<PAGE>   1
                                                                  Exhibit 10.13




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                            dated as of May 21, 1999

                                      among

                      ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,
                                as U.S. Borrower,

                                       and

                            BALLASTRONIX INCORPORATED
                CANADIAN LIGHTING SYSTEMS HOLDING, INCORPORATED ,
                             as Canadian Borrowers,

                                       and

                          PARRY POWER SYSTEMS LIMITED,
                          VENTURE LIGHTING EUROPE LTD.,
                                as UK Borrowers,

                                       and

                         VARIOUS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS,
                                    as Banks,

                                       and

                         PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                                    as Agent


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<PAGE>   2


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                        PAGE NO.
                                                                        --------

ARTICLE I.   DEFINITIONS .................................................   1

ARTICLE II.  AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT ..................................  24
         SECTION 2.1.      AMOUNT AND NATURE OF CREDIT ...................  24
         SECTION 2.2.      CONDITIONS TO LOANS AND LETTERS TO CREDIT .....  33
         SECTION 2.3.      JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY ...................  35
         SECTION 2.4.      MAXIMUM LIABILITY .............................  36
         SECTION 2.5.      PAYMENT ON NOTES, ETC .........................  36
         SECTION 2.6.      PREPAYMENT ....................................  39
         SECTION 2.7.      FACILITY AND OTHER FEES .......................  41
         SECTION 2.8.      REDUCTION OF COMMITMENT .......................  41
         SECTION 2.9.      COMPUTATION OF INTEREST AND FEES ..............  42
         SECTION 2.10.     MANDATORY PAYMENT .............................  43
         SECTION 2.11.     CANADIAN REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT ..........  44

ARTICLE III. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO EURODOLLAR
                   LOANS; INCREASED CAPITAL TAXES ........................  45
         SECTION 3.1.      RESERVES OR DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS, ETC. ........  45
         SECTION 3.2.      TAX LAW, ETC. .................................  45
         SECTION 3.3.      FIXED RATE LOANS UNAVAILABLE OR
                           INTEREST RATE UNASCERTAINABLE .................  46
         SECTION 3.4.      INDEMNITY .....................................  47
         SECTION 3.5.      CHANGES IN LAW RENDERING FIXED RATE LOANS
                           UNLAWFUL ......................................  47
         SECTION 3.6.      FUNDING .......................................  47

ARTICLE IV.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT ........................................  48
         SECTION 4.1.      NOTES .........................................  48
         SECTION 4.2.      GUARANTIES OF PAYMENT .........................  48
         SECTION 4.3.      U.S. BORROWER GUARANTY OF PAYMENT .............  48
         SECTION 4.4.      SECURITY AGREEMENT ............................  48
         SECTION 4.5.      COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT .........................  49
         SECTION 4.6.      PLEDGE AGREEMENT ..............................  49
         SECTION 4.7       OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE, RESOLUTIONS,
                           ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS ......................  49
         SECTION 4.8.      LEGAL OPINIONS ................................  49
         SECTION 4.9.      GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATES ....................  49
         SECTION 4.10.     AGENT FEE LETTER; CLOSING AND LEGAL FEES ......  49


                                       i
<PAGE>   3

         SECTION 4.11.     FINANCING STATEMENTS AND LIEN SEARCHES ........  49
         SECTION 4.12.     EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENTS ....................  50
         SECTION 4.13.     INDENTURE .....................................  50
         SECTION 4.14.     EVIDENCE OF REAL ESTATE FINANCING .............  50
         SECTION 4.15.     INSURANCE CERTIFICATES ........................  50
         SECTION 4.16.     INTEREST RATE PROTECTION ......................  50
         SECTION 4.17.     LANDLORDS' AND MORTGAGEES' WAIVERS ............  50
         SECTION 4.18.     COLLATERAL AUDIT AND EQUIPMENT APPRAISAL ......  51
         SECTION 4.19.     CASH COLLATERAL AND OTHER ACCOUNTS ............  51
         SECTION 4.20.     ASSIGNMENT OF LIFE INSURANCE POLICY ...........  51
         SECTION 4.21.     BORROWERS' CERTIFICATE ........................  51
         SECTION 4.22.     NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE ....................  51
         SECTION 4.23.     MISCELLANEOUS .................................  51

ARTICLE V. COVENANTS .....................................................  51
         SECTION 5.1.      INSURANCE .....................................  51
         SECTION 5.2.      MONEY OBLIGATIONS .............................  51
         SECTION 5.3.      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ..........................  51
         SECTION 5.4.      FINANCIAL RECORDS .............................  54
         SECTION 5.5.      FRANCHISES ....................................  55
         SECTION 5.6.      ERISA COMPLIANCE ..............................  55
         SECTION 5.7.      FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO;
                           MINIMUM EXCESS AVAILABILITY ...................  55
         SECTION 5.8.      BORROWING .....................................  56
         SECTION 5.9.      LIENS .........................................  57
         SECTION 5.10.     REGULATIONS U and X ...........................  58
         SECTION 5.11.     INVESTMENTS AND LOANS .........................  58
         SECTION 5.12.     MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS .....................  59
         SECTION 5.13.     ACQUISITIONS ..................................  60
         SECTION 5.14.     NOTICE ........................................  60
         SECTION 5.15.     ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE ......................  60
         SECTION 5.16.     AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS ........................  60
         SECTION 5.17.     USE OF PROCEEDS ...............................  61
         SECTION 5.18.     CORPORATE NAMES ...............................  61
         SECTION 5.19.     AMENDMENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS .........  61
         SECTION 5.20.     CAPITAL DISTRIBUTIONS .........................  61
         SECTION 5.21.     INDENTURE PAYMENTS ............................  61
         SECTION 5.22.     SUBSIDIARIES CREATED, ACQUIRED OR HELD
                           SUBSEQUENT TO CLOSING DATE ....................  61


                                       ii
<PAGE>   4

ARTICLE VI.  REPRESENTATIONS AND  WARRANTIES .............................  62
         SECTION 6.1.      CORPORATE EXISTENCE; FOREIGN
                           QUALIFICATIONAL; SUBSIDIARIES .................  62
         SECTION 6.2.      CORPORATE AUTHORITY ...........................  62
         SECTION 6.3.      COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS ..........................  63
         SECTION 6.4.      LITIGATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS .....  63
         SECTION 6.5.      LOCATION ......................................  63
         SECTION 6.6.      TITLE OF ASSETS ...............................  64
         SECTION 6.7.      LIENS AND SECURITY INTERESTS ..................  64
         SECTION 6.8.      TAX RETURNS ...................................  64
         SECTION 6.9.      ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS ............................  64
         SECTION 6.10.     CONTINUED BUSINESS ............................  65
         SECTION 6.11.     EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLANS .......................  65
         SECTION 6.12.     CONSENTS OR APPRAISALS ........................  66
         SECTION 6.13.     SOLVENCY ......................................  66
         SECTION 6.14.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ..........................  67
         SECTION 6.15.     REGULATIONS ...................................  67
         SECTION 6.16.     MATERIAL AGREEMENTS ...........................  67
         SECTION 6.17.     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY .........................  67
         SECTION 6.18.     INSURANCE .....................................  68
         SECTION 6.19.     ACCURATE AND COMPLETE STATEMENTS ..............  68
         SECTION 6.20.     INDENTURE .....................................  68
         SECTION 6.21.     NEW CREDIT FACILITY ...........................  68
         SECTION 6.22.     YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE ..........................  68
         SECTION 6.23.     DEFAULTS ......................................  68

ARTICLE VII.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT ..........................................  69
         SECTION 7.1.      PAYMENTS ......................................  69
         SECTION 7.2.      SPECIAL COVENANTS .............................  69
         SECTION 7.3.      OTHER COVENANTS ...............................  69
         SECTION 7.4.      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ................  69
         SECTION 7.5.      CROSS DEFAULT .................................  69
         SECTION 7.6.      ERISA DEFAULT .................................  69
         SECTION 7.7.      CHANGE IN CONTROL .............................  69
         SECTION 7.8.      MONEY JUDGMENT ................................  70
         SECTION 7.9.      MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE .......................  70
         SECTION 7.10.     VALIDITY OF LOAN DOCUMENTS ....................  70
         SECTION 7.11.     INDENTURE .....................................  70
         SECTION 7.12.     SOLVENCY ......................................  70

ARTICLE VIII.  REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT .....................................  71
         SECTION 8.1.      OPTIONAL DEFAULTS .............................  71
         SECTION 8.2.      AUTOMATIC DEFAULTS ............................  71



                                      iii
<PAGE>   5

         SECTION 8.3.      LETTERS OF CREDIT .............................  71
         SECTION 8.4.      OFFSETS .......................................  71
         SECTION 8.5.      EQUALIZATION PROVISION ........................  72

ARTICLE IX.  THE AGENT ...................................................  74
         SECTION 9.1.      APPOINTMENT AND AUTHORIZATION .................  74
         SECTION 9.2.      NOTE HOLDERS ..................................  74
         SECTION 9.3.      CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL .....................  74
         SECTION 9.4.      DOCUMENTS .....................................  74
         SECTION 9.5.      AGENT AND AFFILIATES ..........................  74
         SECTION 9.6.      KNOWLEDGE OF DEFAULT ..........................  74
         SECTION 9.7.      ACTION BY AGENT ...............................  74
         SECTION 9.8.      NOTICES, DEFAULT, ETC .........................  74
         SECTION 9.9.      INDEMNIFICATION OF AGENT ......................  74
         SECTION 9.10.     SUCCESSOR AGENT ...............................  74

ARTICLE X.  MISCELLANEOUS ................................................  74
         SECTION 10.1.     BANKS' INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION ..............  74
         SECTION 10.2.     NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES ................  76
         SECTION 10.3.     AMENDMENTS, CONSENTS ..........................  76
         SECTION 10.4.     NOTICES .......................................  77
         SECTION 10.5.     COSTS, EXPENSES AND TAXES .....................  77
         SECTION 10.6.     INDEMNIFICATION ...............................  77
         SECTION 10.7.     OBLIGATIONS SEVERAL; NO FIDUCIARY
                           OBLIGATIONS ...................................  78
         SECTION 10.8.     EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS .....................  79
         SECTION 10.9.     BINDING EFFECT; BORROWERS' ASSIGNMENT .........  79
         SECTION 10.10.    BANK ASSIGNMENTS/PARTICIPATIONS ...............  79
         SECTION 10.11.    SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS; CAPTIONS ..........  82
         SECTION 10.12.    ENTIRE AGREEMENT ..............................  82
         SECTION 10.13.    GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION .....  82
         SECTION 10.14.    LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF PARTIES ...............  82
         SECTION 10.15.    NO CROSS COLLATERALIZATION ....................  82
         SECTION 10.14.    SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS; CAPTIONS ..........  82
         SECTION 10.15.    INVESTMENT PURPOSE ............................  82


                  SCHEDULE 1 .............................................  86
                  SCHEDULE 2 .............................................  87
                  EXHIBIT A ..............................................  88
                  EXHIBIT B ..............................................  90
                  EXHIBIT C ..............................................  92
                  EXHIBIT D ..............................................  95


                                       iv
<PAGE>   6

                  EXHIBIT E ..............................................  97
                  EXHIBIT F ..............................................  99
                  EXHIBIT G .............................................. 100
                  EXHIBIT H .............................................. 101












                                       v
<PAGE>   7


         This CREDIT AGREEMENT (as it may from time to time be amended, restated
or otherwise modified, this "Agreement") is made effective as of the 21st day of
May, 1999, among ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES, INC., an Ohio corporation,
32000 Aurora Road, Solon, Ohio 44139 ("U.S. Borrower"), and BALLASTRONIX
INCORPORATED, a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Nova
Scotia, 10 Chandler Road, P. O. Box 250, Amherst, Nova Scotia B4H 3Z2, CANADIAN
LIGHTING SYSTEMS HOLDING, INCORPORATED, a corporation organized under the laws
of the Province of Nova Scotia, 10 Chandler Road, P.O. Box 250, Amherst, Nova
Scotia B4H 3Z2 (collectively, "Canadian Borrowers", and individually, "Canadian
Borrower"), PARRY POWER SYSTEMS LIMITED (Company No. 3341889), incorporated
under the laws of England, whose registered office is situated at Victoria Mills
Draycott, Derby DE72 3PW, England, VENTURE LIGHTING EUROPE LTD. (Company No.
2833448), incorporated under the laws of England, whose registered office is
situated at Victoria Mills Draycott, Derby DE72 3PW, England (collectively, "UK
Borrowers", and individually, "UK Borrower"; and together with U.S. Borrower and
Canadian Borrowers, collectively, "Borrowers", and individually, "Borrower"),
the financial institutions named in SCHEDULE 1 attached hereto and made a part
hereof (collectively, "Banks", and individually, "Bank") and PNC BANK, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, 2 PNC Plaza, 620 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, as agent for
the Banks under this Agreement ("Agent").


                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, Borrowers and the Banks desire to contract for the
establishment of credits in the aggregate principal amounts hereinafter set
forth, to be made available to Borrowers upon the terms and subject to the
conditions hereinafter set forth;

         NOW, THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed as follows:


                             ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

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

         "1934 Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

         "Acquisition" shall mean any transaction or series of related
transactions for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the
acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, or any
business or division of any Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of fifty
percent (50%) of the stock (or other equity interest) of any Person, or (c) the
acquisition of another Person (other than a Company) by a merger or
consolidation or any other combination with such Person.

         "Advantage" shall mean any payment (whether made voluntarily or
involuntarily, by offset of any deposit or other indebtedness or otherwise)
received by any Bank in respect of the Debt, if such payment results in that
Bank having less than its pro rata share (based upon its Commitment Percentage
or, in the case of an Equalization Event pursuant to the terms of Section 8.5
hereof, based

<PAGE>   8

upon its Equalization Percentage, as defined in Section 8.5 hereof) of the Debt
then outstanding, than was the case immediately before such payment.

         "Affiliate" shall mean any Person, directly or indirectly, controlling,
controlled by or under common control with a Company and "control" (including
the correlative meanings, the terms "controlling", "controlled by" and "under
common control with") shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a
Company, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise.

         "Agent Fee Letter" shall mean the Agent Fee Letter from U.S. Borrower
to Agent, dated as of the Closing Date.

         "Applicable Margin" shall mean:

         (a) for the period from the Closing Date until the Equity Event has
occurred, (i) two hundred fifty (250) basis points for Revolving Loans, and (ii)
three hundred (300) basis points for the Term Loan; and

         (b) commencing on the day that the Equity Event has occurred and
thereafter, (i) two hundred twenty-five (225) basis points for Revolving Loans,
and (ii) two hundred seventy-five (275) basis points for the Term Loan.

         "Assignment Agreement" shall mean an Assignment and Acceptance
Agreement in the form of EXHIBIT H hereof.

         "Assignment of Life Insurance Policy" shall mean the Assignment of Life
Insurance Policy on the life of Wayne R. Hellman, in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent and the Banks, executed and delivered on the Closing Date
by U.S. Borrower, as the same may be from time to time amended, restated or
otherwise modified.

         "Base Rate" shall mean a rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) the
Prime Rate or (b) one-half of one percent (1/2%) in excess of the Federal Funds
Effective Rate. Any change in the Base Rate shall be effective immediately from
and after such change in the Base Rate.

         "Base Rate Loan" shall mean a U.S. Base Rate Loan, Canadian Base Rate
Loan or UK Base Rate Loan.

         "Borrowers' Certificate" shall mean a certificate, substantially in the
form of EXHIBIT F hereof.

         "Business Day" shall mean a day of the year on which banks are not
required or authorized to close in Cleveland, Ohio; and (a) if the applicable
Business Day relates to any Eurodollar Loan, on which dealings are carried on in
the London interbank eurodollar market, or (b) if the applicable




                                       2
<PAGE>   9


Business Day relates to any Canadian Revolving Loan, on which banks are not
required or authorized to close in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

         "CAD Equivalent" shall mean the amount denominated in CAD, as of any
date of determination, that could be purchased with the amount of Dollars at the
most favorable spot exchange rate quoted by Agent at approximately 11:00 A.M.
(Cleveland, Ohio time) on such date.

         "Canadian Affiliate" shall mean a financial institution organized under
the laws of Canada, or a province or territory thereof.

         "Canadian Bank" or "Canadian Banks" shall mean, with respect to each
Canadian Bank, collectively (a) a Bank that is designated as a Canadian Bank on
SCHEDULE 1 hereto (but that is organized under the laws of the United States, or
a state thereof) (a "Designated Bank"), and (b) the Canadian Affiliate of such
Designated Bank; provided that (i) any Canadian Revolving Loan made by such
Canadian Bank or Canadian Letter of Credit issued by or participated in by such
Canadian Bank shall be actually made, issued or participated in, as the case may
be, by such Canadian Affiliate, (ii) any U.S. Revolving Loans or UK Revolving
Loans made, or U.S. Letters of Credit or UK Letters of Credit issued by or
participated in, by such Canadian Bank shall be actually made, issued or
participated in, as the case may be, by such Designated Bank, and (iii) the
Commitment Percentage and the Revolving Credit Commitment for such Canadian Bank
shall each be deemed to apply to such Canadian Affiliate and Designated Bank
collectively.

         "Canadian Base Rate" shall mean the per annum interest rate established
from time to time by Canadian Correspondent Bank as Canadian Correspondent
Bank's "prime rate" or similar index, whether or not such rate is publicly
announced; the Canadian Base Rate may not be the lowest interest rate charged by
Canadian Correspondent Bank for commercial or other extensions of credit. Each
change in the Canadian Base Rate shall be effective immediately from and after
such change.

         "Canadian Base Rate Loan" shall mean a Revolving Loan in Canadian
Dollars described in subsection 3 of Section 2.1A hereof on which Canadian
Borrowers shall pay interest at a rate based on the Canadian Base Rate.

         "Canadian Borrowing Base" shall mean an amount not in excess of the sum
of the following: (a) eighty-five percent (85%) of the aggregate amount due and
owing on Eligible Receivables of each Canadian Borrower, plus (b) the lesser of
(i) (A) fifty-five percent (55%) of Eligible Raw Materials of each Canadian
Borrower, plus (B) sixty-five percent (65%) of the aggregate of the Eligible
Inventory of each Canadian Borrower, or (ii) the CAD Equivalent, at any time of
determination, of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000); provided, however that the
amount of the Canadian Borrowing Base may be increased or decreased by Agent and
the Banks at any time and from time to time, in the exercise of their sole
discretion and each Canadian Borrower consents to any such increases or
decreases and acknowledges that decreasing the amount of the Canadian Borrowing
Base or increasing the reserves may limit or restrict Canadian Revolving Loans
requested by Canadian Borrowers.




                                       3
<PAGE>   10

         "Canadian Correspondent Bank" shall mean The Bank of Nova Scotia, or
such other financial institution organized under the laws of Canada (or any
province thereof) as may be designated by Agent from time to time.

         "Canadian Dollars" and "CAD" shall mean the lawful currency of Canada.

         "Canadian Domestic Rate" shall mean, for any Interest Period with
respect to a Canadian Fixed Rate Loan, the per annum rate of interest determined
by Agent in accordance with its usual procedures (which determination shall be
conclusive absent manifest error) as of approximately 10:00 A.M. (Cleveland,
Ohio time) on the date of such Canadian Fixed Rate Loan, as provided by Reuters
and designated as the "Bankers Acceptance Rate" in Schedule B on page CDMM (or
any similar company or service that provides rate quotations comparable to those
currently provided by such companies) as the rate for CAD deposits in
immediately available funds with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period.
In the event that such rate quotation is not available or determinable for any
reason, then the rate shall be determined by Agent as of approximately 11:00
A.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time) on the date of such Canadian Fixed Rate Loan, to be
the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest one sixteenth of one
percent (1/16th of 1%)) of the per annum rates at which CAD deposits in
immediately available funds in an amount comparable to such Canadian Fixed Rate
Loan and with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered to the
prime banks by leading banks in the London interbank market.

         "Canadian Exposure" shall mean, at any time, the sum of (a) the Dollar
Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of all Canadian Revolving Loans
outstanding, and (b) the Canadian Letter of Credit Exposure.

         "Canadian Fixed Rate Loan" shall mean a Revolving Loan in Canadian
Dollars described in subsection 3 of Section 2.1A hereof on which Canadian
Borrowers shall pay interest at a rate based on the Canadian Domestic Rate.

         "Canadian Letter of Credit" shall mean any sight commercial documentary
letter of credit or any standby letter of credit that shall be issued by a
Fronting Bank for the benefit of a Canadian Borrower, including amendments
thereto, if any, and shall have an expiration date no later than the earlier of
(a) one (1) year after its date of issuance or (b) thirty (30) days prior to the
last day of the Commitment Period.

         "Canadian Letter of Credit Commitment" shall mean the commitment of the
Fronting Bank, on behalf of the Canadian Banks, to issue Letters of Credit in an
aggregate outstanding face amount which shall never exceed the CAD Equivalent
(at any time of determination) of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), during the
Commitment Period, on the terms and conditions set forth in subsection 3(b) of
Section 2.1A hereof.

         "Canadian Letter of Credit Exposure" shall mean the Dollar Equivalent
of the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn face amount of all issued and
outstanding Canadian Letters of Credit, and (b) the aggregate draws made on
Canadian Letters of Credit that are not yet reimbursed by Canadian


                                       4
<PAGE>   11

Borrowers or converted to Canadian Revolving Loans pursuant to subsection 3(b)
of Section 2.1A hereof.

         "Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment" shall mean the obligation
hereunder of the Canadian Bank to make Canadian Revolving Loans and to
participate in the issuance of Canadian Letters of Credit up to an aggregate
principal amount outstanding at any time equal to the lesser of (a) the CAD
Equivalent, at any time of determination, of Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000),
or (b) the Canadian Borrowing Base (or such lesser amount as shall be determined
pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof).

         "Canadian Revolving Credit Note" shall mean any Canadian Revolving
Credit Note executed and delivered pursuant to subsection 3 of Section 2.1A
hereof.

         "Canadian Revolving Loan" shall mean a Canadian Base Rate Loan or
Canadian Fixed Rate Loan.

         "Capital Distribution" shall mean a payment made, liability incurred or
other consideration given for the purchase, acquisition, redemption or
retirement of any capital stock or other equity interest of any Company or as a
dividend, return of capital or other distribution (other than any stock
dividend, stock split or other equity distribution payable only in capital stock
or other equity of the Company in question) in respect of any Company's capital
stock or other equity interest.

         "Capital Expenditures" shall mean, for any period, the amount of
capital expenditures as determined on a Consolidated basis and in accordance
with GAAP.

         "Capital Stock" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any and all
shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated,
whether voting or nonvoting) in equity of such Person, whether outstanding on
the Indenture Closing Date or the Closing Date or issued thereafter, including,
without limitation, all Common Stock and Preferred Stock.

         "Cash Flow" shall mean, for any period, on a Consolidated basis and in
accordance with GAAP, the sum of (a) Earnings Before Interest and Taxes for such
period, plus (b) depreciation and amortization that were deducted in determining
Consolidated Net Income for such period, minus (c) Capital Expenditures for such
period, minus (d) provisions for Taxes.

         "Change of Control" shall mean such time as:

         (a) (i)(A) a "person" or "group" (within the meaning of Sections 13(d)
and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes the ultimate "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of more than
thirty-five percent (35%) of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of U.S.
Borrower on a fully diluted basis and (B) such ownership represents a greater
percentage of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of U.S. Borrower, on a
fully diluted basis, than may then be voted by the Existing Stockholders on such
date; or (ii) individuals who on the Indenture Closing Date constituted the
Board of Directors (together with any new or successor



                                       5
<PAGE>   12

directors whose election by the Board of Directors or whose nomination by the
Board of Directors for election by U.S. Borrower's stockholders was approved by
a vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors on the
date of their election or nomination) cease for any reason to constitute a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors then in office;

         (b) the full time active employment of Wayne R. Hellman as chief
executive officer of U.S. Borrower shall be voluntarily terminated by U.S.
Borrower or Wayne R. Hellman (other than by reason of death or disability),
unless a successor acceptable to the Required Banks shall have been appointed or
elected and actually taken office within three (3) months following any such
termination, in which case the name of such successor shall be substituted for
the name of the individual he or she replaces for purposes of this clause (b);

         (c) the shareholders of U.S. Borrower approve (i) a merger or
consolidation of U.S. Borrower with any other Person, other than a merger or
consolidation that would result in the Voting Stock of U.S. Borrower outstanding
immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining
outstanding or by being converted or exchanged for voting securities of the
surviving or resulting entity) more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the
combined voting power of the Voting Stock of U.S. Borrower or such surviving or
resulting entity outstanding after such merger or consolidation, or (ii) a
merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of U.S.
Borrower (or similar transaction), other than any such transaction in which no
Person or group (as hereinabove defined) not excepted from the provisions of
clause (i) above acquires more than thirty-five (35%) of the voting power, on a
fully diluted basis, of U.S. Borrower's then outstanding Voting Stock; or

         (d) the shareholders of U.S. Borrower approve a plan of complete
liquidation of U.S. Borrower or an agreement or agreements for the sale or
disposition by U.S. Borrower of all or substantially all of the assets of U.S.
Borrower.

         "Closing Date" shall mean the effective date of this Agreement.

         "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

         "Collateral Assignment and Security Agreement" shall mean a Collateral
Assignment and Security Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent
and the Banks, executed and delivered on or after the Closing Date by a Company,
wherein such Company has granted to Agent, for the benefit of the applicable
Banks, a security interest in and an assignment of all intellectual property
owned by such Company, as the same may be from time to time amended, restated or
otherwise modified.

         "Commitment" shall mean the obligation hereunder of the Banks to make
Loans and participate in the issuance of Letters of Credit, pursuant to the
Revolving Credit Commitments and the Term Loan Commitments up to the Total
Commitment Amount, during the Commitment Period.




                                       6
<PAGE>   13

         "Commitment Percentage" shall mean, for each Bank, the percentage set
forth opposite such Bank's name under the column headed "Commitment Percentage"
as described in SCHEDULE 1 hereto.

         "Commitment Period" shall mean the period from the Closing Date to May
21, 2002, or such earlier date on which the Commitment shall have been
terminated pursuant to Article VIII hereof.

         "Common Stock" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any and all
shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated,
whether voting or non-voting) of such Person's equity, other than Preferred
Stock of such Person, whether outstanding on the Indenture Closing Date or the
Closing Date or issued thereafter, including, without limitation, all series and
classes of such common stock.

         "Company" shall mean a Borrower or a Subsidiary.

         "Companies" shall mean all Borrowers and all Subsidiaries.

         "Compliance Certificate" shall mean a certificate, substantially in the
form of EXHIBIT G hereof.

         "Consolidated" shall mean the resultant consolidation of the financial
statements of U.S. Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP,
including principles of consolidation consistent with those applied in
preparation of the consolidated financial statements referred to in Section 6.13
hereof.

         "Consolidated Net Income" shall mean for any period, the net income (or
loss), without deduction for minority interests, of U.S. Borrower on a
Consolidated basis for such period taken as a single accounting period and
determined in conformity with GAAP, provided that there shall be excluded
therefrom (a) the income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it
becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with U.S. Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries or on which its assets are acquired by U.S. Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries, and (b) the income of any Subsidiary to the extent that the
declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Subsidiary
of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its
charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or
governmental regulation applicable to that Subsidiary.

         "Controlled Group" shall mean a Company and each Person required to be
aggregated with a Company under Code Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o).

         "Customer" shall mean the account debtor with respect to any Receivable
and/or the prospective purchaser of goods, services or both with respect to any
contract or contract right, and/or any Person that enters into or proposes to
enter into any contract or other arrangement with a Person, pursuant to which
such Person is to deliver any personal property or perform any services.

         "Debt" shall mean, collectively, (a) all Indebtedness incurred by
Borrowers to Agent or the Banks pursuant to this Agreement and includes the
principal of and interest on all Notes; (b) each


                                       7
<PAGE>   14

extension, renewal or refinancing thereof in whole or in part; (c) the facility
fees, other fees and any prepayment fees payable hereunder; and (d) all
Indebtedness consisting of Related Expenses.

         "Default Rate" shall mean (a) with respect to Canadian Revolving Loans,
a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the Canadian Base Rate
from time to time in effect, and (b) in all other circumstances, a rate per
annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the Base Rate from time to time in
effect.

         "Derived Canadian Fixed Rate" shall mean a rate per annum equal to the
sum of the Applicable Margin plus the Canadian Domestic Rate.

         "Derived Eurodollar Rate" shall mean a rate per annum equal to the sum
of the Applicable Margin plus the Eurodollar Rate.

         "Derived UK Fixed Rate" shall mean a rate per annum equal to the sum of
the Applicable Margin plus the Eurodollar Rate.

         "Designated Lending Office" shall mean (a) the office of Canadian
Correspondent Bank with respect to Canadian Revolving Loans and other amounts
payable in CAD, and (b) the main office of Agent with respect to all other Loans
and amounts payable hereunder.

         "Disclosure Statement" shall mean the Disclosure Statement executed and
delivered by Borrowers concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement.

         "Dollar" and the sign "$" shall mean lawful money of the United States
of America.

         "Dollar Equivalent" of a Canadian Revolving Loan or any other amount
stated in CAD shall mean the Dollar equivalent of such amount, determined by
Agent on the basis of its spot rate at approximately 10:00 A.M. (Cleveland, Ohio
time) on the date two (2) Business Days before the date of such determination,
for the purchase of CAD with Dollars for delivery on the date of such
determination. Agent shall notify each Canadian Borrower of the Dollar
Equivalent of such Canadian Revolving Loan at the time that Dollar Equivalent is
determined.

         "Domestic Subsidiary" shall mean a Subsidiary organized under the laws
of a state of the United States (other than Ruud Australia LLC, a Wisconsin
limited liability company, and Advanced Lighting Technologies, Australia Inc.,
an Ohio corporation).

         "Earnings Before Interest and Taxes" shall mean for any period the sum
of (a) Consolidated Net Income (or loss) for such period (excluding
extraordinary gains but not extraordinary losses), (b) Total Interest Expense,
and (c) provisions for Taxes (to the extent such provisions for Taxes are
greater than zero).

         "Eligible Inventory" shall mean all Inventory of a Company, other than
Work-In-Process, valued at the lower of cost or market value, determined on a
first-in-first-out method; provided that Eligible Inventory shall not include
Inventory that (a) is in the possession of a bailee or third party



                                       8
<PAGE>   15

or held by such Company or a third party on consignment unless waivers from such
bailee or third party, and requisite filings, as may be required by Agent, have
been obtained and made, (b) is in Agent's opinion, damaged, obsolete, slow
moving or unmerchantable, (c) is not subject to a perfected, first priority
security interest in favor of Agent for the benefit of the Banks, (d) does not
conform to all material standards imposed by any governmental agency, division
or department thereof which has regulatory authority over such goods or the use
or sale thereof, or (e) Agent shall deem ineligible based on such considerations
as Agent may from time to time, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate;
provided, however, that for purposes of determining the Canadian Borrowing Base,
the UK Borrowing Base and the U.S. Borrowing Base, all raw materials shall be
excluded from Eligible Inventory.

         "Eligible Raw Materials" shall mean a Company's raw materials to the
extent the same would constitute Eligible Inventory but for the proviso
contained therein, as classified in accordance with GAAP, but does not include
any packaging materials or miscellaneous items.

