Document:

<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.7

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                  NONCOMPETITION AND NONSOLICITATION AGREEMENT

         THIS NONCOMPETITION AND NONSOLICITATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"),
dated as of June 13, 2000, among Bell Sports Corp. ("BSC"), Charlesbank Capital
Partners LLC_("Charlesbank"), and Brentwood Private Equity LLC ("Brentwood")
(Charlesbank and Brentwood are also referred to herein individually as an
"Obligor" and collectively as the "Obligors"), and Bell Sports Holdings, L.L.C.,
a Delaware limited liability company (the "Purchaser"),

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, Bell Sports Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), has
entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated as
of June 13, 2000, by and among BSC, Purchaser and Andsonica Acquisition Corp.;

         WHEREAS, the Obligors own a significant portion of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of the Company, and the Obligors have substantial
knowledge and expertise regarding the business and affairs of the Company;

         WHEREAS, the Merger Agreement requires the Obligors to enter into this
Agreement; and

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, and as a material inducement to the Purchaser to enter into the
Merger Agreement, the parties hereto hereby covenant and agree as follows:

         1.       Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized
term used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning set forth in
the Merger Agreement.

         2.       Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation.

                  2.1.     Noncompetition. Each Obligor covenants and agrees
that, for a period commencing on the date hereof and ending on July 31, 2002,
neither it nor any of its affiliates (other than the Company) shall, directly or
indirectly, devote any endeavor or effort to, or invest in, a Person or business
that is the same as or substantially similar to the Company's business on the
date hereof, being the manufacturer and marketer of bicycle, inline skating,
snowboarding, snow skiing and water sport helmets and bicycle accessories (the
"Business"), in the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia or Asia.

<PAGE>   2

                  2.2.     Nonsolicitation. Each Obligor covenants and agrees
that, for a period commencing on the date hereof and ending on July 31, 2002,
neither of the Obligors nor any of their affiliates shall, whether for their own
account or for the account of any other Person, divert or attempt to divert,
directly or indirectly, or otherwise interfere in a material fashion with the
Business, or any dealers or contractors of the Business, or induce or attempt to
induce, directly or indirectly, any Person to terminate his or her employment or
other business association with the Company or its subsidiaries.

                  2.3.     Confidential Information. Neither of the Obligors nor
any of their Affiliates shall, at any time, either during the term or after
termination or expiration of this Agreement, without the prior express written
consent of the Purchaser, disclose or use for its own benefit or the benefit of
any Person, any secret or confidential knowledge or information pertaining,
directly or indirectly, to any aspect of the Company or its subsidiaries'
business or affairs, unless and to the extent that such information falls into
or is otherwise in the public domain (other than by reason of a breach of this
Agreement or any confidentiality agreement by either of the Obligors or any of
their Affiliates) or unless such disclosure is required by law; provided,
however, that such information may be disclosed to financial and legal advisors
of the Obligor for the purpose of filing tax returns.

                  2.4.     Severability. The Obligors acknowledge that the
provisions of this Section 2 are essential to the continued goodwill and
profitability of the Company and further acknowledge that the application or
operation thereof will not involve a substantial hardship upon either of them.
Should any court of competent jurisdiction determine that the provisions of this
Section 2 are unenforceable in respect of scope, duration or geographic area,
such court shall be empowered to substitute, to the extent enforceable,
provisions similar hereto or other provisions so as to provide to the Purchaser,
to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the benefits intended by this
Section 2.

                  2.5.     Injunctive Relief. The parties recognize that
irreparable damage would result in the event that the provisions of this Section
2 are not specifically enforced. Accordingly, the parties hereby agree that the
beneficiary of such Section shall be entitled, in addition to any other remedy
or damages available to it in the event of any such violation, to injunctive
relief to restrain such violation by any Person intended to be subject to the
restrictions contained herein. In addition, if any dispute arises concerning
action in violation of any such provisions, the parties hereto agree that an
injunction may issue restraining such action pending determination of such
controversy and that no bond or other security shall be required in connection
therewith. The remedies contained in this Section 2.5 shall not be exclusive

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

and shall be in addition to any other remedies that the parties may have.

         3.       Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Each right, power and remedy
of the Purchaser as provided for in this Agreement or now or hereafter existing
at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise shall be cumulative and concurrent
and shall be in addition to every other right, power or remedy provided for in
this Agreement or in any other document or now or hereafter existing at law, in
equity, by statute or otherwise, and the exercise or beginning of the exercise
by the Purchaser of any one or more of such rights, powers or remedies shall not
preclude the simultaneous or later exercise by the Purchaser of any or all such
other rights, powers or remedies.

         4.       Strict Performance. No failure or delay by the Purchaser to
insist upon the strict performance of any term, condition, covenant or agreement
of this Agreement or of any other document, or to exercise any right, power or
remedy upon a breach thereof, shall constitute a waiver of any such term,
condition, covenant or agreement or of any such breach, or preclude the
Purchaser from exercising any such right, power or remedy at any later time or
times.

         5.       Amendment. Neither this Agreement nor any term, condition,
covenant or agreement hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated
orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom
enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

         6.       Representations and Warranties. Each Obligor represents and
warrants to the Purchaser as follows:

                           (a) Such Obligor has full power and authority to
enter into this Agreement, and this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
and delivered by such Obligor and is a valid and binding agreement and
obligation of such Obligor enforceable against such Person in accordance with
its terms, except to the extent limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium and other similar laws of general application relating to or
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights and general principles of equity.

                           (b) Neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated herein nor
compliance with the terms hereof will conflict with or result in a breach of,
any Law or Order applicable to such Obligor or any agreement or instrument to
which such Obligor is a party or by which such Person is bound.

                           (c) No Order of any kind is in existence that would
prevent such Obligor from performing his obligations set forth herein. No
Consent or approval of any third party is required by virtue of the execution
hereof by such Obligor or

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated herein by such Obligor.

         7.       Review of Documents. Each Obligor represents that, with the
assistance of counsel of his choice, he has read and reviewed the documents
delivered in connection with the transactions identified herein and contemplated
hereby, including, without limitation, the Merger Agreement, as each such
Obligor or his counsel deems necessary or desirable to read.

         8.       Severability. If any clause or provision herein operates or
would prospectively operate to invalidate this Agreement in whole or in part,
then such clause or provision only shall be held null and void as though not
contained herein, and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain operative and
in full force and effect.

         9.       Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are
included for convenience of reference only and are not intended to modify the
terms hereof.

         10.      Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware
applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state,
without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

         11.      Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Merger Agreement
represents the final agreement of the parties pertaining to the subject matter
of this Agreement and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior,
contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements of the parties. There are no
unwritten oral agreements between the parties pertaining to the subject matter
of this Agreement.

         12.      Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the respective heirs, representatives, successors
and assigns of the parties hereto, provided that this Agreement may not be
assigned by either of the Obligors without the prior written consent of the
Purchaser, which consent may be withheld in the Purchaser's sole discretion.

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

         14.      Notices. All notices and other communications provided for
herein shall be by facsimile transmission, or in writing and telecopied, or
delivered by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, to the intended
recipient at the

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
telephone number, telecopier number, or "Address for Notices" specified:

         If to Charlesbank:                 Charlesbank Capital Partners LLC
                                            600 Atlantic Avenue
                                            26th Floor
                                            Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2203
                                            Attention:  Tim Palmer
                                            Telephone:  (617) 619-5400
                                            Telecopy:   (617) 619-5402

         with a copy to:                    Sidley & Austin
                                            Bank One Plaza
                                            10 South Dearborn Street
                                            Chicago, Illinois 60603
                                            Attention:  Larry A. Barden
                                            Telephone:  (312) 853-7000
                                            Telecopy:   (312) 853-7036

         If to Brentwood:                   Brentwood Private Equity LLC
                                            11150 Santa Monica Boulevard
                                            Suite 1200
                                            Los Angeles, California 90025
                                            Attention:  Anthony Choe
                                            Telephone:  (310) 477-6611
                                            Telecopy:   (310) 477-1011

         with a copy to:                    Sidley & Austin
                                            Bank One Plaza
                                            10 South Dearborn Street
                                            Chicago, Illinois 60603
                                            Attention:  Larry A. Barden
                                            Telephone:  (312) 853-7000
                                            Telecopy:   (312) 853-7036

         If to Purchaser:                   Bell Sports Holdings, L.L.C.
                                            c/o Chartwell Investments II LLC
                                            717 Fifth Avenue
                                            23rd Floor
                                            New York, New York 10022
                                            Attention:  Michael S. Shein
                                            Telephone:  (212) 521-5500
                                            Telecopy:   (212) 521-5533

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

         with a copy to:                    Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld,
                                              L.L.P.
                                            1333 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
                                            Suite 400
                                            Washington, DC 20036
                                            Attention:  Russell W. Parks, Jr.
                                            Telephone:  (202) 887-4092
                                            Telecopier: (202) 887-4288

         If to the Company:                 Bell Sports Corp.
                                            6350 San Ignacio Avenue
                                            San Jose, California 95119
                                            Attention:  Richard Willis
                                            Telephone:  (408) 574-3400
                                            Telecopy:   (408) 224-3694

         with a copy to:                    Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld,
                                              L.L.P.
                                            1333 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
                                            Suite 400
                                            Washington, DC 20036
                                            Attention:  Russell W. Parks, Jr.
                                            Telephone:  (202) 887-4092
                                            Telecopier: (202) 887-4288

or, as to any party, at such other telecopier number or address as may
designated by such party in a notice to the other parties. Except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, all notices and other communications hereunder shall
be deemed to have been duly given when transmitted by confirmed telecopier or
when actually received by the intended recipient.

                     [THE NEXT PAGE IS THE SIGNATURE PAGE.]

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party has caused this Agreement to be duly
executed and delivered in its name and on its behalf, all as of the date and
year first above written.

                                               BRENTWOOD PRIVATE EQUITY LLC

                                               By: /s/ William M. Barnum
                                                  ------------------------------
                                               Name:   William M. Barnum
                                                    ----------------------------
                                               Title:  Manager
                                                     ---------------------------

                                               CHARLESBANK CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC

                                               By: /s/ Tim R. Palmer
                                                  ------------------------------
                                               Name:   Tim R. Palmer
                                                    ----------------------------
                                               Title:  Managing Directors
                                                     ---------------------------
                                               By: /s/ MICHAEL THONIS
                                                  ------------------------------
                                               Name:   Michael Thonis
                                                    ----------------------------

                                               BELL SPORTS CORP.

                                               By: /s/ Richard S Willis
                                                  ------------------------------
                                               Name:   Richard S Willis
                                                    ----------------------------
                                               Title:  Executive V.P.
                                                     ---------------------------

                                               BELL SPORTS HOLDINGS, L.L.C.

                                               By: /s/ Michael Shein
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name:  Michael Shein
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Title: Director
                                               ---------------------------------

                                               Signature Page for Noncompetition
                                                   and Nonsolicitation Agreement<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                                REVOLVING CREDIT
                                       AND
                               TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

                           Dated as of August 11, 2000
                                  by and among
                                BELL SPORTS, INC.
                                (the "Borrower")

                                       and

                                BELL SPORTS CORP.
                                 (the "Parent")

                                       and

                              FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
       and the other lending institutions set forth on Schedule 1, hereto

                                       and

                  FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as administrative agent
                          (the "Administrative Agent")
                                       and
                 FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as syndication agent
                            (the "Syndication Agent")
                                       and
          GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, as Documentation Agent
                           (the "Documentation Agent")
                                      with

                     FLEETBOSTON ROBERTSON STEPHENS INC. and
                          FIRST UNION SECURITIES, INC.,
                          Having Acted as Co-Arrangers

<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                <C>
1.   DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF INTERPRETATION.........................................................1
     ---------------------------------------
         1.1.   Definitions..........................................................................1
                -----------
         1.2.   Rules of Interpretation..............................................................34
                -----------------------
2.   THE REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY...................................................................35
     -----------------------------
         2.1.   Commitment to Lend...................................................................35
                ------------------
         2.2.   Commitment Fee.......................................................................35
                --------------
         2.3.   Reduction of Total Revolving Credit Commitment.......................................36
                ----------------------------------------------
         2.4.   The Revolving Credit Notes...........................................................36
                --------------------------
         2.5.   Interest on Revolving Credit Loans...................................................36
                ----------------------------------
         2.6.   Requests for Revolving Credit Loans..................................................37
                -----------------------------------
                  2.6.1.   General...................................................................37
                           -------
                  2.6.2.   Swing Line................................................................37
                           ----------
                  2.6.3.   Loans to Cover Reimbursement Obligations..................................38
                           ----------------------------------------
         2.7.   Conversion Options...................................................................38
                ------------------
                  2.7.1.   Conversion to Different Type of Revolving Credit Loan.....................38
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                  2.7.2.   Continuation of Type of Revolving Credit Loan.............................39
                           ---------------------------------------------
                  2.7.3.   Eurodollar Rate Loans.....................................................39
                           ---------------------
         2.8.   Funds for Revolving Credit Loans.....................................................39
                --------------------------------
                  2.8.1.   Funding Procedures........................................................39
                           ------------------
                  2.8.2.   Advances by Administrative Agent..........................................40
                           --------------------------------
         2.9.   Change in Borrowing Base.............................................................40
                ------------------------
         2.10.   Settlements.........................................................................41
                 -----------
                  2.10.1.   General..................................................................41
                            -------
                  2.10.2.   Failure to Make Funds Available..........................................41
                            -------------------------------
                  2.10.3.   No Effect on Other Banks.................................................42
                            ------------------------
         2.11.   Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans Prior to Event of Default......................42
                 --------------------------------------------------------------
                  2.11.1.   Credit for Funds Received in Concentration Account.......................42
                            --------------------------------------------------
                  2.11.2.   Application of Payments Prior to Event of Default........................43
                            -------------------------------------------------
         2.12.   Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans After Event of Default.........................43
                 -----------------------------------------------------------
3.   REPAYMENT OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.........................................................43
     ---------------------------------------
         3.1.   Maturity.............................................................................43
                --------
         3.2.   Mandatory Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans.......................................43
                ----------------------------------------------
         3.3.   Annual Clean-Down....................................................................44
                -----------------
         3.4.   Optional Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans........................................44
                ---------------------------------------------
4.   THE TERM LOANS..................................................................................44
     --------------
         4.1.   Commitment to Lend...................................................................44
                ------------------
                  4.1.1.   Term A Loan...............................................................44
                           -----------
                  4.1.2.   Term B Loan...............................................................45
                           -----------
                  4.1.3.   Determination of Amount of Term A Loan and Term B Loan....................45
                           ------------------------------------------------------
         4.2.   Commitment Fee.......................................................................45
                --------------
         4.3.   Reduction of Total Term Commitment; Termination of Term Commitments..................46
                -------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   3

                                      -ii-

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                <C>
                  4.3.1.   Reduction by Borrower.....................................................46
                           ---------------------
                  4.3.2.   Termination of Term Commitments...........................................46
                           -------------------------------
         4.4.   The Term Notes.......................................................................46
                --------------
                  4.4.1.   Term A Notes..............................................................46
                           ------------
                  4.4.2.   Term B Notes..............................................................46
                           ------------
         4.5.   Mandatory Payments of Principal of Term Loans........................................47
                ---------------------------------------------
                  4.5.1.   Term A Loans..............................................................47
                           ------------
                  4.5.2.   Term B Loans..............................................................47
                           ------------
                  4.5.3.   Annual Consolidated Excess Cash Flow Recapture............................48
                           ----------------------------------------------
                  4.5.4.   Proceeds of Certain Events................................................48
                           -------- -- ------- ------
         4.6.   Optional Prepayment of Term Loans....................................................50
                ---------------------------------
         4.7.   Interest on Term Loans...............................................................50
                ----------------------
                  4.7.1.   Interest Rates............................................................50
                           --------------
                  4.7.2.  Notification by Borrower...................................................51
                          ------------------------
                  4.7.3.  Amounts, etc...............................................................51
                          ------------
5.   LETTERS OF CREDIT...............................................................................52
     -----------------
         5.1.   Letter of Credit Commitments.........................................................52
                ----------------------------
                  5.1.1.   Commitment to Issue Letters of Credit.....................................52
                           -------------------------------------
                  5.1.2.   Letter of Credit Applications.............................................52
                           -----------------------------
                  5.1.3.   Terms of Letters of Credit................................................52
                           --------------------------
                  5.1.4.   Reimbursement Obligations of Banks........................................53
                           ----------------------------------
                  5.1.5.   Participations of Banks...................................................53
                           -----------------------
         5.2.   Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower.............................................53
                ----------------------------------------
         5.3.   Letter of Credit Payments............................................................54
                -------------------------
         5.4.   Obligations Absolute.................................................................55
                --------------------
         5.5.   Reliance by Issuer...................................................................55
                ------------------
         5.6.   Letter of Credit Fee.................................................................56
                --------------------
6.   CERTAIN GENERAL PROVISIONS......................................................................56
     --------------------------
         6.1.   Closing Fees.........................................................................56
                ------------
         6.2.   Administrative Agent's Fee...........................................................56
                --------------------------
         6.3.   Funds for Payments...................................................................56
                ------------------
                  6.3.1.   Payments to Administrative Agent..........................................56
                           --------------------------------
                  6.3.2.   No Offset, etc............................................................57
                           --------------
                  6.3.3.   Withholding Forms.........................................................57
                           -----------------
                  6.3.4.   Exclusions................................................................58
                           ----------
         6.4.   Computations.........................................................................58
                ------------
         6.5.   Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rate...............................................59
                --------------------------------------
         6.6.   Illegality...........................................................................59
                ----------
         6.7.   Additional Costs, etc................................................................59
                ---------------------
         6.8.   Capital Adequacy.....................................................................61
                ----------------
         6.9.   Certificate..........................................................................61
                -----------
         6.10.   Indemnity...........................................................................62
                 ---------
         6.11.   Interest After Default..............................................................62
                 ----------------------
                  6.11.1.   Overdue Amounts..........................................................62
                            ---------------
                  6.11.2.   Amounts Not Overdue......................................................62
                            -------------------
         6.12.   Usury...............................................................................62
                 -----
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   4

                                     -iii-

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                <C>
         6.13.   Replacement of Banks................................................................63
                 --------------------
7.   PARENT GUARANTY.................................................................................63
     ---------------
         7.1.   Guaranty of Payment and Performance..................................................64
                -----------------------------------
         7.2.   Parent's Agreement to Pay Enforcement Costs, etc.....................................64
                ------------------------------------------------
         7.3.   Waivers by the Parent; Banks' Freedom to Act.........................................64
                --------------------------------------------
         7.4.   Unenforceability of Obligations Against Borrower.....................................65
                ------------------------------------------------
         7.5.   Subrogation; Subordination...........................................................65
                --------------------------
                  7.5.1.   Postponement of Rights Against Borrower...................................66
                           ---------------------------------------
                  7.5.2.   Subordination.............................................................66
                           -------------
                  7.5.3.   Provisions Supplemental...................................................66
                           -----------------------
         7.6.   Security; Setoff.....................................................................66
                ----------------
         7.7.   Further Assurances...................................................................67
                ------------------
         7.8.   Reinstatement; Voided Payment........................................................67
                -----------------------------
         7.9.   Successors and Assigns...............................................................67
                ----------------------
8.   SECURITY AND GUARANTIES.........................................................................68
     -----------------------
         8.1.   Security of Borrower.................................................................68
                --------------------
         8.2.   Guaranty and Security of the Parent..................................................68
                -----------------------------------
         8.3.   Guaranties and Security of Subsidiaries..............................................68
                ---------------------------------------
9.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES..................................................................69
     ------------------------------
         9.1.   Corporate Authority..................................................................69
                -------------------
                  9.1.1.   Incorporation; Good Standing..............................................69
                           ----------------------------
                  9.1.2.   Authorization.............................................................69
                           -------------
                  9.1.3.   Enforceability............................................................69
                           --------------
         9.2.   Governmental Approvals...............................................................69
                ----------------------
         9.3.   Title to Properties; Leases..........................................................70
                ---------------------------
         9.4.   Financial Statements and Projections.................................................70
                ------------------------------------
                  9.4.1.   Fiscal Year...............................................................70
                           -----------
                  9.4.2.   Financial Statements......................................................70
                           --------------------
                  9.4.3.   Projections...............................................................70
                           -----------
         9.5.   No Material Changes, etc.............................................................71
                ------------------------
         9.6.   Franchises, Patents, Copyrights, etc.................................................71
                ------------------------------------
         9.7.   Litigation...........................................................................71
                ----------
         9.8.   No Materially Adverse Contracts, etc.................................................71
                ------------------------------------
         9.9.   Compliance with Other Instruments, Laws, etc.........................................72
                --------------------------------------------
         9.10.   Tax Status..........................................................................72
                 ----------
         9.11.   No Event of Default.................................................................72
                 -------------------
         9.12.   Holding Company and Investment Company Acts.........................................72
                 -------------------------------------------
         9.13.   Absence of Financing Statements, etc................................................72
                 ------------------------------------
         9.14.   Perfection of Security Interest.....................................................73
                 -------------------------------
         9.15.   Certain Transactions................................................................73
                 --------------------
         9.16.   Employee Benefit Plans..............................................................73
                 ----------------------
                  9.16.1.   In General...............................................................73
                            ----------
                  9.16.2.   Terminability of Welfare Plans...........................................74
                            ------------------------------
                  9.16.3.   Guaranteed Pension Plans.................................................74
                            ------------------------
                  9.16.4.   Multiemployer Plans......................................................74
                            -------------------
         9.17.   Use of Proceeds.....................................................................75
                 ---------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   5

                                      -iv-

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                <C>
                  9.17.1.   General..................................................................75
                            -------
                  9.17.2.   Regulations U and X......................................................75
                            -------------------
                  9.17.3.   Ineligible Securities....................................................75
                            ---------------------
         9.18.   Environmental Compliance............................................................75
                 ------------------------
         9.19.   Subsidiaries, etc...................................................................77
                 ------------------
                  9.19.1.   Existing Subsidiaries....................................................77
                            ---------------------
                  9.19.2.   Insignificant Subsidiaries...............................................77
                            --------------------------
         9.20.   Bank Accounts.......................................................................77
                 -------------
         9.21.   Disclosure..........................................................................77
                 ----------
         9.22.   Cash Contributions..................................................................78
                 ------------------
         9.23.   Recapitalization Documents..........................................................78
                 --------------------------
         9.24.   Mezzanine Documents.................................................................78
                 -------------------
         9.25.   Loans and Senior Indebtedness.......................................................78
                 -----------------------------
         9.26.   Insurance...........................................................................78
                 ---------
10.   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER AND THE PARENT...........................................78
      ----------------------------------------------------
         10.1.   Punctual Payment....................................................................79
                 ----------------
         10.2.   Maintenance of Office...............................................................79
                 ---------------------
         10.3.   Records and Accounts................................................................79
                 --------------------
         10.4.   Financial Statements, Certificates and Information..................................79
                 --------------------------------------------------
         10.5.   Notices.............................................................................81
                 -------
                  10.5.1.   Defaults.................................................................81
                            --------
                  10.5.2.   Environmental Events.....................................................81
                            --------------------
                  10.5.3.   Notification of Claims Against Collateral................................81
                            -----------------------------------------
                  10.5.4.   Notice of Litigation and Judgments.......................................81
                            ----------------------------------
                  10.5.5.   Notices Concerning Inventory Collateral..................................82
                            ---------------------------------------
                  10.5.6.   Other Notices............................................................82
                            -------------
         10.6.   Corporate Existence; Maintenance of Properties......................................82
                 ----------------------------------------------
         10.7.   Insurance...........................................................................83
                 ---------
         10.8.   Taxes...............................................................................83
                 -----
         10.9.   Inspection of Properties and Books, etc.............................................83
                 ----------------------------------------
                  10.9.1.   General..................................................................83
                            -------
                  10.9.2.   Collateral Reports.......................................................84
                            ------------------
                  10.9.3.   Appraisals...............................................................84
                            ----------
                  10.9.4.   Environmental Assessments................................................85
                            -------------------------
                  10.9.5.   Communication with Accountants...........................................85
                            ------------------------------
         10.10.   Compliance with Laws, Contracts, Licenses, and Permits.............................85
                  ------------------------------------------------------
         10.11.   Employee Benefit Plans.............................................................86
                  ----------------------
         10.12.   Use of Proceeds....................................................................86
                  ---------------
         10.13.   Additional Mortgaged Property......................................................86
                  -----------------------------
         10.14.   Bank Accounts......................................................................86
                  -------------
                  10.14.1.  General..................................................................86
                            -------
                  10.14.2.  Acknowledgment of Application............................................87
                            -----------------------------
                  10.14.2.  New Bank Accounts........................................................87
                            -----------------
         10.15.   Further Assurances.................................................................87
                  ------------------
         10.16.   Subsidiaries.......................................................................87
                  ------------
                  10.16.1.   Additional Subsidiaries.................................................87
                             -----------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   6

                                      -v-

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                <C>
                  10.16.2.   Insignificant Subsidiaries..............................................88
                             --------------------------
         10.17.   New Guarantors.....................................................................88
                  --------------
         10.18.   Pledge of Equity Interests.........................................................88
                  --------------------------
         10.19.   Interest Rate Protection...........................................................88
                  ------------------------
         10.20.   Security Interest in Foreign Patents...............................................88
                  ------------------------------------
11.   CERTAIN NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER AND THE PARENT......................................89
      ---------------------------------------------------------
         11.1.   Restrictions on Indebtedness........................................................89
                 ----------------------------
         11.2.   Restrictions on Liens...............................................................92
                 ---------------------
                  11.2.1.   Permitted Liens..........................................................92
                            ---------------
                  11.2.2.   Restrictions on Negative Pledges and Upstream Limitations................94
                            ---------------------------------------------------------
         11.3.   Restrictions on Investments.........................................................95
                 ---------------------------
         11.4.   Distributions and Restricted Payments...............................................97
                 -------------------------------------
         11.5.   Mergers and Consolidations..........................................................98
                 --------------------------
                  11.5.1.   Mergers and Acquisitions.................................................98
                            ------------------------
                  11.5.2.   Disposition of Assets....................................................98
                            ---------------------
         11.6.   Sale and Leaseback..................................................................98
                 ------------------
         11.7.   Compliance with Environmental Laws..................................................98
                 ----------------------------------
         11.8.   Subordinated Debt...................................................................99
                 -----------------
         11.9.   Employee Benefit Plans..............................................................99
                 ----------------------
         11.10.   Business Activities................................................................99
                  -------------------
         11.11.   Fiscal Year........................................................................100
                  -----------
         11.12.   Transactions with Affiliates.......................................................100
                  ----------------------------
         11.13.   Bank Accounts......................................................................101
                  -------------
         11.14.    Inconsistent Agreements...........................................................101
                  ------------------------
         11.15.   Modification of Recapitalization Documents, Management Agreement
                  ----------------------------------------------------------------
         and Advisory Agreement .....................................................................101
         ----------------------
         11.16.   Charter Amendments.................................................................101
                  ------------------
         11.17.   Conduct of Business................................................................101
                  -------------------
12.   FINANCIAL COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER AND THE PARENT.............................................101
      --------------------------------------------------
         12.1.   Leverage Ratio......................................................................102
                 --------------
         12.2.   Senior Leverage Ratio...............................................................102
                 ---------------------
         12.3.   Interest Coverage...................................................................103
                 -----------------
         12.4.   Fixed Charge Coverage...............................................................104
                 ---------------------
         12.5.   Capital Expenditures................................................................104
                 --------------------
13.   CLOSING CONDITIONS.............................................................................104
      ------------------
         13.1.   Initial Closing.....................................................................104
                 ---------------
                  13.1.1.   Loan Documents etc.......................................................104
                            ------------------
                           13.1.1.1.   Loan Documents................................................104
                                       ---- ---------
                           13.1.1.2.   Subordination Documents.......................................104
                                       -----------------------
                           13.1.1.3.   Mezzanine Documents...........................................104
                                       -------------------
                           13.1.1.4.   Recapitalization Documents....................................105
                                       --------------------------
                  13.1.2.   Certified Copies of Charter Documents....................................105
                            --------------------------------------
                  13.1.3.   Corporate Action.........................................................105
                            ----------------
                  13.1.4.   Incumbency Certificate...................................................105
                            ----------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   7

                                      -vi-

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                <C>
                  13.1.5.   Validity of Liens........................................................105
                            -----------------
                  13.1.6.   Perfection Certificates and UCC Search Results...........................105
                            ----------------------------------------------
                  13.1.7.   Survey and Taxes.........................................................106
                            ----------------
                  13.1.8.   Title Insurance..........................................................106
                            ---------------
                  13.1.9.   Landlord Consents........................................................106
                            -----------------
                  13.1.10.   Certificates of Insurance...............................................106
                             -------------------------
                  13.1.11.   Agency Account Agreements...............................................106
                             -------------------------
                  13.1.12.   Borrowing Base Report...................................................106
                             ---------------------
                  13.1.13.   Financial Statements; Compliance Certificate............................106
                             --------------------------------------------
                  13.1.14.   Accounts Receivable Aging Report........................................107
                             --------------------------------
                  13.1.15.   Hazardous Waste Assessments.............................................107
                             ---------------------------
                  13.1.16.   Solvency Certificate....................................................107
                             --------------------
                  13.1.17.   Consummation of Certain Transaction.....................................107
                             -----------------------------------
                  13.1.18.   Opinion of Counsel......................................................107
                             ------------------
                  13.1.19.   Payment of Fees.........................................................108
                             ---------------
                  13.1.20.   Payoff Letter...........................................................108
                             -------------
                  13.1.21.   Disbursement Instructions...............................................108
                             -------------------------
         13.2.   Conditions Precedent to Second Closing..............................................108
                 --------------------------------------
                  13.2.1.   Expiration of Offer Period...............................................108
                            --------------------------
                  13.2.2.   Disbursement Instructions................................................109
                            -------------------------
                  13.2.3.   Officer's Certificate....................................................109
                            ---------------------
14.   CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS...................................................................109
      ----------------------------
         14.1.   Representations True; No Event of Default...........................................109
                 -----------------------------------------
         14.2.   No Legal Impediment.................................................................109
                 -------------------
         14.3.   Governmental Regulation.............................................................109
                 -----------------------
         14.4.   Proceedings and Documents...........................................................110
                 -------------------------
         14.5.   Borrowing Base Report...............................................................110
                 ---------------------
15.   EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION; ETC...........................................................110
      ------------------------------------
         15.1.   Events of Default and Acceleration..................................................110
                 ----------------------------------
         15.2.   Termination of Commitments..........................................................114
                 --------------------------
         15.3.   Remedies............................................................................114
                 --------
         15.4.   Distribution of Collateral Proceeds.................................................115
                 -----------------------------------
16.   SETOFF.........................................................................................116
      ------
17.   THE AGENTS.....................................................................................116
      ----------
         17.1.   Authorization.......................................................................116
                 -------------
         17.2.   Employees and Agents................................................................117
                 --------------------
         17.3.   No Liability........................................................................117
                 ------------
         17.4.   No Representations..................................................................118
                 ------------------
                  17.4.1.   General..................................................................118
                            -------
                  17.4.2.   Closing Documentation, etc...............................................118
                            --------------------------
         17.5.   Payments............................................................................118
                 --------
                  17.5.1.   Payments to Administrative Agent.........................................118
                            --------------------------------
                  17.5.2.   Distribution by Administrative Agent.....................................119
                            ------------------------------------
                  17.5.3.   Delinquent Banks.........................................................119
                            ----------------
         17.6.   Holders of Notes....................................................................119
                 ----------------
         17.7.   Indemnity...........................................................................119
                 ---------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   8

                                     -vii-

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                <C>
         17.8.   Agents as Banks.....................................................................120
                 ---------------
         17.9.   Resignation.........................................................................120
                 -----------
         17.10.   Notification of Defaults and Events of Default.....................................120
                  ----------------------------------------------
         17.11.   Duties in the Case of Enforcement..................................................120
                  ---------------------------------
18.   EXPENSES AND INDEMNIFICATION...................................................................121
      ----------------------------
         18.1.   Expenses............................................................................121
                 --------
         18.2.   Indemnification.....................................................................122
                 ---------------
         18.3.   Survival............................................................................122
                 --------
19.   TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION..................................................122
      ---------------------------------------------
         19.1.   Sharing of Information with Section 20 Subsidiary...................................122
                 -------------------------------------------------
         19.2.   Confidentiality.....................................................................123
                 ---------------
         19.3.   Prior Notification..................................................................123
                 ------------------
         19.4.   Other...............................................................................123
                 -----
20.   SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS, ETC.....................................................................124
      --------------------------
21.   ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATION...................................................................124
      ----------------------------
         21.1.   Conditions to Assignment by Banks...................................................124
                 ---------------------------------
         21.2.   Certain Representations and Warranties; Limitations; Covenants......................125
                 --------------------------------------------------------------
         21.3.   Register............................................................................126
                 --------
         21.4.   New Notes...........................................................................126
                 ---------
         21.5.   Participations......................................................................127
                 --------------
         21.6.   Disclosure..........................................................................127
                 ----------
         21.7.   Assignee or Participant Affiliated with the Borrower................................127
                 ----------------------------------------------------
         21.8.   Miscellaneous Assignment Provisions.................................................128
                 -----------------------------------
         21.9.   Assignment by Borrower..............................................................129
                 ----------------------
22.   NOTICES, ETC...................................................................................129
      ------------
23.   GOVERNING LAW..................................................................................130
      -------------
24.   HEADINGS.......................................................................................131
      --------
25.   COUNTERPARTS...................................................................................131
      ------------
26.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT, ETC..........................................................................131
      ---------------------
27.   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL...........................................................................131
      --------------------
28.   CONSENTS, AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC.............................................................131
      ----------------------------------
29.   SEVERABILITY...................................................................................132
      ------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   9

                                     -viii-

                          EXHIBITS

       Exhibit A             Form of Borrowing Base Report
       Exhibit B             Revolving Credit Note
       Exhibit C             Form of Loan Request
       Exhibit D-1           Form of Term A Note
       Exhibit D-2           Form of Term B Note
       Exhibit E             Form of Compliance Certificate
       Exhibit F             Form of Assignment and Acceptance
       Exhibit G             Form of Intercompany Promissory Note
       Exhibit H             Form of Joinder
       Exhibit I             Form of Officer's Certificate for Second Closing

                         SCHEDULES

       Schedule 1            Banks & Commitments
       Schedule 1.3          Recapitalization Documents
       Schedule 9.3          Title to Properties
       Schedule 9.7          Litigation
       Schedule 9.15         Certain Transactions
       Schedule 9.16.1       Employee Benefit Plans; In General
       Schedule 9.18         Environmental Compliance
       Schedule 9.19         Subsidiaries
       Schedule 9.20         Bank Accounts
       Schedule 9.26         Insurance
       Schedule 10.2         Chief Executive Offices
       Schedule 11.1         Existing Indebtedness
       Schedule 11.2         Existing Liens
       Schedule 11.3         Existing Investments

<PAGE>   10

                                REVOLVING CREDIT
                             AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

       This REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT is made as of August 11,
2000, by and among (a) BELL SPORTS, INC. (the "Borrower"), a California
corporation having its principal place of business at 6350 San Ignacio Avenue,
San Jose, California, (b) BELL SPORTS CORP. (the "Parent"), a Delaware
corporation having its principal place of business at 6350 San Ignacio Avenue,
San Jose, California, (c) FLEET NATIONAL BANK, FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK and the
other lending institutions listed on Schedule 1 (collectively, the "Banks"), (d)
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as syndication agent for the Banks (the "Syndication
Agent"), (e) GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, as documentation agent for
the Banks (the "Documentation Agent") and (f) FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as
administrative agent for the Banks (the "Administrative Agent", and together
with the Syndication Agent, the "Agents").

              1. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF INTERPRETATION.

       1.1. DEFINITIONS. The following terms shall have the meanings set forth
in this Section 1 or elsewhere in the provisions of this Credit Agreement
referred to below:

       Accounts Receivable. All rights of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary
Guarantors to payment for goods sold, leased or otherwise marketed in the
ordinary course of business and all rights of the Borrower or any of the
Subsidiary Guarantors to payment for services rendered in the ordinary course of
business and all sums of money or other proceeds due thereon pursuant to
transactions with account debtors, except for that portion of the sum of money
or other proceeds due thereon that relate to sales, use or property taxes in
conjunction with such transactions, recorded on books of account in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.

       Acquired Indebtedness. With respect to any specified Person, (i)
Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is
merged with, into or becomes a Subsidiary of such specified Person, or (ii)
Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such
other Person; provided that such Indebtedness shall not have been (in either
case) incurred by such other Person in connection with, or in anticipation or
contemplation of, such other Person becoming a Subsidiary of such specified
Person or such acquisition, merger or consolidation.

       Adjustment Date. The Business Day immediately following the date on which
a Compliance Certificate is delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section
10.4(d) or in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or Permitted Asset
Disposition; provided, however, in the event any Compliance Certificate is not
delivered on the date specified for delivery in Section 10.4(d), the Adjustment
Date shall be the date which is one (1) Business Day following the date on which
such Compliance Certificate was required to be delivered pursuant to Section
10.4(d).

<PAGE>   11
                                      -2-

       Administrative Agent's Office. The Administrative Agent's office located
at 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, or at such other location as
the Administrative Agent may designate from time to time.

       Administrative Agent. Fleet National Bank, acting as administrative agent
for the Banks.

       Administrative Agent's Special Counsel. Bingham Dana LLP or such other
counsel as may be approved by the Administrative Agent.

       Advisory Agreement. Collectively, those certain letter agreements by and
between (i) Andsonica Acquisition Corp. and Chartwell and (ii) the Borrower and
Chartwell, each dated as of June 13, 2000.

       Affiliate. Any Person that would be considered to be an affiliate of any
other Person under Rule 144(a) of the Rules and Regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, as in effect on the date hereof, if such Person were
issuing securities.

       Agency Account Agreement. See Section 10.14.1.

       Applicable Margin. For each period commencing on an Adjustment Date
through the date immediately preceding the next Adjustment Date (each a "Rate
Adjustment Period"), the Applicable Margin shall be the applicable margin set
forth below with respect to the Borrower's Leverage Ratio, as determined for the
Reference Period ending immediately preceding the applicable Rate Adjustment
Period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Eurodollar                          Eurodollar
                                   Prime Rate           Rate           Prime Rate           Rate
  Level      Leverage Ratio         A Loans            A Loans           B Loans           B Loans
  -----      --------------         -------            -------           -------           -------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>                     <C>                <C>               <C>               <C>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Greater than
   I            4.00:1.00            1.75%              3.25%             2.25%             3.75%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Less than or equal
   II       to 4.00:1:00 but         1.50%              3.00%             2.25%             3.75%
              greater than
                3.50:1.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Less than or equal
   III      to 3.50:1:00 but         1.25%              2.75%             2.25%             3.75%
              greater than
                3.00:1.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Less than or equal
   IV         to 3.00:1.00           1.00%              2.50%             2.25%             3.75%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

       Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) until the delivery by the Borrower to
the Administrative Agent of the Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section
10.4(d) for the period ending December 31, 2000, the Applicable Margin shall be
the Applicable Margin set forth above in Level I, and (b) if the Borrower fails
to deliver any Compliance Certificate when required by Section 10.4(d) hereof
then, for the period commencing on the next

<PAGE>   12
                                      -3-

Adjustment Date to occur subsequent to such failure through the date immediately
following the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered, the
Applicable Margin shall be the Applicable Margin set forth above in Level I.

       Assignment and Acceptance. See Section 21.1.

       Balance Sheet Date. July 1, 2000.

       Banks. Fleet, First Union and the other lending institutions listed on
Schedule 1 hereto and any other Person who becomes an assignee of any rights and
obligations of a Bank pursuant to Section 21.

       Bell Canada. Bell Sports Canada, Inc., an Alberta company.

       Bell Racing Investment. The equity interest of the Borrower in Bell
Racing Company consisting of 12,748 common shares.

       Borrower. As defined in the preamble hereto.

       Borrowing Base. At the relevant time of reference thereto, an amount
determined by the Administrative Agent by reference to the most recent Borrowing
Base Report delivered to the Banks and the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Section 10.4(f), as adjusted pursuant to the provisions below, which is equal to
the sum of:

              (a)    85% of Eligible Accounts Receivable for which invoices have
                     been issued and are payable (reduced, if Dilution exceeds
                     5%, by the amount of such excess); plus

              (b)    55% of the net book value (determined on a first-in
                     first-out basis at the lower of cost or market) of Eligible
                     Inventory; plus

              (c)    the lesser of (i) $4,000,000, or (ii) 55% of the then
                     Eligible In-Transit Inventory; provided that the amount
                     attributable to Eligible Inventory, added pursuant to
                     clause (b) and this clause (c), shall at no time exceed
                     forty percent (40%) of the total amount of the Borrowing
                     Base; minus

              (d)    Reserves.

       Borrowing Base Report. A Borrowing Base Report signed by the chief
financial officer of the Borrower and in substantially the form of Exhibit A
hereto.

       Business Day. Any day on which banking institutions in Boston,
Massachusetts are open for the transaction of banking business and, in the case
of Eurodollar Rate Loans, also a day which is a Eurodollar Business Day.

       Canadian Dollars or CD$. Dollars in lawful currency of Canada.

<PAGE>   13
                                      -4-

       CapEx Limit. See Section 12.5.

       Capital Assets. Fixed assets, both tangible (such as land, buildings,
fixtures, machinery and equipment) and intangible (such as patents, copyrights,
trademarks, franchises and good will); provided that Capital Assets shall not
include any item customarily charged directly to expense or depreciated over a
useful life of twelve (12) months or less in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.

       Capital Expenditures. Amounts paid or Indebtedness incurred by the
Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries in connection with the
purchase or lease by the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries of
Capital Assets that would be required to be capitalized and shown on the balance
sheet of such Person in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.

       Capitalized Leases. Leases under which the Parent, the Borrower or any of
their Subsidiaries is the lessee or obligor, the discounted future rental
payment obligations under which are required to be capitalized on the balance
sheet of the lessee or obligor in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.

       CERCLA. See Section 9.18(a).

       Chartwell. Chartwell Investments II LLC.

       Chartwell Investors. Collectively, Chartwell and its Affiliates.

       Co-arrangers. FleetBoston Robertson Stephens Inc. and First Union
Securities, Inc.

       Code. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

       Collateral. All of the property, rights and interests of the Parent, the
Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries that are or are intended to be subject
to the security interests and mortgages created by the Security Documents.

       Commitment Fees. With respect to the Revolving Credit Loans, as set forth
in Section 2.2; with respect to the Term Loans, as set forth in Section 4.2.

       Commitment. As to any Bank, such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment or
Term Commitment, as the case may be.

       Commitment Percentage. As to any Bank, such Bank's Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage or Term Commitment Percentage, as the case may be.

       Compliance Certificate. See Section 10.4(d).

       Consolidated or consolidated. With reference to any term defined herein,
shall mean that term as applied to the accounts of any Person and its
Subsidiaries, consolidated in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.

<PAGE>   14
                                      -5-

       Consolidated EBITDA For any period with respect to the Borrower, the
Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period,
plus, without duplication and to the extent deducted from the calculation of
Consolidated Net Income for such period, (a) depreciation and amortization and
other non-cash charges for such period; provided that cash associated with such
non-cash charges shall be deducted from Consolidated EBITDA when actually paid,
(b) income tax expense paid or accrued during such period and (c) Consolidated
Total Interest Expense paid or accrued for such period, each determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (d) amortized debt
discount for such period, (e) the amount of any deduction to Consolidated Net
Income as the result of any grant to any members of the management of such
Person of any capital stock for such period, (f) to the extent required by the
Management Agreement or Section 11.4 hereof to be accrued (and not paid in cash)
for such period, the accrued amount of the Management Fee, (g) charges related
to the premium or penalty paid in connection with redeeming or retiring any
Indebtedness prior to its stated maturity to the extent permitted hereunder and
reducing Consolidated Net Income, and (h) any charges relating to the
Recapitalization.

