<PAGE>   1

                       CONNECTIVITY PRODUCTS INCORPORATED

                                 SIXTH AMENDMENT
                                       TO
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                    REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT


      This SIXTH AMENDMENT (this "Amendment"), dated as of July 11, 1997, is
among CONNECTIVITY PRODUCTS INCORPORATED, a Delaware corporation (the
"Borrower"), NBD BANK as Administrative Agent (the "Administrative Agent"),
BANKBOSTON, N.A., f/k/a THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON as Documentation Agent
(the "Documentation Agent", and together with the Administrative Agent, the
"Co-Agents") for the lending institutions (the "Banks") listed on Schedule 1 to
the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and the Banks.

      WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Banks and the Co-Agents are parties to that
certain Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as
of May 31, 1996 (as amended by the First Amendment to Amended and Restated
Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of August 26, 1996, the
Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan
Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1996, the [First Amendment of Certain
Security Documents and Subordination Agreement and] Third Amendment to Amended
and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of February 24,
1997, the Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term
Loan Agreement, dated as of March 31, 1997, and the Fifth Amendment to Amended
and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 27, 1997
the "Credit Agreement"), pursuant to which the Banks, upon certain terms and
conditions, have made loans to and may issue letters of credit for the benefit
of the Borrower; and

      WHEREAS, the Borrower had requested that the Banks agree, and the Banks
have agreed, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, to
make certain changes to the Credit Agreement;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

      SECTION 1. DEFINED TERMS. Capitalized terms which are used herein without
definition and which are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the same
meanings herein as in the Credit Agreement.

      SECTION 2. AMENDMENT OF CREDIT AGREEMENT. The Credit Agreement is hereby
amended as follows:

      (a)   Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended as follows:

            (i) the definition of Applicable Margin is amended by deleting the
            table contained in such definition and restating it in its entirety
            as follows:
<PAGE>   2
                                      - 2 -


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=================================================================================
                           Base Rate          LIBOR Rate         Commitment
Coverage Ratio               Loans               Loans               Fee
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>                 <C>                <C>
   Less than  4.00 and       1.00%               2.75%              .500%
Greater than  3.00:1.00

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Less than  3.00 and       0.50%               2.25%              .500%
Greater than  2.00:1.00

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than     2.00:1.00      0.00%               1.75%              .375%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

            (ii) the definition of Conversion Date is amended by deleting the
            date "May 31, 1998" and substituting the date "May 31, 1999"
            therefor.

            (iii) the definition of Term Loan A is amended deleting the amount
            "$18,600,000" and substituting the amount "$12,000,000" therefor.

            (iv) the definition of Security Documents is amended by adding the
            text "the Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement," immediately after the
            term "Stock Pledge Agreement," contained in such definition.

      (b) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is further amended by adding the
      following new definition in the appropriate alphabetical order:

      Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement. The Stock Pledge Agreement, dated as of
      July 11, 1997, between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and in
      form and substance satisfactory to the Banks and the Co-Agents.

      (c) Section 4.4.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting such
      Section 4.4.1 and restating it in its entirety as follows:

      4.4.1. TERM LOAN A. The Borrower promises to pay to the Administrative
      Agent for the account of the Banks the principal amount of the Term Loan A
      in twenty (20) consecutive quarterly installments, payable on the last
      Business Day of each calendar year quarter ending within any period set
      forth below in the amount set forth opposite such period, commencing on
      September 30, 1997 with a final payment on the Term Loan A Maturity Date
      in an amount equal to the unpaid balance of the Term Loan A.
<PAGE>   3
                                   - 3 -


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=================================================================================
                                                      Percentage of
                        Amount of Total               Original Principal
Period                  Annual/Quarter Installment    Amount of Term Loan A
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>                            <C>
07/01/97 - 06/30/98     $600,000($150,000/qtr.)                   5%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
07/01/98 - 12/31/98     $600,000($300,000/qtr.)                   5%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
01/01/99 - 12/31/99     $2,400,000($600,000/qtr.)                20%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
01/01/00 - 12/31/00     $3,000,000($750,000/qtr.)                25%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
01/01/01 - 12/31/01     $3,000,000($750,000/qtr.)                25%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
01/01/02 - 03/31/02     $1,800,000($1,800,000/qtr.)              15%
04/01/02 - 05/31/02     $600,000                                  5%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

      (d) Section 4.4.2 of the Credit Agreement is amended by (i) deleting the
      number "sixteen (16)" and substituting the number "thirteen (13)" therefor
      and (ii) deleting the date "September 30, 1998" and substituting the date
      "June 30, 1999" therefor.

      (e) Section 4.5 of the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the date
      "June 30, 1997" and substituting the date "December 31, 1998" therefor.