         "Eligible Receivable" shall mean each Receivable of a Company arising
in the ordinary course of such Company's business and which Agent, in its sole
discretion, shall deem to be an Eligible Receivable, based on such
considerations as Agent may from time to time deem appropriate, including,
without limitation, whether the Receivable is subject to a perfected, first
priority security interest and no other Lien, except as permitted pursuant to
Section 5.9 hereof, and is evidenced by an invoice or other documentary evidence
satisfactory to Agent. In addition, no Receivable shall be an Eligible
Receivable if:

         (a) it arises out of a sale made by such Company to an Affiliate of
such Company or to a Person controlled by an Affiliate of such Company;

         (b) it is due or unpaid more than sixty (60) days after the due date,
not to exceed ninety (90) days after the original invoice date;

         (c) fifty percent (50%) or more of the Receivables from such Customer
are not deemed Eligible Receivables hereunder; provided, that such percentage
may, in Agent's sole discretion, be increased or decreased from time to time;

         (d) any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this
Agreement or in any other Loan Document with respect to such Receivable is
inaccurate in any material respect or otherwise has been breached;

         (e) the Customer shall (i) apply for, suffer, or consent to the
appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee
or liquidator of itself or of all or a substantial part of its property or call
a meeting of its creditors, (ii) admit in writing its inability, or be generally
unable, to pay its debts as they become due or cease operations of its present
business, (iii) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iv)
commence a voluntary case under any state or federal bankruptcy laws or the
insolvency laws of any other country or jurisdiction (as now or hereafter in
effect), (v) be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, (vi) file a petition
seeking to take advantage of any other law providing for the relief of debtors,
(vii) acquiesce to, or fail to have dismissed, any



                                       9
<PAGE>   16

petition which is filed against it in any involuntary case under such bankruptcy
or insolvency laws, or (viii) take any action for the purpose of effecting any
of the foregoing;

         (f) (i) with respect to a Company located in the United States, the
sale is to a Customer outside the continental United States or Canada, unless
the sale is on letter of credit, guaranty or acceptance terms or otherwise
insured, in each case acceptable to Agent, in its sole discretion, and (ii) with
respect to a Company located in a jurisdiction outside of the United States, the
sale is to a Customer (other than a Customer in the United States) outside such
jurisdiction, unless the sale is on letter of credit, guaranty, acceptance terms
or otherwise insured, in each case acceptable to Agent, in its sole discretion;

         (g) the sale to the Customer is on a bill-and-hold, guaranteed sale,
sale-and-return, sale on approval, consignment or any other repurchase or return
basis or is evidenced by chattel paper;

         (h) Agent believes, in its sole judgment, that collection of such
Receivable is insecure or that such Receivable may not be paid by reason of the
Customer's financial inability to pay;

         (i) the Customer is (i) the United States, any state or any department,
agency or instrumentality of any of them, unless the applicable Company assigns
its right to payment of such Receivable to Agent pursuant to the Assignment of
Claims Act of 1940, as amended (31 U.S.C. Sub-Section 3727 ET SEQ. and 41 U.S.C.
Sub-Section 15 ET SEQ.) or has otherwise complied with other applicable statutes
or ordinances, or (ii) any other government (or department, agency or
instrumentality thereof), unless the applicable Company assigns its right to
payment of such Receivable to Agent and provides to Agent a first priority
perfected Lien, or otherwise evidences that Agent has a first priority perfected
Lien, in such Receivable for the benefit of the Banks enforceable against the
Customer; provided, at Agent's sole discretion, up to fifty percent (50%) of all
Deposition Sciences, Inc. United States receivables outstanding as of the
Closing Date may be included without compliance with the foregoing assignment
provision;

         (j) the goods giving rise to such Receivable have not been shipped and
delivered to and accepted by the Customer or the services giving rise to such
Receivable have not been performed by such Company and accepted by the Customer
or the Receivable otherwise does not represent a final sale;

         (k) the Receivables of the Customer exceed a credit limit determined by
Agent, in its sole discretion, and communicated to Borrowers, to the extent such
Receivable exceeds such limit;

         (l) to the extent the Receivable is subject to any offset, deduction,
defense, dispute, or counterclaim, the Customer is also a creditor or supplier
of such Company or the Receivable is contingent in any respect or for any
reason; provided, at Agent's sole discretion, receivables of General Electric
Company subject to offset, deduction, defease, dispute or counterclaim may be
included in whole or in part without reduction;

         (m) such Company has made an agreement with the Customer for a
deduction therefrom, but only to the amount of the deduction, except for
discounts or allowances made in the ordinary



                                       10
<PAGE>   17

course of business for prompt payment, all of which discounts or allowances are
reflected in the calculation of the face value of each respective invoice
related thereto;

         (n) any return, rejection or repossession of the merchandise has
occurred;

         (o) such Receivable is not payable to such Company; or

         (p) such Receivable is not otherwise satisfactory to Agent as
determined by Agent in the exercise of its sole discretion.

         "Environmental Laws" shall mean all provisions of law, statutes,
ordinances, rules, regulations, permits, licenses, judgments, writs,
injunctions, decrees, orders, awards and standards promulgated by the government
of the United States or other jurisdiction or by any state or municipality
thereof or by any court, agency, instrumentality, regulatory authority or
commission of any of the foregoing concerning health, safety and protection of,
or regulation of the discharge of substances into, the environment.

         "Equity Event" shall mean the date on which (a) U.S. Borrower shall
have received the General Electric Equity and (b) the proceeds of the General
Electric Equity shall have been applied to the repayment of the Debt pursuant to
Section 2.10 hereof.

         "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

         "ERISA Event" shall mean, as to U.S. Borrower or any U.S. Guarantor:
(a) the existence of any condition or event with respect to an Plan that
presents a risk of the imposition of an excise tax or any other material
liability on a Company or of the imposition of a Lien on any material portion of
the assets of a Company; (b) a Controlled Group member has engaged in a
nonexempt "prohibited transaction" (as defined under ERISA Section 406 or Code
Section 4975) or a breach of a fiduciary duty under ERISA that could result in
material liability to a Company; (c) a Controlled Group member has applied for a
waiver from the minimum funding requirements of Code Section 412 or ERISA
Section 302 or a Controlled Group member is required to provide security under
Code Section 401(a)(29) or ERISA Section 307; (d) a Reportable Event has
occurred with respect to any Pension Plan as to which notice is required to be
provided to the PBGC; (e) a Controlled Group member has withdrawn from a
Multiemployer Plan in a "complete withdrawal" or a "partial withdrawal" (as such
terms are defined in ERISA Sections 4203 and 4205, respectively); (f) a
Multiemployer Plan is in or is likely to be in reorganization under ERISA
Section 4241; (g) a Plan (and any related trust) which is intended to be
qualified under Code Sections 401 and 501 fails to be so qualified or any "cash
or deferred arrangement" under any such Plan fails to meet the requirements of
Code Section 401(k); (h) the PBGC takes any steps to terminate a Pension Plan or
appoint a trustee to administer a Pension Plan, or a Controlled Group member
takes steps to terminate a Pension Plan; (i) a Controlled Group member or a Plan
fails to satisfy any requirements of law applicable to a Plan; (j) a material
claim, action, suit, audit or investigation is pending or threatened with
respect to a Plan, other than a routine claim for benefits; or (k) a Controlled
Group


                                       11
<PAGE>   18

member incurs or is expected to incur any material liability for post-retirement
benefits under any Welfare Plan, other than as required by ERISA Section 601,
ET. SEQ. or Code Section 4980B.

         "Eurocurrency Reserve Percentage" shall mean, for any Interest Period
in respect of any Eurodollar Loan, as of any date of determination, the
aggregate of the then stated maximum reserve percentages (including any
marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves), expressed as a decimal,
applicable to such Interest Period (if more than one such percentage is
applicable, the daily average of such percentages for those days in such
Interest Period during which any such percentage shall be so applicable) by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, any successor thereto, or any
other banking authority, domestic or foreign, to which a Bank may be subject in
respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as "Eurocurrency
Liabilities" in Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board) or in respect of any
other category of liabilities including deposits by reference to which the
interest rate on Eurodollar Loans is determined or any category of extension of
credit or other assets that include the Eurodollar Loans. For purposes hereof,
such reserve requirements shall include, without limitation, those imposed under
Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board and the Eurodollar Loans shall be
deemed to constitute Eurocurrency Liabilities subject to such reserve
requirements without benefit of credits for proration, exceptions or offsets
which may be available from time to time to any Bank under said Regulation D.

         "Eurodollar Loan" shall mean a Loan described in Section 2.1 hereof on
which U.S. Borrower shall pay interest at a rate based on the Eurodollar Rate.

         "Eurodollar Rate" shall mean, for any Interest Period with respect to a
Eurodollar Loan, the quotient (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest one
sixteenth of one percent (1/16th of 1%)) of: (a) the per annum rate of interest,
determined by Agent in accordance with its usual procedures (which determination
shall be conclusive absent manifest error) as of approximately 11:00 A.M.
(London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest
Period pertaining to such Eurodollar Loan, as provided by Telerate Service,
Bloomberg's or Reuters (or any other similar company or service that provides
rate quotations comparable to those currently provided by such companies as the
rate in the London interbank market) for Dollar deposits in immediately
available funds with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period, DIVIDED BY
(b) a number equal to 1.00 MINUS the Reserve Percentage. In the event that such
rate quotation is not available for any reason, then the rate (for purposes of
clause (a) hereof) shall be the rate, determined by Agent as of approximately
11:00 A.M. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the beginning of such
Interest Period pertaining to such Eurodollar Loan, to be the average (rounded
upwards, if necessary, to the nearest one sixteenth of one percent (1/16th of
1%)) of the per annum rates at which Dollar deposits in immediately available
funds in an amount comparable to such Eurodollar Loan and with a maturity
comparable to such Interest Period are offered to the prime banks by leading
banks in the London interbank market. The Eurodollar Rate shall be adjusted
automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the Eurocurrency
Reserve Percentage.

         "Event of Default" shall mean an event or condition that constitutes an
event of default as defined in Article VII hereof.




                                       12
<PAGE>   19

         "Excess Cash Flow" shall mean, on an annual basis as provided in
Section 2.10(f) hereof, on a Consolidated basis, Cash Flow less the sum of (a)
interest paid for such period, (b) scheduled maturities of Long-Term
Indebtedness for such period, (c) unfinanced Capital Expenditures for such
period, and (d) Taxes paid for such period.

         "Existing Stockholders" shall mean (a) Wayne R. Hellman, (b) any trust
to the extent that any member of Wayne R. Hellman's family has "beneficial" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) ownership of the res thereof, and
(c) any "group" (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the
Exchange Act) that includes parties specified in clauses (a) or (b) above if
such parties "beneficially own" (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act) Voting Stock representing a majority of the voting power of the
Voting Stock owned by such group.

         "Facility Fee Rate" shall mean three-eighths of one percent (3/8%).

         "Federal Funds Effective Rate" shall mean, for any day, the rate per
annum (rounded upward to the nearest one one-hundredth of one percent (1/100 of
1%)) announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or any successor) on
such day as being the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds
transactions arranged by federal funds brokers on the previous trading day, as
computed and announced by such Federal Reserve Bank (or any successor) in
substantially the same manner as such Federal Reserve Bank computes and
announces the weighted average it refers to as the "Federal Funds Effective
Rate" as of the Closing Date.

         "Financial Officer" shall mean any of the following officers: chief
executive officer, president, chief financial officer or treasurer.

         "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" shall mean, for any period, on a
Consolidated basis, the ratio of (a) Cash Flow to (b) Senior Debt Payments for
such period.

         "Fixed Rate Loan" shall mean a Eurodollar Loan, a Canadian Fixed Rate
Loan or a UK Fixed Rate Loan.

         "Foreign Subsidiary" shall mean Ballastronix Incorporated, Parry Power
Systems Ltd. and any other Subsidiary of any Company incorporated or organized,
as the case may be, outside of the United States.

         "Fronting Bank" shall mean, as to any Letter of Credit transaction
hereunder, Agent as issuer of the Letter of Credit, or, in the event that Agent
is unable to issue a Letter of Credit, such other Bank as shall agree to issue
the Letter of Credit in its own name, but on behalf of the Banks (or, with
respect to a Canadian Letter of Credit, on behalf of the Canadian Banks).

         "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States as in effect from time to time, which shall include the
promulgated standards thereof by the Financial Accounting Standards Board,
applied by U.S. Borrower on a consistent basis.




                                       13
<PAGE>   20

         "General Electric Equity" shall mean the proceeds of the sale of all
outstanding shares of U.S. Borrower's proposed Series A Preferred Stock to
General Electric Company for an aggregate purchase price of at least Twenty
Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($20,500,000), less reasonable transaction
expenses, a listing of which shall be provided to Agent, together with the
issuance, and exercise, if any, of warrants to purchase an additional 1,000,000
shares of U.S. Borrower's Common Stock.

         "Guarantor" shall mean a Person that pledges its credit or property in
any manner for the payment or other performance of the indebtedness, contract or
other obligation of another and includes (without limitation) any guarantor
(whether of payment or of collection), surety, co-maker, endorser or Person that
agrees conditionally or otherwise to make any purchase, loan or investment in
order thereby to enable another to prevent or correct a default of any kind.

         "Guarantor of Payment" shall mean each U.S. Guarantor, or any other
Person that shall deliver a Guaranty of Payment to Agent subsequent to the
Closing Date.

         "Guaranty of Payment" shall mean a Guaranty of Payment, Deed of
Guaranty and Indemnity Agreement or other similar document or instrument, in
form and substance satisfactory to Agent and the Banks, executed and delivered
on or after the Closing Date by U.S. Borrower or a Guarantor of Payment, as the
same may be from time to time amended, restated or otherwise modified.

         "Hedge Agreement" shall mean any hedge agreement, interest rate swap,
cap, collar or floor agreement, or other interest rate management device entered
into by a Borrower with Agent or any of the Banks in connection with the
obligations incurred under this Agreement.

         "Indebtedness" shall mean (without duplication), for any Company
(excluding in all cases trade payables and accrued expenses, in each case
arising in the ordinary course of business by such Company), (a) all obligations
to repay borrowed money, direct or indirect, incurred, assumed, or guaranteed,
(b) all obligations for the deferred purchase price of capital assets, (c) all
obligations under conditional sales or other title retention agreements, (d) all
obligations (contingent or otherwise) under any letter of credit, banker's
acceptance, currency swap agreement, interest rate swap, cap, collar or floor
agreement or other interest rate management device, (e) all synthetic leases,
(f) all capitalized leases in accordance with GAAP, (g) all obligations of such
Company with respect to asset securitization financing programs to the extent
that there is recourse against such Company or such Company is liable
(contingent or otherwise) under any such program, (h) all obligations to advance
funds to, or to purchase assets, property or services from, any other Person in
order to maintain the financial condition of such Person, and (i) any other
transaction (including forward sale or purchase agreements) having the
commercial effect of a borrowing of money entered into by such Company to
finance its operations or capital requirements.

         "Indenture" shall mean that certain Indenture between Advanced Lighting
Technologies, Inc., as issuer, and The Bank of New York, as trustee, dated as of
March 18, 1998, as amended and as the same may, with the prior written consent
of Agent which shall not be unreasonably withheld, from time to time be further
amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.




                                       14
<PAGE>   21

         "Indenture Closing Date" shall mean March 18, 1998.

         "Interest Adjustment Date" shall mean the last day of each Interest
Period.

         "Interest Period" shall mean:

         (a) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the period commencing on the
date such Eurodollar Loan is made and ending on the last day of such period, as
selected by U.S. Borrower pursuant to the provisions hereof, and, thereafter,
each subsequent period commencing on the last day of the immediately preceding
Interest Period and ending on the last day of such period, as selected by U.S.
Borrower pursuant to the provisions hereof. The duration of each Interest Period
for any Eurodollar Loan shall be one (1) month, two (2) months, or three (3)
months, in each case as U.S. Borrower may select upon notice, as set forth in
Section 2.2 hereof, provided that (i) if U.S. Borrower fails to so select the
duration of any Interest Period, U.S. Borrower shall be deemed to have converted
such Eurodollar Loan to a U.S. Base Rate Loan at the end of the then current
Interest Period; and (ii) U.S. Borrower may not select any Interest Period for a
Eurodollar Loan that ends after any date when principal is due on such
Eurodollar Loan;

         (b) with respect to any Canadian Fixed Rate Loan, the period commencing
on the date such Canadian Fixed Rate Loan is made and ending on the last day of
such period, as selected by Canadian Borrowers pursuant to the provisions hereof
and, thereafter, each subsequent period commencing on the last day of the
immediately preceding Interest Period and ending on the last day of such period,
as selected by Canadian Borrowers pursuant to the provisions hereof. The
duration of each Interest Period for a Canadian Fixed Rate Loan shall be one (1)
month, two (2) months or three (3) months, in each case as Canadian Borrowers
may select upon notice, as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof, and further provided
that: (i) if Canadian Borrowers fail to so select the duration of any Interest
Period with respect to a Canadian Fixed Rate Loan, Canadian Borrowers shall be
deemed to have converted such Canadian Fixed Rate Loan to a Canadian Base Rate
Loan at the end of the then current Interest Period, and (ii) Canadian Borrowers
may not select any Interest Period for a Canadian Fixed Rate Loan that ends
after any date when principal is due on such Canadian Fixed Rate Loan; and

         (c) with respect to any UK Fixed Rate Loan, the period commencing on
the date such UK Fixed Rate Loan is made and ending on the last day of such
period, as selected by UK Borrowers pursuant to the provisions hereof and,
thereafter, each subsequent period commencing on the last day of the immediately
preceding Interest Period and ending on the last day of such period, as selected
by UK Borrowers pursuant to the provisions hereof. The duration of each Interest
Period for a UK Fixed Rate Loan shall be one (1) month, two (2) months or three
(3) months, in each case as UK Borrowers may select upon notice, as set forth in
Section 2.2 hereof, and further provided that: (i) if UK Borrowers fail to so
select the duration of any Interest Period with respect to a UK Fixed Rate Loan,
UK Borrowers shall be deemed to have converted such UK Fixed Rate Loan to a UK
Base Rate Loan at the end of the then current Interest Period, and (ii) UK
Borrowers may not select any Interest Period for a UK Fixed Rate Loan that ends
after any date when principal is due on such UK Fixed Rate Loan.




                                       15
<PAGE>   22

         "Inventory" shall mean, with respect to any Person, all of such
Person's now owned or hereafter acquired goods, merchandise and other personal
property, wherever located, to be furnished under any contract of service or
held for sale or lease, all raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods and
materials and supplies of any kind, nature or description, which are or might be
used or consumed in such Person's business or used in selling or furnishing such
goods, merchandise and other personal property, and all documents of title or
other documents representing them.

         "Letter of Credit" shall mean any U.S. Letter of Credit, Canadian
Letter of Credit or UK Letter of Credit.

         "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, security interest, lien, charge,
encumbrance on, pledge or deposit of, or conditional sale or other title
retention agreement with respect to any property (real or personal) or asset.

         "Loan" or "Loans" shall mean the credit extended to Borrowers by the
Banks in accordance with Section 2.1A or B hereof.

         "Loan Documents" shall mean this Agreement, the Agent Fee Letter, each
of the Notes, each of the Guaranties of Payment, each Security Document, all
documentation relating to each Letter of Credit and any other documents relating
to any of the foregoing, as any of the foregoing may from time to time be
amended, restated or otherwise modified or replaced.

         "Long-Term Indebtedness" shall mean Indebtedness of the Companies that,
in accordance with GAAP, would be classified upon the balance sheet of the
Companies as long-term liabilities.

         "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a material adverse effect on (a)
the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise) or
prospects of any Borrower, (b) the business, operations, property, condition
(financial or otherwise) or prospects of any Company other than a Borrower that
(i) has assets at such time comprising five percent (5%) or more of the
Consolidated assets of U.S. Borrower and its Subsidiaries, or (ii) whose
operations in the current fiscal year are expected to, or whose operations in
the most recent fiscal year did (or would have if such Company had been a
Subsidiary for the entire fiscal year), represent five percent (5%) or more of
the Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
of U.S. Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, or (c) the business,
operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of U.S.
Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

         "Maximum Amount" shall mean, for each Bank, the amount set forth
opposite such Bank's name under the column headed "Maximum Amount" as listed on
SCHEDULE 1 hereto.

         "Maximum Revolving Credit Commitment Amount" shall mean Fifty Million
Dollars ($50,000,000) (or such lesser amount as shall be determined pursuant to
Section 2.8 hereof).

         "Maximum Term Loan Commitment Amount" shall mean Twenty Five Million
Dollars ($25,000,000).




                                       16
<PAGE>   23

         "Moody's" shall mean Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or any successor
to such company.

         "Multiemployer Plan" shall mean a Pension Plan that is subject to the
requirements of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

         "Note" shall mean any Revolving Credit Note, any Canadian Revolving
Credit Note, any UK Revolving Credit Note or any Term Note, or any other note
delivered pursuant to this Agreement.

         "Notice of Loan" shall mean a Notice of Loan in the form of EXHIBIT E
hereof.

         "Obligor" shall mean (a) a Person whose credit or any of whose property
is pledged to the payment of the Debt and includes, without limitation, any
Guarantor, and (b) any signatory to a Related Writing.

         "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or its
successor.

         "Pension Plan" shall mean a Plan that is a "pension plan" (within the
meaning of ERISA Section 3(2)).

         "Permitted Disposition" shall mean the sale, lease, transfer or other
disposition of assets by any Borrower or any Subsidiary to any Person (other
than, for purposes of this definition, to a Borrower or a Guarantor of Payment)
other than in the ordinary course of business so long as the aggregate amount of
all such assets sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of by all
Borrowers and Subsidiaries does not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000)
during any fiscal year of U.S. Borrower.

         "Person" shall mean any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership,
joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, corporation, limited
liability company, institution, trust, estate, government or other agency or
political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

         "Plan" shall mean (a) an "employee benefit plan" (within the meaning of
ERISA Section 3(3)) that a Controlled Group member at any time sponsors,
maintains, contributes to, has liability with respect to or has an obligation to
contribute to such plan, (b) any pension, employee benefit or welfare plan
governed by Canadian or provincial laws or regulations, including, without
limitation, any such plan under the Pension Benefit Act Nova Scotia and plans
administered pursuant to applicable provincial health tax, workers' compensation
and unemployment insurance legislation, or (c) any such plan subject to
requirements under the laws of the United Kingdom similar to those referenced in
(a) or (b) above.

         "Pledge Agreement" shall mean a Pledge Agreement or Charge over Shares,
in form and substance satisfactory to Agent and the Banks, executed and
delivered to Agent and the Banks by a Company, on or after the Closing Date, as
the same may be from time to time amended, restated or otherwise modified.





                                       17
<PAGE>   24

         "Preferred Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all
shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated,
whether voting or non-voting) of such Person's preferred or preference equity,
whether outstanding on the Indenture Closing Date or the Closing Date or issued
thereafter, including, without limitation, all series and classes of such
preferred or preference stock.

         "Prime Rate" shall mean the interest rate established from time to time
by Agent as Agent's prime rate, whether or not such rate is publicly announced;
the Prime Rate may not be the lowest interest rate charged by Agent for
commercial or other extensions of credit. Each change in the Prime Rate shall be
effective immediately from and after such change.

         "Receivable" shall mean an account, contract right, instrument,
document, chattel paper, general intangible relating to accounts, drafts and
acceptances, and all other forms of obligations owing to a Person arising out of
or in connection with the sale or lease of Inventory or the rendition of
services, all guarantees and other security therefor, whether secured or
unsecured, now existing or hereafter created.

         "Related Expenses" shall mean any and all costs, liabilities, and
expenses (including, without limitation, losses, damages, penalties, claims,
actions, reasonable attorneys' fees, legal expenses, judgments, suits, and
disbursements) incurred by, imposed upon, or asserted against, Agent or the
Banks in any attempt by Agent or the Required Banks: (a) to obtain, preserve,
perfect, or enforce any security interest evidenced by this Agreement or any
Related Writing; (b) to obtain payment, performance, and observance of any and
all of the Debt; (c) to maintain, insure, audit, collect, preserve, repossess,
and dispose of any of the collateral securing the Debt or any thereof,
including, without limitation, costs and expenses for appraisals, assessments,
and audits of any Borrower or any such collateral; or (d) incidental or related
to (a) through (c) above, including, without limitation, interest thereupon from
the date incurred, imposed, or asserted until paid at the Default Rate.

         "Related Writing" shall mean the Loan Documents and any other
assignment, mortgage, security agreement, guaranty agreement, subordination
agreement, financial statement, audit report or other writing furnished by
Borrowers, any Subsidiary or any Obligor, or any of their respective officers,
to Agent or the Banks pursuant to or otherwise in connection with this
Agreement.

         "Reportable Event" shall mean a reportable event as that term is
defined in Title IV of ERISA, except actions of general applicability by the
Secretary of Labor under Section 110 of such Act.

         "Required Banks" shall mean the holders of at least sixty-six and
two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the Total Commitment Amount, or, if there is any
borrowing hereunder, the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent
(66-2/3%) of the aggregate amount of Dollars outstanding under the Notes.

         "Revolving Credit Commitment" shall mean the obligation hereunder,
during the Commitment Period (but, with respect to the Canadian Revolving Credit
Commitment, subject to the provisions of Section 2.11 hereof), of (a) each Bank
to participate in the making of U.S.





                                       18
<PAGE>   25

Revolving Loans pursuant to the U.S. Revolving Credit Commitment up to an
aggregate amount set forth opposite such Bank's name under the column headed
"Revolving Commitment Amount" as set forth on SCHEDULE 1 hereto, (b) each
Canadian Bank to participate in the making of Canadian Revolving Loans and the
issuance of Canadian Letters of Credit pursuant to the Canadian Revolving Credit
Commitment up to an aggregate amount set forth opposite such Canadian Bank's
name under the column headed "Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment Amount" as
set forth on SCHEDULE 1 hereto, (c) each Bank to participate in the making of UK
Revolving Loans and the issuance of UK Letters of Credit pursuant to the UK
Revolving Credit Commitment up to an aggregate amount set forth opposite such
Bank's name under the column headed "UK Revolving Credit Commitment Amount" as
set forth on SCHEDULE 1 hereto, and (d) each Bank to participate in the issuance
of U.S. Letters of Credit pursuant to the U.S. Letter of Credit Commitment

         "Revolving Credit Exposure" shall mean, at any time, the sum of (a) the
U.S. Revolving Exposure, (b) the UK Exposure, (c) the Canadian Exposure, and (d)
the U.S. Letter of Credit Exposure.

         "Revolving Credit Note" shall mean any Revolving Credit Note executed
and delivered pursuant to subsection 1 of Section 2.1A hereof.

         "Revolving Loan" shall mean a U.S. Revolving Loan, a Canadian Revolving
Loan or a UK Revolving Loan granted to a Borrower by the appropriate Banks in
accordance with Section 2.1A hereof.

         "SEC" shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

         "Security Agreement" shall mean a Security Agreement, mortgage
debenture or other similar document or instrument, in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent and the Banks, executed and delivered by a Company to
Agent on behalf of the Banks, on or after the Closing Date, as the same may be
from time to time amended, restated or otherwise modified.

         "Security Documents" shall mean each of the Security Agreements, each
of the Pledge Agreements, each of the Collateral Assignment and Security
Agreements, the Assignment of Life Insurance Policy, each U.C.C. financing
statement or similar filing as to the United Kingdom or Canada executed in
connection herewith, and any other documents relating to any of the foregoing,
as any of the foregoing may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise
modified or replaced.

         "Senior Debt Payments" shall mean, for any period, on a Consolidated
basis, (a) Total Interest Expense, plus (b) an amount equal to the payments due
in accordance with the scheduled maturities of principal on the Term Loan, plus
(c) all cash paid with respect to any other Indebtedness, less (d) the payment
to Unison Fiber Optic Lighting Systems, LLC to the extent reserved against
availability under the Revolving Credit Commitment.

         "Standard & Poor's" shall mean Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a
division of McGraw-Hill, Inc., or any successor to such company.




                                       19
<PAGE>   26

         "Subsidiary" shall mean (a) a corporation more than fifty percent (50%)
of the Voting Stock (or voting power of all outstanding Voting Stock) of which
is owned, directly or indirectly, by U.S. Borrower or by one or more other
subsidiaries of U.S. Borrower or by U.S. Borrower and one or more subsidiaries
of Borrower, (b) a partnership or limited liability company of which U.S.
Borrower, one or more other subsidiaries of U.S. Borrower, or U.S. Borrower and
one or more subsidiaries of U.S. Borrower, directly or indirectly, is a general
partner or managing member, as the case may be, or otherwise has the power to
direct the policies, management and affairs thereof, or (c) any other Person
(other than a corporation) in which U.S. Borrower, one or more other
subsidiaries of U.S. Borrower or U.S. Borrower and one or more subsidiaries of
U.S. Borrower, directly or indirectly, has at least a majority ownership
interest or the power to direct the policies, management and affairs thereto.

         "Taxes" shall mean all federal, state and local income taxes.

         "Term Loan" shall mean the Loan granted to U.S. Borrower by the Banks
in accordance with Section 2.1B hereof.

         "Term Loan Commitment" shall mean the obligation hereunder of each Bank
to participate in the making of the Term Loan, up to the amount set forth
opposite such Bank's name under the column headed "Term Loan Commitment Amount"
as set forth on SCHEDULE 1 hereto.

         "Term Note" shall mean the Term Notes executed and delivered pursuant
to Section 2.1B hereof.

         "Total Commitment Amount" shall mean the principal amount of
Seventy-Five Million Dollars ($75,000,000) (or such lesser amount as shall be
determined pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof).

         "Total Interest Expense" shall mean, for any period, (a) total interest
expense (including that which is attributable to capitalized leases, in
accordance with GAAP) of U.S. Borrower on a Consolidated basis with respect to
all outstanding Indebtedness of U.S. Borrower and its Subsidiaries including,
without limitation, all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed
with respect to letters of credit and net costs under Hedge Agreements, but
excluding, however, any amortization of deferred financing costs, all as
determined in accordance with GAAP, minus (b) gross interest income of U.S.
Borrower on a Consolidated basis, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

         "Total Unused Credit Availability" shall mean, at any time, the
difference between (a) the sum of (i) the amount of the Revolving Credit
Commitment, (ii) the amount of the Dollar Equivalent of the Canadian Revolving
Credit Commitment and (iii) the amount of the UK Revolving Credit Commitment,
minus (b) the Revolving Credit Exposure.

         "UK Base Rate Loan" shall mean a Revolving Loan described in subsection
2 of Section 2.1A hereof on which UK Borrowers shall pay interest at a rate
based on the Base Rate.




                                       20
<PAGE>   27


         "UK Borrowing Base" shall mean an amount not in excess of the sum of
the following: (a) eighty-five percent (85%) of the aggregate amount due and
owing on Eligible Receivables of each UK Borrower, plus (b) the lesser of (i)
(A) fifty-five percent (55%) of Eligible Raw Materials of each UK Borrower, plus
(B) sixty-five percent (65%) of the aggregate of the Eligible Inventory of each
UK Borrower, or (ii) Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000); provided, however, that
the amount of the UK Borrowing Base may be increased or decreased by Agent and
the Banks at any time and from time to time, in the exercise of their sole
discretion and each UK Borrower consents to any such increases or decreases and
acknowledges that decreasing the amount of the UK Borrowing Base or increasing
the reserves may limit or restrict UK Revolving Loans requested by UK Borrowers.

         "UK Exposure" shall mean, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate
principal amount of all UK Revolving Loans outstanding, and (b) the UK Letter of
Credit Exposure.

         "UK Fixed Rate Loan" shall mean a Revolving Loan described in
subsection 2 of Section 2.1A hereof on which UK Borrowers shall pay interest at
a rate based on the Eurodollar Rate.

         "UK Letter of Credit" shall mean any sight commercial documentary
letter of credit or any standby letter of credit that shall be issued by a
Fronting Bank for the benefit of a UK Borrower, including amendments thereto, if
any, and shall have an expiration date no later than the earlier of (a) one (1)
year after its date of issuance or (b) thirty (30) days prior to the last day of
the Commitment Period.

         "UK Letter of Credit Commitment" shall mean the commitment of the
Fronting Bank, on behalf of the Banks, to issue Letters of Credit in an
aggregate outstanding face amount of up to One Million Dollars ($1,000,000),
during the Commitment Period, on the terms and conditions set forth in
subsection 2(b) of Section 2.1A hereof.

         "UK Letter of Credit Exposure" shall mean the sum of (a) the aggregate
undrawn face amount of all issued and outstanding UK Letters of Credit, and (b)
the aggregate draws made on UK Letters of Credit that are not yet reimbursed by
UK Borrowers or converted to UK Revolving Loans pursuant to subsection 2(b) of
Section 2.1A hereof.

         "UK Revolving Credit Commitment" shall mean the obligation hereunder of
the Banks to make UK Revolving Loans and to participate in the making of UK
Letters of Credit up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time
equal to the lesser of (a) Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000), or (b) the UK
Borrowing Base (or such lesser amount as shall be determined pursuant to Section
2.8 hereof).

         "UK Revolving Credit Note" shall mean any UK Revolving Credit Note
executed and delivered pursuant to subsection 2 of Section 2.1A hereof.

         "UK Revolving Loan" shall mean a UK Base Rate Loan or UK Fixed Rate
Loan.





                                       21
<PAGE>   28

         "Unmatured Event of Default" shall mean an event or condition that
constitutes, or which with the lapse of any applicable grace period or the
giving of notice or both would constitute, an Event of Default and that has not
been waived by the Required Banks in writing.

