Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                             SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT

            (CONNECTIVITY TECHNOLOGIES INC. AS SUBORDINATED CREDITOR)

         WHEREAS, Rome Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Rome Group"), Rome
Cable Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Rome Cable") and Connectivity
Products Incorporated, a Delaware corporation ("CPI" and together with Rome
Group and Rome Cable, collectively, the "Debtor") desire to transact business
with and obtain credit or a continuation of credit from the Lenders, as that
term is defined in that certain Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security
Agreement dated as of May 19, 2000 (the "Loan Agreement") among the Debtor,
Fleet Capital Corporation, a Rhode Island corporation (as successor in interest
to BankBoston, N.A.) ("Fleet"), The CIT Group / Business Credit, Inc., a New
York corporation ("CIT"), GMAC Commercial Credit LLC, a New York limited
liability company ("GMAC"), any other lending institutions that may become
Lenders (together with CIT and Fleet collectively, the "Lenders") and Fleet, as
agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Agent"), or to induce the Lenders
to forbear in the exercise of their rights; and

         WHEREAS, the Lenders are unwilling to extend or continue to extend
credit to the Debtor or to forbear in the exercise of their rights unless they
receive the agreement of the undersigned to subordinate the Claims to the
payment of the Obligations, both as hereinafter defined;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the undersigned agrees as follows:

       1.      The undersigned represents and warrants to the Lenders that Rome
Group is indebted to the undersigned in the aggregate principal sum of ONE
MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND ($1,750,000.00) DOLLARS (such amount,
together with any and all additional indebtedness hereafter owed to the
undersigned by the Debtor (including, without limitation, pursuant to any Tax
Refund Note, as defined below), including any renewals thereof, any and all
interest thereon and any fees or expenses payable by the Debtor to the
undersigned in connection therewith, is hereinafter collectively referred to as
the "Claims"). The undersigned further represents and warrants that the Claims
are not represented by any instrument or writing, except that certain promissory
note dated as of May 19, 2000 (the "Note") made by Rome Group in favor of the
undersigned, which has been indorsed and/or assigned and delivered by the
undersigned to the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, pursuant to paragraph 3
hereof. The undersigned agrees that should any of the Claims at any time
hereafter be represented by any instrument or writing other than the Note,
including, without limitation, any Tax Refund Note, such instrument or writing
shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Subordination
Agreement as if it were in existence on the date hereof and the same shall be
promptly indorsed and/or assigned and delivered to the Agent, on behalf of the
Lenders, to be held hereunder. The Note and any such other instrument or writing
shall bear the legend set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto on the face
thereof. As used herein, "Tax Refund Note" means each promissory note issued
pursuant to that certain Tax Refund Agreement of even date herewith by and
between,

<PAGE>   2

among others, Rome Group and the undersigned.

       2.      The undersigned hereby expressly subordinates the payment and
performance of the Claims to the payment and performance of any and all of the
indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of the Debtor to the Lenders of every
kind and description, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, whether for
payment or performance, now existing or hereafter arising, irrespective of the
validity or enforceability thereof, including without limitation, all loans,
interest, taxes, fees, charges, expenses and attorneys' fees payable by the
Debtor whether pursuant to or in connection with the Loan Agreement or otherwise
(collectively the "Obligations"). Without in any way limiting the scope of the
definition of Obligations hereunder, if at any time revolving loans outstanding
under a revolving line of credit extended to the Debtor by the Lenders shall be
paid in full without such line of credit being terminated, subsequent borrowings
by the Debtor under such line of credit shall constitute Obligations for
purposes of this Subordination Agreement. Until the Obligations have been
indefeasibly paid in cash in full and completely performed, and the Loan
Agreement is of no further force or effect, the undersigned agrees not to (a)
demand, accept or receive, in any manner, any payment on account of the Claims,
except as provided in this paragraph 2, nor demand, accept or receive any
security therefor, (b) initiate or participate in any action, collection,
insolvency or other form of proceeding against the Debtor or involving the
Claims, (c) assign or transfer all or any portion of the Claims, unless such
assignment or transfer is expressly made subject to this Subordination Agreement
in a manner satisfactory to the Lenders, (d) amend, restate, modify or alter any
of the terms and conditions of the Note or any other instrument or writing
evidencing or representing the Claims or any portion thereof or (e) challenge or
cooperate with a challenge or consent to a challenge to the validity of this
Subordination Agreement. Until such time as the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders,
gives notice to the undersigned of the existence of a Default or an Event of
Default (as those terms are defined in the Loan Agreement), the Debtor may pay,
and the undersigned may accept, the principal of and interest on the Claims
solely in accordance with the terms of the Note as in effect on the date hereof;
provided that no prepayment of the principal of the Claims may be made at any
time (including, without limitation, prepayments to be made at the undersigned's
option pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Note or the Section of any Tax Refund Note
corresponding to said Section) and no other payment in respect of the Claims
shall be made at a time or in an amount other than the time and in the amount
set forth in the Note for such payment.

