EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      This Agreement is made by and between TRIMAS CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation ("Company") and JOSHUA SHERBIN (hereinafter "Executive"), effective
August 1, 2005 ("Effective Date"). In order to induce Executive to serve as its
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary ("General Counsel"), Company enters into
this Agreement with Executive to set out the terms and conditions that will
apply to Executive's employment with Company during the term of this Agreement.
Executive is willing to accept such employment and assignment and to perform
services on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. It is therefore
hereby agreed by and between the parties as follows:

      SECTION 1 - EMPLOYMENT.

      (a)   Scope. Company employs Executive as its General Counsel. In this
            capacity, Executive shall report to the President and Chief
            Executive Officer ("CEO"). Executive accepts employment in
            accordance with this Agreement and agrees to devote his full
            business time and efforts to the performance of his duties and
            responsibilities hereunder.

      (b)   Other Activities. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Executive
            from engaging in charitable and community affairs or managing any
            passive investment (i.e., an investment with respect to which
            Executive is in no way involved with the management or operation of
            the entity in which Executive has invested) to the extent that such
            activities do not conflict with any provision of this Agreement,
            provided that Executive shall not, without the prior approval of the
            Board of Directors of Company (the "Board"), serve as a director or
            trustee of any other corporation, association or entity, or own more
            than two percent (2%) of the equity of any publicly traded entity.

      SECTION 2 - TERM OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall govern the terms of
Executive's employment from the Effective Date until the earlier of the date
that is six (6) months following the date on which Company gives written notice
to Executive of termination of the Agreement or the date that either party
terminates Executive's employment under this Agreement. Executive shall not be
guaranteed employment during the six (6) month period following any notice of
termination of this Agreement ("Notice Period"). If employment terminates during
a Notice Period, the rights and obligations of the parties shall be governed by
the terms of this Agreement, notwithstanding that a notice of termination was
given. The termination of this Agreement shall not be a termination of those
provisions of this Agreement which by their terms survive the termination of
this Agreement.


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      SECTION 3 - COMPENSATION.

      (a)   Salary. Company shall pay Executive at the rate of Three Hundred
            Five Thousand dollars ($305,000) per annum ("Base Salary"). Base
            Salary shall be payable in accordance with the ordinary payroll
            practices of Company and shall be subject to all applicable federal,
            state and local withholding and reporting requirements. Base Salary
            may be adjusted by the CEO during the term of this Agreement.

      (b)   Annual Value Creation Plan ("AVCP"). Executive shall be eligible to
            participate in the AVCP, a copy of which has been provided to
            Executive, subject to all the terms and conditions of such plan, as
            such plan may be modified from time to time.

      SECTION 4 - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

      (a)   Employee Retirement Benefit Programs, Welfare Benefit Programs,
            Plans and Practices. Company shall provide Executive with coverage
            under any retirement benefit programs, welfare benefit programs,
            plans and practices, that Company makes available to its senior
            executives, in accordance with the terms thereof, as such programs,
            plans and practices may be amended from time to time in accordance
            with their terms.

      (b)   Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to twenty (20) business days
            of paid vacation each calendar year, which shall be taken at such
            times as are consistent with Executive's responsibilities hereunder.
            Vacation days shall be subject to Company's general policies
            regarding vacation days, as such policies may be modified from time
            to time.

      (c)   Perquisites. During Executive's employment hereunder, Company shall
            provide Executive, subject to review and approval by the CEO, with
            such additional perquisites as are generally available to
            similarly-situated executives.

      (d)   Stock Options. Executive shall be eligible to participate in the
            TriMas Corporation 2002 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan in
            accordance with the terms and conditions of such plan and any grant
            agreements thereunder.

      SECTION 5 - EXPENSES. Subject to prevailing Company policy or such
guidelines as may be established by the CEO or his delegee, Company will
reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in
carrying out his duties.

      SECTION 6 - TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Executive remains an
employee-at-will, subject to the terms of this Agreement, and his employment may
be terminated by either party at any time for any reason by written notice. If
employment terminates during the term of this Agreement, this Agreement shall
govern the rights and responsibilities of the parties upon such termination. If
employment terminates after this Agreement has terminated, this Agreement shall
not apply except to the extent of those provisions that by their nature survive
the term of this Agreement.