         "U.S. Base Rate Loan" shall mean a Loan described in subsection 1 of
Section 2.1A hereof on which U.S. Borrower shall pay interest at a rate based on
the Base Rate.

         "U.S. Borrowing Base" shall mean an amount not in excess of the sum of
the following: (a) eighty-five percent (85%) of the aggregate amount due and
owing on Eligible Receivables of U.S. Borrower and each U.S. Guarantor, plus (b)
the lesser of (i) (A) fifty-five percent (55%) of Eligible Raw Materials of U.S.
Borrower and each U.S. Guarantor, plus (B) sixty-five percent (65%) of the
aggregate of the cost or market value (whichever is lower) of the Eligible
Inventory of U.S. Borrower and each U.S. Guarantor, or (ii) Twenty-Five Million
Dollars ($25,000,000); provided, however that the amount of the U.S. Borrowing
Base may be increased or decreased by Agent and the Banks at any time and from
time to time, in the exercise of their reasonable discretion and U.S. Borrower
consents to any such increases or decreases and acknowledges that decreasing the
amount of the U.S. Borrowing Base or increasing the reserves may limit or
restrict U.S. Revolving Loans requested by U.S. Borrower.

         "U.S. Guarantor" shall mean each of the Companies listed on SCHEDULE 2
hereto and each other Domestic Subsidiary that shall execute and deliver a
Guaranty of Payment on or after the Closing Date.

         "U.S. Letter of Credit" shall mean any sight commercial documentary
letter of credit or any standby letter of credit that shall be issued by a
Fronting Bank for the benefit of U.S. Borrower or a U.S. Guarantor, including
amendments thereto, if any, and shall have an expiration date no later than the
earlier of (a) one (1) year after its date of issuance or (b) thirty (30) days
prior to the last day of the Commitment Period.

         "U.S. Letter of Credit Commitment" shall mean the commitment of the
Fronting Bank, on behalf of the Banks, to issue U.S. Letters of Credit in an
aggregate outstanding face amount of up to Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000),
during the Commitment Period, on the terms and conditions set forth in
subsection 4 of Section 2.1A hereof.

         "U.S. Letter of Credit Exposure" shall mean the sum of (a) the
aggregate undrawn face amount of all issued and outstanding U.S. Letters of
Credit, and (b) the aggregate draws made on U.S. Letters of Credit that are not
yet reimbursed by U.S. Borrower or converted to U.S. Revolving Loans pursuant to
subsection 4 of Section 2.1A hereof.

         "U.S. Revolving Credit Commitment" shall mean the obligation hereunder
of the Banks to make U.S. Revolving Loans up to an aggregate principal amount
outstanding at any time equal to the lesser of (a) the Maximum Revolving Credit
Commitment Amount, or (b) the U.S. Borrowing Base (or such lesser amount as
shall be determined pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof).




                                       22
<PAGE>   29

         "U.S. Revolving Exposure" shall mean, at any time, the aggregate
principal amount of all U.S. Revolving Loans outstanding.

         "U.S. Revolving Loan" shall mean a U.S. Base Rate Loan or Eurodollar
Loan.

         "Voting Stock" shall mean with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of
any class or kind having the power to vote for the election of directors,
managers or other voting members of the governing body of such Person (not
including, however, any Capital Stock having such right to vote only upon the
happening of certain events under limited circumstances).

         "Welfare Plan" shall mean a Plan that is a "welfare plan" within the
meaning of ERISA Section 3 (l).

         "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any
corporation, limited liability company or other entity all of the securities or
other ownership interest, of which having ordinary voting power to elect a
majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions
are at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person.

         "Work-In-Process" shall mean that portion of Inventory comprised of
products and/or goods being manufactured and/or assembled by a Person but not
yet completed.

         Any accounting term not specifically defined in this Article I shall
have the meaning ascribed thereto by GAAP.

         The foregoing definitions shall be applicable to the singular and
plurals of the foregoing defined terms.

         The use of the term "sole discretion" or "sole opinion" herein shall
mean the exercise of discretion other than in an arbitrary or capricious manner.


                     ARTICLE II. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT

         SECTION 2.1. AMOUNT AND NATURE OF CREDIT. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, each Bank shall participate to the extent
hereinafter provided in making Loans to and issuing Letters of Credit at the
request of Borrowers in such aggregate amount as Borrowers shall request
pursuant to the Commitment; provided, however, that in no event shall the
aggregate principal amount of all Loans and Letters of Credit outstanding under
this Agreement (including, in respect of any amount in CAD, the Dollar
Equivalent thereof at any date of determination) be in excess of the Total
Commitment Amount.

         Each Bank, for itself and not one for any other, agrees to participate
in U.S. Revolving Loans and UK Revolving Loans made and U.S. Letters of Credit
and UK Letters of Credit issued hereunder during the Commitment Period on such
basis that (a) immediately after the completion of any U.S. Revolving Loan or UK
Revolving Loan, or issuance of a U.S. Letter of Credit or UK Letter of



                                       23
<PAGE>   30

Credit, the aggregate principal amount then outstanding on the Notes issued to
such Bank, when combined with such Bank's pro rata share of the U.S. Letter of
Credit Exposure and UK Letter of Credit Exposure, and, with respect to the
Canadian Banks, the Canadian Exposure, shall not be in excess of the Maximum
Amount for such Bank, and (b) such aggregate principal amount outstanding on the
Notes issued to such Bank (other than the Canadian Banks) shall represent that
percentage of the aggregate principal amount then outstanding on all Notes
(other than the Canadian Revolving Credit Note) held by all Banks (including the
Notes held by such Bank) which is such Bank's Commitment Percentage.

         Each Canadian Bank, for itself and not one for any other, agrees,
during the Commitment Period, to participate in making Canadian Revolving Loans
to and issuing Canadian Letters of Credit for the benefit of Canadian Borrowers
in such amount as Canadian Borrowers shall request pursuant to the Canadian
Revolving Credit Commitment, on the terms and conditions set forth below.

         Each borrowing (other than Canadian Revolving Loans) from the Banks
hereunder shall be made pro rata according to the Banks' respective Commitment
Percentages; each borrowing of Canadian Revolving Loans shall be made solely by
the Canadian Banks, pro rata according to the Canadian Banks' respective
Commitment Percentage with respect to Canadian Revolving Loans. The Loans may be
made as Revolving Loans and as a Term Loan, and Letters of Credit may be issued,
as follows:

         A.       Revolving Credit.

         1.       U.S. Revolving Loans.

         Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during the
Commitment Period, the Banks shall make a U.S. Revolving Loan or U.S. Revolving
Loans to U.S. Borrower in such amount or amounts as U.S. Borrower may from time
to time request, but not exceeding in aggregate principal amount at any time
outstanding hereunder the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments,
when such U.S. Revolving Loans are combined with the Revolving Credit Exposure.
U.S. Borrower shall have the option, subject to the terms and conditions set
forth herein, to borrow U.S. Revolving Loans, maturing on the last day of the
Commitment Period, by means of any combination of (a) U.S. Base Rate Loans, or
(b) Eurodollar Loans.

         U.S. Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of U.S.
Base Rate Loans outstanding from time to time from the date thereof until paid
at the Base Rate from time to time in effect. Interest on such U.S. Base Rate
Loans shall be payable, commencing June 1, 1999, and on the 1st day of each
succeeding month thereafter, and at the maturity thereof.

         U.S. Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each
Eurodollar Loan outstanding from time to time, from the date thereof until paid,
at the Derived Eurodollar Rate, fixed in advance for each Interest Period as
herein provided for each such Interest Period. Interest on such Eurodollar Loans
shall be payable on each Interest Adjustment Date with respect to an Interest
Period (provided that if an Interest Period exceeds three (3) months, the
interest must be paid every three (3) months, commencing three (3) months from
the beginning of such Interest Period).




                                       24
<PAGE>   31

         At the request of U.S. Borrower, subject to the notice and other
provisions of Section 2.2 hereof, the Banks shall convert U.S. Base Rate Loans
to Eurodollar Loans at any time and shall convert Eurodollar Loans to U.S. Base
Rate Loans on any Interest Adjustment Date.

         The obligation of U.S. Borrower to repay the U.S. Base Rate Loans and
the Eurodollar Loans made by each Bank and to pay interest thereon shall be
evidenced by a Revolving Credit Note of U.S. Borrower in the form of EXHIBIT A
hereto, dated the Closing Date, and payable to the order of such Bank in the
principal amount of its Revolving Credit Commitment, or, if less, the aggregate
unpaid principal amount of Revolving Loans made hereunder by such Bank. Subject
to the provisions of this Agreement, U.S. Borrower shall be entitled under this
subsection 1 of Section 2.1A to borrow funds, repay the same in whole or in part
and re-borrow hereunder at any time and from time to time during the Commitment
Period.

         2.       UK Credit Facility.

         (a)      UK Revolving Loans.

                  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during
         the Commitment Period, the Banks shall make a UK Revolving Loan or UK
         Revolving Loans to UK Borrowers in such amount or amounts as UK
         Borrowers may from time to time request. UK Borrowers shall not request
         a UK Revolving Loan (and the Banks shall not be obligated to make a UK
         Revolving Loan) if, after giving effect thereto, (i) the UK Exposure
         would exceed the amount of the UK Revolving Credit Commitment, or (ii)
         the sum of (A) the UK Exposure, (B) the U.S. Revolving Exposure, (C)
         the Canadian Exposure and (D) the U.S. Letter of Credit Exposure would
         exceed the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments.

                  UK Borrowers shall have the option, subject to the terms and
         conditions set forth herein, to borrow UK Revolving Loans, maturing on
         the last day of the Commitment Period, by means of any combination of
         (i) UK Base Rate Loans, or (ii) UK Fixed Rate Loans.

                  UK Borrowers shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount
         of UK Base Rate Loans outstanding from time to time from the date
         thereof until paid at the Base Rate from time to time in effect.
         Interest on such UK Base Rate Loans shall be payable, commencing June
         1, 1999, and on the 1st day of each succeeding month thereafter, and at
         the maturity thereof.

                  UK Borrowers shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount
         of each UK Fixed Rate Loan outstanding from time to time, from the date
         thereof until paid, at the Derived UK Fixed Rate, fixed in advance for
         each Interest Period as herein provided for each such Interest Period.
         Interest on such UK Fixed Rate Loans shall be payable on each Interest
         Adjustment Date with respect to an Interest Period (provided that if an
         Interest Period exceeds three (3) months, the interest must be paid
         every three (3) months, commencing three (3) months from the beginning
         of such Interest Period).




                                       25
<PAGE>   32

                  At the request of UK Borrowers, subject to the notice and
         other provisions of Section 2.2 hereof, the Banks shall convert UK Base
         Rate Loans to UK Fixed Rate Loans at any time and shall convert UK
         Fixed Rate Loans to UK Base Rate Loans on any Interest Adjustment Date.

                  The obligation of UK Borrowers to repay the UK Base Rate Loans
         and the UK Fixed Rate Loans made by each Bank and to pay interest
         thereon shall be evidenced by a UK Revolving Credit Note of UK
         Borrowers in the form of EXHIBIT B hereto, dated the Closing Date, and
         payable to the order of such Bank in the principal amount of its UK
         Revolving Credit Commitment, or, if less, the aggregate unpaid
         principal amount of UK Revolving Loans made hereunder by such Bank.
         Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, UK Borrowers shall be
         entitled under this subsection 2 of Section 2.1A to borrow funds, repay
         the same in whole or in part and re-borrow hereunder at any time and
         from time to time during the Commitment Period.

         (b)      UK Letters of Credit.

                  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during
         the Commitment Period, Agent (or such other Bank as shall agree to be
         the Fronting Bank) shall, in its own name, but only as Agent for the
         Banks, issue such UK Letters of Credit for the account of a UK
         Borrower, as such UK Borrower may from time to time request. No UK
         Borrower shall request any UK Letter of Credit (and neither Agent nor
         any Fronting Bank shall be obligated to issue any UK Letter of Credit)
         if, after giving effect thereto, (i) the UK Letter of Credit Exposure
         would exceed the UK Letter of Credit Commitment, (ii) the UK Exposure
         would exceed the amount of the UK Revolving Credit Commitment, or (iii)
         the sum of (A) the UK Exposure, (B) the U.S. Revolving Exposure, (C)
         the Canadian Exposure and (D) the U.S. Letter of Credit Exposure would
         exceed the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments. The
         issuance of each UK Letter of Credit shall confer upon each Bank the
         benefits and liabilities of a participation consisting of an undivided
         pro rata interest in the UK Letter of Credit to the extent of that
         Bank's Commitment Percentage.

                  Each request for a UK Letter of Credit shall be delivered to
         Agent (and the Fronting Bank, if the Fronting Bank is a Bank other than
         Agent) not later than 11:00 A.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time) three (3)
         Business Days prior to the day upon which the UK Letter of Credit is to
         be issued. Each such request shall be in a form acceptable to Agent
         (and the Fronting Bank, if the Fronting Bank is a Bank other than
         Agent) and shall specify the face amount thereof, whether such UK
         Letter of Credit is a commercial documentary or a standby Letter of
         Credit, the account party, the beneficiary, the intended date of
         issuance, the expiry date thereof, and the nature of the transaction to
         be supported thereby. Concurrently with each such request, the UK
         Borrower for whose benefit the Letter of Credit is to be issued, shall
         execute and deliver to Agent an appropriate application and agreement,
         being in the standard form of the Fronting Bank for such letters of
         credit, as amended to conform to the provisions of this Agreement if
         required by Agent. Agent shall give each Bank notice of each such
         request for a UK Letter of Credit.




                                       26
<PAGE>   33

                  In respect of each UK Letter of Credit and the drafts
         thereunder, if any, issued for the account of a UK Borrower, UK
         Borrowers agree (i) to pay to Agent, for the pro rata benefit of the
         Banks, (A) with respect to each UK Letter of Credit that is a standby
         letter of credit, a commission based upon the face amount of the UK
         Letter of Credit, which shall be paid quarterly in arrears, on the
         first day of each July, October, January and April, at a rate per annum
         equal to (1) the then current Applicable Margin for UK Fixed Rate Loans
         (i.e. the Applicable Margin for UK Fixed Rate Loans in effect on the
         date such UK Letter of Credit is issued and, as to each quarterly
         payment thereafter, the Applicable Margin for UK Fixed Rate Loans in
         effect on the date of such quarterly payment), times (2) the average
         undrawn face amount of such UK Letter of Credit during such fiscal
         quarter, and (B) with respect to each UK Letter of Credit that is a
         commercial documentary letter of credit, a non-refundable commission
         based upon the face amount of the UK Letter of Credit, which shall be
         paid on the date that any draw is made on a UK Letter of Credit, in an
         amount equal to (1) the then current Applicable Margin for UK Fixed
         Rate Loans, times (2) the amount drawn under the UK Letter of Credit;
         (ii) to pay to Agent, for the sole account of the Fronting Bank, an
         additional UK Letter of Credit fee, which shall be paid on each date
         that such UK Letter of Credit is issued or renewed at the rate of
         one-eighth percent (1/8 of 1%) of the face amount of such UK Letter of
         Credit; and (iii) to pay to Agent for the sole account of the Fronting
         Bank, such other issuance, amendment, negotiation, draw, acceptance,
         telex, courier, postage and similar transactional fees as are generally
         charged by the Fronting Bank under its fee schedule as in effect from
         time to time.

                  Whenever a UK Letter of Credit is drawn, UK Borrowers shall
         immediately reimburse the Fronting Bank for the amount drawn. In the
         event that the amount drawn is not reimbursed by UK Borrowers within
         one (1) Business Day of the drawing of such UK Letter of Credit, at the
         sole option of Agent (and the Fronting Bank, if the Fronting Bank is a
         Bank other than Agent), UK Borrowers shall be deemed to have requested
         a UK Revolving Loan, subject to the provisions of subsection 2(a) of
         Section 2.1A in the amount drawn. Such UK Revolving Loan shall be
         evidenced by the UK Revolving Credit Notes. Each Bank agrees to make a
         UK Revolving Loan on the date of such notice, subject to no conditions
         precedent whatsoever. Each Bank acknowledges and agrees that its
         obligation to make a UK Revolving Loan pursuant to subsection 2(a) of
         Section 2.lA when required by this subsection 2(b) of Section 2.1A is
         absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any
         circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation, the occurrence
         and continuance of an Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default,
         and that its payment to Agent, for the account of the Fronting Bank, of
         the proceeds of such UK Revolving Loan shall be made without any
         offset, abatement, recoupment, counterclaim, withholding or reduction
         whatsoever and whether or not such Bank's UK Revolving Credit
         Commitment shall have been reduced or terminated. UK Borrowers
         irrevocably authorize and instruct Agent to apply the proceeds of any
         borrowing pursuant to this subsection 2(b) of Section 2.1A to
         reimburse, in full, the Fronting Bank for the amount drawn on such
         Letter of Credit. Each such UK Revolving Loan shall be deemed to be a
         UK Base Rate Loan unless otherwise requested by and available to UK
         Borrowers hereunder. Each Bank is hereby authorized to record on its
         records relating to its UK Revolving Credit Note such Bank's pro rata
         share of the amounts paid and not reimbursed on the UK Letters of
         Credit.




                                       27
<PAGE>   34
         3.       Canadian Credit Facility.

         (a)      Canadian Revolving Loans.

                  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during
         the Commitment Period (but subject to Section 2.11 hereof), the
         Canadian Banks shall make a Canadian Revolving Loan or Canadian
         Revolving Loans to Canadian Borrowers in such amount or amounts as,
         Canadian Borrowers may from time to time request. Canadian Borrowers
         shall not request a Canadian Revolving Loan (and the Canadian Banks
         shall not be obligated to make a Canadian Revolving Loan) if, after
         giving effect thereto, (a) the Canadian Exposure would exceed the
         Dollar Equivalent of the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment, or (b)
         the sum of (i) the UK Exposure, (ii) the U.S. Revolving Exposure, (iii)
         the Canadian Exposure and (iv) the U.S. Letter of Credit Exposure would
         exceed the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments.

                  Canadian Borrowers shall have the option, subject to the terms
         and conditions set forth herein, to borrow Canadian Revolving Loans,
         maturing on the last day of the Commitment Period, by means of any
         combination of (a) Canadian Base Rate Loans, or (b) Canadian Fixed Rate
         Loans.

                  Canadian Borrowers shall pay interest in CAD on the unpaid
         principal amount of Canadian Base Rate Loans outstanding from time to
         time from the date thereof until paid at the Canadian Base Rate from
         time to time in effect. Interest on such Canadian Base Rate Loans shall
         be payable, commencing June 1, 1999, and on the 1st day of each
         succeeding month thereafter, and at the maturity thereof.

                  Canadian Borrowers shall pay interest in CAD on the unpaid
         principal amount of each Canadian Fixed Rate Loan outstanding from time
         to time, from the date thereof until paid, at the Derived Canadian
         Fixed Rate, fixed in advance for each Interest Period as herein
         provided for each such Interest Period. Interest on such Canadian Fixed
         Rate Loans shall be payable on each Interest Adjustment Date with
         respect to an Interest Period (provided that if an Interest Period
         exceeds three (3) months, the interest must be paid every three (3)
         months, commencing three (3) months from the beginning of such Interest
         Period).

                  At the request of Canadian Borrowers, subject to the notice
         and other provisions of Section 2.2 hereof, the Canadian Banks shall
         convert Canadian Base Rate Loans to Canadian Fixed Rate Loans at any
         time and shall convert Canadian Fixed Rate Loans to Canadian Base Rate
         Loans on any Interest Adjustment Date.

                  The obligation of Canadian Borrowers to repay the Canadian
         Base Rate Loans and the Canadian Fixed Rate Loans made by each Canadian
         Bank and to pay interest thereon shall be evidenced by a Canadian
         Revolving Credit Note of Canadian Borrowers in the form of EXHIBIT C
         hereto, dated the Closing Date, and payable to the order of such
         Canadian Bank in the principal amount (as determined, originally, on
         the Closing Date and as may be further determined in accordance with
         the next sentence) of its pro rata share of the Canadian



                                       28
<PAGE>   35

         Revolving Credit Commitment, or, if less, the aggregate unpaid
         principal amount of Canadian Revolving Loans made hereunder by such
         Canadian Bank. If, in the sole opinion of Agent, the amount of the
         Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment changes significantly after the
         Closing Date as a result of currency fluctuations since the Closing
         Date, the Canadian Borrowers shall, upon request of Agent, whenever
         made, execute new Canadian Revolving Credit Notes in the then amount of
         each Bank's pro rata share of the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment.
         The Canadian Bank shall not be obligated to make Canadian Revolving
         Loans upon the receipt of a borrowing request if the Canadian Exposure
         would then exceed the Dollar Equivalent, as determined on the date of
         such request, of the aggregate face amounts of the Canadian Revolving
         Credit Notes.

                  Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Canadian
         Borrowers shall be entitled under this subsection 3 of Section 2.1A to
         borrow funds, repay the same in whole or in part and re-borrow
         hereunder at any time and from time to time during the Commitment
         Period.

         (b)      Canadian Letters of Credit.

                  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during
         the Commitment Period, such Canadian Bank as shall agree to be the
         Fronting Bank for such Canadian Letter of Credit shall, in its own
         name, but only as agent for the Canadian Banks, issue such Canadian
         Letters of Credit for the account of a Canadian Borrower, as such
         Canadian Borrower may from time to time request. No Canadian Borrower
         shall request any Canadian Letter of Credit (and no Fronting Bank shall
         be obligated to issue any Canadian Letter of Credit) if, after giving
         effect thereto, (i) the Canadian Letter of Credit Exposure would exceed
         the Dollar Equivalent, as determined at the time of the request, of the
         Canadian Letter of Credit Commitment, (ii) the Canadian Exposure would
         exceed the Dollar Equivalent, as determined at the time of the request,
         of the amount of the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment, or (iii) the
         sum of (A) the Canadian Exposure, (B) the U.S. Revolving Exposure, (C)
         the UK Exposure and (D) the U.S. Letter of Credit Exposure would exceed
         the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments. The issuance
         of each Letter of Credit shall confer upon each Canadian Bank the
         benefits and liabilities of a participation consisting of an undivided
         pro rata interest in the Canadian Letter of Credit to the extent of
         that Canadian Bank's percentage of the Canadian Revolving Credit
         Commitment.

                  Each request for a Canadian Letter of Credit shall be
         delivered to Agent not later than 11:00 A.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time)
         three (3) Business Days prior to the day upon which the Canadian Letter
         of Credit is to be issued. Each such request shall be in a form
         acceptable to Agent and shall specify the face amount thereof, whether
         such Canadian Letter of Credit is a commercial documentary or a standby
         Letter of Credit, the account party, the beneficiary, the intended date
         of issuance, the expiry date thereof, and the nature of the transaction
         to be supported thereby. Concurrently with each such request, the
         Canadian Borrower for whose benefit the Letter of Credit is to be
         issued, shall execute and deliver to Agent an appropriate application
         and agreement, being in the standard form of the Fronting Bank for such
         letters of credit, as amended to conform to the provisions of this
         Agreement if required by Agent.




                                       29
<PAGE>   36

         Agent shall give each Canadian Bank notice of each such request for a
         Canadian Letter of Credit.

                  In respect of each Canadian Letter of Credit and the drafts
         thereunder, if any, issued for the account of a Canadian Borrower,
         Canadian Borrowers agree (i) to pay to Agent, for the pro rata benefit
         of the Canadian Banks, (A) with respect to each Canadian Letter of
         Credit that is a standby letter of credit, a commission based upon the
         face amount of the Canadian Letter of Credit, which shall be paid
         quarterly in arrears, on the first day of each July, October, January
         and April, in an amount per annum equal to (1) the then current
         Applicable Margin for Canadian Fixed Rate Loans (i.e. the Applicable
         Margin for Canadian Fixed Rate Loans in effect on the date such
         Canadian Letter of Credit is issued and, as to each quarterly payment
         thereafter, the Applicable Margin for Canadian Fixed Rate Loans in
         effect on the date of such quarterly payment), times (2) the average
         undrawn face amount of such Canadian Letter of Credit during such
         fiscal quarter, and (B) with respect to each Canadian Letter of Credit
         that is a commercial documentary letter of credit, a nonrefundable
         commission based upon the face amount of the Canadian Letter of Credit,
         which shall be paid on the date that any draw is made on a Canadian
         Letter of Credit, in an amount equal to (1) the then current Applicable
         Margin for Canadian Fixed Rate Loans, times (2) the amount drawn under
         the Canadian Letter of Credit; (ii) to pay to Agent, for the sole
         account of the Fronting Bank, an additional Canadian Letter of Credit
         fee, which shall be paid on each date that such Canadian Letter of
         Credit is issued or renewed at the rate of one-eighth percent (1/8 of
         1%) of the face amount of such Canadian Letter of Credit; and (iii) to
         pay to Agent for the sole account of the Fronting Bank, such other
         issuance, amendment, negotiation, draw, acceptance, telex, courier,
         postage and similar transactional fees as are generally charged by the
         Fronting Bank under its fee schedule as in effect from time to time.

                  Whenever a Canadian Letter of Credit is drawn, Canadian
         Borrowers shall immediately reimburse the Fronting Bank for the amount
         drawn. In the event that the amount drawn is not reimbursed by Canadian
         Borrowers within one (1) Business Day of the drawing of such Canadian
         Letter of Credit, at the sole option of Agent and the Fronting Bank,
         Canadian Borrowers shall be deemed to have requested a Canadian
         Revolving Loan, subject to the provisions of subsection 3(a) of Section
         2.1A in the amount drawn. Such Canadian Revolving Loan shall be
         evidenced by the Canadian Revolving Credit Notes. Each Canadian Bank
         agrees to make a Canadian Revolving Loan on the date of such notice,
         subject to no conditions precedent whatsoever. Each Canadian Bank
         acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to make a Canadian
         Revolving Loan pursuant to subsection 3(a) of Section 2.lA when
         required by this subsection 3(b) of Section 2.1A is absolute and
         unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever,
         including, without limitation, the occurrence and continuance of an
         Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default, and that its payment to
         Agent, for the account of the Fronting Bank, of the proceeds of such
         Canadian Revolving Loan shall be made without any offset, abatement,
         recoupment, counterclaim, withholding or reduction whatsoever and
         whether or not such Canadian Bank's Canadian Revolving Credit
         Commitment shall have been reduced or terminated. Canadian Borrowers
         irrevocably authorize and instruct Agent to apply the proceeds of any
         borrowing pursuant to this subsection 3(b) of Section 2.1A to
         reimburse, in full, the Fronting Bank for



                                       30
<PAGE>   37

         the amount drawn on such Canadian Letter of Credit. Each such Canadian
         Revolving Loan shall be deemed to be a Canadian Base Rate Loan unless
         otherwise requested by and available to Canadian Borrowers hereunder.
         Each Canadian Bank is hereby authorized to record on its records
         relating to its Canadian Revolving Credit Note such Canadian Bank's pro
         rata share of the amounts paid and not reimbursed on the Canadian
         Letters of Credit.

         4.       U.S. Letters of Credit.

         Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during the
Commitment Period, Agent (or such other Bank as shall agree to be the Fronting
Bank) shall, in its own name, but only as Agent for the Banks, issue such U.S.
Letters of Credit for the account of U.S. Borrower or any U.S. Guarantor, as
U.S. Borrower may from time to time request. U.S. Borrower shall not request any
U.S. Letter of Credit (and neither Agent nor any Fronting Bank shall be
obligated to issue any U.S. Letter of Credit) if, after giving effect thereto,
(a) the U.S. Letter of Credit Exposure would exceed the Letter of Credit
Commitment, or (b) the Revolving Credit Exposure would exceed the Total
Commitment Amount. The issuance of each U.S. Letter of Credit shall confer upon
each Bank the benefits and liabilities of a participation consisting of an
undivided pro rata interest in the U.S. Letter of Credit to the extent of that
Bank's Commitment Percentage.

         Each request for a U.S. Letter of Credit shall be delivered to Agent
(and the Fronting Bank, if the Fronting Bank is a Bank other than Agent) not
later than 11:00 A.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time) three (3) Business Days prior to
the day upon which the U.S. Letter of Credit is to be issued. Each such request
shall be in a form acceptable to Agent (and the Fronting Bank, if the Fronting
Bank is a Bank other than Agent) and shall specify the face amount thereof,
whether such U.S. Letter of Credit is a commercial documentary or a standby U.S.
Letter of Credit, the account party, the beneficiary, the intended date of
issuance, the expiry date thereof, and the nature of the transaction to be
supported thereby. Concurrently with each such request, U.S. Borrower, and any
U.S. Guarantor for whose benefit the U.S. Letter of Credit is to be issued,
shall execute and deliver to Agent an appropriate application and agreement,
being in the standard form of the Fronting Bank for such letters of credit, as
amended to conform to the provisions of this Agreement if required by Agent.
Agent shall give each Bank notice of each such request for a U.S. Letter of
Credit.

         In respect of each U.S. Letter of Credit and the drafts thereunder, if
any, whether issued for the account of U.S. Borrower or a U.S. Guarantor, U.S.
Borrower agrees (a) to pay to Agent, for the pro rata benefit of the Banks, (i)
with respect to each U.S. Letter of Credit that is a standby letter of credit, a
commission based upon the face amount of the U.S. Letter of Credit, which shall
be paid quarterly in arrears, on the first day of each July, October, January
and April, at a rate per annum equal to (A) the then current Applicable Margin
for Eurodollar Loans (i.e. the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans in effect
on the date such U.S. Letter of Credit is issued and, as to each quarterly
payment thereafter, the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans in effect on the
date of such quarterly payment), times (B) the average undrawn face amount of
such U.S. Letter of Credit during such fiscal quarter, and (ii) with respect to
each U.S. Letter of Credit that is a commercial documentary letter of credit, a
nonrefundable commission based upon the face amount of the U.S. Letter of
Credit, which shall be paid on the date that any draw is made on a U.S. Letter
of Credit, in an amount equal to (A) the then current Applicable Margin for
Eurodollar Loans, times (B) the



                                       31
<PAGE>   38

amount drawn under the U.S. Letter of Credit; (b) to pay to Agent, for the sole
account of the Fronting Bank, an additional U.S. Letter of Credit fee, which
shall be paid on each date that such U.S. Letter of Credit is issued or renewed
at the rate of one-eighth percent (1/8 of 1%) of the face amount of such U.S.
Letter of Credit; and (c) to pay to Agent for the sole account of the Fronting
Bank, such other issuance, amendment, negotiation, draw, acceptance, telex,
courier, postage and similar transactional fees as are generally charged by the
Fronting Bank under its fee schedule as in effect from time to time.

         Whenever a U.S. Letter of Credit is drawn, U.S. Borrower shall
immediately reimburse the Fronting Bank for the amount drawn. In the event that
the amount drawn is not reimbursed by U.S. Borrower within one (1) Business Day
of the drawing of such U.S. Letter of Credit, at the sole option of Agent (and
the Fronting Bank, if the Fronting Bank is a Bank other than Agent), U.S.
Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a U.S. Revolving Loan, subject to the
provisions of subsection 1 of Section 2.1A in the amount drawn. Such U.S.
Revolving Loan shall be evidenced by the Revolving Credit Notes. Each Bank
agrees to make a U.S. Revolving Loan on the date of such notice, subject to no
conditions precedent whatsoever. Each Bank acknowledges and agrees that its
obligation to make a U.S. Revolving Loan pursuant to subsection 1 of Section
2.lA when required by this subsection 4 of Section 2.1A is absolute and
unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever,
including, without limitation, the occurrence and continuance of an Unmatured
Event of Default or Event of Default, and that its payment to Agent, for the
account

of the Fronting Bank, of the proceeds of such U.S. Revolving Loan shall be made
without any offset, abatement, recoupment, counterclaim, withholding or
reduction whatsoever and whether or not such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment
shall have been reduced or terminated. U.S. Borrower irrevocably authorizes and
instructs Agent to apply the proceeds of any borrowing pursuant to this
subsection 4 to reimburse, in full, the Fronting Bank for the amount drawn on
such U.S. Letter of Credit. Each such U.S. Revolving Loan shall be deemed to be
a Base Rate Loan unless otherwise requested by and available to U.S. Borrower
hereunder. Each Bank is hereby authorized to record on its records relating to
its Revolving Credit Note such Bank's pro rata share of the amounts paid and not
reimbursed on the U.S. Letters of Credit.

