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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.3
                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

          THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of June
28, 2000 by and between Anixter International Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the
Company"), and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, (the "Initial Purchaser") pursuant to the Purchase Agreement,
dated June 22, 2000 (the "Purchase Agreement"), between the Company and the
Initial Purchaser. In order to induce the Initial Purchaser to enter into the
Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights
set forth in this Agreement. The execution of this Agreement is a condition to
the closing under the Purchase Agreement.

          The Company agrees with the Initial Purchaser, (i) for its benefit as
Initial Purchaser and (ii) for the benefit of the beneficial owners (including
the Initial Purchaser) from time to time of the LYONs (as defined herein) and
the beneficial owners from time to time of the Underlying Common Stock (as
defined herein) issued upon conversion of the LYONs (each of the foregoing a
"Holder" and together the "Holders"), as follows:

          Definitions

          . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have their
respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this
Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

          "Affiliate" With respect to any specified person, an "affiliate," as
defined in Rule 144, of such person.

          "Amendment Effectiveness Deadline Date" See Section 2(d) hereof.

          "Applicable Conversion Price" The Applicable Conversion Price as of
any date of determination means the Applicable Principal Amount per $1,000
principal amount at maturity of LYONs as of such date of determination divided
by the Conversion Rate in effect as of such date of determination or, if no
LYONs are then outstanding, the Conversion Rate that would be in effect were
LYONs then outstanding.

          "Applicable Principal Amount" Applicable Principal Amount as of any
date of determination, with respect to each $1,000 principal amount at maturity
of LYONs, means the sum of the initial issue price of such LYONs ($252.57) plus
accrued original issue discount with respect to such LYON through such date of
determination.

          "Business Day" Each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
that is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

          "Common Stock" The shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of the
Company and any other shares of common stock as may constitute "Common Stock"
for purposes of the Indenture, including the Underlying Common Stock.

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          "Conversion Rate" Conversion Rate shall have the meaning assigned such
term in the Indenture.

          "Damages Accrual Period" See Section 2(e) hereof.

          "Damages Payment Date" Each June 28 and December 28 in the case of
LYONs and the Underlying Common Stock.

          "Deferral Notice" See Section 3(i) hereof.

          "Deferral Period" See Section 3(i) hereof.

          "Effectiveness Deadline Date" See Section 2(a) hereof.

          "Effectiveness Period" The period of two years from the later of the
(a) Issue Date or (b) the last date of original issuance of the LYONs or such
shorter period ending on the date that all Registrable Securities have ceased to
be Registrable Securities.

          "Event" See Section 2(e) hereof.

          "Event Termination Date" See Section 2(e) hereof.

          "Event Date" See Section 2(e) hereof.

          "Exchange Act" The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

          "Filing Deadline Date" See Section 2(a) hereof.

          "Holder" See the second paragraph of this Agreement.

          "Indenture" The Indenture dated as of the date hereof between the
Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee, pursuant to which the LYONs are
being issued.

          "Initial Purchaser" Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner
& Smith Incorporated.

          "Initial Shelf Registration Statement" See Section 2(a) hereof.

          "Issue Date" means June 28, 2000.

          "Liquidated Damages Amount" See Section 2(e) hereof.

          "Losses" See Section 6 hereof.

          "LYONs" The Liquid Yield Option Notes due 2020 of the Company to be
purchased pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

          "Material Event" See Section 3(i) hereof.

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          "Notice and Questionnaire" A written notice delivered to the Company
containing substantially the information called for by the Selling Security
Holder Notice and Questionnaire attached as Appendix A to the Offering
Memorandum of the Company dated June 22, 2000 relating to the LYONs.

          "Notice Holder" On any date, any Holder that has delivered a Notice
and Questionnaire to the Company on or prior to such date.

          "Prospectus" The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information
previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration
statement in reliance upon Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act), as
amended or supplemented by any amendment or prospectus supplement, including
post-effective amendments, and all materials incorporated by reference or
explicitly deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

          "Purchase Agreement" See the first paragraph of this Agreement.

          "Record Holder" With respect to any Damages Payment Date relating to
any LYON or Underlying Common Stock as to which any Liquidated Damages Amount
has accrued, the registered holder of such LYON or Underlying Common Stock, as
the case may be, 15 days prior to the next succeeding Damages Payment Date.

          "Registrable Securities" The LYONs and the Underlying Common Stock,
until such securities have been converted or exchanged, and, at all times
subsequent to any such conversion or exchange, any securities into or for which
such securities have been converted or exchanged, and any security issued with
respect thereto upon any stock dividend, split or similar event until, in the
case of any such security, the earliest of (i) its effective registration under
the Securities Act and resale in accordance with the Registration Statement
covering it, (ii) expiration of the holding period that would be applicable
thereto under Rule 144(k) were it not held by an Affiliate of the Company or
(iii) its sale to the public pursuant to Rule 144.

