CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



We have  issued  our  reports  dated  August  28,  1997  and  October  5,  1997,
accompanying the financial  statements of Sonics & Materials,  Inc. and Tooltex,
Inc., respectively,  contained in the Registration Statement and Prospectus.  We
consent to the use of the aforementioned  reports in the Registration  Statement
and  Prospectus,  and to the use of our name as it  appears  under  the  caption
"Experts."



GRANT THORNTON LLP

/s/GRANT THORNTON LLP


New York, New York
December 2, 1997