8-K

                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                         Washington, D.C.  20549
                                FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
                               ACT OF 1934


    Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  October 9, 1996

                           Oak Industries Inc.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

  Delaware                          1-4474              36-1569000  
(State or other juris-         (Commission File        (IRS Employer
 diction of incorporation)           Number)          Identification No.)



      Bay Colony Corporate Center
         1000 Winter Street
            Waltham, MA                                        02154


    (Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)

     Registrant's telephone number, including area code 617-890-0400

                                   Same
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.


ITEM 2.  OTHER EVENTS

On October 9, 1996, Harper-Wyman Company ("Harper-Wyman"), a subsidiary of 
Oak Industries Inc. ("Oak"), sold all of its shares of stock of Nordco Inc. 
("Nordco"), to NHC Corp., a Wisconsin corporation based in Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin.  Harper-Wyman received cash proceeds of $19,381,000 in 
connection with the sale.  The transaction was effected pursuant to the 
terms of a Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Harper-Wyman, Oak, NHC 
Corp. and Nordco (the "Agreement").  A copy of the Agreement is attached 
hereto as Exhibit 1.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

(a)  Financial Statements
     N/A
(b)  Pro Forma Financial Information
     N/A
(c)  Exhibits

     1.1  Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Harper-Wyman Company, as 
Seller, Oak Industries Inc., NHC Corp. as Buyer, and Nordco Inc. dated as 
of October 9, 1996.


 SIGNATURE



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the 
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


Oak Industries Inc.

Date:  October 16, 1996  

  /s/ Coleman S. Hicks
  Coleman S. Hicks
  Senior Vice President, General Counsel
  and Secretary

 

EX-1

Exhibit 1.1

  THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT is made as of this 9th day of 
October, 1996, by and among HARPER-WYMAN COMPANY, a Delaware corporation 
(the "Seller"), OAK INDUSTRIES INC., a Delaware corporation ("Oak"), NHC 
Corp., a Wisconsin corporation (the "Buyer"), and solely as to Section 5 
hereof, NORDCO INC., a Delaware corporation ("Nordco").

                             W I T N E S S E T H:

  WHEREAS, the Seller is the owner of all of the issued and outstanding 
capital stock of Nordco; 

  WHEREAS, Oak is the owner of all of the issued and outstanding capital 
stock of the Seller; and

  WHEREAS, the Seller desires to sell and the Buyer desires to purchase 
from the Seller all of the outstanding capital stock of Nordco from the 
Seller, and in connection with such sale by the Seller and purchase by the 
Buyer, Oak has agreed to make certain representations and warranties, and 
enter into certain agreements for the benefit of the Buyer, all on the 
terms and conditions herein set forth;

  NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                        I.  Purchase and Sale of Stock

  1.1  Purchase and Sale of Stock.  At the Closing (as defined in Section 
2.1 below), and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the 
Seller shall sell to the Buyer, and the Buyer shall purchase from the 
Seller, all of the one hundred (100) outstanding shares of the common 
stock, One Dollar ($1.00) par value, of  Nordco (all of such outstanding 
stock hereinafter being called the "Nordco Stock") for the consideration 
specified in Section 1.2.

  1.2    Purchase Price.  The purchase price (the "Purchase Price") to be 
paid at the Closing for the Nordco Stock shall be paid by (a) immediately 
available funds wired to an account designated by the Seller in the amount 
of Nineteen Million Three Hundred Eighty One Thousand Dollars and No Cents 
($19,381,000.00), and (b) the cancellation by Nordco on the Closing Date of 
a promissory note payable to Nordco by Oak representing Nordco's 
intercompany receivables from Oak net of any intercompany payables to Oak 
as of the Closing Date.



                            II.  The Closing

  2.1  Time and Place of Closing.  Subject to the conditions contained in 
this Agreement, the closing of the purchase and sale of the Nordco Stock 
contemplated hereby (the "Closing") shall take place at the offices of Oak 
Industries Inc., 1000 Winter Street, Waltham, MA  02154 on October 9, 1996, 
or, if the conditions to closing provided herein shall not have been 
satisfied at such date, at such later time or date as may be mutually 
agreed upon in writing by the parties (the "Closing Date").  The Closing 
shall be considered effective for all purposes at 12:01 a.m. on the date 
thereof.

  2.2  Deliveries at Closing.  At the Closing:

  (a)  The Seller, or Oak, as the case may be, shall deliver or cause to be 
delivered to the Buyer:

  (i)  the stock certificate representing the Nordco Stock duly endorsed by 
the Seller for transfer to the Buyer;

  (ii)  a certificate of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as 
to the legal existence and good standing of Nordco in Delaware and a 
certificate of the Secretary of State of Wisconsin as to the legal 
existence and good standing of Nordco in Wisconsin;

  (iii)    the minute book, stock book and corporate seal of Nordco;

  (iv)   certificate of the Secretary of the Seller attesting to the 
incumbency and signatures of officers of the Seller executing any 
documents, certificates, instruments or agreements contemplated by this 
Agreement, and the authenticity of the resolutions of the Seller's Board of 
Directors authorizing the sale of the Nordco Stock;

  (v)  a certificate of the Secretary of Nordco attesting to the incumbency 
and signatures of any officer of Nordco executing this Agreement, and the 
authenticity of the resolutions of Nordco's Board of Directors authorizing 
the execution of this Agreement;

  (vi)  written resignations from each of the directors of Nordco resigning 
as members of Nordco's Board of Directors and from each Oak employee who is 
a trustee, custodian or authorized signatory under any employee benefit 
plan or bank account of Nordco remaining with Nordco after the Closing, 
which resignations shall be effective as of the Closing Date; 

  (vii)  an opinion from counsel to Nordco, the Seller and Oak, dated as of 
the Closing Date in such form as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the 
Buyer's counsel; 
  
  (viii)  a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Oak 
attesting to the incumbency and signatures of officers of Oak executing any 
documents, certificates, instruments or agreements contemplated by this 
Agreement, and the authenticity of the resolutions of Oak's Board of 
Directors authorizing the execution by Oak of this Agreement; and

  (ix)  a certificate from an officer of Oak setting forth true, complete 
and correct copies of the charter and by-laws of Nordco and all amendments 
thereto in effect as of the Closing Date.