          "Registration Expenses" See Section 5 hereof.

          "Registration Statement" Any registration statement of the Company
that covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such
registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and
all materials incorporated by reference or explicitly deemed to be incorporated
by reference in such registration statement.

          "Restricted Securities" As this term is defined in Rule 144.

          "Rule 144" Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted
by the SEC.

          "Rule 144A" Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted
by the SEC.

          "SEC" The Securities and Exchange Commission.



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          "Securities Act" The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.

          "Shelf Registration Statement" See Section 2(a) hereof.

          "Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement" See Section 2(b) hereof.

          "TIA" The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

          "Trustee" The Bank of New York (or any successor entity), the Trustee
under the Indenture.

          "Underlying Common Stock" The Common Stock into which the LYONs are
convertible or issued upon any such conversion.

          Shelf Registration

          (a) The Company shall prepare and file or cause to be prepared and
filed with the SEC, as soon as practicable but in any event by the date (the
"Filing Deadline Date") ninety (90) days after the Issue Date, a Registration
Statement for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant
to Rule 415 of the Securities Act (a "Shelf Registration Statement") registering
the resale from time to time by Holders thereof of all of the Registrable
Securities (the "Initial Shelf Registration Statement"). The Initial Shelf
Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 or another appropriate form
permitting registration of such Registrable Securities for resale by such
Holders in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by the Holders
and set forth in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement; provided, that in no
event will such method(s) of distribution take the form of an underwritten
offering of the Registrable Securities without the prior agreement of the
Company. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to cause the Initial Shelf
Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as
promptly as is practicable but in any event by the date (the "Effectiveness
Deadline Date") that is one hundred and eighty (180) days after the Issue Date,
and to keep the Initial Shelf Registration Statement (or any Subsequent Shelf
Registration Statement) continuously effective under the Securities Act until
the expiration of the Effectiveness Period. At the time the Initial Shelf
Registration Statement is declared effective, each Holder that became a Notice
Holder on or prior to 10 Business Days prior to such time of effectiveness shall
be named as a selling security holder in the Initial Shelf Registration
Statement and the related Prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder
to deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities in accordance
with applicable law. None of the Company's security holders (other than the
Holders of Registrable Securities) shall have the right to include any of the
Company's securities in the Shelf Registration Statement.

          (b) If the Initial Shelf Registration Statement or any Subsequent
Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective for any reason at any time
during the Effectiveness Period, the Company shall use all reasonable efforts to
obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness thereof,
and in any event shall within thirty (30) days of such cessation of
effectiveness amend the Shelf Registration Statement in a manner reasonably
expected to obtain the withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness
thereof, or file an additional Shelf Registration Statement covering all of the
securities that as of the date of such

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filing are Registrable Securities (a "Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement").
If a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company shall use all
reasonable efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement to
become effective as promptly as is practicable after such filing and to keep
such Registration Statement (or subsequent Shelf Registration Statement)
continuously effective until the end of the Effectiveness Period.

          (c) The Company shall supplement and amend the Shelf Registration
Statement if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to
the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement,
if required by the Securities Act or, to the extent to which the Company does
not reasonably object, as reasonably requested by the Initial Purchaser or by
the Trustee on behalf of the registered Holders.

          (d) Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that if such Holder
wishes to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement
and related Prospectus, it will do so only in accordance with this Section 2(d)
and Section 3(i). Each Holder of Registrable Securities wishing to sell
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement and related
Prospectus agrees to deliver a Notice and Questionnaire to the Company at least
three (3) Business Days prior to any intended distribution of Registrable
Securities under the Shelf Registration Statement. From and after the date the
Initial Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, the Company shall,
as promptly as is practicable after the date a Notice and Questionnaire is
delivered, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after such date, (i)
if required by applicable law, file with the SEC a post-effective amendment to
the Shelf Registration Statement or prepare and, if required by applicable law,
file a supplement to the related Prospectus or a supplement or amendment to any
document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document
so that the Holder delivering such Notice and Questionnaire is named as a
selling security holder in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related
Prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder to deliver such Prospectus
to purchasers of the Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law
and, if the Company shall file a post-effective amendment to the Shelf
Registration Statement, use reasonable efforts to cause such post-effective
amendment to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is
practicable; (ii) provide such Holder copies of any documents filed pursuant to
Section 2(d)(i); and (iii) notify such Holder as promptly as practicable after
the effectiveness under the Securities Act of any post-effective amendment filed
pursuant to Section 2(d)(i); provided, that if such Notice and Questionnaire is
delivered during a Deferral Period, the Company shall so inform the Holder
delivering such Notice and Questionnaire and shall take the actions set forth in
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above upon expiration of the Deferral Period in
accordance with Section 3(i), provided, further, that if under applicable law
the Company has more than one option as to the type or manner of making any such
filing, as set forth in an opinion of nationally-recognized counsel experienced
in such matters delivered by the Holder to the Company, it will make the
required filing or filings in the manner or of a type that is reasonably
expected to result in the earliest availability of the Prospectus for effecting
resales of Registrable Securities. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to
the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to name any Holder that
is not a Notice Holder as a selling security holder in any Registration
Statement or related Prospectus; provided, however, that any Holder that becomes
a Notice Holder pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(d) of this Agreement
(whether or not such Holder was a Notice Holder at the time the Registration
Statement was


