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                                    FORM 10-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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

                  For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1996

                         Commission File Number 0-22580

                                    JPE, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                                    Michigan
                            (State of Incorporation)

                                   38-2958730
                      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                           900 Victors Way, Suite 140
                            Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

               Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                                 (313) 662-2323

           Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
                                      None

           Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                                 Title of Class
                                  Common Stock

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  Registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of Registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]

The  aggregate   market  value  of  the   Registrant's   Common  Stock  held  by
non-affiliates  of the  Registrant on March 17, 1997 (based on the closing price
of $7.125 per share of the  Registrant's  Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq
National Market on such date) was approximately $26,398,702.

Number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Common Stock at March 17, 1997:
                        4,602,180 shares of Common Stock

Certain portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 1997 Annual Meeting
of  Shareholders,  scheduled  to be  held  May 15,  1997,  are  incorporated  by
reference into Part III of this Report on Form 10-K.

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item                                                                Pages
- ----                                                                -----
                                     PART I

1.   Business                                                        3-11
2.   Properties                                                        12
3.   Legal Proceedings                                                 12
4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders            12-13
     Supplemental Item.  Executive Officers of the Registrant

                                     PART II

5.   Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
          Stockholder Matters                                          14
6.   Selected Financial Data                                           15
7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
          Condition and Results of Operations                       16-20
8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                    21-40
9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
          Accounting and Financial Disclosure                          41

                                    PART III

10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant                41
11.  Executive Compensation                                            41
12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
          and Management                                               41
13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                    42

                                     PART IV

14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports
          on Form 8-K                                               42-46
     Signatures                                                        47

                          FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

     JPE, Inc. and Subsidiary Financial Statement Schedules            48
     Exhibit Index                                                  50-52



                                     PART I

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS

GENERAL

JPE, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries,  the "Company"), through
its six operating  subsidiaries,  manufactures  and  distributes  automotive and
truck  components  to  original  equipment  manufacturers  ("OEMs")  and  to the
aftermarket.  The Company's business strategy is to acquire, develop and operate
manufacturing and distribution  businesses in the automotive components industry
which  have  significant  potential  for  growth  in sales and  earnings.  Since
December 1992, the Company has completed six  acquisitions,  which are described
below:



Effective
Date of                        Product         Primary           Major
Acquisition  Acquisition       Classes         Market            Customers
- -----------  -----------       -------         ------            ---------
                                                     
December     Dayton Parts,     Heavy-duty      Heavy-duty        Haygood Limited
1992         Inc. ("DPI")      undercarriage   truck and         Inland Truck
                               parts           trailer             Parts
                                               aftermarket       ARC Remanu-
                                                                   facturing

July 1994    Allparts, Inc.    Brake systems   Automotive        Autozone
             ("Allparts")                      aftermarket

September    SAC Corporation   Exterior trim   Automotive        General Motors
1994         ("Starboard")                     and light truck   Ford
                                               OEM               Chrysler

February     Industrial &      Fasteners       Automotive        Ford
1995         Automotive                        and light truck   General Motors
             Fasteners,                        OEM               Chrysler
             Inc. ("IAF")

March 1995   Plastic Trim,     Exterior trim   Automotive        General Motors
             Inc. ("PTI")                      and light truck   Chrysler
                                               OEM               Ford

December     Pebra Inc.        Exterior trim   Automotive        General Motors
1996         ("JPE Canada")                    and light truck
                                               OEM


The following  table sets forth  information  regarding  the Company's  sales in
certain classes of similar  products as percentages of net sales for the periods
indicated.





                                                Percentage of Net Sales
                                                Year ended December 31,
                                                -----------------------
                                                                       Pro Forma
                                        1993(1)  1994    1995    1996    1996(2)
                                        -------  ----    ----    ----    -------
                                                          
OEM:
 Exterior Trim........................    --     12.5%   44.2%   46.8%   61.1%
 Fasteners............................    --      --     15.8    16.2    11.8

Aftermarket:
 Heavy-duty undercarriage parts.......  100.0%   81.3    33.7    30.4    22.3
 Other................................    --      6.2     6.3     6.6     4.8
                                        ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
                                        100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%
                                        ======  ======  ======  ======  ======

<FN>
(1)  The Company  purchased  its first  operation on December 31, 1992,  as such
     there were no sales in 1992.

2)   Pro forma data for the year ended  December 31, 1996,  as if the  Company's
     acquisition of JPE Canada had been completed on January 1, 1996.
</FN>


ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT

The Company's OEM group consists of four operations:  Starboard, PTI, JPE Canada
and  IAF.  Starboard   manufactures  and  supplies  luster,  powder  coated  and
co-extruded   metallic  decorative  and  functional  exterior  trim  parts.  PTI
manufactures and supplies  decorative extruded plastic exterior trim. JPE Canada
manufactures and supplies plastic  injection-molded  fascias,  rocker panels and
body-side moldings.  Starboard, PTI and JPE Canada supply parts directly to OEMs
and to  suppliers  which  sell to OEMs  ("Tier 1  suppliers").  All of the parts
supplied are utilized in automotive and light truck applications.

IAF manufactures and supplies decorative,  specialty and standard wheel nuts for
domestic  OEMs and  certain  Japanese  transplants.  In  addition,  IAF uses its
proprietary process to manufacture stainless steel capped wheel nuts.

On December  23,  1996,  the Company  acquired  certain  assets of Pebra Inc., a
Canadian  company  which had  filed  for  protection  from  creditors  under the
Companies' Creditors  Arrangement Act ("CCAA").  Pebra Inc. filed for protection
under  the CCAA  because  the  operations  were  experiencing  excessive  scrap,
production   inefficiencies,   quality  issues  and  substantial   losses  which
management projected would continue under the existing operating structure. As a
result of these  negative  trends and the CCAA  filing,  the Company was able to
purchase certain assets of Pebra Inc. ("JPE Canada") at a substantial  discount.
On the date of  acquisition,  the Company  began to implement a detailed plan to
turn around the  operations.  This plan included a supplier  agreement  with JPE
Canada's   major   customer  and  a  realignment   of  the  existing  sales  and
administrative  cost  structure,  both of  which  were  executed  as part of the
acquisition.  With these two steps,  the addition of certain  essential  capital
equipment and a revised management  structure,  the Company believes that it can
turn around the operational and financial results of JPE Canada.

The acquisition of JPE Canada provides the Company with the ability to injection
mold and paint large exterior trim parts,  two  technologies the Company did not
previously possess. As a result of this acquisition, the Company will be able to
provide OEM's with complete  exterior trim systems which the Company believes is
a competitive advantage when being considered for future OEM sourcing decisions.

AFTERMARKET

The Company's  aftermarket  group consists of two operations:  DPI and Allparts.
DPI  manufactures  and  distributes  springs  and  spring-related  products  and
distributes a variety of other  undercarriage  replacement  parts for trucks and
trailers, consisting of wheel-end,  suspension and steering products. Almost all
of DPI's springs and  spring-related  products are  manufactured at its plant in
Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania.  Other  products sold by DPI are purchased from third
party  manufacturers.  DPI  sells  products  to  the  truck  and  trailer  parts
independent  aftermarket  under the brand names  "Stanley  Springs"  and "Dayton
Parts."

Allparts  distributes  hydraulic  brake  system  products  for  the  independent
automotive  and light truck  aftermarket.  Currently,  Allparts  sells its brake
parts under the brand names of "Brakeware" and "Tru-Torque." Allparts also sells
a small percentage of parts under private label.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

This  Annual  Report on Form 10-K  contains,  and from time to time the  Company
expects to make,  certain  forward-looking  statements  regarding  its business,
financial  condition and results of  operations.  In  connection  with the "Safe
Harbor"  provisions  of the Private  Securities  Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform
Act"), the Company intends to caution investors that there are several important
factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ  materially from
those projected in its forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, made
herein or that may be made  from  time to time by or on  behalf of the  Company.
Investors  are  cautioned   that  such   forward-looking   statements  are  only
predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. The Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to the
forward-looking  statements to reflect events or circumstances or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events.

The Company wishes to ensure that any forward-looking statements are accompanied
by  meaningful  cautionary  statements  in order to comply with the terms of the
safe harbor provided by the Reform Act. Accordingly, the Company has set forth a
list of  important  factors  that could cause the  Company's  actual  results to
differ  materially  from  those  expressed  in  forward-looking   statements  or
predictions made herein and from time to time by the Company.  Specifically, the
Company's  business,  financial  condition  and results of  operations  could be
materially different from such  forward-looking  statements and predictions as a
result of (i) customer pressures that could impact sales levels and product mix,
including customer sourcing decisions,  customer evaluation of market pricing on
products  produced by the  Company  and  customer  cost-cutting  programs;  (ii)
operational  difficulties  encountered  during  the  launch  of  major  new  OEM
programs;  and (iii) the  availability  of funds to the  Company  for  strategic
acquisitions  and  capital   investments  to  enhance  existing  production  and
distribution capabilities (see "Liquidity and Capital Resources").

MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT

Starboard  manufactures  decorative  exterior  trim,  functional  stampings  and
specialty  products from stainless and  galvanized  steel.  Starboard's  primary
manufacturing   processes   include  roll  forming,   stamping,   bending,   and
co-extrusion  of steel and PVC.  Decorative  and  functional  parts  produced by
Starboard  are often  plated,  painted or heat treated by third  parties  before
final shipment to the customer. Decorative products are utilized in fascia, body
side,  window  trim and  reveal,  garnish  and  wheel  well  trim  applications.
Starboard's   functional  stampings  include  shields,   shims,  spacers,  rods,
strikers,  brackets,  hinges, window stabilizers,  seat channels and bent tubes.
Specialty products produced by Starboard are primarily speaker grilles,  luggage
racks, appliques, and lamp bezels.

PTI manufactures  extruded  plastic  exterior trim products.  These products are
manufactured  primarily from PVC plastic which is extruded at high  temperatures
into parts of varying dimensions. Once extruded, these parts are usually painted
or assembled by third party processors before being shipped to the customer. The
parts are used primarily for  decorative and styling  purposes in the production
of passenger cars,  light trucks,  minivans,  and  sport-utility  vehicles.  PTI
manufactures  three primary  products:  (1) reveal  moldings,  which  surround a
vehicle's  windshield and backlight  glass and cover the gap between the edge of
the glass and the car body;  (2) body side moldings,  which serve  aesthetic and
functional  purposes  and are  affixed to the side of a vehicle;  and (3) bumper
fascia  moldings,  which are bright or colored  decorative  inserts  attached to
plastic bumpers and bumper pads, and are primarily aesthetic in nature.

JPE Canada manufactures plastic injection molded parts which are both decorative
and functional in nature.  These parts are produced  utilizing  plastic compound
which is injected into a product mold at high temperatures and then painted with
a high luster  finish.  These  products  consist of: (1) front and rear fascias,
which act as the  integrated  system of the  grille,  headlights/tail  lamps and
bumper on the front or rear of a vehicle; (2) rocker panels, which function as a
guard directly below the door(s) and between the two wheels of the vehicle;  and
(3)  body-side  moldings,  which are  styling  aspects of the vehicle as well as
providing dent protection.

IAF  manufactures  decorative  capped,  specialty,  and standard wheel nuts. The
manufacturing of wheel nuts is a highly automated  repetitive process using cold
forming  machines for the basic shapes and  secondary  machines for internal and
external threading,  shaving,  welding and crimping.  IAF owns patents to secure
stainless  steel caps to the wheel nut that provide an  aesthetically  sleek and
stylish appearance and serve as a rust shield.

AFTERMARKET

DPI manufactures springs,  spring assemblies and spring-related products for the
heavy-duty  truck and trailer  aftermarket.  The Company has the  capability  of
producing  more than  17,000  spring  types.  These  products  require  heating,
trimming,  bending and final heat treatment prior to assembly and painting. This
manufacturing  process  is  similar  to  the  methods  used  by the  OEM  spring
manufacturers.

