1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 5


(PRESS RELEASE)

April 11, 1997



                       ERO, INC. AND HEDSTROM CORPORATION
                     ENTER INTO DEFINITIVE MERGER AGREEMENT
                     --------------------------------------

Mount Prospect, IL (PRNewswire) -- ERO, Inc. (NASDAQ: EROI) and Hedstrom
Corporation announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger
agreement.  The agreement calls for Hedstrom to acquire ERO, a leading
consolidator and marketer of children's leisure products.

Under the merger agreement, Hedstrom will promptly commence a cash tender offer
for all of the outstanding shares of ERO common stock for $11.25 per share.
ERO has approximately 11.7 million fully diluted shares outstanding.  Including
funded debt, the transaction is valued at approximately $203 million.

D. Richard Ryan, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO of ERO stated, "We clearly
think this transaction is in the best interest of ERO shareholders.  The merger
also represents a great opportunity for both companies to become a more
important factor in children's leisure products.  ERO has been growing about
20% per year over the last three years by acquiring businesses with dominant
positions in their respective markets.  Adding ERO's slumber, back-to-school,
arts & crafts, water sports and children's room decor business to Hedstrom's
play balls and outdoor play equipment businesses should create an even stronger
company, better able to serve its customers and provide now opportunities for
employees."



                                       1
   2
ERO's largest investor, the private equity fund of Golder, Thoma, Cressey,
Rauner, Inc., holds approximately 38 percent of the total outstanding shares of
the Company and has agreed to tender its shares into the tender offer.
Hedstrom's controlling shareholder is Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst, Inc.  The
Boards of Directors of both ERO and Hedstrom have give approval to the
acquisition and the Board of ERO recommends that ERO stockholders accept
Hedstrom's cash tender offer.

Consummation of the acquisition is contingent upon the tender of a majority of
ERO's outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis, the expiration or
termination of any applicable waiting periods under the federal
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Act, the funding of committed debt financing which
has been obtained by Hedstrom, and other customary conditions.

As a result of this transaction, ERO also announced that it was postponing its
Annual Meeting of Stockholders that had been previously scheduled for April 17,
1997.

ERO has grown significantly through acquisitions in the last five years.  The
company now is a leading marketer of children's leisure products in multiple
market segments through its four operating subsidiaries.  ERO Industries sells
licensed Slumber Shoppe and children's water sports products through sporting
goods and toy channels.  Amav Industries sells its art, craft and activity
products in toy and craft departments.  Impact sells licensed and branded
back-to-school products to stationery buyers.  Priss Prints markets a range of
children's room decor products through juvenile, paint and wallpaper and
domestic departments.



                                Contact:  Mark D. Renfree
                                          Chief Financial Officer
                                          847/803-9200 ext. 315



                                      2