<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4
 
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                                  A/B EXCHANGE

                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


                           Dated as of March 24, 1998

                                  by and among


                           Earle M. Jorgensen Company



                                      and


              Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation

                          BT Alex. Brown Incorporated

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
      This Registration Rights Agreement (this "AGREEMENT") is made and entered
                                                ---------                      
into as of March 24, 1998, by and among Earle M. Jorgensen Company, a Delaware
corporation (the "COMPANY"), and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
                  -------                                               
Corporation and BT Alex. Brown Incorporated (each an "INITIAL PURCHASER" and,
                                                      -----------------      
collectively, the "INITIAL PURCHASERS"), each of whom has agreed to purchase the
                   ------------------                                           
Company's 9  1/2% Senior Notes due 2005 (the "SERIES A NOTES") pursuant to the
                                              --------------                  
Purchase Agreement (as defined below).

      This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated March 19,
1998 (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), by and among the Company and the Initial
           ------------------                                            
Purchasers.  In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Series A
Notes, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in
this Agreement.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to
the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 9(j) of the
Purchase Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined
shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Indenture, dated March 24, 1998,
between the Company and United States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee,
relating to the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes (the "INDENTURE").
                                                            ---------   

      The parties hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1.    DEFINITIONS

      As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the
following meanings:

      ACT:  The Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the rules and regulations
      ---                                                                       
      promulgated by the Commissioner thereunder.

      AFFILIATE:  As defined in Rule 144 of the Act.
      ---------                                     

      BROKER-DEALER:  Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.
      -------------                                                          

      CERTIFICATED SECURITIES:  Definitive Notes, as defined in the Indenture.
      -----------------------                                                 

      CLOSING DATE:  The date hereof.
      ------------                   

      COMMISSION:  The Securities and Exchange Commission.
      ----------                                          

      CONSUMMATE:  An Exchange Offer shall be deemed "Consummated" for purposes
      ----------                                                               
of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (a) the filing and effectiveness under
the Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Series B
Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (b) the maintenance of such Exchange
Offer Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of the
Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the period required pursuant to
Section 3(b) hereof and (c) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under
the Indenture of Series B Notes in the same aggregate principal amount as the
aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes tendered by Holders thereof
pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

      CONSUMMATION DEADLINE: As defined in Section 3(b) hereof.
      ---------------------                                    

      EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE: As defined in Section 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.
      ----------------------                                             

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
      EXCHANGE ACT:  The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the
      ------------                                                          
rules and regulations promulgated by the Commissioner thereunder.

      EXCHANGE OFFER:  The exchange and issuance by the Company of a principal
      --------------                                                          
amount of Series B Notes (which shall be registered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement) equal to the outstanding principal amount of
Series A Notes that are tendered by such Holders in connection with such
exchange and issuance.

      EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT:  The Registration Statement
      -------------------------------------                             
relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.

      EXEMPT RESALES:  The transactions in which the Initial Purchasers propose
      --------------                                                           
to sell the Series A Notes to certain "qualified institutional buyers," as such
term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act, and pursuant to Regulation S under
the Act.

      FILING DEADLINE: As defined in Sections 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.
      ---------------                                              

      HOLDERS:  As defined in Section 2 hereof.
      -------                                  

      PROSPECTUS:  The prospectus included in a Registration Statement at the
      ----------                                                             
time such Registration Statement is declared effective, as amended or
supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference
into such Prospectus.

      RECOMMENCEMENT DATE:  As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
      -------------------                                     

      REGISTRATION DEFAULT:  As defined in Section 5 hereof.
      --------------------                                  

      REGISTRATION STATEMENT:  Any registration statement of the Company
      ----------------------                                            
relating to (a) an offering of Series B Notes pursuant to an Exchange Offer or
(b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to
the Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, (i) that is filed pursuant to
the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) including the Prospectus included
therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including pre- and post-
effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference
therein.

      REGULATION S:  Regulation S promulgated under the Act.
      ------------                                          

      RULE 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
      --------                                     

      SERIES B NOTES:  The Company's 9  1/2% Series B Senior Notes due 2005 to
      --------------                                                          
be issued pursuant to the Indenture:  (i) in the Exchange Offer or (ii) as
contemplated by Section 4 hereof.

      SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT:  As defined in Section 4 hereof.
      ----------------------------                                  

      SUSPENSION NOTICE:  As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
      -----------------                                     

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
      TIA:  The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb) as
      ---                                                                      
in effect on the date of the Indenture.

      TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES:  Each Series A Note, until the earliest to
      ------------------------------                                            
occur of (a) the date on which such Series A Note is exchanged in the Exchange
Offer for a Series B Note which is entitled to be resold to the public by the
Holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery requirements of
the Act, (b) the date on which such Series A Note has been disposed of in
accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement (and the purchasers thereof have
been issued Series B Notes), or (c) the date on which such Series A Note is
distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act (and purchasers
thereof have been issued Series B Notes) and each Series B Note until the date
on which such Series B Note is disposed of by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the
"Plan of Distribution" contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
(including the delivery of the Prospectus contained therein).

SECTION 2.    HOLDERS

      A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each,
a "HOLDER") whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.
   ------                                                            

SECTION 3.    REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER

      (a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted by applicable federal
law (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below have been complied
with), the Company shall (i) cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to
be filed with the Commission as soon as practicable after the Closing Date, but
in no event later than 90 days after the Closing Date (such 90/th/ day being the
"FILING DEADLINE"), (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Exchange
 ---------------                                                               
Offer Registration Statement to become effective at the earliest possible time,
but in no event later than 150 days after the Closing Date (such 150/th/ day
being the "EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE"), (iii) in connection with the foregoing, (A)
           ----------------------                                               
file all pre-effective amendments to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement
as may be necessary in order to cause it to become effective, (B) file, if
applicable, a post-effective amendment to such Exchange Offer Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Act and (C) cause all necessary
filings, if any, in connection with the registration and qualification of the
Series B Notes to be made under the Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as are
necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and (iv) upon the
effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, commence and
Consummate the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall be on the appropriate
form permitting (i) registration of the Series B Notes to be offered in exchange
for the Series A Notes that are Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) resales
of Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered into the Exchange Offer Series
A Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of
market making activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes
acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) as contemplated by
Section 3(c) below. The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any condition,
other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate any applicable law or
interpretation of the staff of the Commission.

      (b) The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to be effective continuously, and shall keep the Exchange
Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period required under
applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate the Exchange Offer;
provided, however, that in no event shall such period be less than 20 Business
Days. 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
The Company shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply with all applicable
federal and state securities laws.  No securities other than the Series B Notes
shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.  The Company
shall use its respective best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be
Consummated on the earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement has become effective, but in no event later than 30
Calendar Days thereafter (such 30/th/ day being the "CONSUMMATION DEADLINE").
                                                     ---------------------   

      (c) The Company shall include a "Plan of Distribution" section in the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and indicate
therein that any Broker-Dealer who holds Transfer Restricted Securities that
were acquired for the account of such Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes acquired
directly from the Company or any Affiliate of the Company), may exchange such
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Such "Plan of
Distribution" section shall also contain all other information with respect to
such sales by such Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to
permit such sales pursuant thereto, but such "Plan of Distribution" shall not
name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer, except to the extent required by the
Commission as a result of a change in policy, rules or regulations after the
date of this Agreement. See the Shearman & Sterling no-action letter (available
July 2, 1993).

   Because such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Act in connection with its initial sale of any Series B
Notes received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, the Company shall
permit the use of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement by such Broker-Dealer to satisfy such prospectus delivery requirement.
To the extent necessary to ensure that the prospectus contained in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement is available for sales of Series B Notes by Broker-
Dealers, the Company agrees to use its best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented, amended and current
as required by and subject to the provisions of Section 6(a) and (c) hereof and
in conformity with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies,
rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a
period of one year from the Consummation Deadline or such shorter period as will
terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration
Statement have been exchanged, disposed of or distributed pursuant thereto. The
Company shall provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such Prospectus
to such Broker-Dealers, promptly upon request, and in no event later than one
day after such request, at any time during such period.

SECTION 4.    SHELF REGISTRATION

      (a) Shelf Registration.  If (i) the Exchange Offer is not permitted by
          ------------------                                                
applicable law (after the Company has complied with the procedures set forth in
Section 6(a)(i) below) or (ii) if any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
shall notify the Company within 20 Business Days following the Consummation
Deadline that (A) such Holder was prohibited by law or Commission policy from
participating in the Exchange Offer or (B) such Holder may not resell the Series
B Notes acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a
prospectus and the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder or (C)
such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Series A Notes acquired directly from
the Company or any of its Affiliates, then the Company shall:

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
      (x) cause to be filed, on or prior to 90 days after the earlier of (i) the
date on which the Company determines that the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement cannot be filed as a result of clause (a)(i) above and (ii) the date
on which the Company receives the notice specified in clause (a)(ii) above,
(such earlier date, the "FILING DEADLINE"), a shelf registration statement
                         ---------------                                  
pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act (which may be an amendment to the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement (the "SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT")), relating to
                                   ----------------------------                
all Transfer Restricted Securities the Holders of which have provided the
information, if any, specifically required pursuant to Section 3(d) hereof, and

      (y) shall use its best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement
to become effective on or prior to 150 days after the Filing Deadline for the
Shelf Registration Statement (such 150/th/ day being the "EFFECTIVENESS
                                                          -------------
DEADLINE").

