Document:

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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4

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                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                              Dated October 1, 1999

                                     between

                       KNOWLES ELECTRONICS HOLDINGS, INC.

                                       and

                        MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
                             CHASE SECURITIES, INC.

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                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

       THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of October 1, 1999, by and among KNOWLES ELECTRONICS HOLDINGS, INC., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and
Chase Securities, Inc. (the "Placement Agents").

       This Agreement is made pursuant to the Placement Agreement dated
September 28, 1999, between the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined
in the Placement Agreement) and the Placement Agents (the "Placement
Agreement"), which provides for the sale by the Company to the Placement Agents
of an aggregate of $153,200,000 principal amount at maturity of the Company's
13_% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2009 (the "Securities"). In order to induce
the Placement Agents to enter into the Placement Agreement, the Company has
agreed to provide to the Placement Agents and their direct and indirect
transferees the registration rights set forth in this Agreement and the
Subsidiary Guarantors have agreed to guarantee the Securities on an unsecured,
senior subordinated basis. The execution of this Agreement is a condition to the
closing under the Placement Agreement.

       In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:

       1.     Definitions.

       As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized defined terms shall
have the following meanings:

       "1933 Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to
time.

       "1934 Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time.

       "Closing Date" shall mean the Closing Date as defined in the Placement
Agreement.

       "Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also
include the Company's successors.

       "Exchange Offer" shall mean the exchange offer by the Company and the
Subsidiary Guarantors of Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant
to Section 2(a) hereof.

       "Exchange Offer Registration" shall mean a registration under the 1933
Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

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       "Exchange Offer Registration Statement" shall mean an exchange offer
registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate
form) and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in each
case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all
material incorporated by reference therein.

       "Exchange Securities" shall mean securities issued by the Company under
the Indenture containing terms identical to the Registrable Securities (except
that the Exchange Securities will not contain restrictions on transfer or any
provision for an increase in interest rate for failure to comply with the terms
of this Agreement) and to be offered to Holders of Registrable Securities in
exchange for Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

       "Holder" shall mean the Placement Agents, for so long they own any
Registrable Securities, and each of their successors, assigns and direct and
indirect transferees who become registered owners of Registrable Securities
under the Indenture; provided that for purposes of Sections 4 and 5 of this
Agreement, the term "Holder" shall include Participating Broker-Dealers (as
defined in Section 4(a)).

       "Indenture" shall mean the Indenture relating to the Securities dated as
of October 1, 1999 between the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and The Bank
of New York, as trustee, and as the same may be amended from time to time in
accordance with the terms thereof.

       "Majority Holders" shall mean the Holders of a majority of the aggregate
principal amount of outstanding Registrable Securities; provided that whenever
the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable
Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company or
any of its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act)
(other than the Placement Agents or subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities
if such subsequent holders are deemed to be such affiliates solely by reason of
their holding of such Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in
determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such
required percentage or amount.

       "Person" shall mean an individual, partnership, limited liability
company, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or
agency or political subdivision thereof.

       "Placement Agents" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

       "Placement Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

       "Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration
Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as
amended or

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supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus supplement
with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable
Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other
amendments and supplements to such prospectus, and in each case including all
material incorporated by reference therein.

       "Registrable Securities" shall mean the Securities; provided, however,
that the Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities (i) when a
Registration Statement with respect to such Securities shall have been declared
effective under the 1933 Act and such Securities shall have been disposed of
pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) when such Securities are eligible
to be sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144(k)(or any similar provision then
in force, but not Rule 144A) under the 1933 Act or (iii) when such Securities
shall have ceased to be outstanding.

       "Registration Expenses" shall mean any and all expenses incident to
performance of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement, including
without limitation: (i) all SEC or National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in
connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws (including
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any underwriters or Holders in
connection with blue sky qualification of any of the Exchange Securities or
Registrable Securities), (iii) all expenses of any Persons in preparing or
assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing any
Registration Statement, any Prospectus and other documents relating to the
performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees,
if any, (v) all fees and disbursements relating to the qualification of the
Indenture under applicable securities laws, (vi) the fees and disbursements of
the Trustee and its counsel, (vii) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors and, in the case of a Shelf Registration
Statement, the fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Holders (which
counsel shall be selected by the Majority Holders and which counsel may also be
counsel for the Placement Agent) and (viii) the fees and disbursements of the
independent public accountants of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors,
including the expenses of any special audits or "cold comfort" letters required
by or incident to such performance and compliance, but excluding fees and
expenses of counsel to the underwriters (other than fees and expenses set forth
in clause (ii) above) or the Holders and underwriting discounts and commissions
and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable
Securities by a Holder.

       "Registration Statement" shall mean any registration statement of the
Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors that covers any of the Exchange Securities
or Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and all
amendments and supplements to any such Registration Statement, including
post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained
therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference
therein.

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       "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

       "Shelf Registration" shall mean a registration effected pursuant to
Section 2(b) hereof.

       "Shelf Registration Statement" shall mean a "shelf" registration
statement of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to the
provisions of Section 2(b) of this Agreement which covers all of the Registrable
Securities (but no other securities unless approved by the Holders whose
Registrable Securities are covered by such Shelf Registration Statement) on an
appropriate form under Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, or any similar rule that may
be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration
statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the
Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated
by reference therein.

       "Trustee" shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under the
Indenture.

       "Underwriter" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof.

       "Underwritten Registration" or "Underwritten Offering" shall mean a
registration in which Registrable Securities are sold to an Underwriter for
reoffering to the public.

       2.     Registration Under the 1933 Act.

       (a)    To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable
interpretation of the Staff of the SEC, the Company shall use its best efforts
to cause to be filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement covering the offer
by the Company to the Holders to exchange all of the Registrable Securities for
Exchange Securities and to have such Registration Statement remain effective
until the closing of the Exchange Offer. The Company shall commence the Exchange
Offer promptly after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has been declared
effective by the SEC and use its best efforts to have the Exchange Offer
consummated not later than 60 days after such effective date. The Company shall
commence the Exchange Offer by mailing the related Exchange Offer Prospectus and
accompanying documents to each Holder stating, in addition to such other
disclosures as are required by applicable law:

       (i)    that the Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to this
   Registration Rights Agreement and that all Registrable Securities validly
   tendered will be accepted for exchange;

       (ii)   the dates of acceptance for exchange (which shall be a period of
   at least 20 business days from the date such notice is mailed) (the "Exchange
   Dates");

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       (iii)  that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain outstanding
   and continue to accrue interest, but will not retain any rights under this
   Registration Rights Agreement, except that the Company may, in its
   discretion, accept tenders of Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities
   after the date that the Company consummates the Exchange Offer with respect
   to Registrable Securities tendered as of the date of initial consummation
   and, for purposes of Section 2(d), the Exchange Offer shall be deemed to have
   been consummated notwithstanding any such extensions of the tender period;

       (iv)   that Holders electing to have a Registrable Security exchanged
   pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be required to surrender such Registrable
   Security, together with the enclosed letters of transmittal, to the
   institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City
   of New York) specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the
   last Exchange Date; and

       (v)    that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election, not
   later than the close of business on the last Exchange Date, by sending to the
   institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City
   of New York) specified in the notice a telegram, telex, facsimile
   transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal
   amount of Registrable Securities delivered for exchange and a statement that
   such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Securities exchanged.

       As soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date, the Company shall:

       (i)    accept for exchange Registrable Securities or portions thereof
   tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and

       (ii)   deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation
   all Registrable Securities or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by
   the Company and issue, and cause the Trustee to promptly authenticate and
   mail to each Holder, an Exchange Securities equal in principal amount to the
   principal amount of the Registrable Securities surrendered by such Holder.

The Company shall use its best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as
provided above and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the 1933
Act, the 1934 Act and other applicable laws and regulations in connection with
the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions,
other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate applicable law or any
applicable interpretation of the Staff of the SEC. The Company shall inform the
Placement Agents of the names and addresses of the Holders to whom the Exchange
Offer is made, and the Placement Agents shall have the right, subject to
applicable law, to contact such Holders and otherwise facilitate the tender of
Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer. Each Holder wishing to exchange
Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities in the Exchange Offer will be
required to make certain representations customary in such transactions,
including representations that (a) any Exchange Securities received by it will
be acquired in the ordinary course of its

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business, (b) it has no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of the Exchange Securities, (c) it is not an
affiliate or promoter (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) of the Company
or, if it is an affiliate of the Company, it will comply with the registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the 1933 Act to the extent applicable
and (d) if it is a broker-dealer, that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes.

       (b)    In the event that (i) the Company determines that the Exchange
Offer Registration provided for in Section 2(a) above is not available or may
not be consummated as soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date because
it would violate applicable law or the applicable interpretations of the Staff
of the SEC, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not for any other reason consummated by
April 28, 2000 or (iii) the Exchange Offer has been completed and in the opinion
of counsel for the Placement Agents a Registration Statement must be filed and a
Prospectus must be delivered by the Placement Agents in connection with any
offering or sale of Registrable Securities (other than to the extent that such
Registrable Securities could legally have been exchanged for Exchange Securities
in the Exchange Offer), the Company shall use its best efforts to cause to be
filed as soon as practicable after such determination, date or notice of such
opinion of counsel is given to the Company, a Shelf Registration Statement
providing for the sale by the Holders of all of the Registrable Securities and
to have such Shelf Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC.
Nothwithstanding that the Company may be required to file a Shelf Registration
Statement solely as a result of the matters referred to in clause (iii) of the
preceding sentence, the Company shall use its best efforts to file and have
declared effective by the SEC both an Exchange Offer Registration Statement
pursuant to Section 2(a) with respect to all Registrable Securities and a Shelf
Registration Statement (which may be a combined Registration Statement with the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement) with respect to offers and sales of
Registrable Securities held by the Placement Agents after completion of the
Exchange Offer. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause to be filed as
soon as practicable after such determination, date or notice of such opinion of
counsel is given to the Company, a Shelf Registration Statement providing for
the sale by the Holders of all of the Registrable Securities and to have such
Shelf Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC. Subject to the
penultimate paragraph of Section 3, the Company agrees to use its best efforts
to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until the
expiration of the period referred to in Rule 144(k) with respect to the
Registrable Securities or such shorter period that will terminate when all of
the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been
sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement or cease to be outstanding.
The Company further agrees to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration
Statement if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to
the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement
or by the 1933 Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder for shelf
registration or if reasonably requested by a Holder with respect to information
relating to such Holder, and to use its best efforts to cause any such amendment
to become effective and such Shelf Registration Statement to become usable as
soon as thereafter practicable. The Company agrees to furnish to the Holders of
Registrable Securities copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after
its being used or filed with the SEC. No Holder may include any of its
Registrable Securities in

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any registration pursuant to this Section 2(b) until such Holder furnishes to
the Company in writing, within 30 days after receipt of the first request of the
Company therefor, the information relating to such Holder that would be required
by the SEC to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement or any Prospectus
included therein; provided that the Company delivers two requests for such
information, each of which states that such Holders' Registrable Securities will
not be included in the Shelf Registration Statement until the required
information is provided within the allotted time period and provided further
that the second request for such information is delivered by the Company between
5 and 15 days after the first such request. Each Holder as to which any
registration pursuant to this Section 2(b) is being effected agrees to timely
furnish to the Company all information necessary to be disclosed in the
applicable Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus included therein in order
to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not
materially misleading.

