<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1




                                CREDIT AGREEMENT
                                  BY AND AMONG
                         CHASE BRASS INDUSTRIES, INC. AN
                          THE BANKS REFERRED TO HEREIN
                                       AND
                    PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT

                           DATED AS OF AUGUST 30, 1996

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>      <C>                                                                                               <C>
1.       CERTAIN DEFINITIONS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1
         1.1     Certain Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1
         1.2     Construction.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
         1.3     Accounting Principles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

2.       REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN FACILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
         2.1     Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Loans.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
                 (a)      Revolving Credit Commitments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
                 (b)      Swing Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
         2.2     Nature of Banks' Obligations with Respect to Revolving Credit Loans. . . . . . . . . . . . 31
         2.3     Commitment Fee.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
         2.4     Loan Requests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
                 (a)      Revolving Credit Loan Requests  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
                 (b)      Swing Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
         2.5     Making Loans.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
                 (a)      Making Revolving Credit Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
                 (b)      Making Swing Loans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
         2.6     Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
                 (a)      Revolving Credit Notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
                 (b)      Swing Loan Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
         2.7     Extension of Expiration Date.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
         2.8     Voluntary Reduction of Commitments.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
         2.9     Borrowings to Repay Swing Loans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
         2.10    Issuance of Letters of Credit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
         2.11    Participation Interest in Letters of Credit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
         2.12    Payments with Respect to Letters of Credit.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
                 (a)      Letters of Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
         2.13    Notice for Letters of Credit.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
         2.14    Additional Understandings Regarding Letters of Credit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
         2.15    Fees with Respect to Letters of Credit.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

3.       TERM LOANS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
         3.1     Term Loan Commitments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
         3.2     Nature of Banks' Obligations with Respect to Term Loans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
         3.3     Term Loan Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
         3.4     Use of Proceeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

4.       INTEREST RATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
         4.1     Interest Rate Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
         4.2     Interest Periods.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
         4.3     Default Interest.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
         4.4     Euro-Rate Unascertainable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
         4.5     Selection of Interest Rate Options.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

5.       PAYMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
         5.1     Payments.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
         5.2     Pro Rata Treatment of Banks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
         5.3     Interest Payment Dates.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
         5.4     Voluntary Prepayments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>

<S>      <C>                                                                                               <C>
         5.5     Additional Compensation in Certain Circumstances.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
                 (a)      Increased Costs or Reduced Return Resulting from Taxes,
                          Reserves, Capital Adequacy
                          Requirements, Expenses, Etc.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
                 (b)      Indemnity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
         5.6     Settlement Date Procedures.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
         5.7     Mandatory Prepayments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

6.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
         6.1     Representations and Warranties.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
                 (a)      Organization and Qualification  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
                 (b)      Capitalization and Ownership  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
                 (c)      Subsidiaries  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
                 (d)      Power and Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
                 (e)      Validity and Binding Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
                 (f)      No Conflict . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
                 (g)      No Event of Default; Compliance with Instruments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
                 (h)      Litigation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
                 (i)      Title to Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
                 (j)      Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
                 (k)      Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
                 (l)      Consents and Approvals  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
                 (m)      Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Licenses, Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
                 (n)      Use of Proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
                 (o)      Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
                 (p)      Compliance with Laws  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
                 (q)      Material Contracts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
                 (r)      Investment Companies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
                 (s)      Margin Stock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
                 (t)      Full Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
                 (u)      Employee Benefit Plans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
                 (v)      Employment Matters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
                 (w)      Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
                 (x)      Solvency  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
                 (y)      Status of the Pledged Collateral; Security Interests  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

7.       CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND LENDING  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
         7.1     Closing Date.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
         7.2     Each Loan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

8.       COVENANTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
         8.1     Affirmative Covenants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
                 (a)      Preservation of Existence, Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
                 (b)      Payment of Liabilities, Including Taxes, Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
                 (c)      Maintenance of Insurance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
                 (d)      Maintenance of Properties and Leases  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
                 (e)      Maintenance of Patents, Trademarks, Etc.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

                                      -ii-
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<TABLE>

<S>      <C>                                                                                               <C>
                 (f)      Visitation Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
                 (g)      Keeping of Records and Books of Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
                 (h)      Compliance with Laws  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
                 (i)      Ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
                 (j)      Subordination of Intercompany Loans and Advances to Borrower  . . . . . . . . . .66
                 (k)      Employee Benefit Plans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
                 (l)      Employment Matters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
                 (m)      Use of Proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
                 (n)      Further Assurances  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
         8.2     Negative Covenants.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
                 (a)      Minimum Net Worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
                 (b)      Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
                 (c)      Leverage Ratio  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
                 (d)      Indebtedness  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
                 (e)      Liens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
                 (f)      Guaranties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
                 (g)      Loans and Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
                 (h)      Dispositions of Assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
                 (i)      Dividends, Related Distributions, and Payments through
                          Intercompany Payable Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
                 (j)      Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
                 (k)      Affiliate Transactions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
                 (l)      Continuation of or Change in Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
                 (m)      Changes in Other Documents  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
                 (n)      Changes in Organizational Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
                 (o)      Fiscal Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
                 (p)      Subsidiaries  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
                 (q)      Employee Benefit Plans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
                 (r)      Agreements Restricting Payment of Intercompany Notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
         8.3     Reporting Requirements.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
                 (a)      Quarterly Financial Statements and Reports  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
                 (b)      Annual Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
                 (c)      Projections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
                 (d)      Certificates of the Loan Parties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
                 (e)      Notice of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
                 (f)      Notice of Litigation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
                 (g)      Certain Events  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
                 (h)      Other Notices, Reports and Information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
                 (i)      Notices Regarding Employee Benefit Plans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

9.       DEFAULT  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
         9.1     Events of Default. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
         9.2     Consequences of Event of Default.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
         9.3     Notice of Sale.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
</TABLE>

                                      -iii-
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<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                                         <C>
10.      THE AGENT  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  91
         10.1    Appointment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  91
         10.2    Delegation of Duties.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  91
         10.3    Nature of Duties; Independent Credit Investigation.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  91
         10.4    Actions in Discretion of Agent; Instructions from the Banks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  92
         10.5    Reimbursement and Indemnification of Agent by the Borrower.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  92
         10.6    Exculpatory Provisions.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  93
         10.7    Reimbursement and Indemnification of Agent by Banks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  93
         10.8    Reliance by Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  94
         10.9    Notice of Default. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  94
         10.10   Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  94
         10.11   PNC and the Banks in Their Individual Capacities.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  94
         10.12   Holders of Notes.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  94
         10.13   Equalization of Banks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  95
         10.14   Successor Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  95
         10.15   Agent's Fee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  95
         10.16   Beneficiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  96
         10.17   Availability of Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  96
         10.18   Calculations.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  96

11.      MISCELLANEOUS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  96
         11.1    Modifications, Amendments or Waivers.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  96
         11.2    No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies; Writing Required. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  97
         11.3    Reimbursement and Indemnification of Banks by the Borrower; Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . .  98
         11.4    Holidays.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  98
         11.5    Funding by Branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  98
                 (a)      Notional Funding  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  98
                 (b)      Actual Funding  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  99
         11.6    Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  99
         11.7    Severability.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
         11.8    Governing Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
         11.9    Prior Understanding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
         11.10   Duration; Survival.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
         11.11   Successors and Assigns.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
         11.12   Confidentiality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
         11.13   Counterparts.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
         11.14   Exceptions.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
         11.15   CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
         11.16   Joinder of Guarantors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
         11.17   Tax Withholding Clause. . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
         11.18   Nature of Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Borrower and Guarantors.  . . . . . 104
</TABLE>

                                      -iv-
<PAGE>




                                    SCHEDULES


SCHEDULE 1.1(B)                   COMMITMENTS OF THE BANKS
SCHEDULE 1.1(P)(1)                SCHEDULED PERMITTED INVESTMENTS
SCHEDULE 1.1(P)(2)                SCHEDULED PERMITTED LIENS
SCHEDULE 1.1(Q)(1)                QUALIFIED ACCOUNTS
SCHEDULE 1.1(Q)(2) -              QUALIFIED INVENTORY
SCHEDULE 6.1(a)                   ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION
SCHEDULE 6.1(b)                   HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK OF BORROWER
SCHEDULE 6.1(c)                   SUBSIDIARIES OF BORROWER
SCHEDULE 6.1(h)                   LITIGATION
SCHEDULE 6.1(i)                   REAL ESTATE LOCATIONS
SCHEDULE 6.1(l)                   NECESSARY CONSENTS AND APPROVALS
SCHEDULE 6.1(m)                   PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS AND LICENSES
SCHEDULE 6.1(o)                   INSURANCE POLICIES
SCHEDULE 6.1(q)                   MATERIAL CONTRACTS
SCHEDULE 6.1(u)                   EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN DISCLOSURES
SCHEDULE 6.1(v)                   COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS
SCHEDULE 6.1(w)                   ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
SCHEDULE 11.6                     NOTICES


                                       -v-

<PAGE>




EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT 1.1(G)(1)                 GUARANTOR JOINDER
EXHIBIT 1.1(G)(2)                 GUARANTY AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT 1.1(I)                    INTERCOMPANY LOAN SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT 1.1(P)(1)                 INVESTMENT POLICY
EXHIBIT 1.1(P)(2)                 PLEDGE AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT 1.1(R)                    REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
EXHIBIT 1.1(S)                    SWING LOAN NOTE
EXHIBIT 1.1(T)                    TERM NOTE
EXHIBIT 2.4(a)                    REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN REQUEST
EXHIBIT 2.4(b)                    SWING LOAN REQUEST
EXHIBIT 7.1(d)                    OPINION OF COUNSEL
EXHIBIT 7.1(l)                    CLOSING DATE COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT 8.2(d)                    INDEBTEDNESS COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT 8.2(i)                    DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT 8.2(j)(3)                 ACQUISITION NOTICE CERTIFICATE--ACQUISITION BY
                                  (OR OF) A LOAN PARTY
EXHIBIT 8.2(j)(4)                 ACQUISITION NOTICE CERTIFICATE--ACQUISITION BY
                                  (OR OF) AN UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY; EQUITY
                                  CONTRIBUTION CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT 8.3(d)(i)                 BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT 8.3(d)(ii)                COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT 11.11                     ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT


                                      -vi-

<PAGE>





                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                 THIS AGREEMENT dated as of August 30, 1996 is made by and among
CHASE BRASS INDUSTRIES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the
Guarantors referred to herein (the "Guarantors"), the BANKS (as hereinafter
defined), and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, in
its capacity as agent for the Banks under this Agreement (hereinafter referred
to in such capacity as the "Agent").

                                   WITNESSETH:

                 WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that the Banks provide a
revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
$40,000,000 and a term loan facility in an amount of $60,000,000;

                 WHEREAS, the revolving credit facility shall be used to finance
the Leavitt Acquisition, to repay Indebtedness under the Existing Credit
Agreement, if any, for working capital for the Loan Parties and for permitted
acquisitions described herein and the term loan facility shall be used to
finance the Leavitt Acquisition; and

                 WHEREAS, the Banks are willing to provide such credit upon the
terms and conditions set forth herein.

                 NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, in consideration of their
mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and intending to be
legally bound hereby, covenant and agree as follows:

                             1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

                 1.1      Certain Definitions.

                          In addition to words and terms defined elsewhere in
this Agreement, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings,
respectively, unless the context hereof clearly requires otherwise:

                          Account shall mean any account, contract right,
general intangible, chattel paper, instrument or document representing any right
to payment for goods sold or services rendered, whether or not earned by
performance and whether or not evidenced by a contract, instrument or document,
which is now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower or any Guarantor.

                          Account Debtor shall mean any Person who is or who
may become obligated to the Borrower or any Guarantor under, with respect to,
or on account of, an Account.
<PAGE>



                          Acquisition Date shall have the meaning given to
such term in Section 8.2(j).

                          Adjusted Annualized Interest Expense shall mean for
any period of determination, the difference between (i) Annualized Interest
Expense, and (ii) any interest expense incurred on Indebtedness Used by
Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries included in clause (i).

                          Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan
Parties shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries
for any period of determination, the sum of (A) plus (B) plus (C) less (D)
below:

                          (A)     Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan
Parties, plus

                          (B)     either (i) the "Adjustment Amount" listed in
the grid below next to the applicable period of determination if such period of
determination is one of the periods set forth in such grid or (ii) zero if the
period of determination commences on or after October 1, 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               PERIOD OF DETERMINATION                             ADJUSTMENT AMOUNT
               -----------------------                             -----------------
               <S>                                      <C>
                7-1-95 through 6-30-96                  $13,900,000
               10-1-95 through 9-30-96                  $10,400,000 plus the 3rdQ Adjustment
               1-1-96 through 12-31-96                  $7,900,000 plus the 3rdQ Adjustment
                4-1-96 through 3-31-97                  $4,400,000 plus the 3rdQ Adjustment
                7-1-96 through 6-30-97                  3rdQ Adjustment
</TABLE>
                          ,plus

                          (C)     the amount of cash flow from operations
during such period of determination of any Business to be Acquired which the
Loan Parties are permitted to include in computing their Adjusted Cash Flow from
Operations of the Loan Parties pursuant to Section 8.2(j)(3), less

                          (D)     the amount of cash flow from operations
during such period of determination which the Loan Parties must exclude in
computing their Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan Parties pursuant
to Section 8.2(h)(ix)(A)(3).Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan
Parties and Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall mean, for any period of
determination the sum of (A)Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan
Parties, plus (B) Excess Cash Flow from Operations of the Qualified Unrestricted
Subsidiaries.

                                       -2-
<PAGE>





                          Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan
Parties and Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall mean, for any period of
determination, the sum of (A) Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan
Parties, plus (B) Excess Cash Flow of the Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries,
but only to the extent that each Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiary which earned
such Excess Cash Flow of the Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries is permitted to
distribute in cash to the Loan Parties an amount equal to such Excess Cash Flow
of the Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries on the date of any compliance
certificate in which the computation of such Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations
of the Loan Parties and Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries is being made. For
purposes of the preceding sentence a Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be
deemed not to be permitted to make a distribution to the extent any agreement to
which such Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiary is a party or Law by which it is
bound restricts the right of such Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiary to pay such
distribution on the date specified in such sentence.

                          Adjusted Indebtedness of the Loan Parties shall mean
consolidated Indebtedness of the Loan Parties excluding any Indebtedness Used
by Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

                          Affiliate as to any Person shall mean any other
Person which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under
common control with such Person. "Control" as used herein shall mean the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, including the power to
elect a majority of the directors or trustees of a corporation or trust, as the
case may be.

                          Agent shall mean PNC Bank, National Association
(formerly Pittsburgh National Bank), and its successors.

                          Agent's Fee shall have the meaning assigned to that
term in Section 10.15 hereof.

                          Agent's Fee Letter shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 10.15.

                          Agreement shall mean this Credit Agreement as the same
may be supplemented or amended from time to time.

                          Annual Statements shall have the meaning given to
such term in Section 6.1(j)(A).

                          Annualized Interest Expense shall mean the
consolidated interest expense of the Loan Parties computed as of the end of each
fiscal quarter, beginning with the quarter ending December 31, 1996, for the
period set forth in the center column of the grid below multiplied by the number
set forth in the right column of the grid below (under the heading, "Factor"):


                                       -3-
<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Fiscal Quarter Ended           Period Covered                                Factor
               --------------------           --------------                                ------
               <S>                             <C>                                           <C>
               December 31, 1996               October 1, 1996 to                             4
                                               December 31, 1996

               March 31, 1997                  October 1, 1996 to                             2
                                               March 31, 1997

               June 30, 1997                   October 1, 1996 to                            4/3
                                               June 30, 1997

               September 30, 1997 and          four quarters then ended                       1
               each fiscal quarter
               thereafter
</TABLE>

                          Applicable Percentage shall have the meaning given to
such term in Section 2.3.

                          Application shall mean a duly executed and completed
application and agreement for standby letter of credit in the Agent's usual and
customary form, subject to the terms of this Agreement where inconsistent.

                          Authorized Officer shall mean those persons,
designated by written notice to the Agent from the Borrower, authorized to
execute notices, reports and other documents on behalf of the Loan Parties
required hereunder. The Borrower may amend such list of persons from time to
time by giving written notice of such amendment to the Agent.

                          Banks shall mean the financial institutions named on
Schedule 1.1(B) hereto and their respective successors and assigns as permitted
hereunder, each of which is referred to herein as a Bank.

                          Base Rate shall mean the greater of (i) the interest
rate per annum announced from time to time by the Agent at its Principal Office
as its then prime rate, which rate may not be the lowest rate then being charged
commercial borrowers by the Agent, or (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus
one-half of one percent (1/2%) per annum.

                          Base Rate Option shall mean either the Revolving
Credit Base Rate Option or the Term Loan Base Rate Option.

                          Base Rate Portion shall mean at the time in question
that portion of the Loans bearing interest at the Base Rate Option.

                          Benefit Arrangement shall mean at any time an
"employee benefit plan," within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, which is
neither a Plan nor a Multiemployer Plan and which is maintained, sponsored or
otherwise contributed to by any member of the ERISA Group.

                          Borrower shall mean Chase Brass Industries, Inc., a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.


                                       -4-
<PAGE>




                          Borrower Reorganization shall have the meaning given
to such term in Section 8.2(j).

                          Borrower Shares shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.1(b).

                          Borrower's Successor shall have the meaning given to
such term in Section 8.2(j).

                          Borrowing Base shall mean at any time the sum of (i)
85% of Qualified Accounts (the "Accounts Portion"), plus (ii) the lesser of (A)
the sum of (1) 60% of Qualified CBCC Inventory plus (2) 50% of Qualified Leavitt
Inventory, or (B) an amount equal to the Accounts Portion.

                          Borrowing Base Certificate shall have the meaning
given to such term in Section 8.3(d)(i).

                          Borrowing Date shall mean, with respect to any Loan,
the date for the making thereof or the renewal or conversion thereof to the same
or a different Interest Rate Option, which shall be a Business Day.

                          Borrowing Tranche shall mean at the time in question
that portion of the Loans accruing interest (i) under any Base Rate Option all
of which Loans shall be deemed to be one Borrowing Tranche, (ii) under the
Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option having the same Borrowing Date, interest rate
and Euro-Rate Interest Period, all of which Revolving Credit Loans having such
same Borrowing Date, interest rate and Interest Period shall constitute one
Borrowing Tranche and (iii) under the Term Loan Euro-Rate Option having the same
Borrowing Date, interest rate and Interest Period, all of which Term Loans
having such same Borrowing Date, interest rate and Interest Period shall
constitute one Borrowing Tranche.

                          BP shall mean BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc., a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

                          Business Day shall mean a day on which commercial
banks are open for business in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and New York, New York.

                          Business to be Acquired shall have the meaning given
to such term in Section 8.2(j).

                          Capital Expenditure Limitation shall mean a limit on
the amount of capital expenditures which the Loan Parties may include in Fixed
Charges of the Loan Parties in any fiscal quarter (the "Measurement Quarter")
beginning with the quarter ending on December 31, 1996. The Capital Expenditure
Limitation is the following:

                          (A) If the Measurement Quarter is the quarter ending
December 31, 1996, the Capital Expenditure Limitation is $6,500,000. (If
$6,500,000 exceeds the amount of capital expenditures incurred by the Loan
Parties during such quarter, such excess shall be the


                                       -5-
<PAGE>





"Carryover Amount" as of the end of such quarter and thereafter until the
Carryover Amount is subsequently adjusted in clause (B) below.);

                          (B) If the Measurement Quarter is in 1997 or any
fiscal year thereafter, the Capital Expenditure Limitation is the positive
difference (if any) between (i) the sum of $12,500,000 plus the Carryover Amount
(then in effect), less (ii) the capital expenditures incurred by the Loan
Parties during such fiscal year through the end of the quarter preceding the
Measurement Quarter. At the end of 1997, and at the end of each fiscal year
thereafter, the Carryover Amount shall be recomputed and shall equal the
positive difference (if any) between (i) the sum of $12,500,000 plus the
Carryover Amount (previously in effect), less (ii) the capital expenditures
incurred by the Loan Parties during such fiscal year.

                          Cash Flow from Operations shall mean, with respect to
any Person for any period of determination, the sum of consolidated net income
before extraordinary items, depreciation, amortization, other non-cash charges
to net income (including any periodic adjustment to the value of inventory to
reflect the lower of cost or market in accordance with GAAP), interest expense
and income tax expense minus the sum of non-cash credits to net income
(including any periodic adjustment to the value of inventory to reflect the
lower of cost or market in accordance with GAAP) and gains from asset sales, all
determined in accordance with GAAP for such period of determination.

                          Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan Parties shall
mean, for any period of determination, the Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan
Parties on a consolidated basis plus and any Excess Distributions by Unqualified
Unrestricted Subsidiaries and minus the equity interest of the Loan Parties in
earnings of the Unqualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if such equity interest
is a positive number the result will be a negative adjustment to Cash Flow from
Operations of the Loan Parties and if it is a negative number the result will be
a positive adjustment to Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan Parties).

                          Cash Flow from Operations of the Qualified
Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall mean for any period of determination, the
combined Cash Flow from Operations of the Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries
for such period of determination.

                          CBCC shall mean Chase Brass & Copper Company, Inc., a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

                          Change of Control shall occur when any of the
following events occur:

                          (i) MVA shall cease to own at least 148,973 shares of
Voting Common Stock of Borrower (which number shall be adjusted to reflect any
and all stock splits, reverse stock splits and stock dividends that may occur
after the date hereof) (such number on the date hereof or as hereafter adjusted
pursuant hereto, the "MVA Required Shares"), provided, however, that in the
event of any Borrower Reorganization, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to
have occurred for purposes of this clause (i) so long as, immediately after the
consummation of such transaction MVA owns a number of Voting Securities of the
Borrower's Successor with a fair market value at least equal to the fair market
value of the MVA Required


                                       -6-
<PAGE>




Shares immediately prior to such Borrower Reorganization. After the occurrence
of each Borrower Reorganization, the MVA Required Shares shall be deemed to
equal the shares of Voting Securities in the Borrower's Successor required to be
held by MVA pursuant to the proviso of the preceding sentence and such number
shall be subject to adjustment to give effect to any and all stock splits,
reverse stock splits and dividends that occur after such Borrower
Reorganization;

                          (ii) Borrower or Borrower's Successor shall cease to
own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding Shares of the capital stock
of CBCC, Leavitt Tube, Holco or any other Guarantor;

                          (iii) Any Person or group of Persons (within the
meaning of Sections 13(a) or 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended), other than CVC, shall have acquired beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
under said Act) of 50.1% or more of the voting capital stock of the Borrower; or

                          (iv) within a period of twelve (12) consecutive
calendar months, the members of the Incumbent Board cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the Borrower.

For purposes of this definition, Voting Common Stock shall be deemed to include,
and give effect to the full conversion of, all outstanding shares of Borrower's'
Nonvoting Common Stock and any other securities which are convertible, at any
time upon the request of the holder thereof, into shares of Voting Common Stock.

                          Chase Asset Purchase Agreement shall mean the Asset
Purchase Agreement dated May 10, 1990 by and among the Borrower, the Company,
Ken-Chas, BP and Standard Oil, as amended from time to time.

                          Chase Seller Note shall mean the $20,000,000
Subordinated Promissory Note, dated as of August 24, 1990, delivered by Borrower
to Ken-Chas as part of the purchase price in connection with the Chase Asset
Purchase Agreement as the same may be amended from time to time.

                          Chase Sellers shall mean Ken-Chas, BP and Standard
Oil.

                          Chase Union Contract shall mean that certain labor
contract with the United Steelworkers of America dated July 1, 1993 governing
union employees of CBCC which is scheduled to expire on June 28, 1998.

                          Clause (B) Measurement Date shall have the meaning
given to such term in Section 8.2(j).

                                       -7-
<PAGE>




                          Closing Date shall mean the Business Day on which the
first Loan shall be made, which shall be the date of this Agreement.

                          Closing Date Compliance Certificate shall have the
meaning given to such term in Section 7.1(l).

                          Collateral shall mean the Pledged Collateral, the
Intercompany Payable Account, and the Intercompany Notes pledged to the Agent
for the benefit of the Banks under the Intercompany Loan Subordination
Agreement.

                          Combined Statements shall have the meaning given to
such term in Section 8.2(j).

                          Commitment shall mean as to any Bank the aggregate of
its Revolving Credit Commitment and Term Loan Commitment, and Commitments shall
mean the aggregate of the Revolving Credit Commitments and Term Loan Commitments
of all of the Banks.

                          Commitment Fee shall have the meaning assigned to
that term in Section 2.3 hereof.

                          Common Stock shall mean the Voting Common Stock and
Nonvoting Common Stock of Borrower.

                          Company Shares shall have the meaning given to such
term in Section 6.1(b).

                          Compliance Certificate shall have the meaning given
to such term in Section 8.3(d)(ii).

                          Cumulative Excess Cash Flow shall mean, as of any
date of determination, the aggregate of all Excess Cash Flow which Loan Parties
have earned and computed pursuant to Borrower's quarterly Compliance
Certificates under Section 8.3(d)(ii) for each quarter prior to such date of
determination.

                          Cumulative Net Excess Cash Flow shall mean:

                          (A) as of any date of determination prior to the
Mandatory Prepayment Termination Date: (1) the sum of 40% of the Cumulative
Excess Cash Flow as of such date plus any Debt Proceeds and any Stock Proceeds
received by the Borrower between the Closing Date and such date of
determination, less (2) the sum of: (i) all dividends which Borrower has paid or
declared in respect of its shares of capital stock between the Closing Date and
such date of determination, (ii) the purchase price paid by the Borrower for all
stock of the Borrower repurchased by Borrower, and (iii) all Equity
Contributions to Unrestricted Subsidiaries made between the Closing Date and
such date of determination; and

                          (B) as of any date of determination after the
Mandatory Prepayment Termination Date: (1) the sum of 100% of the Cumulative
Excess Cash Flow as of such date plus any Debt Proceeds and any Stock Proceeds
received by the Borrower between the Closing

                                       -8-
<PAGE>




Date and such date of determination, less (2) the sum of : (i) all Mandatory
Prepayments of Excess Cash Flow which Borrower has paid out of its Excess Cash
Flow prior to such date of determination, (ii) voluntary prepayments of the Term
Loans made prior to such date pursuant to Section 5.4 to the extent that such
payments have been credited to, and reduced the amount of, a Mandatory
Prepayment of Excess Cash Flow under Section 5.7(b), (iii) all dividends which
Borrower has paid or declared in respect of its shares of capital stock between
the Closing Date and such date of determination, (iv) the purchase price paid by
the Borrower for all stock of the Borrower repurchased by Borrower and (v) all
Equity Contributions to Unrestricted Subsidiaries made between the Closing Date
and such date of determination.

                          CVC shall mean Citicorp Venture Capital Ltd.

                          Debt Proceeds shall mean proceeds received by
Borrower from the Indebtedness incurred by Borrower described in and permitted
under Section 8.2(d)(ii).

                          Delivery Date shall mean the earlier of (A) the date
on which the Borrower delivers its Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section
8.3(d) or (B) one Business Day following the date on which such Compliance
Certificate is due to be delivered pursuant to such Section.

                          Distribution by Unqualified Unrestricted Subsidiary
shall mean (i) any cash payment by an Unqualified Unrestricted Subsidiary to the
Loan Parties whether as a dividend distribution, repurchase of shares or
repayment of an intercompany loan.

                          Distribution Compliance Certificate shall have the
meaning given to such term in Section 8.2(i).

                          Dollar, Dollars, U.S. Dollars and the symbol $ shall
mean lawful money of the United States of America.

                          Environmental Complaint shall mean any written
complaint setting forth a cause of action for personal or property damage or
equitable relief or civil penalties, order, notice of violation, citation,
request for information issued pursuant to any Environmental Laws, subpoena or
other written notice of any type relating to, arising out of or issued pursuant
to any of the Environmental Laws or any Environmental Conditions, as the case
may be.

                          Environmental Conditions shall mean any conditions of
the environment, including, without limitation, the workplace, the ocean,
natural resources (including flora or fauna), soil, surface water, ground water,
any actual or potential drinking water supply sources, substrata or the ambient
air, relating to or arising out of, or caused by the use, handling, storage,
treatment, recycling, generation, transportation, release, spilling, leaking,
pumping, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, disposal,
dumping, threatened release or other management or mismanagement of Regulated
Substances resulting from the use of, or operations on, the Property.


                                       -9-
<PAGE>




                          Environmental Laws shall mean all federal, state,
local and foreign laws and regulations, including permits, orders, judgments,
and consent decrees issued, or entered into, pursuant thereto, relating to
pollution or protection of human health or the environment or employee safety in
the workplace.

                          Equity Contribution shall mean (i) any cash payment
by a Loan Party for the purchase of stock or other ownership interests, whether
by direct purchase, merger or otherwise, of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any
other cash contribution by a Loan Party to the capital or equity of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary; (ii) any loan made by a Loan Party to an Unrestricted
Subsidiary or (iii) any Guaranty made or incurred by a Loan Party for the
benefit of an Unrestricted Subsidiary relating to the payment of Indebtedness of
such Unrestricted Subsidiary or relating to interest rate protection agreements
entered into by such Unrestricted Subsidiary. The amount of an Equity
Contribution made by a Loan Party shall be measured as the amount of such cash
payment or contribution if the Equity Contribution is described in clause (i)
above, the amount of such loan if the Equity Contribution is described in clause
(ii) above, or the amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Guaranty if the
Equity Contribution is described in clause (iii) above.

                          ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, and any successor statute of similar import, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, as from time to time in effect.

                          ERISA Group shall mean, at any time, the Borrower and
all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses
(whether or not incorporated) under common control and all other entities which,
together with the Borrower, are treated as a single employer under Section 414
of the Internal Revenue Code.

                          Euro-Rate shall mean, with respect to the Loans
comprising any Borrowing Tranche to which a Euro-Rate Option applies, the
interest rate per annum determined by the Agent by dividing (the resulting
quotient rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1% per annum) (i) the rate of
interest determined by the Agent in accordance with its usual procedures (which
determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) to be the Euro-Rate
evidenced by the Telerate page 3750 as quoted by the British Bankers'
Association(or appropriate successor) at approximately 11:00 a.m. Pittsburgh
time two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for
delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in amounts comparable to such
Borrowing Tranche and having maturities comparable to such Interest Period by
(ii) a number equal to 1.00 minus the Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage. The
Euro-Rate may also be expressed by the following formula:

                           [Telerate page 3750 as Quoted by British]
              Euro-Rate  = [Bankers' Association, or appropriate successor]
                           1.00 - Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage

The Euro-Rate shall be adjusted with respect to any Euro-Rate Option outstanding
on the effective date of any change in the Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage as of
such effective date, and the Agent shall give prompt notice to the Borrower of
the Euro-Rate as determined or adjusted in accordance herewith, which
determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>




                          Euro-Rate Option shall mean either the Revolving
Credit Euro-Rate Option or the Term Loan Euro-Rate Option.

                          Euro-Rate Portion shall mean at the time in question
that portion of the Loans bearing interest under any Euro-Rate Option.

                          Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage shall mean the maximum
percentage (expressed as a decimal rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) as
determined by the Agent (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest
error) which is in effect during any relevant period (or, if more than one such
percentage shall be applicable, the daily average of such percentages for those
days in such period during which any such percentages shall be so applicable),
as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any
successor) for determining the reserve requirements (including, without
limitation, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserve requirements) with
respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as "Eurocurrency
Liabilities") of a member bank in such System, which percentage is currently 0%
and is published in Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.