      If, after the Company has filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement
that satisfies the requirements of Section 3(a) above, the Company is required
to file and make effective a Shelf Registration Statement solely because the
Exchange Offer is not permitted under applicable federal law (i.e., clause
(a)(i) above), then the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of clause (x) above; provided that,
in such event, the Company shall remain obligated to meet the Effectiveness
Deadline set forth in clause (y).

      To the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration Statement is
available for sales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders thereof
entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a) and the other securities required
to be registered therein pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii) hereof, the Company shall
use its best efforts to keep any Shelf Registration Statement required by this
Section 4(a) continuously effective, supplemented, amended and current as
required by and subject to the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof and in
conformity with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies,
rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a
period of at least two years (as extended pursuant to Section 6(c)(i)) following
the Closing Date, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been
sold pursuant thereto.

      (b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the
          ------------------------------------------------------------------
Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities may
----------------------------                                                 
include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration
Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to
the Company in writing, within 20 days after receipt of a request therefor, the
information specified in Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, of
the Act for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or
Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. No Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall be entitled to liquidated damages pursuant to
Section 5 hereof unless and until such Holder shall have provided all such
information. Each selling Holder agrees to promptly furnish additional
information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously
furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.

SECTION 5.    LIQUIDATED DAMAGES

      If (i) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not filed
with the Commission on or prior to the applicable Filing Deadline, (ii) any such
Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission on or
prior to the applicable Effectiveness Deadline, (iii) the Exchange Offer has not
been Consummated on or prior to the Consummation Deadline or (iv) any
Registration

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Statement required by this Agreement is filed and declared effective but shall
thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be usable for its intended purpose
without being succeeded immediately by a post-effective amendment to such
Registration Statement that cures such failure and that is itself declared
effective immediately (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv),
a "REGISTRATION DEFAULT"), then the Company agrees to pay to each Holder of
   --------------------                                     
Transfer Restricted Securities affected thereby liquidated damages in an amount
equal to $.05 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities held by such Holder for each week or portion thereof that the
Registration Default continues for the first 90-day period immediately
following the occurrence of such Registration Default. The amount of the
liquidated damages shall increase by an additional $.05 per week per $1,000 in
principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities with respect to each
subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to
a maximum amount of liquidated damages of $.50 per week per $1,000 in principal
amount of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided that the Company shall in no
event be required to pay liquidated damages for more than one Registration
Default at any given time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth
herein, (1) upon filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if
applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (i) above, (2)
upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if
applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (ii) above, (3)
upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer, in the case of (iii) above, or (4) upon
the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or an
additional Registration Statement that causes the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement) to again be
declared effective or made usable in the case of (iv) above, the liquidated
damages payable with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities as a result
of such clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv), as applicable, shall cease.

      All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to the Holders entitled
thereto, in the manner provided for the payment of interest in the Indenture, on
each Interest Payment Date, as more fully set forth in the Indenture and the
Notes. Notwithstanding the fact that any securities for which liquidated damages
are due cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities, all obligations of the
Company to pay liquidated damages with respect to securities shall survive until
such time as such obligations with respect to such securities shall have been
satisfied in full.

SECTION 6.    REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

      (a)  Exchange Offer Registration Statement.  In connection with the
           -------------------------------------                         
Exchange Offer, the Company shall (x) comply with all applicable provisions of
Section 6(c) below, (y) use its best efforts to effect such exchange and to
permit the resale of Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered in the
Exchange Offer Series A Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own
account as a result of its market making activities or other trading activities
(other than Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its
Affiliates) being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of
distribution thereof, and (z) comply with all of the following provisions:

      (i)  If, following the date hereof there has been announced a change in
   Commission policy with respect to exchange offers such as the Exchange Offer,
   that in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company raises a substantial
   question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by applicable federal
   law, the Company hereby agrees to seek a no-action letter or other favorable
   decision from the Commission allowing the Company to Consummate an Exchange
   Offer for such Transfer Restricted Securities, unless in the written opinion
   of outside securities counsel to the 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
   Company such a no-action letter or other favorable decision is unlikely to be
   received. The Company hereby agrees to pursue the issuance of such a decision
   to the Commission staff level. In connection with the foregoing, the Company
   hereby agrees to take all such other actions as may be requested by the
   Commission or otherwise required in connection with the issuance of such
   decision, including without limitation (A) participating in telephonic
   conferences with the Commission, (B) delivering to the Commission staff an
   analysis prepared by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases, if
   any, upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer should
   be permitted and (C) diligently pursuing a resolution (which need not be
   favorable) by the Commission staff.