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declared effective) shall be named as a selling security holder in the
Registration Statement or related Prospectus in accordance with the requirements
of this Section 2(d).

          (e) The parties hereto agree that the Holders of Registrable
Securities will suffer damages, and that it would not be feasible to ascertain
the extent of such damages with precision, if (i) the Initial Shelf Registration
Statement has not been filed on or prior to the Filing Deadline Date, (ii) the
Initial Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared effective under the
Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Deadline Date, or (iii) the
aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in any period exceeds the number of days
permitted in respect of such period pursuant to Section 3(i) hereof (each of the
events of a type described in any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) are
individually referred to herein as an "Event," and the Filing Deadline Date in
the case of clause (i), the Effectiveness Deadline Date in the case of clause
(ii), the date on which the aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in any period
exceeds the number of days permitted by Section 3(i) hereof in the case of
clause (iii), being referred to herein as an "Event Date"). Events shall be
deemed to continue until the "Event Termination Date," which shall be the
following dates with respect to the respective types of Events: the date the
Initial Shelf Registration Statement is filed in the case of an Event of the
type described in clause (i), the date the Initial Shelf Registration Statement
is declared effective under the Securities Act in the case of an Event of the
type described in clause (ii), termination of the Deferral Period that caused
the limit on the aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in a period set forth in
Section 3(i) to be exceeded in the case of the commencement of an Event of the
type described in clause (iii).

          Accordingly, commencing on (and including) any Event Date and ending
on (but excluding) the next date on which there are no Events that have occurred
and are continuing (a "Damages Accrual Period"), the Company agrees to pay, as
liquidated damages and not as a penalty, an amount (the "Liquidated Damages
Amount"), payable on (except as set forth in the following proviso) the Damages
Payment Dates to Record Holders of then outstanding LYONs that are Registrable
Securities and of then outstanding shares of Underlying Common Stock issued upon
conversion of LYONs that are Registrable Securities, as the case may be,
accruing, for each portion of such Damages Accrual Period beginning on and
including a Damages Payment Date (or, in respect of the first time that the
Liquidation Damages Amount is to be paid to Holders on a Damages Payment Date as
a result of the occurrence of any particular Event, from the Event Date) and
ending on but excluding the first to occur of (A) the date of the end of the
Damages Accrual Period or (B) the next Damages Payment Date, at a rate per annum
equal to one quarter of one percent (0.25%) for the first 90-day period from the
Event Date, and thereafter at a rate per annum equal to one half of one percent
(0.5%) of the aggregate Applicable Principal Amount of such LYONs and the
aggregate Applicable Conversion Price of such shares of Underlying Common Stock,
as the case may be, in each case determined as of the Business Day immediately
preceding the next Damages Payment Date (or, in the care of any LYON or portion
thereof called for redemption or converted as provided for in the following
proviso, determined as of the Business Day immediately preceding the applicable
redemption date or conversion date, as the case may be); provided, that any
Liquidated Damages Amount accrued with respect to any LYON or portion thereof
called for redemption on a redemption date or converted into Underlying Common
Stock on a conversion date prior to the Damages Payment Date, shall, in any such
event, be paid instead to the Holder who submitted such LYON or portion thereof
for redemption or conversion on the applicable redemption date or conversion
date, as the case may be, on such date (or promptly following the conversion
date, in the case of conversion).

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Liquidated Damages Amounts shall accrue as to
any Registrable Security from and after the earlier of (x) the date such
security is no longer a Registrable Security and (y) expiration of the
Effectiveness Period. The rate of accrual of the Liquidated Damages Amount with
respect to any period shall not exceed the rate provided for in this paragraph
notwithstanding the occurrence of multiple concurrent Events. Following the cure
of all Events requiring the payment by the Company of Liquidated Damages Amounts
to the Holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section, the accrual
of Liquidated Damages Amounts will cease (without in any way limiting the effect
of any subsequent Event requiring the payment of Liquidated Damages Amount by
the Company).