       3.      As security for the Obligations, the undersigned hereby pledges,
assigns and transfers to the Lenders and grants to the Lenders, a continuing
security interest in and to the Claims including without limitation, any and all
income, interest, dividends and/or other distributions made to or for the
account of the holder of the Claims from any source whatsoever and has indorsed
and delivered to the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, simultaneously with the
execution of this Subordination Agreement, all instruments or writings
evidencing any of the Claims, including the Note. The undersigned hereby
appoints the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, as attorney-in-fact of the
undersigned with full power of substitution to sell, assign, sue for, collect or
compromise payment of all or any part of the Claims in the name of the
undersigned or in its own name, on behalf of the Lenders, or make any other
disposition of the

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Claims, or any part thereof, and such disposition may be for cash, credit or any
combination thereof. The undersigned grants to the Agent, on behalf of the
Lenders, as the attorney-in-fact of the undersigned, full power to do any and
all things necessary to be done in connection with the Debtor and the Claims as
fully and effectually as the undersigned might or could do but for this
appointment, including without limitation, the right and power to participate
and/or vote on behalf of the undersigned in any insolvency proceeding involving
the Debtor or the Claims and to file proofs of claim on behalf of the
undersigned and the Claims in connection therewith. The undersigned hereby
ratifies all that said attorney-in-fact shall do or cause to be done by virtue
of the power of attorney granted herein. Neither the Agent, the Lenders nor
their agents shall be liable for any acts or omissions or for any error of
judgment or mistake of fact or law as such attorney-in-fact except for gross
negligence or willful misconduct. This power of attorney is coupled with an
interest and shall be irrevocable during the term of this Subordination
Agreement and so long as any Obligations shall remain outstanding.

       4.      If any payment (other than as permitted pursuant to paragraph 2
hereof) or security is received by the undersigned for or on account of any of
the Claims prior to the indefeasible payment in full in cash and complete
performance of the Obligations, the undersigned shall forthwith deliver the same
to the Agent, in precisely the form received (except for the undersigned's
endorsement where necessary) to be held by the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders,
hereunder or for application on account of the Obligations, as the Lenders, in
their sole discretion, shall determine from time to time.

       5.      The undersigned hereby agrees and acknowledges that at any time
and from time to time, with or without notice to or further assent from the
undersigned: (a) any contract or agreement evidencing, governing or
memorializing the Obligations to which the Debtor, or any other person liable
for all or any part of the Obligations, is a party may be modified,
supplemented, extended, amended, assigned or terminated in any manner; (b) any
security at any time held by or available to the Agent or the Lenders for all or
any part of the Obligations or any security at any time held by or available to
the Agent or the Lenders for any obligation or any other person liable for all
or any part of the Obligations may be sold, exchanged, surrendered, compromised,
assigned or released; (c) all or any part of the Obligations, or the obligations
of any other person liable therefor may be changed, altered, renewed, extended,
continued, surrendered, compromised, waived, assigned, terminated or released in
whole or in part, or any default with respect thereto waived; (d) the Lenders
may refrain from setting off and may release, in whole or in part, any deposit
account or credit on their books in favor of the Debtor, or of any other person
liable for the Obligations; (e) the Lenders may extend further credit in any
manner whatsoever to the Debtor, and generally deal with the Debtor or any
security or other person liable for the Obligations as the Lenders may, in their
sole and absolute discretion, determine; and (f) the Lenders may enter into
subordination agreements with other creditors of the Debtor and, in connection
therewith, waive or refuse to waive any term or condition thereof. The
undersigned agrees that notwithstanding any of the foregoing actions, the
undersigned shall remain bound under this Subordination Agreement.

