<PAGE>   1


                                                                   EXHIBIT (10j)



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                          Dated as of December 20, 2000


                                      among


                                  UNIFI, INC.,
                                  as Borrower,

                                       AND

                      CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER
                         FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,
                            as Subsidiary Guarantors,


                               THE SEVERAL LENDERS
                         FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO


                             BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
                            as Administrative Agent,


                              WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.,
                              as Syndication Agent


                                       AND


                           CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON,
                             as Documentation Agent


                         BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC,
                        as Lead Arranger and Book Manager


<PAGE>   2

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

         THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of December 20, 2000 (as amended,
modified, restated or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"),
is by and among UNIFI, INC., a New York corporation (the "Borrower"), the
Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined herein), the Lenders (as defined herein) from
time to time party hereto, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent for
the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent"), WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.,
as Syndication Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Syndication Agent")
and CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON, as Documentation Agent for the Lenders (in such
capacity, the "Documentation Agent").

                               W I T N E S S E T H

         WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide a
$250,000,000 credit facility for the purposes hereinafter set forth; and

         WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to make the requested credit facility
available to the Borrower on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

         NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:


                                    SECTION 1

                                   DEFINITIONS

         1.1      DEFINITIONS.

         As used in this Credit Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings specified below unless the context otherwise requires:

                  "Acquisition" means the acquisition by any Person of the
         Capital Stock or all or substantially all of the Property of another
         Person, whether or not involving a merger or consolidation with such
         Person.

                  "Additional Credit Party" means each Person that becomes a
         Subsidiary Guarantor after the Closing Date by execution of a Joinder
         Agreement.

                  "Adjusted Base Rate" means the Base Rate plus the Applicable
         Percentage.

                  "Adjusted CD Rate" means a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
         necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1% determined by the Administrative
         Agent according to the following formula:
<PAGE>   3

                  Adjusted CD Rate = CD Rate + Assessment Rate + Applicable
         Percentage

                  "Adjusted Eurodollar Rate" means the Eurodollar Rate plus the
         Applicable Percentage.

                  "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other
         Person (i) directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under
         direct or indirect common control with such Person or (ii) directly or
         indirectly owning or holding five percent (5%) or more of the Capital
         Stock in such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" when
         used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the
         management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether
         through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
         and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative
         to the foregoing.

                  "Administrative Agent" shall have the meaning assigned to such
         term in the heading hereof, together with any successors or assigns.

                  "Applicable Lending Office" means, for each Lender, the office
         of such Lender (or of an Affiliate of such Lender) as such Lender may
         from time to time specify to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower
         by written notice as the office by which its Eurodollar Loans are made
         and maintained.

                  "Applicable Percentage" means, for any day, the rate per annum
         set forth below opposite the applicable Leverage Ratio then in effect,
         it being understood that the Applicable Percentage for (i) Eurodollar
         Loans shall be the percentage set forth under the column "Applicable
         Percentage for Eurodollar Loans", (ii) Base Rate Loans shall be the
         percentage set forth under the column "Applicable Percentage for Base
         Rate Loans", (iii) for Swingline CD Loans shall be the percentage set
         forth under the column "Applicable Percentage for Swingline CD Loans",
         (iv) Letter of Credit Fees shall be the percentage set forth under the
         column "Applicable Percentage for Letter of Credit Fees", (v) Facility
         Fee shall be the percentage set forth under the column "Applicable
         Percentage for Facility Fee" and (vi) Utilization Fee shall be the
         percentage set forth under the column "Applicable Percentage for
         Utilization Fee":


                                       2
<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===================================================================================================================
                                                              APPLICABLE    APPLICABLE                   APPLICABLE
                               APPLICABLE      APPLICABLE     PERCENTAGE    PERCENTAGE    APPLICABLE     PERCENTAGE
                             PERCENTAGE FOR    PERCENTAGE        FOR           FOR        PERCENTAGE        FOR
PRICING        LEVERAGE        EURODOLLAR       FOR BASE      SWINGLINE     LETTER OF    FOR FACILITY   UTILIZATION
 LEVEL          RATIO             LOANS        RATE LOANS      CD LOANS    CREDIT FEES       FEES           FEES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>              <C>               <C>            <C>          <C>           <C>            <C>
I           < 1.0 to 1.0          .335%           0.0%          .335%         .335%          .115%          .10%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

II          < 1.5 to 1.0          .375%           0.0%          .375%         .375%          .125%         .125%
            but >  1.0 to
                -
            1.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
III         < 2.5 to 1.0          .475%           0.0%          .475%         .475%          .150%         .125%
            but > 1.5 to
                -
            1.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IV          < 3.0 to 1.0          .575%           0.0%          .575%         .575%          .175%          .25%
            but > 2.5 1.0
                -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
V           > 3.0 to 1.0          .775%           0.0%          .775%         .775%          .225%          .25%
            -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         provided, however, (A) until the first Calculation Date to occur
         subsequent to March 31, 2001, 0.25% shall automatically be added to the
         Applicable Percentage for Eurodollar Loans, the Applicable Percentage
         for Letter of Credit Fees and the Applicable Percentage for Swingline
         CD Loans, as applicable, set forth above and (B) commencing with the
         first Calculation Date to occur subsequent to March 31, 2001, for each
         day during which the Loans (including the Swingline Loans) outstanding
         exceed fifty percent (50%) of the Revolving Committed Amount, the
         Applicable Percentage for Utilization Fees shall automatically be added
         to the Applicable Percentage for Eurodollar Loans, the Applicable
         Percentage for Letter of Credit Fees and the Applicable Percentage for
         Swingline CD Loans, as applicable, set forth above. The Applicable
         Percentages shall be determined and adjusted quarterly on the date
         (each a "Calculation Date") five Business Days after the date by which
         the Borrower is required to provide the officer's certificate in
         accordance with the provisions of Section 7.1(c) for the most recently
         ended fiscal quarter of the Consolidated Parties; provided, however,
         (i) the initial Applicable Percentages shall be based on Pricing Level
         IV and shall remain in effect at such Pricing Level until the first
         Calculation Date to occur after the Closing Date, (ii) until the first
         Calculation Date to occur subsequent to March 31, 2001, the Applicable
         Percentages shall be based on the higher of (x) Pricing Level IV and
         (y) the Pricing Level which would otherwise be in effect as determined
         by the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the most recently ended
         fiscal quarter of the Consolidated Parties preceding such Calculation
         Date and (iii) if the Borrower fails to provide the officer's
         certificate as required by Section 7.1(c) for the last day of the most
         recently ended fiscal quarter of the Consolidated Parties subsequent to
         March 31, 2001, the Applicable Percentage from such Calculation Date
         shall be based on Pricing Level V until such time as an appropriate
         officer's certificate is provided, whereupon the Applicable Percentage
         shall be determined by the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the
         most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Consolidated Parties
         preceding such Calculation Date. Each Applicable Percentage shall be
         effective from one


                                       3
<PAGE>   5

         Calculation Date until the next Calculation Date. Any adjustment in the
         Applicable Percentages shall be applicable to all existing Loans and
         Letters of Credit as well as any new Loans made or Letters of Credit
         issued.

                  "Assessment Rate" means, for any day, the annual assessment
         rate (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) which
         is payable by Bank of America to the Federal Deposit Insurance
         Corporation (or any successor) for deposit insurance for Dollar time
         deposits with Bank of America at the Principal Office as determined by
         Bank of America. The Adjusted CD Rate shall be adjusted automatically
         on and as of the effective date of any change in the Assessment Rate.

                  "Asset Disposition" means the disposition of any or all of the
         assets (including without limitation the Capital Stock of a Subsidiary)
         of any Consolidated Party whether by sale, lease, transfer or otherwise
         (including pursuant to any casualty or condemnation event).

                  "Attributed Principal Amount" means, on any day, with respect
         to any Securitization Transaction entered into by a Consolidated Party,
         the aggregate outstanding amount paid to, or borrowed by, such
         Consolidated Party as of such date under such Securitization
         Transaction.

                  "Bank of America" means Bank of America, N.A. and its
         successors.

                  "Bankruptcy Code" means the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the
         United States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from
         time to time.

                  "Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person, the
         occurrence of any of the following with respect to such Person: (i) a
         court or governmental agency having jurisdiction in the premises shall
         enter a decree or order for relief in respect of such Person in an
         involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other
         similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver,
         liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar
         official) of such Person or for any substantial part of its Property or
         ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs; or (ii) there
         shall be commenced against such Person an involuntary case under any
         applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter
         in effect, or any case, proceeding or other action for the appointment
         of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator
         (or similar official) of such Person or for any substantial part of its
         Property or for the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such
         involuntary case or other case, proceeding or other action shall remain
         undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of sixty (60)
         consecutive days; or (iii) such Person shall commence a voluntary case
         under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or
         hereafter in effect, or consent to the entry of an order for relief in
         an involuntary case under any such law, or consent to the appointment
         or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian,
         trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or


                                       4
<PAGE>   6

         for any substantial part of its Property or make any general assignment
         for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) such Person shall be unable to,
         or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts generally as
         they become due.

                  "Base Rate" means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to
         the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate for such day plus one-half of
         one percent (0.5%) and (b) the Prime Rate for such day. Any change in
         the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds
         Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the
         Prime Rate or Federal Funds Rate.

                  "Base Rate Loan" means any Loan bearing interest at a rate
         determined by reference to the Base Rate.

                  "Borrower" means the Person identified as such in the heading
         hereof, together with any permitted successors and assigns.

                  "Burlington" means Burlington Industries, Inc., a Delaware
         corporation.

                  "Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
         other day on which commercial banks in Charlotte, North Carolina are
         authorized or required by law to close, except that, when used in
         connection with a Eurodollar Loan, such day shall also be a day on
         which dealings between banks are carried on in U.S. dollar deposits in
         London, England.

                  "Capital Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease of
         any Property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee
         which, in accordance with GAAP, is or should be accounted for as a
         capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

                  "Capital Stock" means (i) in the case of a corporation,
         capital stock, (ii) in the case of an association or business entity,
         any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other
         equivalents (however designated) of capital stock, (iii) in the case of
         a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited), (iv)
         in the case of a limited liability company, membership interests and
         (v) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the
         right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions
         of assets of, the issuing Person.

                  "Cash Equivalents" means (a) securities issued or directly and
         fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any
         agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and
         credit of the United States of America is pledged in support thereof)
         having maturities of not more than twelve months from the date of
         acquisition, (b) U.S. dollar denominated time deposits and certificates
         of deposit of (i) any Lender, (ii) any domestic commercial bank of
         recognized standing having capital and surplus in excess of
         $500,000,000 or (iii) any bank whose short-term commercial


                                       5
<PAGE>   7

         paper rating from S&P is at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from
         Moody's is at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being
         an "Approved Bank"), in each case with maturities of not more than 270
         days from the date of acquisition, (c) commercial paper and variable or
         fixed rate notes issued by any Approved Bank (or by the parent company
         thereof) or any variable rate notes issued by, or guaranteed by, any
         domestic corporation rated A-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by
         S&P or P-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody's and
         maturing within six months of the date of acquisition, (d) repurchase
         agreements entered into by any Person with a bank or trust company
         (including any of the Lenders) or recognized securities dealer having
         capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 for direct obligations
         issued by or fully guaranteed by the United States of America in which
         such Person shall have a perfected first priority security interest
         (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase
         thereof, a fair market value of at least 100% of the amount of the
         repurchase obligations and (e) Investments, classified in accordance
         with GAAP as current assets, in money market investment programs
         registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which
         are administered by reputable financial institutions having capital of
         at least $500,000,000 and the portfolios of which are limited to
         Investments of the character described in the foregoing subdivisions
         (a) through (d).

                  "CD Rate" means, for any Swingline Loan which bears interest
         at the Adjusted CD Rate, the most recent weekly average dealer offering
         rate for negotiable certificates of deposit with a three-month maturity
         in the secondary market as published in the most recent Federal Reserve
         System publication entitles "Select Interest Rate" published weekly on
         Form H.15 as of the date hereof, or any successor publication thereof,
         or if the foregoing publication or any successor or substitute thereof
         shall not be published by the Federal Reserve System for any week, then
         the weekly offering rate determined by Bank of America on the basis of
         quotations for such certificates received by it from three certificate
         of deposit dealers of recognized standing. Each change in the CD Rate
         shall be effective on the date thereof, without notice to the Borrower.

                  "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the
         following events: (i) any Person or two or more Persons acting in
         concert shall have acquired "beneficial ownership," directly or
         indirectly, of, or shall have acquired by contract or otherwise, or
         shall have entered into a contract or arrangement that, upon
         consummation, will result in its or their acquisition of, control over,
         Voting Stock of the Borrower (or other securities convertible into such
         Voting Stock) representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of
         all Voting Stock of the Borrower, or (ii) during any period of up to 24
         consecutive months, commencing after the Closing Date, individuals who
         at the beginning of such 24 month period were directors of the Borrower
         (together with any new director whose election by the Borrower's Board
         of Directors or whose nomination for election by the Borrower's
         shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the
         directors then still in office who either were directors at the
         beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election
         was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a
         majority of the directors of the Borrower then in office. As


                                       6
<PAGE>   8

         used herein, "beneficial ownership" shall have the meaning provided in
         Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
         Securities Act of 1934.

                  "Closing Date" means the date hereof.

                  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
         and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and
         regulations issued thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to
         time. References to sections of the Code shall be construed also to
         refer to any successor sections.

                  "Commitment" means the Revolving Commitment, the Swingline
         Commitment and the LOC Commitment.

                  "Consolidated Capital Expenditures" means, for any period, all
         capital expenditures of the Consolidated Parties on a consolidated
         basis for such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period with respect to
         the Consolidated Parties on a consolidated basis, the sum of (a)
         Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus (b) an amount which, in
         the determination of Consolidated Net Income for such period, has been
         deducted for (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) total federal,
         state, local and foreign income, value added and similar taxes and
         (iii) depreciation and amortization expense and other non-cash charges
         minus (c) an amount which, in determination of Consolidated Net Income
         for such period, has been added for non-cash earnings minus (d) prior
         to April 23, 2003, partnership distributions from UTP to Burlington
         during such period to the extent such distributions exceed $9,400,000
         during such period.

                  "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, all
         interest expense (including the amortization of debt discount and
         premium, the interest component under Capital Leases and the implied
         interest component under Securitization Transactions) of the
         Consolidated Parties on a consolidated basis for such period, as
         determined in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, net income
         (excluding extraordinary items) after taxes for such period of the
         Consolidated Parties on a consolidated basis, as determined in
         accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means, as of any date, the
         total assets appearing on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of
         the Consolidated Parties provided pursuant to Section 7.1(a) and (b)
         and prepared in accordance with GAAP minus (i) all current liabilities
         (due within one year) of the Consolidated Parties as shown on such
         balance sheet and (ii) all Intangible Assets and liabilities relating
         thereto.


                                       7
<PAGE>   9

                  "Consolidated Parties" means a collective reference to the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and "Consolidated Party" means any one
         of them.

                  "Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" means, as of any date,
         shareholders' equity or net worth of the Consolidated Parties on a
         consolidated basis minus the net book value of all assets in each case
         shown as "intangible assets" on a balance sheet of the Consolidated
         Parties including, without limitation, goodwill, patents, trade names,
         trademarks, copyrights, franchises, organizational expense and deferred
         expenses, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Credit Documents" means a collective reference to this Credit
         Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty Agreement, the LOC Documents, each
         Joinder Agreement, the Administrative Agent's Fee Letter and all other
         related agreements and documents issued or delivered hereunder or
         thereunder or pursuant hereto or thereto (in each case as the same may
         be amended, modified, restated, supplemented, extended, renewed or
         replaced from time to time), and "Credit Document" means any one of
         them.

                  "Credit Parties" means a collective reference to the Borrower
         and the Guarantors, and "Credit Party" means any one of them.

                  "Credit Party Obligations" means, without duplication, (i) all
         of the obligations of the Credit Parties to the Lenders (including the
         Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender) and the Administrative Agent,
         whenever arising, under this Credit Agreement, the Notes or any of the
         other Credit Documents (including, but not limited to, any interest
         accruing after the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with respect to any
         Credit Party, regardless of whether such interest is an allowed claim
         under the Bankruptcy Code) and (ii) all liabilities and obligations,
         whenever arising, owing from any Credit Party to any Lender, or any
         Affiliate of a Lender, arising under any Hedging Agreement related to
         the Revolving Loans.

                  "Default" means any event, act or condition which with notice
         or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

                  "Defaulting Lender" means, at any time, any Lender that (a)
         has failed to make a Loan or purchase a Participation Interest required
         pursuant to the term of this Credit Agreement within one Business Day
         of when due, (b) other than as set forth in (a) above, has failed to
         pay to the Administrative Agent or any Lender an amount owed by such
         Lender pursuant to the terms of this Credit Agreement within one
         Business Day of when due, unless such amount is subject to a good faith
         dispute or (c) has been deemed insolvent or has become subject to a
         bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or with respect to which (or with
         respect to any of assets of which) a receiver, trustee or similar
         official has been appointed.


                                       8
<PAGE>   10

                  "Documentation Agent" shall have the meaning assigned to such
         term in the heading hereof.

                  "Dollars" and "$" means dollars in lawful currency of the
         United States of America.

                  "Domestic Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any
         Subsidiary of such Person which is incorporated or organized under the
         laws of any State of the United States or the District of Columbia.

                  "Eligible Assignee" means (i) a Lender; (ii) an Affiliate of a
         Lender; and (iii) any other Person approved by the Administrative
         Agent, the Issuing Lender and, unless an Event of Default has occurred
         and is continuing at the time any assignment is effected in accordance
         with Section 11.3, the Borrower (such approval not to be unreasonably
         withheld or delayed by the Borrower and such approval to be deemed
         given by the Borrower if no objection is received by the assigning
         Lender and the Administrative Agent from the Borrower within two
         Business Days after notice of such proposed assignment has been
         provided by the assigning Lender to the Borrower); provided, however,
         that neither the Borrower nor an Affiliate of the Borrower shall
         qualify as an Eligible Assignee.

                  "Environmental Laws" means any and all lawful and applicable
         Federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations,
         ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions,
         grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other governmental
         restrictions relating to the environment or to emissions, discharges,
         releases or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals,
         or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the
         environment including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water,
         ground water, or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture,
         processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport,
         or handling of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial,
         toxic or hazardous substances or wastes.

                  "Equity Issuance" means any issuance by any Consolidated Party
         to any Person which is not a Credit Party of (a) shares of its Capital
         Stock, (b) any shares of its Capital Stock pursuant to the exercise of
         options or warrants or (c) any shares of its Capital Stock pursuant to
         the conversion of any debt securities to equity.

                  "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
         1974, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by
         the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same may be in effect
         from time to time. References to sections of ERISA shall be construed
         also to refer to any successor sections.

                  "ERISA Affiliate" means an entity which is under common
         control with any Consolidated Party within the meaning of Section
         4001(a)(14) of ERISA, or is a member


                                       9
<PAGE>   11

         of a group which includes any Consolidated Party and which is treated
         as a single employer under Sections 414(b) or (c) of the Code.

                  "ERISA Event" means (i) with respect to any Plan, the
         occurrence of a Reportable Event or the substantial cessation of
         operations (within the meaning of Section 4062(e) of ERISA); (ii) the
         withdrawal by any Consolidated Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a
         Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year in which it was a substantial
         employer (as such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or
         the termination of a Multiple Employer Plan; (iii) the distribution of
         a notice of intent to terminate or the actual termination of a Plan
         pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) or 4041A of ERISA; (iv) the institution
         of proceedings to terminate or the actual termination of a Plan by the
         PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA; (v) any event or condition which
         might constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the
         termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any
         Plan; (vi) the complete or partial withdrawal of any Consolidated Party
         or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan; (vii) the conditions
         for imposition of a lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA exist with
         respect to any Plan; or (viii) the adoption of an amendment to any Plan
         requiring the provision of security to such Plan pursuant to Section
         307 of ERISA.

                  "Eurodollar Loan" means any Loan that bears interest at a rate
         based upon the Eurodollar Rate.

                  "Eurodollar Rate" means, for any Eurodollar Loan for any
         Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
         necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) determined by the Administrative
         Agent to be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the
         Interbank Offered Rate for such Eurodollar Loan for such Interest
         Period by (b) 1 minus the Eurodollar Reserve Requirement for such
         Eurodollar Loan for such Interest Period.

                  "Eurodollar Reserve Requirement" means, at any time, the
         maximum rate at which reserves (including, without limitation, any
         marginal, special, supplemental, or emergency reserves) are required to
         be maintained under regulations issued from time to time by the Board
         of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) by member
         banks of the Federal Reserve System against "Eurodollar liabilities"
         (as such term is used in Regulation D). Without limiting the effect of
         the foregoing, the Eurodollar Reserve Requirement shall reflect any
         other reserves required to be maintained by such member banks with
         respect to (i) any category of liabilities which includes deposits by
         reference to which the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate is to be determined, or
         (ii) any category of extensions of credit or other assets which include
         Eurodollar Loans. The Adjusted Eurodollar Rate shall be adjusted
         automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the
         Eurodollar Reserve Requirement.

                  "Event of Default" shall have the meaning as defined in
         Section 9.1.


                                       10
<PAGE>   12

                  "Existing Letter of Credit" means the letters of credit
         described by date of issuance, letter of credit number, undrawn amount,
         name of beneficiary and date of expiry on Schedule 1.1(b) hereto.

                  "Facility Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
         Section 3.5(a).

                  "Fees" means all fees payable pursuant to Section 3.5.

                  "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate per annum
         (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to
         the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds
         transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by
         Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve
         Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided
         that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for
         such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding
         Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and
         (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business
         Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate
         charged to the Administrative Agent (in its individual capacity) on
         such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative
         Agent.

                  "Foreign Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any
         Subsidiary of such Person which is not a Domestic Subsidiary of such
         Person.

                  "Funded Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person,
         without duplication, (a) all Indebtedness of such Person other than
         Indebtedness of the types referred to in clause (e), (f), (g), (i), and
         (l) of the definition of "Indebtedness" set forth in this Section 1.1,
         (b) all Indebtedness of another Person of the type referred to in
         clause (a) above secured by (or for which the holder of such Funded
         Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be
         secured by) any Lien on, or payable out of the proceeds of production
         from, Property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the
         obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (c) all Guaranty
         Obligations of such Person with respect to Indebtedness of the type
         referred to in clause (a) above of another Person and (d) Indebtedness
         of the type referred to in clause (a) above of any partnership or
         unincorporated joint venture in which such Person is a general partner
         or a joint venturer.

                  "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the
         United States applied on a consistent basis and subject to the terms of
         Section 1.3.

                  "Governmental Authority" means any Federal, state, local or
         foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or
         regulatory body.

                  "Guarantor" means a collective reference to UTP and each of
         the Subsidiary Guarantors.


                                       11
<PAGE>   13

                  "Guaranty Agreement" means that certain Guaranty Agreement
         dated as of the date hereof given by UTP in favor of the Administrative
         Agent and the Lenders, as amended, modified, supplemented or restated
         from time to time.

                  "Guaranty Obligations" means, with respect to any Person,
         without duplication, any obligations of such Person (other than
         endorsements in the ordinary course of business of negotiable
         instruments for deposit or collection) guaranteeing or intended to
         guarantee any Indebtedness of any other Person in any manner, whether
         direct or indirect, and including without limitation any obligation,
         whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase any such Indebtedness or any
         Property constituting security therefor, (b) to advance or provide
         funds or other support for the payment or purchase of any such
         Indebtedness or to maintain working capital, solvency or other balance
         sheet condition of such other Person (including without limitation keep
         well agreements, maintenance agreements, comfort letters or similar
         agreements or arrangements) for the benefit of any holder of
         Indebtedness of such other Person, (c) to lease or purchase Property,
         securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the holder
         of such Indebtedness, or (d) to otherwise assure or hold harmless the
         holder of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof. The amount
         of any Guaranty Obligation hereunder shall (subject to any limitations
         set forth therein) be deemed to be an amount equal to the outstanding
         principal amount (or maximum principal amount, if larger) of the
         Indebtedness in respect of which such Guaranty Obligation is made.

                  "Hedging Agreements" means any interest rate protection
         agreement or foreign currency exchange agreement.

                  "Immaterial Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of a Credit Party
         in which (a) the portion of Consolidated EBITDA for the twelve month
         period most recently ending attributable to such Subsidiary does not
         exceed 5% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period and (b) the assets of
         such Subsidiary do not constitute more than 5% of Total Assets, as of
         the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Borrower.