                                       2



      (a)   Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason. If Executive's
            employment is terminated during the term of this Agreement by
            Company for any reason other than Cause (as defined in Section 6(c)
            hereof), Disability (as defined in Section 6(e) hereof) or death, or
            if Executive's employment is terminated by Executive for Good Reason
            (as defined in Section 6(a) (2) hereof), then Company shall pay
            Executive the Severance Package. Termination of employment after
            this Agreement has terminated shall not be a termination under this
            Section 6(a). Likewise, a termination by Executive without Good
            Reason shall be a termination under Section 6(b) below and not a
            termination under this Section 6(a).

            (1)   For purposes of this Agreement, "Severance Package" shall
                  mean:

                  (A)   Base Salary continuation for twelve (12) months at
                        Executive's annual Base Salary rate in effect on the
                        date of termination, subject to all applicable federal,
                        state and local withholding and reporting requirements.
                        These salary continuation payments shall be paid in
                        accordance with usual Company payroll practices;

                  (B)   An amount equal to the Average Bonus. For purposes of
                        this Agreement, "Average Bonus" shall be the average of
                        the annual bonuses paid to Executive by Company for the
                        last three full annual bonus terms, or such shorter
                        period as Executive has participated in Company's bonus
                        program, provided that if Executive has not completed a
                        full year of service under this Agreement, the Average
                        Bonus shall be determined based on Executive's level of
                        participation in the AVCP for the year of termination
                        with the payout rate determined by reference to the
                        average bonus, stated as a percentage of base salary,
                        paid to similarly-situated executives in the preceding
                        three full years. The Average Bonus shall be paid in
                        equal installments over the twelve (12) month period
                        described in Section 6(a)(1)(A) above, subject to the
                        same withholding and reporting requirements. In
                        addition, Executive shall receive the bonus for the most
                        recently completed bonus term if a bonus has been
                        declared for Executive for such term but not paid, and a
                        pro rata bonus for the year of termination through the
                        date of termination equal to the Average Bonus,
                        multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the
                        number of days that Executive was employed during such
                        bonus term and the denominator of which is 365. The
                        prorated bonus shall be paid in a single sum within ten
                        (10) days of the termination of Executive's employment
                        with Company. Any unpaid bonus shall be paid in
                        accordance with customary practices for payment of
                        bonuses under AVCP; and

                  (C)   Continuation of medical benefits under Company group
                        benefits (including health, dental and prescription
                        plans), as defined by the plan documents, until the
                        earlier of twelve (12) months following Executive's
                        termination of employment or the date on which


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                        Executive becomes eligible to receive any medical
                        benefits under any plan or program of any other
                        employer; provided, that Executive timely elects to
                        continue group health coverage under COBRA and subject
                        to Company's COBRA policies. Executive will be charged
                        and responsible for payment of the COBRA premium equal
                        to the employee portion of the premium for the selected
                        coverage that Executive would have paid if Executive
                        continued to be a Company employee. Company will pay the
                        employer-portion of the medical coverage. After the
                        stated continuation period, Executive will be
                        responsible for 100% of the COBRA premiums.

                        Any obligation to pay any portion of premium cost under
                        this item may be settled, at Company's discretion, by a
                        lump-sum payment of any remaining premiums.

                  In connection with the Severance Package, Executive shall
                  cease to be an active participant under Company retirement
                  programs and other benefit plans pursuant to the terms of
                  those plans. No amounts paid under this Agreement shall
                  constitute compensation for purposes of any such retirement
                  plan. Executive's rights to any accrued and vested benefits
                  under a qualified retirement plan shall be determined in
                  accordance with the applicable plan document.

                  Except as stated in this Section 6(a) (1), Executive shall not
                  be entitled to any other benefit or compensation from Company.

            (2)   For purposes of this Agreement, a termination of employment by
                  Executive for "Good Reason" shall be a termination by
                  Executive following the occurrence of any of the following
                  events unless Company has cured as provided below:

                  (A)   A material and permanent diminution in Executive's
                        duties or responsibilities;

                  (B)   A material reduction in the aggregate value of Base
                        Salary and bonus opportunity; or

                  (C)   A permanent reassignment of Executive to another primary
                        office, or a relocation of Company office that is
                        Executive's primary office, unless Executive's primary
                        office following such reassignment or relocation is
                        within thirty-five (35) miles of Executive's primary
                        office before the reassignment or relocation or
                        Executive's permanent residence on the date of the
                        reassignment or relocation.