      (f) Section 10.2 of the Credit Agreement is amended by (i) deleting the
      word "and" at the end of clause (h), (ii) deleting the period at the end
      of clause (i) and substituting a semicolon and the word "and" therefor and
      (iii) adding the following new clause (j):

            (j) during the "Term" pursuant to and as defined in the Stock Escrow
            Agreement, dated as of July 11, 1997, among Anicom, Inc. ("Anicom"),
            Reel Acquisition Corp. ("Acquisition Corp.") and Harris Trust and
            Savings Bank, as Escrow Agent thereunder, liens in favor of Anicom
            on the common stock of Anicom issued to and owned by the Borrower.

      (g) Sections 11.1 through 11.5 and Section 11.7 of the Credit Agreement
      are amended as follows: -

            (i) Section 11.1 is amended by deleting such Section 11.1 and
            restating it in its entirety as follows:

            11.1. CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH. The Borrower will not permit
            Consolidated Net Worth commencing with the fiscal quarter ended
            September 30, 1997 to be less than $5,000,000, plus 75% of
            Consolidated Net Income on a cumulative basis as at each fiscal
            quarter end as set forth in the Compliance Certificate delivered
            pursuant to Section 9.4(c).

            (ii) Section 11.2 is amended by deleting such Section 11.2 and
            restating it in its entirety as follows:
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                                      - 4 -


            11.2. SENIOR FUNDED DEBT TO EBITDA. The Borrower will not, as at the
            end of any Reference Period ending during any period described in
            the table set forth below, permit the ratio of Senior Funded Debt to
            Consolidated EBITDA to exceed the ratio set forth opposite such
            period in such table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            Period                        Ratio
            ------                        -----

<S>                                       <C>
            09/30/97-12/31/98             4.00:1.00
            01/01/99-12/31/99             3.25:1.00
            Thereafter                    2.50:1.00
</TABLE>

            (iii) Section 11.3 is amended by deleting such Section 11.3 and
            restating it in its entirety as follows:

            11.3. TOTAL FUNDED DEBT TO EBITDA. The Borrower will not, as at the
            end of any Reference Period ending during any period described in
            the table set forth below, permit the ratio of Total Funded Debt to
            Consolidated EBITDA to exceed the ratio set forth opposite such
            period in such table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            Period                        Ratio
            ------                        -----
<S>                                       <C>
            09/30/97-12/31/98             5.25:1.00
            01/01/99-12/31/99             4.25:1.00
            Thereafter                    3.50:1.00
</TABLE>

            (iv) Section 11.4 is amended by deleting the ratio "2.50:1.00" and
            substituting the ratio "2.00:1.00" therefor.

            (v) Section 11.5 is amended by deleting such Section 11.5 and
            restating it in its entirety as follows:

            11.5. FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. The Borrower will not, as at the
            end of any Reference Period ending on September 30, 1997 and
            thereafter, permit the ratio of (i) the sum of (A) Consolidated
            EBITDA, plus (B) Rental Obligations with respect to all operating
            leases for equipment of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries made
            during such period, minus (C) Non-Discretionary Capital Expenditures
            made during such period to (ii) the sum of (A) Consolidated Total
            Expense for such period, plus (B) all mandatory scheduled payments
            of Term Loan A and Term Loan B, plus (C) Rental Obligations with
            respect to all operating leases of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
            made during such period, plus all cash taxes and dividends paid
            during such period, to be less than 1.3:1.00.

            For the purposes of this Section 11.5, Consolidated EBITDA shall be
            calculated by (i) annualizing Consolidated EBITDA determined at the
            end of the nine month period ending September 30, 1997, (ii)
            including the gain realized with respect to the inventory of the
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                                      - 5 -


            EEC division of the Borrower from the sale of such division to
            Acquisition Corp. and (iii) excluding from such calculation any
            other extraordinary non-recurring items of gain with respect to such
            sale. For each Reference Period thereafter, the gain described in
            clause (ii) above shall be included in the calculation of
            Consolidated EBITDA.

            (vi) Section 11.7 is amended by deleting such Section 11.7 in its
            entirety.

      (g) Schedule 1 to the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting such
      Schedule and substituting Schedule 1 attached hereto therefor.

      SECTION 3. AMENDMENT FEE. The Borrower shall pay to the Co-Agents on the
      effective date of this Amendment an amendment fee in the amount of $25,000
      for the pro rata accounts of the Co-Agents.

      SECTION 4. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS. The effectiveness of this
      Amendment shall be subject to receipt by the Administrative Agent of the
      following:

            (a) This Amendment executed by each of the Borrower, the Banks and
      the Co-Agents.

            (b) An executed Assignment and Acceptance between each of BKB and
      Fleet Bank, N.A. and NBD and Fleet Bank, N.A., substantially in the form
      of Exhibit H to the Credit Agreement and evidence of consummation of the
      transactions contemplated by each such Assignment and Acceptance.