                  "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, without
         duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b)
         all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or
         similar instruments, or upon which interest payments are customarily
         made, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or
         other title retention agreements relating to Property purchased by such
         Person (other than customary reservations or retentions of title under
         agreements with suppliers entered into in the ordinary course of
         business), (d) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the
         deferred purchase price of Property or services purchased by such
         Person (other than trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of
         business and due within six months of the incurrence thereof) which
         would appear as liabilities on a balance sheet of such Person, (e) all
         obligations of such Person under take-or-pay or similar arrangements or
         under commodities agreements, (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by
         (or for which


                                       12
<PAGE>   14

         the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or
         otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on, or payable out of the
         proceeds of production from, Property owned or acquired by such Person,
         whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (g)
         all Guaranty Obligations of such Person, (h) the principal portion of
         all obligations of such Person under Capital Leases, (i) all
         obligations of such Person under Hedging Agreements, (j) the maximum
         amount of all standby letters of credit issued or bankers' acceptances
         facilities created for the account of such Person and, without
         duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder (to the extent unreimbursed),
         (k) the principal portion of all obligations of such Person under
         Synthetic Leases, (l) the Indebtedness of any partnership or
         unincorporated joint venture in which such Person is a general partner
         or a joint venturer, (m) all preferred Capital Stock issued by such
         Person and required by the terms thereof to be redeemed, or for which
         mandatory sinking fund payments are due, by a fixed date, and (n) the
         outstanding Attributed Principal Amount under any Securitization
         Transaction.

                  "Indenture" means that certain Indenture dated as of February
         5, 1998 between the Borrower and First Union National Bank, as trustee,
         as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

                  "Intangible Assets" means, as of any date, the value, as shown
         on or reflected in the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the
         Consolidated Parties provided pursuant to Section 7.1(a) and (b) and
         prepared in accordance with GAAP, of: (i) all trade names, trademarks,
         licenses, patents, copyrights, service marks, goodwill and other like
         intangibles; (ii) organizational and development costs; (iii) deferred
         charges (other than prepaid items, such as insurance, taxes, interest,
         commission, rents, pensions, compensation and similar items and
         intangible assets being amortized) and (iv) unamortized debt discount
         and expense, less unamortized premium.

                  "Interbank Offered Rate" means, for any Eurodollar Loan for
         any Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
         necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing on Telerate Page 3750
         (or any successor page) as the London interbank offered rate for
         deposits in Dollars at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two
         Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term
         comparable to such Interest Period. If for any reason such rate is not
         available, the term "Interbank Offered Rate" shall mean, for any
         Eurodollar Loan for any Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum
         (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing
         on Reuters Screen LIBO Page as the London interbank offered rate for
         deposits in Dollars at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two
         Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term
         comparable to such Interest Period; provided, however, if more than one
         rate is specified on Reuters Screen LIBO Page, the applicable rate
         shall be the arithmetic mean of all such rates (rounded upwards, if
         necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%).

                  "Interest Coverage Ratio" means, with respect to the
         Consolidated Parties on a consolidated basis for the twelve month
         period ending on the last day of any fiscal


                                       13
<PAGE>   15

         quarter, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period minus
         Consolidated Capital Expenditures for such period to (b) Consolidated
         Interest Expense for such period.

                  "Interest Payment Date" means (a) as to Base Rate Loans, the
         last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, the date
         of repayment of principal of such Loan and the Maturity Date, (b) as to
         Eurodollar Loans, the last Business Day of each applicable Interest
         Period, the date of repayment of principal of such Loan and the
         Maturity Date, and in addition where the applicable Interest Period for
         a Eurodollar Loan is greater than three months, then also the date
         three months from the beginning of the Interest Period and each three
         months thereafter and (c) as to Swingline Loans, the last Business Day
         of each March, June, September and December, the date of repayment of
         principal of such Swingline Loan and the Maturity Date.

                  "Interest Period" means, as to Eurodollar Loans, a period of
         one, two, three or six months' duration, as the Borrower may elect,
         commencing, in each case, on the date of the borrowing (including
         continuations and conversions thereof); provided, however, (a) if any
         Interest Period would end on a day which is not a Business Day, such
         Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day
         (except that where the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next
         succeeding calendar month, then on the next preceding Business Day),
         (b) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date, and (c)
         where an Interest Period begins on a day for which there is no
         numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which the
         Interest Period is to end, such Interest Period shall end on the last
         Business Day of such calendar month.

                  "Investment" means (a) the acquisition (whether for cash,
         property, services, assumption of Indebtedness, securities or
         otherwise) of assets, Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures,
         partnership, joint ventures or other ownership interests or other
         securities of any Person or (b) any deposit with, or advance, loan or
         other extension of credit to, any Person (other than deposits made in
         connection with the purchase of equipment or other assets in the
         ordinary course of business) or (c) any other capital contribution to
         or investment in any Person, including, without limitation, any
         Guaranty Obligations (including any support for a letter of credit
         issued on behalf of such Person) incurred for the benefit of such
         Person.

                  "ISP98" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
         Section 2.2(h).

                  "Issuing Lender" means Bank of America.

                  "Issuing Lender Fees" shall have the meaning assigned to such
         term in Section 3.5(c)(ii).


                                       14
<PAGE>   16

                  "Joinder Agreement" means a Joinder Agreement substantially in
         the form of Exhibit 7.12 hereto, executed and delivered by an
         Additional Credit Party in accordance with the provisions of Section
         7.12.

                  "Lender" means any of the Persons identified as a "Lender" on
         the signature pages hereto, and any Person which may become a Lender by
         way of assignment in accordance with the terms hereof, together with
         their successors and permitted assigns.

                  "Letter of Credit" means (i) any letter of credit issued by
         the Issuing Lender for the account of the Borrower in accordance with
         the terms of Section 2.2 and (ii) any Existing Letter of Credit.

                  "Letter of Credit Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such
         term in Section 3.5(b).

                   "Leverage Ratio" means, with respect to the Consolidated
         Parties on a consolidated basis for the twelve month period ending on
         the last day of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of (a) Funded
         Indebtedness of the Consolidated Parties on a consolidated basis on the
         last day of such period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for such period.

                  "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment,
         deposit arrangement, security interest, encumbrance, lien (statutory or
         otherwise), preference, priority or charge of any kind (including any
         agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other
         title retention agreement, any financing or similar statement or notice
         filed under the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted and in effect in the
         relevant jurisdiction or other similar recording or notice statute, and
         any lease in the nature thereof).

                  "Loan" or "Loans" means the Revolving Loans (or a portion of
         any Revolving Loan bearing interest at the Adjusted Base Rate or the
         Adjusted Eurodollar Rate) and/or any Swingline Loans, individually or
         collectively, as appropriate.

                  "LOC Commitment" means the commitment of the Issuing Lender to
         issue Letters of Credit, and to honor payment obligations under,
         Letters of Credit hereunder in an aggregate face amount at any time
         outstanding (together with the amounts of any unreimbursed drawings
         thereon) of up to the LOC Committed Amount and with respect to each
         Lender, the commitment of each Lender to purchase participation
         interests in the Letters of Credit.

                  "LOC Committed Amount" means TEN MILLION DOLLARS
         ($10,000,000).

                  "LOC Documents" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit,
         such Letter of Credit, any amendments thereto, any documents delivered
         in connection therewith, any


                                       15
<PAGE>   17

         application therefor, and any agreements, instruments, guarantees or
         other documents (whether general in application or applicable only to
         such Letter of Credit) governing or providing for (i) the rights and
         obligations of the parties concerned or at risk or (ii) any collateral
         security for such obligations.

                  "LOC Obligations" means, at any time, the sum of (i) the
         maximum amount which is, or at any time thereafter may become,
         available to be drawn under Letters of Credit then outstanding,
         assuming compliance with all requirements for drawings referred to in
         such Letters of Credit plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all drawings
         under Letters of Credit honored by the Issuing Lender but not
         theretofore reimbursed by the Borrower.

                  "Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on
         (a) the business, operations, assets, property, condition (financial or
         otherwise), liabilities or prospects of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any Credit Party to
         perform any material obligation under the Credit Documents to which it
         is a party or (c) the material rights and remedies of the Lenders under
         the Credit Documents.

                  "Materials of Environmental Concern" means any gasoline or
         petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum
         products or any hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes,
         defined or regulated as such in or under any Environmental Laws,
         including, without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and
         urea-formaldehyde insulation.

                  "Material Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of a Credit Party
         in which (a) the portion of Consolidated EBITDA for the twelve month
         period most recently ending attributable to such Subsidiary exceeds 5%
         of Consolidated EBITDA for such period or (b) the assets of such
         Subsidiary constitute more than 5% of Total Assets, as of the end of
         the most recent fiscal quarter of the Borrower.

                  "Maturity Date" means December 20, 2003.

                  "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or any
         successor or assignee of the business of such company in the business
         of rating securities.

                  "Multiemployer Plan" means a Plan which is a multiemployer
         plan as defined in Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

                  "Multiple Employer Plan" means a Plan which any Consolidated
         Party or any ERISA Affiliate and at least one employer other than the
         Consolidated Parties or any ERISA Affiliate are contributing sponsors.

                  "Net Cash Proceeds" means the aggregate cash proceeds received
         by the Consolidated Parties in respect of any Equity Issuance, net of
         (a) direct costs (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and
         investment banking fees, and sales


                                       16
<PAGE>   18

         commissions) and (b) taxes paid or payable as a result thereof; it
         being understood that "Net Cash Proceeds" shall include, without
         limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any
         non-cash consideration received by the Consolidated Parties in any
         Equity Issuance.

                  "Note" or "Notes" means the Revolving Notes and/or the
         Swingline Notes, individually or collectively, as appropriate.

                  "Notice of Borrowing" means a written notice of borrowing in
         substantially the form of Exhibit 2.1(b)(i), as required by Section
         2.1(b)(i).

                  "Notice of Extension/Conversion" means the written notice of
         extension or conversion in substantially the form of Exhibit 3.2, as
         required by Section 3.2.

                  "Operating Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease
         (including, without limitation, leases which may be terminated by the
         lessee at any time) of any Property (whether real, personal or mixed)
         which is not a Capital Lease other than any such lease in which that
         Person is the lessor.

                  "Other Taxes" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
         Section 3.11.

                  "Participation Interest" means a purchase by a Lender of a
         participation in Letters of Credit or LOC Obligations as provided in
         Section 2.2, in Swingline Loans as provided in Section 2.3 or in any
         Loans as provided in Section 3.14.

                  "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
         established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA and any
         successor thereof.

                  "Permitted Acquisition" means an Acquisition by the Borrower
         or any Subsidiary of the Borrower for consideration no greater than the
         fair market value of the Capital Stock or Property acquired, provided
         that (i) the Property acquired (or the Property of the Person acquired)
         in such Acquisition is used or useful in the same or a substantially
         similar line of business as the Borrower is engaged in on the Closing
         Date, (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received all items in
         respect of the Acquisition required to be delivered by the terms of
         Section 7.12(a), (iii) in the case of an Acquisition of the Capital
         Stock of another Person, the board of directors (or other comparable
         governing body) of such other Person shall have duly approved such
         Acquisition, (iv) the representations and warranties made by the Credit
         Parties in any Credit Document shall be true and correct in all
         material respects at and as if made as of the date of such Acquisition
         (after giving effect thereto) except to the extent such representations
         and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, (v) after giving
         effect to such Acquisition, the aggregate cash consideration for all
         such Acquisitions occurring subsequent to the Closing Date shall not
         exceed $125,000,000 and (vi) immediately prior to and after giving
         effect to such Acquisition, no Default or Event of Default shall exist.


                                       17
<PAGE>   19

                  "Permitted Investments" means Investments which are either (i)
         cash and Cash Equivalents; (ii) accounts receivable created, acquired
         or made by any Consolidated Party in the ordinary course of business
         and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms;
         (iii) Investments consisting of Capital Stock, obligations, securities
         or other property received by any Consolidated Party in settlement of
         accounts receivable (created in the ordinary course of business) from
         bankrupt obligors; (iv) Investments by one Credit Party in another
         Credit Party (other than UTP); (v) Investments by any Credit Party in
         UTP to the extent permitted by Section 8.1(d); (vi) Permitted
         Acquisitions; (vii) Investments by any Credit Party in a SPE in
         connection with any Securitization Transaction permitted by Section
         8.1(f); and (viii) other loans, advances and Investments of a nature
         not contemplated in the foregoing subsections in an aggregate amount
         not to exceed an amount equal to 30% of Consolidated Net Tangible
         Assets, provided, that, at the time of any such loan, advance or
         Investment, the Borrower shall have a Senior Debt Rating of at least
         BBB-.

                  "Permitted Liens" means:

                           (i)      Liens (other than Liens created or imposed
                  under ERISA) for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or
                  levies not yet due or Liens for taxes being contested in good
                  faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves
                  determined in accordance with GAAP have been established (and
                  as to which the Property subject to any such Lien is not yet
                  subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof);

                           (ii)     statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of
                  carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and suppliers
                  and other Liens imposed by law or pursuant to customary
                  reservations or retentions of title arising in the ordinary
                  course of business, provided that such Liens secure only
                  amounts not yet due and payable or, if due and payable, are
                  unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce the same
                  or are being contested in good faith by appropriate
                  proceedings for which adequate reserves determined in
                  accordance with GAAP have been established (and as to which
                  the Property subject to any such Lien is not yet subject to
                  foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof);

                           (iii)    Liens (other than Liens created or imposed
                  under ERISA) incurred or deposits made by any Consolidated
                  Party in the ordinary course of business in connection with
                  workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other types
                  of social security, or to secure the performance of tenders,
                  statutory obligations, bids, leases, government contracts,
                  performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar
                  obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of
                  borrowed money);


                                       18
<PAGE>   20

                           (iv)     Liens in connection with attachments or
                  judgments (including judgment or appeal bonds) provided that
                  the judgments secured shall, within 60 days after the entry
                  thereof, have been discharged or execution thereof stayed
                  pending appeal, or shall have been discharged within 60 days
                  after the expiration of any such stay;

                           (v)      easements, rights-of-way, restrictions
                  (including zoning restrictions), minor defects or
                  irregularities in title and other similar charges or
                  encumbrances not, in any material respect, impairing the use
                  of the encumbered Property for its intended purposes;

                           (vi)     Liens on Property securing purchase money
                  Indebtedness (including Capital Leases and Synthetic Leases)
                  to the extent permitted under Section 8.1(b), provided that
                  any such Lien attaches to such Property concurrently with or
                  within 90 days after the acquisition thereof;

                           (vii)    leases or subleases granted to others not
                  interfering in any material respect with the business of any
                  Consolidated Party;

                           (viii)   any interest of title of a lessor under, and
                  Liens arising from UCC financing statements (or equivalent
                  filings, registrations or agreements in foreign jurisdictions)
                  relating to, leases permitted by this Credit Agreement;

                           (ix)     normal and customary rights of setoff upon
                  deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository
                  institutions;

                           (x)      Liens of a collecting bank arising under
                  Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the
                  course of collection;

                           (xi)     Liens existing as of the Closing Date and
                  set forth on Schedule 1.1(a); provided that no such Lien shall
                  at any time be extended to or cover any Property other than
                  the Property subject thereto on the Closing Date; and

                           (xii)    Liens created or deemed to exist in
                  connection with any Securitization Transaction permitted under
                  Section 8.1(f), but only to the extent that any such Lien
                  relates to the applicable accounts receivables actually sold,
                  contributed or otherwise conveyed pursuant to such
                  Securitization Transaction.

                  "Person" means any individual, partnership, joint venture,
         firm, corporation, limited liability company, business trust,
         association, trust or other enterprise (whether or not incorporated) or
         any Governmental Authority.


                                       19
<PAGE>   21

                  "Plan" means any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section
         3(3) of ERISA) which is covered by ERISA and with respect to which any
         Consolidated Party or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were
         terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to
         be) an "employer" within the meaning of Section 3(5) of ERISA.

                  "Prime Rate" means the per annum rate of interest established
         from time to time by Bank of America as its prime rate, which rate may
         not be the lowest rate of interest charged by Bank of America to its
         customers.

                  "Principal Office" means the principal office of Bank of
         America, presently located at Charlotte, North Carolina.

                  "Property" means any interest in any kind of property or
         asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

                  "Register" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
         11.3(c).

                  "Regulation T, U, or X" means Regulation T, U or X,
         respectively, of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
         as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion
         thereof.

                  "Release" means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring,
         emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping
         or disposing into the environment (including the abandonment or
         discarding of barrels, containers and other closed receptacles) of any
         Materials of Environmental Concern.

                  "Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in
         Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the
         notice requirement has been waived by regulation.

                  "Required Lenders" means, Lenders which are then in compliance
         with their obligations hereunder (as determined by the Administrative
         Agent) and holding in the aggregate more than 50% of (i) the
         Commitments (and Participation Interests therein), or (ii) if the
         Commitments have been terminated, the outstanding Loans and
         Participation Interests (including the Participation Interests of the
         Issuing Lender in any Letter of Credit).

                  "Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, the certificate
         of incorporation and by-laws or other organizational or governing
         documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or
         determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental
         Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or
         any of its material property is subject.


                                       20
<PAGE>   22

                  "Restricted Payment" means (i) any dividend or other payment
         or distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any
         class of Capital Stock of any Consolidated Party, now or hereafter
         outstanding (including without limitation any payment in connection
         with any merger or consolidation involving any Consolidated Party), or
         to the direct or indirect holders of any shares of any class of Capital
         Stock of any Consolidated Party, now or hereafter outstanding, in their
         capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in the
         same class of Capital Stock of the applicable Person or to any Credit
         Party (directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries), (ii) any
         redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or
         other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any shares of any
         class of Capital Stock of any Consolidated Party, now or hereafter
         outstanding and (iii) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the
         surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to
         acquire shares of any class of Capital Stock of any Consolidated Party,
         now or hereafter outstanding.

                  "Revolving Commitment" means, with respect to each Lender, the
         commitment of such Lender in an aggregate principal amount at any time
         outstanding of up to such Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of
         the Revolving Committed Amount, (i) to make Revolving Loans in
         accordance with the provisions of Section 2.1(a) and (ii) to purchase
         Participation Interests in Letters of Credit in accordance with the
         provisions of Section 2.2(c).

                  "Revolving Commitment Percentage" means, for any Lender, the
         percentage identified as its Revolving Commitment Percentage on
         Schedule 2.1(a), as such percentage may be modified in connection with
         any assignment made in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.3.

                  "Revolving Committed Amount" means TWO HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION
         DOLLARS ($250,000,000), as such amount may be reduced pursuant to
         Section 3.4 or increased pursuant to Section 2.1(f).

                  "Revolving Loans" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
         in Section 2.1(a).

                  "Revolving Note" or "Revolving Notes" means the promissory
         notes of the Borrower in favor of each of the Lenders evidencing the
         Revolving Loans provided pursuant to Section 2.1(e), individually or
         collectively, as appropriate, as such promissory notes may be amended,
         modified, restated, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from
         time to time.

                  "Revolving Obligations" means, collectively, the Revolving
         Loans, the Swingline Loans and the LOC Obligations.


                                       21
<PAGE>   23

                  "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of
         McGraw Hill, Inc., or any successor or assignee of the business of such
         division in the business of rating securities.

                  "Securitization Transaction" means any receivables financing
         in which any Credit Party sells, conveys or otherwise transfers any
         account receivables or interests therein and certain property related
         thereto and proceeds thereof (collectively, the "Transferred Assets")
         to one or more SPEs and which one of such SPEs then either sells and/or
         grants a security interest in such Transferred Assets as security for a
         loan, to any Person that is not a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the
         Borrower.

                  "Senior Debt Rating" means the higher of the publicly
         announced ratings by S&P and Moody's for the senior unsecured
         (non-credit enhanced) long term debt of the Borrower.

                  "Single Employer Plan" means any Plan which is covered by
         Title IV of ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan or a Multiple
         Employer Plan.

                  "Solvent" or "Solvency" means, with respect to any Person as
         of a particular date, that on such date (i) such Person is able to
         realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities,
         contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the
         normal course of business, (ii) such Person does not intend to, and
         does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such
         Person's ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature in their
         ordinary course, (iii) such Person is not engaged in a business or a
         transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or a transaction,
         for which such Person's Property would constitute unreasonably small
         capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in
         the industry in which such Person is engaged or is to engage, (iv) the
         fair value of the Property of such Person is greater than the total
         amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent
         liabilities, of such Person and (v) the present fair salable value of
         the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be
         required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as
         they become absolute and matured. In computing the amount of contingent
         liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be
         computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and
         circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can
         reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

                  "SPE" means, in respect of any Securitization Transaction, any
         Subsidiary of any Credit Party to which any Credit Party sells,
         contributes or otherwise conveys any Transferred Assets in connection
         with such Securitization Transaction.

                  "Subsidiary" means, as to any Person at any time, (a) any
         corporation more than 50% of whose Capital Stock of any class or
         classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a
         majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether
         or not at such time, any class or classes of such corporation shall
         have or might


                                       22
<PAGE>   24

         have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at
         such time owned by such Person directly or indirectly through
         Subsidiaries, and (b) any partnership, association, joint venture or
         other entity of which such Person directly or indirectly through
         Subsidiaries owns at such time more than 50% of the Capital Stock.

                  "Subsidiary Guarantor" means each of the Persons identified as
         a "Subsidiary Guarantor" on the signature pages hereto and each
         Additional Credit Party which may hereafter execute a Joinder
         Agreement, together with their successors and permitted assigns, and
         "Subsidiary Guarantor" means any one of them.

                  "Swingline CD Loans" means any Swingline Loan that bears
         interest at a rate based upon the Adjusted CD Rate.

                  "Swingline Committed Amount" means TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS
         ($20,000,000).

                  "Swingline Lender" means Bank of America, together with any
         successors or assigns.

                  "Swingline Loan Request" means a request by the Borrower for a
         Swingline Loan in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.3(b).

                  "Swingline Loans" means the loans made by the Swingline Lender
         pursuant to Section 2.3.

                  "Swingline Note" means the promissory note of the Borrower in
         favor of the Swingline Lender evidencing the Swingline Loans provided
         pursuant to Section 2.3, as such promissory note may be amended,
         modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to
         time.

                  "Syndication Agent" shall have the meaning assigned to such
         term in the heading hereof.

                  "Synthetic Lease" means any synthetic lease, tax retention
         operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet
         financing product where such transaction is considered borrowed money
         indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an Operating Lease.

                  "Taxes" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
         Section 3.11.

                  "Total Assets" means, as of any date, all items, which in
         accordance with GAAP, would be classified as assets of the Consolidated
         Parties on a consolidated basis.


                                       23
<PAGE>   25

                  "Transferred Assets" shall have the meaning assigned to such
         term in the definition of "Securitization Transaction" set forth in
         this Section 1.1.

                  "Unifi Manufacturing" means Unifi Manufacturing, Inc., a North
         Carolina corporation.

                  "Unifi Technology" means Unifi Technology Group, Inc., a North
         Carolina corporation.

                  "Utilization Fee" means the percent per annum set forth in the
         column "Applicable Percentage for Utilization Fees" in the definition
         of "Applicable Percentage", which shall be calculated as set forth in
         the definition of "Applicable Percentage".

                  "UTP" means Unifi Textured Polyester, LLC, a North Carolina
         limited liability company.

                  "Voting Stock" means, with respect to any Person, Capital
         Stock issued by such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the
         absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of
         directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person,
         even though the right so to vote has been suspended by the happening of
         such a contingency.

         1.2      COMPUTATION OF TIME PERIODS.

         For purposes of computation of periods of time hereunder, the word
"from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each mean "to
but excluding."


                                       24
<PAGE>   26

         1.3      ACCOUNTING TERMS.

         Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms
used herein shall be interpreted, and all financial statements and certificates
and reports as to financial matters required to be delivered to the Lenders
hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent
basis. All calculations made for the purposes of determining compliance with
this Credit Agreement shall (except as otherwise expressly provided herein) be
made by application of GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the most recent
annual or quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 (or,
prior to the delivery of the first financial statements pursuant to Section 7.1,
consistent with the financial statements as at June 25, 2000); provided,
however, if (a) the Credit Parties shall object to determining such compliance
on such basis at the time of delivery of such financial statements due to any
change in GAAP or the rules promulgated with respect thereto or (b) the
Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall so object in writing within
60 days after delivery of such financial statements, then such calculations
shall be made on a basis consistent with the most recent financial statements
delivered by the Credit Parties to the Lenders as to which no such objection
shall have been made.

         Notwithstanding the above, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree
that, for purposes of the calculation of the Leverage Ratio pursuant to Section
7.11(ii), income statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to
the Property acquired in any Permitted Acquisition and any Indebtedness incurred
by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in order to consummate such Permitted
Acquisition shall be included to the extent relating to any period applicable in
such calculations occurring after the date of such Permitted Acquisition (and,
notwithstanding the foregoing, during the first four fiscal quarters following
the date of such Permitted Acquisition, such Permitted Acquisition and any
Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in order to
consummate such Permitted Acquisition shall be deemed to have occurred on the
first day of the four fiscal quarter period immediately preceding the date of
such Permitted Acquisition).