       Consolidated Excess Cash Flow. With respect to the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries and any particular fiscal period, an amount equal to (i)
Consolidated Operating Cash Flow for such period, minus (ii) the sum of, without
duplication, (A) Consolidated Total Interest Expense for such period, plus (B)
any permanent repayments (whether scheduled or otherwise) of principal on any
Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries paid or due and payable
during such period, plus (C) the non-financed cash portion of the purchase price
to be paid in connection with Permitted Acquisitions or Permitted Foreign
Acquisitions pursuant to a definitive agreement entered into in such period and
closed subsequent to the end of such period and prior to the payment date
specified in Section 4.5.3, plus (D) the non-financed portion of Rollover
Capital Expenditures made subsequent to the end of such period and prior to the
payment date specified in Section 4.5.3.

       Consolidated Fixed Charges. With respect to the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, for any period, the sum of all scheduled payments of principal on
Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including, without
limitation, the principal component of Capitalized Lease payments) made or
required to be made in such period, plus Consolidated Total Interest Expense of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period.

       Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit). The consolidated net income (or
deficit) of any Person and its Subsidiaries, after deduction of all expenses,
taxes, and other proper charges, determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, after eliminating therefrom all extraordinary
nonrecurring items of income and loss, including any charges relating to the
Recapitalization and write-offs associated therewith and any non-cash loss
incurred in connection with the sale of the Bell Racing Investment.

       Consolidated Operating Cash Flow. With respect to the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, for any period, an amount equal to (i) Consolidated EBITDA for
such

<PAGE>   15
                                      -6-

period, less (ii) the sum of (A) cash payments for all income taxes paid during
such period, plus (B) to the extent not already deducted in the determination of
Consolidated EBITDA, Capital Expenditures paid in cash during such period to the
extent permitted by Section 12.5 (but excluding Net Cash Proceeds reinvested
pursuant to Section 4.5.4) and the non-financed portion of the purchase price of
Permitted Acquisitions or Permitted Foreign Acquisition paid during such period,
plus (C) any management or monitoring fees paid in cash by such Person or its
Subsidiaries during such period, all in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.

       Consolidated Total Funded Indebtedness. With respect to the Parent, the
Borrower and their Subsidiaries for any period, the sum of (a) the aggregate
amount of Indebtedness of the Parent, the Borrower and their Subsidiaries, on a
consolidated basis, for borrowed money (including, without limitation, all
Indebtedness of the Parent, the Borrower and their Subsidiaries evidenced by
notes or bonds) or the obtaining of credit or in respect of Capitalized Leases
or in respect of guaranties described in clause (ix) of the definition of
Indebtedness, plus (b) the aggregate maximum drawing amount that the
beneficiaries may at any time draw under all outstanding documentary letters of
credit in excess of $5,000,000 in the aggregate, plus (c) without duplication,
all Indebtedness of the types referred to in (a) and (b) guaranteed by such
Person or any of its Subsidiaries, plus (d) the deferred purchase price of
property or services (including securities repurchase agreements but excluding
trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business which are not more than ninety (90) days overdue or which are being
contested in good faith). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parent shall only
be included in the calculation of Consolidated Total Funded Indebtedness with
respect to calculations performed in connection with certificates to be
delivered as of the Initial Closing Date and the Second Closing Date. The
calculation of Consolidated Total Funded Indebtedness shall be subject to the
following qualifications:

              (a)    solely for the purposes of calculating the Leverage Ratio
       for the Compliance Certificate to be delivered pursuant to Section
       13.1.13, the outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Loan for the
       purposes of determining the amount of Consolidated Total Funded
       Indebtedness shall deemed to be $20,000,000;

              (b)    for calculations made as at October 28, 2000 and as at the
       end of FQ2, FQ3 and FQ4 of Fiscal Year 2001 and for Fiscal Year 2001
       (including any calculation of the Leverage Ratio used to determine the
       Applicable Margin), the outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Loan
       for the purposes of determining the amount of Consolidated Total Funded
       Indebtedness shall be the sum of the amounts outstanding under the
       Existing Credit Agreement or the Revolving Credit Loan, as applicable, at
       the end of each Fiscal Month, beginning with the Fiscal Month beginning
       on July 1, 2000 and ending on the date of such calculation, divided by
       the number of Fiscal Months elapsed since July 1, 2000; and

<PAGE>   16
                                      -7-

              (c)    for all calculations made as at the end of FQ1 of Fiscal
       Year 2002 and thereafter (including any calculation of the Leverage Ratio
       used to determine the Applicable Margin), the outstanding amount of the
       Revolving Credit Loan for the purposes of determining the amount of
       Consolidated Total Funded Indebtedness shall be the sum of the amounts of
       the Revolving Credit Loan outstanding at the end of each Fiscal Month for
       the twelve (12) most recently ended Fiscal Months, divided by twelve
       (12).

       Consolidated Total Interest Expense. Without duplication, for any period,
the aggregate amount of interest (excluding any original issue discount,
interest paid in kind and amortized debt discount) required to be paid in cash
or accrued by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such period on all
Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding during all or any
part of such period, whether such interest was or is required to be reflected as
an item of expense or capitalized, including payments consisting of interest in
respect of any Capitalized Lease, and including commitment fees, agency fees,
facility fees, balance deficiency fees and similar fees or expenses in
connection with the borrowing of money and after giving effect to adjustments
for Hedging Agreements to the extent consistent with generally accepted
accounting principles.

       Conversion Request. A notice given by the Borrower to the Administrative
Agent of the Borrower's election to convert or continue a Loan in accordance
with Section 2.7 or Section 4.7.2.

       Copyright Mortgages. The several Copyright Mortgage and Security
Agreements made from time to time by the Parent, the Borrower and each of their
Subsidiaries in favor of the Administrative Agent, pursuant to the Security
Agreement, and in form and substance satisfactory to the Banks and the
Administrative Agent.

       Credit Agreement. This Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement,
including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto.

       Default. See Section 15.1.

       Delinquent Bank. See Section 17.5.3.

       Dilution. The ratio (expressed as a percentage) of (x) the sum of returns
and allowances, cash discounts, bad debt expense and dilution credits minus
other debits, divided by (y) gross billings of all Accounts Receivable, as
calculated at the end of each Fiscal Month. Dilution, as used in clause (a) of
the definition of Borrowing Base shall mean the sum of the ratios (as calculated
above) for each of the prior twelve (12) Fiscal Months, divided by twelve (12).

       Disqualified Stock. As to any Person, all outstanding Equity Interests
issued by such Person or by any Affiliate of such Person:

<PAGE>   17
                                      -8-

              (a)    in respect of which such Person is, or upon the lapse of
       any period of time or occurrence of any event (including consent thereto
       by any creditor of such Person) might become, obligated to pay dividends
       or make distributions except dividends and distributions that are to be
       paid or made solely by issuance of Equity Interests that are issued by
       the Parent and do not constitute Disqualified Stock; or

              (b)    that such Person is, or upon the lapse of any period of
       time or occurrence of any event (including consent thereto by any
       creditor of such Person) might become, obligated to redeem, or exchange
       for cash or Indebtedness or any other form of consideration except:

                     (i)    an undertaking to exchange such Equity Interests
              solely for Equity Interests that are issued by the Parent and do
              not constitute Disqualified Stock, and

                     (ii)   an undertaking by the Parent to redeem or offer to
              repurchase preferred Equity Interests issued by it if (A) such
              undertaking is effective only at or after the first anniversary of
              the Term B Maturity Date (or in the case of any extension thereof
              or of the Term A Maturity Date or the Revolving Credit Maturity
              Date, such later date) or in the event of an Initial Public
              Offering of the Parent, provided that all of the Obligations under
              this Credit Agreement shall have been satisfied in full in cash on
              or before the date of such Initial Public Offering; (B) by the
              terms of such undertaking, the Parent will become obligated to
              redeem or offer to repurchase such Equity Interests, and such
              obligation will be enforceable against the Parent, only if such
              redemption or offer to purchase is expressly permitted at the time
              under each agreement at any time entered into by the Parent or any
              Subsidiary of the Parent pursuant to which any senior secured
              Indebtedness of the Parent or any such Subsidiary is or may become
              outstanding, and (C) by the terms of such undertaking, if such
              redemption or offer to purchase is not permitted under any
              agreement governing any such Indebtedness of the Parent or any of
              its Subsidiaries ("Restrictive Indebtedness"), then (x) the Parent
              may or shall use its reasonable efforts to procure the consent of
              the holders of each issue of Restrictive Indebtedness to such
              redemption or offer to purchase and, if such consent is not
              granted within a reasonable time as to any issue of Restrictive
              Indebtedness, shall use its reasonable efforts to retire and to
              repay such issue of Restrictive Indebtedness, in full and in cash,
              from the cash resources of the Parent and its Subsidiaries or from
              the proceeds of the incurrence of new Indebtedness under the terms
              of which such consent is granted and (y) until, as to each
              outstanding issue of Restrictive Indebtedness, such consent is
              granted by the holders of such issue of Restrictive Indebtedness
              or such issue of Restrictive Indebtedness is retired and repaid in
              full and in cash, the obligation of the Parent to redeem or offer
              to purchase such Equity Interests shall not be

<PAGE>   18
                                      -9-

              enforceable and shall be automatically suspended and deferred,
              without any limitation as to time (except as otherwise permitted
              by clause (A) above) and without any other consequence whatsoever,
              except that the right of the holders of such Equity Interests to
              seek specific enforcement of the provisions referred to in clause
              (x) herein shall not be suspended or deferred or otherwise abated
              or impaired.

       Distribution. The declaration or payment of any dividend on or in respect
of any shares of any class of capital stock or other equity interests of any
Person, other than dividends payable solely in shares of common stock or other
equity interests of such Person; the purchase, redemption, or other retirement
of any shares of any class of capital stock or other equity interests of any
Person by such Person, directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary of such
Person or otherwise; the return of capital by such Person to its shareholders or
other equity holders as such; or any other distribution on or in respect of any
shares of any class of capital stock or other equity interests of such Person.

       Documentation Agent. General Electric Capital Corporation, acting as
documentation agent for the Banks.

       Dollars or $. Dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.

       Domestic Lending Office. Initially, the office of each Bank designated as
such in Schedule 1 hereto; thereafter, such other office of such Bank, if any,
located within the United States that will be making or maintaining Prime Rate
Loans.

       Domestic Subsidiary. Any Subsidiary of the Parent or the Borrower which
is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

       Drawdown Date. The date on which any Revolving Credit Loan, the Term Loan
A or the Term Loan B is made or is to be made, and the date on which any
Revolving Credit Loan is converted or continued in accordance with Section 2.7
or all or any portion of the Term Loan A or Term Loan B is converted or
continued in accordance with Section 4.7.2.

       Eligible Accounts Receivable. The aggregate of the unpaid portions of
Accounts Receivable (net of any credits, rebates, offsets, holdbacks or other
adjustments or commissions payable to third parties that are adjustments to such
Accounts Receivable): (i) that the Borrower reasonably and in good faith
determines to be collectible; (ii) that are with account debtors or other
obligors that (A) are not Affiliates of the Borrower, (B) purchased the goods or
services giving rise to the relevant Account Receivable in an arm's length
transaction, (C) are not insolvent or involved in any case or proceeding,
whether voluntary or involuntary, under any bankruptcy, reorganization,
arrangement, insolvency, adjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or similar
law of any jurisdiction and (D) are, in the Administrative Agent's reasonable
judgment, creditworthy; (iii) that are in payment of obligations that have been
fully performed, do not consist of progress billings or bill and hold invoices
and are not subject to dispute or any other similar claims that would reduce the
cash amount payable therefor; (iv) that are not subject to any pledge,
restriction, security interest or other lien or encumbrance other than those

<PAGE>   19
                                      -10-

created by the Loan Documents; (v) in which the Administrative Agent has a valid
and perfected first priority security interest; (vi) that are not outstanding
for more than ninety (90) days past the due date of the respective invoices
therefor; (vii) that are not due from an account debtor or other obligor located
in Minnesota unless the Borrower (A) has received a certificate of authority to
do business and is in good standing in such state or (B) has filed a notice of
business activities report with the appropriate office or agency of such state
for the current year; (viii) that are not due from any single account debtor or
other obligor if more than thirty percent (30%) of the aggregate amount of all
Accounts Receivable owing from such account debtor or other obligor would
otherwise not be Eligible Accounts Receivable; (ix) that are payable in Dollars
or Canadian Dollars (solely in the case of Bell Canada, and provided that Bell
Canada has become a Subsidiary Guarantor); (x) that are not payable from an
office outside of the United States or Canada (solely in the case of Bell
Canada, and provided that Bell Canada has become a Subsidiary Guarantor); and
(xi) that are not secured by a letter of credit unless the Administrative Agent
has a prior, perfected security interest in such letter of credit. General
criteria for Eligible Accounts Receivable may be established and revised from
time to time by the Administrative Agent; provided that unless an Event of
Default shall be continuing, any such revised criteria shall only apply to
Accounts Receivable arising after the effective date of notice of such
revisions.

       Eligible Assignee. Any of (i) a commercial bank or finance company
organized under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof or the
District of Columbia, and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; (ii)
a savings and loan association or savings bank organized under the laws of the
United States, or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and having a
net worth of at least $100,000,000, calculated in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles; (iii) a commercial bank organized under the laws
of any other country which is a member of the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (the "OECD"), or a political subdivision of any such
country, and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000, provided that such
bank is acting through a branch or agency located in the country in which it is
organized or another country which is also a member of the OECD; (iv) the
central bank of any country which is a member of the OECD; (v) a finance
company, insurance company or other financial institution or fund that is
engaged in making, purchasing or otherwise investing in loans in the ordinary
course of its business and having total assets in excess of $450,000,000; and
(vi) if, but only if, any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any
other bank, insurance company, commercial finance company or other financial
institution or other Person approved by the Administrative Agent, such approval
not to be unreasonably withheld.

       Eligible In-Transit Inventory. At any time of determination thereof, the
book value, at the lesser of cost or market, of inventory (x) purchased and paid
for in cash, or to be purchased and paid for under a Letter of Credit or on
credit terms then available to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, by such
Borrower or Subsidiary Guarantor, (y) not included in Eligible Inventory, and
(z) consisting of readily saleable and merchantable finished goods or raw
materials acquired and held in the ordinary course of business and as to which
(i) each of the following requirements is satisfied and (ii) the

<PAGE>   20
                                      -11-

Borrower has not been notified by the Administrative Agent that, in the
reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, any such requirements are not
satisfied:

              (a)    the Inventory will constitute Eligible Inventory at the
       time it is delivered into the possession of the Borrower or a Subsidiary
       Guarantor at a place of business maintained by it within the United
       States or Canada (solely in the case of Bell Canada, and provided that
       Bell Canada has become a Subsidiary Guarantor); and

              (b)    (A) the inventory has been purchased and paid for in cash,
       or is to be purchased and paid for under a Letter of Credit or is on
       credit terms then available to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor,
       by such Borrower or Subsidiary Guarantor, (B) if applicable, the
       beneficiary of such Letter of Credit is entitled to make a drawing
       thereunder only if it presents to the Administrative Agent documents
       sufficient (x) to demonstrate shipment of such inventory, free from any
       right of stoppage in transit, for the delivery to the Borrower or a
       Subsidiary Guarantor at an Eligible Place of Delivery, (y) to permit the
       Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor to take possession of such
       Inventory without further pre-condition, and (z) to transfer title to
       such inventory to the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor upon honor of
       such Letter of Credit; and (C) if applicable, not more than twenty (20)
       days have passed since the date of honor of such Letter of Credit; and

              (c)    as to which the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of
       the Banks and the Agents, is an additional but primary loss payee under
       all insurance policies covering any casualty with respect thereto.

       Eligible Inventory. With respect to the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary
Guarantors, finished goods, work in progress and raw materials and component
parts inventory owned by the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor; provided
that Eligible Inventory shall not include any inventory (without duplication)
(i) held on consignment, or not otherwise owned by the Borrower or such
Subsidiary Guarantor, or of a type no longer sold by the Borrower or such
Subsidiary Guarantor, (ii) which has been returned by a customer (other than
returned inventory that may be resold as new) or is damaged or subject to any
legal encumbrance other than Permitted Liens, (iii) which is not in the
possession of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor (other than Eligible
In-Transit Inventory) unless the Administrative Agent has received a waiver from
the party in possession of such inventory in form and substance satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent, (iv) which is held by the Borrower or such Subsidiary
Guarantor on property leased by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, unless
the Administrative Agent has received a waiver from the lessor of such leased
property and, if any, sublessor thereof in form and substance satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent (except for inventory having an aggregate net book
value of less than $2,000,000, which is stored in the same jurisdiction as one
of the locations listed on the Perfection Certificates), (v) as to which
appropriate Uniform Commercial Code financing statements or such filings
required to create first priority perfected security interest under United
States and Canadian (solely

<PAGE>   21
                                      -12-

in the case of Bell Canada, and provided that Bell Canada has become a
Subsidiary Guarantor) law, in each case showing the Borrower or such Subsidiary
Guarantor as debtor and the Administrative Agent as secured party have not been
filed in the proper filing office or offices in order to perfect the
Administrative Agent's security interest therein, (vi) which has been shipped to
a customer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor regardless of whether
such shipment is on a consignment basis, (vii) which is not located within the
United States of America or Canada (solely in the case of Bell Canada, and
provided that Bell Canada has become a Subsidiary Guarantor), or (viii) which
the Administrative Agent reasonably deems to be obsolete or not marketable.
General criteria for Eligible Inventory may be established and revised from time
to time by the Administrative Agent.

       Eligible Place of Delivery. Any place of business of the Borrower or a
Subsidiary Guarantor within the United States (or Canada, to the extent that
Bell Canada has become a Subsidiary Guarantor) located in a jurisdiction in
which financing statements (or other filings) in favor of the Administrative
Agent covering the Collateral and proceeds thereof have been filed in each
required filing office and remain effective against the Borrower and each
Subsidiary Guarantor.

       Employee Benefit Plan. Any employee benefit plan within the meaning of
Section 3(2) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Parent or the Borrower
other than a Guaranteed Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan.

       Environmental Laws. See Section 9.18(a).

       EPA. See Section 9.18(b).

       Equity Interest. With respect to any Person, any capital stock of such
Person or membership interests, partnership interests (whether general or
limited) or other equity interests in such Person, regardless of type, class,
preference or designation, and all warrants, options, purchase rights,
conversion or exchange rights, voting rights, calls or claims of any character
with respect thereto, outstanding from time to time.

       ERISA. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

       ERISA Affiliate. Any Person which is treated as a single employer with
the Parent or the Borrower under Section 414 of the Code.

       ERISA Reportable Event. A reportable event with respect to a Guaranteed
Pension Plan within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations
promulgated thereunder.

       Eurocurrency Reserve Rate. For any day with respect to a Eurodollar Rate
Loan, the maximum rate (expressed as a decimal) at which any member bank of the
Federal Reserve System subject thereto would be required to maintain reserves
under Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or
any successor or similar regulations relating to such reserve requirements)
against "Eurocurrency

<PAGE>   22
                                      -13-

Liabilities" (as that term is used in Regulation D), if such liabilities were
outstanding. The Eurocurrency Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on
and as of the effective date of any change in the Eurocurrency Reserve Rate.

       Eurodollar Business Day. Any day on which commercial banks are open for
international business (including dealings in Dollar deposits) in London or such
other eurodollar interbank market as may be selected by the Administrative Agent
in its sole discretion acting in good faith.

       Eurodollar Lending Office. Initially, the office of each Bank designated
as such in Schedule 1 hereto; thereafter, such other office of such Bank, if
any, that shall be making or maintaining Eurodollar Rate Loans.

       Eurodollar Rate. For any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar
Rate Loan, the rate of interest equal to (i) the arithmetic average of the rates
per annum for each Reference Bank (rounded upwards to the nearest 1/16 of one
percent) of the rate at which such Reference Bank's Eurodollar Lending Office is
offered Dollar deposits two Eurodollar Business Days prior to the beginning of
such Interest Period in the interbank eurodollar market where the eurodollar and
foreign currency and exchange operations of such Eurodollar Lending Office are
customarily conducted at or about 10:00 a.m., Boston time, for delivery on the
first day of such Interest Period for the number of days comprised therein and
in an amount comparable to the amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan of such
Reference Bank to which such Interest Period applies, divided by (ii) a number
equal to 1.00 minus the Eurocurrency Reserve Rate, if applicable (expressed as a
decimal fraction).

       Eurodollar Rate A Loans. Revolving Credit Loans and all or any portion of
the Term A Loan bearing interest calculated by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.

       Eurodollar Rate B Loans. All or any portion of the Term B Loan bearing
interest calculated by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.

       Eurodollar Rate Loans. Revolving Credit Loans and all or any portion of
the Term Loan bearing interest calculated by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.

       Event of Default. See Section 15.1.

       Existing Credit Agreement. See Section 13.1.20.

       Fee Letter. That certain Fee Letter by and among the Agents, the
Co-arrangers, and Chartwell, dated as of May 26, 2000.

       First Union. First Union National Bank, a national banking association,
in its individual capacity.

       Fiscal Month. Any one of the three approximately thirty (30) day periods
into which each Fiscal Quarter is divided.

<PAGE>   23
                                      -14-

       Fiscal Quarter. See Section 9.4.1.

       Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of each of the Parent, the Borrower and each
of their Subsidiaries as provided in Section 9.4.1 hereof.

       Fleet. Fleet National Bank, a national banking association, in its
individual capacity.

       Fleet Concentration Account. See Section 10.14.1.

       Foreign Bank Accounts. Those foreign bank accounts listed from time to
time on Schedule 9.20.

       Foreign Subsidiaries. Any Subsidiary (direct or indirect, existing on the
date hereof or acquired or formed hereafter in accordance with the provisions
hereof) of the Parent or the Borrower that conducts substantially all of its
business in countries other than the United States of America and that is
organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of
America and the states (or the District of Columbia) thereof.

       FQ1, FQ2, FQ3, FQ4. The first, second, third and fourth Fiscal Quarter,
respectively, of a specified Fiscal Year.

       generally accepted accounting principles. (i) When used in Section 12,
whether directly or indirectly through reference to a capitalized term used
therein, means (A) principles that are consistent with the principles
promulgated or adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and its
predecessors, in effect for the Fiscal Year ended on the Balance Sheet Date, and
(B) to the extent consistent with such principles, the accounting practice of
any Person reflected in its financial statements for the year ended on the
Balance Sheet Date, and (ii) when used in general, other than as provided above,
means principles that are (A) consistent with the principles promulgated or
adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and its predecessors, as in
effect from time to time, and (B) consistently applied with past financial
statements of such Person adopting the same principles, provided that in each
case referred to in this definition of "generally accepted accounting
principles" a certified public accountant would, insofar as the use of such
accounting principles is pertinent, be in a position to deliver an unqualified
opinion (other than a qualification regarding changes in generally accepted
accounting principles) as to financial statements in which such principles have
been properly applied.

       Guaranteed Pension Plan. Any employee pension benefit plan within the
meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Parent, the
Borrower or (for purposes of Section 15.1 only) any ERISA Affiliate the benefits
of which are guaranteed on termination in full or in part by the PBGC pursuant
to Title IV of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer Plan.

<PAGE>   24
                                      -15-

       Guaranties. Collectively, (a) the Subsidiary Guaranty; (b) the Parent
Guaranty; and (c) the guaranties dated as of the date required by Section 10.17
from each Person required to become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 10.17 in
favor of the Administrative Agent and the Banks; in each case of the payment and
performance of the Obligations and in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and the Banks.

       Guarantors. Collectively, the Parent and each Subsidiary Guarantor.

       Hazardous Substances. See Section 9.18(b).

       Hedging Agreements. Any swap, cap, collar, floor, option or other hedging
agreement in respect of interest rates, currency exchange rates and commodities
between the Borrower and any of the Banks or their Affiliates.

       Holdings. Bell Sports Holdings, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability
company and the parent company of the Parent.

       Indebtedness. As to any Person and whether recourse is secured by or is
otherwise available against all or only a portion of the assets of such Person
and whether or not contingent, but without duplication:

              (i)    every obligation of such Person for money borrowed,

              (ii)   every obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds,
       debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations
       incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or
       businesses,

              (iii)  every reimbursement obligation of such Person with respect
       to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued
       for the account of such Person,

              (iv)   every obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the
       deferred purchase price of property or services (including securities
       repurchase agreements but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued
       liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business which are not more
       than ninety (90) days overdue or which are being contested in good
       faith),

              (v)    every obligation of such Person under any Capitalized
       Lease,

              (vi)   any obligation of such Person to pay any discount,
       interest, fees, indemnities, penalties, recourse, expenses or other
       amounts in connection with any sales by such Person, unless such sales
       are on a non-recourse basis (as to collectibility), of (A) accounts or
       general intangibles for money due or to become due, (B) chattel paper,
       instruments or documents creating or evidencing a right to payment of
       money or (C) other receivables (collectively "receivables"), whether
       pursuant to a purchase facility or otherwise, other than in connection
       with the disposition of the business operations of such Person relating
       thereto or

<PAGE>   25
                                      -16-

       a disposition of defaulted receivables for collection and not as a
       financing arrangement,

              (vii)  any Disqualified Stock,

              (viii) every obligation of such Person under any forward contract,
       futures contract, swap, option or other financing agreement or
       arrangement (including, without limitation, caps, floors, collars and
       similar agreements), the value of which is dependent upon interest rates,
       currency exchange rates, commodities or other indices (a "derivative
       contract"),

              (ix)   every obligation in respect of Indebtedness of any other
       entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general
       partner) to the extent that such Person is liable therefor as a result of
       such Person's ownership interest in or other relationship with such
       entity, except to the extent that the terms of such Indebtedness provide
       that such Person is not liable therefor and such terms are enforceable
       under applicable law,

              (x)    every obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person
       guaranteeing, or having the economic effect of guarantying or otherwise
       acting as surety for, any obligation of a type described in any of
       clauses (i) through (ix) (the "primary obligation") of another Person
       (the "primary obligor"), in any manner, whether directly or indirectly,
       and including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person (A) to
       purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any
       security for the payment of such primary obligation, (B) to purchase
       property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the payment
       of such primary obligation, or (C) to maintain working capital, equity
       capital or other financial statement condition or liquidity of the
       primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such primary
       obligation.

       The "amount" or "principal amount" of any Indebtedness at any time of
determination represented by (v) any Indebtedness, issued at a price that is
less than the principal amount at maturity thereof, shall be the amount of the
liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, but such Indebtedness shall be deemed to be incurred only
at the date of original issuance for purposes of any debt incurrence test, (w)
any Capitalized Lease shall be the principal component of the aggregate of the
rentals obligation under such Capitalized Lease payable over the term thereof
that is not subject to termination by the lessee, (x) any sale of receivables
shall be the amount of unrecovered capital or principal investment of the
purchaser (other than the Borrower or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries)
thereof, excluding amounts representative of yield or interest earned on such
investment, (y) any derivative contract shall be the maximum amount of any
termination or loss payment required to be paid by such Person if such
derivative contract were, at the time of determination, to be terminated by
reason of any event of default or early termination event thereunder, whether or
not such event of default or early termination event has in fact occurred, and
(z) any equity related purchase obligation shall be the maximum fixed redemption
or purchase price thereof.

<PAGE>   26
                                      -17-

       Ineligible Securities. Securities which may not be underwritten or dealt
in by member banks of the Federal Reserve System under Section 16 of the Banking
Act of 1933 (12 U.S.C. Section 24, Seventh), as amended.

       Initial Closing Date. The first date on which the conditions set forth in
Section 13.1 have been satisfied and any Revolving Credit Loans are to be made
or any initial Letter of Credit is to be issued hereunder.

       Initial Public Offering. The initial underwritten public offering of the
common stock of a Person registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

       Insignificant Subsidiaries. Collectively, Bell Sports International
Limited (Jersey), Bell Sports Australia Pty. Limited (Australia), Bell Sports
Europe, SAS (France) and Giro Ireland Limited (Ireland).

       Intercompany Subordination Agreement. The Intercompany Subordination
Agreement by and among the Parent, the Borrower, their respective Subsidiaries
and the Administrative Agent, dated as of the date hereof and in form and
substance satisfactory to the Banks and the Administrative Agent.

       Interest Payment Date. (i) As to any Prime Rate Loan, the last day of the
calendar quarter with respect to interest accrued during such calendar quarter,
including, without limitation, the calendar quarter which includes the Drawdown
Date of such Prime Rate Loan; and (ii) as to any Eurodollar Rate Loan in respect
of which the Interest Period is (A) 3 months or less, the last day of such
Interest Period and (B) more than 3 months, the date that is 3 months from the
first day of such Interest Period and, in addition, the last day of such
Interest Period.

       Interest Period. With respect to each Loan, (i) initially, the period
commencing on the Drawdown Date of such Loan and ending on the last day of one
of the periods set forth below, as selected by the Borrower in a Loan Request or
as otherwise required by the terms of this Credit Agreement (A) for any Prime
Rate Loan, the last day of the calendar quarter; and (B) for any Eurodollar Rate
Loan, 1, 2, 3 or 6 months; and (ii) thereafter, each period commencing on the
last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Loan and
ending on the last day of one of the periods set forth above, as selected by the
Borrower in a Conversion Request; provided that all of the foregoing provisions
relating to Interest Periods are subject to the following:

              (a)    if any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate
       Loan would otherwise end on a day that is not a Eurodollar Business Day,
       that Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Eurodollar
       Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such
       Interest Period into another calendar month, in which event such Interest
       Period shall end on the immediately preceding Eurodollar Business Day;

<PAGE>   27
                                      -18-

              (b)    if any Interest Period with respect to a Prime Rate Loan
       would end on a day that is not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall
       end on the next succeeding Business Day;

              (c)    if the Borrower shall fail to give notice as provided in
       Section 2.7, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a conversion
       of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loan to a Prime Rate Loan and the
       continuance of all Prime Rate Loans as Prime Rate Loans on the last day
       of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto;

              (d)    any Interest Period that begins on the last Eurodollar
       Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no
       numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such
       Interest Period) shall end on the last Eurodollar Business Day of a
       calendar month; and

              (e)    any Interest Period that would otherwise extend beyond the
       Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date (if a Revolving Credit Loan), the
       Term A Maturity Date (if the Term A Loan) or the Term B Maturity Date (if
       the Term B Loan) shall end on the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date,
       the Term A Maturity Date or the Term B Maturity Date, respectively.

       International Standby Practices. With respect to any standby Letter of
Credit, International Standby Practices (ISP98), International Chamber of
Commerce Publication No. 590, or any successor code of standby letter of credit
practices among banks adopted by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course
of its business as a standby letter of credit issuer and in effect at the time
of issuance of such Letter of Credit.

       Investments. All expenditures made and all liabilities incurred
(contingently or otherwise) for the acquisition of stock or Indebtedness of, or
for loans, advances, capital contributions or transfers of property to, or in
respect of any guaranties (or other commitments as described under
Indebtedness), or obligations of, any Person. In determining the aggregate
amount of Investments outstanding at any particular time: (i) the amount of any
Investment represented by a guaranty shall be taken at not less than the
principal amount of the obligations guaranteed and still outstanding; (ii) there
shall be deducted in respect of each such Investment any amount received as a
return of capital (but only by repurchase, redemption, retirement, repayment,
liquidating dividend or liquidating distribution); (iii) there shall not be
deducted in respect of any Investment any amounts received as earnings on such
Investment, whether as dividends, interest or otherwise; and (v) there shall not
be deducted from the aggregate amount of Investments any decrease in the value
thereof.

       Joinder. The Joinder Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto
as Exhibit I.

       Letter of Credit. See Section 5.1.1.

       Letter of Credit Application. See Section 5.1.1.

<PAGE>   28
                                      -19-

       Letter of Credit Fee. See Section 5.6.

       Letter of Credit Participation. See Section 5.1.4.

       Leverage Ratio. As at any date of determination, the ratio of (a)
Consolidated Total Funded Indebtedness outstanding on such date to (b)
Consolidated EBITDA for the Reference Period ending on such date.

       Loan Documents. This Credit Agreement, the Notes, the Letter of Credit
Applications, the Letters of Credit, the Subordination Documents and the
Security Documents.

       Loan Request. See Section 2.6.

       Loans. The Revolving Credit Loans and the Term Loans.

       Local Account. See Section 10.14.1.

       Majority Banks. As of any date, one or more Banks holding at least
fifty-one percent (51%) of the sum of (a) the outstanding principal amount of
the Term Loans (or if such date is prior to the Term Loan Commitment Termination
Date and the Term Loans have not been funded, the aggregate amount of the Term
Commitments) plus (b) the amount of the Total Revolving Credit Commitments (or
if the Revolving Credit Commitments have been terminated, then the outstanding
principal of the Revolving Credit Loans plus the Maximum Drawing Amount and all
Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations) provided that if no principal amount of any
Loan is outstanding, "Majority Banks" shall mean one or more Banks whose
aggregate Commitments constitutes at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the Total
Commitment.

       Management Agreement. The Management Consulting Agreement by and between
the Borrower and Chartwell dated as of August 11, 2000.

       Management Fee. The Management Fee as defined in the Management
Agreement.

       Material Adverse Effect. A material adverse effect on (a) the business,
properties, prospects, condition (financial or otherwise), assets, operations
and income of the Parent, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries taken
as a whole, (b) the ability of the Parent, the Borrower and their respective
Subsidiaries individually and taken as a whole to perform any of their
respective material Obligations under any of the Loan Documents, or (c) the
validity, binding effect, or enforceability of any of the material provisions of
any of the Loan Documents.

       Maximum Drawing Amount. The maximum aggregate amount that the
beneficiaries may at any time draw under outstanding Letters of Credit, as such
aggregate amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to the terms of the
Letters of Credit.

<PAGE>   29
                                      -20-

       Maximum Mezzanine Loan Commitment. $50,000,000.

       Maximum Term A Commitment. $60,000,000; or if such commitment is
terminated pursuant to the provisions hereof, zero.

       Maximum Term B Commitment. $50,000,000; or if such commitment is
terminated pursuant to the provisions hereof, zero.

       Merger. The Merger of Andsonica Acquisition Corp. with and into the
Parent.

       Merger Agreement. Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Holdings
and Andsonica Acquisition Corp. and the Parent dated as of June 13, 2000.

       Mezzanine Capital. The loan or other capital investments to be made by
the Mezzanine Lenders on an unsecured basis to the Borrower on the Second
Closing Date, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $50,000,000.

       Mezzanine Capital Agreement. The Investment Agreement by and among the
Borrower, the Parent and the Mezzanine Lenders dated as of the date hereof.

       Mezzanine Documents. The Mezzanine Capital Agreement and the other
documentation entered into in connection with the Mezzanine Capital.

       Mezzanine Lenders. First Union Investors, Inc., GarMark Partners, L.P.,
LLC and Fleet Corporate Finance, Inc. and their respective successors and
assigns.

       Mortgaged Property. Any Real Estate which is subject to any Mortgage.

       Mortgages. The Mortgage dated as of the date hereof from the Borrower to
the Administrative Agent with respect to the fee interests of the Borrower in
the Real Estate located in York, Pennsylvania and any mortgage or deed of trust
granted by the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries after the
Initial Closing Date in accordance with Section 10.13.

       Multiemployer Plan. Any multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section
3(37) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Parent, the Borrower or (for
purposes of Section 15.1 only) any ERISA Affiliate.

       Net Cash Proceeds. The net cash proceeds received by any Person in
respect of any asset sale, equity issuance or debt issuance less (i) all
reasonable out-of-pocket fees, commissions and other expenses incurred in
connection with such sale or issuance, including the amount (estimated in good
faith by such Person) of income, franchise, sales and other applicable taxes
required to be paid by such Person in connection with such sale or issuance,
(ii) repayment of Indebtedness that is required to be repaid in connection with
such asset sale to the extent permitted under this Credit Agreement; (iii)
required amounts to be provided by the Parent, the Borrower or any Subsidiary,
as the case may be, as a reserve, in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, against any liabilities associated with such asset sale
including, without limitation,

<PAGE>   30
                                      -21-

pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to
environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations
associated with any such asset sale and consented to by the Banks or otherwise
permitted hereunder.

       New Lending Office. See Section 6.3.4.

       Non-U.S. Lender. See Section 6.3.3.

       Notes. The Term Notes and the Revolving Credit Notes.

       Obligations. All indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of any of the
Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries to any of the Banks and the
Administrative Agent, individually or collectively, existing on the date of this
Credit Agreement or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several,
absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated,
secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise,
arising or incurred under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents or in respect of any of the Loans made or Reimbursement Obligations
incurred or any of the Notes, Letter of Credit Application, Letter of Credit,
any interest rate protection arrangements with any Bank (including, without
limitation, the Hedging Agreements and, in such case, including amounts owed
thereunder to Affiliates of Banks), any funds transfers, including any
obligations under automatic clearing house arrangements, any foreign exchange
contract, or any other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof.

       Offer Period. The period commencing on the date on which the 11% Offer is
delivered to the holders of the 11% Notes and ending on the twentieth Business
Day thereafter (which in any event shall be no later than October 31, 2000),
during which the 11% Offer shall remain outstanding.

       Operating Account. See Section 2.6.2.

       Outstanding. With respect to the Loans, the aggregate unpaid principal
thereof as of any date of determination.

       Parent. As defined in the preamble hereto.

       Parent Guaranty. The Guaranty by the Parent in favor of the
Administrative Agent and the Banks made pursuant to Section 7.

       Patent Assignments. The several Patent Assignments dated as of the date
hereof made by the Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries in favor
of the Administrative Agent and in form and substance satisfactory to the Banks
and the Administrative Agent.

       PBGC. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation created by Section 4002 of
ERISA and any successor entity or entities having similar responsibilities.

<PAGE>   31
                                      -22-

       Perfection Certificates. The Perfection Certificates as defined in the
Security Agreement.

       Permitted Acquisition(s). Any acquisition by the Borrower, or any of its
Domestic Subsidiaries of a material portion of the assets, a division or a line
of business, or all of the capital stock, of a U.S. Person (other than a
Permitted Foreign Acquisition), provided (a) such assets or capital stock are in
a substantially similar line of business to that of the Borrower; (b) no Default
or Event of Default exists prior to or would result after giving effect to such
acquisition; (c) the Administrative Agent is granted, to the extent required by
Section 8, a valid first priority perfected security interest in the assets or
capital stock so acquired, pursuant to the Security Documents (subject to any
Permitted Liens); (d) the seller of such assets or capital stock is not an
Affiliate of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; (e) the terms of such
acquisition are on an arms length basis; (f) Section 10.16, Section 10.17 and
Section 10.18 are complied with at the time of consummation of such acquisition
(or concurrently therewith); (g) the Borrower has demonstrated to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, set forth in a pro forma Compliance
Certificate, compliance with Section 12 on a Pro Forma Basis immediately prior
to and after giving effect to any such acquisition the calculation of which
shall be based upon the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section
10.4(c) for the month immediately preceding such acquisition; (h) the board of
directors and (if required by applicable law) the shareholders, or the
equivalent thereof, of the business to be acquired has approved such acquisition
in the event such Permitted Acquisition would result in a change of control of
the acquired Person and such Permitted Acquisition is not considered "hostile";
(i) the business to be acquired would not subject any Bank or Agent to any
additional regulatory or third party approvals in connection with the exercise
of its rights and remedies under this Credit Agreement or any other Loan
Document; (j) no contingent liabilities will be incurred or assumed in
connection with such Permitted Acquisition which could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect and any Indebtedness incurred or assumed in
connection with such Permitted Acquisition shall have been permitted to be
incurred or assumed pursuant to Section 11.1; (k) the aggregate amount of the
consideration (including the value of any assumed Indebtedness) for all
Permitted Acquisitions (or series of related acquisitions) shall not exceed
$10,000,000 in any Fiscal Year; (l) if such acquisition is made by a merger with
the Borrower, the Borrower shall be the surviving entity; and (m) the Borrower
shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate demonstrating to
the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent that the Person or the
assets to be acquired in such acquisition shall have a positive Consolidated
EBITDA (calculated, on a Pro-Forma Basis, for the acquired Person and its
Subsidiaries or assets in the same fashion as Consolidated EBITDA is calculated
for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries under this Credit Agreement, mutatis
mutandis) for the period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months prior to
such acquisition and the Administrative Agent shall have received hazardous
waste site assessments from environmental engineers and in form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, covering all Real Estate to be
acquired in connection with such Permitted Acquisition.

<PAGE>   32
                                      -23-

       Permitted Asset Dispositions. Any disposition, exclusive of any
disposition otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 11.5.2, by the Parent, the
Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries of assets, a division or a line of
business, at least 75% of the purchase price of which shall be for cash,
provided (a) that the fair market value of such assets does not exceed
$2,500,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year or $7,500,000 in the aggregate
over the term of this Credit Agreement; (b) no Default or Event of Default
exists prior to or would result after giving effect to such disposition and such
disposition is in compliance with the provisions of Section 4.5.4; (c) the terms
of such disposition are on an arms-length basis; (d) if the disposition involves
consideration in excess of $2,500,000, the Borrower has demonstrated to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, set forth in a pro forma
Compliance Certificate, compliance with Section 12 on a Pro Forma Basis
immediately prior to and after giving effect to any such disposition, the
calculation of which shall be based upon the financial statements delivered
pursuant to Section 10.4(c) for the quarter immediately preceding such
disposition; and (e) no contingent liabilities will be incurred or assumed in
connection with such Permitted Asset Disposition which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

       Permitted Foreign Acquisition(s). Any acquisition by the Borrower, or any
of its Domestic Subsidiaries of a material portion of the assets, a division or
a line of business, or more than ninety percent (90%) of the capital stock (by
percentage of votes), of a non-U.S. Person, provided (a) such assets or capital
stock are in a substantially similar line of business to that of the Borrower;
(b) no Default or Event of Default exists prior to or would result after giving
effect to such acquisition; (c) the Administrative Agent is granted, to the
extent required by Section 8, a valid first priority perfected security interest
in the capital stock so acquired, pursuant to the Security Documents (subject to
any Permitted Liens); (d) the seller of such assets or capital stock is not an
Affiliate of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; (e) the terms of such
acquisition are on an arms length basis; (f) Section 10.16, Section 10.17 and
Section 10.18 are complied with at the time of consummation of such acquisition
(or concurrently therewith); (g) the Borrower has demonstrated to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, set forth in a pro forma Compliance
Certificate, compliance with Section 12 on a Pro Forma Basis immediately prior
to and after giving effect to any such acquisition the calculation of which
shall be based upon the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section
10.4(c) for the month immediately preceding such acquisition; (h) the board of
directors and (if required by applicable law) the shareholders, or the
equivalent thereof, of the business to be acquired has approved such acquisition
in the event such Permitted Foreign Acquisition would result in a change of
control of the acquired Person and such Permitted Foreign Acquisition is not
considered "hostile"; (i) the business to be acquired would not subject any Bank
or Agent to any additional regulatory or third party approvals (other than
technical notices in connection with a foreclosure and transfer of such acquired
entity) in connection with the exercise of its rights and remedies under this
Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document; (j) no contingent liabilities will
be incurred or assumed in connection with such Permitted Foreign Acquisition
which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and any
Indebtedness incurred or assumed in connection with such Permitted Foreign
Acquisition shall have been permitted to be incurred or assumed pursuant to
Section 11.1; (k) the aggregate amount of the consideration (including the value
of

<PAGE>   33
                                      -24-

any assumed Indebtedness) for all Permitted Foreign Acquisitions (or series of
related acquisitions) shall not exceed $5,000,000 in any Fiscal Year; (l) if
such acquisition is made by a merger with the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary
of the Borrower, the Borrower or the applicable Domestic Subsidiary, as the case
may be, shall be the surviving entity; and (m) the Borrower shall have delivered
to the Administrative Agent a certificate demonstrating to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Administrative Agent that the Person or the assets to be
acquired in such acquisition shall have a positive Consolidated EBITDA
(calculated, on a Pro-Forma Basis, for the acquired Person and its Subsidiaries
or assets in the same fashion as Consolidated EBITDA is calculated for the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries under this Credit Agreement, mutatis mutandis) for
the period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months prior to such acquisition
and the Administrative Agent shall have received hazardous waste site
assessments from environmental engineers and in form and substance satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent, covering all Real Estate to be acquired in
connection with such Permitted Acquisition.