          The Trustee shall be entitled, on behalf of Holders of LYONs or
Underlying Common Stock, to seek any available remedy for the enforcement of
this Agreement, including for the payment of any Liquidated Damages Amount.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that the sole monetary damages
payable for a violation of the terms of this Agreement with respect to which
liquidated damages are expressly provided shall be such liquidated damages.
Nothing shall preclude a Notice Holder or Holder of Registrable Securities from
pursuing or obtaining specific performance or other equitable relief with
respect to this Agreement.

          All of the Company's obligations set forth in this Section 2(e) that
are outstanding with respect to any Registrable Security at the time such
security ceases to be a Registrable Security shall survive until such time as
all such obligations with respect to such security have been satisfied in full
(notwithstanding termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8(k)).

          The parties hereto agree that the liquidated damages provided for in
this Section 2(e) constitute a reasonable estimate of the damages that may be
incurred by Holders of Registrable Securities by reason of the failure of the
Shelf Registration Statement to be filed or declared effective or available for
effecting resales of Registrable Securities in accordance with the provisions
hereof.

          Registration Procedures

          . In connection with the registration obligations of the Company under
Section 2 hereof, the Company shall:

          (a) Before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
     amendments or supplements thereto with the SEC, furnish to the Initial
     Purchaser copies of all such documents proposed to be filed and use
     reasonable efforts to reflect in each such document when so filed with the
     SEC such comments as the Initial Purchaser reasonably shall propose within
     three (3) Business Days of the delivery of such copies to the Initial
     Purchaser.

          (b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
     amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such
     Registration Statement continuously effective for the applicable period
     specified in Section 2(a); cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented
     by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed
     pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the
     Securities Act; and use all reasonable efforts to comply with the
     provisions of the Securities Act applicable to it with respect to the

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     disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during
     the Effectiveness Period in accordance with the intended methods of
     disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement
     as so amended or such Prospectus as so supplemented.

          (c) As promptly as practicable give notice to the Notice Holders and
     the Initial Purchaser (i) when any Prospectus, Prospectus supplement,
     Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to a Registration
     Statement has been filed with the SEC and, with respect to a Registration
     Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has been declared
     effective, (ii) of any request, following the effectiveness of the Initial
     Shelf Registration Statement under the Securities Act, by the SEC or any
     other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements
     to any Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional
     information, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any other federal or state
     governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of
     any Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any
     proceedings for that purpose, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any
     notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or
     exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale
     in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for
     such purpose, (v) of the occurrence of (but not the nature of or details
     concerning) a Material Event (provided, however, that no notice by the
     Company shall be required pursuant to this clause (v) in the event that the
     Company either promptly files a Prospectus supplement to update the
     Prospectus or a Form 8-K or other appropriate Exchange Act report that is
     incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, which, in either
     case, contains the requisite information with respect to such Material
     Event that results in such Registration Statement no longer containing any
     untrue statement of material fact or omitting to state a material fact
     necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading) and (vi)
     of the determination by the Company that a post-effective amendment to a
     Registration Statement will be filed with the SEC, which notice may, at the
     discretion of the Company (or as required pursuant to Section 3(i)), state
     that it constitutes a Deferral Notice, in which event the provisions of
     Section 3(i) shall apply.

          (d) Use all reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order
     suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the lifting of
     any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of
     any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction in which
     they have been qualified for sale, in either case at the earliest possible
     moment.

          (e) If reasonably requested by the Initial Purchaser or any Notice
     Holder, promptly as reasonably practicable incorporate in a Prospectus
     supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement such
     information as the Initial Purchaser or such Notice Holder shall, on the
     basis of an opinion of nationally-recognized counsel experienced in such
     matters, determine to be required to be included therein by applicable law
     and make any required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such
     post-effective amendment; provided, that the Company shall not be required
     to take any actions under this Section 3(e) that are not, in the reasonable
     opinion of counsel for the Company, in compliance with applicable law.



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          (f) Promptly as reasonably practicable furnish to each Notice Holder
     and the Initial Purchaser, upon their request and without charge, at least
     one (1) conformed copy of the Registration Statement and any amendment
     thereto, including financial statements but excluding schedules, all
     documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference
     and all exhibits (unless requested in writing to the Company by such Notice
     Holder or the Initial Purchaser, as the case may be).

          (g) During the Effectiveness Period, deliver to each Notice Holder in
     connection with any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a
     Registration Statement, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or
     Prospectuses relating to such Registrable Securities (including each
     preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such
     Notice Holder may reasonably request; and the Company hereby consents
     (except during such periods that a Deferral Notice is outstanding and has
     not been revoked) to the use of such Prospectus or each amendment or
     supplement thereto by each Notice Holder in connection with any offering
     and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus or any
     amendment or supplement thereto in the manner set forth therein.