       (c)    The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with
the registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(b). Each Holder shall pay
all underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating
to the sale or disposition of such Holder's Registrable Securities pursuant to
the Shelf Registration Statement.

       (d)    An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a)
hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will
not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by
the SEC; provided, however, that, if, after it has been declared effective, the
offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement is
interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of
the SEC or any other governmental agency or court, such Registration Statement
will be deemed not to have become effective during the period of such
interference until the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to such
Registration Statement may legally resume. As provided for in the Indenture, in
the event the Exchange Offer is not consummated and the Shelf Registration
Statement is not declared effective on or prior to April 28, 2000, the interest
rate on the Securities will be increased by 0.5% per annum until the Exchange
Offer is consummated or the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective
by the SEC.

       (e)    The Placement Agents and, by their acceptance of any Securities,
the Holders acknowledge that the sole remedy available to the Holders for any
failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Section 2(a) and
Section 2(b) hereof shall be the increase in interest rate on the Securities
provided for in Section 2(d) hereof. The Placement Agents and the Holders shall
not have the right to specifically enforce the Company's obligations under
Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof.

       3.     Registration Procedures.

       In connection with the obligations of the Company with respect to the
Registration Statements pursuant to Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof, the
Company shall as expeditiously as possible:

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       (a)    prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on the
   appropriate form under the 1933 Act, which form (x) shall be selected by the
   Company and (y) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for
   the sale of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof and (z)
   shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the
   applicable form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to
   be filed therewith, and use its best efforts to cause such Registration
   Statement to become effective and remain effective in accordance with Section
   2 hereof;

       (b)    prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
   amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such
   Registration Statement effective for the applicable period and cause each
   Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement and, as
   so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act; to keep
   each Prospectus current during the period described under Section 4(3) and
   Rule 174 under the 1933 Act that is applicable to transactions by brokers or
   dealers with respect to the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities;

       (c)    in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of
   Registrable Securities, to counsel for the Placement Agents, to one counsel
   for all the Holders and to each Underwriter of an Underwritten Offering of
   Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each
   Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, and any amendment or
   supplement thereto and such other documents as such Holder or Underwriter may
   reasonably request, in order to facilitate the public sale or other
   disposition of the Registrable Securities; and the Company consents to the
   use of such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance
   with applicable law by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities
   and any such Underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of the
   Registrable Securities covered by and in the manner described in such
   Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with
   applicable law;

       (d)    use its best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable
   Securities under all applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws of such
   jurisdictions as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a
   Registration Statement shall reasonably request in writing by the time the
   applicable Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, to
   cooperate with such Holders in connection with any filings required to be
   made with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and do any and
   all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to
   enable such Holder to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of
   such Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided, however, that the
   Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a
   dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be
   required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (ii) file any general consent
   to service of process or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such
   jurisdiction if it is not so subject;

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       (e)    in the case of a Shelf Registration, notify each Holder of
   Registrable Securities, counsel for the Holders and counsel for the Placement
   Agents promptly and, if requested by any such Holder or counsel, confirm in
   writing (i) when a Registration Statement has become effective and when any
   post-effective amendment thereto has been filed and becomes effective, (ii)
   of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments
   and supplements to a Registration Statement and Prospectus or for additional
   information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (iii) of
   the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order
   suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of
   any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) if, between the effective date of a
   Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities
   covered thereby, the representations and warranties of the Company and the
   Subsidiary Guarantors contained in any underwriting agreement, securities
   sales agreement or other similar agreement, if any, relating to the offering
   cease to be true and correct in all material respects or if the Company or
   the Subsidiary Guarantors receive any notification with respect to the
   suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
   jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) during
   the period a Shelf Registration Statement is effective if such Registration
   Statement or the related Prospectus contains an untrue statement of a
   material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the
   statements therein (with respect to such Prospectus, in the light of the
   circumstances under which they were made), not misleading and (vi) of any
   determination by the Company that a post-effective amendment to a
   Registration Statement would be appropriate;

       (f)    make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal of any order
   suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement at the earliest
   possible moment and provide prompt notice to each Holder of the withdrawal of
   any such order;

       (g)    in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of
   Registrable Securities, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each
   Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (without
   documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless
   requested);

       (h)    in the case of a Shelf Registration and subject to the Indenture,
   cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate
   the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable
   Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends and enable such
   Registrable Securities to be in such denominations (consistent with the
   provisions of the Indenture) and registered in such names as the selling
   Holders may reasonably request at least one business day prior to the closing
   of any sale of Registrable Securities;

       (i)    in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon the occurrence of any
   event contemplated by Sections 3(e)(ii), (iii), (iv), (v) or (vi) hereof, use
   its best efforts to prepare and file with the SEC a supplement or
   post-effective amendment to a Registration

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   Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by
   reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter
   delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such Prospectus
   will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
   material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
   circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company agrees
   to notify the Holders to suspend use of the Prospectus as promptly as
   practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and the Holders hereby
   agree to suspend use of the Prospectus until the Company has amended or
   supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission;

       (j)    within a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Registration
   Statement, any Prospectus, any amendment to a Registration Statement or
   amendment or supplement to a Prospectus or any document which is to be
   incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or a Prospectus after
   initial filing of a Registration Statement, provide copies of such document
   to the Placement Agents and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf
   Registration Statement, the Holders and their counsel) and make such of the
   representatives of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors as shall be
   reasonably requested by the Placement Agents or their counsel (and, in the
   case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders or their counsel)
   available for discussion of such document, and shall not at any time file or
   make any amendment to the Registration Statement, any Prospectus or any
   amendment of or supplement to a Registration Statement or a Prospectus or any
   document which is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration
   Statement or a Prospectus, of which the Placement Agents and their counsel
   (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders and their
   counsel) shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy or to
   which the Placement Agents or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf
   Registration Statement, the Holders or their counsel) shall reasonably
   object;

       (k)    obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Registrable
   Securities, as the case may be, not later than the effective date of a
   Registration Statement;

       (l)    cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act
   of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"), in connection with the registration of the
   Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, cooperate
   with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as
   may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the
   terms of the TIA and execute, and use its best efforts to cause the Trustee
   to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes and all
   other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the
   Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;

       (m)    in the case of a Shelf Registration, make available for inspection
   by a representative of the Holders of the Registrable Securities, any
   Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Shelf
   Registration Statement, and attorneys and

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   accountants designated by the Holders, at reasonable times and in a
   reasonable manner, all financial and other records, pertinent documents and
   properties of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, and cause the
   respective officers, directors and employees of the Company and the
   Subsidiary Guarantors to supply all information reasonably requested by any
   such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with a
   Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however, that each such person shall
   be required to execute a reasonable confidentiality agreement;

       (n)    use its best efforts to cause the Exchange Securities to continue
   to be rated by two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (as
   such term is defined in Rule 436(g)(2) under the 1933 Act), if the
   Registrable Securities have been rated;

       (o)    if reasonably requested by any Holder of Registrable Securities
   covered by a Registration Statement, (i) promptly incorporate in a Prospectus
   supplement or post-effective amendment such information with respect to such
   Holder as such Holder reasonably requests to be included therein and (ii)
   make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such
   post-effective amendment as soon as the Company has received notification of
   the matters to be incorporated in such filing; and

       (p)    in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such customary
   agreements and take all such other actions in connection therewith (including
   those requested by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities
   being sold) in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such
   Registrable Securities including, but not limited to, an Underwritten
   Offering and in such connection, (i) to the extent possible, make such
   representations and warranties to the Holders and any Underwriters of such
   Registrable Securities with respect to the business of the Company and the
   Subsidiary Guarantors, the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents
   incorporated by reference or deemed incorporated by reference, if any, in
   each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to
   underwriters in underwritten offerings and confirm the same if and when
   requested, (ii) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and the Subsidiary
   Guarantors(which counsel and opinions, in form, scope and substance, shall be
   reasonably satisfactory to the Holders and such Underwriters and their
   respective counsel) addressed to each selling Holder and Underwriter of
   Registrable Securities, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions
   requested in underwritten offerings, (iii) to the extent each selling Holder
   complies with the prerequisites of Statement on Auditing Standards 72 issued
   by the Auditing Standards Board, obtain "cold comfort" letters from the
   independent certified public accountants of the Company (and, if necessary,
   any other certified public accountant of any subsidiary of the Company, or of
   any business acquired by the Company for which financial statements and
   financial data are or are required to be included in the Registration
   Statement) addressed to each selling Holder and Underwriter of Registrable
   Securities, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the
   type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in connection with
   underwritten offerings, and (iv) deliver such documents and certificates as
   may be reasonably requested

<PAGE>   13
                                       12

   by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable
   Securities being sold or the Underwriters, and which are customarily
   delivered in underwritten offerings, to evidence the continued validity of
   the representations and warranties of the Company and the Subsidiary
   Guarantors made pursuant to clause (i) above and to evidence compliance with
   any customary conditions contained in an underwriting agreement.