       Permitted Liens. Liens, security interests and other encumbrances
permitted by Section 11.2.

       Person. Any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, unincorporated
association, business, or other legal entity, and any government or any
governmental agency or political subdivision thereof.

       Prime Rate. The higher of (i) the variable annual rate of interest so
designated from time to time by Fleet as its "prime rate," such rate being a
reference rate and not necessarily representing the lowest or best rate being
charged to any customer and (ii) one-half of one percent (1/2%) above the
Federal Funds Effective Rate. For the purposes of this definition, "Federal
Funds Effective Rate" shall mean for any day, the rate per annum equal to the
weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with
members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as
published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next
preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such
rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the
quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative
Agent from three funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the
Administrative Agent. Changes in the Prime Rate resulting from any changes in
Fleet's "prime rate" shall take place immediately without notice or demand of
any kind.

       Prime Rate A Loans. Revolving Credit Loans and all or any part of the
Term A Loan bearing interest calculated by reference to the Prime Rate.

       Prime Rate B Loans. All or any part of the Term B Loan bearing interest
calculated by reference to the Prime Rate.

       Prime Rate Loans. Revolving Credit Loans and all or any portion of the
Term Loans bearing interest calculated by reference to the Prime Rate.

<PAGE>   34
                                      -25-

       Pro Forma Basis. In connection with any proposed Permitted Acquisition,
Permitted Foreign Acquisition or Permitted Asset Disposition after the Closing
Date, the calculation of compliance with the financial covenants set forth in
Section 12 hereof as required by the terms of the definition of Permitted
Acquisition, Permitted Foreign Acquisition or Permitted Asset Disposition by the
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries (including the Person to be acquired) with
reference to the audited historical financial results of such Person and the
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries for the applicable Test Period after
giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Permitted Acquisition, Permitted
Foreign Acquisition or Permitted Asset Disposition during the Test Period in the
manner described in (a), (b) and (c) below; and, following a Permitted
Acquisition, Permitted Foreign Acquisition or Permitted Asset Disposition, the
calculation of compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 12
for the fiscal quarter in which such Permitted Acquisition, Permitted Foreign
Acquisition or Permitted Asset Disposition occurred and each of the three fiscal
quarters immediately following such Permitted Acquisition, Permitted Foreign
Acquisition or Permitted Asset Disposition with reference to the audited
historical financial results of the Person so acquired and the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries for the applicable Test Period after giving effect on a pro forma
basis to such Permitted Acquisition, Permitted Foreign Acquisition or Permitted
Asset Disposition during the Test Period in the manner described in (a), (b) and
(c) below, provided, however, that, in each case, in the event that no
historical financial results are available with respect to the Person or assets
to be acquired, such calculations shall be made with reference to reasonable
estimates of such past performance made by the Borrower based on existing data
and other available information, such estimates to be agreed upon by the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent:

                     (a)    (i) all Indebtedness (whether under this Credit
       Agreement or otherwise) and any other balance sheet adjustments incurred
       or made in connection with the Permitted Acquisition, Permitted Foreign
       Acquisition or Permitted Asset Disposition shall be deemed to have been
       incurred or made on the first day of the Test Period, (ii) all
       Indebtedness of the Person acquired or to be acquired in any such
       Permitted Acquisition or Permitted Foreign Acquisition which was or will
       have been repaid in connection with the consummation of the Permitted
       Acquisition or Permitted Foreign Acquisition shall be deemed to have been
       repaid concurrently with the incurrence of the Indebtedness incurred in
       connection with the Permitted Acquisition or Permitted Foreign
       Acquisition, and (iii) and any Indebtedness which was repaid in
       connection with a Permitted Asset Disposition, shall be deemed to have
       been repaid on the first day of the Test Period;

                     (b)    all Indebtedness assumed to have been incurred
       pursuant to the preceding clause (a) shall be deemed to have borne
       interest at the sum of (i) the arithmetic mean of (x) the Eurodollar Rate
       for Eurodollar Rate Loans having an Interest Period of one month in
       effect on the first day of the Test Period and (y) the Eurodollar Rate
       for Eurodollar Rate Loans having an Interest Period of one month in
       effect on the last day of the Test Period plus (ii) the Applicable

<PAGE>   35
                                      -26-

       Margin then in effect (after giving effect to the Permitted Acquisition,
       Permitted Foreign Acquisition or Permitted Asset Disposition on a Pro
       Forma Basis); and

                     (c)    other reasonable cost savings, expenses and other
       income statement or operating statement adjustments which are
       attributable to the change in ownership and/or management resulting from
       such Permitted Acquisition, Permitted Foreign Acquisition or Permitted
       Asset Disposition as may be approved by the Administrative Agent in
       writing (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) shall be
       deemed to have been realized on the first day of the Test Period.

       Rate Adjustment Period. See the definition of Applicable Margin.

       RCRA. See Section 9.18(a).

       Real Estate. All real property at any time of determination owned or
leased (as lessee or sublessee) by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.

       Recapitalization. The Merger, the recapitalization of the Parent and the
other related transactions in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Recapitalization Documents, pursuant to which the Chartwell Investors will
acquire 94% of the stock of the Parent, refinance the Parent's and the
Borrower's existing senior credit facility and pay associated fees and expenses.

       Recapitalization Documents. Those documents executed by the Parent, the
Borrower and certain other Persons, in connection with the Recapitalization,
including (i) the Merger Agreement, (ii) the Securities Agreement, among the
Parent, Andsonica Acquisition Corp., Holdings and the Security Holders listed
therein, dated as of June 13, 2000, (iii) the Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation
Agreement among Brentwood Private Equity L.L.C., Charlesbank Capital Partners
L.L.C., Holdings and the Parent, dated as of June 13, 2000, (iv) the 18% Senior
Merger Debentures, and (v) the other documents listed on Schedule 1.3 hereto.

       Record. The grid attached to a Note, or the continuation of such grid, or
any other similar record, including computer records, maintained by any Bank
with respect to any Loan referred to in such Note.

       Reference Bank. Fleet.

       Reference Period. A period of four (4) full consecutive Fiscal Quarters,
calculated on a trailing 12 months basis, of a Person ending on the relevant
date, provided, that:

              (a)    solely for purposes of determining Consolidated Fixed
       Charges at the end of each Fiscal Quarter after July 1, 2000 through the
       Fiscal Quarter ended June 30, 2001, the Reference Period for Consolidated
       Fixed Charges and Consolidated Total Interest Expense only (and not as a
       component of the computation of figures for Consolidated EBITDA,
       Consolidated Excess Cash

<PAGE>   36
                                      -27-

       Flow, or Consolidated Operating Cash Flow) shall be such shorter period
       of four (4), seven (7) or ten (10) full Fiscal Months elapsed since
       August 26, 2000, with the relevant amount applicable to such shorter
       period annualized for the period of four (4) consecutive Fiscal Quarters
       for which the applicable covenant or test calculation is being performed
       by multiplying such relevant amount by a fraction whose numerator is
       twelve (12) and whose denominator is such actual number of elapsed full
       Fiscal Months; and

              (b)    for the purposes of the Leverage Ratio and the Senior
       Leverage Ratio tested on October 28, 2000, Reference Period shall mean
       with respect to Consolidated EBITDA, the prior twelve (12) Fiscal Month
       period.

       Register. See Section 21.3.

       Reimbursement Obligation. The Borrower's obligation to reimburse the
Administrative Agent and the Banks on account of any drawing under any Letter of
Credit as provided in Section 5.2.

       Reserves. As reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, such
amounts as the Administrative Agent may from time to time establish and revise
(a) to reflect events, conditions, contingencies or risks which do or may
reasonably be expected to (i) adversely and materially affect either (A) any
Collateral, the rights of the Administrative Agent or any of the Banks in any
Collateral or its value or (B) the security interest and other rights of the
Administrative Agent or any of the Banks in the Collateral (including the
enforceability, perfection and priority thereof) or (ii) adversely affect in any
material respect the assets (other than any Collateral) or business or financial
condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or (b) to reflect, among
other things, the reasonable belief of the Administrative Agent that any
Borrowing Base Report or other collateral report or financial information
furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any of
the Banks is or may have been incomplete, inaccurate or misleading in any
material respect, or that the nature or quality of the inventory of the Borrower
has deteriorated in any material respect. Reserves may include, but are not
limited to: rent, whether for personal or real property and whether or not a
lessor's or landlord's waiver, in a form acceptable to the Administrative Agent,
has been received by the Administrative Agent from such lessor or landlord;
payables based upon past due normal trade terms; taxes and other governmental
charges, whether ad valorem, personal or real property or otherwise and whether
or not the tax claims therefor not constituting Permitted Liens may have
priority over the Administrative Agent's security interest in any of the
Collateral; and any customs, duty, freight or other out-of-pocket costs or
expenses required or advisable to "land" any Inventory the purchase of which is
supported by a Letter of Credit.

       Restricted Payment. In relation to the Parent, the Borrower and each of
their Subsidiaries, any (a) Distribution or (b) payment or prepayment by the
Parent or its Subsidiaries to the Parent's or any Subsidiary's shareholders (or
other equity holders) or to any Affiliate of the Parent or any Subsidiary or any
Affiliate of the Parent's or such Subsidiary's shareholders.

<PAGE>   37
                                      -28-

       Revolving Credit Commitment. With respect to each Bank, the amount set
forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto as the amount of such Bank's commitment to
make a portion of the Revolving Credit Loan to and to participate in the
issuance, extension and renewal of Letters of Credit for the account of the
Borrower, as the same may be reduced from time to time; or if such commitment is
terminated pursuant to the provisions hereof, zero.

       Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage. With respect to each Bank, the
percentage set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto as such Bank's percentage of
the Revolving Credit Loan.

       Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date. March 31, 2006.

       Revolving Credit Loans. Revolving credit loans made or to be made by the
Banks to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.

       Revolving Credit Note Record. A Record with respect to a Revolving Credit
Note.

       Revolving Credit Notes. See Section 2.4.

       Rollover Capital Expenditure. See Section 12.5.

       SARA. See Section 9.18(a).

       Section 20 Subsidiary. A Subsidiary of the bank holding company
controlling any Bank, which Subsidiary has been granted authority by the Federal
Reserve Board to underwrite and deal in certain Ineligible Securities.

       Second Closing. The closing and funding of the Term Loans and a portion
of the Revolving Credit Loans, if applicable, upon the Second Closing Date.

       Second Closing Date. The first date on which the conditions set forth in
Section 13.2 have been satisfied with respect to the Second Closing, and the
Term Loans are to be made, which date shall not in any event be later than
October 31, 2000.

       Security Agreement. The Security Agreement dated as of the date hereof
among the Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries and the
Administrative Agent and in form and substance satisfactory to the Banks and the
Administrative Agent.

       Security Documents. The Guaranties, the Security Agreement, the
Mortgages, the Patent Assignments, the Trademark Assignments, the Copyright
Mortgages, the Stock Pledge Agreement and all other instruments and documents,
including without limitation Uniform Commercial Code financing statements,
required to be executed or delivered pursuant to any Security Document.

<PAGE>   38
                                      -29-

       Senior Funded Indebtedness. At any time of determination, Consolidated
Total Funded Indebtedness less, to the extent included in Consolidated Total
Funded Indebtedness, Subordinated Debt.

       Senior Leverage Ratio. As at any date of determination, the ratio of (a)
Senior Funded Indebtedness outstanding on such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA
for the Reference Period ending on such date.

       Senior Subordinated Debt. Indebtedness of the Parent represented by the 4
1/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes, the 18% Senior Merger Debentures and 18%
Senior Discount Notes and Indebtedness of the Borrower represented by the 11%
Senior Subordinated Notes.

       Settlement. The making or receiving of payments, in immediately available
funds, by the Banks, to the extent necessary to cause each Bank's actual share
of the outstanding amount of Revolving Credit Loans (after giving effect to any
Loan Request) to be equal to such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage
of the outstanding amount of such Revolving Credit Loans (after giving effect to
any Loan Request), in any case where, prior to such event or action, the actual
share is not so equal.

       Settlement Amount. See Section 2.10.1.

       Settlement Date. (a) The Drawdown Date relating to any Loan Request, (b)
Friday of each week, or if a Friday is not a Business Day, the Business Day
immediately following such Friday, (c) at the option of the Administrative
Agent, on any Business Day following a day on which the account officers of the
Administrative Agent active upon the Borrower's account become aware of the
existence of an Event of Default, (d) any Business Day on which the amount of
Revolving Credit Loans outstanding from Fleet plus Fleet's Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage of the sum of the Maximum Drawing Amount and any Unpaid
Reimbursement Obligations is equal to or greater than Fleet's Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage of the Total Revolving Credit Commitment, (e) the Business
Day immediately following any Business Day on which the amount of Revolving
Credit Loans outstanding increases or decreases by more than $5,000,000 as
compared to the previous Settlement Date, (f) any day on which any conversion of
a Prime Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Rate Loan occurs, (g) any Business Day on
which (i) the amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans decreases and (ii)
the amount of the Administrative Agent's Revolving Credit Loans outstanding
equals zero Dollars ($0) or (h) any Business Day on which the outstanding amount
of Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to Section 2.6.2 exceeds $5,000,000.

       Settling Bank. See Section 2.10.1.

       Significant Subsidiaries. All Subsidiaries of the Parent and the Borrower
other than the Insignificant Subsidiaries.

       Significant Foreign Subsidiaries. Significant Subsidiaries that are also
Foreign Subsidiaries.

<PAGE>   39
                                      -30-

       Stock Pledge Agreement. The Stock Pledge Agreement dated as of the date
hereof among the Parent, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and in form
and substance satisfactory to the Banks and the Administrative Agent.

       Subordinated Debt. Unsecured Indebtedness, including the Mezzanine
Capital and the Senior Subordinated Debt, of the Parent, the Borrower or any of
their Subsidiaries, which Indebtedness is expressly subordinated and made junior
to the payment and performance in full of the Obligations and evidenced as such
by the subordination provisions of the Mezzanine Capital Agreement, with respect
to the Mezzanine Capital, or by another written instrument containing
subordination provisions in form and substance approved by the Banks in writing.

       Subordination Documents. The subordination provisions of the Mezzanine
Capital Agreement, the subordination provisions contained in documentation for
the Senior Subordinated Debt and the Intercompany Subordination Agreement.

       Subsidiary. Any corporation, association, trust, or other business entity
of which the designated parent shall at any time own directly or indirectly
through a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries at least a majority (by number of votes) of
the outstanding Voting Stock.

       Subsidiary Guarantor. Each Domestic Subsidiary that is party to the
Subsidiary Guaranty, and Bell Canada, if it should become a party to the
Subsidiary Guaranty.

       Subsidiary Guaranty. The Subsidiary Guaranty dated as of the date hereof
from each Subsidiary Guarantor in favor of the Administrative Agent and the
Banks.

       Survey. In relation to each Mortgaged Property, an instrument survey of
such Mortgaged Property dated as of a date subsequent to January 1, 2000, which
shall show the location of all buildings, structures, easements and utility
lines on such Mortgaged Property, shall be sufficient to remove the survey
exception from the Title Policy, shall show that all buildings and structures
are within the lot lines of such Mortgaged Property, shall not show any
encroachments by others, shall show the zoning district or districts in which
such Mortgaged Property is located in a flood hazard district as established by
the Federal Emergency Management Agency or any successor agency or is located in
any flood plain, flood hazard or wetland protection district established under
federal, state or local law.

       Surveyor Certificate. In relation to each Mortgaged Property for which a
Survey has been conducted, a certificate executed by the surveyor who prepared
such Survey dated as of a recent date and containing such information relating
to such Mortgaged Property as the Administrative Agent or the Title Insurance
Company may require, such certificate to be satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent in form and substance.

       Term A Banks. Those Banks making Term A Loans pursuant to Section 4.1.1.

       Term A Commitment. As determined pursuant to Section 4.1.3, in an
aggregate principal amount of up to the Maximum Term A Commitment Amount.

<PAGE>   40
                                      -31-

       Term A Commitment Percentage. With respect to each Bank, the percentage
set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto as such Bank's percentage of the Term A
Loan.

       Term A Loan. The term loan made or to be made by the Banks to the
Borrower on the Second Closing Date in the aggregate principal amount of up to
the Term A Commitment pursuant to Section 4.1.1.

       Term A Maturity Date. March 31, 2006.

       Term A Note Record. A Record with respect to a Term A Note.

       Term A Notes. See Section 4.2.1.

       Term B Banks. Those Banks making Term B Loans pursuant to Section 4.1.2.

       Term B Commitment. As determined pursuant to Section 4.1.3, in an
aggregate principal amount of up to the Maximum Term B Commitment Amount.

       Term B Commitment Percentage. With respect to each Bank, the percentage
set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto as such Bank's percentage of the Term B
Loan.

       Term B Loan. The term loan made or to be made by the Banks to the
Borrower on the Second Closing Date in the aggregate principal amount of up to
the Term B Commitment pursuant to Section 4.1.2.

       Term B Maturity Date. March 31, 2007.

       Term B Note Record. A Record with respect to a Term B Note.

       Term B Notes. See Section 4.2.2.

       Term Commitments. As to any Bank, such Bank's Term A Commitment or Term B
Commitment, as the case may be.

       Term Loans. Collectively, the Term A Loans and the Term B Loans.

       Term Loan Commitment Termination Date. The earliest of (i) the Second
Closing Date, (ii) October 31, 2000 or (iii) such other date on which the Term
Loan Commitment may be terminated pursuant to Section 15.2.

       Term Notes. Collectively, the Term A Notes and the Term B Notes.

       Term Note Record. A Record with respect to a Term Note.

       Test Period. (a) In connection with the calculation of financial covenant
compliance on a Pro Forma Basis as required in connection with any proposed
Permitted Acquisition or Permitted Foreign Acquisition, the period of four
fiscal quarters most recently ended prior to such Permitted Acquisition, and (b)
in connection

<PAGE>   41
                                      -32-

with the calculation of the financial covenants set forth in Section 12 hereof
following any Permitted Acquisition or Permitted Foreign Acquisition, the period
of all fiscal quarters (and any portion of a fiscal quarter) prior to the date
of such Permitted Acquisition or Permitted Foreign Acquisition included in the
calculation of such financial covenant.

       Title Insurance Company. Chicago Title Insurance Company.

       Title Policy. In relation to each Mortgaged Property, an ALTA standard
form title insurance policy issued by the Title Insurance Company (with such
reinsurance or co-insurance as the Administrative Agent may require, any such
reinsurance to be with direct access endorsements) in such amount as may be
determined by the Administrative Agent insuring the priority of the Mortgage of
such Mortgaged Property and that the Parent or one of its Subsidiaries holds
marketable fee simple title to such Mortgaged Property, subject only to the
encumbrances permitted by such Mortgage and which shall not contain exceptions
for mechanics liens, persons in occupancy or matters which would be shown by a
survey (except as may be permitted by such Mortgage), shall not insure over any
matter except to the extent that any such affirmative insurance is acceptable to
the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, and shall contain such
endorsements and affirmative insurance as the Administrative Agent in its
discretion may require, including but not limited to (i) comprehensive
endorsement, (ii) variable rate of interest endorsement, (iii) usury
endorsement, (iv) revolving credit endorsement, (v) tie-in endorsement, (vi)
doing business endorsement and (vii) ALTA form 3.1 zoning endorsement.

       Total Commitment. The sum of the Commitments of the Banks, as in effect
from time to time.

       Total Revolving Credit Commitment. The sum of the Revolving Credit
Commitment of the Banks, as in effect from time to time. As of the Initial
Closing Date the Total Revolving Credit Commitment is $75,000,000.

       Total Term Commitments. The sum of the Term Commitments of the Banks, as
in effect from time to time.

       Trademark Assignments. The several Trademark Collateral Security and
Pledge Agreements dated as of the date hereof made by the Parent, the Borrower
and each of their Subsidiaries in favor of the Administrative Agent and in form
and substance satisfactory to the Banks and the Administrative Agent and the
Assignments of Trademarks and Tradenames related thereto.

       Type. As to any Revolving Credit Loan or all or any portion of the Term
Loan, its nature as a Prime Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

       Uniform Customs. With respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform
Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision), International
Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 500 or any successor version thereto adopted
by the

<PAGE>   42
                                      -33-

Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of its business as a letter of
credit issuer and in effect at the time of issuance of such Letter of Credit.

       Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation. Any Reimbursement Obligation for which
the Borrower does not reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Banks on the
date specified in, and in accordance with, Section 5.2.

       Voided Payment. See Section 7.8.

       Voting Stock. Stock or similar interests, of any class or classes
(however designated), the holders of which are at the time entitled, as such
holders, to vote for the election of a majority of the directors (or persons
performing similar functions) of the corporation, association, trust or other
business entity involved, whether or not the right so to vote exists by reason
of the happening of a contingency.

       4 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes. The 4 1/4% Convertible
Subordinated Notes due 2000, issued pursuant to that certain Indenture by and
between the Parent and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Trustee, dated November
15, 1993, as supplemented by that certain Supplemental Indenture, dated as of
August 17, 1998.

       11% Indebtedness Restrictions. See Section 11.1.

       11% Notes. The 11% Senior Subordinated Notes, issued pursuant to the 11%
Note Indenture.

       11% Note Indenture. The Indenture, dated as of August 17, 1998, by and
among the Borrower, as issuer, the Parent and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as
trustee.

       11% Offer. The Change of Control Offer to be made to holders of 11% Notes
pursuant to and as defined in Section 4.7 of the 11% Note Indenture, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

       11% Consent. The exit consent eliminating substantially all of the
covenants in the Indenture 11% Notes, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

       14% Senior Discount Notes. The 14% Discount Debentures, issued pursuant
to that certain Purchase Agreement by and among the Parent, Charlesbank Bell
Sports, Limited Partnership and Brentwood Associates Buyout Fund II, L.P., dated
August 17, 1998.

       18% Senior Discount Notes. The 18% Senior Discount Notes, to be issued on
or about the Second Closing Date, pursuant to an Indenture to be entered into
between the Parent, as issuer, and the trustee thereunder, which shall provide
for the issuance of such Indebtedness on the terms and conditions set forth in
that certain term sheet dated June 9, 2000.

<PAGE>   43
                                      -34-

       18% Senior Merger Debentures. The 18% Senior Merger Debentures, issued on
or about the Initial Closing Date, pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

       1.2. RULES OF INTERPRETATION.

              (a)    A reference to any document or agreement shall include
       such document or agreement as amended, modified or supplemented from time
       to time in accordance with its terms and the terms of this Credit
       Agreement.

              (b)    The singular includes the plural and the plural includes
       the singular.

              (c)    A reference to any law includes any amendment or
       modification to such law.

              (d)    A reference to any Person includes its permitted successors
       and permitted assigns.

              (e)    Accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the
       meanings assigned to them by generally accepted accounting principles
       applied on a consistent basis by the accounting entity to which they
       refer.

              (f)    The words "include", "includes" and "including" are not
       limiting.

              (g)    All terms not specifically defined herein or by generally
       accepted accounting principles, which terms are defined in the Uniform
       Commercial Code as in effect in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have
       the meanings assigned to them therein, with the term "instrument" being
       that defined under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

              (h)    Reference to a particular "Section" refers to that
       section of this Credit Agreement unless otherwise indicated.

              (i)    The words "herein", "hereof", "hereunder" and words of like
       import shall refer to this Credit Agreement as a whole and not to any
       particular section or subdivision of this Credit Agreement.

              (j)    Unless otherwise expressly indicated, in the computation of
       periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word
       "from" means "from and including," the words "to" and "until" each mean
       "to but excluding," and the word "through" means "to and including."

              (k)    This Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents may use
       several different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same
       or similar matters. All such limitations, tests and measurements are,
       however, cumulative and are to be performed in accordance with the terms
       thereof.

<PAGE>   44
                                      -35-

              (l)    This Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the
       result of negotiation among, and have been reviewed by counsel to, among
       others, the Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent and the Borrower
       and are the product of discussions and negotiations among all parties.
       Accordingly, this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are not
       intended to be construed against the Administrative Agent, the
       Syndication Agent or any of the Banks merely on account of the
       Administrative Agent's, the Syndication Agent's or any Bank's involvement
       in the preparation of such documents.

                     2. THE REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY.

       2.1. COMMITMENT TO LEND. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in
this Credit Agreement, each of the Banks severally agrees to lend to the
Borrower and the Borrower may borrow, repay, and reborrow from time to time from
the Initial Closing Date up to but not including the Revolving Credit Loan
Maturity Date upon notice by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent given in
accordance with Section 2.6, such sums as are requested by the Borrower up to a
maximum aggregate principal amount outstanding (after giving effect to all
amounts requested) at any one time equal to such Bank's Revolving Credit
Commitment minus such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the sum
of the Maximum Drawing Amount and all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations, provided
that the sum of the outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Loans (after
giving effect to all amounts requested) plus the Maximum Drawing Amount and all
Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations shall not at any time exceed the lesser of (i)
the Total Revolving Credit Commitment and (ii) the Borrowing Base. The Revolving
Credit Loans shall be made pro rata in accordance with each Bank's Revolving
Credit Commitment Percentage. Each request for a Revolving Credit Loan hereunder
shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that the
conditions set forth in Section 13.1 and Section 14, in the case of the initial
Revolving Credit Loans to be made on the Initial Closing Date, Section 13.2 and
Section 14, in the case of the Revolving Credit Loans to be made on the Second
Closing Date, if any, and Section 14, in the case of all other Revolving Credit
Loans, have been satisfied on the date of such request.

       2.2. COMMITMENT FEE. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative
Agent for the accounts of the Banks in accordance with their respective
Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages, a commitment fee calculated at the rate
of one half percent (0.50%) per annum on the average daily amount by which (x)
the Total Revolving Credit Commitment minus the sum of the Maximum Drawing
Amount and all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations exceeds (y) the outstanding
amount of Revolving Credit Loans during such calendar quarter; provided that
amounts advanced under Section 2.6.2 shall not be included in the calculation of
the outstanding amount under clause (y) hereof for each Bank other than for the
Bank (whether as Administrative Agent or otherwise) that has funded such
amounts. The commitment fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last
day of each calendar quarter for such calendar quarter commencing on the first
such date following the Initial Closing Date, with a final payment on the
Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date or any earlier date on which the Revolving
Credit Commitments shall terminate.

<PAGE>   45
                                      -36-

       2.3. REDUCTION OF TOTAL REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT. The Borrower shall
have the right at any time and from time to time upon five (5) Business Days
prior written notice to the Administrative Agent to reduce by $500,000 or an
integral multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or terminate entirely the
unborrowed portion of the Total Revolving Credit Commitment, whereupon the
Revolving Credit Commitments of the Banks shall be reduced pro rata in
accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages of the
amount specified in such notice or, as the case may be, terminated. Promptly
after receiving any notice of the Borrower delivered pursuant to this Section
2.3, the Administrative Agent will notify the Banks of the substance thereof.
Upon the effective date of any such reduction or termination, the Borrower shall
pay to the Administrative Agent for the respective accounts of the Banks the
full amount of any commitment fee then accrued on the amount of the reduction.
No reduction or termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments may be
reinstated.

       2.4. THE REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES. The Revolving Credit Loans shall be
evidenced by separate promissory notes of the Borrower in substantially the form
of Exhibit B hereto (each a "Revolving Credit Note"), dated as of the Initial
Closing Date (or such other date as a Bank may become a party hereto in
accordance with Section 21 hereof) and completed with appropriate insertions.
One Revolving Credit Note shall be payable to the order of each Bank in a
principal amount equal to such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment or, if less,
the outstanding amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by such Bank, plus
interest accrued thereon, as set forth below. The Borrower irrevocably
authorizes each Bank to make or cause to be made, at or about the time of the
Drawdown Date of any Revolving Credit Loan or at the time of receipt of any
payment of principal on such Bank's Revolving Credit Note, an appropriate
notation on such Bank's Revolving Credit Note Record reflecting the making of
such Revolving Credit Loan or (as the case may be) the receipt of such payment.
The outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Loans set forth on such Bank's
Revolving Credit Note Record shall be prima facie evidence of the principal
amount thereof owing and unpaid to such Bank, but the failure to record, or any
error in so recording, any such amount on such Bank's Revolving Credit Note
Record shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower
hereunder or under any Revolving Credit Note to make payments of principal of or
interest on any Revolving Credit Note when due.

       2.5. INTEREST ON REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. Except as otherwise provided in
Section 6.11,

              (a)    Each Revolving Credit Loan which is a Prime Rate Loan shall
       bear interest for the period commencing with the Drawdown Date thereof
       and ending on the last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto at
       the rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate plus the Applicable Margin
       with respect to Prime Rate A Loans as in effect from time to time.

              (b)    Each Revolving Credit Loan which is a Eurodollar Rate Loan
       shall bear interest for the period commencing with the Drawdown Date
       thereof and ending on the last day of the Interest Period with respect
       thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate determined for
       such Interest Period plus the

<PAGE>   46
                                      -37-

       Applicable Margin with respect to Eurodollar Rate A Loans as in effect
       from time to time.

       The Borrower promises to pay interest on each Revolving Credit Loan in
arrears on each Interest Payment Date with respect thereto.

       2.6. REQUESTS FOR REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.

              2.6.1. GENERAL. The Borrower shall give to the Administrative
       Agent written notice (by hand, telecopy or overnight courier)
       substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto (or telephonic notice
       confirmed in a writing substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto) of
       each Revolving Credit Loan requested hereunder (a "Loan Request") no less
       than (i) one (1) Business Day prior to the proposed Drawdown Date of any
       Prime Rate Loan and (ii) three (3) Eurodollar Business Days prior to the
       proposed Drawdown Date of any Eurodollar Rate Loan. Each such notice
       shall specify (A) the principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loan
       requested, (B) the proposed Drawdown Date of such Revolving Credit Loan,
       (C) in the case of a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Interest Period for such
       Revolving Credit Loan and (D) the Type of such Revolving Credit Loan.
       Promptly upon receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall
       notify each of the Banks thereof. Each Loan Request shall be irrevocable
       and binding on the Borrower and shall obligate the Borrower to accept the
       Revolving Credit Loan requested from the Banks on the proposed Drawdown
       Date. Each Loan Request shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of
       $500,000 or an integral multiple thereof.

              2.6.2. SWING LINE. Notwithstanding the notice and minimum amount
       requirements set forth in Section 2.6.1 but otherwise in accordance with
       the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement, the Administrative
       Agent may, in its sole discretion and without conferring with the Banks,
       upon a request made to the Administrative Agent no later than 11:00 a.m.
       (Boston time) on the date of the proposed borrowing pursuant to this
       Section 2.6.2, by telephone (confirmed immediately in writing), telex or
       telecopier, make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower (i) by entry of
       credits to the Borrower's operating account with the Administrative Agent
       (the "Operating Account") to cover checks or other charges which the
       Borrower has drawn or made against such account or (ii) in an amount as
       otherwise requested by the Borrower. The Borrower hereby requests and
       authorizes the Administrative Agent to make from time to time such
       Revolving Credit Loans by means of appropriate entries of such credits
       sufficient to cover checks and other charges then presented for payment
       from the Operating Account or as otherwise so requested. The Borrower
       acknowledges and agrees that the making of such Revolving Credit Loans
       shall, in each case, be subject in all respects to the provisions of this
       Credit Agreement as if they were Revolving Credit Loans covered by a Loan
       Request including, without limitation, the limitations set forth in
       Section 2.1 and the requirements that the applicable provisions of
       Section 13.1 (in the case of Revolving Credit Loans made on the Initial
       Closing Date) Section 13.2 (in the case of Revolving Credit Loans made on
       the

<PAGE>   47
                                      -38-

       Second Closing Date) and Section 14 be satisfied, and that Revolving
       Credit Loans outstanding prior to a Settlement under this Section 2.6.2
       shall not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any time. All actions
       taken by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the provisions of this
       Section 2.6.2 shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the
       Banks absent the Administrative Agent's gross negligence or willful
       misconduct. Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to this Section 2.6.2
       shall be Prime Rate Loans until converted in accordance with the
       provisions of the Credit Agreement and, prior to a Settlement, such
       interest shall be for the account of the Administrative Agent.

              2.6.3. LOANS TO COVER REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS. Notwithstanding
       the notice and minimum amount requirements set forth in Section 2.6.1,
       the Administrative Agent shall, subject to the satisfaction of the
       conditions set forth herein, including, without limitation, Section 14
       hereof (other than Section 14.1, unless an Event of Default is
       continuing), make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower on the date that
       any draft presented under any Letter of Credit is honored by the
       Administrative Agent, or any date on which the Administrative Agent
       otherwise makes a payment with respect thereto, in an amount sufficient
       to pay in full the obligations of the Borrower under Section 5.2 in
       respect of the honor of such draft or the making of such payment. The
       Borrower hereby requests and authorizes the Administrative Agent to make
       from time to time such Revolving Credit Loans by means of appropriate
       entries in the books and records of the Administrative Agent and to
       notify each of the Banks which have Revolving Credit Commitments of the
       date and amount of any such Revolving Credit Loans. The Borrower
       acknowledges and agrees that the making of such Revolving Credit Loans
       shall, in each case, be subject in all respects to the provisions of this
       Credit Agreement as if they were Revolving Credit Loans covered by a Loan
       Request including the limitations set forth in Section 2.1 and the
       requirement that the applicable provisions of Section 14 (other than
       Section 14.1, unless an Event of Default is continuing) be satisfied.
       Absent manifest error on the part of the Administrative Agent, all
       actions taken by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the provisions of
       this Section 2.6.3. shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower.
       Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to this Section 2.6.3. shall be
       Prime Rate Loans (subject to conversion pursuant to Section 2.7 hereof)
       and shall bear interest at the rate provided for Revolving Credit Loans
       in Section 2.5 hereof. Each of the Banks hereby acknowledges and agrees
       that a Revolving Credit Loan made by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
       this Section 2.6.3. shall (i) be subject in all respects to the
       provisions of this Credit Agreement (including, without limitation,
       Section 2.8 hereof) and (ii) obligate each such Bank to advance to the
       Administrative Agent the amount of such Bank's Revolving Credit
       Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loan.

       2.7. CONVERSION OPTIONS.

              2.7.1. CONVERSION TO DIFFERENT TYPE OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN. The
       Borrower may elect from time to time to convert any outstanding Revolving
       Credit Loan to a Revolving Credit Loan of another Type, provided that (i)
       with respect to any such conversion of a Eurodollar Rate Loan to a Prime
       Rate Loan,

<PAGE>   48
                                      -39-

       the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent at least one (1)
       Business Day prior written notice of such election; (ii) with respect to
       any such conversion of a Prime Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the
       Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent at least three (3)
       Eurodollar Business Days prior written notice of such election; (iii)
       with respect to any such conversion of a Eurodollar Rate Loan into a
       Prime Rate Loan, such conversion shall only be made on the last day of
       the Interest Period with respect thereto; and (iv) no Prime Rate Loan may
       be converted into a Eurodollar Rate Loan when any Default or Event of
       Default has occurred and is continuing. On the date on which such
       conversion is being made each Bank shall take such action as is necessary
       to transfer its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such Revolving
       Credit Loans to its Domestic Lending Office or its Eurodollar Lending
       Office, as the case may be. All or any part of outstanding Revolving
       Credit Loans of any Type may be converted as provided herein, provided
       that partial conversions shall be in an aggregate principal amount of
       $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each
       Conversion Request relating to the conversion of a Revolving Credit Loan
       to a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be irrevocable by the Borrower.

              2.7.2. CONTINUATION OF TYPE OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN. Any
       Revolving Credit Loans of any Type may be continued as such upon the
       expiration of an Interest Period with respect thereto by compliance by
       the Borrower with the notice provisions contained in Section 2.7.1;
       provided that no Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued as such when any
       Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, but shall be
       automatically converted to a Prime Rate Loan on the last day of the first
       Interest Period relating thereto ending during the continuance of any
       Default or Event of Default of which officers of the Administrative Agent
       active upon the Borrower's account have actual knowledge. In the event
       that the Borrower fails to provide any such notice with respect to the
       continuation of any Eurodollar Rate Loan, then such Eurodollar Rate Loan
       shall be automatically converted to a Prime Rate Loan on the last day of
       the first Interest Period relating thereto. The Administrative Agent
       shall notify the Banks promptly when any such automatic conversion
       contemplated by this Section 2.7 is scheduled to occur.

              2.7.3. EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS. Any conversion to or from Eurodollar
       Rate Loans shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such
       elections so that, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal
       amount of all Eurodollar Rate Loans having the same Interest Period shall
       not be less than $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess
       thereof. No more than ten (10) Eurodollar Rate Loans having different
       Interest Periods may be outstanding at any time.

       2.8. FUNDS FOR REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.

              2.8.1. FUNDING PROCEDURES. Not later than 11:00 a.m. (Boston time)
       on the proposed Drawdown Date of any Revolving Credit Loans, each of the
       Banks will make available to the Administrative Agent, at the
       Administrative Agent's Office, in immediately available funds, the amount
       of such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the amount of
       the requested Revolving Credit

<PAGE>   49
                                      -40-

       Loans. Upon receipt from each Bank of such amount, and upon receipt of
       the documents required by Sections 13 and 14 and the satisfaction of the
       other conditions set forth therein, to the extent applicable, the
       Administrative Agent will make available to the Borrower the aggregate
       amount of such Revolving Credit Loans made available to the
       Administrative Agent by the Banks. The failure or refusal of any Bank to
       make available to the Administrative Agent at the aforesaid time and
       place on any Drawdown Date the amount of its Revolving Credit Commitment
       Percentage of the requested Revolving Credit Loans shall not relieve any
       other Bank from its several obligation hereunder to make available to the
       Administrative Agent the amount of such other Bank's Revolving Credit
       Commitment Percentage of any requested Revolving Credit Loans.

              2.8.2. ADVANCES BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. The Administrative Agent
       may, unless notified to the contrary by any Bank prior to a Drawdown
       Date, assume that such Bank has made available to the Administrative
       Agent on such Drawdown Date the amount of such Bank's Revolving Credit
       Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit Loans to be made on such
       Drawdown Date, and the Administrative Agent may (but it shall not be
       required to), in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the
       Borrower a corresponding amount. If any Bank makes available to the
       Administrative Agent such amount on a date after such Drawdown Date, such
       Bank shall pay to the Administrative Agent on demand an amount equal to
       the product of (i) the average computed for the period referred to in
       clause (iii) below, of the weighted average interest rate paid by the
       Administrative Agent for federal funds acquired by the Administrative
       Agent during each day included in such period, times (ii) the amount of
       such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such Revolving
       Credit Loans, times (iii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the
       number of days that elapse from and including such Drawdown Date to the
       date on which the amount of such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment
       Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loans shall become immediately
       available to the Administrative Agent, and the denominator of which is
       360. A statement of the Administrative Agent submitted to such Bank with
       respect to any amounts owing under this paragraph shall be prima facie
       evidence of the amount due and owing to the Administrative Agent by such
       Bank. If the amount of such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage
       of such Revolving Credit Loans is not made available to the
       Administrative Agent by such Bank within three (3) Business Days
       following such Drawdown Date, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled
       to recover such amount from the Borrower on demand, with interest thereon
       at the rate per annum applicable to the Revolving Credit Loans made on
       such Drawdown Date.

       2.9. CHANGE IN BORROWING BASE. The Borrowing Base shall be determined
monthly (or at such other interval as may be specified pursuant to Section
10.4(f)) by the Administrative Agent by reference to the Borrowing Base Report,
commercial finance and collateral audit reports and other information obtained
by or provided to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall give
to the Borrower written

<PAGE>   50
                                      -41-

notice of any change in the Borrowing Base determined by the Administrative
Agent. In the case of an increase in Reserves with regard to the Borrowing Base,
provided no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, such notice
shall be effective five (5) days after its receipt by the Borrower. If an Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, such notice shall be effective
immediately. Prior to the time that such notice becomes effective the Borrowing
Base shall be computed as it would have been computed in the absence of such
notice.

       2.10. SETTLEMENTS.

              2.10.1. GENERAL. On each Settlement Date, the Administrative Agent
       shall, not later than 11:00 a.m. (Boston time), give telephonic or
       facsimile notice (i) to the Banks and the Borrower of the respective
       outstanding amount of Revolving Credit Loans made by the Administrative
       Agent on behalf of the Banks from the immediately preceding Settlement
       Date through the close of business on the prior day and the amount of any
       Eurodollar Rate Loans to be made (following the giving of notice pursuant
       to Section 2.6.1(ii)) on such date pursuant to a Loan Request and (ii) to
       the Banks of the amount (a "Settlement Amount") that each Bank (a
       "Settling Bank") shall pay to effect a Settlement of any Revolving Credit
       Loan. A statement of the Administrative Agent submitted to the Banks and
       the Borrower or to the Banks with respect to any amounts owing under this
       Section 2.10 shall be prima facie evidence of the amount due and owing.
       Each Settling Bank shall, not later than 3:00 p.m. (Boston time) on such
       Settlement Date, effect a wire transfer of immediately available funds to
       the Administrative Agent in the amount of the Settlement Amount for such
       Settling Bank. All funds advanced by any Bank as a Settling Bank pursuant
       to this Section 2.10 shall for all purposes be treated as a Revolving
       Credit Loan made by such Settling Bank to the Borrower and all funds
       received by any Bank pursuant to this Section 2.10 shall for all purposes
       be treated as repayment of amounts owed with respect to Revolving Credit
       Loans made by such Bank. In the event that any bankruptcy,
       reorganization, liquidation, receivership or similar cases or proceedings
       in which the Borrower is a debtor prevent a Settling Bank from making any
       Revolving Credit Loan to effect a Settlement as contemplated hereby, such
       Settling Bank will make such dispositions and arrangements with the other
       Banks with respect to such Revolving Credit Loans, either by way of
       purchase of participations, distribution, pro tanto assignment of claims,
       subrogation or otherwise as shall result in each Bank's share of the
       outstanding Revolving Credit Loans being equal, as nearly as may be, to
       such Bank's Commitment Percentage of the outstanding amount of the
       Revolving Credit Loans.

              2.10.2. FAILURE TO MAKE FUNDS AVAILABLE. The Administrative Agent
       may, unless notified to the contrary by any Settling Bank prior to a
       Settlement Date, assume that such Settling Bank has made or will make
       available to the Administrative Agent on such Settlement Date the amount
       of such Settling Bank's Settlement Amount, and the Administrative Agent
       may (but it shall not be required to), in reliance upon such assumption,
       make available to the

<PAGE>   51
                                      -42-

       Borrower a corresponding amount. If any Settling Bank makes available to
       the Administrative Agent such amount on a date after such Settlement
       Date, such Settling Bank shall pay to the Administrative Agent on demand
       an amount equal to the product of (i) the average computed for the period
       referred to in clause (iii) below, of the weighted average interest rate
       paid by the Administrative Agent for federal funds acquired by the
       Administrative Agent during each day included in such period, times (ii)
       the amount of such Settlement Amount, times (iii) a fraction, the
       numerator of which is the number of days that elapse from and including
       such Settlement Date to the date on which the amount of such Settlement
       Amount shall become immediately available to the Administrative Agent,
       and the denominator of which is 360. A statement of the Administrative
       Agent submitted to such Settling Bank with respect to any amounts owing
       under this Section 2.10.2 shall be prima facie evidence of the amount due
       and owing to the Administrative Agent by such Settling Bank. If such
       Settling Bank's Settlement Amount is not made available to the
       Administrative Agent by such Settling Bank within three (3) Business Days
       following such Settlement Date, the Administrative Agent shall be
       entitled to recover such amount from the Borrower on demand, with
       interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to the Revolving Credit
       Loans as of such Settlement Date.

              2.10.3. NO EFFECT ON OTHER BANKS. The failure or refusal of any
       Settling Bank to make available to the Administrative Agent at the
       aforesaid time and place on any Settlement Date the amount of such
       Settling Bank's Settlement Amount shall not (i) relieve any other
       Settling Bank from its several obligations hereunder to make available to
       the Administrative Agent the amount of such other Settling Bank's
       Settlement Amount or (ii) impose upon any Bank, other than the Settling
       Bank so failing or refusing, any liability with respect to such failure
       or refusal or otherwise increase the Revolving Credit Commitment of such
       other Bank.