                          Event of Default shall mean any of the Events of
Default described in Section 9.1 of this Agreement.

                          Excess Cash Flow shall be computed quarterly beginning
with the quarter ending December 31, 1996 by taking the difference between Cash
Flow from Operations of the Loan Parties earned during such quarter and Fixed
Charges of the Loan Parties incurred during such quarter. All determinations of
Excess Cash Flow shall be made following the delivery by the Borrower to the
Agent of the Borrower's financial statements described in Sections 8.3(a) and
(b) for the applicable quarter.. Borrower shall demonstrate its computation of
Excess Cash Flow for each quarter in Borrower's Compliance Certificate for such
quarter.

                          Excess Cash Flow of the Qualified Unrestricted
Subsidiaries shall be computed quarterly beginning with the quarter ending after
the first Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiary is formed and commences business by
taking the sum of (A) plus (B) less (C) and less (D) below:

                          (A)     Cash Flow from Operations of the Qualified
Unrestricted Subsidiaries earned during such quarter, plus

                          (B)     the amount of excess cash flow during such
period of determination of any QURS Business to be Acquired which any Qualified
Unrestricted Subsidiaries are permitted to include in computing Excess Cash Flow
of the Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 8.2(j)(4), less

                          (C)     Fixed Charges of the Qualified Unrestricted
Subsidiaries incurred during such quarter, less

                                      -11-
<PAGE>




                          (D)     the amount of excess cash flow during such
period of determination which the Borrower must exclude in computing the Excess
Cash Flow of the Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 8.2(s).

                          All determinations of Excess Cash Flow of the
Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall be made following the delivery by
Borrower to the Agent of the Borrower's financial statement described in Section
8.3(a) and (b) for the applicable quarter. The Borrower shall demonstrate its
computation of Excess Cash Flow of the Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries for
each quarter in Borrower's Compliance Certificate for such quarter.

                          Excess Distributions by Unqualified Unrestricted
Subsidiaries shall mean for any period of determination the positive difference
between (A) and (B) below

                          (A)     the amount of Distributions by Unqualified
Unrestricted Subsidiaries distributed by to the Loan Parties during such
period, less

                          (B)     the excess of (1) over (2) below (treat this
clause (B) as zero if (2) exceeds (1)):

                                  (1)      Equity Contributions made by the
Loan Parties to the Unqualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries between the Closing
Date through and including such period of determination, over

                                  (2)      Distributions by Unqualified
Unrestricted Subsidiaries between the Closing Date and the beginning of such
period of determination (excluding the distributions described in (A) above).

                          Excluded Foreign Sales Subsidiaries shall mean
Subsidiaries of the Borrower which are (i) listed on Schedule 6.1(c) and (ii)
organized as foreign sales corporations under the requirements of Section
921-927 of the Internal Revenue Code.

                          Existing Credit Agreement shall mean that certain
Credit Agreement dated as of November 10, 1994 among CBCC, as the borrower, PNC
Bank, as the agent, and the Banks parties thereto.

                          Expiration Date shall mean with respect to the
Revolving Credit Commitments August 30, 2001, if such day is a Business Day, or
the next succeeding Business Day, or such later date established with the
consent of all of the Banks in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.7.

                          Federal Funds Effective Rate for any day shall mean
the rate per annum (based on a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed and
rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) announced by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York (or any successor) on such day as being the weighted average of the
rates on overnight federal funds transactions arranged by federal funds brokers
on the previous trading day, as computed and announced by such Federal Reserve
Bank (or any successor) in substantially the same manner as such Federal Reserve
Bank computes and announces the weighted average it refers to as the "Federal
Funds Effective Rate"


                                      -12-
<PAGE>




as of the date of this Agreement; provided, if such Federal Reserve Bank (or its
successor) does not announce such rate on any day, the "Federal Funds Effective
Rate" for such day shall be the Federal Funds Effective Rate for the last day on
which such rate was announced.

                          Financial Projections shall have the meaning ascribed
in Section 6.1(j)(C) hereof.

                          Fixed Charges of the Loan Parties shall mean for any
fiscal quarter the sum of the following items , in each case for the Borrower
and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such quarter determined and consolidated in
accordance with GAAP: (i) interest expense, (ii) cash payment of income taxes,
(iii) scheduled principal installments on Indebtedness (as adjusted for
Mandatory Prepayments of Excess Cash Flow pursuant to Section 5.7(b) but not
adjusted for voluntary prepayments of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 5.4)
which Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary have paid, (iv) capital
expenditures not in excess of the Capital Expenditure Limitation applicable to
such fiscal quarter , (v) payments under capitalized leases and (vi) the amount
(the "Working Capital Adjustment") in (A), (B), or (C) below as applicable:

                          (A) for the determination of Fixed Charges of the
Loan Parties for the period from October 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996, the
Working Capital Adjustment shall equal the sum of (1) any increase of Working
Capital of the Loan Parties arising during the period between January 1, 1996
and December 31, 1996 plus (2) any increase of Working Capital of the Leavitt
Tube and Holco from October 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996; or

                          (B) for the determination of Fixed Charges of the
Loan Parties for the quarters ending on March 31, 1997, June 30, 1997 or
September 30, 1997 or on March 31, June 30 or September 30 of any year after
1997, the Working Capital Adjustment shall be zero; or

                          (C) for the determination of Fixed Charges of the
Loan Parties for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 1997 or on December 31
of any year after 1997, the Working Capital Adjustment shall be equal to any
increase in Working Capital of the Loan Parties arising during the period from
the first day of the year in which such quarter falls through December 31 of
that year.

                          Fixed Charges of the Qualified Unrestricted
Subsidiaries shall mean for any fiscal quarter the sum of the following items,
in each case for such quarter determined and consolidated in accordance with
GAAP: (i) interest expense, (ii) cash payment of income taxes, (iii) principal
installments on Indebtedness which such Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiary has
paid; (iv) capital expenditures, and (v) payments under capitalized leases.

                          GAAP shall mean generally accepted accounting
principles as are in effect in the United States from time to time, subject to
the provisions of Section 1.3 hereof, and applied on a consistent basis (except
for changes in application in which the Borrower's independent certified public
accountants concur) both as to classification of items and amounts.

                          Guarantor shall mean each of the parties to this
Agreement which is designated as a "Guarantor" on the signature page hereof and
each other Person which joins this


                                      -13-
<PAGE>




Agreement as a Guarantor after the date hereof pursuant to Section 11.16. The
following Persons shall be Guarantors on the Closing Date: CBCC, Leavitt Tube
and Holco.

                          Guarantor Joinder shall mean a joinder by a Person as
a Guarantor under this Agreement, the Guaranty Agreement and the other Loan
Documents in the form of Exhibit 1.1(G)(1).

                          Guaranty of any Person shall mean any obligation of
such Person guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any liability or obligation
of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any agreement to indemnify or
hold harmless any other Person, any performance bond or other suretyship
arrangement and any other form of assurance against loss, except for
endorsements of negotiable or other instruments for deposit or collection in the
ordinary course of business.

                          Guaranty Agreement shall mean the Guaranty and
Suretyship Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(G)(2) executed and
delivered by each Guarantor to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks.

                          Holco shall mean Holco Corporation, an Illinois
corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Leavitt Structural.

                          Incumbent Board shall mean individuals who, as of the
first date of any 12-month period referred to in clause (iv) of the definition
of "Change of Control" in this Agreement, constitute the Board of Directors of
the Borrower and any other individual who becomes a director of the Borrower
after any such date and whose election or appointment by the Board of Directors
of the Borrower or nomination for election by the Board of Directors of
stockholders of the Borrower was approved by a vote of at least a majority of
the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board.

                          Indebtedness shall mean, as to any Person at any time
(and without duplication if the aggregate amount of Indebtedness is being
measured), any and all indebtedness, obligations or liabilities (whether matured
or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, short or long term, or joint or several) of such Person for or in
respect of: (i) borrowed money, including the Chase Seller Note and the Notes
hereunder, (ii) amounts raised under or liabilities in respect of any note
purchase or acceptance credit facility, (iii) reimbursement obligations under
any letter of credit, (iv) any other transaction (including without limitation
forward sale or purchase agreements, capitalized leases and conditional sales
agreements) having the commercial effect of a borrowing of money entered into by
such Person to finance its operations or capital requirements (but not including
trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of
business), or (v) any Guaranty of Indebtedness for borrowed money including the
Guaranty Agreement.

                          Indebtedness Used by Qualified Unrestricted
Subsidiaries shall mean any Indebtedness of Borrower to the extent that the
Borrower has distributed the net proceeds of such Indebtedness to a Qualified
Unrestricted Subsidiary as an Equity Contribution to such Qualified Unrestricted
Subsidiary as permitted under Section 8.2(g) (so that, for example, 75%


                                      -14-
<PAGE>




of such Indebtedness will be Indebtedness Used by Qualified Unrestricted
Subsidiaries if Borrower has distributed 75% of the net proceeds thereof to a
Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiary as an Equity Contribution and such
Indebtedness meets the requirements below). provided that such Indebtedness
meets the following requirements on the applicable date of determination:

                          (1)     such Indebtedness is permitted under Section
8.2(d);

                          (2)     the agreements governing such Indebtedness
(including any Guaranties thereof) (collectively the "Debt Agreements") and any
other agreements to which the Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiary described in
clause (2) above is a party permit such Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiary to
distribute in cash to the Loan Parties at any time Excess Cash Flow of the
Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries of such Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiary
accrued as of such time; and

                          (3)     there exists no events of default under the
Debt Agreements on such date of determination and the Qualified Unrestricted
Subsidiary is on such date permitted immediately to distribute to the Loan
Parties in cash any Excess Cash Flow then existing.

For purposes of this definition "net proceeds" of Indebtedness shall mean the
proceeds after payment of expenses directly related to, and incurred in
connection with, the issuance of such Indebtedness.

                          Intercompany Loan Subordination Agreement shall mean
the Subordination Agreement in the form of Exhibit 1.1(I) hereto to be executed
and delivered by the Loan Parties in favor of the Banks which shall provide that
(i) the Borrower shall subordinate its rights to be repaid in respect of
obligations of each of the Guarantors to the Borrower under the Intercompany
Payable Account to the obligations of Guarantors to the Banks under the Guaranty
Agreement and (ii) Borrower shall pledge to the Agent for the benefit of the
Banks Borrower's rights under the Intercompany Payable Account and the
Intercompany Notes.

                          Intercompany Notes shall mean the notes executed by
each of the Restricted Subsidiaries of Borrower in favor of the Borrower
pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary evidences such Restricted
Subsidiary's obligation to Borrower under the Intercompany Payable Account.

                          Intercompany Payable Account shall mean the account
maintained by each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower on its books and
records reflecting all accounts payable from such Restricted Subsidiary of
Borrower to Borrower (net of any obligations of such Borrower to such Restricted
Subsidiary) which shall be evidenced by the Intercompany Notes and shall be
subordinated pursuant to the Intercompany Loan Subordination Agreement. The
Borrower has agreed not to lend or otherwise transfer money to any Unrestricted
Joint Ventures or Unrestricted Subsidiaries except as permitted under Section
8.2 (g)(viii) or (ix), as applicable.

                          Interest Payment Date shall mean each date specified
for the payment of interest in Section 5.3.


                                      -15-
<PAGE>




                          Interest Period shall have the meaning assigned to
that term in Section 4.2 hereof.

                          Interest Rate Option shall mean the Term Loan
Euro-Rate Option, Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option, Term Loan Base Rate Option
or the Revolving Credit Base Rate Option.

                          Interim Statements shall have the meaning given to
such term in Section 6.1(j)(A).

                          Internal Revenue Code shall mean the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and
any successor statute of similar import, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, as from time to time in effect.

                          Inventory shall mean any and all goods, merchandise
and other personal property, including, without limitation, goods in transit,
wheresoever located and whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower
or any Guarantor which are or may at any time be held as raw materials, finished
goods, work-in-process, supplies or materials used or consumed in the Borrower's
or such Guarantor's business or held for sale or lease, including, without
limitation, (a) all such property the sale or other disposition of which has
given rise to Accounts and which has been returned to or repossessed or stopped
in transit by the Borrower or such Guarantor, and (b) all packing, shipping and
advertising materials relating to all or any such property.

                          Joint Venture shall mean any partnership or joint
venture in which any Loan Party owns, directly or indirectly, more than 5% but
less than 100% of the Control (as such term is defined in the definition of
"Affiliate").

                          Ken-Chas shall mean Ken-Chas Reserve Company, a
Delaware corporation (formerly Chase Brass & Copper Company).

                          Law shall mean any law (including common law),
constitution, statute, treaty, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, injunction,
writ, decree or award of any Official Body.

                          Leavitt Acquisition shall mean the Acquisition by
Leavitt Tube of the assets, properties and business of the Leavitt division of
UNR, including substantially all of the assets and properties of Leavitt
Structural and all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
Holco pursuant to the Leavitt Acquisition Agreement and the other transactions
in connection with the Leavitt Acquisition Agreement.

                          Leavitt Acquisition Agreement shall mean that certain
Sale and Purchase Agreement dated as of May 15, 1996, by and among UNR, Leavitt
Structural, and the Borrower, as amended.

                          Leavitt Acquisition Documents shall mean the Leavitt
Acquisition Agreement and each of the other documents executed in connection
with or pursuant to the Leavitt Acquisition Agreement.


                                      -16-
<PAGE>




                          Leavitt Annual Statements shall have the meaning
given to such term in Section 6.1(j)(B).

                          Leavitt Business shall mean all of the assets to be
acquired by and liabilities to be assumed by Leavitt Tube pursuant to the
Leavitt Acquisition Documents and the business operated therewith.

                          Leavitt Historical Statements shall have the meaning
given to such term in Section 6.1(j)(B).

                          Leavitt Interim Statements shall have the meaning
given to such term in Section 6.1(j)(b).

                          Leavitt Sellers shall mean UNR and Leavitt
Structural.

                          Leavitt Structural shall mean Leavitt Structural
Tubing Co., a Delaware corporation.

                          Leavitt Tube shall mean Leavitt Tube Company, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, which shall purchase the Leavitt Business on the Closing
Date pursuant to the terms of the Leavitt Acquisition Agreement.

                          Letter of Credit shall mean each and Letters of
Credit shall mean all standby letters of credit issued and outstanding pursuant
to an Application and Section 2.10 of this Agreement.

                          Letter of Credit Outstandings shall mean at any time
the sum of (i) the aggregate undrawn full amount of outstanding Letters of
Credit, and (ii) the aggregate amount of all unpaid Reimbursement Obligations.

                          Leverage Ratio of the Loan Parties shall mean as of
any date of determination the ratio of Adjusted Indebtedness of the Loan Parties
on such date (except in those circumstances described in Section 8.2(c) or
otherwise in this Agreement which require that the Borrower compute Adjusted
Indebtedness of the Loan Parties as of a different date) to the Adjusted Cash
Flow from Operations of the Loan Parties for the twelve months ending on such
date (except in those circumstances described in the definition of Leverage
Ratio Level and in Section 8.2(c) and other circumstances expressly provided in
this Agreement which require that the Borrower compute its consolidated Adjusted
Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan Parties for four quarters ending on a
different date).

                          Leverage Ratio of the Loan Parties and Qualified
Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall mean as of any date of determination the ratio
of Indebtedness of the Loan Parties on such date to the Adjusted Cash Flow from
Operations of the Loan Parties and Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries for the
twelve months ending on such date.


                                      -17-
<PAGE>




                          Leverage Ratio Level shall be on any date of
determination a numerical level of either I, II, III, IV, V or VI based on the
Leverage Ratio of the Loan Parties on such date as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Leverage Ratio of the Loan Parties                             Leverage Ratio Level
          ----------------------------------                             --------------------
<S>                                                                              <C>
less than 1.0 to 1.0                                                              I

greater than or equal to 1.0 to 1.0 but less than 1.5                             II
to 1.0

greater than or equal to 1.5 to 1.0 but less than 2.0                             III
to 1.0

greater than or equal to 2.0 to 1.0 but less than 2.5                             IV
to 1.0

greater than or equal to 2.5 to 1.0 but less than 3.0                             V
to 1.0

greater than or equal to 3.0 to 1.0                                               VI
</TABLE>

                          The Leverage Ratio Level on the Closing Date shall be
determined based on the ratio of Adjusted Indebtedness of the Loan Parties as of
the Closing Date (after giving effect to the Leavitt Acquisition) to Adjusted
Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan Parties for the twelve months ending on
June 30, 1996. Thereafter, the Borrower shall compute the Leverage Ratio Level
as of the end of each of quarter , except as noted in the last two sentences of
this paragraph, based on the Adjusted Indebtedness of the Loan Parties as of
such quarter end and Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan Parties for
the twelve months then ended. The Borrower shall set forth its computation of
the Leverage Ratio Level for each quarter end in its Compliance Certificate for
such quarter. Any increase in the Leverage Ratio Level after the Closing Date
shall be effective on the Delivery Date for the Compliance Certificate
evidencing the computation of such Leverage Ratio Level. Any decrease in the
Leverage Ratio Level after the Closing Date shall be effective on the date on
which the Borrower actually delivers the Compliance Certificate evidencing the
computation of such Leverage Ratio Level. The Borrower also shall compute the
Leverage Ratio Level on the date on which any Loan Party makes an acquisition
described in Section 8.2(j)(3) and any increase or decrease in the Leverage
Ratio Level resulting from such computation shall be effective on the date of
such acquisition. If such Loan Party makes such acquisition before the Borrower
has delivered or is required to deliver its Compliance Certificate for the end
of the fiscal quarter which immediately preceded the date of such acquisition,
the Borrower shall not compute the Leverage Ratio Level on such Compliance
Certificate for such preceding fiscal quarter. Following the date on which any
Loan Party makes an acquisition described in Section 8.2(j)(3), the Borrower
shall next compute the Leverage Ratio Level as of the end of the fiscal quarter
in which such acquisition date falls.


                                      -18-
<PAGE>




                          Lien shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge,
lien, security interest, charge or other encumbrance or security arrangement of
any nature whatsoever, whether voluntarily or involuntarily given, including but
not limited to any conditional sale or title retention arrangement, and any
assignment, deposit arrangement or lease intended as, or having the effect of,
security.

                          Loan Parties shall mean the Borrower and the
Guarantors.

                          Loans shall mean collectively and Loan shall mean
separately all Revolving Credit Loans, Term Loans and Swing Loans or any
Revolving Credit Loan, Term Loan  or Swing Loan.

                          Mandatory Prepayment Date shall have the meaning
assigned to that term in Section 5.7(b).

                          Mandatory Prepayment Termination Date shall mean the
date on which the amount of the Term Loans outstanding is reduced to $50,000,000
or a lesser amount.

                          Mandatory Prepayment of Excess Cash Flow shall have
the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.7.

                          Material Adverse Change shall mean any set of
circumstances or events which (a) has or could reasonably be expected to have
any material adverse effect whatsoever upon the validity or enforceability of
this Agreement or any other Senior Loan Document, (b) impairs materially or
could reasonably be expected to impair materially the ability of the Borrower
and the other Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to duly and punctually pay or
perform their obligations under the Senior Loan Documents, or (c) impairs
materially or could reasonably be expected to impair materially the ability of
the Agent or any of the Banks, to the extent permitted, to enforce its legal
remedies pursuant to this Agreement or any other Senior Loan Document; provided,
that neither the matters listed on the Schedules to this Agreement on the
Closing Date nor the results of operations or changes in financial condition of
the Borrower or any other Loan Party set forth in the Interim Statements or the
Leavitt Interim Statements shall, as to such items individually or in the
aggregate, constitute a Material Adverse Change, but nothing in this proviso
shall prevent any or all of such items from being aggregated with other items or
occurrences for purposes of determining the existence of a Material Adverse
Change.

                          Measurement Date shall have the meaning assigned to
such term in Section 8.2(j)(3).

                          Minimum Net Worth Requirement shall mean an amount
equal to the sum of $50,000,000 plus the following amounts earned or received,
as applicable, between July 1, 1996 and the date of determination (i) 50% of
consolidated net income of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for each
fiscal quarter in which net income was earned (as opposed to a net loss) and
(ii) 100% of the proceeds received by Borrower from the issuance or sale of its
capital stock, net of any out of pocket expenses incurred by Borrower in
connection with such issuance or sale, which out of pocket expenses shall
include all investment banking fees, legal


                                      -19-
<PAGE>




fees, accountants fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other
customary fees and expenses actually incurred ("Stock Proceeds").

                          Month, with respect to a Euro-Rate Interest Period,
means the interval between the days in consecutive calendar months numerically
corresponding to the first day of such Interest Period. The last day of a
calendar month shall be deemed to be such numerically corresponding day for such
calendar month (i) if there is no such numerically corresponding day in such
calendar month, or (ii) if the first day of such Interest Period is the last
Business Day of a calendar month.

                          Multiemployer Plan shall mean any employee benefit
plan which is a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA and to which the Borrower or any member of the ERISA Group is then making
or accruing an obligation to make contributions or has within the preceding five
Plan years made or had an obligation to make such contributions.

                          MVA shall mean Martin V. Alonzo.

                          Nonvoting Common Stock shall mean the nonvoting
common stock of Borrower with respect to which the certificate of incorporation
of Borrower does not give the holders thereof any voting rights except as
required by law.

                          Notes shall mean the Revolving Credit Notes, Term
Notes and the Swing Note.

                          notices shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 11.6.

                          Official Body shall mean any national, federal,
state, local or other government or political subdivision or any agency,
authority, bureau, central bank, commission, department or instrumentality of
either, or any court, tribunal, grand jury or arbitrator, in each case whether
foreign or domestic.

                          PBGC shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA or any
successor.

                          Participation Interest shall have the meaning given
to such term in Section 2.11.

                          Permitted Interest Rate Protection Agreement shall
mean an interest rate hedge, swap, cap or collar or other interest rate hedging
products, in notional amount not exceeding the sum of the Commitments plus other
Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower and permitted under Section 8.2(d),
purchased by Borrower to hedge against fluctuations in the interest rates
applicable to Loans and such other Indebtedness under this Agreement.

                          Permitted Investments shall mean:


                                      -20-
<PAGE>




                          (i)     direct obligations of the United States of
         America or any agency or instrumentality thereof or obligations backed
         by the full faith and credit of the United States of America;

                          (ii) commercial paper rated not lower than A-2 by
         Standard & Poor's Corporation or P-2 by Moody's Investors Service on
         the date of acquisition; and

                          (iii) demand deposits, time deposits or certificates
         of deposit (a) in commercial banks whose obligations are rated A-1, A
         or the equivalent or better by Standard & Poor's Corporation or Moody's
         Investors Service on the date of acquisition or (b) which are fully
         insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;

                          (iv)    any investment fund which invests solely in
         the obligations described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above;

                          (v)     any investment in Excluded Foreign Sales
         Subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule
         1.1(P)(1); and

                          (vi) any other investment which is permitted under the
         investment policy attached as Exhibit 1.1(P)(1) hereto._

                           Permitted Liens shall mean:

                          (i)     Liens for taxes, assessments or similar
         charges incurred in the ordinary course of business and which are not
         yet due and payable;

                          (ii) Pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course
         of business to secure payment of workmen's compensation, or to
         participate in any fund in connection with workmen's compensation,
         unemployment insurance, old-age pensions or other social security
         programs;

                          (iii) Liens of mechanics, materialmen, warehousemen or
         carriers, or other like Liens, securing obligations incurred in the
         ordinary course of business that are not yet due and payable and Liens
         of landlords securing obligations to pay lease payments that are not
         yet due and payable or in default;

                          (iv) Good faith pledges or deposits made in the
         ordinary course of business to secure performance of bids, tenders,
         contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money) or leases,
         not in excess of the aggregate amount due thereunder, or to secure
         statutory obligations, or surety, appeal, indemnity, performance or
         other similar bonds required in the ordinary course of business;

                          (v) Encumbrances consisting of zoning restrictions,
         easements or other restrictions on the use of real property, none of
         which materially impairs the use of such property or the value thereof,
         and none of which is violated in any material respect by existing or
         proposed structures or land use;


                                      -21-
<PAGE>




                          (vi) Any Lien existing on the date of this Agreement
         and described on Schedule 1.1(P)(2) hereto and a replacement Lien
         resulting from a refinancing of such Lien provided that the principal
         amount secured by such Lien is not increased (except for increases
         resulting from the addition of outstanding interest to principal in
         connection with a refinancing of the Lien) and no additional assets
         become subject to such Lien;

                          (vii) Claims or Liens on assets of the Loan Parties in
         favor of lessors under leases for such assets permitted under Section
         8.2(d)(i) ("Permitted Secured Leases") or claims or Liens on assets of
         Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Joint Ventures in favor of
         lessors under leases for such assets; ;

                          (viii) Liens described in the definition of Permitted
         Purchase Money Indebtedness and securing such Indebtedness on assets of
         the Loan Parties as permitted under Section 8.2(d)(i) or on assets of
         the Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

                          (ix) Liens relating to zoning restrictions, easements
         or other restrictions on the use of real Property acquired in the
         Leavitt Acquisition and reflected on title policies relating to such
         Property;

                          (x) The following (A) if the validity or amount
         thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate and lawful
         proceedings diligently conducted so long as levy and execution thereon
         have been stayed and continue to be stayed or (B) if a final judgment
         is entered and such judgment is discharged within thirty (30) days of
         entry, and in either case they do not affect the Collateral or
         materially impair the ability of the Borrower, CBCC or Leavitt Tube to
         perform its obligations hereunder or under any of the Senior Loan
         Documents and they are not reasonably likely to result in a Material
         Adverse Change :

                          (1) Claims or Liens for taxes, assessments or
         governmental charges due and payable and subject to interest or
         penalty, provided that the Loan Party or its Subsidiary maintains such
         reserves or other appropriate provisions as shall be required by GAAP
         and pays all such taxes, assessments or governmental charges promptly
         after the commencement of any proceedings to foreclose any such Lien
         and, in any event, prior to the date of any scheduled foreclosure sale
         of property subject to such Lien;

                          (2) Claims, Liens or encumbrances upon, and defects of
         title to, real or personal property, including any attachment of
         personal or real property other than the Collateral or other legal
         process prior to adjudication of a dispute on the merits; or

                          (3)     Claims or Liens of mechanics, materialmen,
         warehousemen or carriers, or other statutory nonconsensual Liens;

                          (xi)    Liens in favor of the Agent for the benefit
of the Banks securing the Indebtedness hereunder; and


                                      -22-
<PAGE>




                          (xii)   Liens on the stock or other ownership
interests or the Equity Contribution in, or assets of, the Unrestricted
Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness for money borrowed by such Unrestricted
Subsidiaries or by the Loan Parties.

                          Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness shall mean
Indebtedness which (a) is incurred in connection with the purchase of tangible
property and within ninety (90) days of the date such property is placed in
service; (b) is secured, if at all, solely by Liens on the assets acquired; and
(c) the principal amount of which does not exceed the cost of the assets
acquired; and (d) is permitted under Section 8.2(d)(i).

                          Person means any individual, corporation,
partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization, joint venture, government or political subdivision or agency
thereof, or any other entity.

                          Plan shall mean at any time an employee pension
benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of
ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the
Code and either (i) is maintained by any member of the ERISA Group for employees
of any member of the ERISA Group or (ii) has at any time within the preceding
five years been maintained by any entity which was at such time a member of the
ERISA Group for employees of any entity which was at such time a member of the
ERISA Group.

                          Pledge Agreement shall mean the Pledge Agreement in
substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(P)(2) executed and delivered by Borrower,
Leavitt Tube, and any other Restricted Subsidiary of Borrower which may
hereafter hold any Subsidiary Shares, to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks.

                          Pledged Collateral shall mean the property of the
Loan Parties in which security interests are to be granted under the Pledge
Agreement. The Pledged Collateral includes all of the capital stock of each of
the Loan Parties (other than the Borrower) and the Intercompany Notes.

                          PNC shall mean PNC Bank, National Association, its
successors and assigns.

                          Potential Default shall mean any event or condition
which with notice, passage of time or a determination by the Agent or the
Required Banks, or any combination of the foregoing, would constitute an Event
of Default.

                          Principal Office shall mean the main banking office
of the Agent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

                          Prior Security Interest shall mean a valid and
enforceable perfected first-priority security interest under the Uniform
Commercial Code in the Collateral which is subject only to Liens for taxes not
yet due and payable to the extent such prospective tax payments are given
priority by statute or as permitted hereunder.


                                      -23-
<PAGE>




                          Prohibited Transaction shall mean any prohibited
transaction as defined in Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section
406 of ERISA for which neither an individual nor a class exemption has been
issued by the United States Department of Labor.

                          Property shall mean all property, both fee and
leasehold interests, owned by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party,
together with all other property and leasehold interests owned at any time by
such Loan Party or Subsidiary.

                          Qualified Accounts shall mean any Accounts which the
Agent in its sole discretion determines to have met all of the minimum
requirements set forth on Schedule 1.1(Q)(1).

                          Qualified CBCC Inventory shall mean any Qualified
Inventory owned by CBCC or its Subsidiaries.

                          Qualified Inventory shall mean any Inventory owned by
any Loan Party which the Agent in its sole discretion determines to have met all
of the minimum requirements set forth on Schedule 1.1(Q)(2).

                          Qualified Leavitt Inventory shall mean any Qualified
Inventory owned by Leavitt Tube or Holco.

                          Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiary shall mean on any
date of determination an Unrestricted Subsidiary if

                          (1)     the Borrower has distributed to such
Unrestricted Subsidiary the proceeds of Indebtedness Used by Qualified
Unrestricted Subsidiaries and such Indebtedness meets the requirements in the
definition of "Indebtedness Used by Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries " on
such date, and

                          (2)     any agreements to which such Unrestricted
Subsidiary is a party or by which such Unrestricted Subsidiary is bound permit
such Unrestricted Subsidiary to distribute on such date and on any date
thereafter in cash all or a portion of its Excess Cash Flow earned through such
date.

                          QURS Business to be Acquired shall have the meaning
assigned to such term in Section 8.2(j)(3).

                          QURS Business to be Sold shall have the meaning
assigned to such term in Section 8.2(s).

                          QURS Target Statements shall have the meaning
assigned to such term in Section 8.2(j)(3).

                          Ratable Share shall mean the proportion that a Bank's
Commitment bears to the Commitments of all the Banks.


                                      -24-
<PAGE>




                          Regulated Substances shall mean any substance,
including without limitation Solid Waste, the generation, manufacture,
processing, distribution, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, recycling,
reclamation, use, reuse or other management or mismanagement of which is
regulated by the Environmental Laws.

                          Regulation U shall mean Regulation U, T, G or X as
promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended
from time to time.

                          Reimbursement Obligations shall have the meaning
assigned to such term in Section 2.12(a)(i).

                          Remediation Agreement shall mean that certain
Remediation Agreement dated as of August 24, 1990 among BP, Standard Oil, the
Borrower and CBCC, as amended from time to time.

                          Reportable Event means (i) a reportable event
described in Section 4043 of ERISA and regulations thereunder with respect to a
Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (ii) a withdrawal by a substantial employer from a
Plan or Multiemployer Plan, as referred to in Section 4063(b) of ERISA, or (iii)
a cessation of operations at a facility causing more than twenty percent (20%)
of participants in any Plan to be separated from employment, as referred to in
Section 4062(e) of ERISA.