                                      -3-

<PAGE>   4

       6.      This Subordination Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect and will not be discharged except by the indefeasible payment in full in
cash and complete performance of the Obligations in accordance with their
respective terms and the complete performance of the agreements and covenants of
the undersigned contained herein.

       7.      All rights, powers and remedies of the Agent and the Lenders
hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive and shall be in addition to all
rights, powers and remedies given to the Agent and the Lenders under the Loan
Agreement or by law.

       8.      If the Lenders shall employ counsel in connection to take any
action in or with respect to any suit or proceeding (bankruptcy or otherwise)
relating to this Subordination Agreement, or to enforce the security interest of
the Lenders in the Claims, or to enforce any other rights of the Lenders
hereunder, then in any of such events, all reasonable attorneys' fees and any
expenses, costs and charges relating thereto, shall be payable by the
undersigned on demand and secured by the Claims.

       9.      Each reference herein made to the Agent or the Lenders shall be
deemed to include their respective successors and assigns, and each reference to
the undersigned and any pronouns referring thereto as used herein shall be
construed in the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural, as the context
may require, and shall be deemed to include the heirs, executors,
administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the
undersigned, all of whom shall be bound by the provisions hereof.

      10.      The undersigned represents, warrants and covenants that (a) the
officer signing on its behalf has been duly authorized to execute this
Subordination Agreement for and on behalf of the undersigned, (b) this
Subordination Agreement is a valid and legally binding obligation of the
undersigned which is enforceable against the undersigned in accordance with its
terms except as enforceability is limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting generally the
enforcement of creditors' rights and except to the extent that availability of
the remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought, (c)
that it has not previously assigned any interest in the Claims, that no party
owns an interest in the Claims other than the undersigned and that all of the
Claims are owing to the undersigned, subject only to the rights of the Agent and
the Lenders hereunder, and (d) the Claims are not and will not be secured by any
pledge of or security interest in any of the assets of the Debtor or by any
guaranty.

      11.      No delay on the part of the Lenders in exercising any rights
hereunder or failure to exercise the same shall operate as a waiver of such
rights; no notice to or demand upon any of the undersigned shall be deemed to be
a waiver of any obligations of any of the undersigned or of the right of the
Lenders to take other or further action without notice or demand as provided
herein. No modification or waiver of any of the provisions hereof shall be
effective unless in

                                      -4-

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writing and signed by the Lenders, or the Agent on behalf of the Lenders.

      12.      This Subordination Agreement is and shall be deemed to be a
contract entered into and made pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and shall in all respects be governed, construed, and enforced in
accordance with the laws thereof without regard to conflicts of law principles.

      13.      In case one or more of the provisions contained in this
Subordination Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions shall not
be affected or impaired under other circumstances and the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

      14.      Any notice given by any of the undersigned or the Lenders in
connection with this Subordination Agreement shall be deemed given when
deposited in the United States mail, certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid and addressed to the undersigned at the address set opposite its
signature and addressed to the Agent or the Lenders c/o the Agent at Fleet
Capital Corporation, One Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110, Attention: John F.
Lucas, Assistant Vice President, or to such other addresses as may be provided
by the addressee on ten (10) days prior written notice in accordance herewith to
the undersigned or the Lenders, as appropriate.

      15.      This Agreement may be executed in more than one counterpart, each
of which shall constitute an original but which when taken together shall
constitute one instrument.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Subordination Agreement has been executed
under seal on this 19th day of May, 2000.

WITNESS:                                   CONNECTIVITY TECHNOLOGIES INC.

/s/ Stephen J. Patterson                   By: /s/ James M. Hopkins
------------------------                       ----------------------
                                           Printed Name:
                                           Printed Title:
                                           Address:
                                                        -----------------------

                                                        -----------------------

                                      -5-

<PAGE>   6

                               DEBTOR'S ACCEPTANCE

         The undersigned, the "Debtor" referenced in the foregoing Subordination
Agreement between the Agent, for itself and as agent for the Lenders, and
Connectivity Technologies Inc. (the "Creditor"), hereby acknowledges notice of
the same and agrees that the rights of the Agent and the Lenders with respect to
the Claims thereby subordinated shall at all times be the same as if the Agent
is the absolute owner of the Claims, and that the Debtor will not at any time
make any payments whatsoever on the Claims or any part thereof, except to the
Agent or as otherwise permitted in paragraph 2 of the Subordination Agreement.
At any time or times on request of the Agent, a true statement of account
between the Debtor and the Creditor shall be promptly furnished to the Agent.
The Debtor also agrees that upon any breach or default whatsoever of any of the
provisions of this Subordination Agreement, whether by the Debtor or by the
Creditor, all of the Obligations and the Claims shall, at the option of the
Agent, or any time thereafter, become immediately due and payable without notice
or demand.