  (b)  The Buyer shall pay, deliver or cause to be delivered to the Seller:
  
  (i)  the payment required pursuant to Section 1.2 above;

  (ii)  a certificate of the Secretary of State of the State of Wisconsin 
as to the legal existence and good standing of the Buyer in Wisconsin;

  (iii)  a certificate of the Secretary of the Buyer attesting to the 
incumbency and signatures of officers of the Buyer and the authenticity of 
the resolutions of the Buyer's Board of Directors  authorizing the purchase 
of the Nordco Stock ; and

  (iv)  an opinion from counsel to the Buyer, dated as of the Closing Date, 
in such form as shall be reasonably satisfactory to counsel to the Seller 
and Oak.

                 III.  Representations and Warranties of Oak

  Oak hereby represents and warrants to the Buyer that the following 
statements are true and correct as of the date of this Agreement:
  
  3.1  Existence and Authority.

  (a)  Each of the Seller and Oak is a corporation validly existing and in 
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full power 
and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations 
hereunder.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by 
each of the Seller and Oak have been duly authorized by all necessary 
corporate proceedings on the part of the Seller and Oak, respectively.  
Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by each other 
party hereto, this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation 
of Oak and the Seller, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to 
the extent limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium 
and other similar laws of general application relating to or affecting the 
enforcement of creditors' rights and general equitable principles.

  (b)  Except with respect to the pledge of the Nordco Stock in favor of 
The Chase Manhattan Bank, as successor in interest to Chemical Bank, as 
collateral agent for certain lenders (the "Chemical Pledge"), which pledge 
shall be extinguished prior to or as of the Closing, the Seller is the 
record and beneficial owner of all the Nordco Stock, free and clear of all 
liens, encumbrances and restrictions of every kind, and subject to no 
restrictions with respect to the transferability, other than restrictions 
imposed by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or state securities or 
"blue sky" laws.  

  (c)  Except for this Agreement and the Chemical Pledge, there are no 
voting trust agreements, powers of attorney, proxies or other contracts, 
agreements, arrangements, commitments, plans or understandings, whether 
written or, to Oak's knowledge, oral, restricting the voting, dividend 
rights or otherwise relating to the disposition of the Nordco Stock.

  3.2  Organization, Authority and Qualification of Nordco.  Nordco is a 
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the 
laws of the State of Delaware.  Nordco has full corporate power and 
authority to carry on the business in which it is engaged, and to own and 
use the properties owned and used by it.  Nordco is duly qualified in 
Wisconsin and, to the best of Oak's knowledge, in all other jurisdictions 
where, by the nature of the business of Nordco or the character and 
location of the property or personnel of Nordco, the failure to be so 
licensed or qualified would have a material adverse effect on the business, 
operations or financial condition of Nordco taken as a whole (a "Material 
Adverse Effect").  Attached hereto as Schedule 3.2 is a true, complete and 
correct list of all states in which Nordco is qualified to do business as a 
foreign corporation.  The stock ledger of Nordco (a copy of which has been 
made available to the Buyer) is true and complete. The minute books of 
Nordco (copies of which have been made available to the Buyer) are true and 
correct.

  3.3  Capital Stock of Nordco.  The authorized capital stock of Nordco 
consists of three thousand (3,000) shares of common stock, One Dollar 
($1.00) par value, of which one hundred (100) shares are issued and 
outstanding.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3, all of the issued and 
outstanding shares of such common stock have been duly authorized and 
validly issued, and are fully paid, nonassessable and are free and clear of 
all liens and encumbrances.  The Nordco Stock is not subject to any pre-
emptive or subscription rights.  There are no outstanding options, 
warrants, calls, convertible securities, rights to subscribe or commitments 
of any character relating to the authorized and unissued or issued and 
outstanding common stock of Nordco that give any person any right to 
acquire any such common stock.  The Nordco Stock constitutes all of the 
issued and outstanding shares of stock of Nordco of whatever class, series 
or designation.

  3.4  Subsidiaries.  Nordco does not own any stock or equity interest in 
any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or 
other entity.

  3.5  Consents and Approvals; No Violations.  There is no authorization, 
consent or approval of, or notice to, any governmental or regulatory 
authority required to be obtained or given or waiting period required to 
expire as a condition to the lawful consummation by the Seller of the sale 
of the Nordco Stock pursuant to this Agreement or the execution, delivery 
and performance of this Agreement by the Seller, Nordco and Oak, other than 
any such requirement that results from the specific legal or regulatory 
status of the Buyer, or facts that specifically relate to the business or 
activities in which the Buyer is, or proposes to be, engaged (other than 
the business or activities of Nordco).  Except with respect to the Lease 
Agreement dated June 26, 1991 by and between MandI First National Leasing 
Corp. and Nordco, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor 
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will (a) violate 
any provision of, conflict with, result in a breach of, entitle any party 
to terminate or accelerate (whether after the filing of notice or lapse of 
time or both), declare a default under, or exercise any right of first 
refusal under, any material agreement to which Nordco is a party or which 
affects the Nordco Stock; (b) result in the creation or imposition of any 
lien, charge, pledge, security interest or other encumbrance upon any 
material asset of Nordco or upon the Nordco Stock; (c) violate any 
provision of the charter or by-laws of Nordco, or (d) violate or result in 
a material breach of, or constitute a material default under, any material 
statute, ordinance, regulation, law, rule or any judgment, order, decree or 
regulation of any court or governmental agency to which Nordco is subject 
or which affects the Nordco Stock.

