Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.03

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                     among

                           CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                  as Borrower

                          CERTAIN OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                                 as Guarantors

                                VARIOUS LENDERS

                                      and

                             BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
                            as Administrative Agent

                           Dated as of March 29, 2001

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                         BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
                                      and
                         DEUTSCHE BANC ALEX. BROWN INC.
                as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers

                           CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
                                      and
                        CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH
                          as Co-Documentation Agents

<PAGE>   2

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                Page
                                                                                                                ----

<S>      <C>                  <C>                                                                               <C>
ARTICLE I  DEFINITIONS, ETC.......................................................................................1
         SECTION 1.1          Definitions.........................................................................1
         SECTION 1.2          General............................................................................20
         SECTION 1.3          Other Definitions and Provisions...................................................21

ARTICLE II  REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITIES..........................................................................21
         SECTION 2.1          Amount and Terms of Credit.........................................................21
         SECTION 2.2          Procedure for Advances of Revolving Credit Loans...................................22
         SECTION 2.3          Repayment of Loans.................................................................22
         SECTION 2.4          Revolving Credit Notes.............................................................23
         SECTION 2.5          Swingline Loans and Procedure......................................................24
         SECTION 2.6          Commitment Reductions..............................................................26
         SECTION 2.7          Termination........................................................................27

ARTICLE III  LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY...........................................................................27
         SECTION 3.1          L/C Commitment.....................................................................27
         SECTION 3.2          Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit........................................28
         SECTION 3.3          Fees and Other Charges.............................................................29
         SECTION 3.4          L/C Participations.................................................................30
         SECTION 3.5          Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower...........................................31
         SECTION 3.6          Obligations Absolute...............................................................31
         SECTION 3.7          Effect of L/C Application..........................................................32

ARTICLE IV  GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS..............................................................................33
         SECTION 4.1          Interest...........................................................................33
         SECTION 4.2          Conversion and Continuation of Revolving Credit Loans..............................34
         SECTION 4.3          Commitment Fee.....................................................................35
         SECTION 4.4          Manner of Payment..................................................................35
         SECTION 4.5          Crediting of Payments and Proceeds.................................................36
         SECTION 4.6          Adjustments........................................................................36
         SECTION 4.7          Nature of Obligations of Lenders Regarding Extensions of Credit;
                              Assumption by the Administrative Agent.............................................37
         SECTION 4.8          Changed Circumstances..............................................................37
         SECTION 4.9          Indemnity..........................................................................39
         SECTION 4.10         Capital Requirements...............................................................40
         SECTION 4.11         Taxes..............................................................................40

ARTICLE V  CLOSING; CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND BORROWING..........................................................43
         SECTION 5.1          Conditions to Closing..............................................................43
         SECTION 5.2          Conditions to All Extensions of Credit.............................................45

ARTICLE VI  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CREDIT PARTIES.................................................46
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                  <C>                                                                                <C>
         SECTION 6.1          Representations and Warranties.....................................................46
         SECTION 6.2          Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc....................................52

ARTICLE VII  FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND NOTICES...................................................................53
         SECTION 7.1          Financial Statements, Etc..........................................................53
         SECTION 7.2          Officer's Compliance Certificate...................................................54
         SECTION 7.3          Accountants' Certificate...........................................................55
         SECTION 7.4          Other Reports......................................................................55
         SECTION 7.5          Notice of Litigation and Other Matters.............................................55
         SECTION 7.6          Accuracy of Information............................................................56

ARTICLE VIII  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS..............................................................................56
         SECTION 8.1          Preservation of Corporate Existence and Related Matters............................56
         SECTION 8.2          Maintenance of Property............................................................57
         SECTION 8.3          Insurance..........................................................................57
         SECTION 8.4          Accounting Methods and Financial Records...........................................57
         SECTION 8.5          Payment and Performance of Obligations.............................................57
         SECTION 8.6          Compliance With Laws and Approvals.................................................57
         SECTION 8.7          Environmental Laws.................................................................58
         SECTION 8.8          Compliance with ERISA..............................................................58
         SECTION 8.9          Conduct of Business................................................................59
         SECTION 8.10         Visits and Inspections.............................................................59
         SECTION 8.11         Use of Proceeds....................................................................59
         SECTION 8.12         Additional Credit Parties..........................................................59

ARTICLE IX  NEGATIVE COVENANTS...................................................................................59
         SECTION 9.1          Financial Covenants................................................................60
         SECTION 9.2          Limitations on Liens...............................................................61
         SECTION 9.3          Limitation on Debt.................................................................62
         SECTION 9.4          Limitations on Mergers and Liquidation.............................................63
         SECTION 9.5          Limitation on Asset Dispositions...................................................64
         SECTION 9.6          Limitations on Acquisitions........................................................64
         SECTION 9.7          Limitation on Advances, Investments and Loans......................................64
         SECTION 9.8          Limitation on Restricted Payments..................................................65
         SECTION 9.9          Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.........................................65
         SECTION 9.10         Limitation on Certain Accounting Changes...........................................65
         SECTION 9.11         Limitation on Restricting Dividends and Distributions..............................65
         SECTION 9.12         Limitation on Sale Leaseback Transactions..........................................66
         SECTION 9.13         Limitation on Actions with Respect to Other Debt...................................66
         SECTION 9.14         Additional Financial Statements for Year 2000......................................67
         SECTION 9.15         Limitations on Issuances and Sales of Capital Stock of Wholly Owned Subsidiaries...67

ARTICLE X  GUARANTY..............................................................................................67
         SECTION 10.1         Guaranty of Payment................................................................67
         SECTION 10.2         Obligations Unconditional..........................................................68
         SECTION 10.3         Modifications......................................................................68
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                  <C>                                                                                <C>
         SECTION 10.4         Waiver of Rights...................................................................69
         SECTION 10.5         Reinstatement......................................................................69
         SECTION 10.6         Remedies...........................................................................69
         SECTION 10.7         Limitation of Guaranty.............................................................70

ARTICLE XI  DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.................................................................................70
         SECTION 11.1         Events of Default..................................................................70
         SECTION 11.2         Remedies...........................................................................73
         SECTION 11.3         Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Non-Waiver; etc....................................74

ARTICLE XII  THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT............................................................................74
         SECTION 12.1         Appointment........................................................................74
         SECTION 12.2         Delegation of Duties...............................................................75
         SECTION 12.3         Exculpatory Provisions.............................................................75
         SECTION 12.4         Reliance by the Administrative Agent...............................................75
         SECTION 12.5         Notice of Default..................................................................76
         SECTION 12.6         Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.........................76
         SECTION 12.7         Indemnification....................................................................77
         SECTION 12.8         The Administrative Agent in Its Individual Capacity................................77
         SECTION 12.9         Resignation of the Administrative Agent; Successor Administrative Agent............77
         SECTION 12.10        Other Agents; Lead Managers........................................................78

ARTICLE XIII  MISCELLANEOUS......................................................................................78
         SECTION 13.1         Notices............................................................................78
         SECTION 13.2         Expenses, Indemnity................................................................81
         SECTION 13.3         Set-off............................................................................81
         SECTION 13.4         Governing Law......................................................................82
         SECTION 13.5         Consent to Jurisdiction............................................................82
         SECTION 13.6         Waiver of Jury Trial...............................................................82
         SECTION 13.7         Reversal of Payments...............................................................82
         SECTION 13.8         Accounting Matters.................................................................83
         SECTION 13.9         Successors and Assigns; Participations.............................................83
         SECTION 13.10        Confidentiality....................................................................87
         SECTION 13.11        Amendments, Waivers and Consents...................................................87
         SECTION 13.12        Performance of Duties..............................................................88
         SECTION 13.13        All Powers Coupled with Interest...................................................88
         SECTION 13.14        Survival of Indemnities............................................................88
         SECTION 13.15        Titles and Captions................................................................89
         SECTION 13.16        Severability of Provisions.........................................................89
         SECTION 13.17        Counterparts.......................................................................89
         SECTION 13.18        Binding Effect; Term of Agreement..................................................89
         SECTION 13.19        Inconsistencies with Other Documents; Independent Effect of Covenants..............89
</TABLE>

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                                   SCHEDULES

<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>
Schedule 1.1(a)   -        Revolving Credit Commitments as of Closing Date

Schedule 3.1      -        Existing Letters of Credit

Schedule 6.1(b)   -        Subsidiaries of the Borrower

Schedule 6.1(p)   -        Debt and Support Obligations of the Credit Parties and
                           any Subsidiary in excess of $5,000,000 as of Closing Date

Schedule 9.1      -        Cost Reduction Synergies

Schedule 9.3      -        Permitted Debt

Schedule 9.7      -        Investments as of Closing Date

Schedule 13.1     -        Notice Addresses for Lenders
</TABLE>

                                    EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>
Exhibit A         -        Form of Revolving Credit Note
Exhibit B-1       -        Form of Notice of Revolving Credit Borrowing
Exhibit B-2       -        Form of Notice of Swingline Borrowing
Exhibit C         -        Form of Notice of Account Designation
Exhibit D         -        Form of Notice of Prepayment
Exhibit E         -        Form of Guarantor Joinder Agreement
Exhibit F         -        Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
Exhibit G         -        Form of Officer's Compliance Certificate
Exhibit H         -        Form of Assignment and Acceptance
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   6

         CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of March 29, 2001 among CARAUSTAR
INDUSTRIES, INC., a North Carolina corporation (the "Borrower"), certain of the
Borrower's Subsidiaries from time to time party hereto (each a "Guarantor," and
together with the Borrower, the "Credit Parties," and each, a "Credit Party"),
the Lenders from time to time party hereto and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as
Administrative Agent (the "Administrative Agent") (all capitalized terms used
herein and defined in Section 1.1 are used herein as therein defined).

                              STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

         WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide certain
revolving loans and letters of credit of up to $75,000,000 in the aggregate
maximum principal amount at any time outstanding; and

         WHEREAS, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are willing to
establish such credit facilities on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

         NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, such
parties hereby agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                               DEFINITIONS, ETC.

         SECTION 1.1       DEFINITIONS.

         The following terms when used in this Agreement shall have the
meanings assigned to them below:

         "Adjusted Premier Boxboard EBITDA" means the Borrower's pro rata share
(as determined in accordance with the Borrower's percentage ownership, direct
and indirect, of Capital Stock of, or, if applicable, profit-sharing percentage
in, Premier Boxboard) of Premier Boxboard EBITDA to the extent that Premier
Boxboard is not subject to an encumbrance or restriction on its ability to pay
dividends or make other distributions (including distributions of Premier
Boxboard EBITDA) on its Capital Stock to the Borrower.

         "Adjusted Premier Boxboard Interest Expense" means the Borrower's pro
rata share (as determined in accordance with the Borrower's percentage
ownership, direct and indirect, of Capital Stock of, or, if applicable,
profit-sharing percentage in, Premier Boxboard) of Premier Boxboard Interest
Expense.

         "Adjusted Standard Gypsum EBITDA" means the Borrower's pro rata share
(as determined in accordance with the Borrower's percentage ownership, direct
and indirect, of Capital Stock of, or, if applicable, profit-sharing percentage
in, Standard Gypsum) of Standard Gypsum EBITDA to the extent that Standard
Gypsum is not subject to an encumbrance or restriction on its ability to pay
dividends or make other distributions (including distributions of Standard
Gypsum EBITDA) on its Capital Stock to the Borrower.

<PAGE>   7

         "Adjusted Standard Gypsum Interest Expense" means the Borrower's pro
rata share (as determined in accordance with the Borrower's percentage
ownership, direct and indirect, of Capital Stock of, or, if applicable,
profit-sharing percentage in, Standard Gypsum) of Standard Gypsum Interest
Expense.

         "Administrative Agent" means Bank of America in its capacity as
Administrative Agent hereunder, and any successor thereto appointed pursuant to
Section 12.9.

         "Administrative Agent's Office" means the office of the Administrative
Agent specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions of Section
13.1(c).

         "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person which
directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries (a) controls, or is
controlled by, or is under common control with, such first Person or any of its
Subsidiaries or (b) owns or holds ten percent (10%) or more of the Capital
Stock in such first Person or any of its Subsidiaries. The term "control" means
the possession, directly or indirectly, of any power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership
of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

         "Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment" means, as to all Lenders, the
aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments of all Lenders, as such amount may be
reduced or modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms
hereof. The Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment on the Closing Date shall be
Seventy-Five Million Dollars ($75,000,000).

         "Agreement" means this Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented
or otherwise modified.

         "Applicable Law" means all applicable provisions of constitutions,
laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, treaties, regulations, permits, licenses,
approvals, interpretations and orders of Governmental Authorities and all
orders and decrees of all courts and arbitrators.

         "Applicable Percentage" means, for purposes of calculating (a) the
interest rate applicable to Offshore Rate Loans for purposes of Section 4.1(a);
(b) the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans for purposes of Section
4.1(a); (c) the L/C Fee for purposes of Section 3.3(a); or (d) the Commitment
Fee for purposes of Section 4.3, the rate set forth below opposite the
applicable Total Leverage Ratio then in effect:

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<PAGE>   8

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Applicable           Applicable          Applicable         Applicable
   Pricing            Total              Percentage for       Percentage for      Percentage for     Percentage for
    Level        Leverage Ratio        Offshore Rate Loans    Base Rate Loans     Commitment Fee        L/C Fee
   -------       --------------        -------------------    ---------------     --------------     --------------
   <S>           <C>                   <C>                    <C>                 <C>                <C>
      I              < 45.0%                  1.25%                0.00%              0.25%               1.25%
     II           < 55.0% but
                    => 45.0%                  1.50%                0.25%              0.30%               1.50%
     III          < 65.0% but
                    => 55.0%                  1.75%                0.50%              0.40%               1.75%
     IV             => 65.0%                  2.00%                0.75%              0.50%               2.00%
</TABLE>

The Applicable Percentage shall be determined and adjusted quarterly on the
date (each a "Rate Determination Date") five (5) Business Days after the date
by which the annual or quarterly compliance certificates, as applicable, and
related financial statements and information are required in accordance with
the provisions of Sections 7.1(a) and (b) and Section 7.2, as appropriate;
provided that:

                  (i)      the initial Applicable Percentages shall be based on
         Pricing Level IV and shall remain in effect at such Pricing Level
         until the first Rate Determination Date to occur at least six months
         after the Closing Date, and

                  (ii)     in the event an annual or quarterly compliance
         certificate and related financial statements and information are not
         delivered timely to the Administrative Agent's Office by the date
         required by Sections 7.1(a) and (b) and Section 7.2, as appropriate,
         the Applicable Percentages shall be based on Pricing Level IV until
         such time as an appropriate compliance certificate and related
         financial statements and information are delivered.

Each Applicable Percentage shall be effective from a Rate Determination Date
until the next such Rate Determination Date. The Administrative Agent shall
determine the appropriate Applicable Percentages in the pricing matrix promptly
upon receipt of the quarterly or annual compliance certificate and related
financial information and shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of
any change thereof. Such determinations by the Administrative Agent shall be
conclusive absent manifest error. Adjustments in the Applicable Percentages
shall be effective as to existing Extensions of Credit as well as any new
Extension of Credit made thereafter.

         "Approved Fund" means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a)
a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an
entity that administers or manages a Lender.

         "Arrangers" means Banc of America Securities LLC and Deutsche Banc
Alex. Brown Inc., in their capacity as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book
Managers for the Credit Facility.

         "Asset Disposition" means the disposition of any or all of the assets
(including without limitation the Capital Stock of a Subsidiary and accounts
and notes receivable) of the Borrower

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<PAGE>   9

or any of its Subsidiaries whether by sale, lease, transfer or otherwise. The
term "Asset Disposition" shall not include (i) the sale of inventory in the
ordinary course of business, (ii) the sale or disposition of machinery and
equipment no longer used or useful in the conduct of such Person's business,
(iii) any Equity Issuance or (iv) transfers to a Credit Party or from a
Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party to another Subsidiary that is not a
Credit Party. Solely for purposes of Section 2.3, the term "Asset Disposition"
shall also include the receipt by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of
any cash insurance proceeds or condemnation award payable by reason of theft,
loss, physical destruction or damage, taking or similar event with respect to
any of the property or assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

         "Assignment and Acceptance" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 13.9(b)(iii).

         "Bank of America" means Bank of America, N.A., a national banking
association, and its successors.

         "Bankruptcy Event" means any of the events set forth in Section
11.1(i), (j) or (k), or any of those events which with the passage of time, the
giving of notice or any other condition would constitute such an event.

         "Base Rate" means, at any time, the higher of (a) the Prime Rate and
(b) the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) 1/2 of 1%; each change in
the Base Rate shall take effect simultaneously with the corresponding change or
changes in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate.

         "Base Rate Loan" means any Loan bearing interest at a rate based upon
the Base Rate as provided in Section 4.1(a).

         "Borrower" means Caraustar Industries, Inc., a North Carolina
corporation.

         "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, a legal
holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by
law or other governmental action to close in Charlotte, North Carolina, New
York, New York or San Francisco, California; provided that in the case of
Offshore Rate Loans, such day is also a day on which dealings between banks are
carried on in U.S. dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

         "Capital Expenditures" means, for any period, as applied to the
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, all expenditures for such period
which in accordance with GAAP are or should be accounted for as capital
expenditures in the Consolidated financial statements of such Persons, as
determined and computed on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "Capital Lease" means, with respect to any Person, any lease of any
property that should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified and accounted for
as a capital lease on a Consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries.

         "Capital Stock" means (i) in the case of a corporation, capital stock,
(ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares,
interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of
capital stock, (iii) in the case of a partnership, partnership

                                       4
<PAGE>   10

interests (whether general or limited), (iv) in the case of a limited liability
company, membership interests and (v) any other interest or participation that
confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of,
or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

         "Cash Equivalents" means (a) securities issued or directly and fully
guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency or
instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United
States of America is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more
than twelve months from the date of acquisition, (b) U.S. dollar denominated
time and demand deposits and certificates of deposit of (i) any Lender, (ii)
any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of
$500,000,000 or (iii) any bank whose short-term commercial paper rating from
S&P is at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from Moody's is at least P-1
or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being an "Approved Bank"), in each
case with maturities of not more than 270 days from the date of acquisition,
(c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by any Approved
Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable rate notes issued by,
or guaranteed by, any domestic corporation rated A-1 (or the equivalent
thereof) or better by S&P or P-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by
Moody's and maturing within six months of the date of acquisition, (d)
repurchase agreements with a bank or trust company (including any of the
Lenders) or securities dealer having capital and surplus in excess of
$500,000,000 for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed by the United
States of America in which the Borrower shall have a perfected first priority
security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of
purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least 100% of the amount of the
repurchase obligations and (e) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP
as current assets, in money market investment programs registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which are administered by financial
institutions having capital of at least $500,000,000 and the portfolios of
which are limited to Investments of the character described in the foregoing
subdivisions (a) through (d).

         "Change in Control" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
11.1(h).

         "Closing Date" means the date of this Agreement or such later Business
Day upon which each condition described in Section 5.1 shall be satisfied or
waived in all respects.

         "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the rules and
regulations thereunder, each as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time.

         "Commitment Fee" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
4.3(b).

         "Commitment Percentage" means, as to any Lender at any time, the ratio
of (a) the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender to (b) the
Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment.

         "Consolidated" means, when used with reference to financial statements
or financial statement items of a Person and its Subsidiaries, such statements
or items on a consolidated basis in accordance with applicable principles of
consolidation under GAAP.

         "Consolidated Subsidiary" means, at any date, any Subsidiary or other
entity the accounts of which, in accordance with GAAP, are Consolidated with
those of the Borrower in its Consolidated financial statements as of such date.

                                       5
<PAGE>   11

         "Credit Facility" means the collective reference to the Revolving
Credit Facility and the L/C Facility or any one of them, as the context
requires.

         "Credit Parties" means, collectively, the Borrower and the Guarantors;
"Credit Party" means any one of them.

         "Debt" of any Person means at any date, without duplication, the sum
of the following calculated in accordance with GAAP: (a) all obligations of
such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, or upon which interest
payments are customarily made, (c) all obligations of such Person under
conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property
purchased by such Person (other than customary reservations or retentions of
title under agreements with suppliers entered into in the ordinary course of
business), (d) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred
purchase price of Property or services purchased by such Person (other than
trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business and due within six
months of the incurrence thereof) which would appear as liabilities on a
balance sheet of such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person under take or
pay or similar arrangements or under commodities agreements, (f) all Debt of
others secured by (or for which the holder of such Debt has an existing right,
contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on, or payable out of the
proceeds of production from, property owned or acquired by such Person, whether
or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, provided that for
purposes hereof the amount of such Debt shall be limited to the greater of (i)
the amount of such Debt as to which there is recourse to such Person and (ii)
the fair market value of the property which is subject to the Lien, (g) all
Support Obligations of such Person, (h) the principal portion of all
obligations of such Person under Capital Leases, (i) all net obligations of
such Person in respect of Hedging Agreements, (j) the maximum amount of all
standby letters of credit issued or bankers' acceptances facilities created for
the account of such Person and, without duplication, all drafts drawn
thereunder (to the extent unreimbursed), (k) all preferred stock issued by such
Person and required by the terms thereof to be redeemed (in whole or in part),
or for which any mandatory sinking fund payments are due, by a fixed date on or
prior to the Specified Maturity Date, (l) the outstanding attributed principal
amount under any asset securitization program of such Person (including without
limitation any notes or accounts receivable financing program) and (m) the
principal balance outstanding under any synthetic lease, tax retention
operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing
product to which such Person is a party, where such transaction is considered
borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an operating
lease in accordance with GAAP. The Debt of any Person shall include the Debt of
any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a
joint venturer, but only to the extent to which there is recourse to such
Person for payment of such Debt.

         "Default" means any of the events specified in Section 11.1 which,
with the passage of time, the giving of notice or any other condition, would
constitute an Event of Default.

         "Defaulting Lender" shall mean any Lender with respect to which a
Lender Default is in effect.

         "Designating Lender" has the meaning set forth in Section 13.9(i).

                                       6
<PAGE>   12

         "Dollars" or "$" means, unless otherwise qualified, dollars in lawful
currency of the United States.

         "EBITDA" means, for any period, as applied to the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries without duplication, the sum of the amounts for such
period of: (a) Net Income, plus (b) an amount which, in the determination of
Net Income, has been deducted for (i) Interest Expense, (ii) all federal and
state income tax expense, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, (iv)
one-time non-cash charges taken in connection with the write-down of plant,
property and equipment and goodwill in an aggregate amount of up to the sum of
(A) $25,000,000 minus (B) the amount of any such charges included in the
calculation of Standard Gypsum EBITDA and Premier Boxboard EBITDA, and (v)
one-time charges, fees and expenses paid or incurred by the Borrower in
connection with the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes, the New Senior
Notes and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(including make-whole premiums paid in connection with the prepayment of the
Borrower's 7.74% senior notes) in an aggregate amount of up to $10,000,000,
minus (c) an amount which, in the determination of Net Income, has been added
for any non-cash credits, all of the foregoing determined and computed on a
Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that for
purposes of the calculation of the Interest Coverage Ratio (A) EBITDA shall be
calculated after giving effect to acquisitions permitted under Section 9.6 and
dispositions of the capital stock of Subsidiaries or businesses (provided, in
the event of any acquisition or disposition of a business, the EBITDA of such
business is readily ascertainable (whether from stand alone financial
statements or an independent auditor's analysis and review or other reasonable
method) consummated during such period as if such acquisitions and dispositions
were consummated on the first day of such period and (B) EBITDA shall be
increased by the amount of the cost reduction synergies set forth on Schedule
9.1 which represent management's good faith estimate of the cost reduction
synergies reasonably likely to have been achieved during such period as a
result of the acquisitions consummated prior to the Closing Date and identified
on Schedule 9.1.

         "Eligible Assignee" means (a) a Lender; (b) an Affiliate of a Lender;
(c) an Approved Fund; and (d) any other Person (other than a natural Person)
approved by the Administrative Agent, and, unless (x) such Person is taking
delivery of an assignment in connection with physical settlement of a credit
derivatives transaction or (y) an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Borrower (each such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or
delayed).

         "Employee Benefit Plan" means any employee benefit plan within the
meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which (a) is maintained for employees of the
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or (b) has at any time within the preceding six
(6) years been maintained for the employees of the Borrower or any current or
former ERISA Affiliate.

         "Environmental Laws" means any and all federal, state, local and
foreign laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, permits, licenses,
approvals, binding interpretations and orders of courts or Governmental
Authorities, relating to the protection of the environment, including, but not
limited to, requirements pertaining to the manufacture, processing,
distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transportation, handling,
reporting, licensing, permitting, investigation or remediation of Hazardous
Materials.

                                       7
<PAGE>   13

         "Environmental Permits" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 6.1(h).

         "Equity Issuance" means any issuance by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries to any Person other than a Credit Party of (a) shares of its
Capital Stock, (b) any shares of its Capital Stock pursuant to the exercise of
options or warrants or (c) any shares of its Capital Stock pursuant to the
conversion of any debt securities to equity.

         "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and
the rules and regulations thereunder, each as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.

         "ERISA Affiliate" means any Person who together with the Borrower is
treated as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or
(o) of the Code or Section 4001(b) of ERISA.

         "Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means, for any day, the percentage
(expressed as a decimal and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher
1/100th of 1%) which is in effect for such day as prescribed by the Federal
Reserve Board (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve
requirement (including without limitation any basic, supplemental or emergency
reserves) in respect of eurocurrency liabilities or any similar category of
liabilities for a member bank of the Federal Reserve System in New York City
and to which the Administrative Agent or any Lender is then subject.

         "Event of Default" means any of the events specified in Section 11.1,
provided that any requirement for passage of time, giving of notice, or any
other condition, has been satisfied.

         "Existing Letters of Credit" means the letters of credit outstanding
on the Closing Date and identified on Schedule 3.1.
                                      -------------

         "Extensions of Credit" means, as to any Lender at any time, an amount
equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit
Loans made by such Lender then outstanding, (b) such Lender's Commitment
Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding, and (c) the aggregate
principal amount of all Swingline Loans made by such Lender then outstanding.
"Extension of Credit" means, as to any Lender (a) any component of such
Lender's Extensions of Credit or (b) the making of, or participation in, a Loan
by such Lender or the issuance or extension of, or participation in, a Letter
of Credit by such Lender, as the context may require.

         "FDIC" means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or any
successor thereto.

         "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded
upwards to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) 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 on such day, as published by the
Federal Reserve Bank on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided
that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day
shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as
so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so
published on such next succeeding

                                       8
<PAGE>   14

Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate
charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by
the Administrative Agent.

         "Fiscal Year" means the fiscal year of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries ending on or about December 31.

         "Foreign Lender" means any Lender that is organized under the laws of
a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is located. For purposes
of this definition, the United States of America, each state thereof and the
District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

         "Foreign Pension Plan" shall mean any plan, fund (including, without
limitation, any superannuation fund) or other similar program established or
maintained outside the United States of America by the Borrower or any one or
more of its Subsidiaries primarily for the benefit of employees of the Borrower
or such Subsidiaries residing outside the United States of America, which plan,
fund or other similar program provides, or results in, retirement income, a
deferral of income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon
termination of employment, and which plan is not subject to ERISA or the Code.

         "Foreign Subsidiary" means each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not
incorporated or formed under the laws of the United States or any State or
territory thereof.

         "Fund" means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will
be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial
loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.

         "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles, as recognized
by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Financial
Accounting Standards Board, consistently applied and maintained on a consistent
basis throughout the period indicated.

         "Governmental Approvals" means all authorizations, consents,
approvals, licenses and exemptions of, registrations and filings with, and
reports to, all Governmental Authorities.

         "Governmental Authority" means any nation, province, state or
political subdivision thereof, and any government or any Person exercising
executive, legislative, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining
to government, and any corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through
stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing.

         "Guarantor" means each Subsidiary of the Borrower identified as a
"Guarantor" on the signature pages hereto and each Subsidiary that becomes a
Guarantor hereunder after the Closing Date by execution of a Guarantor Joinder
Agreement.

         "Guarantor Joinder Agreement" means a Guarantor Joinder Agreement
executed by an applicant and the Administrative Agent in substantially the form
of Exhibit E, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.

         "Hazardous Materials" means any substances or materials (a) which are
or become regulated or defined as hazardous wastes, hazardous substances,
pollutants, contaminants,

                                       9
<PAGE>   15

chemical substances or mixtures or toxic substances under any Environmental
Law, (b) which are toxic, explosive, corrosive, flammable, infectious,
radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic or otherwise harmful to human health or
the environment and are or become regulated by any Governmental Authority, (c)
the presence of which require investigation or remediation under any
Environmental Law, (d) the discharge or emission or release of which requires a
permit or license under any Applicable Law or other Governmental Approval, or
(e) which contain, without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls,
urea formaldehyde foam insulation, petroleum hydrocarbons, petroleum derived
substances or waste, crude oil, nuclear fuel, natural gas or synthetic gas.

         "Hedging Agreement" means any agreement with respect to an interest
rate swap, collar, cap, floor or forward rate agreement, foreign currency
agreement or other agreement regarding the hedging of interest rate risk
exposure executed in connection with hedging the interest rate exposure of any
Person, and any confirming letter executed pursuant to such hedging agreement,
all as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Interest Coverage Ratio" means, as of the last day of any fiscal
quarter, the ratio of (a) the sum, without duplication, of (i) EBITDA plus (ii)
Adjusted Standard Gypsum EBITDA plus (iii) Adjusted Premier Boxboard EBITDA to
(b) the sum, without duplication, of (i) Interest Expense plus (ii) Adjusted
Standard Gypsum Interest Expense plus (iii) Adjusted Premier Boxboard Interest
Expense, in each case for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters
ending as of such day.

         "Interest Expense" means, for any period, as applied to the Borrower
and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, all interest expense (whether paid or
accrued) and capitalized interest, including without limitation (a) the
amortization of debt discount and premium, (b) the interest component under
Capital Leases and synthetic leases and (c) the implied interest component,
discount or other similar fees or charges in connection with any asset
securitization program, in each case as determined and computed on a
Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "Interest Period" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
4.1(b).

         "Investment" in any Person means (a) the acquisition (whether for
cash, property, services, assumption of Debt, securities or otherwise) of
assets, shares of Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures, partnership, joint
ventures or other ownership interests or other securities of such other Person,
(b) any deposit with, or advance, loan or other extension of credit to, such
Person (other than those made in connection with the purchase of equipment or
other assets in the ordinary course of business) or (c) any other capital
contribution to or investment in such Person, including, without limitation,
any Support Obligation (including any support for a letter of credit issued on
behalf of such Person) incurred for the benefit of such Person.

         "Issuing Lender" means (a) with respect to any Existing Letter of
Credit, Bankers Trust Company in its capacity as issuer of such Letter of
Credit, and (b) with respect to any other Letter of Credit, Bank of America in
its capacity as issuer of any Letter of Credit.

         "L/C Application" means an application, in the form specified by any
Issuing Lender from time to time, requesting such Issuing Lender to issue a
Letter of Credit.

                                      10
<PAGE>   16

         "L/C Commitment" means Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000).

         "L/C Facility" means the letter of credit facility established
pursuant to Article III hereof.

         "L/C Fee" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3.3(a).

         "L/C Obligations" means at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a)
the aggregate undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding Letters of
Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of Credit which
have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 3.5.

         "L/C Participants" means the collective reference to all the Lenders
other than the applicable Issuing Lender.

         "Lender" means each Person executing this Agreement as a Lender as set
forth on the signature pages hereto and each Person that hereafter becomes a
party to this Agreement as a Lender pursuant to Section 13.9(b), other than any
party hereto that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to any Assignment and
Acceptance.

         "Lender Default" means (a) the refusal (which has not been retracted)
or the failure of a Lender to make available its portion of any Mandatory
Borrowing or (b) a Lender having notified in writing the Borrower and/or the
Administrative Agent that such Lender does not intend to comply with its
obligations under Section 2.5(b), including in the case of either clause (a) or
(b) as a result of any takeover or control of such Lender by any Governmental
Authority.

         "Lending Office" means, with respect to any Lender, the office of such
Lender maintaining such Lender's Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit
Loans.

         "Letter of Credit" means any Existing Letter of Credit and any standby
or commercial letter of credit issued hereunder.

         "LIBOR" means, for any Offshore Rate Loan for any Interest Period
therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest
1/100th of 1%) in each case determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal
to:

                  (i)      the offered rate that appears on the Dow Jones
         Telerate Screen Page 3750 (or any successor page) that displays an
         average British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rate for
         deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of the applicable
         Interest Period) for a term equivalent to the applicable Interest
         Period at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days
         prior to the first day of the applicable Interest Period; or

                  (ii)     if for any reason the foregoing rate in clause (i)
         is unavailable or undeterminable, the offered rate on such other page
         or other service that displays an average British Bankers Association
         Interest Settlement Rate for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the
         first day of the applicable Interest Period) for a term equivalent to
         the

                                      11
<PAGE>   17

         applicable Interest Period at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time)
         two Business Days prior to the first day of the applicable Interest
         Period; or

                  (iii)    if for any reason the foregoing rates in clauses (i)
         and (ii) are unavailable or undeterminable, the rate of interest at
         which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of the
         applicable Interest in same day funds in the approximate amount of the
         applicable Offshore Rate Loan for a term equivalent to the applicable
         Interest Period would be offered by the London branch of Bank of
         America to major banks in the offshore Dollar market at approximately
         11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day of
         the applicable Interest Period.

         "Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset.
For the purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to own subject to
a Lien any asset which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a
vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, Capital Lease or other
title retention agreement relating to such asset.

         "Loan Documents" means, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, the
L/C Applications, any Guarantor Joinder Agreement and each other document,
instrument and agreement executed and delivered by any Credit Party or its
Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement or otherwise referred to herein
or contemplated hereby, all as may be amended, restated or otherwise modified.

         "Loans" means the collective reference to the Revolving Credit Loans
and the Swingline Loans; "Loan" means any one of such Loans.

         "Mandatory Borrowing" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2.5(b).

         "Material Adverse Effect" means any of (a) a material adverse effect
on the business, assets, liabilities (actual or contingent), operations,
condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) a material adverse effect on the ability of
any Credit Party to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents, in each
case to which it is a party, or (c) a material adverse effect on the rights or
remedies of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any
other Loan Document.

         "Material Joint Venture" means, as of the end of each fiscal quarter,
any joint venture to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party
and which has revenues for the four-quarter period then ended in excess of
$10,000,000.

         "Material Subsidiary" means, as of any date of determination, any
Subsidiary of the Borrower (a) the assets or liabilities of which exceed five
percent (5%) of Total Assets measured as of the end of the most recently ended
fiscal quarter with respect to which the Administrative Agent has received the
annual or quarterly compliance certificate and related financial statements and
information required by Sections 7.1(a) and (b) and Section 7.2, as
appropriate, or (b) which represents more than five percent (5%) of the
Consolidated revenue or Net Income of the Borrower and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries measured (i) as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal
quarter with respect to which the Administrative Agent has received the annual
or

                                      12
<PAGE>   18

quarterly compliance certificate and related financial statements and
information required by Sections 7.1(a) and (b) and Section 7.2, as
appropriate, and (ii) for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarter period then
ended. It is understood that the term "Material Subsidiary" shall include,
without limitation, a Subsidiary of the Borrower whose principal assets are one
or more Material Subsidiaries.

         "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or any successor or
assignee in the business of rating securities.

         "Multiemployer Plan" means a "multiemployer plan" as defined in
Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is
making, has made, is accruing or has accrued an obligation to make,
contributions within the preceding six years.

         "Net Cash Proceeds" means the aggregate cash proceeds received,
directly or indirectly, by any Credit Party in respect of any Equity Issuance,
net of (a) direct costs (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and
investment banking fees and sales commissions) and (b) taxes paid or payable as
a result thereof; in being understood that "Net Cash Proceeds" shall include,
without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any
non-cash consideration received, directly or indirectly, by any Credit Party in
any Equity Issuance.