         B.       Term Loan.

         Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Banks shall
make a five (5) year Term Loan to U.S. Borrower on the Closing Date, in the
Maximum Term Loan Commitment Amount. To evidence the Term Loan, U.S. Borrower
shall execute and deliver to each Bank a Term Note, dated the Closing Date, and
in the form of EXHIBIT D hereto. The Term Loan shall be payable in fifty-nine
(59) consecutive monthly installments of Two Hundred Ninety-Seven Thousand Six
Hundred Nineteen Dollars ($297,619) each, commencing June 1, 1999, and
continuing on the first day of each succeeding month thereafter through April 1,
2004, with the last payment to be paid on May 1, 2004 in the amount of the then
remaining balance of the Term Loan. U.S. Borrower shall notify Agent, consistent
with the applicable notice provisions of Section 2.2 hereof, whether the Term
Loan will be a U.S. Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan. The Term Loan may be a
mixture of a U.S. Base Rate Loan and Eurodollar Loans. The Banks, at the request
of U.S. Borrower, subject to the applicable notice and other provisions of
Section 2.2 hereof, shall convert a U.S. Base Rate




                                       32
<PAGE>   39

Loan to a Eurodollar Loan at any time and shall convert a Eurodollar Loan to a
U.S. Base Rate Loan on any Interest Adjustment Date.

         If the Term Loan is a U.S. Base Rate Loan, U.S. Borrower shall pay
interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof outstanding from time to time
from the date thereof until paid, commencing June 1, 1999, and continuing on the
first day of each succeeding month thereafter and at the maturity thereof, at
the Base Rate from time to time in effect.

         If the Term Loan is a Eurodollar Loan, U.S. Borrower shall pay interest
on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Loan outstanding from time to
time from the date thereof until paid, fixed in advance for each Interest Period
as herein provided for each such Interest Period. Interest on such Eurodollar
Loans shall be at the Derived Eurodollar Rate, payable on each Interest
Adjustment Date with respect to an Interest Period (provided that if an Interest
Period exceeds three (3) months, the interest must be paid every three (3)
months, commencing three (3) months from the beginning of such Interest Period).

         SECTION 2.2. CONDITIONS TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT. The obligation
of the Banks to make, convert or continue any Loan, and of Agent (or a Fronting
Bank) to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder is conditioned, in the case of
each borrowing, conversion, continuation or issuance hereunder, upon:

         (a) all conditions precedent as listed in Article IV hereof shall have
been satisfied;

         (b) with respect to any U.S. Revolving Loan or the Term Loan, receipt
by Agent of a Notice of Loan from U.S. Borrower, such notice to be received by
11:00 A.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time) on the proposed date of borrowing or
conversion with respect to a U.S. Base Rate Loan, and, with respect to the
making, conversion or continuation of any Eurodollar Loans, by 11:00 A.M.
(Cleveland, Ohio time) three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed date of
borrowing, conversion or continuation. Agent shall notify each Bank of the date,
amount and Interest Period (if applicable) promptly upon the receipt of such
notice, and, in any event, by 2:00 P.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time) on the date such
notice is received. On the date that any such Loan is to be made, each Bank
shall provide Agent at the Designated Lending Office, not later than 3:00 P.M.
(Cleveland, Ohio time), with the Dollar amount in federal or other immediately
available funds, required of it;

         (c) with respect to any UK Revolving Loan, receipt by Agent of a Notice
of Loan by a UK Borrower, such notice to be received by 11:00 A.M. (Cleveland,
Ohio time) on the proposed date of borrowing or conversion with respect to a UK
Base Rate Loan, and, with respect to the making, conversion or continuation of
any UK Fixed Rate Loans, by 11:00 A.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time) three (3) Business
Days prior to the proposed date of borrowing, conversion or continuation. Agent
shall notify each Bank of the date, amount and Interest Period (if applicable)
promptly upon the receipt of such notice, and, in any event, by 2:00 P.M.
(Cleveland, Ohio time) on the date such notice is received. On the date that any
such UK Revolving Loan is to be made, each Bank shall provide Agent, at the
Designated Lending Office not later than 3:00 P.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time), with
the Dollar amount in federal or other immediately available funds, required of
it;





                                       33
<PAGE>   40

         (d) with respect to any Canadian Revolving Loan, receipt by Agent of a
Notice of Loan from a Canadian Borrower, such notice to be received by 11:00
A.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time) on the proposed date of borrowing or conversion with
respect to a Canadian Base Rate Loan, and, with respect to the making,
conversion or continuation of any Canadian Fixed Rate Loans, by 11:00 A.M.
(Cleveland, Ohio time) three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed date of
borrowing, conversion or continuation. Agent shall notify each Canadian Bank of
the date, amount and Interest Period (if applicable) promptly upon the receipt
of such notice, and, in any event, by 2:00 P.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time) on the
date such notice is received. On the date that any such Canadian Revolving Loan
is to be made, each Canadian Bank shall provide Agent, at the Designated Lending
Office not later than 3:00 P.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time), with the CAD amount in
immediately available funds required of it;

         (e) with respect to Letters of Credit, satisfaction of the notice
provisions set forth in subsection 2(b), 3(b) or 4 of Section 2.1A hereof, as
appropriate;

         (f) each request of (i) U.S. Borrower for a U.S. Base Rate Loan shall
be in an amount of not less than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000),
increased by increments of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), and a
Eurodollar Loan shall be in an amount of not less than Five Million Dollars
($5,000,000), increased by increments of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($500,000), (ii) a UK Borrowers for a UK Base Rate Loan shall be in an amount of
not less than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), increased by increments
of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), and a UK Fixed Rate Loan shall be in
an amount of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), increased by
increments of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), and (iii) a Canadian
Borrower for a Canadian Base Rate Loan shall be in an amount of not less than
the CAD Equivalent, as determined at the time of the request, of One Million
Dollars ($1,000,000), increased by increments of the CAD Equivalent, as
determined at the time of the request, of One Hundred Thousand Dollars
($100,000), and a Canadian Fixed Rate Loan shall be in an amount of not less
than the CAD Equivalent, as determined at the time of the request, of One
Million Dollars ($1,000,000), increased by increments of the CAD Equivalent, as
determined at the time of the request, of One Hundred Thousand Dollars
($100,000);

         (g) the fact that no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default
shall then exist or immediately after the making, conversion or continuation of
the Loan or issuance of the Letter of Credit would exist; and

         (h) the fact that each of the representations and warranties contained
in Article VI hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects with the
same force and effect as if made on and as of the date of the making, conversion
or continuation of the Loan, or the issuance of the Letter of Credit, except to
the extent that any thereof expressly relate to an earlier date.

         At no time shall (a) U.S. Borrower request that Eurodollar Loans be
outstanding for more than five (5) different Interest Periods at any time; (b)
UK Borrowers request that UK Fixed Rate Loans be outstanding for more than three
(3) different Interest Period at any time; and (c) Canadian Borrowers request
that Canadian Fixed Rate Loans be outstanding for more than two (2) different
Interest Period at any time.





                                       34
<PAGE>   41

         Each request by any Borrower for the making, conversion or continuation
of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit hereunder shall be deemed to be
a representation and warranty by such Borrower of the date of such request as to
the facts specified in (g) and (h) above.

         Each request for a Fixed Rate Loan shall be irrevocable and binding on
the applicable Borrower or Borrowers, as the case may be, and such Borrower or
Borrowers shall indemnify Agent and the appropriate Banks against any loss or
expense incurred by Agent or such Banks as a result of any failure by such
Borrower or Borrowers to consummate such transaction including, without
limitation, any loss (including loss of anticipated profits) or expense incurred
by reason of liquidation or re-employment of deposits or other funds acquired by
such Banks to fund such Fixed Rate Loan. A certificate as to the amount of such
loss or expense submitted by the Banks to the appropriate Borrower or Borrowers
shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

         SECTION 2.3.      JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY.

         (a) Each request by a Canadian Borrower for the making, conversion or
continuation of a Canadian Revolving Loan shall be deemed to be a joint and
several request by all Canadian Borrowers. Each Canadian Borrower hereby
authorizes any other Canadian Borrower to request a Canadian Revolving Loan
hereunder and agrees that it is receiving or will receive a direct pecuniary and
commercial benefit therefor. Each Canadian Borrower acknowledges and agrees that
the Canadian Banks are providing the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment for
Canadian Borrowers at the request of each Canadian Borrower and with the
understanding that each Canadian Borrower is and shall remain fully liable,
jointly and severally, for payment in full of all Canadian Revolving Loans and
other Indebtedness and obligations incurred by Canadian Borrowers in connection
with the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment.

         (b) Each request by a UK Borrower for the making, conversion or
continuation of a UK Revolving Loan shall be deemed to be a joint and several
request by all UK Borrowers. Each UK Borrower hereby authorizes any other UK
Borrower to request a UK Revolving Loan hereunder and agrees that it is
receiving or will receive a direct pecuniary and commercial benefit therefor.
Each UK Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the Banks are providing the UK
Revolving Credit Commitment for the UK Borrowers at the request of each UK
Borrower and with the understanding that each UK Borrower is and shall remain
fully liable, jointly and severally, for payment in full of all UK Revolving
Loans and other Indebtedness and obligations incurred by UK Borrowers in
connection with the UK Revolving Credit Commitment.

         SECTION 2.4. MAXIMUM LIABILITY. Anything in Section 2.3 hereof to the
contrary notwithstanding, to the extent that mandatory applicable law
(including, but not limited to, applicable laws pertaining to fraudulent
conveyance or fraudulent transfer) otherwise would render the full amount of any
Canadian Borrower's or UK Borrower's obligations hereunder invalid or
unenforceable, such Canadian Borrower's or UK Borrower's, as the case may be,
obligations hereunder shall be limited to the maximum amount which does not
result in such invalidity or unenforceability.






                                       35
<PAGE>   42

         SECTION 2.5.      PAYMENT ON NOTES, ETC.

         (a) PAYMENTS IN DOLLARS. With respect to any U.S. Revolving Loan, UK
Revolving Loan or the Term Loan, all payments (including prepayments) to Agent
of the principal of or interest on such Loan shall be made in Dollars at the
Designated Lending Office. Payments must be received at the Designated Lending
Office not later than 11:00 A.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time) to be deemed to have
been made and received on that day.

         (b) PAYMENTS IN CAD. All payments (including prepayments) of principal
and interest on any Canadian Revolving Loan, any reimbursements with respect to
any Canadian Letter of Credit, and any other payment with respect to the
Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment shall be made in same day CAD funds at the
appropriate Designated Lending Office for the benefit of the Canadian Banks. All
such payments shall be remitted by Canadian Borrowers to the appropriate
Designated Lending Office not later than 11:00 A.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time) on
the due date thereof in same day funds. In the event that such payment is due on
a date when such Designated Lending Office is not open for business, then such
payment shall be made on the next preceding day upon which such Designated
Lending Office is open for business. Payments must be received at the Designated
Lending Office not later than 11:00 A.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time) to be deemed to
have been made and received on that day.

         (c) OTHER PAYMENTS. With respect to any other payment to Agent and the
Banks that is not covered by subsection (a) and (b) hereof, such other payment,
including but not limited to principal, interest, fees or any other amount owed
by any Borrower under this Agreement, shall be made in Dollars. Payments
described in this subsection (c) must be received by Agent not later than 12:00
P.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time) to be deemed to have been made and received on that
day.

         (d) APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. Borrowers recognize that the amounts
evidenced by checks, notes, drafts or any other items of payment relating to
and/or proceeds of certain collateral for the Loans hereunder may not be
collectible by Agent on the date received. In consideration of Agent's agreement
to conditionally credit Borrowers' respective accounts as of the Business Day on
which Agent receives those items of payment in accordance with the time periods
set forth above, Borrowers agree that, in computing the amounts payable under
this Agreement, all items of payment shall be deemed applied by Agent on account
of the Debt one (1) Business Day after the Business Day that Agent receives such
payments via wire transfer or electronic depository check. Agent is not,
however, required to credit Borrowers' respective accounts for the amount of any
item of payment that is unsatisfactory to Agent, and Agent may charge Borrowers'
respective accounts for the amount of any item of payment credited to such
account that is returned to Agent unpaid.

         (e) PAYMENTS NET OF TAXES.

                  (i) GENERAL PROVISIONS. All payments under this Agreement
         shall be made absolutely net of, without deduction or offset for, and
         altogether free and clear of, any and all present and future taxes,
         levies, deductions, charges and withholdings and all liabilities with
         respect thereto, under the laws of the United States of America or any
         foreign jurisdiction (or any state or political subdivision thereof),
         excluding income and franchise



                                       36
<PAGE>   43

         taxes imposed on any Bank (and withholding relating thereto) under the
         laws of the United States of America, the United Kingdom or Canada or
         any other foreign jurisdiction (or any state or political subdivision
         thereof). If any Borrower is compelled by law to deduct any such taxes
         or levies (other than such excluded taxes) or to make any such other
         deductions, charges or withholdings, then such Borrower shall pay such
         additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the net payments
         after such deduction, and after giving effect to any United States or
         foreign jurisdiction (or any state or political subdivision thereof)
         income taxes required to be paid by the Banks in respect of such
         additional amounts, shall equal the amount of interest provided in
         Section 2.1 hereof for each Loan plus any principal then due.

                  (ii) FOREIGN FACILITIES. In addition, and specifically with
         respect to the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment and the UK
         Revolving Credit Commitment:

                           (A) All payments on account of principal, if any, and
                  interest shall be made without set-off or counterclaim and,
                  unless otherwise required by law, shall be made free and clear
                  of and without deduction for withholding tax or similar tax,
                  present or future, imposed by any taxing authority in Canada,
                  the United Kingdom or otherwise (in this subsection (ii)
                  hereof, a Tax). If a Borrower is required to withhold or pay
                  any Tax, it shall make the required withholding and payment in
                  accordance with and within the time allowed by law, and shall
                  nonetheless pay to the appropriate Bank such additional
                  amounts as are necessary to cause such Bank actually to
                  receive in full all amounts (after taking account of any
                  further deduction or withholding which is required to be made
                  as a consequence of the payment of such additional amounts) on
                  account of principal and interest or other fees or amounts
                  owing to it hereunder, as if such Tax had not been paid. As
                  soon as practicable after the date any Tax becomes due and
                  payable, such Borrower shall give to such Bank the original or
                  a copy of a receipt for the payment of the Tax, or if such
                  receipts are not issued by or received from the taxing
                  authority to which the Tax was paid, a certificate of an
                  officer of such Borrower, confirming the date and amount of
                  the payment so made and reasonable details of the calculation
                  of the amount due.

                           (B) Such Borrower shall indemnify and save such Bank
                  harmless from and against any claim, liability, loss, cost,
                  expense (including without limitation legal, accounting and
                  other professional fees, and interest and penalty charges or
                  fines imposed by any taxing authority in respect of or arising
                  from non-payment of such Tax) to which such Bank may be
                  exposed or which it may incur, by reason of such Borrower's
                  failure to make punctual payment of any amount required to be
                  paid to a taxing authority pursuant to subsection (A) hereof.

                           (C) In the event and in each case that such Bank
                  receives a credit against its income tax payable in any
                  jurisdiction in respect of such Tax or such Tax is refunded to
                  such Bank either in whole or in part by any taxing authority
                  in Canada, the United Kingdom or otherwise, an amount equal to
                  such credit or refund shall promptly be refunded by such Bank
                  to such Borrower.




                                       37
<PAGE>   44

                           (D) If with respect to any particular tax year of
                  such Bank, such Bank has not received sufficient tax credits
                  and/or refunds so that the full amount payable by such
                  Borrower under subsection (A) hereof can be refunded, such
                  Bank shall provide to such Borrower within ninety (90) days of
                  the end of each such tax year of such Bank a certificate of an
                  officer of such Bank certifying as to the amount of the
                  credits available and the amount of withholding tax which it
                  was unable to utilize as a credit against its income tax
                  payable in all jurisdictions in such year.

         (f) PAYMENTS TO BANKS. Upon Agent's receipt of payments hereunder,
Agent shall immediately distribute to each Bank its ratable share, if any, of
the amount of principal, interest, and facility and other fees received by it
for the account of such Bank. Payments received by Agent in Dollars shall be
delivered to the Banks in immediately available funds. Payments received at the
Designated Lending Office in CAD shall be delivered to the Canadian Banks in
same day funds. Each Bank shall record any principal, interest or other payment,
the principal amounts of the Loans, the type of currency for each Loan, all
prepayments and the applicable dates, including Interest Periods, with respect
to the Loans made and payments received by such Bank, by such method as such
Bank may generally employ; provided, however, that failure to make any such
entry shall in no way detract from the obligations of the respective Borrowers
under each such Note. The aggregate unpaid amount of Loans, types of Loans and
Interest Periods with respect to such Loans set forth on the records of Agent
shall be rebuttably presumptive evidence of the principal and interest owing and
unpaid on each Note.

         (g) TIMING OF PAYMENTS. Whenever any payment to be made hereunder,
including, without limitation, any payment to be made on any Note, shall be
stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made
on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall in each
case be included in the computation of the interest payable on such Note;
provided, however, that, with respect to any Fixed Rate Loan, if the next
succeeding Business Day falls in the succeeding calendar month, such payment
shall be made on the preceding Business Day and the relevant Interest Period
shall be adjusted accordingly.

         SECTION 2.6.      PREPAYMENT.

         (a) RIGHT TO PREPAY.

                  (i) U.S. Borrower shall have the right, at any time or from
         time to time, to prepay, on a pro rata basis for all of the Banks, all
         or any part of the principal amount of the Revolving Credit Notes or
         Term Notes then outstanding, as designated by U.S. Borrower, plus
         interest accrued on the amount so prepaid to the date of such
         prepayment and any prepayment fees payable in connection therewith
         under subsection (b) hereof

                  (ii) Canadian Borrowers shall have the right, at any time or
         from time to time, to prepay all or any part of the principal amount of
         the Canadian Revolving Credit Notes then outstanding, as designated by
         Canadian Borrowers, plus interest accrued on the amount so prepaid to
         the date of such prepayment and any prepayment fees payable in
         connection therewith under subsection (b) hereof; and




                                       38
<PAGE>   45

                  (iii) UK Borrowers shall have the right, at any time or from
         time to time, to prepay all or any part of the principal amount of the
         UK Revolving Credit Notes then outstanding, as designated by UK
         Borrowers, plus interest accrued on the amount so prepaid to the date
         of such prepayment and any prepayment fees payable in connection
         therewith under subsection (b) hereof.

         (b)      PREPAYMENT FEES.

                  (i) (A) If U.S. Borrower terminates the Revolving Credit
         Commitment on or prior to the date that is three (3) years from the
         Closing Date, then U.S. Borrower shall pay a prepayment fee to Agent,
         for the pro rata benefit of the Banks, in an amount equal to two
         percent (2%) times the Maximum Revolving Credit Commitment Amount, or
         (B) if U.S. Borrower terminates the Term Loan Commitment on or prior to
         the date that is three (3) years from the Closing Date, then U.S.
         Borrower shall pay a prepayment fee to Agent, for the pro rata benefit
         of the Banks, in an amount equal to two percent (2%) times the Maximum
         Term Loan Commitment Amount; provided, however, that so long as Agent
         remains Agent under any replacement credit facility, then the
         prepayment fees set forth in this Section 2.6(b)(i) shall not apply;

                  (ii) Without limiting anything else herein, in any case of
         prepayment of a Eurodollar Loan, U.S. Borrower agrees that if the
         reinvestment rate, as quoted by the money desk of Agent ("Reinvestment
         Rate"), shall be lower than the Eurodollar Rate applicable to the
         Eurodollar Loan that is intended to be prepaid (hereinafter, "Last
         Eurodollar"), then U.S. Borrower shall, upon written notice by Agent,
         promptly pay to Agent, for the benefit of the Banks, in immediately
         available funds, a prepayment fee equal to the product of (A) a rate
         (the "Prepayment Rate") which shall be equal to the difference between
         the Last Eurodollar and the Reinvestment Rate, times (B) the principal
         amount of the Eurodollar Loan that is to be prepaid, times (C) (i) the
         number of days remaining in the Interest Period of the Eurodollar Loan
         that is to be prepaid divided by (ii) three hundred sixty (360). In
         addition, U.S. Borrower shall immediately pay directly to Agent, for
         the account of the Banks, the amount of any additional costs or
         expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable or standard costs
         of telex, wires, or cables) incurred by Agent or the Banks in
         connection with the prepayment, upon U.S. Borrower's receipt of a
         written statement from Agent;

                  (iii) Without limiting anything else herein, in the case of
         prepayment of a Canadian Fixed Rate Loan, Canadian Borrowers agree that
         if the reinvestment rate for CAD funds, as quoted by the money desk of
         Agent ("CAD Reinvestment Rate"), shall be lower than the Canadian
         Domestic Rate applicable to the Canadian Fixed Rate Loan that is
         intended to be prepaid (hereinafter, "Last CAD Rate"), then Canadian
         Borrowers shall, upon written notice by Agent, promptly pay to Agent at
         the appropriate Designated Lending Office, for the benefit of the
         Canadian Banks, in immediately available funds, a prepayment fee equal
         to the product of (A) a rate (the "Prepayment Rate") which shall be
         equal to the difference between the Last CAD Rate and the CAD
         Reinvestment Rate, times (B) the principal amount of the Canadian Fixed
         Rate Loan that is to be prepaid, times (C) (1) the



                                       39
<PAGE>   46

         number of days remaining in the Interest Period of the Canadian Fixed
         Rate Loan which is to be prepaid divided by (2) three hundred sixty
         (360); and

                  (iv) Without limiting anything else herein, in any case of
         prepayment of a Eurodollar Loan, UK Borrowers agree that if the
         reinvestment rate, as quoted by the money desk of Agent ("Reinvestment
         Rate"), shall be lower than the Eurodollar Rate applicable to the
         Eurodollar Loan that is intended to be prepaid (hereinafter, "Last
         Eurodollar"), then UK Borrowers shall, upon written notice by Agent,
         promptly pay to Agent, for the benefit of the Banks, in immediately
         available funds, a prepayment fee equal to the product of (A) a rate
         (the "Prepayment Rate") which shall be equal to the difference between
         the Last Eurodollar and the Reinvestment Rate, times (B) the principal
         amount of the Eurodollar Loan that is to be prepaid, times (C) (1) the
         number of days remaining in the Interest Period of the Eurodollar Loan
         that is to be prepaid divided by (2) three hundred sixty (360). In
         addition, UK Borrowers shall immediately pay directly to Agent, for the
         account of the Banks, the amount of any additional costs or expenses
         (including, without limitation, reasonable or standard costs of telex,
         wires, or cables) incurred by Agent or the Banks in connection with the
         prepayment, upon UK Borrowers' receipt of a written statement from
         Agent;

         (c) PREPAYMENT OF TERM LOAN. Each prepayment of the Term Loan shall be
applied to the principal installments thereof in the inverse order of their
respective maturities.

         (d) MINIMUM AMOUNT. Each prepayment of a Fixed Rate Loan shall be in
the aggregate principal sum of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000),
except in the case of a mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.10 or Article
III hereof.

         (e) NOTICE OF PREPAYMENT. U.S. Borrower, Canadian Borrowers or UK
Borrowers, as the case may be, shall give Agent notice of prepayment of any Base
Rate Loan by not later than 11:00 A.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time) on the Business
Day such prepayment is to be made and written notice of the prepayment of any
Fixed Rate Loan not later than 1:00 P.M. (Cleveland, Ohio time) three (3)
Business Days before the Business Day on which such prepayment is to be made.

         SECTION 2.7.      FACILITY AND OTHER FEES.

         (a) U.S. Borrower shall pay to Agent, for the ratable account of the
Banks, as a consideration for the Revolving Credit Commitments hereunder, a
facility fee from the Closing Date until the last day of the Commitment Period
equal to (i) the Facility Fee Rate times (ii) (A) the Maximum Revolving Credit
Commitment Amount, less (B) the average aggregate principal amount of all
Revolving Loans (including the Dollar Equivalent of all Canadian Revolving
Loans) outstanding for the time period for which such payment is being made,
less (C) the average aggregate amount of all issued and outstanding Letters of
Credit (including the Dollar Equivalent of all Canadian Letters of Credit) for
the time period for which such payment is being made. The facility fee shall be
payable, in arrears, on July 1, 1999, and on the first day of each October,
January, April and July thereafter and on the last day of the Commitment Period.






                                       40
<PAGE>   47

         (b) U.S. Borrower shall pay to Agent, for the sole benefit of Agent,
all fees set forth in the Agent Fee Letter.

         SECTION 2.8.      REDUCTION OF COMMITMENT.

         (a) U.S. Borrower may at any time or from time to time permanently
reduce in whole or ratably in part the U.S. Revolving Credit Commitment to an
amount not less than the U.S. Revolving Exposure, by giving Agent not fewer than
three (3) Business Days' notice, provided that any such partial reduction shall
be in an aggregate amount, for all of the Banks, of Five Million Dollars
($5,000,000), or any integral multiple thereof. Agent shall promptly notify each
Bank of the date of each such reduction and such Bank's proportionate share
thereof. If required by Agent, the Borrowers, the Banks and Agent shall execute
an amendment to this Agreement to make any conforming changes deemed necessary
or appropriate by Agent as a result of any such reduction of the U.S. Revolving
Credit Commitment. After each such reduction, the facility fees payable with
respect to the Revolving Credit Commitments shall be calculated upon the
Revolving Credit Commitments of the Banks as so reduced.

         (b) Canadian Borrowers may at any time or from time to time permanently
reduce in whole or ratably in part the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment to
an amount not less than the Canadian Exposure, by giving Agent not fewer than
three (3) Business Days' notice, provided that any such partial reduction shall
be in an aggregate amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), or any integral
multiple thereof. Agent shall promptly notify each Canadian Bank of the date of
each such reduction. If required by Agent, the Borrowers, the Banks and Agent
shall execute an amendment to this Agreement to make any conforming changes
deemed necessary or appropriate by Agent as a result of any such reduction of
the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment.

         (c) UK Borrowers may at any time or from time to time permanently
reduce in whole or ratably in part the UK Revolving Credit Commitment to an
amount not less than the UK Exposure, by giving Agent not fewer than three (3)
Business Days' notice, provided that any such partial reduction shall be in an
aggregate amount, for all of the Banks, of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), or
any integral multiple thereof. Agent shall promptly notify each Bank of the date
of each such reduction and such Bank's proportionate share thereof. If required
by Agent, the Borrowers, the Banks and Agent shall execute an amendment to this
Agreement to make any conforming changes deemed necessary or appropriate by
Agent as a result of any such reduction of the UK Revolving Credit Commitment.

         (d) If the Borrowers reduce in whole the Commitment, on the effective
date of such reduction (U.S. Borrower, Canadian Borrowers and UK Borrowers
having prepaid in full the unpaid principal balance, if any, of the appropriate
Notes, together with all interest and facility and other fees accrued and
unpaid, and provided that no U.S. Letter of Credit Exposure, Canadian Letter of
Credit Exposure or UK Letter of Credit Exposure shall exist), all of the Notes
shall be delivered to Agent marked "Canceled" and Agent shall redeliver such
Notes to the appropriate Borrowers. Any partial reduction in the U.S. Revolving
Credit Commitment, the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment or the UK Revolving
Credit Commitment, as the case may be, shall be effective during the remainder
of the Commitment Period.






                                       41
<PAGE>   48

         SECTION 2.9. COMPUTATION OF INTEREST AND FEES; DEFAULT RATE. Interest
on Loans and facility and other fees and charges hereunder shall be computed on
the basis of a year having three hundred sixty (360) days and calculated for the
actual number of days elapsed. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding,
if an Event of Default shall occur hereunder, (a) the principal of each Note and
the unpaid interest thereon shall bear interest, until paid, at the Default
Rate; and (b) the fee for the aggregate undrawn face amount of all issued and
outstanding Letters of Credit shall be increased to two percent (2%) in excess
of the then applicable fee from time to time in effect pursuant to subsection
2(b), 3(b) or 4 of Section 2.1A hereof, as applicable. In no event shall the
rate of interest hereunder exceed the maximum rate allowable by law. In
addition, with respect to the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment, each rate of
interest calculated or payable under this Agreement that is calculated with
reference to a period (the "deemed interest period") that is less than the
actual number of days in the calendar year of calculation is, for the purposes
of the Interest Act (Canada), equivalent to a rate based on a calendar year
calculated by multiplying such rate interest by the actual number of days in the
calendar year of calculation and dividing by the number of days in the deemed
interest period.

         SECTION 2.10.     MANDATORY PAYMENT.

         (a) If the Revolving Credit Exposure at any time exceeds the Maximum
Revolving Credit Commitment Amount, U.S. Borrower shall, as promptly as
practicable, but in no event later than the next Business Day, prepay an
aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans sufficient to bring the Revolving
Credit Exposure within the Maximum Revolving Credit Commitment Amount.

         (b) If the U.S. Revolving Exposure at any time exceeds the U.S.
Revolving Credit Commitment, U.S. Borrower shall, as promptly as practicable,
but in no event later than the next Business Day, prepay an aggregate principal
amount of U.S. Revolving Loans sufficient to bring the U.S. Revolving Exposure
within the aggregate amount of the U.S. Revolving Credit Commitment.

         (c) If the Canadian Exposure at any time exceeds the Dollar Equivalent
of the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment (whether due to currency
fluctuations or any other reason whatsoever), Canadian Borrowers shall, as
promptly as practicable, but in no event later than the next Business Day,
prepay an aggregate principal amount of Canadian Revolving Loans sufficient to
bring the Canadian Exposure within the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment.

         (d) If the UK Exposure at any time exceeds the UK Revolving Credit
Commitment, UK Borrowers shall, as promptly as practicable, but in no event
later than the next Business Day, prepay an aggregate principal amount of UK
Revolving Loans sufficient to bring the UK Exposure within the UK Revolving
Credit Commitment.

         (e) Upon receipt by U.S. Borrower of the General Electric Equity, U.S.
Borrower shall, within five (5) Business Days of U.S. Borrower's receipt
thereof, apply such proceeds (i) as a prepayment towards the outstanding
principal amount of the Term Loan and the balance, if any, shall be applied as a
prepayment towards the aggregate amount of U.S. Revolving Loans then
outstanding, or (ii) as a prepayment towards the aggregate amount of U.S.
Revolving Loans then outstanding and





                                       42
<PAGE>   49

the balance (or if there are no U.S. Revolving Loans then outstanding) shall be
applied as a prepayment towards the outstanding principal amount of the Term
Loan.

         (f) U.S. Borrower shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of the
Term Loan in an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of Excess Cash Flow for each
fiscal year commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, payable thirty
(30) days after delivery of the financial statements to Agent pursuant to
Section 5.3(a) hereof for such fiscal year, but in any event not later than one
hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each such fiscal year.

         (g) With respect to any Permitted Disposition pursuant to Section
5.12(c) hereof, (i) U.S. Borrower shall apply the proceeds of any such Permitted
Disposition as a prepayment towards the outstanding principal amount of the Term
Loan and the balance of such proceeds, if any, shall be applied as a prepayment
towards the aggregate amount of U.S. Revolving Loans then outstanding, (ii) a
Canadian Borrower shall apply the proceeds of any such Permitted Disposition as
a prepayment towards the aggregate amount of Canadian Revolving Loans then
outstanding, and (iii) a UK Borrower shall apply the proceeds of any such
Permitted Disposition as a prepayment towards the aggregate amount of UK
Revolving Loans then outstanding. The provisions of this Section 2.10(g) shall
not apply to deminimis dispositions involving less than Two Hundred Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($250,000) in the aggregate for all Companies during any fiscal
year.

         (h) Any prepayment of a Fixed Rate Loan pursuant to this Section 2.10
shall be subject to the prepayment fees set forth in Section 2.6(b)(ii), (iii)
and (iv) hereof. Any prepayment of the Term Loan pursuant to this Section 2.10
shall be applied to the principal installments thereof in the inverse order of
their respective maturities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein,
any prepayment pursuant to Sections 2.10(e), (f) or (g) shall not require the
payment of the prepayment fee set forth in Section 2.6(b)(i) hereof.