MARKETING, DISTRIBUTION AND CUSTOMERS

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT

The Company's OEM business supplies products to domestic OEMs either directly or
through Tier 1 suppliers. In the year ended December 31, 1996, approximately 63%
of the Company's net sales were to OEM  customers.  With the  acquisition of JPE
Canada,  net sales to OEM  customers  would have been 73% on a pro forma  basis.
Sales to  significant  customers  for the year ending  December 31, 1996 were as
follows:



                                   Actual         Pro Forma*
                                  ------         ----------
                                               
     General Motors                 36%              53%
     Chrysler Corporation           14%              10%

<FN>
     *Pro forma amounts include the impact of the JPE Canada acquisition.
</FN>


No other OEM customer accounts for more than 10% of the Company's net sales.

The  Company  sells its  products  through a direct  sales  force or agents that
specialize in the Company's  product lines.  The Company works directly with its
customers,  including the three major U.S. automobile  manufacturers,  to design
and develop  products to satisfy market  demands.  Most of the parts the Company
produces have lead times of one to four years from product award to  production.
The Company has been awarded new business for each of the 1998-2000 model years.

Because the  Company's OEM business  supplies its customers on a  "just-in-time"
basis, it does not currently maintain a backlog.

AFTERMARKET

The  Company's  aftermarket  business  distributes  springs  and  spring-related
products manufactured by DPI, as well as other undercarriage  replacement parts,
including wheel-end products (such as brake drums, cast spoke wheels, rotors and
calipers),  suspension parts (such as hangers,  bushings,  shocks and suspension
kits) and steering  components  (such as king pin sets, ball joints,  drag links
and tie rod ends). Allparts derives all of its sales through the distribution of
hydraulic  brake  parts  to  the  independent   aftermarket.   As  part  of  its
distribution  process, a number of products sold by Allparts are packaged at its
distribution facility.

DPI uses its own sales force to sell products for heavy and  medium-duty  trucks
and trailers  throughout  the  continental  United States and parts of Canada to
approximately 700 customers with approximately 1,200 locations. Although most of
DPI's products are for the repair and maintenance needs of heavy and medium-duty
trucks,  trailers  and  mobile  equipment,  DPI also  sells  some  products  for
light-duty  trucks.  In  addition  to  on-the-road  trucks  and  trailers,   DPI
distributes  undercarriage  replacement  parts for  specialty  vehicles  such as
garbage trucks, cement trucks, construction equipment and farm equipment.

DPI sells its products  primarily to spring service shops,  fleet  distributors,
warehouse  distributors  and wheel and rim  distributors.  These outlets in turn
sell parts to local truck fleets,  redistribute parts to smaller outlets such as
local repair garages or install the parts themselves on the end-users' vehicles.

Allparts'  sales and  marketing  efforts  are  directed  through  a  network  of
manufacturer's  representative  agencies.  These  agencies  are  directed by the
national sales manager of Allparts.

No one aftermarket  customer  accounts for more than 10% of the Company's annual
net sales. The aftermarket group ships most of its products in a short period of
time after receiving the related order and does not maintain a significant order
backlog.

SEASONALITY

The OEM business  experiences  seasonal  fluctuations  that are consistent  with
those of other OEM suppliers.  The Company typically experiences decreased sales
and operating  income from its OEM business  during the second half of each year
due to OEM model changeovers and vacation periods.

The aftermarket business is subject to minor seasonal fluctuations,  with demand
for  aftermarket  parts  tending to be higher in the  second and third  quarters
because end-users have tended to make more vehicle repairs at those times.

COMPETITION

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT

The OEM supplier industry is highly  competitive and comprised of many companies
of various sizes.  Demand for parts and components sold to OEMs is driven by the
demand for sales of new vehicles.  The Company  believes that the number of such
competitors  will  decrease  in  response  to the OEMs'  pressure  for  supplier
consolidation. The Company's largest competitors for exterior trim include Magna
International  Inc.,  Venture and Standard  Products,  and for fasteners include
MacLean-Fogg,  Horizon  and  others.  Many  of  the  Company's  competitors  are
divisions or subsidiaries of companies which are  substantially  larger and more
diversified  than the Company.  In addition,  many of the Company's  competitors
have greater financial and other resources than the Company.

The Company  competes for new business both at the beginning of the  development
of new models and upon the redesign of existing models.  Competitive  factors in
the market for the Company's OEM products  include quality,  reliability,  cost,
timely delivery, technical expertise and development capability.

AFTERMARKET

The automotive and truck parts  aftermarket in which DPI and Allparts operate is
highly competitive.  Both DPI and Allparts have numerous  competitors.  However,
the product lines of DPI and Allparts are narrow and focus on specific  markets.
There is no one  competitor  that dominates any product line in which either DPI
or Allparts participates. Some of the Company's more significant competitors are
Triangle Auto Spring Co., Brake Axle and Tandem Company,  Rockwell International
and Euclid  Industries Inc. In addition,  some of the Company's  competitors are
well-established  truck or automotive suppliers which have greater financial and
other  resources  than  the  Company.  Among  the  primary  competitive  factors
affecting this market are price,  product  quality,  breadth of product line and
customer service.

SUPPLIERS AND RAW MATERIALS

The  principal  raw  materials   used  by  DPI,   Starboard  and  IAF  in  their
manufacturing operations are various types and grades of steel, all of which are
readily  available.  The principal raw materials  used by PTI and JPE Canada are
acrylic foam tape,  PVC,  and thermo  plastic  olefin  (TPO) and thermo  plastic
urethane (TPU) compounds, all of which are readily available.

The Company  purchases some of the products it distributes  from many suppliers.
The  Company's  distribution  business  is  affected by its ability to obtain an
adequate  supply of the  products it  distributes,  its  relationships  with its
suppliers and its ability to purchase products from those suppliers on favorable
terms.

Allparts purchases  approximately  19,000 part numbers in bulk for the hydraulic
brake line.  The Company  believes that it has multiple  sources for all product
part numbers from either domestic or offshore manufacturers.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The Company has a number of patents and patent applications  pending in both the
United States and certain foreign jurisdictions for its stainless steel fastener
design and for  processes  related to its  plastic  injection  molded  products.
Notwithstanding  its patent  portfolio,  the Company  believes  that the design,
quality and pricing of its products and its  relations  with its  customers  are
substantially more important to its business than patent protection.

There  can be no  assurance  that  patents  will  be  issued  from  any  pending
applications or that any claims allowed from existing or pending patents will be
sufficiently  broad to protect the Company's  technology.  The Company  believes
that it is not dependent to any material  extent upon any one patent or group of
patents.

GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS

The Company is subject to various federal,  state, provincial and local laws and
regulations  relating to the operation of its businesses and the  manufacture of
its products, including those relating to product safety guidelines; generation,
handling and disposal of waste;  discharge and emission controls; and protection
of health and the environment. These laws include the Clean Water Act, the Clean
Air  Act,  the  Resource   Conservation   and  Recovery  Act  ("RCRA")  and  the
Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation  and  Liability Act in the
United States, together with implementing regulations and similar state laws and
regulations,  as well as similar laws and regulations in Canada and Ontario.  In
part, these laws and regulations  govern the manner in which the Company handles
various  wastes,  discharges,  emissions  and  environmental  conditions  at  or
attributable to its operations or facilities.

Operations  at some of the  Company's  facilities  have been and  continue to be
sources  of  emissions  and  discharges  of  various  materials,  including  air
emissions  from  coating  and  painting  operations  and  discharges  of process
wastewaters.  For example,  various  Company  facilities  have been the sites of
releases of polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated oil, mineral spirits, fuel and
quench oils and,  possibly,  other materials.  Some of these materials remain at
and about the sites of these facilities. Some of DPI's Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania
facilities  are believed to be located on a former  municipal  landfill  because
materials   associated  with  municipal  landfills  have  been  found  at  these
facilities. In addition, at various Company facilities, substances have been and
currently are used that are classified as hazardous under RCRA or as pollutants,
contaminants or hazardous,  toxic or regulated substances under other applicable
laws. The parties from whom the Company acquired its operations have, to various
degrees,   agreed  to  limited  indemnification  of  the  Company  against  some
environmental claims under the various acquisition  agreements with the Company,
but there can be no assurance that these  indemnities  will be adequate to cover
all liabilities and expenses that may arise.  Although the Company does not know
the  amounts  of any  liabilities  or  expenses  it may  incur in the  future in
connection with the  investigation  or remediation of materials or conditions in
connection  with the control of emissions and discharges at its  facilities,  it
does not  believe  that  these  liabilities  and  expenses  will have a material
adverse  effect on its financial  condition or results of  operations  (although
there could be such effects in particular periods).

Developments  with regard to laws,  regulations and  enforcement  policies could
result in  additional,  presently  unquantifiable,  costs or  liabilities to the
Company or might in the future  restrict the Company in ways that could  require
it to modify,  supplement or replace  existing  equipment and  facilities and to
change or cease present methods of operation. Furthermore, laws, regulations and
governmental  policies are subject to change and no assurance  can be given that
existing  laws,  regulations  and policies will not be amended or that new laws,
regulations  and policies  will not be adopted  that will impose more  extensive
regulation, cost or liability on the Company in the future.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

During  the  year  ended  December  31,  1994,  the  Company  did not  make  any
significant  expenditures  for  research  and  development.  For the years ended
December 31, 1996 and 1995,  expenditures of approximately $1.7 million and $1.3
million, respectively, were incurred working with the Company's OEM customers on
product design and development.

EMPLOYEES

The Company had a total of  approximately  1,420 employees on December 31, 1996,
approximately 870 of whom were located in the United States.



ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES

The following list indicates the Company's principal manufacturing, distribution
and administrative facilities by location. All owned U.S. facilities are subject
to liens  under the  Credit  Agreement  and all owned  Canadian  facilities  are
subject to liens under the Canadian Credit Facility:



                                                 Building Size
Primary Use                                      (Approximate           Owned
of the Facility            Location              Square Feet)         or Leased
- ---------------            --------              ------------         ---------
                                                              
Corporate headquarters     Ann Arbor, MI             3,200             Leased
Manufacturing              East Tawas and
                            Tawas, MI              141,000             Owned
Manufacturing and
 administrative            Royal Oak, MI            75,000             Owned
Manufacturing and
 administrative            Beavercreek, OH         105,000             Owned
Finishing and
 distribution              Jamestown, OH            90,000             Owned
Manufacturing              Harrisburg, PA          100,000             Owned
Distribution and
 administrative            Harrisburg, PA          160,000             Leased
Packing and dis-
 tribution facility        Louisiana, MO            40,000             Owned
Manufacturing and
 administrative            Peterborough,
                            Ontario, Canada        220,000             Owned
Manufacturing and
 warehousing               Peterborough,
                            Ontario, Canada        191,000             Leased
Manufacturing              Kitchener, Ontario,
                            Canada                  94,000             Owned



The Company's  buildings,  machinery  and  equipment  are in adequate  operating
condition, and are suitable and adequate for current production requirements.


ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Neither the Company  nor any of its  subsidiaries  is a party to, nor are any of
its properties the subject of, any pending legal proceedings, other than certain
ordinary routine litigation incidental to their businesses, which in the opinion
of management is not material.


ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

Not applicable.



SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM.  EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The current executive officers of the Company are identified below. Officers are
appointed by the Board of Directors and serve at its discretion.