                          Required Banks shall mean (i) if there are no Loans
outstanding, Banks whose Commitments aggregate at least 66 2/3% of the
Commitments of all of the Banks, or (ii) if there are Loans outstanding, Banks
whose Loans outstanding aggregate at least 66 2/3% of the total principal amount
of the Loans outstanding hereunder.

                          Restricted Investments shall mean all of the
following with respect to any one or more of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries,
Unrestricted Joint Ventures or Excluded Foreign Sales Subsidiaries (each
referred to herein as an "Unrestricted Entity"): (i) investments or
contributions by any Loan Party in or to the capital of, purchases of stock or
other ownership interests in or payments whether in cash or other property to,
directly or indirectly, such Unrestricted Entity, (ii) loans by any Loan Party
directly or indirectly to such Unrestricted Entity, (iii) Guaranties by any Loan
Party directly or indirectly of the obligations of or otherwise for the benefit
of such Unrestricted Entity, (iv) other expenditures, payments or obligations,
contingent or otherwise, whether in respect of goods delivered or services
performed (including without limitation sales services as a foreign sales
corporation) or otherwise from a Loan Party, to or for the benefit of such
Unrestricted Entity(v) any Indebtedness or other obligation of such Unrestricted
Entity assumed by a Loan Party or (iv) any other consideration given by any Loan
Party for the benefit of such Unrestricted Entity.

                          Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean the Guarantors.

                          Revolving Credit Base Rate Option shall mean the
option of the Borrower to have Revolving Credit Loans bear interest at the rate
and under the terms and conditions set forth in Section 4,1(a)(i)


                                      -25-
<PAGE>




                          Revolving Credit Commitment shall mean, at the time
in question as to any Bank, the amount initially set forth opposite its name on
Schedule 1.1(B) hereto in the column labeled "Revolving Credit Commitment" as
reduced from time to time in accordance with Section 2.8, and changed from time
to time as reflected on Schedule I to the most recent Assignment and Assumption
Agreement, and Revolving Credit Commitments shall mean the aggregate Revolving
Credit Commitments of all of the Banks.

                          Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option shall mean the
option of the Borrower to have Revolving Credit Loans bear interest at the rate
and under the terms and conditions set forth in Section 4.1(a)(ii).

                          Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Spread shall have the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.1(a)(ii).

                          Revolving Credit Loan Request shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 2.4(a).

                          Revolving Credit Loans shall mean collectively and
Revolving Credit Loan shall mean separately all Loans (including Swing Loans) or
any Loan (including any Swing Loan) made by the Banks or one of the Banks to the
Borrower pursuant to Sections 2.1 or 2.12.

                          Revolving Credit Notes shall mean collectively and
Revolving Credit Note shall mean separately all of the Revolving Credit Notes of
the Borrower, in the form of Exhibit 1.1(R), evidencing the Revolving Credit
Loans made by the Banks to the Borrower, together with all amendments,
extensions, renewals, replacements, refinancings or refundings thereof in whole
or in part.

                          Revolving Facility Usage shall mean at any time the
sum of Revolving Credit Loans outstanding and the Letter of Credit
Outstandings.

                          Senior Loan Documents shall mean this Agreement, the
Notes, the Intercompany Loan Subordination Agreement and the Intercompany Notes
pledged thereunder, the Agent's Fee Letter, any Application, the Guaranty
Agreement, any Guarantor Joinder, the Pledge Agreement and any other
instruments, certificates or documents delivered or contemplated to be delivered
thereunder or in connection therewith, as the same may be supplemented or
amended from time to time in accordance herewith, and Senior Loan Document shall
mean any of the Senior Loan Documents.

                          Settlement Date shall mean each Thursday of each week
and each date on which the Agent elects to effectuate settlement pursuant to
Section 5.6.

                          Solid Waste shall mean any garbage, refuse or sludge
from any waste treatment plant, water supply treatment plant or air pollution
control facility generated by activities on the Property, and any unpermitted
release into the environment or the workplace of any material as a result of
activities on the Property, including, without limitation, baghouse dust, dross,
scrap and used Regulated Substances.


                                      -26-

<PAGE>




                          Solvent shall mean, with respect to any Person on a
particular date, that on such date (i) 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, (ii) the present fair
saleable 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, (iii) 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, (iv) 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, and (v) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is
not about to engage in 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. 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.

                          Standard Oil shall mean The Standard Oil Company, a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Ohio.

                          Stock Proceeds  shall have the meaning assigned to
such term in the definition of "Minimum Net Worth Requirement."

                          Subsidiary of any Person at any time shall mean any
corporation or trust of which a majority (by number of shares or number of
votes) of the outstanding capital stock or shares of beneficial interest
normally entitled to vote for the election of one or more directors or trustees
(regardless of any contingency which does or may suspend or dilute the voting
rights) is at such time owned directly or indirectly by such Person or one or
more of such Person's Subsidiaries, or any partnership or limited liability
company of which such Person is a general partner or a member, as applicable or
of which a majority of the partnership interests or interests as a member is at
the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person or one or more of such
Person's Subsidiaries.

                          Subsidiary Shares shall have the meaning assigned to
such term in Section 6.1(c).

                          Swing Loan Maximum shall mean the commitment of PNC to
make Swing Loans to the Borrower at Borrower's request pursuant to Section
2.1(b) hereof in an aggregate principal amount of up to but not in excess of
$5,000,000 at any one time outstanding, provided that in no event shall the sum
of all Swing Loans and Revolving Credit Loans made by PNC exceed PNC's Ratable
Share of the Revolving Credit Loans (including any Revolving Credit Loans
designated by PNC as Swing Loans) by more than $5,000,000

                          Swing Loan Request shall mean a request for Swing
Loans made in accordance with Section 2.4(b) hereof.


                                      -27-
<PAGE>




                          Swing Loans shall mean collectively and Swing Loan
shall mean separately all Swing Loans or any Swing Loan made by PNC to the
Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1(b) hereof.

                          Swing Note shall mean the Swing Loan Note of the
Borrower in the form of Exhibit 1.1(S) evidencing the Swing Loans, together with
all extensions, renewals, refinancings or refundings thereof in whole or in
part.

                          Syndication Period shall be the earlier of (i) ninety
(90) days following the Closing Date or (ii) the date on which PNC's Commitments
shall be equal to or less than 25% of the aggregate Commitments of all of the
Banks.

                          Target Statements shall have the meaning given to
such term in Section 8.2(j).

                          Term Loan Base Rate Option shall mean the option of
the Borrower to have Term Loans bear interest at the rate and under the terms
and conditions set forth in Section 4.1(b)(i).

                          Term Loan Commitment shall mean, as to any Bank at
any time, the amount initially set forth opposite its name on Schedule 1.1(B) in
the column labeled "Term Loan Commitment ," and thereafter on Schedule I to the
most recent Assignment and Assumption Agreement, and Term Loan Commitments shall
mean the aggregate Term Loan Commitments of all of the Banks.

                          Term Loan Euro-Rate Option shall mean the option of
the Borrower to have Term Loans bear interest at the rate and under the terms
and conditions set forth in Section 4.1(b)(ii).

                          Term Loan Euro-Rate Spread shall have the meaning
assigned to such term in Section 4.1(b)(ii).

                          Term Loans shall mean collectively and Term Loan
shall mean separately all Term Loans or any Term Loan made by the Banks or one
of the Banks to the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.

                          Term Loan Repayment Date shall mean the date on which
the Borrower makes the last payment required to repay in full all of the Term
Loans and all interest in respect of such Term Loans and such Loans and interest
shall thereby be repaid in full.

                          Term Notes shall mean collectively and Term Note
shall mean separately all of the Term Notes of the Borrower in the form of
Exhibit 1.1(T) evidencing the Term Loans together with all amendments,
extensions, renewals, replacements, refinancings or refunds thereof in whole or
in part.

                          3rdQ Adjustment shall have the meaning assigned to
such term in Section 8.3(d)(ii).


                                      -28-
<PAGE>




                          Unrestricted Joint Venture shall mean any Joint
Venture which has not joined this Agreement as a Loan Party.

                          Unrestricted Subsidiary shall have the meaning
assigned to such term in Section 8.2(j)(4).

                          Unqualified Unrestricted Subsidiary shall mean any
Unrestricted Subsidiary which is not a Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiary.

                          UNR shall mean UNR Industries, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, which as of the date hereof owns all of the capital stock of
Leavitt Structural.

                          Voting Agreement shall mean that certain Voting
Agreement dated as of November 10, 1994 between Borrower, CVC and MVA, as
amended.

                          Voting Common Stock shall mean the common stock of
Borrower with respect to which the certificate of incorporation of Borrower
grants voting rights to the holders thereof.

                          Voting Securities shall mean, with respect to any
corporation, any securities that vote generally in the election of directors.

                          Working Capital shall mean as of any date of
determination the difference between current assets (excluding cash) and current
liabilities (excluding obligations under the Notes) of the Borrower and its
Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case determined and consolidated in accordance
with GAAP.

                          Working Capital Adjustment shall have the meaning
assigned to such term in the definition of "Fixed Charges of the Loan Parties."

                 1.2      Construction.

                          Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise
clearly requires, references to the plural include the singular, the singular
the plural and the part the whole, "or" has the inclusive meaning represented by
the phrase "and/or," and "including" has the meaning represented by the phrase
"including without limitation." References in this Agreement to "determination"
of or by the Agent or the Banks shall be deemed to include good faith estimates
by the Agent or the Banks (in the case of quantitative determinations) and good
faith beliefs by the Agent or the Banks (in the case of qualitative
determinations). Whenever the Agent or the Banks are granted the right herein to
act in its or their sole discretion or to grant or withhold consent such right
shall be exercised in good faith. The words "hereof," "herein," "hereunder" and
similar terms in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to
any particular provision of this Agreement. The section and other headings
contained in this Agreement and the Table of Contents preceding this Agreement
are for reference purposes only and shall not control or affect the construction
of this Agreement or the interpretation thereof in any respect. Section,
subsection and exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified.


                                      -29-
<PAGE>




                 1.3      Accounting Principles.

                          Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all
computations and determinations as to accounting or financial matters and all
financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be made
and prepared in accordance with GAAP (including principles of consolidation
where appropriate), and all accounting or financial terms shall have the
meanings ascribed to such terms by GAAP. If one or more changes in GAAP after
the date of this Agreement are required to be applied to then existing
transactions, and either a violation of one or more provisions hereof shall have
occurred which would not have occurred if no change in accounting principles had
taken place or a violation of one or more of the provisions hereof shall not
occur which would have occurred if no change in accounting principles had taken
place,

                          (a)     The parties agree that any such violation
shall not be considered to constitute a Potential Default or Event of Default
for a period of 30 days;

                          (b)     The parties agree in such event to negotiate
in good faith to attempt to draft an amendment of this Agreement which shall
approximate to the extent possible the economic effect of the original
provisions hereof after taking into account such change or changes in GAAP; and

                          (c)     If the parties are unable to negotiate such
an amendment within 30 days, then as used in this Agreement "GAAP" shall mean
generally accepted accounting principles as in effect prior to such change.

                 Any reference to a financial determination hereunder that is to
be made with respect to the Loan Parties collectively (such references include,
for example, the following: "Loan Parties", "Borrower and the Guarantors" or
"Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries") and not with respect to the
Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall be determined based on the consolidating
financial statements of the Borrower which shows the separate financial results
of Borrower and each Subsidiary of Borrower and the consolidated statements of
the Loan Parties derived therefrom as described in Sections 8.3(a) and 8.3(b).
The consolidated balance sheet of the Loan Parties shall account for the Loan
Parties' investment in the Unrestricted Subsidiaries under the equity method of
accounting.

                   2.        REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN FACILITY

                 2.1      Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Loans.

                          (a)     Revolving Credit Commitments.

                                  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof
and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, each Bank
severally agrees to make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower at any time or
from time to time on or after the date hereof to, but not including, the
Expiration Date in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed at any one time
outstanding to the Borrower such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment less such
Bank's


                                      -30-
<PAGE>




Ratable Share of the Letter of Credit Outstandings and provided that the
Revolving Facility Usage may never exceed the lesser of the Revolving Credit
Commitments or the Borrowing Base.

                          (b)     Swing Loans.

                                  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof
and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, and in
order to facilitate Revolving Credit Loans and repayments between Settlement
Dates in aggregate amounts of $5,000,000 or less, PNC shall make Swing Loans
(the "Swing Loans") to the Borrower at any time or from time to time after the
date hereof to, but not including, the Expiration Date in an aggregate principal
amount up to but not in excess of the Swing Loan Maximum, subject to Section 7
and to the following provisions. As of each Settlement Date so long as the
Borrower has the right to borrow under this Section 2.1(b), a portion of PNC's
Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower equal to the lesser of $5,000,000 or the
aggregate amount of PNC's Revolving Credit Loans shall be designated by PNC as
Swing Loans. PNC shall make Swing Loans between Settlement Dates, provided that
(i) the aggregate amount of all Swing Loans shall not exceed the Swing Loan
Maximum (which permits the aggregate principal amount of PNC's Swing Loans and
PNC's Revolving Credit Loans to exceed PNC's Ratable Share of the Revolving
Credit Loans (including any Revolving Credit Loans designated by PNC as Swing
Loans) by up to $5,000,000), and (ii) the Revolving Facility Usage shall not
exceed the lesser of the Revolving Credit Commitments or the Borrowing Base.
Within such limits of time and amount and subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow pursuant to this Section
2.1(b).

                 2.2     Nature of Banks' Obligations with Respect to Revolving
Credit Loans.

                                  Each Bank shall be obligated to participate
in each request for Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to Section 2.5(a) hereof in
accordance with its Ratable Share. The aggregate of each Bank's Revolving Credit
Loans outstanding hereunder to the Borrower at any time shall never exceed its
Revolving Credit Commitment less its Ratable Share of the Letter of Credit
Outstandings. The obligations of each Bank hereunder are several. The failure of
any Bank to perform its obligations hereunder shall not affect the obligations
of any other Bank or the Borrower to any other party nor shall any other party
be liable for the failure of such Bank to perform its obligations hereunder. The
Banks shall have no obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans hereunder on or
after the Expiration Date.

                 2.3     Commitment Fee.

                                  Accruing from the Closing Date until the
Expiration Date, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent for the account of each
Bank, as consideration for such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder, a
commitment fee (the "Commitment Fee") equal to a percentage (the "Applicable
Percentage") per annum (computed on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as
the case may be, and actual days elapsed) which shall be based on the Leverage
Ratio Level then in effect as set forth below times the average daily amount of
the difference between (i) such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment as the same
may be constituted from


                                      -31-
<PAGE>




time to time, less (ii) the sum of the amount of Revolving Credit Loans
outstanding plus Letters of Credit Outstanding:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Leverage Ratio Level in Effect                               Applicable Percentage
        ------------------------------                               ---------------------
                     <S>                                                     <C>
                      I                                                      .25%
                      II                                                     .275
                     III                                                     .275
                      IV                                                     .30
                      V                                                      .30
                      VI                                                     .325%
</TABLE>

The Applicable Percentage shall change on the effective date of any change in
the Leverage Ratio Level pursuant to the definition of Leverage Ratio Level. All
Commitment Fees shall be payable in arrears on the first Business Day of each
October, January April and July after the Closing Date and on the Expiration
Date or upon acceleration of the Revolving Credit Notes. For purposes of the
computation of the Commitment Fee pursuant to this Section 2.3, the Swing Loans
shall be deemed to be borrowed amounts under PNC's Revolving Credit Commitment.

                 2.4      Loan Requests.

                          (a)     Revolving Credit Loan Requests.

                                  Except as otherwise provided herein, the
Borrower may from time to time prior to the Expiration Date request the Banks to
make Revolving Credit Loans, or renew or convert the Interest Rate Option
applicable to existing Revolving Credit Loans, by the delivery to the Agent, not
later than 9:30 a.m. Pittsburgh time (i) two (2) Business Days prior to the
proposed Borrowing Date (which shall be a Settlement Date) with respect to the
making of Revolving Credit Loans to which the Euro-Rate Option applies or the
conversion to or the renewal of the Euro- Rate Option for any Revolving Credit
Loans; and (ii) one (1) Business Day prior to either the proposed Borrowing Date
(which shall be a Settlement Date) with respect to the making of a Revolving
Credit Loan to which the Base Rate Option applies or the last day of the
preceding Interest Period with respect to the conversion to the Base Rate Option
for any Revolving Credit Loan, of a duly completed request therefor
substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.4(a) hereto or a request by telephone
immediately confirmed in writing by letter, facsimile or telex (each, a
"Revolving Credit Loan Request"), it being understood that the Agent may rely on
the Authorized Officer making such a telephonic request without the necessity of
receipt of such written confirmation. Each Revolving Credit Loan Request shall
be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the proposed Borrowing Date (which shall be
a Settlement Date); (ii) the aggregate amount of the proposed Revolving Credit
Loans comprising the Borrowing Tranche, which shall be in integral multiples of
$1,000,000 and not less than $2,000,000 for Revolving Credit Loans to which the
Euro-Rate Option applies and not less than the lesser of $250,000 or


                                      -32-
<PAGE>




the difference between the Revolving Credit Commitments and the Revolving
Facility Usage for Revolving Credit Loans to which the Revolving Credit Base
Rate Option applies; (iii) whether the Euro-Rate Option or the Base Rate Option
shall apply to the proposed Revolving Credit Loans comprising the Borrowing
Tranche; and (iv) in the case of Revolving Credit Loans to which the Euro-Rate
Option applies, an appropriate Interest Period for the proposed Revolving Credit
Loans comprising the Borrowing Tranche.

                          (b)     Swing Loans.

                                  Except as otherwise provided herein, the
Borrower may from time to time prior to the Expiration Date request Swing Loans
by telephonic or written request to PNC not later than 11:00 a.m. Pittsburgh
time on the proposed Borrowing Date (each, a "Swing Loan Request"), it being
understood that PNC may rely on the authority of any person making a telephonic
request without the necessity of receipt of written confirmation. If requested
by PNC, Borrower shall deliver a duly completed request for Swing Loans in the
form of Exhibit 2.4(b) hereto.

                 2.5      Making Loans.

                          (a)     Making Revolving Credit Loans.

                                  The Agent shall, promptly after receipt by it
of a Revolving Credit Loan Request pursuant to Section 2.4(a), notify the Banks
of its receipt of such Revolving Credit Loan Request, specifying:  (i) the
proposed Borrowing Date and the time and method of disbursement of such
Revolving Credit Loan; (ii) the amount and type of such Revolving Credit Loan
and the applicable Interest Period (if any); and (iii) the apportionment among
the Banks of the Revolving Credit Loans as determined by the Agent in accordance
with Section 2.2 hereof. Each Bank shall remit the principal amount of each
Revolving Credit Loan to the Agent such that the Agent is able to, and the Agent
shall, to the extent the Banks have made funds available to it for such purpose,
fund such Revolving Credit Loan to the Borrower in U.S. Dollars and immediately
available funds at the Principal Office prior to 2:00 p.m. Pittsburgh time on
the Borrowing Date, provided that if any Bank fails to remit such funds to the
Agent in a timely manner, the Agent may elect in its sole discretion to fund
with its own funds the Revolving Credit Loan of such Bank on the Borrowing Date.

                          (b)     Making Swing Loans.

                                  Subject to Section 7.2, PNC shall, after
receipt by it of a Swing Loan Request pursuant to Section 2.4(b), fund such
Swing Loan to the Borrower in U.S. Dollars and immediately available funds at
the Principal Office prior to 2:00 p.m. Pittsburgh time on the Borrowing Date.


                                      -33-
<PAGE>




                 2.6      Notes.

                          (a)     Revolving Credit Notes.

                                  The obligation of the Borrower to repay the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans made to it by
each Bank, together with interest thereon, shall be evidenced by a Revolving
Credit Note of the Borrower dated as of the Closing Date in substantially the
form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1(R), payable to each Bank in a face amount
equal to the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Bank.

                          (b)     Swing Loan Note.

                                  The obligation of the Borrower to repay the
unpaid principal amount of the Swing Loans made to it by PNC, together with
interest thereon, shall be the Swing Note. Any replacements of the Swing Note
shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(S), payable to the order of
PNC in a face amount of $5,000,000.

                 2.7      Extension of Expiration Date.

                          Upon or promptly after delivery by the Borrower of
the annual financial statements to be provided under Section 8.3(c) hereof for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997 or any subsequent fiscal year, the
Borrower may request a one-year extension of the Expiration Date by written
notice to the Agent and the Banks, and the Agent and all the Banks agree to
respond to the Borrower's request for an extension by the later of sixty (60)
days following receipt of the request or May 31 of such year. The Expiration
Date shall be extended only upon approval of all of the Banks.

                 2.8      Voluntary Reduction of Commitments.

                          The Borrower may from time to time permanently reduce
ratably the respective Revolving Credit Commitments of the Banks to an amount
not less than the total Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Loans then outstanding
by giving not less than three (3) Business Days' notice (which notice shall be
irrevocable) to such effect to the Agent, provided that any partial reduction
shall be in the aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or an integral multiple
thereof. The Agent shall promptly advise each Bank of the date and amount of
each such reduction. After each such reduction, the Commitment Fee shall be
calculated upon the Revolving Credit Commitments as so reduced and the amount of
reduction may not be reinstated.

                 2.9      Borrowings to Repay Swing Loans.

                          PNC may at its option, exercisable at any time for
any reason whatsoever, demand repayment of the Swing Loans, and each Bank shall
make a Revolving Credit Loan in an amount sufficient to result in each Bank
having its Ratable Share of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans after
repayment of the Swing Loans under this Section 2.9, provided that no Bank shall
be obligated in any event to make Revolving Credit Loans in excess of its
Revolving Credit Commitment. Revolving Credit Loans made under this Section
shall bear interest at the Base


                                      -34-
<PAGE>




Rate Option and shall be deemed to have been properly requested in accordance
with Section 2.4(a) without regard to any of the requirements of that provision.
PNC shall provide notice to the Banks (which may be telephonic or written notice
by letter, facsimile or telex) that such Revolving Credit Loans are to be made
under this Section 2.9 and of the apportionment among the Banks, and the Banks
shall be unconditionally obligated to fund such Revolving Credit Loans (whether
or not the conditions specified in Section 7.2 are then satisfied) by 3:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh time on the Business Day on which the Banks receive PNC's notice
provided that PNC has delivered such notice by 12:00 noon on such Business Day,
and if PNC delivers such notice after 12:00 noon on such Business Day, then by
3:00 p.m. Pittsburgh time on the Business Day next succeeding the date on which
the Banks receive such notice from PNC.

                 2.10     Issuance of Letters of Credit.

                          Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and
relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, at the request
of the Borrower on behalf of any Loan Party and pursuant to an Application with
respect to each proposed issuance of a Letter of Credit duly executed by the
Borrower or such other Loan Party requesting such issuance, the Agent shall
issue such Letter of Credit for the account of Borrower or such other Loan Party
provided that (a) the term of any Letter of Credit shall not exceed one (1) year
from the date of its issuance (except for that certain Letter of Credit in the
amount of $300,000 issued on the date hereof in favor of American National Fire
Insurance Co. which expires on August 30,1998) or the date of renewal if such
Letter of Credit is renewed or continue beyond the Expiration Date), (b) after
the issuance thereof the aggregate undrawn amount then outstanding under all
Letters of Credit does not exceed $5,000,000, and (c) the amount of the
Revolving Facility Usage does not exceed the lesser of (i) the Revolving Credit
Commitments or (ii) the Borrowing Base at such time. No Letter of Credit shall
be issued for a face amount of less than $250,000.

                 2.11     Participation Interest in Letters of Credit.

                          Effective as of the date of issuance of any Letter of
Credit, the Agent agrees to allot and does allot, and each Bank severally and
irrevocably agrees to take and does take, an undivided participation interest (a
"Participation Interest") in each such Letter of Credit in proportion to each
Bank's Ratable Share. At the issuance of any Letter of Credit by the Agent, the
Agent shall send a notice to each Bank stating the principal terms of the Letter
of Credit and each Bank's Participation Interest therein.

                          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in
any of the Senior Loan Documents or in any document to be delivered in
connection herewith, the Borrower and each other Loan Party acknowledges and
agrees that all rights of the Agent under any Application shall inure to the
benefit of each Bank to the extent of its Participation Interest as fully as if
such Bank were a party to such Application.

                 2.12     Payments with Respect to Letters of Credit.

                          (a)     Letters of Credit.

                                  As to each Letter of Credit:


                                      -35-
<PAGE>





                                  (i)      Reimbursement.  The Borrower agrees
         to reimburse the Agent, forthwith, and in accordance with the terms of
         any related Application, whether executed by the Borrower or any other
         Loan Party, for any payment made by the Agent or other issuing Bank
         under such Letters of Credit and applicable Law (the "Reimbursement
         Obligations"). The obligation to reimburse the Agent or other issuing
         Bank under this subsection (i) shall be absolute and unconditional
         without any setoff, counterclaim or reduction and without any
         withholding or similar taxes.

                                  (ii)     Funding of Letters of Credit.  If
         the Agent honors a draft drawn under a Letter of Credit in accordance
         with the terms of such Letter of Credit and is not reimbursed therefor
         in accordance with subsection (i) above on the same Business Day, the
         Agent shall promptly notify each Bank of such failure to reimburse.
         Each Bank shall, promptly and in no event later than one (1) Business
         Day after receipt of notice, transfer to the Agent, in immediately
         available funds, an amount equal to such Bank's Participation Interest
         of the unreimbursed amount paid under a Letter of Credit.

                                  (iii)    Effect of Non-Reimbursement.  In the
         event that the Borrower fails in whole or in part to reimburse the
         Agent pursuant to subsection (i) above, the Borrower shall be deemed to
         have properly requested a Revolving Credit Loan under the Base Rate
         Option in accordance with Section 2.4(a) without regard to any of the
         requirements of that provision for the unreimbursed amount paid under
         such Letter of Credit from the date the Agent makes payment upon the
         Letter of Credit.

                 2.13     Notice for Letters of Credit.

                          Whenever the Borrower or any other Loan Party
requests that a Letter of Credit be issued, there shall be delivered to the
Agent at its office, as set forth in Schedule 11.6 to this Agreement, a
completed Application as appropriate for the requested Letter of Credit, duly
executed by the Borrower or such other Loan Party in respect of such Letter of
Credit at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date, which shall be a
Business Day, on which such Letter of Credit is proposed to be issued.


                                      -36-
<PAGE>




                 2.14     Additional Understandings Regarding Letters of Credit.

                          In order to induce the Agent to establish each Letter
of Credit:

                          (a)     The Borrower and each Loan Party agrees that
neither the Agent nor any other Bank shall be responsible or liable for, and the
obligation of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to reimburse the Agent for
any payment made by the Agent under or in respect of any Letter of Credit shall
not be affected by, (i) the validity, enforceability or genuineness of any
instrument or document (or any endorsement thereof) presented under such Letter
of Credit which, upon examination by Agent and in the absence of gross
negligence or willful misconduct, appears on its face to be in accordance with
the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit, even if such instrument or
document (or such endorsement) is proven to be invalid, unenforceable,
fraudulent or forged, or (ii) any dispute between the Borrower or any Loan Party
and the beneficiary or beneficiaries under such Letter of Credit.

                          (b)     The Borrower and each other Loan Party agrees
that any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Agent in connection with any
Letter of Credit, if taken or omitted to be taken in good faith and in the
absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, shall be binding upon the
Borrower or such other Loan Party and shall not create any liability for the
Agent or for any other Bank to the Borrower or any other Loan Party.

                          (c)     The Borrower and each other Loan Party agrees
that (i) no Letter of Credit will be issued hereunder on a date later than the
Expiration Date, (ii) no Letter of Credit will be issued hereunder which expires
on a date later than the Expiration Date, and (iii) no Letter of Credit will be
issued hereunder which expires more than one (1) year after the date of
issuance.

                          (d)     Each Bank severally and not jointly agrees to
reimburse the Agent for all expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable
counsel fees) incurred by the Agent and not reimbursed by the Borrower in
enforcing the obligations and liabilities of the Borrower or any other Loan
Party under any Application or other reimbursement agreement relating to a
Letter of Credit in accordance with such Bank's Participation Interest. Each
Bank further severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify the Agent (to the
extent not reimbursed by the Borrower) in accordance with such Bank's
Participation Interest against any and all other liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees) or disbursements of any
kind or nature whatsoever (i) which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by
or asserted against the Agent in any way relating to any Letter of Credit or any
action taken or omitted by the Agent under or in connection with the any of the
foregoing, and (ii) which would not have been imposed on, incurred by or
asserted against the Agent but for its having entered into any Application;
provided, however, that the Banks shall in no event be liable for any portion of
such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses and disbursements relating from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the Agent or the Agent's failure to pay any Letter of Credit after
the presentation to it of a draw request strictly in compliance with the terms
and conditions of the Letter of Credit. The agreements in the two preceding
sentences shall survive the termination of any Application or this Agreement.


                                      -37-
<PAGE>




                          (e)     Each Bank by its execution hereof represents
or warrants that its participation in Letters of Credit is without recourse to
the Agent, that it expressly assumes all risk of loss in connection with its
participation therein as if it had issued said Letter of Credit, that it has not
relied upon any statement, information or representation furnished or made by
the Agent and that it has made, and will continue to make, its own independent
investigation, evaluation and analysis of the Borrower and each of the other
Loan Parties, for whose account any Letter of Credit has been or may be issued.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Agent has no duty or
responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Bank
with any credit, financial or other information with respect to the Borrower or
any other Loan Party, whether coming into its possession prior to the issuance
of any Letter of Credit or at any time thereafter.

                 2.15     Fees with Respect to Letters of Credit.

                          The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent for the
ratable accounts of the Banks a fee for Letters of Credit from time to time
outstanding, computed on the average daily amount of Letters of Credit
Outstandings at the rate per annum equal to the Revolving Credit Euro-Rate
Spread (computed on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be,
and actual days lapsed). Such Letter of Credit fee shall be payable in arrears
on the first Business Day of each October, January, April and July after the
date hereof and on the Expiration Date. The Borrower shall also pay to the Agent
for the Agent's sole account the Agent's then in effect customary fees
(excluding fronting fees which the Agent shall not charge) and such
administrative expenses payable with respect to the Letters of Credit as the
Agent may generally charge or incur from time to time in connection with the
issuance, maintenance, modification (if any), assignment or transfer (if any),
negotiation and administration of Letters of Credit.

                             3.       TERM LOANS

                 3.1      Term Loan Commitments.

                 Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, relying upon the
representations and warranties herein set forth and without any requirement of
written notice from the Borrower, each Bank severally shall make a term loan
(the "Term Loan") to the Borrower on the Closing Date in such principal amount
equal to such Bank's Term Loan Commitment.

                 3.2      Nature of Banks' Obligations with Respect to Term
Loans.

                 The failure of any Bank to make a Term Loan shall not relieve
any other Bank of its obligations to make a Term Loan nor shall it impose any
additional liability on any other Bank hereunder. The Banks shall have no
obligation to make Term Loans hereunder after the Closing Date. The Term Loan
Commitments are not revolving credit commitments and the Borrower shall not have
the right to borrow, repay and reborrow under Section 3.1.