  3.6  Financial Statements.  The Buyer has received copies of the audited 
balance sheets of Nordco as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 (the "Audited 
Balance Sheets") and the related consolidated statements of income, 
shareholders' equity and cash flows of Nordco for the fiscal years ended 
December 31, 1994 and 1995 (collectively, the "Audited Financial 
Statements").  The Audited Financial Statements have been prepared in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied 
consistently throughout the periods involved (except as may be disclosed in 
the footnotes thereto) and have been certified by Price Waterhouse LLP.  
The Buyer has also received the unaudited balance sheet of Nordco as of 
June 30, 1996 and the related statement of income for the six month period 
then ended (collectively, the "Unaudited Financial Statements"), set forth 
hereto as Schedule 3.6.  The Unaudited Financial Statements have been 
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles 
applied consistently, and fairly present, as of the date and for the period 
indicated, the financial condition, and the results of operations of 
Nordco's business for the period indicated, subject to (a) an absence of 
footnotes and (b) normal, recurring audit adjustments.  

  3.7  Taxes.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.7 hereto, Nordco and Oak 
have filed in a timely manner (taking into account all extensions of due 
dates) all Tax returns, reports and forms required to be filed with respect 
to any income, properties or operations of Nordco, and have paid in full 
any Taxes that have become due and payable with respect to Nordco or its 
operations as of the date hereof.  Schedule 3.7 lists all extensions 
currently in effect regarding the filing of Tax returns with respect to any 
income, properties or operations of Nordco. Nordco has withheld all amounts 
required by law from its employees in full and complete compliance with the 
tax, social security and unemployment provisions of applicable federal and 
state law.  No Tax deficiencies have been proposed or assessed against 
Nordco.  There are no pending, nor to Oak's knowledge, threatened audits 
with respect to Taxes, and there are no matters under discussion with any 
governmental authorities with respect to Taxes that are likely to result in 
any obligation by Nordco to pay any additional amount of Taxes.  No Tax 
liens have been filed against Nordco.  For the purpose hereof, "Tax" or 
"Taxes" means all federal, state, county, local, foreign and other taxes or 
assessments including, without limitation, income, estimated income, 
business, occupation, franchise, property (real and personal), sales, 
employment, gross receipts, use, transfer, ad valorem, profits, license, 
capital, payroll, employee withholding, unemployment, excise, goods and 
services, stamp and including interest, penalties and additions in 
connection therewith for which Nordco is or may be liable. 

  3.8  Properties.

  (a)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.8(a) hereto, Nordco has good title 
to all of the properties and assets (other than those that are leased) that 
are used in and material to the business and operations of Nordco taken as 
a whole, free and clear of all security interests, claims, charges or other 
encumbrances, or such imperfections, defects of title and encumbrances that 
are not material to the business, operations, or financial condition of  
Nordco taken as a whole.

  (b)  Schedule 3.8(b) sets forth a complete and accurate list of all real 
property leased by Nordco.  Nordco owns no real property.

  (c)  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.8(c), Nordco enjoys peaceful 
possession of the real property it leases, and the real property and 
physical plant leased by Nordco are in sufficient operating condition and 
repair to permit the Buyer to operate Nordco's business after the Closing 
in all material respects as it is presently being operated.

  (d)  Oak has no direct or indirect interest in any right, property or 
assets used or required by Nordco in the conduct of its business.  

  3.9  Patents, Trademarks, and Other Intellectual Property.  Schedule 3.9 
contains a list of all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark 
applications and service marks, and licenses and rights to any of the 
foregoing used or held by Nordco and material to the conduct of the 
business of Nordco taken as a whole (collectively the "Intellectual 
Properties").  Except as indicated in Schedule 3.9, (a) Nordco is the owner 
or is licensed or otherwise has the right to use the Intellectual 
Properties in the conduct of its business, and the consummation of the 
transactions contemplated hereby will not alter or impair any such rights; 
(b) to the knowledge of Oak, no claims have been asserted by any person 
challenging such right as to any of the Intellectual Properties; (c) to the 
knowledge of Oak,  none of the Intellectual Properties infringes or 
otherwise violates the rights of others or is being infringed by others, 
and to the knowledge of Oak, Nordco has not received any written notice 
from any party challenging the right to use any of the Intellectual 
Properties; (d) no licenses, sublicenses or agreements pertaining to any of 
the Intellectual Properties have been granted by Nordco and Nordco has no 
obligation to grant any such licenses, sublicenses, or agreements; (e) the 
Intellectual Properties have been duly registered, filed or issued by the 
United States Patent and Trademark Office, states of the United States or 
the corresponding offices of foreign jurisdictions as indicated on the 
disclosure schedule; (f) with respect to any pending patent applications, 
there are no contesting proceedings either pending or, to the knowledge of 
Oak, threatened in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, any 
foreign patent office or any federal, state, local or foreign court; and 
(g) to the knowledge of Oak, Nordco has not violated or infringed any trade 
secret held by another.

  3.10  Litigation and Disputes.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.10, (a) 
there are no claims, disputes, actions, suits, proceedings, or governmental 
investigations against or affecting Nordco before any court, arbitrator, 
governmental or regulatory authority, domestic or foreign that are pending 
or, to the knowledge of Oak, are there any claims, disputes, actions, 
suits, proceedings, or governmental investigations against or affecting 
Nordco that are threatened in writing by any third party, (b) Nordco is not 
subject to any judgment, stipulation, order, decree, or agreement arising 
from any claim, dispute, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, (c) no 
claim, dispute, action, suit, proceeding or governmental investigation is 
pending or, to the knowledge of Oak, threatened in writing to any third 
party, which seeks to question, delay, or prevent the consummation of the 
transaction contemplated hereby, and (d) Nordco's business, operations and 
assets are in  compliance with all material applicable laws, rules, 
regulations, codes, ordinances and requirements and all applicable writs, 
injunctions, decrees or orders of governments or governmental agencies, and 
to the knowledge of Oak, Nordco has received no notice asserting non-
compliance therewith.  There are no claims, disputes, actions, suits, 
proceedings or governmental investigations against or affecting the Seller 
or Oak before any court, arbitrator, governmental or regulatory authority, 
domestic or foreign, that are pending, or, to the knowledge of Oak, are 
there any claims, disputes, actions, suits, proceedings or governmental 
investigations against or affecting the Seller or Oak that are threatened 
in writing by any third party which would adversely affect the ability of 
the Seller to consummate the sale of the Nordco Stock or which would 
adversely affect the ability of the Seller or Oak to enter into and 
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Items marked 
by asterisk on Schedule 3.10 hereto are fully insured claims that shall 
remain the responsibility of Oak after the Closing.