Name                    Age       Position
- ----                    ---       --------
                            

John Psarouthakis       64        Chairman of the Board, President, Chief
                                    Executive Officer and Director
C. William Mercurio     57        President-OEM Group
Donna L. Bacon          45        Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
James J. Fahrner        45        Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



Dr. John Psarouthakis is the founder of the Company and has been Chairman of the
Board,  Chief  Executive  Officer and a Director  of the Company  since it began
operations in late 1991 and assumed the position of President in July,  1996. In
1978, Dr. Psarouthakis organized J. P. Industries,  Inc. ("JPI"), which became a
Fortune 500 transportation  components  manufacturing and distribution  company,
where he served as Chairman,  President and a Director  until its sale in August
1990.  After the sale of JPI, Dr.  Psarouthakis  was involved in various private
investments and professional activities until the Company began operations.  Dr.
Psarouthakis is currently an Adjunct Professor teaching Acquisitions and Mergers
at the University of Michigan Graduate School of Business.

Mr. C. William Mercurio has been President of the Company's OEM Group since July
1996,  prior to which he served as President of PTI since its acquisition by the
Company in April 1995. In November 1990,  Mr.  Mercurio and a group of investors
purchased PTI from its parent company,  Protective Treatments, Inc. Mr. Mercurio
has held the position of President of PTI since 1990.

Ms. Donna L. Bacon has been Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the
Company since October 1994. From August 1991 to October 1994, Ms. Bacon was Vice
President,  General Counsel and Secretary of The MEDSTAT Group, Inc., a provider
of healthcare  information  services.  From 1987 to January 1991,  Ms. Bacon was
General Counsel and Secretary of JPI.

Mr. James J. Fahrner has been Vice President and Chief Financial  Officer of the
Company since June 1995.  From November 1990 until June 1995, Mr. Fahrner served
as Vice President-Chief Financial Officer,  Treasurer of Gelman Sciences Inc., a
manufacturer of  microfiltration  products.  From December 1989 to October 1990,
Mr. Fahrner served as Vice President-Treasurer of JPI.



                                     PART II

ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The  Company's  Common  Stock trades on the Nasdaq  National  Market tier of The
Nasdaq Stock MarketSM under the symbol "JPEI." The following table indicates the
high and low sale  prices for the  Company's  Common  Stock as  reported  on the
Nasdaq  National  Market for the last two years.  Such  over-the-counter  market
quotations reflect  inter-dealer  prices,  without retail mark-up,  mark-down or
commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.


                                       MARKET PRICE

QUARTER                     1995                               1996
- -------                     ----                               ----
                    High             Low               High             Low
                    ----             ---               ----             ---
                                                           
First             $14.00            $ 9.50           $11.25            $ 8.25
Second             16.25             13.50            11.13              9.00
Third              14.50             12.75            10.00              8.00
Fourth             13.50              8.75             9.00              6.88



On March  17,  1997,  there  were  approximately  159  holders  of record of the
Company's Common Stock and approximately 2,500 beneficial shareholders.

The Company has never  declared or paid any  dividends on shares of Common Stock
and has no intention  of  declaring or paying any  dividends on shares of Common
Stock in the foreseeable future. The Company intends to retain its earnings,  if
any,  for  the   development  of  its  business,   including   possible   future
acquisitions.



ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected  financial  data presented  below,  as of and for the periods ended
December 31, 1992,  1993,  1994,  1995 and 1996,  are derived from the Company's
financial  statements,   audited  by  Coopers  &  Lybrand  L.L.P.,   independent
accountants,  and  should  be read in  conjunction  with the  Company's  audited
financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Report on Form
10-K (the "Company's  Financial  Statements").  The selected  financial data set
forth below should also be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in Item 7 of
this Report on Form 10-K.  Certain  amounts from 1995 have been  reclassified to
conform with the 1996 presentation.



                                          Years Ended December 31,
                                          ------------------------
                               1992       1993      1994      1995       1996
                               ----       ----      ----      ----       ----
                                    (in thousands, except per share data)
                                                        
Income statement data:
  Net sales                   $   --    $54,693   $70,073   $169,202   $201,453
  Cost of goods sold              --     40,639    51,994    134,156    166,714
                              -------   -------   -------   --------   --------

    Gross profit                  --     14,054    18,079     35,046     34,739

Charge for impairment
 of goodwill                      --        --        --         --       4,300

Selling, general and
 administrative expenses          572     9,950    11,892     21,591     24,893
                              -------   -------   -------   --------   --------

    Operating profit (loss)      (572)    4,104     6,187     13,455      5,546

Interest income (expense),
 net                              224      (844)   (1,029)    (6,226)    (6,932)
                              -------   -------   --------  --------   --------

    Income (loss) before
     income taxes                (348)    3,260     5,158      7,229     (1,386)

Income tax expense                --      1,159     1,968      2,780        203
                              -------   -------   -------   --------   --------

    Net income (loss)         $  (348)  $ 2,101   $ 3,190   $  4,449   $ (1,589)
                              =======   =======   =======   ========   ========

Earnings (loss) per
 common share                 $  (.15)  $   .73   $   .83   $   1.09   $   (.35)
                              =======   =======   =======   ========   ========

Weighted average shares
 outstanding                    2,290     2,871     3,865      4,092      4,587

Balance sheet data
 (at end of period):
  Working capital              $ 6,563  $15,617   $22,084   $ 39,955   $ 42,138
  Total assets                  28,168   34,891    66,492    145,229    174,725
  Long-term debt (including
   current maturities)          14,009    7,287    25,973     83,375    110,001

  Total shareholders' equity     6,154   21,790    25,513     36,747     35,778





ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
          FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The  following  discussion  should  be read in  conjunction  with the  financial
statements and notes thereto to assist in understanding the Company's results of
operations,  its financial  position,  cash flows,  capital  structure and other
relevant financial information.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995

Net sales for the year ended  December  31, 1996 were  $201,453,000  compared to
$169,202,000 for the previous year. The net sales increase of 19% is principally
attributable  to the full year effect of the  acquisition  of two OEM businesses
completed in the first  quarter of 1995, a stronger  North  American  automotive
market than in 1995 and a rise in aftermarket orders. Additionally,  the Company
began  production  and  shipments  of end  formed  plastic  extruded  body  side
moldings,  which is a proprietary  technology  that was  purchased  from another
company in late 1995.  For the year ended  December 31, 1996,  net sales for the
Company were 63% to OEM customers and 37% to aftermarket customers.

Gross  profit  decreased  to  $34,739,000  for the year ended  December 31, 1996
compared with $35,046,000 for the prior year. The gross margin  percentages were
17.2% and 20.7% for 1996 and 1995, respectively.  The decline in gross margin is
a  result  of  production  and  launch  difficulties  at the  Company's  IAF and
Starboard facilities;  a change in sales mix at IAF to products with lower gross
margins;  and the impact of incentives  associated  with  long-term OEM contract
pricing.  These  reductions are partially  offset by the recovery of $890,000 in
costs related to the cancellation of a trim program from an OEM customer.

During  the third  quarter of 1996,  management  identified  that a  significant
change had  occurred in the  product  mix of IAF since it was  acquired in March
1995.  In accordance  with SFAS 121,  "Accounting  for  Impairment of Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed of," management recorded a $4,300,000 impairment writedown
of goodwill  associated with the acquisition of IAF. The goodwill was originally
valued at $6,820,000  when IAF was acquired and,  subsequent to the  adjustment,
had a net unamortized carrying value of approximately  $2,136,000 as of December
31, 1996, based on management's estimate of the current fair market value of the
IAF  business  which  was  acquired.   This   adjustment  will  reduce  goodwill
amortization by $172,000 on an annual basis.

Selling,  general and administrative expenses increased 15.3% to $24,893,000 for
the year ended December 31, 1996 compared to $21,591,000  for 1995. The increase
in spending is a result of the full year impact of two OEM acquisitions  made in
the first three months of 1995 and an $850,000  charge related to the write-down
of an equity  investment and severance costs for changes in senior management at
IAF and Starboard.  Selling,  general and administrative expense as a percentage
of sales  was 12% and 13% for the  years  ending  December  31,  1996 and  1995,
respectively.  The decline in this  percentage  is  attributable  to  management
efforts to contain costs in its Aftermarket  and OEM businesses,  the increasing
significance  of the OEM  business to the  Company and a $342,000  non-recurring
charge  recorded  in 1995 for  severance  agreements  of two senior  executives.
Amortization  of goodwill for the year ended  December  31, 1996 was  $1,267,000
versus $924,000 for the same period in 1995.

Interest expense  increased to $6,932,000 in 1996 compared to $6,226,000 for the
year ended  December  31, 1995.  The  increase is a result of funds  borrowed to
finance two OEM supplier  acquisitions  in 1995 and a slightly higher debt level
as a result of capital additions to enhance existing production technologies and
capabilities. The average interest rate for 1996 and 1995 was 8%.

The effective tax rates for the years ended  December 31, 1996 and 1995 were 15%
and  38.5%,  respectively.  The  decline  in tax  rate  is  due  to the  Company
experiencing  pre-tax  losses for the year ending  December 31, 1996.  Even with
pre-tax  losses in 1996,  the  Company  was still  subject to tax as a result of
non-deductible  goodwill,  the  write-off  of an  equity  investment  in a joint
venture and losses that occurred in Michigan, whose tax is not income based.

Net loss for the year ended  December  31, 1996 was  $1,589,000  compared to net
income of $4,449,000  for the year ended  December 31, 1995.  Loss per share for
the year ended December 31, 1996 was $0.35 per share as compared to earnings per
share of $1.09 for the same  period in 1995.  These  changes are a result of the
factors  mentioned above. The weighted average shares for 1996 were 4,587,000 as
compared to 4,092,000 for 1995. During 1995 and 1996, the Company issued a total
of 794,362 shares through a public offering and its stock option plans.

On a pro forma  basis,  assuming  the  acquisitions  of IAF,  PTI and JPE Canada
occurred on January 1, 1995,  the net sales for the year ended December 31, 1996
would have been approximately $275,860,000, an increase of approximately 5% over
1995 sales.  The increase is attributable to higher new vehicle  production,  an
increase in the aftermarket  industry in 1996 and other sales factors  mentioned
above. On a pro forma basis, net loss would have been approximately $2.0 million
or $.43 per share for the year ended December 31, 1996.

The pro forma data does not purport to be  indicative of the results which would
actually have been reported if these  transactions had occurred on such dates or
which  may be  reported  in the  future.  The pro forma  data  should be read in
conjunction with the historical financial statements.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994

Net sales for the year ended  December  31, 1995 were  $169,202,000  compared to
$70,073,000 for the previous year. The net sales increase of 141% is principally
attributable to the  acquisitions  of two OEM businesses  completed in the first
quarter of 1995 and the full year effect of the two  acquisitions  made in 1994.
For the year ended  December 31, 1995, net sales for the Company were 60% to OEM
customers and 40% to  aftermarket  customers.  The Company's only business which
was owned for the full twelve months of both 1994 and 1995 was Dayton Parts, the
Company's  first  acquisition.  Sales  for this  business  were  flat in 1995 as
compared  to the prior year,  reflecting  a slowdown  due to customer  inventory
adjustments and fewer miles driven in the truck industry.

Gross profit  increased 94% to $35,046,000  for the year ended December 31, 1995
compared with $18,079,000 for the prior year. The gross margin  percentages were
20.7% and 25.8% for 1995 and 1994,  respectively.  This  decline in gross margin
reflects  the impact of the  acquired  OEM  businesses,  which have lower  gross
margins than  aftermarket  companies.  However,  the margins of the  aftermarket
businesses are offset by higher selling and distribution costs.

Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses increased 82% to $21,591,000 for
the year ended December 31, 1995 compared to $11,892,000 for 1994. Approximately
$7,500,000  of  the  increase  represent  selling,  general  and  administrative
expenses from the Company's  acquisitions  in 1995 and 1994.  The  percentage of
selling,  general and  administrative  expenses to net sales was 13% for 1995 as
compared  to 17% for the year  ended  December  31,  1994.  The  decline in this
percentage is attributable to the increasing significance of the OEM business to
the  Company.   The  increased  level  of  spending  also  includes  a  $342,000
non-recurring  accrual for severance  agreements for two senior executives whose
employment  terminated  during the second quarter of 1995, and higher  corporate
administrative  costs for professional  personnel required to manage and operate
the Company at its current  size.  Amortization  of goodwill  for the year ended
December 31, 1995 was $1,180,000, which on an annual basis will be approximately
$1.4 million.

