JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 7.1

                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

         This will confirm the agreement by and among all of the undersigned
that the Schedule 13D filed on or about this date with respect to the beneficial
ownership by the undersigned of the Class A Common Stock, no par value per
share, of Xxxxxx International, Inc. is being, and any and all amendments to
such Schedule may be, filed on behalf of each of the undersigned. This Agreement
may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an
original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

Dated:   April 5, 1999

                                     HI MERGER SUBSIDIARY, INC.

                                     By: /s/ XXXX X. XXXXXX
                                         Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                         Title: Vice President

                                     HI HOLDINGS, INC.

                                     By: /s/ XXXX X. XXXXXX
                                         Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                         Title: Vice President

                                     TINICUM CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.

                                     By:TINICUM LANTERN L.L.C., its 
                                        General Partner

                                     By: /s/ XXXX X. XXXXXX
                                         Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                         Title: Member

                                     XXXXXXXXX INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                     By: /s/ XXXX X. XXXXXX
                                         Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                         Title: Vice President