                 3.3      Term Loan Notes.

                 The Obligation of the Borrower to repay the unpaid principal
amount of the Term Loans made to it by each Bank, together with interest
thereon, shall be evidenced by a


                                      -38-
<PAGE>




Term Note dated the Closing Date payable to the order of each Bank in a face
amount equal to the Term Loan of such Bank. The principal amount of the Term
Notes shall be payable in 28 quarterly installments, in the amounts set forth in
the grid below for payments due during the periods set forth in such grid.
Payments of principal of the Term Notes shall be due on the first Business Day
of each calendar quarter with the first such payment due on January 1, 1997 and
the last such payment due on October 1, 2003.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Amount of Each
                                                                               Quarterly Payment
                         Period                                                Due During Period
                         ------                                                -----------------
              <S>                                                                  <C>
                1-1-97 through 12-31-97                                            $1,050,000

                1-1-98 through 12-31-98                                            $1,050,000

                1-1-99 through 12-31-99                                            $1,050,000

              1-1-2000 through 12-31-2000                                          $2,100,000

              1-1-2001 through 12-31-2001                                          $3,000,000


              1-1-2002 through 12-31-2002                                          $3,000,000

              1-1-2003 through 12-31-2003                                          $3,750,000
</TABLE>

                 3.4      Use of Proceeds.

                 The proceeds of the Term Loans shall be used to in accordance
with the recitals to this Agreement.

                            4.      INTEREST RATES

                 4.1      Interest Rate Options.

                          The Borrower shall pay interest in respect of the
outstanding unpaid principal amount of the Loans as selected by it from the
Revolving Credit Base Rate Option or Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option set forth
below applicable to the Revolving Credit Loans or the Term Loan Base Rate Option
or Term Loan Euro-Rate Option set forth below applicable to the Term Loans, it
being understood that subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the


                                      -39-
<PAGE>



Borrower may select different Interest Rate Options and different Interest
Periods to apply simultaneously to the Loans comprising different Borrowing
Tranches and may convert to or renew one or more Interest Rate Options with
respect to all or any portion of the Loans comprising any Borrowing Tranche
provided that there shall not be at any one time outstanding more than seven (7)
Borrowing Tranches in the aggregate (including the Base Rate Borrowing Tranche
which shall be deemed to be one Borrowing Tranche) and provided further that
only the Base Rate Option shall be applicable with respect to Swing Loans. The
Borrower shall have the right to select from the following Interest Rate Options
applicable to the Revolving Credit Loans:

                          (a)     Revolving Credit Interest Rate Options.

                          The Borrower shall have the right to select from the
following Interest Rate Options described in clauses (i) and (ii) below to apply
to the Revolving Credit Loans:

                          (ii)    Revolving Credit Base Rate Option:

                          A fluctuating rate per annum (computed on the basis
of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed) equal
to the Base Rate, such interest rate to change automatically from time to time
effective as of the effective date of each change in the Base Rate; or

                          (iii)   Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option.

                          A rate per annum (computed on the basis of a year of
360 days and actual days elapsed) equal to the Euro-Rate plus a percentage rate
per annum (the "Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Spread") which shall be based on the
Leverage Ratio Level then in effect as follows :

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Leverage Ratio Level in Effect                         Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Spread
         ------------------------------                         ---------------------------------
                      <S>                                                    <C>
                       I                                                      .50%
                       II                                                     .625%
                      III                                                     .75%
                       IV                                                     .875%
                       V                                                     1.125%
                       VI                                                    1.375%
</TABLE>

The Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Spread applicable to all Revolving Credit Loans
outstanding under the Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option shall change on the
effective date of any change in the Leverage Ratio Level pursuant to the
definition of Leverage Ratio Level.


                                      -40-
<PAGE>




                          (b)     Term Loan Interest Rate Options.

                          The Borrower shall have the right to select from the
Interest Rate Options described in clauses (i) and (ii) below to apply to the
Term Loans.

                                  (i)      Term Loan Base Rate Option:
A fluctuating rate per annum (computed on the basis of a year of 365 or 366
days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed) equal to the Base Rate, such
interest rate to change automatically from time to time effective as of the
effective date of each change in the Base Rate; or

                                  (ii)     Term Loan Euro-Rate Option.

                          A rate per annum (computed on the basis of a year of
360 days and actual days elapsed) equal to the Euro-Rate plus a percentage rate
per annum (the "Term Loan Euro-Rate Spread") which shall be based on the
Leverage Ratio Level in then effect as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           Leverage Ratio Level in Effect                             Term Loan Euro-Rate Spread
           ------------------------------                             --------------------------
                        <S>                                                    <C>
                         I                                                      .50%
                         II                                                     .625%
                        III                                                     .75%
                         IV                                                     .875%
                         V                                                     1.125%
                         VI                                                    1.375%
</TABLE>

The Term Loan Euro-Rate Spread applicable to all Term Loans outstanding under
the Term Loan Euro-Rate Option shall change on the effective date of any change
in the Leverage Ratio Level pursuant to the definition of Leverage Ratio Level.

                 4.2      Interest Periods.

                          At any time when the Borrower shall select, convert
to or renew a Euro-Rate Option, the Borrower shall provide at least two (2)
Business Days' notice prior to the commencement of such Euro-Rate Option and
shall elect an interest period during which such Interest Rate Option shall
apply, such periods to be one month in duration until the expiration of the
Syndication Period and one, two, three, six, nine or twelve months thereafter
("Interest Period"), provided that:

                          (a)     any Interest Period which would otherwise end
on a date which is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day unless such Business


                                      -41-
<PAGE>




Day falls in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall
end on the next preceding Business Day;

                          (b)     any Interest Period which begins on the last
day of a calendar month for which there is no numerically corresponding day in
the subsequent calendar month during which such Interest Period is to end shall
end on the last Business Day of such subsequent month;

                          (c)     the Euro-Rate Portion for each Interest
Period shall be in integral multiples of $1,000,000 and not less than
$2,000,000 ;

                          (d)     the Borrower shall not select, convert to or
renew an Interest Period for Revolving Credit Loans that would end after the
Expiration Date; and

                          (e)     in the case of the renewal of a Euro-Rate
Option at the end of an Interest Period, the first day of the Interest Period
shall be the last day of the preceding Interest Period, without duplication in
payment of interest for such day.

                 4.3      Default Interest.

                          To the extent permitted by Law, upon the occurrence
and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Borrower (x) shall pay
interest on the entire principal amount of the then outstanding Loans, at a rate
per annum equal to two hundred (200) basis points (2% per annum) above the rate
of interest otherwise applicable with respect to such Loans, (y) shall pay
interest on all other Indebtedness due and payable by the Borrower to the Agent
or any Bank arising in connection with this Agreement, at a rate per annum equal
to two hundred (200) basis points (2% per annum) above the rate payable on
Revolving Credit Loans subject to the Base Rate Option and Swing Loans from time
to time, and (z) shall pay fees on Letters of Credit equal to two hundred (200)
basis points (2% per annum) more than the fees otherwise payable under Section
2.15(i). The rate of interest or increased fees payable under this Section 4.3
shall accrue before and after any judgment has been entered. The Borrower
acknowledges that such increased interest rate or fees reflect, among other
things, the fact that such Loans, Letters of Credit or other amounts have become
a substantially greater risk given their default status and that the Banks are
entitled to additional compensation for such risk.

                 4.4      Euro-Rate Unascertainable.

                          (a)     If on any date on which a Euro-Rate would
otherwise be determined the Agent shall have determined (which determination
shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that:

                                  (i)      adequate and reasonable means do not
         exist for ascertaining such Euro-Rate, or

                                  (ii)     a contingency has occurred which
         materially and adversely affects the London interbank market, or


                                      -42-
<PAGE>




                          (b)     if at any time any Bank shall have determined
(which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that:

                                  (i)      the making, maintenance or funding
         of any Loan to which a Euro-Rate Option applies has been made
         impracticable or unlawful by compliance by such Bank in good faith with
         any Law or any interpretation or application thereof by any Official
         Body or with any request or directive of any such Official Body
         (whether or not having the force of Law),

                                  (ii)     such Euro-Rate Option will not
         adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Bank of the
         establishment or maintenance of any such Loan, or

                                  (iii)    if any Bank determines after making
         all reasonable efforts that deposits of the relevant amount in Dollars
         for the relevant Interest Period for a Loan to which a Euro-Rate Option
         applies are not available to such Bank in the London interbank market,

then, in the case of any event specified in subsection (a) above, the Agent
shall promptly so notify the Banks and the Borrower thereof, and in the case of
an event specified in subsection (b) above, such Bank shall promptly so notify
the Agent and endorse a certificate to such notice as to the specific
circumstances of such notice, and the Agent shall promptly send copies of such
notice and certificate to the other Banks and the Borrower. Upon such date as
shall be specified in such notice (which shall not be earlier than the date such
notice is given) the obligation of (A) the Banks, in the case of such notice
given by the Agent, or (B) such Bank, in the case of such notice given by such
Bank, to allow the Borrower to select, convert to or renew a Euro-Rate Option
shall be suspended until the Agent shall have later notified the Borrower or
such Bank shall have later notified the Agent of the Agent's or such Bank's, as
the case may be, determination (which determination shall be conclusive absent
manifest error) that the circumstances giving rise to such previous
determination no longer exist. If at any time the Agent makes a determination
under subsection (a) of this Section 4.4 and the Borrower has previously
notified the Agent of its selection of, conversion to or renewal of a Euro-Rate
Option and such Interest Rate Option has not yet gone into effect, such
notification shall be deemed to provide for selection of, conversion to or
renewal of the Base Rate Option otherwise available with respect to such Loans.
If any Bank notifies the Agent of a determination under subsection (b) of this
Section 4.4, the Borrower shall, subject to the Borrower's indemnification
obligations under Section 5.5(b), as to any Loan of the Bank to which a Euro-
Rate Option applies, on the date specified in such notice either convert such
Loan to the Base Rate Option otherwise available with respect to such Loan or
prepay such Loan in accordance with Section 5.4(b) hereof; provided, however,
that with respect to any notice of a determination under subsection (b)(i) of
this Section 4.4, if the Bank can lawfully maintain the Euro-Rate Option through
the end of the Interest Period, the Loan shall be converted to the Base Rate
Option on the last day of the Interest Period. Absent due notice from the
Borrower of conversion or prepayment, such Loan shall automatically be converted
to the Base Rate Option otherwise available with respect to such Loan upon such
specified date.


                                      -43-
<PAGE>




                 4.5      Selection of Interest Rate Options.

                          If the Borrower fails to select an Interest Period in
accordance with the provisions of Section 4.2 in the case of renewal of the
Euro-Rate Portion, the Borrower shall be deemed to have converted such Loan or
portion thereof to the Base Rate Option otherwise available with respect to such
Loans, commencing upon the last day of that Interest Period.

                                   5. PAYMENTS

                 5.1      Payments.

                          All payments and prepayments to be made in respect of
principal, interest, Commitment Fees, Agent's Fees, fees and commissions with
respect to Letters of Credit or other amounts due from the Borrower hereunder
shall be payable prior to 12:00 noon Pittsburgh time on the date when due
without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, and without setoff, counterclaim or
other deduction of any nature, and an action therefor shall immediately accrue.
Such payments shall be made to the Agent at the Principal Office for the account
of PNC with respect to the Swing Loans and for the ratable benefit of the Banks
with respect to all other Loans in U.S. Dollars and in immediately available
funds, and the Agent shall promptly distribute such amounts to the Banks in
immediately available funds, provided that in the event payments are received by
12:00 noon Pittsburgh time by the Agent with respect to the Loans and such
payments are not distributed to the Banks on the same day received by the Agent,
the Agent shall pay the Banks the Federal Funds Effective Rate during the first
five (5) calendar days and the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus two percent
(2%) thereafter with respect to the amount of such payments for each day held by
the Agent and not distributed to the Banks. The Agent's and each Bank's
statement of account, ledger or other relevant record shall, in the absence of
manifest error, be conclusive as the statement of the amount of principal of and
interest on the Loans and other amounts owing under this Agreement and shall be
deemed an "account stated."

                 5.2      Pro Rata Treatment of Banks.

                          Each borrowing, and each selection of, conversion to
or renewal of any Interest Rate Option, and each payment or prepayment by the
Borrower with respect to principal, interest, Commitment Fees, Facility Fees,
fees and commissions with respect to Letters of Credit or other amounts due from
the Borrower hereunder to the Banks with respect to Loans shall (except as
provided in Section 4.4(b), 5.4(b) or 5.5(a) hereof) be made in proportion to
the amount of such Loans outstanding from each Bank and, if no such Loans are
then outstanding, in proportion to the Ratable Share of each Bank.

                 5.3      Interest Payment Dates.

                          Interest on Loans to which a Base Rate Option applies
shall be due and payable in arrears on the first Business Day of each October,
January, April and July after the date hereof, on the Expiration Date and upon
acceleration of the Notes. Interest on Loans to which a Euro-Rate Option applies
shall be due and payable on the last day of each Interest


                                      -44-
<PAGE>




Period for those Loans and, if such Interest Period is longer than three months,
also on each quarterly anniversary of such first day of such Interest Period.

                 5.4      Voluntary Prepayments.

                          (a)     The Borrower shall have the right at its
option from time to time to prepay the Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Loans or
Term Loans in whole or part without premium or penalty (except as provided below
or in Section 5.5 hereof):
                                  (i)      on any Business Day with respect to
         the Swing Loans and on any day which is a Settlement Date with respect
         to any Revolving Credit Loan or Term Loan to which the Base Rate Option
         applies,

                                  (ii)     on the last day of the applicable
         Euro-Rate Interest Period with respect to any Revolving Credit Loan or
         Term Loan to which a Euro-Rate Option applies,

                                  (iii)    on the date specified in a notice by
         any Bank pursuant to Section 4.4(b) hereof with respect to any
         Revolving Credit Loan or Term Loan to which a Euro-Rate Option applies,
         or

                                  (iv)     with the Agent's prior approval,
         which approval will not be unreasonably withheld, on any Business Day
         during an Interest Period with respect to any Loan to which a Euro-Rate
         Option applies, provided such prepayment is accompanied by an amount
         sufficient to compensate each of the Banks for the costs and losses
         reimbursable under Section 5.5(b)(i).

                          Whenever Borrower desires to prepay any part of the
Revolving Credit Loans, Term Loans or Swing Loans, it shall provide a prepayment
notice to the Agent setting forth the following information:

                                  (x)      the date, which shall be a Business
Day and, with respect to prepayment under clause (i) above, a Settlement Date,
on which the proposed prepayment is to be made;

                                  (y)      a statement indicating the
application of the prepayment between Revolving Credit Loans, Term Loans and
Swing Loans and if the Borrower is prepaying any of the Term Loans, also a
statement indicating the allocation of such prepayment to unpaid principal
installments which shall be in accordance with Section 5.7(d); and

                                  (z)      the total principal amount of such
prepayment, which shall not be less than $250,000 in the case of Revolving
Credit Loans and $2,000,000 and an integral multiple of $500,000 in the case of
Term Loans.

                          Borrower shall deliver notices of prepayment of
Revolving Credit Loans to the Agent at least one (1) Business Day prior to the
date of such prepayment and of prepayment of the Term Loans at least three (3)
Business Days prior to the date of such


                                      -45-
<PAGE>




prepayment. All prepayment notices shall be irrevocable. The principal amount of
the Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Loans or Term Loans for which a prepayment
notice is given shall be due and payable on the date specified in such
prepayment notice as the date on which the proposed prepayment is to be made.

                          Unless otherwise specified by Borrower with respect
to prepayments of the Euro-Rate Portion of the Loans permitted under (ii) or
(iii) above, all prepayments shall be applied first to the Base Rate Portion and
then to the Euro-Rate Portion of such Loans, subject to Section 5.5(b) hereof.

                          (b)     In the event any Bank (i) gives notice under
Section 4.4(b) or Section 5.5(a) hereof, (ii) does not fund Revolving Credit
Loans because the making of such Loans would contravene Law applicable to such
Bank, or (iii) does not approve any action as to which consent of the Required
Banks is requested by Borrower and obtained hereunder, Borrower shall have the
right, with the consent of the Agent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld,
to prepay the Loans of such Bank in whole, together with all interest accrued
thereon, within ninety (90) days after (x) receipt of such Bank's notice under
Section 4.4(b) or 5.5(a), (y) the date such Bank has failed to fund Revolving
Credit Loans pursuant to Section 7.2 because the making of such Loans would
contravene Law applicable to such Bank, or (z) the date of obtaining the consent
which such Bank has not approved, as applicable, provided Borrower shall also
pay to such Bank at the time of such prepayment any amounts required under
Section 5.5 and accrued Commitment Fees due on such amount, and provided further
that the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Bank shall be provided by all or
part of the remaining Banks or a replacement bank hereunder. The remaining Banks
shall have the right of first refusal to provide the amount of the Revolving
Credit Commitment of the Bank being replaced allocated on a pro rata basis to
the extent necessary.

                 5.5      Additional Compensation in Certain Circumstances.

                          (a)     Increased Costs or Reduced Return Resulting
from Taxes, Reserves, Capital Adequacy Requirements, Expenses, Etc.

                                  If any Law, guideline or interpretation or
any change in any Law, guideline or interpretation or application thereof by any
Official Body charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or
compliance with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of
Law) of any central bank or other Official Body:

                                  (i)      subjects any Bank to any tax or
         changes the basis of taxation with respect to this Agreement, the
         Notes, the Loans or payments by the Borrower of principal, interest,
         Commitment Fees or other amounts due from the Borrower hereunder or
         under the Notes (except for taxes, including any franchise tax, on the
         overall net income of such Bank),

                                  (ii)     imposes, modifies or deems
         applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against
         credits or commitments to extend credit extended by, or assets (funded
         or contingent) of, deposits with or for the account of, or other
         acquisitions of funds by, any Bank, or


                                      -46-
<PAGE>




                                  (iii)    imposes, modifies or deems
         applicable any capital adequacy or similar requirement (A) against
         assets (funded or contingent) of, or credits or commitments to extend
         credit extended by, any Bank, or (B) otherwise applicable to the
         obligations of any Bank under this Agreement,

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to, reduce the
income receivable by or impose any expense (including loss of margin) upon any
Bank with respect to this Agreement, the Notes or the making, maintenance or
funding of any part of the Loans (or, in the case of any capital adequacy or
similar requirement, to have the effect of reducing the rate of return on any
Bank's capital, taking into consideration such Bank's customary policies with
respect to capital adequacy) by an amount which such Bank in its sole discretion
deems to be material, such Bank may from time to time notify the Borrower and
the Agent of the amount determined in good faith (using any averaging and
attribution methods employed in good faith) by such Bank (which determination
shall be conclusive absent manifest error) to be necessary to compensate such
Bank for such increase in cost, reduction of income or additional expense. Such
notice shall be delivered within one (1) year of such Bank becoming aware of the
increased costs or reduced return and shall set forth in reasonable detail the
basis for such determination. Such amount shall be due and payable by the
Borrower to such Bank ten (10) Business Days after such notice is given. Each
Bank agrees to use its reasonable efforts, at the request of the Borrower, to
make, fund or maintain any affected Euro-Rate Loans through another lending
office of the Bank if as a result thereof the amount payable to such Bank under
this Section in respect of such Loans would be materially reduced, but only to
the extent not inconsistent with such Bank's internal policies and not otherwise
materially adversely affecting such Bank or such Bank's Loans, as determined by
the Bank in its sole discretion, and provided the Borrower pays all reasonable
expenses incurred by such Bank in using another lending office.

                          (b)     Indemnity.

                                  In addition to the compensation required by
subsection (a) of this Section 5.5, the Borrower shall indemnify each Bank
against any loss or expense (including loss of margin and any loss incurred in
liquidating or employing deposits from third parties) which such Bank sustains
or incurs as a consequence of any

                                  (i)      payment, prepayment, conversion or
         renewal of any Loan to which the Euro-Rate Option applies on a day
         other than the last day of the corresponding Interest Period (whether
         or not such payment or prepayment is mandatory or automatic and whether
         or not such payment or prepayment is then due), or

                                  (ii)     attempt by the Borrower to revoke
         (expressly, by later inconsistent notices or otherwise) in whole or
         part any notice relating to Revolving Credit Loan Requests under
         Section 5.4(a) or prepayments under Section 5.4.

If any Bank sustains or incurs any such loss or expense, it shall from time to
time notify the Borrower of the amount determined in good faith by such Bank
(which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) to be necessary
to indemnify such Bank for such loss or expense within one (1) year of such Bank
becoming aware of such loss or expense. Such notice shall set forth in
reasonable detail the basis for such determination. Such amount shall be due


                                      -47-
<PAGE>




and payable by the Borrower to such Bank ten (10) Business Days after such
notice is given. Each Bank agrees that, as promptly as practicable after it
becomes aware of the occurrence of an event or the existence of a condition that
would cause it to be affected by any of the events described in Section 5.5(a),
it will make, fund or maintain the affected Loans of such Bank through another
lending office or take such other actions as are reasonably appropriate if (i)
as a result thereof the additional moneys which would otherwise be required to
be paid in respect of such Loans pursuant to this Section 5.5(b) would be
reduced or the illegality or other adverse circumstances would cease to exist
and (ii) as determined by such Bank in its sole discretion, the making, funding
or maintaining of such affected Loans through such other lending office or the
taking of such other actions would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Bank
for any reason; provided that such Bank will not be obligated to use such other
lending office unless Borrower agrees to pay all expenses incurred by such Bank
in utilizing such lending office.

                 5.6      Settlement Date Procedures.

                          In order to minimize the transfer of funds between
the Banks and the Agent, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Swing
Loans, and PNC may make Swing Loans, as provided in Section 2.1(b) hereof during
the period between Settlement Dates. On each Settlement Date, the Banks agree
among themselves to effect a settlement so that each Bank shall have its Ratable
Share of all Revolving Credit Loans (including those Revolving Credit Loans
designated by PNC as Swing Loans) outstanding as of the close of business on the
Business Day immediately preceding such Settlement Date. Not later than 10:00
a.m. on each Settlement Date when Swing Loans are outstanding, the Agent shall
notify each Bank of its Ratable Share of the Revolving Credit Loans outstanding
as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding such
Settlement Date. Prior to 3:00 p.m. Pittsburgh time on such Settlement Date,
each Bank shall pay to the Agent the amount, if any, necessary to effectuate the
settlement contemplated by this Section, and the Agent shall promptly pay to
each Bank its Ratable Share of all payments, if any, made by the Borrower to the
Agent with respect to the Revolving Credit Loans and any payments due such Bank
in settlement under this Section. The Agent shall also effect settlement in
accordance with this Section on the proposed Borrowing Dates for all Revolving
Credit Loans and may at its option effect settlement on any other Business Day.
If an Event of Default shall occur and on the date of such occurrence the sum of
PNC's Revolving Credit Loans shall be less than PNC's Ratable Share of all
Revolving Credit Loans, PNC shall pay to the Agent the amount, if any, necessary
to effectuate the settlement between the Banks as contemplated by this Section.
These settlement procedures are established solely as a matter of administrative
convenience, and nothing contained in this Section 5.6 shall relieve the Banks
of their obligations to fund Revolving Credit Loans on dates other than a
Settlement Date pursuant to Section 2.9. PNC may at any time, at its option, for
any reason whatsoever require each Bank to pay immediately to PNC such Bank's
Ratable Share of the outstanding Swing Loans, and each Bank may at any time
require the Agent to pay immediately to such Bank its Ratable Share of all
payments made by the Borrower to the Agent with respect to the Revolving Credit
Loans.


                                      -48-
<PAGE>





                 5.7      Mandatory Prepayments.

                          (a)     Borrowing Base Exceeded.  Whenever the
outstanding principal balance of Revolving Credit Loans by the Banks plus the
Letter of Credit Outstandings exceed the Borrowing Base, the Borrower shall
make, within five (5) Business Days after the Borrower learns of such excess and
whether or not the Agent has given notice to such effect, a mandatory prepayment
of principal equal to the excess of the outstanding principal balance of the
Revolving Credit Loans over the Borrowing Base, together with accrued interest
on such principal amount.

                          (b)     Excess Cash Flow.

                          Within twenty (20) Business Days of delivery of the
Borrower's annual financial statements pursuant to Section 8.3(b), but in any
event no later than the date (each, a "Mandatory Prepayment Date") which is five
(5) Business Days after the due date for the delivery of such financial
statements, of each year during the term hereof beginning with the financial
statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997, the Borrower shall make
a mandatory prepayment of principal on the Term Loans computed as set forth in
this Section 5.7(b) below (each, a "Mandatory Prepayment of Excess Cash Flow").
The amount of such Mandatory Prepayment of Excess Cash Flow shall be equal to
60% of Excess Cash Flow (i) for the immediately preceding five fiscal quarters
if the computation is made in 1998 after the due date for delivery of the 1997
financial statements and (ii) for the immediately preceding fiscal year for all
computations made after 1998 (in respect of the financial statements for 1998
and each subsequent year). Each Mandatory Prepayment of Excess Cash Flow shall
be computed as the sum of Excess Cash Flow (whether positive or negative) for
each quarter during the applicable period and shall be subject to a credit for
voluntary prepayments made pursuant to Section 5.4 between the immediately
preceding Mandatory Prepayment Date (or the Closing Date if there have been no
prior Mandatory Prepayment Dates) and the current Mandatory Prepayment Date.
Borrower shall pay any accrued interest on principal being prepaid on the date
on which Borrower makes each Mandatory Prepayment of Excess Cash Flow. If a
Mandatory Prepayment of Excess Cash Flow would cause the outstanding principal
amount of the Term Loans to be less than $50,000,000, such prepayment shall be
limited to the amount necessary to reduce the principal amount of the Term Loans
outstanding to equal $50,000,000 and thereafter Borrower shall not be required
to make any Mandatory Prepayments of Excess Cash Flow pursuant to this Section
5.7(b).

                          (c)     Sale of Assets.

                          Within ten (10) Business Days of any sale of assets
authorized by Section 8.2(h)(ix), the Borrower shall make a mandatory prepayment
of principal on the Term Loans equal to the after-tax proceeds of such sale (as
estimated in good-faith by the Borrower) net of reasonable expenses directly
associated with such sale, together with accrued interest on such principal
amount.

                          (d)     Application to Term Loan Principal
Installments.

                          All mandatory or voluntary prepayments of the Term
Loans pursuant to this Section 5.7 or pursuant to Section 5.4 or otherwise under
this Agreement shall be applied as


                                      -49-
<PAGE>





described in this clause (d). Fifty percent (50%) of each such prepayment shall
be applied to the unpaid installments of principal of the Term Loans in inverse
order of the scheduled maturities of such principal and the remaining fifty
percent (50%) of each such prepayment shall be applied to the unpaid
installments of principal in order of the scheduled maturities of such
principal.

                          (e)     Application Among Interest Rate Options.

                          All prepayments required pursuant to this Section 5.7
shall first be applied among the Interest Rate Options to the principal amount
of the Loans subject to a Base Rate Option, then to Loans subject to the
Euro-Rate Option. In accordance with Section 5.5(b), the Borrower shall
indemnify the Banks for any loss or expense, including loss of margin, incurred
with respect to any such prepayments applied against Loans subject to a
Euro-Rate Option on any day other than the last day of the applicable Interest
Period.

                    6.      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                 6.1      Representations and Warranties.

                          The Loan Parties represent and warrant, subject to
Section 11.18 hereof, to the Agent and each of Banks as set forth in this
Section 6.1. Each representation and warranty is first made on the date of this
Agreement and is thereafter made as set forth in Section 7 or as otherwise
provided hereunder. References to the Loan Parties and their assets and
liabilities in the representations and warranties made as of the date hereof
shall be deemed to be made after giving effect to the Leavitt Acquisition and
shall include Holco and the other assets and liabilities comprising the Leavitt
Business.

                          (a)     Organization and Qualification.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties and each of its
Subsidiaries is a corporation, duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization listed on Schedule
6.1(a).Each of the Loan Parties and each of its Subsidiaries has the corporate
power to own or lease its properties and to engage in the business it presently
conducts or proposes to conduct. Each of the Loan Parties and each of its
Subsidiaries is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing in each
jurisdiction listed on Schedule 6.1(a) and in all other jurisdictions in which
the failure to be licensed or qualified is reasonably likely to result in a
Material Adverse Change.

                          (b)     Capitalization and Ownership.

                          The authorized capital stock of Borrower consists of
25,000,000 shares of Voting Common Stock, which are issued, outstanding and
owned as indicated on Schedule 6.1(b) hereto, 5,000,000 shares of Nonvoting
Common Stock, 4,100,079 of which are issued and outstanding on the Closing Date
and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock (collectively "Borrower Shares"), none
of which are issued and outstanding. There are no options, warrants or other
rights outstanding to purchase any such Borrower Shares, except pursuant to the
Company's 1994 Long Term Incentive Plan. Borrower is not a party to any
agreement

                                      -50-
<PAGE>





respecting the right of the holders of the Borrower Shares to vote such Borrower
Shares, except for the Voting Agreement of CVC and MVA. The Borrower has
delivered a true and correct copy of the Voting Agreement to the Agent.

                          (c)     Subsidiaries.

                                  Schedule 6.1(c) states the name of each of
the Borrower's Subsidiaries, its jurisdiction of incorporation, its authorized
capital stock, the issued and outstanding shares (referred to herein as the
"Subsidiary Shares") and the owners thereof if it is a corporation and its
outstanding partnership interests if it is a partnership. The Borrower and each
Subsidiary of the Borrower has good and indefeasible title to all of the
Subsidiary Shares and partnership interests it purports to own, free and clear
in each case of any Lien, other than Permitted Liens. All Subsidiary Shares and
partnership interests have been validly issued, and all Subsidiary Shares are
fully paid and nonassessable. All capital contributions and other consideration
required to be made or paid in connection with the issuance of any partnership
interests have been made or paid, as the case may be. There are no options,
warrants or other rights outstanding to purchase any Subsidiary Shares or
partnership interests of the Loan Parties. There are no options, warrants or
other rights outstanding to purchase any Subsidiary Shares or partnership
interests of the Subsidiaries of Borrower other than the Loan Parties, except as
indicated on Schedule 6.1(c). Neither the Borrower nor, to the Borrower's
knowledge, nor any of Borrower's Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement
respecting the right of Borrower to vote the Subsidiary Shares.

                          (d)     Power and Authority.

                                  Each Loan Party has full corporate power to
enter into, execute, deliver and carry out this Agreement and the other Senior
Loan Documents, to incur the Indebtedness contemplated by the Senior Loan
Documents and to perform its obligations under the Senior Loan Documents to
which it is a party, and all such actions have been duly authorized by all
necessary proceedings on its part.

                          (e)     Validity and Binding Effect.

                                  (i)      This Agreement has been and each
         other Senior Loan Document has, or when required to be executed and
         delivered by each Loan Party, will have been duly and validly executed
         and delivered by such Loan Party. This Agreement constitutes and each
         other Senior Loan Document constitutes or, when duly executed and
         delivered by the applicable Loan Parties pursuant to the provisions
         hereof, will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of the
         Borrower or such Loan Party, enforceable against Borrower or such Loan
         Party in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent
         that enforceability of any of the foregoing Senior Loan Documents may
         be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
         other similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors' rights
         generally or by laws or judicial decisions limiting the right of
         specific performance.