Interest expense  increased to $6,226,000 in 1995 compared to $1,029,000 for the
year  ended  December  31,  1994.  The  Company  has  financed  the  last  three
acquisitions totaling  approximately $79 million through its $110 million Credit
Agreement.  The average  interest rate on this facility during the past year was
8%.

The  effective  tax rates for the years  ended  December  31, 1995 and 1994 were
38.5% and 38.2%, respectively.  The higher effective tax rate is attributable to
non-deductible   goodwill  resulting  from  the  acquisitions  of  Allparts  and
Starboard, which were stock purchases.

Net income for the year ended  December  31, 1995  increased  39% to  $4,449,000
compared to reported results of $3,190,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994.
Earnings  per share  increased  31% to $1.09 per share from $.83 per share.  The
weighted  average  shares for 1995 were  4,092,000 as compared to 3,865,000  for
1994.  During 1995, the Company issued a total of 685,812 shares through private
and public offerings, and its stock option plans.

On a pro  forma  basis  assuming  the  acquisitions  of  Starboard,  IAF and PTI
occurred on January 1, 1994,  the net sales for the year ended December 31, 1995
would have been approximately $190,285,000, an increase of approximately 2% over
the comparable amount for 1994. On a pro forma basis, net income would have been
approximately  $5.3  million or $1.28 per share for the year ended  December 31,
1995.

The pro forma data does not purport to be  indicative of the results which would
actually have been reported if these  transactions had occurred on such dates or
which  may be  reported  in the  future.  The pro forma  data  should be read in
conjunction with the historical financial statements.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company's principal capital requirements are to fund business  acquisitions,
working  capital needs,  and capital  additions to enhance  existing  production
technologies  and  capabilities.  Historically,  the Company has used cash flows
generated  by  operations,  borrowings  under its credit  agreements  and equity
financing to meet these needs.

The  Company's  principal  source of liquidity is the $110 million Third Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 31, 1996 (the "Credit  Agreement").
This  Agreement was amended  several times during 1995 through  December 1996 to
provide the Company with adequate  capital  resources for  businesses  that were
acquired.  The Company has several  borrowing  rate options  under the Agreement
based on,  among other  things,  the bank's prime rate and LIBOR plus a variable
margin.  The variable margin depends on the Company's cash flow and fixed charge
coverage  ratios.  The  variable  margin was 2.25% at December  31, 1996 and the
average  rate on the  outstanding  borrowings  was 7.8%.  The  Credit  Agreement
expires on October 27, 1998 and has no principal repayment requirements prior to
expiration.  The Credit  Agreement  is  collateralized  by all of the  Company's
assets, with the exception of JPE Canada's assets. The Credit Agreement includes
various restrictive financial and other covenants. The Company was in compliance
with all covenants as of December 31, 1996.

The Company has an interest rate swap agreement on $30 million  notional  amount
of  borrowings  under the Credit  Agreement.  The swap  agreement  is  effective
October  26, 1995  through  October  26,  1998.  This  agreement  exchanged  the
three-month LIBOR rate for a fixed rate of 6.225%.

On December  20,  1996,  JPE Canada  entered into a Cdn.  $28.7  million  credit
agreement with a Canadian bank (the "Canadian  Credit  Facility"),  primarily to
fund the  acquisition  of Pebra Inc. In addition to funding the  acquisition  of
Pebra Inc., the Canadian Credit  Facility  permits JPE Canada to borrow funds in
the form of  advances  for  operating  requirements  and  capital  expenditures.
Repayment terms of borrowings under the facility vary based on the nature of the
advance.   Advances   under  the  Canadian   Credit   Facility  are  secured  by
substantially  all of the assets of JPE Canada.  Interest  rates on the advances
are computed at either the Canadian  Prime Rate or the Base Rate,  as defined in
the agreement. At December 31, 1996, the average interest rate was 5.5%.

During  1995,  the  Company  acquired  the  assets of  Industrial  &  Automotive
Fasteners,  Inc. and all  outstanding  capital stock of Plastic  Trim,  Inc. The
total consideration for these two businesses was $66.6 million. The acquisitions
were financed  principally  from borrowings under the Credit Agreement and a $10
million  short-term  note to a former owner.  This short-term note was repaid on
January 2, 1996 from borrowings under the Credit Agreement.

During 1996, the Company  acquired  certain assets and liabilities of Pebra Inc.
for a total consideration of Cdn. $29.6 million (U.S. $21.7 million). Pebra Inc.
filed for protection from creditors under the Companies'  Creditors  Arrangement
Act due to  negative  operating  results  prior to the  acquisition.  Due to the
nature of the  acquisition,  only certain  assets  (i.e.,  accounts  receivable,
inventory and fixed assets) and the Canadian Auto Workers Union unfunded pension
liability  were  acquired  from Pebra Inc. The  acquisition  was  financed  from
borrowings under the Canadian Credit Facility and the Credit Agreement.

During the second  quarter of 1995,  the Company sold  135,712  shares of Common
Stock at $14.00 per share for cash  proceeds of  approximately  $1.9  million to
certain former shareholders of Plastic Trim, Inc. in a private transaction.

In November  1995, the Company sold 500,000 shares of Common Stock at $10.75 per
share through a public  offering.  The net proceeds of $4.6 million were used to
pay down borrowings under the Credit Agreement.

Working  capital at December 31, 1996  increased to $42.1 million as compared to
$40.0  million at December  31, 1995.  The  increase in working  capital was due
primarily to the  acquisition of JPE Canada.  Cash generated from operations was
$10.1  million for the year ended  December 31, 1996.  These funds were used for
additions to property,  plant and equipment totaling $13.5 million.  The Company
expects that it will be able to satisfy its debt  service,  working  capital and
capital  expenditure  requirements  through cash flow generated from  operations
and, to the extent necessary,  through borrowings under the Credit Agreement and
the Canadian Credit Facility.



ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

                                    JPE, INC.

                          INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                                                       Page
                                                                       ----

Report of Independent Accountants                                        22


Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31,
  1995 and 1996                                                          23

Consolidated Statements of Income for the
  Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996                           24

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for
  the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996                       25

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years
  Ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996                                 26


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                            27-40



                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Board of Directors and
Shareholders of JPE, Inc.:


We have audited the accompanying  consolidated balance sheets of JPE, Inc. as of
December 31, 1995 and 1996 and the related  consolidated  statements  of income,
shareholders'  equity,  and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended  December 31, 1996 and the  financial  statement  schedule  listed in Item
14(a)(2) of this Form 10-K. These financial  statements and financial  statement
schedule are the responsibility of the company's management.  Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial  statements and financial  statement
schedule based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material  respects,  the consolidated  financial position of JPE, Inc. as of
December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the consolidated results of their operations and
their cash flows for each of the three years in the period  ended  December  31,
1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.  In addition,
in our  opinion,  the  financial  statement  schedule  referred  to above,  when
considered  in  relation  to the basic  financial  statements  taken as a whole,
presents  fairly,  in all  material  respects,  the  information  required to be
included therein.


COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


Detroit, Michigan
February 25, 1997



                                    JPE, INC.

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 at December 31,
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


                                     ASSETS
                                                  1995              1996
                                                  ----              ----
                                                            
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                     $    288          $  1,316
  Accounts receivable, net of
    allowance for doubtful
    accounts of $369 and $262
    at December 31, 1995 and
    1996, respectively                            23,410            26,829
  Inventory                                       32,597            37,963
  Other current assets                             4,754             8,688
                                                --------          --------

      Total current assets                        61,049            74,796

Property, plant and equipment, net                47,978            69,281
Goodwill, net                                     32,635            27,068
Other assets                                       3,567             3,580
                                                --------          --------

      Total assets                              $145,229          $174,725
                                                ========          ========

                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
  Current portion of long-term debt             $    108          $    323
  Short term debt                                    --              8,120
  Accounts payable                                15,156            17,643
  Accrued liabilities                              5,656             6,190
  Income taxes                                       174               382
                                                --------          --------

      Total current liabilities                   21,094            32,658

Deferred income taxes                              2,927             3,184
Other liabilities                                  1,194             1,547
Long-term debt, non-current                       83,267           101,558
                                                --------          --------

      Total liabilities                          108,482           138,947
                                                --------          --------

Commitments and contingencies                        --                --

Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, no par value,
    3,000,000 authorized, no
    shares issued and outstanding                    --                --
  Common stock, no par value,
    15,000,000 authorized,
    4,473,930 and 4,582,480 issued
    and outstanding at December 31,
    1995 and 1996, respectively                   27,301            27,921
  Retained earnings                                9,446             7,857
                                                --------          --------

      Total shareholders' equity                  36,747            35,778
                                                --------          --------

        Total liabilities and
          shareholders' equity                  $145,229          $174,725
                                                ========          ========



                   The accompanying notes are an integral part
                    of the consolidated financial statements.



                                    JPE, INC.

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                        for the years ended December 31,
                  (amounts in thousands, except per share data)


                                          1994           1995           1996
                                          ----           ----           ----
                                                             
Net sales                                $70,073       $169,202       $201,453

Cost of goods sold                        51,994        134,156        166,714
                                         -------       --------       --------

  Gross profit                            18,079         35,046         34,739

Charge for impairment of
  goodwill (Note 11)                         --             --           4,300

Selling, general and
  administrative expenses                 11,892         21,591         24,893
                                         -------       --------       --------

  Operating profit                         6,187         13,455          5,546

Interest expense, net                      1,029          6,226          6,932
                                         -------       --------       --------

  Income (loss) before income taxes        5,158          7,229         (1,386)

Income tax expense                         1,968          2,780            203
                                         -------       --------       --------

  Net income (loss)                      $ 3,190       $  4,449       $ (1,589)
                                         =======       ========       ========


Earnings (loss) per common share          $  .83        $ 1.09          $ (.35)
                                          ======        ======           =====


Weighted average shares outstanding        3,865         4,092           4,587
                                           =====         =====           =====


                   The accompanying notes are an integral part
                    of the consolidated financial statements.



                                    JPE, INC.

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                         for the years ended December 31
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


                                      Common Stock
                                      ------------
                                    Shares                 Retained
                                 Outstanding    Amount     Earnings     Total
                                 -----------    ------     --------     -----
                                                           
Balances, January 1, 1994         3,781,772     $19,983     $1,807     $21,790

  Issuance of stock warrants                        500                    500

  Employee Stock Plan                 6,346          33                     33

  Net income                                                 3,190       3,190
                                  ---------     -------     ------      ------

Balances, December 31, 1994       3,788,118      20,516      4,997      25,513
                                  ---------     -------     ------     -------

  Issuance of stock                 635,712       6,497                  6,497

  Employee Stock Plan                50,100          75                     75

  Tax benefit from exercised
    stock options                                   213                    213

  Net income                                                 4,449       4,449
                                  ---------                 ------     -------

Balances, December 31, 1995       4,473,930      27,301      9,446      36,747
                                  ---------     -------     ------     -------

  Employee Stock Plan               108,550         410                    410

  Tax benefit from exercised
    stock options                                   210                    210

  Net loss                                                  (1,589)     (1,589)
                                  ---------     --------    ------     -------

Balances, December 31, 1996       4,582,480     $ 27,921    $7,857     $35,778
                                  =========     ========    ======     =======

                   The accompanying notes are an integral part
                    of the consolidated financial statements.



                                    JPE, INC.