       In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may require
each Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Company such information
regarding the Holder and the proposed distribution by such Holder of such
Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request
in writing.

       In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder agrees that,
upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the
kind described in Section 3(e)(v) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue
disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement until
such Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus
contemplated by Section 3(i) hereof, and, if so directed by the Company, such
Holder will deliver to the Company(at its expense) all copies in its possession,
other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's possession, of the
Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt
of such notice. The Company may give any such notice only twice during any 365
day period and the aggregate length of such suspensions may not exceed 60 days
and there may not be more than two suspensions in effect during any 365 day
period.

       The Holders of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration
Statement who desire to do so may sell such Registrable Securities in an
Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment banker
or investment bankers and manager or managers (the "Underwriters") that will
administer the offering will be selected by the Majority Holders of the
Registrable Securities included in such offering.

       4.     Participation of Broker-Dealers in Exchange Offer.

       (a)    The staff of the SEC has taken the position that any broker-dealer
that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in the Exchange Offer in
exchange for Securities that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of
market-making or other trading activities (a "Participating Broker-Dealer") may
be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the 1933 Act and must
deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with
any resale of such Exchange Securities.

       The Company understands that it is the staff's position that if the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement includes a
plan of distribution containing a statement to the above effect and the means by
which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities, without
naming the Participating Broker-Dealers or specifying the amount of Exchange
Securities owned by them, such Prospectus may be delivered by Participating

<PAGE>   14
                                       13

Broker-Dealers to satisfy their prospectus delivery obligation under the 1933
Act in connection with resales of Exchange Securities for their own accounts, so
long as the Prospectus otherwise meets the requirements of the 1933 Act.

       (b)    In light of the above, notwithstanding the other provisions of
this Agreement, the Company:

       (i)    agrees to include in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a
   section entitled "Plan of Distribution" which section shall be reasonably
   acceptable to the Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the
   Participating Broker-Dealers, if any, and which shall contain a summary
   statement of the positions taken or policies made by the staff of the SEC
   with respect to the potential "underwriter" status of any broker-dealer that
   holds Registrable Securities acquired for its own account as a result of
   market-making activities or other trading activities and that will be the
   beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of Exchange
   Securities to be received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer,
   whether such positions or policies have been publicly disseminated by the
   staff of the SEC or such positions or policies, in the reasonable judgment of
   Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the Participating
   Broker-Dealers and its counsel, represent the prevailing views of the staff
   of the SEC, including a statement that any such broker-dealer who receives
   Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer
   may be deemed a statutory underwriter and must deliver a prospectus meeting
   the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any resale of such
   Exchange Securities;

       (ii)   notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, agrees
   to furnish, for a period of 180 days after the Exchange Date, to each
   broker-dealer who has notified to the Company in writing that it anticipates
   that it will be a Participating Broker-Dealer, without charge, as many copies
   of each Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement,
   including any preliminary prospectus, and any amendment or supplement
   thereto, as such Participating Broker-Dealer may reasonably request;

       (iii)  hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus forming part of the
   Exchange Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto, by
   any Person subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the SEC,
   including all Participating Broker-Dealers, in connection with the sale or
   transfer of the Exchange Securities covered by the Prospectus or any
   amendment or supplement thereto;

       (iv)   agrees to include in the transmittal letter or similar
   documentation to be executed by an exchange offeree in order to participate
   in the Exchange Offer (x) the following provision: "If the exchange offeree
   is a broker-dealer holding Registrable Securities acquired for its own
   account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities,
   it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in
   connection with any resale of Exchange Securities received in respect of such
   Registrable

<PAGE>   15
                                       14

   Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer;" and (y) a statement to the effect
   that a broker-dealer by making the acknowledgment described in clause (x) and
   by delivering a Prospectus in connection with the exchange of Registrable
   Securities, the broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
   underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act; and

       (v)    shall not be required to amend or supplement the Prospectus
   contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as would otherwise be
   contemplated by Section 3(i), for a period exceeding 180 days after the last
   Exchange Date and Participating Broker-Dealers shall not be authorized by the
   Company to deliver and shall not deliver such Prospectus after such period in
   connection with the resales contemplated by this Section 4.

<PAGE>   16
                                       15

       5.     Indemnification and Contribution.

       (a)    The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Placement
Agents, each Holder and each Person, if any, who controls any Placement Agent or
any Holder within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20
of the 1934 Act, or is under common control with, or is controlled by, any
Placement Agent or any Holder, from and against all losses, claims, damages and
liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by the Placement Agent, any Holder or any such controlling
or affiliated Person in connection with defending or investigating any such
action or claim) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto)
pursuant to which Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities were registered
under the 1933 Act, including all documents incorporated therein by reference,
or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, or caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the
Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or caused
by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary
to make the statements therein in light of the circumstances under which they
were made not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged
untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to the Placement
Agents or any Holder furnished to the Company in writing through Morgan Stanley
& Co. Incorporated or any selling Holder expressly for use therein; provided,
however, that the foregoing indemnity agreement with respect to any preliminary
Prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Placement Agent or any Holder
from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities
purchased Notes, or any person controlling such Placement Agent or any Holder,
if a copy of the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented if the Company
shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) was not sent or
given by or on behalf of such Placement Agent to such person, at or prior to the
written confirmation of the sale of the Notes to such person, and if the
Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented) would have cured the defect giving
rise to such losses, claims, damages or liabilities; provided that in any case
where there is a preliminary Prospectus, the Company shall be required to
provide to the Placement Agents, in New York City, without charge, prior to 5:00
p.m. New York City time on the business day next succeeding the date such
Prospectus is printed, as many copies of the Prospectus and any supplements and
amendments thereto as the Placement Agents may reasonably request. In connection
with any Underwritten Offering permitted by Section 3, the Company will also
indemnify the Underwriters, if any, selling brokers, dealers and similar
securities industry professionals participating in the distribution, their
officers and directors and each Person who controls such Persons (within the
meaning of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act) to the same extent as provided above
with respect to the indemnification of the Holders, if requested in connection
with any Registration Statement.

       (b)    Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and
hold harmless the Company, the Placement Agents and the other selling Holders,
and each of their

<PAGE>   17
                                       16

respective directors, officers who sign the Registration Statement and each
Person, if any, who controls the Company, any Placement Agent and any other
selling Holder within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or
Section 20 of the 1934 Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from
the Company to the Placement Agents and the Holders, but only with reference to
information relating to such Holder furnished to the Company in writing by such
Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto) or any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

       (c)    In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation)
shall be instituted involving any Person in respect of which indemnity may be
sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) above, such Person (the
"indemnified party") shall promptly notify the Person against whom such
indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying party") in writing and the
indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified
party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and
shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding.
In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its
own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense
of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified
party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the
named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include
both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both
parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party
shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same
jurisdiction, be liable for (a) the fees and expenses of more than one separate
firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the Placement Agents and all
Persons, if any, who control any Placement Agent within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, (b) the fees and
expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for
the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the Registration Statement and
each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either such
Section and (c) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in
addition to any local counsel) for all Holders and all Persons, if any, who
control any Holders within the meaning of either such Section, and that all such
fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In such case
involving the Placement Agents and Persons who control the Placement Agents,
such firm shall be designated in writing by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.
In such case involving the Holders and such Persons who control Holders, such
firm shall be designated in writing by the Majority Holders. In all other cases,
such firm shall be designated by the Company. The indemnifying party shall not
be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
consent but, if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for
the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party
from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the
indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding
in respect of which such indemnified party is or could properly have been a
party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such

<PAGE>   18
                                       17

indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of
such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter
of such proceeding.

       (d)    If the indemnification provided for in paragraph (a) or paragraph
(b) of this Section 5 is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in
respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, then each indemnifying
party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party
thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified
party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying
party or parties on the one hand and of the indemnified party or parties on the
other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Holders 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 by the Holders
and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Holders'
respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5(d) are several
in proportion to the respective principal amount of Registrable Securities of
such Holder that were registered pursuant to a Registration Statement.

       (e)    The Company and each Holder agree that it would not be just or
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of
the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid
or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages
and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 5, no Holder shall be required to indemnify or contribute any amount in
excess of the amount by which the total price at which Registrable Securities
were sold by such Holder exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The remedies provided for in this Section 5 are not exclusive
and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to
any indemnified party at law or in equity.

       The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 5
shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any
termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of
the Placement Agents, any Holder or any Person controlling any Placement Agent
or any Holder, or by or on behalf of the Company, its officers or directors or
any Person controlling the Company, (iii) acceptance of any of the Exchange
Securities and (iv) any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf
Registration Statement.

<PAGE>   19
                                       18

       6.     Miscellaneous.

       (a)    No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company has not entered into, and
on or after the date of this Agreement will not enter into, any agreement which
is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities
in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights
granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not
inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company's other
issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements.

       (b)    Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement,
including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may not be given unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders
of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement,
waiver or consent; provided, however, that no amendment, modification,
supplement, waiver or consent to any departure from the provisions of Section 5
hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable Securities unless
consented to in writing by such Holder.

       (c)    Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery (i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to
the Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 6(c), which address initially is, with respect to the Placement Agents,
the address set forth in the Placement Agreement; and (ii) if to the Company,
initially at the Company's address set forth in the Placement Agreement and
thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with
the provisions of this Section 6(c).

       All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business
days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when
answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on
the next business day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing
overnight delivery.

       Copies of all such notices, demands, or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the
address specified in the Indenture.

<PAGE>   20
                                       19

       (d)    Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the
parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express
assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to
permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities
in violation of the terms of the Placement Agreement. If any transferee of any
Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any manner, whether by operation
of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all of
the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable
Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound
by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such
Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof. The Placement Agents
(in their capacity as Placement Agents) shall have no liability or obligation to
the Company with respect to any failure by a Holder to comply with, or any
breach by any Holder of, any of the obligations of such Holder under this
Agreement.

       (e)    Purchases and Sales of Securities. The Company shall not, and
shall use its best efforts to cause its affiliates (as defined in Rule 405 under
the 1933 Act) not to, purchase and then resell or otherwise transfer any
Securities.