ROME GROUP, INC.                                    ROME CABLE CORPORATION

By:  /s/ Mary Wuest                         By: /s/ Mary Wuest
    ----------------                            ---------------
Printed Name:                                       Printed Name:
Printed Title:                              Printed Title:

CONNECTIVITY PRODUCTS INCORPORATED

By:  /s/ James M. Hopkins
    ----------------------
Printed Name:
Printed Title:

                                      -6-

<PAGE>   7

                                    EXHIBIT A

         This Promissory Note, and the payment of principal and interest hereon,
         have been subordinated pursuant to an unconditional and continuing
         Subordination Agreement executed and delivered by the holder hereof in
         favor of Fleet Capital Corporation (successor in interest to
         BankBoston, N.A.), for itself and as agent for the Lenders identified
         therein.<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

                             SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT

         SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of May 19, 2000,
between FLEET NATIONAL BANK (f/k/a Bank Boston, N.A.), a national banking
association having an office in Boston, Massachusetts ("Fleet"), BANK ONE,
MICHIGAN (f/k/a NBD BANK), a national banking association having an office in
Chicago, Illinois ("Bank One" and together with Fleet, the "Banks") CONNECTIVITY
TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Subordinating Creditor"), and
ROME GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Rome").

         WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Second Amended and Restated Revolving
Credit Agreement dated as of January 1, 1999 (as amended and in effect from time
to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Banks, Fleet, as agent for the Banks
and Connectivity Products Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"),
the Banks have upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained therein
made loans and otherwise extended credit to the Borrower;

         WHEREAS, Rome has agreed to acquire all of the capital stock of the
Borrower (the "Acquisition") pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of May 19, 2000, by and among Rome, the Subordinating Creditor,
RGCP Acquisition Corp. and the Borrower (the "Merger Agreement");

         WHEREAS, in connection with the Acquisition, the Borrower has
requested, and the Banks have agreed subject to certain term and conditions set
forth in the letter dated March 14, 2000, from the Banks to the Borrower, to
certain settlement arrangements (the "Settlement") with respect to the repayment
of the outstanding Obligations under and as defined in the Credit Agreement;

         WHEREAS, as part of the Settlement and simultaneous with the
consummation of the Acquisition, each Bank has agreed, inter alia, to accept
from Rome a promissory note in the principal amount of $500,000 issued by Rome
to such Bank (each a "Bank Note" and collectively, the "Bank Notes");

         WHEREAS, in connection with the Acquisition and as partial
consideration for the transaction described in the Merger Agreement, Rome has
issued to the Subordinating Creditor a note in the principal amount of
$1,750,000 (the "CTI Note"), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A;

         WHEREAS, in connection with certain payments that are or may become due
under that certain Tax Refund Agreement, dated as of May 19,

<PAGE>   2

2000, by and among Rome, the Subordinating Creditor and the Banks (collectively,
the "Tax Refund Agreement") Rome shall issue to the Subordinated Creditor one or
more Notes (the "Tax Refund Note"), in the form which is attached hereto as
Exhibit B, which Tax Refund Note shall be in the amount of any tax refunds that,
pursuant to the Tax Refund Agreement, would be applied directly to pay the Bank
Notes instead of being paid to the Subordinating Creditor;

         WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the Banks' willingness to enter
into the arrangements contemplated by the Settlement that the Subordinating
Creditor and Rome enter into this Agreement with the Banks; and

         WHEREAS, in order to induce the Banks to enter into the arrangements
contemplated by the Settlement, the Subordinating Creditor and Rome have agreed
to enter into this Agreement with each of the Banks;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the mutual
agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto,
intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

         1. DEFINITIONS. Terms not otherwise defined herein have the same
respective meanings given to them in the Bank Notes. In addition, the following
terms shall have the following meanings:

         Senior Debt. All principal, interest, fees, costs, enforcement expenses
(including legal fees and disbursements), collateral protection expenses and
other reimbursement or indemnity obligations created or evidenced by the Bank
Notes or any subsequent notes, instruments or agreements of indebtedness,
liabilities or obligations of any type or form whatsoever relating thereto in
favor of each of the Banks. Senior Debt shall expressly include any and all
interest accruing or out of pocket costs or expenses incurred after the date of
any filing by or against Rome of any petition under the federal Bankruptcy Code
or any other bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization act regardless of whether
each Bank's claim therefor is allowed or allowable in the case or proceeding
relating thereto.

         Subordinated Debt. All principal, interest, fees, costs, enforcement
expenses (including legal fees and disbursements), collateral protection
expenses and other reimbursement and indemnity obligations created or evidenced
by the CTI Note or the Tax Refund Note or any prior, concurrent or subsequent
notes, instruments or agreements of indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of
any type or form whatsoever relating thereto in favor of the Subordinating
Creditor.

<PAGE>   3

         Subordinated Documents. Collectively, the CTI Note and the Tax Refund
Note, and any further promissory notes executed in connection therewith and any
and all guaranties and security interests, mortgages and other liens directly or
indirectly guarantying or securing any of the Subordinated Debt, and any and all
other documents or instruments evidencing or further guarantying or securing
directly or indirectly any of the Subordinated Debt, whether now existing or
hereafter created.

         2. GENERAL. The Subordinated Debt and any and all Subordinated
Documents shall be and hereby are subordinated and the payment thereof is
deferred until the full and final payment in cash of the Senior Debt, whether
now or hereafter incurred or owed by Rome. Notwithstanding the immediately
preceding sentence, Rome shall be permitted to pay, and the Subordinating
Creditor shall be permitted to receive, so long as at the time of such payment,
or after giving effect thereto, no default or Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing under either Bank Note or would occur after giving effect thereto:
(i) any regularly scheduled payment of interest on the CTI Note from May 1, 2000
through April 30, 2001; (ii) any regularly scheduled payment of interest or
principal on the CTI Note on or after May 1, 2001; and (iii) any regularly
scheduled payment of interest or principal on the Tax Refund Note, provided that
no such payments shall be made on the Tax Refund Note until such time as the
outstanding principal under each Bank Note has been reduced to $125,000.

         3. ENFORCEMENT. The Subordinating Creditor will not take or omit to
take any action or assert any claim with respect to the Subordinated Debt or
otherwise which is inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement. Without
limiting the foregoing, the Subordinating Creditor will not assert, collect or
enforce the Subordinated Debt or any part thereof or take any action to
foreclose or realize upon the Subordinated Debt or any part thereof or enforce
any of the Subordinated Documents except (a) in each such case as necessary, so
long as no default or Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing under
either Bank Note or would occur after giving effect thereto, to collect any sums
expressly permitted to be paid by Rome pursuant to Section 2, or (b) to the
extent (but only to such extent) that the commencement of a legal action may be
required to toll the running of any applicable statute of limitation. Until the
Senior Debt has been finally paid in full in cash, the Subordinating Creditor
shall not have any right of subrogation, reimbursement, restitution,
contribution or indemnity whatsoever from any assets of Rome or any guarantor of
or provider of collateral security for the Senior Debt. The Subordinating
Creditor further waives any and all rights with respect to marshalling.

<PAGE>   4

         4. PAYMENTS HELD IN TRUST. The Subordinating Creditor will hold in
trust and immediately pay over to the Banks, in the same form of payment
received, with appropriate endorsements, for application to the Senior Debt any
cash amount that Rome pays to the Subordinating Creditor with respect to the
Subordinated Debt, or as collateral for the Senior Debt any other assets of Rome
that the Subordinating Creditor may receive with respect to the Subordinated
Debt, in each case except with respect to payments expressly permitted pursuant
to Section 2.