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                        for the years ended December 31,
                             (amounts in thousands)

                                                     1994      1995      1996
                                                     ----      ----      ----
                                                              
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net income (loss)                                 $ 3,190   $ 4,449   $ (1,589)
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to
  net cash provided by operating activities:
    Charge for impairment of goodwill (Note 11)        --        --       4,300
    Depreciation and amortization                    1,782     5,822      7,416
    Disposal of property and equipment                  21       232         98
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable                             (864)    1,278       (936)
      Inventory                                        711    (3,815)       729
      Other assets                                    (790)   (2,940)    (1,534)
      Accounts payable                              (1,607)      530      2,487
      Accrued liabilities                             (799)     (852)    (1,376)
      Income taxes                                  (1,255)      138        208
      Deferred income taxes                            529     1,057        257
                                                   -------   -------   --------

        Net cash provided by operating
          activities                                   918     5,899     10,060
                                                   -------   -------   --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
 Purchase of property and equipment                 (1,563)   (5,221)   (13,150)
 Purchase of patent                                    --        --      (1,466)
 Acquisition of Allparts, Inc.                      (7,723)      --         --
 Acquisition of Starboard Industries, Inc.            (207)      --         --
 Acquisition of Industrial & Automotive
  Fasteners, Inc.                                      --    (15,638)       --
 Acquisition of Plastic Trim, Inc.                     --    (40,578)       --
 Acquisition of Pebra Inc.                             --        --     (21,662)
                                                   -------   -------   --------

        Net cash used by investing activities       (9,493)  (61,437)   (36,278)
                                                   -------   -------   --------

Cash flows from financing activities:
 Repayments of promissory notes                     (1,940)  (12,889)       --
 Sale of common stock, net                              33     6,572        410
 Repayments of term loans                           (2,874)   (2,461)   (10,100)
 Net borrowings (repayments) under revolving loan    9,141    62,377     19,270
 Net borrowings under Canadian credit facility         --        --      17,456
 Payment of deferred financing costs                  (325)     (278)       --
 Tax benefit from exercised stock options              --        213        210
                                                   -------   -------   --------

        Net cash provided by financing activities    4,035    53,534     27,246
                                                   -------   -------   --------

Net increase (decrease) in cash                     (4,540)   (2,004)     1,028

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period       6,832     2,292        288
                                                   -------   -------   --------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period           $ 2,292   $   288   $  1,316
                                                   =======   =======   ========

                   The accompanying notes are an integral part
                    of the consolidated financial statements



                                    JPE, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


1.   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

     BUSINESS - JPE, Inc. is a  manufacturer  and  distributor of automotive and
     truck  components  for  the  original   equipment   manufacturers  and  the
     replacement  parts markets sold  principally in North America.  Total sales
     for the year ended December 31, 1996 were approximately 63% to the original
     equipment manufacturers and 37% to the replacement parts markets. Including
     the full year effect of the acquisition of Pebra Inc., as discussed in Note
     10, the percentage of sales to original equipment  manufacturers would have
     been 73%

     FINANCIAL STATEMENT  PRESENTATION - The preparation of financial statements
     in  conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  requires
     management  to make  estimates  and  assumptions  that affect the  reported
     amounts of assets and  liabilities at the date of the financial  statements
     and the  reported  amounts of revenues and  expenses  during the  reporting
     period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain financial
     statement  items have been  reclassified  to conform to the current  year's
     format.

     PRINCIPLES  OF  CONSOLIDATION  - The  accompanying  consolidated  financial
     statements  include the  accounts of JPE,  Inc.  (the  "Company"),  and its
     wholly-owned  subsidiaries,  Dayton Parts, Inc. ("Dayton Parts"), Allparts,
     Inc. ("Allparts"),  SAC Corporation ("Starboard"),  Industrial & Automotive
     Fasteners,  Inc.  ("IAF"),  Plastic Trim, Inc.  ("PTI") and JPE Canada Inc.
     ("JPE  Canada"),  from  the  dates  of  acquisition  (the  "Acquisitions"),
     December 31, 1992,  July 31, 1994,  September 30, 1994,  February 28, 1995,
     March 31,  1995,  and  December 23,  1996,  respectively.  All  significant
     intercompany  accounts and transactions with the consolidated  subsidiaries
     have been  eliminated  in the  preparation  of the  consolidated  financial
     statements.

     CONCENTRATION  OF CREDIT RISK - Accounts  receivable of the Company,  which
     represent the principal  concentration of credit risk, result from sales to
     companies  in the  automotive,  light  truck and heavy duty truck  original
     equipment  and  aftermarket  industries.  Credit is extended  based upon an
     evaluation of the  customer's  financial  condition  and  collateral is not
     required from customers.

     INVENTORY  - Inventory  is valued at the lower of cost or market  using the
     first-in, first-out ("FIFO") cost method.

     FOREIGN  CURRENCY  TRANSLATION - Translation  gains and losses arising from
     the settlement of foreign currency  transactions are charged to the related
     period's statement of operations.  Translation adjustments arising from the
     translation of foreign  subsidiary  financial  statements are recorded as a
     separate component of stockholders' equity.

     PROPERTY,  PLANT AND  EQUIPMENT  AND  DEPRECIATION  -  Property,  plant and
     equipment  are recorded at cost.  Costs  assigned to property,  plant,  and
     equipment  purchased as part of an acquisition  are based on the fair value
     of such assets on the date of the  acquisition  or an  allocation  of total
     purchase  price if the fair value of assets  acquired  exceeds the purchase
     price.  Improvements are capitalized,  and expenditures for maintenance and
     repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Gains or losses on sales and
     retirements of properties are included in the  determination of the results
     of  operations.   Provisions  for  depreciation  of  property,  plant,  and
     equipment  have been  computed  using  the  straight-line  method  based on
     estimated useful lives of the related assets.



                                    JPE, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


1.   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued:

     GOODWILL  - Costs  in  excess  of net  assets  of  acquired  companies  are
     amortized  over  25  years  using  the  straight-line  method.  Accumulated
     amortization  at  December  31,  1995  and  1996  was  $1,070  and  $2,337,
     respectively.

     DEFERRED  FINANCING  COSTS  -  Deferred  financing  costs  associated  with
     borrowings are being amortized over their respective  periods.  Accumulated
     amortization at December 31, 1995 and 1996 was $114 and $243, respectively.

     EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Earnings are divided by the sum of the weighted
     average  number of common shares and common stock  equivalents  outstanding
     during the year to compute earnings per share.

     STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards No.
     123, "Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation,"  encourages,  but does not
     require  companies to record  compensation  cost for  stock-based  employee
     compensation  plans at fair  value.  The Company has elected to continue to
     measure  compensation  costs using the intrinsic value method prescribed in
     Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to
     Employees," and related Interpretations. Accordingly, compensation cost for
     stock  options is measured as the excess of the quoted  market price of the
     Company's  stock at the date of grant over the amount an employee  must pay
     to acquire the stock.

     CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - Cash and cash equivalents  include  investments
     in highly liquid instruments with a maturity of three months or less.


2.   INVENTORY:

     Inventory consisted of the following at December 31:


                                                    1995               1996
                                                    ----               ----
                                                               
     Raw materials                                $10,780            $15,116
     Work in process and components                 2,630              4,811
     Finished goods                                16,607             15,457
     Tooling                                        2,580              2,579
                                                  -------            -------

                                                  $32,597            $37,963
                                                  =======            =======




                                    JPE, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


3.   PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

     Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following at December 31:


                                                    1995               1996
                                                    ----               ----
                                                               
     Land                                         $ 2,304            $ 2,894
     Buildings                                     12,464             15,015
     Machinery and equipment                       35,260             59,891
     Furniture and fixtures                         5,217              4,565
                                                  -------            -------
                                                   55,245             82,365
       Less accumulated depreciation               (7,267)           (13,084)
                                                  -------            -------

                                                  $47,978            $69,281
                                                  =======            =======




4.   ACCRUED LIABILITIES:

     Accrued liabilities consisted of the following at December 31:


                                                    1995               1996
                                                    ----               ----
                                                               
     Accrued compensation                         $   714            $ 1,856
     Accrued interest                               1,558                876
     Accrued employee benefits                      1,998              1,381
     Accrued taxes                                    326                530
     Other                                          1,060              1,547
                                                  -------            -------

                                                  $ 5,656            $ 6,190
                                                  =======            =======




                                    JPE, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


5.   LONG-TERM DEBT:

     Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31:


                                                    1995                1996
                                                    ----                ----
                                                               
     Revolving credit agreement with banks
     due October 1998.                            $72,925            $ 92,200

     Credit agreement between JPE Canada
     Inc. and Canadian bank                           --               16,357

     Note payable to sellers of
     Industrial & Automotive 
     Fasteners payable January  2,
     1996, interest rate of 8 percent
     per annum, refinanced January
     1996 using funds available under
     revolving credit agreement                    10,000                 --

     Other                                            450               1,444
                                                  -------            --------

     Total long-term debt                          83,375             110,001

     Less short-term portion of
     long-term debt                                   --                8,120
 
     Less current portion of
     long-term debt                                   108                 323
                                                  -------            --------

     Long term debt, non-current                  $83,267            $101,558
                                                  =======            ========



     At December 31, 1996, the Company's revolving credit agreement provided for
     maximum borrowings of $110,000.  Interest is computed under various options
     available to the Company  including  prime and LIBOR plus a margin based on
     leverage and fixed charge coverage  ratios.  At December 31, 1995 and 1996,
     the average interest rate was 7.8%. The revolving credit agreement provides
     for a facility  fee which is payable  quarterly in arrears.  Facility  fees
     were $276 in 1995 and $241 in 1996.

     All assets of the Company,  with the exception of the assets of JPE Canada,
     are  collateralized by the lender under the revolving credit agreement.  In
     addition,  the revolving credit agreement  contains  restrictive  covenants
     pertaining to payment of cash dividends, fixed charges and funded debt. The
     revolving  credit agreement was amended during 1996 to provide for separate
     borrowings  for JPE Canada and to change the fixed  coverage  ratio for the
     effect of the impairment of an asset  explained in Note 11. The Company was
     in compliance with the covenants at December 31, 1995 and 1996.

     The Company has an interest  rate swap  agreement  on $30 million  notional
     amount  of  borrowings  under  the  revolving  credit  agreement.  The swap
     agreement,  which is held for other than  trading  purposes,  is  effective
     October 26, 1995 through  October 26, 1998.  This  agreement  exchanged the
     three-month  LIBOR rate for a fixed rate of 6.225%.  The interest rate swap
     agreement has been entered into with a major financial institution which is
     expected to fully perform under the terms of the agreement.  The difference
     in the interest rate between the swap agreement and the  three-month  LIBOR
     rate is recorded as an increase or decrease to interest expense.



                                    JPE, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


5.   LONG-TERM DEBT, continued:

     On December 20, 1996,  JPE Canada  entered into a Cdn. $28.7 million credit
     agreement with a Canadian bank,  primarily to fund the acquisition of Pebra
     Inc. See Note 10 for the  discussion  on the  acquisition.  Included in the
     Cdn.  $28.7  million  credit  agreement  is Cdn.  $12 million  which can be
     utilized  towards the original  purchase of working capital from Pebra Inc.
     and future  working  capital  needs.  Borrowings  under this section of the
     credit  agreement are payable on demand.  At December 31, 1996,  JPE Canada
     had Cdn.  $11,081  (U.S.  $8,120)  outstanding  related to working  capital
     borrowings under the credit agreement. The credit agreement also allows JPE
     Canada to borrow funds for other operating needs and capital  expenditures.
     Repayment  terms on  these  borrowings  vary  based  on the  nature  of the
     borrowing.  All  borrowings  under the  credit  agreement  are  secured  by
     substantially  all of the  assets  of JPE  Canada.  Interest  rates  on the
     borrowings are computed based on either the Canadian Prime Rate or the Base
     Rate (for U.S. dollar borrowings), as defined in the agreement. At December
     31, 1996, the average interest rate on all Canadian borrowings was 5.5%.