          (h) Prior to any public offering of the Registrable Securities
     pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, use all reasonable efforts to
     register or qualify or cooperate with the Notice Holders in connection with
     the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or
     qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the
     securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States
     as any Notice Holder reasonably requests in writing (which request may be
     included in the Notice and Questionnaire); prior to any public offering of
     the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement,
     use all reasonable efforts to keep each such registration or qualification
     (or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period in
     connection with such Notice Holder's offer and sale of Registrable
     Securities pursuant to such registration or qualification (or exemption
     therefrom) and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable
     to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of such Registrable
     Securities in the manner set forth in the relevant Registration Statement
     and the related Prospectus; provided, that the Company will not be required
     to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any
     jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for
     this Agreement or (ii) take any action that would subject it to general
     service of process in suits or to taxation in any such jurisdiction where
     it is not then so subject.

          (i) Upon (A) the issuance by the SEC of a stop order suspending the
     effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or the initiation of
     proceedings with respect to the Shelf Registration Statement under Section
     8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities Act, (B) the occurrence of any event or the
     existence of any fact (a "Material Event") as a result of which any
     Registration Statement shall contain any untrue statement of a material
     fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
     necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any Prospectus
     shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
     material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
     statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
     made, not misleading, or (C) the occurrence or existence of any pending
     corporate



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<PAGE>   10


     development that, in the discretion of the Company, makes it appropriate to
     suspend the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement and the
     related Prospectus, (i) in the case of clause (B) above, subject to the
     next sentence, as promptly as practicable prepare and file a post-effective
     amendment to such Registration Statement or a supplement to the related
     Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any
     other required document that would be incorporated by reference into such
     Registration Statement and Prospectus so that such Registration Statement
     does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
     any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
     statements therein not misleading, and such Prospectus does not contain any
     untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
     required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
     in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
     misleading, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable
     Securities being sold thereunder, and, in the case of a post-effective
     amendment to a Registration Statement, subject to the next sentence, use
     all reasonable efforts to cause it to be declared effective as promptly as
     is reasonably practicable, and (ii) give notice to the Notice Holders that
     the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement is suspended (a
     "Deferral Notice") and, upon receipt of any Deferral Notice, each Notice
     Holder agrees not to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to the
     Registration Statement until such Notice Holder's receipt of copies of the
     supplemented or amended Prospectus provided for in clause (i) above, or
     until it is advised in writing by the Company that the Prospectus may be
     used, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings
     that are incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference in such
     Prospectus. The Company will use all reasonable efforts to ensure that the
     use of the Prospectus may be resumed (x) in the case of clause (A) above,
     as promptly as is practicable, (y) in the case of clause (B) above, as soon
     as, in the sole judgment of the Company, public disclosure of such Material
     Event would not be prejudicial to or contrary to the interests of the
     Company or, if necessary to avoid unreasonable burden or expense, as soon
     as reasonably practicable thereafter and (z) in the case of clause (C)
     above, as soon as, in the discretion of the Company, such suspension is no
     longer appropriate. The period during which the availability of the
     Registration Statement and any Prospectus is suspended (the "Deferral
     Period") shall, without the Company incurring any obligation to pay
     liquidated damages pursuant to Section 2(e), not exceed forty-five (45)
     days in any three (3) month period or ninety (90) days in any twelve (12)
     month period.

          (j) If reasonably requested in writing in connection with a
     disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement
     in connection with any underwritten offering, make reasonably available for
     inspection during normal business hours by a representative for the Notice
     Holders of such Registrable Securities and any broker-dealers, attorneys
     and accountants retained by such Notice Holders, all relevant financial and
     other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company
     and its subsidiaries, and cause the appropriate executive officers,
     directors and designated employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to
     make reasonably available for inspection during normal business hours all
     relevant information reasonably requested by such representative for the
     Notice Holders or any such broker-dealers, attorneys or accountants in
     connection with such disposition, in each case as is customary for similar
     "due diligence" examinations; provided, however, that such persons shall
     first agree in



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<PAGE>   11


     writing with the Company that any information that is reasonably and in
     good faith designated by the Company in writing as confidential at the time
     of delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by such persons
     and shall be used solely for the purposes of exercising rights under this
     Agreement, unless (i) disclosure of such information is required by court
     or administrative order or is necessary to respond to inquiries of
     regulatory authorities, (ii) disclosure of such information is required by
     law (including any disclosure requirements pursuant to federal securities
     laws in connection with the filing of any Registration Statement or the use
     of any Prospectus referred to in this Agreement), (iii) such information
     becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a
     disclosure or failure to safeguard by any such person or (iv) such
     information becomes available to any such person from a source other than
     the Company and such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement;
     and provided further, that the foregoing inspection and information
     gathering shall, to the greatest extent possible, be coordinated on behalf
     of all the Notice Holders and the other parties entitled thereto by the
     counsel referred to in Section 5.