      (ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, each
   Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any
   Holder who is a Broker Dealer) shall furnish, upon the request of the
   Company, prior to the Consummation of the Exchange Offer, a written
   representation to the Company (which may be contained in the letter of
   transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to the
   effect that (A) it is not an Affiliate of the Company, (B) it is not engaged
   in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding
   with any person to participate in, a distribution of the Series B Notes to be
   issued in the Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the Series B Notes in
   its ordinary course of business. Each Holder using the Exchange Offer to
   participate in a distribution of the Series B Notes hereby acknowledges and
   agrees that, if the resales are of Series B Notes obtained by such Holder in
   exchange for Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or an
   Affiliate thereof, it (1) could not under Commission policy as in effect on
   the date of this Agreement, rely on the position of the Commission enunciated
   in Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital
      ----------------------------                              -------------
   Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the
   --------------------                                                
   Commission's letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar
                          -------------------                                
   no-action letters (including, if applicable, any no-action letter obtained
   pursuant to clause (i) above), and (2) must comply with the registration and
   prospectus delivery requirements of the Act in connection with a secondary
   resale transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction must be
   covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling
   security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of
   Regulation S-K.

      (iii) Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement,
   if required by the Commission, the Company shall provide a supplemental
   letter to the Commission (A) stating that the Company is registering the
   Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the Commission enunciated in
                                                                             
   Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley
   ----------------------------------                           --------------
   and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) as interpreted in the Commission's
   -------------                                                            
   letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and, if applicable, any no-
             -------------------                                               
   action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, (B) including a
   representation that the Company has not entered into any arrangement or
   understanding with any Person to distribute the Series B Notes to be received
   in the Exchange Offer and that, to the best of the Company's information and
   belief, each Holder participating in the Exchange Offer is acquiring the
   Series B Notes in its ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or
   understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution of the
   Series B Notes received in the Exchange Offer and (C) any other undertaking
   or representation required by the Commission as set forth in any no-action
   letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, if applicable.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
      (b) Shelf Registration Statement.  In connection with the Shelf
          ----------------------------                               
Registration Statement, the Company shall:

      (i)   comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c) below;

      (ii)  use its best efforts to effect such registration to permit the sale
   of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the
   intended method or methods of distribution thereof (as indicated in the
   information furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof), and
   pursuant thereto the Company will prepare and file with the Commission a
   Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form
   under the Act, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer
   Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of
   distribution thereof within the time periods and otherwise in accordance with
   the provisions hereof; and

      (iii) issue, upon the request of any Holder or purchaser of Series A Notes
   covered by any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement,
   Series B Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate
   principal amount of Series A Notes sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration
   Statement and surrendered to the Company for cancellation; the Company shall
   register Series B Notes on the Shelf Registration Statement for this purpose
   and issue the Series B Notes to the purchasers of securities subject to the
   Shelf Registration Statement in the names as such purchasers shall designate.

      (c) General Provisions.  In connection with any Registration Statement and
          ------------------                                                    
any related Prospectus required by this Agreement, the Company shall:

      (i)   use its best efforts to keep such Registration Statement
   continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements for the
   period specified in Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement, as applicable.  Upon
   the occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration Statement
   or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain an untrue statement of
   material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
   statements therein not misleading or (B) not to be effective and usable for
   resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period required by this
   Agreement, the Company shall file promptly an appropriate amendment to such
   Registration Statement curing such defect, and, if Commission review is
   required, use its best efforts to cause such amendment to be declared
   effective as soon as practicable;

      (ii)  prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-
   effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be
   necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable
   period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as the case may be; cause the
   Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as
   so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, and to comply
   fully with Rules 424, 430A and 462, as applicable, under the Act in a timely
   manner; and comply with the provisions of the Act with respect to the
   disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during
   the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of
   distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement
   or supplement to the Prospectus;

      (iii) advise each Holders promptly and, if requested by such Holders,
   confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus
   supplement or post-effective 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
   amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any applicable Registration
   Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become
   effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the
   Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for
   additional information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the
   Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
   Statement under the Act or of the suspension by any state securities
   commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for
   offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for
   any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the existence of any fact or the
   happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in
   the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement
   thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that
   requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration
   Statement in order to make the state ments therein not misleading, or that
   requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Prospectus in order
   to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
   they were made, not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any
   stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any
   state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an
   order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the
   Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or Blue Sky laws, the
   Company shall use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of
   such order at the earliest possible time;

         (iv)  subject to Section 6(c)(i), if any fact or event contemplated by
   Section 6(c)(iii)(D) above shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement
   or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or related
   Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any
   other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of
   Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue
   statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to
   make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
   they were made, not misleading;

