EXHIBIT 23.1 [LETTERHEAD OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP] CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated October 3, 1996 included in Summa Industries' Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1996 and to all references to our Firm included in this registration statement on Form S-8. /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP ---------------------------------------- ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Orange County, California October 20, 1997