                  Executive must notify Company of any event constituting Good
                  Reason within one hundred twenty (120) days after Executive
                  becomes aware of such event or such event shall not constitute
                  Good Reason for purposes of this


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                  Agreement provided that Company shall have fifteen (15) days
                  from the date of such notice to cure the Good Reason event.
                  Executive cannot terminate his employment for Good Reason if
                  Cause exists at the time of such termination. A termination by
                  Executive following cure shall not be a termination for Good
                  Reason. A failure of Executive to notify Company after the
                  first occurrence of an event constituting Good Reason shall
                  not preclude any subsequent occurrences of such event (or
                  similar event) from constituting Good Reason.

      (b)   Voluntary Termination by Executive. If Executive terminates his
            employment with Company without Good Reason, then Company shall pay
            Executive his accrued unpaid Base Salary through the date of
            termination and the AVCP award for the most recently completed year
            if an award has been declared for such year but not paid. The
            accrued unpaid Base Salary amounts payable under this Section 6(b)
            shall be payable in a lump sum within ten (10) days of termination
            of employment. Any accrued unpaid bonus amounts payable under this
            Section 6(b) shall be payable in accordance with customary practices
            for payment of bonuses under AVCP. No prorated bonus for the year of
            termination shall be paid. Any other benefits under other plans and
            programs of Company in which Executive is participating at the time
            of Executive's termination of employment shall be paid, distributed,
            settled, or shall expire in accordance with their terms, and Company
            shall have no further obligations hereunder with respect to
            Executive following the date of termination of employment.

      (c)   Termination for Cause. If Executive's employment is terminated for
            Cause, Company shall pay Executive his accrued but unpaid Base
            Salary through the date of the termination of employment, and no
            further payments or benefits shall be owed. The accrued unpaid Base
            Salary amounts payable under this Section 6(c) shall be payable in a
            lump sum within ten (10) days of termination of employment. As used
            herein, the term "Cause" shall be limited to:

            (1)   Executive's conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere
                  to a crime constituting a felony under the laws of the United
                  States or any state thereof or any other jurisdiction in which
                  Company conducts business;

            (2)   Executive's willful misconduct in the performance of his
                  duties to Company;

            (3)   Executive's willful and continued failure to follow the
                  instructions of the Board or the CEO; or

            (4)   Executive's willful and/or continued neglect of duties (other
                  than any such neglect resulting from incapacity of Executive
                  due to physical or mental illness);

            provided, however, that Cause shall arise under items (3) or (4)
            only following ten (10) days written notice thereof from Company
            which specifically identifies such failure or neglect and the
            continuance of such failure or neglect during such notice

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            period. Any failure by Company to notify Executive after the first
            occurrence of an event constituting Cause shall not preclude any
            subsequent occurrences of such event (or a similar event) from
            constituting Cause.

      (d)   Termination Following a Change of Control. Notwithstanding any
            provision of Section 2 to the contrary, upon the occurrence of a
            Change of Control (as defined below), the Notice Period required to
            terminate this Agreement shall continue until the later of the date
            that is six (6) months from the date of such notice or the third
            anniversary of such Change of Control. In the event Executive's
            employment with Company terminates by reason of a Qualifying
            Termination (as defined below) within the three (3) years after a
            Change of Control, then, in lieu of the Severance Package, and
            subject to the limitations described in Section 7 below, Company
            shall provide Executive the following termination benefits:

            (1)   Termination Payments. Company shall pay Executive:

                  (A)   A single sum payment equal to two hundred percent (200%)
                        of Executive's annual Base Salary rate in effect on the
                        date of termination, subject to all applicable federal,
                        state and local withholding and reporting requirements.
                        This single-sum payment shall be paid within ten (10)
                        days of termination of employment;

                  (B)   An amount equal to two hundred percent (200%) of the
                        Average Bonus, as that term has been defined above. In
                        addition, Executive shall receive the bonus for the most
                        recently completed bonus term if a bonus has been
                        declared for such term but not paid, and a pro rata
                        bonus for the year of termination through the date of
                        termination equal to the Average Bonus, multiplied by a
                        fraction the numerator of which is the number of days
                        that Executive was employed during such bonus term and
                        the denominator of which is 365. The prorated bonus for
                        the final year shall be paid as a single sum within ten
                        (10) days of termination of employment. Any unpaid bonus
                        shall be paid in accordance with customary practices for
                        payment of bonuses under AVCP.