                                    SECTION 2

                                CREDIT FACILITIES

         2.1      REVOLVING LOANS.

(a)      Revolving Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and in
reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth herein, each Lender
severally agrees to make available to the Borrower such Lender's Revolving
Commitment Percentage of revolving credit loans requested by the Borrower in
Dollars ("Revolving Loans") from time to time from the Closing Date until the
Maturity Date, or such earlier date as the Revolving Commitments shall have been
terminated as provided herein; provided, however, that (i) with regard to the
Lenders collectively, the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans
outstanding plus LOC Obligations outstanding plus Swingline Loans outstanding
shall not exceed the Revolving


                                       25
<PAGE>   27

Committed Amount and (ii) with regard to each Lender individually, such Lender's
pro rata share of outstanding Revolving Loans plus such Lender's pro rata share
of LOC Obligations outstanding plus (other than the Swingline Lender) such
Lender's pro rata share of Swingline Loans outstanding shall not exceed such
Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Committed Amount.
Revolving Loans may consist of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, or a
combination thereof, as the Borrower may request; provided, however, that no
more than six Eurodollar Loans shall be outstanding hereunder at any time (it
being understood that, for purposes hereof, Eurodollar Loans with different
Interest Periods shall be considered as separate Eurodollar Loans, even if they
begin on the same date, although borrowings, extensions and conversions may, in
accordance with the provisions hereof, be combined at the end of existing
Interest Periods to constitute a new Eurodollar Loan with a single Interest
Period). Revolving Loans hereunder may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance
with the provisions hereof.

                  (b)      Revolving Loan Borrowings.

                           (i)      Notice of Borrowing. The Borrower shall
                  request a Revolving Loan borrowing by written notice (or
                  telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the
                  Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 A.M. (Charlotte,
                  North Carolina time) on the Business Day prior to the date of
                  the requested borrowing in the case of Base Rate Loans, and on
                  the third Business Day prior to the date of the requested
                  borrowing in the case of Eurodollar Loans. Each such request
                  for borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify (A) that
                  a Revolving Loan is requested, (B) the date of the requested
                  borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (C) the aggregate
                  principal amount to be borrowed, and (D) whether the borrowing
                  shall be comprised of Base Rate Loans, Eurodollar Loans or a
                  combination thereof, and if Eurodollar Loans are requested,
                  the Interest Period(s) therefor. If the Borrower shall fail to
                  specify in any such Notice of Borrowing (I) an applicable
                  Interest Period in the case of a Eurodollar Loan, then such
                  notice shall be deemed to be a request for an Interest Period
                  of one month, or (II) the type of Revolving Loan requested,
                  then such notice shall be deemed to be a request for a Base
                  Rate Loan hereunder. The Administrative Agent shall give
                  notice to each affected Lender promptly upon receipt of each
                  Notice of Borrowing pursuant to this Section 2.1(b)(i), the
                  contents thereof and each such Lender's share of any borrowing
                  to be made pursuant thereto.

                           (ii)     Minimum Amounts. Each Base Rate Loan that is
                  a Revolving Loan shall be in a minimum aggregate principal
                  amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in
                  excess thereof (or the remaining amount of the Revolving
                  Committed Amount, if less) and each Eurodollar Loan that is a
                  Revolving Loan shall be in a minimum aggregate principal
                  amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in
                  excess thereof (or the remaining amount of the Revolving
                  Committed Amount, if less).


                                       26
<PAGE>   28

                           (iii)    Advances. Each Lender will make its
                  Revolving Commitment Percentage of each Revolving Loan
                  borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the
                  account of the Borrower as specified in Section 3.15(a), or in
                  such other manner as the Administrative Agent may specify in
                  writing, by 1:00 P.M. (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the
                  date specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing in
                  Dollars and in funds immediately available to the
                  Administrative Agent. Such borrowing will then be made
                  available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent by
                  crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of such
                  office with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the
                  Administrative Agent by the Lenders and in like funds as
                  received by the Administrative Agent.

                  (c)      Repayment. The principal amount of all Revolving
         Loans shall be due and payable in full on the Maturity Date, unless
         accelerated sooner pursuant to Section 9.2.

                  (d)      Interest. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1,

                           (i)      Base Rate Loans. During such periods as
                  Revolving Loans shall be comprised in whole or in part of Base
                  Rate Loans, such Base Rate Loans shall bear interest at a per
                  annum rate equal to the Adjusted Base Rate.

                           (ii)     Eurodollar Loans. During such periods as
                  Revolving Loans shall be comprised in whole or in part of
                  Eurodollar Loans, such Eurodollar Loans shall bear interest at
                  a per annum rate equal to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate.

         Interest on Revolving Loans shall be payable in arrears on each
         applicable Interest Payment Date (or at such other times as may be
         specified herein).

                  (e)      Revolving Notes. The Revolving Loans made by each
         Lender shall be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note of the
         Borrower to such Lender in an original principal amount equal to such
         Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Committed
         Amount and in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.1(e).

                  (f)      Increase of Revolving Committed Amount. The Borrower
         shall have the right to increase the Revolving Committed Amount in one
         or more separate increases prior to the Maturity Date; provided that
         the ability of the Borrower to effect any such increase shall be
         subject to the following terms and conditions:

                           (i)      no Event of Default shall have occurred and
                  be continuing on the date on which such Revolving Committed
                  Amount increase is to become effective;


                                       27
<PAGE>   29

                           (ii)     the representations and warranties set forth
                  in Section 6 of this Credit Agreement shall be true and
                  correct in all material respects on and as of the date on
                  which such increase is to become effective (except for those
                  which expressly relate to an earlier date);

                           (iii)    such increase must be in a minimum amount of
                  $10,000,000 and in integral multiples of $5,000,000 above the
                  then existing Revolving Committed Amount;

                           (iv)     the Revolving Committed Amount may not be
                  increased to an amount greater than THREE HUNDRED MILLION
                  DOLLARS ($300,000,000);

                           (v)      on or before the date on which such increase
                  is to become effective, the Administrative Agent shall have
                  received (A) for its own account, the mutually acceptable fees
                  and expenses paid in connection with such increase and (B) for
                  the account of each Person providing the increase in the
                  Revolving Committed Amount, a commitment fee on the amount of
                  such increase in an amount to be determined at such time;

                           (vi)     any such increase in the Revolving Committed
                  Amount shall be applied to (A) upon any existing Lender's
                  written consent, the Revolving Commitment of one or more
                  existing Lenders and/or (B) one or more institutions that is
                  not an existing Lender (each, a "New Lender"); provided that
                  (x) each New Lender is an Eligible Assignee and (y) if
                  applicable, such New Lender becomes a Lender hereunder
                  pursuant to the execution and delivery of an appropriate
                  joinder agreement or of counterparts to this Credit Agreement
                  in a manner acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative
                  Agent;

                           (vii)    if any Loans are outstanding at the time of
                  the increase in the Revolving Committed Amount, the Borrower
                  shall, if applicable, prepay one or more existing Loans (such
                  prepayment to be subject to Section 3.12) in an amount
                  necessary such that after giving effect to the increase in the
                  Revolving Committed Amount, each Lender will hold its pro rata
                  share (based on its Revolving Commitment Percentage of the
                  increased Revolving Committed Amount) of outstanding Loans;

                           (viii)   the Borrower shall execute and deliver such
                  Note(s) in favor of any New Lenders as are necessary; and

                           (ix)     Schedule 2.1(a) hereto shall be amended to
                  reflect the revised Revolving Commitment Percentages and
                  Commitments of the Lenders.


                                       28
<PAGE>   30

         2.2      LETTER OF CREDIT SUBFACILITY.

                  (a)      Issuance. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof
         and of the LOC Documents, if any, and any other terms and conditions
         which the Issuing Lender may reasonably require and in reliance upon
         the representations and warranties set forth herein, the Issuing Lender
         agrees to issue, and each Lender severally agrees to participate in the
         issuance by the Issuing Lender of Letters of Credit in Dollars from
         time to time from the Closing Date until the Maturity Date as the
         Borrower may request, in a form acceptable to the Issuing Lender;
         provided, however, that (i) the LOC Obligations outstanding shall not
         at any time exceed the LOC Committed Amount, (ii) with regard to the
         Lenders collectively, the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans
         outstanding plus LOC Obligations outstanding plus Swingline Loans
         outstanding shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount and (iii)
         with regard to each Lender individually, such Lender's pro rata share
         of outstanding Revolving Loan plus such Lender's pro rata share of LOC
         Obligations outstanding plus (other than the Swingline Lender) such
         Lender's pro rata share of Swingline Loans outstanding shall not exceed
         such Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Revolving
         Committed Amount. No Letter of Credit shall (x) have an original expiry
         date more than one year from the date of issuance or (y) as originally
         issued or as extended, have an expiry date extending beyond the
         Maturity Date. Each Letter of Credit (1) shall comply with the related
         LOC Documents and (2) may be issued only for the purposes set forth in
         Section 6.14 hereof. The issuance and expiry dates of each Letter of
         Credit shall be a Business Day.

                  (b)      Notice and Reports. The request for the issuance of a
         Letter of Credit shall be submitted by the Borrower to the Issuing
         Lender at least three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of
         issuance. The Issuing Lender will, at least quarterly and more
         frequently upon request, disseminate to each of the Lenders a detailed
         report specifying the Letters of Credit which are then issued and
         outstanding and any activity with respect thereto which may have
         occurred since the date of the prior report, and including therein,
         among other things, the beneficiary, the face amount and the expiry
         date, as well as any payment or expirations which may have occurred.

                  (c)      Participation.

                           (i)      On the Closing Date, each Lender shall
                  automatically acquire a participation in the liability of the
                  Issuing Lender under each Existing Letter of Credit in an
                  amount equal to its pro rata share of the obligations under
                  such Existing Letter of Credit (based on the respective
                  Revolving Commitment Percentages of the Lenders) and shall
                  absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably assume and be
                  obligated to pay to the Issuing Lender and discharge when due,
                  its pro rata share of the obligations arising under such
                  Existing Letter of Credit. Each Existing Letter of Credit
                  shall be deemed for all purposes of this Credit Agreement and
                  the other Credit Documents to be a Letter of Credit.


                                       29
<PAGE>   31

                           (ii)     Each Lender, upon issuance of a Letter of
                  Credit, shall be deemed to have purchased without recourse a
                  Participation Interest from the Issuing Lender in such Letter
                  of Credit and the obligations arising thereunder and any
                  collateral relating thereto, in each case in an amount equal
                  to its pro rata share of the obligations under such Letter of
                  Credit (based on the respective Revolving Commitment
                  Percentages of the Lenders) and shall absolutely,
                  unconditionally and irrevocably assume and be obligated to pay
                  to the Issuing Lender and discharge when due, its pro rata
                  share of the obligations arising under such Letter of Credit.
                  Without limiting the scope and nature of each Lender's
                  Participation Interest in any Letter of Credit, to the extent
                  that the Issuing Lender has not been reimbursed as required
                  hereunder or under any such Letter of Credit, each such Lender
                  shall pay to the Issuing Lender its pro rata share of such
                  unreimbursed drawing in same day funds on the day of
                  notification by the Issuing Lender of an unreimbursed drawing
                  pursuant to the provisions of subsection (d) below. The
                  obligation of each Lender to so reimburse the Issuing Lender
                  shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected
                  by the occurrence of a Default, an Event of Default or any
                  other occurrence or event. Any such reimbursement shall not
                  relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to
                  reimburse the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit,
                  together with interest as hereinafter provided.

                  (d)      Reimbursement. In the event of any drawing under any
         Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender will promptly notify the Borrower.
         Unless the Borrower shall immediately notify the Issuing Lender that
         the Borrower intends to otherwise reimburse the Issuing Lender for such
         drawing, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested that the
         Lenders make a Revolving Loan in the amount of the drawing as provided
         in subsection (e) below on the related Letter of Credit, the proceeds
         of which will be used to satisfy the related reimbursement obligations.
         The Borrower promises to reimburse the Issuing Lender on the day of
         drawing under any Letter of Credit (either with the proceeds of a
         Revolving Loan obtained hereunder or otherwise) in same day funds. If
         the Borrower shall fail to reimburse the Issuing Lender as provided
         hereinabove, the unreimbursed amount of such drawing shall bear
         interest at a per annum rate equal to the Adjusted Base Rate plus 2%.
         The Borrower's reimbursement obligations hereunder shall be absolute
         and unconditional under all circumstances irrespective of any rights of
         setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment the Borrower may claim or
         have against the Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders,
         the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit drawn upon or any other Person,
         including without limitation any defense based on any failure of the
         Borrower or any other Credit Party to receive consideration or the
         legality, validity, regularity or unenforceability of the Letter of
         Credit. The Issuing Lender will promptly notify the other Lenders of
         the amount of any unreimbursed drawing and each Lender shall promptly
         pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender
         in Dollars and in immediately available funds, the amount of such
         Lender's pro rata share of such unreimbursed drawing. Such payment
         shall be made on the day such notice is received by such Lender from
         the Issuing Lender if such notice is received at or


                                       30
<PAGE>   32

         before 2:00 P.M. (Charlotte, North Carolina time) otherwise such
         payment shall be made at or before 12:00 Noon (Charlotte, North
         Carolina time) on the Business Day next succeeding the day such notice
         is received. If such Lender does not pay such amount to the Issuing
         Lender in full upon such request, such Lender shall, on demand, pay to
         the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender interest
         on the unpaid amount during the period from the date of such drawing
         until such Lender pays such amount to the Issuing Lender in full at a
         rate per annum equal to, if paid within two (2) Business Days of the
         date that such Lender is required to make payments of such amount
         pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Federal Funds Rate and
         thereafter at a rate equal to the Base Rate. Each Lender's obligation
         to make such payment to the Issuing Lender, and the right of the
         Issuing Lender to receive the same, shall be absolute and
         unconditional, shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever and
         without regard to the termination of this Credit Agreement or the
         Commitments hereunder, the existence of a Default or Event of Default
         or the acceleration of the obligations of the Borrower hereunder and
         shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction
         whatsoever. Simultaneously with the making of each such payment by a
         Lender to the Issuing Lender, such Lender shall, automatically and
         without any further action on the part of the Issuing Lender or such
         Lender, acquire a Participation Interest in an amount equal to such
         payment (excluding the portion of such payment constituting interest
         owing to the Issuing Lender) in the related unreimbursed drawing
         portion of the LOC Obligation and in the interest thereon and in the
         related LOC Documents, and shall have a claim against the Borrower with
         respect thereto.

                  (e)      Repayment with Revolving Loans. On any day on which
         the Borrower shall have requested, or been deemed to have requested, a
         Revolving Loan advance to reimburse a drawing under a Letter of Credit,
         the Administrative Agent shall give notice to the Lenders that a
         Revolving Loan has been requested or deemed requested by the Borrower
         to be made in connection with a drawing under a Letter of Credit, in
         which case a Revolving Loan advance comprised of Base Rate Loans (or
         Eurodollar Loans to the extent the Borrower has complied with the
         procedures of Section 2.1(b)(i) with respect thereto) shall be
         immediately made to the Borrower by all Lenders (notwithstanding any
         termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 9.2) pro rata based
         on the respective Revolving Commitment Percentages of the Lenders
         (determined before giving effect to any termination of the Commitments
         pursuant to Section 9.2) and the proceeds thereof shall be paid
         directly to the Issuing Lender for application to the respective LOC
         Obligations. Each such Lender hereby irrevocably agrees to make its pro
         rata share of each such Revolving Loan immediately upon any such
         request or deemed request in the amount, in the manner and on the date
         specified in the preceding sentence notwithstanding (i) the amount of
         such borrowing may not comply with the minimum amount for advances of
         Revolving Loans otherwise required hereunder, (ii) whether any
         conditions specified in Section 5.2 are then satisfied, (iii) whether a
         Default or an Event of Default then exists, (iv) failure for any such
         request or deemed request for Revolving Loan to be made by the time
         otherwise required hereunder, (v) whether the date of such borrowing is
         a date on which Revolving Loans are otherwise permitted to be made


                                       31
<PAGE>   33

         hereunder or (vi) any termination of the Commitments relating thereto
         immediately prior to or contemporaneously with such borrowing. In the
         event that any Revolving Loan cannot for any reason be made on the date
         otherwise required above (including, without limitation, as a result of
         the commencement of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect
         to the Borrower or any other Credit Party), then each such Lender
         hereby agrees that it shall forthwith purchase (as of the date such
         borrowing would otherwise have occurred, but adjusted for any payments
         received from the Borrower on or after such date and prior to such
         purchase) from the Issuing Lender such Participation Interests in the
         outstanding LOC Obligations as shall be necessary to cause each such
         Lender to share in such LOC Obligations ratably (based upon the
         respective Revolving Commitment Percentages of the Lenders (determined
         before giving effect to any termination of the Commitments pursuant to
         Section 9.2)), provided that at the time any purchase of Participation
         Interests pursuant to this sentence is actually made, the purchasing
         Lender shall be required to pay to the Issuing Lender, to the extent
         not paid to the Issuer by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of
         subsection (d) above, interest on the principal amount of Participation
         Interests purchased for each day from and including the day upon which
         such borrowing would otherwise have occurred to but excluding the date
         of payment for such Participation Interests, at the rate equal to, if
         paid within two (2) Business Days of the date of the Revolving Loan
         advance, the Federal Funds Rate, and thereafter at a rate equal to the
         Base Rate.

                  (f)      Designation of Credit Parties as Account Parties.
         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Credit
         Agreement, including without limitation Section 2.2(a), a Letter of
         Credit issued hereunder may contain a statement to the effect that such
         Letter of Credit is issued for the account of a Credit Party other than
         the Borrower, provided that notwithstanding such statement, the
         Borrower shall be the actual account party for all purposes of this
         Credit Agreement for such Letter of Credit and such statement shall not
         affect the Borrower's reimbursement obligations hereunder with respect
         to such Letter of Credit.

                  (g)      Renewal, Extension. The renewal or extension of any
         Letter of Credit shall, for purposes hereof, be treated in all respects
         the same as the issuance of a new Letter of Credit hereunder.

                  (h)      Uniform Customs and Practices. The Issuing Lender may
         have the Letters of Credit be subject to The Uniform Customs and
         Practice for Documentary Credits (the "UCP") or the International
         Standby Practices 1998 (the "ISP98"), in either case, as published as
         of the date of issue by the International Chamber of Commerce, in which
         case the UCP or ISP98 may be incorporated therein and deemed in all
         respects to be a part thereof.

                  (i)      Indemnification; Nature of Issuing Lender's Duties.


                                       32
<PAGE>   34

                           (i)      In addition to its other obligations under
                  this Section 2.2, the Borrower hereby agrees to pay, and
                  protect, indemnify and save each Lender harmless from and
                  against, any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages,
                  losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable
                  attorneys' fees) that such Lender may incur or be subject to
                  as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (A) the issuance of
                  any Letter of Credit or (B) the failure of such Lender to
                  honor a drawing under a Letter of Credit as a result of any
                  act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present
                  or future de jure or de facto government or Governmental
                  Authority (all such acts or omissions, herein called
                  "Government Acts").

                           (ii)     As between the Borrower and the Lenders
                  (including the Issuing Lender), the Borrower shall assume all
                  risks of the acts, omissions or misuse of any Letter of Credit
                  by the beneficiary thereof. No Lender (including the Issuing
                  Lender) shall be responsible: (A) for the form, validity,
                  sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any
                  document submitted by any party in connection with the
                  application for and issuance of any Letter of Credit, even if
                  it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid,
                  insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (B) for the
                  validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or
                  assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of
                  Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds
                  thereof, in whole or in part, that may prove to be invalid or
                  ineffective for any reason; (C) for errors, omissions,
                  interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any
                  messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise,
                  whether or not they be in cipher; (D) for any loss or delay in
                  the transmission or otherwise of any document required in
                  order to make a drawing under a Letter of Credit or of the
                  proceeds thereof; and (E) for any consequences arising from
                  causes beyond the control of such Lender, including, without
                  limitation, any Government Acts. None of the above shall
                  affect, impair, or prevent the vesting of the Issuing Lender's
                  rights or powers hereunder.

                           (iii)    In furtherance and extension and not in
                  limitation of the specific provisions hereinabove set forth,
                  any action taken or omitted by any Lender (including the
                  Issuing Lender), under or in connection with any Letter of
                  Credit or the related certificates, if taken or omitted in
                  good faith, shall not put such Lender under any resulting
                  liability to the Borrower or any other Credit Party. It is the
                  intention of the parties that this Credit Agreement shall be
                  construed and applied to protect and indemnify each Lender
                  (including the Issuing Lender) against any and all risks
                  involved in the issuance of the Letters of Credit, all of
                  which risks are hereby assumed by the Borrower (on behalf of
                  itself and each of the other Credit Parties), including,
                  without limitation, any and all Government Acts. No Lender
                  (including the Issuing Lender) shall, in any way, be liable
                  for any failure by such Lender or anyone else to pay any
                  drawing under any Letter of Credit as a result of any
                  Government Acts or any other cause beyond the control of such
                  Lender.


                                       33
<PAGE>   35

                           (iv)     Nothing in this subsection (i) is intended
                  to limit the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower
                  contained in subsection (d) above. The obligations of the
                  Borrower under this subsection (i) shall survive the
                  termination of this Credit Agreement. No act or omission of
                  any current or prior beneficiary of a Letter of Credit shall
                  in any way affect or impair the rights of the Lenders
                  (including the Issuing Lender) to enforce any right, power or
                  benefit under this Credit Agreement.

                           (v)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
                  contained in this subsection (i), the Borrower shall have no
                  obligation to indemnify any Lender (including the Issuing
                  Lender) in respect of any liability incurred by such Lender
                  (A) arising solely out of the gross negligence or willful
                  misconduct of such Lender, as determined by a court of
                  competent jurisdiction, or (B) caused by such Lender's failure
                  to pay under any Letter of Credit after presentation to it of
                  a request strictly complying with the terms and conditions of
                  such Letter of Credit, as determined by a court of competent
                  jurisdiction, unless such payment is prohibited by any law,
                  regulation, court order or decree.

                  (j)      Responsibility of Issuing Lender. It is expressly
         understood and agreed that the obligations of the Issuing Lender
         hereunder to the Lenders are only those expressly set forth in this
         Credit Agreement and that the Issuing Lender shall be entitled to
         assume that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.2 have been
         satisfied unless it shall have acquired actual knowledge that any such
         condition precedent has not been satisfied; provided, however, that
         nothing set forth in this Section 2.2 shall be deemed to prejudice the
         right of any Lender to recover from the Issuing Lender any amounts made
         available by such Lender to the Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section
         2.2 in the event that it is determined by a court of competent
         jurisdiction that the payment with respect to a Letter of Credit
         constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the
         Issuing Lender.

                  (k)      Conflict with LOC Documents. In the event of any
         conflict between this Credit Agreement and any LOC Document (including
         any letter of credit application), this Credit Agreement shall control.

         2.3      SWINGLINE LOANS SUBFACILITY.

                  (a)      Swingline Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions
         set forth herein and in the other Credit Documents and in reliance upon
         the representations and warranties set forth herein, the Swingline
         Lender hereby agrees, to make loans to the Borrower in Dollars at any
         time and from time to time from the Closing Date to but not including
         the Maturity Date, or such earlier date as the Revolving Commitments
         shall have been terminated as provided herein (each such loan, a
         "Swingline Loan" and collectively, the "Swingline Loans"); provided
         that (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Swingline Loans
         outstanding at any one time shall not exceed the Swingline Committed
         Amount


                                       34
<PAGE>   36

         and (ii) with regard to the Lenders collectively, the aggregate
         principal amount of Revolving Loans outstanding plus LOC Obligations
         outstanding plus Swingline Loans outstanding shall not exceed the
         Revolving Committed Amount. Prior to the Maturity Date, Swingline Loans
         may be repaid and reborrowed by the Borrower in accordance with the
         provisions hereof.

                  (b)      Method of Borrowing and Funding Swingline Loans. By
         no later than 1:00 p.m. (Charlotte, North Carolina time), on the date
         of the requested borrowing of Swingline Loans, the Borrower shall
         telephone the Swingline Lender as well as submit a Swingline Loan
         Request to the Swingline Lender in the form of Exhibit 2.3(b) setting
         forth (i) the amount of the requested Swingline Loan, (ii) whether the
         Swingline Loan shall bear interest at the Adjusted Base Rate or the
         Adjusted CD Rate and (iii) the date of the requested Swingline Loan and
         complying in all respects with Section 5.2. The Swingline Lender shall
         initiate the transfer of funds representing the Swingline Loan advance
         to the Borrower by 3:00 p.m. on the Business Day of the requested
         borrowing. Each Swingline Loan shall be in a minimum amount of $250,000
         and in integral multiples of $50,000 in excess thereof.

