate Agreement.

4. To assure the complete independence and viability of the Vernon Plant Assets, and to assure that no Material Confidential Information is exchanged between the Vernon Plant Assets and Quexco, Mr. Meyers or RSR, Quexco shall hold the Vernon Plant Assets separate and apart on the following terms and conditions:

a. The Vernon Plant Assets shall be held separate and apart and shall be managed and operated independently of Quexco, Mr. Meyers, and RSR, except to the extent that Quexco must exercise direction and control over such assets to assure compliance with this Hold Separate Agreement, with the Consent Order, with all applicable laws, and except as otherwise provided in this Hold Separate Agreement.

b. Quexco shall appoint, effective upon the consummation of the Acquisition, William L. Taylor as the "Vernon Plant Manager." The Vernon Plant Manager will manage and maintain the Vernon Plant Assets, and will make no changes to the Vernon Plant Assets other than changes in the ordinary course of business. The Vernon Plant Manager shall be a person who is competent to assure the continued operation, viability and competitiveness of the Vernon Plant Assets and who shall manage the Vernon Plant Assets independently of the management of Quexco's, Mr. Meyers', or RSR's other businesses. The Vernon Plant Manager shall be, and remain, a person who is independent of Quexco's, Mr. Meyers' and RSR's businesses and shall not be involved in any way in the management or operations of any other of Quexco's, Mr. Meyers', or RSR's businesses. Quexco shall give the Vernon Plant Manager all powers and authority necessary to effectuate his/her responsibilities pursuant to this Hold Separate Agreement.

 

c. The Vernon Plant Manager shall have exclusive control over the Vernon Plant Assets with responsibility for the management and operation of the Vernon Plant Assets and for maintaining the independence of that business, except to the extent otherwise provided in this Hold Separate Agreement.

d. Quexco shall not exercise direction or control over, or influence directly or indirectly the Vernon Plant Manager relating to the operation of the Vernon Plant Assets; provided, however, that Quexco may exercise only such direction and control over the Vernon Plant Manager and the Vernon Plant Assets as is necessary to assure compliance with this Hold Separate Agreement, with the Consent Order, and with all applicable laws.

e. Quexco shall require the Vernon Plant Manager to sign a confidentiality agreement prohibiting the disclosure of any Material Confidential Information gained as a result of his/her role as the Vernon Plant Manager to anyone other than the Commission or, as required in managing the Vernon Plant Assets, to the Vernon Plant Operating Employees, the Support Service Employees, customers, or suppliers, or for compliance with this Hold Separate Agreement, with the Consent Order, and with all applicable laws; provided, however, following the termination of this Hold Separate Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 1(b) of this Hold Separate Agreement, the Vernon Plant Manager shall disclose to any acquirer of the Vernon Plant Assets any Material Confidential Information requested by such acquirer.

f. Quexco shall maintain the marketability, viability, and competitiveness of the Vernon Plant Assets, shall not cause the wasting or deterioration of such assets, and shall not sell, transfer, encumber them (other than in the normal course of business or to assure compliance with the Consent Order), or otherwise impair their marketability, viability or competitiveness.

g. The Vernon Plant Assets shall be staffed with sufficient qualified employees to fully maintain the marketability, viability, competitiveness and continued operation of the Vernon Plant Assets, which employees may be selected from the existing employee base of the Vernon Plant Assets. At the request of the Vernon Plant Manager, any Vernon Plant Operating Employee shall execute a confidentiality agreement prohibiting the disclosure of any Material Confidential Information.

h. Quexco shall continue to provide the same support services to the Vernon Plant Assets as are being provided to such assets by Pacific Dunlop GNB as of the date this Hold Separate Agreement is signed by Quexco. Support Service Employees must retain and maintain all Material Confidential Information on a confidential basis, and, except as is permitted by this Hold Separate Agreement, Support Service Employees are prohibited from providing, discussing, exchanging, circulating or otherwise furnishing any Material Confidential Information to or with any other employees or agents of Quexco, Mr. Meyers, or RSR. Support Service Employees shall execute confidentiality agreements prohibiting the disclosure of any Material Confidential Information.

i. Except for the Vernon Plant Operating Employees and Support Service Employees, Quexco shall not permit any other of Quexco's, Mr. Meyers', RSR's, or GNB's directors, officers, employees or agents to be involved in the management or operation of the Vernon Plant Assets.

j. Except for the Vernon Plant Operating Employees and Support Service Employees, neither Quexco, Mr. Meyers, RSR, GNB, nor any of their directors, officers, employees or agents, shall directly or indirectly receive or have access to, or the use of, Material Confidential Information; provided, however, that Quexco may have access to and use Material Confidential Information as required to comply with any statutes, ordinances, regulations, legal process, or laws of any agency, department, or division of any state, city, county, district, or other political subdivision, or of the United States, and to comply with this Hold Separate Agreement and the Consent Order.

k. Quexco and RSR shall circulate to all of their officers and directors, and appropriately display, at a conspicuous place calculated to provide notice to all employees of the Vernon Plant, a copy of this Hold Separate Agreement and Consent Order.

 

l. If the Vernon Plant Manager ceases to act or fails to act diligently and consistently with the purposes of this Hold Separate Agreement, Quexco shall, subject to the prior approval of the Commission, appoint a substitute Vernon Plant Manager.

m. The Vernon Plant Manager shall report in writing to the Commission every thirty (30) days concerning his or her efforts to accomplish the purposes of this Hold Separate Agreement.

5. Should the Commission seek in any proceeding to compel Quexco to divest any of the Vernon Plant Assets, as provided in the Consent Order, or seek any other available relief, including other injunctive or equitable relief, for any failure to comply with the Consent Order or this Hold Separate Agreement, or in any way relating to the Acquisition, as defined in the draft complaint, Quexco shall not raise any objection based upon the expiration of the applicable Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act waiting period or the fact that the Commission has permitted the consummation of the Acquisition. Quexco also waives all rights to contest the validity of this Hold Separate Agreement.

6. To the extent that this Hold Separate Agreement requires Quexco, Mr. Meyers, and RSR to take, or prohibits Quexco, Mr. Meyers, and RSR from taking, certain actions that otherwise may be required or prohibited by contract, Quexco, Mr. Meyers, and RSR shall abide by the terms of this Hold Separate Agreement or the Consent Order and shall not assert as a defense such contract requirements in a civil action brought by the Commission or the United States to enforce the terms of this Hold Separate Agreement or Consent Order.

a. During the office hours of Quexco, and in the presence of counsel, access to all facilities and access to inspect and copy all books, ledgers, accounts, correspondence, memoranda, and other records and documents in the possession or under the control of Quexco relating to compliance with this Agreement; and

b. Upon five (5) days' notice to Quexco, and without restraint or interference from it, to interview officers or employees of Quexco, who may have counsel present, regarding any such matters.

8. This Hold Separate Agreement shall not be binding on the Commission until it is approved by the Commission.

Dated: April __, 1999

QUEXCO INCORPORATED

By:

 __________________________
Howard M. Meyers
Chairman of the Board, President, Treasurer
Quexco Incorporated

By:

Owen M. Johnson, Jr.
Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P.
Counsel for Quexco Incorporated

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

By:

                                                   
William J. Baer
Director
Bureau of Competition