         "Net Income" means, for any period, the net income, after taxes, of
the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period as determined
and computed on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "Net Worth" means, as of any date, as applied to the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries, shareholders' equity or net worth, as determined and
computed on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "New Senior Note Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of March 29,
2001, between the Borrower and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, as amended,
modified and supplemented from time to time.

         "New Senior Notes" means the 7.25% Senior Notes due 2010 issued
pursuant to the New Senior Note Indenture, as amended, modified and
supplemented from time to time.

         "Notes" means the collective reference to the Revolving Credit Notes;
"Note" means any one of such Notes.

         "Notice of Account Designation" shall have the meaning assigned
thereto in Section 2.2(b).

         "Notice of Conversion/Continuation" shall have the meaning assigned
thereto in Section 4.2.

         "Notice of Prepayment" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2.3(c).

         "Notice of Revolving Credit Borrowing" shall have the meaning assigned
thereto in Section 2.2(a).

                                      13
<PAGE>   19

         "Notice of Swingline Borrowing" shall have the meaning assigned
thereto in Section 2.5(d).

         "Obligations" means, in each case, whether now in existence or
hereafter arising: (a) the principal of and interest on (including interest
accruing after the filing of any bankruptcy or similar petition) the Loans, (b)
all payment and other obligations owing by the Credit Parties to any Lender or
Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent under any Hedging Agreement
(which such Hedging Agreement is permitted hereunder), and (c) all other fees
and commissions (including attorney's fees), charges, indebtedness, loans,
liabilities, financial accommodations, obligations, covenants and duties owing
by the Credit Parties to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, of every
kind, nature and description, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due
or to become due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or unliquidated, and
whether or not evidenced by any note, in each case under or in respect of this
Agreement, any Note, or any of the other Loan Documents.

         "Officer's Compliance Certificate" shall have the meaning assigned
thereto in Section 7.2.

         "Offshore Rate" means, for any Interest Period, with respect to an
Offshore Rate Loan, the rate of interest per annum (rounded upward to the next
1/100th of 1%) determined by the Administrative Agent as follows:

            Offshore Rate =                 LIBOR
                           ----------------------------------------
                              1.00- Eurodollar Reserve Percentage

The Offshore Rate shall be adjusted automatically as to all Offshore Rate Loans
then outstanding as of the effective date of any change in the Eurodollar
Reserve Percentage.

         "Offshore Rate Loan" means a Revolving Credit Loan or a Swingline Loan
bearing interest at a rate based upon the Offshore Rate as provided in Section
4.1(a).

         "Other Taxes" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
4.11(b).

         "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and
defined in ERISA or any successor agency.

         "Pension Plan" means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a
Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or
Section 412 of the Code and is maintained for the employees of the Borrower or
any of its ERISA Affiliates.

         "Permitted Asset Dispositions" means the sale, lease or other
disposition of the Borrower's Camden, Chesapeake and Chicago mill facilities.

         "Permitted Investments" means Investments which are (a) cash or Cash
Equivalents, (b) accounts receivable created, acquired or made in the ordinary
course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary
trade terms, (c) Investments in a Credit Party, (d) Investments by a Subsidiary
that is not a Credit Party in a Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party as
permitted hereunder, (d) the Investments set forth on Schedule 9.7, (e)
transactions permitted under

                                      14
<PAGE>   20

Section 9.8, (f) Investments consisting of Debt permitted under Section 9.3,
(g) loans and advances to employees, officers and directors made in the
ordinary course of business, (h) deposits for utilities, security deposits,
leases and similar prepaid expenses incurred in the ordinary course of
business, (i) purchases of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or
licenses, contributions or leases of intellectual property, in each case in the
ordinary course of business, (j) Investments in joint ventures formed after the
Closing Date in an amount not to exceed in the aggregate $15,000,000 at any
time outstanding, and (k) other Investments in the same or a related line of
business in an amount (when combined with Investments in joint ventures made
pursuant to clause (j) above that are outstanding at the time of determination)
not to exceed in the aggregate $25,000,000 at any time outstanding.

         "Person" means an individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, association, trust, business trust, joint venture, joint stock
company, pool, syndicate, sole proprietorship, unincorporated organization,
Governmental Authority or any other form of entity or group thereof.

         "Premier Boxboard" means Premier Boxboard Limited, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company.

         "Premier Boxboard Credit Facility" means the revolving credit facility
provided pursuant to the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated
as of December 18, 2000, between SunTrust Bank and Premier Boxboard, as
amended, modified, supplemented, extended, refinanced or replaced from time to
time.

         "Premier Boxboard EBITDA" means, for any period, as applied to Premier
Boxboard and its Consolidated Subsidiaries without duplication, the sum of the
amounts for such period of: (a) net income (after taxes), plus (b) an amount
which, in the determination of net income, has been deducted for (i) Premier
Boxboard Interest Expense, (ii) all federal and state income tax expense, (iii)
depreciation and amortization expense, and (iv) one-time non-cash charges taken
in connection with the write-down of plant, property and equipment in an
aggregate amount of up to the lesser of (A) $10,000,000 and (B) the sum of (x)
$25,000,000 minus (y) the amount of any such charges included in the
calculation of Standard Gypsum EBITDA and EBITDA, minus (c) an amount which, in
the determination of net income, has been added for any non-cash credits, all
of the foregoing determined and computed on a Consolidated basis in accordance
with GAAP.

         "Premier Boxboard Interest Expense" means, for any period, as applied
to Premier Boxboard and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, all interest expense
(whether paid or accrued) and capitalized interest, including without
limitation (a) the amortization of debt discount and premium, (b) the interest
component under Capital Leases and synthetic leases and (c) the implied
interest component, discount or other similar fees or charges in connection
with any asset securitization program, in each case as determined and computed
on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "Prime Rate" means, at any time, the rate of interest per annum in
effect at such time as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America
as its "prime rate". The rate publicly announced by Bank of America as its
"prime rate" is set by Bank of America based upon various

                                      15
<PAGE>   21

factors including Bank of America's cost and desired return, general economic
conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some
loans, which may be priced at, above or below such announced rate. Any change
in the "prime rate" publicly announced by Bank of America shall take effect as
of the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of
such change.

         "Prior Bank Commitment" means the Borrower's committed credit facility
evidenced by that certain Credit Agreement dated as of July 23, 1997 among the
Borrower, the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto
and Bankers Trust Company, as Administrative Agent, as amended and modified
prior to the Closing Date.

         "Property" means any interest in any kind of property or asset,
whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

         "Real Property" of any Person shall mean all the right, title and
interest of such Person in and to land, improvements and fixtures, including
leaseholds.

         "Reimbursement Obligation" means the obligation of the Borrower to
reimburse each Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts drawn under
Letters of Credit issued at the request of the Borrower.

         "Register" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 13.9(d).

         "Reportable Event" shall mean an event described in Section 4043(c) of
ERISA with respect to a Pension Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA other
than those events as to which the 30-day notice period is waived under
subsection .22, .23, .27 or .28 of PBGC Regulation Section 4043.

         "Required Lenders" means, at any date, any combination of Lenders
whose Commitment Percentage equals more than sixty-six and two-thirds percent
(66-2/3%) of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment or, if the Aggregate
Revolving Credit Commitment has been terminated, any combination of Lenders who
collectively hold more than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Extensions of Credit.

         "Responsible Officer" means any of the following: the chairman,
president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer or treasurer of the
Borrower or any other officer of the Borrower reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent.

         "Restricted Payment" means (i) any dividend or other payment or
distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of
Capital Stock of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, now or hereafter
outstanding (including without limitation any payment in connection with any
dissolution, merger, consolidation or disposition involving any of the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries), or to the holders, in their capacity as such, of
any shares of any class of Capital Stock of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, now or hereafter outstanding (other than dividends or
distributions payable in Capital Stock of the applicable Person and dividends
or distributions payable (directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries) to any
Credit Party), (ii) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar
payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any
shares of any class of Capital Stock of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, now

                                      16
<PAGE>   22

or hereafter outstanding and (iii) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the
surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire
shares of any class of Capital Stock of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries.

         "Revolving Credit Commitment" means, as to any Lender, the obligation
of such Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans for the account of the Borrower
in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the
amount set forth opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.1(a) hereto, as such
amount may be reduced or modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to
the terms hereof.

         "Revolving Credit Facility" means the revolving credit facility
established pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.

         "Revolving Credit Loans" means the collective reference to the
revolving loans made to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.2; "Revolving Credit
Loan" means any of such Revolving Credit Loans.

         "Revolving Credit Notes" means the collective reference to the
Revolving Credit Notes made by the Borrower payable to the order of each
Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, and any amendments and
modifications thereto, any substitutes therefor, and any replacements,
restatements, renewals or extensions thereof, in whole or in part; "Revolving
Credit Note" means any of such Revolving Credit Notes.

         "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. or any successor or assignee in the business of
rating securities.

         "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means any direct or indirect
arrangement with any Person or to which any such Person is a party, providing
for the leasing to any Credit Party of any Property, whether owned by such
Credit Party as of the Closing Date or later acquired, which has been or is to
be sold or transferred by such Credit Party to such Person or to any other
Person from whom funds have been, or are to be, advanced by such Person on the
security of such Property.

         "SEC Reports" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
6.1(w).

         "Senior Note Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of June 1, 1999,
between the Borrower and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, as amended, modified
and supplemented from time to time.

         "Senior Notes" means the 7.375% Senior Notes due 2009 issued pursuant
to the Senior Note Indenture, as amended, modified and supplemented from time
to time.

         "Senior Subordinated Note Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of
March 29, 2001, between the Borrower, the Subsidiaries of the Borrower
identified as guarantors therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, as
amended, modified and supplemented from time to time to the extent permitted
under this Agreement.

                                      17
<PAGE>   23

         "Senior Subordinated Notes" means the 9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2011 issued pursuant to the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture, as amended,
modified and supplemented from time to time to the extent permitted under this
Agreement.

         "Specified Maturity Date" means March 29, 2004.

         "SPV" has the meaning set forth in Section 13.9(i).

         "Standard Gypsum" means Standard Gypsum, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership.

         "Standard Gypsum EBITDA" means, for any period, as applied to Standard
Gypsum and its Consolidated Subsidiaries without duplication, the sum of the
amounts for such period of: (a) net income (after taxes), plus (b) an amount
which, in the determination of net income, has been deducted for (i) Standard
Gypsum Interest Expense, (ii) all federal and state income tax expense, (iii)
depreciation and amortization expense, and (iv) one-time non-cash charges taken
in connection with the write-down of plant, property and equipment in an
aggregate amount of up to the lesser of (A) $10,000,000 and (B) the sum of (x)
$25,000,000 minus (y) the amount of any such charges included in the
calculation of Premier Boxboard EBITDA and EBITDA, minus (c) an amount which,
in the determination of net income, has been added for any non-cash credits,
all of the foregoing determined and computed on a Consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP.

         "Standard Gypsum Interest Expense" means, for any period, as applied
to Standard Gypsum and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, all interest expense
(whether paid or accrued) and capitalized interest, including without
limitation (a) the amortization of debt discount and premium, (b) the interest
component under Capital Leases and synthetic leases and (c) the implied
interest component, discount or other similar fees or charges in connection
with any asset securitization program, in each case as determined and computed
on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "Subordinated Debt" means the Debt evidenced by the Senior
Subordinated Notes and the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture and any other
Debt of any Credit Party that by its terms is expressly subordinated in right
of payment to the Obligations.

         "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person (the "parent") at any
date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or
other entity the accounts of which would be Consolidated with those of the
parent in the parent's Consolidated financial statements if such financial
statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as
any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or
other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing
more than fifty percent (50%) of the equity or more than fifty percent (50%) of
the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than fifty
percent (50%) of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned,
controlled or held by the parent, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise
controlled by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the
parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent. Unless otherwise qualified,
references to "Subsidiary" or "Subsidiaries" herein shall refer to those of the
Borrower.

                                      18
<PAGE>   24

         "Support Obligation" means, with respect to any Person and its
Subsidiaries, without duplication, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of
any such Person pursuant to which such Person has directly or indirectly
guaranteed any Debt or other obligation of any other Person and, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect,
contingent or otherwise, of any such Person (a) to purchase or pay (or advance
or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation
(whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, by agreement to keep
well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to
maintain financial statement condition or otherwise) or (b) entered into for
the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Debt or other
obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in
respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided that the term Support
Obligation shall not include (i) endorsements for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business or (ii) a contractual commitment by one Person to
invest in another Person for so long as such investment is expected to
constitute a Permitted Investment.

         "Swingline Commitment" means the obligation of the Swingline Lender to
make Swingline Loans for the account of the Borrower in an aggregate principal
amount at any time outstanding not to exceed Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000).

         "Swingline Lender" means Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of
any Swingline Loan.

         "Swingline Loans" means the collective reference to the revolving
loans made pursuant to Section 2.5; "Swingline Loan" means any of such
Swingline Loans.

         "Swingline Termination Date" means the earlier to occur of (a) the
resignation of Bank of America as Swingline Lender and (b) the Termination
Date.

         "Tangible Net Worth" means, as of any date, as applied to the Borrower
and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, (a) the total assets of the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries at such date as set forth on a Consolidated balance
sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries prepared in accordance
with GAAP (but excluding therefrom for the purposes hereof, capitalized
interest, debt discount and expense (other than original issue discount
associated with the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes and the New
Senior Notes, which is expected to be approximately $14,634,000), goodwill,
patents, trademarks, copyrights, franchises, licenses, amounts due from
officers and directors, shareholders and Affiliates of the Borrower and any
other items which would be treated as intangibles under GAAP) less (b) the
total liabilities of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries at such
date as set forth on a Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.

         "Taxes" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.11(a).

         "Termination Date" means the earliest of the dates referred to in
Section 2.7.

         "Termination Event" means any of the following: (a) the occurrence of
a Reportable Event, or (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate from a Pension Plan during a plan year in which it was a "substantial
employer" as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, or (c) the termination of
a Pension Plan, the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan or
the treatment of a Pension

                                      19
<PAGE>   25

Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, or (d) the
institution of proceedings to terminate, or to seek the appointment of a
trustee with respect to, any Pension Plan by the PBGC, or (e) any other event
or condition which would constitute grounds under Section 4042(a) of ERISA for
the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer any Pension
Plan, or (f) the partial or complete withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan, or (g) the imposition of a Lien pursuant
to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, or (h) any event or
condition which results in the reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer
Plan under Sections 4241 or 4245 of ERISA, (i) any event or condition which
results in the termination of a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4041A of ERISA
or the institution by PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Multiemployer Plan
under Section 4042 of ERISA or (j) the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of the
Borrower or ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan.

         "Total Assets" means, as of any date, the assets and properties of the
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, as determined and computed on a
Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "Total Capitalization" means, as of any date, as applied to the
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, the sum of (a) Net Worth plus (b)
Total Debt.

         "Total Debt" means, as of any date, all Debt of the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries, as determined and computed on a Consolidated basis
in accordance with GAAP.

         "Total Leverage Ratio" means, as of the last day of any fiscal
quarter, the ratio of (a) Total Debt on such day to (b) Total Capitalization on
such day.

         "UCC" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in the State in which the corporate headquarters
of the relevant Issuing Lender is located or such other jurisdiction as is
acceptable to the relevant Issuing Lender, as amended, restated or otherwise
modified from time to time.

         "Unfunded Current Liability" of any Pension Plan means the amount, if
any, by which the actuarial present value of the accumulated plan benefits
under the Pension Plan as of the close of its most recent year, determined in
accordance with actuarial assumptions at such time consistent with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 87, exceeds the sum of (a) the market value
of the assets allocable thereto and (b) $100,000.

         "United States" means the United States of America.

         "Wholly-Owned" means, with respect to a Subsidiary, that all of the
shares of capital stock or other ownership interests of such Subsidiary are,
directly or indirectly, owned or controlled by any Credit Party and/or one or
more of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.

         SECTION 1.2       GENERAL.

         Unless otherwise specified, a reference in this Agreement to a
particular section, subsection, Schedule or Exhibit is a reference to that
section, subsection, Schedule or Exhibit of this Agreement. Wherever from the
context it appears appropriate, each term stated in either the

                                      20
<PAGE>   26

singular or plural shall include the singular and plural, and pronouns stated
in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall include the masculine,
feminine and neuter. Any reference herein to "San Francisco time" shall refer
to the applicable time of day in San Francisco, California.

         SECTION 1.3       OTHER DEFINITIONS AND PROVISIONS.

         (a)      Use of Capitalized Terms. Unless otherwise defined therein,
all capitalized terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings
provided herein when used in this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan
Documents or any certificate, report or other document made or delivered
pursuant to this Agreement.

         (b)      Miscellaneous. The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder"
and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE II

                          REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITIES

         SECTION 2.1       AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT.

         (a)      Description of Facilities. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Lenders hereby grant to the
Borrower a revolving credit facility pursuant to which each Lender severally
agrees to make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower in Dollars in accordance
with Section 2.2 and the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to the
Borrower in Dollars in accordance with Section 2.5; provided that (i) the
aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans (after
giving effect to any amount requested) plus the aggregate principal amount of
all outstanding Swingline Loans (after giving effect to the amount of any
Swingline Loans requested and exclusive of Swingline Loans made which are
repaid with the proceeds of, and simultaneously with the incurrence of,
Revolving Credit Loans) shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Credit
Commitment less the sum of all outstanding L/C Obligations; and (ii) the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans made by any
Lender shall not at any time exceed such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment.
Each Revolving Credit Loan made by a Lender shall be in a principal amount
equal to such Lender's Commitment Percentage of the aggregate principal amount
of Revolving Credit Loans requested on such occasion.

         (b)      Application of Facilities. The Revolving Credit Facility
shall be used by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to:

                  (i)      refinance existing Debt of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries; and

                  (ii)     finance the working capital, capital expenditures
         and general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

                                      21
<PAGE>   27

and, accordingly, the Borrower shall apply all amounts raised by it hereunder
in or towards satisfaction of such purposes and neither the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders nor any of them shall be obliged to concern themselves
with such application.

         SECTION 2.2       PROCEDURE FOR ADVANCES OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.

         (a)      Requests for Revolving Credit Loans. The Borrower shall give
the Administrative Agent irrevocable prior written notice in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit B-1 (a "Notice of Revolving Credit Borrowing") not later than
10:00 a.m. (San Francisco time) (i) at least one Business Day before each Base
Rate Loan and (ii) at least three (3) Business Days before each Offshore Rate
Loan, of its intention to borrow, specifying (A) the date of such borrowing,
which shall be a Business Day, (B) the amount of such borrowing, which shall be
in an amount equal to the unused amount of the Aggregate Revolving Credit
Commitment or, if less, (x) with respect to Base Rate Loans, in an aggregate
principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof, and (y) with respect to Offshore Rate Loans, in an aggregate principal
amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (C)
whether such Revolving Credit Loan is to be an Offshore Rate Loan or Base Rate
Loan and (D) in the case of an Offshore Rate Loan, the duration of the Interest
Period applicable thereto. Notices received after 10:00 a.m. (San Francisco
time) shall be deemed received on the next Business Day. The Administrative
Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of each Notice of Revolving Credit
Borrowing.

         (b)      Disbursement of Revolving Credit Loans. Each Lender will make
available to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Borrower, at the
Administrative Agent's Office in funds immediately available to the
Administrative Agent, such Lender's Commitment Percentage of the Revolving
Credit Loans to be made on such borrowing date no later than 12:00 noon (San
Francisco time) on the proposed borrowing date. The Borrower hereby irrevocably
authorizes the Administrative Agent to disburse the proceeds of each borrowing
requested by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.2 in immediately available
funds by crediting or wiring such proceeds to the deposit account of the
Borrower identified in the most recent notice of account designation,
substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto (a "Notice of Account
Designation"), delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or as may
be otherwise agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent from time
to time. Subject to Section 4.7 hereof, the Administrative Agent shall not be
obligated to disburse the portion of the proceeds of any Revolving Credit Loan
requested pursuant to this Section 2.2 for which any Lender is responsible to
the extent that such Lender has not made available to the Administrative Agent
its Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loan.

         SECTION 2.3       REPAYMENT OF LOANS.

         (a)      Repayment on Termination Date. The Borrower agrees to repay
the outstanding principal amount of all Loans and the Reimbursement Obligation
in full on the Termination Date, with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon.

         (b)      Mandatory Prepayment of Loans. If at any time the sum of the
outstanding principal amount of all Loans and all outstanding L/C Obligations
exceeds the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment, the Borrower agrees to repay
immediately upon notice from the

                                      22
<PAGE>   28

Administrative Agent, by payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of
the Lenders, Revolving Credit Loans, Swingline Loans or L/C Obligations and/or
furnish cash collateral reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in
an amount equal to such excess. Any such cash collateral shall be applied in
accordance with Section 11.2(b). Any repayment of such Offshore Rate Loans
other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto shall be
accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof.

         (c)      Optional Repayments. The Borrower may at any time and from
time to time repay the Revolving Credit Loans or Swingline Loans made to it, in
whole or in part, upon at least three (3) Business Days irrevocable notice to
the Administrative Agent with respect to Offshore Rate Loans and one (1)
Business Day irrevocable notice with respect to Base Rate Loans, in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit D (a "Notice of Prepayment") specifying the date and
amount of repayment; whether the repayment is of Revolving Credit Loans or
Swingline Loans, and, if a combination, the amount allocable to each; and
whether the repayment is of Offshore Rate Loans, Base Rate Loans, or a
combination thereof, and, if of a combination, the amount allocable to each.
Upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify
each Lender. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice
shall be due and payable on the date set forth in such notice. Partial
repayments shall be in an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of
$1,000,000 in excess thereof with respect to Base Rate Loans, $250,000 or a
whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof with respect to Swingline Loans
and $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof with respect
to Offshore Rate Loans.

         (d)      Limitation on Repayment of Offshore Rate Loans. The Borrower
may not repay any Offshore Rate Loan on any day other than on the last day of
the Interest Period applicable thereto unless such repayment is accompanied by
any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof.

         (e)      Application of Mandatory Prepayments. All amounts required to
be paid pursuant to Section 2.3(b) shall be applied as follows: first to
Swingline Loans, then after all Swingline Loans have been repaid to Revolving
Credit Loans, then after all Revolving Credit Loans have been repaid to a cash
collateral account in respect of L/C Obligations. Within the parameters of the
applications set forth above, prepayments shall be applied first to Base Rate
Loans and then to Offshore Rate Loans in direct order of Interest Period
maturities. All prepayments under Section 2.3(b) shall be subject to Section
4.9 and be accompanied by interest on the principal amount prepaid through the
date of prepayment.

         SECTION 2.4       REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES.

         Each Lender's Revolving Credit Loans and the obligation of the
Borrower to repay such Revolving Credit Loans shall be evidenced by separate
Revolving Credit Notes executed by the Borrower payable to the order of such
Lender. Each Revolving Credit Note shall be dated the date hereof and shall
bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof at the applicable interest
rate per annum specified in Section 4.1.

                                      23
<PAGE>   29

         SECTION 2.5       SWINGLINE LOANS AND PROCEDURE.

         (a) Swingline Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, from time to time until the Swingline Termination Date, the Swingline
Lender agrees to make a revolving loan or revolving loans (each a "Swingline
Loan" and, collectively, the "Swingline Loans") to the Borrower, which Swingline
Loans (i) shall be denominated in Dollars, (ii) may be repaid and reborrowed in
accordance with the provisions hereof, (iii) shall not exceed in aggregate
principal amount at any time outstanding, when combined with the sum of the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, the Aggregate
Revolving Credit Commitment less the sum of all outstanding L/C Obligations,
(iv) shall not exceed in aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding the
Swingline Commitment and (v) shall bear interest at a rate mutually agreeable to
the Swingline Lender and the Borrower. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Section 2.5(a), (x) the Swingline Lender shall not be
obligated to make any Swingline Loans at a time when a Lender Default exists
unless the Swingline Lender has entered into arrangements satisfactory to it and
the Borrower to eliminate the Swingline Lender's risk with respect to the
Defaulting Lender's or Lenders' participation in such Swingline Loans, including
by cash collateralizing such Defaulting Lender's or Lenders' Commitment
Percentage of the outstanding Swingline Loans and (y) the Swingline Lender shall
not make any Swingline Loan after it has received written notice from the
Borrower or the Required Lenders stating that a Default or an Event of Default
exists and is continuing until such time as the Swingline Lender shall have
received written notice (A) of rescission of all such notices from the party or
parties originally delivering such notice or (B) of the waiver of such Default
or Event of Default by the Required Lenders.

         (b)      Mandatory Borrowings.

                  (i)      On any Business Day, the Swingline Lender may, in its
         sole discretion, advise the Administrative Agent to give notice to the
         Lenders that the Swingline Lender's outstanding Swingline Loans shall
         be funded with one or more borrowings of Revolving Credit Loans
         denominated in Dollars (provided that such notice shall be deemed to
         have been automatically given with respect to outstanding Swingline
         Loans upon the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default under
         Section 11.1(i), (j) or (k)), in which case one or more borrowings of
         Revolving Credit Loans constituting Base Rate Loans (each such
         Borrowing, a "Mandatory Borrowing") shall be made on the immediately
         succeeding Business Day by all Lenders in accordance with each Lender's
         Commitment Percentage and the proceeds thereof shall be applied
         directly by the Administrative Agent to repay the Swingline Lender for
         such outstanding Swingline Loans. Each Lender hereby irrevocably agrees
         to make Revolving Credit Loans upon one Business Day's notice pursuant
         to each Mandatory Borrowing in the amount and in the manner specified
         in the preceding sentence and on the date specified in writing by the
         Administrative Agent notwithstanding (A) the amount of the Mandatory
         Borrowing may not comply with the minimum borrowing amount otherwise
         required hereunder, (B) whether any conditions specified in Section 5.2
         are then satisfied, (C) whether a Default or an Event of Default then
         exists, (D) the date of such Mandatory Borrowing and (E) whether the
         Revolving Credit Loans comprising the Mandatory Borrowing would, when
         combined with the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding
         Revolving Credit Loans and outstanding L/C Obligations, exceed the
         Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment at

                                       24
<PAGE>   30

         such time. In the event that any Mandatory Borrowing cannot for any
         reason be made on the date otherwise required above (including, without
         limitation, as a result of the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with
         respect to any Credit Party), then each Lender hereby agrees that it
         shall forthwith purchase (as of the date the Mandatory Borrowing would
         otherwise have occurred, but adjusted for any payments received from
         the Borrower on or after such date and prior to such purchase) from the
         Swingline Lender such participations in the outstanding Swingline Loans
         as shall be necessary to cause the Lenders to share in such Swingline
         Loans ratably based upon their respective Commitment Percentages,
         provided that (x) all interest payable on the Swingline Loans shall be
         for the account of the Swingline Lender until the date as of which the
         respective participation is required to be purchased and, to the extent
         attributable to the purchased participation, shall be payable to the
         participant from and after such date and (y) at the time any purchase
         of participations pursuant to this sentence is actually made, the
         purchasing Lender shall be required to pay the Swingline Lender
         interest on the principal amount of participations purchased for each
         day from and including the day upon which the Mandatory Borrowing would
         otherwise have occurred to but excluding the date of payment for such
         participation, at the overnight Federal Funds Rate for the first three
         days and at the rate otherwise applicable to Base Rate Loans hereunder
         for each day thereafter.

                  (ii)     To the extent amounts received from the Lenders
         pursuant to Section 2.5(b)(i) above are not sufficient to repay in full
         the outstanding Swingline Loans requested or required to be repaid, the
         Borrower agrees to pay to the Swingline Lender on demand the amount
         required to repay such Swingline Loans in full. In addition, the
         Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to charge any
         account maintained by the Borrower with the Swingline Lender (up to the
         amount available therein) in order to immediately pay the Swingline
         Lender the amount of such Swingline Loans to the extent amounts
         received from the Lenders are not sufficient to repay in full the
         outstanding Swingline Loans requested or required to be repaid. If any
         portion of any such amount paid to the Swingline Lender shall be
         recovered by or on behalf of the Borrower from the Swingline Lender in
         bankruptcy or otherwise, the loss of the amount so recovered shall be
         ratably shared among all the Lenders in accordance with their
         respective Commitment Percentages.

         (c)      Amount of Each Swingline Borrowing. Each Swingline Loan shall
be made in an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of
$100,000 in excess thereof.

         (d)      Notice of Borrowing.

                  (i)      The Borrower shall give the Swingline Lender
         irrevocable prior written notice (a "Notice of Swingline Borrowing")
         substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B-2 no later than 10:00
         a.m. (San Francisco time) (i) on the same Business Day as each Base
         Rate Loan, (ii) at least three (3) Business Days before each Offshore
         Rate Loan or (iii) on such other Business Day as may be mutually
         agreeable to the Swingline Lender and the Borrower, of its intention to
         borrow, specifying (A) the date of such borrowing, which shall be a
         Business Day, (B) the amount of such borrowing, which shall be in an
         amount equal to the unused amount of the Swingline Commitment or less,

                                       25
<PAGE>   31

         (C) whether such Swingline Loan is to be an Offshore Rate Loan, a Base
         Rate Loan or a Swingline Loan bearing interest at an alternative rate
         mutually agreeable to the Swingline Lender and the Borrower (in each
         case subject to the consent of the Swingline Lender) and (D) in the
         case of an Offshore Rate Loan, the duration of the Interest Period
         applicable thereto. Notices received after 10:00 a.m. (San Francisco
         time) shall be deemed received on the next Business Day.

                  (ii)     Mandatory Borrowings shall be made upon the notice
         specified in Section 2.5(b), with the Borrower irrevocably agreeing, by
         its incurrence of any Swingline Loan, to the making of the Mandatory
         Borrowings as set forth in Section 2.5(b).

         (e)      Disbursement of Funds. Not later than 12:00 noon (San
Francisco time) on the proposed borrowing date, the Swingline Lender will make
available to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Borrower, at the
office of the Administrative Agent in funds immediately available to the
Administrative Agent, the amount of the Swingline Loan to be made on such
borrowing date. In the case of Mandatory Borrowings, no later than 12:00 noon
(San Francisco time) on the date specified in Section 2.5(b), each Lender will
make available to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Borrower, at
the office of the Administrative Agent in funds immediately available to the
Administrative Agent, such Lender's Commitment Percentage of Mandatory
Borrowings to be made on such borrowing date. The Borrower hereby irrevocably
authorizes the Administrative Agent to disburse the proceeds of each borrowing
requested pursuant to this Section 2.5 in immediately available funds by
crediting or wiring such proceeds to the deposit account of the Borrower
identified in the most recent Notice of Account Designation or as may be
otherwise agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent from time to
time or, in the case of Mandatory Borrowings, in the manner specified in Section
2.5(b)(i). Subject to Section 4.7 hereof, the Administrative Agent shall not be
obligated to disburse the proceeds of any Swingline Loan requested pursuant to
this Section 2.5 to the extent that the Swingline Lender has not made available
to the Administrative Agent the amount of such Swingline Loan.

         (f)      Notes. The Swingline Lender's Swingline Loans shall be
evidenced by such Lender's respective Revolving Credit Note.

         (g)      Usage Under Revolving Credit Commitments. While any Swingline
Loan is outstanding, the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Lender shall be
deemed used for all purposes (other than for purposes of calculating the
Commitment Fee pursuant to Section 4.3) by an amount equal to its pro rata share
(based on its respective Commitment Percentage) of the principal amount of such
Swingline Loan.

         SECTION 2.6       COMMITMENT REDUCTIONS.

         (a)      Voluntary Reduction. The Borrower shall have the right at any
time and from time to time, upon at least four (4) Business Days' prior written
notice to the Administrative Agent, to permanently reduce, without premium or
penalty (except as provided in clause (b) below), (i) the entire Aggregate
Revolving Credit Commitment at any time or (ii) portions of the

                                       26
<PAGE>   32

Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment from time to time in an aggregate
principal amount not less than $5,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in
excess thereof.

         (b)      Payments Related to a Commitment Reduction. Each permanent
reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment made pursuant to this
Section 2.6 or otherwise shall be accompanied, if necessary, by a payment of
principal sufficient to reduce the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Loans,
Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations, as applicable, to the amount of the new
Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment after such reduction to the Aggregate
Revolving Credit Commitment and, if the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment as
so reduced is less than the aggregate amount of all outstanding Letters of
Credit, the Borrower shall be required to deposit in a cash collateral account
opened by the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the amount by which the
aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit exceeds
the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment as so reduced. Such cash collateral
shall be applied in accordance with Section 11.2(b). Any reduction of the
Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment to zero (including upon termination of the
Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment on the Termination Date) shall be
accompanied by payment of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline
Loans (and furnishing of cash collateral satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent for all L/C Obligations) and shall result in the termination of the Credit
Facility. If the reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment requires
the repayment of any Offshore Rate Loan, such repayment shall be accompanied by
any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof.

         SECTION 2.7       TERMINATION.

         The Credit Facility shall terminate on the earliest of (a) the
Specified Maturity Date, (b) the date of termination of the Aggregate Revolving
Credit Commitment by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.6(a), and (c) the date
of termination by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders pursuant to
Section 11.2(a).

                                   ARTICLE III

                            LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY

         SECTION 3.1       L/C COMMITMENT.

         Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Issuing Lender, in
reliance on the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in Section 3.4(a),
agrees to issue standby and/or commercial Letters of Credit for the account of
the Borrower on any Business Day from the Closing Date through the date thirty
(30) days prior to the Termination Date in such form as may be approved from
time to time by such Issuing Lender; provided, that no Issuing Lender shall have
any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such
issuance, (a) the L/C Obligations would exceed the L/C Commitment or (b) the sum
of (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans,
(ii) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans and (iii) the
aggregate principal amount of L/C Obligations, would exceed the Aggregate
Revolving Credit Commitment. Each Letter of Credit shall (A) be denominated in
Dollars, (B) be a letter of credit issued to support obligations of the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries, contingent or otherwise, incurred in the ordinary
course of business, and

                                       27
<PAGE>   33

(C) (x) have an original expiry date more than one year from the date of
issuance (provided that any such Letter of Credit may contain customary
"evergreen" provisions pursuant to which the expiry date is automatically
extended by a specific time period unless the Issuing Lender gives notice to the
beneficiary of such Letter of Credit at least a specified time period prior to
the expiry date then in effect) or (y) as originally issued or as extended, have
an expiry date extending beyond the date thirty (30) days prior to the
Termination Date. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the Issuing Lender and
the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement
applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), (i) the rules of the "International
Standby Practices 1998" published by the Institute of International Banking Law
& Practice (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of
issuance) (the "ISP") shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the
rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as most
recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce (the "ICC") at the
time of issuance (including the ICC decision published by the Commission on
Banking Technique and Practice on April 6, 1998 regarding the European single
currency (euro)) shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit. No Issuing
Lender shall at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder if
(a) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator
shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such Issuing Lender from
issuing such Letter of Credit, (b) any Applicable Law applicable to such Issuing
Lender or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from
any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Issuing Lender shall
prohibit, or request that such Issuing Lender refrain from, the issuance of
letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular, (c) any
Applicable Law applicable to such Issuing Lender shall impose upon such Issuing
Lender with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital
requirement (for which such Issuing Lender would not otherwise be compensated
hereunder) which was not in effect on the Closing Date and which such Issuing
Lender in good faith deems material to it, (d) any Applicable Law applicable to
such Issuing Lender shall impose upon such Issuing Lender with respect to such
Letter of Credit any loss, cost or expense (for which such Issuing Lender would
not otherwise be reimbursed hereunder) which was not applicable on the Closing
Date and which such Issuing Lender in good faith deems material to it, or (e)
the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the
Issuing Lender. References herein to "issue" and derivations thereof with
respect to Letters of Credit shall also include extensions or modifications of
any existing Letters of Credit, unless the context otherwise requires. All
Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto,
and from and after the Closing Date shall be subject to and governed by the
terms and conditions hereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
the Existing Letters of Credit shall not be amended (other than to reduce the
amount thereof) or extended and the Issuing Lender of the Existing Letters of
Credit shall provide timely notice of non-extension to the beneficiaries thereof
with respect to each Existing Letter of Credit that has automatic extension
provisions.