                  (c)      Repayment and Participations of Swingline Loans. The
         principal amount of all Swingline Loans shall be due and payable on the
         earlier of (i) a date not more than fourteen (14) Business Days from
         the date of advance thereof and (ii) the Maturity Date. Each repayment
         of a Swingline Loan may be accomplished by requesting Revolving Loans
         which request is not subject to the conditions set forth in Section
         5.2. In the event that the Borrower shall fail to timely repay any
         Swingline Loan, and in any event upon (i) a request by the Swingline
         Lender, (ii) the occurrence of an Event of Default described in Section
         9.1(f) or (iii) the acceleration of any Loan or termination of any
         Commitment pursuant to Section 9.2, each other Lender shall irrevocably
         and unconditionally purchase from the Swingline Lender, without
         recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such
         Swingline Loan in an amount equal to such other Lender's Revolving
         Commitment Percentage thereof, by directly purchasing a participation
         in such Swingline Loan in such amount (regardless of whether the
         conditions precedent thereto set forth in Section 5.2 are then
         satisfied, whether or not the Borrower has submitted a Notice of
         Borrowing and whether or not the Commitments are then in effect, any
         Event of Default exists or all the Loans have been accelerated) and
         paying the proceeds thereof to the Swingline Lender at the address
         provided in Section 11.1, or at such other address as the Swingline
         Lender may designate, in Dollars and in immediately available funds. If
         such amount is not in fact made available to the Swingline Lender by
         any Lender, the Swingline Lender shall be entitled to recover such
         amount on demand from such Lender, together with accrued interest
         thereon for each day from the date of demand thereof, at the Federal
         Funds Rate. If such Lender does not pay such amount forthwith upon the
         Swingline Lender's demand therefor, and until such time as such Lender
         makes the required payment, the Swingline Lender shall be deemed to
         continue to have outstanding Swingline Loans in the amount of such
         unpaid participation obligation for all purposes of the Credit
         Documents other than those provisions requiring the other Lenders to
         purchase


                                       35
<PAGE>   37

         a participation therein. Further, such Lender shall be deemed to have
         assigned any and all payments made of principal and interest on its
         Loans, and any other amounts due to it hereunder to the Swingline
         Lender to fund Swingline Loans in the amount of the participation in
         Swingline Loans that such Lender failed to purchase pursuant to this
         Section 2.4(c) until such amount has been purchased (as a result of
         such assignment or otherwise). The principal amount of all Swingline
         Loans shall be due and payable in full on the Maturity Date, unless
         accelerated sooner pursuant to Section 9.2 or required to be repaid by
         the Swingline Lender pursuant to the foregoing terms of this Section
         2.4(c).

                  (d)      Interest. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1,
         each Swingline Loan shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to
         either (i) the Adjusted Base Rate or (ii) the Adjusted CD Rate.
         Interest on Swingline Loans shall be payable in arrears on each
         applicable Interest Payment Date (or at such other times as may be
         specified herein).

                  (e)      Swingline Note. The Swingline Loans made by the
         Swingline Lender shall be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note
         of the Borrower to the Swingline Lender in the face amount of the
         Swingline Committed Amount and in substantially the form of Exhibit
         2.3(e).

                                    SECTION 3

                 OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT FACILITIES

         3.1      DEFAULT RATE.

         Upon the occurrence, and during the continuance, of an Event of
Default, the principal of and, to the extent permitted by law, interest on the
Loans and any other amounts owing hereunder or under the other Credit Documents
shall bear interest, payable on demand, at a per annum rate 2% greater than the
rate which would otherwise be applicable (or if no rate is applicable, whether
in respect of interest, fees or other amounts, then the Adjusted Base Rate plus
2%).

         3.2      EXTENSION AND CONVERSION.

         The Borrower shall have the option, on any Business Day, to extend
existing Loans into a subsequent permissible Interest Period or to convert Loans
into Loans of another interest rate type; provided, however, that (i) except as
provided in Section 3.8, Eurodollar Loans may be converted into Base Rate Loans
or extended as Eurodollar Loans for new Interest Periods only on the last day of
the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) without the consent of the Required
Lenders, Eurodollar Loans may be extended, and Base Rate Loans may be converted
into Eurodollar Loans, only if the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.2
are satisfied on the date of extension or conversion, (iii) Loans extended as,
or converted into, Eurodollar Loans shall be subject to the terms of the
definition of "Interest Period" set forth in Section 1.1 and


                                       36
<PAGE>   38

shall be in such minimum amounts as provided in Section 2.1(b)(ii), (iv) no more
than six Eurodollar Loans shall be outstanding hereunder at any time (it being
understood that, for purposes hereof, Eurodollar Loans with different Interest
Periods shall be considered as separate Eurodollar Loans, even if they begin on
the same date, although borrowings, extensions and conversions may, in
accordance with the provisions hereof, be combined at the end of existing
Interest Periods to constitute a new Eurodollar Loan with a single Interest
Period) and (v) any request for extension or conversion of a Eurodollar Loan
which shall fail to specify an Interest Period shall be deemed to be a request
for an Interest Period of one month. Each such extension or conversion shall be
effected by the Borrower by giving a Notice of Extension/Conversion (or
telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the office of the
Administrative Agent specified in specified in Schedule 2.1(a), or at such other
office as the Administrative Agent may designate in writing, prior to 11:00 A.M.
(Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the Business Day of, in the case of the
conversion of a Eurodollar Loan into a Base Rate Loan, and on the third Business
Day prior to, in the case of the extension of a Eurodollar Loan as, or
conversion of a Base Rate Loan into, a Eurodollar Loan, the date of the proposed
extension or conversion, specifying the date of the proposed extension or
conversion, the Loans to be so extended or converted, the types of Loans into
which such Loans are to be converted and, if appropriate, the applicable
Interest Periods with respect thereto. Each request for extension or conversion
shall be irrevocable and shall constitute a representation and warranty by the
Borrower of the matters specified in subsections (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of
Section 5.2. In the event the Borrower fails to request extension or conversion
of any Eurodollar Loan in accordance with this Section, or any such conversion
or extension is not permitted or required by this Section, then such Eurodollar
Loan shall be automatically converted into a Base Rate Loan at the end of the
Interest Period applicable thereto. The Administrative Agent shall give each
Lender notice as promptly as practicable of any such proposed extension or
conversion affecting any Loan.

         3.3      PREPAYMENTS.

                  (a)      Voluntary Prepayments. The Borrower shall have the
         right to prepay Loans in whole or in part from time to time; provided,
         however, that each partial prepayment of Loans shall be in a minimum
         principal amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000.
         Subject to the foregoing terms, amounts prepaid under this Section
         3.3(a) shall be applied as the Borrower may elect; provided that if the
         Borrower fails to specify a voluntary prepayment then such prepayment
         shall be applied to Revolving Loans, in each case first to Base Rate
         Loans and then to Eurodollar Loans in direct order of Interest Period
         maturities. All prepayments under this Section 3.3(a) shall be subject
         to Section 3.12, but otherwise without premium or penalty and shall be
         accompanied by interest on the principal amount prepaid through the
         date of prepayment.

                  (b)      Mandatory Prepayments.

                           (i)      Revolving Committed Amount. If at any time
                  (A) the sum of the aggregate amount of Revolving Loans
                  outstanding plus the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations
                  outstanding plus the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans


                                       37
<PAGE>   39

                  outstanding shall exceed the Revolving Committed Amount, (B)
                  the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations outstanding shall
                  exceed the LOC Committed Amount or (C) the amount of Swingline
                  Loans outstanding shall exceed the Swingline Committed Amount,
                  the Borrower shall immediately make payment on the Loans
                  and/or to a cash collateral account in respect of the LOC
                  Obligations in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess.

                           (ii)     Application of Mandatory Prepayments. All
                  amounts required to be paid pursuant to Section 3.3(b) shall
                  be applied first to Loans and then to a cash collateral
                  account to secure LOC Obligations. Within the parameters of
                  the applications set forth above, prepayments shall be applied
                  first to Base Rate Loans and then to Eurodollar Loans in
                  direct order of Interest Period maturities. All prepayments
                  under this Section 3.3(b) shall be subject to Section 3.12.

         3.4      TERMINATION AND REDUCTION OF REVOLVING COMMITTED AMOUNT.

                  The Borrower may from time to time permanently reduce or
         terminate the Revolving Committed Amount in whole or in part (in
         minimum aggregate amounts of $5,000,000 or in integral multiples of
         $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the full remaining amount of
         the then applicable Revolving Committed Amount)) upon five Business
         Days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent; provided, that,
         no such termination or reduction shall be made which would cause the
         aggregate amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate
         amount of LOC Obligations outstanding plus the aggregate amount of
         Swingline Loans outstanding to exceed the Revolving Committed Amount
         unless, concurrently with such termination or reduction, the Loans are
         repaid to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess. The
         Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender of
         receipt by the Administrative Agent of any notice from the Borrower
         pursuant to this Section 3.4.

         3.5      FEES.

                  (a)      Facility Fee. In consideration of the Revolving
         Commitments of the Lenders hereunder, the Borrower agrees to pay to the
         Administrative Agent for the pro rata benefit of the Lenders (based on
         each Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Revolving
         Committed Amount) a fee (the "Facility Fee") equal to the product of
         (i) the Applicable Percentage for Facility Fees multiplied by (ii) the
         Revolving Committed Amount. The Facility Fee shall commence to accrue
         on the Closing Date and shall be due and payable in arrears on the last
         Business Day of each March, June, September and December (and any date
         that the Revolving Committed Amount is reduced as provided in Section
         3.4 and the Maturity Date) for the immediately preceding quarter (or
         portion thereof), beginning with the first of such dates to occur after
         the Closing Date.

                  (b)      Letter of Credit Fees.


                                       38
<PAGE>   40

                           (i)      Letter of Credit Issuance Fee. In
                  consideration of the issuance of standby Letters of Credit
                  hereunder, the Borrower promises to pay to the Administrative
                  Agent for the account of each Lender a fee (the "Letter of
                  Credit Fee") on such Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage
                  of the average daily maximum amount available to be drawn
                  under each such standby Letter of Credit computed at a per
                  annum rate for each day from the date of issuance to the date
                  of expiration equal to the Applicable Percentage. The Standby
                  Letter of Credit Fee will be payable quarterly in arrears on
                  the last Business Day of each March, June, September and
                  December for the immediately preceding quarter (or a portion
                  thereof).

                           (ii)     Issuing Lender Fees. In addition to the
                  Letter of Credit Fee payable pursuant to clause (i) above, the
                  Borrower promises to pay to the Issuing Lender for its own
                  account without sharing by the other Lenders (A) a letter of
                  credit fronting fee of one-tenth percent (1/10%) per annum on
                  the average daily maximum amount available to be drawn under
                  outstanding Letters of Credit payable quarterly in arrears
                  with the Letter of Credit Fee, and (B) customary charges from
                  time to time of the Issuing Lender with respect to the
                  issuance, amendment, transfer, administration, cancellation
                  and conversion of, and drawings under, such Letters of Credit
                  (collectively, the "Issuing Lender Fees").

         3.6      CAPITAL ADEQUACY.

         If any Lender has determined, after the date hereof, that the adoption
or the becoming effective of, or any change in, or any change by any
Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof in the interpretation or administration
of, any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or
compliance by such Lender 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 Lender's capital or assets as a consequence of its commitments or
obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender could have
achieved but for such adoption, effectiveness, change or compliance (taking into
consideration such Lender's policies with respect to capital adequacy), then,
upon notice from such Lender to the Borrower, the Borrower shall be obligated to
pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such
Lender for such reduction. Each determination by any such Lender of amounts
owing under this Section shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive and binding
on the parties hereto.

         3.7      LIMITATION ON EURODOLLAR LOANS.

         If on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period for any
Eurodollar Loan:

                  (a)      the Administrative Agent determines (which
         determination shall be conclusive) that by reason of circumstances
         affecting the relevant market, adequate and


                                       39
<PAGE>   41

         reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for
         such Interest Period; or

                  (b)      the Required Lenders determine (which determination
         shall be conclusive) and notify the Agent that the Eurodollar Rate will
         not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of funding
         Eurodollar Loans for such Interest Period;

then the Administrative Agent shall give the Borrower prompt notice thereof, and
so long as such condition remains in effect, the Lenders shall be under no
obligation to make additional Eurodollar Loans, continue Eurodollar Loans, or to
convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans and the Borrower shall, on the
last day(s) of the then current Interest Period(s) for the outstanding
Eurodollar Loans, either prepay such Eurodollar Loans or convert such Eurodollar
Loans into Base Rate Loans in accordance with the terms of this Credit
Agreement.

         3.8      ILLEGALITY.

         Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if the adoption of or any
change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof
occurring after the Closing Date shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make
or maintain Eurodollar Loans as contemplated by this Credit Agreement, (a) such
Lender shall promptly give written notice of such circumstances to the Borrower
and the Administrative Agent (which notice shall be withdrawn whenever such
circumstances no longer exist), (b) the commitment of such Lender hereunder to
make Eurodollar Loans, continue Eurodollar Loans as such and convert a Base Rate
Loan to Eurodollar Loans, shall forthwith be canceled and, until such time as it
shall no longer be unlawful for such Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar
Loans, such Lender shall then have a commitment only to make a Base Rate Loan
when a Eurodollar Loan is requested and (c) such Lender's Loans then outstanding
as Eurodollar Loans, if any, shall be converted automatically to Base Rate Loans
on the respective last days of the then current Interest Periods with respect to
such Loans or within such earlier period as required by law. If any such
conversion of a Eurodollar Loan occurs on a day which is not the last day of the
then current Interest Period with respect thereto, the Borrower shall pay to
such Lender such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant to Section 3.13.

         3.9      REQUIREMENTS OF LAW.

         If, after the date hereof, the adoption of any applicable law, rule, or
regulation, or any change in any applicable law, rule, or regulation, 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 Lender (or its Applicable Lending
Office) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law)
of any such Governmental Authority, central bank, or comparable agency:

                           (i)      shall subject such Lender (or its Applicable
         Lending Office) to any tax, duty, or other charge with respect to any
         Eurodollar Loans, its Notes, or its obligation


                                       40
<PAGE>   42

         to make Eurodollar Loans, or change the basis of taxation of any
         amounts payable to such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) under
         this Credit Agreement or its Notes in respect of any Eurodollar Loans
         (other than taxes imposed on the overall net income of such Lender by
         the jurisdiction in which such Lender has its principal office or such
         Applicable Lending Office);

                           (ii)     shall impose, modify, or deem applicable any
         reserve, special deposit, assessment, or similar requirement (other
         than the Eurodollar Reserve Requirement utilized in the determination
         of the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate) relating to any extensions of credit
         or other assets of, or any deposits with or other liabilities or
         commitments of, such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office),
         including the Commitment of such Lender hereunder; or

                           (iii)    shall impose on such Lender (or its
         Applicable Lending Office) or the London interbank market any other
         condition affecting this Credit Agreement or its Notes or any of such
         extensions of credit or liabilities or commitments;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender
(or its Applicable Lending Office) of making, converting into, continuing, or
maintaining any Eurodollar Loans or to reduce any sum received or receivable by
such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) under this Credit Agreement or
its Notes with respect to any Eurodollar Loans, then the Borrower shall pay to
such Lender on demand such amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for
such increased cost or reduction. If any Lender requests compensation by the
Borrower under this Section 3.9, the Borrower may, by notice to such Lender
(with a copy to the Administrative Agent), suspend the obligation of such Lender
to make or continue Eurodollar Loans, or to convert Base Rate Loans into
Eurodollar Loans, until the event or condition giving rise to such request
ceases to be in effect (in which case the provisions of Section 3.10 shall be
applicable); provided that such suspension shall not affect the right of such
Lender to receive the compensation so requested. Each Lender shall promptly
notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of any event of which it has
knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle such Lender to
compensation pursuant to this Section 3.9 and will designate a different
Applicable 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 Lender,
be otherwise disadvantageous to it. Any Lender claiming compensation under this
Section 3.9 shall furnish to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a
statement setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it
hereunder which shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. In
determining such amount, such Lender may use any reasonable averaging and
attribution methods.

         3.10     TREATMENT OF AFFECTED LOANS.

         If the obligation of any Lender to make any Eurodollar Loan or to
continue, or to convert Base Rate Loans into, Eurodollar Loans shall be
suspended pursuant to Section 3.8 or 3.9 hereof, such Lender's Eurodollar Loans
shall be automatically converted into Base Rate Loans on the


                                       41
<PAGE>   43

last day(s) of the then current Interest Period(s) for such Eurodollar Loans
(or, in the case of a conversion required by Section 3.8 hereof, on such earlier
date as such Lender may specify to the Borrower with a copy to the
Administrative Agent) and, unless and until such Lender gives notice as provided
below that the circumstances specified in Section 3.8 or 3.9 hereof that gave
rise to such conversion no longer exist:

                  (a)      to the extent that such Lender's Eurodollar Loans
         have been so converted, all payments and prepayments of principal that
         would otherwise be applied to such Lender's Eurodollar Loans shall be
         applied instead to its Base Rate Loans; and

                  (b)      all Loans that would otherwise be made or continued
         by such Lender as Eurodollar Loans shall be made or continued instead
         as Base Rate Loans, and all Base Rate Loans of such Lender that would
         otherwise be converted into Eurodollar Loans shall remain as Base Rate
         Loans.

If such Lender gives notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent) that the circumstances specified in Section 3.8 or 3.9 hereof that gave
rise to the conversion of such Lender's Eurodollar Loans pursuant to this
Section 3.10 no longer exist (which such Lender agrees to do promptly upon such
circumstances ceasing to exist) at a time when Eurodollar Loans made by other
Lenders are outstanding, such Lender's Base Rate Loans shall be automatically
converted, on the first day(s) of the next succeeding Interest Period(s) for
such outstanding Eurodollar Loans, to the extent necessary so that, after giving
effect thereto, all Loans held by the Lenders holding Eurodollar Loans and by
such Lender are held pro rata (as to principal amounts, interest rate basis, and
Interest Periods) in accordance with their respective Commitments.

         3.11     TAXES.

                  (a)      Any and all payments by any Credit Party to or for
         the account of any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder or
         under any other Credit Document shall be made free and clear of and
         without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, duties,
         levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all
         liabilities with respect thereto, excluding, in the case of each Lender
         and the Administrative Agent, taxes imposed on its income, and
         franchise taxes imposed on it, by the jurisdiction under the laws of
         which such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) or the
         Administrative Agent (as the case may be) is organized or any political
         subdivision thereof (all such non-excluded taxes, duties, levies,
         imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings, and liabilities being
         hereinafter referred to as "Taxes"). If any Credit Party shall be
         required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum
         payable under this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document to any
         Lender or the Administrative Agent, (i) the sum payable shall be
         increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions
         (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this
         Section 3.11) such Lender or the Administrative Agent receives an
         amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions
         been made, (ii) such Credit Party shall make such


                                       42
<PAGE>   44

         deductions, (iii) such Credit Party shall pay the full amount deducted
         to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance
         with applicable law, and (iv) such Credit Party shall furnish to the
         Administrative Agent, at its address referred to in Section 11.1, the
         original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof.

                  (b)      In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay any and all
         present or future stamp or documentary taxes and any other excise or
         property taxes or charges or similar levies which arise from any
         payment made under this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document
         or from the execution or delivery of, or otherwise with respect to,
         this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document (hereinafter
         referred to as "Other Taxes").

                  (c)      The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender and the
         Administrative Agent for the full amount of Taxes and Other Taxes
         (including, without limitation, any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or
         asserted by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section
         3.11) paid by such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may
         be) and any liability (including penalties, interest, and expenses)
         arising therefrom or with respect thereto.

                  (d)      Each Lender that is not a United States person under
         Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, on or prior to the date of its
         execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement in the case of each
         Lender listed on the signature pages hereof and on or prior to the date
         on which it becomes a Lender in the case of each other Lender, and from
         time to time thereafter if requested in writing by the Borrower or the
         Administrative Agent (but only so long as such Lender remains lawfully
         able to do so), shall provide the Borrower and the Administrative Agent
         with (i) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 BEN or W-8 ECI, as
         appropriate, or any successor form prescribed by the Internal Revenue
         Service, certifying that such Lender is entitled to benefits under an
         income tax treaty to which the United States is a party which reduces
         the rate of withholding tax on payments of interest or certifying that
         the income receivable pursuant to this Credit Agreement is effectively
         connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States,
         (ii) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9, as appropriate, or any
         successor form prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, and (iii)
         any other form or certificate required by any taxing authority
         (including any certificate required by Sections 871(h) and 881(c) of
         the Internal Revenue Code), certifying that such Lender is entitled to
         an exemption from or a reduced rate of tax on payments pursuant to this
         Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents. Each Lender that
         is a United States Person shall submit a properly completed and duly
         executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, or any successor form
         prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, certifying that it is
         exempt from backup withholding.

                  (e)      For any period with respect to which a Lender has
         failed to provide the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the
         appropriate form pursuant to Section 3.11(d) (unless such failure is
         due to a change in treaty, law, or regulation occurring subsequent to
         the date on which a form originally was required to be provided), such
         Lender shall not be entitled to indemnification under Section 3.11(a)
         or 3.11(b) with


                                       43
<PAGE>   45

         respect to Taxes imposed by the United States; provided, however, that
         should a Lender, which is otherwise exempt from or subject to a reduced
         rate of withholding tax, become subject to Taxes because of its failure
         to deliver a form required hereunder, the Borrower shall take such
         steps as such Lender shall reasonably request to assist such Lender to
         recover such Taxes.

                  (f)      If any Credit Party is required to pay additional
         amounts to or for the account of any Lender pursuant to this Section
         3.11, then such Lender will agree to use reasonable efforts to change
         the jurisdiction of its Applicable Lending Office so as to eliminate or
         reduce any such additional payment which may thereafter accrue if such
         change, in the judgment of such Lender, is not otherwise
         disadvantageous to such Lender.

                  (g)      Within thirty (30) days after the date of any payment
         of Taxes, the applicable Credit Party shall furnish to the
         Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt
         evidencing such payment.

                  (h)      Without prejudice to the survival of any other
         agreement of the Credit Parties hereunder, the agreements and
         obligations of the Credit Parties contained in this Section 3.11 shall
         survive the repayment of the Loans, LOC Obligations and other
         obligations under the Credit Documents and the termination of the
         Commitments hereunder.

         3.12     COMPENSATION.

         Upon the request of any Lender, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender
such amount or amounts as shall be sufficient (in the reasonable opinion of such
Lender) to compensate it for any loss, cost, or expense (including loss of
anticipated profits) incurred by it as a result of:

                  (a)      any payment, prepayment, or conversion of a
         Eurodollar Loan for any reason (including, without limitation, (i) in
         connection with any assignment by Bank of America pursuant to Section
         11.3(b) as part of the syndication of the Loans during the 180-day
         period immediately following the Closing Date) and (ii) the
         acceleration of the Loans pursuant to Section 9.2) on a date other than
         the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan; or

                  (b)      any failure by the Borrower for any reason
         (including, without limitation, the failure of any condition precedent
         specified in Section 5 to be satisfied) to borrow, convert, continue,
         or prepay a Eurodollar Loan on the date for such borrowing, conversion,
         continuation, or prepayment specified in the relevant notice of
         borrowing, prepayment, continuation, or conversion under this Credit
         Agreement.

With respect to Eurodollar Loans, such indemnification may include an amount
equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the amount of interest which would have
accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued,
for the period from the date of such prepayment or


                                       44
<PAGE>   46

of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of the applicable
Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue,
the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such failure) in
each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Eurodollar Loans provided
for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Percentage included therein, if
any) over (b) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender)
which would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on
deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank Eurodollar
market. The covenants of the Borrower set forth in this Section 3.12 shall
survive the repayment of the Loans, LOC Obligations and other obligations under
the Credit Documents and the termination of the Commitments hereunder.

         3.13     PRO RATA TREATMENT.

         Except to the extent otherwise provided herein:

                  (a)      Loans. Each Loan, each payment or (subject to the
         terms of Section 3.3) prepayment of principal of any Loan or
         reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of
         Credit, each payment of interest on the Loans or reimbursement
         obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit, each payment
         of Facility Fees, each payment of the Letter of Credit Fee, each
         reduction in Commitments and each conversion or extension of any Loan,
         shall be allocated pro rata among the Lenders in accordance with the
         respective principal amounts of their outstanding Revolving Loans and
         Participation Interests.

                  (b)      Advances. No Lender shall be responsible for the
         failure or delay by any other Lender in its obligation to make its
         ratable share of a borrowing hereunder; provided, however, that the
         failure of any Lender to fulfill its obligations hereunder shall not
         relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder. Unless the
         Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by any Lender
         prior to the date of any requested borrowing that such Lender does not
         intend to make available to the Administrative Agent its ratable share
         of such borrowing to be made on such date, the Administrative Agent may
         assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the
         Administrative Agent on the date of such borrowing, and the
         Administrative Agent in reliance upon such assumption, may (in its sole
         discretion but without any obligation to do so) make available to the
         Borrower a corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in
         fact made available to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative
         Agent shall be able to recover such corresponding amount from such
         Lender. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith
         upon the Administrative Agent's demand therefor, the Administrative
         Agent will promptly notify the Borrower, and the Borrower shall
         immediately pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent.
         The Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover from the
         Lender or the Borrower, as the case may be, interest on such
         corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date such
         corresponding amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to
         the Borrower to the date such corresponding amount is


                                       45
<PAGE>   47

         recovered by the Administrative Agent at a per annum rate equal to (i)
         from the Borrower at the applicable rate for the applicable borrowing
         pursuant to the Notice of Borrowing and (ii) from a Lender at the
         Federal Funds Rate.