          (k) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and
     make generally available to its securityholders earning statements (which
     need not be audited) satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the
     Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated
     under the Securities Act) no later than 45 days after the end of any
     12-month period (or 90 days after the end of any 12-month period if such
     period is a fiscal year) commencing on the first day of the first fiscal
     quarter of the Company commencing after the effective date of a
     Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month periods.

          (l) Cooperate with each Notice Holder to facilitate the timely
     preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable
     Securities sold pursuant to a Registration Statement, and cause such
     Registrable Securities to be in such denominations as are permitted by the
     Indenture and registered in such names as such Notice Holder may request in
     writing at least two Business Days prior to any sale of such Registrable
     Securities.

          (m) Provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities covered by
     each Registration Statement not later than the effective date of such
     Registration Statement and provide the Trustee for the LYONs and the
     transfer agent for the Common Stock with printed certificates for the
     Registrable Securities that are in a form eligible for deposit with The
     Depository Trust Company.

          (n) Make a reasonable effort to provide such information as is
     required for any filings required to be made with the National Association
     of Securities Dealers, Inc.

          (o) Upon (i) the filing of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement
     and (ii) the effectiveness of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement,
     announce the same, in each case by release to Reuters Economic Services and
     Bloomberg Business News.

          (p) Enter into such customary agreements and take all such other
     reasonable necessary actions in connection therewith (including those
     reasonably requested by the



                                       11
<PAGE>   12


     holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold) in order to
     expedite or facilitate disposition of such Registrable Securities; and

          (q) Cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later than
     the effective date of any Registration Statement; and in connection
     therewith, cooperate with the Trustee to effect such changes to the
     Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in
     accordance with the terms of the TIA and execute, and use all reasonable
     efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required
     to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required to be
     filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely
     manner.

          Holder's Obligations

          Each Holder agrees, by acquisition of the Registrable Securities,
that no Holder of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to sell any of such
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement or to receive a
Prospectus relating thereto, unless such Holder has furnished the Company with a
Notice and Questionnaire as required pursuant to Section 2(d) hereof (including
the information required to be included in such Notice and Questionnaire) and
the information set forth in the next sentence. Each Notice Holder agrees
promptly to furnish to the Company all information required to be disclosed in
order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Notice
Holder not misleading and any other information regarding such Notice Holder and
the distribution of such Registrable Securities as may be required to be
disclosed in the Registration Statement under applicable law or pursuant to SEC
comments. Each Holder further agrees, following termination of the Effectiveness
Period, to notify the Company, within 10 business days of request, of the amount
of Registrable Securities sold pursuant to the Registration Statement and, in
the absence of a response, the Company may assume that all of the Holder's
Registrable Securities were so sold.

          Registration Expenses

          The Company shall bear all fees and expenses incurred in connection
with the performance by the Company of its obligations under Sections 2 and 3 of
this Agreement whether or not any of the Registration Statements are declared
effective. Such fees and expenses shall include, without limitation, (i) all
registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses
(x) with respect to filings required to be made with the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. and (y) of compliance with federal and state securities
or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and
disbursements of the counsel specified in the next sentence in connection with
Blue Sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities under the laws of such
jurisdictions as the Notice Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities
being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement may designate), (ii) printing
expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for
Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust
Company), (iii) duplication expenses relating to copies of any Registration
Statement or Prospectus delivered to any Holders hereunder, (iv) fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with the Shelf
Registration Statement, and (v) reasonable fees and disbursements of the Trustee
and its counsel and of the registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock. In
addition, the Company shall bear or reimburse the Notice Holders for the
reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm of legal counsel for the Holders,
which shall, upon the written consent of the Initial Purchaser (which shall not
be



                                       12
<PAGE>   13


unreasonably withheld), be a nationally recognized law firm experienced in
securities law matters designated by the Company. In addition, the Company shall
pay the internal expenses of the Company (including, without limitation, all
salaries and expenses of officers and employees performing legal or accounting
duties), the expense of any annual audit, the fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities
exchange on which similar securities of the Company are then listed and the fees
and expenses of any person, including special experts, retained by the Company.

          Indemnification; Contribution.