       2.11. REPAYMENTS OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS PRIOR TO EVENT OF DEFAULT.

              2.11.1. CREDIT FOR FUNDS RECEIVED IN CONCENTRATION ACCOUNT. Prior
       to the occurrence of an Event of Default as to which the account officers
       of the Administrative Agent active upon the Borrower's account have
       actual knowledge and which has not been cured or waived, (i) all funds
       and cash proceeds in the form of money, checks and like items received in
       the Fleet Concentration Account as contemplated by Section 10.14 shall be
       credited, on the same Business Day on which the Administrative Agent
       determines that good collected funds have been received, and, prior to
       the receipt of good collected funds, on a provisional basis until final
       receipt of good collected funds, and applied as contemplated by Section
       2.11.2, (ii) all funds and cash proceeds in the form of a wire transfer
       received in the Fleet Concentration Account as contemplated by Section
       10.14 shall be credited on the same Business Day as the Administrative
       Agent's receipt of such amounts (or up to such later date as the
       Administrative Agent determines that good collected funds have been
       received), and applied as contemplated by Section 2.11.2, and (iii) all
       funds and cash proceeds in the form of an

<PAGE>   52
                                      -43-

       automated clearing house transfer received in the Fleet Concentration
       Account as contemplated by Section 10.14 shall be credited, on the next
       Business Day following the Administrative Agent's receipt of such amounts
       (or up to such later date as the Administrative Agent determines that
       good collected funds have been received), and applied as contemplated by
       Section 2.11.2. For purposes of the foregoing provisions of this Section
       2.11.1, the Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have received any
       such funds or cash proceeds on any day unless received by the
       Administrative Agent before 2:00 p.m. (Boston time) on such day. The
       Borrower further acknowledges and agrees that any such provisional
       credits or credits in respect of wire or automatic clearing house funds
       transfers shall be subject to reversal if final collection in good funds
       of the related item is not received by, or final settlement of the funds
       transfer is not made in favor of, the Administrative Agent in accordance
       with the Administrative Agent's customary procedures and practices for
       collecting provisional items or receiving settlement of funds transfers.

              2.11.2. APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS PRIOR TO EVENT OF DEFAULT. Prior
       to the occurrence of an Event of Default of which the account officers of
       the Administrative Agent active on the Borrower's account have knowledge
       and which has not been cured or waived, all funds transferred to the
       Fleet Concentration Account and for which the Borrower has received
       credits shall be applied to the Obligations: (a) first, to pay amounts
       then due and payable under this Credit Agreement, the Notes and the other
       Loan Documents; and (b) second, except as otherwise required by Section
       5.2(b) and (c), to the Operating Account.

       2.12. REPAYMENTS OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS AFTER EVENT OF DEFAULT.
Following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default of
which the account officers of the Administrative Agent active on the Borrower's
account have knowledge, all funds transferred to the Fleet Concentration Account
and for which the Borrower has received credits shall be applied to the
Obligations in accordance with Section 15.4.

              3. REPAYMENT OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.

       3.1. MATURITY. The Borrower promises to pay on the Revolving Credit Loan
Maturity Date, and there shall become absolutely due and payable on the
Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date, all of the Revolving Credit Loans
outstanding on such date, together with any and all accrued and unpaid interest
thereon.

       3.2. MANDATORY REPAYMENTS OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. If at any time the
sum of the outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Loans, the Maximum Drawing
Amount and all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations exceeds the lesser of (i) the
Total Revolving Credit Commitment and (ii) the Borrowing Base, then the Borrower
shall immediately pay the amount of such excess to the Administrative Agent for
the respective accounts of the Banks for application: first, to any Unpaid
Reimbursement Obligations; second, to the Revolving Credit Loans (first to Prime
Rate Loans, then to Eurodollar Rate Loans in direct order of Interest Period
maturities); and third, to

<PAGE>   53
                                      -44-

provide to the Administrative Agent cash collateral for Reimbursement
Obligations as contemplated by Section 5.2(b) and (c). Each payment of any
Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations or prepayment of Revolving Credit Loans shall
be allocated among the Banks, in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to each
Reimbursement Obligation or (as the case may be) the respective unpaid principal
amount of each Bank's Revolving Credit Note, with adjustments to the extent
practicable to equalize any prior payments or repayments not exactly in
proportion. In addition, the Borrower shall make the mandatory repayments
contemplated in Section 4.5.

       3.3. ANNUAL CLEAN-DOWN. During each Fiscal Year, for a period of thirty
(30) consecutive days commencing not earlier than August 1 of such Fiscal Year
and ending not later than November 30 of such Fiscal Year, the aggregate amount
of all Revolving Credit Loans outstanding shall not exceed $20,000,000; provided
that in Fiscal Year 2001, the aggregate amount of all Revolving Credit Loans
outstanding in such thirty (30) day period shall not exceed $22,000,000. At the
beginning of each such thirty (30) day period, the Borrower shall pay down
Revolving Credit Loans outstanding to such level.

       3.4. OPTIONAL REPAYMENTS OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. The Borrower shall
have the right, at its election, to repay the outstanding amount of the
Revolving Credit Loans, as a whole or in part, at any time without penalty or
premium, provided that the full or partial prepayment of the outstanding amount
of any Eurodollar Rate Loans pursuant to this Section 3.4 may be made only on
the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, unless the Borrower has
complied with Section 6.10. The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent, no
later than 11:00 a.m., Boston time, at least one (1) Business Day prior written
notice, of any proposed repayment pursuant to this Section 3.4 of Prime Rate
Loans, and three (3) Eurodollar Business Days notice of any proposed repayment
pursuant to this Section 3.4 of Eurodollar Rate Loans, in each case, specifying
the proposed date of payment of Revolving Credit Loans and the principal amount
to be paid. Each such partial prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans shall be
in an integral multiple of $500,000, and, if a permanent prepayment accompanied
by a reduction of the Total Revolving Credit Commitment, shall be accompanied by
the payment of accrued interest on the principal repaid to the date of payment
(rather than otherwise at the end of the applicable Interest Period) and shall
be applied first to the principal of Prime Rate Loans and then to the principal
of Eurodollar Rate Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities. Each
partial prepayment shall be allocated among the Banks, in proportion, as nearly
as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amount of each Bank's
Revolving Credit Note, with adjustments to the extent practicable to equalize
any prior repayments not exactly in proportion.

                            4. THE TERM LOANS.

       4.1. COMMITMENT TO LEND.

              4.1.1. TERM A LOAN. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
       in Section 4.1.3 and Section 13.2, each Bank agrees to lend to the
       Borrower on the Second Closing Date the amount of its Term A Commitment
       Percentage of the principal amount

<PAGE>   54
                                      -45-

       determined pursuant to Section 4.1.3. The Term A Loan shall be made only
       on the Second Closing Date.

              4.1.2. TERM B LOAN. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
       in Section 4.1.3 and Section 13.2, each Bank agrees to lend to the
       Borrower on the Second Closing Date the amount of its Term B Commitment
       Percentage of the principal amount determined pursuant to Section 4.1.3.
       The Term B Loan shall be made only on the Second Closing Date.

              4.1.3. DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT OF TERM A LOAN AND TERM B LOAN. The
       amount of each of the Term A Loan and Term B Loan to be made on the
       Second Closing Date shall be determined as follows:

              (a)    If the holders of ninety percent (90%) or more of the
       outstanding 11% Notes have accepted the 11% Offer at the end of the Offer
       Period, the Term A Loan and Term B Loan shall each be funded in the
       amount of the Maximum Term A Commitment and the Maximum Term B
       Commitment, respectively, and the Mezzanine Capital shall be funded in
       the amount of the Maximum Mezzanine Loan Commitment.

              (b)    If the holders of less than ninety percent (90%) of the
       outstanding 11% Notes have accepted the 11% Offer, (i) the Maximum
       Mezzanine Loan Commitment, the Maximum Term B Commitment and the Maximum
       Term A Commitment shall be reduced dollar for dollar by an amount equal
       to the sum of (A) the aggregate amount of the 11% Notes that would remain
       outstanding after giving effect to the 11% Offer and (B) the aggregate
       amount of the 18% Senior Discount Notes that would remain outstanding
       after giving effect to the Second Closing, which reduction shall be made
       in the following order: (x) first, to the Maximum Mezzanine Loan
       Commitment, (y) second, to the Maximum Term B Commitment; and (z) third,
       to the Maximum Term A Commitment and (ii) the Term A Loan, the Term B
       Loan and the Mezzanine Capital shall be funded in such reduced commitment
       amounts.

       4.2. COMMITMENT FEE. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative
Agent for the accounts of the Banks in accordance with their respective Term A
Commitment Percentages and Term B Commitment Percentages, as applicable, a
commitment fee calculated at the rate of (i) one half percent (0.50%) per annum
on the unfunded amount of the Term A Loan and the Term B Loan from the Initial
Closing Date through September 30, 2000, and (ii) one percent (1.00%) per annum
on the unfunded amount of the Term A Loan and the Term B Loan thereafter through
the Term Loan Commitment Termination Date, on the average daily unfunded amount
during each calendar quarter or portion thereof. The commitment fee shall be
payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each calendar quarter for such
calendar quarter commencing on the first such date following the date hereof,
with a final payment on the Term Loan Commitment Termination Date.

<PAGE>   55
                                      -46-

       4.3. REDUCTION OF TOTAL TERM COMMITMENT; TERMINATION OF TERM COMMITMENTS.

              4.3.1. REDUCTION BY BORROWER. The Borrower shall have the right at
       any time and from time to time upon three (3) Business Days prior written
       notice to the Administrative Agent to reduce by $500,000 or an integral
       multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof, or terminate entirely the
       unborrowed portion of the Total Term Commitment, whereupon the Term
       Commitments of the Banks shall be reduced pro rata in accordance with
       their respective Term Commitment Percentages of the amount specified in
       such notice or, as the case may be, terminated. Promptly after receiving
       any notice of the Borrower delivered pursuant to this Section 4.3, the
       Administrative Agent will notify the Banks of the substance thereof. Upon
       the effective date of any such reduction or termination, the Borrower
       shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the respective accounts of the
       Banks the full amount of any commitment fee then accrued on the amount of
       the reduction. No reduction of the Term Commitments may be reinstated.

              4.3.2. TERMINATION OF TERM COMMITMENTS. All obligations of any of
       the Banks to lend all or any portion of the Term Loans to the Borrower
       shall terminate if not drawn by the Term Loan Commitment Termination
       Date.

       4.4. THE TERM NOTES.

              4.4.1. TERM A NOTES. The Term A Loan shall be evidenced by
       separate promissory notes of the Borrower in substantially the form of
       Exhibit D-1 hereto (each a "Term A Note"), dated the Initial Closing Date
       (or such other date as a Bank may become a party hereto in accordance
       with Section 21 hereof) and completed with appropriate insertions. One
       Term A Note shall be payable to the order of each Bank in a principal
       amount equal to such Bank's Term A Commitment and representing the
       obligation of the Borrower to pay to such Bank such principal amount or,
       if less, the outstanding amount of such Bank's Term A Commitment, plus
       interest accrued thereon, as set forth below. The Borrower irrevocably
       authorizes each Bank to make or cause to be made a notation on such
       Bank's Term A Note Record reflecting the original principal amount of
       such Bank's Term A Commitment and, at or about the time of such Bank's
       receipt of any principal payment on such Bank's Term A Note, an
       appropriate notation on such Bank's Term A Note Record reflecting such
       payment. The aggregate unpaid amount set forth on such Bank's Term A Note
       Record shall be prima facie evidence of the principal amount thereof
       owing and unpaid to such Bank, but the failure to record, or any error in
       so recording, any such amount on such Bank's Term A Note Record shall not
       affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under any Term A Note
       to make payments of principal of and interest on any Term A Note when
       due.

              4.4.2. TERM B NOTES. The Term B Loan shall be evidenced by
       separate promissory notes of the Borrower in substantially the form of
       Exhibit D-2 hereto (each a "Term B Note"), dated the Initial Closing Date
       (or such other date as a

<PAGE>   56
                                      -47-

       Bank may become a party hereto in accordance with Section 21 hereof) and
       completed with appropriate insertions. One Term B Note shall be payable
       to the order of each Bank in a principal amount equal to such Bank's Term
       B Commitment and representing the obligation of the Borrower to pay to
       such Bank such principal amount or, if less, the outstanding amount of
       such Bank's Term B Commitment, plus interest accrued thereon, as set
       forth below. The Borrower irrevocably authorizes each Bank to make or
       cause to be made a notation on such Bank's Term B Note Record reflecting
       the original principal amount of such Bank's Term B Commitment and, at or
       about the time of such Bank's receipt of any principal payment on such
       Bank's Term B Note, an appropriate notation on such Bank's Term B Note
       Record reflecting such payment. The aggregate unpaid amount set forth on
       such Bank's Term B Note Record shall be prima facie evidence of the
       principal amount thereof owing and unpaid to such Bank, but the failure
       to record, or any error in so recording, any such amount on such Bank's
       Term B Note Record shall not affect the obligations of the Borrower
       hereunder or under any Term B Note to make payments of principal of and
       interest on any Term B Note when due.

       4.5. MANDATORY PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL OF TERM LOANS.

              4.5.1. TERM A LOANS. The Borrower promises to pay to the
       Administrative Agent for the account of the Banks the principal amount of
       the Term A Loan in twenty three (23) consecutive quarterly payments, such
       payments to be due and payable on the last Business Day of each calendar
       quarter ending within any period set forth below. Each payment shall be
       equal to the original principal amount of Term A Loan multiplied by the
       percentage set forth in the table below opposite such period, commencing
       on December 31, 2000, with a final payment on the Term A Maturity Date in
       an amount equal to the unpaid balance of the Term A Loan.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CALENDAR QUARTERS ENDING:                  PERCENTAGE OF TERM A LOAN OUTSTANDING
    -------------------------                  -------------------------------------
                                                      ON TERM LOAN COMMITMENT
                                                      -----------------------
                                                          TERMINATION DATE
                                                          ----------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        12/31/00 - 6/30/01                                      2.78%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         9/30/01- 6/30/02                                       3.33%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         9/30/02- 6/30/03                                       4.17%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         9/30/03- 6/30/04                                       5.00%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         9/30/04- 6/30/05                                       5.21%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        9/30/05 - 3/30/06                                       6.94%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

              4.5.2. TERM B LOANS. The Borrower promises to pay to the
       Administrative Agent for the account of the Banks the principal amount of
       the Term B Loan in twenty-seven (27) consecutive quarterly payments, such
       payments to be due and payable on the last Business Day of each calendar

<PAGE>   57
                                      -48-

       quarter ending within any period set forth below. Each payment shall be
       equal to the original principal amount of Term B Loan multiplied by the
       percentage set forth in the table below opposite such period, commencing
       on December 31, 2000, with a final payment on the Term B Maturity Date in
       an amount equal to the unpaid balance of the Term B Loan. @@

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CALENDAR QUARTER ENDING:                 PERCENTAGE OF TERM B LOAN OUTSTANDING
    ------------------------                 -------------------------------------
                                                     ON TERM LOAN COMMITMENT
                                                     -----------------------
                                                        TERMINATION DATE
                                                        ----------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      12/31/00 - 6/30/01                                    .33%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       9/30/01 - 6/30/05                                    .25%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       9/30/05 - 6/30/06                                   11.88%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       9/30/06 - 3/30/07                                   15.83%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

              4.5.3. ANNUAL CONSOLIDATED EXCESS CASH FLOW RECAPTURE. For each
       Fiscal Year ending during or after June 2001, the Borrower shall make a
       prepayment of principal of each of the Term A Loan and Term B Loan in an
       amount equal to seventy-five percent (75%) of Consolidated Excess Cash
       Flow for such Fiscal Year; provided that if the Leverage Ratio as of the
       last day of such Fiscal Year is less than 3.75:1.00, the Borrower shall
       only be obligated to make prepayments of principal in an amount equal to
       fifty percent (50%) of Consolidated Excess Cash Flow for such Fiscal
       Year; such mandatory prepayment to be due one hundred forty (140) days
       after the end of each applicable Fiscal Year and to be applied pro rata
       to each of the Term Loans based on the then outstanding amounts of each
       of the Term Loans and applied pro rata against the remaining unpaid
       scheduled installments of principal due on, each such Term Loan, with any
       remaining amounts to be applied against the outstanding principal amount
       of the Revolving Credit Loans. Such mandatory prepayments shall be
       allocated among the Banks, in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to
       the respective outstanding amount of each Bank's Term A Note and Term B
       Note, with adjustments to the extent practicable to equalize any prior
       payments not exactly in proportion. No amount repaid with respect to
       either Term Loan may be reborrowed. Notwithstanding the provisions set
       forth above, any Bank may at its option, and upon written notice to the
       Administrative Agent within thirty (30) days after the end of the
       applicable Fiscal Year, decline the mandatory prepayments of any Term B
       Loan outstanding described in this Section 4.5.3, in which case the
       amounts otherwise allocable to such Bank shall be applied pro rata to the
       other outstanding Term Loans and then to the Revolving Credit Loans as
       set forth above.

              4.5.4. PROCEEDS OF CERTAIN EVENTS. In the event the Parent or any
       of its Subsidiaries receives any:

                     (a)    Net Cash Proceeds from (i) the sale or other
              disposition of assets permitted by Section 11.5.2 (other than
              pursuant to Section 11.5.2(a), (b) or (d)),

<PAGE>   58
                                      -49-

              the proceeds of which have not been reinvested by the Parent or
              such Subsidiary in replacement of such assets within two hundred
              seventy (270) days of the receipt by such Person of such proceeds;
              and (ii) any sale-leaseback transactions;

                     (b)    proceeds of insurance claims which have not been
              reinvested by the Parent or such Subsidiary in replacement assets
              or to repair the asset so damaged, as the case may be, within two
              hundred seventy (270) days of receipt by such Person of such
              proceeds;

                     (c)    Net Cash Proceeds from any equity issuances by the
              Parent or its Subsidiaries after the Initial Closing Date,
              including any equity issuance in connection with any Initial
              Public Offering, but specifically excluding, so long as no Event
              of Default has occurred and is continuing, any equity issuance (i)
              raised for, the net proceeds of which are applied solely to, a
              Permitted Acquisition or a Permitted Foreign Acquisition and the
              acquisitions made with capital stock of the Parent, and excluding
              equity Investments with funds provided by Chartwell or (ii) raised
              as a result of sales of the capital stock of the Parent to the
              management of the Parent; or

                     (d)    Net Cash Proceeds from debt issuances permitted
              hereunder by the Parent or its Subsidiaries after the Initial
              Closing Date, pursuant to any public offerings or debt offerings
              under Rule 144(a) of the Rule and Regulations of the Securities
              and Exchange Commission, but specifically excluding any
              refinancing of the amount of the Mezzanine Capital, refinancing of
              the debt of any Foreign Subsidiaries, and any purchase money
              Indebtedness, each as and to the extent expressly permitted
              hereunder,

       the Borrower shall, within three (3) Business Days of receipt of any such
       Net Cash Proceeds, repay the outstanding amount of each of Term A Loan
       and Term B Loan by an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds
       (other than proceeds of insurance claims that are to be reinvested in
       accordance with clause (a) or (b) above, provided, that if any such
       reinvestment is not made within two hundred seventy (270) days of receipt
       of such proceeds, the Borrower shall repay the Term Loans in an amount
       equal to 100% of Net Cash Proceeds not so reinvested within three (3)
       Business Days following such two hundred seventy (270) day period), any
       such mandatory payments to be applied pro rata to each of Term A Loan and
       Term B Loan based on the then outstanding principal amount of each of the
       Term Loans and applied pro rata against the remaining scheduled
       installments of principal due on the respective Term Loans, with any
       remaining amounts to be applied against the outstanding amount of the
       Revolving Credit Loans. Such mandatory prepayments shall be allocated
       among the Banks, in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the
       respective outstanding principal amount of each Bank's Term A Note and
       Term B Note, with adjustments to the extent practicable to equalize any
       prior payments not exactly

<PAGE>   59
                                      -50-

       in proportion. No amount repaid with respect to either Term Loan may be
       reborrowed.

       4.6. OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT OF TERM LOANS. The Borrower shall have the right
at any time to prepay the Term A Notes and Term B Notes on or before the Term A
Maturity Date and the Term B Maturity Date, as the case may be, as a whole, or
in part, upon not less than three (3) Business Days prior written notice to the
Administrative Agent, without premium or penalty, provided that (a) each partial
prepayment shall be in the principal amount of $500,000 or an integral multiple
thereof, (b) no portion of the Term Loans bearing interest at the Eurodollar
Rate may be prepaid pursuant to this Section 4.6 except on the last day of the
Interest Period relating thereto, unless the Borrower has complied with Section
6.10, (c) each partial prepayment shall be allocated among the Banks, in
proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective outstanding amount of
each Bank's Term Notes, with adjustments to the extent practicable to equalize
any prior prepayments not exactly in proportion, and (d) each such prepayment
shall be applied pro rata to the Term A Loan and the Term B Loan based on the
then outstanding amounts of each of the Term Loans. Any prepayment of principal
under this Section 4.6 of the Term Loans shall be accompanied by all interest
accrued to the date of prepayment and shall be applied against the scheduled
installments of principal due on the Term Loans pro rata. No amount repaid with
respect to the Term Loans (whether under this Section 4.6 or otherwise) may be
reborrowed.

       4.7. INTEREST ON TERM LOANS.

              4.7.1. INTEREST RATES. Except as otherwise provided in
       Section 6.11, the Term Loans shall bear interest during each Interest
       Period relating to all or any portion of the Term Loans at the following
       rates:

                     (a)    To the extent that all or any portion of the Term
              Loans bears interest during such Interest Period determined by
              reference to the Prime Rate, the Term Loans or such portion shall
              bear interest during such Interest Period at the rate per annum
              equal to the Prime Rate plus the Applicable Margin then applicable
              to Term A Loans or Term B Loans, as the case may be.

                     (b)    To the extent that all or any portion of the Term
              Loans bears interest during such Interest Period determined by
              reference to the Eurodollar Rate, the Term Loans or such portion
              shall bear interest during such Interest Period at the rate per
              annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Margin then
              applicable to Term A Loans or Term B Loans, as the case may be.

       The Borrower promises to pay interest on the Term Loans or any portion
thereof outstanding during each Interest Period in arrears on each Interest
Payment Date applicable to such Interest Period.

<PAGE>   60
                                      -51-

              4.7.2. NOTIFICATION BY BORROWER. The Borrower shall notify the
       Administrative Agent, such notice to be irrevocable, at least three (3)
       Eurodollar Business Days prior to the Drawdown Date of the Term Loans if
       all or any portion of the Term Loans are to bear interest at the
       Eurodollar Rate. After the Term Loans have been made, the provisions of
       Section 2.7 shall apply mutatis mutandis with respect to all or any
       portion of the Term Loans so that the Borrower may have the same interest
       rate options with respect to all or any portion of the Term Loans as it
       would be entitled to with respect to the Revolving Credit Loans.

              4.7.3. AMOUNTS, ETC. Any portion of the Term A Loan or Term B Loan
       bearing interest at the Eurodollar Rate relating to any Interest Period
       shall be in the amount of $500,000 or an integral multiple of $100,000 in
       excess thereof. No Interest Period relating to the Term A Loan or Term B
       Loan or any portion thereof bearing interest at the Eurodollar Rate shall
       extend beyond the date on which a regularly scheduled installment payment
       of the principal of such Term Loan is to be made unless a portion of such
       Term Loan at least equal to such installment payment has an Interest
       Period ending on such date.

<PAGE>   61
                                      -52-

                            5. LETTERS OF CREDIT.

       5.1. LETTER OF CREDIT COMMITMENTS.

              5.1.1. COMMITMENT TO ISSUE LETTERS OF CREDIT. Subject to the terms
       and conditions hereof and the execution and delivery by the Borrower of a
       letter of credit application on the Administrative Agent's customary form
       (a "Letter of Credit Application"), the Administrative Agent on behalf of
       the Banks and in reliance upon the agreement of the Banks set forth in
       Section 5.1.4 and upon the representations and warranties of the Borrower
       contained herein, agrees, in its individual capacity, to issue, extend
       and renew for the account of the Borrower one or more standby or
       documentary letters of credit (individually, a "Letter of Credit"), in
       such form as may be requested from time to time by the Borrower and
       agreed to by the Administrative Agent; provided, however, that, after
       giving effect to such request, (a) the sum of the aggregate Maximum
       Drawing Amount and all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations shall not exceed
       $15,000,000 at any one time and (b) the sum of (i) the Maximum Drawing
       Amount on all Letters of Credit, (ii) all Unpaid Reimbursement
       Obligations, and (iii) the amount of all Revolving Credit Loans
       outstanding shall not exceed the lesser of (A) the Total Revolving Credit
       Commitment and (B) the Borrowing Base. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
       Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to issue any Letter of
       Credit to support or secure any Indebtedness of the Parent or any of its
       Subsidiaries to the extent that such Indebtedness was incurred prior to
       the proposed issuance date of such Letter of Credit, unless in any such
       case the Parent and the Borrower demonstrates to the satisfaction of the
       Administrative Agent that (x) such prior incurred Indebtedness were then
       fully secured by a prior perfected and unavoidable security interest in
       collateral provided by the Parent or such Subsidiary to the proposed
       beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or (y) such prior incurred
       Indebtedness were then secured or supported by a letter of credit issued
       for the account of the Parent, the Borrower or such other Subsidiary and
       the reimbursement obligation with respect to such letter of credit was
       fully secured by a prior perfected and unavoidable security interest in
       collateral provided to the issuer of such letter of credit by the Parent,
       the Borrower or such other Subsidiary.

              5.1.2. LETTER OF CREDIT APPLICATIONS. Each Letter of Credit
       Application shall be completed to the satisfaction of the Administrative
       Agent. In the event that any provision of any Letter of Credit
       Application shall be inconsistent with any provision of this Credit
       Agreement, then the provisions of this Credit Agreement shall, to the
       extent of any such inconsistency, govern.

              5.1.3. TERMS OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. Each Letter of Credit issued,
       extended or renewed hereunder shall, among other things, (i) provide for
       the payment of sight drafts for honor thereunder when presented in
       accordance with the terms thereof and when accompanied by the documents
       described therein, (ii) shall have an expiry date no later than one (1)
       year after its date of issuance,

<PAGE>   62
                                      -53-

       provided however, that a Letter of Credit may, if requested by the
       Borrower, provide by its terms, and on terms acceptable to the
       Administrative Agent, for renewal for successive periods of one year or
       less (but not beyond the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date), unless and
       until the Administrative Agent shall have delivered a notice of
       nonrenewal to the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit, and (iii) have an
       expiry date no later than the date which is fourteen (14) days (or, if
       the Letter of Credit is confirmed by a confirmer or otherwise provides
       for one or more nominated persons, forty-five (45) days) prior to the
       Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date. Each Letter of Credit so issued,
       extended or renewed shall be subject to the Uniform Customs or, in the
       case of a standby Letter of Credit, either the Uniform Customs or the
       International Standby Practices.

              5.1.4. REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS OF BANKS. Each Bank severally
       agrees that it shall be absolutely liable, without regard to the
       occurrence of any Default or Event of Default or any other condition
       precedent whatsoever, to the extent of such Bank's Revolving Credit
       Commitment Percentage, to reimburse the Administrative Agent on demand
       for the amount of each draft paid by the Administrative Agent under each
       Letter of Credit to the extent that such amount is not reimbursed by the
       Borrower pursuant to Section 5.2 (such agreement for a Bank being called
       herein the "Letter of Credit Participation" of such Bank).

              5.1.5. PARTICIPATIONS OF BANKS. Each such payment made by a Bank
       shall be treated as the purchase by such Bank of a participating interest
       in the Borrower's Reimbursement Obligation under Section 5.2 in an amount
       equal to such payment. Each Bank shall share in accordance with its
       participating interest in any interest which accrues pursuant to Section
       5.2.

       5.2. REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION OF THE BORROWER. In order to induce the
Administrative Agent to issue, extend and renew each Letter of Credit and the
Banks to participate therein, the Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse or pay to
the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Administrative Agent or (as the
case may be) the Banks, with respect to each Letter of Credit issued, extended
or renewed by the Administrative Agent hereunder,

              (a)    except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 5.2(b)
       and (c), on each date that any draft presented under such Letter of
       Credit is honored by the Administrative Agent, or the Administrative
       Agent otherwise makes a payment with respect thereto, (i) the amount paid
       by the Administrative Agent under or with respect to such Letter of
       Credit, and (ii) the amount of any taxes (other than income taxes or
       franchise taxes or taxes on profits), fees, charges or other costs and
       expenses whatsoever incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Bank in
       connection with any payment made by the Administrative Agent or any Bank
       under, or with respect to, such Letter of Credit (it being understood
       that such payment to the Administrative Agent may, subject to the
       satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein, be made from the
       proceeds of a Revolving Credit Loan made to the Borrower pursuant to
       Section 2.6.3),

<PAGE>   63
                                      -54-

              (b)    upon the reduction (but not termination) of the Total
       Revolving Credit Commitment to an amount less than the Maximum Drawing
       Amount, an amount equal to such difference, which amount shall be held by
       the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Banks and the
       Administrative Agent as cash collateral for all Reimbursement
       Obligations, and

              (c)    upon the termination of the Total Revolving Credit
       Commitment, or the acceleration of the Reimbursement Obligations with
       respect to all Letters of Credit in accordance with Section 15, an amount
       equal to the then Maximum Drawing Amount on all Letters of Credit, which
       amount shall be held by the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the
       Banks and the Administrative Agent as cash collateral for all
       Reimbursement Obligations.

Each such payment shall be made to the Administrative Agent at the
Administrative Agent's Head Office in immediately available funds or (in the
case of clause (a) of this Section 5.2) from the direct application of the
proceeds of a Revolving Credit Loan made pursuant to Section 2.6.3 hereof. In
the event that the obligations of the Borrower under Section 5.2(a) can not, in
compliance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement, be satisfied in full by
the making of a Revolving Credit Loan pursuant to Section 2.6.3, the
Administrative Agent shall so notify the Borrower, in which case the obligations
of the Borrower under Section 5.2(a) shall be immediately due and payable to the
Administrative Agent. Interest on any and all amounts remaining unpaid by the
Borrower under this Section 5.2 at any time from the date such amounts become
due and payable (whether as stated in this Section 5.2, by acceleration or
otherwise) until payment in full (whether before or after judgment) shall be
payable to the Administrative Agent on demand at the rate specified in Section
6.11 for overdue principal on the Revolving Credit Loans.

       5.3. LETTER OF CREDIT PAYMENTS. If any draft shall be presented or other
demand for payment shall be made under any Letter of Credit, the Administrative
Agent shall notify the Borrower of the date and amount of the draft presented or
demand for payment and of the date and time when it expects to pay such draft or
honor such demand for payment. If the Borrower fails to reimburse the
Administrative Agent as provided in Section 5.2 on or before the date that such
draft is paid or other payment is made by the Administrative Agent, the
Administrative Agent may at any time thereafter notify the Banks of the amount
of any such Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation. No later than 3:00 p.m. (Boston
time) on the Business Day next following the receipt of such notice, each Bank
shall make available to the Administrative Agent, at the Administrative Agent's
Office, in immediately available funds, such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment
Percentage of such Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, together with an amount
equal to the product of (i) the average, computed for the period referred to in
clause (iii) below, of the weighted average interest rate paid by the
Administrative Agent for federal funds acquired by the Administrative Agent
during each day included in such period, times (ii) the amount equal to such
Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such Unpaid Reimbursement
Obligation, times (iii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days
that elapse from and including the date the Administrative Agent paid the draft
presented for honor or otherwise made

<PAGE>   64
                                      -55-

payment to the date on which such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage
of such Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation shall become immediately available to
the Administrative Agent, and the denominator of which is 360. The
responsibility of the Administrative Agent to the Borrower and the Banks shall
be only to determine that the documents (including each draft) delivered under
each Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment shall be in conformity
in all material respects with such Letter of Credit.

       5.4. OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. The Borrower's obligations under this Section
5 shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and
irrespective of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default or any
condition precedent whatsoever or any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment
which the Borrower may have or have had against the Administrative Agent, any
Bank or any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit. The Borrower further agrees with
the Administrative Agent and the Banks that the Administrative Agent and the
Banks shall not be responsible for, and the Borrower's Reimbursement Obligations
under Section 5.2 shall not be affected by, among other things, the validity or
genuineness of documents or of any endorsements thereon, even if such documents
should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, fraudulent or forged,
or any dispute between or among the Borrower, the beneficiary of any Letter of
Credit or any financing institution or other party to which any Letter of Credit
may be transferred or any claims or defenses whatsoever of the Borrower against
the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any such transferee. The
Administrative Agent and the Banks shall not be liable for any error, omission,
interruption or delay in transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or
advice, however transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit. The
Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent or
any Bank under or in connection with each Letter of Credit and the related
drafts and documents, if done in good faith and without gross negligence, shall
be binding upon the Borrower and shall not result in any liability on the part
of the Administrative Agent or any Bank to the Borrower.

       5.5. RELIANCE BY ISSUER. To the extent not inconsistent with Section 5.4,
the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected
in relying upon, any Letter of Credit, draft, writing, resolution, notice,
consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, telex or
teletype message, statement, order or other document believed by it to be
genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person
or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel, independent
accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent. The
Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any
action under this Credit Agreement unless it shall first have received such
advice or concurrence of the Majority Banks as it reasonably deems appropriate
or it shall first be indemnified to its reasonable 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. The Administrative Agent shall
in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under
this Credit Agreement in accordance with a request of the Majority Banks, and
such request and any action taken

<PAGE>   65
                                      -56-

or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon the Banks and all
future holders of the Revolving Credit Notes or of a Letter of Credit
Participation.

       5.6. LETTER OF CREDIT FEE. The Borrower shall pay a fee (in each case, a
"Letter of Credit Fee") to the Administrative Agent in respect of each Letter of
Credit an amount per annum equal to the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Rate A
Loans on the face amount of such Letter of Credit, which shall be for the
accounts of the Banks in accordance with their respective Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentages. The Borrower shall also pay to the Administrative Agent
for the account of the Administrative Agent, a fronting fee equal to one quarter
of one percent (0.25%) per annum of the face amount of such Letter of Credit.
The Letter of Credit Fee and the fronting fee shall be payable quarterly in
arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter for the calendar
quarter then ending. In respect of each Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall
also pay to the Administrative Agent for the Administrative Agent's own account,
at such other time or times as such charges are customarily made by the
Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent's customary issuance, amendment,
negotiation or document examination and other administrative fees as in effect
from time to time.

                     6. CERTAIN GENERAL PROVISIONS.

       6.1. CLOSING FEES. The Borrower shall pay to the Agents and the
Co-arrangers those closing fees in the amounts and at the times set forth in the
Fee Letter.

       6.2. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S FEE. The Borrower shall pay to the
Administrative Agent an Administrative Agent's fee in the amounts and at the
times set forth in the Fee Letter.

       6.3. FUNDS FOR PAYMENTS.

              6.3.1. PAYMENTS TO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. All payments of
       principal, interest, Reimbursement Obligations, Commitment Fees, Letter
       of Credit Fees and any other amounts due hereunder or under any of the
       other Loan Documents owing by the Borrower or any Guarantor shall be made
       on the due date thereof to the Administrative Agent in Dollars, for the
       respective accounts of the Banks and the Agents, at the Administrative
       Agent's Office or at such other place that the Administrative Agent may
       from time to time designate, in each case at or about 2:00 p.m. (Boston,
       Massachusetts, time or other local time at the place of payment) and in
       immediately available funds. For purposes of computing interest and fees
       and determining outstanding Revolving Credit Loans or Unpaid
       Reimbursement Amounts as of any date, all payments shall be deemed
       received on the day of receipt of immediately available funds therefor in
       the Fleet Concentration Account prior to 2:00 p.m. (Boston time).
       Payments received after 2:00 p.m. (Boston time) on any Business Day shall
       be deemed for such purposes to have been received on the following
       Business Day.

<PAGE>   66
                                      -57-

              6.3.2. NO OFFSET, ETC. All payments by the Borrower hereunder and
       under any of the other Loan Documents shall be made without recoupment,
       setoff or counterclaim and free and clear of and without deduction for
       any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions,
       withholdings, compulsory loans, restrictions or conditions of any nature
       now or hereafter imposed or levied by any jurisdiction or any political
       subdivision thereof or taxing or other authority therein unless the
       Borrower is compelled by law to make such deduction or withholding. If
       any such obligation is imposed upon the Borrower with respect to any
       amount payable by it hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents,
       the Borrower will pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the
       Banks or (as the case may be) either Agent, on the date on which such
       amount is due and payable hereunder or under such other Loan Document,
       such additional amount in Dollars as shall be necessary to enable the
       Banks or either Agent to receive the same net amount which the Banks or
       either Agent would have received on such due date had no such obligation
       been imposed upon the Borrower. The Borrower will deliver promptly to the
       Administrative Agent certificates or other valid vouchers for all taxes
       or other charges deducted from or paid with respect to payments made by
       the Borrower hereunder or under such other Loan Document.

              6.3.3. WITHHOLDING FORMS. Each Bank that is not incorporated or
       organized under the laws of the United States of America or a state
       thereof or the District of Columbia (a "Non-U.S. Lender") agrees that it
       will deliver to each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, on or
       prior to the Initial Closing Date or, in the case of any Non-U.S. Lender
       that becomes a Bank pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, on the date
       of such Assignment and Acceptance, two (2) duly completed copies of
       United States Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or W-8 BEN (or other
       appropriate or successor forms) claiming complete exemption from
       withholding under a treaty, or Form 4224 or W-8 ECI (or other appropriate
       or successor forms), in each case certifying that such Non-U.S. Lender is
       entitled to receive all payments under this Credit Agreement and the
       Notes without deduction or withholding of any United States federal
       income taxes. Each Bank that is not a Non-U.S. Lender agrees that, at the
       request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such Bank will
       deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two (2) duly
       completed copies of United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or
       successor applicable form (if required by law), as the case may be, to
       establish its complete exemption from United States backup withholding
       tax. Each Bank that so delivers a Form 1001, W-8 BEN, 4224, W-8 ECI, W-9
       or other appropriate forms, further undertakes to deliver to each of the
       Borrower and the Administrative 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 promptly 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 Administrative Agent, in each case
       certifying that such Bank is entitled to receive payments under this
       Credit Agreement and the Notes without

<PAGE>   67
                                      -58-

       deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes,
       unless an event (including any change in treaty, law or regulation) has
       occurred prior to the date on which any such delivery would otherwise be
       required that renders all such forms inapplicable or that would prevent
       such Bank from duly completing and delivering any such form with respect
       to it and such Bank advises the Borrower and the Administrative Agent
       that it is not capable of receiving payments without any deduction or
       withholding of United States federal income tax. In the event that any
       Guarantor is required to make a payment pursuant hereto, such Person
       shall have the same rights as the Borrower (as described above) to obtain
       such forms certifying that each Bank is entitled to receive payments from
       such Person without deducting or withholding for taxes.

              6.3.4. EXCLUSIONS. The Borrower shall not be required to pay any
       additional amounts to any Non-U.S. Lender in respect of United States
       federal withholding tax pursuant to Section 6.3.2 above to the extent
       that (i) the obligation to pay such additional amounts would not have
       arisen but for a failure by such Non-U.S. Lender to comply with the
       provisions of Section 6.3.3 or (ii) the obligation to withhold amounts
       with respect to United States federal withholding tax existed on the date
       such Non-U.S. Lender became a party to this Credit Agreement or, with
       respect to payments to a different lending office designated by the
       Non-U.S. Lender as its applicable lending office (a "New Lending
       Office"), the date such Non-U.S. Lender designated such New Lending
       Office with respect to a Loan; provided, however, that this Section 6.3.4
       shall (a) not apply to any transferee or New Lending Office as a result
       of an assignment, transfer or designation made at the request of the
       Borrower, (b) not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to pay
       additional amounts pursuant to Section 6.3.2 in the event that, as a
       result of any change in any applicable law, treaty or governmental rule,
       regulation or order, or any change in interpretation, administration or
       application thereof, a Non-US Lender that was previously entitled to
       receive all payments under this Credit Agreement and Notes without
       deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes is no
       longer properly entitled to deliver forms, certificates or other evidence
       at a subsequent date establishing the fact that such Bank is not subject
       to withholding, and (c) not apply to the extent the indemnity payment or
       additional amount that any transferee or Bank through a New Lending
       Office would be entitled to receive without regard to clause (ii) above
       do not exceed the indemnity payment or additional amounts that the Person
       making the assignment or transfer to such transferee or Bank making the
       designation of such New Lending Office would have been entitled to
       receive in the absence of such assignment, transfer or designation.

       6.4. COMPUTATIONS. All computations of interest on the Loans, other than
the Prime Rate Loans, and of commitment fees, Letter of Credit Fees or other
fees shall, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, be based on a 360-day
year and paid for the actual number of days elapsed. All computations of
interest on the Prime Rate Loans shall be based on a 365/366-day year and paid
for the actual number of days elapsed.

<PAGE>   68
                                      -59-

Except as otherwise provided in the definition of the term "Interest Period"
with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans, whenever a payment hereunder or under any
of the other Loan Documents becomes due on a day that is not a Business Day, the
due date for such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day,
and interest shall accrue during such extension. The outstanding amount of the
Loans as reflected on the Revolving Credit Note Records and the Term Note
Records from time to time shall be considered correct and binding on the
Borrower unless within thirty (30) days after receipt of any notice by the
Administrative Agent or any of the Banks of such outstanding amount, the
Administrative Agent or such Bank shall notify the Borrower to the contrary.

       6.5. INABILITY TO DETERMINE EURODOLLAR RATE. In the event, prior to the
commencement of any Interest Period relating to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the
Administrative Agent shall determine or be notified by the Majority Banks that
adequate and reasonable methods do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar
Rate that would otherwise determine the rate of interest to be applicable to any
Eurodollar Rate Loan during any Interest Period, the Administrative Agent shall
forthwith give notice of such determination (which shall be conclusive and
binding on the Borrower and the Banks) to the Borrower and the Banks. In such
event (i) any Loan Request or Conversion Request with respect to Eurodollar Rate
Loans shall be automatically withdrawn and shall be deemed a request for Prime
Rate Loans, (ii) each Eurodollar Rate Loan will automatically, on the last day
of the then current Interest Period thereof, become a Prime Rate Loan, and (iii)
the obligations of the Banks to make Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended
until the Administrative Agent or the Majority Banks determine that the
circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist, whereupon the
Administrative Agent or, as the case may be, the Administrative Agent upon the
instruction of the Majority Banks, shall so notify the Borrower and the Banks.

       6.6. ILLEGALITY. Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, if any
present or future law, regulation, treaty or directive or in the interpretation
or application thereof shall make it unlawful for any Bank to make or maintain
Eurodollar Rate Loans, such Bank shall forthwith give notice of such
circumstances to the Borrower and the other Banks and thereupon (i) the
commitment of such Bank to make Eurodollar Rate Loans or convert Loans of
another Type to Eurodollar Rate Loans shall forthwith be suspended and (ii) such
Bank's Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding as Eurodollar Rate Loans, if any,
shall be converted automatically to Prime Rate Loans on the last day of each
Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loans or within such earlier
period as may be required by law. The Borrower hereby agrees promptly to pay the
Administrative Agent for the account of such Bank, upon demand by such Bank, any
additional amounts necessary to compensate such Bank for any costs incurred by
such Bank in making any conversion in accordance with this Section 6.6,
including any interest or fees payable by such Bank to lenders of funds obtained
by it in order to make or maintain its Eurodollar Rate Loans hereunder.