         3.14     SHARING OF PAYMENTS.

         The Lenders agree among themselves that, in the event that any Lender
shall obtain payment in respect of any Loan, LOC Obligations or any other
obligation owing to such Lender under this Credit Agreement through the exercise
of a right of setoff, banker's lien or counterclaim, or pursuant to a secured
claim under Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code or other security
or interest arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim, received by such
Lender under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or
otherwise, or by any other means, in excess of its pro rata share of such
payment as provided for in this Credit Agreement, such Lender shall promptly
purchase from the other Lenders a Participation Interest in such Loans, LOC
Obligations and other obligations in such amounts, and make such other
adjustments from time to time, as shall be equitable to the end that all Lenders
share such payment in accordance with their respective ratable shares as
provided for in this Credit Agreement. The Lenders further agree among
themselves that if payment to a Lender obtained by such Lender through the
exercise of a right of setoff, banker's lien, counterclaim or other event as
aforesaid shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored, each Lender which
shall have shared the benefit of such payment shall, by repurchase of a
Participation Interest theretofore sold, return its share of that benefit
(together with its share of any accrued interest payable with respect thereto)
to each Lender whose payment shall have been rescinded or otherwise restored.
The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing such a Participation Interest
may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all rights of payment,
including setoff, banker's lien or counterclaim, with respect to such
Participation Interest as fully as if such Lender were a holder of such Loan,
LOC Obligations or other obligation in the amount of such Participation
Interest. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement, if
any Lender or the Administrative Agent shall fail to remit to the Administrative
Agent or any other Lender an amount payable by such Lender or the Administrative
Agent to the Administrative Agent or such other Lender pursuant to this Credit
Agreement on the date when such amount is due, such payments shall be made
together with interest thereon for each date from the date such amount is due
until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent or such other
Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. If under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, any Lender receives a
secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section 3.14 applies, such
Lender shall, to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such
secured claim in a manner consistent with the rights of the Lenders under this
Section 3.14 to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.

         3.15     PAYMENTS, COMPUTATIONS, ETC.

                  (a)      Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all
         payments hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent in Dollars
         in immediately available funds, without setoff, deduction, counterclaim
         or withholding of any kind, at the Administrative


                                       46
<PAGE>   48

         Agent's office specified in Schedule 2.1(a) not later than 2:00 P.M.
         (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the date when due. Payments
         received after such time shall be deemed to have been received on the
         next succeeding Business Day. The Administrative Agent may (but shall
         not be obligated to) debit the amount of any such payment which is not
         made by such time to any ordinary deposit account of the Borrower or
         any other Credit Party maintained with the Administrative Agent (with
         notice to the Borrower or such other Credit Party). The Borrower shall,
         at the time it makes any payment under this Credit Agreement, specify
         to the Administrative Agent the Loans, LOC Obligations, Fees, interest
         or other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder to which such
         payment is to be applied (and in the event that it fails so to specify,
         or if such application would be inconsistent with the terms hereof, the
         Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Lenders in
         such manner as the Administrative Agent may determine to be appropriate
         in respect of obligations owing by the Borrower hereunder, subject to
         the terms of Section 3.13(a)). The Administrative Agent will distribute
         such payments to such Lenders, if any such payment is received prior to
         12:00 Noon (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on a Business Day in like
         funds as received prior to the end of such Business Day and otherwise
         the Administrative Agent will distribute such payment to such Lenders
         on the next succeeding Business Day. Whenever any payment hereunder
         shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the due
         date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day
         (subject to accrual of interest and Fees for the period of such
         extension), except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans, if the
         extension would cause the payment to be made in the next following
         calendar month, then such payment shall instead be made on the next
         preceding Business Day. Except as expressly provided otherwise herein,
         all computations of interest and fees shall be made on the basis of
         actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days. Interest shall
         accrue from and include the date of borrowing, but exclude the date of
         payment.

                  (b)      Allocation of Payments After Event of Default.
         Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Credit Agreement to the
         contrary, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event
         of Default, all amounts collected or received by the Administrative
         Agent or any Lender on account of the Credit Party Obligations or any
         other amounts outstanding under any of the Credit Documents shall be
         paid over or delivered as follows:

                  FIRST, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs
         and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees)
         of the Administrative Agent in connection with enforcing the rights of
         the Lenders under the Credit Documents;

                  SECOND, to payment of any fees owed to the Administrative
         Agent;

                  THIRD, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs
         and expenses (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees)
         of each of the Lenders in connection with enforcing its rights under
         the Credit Documents or otherwise with respect to the Credit Party
         Obligations owing to such Lender;


                                       47
<PAGE>   49

                  FOURTH, to the payment of all of the Credit Party Obligations
         consisting of accrued fees and interest;

                  FIFTH, to the payment of the outstanding principal amount of
         the Credit Party Obligations (including the payment or cash
         collateralization of the outstanding LOC Obligations);

                  SIXTH, to all other Credit Party Obligations and other
         obligations which shall have become due and payable under the Credit
         Documents or otherwise and not repaid pursuant to clauses "FIRST"
         through "FIFTH" above; and

                  SEVENTH, to the payment of the surplus, if any, to whoever may
         be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.

         In carrying out the foregoing, (i) amounts received shall be applied in
         the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to application to
         the next succeeding category; (ii) each of the Lenders shall receive an
         amount equal to its pro rata share (based on the proportion that the
         then outstanding Loans and LOC Obligations held by such Lender bears to
         the aggregate then outstanding Loans and LOC Obligations) of amounts
         available to be applied pursuant to clauses "THIRD", "FOURTH", "FIFTH"
         and "SIXTH" above; and (iii) to the extent that any amounts available
         for distribution pursuant to clause "FIFTH" above are attributable to
         the issued but undrawn amount of outstanding Letters of Credit, such
         amounts shall be held by the Administrative Agent in a cash collateral
         account and applied (A) first, to reimburse the Issuing Lender from
         time to time for any drawings under such Letters of Credit and (B)
         then, following the expiration of all Letters of Credit, to all other
         obligations of the types described in clauses "FIFTH" and "SIXTH" above
         in the manner provided in this Section 3.15(b).

         3.16     EVIDENCE OF DEBT.

                  (a)      Each Lender shall maintain an account or accounts
         evidencing each Loan made by such Lender to the Borrower from time to
         time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid
         to such Lender from time to time under this Credit Agreement. Each
         Lender will make reasonable efforts to maintain the accuracy of its
         account or accounts and to promptly update its account or accounts from
         time to time, as necessary.

                  (b)      The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register
         pursuant to Section 11.3(c), and a subaccount for each Lender, in which
         Register and subaccounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the
         amount, type and Interest Period of each such Loan hereunder, (ii) the
         amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due
         and payable to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum
         received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from or for the account
         of any Credit Party and each


                                       48
<PAGE>   50

         Lender's share thereof. The Administrative Agent will make reasonable
         efforts to maintain the accuracy of the subaccounts referred to in the
         preceding sentence and to promptly update such subaccounts from time to
         time, as necessary.

                  (c)      The entries made in the accounts, Register and
         subaccounts maintained pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 3.16
         (and, if consistent with the entries of the Administrative Agent,
         subsection (a)) shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and
         amounts of the obligations of the Credit Parties therein recorded;
         provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative
         Agent to maintain any such account, such Register or such subaccount,
         as applicable, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the
         obligation of the Credit Parties to repay the Credit Party obligations
         owing to such Lender.

                                    SECTION 4

                                    GUARANTY

         4.1      THE GUARANTY.

         Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby jointly and severally
guarantees to each Lender, each Affiliate of a Lender that enters into a Hedging
Agreement, and the Administrative Agent as hereinafter provided, as primary
obligor and not as surety, the prompt payment of the Credit Party Obligations in
full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by
acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) strictly in
accordance with the terms thereof. The Subsidiary Guarantors hereby further
agree that if any of the Credit Party Obligations are not paid in full when due
(whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a
mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise), the Subsidiary Guarantors will,
jointly and severally, promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice
whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal
of any of the Credit Party Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full
when due (whether at extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by
acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) in accordance
with the terms of such extension or renewal.

         Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in
any other of the Credit Documents or Hedging Agreements, the obligations of each
Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to
the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to
avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provisions
of any applicable state law.

         4.2      OBLIGATIONS UNCONDITIONAL.

         The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors under Section 4.1 are
joint and several, absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, irrespective of the
value, genuineness, validity,


                                       49
<PAGE>   51

regularity or enforceability of any of the Credit Documents or Hedging
Agreements, or any other agreement or instrument referred to therein, or any
substitution, release, impairment or exchange of any other guarantee of or
security for any of the Credit Party Obligations, and, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever
which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a
surety or guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 4.2 that the
obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereunder shall be absolute and
unconditional under any and all circumstances. Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees
that such Subsidiary Guarantor shall have no right of subrogation, indemnity,
reimbursement or contribution against the Borrower or any other Subsidiary
Guarantor for amounts paid under this Section 4 until such time as the Lenders
(and any Affiliates of Lenders entering into Hedging Agreements) have been paid
in full, all Commitments under this Credit Agreement have been terminated and no
Person or Governmental Authority shall have any right to request any return or
reimbursement of funds from the Lenders in connection with monies received under
the Credit Documents or Hedging Agreements between any Credit Party and any
Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, it is agreed that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the
occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or impair the
liability of any Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder which shall remain absolute and
unconditional as described above:

                  (a)      at any time or from time to time, without notice to
         any Guarantor, the time for any performance of or compliance with any
         of the Credit Party Obligations shall be extended, or such performance
         or compliance shall be waived;

                  (b)      any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of
         any of the Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreement between any Credit
         Party and any Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender or any other
         agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents or such
         Hedging Agreements shall be done or omitted;

                  (c)      the maturity of any of the Credit Party Obligations
         shall be accelerated, or any of the Credit Party Obligations shall be
         modified, supplemented or amended in any respect, or any right under
         any of the Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreement between any Credit
         Party and any Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender or any other
         agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents or such
         Hedging Agreements shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the
         Credit Party Obligations or any security therefor shall be released,
         impaired or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with;

                  (d)      any Lien granted to, or in favor of, the
         Administrative Agent or any Lender or Lenders as security for any of
         the Credit Party Obligations shall fail to attach or be perfected; or

                  (e)      any of the Credit Party Obligations shall be
         determined to be void or voidable (including, without limitation, for
         the benefit of any creditor of any Guarantor)


                                       50
<PAGE>   52

         or shall be subordinated to the claims of any Person (including,
         without limitation, any creditor of any Guarantor).

With respect to its obligations hereunder, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby
expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all
notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any
Lender exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against any Person under
any of the Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreement between any Credit Party and
any Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender or any other agreement or instrument
referred to in the Credit Documents or such Hedging Agreements, or against any
other Person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Credit
Party Obligations.

         4.3      REINSTATEMENT.

         The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Section 4 shall
be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment
by or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Credit Party Obligations is
rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Credit Party
Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or
reorganization or otherwise, and each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that it will
indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender on demand for all reasonable
costs and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of counsel)
incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in connection with such
rescission or restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in
defending against any claim alleging that such payment constituted a preference,
fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any bankruptcy, insolvency or
similar law.

         4.4      CERTAIN ADDITIONAL WAIVERS.

         Without limiting the generality of the provisions of this Section 4,
each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby specifically waives the benefits of N.C. Gen.
Stat. ss.ss. 26-7 through 26-9, inclusive, to the extent applicable. Each
Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that such Subsidiary Guarantor shall have no
right of recourse to security for the Credit Party Obligations, except through
the exercise of rights of subrogation pursuant to Section 4.2 and through the
exercise of rights of contribution pursuant to Section 4.6.

         4.5      REMEDIES.

         The Subsidiary Guarantors agree that, to the fullest extent permitted
by law, as between the Subsidiary Guarantors, on the one hand, and the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, the Credit Party
Obligations may be declared to be forthwith due and payable as provided in
Section 9.2 (and shall be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in
the circumstances provided in said Section 9.2) for purposes of Section 4.1
notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such
declaration (or preventing the Credit Party Obligations from becoming
automatically due and payable) as against any other Person and that, in the
event of such declaration (or the Credit Party Obligations being deemed to have
become


                                       51
<PAGE>   53

automatically due and payable), the Credit Party Obligations (whether or not due
and payable by any other Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by the
Subsidiary Guarantors for purposes of Section 4.1.

         4.6      RIGHTS OF CONTRIBUTION.

         The Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agree as among themselves that, if any
Subsidiary Guarantor shall make an Excess Payment (as defined below), such
Subsidiary Guarantor shall have a right of contribution from each other
Subsidiary Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Subsidiary Guarantor's
Contribution Share (as defined below) of such Excess Payment. The payment
obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Section 4.6 shall be
subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full to the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the Guaranteed Obligations, and none of
the Subsidiary Guarantors shall exercise any right or remedy under this Section
4.6 against any other Subsidiary Guarantor until payment and satisfaction in
full of all of such Guaranteed Obligations. For purposes of this Section 4.6,
(a) "Guaranteed Obligations" shall mean any obligations arising under the other
provisions of this Section 4; (b) "Excess Payment" shall mean the amount paid by
any Subsidiary Guarantor in excess of its Pro Rata Share of any Guaranteed
Obligations; (c) "Pro Rata Share" shall mean, for any Subsidiary Guarantor in
respect of any payment of Guaranteed Obligations, the ratio (expressed as a
percentage) as of the date of such payment of Guaranteed Obligations of (i) the
amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of all of its assets
and properties exceeds the amount of all debts and liabilities of such
Subsidiary Guarantor (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and
unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of such Subsidiary
Guarantor hereunder) to (ii) the amount by which the aggregate present fair
salable value of all assets and other properties of all of the Credit Parties
exceeds the amount of all of the debts and liabilities (including contingent,
subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the
obligations of the Credit Parties hereunder) of the Credit Parties; provided,
however, that, for purposes of calculating the Pro Rata Shares of the Subsidiary
Guarantors in respect of any payment of Guaranteed Obligations, any Subsidiary
Guarantor that became a Subsidiary Guarantor subsequent to the date of any such
payment shall be deemed to have been a Subsidiary Guarantor on the date of such
payment and the financial information for such Subsidiary Guarantor as of the
date such Subsidiary Guarantor became a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be utilized
for such Subsidiary Guarantor in connection with such payment; and (d)
"Contribution Share" shall mean, for any Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of any
Excess Payment made by any other Subsidiary Guarantor, the ratio (expressed as a
percentage) as of the date of such Excess Payment of (i) the amount by which the
aggregate present fair salable value of all of its assets and properties exceeds
the amount of all debts and liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor (including
contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding
the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder) to (ii) the amount by
which the aggregate present fair salable value of all assets and other
properties of the Credit Parties other than the maker of such Excess Payment
exceeds the amount of all of the debts and liabilities (including contingent,
subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the
obligations of the Credit Parties) of the Credit Parties other than the maker of
such Excess Payment; provided, however, that, for purposes of calculating the
Contribution


                                       52
<PAGE>   54

Shares of the Subsidiary Guarantors in respect of any Excess Payment, any
Subsidiary Guarantor that became a Subsidiary Guarantor subsequent to the date
of any such Excess Payment shall be deemed to have been a Subsidiary Guarantor
on the date of such Excess Payment and the financial information for such
Subsidiary Guarantor as of the date such Subsidiary Guarantor became a
Subsidiary Guarantor shall be utilized for such Subsidiary Guarantor in
connection with such Excess Payment. This Section 4.6 shall not be deemed to
affect any right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution that
any Subsidiary Guarantor may have under applicable law against the Borrower in
respect of any payment of Guaranteed Obligations.

         4.7      GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT; CONTINUING GUARANTEE.

         The guarantee in this Section 4 is a guaranty of payment and not of
collection, is a continuing guarantee, and shall apply to all Credit Party
Obligations whenever arising.

                                    SECTION 5

                                   CONDITIONS

         5.1      CLOSING CONDITIONS.

         The obligation of the Lenders to enter into this Credit Agreement and
to make the initial Loans or the Issuing Lender to issue the initial Letter of
Credit, whichever shall occur first, shall be subject to satisfaction of the
following conditions (in form and substance acceptable to the Lenders):

                  (a)      Executed Credit Documents. Receipt by the
         Administrative Agent of duly executed copies of: (i) this Credit
         Agreement, (ii) the Notes and (iii) all other Credit Documents, each in
         form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole
         discretion.

                  (b)      Corporate Documents. Receipt by the Administrative
         Agent of the following:

                           (i)      Charter Documents. Copies of the articles or
                  certificates of incorporation, certificate of formation or
                  other charter documents of each Credit Party certified to be
                  true and complete as of a recent date by the appropriate
                  Governmental Authority of the state or other jurisdiction of
                  its incorporation and certified by a secretary or assistant
                  secretary of such Credit Party to be true and correct as of
                  the Closing Date.

                           (ii)     Bylaws. A copy of the bylaws or operating
                  agreement of each Credit Party certified by a secretary or
                  assistant secretary of such Credit Party to be true and
                  correct as of the Closing Date.


                                       53
<PAGE>   55

                           (iii)    Resolutions. Copies of resolutions of the
                  Board of Directors of each Credit Party approving and adopting
                  the Credit Documents to which it is a party, the transactions
                  contemplated therein and authorizing execution and delivery
                  thereof, certified by a secretary or assistant secretary of
                  such Credit Party to be true and correct and in force and
                  effect as of the Closing Date.

                           (iv)     Good Standing. Copies of certificates of
                  good standing, existence or its equivalent with respect to
                  each Credit Party certified as of a recent date by the
                  appropriate Governmental Authorities of the state or other
                  jurisdiction of incorporation and each other jurisdiction in
                  which the failure to so qualify and be in good standing could
                  have a Material Adverse Effect.

                           (v)      Incumbency. An incumbency certificate of
                  each Credit Party certified by a secretary or assistant
                  secretary to be true and correct as of the Closing Date.

                  (c)      Financial Statements. Receipt by the Administrative
         Agent of (i) unaudited consolidated financial statements of the
         Consolidated Parties, prepared in accordance with GAAP as of the fiscal
         quarter ending September 24, 2000 for the fiscal quarter ending as of
         such date and (ii) such other information relating to the Borrower and
         its Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require in
         connection with the structuring and syndication of credit facilities of
         the type described herein.

                  (d)      Opinions of Counsel. The Administrative Agent shall
         have received a legal opinion in form and substance reasonably
         satisfactory to the Administrative Agent dated as of the Closing Date
         from counsel to the Credit Parties.

                  (e)      Material Adverse Effect. No material adverse change
         shall have occurred since June 25, 2000 in the condition (financial or
         otherwise), business, assets, liabilities, operations, management or
         prospects of the Consolidated Parties taken as a whole.

                  (f)      Litigation. There shall not exist any pending or
         threatened action, suit, investigation or proceeding against a
         Consolidated Party that could have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (g)      Officer's Certificates. The Administrative Agent
         shall have received a certificate or certificates executed by the chief
         financial officer of the Borrower as of the Closing Date stating that
         (A) each Credit Party is in compliance with all existing financial
         obligations, (B) all governmental, shareholder and third party consents
         and approvals, if any, with respect to the Credit Documents and the
         transactions contemplated thereby have been obtained, (C) no action,
         suit, investigation or proceeding is pending or threatened in any court
         or before any arbitrator or governmental instrumentality that purports
         to affect any Credit Party or any transaction contemplated by the
         Credit


                                       54
<PAGE>   56

         Documents, if such action, suit, investigation or proceeding could have
         a Material Adverse Effect, and (D) immediately after giving effect to
         this Credit Agreement, the other Credit Documents and all the
         transactions contemplated therein to occur on such date, (1) each of
         the Credit Parties is Solvent, (2) no Default or Event of Default
         exists, (3) all representations and warranties contained herein and in
         the other Credit Documents are true and correct in all material
         respects, and (4) the Credit Parties are in compliance with each of the
         financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11.

                  (h)      Fees and Expenses. Payment by the Credit Parties of
         all fees and expenses owed by them to the Lenders and the
         Administrative Agent, including, without limitation, payment to the
         Administrative Agent of the fees set forth in the Fee Letter.

                  (i)      Other. Receipt by the Lenders of such other
         documents, instruments, agreements or information as reasonably
         requested by any Lender, including, but not limited to, information
         regarding litigation, tax, accounting, labor, insurance, pension
         liabilities (actual or contingent), real estate leases, material
         contracts, debt agreements, property ownership and contingent
         liabilities of the Consolidated Parties.

         5.2      CONDITIONS TO ALL EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT.

         The obligations of each Lender to make, convert or extend any Loan and
of the Issuing Lender to issue or extend any Letter of Credit (including the
initial Loans and the initial Letter of Credit) are subject to satisfaction of
the following conditions in addition to satisfaction on the Closing Date of the
conditions set forth in Section 5.1:

                  (a)      The Borrower shall have delivered (i) in the case of
         any Revolving Loan, an appropriate Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
         Extension/Conversion or (ii) in the case of any Letter of Credit, the
         Issuing Lender shall have received an appropriate request for issuance
         in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2(b);

                  (b)      The representations and warranties set forth in
         Section 6 shall, subject to the limitations set forth therein, be true
         and correct in all material respects as of such date (except for those
         which expressly relate to an earlier date);

                  (c)      There shall not have been commenced against any
         Consolidated Party an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy,
         insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or any
         case, proceeding or other action for the appointment of a receiver,
         liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar
         official) of such Person or for any substantial part of its Property or
         for the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such involuntary
         case or other case, proceeding or other action shall remain
         undismissed, undischarged or unbonded;

                  (d)      No Default or Event of Default shall exist and be
         continuing either prior to or after giving effect thereto;


                                       55
<PAGE>   57

                  (e)      No circumstances, events or conditions shall have
         occurred since June 25, 2000 which would have a Material Adverse
         Effect; and

                  (f)      Immediately after giving effect to the making of such
         Loan (and the application of the proceeds thereof) or to the issuance
         of such Letter of Credit, as the case may be, (i) the sum of the
         aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus LOC
         Obligations outstanding plus outstanding Swingline Loans shall not
         exceed the Revolving Committed Amount and (ii) the LOC Obligations
         shall not exceed the LOC Committed Amount.

The delivery of each Notice of Borrowing, each Notice of Extension/Conversion
and each request for a Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.2(b) shall
constitute a representation and warranty by the Credit Parties of the
correctness of the matters specified in subsections (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f)
above.

                                    SECTION 6

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         The Credit Parties hereby represent to the Administrative Agent and
each Lender that:

         6.1      FINANCIAL CONDITION.

         The financial statements delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section
5.1(c) and Section 7.1(a) and (b), (i) have been prepared in accordance with
GAAP and (ii) present fairly (on the basis disclosed in the footnotes to such
financial statements) the consolidated and consolidating financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows of the Consolidated Parties as of such date
and for such periods.

         6.2      NO MATERIAL CHANGE.

         Since June 25, 2000, (a) there has been no development or event
relating to or affecting a Consolidated Party which has had or could have a
Material Adverse Effect and (b) except as otherwise permitted under this Credit
Agreement, no dividends or other distributions have been declared, paid or made
upon the Capital Stock in a Consolidated Party nor has any of the Capital Stock
in a Consolidated Party been redeemed, retired, purchased or otherwise acquired
for value.

         6.3      ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING; COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.

         Each of the Consolidated Parties (a) is duly organized, validly
existing and is in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or organization, (b) has the requisite power and authority, and
the legal right, to own and operate all its property, to lease the


                                       56
<PAGE>   58

property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is
currently engaged and (c) is duly qualified to conduct business and in good
standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or
operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification
except to the extent that the failure to so qualify or be in good standing could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         6.4      POWER; AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEABLE OBLIGATIONS.

         Each of the Credit Parties has the corporate or other necessary power
and authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver and perform the Credit
Documents to which it is a party, and in the case of the Borrower, to obtain
extensions of credit hereunder, and has taken all necessary corporate action to
authorize the borrowings and other extensions of credit on the terms and
conditions of this Credit Agreement and to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance of the Credit Documents to which it is a party. No consent or
authorization of, filing with, notice to or other similar act by or in respect
of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required to be obtained or
made by or on behalf of any Credit Party in connection with the borrowings or
other extensions of credit hereunder or with the execution, delivery,
performance, validity or enforceability of the Credit Documents to which such
Credit Party is a party. This Credit Agreement has been, and each other Credit
Document to which any Credit Party is a party will be, duly executed and
delivered on behalf of the Credit Parties. This Credit Agreement constitutes,
and each other Credit Document to which any Credit Party is a party when
executed and delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of
such Credit Party enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms,
except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether
enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).