                                  (ii)     The Leavitt Acquisition Documents
         have been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Borrower and
         Leavitt Tube, and constitute the


                                      -51-
<PAGE>




         legal, valid and binding obligations of such parties, enforceable
         against them in accordance with their respective terms, except to the
         extent that enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
         reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the
         enforceability of creditors' rights generally or by laws or judicial
         decisions limiting the right of specific performance. To the Borrower's
         knowledge, the Leavitt Acquisition Documents, have been duly and
         validly executed and delivered by the parties thereto other than the
         Borrower and Leavitt Tube and constitute the legal, valid and binding
         obligations of such parties, enforceable against them in accordance
         with their respective terms, except to the extent that enforceability
         may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
         other similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors' rights
         generally or by laws or judicial decisions limiting the right of
         specific performance. The Borrower has delivered to the Agent for
         delivery to the Banks a true and correct copy of the Leavitt
         Acquisition Documents and any amendments, waivers and other documents
         executed in connection therewith, and there has been no other
         amendment, waiver or modification of the Leavitt Acquisition Documents.
         All representations and warranties of the Borrower and, to the best of
         the Borrower's knowledge, of the Leavitt Sellers contained in the
         Leavitt Acquisition Documents are true and correct in all material
         respects.

                          (f)     No Conflict.

                                  Neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement or the other Senior Loan Documents by the applicable Loan Parties, nor
the consummation of the transactions herein or therein contemplated or
compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof by them will conflict
with, constitute a default under or result in any breach of (i) the terms and
conditions of the certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational
documents of any of the Loan Parties or (ii) of any Law or of any material
agreement or instrument to which any of the Loan Parties is a party or by which
either is bound or to which either is subject, which is likely to result in a
Material Adverse Change or result in the creation or enforcement of any Lien,
charge or encumbrance whatsoever upon any property (now or hereafter acquired)
of any of the Loan Parties (other than Liens granted under the Senior Loan
Documents) or their Subsidiaries.

                          (g)     No Event of Default; Compliance with
Instruments.

                                  No event has occurred and is continuing, and
no condition exists or will exist after giving effect to the borrowings to be
made on the Closing Date under the Senior Loan Documents or after consummation
of the Leavitt Acquisition, which constitutes an Event of Default or Potential
Default. Each of the Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries is not in violation of
(i) any term of its certificate of incorporation, bylaws, or other
organizational documents or (ii) any material agreement or instrument to which
it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be subject or bound,
where such violation is likely to result in a Material Adverse Change.


                                      -52-
<PAGE>





                          (h)     Litigation.

                                  Except as set forth on Schedule 6.1(h) there
are no material actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or, to the
knowledge of any of the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries, threatened against
any of the Loan Parties at law or equity before any Official Body. None of the
actions, suit, proceedings or investigations pending or threatened against the
Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries individually or in the aggregate is likely to
result in a Material Adverse Change. Each of the Loan Parties and its
Subsidiaries is not in violation of any order, writ, injunction or any decree of
any Official Body which is likely to result in a Material Adverse Change.

                          (i)     Title to Properties.

                                  The real property owned or leased by Loan
Parties, including the real property to be acquired by the Loan Parties pursuant
to the Leavitt Acquisition is described on Schedule 6.1(i). Each of the Loan
Parties has good and indefeasible fee title to or leasehold interest in all
properties, assets and other rights which it purports to own or lease or which
are reflected as owned or leased on its books and records, free and clear of all
Liens and encumbrances except Permitted Liens, and subject to the terms and
conditions of the applicable leases. All leases of property will remain in full
force and effect without the necessity for any consent which has not previously
been obtained upon consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, where
the failure to obtain the same would be likely to result in a Material Adverse
Change.

                          (j)     Financial Statements.

                                  (A)      Historical Statements.

                                           The Borrower has delivered to the
Agent copies of its audited consolidated year-end financial statements for and
as of the end of the three fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 (the "Annual
Statements"). In addition, Borrower has delivered to the Agent copies of its
consolidated unaudited interim financial statements for the fiscal year-to-date
and as of the quarter ended June 30, 1996 (the "Interim Statements") (the Annual
and Interim Statements being collectively referred to as the "Historical
Statements"). The Annual Statements and the Interim Statements were compiled
from the books and records of the Loan Parties and are correct and complete in
all material respects, fairly represent the financial condition of Loan Parties
(excluding Holco) as of their dates and the results of operations for the fiscal
periods then ended and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied (except as noted therein). Since December 31, 1995, no Material Adverse
Change has occurred. The Agent and the Banks acknowledge that they have received
the Interim Statements.

                                  (B)      Leavitt Financial Statements

                                           The Borrower has delivered to the
Agent copies of the consolidated year-end financial statements of UNR relating
to the Leavitt Business for and as of the end of the three (3) fiscal years
ended December 31, 1995 (the "Leavitt Annual


                                      -53-
<PAGE>





Statements"). In addition, Borrower has delivered to the Agent copies of the
consolidated unaudited interim financial statements of UNR relating to the
Leavitt Business for the fiscal year-to-date and as of the quarter ended June
30, 1996 (the "Leavitt Interim Statements") (the Leavitt Annual and Leavitt
Interim Statements being collectively referred to as the "Leavitt Historical
Statements"). The Leavitt Annual Statements and the Leavitt Interim Statements
were compiled from the books and records of UNR and its Subsidiaries and are
correct and complete in all material respects and are in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted for divisional enterprises, which
principles, with respect to the statement of operations, were consistently
applied for the periods to which such statement of operations relate, and fairly
present, as of their respective dates, the assets and liabilities and the
operations, respectively, of the Leavitt Business. Since December 31, 1995, no
Material Adverse Change has occurred. The Agent and the Banks acknowledge that
they have received the Leavitt Interim Statements.

                                  (C)      Financial Projections.

                                           The Borrower has delivered to the
Agent financial projections of the CBCC for the period ending December 31, 1996
and for Leavitt Tube and Holco for the 5 years ending 2000, in each case derived
from various assumptions of the Borrower's management (the "Financial
Projections"). The Financial Projections represent a reasonable range of
possible results in light of the history of the Borrower's business and the
Leavitt Business. The Financial Projections accurately reflect in all material
respects the liabilities of the Borrower upon consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby as of the Closing Date.

                          (k)     Taxes.

                                  All federal and state income tax returns and
all material other federal, state, local and other tax returns required to have
been filed with respect to each of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have
been filed or extensions granted, and payment or adequate provision has been
made for the payment of all income taxes and all material other taxes, fees,
assessments and other governmental charges which have or may become due pursuant
to said returns or to assessments received or to the extent that such taxes,
fees, assessments and other charges are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which such reserves or
other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have
been made.

                          (l)     Consents and Approvals.

                                  No consent, approval, exemption, order or
authorization of, or registration or filing with, any Official Body or any other
Person is required by any Law or any agreement, including the Chase Asset
Purchase Agreement, Chase Seller Note and all documents related thereto, in
connection with the execution, delivery and carrying out by any Loan Party of
this Agreement, the other Senior Loan Documents and the Leavitt Acquisition
Documents, except as listed on Schedule 6.1(l) attached hereto, all of which
have been obtained prior to the date hereof.


                                      -54-
<PAGE>





                          (m)     Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Licenses,
Etc.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties owns or possesses
all the material patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights,
licenses, registrations, franchises, permits and rights necessary to own and
operate its properties and to carry on its business, without known conflict with
the rights of others. All material patents, trademarks, service marks, trade
names, copyrights, licenses, registrations, franchises and permits of each of
the Loan Parties are listed and described on Schedule 6.1(m) hereto.

                          (n)     Use of Proceeds.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties will use the
proceeds of the Loans made available directly or indirectly to it only for
lawful purposes in accordance with the second "Whereas" clause hereof, and not
in contravention of any applicable Law, or any other provision hereof.

                          (o)     Insurance.

                                  Schedule 6.1(o) hereto lists all insurance
policies and other bonds to which the any of the Loan Parties or its
Subsidiaries is a party, all of which are valid and in full force and effect. No
notice has been given or claim made and no grounds exist to cancel or avoid any
of such policies or bonds or to reduce the coverage provided thereby. Such
policies and bonds provide adequate coverage in amounts sufficient to insure the
assets and risks of each of the Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries in accordance
with prudent business practice in the industry of the such Loan Party and
Subsidiaries in compliance with Section 8.1(c) hereof.

                          (p)     Compliance with Laws.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries
is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws and
regulations (other than Environmental Laws which are specifically addressed in
Section 6.1(aa)) in all jurisdictions in which such Loan Party is presently or
will be doing business, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

                          (q)     Material Contracts.

                                  Schedule 6.1(q) hereto lists all material
contracts relating to the business operations of each of the Loan Parties and
its Subsidiaries, including without limitation all employee benefit plans and
employment agreements. To the best of the knowledge of each of the Loan Parties
with respect to parties other than such Loan Party, such contracts are valid,
binding and enforceable upon each of the parties thereto in accordance with
their respective terms, and there is no default thereunder which is reasonably
likely to result in a Material Adverse Change.


                                      -55-
<PAGE>





                          (r)     Investment Companies.

                                  None of the Loan Parties or its Subsidiaries
is an "investment company" registered or required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 or under the "control" of an "investment company"
as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, and none of
them shall become such an "investment company" or under such "control."

                          (s)     Margin Stock.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries
does not engage or intend to engage principally, or as one of its important
activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, immediately,
incidentally or ultimately, of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the
meaning of Regulation U). No part of the proceeds of any Loan has been or will
be used, immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry any
margin stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying any margin stock or to refund Indebtedness originally incurred for such
purpose, or for any purpose which entails a violation of or which is
inconsistent with the provisions of the regulations of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System.

                          (t)     Full Disclosure.

                                  Neither this Agreement, any other Senior Loan
Document, nor any certificate furnished to the Agent or any Bank in connection
herewith or therewith contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits
to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained
herein and therein not misleading. There is no fact known to any Loan Party
which materially adversely affects the business, property, assets, financial
condition or results of operations of any Loan Party which has not been set
forth in this Agreement or in the other agreements, documents, certificates and
statements furnished in writing to the Agent and the Banks prior to or at the
date hereof in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

                          (u)     Employee Benefit Plans.

                                  Except as otherwise disclosed in Schedule
6.1(u) hereto:

                                  (i)      The Borrower and each member of the
         ERISA Group are in compliance in all material respects with any
         applicable provisions of ERISA with respect to all Benefit
         Arrangements, Plans and Multiemployer Plans. There has been no
         Prohibited Transaction with respect to any Benefit Arrangement or any
         Plan or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, with respect to any
         Multiemployer Plan which could result in any material liability of the
         Borrower or any other member of the ERISA Group. The Borrower and all
         members of the ERISA Group have made when due any and all payments
         required to be made under any agreement relating to a Multiemployer
         Plan or any law pertaining thereto. With respect to each Plan and
         Multiemployer Plan, the Borrower and each member of the ERISA Group (i)
         have fulfilled in all material respects their obligations under the
         minimum funding standards of ERISA, (ii) have not


                                      -56-
<PAGE>





         incurred any liability to the PBGC, and (iii) have not had asserted
         against them any penalty for failure to fulfill the minimum funding
         requirements of ERISA.

                                  (ii)     To the best of Borrower's knowledge,
         each Multiemployer Plan is able to pay benefits thereunder when due.

                                  (iii)    Neither the Borrower nor any other
         member of the ERISA Group has instituted or presently intends to
         institute proceedings to terminate any Plan.

                                  (iv)     No event requiring notice to the
         PBGC under Section 302(f)(4)(A) of ERISA has occurred or is reasonably
         expected to occur with respect to any Plan, and no amendment with
         respect to which security is required under Section 307 of ERISA has
         been made or is reasonably expected to be made to any Plan.

                                  (v)      The aggregate actuarial present
         value of all benefit liabilities (whether or not vested) under each
         Plan, determined on a plan termination as of the date of the most
         recent actuarial report for such Plan, does not exceed the aggregate
         fair market value of the assets of such Plan.

                                  (vi)     Neither the Borrower nor any other
         member of the ERISA Group has incurred or reasonably expects to incur
         any material withdrawal liability under ERISA to any Multiemployer
         Plan. Neither the Borrower nor any other member of the ERISA Group has
         been notified by the sponsor of any Multiemployer Plan that such
         Multiemployer Plan has been terminated within the meaning of Title IV
         of ERISA, and to the best knowledge of the Borrower, no Multiemployer
         Plan is reasonably expected to be reorganized or terminated within the
         meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

                                  (vii)    To the extent that any Benefit
         Arrangement is insured, the Borrower and all members of the ERISA Group
         have paid when due all premiums required to be paid for all periods
         through and including the Closing Date. To the extent that any Benefit
         Arrangement is funded other than with insurance, the Borrower and all
         members of the ERISA Group have made when due all contributions
         required to be paid for all periods through and including the Closing
         Date.

                                  (viii)   Each Plan and each Benefit
         Arrangement has been administered in accordance with its terms and
         applicable Law.

                          (v)     Employment Matters.

                                  CBCC is in compliance in all material
respects with the Chase Union Contract and Leavitt Tube and Holco is in
compliance in all material respects with any collective bargaining agreement to
which it is a party, each of which is described on Schedule 6.1(v). Each of the
Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable federal,
state and local labor and employment laws and regulations, including, but not
limited to, those related to equal employment opportunity and affirmative
action, labor relations, minimum wage, overtime, child labor, medical insurance
continuation, worker adjustment and relocation notices, immigration controls and
worker and unemployment compensation, where the failure to comply


                                      -57-
<PAGE>





is likely to result in a Material Adverse Change. There are no outstanding
grievances, arbitration awards or appeals therefrom arising out of the Chase
Union Contract or any other collective bargaining agreement listed on Schedule
6.1(v) or current or threatened strikes, picketing, handbilling or other work
stoppages or slowdowns at the facilities of the Loan Parties or their
Subsidiaries, which in any case are likely to result in a Material Adverse
Change.

                          (w)     Environmental Matters.

                                  Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.1(w):

                                  (i)      Each of the Loan Parties and each
         Subsidiary of the Loan Parties has not received any Environmental
         Complaint from any Official Body or private Person alleging that any
         Loan Party or Subsidiary of a Loan Party or any past owner or operator
         of the Property is a potentially responsible party under the
         Comprehensive Environmental Response, Cleanup and Liability Act, 42
         U.S.C. Section 9601, et seq. or any state counterpart thereof
         pertaining to, or arising out of, any Environmental Conditions, and to
         each Loan Party's knowledge no such Environmental Complaint is
         threatened or pending.

                                  (ii)     Except for Environmental Conditions
         which individually and in the aggregate are not reasonably likely to
         have a Material Adverse Change, there are no Environmental Conditions
         at, on or under the Property that (a) constitute a substantial
         noncompliance with any of the Environmental Laws or (b) prevent
         substantial compliance with the Environmental Laws.

                                  (iii)    To the knowledge of each of the Loan
         Parties, there are no conditions, facilities, activities or any other
         facts or circumstances, and there are no Environmental Conditions, at,
         on or under adjacent property that prevent substantial compliance with
         the Environmental Laws at the Property.

                                  (iv)     There are no industrial processes,
         facilities, operations, equipment or any other activities at, on or
         under the Property that currently result in the release of Regulated
         Substances, except to the extent that such use or releases are in
         substantial compliance with the Environmental Laws.

                                  (v)      To the knowledge of each of the Loan
         Parties, there are no industrial or agricultural processes, facilities,
         operations, equipment or any other activities at, on or under adjacent
         property that currently result in the release of Regulated Substances
         onto the Property, except to the extent that such releases are not a
         breach of or otherwise not in substantial compliance with the
         Environmental Laws or not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
         Change.

                                  (vi)     There are no underground storage
         tanks, or underground piping associated with such tanks, used for the
         management of Regulated Substances at, on or under the Property that
         are not in substantial compliance with all Environmental Laws, and
         there are no abandoned or inactive underground storage tanks, or
         underground piping associated with such tanks, previously used for the
         management of


                                      -58-
<PAGE>





         Regulated Substances at, on or under the Property that have not been
         either abandoned in place or removed in substantial compliance with the
         Environmental Laws.

                                  (vii)    Each of the Loan Parties and its
         Subsidiaries has obtained all material permits, licenses,
         authorizations and approvals necessary under the Environmental Laws for
         the conduct of its business as presently conducted. Each of the Loan
         Parties and its Subsidiaries has submitted all material notices,
         reports and other filings, including all appropriate applications for
         renewal of permits, required by the Environmental Laws to be submitted
         to an Official Body which pertain to operations on the Property.

                                  (viii)   Except for conditions for which a
         notice of violation has been received or conditions which individually
         and in the aggregate are not likely to have a Material Adverse Change,
         (a) all on-site generation, storage, processing, treatment, recycling,
         reclamation or disposal of Solid Waste at, on, or under the Property
         and (b) to the knowledge of each of the Loan Parties all off-site
         transportation, storage, processing, treatment, recycling, reclamation
         or disposal of Solid Waste has been done in substantial accordance with
         the Environmental Laws.

                                  (ix)     With respect to violations of
         Environmental Laws arising out of or pertaining to the operation of
         waste water treatment facilities on the Property owned by CBCC which
         occur prior to the completion of the Treatment Plant Upgrade (as
         defined in the Chase Asset Purchase Agreement), Borrower is entitled to
         be indemnified by the Chase Sellers.

                                  (x)      Borrower has delivered to Agent a
         true and correct copy of the Chase Asset Purchase Agreement, the
         Remediation Agreement and the Chase Seller Note. The Borrower is not in
         material breach under the Chase Asset Purchase Agreement, the
         Remediation Agreement or the Chase Seller Note. The Remediation
         Agreement is in full force and effect and Borrower has not relinquished
         any of its rights under the Remediation Agreement.

                          (x)     Solvency.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties and each Subsidiary
of each Loan Party is Solvent. After giving effect to the transactions
contemplated by the Senior Loan Documents and the Leavitt Acquisition Documents,
including all Indebtedness incurred thereby, the Liens granted in connection
therewith and the payment of all fees related thereto, each of the Loan Parties
will be Solvent, determined as of the Closing Date.

                          (y)     Status of the Pledged Collateral; Security
Interests.

                                  (i)      Pledged Collateral.

                                  All the shares of capital stock or
partnership interests included in the Pledged Collateral to be pledged pursuant
to the Pledge Agreement are or will be upon issuance validly issued and
nonassessable and owned beneficially and of record by the pledgor


                                      -59-
<PAGE>





free and clear of any Lien or restriction on transfer, except as otherwise
provided by the Pledge Agreement and except as the right of the Banks to dispose
of such shares or partnership interests may be limited by the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder and by applicable state securities laws. There are no
shareholder, partnership or other agreements or understandings with respect to
the shares of capital stock or partnership interests included in the Pledged
Collateral.

                                  (ii)     Security Interests.

                                  The Liens and security interests granted
to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks pursuant to the Pledge Agreement and
the Intercompany Loan Subordination Agreement in the Collateral  constitute and

will continue to constitute Prior Security Interests under the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in each applicable jurisdiction (the "Uniform
Commercial Code") or other applicable Law entitled to all the rights, benefits
and priorities provided by the Uniform Commercial Code or such Law. Upon the
filing of financing statements relating to said security interests in each
office and in each jurisdiction where required in order to perfect the security
interests described above, taking possession of any stock certificates or other
certificates evidencing the Pledged Collateral, as applicable, all such action
as is necessary or advisable to establish such rights of the Agent will have
been taken, and there will be upon execution and delivery of the Pledge
Agreement, such filings and such taking of possession, no necessity for any
further action in order to preserve, protect and continue such rights, except
the filing of continuation statements with respect to such financing statements
within six months prior to each five-year anniversary of the filing of such
financing statements. All filing fees and other expenses in connection with each
such action have been or will be paid by the Borrower.

                     7. CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND LENDING

                 The obligation of each Bank or the Agent to make Loans or issue
Letters of Credit hereunder is subject to the performance by each of the Loan
Parties of its obligations to be performed hereunder at or prior to making of
any such Loans and to the satisfaction of the following further conditions:

                 7.1      Closing Date.

                          On the Closing Date:

                          (a)     The representations and warranties of the
Loan Parties contained in Article 6 hereof shall be true and accurate on and as
of the Closing Date with the same effect as though such representations and
warranties had been made on and as of such date (except representations and
warranties which relate solely to an earlier date or time, which representations
and warranties shall be true and correct on and as of the specific dates or
times referred to therein), and the Loan Parties shall have performed and
complied with all covenants and conditions hereof; no Event of Default or
Potential Default under this Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing or
shall exist; and there shall be delivered to the Agent for the


                                      -60-
<PAGE>





benefit of each Bank a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Closing Date
and signed by the Chairman, President, any Vice President or Chief Financial
Officer (or the Secretary in the case of Borrower) of each Loan Party, to both
such effects;

                          (b)     There shall be delivered to the Agent for the
benefit of each Bank a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the
secretary or an assistant secretary of each Loan Party, certifying as
appropriate as to:

                                  (i)      all corporate action taken by such
         Loan Party in connection with this Agreement and the other Senior Loan
         Documents to which it is a party;

                                  (ii)     the names of the officer or officers
         of such Loan Party authorized to sign this Agreement and the other
         Senior Loan Documents, and the true signatures of such officer or
         officers and specifying the Authorized Officers permitted to act on
         behalf of such Loan Party for purposes of this Agreement and the true
         signatures of such officers, on which the Agent and each Bank may
         conclusively rely; and

                                  (iii)    copies of its organizational
         documents, including its certificate of incorporation as in effect on
         the Closing Date, certified as of a recent date by the appropriate
         state official where such documents are filed in a state office,
         together with certificates from the appropriate state officials (or in
         the case of California alternative evidence of such Loan Party's
         qualification and good standing acceptable to the Agent) as to the
         continued existence and good standing of such Loan Party in each state
         where organized or qualified to do business.

                          (c)     The Notes, the Intercompany Loan
Subordination Agreement and Intercompany Notes pledged thereunder, the Guaranty
Agreement, and the Pledge Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered
to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks, together with all appropriate
financing statements and appropriate stock powers and certificates evidencing
the Subsidiary Shares of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

                          (d)     There shall be delivered to the Agent for the
benefit of each Bank a written opinion of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. ,
counsel for the Loan Parties (who may rely on the opinions of such other counsel
as may be reasonably acceptable to the Agent), dated the Closing Date and in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and their counsel:

                                  (i)      as to the matters set forth in
         Exhibit 7.1 (d) hereto; and

                                  (ii)     as to such other matters incident to
         the transactions contemplated herein as the Agent may reasonably
         request.

                          (e)     All legal details and proceedings in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and the other
Senior Loan Documents shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Agent and counsel for the Agent, and the Agent shall have received all such
other counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such


                                      -61-
<PAGE>





documents and proceedings in connection with such transactions, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and said counsel, as the Agent or
said counsel may reasonably request.

                          (f)     The Borrower shall pay or cause to be paid to
the Agent for itself and for the account of the Banks, to the extent not
previously paid, all acceptance, underwriting, commitment and other fees accrued
through the Closing Date and the costs and expenses (including fees or counsel
for the Agent) for which the Agent is entitled to be reimbursed.

                          (g)     CBCC shall have repaid, or simultaneously
with the making of the first Loans CBCC shall repay, all outstanding obligations
of CBCC to the banks under the Existing Credit Agreement and received a payoff
letter in a form satisfactory to the Agent executed by all of the banks
thereunder acknowledging the same and that such agreement has been terminated.

                          (h)     All material consents required to effectuate
the transactions contemplated by the Senior Loan Documents and the Leavitt
Acquisition Documents, as set forth on Schedule 6.1(l), shall have been
obtained.

                          (i)     Since December 31, 1995, no Material Adverse
Change shall have occurred, and prior to the Closing Date, there shall be no
material change in the management of the Borrower or CBCC and each of them shall
have delivered a certificate to the Agent, signed as of the Closing Date by its
Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer, to both such
effects.

                          (j)     The making of the Loans shall not contravene
any Law applicable to any of the Loan Parties or any of the Banks.

                          (k)     Borrower shall have executed and delivered to
the Agent the Agent's Fee Letter.

                          (l)     Borrower shall have executed and delivered a
Compliance Certificate in the form of Exhibit 7.1(l) hereto (the "Closing Date
Compliance Certificate").

                          (m)     The Borrower shall deliver a Borrowing Base
Certificate prepared as of July 31, 1996 in substantially the form of Exhibit
8.3(d)(i) showing that the Revolving Credit Loans to be made on the Closing Date
shall not exceed the Borrowing Base computed as of July 31, 1996.

                          (n)     The Chief Executive Officer, President or
Chief Financial Officer (or Secretary in the case of the Borrower) of each of
the Loan Parties shall have delivered a certificate in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent as to the capital solvency of such Loan Party on the
Closing Date after giving effect to the Leavitt Acquisition and Loans or Letters
of Credit to be made on such Closing Date.

                          (o)     The transactions that are contemplated to be
consummated on or before the closing date under the Leavitt Acquisition
Agreement shall be consummated


                                      -62-
<PAGE>





simultaneously with the closing of the Loans in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Leavitt Acquisition Documents as heretofore approved by the
Banks without any amendment or waiver by the Borrower not consented to by the
Banks. The Borrower shall deliver to the Agent and the Banks true and correct
copies of all of the Leavitt Acquisition Documents. The Agent shall be satisfied
with all material aspects of the Leavitt Acquisition.

                          (p)     No action, proceeding, investigation,
regulation or legislation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed
before any court, governmental agency or legislative body to enjoin, restrain or
prohibit, or to obtain damages in respect of this Agreement or any of the
Leavitt Acquisition Documents or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby or which, in the Agent's sole discretion, would
make it inadvisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, any of the other Senior Loan Documents or the Leavitt Acquisition
Documents.

                          (q)     The Loan Parties shall deliver evidence
acceptable to the Agent that adequate insurance in compliance with Section
8.1(c) is in full force and effect and that all premiums then due thereon have
been paid.

                          (r)     The Agent shall have received copies of all
filing receipts and acknowledgments issued by any Official Body to evidence any
recordation or filing necessary to perfect the Lien of the Banks on the
Collateral or other satisfactory evidence of such recordation and filing,
provided that the Loan Parties shall deliver copies of the filing receipts and
acknowledgments as soon as possible, and evidence in a form acceptable to the
Agent that such Lien constitutes a Prior Security Interest in favor of the
Banks.

                 7.2      Each Loan.

                          At the time of making any Loan or issuing any Letter
of Credit: the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties contained in
Article 6 hereof shall be true on and as of the date of such Loan or issuance of
such Letter of Credit with the same effect as though such representations and
warranties had been made on and as of such date (except representations and
warranties which expressly relate solely to an earlier date or time, which
representations and warranties shall be true and correct on and as of the
specific dates or times referred to therein); provided, however, that for
purposes of this Section 7.2, in each representation and warranty in Article 6
that makes reference to a Schedule, the representation under this Section that
such representation and warranty in Article 6 is true on and as of the date of
the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit shall take into
account (i) any subsequent amendments to any Schedule referred to therein, (ii)
any exception contained in a written notice received by the Banks which makes
specific reference to the applicable Schedule, or (iii) any written disclosure
made by the Loan Parties prior to the date as of which such representation or
warranty is made, provided that such amendment, exception or disclosure is an
amendment, exception or disclosure (a) to which the Required Banks have
consented if such amendment, exception or disclosure amends or waives provisions
of this Agreement or is otherwise required under the terms of this Agreement, or
(b) which updates Schedule 6.1(b), (c), (i), (m), (o) or (q); no Event of
Default or Potential Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall
exist; and the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit
shall not contravene any Law applicable to the Loan Parties or any of the Banks.
If the


                                      -63-
<PAGE>





information on Schedule 6.1(b), (c), (i), (m), (o) or (q) becomes incomplete or
inaccurate, the Loan Parties shall update such Schedule at the time that the
Borrower delivers (or is required to deliver if the Borrower is late in such
delivery) the next Compliance Certificate which the Borrower is required to
deliver under this Agreement and the Borrower shall not be required to deliver
such updated Schedule on the date on which the information thereon becomes
incomplete or inaccurate.

                                  8. COVENANTS

                 8.1      Affirmative Covenants.

                          The Loan Parties covenant and agree, subject to
Section 11.18, that until payment in full of the Loans and interest thereon,
expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit, satisfaction of all of the
Loan Parties' other obligations hereunder and termination of the Revolving
Credit Commitments, the Loan Parties shall, unless otherwise consented to in
writing by the Required Banks except as otherwise provided in Section 11.1,
comply at all times with the following affirmative covenants:

                          (a)     Preservation of Existence, Etc.

                                  Each Loan Party shall and shall cause each of
its Subsidiaries to maintain its corporate existence and maintain its license or
qualification and good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to be
licensed or qualified could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Change.

                          (b)     Payment of Liabilities, Including Taxes, Etc.

                                  Each Loan Party shall and shall cause each of
its Subsidiaries to duly pay and discharge all liabilities to which it is
subject or which are asserted against it, promptly as and when the same shall
become due and payable, including all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges upon it or any of its properties, assets, income or profits, prior to
the date on which penalties attach thereto, except to the extent that such
liabilities, including taxes, assessments or charges, are being contested in
good faith and by appropriate and lawful proceedings diligently conducted and
for which such reserve or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be
required by GAAP shall have been made, but only to the extent that failure to
discharge any such liabilities would not result in any additional liability
which would adversely affect to a material extent the financial condition of the
Borrower, CBCC or Leavitt Tube or which would affect the Collateral or which is
reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Change, provided that each
Loan Party will pay and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay all such
liabilities promptly after the commencement of any proceedings to foreclose any
Lien which may have attached as security therefor and, in any event, prior to
the date of any scheduled foreclosure sale of property subject to such Lien.


                                      -64-
<PAGE>





                          (c)     Maintenance of Insurance.

                                  Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, insure its properties and assets against loss or damage
by fire and such other insurable hazards as such assets are commonly insured
(including business interruption insurance) and in such amounts as similar
properties and assets are insured by prudent companies in similar circumstances
carrying on similar businesses, and against public liability for damages and
against other risks (including errors and omissions) in amounts normally carried
by prudent companies carrying on similar businesses and reasonably satisfactory
to the Required Banks. At the reasonable request of the Agent from time to time,
each Loan Party shall deliver a summary schedule indicating all insurance then
in force with respect to such Loan Party.

                          (d)     Maintenance of Properties and Leases.

                                  Each Loan Party shall and shall cause each of
its Subsidiaries to maintain in good repair, working order and condition
(ordinary wear and tear excepted) all of those properties necessary to its
business, and from time to time, each Loan Party will and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to make or cause to be made all appropriate repairs, renewals or
replacements thereof.

                          (e)     Maintenance of Patents, Trademarks, Etc.

                                  Each Loan Party shall and shall cause each of
its Subsidiaries to maintain in full force and effect all material patents,
trade marks, tradenames, copyrights, licenses, franchises, permits and other
authorizations necessary for the ownership and operation of its properties and
business if the failure so to maintain the same would result in a Material
Adverse Change.

                          (f)     Visitation Rights.

                                  Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, permit any of the officers or authorized employees or
representatives of the Agent or any of the Banks to visit and inspect any of its
properties and to examine and make excerpts from its books and records and
discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its officers, all in such
reasonable detail and at such reasonable times and as often as the Agent or any
of the Banks may reasonably request, provided each Bank shall provide the
Borrower and the Agent (if the visit involves any examination of properties,
books or records) with reasonable notice prior to any visit or inspection. In
the event any Bank desires to conduct an audit of any Loan Party, such Bank
shall make a reasonable effort to conduct such audit contemporaneously with any
audit to be performed by the Agent.

                          (g)     Keeping of Records and Books of Account.