       6.7. ADDITIONAL COSTS, ETC. If any present or future applicable law,
which expression, as used herein, includes statutes, rules and regulations
thereunder and

<PAGE>   69
                                      -60-

interpretations thereof by any competent court or by any governmental or other
regulatory body or official charged with the administration or the
interpretation thereof and requests, directives, instructions and notices at any
time or from time to time hereafter made upon or otherwise issued to any Bank or
the Administrative Agent by any central bank or other fiscal, monetary or other
authority (whether or not having the force of law), shall:

              (a)    subject any Bank or the Administrative Agent to any tax,
       levy, impost, duty, charge, fee, deduction or withholding of any nature
       with respect to this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, any
       Letters of Credit, such Bank's Commitments or the Loans (other than taxes
       based upon or measured by the income or profits of such Bank or the
       Administrative Agent), or

              (b)    materially change the basis of taxation (except for changes
       in taxes on income, profits or franchise taxes) of payments to any Bank
       of the principal of or the interest on any Loans or any other amounts
       payable to any Bank or the Administrative Agent under this Credit
       Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or

              (c)    impose or increase or render applicable (other than to the
       extent specifically provided for elsewhere in this Credit Agreement) any
       special deposit, reserve, assessment, liquidity, capital adequacy or
       other similar requirements (whether or not having the force of law)
       against assets held by, or deposits in or for the account of, or loans
       by, or letters of credit issued by, or commitments of an office of any
       Bank, or

              (d)    impose on any Bank or the Administrative Agent any other
       conditions or requirements with respect to this Credit Agreement, the
       other Loan Documents, any Letters of Credit, the Loans, such Bank's
       Commitments, or any class of loans, letters of credit or commitments of
       which any of the Loans or such Bank's Commitments forms a part, and the
       result of any of the foregoing is

                     (i)    to increase the cost to any Bank of making, funding,
              issuing, renewing, extending or maintaining any of the Loans or
              such Bank's Commitments, or

                     (ii)   to reduce the amount of principal, interest,
              Reimbursement Obligation or other amount payable to such Bank or
              the Administrative Agent hereunder on account of such Bank's
              Commitments, any Letter of Credit or any of the Loans, or

                     (iii)  to require such Bank or the Administrative Agent to
              make any payment or to forego any interest or Reimbursement
              Obligation or other sum payable hereunder, the amount of which
              payment or foregone interest or Reimbursement Obligation or other
              sum is calculated by reference to the gross amount of any sum
              receivable or deemed received by such Bank or the Administrative
              Agent from the Borrower hereunder,

<PAGE>   70
                                      -61-

then, and in each such case, the Borrower will, upon demand made by such Bank or
(as the case may be) the Administrative Agent at any time and from time to time
and as often as the occasion therefor may arise, pay to such Bank or the
Administrative Agent such additional amounts as will be sufficient to compensate
such Bank or the Administrative Agent for such additional cost, reduction,
payment or foregone interest or Reimbursement Obligation or other sum.

       6.8. CAPITAL ADEQUACY. If after the date hereof any Bank or the
Administrative Agent determines that (i) the adoption of or change in any law,
governmental rule, regulation, policy, guideline or directive (whether or not
having the force of law) regarding capital requirements for banks or bank
holding companies or any change in the interpretation or application thereof by
a court or governmental authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii)
compliance by such Bank or the Administrative Agent or any corporation
controlling such Bank or the Administrative Agent with any law, governmental
rule, regulation, policy, guideline or directive (whether or not having the
force of law) of any such entity regarding capital adequacy, has the effect of
reducing the return on such Bank's or the Administrative Agent's commitment with
respect to any Loans to a level below that which such Bank or the Administrative
Agent could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking
into consideration such Bank's or the Administrative Agent's then existing
policies with respect to capital adequacy and assuming full utilization of such
entity's capital) by any amount deemed by such Bank or (as the case may be) the
Administrative Agent to be material, then such Bank or the Administrative Agent
may notify the Borrower of such fact. To the extent that the amount of such
reduction in the return on capital is not reflected in the Prime Rate, the
Borrower agrees to pay such Bank or (as the case may be) the Administrative
Agent for the amount of such reduction in the return on capital as and when such
reduction is determined upon presentation by such Bank or (as the case may be)
the Administrative Agent of a certificate in accordance with Section 6.9 hereof.
Each Bank shall allocate such cost increases among its customers in good faith
and on an equitable basis.

       6.9. CERTIFICATE. A certificate setting forth any additional amounts
payable pursuant to Sections 6.7 or 6.8 and a brief explanation of such amounts
which are due, submitted by any Bank or the Administrative Agent to the
Borrower, shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, that such amounts are due
and owing. Failure or delay on the part of any Bank to demand compensation
pursuant to Sections 6.7 or 6.8 shall not constitute a waiver of such Bank's
right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be
required to compensate a Bank (or such Bank's holding company) pursuant to this
Section 6.9 for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than three
hundred and sixty (360) days prior to the date that such Bank notifies the
Borrower of the change in law or regulation (or change in interpretation
thereof) giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Bank's
intention to claim compensation thereof; provided, further, that, if the change
in law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then
the 360-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of
retroactive effect thereof.

<PAGE>   71
                                      -62-

       6.10. INDEMNITY. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Bank and to hold
each Bank harmless from and against any loss, cost or expense (including loss of
anticipated profits) that such Bank may sustain or incur as a consequence of (i)
default by the Borrower in payment of the principal amount of or any interest on
any Eurodollar Rate Loans as and when due and payable, including any such loss
or expense arising from interest or fees payable by such Bank to lenders of
funds obtained by it in order to maintain its Eurodollar Rate Loans, (ii)
default by the Borrower in making a borrowing or conversion after the Borrower
has given (or is deemed to have given) a Loan Request, notice (in the case of
all or any portion of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 4.5.2) or a Conversion
Request relating thereto in accordance with Section 2.6 or Section 2.7 or
Section 4.5 or (iii) the making of any payment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan or the
making of any conversion of any such Loan to a Prime Rate Loan on a day that is
not the last day of the applicable Interest Period with respect thereto,
including interest or fees payable by such Bank to lenders of funds obtained by
it in order to maintain any such Loans.

       6.11. INTEREST AFTER DEFAULT.

              6.11.1. OVERDUE AMOUNTS. Overdue principal and (to the extent
       permitted by applicable law) interest on the Loans and all other overdue
       amounts payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents shall
       bear interest compounded monthly and payable on demand at a rate per
       annum equal to two percent (2%) above the rate of interest then
       applicable thereto, plus the Applicable Margin then applicable thereto
       until such amount shall be paid in full (after as well as before
       judgment)(or if no rate of interest is then applicable thereto, e.g.,
       unpaid fees and expenses, the Prime Rate plus four percent (4%)).

              6.11.2. AMOUNTS NOT OVERDUE. During the continuance of an Event of
       Default the principal of the Revolving Credit Loans and the Term Loans
       not overdue shall, until such Event of Default has been cured or remedied
       or such Event of Default has been waived by the Majority Banks pursuant
       to Section 28, bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate of
       interest applicable to overdue principal pursuant to Section 6.11.1.

       6.12. USURY. All agreements between the Borrower, the Parent, their
respective Subsidiaries and the Administrative Agent are hereby expressly
limited so that in no contingency or event whatsoever, whether by reason of
acceleration of maturity of the Indebtedness evidenced hereby or otherwise,
shall the amount paid or agreed to be paid to the Administrative Agent for the
use or the forbearance of the Indebtedness evidenced hereby exceed the maximum
permissible under applicable law. As used herein, the term "applicable law"
shall mean the law in effect as of the date hereof, provided, however, that in
the event there is a change in the law which results in a higher permissible
rate of interest, then this Credit Agreement shall be governed by such new law
as of its effective date. In this regard, it is expressly agreed that it is the
intent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in the execution, delivery
and acceptance of this Credit Agreement to contract in strict compliance with
the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from time to time in effect. If,
under or from any circumstances whatsoever, fulfillment of any provision hereof
or of any of the Loan

<PAGE>   72
                                      -63-

Documents at the time of performance of such provision shall be due, shall
involve transcending the limit of such validity prescribed by applicable law,
then the obligation to be fulfilled shall automatically be reduced to the limits
of such validity, and if under or from circumstances whatsoever Bank should ever
receive as interest an amount which would exceed the highest lawful rate, such
amount which would be excessive interest shall be applied to the reduction of
the principal balance evidenced hereby and not to the payment of interest. This
provision shall control every other provision of all agreements between the
Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries and the Administrative
Agent.

       6.13. REPLACEMENT OF BANKS. If any Bank (an "Affected Bank") (a) makes
demand upon the Borrower for (or if the Borrower is otherwise required to pay)
amounts pursuant to Sections 6.3.4, 6.7 or 6.8, (b) is unable to make or
maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans as a result of a condition described in Section
6.6 or (c) is unable to make any Loan or issue, extend or renew any Letter of
Credit as described in Section 14.2 (such Bank being referred to as a
"Defaulting Bank"), the Borrower may, within ninety (90) days of receipt of such
demand, notice (or the occurrence of such other event causing the Borrower to be
required to pay such compensation or causing Section 6.6 or Section 14.2 to be
applicable), or default, as the case may be, by notice (a "Replacement Notice")
in writing to the Administrative Agent and such Affected Bank (1) request the
Affected Bank to cooperate with the Borrower in obtaining a replacement bank
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (the "Replacement
Bank"); (2) request the non-Affected Banks to acquire and assume all of the
Affected Bank's Loans and Commitment, as provided herein, but none of such Banks
shall be under an obligation to do so; or (3) designate a Replacement Bank which
is an Eligible Assignee that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent. If any satisfactory Replacement Bank shall be obtained, and/or if any one
or more of the non-Affected Banks shall agree to acquire and assume all of the
Affected Bank's Loans and Commitment, then such Affected Bank shall assign, in
accordance with Section 21, all of its Commitment and Loans, its Notes and other
rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement and all other Loan Documents
to such Replacement Bank or non-Affected Banks, as the case may be, in exchange
for payment of the principal amount so assigned and all interest and fees
accrued on the amount so assigned, plus all other Obligations then due and
payable to the Affected Bank; provided, however, that (x) such assignment shall
be without recourse, representation or warranty (other than title) and shall be
on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to such Affected Bank and such
Replacement Bank and/or non-Affected Banks, as the case may be, and (4) prior to
any such assignment, the Borrower shall have paid to such Affected Bank all
amounts properly demanded and unreimbursed under Sections 6.7, 6.8 and any
amount which would have been due under 6.10 if the Loans had been prepaid rather
than assigned. Upon the effective date of such assignment, the Borrower shall
issue replacement Note(s) to such Replacement Bank and/or non-Affected Banks, as
the case may be, and such institution shall become a "Bank" for all purposes
under this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

                            7. PARENT GUARANTY.

<PAGE>   73
                                      -64-

       7.1. GUARANTY OF PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE. The Parent hereby guarantees to
the Agents and the Banks, the full and punctual payment when due (whether at
stated maturity, by required pre-payment, by acceleration or otherwise), as well
as the performance, of all of the Obligations including all such which would
become due but for the operation of the automatic stay pursuant to Section
362(a) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code and the operation of Sections 502(b) and
506(b) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code. This Guaranty is an absolute,
unconditional and continuing guaranty of the full and punctual payment and
performance of all of the Obligations and not of their collectibility only and
is in no way conditioned upon any requirement that the Administrative Agent or
any Bank first attempt to collect any of the Obligations from the Borrower or
resort to any collateral security or other means of obtaining payment. Should an
Event of Default have occurred and be continuing, the obligations of the Parent
hereunder with respect to the Obligations shall, upon demand by the
Administrative Agent, become immediately due and payable to the Administrative
Agent, for the benefit of the Banks and the Agents, without demand or notice of
any nature, all of which are expressly waived by the Parent. Payments by the
Parent hereunder may be required by the Administrative Agent on any number of
occasions. All payments by the Parent hereunder shall be made to the
Administrative Agent, in the manner and at the place of payment specified
therefor in Section 6.3.1 hereof, for the account of the Banks and the Agents.

       7.2. PARENT'S AGREEMENT TO PAY ENFORCEMENT COSTS, ETC. The Parent further
agrees, as the principal obligor and not as a guarantor only, to pay to the
Administrative Agent, on written demand, all reasonable costs and expenses
(including court costs and reasonable legal expenses and either of (but not
both) external or internal counsel) incurred or expended by any Agent or any
Bank in connection with the Obligations, this Guaranty and the enforcement
thereof, together with interest on amounts recoverable under this Section 7 from
the time when such amounts become due until payment, whether before or after
judgment, at the rate of interest for overdue principal set forth in Section
6.11 hereof, provided that if such interest exceeds the maximum amount permitted
to be paid under applicable law, then such interest shall be reduced to such
maximum permitted amount.

       7.3. WAIVERS BY THE PARENT; BANKS' FREEDOM TO ACT. The Parent agrees that
the Obligations will be paid and performed strictly in accordance with their
respective terms, regardless of any law, regulation or order now or hereafter in
effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of the
Administrative Agent or any Bank with respect thereto. The Parent waives
promptness, diligence, presentment, demand, protest, notice of acceptance,
notice of any Obligations incurred and all other notices of any kind, all
defenses which may be available by virtue of any valuation, stay, moratorium law
or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, any right to require the
marshalling of assets of the Borrower or any other entity or other Person
primarily or secondarily liable with respect to any of the Obligations, and all
suretyship defenses generally. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Parent agrees to the provisions of any instrument evidencing, securing or
otherwise executed in connection with any Obligation and agrees that the
obligations of the Parent hereunder shall not be released or discharged, in
whole or in part, or otherwise affected by (i) the failure of the

<PAGE>   74
                                      -65-

Administrative Agent or any Bank to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any
right or remedy against the Borrower or any other entity or other person
primarily or secondarily liable with respect to any of the Obligations; (ii) any
extensions, compromise, refinancing, consolidation or renewals of any
Obligation; (iii) any change in the time, place or manner of payment of any of
the Obligations or any rescissions, waivers, compromise, refinancing,
consolidation or other amendments or modifications of any of the terms or
provisions of this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other
agreement evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with any of
the Obligations; (iv) the addition, substitution or release of any entity or
other person primarily or secondarily liable for any Obligation; (v) the
adequacy of any rights which the Administrative Agent or any Bank may have
against any collateral security or other means of obtaining repayment of any of
the Obligations; (vi) the impairment of any Collateral securing any of the
Obligations, including without limitation the failure to perfect or preserve any
rights which the Administrative Agent or any Bank might have in such collateral
security or the substitution, exchange, surrender, release, loss or destruction
of any such collateral security; or (vii) any other act or omission which might
in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of the Parent or otherwise operate
as a release or discharge of the Parent (other than the payment in full, in
cash, of all of the Obligations and the irrevocable termination of the
Commitments), all of which may be done without notice to the Parent. To the
fullest extent permitted by law, the Parent hereby expressly waives any and all
rights or defenses arising by reason of (A) any "one action" or
"anti-deficiency" law which would otherwise prevent the Administrative Agent or
any Bank from bringing any action, including any claim for a deficiency, or
exercising any other right or remedy (including any right of set-off), against
the Parent before or after the Administrative Agent's or such Bank's
commencement or completion of any foreclosure action, whether judicially, by
exercise of power of sale or otherwise, or (B) any other law which in any other
way would otherwise require any election of remedies by the Administrative Agent
or any Bank.

       7.4. UNENFORCEABILITY OF OBLIGATIONS AGAINST BORROWER. If for any reason
the Borrower has no legal existence or is under no legal obligation to discharge
any of the Obligations, or if any of the Obligations have become irrecoverable
from the Borrower by reason of the Borrower's insolvency, bankruptcy or
reorganization or by other operation of law or for any other reason (other than
the payment in full, in cash, of all of the Obligations and the irrevocable
termination of the Commitments), to the extent permitted by law, this Guaranty
shall nevertheless be binding on the Parent to the same extent as if the Parent
at all times had been the principal obligor on all such Obligations. In the
event that acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Obligations is
stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower, or for
any other reason, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the
terms of this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other agreement
evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with any Obligation
shall be immediately due and payable by the Parent.

       7.5. SUBROGATION; SUBORDINATION.

<PAGE>   75
                                      -66-

              7.5.1. POSTPONEMENT OF RIGHTS AGAINST BORROWER. Until the
       termination of the Commitments and final payment and performance in full
       in cash of all of the Loans and other accrued Obligations: the Parent
       shall not exercise any rights against the Borrower arising as a result of
       payment by the Parent hereunder, by way of subrogation, reimbursement,
       restitution, contribution or otherwise, and will not prove any claim in
       competition with the Administrative Agent or any Bank in respect of any
       payment hereunder in any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization case or
       proceedings of any nature; the Parent will not claim any setoff,
       recoupment or counterclaim against the Borrower in respect of any
       liability of the Parent to the Borrower; and the Parent waives any
       benefit of and any right to participate in any collateral security which
       may be held by the Administrative Agent or any Bank.

              7.5.2. SUBORDINATION. The payment of any amounts due with respect
       to any indebtedness of the Borrower for money borrowed or credit received
       now or hereafter owed to the Parent is hereby subordinated to the prior
       payment in full in cash of all of the Obligations. The Parent agrees
       that, after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of
       Default, the Parent will not demand, sue for or otherwise attempt to
       collect any such indebtedness of the Borrower to such Parent until all of
       the Obligations shall have been paid in full. If, notwithstanding the
       foregoing sentence, the Parent shall collect, enforce or receive any
       amounts in respect of such indebtedness while an Event of Default shall
       have occurred and be continuing, such amounts shall be collected,
       enforced and received by the Parent as trustee for the Banks and the
       Administrative Agent and be paid over to the Administrative Agent, for
       the benefit of the Banks and the Administrative Agent, on account of the
       Obligations without affecting in any manner the liability of the Parent
       under the other provisions of this Guaranty.

              7.5.3. PROVISIONS SUPPLEMENTAL. The provisions of this Section 7.5
       shall be supplemental to and not in derogation of any rights and remedies
       of the Banks and the Administrative Agent under any separate
       subordination agreement which the Administrative Agent may at any time
       and from time to time enter into with the Parent for the benefit of the
       Banks and the Administrative Agent.

       7.6. SECURITY; SETOFF. The Parent grants to the Agents and the Banks, as
security for the full and punctual payment and performance of all of the
Parent's obligations hereunder, a continuing Lien on and security interest in
all securities or other property belonging to the Parent now or hereafter held
by either Agent or such Bank and in all deposits (general or special, time or
demand, provisional or final) and other sums credited by or due from either
Agents or such Bank to the Parent or subject to withdrawal by the Parent.
Regardless of the adequacy of any collateral security or other means of
obtaining payment of any of the Obligations, each of the Administrative Agent
and the Banks is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time during the
continuance of any payment Default or any Event of Default, without notice to
the Parent (any such notice being expressly waived by the Parent) and to the
fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply such deposits and other
sums against the

<PAGE>   76
                                      -67-

obligations of the Parent under this Guaranty, whether or not either Agent or
such Bank shall have made any demand under this Guaranty and although such
obligations may be contingent or unmatured. The Agents and the Banks shall
endeavor to give the Borrower prompt notice, in no event later than five (5)
days after the application of such deposits, of such application, provided,
however that failure of either Agent or any Bank to give the Borrower such
notice shall not affect any of the Agents' or Banks' rights hereunder.

       7.7. FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Parent agrees that it will from time to
time, at the request of the Administrative Agent, do all such things and execute
all such documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably consider necessary
or desirable to give full effect to this Guaranty and to perfect and preserve
the rights and powers of the Banks and the Agents hereunder. The Parent
acknowledges and confirms that it has established its own adequate means of
obtaining from the Borrower on a continuing basis all information desired by it
concerning the financial condition of the Borrower and that it will look to the
Borrower and not to either Agent or any Bank in order for it to keep adequately
informed of changes in any of the Borrower's financial condition.

       7.8. REINSTATEMENT; VOIDED PAYMENT. Notwithstanding any termination of
this Guaranty upon the final payment in full, in cash, of the Obligations, this
Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, if at any time any
payment made or value received with respect to any Obligation is rescinded or
must otherwise be returned by either Agent or any Bank upon the insolvency,
bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower, or otherwise, all as though such
payment had not been made or value received. To the extent that the Borrower or
any Guarantor of or provider of collateral for the Obligations makes any payment
on the Obligations that is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent
or preferential or set aside or is required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver
or any other party under any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization act, state
or federal law, common law or equitable cause (such payment, a "Voided
Payment"), then to the extent of such Voided Payment, that portion of the
Obligations that had been previously satisfied by such Voided Payment shall be
revived and continue in full force and effect as if such Voided Payment had
never been made. In the event that a Voided Payment is recovered from either
Agent or any Bank, an Event of Default shall be deemed to have existed and to be
continuing under this Credit Agreement from the date of such Agent's or such
Bank's initial receipt of such Voided Payment until the full amount of such
Voided Payment is restored to such Agent or such Bank.

       7.9. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Guaranty shall be binding upon the
Parent, its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the Agents
and the Banks and their respective successors, and permitted transferees and
assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, each Bank
may, in accordance with the provisions of Section 21 and subject to the
limitations set forth therein, assign or otherwise transfer this Credit
Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other agreement or note held by it
evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with the Obligations,
or sell participations in any interest therein, to any other entity or other
person, and such other

<PAGE>   77
                                      -68-

entity or other person shall thereupon become vested, to the extent set forth in
the agreement evidencing such assignment, transfer or participation, with all
the rights in respect thereof granted to such Bank herein. The Parent may not
assign any of its obligations hereunder.

                           8. SECURITY AND GUARANTIES.

      8.1. SECURITY OF BORROWER. The Obligations shall be secured by a perfected
first priority security interest (subject only to Permitted Liens entitled to
priority under applicable law) in all of the assets of the Borrower, whether now
owned or hereafter acquired, including all of the stock or other equity
interests of each of its Domestic Subsidiaries and up to sixty five percent
(65%) of the equity interests of each of its direct Foreign Subsidiaries,
pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents to which the Borrower is a
party.

      8.2. GUARANTY AND SECURITY OF THE PARENT. The obligations of the Parent
under the Parent Guaranty shall be secured by (a) a perfected first priority
security interest (subject only to Permitted Liens entitled to priority under
applicable law) in all of the assets of the Parent, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents, and (b) a
pledge by the Parent of (i) all of the capital stock or other applicable equity
interests of the Borrower and any other Domestic Subsidiary owned by the Parent
pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents and (ii) sixty five percent
(65%) of the capital stock or other applicable equity interests of the Parent's
direct Foreign Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents;
provided, however that as of the First Closing Date such security interests
shall not include foreign patents or other foreign intellectual property of the
Parent, but the Administrative Agent reserves the right to request, and the
Parent agrees to take all reasonable steps necessary or advisable to grant to
the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Banks and the Administrative
Agent, in the event of such request, a perfected first priority security
interest in the foreign patents and other foreign intellectual property of the
Parent in accordance with Section 10.20 hereof.

      8.3. GUARANTIES AND SECURITY OF SUBSIDIARIES. The Obligations shall also
be guaranteed by the Domestic Subsidiaries of the Parent (other than the
Borrower) and the Borrower pursuant to the terms of the Subsidiary Guaranty. The
obligations of the Parent's or, as the case may be, the Borrower's Domestic
Subsidiaries that are Guarantors under the Subsidiary Guaranty shall be in turn
secured by a perfected first priority security interest (subject only to
Permitted Liens entitled to priority under applicable law) in all of the assets
of each such Domestic Subsidiary, whether now owned or hereafter acquired,
pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents to which such Domestic
Subsidiary is a party and 65% of the equity interests of each of its direct
Foreign Subsidiaries that are Significant Subsidiaries; provided, however that
as of the First Closing Date such security interests shall not include foreign
patents or other foreign intellectual property of the Domestic Subsidiaries, but
the Administrative Agent reserves the right to request, and the Domestic
Subsidiaries agree to take all reasonable steps necessary or advisable to grant
to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Banks and the Administrative
Agent, in the event of such request, a perfected first

<PAGE>   78
                                      -69-

priority security interest in the foreign patents and other foreign intellectual
property of the Domestic Subsidiaries in accordance with Section 10.20 hereof.

                       9. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

      The Parent and the Borrower each jointly and severally represents and
warrants to the Banks and the Agents as follows:

      9.1. CORPORATE AUTHORITY.

             9.1.1. INCORPORATION; GOOD STANDING. Each of the Parent, the
      Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries (i) is a corporation (or similar
      business entity) duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
      under the laws of its state and country of incorporation, (ii) has all
      requisite corporate (or similar business entity) power to own its property
      and conduct its business as now conducted and as presently contemplated,
      and (iii) is in good standing as a foreign corporation (or similar
      business entity) and is duly authorized to do business in each
      jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary except where a failure
      to be so qualified would not have a materially adverse effect on the
      business, assets or financial condition of the Parent or its Subsidiaries.

             9.1.2. AUTHORIZATION. The execution, delivery and performance of
      this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Parent,
      the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries is or is to become a party and
      the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (i) are within the
      corporate authority of such Person, (ii) have been duly authorized by all
      necessary corporate proceedings, (iii) do not conflict with or result in
      any breach or contravention of any provision of law, statute, rule or
      regulation to which the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries
      is subject or any judgment, order, writ, injunction, license or permit
      applicable to the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries and
      (iv) do not conflict with any provision of the corporate charter or bylaws
      of, or any agreement or other instrument binding upon, the Parent or any
      of their Subsidiaries.

             9.1.3. ENFORCEABILITY. The execution and delivery of this Credit
      Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Parent, the Borrower
      or any of their Subsidiaries is or is to become a party will result in
      valid and legally binding obligations of such Person enforceable against
      it in accordance with the respective terms and provisions hereof and
      thereof, except as enforceability is limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
      reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting
      generally the enforcement of creditors' rights and except to the extent
      that availability of the remedy of specific performance or injunctive
      relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any
      proceeding therefor may be brought.

      9.2. GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. The execution, delivery and performance by
the Parent, the Borrower and any of their Subsidiaries of this Credit Agreement
and the

<PAGE>   79
                                      -70-

other Loan Documents to which the Parent, the Borrower or any of their
Subsidiaries is or is to become a party and the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby do not require the approval or consent of, or filing with, any
governmental agency or authority other than those already obtained (or those
which are not yet required as of the date this representation is made).

      9.3. TITLE TO PROPERTIES; LEASES. Except as indicated on Schedule 9.3
hereto, the Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries own all of the
assets reflected in the consolidated balance sheet of the Parent, the Borrower
and each of their Subsidiaries as at the Balance Sheet Date or acquired since
that date (except property and assets sold or otherwise disposed of in the
ordinary course of business since that date), subject to no rights of others,
including any mortgages, leases, conditional sales agreements, title retention
agreements, liens or other encumbrances except Permitted Liens and liens being
released on or prior to the Initial Closing Date.

      9.4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PROJECTIONS.

             9.4.1. FISCAL YEAR. The Parent, the Borrower and each of their
      Subsidiaries has a Fiscal Year which is the twelve months ending on the
      Saturday closest to June 30 of each calendar year, with the first three
      fiscal quarters consisting of approximately thirteen week periods
      respectively and the fourth fiscal quarter ending on the Saturday closest
      to June 30 of each calendar year (each a "Fiscal Quarter").

             9.4.2. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. There has been furnished to the
      Administrative Agent a consolidated balance sheet of the Parent, the
      Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries as at the Balance Sheet Date, and
      a consolidated statement of income for the Fiscal Year then ended,
      certified by the Parent's independent certified public accountants. Such
      balance sheet and statement of income have been prepared in accordance
      with generally accepted accounting principles and fairly present the
      financial condition of the Borrower as at the close of business on the
      date thereof and the results of operations for the Fiscal Year then ended.
      There are no contingent liabilities of the Parent, the Borrower or any of
      their Subsidiaries as of such date involving material amounts, known to
      the officers of the Parent or the Borrower not disclosed in said balance
      sheet and the related notes thereto.

             9.4.3. PROJECTIONS. The projections of the balance sheet, cash flow
      and income statements of the Parent, the Borrower and each of their
      Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the Fiscal Years 2000 through
      2005, including monthly income statements and balance sheets for Fiscal
      Year 2001, copies of which have been delivered to each Bank, disclose all
      assumptions made with respect to general economic, financial and market
      conditions used in formulating such projections. As of the Initial Closing
      Date, to the knowledge of the Parent, the Borrower or any of their
      Subsidiaries, no facts existed that (individually or in the aggregate)
      materially change any of such projections when given.  The projections are
      based upon reasonable estimates and assumptions in light of the

<PAGE>   80
                                      -71-

      circumstances under which they were made, have been prepared on the basis
      of the assumptions stated therein and reflect the reasonable estimates of
      the Parent and the Borrower of the results of operations and other
      information projected therein, provided that, with respect to projected
      financial information, the Parent and the Borrower represent only that
      such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions
      believed to be reasonable at the time. Any forward looking statements
      contained therein are inherently subject to risk and uncertainties, many
      of which cannot be predicted with accuracy, and some of which might not be
      anticipated. Future events and actual results, financial or otherwise,
      could differ materially from those set forth therein or contemplated by
      the forward looking statements contained therein.

      9.5. NO MATERIAL CHANGES, ETC. Since the Balance Sheet Date there has
occurred no materially adverse change in the financial condition or business of
the Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries as shown on or reflected
in the consolidated balance sheet of the Parent, the Borrower and each of their
Subsidiaries as at the Balance Sheet Date, or the consolidated statement of
income for the Fiscal Year then ended, other than changes in the ordinary course
of business that have not had a Material Adverse Effect. Since the Balance Sheet
Date, neither the Parent, the Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries has made
any Distributions other than those Distributions permitted hereunder.

      9.6. FRANCHISES, PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, ETC. Each of the Parent, the
Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries possesses all franchises, patents,
copyrights, trademarks, trade names, licenses and permits, and rights in respect
of the foregoing, adequate for the conduct of its business substantially as now
conducted without known conflict with any rights of others, except to the extent
where the failure to have the same could not be reasonably expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

      9.7. LITIGATION. Except as set forth on Schedule 9.7 hereto, there are no
actions, suits, proceedings or investigations of any kind pending or threatened
against the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries before any court,
tribunal or administrative agency or board that, has a reasonable likelihood of
being adversely determined and if adversely determined, could reasonably be
expected to have, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect or materially impair the right of the Parent, the Borrower and each of
their Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, to carry on business substantially as
now conducted by them, or result in any substantial liability not adequately
covered by insurance, or for which adequate reserves are not maintained on the
consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and the Borrower, or which question the
validity of this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or any
action taken or to be taken pursuant hereto or thereto.

      9.8. NO MATERIALLY ADVERSE CONTRACTS, ETC. None of the Parent, the
Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries is subject to any charter, corporate or
other legal restriction, or any judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation that
has or is expected in the future to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the
Parent, the Borrower nor any of their

<PAGE>   81
                                      -72-

Subsidiaries is a party to any contract or agreement that has or is expected, in
the judgment of the Parent and the Borrower's officers, to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

      9.9. COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER INSTRUMENTS, LAWS, ETC. Neither the Parent nor
any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any provision of its charter
documents, bylaws, or any agreement or instrument to which it may be subject or
by which it or any of its properties may be bound or any decree, order,
judgment, statute, license, rule or regulation, in any of the foregoing cases in
a manner that could result in the imposition of substantial penalties or cause a
Material Adverse Effect.

      9.10. TAX STATUS. The Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries
(i) have made or filed all federal and state income and all other tax returns,
reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which any of them is
subject, (ii) have paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges
shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, in each
case prior to any date on which any fee or penalty for non-payment thereof could
be imposed (or any such fee or penalty has been paid) except those being
contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and (iii) have set aside
on their books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes for
periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations
apply. Except as disclosed from time to time to the Administrative Agent by the
Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries and adequately reserved for
as set forth in clause (iii) above, there are no other unpaid taxes in any
material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction,
and the officers of the Borrower know of no basis for any such claim. The
Borrowing Base Report most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent sets
forth the amount of reserves established by the Parent, the Borrower and each of
their Subsidiaries to cover the Parent's, the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's
sales or use tax obligations in each jurisdiction where the Parent, the Borrower
or such Subsidiary is required to pay such taxes. Such reserves are adequate for
the payment of all of such obligations.

      9.11. NO EVENT OF DEFAULT. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing.

      9.12. HOLDING COMPANY AND INVESTMENT COMPANY ACTS. None of the Parent, the
Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries is a "holding company", or a "subsidiary
company" of a "holding company", or an affiliate" of a "holding company", as
such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935; nor is
it an "investment company", or an "affiliated company" or a "principal
underwriter" of an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940.

      9.13. ABSENCE OF FINANCING STATEMENTS, ETC. Except with respect to
Permitted Liens, and liens being released on or prior to the Initial Closing
Date there is no financing statement, security agreement, chattel mortgage, real
estate mortgage or other document filed or recorded with any filing records,
registry, or other public office, that purports to cover, affect or give notice
of any present or possible future lien on, or

<PAGE>   82
                                      -73-

security interest in, any assets or property of the Parent, the Borrower or any
of their Subsidiaries or rights thereunder.

      9.14. PERFECTION OF SECURITY INTEREST. All filings, assignments, pledges
and deposits of documents or instruments have been made and all other actions
have been taken that are necessary or advisable, under applicable law, to
establish and perfect the Administrative Agent's security interest in the
Collateral. The Collateral and the Administrative Agent's rights with respect to
the Collateral are not subject to any setoff, claims, withholdings or other
defenses. Each of the Borrower and the Guarantors, as applicable, is the owner
of the Collateral free from any lien, security interest, encumbrance and any
other claim or demand, except for Permitted Liens and except for liens being
released on or prior to the Initial Closing.

      9.15. CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS. Except for (i) transactions as set forth on
Schedule 9.15 hereto, (ii) transactions specifically permitted under Section
11.1(g) and (h) and Section 11.3(f) and (g), (iii) transactions among the
Borrower and their Domestic Subsidiaries, and (iv) transactions between (A) the
Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary and (B) Bell Canada or any other Significant
Foreign Subsidiary, which transactions are not below cost, and (v) transactions
among Significant Foreign Subsidiaries and (vi) arm's length transactions
pursuant to which the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries makes
payments in the ordinary course of business upon terms no less favorable than
the Parent, the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary could obtain from third
parties; none of the officers, directors, or employees of the Parent, the
Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries is presently a party to any transaction
with the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries (other than for
reasonable fees, expenses and compensation to and indemnity provided for
employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other
arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for
rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments
to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the
Borrower, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any
officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an
officer, director, trustee or partner.

      9.16. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

             9.16.1. IN GENERAL. Except as set forth in Schedule 9.16.1 or for
      violations which, individually or in aggregate, could not be reasonably
      expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Employee Benefit Plan and
      each Guaranteed Pension Plan has been maintained and operated in
      compliance in all material respects with the provisions of ERISA and, to
      the extent applicable, the Code, including but not limited to the
      provisions thereunder respecting prohibited transactions and the bonding
      of fiduciaries and other persons handling plan funds as required by
      Section 412 of ERISA. The Borrower or the Parent, as the case may be, has
      heretofore delivered to the Administrative Agent the most recently
      completed annual report, Form 5500, with all required attachments, and
      actuarial statement required to be submitted under Section 103(d) of
      ERISA, with respect to each

<PAGE>   83
                                      -74-

      Guaranteed Pension Plan maintained or contributed to as of the date of
      this Agreement.

             9.16.2. TERMINABILITY OF WELFARE PLANS. As of the date of this
      Agreement, no Employee Benefit Plan, which is an employee welfare benefit
      plan within the meaning of Section 3(1) or Section 3(2)(B) of ERISA,
      provides benefit coverage subsequent to termination of employment
      constituting a material liability to the sponsor thereof, except as
      required by Title I, Part 6 of ERISA or the applicable state insurance
      laws. The Borrower or the Parent may terminate each such plan at any time
      (or at any time subsequent to the expiration of any applicable bargaining
      agreement) in the discretion of the Borrower or the Parent, respectively,
      without liability to any Person other than for claims arising prior to
      termination.

             9.16.3. GUARANTEED PENSION PLANS. Each contribution required to be
      made to a Guaranteed Pension Plan, whether required to be made to avoid
      the incurrence of an accumulated funding deficiency, the notice or lien
      provisions of Section 302(f) of ERISA, or otherwise, has been timely made.
      No waiver of an accumulated funding deficiency or extension of
      amortization periods has been received with respect to any Guaranteed
      Pension Plan, and the Borrower is not obligated to or has posted security
      in connection with an amendment to a Guaranteed Pension Plan pursuant to
      Section 307 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29) of the Code. No liability to
      the PBGC (other than required insurance premiums, all of which have been
      paid) has been incurred by the Parent or the Borrower with respect to any
      Guaranteed Pension Plan and there has not been any ERISA Reportable Event
      (other than an ERISA Reportable Event as to which the requirement of 30
      days notice has been waived), or any other event or condition which
      presents a material risk of termination of any Guaranteed Pension Plan by
      the PBGC. Based on the latest valuation of each Guaranteed Pension Plan
      (which in each case occurred within twelve months of the date of this
      representation), and on the actuarial methods and assumptions employed for
      that valuation, the aggregate benefit liabilities of all such Guaranteed
      Pension Plans within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA did not exceed
      the aggregate value of the assets of all such Guaranteed Pension Plans by
      more than $3,000,000, disregarding for this purpose the benefit
      liabilities and assets of any Guaranteed Pension Plan with assets in
      excess of benefit liabilities.

             9.16.4. MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS. Neither the Borrower nor the Parent,
      has incurred any material liability (including secondary liability) to any
      Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from
      such Multiemployer Plan under Section 4201 of ERISA or as a result of a
      sale of assets described in Section 4204 of ERISA. Borrower nor any ERISA
      Affiliate has not been notified that any Multiemployer Plan is in
      reorganization or insolvent under and within the meaning of Section 4241
      or Section 4245 of ERISA or is at risk of entering reorganization or
      becoming insolvent, or that any Multiemployer Plan intends to terminate or
      has been terminated under Section 4041A of ERISA.
<PAGE>   84
                                      -75-

             9.17. USE OF PROCEEDS.

             9.17.1. GENERAL. The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans
      solely as follows:

             (a) with respect to the Revolving Credit Loans, (i) not more than
      $20,000,000 of such proceeds shall be used (A) to effect the
      Recapitalization and (B) to repurchase or redeem the 11% Notes, the 4 1/4%
      Convertible Subordinated Notes, the 14% Senior Discount Notes and the 18%
      Senior Merger Debentures, and (ii) to fund ongoing working capital needs
      (including the refinancing of the Existing Credit Agreement), Capital
      Expenditures, Permitted Acquisitions, Permitted Foreign Acquisitions, and
      for general corporate purposes and certain other acquisition costs and
      expenses with the prior consent of the Administrative Agent; the Borrower
      will obtain Letters of Credit solely for working capital and general
      corporate purposes; and

             (b) with respect to the Term Loans, to repurchase or redeem the 11%
      Notes, the 4 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes, the 14% Senior Discount
      Notes and the 18% Senior Merger Debentures, to the extent such notes or
      debentures are tendered or redeemed such Term Loans are available for such
      purposes pursuant to Section 4.1.3.

             9.17.2. REGULATIONS U AND X. No portion of any Loan is to be used,
      and no portion of any Letter of Credit is to be obtained, for the purpose
      of purchasing or carrying any "margin security" or "margin stock" as such
      terms are used in Regulations U and X of the Board of Governors of the
      Federal Reserve System, 12 C.F.R. Parts 221 and 224.

             9.17.3. INELIGIBLE SECURITIES. No portion of the proceeds of any
      Loans is to be used, and no portion of any Letter of Credit is to be
      obtained, for the purpose of knowingly purchasing, or providing credit
      support for the purchase of, during the underwriting or placement period
      or within 30 days thereafter, any Ineligible Securities underwritten or
      privately placed by a Section 20 Subsidiary.

      9.18. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE. The Parent, the Borrower and each of their
Subsidiaries have taken all necessary steps to investigate the past and present
condition and usage of the Real Estate and the operations conducted thereon and,
based upon such diligent investigation, have determined that:

             (a)    none of the Parent, the Borrower, their Subsidiaries or any
      operator of the Real Estate or any operations thereon is in violation, or
      alleged violation, of any judgment, decree, order, law, license, rule or
      regulation pertaining to environmental matters, including without
      limitation, those arising under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
      ("RCRA"), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
      Liability Act of 1980 as amended ("CERCLA"), the Superfund Amendments and

<PAGE>   85
                                      -76-

      Reauthorization Act of 1986 ("SARA"), the Federal Clean Water Act, the
      Federal Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, or any state or
      local statute, regulation, ordinance, order or decree relating to health,
      safety or the environment (hereinafter "Environmental Laws"), which
      violation could have a Material Adverse Effect or a materially adverse
      effect on the environment;

             (b)    except as set forth on Schedule 9.18, neither the Parent,
      the Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries has received written notice
      from any third party including, without limitation, any federal, state or
      local governmental authority, (i) that any one of them has been identified
      by the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") as a
      potentially responsible party under CERCLA with respect to a site listed
      on the National Priorities List, 40 C.F.R. Part 300 Appendix B; (ii) that
      any hazardous waste, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 6903(5), any
      hazardous substances as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 9601(14), any
      pollutant or contaminant as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 9601(33) and any
      toxic substances, oil or hazardous materials or other chemicals or
      substances regulated by any Environmental Laws ("Hazardous Substances")
      which any one of them has generated, transported or disposed of has been
      found at any site at which a federal, state or local agency or other third
      party has conducted or has ordered that the Parent, the Borrower or any of
      their Subsidiaries conduct a remedial investigation, removal or other
      response action pursuant to any Environmental Law; or (iii) that it is or
      shall be a named party to any claim, action, cause of action, complaint,
      or legal or administrative proceeding (in each case, contingent or
      otherwise) arising out of any third party's incurrence of costs, expenses,
      losses or damages of any kind whatsoever in connection with the release of
      Hazardous Substances;

             (c)    except as set forth on Schedule 9.18 attached hereto: (i) no
      portion of the Real Estate has been used for the handling, processing,
      storage or disposal of Hazardous Substances except in accordance with
      applicable Environmental Laws or to the extent the same would be unlikely
      to have a material adverse effect on the value of the Real Estate or a
      Material Adverse Effect; and no underground tank or other underground
      storage receptacle for Hazardous Substances is located on any portion of
      the Real Estate; (ii) in the course of any activities conducted by the
      Parent, the Borrower, their Subsidiaries or operators of its properties,
      no Hazardous Substances have been generated or are being used on the Real
      Estate except in accordance with applicable Environmental Laws; (iii)
      there have been no releases (i.e. any past or present releasing, spilling,
      leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting,
      escaping, disposing or dumping) or threatened releases of Hazardous
      Substances on, upon, into or from the properties of the Parent, the
      Borrower or their Subsidiaries, which releases would have a material
      adverse effect on the value of any of the Real Estate or adjacent
      properties or the environment or a Material Adverse Effect; (iv) to the
      best of the Borrower's and the Parent's knowledge, there have been no
      releases on, upon, from or into any real property in the vicinity of any
      of the Real Estate which, through soil or groundwater

<PAGE>   86
                                      -77-

      contamination, may have come to be located on, and which would have a
      material adverse effect on the value of the Real Estate or a Material
      Adverse Effect; and (v) in addition, any Hazardous Substances that have
      been generated on any of the Real Estate have been transported offsite
      only by carriers having an identification number issued by the EPA,
      treated or disposed of only by treatment or disposal facilities
      maintaining valid permits as required under applicable Environmental Laws,
      which transporters and facilities have been and are, to the best of the
      Borrower's and the Parent's knowledge, operating in compliance with such
      permits and applicable Environmental Laws; and

             (d)    none of the Parent, the Borrower and each of their
      Subsidiaries, any Mortgaged Property or any of the other Real Estate is
      subject to any applicable environmental law requiring the performance of
      Hazardous Substances site assessments, or the removal or remediation of
      Hazardous Substances, or the giving of notice to any governmental agency
      or the recording or delivery to other Persons of an environmental
      disclosure document or statement by virtue of the transactions set forth
      herein and contemplated hereby, or as a condition to the recording of any
      Mortgage or to the effectiveness of any other transactions contemplated
      hereby.