         SECTION 3.2       PROCEDURE FOR ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT.

         (a)      The Borrower may from time to time request that any Issuing
Lender issue a Letter of Credit (or amend, extend or renew an outstanding Letter
of Credit) by delivering to such Issuing Lender (with a copy to the
Administrative Agent) at the office of the Issuing Lender set forth on Schedule
13.1 (or such other office mutually acceptable to the Issuing Lender and the
Borrower) an L/C Application therefor, completed to the satisfaction of such
Issuing Lender and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. The L/C
Application must be received by

                                       28
<PAGE>   34

the relevant Issuing Lender (and the Administrative Agent) by no later than 8:00
a.m. San Francisco time at least two (2) Business Days (or such later date and
time as the relevant Issuing Lender may agree in a particular instance in its
sole discretion) prior to the requested issuance date (or requested amendment,
extension or renewal date). In the case of a request for an initial issuance of
a Letter of Credit, the L/C Application shall specify in form and detail
satisfactory to the relevant Issuing Lender: (A) the proposed issuance date of
the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount
thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the
beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in
case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be
presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; and (G) such
other matters as the relevant Issuing Lender may require. In the case of a
request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, the L/C
Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the relevant
Issuing Lender: (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of
amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the
proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as the relevant Issuing Lender
may require.

         (b)      Promptly after receipt of any L/C Application, the relevant
Issuing Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in
writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such L/C
Application from the Borrower and, if not, the relevant Issuing Lender will
provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Upon receipt by the
relevant Issuing Lender of confirmation from the Administrative Agent that the
requested issuance or amendment is permitted in accordance with the terms
hereof, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the relevant Issuing
Lender shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of
the Borrower or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each
case in accordance with the relevant Issuing Lender's usual and customary
business practices.

         (c)      Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any
amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to
the beneficiary thereof, the relevant Issuing Lender will also deliver to the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of
Credit or amendment.

         (d)      On the last Business Day of each calendar quarter, each
Issuing Lender (or the Administrative Agent if the Administrative Agent agrees
to undertake such action) shall report to each Lender all Letters of Credit
issued by it during the previous calendar quarter and the average daily undrawn
and unexpired amounts for all Letters of Credit for each day in such calendar
quarter.

         SECTION 3.3       FEES AND OTHER CHARGES.

         (a)      The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for
the account of each Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants, a letter of credit
fee (the "L/C Fee") with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing
Lender in an amount equal to the Applicable Percentage for the L/C Fee times the
average daily undrawn amount of such issued Letters of Credit as reported by
such Issuing Lender (or the Administrative Agent) pursuant to Section 3.2. Such
fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each
calendar quarter, commencing on June 30, 2001, and on the Termination Date.

                                       29
<PAGE>   35

         (b)      The Administrative Agent shall, promptly following its receipt
thereof, distribute to each Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants the L/C Fees
received by the Administrative Agent in accordance with their respective
Commitment Percentages.

         (c)      In addition to the L/C Fees, the Borrower agrees to pay to the
relevant Issuing Lender that has issued a Letter of Credit at the request of the
Borrower, for such Issuing Lender's own account without sharing by the other
Lenders, (i) a fronting fee of 0.125% per annum on the aggregate stated amount
of such Letter of Credit, due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last
Business Day of each calendar quarter, commencing on June 30, 2001, and on the
Termination Date, and (ii) the normal issuance, presentation, amendment and
other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the relevant
Issuing Lender relating to such Letter of Credit as from time to time in effect,
due and payable on demand therefor by the relevant Issuing Lender.

         SECTION 3.4       L/C PARTICIPATIONS.

         (a)      Each Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby
grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce such Issuing Lender to issue
Letters of Credit hereunder, each L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept
and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from such Issuing Lender, on the
terms and conditions hereinafter stated, for such L/C Participant's own account
and risk, an undivided interest equal to such L/C Participant's Commitment
Percentage in such Issuing Lender's obligations and rights under each Letter of
Credit issued hereunder (including each Existing Letter of Credit) and the
amount of each draft paid by such Issuing Lender thereunder. Each L/C
Participant unconditionally and irrevocably agrees with each Issuing Lender
that, if a draft is paid under any Letter of Credit for which such Issuing
Lender is not reimbursed in full by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement, such L/C Participant shall pay to such Issuing Lender upon
demand at such Issuing Lender's address for notices specified herein an amount
equal to such L/C Participant's Commitment Percentage of the amount of such
draft, or any part thereof, which is not so reimbursed.

         (b)      Upon becoming aware of any amount required to be paid by any
L/C Participant to any Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in respect of
any unreimbursed portion of any payment made by such Issuing Lender under any
Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall notify each L/C Participant of
the amount and due date of such required payment and such L/C Participant shall
pay to such Issuing Lender the amount specified on the applicable due date. If
any such amount is paid to such Issuing Lender after the date such payment is
due, such L/C Participant shall pay to such Issuing Lender on demand, in
addition to such amount, the product of (i) such amount, times (ii) the daily
average Federal Funds Rate as determined by the Administrative Agent during the
period from and including the date such payment is due to the date on which such
payment is immediately available to such Issuing Lender, times (iii) a fraction
the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse during such period and
the denominator of which is 360. With respect to payment to any Issuing Lender
of the unreimbursed amounts described in this Section 3.4(b), if the L/C
Participants receive notice that any such payment is due (A) prior to 1:00 p.m.
(San Francisco time) on any Business Day, such payment shall be due that
Business Day, and (B) after 1:00 p.m. (San Francisco time) on any Business Day,
such payment shall be due on the following Business Day.

                                       30
<PAGE>   36

         (c)      Whenever, at any time after any Issuing Lender has made
payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any L/C Participant its
Commitment Percentage of such payment in accordance with this Section 3.4, such
Issuing Lender receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether
directly from the Borrower or otherwise, or any payment of interest on account
thereof), such Issuing Lender will distribute to such L/C Participant its pro
rata share thereof in accordance with such L/C Participant's Commitment
Percentage; provided, that in the event that any such payment received by such
Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by such Issuing Lender, such L/C
Participant shall return to such Issuing Lender the portion thereof previously
distributed by such Issuing Lender to it.

         SECTION 3.5       REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION OF THE BORROWER.

         The Borrower agrees to reimburse each Issuing Lender on each date such
Issuing Lender or the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower of the date and
amount of a draft paid under any Letter of Credit requested by the Borrower for
the amount of (i) such draft so paid and (ii) any taxes, fees, charges or other
costs or expenses incurred by any Issuing Lender in connection with such
payment. Each such payment shall be made to any Issuing Lender at its address
for notices specified herein in lawful money of the United States and in
immediately available funds. Interest shall be payable on any and all amounts
remaining unpaid by the Borrower under this Article III from the date such
amounts become payable (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise) until payment in full at the rate which would be payable on any
outstanding Base Rate Loans which were then overdue. If the Borrower fails to
timely reimburse such Issuing Lender on the date the Borrower receives the
notice referred to in this Section 3.5, the Borrower shall be deemed to have
timely given a Notice of Revolving Credit Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.2
hereunder to the Administrative Agent requesting the Lenders to make a Base Rate
Loan on such date in an amount equal to the amount of such draft paid, together
with any taxes, fees, charges or other costs or expenses incurred by any Issuing
Lender and to be reimbursed pursuant to this Section 3.5 and, regardless of
whether or not the conditions precedent specified in Article V have been
satisfied, the Lenders shall make Base Rate Loans in such amount, the proceeds
of which shall be applied to reimburse such Issuing Lender for the amount of the
related drawing and costs and expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing
in this Section 3.5 shall obligate the Lenders to make such Base Rate Loans if
the making of such Base Rate Loans would violate the automatic stay under
federal bankruptcy laws.

         SECTION 3.6       OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE.

         The Borrower's obligations under this Article III (including without
limitation the Reimbursement Obligation) shall be absolute, unconditional and
irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

         (i)      any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of
         Credit, this Agreement, or any other agreement or instrument relating
         thereto;

         (ii)     the existence of any claim, counterclaim, set-off, defense or
         other right that the Borrower may have at any time against any
         beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person
         for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be

                                       31
<PAGE>   37

         acting), the applicable Issuing Lender or any other Person, whether in
         connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or
         by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating
         thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

         (iii)    any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented
         under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid
         or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or
         inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or
         otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under
         such Letter of Credit;

         (iv)     any payment by the applicable Issuing Lender under such Letter
         of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not
         strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment
         made by the Issuing Lender under such Letter of Credit to any Person
         purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession,
         assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other
         representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of
         such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any
         proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or

         (v)      any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not
         similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that
         might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of,
         the Borrower.

No Issuing Lender shall 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, except for errors or
omissions caused by such Issuing Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct
as determined by a final non-appealable decision of a court of competent
jurisdiction. The Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted by any
Issuing Lender under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or the related
drafts or documents, if done in the absence of gross negligence or willful
misconduct and in accordance with the standards of care specified in the ICC or
ISP, as applicable, and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the UCC,
shall be binding on the Borrower and shall not result in any liability of any
Issuing Lender to the Borrower. The responsibility of each Issuing Lender to the
Borrower in connection with any draft presented for payment under any Letter of
Credit shall, in addition to any payment obligation expressly provided for in
such Letter of Credit, be limited to determining that the documents (including
each draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with such
presentment are in conformity with such Letter of Credit. The Borrower shall
promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that
is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the
Borrower's instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will promptly notify
the applicable Issuing Lender. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have
waived any such claim against the applicable Issuing Lender and its
correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

         SECTION 3.7       EFFECT OF L/C APPLICATION.

         To the extent that any provision of any L/C Application related to any
Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions of this Article III, the
provisions of this Article III shall apply.

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<PAGE>   38

                                   ARTICLE IV

                             GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS

         SECTION 4.1       INTEREST.

         (a)      Interest Rate Options. Subject to the provisions of this
Section 4.1, at the election of the Borrower, the aggregate principal balance of
any Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans (if the Swingline Lender consents
to such election) shall bear interest at (i) the Base Rate plus the Applicable
Percentage for Base Rate Loans or (ii) the Offshore Rate plus the Applicable
Percentage for Offshore Rate Loans; provided that Offshore Rate Loans shall not
be available until three (3) Business Days after the Closing Date. The Borrower
shall select the rate of interest and Interest Period, if any, applicable to any
Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline Loan at the time a Notice of Revolving Credit
Borrowing is given pursuant to Section 2.2, or at the time a Notice of Swingline
Borrowing is given pursuant to Section 2.5(d) or at the time a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation is given pursuant to Section 4.2. Each Revolving Credit
Loan, Swingline Loan, or portion thereof bearing interest based on the Base Rate
shall be a "Base Rate Loan," and each Revolving Credit Loan, Swingline Loan or
portion thereof bearing interest based on the Offshore Rate shall be an
"Offshore Rate Loan." Any Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline Loan or any portion
thereof as to which the Borrower has not duly specified an interest rate as
provided herein shall be deemed a Base Rate Loan.

         (b)      Interest Periods. In connection with each Offshore Rate Loan,
the Borrower, by giving notice at the times described in Section 4.1(a), shall
elect an interest period (each, an "Interest Period") to be applicable to such
Offshore Rate Loan, which Interest Period shall, unless otherwise agreed by the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, be a period of one (1), two (2), three (3)
or six (6) months with respect to each Offshore Rate Loan; provided that:

                  (i)      the Interest Period shall commence on the date of
         advance of or conversion to any Offshore Rate Loan and, in the case of
         immediately successive Interest Periods, each successive Interest
         Period shall commence on the date on which the next preceding Interest
         Period expires;

                  (ii)     if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a
         day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on
         the next succeeding Business Day; provided that if any Interest Period
         would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day
         of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month,
         such Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding Business Day;

                  (iii)    any Interest Period that begins on the last 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 Business Day of the relevant calendar
         month at the end of such Interest Period;

                  (iv)     no Interest Period shall extend beyond the
         Termination Date; and

                  (v)      there shall be no more than six (6) Offshore Rate
         Loans outstanding hereunder at any time (it being understood that, for
         purposes hereof, Offshore Rate Loans

                                       33
<PAGE>   39

         with different Interest Periods shall be considered as separate
         Offshore Rate Loans, even if they begin on the same date, although
         borrowings, extensions and conversions may, in accordance with the
         provisions hereof, be combined by the Borrower at the end of existing
         Interest Periods to constitute a new Offshore Rate Loan with a single
         Interest Period).

         (c)      Default Rate, etc. Subject to Section 11.3, unless otherwise
agreed by the Required Lenders, upon the occurrence and during the continuance
of an Event of Default, (i) the Borrower shall no longer have the option to
request Offshore Rate Loans, (ii) all outstanding Offshore Rate Loans shall bear
interest at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate
then applicable to such Offshore Rate Loans until the end of the applicable
Interest Period and thereafter at a rate equal to two percent (2%) in excess of
the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans and (iii) all outstanding Base Rate
Loans shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in
excess of the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans. To the greatest extent
permitted by law, interest shall continue to accrue on the amount of Loans
outstanding after the filing by or against the Borrower of any petition seeking
any relief in bankruptcy or under any act or law pertaining to insolvency or
debtor relief, whether state, federal or foreign.

         (d)      Interest Payment and Computation. Interest on each Base Rate
Loan shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar
quarter commencing on the first of such dates to occur after the Closing Date,
and interest on each Offshore Rate Loan shall be payable on the last day of each
Interest Period applicable thereto, and if such Interest Period exceeds three
(3) months, at the end of each three (3) month interval during such Interest
Period. Interest on all Loans and all fees payable hereunder shall be computed
on the basis of a 360-day year and assessed for the actual number of days
elapsed; provided that interest on Loans bearing interest at a rate based upon
the Base Rate shall be computed on the basis of a 365- or 366-day year, as
applicable.

         (e)      Maximum Rate. In no contingency or event whatsoever shall the
aggregate of all amounts deemed interest hereunder or under any of the Notes
charged or collected pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or pursuant to any
of the Notes exceed the highest rate permissible under any Applicable Law which
a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem
applicable hereto. In the event that such a court determines that the Lenders
have charged or received interest hereunder in excess of the highest applicable
rate, the rate in effect hereunder shall automatically be reduced to the maximum
rate permitted by Applicable Law and the Lenders shall at the Administrative
Agent's option (i) promptly refund to the Borrower any interest received by
Lenders in excess of the maximum lawful rate or (ii) shall apply such excess to
the principal balance of the Obligations. It is the intent hereof that the
Borrower not pay or contract to pay, and that neither the Administrative Agent
nor any Lender receive or contract to receive, directly or indirectly in any
manner whatsoever, interest in excess of that which may be paid by the Borrower
under Applicable Law.

         SECTION 4.2       CONVERSION AND CONTINUATION OF REVOLVING CREDIT
LOANS.

         Provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is then
continuing, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Borrower shall have
the option (a) to convert all or

                                       34
<PAGE>   40

any portion of its outstanding Base Rate Loans in a principal amount equal to
$5,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof into one or
more Offshore Rate Loans and (b) (i) to convert all or any part of its
outstanding Offshore Rate Loans in a principal amount equal to $1,000,000 or a
whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof into Base Rate Loans or (ii) to
continue Offshore Rate Loans as Offshore Rate Loans for an additional Interest
Period; provided that if any conversion or continuation is made on a day other
than the last day of any Interest Period, the Borrower shall pay any amount
required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof. Whenever the Borrower
desires to convert or continue Revolving Credit Loans or, with the consent of
the Swingline Lender, Swingline Loans as provided above, the Borrower shall give
the Administrative Agent irrevocable prior written notice in the form attached
as Exhibit F (a "Notice of Conversion/Continuation") not later than 10:00 a.m.
(San Francisco time) three (3) Business Days before the day on which a proposed
conversion or continuation of such Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline Loan is to
be effective (except in the case of a conversion of an Offshore Rate Loan to a
Base Rate Loan, in which case same day notice not later than 10:00 a.m. (San
Francisco time) by the Borrower shall be sufficient) specifying (A) the
Revolving Credit Loans or Swingline Loans to be converted or continued and, in
the case of any Offshore Rate Loan to be converted or continued, the last day of
the Interest Period therefor, (B) the effective date of such conversion or
continuation (which shall be a Business Day), (C) the principal amount of such
Revolving Credit Loans or Swingline Loans to be converted or continued and (D)
the Interest Period to be applicable to any such converted or continued Offshore
Rate Loan. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of such
Notice of Conversion/Continuation.

         SECTION 4.3       COMMITMENT FEE.

         The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account
of the Lenders, a non-refundable commitment fee (the "Commitment Fee") at a rate
per annum equal to the Applicable Percentage for the Commitment Fee on the
average daily unused amount of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment during
the applicable period. The Commitment Fee shall apply to the period commencing
on the Closing Date and ending on the termination of the Aggregate Revolving
Credit Commitment and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business
Day of each calendar quarter for the immediately preceding calendar quarter (or
portion thereof), beginning with the first such date to occur after the Closing
Date. The Commitment Fee shall be distributed by the Administrative Agent to the
Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Lenders' respective Commitment
Percentages. For purposes of computation of the Commitment Fee, Swingline Loans
shall not be counted toward or considered usage under the Aggregate Revolving
Credit Commitment.

         SECTION 4.4       MANNER OF PAYMENT.

         Each payment by a Credit Party on account of the principal of or
interest on the Loans or of any fee, commission or other amounts (including the
Reimbursement Obligation) payable to the Lenders under this Agreement or any
Note shall be made on the date specified for payment under this Agreement to the
Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent's Office for the account of the
Lenders (other than as set forth below), in Dollars, in immediately available
funds and shall be made without any set-off, counterclaim or deduction
whatsoever. Such payments shall be made no later than 12:00 noon (San Francisco
time) on the relevant date. Any payment

                                       35
<PAGE>   41

received after 1:00 p.m. (San Francisco time) shall be deemed to have been made
on the next succeeding Business Day for all purposes. Each payment to the
Administrative Agent of the L/C Fees shall be made in like manner, but for the
account of the applicable Issuing Lenders and L/C Participants. Each payment to
the Administrative Agent of Administrative Agent's fees or expenses shall be
made for the account of the Administrative Agent and any amount payable to any
Lender under Section 2.5, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11 or 13.2 shall be paid to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lender. The
Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the
account of any other Lender to such Lender promptly following receipt thereof
and shall wire advice of the amount of such credit to such Lender. Subject to
Section 4.l(b)(ii), if any payment under this Agreement or any Note shall be
specified to be made upon a day which is not a Business Day, it shall be made on
the next succeeding day which is a Business Day and such extension of time shall
in such case be included in computing any interest if payable along with such
payment.

         SECTION 4.5       CREDITING OF PAYMENTS AND PROCEEDS.

         In the event that any Credit Party shall fail to pay any of the
Obligations when due and the Obligations have been accelerated pursuant to
Section 11.2, all payments received by the Lenders upon the Notes and the other
Obligations and all net proceeds from the enforcement of the Obligations shall
be applied first to all expenses then due and payable by the Credit Parties
hereunder, then to all indemnity obligations then due and payable by the Credit
Parties hereunder, then to all Administrative Agent's fees then due and payable,
then to all commitment and other fees and commissions then due and payable, then
to accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes, the Reimbursement Obligation and
any termination payments due in respect of a Hedging Agreement with any Lender
or Affiliate of a Lender (which Hedging Agreement is permitted hereunder), then
to the principal amount of the Notes and Reimbursement Obligations and then to
the cash collateral account described in Section 11.2(b) hereof to the extent of
any L/C Obligations then outstanding, in that order (in each case, if
applicable, pro rata in accordance with all such amounts due).

         SECTION 4.6       ADJUSTMENTS.

         If any Lender (a "Benefited Lender") shall at any time receive any
payment of all or part of the Obligations owing to it, or interest thereon, or
if any Lender shall at any time receive any collateral in respect to the
Obligations owing to it (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set- off or
otherwise) in a greater proportion than any such payment to and collateral
received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of the Obligations owing to
such other Lender, or interest thereon, such Benefited Lender shall purchase for
cash from the other Lenders such portion of each such other Lender's Extensions
of Credit, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such
collateral, or the proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary to cause such
Benefited Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral or
proceeds ratably with each of the Lenders; provided that if all or any portion
of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefited
Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits
returned to the extent of such recovery, but without interest. The Borrower
agrees that each Lender so purchasing a portion of another Lender's Extensions
of Credit may exercise all rights of payment (including, without limitation,
rights of set-off) with respect to such portion as fully as if such Lender were
the direct holder of such portion.

                                       36
<PAGE>   42

         SECTION 4.7       NATURE OF OBLIGATIONS OF LENDERS REGARDING EXTENSIONS
OF CREDIT; ASSUMPTION BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.

         (a)      The obligations of the Lenders under this Agreement to make
the Loans and issue or participate in Letters of Credit are several and are not
joint or joint and several.

         (b)      Unless the Borrower or any Lender has notified the
Administrative Agent prior to the date any payment is required to be made by it
to the Administrative Agent hereunder, that the Borrower or such Lender, as the
case may be, will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume
that the Borrower or such Lender, as the case may be, has timely made such
payment and may (but shall not be so required to), in reliance thereon, make
available a corresponding amount to the Person entitled thereto. If and to the
extent that such payment was not in fact made to the Administrative Agent in
immediately available funds, then:

         (i)      if the Borrower failed to make such payment, each Lender shall
         forthwith on demand repay to the Administrative Agent the portion of
         such assumed payment that was made available to such Lender in
         immediately available funds, together with interest thereon in respect
         of each day from and including the date such amount was made available
         by the Administrative Agent to such Lender to the date such amount is
         repaid to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds, at
         the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect; and

         (ii)     if any Lender failed to make such payment, such Lender shall
         forthwith on demand pay to the Administrative Agent the amount thereof
         in immediately available funds, together with interest thereon for the
         period from the date such amount was made available by the
         Administrative Agent to the Borrower to the date such amount is
         recovered by the Administrative Agent (the "Compensation Period") at a
         rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in
         effect. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent,
         then such amount shall constitute such Lender's Loan, as the case may
         be, included in the applicable Borrowing. If such Lender does not pay
         such amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agent's demand therefor,
         the Administrative Agent may make a demand therefor upon the Borrower,
         and the Borrower shall pay such amount to the Administrative Agent,
         together with interest thereon for the Compensation Period at a rate
         per annum equal to the rate of interest applicable to the applicable
         Borrowing. Nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from
         its obligation to fulfill its Revolving Credit Commitment or to
         prejudice any rights which the Administrative Agent or the Borrower may
         have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender
         hereunder.

         A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender with respect to any
amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest
error.

         SECTION 4.8       CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES.

         (a)      Circumstances Affecting Offshore Rate Availability. If with
respect to any Interest Period: (i) the Administrative Agent or any Lender
(after consultation with the Administrative Agent) shall determine that for any
reason adequate and reasonable means do not

                                       37
<PAGE>   43

exist for determining the Offshore Rate for any requested Interest Period with
respect to a proposed Offshore Rate Loan or (ii) the Required Lenders reasonably
determine (which determination shall be conclusive) and notify the
Administrative Agent that the LIBOR Rate will not adequately and fairly reflect
the cost to the Required Lenders of funding Offshore Rate Loans for such
Interest Period, then the Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice
thereof to the Borrower. Thereafter, until the Administrative Agent notifies the
Borrower that such circumstances no longer exist, the obligation of the Lenders
to make Offshore Rate Loans and the right of the Borrower to convert any Loan to
or continue any Loan as an Offshore Rate Loan shall be suspended, and the
Borrower shall repay in full (or cause to be repaid in full) the then
outstanding principal amount of each such Offshore Rate Loan together with
accrued interest thereon, on the last day of the then current Interest Period
applicable to such Offshore Rate Loan or convert the then outstanding principal
amount of each such Offshore Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan as of the last day of
such Interest Period.

         (b)      Laws Affecting Offshore Rate Availability. If, after the date
hereof, the introduction of, or any change in, any Applicable Law or any change
in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority,
central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender (or any of their respective
Lending Offices) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force
of law) issued after the date hereof of any such Governmental Authority, central
bank or comparable agency, shall make it unlawful or impossible for any of the
Lenders (or any of their respective Lending Offices) to honor its obligations
hereunder to make or maintain any Offshore Rate Loan, such Lender shall promptly
give notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent
shall promptly give notice to the Borrower and the other Lenders. Thereafter,
until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that such circumstances no
longer exist, (i) the obligations of the affected Lenders to make Offshore Rate
Loans and the right of the Borrower to convert any Loan of the affected Lenders
or continue any Loan of the affected Lenders as an Offshore Rate Loan shall be
suspended and thereafter the Borrower may select only Base Rate Loans hereunder
from such Lender and (ii) if any of the Lenders may not lawfully continue to
maintain an Offshore Rate Loan to the end of the then current Interest Period
applicable thereto as an Offshore Rate Loan, the applicable Offshore Rate Loan
of the affected Lenders shall immediately be converted to a Base Rate Loan for
the remainder of such Interest Period and the Borrower shall pay any amount
required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 in connection therewith.

         (c)      Increased Costs. If, after the date hereof, the introduction
of, or any change in, any Applicable Law, or in the interpretation or
administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable
agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance
by any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Lending Offices) with any
request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) issued after the
date hereof of such Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency:

                  (i) shall subject any of the Lenders (or any of their
         respective Lending Offices) to any tax, duty or other charge with
         respect to any Note, Letter of Credit or L/C Application or shall
         change the basis of taxation of payments to any of the Lenders (or any
         of their respective Lending Offices) of the principal of or interest on
         any Note, Letter of Credit or L/C Application or any other amounts due
         under this Agreement in respect

                                       38
<PAGE>   44

         thereof (except for changes in the rate of tax on the overall net
         income of any of the Lenders or any of their respective Lending Offices
         imposed by the jurisdiction in which such Lender is organized or is or
         should be qualified to do business or such Lending Office is located);
         or

                  (ii) shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve
         (including, without limitation, any imposed by the Board of Governors
         of the Federal Reserve System, other than any reserve included in the
         Eurodollar Reserve Percentage), special deposit, insurance or capital
         or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the
         account of, or credit extended by any of the Lenders (or any of their
         respective Lending Offices) or shall impose on any of the Lenders (or
         any of their respective Lending Offices) or the foreign exchange and
         interbank markets any other condition affecting any Note;

and the result of any event of the kind described in the foregoing clause (i) or
clause (ii), is to increase the costs to any of the Lenders of maintaining any
Offshore Rate Loan, or issuing or participating in Letters of Credit or to
reduce the yield or amount of any sum received or receivable by any of the
Lenders under this Agreement or under the Notes or any Letter of Credit or L/C
Application in respect of an Offshore Rate Loan or Letter of Credit, then such
Lender may promptly notify the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative
Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower of such fact and demand compensation
therefor and, within fifteen (15) days after such notice by the Administrative
Agent, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts
as will compensate such Lender or Lenders for such increased cost or reduction.
The Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender will promptly notify the
Borrower of any event of which it has knowledge which will entitle such Lender
to compensation pursuant to this Section 4.8(c); provided that the
Administrative Agent shall incur no liability whatsoever to the Lenders or the
Borrower in the event it fails to do so. The amount of such compensation shall
be determined, in the applicable Lender's reasonable discretion, based upon the
assumption that such Lender funded its Commitment Percentage of the Offshore
Rate Loans in the London interbank market and using any reasonable attribution
or averaging methods which such Lender deems appropriate and practical. A
certificate of such Lender setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for
determining such amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender shall be
forwarded to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent and shall be
conclusively presumed to be correct save for manifest error.

         SECTION 4.9       INDEMNITY.

         Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent)
from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and
hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a
result of:

         (a)      any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any
         Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of
         the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory,
         automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise); or

                                       39
<PAGE>   45

         (b)      any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the
         failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or
         convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the
         amount notified by the Borrower;

including any loss of anticipated profits and any loss or expense arising from
the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or
from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.
The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such
Lender in connection with the foregoing. For purposes of calculating amounts
payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 4.9, each Lender shall
be deemed to have funded each Offshore Rate Loan made by it by a matching
deposit or other borrowing in the London Dollar interbank market for a
comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Offshore Rate
Loan was in fact so funded.

         SECTION 4.10      CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS.

         If either (a) the introduction of, or any change in, or in the
interpretation of, any Applicable Law or (b) compliance with any guideline or
request issued after the date hereof from any central bank or comparable agency
or other Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law), has or
would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of, or has
affected or would affect the amount of capital required to be maintained by, any
Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender as a consequence of, or with
reference to any Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment or with reference to the
Swingline Lender's Swingline Commitment and other commitments of this type,
below the rate which the Lender or such other corporation could have achieved
but for such introduction, change or compliance, then within fifteen (15)
Business Days after written demand by any such Lender, the Borrower shall pay to
such Lender from time to time as specified by such Lender additional amounts
sufficient to compensate such Lender or other corporation for such reduction. A
certificate of such Lender setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for
determining such amounts necessary to compensate such Lender shall be forwarded
to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent and shall be conclusively
presumed to be correct save for manifest error.

         SECTION 4.11      TAXES.

         (a)      Payments Free and Clear. Any and all payments by the Borrower
hereunder or under the Notes or the Letters of Credit shall be made free and
clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, levies,
imposts, deductions, charges or withholding, and all liabilities with respect
thereto, excluding (i) in the case of each Lender and the Administrative Agent,
income and franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the
United States of America or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such
Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) is organized or its
principal office is located or is or should be qualified to do business or any
political subdivision thereof or, in the case of any Lender, in which its
applicable Lending Office is located (provided, however, that no Lender shall be
deemed to be located in any jurisdiction solely as a result of taking any action
related to this Agreement, the Notes or Letters of Credit) and (ii) any branch
profits tax imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed
by any other jurisdiction described in clause (i) above (all such non-excluded
taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings and liabilities being
hereinafter referred to as "Taxes"). If the Borrower shall be required by law to

                                       40
<PAGE>   46

deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder or under any
Note or Letter of Credit to any Lender or the Administrative Agent, (A) the sum
payable shall be increased as may be necessary so that after making all required
deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under
this Section 4.11) such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be)
receives an amount equal to the amount such party would have received had no
such deductions been made, (B) the Borrower shall make such deductions, (C) the
Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxing authority or
other authority in accordance with applicable law, and (D) the Borrower shall
deliver to the Administrative Agent evidence of such payment to the relevant
taxing authority or other authority in the manner provided in Section 4.11(d).
The Borrower shall not, however, be required to pay any amounts pursuant to
clause (A) of the preceding sentence to any Foreign Lender or the Administrative
Agent not organized under the laws of the United States of America or a state
thereof (or the District of Columbia) if such Foreign Lender or the
Administrative Agent fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (e) of
this Section 4.11.

         (b)      Stamp and Other Taxes. In addition, the Borrower shall pay any
present or future stamp, registration, recordation or documentary taxes or any
other similar fees or charges or excise or property taxes, levies of the United
States or any state or political subdivision thereof or any applicable foreign
jurisdiction which arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution,
delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement, the
Loans, the Letters of Credit, the other Loan Documents, or the perfection of any
rights or security interest in respect thereto (hereinafter referred to as
"Other Taxes").

         (c)      Indemnity. The Borrower shall indemnify each Lender and the
Administrative Agent for the full amount of Taxes and Other Taxes (including,
without limitation, any Taxes and Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on
amounts payable under this Section 4.11) paid by such Lender or the
Administrative Agent (as the case may be) and any liability (including
penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto,
whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. A
certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability prepared by a Lender
or the Administrative Agent, absent manifest error, shall be conclusive,
provided that if the Borrower reasonably believes that such Taxes or Other Taxes
were not correctly or legally asserted, such Lender or the Administrative Agent
(as the case may be) shall use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the
Borrower, at the Borrower's expense, to obtain a refund of such Taxes or Other
Taxes. Such indemnification shall be made within thirty (30) days from the date
such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) makes written
demand therefor. If a Lender or the Administrative Agent shall become aware that
it is entitled to receive a refund in respect of Taxes or Other Taxes, it
promptly shall notify the Borrower of the availability of such refund and shall,
within sixty (60) days after receipt of a request by the Borrower, pursue or
timely claim such refund at the Borrower's expense. If any Lender or the
Administrative Agent receives a refund in respect of any Taxes or Other Taxes
for which such Lender or the Administrative Agent has received payment from the
Borrower hereunder, it promptly shall repay such refund (plus interest received,
if any) to the Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or
additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section 4.11 with respect to
Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), provided that the Borrower,
upon the request of such Lender or the Administrative Agent, agrees to return
such refund (plus any penalties, interest or other charges required to be paid)
to such Lender or the Administrative Agent in the event such Lender or the
Administrative Agent is

                                       41
<PAGE>   47

required to repay such refund to the relevant taxing authority. Nothing
contained in this Section 4.11(c) shall require the Administrative Agent or any
Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to
its taxes which it deems confidential).

         (d)      Evidence of Payment. Within thirty (30) days after the date of
any payment of Taxes or Other Taxes, the Borrower shall furnish to the
Administrative Agent, at its address referred to in Section 13.1, the original
or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof or other evidence of
payment satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

         (e)      Delivery of Tax Forms. Each Foreign Lender shall deliver to
the Borrower, with a copy to the Administrative Agent, on the Closing Date or
concurrently with the delivery of the relevant Assignment and Acceptance, as
applicable, (i) two United States Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8 BEN or
Forms W-8 ECI, as applicable (or successor forms) properly completed and
certifying in each case that such Foreign Lender is entitled to a complete
exemption from withholding or deduction for or on account of any United States
federal income taxes, and (ii) an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9 or
successor applicable form, as the case may be, to establish an exemption from
United States backup withholding taxes. Each Foreign Lender further agrees to
deliver to the Borrower, with a copy to the Administrative Agent, a Form W-8 ECI
or W-8 BEN and Form W-8 or W-9, or successor applicable forms or manner of
certification, as the case may be, on or before the date that any such form
expires or becomes obsolete or after the occurrence of any event requiring a
change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower,
certifying in the case of a Form W-8 ECI or W-8 BEN that such Foreign Lender is
entitled to receive payments under this Agreement without deduction or
withholding of any United States federal income taxes (unless in any such case
an event (including without limitation any change in treaty, law or regulation)
has occurred prior to the date on which any such delivery would otherwise be
required which renders such forms inapplicable or the exemption to which such
forms relate unavailable and such Foreign Lender notifies the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent that it is not entitled to receive payments without
deduction or withholding of United States federal income taxes) and, in the case
of a Form W-8 or W-9, establishing an exemption from United States backup
withholding tax.

         (f)      Survival. Without prejudice to the survival of any other
agreement of the Borrower hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the
Borrower contained in this Section 4.11 shall survive the payment in full of the
Obligations and the termination of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment,
but shall be limited in duration to the applicable statute of limitations for
Taxes or Other Taxes for which indemnification is sought.

                                       42
<PAGE>   48

                                    ARTICLE V

                  CLOSING; CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND BORROWING

         SECTION 5.1       CONDITIONS TO CLOSING.

         The obligations of the Lenders to close this Agreement are subject to
the satisfaction or waiver of each of the following conditions:

         (a)      Executed Loan Documents. This Agreement, the Revolving Credit
Notes and all other applicable Loan Documents shall have been duly authorized,
executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent by the parties thereto, shall
be in full force and effect and no default (including without limitation a
Default) shall exist hereunder or thereunder.

         (b)      Closing Certificates; Etc.