          (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial
Purchaser and each holder of Registrable Securities and each person, if any, who
controls the Initial Purchaser or any holder of Registrable Securities within
the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act, as follows:

               (i)   against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
          expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement
          or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
          Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or the omission or
          alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to
          make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
          they were made, not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement
          or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any
          preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or
          supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of
          a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
          the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
          misleading;

               (ii)  against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
          expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount
          paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or
          proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or
          threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue
          statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or
          omission, provided that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such
          settlement is effected with the prior written consent of the Company;
          and

               (iii) subject to Section 6(c) below, against any and all expense
          whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of
          counsel), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending
          against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any
          governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim
          whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any
          such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such
          expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the
Initial Purchaser or such holder of Registrable Securities (which also
acknowledges the indemnity provisions herein) and each person, if any, who
controls the Initial Purchaser or any such holder of Registrable Securities
expressly for use in the Registration



                                       13
<PAGE>   14


Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); provided, further, that
this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage
or expense (1) arising from an offer or sale of Registrable Securities occurring
during a Deferral Period, if Notice Holder received a Deferral Notice, or (2)
the Holder fails to deliver at or prior to the written confirmation of sale, the
most recent Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, and such Prospectus, as
amended or supplemented, would have corrected such untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact.

          (b) In connection with any Shelf Registration in which a holder,
including, without limitation, the Initial Purchaser, of Registrable Securities
is participating, in furnishing information relating to such holder of
Registrable Securities to the Company in writing expressly for use in such
Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any
amendments or supplements thereto, the holders of such Registrable Securities
agree, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial
Purchaser and each person, if any, who controls the Initial Purchaser within the
meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
Act and the Company, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of either such Section, against any and all loss, liability, claim,
damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of
this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or
omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such holder of
Registrable Securities (which also acknowledges the indemnity provisions herein)
and each person, if any, who controls any such holder of Registrable Securities
expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or
such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto).

          The Initial Purchaser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, the holders of Registrable Securities, and each person, if any, who
controls the Company or any holder of Registrable Securities within the meaning
of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act
against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the
indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only
with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or
omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished
to the Company by the Initial Purchaser expressly for use in the Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

          (c) Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably
practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in
respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an
indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability
hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and
in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise
than on account of this indemnity agreement. The indemnifying party, upon
request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory
to the indemnified party to



                                       14
<PAGE>   15


represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may
designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such
counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified
party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses
of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the
retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding
(including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the
indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would
be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It
is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal
expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related
proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for (a) the fees and expenses of
more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the Initial
Purchaser, Holders of Registrable Securities, and all persons, if any, who
control the Initial Purchaser and Holders of Registrable Securities within the
meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, (b)
the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local
counsel) for the Company, its directors, and each person, if any, who controls
the Company within the meaning of either such Section, and that all such fees
and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In the case of any such
separate firm for the Initial Purchaser, Holders of Registrable Securities, and
control persons of the Initial Purchaser and Holders of Registrable Securities,
such firm shall be designated in writing by the Initial Purchaser. In the case
of any such separate firm for the Company, and such directors, officers and
control persons of the Company, such firm shall be designated in writing by the
Company. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such
consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying
party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or
liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the
foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an
indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of
counsel as contemplated by the second and third sentences of this paragraph, the
indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is
entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the
aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the
indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such
settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of
the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any
judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by
any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim
whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought
under this Section 6 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual
or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i)
includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability
arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does
not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure
to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

          (d) If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an
indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of
counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any
settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its
written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after
receipt by such indemnifying party of aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying
party shall have



                                       15
<PAGE>   16


received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such
settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have
reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the
date of such settlement.

          (e) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 6 is for any
reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in
respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to
therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount
of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such
indemnified party, as incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and of
the indemnified party on the other hand in connection with the statements or
omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or
expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

          The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the holders of
the Registrable Securities or the Initial Purchaser on the other hand shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to
state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the
holder of the Registrable Securities or the Initial Purchaser and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission.

          The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 6(e) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of
the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 6(e). The
aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages, and expenses incurred
by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 6(e) shall be
deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

          Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6, neither the holder
of any Registrable Securities nor the Initial Purchaser, shall be required to
indemnify or contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Registrable Securities sold by such holder of Registrable
Securities or unwritten by the Initial Purchaser, as the case may be, and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages that such holder of Registrable Securities or the Initial Purchaser has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission.

          No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning
of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from
any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

          For purposes of this Section 6(e), each person, if any, who controls
the Initial Purchaser or any holder of Registrable Securities within the meaning
of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have
the same rights to contribution as the Initial Purchaser or such holder, and
each person, if any, who controls the Company within the



                                       16
<PAGE>   17


meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act
shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

          Information Requirements

          (a) The Company covenants that, if at any time before the end of the
Effectiveness Period the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of
the Exchange Act, it will cooperate with any Holder of Registrable Securities
and take such further reasonable action as any Holder of Registrable Securities
may reasonably request in writing (including, without limitation, making such
reasonable representations as any such Holder may reasonably request), all to
the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable
Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation
of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 and Rule 144A under the Securities Act
and customarily taken in connection with sales pursuant to such exemptions. Upon
the written request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company shall
deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with
such filing requirements, unless such a statement has been included in the
Company's most recent report required to be filed and filed pursuant to Section
13 or Section 15(d) of Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in
this Section 7 shall be deemed to require the Company to register any of its
securities under any section of the Exchange Act.