       (f)    Third Party Beneficiary. The Holders shall be third party
beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company, on the one
hand, and the Placement Agents, on the other hand, and shall have the right to
enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement
necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of Holders hereunder.

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

       (h)    Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

       (i)    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of New York.

       (j)    Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

<PAGE>   21

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

                                 KNOWLES ELECTRONICS HOLDINGS, INC.

                                 By /s/ REG GARRATT
                                    -------------------------------
                                   Name:  Reg Garratt
                                   Title: Chief Executive Officer

Confirmed and accepted as of
 the date first above written:

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
CHASE SECURITIES, INC.
By: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED

By /s/ KENNETH G. POTT
   ----------------------------
  Name:  Kenneth G. Pott
  Title: Principal<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.1*

================================================================================

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                   dated as of

                                 June 28, 1999,

                          as amended and restated as of

                                  July 21, 1999

                                      among

                           KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, INC.,

                               as Parent Borrower,

                            The Lenders Party Hereto,

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                             as Administrative Agent

                                       and

                      MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,
                              as Syndication Agent

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

                             CHASE SECURITIES INC.,
                        as Lead Arranger and Book Manager

================================================================================

* Confidential Information in this Exhibit 10.1 has been omitted and filed
  separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

<PAGE>   2
================================================================================

================================================================================

                                             [CS&M Reference Number: 6700-825]

<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                                                       Page

                              ARTICLE IDefinitions

<S>            <C>                                                                                                   <C>
SECTION 1.01.  Defined Terms .............................................................................................1
SECTION 1.02.  Classification of Loans and Borrowings....................................................................26
SECTION 1.03.  Terms Generally                                                                                           27
SECTION 1.04.  Accounting Terms; GAAP....................................................................................27

                              ARTICLE IIThe Credits

SECTION 2.01.  Commitments ..............................................................................................27
SECTION 2.02.  Loans and Borrowings .....................................................................................28
SECTION 2.03.  Requests for Borrowings...................................................................................28
SECTION 2.04.  Swingline Loans ..........................................................................................29
SECTION 2.05.  Letters of Credit ........................................................................................31
SECTION 2.06.  Funding of Borrowings.....................................................................................36
SECTION 2.07.  Interest Elections .......................................................................................36
SECTION 2.08.  Termination and Reduction of Commitments..................................................................38
SECTION 2.09.  Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt......................................................................38
SECTION 2.10.  Amortization of Term Loans................................................................................39
SECTION 2.11.  Prepayment of Loans ......................................................................................41
SECTION 2.12.  Fees .....................................................................................................43
SECTION 2.13.  Interest .................................................................................................44
SECTION 2.14.  Alternate Rate of Interest................................................................................45
SECTION 2.15.  Increased Costs ..........................................................................................46
SECTION 2.16.  Break Funding Payments....................................................................................47
SECTION 2.17.  Taxes ....................................................................................................47
SECTION 2.18.  Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs................................................48
SECTION 2.19.  Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders............................................................49
SECTION 2.20.  Extension of the Revolving Commitments....................................................................50
SECTION 2.21.  Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers..............................................................................51

                    ARTICLE IIIRepresentations and Warranties

SECTION 3.01.  Organization; Powers .....................................................................................51
SECTION 3.02.  Authorization; Enforceability.............................................................................52

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>

<S>           <C>                                                                                                      <C>
SECTION 3.03.  Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts......................................................................52
SECTION 3.04.  Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change...........................................................52
SECTION 3.05.  Properties ...............................................................................................53
SECTION 3.06.  Litigation and Environmental Matters......................................................................53
SECTION 3.07.  Compliance with Laws and Agreements.......................................................................54
SECTION 3.08.  Investment and Holding Company Status.....................................................................54
SECTION 3.09.  Taxes ....................................................................................................54
SECTION 3.10.  ERISA ....................................................................................................54
SECTION 3.11.  Disclosure ...............................................................................................54
SECTION 3.12.  Subsidiaries .............................................................................................55
SECTION 3.13.  Insurance ................................................................................................55
SECTION 3.14.  Labor Matters ............................................................................................55
SECTION 3.15.  Solvency .................................................................................................55
SECTION 3.16.  Senior Indebtedness ......................................................................................55
SECTION 3.17.  Year 2000 ................................................................................................55

                              ARTICLE IVConditions

SECTION 4.01.  Effective Date ...........................................................................................56
SECTION 4.02.  Each Credit Event ........................................................................................58
SECTION 4.03.  Borrowings by Foreign Borrowers; Letters of Credit for Foreign
                    Borrowers............................................................................................58

                         ARTICLE VAffirmative Covenants

SECTION 5.01.  Financial Statements and Other Information................................................................59
SECTION 5.02.  Notices of Material Events................................................................................61
SECTION 5.03.  Information Regarding Collateral..........................................................................61
SECTION 5.04.  Existence; Conduct of Business............................................................................62
SECTION 5.05.  Payment of Obligations....................................................................................62
SECTION 5.06.  Maintenance of Properties.................................................................................62
SECTION 5.07.  Insurance ................................................................................................62
SECTION 5.08.  Casualty and Condemnation.................................................................................62
SECTION 5.09.  Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights............................................................62
SECTION 5.10.  Compliance with Laws .....................................................................................63
SECTION 5.11.  Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit.....................................................................63
SECTION 5.12.  Additional Subsidiaries...................................................................................63
SECTION 5.13.  Further Assurances .......................................................................................63
SECTION 5.14.  Interest Rate Protection..................................................................................64

                          ARTICLE VINegative Covenants
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>

<S>            <C>                                                                                                    <C>
SECTION 6.01.  Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities...................................................................65
SECTION 6.02.  Liens ....................................................................................................66
SECTION 6.03.  Fundamental Changes ......................................................................................67
SECTION 6.04.  Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions.................................................68
SECTION 6.05.  Asset Sales ..............................................................................................69
SECTION 6.06.  Sale and Leaseback Transactions...........................................................................70
SECTION 6.07.  Hedging Agreements .......................................................................................70
SECTION 6.08.  Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness.....................................................70
SECTION 6.09.  Transactions with Affiliates..............................................................................71
SECTION 6.10.  Restrictive Agreements....................................................................................72
SECTION 6.11.  Amendment of Material Documents...........................................................................72
SECTION 6.12.  Interest Expense Coverage Ratio...........................................................................73
SECTION 6.13.  Leverage Ratio ...........................................................................................73
SECTION 6.14.  Capital Expenditures .....................................................................................74

                                   ARTICLE VII

Events of Default .......................................................................................................75

                                  ARTICLE VIII

The Administrative Agent ................................................................................................77

                             ARTICLE IXMiscellaneous

SECTION 9.01.  Notices ..................................................................................................79
SECTION 9.02.  Waivers; Amendments ......................................................................................80
SECTION 9.03.  Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver........................................................................81
SECTION 9.04.  Successors and Assigns....................................................................................83
SECTION 9.05.  Survival .................................................................................................85
SECTION 9.06.  Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness..................................................................85
SECTION 9.07.  Severability .............................................................................................85
SECTION 9.08.  Right of Setoff ..........................................................................................85
SECTION 9.09.  GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS................................................86
SECTION 9.10.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .....................................................................................86
SECTION 9.11.  Headings .................................................................................................87
SECTION 9.12.  Confidentiality ..........................................................................................87
SECTION 9.13.  Interest Rate Limitation..................................................................................87
SECTION 9.14.  Judgment Currency ........................................................................................88

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   6

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

SCHEDULES:

<S>             <C>      <C>
Schedule 1.01   --       Mortgaged Properties
Schedule 2.01   --       Commitments
Schedule 3.05   --       Real Property
Schedule 3.06   --       Disclosed Matters
Schedule 3.12   --       Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.13   --       Insurance Policies
Schedule 6.01   --       Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02   --       Existing Liens
Schedule 6.04   --       Existing Investments
Schedule 6.09   --       Transactions with Affiliates
Schedule 6.10   --       Existing Restrictions

EXHIBITS:

Exhibit A       --       Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit B-1     --       Form of Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis
Exhibit B-2     --       Form of Opinion of Defrees & Fiske
Exhibit C       --       Form of Parent Guarantee Agreement
Exhibit D       --       Form of Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement
Exhibit E       --       Form of Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement
Exhibit F       --       Form of Pledge Agreement
Exhibit G       --       Form of Security Agreement
Exhibit H       --       Form of Election to Participate
Exhibit I       --       Form of Election to Terminate
Exhibit J       --       Form of Opinion for Election to Participate

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   7

                          CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of June 28, 1999, as amended
                   and restated as of July 21, 1999, among KNOWLES ELECTRONICS,
                   INC., a Delaware corporation, the LENDERS party hereto, THE
                   CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as administrative agent for the Lenders
                   hereunder, and MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as
                   syndication agent.

         The parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   Definitions

          SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following
terms have the meanings specified below:

          "ABR", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to
whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest
at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

          "Adjusted LIBO Rate" means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing
for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest
Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.

          "Administrative Agent" means Chase, in its capacity as administrative
agent for the Lenders hereunder.

          "Administrative Questionnaire" means an Administrative Questionnaire
in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

          "Affiliate" means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person
that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is
Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

          "Agreement Currency" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.14.

          "Alternate Base Rate" means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to
the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Base CD Rate
in effect on such day plus 1% and (c) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect
on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a
change in the Prime Rate, the Base CD Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate
shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the
Prime Rate, the Base CD Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

<PAGE>   8

          "Alternative Currency" means Euro or Sterling.

          "Alternative Currency Equivalent" means, with respect to an amount of
Dollars on any date, the amount of the applicable Alternative Currency that may
be purchased with such amount of Dollars at the applicable Spot Exchange Rate on
such date.

          "Alternative Currency LC Disbursement" means a Multicurrency LC
 Disbursement denominated in an Alternative Currency.

          "Alternative Currency Lending Office" means, as to each Lender, its
office located at its address set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire (or
identified in its Administrative Questionnaire as an Alternative Currency
Lending Office) or such other office as such Lender may hereafter designate as
an Alternative Currency Lending Office by notice to the Parent Borrower and the
Administrative Agent.