                  All payments under this Section 6(d), however, are subject to
                  the timing rules, calculations and adjustments described in
                  Sections 7 and 8.

                  (C)   Medical Benefits Continuation. Continuation of medical
                        benefits under Company group benefits (including health,
                        dental and prescription plans), as defined by the plan
                        documents, until the earlier of twenty four (24) months
                        following the Qualifying Termination or the date on
                        which Executive becomes eligible to receive any medical
                        benefits under any plan or program of any other
                        employer; provided, that Executive timely elects to
                        continue group health coverage under COBRA and subject
                        to Company's COBRA policies. Executive will be charged
                        and responsible for payment of the COBRA premium


                                       6



                        equal to the employee portion of the premium for the
                        selected coverage that Executive would have paid if
                        Executive continued to be a Company employee. Company
                        will pay the employer-portion of the medical coverage.
                        After the stated continuation period, Executive will be
                        responsible for 100% of the COBRA premiums.

                  Any obligation to pay a portion of the premium cost under this
                  item may be settled, at Company's discretion, by a lump-sum
                  payment of any remaining premiums.

                  In connection with the Termination Payments, Executive shall
                  cease to be an active participant under Company retirement
                  programs and other benefit plans pursuant to the terms of
                  those plans. No amounts paid under this Agreement shall
                  constitute compensation for purposes of any such retirement
                  plan. Executive's rights to any accrued and vested benefits
                  under a qualified retirement plan shall be determined in
                  accordance with the applicable plan document.

                  Except as stated in this Section 6(a)(2), Executive shall not
                  be entitled to any other benefit or compensation from Company.

            (2)   Qualifying Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, the
                  term "Qualifying Termination" means a termination of
                  Executive's employment with the Company for any reason other
                  than:

                  (A)   death;

                  (B)   Disability, as defined herein;

                  (C)   Cause, as defined herein; or

                  (D)   A termination by Executive without Good Reason, as
                        defined herein.

            (3)   Change of Control Defined. "Change of Control" shall have the
                  same meaning as in the Indenture dated as of June 6, 2002
                  among Company, each of the Guarantors named therein and the
                  Bank of New York, as Trustee, relating to the 9 7/8 % Senior
                  Subordinated Notes due 2012 of Company, as in effect on the
                  date of this Agreement and regardless of whether or not such
                  notes or Indenture are hereinafter discharged, defeased or
                  repaid (the "Indenture"); and all defined terms used in such
                  definition of Change of Control shall the meanings ascribed
                  thereto under the Indenture as well; provided that no
                  acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
                  sponsored or maintained by Company or any of its subsidiaries
                  shall result in a Change of Control hereunder.

      (e)   Disability. In the event that Executive is unable to perform his
            duties under this Agreement on account of a disability which
            continues for one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days or more, or
            for an aggregate of one hundred eighty (180) days in


                                       7



            any period of twelve (12) months, Company may, in its discretion,
            terminate Executive's employment hereunder. Company's obligation to
            make payments under this Agreement shall, except for earned but
            unpaid Base Salary and AVCP awards, cease on the first to occur of
            (i) the date that is six (6) months after such termination or (ii)
            the date Executive becomes entitled to benefits under a
            Company-provided long-term disability program. For purposes of this
            Agreement, "Disability" shall be defined by the terms of Company's
            long-term disability policy, or, in the absence of such policy, as a
            physical or mental disability that prevents Executive from
            performing substantially all of his duties under this Agreement and
            which is expected to be permanent. Company may only terminate
            Executive on account of Disability after giving due consideration to
            whether reasonable accommodations can be made under which Executive
            is able to fulfill his duties under this Agreement. The commencement
            date and expected duration of any physical or mental condition that
            prevents Executive from performing his duties hereunder shall be
            determined by a medical doctor selected by Company. Company may, in
            its discretion, require written confirmation from a physician of
            Disability during any extended absence.