     Maturities  of  long-term  debt,  including  current  portion for the years
     following  December  31,  1996 are as follows:  $8,443 in 1997;  $93,184 in
     1998;  $1,767 in 1999;  $1,667 in 2000;  and  $4,940  thereafter.  All debt
     related amounts recorded in the accompanying balance sheets at December 31,
     1996 and 1995 approximate the fair value of the related debt.


6.   EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS:

     The Company has several different defined  contribution plans consisting of
     a 40l(k) plan and profit sharing plans which cover  substantially  all U.S.
     based non-union employees. The Company's contribution is discretionary. The
     charges to operations for the years ended December 31, 1994,  1995 and 1996
     were $229, $1,183 and $1,639, respectively.

     The Company  sponsors a defined  contribution  money  purchase plan for the
     non-union employees of JPE Canada. There were no contributions made to this
     plan in the year ended December 31, 1996.

     The Company  sponsors  defined benefit pension plans for employees  covered
     under  collective   bargaining   agreements  at  its  PTI  and  JPE  Canada
     subsidiaries.  The  benefits  are earned  based on stated  amounts for each
     month of  credited  service.  The  Company's  policy is to fund  amounts as
     allowed under applicable federal  regulations.  The assets of the plans are
     invested in certificates of deposit, treasury notes and equity securities.



                                    JPE, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


6.   EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS, continued:

     Pension information is as follows:

       Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost


                                                   Year Ending December 31,
                                                     1995             1996
                                                     ----             ----
                                                               

         Service cost                                $ 89            $ 69
         Interest cost                                 82              77
         Actual return on assets                      (48)            (91)
         Net amortization and deferral                 (6)            (10)
                                                     ----            ----

       Net cost                                      $117            $ 45
                                                     ====            ====



     No expense was recognized in the year ending  December 31, 1996 for the JPE
     Canada plan.

       Reconciliation of Funded Status

                                          December 31, 1995   December 31, 1996
                                          -----------------   -----------------
                                                PTI         JPE Canada     PTI
                                                ---         ----------     ---
                                                                
         Actuarial present value of
          benefit obligations
            Vested                             $  943        $1,144      $1,129
            Unvested                               17                        23

       Accumulated Benefit Obligation (ABO)       960         1,144       1,152

       Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO)         960         1,144       1,152
       Actual plan assets at fair value         1,078           650       1,344

       Plan assets greater (less) than PBO        118          (494)        192
       Unrecognized transition liability          (98)                      (86)
       Unrecognized net gain                      (90)                     (108)
       Unrecognized prior service cost             67                        62
       Unamortized prior year's gain              (46)                      (69)
                                               ------        ------      ------

       Accrued pension cost recognized
        in the balance sheet                   $  (49)       $ (494)     $   (9)

       Major assumptions
         Discount rate                           7.75%         7.00%       8.00%
         Rate of return on plan assets           7.00%         7.00%       8.00%






                                    JPE, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


6.   EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS, continued:

     The Company contributes to a multiemployer defined benefit plan for the IAF
     employees covered under its collective bargaining  agreement.  This plan is
     composed  of  hundreds  of  different   participating  employers  and  many
     international  and local  unions.  Pension  benefits  are  determined  on a
     formula  basis which  recognize  length of service and benefit  units.  One
     benefit  unit is  credited  for each  1,800  hours of  service  in  covered
     employment.  The  Company has charged to expense $86 and $122 for the years
     ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

     The Company also provides  health care and life insurance  benefits for the
     union  employees of IAF. These  employees  become  eligible for benefits if
     they qualify for  retirement  while working for the Company.  The following
     table presents the plan's status at December 31:



                                                            1995         1996
                                                            ----         ----
                                                                 
     Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
       Retirees                                           $  (152)     $  (151)
       Fully eligible active plan participants               (259)        (278)
       Other active plan participants                        (585)        (744)
                                                          -------      -------

         Accumulated postretirement benefit
          obligation                                      $  (996)     $(1,173)

       Unrecognized net loss                                  107          111
                                                          -------      -------

       Recorded accumulated postretirement
        benefit obligation                                $  (889)     $(1,062)
                                                          =======      =======



     The following  table presents net periodic  benefit cost for the year ended
     December 31:



                                                            1995         1996
                                                            ----         ----
                                                                 
       Service cost                                       $    63      $   117
       Interest cost                                           56           72
                                                          -------      -------

       Net periodic benefit cost                          $   119      $   189
                                                          =======      =======



     The accumulated  postretirement  benefit obligation was determined using an
     assumed  discount rate of 7.25% in 1995 and 1996. The assumed annual health
     care cost  trend  rate was 7.5% and 7.0% for 1995 and  1996,  respectively,
     decreasing to 5% in 2001. A one  percentage  point  increase in the assumed
     health  care cost  trend rate would  have  increased  the 1996  accumulated
     postretirement  cost  by $45  and  would  have  increased  the  accumulated
     postretirement benefit obligation by $205.



                                    JPE, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


7.   INCOME TAXES:

     Income tax expense at December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 is as follows:



                                              1994        1995        1996
                                              ----        ----        ----
                                                            
     Income (loss) before income tax
       U.S.                                  $5,158      $7,229      $(1,301)
       Foreign                                  --          --           (85)

     Current payable (refundable):
       Federal                               $1,219      $1,195      $  (395)
       State                                    220         220          378
                                             ------      ------      -------
     Total current payable (refundable)       1,439       1,415          (17)
                                             ------      ------      -------

     Deferred:
       Federal                                  432       1,375           96
       State                                     97         (10)         157
       Foreign                                  --          --           (33)
                                             ------      ------      -------
     Total deferred                             529       1,365          220
                                             ------      ------      -------

          Total income tax expense           $1,968      $2,780      $   203
                                             ======      ======      =======


     The 1994,  1995 and 1996 provision for income taxes differs from the amount
     of income tax determined by applying the statutory U. S. federal income tax
     rate to pretax income as a result of the following:



                                               1994        1995         1996
                                               ----        ----         ----
                                                               
     Statutory U. S. federal tax rate           34%         34%         (34%)
     State taxes, net of federal tax
       benefit                                   4           3           26
     Non-deductible write-off of
       equity investment                        --          --           10
     Goodwill amortization                       3           7           14
     All other                                  (3)         (6)          (1)
                                                ---         ---          ---

          Effective tax rate                    38%         38%          15%
                                                ===         ===          ===





                                    JPE, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


7.   INCOME TAXES, continued:

     Deferred income taxes reflect the estimated  future tax effect of temporary
     differences  between the amount of the assets and liabilities for financial
     reporting   purposes   and  such  amounts  as  measured  by  tax  laws  and
     regulations.  At  December  31,  1995 and 1996,  deferred  tax  assets  and
     liabilities are as follows:



                                                       1995            1996
                                                       ----            ----
                                                                
     Deferred tax assets:

       Goodwill                                       $  --           $1,089
       Inventory                                         224             466
       Allowance for doubtful accounts                   142              96
       Employee benefits                                 844             961
       AMT tax credit                                    --              275
       All other                                          81              74
                                                      ------          ------
     Total deferred tax assets                         1,291           2,961
                                                      ------          ------

     Deferred tax liabilities:

       Property and equipment                          3,098           4,664
       LIFO Inventory                                    276             230
       Goodwill                                          158             --
                                                      ------          ------

     Total deferred tax liabilities                    3,532           4,894
                                                      ------          ------

     Net deferred taxes                               $2,241          $1,933
                                                      ======          ======



8.   STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS:

     The Company has granted  certain  officers,  directors,  key  employees and
     consultants  stock  options  under the 1993  Stock  Incentive  Plan for Key
     Employees of JPE, Inc. The options  granted under this plan give the bearer
     the right to purchase  stock at a fixed  price,  determined  at the date of
     grant.

     Under the JPE Stock  Incentive  Plan for Key Employees  (the  "Plan"),  the
     total number of shares of common stock that may be granted is 775,250.  The
     Plan provides that shares  granted come from the Company's  authorized  but
     unissued common stock and that the price of the options granted  qualifying
     as  incentive  options will not be less than 100 percent of the fair market
     value of the shares on the date of the grant.  All  options  that have been
     granted  under the Plan vest  equally over a four year period and expire on
     various dates, typically ten years after the date of grant.

     Information  regarding the Plan,  the prior plan and the JPE Director Stock
     Option Plan for 1994, 1995 and 1996 is as follows:



                                    JPE, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


8.   STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS, continued:


                                               Weighted                 Weighted
                                               Average                  Average
                                               Exercise   Options       Exercise
                                    Shares     Price      Exercisable   Price
                                    ------     --------   -----------   --------
                                                            

 Balance, December 31, 1993         291,400    $ 6.04
 Options exercised                   (6,346)     5.99
 Options terminated and expired     (20,704)     6.52
 Options granted                    135,000     10.56
                                    -------
 Balance, December 31, 1994         399,350    $ 7.54     197,600       $ 4.06

 Options exercised                  (50,100)   $ 1.50
 Options terminated and expired    (149,211)    12.05
 Options granted                    449,539     12.29
                                    -------
 Balance, December 31, 1995         649,578    $10.26     191,198       $ 6.33

 Options exercised                 (108,550)   $ 3.78
 Options terminated and expired    (597,418)    11.24
 Options granted                    537,000      7.67
                                    -------
 Balance, December 31, 1996         480,610    $ 7.61     168,981       $ 8.26
                                    =======




                                       1996            1995            1994
                                       ----            ----            ----
                                                         

 Options available for grant
  at end of year                       294,640         125,672         176,000
 Option price range at end
  of year                         $3.26-$13.50    $3.26-$14.25    $1.50-$12.65
 Option price range for
  exercised shares                 $3.26-$4.01           $1.50           $5.99
 Weighted average grant date
  fair value of options granted          $4.44
 Weighted average remaining
  contractual life                     8 years



     On  December  16,  1996,  the  Company  elected to  reprice  415,000 of the
     outstanding options to the then fair market value of $7.25.

     During 1994,  the Company  granted  warrants to purchase  100,000 shares of
     common stock at $9.50 per share. The warrants were exercisable on the grant
     date.  During 1993, the Company granted  warrants to purchase 25,000 shares
     of common stock for $13.80 per share.



                                    JPE, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


8.   STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS, continued:

     The  Company  has  elected  to  adopt  the  disclosure-only  provisions  of
     Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock
     Based Compensation."  Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized
     for the stock option plan.  Had  compensation  cost for the Company's  plan
     been  determined  based on the fair  value at the grant  date for awards in
     1996  consistent  with the  provisions  of SFAS No. 123, the  Company's net
     earnings  per share  would  have  been  reduced  to the pro  forma  amounts
     indicated below:



                                                    1995             1996
                                                    ----             ----
                                                              
     Net income (loss) - as reported               $4,449           $(1,589)
     Net income (loss) - pro forma                 $4,406           $(1,810)

     Earnings (loss) per share - as reported        $1.09             $(.35)
     Earnings (loss) per share - pro forma          $1.08             $(.40)



     The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
     the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following  weighted-average
     assumptions  used  for  grants  in 1995  and  1996:  dividend  yield of 0%;
     expected  volatility of 56%;  risk-free interest rate of 6.3%; and expected
     lives of 6 years.

     The pro forma  disclosures  may not be  representative  of the  effects  on
     reported  net income and  earnings  per share  because  only stock  options
     granted  beginning in 1995 and 1996 are reflected in the pro forma amounts.
     Other factors that may impact pro forma disclosures in future years include
     the vesting period of stock options, timing of additional grants and number
     of additional shares granted.


9.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

     Various  legal  actions  and other  claims  could be  asserted  against the
     Company.  Litigation  is  subject  to many  uncertainties.  The  outcome of
     individual  litigated matters is not predictable with assurance,  and it is
     reasonably  possible that some of these matters may be decided  unfavorably
     to  the  Company.  It is  the  opinion  of  management  that  the  ultimate
     liability, if any, with respect to these matters will not materially affect
     the consolidated financial position, liquidity, or results of operations of
     the Company at December 31, 1996.