          "Alternative Currency Letter of Credit" means a Multicurrency Letter
of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency.

          "Alternative Currency Loan" means a Multicurrency Revolving Loan
denominated in an Alternative Currency.

          "Alternative Currency Rate" means, with respect to any Alternative
Currency on any day, the sum of (a) the rate that represents the cost to Chase
of overnight funds as of such day in the applicable Alternative Currency (in any
currency market selected by Chase for the purpose of quoting such rate,
regardless of whether Chase actually borrows funds in such market on such day)
plus (b) the Applicable Rate with respect to Eurodollar Revolving Loans.

          "Applicable Creditor" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.14.

          "Applicable Percentage" means, as applicable, (a) with respect to any
Domestic Revolving Lender, the percentage of the total Domestic Revolving
Commitments represented by such Lender's Domestic Revolving Commitment and (b)
with respect to any Multicurrency Revolving Lender, the percentage of the total
Multicurrency Revolving Commitments represented by such Lender's Multicurrency
Revolving Commitment. If the Domestic Revolving Commitments have terminated or
expired, the relevant Applicable Percentages with respect to the Domestic
Revolving Lenders shall be determined based upon the Domestic Revolving
Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments. If the
Multicurrency Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the relevant
Applicable Percentages with respect to the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders shall
be determined based upon the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments most recently
in effect, giving effect to any assignments.

<PAGE>   9
                                                                               3

          "Applicable Rate" means, for any day with respect to any ABR Loan or
Eurodollar Loan, or with respect to the commitment fees payable hereunder, as
the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption
"ABR Revolving/ Tranche A Spread" (in the case of ABR Revolving Loans or ABR
Tranche A Term Loans), "Eurodollar Revolving/Tranche A Spread" (in the case of
Eurodollar Revolving Loans or Eurodollar Tranche A Term Loans), "ABR Tranche B
Spread" (in the case of ABR Tranche B Term Loans), "Eurodollar Tranche B Spread"
(in the case of Eurodollar Tranche B Term Loans) or "Commitment Fee Rate", as
the case may be, based upon the Leverage Ratio as of the most recent
determination date, provided that until the delivery to the Administrative
Agent, pursuant to Section 5.01(a), of the Parent Borrower's consolidated
financial statements for the full fiscal year of the Parent Borrower ending on
December 31, 1999, the "Applicable Rate" shall be the applicable rate per annum
set forth below in Category 1:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===========================================================================================================================
                                                                                               Eurodollar
                       ABR Revolving/       Eurodollar Revolving/        ABR Tranche B           Tranche B       Commitment
                       --------------       --------------------         -------------           ---------       ----------
 Leverage Ratio:      Tranche A Spread        Tranche A Spread              Spread               Spread            Fee Rate
 ---------------      ----------------        ----------------              ------               ------           ---------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                <C>                     <C>                       <C>                   <C>               <C>
Category 1
Greater than or
equal to 4:50 to
1:00                       1.50%                   2.50%                   2.00%                 3.00%             0.50%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Category 2
Greater than or
equal to 3.75 to
1.00 and less
than 4.50 to 1.00          1.25%                   2.25%                   2.00%                 3.00%            0.375%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Category 3
Greater than or
equal to 3.00 to
1.00 and less
than 3.75 to 1.00          1.00%                   2.00%                   2.00%                 3.00%            0.375%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category 4
Greater than or
equal to 2.25 to
1.00 and less
than 3.00 to 1.00          0.75%                   1.75%                   1.75%                 2.75%            0.375%

Category 5
Less than 2.25
to 1.00                    0.50%                   1.50%                   1.75%                 2.75%            0.375%
===========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

          For purposes of the foregoing, (a) the Leverage Ratio shall be
determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower's fiscal
year based upon the Parent Borrower's consolidated financial statements
delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) and (b) each change in the
Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Leverage Ratio shall be effective
during the period commencing on and including the date of delivery to the

<PAGE>   10
                                                                               4

Administrative Agent of such consolidated financial statements indicating
such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of
the next such change, provided that the Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be in
Category 1 (i) at any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing or (ii) if the Parent Borrower fails to deliver the consolidated
financial statements required to be delivered by it pursuant to Section 5.01(a)
or (b), during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof
until such consolidated financial statements are delivered.

          "Approved Fund" means, with respect to any Lender that is a fund that
invests in bank loans and similar commercial extensions of credit, any other
fund that invests in bank loans and similar commercial extensions of credit and
is managed by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of
such investment advisor.

          "Assessment Rate" means, for any day, the annual assessment rate in
effect on such day that is payable by a member of the Bank Insurance Fund
classified as "well-capitalized" and within supervisory subgroup "B" (or a
comparable successor risk classification) within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. Part
327 (or any successor provision) to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
for insurance by such Corporation of time deposits made in Dollars at the
offices of such member in the United States of America, provided that if, as a
result of any change in any law, rule or regulation, it is no longer possible to
determine the Assessment Rate as aforesaid, then the Assessment Rate shall be
such annual rate as shall be determined by the Administrative Agent to be
representative of the cost of such insurance to the Lenders.

          "Assigned Dollar Value" means, with respect to each Alternative
Currency Borrowing, Alternative Currency Letter of Credit or Alternative
Currency LC Disbursement, (a) initially (unless and until adjusted pursuant to
the following clause (b)), the Dollar amount from which the Alternative Currency
Equivalent (i) was determined for purposes of determining the amount of such
Borrowing to be advanced in the applicable Alternative Currency (in the case of
an Alternative Currency Loan) or (ii) was determined with respect to the
relevant Alternative Currency Letter of Credit at the time of its issuance (in
the case of an Alternative Currency Letter of Credit or Alternative Currency LC
Disbursement thereunder), and (b) on and after any Revaluation Date, the
"Assigned Dollar Value" of such Alternative Currency Borrowing, Alternative
Currency Letter of Credit or Alternative Currency LC Disbursement shall be
adjusted to be the Dollar Equivalent thereof as of such Revaluation Date
(subject to further adjustment in accordance with this clause (b) thereafter).
The Assigned Dollar Value of an Alternative Currency Loan shall equal the
Assigned Dollar Value of the Alternative Currency Borrowing of which such Loan
is a part multiplied by the percentage of such Borrowing represented by such
Loan.

          "Assignment and Acceptance" means an assignment and acceptance entered
into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is
required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form
of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

<PAGE>   11
                                                                               5

          "Base CD Rate" means the sum of (a) the Three-Month Secondary CD Rate
multiplied by the Statutory Reserve Rate plus (b) the Assessment Rate.

          "Board" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of
the United States of America.

          "Borrowers" means the Parent Borrower and any Foreign Borrowers.

          "Borrowing" means (a) Loans of the same Class and Type, made,
converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as
to which a single Interest Period is in effect, or (b) a Swingline Loan.

          "Borrowing Request" means a request by the applicable Borrower for a
Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.

          "Business Day" means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other
day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law
to remain closed, provided that, when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan,
the term "Business Day" shall also exclude any day on which banks in the London
interbank market are not open for dealings in deposits denominated in the
currency in which such Eurodollar Loan is denominated.

          "Capital Expenditures" means, for any period, without duplication, (a)
the additions to property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures of
the Parent Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries that are (or would be) set
forth in a consolidated statement of cash flows of the Parent Borrower for such
period prepared in accordance with GAAP and (b) Capital Lease Obligations
incurred by the Parent Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries during such
period.

          "Capital Lease Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of
such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other
arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a
combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and
accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP,
and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof
determined in accordance with GAAP.

          "Change in Control" means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly
or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person other than the Parent
Borrower of any Equity Interest in the First Tier Subsidiary; (b) prior to an
IPO, the failure by the Sponsors to beneficially own, directly or indirectly,
Equity Interests in the Parent Borrower representing at least 51.0% of each of
the aggregate ordinary voting power and aggregate equity value represented by
the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in the Parent Borrower; (c) after an
IPO, the failure by the Sponsors to beneficially own, directly or indirectly,
Equity Interests in the Parent Borrower representing at least 35.0% of each of
the aggregate ordinary voting power and the aggregate equity value represented
by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in the Parent Borrower; (d) after
an

<PAGE>   12
                                                                               6

IPO, the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of
record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder
as in effect on the date hereof, except that for purposes of this clause (d),
such Person or group shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all Equity
Interests that it has the right to acquire whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time) other than the Sponsors, of
Equity Interests representing more than 25.0% of either the aggregate ordinary
voting power or the aggregate equity value represented by the issued and
outstanding Equity Interests in the Parent Borrower; or (e) occupation of a
majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the
Parent Borrower by Persons who were neither (i) appointed in accordance with the
terms of the Stockholders' Agreement, nor (ii) nominated by the board of
directors of the Parent Borrower nor (iii) appointed by directors so nominated.

          "Change in Law" means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation
after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation
or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority
after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender or the Issuing
Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any lending office of such Lender
or by such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company, if any) with any
request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any
Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement.

          "Charges" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.13.

          "Chase" means The Chase Manhattan Bank, a New York banking
corporation.

          "Class", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to
whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Domestic
Revolving Loans, Multicurrency Revolving Loans, Tranche A Term Loans, Tranche B
Term Loans or Swingline Loans and, when used in reference to any Commitment,
refers to whether such Commitment is a Domestic Revolving Commitment,
Multicurrency Revolving Commitment, Tranche A Commitment or Tranche B
Commitment.

          "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time
to time.

          "Collateral" means any and all "Collateral", as defined in any
applicable Security Document.