         SECTION 2.11. CANADIAN REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT. Borrowers
acknowledge that, as of the Closing Date, no "Canadian Bank" exists hereunder to
make Canadian Revolving Loans or issue Canadian Letters of Credit pursuant to
the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment. Despite the lack of a "Canadian Bank"
hereunder, and with the understanding by Borrowers that one (1) or more of the
Companies may incur adverse tax consequences as a result thereof, Borrowers
desire that Canadian Borrowers utilize the Canadian Commitment and have
requested of the Banks, and the Banks hereby agree, that, on an interim basis
only, until such time as a "Canadian Bank" shall become a Canadian Bank
hereunder, the Banks that are not Canadian Banks will make the Canadian
Revolving Loans and Agent (or a Fronting Bank if Agent is not the Fronting Bank)
will issue Canadian Letters of Credit hereunder. Such interim Canadian Revolving
Loans (a) as are Canadian Base Rate Loans shall bear interest at the Base Rate
from time to time in effect and (b) as are Canadian Fixed Rate Loans shall bear
interest at the Derived Canadian Fixed Rate from time to time in effect, with
the Canadian Domestic Rate to be determined in accordance with the last sentence
of the definition of Canadian Domestic Rate, but shall for all other purposes
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, be Canadian Revolving Loans. More
specifically, Borrowers agree with Agent and the Banks that the Canadian
Revolving Loans made to Canadian Borrowers and Canadian Letters of Credit issued
at the request of Canadian Borrowers by or on behalf of all of the Banks on an
interim basis as described above shall be secured by all of the



                                       43
<PAGE>   50

Collateral, as defined in the Security Documents executed by the Canadian
Borrowers, regardless of the fact that those Security Documents refer to the
extending of credit by "the Canadian Banks". The Canadian Borrowers shall
execute a Canadian Revolving Credit Note payable to each Bank in the CAD
Equivalent (as determined on the Closing Date, but subject to the second
sentence of the 6th paragraph of subsection 2.1(3)(a) of Section 2.1A hereof) of
the amount of each Bank's Commitment Percentage of the maximum amount of the
Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment. In addition, all indemnifications of the
Canadian Banks by Canadian Borrowers shall be applicable to the Banks making the
Canadian Revolving Loans and participating in the issuance of Canadian Letters
of Credit to the extent of the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment.
Furthermore, at such time as a Canadian Bank becomes a Bank hereunder, (a) each
Borrower agrees with Agent and the Banks that, in the event that such Canadian
Bank requires an amendment to this Agreement in order to clarify and conform the
interest rate and similar terms used in this Agreement with the normal
procedures and term (including interest rate) typically used by such Canadian
Bank, then each Borrower, Agent and the Banks shall promptly execute such
amendment agreement, and (b) each Canadian Borrower agrees, upon request of
Agent, to execute new Canadian Revolving Credit Notes in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent and the Canadian Banks.


            ARTICLE III. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO EURODOLLAR
                        LOANS; INCREASED CAPITAL; TAXES.

         SECTION 3.1. RESERVES OR DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS, ETC. If, at any time,
any law, treaty or regulation (including, without limitation, Regulation D of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) or the interpretation
thereof by any governmental authority charged with the administration thereof or
any central bank or other fiscal, monetary or other authority shall impose
(whether or not having the force of law), modify or deem applicable any reserve
and/or special deposit requirement (other than reserves included in the
Eurocurrency Reserve Percentage, the effect of which is reflected in the
interest rate(s) of the Fixed Rate Loan(s) in question) against assets held by,
or deposits in or for the amount of any Fixed Rate Loan by, any Bank, and the
result of the foregoing is to increase the cost (whether by incurring a cost or
adding to a cost) to such Bank of making or maintaining hereunder such Fixed
Rate Loan or to reduce the amount of principal or interest received by such Bank
with respect to such Fixed Rate Loan, then, upon demand by such Bank, the
appropriate Borrowers shall pay to such Bank from time to time on Interest
Adjustment Dates with respect to such Fixed Rate Loan, as additional
consideration hereunder, additional amounts sufficient to fully compensate and
indemnify such Bank for such increased cost or reduced amount, assuming (which
assumption such Bank need not corroborate) such additional cost or reduced
amount was allocable to such Fixed Rate Loan. A certificate as to the increased
cost or reduced amount as a result of any event mentioned in this Section 3.1,
setting forth the calculations therefor, shall be promptly submitted by such
Bank to the appropriate Borrower or Borrowers and shall, in the absence of
manifest error, be conclusive and binding as to the amount thereof.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, after any such demand for
compensation by any Bank, the applicable Borrower or Borrowers, upon at least
three (3) Business Days' prior written notice to such Bank through Agent, may
prepay any affected Fixed Rate Loan in full or convert such Fixed Rate Loan to a
Base Rate Loan regardless of the Interest Period thereof. Any such prepayment or
conversion shall be subject to the prepayment fees set forth in Section 2.6
hereof.




                                       44
<PAGE>   51

Each Bank shall notify the appropriate Borrowers as promptly as practicable
(with a copy thereof delivered to Agent) of the existence of any event that will
likely require the payment by such Borrowers of any such additional amount under
this Section.

         SECTION 3.2. TAX LAW, ETC. In the event that by reason of any law,
regulation or requirement or in the interpretation thereof by an official
authority, or the imposition of any requirement of any central bank whether or
not having the force of law, any Bank shall, with respect to this Agreement or
any transaction under this Agreement, be subjected to any tax, levy, impost,
charge, fee, duty, deduction or withholding of any kind whatsoever (other than
any tax imposed upon the total net income of such Bank) and if any such measures
or any other similar measure shall result in an increase in the cost to such
Bank of making or maintaining any Fixed Rate Loan or in a reduction in the
amount of principal, interest or facility fee receivable by such Bank in respect
thereof, then such Bank shall promptly notify the appropriate Borrowers stating
the reasons therefor. The applicable Borrowers shall thereafter pay to such
Bank, upon demand from time to time on Interest Adjustment Dates with respect to
such Fixed Rate Loan, as additional consideration hereunder, such additional
amounts as shall fully compensate such Bank for such increased cost or reduced
amount. A certificate as to any such increased cost or reduced amount, setting
forth the calculations therefor, shall be submitted by such Bank to the
appropriate Borrowers and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive
and binding as to the amount thereof.

         If any Bank receives such additional consideration from any Borrower
pursuant to this Section 3.2, such Bank shall use reasonable efforts to obtain
the benefits of any refund, deduction or credit for any taxes or other amounts
on account of which such additional consideration has been paid and shall
reimburse such Borrower to the extent, but only to the extent, that such Bank
shall receive a refund of such taxes or other amounts together with any interest
thereon or an effective net reduction in taxes or other governmental charges
(including any taxes imposed on or measured by the total net income of such
Bank) of the United States or any state or subdivision thereof by virtue of any
such deduction or credit, after first giving effect to all other deductions and
credits otherwise available to such Bank. If, at the time any audit of such
Bank's income tax return is completed, such Bank determines, based on such
audit, that it was not entitled to the full amount of any refund reimbursed to
any Borrower as aforesaid or that its net income taxes are not reduced by a
credit or deduction for the full amount of taxes reimbursed to any Borrower as
aforesaid, such Borrower, upon demand of such Bank, shall promptly pay to such
Bank the amount so refunded to which such Bank was not so entitled, or the
amount by which the net income taxes of such Bank were not so reduced, as the
case may be.

         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, after any such
demand for compensation by any Bank, the appropriate Borrowers, upon at least
three (3) Business Days' prior written notice to such Bank through Agent, may
prepay any affected Fixed Rate Loan in full or convert such Fixed Rate Loan to a
Base Rate Loan regardless of the Interest Period of any thereof. Any such
prepayment or conversion shall be subject to the prepayment fees set forth in
Section 2.6 hereof.




                                       45
<PAGE>   52

         SECTION 3.3. FIXED RATE LOANS UNAVAILABLE OR INTEREST RATE
UNASCERTAINABLE. In respect of any Fixed Rate Loan, in the event that Agent
shall have determined that dollar deposits of the relevant amount for the
relevant Interest Period for such Fixed Rate Loan are not available to Agent in
the applicable eurodollar or CAD market, as the case may be, or that, by reason
of circumstances affecting such market, adequate and reasonable means do not
exist for ascertaining the interest rate applicable to such Interest Period, as
the case may be, Agent shall promptly give notice of such determination to the
affected Borrowers and (a) any notice of a new Fixed Rate Loan (or conversion of
an existing Loan to a Fixed Rate Loan) previously given by such Borrowers and
not yet borrowed (or converted, as the case may be) shall be deemed a notice to
make the appropriate Base Rate Loan, and (b) the affected Borrowers shall be
obligated either to prepay, or to convert to a Base Rate Loan, any outstanding
Fixed Rate Loan on the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect
thereto.

         SECTION 3.4. INDEMNITY. Without prejudice to any other provisions of
this Article III, each Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify each Bank against any
loss or expense which such Bank may sustain or incur as a consequence of any
default by such Borrower in payment when due of any amount hereunder in respect
of any Fixed Rate Loan, including, but not limited to, any loss of profit,
premium or penalty incurred by such Bank in respect of funds borrowed by it for
the purpose of making or maintaining such Fixed Rate Loan, as determined by such
Bank in the exercise of its sole but reasonable discretion; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that no Borrower shall be liable for any loss or expense caused by the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of any Bank. A certificate as to any such loss
or expense shall be promptly submitted by such Bank to the appropriate Borrowers
and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding as to the
amount thereof.

         SECTION 3.5. CHANGES IN LAW RENDERING FIXED RATE LOANS UNLAWFUL. If at
any time any new law, treaty or regulation, or any change in any existing law,
treaty or regulation, or any interpretation thereof by any governmental or other
regulatory authority charged with the administration thereof, shall make it
unlawful for any Bank to fund any Fixed Rate Loan that it is committed to make
hereunder with moneys obtained in the eurodollar market, the commitment of such
Bank to fund such Fixed Rate Loan shall, upon the happening of such event
forthwith be suspended for the duration of such illegality, and such Bank shall
by written notice to the affected Borrowers and Agent declare that its
commitment with respect to such Fixed Rate Loan has been so suspended and, if
and when such illegality ceases to exist, such suspension shall cease and such
Bank shall similarly notify Borrowers and Agent. If any such change shall make
it unlawful for any Bank to continue in effect the funding in the applicable
eurodollar market of any Fixed Rate Loan previously made by it hereunder, such
Bank shall, upon the happening of such event, notify Borrowers, Agent and the
other Banks thereof in writing stating the reasons therefor, and the appropriate
Borrowers shall, on the earlier of (a) the last day of the then current Interest
Period or (b) if required by such law, regulation or interpretation, on such
date as shall be specified in such notice, either convert such Fixed Rate Loan
to a Base Rate Loan or prepay such Fixed Rate Loan to the Banks in full. Any
such prepayment or conversion shall be subject to the prepayment fees described
in Section 2.6 hereof.

         SECTION 3.6. FUNDING. Each Bank may, but shall not be required to, make
Fixed Rate Loans hereunder with funds obtained outside the United States.




                                       46
<PAGE>   53

         SECTION 3.7. CAPITAL ADEQUACY. If any Bank shall have determined, after
the Closing Date, that the adoption of any applicable law, rule, regulation or
guideline regarding capital adequacy, or any change therein, or any change in
the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority,
central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof, or compliance by any Bank (or its lending office) with
any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the
force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or
would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Bank's capital (or
the capital of its holding company) as a consequence of its obligations
hereunder to a level below that which such Bank (or its holding company) could
have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into
consideration such Bank's policies or the policies of its holding company with
respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Bank to be material,
then from time to time, within fifteen (15) days after demand by such Bank (with
a copy to Agent), Borrowers shall pay to such Bank such additional amount or
amounts as shall compensate such Bank (or its holding company) for such
reduction. Each Bank shall designate a different lending office if such
designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation
and will not, in the judgment of such Bank, be otherwise disadvantageous to such
Bank. A certificate of any Bank claiming compensation under this Section and
setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder shall
be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. In determining such amount, such
Bank may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods. Failure on the
part of any Bank to demand compensation for any reduction in return on capital
with respect to any period shall not constitute a waiver of such Bank's rights
to demand compensation for any reduction in return on capital in such period or
in any other period. The protection of this Section shall be available to each
Bank regardless of any possible contention of the invalidity or inapplicability
of the law, regulation or other condition which shall have been imposed.


                        ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

         The obligation of the Banks to make the first Loan and of the Fronting
Bank to issue the first Letter of Credit is subject to Borrowers satisfying each
of the following conditions:

         SECTION 4.1. NOTES. U.S. Borrower shall have executed and delivered to
each Bank its Revolving Credit Note and its Term Note, Canadian Borrowers shall
have executed and delivered to each Bank its Canadian Revolving Credit Note, and
UK Borrowers shall have executed and delivered to each Bank its UK Revolving
Credit Note.

         SECTION 4.2. GUARANTIES OF PAYMENT. Each U.S. Guarantor shall have
executed and delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Banks, a Guaranty of
Payment.

         SECTION 4.3. U.S. BORROWER GUARANTY OF PAYMENT. U.S. Borrower shall
have executed and delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Banks, the
Guaranties of Payment with respect to the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment
and the UK Revolving Credit Commitment.





                                       47
<PAGE>   54

         SECTION 4.4. SECURITY AGREEMENTS. Each Borrower and each U.S. Guarantor
shall have executed and delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Banks, a
Security Agreement and such other documents as may be required by Agent to
create or perfect the Liens of Agent in the assets of each Borrower and each
Guarantor of Payment, for the benefit of the Banks.

         SECTION 4.5. COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT AND SECURITY AGREEMENTS. Each
Borrower and Guarantor of Payment, as requested, shall have executed and
delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Banks, a Collateral Assignment and
Security Agreement.

         SECTION 4.6. PLEDGE AGREEMENTS. U.S. Borrower shall have executed and
delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Banks, the Pledge Agreement with
respect to the stock of the Companies listed on Schedule 4.6 of the Disclosure
Statement, together with delivery of the share certificates referenced therein
and the appropriate stock powers.

         SECTION 4.7. OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE, RESOLUTIONS, ORGANIZATIONAL
DOCUMENTS. Each Borrower and U.S. Guarantor shall have delivered to Agent an
officer's certificate certifying the names of the officers of such Borrower or
U.S. Guarantor authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which such Borrower or
U.S. Guarantor, as the case may be, is a party, together with the true
signatures of such officers, and certified copies of (a) the resolutions of the
board of directors of each Borrower and U.S. Guarantor evidencing approval of
the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the execution of other
Related Writings to which such Borrower or U.S. Guarantor, as the case may be,
is a party, and (b) the Articles (or Certificate) of Incorporation and
Regulations (Bylaws) (or equivalent organizational or constitutional and
governing documents) and all amendments thereto of each Borrower and U.S.
Guarantor.

         SECTION 4.8. LEGAL OPINIONS. Agent and each of the Banks shall have
received opinions of counsel for each Borrower and Guarantor of Payment, in form
and substance satisfactory to Agent and the Banks.

         SECTION 4.9. GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATES. Agent and each of the Banks
shall have received a good standing certificate (or foreign equivalent) for each
Borrower and Guarantor of Payment, issued on or about the Closing Date by the
Secretary of State (or foreign equivalent) in the jurisdiction where such
Borrower or Guarantor of Payment is organized and in each jurisdiction where
such Borrower or such Guarantor of Payment conducts a material amount of
business.

         SECTION 4.10. AGENT FEE LETTER; CLOSING AND LEGAL FEES. U.S. Borrower
shall have (a) executed and delivered to Agent the Agent Fee Letter, (b) paid to
Agent the fees described in the Agent Fee Letter, and (c) paid all legal fees
and expenses of Agent in connection with the preparation and negotiation of the
Loan Documents.

         SECTION 4.11. FINANCING STATEMENTS AND LIEN SEARCHES. With respect to
the property owned or leased by each Borrower and each U.S. Guarantor, U.S.
Borrower shall have caused to be delivered to Agent: (a) U.C.C. and Personal
Property Security Act financing and registration statements satisfactory to
Agent; (b) the results of U.C.C. and Personal Property Security




                                       48
<PAGE>   55

Act lien searches, satisfactory to Agent; (c) the results of federal and state
tax lien and judicial lien searches, satisfactory to Agent; and (d) U.C.C. and
Personal Property Security Act termination statements reflecting termination of
all financing and registration statements previously filed by any other party
having a security interest in any part of the collateral or any other property
securing the Debt.

         SECTION 4.12. EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENTS. U.S. Borrower shall have
delivered to Agent evidence in form and substance satisfactory to Agent that (a)
U.S. Borrower has terminated the Credit Agreement among U.S. Borrower, National
City Bank, as administrative agent, and the lending institutions a party
thereto, dated as of January 2, 1998, as amended, which termination shall be
deemed to have occurred upon payment in full of all indebtedness outstanding
thereunder, and (b) Ballastronix Incorporated and Advanced Lighting
Technologies, Canada, Inc. has terminated the credit facility with NBD Bank,
Canada, dated as of January 2, 1998, which termination shall be deemed to have
occurred upon payment in full of all indebtedness outstanding thereunder.

         SECTION 4.13. INDENTURE. With respect to the Indenture, U.S. Borrower
shall have provided to Agent (a) a certificate to the effect that no Default, as
defined in the Indenture, exists under the Indenture, and (b) a copy of the
Indenture and all ancillary documents related thereto, certified by an officer
of U.S. Borrower as being true and complete.

         SECTION 4.14. EVIDENCE OF REAL ESTATE FINANCING. U.S. Borrower shall
have delivered to Agent evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent,
that U.S. Borrower has entered into an agreement to obtain financing, the terms
of which shall be acceptable to Agent, in the amount of Ten Million Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($10,500,000) and the security for such Indebtedness shall be
limited to real property owned by Ruud Lighting, Inc. and located in Racine,
Wisconsin.

         SECTION 4.15. INSURANCE CERTIFICATES. U.S. Borrower and each other
Borrower, as appropriate, shall have delivered to Agent evidence of insurance,
in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, of adequate personal property and
liability insurance of each Borrower and each U.S. Guarantor, with Agent listed
as mortgagee, loss payee and additional insured for the benefit of the Banks.

         SECTION 4.16. INTEREST RATE PROTECTION. U.S. Borrower shall have
provided evidence that U.S. Borrower has entered into a Hedge Agreement, on
terms and conditions satisfactory to Agent, with respect to the Indebtedness
evidenced by the Term Notes.

         SECTION 4.17. LANDLORDS' AND MORTGAGEES' WAIVERS. U.S. Borrower shall
have delivered a landlord's waiver and mortgagee's waiver, if applicable, each
in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, for each location not owned by a
Borrower or a Guarantor of Payment where any of the collateral or other property
securing any part of the Debt is located; provided that if such waiver is not
received on the Closing Date, availability under the Revolving Credit Commitment
shall be reduced by an amount equal to three (3) months lease or mortgage



                                       49
<PAGE>   56

payments, as applicable, for each non-complying location until such time as the
appropriate landlord's waiver or mortgagee's waiver shall have been received by
Agent.

         SECTION 4.18. COLLATERAL AUDIT AND EQUIPMENT APPRAISAL. Agent shall
have received the results of a collateral audit, equipment appraisal and such
other appraisals as Agent may deem necessary, results of which shall be
satisfactory to Agent.

         SECTION 4.19. CASH COLLATERAL AND OTHER ACCOUNTS. Each U.S. Borrower
and each U.S. Guarantor shall have established such cash collateral and other
accounts as may be required by Agent and shall have executed and delivered, or
cause to be executed and delivered, such lockbox agreements and blocked account
agreements as Agent shall require.

         SECTION 4.20. ASSIGNMENT OF LIFE INSURANCE POLICY. U.S. Borrower shall
have executed and delivered to Agent for the benefit of the Banks the Assignment
of Life Insurance Policy in an amount of not less than Eight Million Dollars
($8,000,000).

         SECTION 4.21. BORROWERS' CERTIFICATE. Agent shall have received an
initial Borrowers Certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, that shall evidence
that the Total Unused Credit Availability will be at least Ten Million Dollars
($10,000,000) on the Closing Date (after taking into account the making of the
Loans and issuing of the Letters of Credit to be made and issued, respectively,
on the Closing Date).

         SECTION 4.22. NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. No material adverse change,
in the opinion of Agent, shall have occurred in the financial condition,
operations or prospects of the Companies since December 31, 1998.

         SECTION 4.23. MISCELLANEOUS. Each Borrower and each Guarantor shall
have provided such other items and shall have satisfied such other conditions as
may be reasonably required by Agent or the Banks.


                              ARTICLE V. COVENANTS

         Each Borrower agrees that so long as the Commitment remains in effect
and thereafter until the principal of and interest on all Notes and all other
payments and fees due hereunder shall have been paid in full, each Borrower
shall perform and observe, and shall cause each Subsidiary, as applicable, to
perform and observe, each of the following provisions:

         SECTION 5.1. INSURANCE. Each Company shall at all times maintain
insurance upon all of its personal and real property in such form, written by
such companies, in such amounts, for such period, and against such risks as may
be acceptable to Agent, with provisions satisfactory to Agent, for payment of
all losses thereunder to Agent, for the benefit of the Banks, and such Company
as their interests may appear (loss payable endorsement in favor of Agent, for
the benefit of the Banks), and, if required by Agent, each Borrower shall
deposit the policies with Agent. Any such policies of insurance shall provide
for no fewer than thirty (30) days prior written notice of



                                       50
<PAGE>   57

cancellation to Agent and the Banks. Any sums received by Agent, for the benefit
of the Banks, in payment of insurance losses, returns, or unearned premiums
under the policies may, at the option of Agent, be applied upon any applicable
(as determined by Agent) portion of the Debt, whether or not the same is then
due and payable, or may be delivered to the Company that owns the damaged
property for the purpose of replacing, repairing, or restoring the insured
property. Agent is hereby authorized to act as attorney-in-fact for each
Borrower in obtaining, adjusting, settling and canceling such insurance and
indorsing any drafts. In the event of failure to provide such insurance as
herein provided, Agent may, at its option, provide such insurance and U.S.
Borrower shall pay to Agent, upon demand, the cost thereof. Should U.S. Borrower
fail to pay such sum to Agent upon demand, interest shall accrue thereon, from
the date of demand until paid in full, at the Default Rate. Within ten (10) days
of any Bank's written request, the Company to which such request was delivered
shall furnish to such Bank such information about such Company's insurance as
such Bank may from time to time reasonably request, which information shall be
prepared in form and detail satisfactory to such Bank and certified by a
Financial Officer of such Company.

         SECTION 5.2. MONEY OBLIGATIONS. Each Company shall pay in full (a)
prior in each case to the date when penalties would attach, all taxes,
assessments and governmental charges and levies (except only those so long as
and to the extent that the same shall be contested in good faith by appropriate
and timely proceedings and for which adequate accruals have been established in
accordance with GAAP) for which it may be or become liable or to which any or
all of its properties may be or become subject; (b) all of its wage obligations
to its employees in compliance with, as applicable, the Fair Labor Standards Act
(29 U.S.C. 206-207) or any comparable provisions of Canadian or United Kingdom
law, including, without limitation, PAYE and National Insurance Legislation; and
(c) all of its other obligations calling for the payment of money (except only
those so long as and to the extent that the same shall be contested in good
faith and for which adequate accruals have been established in accordance with
GAAP) before such payment becomes overdue.

         SECTION 5.3. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. U.S. Borrower shall furnish to each
Bank:

         (a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any event
within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year of U.S. Borrower,
the Consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of U.S. Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year and the related Consolidated and
consolidating statements of income, of stockholder's equity and of cash flows
for such fiscal year, in each case setting forth comparative figures for the
preceding fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and accompanied by:

                  (i) the opinion with respect to such Consolidated financial
         statements of independent public accountants of recognized national
         standing selected by U.S. Borrower, and reasonably acceptable to Agent,
         which opinion shall be unqualified and shall (A) state that such
         accountants audited such Consolidated financial statements in
         accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, that such
         accountants believe that such audit provides a reasonable basis for
         their opinion, and that in their opinion such consolidated financial
         statements present fairly, in all material respects, the Consolidated
         financial position of U.S.



                                       51
<PAGE>   58

         Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year and the
         Consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for such fiscal
         year in conformity with GAAP, or (B) contain such statements as are
         customarily included in unqualified reports of independent accountants
         in conformity with the recommendations and requirements of the American
         Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or any successor
         organization); and

                  (ii) a certificate of or letter from such independent
         accountants containing certified computations with respect to
         compliance with the provisions of Section 5.7 of this Agreement and
         stating whether or not their examination of such financial statements
         has disclosed the existence, during the fiscal year covered by such
         financial statements, of any condition or event which constitutes an
         Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default, and if their
         examination has disclosed any such condition or event, specifying the
         nature and period of existence thereof (which certificate or letter may
         contain such statements as are customarily included in similar
         certifications of independent accountants in conformity with the
         recommendations and requirements of the American Institute of Certified
         Public Accountants (or any successor organization)).

         (b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any
event within forty-five (45) days after the close of each of the first three (3)
quarterly accounting periods in each fiscal year of U.S. Borrower, the unaudited
condensed Consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of U.S. Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarterly period and the related unaudited
condensed Consolidated and consolidating statements of income and of cash flows
for such quarterly period, and setting forth, in the case of such unaudited
Consolidated statements of income and of cash flows, comparative figures for the
related periods in the prior fiscal year, and which Consolidated financial
statements shall be certified on behalf of U.S. Borrower by a Financial Officer
of U.S. Borrower, subject to changes resulting from normal year-end audit
adjustments.

         (c) Officer's Compliance Certificates. At the time of the delivery of
the financial statements provided for in Sections 5.3(a) and (b) above, a
Compliance Certificate on behalf of U.S. Borrower signed by a Financial Officer
of U.S. Borrower to the effect that, to the best knowledge of U.S. Borrower, no
Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default exists or, if any Unmatured Event
of Default or Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature and extent
thereof.

         (d) Monthly Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any event
within thirty (30) days after the close of each month during each fiscal year of
U.S. Borrower, the unaudited Consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of
U.S. Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such month and the related
unaudited Consolidated and consolidating statements of income and of cash flows
for such month, and setting forth comparative figures for prior periods, in the
form customarily prepared by U.S. Borrower for internal review by senior
management.

         (e) Budget. Not later than ninety (90) days after the commencement of
each fiscal year of U.S. Borrower and its Subsidiaries, a Consolidated budget in
reasonable detail as requested by Agent or the Required Banks, setting forth,
with appropriate discussion, the forecasted balance sheet, income statement,
operating cash flows and capital expenditures of U.S. Borrower and its




                                       52
<PAGE>   59

Subsidiaries for the period covered thereby, and the principal assumptions upon
which forecasts and budget are based.

         (f) SEC Reports and Registration Statements. Promptly upon transmission
thereof or other filing with the SEC, copies of all registration statements
(other than the exhibits thereto and any registration statement on Form S-8 or
its equivalent) and annual, quarterly or current reports that U.S. Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries files with the SEC.

         (g) Auditors' Internal Control Comment Letters, etc. Promptly upon
receipt thereof, a copy of each letter or memorandum commenting on internal
accounting controls, which is submitted to U.S. Borrower or any Subsidiary by
its independent accountants in connection with any annual or interim audit made
by them of the books of U.S. Borrower or any Subsidiary.

         (h) Notice of Default, Litigation or Certain Matters Involving Major
Customers or Suppliers. Promptly, and in any event within three (3) Business
Days, in the case of clause (i) below, or five (5) Business Days, in the case of
clause (ii) or (iii) below, after a Borrower or any Subsidiary obtains knowledge
thereof, notice of:

                  (i) the occurrence of any event that constitutes an Unmatured
         Event of Default or Event of Default, which notice shall specify the
         nature thereof, the period of existence thereof and what action such
         Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto,

                  (ii) any litigation or governmental or regulatory proceeding
         pending against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which is likely to
         have a Material Adverse Effect or a Material Adverse Effect on the
         ability of a Borrower to perform its obligations hereunder or under any
         other Loan Document, and

                  (iii) any significant adverse change (in a Borrower's
         reasonable judgment) in a Borrower's or any Subsidiary's relationship
         with, or any significant event or circumstance which is in such
         Borrower's reasonable judgment likely to significantly and adversely
         affect such Borrower's or any Subsidiary's relationship with, any
         customer (or related group of customers) representing more than 10% of
         such Borrower's or Subsidiary's consolidated revenues during its most
         recent fiscal year (provided the same is not nominal or deminimis
         considering the Companies taken as a whole), or (B) any supplier that
         is significant to a Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

         (i) Within ten (10) days of Agent's or any Bank's written request, such
other information about the financial condition, properties and operations of
any Company as Agent or such Bank may from time to time reasonably request,
which information shall be submitted in form and detail satisfactory to Agent or
such Bank and certified by a Financial Officer of the Company or Companies in
question.

         SECTION 5.4. FINANCIAL RECORDS. Each Company shall at all times
maintain true and complete records and books of account including, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, appropriate accruals for possible
losses and liabilities and at all reasonable times (during




                                       53
<PAGE>   60

normal business hours and upon notice to such Company) permit Agent or any of
the Banks to examine such Company's books and records and to make excerpts
therefrom and transcripts thereof.

         SECTION 5.5. FRANCHISES. Each Company shall preserve and maintain at
all times its existence, rights and franchises.

         SECTION 5.6. ERISA COMPLIANCE. Neither U.S. Borrower nor any U.S.
Guarantor shall incur any material accumulated funding deficiency within the
meaning of ERISA, or any material liability to the PBGC, established thereunder
in connection with any Plan. U.S. Borrower shall furnish to the Banks (a) as
soon as possible and in any event within thirty (30) days after any Company
knows or has reason to know that, as applicable, any Reportable Event or other
violation or event requiring notice under applicable statutes or regulations
with respect to any Plan has occurred, a statement of the Financial Officer of
such Company, setting forth details as to such Reportable Event or other
violation or event requiring notice under applicable statutes or regulations and
the action that such Company proposes to take with respect thereto, together
with a copy of any notice given to the PBCG or other governing authority, if a
copy of such notice is available to such Company, and (b) promptly after receipt
thereof, a copy of any notice such Company, or any member of the Controlled
Group, as applicable, may receive from, as applicable, the PBGC, the Internal
Revenue Service or other governing authority with respect to any Plan
administered by such Company; provided, that this latter clause shall not apply
to notices of general application promulgated by the PBGC, the Internal Revenue
Service or other governing authority. U.S. Borrower shall promptly notify the
Banks of any material taxes assessed, proposed to be assessed or which U.S.
Borrower have reason to believe may be assessed against a Company by the
Internal Revenue Service or other governing authority with respect to any Plan.
As used in this Section "material" means the measure of a matter of significance
which shall be determined as being an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the
Consolidated Net Worth (as hereinafter defined) of the Companies. As soon as
practicable, and in any event within twenty (20) days, after any Company becomes
aware that, as applicable, an ERISA Event or event which may cause a material
liability to a Company has occurred, such Company shall provide Agent and the
Banks with notice of such ERISA Event or such other event with a certificate by
a Financial Officer of such Company setting forth the details of the event and
the action such Company or another Controlled Group member proposes to take with
respect thereto. U.S. Borrower shall, at the request of Agent or any Bank,
deliver or cause to be delivered to Agent or such Bank, as the case may be, true
and correct copies of any documents relating to the Plan of any Company. As used
herein, "Consolidated Net Worth" shall mean, at any date, the Consolidated
stockholders' equity of the Companies, determined as of such date in accordance
with GAAP.

         SECTION 5.7 FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO; MINIMUM EXCESS AVAILABILITY.

         (a) U.S. Borrower shall not suffer or permit at any time the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio, based upon the Consolidated financial statements of U.S.
Borrower for the most recently completed four (4) fiscal quarters (except as
otherwise specified in (i), (ii) and (iii) hereof), to be: (i) for the fiscal
quarter ending September 30, 1999, .75 to 1.00 (only for the quarter ending
September 30, 1999); (ii) for the six (6) months ending December 31, 1999, .85
to 1.00; (iii) for the




                                       54
<PAGE>   61

nine (9) months ending March 31, 2000, .90 to 1.00; and (iv) for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2000 and thereafter, 1.00 to 1.00; provided, however, that,
anything in this Section 5.7(a) to the contrary notwithstanding, from and after
the date the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio equals or exceeds 1.00 to 1.00 for the
most recently completed four (4) fiscal quarters, such ratio shall not be
permitted to be below 1.00 to 1.00 at any time thereafter.

         (b) The Total Unused Credit Availability shall be at least (i) Ten
Million Dollars ($10,000,000) on the Closing Date (after the making of the Loans
and issuing of the Letters of Credit to be made and issued, respectively, on the
Closing Date) and thereafter for a period of ninety (90) days, and (ii) Fifteen
Million Dollars ($15,000,000) on the ninetieth day after the Closing Date and at
all times thereafter; provided, however, commencing September 30, 1999, that the
requirements of this Section 5.7(b) shall terminate at such time as the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio equals or exceeds 1.00 to 1.00 for the most recently
completed four (4) fiscal quarters.