         6.5      NO CONFLICTS.

         Neither the execution and delivery of the Credit Documents, nor the
consummation of the transactions contemplated therein, nor performance of and
compliance with the terms and provisions thereof by such Credit Party will (a)
violate or conflict with any provision of its articles or certificate of
incorporation or bylaws or other organizational or governing documents of such
Person, (b) violate, contravene or materially conflict with any Requirement of
Law or any other law, regulation (including, without limitation, Regulation U or
Regulation X), order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree or permit applicable to
it, (c) violate, contravene or conflict with contractual provisions of, or cause
an event of default under, any indenture, loan agreement, mortgage, deed of
trust, contract or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by
which it may be bound, the violation of which could have a Material Adverse
Effect, or (d) result in or require the creation of any Lien (other than those
contemplated in or created in connection with the Credit Documents) upon or with
respect to its properties.


                                       57
<PAGE>   59

         6.6      NO DEFAULT.

         No Consolidated Party is in default in any respect under any contract,
lease, loan agreement, indenture, mortgage, security agreement or other
agreement or obligation to which it is a party or by which any of its properties
is bound which default could have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default or Event
of Default has occurred or exists except as previously disclosed in writing to
the Lenders.

         6.7      OWNERSHIP.

         Each Consolidated Party is the owner of, and has good and marketable
title to, all of its respective assets and none of such assets is subject to any
Lien other than Permitted Liens.

         6.8      INDEBTEDNESS.

         Except as otherwise permitted under Section 8.1, the Consolidated
Parties have no Indebtedness.

         6.9      LITIGATION.

         There are no actions, suits or legal, equitable, arbitration or
administrative proceedings, pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party,
threatened against any Consolidated Party which might have a Material Adverse
Effect.

         6.10     TAXES.

         Each Consolidated Party has filed, or caused to be filed, all tax
returns (federal, state, local and foreign) required to be filed and paid (a)
all amounts of taxes shown thereon to be due (including interest and penalties)
and (b) all other taxes, fees, assessments and other governmental charges
(including mortgage recording taxes, documentary stamp taxes and intangibles
taxes) owing by it, except for such taxes (i) which are not yet delinquent or
(ii) that are being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings, and
against which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP. No
Credit Party is aware as of the Closing Date of any proposed tax assessments
against it or any Consolidated Party.

         6.11     COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.

         Each Consolidated Party is in compliance with all Requirements of Law
and all other laws, rules, regulations, orders and decrees (including without
limitation Environmental Laws) applicable to it, or to its properties, unless
such failure to comply could not have a Material Adverse Effect.


                                       58
<PAGE>   60

         6.12     ERISA.

         Except as would not have or reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect:

                  (a)      During the five-year period prior to the date on
         which this representation is made or deemed made: (i) no ERISA Event
         has occurred, and, to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, no
         event or condition has occurred or exists as a result of which any
         ERISA Event could reasonably be expected to occur, with respect to any
         Plan; (ii) no "accumulated funding deficiency," as such term is defined
         in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, whether or not
         waived, has occurred with respect to any Plan; (iii) each Plan has been
         maintained, operated, and funded in compliance with its own terms and
         in material compliance with the provisions of ERISA, the Code, and any
         other applicable federal or state laws; and (iv) no lien in favor of
         the PBGC or a Plan has arisen or is reasonably likely to arise on
         account of any Plan.

                  (b)      The actuarial present value of all "benefit
         liabilities" (as defined in Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA), whether or
         not vested, under each Single Employer Plan, as of the last annual
         valuation date prior to the date on which this representation is made
         or deemed made (determined, in each case, in accordance with Financial
         Accounting Standards Board Statement 87, utilizing the actuarial
         assumptions used in such Plan's most recent actuarial valuation
         report), did not exceed as of such valuation date the fair market value
         of the assets of such Plan.

                  (c)      Neither any Consolidated Party nor any ERISA
         Affiliate has incurred, or, to the best knowledge of the Credit
         Parties, could be reasonably expected to incur, any withdrawal
         liability under ERISA to any Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer
         Plan. Neither any Consolidated Party nor any ERISA Affiliate would
         become subject to any withdrawal liability under ERISA if any
         Consolidated Party or any ERISA Affiliate were to withdraw completely
         from all Multiemployer Plans and Multiple Employer Plans as of the
         valuation date most closely preceding the date on which this
         representation is made or deemed made. Neither any Consolidated Party
         nor any ERISA Affiliate has received any notification that any
         Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization (within the meaning of Section
         4241 of ERISA), is insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of
         ERISA), or has been terminated (within the meaning of Title IV of
         ERISA), and no Multiemployer Plan is, to the best knowledge of the
         Credit Parties, reasonably expected to be in reorganization, insolvent,
         or terminated.

                  (d)      No prohibited transaction (within the meaning of
         Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or breach of
         fiduciary responsibility has occurred with respect to a Plan which has
         subjected or may subject any Consolidated Party or any ERISA Affiliate
         to any liability under Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of ERISA or
         Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other instrument
         pursuant to which any Consolidated Party or any ERISA Affiliate has
         agreed or is required to indemnify any Person against any such
         liability.


                                       59
<PAGE>   61

                  (e)      Neither any Consolidated Party nor any ERISA
         Affiliates has any material liability with respect to "expected
         post-retirement benefit obligations" within the meaning of the
         Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement 106. Each Plan which is
         a welfare plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) to which Sections
         601-609 of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code apply has been
         administered in compliance in all material respects of such sections.

                  (f)      Neither the execution and delivery of this Credit
         Agreement nor the consummation of the financing transactions
         contemplated thereunder will involve any transaction which is subject
         to the prohibitions of Sections 404, 406 or 407 of ERISA or in
         connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to Section 4975
         of the Code. The representation by the Credit Parties in the preceding
         sentence is made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of the
         Lenders' representation in Section 11.15 with respect to their source
         of funds and is subject, in the event that the source of the funds used
         by the Lenders in connection with this transaction is an insurance
         company's general asset account, to the application of Prohibited
         Transaction Class Exemption 95-60, 60 Fed. Reg. 35,925 (1995),
         compliance with the regulations issued under Section 401(c)(1)(A) of
         ERISA, or the issuance of any other prohibited transaction exemption or
         similar relief, to the effect that assets in an insurance company's
         general asset account do not constitute assets of an "employee benefit
         plan" within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA of a "plan" within
         the meaning of Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code.

         6.13     SUBSIDIARIES.

         Set forth on Schedule 6.13 is a complete and accurate list of all
Subsidiaries of each Consolidated Party.

         6.14     GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS, ETC.

                  (a)      No part of the Letters of Credit or proceeds of the
         Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, in any manner that would
         constitute a violation of Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X.
         "Margin stock" within the meaning of Regulation U does not constitute
         more than 25% of the value of the consolidated assets of the
         Consolidated Parties. None of the transactions contemplated by this
         Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, the direct or indirect
         use of the proceeds of the Loans) will violate or result in a violation
         of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange
         Act of 1934, as amended, or regulations issued pursuant thereto, or
         Regulation T, U or X. If requested by any Lender or Administrative
         Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each
         Lender a statement to the effect of the foregoing sentences in
         conformity with the requirements of FR Form U-1 referred to in
         Regulation U.


                                       60
<PAGE>   62

                  (b)      No Consolidated Party is subject to regulation under
         the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act
         or the Investment Company Act of 1940, each as amended. In addition, no
         Consolidated Party is (i) an "investment company" registered or
         required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
         amended, and is not controlled by such a company, or (ii) a "holding
         company", or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company", or an
         "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary" of a "holding
         company", within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act
         of 1935, as amended.

                  (c)      No director, executive officer or principal
         shareholder of any Consolidated Party is a director, executive officer
         or principal shareholder of any Lender. For the purposes hereof the
         terms "director", "executive officer" and "principal shareholder" (when
         used with reference to any Lender) have the respective meanings
         assigned thereto in Regulation O issued by the Board of Governors of
         the Federal Reserve System.

                  (d)      Each Consolidated Party has obtained and holds in
         full force and effect, all franchises, licenses, permits, certificates,
         authorizations, qualifications, accreditations, easements, rights of
         way and other rights, consents and approvals which are necessary for
         the ownership of its respective Property and to the conduct of its
         respective businesses as presently conducted.

                  (e)      No Consolidated Party is in violation of any
         applicable statute, regulation or ordinance of the United States of
         America, or of any state, city, town, municipality, county or any other
         jurisdiction, or of any agency thereof (including without limitation,
         environmental laws and regulations), which violation could have a
         Material Adverse Effect.

                  (f)      Each Consolidated Party is current with all material
         reports and documents, if any, required to be filed with any state or
         federal securities commission or similar agency and is in full
         compliance in all material respects with all applicable rules and
         regulations of such commissions.

         6.15     PURPOSE OF LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT.

         The proceeds of the Loans hereunder shall be used solely by the
Borrower (i) for working capital, (ii) to make Consolidated Capital
Expenditures, (iii) for general corporate purposes, (iv) to refinance existing
Indebtedness of the Borrower and (v) to make Permitted Acquisitions. The Letters
of Credit shall be used only for or in connection with appeal bonds,
reimbursement obligations arising in connection with surety and reclamation
bonds, reinsurance, domestic or international trade transactions and obligations
not otherwise aforementioned relating to transactions entered into by the
applicable account party in the ordinary course of business.


                                       61
<PAGE>   63

         6.16     ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

                  (a)      Each of the facilities and properties owned, leased
         or operated by the Consolidated Parties (the "Properties") and all
         operations at the Properties are in compliance with all applicable
         Environmental Laws, and there is no violation of any Environmental Law
         with respect to the Properties or the businesses operated by the
         Consolidated Parties (the "Businesses"), and there are no conditions
         relating to the Businesses or Properties that could give rise to
         liability under any applicable Environmental Laws.

                  (b)      None of the Properties contains, or has previously
         contained, any Materials of Environmental Concern at, on or under the
         Properties in amounts or concentrations that constitute or constituted
         a violation of, or could give rise to liability under, Environmental
         Laws.

                  (c)      No Consolidated Party has received any written or
         verbal notice of, or inquiry from any Governmental Authority regarding,
         any violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or
         potential liability regarding environmental matters or compliance with
         Environmental Laws with regard to any of the Properties or the
         Businesses, nor does any Consolidated Party have knowledge or reason to
         believe that any such notice will be received or is being threatened.

                  (d)      Materials of Environmental Concern have not been
         transported or disposed of from the Properties, or generated, treated,
         stored or disposed of at, on or under any of the Properties or any
         other location, in each case by or on behalf of any Consolidated Party
         in violation of, or in a manner that could give rise to liability
         under, any applicable Environmental Law.

                  (e)      No judicial proceeding or governmental or
         administrative action is pending or, to the best knowledge of any
         Credit Party, threatened, under any Environmental Law to which any
         Consolidated Party is or will be named as a party, nor are there any
         consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders, administrative orders
         or other orders, or other administrative or judicial requirements
         outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to the
         Consolidated Parties, the Properties or the Businesses.

                  (f)      There has been no release, or threat of release, of
         Materials of Environmental Concern at or from the Properties, or
         arising from or related to the operations (including, without
         limitation, disposal) of any Consolidated Party in connection with the
         Properties or otherwise in connection with the Businesses, in violation
         of or in amounts or in a manner that could give rise to liability under
         Environmental Laws.


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<PAGE>   64

         6.17     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

         Each Consolidated Party owns, or has the legal right to use, all
trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, technology, know-how and processes (the
"Intellectual Property") necessary for each of them to conduct its business as
currently conducted except for those the failure to own or have such legal right
to use could not have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim has been asserted and
is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any such
Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any such Intellectual
Property, nor does any Credit Party know of any such claim, and to the Credit
Parties' knowledge the use of such Intellectual Property by any Consolidated
Party does not infringe on the rights of any Person, except for such claims and
infringements that, in the aggregate, could not have a Material Adverse Effect.

         6.18     SOLVENCY.

         Each Credit Party is and, after consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Credit Agreement, will be Solvent.

         6.19     INVESTMENTS.

         All Investments of each Consolidated Party are Permitted Investments.

         6.20     DISCLOSURE.

         Neither this Credit Agreement nor any financial statements delivered to
the Lenders nor any other document, certificate or statement furnished to the
Lenders by or on behalf of any Consolidated Party in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby contains any untrue statement of a material
fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
contained therein or herein not misleading.

         6.21     NO BURDENSOME RESTRICTIONS.

         No Consolidated Party is a party to any agreement or instrument or
subject to any other obligation or any charter or corporate restriction or any
provision of any applicable law, rule or regulation which, individually or in
the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         6.22     BROKERS' FEES.

         None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation to
any Person in respect of any finder's, broker's, investment banking or other
similar fee in connection with any of the transactions contemplated under the
Credit Documents.


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<PAGE>   65

         6.23     LABOR MATTERS.

         There are no collective bargaining agreements or Multiemployer Plans
covering the employees of a Consolidated Party, and none of the Consolidated
Parties (a) has suffered any strikes, walkouts, work stoppages or other material
labor difficulty within the last five years, or (b) has knowledge of any
potential or pending strike, walkout or work stoppage.

                                    SECTION 7

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         Each Credit Party hereby covenants and agrees that, so long as this
Credit Agreement is in effect or any amounts payable hereunder or under any
other Credit Document shall remain outstanding, and until all of the Commitments
hereunder shall have terminated:

         7.1      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

         The Credit Parties will furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the
Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:

                  (a)      Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available,
         and in any event within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year of
         the Consolidated Parties, (i) the consolidated balance sheet and income
         statement of the Consolidated Parties, as of the end of such fiscal
         year, together with related consolidated statements of operations and
         retained earnings and of cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth
         in comparative form consolidated figures for the preceding fiscal year
         and (ii) a balance sheet and income statement of UTP, as of the end of
         such fiscal year, all such financial information described above to be
         in reasonable form and detail and audited by independent certified
         public accountants of recognized national standing reasonably
         acceptable to the Administrative Agent and whose opinion shall be to
         the effect that such financial statements have been prepared in
         accordance with GAAP (except for changes with which such accountants
         concur) and shall not be limited as to the scope of the audit or
         qualified in any manner.

                  (b)      Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available,
         and in any event within 45 days after the close of each fiscal quarter
         of the Consolidated Parties (other than the fourth fiscal quarter, in
         which case 90 days after the end thereof), (i) a consolidated balance
         sheet and income statement of the Consolidated Parties, as of the end
         of such fiscal quarter, together with related consolidated statements
         of operations and retained earnings and of cash flows for such fiscal
         quarter, in each case setting forth in comparative form consolidated
         figures for the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year and
         (ii) a balance sheet and income statement of UTP, as of the end of such
         fiscal quarter, all such financial information described above to be in
         reasonable form and


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<PAGE>   66

         detail and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and
         accompanied by a certificate of the chief financial officer of the
         Borrower to the effect that such quarterly financial statements fairly
         present in all material respects the financial condition of the
         Consolidated Parties and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP,
         subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end audit
         adjustments.

                  (c)      Officer's Certificate. At the time of delivery of the
         financial statements provided for in Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b) above,
         a certificate of the chief financial officer of the Borrower
         substantially in the form of Exhibit 7.1(c), (i) demonstrating
         compliance with the financial covenants contained in Section 7.11 by
         calculation thereof as of the end of each such fiscal period, (ii)
         containing a calculation of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the
         end of each such fiscal period and (iii) stating that no Default or
         Event of Default exists, or if any Default or Event of Default does
         exist, specifying the nature and extent thereof and what action the
         Credit Parties propose to take with respect thereto.

                  (d)      Accountant's Certificate. Within the period for
         delivery of the annual financial statements provided in Section 7.1(a),
         a certificate of the accountants conducting the annual audit stating
         that they have reviewed this Credit Agreement and stating further
         whether, in the course of their audit, they have become aware of any
         Default or Event of Default and, if any such Default or Event of
         Default exists, specifying the nature and extent thereof.

                  (e)      Auditor's Reports. Promptly upon receipt thereof, a
         copy of any other report or "management letter" submitted by
         independent accountants to any Consolidated Party in connection with
         any annual, interim or special audit of the books of such Person.

                  (f)      Reports. Promptly upon request of the Administrative
         Agent, (i) copies of any filings and registrations with, and reports to
         or from, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor
         agency, and copies of all financial statements, proxy statements,
         notices and reports as any Consolidated Party shall send to its
         shareholders or to a holder of any Indebtedness owed by any
         Consolidated Party in its capacity as such a holder and (ii) upon the
         request of the Administrative Agent, all reports and written
         information to and from the United States Environmental Protection
         Agency, or any state or local agency responsible for environmental
         matters, the United States Occupational Health and Safety
         Administration, or any state or local agency responsible for health and
         safety matters, or any successor agencies or authorities concerning
         environmental, health or safety matters.

                  (g)      Notices. Upon obtaining knowledge thereof, the Credit
         Parties will give written notice to the Administrative Agent
         immediately of (i) the occurrence of an event or condition consisting
         of a Default or Event of Default, specifying the nature and existence
         thereof and what action the Credit Parties propose to take with respect
         thereto, and (ii) the occurrence of any of the following with respect
         to any Consolidated Party (A) the pendency or commencement of any
         litigation, arbitral or governmental


                                       65
<PAGE>   67

         proceeding against such Person which if adversely determined is likely
         to have a Material Adverse Effect, (B) the institution of any
         proceedings against such Person with respect to, or the receipt of
         notice by such Person of potential liability or responsibility for
         violation, or alleged violation of any federal, state or local law,
         rule or regulation, including but not limited to, Environmental Laws,
         the violation of which could have a Material Adverse Effect, or (C) any
         notice or determination concerning the imposition of any withdrawal
         liability by a Multiemployer Plan against such Person or any ERISA
         Affiliate, the determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is
         expected to be, in reorganization within the meaning of Title IV of
         ERISA or the termination of any Plan.

                  (h)      ERISA. Upon obtaining knowledge thereof, the Credit
         Parties will give written notice to the Administrative Agent promptly
         (and in any event within five business days) of: (i) of any event or
         condition, including, but not limited to, any Reportable Event, that
         constitutes, or might reasonably lead to, an ERISA Event; (ii) with
         respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the receipt of notice as prescribed
         in ERISA or otherwise of any withdrawal liability assessed against the
         Credit Parties or any ERISA Affiliates, or of a determination that any
         Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvent (both within the
         meaning of Title IV of ERISA); (iii) the failure to make full payment
         on or before the due date (including extensions) thereof of all amounts
         which any Consolidated Party or any ERISA Affiliate is required to
         contribute to each Plan pursuant to its terms and as required to meet
         the minimum funding standard set forth in ERISA and the Code with
         respect thereto; or (iv) any change in the funding status of any Plan
         that could have a Material Adverse Effect, together with a description
         of any such event or condition or a copy of any such notice and a
         statement by the chief financial officer of the Borrower briefly
         setting forth the details regarding such event, condition, or notice,
         and the action, if any, which has been or is being taken or is proposed
         to be taken by the Credit Parties with respect thereto. Promptly upon
         request, the Credit Parties shall furnish the Administrative Agent and
         the Lenders with such additional information concerning any Plan as may
         be reasonably requested, including, but not limited to, copies of each
         annual report/return (Form 5500 series), as well as all schedules and
         attachments thereto required to be filed with the Department of Labor
         and/or the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to ERISA and the Code,
         respectively, for each "plan year" (within the meaning of Section 3(39)
         of ERISA).

                  (i)      Environmental. The Consolidated Parties will conduct
         and complete all investigations, studies, sampling, and testing and all
         remedial, removal, and other actions necessary to address all Materials
         of Environmental Concern on, from or affecting any of the Properties to
         the extent necessary to be in compliance with all Environmental Laws
         and with the validly issued orders and directives of all Governmental
         Authorities with jurisdiction over such Properties to the extent any
         failure could have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (j)      Other Information. With reasonable promptness upon
         any such request, such other information regarding the business,
         properties or financial condition of any


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<PAGE>   68

         Consolidated Party as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders
         may reasonably request.

         7.2      PRESERVATION OF EXISTENCE AND FRANCHISES.

         Except as otherwise permitted by Section 8.4, each Credit Party will,
and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do all things necessary to preserve
and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights, franchises and
authority.

         7.3      BOOKS AND RECORDS.

         Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
keep complete and accurate books and records of its transactions in accordance
with good accounting practices on the basis of GAAP (including the establishment
and maintenance of appropriate reserves).

         7.4      COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.

         Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders, and all applicable
restrictions imposed by all Governmental Authorities (including without
limitation ERISA), applicable to it and its Property if noncompliance with any
such law, rule, regulation, order or restriction could have a Material Adverse
Effect.

         7.5      PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER INDEBTEDNESS.

         Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay
and discharge (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies
imposed upon it, or upon its income or profits, or upon any of its properties,
before they shall become delinquent, (b) all lawful claims (including claims for
labor, materials and supplies) which, if unpaid, might give rise to a Lien upon
any of its properties, and (c) except as prohibited hereunder, all of its other
Indebtedness as it shall become due; provided, however, that no Consolidated
Party shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy, claim or
Indebtedness which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and as to which adequate reserves therefor have been established in accordance
with GAAP, unless the failure to make any such payment (i) could give rise to an
immediate right to foreclose on a Lien securing such amounts or (ii) could have
a Material Adverse Effect.

         7.6      INSURANCE.

         Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at
all times maintain in full force and effect insurance (including worker's
compensation insurance, liability insurance, casualty insurance and business
interruption insurance) in such amounts, covering such risks and liabilities and
with such deductibles or self-insurance retentions as are in accordance with
normal industry practice.


                                       67
<PAGE>   69

         7.7      MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY.

         Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
maintain and preserve its properties and equipment material to the conduct of
its business in good repair, working order and condition, normal wear and tear
and casualty and condemnation excepted, and will make, or cause to be made, in
such properties and equipment from time to time all repairs, renewals,
replacements, extensions, additions, betterments and improvements thereto as may
be needed or proper, to the extent and in the manner customary for companies in
similar businesses.

         7.8      PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS.

         Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
perform in all material respects all of its obligations under the terms of all
material agreements, indentures, mortgages, security agreements or other debt
instruments to which it is a party or by which it is bound.

         7.9      USE OF PROCEEDS.

         The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans and will use the
Letters of Credit solely for the purposes set forth in Section 6.15.

         7.10     AUDITS/INSPECTIONS.

         Upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, each Credit
Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit representatives
appointed by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, including, without
limitation, independent accountants, agents, attorneys, and appraisers to visit
and inspect its property, including its books and records, its accounts
receivable and inventory, its facilities and its other business assets, and to
make photocopies or photographs thereof and to write down and record any
information such representative obtains and shall permit the Administrative
Agent or its representatives or any Lender or its representatives to investigate
and verify the accuracy of information provided to the Lenders and to discuss
all such matters with the officers, employees and representatives of such
Person.

         7.11     FINANCIAL COVENANTS.

                  (i)      Interest Coverage Ratio. The Interest Coverage Ratio,
         as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, shall be
         greater than or equal to 2.5 to 1.0;

                  (ii)     Leverage Ratio. The Leverage Ratio, as of the last
         day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower occurring during each of the
         periods set forth below, shall be less than or equal to:


                                       68
<PAGE>   70

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Period                                            Ratio
                                            ------                                            -----
                           <S>                                                             <C>
                           From the Closing Date through December 28, 2002                 3.25 to 1.0

                           From December 29, 2002 and thereafter                           2.75 to 1.0
</TABLE>

                  (iii)    Consolidated Tangible Net Worth. At all times
         Consolidated Tangible Net Worth shall be greater than or equal to the
         sum of (a) $393,914,141, increased on a cumulative basis as of the end
         of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, commencing with the fiscal
         quarter ending September 24, 2000 by an amount equal to 50% of
         Consolidated Net Income for the fiscal quarter then ended (without
         deductions for any losses) plus 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds from any
         Equity Issuance subsequent to the Closing Date.

         7.12     ADDITIONAL CREDIT PARTIES.

                  (a)      As soon as practicable and in any event within 30
         days after any Person becomes a Subsidiary of any Credit Party, the
         Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent with written notice
         thereof and shall (except with respect to any SPE) if such Person is a
         Domestic Subsidiary of a Credit Party, cause such Person to execute a
         Joinder Agreement in substantially the same form as Exhibit 7.12 and
         cause such Person to deliver such other documentation as the
         Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the
         foregoing, including, without limitation, certified resolutions and
         other organizational and authorizing documents of such Person, and
         favorable opinions of counsel to such Person all in form, content and
         scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                  (b)      If Unifi Technology becomes a Material Subsidiary, as
         soon as practicable and in any event within 30 days after Unifi
         Technology becomes a Material Subsidiary, the Borrower shall provide
         the Administrative Agent with written notice thereof and shall cause
         Unifi Technology to execute a Joinder Agreement in substantially the
         same form as Exhibit 7.12 and cause Unifi Technology to deliver such
         other documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request
         in connection with the foregoing, including, without limitation,
         certified resolutions and other organizational and authorizing
         documents of Unifi Technology, and favorable opinions of counsel to
         Unifi Technology all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory
         to the Administrative Agent.