         5. DEFENSE TO ENFORCEMENT. If the Subordinating Creditor, in
contravention of the terms of this Agreement, shall commence, prosecute or
participate in any suit, action or proceeding against Rome, then Rome may
interpose as a defense or plea the making of this Agreement, and the Banks may
intervene and interpose such defense or plea in its name or in the name of Rome.
If the Subordinating Creditor, in contravention of the terms of this Agreement,
shall attempt to collect any of the Subordinated Debt or enforce any of the
Subordinated Documents, then the Banks or Rome may, by virtue of this Agreement,
restrain the enforcement thereof in the name of either Bank or in the name of
Rome. If the Subordinating Creditor, in contravention of the terms of this
Agreement, obtains any cash or other assets of Rome as a result of any
administrative, legal or equitable actions, or otherwise, the Subordinating
Creditor agrees forthwith to pay, deliver and assign to the Banks, with
appropriate endorsements, any such cash for application to the Senior Debt and
any such other assets as collateral for the Senior Debt.

         6.  BANKRUPTCY, ETC.

                  6.1. PAYMENTS RELATING TO SUBORDINATED DEBT. At any meeting of
         creditors of Rome or in the event of any case or proceeding, voluntary
         or involuntary, for the distribution, division or application of all or
         part of the assets of Rome or the proceeds thereof, whether such case
         or proceeding be for the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Rome
         or its business, a receivership, insolvency or bankruptcy case or
         proceeding, an assignment for the benefit of creditors or a proceeding
         by or against Rome for relief under the federal Bankruptcy Code or any
         other bankruptcy, reorganization or insolvency law or any other law
         relating to the relief of debtors, readjustment of indebtedness,
         reorganization, arrangement, composition or extension or marshalling of
         assets or otherwise, each Bank is hereby singly and irrevocably
         authorized at any such meeting or in any such proceeding to receive or
         collect any cash or other assets of Rome distributed, divided or
         applied by way of dividend or payment, or any securities issued on
         account of any Subordinated Debt, and apply such cash to or to hold
         such other

<PAGE>   5

         assets or securities as collateral for the Senior Debt, and to apply to
         the Senior Debt any cash proceeds of any realization upon such other
         assets or securities that such Bank in its discretion elects to effect,
         until all of the Senior Debt shall have been paid in full in cash,
         rendering to the Subordinating Creditor any surplus to which the
         Subordinating Creditor is then entitled.

                  6.2. SUBORDINATED DEBT VOTING RIGHTS. At any such meeting of
         creditors or in the event of any such case or proceeding, the
         Subordinating Creditor shall retain the right to vote and otherwise act
         with respect to the Subordinated Debt (including, without limitation,
         the right to vote to accept or reject any plan of partial or complete
         liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, composition or extension),
         provided that the Subordinating Creditor shall not vote with respect to
         any such plan or take any other action in any way so as to contest (i)
         the validity of any Senior Debt or any collateral therefor or
         guaranties thereof, (ii) the relative rights and duties of any holders
         of any Senior Debt established in any instruments or agreements
         creating or evidencing any of the Senior Debt with respect to any of
         such collateral or guaranties or (iii) the Subordinating Creditor's
         obligations and agreements set forth in this Agreement.

         7. SUBORDINATION. The Senior Debt, the Bank Notes and any and all other
documents and instruments evidencing or creating the Senior Debt and all
guaranties, mortgages, security agreements, pledges and other collateral
guarantying or securing the Senior Debt from time to time or any part thereof
shall be senior to the Subordinated Debt and all of the Subordinated Documents
irrespective of the time of the execution, delivery or issuance of any thereof
or the filing or recording for perfection of any thereof. The Subordinating
Creditor hereby acknowledges and agrees, that the Subordinated Debt is
unsecured, is not guaranteed by any Person, the terms of such Subordinated Debt
Documents do not provide for such Subordinated Debt to be secured or guaranteed,
and the Subordinating Creditor will not accept any security or guarantees of the
Subordinated Debt without the prior written consent of the Banks. The Banks
acknowledge that the Subordinated Debt is also subject to a Subordination
Agreement of even date herewith in favor of Fleet Capital Corporation, as Agent
and lenders (the "Lenders") named therein under which the Subordinated Debt has
been assigned to the Lenders. In addition, the Subordinated Debt is subject to
certain rights of set-off in favor of Rome. The exercise by either the Lenders
or Rome of their rights shall not constitute a breach of this Subordination
Agreement by Subordinating Creditor.