  3.11  Labor Matters.

  (a)  Listed or described on Schedule 3.11(a) hereto are all written 
employment agreements presently in effect between Nordco and its employees, 
all collective bargaining agreements of Nordco, and all benefit plans in 
effect for employees or terminated employees of Nordco, including without 
limitation all bonus, pension and retirement, deferred compensation, 
savings, medical, disability, insurance, sick leave, vacation and severance 
pay plans; provided, however, that the bracketed items set forth on such 
Schedule 3.11(a) will be terminated as with respect to Nordco and/or its 
employees as of the Closing, except that Oak and/or the appropriate Oak 
plans, as applicable, shall remain liable in accordance with the provisions 
of the applicable plan terms, for any claim incurred pursuant to such plan 
prior to the Closing.  For the purposes of this Section, a claim shall be 
deemed to be "incurred" only: (i) in the case of a healthcare, medical 
insurance, hospitalization or similar plan, when the covered services are 
rendered to the claimant; (ii) in the case of a disability plan, when the 
claimant is rendered disabled; and (iii) in the case of a life insurance 
plan, upon the death of a claimant. 

  (b)  Except to the extent set forth in Schedule 3.11(b) hereto (i) Nordco 
is in compliance with all applicable material laws respecting employment 
and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and 
hours, and (ii) there is no labor strike, dispute, slowdown, representation 
campaign or work stoppage actually pending or, to the knowledge of Oak, 
threatened with respect to Nordco employees.

  3.12  Contracts and Commitments.  Schedule 3.12 sets forth (a) to Oak's 
knowledge all agreements not made in the ordinary course of Nordco's 
business (whether oral or written) to which Nordco is a party or by which 
Nordco or the Nordco Stock is bound and (b) all written contracts, 
agreements, understandings, obligations or commitments (collectively, the 
"Contracts") to which Nordco is a party or by which Nordco or the Nordco 
Stock is bound, other than miscellaneous service or other contracts or 
commitments that do not require payments of more than $10,000 each or 
$100,000 in the aggregate.  True, correct and complete copies (or 
descriptions of oral Contracts) of all Contracts and all amendments and 
modifications thereto have been delivered or made available by Nordco to 
the Buyer.  Except for the first four Contracts marked by asterisk on 
Schedule 3.12, from which Contracts Nordco shall be released as of the 
Closing, and as otherwise set forth on Schedule 3.12, assuming the due 
authorization, execution and delivery thereof by each other party thereto, 
each of the written Contracts is binding and enforceable in accordance with 
its terms (except to the extent that enforcement may be subject to 
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws 
of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of 
creditors' rights, and general equitable principles) and is in full force 
and effect without any material breach or default thereunder by Nordco 
(with or without the lapse of time, or the giving of notice, or both).  To 
Oak's knowledge, no party other than Nordco is in material breach or 
default under any Contract (with or without the lapse of time, or the 
giving of notice, or both).  

  3.13  Environmental 
  
  (a)  The term "Hazardous Materials" as used herein shall have the same 
meaning as the term "Hazardous Substance" as defined in Section 101(14) of 
the Comprehensive Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA") (42 
U.S.C. Section 9601(14)) and shall also include petroleum products, 
polychlorinated biphenyls and asbestos containing materials.

  (b)  The term "Environmental Laws" as used herein shall mean any 
applicable local, state or federal law, rule, ordinance, statute or 
regulation governing the protection of the environment, health, safety or 
natural resources.

  (c)  To Oak's knowledge, and except as set forth in Schedule 3.13(c) 
hereto, the Phase I Environmental Compliance Assessment dated January 1990 
and the follow-up letter dated October 5, 1990 to Howard Kietzke, Vice 
President, prepared by Warzyn Engineering, Inc., and the Environmental 
Compliance Audit prepared by Montgomery Watson dated July, 1996 
(collectively, the Environmental Reports):     

    (i)  there are no criminal, civil or administrative proceedings 
relating to Environmental Laws pending or, to Oak's knowledge, threatened 
in writing against Nordco;

    (ii)  Nordco is not generating, transporting, treating, storing, 
handling, disposing or, transferring, (or has not generated, transported, 
treated, stored, handled, disposed or, transferred or processed) any 
Hazardous Materials on any property currently leased by Nordco except in 
compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws;  

    (iii)  Nordco is, and at all times during Oak's ownership has been in 
material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws; and

    (iv)  Nordco has not entered into or received written notice that it is 
subject to any consent decree, compliance order or administrative order or 
lien with respect to any applicable Environmental Law or received any 
written request for information, notice, notification, demand letter, 
administrative inquiry, or formal or informal complaint or claim with 
respect to any alleged liability arising under Environmental Laws.

  (d)  Schedule 3.13(d) hereto lists all written environmental audits, 
compliance reports or studies that, to Oak's knowledge, have been prepared 
by Nordco, the Seller or Oak since January 1, 1989 with respect to Nordco 
or its operations, or real estate leased by Nordco.  