<PAGE>   13
                                                                               7

          "Collateral and Guarantee Requirement" means the requirement that:

          (a) the Administrative Agent shall have received from the Parent
     Borrower and each Subsidiary Loan Party either (i) a counterpart of each of
     the Parent Guarantee Agreement, the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, the
     Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement, the Pledge Agreement and
     the Security Agreement duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Parent
     Borrower and each Subsidiary Loan Party which is a party thereto or (ii) in
     the case of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party after the
     Effective Date, a supplement to each of the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement,
     the Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement, the Pledge Agreement
     and the Security Agreement, in each case in the form specified therein,
     duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Subsidiary Loan Party;

          (b) all outstanding Equity Interests of each Subsidiary owned directly
     by, or on behalf of (except to the extent owned by any Foreign Subsidiary),
     the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party shall have been pledged
     pursuant to the Pledge Agreement (except that the Parent Borrower and the
     Subsidiary Loan Parties shall not be required to pledge more than 65% of
     the outstanding voting stock of any Foreign Subsidiary that is not a
     Subsidiary Loan Party to the extent that the pledge of any greater
     percentage could result in adverse tax consequences to the Parent Borrower
     or any Subsidiary) and the Administrative Agent shall have received
     certificates or other instruments representing all such Equity Interests,
     together with stock powers or other instruments of transfer with respect
     thereto endorsed in blank;

          (c) all Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and each Subsidiary that
     is owing to the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party shall be
     evidenced by a promissory note and shall have been pledged pursuant to the
     Pledge Agreement and the Administrative Agent shall have received all such
     promissory notes, together with instruments of transfer with respect
     thereto endorsed in blank;

          (d) all documents and instruments, including Uniform Commercial Code
     financing statements, required by law or reasonably requested by the
     Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or recorded to create the
     Liens intended to be created by the Security Agreement and the Pledge
     Agreement and perfect such Liens to the extent required by, and with the
     priority required by, the Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreement,
     shall have been filed, registered or recorded or delivered to the
     Administrative Agent for filing, registration or recording;

          (e) the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) counterparts of a
     Mortgage with respect to each Mortgaged Property duly executed and
     delivered by the record owner of such Mortgaged Property, (ii) a policy or
     policies of title insurance issued by a nationally recognized title
     insurance company insuring the Lien of each such Mortgage as a valid first
     Lien on the Mortgaged Property described therein, free of any other Liens
     except as expressly permitted by Section 6.02, together with such
     endorsements,

<PAGE>   14
                                                                               8

     coinsurance and reinsurance as the Administrative Agent or the Required
     Lenders may reasonably request, and (iii) such surveys, abstracts,
     appraisals, legal opinions and other documents as the Administrative Agent
     or the Required Lenders may reasonably request with respect to any such
     Mortgage or Mortgaged Property;

          (f) each Foreign Borrower and each Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor shall
     have executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent the guarantees and
     Security Documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent
     pursuant to Section 5.13(c) and all documents and instruments required by
     law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed,
     registered or recorded to create the Liens intended to be created by such
     Security Documents and (to the extent perfection is possible under the laws
     of the applicable jurisdiction) perfect such Liens to the extent required
     by, and with the priority required by, such Security Documents, shall have
     been filed, registered or recorded or delivered to the Administrative Agent
     for filing, registration or recording; and

          (g) the Parent Borrower and each Loan Party shall have obtained all
     consents and approvals required to be obtained by it in connection with the
     execution and delivery of all Security Documents to which it is a party,
     the performance of its obligations thereunder and the granting by it of the
     Liens thereunder.

          "Commitment" means a Domestic Revolving Commitment, Multicurrency
Revolving Commitment, Tranche A Commitment or Tranche B Commitment, or any
combination thereof (as the context requires).

          "Consolidated Cash Interest Expense" means, for any period, the excess
of (a) the sum of (i) the interest expense (including imputed interest expense
in respect of Capital Lease Obligations) of the Parent Borrower and the
Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance
with GAAP, (ii) any interest accrued during such period in respect of
Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary that is required to be
capitalized rather than included in consolidated interest expense for such
period in accordance with GAAP, plus (iii) any cash payments made during such
period in respect of obligations referred to in clause (b)(iii) below that were
amortized or accrued in a previous period, minus (b) the sum of (i) interest
income of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period, determined
on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, (ii) to the extent included in
such consolidated interest expense for such period, non-cash amounts
attributable to amortization of financing costs paid in a previous period, (iii)
to the extent included in such consolidated interest expense for such period,
non-cash amounts attributable to amortization of debt discounts or accrued
interest payable in kind for such period plus (iv) to the extent included in
such consolidated interest expense for such period, all financing fees incurred
in connection with the Transactions.

          "Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period, Consolidated Net Income
for such period plus (a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in
determining such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (i) consolidated interest
expense for such period,

<PAGE>   15
                                                                               9

(ii) consolidated tax expenses for income taxes and taxes in the nature of
income taxes for such period, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and
amortization for such period and (iv) any extraordinary non-cash charges for
such period, and minus (b) without duplication and to the extent included in
determining such Consolidated Net Income, any extraordinary gains for such
period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

          "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the net income or
loss of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, provided that there shall be
excluded from such net income or loss (a) the income of any Person (other than
the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary) in which any other Person (other than the
Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary or any director holding qualifying shares in
compliance with applicable law) owns an Equity Interest, except to the extent of
the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Parent
Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries by such Person during such period, and (b)
the income or loss of any Person accrued prior to the date on which it becomes a
Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Parent Borrower or any
Subsidiary or the date on which such Person's assets are acquired by the Parent
Borrower or any Subsidiary.

          "Control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power
to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person,
whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.
The terms "Controlling" and "Controlled" have meanings correlative thereto.

          "Default" means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of
Default or that upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or
waived, become an Event of Default.

          "Denomination Date" means, in relation to any Alternative Currency
Borrowing or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, the date that is two
Business Days before the date such Borrowing is made or such Letter of Credit is
issued.

          "Disclosed Matters" means the actions, suits and proceedings and the
environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.06.

          "Dollar Equivalent" means, with respect to an amount of an Alternative
Currency on any date, the amount of Dollars that may be purchased with such
amount of the Alternative Currency at the Spot Exchange Rate with respect to the
Alternative Currency on such date.

          "Dollars" or "$" refers to lawful money of the United States of
America.

          "Domestic LC Disbursement" means a payment made by the Issuing Bank
pursuant to a Domestic Letter of Credit.

<PAGE>   16
                                                                              10

          "Domestic LC Exposure" means, at any time, the sum of (a) the
aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Domestic Letters of Credit at such
time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all Domestic LC Disbursements that have
not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the applicable Borrower at such time.
The Domestic LC Exposure of any Domestic Revolving Lender at any time shall be
its Applicable Percentage of the total Domestic LC Exposure at such time.

          "Domestic Letter of Credit" means any Letter of Credit which the
Parent Borrower requests pursuant to clause (i) of Section 2.05(a).

          "Domestic Revolving Availability Period" means the period from and
including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving
Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Domestic Revolving Commitments.

          "Domestic Revolving Commitment" means, with respect to each Lender,
the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make Domestic Revolving Loans and to
acquire participations in Domestic Letters of Credit and Domestic Swingline
Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate
amount of such Lender's Domestic Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such
commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 or 2.20
and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to
such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Lender's
Domestic Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the
Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its
Domestic Revolving Commitment, as applicable. The initial aggregate amount of
the Lenders' Domestic Revolving Commitments is $25,000,000.

          "Domestic Revolving Exposure" means, with respect to any Lender at any
time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender's Domestic
Revolving Loans and its Domestic LC Exposure and Domestic Swingline Exposure at
such time.

          "Domestic Revolving Lender" means a Lender with a Domestic Revolving
Commitment or, if the Domestic Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired,
a Lender with Domestic Revolving Exposure.

          "Domestic Revolving Loan" means a Loan made pursuant to clause (c) of
Section 2.01.

          "Domestic Swingline Exposure" means, at any time, the aggregate
principal amount of all Domestic Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The
Domestic Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable
Percentage of the total Domestic Swingline Exposure at such time.

          "Domestic Swingline Loan" means a Loan made pursuant to clause (i) of
Section 2.04(a).
<PAGE>   17
                                                                              11

          "Effective Date" means the date on which the conditions specified in
Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).

          "Election to Participate" means an Election to Participate of a
Foreign Subsidiary, substantially in the form of Exhibit H.

          "Election to Terminate" means an Election to Terminate of a Foreign
Subsidiary, substantially in the form of Exhibit I.

          "Environmental Laws" means all laws, rules, regulations, codes,
ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding
agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental
Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation
of natural resources, the management, Release or threatened Release of any
Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters.

          "Environmental Liability" means any liability, contingent or otherwise
(including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation,
administrative oversight costs, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Parent
Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon
(a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling,
transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c)
exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or threatened Release of
any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or
other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed
with respect to any of the foregoing.

          "Equity Financing" means the purchase by the Investor pursuant to the
Recapitalization Agreement of (i) common stock of the Parent Borrower resulting
in net proceeds to the Parent Borrower of $26,125,000 and (ii) Preferred Stock
resulting in net proceeds to the Parent Borrower of $164,444,444.

          "Equity Interests" means shares of capital stock, partnership
interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial
interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person.

          "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time.

          "ERISA Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) that, together with the Parent Borrower, is treated as a single
employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of
Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single
employer under Section 414 of the Code.

          "ERISA Event" means (a) any "reportable event", as defined in Section
4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other
than an event for which

<PAGE>   18
                                                                              12

the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the existence with respect to any Plan
of an "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or
Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section
412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of
the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the
Parent Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV
of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the
Parent Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator
appointed by the PBGC of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any
Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence
by the Parent Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with
respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer
Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Parent Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any
notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Parent Borrower or any
ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability
or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent
or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

          "Euro" or "E" means the lawful money of the participating member
states of the European Union that adopt a single currency in accordance with the
Treaty on European Union signed February 7, 1992.

          "Eurodollar", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers
to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing
interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

          "Event of Default" has the meaning assigned to such term in Article
VII.