                  (i)      Officers' Certificates. The Administrative Agent
         shall have received a certificate from a Responsible Officer on behalf
         of each Credit Party, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
         the Administrative Agent, to the effect that all representations and
         warranties of such Credit Party contained in this Agreement and the
         other Loan Documents are true, correct and complete in all material
         respects; that such Credit Party is not in violation of any of the
         covenants contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
         that, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
         continuing; and that each of the closing conditions has been satisfied
         or waived (assuming satisfaction of the Administrative Agent where not
         advised otherwise).

                  (ii)     General Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall
         have received a certificate of the secretary, assistant secretary or
         general counsel of each Credit Party certifying as to the incumbency
         and genuineness of the signature of each officer of such Credit Party
         executing Loan Documents to which it is a party and certifying that
         attached thereto is a true, correct and complete copy of (A) the
         articles of incorporation or articles of formation of such Credit Party
         and all amendments thereto, certified as of a recent date by the
         appropriate Governmental Authority in its jurisdiction of incorporation
         or formation, (B) the bylaws or operating agreement of such Credit
         Party as in effect on the date of such certifications, and (C)
         resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Credit Party
         authorizing, as applicable, the borrowings contemplated hereunder and
         the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other
         Loan Documents to which it is a party.

                  (iii)    Certificates of Good Standing. The Administrative
         Agent shall have received certificates as of a recent date of the good
         standing of the Credit Parties under the laws of their respective
         jurisdictions of organization and short-form certificates as of a
         recent date of the good standing of the Borrower under the laws of each
         other jurisdiction where the Borrower is qualified to do business and
         where a failure to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to have
         a Material Adverse Effect.

                                       43
<PAGE>   49

                  (iv)     Opinions of Counsel. The Administrative Agent shall
         have received opinions in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
         the Administrative Agent of counsel to the Credit Parties, addressed to
         the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, with respect to the Credit
         Parties, the Loan Documents and such other matters as the
         Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

         (c)      Consents; Defaults.

                  (i)      Governmental and Third Party Approvals. The Borrower
         shall have obtained all approvals, authorizations and consents of any
         Person and of all Governmental Authorities and courts having
         jurisdiction necessary in order to enter into this Agreement and the
         other Loan Documents as of the Closing Date. Additionally, there shall
         not exist any judgment, order, injunction or other restraint issued or
         filed or a hearing seeking injunctive relief or other restraint pending
         or notified prohibiting or imposing materially adverse conditions upon
         the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan
         Documents or otherwise referred to herein or therein.

                  (ii)     No Event of Default. No Default or Event of Default
         shall have occurred and be continuing.

         (d)      No Material Adverse Effect. Since September 30, 2000 nothing
shall have occurred (and neither the Administrative Agent nor the Lenders shall
have become aware of any facts or conditions not previously known) which has
had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

         (e)      Financial Matters.

                  (i)      Audited Financial Statements. The Administrative
         Agent and the Lenders shall have received and reviewed (A) the
         Consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Consolidated
         Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Years ended 1998 and 1999, including
         balance sheets and income and cash flow statements audited by
         independent public accountants and prepared in conformity with GAAP and
         (B) such other financial information as the Administrative Agent may
         request.

                  (ii)     Draft Financial Statements. The Administrative Agent
         and the Lenders shall have received and reviewed drafts of the
         Consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         for the Fiscal Year ended 2000, including balance sheets and income and
         cash flow statements, all in reasonable detail, fairly presenting in
         all material respects the financial position and the results of
         operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year
         then ended, and prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as disclosed
         therein).

                  (iii)    Payment at Closing. The Borrower shall have paid any
         accrued and unpaid fees or commissions due hereunder (including,
         without limitation, legal fees and expenses payable under Section 13.2,
         to the extent invoiced) to the Administrative Agent and Lenders, and to
         any other Person such amount as may be due thereto in connection with
         the transactions contemplated hereby, including all taxes, fees and
         other charges in

                                       44
<PAGE>   50

         connection with the execution, delivery, recording, filing and
         registration of any of the Loan Documents.

         (f)      Litigation. As of the Closing Date, there shall be no actions,
suits or proceedings pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower,
threatened (i) with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (ii)
which the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall reasonably
determine could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (g)      Termination of Prior Bank Commitment. The Prior Bank
Commitment shall have been (or will be upon the initial borrowing hereunder and
the application of the proceeds thereof) terminated and the obligations of the
Borrower thereunder paid in full and fully satisfied.

         (h)      Senior Subordinated Notes and New Senior Notes. The Borrower
shall have (i) issued the Senior Subordinated Notes, and New Senior Notes (if
any), on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders and (ii) received gross proceeds from the issuance of the
Senior Subordinated Notes (and any New Senior Notes) in an aggregate amount not
less than $298,000,000. The Borrower shall have delivered a copy, certified by
an officer of the Borrower as true and complete, of the Senior Subordinated Note
Indenture, the New Senior Note Indenture (if applicable) and each other material
document executed in connection therewith, in each case as originally executed
and delivered and together with all exhibits and schedules thereto.

         (i)      Miscellaneous.

                  (i)      Proceedings and Documents. All Loan Documents,
         opinions, certificates and other instruments and all proceedings in
         connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
         be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative
         Agent.

                  (ii)     Accuracy and Completeness of Information. All
         information taken as an entirety made available to the Administrative
         Agent and/or the Lenders by the Credit Parties or any of their
         representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby
         ("Information") is and will be complete and correct in all material
         respects as of the date made available to the Administrative Agent
         and/or the Lenders does not and will not contain any untrue statement
         of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
         the statements contained therein not misleading.

         SECTION 5.2       CONDITIONS TO ALL EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT.

         The obligation of each Lender to make any Extension of Credit hereunder
(including the initial Extension of Credit to be made hereunder) is subject to
the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on the relevant borrowing
or issue date, as applicable:

         (a)      Continuation of Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties contained in Article VI shall be true and correct
in all material respects on and as of such borrowing or issuance date with the
same effect as if made on and as of such date, except for any representation and
warranty made as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall
remain true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date.

                                       45
<PAGE>   51

         (b)      No Existing Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing hereunder on the date of such Extension of Credit,
both before and after giving effect to the Loans to be made on such date and/or
Letters of Credit to be issued on such date.

         (c)      Notice of Revolving Credit Borrowing. To the extent
applicable, the Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Revolving
Credit Borrowing and/or Notice of Swingline Borrowing from the Borrower in
accordance with Section 2.2(a) and/or Section 2.5(d) and a Notice of Account
Designation specifying the account or accounts to which the proceeds of any
Loans made after the Closing Date are to be disbursed.

         The occurrence of the Closing Date and the acceptance by the Borrower
of the benefits of each Extension of Credit hereunder shall constitute a
representation and warranty by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and each
of the Lenders that all the conditions specified in Sections 5.1 and 5.2 and
applicable to such borrowing have been satisfied as of that time. All of the
Notes, certificates, legal opinions and other documents and papers referred to
in Sections 5.1 and 5.2, unless otherwise specified, shall be delivered to the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of each of the Lenders and, except for the
Notes, in sufficient counterparts or copies for each of the Lenders and shall be
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                                   ARTICLE VI

              REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CREDIT PARTIES

         SECTION 6.1       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

         To induce the Administrative Agent and Lenders to enter into this
Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make Extensions of Credit, each Credit
Party hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and Lenders
that:

         (a)      Organization; Power; Qualification. Each of the Credit Parties
and its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing or
active status, as applicable, under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or formation, has the power and authority to own its properties
and to carry on its business as now being and hereafter proposed to be conducted
and is duly qualified and authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in
which the character of its properties or the nature of its business requires
such qualification and authorization, except where the failure to do so could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (b)      Ownership. Each Subsidiary of the Borrower as of the Closing
Date is listed on Schedule 6.l(b).

         (c)      Authorization of Agreement, Loan Documents and Borrowing. Each
of the Credit Parties and, if applicable, its Subsidiaries has the right, power
and authority and has taken all necessary corporate and other action to
authorize the execution, delivery and performance of each of the Loan Documents
to which it is a party in accordance with its respective terms. Each of the Loan
Documents has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers
of the Credit Parties and each of its Subsidiaries party thereto, as applicable,
and each such

                                       46
<PAGE>   52

document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Credit
Parties and, if applicable, each of its Subsidiaries party thereto, enforceable
in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar state or federal
debtor relief laws from time to time in effect which affect the enforcement of
creditors' rights in general and the availability of equitable remedies.

         (d)      Compliance of Agreement, Loan Documents and Borrowing with
Laws, Etc. The execution, delivery and performance by each of the Credit Parties
and its Subsidiaries of the Loan Documents to which each such Person is a party,
in accordance with their respective terms, the borrowings hereunder and the
transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not, by the passage of time,
the giving of notice or otherwise, (i) require any of the Credit Parties or any
of its Subsidiaries to obtain any Governmental Approval or approval of any other
Person not otherwise already obtained or violate any Applicable Law relating to
the Credit Parties or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) conflict with, result in a
breach of or constitute a default under the articles of incorporation, bylaws or
other organizational documents of the Credit Parties or any of its Subsidiaries
or any indenture or other material agreement or instrument to which such Person
is a party or by which any of its properties may be bound or any Governmental
Approval relating to such Person except as could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) result in or require the creation or
imposition of any material Lien (other than a Lien permitted under Section 9.2)
upon or with respect to any property now owned or hereafter acquired by such
Person.

         (e)      Compliance with Law; Governmental Approvals. Each of the
Credit Parties and its Subsidiaries (i) has all Governmental Approvals required
by any Applicable Law for it to conduct its business, each of which is in full
force and effect, is final and not subject to review on appeal and is not the
subject of any pending or, to the best of the Credit Parties' knowledge,
threatened attack by direct or collateral proceeding, and (ii) is in compliance
with each Governmental Approval applicable to it and in compliance with all
other Applicable Laws relating to it or any of its respective properties, in
each case except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (f)      Tax Returns and Payments. Each of the Credit Parties and its
Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all federal and state, local
and other tax returns required by Applicable Law to be filed, and has paid, or
made adequate provision for the payment of, all federal and state, local and
other taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it and its
property, income, profits and assets which are due and payable, except taxes (i)
that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which
such Credit Party or Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books
adequate reserves or (ii) to the extent the failure to do so could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Governmental
Authority has asserted any material Lien or other claim against the Credit
Parties or any Subsidiary thereof with respect to unpaid taxes which has not
been discharged or resolved. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of
each of the Credit Parties and any of its Subsidiaries in respect of federal and
all material state, local and other taxes are, in the judgment of the Credit
Parties, adequate, and the Credit Parties do not anticipate any material
additional taxes or assessments for any of such years.

                                       47
<PAGE>   53

         (g)      Intellectual Property Matters. Each of the Credit Parties and
its Subsidiaries owns or possesses rights to use all franchises, licenses,
copyrights, copyright applications, patents, patent rights or licenses, patent
applications, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names, trade name rights,
copyrights and rights with respect to the foregoing which are required to
conduct its business, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No event has occurred which, to the
knowledge of the Credit Parties, permits, or after notice or lapse of time or
both would permit, the revocation or termination of any such rights, and, to the
knowledge of the Credit Parties, neither the Credit Parties nor any Subsidiary
thereof is liable to any Person for infringement under Applicable Law with
respect to any such rights as a result of its business operations, except as
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (h)      Environmental Matters. Except as could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

                  (i)      The properties of the Credit Parties and their
         Subsidiaries (including soils, surface waters, groundwaters on, at or
         under such properties) do not contain and are not otherwise affected
         by, and to the Credit Parties' knowledge have not previously contained
         or been affected by, any Hazardous Materials in amounts or
         concentrations which (A) constitute or constituted a violation of
         applicable Environmental Laws or (B) could give rise to liability or
         obligation under applicable Environmental Laws;

                  (ii)     The properties of the Credit Parties and their
         Subsidiaries and all operations conducted in connection therewith are
         in compliance, and have been in compliance, with all applicable
         Environmental Laws, and there are no Hazardous Materials at, under or
         about such properties or such operations which could reasonably be
         expected to interfere with the continued operation of such properties;

                  (iii)    The Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries have
         obtained, are in compliance with, and have made all appropriate filings
         for issuance or renewal of, all permits, licenses, and other
         governmental consents required by applicable Environmental Laws
         ("Environmental Permits"), and all such Environmental Permits are in
         full force and effect;

                  (iv)     Neither any of the Credit Parties nor any Subsidiary
         thereof has received any notice of violation, alleged violation,
         non-compliance, liability or potential liability regarding
         environmental matters or compliance with Environmental Laws, nor do the
         Credit Parties have knowledge or reason to believe that any such notice
         will be received or is being threatened;

                  (v)      To the knowledge of the Credit Parties, Hazardous
         Materials have not been transported or disposed of from the properties
         of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries in violation of, or
         in a manner or to a location which could reasonably be expected to give
         rise to liability under, Environmental Laws, nor, to the knowledge of
         the Credit Parties, have any Hazardous Materials been generated,
         treated, stored or disposed of at, on or under any of such properties
         in violation of, or in a manner which could reasonably be expected to
         give rise to liability under, any Environmental Laws;

                                       48
<PAGE>   54

                  (vi) No judicial proceedings or governmental or administrative
         action is pending, or, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties,
         threatened, under any Environmental Law to which any of the Credit
         Parties or any Subsidiary thereof has been or will be named as a party,
         nor are there any consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders,
         administrative orders or other orders, or other administrative or
         judicial requirements outstanding under any Environmental Law with
         respect to the properties or operations of the Credit Parties and their
         Subsidiaries; and

                  (vii)    To the knowledge of the Credit Parties, there has
         been no release, or threat of release, of Hazardous Materials at or
         from the properties of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries,
         in violation of or in amounts or in a manner that could reasonably be
         expected to give rise to liability under Environmental Laws.

         (i)      ERISA.

                  (i)      Each of the Credit Parties and each ERISA Affiliate
         is in compliance with all applicable provisions of ERISA and the
         regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to
         all Employee Benefit Plans, except where any such noncompliance could
         not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except
         for any failure that could not reasonably be expected to have a
         Material Adverse Effect, each Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to
         be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has been determined by
         the Internal Revenue Service to be so qualified, and each trust related
         to such plan has been determined to be exempt under Section 501(a) of
         the Code. No liability that could reasonably be expected to have a
         Material Adverse Effect has been incurred by the Credit Parties or any
         ERISA Affiliate which remains unsatisfied for any taxes or penalties
         with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan or any Multiemployer Plan;

                  (ii)     No accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in
         Section 412 of the Code) has been incurred (without regard to any
         waiver granted under Section 412 of the Code), nor has any funding
         waiver from the Internal Revenue Service been received or requested
         with respect to any Pension Plan except for any accumulated funding
         deficiency that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect;

                  (iii)    Neither the Credit Parties nor any ERISA Affiliate
         has: (A) engaged in a nonexempt prohibited transaction described in
         Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, (B) incurred any
         liability to the PBGC which remains outstanding other than the payment
         of premiums and there are no premium payments which are due and unpaid,
         (C) failed to make a required contribution or payment to a
         Multiemployer Plan, or (D) failed to make a required installment or
         other required payment under Section 412 of the Code except where any
         of the foregoing individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably
         be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                  (iv)     No Termination Event that could reasonably be
         expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or is
         reasonably expected to occur; and

                                       49
<PAGE>   55

                  (v)      No proceeding, claim, lawsuit and/or investigation is
         existing or, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, threatened
         concerning or involving any Employee Benefit Plan that could reasonably
         be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (j)      Margin Stock. No Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof is
engaged principally or as one of its material activities in the business of
extending credit for the purpose of "purchasing" or "carrying" any "margin
stock" (as each such term is defined or used in Regulation U of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System). No part of the proceeds of any of the
Loans or Letters of Credit will be used for purchasing or carrying margin stock,
unless the Credit Parties shall have given the Administrative Agent and Lenders
prior notice of such event and such other information as is reasonably necessary
to permit the Administrative Agent and Lenders to comply, in a timely fashion,
with all reporting obligations required by Applicable Law, or for any purpose
which violates, or which would be inconsistent with, the provisions of
Regulation T, U or X of such Board of Governors.

         (k)      Government Regulation. No Credit Party or any Subsidiary
thereof is an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment
company" (as each such term is defined or used in the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended) and neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof is, or
after giving effect to any Extension of Credit will be, subject to regulation
under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or the Interstate Commerce
Act, each as amended.

         (l)      Burdensome Provisions. No Credit Party or any Subsidiary
thereof is a party to any indenture, agreement, lease or other instrument, or
subject to any corporate or partnership restriction, Governmental Approval or
Applicable Law which is so unusual or burdensome that in the foreseeable future
it could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Affect. The Credit
Parties and their Subsidiaries do not presently anticipate that future
expenditures needed to meet the provisions of any statutes, orders, rules or
regulations of a Governmental Authority will be so burdensome as to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         (m)      Financial Statements; Financial Condition; Etc.

                  (i)      The financial statements delivered to the Lenders
         pursuant to Section 5.1(e)(i), copies of which have been furnished to
         the Administrative Agent and each Lender, have been prepared in
         accordance with GAAP (except as set forth in the notes thereto), are
         complete in all material respects and fairly present in all material
         respects the assets, liabilities and financial position of the Credit
         Parties and their Subsidiaries as at such dates, and the results of the
         operations and changes of financial position for the periods then
         ended, subject to normal year end adjustments.

                  (ii)     As of the Closing Date, (A) the sum of the assets, at
         a fair valuation, of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries taken as
         a whole will exceed its and their debts, respectively; (B) the Credit
         Parties and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole has not incurred and
         does not intend to incur, and does not believe that it will incur,
         debts beyond its and their ability to pay such debts as such debts
         mature, respectively; and (C) the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries
         taken as a whole will have sufficient capital with which to conduct its
         and their business, respectively. For purposes of this Section, "debt"

                                       50
<PAGE>   56

         means any liability on a claim, and "claim" means (I) right to payment,
         whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated,
         unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed,
         undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured or (II) right to an
         equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to
         a payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced
         to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed,
         undisputed, secured or unsecured. The amount of contingent liabilities
         at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all
         the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the
         amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured
         liability.

         (n)      No Material Adverse Effect. Since September 30, 2000, there
has been no Material Adverse Effect.

         (o)      Liens. None of the properties and assets of the Credit Parties
or any Subsidiary thereof is subject to any Lien, except Liens permitted
pursuant to Section 9.2.

         (p)      Debt and Support Obligations. Schedule 6.1(p) is a complete
and correct listing of all Debt and Support Obligations of the Credit Parties
and their Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date in excess of $5,000,000.

         (q)      Litigation. There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending
nor, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, threatened against or affecting the
Credit Parties or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective properties
in any court or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any
Governmental Authority, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

         (r)      Absence of Defaults. No event has occurred and is continuing
which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default.

         (s)      Absence of Bankruptcy Events. Since September 30, 2000, no
event has occurred or is continuing which constitutes a Bankruptcy Event.

         (t)      Accuracy and Completeness of Information. As of the Closing
Date, the Credit Parties have disclosed to the Lenders all agreements,
instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which they or any of their
Subsidiaries are subject, and all other matters known to them, other than
general market, economic and industry conditions, that, individually or in the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The
written information, taken as a whole, furnished by or on behalf of the Credit
Parties to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the
negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or
supplemented by other information so furnished) does not contain any material
misstatement of fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to any projected financial
information, the Credit Parties represent only that such information was
prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the
time.

         (u)      Property. Each of the Credit Parties and its Subsidiaries has
good and marketable title to all material properties owned by it and valid
leasehold interests in all material properties

                                       51
<PAGE>   57

leased by it (except as permitted by the terms of this Agreement), free and
clear of all Liens, except Liens permitted pursuant to Section 9.2.

         (v)      Labor Practices. No Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof is
engaged in any unfair labor practices that could reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect. There is (i) no unfair labor practice complaint
pending against any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge
of the Credit Parties, threatened against a Credit Party or any of its
Subsidiaries, before the National Labor Relations Board, and no grievance or
arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining
agreement is so pending against a Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or, to
the knowledge of the Credit Parties, threatened against a Credit Party or any of
its Subsidiaries, (ii) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending
against a Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the
Credit Parties, threatened against a Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries and
(iii) no union representation question exists with respect to the employees of a
Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, except (with respect to any matter
specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, either individually or in the
aggregate) such as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

         (w)      SEC Reports. During the preceding three (3) Fiscal Years, the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed all forms, reports, statements
(including proxy statements) and other documents (such filings by the Credit
Parties and their Subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the "SEC
Reports"), required to be filed by it with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The SEC Reports (i) were prepared in all material respects in
accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as the case may be, and the
rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission thereunder
applicable to such SEC Reports at the time of filing thereof and (ii) did not at
the time they were filed contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading, which untrue statement or omission was not corrected
in a subsequent SEC Report.

         SECTION 6.2       SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, ETC.

         All representations and warranties set forth in this Article VI and all
representations and warranties contained in any certificate related hereto, or
any of the Loan Documents (including but not limited to any such representation
or warranty made in or in connection with any amendment thereto) shall
constitute representations and warranties made under this Agreement. All
representations and warranties made under this Agreement shall be made or deemed
to be made at and as of the Closing Date, shall survive the Closing Date and
shall not be waived by the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any
investigation made by or on behalf of the Lenders or any borrowing hereunder.

                                       52
<PAGE>   58
                                   ARTICLE VII

                        FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND NOTICES

         Until all principal and interest with respect to the Loans, all L/C
Obligations and all other Obligations then due and owing have been paid and
satisfied in full and the Termination Date has occurred, unless consent has been
obtained in the manner set forth in Section 13.10 hereof, the Credit Parties
will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent and to the
Lenders at their respective addresses as set forth in Section 13.1 and on
Schedule 13.1, or such other office as may be designated by the Administrative
Agent and Lenders from time to time:

         SECTION 7.1       FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, ETC.

         (a)      Quarterly Financial Statements.

                  (i)      As soon as practicable and in any event within
         forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal
         quarters of each Fiscal Year, either (i) a copy of a report on Form
         10-Q, or any successor form, and any amendments thereto, filed by the
         Borrower with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to
         the immediately preceding fiscal quarter or (ii) unaudited Consolidated
         balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the close of
         such fiscal quarter and unaudited Consolidated statements of income,
         stockholders' equity and cash flows for the fiscal quarter then ended
         and that portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, all in reasonable
         detail setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for
         the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance
         sheet, as of the end of) the preceding Fiscal Year and prepared by the
         Borrower in accordance with GAAP and, if applicable, containing
         disclosure of the effect on the financial position or results of
         operations of any change in the application of accounting principles
         and practices during the period, and certified by a Responsible Officer
         of the Borrower to present fairly in all material respects the
         financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of their
         respective dates and the results of operations of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries for the respective periods then ended, subject to normal
         year end adjustments and to the absence of notes required by GAAP.

                  (ii)     As soon as practicable and in any event within
         forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal
         quarters of each Fiscal Year, unaudited Consolidated balance sheets of
         Standard Gypsum, Premier Boxboard and each other Material Joint Venture
         as of the close of such fiscal quarter and unaudited Consolidated
         statements of profit and loss for the fiscal quarter then ended and
         that portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, all in reasonable detail
         setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the
         corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance
         sheet, as of the end of) the preceding Fiscal Year and prepared by the
         Borrower in accordance with GAAP and, if applicable, containing
         disclosure of the effect on the financial position or results of
         operations of any change in the application of accounting principles
         and practices during the period, and certified by a Responsible Officer
         of the Borrower to present fairly in all material respects the
         financial condition of each such joint venture as of their respective
         dates and the results of operations of each such joint

                                       53
<PAGE>   59

         venture for the respective periods then ended, subject to normal year
         end adjustments and to the absence of notes required by GAAP.

         (b)      Annual Financial Statements.

                  (i)      As soon as practicable and in any event within ninety
         (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, either (i) a copy of a
         report on Form 10-K, or any successor form, and any amendments thereto,
         filed by the Borrower with the Securities and Exchange Commission with
         respect to the immediately preceding Fiscal Year or (ii) audited
         Consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of
         the close of such Fiscal Year and audited Consolidated statements of
         income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the Fiscal Year then
         ended, including the notes thereto, all in reasonable detail setting
         forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding
         Fiscal Year and prepared by a nationally recognized independent
         certified public accounting firm acceptable to the Administrative Agent
         in accordance with GAAP and, if applicable, containing disclosure of
         the effect on the financial position or results of operation of any
         change in the application of accounting principles and practices during
         the year, and accompanied by a report thereon by such certified public
         accountants that is not qualified with respect to scope limitations
         imposed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or with respect to
         accounting principles followed by the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries not in accordance with GAAP.

                  (ii)     As soon as practicable and in any event within ninety
         (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, audited Consolidated
         balance sheets of Standard Gypsum, Premier Boxboard and each other
         Material Joint Venture as of the close of such Fiscal Year and audited
         Consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows
         for the Fiscal Year then ended, including the notes thereto, all in
         reasonable detail setting forth in comparative form the corresponding
         figures for the preceding Fiscal Year and prepared by a nationally
         recognized independent certified public accounting firm acceptable to
         the Administrative Agent in accordance with GAAP and, if applicable,
         containing disclosure of the effect on the financial position or
         results of operation of any change in the application of accounting
         principles and practices during the year, and accompanied by a report
         thereon by such certified public accountants that is not qualified with
         respect to scope limitations imposed by any such joint venture or with
         respect to accounting principles followed by any such joint venture not
         in accordance with GAAP.

         (c)      Annual Budgets. As soon as practicable and in any event within
sixty (60) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, an annual business plan and
budget of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year immediately
following such Fiscal Year end, containing among other things projections of pro
forma financial statements for such Fiscal Year.

         SECTION 7.2       OFFICER'S COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE.

         At each time financial statements are delivered pursuant to Section
7.1(a) or (b), a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower in the
form of Exhibit G attached hereto (an "Officer's Compliance Certificate")
including the calculations prepared by such Responsible Officer required to
establish whether or not the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries are in

                                       54
<PAGE>   60

compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 9.1 hereof as at
the end of each respective period.

         SECTION 7.3       ACCOUNTANTS' CERTIFICATE.

         At each time financial statements are delivered pursuant to Section
7.1(b)(i), a certificate of the independent public accountants certifying such
financial statements addressed to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of
the Lenders stating that in making the examination necessary for the
certification of such financial statements, they obtained no knowledge of any
Default or Event of Default or, if such is not the case, specifying such Default
or Event of Default and its nature and period of existence.

         SECTION 7.4       OTHER REPORTS.

         (a)      Promptly after the filing thereof, a copy of (i) each report
or other filing made by any of the Credit Parties or any Subsidiary thereof with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and required by the Securities and
Exchange Commission to be delivered to the shareholders of such Credit Party or
Subsidiary, (ii) each report made by any of the Credit Parties or any Subsidiary
thereof to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K and (iii) each
final registration statement of any of the Credit Parties or any Subsidiary
thereof filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, except in connection
with pension plans and other employee benefit plans; and

         (b)      Such other information regarding the operations, business
affairs and financial condition of the Credit Parties and/or their Subsidiaries
as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

         SECTION 7.5       NOTICE OF LITIGATION AND OTHER MATTERS.

         Prompt (but in no event later than three (3) Business Days after an
executive officer of any of the Credit Parties obtains knowledge thereof)
telephonic (confirmed in writing) or written notice of:

         (a)      the commencement of all proceedings and investigations by or
before any Governmental Authority and all actions and proceedings in any court
or before any arbitrator against or involving any of the Credit Parties or any
Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective properties, assets or businesses
(i) which in the reasonable judgment of the Credit Parties could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) with respect to any material
Debt of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries or (iii) with respect to
any Loan Document;

         (b)      any notice of any violation received by any of the Credit
Parties or any Subsidiary thereof from any Governmental Authority including,
without limitation, any notice of violation of Environmental Laws, which in the
reasonable judgment of the Credit Parties in any such case could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

         (c)      (i) any unfavorable determination letter from the Internal
Revenue Service regarding the qualification of an Employee Benefit Plan under
Section 401(a) of the Code (along with a copy thereof) which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,

                                       55
<PAGE>   61

(ii) all notices received by any of the Credit Parties or any ERISA Affiliate of
the PBGC's intent to terminate any Pension Plan or to have a trustee appointed
to administer any Pension Plan, (iii) all notices received by any of the Credit
Parties or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning the
imposition or amount of withdrawal liability pursuant to Section 4202 of ERISA
which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) the
Credit Parties obtaining knowledge or reason to know that any of the Credit
Parties or any ERISA Affiliate has filed or intends to file a notice of intent
to terminate any Pension Plan under a distress termination within the meaning of
Section 4041(c) of ERISA and (v) the occurrence of a Reportable Event which
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

         (d)      the occurrence of any event which constitutes a Default or an
Event of Default; and

         (e)      the occurrence of any event which constitutes, or which could
reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 7.6       ACCURACY OF INFORMATION.

         All written information, reports, statements and other papers and data
furnished by or on behalf of the Credit Parties to the Administrative Agent or
any Lender (other than financial forecasts) whether pursuant to this Article VII
or any other provision of this Agreement, shall be, at the time the same is so
furnished and taken as a whole, true and complete in all material respects.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         Until all principal and interest with respect to the Loans, all L/C
Obligations and all other Obligations then due and owing have been paid and
satisfied in full and the Termination Date has occurred, unless consent has been
obtained in the manner provided for in Section 13.10, each Credit Party will,
and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to:

         SECTION 8.1       PRESERVATION OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE AND RELATED
MATTERS.

         (i)      Except as permitted by Section 9.3, preserve and maintain its
separate corporate existence and all rights, franchises, licenses and privileges
necessary to the conduct of its business.

         (ii)     Qualify and remain qualified as a foreign corporation and
authorized to do business in each jurisdiction where the nature and scope of its
activities require it to so qualify under Applicable Law, except where the
failure to so preserve and maintain its existence and rights or to so qualify
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                       56
<PAGE>   62

         SECTION 8.2       MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY.

         Protect and preserve all properties useful in and material to its
business, including copyrights, patents, trade names and trademarks; maintain in
good working order and condition all buildings, equipment and other tangible
real and personal property material to the conduct of its business, ordinary
wear and tear excepted; and from time to time make or cause to be made all
renewals, replacements and additions to such property necessary for the conduct
of its business, so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be
properly and advantageously conducted at all times, except, in each case, where
the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

         SECTION 8.3       INSURANCE.

         Maintain insurance with financially sound and reputable insurance
companies against such risks and in such amounts as are consistent with past
practices and prudent business practice (and in any event consistent with normal
industry practice), and as may be required by Applicable Law.

         SECTION 8.4       ACCOUNTING METHODS AND FINANCIAL RECORDS.

         Maintain a system of accounting, and keep such books, records and
accounts (which shall be true and complete in all material respects) as may be
required or as may be necessary to permit the preparation of financial
statements in accordance with GAAP and in compliance with the regulations of any
Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or any of its properties.

         SECTION 8.5       PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS.

         (a)      Pay and perform all Obligations under this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents.

         (b)      Pay and discharge (i) all material taxes, assessments and
governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits, or
upon any properties belonging to it, prior to the date on which penalties attach
thereto, and (ii) all other material indebtedness, obligations and liabilities
in accordance with customary trade practices; provided that such Credit Party or
Subsidiary may contest any item described in clause (i) or (ii) of this Section
8.5(b) in good faith and by proper proceedings so long as adequate reserves are
maintained with respect thereto to the extent required by GAAP.

         (c)      Perform all of its obligations under the terms of each
mortgage, indenture, security agreement, loan agreement or credit agreement and
each other agreement, contract or instrument by which it is bound, except where
such non-performances could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 8.6       COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND APPROVALS.

         Observe and remain in compliance with all Applicable Laws and maintain
in full force and effect all Governmental Approvals, in each case applicable to
the conduct of its business,

                                       57
<PAGE>   63

except where the failure to observe or comply could not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 8.7       ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

         In addition to and without limiting the generality of Section 8.6, (a)
comply with, and use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure such compliance
by all tenants and subtenants with, all applicable Environmental Laws and obtain
and comply with and maintain, and ensure that all tenants and subtenants obtain
and comply with and maintain, any and all licenses, approvals, notifications,
registrations or permits required by applicable Environmental Laws, except where
the failure to obtain, comply or maintain could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) conduct and complete all investigations,
studies, sampling and testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions
required under Environmental Laws, and promptly comply with all lawful orders
and directives of any Governmental Authority regarding Environmental Laws,
except (i) where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect or (ii) to the extent the Credit Parties or any of their
Subsidiaries are contesting, in good faith, any such requirement, order or
directive before the appropriate Governmental Authority so long as adequate
reserves are maintained with respect thereto to the extent required by GAAP, and
(c) defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders, and their respective parents, Subsidiaries, Affiliates, employees,
agents, officers and directors, from and against any claims, demands, penalties,
fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses of whatever kind or
nature known or unknown, contingent or otherwise, arising out of, or in any way
relating to the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under any
Environmental Laws applicable to the operations or properties of the Credit
Parties or such Subsidiaries, or any orders, requirements or demands of
Governmental Authorities related thereto, including, without limitation,
reasonable attorney's and consultant's fees, investigation and laboratory fees,
response costs, court costs and litigation expenses, except to the extent that
any of the foregoing result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
the party seeking indemnification therefor.

         SECTION 8.8       COMPLIANCE WITH ERISA.

         In addition to and without limiting the generality of Section 8.6, (a)
comply with all applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and the regulations
and published interpretations thereunder with respect to all Employee Benefit
Plans, except where the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) not take any action or fail to take action
the result of which would result in a liability to the PBGC or to a
Multiemployer Plan in an amount that could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect, and (c) furnish to the Administrative Agent or any
Lender upon the Administrative Agent's or such Lender's request such additional
information about any Employee Benefit Plan concerning compliance with this
covenant as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or such
Lender.

                                       58
<PAGE>   64

         SECTION 8.9       CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.

         Maintain substantially all of its businesses in substantially the same
fields as the businesses conducted on the Closing Date and in lines of business
reasonably related thereto or as otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement.

         SECTION 8.10      VISITS AND INSPECTIONS.

         Permit representatives of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, from
time to time upon reasonable prior notice and during ordinary business hours, to
visit and inspect its properties; inspect and make extracts from its books,
records and files, including, but not limited to, management letters prepared by
independent accountants; and discuss with its principal officers, and its
independent accountants, its business, assets, liabilities, financial condition,
results of operations and business prospects.

         SECTION 8.11      USE OF PROCEEDS.

         Use the proceeds of the Extensions of Credit for the purposes set forth
in Section 2.1(b).

         SECTION 8.12      ADDITIONAL CREDIT PARTIES.

         As soon as practicable and in any event within 30 days after any Person
becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower following the Closing Date, the Borrower
shall provide the Administrative Agent with written notice thereof setting forth
information in reasonable detail describing the ownership of such Person and
shall, with respect to any such Person organized under the laws of the United
States or any State or territory thereof, (a) cause such Person to execute a
Guarantor Joinder Agreement in substantially the same form as Exhibit E, and (b)
cause such Person to deliver such other documentation as the Administrative
Agent may reasonably request in connection with the foregoing, which
documentation may include, without limitation, certified resolutions and other
organizational and authorizing documents of such Person, favorable opinions of
counsel to such Person (which shall cover, among other things, the legality,
validity, binding effect and enforceability of the documentation referred to
above) and other items of the types required to be delivered pursuant to Section
5.1(b), all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         Until all principal and interest with respect to the Loans, all L/C
Obligations and all other Obligations then due and owing have been paid and
satisfied in full and the Termination Date has occurred, unless consent has been
obtained in the manner set forth in Section 13.10.

                                       59
<PAGE>   65

         SECTION 9.1  FINANCIAL COVENANTS.