         7.13     ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

                  (a)      The Consolidated Parties shall comply in all material
         respects with, and take reasonable actions to ensure compliance in all
         material respects by all tenants and subtenants, if any, with, all
         applicable Environmental Laws and obtain and comply in all material
         respects with and maintain, and take reasonable actions to ensure that
         all tenants


                                       69
<PAGE>   71

         and subtenants obtain and comply in all material respects with and
         maintain, any and all licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations
         or permits required by applicable Environmental Laws except to the
         extent that failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a
         Material Adverse Effect;

                  (b)      The Consolidated Parties shall conduct and complete
         all investigations, studies, sampling and testing, and all remedial,
         removal and other actions required under Environmental Laws and
         promptly comply in all material respects with all lawful orders and
         directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental Laws
         except to the extent that the same are being contested in good faith by
         appropriate proceedings and the failure to do or the pendency of such
         proceedings would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
         Effect; and

                  (c)      The Credit Parties shall defend, indemnify and hold
         harmless the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and their respective
         employees, agents, officers and directors, from and against any and all
         claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages,
         costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature known or unknown,
         contingent or otherwise, arising out of, or in any way relating to the
         violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any Environmental
         Law applicable to the operations of the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries or the Properties, or any orders, requirements or demands
         of Governmental Authorities related thereto, including, without
         limitation, reasonable attorney's and consultant's fees, investigation
         and laboratory fees, response costs, court costs and litigation
         expenses, except to the extent that any of the foregoing arise out of
         the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party seeking
         indemnification therefor. The agreements in this paragraph shall
         survive repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder,
         and termination of the Commitments.

                                    SECTION 8

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         Each Credit Party hereby covenants and agrees that, so long as this
Credit Agreement is in effect or any amounts payable hereunder or under any
other Credit Document shall remain outstanding, and until all of the Commitments
hereunder shall have terminated:

         8.1      INDEBTEDNESS.

         The Credit Parties will not permit any Consolidated Party to contract,
create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

                  (a)      Indebtedness arising under this Credit Agreement and
         the other Credit Documents;


                                       70
<PAGE>   72

                  (b)      purchase money Indebtedness (including obligations in
         respect of Capital Leases or Synthetic Leases) hereafter incurred by
         the Borrower to finance the purchase of fixed assets provided that (i)
         the total of all such Indebtedness (including any such Indebtedness
         referred to in subsection (b) above) shall not exceed an aggregate
         principal amount of $50,000,000 at any one time outstanding; (ii) such
         Indebtedness when incurred shall not exceed the purchase price of the
         asset(s) financed; and (iii) no such Indebtedness shall be refinanced
         for a principal amount in excess of the principal balance outstanding
         thereon at the time of such refinancing;

                  (c)      obligations of the Borrower in respect of Hedging
         Agreements entered into in order to manage existing or anticipated
         interest rate or exchange rate risks and not for speculative purposes;

                  (d)      Indebtedness owing from (i) one Credit Party (other
         than UTP) to another Credit Party and (ii) UTP to Unifi Manufacturing
         in an amount not to exceed $20,000,000 in the aggregate at any one
         time;

                  (e)      other unsecured Indebtedness of the Subsidiaries of
         the Borrower (other than UTP) in an amount not to exceed $20,000,000 in
         the aggregate at any one time;

                  (f)      non-recourse Indebtedness and obligations (and
         recourse Indebtedness and obligations related to covenants, indemnities
         and performance guarantees and undertakings customary in receivables
         financings) of the Consolidated Parties in connection with
         Securitization Transactions; provided that the Attributed Principal
         Amount for all such Securitization Transactions entered into by the
         Consolidated Parties shall not exceed $100,000,000 in the aggregate at
         any one time;

                  (g)      Indebtedness of the Borrower arising under the
         Indenture in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $250,000,000
         at any one time during the term of this Credit Agreement and renewals
         and refinancings thereof on terms and conditions no less favorable to
         the Credit Parties than the terms and conditions contained in the
         Indenture and in a principal amount not in excess of the principal
         balance outstanding under the Indenture at the time of such
         refinancing; and

                  (h)      other unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower in an
         amount not to exceed $50,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time.

         8.2      LIENS.

         The Credit Parties will not permit any Consolidated Party to contract,
create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien with respect to any of its
Property (other than any "margin stock" within the meaning of Regulation U),
whether now owned or after acquired, except for Permitted Liens.


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<PAGE>   73

         8.3      NATURE OF BUSINESS.

         The Credit Parties will not permit any Consolidated Party to
substantively alter the character or conduct of the business conducted by such
Person as of the Closing Date.

         8.4      CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, DISSOLUTION, ETC.

         The Credit Parties will not permit any Consolidated Party to enter into
any transaction of merger or consolidation or liquidate, wind up or dissolve
itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution); provided that,
notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.4, (a) the Borrower
may merge or consolidate with any of its Subsidiaries provided that the Borrower
shall be the continuing or surviving corporation and (ii) after giving effect to
such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists, (b) any Credit Party
other than the Borrower may merge or consolidate with any other Credit Party
other than the Borrower provided that after giving effect to such transaction,
no Default or Event of Default exists, (c) any Consolidated Party which is not a
Credit Party may be merged or consolidated with or into any Credit Party
provided that (i) such Credit Party shall be the continuing or surviving
corporation and (ii) after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or
Event of Default exists, (d) any Consolidated Party which is not a Credit Party
may be merged or consolidated with or into any other Consolidated Party which is
not a Credit Party provided that, after giving effect to such transaction, no
Default or Event of Default exists and (e) any Immaterial Subsidiary of the
Borrower may dissolve itself so long as (i) the assets of such Immaterial
Subsidiary are transferred to another Credit Party prior to such dissolution and
(ii) the Borrower provides the Administrative Agent with written notice of such
dissolution within five (5) Business Days of the occurrence of such dissolution.

         8.5      ASSET DISPOSITIONS.

         The Credit Parties will not permit any Consolidated Party to make any
Asset Disposition other than (a) the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of
business for fair consideration, (b) the sale or disposition of machinery and
equipment no longer used or useful in the conduct of such Person's business, (c)
the sale, transfer or other disposition of account receivables pursuant to any
Securitization Transaction permitted by Section 8.1(f), (d) other sales of
assets during the term of this Credit Agreement having an aggregate fair market
value less than an amount equal to 10% of Total Assets of the Consolidated
Parties, (e) the sale, transfer or other disposition of "margin stock" within
the meaning of Regulation U, (f) the sale or transfer by the Borrower or another
Credit Party of the capital stock of any SPE to the Borrower or another Credit
Party and (g) the sale or transfer by any Consolidated Party which is not a
Credit Party of the capital stock of any SPE to another Consolidated Party which
is not a Credit Party.

         8.6      INVESTMENTS.

         The Credit Parties will not permit any Consolidated Party to make
Investments in or to any Person, except for Permitted Investments.


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<PAGE>   74

         8.7      RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.

         The Credit Parties will not permit any Consolidated Party to, directly
or indirectly, declare, order, make or set apart any sum for or pay any
Restricted Payment; provided, however, (a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may
make dividends or other distributions to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the
Borrower which is the parent company of such Subsidiary, (b) from the Closing
Date through December 28, 2002, any Consolidated Party may make a Restricted
Payment so long as (i) the Leverage Ratio, as of the fiscal quarter most
recently ending, is less than or equal to 3.0 to 1.0, (ii) no Default or Event
of Default shall exist immediately prior to or after giving effect thereto and
(iii) the Borrower shall have a Senior Debt Rating of at least BBB- at the time
of such Restricted Payment and (c) from December 29, 2002 and thereafter, any
Consolidated Party may make a Restricted Payment so long as (i) no Default or
Event of Default shall exist immediately prior to or after giving effect thereto
and (ii) the Borrower shall have a Senior Debt Rating of at least BBB- at the
time of such Restricted Payment.

         8.8      PREPAYMENTS OF INDEBTEDNESS, ETC.

                  (a)      Other than with respect to Indebtedness arising under
         this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, the Credit
         Parties will not permit any Consolidated Party to, after the issuance
         thereof, amend or modify (or permit the amendment or modification of)
         any of the terms of any Indebtedness if such amendment or modification
         would add or change any terms in a manner adverse to the issuer of such
         Indebtedness, or shorten the final maturity or average life to maturity
         or require any payment to be made sooner than originally scheduled or
         increase the interest rate applicable thereto or change any
         subordination provision thereof.

                  (b)      Other than with respect to Indebtedness arising under
         this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, the Credit
         Parties will not permit any Consolidated Party to, during the existence
         of a Default or Event of Default, or if a Default or Event of Default
         would be caused as a result thereof, make (or give any notice with
         respect thereto) any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment or
         redemption or acquisition for value of (including without limitation,
         by way of depositing money or securities with the trustee with respect
         thereto before due for the purpose of paying when due), refund,
         refinance or exchange of any Indebtedness.

         8.9      TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.

         The Credit Parties will not permit any Consolidated Party to enter into
or permit to exist any transaction or series of transactions with any officer,
director, shareholder, Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Person other than (a)
normal compensation and reimbursement of expenses of officers and directors, (b)
transactions permitted by Section 8.1 and (c) except as otherwise specifically
limited in this Credit Agreement, other transactions which are entered into in
the ordinary course of such Person's business on terms and conditions
substantially as favorable to


                                       73
<PAGE>   75

such Person as would be obtainable by it in a comparable arms-length transaction
with a Person other than an officer, director, shareholder, Subsidiary or
Affiliate.

         8.10     FISCAL YEAR; ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS.

         The Credit Parties will not permit any Consolidated Party to (a) change
its fiscal year or (b) amend, modify or change its articles of incorporation,
certificate of formation (or corporate charter or other similar organizational
document) or bylaws, operating agreement (or other similar document) in a manner
that would adversely affect the rights of the Lenders.

         8.11     LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED ACTIONS.

         The Credit Parties will not permit any Consolidated Party to, directly
or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective
any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any such Person to (a) pay
dividends or make any other distributions to any Credit Party on its Capital
Stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by,
its profits, (b) pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to any Credit
Party, (c) make loans or advances to any Credit Party, (d) sell, lease or
transfer any of its properties or assets to any Credit Party, or (e) act as a
Guarantor pursuant to the Credit Documents or any renewals, refinancings,
exchanges, refundings or extension thereof, except (in respect of any of the
matters referred to in clauses (a)-(d) above) for such encumbrances or
restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) this Credit Agreement and the
other Credit Documents, (ii) applicable law, (iii) any document or instrument
governing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.1(b), provided that any
such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets
constructed or acquired in connection therewith, (iv) the Indenture or (v) any
document or instrument governing any Securitization Transaction permitted under
Section 8.1(f), but only to the extent that (A) such restriction relates only to
the applicable accounts receivables actually sold, conveyed or otherwise
contributed pursuant to such Securitization Transaction or (B) such restriction
becomes effective only upon the occurrence of certain triggering events
customary in receivables financings.

         8.12     NO FURTHER NEGATIVE PLEDGES.

         The Credit Parties will not permit any Consolidated Party to enter
into, assume or become subject to any agreement prohibiting or otherwise
restricting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon its properties or
assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or requiring the grant of any
security for such obligation if security is given for some other obligation,
except (a) pursuant to this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, (b)
pursuant to any document or instrument governing Indebtedness incurred pursuant
to Section 8.1(b), provided that any such restriction contained therein relates
only to the asset or assets constructed or acquired in connection therewith, (c)
pursuant to the Indenture or (d) pursuant to any document or instrument
governing any Securitization Transaction permitted under Section 8.1(f), but
only to the extent that such restriction relates only to the applicable accounts
receivables actually sold, contributed or otherwise conveyed pursuant to such
Securitization Transaction.


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<PAGE>   76

                                    SECTION 9

                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         9.1      EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

         An Event of Default shall exist upon the occurrence of any of the
following specified events (each an "Event of Default"):

                  (a)      Payment. Any Credit Party shall

                           (i)      default in the payment when due of any
                  principal of any of the Loans or of any reimbursement
                  obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit, or

                           (ii)     default, and such default shall continue for
                  five (5) or more Business Days, in the payment when due of any
                  interest on the Loans or on any reimbursement obligations
                  arising from drawings under Letters of Credit, or of any Fees
                  or other amounts owing hereunder, under any of the other
                  Credit Documents or in connection herewith or therewith; or

                  (b)      Representations. Any representation, warranty or
         statement made or deemed to be made by any Credit Party herein, in any
         of the other Credit Documents, or in any statement or certificate
         delivered or required to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall
         prove untrue in any material respect on the date as of which it was
         deemed to have been made; or

                  (c)      Covenants. Any Credit Party shall

                           (i)      default in the due performance or observance
                  of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Sections 7.2,
                  7.4, 7.9, 7.11 or 7.13, or 8.1 through 8.12, inclusive;

                           (ii)     default in the due performance or observance
                  of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Sections
                  7.1(a), (b), (c) or (d) and such default shall continue
                  unremedied for a period of at least 5 days after the earlier
                  of a responsible officer of a Credit Party becoming aware of
                  such default or notice thereof by the Administrative Agent; or

                           (iii)    default in the due performance or observance
                  by it of any term, covenant or agreement (other than those
                  referred to in subsections (a), (b), (c)(i) or (c)(ii) of this
                  Section 9.1) contained in this Credit Agreement and such
                  default


                                       75
<PAGE>   77

                  shall continue unremedied for a period of at least 30 days
                  after the earlier of a responsible officer of a Credit Party
                  becoming aware of such default or notice thereof by the
                  Administrative Agent; or

                  (d)      Other Credit Documents. (i) Any Credit Party shall
         default in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or
         agreement in any of the other Credit Documents (subject to applicable
         grace or cure periods, if any), or (ii) except as a result of or in
         connection with a merger of a Subsidiary permitted under Section 8.4,
         any Credit Document shall fail to be in full force and effect or to
         give the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders the Liens, rights,
         powers and privileges purported to be created thereby, or any Credit
         Party shall so state in writing; or

                  (e)      Guaranties. Except as the result of or in connection
         with a merger of a Subsidiary permitted under Section 8.4, the guaranty
         given by any Guarantor hereunder or under the Guaranty Agreement
         (including any Additional Credit Party) or any provision under any such
         guaranty shall cease to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor
         (including any Additional Credit Party) hereunder or under the Guaranty
         Agreement or any Person acting by or on behalf of such Guarantor shall
         deny or disaffirm such Guarantor's obligations under such guaranty, or
         any Guarantor shall default in the due performance or observance of any
         term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed
         pursuant to any guaranty; or

                  (f)      Bankruptcy, etc. Any Bankruptcy Event shall occur
         with respect to any Consolidated Party; or

                  (g)      Defaults under Other Agreements.

                           (i)      Any Consolidated Party shall default in the
                  performance or observance (beyond the applicable grace period
                  with respect thereto, if any) of any material obligation or
                  condition of any contract or lease material to the
                  Consolidated Parties, taken as a whole; or

                           (ii)     With respect to any Indebtedness (other than
                  Indebtedness outstanding under this Credit Agreement) in
                  excess of $10,000,000 in the aggregate for the Consolidated
                  Parties taken as a whole, (A) any Consolidated Party shall (1)
                  default in any payment (beyond the applicable grace period
                  with respect thereto, if any) with respect to any such
                  Indebtedness, or (2) the occurrence and continuance of a
                  default in the observance or performance relating to such
                  Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement
                  evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event
                  or condition shall occur or condition exist, the effect of
                  which default or other event or condition is to cause, or
                  permit, the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or trustee
                  or agent on behalf of such holders) to cause (determined
                  without regard to whether any notice or lapse of time is
                  required), any such Indebtedness to become due prior to its
                  stated


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<PAGE>   78

                  maturity; or (B) any such Indebtedness shall be declared due
                  and payable, or required to be prepaid other than by a
                  regularly scheduled required prepayment, prior to the stated
                  maturity thereof; or

                  (h)      Judgments. One or more judgments or decrees shall be
         entered against one or more of the Consolidated Parties involving a
         liability of $10,000,000 or more in the aggregate (to the extent not
         paid or fully covered by insurance provided by a carrier who has
         acknowledged coverage and has the ability to perform) and any such
         judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged or stayed
         or bonded pending appeal within 30 days from the entry thereof; or

                  (i)      ERISA. Any of the following events or conditions, if
         such event or condition could have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) any
         "accumulated funding deficiency," as such term is defined in Section
         302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, shall
         exist with respect to any Plan, or any lien shall arise on the assets
         of any Consolidated Party or any ERISA Affiliate in favor of the PBGC
         or a Plan; (ii) an ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a Single
         Employer Plan, which is, in the reasonable opinion of the
         Administrative Agent, likely to result in the termination of such Plan
         for purposes of Title IV of ERISA; (iii) an ERISA Event shall occur
         with respect to a Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan, which
         is, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, likely to
         result in (A) the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of
         ERISA, or (B) any Consolidated Party or any ERISA Affiliate incurring
         any liability in connection with a withdrawal from, reorganization of
         (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), or insolvency or (within
         the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) such Plan; or (iv) any prohibited
         transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975
         of the Code) or breach of fiduciary responsibility shall occur which
         may subject any Consolidated Party or any ERISA Affiliate to any
         liability under Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of ERISA or
         Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other instrument
         pursuant to which any Consolidated Party or any ERISA Affiliate has
         agreed or is required to indemnify any person against any such
         liability; or

                  (j)      Ownership. There shall occur a Change of Control.

         9.2      ACCELERATION; REMEDIES.

         Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and at any time thereafter
unless and until such Event of Default has been waived by the requisite Lenders
(pursuant to the voting requirements of Section 11.6) or cured to the
satisfaction of the requisite Lenders (pursuant to the voting procedures in
Section 11.6), the Administrative Agent shall, upon the request and direction of
the Required Lenders, by written notice to the Credit Parties, take any of the
following actions:


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<PAGE>   79

                  (a)      Termination of Commitments. Declare the Commitments
         terminated whereupon the Commitments shall be immediately terminated.

                  (b)      Acceleration. Declare the unpaid principal of and any
         accrued interest in respect of all Loans, any reimbursement obligations
         arising from drawings under Letters of Credit and any and all other
         indebtedness or obligations of any and every kind owing by the Credit
         Parties to the Administrative Agent and/or any of the Lenders hereunder
         to be due whereupon the same shall be immediately due and payable
         without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all
         of which are hereby waived by the Credit Parties.

                  (c)      Cash Collateral. Direct the Credit Parties to pay
         (and the Credit Parties agree that upon receipt of such notice, or upon
         the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 9.1(f), they will
         immediately pay) to the Administrative Agent additional cash, to be
         held by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, in a
         cash collateral account as additional security for the LOC Obligations
         in respect of subsequent drawings under all then outstanding Letters of
         Credit in an amount equal to the maximum aggregate amount which may be
         drawn under all Letters of Credits then outstanding.

                  (d)      Enforcement of Rights. Enforce any and all rights and
         interests created and existing under the Credit Documents including
         without limitation, all rights and remedies against a Guarantor and all
         rights of set-off.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in
Section 9.1(f) shall occur with respect to the Borrower, then the Commitments
shall automatically terminate and all Loans, all reimbursement obligations
arising from drawings under Letters of Credit, all accrued interest in respect
thereof, all accrued and unpaid Fees and other indebtedness or obligations owing
to the Administrative Agent and/or any of the Lenders hereunder automatically
shall immediately become due and payable without the giving of any notice or
other action by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.

                                   SECTION 10

                                AGENCY PROVISIONS

         10.1     APPOINTMENT, POWERS AND IMMUNITIES.

         Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the
Administrative Agent to act as its agent under this Credit Agreement and the
other Credit Documents with such powers and discretion as are specifically
delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Credit Agreement and
the other Credit Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably
incidental thereto. The Administrative Agent (which term as used in this
sentence and in Section 10.5 and the first sentence of Section 10.6 hereof shall
include its Affiliates and its own


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<PAGE>   80

and its Affiliates' officers, directors, employees, and agents): (a) shall not
have any duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this
Credit Agreement and shall not be a trustee or fiduciary for any Lender; (b)
shall not be responsible to the Lenders for any recital, statement,
representation, or warranty (whether written or oral) made in or in connection
with any Credit Document or any certificate or other document referred to or
provided for in, or received by any of them under, any Credit Document, or for
the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability, or sufficiency
of any Credit Document, or any other document referred to or provided for
therein or for any failure by any Credit Party or any other Person to perform
any of its obligations thereunder; (c) shall not be responsible for or have any
duty to ascertain, inquire into, or verify the performance or observance of any
covenants or agreements by any Credit Party or the satisfaction of any condition
or to inspect the property (including the books and records) of any Credit Party
or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates; (d) shall not be required to initiate
or conduct any litigation or collection proceedings under any Credit Document;
and (e) shall not be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be taken by
it under or in connection with any Credit Document, except for its own gross
negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent may employ agents and
attorneys-in-fact and shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct
of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

         10.2     RELIANCE BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.

         The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any
certification, notice, instrument, writing, or other communication (including,
without limitation, any thereof by telephone or telecopy) believed by it to be
genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by or on behalf of the
proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel
(including counsel for any Credit Party), independent accountants, and other
experts selected by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may deem
and treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof for all purposes hereof
unless and until the Administrative Agent receives and accepts an Assignment and
Acceptance executed in accordance with Section 11.3(b) hereof. As to any matters
not expressly provided for by this Credit Agreement, the Administrative Agent
shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall
be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so
acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of the Required Lenders,
and such instructions shall be binding on all of the Lenders; provided, however,
that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that
exposes the Administrative Agent to personal liability or that is contrary to
any Credit Document or applicable law or unless it shall first be indemnified to
its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which
may be incurred by it by reason of taking any such action.

         10.3     DEFAULTS.

         The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or
notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default unless the
Administrative Agent has received written notice from a Lender or a Credit Party
specifying such Default or Event of Default and stating


                                       79
<PAGE>   81

that such notice is a "Notice of Default". In the event that the Administrative
Agent receives such a notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default,
the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders. The
Administrative Agent shall (subject to Section 10.2 hereof) take such action
with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall reasonably be directed
by the Required Lenders, provided that, unless and until the Administrative
Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but
shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action,
with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in
the best interest of the Lenders.

         10.4     RIGHTS AS A LENDER.

         With respect to its Commitment and the Loans made by it, Bank of
America (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) in its capacity as a
Lender hereunder shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other
Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not acting as the
Administrative Agent, and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" shall, unless the
context otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual
capacity. Bank of America (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) and
its Affiliates may (without having to account therefor to any Lender) accept
deposits from, lend money to, make investments in, provide services to, and
generally engage in any kind of lending, trust, or other business with any
Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates as if it were not acting
as Administrative Agent, and Bank of America (and any successor acting as
Administrative Agent) and its Affiliates may accept fees and other consideration
from any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates for services in
connection with this Credit Agreement or otherwise without having to account for
the same to the Lenders.

         10.5     INDEMNIFICATION.

         The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent
not reimbursed under Section 11.5 hereof, but without limiting the obligations
of the Credit Parties under such Section) ratably in accordance with their
respective Commitments, for any and all liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including
attorneys' fees), or disbursements of any kind and nature whatsoever that may be
imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (including
by any Lender) in any way relating to or arising out of any Credit Document or
the transactions contemplated thereby or any action taken or omitted by the
Administrative Agent under any Credit Document (including any of the foregoing
arising from the negligence of the Administrative Agent); provided that no
Lender shall be liable for any of the foregoing to the extent they arise from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Person to be indemnified.
Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender agrees to reimburse the
Administrative Agent promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or
expenses payable by the Credit Parties under Section 11.5, to the extent that
the Administrative Agent is not promptly reimbursed for such costs and expenses
by the Credit Parties. The agreements in this Section 10.5 shall survive the
repayment of the Loans, LOC Obligations and other obligations under the Credit
Documents and the termination of the Commitments hereunder.


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<PAGE>   82

         10.6     NON-RELIANCE ON ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND OTHER LENDERS.

         Each Lender agrees that it has, independently and without reliance on
the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of the
Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries and decision to enter into this Credit
Agreement and that it will, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own
analysis and decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit
Documents. Except for notices, reports, and other documents and information
expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent
hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to
provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs,
financial condition, or business of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries
or Affiliates that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or
any of its Affiliates.

         10.7     SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.

         The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving notice
thereof to the Lenders and the Credit Parties. Upon any such resignation, the
Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative
Agent. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder
by a successor, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to
and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the
retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from
its duties and obligations as Administrative Agent, as appropriate, under this
Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents and the provisions of this
Section 10.7 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be
taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Credit Agreement. If no
successor Administrative Agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent
within sixty (60) days after the retiring Administrative Agent's giving notice
of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent's resignation shall
nevertheless become effective and the Lenders shall perform all duties of the
Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders
appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Subject to the
foregoing terms of this Section 10.7, there shall at all times be a Person or
Persons serving as Administrative Agent hereunder.