  (e)  To Oak's knowledge, except as set forth in the Environmental 
Reports, there are no above ground or below ground storage tanks on the 
real estate leased by Nordco.  To Oak's knowledge, Nordco has never been an 
owner or operator (pursuant to the terms of the lease) of any underground 
storage tank in connection with the real estate leased by Nordco.  Except 
as disclosed in the Environmental Reports, to Oak's knowledge, there are no 
leaking above ground or below ground storage tanks in connection with the 
real estate leased by Nordco.

  3.14  Benefit Plans

    (a)  Schedule 3.11(a) attached hereto, under the headings "Oak Benefit 
Plans" and "Nordco Benefit Plans,"  lists all plans, programs, arrangements 
or agreements maintained or contributed to (or required to be contributed 
to) for the benefit of any employee or terminated employee of Nordco and 
relating to profit sharing, pension or retirement (the "Plan" or "Plans").  
Schedule 3.11(a) further specifies whether each Plan is maintained or 
administered by Nordco (a "Nordco Benefit Plan") or Oak (an "Oak Benefit 
Plan").  Except as may be contemplated by the Buyer and Nordco with respect 
to such Plans after the Closing, neither Oak nor Nordco has any commitment 
to create any additional Plan for Nordco, nor does Nordco have any 
commitment to materially modify or change any existing Plan relating solely 
to Nordco in a manner that would affect any employee or terminated employee 
of Nordco.

    (b)  Oak has delivered or made available to the Buyer a true and 
complete copy of each Plan (including all amendments thereto).

    (c)  Each Nordco Benefit Plan and Oak Benefit Plan is and at all times 
has been administered in material compliance with all applicable laws, 
including, but not limited to, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act 
of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder 
("ERISA"), and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").  
Each Plan that is intended to be "qualified" within the meaning of Section 
401(a) of the Code is so qualified and is the subject of a currently 
effective favorable determination letter issued by the Internal Revenue 
Service with respect to the qualification of such Plan under the Code.  

    (d)  None of Nordco, Oak, nor any of the Plans, nor any trust created 
thereunder, nor any trustee or administrator thereof, has engaged in a 
transaction that would be subject to either a material civil penalty 
assessed pursuant to Section 502(i) of ERISA or a material tax imposed 
pursuant to Section 4975 of the Code.  There are no pending or, to Oak's 
knowledge, threatened claims by or on behalf of any of the Plans or an 
employee or beneficiary covered under such Plan, or otherwise involving any 
such Plan (other than routine claims for benefits) and there have not been 
any "prohibited transactions" (within the meaning of ERISA or the Code) 
with respect to any Plan. 

    (e)  Nordco does not contribute to or participate in any multi-employer 
Plan (within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) covering employees 
or former employees of Nordco.

    (f)  Full payment has been made of all amounts that Nordco or Oak is 
required to pay under the terms of each of the Nordco Benefit Plans for the 
most recent plan year ended with respect thereto.  Neither Oak, or, to 
Oak's knowledge, Nordco, has received any written notice that any 
additional funding or payments will be required after the Closing with 
respect to any of the Plans.

  3.15  Insurance.  Oak maintains policies of fire and casualty, liability 
and other forms of insurance in such amounts, with such deductibles, and 
against such risks and losses as are reasonable for the business and assets 
of Nordco.  A true and complete list of all such insurance is attached 
hereto as Schedule 3.15.  Each such insurance policy is in full force and 
effect and Oak has not received notice of and is not otherwise aware of any 
cancellation or threat of cancellation of such insurance.  Attached to 
Schedule 3.15 hereto is a list of all insurance claims that have been made 
against Nordco in the last three (3) years.  

  3.16  Licenses; Permits.  Except as set forth in the Environmental 
Compliance Audit prepared by Montgomery Watson dated July, 1996, Nordco is 
in compliance with all licenses, permits and registrations issued or 
granted to Nordco by local, state or federal governmental authorities or 
agencies and which are material to the business of Nordco.

  3.17  No Claims.  Other than intercompany receivables reflected in the 
Audited Balance Sheets,  Nordco is not indebted to Oak or any of its 
subsidiaries, including, but not limited to the Seller, nor is Oak aware of 
any claims that either it or any of its subsidiaries might have against 
Nordco.

  3.18  Warranties True and Correct.  No representation or warranty by Oak  
contained in this Agreement, or any certificates or similar documents to be 
furnished pursuant hereto, considered as a whole, contains or will contain 
any untrue statement of material fact or omits or will omit to state any 
material fact required to make the representation or warranty herein or 
therein contained, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, 
not misleading.

  3.19  Knowledge of Oak.  Whenever reference herein is made to "Oak's 
knowledge,"  such references shall mean the actual knowledge of any officer 
of Oak, Randall J. Hylek, Director of Corporate Tax, or David A. Nislick, 
Director of Corporate Development.

  3.20  Certain Actions.  Neither Oak nor the Seller has permitted Nordco 
to, at any time since September 27, 1996: declare or pay any dividend or 
other distribution to the Seller or Oak, or upon or in respect of any 
shares of its capital stock; make or commit to make any distribution or any 
payment whatsoever to or on behalf of the Seller, Oak, or any affiliate of 
the Seller or Oak (including, without limitation, any payment on any 
indebtedness held by the Seller or Oak); purchase, redeem or otherwise 
acquire or retire for value any capital stock; or incur any liability or 
obligation to the Seller, Oak or any affiliate thereof.  Notwithstanding 
any language to the contrary in the foregoing sentence, Nordco shall be 
permitted at any time before the Closing to have made cash distributions 
not in excess of $300,000, provided that such distributions or payments 
have not reduced the cash balances of Nordco to less than $100,000.