10.  ACQUISITIONS:

     On December 23, 1996, the Company acquired  substantially all of the assets
     of JPE  Canada.  On  February  28,  1995 and March 31,  1995,  the  Company
     acquired  the  assets  of IAF  and  all of the  outstanding  stock  of PTI,
     respectively.  These  acquisitions  have been  accounted  for as purchases.
     Accordingly,  the purchase prices,  which amounted to $26,015,  $40,578 and
     $21,662 for IAF, PTI and JPE Canada,  respectively,  were  allocated to the
     assets acquired and liabilities  assumed. The values of the assets acquired
     and liabilities assumed with the purchases of IAF and PTI were based on the
     fair  values at the  respective  dates of  acquisition.  The  values of the
     assets  acquired  and  liabilities  assumed with the purchase of JPE Canada
     were based on the fair values at the date of acquisition with the exception
     of fixed  assets,  which are valued at an amount  lower than the fair value
     due to the bargain purchase nature of the acquisition.



                                    JPE, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


10.  ACQUISITIONS, continued:

     The value of assets and  liabilities  assumed for the purchases of IAF, PTI
     and JPE Canada were comprised of the following on February 28, 1995,  March
     31, 1995, and December 23, 1996, respectively.



                                                                     JPE
                                                IAF        PTI      Canada
                                                ---        ---      ------
                                                           

     Cash                                     $   --     $   --     $   --
     Accounts receivable and other assets       5,466      7,955      3,676
     Inventory                                  6,377      5,701      6,095
     Property, plant and equipment             10,443     17,517     14,154
     Goodwill                                   6,820     15,237        --
     Deferred tax asset                           876        469        --
                                              -------    -------    -------

              Total                            29,982     46,879     23,925

     Accounts payable and accrued
       expenses                                (3,967)    (6,301)    (2,263)
                                              -------    -------    -------

              Total, net                      $26,015    $40,578    $21,662
                                              =======    =======    =======



     The following  unaudited pro forma summary for the years ended December 31,
     1995 and 1996 assumes that the  acquisitions of IAF, PTI and JPE Canada had
     occurred  on January 1, 1995.  The  significant  adjustments  relate to the
     inclusion  of  amortization  of goodwill,  an increase in interest  expense
     based on an  increase  in  long-term  obligations,  additional  or  reduced
     depreciation on the revaluation of property,  plant and equipment,  and the
     related income tax effects.



                                                   1995             1996
                                                   ----             ----
                                                            
     Revenues                                    $262,539         $275,860
     Operating profit                              24,486            6,524
     Income  (loss) before income taxes            13,012           (1,958)
     Net income (loss)                              8,120           (1,955)

     Earnings (loss) per common share               $1.98           ($0.43)





                                    JPE, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


11.  GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT:

     During the third quarter of 1996,  management identified that a significant
     change had  occurred  in the product  mix of its IAF  subsidiary  since its
     purchase in March 1995. In accordance  with SFAS 121,  "Accounting  for the
     Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for  Long-Lived  Assets to be Disposed
     of,"  management  recorded a $4,300  impairment  writedown  of the goodwill
     associated with the acquisition of IAF. The goodwill was originally  valued
     at $6,820 when IAF was acquired and,  subsequent to the  adjustment,  had a
     net unamortized  carrying value of approximately  $2,136 as of December 31,
     1996. The writedown of $4,300 was calculated based on the estimated current
     fair market  value of the IAF business  which was  $21,300.  As a result of
     this writedown,  goodwill amortization will be reduced by $172 on an annual
     basis.


12.  SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

     Selected cash payments and noncash  activities for the years ended December
     31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 were as follows:



                                                     1994      1995      1996
                                                     ----      ----      ----
                                                               
     Cash paid for interest                         $ 1,050   $ 4,605   $ 6,780
     Cash paid for income taxes                       2,514     1,935        83

     Noncash investing and financing activities:
       Issuance of note payable in connection
            with Starboard acquisition               11,625       --        --
       Issuance of stock warrants in connection
            with Starboard acquisition                  500       --        --
       Debt assumed in connection with
            purchase of real property                   490       --        --
       Issuance of note payable in connection
            with the acquisition of IAF                 --     10,377       --





                                    JPE, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    (amounts in thousands, except share data)


13.  INDUSTRY SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA:

     The Company  operates  principally  in one  segment,  automotive  and truck
     components,  which are sold to the original equipment manufacturers as well
     as the  replacement  parts  markets.  The  Company's  sales  to  individual
     customers in excess of 10% of total revenue were:



                                                                     Pro Forma*
                                         1995           1996            1996
                                         ----           ----            ----
                                                                
     General Motors Corporation           34%            36%             53%
     Chrysler Corporation                 12%            14%             10%


<FN>
     *Including the impact of JPE Canada for all of 1996.
</FN>


     There  were no  customers  to whom  sales  were in  excess  of 10% of total
     revenue for the year ended December 31, 1994.

     The  Company had export  sales of  approximately  $20.5 and $26.5  million,
     principally  to Canada,  for the years  ended  December  31, 1995 and 1996,
     respectively.  Export sales for the year ended  December 31, 1994 were less
     than 10% of total  revenues.  The Company  operates  in the North  American
     geographic area.



                                                        
ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
         AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.


                                    PART III


ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The  information  required by this Item 10 regarding  executive  officers of the
Company is  included  in the  Supplemental  Item in Part I of this Report and is
incorporated in this Item 10 by reference. The information required by this Item
10  regarding  directors  of the Company  will be set forth  under the  captions
"Election  of  Directors"  and  "Other  Information  Relating  to  Nominees  and
Directors" in the Company's  Proxy  Statement in connection with the 1997 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held May 15, 1997 and is incorporated in
this Item 10 by reference.  The Company is not required to make any  disclosures
under Item 405 of Regulation S-K.


ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this Item 11 concerning executive  compensation will
be  set  forth  under  the  caption  "Compensation  of  Executive  Officers  and
Directors" in the Company's  Proxy  Statement in connection with the 1997 Annual
Meeting of  Shareholders  scheduled  to be held May 15, 1997 and (except for the
information set forth under the caption  "Compensation of Executive Officers and
Directors -- Report of Compensation  Committee") is incorporated in this Item 11
by reference.


ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The  information  required  by this Item 12  concerning  security  ownership  of
certain  beneficial  owners and management  will be set forth under the captions
"Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof" and "Election of Directors" in
the  Company's  Proxy  Statement in connection  with the 1997 Annual  Meeting of
Shareholders  scheduled to be held May 15, 1997 and is incorporated in this Item
12 by reference.



ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Not applicable.


                                     PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

         (a)  Listing of Documents

              (1)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                    The Company's  Consolidated Financial Statements included in
                    Item 8 hereof,  as required  at December  31, 1995 and 1996,
                    and for the years ended  December 31,  1994,  1995 and 1996,
                    consist of the following:

                    o  Report of Independent Accountants
                    o  Consolidated Balance Sheets
                    o  Consolidated Statements of Income
                    o  Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
                    o  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                    o  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

              (2)  FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

                    The  financial  statement  schedule of the Company  appended
                    hereto,  as required for the years ended  December 31, 1994,
                    1995 and 1996, consist of the following:

                    VIII.  Valuation and Qualifying Accounts



              (3)  EXHIBITS

              Exhibit
              Number                   Description
              ------                   -----------

              2.1   Asset  Purchase  Agreement  dated  December 31, 1992,  among
                    Varity  Corporation,  a  subsidiary  of  Varity  Corporation
                    formerly known as Dayton Parts, Inc., the Registrant and JPE
                    Acquisition I, Inc.,  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2
                    to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
                    No. 33-68544).

              2.2   Stock  Purchase  Agreement  dated  December  13, 1994 by and
                    among JPE,  Inc. and the  Shareholders  of SAC  Corporation,
                    incorporated by reference to Registrant's  Current Report on
                    Form 8-K dated December 28, 1994.
              
              2.3   Asset Purchase  Agreement  dated February 28, 1995 among JPE
                    Acquisition  II,  Inc.,  Key  Manufacturing   Group  Limited
                    Partnership  and  TTD  Management,   Inc.,  incorporated  by
                    reference  to Exhibit 2 to  Registrant's  Current  Report on
                    Form 8-K dated March 14, 1995.

              2.4   Acquisition  Agreement  dated as of April 6, 1995 among JPE,
                    Inc.,  PTI  Acquisition   Corp.  and  Plastic  Trim,   Inc.,
                    incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  2 to  Registrant's
                    Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 1995.

              2.5   Agreement  of  Purchase  and Sale dated  November  15,  1996
                    between JPE,  Inc., in trust for 1203462  Ontario Inc.,  and
                    Pebra  Inc.,   incorporated  by  reference  to  Registrant's
                    Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 6, 1997.

              3.1   Articles of  Incorporation,  incorporated  by  reference  to
                    Exhibit 3.1 to the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement on
                    Form S-1 (File No.  33-68544).

              3.2   Bylaws,  incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  3.2 to the
                    Registrant's  Registration  Statement  on Form S-1 (File No.
                    33-68544).

              4     Form  of  Certificate   for  Shares  of  the  Common  Stock,
                    incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 4 to the  Registrant's
                    Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-68544).
                      
             *10.1  Stock  Option  Agreement  dated  as of  November  27,  1991,
                    between  John F. Daly and the  Registrant,  incorporated  by
                    reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the  Registrant's  Registration
                    Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-68544).
                    
              10.2  Shareholder  Agreement  (Conformed  Copy),  incorporated  by
                    reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the  Registrant's  Registration
                    Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-68544).



              10.3  Indemnification  Agreement dated September 1, 1993,  between
                    the Registrant and Dr. John  Psarouthakis,  incorporated  by
                    reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the  Registrant's  Registration
                    Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-68544).
                       
              10.4  Indemnification  Agreement dated September 1, 1993,  between
                    the Registrant and Dr. Otto Gago,  incorporated by reference
                    to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant's  Registration  Statement
                    on Form S-1 (File No. 33-68544).

              10.5  Indemnification  Agreement dated September 1, 1993,  between
                    the Registrant and John F. Daly,  incorporated  by reference
                    to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant's  Registration  Statement
                    on Form S-1 (File No. 33-68544).

              10.6  Indemnification  Agreement dated September 1, 1993,  between
                    the  Registrant  and  Donald  R.  Mandich,  incorporated  by
                    reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant's  Registration
                    Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-68544).

              10.7  JPE,  Inc.  Warrant to Purchase  Common  Stock issued by the
                    Registrant  in  favor  of  Roney  &  Co.,   incorporated  by
                    reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant's  Registration
                    Statement on Form S-1 (File No.  33-68544).  Pursuant to its
                    terms,  the foregoing  Warrant was surrendered and exchanged
                    for substitute  Warrants  identical to the foregoing Warrant
                    in all  respects  except  for  the  name  of the  substitute
                    Warrant holder and the number of shares of the  Registrant's
                    Common   Stock  for  which  the   substitute   Warrants  are
                    exercisable, which terms are as follows: 

                                                     Number of Shares
                                                   of Common Stock for
                    Warrant Holder              which Warrant is Exercisable
                    --------------              ----------------------------

                    Roney & Co.                           10,000
                    John C. Donnelly                       6,250
                    James C. Penman                        6,250
                    Dan B. French, Jr.                     2,500

              10.8  Exclusive  Distributor  Agreement  dated  December 31, 1992,
                    between Dayton Walther Corporation ("DWC") and Dayton Parts,
                    incorporated   by   reference   to  Exhibit   10.14  to  the
                    Registrant's  Registration  Statement  on Form S-1 (File No.
                    33-68544).

              10.9  Exclusive  Distributor  Agreement  dated  December 31, 1992,
                    between DWC and Dayton Parts,  incorporated  by reference to
                    Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant's  Registration Statement on
                    Form S-1 (File No. 33-68544).