                                  The Borrower shall maintain and keep proper
books of record and account which enable the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to
issue financial statements in accordance with GAAP on a consistent basis and in
which full, true and correct entries shall be made in all material respects of
all its dealings and business and financial affairs.


                                      -65-
<PAGE>





                          (h)     Compliance with Laws.

                                  Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all applicable Laws, including all
Environmental Laws, in all respects, provided that it shall not be deemed to be
a violation of this Section 8.1(h) as the result of any failure to comply with
any Law if such failure to comply would not result in fines, penalties, other
similar liabilities or injunctive relief which in the aggregate would result in
a Material Adverse Change.

                          (i)     Ownership of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

                                  Borrower shall directly or indirectly own all
of the issued and outstanding capital stock of CBCC, Leavitt Tube, Holco and
each of Borrower's other Restricted Subsidiaries.

                          (j)     Subordination of Intercompany Loans and
Advances to Borrower.

                                  The Borrower shall pursuant to the
Intercompany Loan Subordination Agreement, subordinate the loans and advances
owed by the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Borrower to the Borrower to the
Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiaries and the Borrower to the Agent and
the Banks under the Guaranty Agreement.

                          (k)     Employee Benefit Plans.

                                  The Borrower shall comply, and cause each
member of the ERISA Group to comply, with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and
other applicable Laws except where such failure, alone or in conjunction with
any other failure, would not result in a Material Adverse Change and such
failure would not affect the validity of the Loans. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Borrower shall cause all of its Plans and all
Plans maintained by any member of the ERISA Group to be funded in accordance
with the minimum funding requirements of ERISA and shall make, and cause each
member of the ERISA Group to make, in a timely manner, all contributions due to
Plans, Benefit Arrangements and Multiemployer Plans.

                          (l)     Employment Matters.

                                  CBCC shall in all material respects abide by
the wages, hours, terms and conditions set forth in the Chase Union Contract,
and each of the other Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries will in all material
respects abide by the wages, hours, terms and conditions set forth in each
collective bargaining agreement to which it is a party, and in each instance,
also in any successor contracts negotiated during the term of this Agreement.
Each Loan Party shall notify the Agent promptly if any strike, picketing,
handbilling, work stoppage or slowdown occurs or is threatened. Except as
disclosed on Schedule 6.1(v), each Loan Party shall inform the Agent at least
thirty (30) days in advance of any termination date in any collective bargaining
agreement to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is a party. Each Loan Party
shall deliver to the Agent such reports on contract negotiations as the Agent
may request from time to time.


                                      -66-
<PAGE>





                          (m)     Use of Proceeds.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties  will use the
proceeds of the Loans, made available directly or indirectly to it, only for
lawful purposes in accordance with the second "whereas" clause in the recitals
to this Agreement and such uses shall not contravene any applicable Law or any
other provision hereof.

                          (n)     Further Assurances.

                                  Each Loan Party shall, from time to time, at
its expense, faithfully preserve and protect the Agent's Lien on and Prior
Security Interest in the Collateral as a continuing first priority perfected
Lien, subject only to Permitted Liens, and shall do such other acts and things
as the Agent in its sole discretion may deem necessary or advisable from time to
time in order to preserve, perfect and protect the Liens granted under the Loan
Documents and to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies thereunder with
respect to the Collateral.

                          (o)     Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The Borrower shall
cause each of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Unrestricted Joint Ventures to
(i) observe appropriate corporate, partnership or other formalities consistent
with its legal form of organization, (ii) maintain books, records and accounts,
including cash accounts separate from those of the Borrower and the other Loan
Parties, and (iii) deal with other Persons as a separate entity and using its
name and not as, or a division of, a Loan Party or using the legal or assumed
name of a Loan Party.

                 8.2      Negative Covenants.

                          The Loan Parties covenant and agree, subject to
Section 11.18, that until payment in full of the Loans and interest thereon,
expiration or termination of all of the Letters of Credit, satisfaction of all
of the Loan Parties' other obligations hereunder and termination of the
Revolving Credit Commitments, the Loan Parties shall, unless otherwise consented
to in writing by the Required Banks except as otherwise provided in Section
11.1, comply with the following negative covenants:

                          (a)     Minimum Net Worth.

                                  The Borrower shall not at any time permit the
consolidated shareholders' equity of the Loan Parties as of the end of each
fiscal quarter beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 1996 to be less than
the Minimum Net Worth Requirement.

                          (b)     Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio.

                                  (i)      Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio of
         the Loan Parties.

                                        The Borrower shall not permit the ratio
of its consolidated Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan Parties to
the Adjusted Annualized Interest Expense of the Loan Parties to be less than 3.0
to 1.0, calculated at the end of each fiscal quarter, beginning with the quarter
ending December 31, 1996, based on Adjusted Cash Flow


                                      -67-
<PAGE>





from Operations of the Loan Parties for the four quarters then ended and
Adjusted Annualized Interest Expense for the periods described in the definition
of Annualized Interest Expense.

                                  (ii)     Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio of
         the Loan Parties and the Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

                                        The Borrower shall not permit the ratio
of Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan Parties and Qualified
Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the Annualized Interest Expense of the Loan Parties
to be less than 3.0 to 1.0, calculated at the end of each fiscal quarter,
beginning with the quarter ending December 31, 1996, based on Adjusted Cash Flow
from Operations of the Loan Parties and Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries for
the four quarters then ended and Annualized Interest Expense for the periods
described in the definition of such term.

                          (c)     Leverage Ratio.

                                  (i)      Leverage Ratio of the Loan Parties.

                                  The Borrower shall not permit the Leverage
Ratio of the Loan Parties to exceed the ratio set forth in the grid below,
calculated as of the Closing Date, and as of the end of each fiscal quarter
beginning with the quarter ending September 30, 1996. The Borrower shall measure
the numerator (Adjusted Indebtedness of the Loan Parties) as of the dates, and
the denominator (Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan Parties) as of
the periods, set forth in the grid below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                             DENOMINATOR
                                            (ADJUSTED CASH
     DATE OF        NUMERATOR (ADJUSTED       FLOW FROM
 COMPUTATION OF     INDEBTEDNESS OF THE   OPERATIONS OF THE
LEVERAGE RATIO OF      LOAN PARTIES)         LOAN PARTIES          MAXIMUM RATIO
THE LOAN PARTIES     COMPUTATION DATE     COMPUTATION PERIOD         PERMITTED
- ----------------     ----------------     ------------------         ---------
  <S>               <C>                   <C>                        <C>
                    Closing Date (after
                     giving effect to
                        the Leavitt
                     Acquisition, any
                         Adjusted
                    Indebtedness of the
                       Loan Parties
                    incurred or assumed
                    by the Loan Parties
                     thereby or under     4 quarters ending
  Closing Date        this Agreement)      on June 30, 1996          3.5 to 1.0

    9- 30-96              9-30-96         4 quarters then ended      3.5 to 1.0
</TABLE>

                                      -68-
<PAGE>






<TABLE>
<S>                  <C>                    <C>                       <C>
     12-31-96             12-31-96          4 quarters then ended    3.5 to 1.0

      3-31-97              3-31-97          4 quarters then ended    3.5 to 1.0

      6-30-97              6-30-97          4 quarters then ended    3.5 to 1.0

  9-30-97 and the      9-30-97 and the
 last day of each     last day of each
quarter thereafter   quarter thereafter     4 quarters then ended    3.0 to 1.0
</TABLE>

                                  (ii)     Leverage Ratio of the Loan Parties
              and Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

                                  The Borrower shall not permit the Leverage
Ratio of the Loan Parties and Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries to exceed the
ratio set forth in the grid below, calculated as of the end of each fiscal
quarter beginning with the quarter ending September 30, 1996. The Borrower shall
measure the numerator (Indebtedness of the Loan Parties) as of the end of each
quarter, and the denominator (Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan
Parties and Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries) for the four quarters ending on
each computation date.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      DATE OF COMPUTATION OF LEVERAGE RATIO OF
           THE LOAN PARTIES AND QUALIFIED
              UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES                     MAXIMUM RATIO PERMITTED
              -------------------------                     -----------------------
      <S>                                                          <C>
      9- 30-96 and the last day of each quarter                    3.5 to 1.0
             thereafter through 6-30-97

      9-30-97 and the last day of each quarter
                     thereafter                                    3.0 to 1.0
</TABLE>

                          (d)     Indebtedness.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties shall not at any
time create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except for the
following:

                                  (i)      Permitted Secured Leases and
         Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness of the Loan Parties provided that
         the unpaid aggregate principal amount thereof does not exceed
         $5,000,000;

                                  (ii)     Other Indebtedness of Borrower
         subject to each of the following conditions with respect to such
         Indebtedness:


                                      -69-
<PAGE>





                                        (A)     None of the Loan Parties other
         than Borrower shall be an obligor under such Indebtedness and none of
         the Loan Parties shall Guaranty such Indebtedness;

                                        (B)     Such Indebtedness shall be not
         be secured by any Liens in the assets of the Loan Parties or their
         Subsidiaries except for Permitted Liens;

                                        (C)     Such Indebtedness shall be
         either pari passu with or subordinated to (and not senior to) the
         Indebtedness of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents;

                                        (D)     The Borrower shall be in
         compliance with each of its representations, warranties and covenants
         hereunder after incurring such Indebtedness and Borrower shall deliver
         to the Agent and the Banks a certificate in the form of Exhibit 8.2(d)
         at least ten (10) Business Days before Borrower incurs such
         Indebtedness evidencing that Borrower shall be in compliance with such
         representations, warranties and covenants and describing the financial
         covenants and negative covenants then expected to govern such
         Indebtedness (such description may consist of current drafts of the
         documents to govern such Indebtedness),

                                        (E)     Each of the financial covenants
         and negative covenants (or affirmative covenants if they address the
         matters described in Section 8.2 hereof) contained in the agreements
         governing such Indebtedness shall be incorporated by reference as
         covenants hereunder automatically and without written amendment to the
         terms of this Agreement, provided that

                                        (i)      none of the covenants herein
         shall be modified or reduced as a result of such incorporation by
         reference it being understood that such covenants shall supplement but
         not diminish any covenants herein,

                                        (ii)     no waiver of a covenant
         incorporated by reference herein by the holder of such Indebtedness
         shall be effective as a waiver of such covenant herein,

                                        (iii)    any amendment or other
         modification of a covenant by the holder of such Indebtedness shall
         not, without the prior written consent of the Required Banks (after
         delivery of a copy thereof to the Banks), be effective to amend or
         modify such covenant as incorporated herein unless each of the
         following conditions is met:

                                        (1)     If such amendment or
         modification shall become effective prior to the Term Loan Repayment
         Date, then neither the Loan Parties nor their Affiliates shall,
         directly or indirectly, give any consideration for such amendment or
         modification, except for payment of a cash fee in connection with such
         amendment or modification. Examples of consideration shall include (A)
         increasing any


                                      -70-
<PAGE>





         interest rate payable on such Indebtedness or the compensation
         otherwise paid to the holder thereof , (B) granting any additional
         security for such Indebtedness, whether in the nature of a Guaranty,
         Liens or other form of security, or (C) repaying any portion of such
         Indebtedness or the accelerating any due date for the repayment of such
         Indebtedness or for repayment of any other obligation owed to such
         holder. If the amendment or modification becomes effective after the
         Term Loan Repayment Date, then the condition contained in this clause
         (1) shall not apply. and

                                        (2)     The Borrower shall have
         delivered to the Agent and the Banks (i) a copy of all documents
         governing such amendment or modification and disclosed all relevant
         terms thereof to the Agents and (ii) a certification acceptable to the
         Banks confirming the matters in this Paragraph (2) and Paragraph (1)
         above and the Borrower shall not be in default of any covenant in this
         Agreement prior to its amendment by the covenants incorporated by
         reference.

                                        (F)     The agreements governing such
         Indebtedness shall not restrict in any manner the right of any of the
         Loan Parties to grant or suffer to exist Liens in their assets or stock
         in favor of the Agent or any of the Banks ; and

                                        (G)     Borrower shall deliver to the
         Agent true and correct copies of all of the agreements and related
         documents governing such Indebtedness within five (5) Business Days
         after the date on which such agreements or documents are signed or
         become effective;

                                  (iii)    the Intercompany Payable Accounts
         and Intercompany Notes; and

                                  (iv)     Indebtedness existing on the Closing
         Date as disclosed on the Interim Statements delivered to the Agent
         prior to the Closing Date and any extensions or renewals thereof,
         provided that the amount thereof may not be increased or any security
         be given therefor;

                          (e)     Liens.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries
shall not at any time create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any
of its property or assets, tangible or intangible, now owned or hereafter
acquired, or agree to become liable to do so, except Permitted Liens.

                          (f)     Guaranties.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties shall not at any
time, directly or indirectly, become or be liable in respect of any Guaranty, or
assume, guarantee, become surety for, endorse or otherwise agree, become or
remain directly or contingently liable upon or with


                                      -71-
<PAGE>





respect to any obligation or liability of (i) any Unrestricted Subsidiary or
Unrestricted Joint Venture except that a Loan Party may Guaranty an obligation
of an Unrestricted Joint Venture if the amount of such Guaranty is permitted
under Section 8.2(g)(vi) and may Guaranty an obligation of an Unrestricted
Subsidiary if the amount of such Guaranty is permitted under Section 8.2(g)(ix);
or (ii) any other Person, except for Guaranties which constitute Indebtedness of
the Loan Parties that are permitted under Section 8.2(d).

                          (g)     Loans and Investments.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties shall not at any
time make or suffer to remain outstanding any loan or advance to, or purchase,
acquire or own any stock, bonds, notes or securities of, or any partnership
interest (whether general or limited) in, or any other investment or interest
in, or make any capital contribution to, any other Person, or make any
Restricted Investments in any Excluded Foreign Sales Subsidiary, Unrestricted
Joint Venture or Unrestricted Subsidiary or agree, become or remain liable to do
any of the foregoing, except:

                                  (i)      trade credit extended on usual and
         customary terms in the ordinary course of business and investments in
         trade creditors acquired during the bankruptcy proceedings of such
         trade creditors in exchange for trade credit extended to such trade
         creditors prior to the commencement of such bankruptcy proceedings;

                                  (ii)     loans and advances to employees in
         the ordinary course of business;

                                  (iii)    Permitted Investments

                                  (iv)     investments in Guarantors;

                                  (v)      promissory notes and other noncash
         rights to payment received in connection with dispositions permitted
         under Section 8.2(h)(ii);

                                  (vi)     obligations incurred or cash
         payments made (including capital contributions) to the Excluded Foreign
         Sales Subsidiaries in respect of foreign sales services performed by
         such Excluded Foreign Sales Subsidiaries, provided that: (i) all cash
         payments made to such Excluded Foreign Sales Subsidiaries shall be
         distributed by such Excluded Foreign Sales Subsidiaries to CBCC when
         such Excluded Foreign Sales Subsidiary is permitted to distribute such
         cash under the rules governing foreign sales corporations contained in
         the Internal Revenue Code and (ii) the difference between the payments
         which Borrower has made (or has accrued) to the Excluded Foreign Sales
         Subsidiaries and the cash distributions which the Excluded Foreign
         Sales Subsidiaries have made to Borrower between the Closing Date and
         the date of determination shall not exceed $500,000;

                                  (vii)    obligations incurred under a
         Permitted Interest Rate Protection Agreement;


                                      -72-
<PAGE>





                                  (viii)   Restricted Investments in
         Unrestricted Joint Ventures in an aggregate amount not to exceed
         $5,000,000; and

                                  (ix)     Equity Contributions to Unrestricted
         Subsidiaries provided that (1) if such Equity Contributions are made
         before the Term Loan Repayment Date, the amount of any Equity
         Contribution may not exceed the Cumulative Net Excess Cash Flow on the
         date on which the Loan Party makes such Equity Contribution, (2) the
         Borrower may make such Equity Contribution only if after giving effect
         thereto the Loan Parties would be in compliance with Section 8.2(a)
         hereof and no Potential Default or Event of Default would exist, and
         (3)the Borrower shall deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit
         8.2(j)(4) to the Banks at least ten (10) Business Days before any Loan
         Party shall make an Equity Contribution evidencing that such Equity
         Contribution shall comply with clauses (1) and (2) above.

                          (h)     Dispositions of Assets of the Loan Parties.

                          Each of the Loan Parties shall not sell, convey,
assign, lease, abandon or otherwise transfer or dispose of, voluntarily or
involuntarily, any of their respective properties or assets, tangible or
intangible (including but not limited to sale, assignment, discount or other
disposition of accounts, contract rights, chattel paper, equipment or general
intangibles with or without recourse), except:

                                        (i)     transactions involving the sale
         of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

                                        (ii)    any sale, transfer or lease of
         assets in the ordinary course of business which are worn out, obsolete
         or no longer necessary or required in the conduct of such Loan Party's
         business;

                                        (iii)   any sale, transfer or lease of
         assets in the ordinary course of business which are replaced by
         substitute assets where necessary to such Loan Party's business;

                                        (iv)    any sale or transfer of
         accounts to the Chase Sellers or the Leavitt Sellers in accordance with
         any post-closing purchase price adjustment under Section 4 of the Chase
         Asset Purchase Agreement or Sections 3.4 or 3.5 of the Leavitt
         Acquisition Agreement;

                                        (v)     any sale or transfer of assets
         to any insurer in connection with the settlement of an insurable loss
         by the Borrower;

                                        (vi)    transfers resulting from
         casualty or condemnation of property;

                                        (vii)   sales or discounts of overdue
         Accounts arising in the ordinary course of business;


                                      -73-
<PAGE>





                                        (viii)  any other sale of assets
         provided that the aggregate purchase price therefor does not exceed
         $1,000,000 during any fiscal year of the Borrower; and

                                        (ix)    any other sale or transfer of
         assets, subject to Borrower's obligation to apply the proceeds thereof
         to repay a portion of the Term Loans described in Section 5.7, provided
         that

                                        (A)      if such sale or transfer
constitutes substantially all of the assets or all of the capital stock (such
assets or the corporation whose stock is to be sold shall be referred to as the
"Business to be Sold") of any Loan Party, Borrower must:

                                        (1)     deliver to the Banks a
certificate in a form reasonably acceptable to the Banks which demonstrates that
Borrower shall be in compliance with each of its representations, warranties and
covenants hereunder after giving effect to such sale.

                                        (2)     deliver to the Banks pro forma
income statements of the Business to be Sold and a pro forma computation of the
cash flow from operations of the Business to be Sold, in each case for the four
quarters which ended immediately before the quarter in which such sale shall
occur. Such cash flow from operations shall be computed in the same manner that
Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan Parties is computed except that
it shall include only the operations of the Business to be Sold and not that of
all of the Loan Parties. The financial statements and pro forma computation
referred to above shall be of a quality and detail reasonably acceptable to the
Banks;

                                        (3)     exclude in Adjusted Cash Flow
from Operations of the Loan Parties for purpose of the Leverage Ratio of the
Loan Parties under Section 8.2(c) (including that computed in the certification
described in clause (1) above) and the "Leverage Ratio Level" under the
definition of such term (but not for purposes of computing the minimum interest
coverage ratio under Section 8.2(b) or in computing Excess Cash Flow) the cash
flow from operations of or relating to the Business to be Sold.

                                        (B)      and if such sale constitutes
some but not all of the capital stock of Holco, CBCC, Leavitt Tube or any other
Restricted Subsidiary, the Borrower must obtain the consent of all of the Banks
before selling such stock;

                          (i)     Dividends, Related Distributions, and
Payments through Intercompany Payable Account.

                                  The Loan Parties shall not make or pay, or
agree to become or remain liable to make or pay, any dividend or other
distribution of any nature (whether in cash, property, securities or otherwise)
on account of or in respect of their share of capital stock or on account of the
purchase, redemption or acquisition of such shares of capital stock (or


                                      -74-
<PAGE>





warranties, options or rights therefor), except that (1) the Guarantors may make
distributions to the Borrower or other Guarantors and (2) the Borrower may pay a
dividend on its shares or repurchase its shares for cash, subject to the
following conditions: (i) the Borrower may not pay any dividends on or
repurchase its shares until the Borrower has delivered its consolidated
financial statements and Compliance Certificate for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1996, (ii) if the Borrower makes such payment or repurchase before
the Term Loan Repayment Date, such payment or repurchase shall not exceed the
Cumulative Net Excess Cash Flow on the date of such payment (without giving
effect to such payment), (iii) the Borrower may make such payment or repurchase
only if after giving effect to such payment or repurchase the Loan Parties would
be in compliance with Section 8.2(a) hereof and no Potential Default or Event of
Default would exist, (iv) the Borrower shall at least five (5) Business Days
prior to paying a dividend or making a distribution on its shares (other than a
repurchase of its shares) , deliver a certificate to the Banks in the form of
Exhibit 8.2(i) (the "Distribution Compliance Certificate") showing pro forma
compliance with the covenants contained in Sections 8.2(a), (c) and (d) after
giving effect to such dividend or distribution and certifying as to the matters
in clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 8.2(i)(2) above, and the Required
Banks shall not have objected to such Distribution Compliance Certificate before
Borrower makes such payment ; and (v)the Borrower shall at least five (5)
Business Days after repurchasing any of its shares, deliver a Distribution
Compliance Certificate showing pro forma compliance with the covenants contained
in Sections 8.2(a), (c) and (d) after giving effect to such repurchase and
certifying as to the matters in clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 8.2(i)(2)
above.. Any objection by the Required Banks described in the preceding sentence
must clearly state the Required Banks' basis for such objection.

                          (j)     Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations,
Acquisitions.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties shall not become a
party to any other merger or consolidation, or acquire by purchase, lease or
otherwise all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of any other
Person or dissolve or liquidate, or otherwise terminate its existence, except as
set forth in clauses (1) through (4) below:

                                   (1) Transaction With Other Loan Parties.
Any Loan Party other than Borrower may merge into another Loan Party or the
Borrower;

                                  (2) Borrower Reorganization.  Borrower may
dissolve, liquidate, merge into another entity or otherwise terminate its
existence (an "Borrower Reorganization") upon the consent of the Required Banks
subject to such terms and conditions as the Required Banks may impose including
without limitation that (A) Borrower shall be succeeded by another corporation
("Borrower's Successor") which shall own, directly or indirectly, all of the
capital stock of the Borrower; (B) MVA shall own shares of the voting capital
stock of Borrower's Successor so that no Change of Control shall occur, (C)
Borrower's Successor shall deliver appropriate joinders, opinions of counsel and
other documents referred to in Section 7.1 or otherwise as requested by the
Agent and the Required Banks evidencing, among other things, the joinder of
Borrower to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the pledge of all stock
of Borrower's Restricted Subsidiaries to the Agent, and (D) Borrower's Successor
shall deliver evidence in a form satisfactory to the Agent and the Banks
together with Borrower's


                                      -75-
<PAGE>





request for consent under clause (A) above that Borrower's Successor and the
other Loan Parties shall be in compliance with this Agreement after giving
effect to the Borrower Reorganization.

                                  (3)  Acquisitions by Loan Parties of Assets
or Persons Which Become Loan Parties. _One or more of the Loan Parties may
acquire capital stock or substantially all of the assets of another Person (the
" Business to be Acquired") by direct acquisition or merger or otherwise
provided that

                                  (i) the Loan Parties shall be in compliance
with their representations, warranties and covenants hereunder after giving
effect to such acquisition,

                                  (ii) the Borrower shall compute its Leverage
Ratio Level on the date (the "Acquisition Date") on which the applicable Loan
Parties acquire such assets and adjust the fees and interest rates effective on
the Acquisition Date as required in the definition of the Leverage Ratio Level
if such Leverage Ratio Level changes on such date,

                                  (iii) the Loan Parties shall deliver to the
Agent and the Banks a certificate in the form of Exhibit 8.2(j)(3) (the "Section
8.2(j)(3) Acquisition Notice Certificate") evidencing their compliance with
clause (i) above at least ten (10) Business Days before the Acquisition Date
evidencing their computations in clauses (i) and (ii) above, and

                                  (iv) if the Loan Parties acquire stock or
other ownership interests in another Person, such Person shall join this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents as a Guarantor (and a Loan Party)
pursuant to the procedures in Section 11.16 and the capital stock or other
ownership interests in such Person shall be pledged to the Agent for the benefit
of the Banks pursuant to the Pledge Agreement. For purposes of the preceding
clauses (i) through (iv) of this Section 8.2(j)(3):

                                        (A)     The Borrower shall measure the
Adjusted Indebtedness of the Loan Parties when the Borrower computes the
Leverage Ratio of the Loan Parties under Section 8.2(c) and their Leverage Ratio
Level as of the Acquisition Date after giving effect to any Indebtedness to be
incurred or assumed in connection with such acquisition;

                                        (B)     The Borrower shall measure the
Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan Parties when it computes the
Leverage Ratio of the Loan Parties under Section 8.2(c) and the Leverage Ratio
Level as of the four quarters ending on the last day of the calendar quarter
(the "Clause (B) Measurement Date") nearest to but preceding the Acquisition
Date and for which Borrower has delivered (or was required to deliver) a
Compliance Certificate;

                                        (C)     (i)      The Loan Parties may
include in the Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan Parties earned
prior to the Acquisition Date for purposes of the minimum interest coverage
ratio under Section 8.2(b), the Leverage Ratio of the Loan Parties under Section
8.2(c) and the "Leverage Ratio Level" under the definition of such term (but not
for purposes of computing Excess Cash Flow) the cash flow from operations


                                      -76-
<PAGE>




of the Business to be Acquired as set forth in the historical financial
statements of the Business to be Acquired (the "Target Statements") for the four
quarters ending on the Clause (B) Measurement Date, provided that

                                        (I) Borrower shall deliver to the Banks
together with the Section 8.2(j)(3) Acquisition Notice Certificate: (1) copies
of the Target Statements, which shall include a balance sheet as of the Clause
(B) Measurement Date, and statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows
for the four quarters ending on the Clause (B) Measurement Date, and for the two
(2) preceding fiscal years of the Business to be Acquired, (2) pro forma
combined financial statements evidencing the combined balance sheet as of the
Clause (B) Measurement Date and the combined results of operations for the four
(4) quarters ending on Clause (B) Measurement Date, in each instance of the
Business to be Acquired and the Loan Parties, (3) a computation of the cash flow
from operations of the Business to be Acquired for the four quarters ending on
the Clause (B) Measurement Date, which computation shall be performed in the
same manner as Cash Flow From Operations of the Loan Parties is computed
hereunder, and (4) a computation of the Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of
the Loan Parties which includes the cash flow from operations of the Business to
be Acquired and that of the Loan Parties on a combined basis; and

                                        (II) either of the following shall be
true:

                                        (a) either of the following shall be
true

                                        (i) the annual (as opposed to interim)
Target Statements shall have been audited and certified by independent certified
public accountants of nationally recognized standing and the certificate or
report of accountants shall be free of qualifications (other than any
consistency qualification that may result from a change in the method used to
prepare the financial statements as to which such accountants concur); or

                                        (ii) if the Business to be Acquired is
a division or other constituent of a larger business or a group of businesses (a
"Consolidated Seller Group"), then (1) the annual (as opposed to interim)
financial statements of the Consolidated Seller Group shall have been audited
and certified by independent certified public accountants of nationally
recognized standing and the certificate or report of accountants shall be free
of qualifications (other than any consistency qualification that may result from
a change in the method used to prepare the financial statements as to which such
accountants concur) and (2) Borrower shall deliver to the Agent and the Banks at
least ten (10) Business Days before such acquisition a certificate certifying
that Borrower has reviewed the Target Statements and concluded that such Target
Statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, and
reflect proper divisional accounting in relation to the Consolidated Seller
Group;

                       ; or

                                        (b) Prior to the Acquisition Date, the
Agent shall have reviewed the (1) the Target Statements and the combined
statements referred to in clause (I) above, and (2) Borrower's computation of
the cash flow from operations of the Business to be Acquired described in clause
(I) above and concluded that it is satisfied with the


                                      -77-
<PAGE>




quality, clarity and level of detail  of such statements (it is acknowledged
that such statements should to the extent possible reflect GAAP) and
computations.; and

                                        (ii)    If the Borrower does not
satisfy the requirements in clauses (I) through (II) of clause (C)(i)
immediately above, the Borrower shall include in its Adjusted Cash Flow from
Operations of the Loan Parties accrued prior to the Acquisition Date for all
purposes under this Agreement only the Cash Flow from Operations of the Loan
Parties and not the cash flow from operations earned or accrued by Business to
be Acquired.

                                  (4)  Acquisitions of Unrestricted
Subsidiaries or Acquisitions by Unrestricted Subsidiaries. One or more of the
Loan Parties may acquire capital stock of another Person and elect not to have
such Person join this Agreement as a Guarantor or may form a Subsidiary which
shall acquire the assets of another Person and elect not to have such Subsidiary
join this Agreement (such Person in the case of a stock acquisition or
Subsidiary in the case of an asset acquisition shall be referred to as an
"Unrestricted Subsidiary") in either instance by direct acquisition or merger or
otherwise (the "Acquisition") provided that:

                                        (i) such Unrestricted Subsidiary shall
be a corporation or a limited liability company organized under a state law
which provides that the owners thereof are not liable for the obligations of
such company;

                                        (ii) the Loan Parties may not make
Restricted Investments in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (including the funding of
any portion of the purchase price or the giving of any consideration in
connection with such Acquisition) except that the Loan Parties may make Equity
Contributions to such Unrestricted Subsidiary as permitted in Section 8.2(g),
and

                                        (iii) the Borrower shall deliver a
certificate to the Banks in the form of Exhibit 8.2(j)(4) notifying the Banks of
such Acquisition and evidencing Borrower's compliance with clause (ii) above at
least ten (10) Business Days before the date of such Acquisition and shall
deliver with such certificate an updated Schedule 6.1(c) (Subsidiaries).

If the business to be acquired in the Acquisition (the "QURS Business to be
Acquired") shall be owned by a Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiary after such
Acquisition, the Loan Parties may include in Excess Cash Flow of the Qualified
Unrestricted Subsidiaries earned during the quarter in which the Acquisition
occurs and the three quarters preceding such Acquisition the excess cash flow of
as set forth in the historical financial statements of the QURS Business to be
Acquired (the "QURS Target Statements"), provided that

                                  (1) the Borrower shall deliver to the Banks
together with the certificate described in Section 8.2(j)(4)(iii) above: (1)
copies of the QURS Target Statements, which shall include a balance sheet as of
the end of the quarter preceding the date of the Acquisition (the "Measurement
Date"), and statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for the four
quarters ending on such date, and for the two (2) preceding fiscal years of the
QURS Business to be Acquired, (2) pro forma combined financial statements
evidencing the combined balance sheet as of the Measurement Date and the
combined results of operations for the four (4) quarters ending on Measurement
Date, in each instance of the QURS Business to be


                                      -78-
<PAGE>




Acquired and the Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries, (3) a computation of the
cash flow from operations of the QURS Business to be Acquired for the four
quarters ending on the Measurement Date, which computation shall be performed in
the same manner as Excess Cash Flow of the Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries
is computed hereunder, and (4) a computation of the Excess Cash Flow of the
Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries which includes the excess cash flow of the
QURS Business to be Acquired and that of the Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries
on a combined basis; and

                                  (2) either of the conditions relating to
Target Statements set forth in clauses (a) or (b) of Section
8.2(3)(iv)(C)(i)(II) shall be true with respect to the QURS Target Statements.