      (f)   Death. In the event of Executive's death before this Agreement
            terminates, all obligations of Company to make any further payments,
            other than an obligation to pay any accrued but unpaid Base Salary
            to the date of death and any accrued but unpaid bonuses under AVCP
            to the date of death, shall terminate upon Executive's death.

      (g)   No Duplication of Benefits. Notwithstanding any provision of this
            Agreement to the contrary, if Executive's employment is terminated
            for any reason, in no event shall Executive be eligible for payments
            under more than one subsection of this Section 6.

      (h)   Payments Not Compensation. Any participation by Executive in, and
            any terminating distributions and vested rights under,
            Company-sponsored retirement or savings plans, regardless of whether
            such plans are qualified or nonqualified for tax purposes, shall be
            governed by the terms of those respective plans. For purposes of
            determining benefits and the amounts to be paid to Executive under
            such plans, any salary continuation or severance benefits other than
            salary or bonus accrued before termination shall not be compensation
            for purposes of accruing additional benefits under such plans.

      (i)   Executive's Duty to Provide Materials. Upon the termination of
            Executive's employment for any reason, Executive or his estate shall
            surrender to Company all correspondence, letters, files, contracts,
            mailing lists, customer lists, advertising material, ledgers,
            supplies, equipment, checks, and all other materials and records of
            any kind that are the property of Company or any of its subsidiaries
            or affiliates, that may be in Executive's possession or under his
            control, including all copies of any of the foregoing.

      (j)   Timing of Payments. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement
            to the contrary, if any amount payable under this Agreement is
            subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, then the
            payment of such amount shall be restructured or

                                       8



            delayed, as necessary, in a manner that preserves as far as
            practically possible the form and timing of benefit otherwise
            described herein, to ensure that the amount is paid in compliance
            with Section 409A; provided that Company does not by operation of
            this provision assume responsibility for compliance with Section
            409A. The parties agree that Executive shall be responsible for any
            additional tax, interest or penalties under Section 409A arising out
            of payments under this Agreement.

      SECTION 7 - CAP ON PAYMENTS.

      (a)   General Rules. The Code may place significant tax burdens on
            Executive and Company if the total payments made to Executive due to
            a Change of Control exceed prescribed limits. In order to avoid this
            excise tax and the related adverse tax consequences for Company, by
            signing this Agreement, Executive will be agreeing that, subject to
            the exception noted below, the present value of Executive's Total
            Payments will not exceed an amount equal to Executive's Cap.

      (b)   Special Definitions. For purposes of this Section, the following
            specialized terms will have the following meanings:

            (1)   "Base Period Income". "Base Period Income" is an amount equal
                  to Executive's "annualized includable compensation" for the
                  "base period" as defined in Sections 280G(d)(1) and (2) of the
                  Code and the regulations adopted thereunder. Generally,
                  Executive's "annualized includable compensation" is the
                  average of Executive's annual taxable income from Company for
                  the "base period," which is the five calendar years prior to
                  the year in which the Change of Control occurs. These concepts
                  are complicated and technical and all of the rules set forth
                  in the applicable regulations apply for purposes of this
                  Agreement.

            (2)   "Cap" or "280G Cap". "Cap" or "280G Cap" shall mean an amount
                  equal to 2.99 times Executive's "Base Period Income." This is
                  the maximum amount which Executive may receive without
                  becoming subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of
                  the Code or which Company may pay without loss of deduction
                  under Section 280G of the Code.

            (3)   "Total Payments". The "Total Payments" include any "payments
                  in the nature of compensation" (as defined in Section 280G of
                  the Code and the regulations adopted thereunder), made
                  pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, to or for Executive's
                  benefit, the receipt of which is contingent on a Change of
                  Control and to which Section 280G of the Code applies.