         (v) furnish to each Holder in connection with such exchange or sale, if
   any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any Registration Statement
   or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any
   such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all documents
   incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such Registration
   Statement), which documents will be subject to the review and comment of such
   Holders in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five
   Business Days, and the Company will not file any such Registration Statement
   or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such Registration
   Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents incorporated by
   reference) to which a majority of such Holders shall reasonably object within
   five Business Days after the receipt thereof.  The objection of such Holders
   shall be deemed to be reasonable if such Registration Statement, amendment,
   Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains an
   untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact
   necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or fails to comply
   with the applicable requirements of the Act;

         (vi) promptly prior to the filing of any document that is to be
   incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or Prospectus,
   provide copies of such document to each Holder in connection with such
   exchange or sale, if any, make the Company's representatives available for
   

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
   discussion of such document and other customary due diligence matters, and
   include such information in such document prior to the filing thereof as such
   Holders reasonably request;

         (vii)  make available, at reasonable times, for inspection by each
   Holder and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders, all financial
   and other records, pertinent corporate documents of the Company and cause the
   Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all information
   reasonably requested by any such Holder, attorney or accountant in connection
   with such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto
   subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness; provided,
   however, that such persons shall first agree in writing with the Company that
   any information that is reasonably and in good faith designated by the
   Company in writing as confidential at the time of delivery of such
   information shall be kept confidential by such persons, unless (i) disclosure
   of such information is required by court or administrative order or is
   necessary to respond to inquiries of regulatory authorities, (ii) disclosure
   of such information is required by law (including any disclosure requirements
   pursuant to federal securities laws in connection with the filing of the
   Shelf Registration Statement or the use of any Prospectus), (iii) such
   information becomes generally available to the public other than as a result
   of a disclosure or failure to safeguard such information by such person, or
   (iv) such information becomes available to such person from a source other
   than the Company and its subsidiaries and such source is not bound by a
   confidentiality agreement; and provided, further, that the foregoing
   inspection and information gathering shall be coordinated by one counsel
   designated by and on behalf of such other persons;

         (viii)  if requested by any Holders in connection with such exchange or
   sale, promptly include in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant
   to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as
   such Holders may reasonably request to have included therein, including,
   without limitation, information relating to the "Plan of Distribution" of the
   Transfer Restricted Securities and make all required filings of such
   Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable
   after the Company is notified of the matters to be included in such
   Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

         (ix)  furnish to each Holder in connection with such exchange or sale
   without charge, at least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first
   filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including all
   documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits (including
   exhibits incorporated therein by reference);

         (x)  deliver to each Holder without charge, as many copies of the
   Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or
   supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the Company hereby
   consents to the use (in accordance with law) of the Prospectus and any
   amendment or supplement thereto by each selling Holder in connection with the
   offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
   Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;

         (xi)  upon the request of any Holder, enter into such agreements
   (including underwriting agreements) and make such representations and
   warranties and take all such other actions in connection therewith in order
   to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted
   Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this
   Agreement as may be 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
   reasonably requested by any Holder in connection with any sale or resale
   pursuant to any applicable Registration Statement. In such connection, the
   Company shall:

         (A)  upon request of any Holder, furnish (or in the case of paragraphs
      (2) and (3), use its best efforts to cause to be furnished) to each
      Holder, upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer or upon the effectiveness
      of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be:

            (1)  a certificate, dated such date, signed on behalf of the Company
         by (x) the President or any Vice President and (y) a principal
         financial or accounting officer of the Company, confirming, as of the
         date thereof, the matters set forth in Sections 6(ab), 9(a) and 9(b) of
         the Purchase Agreement and such other similar matters as such Holders
         may reasonably request;

            (2)  an opinion, dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange
         Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement,
         as the case may be, of counsel for the Company covering matters similar
         to those set forth in paragraph (e) of Section 9 of the Purchase
         Agreement and such other matter as such Holder may reasonably request,
         and in any event including a statement to the effect that such counsel
         has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives
         of the Company, representatives of the independent public accountants
         for the Company and has considered the matters required to be stated
         therein and the statements contained therein, although such counsel has
         not independently verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness of
         such statements; and that such counsel advises that, on the basis of
         the foregoing (relying as to materiality to the extent such counsel
         deems appropriate upon the statements of officers and other
         representatives of the Company and without independent check or
         verification), no facts came to such counsel's attention that caused
         such counsel to believe that the applicable Registration Statement, at
         the time such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment
         thereto became effective and, in the case of the Exchange Offer
         Registration Statement, as of the date of Consummation of the Exchange
         Offer, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
         state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
         make the statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus
         contained in such Registration Statement as of its date and, in the
         case of the opinion dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange
         Offer, as of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement of
         a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order
         to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
         which they were made, not misleading. Without limiting the foregoing,
         such counsel may state further that such counsel assumes no
         responsibility for, and has not independently verified, the accuracy,
         completeness or fairness of the financial statements, notes and
         schedules and other financial data included in any Registration
         Statement contemplated by this Agreement or the related Prospectus; and