If the Borrower does not satisfy the requirements in clauses (1) and (2)
immediately above, the Borrower shall include in the Excess Cash Flow of the
Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries accrued prior to the date of the Acquisition
for all purposes under this Agreement only the Excess Cash Flow of the Qualified
Unrestricted Subsidiaries and not the excess cash flow earned or accrued by QURS
Business to be Acquired.

                          (k)     Affiliate Transactions.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties shall not enter into
or carry out any transaction (including, without limitation, purchasing property
or services from, or selling property or services to, any Affiliate,
Unrestricted Subsidiary, Unrestricted Joint Venture or other Person, but
excluding compensation arrangements approved by such Loan Party's board of
directors) and excluding Equity Contributions permitted under Section 8.2(g)
unless such transaction is not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement and is
entered into in the ordinary course of business upon arm's length terms and
conditions and is in accordance with all applicable Law.

                          (l)     Continuation of or Change in Business.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties shall not engage in
any business other than engineering and processing materials and manufacturing,
marketing and selling engineered products.

                          (m)     Changes in Other Documents.

                                  The Loan Parties shall not amend or modify
any provisions of the Chase Asset Purchase Agreement, the Chase Seller Note, the
Remediation Agreement, the related Chase acquisition documents, the Leavitt
Acquisition Agreement or any of the other Leavitt Acquisition Documents without
providing at least fifteen (15) Business Days prior written notice to the Agent
and the Banks and, in the event such change would be adverse to the Banks as
determined by the Agent in its reasonable discretion, obtaining the prior
written consent of the Required Banks. If the Required Banks after receiving
such notice fail to disapprove prior to the effective date of such change, then
the Required Banks shall be deemed to have consented to the change.


                                      -79-
<PAGE>





                          (n)     Changes in Organizational Documents.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties shall not amend or
modify in any respect its certificate of incorporation (including any provisions
or resolutions relating to capital stock) or bylaws or the Voting Agreement,
without providing at least fifteen (15) Business Days prior written notice to
the Agent and the Banks and, in the event such change would be adverse to the
Banks as determined by the Agent in its reasonable discretion, obtaining the
prior written consent of the Required Banks. If the Required Banks after
receiving such notice fail to disapprove prior to the effective date of such
change, then the Required Banks shall be deemed to have consented to the change.

                          (o)     Fiscal Year.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties shall not change its
fiscal year from the twelve-month period beginning January 1 and ending December
31.

                          (p)     Subsidiaries.

                          Each of the Loan Parties shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, at any time, either directly or indirectly,
own any Subsidiaries except for (1) the Excluded Foreign Sales Subsidiary
existing on the Closing Date and described on Schedule 6.1(c) and any Excluded
Foreign Sales Subsidiary organized by CBCC or Leavitt Tube after the Closing
Date, provided that CBCC or Leavitt Tube shall within seven (7) Business Days
following the date on which CBCC or Leavitt Tube organizes such Excluded Foreign
Sales Subsidiary notify the Banks of such organization and deliver to the Banks
a revised Schedule 6.1(c) reflecting such Excluded Foreign Sales Subsidiary, (2)
any Subsidiary which has joined this Agreement as Guarantor on the Closing Date;
(3) any Subsidiary formed after the Closing Date which joins this Agreement as a
Guarantor pursuant to Section 11.16, provided that the Required Banks shall have
consented to such formation and joinder and that such Subsidiary and the Loan
Parties, as applicable, shall grant and cause to be perfected first priority
Liens to the Agent in the capital stock or other ownership interest in such
Subsidiary, or (4) any Unrestricted Subsidiary or Unrestricted Joint Venture
subject to the covenants respecting the formation of and investment in such
entities contained in this Agreement.

                          (q)     Employee Benefit Plans.

                                  The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit
any member of the ERISA Group to:

                                  (i)      fail to satisfy the minimum funding
         requirements of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code with respect to
         any Plan;

                                  (ii)     request a minimum funding waiver
         from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to any Plan;

                                  (iii)    engage in a Prohibited Transaction
         with any Plan, Benefit Arrangement or Multiemployer Plan which, alone
         or in conjunction with any other


                                      -80-
<PAGE>





         circumstances or set of circumstances resulting in liability under
         ERISA, is likely to result in a Material Adverse Change;

                                  (iv)     permit the actuarial present value
         of all benefit liabilities (whether or not vested) under each Plan,
         determined as of the most recent actuarial report completed with
         respect to such Plan, to exceed by $500,000, as of any actuarial
         valuation date, the fair market value of the assets of such Plan;

                                  (v)      fail to make when due any
         contribution to any Multiemployer Plan that the Borrower or any member
         of the ERISA Group may be required to make under any agreement relating
         to such Multiemployer Plan, or any law pertaining thereto;

                                  (vi)     withdraw (completely or partially)
         from any Multiemployer Plan, where such withdrawal is likely to result
         in a material liability of Borrower or any member of the ERISA Group;

                                  (vii)    terminate, or institute proceedings
         to terminate, any Plan, where such termination is likely to result in
         a Material Adverse Change, or the validity of the Loans;

                                  (viii)   make any amendment to any Plan with
         respect to which security is required under Section 307 of ERISA; or

                                  (ix)     fail to give any and all notices and
         make all disclosures and governmental filings required under ERISA or
         the Internal Revenue Code, where such failure is likely to result in
         material liability of the Borrower or any member of the ERISA Group.

                          (r)     Agreements Restricting Payment of
Intercompany Notes.

                                  Each of the Loan Parties covenants and agrees
that it shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to,
enter into any Agreement with any Person which restricts the right of any of the
Restricted Subsidiaries of the Borrower to pay dividends or other distributions
to the Borrower or repay the Intercompany Payable Account of such Restricted
Subsidiaries to Borrower.

                          (s)     Disposition of Assets or Stock of the
Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

                                  If any Loan Party or any Qualified
Unrestricted Subsidiary sells transfers all or substantially all of the assets
or capital stock (such assets or the corporation whose stock is to be sold shall
be referred to as the "QURS Business to be Sold") of any Qualified Unrestricted
Subsidiary, Borrower shall:

                                  (1)      deliver to the Banks pro forma
income statements of the QURS Business to be Sold and a pro forma computation
of the excess cash flow of the QURS


                                      -81-
<PAGE>




Business to be Sold, in each case for the four quarters which ended immediately
before the quarter in which such sale shall occur. Such excess cash flow shall
be computed in the same manner that Excess Cash Flow of the Qualified
Unrestricted Subsidiaries is computed, except that it shall include only the
operations of the QURS Business to be Sold and not that of all of the Qualified
Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The financial statements and pro forma computation
referred to above shall be of a quality and detail reasonably acceptable to the
Banks; and

                                  (2)      exclude in Excess Cash Flow of the
Qualified Unrestricted Subsidiaries for all purposes under this Agreement the
excess cash flow from operations of or relating to the QURS Business to be Sold.

                 8.3      Reporting Requirements.

                          The Borrower covenants and agrees that until payment
in full of the Loans and interest thereon, expiration or termination of the
Letters of Credit, satisfaction of all of the Loan Parties' other obligations
hereunder and termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments, the Borrower will
furnish or cause to be furnished to the Agent and each of the Banks:

                          (a)     Quarterly Financial Statements and Reports.

                                  As soon as available and in any event within
forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of
Borrower within each of Borrower's fiscal years, financial statements of the
Borrower, consisting of consolidated and consolidating balance sheets as of the
end of such quarter and related consolidated and consolidating statements of
income, retained earnings and cash flow for the quarter, then ended and the
fiscal year through that date, which shall include a consolidated balance sheet,
and statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of the Loan Parties
excluding the Unrestricted Subsidiaries (but including the equity interest of
the Loan Parties in the Unrestricted Subsidiaries on the equity method basis),
all in reasonable detail and certified by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower
involved in or having knowledge about the preparation of such financial
statements as having been prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied
(subject to year-end audit adjustments), and setting forth in comparative form
the respective financial statements for the corresponding date and periods in
the previous fiscal year.

                          (b)     Annual Financial Statements.

                                  As soon as available and in any event within
one hundred and five (105) days after the end of each fiscal year of the
Borrower, audited financial statements of the Borrower, consisting of
consolidated and consolidating balance sheets as of the end of such fiscal year,
and related consolidated and consolidating statements of income, retained
earnings and cash flow for the fiscal year then ended, which shall include a
consolidated balance sheet, and statements of income, retained earnings and cash
flows of the Loan Parties excluding the Unrestricted Subsidiaries, all in
reasonable detail and setting forth in comparative form the financial statements
as of the end of and for the preceding fiscal year, and (in the case of the

                                      -82-
<PAGE>





consolidated financial statements only) certified by independent certified
public accountants of nationally recognized standing satisfactory to the Agent.
The certificate or report of accountants shall be free of qualifications (other
than any consistency qualification that may result from a change in the method
used to prepare the financial statements as to which such accountants concur).
The Agent and Banks shall maintain the confidentiality of such financial
statements pursuant to the terms of Section 11.12.

                          (c)     Projections.

                                  Concurrently with Borrower's delivery of its
financial statements pursuant to Section 8.3(b) hereof (or earlier if available
before such time), projected cash flow statements, income statements and a
capital budget for Loan Parties and for the Unrestricted Subsidiaries and their
respective operating units for the year in which such statements are due to be
delivered and a balance sheet as of such year's end. The Agent and Banks shall
maintain the confidentiality of such financial statements pursuant to the terms
of Section 11.12.

                          (d)     Certificates of the Loan Parties;  Closing
Date Balance Sheet.

                                  (i)      Monthly Borrowing Base Certificate.
         On or before the last day of each calendar month , a certificate (the
         "Borrowing Base Certificate") in the form of Exhibit 8.3(d)(i) of the
         Borrower, signed by an Authorized Officer involved in or having
         knowledge about the preparation of such Borrowing Base Certificate, (1)
         setting forth the Borrowing Base as of the last day of the preceding
         month (beginning with the month ended July 31, 1996; the Borrowing Base
         Certificate for such month end shall be due on the Closing Date; the
         Borrowing Base Certificate for each subsequent month end shall be due
         on or before the last day of the succeeding month as set forth above),.

                                  (ii)     Quarterly Compliance Certificate.
         Concurrently with the financial statements of the Borrower furnished to
         the Agent and to the Banks pursuant to Sections 8.3(a) and 8.3(b)
         hereof after the end of each fiscal quarter and fiscal year, a
         certificate (the "Compliance Certificate") in the form of Exhibit
         8.3(d)(ii) of the Borrower, signed by an Authorized Officer involved in
         or having knowledge about the preparation of such Compliance
         Certificate, to the effect that, except as described pursuant to
         Section 8.3(e) below, (i) the representations and warranties of the
         Loan Parties contained in Article 6 hereof are true on and as of the
         date of such certificate with the same effect as though such
         representations and warranties had been made on and as of such date
         (except representations and warranties which expressly relate solely to
         an earlier date or time and after giving effect to any amendments to
         such representations made pursuant to Section 7.2 or Section 11.1), and
         the Borrower has performed and complied with all covenants and
         conditions hereof, (ii) no Event of Default or Potential Default exists
         and is continuing on the date of such certificate, (iii) containing
         calculations in sufficient detail to demonstrate compliance as of the
         date of the financial statements with the covenants contained in
         Sections 8.2(a), (b), (c), (d), (g), (h), (i), (j) and (p) and Section
         9.1(h) and , and to evidence the computations of the Leverage Ratio
         Level, the Applicable Percentage and Euro-rate Spreads and the Excess
         Cash Flow for the preceding quarter (all Compliance Certificates), any
         Mandatory Prepayment of Excess Cash Flow payable in respect thereof
         (annual Compliance


                                      -83-
<PAGE>





         Certificate only) and the Cumulative Net Excess Cash Flow (all
         Compliance Certificates) and (iv) providing updates to the Schedules
         referred to in Section 7.2. Borrower shall (1) compute on its
         Compliance Certificate for the quarter ending September 30, 1996 the
         cash flow from operations of the Leavitt Business for the period
         between July 1, 1996 and the Closing Date (the "3rdQ Adjustment"), and
         (2) deliver with the Compliance Certificate described in clause (1)
         above financial statements relating to the Leavitt Business for the
         period described in such clause (1). Borrower shall compute cash flow
         from operations of the Leavitt Business under the preceding sentence in
         same manner that Borrower computes Cash Flow from Operations of the
         Loan Parties as set forth in the definition of such term. Borrower
         shall use the 3rdQ Adjustment in computing its Adjusted Cash Flow from
         Operations of the Loan Parties for the period ending on September 30,
         1996 and thereafter.

                                  (iii)    Closing Date Balance Sheet.  Within
         30 days after the Closing Date, provide to the Agent for the benefit of
         the Banks (1) a pro forma balance sheet of Leavitt Tube and Holco as of
         the Closing Date and (2) a pro forma balance sheet of all of the Loan
         Parties as of the Closing Date after giving effect to the Leavitt
         Acquisition.

                          (e)     Notice of Default.

                                  Promptly after any officer of any Loan Party
has learned of the occurrence of an Event of Default or Potential Default, a
certificate signed by the an Authorized Officer having knowledge of such Event
of Default or Potential Default Chief Executive Officer, President, Secretary or
Chief Financial Officer of such Loan Party setting forth the details of such
Event of Default or Potential Default and the action which such Loan Party
proposes to take with respect thereto.

                          (f)     Notice of Litigation.

                                  Promptly after the commencement thereof,
notice of all actions, suits, proceedings or investigations before or by any
Official Body or any other Person against any Loan Party or Subsidiary of any
Loan Party which relate to the Collateral, involve a claim or series of claims
in excess of $3,000,000 or which if adversely determined could reasonably be
expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.

                          (g)     Certain Events.

                                  Written notice to the Agent (i) prior
thereto, with respect to any sale or transfer of assets as permitted under
subsection (iv) of Section 8.2(h) hereof, (ii) as soon as available, regarding
any adjustment payment to be paid by Chase Sellers or any Loan Party under the
Chase Asset Purchase Agreement, and any indemnification or other claims made by
the Chase Sellers or any Loan Party under any of the documents relating to the
Chase Asset Purchase Agreement, (iii) within the time limits set forth in
Section 8.2(n) as applicable, with respect to any amendment to or waiver of any
provision of the Chase Seller Note, Remediation Agreement, Chase Asset Purchase
Agreement or related documents or any of the Leavitt Acquisition Documents, and
promptly, if the Chase Seller shall breach or fail to comply in any


                                      -84-
<PAGE>





material respect with the Remediation Agreement, Seller's indemnity obligations
under the Chase Asset Purchase Agreement or any request for indemnity made by
any Loan Party under the Chase Asset Purchase Agreement or Remediation Agreement
or if the Leavitt Sellers shall breach or fail to comply in any material respect
with the Leavitt Acquisition Documents, including the Leavitt Sellers' indemnity
obligations thereunder ,and (iv) within the time limits set forth in Section
8.2(n), with respect to any amendment to the certificate of incorporation
(including any provisions or resolutions relating to capital stock), bylaws or
other organizational documents of the Loan Parties.

                          (h)     Other Notices, Reports and Information.

                                  Promptly upon their becoming available to
Borrower, (i) any formal forecasts of the Borrower for periods longer than the
next fiscal year, (ii) management letters submitted to any of the Borrower by
independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit,
(iii) any reports, notices or proxy statements generally distributed by the
Borrower to its stockholders on a date no later than the date supplied to the
stockholders, (iv) regular or periodic reports, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and
8-K, registration statements and prospectuses, filed by the Borrower with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and (v) such other reports and information
as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request. Each Loan Party shall
also notify the Banks promptly upon becoming aware of the enactment of any
legislation or adoption of any regulations which may result in a Material
Adverse Change. The Agent and Banks shall maintain the confidentiality of such
financial statements pursuant to the terms of Section 11.12.

                          (i)     Notices Regarding Employee Benefit Plans.

                                  (i) Promptly upon becoming aware of the
occurrence thereof, notice (including the nature of the event and, when known,
any action taken or threatened by the Internal Revenue Service or the PBGC with
respect thereto) of (a) any Reportable Event with respect to the Borrower or any
member of the ERISA Group, (b) any Prohibited Transaction which could subject
the Borrower or any member of the ERISA Group to a civil penalty assessed
pursuant to Section 502(i) of ERISA or a tax imposed by Section 4975 of the
Internal Revenue Code in connection with any Plan, Benefit Arrangement or any
trust created thereunder, (c) any assertion of withdrawal liability with respect
to any Multiemployer Plan in excess of $1,000,000, (d) any partial or complete
withdrawal by the Borrower or any member of the ERISA Group under Title IV of
ERISA (or assertion thereof), where such withdrawal is likely to result in
withdrawal liability in excess of $1,000,000, (e) any cessation of operations
(by the Borrower or any member of the ERISA Group) at a facility in the
circumstances described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA, (f) withdrawal by the
Borrower or any member of the ERISA Group from a Plan to which more than a
single employer contributes during a plan year for which the Borrower or such
member was a substantial employer with respect to such Plan, as defined in
Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, (g) a failure by the Borrower or any member of the
ERISA Group to make a payment to a Plan required under Section 302(f)(1)(A) of
ERISA, or (h) the adoption of an amendment to a Plan requiring the provision of
security to such Plan pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA; (ii) promptly after
receipt thereof, copies of (a) all notices received by


                                      -85-
<PAGE>





the Borrower or any member of the ERISA Group of the PBGC's intent to terminate
any Plan administered or maintained by the Borrower or any member of the ERISA
Group, or to have a trustee appointed to administer any such Plan and (b) at the
request of the Agent or any Bank, each annual report (IRS Form 5500 series) and
all accompanying schedules, the most recent actuarial reports, the most recent
financial information concerning the financial status of each Plan administered
or maintained by the Borrower or any member of the ERISA Group, and schedules
showing the amounts contributed to each such Plan by or on behalf of the
Borrower or any member of the ERISA Group in which any of their personnel
participate or from which such personnel may derive a benefit, and each Schedule
BII (Actuarial Information) to the annual report filed by the Borrower or any
member of the ERISA Group with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each
such Plan; and (iii) promptly upon the filing thereof, copies of any Form 5310,
or any successor or equivalent form to Form 5310, filed with the PBGC in
connection with the termination of any Plan.

                                   9. DEFAULT

                 9.1      Events of Default.

                          An Event of Default shall mean the occurrence or
existence of any one or more of the following events or conditions (whatever the
reason therefor and whether voluntary, involuntary or effected by operation of
Law):

                          (a)     The Borrower shall fail to pay any principal
of any Loan when due (including scheduled installments, mandatory prepayments or
the payment due at maturity) or shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or
any other amount owing hereunder or under the other Senior Loan Documents within
two (2) Business Days after the same shall become due and payable, provided that
notwithstanding such grace period, if any amount is not paid when due, interest
shall accrue and be payable on such amount at the default rate of interest
provided in Section 4.3 hereof;

                          (b)     Any representation or warranty made at any
time by any Loan Party herein or in any other Senior Loan Document, or in any
certificate, other instrument or statement furnished pursuant to the provisions
hereof or thereof, shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material
respect as of the time it was made or furnished;

                          (c)     Any Loan Party shall default in the
observance or performance of any covenant contained in Section 8.2 hereof or
Section 8.1(f) hereof;

                          (d)     Any Loan Party shall default in the
observance or performance of any other covenant, condition or provision hereof
or of any other Senior Loan Document and such default shall continue unremedied
for a period of thirty (30) calendar days after written notice thereof is given
to the Borrower or by the Agent;

                          (e)     A default or event of default shall occur at
any time under the Chase Seller Note (except for bona fide disputes in good
faith by the parties thereto regarding payments thereon provided that such
disputes shall not have resulted in any other violation or


                                      -86-
<PAGE>





Event of Default under this Agreement and the Loan Parties shall have made
appropriate GAAP reserves therefor ) or under the terms of any Indebtedness of
any Loan Party involving an amount in excess of $3,000,000, or all or any part
of such Indebtedness shall not be paid when due, and such default or event of
default or nonpayment continues unremedied until the expiration of any
applicable grace period;

                          (f)     Any final judgment(s) for the payment of
money in excess of $3,000,000 in the aggregate shall be entered against any Loan
Party by a court having jurisdiction in the premises which is not discharged,
vacated, bonded or stayed pending appeal within a period of thirty (30) days
from the date of entry of such judgment(s);

                          (g)     Any of the Senior Loan Documents shall cease
to be legal, valid and binding agreements enforceable against any Loan Party or
its successors and assigns (as permitted under the Senior Loan Documents) in
accordance with the respective terms thereof, or shall in any way be terminated
(except in accordance with their terms) or become or be judicially declared
ineffective or inoperative or shall in any way cease to give or provide the
respective rights, titles, interests, remedies, powers or privileges intended to
be created thereby;

                          (h)     Either (A) a Change of Control shall occur,
or (B) MVA shall cease to serve on the board of directors of Borrower during
such time as MVA is able to serve on such board;

                          (i)     A notice of lien or assessment in excess of
$1,000,000 is filed of record, other than a Permitted Lien, with respect to all
or any part of any Loan Party's assets by the United States, or any department,
agency or instrumentality thereof, or by any state, county, municipal or other
governmental agency, including, without limitation, the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation, or if any taxes or debts owing at any time or times hereafter to
any one of these becomes payable and the same is not paid within thirty (30)
days after the same becomes payable and the validity or amount is not being
contested in good faith by appropriate and lawful proceedings diligently
conducted;

                          (j)     If any of the following occurs:  (i) any
Reportable Event, which the Agent determines in good faith constitutes grounds
for the termination of any Plan or Plans by the PBGC or the appointment of a
trustee to administer or liquidate any Plan or Plans, shall have occurred and be
continuing; (ii) proceedings shall have been instituted or other action taken to
terminate any Plan, or a termination notice shall have been filed with respect
to any Plan or Plans; (iii) a trustee shall be appointed to administer or
liquidate any Plan or Plans; (iv) the PBGC shall give notice of its intent to
institute proceedings to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to
administer or liquidate any Plan or Plans; (v) the Borrower or any member of the
ERISA Group shall have taken affirmative action to cease operations at a
facility or facilities where such cessation would result in a separation from
employment of more than twenty percent (20%) of the total number of employees of
the Borrower or any member of the ERISA Group who are participants in a Plan, or
would result in the assertion of liability for a complete or partial withdrawal
from a Multiemployer Plan; (vi) proceedings shall have been instituted or other
action taken by the Borrower or any other member of the ERISA Group to withdraw
(completely or partially) from any Multiemployer Plan; (vii) the Borrower or any
member of the ERISA Group shall fail with respect to any Plan or Plans to meet
the minimum


                                      -87-
<PAGE>



funding standards established by ERISA (irrespective of whether a waiver of the
minimum funding standards has been requested or obtained) or shall fail to make
any contributions when due to a Plan or a Multiemployer Plan; (viii) the
Borrower or any member of the ERISA Group shall make any amendment to a Plan
with respect to which security is required under Section 307 of ERISA; (ix) the
actuarial assumptions or funding methods used for any Plan or Plans are
adjusted, changed or amended; or (x) any applicable law, rule or regulation is
adopted, changed or interpreted by any governmental authority or agency or court
with respect to or otherwise affecting one or more Plans, Multiemployer Plans or
Benefit Arrangements, and the Agent determines in good faith that any such
occurrence would be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect the
total enterprise represented by the Borrower and the other members of the ERISA
Group;

                          (k)     Any Loan Party is enjoined, restrained or in
any way prevented by court order from conducting all or any material part of its
business and such injunction, restraint or other preventive order is not
dismissed within sixty (60) days after the entry thereof;

                          (l)     A proceeding shall have been instituted in a
court having jurisdiction in the premises seeking a decree or order for relief
in respect of any Loan Party in an involuntary case under any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in
effect, or a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator,
conservator (or similar official) of any Loan Party for any substantial part of
its property, or for the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and such
proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed and in effect for a period of
sixty (60) consecutive days or such court shall enter a decree or order granting
any of the relief sought in such proceeding; or

                          (m)     Any Loan Party shall commence a voluntary
case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order
for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the
appointment or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian,
trustee, sequestrator, conservator (or other similar official) of itself or for
any substantial part of its property or shall make a general assignment for the
benefit of creditors, or shall admit its inability to pay or fail generally to
pay its debts as they become due, or shall take any action in furtherance of any
of the foregoing.

                 9.2      Consequences of Event of Default.

                          (a)     If an Event of Default specified under
subsections (a) through (k) of Section 9.1 hereof shall occur and unless such
Event of Default has been waived by or cured to the reasonable satisfaction of
the Required Banks (or larger fraction of the Banks if required hereunder), the
Banks and the Agent shall be under no further obligation to make Loans or issue
Letters of Credit hereunder, and the Agent, upon the request of the Required
Banks, shall by written notice to the Borrower declare the unpaid principal
amount of the Notes then outstanding and all interest accrued thereon and all
other Indebtedness of the Loan Parties to the Banks hereunder and thereunder to
be forthwith due and payable, and the same shall thereupon become and be
immediately due and payable to the Agent for the benefit of each Bank without
presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby expressly waived; and


                                      -88-
<PAGE>




                          (b)     If an Event of Default specified under
subsections (l) or (m) of Section 9.1 hereof shall occur, the Banks and the
Agent shall be under no further obligation to make Loans or issue Letters of
Credit hereunder, and the unpaid principal amount of the Notes then outstanding
and all interest accrued thereon and all other Indebtedness of the Loan Parties
to the Banks hereunder and thereunder shall be immediately due and payable,
without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby expressly waived; and

                          (c)     In case an Event of Default shall occur that
has not been waived by or cured to the reasonable satisfaction of the Required
Banks, any Bank to whom any obligation is owed by any Loan Party hereunder or
under any other Senior Loan Document or any participant of such Bank which has
agreed in writing to be bound by the provisions of Section 10.13 hereof and any
branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Bank or participant anywhere in the
world shall have the right, in addition to all other rights and remedies
available to it, without notice to any Loan Party, to set-off against and apply
to the then unpaid balance of all the Loans and all other obligations of the
Loan Parties hereunder or under any other Senior Loan Document any debt owing
to, and any other funds held in any manner for the account of, any Loan Party by
such Bank or participant or by such branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate, including,
without limitation, all funds in all deposit accounts (whether time or demand,
general or special, provisionally credited or finally credited, or otherwise)
now or hereafter maintained by any Loan Party for its own account (but not
including funds held in custodian or trust accounts) with such Bank or
participant or such branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate. Such right shall exist
whether or not any Bank or the Agent shall have made any demand under this
Agreement or any other Senior Loan Document, whether or not such debt owing to
or funds held for the account of the Loan Party is or are matured or unmatured
and regardless of the existence or adequacy of any Collateral, Guaranty or any
other security, right or remedy available to any Bank or the Agent; and

                          (d)     From and after the date on which the Agent
has taken any action pursuant to this Section 9.2 and until all obligations of
the Loan Parties have been paid in full, any and all proceeds received by the
Agent from any sale or other disposition of the Collateral, or any part thereof,
or from the exercise of any other remedy by the Agent shall be applied as
follows:

                                  (i)      first, to reimburse the Agent and
         the Banks for out-of-pocket costs, expenses and disbursements,
         including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees and legal
         expenses, incurred by the Agent or the Banks in connection with
         realizing on the Collateral or collection of any obligations of any of
         the Loan Parties under any of the Senior Loan Documents, including
         advances made by the Banks or any one of them or the Agent for the
         reasonable maintenance, preservation, protection or enforcement of, or
         realization upon, the Collateral, including advances for taxes,
         insurance, repairs and the like and reasonable expenses incurred to
         sell or otherwise realize on, or prepare for sale or other realization
         on, any of the Collateral;

                                  (ii)     second, to the repayment of all
         Indebtedness then due and unpaid of the Loan Parties to the Banks
         incurred under this Agreement or any of the


                                      -89-
<PAGE>




         Senior Loan Documents, whether of principal, interest, fees, expenses
         or otherwise, in such manner as the Agent may determine in its
         discretion; and

                                  (iii)    the balance, if any, as required by
Law.

                          (e)     In addition to all of the rights and remedies
contained in this Agreement or in any of the other Senior Loan Documents, the
Agent shall have all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the
Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Law, all of which rights and
remedies shall be cumulative and non-exclusive, to the extent permitted by Law.
The Agent may, and upon the request of the Required Banks shall, exercise all
post- default rights granted to the Agent and the Banks under the Senior Loan
Documents or applicable Law.

                 9.3      Notice of Sale.

                 Any notice required to be given by the Agent of a sale, lease,
or other disposition of the Collateral or any other intended action by the
Agent, if given ten (10) Business Days prior to such proposed action, shall
constitute commercially reasonable and fair notice thereof to the Borrower.

                               10.      THE AGENT

                 10.1     Appointment.

                          Each Bank hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and
authorizes PNC to act as Agent for such Bank under this Agreement to execute and
deliver or accept on behalf of each of the Banks the other Senior Loan
Documents. Each Bank hereby irrevocably authorizes, and each holder of any Note
by the acceptance of a Note shall be deemed irrevocably to authorize, the Agent
to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the
other Senior Loan Documents and any other instruments and agreements referred to
herein, and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder as are
specifically delegated to or required of the Agent by the terms hereof, together
with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. PNC agrees to act as the
Agent on behalf of the Banks to the extent provided in this Agreement.

                 10.2     Delegation of Duties.

                          The Agent may perform any of its duties hereunder by
or through agents or employees (provided such delegation does not constitute a
relinquishment of its duties as Agent) and, subject to Sections 10.5, 10.6 and
10.7 hereof, shall be entitled to engage and pay for the advice or services of
any attorneys, accountants or other experts concerning all matters pertaining to
its duties hereunder and to rely upon any advice so obtained.

                 10.3     Nature of Duties; Independent Credit Investigation.

                          The Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities
except those expressly set forth in this Agreement, and no implied covenants,
functions, responsibilities, duties,


                                      -90-
<PAGE>





obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or otherwise exist.
The duties of the Agent shall be mechanical and administrative in nature; the
Agent shall not have by reason of this Agreement a fiduciary relationship in
respect of any Bank; and nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is
intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon the Agent any obligations
in respect of this Agreement except as expressly set forth herein. Each Bank
expressly acknowledges (i) that the Agent has not made any representations or
warranties to it and that no act by the Agent hereafter taken, including any
review of the affairs of the Loan Parties and their Affiliates, shall be deemed
to constitute any representation or warranty by the Agent to any Bank; (ii) that
it has made and will continue to make, without reliance upon the Agent, its own
independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs and its own
appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Loan Parties in connection with this
Agreement and the making and continuance of the Loans hereunder; and (iii)
except as expressly provided herein, that the Agent shall have no duty or
responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Bank
with credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its
possession before the making of any Loan or at any time or times thereafter.

                 10.4     Actions in Discretion of Agent; Instructions from the
Banks.

                          The Agent agrees, upon the written request of the
Required Banks, to take or refrain from taking any action of the type specified
as being within the Agent's rights, powers or discretion herein. In the absence
of a request by the Required Banks, the Agent shall have authority, in its sole
discretion, to take or not to take any such action, unless this Agreement
specifically requires the consent of the Required Banks or all of the Banks. Any
action taken or failure to act pursuant to such instructions or discretion shall
be binding on the Banks, subject to Section 10.6 hereof. Subject to the
provisions of Section 10.6, no Bank shall have any right of action whatsoever
against the Agent as a result of the Agent acting or refraining from acting
hereunder in accordance with the instructions of the Required Banks or, in the
absence of such instructions, in the absolute discretion of the Agent.

