EXHIBIT 23.1



               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



         We hereby consent to the use in the  Prospectus  constituting a part of
this Registration Statement of our report dated March 4, 1996, except as to Note
3  which  is as of  March  28,  1996,  relating  to the  consolidated  financial
statements  and  schedule of The Lehigh Group Inc.  and  Subsidiaries,  which is
contained in this Prospectus.

         We also consent to the  reference to us under the caption  "Experts" in
the Prospectus.


                                                     /s/ BDO Seidman, LLP
                                                     --------------------
                                                     BDO SEIDMAN, LLP


New York, New York
September 13, 1996