            IV.  Representations and Warranties of the Buyer

  The Buyer hereby represents and warrants to the Seller and Oak that the 
following statements are true and correct as of the date of this Agreement:

  4.1  Existence and Authority of the Buyer.  The Buyer is a corporation 
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of 
Wisconsin and has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and 
to perform its obligations thereunder.  The execution, delivery and 
performance of this Agreement by the Buyer have been duly authorized by all 
necessary corporate proceedings on the part of the Buyer.  Assuming the due 
authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Seller and Oak, this 
Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the 
Buyer, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent 
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other 
general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' 
rights and general equitable principles.

  4.2  Consents and Approvals;  No Violation.   There is no authorization, 
consent or approval of, or notice to, any governmental or regulatory 
authority required to be obtained or given or waiting period required to 
expire as a condition to lawful consummation by the Buyer of the purchase 
of the Nordco Stock pursuant to this Agreement or the execution, delivery 
and performance of this Agreement by the Buyer, other than any such 
requirement that results from the specific legal or regulatory status of 
the Seller or Oak.  Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, 
nor the consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby, will (a) 
violate any provision of the charter or by-laws of the Buyer; (b) violate 
any provision of, conflict with, result in a breach of, entitle any party 
to terminate or accelerate (whether after the filing of notice or lapse of 
time or both), declare a default under, any material agreement or other 
obligation to which the Buyer is a party and which would have a material 
adverse effect on the transaction contemplated herein; or (c) violate or 
result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, any statute, 
ordinance, regulation, law, rule or any judgment, order, decree, or 
regulation of any court or governmental agency to which the Buyer is 
subject.

  4.3  Litigation.  No action, suit, proceeding or governmental 
investigation is pending or, to the knowledge of the management of the 
Buyer, threatened in writing by counsel to any third party which seeks to 
question, delay, or prevent the consummation of the transaction 
contemplated hereby.

  4.4  Acquisition of Stock for Investment.  The Buyer is acquiring the 
Nordco Stock for investment only and not with a view toward, or for sale in 
connection with, any distribution thereof, nor with any present intention 
of distributing or selling the same.  The Buyer acknowledges that the 
Nordco Stock is not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as 
amended, and that it may not be sold, transferred, offered for sale, 
pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of without registration under 
such Act, except pursuant to any exemption from such registration available 
under such Act.

  4.5  Warranties True and Correct.  No representation or warranty by the 
Buyer contained in this Agreement, or any certificates or similar documents 
to be furnished pursuant hereto, considered as a whole, contains or will 
contain any untrue statement of material fact or omits or will omit to 
state any material fact required to make the representation or warranty 
herein and therein contained, in light of the circumstances in which they 
are made, not misleading.

  
             V.  Additional Covenants and Agreements of the Parties

  5.1  Access to Information.

  (a)  As reasonably necessary for financial, tax reporting and accounting 
matters, the preparation of any returns, reports or forms or the defense of 
any claim or assessment, each party shall give to the other and its 
authorized representatives reasonable access, during regular business 
hours, following the Closing, to any and all of the premises, contracts, 
books, records and data of or relating to Nordco and its business, 
operations, and properties, and shall furnish promptly to the other party 
all information in its possession concerning the properties and personnel 
of Nordco as may be reasonably requested.
  (b)  The Buyer agrees that it will cause to be preserved and kept the 
records of Nordco delivered to it for a period of seven (7) years after the 
Closing (except as provided below) or for any longer period as may be 
required by any governmental agency or ongoing litigation.  In the event 
the Buyer wishes to destroy any financial or tax records of Nordco, or any 
of its minute books during such seven-year period, the Buyer shall first 
give ninety (90) days prior written notice to Oak and Oak shall have the 
right at its option to take possession of said records.

  5.2  Charter and By-Laws.  After the Closing, Nordco shall not amend the 
indemnification provisions of its charter and by-laws as they relate to the 
services prior to the Closing of the officers and directors thereof.

  5.3  Tax Returns.  Oak and Nordco shall prepare and file all Tax returns 
(including all final returns with the appropriate Tax authorities 
reflecting the change in Nordco's ownership as of the Closing Date) and Oak 
shall pay all Taxes relating to the business or operations of Nordco or 
ownership of the Nordco Stock prior to the Closing Date; on the Closing 
Date and thereafter, the Buyer and Nordco, as the case may be, shall 
prepare and file all Tax returns and pay all Taxes relating to the business 
or operations of Nordco or ownership of the Nordco Stock on or after the 
Closing Date.  Consistent with the foregoing, for any Tax period ending 
before the Closing Date, Nordco and Oak shall timely prepare and file 
(taking into account any applicable extensions), or cause to be filed, all 
Tax returns for Nordco, and Oak shall pay in full and in a timely manner 
(taking into account any applicable extensions) any and all Taxes that 
shall become due or payable on account of Nordco's business or operations, 
or the ownership of the Nordco Stock prior to the Closing Date.  Oak agrees 
that in preparing and filing all Tax returns relating to the business, 
operations or ownership of the Nordco Stock prior to the Closing Date, it 
shall prepare such Tax returns in a manner consistent with its prior tax 
and accounting positions and methodologies.  Oak agrees that it shall 
provide Nordco's accountants with a copy, prior to the filing of the same, 
of all Tax returns for Nordco prepared by Oak on or after the date hereof 
relating to Nordco's business, operations, or the ownership of the Nordco 
Stock prior to the Closing Date.  Following the Closing, with respect to 
any Tax return or other Tax matter relating to any Tax period before the 
Closing Date, the Buyer, Nordco and Oak shall cooperate fully, as and to 
the extent reasonably required by each other, in connection with 
preparation and filing of Tax returns on or after the Closing Date.  It is 
expressly agreed that Oak shall have the right to any Tax refunds or other 
similar payments relating to Nordco, its business or operations arising in 
connection with any Tax period prior to the Closing Date, and that the 
Buyer or Nordco, as the case may be, shall promptly reimburse or pay over 
to Oak any such amounts upon receipt.