            (3) a customary comfort letter, dated the date of Consummation of
         the Exchange Offer, or as of the date of effectiveness of the Shelf
         Registration Statement, as the case may be, from the Company's
         independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of
         the type customarily covered in comfort letters to underwriters in
         connection with underwritten offerings, and affirming the matters set
         forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 9(g) of the
         Purchase Agreement; and

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
         (B)     deliver such other documents and certificates as may be
      reasonably requested by a majority of the selling Holders to evidence
      compliance with the matters covered in clause (A) above and with any
      customary conditions contained in any agreement entered into by the
      Company pursuant to this clause (xi) ;

         (xii)   prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities,
   cooperate with the selling Holders and their counsel in connection with the
   registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under
   the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders
   may request and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to
   enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted
   Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement; provided,
   however, that the Company shall not be required to register or qualify as a
   foreign corporation where it is not now so qualified or to take any action
   that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation,
   other than as to matters and transactions relating to the Registration
   Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject;

         (xiii)  in connection with any exchange, disposal or distribution of
   Transfer Restricted Securities that will result in such securities no longer
   being Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the Holders to
   facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing
   Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive
   legends; and to register such Transfer Restricted Securities in such
   denominations and such names as the selling Holders may request at least two
   Business Days prior to such sale of Transfer Restricted Securities;

         (xiv)   use its best efforts to cause the disposition of the Transfer
   Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered
   with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may
   be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof to consum  mate the
   disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso
   contained in clause (xii) above;

         (xv)    provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted Securities
   not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement covering such
   Transfer Restricted Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture
   with printed certificates for the Transfer Restricted Securities which are in
   a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company;

         (xvi)   otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable
   rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its
   security holders with regard to any applicable Registration Statement, as
   soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the
   requirements of Rule 158 (which need not be audited) covering a twelve-month
   period beginning after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as
   such term is defined in paragraph (c) of Rule 158 under the Act).  If the
   Company files annual reports on Form 10-K with the Commission, the Company
   may discharge its obligation under this paragraph by mailing copies of such
   reports to the Holders so long as such reports set forth the information
   required by Rule 158.

         (xvii)  cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later
   than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by this
   Agreement and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and the
   Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be 

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
   required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms
   of the TIA; and execute and use its best efforts to cause the Trustee to
   execute, all documents that may be required to effect such changes and all
   other forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable
   such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner; and

         (xviii)  provide promptly to each Holder, upon request, each document
   filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or
   Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

      (d) Restrictions on Holders.  Each Holder shall be deemed to agree by
          -----------------------                                          
acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of the notice
referred to in Section 6(c)(iii)(C) or any notice from the Company of the
existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof (in
each case, a "SUSPENSION NOTICE"), such Holder will forthwith discontinue
              -----------------                                          
disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable
Registration Statement until (i) such Holder has received copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(iv) hereof, or
(ii) such Holder is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the
Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or
supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (in
each case, the "RECOMMENCEMENT DATE").  Each Holder receiving a Suspension
                -------------------                                       
Notice hereby agrees that it will either (i) destroy any Prospectuses, other
than permanent file copies, then in such Holder's possession which have been
replaced by the Company with more recently dated Prospectuses or (ii) deliver to
the Company (at the Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file
copies, then in such Holder's possession of the Prospectus covering such
Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt of the
Suspension Notice. The time period regarding the effectiveness of such
Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall
be extended by a number of days equal to the number of days in the period from
and including the date of delivery of the Suspension Notice to the date of
delivery of the Recommencement Date.

      (e) Underwriting Registrations.  If any of the Transfer Restricted
          --------------------------                                    
Securities covered by any Shelf Registration are to be sold in an underwritten
offering, the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers
that will administer the offering will be selected by the holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of such Transfer Restricted Securities included in
such offering, subject to the consent of the Company (which will not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed).
 
SECTION 7.    REGISTRATION EXPENSES

      (a) All expenses incident to the Company's performance of or compliance
with this Agreement will be borne by the Company, regardless of whether a
Registration Statement becomes effective, including without limitation: (i) all
registration and filing fees and expenses; (ii) all fees and expenses of
compliance by the Company with federal securities and state Blue Sky or
securities laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates
for the Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of
Prospectuses), messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Company and the counsel for the Holders of
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Section 7(b); (v) all application and
filing fees in connection with listing the Series B Notes on a national
securities exchange or automated quotation system pursuant to the requirements
hereof; and (vi) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public
accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any special audit and
comfort letters required by or incident to such performance).

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
      The Company will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including,
without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees
performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the
fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the
Company.