      9.19. SUBSIDIARIES, ETC.

             9.19.1. EXISTING SUBSIDIARIES. Schedule 9.19 (as amended and in
      effect from time to time pursuant to Section 10.16) sets forth the
      Subsidiaries of the Parent and the Borrower. Except as set forth on
      Schedule 9.19 hereto, neither the Parent, the Borrower nor any Subsidiary
      of the Parent or Borrower is engaged in any joint venture or partnership
      with any other Person. Bell Sports Ireland Limited was dissolved as of
      June 13, 2000 and no longer exists.

             9.19.2. INSIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES. Each of the Insignificant
      Subsidiaries has transferred or is in the process of transferring to the
      Borrower all of its assets, including without limitation all intellectual
      property. None of the Insignificant Subsidiaries is currently engaged in
      any business of any sort.

      9.20. BANK ACCOUNTS. Schedule 9.20 (as amended and in effect from time to
time pursuant to Section 10.14.3) sets forth the account numbers and location of
all Local Accounts and all other United States or Canadian bank accounts of the
Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries.

      9.21. DISCLOSURE. None of this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact (known to the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries in
the case of any document or information not furnished by it or any of their
Subsidiaries) necessary in order to make the statements herein or therein not
misleading. There is no fact known to the Parent, the Borrower or any of their
Subsidiaries which presently gives rise to or could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect exclusive of effects resulting from changes
in general economic conditions, legal standards or regulatory

<PAGE>   87
                                      -78-

conditions. With respect to projected financial information, the Parent, the
Borrower and their Subsidiaries represent only that such information was
prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the
time. Any forward looking statements contained therein are inherently subject to
risk and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy, and
some of which might not be anticipated. Future events and actual results,
financial or otherwise, could differ materially from those set forth therein or
contemplated by the forward looking statements contained therein.

      9.22. CASH CONTRIBUTIONS. As of the Initial Closing Date, the Parent has
received cash capital contributions from the Chartwell Investors in an aggregate
amount equal to not less than $101,000,000 and from other investors in the
Parent in an aggregate amount equal to not less than $6,000,000, as provided
under the Recapitalization Documents.

      9.23. RECAPITALIZATION DOCUMENTS. The Borrower has furnished to the
Administrative Agent true, complete and correct copies of the Recapitalization
Documents (including all schedules, exhibits and annexes thereto) as in effect
on the Initial Closing Date.

      9.24. MEZZANINE DOCUMENTS. The Borrower has furnished to the
Administrative Agent true, complete and correct copies of the Mezzanine
Documents (including schedules, exhibits and annexes thereto) as in effect on
the Initial Closing Date. As of the Initial Closing Date, each of the
representations and warranties set forth in Section 7 of the Mezzanine Capital
Agreement are true and correct.

      9.25. LOANS AND SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS. All Indebtedness of the Borrower and
the Parent to the Banks in respect of the principal of and interest on the Loans
constitutes "Superior Indebtedness", "Senior Indebtedness" or "Senior Debt" (or
the analogous term used therein) under the terms of any instrument evidencing or
pursuant to which there is issued indebtedness which purports to be Subordinated
Debt of the Borrower or the Parent.

      9.26. INSURANCE. The Borrower, the Parent and each of their Subsidiaries
maintains with financially sound and reputable insurers, insurance with respect
to its properties and businesses against such casualties and contingencies as
are in accordance with sound business practices, consistent in all material
respects with coverage being more fully described on Schedule 9.26 hereto,
unless such inconsistency could not be reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

            10. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER AND THE PARENT.

      The Borrower and the Parent each jointly and severally covenants and
agrees that, so long as any Loan, Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, Letter of
Credit or Note is outstanding or any Bank has any obligation to make any Loans
or the Administrative Agent has any obligation to issue, extend or renew any
Letters of Credit:
<PAGE>   88
                                      -79-

      10.1. PUNCTUAL PAYMENT. The Borrower will duly and punctually pay or cause
to be paid the principal and interest on the Loans, all Reimbursement
Obligations, the Letter of Credit Fees, the Commitment Fees, the Administrative
Agent's fee and all other amounts provided for in this Credit Agreement and the
other Loan Documents to which the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party,
all in accordance with the terms of this Credit Agreement and such other Loan
Documents.

      10.2. MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE. Each of the Parent, the Borrower and each of
their Subsidiaries will maintain its chief executive office in the locations set
forth on Schedule 10.2, or at such other place in the United States of America
as such Person shall designate upon written notice to the Administrative Agent,
where notices, presentations and demands to or upon such Person in respect of
the Loan Documents may be given or made.

      10.3. RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS. Each of the Parent and the Borrower will (i)
keep, and cause each of their Subsidiaries to keep, true and accurate records
and books of account in which full, true and correct entries will be made in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (ii) maintain adequate
accounts and reserves for all taxes (including income taxes), depreciation,
depletion, obsolescence and amortization of its properties and the properties of
its Subsidiaries, contingencies, and other reserves, and (iii) at all times
engage PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent certified public
accountants satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as the independent
certified public accountants of the Parent, the Borrower and each of their
Subsidiaries and will not permit more than thirty (30) days to elapse between
the cessation of such firm's (or any successor firm's) engagement as the
independent certified public accountants of the Parent, the Borrower and each of
their Subsidiaries and the appointment in such capacity of a successor firm as
shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

      10.4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CERTIFICATES AND INFORMATION. The Borrower
will deliver to each of the Banks:

             (a)    as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than
      ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, the consolidated and
      consolidating balance sheets of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, each as
      at the end of such year, and the related consolidated and consolidating
      statements of income and consolidated and consolidating statements of cash
      flow for such year, each setting forth in comparative form the figures for
      the previous Fiscal Year and all such consolidated and consolidating
      statements to be in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with
      generally accepted accounting principles, and certified as to consolidated
      statements, without qualification and without an expression of uncertainty
      as to the ability of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to continue as
      going concerns, by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or by other independent
      certified public accountants satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,
      together with a written statement from such accountants to the effect that
      they have read a copy of this Credit Agreement, and that, in making the
      examination necessary to said certification, they have obtained no
      knowledge of any Default or Event of Default, or, if such accountants
      shall have obtained knowledge of any then

<PAGE>   89
                                      -80-

      existing Default or Event of Default they shall disclose in such statement
      any such Default or Event of Default; provided that such accountants shall
      not be liable to the Banks for failure to obtain knowledge of any Default
      or Event of Default;

             (b)    as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than
      forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three (3) fiscal
      quarters of the Borrower, copies of the unaudited consolidated and
      consolidating balance sheets of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, each as
      at the end of such quarter, and the related consolidated and consolidating
      statements of income and consolidated and consolidating statements of cash
      flow for the portion of the Fiscal Year then elapsed, all in reasonable
      detail and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
      principles, together with a certification by the principal financial or
      accounting officer of the Borrower that the information contained in such
      financial statements fairly presents the consolidated financial position
      of the Parent and its Subsidiaries and the consolidating financial
      position of the Parent and each of the Significant Subsidiaries on the
      date thereof (subject to year-end adjustments in conformity with rules for
      interim financial reporting and lack of footnotes)(solely for the purposes
      of this clause (b), consolidating reporting shall be limited to the
      Parent, the Borrower and the Significant Subsidiaries);

             (c)    as soon as practicable, but in any event within thirty (30)
      days after the end of each month in each Fiscal Year, unaudited monthly
      consolidated financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for
      such month, each prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
      principles, together with a certification by the principal financial or
      accounting officer of the Borrower that the information contained in such
      financial statements fairly presents the financial condition of the
      Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries on the date thereof
      (subject to year-end adjustments in conformity with rules for interim
      financial reporting and lack of footnotes);

             (d)    simultaneously with the delivery of the financial statements
      referred to in subsections (a) and (b) above, a statement certified by the
      principal financial or accounting officer of the Borrower in substantially
      the form of Exhibit E hereto (the "Compliance Certificate") and setting
      forth in reasonable detail computations evidencing compliance with the
      covenants contained in Section 12 and (if applicable) reconciliations to
      reflect changes in generally accepted accounting principles since the
      Balance Sheet Date;

             (e)    contemporaneously with the filing or mailing thereof, copies
      of all material of a financial nature filed with the Securities and
      Exchange Commission or sent to the stockholders of the Borrower;

             (f)    within twenty (20) days after the end of each calendar month
      or at such earlier time as the Administrative Agent may reasonably
      request, a Borrowing Base Report setting forth the Borrowing Base as at
      the end of such calendar month or other date so requested by the
      Administrative Agent;
<PAGE>   90
                                      -81-

             (g)    within twenty (20) days after the end of each calendar
      month, an Accounts Receivable aging report;

             (h)    not later than sixty (60) days after the commencement of
      each Fiscal Year, the budget of the Parent, the Borrower and each of their
      Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year; and

             (i)    from time to time such other financial data and information
      (including accountants, management letters) as the Administrative Agent or
      any Bank may reasonably request.

      10.5. NOTICES.

             10.5.1. DEFAULTS. The Borrower will promptly notify the
      Administrative Agent and each of the Banks in writing of the occurrence of
      any Default or Event of Default. If any Person shall give any notice or
      take any other action in respect of a claimed default (whether or not
      constituting an Event of Default) under this Credit Agreement or any other
      note, evidence of Indebtedness, indenture or other obligation in a
      principal amount not less than $500,000 to which or with respect to which
      the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries is a party or
      obligor, whether as principal, guarantor, surety or otherwise, the
      Borrower shall forthwith give written notice thereof to the Administrative
      Agent and each of the Banks, describing the notice or action and the
      nature of the claimed default.

             10.5.2. ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS. The Borrower will promptly give
      notice to the Administrative Agent (i) of any violation of any
      Environmental Law that the Parent, the Borrower or any of their
      Subsidiaries reports in writing or is reportable by such Person in writing
      (or for which any written report supplemental to any oral report is made)
      to any federal, state or local environmental agency and (ii) upon becoming
      aware thereof, of any inquiry, proceeding, investigation, or other action,
      including a written notice from any agency of potential environmental
      liability, of any federal, state or local environmental agency or board,
      that is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

             10.5.3. NOTIFICATION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COLLATERAL. The Borrower
      will, promptly upon becoming aware thereof, notify the Administrative
      Agent in writing of any setoff, claims (including, with respect to the
      Real Estate, environmental claims), withholdings or other defenses to
      which any of the Collateral, or the Administrative Agent's rights with
      respect to the Collateral, are subject, provided that the Borrower shall
      only be required to notify the Administrative Agent of claims against
      individual Accounts Receivable which exceed $750,000.

             10.5.4. NOTICE OF LITIGATION AND JUDGMENTS. Each of the Parent and
      the Borrower will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, give
      notice to the
<PAGE>   91
                                      -82-

      Administrative Agent in writing within fifteen (15) days of becoming aware
      of any litigation or proceedings threatened in writing or any pending
      litigation and proceedings affecting the Parent, the Borrower or any of
      their Subsidiaries or to which the Parent or any of their Subsidiaries is
      or becomes a party involving an uninsured claim against the Parent, the
      Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to
      have a Material Adverse Effect and stating the nature and status of such
      litigation or proceedings. Each of the Parent and the Borrower will, and
      will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, give notice to the
      Administrative Agent, in writing, in form and detail satisfactory to the
      Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days of any judgment not covered by
      insurance, final or otherwise, against the Parent, the Borrower or any of
      their Subsidiaries in an amount in excess of $1,000,000.

             10.5.5. NOTICES CONCERNING INVENTORY COLLATERAL. The Borrower shall
      provide to the Administrative Agent prompt notice of (i) any physical
      count of the Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' inventory, together
      with a copy of the results thereof certified by the Borrower or such
      Subsidiary, (ii) any determination by the Borrower or any of its
      Subsidiaries that the inventory levels of the Borrower or such Subsidiary
      are not adequate to meet the sales projections of the Borrower or such
      Subsidiary, (iii), details of all credit card arrangements to which the
      Borrower or any of it Subsidiaries is from time to time a party, including
      details relating to the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's compliance with
      the terms of payment to the Local Account or the Fleet Concentration
      Account of the proceeds of all credit card charges for sales by the
      Borrower or such Subsidiary, and (iv) any failure of the Parent, the
      Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries to pay rent at any location, which
      failure continues for more than five (5) Business Days following the day
      on which such rent is due and payable by the Parent, the Borrower or such
      Subsidiary. If so requested by the Administrative Agent or any Bank, the
      Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent or such Bank copies of
      all advertising by the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries
      including copies of all print advertising and duplicate tapes of all video
      and radio advertising.

             10.5.6. OTHER NOTICES. Concurrently with the delivery thereof, the
      Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a copy of any notice
      required to be delivered in connection with any of the Subordinated Debt
      documents.

      10.6. CORPORATE EXISTENCE; MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES. Each of the Parent
and the Borrower will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve
and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, material rights and
franchises and those of their Subsidiaries, without at least thirty (30) days
prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, except to the extent that the
failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. It (i) will cause all of its properties and those of their Significant
Subsidiaries used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of
their Subsidiaries to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and
working order subject to ordinary wear and tear and supplied with all necessary
equipment, (ii)

<PAGE>   92
                                      -83-

will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments
and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Parent or, as the case
may be, the Borrower may be necessary so that the business carried on in
connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times,
and (iii) will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, continue to engage
primarily in the businesses now conducted by them and in related businesses;
provided that nothing in this Section 10.6 shall prevent the Parent or the
Borrower from discontinuing the operation and maintenance of any of its
properties or those of their Subsidiaries if such discontinuance is, in the
judgment of the Parent or, as the case may be, the Borrower, desirable in the
conduct of its or their business and that do not in the aggregate materially
adversely affect the business of the Parent, the Borrower and each of their
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

      10.7. INSURANCE. Each of the Parent and the Borrower will, and will cause
each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain with financially sound and reputable
insurers insurance with respect to its properties and business against such
casualties and contingencies as shall be in accordance with the general
practices of businesses engaged in similar activities in similar geographic
areas and in amounts, containing such terms, in such forms and for such periods
as may be reasonable and prudent and in accordance with the terms of the
Security Agreement and consistent in all material respects with the coverage
more fully described on Schedule 9.26, unless such inconsistency could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Parent and
the Borrower will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, maintain
insurance on the Mortgaged Properties in accordance with the terms of the
Mortgages.

      10.8. TAXES. Each of the Parent and the Borrower will, and will cause each
of their Subsidiaries to, duly pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and
discharged, before the same shall become overdue, all taxes, assessments and
other governmental charges (other than taxes, assessments and other governmental
charges imposed by foreign jurisdictions that in the aggregate are not material
to the business or assets of the Parent or the Borrower on an individual basis
or of the Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis) imposed upon it and its real properties, sales and activities, or any
part thereof, or upon the income or profits therefrom, as well as all claims for
labor, materials, or supplies that if unpaid might by law become a lien or
charge upon any of its property; provided that any such tax, assessment, charge,
levy or claim need not be paid if the validity or amount thereof shall currently
be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if the Parent, the
Borrower or such Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves
with respect thereto; and provided further that the Parent, the Borrower and
each Subsidiary of the Parent or the Borrower will pay all such taxes,
assessments, charges, levies or claims forthwith upon the commencement of
proceedings to foreclose any lien that may have attached as security therefor.

      10.9. INSPECTION OF PROPERTIES AND BOOKS, ETC.

             10.9.1. GENERAL. The Parent and the Borrower shall permit the
      Banks, through the Administrative Agent or any of the Banks' other
      designated representatives, to visit and inspect any of the properties of
      the Parent or any of
<PAGE>   93
                                      -84-

      its Subsidiaries, to examine the books of account of the Parent, the
      Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries (and to make copies thereof and
      extracts therefrom), and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of
      the Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries with, to be
      advised as to the same by, its and their officers, and to conduct
      examinations and verifications (whether by internal commercial finance
      examiners or independent auditors) of all components included in the
      Borrowing Base, the other assets of the Parent, the Borrower and their
      respective Subsidiaries, the business properties or financial condition of
      the Parent, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries, the
      appropriateness of Borrowing Base advance rates and all systems and
      procedures of the Parent, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries
      including those relating to cash management, all at such reasonable times
      and intervals as the Administrative Agent or any Bank may reasonably
      request. The Administrative Agent may, at the Borrower's expense,
      participate in or observe any physical count of inventory included in the
      Collateral.

             10.9.2. COLLATERAL REPORTS. No more frequently than two (2) times
      during each calendar year, or more frequently as determined by the
      Administrative Agent if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
      continuing, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower
      will obtain and deliver to the Administrative Agent, or, if the
      Administrative Agent so elects, will cooperate with the Administrative
      Agent in the Administrative Agent's obtaining, a report of an independent
      collateral auditor satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may be
      affiliated with one of the Banks) with respect to the Accounts Receivable
      and inventory components included in the Borrowing Base, which report
      shall indicate whether or not the information set forth in the Borrowing
      Base Report most recently delivered is accurate and complete in all
      material respects based upon a review by such auditors of the Accounts
      Receivable (including verification with respect to the amount, aging,
      identity and credit of the respective account debtors and the billing
      practices of the Borrower or its applicable Subsidiary) and inventory
      (including verification as to the value, location and respective types).
      All such collateral value reports shall be conducted and made at the
      expense of the Borrower.

             10.9.3. APPRAISALS. No more frequently than once each calendar
      year, or more frequently as determined by the Administrative Agent if an
      Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, upon the request
      of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will obtain and deliver to the
      Administrative Agent appraisal reports in form and substance and from
      appraisers satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, stating (i) the then
      current fair market, orderly liquidation and forced liquidation values of
      all or any portion of the equipment or real estate owned by the Parent,
      the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries and (ii) the then current
      business value of each of the Parent, the Borrower and each of their
      Subsidiaries. All such appraisals shall be conducted and made at the
      expense of the Borrower.
<PAGE>   94
                                      -85-

             10.9.4. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS. Whether or not an Event of
      Default shall have occurred, the Administrative Agent may, from time to
      time, in its discretion for the purpose of assessing and ensuring the
      value of any Mortgaged Property, obtain one or more environmental
      assessments or audits of such Mortgaged Property prepared by a
      hydrogeologist, an independent engineer or other qualified consultant or
      expert approved by the Administrative Agent to evaluate or confirm (i)
      whether any Hazardous Materials are present in the soil or water at such
      Mortgaged Property and (ii) whether the use and operation of such
      Mortgaged Property complies with all Environmental Laws. Environmental
      assessments may include without limitation detailed visual inspections of
      such Mortgaged Property including any and all storage areas, storage
      tanks, drains, dry wells and leaching areas, and the taking of soil
      samples, surface water samples and ground water samples, as well as such
      other investigations or analyses as the Administrative Agent deems
      appropriate. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
      continuing and no event has occurred which the Administrative Agent has
      determined in its sole discretion would be likely to result in material
      non-compliance of any Environmental Law, only one such environmental
      assessment shall be conducted and made at the expense of the Borrower.

             10.9.5. COMMUNICATION WITH ACCOUNTANTS. The Parent and the Borrower
      authorize the Administrative Agent and, if accompanied by the
      Administrative Agent, the Banks to communicate directly with the Parent
      and the Borrower's independent certified public accountants and authorizes
      such accountants to disclose to the Administrative Agent and the Banks any
      and all financial statements and other supporting financial documents and
      schedules including copies of any management letter with respect to the
      business, financial condition and other affairs of the Parent, the
      Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries. At the request of the
      Administrative Agent, the Parent, or, as the case may be, the Borrower
      shall deliver a letter addressed to such accountants instructing them to
      comply with the provisions of this Section 10.9.5.

      10.10. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, CONTRACTS, LICENSES, AND PERMITS. Each of the
Parent and the Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries, (a) to
comply with the provisions of its charter documents and by-laws, and (b) except
where the failure to so comply would not be reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect, to comply with (i) the applicable laws and regulations wherever
its business is conducted, including all Environmental Laws, (ii) all agreements
and instruments by which it or any of its properties may be bound and (iii) all
applicable decrees, orders, and judgments. If any authorization, consent,
approval, permit or license from any officer, agency or instrumentality of any
government shall become necessary or required in order that the Parent, the
Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries may fulfill any of its Obligations
hereunder or any of the other Loan Documents to which the Parent, the Borrower
or such Subsidiary is a party, each of the Parent and the Borrower will, or (as
the case may be) will cause such Subsidiary to, immediately take or cause to be
taken all reasonable steps within the power of the Parent, the Borrower or such
Subsidiary to
<PAGE>   95
                                      -86-

obtain such authorization, consent, approval, permit or license and furnish the
Administrative Agent and the Banks with evidence thereof.

      10.11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. The Parent or the Borrower, as applicable,
will (i) promptly upon request of the Administrative Agent, furnish to the
Administrative Agent a copy of the most recent actuarial statement required to
be submitted under Section 103(d) of ERISA and Annual Report, Form 5500, with
all required attachments, in respect of each Guaranteed Pension Plan, (ii)
promptly upon receipt or dispatch, furnish to the Administrative Agent any
notice, report or demand sent or received in respect of a Guaranteed Pension
Plan under Sections 302, 4041, 4042, 4043, 4063, 4066 and 4068 of ERISA, or in
respect of a Multiemployer Plan, under Sections 4041A, 4202, 4219, 4242, or 4245
of ERISA and (iii) promptly upon learning of or having reason to know of any
action, event, or circumstance which would give rise to a violation of Section
11.09 if the definition of Guaranteed Pension Plan for purposes of that Section
included plans of ERISA Affiliates, furnish to the Administrative Agent a
written notice from the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower describing such
plan and that action, event or circumstances, and such other information as the
Administrative Agent may request.

      10.12. USE OF PROCEEDS. The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans
and will obtain Letters of Credit solely for the purposes set forth in Section
9.17.1 hereof.

         10.13. ADDITIONAL MORTGAGED PROPERTY. If, after the Initial Closing
Date, the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries acquires or leases
for a term in excess of five (5) years with annual rental in excess of $500,000,
real estate used as a manufacturing or warehouse facility, each of the Parent
and the Borrower shall, or shall cause such Subsidiary to, forthwith deliver to
the Administrative Agent a fully executed mortgage or deed of trust over such
Real Estate, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,
together with title insurance policies, surveys, evidences of insurances with
the Administrative Agent named as loss payee and additional insured, legal
opinions and other documents and certificates with respect to such real estate
as was required for Real Estate of the Parent, the Borrower or such Subsidiary
as of the Initial Closing Date. Each of the Parent and the Borrower further
agrees that, following the taking of such actions with respect to such real
estate, the Administrative Agent shall have for the benefit of the Banks and the
Agents a valid and enforceable first priority mortgage or deed of trust over
such real estate, free and clear of all defects and encumbrances except for
Permitted Liens.

      10.14. BANK ACCOUNTS.

             10.14.1. GENERAL. Within thirty (30) days after the Initial Closing
      Date, each of the Parent and the Borrower will, and will cause each of
      their Subsidiaries to, (i) establish a depository account (the "Fleet
      Concentration Account") under the control of the Administrative Agent for
      the benefit of the Banks and the Administrative Agent, in the name of the
      Borrower, (ii) promptly after the Initial Closing Date instruct all
      account debtors and other obligors, pursuant to notices of assignment and
      instruction letters in form and substance satisfactory to the
      Administrative Agent, to the extent the same are not already
<PAGE>   96
                                      -87-

      so doing, to remit all cash proceeds of Accounts Receivable to local
      depository accounts ("Local Accounts") with financial institutions which
      have entered into agency account agreements and, if applicable, lock box
      agreements (collectively, "Agency Account Agreements") in form and
      substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (iii) direct all
      depository institutions with Local Accounts, only upon receipt of notice
      from the Administrative Agent, to cause all funds held in each such Local
      Account to be transferred no less frequently than once each day to, and
      only to the Fleet Concentration Account, and (iv) at all times ensure that
      immediately upon the Parent's or any of its Subsidiaries' receipt of any
      funds constituting or cash proceeds of any Collateral, all such amounts
      shall have been deposited in a Local Account or the Fleet Concentration
      Account. The Administrative Agent may deliver the notice referenced in
      clause (iii) above only in the event of a Default or Event of Default
      hereunder. Upon the written request of the Borrower, if such Event of
      Default is no longer continuing, the Administrative Agent shall notify
      each of the depository institutions referenced above, to which the
      Administrative Agent shall have previously given notice hereunder, of the
      fact that such notice is withdrawn and shall instruct each such depository
      institution to cease the transfer of funds to the Fleet Concentration
      Account unless and until it again receives notice from the Administrative
      Agent.

             10.14.2. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF APPLICATION. The Borrower hereby agrees
      that all amounts received by the Administrative Agent in the Fleet
      Concentration Account will be the sole and exclusive property of the
      Administrative Agent, for the accounts of the Banks and the Administrative
      Agent, to be applied in accordance Section 2.11 or Section 2.12 as
      applicable.

             10.14.2. NEW BANK ACCOUNTS. If, after the Initial Closing Date, the
      Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries creates or acquires, any
      bank account located in the United States or Canada, such Person will
      immediately notify the Administrative Agent and the Banks of such creation
      or acquisition, as the case may be, and provide the Administrative Agent
      and the Banks with an updated Schedule 9.20 and execute such documentation
      as may be required hereunder or under the Security Documents in connection
      therewith.

      10.15. FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Parent will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, cooperate with the Banks and the Administrative Agent and
execute such further instruments and documents as the Banks or the
Administrative Agent shall reasonably request to carry out to their satisfaction
the transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents.

      10.16. SUBSIDIARIES.

             10.16.1. ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARIES. If, after the Initial Closing
      Date, the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries creates or
      acquires, either directly or indirectly, any Subsidiary, it will
      immediately notify the Administrative Agent and the Banks of such creation
      or acquisition, as the case
<PAGE>   97
                                      -88-

      may be, and provide the Administrative Agent and the Banks with an updated
      Schedule 9.19 and take all other action required by Section 10.17 and
      Section 10.18 hereof.

             10.16.2. INSIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES. The Parent, the Borrower and
      each of their Subsidiaries shall diligently pursue the dissolutions of
      each of the Insignificant Subsidiaries, which dissolutions shall in any
      event have occurred no later than March 31, 2001, and shall promptly upon
      each such dissolution forward to the Administrative Agent reasonably
      satisfactory evidence thereof. The Parent, the Borrower and each of their
      Subsidiaries shall diligently pursue the transfer of all of the assets,
      including without limitation all intellectual property, of any
      Insignificant Subsidiaries, which transfers shall in any event have
      occurred no later than December 31, 2000.

      10.17. NEW GUARANTORS. The Borrower and the Parent will cause each
Domestic Subsidiary created, acquired or otherwise existing, on or after the
Initial Closing Date to immediately become a Guarantor and shall cause such
Domestic Subsidiary to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the
benefit of the Agents and the Banks, (a) a Joinder, and (b) further Security
Documents or other instruments and documents as the Administrative Agent may
require in order to grant to the Administrative Agent a first priority perfected
security interest in such Subsidiary's assets, including 65% of the equity
interests of each of its direct Foreign Subsidiaries that are Significant
Subsidiaries, together with legal opinions in form and substance satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent to be delivered to the Administrative Agent and the
Banks opining as to authorization, validity and enforceability of such Guaranty
and Security Documents and (as to the applicable Security Documents) the
perfection of such security interests.

      10.18. PLEDGE OF EQUITY INTERESTS. Each of the Borrower and the Parent
shall grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Banks and the
Agents, a pledge of, and shall take all steps necessary or advisable under
applicable law to establish and perfect the Administrative Agent's security
interest in, all of the equity interests (on a fully diluted basis) of any
newly-created or acquired Domestic Subsidiaries of the Parent or the Borrower
and sixty-five percent (65%) of the equity interests of any newly-created or
acquired direct Foreign Subsidiaries held by the Parent or the Borrower as
security for the payment and performance in full of the Obligations, including
amendments to the Stock Pledge Agreement.

      10.19. INTEREST RATE PROTECTION. The Borrower will, not later than ninety
(90) days from the Second Closing Date, purchase and maintain an interest cap or
swap or effect other interest rate protection arrangements in a nominal amount
equal to fifty percent (50%) of its aggregate long-term Indebtedness minus the
amount of any of such Indebtedness which bears interest at a fixed rate, for a
period of not less than two (2) years and on terms and conditions otherwise
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

      10.20. SECURITY INTEREST IN FOREIGN PATENTS. The Parent, the Borrower and
each of their Subsidiaries, as the case may be, shall grant to the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Banks and the Administrative Agent,
upon the Administrative Agent's request, a security interest in, and shall take
all steps necessary or advisable under

<PAGE>   98
                                      -89-

applicable law, to establish and perfect the Administrative Agent's security
interest in, all of the foreign patents of such Person pursuant to a patent
assignment and security agreement which shall be in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

             11. CERTAIN NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER AND THE
                                    PARENT.

      The Borrower and the Parent each jointly and severally covenants and
agrees that, so long as any Loan, Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, Letter of
Credit or Note is outstanding or any Bank has any obligation to make any Loans
or the Administrative Agent has any obligation to issue, extend or renew any
Letters of Credit:

      11.1. RESTRICTIONS ON INDEBTEDNESS. Neither the Parent nor the Borrower
will, nor will either permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume,
guarantee or be or remain liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to any
Indebtedness other than:

             (a)    Indebtedness to the Banks and the Agents arising under any
      of the Loan Documents;

             (b)    Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries resulting
      from endorsements for collection, deposit or negotiation and warranties of
      products or services, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of
      business;

             (c)    Mezzanine Capital not to exceed the amount permitted to be
      funded under Section 4.1.3;

             (d)    purchase money Indebtedness incurred in connection with the
      acquisition after the date hereof of any real or personal property by the
      Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries or under any Capitalized
      Lease and any refunding, refinancing, modification and amendment thereof,
      which does not have the effect of increasing the principal amount thereof
      (or accreted value thereof) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the
      Indebtedness so refunded, refinanced, modified or amended (plus the amount
      of necessary fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith and any
      premiums paid on the Indebtedness repaid), or reducing the weighted
      average life of maturity thereof, provided that such Indebtedness is
      incurred within ninety (90) days following such acquisition, it does not
      exceed 100% of the purchase price thereof and the aggregate principal
      amount of such Indebtedness of the Parent, the Borrower and each of their
      Subsidiaries shall not exceed the outstanding aggregate principal amount
      of $2,500,000 at any one time;

             (e)    Indebtedness existing on the date of this Credit Agreement
      and listed and described on Schedule 11.1 hereto, and any refunding,
      refinancing, modification and amendment thereof, which does not have the
      effect of increasing the principal amount thereof (or accreted value
      thereof) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Indebtedness so refunded,
      refinanced, modified or
<PAGE>   99
                                      -90-

      amended (plus the amount of necessary fees and expenses incurred in
      connection therewith and any premiums paid on the Indebtedness repaid), or
      reducing the weighted average life of maturity thereof and which is
      otherwise on terms and conditions not materially less favorable to the
      Borrower, its Subsidiaries, the Agents or the Banks as determined by the
      Administrative Agent, than the terms of the Indebtedness being refinanced;

             (f)    subordinated unsecured Indebtedness of the Parent to the
      Chartwell Investors in an aggregate principal amount (when incurred) not
      to exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding, the terms and conditions of
      which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Banks;

             (g)    Indebtedness of the Borrower, the Parent (solely to the
      extent permitted under Section 11.4) or a Domestic Subsidiary, to the
      Borrower or the Parent or another Domestic Subsidiary of either the
      Borrower or the Parent, so long as such Indebtedness is subordinated to
      the prior payment in full of the Obligations pursuant to terms of the
      Intercompany Subordination Agreement and is evidenced by a promissory
      note, substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto or otherwise on terms
      and conditions satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which promissory
      note shall have been pledged and delivered to the Administrative Agent as
      security for the Obligations;

             (h)    Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary to (i) another Foreign
      Subsidiary, (ii) the Parent so long as the underlying loan is funded
      solely with the proceeds of the Indebtedness described in subparagraph (f)
      above, (iii) the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower, so
      long as (A) such Indebtedness is subordinated to the prior payment in full
      of the Obligations pursuant to terms of the Intercompany Subordination
      Agreement and, if such Indebtedness falls under clause (ii) or (iii)
      hereof, is evidenced by a promissory note, substantially in the form of
      Exhibit H hereto or otherwise on terms and conditions satisfactory to the
      Administrative Agent, which promissory note shall have been pledged and
      delivered to the Administrative Agent as security for the Obligations, and
      (B) the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness on or after the
      Initial Closing Date under this Section 11.1(h)(iii) does not exceed, in
      each case, in the aggregate outstanding at any one time, the sum of (x)
      $7,500,000, with respect to Indebtedness solely of Bell Canada, plus (y)
      $2,500,000, with respect to Indebtedness of any Significant Foreign
      Subsidiaries (including Bell Canada);

             (i)    (i) prior to the Second Closing Date, Indebtedness under the
      11% Notes, the 4 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes, the 14% Senior
      Subordinated Notes and the 18% Merger Debentures, (ii) on and after, and
      only to the extent not repurchased on, the Second Closing Date,
      Indebtedness under the 11% Notes, the 4 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes and
      the 18% Senior Subordinated Notes; provided that no Indebtedness under the
      4 1/4% Senior Discount Notes shall exist after November 15, 2000; and
<PAGE>   100
                                      -91-

             (j)    Indebtedness under any Hedging Agreement required to be
      maintained pursuant to Section 10.19.

             (k)    (i) Acquired Indebtedness acquired in connection with
      Permitted Acquisitions and (ii) Indebtedness, incurred in connection with
      Permitted Acquisitions after the date hereof of any equity interest in, or
      assets of any Person, owing to the seller(s) of such equity interests or
      assets, the terms and conditions of which shall be reasonably satisfactory
      to the Banks, in an aggregate principal amount (for clauses (i) and (ii)
      combined) not to exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding;

             (l)    Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other
      financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument
      inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against
      insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however,
      that such Indebtedness is extinguished within three (3) Business Days of
      incurrence;

             (m)    Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Borrower or a
      Subsidiary of the Borrower providing for indemnification, adjustment of
      purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred in
      connection with a Permitted Asset Disposition, other than guarantees of
      Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such
      business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such
      acquisition; provided, that such Indebtedness not exceed the amounts set
      aside by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower as a reserve, in
      accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, other than such
      Indebtedness which is not reflected on the balance sheet of the Borrower
      or any Subsidiary or referenced in a footnote to financial statements and
      not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet, against any liabilities
      associated with such Permitted Asset Disposition including, without
      limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities,
      liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under any
      indemnification obligations associated with any such Permitted Asset
      Disposition and consented to by the Banks.

             (n)    Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in
      respect of performance bonds, bankers' acceptances, workers' compensation
      claims, surety or appeal bonds, payment obligations in connection with
      self-insurance or similar obligations, and bank overdrafts;

             (o)    additional Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
      in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any one time
      outstanding; and

             (p)    Indebtedness of the Foreign Subsidiaries (excluding any
      intercompany debt permitted under clause (h), but including any existing
      Indebtedness scheduled under clause(e)) in an aggregate principal amount
      not to exceed $2,500,000 at any one time outstanding.
<PAGE>   101
                                      -92-

      Notwithstanding Section 11.1(a)-(p), the Parent, the Borrower and each of
their Subsidiaries shall not at any time incur Indebtedness in excess of the
levels permitted under the covenants contained in Section 4.10 of the 11% Note
Indenture (the "11% Indebtedness Restrictions"), for so long as such covenants
are in full force and effect. All Indebtedness incurred hereunder is intended to
be Indebtedness incurred under the first paragraph of Section 4.10 of the 11%
Note Indenture.

      11.2. RESTRICTIONS ON LIENS.

             11.2.1. PERMITTED LIENS. Neither the Parent nor the Borrower will,
nor will either permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) create or incur or suffer
to be created or incurred or to exist any lien, encumbrance, mortgage, pledge,
charge, restriction or other security interest of any kind upon any of its
property or assets of any character whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or
upon the income or profits therefrom; (ii) transfer any of such property or
assets or the income or profits therefrom for the purpose of subjecting the same
to the payment of Indebtedness or performance of any other obligation in
priority to payment of its general creditors; (iii) acquire, or agree or have an
option to acquire, any property or assets upon conditional sale or other title
retention or purchase money security agreement, device or arrangement; (iv)
suffer to exist for a period of more than thirty (30) days after the same shall
have been incurred any Indebtedness or claim or demand against it that if unpaid
might by law or upon bankruptcy or insolvency, or otherwise, be given any
priority whatsoever over its general creditors; (v) sell, assign, pledge or
otherwise transfer any "receivables" as defined in clause (vi) of the definition
of the term "Indebtedness," with or without recourse; provided that the Parent
or any of its Subsidiaries may create or incur or suffer to be created or
incurred or to exist:

             (a)    liens in favor of the Parent or the Borrower on all or part
      of the assets of their Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness owing by such
      Subsidiaries to the Parent or the Borrower;

             (b)    subject to Section 10.8, liens to secure taxes, assessments
      and other government charges in respect of obligations not overdue or
      being contested in good faith or liens on properties other than Mortgaged
      Properties to secure claims for labor, material or supplies in respect of
      obligations not overdue or which are being contested in good faith and for
      which reserves have been set aside on the books of such Person;

             (c)    deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to secure
      payment of, workmen's compensation, unemployment insurance, old age
      pensions or other social security obligations;

             (d)    liens on properties other than Mortgaged Properties in
      respect of judgments or awards that have been in force for less than the
      applicable period for taking an appeal so long as execution is not levied
      thereunder or in respect of which the Parent or such Subsidiary shall at
      the time in good faith be prosecuting
<PAGE>   102
                                      -93-

      an appeal or proceedings for review and in respect of which a stay of
      execution shall have been obtained pending such appeal or review;

             (e)    liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen,
      and other like liens on properties other than Mortgaged Properties, (i) in
      existence less than 160 days from the date of creation thereof in respect
      of obligations not overdue or (ii) if the validity or amount thereof shall
      currently be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and the
      Parent, the Borrower or such Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books
      adequate reserves with respect thereto; provided that the Parent, the
      Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Parent or the Borrower will pay any
      such claims forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to foreclose
      any lien that may have attached as security therefor;

             (f)    encumbrances on Real Estate other than the Mortgaged
      Property consisting of easements, rights of way, zoning restrictions,
      restrictions on the use of real property and defects and irregularities in
      the title thereto, landlord's or lessor's liens under leases to which the
      Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower is a party, and other minor liens
      or encumbrances none of which in the opinion of the Borrower interferes
      materially with the use of the property affected in the ordinary conduct
      of the business of the Parent, the Borrower and each of their
      Subsidiaries, which defects do not individually or in the aggregate have a
      materially adverse effect on the business of the Borrower individually or
      of the Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries on a
      consolidated basis;

             (g)    liens existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule
      11.2 hereto;

             (h)    purchase money security interests in or purchase money
      mortgages on real or personal property other than Mortgaged Properties
      acquired after the date hereof to secure purchase money Indebtedness of
      the type and amount permitted by Section 11.1(d) and (k), incurred in
      connection with the acquisition of such property, which security interests
      or mortgages cover only the real or personal property so acquired (and the
      proceeds thereof);

             (i)    liens and encumbrances on each Mortgaged Property as and to
      the extent permitted by the Mortgage applicable thereto;

             (j)    liens in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit
      of the Banks and the Agents under the Loan Documents and the Hedging
      Agreements;

             (k)    liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations
      arising from statutory or regulatory requirements of the Borrower or any
      of its Subsidiaries, including rights of offset and set-off;

             (l)    transfers of receivables permitted by Section 11.5.2 only to
      the extent such transfer constitutes a "true sale";
<PAGE>   103
                                      -94-

             (m)    liens securing Acquired Indebtedness of the type and amount
      permitted by Section 11.1(k); provided that (A) such liens secured such
      Acquired Indebtedness at the time of and prior to the incurrence of such
      Acquired Indebtedness by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower and
      were not granted in connection with, or in anticipation of, the incurrence
      of such Acquired Indebtedness by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the
      Borrower; and (B) such liens do not extend to or cover any property or
      assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries other than the property
      or assets that secured the Acquired Indebtedness prior to the time such
      Indebtedness became Acquired Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Subsidiary
      of the Borrower and are not materially more favorable to the lienholders
      than those securing the Acquired Indebtedness prior to the incurrence of
      such Acquired Indebtedness by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the
      Borrower;

             (n)    liens arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing
      statements regarding operating leases limited to those assets which are
      the subject of the operating leases and statutory landlord's liens not
      securing Indebtedness;

             (o)    liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising
      as a matter of law to secure payment of custom duties in connection with
      the importation of goods;

             (p)    liens securing Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries
      permitted by Section 11.1(p); and

             (q)    liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 11.1(o),
      solely to the extent such Indebtedness constitutes Indebtedness of the
      description of that which is permitted in Sections 11.1(a), (d), (h), (j),
      (k) or (p).

             11.2.2. RESTRICTIONS ON NEGATIVE PLEDGES AND UPSTREAM LIMITATIONS.
Neither the Parent nor the Borrower will, nor will either permit any of its
Subsidiaries to (i) enter into or permit to exist any arrangement or agreement
(excluding the Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents) which directly or
indirectly prohibits the Parent, the Borrower or any of their respective
Subsidiaries from creating, assuming or incurring any lien upon its properties,
revenues or assets or those of any of its Subsidiaries whether now owned or
hereafter acquired or (ii) enter into any agreement, contract or arrangement
(other than the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents) restricting the
ability of any Subsidiary to pay or make dividends or distributions in cash or
kind to the Borrower, to make loans, advances or other payments of whatsoever
nature to the Borrower, or to make transfers or distributions of all or any part
of its assets to the Borrower; in each case other than (a)(i) restrictions on
specific assets which assets are the subject of purchase money security
interests, (ii) customary restrictions contained in leases, software licenses
and joint venture agreements which restrict the assignment of such agreements
and/or rights thereunder and restrictions contained in indentures and other
licenses and agreements in existence on the Initial Closing Date, and (iii)
customary restrictions contained in contracts for the
<PAGE>   104
                                      -95-

sale of goods which restrict the assignment of performance of such contracts, in
each case entered in the ordinary course of business, (b) restrictions on the
creation of Liens pursuant to agreements governing Indebtedness incurred as
purchase money Indebtedness or Capitalized Lease obligations and any
Indebtedness incurred to refinance such Indebtedness or obligations, provided
that such restrictions are limited to the property or assets secured by such
Liens and financed with such Indebtedness or obligations and provided further,
that such Liens and Indebtedness are permitted pursuant to Sections 11.1(d) or
11.2.1(h) respectively, (c) as a result of applicable statutory restrictions,
(d) Mezzanine Documents, (e) agreements acquired in connection with a Permitted
Acquisition or a Permitted Foreign Acquisition provided such agreements were not
entered into in anticipation or contemplation of such Permitted Acquisition or a
Permitted Foreign Acquisition, (f) agreements in connection with Indebtedness of
a Foreign Subsidiary permitted under Section 11.1(p), which prohibit such
Foreign Subsidiary from creating, assigning or incurring any lien upon its
properties, revenues or assets, and (g) restrictions related to Indebtedness
permitted under Section 11.1 or Section 11.2.2(e), which are materially less
restrictive than the restrictions contained in this Credit Agreement.