  5.4  Indemnification for Liabilities.

  (a)  Subject to the terms of this Section 5.4, the Buyer and Nordco 
hereby jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless the 
Seller and Oak and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, 
affiliates and representatives from and against, and to reimburse the 
Seller and Oak, their directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates 
and representatives for any damage, loss, expense (including reasonable 
attorneys' fees, amounts paid in settlement and costs of investigation), or 
other obligation or liability (hereinafter collectively referred to as 
"Losses") incurred by any of them following the Closing resulting from, 
arising out of, or incurred with respect to: (i) any Losses of Nordco 
arising from the business, operations or ownership of Nordco on or after 
the Closing Date (including but not limited to any liability arising from 
the Nordco Hourly Employee Pension Plan (the "Nordco Plan")), except for 
Losses for which Oak is to indemnify the Buyer pursuant to (b), below; (ii) 
the inaccuracy of any representation or breach of any warranty made by the 
Buyer in this Agreement or in any certificate delivered pursuant to this 
Agreement; (iii) any claim for personal injury or property damage for 
products liability, casualty, or otherwise arising out of the business of 
Nordco on or after the Closing Date; and (iv) any refunds or payments 
payable or paid to Nordco arising out of any Tax period prior to the 
Closing Date with respect to the business, operations or ownership of 
Nordco prior to the Closing Date.

  (b)  Subject to the terms of this Section 5.4, Oak hereby agrees to 
indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer and Nordco and their respective 
directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates and representatives from 
and against, and to reimburse the Buyer and Nordco, their directors, 
officers, employees, agents, affiliates and representatives for any Losses 
incurred by any of them following the Closing resulting from, arising out 
of or incurred with respect to: (i) the inaccuracy of any representation or 
breach of any warranty made by Oak in this Agreement or by the Seller or 
Oak in any certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement (except that, 
with respect to the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 
3.5(a), (b) and (d), 3.8(a), 3.10(d), 3.11(b), 3.14(c) and 3.14(d) of this 
Agreement, each such representation or warranty shall read as if the 
qualification as to materiality were deleted therefrom); (ii) any claim 
against Nordco for personal injury or property damage for products 
liability, casualty, or otherwise arising out of the business of Nordco, 
prior to the Closing Date; (iii) in addition to the indemnification 
available to the Buyer under the foregoing clause (i) for a breach of 
Section 3.7 of this Agreement relating to Taxes, any assessments claims or 
liabilities (including interest and penalties) for Taxes due and payable 
with respect to the business, operations or ownership of Nordco prior to 
the Closing Date; and (iv) any Losses arising out the Guarantee Agreements 
and Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreements marked by asterisk 
on Schedule 3.12 hereto.

  (c)  If there occurs an event that either party asserts is an 
indemnifiable event pursuant to this Section, the party entitled to 
indemnification (the "Indemnified Party") shall notify the party obligated 
to indemnify (the "Indemnifying Party") in writing of such claim within 
sixty (60) days after such party receives notice of any action proceeding, 
demand or assessment or otherwise has received notice of any claim of a 
third party that may reasonably be expected to result in a claim for 
indemnification by the Indemnified Party against the Indemnifying Party; 
provided, however, that failure to give such notification shall not affect 
the indemnification provided hereunder except to the extent that the 
Indemnifying Party shall have been actually prejudiced as a result of such 
failure.  If such event involves the claim of any third party, the 
Indemnifying Party shall have sole control over, and shall assume all 
expense with respect to the defense, settlement, adjustment or compromise 
of any claim, except that (i) the Indemnified Party may, if it so desires, 
employ counsel at its own expense to assist in the handling of such claim, 
and (ii) the Indemnifying Party shall obtain the prior written consent of 
the Indemnified Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, 
before entering into any settlement, adjustment or compromise of such claim 
or ceasing to defend against such claim, if such settlement, adjustment or 
compromise involves anything other than the payment of money by the 
Indemnifying Party.  If the Indemnifying Party fails to assume the defense 
of the Indemnified Party within thirty (30) days after the date of the 
receipt of the notice referred to in this Subsection 5.4(c), the 
Indemnified Party may assume its own defense and the reasonable costs of 
such defense will be covered by the indemnity provided in this Section.

  (d)  Following the Closing, the remedy provided by this Section 5.4 shall 
be the sole remedy for any breach of any representation or warranty 
contained in this Agreement or any document delivered pursuant to this 
Agreement.  No party hereto shall have any liability under this Section 
5.4: (i) unless the claim for indemnification is asserted specifying its 
nature in reasonable detail by the party claiming indemnification (and if 
not so asserted, the right to indemnification hereunder shall lapse) on or 
before (A) the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations in the 
case of any representation or warranty related to Taxes of Nordco, any 
representation or warranty set forth in Section 3.1(b) or Section 3.3, or 
any indemnification under Section 5.4(b)(iii) or 5.4(b)(iv) hereof or (B) 
one calendar year from the Closing Date with respect to all other matters, 
and (ii) until, and only to the extent that, the aggregate of all Losses 
exceeds $250,000 (the "Warranty Threshold").  Notwithstanding the 
foregoing, in no event shall the aggregate maximum recovery from either Oak 
or the Seller on the one hand, under Sections 5.4(b)(i) and 5.4(b)(ii), or 
from the Buyer and Nordco on the other, under Sections 5.4(a)(i) and 
5.4(a)(ii) exceed $2,500,000.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to 
the contrary, neither the Warranty Threshold nor the $2,500,000 limitation 
described in the preceding sentence shall apply to: (i) any representation 
or warranty set forth in Section 3.1(b) or Section 3.3; (ii) matters 
described in Section 5.4(a)(iv), 5.4(b)(iii) or 5.4(b)(iv) above or Section 
5.3 above or 5.5 below, or (iii) any fraudulent breach of any 
representation or warranty.  Disclosure of any matter set forth on any one 
schedule shall be deemed to have been set forth on any other schedule of 
which such matter is fairly disclosed.  It is expressly understood and 
agreed that (1) any claim for indemnification asserted by the Buyer or 
Nordco as an indemnified party hereunder shall be brought solely against 
Oak and (2) under no circumstances shall Buyer or Nordco bring a claim 
against David A. Nislick with respect to any representation or warranty 
made pursuant to this Agreement.  