      (b) In connection with any Registration Statement required by this
Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and the Shelf Registration Statement), the Company will reimburse the
Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities who are
tendering Series A Notes into in the Exchange Offer and/or selling or reselling
Series A Notes or Series B Notes pursuant to the "Plan of Distribution"
contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration
Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more
than one counsel, who shall be Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, unless
another firm shall be chosen by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration Statement
is being prepared.

SECTION 8.    INDEMNIFICATION

      (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its
directors, officers and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder (within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), from
and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments,
(including without limitation, any legal or other expenses incurred in
connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any action that
could give rise to any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments)
caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus
(or any amendment or supplement thereto) provided by the Company to any Holder
or any prospective purchaser of Series B Notes or registered Series A Notes, or
caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
judgments are caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
statement or omission that is based upon information relating to any of the
Holders furnished in writing to the Company by any of the Holders.

      (b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees, severally and
not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its respective
directors and officers, and each person. if any, who controls (within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company,
to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company set forth in
section (a) above, but only with reference to information relating to such
Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in
any Registration Statement. In no event shall any Holder, its directors,
officers or any Person who controls such Holder be liable or responsible for any
amount in excess of the amount by which the total amount received by such Holder
with respect to its sale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a
Registration Statement exceeds (i) the amount paid by such Holder for such
Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the amount of any damages that such
Holder, its directors, officers or any Person who controls such Holder has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission.

      (c) In case any action shall be commenced involving any person in respect
of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b) (the
                                                                      
"INDEMNIFIED PARTY"), the indemnified 

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
party shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought
(the "INDEMNIFYING PERSON") in writing and the indemnifying party shall assume 
      -------------------             
the defense of such action, including the employment of counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the indemnified party and the payment of all fees and expenses
of such counsel, as incurred (except that in the case of any action in respect
of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to both Sections 8(a) and 8(b), a
Holder shall not be required to assume the defense of such action pursuant to
this Section 8(c), but may employ separate counsel and participate in the
defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel, except as provided
below, shall be at the expense of the Holder). Any indemnified party shall have
the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the
defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the
expense of the indemnified party unless (i) the employment of such counsel shall
have been specifically authorized in writing by the indemnifying party, (ii) the
indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such action or
employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party within a
reasonable time after notice of commencement of such action or proceeding or
(iii) the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded parties)
include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party, and the
indemnified party shall have been advised by such counsel that there may be one
or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to
those available to the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party
shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of the
indemnified party). In any such case, the indemnifying party shall not, in
connection with any one action or separate but substantially similar or related
actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or
circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate
firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for all indemnified parties
and all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Such
firm shall be designated in writing by a majority of the Holders, in the case of
the parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a) and by the Company, in the case
of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b). The indemnifying party shall
indemnify and hold harmless the indemnified party from and against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments by reason of any settlement
of any action (i) effected with its written consent or (ii) effected without its
written consent if (a) the fees and expenses of counsel are at the expense of
the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have requested the
indemnifying party for such fees and expenses of counsel as incurred, (b) such
indemnifying party shall have failed to reimburse the indemnified party in
accordance with such request for reimbursement prior to the date of settlement,
(c) the amount of such fees and expenses or the reimbursement obligation is not
being disputed in good faith by the indemnifying party (the "Default"), (d) the
indemnified party provides the indemnifying party twenty days prior written
notice to the indemnifying party of such Default and the indemnified party's
intention to settle the action without the indemnifying party's written consent,
including the details of the proposed settlement and (e) the indemnifying party
has failed to cure such Default. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior
written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement or compromise
of, or consent to the entry of judgment with respect to, any pending or
threatened action in respect of which the indemnified party is a party and
indemnity or contribution may be sought hereunder by the indemnified party,
unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional
release of the indemnified party from all liability on claims that are or could
have been the subject matter of such action and (ii) does not include a
statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or
on behalf of the indemnified party.

      (d) To the extent that the indemnification provided for in this Section 8
is unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or judgments referred to therein, then each indemnifying
party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one
hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from their sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 8(d)(i) is not permitted
by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the
relative benefits referred to in clause 8(d)(i) above but also the relative
fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of the Holder, on the other hand, in
connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand,
and of the Holder, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or by the Holder, on the
other hand, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount
paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and judgments referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject
to the limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 8(a), any legal
or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with
investigating or defending any action or claim.

   The Company and each Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or
by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount
paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limita  tions set forth
above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party
in connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any action
that could have given rise to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
judgments. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Holder, its
directors, its officers or any Person, if any, who controls such Holder shall be
required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by
which the total received by such Holder with respect to the sale of Transfer
Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the
amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the
amount of any damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by
reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning
of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders'
obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8(c) are several in
proportion to the respective principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities
held by each Holder hereunder and not joint.