      (c)   Calculating the Cap and Adjusting Payments. If Company believes that
            these rules will result in a reduction of the payments to which
            Executive is entitled under this Agreement, it will so notify
            Executive as soon as possible. Company will then, at its expense,
            retain a "Consultant" (which shall be a law firm, a certified public
            accounting firm, and/or a firm of recognized executive compensation
            consultants) to


                                       9



            provide an opinion or opinions concerning whether Executive's Total
            Payments exceed the limit discussed above. Company will select the
            Consultant. At a minimum, the opinions required by this Section must
            set forth the amount of Executive's Base Period Income, the present
            value of the Total Payments and the amount and present value of any
            excess parachute payments. If the opinions state that there would be
            an excess parachute payment, Executive's payments under this
            Agreement will be reduced to the Cap. Executive will be allowed to
            choose the payment that should be reduced or eliminated, but the
            payment Executive chooses to reduce or eliminate must be a payment
            determined by such Consultant to be includable in Total Payments.
            Executive's decision shall be in writing and delivered to Company
            within thirty (30) days of Executive's receipt of such opinions. If
            Executive fails to so notify Company, Company will decide which
            payments to reduce or eliminate. If the Consultant selected to
            provide the opinions referred to above so requests in connection
            with the opinion required by this Section, a firm of recognized
            executive compensation consultants selected by Company shall provide
            an opinion, upon which such Consultant may rely, as to the
            reasonableness of any item of compensation as reasonable
            compensation for services rendered before or after the Change of
            Control. If Company believes that Executive's Total Payments will
            exceed the limitations of this Section, it will nonetheless make
            payments to Executive, at the times stated above, in the maximum
            amount that it believes may be paid without exceeding such
            limitations. The balance, if any, will then be paid after the
            opinions called for above have been received. If the amount paid to
            Executive by Company is ultimately determined, pursuant to the
            opinion referred to above or by the Internal Revenue Service, to
            have exceeded the limitation of this Section, the excess will be
            treated as a loan to Executive by Company and shall be repayable on
            the ninetieth (90th) day following demand by Company, together with
            interest at the lowest "applicable federal rate" provided in Section
            1274(d) of the Code. If it is ultimately determined, pursuant to the
            opinion referred to above or by the Internal Revenue Service, that a
            greater payment should have been made to Executive, Company shall
            pay Executive the amount of the deficiency, together with interest
            thereon from the date such amount should have been paid to the date
            of such payment, at the rate set forth above, so that Executive will
            have received or be entitled to receive the maximum amount to which
            Executive is entitled under this Agreement.

      (d)   Effect of Repeal. In the event that the provisions of Sections 280G
            and 4999 of the Code are repealed without succession, this Section
            shall be of no further force or effect.

      (e)   Exception. The Consultant selected pursuant to Section 7(c) will
            calculate Executive's "Uncapped Benefit" and Executive's "Capped
            Benefit." The limitations of Section 7(a) shall not apply to
            Executive's benefit if the Company reasonably determines that the
            amount of the Uncapped Benefit that would be retained by Executive,
            after payment of all applicable taxes by Executive, including excise
            tax (but not the amount of any excise tax arising from any payment
            under Section 8), exceeds the Capped Benefit, after payment by
            Executive of all applicable taxes. If


                                       10



            the after tax amount of the Uncapped Benefit that would be retained
            by Executive is equal to or less than the after tax amount of the
            Capped Benefit that would be retained by Executive, then payments to
            Executive shall be adjusted, as necessary, so Executive's Capped
            Benefit is not exceeded, as provided in Section 7(a). For this
            purpose, Executive's "Uncapped Benefit" is the amount to which
            Executive would be entitled pursuant to Section 6(d), without regard
            to the limitations of Section 7(a). Executive's "Capped Benefit" is
            the amount to which Executive would be entitled pursuant to Section
            6(d) after the application of the limitations of Section 7(a). In
            making this determination the Company shall use Executive's total
            presumed taxes. "Total presumed taxes" means all federal, state and
            local income taxes, excise taxes and employment taxes. Executive's
            total presumed taxes shall be conclusively calculated using a
            combined tax rate equal to the sum of the maximum marginal federal
            and applicable state and local income tax rates and employment and
            excise tax rates. The state tax rate for Executive's principal place
            of residence will be used and no adjustments will be made for the
            deduction of state taxes on the federal return, any deduction of
            federal taxes on a state return, the loss of itemized deductions or
            exemptions, or for any other purpose.

      SECTION 8 - PAYMENT OF EXCISE TAX.