                 10.5     Reimbursement and Indemnification of Agent by the
Borrower.

                          The Borrower unconditionally agrees to pay or
reimburse the Agent and save the Agent harmless against (i) liability for the
payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs, expenses and disbursements,
including but not limited to reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, incurred
by the Agent (or, in the case of syndication, also PNC Bank) (a) in connection
with the development, preparation, printing, execution, administration,
syndication (including costs of the Agent or PNC Bank in connection with
assignments by PNC Bank to other banks after the Closing Date and before the end
of the Syndication Period), interpretation and performance of this Agreement and
the other Senior Loan Documents, (b) relating to any requested amendments,
waivers or consents pursuant to the provisions hereof, and (c) in connection
with any workout or restructuring, or in connection with the protection,
preservation, exercise or enforcement of this Agreement or any other Senior Loan
Document or collection of amounts due hereunder or thereunder or the proof and
allowability of any claim arising under this Agreement or any other Senior Loan
Document, whether in bankruptcy or receivership proceedings or otherwise, and
(ii) all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature


                                      -91-
<PAGE>





whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent,
in its capacity as such, in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement
or any other Senior Loan Documents or any action taken or omitted by the Agent
hereunder or thereunder, provided that the Borrower shall not be liable for any
portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements (a) if the same results from
the Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct, (b) if the Borrower was not
given notice of the subject claim and the opportunity to participate in the
defense thereof, at its expense, or (c) if the same results from a compromise or
settlement agreement entered into without the consent of the Borrower. In
addition, the Borrower agrees to reimburse and pay all reasonable out of pocket
expenses of the Agent's regular employees and agent engaged not more frequently
than quarterly to perform audits of the Loan Parties' books, records and
business properties.

                 10.6     Exculpatory Provisions.

                          Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers,
employees, agents or affiliates shall (a) be liable to any Bank for any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it or them hereunder or in connection herewith,
including without limitation pursuant to any Senior Loan Document, unless caused
by its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct, (b) be responsible
in any manner to any of the Banks for the effectiveness, enforceability,
genuineness, validity or the due execution of this Agreement or any other Senior
Loan Documents or for any recital, representation, warranty, document,
certificate, report or statement herein or made or furnished under or in
connection with this Agreement or any other Senior Loan Documents, or (c) be
under any obligation to any of the Banks to ascertain or to inquire as to the
performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions hereof or
thereof on the part of the Loan Parties, or the financial condition of the Loan
Parties, or the existence or possible existence of any Event of Default or
Potential Default.

                 10.7     Reimbursement and Indemnification of Agent by Banks.

                          Each Bank agrees to reimburse and indemnify the Agent
(to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obliga-
tion of the Borrower to do so) in proportion to its Ratable Share from and
against all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature
whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent,
in its capacity as such, in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement
or any other Senior Loan Documents or any action taken or omitted by the Agent
hereunder or thereunder, provided that no Bank shall be liable for any portion
of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements (a) if the same results from
the Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct, or (b) if such Bank was not
given notice of the subject claim and the opportunity to participate in the
defense thereof, at its expense, or (c) if the same results from a compromise
and settlement agreement entered into without the consent of such Bank. In
addition, each Bank agrees promptly upon demand to reimburse the Agent (to the
extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the Obligation of the
Borrower to do so) in proportion to its Ratable Share for all amounts due and
payable by the Borrower to the Agent in connection with the Agent's periodic
audit of the Loan Parties' books, records and business properties.


                                      -92-
<PAGE>




                 10.8     Reliance by Agent.

                          The Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any writing,
telegram, telex or teletype message, resolution, notice, consent, certificate,
letter, cablegram, statement, order or other document or conversation by
telephone or otherwise believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been
signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons, and upon the advice and
opinions of counsel and other professional advisers selected by the Agent. The
Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action
hereunder unless it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Banks
against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason
of taking or continuing to take any such action.

                 10.9     Notice of Default.

                          The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or
notice of the occurrence of any Potential Default or Event of Default unless the
Agent has received notice from a Bank or the Borrower referring to this
Agreement, describing such Potential Default or Event of Default and stating
that such notice is a "notice of default."

                 10.10    Notices.

                          The Agent shall promptly send to each Bank a copy of
all notices received from the Borrower or the Company pursuant to the provisions
of this Agreement or the other Senior Loan Documents promptly upon receipt
thereof. The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the other Banks of
each change in the Base Rate and the effective date thereof.

                 10.11    PNC and the Banks in Their Individual Capacities.

                          With respect to its Commitments and the Loans made by
it, the Agent shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Bank
and may exercise the same as though it were not the Agent, and the term "Banks"
shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, include the Agent in its
individual capacity. PNC and its Affiliates and each of the Banks and their
respective Affiliates may, without liability to account, except as prohibited
herein, make loans to, accept deposits from, discount drafts for, act as trustee
under indentures of, and generally engage in any kind of banking or trust
business with the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, in the case of
the Agent, as though it were not acting as Agent hereunder and, in the case of
each Bank, as though such Bank were not a Bank hereunder.

                 10.12    Holders of Notes.

                          The Agent may deem and treat any payee of any Note as
the owner thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until written notice of the
assignment or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Agent. Any
request, authority or consent of any Person who at the time of making such
request or giving such authority or consent is the holder of any Note shall be
conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, transferee or assignee of such
Note or of any Note or Notes issued in exchange therefor.


                                      -93-
<PAGE>




                 10.13    Equalization of Banks.

                          The Banks and the holders of any participations in
any Note agree among themselves that, with respect to all amounts received by
any Bank or any such holder for application on any obligation hereunder or under
any Note or under any such participation, whether received by voluntary payment,
by realization upon security, by the exercise of the right of setoff or banker's
lien, by counterclaim or by any other non-pro rata source, equitable adjustment
will be made in the manner stated in the following sentence so that, in effect,
all such excess amounts will be shared ratably among the Banks and such holders
in proportion to their interests in payments under the Notes, except as
otherwise provided in Section 4.4(b), 5.4(b) or 5.5 hereof. The Banks or any
such holder receiving any such amount shall purchase for cash from each of the
other Banks an interest in such Bank's Loans in such amount as shall result in a
ratable participation by the Banks and each such holder in the aggregate unpaid
amount under the Notes, provided that if all or any portion of such excess
amount is thereafter recovered from the Bank or the holder making such purchase,
such purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent
of such recovery, together with interest or other amounts, if any, required by
Law (including court order) to be paid by the Bank or the holder making such
purchase.

                 10.14    Successor Agent.

                          The Agent may resign as Agent upon not less than
thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the Borrower and the Banks. If the
Agent shall resign under this Agreement, then either (a) the Required Banks
shall appoint from among the Banks a successor agent for the Banks which
appointment shall be subject to the consent of the Borrower which shall not be
unreasonably withheld provided that if the Agent requests such consent and
Borrower does not within thirty (30) days following such request either consent
to such appointment or select a successor agent from among the Banks and such
successor shall assume in writing the obligations of the Agent, then the Agent
shall no longer be required to obtain the Borrower's consent to assign its
rights and obligations as Agent hereunder to another Bank or (b) if a successor
agent shall not be so appointed and approved within the thirty (30) day period
following the Agent's notice to the Banks of its resignation, then the Agent
shall appoint, with the consent of the Borrower, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld, a successor agent who shall serve as Agent until such
time as the Required Banks appoint a successor agent. Upon its appointment
pursuant to either clause (a) or (b) above, such successor agent shall succeed
to the rights, powers and duties of the Agent and the term "Agent" shall mean
such successor agent, effective upon its appointment, and the former Agent's
rights, powers and duties as Agent shall be terminated without any other or
further act or deed on the part of such former Agent or any of the parties to
this Agreement. After the resignation of any Agent hereunder, the provisions of
this Article 10 shall inure to the benefit of such former Agent, and such former
Agent shall not by reason of such resignation be deemed to be released from
liability for any actions taken or not taken by it while it was an Agent under
this Agreement.

                 10.15    Agent's Fee.

                          The Borrower shall pay to the Agent the nonrefundable
fee (the "Agent's Fee") agreed to in the letter agreement between Borrower and
the Agent dated as of the Closing


                                      -94-
<PAGE>




Date, as amended from time to time (the "Agent's Fee Letter"), until all of the
Loans and other obligations of Borrower hereunder shall be paid in full, all
Letters of Credit shall have expired or been terminated and the Revolving Credit
Commitments are terminated.

                 10.16    Beneficiaries.

                          Except to the extent provided in Sections 10.5,
10.14, 10.15 and 10.18, the provisions of this Article 10 are solely for the
benefit of the Agent and the Banks, and the Loan Parties shall not have any
rights to rely on or enforce any of the provisions hereof. In performing its
functions and duties under this Agreement, the Agent shall act solely as agent
of the Banks and does not assume, and shall not be deemed to have assumed, any
obligation toward or relationship of agency or trust with or for any of the Loan
Parties.

                 10.17    Availability of Funds.

                          Unless the Agent shall have been notified by a Bank
prior to the date upon which a Loan is to be made that such Bank does not intend
to make available to the Agent such Bank's portion of such Loan, the Agent may
assume that such Bank has made or will make such proceeds available to the Agent
on such date and the Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption (but shall not
be required to), make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If such
corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Agent by such Bank,
the Agent shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Bank (or,
if such Bank fails to pay such amount forthwith upon such demand, from the
Borrower) and shall also be entitled to all interest accrued thereon, in respect
of each day during the period commencing on the date such amount was made
available to the Borrower and ending on the date the Agent recovers such amount,
at a rate per annum equal to the applicable interest rate in respect of the
Loan.

                 10.18    Calculations.

                          In the absence of gross negligence or willful
misconduct, the Agent shall not be liable for any error in computing the amount
payable to any Bank whether in respect of the Loans, fees or any other amounts
due to the Banks under this Agreement. In the event an error in computing any
amount payable to any Bank is made, the Agent, each of the Loan Parties and each
affected Bank shall, forthwith upon discovery of such error, make such
adjustments as shall be required to correct such error, and any compensation
therefor will be calculated at the Federal Funds Effective Rate.

                            11.     MISCELLANEOUS

                 11.1     Modifications, Amendments or Waivers.

                          With the written consent of the Required Banks, the
Agent, acting on behalf of all the Banks, and the Loan Parties may from time to
time enter into written agreements amending or changing any provision of this
Agreement or any other Senior Loan Document or the rights of the Banks or the
Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder, or may grant


                                      -95-
<PAGE>



written waivers or consents to a departure from the due performance of the
obligations of the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder. Any such agreement,
waiver or consent made with such written consent shall be effective to bind all
the Banks and the Loan Parties provided, that no such agreement, waiver or
consent may be made which will:

                          (i) Except as provided in Section 5.4(b), reduce or
         increase the amount of the Commitment of any Bank hereunder, or alter
         the provisions relating to any fee or other amount payable to any Bank
         hereunder, or amend Sections 5.2, 10.6 and 10.13 hereof, without the
         written consent of all the Banks; or

                          (ii) Whether or not any Loans are outstanding, extend
         the time for payment of principal or interest of any Loan, or reduce
         the principal amount of or the rate of interest borne by any Loan, or
         otherwise affect the terms of payment of the principal of or interest
         of any Loan, without the written consent of the Bank to whom such Loan
         is owed; or

                          (iii)   Waive the requirements of Section 8.1(a); or

                          (iv) Amend this Section 11.1, change the definition of
         Required Banks or change any requirement providing for the Banks or the
         Required Banks to authorize the taking of any action hereunder, without
         the written consent of all the Banks.

                          (v)     Except for sales of assets permitted by
Section 8.2(h) without the written consent of all of the Banks (with respect to
which the Agent shall release any Liens it holds on such assets), release any
Collateral, any Guarantor from its Obligations under the Guaranty Agreement or
any other security for any of the Loan Parties' obligations; or

                          No agreement, waiver or consent which would modify
the interests, rights or obligations of the Agent in its capacity as Agent or as
the issuer of Letters of Credit shall be effective without the written consent
of the Agent. The Agent and the Borrower may modify the Agent's Fee Letter
without the consent of or notice to any of the other Banks.

                 11.2     No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies; Writing
Required.

                          No course of dealing and no delay or failure of the
Agent or any Bank in exercising any right, power, remedy or privilege under this
Agreement or any other Senior Loan Document shall affect any other or future
exercise thereof or operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial
exercise thereof or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a
right, power, remedy or privilege preclude any further exercise thereof or of
any other right, power, remedy or privilege. The rights and remedies of the
Agent and the Banks under this Agreement and any other Senior Loan Documents are
cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would
otherwise have. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character
on the part of any Bank of any breach or default under this Agreement or any
such waiver of any provision or condition of this Agreement must be in writing
and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such
writing.


                                      -96-
<PAGE>




                 11.3     Reimbursement and Indemnification of Banks by the
Borrower; Taxes.

                          The Borrower agrees unconditionally upon demand to
pay or reimburse to each Bank and to save such Bank harmless against (i)
liability for the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs, expenses and
disbursements, including but not limited to reasonable fees and expenses of
counsel, incurred by such Bank (a) relating to any amendments, waivers or
consents pursuant to the provisions hereof, and (b) in connection with any
workout or restructuring, or in connection with the protection, preservation,
exercise or enforcement of this Agreement or any other Senior Loan Document or
collection of amounts due hereunder or thereunder or the proof and allowability
of any claim arising under this Agreement or any other Senior Loan Document,
whether in bankruptcy or receivership proceedings or otherwise, and (ii) all
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be
imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Bank, in its capacity as such,
in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Senior Loan
Documents or any action taken or omitted by such Bank hereunder or thereunder,
provided that the Borrower shall not be liable for any portion of such
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements (a) if the same results from such Bank's gross
negligence or willful misconduct, (b) if the Borrower was not given notice of
the subject claim and the opportunity to participate in the defense thereof, at
its expense, or (c) if the same results from a compromise or settlement
agreement entered into without the consent of the Borrower. The Banks will
attempt to minimize the fees and expenses of legal counsel for the Banks which
are subject to reimbursement by the Borrower hereunder by considering the usage
of one law firm to represent the Banks and the Agent if appropriate under the
circumstances. The Borrower agrees unconditionally to pay all stamp, document,
transfer, recording or filing taxes or fees and similar impositions (except for
taxes, including any franchise tax, on the overall net income of any Bank or the
Agent) now or hereafter determined by the Agent or any Bank to be payable in
connection with this Agreement or any other Senior Loan Document, and the
Borrower agrees unconditionally to save the Agent and the Banks harmless from
and against any and all present or future claims, liabilities or losses with
respect to or resulting from any omission to pay or delay in paying any such
taxes, fees or impositions.

                 11.4     Holidays.

                          Whenever any payment or action to be made or taken
hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such
payment or action shall be made or taken on the next following Business Day
(except as provided in Section 4.2(a) with respect to Interest Periods), and
such extension of time shall be included in computing interest or fees, if any,
in connection with such payment or action.

                 11.5     Funding by Branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate.

                          (a)     Notional Funding.

                                  Each Bank shall have the right from time to
time, without notice to the Borrower, to deem any branch, Subsidiary or
Affiliate (which for the purposes of this Section 11.5 shall mean any
corporation or association which is directly or indirectly controlled


                                      -97-
<PAGE>



by or is under direct or indirect common control with any corporation or
association which directly or indirectly controls such Bank) of such Bank to
have made, maintained or funded any Loan to which the Euro-Rate Option applies
at any time, provided that immediately following (on the assumption that a
payment were then due from the Borrower to such other office) and as a result of
such change the Borrower would not be under any greater financial obligation
pursuant to Section 5.5 hereof than it would have been in the absence of such
change. Notional funding offices may be selected by each Bank without regard to
the Bank's actual methods of making, maintaining or funding the Loans or any
sources of funding actually used by or available to such Bank.

                          (b)     Actual Funding.

                                  Each Bank shall have the right from time to
time to make or maintain any Loan by arranging for a branch, Subsidiary or
Affiliate of such Bank to make or maintain such Loan subject to the last
sentence of this Section 11.5(b). If any Bank causes a branch, Subsidiary or
Affiliate to make or maintain any part of the Loans hereunder, all terms and
conditions of this Agreement shall, except where the context clearly requires
otherwise, be applicable to such part of the Loans to the same extent as if such
Loan were made or maintained by such Bank, but in no event shall any Bank's use
of such a branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate to make or maintain any part of the
Loans hereunder cause such Bank or such branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate to incur
any costs or expenses payable by the Borrower hereunder or require the Borrower
to pay any other compensation to any Bank (including, without limitation, any
expenses incurred or payable pursuant to Section 5.5 hereof) which would
otherwise not be incurred.

                 11.6     Notices.

                          All notices, requests, demands, directions and other
communications (collectively "notices") given to or made upon any party hereto
under the provisions of this Agreement shall be by telephone or in writing
(including telex or facsimile communication) unless otherwise expressly
permitted hereunder and shall be delivered or sent by telex or facsimile to the
respective parties at the addresses and numbers set forth on Schedule 11.6
hereto or in accordance with any subsequent written direction from any party to
the others. All notices shall, except as otherwise expressly herein provided, be
effective (i) in the case of telex or facsimile, when received, (ii) in the case
of hand-delivered notice, when hand-delivered, (iii) in the case of telephone,
when telephoned, provided, however, that in order to be effective, telephonic
notices must be confirmed in writing no later than the next day by letter,
facsimile or telex, (iv) if given by mail, four (4) days after such
communication is deposited in the mails with first- class postage prepaid,
return receipt requested, and (v) if given by any other means (including by air
courier), when delivered; provided, that notices to the Agent with respect to
Revolving Credit Loan Requests and Swing Loan Requests, reduction of the
Revolving Credit Commitments, extensions of the Expiration Date, selection,
conversion or renewal of Interest Rate Options and prepayment notices shall not
be effective until received. Any Bank giving any notice to any Loan Party shall
simultaneously send a copy thereof to the Agent, and the Agent shall promptly
notify the other Banks of the receipt by it of any such notice.


                                      -98-
<PAGE>




                 11.7     Severability.

                          The provisions of this Agreement are intended to be
severable. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or
unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as
to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or
unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability
thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof in any
jurisdiction.

                 11.8     Governing Law.

                          This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract under
the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and for all purposes shall be
governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

                 11.9     Prior Understanding.

                          This Agreement supersedes all prior understandings
and agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties hereto and thereto
relating to the transactions provided for herein and therein, including any
prior confidentiality agreements and commitments.

                 11.10    Duration; Survival.

                          All representations and warranties of the Loan
Parties contained herein or made in connection herewith shall survive the making
of Loans and shall not be waived by the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, any investigation by the Agent or the Banks, the making of Loans, or
payment in full of the Loans and expiration or termination of all Letters of
Credit. All covenants and agreements of the Loan Parties contained in Sections
8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 herein shall continue in full force and effect from and after
the date hereof so long as the Borrower may borrow hereunder and until
termination of the Term Loan Commitments, Revolving Credit Commitments and Swing
Loan Commitment and repayment in full of the Loans and the expiration of all
outstanding Letters of Credit. All covenants and agreements of the Borrower
contained herein relating to the payment of principal, interest, premiums,
additional compensation or expenses and indemnification, including those set
forth in the Notes, Article 5 and Sections 10.5 and 11.3 hereof, shall survive
payment in full of the Loans and expiration or termination of all Letters of
Credit and termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments.

                 11.11    Successors and Assigns.

                          This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure
to the benefit of the Banks, the Agent, the Loan Parties and their respective
successors and assigns, except that none of the Loan Parties may assign or
transfer any of its rights and obligations hereunder or any interest herein.
Each Bank may, at its own cost, make assignments of or sell participations in
all or any part of any Loan or Loans made by it to one or more banks or other
entities, which shall be subject to the consent of the Agent and the Borrower
with respect to any assignee, which


                                      -99-
<PAGE>




consent shall not be unreasonably withheld ;provided that no consent of the
Borrower shall be required in the case of an assignment by a Bank to an
Affiliate of such Bank or if an Event of Default exists and is continuing.
Borrower acknowledges that each of the banks under the Existing Credit Agreement
immediately prior to the Closing Date is an acceptable assignee and consents to
an assignment by PNC Bank to such assignee. Assignments may not be made in
amounts less than the lesser of (i) $10,000,000 or (ii) 100% of the Revolving
Credit Commitment and outstanding Term Loans of the assigning Bank; provided,
however, that PNC may assign portions of its Revolving Credit Commitment and
outstanding Term Loans in an amount less than the amount specified in clauses
(i) and (ii) of this sentence so long as such assignment shall not cause the
Commitment of PNC to be less than (i) 25% of the total outstanding Commitments
if no Event of Default exists and is continuing, or (ii) 0% if an Event of
Default exists and is continuing. Any Bank which makes an assignment of any its
Loans or its Commitments must assign a percentage of its Term Loan and its Term
Loan Commitment which is equal to the percentage of its Revolving Credit Loans
and Revolving Credit Commitment which it is assigning. In the case of an
assignment, the Agent shall provide written notice thereof to the Borrower, and
upon receipt and acceptance by the Agent of the written agreement of such
assignee, in substantially the form attached as Exhibit 11.11 hereto, to be
bound by the terms hereof (including this Section 11.11 and Section 11.12) as if
it were an original Bank hereunder, the assignee shall have, to the extent of
such assignment (unless otherwise provided therein), the same rights, benefits
and obligations as it would have if it had been a signatory Bank hereunder, the
Revolving Credit Commitments and Term Loan Commitments shall be adjusted
accordingly, and upon surrender of the Notes subject to such assignment, the
Borrower shall execute and deliver a new Revolving Credit Note to the assignee
in an amount equal to the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment assumed by
it and a new Term Note in an amount equal to the Term Loan purchased by it and a
new Revolving Credit Note to the assigning Bank in an amount equal to the
Revolving Credit Commitment retained by it hereunder and an new Term Note in an
amount equal to the Term Loan retained by it hereunder. The assigning Bank shall
pay to the Agent a service fee of $3,500 for each assignment. In the case of a
participation, the participant shall only have the rights specified in Section
9.2(c) (the participant's rights against such Bank in respect of such
participation to be those set forth in the agreement executed by such Bank in
favor of the participant relating thereto and not to include any voting rights
except with respect to matters of the type referenced in clauses (i), (ii),
(iii) or (iv) under Section 11.1 hereof), all of such Bank's obligations under
this Agreement or any other Senior Loan Document shall remain unchanged, and all
amounts payable by any Loan Party hereunder or thereunder shall be determined as
if such Bank had not sold such participation. Any assignee or participant which
is not incorporated under the Laws of the United States of America or a state
thereof shall deliver to the Borrower and the Agent the form of certificate
described in Section 11.17 relating to federal income tax withholding. Each Bank
may furnish any publicly available information concerning any Loan Party or its
Affiliates and any other information concerning any Loan Party or its Affiliates
in the possession of such Bank from time to time to assignees and participants
(including prospective assignees or participants) provided such assignees and
participants agree to be bound by the provisions of Section 11.12 hereof.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, each Bank and each
assignee of a Bank hereunder may only make assignments which are pro rata of all
of its rights, benefits and obligations under this Agreement.


                                      -100-
<PAGE>





                 11.12    Confidentiality.

                          The Agent and the Banks each agree to keep
confidential all information obtained from any Loan Party or its Affiliates
which is nonpublic and confidential or proprietary in nature (including any
information the Borrower, Borrower or their Affiliates designate as
confidential), except as provided below, and to use such information only in
connection with their respective capacities as the Agent or as a Bank, as the
case may be, under this Agreement and for the purposes contemplated hereby. The
Agent and the Banks shall be permitted to disclose such information (i) to
outside legal counsel, accountants and other professional advisors who need to
know such information in connection with the administration and enforcement of
this Agreement, subject to receipt of written undertakings from such Persons to
maintain the confidentiality of such information, (ii) assignees and
participants as contemplated by Section 11.11, (iii) to the extent requested by
any bank regulatory authority or, with notice to the Borrower, as otherwise
required by applicable Law or by any subpoena or similar legal process, or in
connection with any investigation or proceeding arising out of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (iv) if it becomes publicly available other than
as a result of a breach of this Agreement or becomes available from a source not
subject to confidentiality restrictions, or (v) the Borrower or Borrower shall
have consented to such disclosure.

                 11.13    Counterparts.

                          This Agreement may be executed by different parties
hereto on any number of separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed
and delivered, shall be an original, and all such counterparts shall together
constitute one and the same instrument.

                 11.14    Exceptions.

                          The representations, warranties and covenants
contained herein shall be independent of each other and no exception to any
representation, warranty or covenant shall be deemed to be an exception to any
other representation, warranty or covenant contained herein unless expressly
provided, nor shall any such exceptions be deemed to permit any action or
omission that would be in contravention of applicable Law.

                 11.15    CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

                          EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE
NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY AND
THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND
THE BORROWER, THE AGENT AND THE BANKS HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION
OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER SENIOR LOAN DOCUMENT
TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

                 11.16    Joinder of Guarantors.

                          Any Subsidiary of the Borrower which is required to
join this Agreement as a Guarantor pursuant to Section 8.2(p) shall execute and
deliver to the Agent (i) a Guarantor


                                      -101-
<PAGE>




Joinder in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1(G)(1) pursuant
to which it shall join as a Guarantor each of the documents to which the
Guarantors are parties, and (ii) documents in the forms described in Section 7.1
[First Loans] modified as appropriate to relate to such Subsidiary and the owner
of the capital stock or other ownership interests in such Subsidiary shall
execute and deliver to the Agent documents necessary to grant and perfect Prior
Security Interests to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks in all of such
capital stock or other ownership interests in such Subsidiary. The Loan Parties
shall deliver such Guarantor Joinder and related documents to the Agent within
ten (10)Business Days after the date of the filing of such Subsidiary's articles
of incorporation if the Subsidiary is a corporation, the date of the filing of
its certificate of limited partnership if it is a limited partnership or the
date of its organization if it is an entity other than a limited partnership or
corporation.

                 11.17    Tax Withholding Clause.

                          Each Bank or assignee or participant of a bank that
is not incorporated under the Laws of the United States of America or a state
thereof agrees that it will deliver to each of the Borrower and the Agent two
(2) duly completed copies of the following: (i) Internal Revenue Service Form
W-9, 4224 or 1001, or other applicable form prescribed by the Internal Revenue
Service, certifying that such Bank, assignee or participant is entitled to
receive payments under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents without
deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes, or is
subject to such tax at a reduced rate under an applicable tax treaty, or (ii)
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or other applicable form or a certificate of
the Bank, assignee or participant indicating that no such exemption or reduced
rate is allowable with respect to such payments. Each Bank, assignee or
participant required to deliver to the Borrower and the Agent a form or
certificate pursuant to the preceding sentence shall deliver such form or
certificate as follows: (A) each Bank which is a party hereto on the Closing
Date shall deliver such form or certificate at least five (5) Business Days
prior to the first date on which any interest or fees are payable by the
Borrower hereunder for the account of each Bank; (B) each assignee or
participant shall deliver such form or certificate at least five (5) Business
Days before the effective date of such assignment or participation (unless the
Agent in its sole discretion shall permit such assignee or participant to
deliver such form or certificate less than five (5) Business Days before such
date in which case it shall be due on the date specified by the Agent). Each
Bank, assignee or participant which so delivers a Form W-8, W-9, 4224 or 1001
further undertakes to deliver to each of the Borrower and the Agent two (2)
additional copies of such form (or a successor form) on or before the date that
such form expires or becomes obsolete or after the occurrence of any event
requiring a change in the most recent form so delivered by it, and such
amendments thereto or extensions or renewals thereof as may be reasonably
requested by the Borrower or the Agent, either certifying that such Bank,
assignee or participant is entitled to receive payments under this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents without deduction or withholding of any United States
federal income taxes or is subject to such tax at a reduced rate under an
applicable tax treaty or stating that no such exemption or reduced rate is
allowable. The Agent shall be entitled to withhold United States federal income
taxes at the full withholding rate unless the Bank, assignee or participant
establishes an exemption or that it is subject to a reduced rate as established
pursuant to the above provisions.


                                      -102-
<PAGE>




                 11.18    Nature of Representations, Warranties and Covenants
of Borrower and Guarantors.

                          Each Guarantor makes each representation, warranty
and covenant hereunder only with respect to itself and its assets, liabilities
and business and does not warrant or covenant with respect to any other Loan
Party or the assets, liabilities of the other Guarantors or the Borrower. The
Borrower makes all representations, warranties and covenants hereunder with
respect to the assets, liabilities and business of the Borrower and each of the
other Guarantors. The foregoing does not modify or limit in any manner the
Guaranty Agreement or the obligations of each Guarantor under such Guaranty
Agreement.

                 11.19    Termination of Prior Credit Agreement.

                          The Loan Parties and the Banks that are parties to
that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 10,1994 each acknowledge that
such agreement is terminated and the commitments of the banks thereunder are
canceled as of the date hereof, subject to the obligation of the borrower
thereunder to pay any amounts which may be owing thereunder.


                                      -103-
<PAGE>





               [Signature Page to Credit Agreement; Page 1 of 3]


                          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their
officers thereunto duly authorized, have executed this Agreement as of the day
and year first above written.

                                        BORROWER:

ATTEST:                                 CHASE BRASS INDUSTRIES, INC.:


                                        By:
----------------------------------         -------------------------------------
Name:                                   Name:
     -----------------------------           -----------------------------------
Title:                                  Title:
      ----------------------------            ----------------------------------


                                        GUARANTORS:

ATTEST:                                 CHASE BRASS & COPPER COMPANY, INC.


                                        By:
----------------------------------         -------------------------------------
Name:                                   Name:
     -----------------------------           -----------------------------------
Title:                                  Title:
      ----------------------------            ----------------------------------


ATTEST:                                 LEAVITT TUBE COMPANY, INC.


                                        By:
----------------------------------         -------------------------------------
Name:                                   Name:
     -----------------------------           -----------------------------------
Title:                                  Title:
      ----------------------------            ----------------------------------


ATTEST:                                 HOLCO CORPORATION


                                        By:
----------------------------------         -------------------------------------
Name:                                   Name:
     -----------------------------           -----------------------------------
Title:                                  Title:
      ----------------------------            ----------------------------------


                                      -104-
<PAGE>





               [Signature Page to Credit Agreement;  Page 2 of 3]



                                        AGENT AND BANKS:

                                        PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                                        individually and as the Agent


                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                              ----------------------------------


                                        ABN AMRO BANK N.V.
                                        By:  ABN AMRO NORTH AMERICA, INC., its
                                        agent


                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                              ----------------------------------


                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                              ----------------------------------


                                        COMERICA BANK


                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                              ----------------------------------


                                      -105-
<PAGE>





               [Signature Page to Credit Agreement;  Page 3 of 3]


                                        IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY


                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                              ----------------------------------


                                        NATIONAL CITY BANK


                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                              ----------------------------------


                                        NBD BANK


                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                              ----------------------------------


                                        STAR BANK, N.A.


                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                              ----------------------------------


                                      -106-
<PAGE>





                             SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

        The schedules and exhibits to the Credit Agreement have been omitted. A
list of schedules to the Credit Agreement is contained on page v of the Credit
Agreement. A list of exhibits to the Credit Agreement is contained on page vi of
the Credit Agreement.

        Chase Brass Industries, Inc. agrees to furnish supplementally to the
Securities and Exchange Commission a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit
upon request.


                                      -107-