         SECTION 5.8. BORROWING. No Company shall, without the prior written
consent of Agent and the Required Banks, create, incur or have outstanding any
obligation for borrowed money or any Indebtedness of any kind; provided, that
this Section shall not apply to:

         (a) the Loans and any other Indebtedness incurred to Agent or the Banks
pursuant to this Agreement;

         (b) One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) of borrowings in the aggregate for
U.S. Borrower and U.S. Guarantors;

         (c) any loans or capital leases to a Company for the purchase or lease
of assets, which loans or leases are secured by the assets being purchased or
leased, so long as the aggregate principal amount of all such loans or leases
does not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) at any time outstanding;

         (d) the Indebtedness set forth in SCHEDULE 5.8 to the Disclosure
Statement;

         (e) the Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Indenture, so long as
there is no increase therein after the Closing Date;

         (f) (i) loans, advances and guarantees to a Company from a Company so
long as each Company receiving such loans, advances or guarantees is a Borrower
or Guarantor of Payment or (ii) loans, advances and guarantees by a Subsidiary
which is not a Borrower or a Guarantor of Payment to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary
of the U.S. Borrower;

         (g) Indebtedness under any Hedge Agreement; or

         (h) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries (other than United Kingdom or
Canadian Subsidiaries, Rudd Australia LLC or Advanced Lighting Technologies,
Australia Inc.) in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding, for all of the
foregoing Subsidiaries, not in excess of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000).





                                       55
<PAGE>   62

         SECTION 5.9. LIENS. No Company shall, without the prior written consent
of Agent and the Required Banks, create, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon
any of its property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired; provided
that this Section shall not apply to the following:

         (a) Liens for taxes not yet due or that are being actively contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate accruals have been
established in accordance with GAAP;

         (b) other statutory Liens incidental to the conduct of its business or
the ownership of its property and assets that (i) were not incurred in
connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit,
and (ii) do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of its
property or assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of its
business;

         (c) Liens on property or assets of a Subsidiary to secure obligations
of such Subsidiary to a Borrower or a Guarantor of Payment;

         (d) the Liens set forth on SCHEDULE 5.9 to the Disclosure Statement;

         (e) Liens on fixed assets securing the loans or capital leases pursuant
to Section 5.8 (c) or (d) hereof, provided that such Lien only attaches to the
property being acquired or leased;

         (f) any mortgage, security interest or Lien securing only Indebtedness
incurred to Agent, for the benefit of the Banks;

         (g) easements, rights-of-way or other minor defects or irregularities
in title to real property owned by a Company not interfering in any material
respect with the use of such property in the business of any Company;

         (h) Liens ratably securing Indenture obligations approved by the
Required Banks, in their sole discretion;

         (i) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Sections 5.8(b) and (h)
hereof; or

         (j) Liens arising out of title retention provisions in a supplier's
standard conditions for supply of goods required in the order of the usual
course of trading.

No Company shall enter into any contract or agreement (other than the Indenture
and as set forth on SCHEDULE 5.9 to the Disclosure Statement) that would
prohibit Agent or the Banks from acquiring a security interest, mortgage or
other Lien on, or a collateral assignment of, any of the property or assets of a
Company.

         SECTION 5.10. REGULATIONS U AND X. To the extent applicable, no Company
shall take any action that would result in any non-compliance of the Loans with
Regulations U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.






                                       56
<PAGE>   63

         SECTION 5.11. INVESTMENTS AND LOANS. No Company shall, without the
prior written consent of Agent and the Required Banks, (a) create, acquire or
hold any Subsidiary, (b) make or hold any investment in any stocks, bonds or
securities of any kind, (c) be or become a party to any joint venture or other
partnership, (d) make or keep outstanding any advance or loan to any Person, or
(e) be or become a Guarantor of any kind, except guarantees securing only
Indebtedness of the Companies incurred or permitted pursuant to this Agreement;
provided, that this Section shall not apply to:

         (i) any endorsement of a check or other medium of payment for deposit
or collection through normal banking channels or similar transaction in the
normal course of business;

         (ii) any investment in direct obligations of the United States of
America or in certificates of deposit issued by a member bank of the Federal
Reserve System;

         (iii) any investment in commercial paper or securities which at the
time of such investment is assigned the highest quality rating in accordance
with the rating systems employed by either Moody's or Standard & Poor's;

         (iv) investments, loans or guarantees listed on SCHEDULE 5.11 to the
Disclosure Statement and the holding of Subsidiaries listed on SCHEDULE 6.1 to
the Disclosure Statement;

         (v) (i) loans, investments, advances and guarantees to a Company from a
Company so long as each Company receiving such loans, investments, advances or
guarantees is a Borrower or Guarantor of Payment or (ii) loans, advances or
guarantees by a Subsidiary which is not a Borrower or a Guarantor of Payment to
a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of U.S. Borrower or investments by such a Subsidiary
in any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of U.S.
Borrower.

         (vi) any guaranty of the Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 5.8
hereof;

         (vii) any advance or loan to an officer or employee of a Borrower or a
Subsidiary made in the ordinary course of such Company's business, so long as
all such advances and loans from all Companies aggregate not more than the
maximum principal sum of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) at any time
outstanding;

         (viii) the loan from U.S. Borrower to Wayne R. Hellman, outstanding on
the Closing Date in the principal amount of Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000),
provided that such loan shall be paid in full on October 6, 1999;

         (ix) at any time after the occurrence of the Equity Event, other
investments of the type referenced in (a), (b) or (c) referenced in the lead in
hereto in Affiliates or other Persons with whom a Company participates in a
joint venture or similar relationship as of the date hereof not exceeding Six
Million Dollars ($6,000,000) in the aggregate for all Companies (but with no
individual investment exceeding Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000)); provided
that, immediately after giving effect thereto, the Total Unused Credit
Availability shall be at least Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000); or





                                       57
<PAGE>   64

         (x) at any time after the occurrence of the Equity Event, other
guarantees not exceeding Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) in the aggregate for
all Companies at any time; provided that, immediately after giving effect
thereto, the Total Unused Credit Availability shall be at least Fifteen Million
Dollars ($15,000,000).

         SECTION 5.12. MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS. No Company, without the prior
written consent of Agent and the Required Banks, shall merge, amalgamate or
consolidate with any other Person, or sell, lease or transfer or otherwise
dispose of any assets to any Person other than in the ordinary course of
business, except that this Section 5.12 shall not prohibit transactions
permitted under Section 5.11(v) and that if no Unmatured Event of Default or
Event of Default shall then exist or immediately thereafter shall begin to
exist:

         (a) any Subsidiary (other than a Borrower) may merge with (i) a
Borrower (provided that such Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving
Person) or (ii) any one or more Guarantors of Payment, provided that either (A)
the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a
Guarantor of Payment, or (B) after giving effect to any merger pursuant to this
sub-clause (ii), a Borrower and/or one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries that
are Guarantors of Payment shall own not less than the same percentage of the
outstanding Voting Stock (or voting power of all outstanding Voting Stock) of
the continuing or surviving Person as such Borrower and/or one or more
Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries (which are Guarantors of Payment) owned of the merged
Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger;

         (b) any Subsidiary (other than a Borrower) may sell, lease, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any of its assets to (i) a Borrower, (ii) any Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary that is a Guarantor of Payment, or (iii) any Guarantor of Payment, of
which a Borrower and/or one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, that are
Guarantors of Payment, shall own not less than the same percentage of Voting
Stock (or voting power of all outstanding Voting Stock) as a Borrower and/or one
or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries (which are Guarantors of Payment) then own of
the Subsidiary making such sale, lease, transfer or other disposition;

         (c)      any Company may effect a Permitted Disposition; and

         (d) any Canadian Borrower may merge with another Canadian Borrower or
any UK Borrower may merge with another UK Borrower.

         SECTION 5.13. ACQUISITIONS. After the Closing Date, no Borrower or
Subsidiary shall effect an Acquisition.

         SECTION 5.14. NOTICE. U.S. Borrower shall cause a Financial Officer to
promptly notify Agent and the Banks whenever any Unmatured Event of Default or
Event of Default may occur hereunder or any representation or warranty made in
Article VI hereof or elsewhere in this Agreement or in any Related Writing may
for any reason cease in any material respect to be true and complete.






                                       58
<PAGE>   65

         SECTION 5.15. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE. Each Company shall comply in
all respects with any and all Environmental Laws applicable to it including,
without limitation, all Environmental Laws in jurisdictions in which any Company
owns or operates a facility or site, arranges for disposal or treatment of
hazardous substances, solid waste or other wastes, accepts for transport any
hazardous substances, solid waste or other wastes or holds any interest in real
property or otherwise, except to the extent non-compliance will not result in a
Material Adverse Effect. Borrowers shall furnish to the Banks, promptly after
receipt thereof, a copy of any notice any Company may receive from any
governmental authority or private Person or otherwise that any material
litigation or proceeding pertaining to any environmental, health or safety
matter has been filed or is threatened against such Company, any real property
in which such Company holds any interest or any past or present operation of
such Company. No Company shall allow the release or disposal of hazardous waste,
solid waste or other wastes on, under or to any real property in which any
Company holds any interest or performs any of its operations, in violation of
any Environmental Law applicable to it to the extent the same may result in a
Material Adverse Effect. As used in this Section, "litigation or proceeding"
means any demand, claim, notice, suit, suit in equity action, administrative
action, investigation or inquiry whether brought by any governmental authority
or private Person or otherwise. Borrowers shall defend, indemnify and hold Agent
and the Banks harmless against all costs, expenses, claims, damages, penalties
and liabilities of every kind or nature whatsoever (including attorneys fees)
arising out of or resulting from the noncompliance of any Company with any
Environmental Law applicable to it.

         SECTION 5.16. AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS. No Company shall, or shall permit
any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any
transaction (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease or
exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of
a Company on terms that are less favorable to such Company or such Subsidiary,
as the case may be, than those that might be obtained at the time in a
transaction with a non-Affiliate; provided, however, that the foregoing shall
not prohibit (a) the payment of customary and reasonable directors' fees to
directors who are not employees of a Company or any Affiliate of a Company, or
(b) any transaction between a Borrower or a U.S. Guarantor and an Affiliate (if
a Borrower or Guarantor of Payment) which such Borrower reasonably determines in
good faith is beneficial to such Borrower and its Affiliates as a whole and
which is not entered into for the purpose of hindering the exercise by Agent or
the Banks of their rights or remedies under this Agreement.

         SECTION 5.17. USE OF PROCEEDS. U.S. Borrower's use of the proceeds of
the Revolving Credit Notes shall be for working capital and general corporate
purposes of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries and the proceeds of the Term Notes
shall be solely for the retirement of existing Indebtedness. Canadian Borrowers'
use of proceeds of the Canadian Revolving Credit Notes shall be solely for
working capital and other general corporate purposes of Canadian Borrowers and
their Subsidiaries. UK Borrowers' use of proceeds of the UK Revolving Credit
Notes shall be solely for working capital and other general corporate purposes
of UK Borrowers and their Subsidiaries and such proceeds shall not be used for a
purpose that is prohibited by Sections 151-158 of the Companies Act 1985.





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         SECTION 5.18. CORPORATE NAMES. No Borrower or Guarantor of Payment
shall change its corporate name, unless, in each case, such Company shall
provide Agent with at least thirty (30) days prior written notice thereof.

         SECTION 5.19. AMENDMENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS. No Borrower or
Guarantor of Payment shall amend its Articles of Incorporation, or charter or
constitutional or equivalent documents without the prior written consent of
Agent; provided, however, that U.S. Borrower may amend its Articles of
Incorporation to provide for the designation of a series of preferred stock in
connection with the Equity Event.

         SECTION 5.20. CAPITAL DISTRIBUTIONS. U.S. Borrower shall not pay or
commit itself to pay Capital Distributions at any time.

         SECTION 5.21. INDENTURE PAYMENTS. U.S. Borrower shall not make any
prepayment, redemption, defeasance or covenant defeasance of any kind with
respect to the Indebtedness evidence by the Indenture; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
so long as there does not exist, nor immediately thereafter shall begin to
exist, an Unmatured Event of Default or an Event of Default, U.S. Borrower may
make payments of interest required by the terms and conditions of the Indenture.

         SECTION 5.22. SUBSIDIARIES CREATED, ACQUIRED OR HELD SUBSEQUENT TO
CLOSING DATE.

         (a) Subject to Section 5.22(b) hereof, each Subsidiary created,
acquired or held subsequent to the Closing Date (i) shall immediately execute
and deliver to Agent for the benefit of the Banks a Guaranty of Payment and such
Security Documents as Agent shall require and shall deliver to Agent and the
Banks such corporate governance and authorization documents and an opinion of
counsel as may be deemed necessary or advisable by Agent; provided, however,
that no Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to execute or deliver any Guaranty
of Payment or Security Document so long as the execution thereof will cause or
result in an adverse tax consequence to any Company; and (ii) U.S. Borrower or
the appropriate Borrower or Guarantor of Payment shall deliver to Agent, for the
benefit of the Banks, the share certificates, or other evidence of equity
interest, of such Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of the Pledge Agreement
executed by such Borrower or such Guarantor of Payment; provided however, that
no Company shall be required to pledge more than sixty-five (65%) of the
outstanding shares of stock or other equity interest of any Foreign Subsidiary
as security for the obligations of U.S. Borrower or the U.S. Guarantors under
this Agreement so long as the pledge thereof will cause or result in an adverse
tax consequence to any Company.

         (b) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (a) hereof to the contrary,
a Subsidiary shall not be required to comply with the requirements of such
subsection so long as (i) the total assets of such Subsidiary are less than the
amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), and (ii) the aggregate of the
total assets of all such Subsidiaries with total asset values of less than One
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) does not exceed the aggregate amount of Two
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000); provided, that in the event that the
total assets of any Subsidiary which has not complied with the requirements of
subsection (a) above are at any time equal to or greater than One




                                       60
<PAGE>   67

Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), Borrowers shall provide Agent and the Banks
with prompt written notice of such asset value.


                   ARTICLE VI. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         Each Borrower represents and warrants that the statements set forth in
this Article VI are true, correct and complete.

         SECTION 6.1. CORPORATE EXISTENCE; FOREIGN QUALIFICATION; SUBSIDIARIES.

         (a) Each Borrower and Guarantor of Payment is an entity duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state or other
jurisdiction of organization and is duly qualified and authorized to do business
and is in good standing as a foreign entity in each jurisdiction where the
character of its property or its business activities makes such qualification
necessary, except where the failure to so qualify would not have a Material
Adverse Effect.

         (b) SCHEDULE 6.1 of the Disclosure Statement sets forth (i) the state
(or other jurisdiction) of organization of each Borrower, and (ii) each state
(or other jurisdiction) in which each Borrower is qualified to do business.

         (c) SCHEDULE 6.1 of the Disclosure Statement sets forth (i) each
Company, (ii) such Company's state (or other jurisdiction) of organization, and
(iii) the direct or indirect ownership of U.S. Borrower in such Company.

         SECTION 6.2. CORPORATE AUTHORITY. Each Borrower and Guarantor of
Payment has the right and power and is duly authorized and empowered to enter
into, execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to
perform and observe the provisions of the Loan Documents. The Loan Documents to
which each Borrower and Guarantor of Payment is a party have been duly
authorized and approved by such Borrower's or Guarantor of Payment's Board of
Directors (or other governing body) and are the valid and binding obligations of
such Company, enforceable against such Company in accordance with their
respective terms. The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents
will not conflict with nor result in any breach in any of the provisions of, or
constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien (other than
Liens permitted under Section 5.9 of this Agreement) upon any assets or property
of any Borrower and Guarantor of Payment under the provisions of such Borrower's
or Guarantor of Payment's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws (or equivalent
organizational, constitutional, as applicable to it, and governing documents) or
any agreement to which such Company is a party or by which its assets are
subject or bound, except to the extent such conflict or breach would not have a
Material Adverse Effect.






                                       61
<PAGE>   68

         SECTION 6.3. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Each Borrower and Guarantor of
Payment:

         (a) holds permits, certificates, licenses, orders, registrations,
franchises, authorizations, and other approvals from federal, state, provincial,
local, and foreign governmental and regulatory bodies necessary for the conduct
of its business and is in compliance with all applicable laws applicable to it
relating thereto, except to the extent the failure to do so would not have a
Material Adverse Effect;

         (b) is in compliance with all federal, state, provincial, local, or
foreign applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and orders applicable to it
including, without limitation, those relating to environmental protection,
occupational safety and health, and equal employment practices, except to the
extent the failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and

         (c) is not in violation of or in default under any agreement to which
it is a party or by which its assets are subject or bound, except to the extent
such violation or default would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 6.4. LITIGATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS. Except as
disclosed on SCHEDULE 6.4 of the Disclosure Statement, as to any of which, if
determined adversely, would involve in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($250,000) individually or in the aggregate respecting the assets,
property, business, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of any
Company, there are (a) no lawsuits, actions, investigations, or other
proceedings pending or threatened against any Company, or in respect of which
any Company may have any liability, in any court or before any governmental
authority, arbitration board, or other tribunal, (b) no orders, writs,
injunctions, judgments, or decrees of any court or government agency or
instrumentality to which any Company is a party or by which the property or
assets of any Company are bound, and (c) no grievances, disputes, or
controversies outstanding with any union or other organization of the employees
of any Company, or threats of work stoppage, strike, or pending demands for
collective bargaining.

         SECTION 6.5. LOCATION. SCHEDULE 6.5 of the Disclosure Statement sets
forth (a) the location of the chief executive office and the principal place of
business of each Borrower and Guarantor of Payment, (b) each location where each
Borrower and Guarantor of Payment has places of business or maintains inventory,
equipment or records concerning such Company's accounts, and (c) each state or
other location where each Borrower or Guarantor of Payment owns any real
property.

         SECTION 6.6. TITLE TO ASSETS. Each Borrower and Guarantor of Payment
has good title to and ownership of all property it purports to own, which
property is free and clear of all Liens, except those permitted under Section
5.9 hereto.

         SECTION 6.7. LIENS AND SECURITY INTERESTS. On and after the Closing
Date, except for Liens permitted pursuant to Section 5.9 hereof, (a) there is no
financing statement or other evidence of a Lien outstanding covering any
property (real or personal) of any Borrower or




                                       62
<PAGE>   69

Guarantor of Payment other than a financing statement in favor of Agent, on
behalf of the Banks; (b) there is no mortgage outstanding covering any real
property of any Borrower or Guarantor of Payment; and (c) no real or personal
property of any Borrower or Guarantor of Payment is subject to any security
interest or Lien of any kind other than any security interest or Lien which may
be granted to Agent, on behalf of the Banks. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 6.7
of the Disclosure Statement, no Borrower or Guarantor of Payment has entered
into any contract or agreement which exists on or after the Closing Date that
would prohibit Agent or the Banks from acquiring a security interest, mortgage
or other Lien on, or a collateral assignment of, any of the property (real or
personal) or assets of any Borrower or Guarantor of Payment.

         SECTION 6.8. TAX RETURNS. All federal, state, provincial, local and, if
applicable, foreign tax returns and other reports required by law to be filed in
respect of the income, business, properties and employees of each Company have
been filed and all taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges which
are due and payable have been paid, except as otherwise permitted herein or the
failure to do so does not and will not cause or result in a Material Adverse
Effect. The provision for taxes on the books of each Company (including the
Consolidated and individual accruals, as the case may be) is adequate for all
years not closed by applicable statutes and for the current fiscal year.

         SECTION 6.9. ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. Each Company is in compliance with any
and all Environmental Laws applicable to it, including, without limitation, all
Environmental Laws in all jurisdictions in which any Company owns or operates,
or has owned or operated, a facility or site, arranges or has arranged for
disposal or treatment of hazardous substances, solid waste or other wastes,
accepts or has accepted for transport any hazardous substances, solid waste or
other wastes or holds or has held any interest in real property or otherwise,
except to the extent failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
No litigation or proceeding arising under, relating to or in connection with any
Environmental Law applicable to it is pending or, to the best knowledge of each
Company, threatened, against any Company, any real property in which any Company
holds or has held an interest or any past or present operation of any Company.
No release, threatened release or disposal of hazardous waste, solid waste or
other wastes is occurring, or has occurred (other than those that are currently
being cleaned up in accordance with Environmental Laws applicable to it), on,
under or to any real property in which any Company holds any interest or
performs any of its operations, in violation of any Environmental Law applicable
to it, except to the extent the same would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
As used in this Section, "litigation or proceeding" means any demand, claim,
notice, suit, suit in equity, action, administrative action, investigation or
inquiry whether brought by any governmental authority or private Person or
otherwise.

         SECTION 6.10. CONTINUED BUSINESS. There exists no actual, pending, or,
to each Borrowers' and Guarantor of Payments' knowledge, any threatened
termination, cancellation or limitation of, or any modification or change in the
business relationship of any Borrower or Guarantor of Payment and any customer
or supplier, or any group of customers or suppliers, whose purchases or
supplies, individually or in the aggregate, are material to the business of any
Borrower or Guarantor of Payment, and there exists no present condition or state
of facts or circumstances which would affect any Company in any respect or
prevent a Company from conducting such




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business or the transactions in substantially the same manner in which it was
previously conducted, except to the extent the same would not cause a Material
Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 6.11.     EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLANS.

         (a) As to U.S. Borrower and U.S. Guarantors, SCHEDULE 6.11 of the
Disclosure Statement identifies each Plan. No ERISA Event has occurred or is
expected to occur with respect to a U.S. Plan. Full payment has been made of all
amounts which a Controlled Group member is required, under applicable law or
under the governing documents, to have been paid as a contribution to or a
benefit under each Plan. The liability of each Controlled Group member with
respect to each Plan has been fully funded based upon reasonable and proper
actuarial assumptions, has been fully insured, or has been fully reserved for on
its financial statements. No changes have occurred or are expected to occur that
would cause a material increase in the cost of providing benefits under the
Plan. With respect to each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Code
Section 401(a): (a) the Plan and any associated trust operationally comply in
all material respects with the applicable requirements of Code Section 401(a),
(b) the Plan and any associated trust have been amended to comply with all such
requirements as currently in effect, other than those requirements for which a
retroactive amendment can be made within the "remedial amendment period"
available under Code Section 401(b) (as extended under Treasury Regulations and
other Treasury pronouncements upon which taxpayers may rely), (c) the Plan and
any associated trust have received a favorable determination letter or will file
for and subsequently receive a favorable determination letter, from the Internal
Revenue Service stating that the Plan qualifies under Code Section 401(a), that
the associated trust qualifies under Code Section 501(a) and, if applicable,
that any cash or deferred arrangement under the Plan qualifies under Code
Section 401(k), unless the Plan was first adopted at a time for which the
above-described "remedial amendment period" has not yet expired, (d) the Plan
currently satisfies the requirements of Code Section 410(b), without regard to
any retroactive amendment that may be made within the above-described "remedial
amendment period", and (e) no contribution made to the Plan is subject to an
excise tax under Code Section 4972. With respect to any Pension Plan, the
"accumulated benefit obligation" of Controlled Group members with respect to the
Pension Plan (as determined in accordance with Statement of Accounting Standards
No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions") does not exceed the fair market
value of Pension Plan assets. The aggregate potential amount of liability that
would result if all Controlled Group members withdrew from all Multiemployer
Plans in a "complete withdrawal" (within in the meaning of ERISA Section 4203)
would not exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000).

         (b) As to Canadian Borrowers and UK Borrowers, all Plans are identified
on SCHEDULE 6.11 of the Disclosure Statement. All obligations of Canadian
Borrowers and UK Borrowers under their respective Plans, pursuant to the
requirements of the Pension Benefits Act (Nova Scotia) (as to the Canadian
Borrowers) and all other statutes, laws and regulations applicable to or
governing such Plans, have been fully funded and paid to date. Canadian
Borrowers and UK Borrowers, as the case may be, are not aware of, and have
received no notices of, any violation of any statute, law or regulation
applicable to their Plans, respectively.

         SECTION 6.12. CONSENTS OR APPROVALS. No consent, approval or
authorization of, or filing, registration or qualification with, any
governmental authority or any other




                                       64
<PAGE>   71

Person is required to be obtained or completed by any Borrower or any Guarantor
of Payment in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of any of
the Loan Documents, which has not already been obtained or completed.

         SECTION 6.13.     SOLVENCY.

         (a) U.S. Borrower has received consideration which is the reasonable
equivalent value of the obligations and liabilities that U.S. Borrower has
incurred to the Banks. U.S. Borrower is not insolvent as defined in any
applicable state or federal statute, nor will U.S. Borrower be rendered
insolvent by the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents to Agent and the
Banks. U.S. Borrower is not engaged or about to engage in any business or
transaction for which the assets retained by it are or will be an unreasonably
small amount of capital, taking into consideration the obligations to Agent and
the Banks incurred hereunder. U.S. Borrower does not intend to, nor does it
believe that it will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they
mature.

         (b) Each Canadian Borrower has received consideration which is the
reasonable equivalent value of the obligations and liabilities that such
Canadian Borrower has incurred to the Canadian Banks. No Canadian Borrower is
insolvent as defined in any applicable state or federal statute or applicable
foreign law or regulation, nor will any Canadian Borrower be rendered insolvent
by the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents to Agent and the Canadian
Banks. No Canadian Borrower is engaged or about to engage in any business or
transaction for which the assets retained by it are or will be an unreasonably
small amount of capital, taking into consideration the obligations to Agent and
the Canadian Banks incurred hereunder. No Canadian Borrower intends to, nor does
it believe that it will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as
they mature.

         (c) Each UK Borrower has received consideration which is the reasonable
equivalent value of the obligations and liabilities that such UK Borrower has
incurred to the Banks. No UK Borrower is insolvent as defined in any applicable
state or federal statute or applicable foreign law or regulation, nor will any
UK Borrower be rendered insolvent by the execution and delivery of the Loan
Documents to Agent and the Banks. No UK Borrower is engaged or about to engage
in any business or transaction for which the assets retained by it are or will
be an unreasonably small amount of capital, taking into consideration the
obligations to Agent and the Banks incurred hereunder. No UK Borrower intends
to, nor does it believe that it will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such
debts as they mature.

         SECTION 6.14. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Consolidated financial
statements of U.S. Borrower for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 and the
interim financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1999,
furnished to Agent and the Banks, are true and complete, have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP, and fairly present the financial condition of U.S.
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the dates of such financial statements and
the results of their operations for the periods then ended. Since the dates of
those statements, except as set forth on SCHEDULE 6.14, there has been no
material adverse change in any Company's financial condition, properties or
business.





                                       65
<PAGE>   72

         SECTION 6.15. REGULATIONS. U.S. Borrower is not engaged principally or
as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin stock" (within the meaning of
Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the
United States of America). Neither the granting of any Loan (or any conversion
thereof) nor the use of the proceeds of any Loan will violate, or be
inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation U or X of said Board of
Governors. Neither the granting of any Loan (or any conversion thereof) nor the
use of proceeds of any UK Revolving Loan or UK Letter of Credit will be used for
a purpose which is prohibited by applicable laws, including Sections 151-158 of
the Companies Act 1985.

         SECTION 6.16. MATERIAL AGREEMENTS. Except as disclosed on SCHEDULE 6.16
hereto, no Borrower or Guarantor of Payment is a party to any (a) debt
instrument; (b) lease (capital, operating or otherwise), whether as lessee or
lessor thereunder; (c) contract, commitment, agreement, or other arrangement
involving the purchase or sale of any inventory by it, or the license of any
right to or by it; (d) contract, commitment, agreement, or other arrangement
with any of its "Affiliates" (as such term is defined in the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended); (e) management or employment contract or contract for
personal services with any of its Affiliates which is not otherwise terminable
at will or on less than ninety (90) days' notice without liability; (f)
collective bargaining agreement; or (g) other contract, agreement,
understanding, or arrangement which, as to subsections (a) through (f), above,
if violated, breached, or terminated for any reason, would have or would be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 6.17. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Each Borrower and Guarantor of
Payment owns, possesses, or has the right to use all of the patents, patent
applications, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, licenses, and rights with
respect to the foregoing necessary for the conduct of its business without any
known conflict with the rights of others except to the extent the failure to
have any such licenses or rights would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
SCHEDULE 6.17 of the Disclosure Statement sets forth all intellectual property
owned by each Borrower and Guarantor of Payment, setting forth in detail a
description of such intellectual property and the owner thereof.

         SECTION 6.18. INSURANCE. Each Borrower and Guarantor of Payment
maintains with financially sound and reputable insurers insurance with coverage
and limits as required by law and as is customary with persons engaged in the
same businesses as the Companies. SCHEDULE 6.18 of the Disclosure Statement sets
forth all insurance carried by each Borrower and Guarantor of Payment, setting
forth in detail the amount and type of such insurance.

         SECTION 6.19. ACCURATE AND COMPLETE STATEMENTS. Neither the Loan
Documents nor any written statement made by any Company in connection with any
of the Loan Documents contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits
a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein or in the
Loan Documents not misleading. After due inquiry by Borrowers, there is no known
fact that any Company has not disclosed to Agent and the Banks which has or
would have a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 6.20. INDENTURE. (a) No Event of Default (as defined in the
Indenture) or Default (as defined in the Indenture) exists, nor will any such
Event of Default or Default exist





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<PAGE>   73

immediately after the granting of any Loan, under the Indenture or any agreement
executed by U.S. Borrower in connection therewith; and (b) this Agreement is the
"Credit Facility" as defined in the Indenture or is otherwise permitted under
Section 4.03(a)(ix) of the Indenture.

         SECTION 6.21. NEW CREDIT FACILITY. This Agreement (a) shall constitute
the "Credit Facility" (as defined in the Indenture) or is otherwise permitted
under Section 4.03(a)(ix) of the Indenture and (b) shall be deemed to be a
replacement of the Credit Agreement dated as of January 2, 1998, as amended,
among Borrower, National City Bank, as administrative agent and the lending
institutions a party thereto or otherwise be permitted under Section 4.03(a)(ix)
of the Indenture.

         SECTION 6.22. YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE. All of each Borrower's computer
hardware and software shall provide the following functions: (a) consistently
handle date information on or before and after January 1, 2000, including, but
not limited to, accepting date input, providing date output and performing
calculations on dates or portion of dates; (b) function accurately in accordance
with the specifications of such computer hardware or software and without
interruption on or before and after January 1, 2000, without any change in
operations associated with the advent of the new century; (c) respond to
two-digit date input in a way that resolves any ambiguity as to century in a
disclosed, defined and predetermined manner on or before and after January 1,
2000; and (d) store and provide output of date information in ways that are
unambiguous as to century on or before and after January 1, 2000.

         SECTION 6.23. DEFAULTS. No Unmatured Event of Default or Event of
Default exists hereunder, nor will any begin to exist immediately after the
execution and delivery hereof.


                         ARTICLE VII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder:

         SECTION 7.1. PAYMENTS. If the principal of or interest on any Note or
any facility or other fee shall not be paid in full punctually when due and
payable.

         SECTION 7.2. SPECIAL COVENANTS. If any Company (to the extent
applicable) shall (a) fail or omit to perform and observe Sections 5.1 or 5.5 to
the extent material to the Companies taken as a whole, or (b) fail or omit to
perform and observe in any respect Sections 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13,
5.18, 5.20, 5.21 or 5.22 hereof.

         SECTION 7.3. OTHER COVENANTS. If any Company shall fail or omit to
perform and observe any agreement or other provision (other than those referred
to in Sections 7.1 or 7.2 hereof) contained or referred to in this Agreement or
any Related Writing that is on such Company's part, as the case may be, to be
complied with, and that Unmatured Event of Default shall not have been fully
corrected within twenty (20) days after the giving of written notice thereof to
U.S. Borrower or such Company by Agent or any Bank that the specified Unmatured
Event of Default is to be remedied.




                                       67
<PAGE>   74


         SECTION 7.4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. If any representation,
warranty or statement made in or pursuant to this Agreement or any Related
Writing or any other material information furnished by any Company to the Banks
or any thereof or any other holder of any Note, shall be false or erroneous in
any material respect.