<PAGE>   6

         8. BANKS' FREEDOM OF DEALING. The Subordinating Creditor agrees, with
respect to the Senior Debt and any and all collateral therefor or guaranties
thereof, that Rome and the Banks may agree to increase the amount of the Senior
Debt or otherwise modify the terms of any of the Senior Debt, and the Banks may
grant extensions of the time of payment or performance to and make compromises,
including releases of collateral or guaranties, and settlements with Rome and
all other persons, in each case without the consent of the Subordinating
Creditor or Rome and without affecting the agreements of the Subordinating
Creditor or Rome contained in this Agreement; provided, however, that nothing
contained in this Section 8 shall constitute a waiver of the right of Rome
itself to agree or consent to a settlement or compromise of a claim which the
Banks may have against Rome.

         9. MODIFICATION OR SALE OF THE SUBORDINATED DEBT. The Subordinating
Creditor will not, at any time while this Agreement is in effect, modify any of
the terms of any of the Subordinated Debt or any of the Subordinated Documents;
nor will the Subordinating Creditor sell, transfer, pledge, assign, hypothecate
or otherwise dispose of any or all of the Subordinated Debt to any person other
than a person who agrees in a writing, satisfactory in form and substance to
each of the Banks, to become a party hereto and to succeed to the rights and to
bound by all of the obligations of the Subordinating Creditor hereunder. In the
case of any such disposition by the Subordinating Creditor, the Subordinating
Creditor will notify each of the Banks at least ten (10) days prior to the date
of any of such intended disposition.

         10. DEBTOR'S OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. Nothing contained in this Agreement
shall impair, as between Rome and the Subordinating Creditor, the obligation of
Rome to pay to the Subordinating Creditor all amounts payable in respect of the
Subordinated Debt as and when the same shall become due and payable in
accordance with the terms thereof, or prevent the Subordinating Creditor (except
as expressly otherwise provided in Section 3 or Section 6) from exercising all
rights, powers and remedies otherwise permitted by Subordinated Documents and by
applicable law upon a default in the payment of the Subordinated Debt or under
any Subordinated Document, all, however, subject to the rights of the Banks as
set forth in this Agreement.

         11. TERMINATION OF SUBORDINATION. This Agreement shall continue in full
force and effect, and the obligations and agreements of the Subordinating
Creditor and Rome hereunder shall continue to be fully operative, until all of
the Senior Debt shall have been paid and satisfied in full in cash and such full
payment and satisfaction shall be final and not avoidable. To the extent that
Rome or any guarantor of or provider of collateral for the Senior Debt makes any
payment on the Senior Debt that is subsequently invalidated,

<PAGE>   7

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 being hereinafter referred to as a "Voided Payment"), then
to the extent of such Voided Payment, that portion of the Senior Debt 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 of the Banks, an Event of
Default shall be deemed to have existed and to be continuing under both of the
Bank Notes from the date of such Bank's initial receipt of such Voided Payment
until the full amount of such Voided Payment is restored to each of the Banks.
During any continuance of any such Event of Default, this Agreement shall be in
full force and effect with respect to the Subordinated Debt. To the extent that
the Subordinating Creditor has received any payments with respect to the
Subordinated Debt subsequent to the date of either Bank's initial receipt of
such Voided Payment and such payments have not been invalidated, declared to be
fraudulent or preferential or set aside or are required to be repaid to a
trustee, receiver, or any other party under any bankruptcy act, state or federal
law, common law or equitable cause, the Subordinating Creditor shall be
obligated and hereby agrees that any such payment so made or received shall be
deemed to have been received in trust for the benefit of the Banks, and the
Subordinating Creditor hereby agrees to pay to the Banks, upon demand, the full
amount so received by the Subordinating Creditor during such period of time to
the extent necessary fully to restore to the Banks the amount of such Voided
Payment. Upon the payment and satisfaction in full in cash of all of the Senior
Debt, which payment shall be final and not avoidable, this Agreement will
automatically terminate without any additional action by any party hereto.

         12. NOTICES. All notices and other communications which are required
and may be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be sufficient and effective in all respects if given in writing or
telecopied, delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, as follows:

                  If to Fleet:

                                              Fleet National Bank
                                              100 Federal Street
                                              Boston, MA 02110
                                              Fax: 617-434-1508

                                  Attention:  Anthony D. Healey, Vice President

<PAGE>   8

                             with a copy to:  Bingham Dana LLP
                                              150 Federal Street
                                              Boston, MA 02110
                                              Fax: 617-951-8736

                                  Attention:  Linda J. Groves, Esq.