                                   SECTION 11

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         11.1     NOTICES.

         Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other
communications shall have been duly given and shall be effective (a) when
delivered, (b) when transmitted via


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<PAGE>   83

telecopy (or other facsimile device) to the number set out below, (c) the
Business Day following the day on which the same has been delivered prepaid to a
reputable national overnight air courier service, or (d) the third Business Day
following the day on which the same is sent by certified or registered mail,
postage prepaid, in each case to the respective parties at the address, in the
case of the Credit Parties and the Administrative Agent, set forth below, and,
in the case of the Lenders, set forth on Schedule 2.1(a), or at such other
address as such party may specify by written notice to the other parties hereto:

                  if to any Credit Party:

                           Unifi, Inc.
                           7201 West Friendly Avenue
                           Greensboro, North Carolina 27410
                           Attn: Willis C. Moore, III
                           Telephone: (336) 316-5664
                           Telecopy: (336) 294-4751

                  with a copy to:

                           Unifi, Inc.
                           7201 West Friendly Avenue
                           Greensboro, North Carolina 27410
                           Attn: Charles McCoy
                           Telephone: (336) 316-5660
                           Telecopy: (336) 856-4364

                  if to the Administrative Agent:

                           Bank of America, N.A.
                           Independence Center, 15th Floor
                           NC1-001-15-04
                           101 North Tryon Street
                           Charlotte, North Carolina 28255
                           Attn: Agency Services
                           Telephone: (704) 386-6837
                           Telecopy: (704) 409-0012


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<PAGE>   84

                  with a copy to:

                           Bank of America, N.A.
                           Bank of America Corporate Center
                           100 North Tryon Street, 17th Floor
                           Charlotte, North Carolina 28255
                           Attn: Deirdre B. Doyle
                           Telephone: (704) 386-0783
                           Telecopy: (704) 386-1270

         11.2     RIGHT OF SET-OFF; ADJUSTMENTS.

         Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default,
each Lender (and each of its Affiliates) is hereby authorized at any time and
from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply
any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final)
at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender (or any
of its Affiliates) to or for the credit or the account of any Credit Party
against any and all of the obligations of such Person now or hereafter existing
under this Credit Agreement, under the Notes, under any other Credit Document or
otherwise, irrespective of whether such Lender shall have made any demand under
hereunder or thereunder and although such obligations may be unmatured. Each
Lender agrees promptly to notify any affected Credit Party after any such
set-off and application made by such Lender; provided, however, that the failure
to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and
application. The rights of each Lender under this Section 11.2 are in addition
to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of
set-off) that such Lender may have.

         11.3     BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT.

                  (a)      This Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
         to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors and
         assigns of the parties hereto; provided that none of the Credit Parties
         may assign or transfer any of its interests and obligations without
         prior written consent of the Lenders; provided further that the rights
         of each Lender to transfer, assign or grant participations in its
         rights and/or obligations hereunder shall be limited as set forth in
         this Section 11.3.

                  (b)      Each Lender may assign to one or more Eligible
         Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this
         Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a portion of
         its Loans, its Notes, and its Commitment); provided, however, that

                           (i)      each such assignment shall be to an Eligible
                  Assignee;

                           (ii)     except in the case of an assignment to
                  another Lender or an assignment of all of a Lender's rights
                  and obligations under this Credit Agreement, any such partial
                  assignment shall be in an amount at least equal to


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<PAGE>   85

                  $5,000,000 (or, if less, the remaining amount of the
                  Commitment being assigned by such Lender) or an integral
                  multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;

                           (iii)    each such assignment by a Lender shall be of
                  a constant, and not varying, percentage of all of its rights
                  and obligations under this Credit Agreement and the Notes; and

                           (iv)     the parties to such assignment shall execute
                  and deliver to the Administrative Agent for its acceptance an
                  Assignment and Acceptance in the form of Exhibit 11.3(b)
                  hereto, together with any Note subject to such assignment and
                  a processing fee of $3,500.

         Upon execution, delivery, and acceptance of such Assignment and
         Acceptance, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the
         extent of such assignment, have the obligations, rights, and benefits
         of a Lender hereunder and the assigning Lender shall, to the extent of
         such assignment, relinquish its rights and be released from its
         obligations under this Credit Agreement. Upon the consummation of any
         assignment pursuant to this Section 11.3(b), the assignor, the
         Administrative Agent and the Credit Parties shall make appropriate
         arrangements so that, if required, new Notes are issued to the assignor
         and the assignee. If the assignee is not a United States person under
         Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, it shall deliver to the Credit Parties
         and the Administrative Agent certification as to exemption from
         deduction or withholding of Taxes in accordance with Section 3.11.

                  (c)      The Administrative Agent shall maintain at its
         address referred to in Section 11.1 a copy of each Assignment and
         Acceptance delivered to and accepted by it and a register for the
         recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the
         Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender
         from time to time (the "Register"). The entries in the Register shall
         be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and
         the Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat
         each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender
         hereunder for all purposes of this Credit Agreement. The Register shall
         be available for inspection by the Credit Parties or any Lender at any
         reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

                  (d)      Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance
         executed by the parties thereto, together with any Note subject to such
         assignment and payment of the processing fee, the Administrative Agent
         shall, if such Assignment and Acceptance has been completed and is in
         substantially the form of Exhibit 11.3(b) hereto, (i) accept such
         Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) record the information contained
         therein in the Register and (iii) give prompt notice thereof to the
         parties thereto.

                  (e)      Each Lender may sell participations to one or more
         Persons in all or a portion of its rights, obligations or rights and
         obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of
         its Commitment or its Loans); provided, however, that


                                       84
<PAGE>   86

         (i) such Lender's obligations under this Credit Agreement shall remain
         unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the
         other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the
         participant shall be entitled to the benefit of the yield protection
         provisions contained in Sections 3.7 through 3.12, inclusive, and the
         right of set-off contained in Section 11.2, and (iv) the Credit Parties
         shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in
         connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this Credit
         Agreement, and such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the
         obligations of the Credit Parties relating to the Credit Party
         Obligations owing to such Lender and to approve any amendment,
         modification, or waiver of any provision of this Credit Agreement
         (other than amendments, modifications, or waivers decreasing the amount
         of principal of or the rate at which interest is payable on such Loans
         or Notes, extending any scheduled principal payment date or date fixed
         for the payment of interest on such Loans or Notes, or extending its
         Commitment).

                  (f)      Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this
         Credit Agreement, any Lender may at any time assign and pledge all or
         any portion of its Loans and its Notes to any Federal Reserve Bank as
         collateral security pursuant to Regulation A and any Operating Circular
         issued by such Federal Reserve Bank. No such assignment shall release
         the assigning Lender from its obligations hereunder.

                  (g)      Any Lender may furnish any information concerning the
         Consolidated Parties in the possession of such Lender from time to time
         to assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and
         participants), subject, however, to the provisions of Section 11.14
         hereof.

                  (h)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
         herein, any Lender (a "Designating Lender") may grant to a special
         purpose funding vehicle (a "SPV"), identified as such in writing from
         time to time by the Designating Lender to the Administrative Agent and
         the Borrower, the option to provide to the Borrower all or any part of
         any Loan that such Designating Lender would otherwise be obligated to
         make to the Borrower pursuant to this Credit Agreement; provided that
         (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPV to make any
         Loan, (ii) if an SPV elects not to exercise such option or otherwise
         fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Designating Lender
         shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof,
         (iii) the Designating Lender shall remain liable for any indemnity or
         other payment obligation with respect to its Commitment hereunder, (iv)
         no SPV shall have any voting rights pursuant to Section 11.1, (v) with
         respect to notices, payments and other matters hereunder, the Credit
         Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall not be
         obligated to deal with a SPV, but may limit their communications and
         other dealings relevant to such SPV to the applicable Granting Lender
         and (vi) each such SPV would satisfy the requirements of Section
         3.11(d) if such SPV were a Lender hereunder. The making of a Loan by an
         SPV hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Designating Lender to
         the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Designating
         Lender. No additional Note shall be required to evidence the Loans or
         portion thereof made by an


                                       85
<PAGE>   87

         SPV; and the related Designating Lender shall be deemed to hold its
         Note as agent for such SPV to the extent of the Loans or portion
         thereof funded by such SPV. In addition, any payments for the account
         of any SPV shall be paid to its Designating Lender as agent for such
         SPV. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPV shall be liable for
         any indemnity or payment under this Credit Agreement for which a Lender
         would otherwise be liable for so long as, and to the extent, the
         Designating Lender provides such indemnity or makes such payment. In
         furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which
         agreement shall survive the termination of this Credit Agreement) that,
         prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in
         full of all outstanding prior indebtedness of any SPV, it will not
         institute against, or join any other person in instituting against,
         such SPV any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or
         liquidation proceedings or similar proceedings under the laws of the
         United States or any State thereof. In addition, notwithstanding
         anything to the contrary contained in this Section 11.3 or otherwise in
         this Credit Agreement, any SPV may (x) with notice to, but without the
         prior written consent of, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and
         without paying any processing fee therefor, assign or participate all
         or a portion of its interest in any Loans to the Designating Lender or
         to any financial institutions (consented to by the Borrower and the
         Administrative Agent) providing liquidity and/or credit support to or
         for the account of such SPV to support the funding or maintenance of
         Loans and (y) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public
         information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial
         paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or
         liquidity enhancements to such SPV. This Section 11.3(h) may not be
         amended without the written consent of any Designating Lender affected
         thereby.

         11.4     NO WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.

         No failure or delay on the part of the Administrative Agent or any
Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other
Credit Document and no course of dealing between the Administrative Agent or any
Lender and any of the Credit Parties shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder
or under any other Credit Document preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder or
thereunder. The rights and remedies provided herein are cumulative and not
exclusive of any rights or remedies which the Administrative Agent or any Lender
would otherwise have. No notice to or demand on any Credit Party in any case
shall entitle the Credit Parties to any other or further notice or demand in
similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the
Administrative Agent or the Lenders to any other or further action in any
circumstances without notice or demand.

         11.5     EXPENSES; INDEMNIFICATION.

         (a)      The Credit Parties jointly and severally agree to pay on
demand all costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with the
syndication, preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, and
amendment of this Credit Agreement, the other Credit


                                       86
<PAGE>   88

Documents, and the other documents to be delivered hereunder, including, without
limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Administrative
Agent (including the cost of internal counsel) with respect thereto and with
respect to advising the Administrative Agent as to its rights and
responsibilities under the Credit Documents. The Credit Parties further jointly
and severally agree to pay on demand all costs and expenses of the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, if any (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses and the cost of internal counsel), in
connection with the enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal
proceedings, or otherwise) of the Credit Documents and the other documents to be
delivered hereunder.

         (b)      The Credit Parties jointly and severally agree to indemnify
and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and each Lender and each of their
Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and
advisors (each, an "Indemnified Party") from and against any and all claims,
damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) that may be incurred by or asserted or
awarded against any Indemnified Party, in each case arising out of or in
connection with or by reason of (including, without limitation, in connection
with any investigation, litigation, or proceeding or preparation of defense in
connection therewith) the Credit Documents, any of the transactions contemplated
herein or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans (including any
of the foregoing arising from the negligence of the Indemnified Party), except
to the extent such claim, damage, loss, liability, cost, or expense is found in
a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have
resulted from such Indemnified Party's gross negligence or willful misconduct.
In the case of an investigation, litigation or other proceeding to which the
indemnity in this Section 11.5 applies, such indemnity shall be effective
whether or not such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any of
the Credit Parties, their respective directors, shareholders or creditors or an
Indemnified Party or any other Person or any Indemnified Party is otherwise a
party thereto and whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are
consummated. The Credit Parties agree not to assert any claim against the
Administrative Agent, any Lender, any of their Affiliates, or any of their
respective directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents, and advisers, on
any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential, or punitive
damages arising out of or otherwise relating to the Credit Documents, any of the
transactions contemplated herein or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds
of the Loans.

         (c)      Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of
the Credit Parties hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Credit
Parties contained in this Section 11.5 shall survive the repayment of the Loans,
LOC Obligations and other obligations under the Credit Documents and the
termination of the Commitments hereunder.

         11.6     AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS AND CONSENTS.

         Neither this Credit Agreement nor any other Credit Document nor any of
the terms hereof or thereof may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or
terminated unless such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination is in
writing entered into by, or approved in writing by, the Required Lenders and the
Borrower, provided, however, that:


                                       87
<PAGE>   89

                  (i)      without the consent of each Lender affected thereby,
         neither this Credit Agreement nor any other Credit Document may be
         amended to

                           (a)      extend the final maturity of any Loan or of
                  any reimbursement obligation, or any portion thereof, arising
                  from drawings under Letters of Credit,

                           (b)      reduce the rate or extend the time of
                  payment of interest (other than as a result of waiving the
                  applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates)
                  thereon or Fees hereunder,

                           (c)      reduce or waive the principal amount of any
                  Loan or of any reimbursement obligation, or any portion
                  thereof, arising from drawings under Letters of Credit,

                           (d)      increase the Commitment of a Lender over the
                  amount thereof in effect (it being understood and agreed that
                  a waiver of any Default or Event of Default or mandatory
                  reduction in the Commitments shall not constitute a change in
                  the terms of any Commitment of any Lender),

                           (e)      except as the result of or in connection
                  with a dissolution or merger permitted by Section 8.4, release
                  the Borrower or any Guarantor from its or their obligations
                  under the Credit Documents,

                           (f)      amend, modify or waive any provision of this
                  Section 11.6 or 9.1(a), 11.2, 11.3, 11.5 or 11.9,

                           (g)      reduce any percentage specified in, or
                  otherwise modify, the definition of Required Lenders, or

                           (h)      consent to the assignment or transfer by the
                  Borrower or all or substantially all of the other Credit
                  Parties of any of its or their rights and obligations under
                  (or in respect of) the Credit Documents except as permitted
                  thereby;

                  (ii)     without the consent of the Administrative Agent, no
         provision of Section 10 may be amended; and

                  (iii)    without the consent of the Issuing Lender, no
         provision of Section 2.2 may be amended, and without the consent of the
         Swingline Lender, no provision of Section 2.3 may be amended.

         Notwithstanding the fact that the consent of all the Lenders is
         required in certain circumstances as set forth above, (x) each Lender
         is entitled to vote as such Lender sees


                                       88
<PAGE>   90

         fit on any bankruptcy reorganization plan that affects the Loans, and
         each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of the
         Bankruptcy Code supersedes the unanimous consent provisions set forth
         herein and (y) the Required Lenders may consent to allow a Credit Party
         to use cash collateral in the context of a bankruptcy or insolvency
         proceeding.

         11.7     COUNTERPARTS.

         This Credit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of
which shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in
making proof of this Credit Agreement to produce or account for more than one
such counterpart for each of the parties hereto. Delivery by facsimile by any of
the parties hereto of an executed counterpart of this Credit Agreement shall be
as effective as an original executed counterpart hereof and shall be deemed a
representation that an original executed counterpart hereof will be delivered.

         11.8     HEADINGS.

         The headings of the sections and subsections hereof are provided for
convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of
any provision of this Credit Agreement.

         11.9     SURVIVAL.

         All indemnities set forth herein, including, without limitation, in
Section 2.2(i), 3.11, 3.12, 10.5 or 11.5 shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Credit Agreement, the making of the Loans, the issuance of the
Letters of Credit, the repayment of the Loans, LOC Obligations and other
obligations under the Credit Documents and the termination of the Commitments
hereunder, and all representations and warranties made by the Credit Parties
herein shall survive delivery of the Notes and the making of the Loans
hereunder.

         11.10    GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; VENUE.

                  (a)      THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY
         PROVIDED THEREIN, THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS AND
         OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED
         BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE
         STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. Any legal action or proceeding with respect to
         this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document may be brought in
         the courts of the State of North Carolina in Mecklenburg County, or of
         the United States for the Western District of North Carolina, and, by
         execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement, each of the Credit
         Parties hereby irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its
         property, generally and unconditionally, the nonexclusive jurisdiction
         of such courts. Each of the Credit Parties


                                       89
<PAGE>   91

         further irrevocably consents to the service of process out of any of
         the aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the
         mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage
         prepaid, to it at the address set out for notices pursuant to Section
         11.1, such service to become effective three (3) days after such
         mailing. Nothing herein shall affect the right of the Administrative
         Agent or any Lender to serve process in any other manner permitted by
         law or to commence legal proceedings or to otherwise proceed against
         any Credit Party in any other jurisdiction.

                  (b)      Each of the Credit Parties hereby irrevocably waives
         any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue
         of any of the aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out of or in
         connection with this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document
         brought in the courts referred to in subsection (a) above and hereby
         further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such
         court that any such action or proceeding brought in any such court has
         been brought in an inconvenient forum.

                  (c)      TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH OF THE
         ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE LENDERS, EACH OF THE CREDIT PARTIES HEREBY
         IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING
         OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT,
         ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
         HEREBY.

         11.11    SEVERABILITY.

         If any provision of any of the Credit Documents is determined to be
illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and
the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be
construed without giving effect to the illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provisions.

         11.12    ENTIRETY.

         This Credit Agreement together with the other Credit Documents
represent the entire agreement of the parties hereto and thereto, and supersede
all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, including any
commitment letters or correspondence relating to the Credit Documents or the
transactions contemplated herein and therein.

         11.13    BINDING EFFECT; TERMINATION.

                  (a)      This Credit Agreement shall become effective at such
         time when all of the conditions set forth in Section 5.1 have been
         satisfied or waived by the Lenders and it shall have been executed by
         each Credit Party and the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative
         Agent shall have received copies hereof (telefaxed or otherwise) which,
         when taken together, bear the signatures of each Lender, and thereafter
         this Credit


                                       90
<PAGE>   92

         Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each Credit
         Party, the Administrative Agent and each Lender and their respective
         successors and assigns.

                  (b)      The term of this Credit Agreement shall be until no
         Loans, LOC Obligations or any other amounts payable hereunder or under
         any of the other Credit Documents shall remain outstanding, no Letters
         of Credit shall be outstanding, all of the Credit Party Obligations
         have been irrevocably satisfied in full and all of the Commitments
         hereunder shall have expired or been terminated.

         11.14    CONFIDENTIALITY.

         The Administrative Agent and each Lender (each, a "Lending Party")
agrees to keep confidential any information furnished or made available to it by
the Credit Parties pursuant to this Credit Agreement that is marked
confidential; provided that nothing herein shall prevent any Lending Party from
disclosing such information (a) to any other Lending Party or any Affiliate of
any Lending Party, or any officer, director, employee, agent, or advisor of any
Lending Party or Affiliate of any Lending Party, (b) to any other Person if
reasonably incidental to the administration of the credit facility provided
herein, (c) as required by any law, rule, or regulation, (d) upon the order of
any court or administrative agency, (e) upon the request or demand of any
regulatory agency or authority, (f) that is or becomes available to the public
or that is or becomes available to any Lending Party other than as a result of a
disclosure by any Lending Party prohibited by this Credit Agreement, (g) in
connection with any litigation to which such Lending Party or any of its
Affiliates may be a party, (h) to the extent necessary in connection with the
exercise of any remedy under this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document,
and (i) subject to provisions substantially similar to those contained in this
Section 11.14, to any actual or proposed participant or assignee.

         11.15    USE OF SOURCES.

         Each of the Lenders hereby represents and warrants to the Borrower that
at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to the
course of funds to be used by such lender in connection with the financing
hereunder:

                  (a)      no part of such funds constitutes assets allocated to
         any separate account maintained by such lender in which any employee
         benefit plan (or its related trust) has any interest;

                  (b)      to the extent that any part of such funds constitutes
         assets allocated to any separate account maintained by such lender,
         such Lender has disclosed to the Borrower the name of each employee
         benefit plan whose assets in such account exceed 10% of the total
         assets of such account as of the date of such purchase (and, for
         purposes of this subsection (b), all employee benefit plans maintained
         by the same employer or employee organization are deemed to be a single
         plan;


                                       91
<PAGE>   93

                  (c)      to the extent that any part of such funds constitutes
         assets of an insurance company's general account, such insurance
         company has complied with all of the requirements of the regulations
         issued under Section 401(e)(a)(A) of ERISA; or

                  (d)      such funds constitute assets of one or more specific
         benefit plans which such Lender has identified in writing to the
         Borrower.

         As used in this Section 11.15, the terms "employee benefit plan" and
"separate account" shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in
Section 3 of ERISA.

         11.16    CONFLICT.

         To the extent that there is a conflict or inconsistency between any
provision hereof, on the one hand, and any provision of any Credit Document, on
the other hand, this Credit Agreement shall control.

                           [Signature Page to Follow]


                                       92
<PAGE>   94


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart
of this Credit Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first
above written.


BORROWER:                    UNIFI, INC.,
                             a New York corporation


                             By:    Willis C. Moore, III
                                ------------------------------------------------
                             Name:  Willis C. Moore, III
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                             Title: Executive Vice President/CFO
                                   ---------------------------------------------


SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS:       UNIFI SALES & DISTRIBUTION, INC.,
                             a North Carolina corporation

                             By:    Charles F. McCoy
                                ------------------------------------------------
                             Name:  Charles F. McCoy
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                             Title: Vice President/Secretary & General Counsel
                                   ---------------------------------------------


                             UNIFI MANUFACTURING, INC.,
                             a North Carolina corporation

                             By:    Charles F. McCoy
                                -----------------------------------------
                             Name:  Charles F. McCoy
                                  ---------------------------------------
                             Title: Vice President/Secretary & General Counsel
                                   ---------------------------------------------

                             UNIFI EQUIPMENT LEASING, LLC,
                             a North Carolina limited liability company

                             By:    Charles F. McCoy
                                -----------------------------------------
                             Name:  Charles F. McCoy
                                  ---------------------------------------
                             Title: Vice President/Secretary & General Counsel
                                   ---------------------------------------------

                             UNIFI MANUFACTURING VIRGINIA, LLC,
                             a North Carolina limited liability company

                             By:    Charles F. McCoy
                                -----------------------------------------
                             Name:  Charles F. McCoy
                                  ---------------------------------------
                             Title: Vice President/Secretary & General Counsel
                                   ---------------------------------------------

<PAGE>   95


                             UNIFI EXPORT SALES, LLC,
                             a North Carolina limited liability company

                             By:    Charles F. McCoy
                                ------------------------------------------------
                             Name:  Charles F. McCoy
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                             Title: Vice President & Secretary
                                   ---------------------------------------------


                             UNIFI INTERNATIONAL SERVICE, INC.,
                             a North Carolina corporation

                             By:    Charles F. McCoy
                                ------------------------------------------------
                             Name:  Charles F. McCoy
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                             Title: Vice President & Secretary
                                   ---------------------------------------------


                             UNIFI TECHNICAL FABRICS, LLC,
                             a North Carolina limited liability company

                             By:    Charles F. McCoy
                                ------------------------------------------------
                             Name:  Charles F. McCoy
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                             Title: Vice President & Secretary
                                   ---------------------------------------------


                             SPANCO INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                             a North Carolina corporation

                             By:    Charles F. McCoy
                                ------------------------------------------------
                             Name:  Charles F. McCoy
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                             Title: Vice President & Secretary
                                   ---------------------------------------------



                             SPANCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
                             a North Carolina corporation

                             By:    Charles F. McCoy
                                ------------------------------------------------
                             Name:  Charles F. McCoy
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                             Title: Vice President & Secretary
                                   ---------------------------------------------

<PAGE>   96

LENDERS:                     BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
                             individually in its capacity as a Lender and in its
                             capacity as Administrative Agent


                             By:    Deirdre B. Doyle
                                ------------------------------------------------
                             Name:  Deirdre B. Doyle
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                             Title: Principal
                                   ---------------------------------------------


                             CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON


                             By:    William S. Lutkins
                                ------------------------------------------------
                             Name:  William S. Lutkins
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                             Title: Vice President
                                   ---------------------------------------------



                             WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.


                             By:    Michael H. Trainor
                                ------------------------------------------------
                             Name:  Michael H. Trainor
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                             Title: Vice President
                                   ---------------------------------------------


                             CITIBANK N.A.


                             By:    Henry J. Matthews
                                ------------------------------------------------
                             Name:  Henry J. Matthews
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                             Title: Vice President
                                   ---------------------------------------------




                             THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK


                             By:    James A. Knight
                                ------------------------------------------------
                             Name:  James A. Knight
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                             Title: Vice President
                                   ---------------------------------------------


<PAGE>   97


                             FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK


                             By:    Lance Walton
                                ------------------------------------------------
                             Name:  Lance Walton
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                             Title: SVP
                                   ---------------------------------------------


                             THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN, LIMITED


                             By:    James W. Masters
                                ------------------------------------------------
                             Name:  James W. Masters
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                             Title: Vice President
                                   ---------------------------------------------


                             BANK HAPOALIM B.M.


                             By:    Shaun Breidbart
                                ------------------------------------------------
                             Name:  Shaun Breidbart
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                             Title: Vice President
                                   ---------------------------------------------