[Letterhead]


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Stockholders and
Board of Directors of
Hach Company:


We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Hach Company and
Subsidiaries  as of January 31, 1998,  the related  consolidated  statements  of
income and retained earnings for the three- and nine-month periods ended January
31, 1998 and January 25, 1997 and the related  consolidated  statements  of cash
flow for the nine month  periods  ended  January 31, 1998 and January 25,  1997.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.

We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American
Institute of Certified  Public  Accountants.  A review of the interim  financial
information consists principally of applying analytical  procedures to financial
data and making  inquiries of persons  responsible  for financial and accounting
matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance
with  generally  accepted  auditing  standards,  the  objective  of which is the
expression of an opinion  regarding the financial  statements  taken as a whole.
Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material  modifications that should
be made to the  accompanying  financial  statements for them to be in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.



COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


Denver, Colorado
February 18, 1998