         (a) Maximum Total Leverage Ratio. As of the end of each fiscal quarter,
commencing with the end of the first fiscal quarter ending after the Closing
Date, the Credit Parties will not permit the Total Leverage Ratio to be greater
than or equal to:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Fiscal Quarter                            Ratio
------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                         <C>
 fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2001                        72.5%
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2001                         72.5%
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2001                    72.5%
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2001                     72.5%
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2002                        70.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2002                         70.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2002                    70.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2002                     67.5%
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2003                        67.5%
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2003                         67.5%
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2003 and each           65.0%
 fiscal quarter ending thereafter
------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         (b)      Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio. As of the end of each fiscal
quarter, commencing with the end of the first fiscal quarter ending after the
Closing Date, the Credit Parties will not permit the Interest Coverage Ratio to
be less than or equal to:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Period                               Ratio
------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                      <C>
 fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2001                     2.50:1.0
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2001                      2.50:1.0
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2001                 2.50:1.0
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2001                  2.50:1.0
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2002                     2.75:1.0
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2002                      2.75:1.0
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2002                 2.75:1.0
------------------------------------------------------------------
 fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2002 and each         3.00:1.0
 fiscal quarter ending thereafter
------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       60
<PAGE>   66

         (c)      Minimum Tangible Net Worth. At all times after the Closing
Date, the Credit Parties will not permit the Tangible Net Worth to be less than
$108,900,000 plus, as of the end of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the end
of the first fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date, (i) 50% of Net Income
(to the extent positive) for the fiscal quarter then ended, such increases to be
cumulative, and (ii) 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of Equity Issuances during
the fiscal quarter then ended, such increases to be cumulative.

         (d)      Maximum Capital Expenditures. Capital Expenditures in any
Fiscal Year shall not exceed the amount set forth below with respect to such
Fiscal Year:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Fiscal Year                            Amount
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                      <C>
 Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2001                     $40,000,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2002                     $45,000,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2003                     $50,000,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2004                     $50,000,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

plus the unused amount available for Capital Expenditures under this Section
9.1(d) for the immediately preceding Fiscal Year (excluding any carry forward
available from any prior fiscal year).

         SECTION 9.2       LIMITATIONS ON LIENS.

         No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on, or with respect to, any of
its assets or properties (including without limitation shares of Capital Stock
or other ownership interests), real or personal, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, except:

         (a)      Liens for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or
levies not yet due or as to which the period of grace, if any, related thereto
has not expired or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings if adequate reserves are maintained to the extent required by GAAP;

         (b)      The claims of materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen,
processors or landlords for labor, materials, supplies or rentals incurred in
the ordinary course of business, (i) which are not overdue for a period of more
than thirty (30) days or (ii) which are being contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves are maintained to the extent
required by GAAP;

         (c)      Liens consisting of deposits or pledges made in the ordinary
course of business (i) in connection with, or to secure payment of, obligations
under workers' compensation, unemployment insurance or similar legislation or
obligations under customer service contracts or (ii) to secure the performance
of letters of credit, bids, tenders, sales contracts, leases, statutory
obligations, surety, appeal and performance bonds and other similar obligations,
in each case not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or the
payment of the deferred purchase price of property;

                                       61
<PAGE>   67

         (d)      Liens constituting encumbrances in the nature of zoning
restrictions, easements and rights or restrictions of record on the use of real
property, which in the aggregate are not substantial in amount and which do not,
in any case, detract from the value of any material parcel of real property or
impair the use thereof in the ordinary conduct of business;

         (e)      Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent (or another
collateral agent acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Required
Lenders) for the benefit of (i) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (and,
with respect to Obligations under Hedging Agreements, Affiliates of the
Lenders), (ii) to the extent a default would otherwise exist under the Senior
Note Indenture, the holders of the Senior Notes and (iii) to the extent a
default would otherwise arise under the Premier Boxboard Credit Facility, the
lenders under such credit facility;

         (f)      Liens on the property or assets of any Subsidiary existing at
the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary of a Credit Party and not incurred
in contemplation thereof, as long as the outstanding principal amount of the
Debt secured thereby is not voluntarily increased by such Subsidiary after the
date such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary of such Credit Party;

         (g)      Liens on the property or assets of the Credit Parties or any
Subsidiary securing Debt which is incurred to finance the acquisition of such
property or assets, provided that (i) each such Lien shall be created
substantially simultaneously with the acquisition of the related property or
assets; (ii) each such Lien does not at any time encumber any property other
than the related property or assets financed by such Debt; (iii) the principal
amount of Debt secured by each such Lien is not increased in violation of this
Agreement; and (iv) the principal amount of Debt secured by each such Lien shall
at no time exceed 100% of the original purchase price of such related property
or assets at the time acquired;

         (h)      Liens consisting of judgment or judicial attachment Liens,
provided that (i) the claims giving rise to such Liens are being diligently
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (ii) adequate reserves for
the obligations secured by such Liens have been established and (iii)
enforcement of such Liens has been stayed;

         (i)      Liens on property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary
securing Debt owing to the Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; and

         (j)      Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section 9.2 that (i)
secure Debt permitted under Section 9.3, (ii) are not in excess of five percent
(5%) of Tangible Net Worth in the aggregate at any time outstanding and (iii)
are permitted under the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture.

         SECTION 9.3       LIMITATION ON DEBT.

         No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Debt, except:

         (a)      Debt arising under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents;

         (b)      Debt existing as of the Closing Date as referenced on Schedule
6.1(p) and Schedule 9.3 (and renewals, refinancings or extensions thereof on
terms and conditions no less

                                       62
<PAGE>   68

favorable in any material respect to such Person than such existing Debt and in
a principal amount not in excess of that outstanding as of the date of such
renewal, refinancing or extension);

         (c)      Capital Lease obligations and Debt incurred, in each case, to
provide all or a portion of the purchase price or costs of construction of an
asset or, in the case of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, to finance the value
of such asset owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, provided that
(i) such Debt when incurred shall not exceed the purchase price or cost of
construction of such asset or, in the case of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction,
the fair market value of such asset, (ii) no such Debt shall be refinanced for a
principal amount in excess of the principal balance outstanding thereon at the
time of such refinancing and (iii) the aggregate amount of all such Debt shall
not exceed $15,000,000 at any time outstanding;

         (d)      unsecured intercompany Debt of a Subsidiary of the Borrower to
a Subsidiary of the Borrower;

         (e)      Debt and Obligations owing under Hedging Agreements relating
to the Loans hereunder and other Hedging Agreements entered into in order to
manage existing or anticipated interest rate, exchange rate or commodity price
risks and not for speculative purposes;

         (f)      Debt owing under the Senior Subordinated Notes and the New
Senior Notes not to exceed $315,000,000 in the aggregate principal at any time
outstanding;

         (g)      Debt owing under the Senior Notes not to exceed $200,000,000
in the aggregate principal at any time outstanding;

         (h)      other unsecured Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
which may be incurred in accordance with the terms of the Senior Subordinated
Note Indenture and which does not exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate at any
time outstanding; and

         (i)      Support Obligations of Debt permitted under this Section 9.3.

         SECTION 9.4       LIMITATIONS ON MERGERS AND LIQUIDATION.

         No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
merge, consolidate or enter into any similar combination with any other Person
or liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or
dissolution), except:

         (a)      Any Credit Party or a Subsidiary may merge with another Person
that is not a Credit Party or a Subsidiary, provided that (i) such Person is
organized under the law of the United States or one of its states, (ii) such
Credit Party or the Subsidiary, as the case may be, is the corporation surviving
such merger, (iii) immediately prior to and after giving effect to such merger,
no Default or Event of Default exists or would exist, (iv) the Board of
Directors of such Person has approved such merger and (v) such transaction is
permitted under Section 9.6;

         (b)      Any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party may
merge into a Credit Party or any other Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a Credit
Party;

                                       63
<PAGE>   69

         (c)      Any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party may
liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself into a Credit Party or any other
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a Credit Party; and

         (d)      Any Credit Party other than the Borrower may merge into
another Credit Party or liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself into another
Credit Party.

         SECTION 9.5       LIMITATION ON ASSET DISPOSITIONS.

         No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
make any Asset Disposition (including, without limitation, in connection with
any Sale and Leaseback Transaction), in one transaction or a series of
transactions, except (a) Sale Leaseback Transactions permitted by the terms of
Section 9.12, (b) so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default shall exist on
the date of, or shall result from, any such transaction (including after giving
effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis) and (ii) such transaction is
permitted under the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture, Permitted Asset
Dispositions, and (c) so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default shall exist
on the date of, or shall result from, any such transaction (including after
giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis), (ii) such transaction
is permitted under the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture and (iii) such
transaction is permitted under Section 9.15 (if applicable), other Asset
Dispositions; provided that the aggregate amount of all such Asset Dispositions
(other than the Permitted Asset Dispositions) does not exceed (A) in any Fiscal
Year, five percent (5%) of Total Assets (measured as of the last day of the
immediately preceding Fiscal Year or (B) during the term of this Agreement,
fifteen percent (15%) of Total Assets (measured as of December 31, 2000).

         SECTION 9.6       LIMITATIONS ON ACQUISITIONS.

         Other than transactions permitted under Section 9.7, no Credit Party
will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, acquire all or any portion
of the Capital Stock or other ownership interest in any Person which is not a
Subsidiary or all or any substantial portion of the assets, property and/or
operations of a Person which is not a Subsidiary, unless (a) the Person, assets,
property and/or operations being acquired engage in or are engaged in the same
line of business as that engaged in by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the
Closing Date or a business reasonably related thereto, (b) in the case of an
acquisition of Capital Stock or other ownership interest of a Person, the Board
of Directors of the Person which is the subject of such acquisition shall have
approved the acquisition, (c) no Default or Event of Default shall exist on the
date of, or shall result from, any such acquisition (including after giving
effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis), and (d) the aggregate cash
consideration for each such acquisition does not exceed $25,000,000 and the
aggregate consideration (cash and noncash) for all such acquisitions consummated
in any twelve-month period does not exceed $50,000,000.

         SECTION 9.7       LIMITATION ON ADVANCES, INVESTMENTS AND LOANS.

         No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
lend money or extend credit or make advances to any Person or purchase or
acquire any stock, obligations or securities of, or any other interest in or
make any capital contribution to, or otherwise make an Investment in, any
Person, except for Permitted Investments.

                                       64
<PAGE>   70

         SECTION 9.8       LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.

         No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, declare, order, make or set apart any sum for or pay any
Restricted Payment, other than (a) the repurchase by the Borrower of up to
$20,000,000 of the Capital Stock of the Borrower pursuant to the repurchase plan
authorized by the Borrower's board of directors prior to the Closing Date,
provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default shall exist on the date of, or
shall result from, any such repurchase and (ii) any such repurchase is permitted
under the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture, and (b) the payment by the
Borrower of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per share on its common stock
that is listed on a national securities exchange, provided that (i) no Default
or Event of Default shall exist on the date of, or shall result from, any such
dividend and (ii) the payment of any such dividend is permitted under the Senior
Subordinated Note Indenture.

         SECTION 9.9       LIMITATION ON TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.

         No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly (a) make any loan or advance to, or purchase or assume
any note or other obligation to or from, any of its officers, directors,
shareholders or Affiliates, or to or from any member of the immediate family of
any of its officers, directors, shareholders or Affiliates, other than (i) any
such transaction in the ordinary course of business which is arm's length and
which constitutes a Permitted Investment, (ii) loans or advances to customers of
the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business
which are arm's length, (iii) loans or advances from a Credit Party to another
Credit Party, and (iv) any other loan or advance or assumption that would not
cause the aggregate amount of all such loans and advances and assumed notes and
advances to exceed $1,000,000, or (b) enter into, or be a party to, any
subcontract of any operations or other transaction with any of its Affiliates,
except pursuant to the reasonable requirements of its business and upon fair and
reasonable terms that are no less favorable to it than it would obtain in a
comparable arm's length transaction with a Person not its Affiliate and except
for transactions which are not material either individually or in the aggregate.

         SECTION 9.10      LIMITATION ON CERTAIN ACCOUNTING CHANGES.

         No Credit Party will (a) change its Fiscal Year end in order to avoid a
Default or an Event of Default or if a Material Adverse Effect would result
therefrom or (b) make any material change in its accounting treatment and
reporting practices except as required by GAAP.

         SECTION 9.11      LIMITATION ON RESTRICTING DIVIDENDS AND
DISTRIBUTIONS.

         No Credit Party will permit any Subsidiary to agree to, incur, assume
or suffer to exist any restriction, limitation or other encumbrance (by covenant
or otherwise) on the ability of such Subsidiary to make any payment to a Credit
Party or any of its Subsidiaries (in the form of dividends, intercompany
advances or otherwise) or to transfer any of its properties or assets to a
Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, except:

         (a)      Restrictions and limitations under the Senior Subordinated
Note Indenture;

         (b) Restrictions and limitations applicable to a Subsidiary existing at
the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary of a Credit Party and not incurred
in contemplation thereof, as

                                       65
<PAGE>   71

long as no such restriction or limitation is made more restrictive after the
date such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary of such Credit Party; and

         (c)      Other restrictions and limitations that (i) are not material
either individually or in the aggregate and (ii) are otherwise permitted under
the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture.

         SECTION 9.12      LIMITATION ON SALE LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS.

         No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
sell or transfer any material property or assets to anyone (other than the
Borrower or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower) with the intention of
taking back a lease of such property or assets or any similar property or
assets, except in connection with a lease for a temporary period during or at
the end of which it is intended that the use by such Credit Party or its
Subsidiary of such property or assets will be discontinued.

         SECTION 9.13      LIMITATION ON ACTIONS WITH RESPECT TO OTHER DEBT.

         No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

                  (a)      if any Default or Event of Default has occurred and
         is continuing or would be directly or indirectly caused as a result
         thereof, after the issuance thereof, (i) amend or modify any of the
         terms of any Debt of such Person (other than Debt arising under the
         Loan Documents) if such amendment or modification would add or change
         any terms in a manner adverse to such Person or to the Lenders, or (ii)
         shorten the final maturity or average life to maturity thereof or
         require any payment thereon to be made sooner than originally scheduled
         or increase the interest rate applicable thereto, or (iii) make (or
         give any notice with respect thereto) any voluntary or optional payment
         or prepayment thereof, or make (or give any notice with respect
         thereto) any redemption or acquisition for value or defeasance
         (including without limitation, by way of depositing money or securities
         with the trustee with respect thereto before due for the purpose of
         paying when due), refund, refinance or exchange with respect thereto;

                  (b)      after the issuance thereof, amend or modify any of
         the terms of any Subordinated Debt of such Person if such amendment or
         modification would (i) add or change any terms in a manner adverse to
         such Person or to the Lenders, (ii) shorten the final maturity or
         average life to maturity thereof, (iii) require any payment thereon to
         be made sooner than originally scheduled, (iv) increase the interest
         rate applicable thereto or (v) change any subordination provision
         thereof in a manner adverse to the Lenders;

                  (c)      make interest payments in respect of any Subordinated
         Debt in violation of the applicable subordination provisions;

                  (d)      make (or give any notice with respect thereto) any
         voluntary or optional payment or prepayment in respect of any
         Subordinated Debt;

                  (e)      make (or give any notice with respect thereto) any
         redemption, acquisition for value or defeasance (including without
         limitation, by way of depositing money or

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         securities with the trustee with respect thereto before due for the
         purpose of paying when due), refund, refinance or exchange of any
         Subordinated Debt; or

         (f)      designate any other Debt of such Person as "Designated Senior
Debt" (as such term is used in the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture) other
than Debt designated as "Designated Senior Debt" as of the Closing Date and
identified as such on Schedule 9.3.

         SECTION 9.14      ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR 2000.

         The audited annual financial statements for the Fiscal Year ended
December 31, 2000 delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant
to Section 7.1(b) shall not reflect any material adverse changes in the
financial position or the results of operations of the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries from the financial position and results of operations
of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries reflected in the draft
financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on or
prior to the Closing Date and referenced in Section 5.1(e)(ii) (it being
understood that the change reflecting the payment of amounts outstanding under
the Prior Bank Commitment shall not constitute a material adverse change).

         SECTION 9.15      LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCES AND SALES OF CAPITAL STOCK
OF WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES.

         (a)      No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of the Capital Stock
or any other equity interest of any Wholly Owned Subsidiary to any Person (other
than the Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary) unless (i) such sale, lease,
transfer or other disposition is of all of the Capital Stock and other equity
interests of such Wholly Owned Subsidiary and (ii) such sale, lease, transfer or
other disposition is permitted under Section 9.5.

         (b)      No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, permit any Wholly Owned Subsidiary to issue any Capital Stock
or any other equity interest of such Wholly Owned Subsidiary to any Person
(other than the Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary).

                                    ARTICLE X

                                    GUARANTY

         SECTION 10.1      GUARANTY OF PAYMENT.

         Subject to Section 10.7 below, each Guarantor hereby unconditionally
guarantees to each Lender (for purposes of this Article X, the term "Lender"
shall be deemed to include, in connection with Obligations under any Hedging
Agreement, each Affiliate of a Lender that has entered into a Hedging Agreement
with a Credit Party) and the Administrative Agent the prompt payment of the
Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory
prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise). This guaranty is a guaranty of
payment and not solely of collection and is a continuing guaranty and shall
apply to all Obligations whenever arising.

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<PAGE>   73

         SECTION 10.2      OBLIGATIONS UNCONDITIONAL.

         The obligations of the Guarantors hereunder are absolute and
unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or
enforceability of this Agreement, or any other agreement or instrument referred
to herein, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, irrespective of
any other circumstance whatsoever which might otherwise constitute a legal or
equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor. Each Guarantor agrees
that this guaranty may be enforced by the Lenders without the necessity at any
time of resorting to or exhausting any security or collateral and without the
necessity at any time of having recourse to the Notes, this Agreement or any
other Loan Document or any collateral, if any, hereafter securing the
Obligations or otherwise and each Guarantor hereby waives the right to require
the Lenders to proceed against any other Guarantor or any other Person
(including a co-guarantor) or to require the Lenders to pursue any other remedy
or enforce any other right. Each Guarantor further agrees that it shall have no
right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution against any other
Guarantor (or any other guarantor of the Obligations) for amounts paid under
this guaranty until such time as the Lenders have been paid in full, all
commitments under this Agreement have been terminated and no Person or
Governmental Authority shall have any right to request any return or
reimbursement of funds from the Lenders in connection with monies received under
this Agreement. Each Guarantor further agrees that nothing contained herein
shall prevent the Lenders from suing on the Notes, this Agreement or any other
Loan Document or foreclosing its security interest in or Lien on any collateral,
if any, securing the Obligations or from exercising any other rights available
to it under this Agreement, the Notes, or any other instrument of security, if
any, and the exercise of any of the aforesaid rights and the completion of any
foreclosure proceedings shall not constitute a discharge of any Guarantor's
obligations hereunder; it being the purpose and intent of each Guarantor that
its obligations hereunder shall be absolute, independent and unconditional under
any and all circumstances. Neither a Guarantor's obligations under this guaranty
nor any remedy for the enforcement thereof shall be impaired, modified, changed
or released in any manner whatsoever by an impairment, modification, change,
release or limitation of the liability of any other Guarantor or by reason of
the bankruptcy or insolvency of such other Guarantor. Each Guarantor waives any
and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any of the
Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance of by the Administrative Agent or
any Lender upon this guaranty or acceptance of this guaranty. The Obligations,
and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted
or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon this
guaranty. All dealings between the Borrower and the Guarantors, on the one hand,
and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, likewise shall
be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon this
guaranty.

         SECTION 10.3      MODIFICATIONS.

         Each Guarantor agrees that (a) all or any part of the security which
hereafter may be held for the Obligations, if any, may be exchanged, compromised
or surrendered from time to time; (b) the Lenders shall not have any obligation
to protect, perfect, secure or insure any such security interests, liens or
encumbrances which hereafter may be held, if any, for the Obligations or the
properties subject thereto; (c) the time or place of payment of the Obligations
may be changed or extended, in whole or in part, to a time certain or otherwise,
and may be renewed or accelerated, in whole or in part; (d) the Borrower and any
other party liable for payment under

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<PAGE>   74

this Agreement may be granted indulgences generally; (e) any of the provisions
of the Notes, this Agreement or any other Loan Document may be modified, amended
or waived; (f) any party (including any co-guarantor) liable for the payment
thereof may be granted indulgences or be released; and (g) any deposit balance
for the credit of the Borrower or any other party liable for the payment of the
Obligations or liable upon any security therefor may be released, in whole or in
part, at, before or after the stated, extended or accelerated maturity of the
Obligations, all without notice to or further assent by such Guarantor, which
shall remain bound thereon, notwithstanding any such exchange, compromise,
surrender, extension, renewal, acceleration, modification, indulgence or
release.

         SECTION 10.4      WAIVER OF RIGHTS.

         Each Guarantor expressly waives to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law: (a) notice of acceptance of this guaranty by the Lenders and of
all Extensions of Credit to the Borrower by the Lenders; (b) presentment and
demand for payment or performance of any of the Obligations; (c) protest and
notice of dishonor or of default (except as specifically required in this
Agreement) with respect to the Obligations or with respect to any security
therefor; (d) notice of the Lenders obtaining, amending, substituting for,
releasing, waiving or modifying any Lien, if any, hereafter securing the
Obligations, or the Lenders' subordinating, compromising, discharging or
releasing such Liens, if any; (e) all other notices to which the Borrower might
otherwise be entitled in connection with the guaranty evidenced by this Article
X; and (f) demand for payment under this guaranty. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor hereby specifically waives the
benefits of N.C. Gen. Stat. ss.ss.26-7 through 26-9, inclusive, to the extent
applicable.

         SECTION 10.5      REINSTATEMENT.

         The obligations of each Guarantor under this Article X shall be
automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by
or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Obligations is rescinded or must be
otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Obligations, whether as a result
of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise, and each
Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender
on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent or
such Lender in connection with such rescission or restoration, including any
such costs and expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that
such payment constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment
under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.

         SECTION 10.6      REMEDIES.

         Each Guarantor agrees that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand,
and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, the Obligations
may be declared to be forthwith due and payable as provided in Section 11.2 (and
shall be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in the
circumstances provided in Section 11.2) notwithstanding any stay, injunction or
other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing such Obligations
from becoming automatically due and payable) as against any other Person and
that, in the event of such declaration (or such Obligations being deemed to have
become automatically

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<PAGE>   75

due and payable), such Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any other
Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Guarantor.

         SECTION 10.7      LIMITATION OF GUARANTY.

         Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, to the
extent the obligations of a Guarantor shall be adjudicated to be invalid or
unenforceable for any reason (including, without limitation, because of any
applicable state or federal law relating to fraudulent conveyances or transfers)
then the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the maximum
amount that is permissible under Applicable Law (whether federal or state and
including, without limitation, the Federal Bankruptcy Code (as now or
hereinafter in effect)).

                                   ARTICLE XI

                              DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

         SECTION 11.1      EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

         Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default, whatever
the reason for such event and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be
effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment or order of any court
or any order, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority or otherwise:

         (a)      Default in Payment of Principal of Loans and Reimbursement
Obligation. The Borrower shall default in any payment of principal of any Loan,
Note or Reimbursement Obligation when and as due (whether at maturity, by reason
of acceleration or otherwise).

         (b)      Other Payment Default. The Borrower shall default in the
payment when and as due (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration or
otherwise) of any interest, fees or other amounts owing on any Loan, Note or
Reimbursement Obligation or the payment of any other Obligation (other than any
Obligation under any Hedging Agreement), and such default shall continue
unremedied for three (3) Business Days after the earlier of a Responsible
Officer of a Credit Party becoming aware of such default or written notice
thereof has been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent.

         (c)      Misrepresentation. Any representation, warranty or statement
made or deemed to be made by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, if
applicable, under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any amendment hereto or
thereto or in any certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent or to any
Lender pursuant hereto and thereto, shall at any time prove to have been
incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made.

         (d)      Default in Performance of Certain Covenants. (i) Any of the
Credit Parties shall default in the performance or observance of any covenant or
agreement contained in Sections 7.5(d), 8.1(i), 8.11 and 8.12 and Article IX or
(ii) any of the Credit Parties shall default in the performance or observance of
any other covenant or agreement contained in Article VII, and such default shall
continue unremedied for five (5) Business Days.

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<PAGE>   76

         (e) Default in Performance of Other Covenants and Conditions. Any of
the Credit Parties or any Subsidiary thereof, if applicable, shall default in
the performance or observance of any term, covenant, condition or agreement
contained in this Agreement (other than as specifically provided for otherwise
in this Section 11.1) or any other Loan Document and such default shall continue
for a period of thirty (30) days after the earlier of a Responsible Officer of a
Credit Party becoming aware of such default or written notice thereof has been
given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent.

         (f) Hedging Agreement. Any termination payments in an amount greater
than $5,000,000 shall be due by any Credit Party under any Hedging Agreement and
such amount is not paid within thirty (30) Business Days of the due date
thereof.

         (g) Debt Cross-Default. Any of the Credit Parties or any of their
Subsidiaries shall (i) default in the payment of any Debt (other than Debt under
this Agreement, the Notes or the Reimbursement Obligation) the aggregate
outstanding amount of which Debt is in excess of $5,000,000, beyond the period
of grace if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Debt
was created, or (ii) default in the observance or performance of any other
agreement or condition relating to any Debt (other than Debt under this
Agreement, the Notes or the Reimbursement Obligation), the aggregate outstanding
amount of which Debt is in excess of $5,000,000 or contained in any instrument
or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto or any other event shall
occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or
condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Debt (or a
trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, with the giving
of notice if required, any such Debt to become due prior to its stated maturity
(any such notice having been given and any applicable grace period having
expired).

         (h) Change in Control. An event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii)
below shall have occurred: (i) during any period of twelve (12) consecutive
months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the board of
directors of the Borrower (together with any new directors whose election by
such board or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Borrower
was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors then still in office who
were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or
nomination for election was previously so approved) and who were entitled to
vote on such matters, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the board
of directors of the Borrower then in office, (ii) any person or group of persons
(within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended) shall obtain ownership or control in one or more series of transactions
of more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the common stock or twenty-five
percent (25%) of the voting power of the Borrower entitled to vote in the
election of members of the board of directors of the Borrower or (iii) there
shall have occurred under any indenture or other instrument evidencing any Debt
in excess of $5,000,000 any "change in control" (as defined in such indenture or
other evidence of Debt) obligating the Borrower to repurchase, redeem or repay
all or any part of the Debt provided for therein (any such event, a "Change in
Control").

         (i) Voluntary Bankruptcy Proceeding. Any Credit Party or any Material
Subsidiary thereof shall (i) commence a voluntary case under the federal
bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect), (ii) file a petition seeking to
take advantage of any other laws, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, winding up or composition for

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adjustment of debts, (iii) consent to or fail to contest in a timely and
appropriate manner any petition filed against it in an involuntary case under
such bankruptcy laws or other laws, (iv) apply for or consent to, or fail to
contest in a timely and appropriate manner, the appointment of, or the taking of
possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator of itself or of a
substantial part of its property, domestic or foreign, (v) admit in writing its
inability to pay its debts as they become due, (vi) make a general assignment
for the benefit of creditors, or (vii) take any corporate action for the purpose
of authorizing any of the foregoing.

         (j) Involuntary Bankruptcy Proceeding. A case or other proceeding shall
be commenced against any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary thereof in any
court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief under the federal bankruptcy
laws (as now or hereafter in effect) or under any other laws, domestic or
foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding up or
composition for adjustment of debts, or (ii) the appointment of a trustee,
receiver, custodian, liquidator or the like for any Credit Party or any Material
Subsidiary thereof or for all or any substantial part of their respective
assets, domestic or foreign, and such case or proceeding shall continue without
dismissal or stay for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days, or an order
granting the relief requested in such case or proceeding (including, but not
limited to, an order for relief under such federal bankruptcy laws) shall be
entered.

         (k) Enforcement. A creditor or an encumbrance attaches or takes
possession of, or a distress, execution, sequestration or other process is
levied or enforced upon or sued out against, any of the undertakings and assets
of any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary thereof having a value exceeding
$5,000,000 and (if capable of discharge) such possession is not terminated or
such attachment or process is not satisfied, removed or discharge within thirty
(30) days.

         (l) Judgment. A judgment or order for the payment of money which causes
the aggregate amount of all such judgments at any time undischarged and unstayed
as provided in this paragraph (exclusive of amounts covered by insurance
provided by reputable insurers) to exceed $5,000,000 shall be entered against
any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof by any court and such judgment or
order shall continue without discharge or stay for a period of thirty (30) days.

         (m) Guaranty. At any time after the execution and delivery thereof, the
guaranty given by a Guarantor hereunder or any provision thereof shall cease to
be in full force or effect as to such Guarantor, or such Guarantor or any Person
acting by or on behalf of such Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm such
Guarantor's obligations under such guaranty.

         (n) ERISA. An event described in each clause (i), (ii) and (iii) below
shall have occurred: (i) any Pension Plan shall fail to satisfy the minimum
funding standard required for any plan year or part thereof under Section 412 of
the Code or Section 302 of ERISA or a waiver of such standard or extension of
any amortization period is sought or granted under Section 412 of the Code or
Section 303 or 304 of ERISA, a Reportable Event shall have occurred, a
contributing sponsor (as defined in Section 4001(a)(13) of ERISA) of a Pension
Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA shall be subject to the advance reporting
requirement of PBGC Regulation Section 4043.61 (without regard to subparagraph
(b)(1) thereof) and an event described in subsection .62 , .63, .64, .65, .66,
 .67 or .68 of PBGC Regulation Section 4043 shall be reasonably expected to occur
with respect to such Pension Plan within the following thirty (30)

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<PAGE>   78

days, any Pension Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA shall have had or
is likely to have a trustee appointed to administer such Pension Plan, any
Pension Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA is, shall have been or is
likely to be terminated or to be the subject of termination proceedings under
ERISA, any Pension Plan shall have an Unfunded Current Liability, a contribution
required to be made with respect to a Pension Plan or a Foreign Pension Plan has
not been timely made, the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries or any
ERISA Affiliate has incurred or is likely to incur any liability to or on
account of a Pension Plan under Section 409, 502(i), 502(1), 515, 4062, 4063,
4064, 4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29), 4971 or 4975 of
the Code or on account of a group health plan (as defined in Section 607(1) of
ERISA or Section 4980B(g)(2) of the Code) under Section 4980B of the Code, or
the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries has incurred or is likely to
incur liabilities pursuant to one or more employee welfare benefit plans (as
defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) that provide benefits to retired employees or
other former employees (other than as required by Section 601 of ERISA) or
Pension Plans or Foreign Pension Plans; (ii) there shall result from any such
event or events the imposition of a lien, the granting of a security interest or
a liability or a material risk of such a lien being imposed, such security
interest being granted or such liability being incurred, and (iii) such lien,
security interest or liability, individually, and/or in the aggregate, has had,
or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

         (o) Senior Note Cross-Default. The occurrence of an "Event of Default"
(as defined in the Senior Note Indenture and the New Senior Note Indenture,
respectively) under the Senior Note Indenture or the New Senior Note Indenture.

         (p) Senior Subordinated Note Cross-Default. The occurrence of an "Event
of Default" (as defined in the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture) under the
Senior Subordinated Note Indenture.

         SECTION 11.2      REMEDIES.

         Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default,
with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon
the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice
to the Credit Parties:

         (a) Acceleration: Termination of Facilities. Declare the principal of
and interest on the Loans, the Notes and the Reimbursement Obligation at the
time outstanding, and all other amounts owed to the Lenders and to the
Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents
(other than any Hedging Agreement) (including, without limitation, all L/C
Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of
Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder) and all other
Obligations (other than Obligations owing under any Hedging Agreement), to be
forthwith due and payable, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and
payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of
which are expressly waived, anything in this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, and terminate the Credit Facility and
any right of the Borrower to request borrowings or Letters of Credit thereunder;
provided, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section
11.1(i), (j) or (k) with respect to the Credit Parties, the Credit Facility
shall be automatically terminated and all Obligations (other

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than obligations owing under any Hedging Agreement) shall automatically become
due and payable.

         (b) Letters of Credit. With respect to all Letters of Credit with
respect to which presentment for honor shall not have occurred at the time of an
acceleration pursuant to the preceding paragraph, require the Borrower at such
time to deposit or cause to be deposited in a cash collateral account opened by
the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and
unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit. Amounts held in such cash collateral
account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment of drafts
drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after all
such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any,
shall be applied to repay the other Obligations. After all such Letters of
Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, the Reimbursement Obligation
shall have been satisfied and all other Obligations shall have been paid in
full, the balance, if any, in such cash collateral account shall be promptly
returned to the Borrower.

         (c) Rights of Collection. Exercise on behalf of the Lenders all of its
other rights and remedies under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and
Applicable Law, in order to satisfy all of the Obligations.

         SECTION 11.3      RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE; NON-WAIVER; ETC.

         The enumeration of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent
and the Lenders set forth in this Agreement is not intended to be exhaustive and
the exercise by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of any right or remedy
shall not preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies, all of which
shall be cumulative, and shall be in addition to any other right or remedy given
hereunder or under the Loan Documents or that may now or hereafter exist in law
or in equity or by suit or otherwise. No delay or failure to take action on the
part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power or
privilege shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any such right, power or privilege preclude other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege or shall
be construed to be a waiver of any Event of Default. No course of dealing
between the Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or their
respective agents or employees shall be effective to change, modify or discharge
any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or to
constitute a waiver of any Event of Default.

                                   ARTICLE XII

                            THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

         SECTION 12.1      APPOINTMENT.

         Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Bank of
America as Administrative Agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents for the term hereof and each such Lender irrevocably
authorizes Bank of America as Administrative Agent for such Lender, to take such
action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly
delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and such
other

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Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this
Agreement or such other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have
any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein and
therein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied
covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall
be read into this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or otherwise exist
against the Administrative Agent. Any reference to the Administrative Agent in
this Article XII shall be deemed to refer to the Administrative Agent solely in
its capacity as Administrative Agent and not in its capacity as a Lender.

         SECTION 12.2      DELEGATION OF DUTIES.

         The Administrative Agent may execute any of its respective duties under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or
attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all
matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative Agent shall not be
responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact
selected by the Administrative Agent with reasonable care.

         SECTION 12.3      EXCULPATORY PROVISIONS.

         Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its officers, directors,
employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall be (a)
liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person
under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (except
for actions occasioned solely by its or such Person's own gross negligence or
willful misconduct), or (b) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for
any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Credit Party
or any of its Subsidiaries or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or
the other Loan Documents or in any certificate, report, statement or other
document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent
under or in connection with, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or for
the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency
of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or for any failure of any Credit
Party or any of its Subsidiaries to perform its obligations hereunder or
thereunder. The Administrative Agent shall not be under any obligation to any
Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of
the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement, or to inspect the
properties, books or records of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries.

         SECTION 12.4      RELIANCE BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.

         The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully
protected in relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice, consent,
certificate, affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, telex or teletype
message, statement, order or other document or conversation 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 (including, without
limitation, counsel to the Credit Parties), independent accountants and other
experts selected by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may deem
and treat the payee of any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes unless
such Note shall have been transferred in accordance with Section 13.9 hereof.
The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing

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to take any action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents unless it
shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, when
expressly required hereby or by the relevant other Loan Document, all the
Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its
satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may
be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action
except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative
Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from
acting, under this Agreement and the Notes in accordance with a request of the
Required Lenders (or, when expressly required hereby, all the Lenders), and such
request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding
upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Notes.

         SECTION 12.5      NOTICE OF DEFAULT.

         The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or
notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder unless it
has received notice from a Lender or the Credit Parties referring to this
Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such
notice is a "notice of default." In the event that the Administrative Agent
receives such a notice, it shall promptly give notice thereof to the Lenders.
The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or
Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders;
provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such
directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take
such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or
Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the
Lenders, except to the extent that other provisions of this Agreement expressly
require that any such action be taken or not be taken only with the consent and
authorization or the request of the Lenders or Required Lenders, as applicable.