SECTION 9.    RULE 144A AND RULE 144

      The Company agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer
Restricted Securities remain outstanding and during any period in which the
Company (i) is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make
available, upon request of any Holder, to such Holder or beneficial owner of
Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any
prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities designated by such
Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under
the Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to Rule 144A, and (ii) is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
Act, to make all filings required thereby in a timely manner in order to permit
resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 9 shall be deemed to
require the Company to register any of its securities pursuant to the Exchange
Act.

SECTION 10.    MISCELLANEOUS

      (a) Remedies.  The Company acknowledges and agrees that any failure by the
          --------                                                              
Company to comply with its obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof may result
in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for
which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to
measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such
failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be
required to specifically enforce the Company's obligations under Sections 3 and
4 hereof. The Company further agrees to waive the defense in any action for
specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

      (b) No Inconsistent Agreements.  The Company will not, on or after the
          --------------------------                                        
date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities
that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The Company has not previously
entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with respect to its
securities to any Person. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in
any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the
holders of the Company's securities under any agreement in effect on the date
hereof.

      (c) Amendments and Waivers.  The provisions of this Agreement may not be
          ----------------------                                              
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given unless (i) in the case of Section 5
hereof and this Section 10(c)(i), the Company has obtained the written consent
of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the
case of all other provisions hereof, the Company has obtained the written
consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities (excluding Transfer Restricted Securities held by the
Company or its Affiliates).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent
to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights
of Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are being tendered pursuant to
the Exchange Offer and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of
other Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are not being tendered
pursuant to such Exchange Offer may be given by the Holders of a majority of the
outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities subject to such
Exchange Offer.

      (d) Third Party Beneficiary.  The Holders shall be third party
          -----------------------                                   
beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company on the one
hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to
enforce such agreements directly to the extent they may deem such enforcement
necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of Holders hereunder.

      (e) Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for or
          -------                                                       
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail
(registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air
courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

         (i)  if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the
   Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the
   Indenture; and

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
         (ii)  if to the Company:

               Earle M. Jorgensen Company
               3050 East Birch Street
               Brea, California 92822

               Telecopier No.:  714-577-3765
               Attention:       Charles P. Gallopo

               With a copy to:
               Katten, Muchin & Zavis
               1999 Avenue of Stars
               Suite 1400
               Los Angeles, California 90067

               Telecopier No.:  310-788-4471
               Attention:       Mark Conley

      All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given:  at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business
Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt
acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day, if timely delivered
to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

      Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address specified in the Indenture.

      Upon the date of filing of the Exchange Offer or a Shelf Registration
Statement, as the case may be, notice shall be delivered to Donaldson, Lufkin &
Jenrette Securities Corporation, on behalf of the Initial Purchasers (in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit A) and shall be addressed to: Attention: Louise
Guarneri (Compliance Department), 277 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10172.

      (f) Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
          ----------------------                                               
and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including
without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent
Holders; provided, that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment,
transfer or other disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities in violation of
the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture.  If any
transferee of any Holder shall acquire Transfer Restricted Securities in any
manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Transfer Restricted
Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by
taking and holding such Transfer Restricted Securities such Person shall be
conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the
terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on resale set
forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such
Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.

      (g) Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
          ------------                                                  
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
      (h) Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
          --------                                                        
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

      (i) Governing Law.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
          -------------                                                        
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF.

      (j) Severability.  In the event that any one or more of the provisions
          ------------                                                      
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

      (k) Entire Agreement.  This Agreement is intended by the parties as a
          ----------------                                                 
final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect
of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein
with respect to the registration rights granted with respect to the Transfer
Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
      Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement
between the Company and the several Initial Purchasers.

                         Very truly yours,

                         Earle M. Jorgensen Company


                         By:   /s/ Charles P. Gallopo
                               ------------------------
                               Name: Charles P. Gallopo
                               Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
SECURITIES CORPORATION

BT ALEX. BROWN INCORPORATED

   By: Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
       Securities Corporation
 
   By: /s/ Scott McLallen
       ------------------------------
       Name: Scott McLallen
       Title: Vice President

<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A

                              NOTICE OF FILING OF
                   A/B EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT


To:     Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
        277 Park Avenue
        New York, New York 10172
        Attention: Louise Guarneri (Compliance Department)
        Fax: (212) 892-7272


From:   Earle M. Jorgensen
        9  1/2% Senior Notes due 2005


Date:   ___, 199__

    For your information only (NO ACTION REQUIRED):

    Today, __, 1998. we filed [an A/B Exchange Registration Statement/a Shelf
Registration Statement] with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We
currently expect this registration statement to be declared effective within __
business days of the date hereof.