      (a)   If the Cap imposed by Section 7(a) does not apply to Executive
            because of the exception provided by Section 7(e), Company shall pay
            Executive an amount, in addition to the payments otherwise due
            hereunder, that is calculated to equal the amount of excise tax that
            Executive will incur under Section 4999 of the Code in connection
            with Total Payments and this payment under Section 8. This amount
            will be calculated by the Consultant and will paid by Company, less
            applicable tax withholdings, as soon possible after the amount of
            the Uncapped Benefit is determined. No adjustment shall be required
            if the actual amount of the excise tax is more or less than the
            amount calculated by the Consultant.

      SECTION 9 - NOTICES. All notices or communications hereunder shall be
in writing, addressed as follows:

            To Company:               TriMas Corporation
                                      39400 Woodward Ave.
                                      Suite 130
                                      Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
                                      Attn: Vice President, Human Resources

            To Executive:             Joshua Sherbin
                                      4548 Brightmore Road
                                      Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304

Any such notice or communication shall be delivered by hand or by courier or
sent certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as above (or to such other


                                       11



address as such party may designate in a notice duly delivered as described
above), and the third (3rd) business day after the actual date of mailing shall
constitute the time at which notice was given.

      SECTION 10 - SEPARABILITY; LEGAL FEES. If any provision of this Agreement
shall be declared to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such
invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof
which shall remain in full force and effect. In the event of a dispute by
Company, Executive or others as to the validity or enforceability of, or
liability under, any provision of this Agreement, Company shall reimburse
Executive for all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by him in
connection with such dispute if Executive substantially prevails in the dispute
and if Executive has not substantially prevailed in such dispute one-half (1/2)
the amount of all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by him in
connection with such dispute except to the extent Executive's position is found
by a tribunal of competent jurisdiction to have been frivolous.

      SECTION 11 - ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION. This contract shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs and representatives of Executive and
the assigns and successors of Company, but neither this Agreement nor any rights
or obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to
hypothecation by Executive (except by will or by operation of the laws of
intestate succession) or by Company, except that Company may assign this
Agreement to any successor (whether by merger, purchase or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the stock, assets or business of Company.

      SECTION 12 - AMENDMENT. This Agreement may only be amended by written
agreement of the parties hereto.

      SECTION 13 - NON-COMPETITION; NON-SOLICITATION; CONFIDENTIALITY.

      (a)   Executive represents that acceptance of employment under this
            Agreement and performance under this Agreement are not in violation
            of any restrictions or covenants under the terms of any other
            agreements to which Executive is a party.

      (b)   Executive acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature
            of the business of Company and accordingly agrees that, in
            consideration of this Agreement, the rights conferred hereunder, and
            any payment hereunder, while he is employed by Company and for the
            two (2) year period following the termination of Executive's
            employment with Company, whether such termination occurs before or
            after this Agreement has terminated, for any reason ("Non-Compete
            Term"), Executive shall not engage, either directly or indirectly,
            as a principal for Executive's own account or jointly with others,
            or as a stockholder in any corporation or joint stock association,
            or as a partner or member of a general or limited liability entity,
            or as an employee, officer, director, agent, consultant or in any
            other advisory capacity in any business other than Company or its
            subsidiaries which designs, develops, manufacturers, distributes,
            sells or markets the type of products or services sold, distributed
            or provided by Company or its subsidiaries during the two (2) year
            period prior to the date of employment termination (the "Business");
            provided that nothing herein shall prevent Executive from owning,
            directly or indirectly, not more than five percent (5%) of the
            outstanding shares of, or any other equity interest in, any entity


                                       12



            engaged in the Business and listed or traded on a national
            securities exchanges or in an over-the-counter securities market.

      (c)   During the Non-Compete Term, Executive shall not (i) directly or
            indirectly employ or solicit, or receive or accept the performance
            of services by, any active employee of Company or any of its
            subsidiaries who is employed primarily in connection with the
            Business, except in connection with general, non-targeted
            recruitment efforts such as advertisements and job listings, or
            directly or indirectly induce any employee of Company to leave
            Company, or assist in any of the foregoing, or (ii) solicit for
            business (relating to the Business) any person who is a customer or
            former customer of Company or any of its subsidiaries, unless such
            person shall have ceased to have been such a customer for a period
            of at least six (6) months.