         SECTION 12.6      NON-RELIANCE ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND OTHER
LENDERS.

         Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative
Agent nor any of its respective officers, directors, employees, agents,
attorneys-in-fact, Subsidiaries or Affiliates has made any representations or
warranties to it and that no act by the Administrative Agent hereinafter taken,
including any review of the affairs of the Credit Parties or any of their
respective Subsidiaries, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or
warranty by the Administrative Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to
the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon
the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and
investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other
condition and creditworthiness of the Credit Parties and their respective
Subsidiaries and made its own decision to make its Loans and issue or
participate in Letters of Credit hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each
Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own
credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as
it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property,
financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Credit Parties and
their respective Subsidiaries. Except for notices, reports and other documents
expressly required to be

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<PAGE>   82

furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder or by the other
Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or
responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information
concerning the business, operations, property, financial and other condition or
creditworthiness of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries which may come
into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its respective
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, Subsidiaries or
Affiliates.

         SECTION 12.7      INDEMNIFICATION.

         The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent in its capacity
as such and (to the extent not reimbursed by the Credit Parties and without
limiting the obligation of the Credit Parties to do so), ratably according to
the respective amounts of their Commitment Percentages from and against any and
all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments,
suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever which may at any
time (including, without limitation, at any time following the payment of the
Notes or any Reimbursement Obligation) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted
against the Administrative Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or any documents contemplated by or
referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby
or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under or in
connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable
for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
to the extent they result from the Administrative Agent's bad faith, gross
negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section 12.7 shall
survive the payment of the Notes, any Reimbursement Obligation and all other
amounts payable hereunder and the termination of this Agreement.

         SECTION 12.8      THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY.

         The Administrative Agent and its respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates
may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of
business with the Credit Parties as though the Administrative Agent were not an
Administrative Agent hereunder. With respect to any Loans made or renewed by it
and any Note issued to it and with respect to any Letter of Credit issued by it
or participated in by it, the Administrative Agent shall have the same rights
and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and
may exercise the same as though it were not an Administrative Agent, and the
terms "Lender" and "Lenders" shall include the Administrative Agent in its
individual capacity.

         SECTION 12.9      RESIGNATION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT; SUCCESSOR
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.

         The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent at any time
by giving thirty (30) days advance notice thereof to the Lenders and the Credit
Parties and, thereafter, the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged
from its duties and obligations hereunder. Upon any such resignation, the
Required Lenders shall have the right, subject to the approval of the Borrower
(so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), to
appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which successor shall have minimum
capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000. If no successor Administrative
Agent shall have been so

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<PAGE>   83

appointed by the Required Lenders, been approved (so long as no Default or Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing) by the Borrower or have accepted such
appointment within thirty (30) days after the Administrative Agent's giving of
notice of resignation, then the Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the
Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent reasonably acceptable to the
Borrower (so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing), which successor shall have minimum capital and surplus of at least
$500,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent
hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative
Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all rights, powers,
privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent. After any retiring
Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the
provisions of this Section 12.9 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
Administrative Agent. If no successor administrative agent has accepted
appointment as Administrative Agent by the date which is thirty (30) days
following a retiring Administrative Agent's notice of resignation, the retiring
Administrative Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective
and the Lenders shall perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent
hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor
agent as provided for above.

         SECTION 12.10     OTHER AGENTS; LEAD MANAGERS.

         None of the Lenders identified on the facing page or signature pages of
this Agreement as a "Co-Documentation Agent" or "Joint Lead Manager" shall have
any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this
Agreement other than those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting
the foregoing, none of the Lenders so identified shall have or be deemed to have
any fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has
not relied, and will not rely, on any of the Lenders so identified in deciding
to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.

                                  ARTICLE XIII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 13.1      NOTICES.

         (a) Method of Communication. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, all notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing, or by
telephone subsequently confirmed in writing. Any notice shall be effective if
delivered by hand delivery or sent via telecopy, recognized overnight courier
service or certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall be presumed to be
received by a party hereto (i) on the date of delivery if delivered by hand or
sent by telecopy, (ii) on the next Business Day if sent by recognized overnight
courier service and (iii) on the third Business Day following the date sent by
certified mail, return receipt requested. A telephonic notice to the
Administrative Agent as understood by the Administrative Agent will be deemed to
be the controlling and proper notice in the event of a discrepancy with or
failure to receive a confirming written notice.

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<PAGE>   84

         (b) Addresses for Notices. Notices to any party shall be sent to it at
the following addresses, or any other address as to which all the other parties
are notified in writing.

         If to the Borrower or any Guarantor:

                  c/o Caraustar Industries, Inc.
                  3100 Joe Jerkins Blvd.
                  Austell, Georgia 30106
                  Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                  Telephone: (770) 948-3101
                  Telecopier: (770) 732-3401

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<PAGE>   85

         If to Bank of America as Administrative Agent:

                  For Payments:

                  Bank of America, N.A.
                  (ABA) 111000012
                  1850 Gateway Boulevard
                  Concord, California 94520
                  Attention: Credit Services - Agency
                  For Credit to Account No.: 3750836479
                  Reference: Caraustar

                  For Notices of Revolving Credit Borrowing, Notices of
                  Conversion/Continuation, Notices of Account Designation and
                  copies of L/C Applications

                  Bank of America, N.A.
                  Credit Services - Agency Administration
                  1850 Gateway Boulevard, 5th Floor
                  Mail Code: CA4-706-05-09
                  Concord, California 94520
                  Attention: Mark Garcia
                  Telephone: (925) 675-8416
                  Facsimile: (925) 969-2821

                  For all other Notices:

                  Bank of America, N.A.
                  San Francisco Credit Products
                  Mail Code: CA5-705-12-12
                  555 California Street - 12th Floor
                  San Francisco, California 94104
                  Attention: Kevin Sullivan
                  Telephone: (415) 622-4567
                  Facsimile: (415) 622-4585

         If to any Lender:

                  To the Address set forth on Schedule 13.1 hereto

         (c) Administrative Agent's Office. The Administrative Agent hereby
designates its office located at the address set forth above, or any subsequent
office which shall have been specified for such purpose by written notice to the
Borrower and the Lenders, as the Administrative Agent's Office referred to
herein, to which payments due are to be made and at which Loans will be
disbursed.

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<PAGE>   86

         SECTION 13.2      EXPENSES, INDEMNITY.

         The Borrower agrees to (a) pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of
the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers in connection with (i) the
preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and each
other Loan Document, whenever the same shall be executed and delivered,
including without limitation the reasonable out-of-pocket syndication and due
diligence expenses and reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Administrative Agent (including the allocated cost of internal counsel) and (ii)
the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of any waiver, amendment or
consent by the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers or the Lenders relating to
this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the interpretation of any Loan
Document, including without limitation reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Administrative Agent (including the allocated cost of internal
counsel), (b) pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative
Agent, the Arrangers and each Lender actually incurred in connection with the
enforcement of any rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the
Arrangers and the Lenders under the Credit Facility, including, to the extent
reasonable under the circumstances, consulting with accountants, attorneys and
other Persons concerning the nature, scope or value of any right or remedy of
the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any Lender hereunder or under any
other Loan Document or any factual matters in connection therewith, which
expenses shall include without limitation the reasonable fees and disbursements
of such Persons (including the allocated cost of internal counsel), and (c)
defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and
the Lenders, and their respective parents, Subsidiaries, Affiliates, employees,
agents, officers and directors, from and against any losses, penalties, fines,
liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses, suffered by any such
Person in connection with any claim, investigation, litigation or other
proceeding (whether or not the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any Lender
is a party thereto) and the prosecution and defense thereof, arising out of or
in any way connected with this Agreement, the Credit Facility, any other Loan
Document, the Loans or the Notes or as a result of the breach of any of the
Credit Parties' obligations hereunder, including without limitation reasonable
attorney's fees (including the allocated cost of internal counsel), consultant's
fees and settlement costs (but excluding any losses, penalties, fines
liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses to the extent incurred by
reason of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Person to be
indemnified (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction)).

         SECTION 13.3      SET-OFF.

         In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under Applicable Law
and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon and after the occurrence
of any Event of Default and during the continuance thereof, the Lenders and any
assignee or participant of a Lender in accordance with Section 13.9 are hereby
authorized by the Credit Parties at any time or from time to time, without
notice to the Credit Parties or to any other Person, any such notice being
hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply (including,
without limitation, the right to combine currencies) any and all deposits
(general or special, time or demand, including, but not limited to, indebtedness
evidenced by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured) and any
other indebtedness at any time held or owing by the Lenders, or any such
assignee or participant to or for the credit or the accounts of the Borrower
against and on account of the Obligations irrespective of whether or not (a) the
Lenders shall have made any demand

                                       81
<PAGE>   87

under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or (b) the
Administrative Agent shall have declared any or all of the Obligations to be due
and payable as permitted by Section 11.2 and although such Obligations shall be
contingent or unmatured.

         SECTION 13.4      GOVERNING LAW.

         This Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents, unless
otherwise expressly set forth therein, shall be governed by, construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, without
giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.

         SECTION 13.5      CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.

         Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably consents to the personal
jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in North Carolina, in any
action, claim or other proceeding arising out of any dispute in connection with
this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents, any rights or
obligations hereunder or thereunder, or the performance of such rights and
obligations. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably consents to the
service of a summons and complaint and other process in any action, claim or
proceeding brought by any other party hereto in connection with this Agreement,
the Notes or the other Loan Documents, any rights or obligations hereunder or
thereunder, or the performance of such rights and obligations, on behalf of
itself or its property, in the manner specified in Section 13.1. Nothing in this
Section 13.5 shall affect the right of any of the parties hereto to serve legal
process in any other manner permitted by Applicable Law or affect the right of
any of the parties hereto to bring any action or proceeding against any other
party hereto or its properties in the courts of any other jurisdictions.

         SECTION 13.6      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

         EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL
BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING UNDER ANY CREDIT
DOCUMENT OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS
OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO ANY CREDIT DOCUMENT, OR THE
TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER
ARISING, AND WHETHER FOUNDED IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND EACH PARTY
HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF
ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY PARTY TO
THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH
ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE SIGNATORIES HERETO TO THE
WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

         SECTION 13.7      REVERSAL OF PAYMENTS.

         To the extent any Credit Party makes a payment or payments to the
Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders or the
Administrative Agent receives any payment or proceeds of the collateral which
payments or proceeds or any part thereof are subsequently

                                       82
<PAGE>   88

invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or
required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any
bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause, then, to
the extent of such payment or proceeds repaid, the Obligations or part thereof
intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect
as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by the Administrative
Agent.

         SECTION 13.8      ACCOUNTING MATTERS.

         Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an
accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in
effect from time to time, provided that, if the Credit Parties notify the
Administrative Agent that the Credit Parties request an amendment to any
provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date
hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision
(or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Credit Parties that the Required
Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose),
regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in
GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on
the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall
have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such
provision amended in accordance therewith.

         SECTION 13.9      SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; PARTICIPATIONS.

         (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns
permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer
any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of
each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without
such consent shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or
implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties
hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby and, to the
extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Indemnitees) any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

         (b) Any Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a
portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a
portion of its Revolving Credit Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes
of this subsection (b), participations in L/C Obligations and in Swingline
Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that (i) except in the case of an
assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender's Revolving
Credit Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an
assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with
respect to a Lender, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment
(which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) subject to each
such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with
respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent, shall not
be less than $1,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as
no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise
consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), (ii)
each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part
of all the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement with
respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii)

                                       83
<PAGE>   89

shall not apply to rights in respect of outstanding Swingline Loans, and (iii)
the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative
Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, together with a processing and recordation
fee of $3,500. Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative
Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective
date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, the Eligible Assignee
thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned
by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender
under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent
of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its
obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and
Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under
this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue
to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 13.2 and
13.13). Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver
new or replacement Notes to the assigning Lender and the assignee Lender. Any
assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement
that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this
Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and
obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.

         (c) The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an
agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent's Office a
copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the
recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Revolving Credit
Commitments of, and principal amount of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to,
each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the "Register"). The
entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the
Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose
name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender
hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the
contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any
Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior
notice.

         (d) Any Lender may, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower
or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other
entities (a "Participant") in all or a portion of such Lender's rights and/or
obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving
Credit Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender's participations in
L/C Obligations and/or Swingline Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such
Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such
Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the
performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent
and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such
Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this
Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a
participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to
enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of
any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may
provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree
to any amendment, waiver or other modification that would (i) postpone any date
upon which any payment of money is scheduled to be paid to such Participant,
(ii) reduce the principal, interest, fees or other amounts payable to such
Participant or (iii) release all

                                       84
<PAGE>   90

or substantially all of the Guarantors from their obligations hereunder. Subject
to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant
shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.8, 4.9, 4.10 and 4.11 to the
same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment
pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each
Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 13.3 as though it
were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 4.6 as
though it were a Lender.

         (e) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment
under Section 4.9 or Section 4.11 than the applicable Lender would have been
entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant,
unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the
Borrower's prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender
if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 4.11 unless
the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such
Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section
4.11(e) as though it were a Foreign Lender.

         (f) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in
all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its
Notes, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or
assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no
such pledge or assignment shall release a Lender from any of its obligations
hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party
hereto.

         (g) If the consent of the Borrower to an assignment or to an Eligible
Assignee is required hereunder (including a consent to an assignment which does
not meet the minimum assignment threshold specified in clause (i) of the proviso
to the first sentence of Section 13.9(b), the Borrower shall be deemed to have
given its consent five Business Days after the date notice thereof has been
delivered by the assigning Lender (through the Administrative Agent) unless such
consent is expressly refused by the Borrower prior to such fifth Business Day.

         (h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at
any time Bank of America assigns all of its Revolving Credit Commitment and
Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, Bank of America may, (i) upon thirty
(30) days' notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as Issuing Lender
and/or (ii) upon five (5) Business Days' notice to the Borrower, terminate the
Swingline Commitment. In the event of any such resignation as Issuing Lender or
termination of the Swingline Commitment, the Borrower shall be entitled to
appoint from among the Lenders a successor Issuing Lender and/or Swingline
Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint
any such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America as Issuing
Lender or the termination of the Swingline Commitment, as the case may be. Bank
of America shall retain all the rights and obligations of the Issuing Lender
hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective
date of its resignation as Issuing Lender and all L/C Obligations with respect
thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or
fund participations pursuant to Section 3.4. If Bank of America terminates the
Swingline Commitment, it shall retain all the rights of the Swingline Lender
provided for hereunder with respect to Swingline Loans made by it and
outstanding as of the effective date of such termination, including the right to
require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund participations in
outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.5(b).

                                       85
<PAGE>   91
         (i)      (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
         any Lender (a "Designating Lender") may grant to one or more special
         purpose funding vehicles (each, an "SPV"), identified as such in
         writing from time to time by the Designating Lender to the
         Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the option to provide to the
         Borrower all or any part of any Loan that such Designating Lender would
         otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrower pursuant to this
         Agreement; provided that (A) nothing herein shall constitute a
         commitment by any SPV to make any Loan, (B) if an SPV elects not to
         exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of
         such Loan, the Designating Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan
         pursuant to the terms hereof, (C) the Designating Lender shall remain
         liable for any indemnity or other payment obligation with respect to
         its Commitments hereunder and (D) each such SPV would satisfy the
         requirements of Section 4.11 if such SPV was a Lender hereunder. The
         making of a Loan by an SPV hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of
         the Designating Lender to the same extent as a Loan made by, and as if
         such Loan were made by, such Designating Lender.

                  (ii) As to any Loans or portion thereof made by it, each SPV
         shall have all the rights that a Lender making such Loans or portion
         thereof would have had under this Agreement; provided, however that
         each SPV shall have granted to its Designating Lender an irrevocable
         power of attorney, to deliver and receive all communications and
         notices under this Agreement (and any related documents), including,
         without limitation, any Notice of Revolving Credit Borrowing and any
         Notice of Conversion/Continuation, and to exercise on such SPV's
         behalf, all of such SPV's voting rights under this Agreement. No
         additional Note shall be required to evidence the Loans or portion
         thereof made by an SPV; and the related Designating Lender shall be
         deemed to hold its Note as agent for such SPV to the extent of the
         Loans or portion thereof funded by such SPV. In addition, any payments
         for the account of any SPV shall be paid to its Designating Lender as
         agent for such SPV.

                  (iii) Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPV shall be
         liable for any indemnity or payment under this Agreement for which a
         Lender would otherwise be liable for so long as, and to the extent, the
         Designating Lender provides such indemnity or makes such payment. In
         furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which
         agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior
         to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of
         all outstanding prior indebtedness of any SPV, it will not institute
         against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPV any
         bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation
         proceedings or similar proceedings under the laws of the United States
         or any State thereof.

                  (iv) In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary
         contained in this Section 13.9 or otherwise in this Agreement, any SPV
         may (A) at any time and without paying any processing fee therefor,
         assign or participate all or a portion of its interest in any Loans to
         the Designating Lender (or to any other SPV of such Designating Lender)
         or to any financial institutions providing liquidity and/or credit
         support to or for the account of such SPV to support the funding or
         maintenance of Loans and (B) disclose on

                                       86
<PAGE>   92

         a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans
         to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any
         surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancements to such SPV. This
         Section 13.9 may not be amended without the written consent of any
         Designating Lender affected thereby.

         SECTION 13.10     CONFIDENTIALITY.

         Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the
confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information
may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates' directors, officers, employees
and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being
understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of
the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such
Information confidential); (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory
authority; (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by
any subpoena or similar legal process; (d) to any other party to this Agreement;
(e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit,
action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights
hereunder; (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the
same as those of this Section, to (i) any Eligible Assignee of or Participant
in, or any prospective Eligible Assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights
or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any direct or indirect contractual
counterparty or prospective counterparty (or such contractual counterparty's or
prospective counterparty's professional advisor) to any credit derivative
transaction relating to obligations of the Borrower; (g) with the consent of the
Borrower; (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available
other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to
the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source
other than the Borrower; or (i) to the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners or any other similar organization or any nationally recognized
rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender's or its
Affiliates' investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect
to such Lender or its Affiliates. For the purposes of this Section,
"Information" means all information received from the Borrower relating to the
Borrower or its business, other than any such information that is available to
the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to
disclosure by the Borrower; provided that, in the case of information received
from the Borrower after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified
in writing as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality
of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied
with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of
care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would
accord to its own confidential information.

         SECTION 13.11     AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS AND CONSENTS.

         Except as set forth below, any term, covenant, agreement or condition
of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents may be amended or waived by
the Lenders and any consent may be given by the Lenders, if, but only if, such
amendment, waiver or consent is in writing signed by the Required Lenders (or by
the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) and delivered
to the Administrative Agent and, in the case of an amendment, signed by the
Credit Parties; provided that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, without the
consent of each Lender affected thereby, (a) increase the amount or extend the
time of the

                                       87
<PAGE>   93

obligation of the Lenders to make Loans or issue or participate in Letters of
Credit, (b) extend the originally scheduled time or times of payment of the
principal of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or the time or times of
payment of interest or fees on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation, (c) reduce
the rate of interest or fees payable on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation,
(d) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation, (e)
permit any assignment (other than as specifically permitted or contemplated in
this Agreement) of any of the Credit Parties' rights and obligations hereunder,
(f) release all or substantially all of the Guarantors from the guaranty
hereunder or (g) amend the provisions of this Section 13.10 or the percentage
set forth in the definition of Required Lenders. In addition, no amendment,
waiver or consent to the provisions of (i) Article XII shall be made without the
written consent of the Administrative Agent, (ii) Section 2.5 shall be made
without the consent of the Swingline Lender and (iii) Article III shall be made
without the written consent of each Issuing Lender.

         Notwithstanding the fact that the consent of all the Lenders is
required in certain circumstances as set forth above, (x) each Lender is
entitled to vote as such Lender sees fit on any bankruptcy reorganization plan
that affects the Loans, and each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of
Section 1126(c) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect)
supersedes the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein and (y) the
Required Lenders may consent to allow a Credit Party to use cash collateral in
the context of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.

         SECTION 13.12     PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES.

         The Credit Parties' obligations under this Agreement and each of the
Loan Documents shall be performed by the Credit Parties at their sole cost and
expense.

         SECTION 13.13     ALL POWERS COUPLED WITH INTEREST.

         All powers of attorney and other authorizations granted to the Lenders,
the Administrative Agent and any Persons designated by the Administrative Agent
or any Lender pursuant to any provisions of this Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable
so long as any of the Obligations remain unpaid or unsatisfied or the Credit
Facility has not been terminated.

         SECTION 13.14     SURVIVAL OF INDEMNITIES.

         Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the indemnities to
which the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders are entitled under
the provisions of this Article XIII and any other provision of this Agreement
and the Loan Documents shall continue in full force and effect and shall protect
the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders against events arising
after such termination as well as before, including after the Borrower's
acceptance of the Lenders' commitments for the Credit Facility, notwithstanding
any failure of such facility to close.

                                       88
<PAGE>   94

         SECTION 13.15     TITLES AND CAPTIONS.

         Titles and captions of Articles, Sections and subsections in this
Agreement are for convenience only, and neither limit nor amplify the provisions
of this Agreement.

         SECTION 13.16     SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS.

         Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document which is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability
without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions
hereof or thereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision
in any other jurisdiction.

         SECTION 13.17     COUNTERPARTS.

         This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by
different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed shall be deemed to be an original and shall be binding upon all
parties, their successors and assigns, and all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of any executed counterpart of a
signature page of this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a
manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

         SECTION 13.18     BINDING EFFECT; TERM OF AGREEMENT.

         (a) This Agreement shall become effective at such time, on or after the
Closing Date, that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.1 have been
satisfied or waived and when it shall have been executed by each of the Credit
Parties and the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall have
received copies of the signature pages hereto (telefaxed or otherwise) which,
when taken together, bear the signatures of each Lender (including the Issuing
Lender), and thereafter this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of each Credit Party, each Lender (including the Issuing Lender) and the
Administrative Agent, together with their permitted successors and assigns.

         (b) This Agreement shall remain in effect from the Closing Date through
and including the date upon which all Obligations (other than obligations owing
by any Credit Party to any Lender or Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative
Agent under any Hedging Agreement) due and owing on the date of termination
shall have been paid and satisfied in full, all Letters of Credit have been
terminated or expired, and the Revolving Credit Commitments have been
terminated. No termination of this Agreement shall affect the rights and
obligations of the parties hereto arising prior to such termination.

         SECTION 13.19     INCONSISTENCIES WITH OTHER DOCUMENTS; INDEPENDENT
EFFECT OF COVENANTS.

         (a) In the event there is a conflict or inconsistency between this
Agreement and any other Loan Document, the terms of this Agreement shall
control.

                                       89
<PAGE>   95

         (b) Each Credit Party expressly acknowledges and agrees that each
covenant contained in Article VII, Article VIII and Article IX hereof shall be
given independent effect.

                           [Signature pages to follow]

                                       90
<PAGE>   96

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their duly
authorized officers to execute and deliver this Agreement as of the date first
above written.

BORROWER:                  CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                           a North Carolina corporation

                           By: /s/ H. Lee Thrash, III
                              --------------------------------------------------
                           Name: H. Lee Thrash, III
                           Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

GUARANTORS:                AUSTELL BOX BOARD CORPORATION,
                           a Georgia corporation
                           AUSTELL HOLDING COMPANY, LLC,
                           a Georgia corporation
                           BUFFALO PAPERBOARD CORPORATION,
                           a New York corporation
                           CAMDEN PAPERBOARD CORPORATION,
                           a New Jersey corporation
                           CARAUSTAR CUSTOM PACKAGING GROUP, INC.,
                           a Delaware corporation
                           CARAUSTAR CUSTOM PACKAGING GROUP (MARYLAND), INC.,
                           a Maryland corporation
                           CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIAL & CONSUMER PRODUCTS GROUP, INC.,
                           a Delaware corporation
                           CARAUSTAR PAPERBOARD CORPORATION,
                           an Ohio corporation
                           CARAUSTAR RECOVERED FIBER GROUP, INC.,
                           a Delaware corporation
                           CAROLINA COMPONENT CONCEPTS, INC.,
                           a North Carolina corporation
                           CAROLINA CONVERTING INCORPORATED,
                           a North Carolina corporation
                           CAROLINA PAPER BOARD CORPORATION,
                           a North Carolina corporation
                           CAROTELL PAPER BOARD CORPORATION,
                           a South Carolina corporation
                           CHATTANOOGA PAPERBOARD CORPORATION,
                           a Tennessee corporation
                           CHICAGO PAPERBOARD CORPORATION,
                           an Illinois corporation
                           CINCINNATI PAPERBOARD CORPORATION,
                           an Ohio corporation

                           By: /s/ H. Lee Thrash, III
                              --------------------------------------------------
                           Name: H. Lee Thrash, III
                           Title: Vice President
                                    of each of the foregoing Guarantors

                                                      [Signature Pages Continue]

<PAGE>   97

                     COLUMBUS RECYCLING, INC.,
                     a Georgia corporation
                     FEDERAL TRANSPORT, INC.,
                     an Ohio corporation
                     GYPSUM MGC, INC.,
                     a Delaware corporation
                     HALIFAX PAPER BOARD COMPANY, INC.,
                     a North Carolina corporation
                     MCQUEENEY GYPSUM COMPANY,
                     a Delaware corporation
                     MCQUEENY GYPSUM COMPANY, LLC,
                     a Delaware corporation
                     NEW AUSTELL BOX BOARD COMPANY,
                     a Georgia corporation
                     PAPER RECYCLING, INC.,
                     a Georgia corporation
                     PBL INC.,
                     a Delaware corporation
                     READING PAPERBOARD CORPORATION,
                     a Pennsylvania corporation
                     RICHMOND PAPERBOARD CORPORATION,
                     a Virginia corporation
                     SPRAGUE PAPERBOARD, INC.,
                     a Connecticut corporation
                     SWEETWATER PAPER BOARD COMPANY, INC.,
                     a Georgia corporation

                     By: /s/ H. Lee Thrash, III
                        -------------------------------------------------------
                     Name: H. Lee Thrash, III
                     Title: Vice President
                           of each of the foregoing Guarantors

                     CARAUSTAR, G.P.,
                     a South Carolina general partnership

                     By:   CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                           a North Carolina corporation, general partner

                           By: /s/ H. Lee Thrash, III
                              -------------------------------------------------
                           Name: H. Lee Thrash, III
                           Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

                     By:   CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIAL & CONSUMER PRODUCTS
                           GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation, general partner

                           By: /s/ H. Lee Thrash, III
                              -------------------------------------------------
                           Name: H. Lee Thrash, III
                           Title: Vice President

                           [Signature Pages Continue]

<PAGE>   98

LENDERS:                   BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
                           as Administrative Agent, individually as
                           a Lender and as Swingline Lender

                           By: /s/ Kevin Sullivan
                              -------------------------------------------------
                           Name: Kevin Sullivan
                                -----------------------------------------------
                           Title: Managing Director
                                 ----------------------------------------------

                           BANKERS TRUST COMPANY

                           By: /s/ Robert R. Telesca
                              -------------------------------------------------
                           Name: Robert R. Telesca
                                -----------------------------------------------
                           Title: Assistant Vice President
                                 ----------------------------------------------

                           CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON

                           By: /s/ David W. Kratovil
                              -------------------------------------------------
                           Name: David W. Kratovil
                                -----------------------------------------------
                           Title: Director
                                 ----------------------------------------------

                           CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON

                           By: /s/ Jeffrey Bernstein
                              -------------------------------------------------
                           Name: Jeffrey Bernstein
                                -----------------------------------------------
                           Title: Vice President
                                 ----------------------------------------------

                           CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH

                           By: /s/ Robert Hurst
                              -------------------------------------------------
                           Name: Robert Hurst
                                -----------------------------------------------
                           Title: Vice President
                                 ----------------------------------------------

                           THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                           By: /s/ David C. Siegel
                              -------------------------------------------------
                           Name: David C. Siegel
                                -----------------------------------------------
                           Title: Vice President
                                 ----------------------------------------------

<PAGE>   99
                                 SCHEDULE 1.1(a)

                 REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENTS AS OF CLOSING DATE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         REVOLVING CREDIT
                   LENDER                                   COMMITMENT                    COMMITMENT PERCENTAGE
            ---------------------                        ----------------                 ---------------------
<S>         <C>                                          <C>                              <C>
            Bank of America, N.A.                          $16,000,000                        21.33333334%
            Bankers Trust Company                          $16,000,000                        21.33333333%
         Credit Suisse First Boston                        $16,000,000                        21.33333333%
       Credit Lyonnais New York Branch                     $16,000,000                        21.33333333%
            The Bank of New York                           $11,000,000                        14.66666667%
                    Total                                  $75,000,000                       100.00000000%
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   100

                                  SCHEDULE 3.1

                           EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Type       Letter of Credit No.  Expiry Date      Face Amount                       Beneficiary
  -------      --------------------  -----------     -------------      -------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>                   <C>             <C>                <C>
  Standby            S-12170           11/10/01      $   12,000.00            Chair, Workers Compensation Board
  Standby            S-12212           12/31/01      $2,951,000.00          Reliance National Indemnity Company
  Standby            S-13230           12/28/01      $   40,500.00                West Manchester Township
  Standby            S-13782           12/17/01      $3,565,625.00           LaSalle Bank National Association
  Standby            S-13786           12/01/01      $1,649,000.00      Lumbermans Mutual Casualty Co. & Affiliates
  Standby            S-13817           12/31/01      $1,260,000.00      Lumbermans Mutual Casualty Co. & Affiliates
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   101

                                 SCHEDULE 6.1(b)

                          SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER

                          Subsidiaries of the Borrower

Domestic Subsidiaries:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         State of Incorporation/
     Name of Subsidiary                                        Formation
-----------------------------                            -----------------------
<S>                                                      <C>
Austell Box Board Corporation                                      GA
Austell Holding Company, LLC                                       GA
Buffalo Paperboard Corporation                                     NY
Camden Paperboard Corporation                                      NJ
Caraustar, G.P. (a general partnership)                            SC
Caraustar Custom Packaging Group, Inc.                             DE
Caraustar Custom Packaging Group (Maryland), Inc.                  MD
Caraustar Industrial & Consumer Products Group, Inc.               DE
Caraustar Paperboard Corporation                                   OH
Caraustar Recovered Fiber Group, Inc.                              DE
Carolina Component Concepts, Inc.                                  NC
Carolina Converting Incorporated                                   NC
Carolina Paper Board Corporation                                   NC
Carotell Paper Board Corporation                                   SC
Chattanooga Paperboard Corporation                                 TN
Chicago Paperboard Corporation                                     IL
Cincinnati Paperboard Corporation                                  OH
Columbus Recycling, Inc.                                           GA
Federal Transport, Inc.                                            OH
Gypsum MGC, Inc.                                                   DE
Halifax Paper Board Company, Inc.                                  NC
McQueeney Gypsum Company                                           DE
McQueeny Gypsum Company, LLC                                       DE
New Austell Box Board Company                                      GA
Paper Recycling, Inc.                                              GA
Paragon Plastics, Inc.                                             SC
PBL Inc.                                                           DE
Reading Paperboard Corporation                                     PA
Richmond Paperboard Corporation                                    VA
Sprague Paperboard, Inc.                                           CT
Sweetwater Paper Board Company, Inc.                               GA
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   102

Foreign Subsidiaries:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Jurisdiction of Incorporation/
      Name of Subsidiary                                        Formation
------------------------------                         ------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>
Caraustar Exports, Inc.                                           USVI
Caraustar Paper Tube de Mexico                                    Mexico
Caraustar Industrial & Consumer Products Group, Ltd.              UK
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   103

                                 SCHEDULE 6.1(p)

               DEBT AND SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS OF THE CREDIT PARTIES
          AND ANY SUBSIDIARY IN EXCESS OF $5 MILLION AS OF CLOSING DATE

                          Debt and Support Obligations
                             in excess of $5,000,000

         1. Credit Agreement, dated as of July 23, 1997, among the Borrower, the
banks listed therein, Bankers Trust Company, as Administrative Agent, Bank of
America, N.A., as Syndication Agent, SunTrust Bank, as Documentation Agent,
First Union National Bank, as Managing Agent, and each of Credit Lyonnais, The
Bank of New York, The Bank of Nova Scotia, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd.,
and Wachovia Bank, as Co-Agents, as amended, together with the Loan Documents,
as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, as amended. Principal amount
outstanding: $210.0 million. (To be repaid in full and terminated on or prior to
the Closing Date.)

         2. Note Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1992, between the Borrower
and The Prudential Insurance Company of America, as amended, and the Senior
Notes issued pursuant thereto, as amended. Principal amount outstanding: $66.2
million. (To be repaid in full and terminated on or prior to the Closing Date.)

         3. 7 3/8% Senior Notes of the Borrower due 2009 issued pursuant to the
Indenture, dated as of June 1, 1999, between the Borrower and The Bank of New
York, Trustee, as amended and supplemented. Principal amount outstanding: $198.8
million.

         4. Guaranty Agreement, dated as of July 30, 1999, made by the Borrower,
as amended, under the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as
of December 18, 2000, between Premier Boxboard Limited LLC and SunTrust Bank, as
amended. Outstanding principal amount guaranteed: $15.1 million (including
letter of credit outstandings).

         5. Second Amended and Restated Parent Guaranty, dated as of August 1,
1999, made by the Borrower, as amended, under the Second Amended and Restated
Loan Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1999, among Standard Gypsum, L.P., the
lenders named therein, and Toronto Dominion (Texas), Inc., as Administrative
Agent, as amended. Outstanding principal amount guaranteed: $28.1 million
(including letter of credit outstandings).

         6.       The Senior Subordinated Notes.

         7.       The New Senior Notes.

         8. Letters of credit listed in Schedule 3.1 (all of which will become
"Letters of Credit" deemed issued under the Credit Agreement as of the Closing
Date).

<PAGE>   104

                                  SCHEDULE 9.1

                            COST REDUCTION SYNERGIES

                              See attached schedule

<PAGE>   105

                                    CARAUSTAR
                       ESTIMATED COST REDUCTION SYNERGIES
                              CRANE CARTON COMPANY
                               ACQUIRED 10/3/2000

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Q4                Q1                 Q2
                                                                           2000              2001               2001
                                                                        ----------        ----------          --------
<S>                                                                     <C>               <C>                 <C>
Cash Salary / Other employment expense savings                          $  250,000        $  250,000          $250,000

Supply contract savings - integration of Crane board purchases          $  537,000        $  537,000          $537,000
                                                                        ----------        ----------          --------

COST SYNERGY ADJUSTMENT TO EBITDA                                                         $1,574,000          $787,000
                                                                                          ==========          ========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   106

                                  SCHEDULE 9.3

                                 PERMITTED DEBT

                                     (000s)

<TABLE>
<S>                                                     <C>
SUB DEBT
Sprague IRBs                                            $4,700
Crane IRBs                                              $3,500
Other                                                   $   36

LETTERS OF CREDIT
Chair, Workers' Compensation Board                      $   12
Reliance National                                       $2,951
West Manchester Township, York                          $   41
LaSalle Bank National Association (Crane IRBs)          $3,565
Lumbermans Mutual Casualty Co. (Kemper)                 $1,649
Lumbermans Mutual Casualty Co. (Kemper)                 $1,260
Caraustar portion of PBL's LOC                          $  115
                                                        ------
                                                        $9,593
</TABLE>

The following Debt shall be "Designated Senior Debt" for purposes of the Senior
Subordinated Note Indenture:

1.       The Debt under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

2.       The Senior Notes.

3.       The New Senior Notes.

<PAGE>   107

                                  SCHEDULE 9.7

                         INVESTMENTS AS OF CLOSING DATE

1.       50% limited liability company interest in Premier Boxboard Limited LLC.