  5.5  Retirement Plans.  

  (a)  Certain salaried employees of Nordco are presently covered by the 
Oak Employees' Pension Plan (the "Plan"), benefits under which were frozen 
as of July 15, 1993.  The parties acknowledge that Oak has not transferred 
any interest in the trust for the Plan or reserves maintained with respect 
to the Plan to the Buyer, and the Buyer has not assumed any liability or 
obligation with respect to the Plan.  Oak covenants and agrees that it is 
and shall be liable for accrued benefits under the Plan with respect to 
Nordco salaried employees attributable to their participation in the Plan, 
to the extent not covered by Plan assets.  Oak shall provide to the Buyer, 
on or before the Closing Date, a complete list of employees of Nordco 
covered by such Plan and their accrued, vested benefits under the Plan as 
of the Closing Date.

  (b)  The parties acknowledge and agree that the Buyer, by purchasing the 
Nordco Stock, shall be assuming the Nordco Hourly Employee Pension Plan 
(the "Nordco Plan"), and all liabilities and obligations associated with 
the Nordco Plan.  The Buyer expressly covenants and agrees that it shall be 
liable, as of the Closing, for any and all benefits under the Plan with 
respect to Nordco employees attributable to their participation in the 
Nordco Plan, to the extent not covered by Plan assets. 

  5.6  Attorneys' Fees.  In the event of litigation arising in connection 
with the enforcement of any post-Closing covenant contained in Section 5 of 
this Agreement,  the prevailing party shall be entitled to the 
reimbursement of reasonable attorneys' fees incurred in connection with the 
same.  

                             VI.  Miscellaneous

  6.1  Expenses.  The parties shall bear their own respective expenses 
(including, but not limited to, all compensation and expenses of counsel, 
financial advisors, consultants, actuaries and independent accountants) 
incurred in connection with this Agreement and consummation of the 
transaction contemplated hereby. 

  6.2  Brokers.  Except for Donaldson, Lufken and Jenrette, whose fee will 
be borne by Oak, each party represents to the other that no broker, finder, 
or other person is entitled to any brokerage or finder's fee or commission 
in connection with the transaction contemplated by this Agreement.

  6.3  Survival of Representations and Warranties.  The representations and 
warranties of the Seller and Oak, as the case may be, and the Buyer 
contained herein or in any certificate delivered pursuant hereto, shall 
survive the Closing.  However, the sole remedy for any breach of any such 
representation or warranty shall be as provided in Section 5.4 above, and 
subject to the limitations provided therein.

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

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

  6.6  Notices.  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in 
writing and shall be deemed given on the day delivered personally, by 
facsimile transmission, or telexed, or on the second business day following 
the day on which mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt 
requested), postage prepaid, 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 the Seller, to:

    Harper-Wyman Company
    3600 Thayer Court
    Aurora, Illinois  60504
    Tel:  (708) 978-8000
    Fax:  (708) 978-8019
    Attention:  President

    with a copy to:

    Oak Industries Inc.
    1000 Winter Street
    Waltham, MA  02154
    Tel:  (617) 890-0400
    Fax:  (617) 890-6116
    Attention:  General Counsel

  (b)  if to Oak, to:

    Oak Industries Inc.
    1000 Winter Street
    Waltham, MA  02154
    Tel:  (617) 890-0400
    Fax:  (617) 890-6116
    Attention:  President


  (c)  if to the Buyer, to:

    NHC Corp.
    c/o Banc One Venture Corporation
    111 East Wisconsin Avenue
    Milwaukee, WI  53202
    Fax:  (414) 765-2235
    Attention:  Robert L. Cook, Jr.
      Vice President

    with a copy to:

    Patricia Leiker, Esq.
    Godfrey and Kahn, S.C.
    780 N. Water Street
    Milwaukee, WI  53202
    Fax:  (414) 273-5198

  6.7  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in 
accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin.

  6.8  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and all schedules hereto, and all 
documents to be delivered by the parties pursuant hereto, represent the 
entire understanding and agreement among the parties with respect to the 
subject matter hereof, and supersede all prior oral and written and all 
contemporaneous oral negotiations, commitments and understandings between 
the parties.  If the provisions of any schedule to this Agreement, as the 
case may be, are inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the 
provisions of this Agreement shall govern.

  6.9  Assignment.  Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests 
or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party without the prior 
written consent of the other party.

  6.10  Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement which is invalid, 
illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that 
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality 
or unenforceability, without affecting in any way the remaining provisions 
hereof in such jurisdiction or rendering that or any other provisions of 
this Agreement invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any other jurisdiction.

  6.11  Section Headings.  Section headings are for the convenience of the 
parties only and in no way alter, modify, amend, limit or restrict the 
contractual obligations of the parties.



  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be 
executed as of the day and year first above written.



HARPER-WYMAN COMPANY                      NHC CORP.

By: /s/ Thomas F. Sheehan                 By: /s/ Donald A. Himes
Name:   Thomas F. Sheehan                 Name:   Donald A. Himes
Title:  Vice President                    Title:   President
  


  
OAK INDUSTRIES INC.                  NORDCO INC.  (for the limited purposes
                                     of Section 5 of this Agreement only)  

By: /s/ Pamela F. Lenehan            By: /s/ Thomas F. Sheehan
Name:   Pamela F. Lenehan            Name:   Thomas F. Sheehan
Title:  Senior Vice President,       Title:  Vice President and Treasurer
        Corporate Development
        and Treasurer



































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