          "Excess Cash Flow" means, for any fiscal year, the sum (without
duplication) of:

          (a) the consolidated net income (or loss) of the Parent Borrower and
     the consolidated Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, adjusted to exclude any
     gains or losses attributable to Prepayment Events; plus

          (b) depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges or losses
     deducted in determining such consolidated net income (or loss) for such
     fiscal year; plus

          (c) the sum of (i) the amount, if any, by which Net Working Capital
     decreased during such fiscal year plus (ii) the net amount, if any, by
     which the consolidated deferred revenues of the Parent Borrower and the
     consolidated Subsidiaries increased during such fiscal year plus (iii) the
     amount, if any, that was deducted in determining Excess Cash Flow for the
     immediately preceding fiscal year pursuant to clause (e)(ii) below; minus

          (d) the sum of (i) any non-cash gains included in determining such
     consolidated net income (or loss) for such fiscal year plus (ii) the
     amount, if any, by which Net Working Capital increased during such fiscal
     year plus (iii) the net amount, if any, by

<PAGE>   19
                                                                              13

     which the consolidated deferred revenues of the Parent Borrower and the
     consolidated Subsidiaries decreased during such fiscal year; minus

          (e) the sum of (i) Capital Expenditures for such fiscal year (except
     (A) to the extent attributable to the incurrence of Capital Lease
     Obligations or otherwise financed by incurring Long-Term Indebtedness or
     (B) Capital Expenditures made pursuant to the proviso to Section 2.11(c))
     and (ii) the amount, if any, of Capital Expenditures that the Parent
     Borrower and the Subsidiaries are permitted to make (but did not make)
     during such fiscal year pursuant to Section 6.14, to the extent such amount
     may be carried over from such fiscal year into the following fiscal year
     pursuant to Section 6.14(b); minus

          (f) the aggregate principal amount of Long-Term Indebtedness repaid or
     prepaid by the Parent Borrower and the consolidated Subsidiaries during
     such fiscal year, excluding (i) Indebtedness in respect of Revolving Loans
     and Letters of Credit, (ii) Term Loans prepaid pursuant to Section 2.11(a),
     (c) or (d), and (iii) repayments or prepayments of Long-Term Indebtedness
     financed by incurring other Long-Term Indebtedness.

          "Excluded Taxes" means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any
Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or
on account of any obligation of any Borrower hereunder, (a) income or 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 recipient is
organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any
Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch
profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed
by any other jurisdiction described in clause (a) above and (c) in the case of a
Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Parent
Borrower under Section 2.19(b)), any withholding tax that (i) is in effect and
would apply to amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign
Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office),
other than (A) any withholding tax imposed on any payment by a Foreign Borrower
and (B) any withholding tax imposed on any payment by any Borrower to the extent
that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, as the case may be) was entitled, at
the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment, as the case may
be), to receive additional amounts from such Borrower with respect to any
withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.17(a), or (ii) is attributable to such
Foreign Lender's failure to comply with Section 2.17(e).

          "Extension Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.20(a).

          "Federal Funds Effective Rate" means, for any day, the weighted
average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on
overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System
arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business
Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so
published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such
transactions received

<PAGE>   20
                                                                              14

by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized
standing selected by it.

          "Financial Officer" means the chief financial officer, principal
accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Parent Borrower.

          "Financing Transactions" means (a) the execution, delivery and
performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is to be a
party, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance
of Letters of Credit hereunder, (b) the execution, delivery and performance by
each Loan Party of the Subordinated Debt Documents to which it is to be a party,
the issuance of the Subordinated Debt and the use of the proceeds thereof, (c)
the Equity Financing and (d) the contribution by the Parent Borrower to the
First Tier Subsidiary of all of the capital stock of each other Subsidiary held
directly by the Parent Borrower.

          "First Tier Subsidiary" means a newly-formed Delaware corporation
which will be a wholly owned Subsidiary and to which the Parent Borrower will,
in connection with the other Financing Transactions, contribute all of the
capital stock of each other Subsidiary held directly by the Parent Borrower.

          "Foreign Borrower" means a Foreign Subsidiary in respect of which an
Election to Participate has been received by the Administrative Agent, provided
that no Foreign Subsidiary in respect of which an Election to Terminate has been
received by the Administrative Agent shall be a "Foreign Borrower" unless a
subsequent Election to Participate with respect to such Foreign Subsidiary is
received by the Administrative Agent.

          "Foreign Borrower Obligations" has the meaning set forth in the Parent
Guarantee Agreement.

          "Foreign Lender" means any Lender that is organized under the laws of
a jurisdiction other than that in which the Parent 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 Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that is organized under the
laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America or any State
thereof or the District of Columbia.

          "Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.13(c).

          "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States of America.

          "Governmental Authority" means the government of the United States of
America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or
local, and any

<PAGE>   21
                                                                              15

agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or
other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or
administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

          "Guarantee" of or by any Person (the "guarantor") means any
obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the
economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any
other Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly or
indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect,
(a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment
of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or
supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to
purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring
the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c)
to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement
condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary
obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party
in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such
Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term "Guarantee" shall not
include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business.

          "Guarantee Agreements" means the Parent Guarantee Agreement, the
Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and any guarantee agreements executed and
delivered by any Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to any Foreign
Borrower Obligations pursuant to Section 5.13(c).

          "Hazardous Materials" means all explosive or radioactive substances or
wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants,
including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing
materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas and all substances or wastes of
any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

          "Hedging Agreement" means any interest rate protection agreement,
foreign currency exchange agreement, commodity price protection agreement or
other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement.

          "Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all
obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or
advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person
upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such
Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to
property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect
of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current
accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all
Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness
has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on
property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness
secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of
Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i)
all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an

<PAGE>   22
                                                                              16

account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty and (j)
all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers'
acceptances. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of
any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general
partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such
Person's ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to
the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable
therefor.

          "Indemnified Taxes" means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

          "Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement" means the
Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement, substantially in the form of
Exhibit E, among the Parent Borrower, the Subsidiary Loan Parties and the
Administrative Agent.

          "Information Memorandum" means the Confidential Information Memorandum
dated June, 1999 relating to the Parent Borrower and the Transactions.

          "Initial Revolving Maturity Date" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.20(a).

          "Interest Election Request" means a request by the applicable Borrower
to convert or continue a Revolving Borrowing or Term Borrowing in accordance
with Section 2.07.

          "Interest Payment Date" means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (other
than a Swingline Loan), the last day of each March, June, September and
December, (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest
Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case
of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months'
duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at
intervals of three months' duration after the first day of such Interest Period,
and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Loan is required
to be repaid.

          "Interest Period" means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the
period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on (a) during the
Syndication Period, the day that is seven days thereafter and (b) following the
expiration of the Syndication Period, the numerically corresponding day in the
calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, as the
applicable Borrower may elect, provided that (i) if any Interest Period would
end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended
to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day
would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall
end on the next preceding Business Day and (ii) any Interest Period that
commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which
there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such
Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month
of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially
shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the
effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.
<PAGE>   23
                                                                              17

          "Investor" means Key Acquisition, L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company Controlled by the Sponsors.

          "IPO" means a bona fide underwritten initial public offering of voting
common stock of the Parent Borrower as a direct result of which at least 20.0%
of the aggregate voting common stock of the Parent Borrower (calculated on a
fully-diluted basis after giving effect to all options to acquire voting common
stock of the Parent Borrower then outstanding, regardless of whether such
options are then currently exercisable) is beneficially owned by Persons other
than the Sponsors, the Investor, the Parent Borrower and their respective
Affiliates (including in the case of the Parent Borrower, all directors,
officers and employees of the Parent Borrower and any Subsidiary).

          "Issuing Bank" means Chase, in its capacity as the issuer of Letters
of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section
2.05(i). The Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more
Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of the Issuing Bank, in which case
the term "Issuing Bank" shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters
of Credit issued by such Affiliate.

          "Judgment Currency" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.14.

          "Junior Subordinated Exchange Securities" means the junior
subordinated exchange securities of the Parent Borrower, in the form annexed to
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation as in effect on the Effective Date,
that are subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations and issued in
exchange for an equivalent principal amount of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock in
accordance with Section 4 of Article II of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation as in effect on the Effective Date.

          "LC Disbursement" means a Domestic LC Disbursement or a Multicurrency
LC Disbursement or any combination thereof (as the context requires).

          "LC Exposure" means Domestic LC Exposure or Multicurrency LC Exposure
or any combination thereof (as the context requires).

          "Lenders" means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other
Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and
Acceptance, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant
to an Assignment and Acceptance. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term
"Lenders" includes the Swingline Lender.

          "Letter of Credit" means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this
Agreement.

          "Leverage Ratio" means, on any date, the ratio of (a) the excess, if
any, of (i) Total Indebtedness as of such date minus (ii) cash and cash
equivalents held by the Loan Parties as of such date and denominated in the
currency of any country which is a member of the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development as of such date (provided that such

<PAGE>   24
                                                                              18

currency is fully convertible into Dollars as of such date) to (b) Consolidated
EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Parent Borrower
ended on such date (or, if such date is not the last day of a fiscal quarter,
ended on the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower most recently
ended prior to such date).

          "LIBO Rate" means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any
Interest Period, the rate appearing on Page 3750 (or, in the case of any such
Borrowing denominated in an Alternative Currency, the rate appearing on the page
for such Alternative Currency) of the Dow Jones Market Service (or on any
successor or substitute page of such Service, or any successor to or substitute
for such Service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently
provided on such page of such Service, as determined by the Administrative Agent
from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates
applicable to deposits in Dollars (or, in the case of any such Borrowing
denominated in an Alternative Currency, deposits in such Alternative Currency)
in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two
Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for
deposits in such currency with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In
the event that such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the
LIBO Rate with respect to such Eurodollar Borrowing for such Interest Period
shall be the rate at which deposits in Dollars (or, in the case of any such
Borrowing denominated in an Alternative Currency, deposits in such Alternative
Currency) of $5,000,000 (or, in the case of any such Borrowing denominated in an
Alternative Currency, an amount of such Alternative Currency the Dollar
Equivalent of which is approximately equal to $5,000,000) and for a maturity
comparable to such Interest Period are offered by the principal London office of
the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds in the London interbank
market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period.

          "Lien" means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of
trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest
in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any
conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any
financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the
foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any
purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such
securities.

          "Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Guarantee Agreements, the
Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement, the Security Documents and
any Election to Participate and Election to Terminate.

          "Loan Parties" means the Borrowers, the Subsidiary Loan Parties and
the Foreign Subsidiary Guarantors.

          "Loans" means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrowers pursuant
to this Agreement.

<PAGE>   25
                                                                              19

          "Long-Term Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness that, in accordance
with GAAP, constitutes (or, when incurred, constituted) a long-term liability.