                  If to Bank One:

                                              Bank One, Michigan
                                              1 Bank One Plaza, 17th Floor
                                              Mailcode: IL1-0631
                                              Chicago, IL 60670

                                  Attention:  Dennis Saletta
                                              First Vice President

                  If to the Subordinating Creditor:

                                              Connectivity Technologies, Inc.
                                              c/o High Gate Capital
                                              1311 Mamaroneck Avenue
                                              White Plains, NY 10605

                                  Attention:  Herbert M. Friedman

                           with a copy to:    Craig and Macauley, P.C.
                                              Federal Reserve Plaza
                                              600 Atlantic Avenue
                                              Boston, MA 02210
                                              Fax: 617-742-1788

                                  Attention:  William F. Macauley

                  If to Rome:                 Rome Group, Inc.
                                              421 Ridge Street
                                              P.O. Box 71
                                              Rome, NY 13442
                                              Fax: 315-338-6709

                  Attention:                  David E. Harvey, Chairman and CEO

or such other address or addresses as any party hereto shall have designated by
written notice to the other parties hereto. Notices shall be deemed given

<PAGE>   9

and effective upon the earlier to occur of (i) the third day following deposit
thereof in the U.S. mail or (ii) receipt by the party to whom such notice is
directed.

         13. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND INTERPRETED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AND SHALL BE A
SEALED INSTRUMENT UNDER SUCH LAWS.

         14. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE SUBORDINATING CREDITOR AND ROME EACH
HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR CLAIM
ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RIGHTS OR
OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. EXCEPT
AS PROHIBITED BY LAW, EACH OF THE SUBORDINATING CREDITOR AND ROME HEREBY WAIVES
ANY RIGHT WHICH 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
SUBORDINATING CREDITOR AND ROME (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR
ATTORNEY OF EITHER OF THE BANKS HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT
SUCH BANK WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING
WAIVERS AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EACH OF THE BANKS HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER
INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS
CONTAINED HEREIN.

         15. MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts and by each party on a separate counterpart, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be an original, and all of which together shall
constitute one instrument. In proving this Agreement, it shall not be necessary
to produce or account for more than one such counterpart signed by the party
against which enforcement is sought. Each of the Banks may, in its sole and
absolute discretion, waive any provisions of this Agreement benefiting such
Bank; provided, however, that such waiver shall be effective only if in writing
and signed by such Bank and shall be limited to the specific provision or
provisions expressly so waived. This Agreement shall be binding upon the
successors and assigns of the Subordinating Creditor and Rome and shall inure to
the benefit of each of the Banks, such Bank's successors and assigns, any lender
or lenders refunding or refinancing any of the Senior

<PAGE>   10
Debt and their respective successors and assigns, but shall not otherwise create
any rights or benefits for any third party. In the event that any lender or
lenders refund or refinance any of the Senior Debt, the terms "Bank Notes",
"Event of Default" and the like shall refer mutatis mutandis to the agreements
and instruments in favor of such lender or lenders and to the related
definitions contained therein.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

<PAGE>   11

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

                  BANKS:                      FLEET NATIONAL BANK

                                              /s/ Anthony D. Healey
                                              ------------------------------
                                              By:  Anthony D. Healey
                                              Title:  Vice President

                                              BANK ONE, MICHIGAN

                                              /s/ Dennis Saletta
                                              ------------------------------
                                              By:  Dennis Saletta
                                              Title:  First Vice President

          SUBORDINATING CREDITOR:             CONNECTIVITY
                                              TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                                              /s/ James M. Hopkins
                                              ------------------------------
                                              By:  James M. Hopkins
                                              Title: President

                  DEBTOR:                     ROME GROUP, INC.

                                              /s/ Mary Wuest
                                              ------------------------------
                                              By:
                                                 ------------------------
                                              Title:
                                                    ---------------------

<PAGE>   12

                          COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

Suffolk, ss                                                   May 19, 2000

         Then personally appeared the above-named James S. Hopkins, President of
CONNECTIVITY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. and acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be
his free act and deed and the free act and deed of CONNECTIVITY TECHNOLOGIES,
INC.

         Before me, /s/ Christopher Dalton
                                         Notary Public
                                         My Commission expires: 01/07/05

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