                                       17
<PAGE>   18



          Miscellaneous

          (a) No Conflicting Agreements. The Company is not, as of the date
hereof, a party to, nor shall it, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter
into, any agreement with respect to its securities that conflicts with the
rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement. The
Company represents and warrants that the rights granted to the Holders of
Registrable Securities hereunder do not in any way conflict with the rights
granted to the holders of the Company's securities under any other agreements.

          (b) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement,
including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may not be given, unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders
of a majority of the then outstanding Underlying Common Stock constituting
Registrable Securities (with Holders of LYONs deemed to be the Holders, for
purposes of this Section, of the number of outstanding shares of Underlying
Common Stock into which such LYONs are or would be convertible or exchangeable
as of the date on which such consent is requested). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect
to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable
Securities whose securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement
and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders of
Registrable Securities may be given by Holders of at least a majority of the
Registrable Securities being sold by such Holders pursuant to such Registration
Statement; provided, that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended,
modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the
immediately preceding sentence. Each Holder of Registrable Securities
outstanding at the time of any such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver
or consent or thereafter shall be bound by any such amendment, modification,
supplement, waiver or consent effected pursuant to this Section 8(b), whether or
not any notice, writing or marking indicating such amendment, modification,
supplement, waiver or consent appears on the Registrable Securities or is
delivered to such Holder.

          (c) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, by telecopier, by
courier guaranteeing overnight delivery or by first-class mail, return receipt
requested, and shall be deemed given (i) when made, if made by hand delivery,
(ii) upon confirmation, if made by telecopier, (iii) one (1) Business Day after
being deposited with such courier, if made by overnight courier or (iv) on the
date indicated on the notice of receipt, if made by first-class mail, to the
parties as follows:

          (w) if to a Holder of Registrable Securities that is not a Notice
Holder, at the address for such Holder then appearing in the Registrar (as
defined in the Indenture);

          (x) if to a Notice Holder, at the most current address given by such
Holder to the Company in a Notice and Questionnaire or any amendment thereto;

          (y) if to the Company, to:

          Anixter International Inc.
          4711 Golf Road
          Skokie, Illinois 60076



                                       18
<PAGE>   19



          Attention: Executive VP & CFO
          Telecopy No.:  (847) 715-7518

          and

          (z) if to the Initial Purchaser, to:

          Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
           Incorporated
          World Financial Center
          North Tower
          250 Vesey Street
          New York, New York  10080
          Attention: Syndicate Department
          Telecopy No.: (212) 449-1000

or to such other address as such person may have furnished to the other persons
identified in this Section 8(c) in writing in accordance herewith.

          (d) Approval of Holders. Whenever the consent or approval of Holders
of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder,
Registrable Securities held by the Company or its affiliates (as such term is
defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (other than the Initial Purchaser
or subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities if such subsequent Holders are
deemed to be such affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of such
Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent
or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

          (e) Successors and Assigns. Any person who purchases any Registrable
Securities from the Initial Purchaser shall be deemed, for purposes of this
Agreement, to be an assignee of the Initial Purchaser. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each
of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon each Holder
of any Registrable Securities.

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

          (g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

          (h) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

          (i) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of
this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein
shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated thereby, and the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to
find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the
same result as that



                                       19
<PAGE>   20


contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction, it being intended
that all of the rights and privileges of the parties shall be enforceable to the
fullest extent permitted by law.

          (j) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a
final expression of their agreement and is intended to be a complete and
exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in
respect of the subject matter contained herein and the registration rights
granted by the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities. Except as
provided in the Purchase Agreement, there are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein,
with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to
the Registrable Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
undertakings among the parties with respect to such registration rights.

          (k) Termination. This Agreement and the obligations of the parties
hereunder shall terminate upon the end of the Effectiveness Period, except for
any liabilities or obligations under Sections 4, 5 or 6 hereof and the
obligations to make payments of and provide for liquidated damages under Section
2(e) hereof to the extent such damages accrue prior to the end of the
Effectiveness Period, each of which shall remain in effect in accordance with
its terms.









          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights
Agreement as of the date first written above.

ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.


By: /s/ Rod Shoemaker
   -----------------------------------
   Name: Rod Shoemaker
   Title: Vice President--Treasurer



                                       20
<PAGE>   21


Accepted as of the date first above written:

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED


By: /s/ Brit J. Bartter
   ---------------------------------------------
   Name: Brit J. Bartter
   Title: Managing Director