2.       49% limited partner interest and 1% general partner interest in
         Standard Gypsum, L.P.

3.       50% limited liability company interest in Caraustar Northwest LLC.

4.       50% limited liability company interest in Data Rich LLC.

5.       49% equity interest in Designs Tube Company Limited.

<PAGE>   108

                                  SCHEDULE 13.1

                          NOTICE ADDRESSES FOR LENDERS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       LENDER                             CREDIT CONTACT                           OPERATIONS CONTACT
---------------------              -----------------------------             -------------------------------
<S>                                <C>                                       <C>
Bank of America, N.A.              Bank of America, N.A.                     Bank of America, N.A.
                                   San Francisco Credit Products             Credit Services - Agency  Admin
                                   Mail Code:  CA5-705-12-12                 1850 Gateway Boulevard, 5th Floor
                                   555 California Street - 12th Floor        Mail Code:  CA4-706-05-09
                                   San Francisco, California 94104           Concord, California 94520
                                   Attention:        Kevin Sullivan          Attention:        Mark Garcia
                                   Telephone:        415-622-4567            Telephone:        925-675-8416
                                   Facsimile:        415-622-4585            Facsimile:        925-969-2821

Bankers Trust Company              Bankers Trust Company                     Bankers Trust Company
                                   233 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 8400             130 Liberty Street, 14th Floor
                                   Chicago, IL  60606                        New York, New York  10006
                                   Attn:             Loretta Summers         Attn:             Jim Cullen
                                   Telephone:        312-993-8006            Telephone:        212-250-2348
                                   Facsimile:        312-993-8182            Facsimile:        212-250-2340

The Bank of New York               The Bank of New York                      The Bank of New York
                                   One Wall Street                           One Wall Street
                                   New York, New York  10286                 New York, New York  10286
                                   Attn:             David Siegal            Attn:             Diana Johnson
                                   Telephone:        212-635-6899            Telephone:        212-635-6780
                                   Facsimile:        212-635-6434            Facsimile:        212-635-6877

Credit Lyonnais New York Branch    Credit Lyonnais New York Branch           Credit Lyonnais New York Branch
                                   1301 Avenue of The Americas               1301 Avenue of The Americas
                                   New York, New York  10019                 New York, New York  10019
                                   Attn:             Scott R. Chappelka      Attn:             Agnes Castillo
                                   Telephone:        212-261-7316            Telephone:        212-261-7669
                                   Facsimile:        212-459-3179            Facsimile:        212-261-7696

Credit Suisse First Boston         Credit Suisse First Boston                Credit Suisse First Boston
                                   Eleven Madison Avenue, 10th Floor         5 World Trade Center, 8th Floor
                                   New York, New York  10010-3629            New York, New York  10048
                                   Attn:             David Kratovil          Attn:             Lai Chung
                                   Telephone:        212-                    Telephone:        212-322-1791
                                   Facsimile:        212-                    Facsimile:        212-335-0593
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   109

                                    EXHIBIT A

                          FORM OF REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

                                                                  March   , 2001
                                                                        --

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the "Borrower") hereby promises to
pay to the order of ______________________, its successors and assigns, on or
before the Termination Date to the office of the Administrative Agent in
immediately available funds as provided in the Credit Agreement,

                  (i) in the case of Revolving Credit Loans, such Lender's
         Revolving Credit Commitment or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal
         amount of all Revolving Credit Loans owing to such Lender; and

                  (ii) in the case of Swingline Loans, if such Lender is the
         Swingline Lender, the Swingline Commitment or, if less, the aggregate
         unpaid principal amount of all Swingline Loans owing to the Swingline
         Lender;

together with interest thereon at the rates and as provided in the Credit
Agreement.

         This Note is one of the Revolving Credit Notes referred to in the
Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated or otherwise
modified, the "Credit Agreement") by and among the Borrower, the Subsidiaries of
the Borrower identified therein, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and
Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Terms used herein but not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Credit
Agreement.

         The holder may endorse and attach a schedule to reflect borrowings
evidenced by this Note and all payments and prepayments thereon; provided that
any failure to endorse such information shall not affect the obligation of the
Borrower to pay amounts evidenced hereby.

         Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, all amounts evidenced by
this Note may, or shall, become immediately due and payable as provided in the
Credit Agreement without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all
of which are waived by the Borrower. In the event payment of amounts evidenced
by this Note is not made at any stated or accelerated maturity, the Borrower
agrees to pay, in addition to principal and interest, all costs of collection,
including reasonable attorneys' fees.

         This Note and the Loans and amounts evidenced hereby may be transferred
only as provided in the Credit Agreement.

         This Note shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in
accordance with, the law of the State of North Carolina.

                               Exhibit A, Page 1
<PAGE>   110

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Note to be duly
executed as of the date first above written.

                                    CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                                    a North Carolina corporation

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

                               Exhibit A, Page 2

<PAGE>   111

                                   EXHIBIT B-1

                  FORM OF NOTICE OF REVOLVING CREDIT BORROWING

                       Dated as of:               , 200
                                   ---------------     --

Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent
1850 Gateway Boulevard, 5th Floor
Concord, California 94520-3281
Attention: Agency Administrative Services

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This irrevocable Notice of Revolving Credit Borrowing is delivered to
you under Section 2.2(a) of the Credit Agreement dated as of March __, 2001 (as
amended, restated or otherwise modified, the "Credit Agreement") by and among
Caraustar Industries, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the "Borrower"), the
Subsidiaries of the Borrower identified therein, the Lenders from time to time
party thereto (the "Lenders") and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative
Agent.

         1. The Borrower hereby requests that the Lenders make a Revolving
Credit Loan to the Borrower in the aggregate principal amount of ___________.
(Complete with an amount in accordance with Section 2.2(a) of the Credit
Agreement.)

         2. The Borrower hereby requests that such Revolving Credit Loan be made
on the following Business Day: _________________________. (Complete with a
Business Day in accordance with Section 2.2(a) of the Credit Agreement.)

         3. The Borrower hereby requests that the Revolving Credit Loan bear
interest at the following interest rate, plus the Applicable Percentage, as set
forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  Termination Date
                                                                     Interest Period            for Interest Period
   Component of Loan               Interest Rate                   (Offshore Rate only)           (if applicable)
   -----------------               -------------                   --------------------           ---------------
<S>                                <C>                             <C>                            <C>
</TABLE>

                  [BASE RATE OR OFFSHORE
                  RATE]

         4. The principal amount of all Loans and L/C Obligations outstanding as
of the date hereof (including the requested Revolving Credit Loan, if
applicable) does not exceed the maximum amount permitted to be outstanding
pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

                              Exhibit B-1, Page 1
<PAGE>   112

         5. The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the conditions
specified in Section 5.2 of the Credit Agreement have been satisfied or waived
in writing by the Administrative Agent as of the date hereof.

         6. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the
meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Notice of
Revolving Credit Borrowing on behalf of the Borrower this ___ day of
______________, 200__.

                           CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                           a North Carolina corporation

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

                              Exhibit B-1, Page 2
<PAGE>   113

                                   EXHIBIT B-2

                      FORM OF NOTICE OF SWINGLINE BORROWING

                       Dated as of:               , 200
                                   ---------------     --

Bank of America, N.A., as Swingline Lender
1850 Gateway Boulevard, 5th Floor
Concord, California 94520-3281
Attention: Agency Administrative Services

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This irrevocable Notice of Swingline Borrowing is delivered to you
under Section 2.5(d) of the Credit Agreement dated as of March __, 2001 (as
amended, restated or otherwise modified, the "Credit Agreement") by and among
Caraustar Industries, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the "Borrower"), the
Subsidiaries of the Borrower identified therein, the Lenders from time to time
party thereto (the "Lenders") and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative
Agent.

         1. The Borrower hereby requests that the Swingline Lender make a
Swingline Loan to the Borrower in the aggregate principal amount of __________.
(Complete with an amount in accordance with Section 2.5(d) of the Credit
Agreement.)

         2. The Borrower hereby requests that such Swingline Loan be made on the
following Business Day: ________________________ (Complete with a Business Day
in accordance with Section 2.5(d) of the Credit Agreement.)

         3. The Borrower hereby requests that such Swingline Loan bear interest
at the following interest rate, plus the Applicable Percentage (if applicable),
as set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  Termination Date
                                                                Interest Period                 for Interest Period
   Component of Loan                Interest Rate             (Offshore Rate only)                (if applicable)
   -----------------                -------------             --------------------              -------------------
   <S>                              <C>                       <C>                               <C>
</TABLE>

                  [BASE RATE, OFFSHORE RATE OR
                  ALTERNATIVE RATE ACCEPTABLE TO THE
                  SWINGLINE LENDER] *

*  Such rate being subject to the consent of the Swingline Lender

         4. The principal amount of all Loans outstanding as of the date hereof
(including the requested Swingline Loan, if applicable) do not exceed the
maximum amount permitted to be outstanding pursuant to the terms of the Credit
Agreement. The principal amount of all

                              Exhibit B-2, Page 1
<PAGE>   114

Swingline Loans outstanding as of the date hereof (including the requested
Swingline Loan, if applicable) does not exceed the Swingline Commitment.

         5. The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the conditions
specified in Section 4.3 of the Credit Agreement have been satisfied or waived
in writing by the Administrative Agent as of the date hereof.

         6. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the
meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Notice of
Swingline Borrowing on behalf of the Borrower this ___ day of _______________,
200__.

                                   CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                                   a North Carolina corporation

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

                               Exhibit B-2, Page 2

<PAGE>   115

                                    EXHIBIT C

                      FORM OF NOTICE OF ACCOUNT DESIGNATION

                       Dated as of:               , 200
                                   ---------------     --

Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent
1850 Gateway Boulevard, 5th Floor
Concord, California 94520-3281
Attention: Agency Administrative Services
Attention:        Agency Services

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This Notice of Account Designation is delivered to you under Section
2.2(b) of the Credit Agreement dated as of March __, 2001 (as amended, restated
or otherwise modified, the "Credit Agreement") by and among Caraustar
Industries, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the "Borrower"), the
Subsidiaries of the Borrower identified therein, the Lenders from time to time
party thereto (the "Lenders") and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative
Agent.

         1. The Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to disburse all
proceeds of Loans made to the Borrower into the following account(s):

                                            ABA Routing Number:
                                                               -----------------
                                            Account Number:
                                                           ---------------------

         2. This authorization shall remain in effect until revoked or until a
subsequent Notice of Account Designation is provided by the Borrower to the
Administrative Agent.

         3. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the
meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Notice of Account
Designation this ___ day of _______________, 200__.

                                   CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                                   a North Carolina corporation

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

                              Exhibit C, Page 1

<PAGE>   116

                                    EXHIBIT D

                          FORM OF NOTICE OF PREPAYMENT

                       Dated as of:               , 200
                                   ---------------     --

Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent
1850 Gateway Boulevard, 5th Floor
Concord, California 94520-3281
Attention: Agency Administrative Services
Attention:        Agency Services

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This irrevocable Notice of Prepayment is delivered to you under Section
2.3 of the Credit Agreement dated as of March __, 2001 (as amended, restated or
otherwise modified, the "Credit Agreement") by and among Caraustar Industries,
Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the "Borrower"), the Subsidiaries of the
Borrower identified therein, the Lenders from time to time party thereto (the
"Lenders") and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

         1. The Borrower hereby provides notice to the Administrative Agent that
it shall repay the following [Base Rate Loans and/or Offshore Rate Loans]:
______________________ (Complete with an amount or amounts in accordance with
Section 2.3 of the Credit Agreement.)

         2. The Borrower shall repay the above-referenced Loans on the following
Business Day: _________________ (Complete in accordance with Section 2.3 of the
Credit Agreement.)

         3. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the
meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Notice of
Prepayment on this ___ day of _______________, 200__.

                                   CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                                   a North Carolina corporation

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

                               Exhibit D, Page 1
<PAGE>   117

                                    EXHIBIT E

                       FORM OF GUARANTOR JOINDER AGREEMENT

         THIS GUARANTOR JOINDER AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of
_______________, 200__, is by and between _____________________, a _____________
(the "Applicant Guarantor"), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as
Administrative Agent under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of March __,
2001 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified, the "Credit Agreement") by and
among Caraustar Industries, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the "Borrower"),
the Subsidiaries of the Borrower identified therein, Guarantors from time to
time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto (the "Lenders")
and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. All of the defined terms in
the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by reference.

         The Applicant Guarantor has indicated its desire to become a Guarantor
pursuant to Section 8.12 of the Credit Agreement.

         Accordingly, the Applicant Guarantor hereby agrees as follows with the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders:

         1. The Applicant Guarantor hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms
that, by its execution of this Agreement, the Applicant Guarantor will be deemed
to be a party to the Credit Agreement and a Guarantor for all purposes of the
Credit Agreement, and shall assume and have all of the obligations of a
Guarantor thereunder as if it has executed the Credit Agreement. The Applicant
Guarantor hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all
of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Credit Agreement
applicable to a Guarantor.

         2. The Applicant Guarantor acknowledges and confirms that it has
received a copy of the Credit Agreement and the Schedules and Exhibits thereto.

         3. The Borrower confirms that all of its obligations under the Credit
Agreement are, and upon the Applicant Guarantor becoming a Guarantor shall
continue to be, in full force and effect.

         4. Each of the Borrower and the Applicant Guarantor agrees that at any
time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Administrative
Agent, it will execute and deliver such further documents and do such further
acts and things as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in order to
effect the purposes of this Agreement.

         5. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall
constitute one contract.

         6. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina.

                               Exhibit D, Page 1
<PAGE>   118

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Applicant Guarantor and the Borrower
has caused this Guarantor Joinder Agreement to be duly executed by its
authorized officers, and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the
Lenders, has caused the same to be accepted by its authorized officer, as of the
day and year first above written.

APPLICANT GUARANTOR:                        [                               ]
                                             -------------------------------

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

BORROWER:                                   CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                                            a North Carolina corporation

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

Acknowledged and accepted:

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:                       BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
                                            as Administrative Agent

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

                               Exhibit D, Page 2
<PAGE>   119

                                    EXHIBIT F

                    FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION

                       Dated as of:               , 200
                                   ---------------     --

Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent
1850 Gateway Boulevard, 5th Floor
Concord, California 94520-3281
Attention: Agency Administrative Services

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This irrevocable Notice of Conversion/Continuation (the "Notice") is
delivered to you under Section 3.2 of the Credit Agreement dated as of March __,
2001 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified, the "Credit Agreement") by and
among Caraustar Industries, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the "Borrower"),
the Subsidiaries of the Borrower identified therein, the Lenders from time to
time party thereto (the "Lenders") and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative
Agent.

         1. This Notice is submitted for the purpose of: (Check one and complete
applicable information in accordance with the Credit Agreement.)

<TABLE>
<S>      <C>
         Converting all or a portion of a Base Rate Loan into an Offshore Rate Loan

(a)      The aggregate outstanding principal balance of such Loan is $           .
                                                                      -----------
(b)      The principal amount of such Loan to be converted is $           .
                                                               -----------
(c)      The requested effective date of the conversion of such Loan is            .
                                                                        -----------
(d)      The requested Interest Period applicable to the converted Loan is            .
                                                                           -----------

         Converting all or a portion of an Offshore Rate Loan into a Base Rate Loan

(a)      The aggregate outstanding principal balance of such Loan is $              .
                                                                      --------------
(b)      The last day of the current Interest Period for such Loan is               .
                                                                      --------------
(c)      The principal amount of such Loan to be converted is           .
                                                              ----------
(d)      The requested effective date of the conversion of such Loan is               .
                                                                        --------------
         Continuing all or a portion of an Offshore Rate Loan as an Offshore Rate Loan

(a)      The aggregate outstanding principal balance of such Loan is $           .
                                                                      -----------
</TABLE>

                               Exhibit E, Page 1
<PAGE>   120

<TABLE>
<S>      <C>
(b)      The last day of the current Interest Period for such Loan is            .
                                                                      -----------
(c)      The principal amount of such Loan to be continued is $           .
                                                               -----------
(d)      The requested effective date of the continuation of such Loan is            .
                                                                          -----------
(e)      The requested Interest Period applicable to the continued Loan is            .
                                                                           -----------
</TABLE>

         2. The principal amount of all Loans and L/C Obligations outstanding as
of the date hereof does not exceed the maximum amount permitted to be
outstanding pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement. The principal amount
of all Swingline Loans outstanding as of the date hereof does not exceed the
maximum amount permitted to be outstanding under the Swingline Commitment
pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

         3. The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that no Default or Event
of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) has occurred and is continuing.

         4. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the
meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Notice of
Conversion/Continuation on this ___ day of _______________, 200__.

                                   CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                                   a North Carolina corporation

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

                               Exhibit E, Page 2
<PAGE>   121

                                    EXHIBIT G

                    FORM OF OFFICER'S COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

         The undersigned, on behalf of Caraustar Industries, Inc., a North
Carolina corporation (the "Borrower"), hereby certifies to the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders, each as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to
below, as follows:

         1. This Certificate is delivered to you pursuant to Section 6.2 of the
Credit Agreement dated as of March __, 2001 (as amended, restated or otherwise
modified, the "Credit Agreement") by and among the Borrower, the Subsidiaries of
the Borrower identified therein, the Lenders from time to time party thereto
(the "Lenders") and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized
terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned
thereto in the Credit Agreement.

         2. I have reviewed the financial statements of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries dated as of ______________ and for the _______________ period[s]
then ended and such statements present fairly in all material respects the
financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of their respective
dates and the results of the operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
the respective period[s] then ended, subject to normal year end adjustments for
interim statements.

         3. I have reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement and the related
Loan Documents and have made, or caused to be made under my supervision, a
review in reasonable detail of the transactions and the condition of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the
financial statements referred to in Paragraph 2 above. Such review has not
disclosed the existence during or at the end of such accounting period of any
condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default, nor do I
have any knowledge of the existence of any such condition or event as at the
date of this Certificate [except, if such condition or event existed or exists,
describe the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries have taken, are taking and propose to take with respect
thereto].

         4. The Applicable Percentage Pricing Level and information as to the
financial ratios necessary for determining such figure are set forth on the
attached Schedule 1.

         5. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the
financial covenants contained in Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement as shown on
such Schedule 1.

                            [Signature Page Follows]

                               Exhibit F, Page 1
<PAGE>   122

         WITNESS the following signature as of the ___ day of _______________,
200__.

                                   CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                                   a North Carolina corporation

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

                               Exhibit F, Page 2
<PAGE>   123

                                   Schedule 1

            Financial Covenant and Applicable Percentage Calculations

                                  See attached

                               Exhibit F, Page 3
<PAGE>   124

                                    EXHIBIT H

                        FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

                       Dated as of:                , 200
                                    ---------------     --

         Reference is made to the of the Credit Agreement dated as of March __,
2001 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified, the "Credit Agreement") by and
among Caraustar Industries, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the "Borrower"),
the Subsidiaries of the Borrower identified therein, the Lenders from time to
time party thereto (the "Lenders") and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative
Agent. Capitalized terms used herein which are not defined herein shall have the
meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

         ______________ (the "Assignor") and _________________ (the "Assignee")
agree as follows:

         1. The Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the
Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from the Assignor, as of the Effective
Date (as defined below), a ___% interest in and to all of the Assignor's
interest, rights and obligations with respect to its Revolving Credit Commitment
and Revolving Credit Loans, which percentage represents not less than $1,000,000
of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment, unless such percentage equals 100%
of the Assignor's Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment, and the Assignor
thereby retains ___% of its interest therein. This Assignment and Acceptance is
entered pursuant to, and authorized by, Section 13.9 of the Credit Agreement.

         2. The Assignor (i) represents that, as of the date hereof, its
Commitment Percentage (without giving effect to assignments thereof which have
not yet become effective) is ___%, , the outstanding balances of its Revolving
Credit Loans (without giving effect to assignments thereof which have not yet
become effective) is $_____; (ii) makes no representation or warranty and
assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or
representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other
Loan Document or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness,
sufficiency or value of the Credit Agreement or any other instrument or document
furnished pursuant thereto other than that the Assignor is the legal and
beneficial over of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such
interest is free and clear of any adverse claim; (iii) makes no representation
or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial
condition of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the performance or observance
by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries of any of their obligations under the Credit
Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished or executed pursuant
thereto; and (iv) attaches for cancellation the Note delivered to it under the
Credit Agreement if it retains no Commitment and requests that the Borrower
issue a new Note payable to the Assignee.

         3. The Assignee (i) represents and warrants that it is legally
authorized to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; (ii) confirms that it
has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most
recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 thereof and such
other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to

                               Exhibit G, Page 1
<PAGE>   125

make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and
Acceptance; (iii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon
the Assignor or any other Lender or the Administrative Agent 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 the Credit
Agreement; (iv) confirms that it is an Eligible Assignee; (v) appoints and
authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf
and to exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms thereof,
together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; (vi) agrees that
it will perform in accordance with their terms all the obligations which by the
terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are required to be
performed by it as a Lender; (vii) agrees to hold all confidential information
in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.10 of the Credit Agreement; and
(viii) includes herewith for the Administrative Agent the forms required by
Section 3.11(e) of the Credit Agreement (if applicable and if not previously
delivered).

         4. The effective date for this Assignment and Acceptance shall be as
set forth in Section 1 of Schedule 1 hereto (the "Effective Date"), subject to
the consents referred to in the following sentence. Following the execution of
this Assignment and Acceptance, it will be delivered to the Administrative Agent
for, to the extent required by the Credit Agreement, consent by the Borrower and
the Administrative Agent and acceptance and recording in the Register.

         5. Upon such consents, acceptance and recording, from and after the
Effective Date, (i) the Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and
the other Loan Documents to which Lenders are parties and, to the extent
provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a
Lender under each such agreement and (ii) the Assignor shall, to the extent
provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be
released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents.

         6. Upon such consents, acceptance and recording, from and after the
Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of
the interest assigned hereby (including payments of principal, interest, fees
and other amounts) to the Assignee. The Assignor and Assignee shall make all
appropriate adjustments in payments for periods prior to the Effective Date or
with respect to the making of this assignment directly between themselves.

                               Exhibit G, Page 2
<PAGE>   126

         7. THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT
UNDER SEAL AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

                                    ASSIGNOR:

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

                                    ASSIGNEE:

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

Acknowledged and Consented to on behalf of the Borrower: (1)

CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.

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

Consented to and Accepted:

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent

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

--------------------------------------------
(1) If applicable pursuant to Section 12.9.

                               Exhibit G, Page 3
<PAGE>   127

                                   Schedule I
                                       to
                            Assignment and Acceptance

1.   Effective Date                                               , 200
                                                   ---------------     --
2.   Assignor's Interest Prior to Assignment

<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>                 <C>
     (a) Assignor's Revolving Credit Commitment and Commitment Percentage:
         (i)      Revolving Credit Commitment  $
                                                 -----------------
         (ii)     Commitment Percentage                        %
                                                     ----------

     (b) Outstanding balance of Assignor's Extensions of Credit:  $
                                                                   -------------

3.   Assigned and Retained Interests

     (a) Assigned Interest (from Section 1):                                      %
                                                                        ----------
     (b) Retained Interest (from Section 1):                                      %
                                                                        ----------
4.   Assignee's Interest After Effective Date

     (a) Assignee's Revolving Credit Commitment and Commitment Percentage:
         (i)  Revolving Credit Commitment                         $
                                                                   -------------

         (ii) Commitment Percentage                                -------------%

     (b) Outstanding balance of Assignee's Extensions of Credit
         ($ amt. in line 2(a)(i) times line 3(a))                 $
                                 -----                             -------------

5.   Retained Interest of Assignor after Effective Date

     (a) Assignor's Revolving Credit Commitment and Commitment Percentage:
         (i)  Revolving Credit Commitment                         $
                                                                   -------------

         (ii)    Commitment Percentage                             -------------%

     (b) Outstanding balance of Assignor's Extensions of Credit:
         ($ amt. in line 2(a)(i) times line 3(b))                 $
                                 -----                             -------------
</TABLE>

6.   Payment Instructions

     (a) If payable to Assignor,
         to the account of Assignor at:

              --------------------------
              --------------------------
              ABA No.:
                      ------------------
              Account Name:
                           -------------
              Acct. No.
                       -----------------
              Attn:
                   ---------------------
              Ref:
                  ----------------------

                               Exhibit G, Page 4
<PAGE>   128

     (b) If payable to Assignee, to the account of
         Assignee at:

              --------------------------
              ABA No.:
                      ------------------
              Account Name:
                           -------------
              Account No.:
                          --------------
              Attn:
                   ---------------------
              Ref:
                  ----------------------

                               Exhibit G, Page 5<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.04

                                   $29,000,000

                           CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.

                           7.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2010

                                       AND

                                  $285,000,000

                           CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.

                    9.875% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2011

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                               ------------------

                                                                  March 22, 2001

CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
DEUTSCHE BANC ALEX. BROWN INC.
SUNTRUST EQUITABLE SECURITIES CORPORATION
    c/o Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation,
            Eleven Madison Avenue,
               New York, N.Y. 10010-3629

Dear Sirs:

         1. Introductory. Caraustar Industries, Inc., a North Carolina
corporation (the "COMPANY"), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions
stated herein, to issue and sell to the several initial purchasers named in
Schedule A hereto (the "PURCHASERS") U.S.$29,000,000 principal amount of its
7.25% Senior Notes Due 2010 (the "SENIOR NOTES") and U.S.$285,000,000 principal
amount of its 9.875% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2011 (the "SENIOR
SUBORDINATED NOTES," collectively with the Senior Notes, the "OFFERED
SECURITIES") to be issued under an indenture, dated as of March 29, 2001 (the
"INDENTURE"), between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the
"TRUSTEE"). The Offered Securities will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed
by all existing domestic subsidiaries of the Company, excluding those listed on
Schedule C hereto (the "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS"). Each Subsidiary Guarantor is
listed on Schedule C hereto. The United States Securities Act of 1933 is herein
referred to as the "SECURITIES ACT."

         The Company hereby agrees with the Purchasers as follows:

         2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company
represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Purchasers that:

                  (a)      A preliminary offering circular and an offering
         circular relating to the Offered Securities to be offered by the
         Purchasers have been prepared by the Company. Such preliminary offering
         circular (the "PRELIMINARY OFFERING CIRCULAR") and offering circular
         (the "OFFERING CIRCULAR"), as supplemented as of the date of this
         Agreement, together with the documents listed in Schedule B hereto and
         any other document approved by the Company for use in connection with
         the contemplated resale of the Offered Securities, are hereinafter
         collectively referred to as the "OFFERING DOCUMENT." On the date of
         this Agreement, the Offering Document does not include any untrue

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         statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
         required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
         statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
         were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to
         statements in or omissions from the Offering Document based upon
         written information furnished to the Company by any Purchaser through
         Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, as agent for the Purchasers
         ("CSFBC") specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed
         that the only such information is that described as such in Section
         7(b) hereof. Except as disclosed in the Offering Document, on the date
         of this Agreement, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K most
         recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
         "COMMISSION") and all subsequent reports (collectively, the "EXCHANGE
         ACT REPORTS") which have been filed by the Company with the Commission
         or sent to shareholders pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
         (the "EXCHANGE ACT") do not include any untrue statement of a material
         fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
         statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
         were made, not misleading. Such documents, when they were filed with
         the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the requirements
         of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
         thereunder.

                  (b)      The Company has been duly incorporated and is an
         existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of
         North Carolina, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own
         its properties and conduct its business as described in the Offering
         Document; and the Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign
         corporation in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its
         ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires
         such qualification.

                  (c)      Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly
         incorporated and is an existing corporation in good standing under the
         laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, with power and authority
         (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as
         described in the Offering Document and the Exchange Act Reports; and
         each subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified to do business as a
         foreign corporation in good standing in all other jurisdictions in
         which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business
         requires such qualification; all of the issued and outstanding capital
         stock of each subsidiary of the Company has been duly authorized and
         validly issued and is fully paid and nonassessable; and the capital
         stock of each subsidiary owned by the Company, directly or through
         subsidiaries, is owned free from liens, encumbrances and defects. Each
         entity in which the Company has an equity interest but which is not
         included in the Company's consolidated financial statements as set
         forth in the Offering Circular (each a "Joint Venture") has been duly
         incorporated or organized, as applicable, is validly existing as a
         corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as applicable,
         in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
         incorporation or organization, has corporate or other power and
         authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its
         business as described in the Offering Document and the Exchange Act
         Reports and is duly qualified, if applicable, as a foreign corporation,
         partnership or limited liability company to transact business and is in
         good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is
         required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or
         the conduct of business. Except as otherwise stated in the Offering
         Document and the Exchange Act Reports, all of the issued and
         outstanding capital stock of each Joint Venture that is a corporation
         has been duly authorized and is validly issued, fully paid and
         non-assessable. Except as otherwise stated in the Offering Document and
         the Exchange Act Reports, all of the issued and outstanding partnership
         interests and membership interests of each Joint Venture that is a
         partnership or a limited liability company have been duly authorized
         and validly issued. The capital stock, partnership interest or
         membership interest, as applicable, of the Joint Ventures owned by the
         Company as set forth in the Offering Circular is owned by the Company,
         directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security
         interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity. None of
         the outstanding shares of capital stock of any Joint Venture that is a
         corporation was issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights
         of any securityholder of such subsidiary.

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                  (d)      The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company
         and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors; the Offered Securities have been
         duly authorized by the Company; and when the Offered Securities are
         delivered and paid for pursuant to this Agreement on the Closing Date
         (as defined below), the Indenture will have been duly executed and
         delivered by the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors, such
         Offered Securities will have been duly executed, authenticated, issued
         and delivered by the Company and will conform in all material respects
         to the description thereof contained in the Offering Document and the
         Indenture and such Offered Securities will constitute valid and legally
         binding obligations of the Company and each of the Subsidiary
         Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to
         bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium
         and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
         creditors' rights and to general equity principles.

                  (e)      Except as disclosed in the Offering Document, there
         are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and
         any person that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or
         any Purchaser for a brokerage commission, finder's fee or other like
         payment as a result of the Company's performance of its obligations
         under this Agreement, the Indenture or the Registration Rights
         Agreement.

                  (f)      No consent, approval, authorization, or order of, or
         filing with, any governmental agency or body or any court is required
         for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
         or the Registration Rights Agreement dated the date hereof, between the
         Company and the Purchasers (the "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT"), in
         connection with the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities by the
         Company, except for the order of the Commission declaring the Exchange
         Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement (each
         as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) effective.

                  (g)      The execution, delivery and performance of the
         Indenture, this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, and
         the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities, and compliance with
         the terms and provisions thereof, will not result in a breach or
         violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a
         default under, any statute, any rule, regulation or order of any
         governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, having
         jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary or Joint Venture of the
         Company or any of their properties, or any agreement or instrument to
         which the Company or any such subsidiary or Joint Venture is a party or
         by which the Company or any such subsidiary or Joint Venture is bound
         or to which any of the properties of the Company or any such subsidiary
         or Joint Venture is subject, or the charter, by-laws or such other
         organizational documents of the Company or any such subsidiary or Joint
         Venture, and the Company has full power and authority to authorize,
         issue and sell the Offered Securities as contemplated by this
         Agreement.

                  (h)      This Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement
         have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

                  (i)      Except as disclosed in the Offering Document, the
         Company and its subsidiaries and Joint Ventures have good and
         marketable title to all real properties and all other properties and
         assets owned by them, in each case free from liens, encumbrances and
         defects that would materially affect the value thereof or materially
         interfere with the use made or to be made thereof by them; and except
         as disclosed in the Offering Document, the Company and its subsidiaries
         and Joint Ventures hold any leased real or personal property under
         valid and enforceable leases with no exceptions that would materially
         interfere with the use made or to be made thereof by them.

                  (j)      The Company and its subsidiaries and Joint Ventures
         possess adequate certificates, authorities or permits issued by
         appropriate governmental agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the
         business now operated by them and have not received any notice of
         proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such
         certificate, authority or permit that, if determined adversely to the
         Company or any of its subsidiaries and Joint Ventures, which would
         result in any material

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         adverse change, or any development or event involving a prospective
         material adverse change, in the condition (financial or other),
         business, properties or results of operations of the Company or its
         subsidiaries and its interests in its Joint Ventures taken as a whole
         ("MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT").

                  (k)      No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or
         any subsidiary or Joint Venture exists or, to the knowledge of the
         Company, is imminent that might have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (l)      The Company and its subsidiaries and Joint Ventures
         own, possess or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate trademarks,
         trade names and other rights to inventions, know-how, patents,
         copyrights, confidential information and other intellectual property
         (collectively, "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS") necessary to conduct the
         business now operated by them, or presently employed by them, and have
         not received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted
         rights of others with respect to any intellectual property rights that,
         if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
         Joint Ventures, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material
         Adverse Effect.

                  (m)      Except as disclosed in the Offering Document, neither
         the Company nor any of its subsidiaries or Joint Ventures is in
         violation of any statute, any rule, regulation, decision or order of
         any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign,
         relating to the use, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic
         substances or relating to the protection or restoration of the
         environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances
         (collectively, "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS"), owns or operates any real
         property contaminated with any substance that is subject to any
         environmental laws, is liable for any off-site disposal or
         contamination pursuant to any environmental laws, or is subject to any
         claim relating to any environmental laws, which violation,
         contamination, liability or claim would individually or in the
         aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company is not aware
         of any pending investigation which might lead to such a claim.

                  (n)      Except as disclosed in the Offering Document, there
         are no pending actions, suits or proceedings against or affecting the
         Company, any of its subsidiaries and Joint Ventures or any of their
         respective properties that, if determined adversely to the Company or
         any of its subsidiaries or Joint Ventures, would individually or in the
         aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect, or would materially and
         adversely affect the ability of the Company to perform its obligations
         under the Indenture, this Agreement or the Registration Rights
         Agreement, or which are otherwise material in the context of the sale
         of the Offered Securities; and no such actions, suits or proceedings
         are threatened or, to the Company's knowledge, contemplated.

                  (o)      The historical audited financial statements,
         historical unaudited financial statements and the unaudited pro forma
         financial data included in the Offering Document present fairly the
         financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as
         of the dates shown and their results of operations and cash flows for
         the periods shown, and such financial statements have been prepared in
         conformity with the generally accepted accounting principles in the
         United States applied on a consistent basis.

                  (p)      Except as disclosed in the Offering Document, since
         the date of the latest audited historical financial statements included
         in the Offering Document there has been no material adverse change, nor
         any development or event involving a prospective material adverse
         change, in the condition (financial or other), business, properties or
         results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries and Joint
         Ventures taken as a whole, and, except as disclosed in or contemplated
         by the Offering Document, there has been no dividend or distribution of
         any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its
         capital stock.

                  (q)      Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries or
         Joint Ventures is in default under any agreement or instrument to which
         the Company or any such subsidiary or Joint Venture is a party or by
         which the Company or any such subsidiary or Joint Venture is bound or
         to which any of

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         the properties of the Company or any such subsidiary or Joint Venture
         is subject, which would, individually or in the aggregate, result in a
         Material Adverse Effect.

                  (r)      Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiary
         Guarantors is an open-end investment company, unit investment trust or
         face-amount certificate company that is or is required to be registered
         under Section 8 of the United States Investment Company Act of 1940
         (the "INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT"); and neither the Company nor any of the
         Subsidiary Guarantors is and, after giving effect to the offering and
         sale of the Offered Securities and the application of the proceeds
         thereof as described in the Offering Document, will not be an
         "investment company" as defined in the Investment Company Act.