      11.3. RESTRICTIONS ON INVESTMENTS. Neither Parent nor the Borrower will,
nor will either permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make or permit to exist or to
remain outstanding any Investment except:

             (a)    Investments in marketable direct or guaranteed obligations
      of the United States of America or any OECD country that mature within one
      (1) year from the date of purchase by the Borrower;

             (b)    Investments in demand deposits, certificates of deposit,
      bankers acceptances and time deposits of United States banks having total
      assets in excess of $1,000,000,000 or banks organized under the laws of
      any OECD country having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000;

             (c)    Investments in securities commonly known as "commercial
      paper" issued by a corporation organized and existing under the laws of
      the United States of America or any state thereof or any OECD country that
      at the time of purchase have been rated and the ratings for which are not
      less than "P 1" if rated by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., and not less
      than "A 1" if rated by Standard and Poor's Ratings Group;

             (d)    Investments existing on the date hereof and listed on
      Schedule 11.3 hereto;

             (e)    Investments with respect to Indebtedness permitted by
      Section 11.1(g) so long as such entities (if not the Borrower or the
      Parent) remain Domestic Subsidiaries of the Borrower;

             (f)    (i) Investments not to exceed in the aggregate outstanding
      at any one time, the sum of (A) $7,500,000, with respect to (1) any
      Investments in connection with Indebtedness permitted under Section
      11.1(h)(iii) plus (2) any other

<PAGE>   105
                                      -96-

      Investments solely in Bell Canada, and (B) $2,500,000, with respect with
      respect to (1) any Investments in connection with to Indebtedness
      permitted under Section 11.1(h)(iii) plus (2) any Investments in
      Significant Foreign Subsidiaries (including Bell Canada), and (ii)
      Investments by the Parent in any Significant Foreign Subsidiary solely
      with funds obtained from Chartwell pursuant to Section 11.1(f), not to
      exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any one time; in each
      case so long as such entities remain Foreign Subsidiaries; and the
      Mezzanine Guaranty.

             (g)    Investments consisting of the Parent Guaranty or Investments
      by the Parent or the Borrower in any Domestic Subsidiary so long as such
      Domestic Subsidiary is a Guarantor hereunder;

             (h)    Investments consisting of promissory notes or other non-cash
      consideration received as proceeds of asset dispositions permitted by
      Section 11.5.2;

             (i)    Investments consisting of loans and advances to employees
      for moving, entertainment, travel and other similar expenses in the
      ordinary course of business not to exceed $1,250,000 in the aggregate at
      any time outstanding;

             (j)    so long as no Event of Default is continuing, Investments
      consisting of loans to employees, directors and officers for the purchase
      of the capital stock of the Parent, not to exceed $1,000,000 in the
      aggregate outstanding at any time;

             (k)    Investments consisting of loans and advances to officers and
      employees relating to the corporate relocation to Dallas, Texas, not to
      exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time;

             (l)    Investments in Permitted Acquisitions or Permitted Foreign
      Acquisitions, and Investments held by such acquired Persons at the time of
      acquisition, provided such Investments were not made by such acquired
      Persons in anticipation of such Permitted Acquisition or Permitted Foreign
      Acquisition;

             (m)    Other Investments (other than Investments in Foreign
      Subsidiaries) not to exceed the sum of $3,500,000 in the aggregate at any
      one time outstanding;

             (n)    so long as no Event of Default is continuing, Investments in
      capital stock or other equity interests of the Parent resulting from the
      purchase of such capital stock or other equity interests from any employee
      upon or related to termination of employment of such employee, the
      aggregate amount of which shall not exceed $1,000,000 in any Fiscal Year
      or $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding; and

             (o)    Investment in securities of trade debtors or customers
      received in settlement of debts owing to the Borrower or any of its
      Subsidiaries as a result of
<PAGE>   106
                                      -97-

      bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or a similar arrangement or upon the
      foreclosure or enforcement of any lien or other encumbrance, mortgage,
      pledge, charge, restriction or other security interest in favor of the
      Borrower or any Subsidiary;

provided, however, that, with the exception of the Investments referred to in
Section 11.3(b), (f) (insofar as it relates to the Mezzanine Guaranty) (i), (j)
and (k), and any Investments held by any Foreign Subsidiaries, such Investments
will be considered Investments permitted by this Section 11.3 only if all
actions have been taken to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent to
provide to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Banks and the
Agents, a first priority perfected security interest in all of such Investments
(to the extent required under Section 8) free of all encumbrances other than
Permitted Liens.

      11.4. DISTRIBUTIONS AND RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. None of the Parent, the
Borrower nor any Subsidiary will make any Distributions or Restricted Payments
other than: (a) Distributions or Restricted Payments (i) by any Subsidiary of
the Borrower to the Borrower, and (ii) solely to the extent funded by the
Chartwell Investors to the Parent or its Subsidiaries after the Initial Closing
Date for the purpose of an acquisition otherwise permitted under Section 11.5.1
or for Capital Expenditures otherwise permitted under Section 12.5, and not used
by such Person for the such purpose, in the amount of the unused portion of such
funding back to the Parent and then to the Chartwell Investors; (b)
Distributions contemplated by the Recapitalization an amount satisfactory to the
Agents and amounts otherwise payable under the Advisory Agreement and
distributions in connection with the payoff of the 4 1/4% Convertible
Subordinated Notes; (c) so long as no Default under Section 15.1(a) or (b) has
occurred or is continuing or would result therefrom, payments of the Management
Fee to Chartwell which is due and payable pursuant to the Management Agreement,
not to exceed in any Fiscal Year the greater of (i) $800,000 and (ii) 2% of
Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries determined as
of the end of such Fiscal Year; provided that so long as a Default under Section
15.1(a) or (b) is continuing, the payment of such Management Fee shall be
suspended and shall accrue until such Default is no longer continuing or has
been cured or waived in which case all accrued and unpaid Management Fee may be
paid; (d) Distributions in the form of cash dividends to the Parent to permit
the Parent to pay income, franchise and other customary taxes and governmental
levies owed or payable by the Parent, or to Holdings, for payment of the
consolidated tax liability of Holdings if and when required to be paid by
Holdings in an amount equal to what would have been the Parent's "separate
return" tax liability if its tax liability were determined on a non-consolidated
basis provided such dividends or payments shall not be made more than five (5)
Business Days prior to the date such payments are paid by the Parent or
Holdings, and (e) so long as no Default under Section 15.1(a) or (b) has
occurred or is continuing or would result therefrom, Distributions to the Parent
or Holdings to permit the Parent or Holdings to pay ordinary course fees and
expenses (other than management fees) of the Parent or Holdings, provided such
dividends or payments shall not be made more than five (5) Business Days prior
to the date such payments are paid by the Parent or Holdings and shall not
exceed $250,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year; (f) payment of all
transaction expenses of the Recapitalization in an aggregate amount acceptable
to
<PAGE>   107
                                      -98-

the Agents and payment of expenses of Chartwell pursuant to the Management
Agreement; and (g) Distributions in connection with Investments permitted under
Section 11.3(i), Section 11.3(j), Section 11.3(k) or Section 11.3(n) or
transactions permitted under Section 11.12(x) (purchase pursuant to shareholder,
registration rights or purchase agreements scheduled hereunder).

      11.5. MERGERS AND CONSOLIDATIONS.

             11.5.1. MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS. Neither the Parent nor the
      Borrower will, nor will either permit any of its Subsidiaries to, become a
      party to any merger or consolidation, or agree to or effect any stock
      acquisition or acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of
      any Person, product line or division (other than the acquisition of assets
      in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices), except
      (a) the merger or consolidation of one or more of the Subsidiaries of the
      Parent with and into the Borrower, (b) the merger or consolidation of (i)
      two or more Domestic Subsidiaries of the Parent (other than the Borrower)
      with each other or (ii) two or more Foreign Subsidiaries of the Parent
      with each other, or (c) any Permitted Acquisition or a Permitted Foreign
      Acquisition.

             11.5.2. DISPOSITION OF ASSETS. Neither the Parent nor the Borrower
      will, nor will either permit any of its Subsidiaries to, become a party to
      or agree to or effect any disposition of assets, except (a) the sale of
      inventory, the licensing of intellectual property or the disposition of
      obsolete assets, in each case in the ordinary course of business
      consistent with past practices, (b) to the extent such transaction would
      be prohibited by this Section 11.5.2, the sale, transfer or other
      disposition of cash, marketable securities or cash equivalents, provided
      that the same is otherwise permitted under this Credit Agreement, (c) the
      sale of defaulted Accounts Receivable arising in the ordinary course of
      business in connection with the compromise or collection thereof and not
      in connection with any financing transaction, (d) the sale of assets by
      and among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, to the extent the same is
      otherwise permitted under Section 11.12 or (e) any Permitted Asset
      Dispositions, and (f) the sale of the Bell Racing Investment.

      11.6. SALE AND LEASEBACK. Neither the Parent nor the Borrower will, nor
will either permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement,
directly or indirectly, whereby the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower
shall sell or transfer any property owned by it in order then or thereafter to
lease such property or lease other property that the Borrower or any Subsidiary
of the Borrower intends to use for substantially the same purpose as the
property being sold or transferred.

      11.7. COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. Neither the Parent nor the
Borrower will, nor will either permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) use any of
the Real Estate or any portion thereof for the handling, processing, storage or
disposal of
<PAGE>   108
                                      -99-

Hazardous Substances, (ii) cause or permit to be located on any of the Real
Estate any underground tank or other underground storage receptacle for
Hazardous Substances, (iii) generate any Hazardous Substances on any of the Real
Estate, (iv) conduct any activity at any Real Estate or use any Real Estate in
any manner so as to cause a release (i.e. releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping,
pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching,
disposing or dumping) or threatened release of Hazardous Substances on, upon or
into the Real Estate or (v) otherwise conduct any activity at any Real Estate or
use any Real Estate in any manner, in each case that would violate any
Environmental Law or bring such Real Estate in violation of any Environmental
Law.

      11.8. SUBORDINATED DEBT. Neither the Parent nor the Borrower will, nor
will either permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend, supplement or otherwise
modify the terms of any of the Subordinated Debt or the 14% Senior Discount
Notes or prepay or repurchase any of the Subordinated Debt except with respect
to the repayments of and amendment to the 11% Notes contemplated by Section
4.1.3 , the refinancing of the 14% Senior Discount Notes and the 18% Senior
Merger Debentures in connection with the Second Closing, and the repayment of
the 4 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes on or prior to November 15, 2000.

      11.9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. Neither the Parent or the Borrower will:

             (a)    engage in any "prohibited transaction" within the meaning of
      Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code which could result in a
      material liability for the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; or

             (b)    permit any Guaranteed Pension Plan to incur an "accumulated
      funding deficiency", as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA,
      whether or not such deficiency is or may be waived; or

             (c)    fail to contribute to any Guaranteed Pension Plan to an
      extent which, or terminate any Guaranteed Pension Plan in a manner which,
      could result in the imposition of a lien or encumbrance on the assets of
      the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 302(f) or
      Section 4068 of ERISA; or

             (d)    amend any Guaranteed Pension Plan in circumstances requiring
      the posting of security pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA or Section
      401(a)(29) of the Code; or

             (e)    permit or take any action which would result in the
      aggregate benefit liabilities (with the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA)
      of all Guaranteed Pension Plans exceeding the value of the aggregate
      assets of such Plans by more than $3,000,000, disregarding for this
      purpose the benefit liabilities and assets of any such Plan with assets in
      excess of benefit liabilities.

      11.10. BUSINESS ACTIVITIES. Neither the Parent nor the Borrower will, nor
will either permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage directly or indirectly
(whether through Subsidiaries or otherwise) in any type of business other than
the businesses conducted
<PAGE>   109
                                     -100-

by them on the Initial Closing Date and in related businesses or businesses
complementary or ancillary thereto.

      11.11. FISCAL YEAR. Neither the Parent nor the Borrower will, nor will
either permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change the date of the end of its
Fiscal Year from that set forth in Section 9.4.1.

      11.12. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Except for (i) the transactions
described in Section 9.15, (ii) transactions specifically permitted under
Section 11.1(g) and (h) and Section 11.3(f) and (g), (iii) transactions by and
among the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries, and (iv) transactions between
(A) the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary and (B) Bell Canada or any other
Significant Foreign Subsidiary, which transactions are not below cost, and (v)
transactions among Significant Foreign Subsidiaries, neither the Parent nor the
Borrower will, nor will either permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any
transaction with any Affiliate (other than for services, reasonable fees,
expenses and compensation paid to, and indemnity provided for, as employees,
officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement
providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real
or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any
such Affiliate or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any corporation,
partnership, trust or other entity in which any such Affiliate has a substantial
interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner, on terms more favorable
to the Borrower, the Parent or any Domestic Subsidiary than would have been
obtainable on an arm's-length basis in the ordinary course of business, other
than:

             (w)    the agreements as in effect as of the Initial Closing Date
      and set forth on Schedule 9.15, or any amendment thereto or any
      transaction contemplated thereby, including pursuant to any amendment
      thereto, or any replacement agreement thereto so long as such amendment or
      replacement agreement is not, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent,
      on terms less favorable to any of the Banks, the Agents or the Borrower in
      any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the
      Initial Closing Date;

             (x)    the existence of, or the performance by the Parent or any of
      its Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, the shareholders'
      agreements, registration rights agreements or purchase agreements related
      thereto and set forth on Schedule 9.15, to which it is a party as of the
      Initial Closing Date; provided, however, that the existence of, or the
      performance by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of obligations under,
      any future amendment to any such existing agreement entered into after the
      Initial Closing Date shall only be permitted by this clause (ii) to the
      extent that the terms of any such amendments or new agreement are not, in
      the opinion of the Administrative Agent, on terms less favorable to any of
      the Banks, the Agents or the Borrower in any material respect;

             (y)    so long as no Event of Default is continuing, loans to
      officers and employees of the Parent and its Subsidiaries to purchase
      capital stock of the Parent or to exercise the management options
      permitted under Section 11.3(j); and
<PAGE>   110
                                     -101-

             (z)    the sale of capital stock of the Parent to Affiliates of the
      Parent.

      11.13. BANK ACCOUNTS. Neither the Parent nor the Borrower will, nor will
either permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) establish any domestic bank
accounts other than those Local Accounts and other accounts other than those
Foreign Bank Accounts, all listed on Schedule 9.20, without the Administrative
Agent's prior written consent and shall not permit the balance of certain of the
bank accounts indicated on Schedule 9.20 to exceed the amount set forth on such
schedule for such accounts, (ii) violate directly or indirectly any Agency
Account Agreement or other bank agency or lock box agreement in favor of the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Banks and the Administrative Agent
with respect to such account, or (iii) deposit into any of the payroll accounts
listed on Schedule 9.20 any amounts materially in excess of amounts necessary to
pay current payroll obligations from such accounts.

      11.14. INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. Neither the Parent nor the Borrower will,
nor will either permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any agreement
containing any provision which would be violated or breached by the performance
by the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries of their respective
obligations hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents.

      11.15. MODIFICATION OF RECAPITALIZATION DOCUMENTS, MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
AND ADVISORY AGREEMENT. Neither the Parent nor the Borrower will nor will either
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, consent to or agree to any amendment,
supplement or other modification to the Recapitalization Documents, the
Management Agreement or the Advisory Agreement without the prior written consent
of the Administrative Agent unless such amendment, supplement or modification
would not have any Material Adverse Effect on the Banks' or the Agents' rights
under the Loan Documents or the Parent's, the Borrower's or any of their
Subsidiaries' obligations under the Loan Documents.

      11.16. CHARTER AMENDMENTS. Neither the Parent nor the Borrower will, nor
will either permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend any of the rights,
privileges, or preferences of any class of its capital stock without the prior
written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Banks, unless such
amendment, supplement or modification is immaterial in nature and would not have
a material adverse effect on the Agents' or the Banks' rights under the Loan
Documents or the Obligations of the Parent, the Borrower or any of their
Subsidiaries under the Loan Documents.

      11.17. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. The Parent will not own any significant assets
or conduct any activities, business or operations other than the ownership of
one hundred percent (100%) of the equity interests of the Borrower.

             12. FINANCIAL COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER AND THE PARENT.

      The Borrower and the Parent each jointly and severally covenants and
agrees that, so long as any Loan, Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, Letter of
Credit or Note is
<PAGE>   111
                                     -102-

outstanding or any Bank has any obligation to make any Loans or the
Administrative Agent has any obligation to issue, extend or renew any Letters of
Credit:

      12.1. LEVERAGE RATIO. The Borrower will not, as of the end of any
Reference Period ending on October 28, 2000 or on the last day of any Fiscal
Quarter described in the table set forth below, permit the Leverage Ratio for
such Reference Period to exceed the ratio set forth opposite such date or Fiscal
Quarter in such table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================== ====================================================
               END OF REFERENCE PERIOD                                        RATIO
               -----------------------                                        -----
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                      <C>
                  October 28, 2000                                          5.00:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 2 2001                                             5.00:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 3 2001                                             5.00:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 4 2001                                             4.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 1 2002                                             4.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 2 2002                                             4.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 3 2002                                             4.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 4 2002                                             4.25:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 1 2003                                             4.25:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 2 2003                                             4.25:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 3 2003                                             4.25:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 4 2003                                             3.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 1 2004                                             3.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 2 2004                                             3.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 3 2004                                             3.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 4 2004                                             3.50:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 1 2005                                             3.50:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 2 2005                                             3.50:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 3 2005                                             3.50:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 4 2005                                             3.25:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                     Thereafter                                             3.00:1.00
====================================================== ====================================================
</TABLE>

      12.2. SENIOR LEVERAGE RATIO. The Parent and the Borrower will not, as of
the end of any Reference Period ending on October 28, 2000 or on the last day of
any Fiscal Quarter described in the table set forth below, permit the Senior
Leverage Ratio for such Reference Period to exceed the ratio set forth opposite
such date or Fiscal Quarter in such table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================== ====================================================
               END OF REFERENCE PERIOD                                        RATIO
               -----------------------                                        -----
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                      <C>
                  October 28, 2000                                          4.00:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 2 2001                                             4.00:1.00
====================================================== ====================================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   112
                                     -103-

<TABLE>
====================================================== ====================================================
<S>                                                                      <C>
                      FQ 3 2001                                             4.00:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 4 2001                                             3.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 1 2002                                             3.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 2 2002                                             3.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 3 2002                                             3.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 4 2002                                             3.25:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 1 2003                                             3.25:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 2 2003                                             3.25:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 3 2003                                             3.25:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 4 2003                                             2.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 1 2004                                             2.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 2 2004                                             2.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 3 2004                                             2.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 4 2004                                             2.50:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 1 2005                                             2.50:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 2 2005                                             2.50:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 3 2005                                             2.50:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 4 2005                                             2.25:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                     Thereafter                                             2.00:1.00
====================================================== ====================================================
</TABLE>
      12.3. INTEREST COVERAGE. The Parent and the Borrower will not, as of the
end of any Reference Period ending on the last day of any Fiscal Quarter
described in the table set forth below, permit the ratio of (i) Consolidated
EBITDA for such Reference Period, to (ii) Consolidated Total Interest Expense
for such Reference Period, to be less than the ratio set forth opposite such
Fiscal Quarter in such table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================== ====================================================
                       QUARTER                                                RATIO
                       -------                                                -----
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>
                      FQ 2 2001                                             1.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 3 2001                                             1.75:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 4 2001                                             2.00:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 1 2002                                             2.00:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 2 2002                                             2.00:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 3 2002                                             2.00:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 4 2002                                             2.15:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 1 2003                                             2.15:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 2 2003                                             2.15:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 3 2003                                             2.15:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 4 2003                                             2.40:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 1 2004                                             2.40:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 2 2004                                             2.40:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                      FQ 3 2004                                             2.40:1.00
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
                     Thereafter                                             2.75:1.00
====================================================== ====================================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   113
                                     -104-

      12.4. FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE. The Parent and the Borrower will not, as of
the end of any Reference Period ending on or after December 30, 2000, permit the
ratio of Consolidated Operating Cash Flow for such Reference Period to
Consolidated Fixed Charges for such Reference Period to be less than 1.1:1.

      12.5. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Neither the Parent nor the Borrower will make,
nor will either permit any Subsidiary of the Parent to make, Capital
Expenditures during any Fiscal Year that exceed, in the aggregate, $5,000,000
(the "CapEx Limit") for such Fiscal Year; provided that the amount of Capital
Expenditures in any Fiscal Year may be increased by an amount (the "Rollover
Capital Expenditure") equal to the lesser of (a) $2,500,000, and (b) the excess
of the CapEx Limit for the immediately prior Fiscal Year over the amount of
Capital Expenditures actually made in such prior Fiscal Year (for such purpose,
Capital Expenditures made shall be applied to reduce the applicable CapEx Limit
and then to reduce Rollover Capital Expenditures from the previous Fiscal Year,
if any) ; and provided further that (i) the Parent and the Borrower may incur an
additional $1,500,000 in connection with the move of the Borrower's headquarters
from San Jose, California to Dallas, Texas, and (ii) Capital Expenditures under
this Section 12.5 shall not include any amounts received as Net Cash Proceeds
under and reinvested pursuant to Section 4.5.4 by the Parent, the Borrower or
their Subsidiaries.

                             13. CLOSING CONDITIONS.

      13.1. INITIAL CLOSING. The obligations of the Banks to make the Revolving
Credit Loans and of the Administrative Agent to issue any Letter of Credit on
the Initial Closing Date shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions precedent on or prior to August 31, 2000:

             13.1.1. LOAN DOCUMENTS ETC.

                     13.1.1.1. LOAN DOCUMENTS. Each of the Loan Documents shall
             have been duly executed and delivered by the respective parties
             thereto, shall be in full force and effect and shall be in form and
             substance satisfactory to each of the Banks. Each Bank shall have
             received a fully executed copy of each such document.

                     13.1.1.2. SUBORDINATION DOCUMENTS. Each of the
             Subordination Documents shall have been duly executed and delivered
             by the respective parties thereto, shall be in full force and
             effect and shall be in form and substance satisfactory to each of
             the Banks. Each Bank shall have received a fully executed copy of
             each such document.

                     13.1.1.3. MEZZANINE DOCUMENTS. Each of the Mezzanine
             Documents shall have been duly executed and delivered by the
             respective parties thereto, shall be in full force and effect and
             shall be in form and substance satisfactory to each of the Banks.
             Each Bank shall have received a fully executed copy of each such
             document.
<PAGE>   114
                                     -105-

                     13.1.1.4. RECAPITALIZATION DOCUMENTS. Each of the
             Recapitalization Documents shall have been duly executed and
             delivered by the respective parties thereto, shall be in full force
             and effect and shall be in form and substance satisfactory to each
             of the Banks. Each Bank shall have received a fully executed copy
             of each such document.

             13.1.2. CERTIFIED COPIES OF CHARTER DOCUMENTS. Each of the Banks
      shall have received from the Parent, the Borrower and each of their
      Subsidiaries, a copy, certified by a duly authorized officer of such
      Person to be true and complete on the Initial Closing Date, of each of (i)
      its charter or other incorporation documents as in effect on such date of
      certification, and (ii) its by-laws as in effect on such date.

             13.1.3. CORPORATE ACTION. All corporate action necessary for the
      valid execution, delivery and performance by the Parent, the Borrower and
      each of their Subsidiaries of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan
      Documents to which it is or is to become a party shall have been duly and
      effectively taken, and evidence thereof satisfactory to the Banks shall
      have been provided to each of the Banks.

             13.1.4. INCUMBENCY CERTIFICATE. Each of the Banks shall have
      received from the Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries an
      incumbency certificate, dated as of the Initial Closing Date, signed by a
      duly authorized officer of the Parent, the Borrower or such Subsidiary,
      and giving the name and bearing a specimen signature of each individual
      who shall be authorized: (i) to sign, in the name and on behalf of each of
      the Parent, the Borrower or such Subsidiary, each of the Loan Documents
      and Subordination Documents to which the Parent or such Subsidiary is or
      is to become a party; (ii) in the case of the Borrower, to make Loan
      Requests and Conversion Requests and to apply for Letters of Credit; and
      (iii) to give notices and to take other action on its behalf under the
      Loan Documents.

             13.1.5. VALIDITY OF LIENS. The Security Documents shall be
      effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent a legal, valid
      and enforceable first (except for Permitted Liens entitled to priority
      under applicable law) security interest in and lien upon the Collateral.
      All filings, recordings, deliveries of instruments and other actions
      necessary or desirable in the opinion of the Administrative Agent to
      protect and preserve such security interests shall have been duly
      effected. The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence thereof in
      form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

             13.1.6. PERFECTION CERTIFICATES AND UCC SEARCH RESULTS. The
      Administrative Agent shall have received from each of the Parent, the
      Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries a completed and fully executed
      Perfection Certificate and the results of UCC searches with respect to its
      Collateral, indicating no liens other than Permitted Liens and otherwise
      in form and

<PAGE>   115
                                     -106-

      substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or liens being released
      on or prior to the Initial Closing Date.

             13.1.7. SURVEY AND TAXES. The Administrative Agent shall have
      received (i) an updated Survey of each Mortgaged Property together with a
      Surveyor Certificate relating thereto and (ii) evidence of payment of real
      estate taxes and municipal charges on all Real Estate not delinquent on or
      before the Initial Closing Date.

             13.1.8. TITLE INSURANCE. The Administrative Agent shall have
      received a Title Policy covering each Mortgaged Property (or commitments
      to issue such policies, with all conditions to issuance of the Title
      Policy deleted by an authorized agent of the Title Insurance Company)
      together with proof of payment of all fees and premiums for such policies,
      from the Title Insurance Company and in amounts satisfactory to the
      Administrative Agent, insuring the interest of the Administrative Agent
      and each of the Banks as mortgagee under the Mortgages.

             13.1.9. LANDLORD CONSENTS. The Parent, the Borrower and each of
      their Subsidiaries shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent
      landlord consents from the landlords at the properties leased by the
      Borrower, located in San Jose, California, Rantoul, Illinois, and
      Champaign, Illinois, each in form and substance satisfactory to the
      Administrative Agent.

             13.1.10. CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE. The Administrative Agent shall
      have received (i) a certificate of insurance from an independent insurance
      broker dated as of the Initial Closing Date, identifying insurers, types
      of insurance, insurance limits, and policy terms, and otherwise describing
      the insurance obtained in accordance with the provisions of the Security
      Agreement and (ii) certified copies of all policies evidencing such
      insurance (or certificates therefore signed by the insurer or an agent
      authorized to bind the insurer).

             13.1.11. AGENCY ACCOUNT AGREEMENTS. The Borrower shall have
      established the Fleet Concentration Account, and the Administrative Agent
      shall have received an Agency Account Agreement executed by each
      depository institution with a Local Account.

             13.1.12. BORROWING BASE REPORT. The Administrative Agent shall have
      received from the Borrower the initial Borrowing Base Report dated as of
      July 1, 2000.

             13.1.13. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE. The
      Administrative Agent shall have received a consolidated balance sheet of
      the Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries as at July 1,
      2000, and a consolidated statement of income for the Fiscal Year then
      ended, certified by the Borrower's independent certified public
      accountants. The Administrative Agent

<PAGE>   116
                                     -107-

      shall have received from the Borrower a Compliance Certificate showing,
      among other things:

                    (a)    Leverage Ratio as of as of the First Closing Date of
             not greater that 4.50 to 1; and

                    (b)    Consolidated EBITDA for the Fiscal Year ended July 1,
             2000 of at least $40,300,000.

             13.1.14. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AGING REPORT. The Administrative Agent
      shall have received from the Borrower the most recent Accounts Receivable
      aging report of the Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries
      dated as of July 1, 2000 or, to the extent available, a date which shall
      be no more than fifteen (15) days prior to the Initial Closing Date and
      the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing on the
      Initial Closing Date of any material deviation from the Accounts
      Receivable values reflected in such Accounts Receivable aging report and
      shall provide the Administrative Agent with such supplementary
      documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

             13.1.15. HAZARDOUS WASTE ASSESSMENTS. The Administrative Agent
      shall have received hazardous waste site assessments from environmental
      engineers and in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative
      Agent, covering all Real Estate and all other real property in respect of
      which the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries may have
      material liability, whether contingent or otherwise, for dumping or
      disposal of Hazardous Substances.

             13.1.16. SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE. Each of the Banks shall have
      received an officer's certificate of the Parent dated as of the Initial
      Closing Date as to the solvency of the Parent, the Borrower and each of
      their Subsidiaries following the consummation of the transactions
      contemplated herein and in form and substance satisfactory to the Banks.

             13.1.17. CONSUMMATION OF CERTAIN TRANSACTION. The Merger and the
      other transactions contemplated by the Recapitalization Documents shall
      have been consummated without any waiver of any condition set forth
      therein unless consented by the Administrative Agent in writing.

             13.1.18. OPINION OF COUNSEL. Each of the Banks and the
      Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable opinion addressed to
      the Banks and the Administrative Agent, dated as of the Initial Closing
      Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Banks and the
      Administrative Agent, from:

                    (a)    Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P., counsel to
             the Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries;
<PAGE>   117
                                     -108-

                    (b)    local counsel with respect to Real Estate located in
             York, Pennsylvania and other collateral issues; and

                    (c)    foreign counsel to Bell Sports Canada, Inc.

             13.1.19. PAYMENT OF FEES. The Borrower shall have paid to the Banks
      or the Administrative Agent, as appropriate, the fees due and payable
      pursuant to Section 6.1 and Section 6.2.

             13.1.20. PAYOFF LETTER. The Administrative Agent shall have
      received a payoff letter from Societe Generale and the other lenders to
      the Borrower under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August 17,
      1998 (the "Existing Credit Agreement"), indicating the amount of the loan
      obligations of the Borrower under the Existing Credit Agreement to be
      discharged on the Initial Closing Date and an acknowledgment by Societe
      Generale, as administrative agent thereunder, that upon receipt of such
      funds it will forthwith execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent
      for filing all termination statements and take such other actions as may
      be necessary to discharge all security interests and mortgages granted by
      the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in favor of Societe Generale, and
      the lenders, thereunder.

             13.1.21. DISBURSEMENT INSTRUCTIONS. The Administrative Agent shall
      have received disbursement instructions from the Borrower, indicating that
      a portion of the proceeds of the Revolving Credit Loan, in an amount equal
      to the aggregate loan obligations of the Borrower outstanding under the
      Existing Credit Agreement, is to be paid to Societe Generale for the
      benefit of the lenders thereunder.

             13.1.22. CERTIFICATE REGARDING RECAPITALIZATION EXPENSES. The
      Administrative Agent and the Banks shall have received a letter from the
      Borrower certifying the expenses relating to the Recapitalization.

      13.2. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SECOND CLOSING. The obligations of the
Banks to make further Revolving Credit Loans and any Term Loans at the Second
Closing shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions below
on or prior to October 31, 2000:

             13.2.1. EXPIRATION OF OFFER PERIOD. The Offer Period shall have
      expired and the Administrative Agent shall have received from the Borrower
      a certificate of the Borrower signed by an authorized officer of the
      Borrower representing to such occurrence and setting forth in reasonable
      detail (a) an accounting of the results of the 11% Offer and requests for
      11% Consents, including, without limitation, the amount of 11% Notes to be
      repurchased and whether a majority of 11% Consents were received, and (b)
      the sources and uses of funds on the Second Closing, including, without
      limitation, the types and amounts of Subordinated Debt to be repurchased
      or, as the case may be, issued on the Second Closing.
<PAGE>   118
                                     -109-

      Such certificate shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the
      Administrative Agent.

             13.2.2. DISBURSEMENT INSTRUCTIONS. The Administrative Agent shall
      have received disbursement instructions, indicating that in accordance
      with Section 4.1.3, the applicable portion of the proceeds of the Term
      Loans, and to the extent available and Revolving Credit Loans, is to be
      paid to the trustee for the benefit of the 11% Note noteholders under the
      11% Note Indenture and to be paid to the holders of other Senior
      Subordinated Debt as applicable.

             13.2.3. OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE. The Administrative Agent shall have
      received an officer's certificate from an authorized officer of the
      Borrower in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I.

                        14. CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS.

      The obligations of the Banks to make any Loan (except for the Term Loans
made on the Second Closing Date), and of the Administrative Agent to issue,
extend or renew any Letter of Credit, in each case whether on or after the
Initial Closing Date, shall also be subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions precedent:

      14.1. REPRESENTATIONS TRUE; NO EVENT OF DEFAULT. Each of the
representations and warranties of any of the Parent, the Borrower and each of
their Subsidiaries contained in this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents
or in any document or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with
this Credit Agreement shall be true as of the date as of which they were made
and shall also be true at and as of the time of the making of such Loan, with
the same effect as if made at and as of that time (except to the extent of
changes resulting from transactions contemplated or permitted by this Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents and changes occurring in the ordinary
course of business that singly or in the aggregate are not materially adverse,
and to the extent that such representations and warranties relate expressly to
an earlier date) and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the
Borrower signed by an authorized officer of the Borrower to such effect.

      14.2. NO LEGAL IMPEDIMENT. No change shall have occurred in any law or
regulations thereunder or interpretations thereof that in the reasonable opinion
of any Bank would make it illegal for such Bank to make such Loan or to
participate in the issuance, extension or renewal of such Letter of Credit or in
the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent would make it illegal for the
Administrative Agent to issue, extend or renew such Letter of Credit.

      14.3. GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION. Each Bank shall have received such
statements in substance and form reasonably satisfactory to such Bank as such
Bank shall require for the purpose of compliance with any applicable regulations
of the Comptroller of the Currency or the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.
<PAGE>   119
                                     -110-

      14.4. PROCEEDINGS AND DOCUMENTS. All proceedings in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and
all other documents incident thereto shall be satisfactory in substance and in
form to the Banks and to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent's
Special Counsel, and the Banks, the Administrative Agent and such counsel shall
have received all information and such counterpart originals or certified or
other copies of such documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably
request.

      14.5. BORROWING BASE REPORT. The Administrative Agent shall have received
the most recent Borrowing Base Report required to be delivered to the
Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 10.4(f) and, if requested by the
Administrative Agent, a Borrowing Base Report dated within five (5) days of the
Drawdown Date of such Revolving Credit Loan or of the date of issuance,
extension or renewal of such Letter of Credit.

                    15. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION; ETC.

      15.1. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND ACCELERATION. If any of the following events
("Events of Default" or, if the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both is
required, then, prior to such notice or lapse of time, "Defaults") shall occur:

             (a)    the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of the Loans or
      any Reimbursement Obligation when the same shall become due and payable,
      whether at the stated date of maturity or any accelerated date of maturity
      or at any other date fixed for payment;

             (b)    the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on the Loans,
      any Commitment Fee, any Letter of Credit Fee, the Administrative Agent's
      fee, or other sums due hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents,
      within three (3) Business Days of when the same shall become due and
      payable, whether at the stated date of maturity or any accelerated date of
      maturity or at any other date fixed for payment;

             (c)    the Borrower or the Parent shall fail to comply with any of
      its covenants contained in Sections 10.1, 10.4, 10.5.1, the first sentence
      of 10.6 (as it relates to the Borrower or the Parent), 10.9, 10.12, 10.16,
      10.17, 10.18, 10.19, 11 (other than Section 11.7 and 11.15) or 12 or any
      of the covenants contained in any of the Mortgages;

             (d)    the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries shall
      fail to perform any term, covenant or agreement contained herein or in any
      of the other Loan Documents (other than those specified elsewhere in this
      Section 15.1) for fifteen (15) days after written notice of such failure
      has been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent;

             (e)    any representation or warranty of the Parent, the Borrower
      or any of their Subsidiaries in this Credit Agreement or any of the other
      Loan
<PAGE>   120
                                     -111-

      Documents or in any other document or instrument delivered pursuant to or
      in connection with this Credit Agreement shall prove to have been false in
      any material respect upon the date when made or deemed to have been made
      or repeated;

             (f)    the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries shall
      fail to pay when due, or within any applicable period of grace, any
      obligation for borrowed money or credit received or in respect of any
      Capitalized Leases in an aggregate principal amount in excess of
      $3,000,000, or fail to observe or perform any material term, covenant or
      agreement contained in any agreement by which it is bound, evidencing or
      securing borrowed money or credit received or in respect of any
      Capitalized Leases in an aggregate principal amount in excess of
      $3,000,000, for such period of time as would permit (assuming the giving
      of appropriate notice if required) the holder or holders thereof or of any
      obligations issued thereunder to accelerate the maturity thereof, or any
      such holder or holders shall rescind or shall have a right to rescind the
      purchase of any such obligations, or there shall occur and be continuing
      any "Event of Default" under and as defined in the Mezzanine Capital
      Agreement;

             (g)    the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries shall
      make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admit in writing its
      inability to pay or generally fail to pay its debts as they mature or
      become due, or shall petition or apply for the appointment of a trustee or
      other custodian, liquidator or receiver of the Parent, the Borrower or any
      of their Subsidiaries or of any substantial part of the assets of the
      Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries or shall commence any
      case or other proceeding relating to the Parent, the Borrower or any of
      their Subsidiaries under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement,
      insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation or similar
      law of any jurisdiction, now or hereafter in effect, or shall take any
      action to authorize or in furtherance of any of the foregoing, or if any
      such petition or application shall be filed or any such case or other
      proceeding shall be commenced against the Parent, the Borrower or any of
      their Subsidiaries and the Parent, the Borrower or any of their
      Subsidiaries shall indicate its approval thereof, consent thereto or
      acquiescence therein or such petition or application shall not have been
      dismissed within forty-five (45) days following the filing thereof;

             (h)    a decree or order is entered appointing any such trustee,
      custodian, liquidator or receiver or adjudicating the Parent, the Borrower
      or any of their Subsidiaries bankrupt or insolvent, or approving a
      petition in any such case or other proceeding, or a decree or order for
      relief is entered in respect of the Parent, the Borrower or any Subsidiary
      of the Parent or the Borrower in an involuntary case under federal
      bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter constituted;

             (i)    there shall remain in force, undischarged, unsatisfied and
      unstayed, for more than thirty days, whether or not consecutive, any final
      judgment against the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries
      that, with

<PAGE>   121
                                     -112-

      other outstanding final judgments, undischarged, against the Parent, the
      Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries exceeds in the aggregate $3,000,000;

             (j)    the holders of all or any part of the Subordinated Debt or
      the 14% Senior Discount Notes shall accelerate the maturity of all or any
      part thereof, or the Subordinated Debt or the 14% Senior Discount Notes
      shall be prepaid or repurchased in whole or in part, or an offer to
      pre-pay, repurchase prior to maturity or redeem in whole or in part such
      Subordinated Debt or 14% Senior Discount Notes shall have been made, or
      any "change of control" triggering event shall have occurred thereunder,
      in each case, except, in each case, to the extent permitted under Section
      11.1 or Section 11.8 hereof;

             (k)    if any of the Loan Documents shall be cancelled, terminated,
      revoked or rescinded or the Administrative Agent's security interests,
      mortgages or liens in a substantial portion of the Collateral shall cease
      to be perfected, or shall cease to have the priority contemplated by the
      Security Documents, in each case otherwise than in accordance with the
      terms thereof or with the express prior written agreement, consent or
      approval of the Banks, or any action at law, suit or in equity or other
      legal proceeding to cancel, revoke or rescind any of the Loan Documents
      shall be commenced by or on behalf of the Parent or any of its
      Subsidiaries party thereto or any of their respective stockholders, or any
      court or any other governmental or regulatory authority or agency of
      competent jurisdiction shall make a determination that, or issue a
      judgment, order, decree or ruling to the effect that, any one or more of
      the Loan Documents is illegal, invalid or unenforceable in accordance with
      the terms thereof;

             (l)    the Parent, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate incurs any
      plan termination liability to the PBGC or a Guaranteed Pension Plan
      pursuant to Title IV of ERISA in an aggregate amount exceeding $3,000,000,
      or the Parent, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is assessed withdrawal
      liability pursuant to Title IV of ERISA by a Multiemployer Plan which
      could reasonably be expected to result in aggregate annual payments by the
      Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries exceeding $3,000,000, or
      any of the following occurs with respect to a Guaranteed Pension Plan: (i)
      an ERISA Reportable Event, or a failure to make a required installment or
      other payment (within the meaning of Section 302(f)(1) of ERISA), provided
      that the Administrative Agent determines in its reasonable discretion that
      such event (A) could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the
      Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries to the PBGC or such
      Guaranteed Pension Plan in an aggregate amount exceeding $3,000,000 and
      (B) could reasonably be expected to constitute grounds for the termination
      of such Guaranteed Pension Plan by the PBGC, for the appointment by the
      appropriate United States District Court of a trustee to administer such
      Guaranteed Pension Plan or for the imposition of a lien in favor of such
      Guaranteed Pension Plan; or (ii) the appointment by a United States
      District Court of a trustee to administer such Guaranteed Pension Plan; or
      (iii) the
<PAGE>   122
                                     -113-

      institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate such Guaranteed
      Pension Plan;

             (m)    the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries shall
      be enjoined, restrained or in any way prevented by the order of any court
      or any administrative or regulatory agency from conducting any material
      part of its business and such order shall continue in effect for more than
      thirty (30) days;

             (n)    there shall occur any material damage to, or loss, theft or
      destruction of, any Collateral, whether or not insured, or any strike,
      lockout, labor dispute, embargo, condemnation, act of God or public enemy,
      or other casualty, which in any such case causes, for more than thirty
      (30) consecutive days, the cessation or substantial curtailment of revenue
      producing activities at any facility of the Parent, the Borrower or any of
      their Subsidiaries if such event or circumstance is not covered by
      insurance and would have a Material Adverse Effect;

             (o)    there shall occur the loss, suspension or revocation of, or
      failure to renew, any license or permit now held or hereafter acquired by
      the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries if such loss,
      suspension, revocation or failure to renew would have a Material Adverse
      Effect;

             (p)    the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries shall
      be indicted for a state or federal crime, or any criminal action shall
      otherwise have been brought or threatened against the Parent, the Borrower
      or any of their Subsidiaries, a punishment for which in any such case
      could include the forfeiture of any assets of the Parent, the Borrower or
      such Subsidiary included in the Borrowing Base or any assets of the
      Parent, the Borrower or such Subsidiary not included in the Borrowing Base
      but having a fair market value in excess of $3,000,000;

             (q)    the Parent shall at any time, legally or beneficially,
      directly or indirectly, own less than one hundred percent (100%) of the
      shares of the capital stock of the Borrower or any of its Significant
      Subsidiaries that are Domestic Subsidiaries, and the Parent or the
      Borrower or their Domestic Subsidiaries shall at any time, legally or
      beneficially, directly or indirectly, own less than ninety percent (90%)
      of the shares of the capital stock of any of the Significant Foreign
      Subsidiaries, each as adjusted pursuant to any stock split, stock dividend
      or recapitalization or reclassification of the capital of the Borrower or
      such other Subsidiary, except as permitted under Section 10.6 or Section
      11.5.2 or otherwise consented to under this Credit Agreement; or

             (r)    (i) prior to an Initial Public Offering, the Chartwell
      Investors shall at any time, legally or beneficially own less than fifty
      percent (50%) of the shares of the Voting Stock of the Parent, as adjusted
      pursuant to any stock split, stock dividend or recapitalization or
      reclassification of the capital of the Parent (ii) following an Initial
      Public Offering, any person or group of persons (within the
<PAGE>   123
                                     -114-

      meaning of Section 13 or 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
      amended) other than the Chartwell Investors shall have acquired beneficial
      ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities
      and Exchange Commission under said Act) of 20% or more of the outstanding
      shares of common stock of the Parent, if at such time Chartwell Investors
      owns less than 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the
      Parent; or (iii) during any period of twelve consecutive calendar months,
      individuals who were directors of the Parent on the first day of such
      period (or individuals appointed, elected or nominated for election by
      such individuals) shall cease to constitute a majority of the board of
      directors of the Parent;

then, and in any such event, so long as the same may be continuing, the
Administrative Agent may, and upon the request of the Majority Banks shall, by
notice in writing to the Borrower declare all amounts owing with respect to this
Credit Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents and all Reimbursement
Obligations to be, and they shall thereupon forthwith become, immediately due
and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; provided that in the
event of any Event of Default specified in Section 15.1(g) or Section 15.1(h)
(insofar as such subsections relate to the Parent, the Borrower or any
Significant Subsidiary) or Section 15.1(j), all such amounts shall become
immediately due and payable automatically and without any requirement of notice
from the Administrative Agent or any Bank.