         SECTION 7.5. CROSS DEFAULT. If any Company shall (a) default in the
payment of principal or interest due and owing upon any other obligation for
borrowed money beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto or in
the performance or observance of any other agreement, term or condition
contained in any agreement under which such obligation is created, if the effect
of such default is to allow the acceleration of the maturity of such
Indebtedness or to permit the holder thereof to cause such Indebtedness to
become due prior to its stated maturity, or (b) otherwise be obligated to
prepay, repay, redeem, defease or otherwise offer to prepay or repay prior to
the stated maturity date thereof any such obligations including, without
limitation, obligations under the Indenture or the notes issued pursuant
thereto, provided the aggregate of all such obligations under (a) and (b) above
for all Companies equals or exceeds Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($250,000).

         SECTION 7.6. ERISA DEFAULT. The occurrence of one or more ERISA Events
which (a) the Required Banks determine could have a Material Adverse Effect, or
(b) results in a Lien on any of the assets of U.S. Borrower or any U.S.
Guarantor.

         SECTION 7.7. CHANGE IN CONTROL. If any Change in Control shall occur.

         SECTION 7.8. MONEY JUDGMENT. A final judgment or order for the payment
of money shall be rendered against any Company by a court of competent
jurisdiction, which remains unpaid or unstayed and undischarged for a period
(during which execution shall not be effectively stayed) of thirty (30) days
after the date on which the right to appeal has expired, provided that the
aggregate of all such judgments, for all such Companies, shall exceed Two
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000).

         SECTION 7.9. MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. (a) The forced liquidation value
of the collateral for the Debt, considered as an entirety, shall in the
reasonable written opinion of Agent or the Required Banks delivered to U.S.
Borrower substantially decline or (b) any other objective event or circumstance
shall occur or exist after the Closing Date which, in the reasonable opinion of
Agent or the Required Banks, (i) casts reasonable and substantial doubt upon any
Borrower's ability to (A) repay all or any part of the Debt in accordance with
its terms or (B) refinance the Debt, or (ii) has resulted in a Material Adverse
Effect based upon (A) the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to
Section 5.3 hereof or (B) any other objective and verifiable event or
circumstance.

         SECTION 7.10. VALIDITY OF LOAN DOCUMENTS. (a) Any material provision,
in the sole opinion of Agent, of any Loan Document shall at any time for any
reason cease to be valid, binding and enforceable against any Borrower or
Guarantor of Payment; (b) the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any
Loan Document against any Borrower or Guarantor of Payment shall be contested by
any Company or any other Obligor; (c) any Borrower or Guarantor




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<PAGE>   75

of Payment shall deny that it has any or further liability or obligation
thereunder; or (d) any Loan Document shall be terminated, invalidated or set
aside, or be declared ineffective or inoperative or in any way cease to give or
provide to Agent and the Banks the benefits purported to be created thereby.

         SECTION 7.11. INDENTURE. If (a) an Event of Default (as defined in the
Indenture) or Default (as defined in the Indenture) shall occur under the
Indenture or any agreement executed by U.S. Borrower in connection therewith; or
(b) this Agreement shall cease to be deemed the "Credit Facility" as defined in
the Indenture or the facilities hereunder not be permitted under Section
4.03(a)(ix) of the Indenture.

         SECTION 7.12. SOLVENCY. If any Company shall (a) discontinue business,
(b) generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, (c) make a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors, (d) apply for or consent to the
appointment of a receiver, a custodian, a trustee, an interim trustee or
liquidator of all or a substantial part of its assets, (e) be adjudicated a
debtor or have entered against it an order for relief under Title 11 of the
United States Code, as the same may be amended from time to time, or other
applicable statute for jurisdictions outside of the United States, as the case
may be, (f) file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or file a petition or an
answer seeking reorganization or an arrangement with creditors or seeking to
take advantage of any other law (whether federal, state or, if applicable, other
jurisdiction) relating to relief of debtors, or admit (by answer, by default or
otherwise) the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any
bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or other proceeding (whether federal,
state or, if applicable, other jurisdiction) relating to relief of debtors, (g)
suffer or permit to continue unstayed and in effect for thirty (30) consecutive
days any judgment, decree or order entered by a court of competent jurisdiction,
which approves a petition seeking its reorganization or appoints a receiver,
custodian, trustee, interim trustee or liquidator of all or a substantial part
of its assets, or (h) take, or omit to take, any action in order thereby to
effect any of the foregoing.

         SECTION 7.13. UK BORROWER SOLVENCY. If (a) any UK Borrower or any
Subsidiary of a UK Borrower shall (i) take any corporate action for or other
formal steps are taken or legal or other proceedings started or a petition is
presented for its winding up administration dissolution or reorganization (other
than for the purposes of a bona fide solvent scheme of reconstruction previously
approved in writing by Agent and the Required Banks, or, in respect of a
petition or other proceedings for its winding up only, where such action is
taken on grounds which such UK Borrower (or Subsidiary thereof) shall reasonably
demonstrate to Agent and the Required Banks to be vexatious or unwarranted and
such petition is withdrawn or dismissed or such proceedings are withdrawn or
stayed within fourteen (14) days and prior to their advertisement) or for the
appointment of a provisional liquidator, receiver, administrator, trustee or
similar officer of all or any material part of its assets, (ii) be or become or
admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they fall due as that
expression is defined in Section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986, (iii) cease or
threaten to cease to carry on all or any substantial part of its business, (b) a
moratorium in respect of all or any of the debts of any UK Borrower or any
Subsidiary of a UK Borrower or a composition or arrangement readjustment or
rescheduling with all or any class of creditors of any UK Borrower or Subsidiary
thereof is proposed, agreed, applied for, ordered or declared, (c) a receiver or
administrative receiver is appointed in respect of any UK Borrower or any
Subsidiary thereof or in




                                       69
<PAGE>   76

respect of all or any material part of its assets or if the security created by
any Lien created by any UK Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof over all or any
material part of its undertaking, assets, rights or remedies become enforceable
or any step is taken to enforce such Lien, or (d) any distress execution
attachment or other process is carried out or otherwise affects any assets of
any UK Borrower or Subsidiary thereof and is not discharged within three (3)
days.


                       ARTICLE VIII. REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT

         Notwithstanding any contrary provision or inference herein or
elsewhere,

         SECTION 8.1. OPTIONAL DEFAULTS. If any Event of Default referred to in
Section 7.1, 7.2., 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9 , 7.10, 7.11 or 7.13 hereof
shall occur, the Required Banks shall have the right, in their discretion, by
directing Agent, on behalf of the Banks, to give written notice to Borrowers,
to:

         (a) terminate the Commitment and the credits hereby established, if not
previously terminated, and, immediately upon such election, the obligations of
Banks, and each thereof, to make any further Loan and the obligation of Agent or
any Fronting Bank to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder immediately shall be
terminated, and/or

         (b) accelerate the maturity of all of the Debt (if the Debt is not
already due and payable), whereupon all of the Debt shall become and thereafter
be immediately due and payable in full without any presentment or demand and
without any further or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived
by Borrowers.

         SECTION 8.2. AUTOMATIC DEFAULTS. If any Event of Default referred to in
Section 7.12 hereof shall occur:

         (a) all of the Commitment and the credits hereby established shall
automatically and immediately terminate, if not previously terminated, and no
Bank thereafter shall be under any obligation to grant any further Loan, nor
shall Agent or any Fronting Bank be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit
hereunder, and

         (b) the principal of and interest then outstanding on all Notes, and
all of the Debt shall thereupon become and thereafter be immediately due and
payable in full (if the Debt is not already due and payable), all without any
presentment, demand or notice of any kind, which are hereby waived by Borrowers.

         SECTION 8.3. LETTERS OF CREDIT. If the maturity of the Notes is
accelerated pursuant to Sections 8.1 or 8.2 hereof, U.S. Borrower shall
immediately deposit with Agent, as security for each Borrower's and U.S.
Guarantor's obligations to reimburse Agent and the Banks for any then
outstanding Letters of Credit, cash equal to the sum of One Hundred Five percent
(105%) of the aggregate undrawn balance of any then outstanding Letters of
Credit. Agent and the Banks are hereby authorized, at their option, to deduct
any and all such amounts from any deposit balances




                                       70
<PAGE>   77

then owing by any Bank to or for the credit or account of U.S. Borrower or any
Domestic Subsidiary, as security for any Company's obligations to reimburse
Agent and the Banks for any then outstanding Letters of Credit.

         SECTION 8.4. OFFSETS. If there shall occur or exist any Event of
Default referred to in Section 7.12 hereof or if the maturity of the Notes is
accelerated pursuant to Section 8.1 or 8.2 hereof, each Bank shall have the
right at any time to set off against, and to appropriate and apply toward the
payment of, any and all Debt then owing by a Borrower to that Bank (including,
without limitation, any participation purchased or to be purchased pursuant to
Section 8.5 hereof), whether or not the same shall then have matured, any and
all deposit balances and all other indebtedness then held or owing by that Bank
to or for the credit or account of such Borrower, all without notice to or
demand upon any Borrower or any other Person, all such notices and demands being
hereby expressly waived by each Borrower.

         SECTION 8.5. EQUALIZATION PROVISION.

         (a) Each Bank agrees with the other Banks that if it, at any time,
shall obtain any Advantage over the other Banks, or any thereof, in respect of
the Debt (except as to the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment and under
Article III hereof), it shall purchase from such other Banks, for cash and at
par, such additional participation in the Debt as shall be necessary to nullify
the Advantage.

         (b) Each Canadian Bank agrees with the other Canadian Banks that if it,
at any time, shall obtain any Advantage over the other Canadian Banks, or any
thereof, in respect of the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment, the Canadian
Revolving Loans, the Canadian Letters of Credit or any of the obligations
incurred in connection with the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment (except
under Article III hereof), it shall purchase from such other Canadian Banks, for
cash and at par, such additional participation in the obligations incurred
pursuant to the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment as shall be necessary to
nullify the Advantage.

         (c) Except as set forth in Section 2.11 of this Agreement, only the
Canadian Banks shall be obligated, upon the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement, to fund Canadian Revolving Loans and participate in the issuance
of Canadian Letters of Credit; provided that, anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, upon the earlier of (i) the occurrence of an Event of
Default specified in Section 7.12 hereof, or (ii) the acceleration of the Debt
pursuant to Section 8.2 hereof (hereinafter, a "Equalization Event"), each Bank
agrees with the other Banks that if it, at any time, shall obtain any Advantage
over the other Banks, or any thereof, in respect of the Debt (except under
Article III hereof) then outstanding (as calculated, with respect to the
outstanding Canadian Revolving Loans, the Canadian Letters of Credit and any
other amounts outstanding with respect to the Canadian Revolving Credit
Commitment, using the Dollar Equivalent in effect on the Equalization Date, as
hereinafter defined), then such Bank having an Advantage shall purchase from the
other Banks, including the Canadian Banks, for cash and at par, such additional
participation in the Debt as shall be necessary to nullify the Advantage. As
used herein, "Equalization Date" shall mean the date that the Equalization Event
occurs.





                                       71
<PAGE>   78

         (e) Each Bank further agrees with the other Banks that if it any time
shall receive any payment for or on behalf of any Borrower or any Indebtedness
owing by such Borrower to that Bank by reason of offset of any deposit or other
Indebtedness, it will apply such payment first to any and all Indebtedness owing
by such Borrower to that Bank pursuant to this Agreement (including, without
limitation, any participation purchased or to be purchased pursuant to this
Section or any other Section of this Agreement). Each Borrower agrees that any
Bank so purchasing a participation from the other Banks or any thereof pursuant
to this Section may exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of
set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Bank was a
direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of such participation.


                              ARTICLE IX. THE AGENT

         The Banks authorize PNC Bank, National Association and PNC Bank,
National Association hereby agrees to act as agent for the Banks in respect of
this Agreement upon the terms and conditions set forth elsewhere in this
Agreement, and upon the following terms and conditions:

         SECTION 9.1. APPOINTMENT AND AUTHORIZATION. Each Bank hereby
irrevocably appoints and authorizes Agent to take such action as agent on its
behalf and to exercise such powers hereunder as are delegated to Agent by the
terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
Neither Agent nor any of its directors, officers, attorneys or employees shall
be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them hereunder or
in connection herewith, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful
misconduct.

         SECTION 9.2. NOTE HOLDERS. Agent may treat the payee of any Note as the
holder thereof until written notice of transfer shall have been filed with it,
signed by such payee and in form satisfactory to Agent.

         SECTION 9.3. CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL. Agent may consult with legal
counsel selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered
in good faith by it in accordance with the opinion of such counsel.

         SECTION 9.4. DOCUMENTS. Agent shall not be under any duty to examine
into or pass upon the validity, effectiveness, genuineness or value of any Loan
Documents or any other Related Writing furnished pursuant hereto or in
connection herewith or the value of any collateral obtained hereunder, and Agent
shall be entitled to assume that the same are valid, effective and genuine and
what they purport to be.

         SECTION 9.5. AGENT AND AFFILIATES. With respect to the Loans, Agent
shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Bank and may
exercise the same as though it were not Agent, and Agent and its affiliates may
accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business
with any Company or any affiliate thereof.

         SECTION 9.6. KNOWLEDGE OF DEFAULT. It is expressly understood and
agreed that Agent shall be entitled to assume that no Unmatured Event of Default
or Event of Default has




                                       72
<PAGE>   79

occurred and is continuing, unless Agent has been notified by a Bank in writing
that such Bank believes that an Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing and specifying the nature thereof.

         SECTION 9.7. ACTION BY AGENT. So long as Agent shall be entitled,
pursuant to Section 9.6 hereof, to assume that no Unmatured Event of Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Agent shall be entitled
to use its discretion with respect to exercising or refraining from exercising
any rights which may be vested in it by, or with respect to taking or refraining
from taking any action or actions which it may be able to take under or in
respect of, this Agreement. Agent shall incur no liability under or in respect
of this Agreement by acting upon any notice, certificate, warranty or other
paper or instrument believed by it to be genuine or authentic or to be signed by
the proper party or parties, or with respect to anything which it may do or
refrain from doing in the reasonable exercise of its judgment, or which may seem
to it to be necessary or desirable in the premises.

         SECTION 9.8. NOTICES, DEFAULT, ETC. In the event that Agent shall have
acquired actual knowledge of any Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default,
Agent shall promptly notify the Banks and shall take such action and assert such
rights under this Agreement as the Required Banks shall direct and Agent shall
inform the other Banks in writing of the action taken. Agent may take such
action and assert such rights as it deems to be advisable, in its discretion,
for the protection of the interests of the holders of the Notes.

         SECTION 9.9. INDEMNIFICATION OF AGENT. The Banks agree to indemnify
Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by Borrowers), ratably according to their
respective Commitment Percentages from and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed
on, incurred by or asserted against Agent in its capacity as agent in any way
relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any Loan Document or any action
taken or omitted by Agent with respect to this Agreement or any Loan Document,
provided that no Bank shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses (including attorney fees) or disbursements resulting from Agent's gross
negligence, willful misconduct or from any action taken or omitted by Agent in
any capacity other than as agent under this Agreement.

         SECTION 9.10. SUCCESSOR AGENT. Agent may resign as agent hereunder by
giving not fewer than thirty (30) days' prior written notice to Borrowers and
the Banks. If Agent shall resign under this Agreement, then either (a) the
Required Banks shall appoint from among the Banks a successor agent for the
Banks (with the consent of Borrowers so long as an Event of Default has not
occurred and which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), or (b) if a
successor agent shall not be so appointed and approved within the thirty (30)
day period following Agent's notice to the Banks of its resignation, then Agent
shall appoint a successor agent who shall serve as agent until such time as the
Required Banks appoint a successor agent. Upon its appointment, such successor
agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties as agent, and the term
"Agent" shall mean such successor effective upon its appointment, and the former
agent's rights, powers and duties



                                       73
<PAGE>   80

as agent shall be terminated without any other or further act or deed on the
part of such former agent or any of the parties to this Agreement.


                            ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 10.1. BANKS' INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION. Each Bank, by its
signature to this Agreement, acknowledges and agrees that Agent has made no
representation or warranty, express or implied, with respect to the
creditworthiness, financial condition, or any other condition of any Company or
with respect to the statements contained in any information memorandum furnished
in connection herewith or in any other oral or written communication between
Agent and such Bank. Each Bank represents that it has made and shall continue to
make its own independent investigation of the creditworthiness, financial
condition and affairs of the Companies in connection with the extension of
credit hereunder, and agrees that Agent has no duty or responsibility, either
initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Bank with any credit or other
information with respect thereto (other than such notices as may be expressly
required to be given by Agent to the Banks hereunder), whether coming into its
possession before the granting of the first Loans hereunder or at any time or
times thereafter.

         SECTION 10.2. NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No omission or course of
dealing on the part of Agent, any Bank or the holder of any Note in exercising
any right, power or remedy hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents shall
operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or
the exercise of any other right, power or remedy hereunder or under any of the
Loan Documents. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and in addition to
any other rights, powers or privileges held by operation of law, by contract or
otherwise.

         SECTION 10.3. AMENDMENTS, CONSENTS.

         (a) No amendment, modification, termination, or waiver of any provision
of any Loan Document nor consent to any variance therefrom, shall be effective
unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Required Banks and then
such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for
the specific purpose for which given. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, unanimous consent of the Banks shall be required with respect
to (i) any increase in the Commitment hereunder, (ii) the extension of maturity
of the Notes, the payment date of principal and interest thereunder, or the
payment of facility or other fees or amounts payable hereunder, (iii) any
reduction in the rate of interest on the Notes, or in any amount of principal or
interest due on any Note, or the payment of facility or other fees hereunder or
any change in the manner of pro rata application of any payments made by
Borrowers to the Banks hereunder, (iv) any change in any percentage voting
requirement, voting rights, or the Required Banks definition in this Agreement,
(v) the release of any Guarantor of Payment or of any collateral securing any
part of the Debt, or (vi) any amendment to this Section 10.3 or Section 8.5
hereof. Notice of amendments or consents ratified by the Banks hereunder shall
immediately be forwarded by Borrowers to all Banks. Each Bank or other holder of
a Note shall be bound by any amendment, waiver or consent obtained as authorized
by this Section, regardless of its failure to agree thereto. Any amendment to
this





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<PAGE>   81

Agreement or any other Loan Document shall further require the consent of any
Borrower that is a party thereto.

         (b) In the event that Agent requests the consent of a Bank pursuant to
this Section 10.3 and such Bank shall not respond or reply to Agent in writing
within ten (10) days of delivery of such request, such Bank shall be deemed to
have consented to matter that was the subject of the request. In the event that
Agent requests the consent of a Bank pursuant to this Section 10.3 and such
consent is denied, then Agent may, at its option, require such Bank to assign
its interest in the Loans to any other Bank or Banks so designated by Agent or
to any other Person designated by Agent (the "Designated Bank"), for a price
equal to the then outstanding principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
interest and fees due such Bank, which interest and fees shall be paid when
collected from the Borrowers. In the event Agent elects to require the Bank to
assign its interest to a Designated Bank, Agent or the Designated Bank will so
notify such Bank in writing within forty-five (45) days following such Bank's
denial, and such Bank will assign its interest to the Designated Bank no later
than five (5) days following receipt of such notice pursuant to a Commitment
Transfer Supplement executed by such Bank, the Designated Lender and Agent.

         SECTION 10.4. NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands and other
communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and, if to a Borrower,
mailed or delivered to it, addressed to it at the address specified on the
signature pages of this Agreement, if to a Bank, mailed or delivered to it,
addressed to the address of such Bank specified on the signature pages of this
Agreement, or, as to each party, at such other address as shall be designated by
such party in a written notice to each of the other parties. All notices,
statements, requests, demands and other communications provided for hereunder
shall be deemed to be given or made when delivered or forty-eight (48) hours
after being deposited in the mails with postage prepaid by registered or
certified mail, addressed as aforesaid, or sent by facsimile with telephonic
confirmation of receipt.

         SECTION 10.5. COSTS, EXPENSES AND TAXES. U.S. Borrower agrees to pay on
demand all costs and expenses of Agent, including but not limited to, (a)
administration, travel and out-of-pocket expenses, including but not limited to
attorneys' fees and expenses, of Agent in connection with the preparation,
negotiation and closing of the Loan Documents and the administration of the Loan
Documents, the collection and disbursement of all funds hereunder and the other
instruments and documents to be delivered hereunder, (b) extraordinary expenses
of Agent in connection with the administration of the Loan Documents and the
other instruments and documents to be delivered hereunder, (c) the reasonable
fees and out-of-pocket expenses of special counsel for the Banks, with respect
to the foregoing, and of local counsel, if any, who may be retained by said
special counsel with respect thereto, and (d) all costs and expenses of Agent
and the Banks, including reasonable attorneys' fees, in connection with the
restructuring or enforcement of the Debt, the Loan Documents or any Related
Writing. In addition, (i) U.S. Borrower, (ii) Canadian Borrowers, to the extent
relating to the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment, the Canadian Revolving
Loans, the Canadian Letters of Credit or any Canadian Borrower, and (iii) UK
Borrowers, to the extent relating to the UK Revolving Credit Commitment, the UK
Revolving Loans, the UK Letters of Credit or any UK Borrower shall pay any and
all stamp and other taxes and fees payable or determined to be payable in
connection with the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, and the other
instruments and documents to be delivered hereunder, and agrees to hold Agent
and



                                       75
<PAGE>   82

each Bank harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or
resulting from any delay in paying or omission to pay such taxes or fees.

         SECTION 10.6.     INDEMNIFICATION.

         (a) U.S. Borrower agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Agent
and the Banks from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including
attorney fees) or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be
imposed on, incurred by or asserted against Agent or any Bank in connection with
any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding (whether or not such
Bank or Agent shall be designated a party thereto) or any other claim by any
Person relating to or arising out of any Loan Document or any actual or proposed
use of proceeds of the Loans or any of the Debt, or any activities of any
Company or Obligor or any of their respective affiliates; provided that no Bank
nor Agent shall have the right to be indemnified under this Section for its own
gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction. All obligations provided for in this Section 10.6 shall survive
any termination of this Agreement.

         (b) Each Canadian Borrower agrees, to the extent relating to the
Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment, the Canadian Revolving Loans, the Canadian
Letters of Credit or any Canadian Borrower, to defend, indemnify and hold
harmless Agent and the Canadian Banks from and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses (including attorney fees) or disbursements of any kind or nature
whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against Agent or the
Canadian Banks in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial
proceeding (whether or not the Canadian Banks or Agent shall be designated a
party thereto) or any other claim by any Person relating to or arising out of
the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment, the Canadian Revolving Loans, the
Canadian Letters of Credit, any activities of any Canadian Borrower or any
actual or proposed use of proceeds of the Canadian Revolving Loans, the Canadian
Letters of Credit, or any of the Indebtedness or other obligations incurred in
connection with the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment; provided that neither
the Canadian Banks nor Agent shall have the right to be indemnified under this
Section for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction. All obligations provided for in this Section
10.6 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

         (c) Each UK Borrower agrees, to the extent relating to the UK Revolving
Credit Commitment, the UK Revolving Loans, the UK Letters of Credit or any UK
Borrower, to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Agent and the Banks from and
against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including attorney fees) or
disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred
by or asserted against Agent or the Banks in connection with any investigative,
administrative or judicial proceeding (whether or not the Banks or Agent shall
be designated a party thereto) or any other claim by any Person relating to or
arising out of the UK Revolving Credit Commitment, the UK Revolving Loans, the
UK Letters of Credit, any activities of any UK Borrower or any actual or
proposed use of proceeds of the UK Revolving Loans, the UK Letters of Credit, or
any of the Indebtedness or other obligations incurred in connection with the UK
Revolving Credit Commitment; provided that no Bank or Agent shall have the right
to be indemnified under this Section for its own gross



                                       76
<PAGE>   83

negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction. All obligations provided for in this Section 10.6 shall survive
any termination of this Agreement.

         SECTION 10.7. OBLIGATIONS SEVERAL; NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATIONS. The
obligations of the Banks hereunder are several and not joint. Nothing contained
in this Agreement and no action taken by Agent or the Banks pursuant hereto
shall be deemed to constitute the Banks a partnership, association, joint
venture or other entity. No default by any Bank hereunder shall excuse the other
Banks from any obligation under this Agreement; but no Bank shall have or
acquire any additional obligation of any kind by reason of such default. The
relationship among Borrowers and the Banks with respect to the Loan Documents
and the Related Writings is and shall be solely that of debtors and creditors,
respectively, and neither Agent nor any Bank has any fiduciary obligation toward
any Borrower with respect to any such documents or the transactions contemplated
thereby.

         SECTION 10.8. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed
in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be
an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the
same agreement.

         SECTION 10.9. BINDING EFFECT; BORROWERS' ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement
shall become effective when it shall have been executed by each Borrower, Agent
and each Bank and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
each Borrower, Agent and each of the Banks and their respective successors and
assigns, except that no Borrower shall have the right to assign its rights
hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of Agent and
all of the Banks.

         SECTION 10.10. BANK ASSIGNMENTS/PARTICIPATIONS.

         A. Assignments of Commitments. Each Bank shall have the right at any
time or times to assign to another financial institution, without recourse, all
or a percentage of all of the following: (a) that Bank's Commitment, (b) all
Loans made by that Bank, (c) that Bank's Notes, and (d) that Bank's interest in
any Letter of Credit and any participation purchased pursuant to subsection 4 of
Section 2.1A or 8.5 hereof; provided, however, that a Canadian Bank shall only
have the right to make an assignment to another Canadian Bank. In the case of
each assignment under this Agreement after the initial syndication of the
Commitment, the assignor and the assignee shall comply with the following
requirements:

                  (i) Prior Consent. No assignment may be consummated pursuant
         to this Section 10.10 without the prior written consent of U.S.
         Borrower and Agent (other than an assignment by any Bank to any
         affiliate of such Bank which affiliate is either wholly-owned by such
         Bank or is wholly-owned by a Person that wholly owns, either directly
         or indirectly, such Bank), which consent of U.S. Borrower and Agent
         shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that, U.S.
         Borrower's consent shall not be required if, at the time of the
         proposed assignment, any Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default
         shall then exist. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any
         Bank may at any time make a collateral




                                       77
<PAGE>   84

         assignment of all or any portion of its rights under the Loan Documents
         to a Federal Reserve Bank, and no such assignment shall release such
         assigning Bank from its obligations hereunder;

                  (ii) Minimum Amount. Each such assignment shall be in a
         minimum amount of the lesser of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) of
         the assignor's Commitment and interest herein or the entire amount of
         the assignor's Commitment and interest herein;

                  (iii) Assignment Fee; Assignment Agreement. Unless the
         assignment shall be to an affiliate of the assignor or the assignment
         shall be due to merger of the assignor or for regulatory purposes,
         either the assignor or the assignee shall remit to Agent, for its own
         account, an administrative fee of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars
         ($2,500). Unless the assignment shall be due to merger of the assignor
         or a collateral assignment for regulatory purposes, the assignor shall
         (A) cause the assignee to execute and deliver to Borrowers and Agent an
         Assignment Agreement, and (B) execute and deliver, or cause the
         assignee to execute and deliver, as the case may be, to Agent such
         additional amendments, assurances and other writings as Agent may
         reasonably require; and

                  (iv) Non-U.S. Assignee. If the assignment is to be made to an
         assignee which is organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other
         than the United States or any state thereof, the assignor Bank shall
         cause such assignee, at least five (5) Business Days prior to the
         effective date of such assignment, (A) to represent to the assignor
         Bank (for the benefit of the assignor Bank, Agent and Borrowers) that
         under applicable law and treaties no taxes will be required to be
         withheld by Agent, Borrowers or the assignor with respect to any
         payments to be made to such assignee in respect of the Loans hereunder,
         (B) to furnish to the assignor (and, in the case of any assignee
         registered in the Register (as defined below), Agent and Borrowers)
         either (1) U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 4224 or U.S. Internal
         Revenue Service Form 1001 or (2) United States Internal Revenue Service
         Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable (wherein such assignee claims
         entitlement to complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax on
         all interest payments hereunder), and (C) to agree (for the benefit of
         the assignor, Agent and Borrowers) to provide the assignor Bank (and,
         in the case of any assignee registered in the Register, Agent and
         Borrowers) a new Form 4224 or Form 1001 or Form W-8 or W-9, as
         applicable, upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously
         delivered form and comparable statements in accordance with applicable
         U.S. laws and regulations and amendments duly executed and completed by
         such assignee, and to comply from time to time with all applicable U.S.
         laws and regulations with regard to such withholding tax exemption.

         Upon satisfaction of the requirements specified in clauses (i) through
(iv) above, Borrowers shall execute and deliver (A) to Agent, the assignor and
the assignee, any consent or release (of all or a portion of the obligations of
the assignor) required to be delivered by Borrowers in connection with the
Assignment Agreement, and (B) to the assignee, an appropriate Note or Notes.
After delivery of the new Note or Notes, the assignor's Note or Notes being
replaced shall be returned to Borrowers marked "replaced".






                                       78
<PAGE>   85


         Upon satisfaction of the requirements of set forth in (i) through (iv),
and any other condition contained in this Section 10.10A, (A) the assignee shall
become and thereafter be deemed to be a "Bank" for the purposes of this
Agreement, (B) in the event that the assignor's entire interest has been
assigned, the assignor shall cease to be and thereafter shall no longer be
deemed to be a "Bank" and (C) the signature pages hereto and SCHEDULE 1 hereof
shall be automatically amended, without further action, to reflect the result of
any such assignment.

         Agent shall maintain at its address referred to in Section 10.4 hereof
a copy of each Assignment Agreement delivered to it and a register (the
"Register") for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Banks and the
Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Bank from time
to time. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of
manifest error, and Borrowers, Agent and the Banks may treat each financial
institution whose name is recorded in the Register as the owner of the Loan
recorded therein for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be
available for inspection by any Borrower or Bank at any reasonable time and from
time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

         B. Sale of Participations. Each Bank shall have the right at any time
or times, without the consent of Agent or any Borrower, to sell one or more
participations or sub-participations to a financial institution, as the case may
be, in all or any part of (a) that Bank's Commitment, (b) that Bank's Commitment
Percentage, (c) any Loan made by that Bank, (d) any Note delivered to that Bank
pursuant to this Agreement, and (e) that Bank's interest in any Letter of Credit
and any participation, if any, purchased pursuant to Section 2.1A or 8.5 hereof
or this Section 10.10B.

         The provisions of Article III and Section 10.6 shall inure to the
benefit of each purchaser of a participation or sub-participation and Agent
shall continue to distribute payments pursuant to this Agreement as if no
participation has been sold.

         If any Bank shall sell any participation or sub-participation, that
Bank shall, as between itself and the purchaser, retain all of its rights
(including, without limitation, rights to enforce against Borrowers the Loan
Documents and the Related Writings) and duties pursuant to the Loan Documents
and the Related Writings, including, without limitation, that Bank's right to
approve any waiver, consent or amendment pursuant to Section 10.3, except if and
to the extent that any such waiver, consent or amendment would:

         (i)      reduce any fee or commission allocated to the participation or
                  sub-participation, as the case may be,

         (ii)     reduce the amount of any principal payment on any Loan
                  allocated to the participation or sub-participation, as the
                  case may be, or reduce the principal amount of any Loan so
                  allocated or the rate of interest payable thereon, or

         (iii)    extend the time for payment of any amount allocated to the
                  participation or sub-participation, as the case may be.





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<PAGE>   86

         No participation or sub-participation shall operate as a delegation of
any duty of the seller thereof. Under no circumstance shall any participation or
sub-participation be deemed a novation in respect of all or any part of the
seller's obligations pursuant to this Agreement.

         SECTION 10.11. SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS; CAPTIONS. Any provision of
this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as
to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or
affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other
jurisdiction. The several captions to Sections and subsections herein are
inserted for convenience only and shall be ignored in interpreting the
provisions of this Agreement.

         SECTION 10.12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, any Note and any other
Loan Document or other agreement, document or instrument attached hereto or
executed on or as of the Closing Date integrate all the terms and conditions
mentioned herein or incidental hereto and supersede all oral representations and
negotiations and prior writings with respect to the subject matter hereof.

         SECTION 10.13. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. This
Agreement, each of the Notes and any Related Writing shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio (except as to the
filing of financing statements or their equivalent outside of the State of Ohio,
in which case the laws of the filing jurisdiction shall apply) and the
respective rights and obligations of Borrowers and the Banks shall be governed
by Ohio law, without regard to principles of conflict of laws. Each Borrower
hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any Ohio state
or federal court sitting in Cleveland, Ohio, over any action or proceeding
arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Debt or any Related Writing,
and each Borrower hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such
action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Ohio state or federal
court. Each Borrower, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, hereby
irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection it may
now or hereafter have to the laying of venue in any action or proceeding in any
such court as well as any right it may now or hereafter have to remove such
action or proceeding, once commenced, to another court on the grounds of FORUM
NON CONVENIENS or otherwise. Each Borrower agrees that a final, nonappealable
judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be
enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner
provided by law.

