Exhibit 23.a

                             CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT
                                   ACCOUNTANTS

         We consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in this  Registration
Statement of Core  Industries  Inc on Form S-3 of our report  dated  October 11,
1995,  on our audits of the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  financial
statement  schedule of Core  Industries  Inc and  subsidiaries  as of August 31,
1995,  1994 and 1993 and for each of the three years in the period  ended August
31,  1995,  which  report is included in the Annual  Report on Form 10-K of Core
Industries Inc for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995. We also consent to the
reference to our Firm under the caption "Experts".


/s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
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Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

Detroit, Michigan


June 4, 1996