      15.2. TERMINATION OF COMMITMENTS. If any one or more of the Events of
Default specified in Section 15.1(g), Section 15.1(h) (insofar as it relates to
the Parent, the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary) or Section 15.1(j) shall
occur, any unused portion of the credit hereunder shall forthwith terminate and
each of the Banks shall be relieved of all further obligations to make Loans to
the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall be relieved of all further
obligations to issue, extend or renew Letters of Credit. If any other Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Administrative Agent may and,
upon the request of the Majority Banks, shall, by notice to the Borrower,
terminate the unused portion of the credit hereunder, and upon such notice being
given such unused portion of the credit hereunder shall terminate immediately
(except as otherwise provided for the Second Closing) and each of the Banks
shall be relieved of all further obligations to make Loans and the
Administrative Agent shall be relieved of all further obligations to issue,
extend or renew Letters of Credit. If any such notice is given to the Borrower
the Administrative Agent will forthwith furnish a copy thereof to each of the
Banks. No termination of the credit hereunder shall relieve the Borrower of any
of the Obligations or any of its existing obligations to any of the Banks
arising under other agreements or instruments.

      15.3. REMEDIES. In case any one or more of the Events of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, and whether or not the Banks shall have
accelerated the maturity of the Loans pursuant to Section 15.1, each Bank, if
owed any amount with respect to the Loans or the Reimbursement Obligations, may,
with the consent of the Majority Banks but not otherwise, proceed to protect and
enforce its rights by suit in equity,

<PAGE>   124
                                     -115-

action at law or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific
performance of any covenant or agreement contained in this Credit Agreement and
the other Loan Documents or any instrument pursuant to which the Obligations to
such Bank are evidenced, including as permitted by applicable law the obtaining
of the ex parte appointment of a receiver, and, if such amount shall have become
due, by declaration or otherwise, proceed to enforce the payment thereof or any
other legal or equitable right of such Bank. No remedy herein conferred upon any
Bank or the Administrative Agent or the holder of any Note or purchaser of any
Letter of Credit Participation is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy
and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every
other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or
by statute or any other provision of law.

      15.4. DISTRIBUTION OF COLLATERAL PROCEEDS. In the event that, following
the occurrence or during the continuance of any Default or Event of Default, the
Administrative Agent or any Bank, as the case may be, receives any monies in
connection with the enforcement of any the Security Documents, or otherwise with
respect to the realization upon any of the Collateral, such monies shall be
distributed for application as follows:

             (a)    First, to the payment of, or (as the case may be) the
      reimbursement of the Administrative Agent for or in respect of all
      reasonable costs, expenses, disbursements and losses which shall have been
      incurred or sustained by the Administrative Agent in connection with the
      collection of such monies by the Administrative Agent, for the exercise,
      protection or enforcement by the Administrative Agent of all or any of the
      rights, remedies, powers and privileges of the Administrative Agent under
      this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in respect of
      the Collateral or in support of any provision of adequate indemnity to the
      Administrative Agent against any taxes or liens which by law shall have,
      or may have, priority over the rights of the Administrative Agent to such
      monies;

             (b)    Second, to all other Obligations in such order or preference
      as the Majority Banks may determine; provided, however, that (i)
      distributions shall be made (A) pari passu among Obligations with respect
      to the Administrative Agent's fee payable pursuant to Section 6.2 and all
      other Obligations and (B) with respect to each type of Obligation owing to
      the Banks, such as interest, principal, fees and expenses, among the Banks
      pro rata, and (ii) the Administrative Agent may in its discretion make
      proper allowance to take into account any Obligations not then due and
      payable;

             (c)    Third, upon payment and satisfaction in full in cash or
      other provisions satisfactory to the Banks and the Administrative Agent
      for payment in full of all of the Obligations, to the payment of any
      obligations required to be paid pursuant to Section 9-504(1)(c) of the
      Uniform Commercial Code of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and
<PAGE>   125
                                     -116-

             (d)    Fourth, the excess, if any, shall be returned to the
      Borrower or to such other Persons as are entitled thereto.

                                   16. SETOFF.

      Regardless of the adequacy of any collateral, during the continuance of
any Event of Default, any deposits or other sums credited by or due from any of
the Banks to the Borrower and any securities or other property of the Borrower
in the possession of such Bank or any entity under the control of FleetBoston
Corporation or any other Bank's corporate parent, or in transit to any of them,
may be applied to or set off by such Bank against the payment of Obligations and
any and all other liabilities, direct, or indirect, absolute or contingent, due
or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, of the Borrower to such
Bank. ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO REQUIRE THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY BANK TO
EXERCISE ITS RIGHTS OR REMEDIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER COLLATERAL WHICH
SECURES THE LOANS, PRIOR TO EXERCISING ITS RIGHT OF SETOFF WITH RESPECT TO SUCH
DEPOSITS, CREDITS OR OTHER PROPERTY OF THE BORROWER OR ANY GUARANTOR, ARE HEREBY
KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVED. Each of the Banks agrees with
each other Bank that (i) if an amount to be set off is to be applied to
Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Bank, other than Indebtedness evidenced by
the Notes held by such Bank or constituting Reimbursement Obligations owed to
such Bank, such amount shall be applied ratably to such other Indebtedness and
to the Indebtedness evidenced by all such Notes held by such Bank or
constituting Reimbursement Obligations owed to such Bank, and (ii) if such Bank
shall receive from the Borrower, whether by voluntary payment, exercise of the
right of setoff, counterclaim, cross action, enforcement of the claim evidenced
by the Notes held by, or constituting Reimbursement Obligations owed to, such
Bank by proceedings against the Borrower at law or in equity or by proof thereof
in bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation, receivership or similar proceedings,
or otherwise, and shall retain and apply to the payment of the Note or Notes
held by, or Reimbursement Obligations owed to, such Bank any amount in excess of
its ratable portion of the payments received by all of the Banks with respect to
the Notes held by, and Reimbursement Obligations owed to, all of the Banks, such
Bank will make such disposition and arrangements with the other Banks with
respect to such excess, either by way of distribution, pro tanto assignment of
claims, subrogation or otherwise as shall result in each Bank receiving in
respect of the Notes held by it or Reimbursement Obligations owed it, its
proportionate payment as contemplated by this Credit Agreement; provided that if
all or any part of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such Bank,
such disposition and arrangements shall be rescinded and the amount restored to
the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

                                 17. THE AGENTS.

      17.1. AUTHORIZATION.

             (a)    Each Agent is authorized to take such action on behalf of
      each of the Banks and to exercise all such powers as are hereunder and
      under any of the
<PAGE>   126
                                     -117-

      other Loan Documents and any related documents delegated to such Agent,
      together with such powers as are reasonably incident thereto, provided
      that no duties or responsibilities not expressly assumed herein or therein
      shall be implied to have been assumed by such Agent. The Administrative
      Agent is authorized on behalf of all the Banks, without the necessity of
      any notice to or further consent from the Banks, from time to time to take
      any actions with respect to the collateral or the Security Documents which
      may be necessary to perfect and maintain perfected the security interest
      in and liens upon the Collateral granted pursuant to the Security
      Documents.

             (b)    The relationship between the Agents and each of the Banks is
      that of an independent contractor. The use of the terms "Administrative
      Agent" and "Syndication Agent" is for convenience only and is used to
      describe, as a form of convention, the independent contractual
      relationship between each Agent and each of the Banks. Nothing contained
      in this Credit Agreement nor the other Loan Documents shall be construed
      to create an agency, trust or other fiduciary relationship between either
      Agent and any of the Banks.

             (c)    As an independent contractor empowered by the Banks to
      exercise certain rights and perform certain duties and responsibilities
      hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent is
      nevertheless a "representative" of the Banks, as that term is defined in
      Article 1 of the Uniform Commercial Code, for purposes of actions for the
      benefit of the Banks and the Administrative Agent with respect to all
      collateral security and guaranties contemplated by the Loan Documents.
      Such actions include the designation of the Administrative Agent as
      "secured party", "mortgagee" or the like on all financing statements and
      other documents and instruments, whether recorded or otherwise, relating
      to the attachment, perfection, priority or enforcement of any security
      interests, mortgages or deeds of trust in collateral security intended to
      secure the payment or performance of any of the Obligations, all for the
      benefit of the Banks and the Agents.

      17.2. EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS. Each of the Agents may exercise its powers and
execute its duties by or through employees or agents and shall be entitled to
take, and to rely on, advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to its
rights and duties under this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each
Agent may utilize the services of such Persons as such Agent in its sole
discretion may reasonably determine, and all reasonable fees and expenses of any
such Persons shall be paid by the Borrower.

      17.3. NO LIABILITY. Neither Agent nor any of its shareholders, directors,
officers or employees nor any other Person assisting them in their duties nor
any agent or employee thereof, shall be liable for any waiver, consent or
approval given or any action taken, or omitted to be taken, in good faith by it
or them hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, or in connection
herewith or therewith, or be responsible for the consequences of any oversight
or error of judgment whatsoever, except that such Agent or such other Person, as
the case may be, may be liable for losses due to its willful misconduct or gross
negligence.
<PAGE>   127
                                     -118-

      17.4. NO REPRESENTATIONS.

             17.4.1. GENERAL. Neither Agent shall be responsible for the
      execution or validity or enforceability of this Credit Agreement, the
      Notes, the Letters of Credit, any of the other Loan Documents or any
      instrument at any time constituting, or intended to constitute, collateral
      security for the Notes, or for the value of any such collateral security
      or for the validity, enforceability or collectibility of any such amounts
      owing with respect to the Notes, or for any recitals or statements,
      warranties or representations made herein or in any of the other Loan
      Documents or in any certificate or instrument hereafter furnished to it by
      or on behalf of the Borrower, or be bound to ascertain or inquire as to
      the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, covenants
      or agreements herein or in any instrument at any time constituting, or
      intended to constitute, collateral security for the Notes or to inspect
      any of the properties, books or records of the Parent or any of its
      Subsidiaries. Neither Agent shall be bound to ascertain whether any
      notice, consent, waiver or request delivered to it by the Borrower or any
      holder of any of the Notes shall have been duly authorized or is true,
      accurate and complete. Neither Agent has made nor does it now make any
      representations or warranties, express or implied, nor does it assume any
      liability to the Banks, with respect to the credit worthiness or financial
      conditions of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries. Each Bank
      acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the
      Agents or any other Bank, and based upon such information and documents as
      it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to
      enter into this Credit Agreement.

             17.4.2. CLOSING DOCUMENTATION, ETC. For purposes of determining
      compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 13, each Bank that has
      executed this Credit Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to,
      approved or accepted, or to be satisfied with, each document and matter
      either sent, or made available, by the Agents or the Co-arrangers to such
      Bank for consent, approval, acceptance or satisfaction, or required
      thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory
      to such Bank, unless an officer of the Administrative Agent active upon
      the Borrower's account shall have received notice from such Bank prior to
      the Initial Closing Date specifying such Bank's objection thereto and such
      objection shall not have been withdrawn by notice to the Administrative
      Agent to such effect on or prior to the Initial Closing Date.

      17.5. PAYMENTS.

             17.5.1. PAYMENTS TO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. A payment by the Borrower
      to the Administrative Agent hereunder or any of the other Loan Documents
      for the account of any Bank shall constitute a payment to such Bank. The
      Administrative Agent agrees promptly to distribute to each Bank such
      Bank's pro rata share of payments received by the Administrative Agent for
      the account of the Banks except as otherwise expressly provided herein or
      in any of the other Loan Documents.
<PAGE>   128
                                     -119-

             17.5.2. DISTRIBUTION BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. If in the opinion of
      the Administrative Agent the distribution of any amount received by it in
      such capacity hereunder, under the Notes or under any of the other Loan
      Documents might involve it in liability, it may refrain from making
      distribution until its right to make distribution shall have been
      adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction. If a court of competent
      jurisdiction shall adjudge that any amount received and distributed by the
      Administrative Agent is to be repaid, each Person to whom any such
      distribution shall have been made shall either repay to the Administrative
      Agent its proportionate share of the amount so adjudged to be repaid or
      shall pay over the same in such manner and to such Persons as shall be
      determined by such court.

             17.5.3. DELINQUENT BANKS. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
      contained in this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, any
      Bank that fails (i) to make available to the Administrative Agent its pro
      rata share of any Loan or to purchase any Letter of Credit Participation
      or (ii) to comply with the provisions of Section 16 with respect to making
      dispositions and arrangements with the other Banks, where such Bank's
      share of any payment received, whether by setoff or otherwise, is in
      excess of its pro rata share of such payments due and payable to all of
      the Banks, in each case as, when and to the full extent required by the
      provisions of this Credit Agreement, shall be deemed delinquent (a
      "Delinquent Bank") and shall be deemed a Delinquent Bank until such time
      as such delinquency is satisfied. A Delinquent Bank shall be deemed to
      have assigned any and all payments due to it from the Borrower, whether on
      account of outstanding Loans, Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations, interest,
      fees or otherwise, to the remaining nondelinquent Banks for application
      to, and reduction of, their respective pro rata shares of all outstanding
      Loans and Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations. The Delinquent Bank hereby
      authorizes the Administrative Agent to distribute such payments to the
      nondelinquent Banks in proportion to their respective pro rata shares of
      all outstanding Loans and Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations. A Delinquent
      Bank shall be deemed to have satisfied in full a delinquency when and if,
      as a result of application of the assigned payments to all outstanding
      Loans and Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations of the nondelinquent Banks, the
      Banks' respective pro rata shares of all outstanding Loans and Unpaid
      Reimbursement Obligations have returned to those in effect immediately
      prior to such delinquency and without giving effect to the nonpayment
      causing such delinquency.

      17.6. HOLDERS OF NOTES. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the
payee of any Note or the purchaser of any Letter of Credit Participation as the
absolute owner or purchaser thereof for all purposes hereof until it shall have
been furnished in writing with a different name by such payee or by a subsequent
holder, assignee or transferee.

      17.7. INDEMNITY. The Banks ratably agree hereby to indemnify and hold
harmless each Agent and its affiliates from and against any and all claims,
actions and
<PAGE>   129
                                     -120-

suits (whether groundless or otherwise), losses, damages, costs, expenses
(including any expenses for which such Agent or such affiliate has not been
reimbursed by the Borrower as required by Section 18), and liabilities of every
nature and character arising out of or related to this Credit Agreement, the
Notes, or any of the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated or
evidenced hereby or thereby, or such Agent's actions taken hereunder or
thereunder, except to the extent that any of the same shall be directly caused
by such Agent's willful misconduct or gross negligence.

      17.8. AGENTS AS BANKS. In its individual capacity, each of Fleet and First
Union shall have the same obligations and the same rights, powers and privileges
in respect to its Commitments and the Loans made by it, and as the holder of any
of the Notes and as the purchaser of any Letter of Credit Participations, as it
would have were it not also an Agent. The Documentation Agent shall not have any
right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Credit
Agreement in such capacity, other than those applicable to all Banks as Banks

      17.9. RESIGNATION. Each Agent may resign at any time by giving sixty (60)
days prior written notice thereof to the Banks and the Borrower. Upon any such
resignation, the Majority Banks shall have the right to appoint a successor
Administrative Agent or Syndication Agent. Unless a Default or Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, such successor Administrative Agent or
Syndication Agent, as the case may be, shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Borrower. If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Majority
Banks and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the
retiring Agent's giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring Agent may,
on behalf of the Banks, appoint a successor Agent, which shall be a financial
institution having a rating of not less than A or its equivalent by Standard &
Poor's Ratings Group. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder
by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become
vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent,
and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations
hereunder. After any retiring Agent's resignation, the provisions of this Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall continue in effect for its benefit
in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting
as Agent.

      17.10. NOTIFICATION OF DEFAULTS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Each Bank hereby
agrees that, upon learning of the existence of a Default or an Event of Default,
it shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof. The Administrative
Agent hereby agrees that upon receipt of any notice under this Section 17.10 it
shall promptly notify the other Banks of the existence of such Default or Event
of Default.

      17.11. DUTIES IN THE CASE OF ENFORCEMENT. In case one of more Events of
Default have occurred and shall be continuing, and whether or not acceleration
of the Obligations shall have occurred, the Administrative Agent shall, if (i)
so requested by the Majority Banks and (ii) the Banks have provided to the
Administrative Agent such additional indemnities and assurances against expenses
and liabilities as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, proceed to
enforce the provisions of the Security Documents authorizing the sale or other
disposition of all or any part of the
<PAGE>   130
                                     -121-

Collateral and exercise all or any such other legal and equitable and other
rights or remedies as it may have in respect of such Collateral. The Majority
Banks may direct the Administrative Agent in writing as to the method and the
extent of any such sale or other disposition, the Banks hereby agreeing to
indemnify and hold the Administrative Agent, harmless from all liabilities
incurred in respect of all actions taken or omitted in accordance with such
directions, provided that the Administrative Agent need not comply with any such
direction to the extent that the Administrative Agent reasonably believes the
Administrative Agent's compliance with such direction to be unlawful or
commercially unreasonable in any applicable jurisdiction.

                        18. EXPENSES AND INDEMNIFICATION.

      18.1. EXPENSES. The Borrower agrees to pay (i) the reasonable costs of
producing and reproducing this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and
the other agreements and instruments mentioned herein, (ii) any taxes (including
any interest and penalties in respect thereto) payable by the Agents, the
Co-arrangers or any of the Banks (other than taxes based upon the Agents or any
Bank's net income, profits or franchise taxes) on or with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement (the Borrower hereby agreeing
to indemnify each Agents, the Co-arrangers and Bank with respect thereto), (iii)
the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel to the Syndication
Agent or the Co-arrangers, the Administrative Agent's Special Counsel or any
local counsel to the Administrative Agent incurred in connection with the
preparation, syndication, administration or interpretation of the Loan Documents
and other instruments mentioned herein, each closing hereunder, any amendments,
modifications, approvals, consents or waivers hereto or hereunder, or the
cancellation of any Loan Document upon payment in full in cash of all of the
Obligations or pursuant to any terms of such Loan Document for providing for
such cancellation, (iv) the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of both
Agents and the Co-arrangers or any of their affiliates incurred by such Agents
and Co-arrangers or such affiliates in connection with the preparation,
syndication, administration or interpretation of the Loan Documents and other
instruments mentioned herein, including all title insurance premiums and
surveyor, engineering and appraisal charges, (v) any fees, costs, expenses and
bank charges, including bank charges for returned checks, incurred by the
Administrative Agent in establishing, maintaining or handling agency accounts,
lock box accounts and other accounts for the collection of any of the
Collateral; (vi) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including without
limitation reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, which attorneys may be
employees of any Bank, Agent or Co-arranger, and reasonable consulting,
accounting, appraisal, investment banking and similar professional fees and
charges) incurred by any Bank, Agent or Co-arranger in connection with (A) the
enforcement of or preservation of rights under any of the Loan Documents against
the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or the administration thereof after the
occurrence of a Default or Event of Default and (B) any litigation, proceeding
or dispute whether arising hereunder or otherwise, in any way related to the
relationship of any Bank, Agent or Co-arranger with the Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries and (vii) all reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any
Bank or Agent incurred in
<PAGE>   131
                                     -122-

connection with UCC searches, UCC filings, patent and trademark office searches
and filings, or mortgage recordings.

      18.2. INDEMNIFICATION. The Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the Agents, Co-arrangers, their affiliates and the Banks and each of their
respective shareholders, directors, agents, officers, subsidiaries and
affiliates (collectively referred to in this Section 18.2 as, the "Indemnified
Persons") from and against any and all claims, actions and suits whether
groundless or otherwise, and from and against any and all liabilities, losses,
damages and expenses of every nature and character arising out of this Credit
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated
hereby including, without limitation, (i) any actual or proposed use by the
Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of the proceeds of any of the Loans or Letters
of Credit, (ii) the reversal or withdrawal of any provisional credits granted by
the Administrative Agent upon the transfer of funds from lock box, bank agency
or concentration accounts or in connection with the provisional honoring of
checks or other items, (iii) any actual or alleged infringement of any patent,
copyright, trademark, service mark or similar right of the Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries comprised in the Collateral, (iv) the Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries entering into or performing this Credit Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents or (v) with respect to the Parent, the Borrower and each of
their Subsidiaries and their respective properties and assets, the violation of
any Environmental Law, the presence, disposal, escape, seepage, leakage,
spillage, discharge, emission, release or threatened release of any Hazardous
Substances or any action, suit, proceeding or investigation brought or
threatened with respect to any Hazardous Substances (including, but not limited
to, claims with respect to wrongful death, personal injury or damage to
property), in each case including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel and allocated costs of internal counsel incurred in
connection with any such investigation, litigation or other proceeding;
provided, that the Borrower shall not be liable for any indemnification to an
Indemnified Person to the extent that any such suit, action, proceeding, claim,
damage, loss, liability or expense results solely from that Indemnified Person's
gross negligence or willful misconduct. In litigation, or the preparation
therefor, the Indemnified Persons shall be entitled to select their own counsel
and, in addition to the foregoing indemnity, the Borrower agrees to pay promptly
the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel, provided that unless any of
the Indemnified Persons have a conflict, such Indemnified Persons shall use the
same counsel and local counsel. If, and to the extent that the obligations of
the Borrower under this Section 18.2 are unenforceable for any reason, the
Borrower hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment in
satisfaction of such obligations which is permissible under applicable law.

      18.3. SURVIVAL. The covenants contained in this Section 18 shall survive
payment or satisfaction in full of all Obligations.

               19. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

      19.1. SHARING OF INFORMATION WITH SECTION 20 SUBSIDIARY. The Borrower
acknowledges that from time to time financial advisory, investment banking and
other services may be offered or provided to the Borrower or one or more of its
Subsidiaries,
<PAGE>   132
                                     -123-

in connection with this Credit Agreement or otherwise, by a Section 20
Subsidiary. The Borrower, for itself and each of its Subsidiaries, hereby
authorizes (a) such Section 20 Subsidiary to share with the Administrative Agent
and each Bank any information delivered to such Section 20 Subsidiary by the
Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, and (b) the Administrative Agent and each
Bank to share with such Section 20 Subsidiary any information delivered to the
Administrative Agent or such Bank by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries
pursuant to this Credit Agreement, or in connection with the decision of such
Bank to enter into this Credit Agreement; it being understood, in each case,
that any such Section 20 Subsidiary receiving such information shall be bound by
the confidentiality provisions of this Credit Agreement. Such authorization
shall survive the payment and satisfaction in full of all Obligations.

      19.2. CONFIDENTIALITY. Each of the Banks and the Agents agrees, on behalf
of itself and each of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees and
representatives, to use reasonable precautions to keep confidential, in
accordance with their customary procedures for handling confidential information
of the same nature and in accordance with safe and sound banking practices, any
non-public information supplied to it by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries
pursuant to this Credit Agreement that is identified by such Person as being
confidential at the time the same is delivered to the Banks or the Agents,
provided that nothing herein shall limit the disclosure of any such information
(a) after such information shall have become public other than through a
violation of this Section 19, (b) to the extent required by statute, rule,
regulation or judicial process, (c) to counsel for any of the Banks or any
Agent, (d) to bank examiners or any other regulatory authority having
jurisdiction over any Bank or any Agent, or to auditors or accountants or bank
rating agencies, (e) to any Agent, any Bank or any Section 20 Subsidiary, (f) in
connection with any litigation to which any one or more of the Banks, any Agent
or any Section 20 Subsidiary is a party, or in connection with the enforcement
of rights or remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (g) to a
Subsidiary or affiliate of such Bank or (h) to any assignee or participant (or
prospective assignee or participant) so long as such assignee or participant
agrees to be bound by the provisions of Section 21.6. Without the prior consent
of the Borrower, none of the Agents, the Banks or any Section 20 Subsidiary
shall refer to any of the Parent, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries in
connection with any advertising, promotion or marketing undertaken by such
Agent, such Bank or such Section 20 Subsidiary or utilize any trade name,
trademark, logo or other distinctive symbol associated with the Parent or any of
its Subsidiaries or any of their businesses.

      19.3. PRIOR NOTIFICATION. Unless specifically prohibited by applicable law
or court order, each of the Banks and Agents shall, prior to disclosure thereof,
notify the Borrower of any request for disclosure of any such non-public
information by any governmental agency or representative thereof (other than any
such request in connection with an examination of the financial condition of
such Bank by such governmental agency) or pursuant to legal process.

      19.4. OTHER. In no event shall any Bank or the Agents be obligated or
required to return any materials furnished to it or any Section 20 Subsidiary by
the Parent or any of
<PAGE>   133
                                     -124-

its Subsidiaries. The obligations of each Bank under this Section 19 shall
supersede and replace the obligations of such Bank under any confidentiality
letter in respect of this financing signed and delivered by such Bank to the
Borrower prior to the date hereof and shall be binding upon any assignee of, or
purchaser of any participation in, any interest in any of the Loans or
Reimbursement Obligations from any Bank.

                         20. SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS, ETC.

      All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made herein, in
the Notes, in any of the other Loan Documents or in any documents or other
papers delivered by or on behalf of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries
pursuant hereto shall be deemed to have been relied upon by the Banks and the
Agents, notwithstanding any investigation heretofore or hereafter made by any of
them, and shall survive the making by the Banks of the Loans and the issuance,
extension or renewal of any Letters of Credit, as herein contemplated, and shall
continue in full force and effect so long as any Letter of Credit or any amount
due under this Credit Agreement or the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents
remains outstanding or any Bank has any obligation to make any Loans or the
Administrative Agent has any obligation to issue, extend or renew any Letter of
Credit, and for such further time as may be otherwise expressly specified in
this Credit Agreement. All statements contained in any certificate or other
paper delivered to any Bank or either Agent at any time by or on behalf of the
Parent or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant hereto or in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby shall constitute representations and warranties
by the Parent or such Subsidiary hereunder.

                        21. ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATION.

      21.1. CONDITIONS TO ASSIGNMENT BY BANKS. Except as provided herein, each
Bank shall have the unrestricted right at any time or from time to time assign
to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its interests, rights and
obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its
Commitment Percentages and Commitments and the same portion of the Loans at the
time owing to it) and the Notes held by it and its participating interest in the
risk relating to any Letters of Credit); provided that (i) each of the
Administrative Agent and, unless a Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, and unless the assignment is to a Bank already party
to this Credit Agreement or to an Affiliate of any such Bank or any fund that
invests in loans and is managed by the same investment advisor as the assigning
Bank, the Borrower shall have given its prior written consent to such
assignment, which consent, in the case of the Borrower, will not be unreasonably
withheld, (ii) each assignment (except with respect to Banks taking in
assignment within fifteen (15) Business Days of the Initial Closing Date) shall
be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in
excess thereof or the assigning Bank's entire interest under the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (iii) the parties to such assignment
shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, for recording in the
Register (as hereinafter defined), an Assignment and Acceptance, substantially
in the form of Exhibit F hereto (an "Assignment and Acceptance"), together with
any Notes subject to such assignment. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance
and recording,
<PAGE>   134
                                     -125-

from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance,
which effective date shall be at least five (5) Business Days after the
execution thereof (except with respect to Banks taking in assignment within
fifteen (15) Business Days of the Initial Closing Date), (i) the assignee
thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent provided in such
Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Bank hereunder,
and (ii) the assigning Bank shall, to the extent provided in such assignment and
upon payment to the Administrative Agent of the registration fee referred to in
Section 21.3, be released from its obligations under this Credit Agreement. The
Borrower agrees that it shall execute, or cause to be executed such documents,
including without limitation, amendments to this Credit Agreement and to any
other Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent shall deem reasonably necessary
to effect the provisions of this Section 21.

      21.2. CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; LIMITATIONS; COVENANTS. By
executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the parties to the
assignment thereunder confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties
hereto as follows:

             (a)    other than the representation and warranty that it is the
      legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned thereby free and
      clear of any adverse claim, the assigning Bank makes no representation or
      warranty, express or implied, and assumes no responsibility with respect
      to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection
      with this Credit Agreement or the execution, legality, validity,
      enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Credit
      Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document
      furnished pursuant hereto or the attachment, perfection or priority of any
      security interest or mortgage;

             (b)    the assigning Bank makes no representation or warranty and
      assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of the
      Parent, the Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries or any other Person
      primarily or secondarily liable in respect of any of the Obligations, or
      the performance or observance by the Parent, the Borrower and each of
      their Subsidiaries or any other Person primarily or secondarily liable in
      respect of any of the Obligations of any of their obligations under this
      Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any other
      instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto;

             (c)    such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this
      Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial
      statements referred to in Section 9.4 and Section 10.4 and such other
      documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own
      credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance;

             (d)    such assignee will, independently and without reliance upon
      the assigning Bank, either Agent or any other Bank and based on such
      documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,
      continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action
      under this Credit Agreement;
<PAGE>   135
                                     -126-

             (e)    such assignee represents and warrants that it is an Eligible
      Assignee, subject to the consent of the Administrative Agent under clause
      (v) of definition of Eligible Assignee, if applicable;

             (f)    such assignee appoints and authorizes the Administrative
      Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such
      powers under this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are
      delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof,
      together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto;

             (g)    such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with
      their terms all of the obligations that by the terms of this Credit
      Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Bank;

             (h)    such assignee represents and warrants that it is legally
      authorized to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance; and

             (i)    such assignee acknowledges that it has made arrangements
      with the assigning Bank satisfactory to such assignee with respect to its
      pro rata share of Letter of Credit Fees in respect of outstanding Letters
      of Credit.

      21.3. REGISTER. The Administrative Agent shall maintain a copy of each
Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register or similar list (the
"Register") for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Banks and the
Commitment Percentage of, and principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans
owing to and Letter of Credit Participations purchased by, the Banks from time
to time. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of
manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Banks may
treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Bank hereunder for
all purposes of this Credit Agreement. The Register shall be available for
inspection by the Borrower and the Banks at any reasonable time and from time to
time upon reasonable prior notice. Upon each such recordation, the assigning
Bank agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent a registration fee in the sum of
$3,000 (except with respect to Banks taking in assignment within fifteen (15)
Business Days of the Initial Closing Date).

      21.4. NEW NOTES. Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed
by the parties to such assignment, together with each Note subject to such
assignment, the Administrative Agent shall (i) record the information contained
therein in the Register, and (ii) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower and
the Banks (other than the assigning Bank). Within five (5) Business Days after
receipt of such notice, the Borrower, at its own expense, shall execute and
deliver to the Administrative Agent, in exchange for each surrendered Note, a
new Note to the order of such Eligible Assignee in an amount equal to the amount
assumed by such Eligible Assignee pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance
and, if the assigning Bank has retained some portion of its obligations
hereunder, a new Note to the order of the assigning Bank in an amount equal to
the amount retained by it hereunder. Such new Notes shall provide that they are
replacements for the surrendered Notes but not in discharge of the liability
<PAGE>   136
                                     -127-

evidenced by the surrendered Notes, shall be in an aggregate principal amount
equal to the aggregate principal amount of the surrendered Notes, shall be dated
the effective date of such Assignment and Acceptance and shall otherwise be in
substantially the form of the assigned Notes. Upon the request of the assignee
Bank, the Borrower shall deliver, within five (5) days of issuance of any new
Notes pursuant to this Section 21.4, an opinion of counsel, addressed to the
Banks and the Administrative Agent, relating to the due authorization, execution
and delivery of such new Notes and the legality, validity and binding effect
thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to the Banks. The surrendered Notes
shall be cancelled and returned to the Borrower.

      21.5. PARTICIPATIONS. Each Bank shall have the unrestricted right at any
time and from time to time, and without the consent of or notice to the
Borrower, to grant to one or more banks or other entities, a participating
interest in any or all of such Bank's rights and obligations under this Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that (i) each such
participation shall be in an amount of not less than $5,000,000, (ii) any such
sale or participation shall not affect the rights and duties of the selling Bank
hereunder to the Borrower and (iii) the only rights granted to the participant
pursuant to such participation arrangements with respect to waivers, amendments
or modifications of the Loan Documents shall be the rights to approve waivers,
amendments or modifications that would reduce the principal of or the interest
rate on any Loans, extend the term or increase the amount of any Commitment of
such Bank as it relates to such participant, reduce the amount of any commitment
fees or Letter of Credit Fees to which such participant is entitled or extend
any regularly scheduled payment date for principal or interest. Each Bank may
furnish any information concerning the Borrower in its possession from time to
time to prospective participants, provided that the selling Bank shall require
any such prospective participant to agree in writing to maintain the
confidentiality of such information.

      21.6. DISCLOSURE. The Borrower agrees that in addition to disclosures made
in accordance with standard and customary banking practices any Bank may
disclose information obtained by such Bank pursuant to this Credit Agreement to
assignees or participants and potential assignees or participants hereunder;
provided that such assignees or participants or potential assignees or
participants shall agree (i) to treat in confidence such information unless such
information otherwise becomes public knowledge, (ii) not to disclose such
information to a third party, except as required by law or legal process and
(iii) not to make use of such information for purposes of transactions unrelated
to such contemplated assignment or participation. For purposes of this Section
21.6 an assignee or participant or potential assignee or participant may include
a counterparty with whom such Bank has entered into or potentially might enter
into a derivative contract referenced to credit or other risks or events arising
under this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document.

      21.7. ASSIGNEE OR PARTICIPANT AFFILIATED WITH THE BORROWER. If any
assignee Bank is an Affiliate of the Borrower, then any such assignee Bank shall
have no right to vote as a Bank hereunder or under any of the other Loan
Documents for purposes of granting consents or waivers or for purposes of
agreeing to amendments or other
<PAGE>   137
                                     -128-

modifications to any of the Loan Documents or for purposes of making requests to
the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 15.1 or Section 15.2, and the
determination of the Majority Banks shall for all purposes of this Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents be made without regard to such assignee
Bank's interest in any of the Loans or Reimbursement Obligations. If any Bank
sells a participating interest in any of the Loans or Reimbursement Obligations
to a participant, and such participant is the Borrower or an Affiliate of the
Borrower, then such transferor Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative
Agent of the sale of such participation. A transferor Bank shall have no right
to vote as a Bank hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents for
purposes of granting consents or waivers or for purposes of agreeing to
amendments or modifications to any of the Loan Documents or for purposes of
making requests to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 15.1 or Section
15.2 to the extent that such participation is beneficially owned by the Borrower
or any Affiliate of the Borrower, and the determination of the Majority Banks
shall for all purposes of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents be
made without regard to the interest of such transferor Bank in the Loans or
Reimbursement Obligations to the extent of such participation. The provisions of
this Section 21.7 shall not apply to an assignee Bank or participant which is
also a Bank on the Initial Closing Date or to an assignee Bank or participant
which has disclosed to the other Banks that it is an Affiliate of the Borrower
and which, following such disclosure, has been excepted from the provisions of
this Section 21.7 in a writing signed by the Majority Banks determined without
regard to the interest of such assignee Bank or transferor Bank, to the extent
of such participation, in Loans or Reimbursement Obligations.

      21.8. MISCELLANEOUS ASSIGNMENT PROVISIONS. Any assigning Bank shall retain
its rights to be indemnified pursuant to Section 18 with respect to any claims
or actions arising prior to the date of such assignment. If any assignee Bank is
not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any state
thereof, it shall, prior to the date on which any interest or fees are payable
hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents for its account, deliver to
the Borrower and the Administrative Agent certification as to its exemption from
deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes. If any
Reference Bank transfers all of its interest, rights and obligations under this
Credit Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall, in consultation with the
Borrower and with the consent of the Borrower and the Majority Banks, appoint
another Bank to act as a Reference Bank hereunder. Anything contained in this
Section 21 to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) any Bank may at any time pledge
all or any portion of its interest and rights under this Credit Agreement
(including all or any portion of its Notes) to any of the twelve Federal Reserve
Banks organized under Section 4 of the Federal Reserve Act, 12 U.S.C. Section
341 and (b) any Bank that is a fund that invests in bank loans may at any time
pledge all or any portion of its interests and rights with respect to its Term
Note to any trustee for, or any other representative of, holders of obligations
owed or securities issued by such fund as security for such obligations or
securities, provided that any foreclosure or similar action by such trustee or
other representative shall be subject to the other provisions of this Section
21. No such pledge or the enforcement thereof shall release the pledgor Bank
from its obligations hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents.
<PAGE>   138
                                     -129-

      21.9. ASSIGNMENT BY BORROWER. The Borrower shall not assign or transfer
any of its rights or obligations under any of the Loan Documents without the
prior written consent of each of the Banks.

                                22. NOTICES, ETC.

      Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement, all
notices and other communications made or required to be given pursuant to this
Credit Agreement or the Notes or any Letter of Credit Applications shall be in
writing and shall be delivered in hand, mailed by United States registered or
certified first class mail, postage prepaid, sent by overnight courier, or sent
by telegraph, telecopy, facsimile or telex and confirmed by delivery via courier
or postal service, addressed as follows:

             (a)    if to the Parent or the Borrower:

                              c/o Bell Sports Corp.
                              6350 San Ignacio Avenue
                              San Jose, California 95119
                              Attention:         Richard Willis, Chief Financial
                                                 Officer

                    with a copy to:

                              c/o Chartwell Investments II LLC
                              717 Fifth Avenue
                              23rd Floor
                              New York, New York 10022
                              Attention:         Michael S. Shein, Senior
                                                 Managing Director

                    with a copy to:

                              Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P.
                              1333 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
                              Suite 400
                              Washington, D.C. 20036
                              Attention:         Russell W. Parks, Jr., Esq.

      or at such other address for notice as the Borrower shall last have
      furnished in writing to the Person giving the notice;

             (b)    if to the Administrative Agent, at 100 Federal Street,
      Boston, Massachusetts 02110, USA, Attention: Carol Lovell, Managing
      Director, or such other address for notice as the Administrative Agent
      shall last have furnished in writing to the Person giving the notice; and
<PAGE>   139
                                     -130-

             (c)    if to any Bank, at such Bank's address set forth on Schedule
      1 hereto, or such other address for notice as such Bank shall have last
      furnished in writing to the Person giving the notice.

      Any such notice or demand shall be deemed to have been duly given or made
and to have become effective (i) if delivered by hand, overnight courier or
facsimile to a responsible officer of the party to which it is directed, at the
time of the receipt thereof by such officer or the sending of such facsimile and
(ii) if sent by registered or certified first-class mail, postage prepaid, on
the third Business Day following the mailing thereof.

                               23. GOVERNING LAW.

      THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED
THEREIN, EACH OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ARE CONTRACTS UNDER THE LAWS OF THE
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AND SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES BE CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF SAID COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
(EXCLUDING THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW). THE PARENT AND
THE BORROWER EACH AGREES THAT ANY SUIT FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS CREDIT
AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING THEREIN AND CONSENTS
TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURT AND SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY
SUCH SUIT BEING MADE UPON THE BORROWER BY MAIL AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN
SECTION 22. THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR
HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT OR ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH SUIT
IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT COURT.

<PAGE>   140
                                     -131-

                                  24. HEADINGS.

      The captions in this Credit Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and shall not define or limit the provisions hereof.

                                25. COUNTERPARTS.

      This Credit Agreement and any amendment hereof may be executed in several
counterparts and by each party on a separate counterpart, each of which when
executed and delivered shall be an original, and all of which together shall
constitute one instrument. In proving this Credit Agreement it shall not be
necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart signed by the
party against whom enforcement is sought.

                           26. ENTIRE AGREEMENT, ETC.

      The Loan Documents and any other documents executed in connection herewith
or therewith express the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby. Neither this Credit Agreement nor any term
hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated, except as provided in
Section 28.

                            27. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

      Each of the Parent and the Borrower hereby knowingly, voluntarily and
intentionally waives its right to a jury trial with respect to any action or
claim arising out of, under or in connection with any dispute with respect to
this Credit Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents, any rights
or obligations hereunder or thereunder or the performance of such rights and
obligations or any course of conduct, course of dealings, statements (whether
verbal or written) or actions of any party. Except as prohibited by law, each of
the Parent and the Borrower hereby waives any right it may have to claim or
recover in any litigation referred to in the preceding sentence any special,
exemplary, punitive or consequential damages or any damages other than, or in
addition to, actual damages. Each of the Parent and the Borrower (i) certifies
that no representative, agent or attorney of any Bank or either Agent has
represented, expressly or otherwise, that such Bank or such Agent would not, in
the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers and (ii)
acknowledges that the Agents and the Banks have been induced to enter into this
Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents to which it is a party by, among
other things, the waivers and certifications contained herein.

                     28. CONSENTS, AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC.

      Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement, any
consent or approval required or permitted by this Credit Agreement to be given
by the Banks may be given, and any term of this Credit Agreement or of any other
instrument related hereto or mentioned herein may be amended, and the
performance or observance by the

<PAGE>   141
                                     -132-

Borrower of any terms of this Credit Agreement or such other instrument or the
continuance of any Default or Event of Default may be waived (either generally
or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) with, but
only with, the written consent of the Borrower and the written consent of the
Majority Banks. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rate of interest on the Notes
(other than interest accruing pursuant to Section 6.11.2 following the effective
date of any waiver by the Majority Banks of the Default or Event of Default
relating thereto) or the amount of the Commitment Fees or Letter of Credit Fees
may not be decreased and the dates of payment of such amounts may not be delayed
without the written consent of each Bank affected thereby; the amount of the
Commitments may not be increased and the Term Loan Commitment Termination Date
may not be extended without the written consent of the Borrower and of each
Bank; the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date, the Term A Maturity Date and the
Term B Maturity Date may not be postponed without the written consent of each
Bank affected thereby; Section 15.4 may not be amended, waived or modified
without the written consent of each Bank affected thereby; the regularly
scheduled Term A Loan and Term B Loan principal installments set forth in
Section 4.5.1 and Section 4.5.2 may not be postponed or reduced so as to delay
the required payment thereof and other changes to the required payment dates or
amounts of such principal installment may not be made without the written
consent of the Borrower and each Bank affected thereby; this Section 28 and the
definition of Majority Banks may not be amended and all or substantially all of
the Collateral and all or substantially all of the obligations of any Guarantor
(with the exception of the obligations of Giro Sport Design International, Inc.)
may not be released without the written consent of all of the Banks; and the
amount of the Administrative Agent's fee or any Letter of Credit Fees payable
for the Administrative Agent's account and Section 17 may not be amended without
the written consent of both Agents. No waiver shall extend to or affect any
obligation not expressly waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No
course of dealing or delay or omission on the part of either Agent or any Bank
in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise be
prejudicial thereto. No notice to or demand upon the Borrower shall entitle the
Borrower to other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

                                29. SEVERABILITY.

      The provisions of this Credit Agreement are severable and if any one
clause or provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in
part in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect
only such clause or provision, or part thereof, in such jurisdiction, and shall
not in any manner affect such clause or provision in any other jurisdiction, or
any other clause or provision of this Credit Agreement in any jurisdiction.

<PAGE>   142

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Credit
Agreement as a sealed instrument as of the date first set forth above.

                                     BELL SPORTS, INC.

                                     By:   /s/ LORI A. SHERWOOD
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                           Name:  Lori A. Sherwood
                                           Title: Secretary

                                     BELL SPORTS CORP.

                                     By:   /s/ LORI A. SHERWOOD
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Lori A. Sherwood
                                     Title: Secretary

                                     FLEET NATIONAL BANK, individually and as
                                     Administrative Agent

                                     By:   /s/ CAROL A. LOVELL
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Carol A. Lovell
                                     Title: Managing Director

                                     FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                                     individually and as Syndication Agent

                                     By:   /s/ HENRY R. BIEDRZYCKI
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Henry R. Biedrzycki
                                     Title: Director

<PAGE>   143

                                     GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION

                                     By:    /s/ JANET SILVERMAN
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Janet Silverman
                                     Title: Duly Authorized Signatory

                                     BANK ONE, N.A. (CHICAGO MAIN OFFICE)

                                     By:    /s/ KEVIN CHRISTENSEN
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Kevin Christensen
                                     Title: 1st Vice President

                                     BARCLAYS BANK PLC

                                     By:    /s/ DOUGLAS BERNEGGER
                                          --------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Douglas Bernegger
                                     Title: Director

                                     WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.

                                     By:    /s/ JOSEPH L. WHITE
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Joseph L. White
                                     Title: Senior Vice President

<PAGE>   144

                                     HELLER FINANCIAL, INC.

                                     By:    /s/ PATRICIA  WEITZMAN
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Patricia Weitzman
                                     Title: Senior Vice President

                                     ANTARES CAPITAL CORPORATION

                                     By:    /s/ STEVEN J. ROBINSON
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Steven J. Robinson
                                     Title: Director

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