              10.10 Letter Agreement dated December 31, 1992, from  Kelsey-Hayes
                    Company  to   Acquisition   (now  known  as  Dayton  Parts),
                    incorporated   by   reference   to  Exhibit   10.16  to  the
                    Registrant's  Registration  Statement  on Form S-1 (File No.
                    33-68544).



              10.11 Lease Agreement  dated May 3, 1993,  between Central Storage
                    & Transfer Company of Harrisburg,  Inc. ("CSTCH") and Dayton
                    Parts,  as amended by First  Addendum  to Lease dated May 3,
                    1993,  between  CSTCH  and  Dayton  Parts,  incorporated  by
                    reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Registrant's  Registration
                    Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-68544).
              
              10.12 JPE, Inc. 1993 Stock  Incentive Plan for Key  Employees,  as
                    amended,  incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit 28 to the
                    Registrant's  Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 (File No.
                    33-93326).

              10.13 Form of JPE,  Inc.  Warrant  to  purchase  an  aggregate  of
                    100,000  shares of Common Stock at $9.50 per share issued by
                    the  Registrant in favor of the sellers of SAC  Corporation,
                    incorporated   by   reference   to  Exhibit   4.a.   to  the
                    Registrant's Form 8-K dated December 28, 1994.
                       
              10.14 Third  Amendment to JPE, Inc. 1993 Stock  Incentive Plan for
                    Key  Employees,  incorporated  by reference to  Registrant's
                    Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31,
                    1995.

             *10.15 Amendment to Stock Option  Agreement  dated as of November
                    27, 1991,  between JPE, Inc. and John F. Daly,  incorporated
                    by reference to Registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                    the year ended December 31, 1995.

             *10.16 JPE,  Inc.  Director  Stock Option Plan,  incorporated  by
                    reference  to  Exhibit 28 to the  Registrant's  Registration
                    Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-93328).

              10.17 Form of  Indemnification  Agreement  dated February 8, 1995,
                    between the Registrant and Donna L. Bacon,  incorporated  by
                    reference  to  Exhibit  10.1 to the  Registrant's  Quarterly
                    Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1995.

              10.18 Form of  Indemnification  Agreement  between the  Registrant
                    and James J. Fahrner,  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
                    10.3 to the  Registrant's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                    the quarter ended June 30, 1995.

              10.19 Form of Indemnification  Agreement between Registrant and C.
                    William Mercurio, filed with this report.

              10.20 Third  Amended and  Restated  Credit  Agreement  dated as of
                    December  31,  1996,  by  and  among  Comerica  Bank,  other
                    participants and JPE, Inc., filed with this report.

              10.21 Credit  Agreement  dated as of December 20, 1996 between JPE
                    Canada  Inc.  and The Bank of Nova  Scotia,  filed with this
                    report.

              21    Subsidiaries of the Registrant, filed with this report.

              23    Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.


         *  Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.



         (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

               The  Registrant  did not file any  Reports on Form 8-K during the
               quarter ended December 31, 1996.




                                   SIGNATURES


     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on
its behalf on March 26, 1997 by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                  JPE, INC.

                                  By:    /s/ John Psarouthakis
                                        --------------------------------------
                                         John Psarouthakis
                                         Chairman of the Board,
                                         Chief Executive Officer and Director


     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
Report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:


 /s/ John Psarouthakis         Chairman of the Board,            March 26, 1997
 John Psarouthakis             Chief Executive Officer,
                               President and Director
                               (Principal Executive Officer)

 /s/ James J. Fahrner          Vice President and                March 26, 1997
 James J. Fahrner              Chief Financial Officer
                               (Principal Financial Officer and
                               Principal Accounting Officer)

 /s/ C. William Mercurio       President-OEM Group               March 26, 1997
 C. William Mercurio           and Director


 /s/ John F. Daly              Director                          March 26, 1997
 John F. Daly


 /s/ Otto Gago                 Director                          March 26, 1997
 Otto Gago


 /s/ Donald R. Mandich         Director                          March 26, 1997
 Donald R. Mandich



                                    JPE, INC.

                          FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

                     PURSUANT TO ITEM 14(a)(2) OF FORM 10-K

             ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION



The schedule, as required, for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996:

                                                                  Pages
                                                                  -----

 VIII.     Valuation and Qualifying Accounts                        49



                                    JPE, INC.


                       SCHEDULE VIII - VALUATION ACCOUNTS

              for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996


Column A                 Column B         Column C         Column D    Column E
- --------                 --------    --------------------  --------    --------
                         Balance at  Charges to  Charges               Balance
                         Beginning   Costs and   to Other              at End
Description              of Period   Expenses    Accounts  Deductions  of Period
- -----------              ---------   --------    --------  ----------  ---------
                                                        
Accounts receivable,
allowance for doubtful
accounts:

January 1, 1994 through
 December 31, 1994 ....   $199,000   $(97,000)   $134,000  $    --     $236,000
                          ========   =========   ========  ==========  ========

January 1, 1995 through
 December 31, 1995 ....   $236,000   $186,000    $ 13,000  $ (66,000)  $369,000
                          ========   =========   ========  ==========  ========

January 1, 1996 through
 December 31, 1996 ....   $369,000   $104,000    $    --   $(211,000)  $262,000
                          ========   =========   ========  ==========  ========




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                           
   Exhibit            
   Number                           Description
   ------                           -----------

    2.1   Asset  Purchase  Agreement  dated  December  31,  1992,  among  Varity
          Corporation,  a subsidiary  of Varity  Corporation  formerly  known as
          Dayton  Parts,  Inc.,  the  Registrant  and JPE  Acquisition  I, Inc.,
          incorporated   by   reference   to  Exhibit  2  to  the   Registrant's
          Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-68544).
   
    2.2   Stock  Purchase  Agreement  dated  December 13, 1994 by and among JPE,
          Inc.  and  the  Shareholders  of  SAC  Corporation,   incorporated  by
          reference to  Registrant's  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated December
          28, 1994.
   
    2.3   Asset Purchase Agreement dated February 28, 1995 among JPE Acquisition
          II,  Inc.,  Key  Manufacturing   Group  Limited  Partnership  and  TTD
          Management,   Inc.,   incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  2  to
          Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 14, 1995.

    2.4   Acquisition  Agreement  dated as of April 6, 1995 among JPE, Inc., PTI
          Acquisition Corp. and Plastic Trim, Inc., incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 2 to  Registrant's  Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24,
          1995.

    2.5   Agreement  of Purchase  and Sale dated  November 15, 1996 between JPE,
          Inc., in trust for 1203462 Ontario Inc., and Pebra Inc.,  incorporated
          by reference to Registrant's  Current Report on Form 8-K dated January
          6, 1997.

    3.1   Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
          the  Registrant's   Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-1  (File  No.
          33-68544).

    3.2   Bylaws,  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the  Registrant's
          Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-68544).

    4     Form of Certificate  for Shares of the Common Stock,  incorporated  by
          reference to Exhibit 4 to the Registrant's  Registration  Statement on
          Form S-1 (File No. 33-68544).

   *10.1  Stock Option Agreement dated as of November 27, 1991,  between John F.
          Daly and the Registrant,  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to
          the  Registrant's   Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-1  (File  No.
          33-68544).

    10.2  Shareholder  Agreement (Conformed Copy),  incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10.6 to the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement on Form S-1
          (File No. 33-68544).



    10.3  Indemnification   Agreement  dated  September  1,  1993,  between  the
          Registrant  and Dr. John  Psarouthakis,  incorporated  by reference to
          Exhibit 10.7 to the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement on Form S-1
          (File No. 33-68544).

    10.4  Indemnification   Agreement  dated  September  1,  1993,  between  the
          Registrant  and Dr. Otto Gago,  incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit
          10.8 to the Registrant's  Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No.
          33-68544).

    10.5  Indemnification   Agreement  dated  September  1,  1993,  between  the
          Registrant and John F. Daly, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9
          to the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement  on Form S-1  (File  No.
          33-68544).

    10.6  Indemnification   Agreement  dated  September  1,  1993,  between  the
          Registrant and Donald R. Mandich, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
          10.10 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No.
          33-68544).

    10.7  JPE, Inc. Warrant to Purchase Common Stock issued by the Registrant in
          favor of Roney & Co.,  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.11 to
          the  Registrant's   Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-1  (File  No.
          33-68544).   Pursuant  to  its  terms,   the  foregoing   Warrant  was
          surrendered  and exchanged for  substitute  Warrants  identical to the
          foregoing  Warrant  in  all  respects  except  for  the  name  of  the
          substitute Warrant holder and the number of shares of the Registrant's
          Common Stock for which the substitute Warrants are exercisable,  which
          terms are as follows:

                                         Number of Shares
                                        of Common Stock for
          Warrant Holder             which Warrant is Exercisable
          --------------             ----------------------------

          Roney & Co.                         10,000
          John C. Donnelly                     6,250
          James C. Penman                      6,250
          Dan B. French, Jr.                   2,500
           
    10.8  Exclusive  Distributor  Agreement  dated  December 31,  1992,  between
          Dayton Walther Corporation  ("DWC") and Dayton Parts,  incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Registrant's  Registration Statement
          on Form S-1 (File No. 33-68544).
          
    10.9  Exclusive  Distributor  Agreement dated December 31, 1992, between DWC
          and Dayton  Parts,  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the
          Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-68544).

    10.10 Letter  Agreement dated December 31, 1992, from  Kelsey-Hayes  Company
          to Acquisition (now known as Dayton Parts),  incorporated by reference
          to Exhibit 10.16 to the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement on Form
          S-1 (File No. 33-68544).


          
    10.11 Lease Agreement dated May 3, 1993,  between Central Storage & Transfer
          Company of Harrisburg,  Inc. ("CSTCH") and Dayton Parts, as amended by
          First  Addendum to Lease dated May 3, 1993,  between  CSTCH and Dayton
          Parts,  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Registrant's
          Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-68544).

    10.12 JPE, Inc. 1993 Stock  Incentive  Plan for Key  Employees,  as amended,
          incorporated   by  reference   to  Exhibit  28  to  the   Registrant's
          Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-92236).

    10.13 Form of JPE, Inc.  Warrant to purchase an aggregate of 100,000  shares
          of Common Stock at $9.50 per share issued by the  Registrant  in favor
          of the  sellers  of SAC  Corporation,  incorporated  by  reference  to
          Exhibit 4.a. to the Registrant's Form 8-K dated December 28, 1994.

    10.14 Third  Amendment  to JPE,  Inc.  1993  Stock  Incentive  Plan  for Key
          Employees,  incorporated by reference to Registrant's Annual Report on
          Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.

   *10.15 Amendment to Stock Option  Agreement  dated as of November 27, 1991,
          between  JPE,  Inc.  and John F. Daly,  incorporated  by  reference to
          Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December
          31, 1995.

   *10.16 JPE, Inc.  Director Stock Option Plan,  incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit  28 to the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement  on Form S-8
          (File No. 33-93328).

    10.17 Form of Indemnification  Agreement dated February 8, 1995, between the
          Registrant  and Donna L. Bacon,  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
          10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
          ended March 31, 1995.

    10.18 Form of Indemnification  Agreement between the Registrant and James J.
          Fahrner, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's
          Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995.

    10.19 Form of  Indemnification  Agreement between  Registrant and C. William
          Mercurio, filed with this report.

    10.20 Third Amended and Restated  Credit  Agreement dated as of December 31,
          1996, by and among Comerica Bank,  other  participants  and JPE, Inc.,
          filed with this report.

    10.21 Credit  Agreement  dated as of December  20,  1996  between JPE Canada
          Inc. and The Bank of Nova Scotia, filed with this report.

    21    Subsidiaries of the Registrant, filed with this report.

    23    Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

    27    Financial Data Schedule, which is submitted electronically to the
          Securities and Exchange Commission for information only and not filed.

*   Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.