            (c) Amended and restated Notes reflecting the appropriate amounts
      after giving effect to each Assignment and Acceptance described in clause
      (b) above and this Amendment.

            (d) Repayment by the Borrower to the Banks of any amounts required
      to be paid pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement after giving
      effect to this Amendment.

            (e) The Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement executed by the Borrower in
      form and substance satisfactory to the Banks, evidence of delivery of the
      stock certificates to the Escrow Agent under and as defined in the Stock
      Escrow Agreement, dated as of July 11, 1997, among Anicom, Acquisition
      Corp., the Borrower and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Escrow Agent
      (the "Escrow Anent"), and stock powers executed in blank by the Borrower.

            (f) The Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 11, 1997 and
      executed by each of Anicom and the Borrower, a copy of the Escrow
      Agreement and a copy of the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated July 11, 1997
      among Anicom, Acquisition Corp., and the Borrower, each in form and
      substance satisfactory to the Banks (collectively, the "Sale Documents").

            (g) Corporate resolutions of the Borrower with respect to the
      transactions contemplated by this Amendment and the Sale Documents.
<PAGE>   6
                                      - 6 -


            (h) The opinion of counsel to the Borrower with respect to this
      Amendment and the other documents evidencing the rights of the Banks
      and/or the obligations of the Borrower to the Banks upon giving effect to
      the sale of the EEC division of the Borrower contemplated by 10.5.2 of the
      Credit Agreement.

            (i)   The amendment fee pursuant to Section 3 of this Amendment.

      SECTION 5. AFFIRMATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE BORROWER. The Borrower
hereby ratifies and confirms all of its Obligations to the Banks and the
Co-Agents, including, without limitation the Loans, and the Borrower hereby
affirms its absolute and unconditional promise to pay to the Banks the Loans and
all other amounts due under the Credit Agreement as amended hereby.

      SECTION 6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Borrower hereby represents
and warrants to the Co-Agents and the Banks as follows:

            (a) Representation and Warranties in the Credit Agreement. The
      representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in the Credit
      Agreement were true and correct in all material respects as of the date
      when made and continue to be true and correct in all material respects on
      the date hereof, except to the extent of changes resulting from
      transactions or events contemplated by the Credit Agreement and the other
      Loan Documents and changes occurring in the ordinary course of business
      that singly or in the aggregate are not materially adverse to the
      Borrower, or to the extent that such representations and warranties relate
      expressly to an earlier date.

            (b) Authority, Etc. The execution and delivery by the Borrower of
      this Amendment and the performance by the Borrower of all of its
      agreements and obligations under the Credit Agreement as amended hereby
      are within the corporate authority of the Borrower and have been duly
      authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Borrower.

            (c) Enforceability of Obligations. This Amendment and the Credit
      Agreement as amended hereby constitute the legal, valid and binding
      obligations of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in
      accordance with their terms, except as enforceability is limited by
      bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating
      to or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors' rights and except
      to the extent that availability of the remedy of specific performance or
      injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which
      any proceeding therefor may be brought.

            (d) No Default. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
      continuing, and no Default or Event of Default will exist after execution
      and delivery of this Amendment.

      SECTION 7. NO OTHER AMENDMENTS OR WAIVERS. Except as expressly provided in
this Amendment, all of the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and the
other Loan Documents remain in full force and effect.
<PAGE>   7
                                      - 7 -


      SECTION 8. EXPENSES. Pursuant to Section 17 of the Credit Agreement, all
costs and expenses incurred or sustained by the Co-Agents in connection with
this Amendment, including the fees and disbursements of legal counsel for the
Co-Agents in producing, reproducing and negotiating the Amendment, will be for
the account of the Borrower whether or not the transactions contemplated by this
Amendment are consummated.

      SECTION 9. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. This Amendment may be executed in
any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but which
together shall constitute one instrument.

      SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT
UNDER THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AND SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES
BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF
MASSACHUSETTS (EXCLUDING THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW). The
captions in this Amendment are for convenience of reference only and shall not
define or limit the provisions hereof.


                 [REMAINDER OF PAGE IS LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK]
<PAGE>   8
                                      - 8 -


      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as a
document under seal as of the date first above written.

                                    CONNECTIVITY PRODUCTS INCORPORATED


                                    By:/s/ Gregory C. Kowert
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Gregory C. Kowert, Senior Vice President


                                    NBD BANK, individually and as
                                    Administrative Agent



                                    By:  /s/ Erik W. Bakker
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                    Erik W. Bakker, Vice President


                                    BANKBOSTON, N.A.
                                    F/K/A THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
                                    OF BOSTON, individually
                                    and as Documentation Agent


                                    By: /s/ G. Christopher Miller
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       G. Christopher Miller, Vice President