                  (s)      No securities of the same class (within the meaning
         of Rule 144A(d)(3) under the Securities Act) as the Offered Securities
         are listed on any national securities exchange registered under Section
         6 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("EXCHANGE ACT")
         or quoted in a U.S. automated inter-dealer quotation system.

                  (t)      The offer and sale of the Offered Securities in the
         manner contemplated by this Agreement will be exempt from the
         registration requirements of the Securities Act by reason of Section
         4(2) thereof, Regulation D thereunder and Regulation S thereunder; and
         it is not necessary to qualify an indenture in respect of the Offered
         Securities under the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
         amended (the "TRUST INDENTURE ACT").

                  (u)      Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor
         any person acting on its or their behalf (i) has, within the six-month
         period prior to the date hereof, offered or sold in the United States
         or to any U.S. person (as such term is defined in Regulation S under
         the Securities Act) the Offered Securities, or any security of the same
         class or series as the Offered Securities, or (ii) has offered or will
         offer or sell the Offered Securities (A) in the United States by means
         of any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the
         meaning of Rule 502(c) under the Securities Act or (B) with respect to
         any such securities sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S under
         the Securities Act ("REGULATION S"), by means of any directed selling
         efforts within the meaning of Rule 902(c) of Regulation S. The Company,
         its affiliates and any person acting on its or their behalf have
         complied and will comply with the offering restrictions requirement of
         Regulation S. The Company has not entered and will not enter into any
         contractual arrangement with respect to the distribution of the Offered
         Securities except for this Agreement.

                  (v)      The Company is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
         Exchange Act.

         3.       Purchase, Sale and Delivery of Offered Securities. On the
basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but
subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell
to the Purchasers, and the Purchasers agree, severally and not jointly, to
purchase from the Company, the Senior Notes at a purchase price of 84.6775% of
the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, if any, from March 29, 2001
to the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) and the Senior Subordinated Notes
at a purchase price of 93.8215% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued
interest, if any, from March 29, 2001 to the Closing Date, in the respective
principal amounts of Offered Securities set forth opposite the names of the
several Purchasers in Schedule A hereto.

         The Company will deliver against payment of the purchase price the
Offered Securities to be offered and sold by each Purchaser in reliance on
Regulation S (the "REGULATION S SECURITIES") in the form of one or more
permanent global securities in registered form without interest coupons (the
"REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITIES") which will be deposited with the Trustee as
custodian for The Depositary Trust Company ("DTC") for the respective accounts
of the Euroclear System ("EUROCLEAR") and Clearstream Banking, S.A.
("CLEARSTREAM"), each a participant in DTC, and the permanent global securities
will be registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. The Company
will deliver against payment of the purchase price the Offered Securities to be
purchased by each Purchaser hereunder and to be offered and sold by each
Purchaser in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act (the "144A
SECURITIES") in the form of two or

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more permanent global securities in definitive form without interest coupons
(the "RESTRICTED GLOBAL SECURITIES") deposited with the Trustee as custodian for
DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. Each of the
Regulation S Global Securities and the Restricted Global Securities shall be
assigned separate CUSIP numbers. The Restricted Global Securities shall include
the legend regarding restrictions on transfer set forth under "Transfer
Restrictions" in the Offering Document. Until the termination of the restricted
period (as defined in Regulation S) with respect to the offering of the Offered
Securities, interests in the Regulation S Global Securities may only be held by
a DTC participant such as Euroclear or Clearstream. Interests in any permanent
global securities will be held only in book-entry form through
Euroclear,Clearstream or DTC, as the case may be, except in the limited
circumstances described in the Offering Document.

         Payment for the Regulation S Securities and the 144A Securities shall
be made by the Purchasers in Federal (same day) funds by wire transfer to an
account at a bank acceptable to CSFBC at the office of Alston & Bird LLP at
10:00 A.M. (New York time) on March 29, 2001 or at such other time not later
than seven full business days thereafter as CSFBC and the Company determine,
such time being herein referred to as the "Closing Date," against delivery to
the Trustee as custodian for DTC of (i) the Regulation S Global Securities
representing all of the Regulation S Securities for the respective accounts of
DTC participants Euroclear and Clearstream and (ii) the Restricted Global
Securities representing all of the 144A Securities. The Regulation S Global
Securities and the Restricted Global Securities will be made available for
checking at the above office of CSFBC at least 24 hours prior to the Closing
Date.

         4.       Representations by Purchasers; Resale by Purchasers.

                  (a)      Each Purchaser severally represents and warrants to
         the Company that it is an "accredited investor" within the meaning of
         Regulation D under the Securities Act.

                  (b)      Each Purchaser severally acknowledges that the
         Offered Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act
         and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for
         the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in accordance with
         Regulation S or pursuant to an exemption from the registration
         requirements of the Securities Act. Each Purchaser severally represents
         and agrees that it has offered and sold the Offered Securities, and
         will offer and sell the Offered Securities (i) as part of its
         distribution at any time and (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the
         later of the commencement of the offering and the Closing Date, only in
         accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
         Accordingly, such Purchaser nor its affiliates, nor any persons acting
         on its or their behalf, have engaged or will engage in any directed
         selling efforts with respect to the Offered Securities, and such
         Purchaser, its affiliates and all persons acting on its or their behalf
         have complied and will comply with the offering restrictions
         requirement of Regulation S. Each Purchaser severally agrees that, at
         or prior to confirmation of sale of the Offered Securities, other than
         a sale pursuant to Rule 144A, such Purchaser will have sent to each
         distributor, dealer or person receiving a selling concession, fee or
         other remuneration that purchases the Offered Securities from it during
         the restricted period a confirmation or notice to substantially the
         following effect:

                  "The Securities covered hereby have not been registered under
                  the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") and may
                  not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for
                  the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (i) as part of their
                  distribution at any time or (ii) otherwise until 40 days after
                  the later of the date of the commencement of the offering and
                  the closing date, except in either case in accordance with
                  Regulation S (or Rule 144A if available) under the Securities
                  Act. Terms used above have the meanings given to them by
                  Regulation S."

                  Terms used in this subsection (b) have the meanings given to
                  them by Regulation S.

                  (c)      Each Purchaser severally agrees that it and each of
         its affiliates has not entered and will not enter into any contractual
         arrangement with respect to the distribution of the Offered Securities

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         except for any such arrangements with the other Purchasers or
         affiliates of the other Purchasers or with the prior written consent of
         the Company.

                  (d)      Each Purchaser severally agrees that it and each of
         its affiliates has not and will not offer or sell the Offered
         Securities in the United States by means of any form of general
         solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c)
         under the Securities Act, including, but not limited to (i) any
         advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any
         newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television or
         radio, or (ii) any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited
         by any general solicitation or general advertising. Each Purchaser
         severally agrees, with respect to resales made in reliance on Rule 144A
         of any of the Offered Securities, to deliver either with the
         confirmation of such resale or otherwise prior to settlement of such
         resale a notice to the effect that the resale of such Offered
         Securities has been made in reliance upon the exemption from the
         registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule 144A.

         5.       Certain Agreements of the Company. The Company agrees with the
several Purchasers that:

                  (a)      The Company will advise CSFBC promptly of any
         proposal to amend or supplement the Offering Document and will not
         effect such amendment or supplementation without CSFBC's consent, which
         consent will not be unreasonably withheld. If, at any time prior to the
         completion of the resale of the Offered Securities by the Purchasers,
         any event occurs as a result of which the Offering Document as then
         amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material
         fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
         statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
         were made, not misleading, the Company promptly will notify CSFBC of
         such event and promptly will prepare, at its own expense, an amendment
         or supplement which will correct such statement or omission. Neither
         CSFBC's consent to, nor the Purchasers' delivery to offerees or
         investors of, any such amendment or supplement shall constitute a
         waiver of any of the conditions set forth in Section 6.

                  (b)      The Company will furnish to CSFBC copies of any
         preliminary offering circular, the Offering Document and all amendments
         and supplements to such documents, in each case as soon as available
         and in such quantities as CSFBC reasonably requests, and the Company
         will furnish to CSFBC on the date hereof three copies of the Offering
         Document, one of which will include the independent accountants'
         reports therein manually signed by such independent accountants. At any
         time when the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
         Exchange Act, the Company will promptly furnish or cause to be
         furnished to CSFBC (and, upon request, to each of the other Purchasers)
         and, upon request of holders and prospective purchasers of the Offered
         Securities, to such holders and purchasers, copies of the information
         required to be delivered to holders and prospective purchasers of the
         Offered Securities pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act
         (or any successor provision thereto) in order to permit compliance with
         Rule 144A in connection with resales by such holders of the Offered
         Securities. The Company will pay the expenses of printing and
         distributing to the Purchasers all such documents.

                  (c)      The Company will arrange for the qualification of the
         Offered Securities for sale and the determination of their eligibility
         for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions in the United
         States and Canada as CSFBC designates and will continue such
         qualifications in effect so long as required for the resale of the
         Offered Securities by the Purchasers, provided that the Company will
         not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a
         general consent to service of process in any such state.

                  (d)      During the period of five years hereafter, the
         Company will furnish to CSFBC and, upon request, to each of the other
         Purchasers, as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, a
         copy of its annual report to shareholders for such year; and the
         Company will furnish to CSFBC and, upon request, to each of the other
         Purchasers (i) as soon as available, a copy of each report and any
         definitive proxy statement of the Company filed with the Commission
         under the Exchange Act

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<PAGE>   8

         or mailed to shareholders, and (ii) from time to time, such other
         information concerning the Company as CSFBC may reasonably request.

                  (e)      During the period of two years after the Closing
         Date, the Company will, upon request, furnish to CSFBC, each of the
         other Purchasers and any holder of Offered Securities a copy of the
         restrictions on transfer applicable to the Offered Securities.

                  (f)      During the period of two years after the Closing
         Date, the Company will not, and will not permit any of its affiliates
         (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) to, resell any of the
         Offered Securities that have been reacquired by any of them.

                  (g)      During the period of two years after the Closing
         Date, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor will become an
         open-end investment company, unit investment trust or face-amount
         certificate company that is or is required to be registered under
         Section 8 of the Investment Company Act.

                  (h)      The Company will pay all expenses incidental to the
         performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the Indenture and
         the Registration Rights Agreement, including (i) the fees and expenses
         of the Trustee and its professional advisers; (ii) all expenses in
         connection with the execution, issue, authentication, packaging and
         initial delivery of the Offered Securities and, as applicable, the
         Exchange Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement),
         the preparation and printing of this Agreement, the Registration Rights
         Agreement, the Offered Securities, the Indenture, the Offering Document
         and amendments and supplements thereto, and any other document relating
         to the issuance, offer, sale and delivery of the Offered Securities and
         as applicable, the Exchange Securities; (iii) the cost of qualifying
         the Offered Securities for trading in The Portal(SM) Market ("PORTAL")
         and any expenses incidental thereto; (iv) any expenses (including fees
         and disbursements of counsel) incurred in connection with qualification
         of the Offered Securities or the Exchange Securities for sale under the
         laws of such jurisdictions in the United States and Canada as CSFBC
         designates and the printing of memoranda relating thereto; (v) for any
         fees charged by investment rating agencies for the rating of the
         Offered Securities or the Exchange Securities; and (vi) for expenses
         incurred in distributing preliminary offering circulars and the
         Offering Document (including any amendments and supplements thereto) to
         the Purchasers. The Company will also pay or reimburse the Purchasers
         (to the extent incurred by them) for all travel expenses of the
         Company's officers and employees and any other expenses of the Company
         in connection with attending or hosting meetings with prospective
         purchasers of the Offered Securities from the Purchasers; it being
         understood that the only expenses of counsel to the Purchasers to be
         paid by the Company shall be those pursuant to the foregoing clause
         (iv).

                  (i)      In connection with the offering, until CSFBC shall
         have notified the Company and the other Purchasers of the completion of
         the resale of the Offered Securities, neither the Company nor any of
         its affiliates has or will, either alone or with one or more other
         persons, bid for or purchase for any account in which it or any of its
         affiliates has a beneficial interest any Offered Securities or attempt
         to induce any person to purchase any Offered Securities; and neither it
         nor any of its affiliates will make bids or purchases for the purpose
         of creating actual, or apparent, active trading in, or of raising the
         price of, the Offered Securities.

                  (j)      In connection with the sale of the Offered Securities
         to the Purchasers, the Company will file the notice on Form D required
         by Rule 503 under the Securities Act within the time required by such
         Rule and otherwise in compliance with such Rule. A copy of such notice
         shall be furnished promptly to CSFBC.

                  (k)      From the date hereof to the Closing Date, without the
         prior written consent of CSFBC, neither the Company nor any of its
         subsidiaries will agree to amend, revise or otherwise alter the
         operating agreement, partnership agreement, management agreement or
         other agreement or agreements governing the business or operations,
         financial or otherwise, of the Joint Ventures, if

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

         such amendment, revision or alteration would adversely affect the
         condition (financial or other), business, properties or results of
         operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, individually or in the
         aggregate, or adversely affect the provisions of the Offered
         Securities.

         6.       Conditions of the Obligations of the Purchasers. The
obligations of the several Purchasers to purchase and pay for the Offered
Securities will be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties
on the part of the Company herein, to the accuracy of the statements of officers
of the Company made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the
Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions
precedent:

                  (a)      The Purchasers shall have received a letter, dated
         the date of this Agreement, of Arthur Andersen LLP in agreed form
         confirming that they are independent public accountants within the
         meaning of the Securities Act and the applicable published rules and
         regulations thereunder ("RULES AND REGULATIONS") and to the effect
         that:

                           (i)      in their opinion the financial statements
                  examined by them and included in the Offering Document and in
                  the Exchange Act Reports comply as to form in all material
                  respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the
                  Securities Act and the related published Rules and
                  Regulations;

                           (ii)     at the date of the latest available balance
                  sheet read by such accountants, or at a subsequent specified
                  date not more than three business days prior to the date of
                  this Agreement, there was any change in the capital stock or
                  any increase in short-term indebtedness or long-term debt of
                  the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries or, at the date
                  of the latest available balance sheet read by such
                  accountants, there was any decrease in consolidated net
                  current assets or net assets, as compared with amounts shown
                  on the latest balance sheet included in the Offering Document;
                  or

                           (iii)    for the period from the closing date of the
                  latest income statement included in the Offering Document to
                  the closing date of the latest available income statement read
                  by such accountants there were any decreases, as compared with
                  previous year, in consolidated net sales, operating income,
                  equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates, income before
                  income taxes and minority interest, net income or in the ratio
                  of earnings to fixed charges;

                  except in all cases set forth in clauses (ii) and (iii) above
                  for changes, increases or decreases which the Offering
                  Document disclose have occurred or may occur or which are
                  described in such letter; and

                           (iv)     they have compared specified dollar amounts
                  (or percentages derived from such dollar amounts) and other
                  financial information contained in the Offering Document and
                  the Exchange Act Reports (in each case to the extent that such
                  dollar amounts, percentages and other financial information
                  are derived from the general accounting records of the Company
                  and its subsidiaries subject to the internal controls of the
                  Company's accounting system or are derived directly from such
                  records by analysis or computation) with the results obtained
                  from inquiries, a reading of such general accounting records
                  and other procedures specified in such letter and have found
                  such dollar amounts, percentages and other financial
                  information to be in agreement with such results, except as
                  otherwise specified in such letter.

                  (b)      Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this
         Agreement, there shall not have occurred (i) a change in U.S. or
         international financial, political or economic conditions or currency
         exchange rates or exchange controls as would, in the judgment of CSFBC,
         be likely to prejudice materially the success of the proposed issue,
         sale or distribution of the Offered Securities, whether in the primary
         market or in respect of dealings in the secondary market, or (ii) (A)
         any change, or any development or event involving a prospective change,
         in the condition (financial or other), business,

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

         properties or results of operations of the Company or its subsidiaries
         which, in the judgment of a majority in interest of the Purchasers
         including CSFBC, is material and adverse to the Company and its
         subsidiaries when taken as a whole, and makes it impractical or
         inadvisable to proceed with completion of the offering or the sale of
         and payment for the Offered Securities; (B) any downgrading in the
         rating of any debt securities of the Company by any "nationally
         recognized statistical rating organization" (as defined for purposes of
         Rule 436(g) under the Securities Act), or any public announcement that
         any such organization has under surveillance or review its rating of
         any debt securities of the Company (other than an announcement with
         positive implications of a possible upgrading, and no implication of a
         possible downgrading, of such rating); (C) any suspension or limitation
         of trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange, or
         any general setting of minimum prices for trading on such exchange, or
         any suspension of trading of any securities of the Company on any
         exchange or in the over-the-counter market; (D) any banking moratorium
         declared by U.S. Federal or New York authorities; or (E) any outbreak
         or escalation of major hostilities in which the United States is
         involved, any declaration of war by Congress or any other substantial
         national or international calamity or emergency if, in the judgment of
         a majority in interest of the Purchasers including CSFBC, the effect of
         any such outbreak, escalation, declaration, calamity or emergency makes
         it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with completion of the
         offering or sale of and payment for the Offered Securities.

                  (c)      The Purchasers shall have received an opinion, dated
         the Closing Date, of Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. counsel for the
         Company, that:

                           (i)      The Company has been duly incorporated and
                  is an existing corporation in good standing under the laws of
                  the State of North Carolina, with corporate power and
                  authority to own its properties and conduct its business as
                  described in the Offering Document and the Exchange Act
                  Reports; and the Company is duly qualified to do business as a
                  foreign corporation in good standing in such jurisdictions
                  specified therein;

                           (ii)     Each Subsidiary Guarantor has been duly
                  incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good
                  standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
                  incorporation, has corporate power and authority to own, lease
                  and operate its properties and to conduct its business as
                  described in the Offering Document and the Exchange Act
                  Reports and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to
                  transact business and is in good standing in such
                  jurisdictions as specified therein. Except as otherwise stated
                  in the Offering Document and the Exchange Act Reports, all of
                  the issued and outstanding capital stock of each subsidiary
                  has been duly authorized and is validly issued, fully paid and
                  non-assessable and, to the best of our knowledge, is owned by
                  the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear
                  of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance,
                  claim or equity. To the best of our knowledge, none of the
                  outstanding shares of capital stock of any subsidiary was
                  issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights of any
                  securityholder of such subsidiary.

                           (iii)    Each Joint Venture of the Company has been
                  duly incorporated or organized, as applicable, is validly
                  existing as a corporation, partnership or limited liability
                  company, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of the
                  jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, has
                  corporate or other power and authority to own, lease and
                  operate its properties and to conduct its business as
                  described in the Offering Document and the Exchange Act
                  Reports and is duly qualified, if applicable, as a foreign
                  corporation, partnership or limited liability company to
                  transact business and is in good standing in such
                  jurisdictions as specified therein. Except as otherwise stated
                  in the Offering Document and the Exchange Act Reports, all of
                  the issued and outstanding capital stock of each Joint Venture
                  that is a corporation has been duly authorized and is validly
                  issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Except as otherwise
                  stated in the Offering Document and the Exchange Act Reports,
                  all of the issued and outstanding partnership or membership
                  interests of each Joint Venture that is a partnership or
                  limited liability

                                       10
<PAGE>   11

                  company has been duly authorized. To the best of our
                  knowledge, such stock, partnership or membership interest is
                  owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free
                  and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien,
                  encumbrance, claim or equity. To the best of our knowledge,
                  none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any Joint
                  Venture that is a corporation was issued in violation of the
                  preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of such
                  subsidiary.

                           (iv)     The Indenture has been duly authorized,
                  executed and delivered by the Company and each of the
                  Subsidiary Guarantors; the Offered Securities have been duly
                  authorized, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered by
                  the Company and conform in all material respects to the
                  description thereof contained in the Offering Document; and
                  the Indenture and the Offered Securities constitute valid and
                  legally binding obligations of the Company and each of the
                  Subsidiary Guarantors enforceable in accordance with their
                  terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
                  reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general
                  applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and
                  to general equity principles;

                           (v)      Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
                  Guarantor is and, after giving effect to the offering and sale
                  of the Offered Securities and the application of the proceeds
                  thereof as described in the Offering Document, will not be an
                  "investment company" as defined in the Investment Company Act.

                           (vi)     No consent, approval, authorization or order
                  of, or filing with, any governmental agency or body or any
                  court is required for the consummation of the transactions
                  contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights
                  Agreement in connection with the issuance or sale of the
                  Offered Securities by the Company, except such as may be
                  required under state securities laws, except for the order of
                  the Commission declaring the Exchange Offer Registration
                  Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement effective and
                  except for the filing of a notice of sale on Form D as
                  required by Rule 503 of Regulation D of the Securities Act;

                           (vii)    Except as described in the Offering
                  Circular, there are no pending actions, suits or proceedings
                  against or affecting the Company, any of its subsidiaries or
                  Joint Ventures or any of their respective properties that, if
                  determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries
                  or Joint Ventures, would individually or in the aggregate have
                  a Material Adverse Effect, or would materially and adversely
                  affect the ability of the Company to perform its obligations
                  under the Indenture, this Agreement or the Registration Rights
                  Agreement, or which are otherwise material in the context of
                  the sale of the Offered Securities; and no such actions, suits
                  or proceedings are, to such counsel's knowledge, threatened.

                           (viii)   The execution, delivery and performance of
                  the Indenture, this Agreement and the Registration Rights
                  Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities
                  and compliance with the terms and provisions thereof will not:
                  (x) to the knowledge of such counsel, result in a breach or
                  violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute
                  a default under, any statute, any rule, regulation or order of
                  any governmental agency or body or any court having
                  jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary or Joint
                  Venture of the Company or any of their properties, (y) result
                  in a breach or violation of the material agreements and
                  instruments, each such agreement and instrument specifically
                  set forth in such opinion, to which the Company or any such
                  subsidiary or Joint Venture is a party or by which the Company
                  or any such subsidiary or Joint Venture is bound or to which
                  any of the properties of the Company or any such subsidiary or
                  Joint Venture is subject, or (z) result in a breach or
                  violation of the charter, by-laws or other organizational
                  documents of the Company or any such subsidiary or Joint
                  Venture; and the Company has full power and

                                       11
<PAGE>   12

                  authority to authorize, issue and sell the Offered Securities
                  as contemplated by this Agreement;

                           (ix)     To the knowledge of such counsel, neither
                  the Company nor any of its subsidiaries or Joint Ventures is
                  in default under any material agreement or instrument, each
                  such agreement and instrument specifically set forth in such
                  opinion, to which the Company or any such subsidiary or Joint
                  Venture is a party or by which the Company or any such
                  subsidiary or Joint Venture is bound or to which any of the
                  properties of the Company or any such subsidiary or Joint
                  Venture is subject, which would, individually or in the
                  aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                           (x)      Such counsel have no reason to believe that
                  the Offering Document, or any amendment or supplement thereto,
                  or any Exchange Act Report as of the date hereof and as of the
                  Closing Date, contained any untrue statement of a material
                  fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary to make
                  the statements therein not misleading; the descriptions in the
                  Offering Document and the Exchange Act Reports of statutes,
                  legal and governmental proceedings and contracts and other
                  documents are accurate in all material respects and fairly
                  present the information required to be shown; it being
                  understood that such counsel need express no opinion as to the
                  financial statements or other financial data contained in
                  Offering Document and the Exchange Act Reports;

                           (xi)     This Agreement and the Registration Rights
                  Agreement have each been duly authorized, executed and
                  delivered by the Company;

                           (xii)    It is not necessary in connection with (i)
                  the offer, sale and delivery of the Offered Securities by the
                  Company to the several Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement
                  or (ii) the resales of the Offered Securities by the several
                  Purchasers in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, to
                  register the Offered Securities under the Securities Act or to
                  qualify an indenture in respect thereof under the Trust
                  Indenture Act.

                           (xiii)   Except as provided in the Registration
                  Rights Agreement, no holder of any security of the Company or
                  any of its subsidiaries or Joint Ventures, has or will have
                  any right to require the registration under the Securities Act
                  of such security by virtue of the consummation of the
                  transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (d)      The Purchasers shall have received from Alston & Bird
         LLP, counsel for the Purchasers, such opinions, dated the Closing Date,
         with respect to the enforceability of the Indenture, the due
         authorization of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement
         and other related matters as CSFBC may require, and the Company shall
         have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the
         purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters. In rendering such
         opinion, Alston & Bird LLP may rely as to the incorporation of the
         Company and all other matters governed by North Carolina law upon the
         opinion of Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. referred to above.

                  (e)      The Purchasers shall have received a certificate,
         dated the Closing Date, of the President or any Vice President and a
         principal financial or accounting officer of the Company in which such
         officers, to the best of their knowledge after reasonable
         investigation, shall state that the representations and warranties of
         the Company in this Agreement are true and correct, that the Company
         has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its
         part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing
         Date, and that, subsequent to the date of the most recent financial
         statements in the Offering Document there has been no material adverse
         change, nor any development or event involving a prospective material
         adverse change, in the condition (financial or other), business,
         properties or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries
         taken as a whole except as set forth in or contemplated by the Offering
         Document or as described in such certificate.

                                       12
<PAGE>   13

                  (f)      The Purchasers shall have received a letter, dated
         the Closing Date, of Arthur Andersen LLP which meets the requirements
         of subsection (a) of this Section, except that the specified date
         referred to in such subsection will be a date not more than three days
         prior to the Closing Date for the purposes of this subsection.

                  (g)      The Company shall have obtained guarantees from the
         Subsidiary Guarantors of the outstanding indebtedness under the
         Company's 7.375% Senior Notes Due 2009.

         The Company will furnish the Purchasers with such conformed copies of
such opinions, certificates, letters and documents as the Purchasers reasonably
request. CSFBC may in its sole discretion waive on behalf of the Purchasers
compliance with any conditions to the obligations of the Purchasers hereunder.

         7.       Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Company will
indemnify and hold harmless each Purchaser, its partners, directors and officers
and each person, if any, who controls such Purchaser within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which such Purchaser may become subject, under
the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or
are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material
fact contained in the Offering Document, or any amendment or supplement thereto,
or any related preliminary offering circular or the Exchange Act Reports, or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, including any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities arising out of or based upon the
Company's failure to perform its obligations under Section 5(a) of this
Agreement, and will reimburse each Purchaser for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such Purchaser in connection with investigating or
defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are
incurred; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable to the
Purchasers or any person controlling the Purchasers with respect to any untrue
statement or omission made in the Preliminary Offering Circular that is
corrected in the Offering Circular if the person asserting any such loss, claim,
damage or liability purchased Offered Securities from the Purchasers but was not
sent or given a copy of the Offering Circular by the Purchasers at or prior to
the written confirmation of the sale of such Offered Securities to such person
unless such failure to deliver the Offering Circular was a result of the
Company's failure to comply with Section 5 of this Agreement; provided, further,
that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such
loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission from
any of such documents in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by any Purchaser through CSFBC specifically
for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information
consists of the information described as such in subsection (b) below.

                  (b)      Each Purchaser will severally and not jointly
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors and officers and each
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the
Company may become subject, under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Offering Document, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or any related preliminary offering circular,
or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in
each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such
Purchaser through CSFBC specifically for use therein, and will reimburse any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as
such expenses are incurred, it being understood and agreed that the only such
information furnished by any Purchaser consists of (i) the following information
in the Offering Document furnished on behalf of each Purchaser: under the
caption "Plan of Distribution" paragraphs four and eight; and (ii) the

                                       13
<PAGE>   14

following information in the Offering Document furnished on behalf of Deutsche
Banc Alex. Brown Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC and SunTrust Equitable
Securities Corporation: under the caption "Plan of Distribution" paragraphs ten
and eleven; provided, however, that the Purchasers shall not be liable for any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities arising out of or based upon the
Company's failure to perform its obligations under Section 5 of this Agreement.

                  (c)      Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under
this Section of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party
will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party
under subsection (a) or (b) above, notify the indemnifying party of the
commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will
not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party
otherwise than under subsection (a) or (b) above. In case any such action is
brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of
the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate
therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying
party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent
of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and after
notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so
to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such
indemnified party under this Section for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that if
the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded
that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it or other
indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to
the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to
assume the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party and such
indemnified party shall have the right to select separate counsel to defend such
action on behalf of such indemnified party. No indemnifying party shall, without
the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any
pending or threatened action in respect of which any indemnified party is or
could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
indemnified party unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of
such indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject
matter of such action and does not include a statement as to or an admission of
fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

                  (d)      If the indemnification provided for in this Section
is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
subsection (a) or (b) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to
the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages or liabilities referred to in subsection (a) or (b) above (i) in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by
the Company on the one hand and the Purchasers on the other from the offering of
the Offered Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is
not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the
relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Purchasers on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand
and the Purchasers on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as
the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by
the Company bear to the total discounts and commissions received by the
Purchasers from the Company under this Agreement. The relative fault shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state
a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Purchasers
and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The amount
paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or
liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (d) shall be
deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any action or
claim which is the subject of this subsection (d). Notwithstanding the
provisions of this subsection (d), no Purchaser shall be required to contribute
any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Offered
Securities purchased by it were resold exceeds the amount of any damages which
such Purchaser has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement

                                       14
<PAGE>   15

or omission or alleged omission. The Purchasers' obligations in this subsection
(d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective purchase
obligations and not joint.

                  (e)      The obligations of the Company under this Section
shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and
shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who
controls any Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act; and the obligations of the Purchasers under this Section shall be in
addition to any liability which the respective Purchasers may otherwise have and
shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act.

         8.       Default of Purchasers. If any Purchaser or Purchasers default
in their obligations to purchase Offered Securities hereunder and the aggregate
principal amount of Offered Securities that such defaulting Purchaser or
Purchasers agreed but failed to purchase does not exceed 10% of the total
principal amount of Offered Securities, CSFBC may make arrangements satisfactory
to the Company for the purchase of such Offered Securities by other persons,
including any of the Purchasers, but if no such arrangements are made by the
Closing Date, the non-defaulting Purchasers shall be obligated severally, in
proportion to their respective commitments hereunder, to purchase the Offered
Securities that such defaulting Purchasers agreed but failed to purchase. If any
Purchaser or Purchasers so default and the aggregate principal amount of Offered
Securities with respect to which such default or defaults occur exceeds 10% of
the total principal amount of Offered Securities and arrangements satisfactory
to CSFBC and the Company for the purchase of such Offered Securities by other
persons are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement will
terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Purchaser or the
Company, except as provided in Section 9. As used in this Agreement, the term
"Purchaser" includes any person substituted for a Purchaser under this Section.
Nothing herein will relieve a defaulting Purchaser from liability for its
default.

         9.       Survival of Certain Representations and Obligations. The
respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other
statements of the Company or its officers and of the several Purchasers set
forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and
effect, regardless of any investigation, or statement as to the results thereof,
made by or on behalf of any Purchaser, the Company or any of their respective
representatives, officers or directors or any controlling person, and will
survive delivery of and payment for the Offered Securities. If this Agreement is
terminated pursuant to Section 8 or if for any reason the purchase of the
Offered Securities by the Purchasers is not consummated, the Company shall
remain responsible for the expenses to be paid or reimbursed by it pursuant to
Section 5 and the respective obligations of the Company and the Purchasers
pursuant to Section 7 shall remain in effect. If the purchase of the Offered
Securities by the Purchasers is not consummated for any reason other than solely
because of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8 or the
occurrence of any event specified in clause (C), (D) or (E) of Section 6(b)(ii),
the Company will reimburse the Purchasers for all out-of-pocket expenses
(including fees and disbursements of counsel) reasonably incurred by them in
connection with the offering of the Offered Securities.

         10.      Notices. All communications hereunder will be in writing and,
if sent to the Purchasers will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed
to the Purchasers, c/o Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Eleven Madison
Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010-3629, Attention: Investment Banking Department, or,
if sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed
to it at 3100 Joe Jerkins Boulevard, Austell, Georgia 30106, Attention: Chief
Financial Officer; provided, however, that any notice to a Purchaser pursuant to
Section 7 will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to such
Purchaser.

         11.      Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the
controlling persons referred to in Section 7, and no other person will have any
right or obligation hereunder, except that holders of Offered Securities shall
be entitled to enforce the agreements for their benefit contained in the second
and third sentences of Section 5(b) hereof against the Company as if such
holders were parties thereto.

                                       15
<PAGE>   16

         12.      Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

         13.      Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard
to principles of conflicts of laws. The Company hereby submits to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal and state courts in the Borough of
Manhattan in The City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

                                       16
<PAGE>   17

         If the foregoing is in accordance with the Purchasers' understanding of
our agreement, kindly sign and return to us one of the counterparts hereof,
whereupon it will become a binding agreement between the Company and the several
Purchasers in accordance with its terms.

                                                     Very truly yours,

                                                     CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.

                                                     By  /s/ H. Lee Thrash, III
                                                       -------------------------

The foregoing Purchase Agreement
    is hereby confirmed and accepted
    as of the date first above written.

CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION

         By /s/ Reed Welch
            ------------------------------------

BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC

         By  /s/ Adam Goodfriend
            ------------------------------------

DEUTSCHE BANC ALEX. BROWN INC.

         By  /s/ Edwin Roland
            ------------------------------------

SUNTRUST EQUITABLE SECURITIES CORPORATION

         By  /s/ William Herrell
            ------------------------------------

                                       17
<PAGE>   18

                                   SCHEDULE A

                           7.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2010

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
                                                                   OFFERED SECURITIES
                  PURCHASER
                  ---------
<S>                                                               <C>
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION.....................            $18,412,680
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC.............................              4,603,170
DEUTSCHE BANC ALEX. BROWN INC..............................              4,603,170
SUNTRUST EQUITABLE SECURITIES CORPORATION..................              1,380,980
                                                                       -----------
                          Total............................            $29,000,000
                                                                       ===========
</TABLE>

                    9.875% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2011

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
                                                                  OFFERED SECURITIES
                  PURCHASER
                  ---------
<S>                                                              <C>
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION.....................          $180,952,200
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC.............................            45,238,050
DEUTSCHE BANC ALEX. BROWN INC..............................            45,238,050
SUNTRUST EQUITABLE SECURITIES CORPORATION..................            13,571,700
                                                                     ------------
                          Total............................          $285,000,000
                                                                     ============
</TABLE>

                                       18
<PAGE>   19

                                   SCHEDULE B

                        ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS CONSTITUTING
                          PART OF THE OFFERING DOCUMENT

                                      NONE.

                                       19
<PAGE>   20

                                   SCHEDULE C

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

AUSTELL BOXBOARD CORPORATION
AUSTELL HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
BUFFALO PAPERBOARD, INC.
CAMDEN PAPERBOARD CORPORATION
CARAUSTAR CUSTOM PACKAGING GROUP, INC.
CARAUSTAR CUSTOM PACKAGING GROUP (MARYLAND), INC.
CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIAL & CONSUMER PRODUCTS GROUP, INC.
CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.
CARAUSTAR PAPERBOARD CORPORATION
CARAUSTAR RECOVERED FIBER GROUP, INC.
CAROLINA COMPONENT CONCEPTS, INC.
CAROLINA CONVERTING INCORPORATED
CAROLINA PAPER BOARD CORPORATION
CAROTELL PAPER BOARD CORPORATION
CHATTANOOGA PAPERBOARD CORPORATION
CHICAGO PAPERBOARD CORPORATION
CINCINNATI PAPERBOARD, INC.
COLUMBUS RECYCLING, INC.
FEDERAL TRANSPORT, INC.
GYPSUM MGC, INC.
HALIFAX PAPER BOARD COMPANY, INC.
MCQUEENEY GYPSUM COMPANY
MCQUEENY GYPSUM COMPANY, LLC
NEW AUSTELL BOX BOARD COMPANY
PAPER RECYCLING, INC.
PBL INC.
READING PAPERBOARD CORPORATION
RICHMOND PAPERBOARD CORPORATION
SPRAGUE PAPERBOARD, INC.
SWEETWATER PAPER BOARD COMPANY, INC

EXCLUDED DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARIES

PARAGON PLASTICS, INC.

                                       20

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