         SECTION 10.14. LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF PARTIES. The Loan Documents were
negotiated by the parties with the benefit of legal representation and any rule
of construction or interpretation otherwise requiring this Agreement or any
other Loan Document to be construed or interpreted against any party shall not
apply to any construction or interpretation hereof or thereof.

         SECTION 10.15. NO CROSS COLLATERALIZATION. For the avoidance of doubt,
the parties hereto agree that (i) collateral securing the Debt of the U.S.
Borrower shall not constitute security for any other obligation hereunder,
including without limitation any Canadian Loan, Canadian Letter of Credit, UK
Loan or UK Letter of Credit; (ii) collateral securing Debt of Canadian Borrowers
under Canadian Loans or Canadian Letters of Credit shall not constitute security
for any




                                       80
<PAGE>   87

other obligation hereunder, including without limitation Debt of the U.S.
Borrower or the UK Borrowers; (iii) collateral securing Debt of the UK Borrowers
under UK Loans or UK Letters of Credit shall not constitute security for any
other obligation hereunder, including without limitation Debt of the U.S.
Borrower or the Canadian Borrowers; and (iv) collateral securing the guarantee
obligations of any Guarantor hereunder under its Guaranty of Payment shall
constitute security only for such Guaranty of Payment of such Guarantor and no
other obligation. Notwithstanding the foregoing and in all events, the Capital
Stock of Parry Power Systems Limited shall be deemed, and is permitted, to be
collateral securing the Debt of the U.S. Borrower.


                  [Remainder of page left intentionally blank]













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<PAGE>   88


         SECTION 10.16. JURY TRIAL WAIVER. EACH BORROWER, AGENT AND EACH OF THE
BANKS WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE,
WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, AMONG BORROWERS, AGENT AND THE
BANKS, OR ANY THEREOF, ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, RELATED TO, OR
INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED AMONG THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY NOTE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR
DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO. THIS
WAIVER SHALL NOT IN ANY WAY AFFECT, WAIVE, LIMIT, AMEND OR MODIFY AGENT'S OR ANY
BANK'S ABILITY TO PURSUE REMEDIES PURSUANT TO ANY CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT OR
COGNOVIT PROVISION CONTAINED IN ANY NOTE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR
AGREEMENT AMONG BORROWERS, AGENT AND THE BANKS, OR ANY THEREOF.

                                                  U.S. BORROWER:

Address:    3200 Aurora Road                      ADVANCED LIGHTING
            Solon, Ohio  44139                    TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
            Attention: Treasurer
                                                  By: /s/ Nicholas R. Sucic
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                  Title: Treasurer
                                                        ------------------------


                                                  CANADIAN BORROWERS:

Address:    10 Chandler Road                      CANADIAN LIGHTING SYSTEMS
            P.O. Box 250                          HOLDING, INCORPORATED
            Amherst, Nova Scotia BH4 3Z2
            Attention: Treasurer
                                                  By: /s/ R.G. Douglas Oulton
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                  Title: Secretary
                                                        ------------------------


Address:    10 Chandler Road                      BALLASTRONIX INCORPORATED
            P.O. Box 250
            Amherst, Nova Scotia BH4 3Z2          By: /s/ R.G. Douglas Oulton
                                                     ---------------------------
            Attention: Treasurer                  Title: Assistant Secretary
                                                        ------------------------




                                       82
<PAGE>   89



                                                  UK BORROWERS:

Address:    Victoria Mills                        PARRY POWER SYSTEMS
            Draycott                               LIMITED
            Derby DE72 3PW England
            Attention: Treasurer
                                                  By: /s/ W. Ian Wilkinson
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                  Title: Director
                                                        ------------------------


Address:    Victoria Mills                        VENTURE LIGHTING
            Draycott                               EUROPE LTD.
            Derby DE72 3PW England
            Attention: Treasurer
                                                  By: /s/ R.M. Heyworth
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                  Title: Director
                                                        ------------------------


                                                  AGENT AND THE BANKS:

Address:    PNC Bank, National Association        PNC BANK, NATIONAL
            2 PNC Plaza                            ASSOCIATION, as Agent and
            620 Liberty Avenue, 18th Floor         as a Bank
            Pittsburgh, PA  15222
            Attention:  Richard Muse, Jr.         By: /s/ Douglas K. Winget
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Douglas K. Winget,
                                                     Vice President








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                                    EXHIBIT A

                              REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

$__________                                                     Cleveland, Ohio
                                                                  May ___, 1999

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES,
INC. ("U.S. Borrower") promises to pay on the last day of the Commitment Period,
as defined in the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), to the order of
_________ ("Bank") at the Main Office of PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
Agent, 2 PNC Plaza, 620 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, the principal sum
of

 .....................................................................  DOLLARS

or the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all U.S. Revolving Loans made by
Bank to U.S. Borrower pursuant to subsection 1 of Section 2.1A of the Credit
Agreement, whichever is less, in lawful money of the United States of America.
As used herein, "Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement dated as of May
__, 1999, among U.S. Borrower, certain Subsidiaries as Canadian Borrowers and
certain Subsidiaries as UK Borrowers, the banks named therein and PNC Bank,
National Association, as Agent, as the same may from time to time be amended,
restated or otherwise modified. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

         U.S. Borrower also promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal
amount of each U.S. Revolving Loan from time to time outstanding, from the date
of such U.S. Revolving Loan until the payment in full thereof, at the rates per
annum which shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection
1 of Section 2.1A of the Credit Agreement. Such interest shall be payable on
each date provided for in such subsection 1 of Section 2.1A; provided, however,
that interest on any principal portion which is not paid when due shall be
payable on demand.

         The portions of the principal sum hereof from time to time representing
U.S. Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar Loans, and payments of principal of any
thereof, shall be shown on the records of Bank by such method as Bank may
generally employ; provided, however, that failure to make any such entry shall
in no way detract from U.S. Borrower's obligations under this Note.

         If this Note shall not be paid at maturity, whether such maturity
occurs by reason of lapse of time or by operation of any provision for
acceleration of maturity contained in the Credit Agreement, the principal hereof
and the unpaid interest thereon shall bear interest, until paid, at a rate per
annum equal to the Default Rate. All payments of principal of and interest on
this Note shall be made in immediately available funds.

         This Note is one of the Revolving Credit Notes referred to in the
Credit Agreement. Reference is made to the Credit Agreement for a description of
the right of the undersigned to




                                       86
<PAGE>   91

anticipate payments hereof, the right of the holder hereof to declare this Note
due prior to its stated maturity, and other terms and conditions upon which this
Note is issued.

         Except as expressly provided in the Credit Agreement, U.S. Borrower
expressly waives presentment, demand, protest and notice of any kind.

         The undersigned authorizes any attorney at law at any time or times
after the maturity hereof (whether maturity occurs by lapse of time or by
acceleration) to appear in any state or federal court of record in the United
States of America, to waive the issuance and service of process, to admit the
maturity of this Note and the nonpayment thereof when due, to confess judgment
against the undersigned in favor of the holder of this Note for the amount then
appearing due, together with interest and costs of suit, and thereupon to
release all errors and to waive all rights of appeal and stay of execution. The
foregoing warrant of attorney shall survive any judgment, and if any judgment be
vacated for any reason, the holder hereof nevertheless may thereafter use the
foregoing warrant of attorney to obtain an additional judgment or judgments
against the undersigned. The undersigned agrees that Agent or the Banks'
attorney may confess judgment pursuant to the foregoing warrant of attorney. The
undersigned further agrees that the attorney confessing judgment pursuant to the
foregoing warrant of attorney may receive a legal fee or other compensation from
Agent or the Banks.


                                               ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES,
                                                 INC.

                                               By:______________________________
                                               Title:___________________________



================================================================================
"WARNING -- BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT
TRIAL. IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU
WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT
FROM YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR
RETURNED GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT
OR ANY OTHER CAUSE."
================================================================================







                                       87
<PAGE>   92



                                    EXHIBIT B

                            UK REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

$_____________                                                   Cleveland, Ohio
                                                                    May __, 1999

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, PARRY POWER SYSTEMS LIMITED
(Company No. 3341889) and VENTURE LIGHTING EUROPE LTD. (Company No. 2833448)
(collectively "UK Borrowers", and individually "UK Borrower"), jointly and
severally, promise to pay on the last day of the Commitment Period, as defined
in the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), to the order of _________
("Bank") at the Designated Lending Office, as defined in the Credit Agreement,
the principal sum of

 ..................................................................    DOLLARS

or the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all UK Revolving Loans made by Bank
to UK Borrowers pursuant to subsection 2 of Section 2.1A of the Credit
Agreement, whichever is less, in lawful money of the United States of America.
As used herein, "Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement dated as of May
__, 1999, among Advanced Lighting Technologies, Inc., as U.S. Borrower, UK
Borrowers and certain Subsidiaries as Canadian Borrowers, the banks named
therein and PNC Bank, National Association, as Agent, as the same may from time
to time be restated, amended or otherwise modified. Capitalized terms used
herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

         UK Borrowers also promise to pay interest on the unpaid principal
amount of each UK Revolving Loan from time to time outstanding, from the date of
such UK Revolving Loan until the payment in full thereof, at the rates per annum
which shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection 2 of
Section 2.1A of the Credit Agreement. Such interest shall be payable on each
date provided for in such subsection 2 of Section 2.1A; provided, however, that
interest on any principal portion which is not paid when due shall be payable on
demand.

         The portions of the principal sum hereof from time to time representing
UK Base Rate Loans and UK Fixed Rate Loans, and payments of principal thereof,
shall be shown on the records of Bank by such method as Bank may generally
employ; provided, however, that failure to make any such entry shall in no way
detract from the obligations of UK Borrowers under this Note.

         If this Note shall not be paid at maturity, whether such maturity
occurs by reason of lapse of time or by operation of any provision for
acceleration of maturity contained in the Credit Agreement, the principal hereof
and the unpaid interest thereon shall bear interest, until paid, at a rate per
annum which shall be the Default Rate. All payments of principal of and interest
on this Note shall be made in immediately available funds.

         This Note is one of the UK Revolving Credit Notes referred to in the
Credit Agreement. Reference is made to the Credit Agreement for a description of
the right of the undersigned to



                                       88
<PAGE>   93

anticipate payments hereof, the right of the holder hereof to declare this Note
due prior to its stated maturity, and other terms and conditions upon which this
Note is issued.

         Except as expressly provided in the Credit Agreement, each UK Borrower
expressly waives presentment, demand, protest and notice of any kind.

         The undersigned authorizes any attorney at law at any time or times
after the maturity hereof (whether maturity occurs by lapse of time or by
acceleration) to appear in any state or federal court of record in the United
States of America, to waive the issuance and service of process, to admit the
maturity of this Note and the nonpayment thereof when due, to confess judgment
against the undersigned in favor of the holder of this Note for the amount then
appearing due, together with interest and costs of suit, and thereupon to
release all errors and to waive all rights of appeal and stay of execution. The
foregoing warrant of attorney shall survive any judgment, and if any judgment be
vacated for any reason, the holder hereof nevertheless may thereafter use the
foregoing warrant of attorney to obtain an additional judgment or judgments
against the undersigned. The undersigned agrees that Agent or the Banks'
attorney may confess judgment pursuant to the foregoing warrant of attorney. The
undersigned further agrees that the attorney confessing judgment pursuant to the
foregoing warrant of attorney may receive a legal fee or other compensation from
Agent or the Banks.

                                         PARRY POWER SYSTEMS LIMITED

                                         By:____________________________________
                                         Title:_________________________________

                                         and____________________________________
                                         Title:_________________________________

                                         VENTURE LIGHTING EUROPE LIMITED

                                         By:____________________________________
                                         Title:_________________________________

                                         and____________________________________
                                         Title:_________________________________


================================================================================
"WARNING -- BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT
TRIAL. IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU
WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT
FROM YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR
RETURNED GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT
OR ANY OTHER CAUSE."
================================================================================






                                       89
<PAGE>   94



                                    EXHIBIT C

                         CANADIAN REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

CAD$__________                                                   Cleveland, Ohio
                                                                   May ___, 1999

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, BALLASTRONIX INCORPORATED and
CANADIAN LIGHTING SYSTEMS HOLDING, INCORPORATED (collectively "Canadian
Borrowers", and individually "Canadian Borrower"), jointly and severally,
promise to pay on the last day of the Commitment Period, as defined in the
Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), to the order of _________ ("Canadian
Bank") at the Designated Lending Office, as defined in the Credit Agreement, the
principal sum of

 ................................................................   CAD DOLLARS

or the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Canadian Revolving Loans made by
Canadian Bank to Canadian Borrowers pursuant to subsection 3 of Section 2.1A of
the Credit Agreement, whichever is less, in lawful money of Canada. As used
herein, "Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement dated as of May __, 1999,
among Advanced Lighting Technologies, Inc., as U.S. Borrower, Canadian Borrowers
and certain Subsidiaries as UK Borrowers, the banks named therein and PNC Bank,
National Association, as Agent, as the same may from time to time be restated,
amended or otherwise modified. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

         Canadian Borrowers also promise to pay interest on the unpaid principal
amount of each Canadian Revolving Loan from time to time outstanding, from the
date of such Canadian Revolving Loan until the payment in full thereof, at the
rates per annum which shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of
subsection 3 of Section 2.1A of the Credit Agreement. Such interest shall be
payable on each date provided for in such subsection 3 of Section 2.1A;
provided, however, that interest on any principal portion which is not paid when
due shall be payable on demand.

         The portions of the principal sum hereof from time to time representing
Canadian Base Rate Loans and Canadian Fixed Rate Loans, and payments of
principal thereof, shall be shown on the records of Canadian Bank by such method
as Canadian Bank may generally employ; provided, however, that failure to make
any such entry shall in no way detract from the obligations of Canadian
Borrowers under this Note.

         If this Note shall not be paid at maturity, whether such maturity
occurs by reason of lapse of time or by operation of any provision for
acceleration of maturity contained in the Credit Agreement, the principal hereof
and the unpaid interest thereon shall bear interest, until paid, at a rate per
annum which shall be the Default Rate. All payments of principal of and interest
on this Note shall be made in immediately available funds.





                                       90
<PAGE>   95

         This Note is one of the Canadian Revolving Credit Notes referred to in
the Credit Agreement. Reference is made to the Credit Agreement for a
description of the right of the undersigned to anticipate payments hereof, the
right of the holder hereof to declare this Note due prior to its stated
maturity, and other terms and conditions upon which this Note is issued.

         Except as expressly provided in the Credit Agreement, each Canadian
Borrower expressly waives presentment, demand, protest and notice of any kind.

         This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Ohio and the respective rights and obligations of Canadian
Borrower and Canadian Bank shall be governed by Ohio law, without regard to
principles of conflict of laws. Each Canadian Borrower hereby irrevocably
submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any Ohio state or federal court
sitting in Cleveland, Ohio, over any action or proceeding arising out of or
relating to this Note, and each Canadian Borrower hereby irrevocably agrees that
all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined
in such Ohio state or federal court. Each Canadian Borrower, on behalf of itself
and its Subsidiaries, hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted
by law, any objection it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue in any
action or proceeding in any such court as well as any right it may now or
hereafter have to remove such action or proceeding, once commenced, to another
court on the grounds of FORUM NON CONVENIENS or otherwise. Each Canadian
Borrower agrees that a final, nonappealable judgment in any such action or
proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by
suit on the judgement or in any other manner provided by law.

         EACH CANADIAN BORROWER WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN
RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, AMONG
BORROWERS, AGENT AND THE BANKS, OR ANY THEREOF, ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION
WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED AMONG THEM IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY NOTE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR
AGREEMENT






                                       91
<PAGE>   96
EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED
THERETO.

                                          BALLASTRONIX INCORPORATED


                                          By:___________________________________
                                          Title:________________________________

                                          and___________________________________
                                          Title:________________________________

                                          CANADIAN LIGHTING SYSTEMS
                                            HOLDING, INCORPORATED

                                          By:___________________________________
                                          Title:________________________________

                                          and___________________________________
                                          Title:________________________________






                                       92
<PAGE>   97



                                    EXHIBIT D

                                    TERM NOTE

$_____________                                                   Cleveland, Ohio
                                                                    May __, 1999


         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES,
INC. ("U.S. Borrower") promises to pay to the order of _________ ("Bank") at the
Main Office of PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Agent, 2 PNC Plaza, 620 Liberty
Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 the principal sum of

 ....................................................................  DOLLARS

in lawful money of the United States of America in sixty (60) consecutive
monthly installments, as described in Section 2.1B of the Credit Agreement, as
hereinafter defined, commencing June 1, 1999, and continuing on the 1st day of
each succeeding month thereafter through April 1, 2004, with the last payment to
be paid on May 1, 2004, in the amount of the then remaining balance of the Term
Loan. As used herein, "Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement dated as of
May __, 1999, among U.S. Borrower, certain Subsidiaries as Canadian Borrowers
and certain Subsidiaries as UK Borrowers, the banks named therein and PNC Bank,
National Association, as Agent, as the same may from time to time be amended,
restated or otherwise modified. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

         U.S. Borrower also promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal
amount of the Term Loan from time to time outstanding, from the date of the Term
Loan until the payment in full thereof, at the rates per annum which shall be
determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.1B of the Credit
Agreement. Such interest shall be payable on each date provided for in such
Section 2.1B; provided, however, that interest on any principal portion which is
not paid when due shall be payable on demand.

         The portions of the principal sum hereof from time to time representing
U.S. Bases Rate Loans and Eurodollar Loans, and payments of principal of either
thereof, shall be shown on the records of Bank by such method as Bank may
generally employ; provided, however, that failure to make any such entry shall
in no way detract from U.S. Borrower's obligations under this Note.

         If this Note shall not be paid at maturity, whether such maturity
occurs by reason of lapse of time or by operation of any provision for
acceleration of maturity contained in the Credit Agreement, the principal hereof
and the unpaid interest thereon shall bear interest, until paid, at a rate per
annum equal to the Default Rate. All payments of principal of and interest on
this Note shall be made in immediately available funds.

         This Note is one of the Term Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement.
Reference is made to the Credit Agreement for a description of the right of the
undersigned to anticipate payments




                                       93
<PAGE>   98

hereof, the right of the holder hereof to declare this Note due prior to its
stated maturity, and other terms and conditions upon which this Note is issued.

         Except as expressly provided in the Credit Agreement, U.S. Borrower
expressly waives presentment, demand, protest and notice of any kind.

         The undersigned authorizes any attorney at law at any time or times
after the maturity hereof (whether maturity occurs by lapse of time or by
acceleration) to appear in any state or federal court of record in the United
States of America, to waive the issuance and service of process, to admit the
maturity of this Note and the nonpayment thereof when due, to confess judgment
against the undersigned in favor of the holder of this Note for the amount then
appearing due, together with interest and costs of suit, and thereupon to
release all errors and to waive all rights of appeal and stay of execution. The
foregoing warrant of attorney shall survive any judgment, and if any judgment be
vacated for any reason, the holder hereof nevertheless may thereafter use the
foregoing warrant of attorney to obtain an additional judgment or judgments
against the undersigned. The undersigned agrees that Agent or the Banks'
attorney may confess judgment pursuant to the foregoing warrant of attorney. The
undersigned further agrees that the attorney confessing judgment pursuant to the
foregoing warrant of attorney may receive a legal fee or other compensation from
Agent or the Banks.

                                     ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES,
                                      INC.

                                     By:_______________________________________
                                     Title:____________________________________



================================================================================
"WARNING -- BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT
TRIAL. IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU
WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT
FROM YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR
RETURNED GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT
OR ANY OTHER CAUSE."
================================================================================








                                       94
<PAGE>   99



                                    EXHIBIT E

                                 NOTICE OF LOAN

                                                 ________________________, 19___


PNC Bank, National Association
1375 East 9th Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Attention:____________________

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         The undersigned, __________________, refers to the Credit Agreement,
dated as of ______, 199_ ("Credit Agreement", the terms defined therein being
used herein as therein defined), among the undersigned, certain other Borrowers,
as defined in the Credit Agreement, the Banks, as defined in the Credit
Agreement, and PNC Bank, National Association, as Agent, and hereby gives you
notice, pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Credit Agreement that the undersigned
hereby requests a Loan under the Credit Agreement, and in connection therewith
sets forth below the information relating to the Loan (the "Proposed Loan") as
required by Section 2.2 of the Credit Agreement:

         (a)      The Borrower requesting the Loan is
                  __________________________.

         (b)      The Business Day of the Proposed Loan is __________, 19__.

         (c)      The amount of the Proposed Loan is $_______________.

         (d)      The Proposed Loan is to be a U.S. Revolving Loan___/Canadian
                  Revolving Loan___/ UK Revolving Loan___. (Check one.)

         (e)      The Proposed Loan is to be a Base Rate Loan ____ /Fixed Rate
                  Loan ___. (Check one.)

         (f)      If the Proposed Loan is a Fixed Rate Loan, the Interest Period
                  requested is one month ___, two months ___, or three
                  months___.
                  (Check one.)

         The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are true
on the date hereof, and will be true on the date of the Proposed Loan:

                  (i) the representations and warranties contained in each Loan
         Document are correct in all material respects, before and after giving
         effect to the Proposed Loan and the application of the proceeds
         therefrom, as though made on and as of such date;




                                       95
<PAGE>   100

                  (ii) no event has occurred and is continuing, or would result
         from such Proposed Loan, or the application of proceeds therefrom,
         which constitutes an Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default;
         and

                  (iii) the conditions set forth in Section 2.2 and Article IV
         of the Credit Agreement have been satisfied.

                                         Very truly yours,

                                         ________________________


                                         By:____________________________________
                                         Name:__________________________________
                                         Title:_________________________________












                                       96
<PAGE>   101



                                    EXHIBIT F

                             BORROWERS' CERTIFICATE

                            [TO BE PROVIDED BY BANK]










                                       97
<PAGE>   102


                                    EXHIBIT G

                             COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

                                   For Fiscal Quarter ended ____________________

THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:

         (1) I am the duly elected Chief Financial Officer of ADVANCED LIGHTING
TECHNOLOGIES, INC., an Ohio corporation ("U.S. Borrower", and together with each
of the other Borrowers, as defined in the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter
defined), "Borrowers");

         (2) I am familiar with the terms of that certain Credit Agreement,
dated as of May ___, 1999, among the Borrowers, the Banks, as defined in the
Credit Agreement, and PNC Bank, National Association, as Agent (as the same may
be from time to time amended, restated or otherwise modified, the "Credit
Agreement", the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined in this
Certificate being used herein as therein defined), and the terms of the other
Loan Documents, and we have made, or have caused to be made under our
supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions and condition of
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the
attached financial statements;

         (3) The review described in paragraph (2) above did not disclose, and I
have no knowledge of, the existence of any condition or event which constitutes
or constituted an Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default, at the end of
the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements or as of the
date of this Certificate;

         (4) The representations and warranties made by Borrowers contained in
each Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects as though made
on and as of the date hereof; and

         (5) Set forth on Attachment I hereto are calculations of the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio set forth in Section 5.7 of the Credit Agreement, which
calculations show compliance with the terms thereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this certificate the ___ day of
_________, 19___.


                                      ______________________________________
                                      (Signature)
                                      Title:________________________________






                                       98
<PAGE>   103



                                    EXHIBIT H

                                     FORM OF

                       ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT

         This Assignment and Acceptance Agreement (this "Assignment Agreement")
between ______________________ (the "Assignor") and ______________________ (the
"Assignee") is dated as of ________, ____. The parties hereto agree as follows:

         1. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT. Assignor is a party to a Credit Agreement,
dated as of May __, 1999 (which, as it may from time to time be amended,
restated or otherwise modified is herein called the "Credit Agreement"), among
ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES, INC., as U.S. Borrower, certain Subsidiaries as
Canadian Borrowers and certain Subsidiaries as UK Borrowers (collectively,
"Borrowers", and, individually, "Borrower'), the banking institutions named on
SCHEDULE 1 thereto (collectively, "Banks" and, individually, "Bank"), and PNC
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as agent for the Banks ("Agent"). Capitalized terms
used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings attributed
to them in the Credit Agreement.

         2. ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION. Assignor hereby sells and assigns to
Assignee, and Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from Assignor, an interest
in and to Assignor's rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement,
effective as of the Assignment Effective Date (as hereinafter defined), equal to
the percentage interest specified on ANNEX 1 hereto (hereinafter, "Assignee's
Percentage") of Assignor's right, title and interest in and to (a) the
Commitment of Assignor as set forth on ANNEX 1 (hereinafter, "Assigned Amount"),
(b) any Loan made by Assignor which is outstanding on the Assignment Effective
Date, (c) Assignor's interest in any Letter of Credit, as defined in the Credit
Agreement, which is issued and outstanding on the Assignment Effective Date, (d)
any Note delivered to Assignor pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and (e) the
Credit Agreement and the other Related Writings. After giving effect to such
sale and assignment and on and after the Assignment Effective Date, Assignee
shall be deemed to have a "Commitment Percentage" under the Credit Agreement
equal to the Commitment Percentage set forth in subsections I.C on ANNEX 1
hereto.

         3. ASSIGNMENT EFFECTIVE DATE. The Assignment Effective Date (the
"Assignment Effective Date") shall be two (2) Business Days (or such other time
agreed to by Agent) after the following conditions precedent have been
satisfied:

         (a) receipt by Agent of this Assignment Agreement, including ANNEX 1
hereto, properly executed by Assignor and Assignee and accepted and consented to
by Agent and, if necessary pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.10(A)(i) of
the Credit Agreement, by Borrowers;

         (b) receipt by Agent from Assignor of a fee of Two Thousand Five
Hundred Dollars ($2,500), in accordance with Section 10.10A of the Credit
Agreement;






                                       99
<PAGE>   104

         (c) receipt by Agent from Assignee of an administrative questionnaire,
or other similar document, which shall include (i) the address for notices under
the Credit Agreement, (ii) the address of its Lending Office, (iii) wire
transfer instructions for delivery of funds by Agent, (iv) and such other
information as Agent shall request; and

         (d) receipt by Agent from Assignor or Assignee of any other information
required pursuant to Section 10.10 of the Credit Agreement or otherwise
necessary to complete the transaction contemplated hereby.

         4. PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS. In consideration for the sale and assignment of
Loans hereunder, Assignee shall pay Assignor, on the Assignment Effective Date,
an amount in Dollars equal to Assignee's Percentage. Any interest, fees and
other payments accrued prior to the Assignment Effective Date with respect to
the Assigned Amount shall be for the account of Assignor. Any interest, fees and
other payments accrued on and after the Assignment Effective Date with respect
to the Assigned Amount shall be for the account of Assignee. Each of Assignor
and Assignee agrees that it will hold in trust for the other part any interest,
fees or other amounts which it may receive to which the other party is entitled
pursuant to the preceding sentence and to pay the other party any such amounts
which it may receive promptly upon receipt thereof.

         5. CREDIT DETERMINATION; LIMITATIONS ON ASSIGNOR'S LIABILITY. Assignee
represents and warrants to Assignor, Borrowers, Agent and the other Banks (a)
that it is capable of making and has made and shall continue to make its own
credit determinations and analysis based upon such information as Assignee
deemed sufficient to enter into the transaction contemplated hereby and not
based on any statements or representations by Assignor, (b) Assignee confirms
that it meets the requirements to be an assignee as set forth in Section 10.10
of the Credit Agreement; (c) Assignee confirms that it is able to fund the Loans
and the Letters of Credit as required by the Credit Agreement; and (d) Assignee
agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the
obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement and the Related Writings
are required to be performed by it as a Bank thereunder. It is understood and
agreed that the assignment and assumption hereunder are made without recourse to
Assignor and that Assignor makes no representation or warranty of any kind to
Assignee and shall not be responsible for (i) the due execution, legality,
validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or collectability of the
Credit Agreement or any Related Writings, (ii) any representation, warranty or
statement made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any of the
Related Writings, (iii) the financial condition or creditworthiness of any
Borrower or any Guarantor, (iv) the performance of or compliance with any of the
terms or provisions of the Credit Agreement or any of the Related Writings, (v)
inspecting any of the property, books or records of any Borrower, or (vi) the
validity, enforceability, perfection, priority, condition, value or sufficiency
of any collateral securing or purporting to secure the Loans or Letters of
Credit. Neither Assignor nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents
or attorneys shall be liable for any mistake, error of judgment, or action taken
or omitted to be taken in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the
Credit Agreement or the Related Writings, except for its or their own bad faith
or willful misconduct. Assignee appoints Agent to take such action as agent on
its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement as are
delegated to Agent by the terms thereof.






                                      100
<PAGE>   105

         6. INDEMNITY. Assignee agrees to indemnify and hold Assignor harmless
against any and all losses, cost and expenses (including, without limitation,
attorneys' fees) and liabilities incurred by Assignor in connection with or
arising in any manner from Assignee's performance or non-performance of
obligations assumed under this Assignment Agreement.

         7. SUBSEQUENT ASSIGNMENTS. After the Assignment Effective Date,
Assignee shall have the right pursuant to Section 10.10 of the Credit Agreement
to assign the rights which are assigned to Assignee hereunder, provided that (a)
any such subsequent assignment does not violate any of the terms and conditions
of the Credit Agreement, any of the Related Writings, or any law, rule,
regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction or decree and that any consent
required under the terms of the Credit Agreement or any of the Related Writings
has been obtained, (b) the assignee under such assignment from Assignee shall
agree to assume all of Assignee's obligations hereunder in a manner satisfactory
to Assignor and (c) Assignee is not thereby released from any of its obligations
to Assignor hereunder.

         8. REDUCTIONS OF AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF COMMITMENTS. If any reduction in
the Total Commitment Amount occurs between the date of this Assignment Agreement
and the Assignment Effective Date, the percentage of the Total Commitment Amount
assigned to Assignee shall remain the percentage specified in Section 1 hereof
and the dollar amount of the Commitment of Assignee shall be recalculated based
on the reduced Total Commitment Amount.

         9. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENT; NOTICE BY ASSIGNOR. This Assignment Agreement
is conditioned upon the acceptance and consent of Agent and, if necessary
pursuant to Section 10.10A of the Credit Agreement, upon the acceptance and
consent of Borrowers; provided, that the execution of this Assignment Agreement
by Agent and, if necessary, by Borrowers is evidence of such acceptance and
consent.

         10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Assignment Agreement embodies the entire
agreement and understanding between the parties hereto and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings between the parties hereto relating to the subject
matter hereof.

         11. GOVERNING LAW. This Assignment Agreement shall be governed by the
internal law, and not the law of conflicts, of the State of Ohio.

         12. NOTICES. Notices shall be given under this Assignment Agreement in
the manner set forth in the Credit Agreement. For the purpose hereof, the
addresses of the parties hereto (until notice of a change is delivered) shall be
the address set forth under each party's name on the signature pages hereof.





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<PAGE>   106




         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Assignment
Agreement by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.

                                             ASSIGNOR:

Address:          ______________________     _________________________________
                  ______________________
                  ______________________
                  Attn:_________________     By:______________________________
                  Phone: _______________     Title: __________________________
                  Fax:__________________


                                             ASSIGNEE:

Address:          ______________________     ________________________________
                  ______________________
                  ______________________
                  Attn:_________________     By:______________________________
                  Phone: _______________     Title: __________________________
                  Fax:__________________


Accepted and Consented to this ___ day
of ____________, ____:

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Agent


By: __________________________
Title:________________________

Accepted and Consented to this ___ day
of ____________, ____:

[ADD SIGNATURES OF BORROWERS]








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<PAGE>   107

                                     ANNEX 1
                                       TO
                       ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT


         On and after ___________, 199_ (the "Assignment Effective Date"), the
Commitment of Assignee, and, if this is less than an assignment of all of
Assignor's interest, Assignor, shall be as follows:


   I.    ASSIGNEE'S COMMITMENT

         A.       Assignee's Percentage                          __________%

         B.       Assigned Amount                                $__________

         C.       Assignee's Commitment Percentage
                  under the Credit Agreement                     __________%

   II.   ASSIGNOR'S COMMITMENT

         A.       Assignor's Commitment Percentage
                  under the Credit Agreement                     __________%

         B.       Assignor's Commitment Amount
                  under the Credit Agreement                     $__________












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