      (d)   Executive shall not at any time (whether during or after his
            employment with Company) disclose or use for Executive's own benefit
            or purposes or the benefit or purposes of any other person, firm,
            partnership, joint venture, association, corporation or other
            business organization, entity or enterprise other than Company and
            any of its subsidiaries, any trade secrets, information, data, or
            other confidential information of Company, including but not limited
            to, information relating to customers, development programs, costs,
            marketing, trading, investment, sales activities, promotion, credit
            and financial data, financing methods, plans or the business and
            affairs of Company generally, or of any subsidiary of Company,
            unless required to do so by applicable law or court order, subpoena
            or decree or otherwise required by law, with reasonable evidence of
            such determination promptly provided to Company. The preceding
            sentence of this paragraph (d) shall not apply to information which
            is not unique to Company or which is generally known to the industry
            or the public other than as a result of Executive's breach of this
            covenant. Executive agrees that upon termination of employment with
            Company for any reason, Executive will return to Company immediately
            all memoranda, books, papers, plans, information, letters and other
            data, and all copies thereof or therefrom, in any way relating to
            the business of Company and its subsidiaries, except that Executive
            may retain personal notes, notebooks and diaries. Executive further
            agrees that Executive will not retain or use for Executive's account
            at any time any trade names, trademark or other proprietary business
            designation used or owned in connection with the business of Company
            or its subsidiaries.

      (e)   It is expressly understood and agreed that although Executive and
            Company consider the restrictions contained in this Section 13 to be
            reasonable, if a final judicial determination is made by a court of
            competent jurisdiction that the time or territory or any other
            restriction contained in this Agreement is an unenforceable
            restriction against Executive, the provisions of this Agreement
            shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed amended to apply as
            to such maximum time and territory and to such maximum extent as
            such court may judicially determine or indicate to be enforceable.
            Alternatively, if any tribunal of competent jurisdiction finds that
            any restriction contained in this Agreement is unenforceable, and
            such restriction cannot


                                       13



            be amended so as to make it enforceable, such finding shall not
            affect the enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained
            herein.

      (f)   As a condition to the receipt of any benefits described in this
            Agreement, Executive shall be required to execute an agreement
            pursuant to which Executive releases any claims he may have against
            Company and agrees to the continuing enforceability of the
            restrictive covenants of this Agreement.

      (g)   This Section 13 will survive the termination of this Agreement.

      SECTION 14 - REMEDIES. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Company's
remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of
Section 13 would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, Executive
agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to
any remedies at law, Executive shall forfeit all payments otherwise due under
this Agreement and shall return any Severance Package payment made. Moreover,
Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to seek equitable relief in
the form of specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or
permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available.

      SECTION 15- SURVIVORSHIP. The respective rights and obligations of the
parties hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent
necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations. The
provisions of this Section 15 are in addition to the survivorship provisions of
any other section of this Agreement.

      SECTION 16 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION; GOVERNING LAW. Any dispute related to or
arising under this Agreement shall be resolved in accordance with the TriMas
Dispute Resolution Policy in effect at the time such dispute arises. The TriMas
Dispute Resolution Policy in effect at the time of this Agreement is attached to
this Agreement. This Agreement and any dispute related hereto shall be governed
by and construed under Michigan law, without regard to conflict of law and
principles.

      SECTION 17 - EFFECT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS. This Agreement contains the
entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes in all respects
any prior or other agreement or understanding, both written and oral, between
Company, any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of Company or any predecessor of
Company or parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of any predecessor of Company and
Executive.

      SECTION 18 - WITHHOLDING. Company shall be entitled to withhold from
payment any amount of withholding required by law.

      SECTION 19 - SECTION HEADINGS AND CONSTRUCTION. The headings of sections
in this Agreement are provided for convenience only and will not effect its
construction or interpretation. All references to "Section" or "Sections" refer
to the corresponding section or sections of this Agreement unless otherwise
specified. All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of such
gender or number as circumstances require.


                                       14



      SECTION 20 - COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one (1) or
more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this
Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute
one and the same Agreement.

      Intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties have executed this
Agreement on the dates set forth next to their names below.

                                                     COMPANY

                                               TRIMAS CORPORATION

                  8/1/2005                   By: /s/ Grant H. Beard
--------------------------                       ------------------
                  Date

                                             Its: President & C.E.O.

                                                   EXECUTIVE

                  8/16/2005                    /s/ Joshua Sherbin
---------------------------                    ------------------
                  Date                           Joshua Sherbin


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