          "Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on (a) the
business, assets, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or material
agreements, of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b)
the ability of any Loan Party to perform any of its obligations under any Loan
Document or (c) the rights of or benefits available to the Lenders under any
Loan Document.

          "Material Indebtedness" means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and
Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements,
of any one or more of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries in an aggregate
principal amount exceeding $10,000,000. For purposes of determining Material
Indebtedness, the "principal amount" of the obligations of the Parent Borrower
or any Subsidiary in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the
maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the
Parent Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Hedging
Agreement were terminated at such time.

          "Maximum Rate" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.13.

          "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

          "Mortgage" means a mortgage, deed of trust, assignment of leases and
rents, leasehold mortgage or other security document granting a Lien on any
Mortgaged Property to secure the Obligations. Each Mortgage shall be
satisfactory in form and substance to the Collateral Agent.

          "Mortgaged Property" means, initially, each parcel of real property
and the improvements thereto owned by a Loan Party and identified on Schedule
1.01, and includes each other parcel of real property and improvements thereto
with respect to which a Mortgage is granted pursuant to Section 5.12 or 5.13.

          "Multicurrency LC Disbursement" means a payment made by the Issuing
Bank pursuant to a Multicurrency Letter of Credit.

          "Multicurrency LC Exposure" means, at any time, the sum of (a) the
aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Multicurrency Letters of Credit at
such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all Multicurrency LC Disbursements
that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the applicable Borrower at
such time. The Multicurrency LC Exposure of any Multicurrency Revolving Lender
at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Multicurrency LC
Exposure at such time.

          "Multicurrency Letter of Credit" means any Letter of Credit which any
Borrower requests pursuant to clause (ii) of Section 2.05(a).

<PAGE>   26
                                                                              20

          "Multicurrency Revolving Availability Period" means the period from
and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving
Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Multicurrency Revolving
Commitments.

          "Multicurrency Revolving Commitment" means, with respect to each
Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make Multicurrency Revolving
Loans and to acquire participations in Multicurrency Letters of Credit and
Multicurrency Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the
maximum aggregate amount of such Lender's Multicurrency Revolving Exposure
hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to
Section 2.08 or 2.20 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to
assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of
each Lender's Multicurrency Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01,
or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender shall have
assumed its Multicurrency Revolving Commitment, as applicable. The initial
aggregate amount of the Lenders' Multicurrency Revolving Commitments is
$25,000,000.

          "Multicurrency Revolving Exposure" means, with respect to any Lender
at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender's
Multicurrency Revolving Loans (determined based on Assigned Dollar Values, in
the case of Alternative Currency Loans) and its Multicurrency LC Exposure
(determined based on Assigned Dollar Values, in the case of Alternative Currency
Letters of Credit and Alternative Currency LC Disbursements) and Multicurrency
Swingline Exposure.

          "Multicurrency Revolving Lender" means a Lender with a Multicurrency
Revolving Commitment or, if the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments have
terminated or expired, a Lender with Multicurrency Revolving Exposure.

          "Multicurrency Revolving Loan" means a Loan made pursuant to clause
(d) of Section 2.01.

          "Multicurrency Swingline Exposure" means, at any time, the aggregate
principal amount of all Multicurrency Swingline Loans outstanding at such time.
The Multicurrency Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its
Applicable Percentage of the total Multicurrency Swingline Exposure at such
time.

          "Multicurrency Swingline Loan" means a Loan made pursuant to clause
(ii) of Section 2.04(a).

          "Multiemployer Plan" means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section
4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

          "Net Proceeds" means, with respect to any event (a) the cash proceeds
received in respect of such event, including (i) any cash received in respect of
any non-cash proceeds, but

<PAGE>   27
                                                                              21

only as and when received, (ii) in the case of a casualty or other insured
damage, insurance proceeds, and (iii) in the case of a condemnation or similar
event, condemnation awards and similar payments, net of (b) the sum of (i) all
fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid by the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries
to third parties (other than Affiliates) in connection with such event, (ii) in
the case of a sale, transfer or other disposition of an asset (including
pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction or a casualty or a condemnation or
similar proceeding), the amount of all payments required to be made by the
Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries as a result of such event to repay
Indebtedness (other than Loans) secured by such asset or otherwise subject to
mandatory prepayment as a result of such event, and (iii) the amount of all
taxes paid (or reasonably estimated to be payable) by the Parent Borrower and
the Subsidiaries, and the amount of any reserves established by the Parent
Borrower and the Subsidiaries to fund contingent liabilities reasonably
estimated to be payable, in each case during the year that such event occurred
or the next succeeding year and that are directly attributable to such event (as
determined reasonably and in good faith by the chief financial officer of the
Parent Borrower).

          "Net Working Capital" means, at any date, (a) the consolidated current
assets and non-current deferred income tax assets of the Parent Borrower and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date (excluding cash and Permitted
Investments) minus (b) the consolidated current liabilities and non-current
deferred income tax liabilities of the Parent Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as of such date (excluding current liabilities in respect of
Indebtedness). Net Working Capital at any date may be a positive or negative
number. Net Working Capital increases when it becomes more positive or less
negative and decreases when it becomes less positive or more negative.

          "Obligations" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security
Agreement.

          "Other Taxes" means any and all present or future recording, stamp,
documentary, excise, transfer, sales, property or similar taxes, charges or
levies arising from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the
execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan
Document.

          "Parent Borrower" means Knowles Electronics, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.

          "Parent Guarantee Agreement" means the Guarantee Agreement,
substantially in the form of Exhibit C, made by the Parent Borrower in favor of
the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

          "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and
defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

          "Perfection Certificate" means a certificate in the form of Annex 1 to
the Security Agreement or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

<PAGE>   28
                                                                              22

          "Permitted Acquisition" means any acquisition by a Subsidiary of all
or substantially all the assets of, or all the Equity Interests in, a Person or
division or line of business of a Person or by the Parent Borrower of all the
Equity Interests in a Person if, at the time of and immediately after giving
effect thereto, (a) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result
therefrom, (b) all transactions related thereto are consummated in accordance
with applicable laws, (c) all the Equity Interests in each Subsidiary formed for
the purpose of or resulting from such acquisition shall be owned directly by the
Parent Borrower or a Subsidiary and all actions required to be taken with
respect to such acquired or newly formed Subsidiary under Sections 5.12 and 5.13
have been taken, (d) in case of an acquisition of assets, such assets (other
than assets to be retired or disposed of) are to be used, and in the case of an
acquisition of capital stock or other Equity Interests, the Person so acquired
is engaged, in the same line of business as that of the Parent Borrower or a
Related Business, (e) the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in
compliance, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such acquisition, with
the covenants contained in this Agreement, with the covenants contained in
Sections 6.12, 6.13 and 6.14 being recomputed as at the last day of the most
recently ended fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower for which financial
statements are available, as if such acquisition (and any related incurrence or
repayment of Indebtedness, with any new Indebtedness being deemed to be
amortized over the applicable testing period in accordance with its terms, and
assuming that any Revolving Loans borrowed in connection with such acquisition
are repaid with excess cash balances when available) had occurred on the first
day of each relevant period for testing such compliance, and (f) the Parent
Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial
Officer to the effect set forth in clauses (a) through (e) above, together with
all relevant financial information for the Person or assets to be acquired;
provided, however, that the aggregate amount paid (including any Indebtedness
assumed or incurred in connection therewith) in connection with (i) any such
Permitted Acquisition shall not exceed $25,000,000 plus any Net Proceeds
received in connection with such Permitted Acquisition from any issuance by the
Parent Borrower of any Equity Interests in the Parent Borrower to the Investor
or the other stockholders of the Parent Borrower (other than any Subsidiary
which is a stockholder) immediately prior to such issuance, or from the receipt
by the Parent Borrower of any capital contribution from the Investor or the
other stockholders of the Parent Borrower (other than any Subsidiary which is a
stockholder) immediately prior to such contribution, other than the Equity
Financing and any such issuance of Equity Interests, or receipt of any capital
contribution, the Net Proceeds of which are used to repay the Subordinated
Bridge Debt in accordance with Section 6.08(b)(ii), and (ii) all such Permitted
Acquisitions shall not exceed during the term of this Agreement $50,000,000 plus
any Net Proceeds received in connection with all such Permitted Acquisitions
from any issuance by the Parent Borrower of any Equity Interests in the Parent
Borrower to the Investor or the other stockholders of the Parent Borrower (other
than any Subsidiary which is a stockholder) immediately prior to such issuance,
or from the receipt by the Parent Borrower of any capital contribution from the
Investor or the other stockholders of the Parent Borrower (other than any
Subsidiary which is a stockholder) immediately prior to such contribution, other
than the Equity Financing and any such issuance of Equity Interests, or receipt
of any capital contribution, the Net Proceeds of which are used to repay the
Subordinated Bridge Debt in accordance with Section 6.08(b)(ii).

<PAGE>   29
                                                                              23

          "Permitted Encumbrances" means:

          (a) Liens imposed by law for taxes or other governmental charges that
     are not yet due and payable or are being contested in compliance with
     Section 5.05;

          (b) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's, repairmen's
     and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of
     business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days
     or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.05;

          (c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in
     compliance with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other
     social security laws or regulations;

          (d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts,
     leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds
     and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course
     of business;

          (e) judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an
     Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII; and

          (f) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar
     encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary
     course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not
     materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere
     with the ordinary conduct of business of the Parent Borrower or any
     Subsidiary;

provided that the term "Permitted Encumbrances" shall not include any Lien
securing Indebtedness.

          "Permitted Investments" means:

          (a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and
     interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of
     America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed
     by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case
     maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

          (b) investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the
     date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the
     highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody's;

          (c) investments in certificates of deposit, banker's acceptances and
     time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof
     issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts
     issued or offered by, any domestic

<PAGE>   30
                                                                              24

     office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United
     States of America or any State thereof that has a combined capital and
     surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000; and

          (d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more
     than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into
     with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause
     (c) above.

          "Person" means any natural person, corporation, limited liability
company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership,
Governmental Authority or other entity.

          "Plan" means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a
Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section
412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Parent
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would
under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" as defined in Section
3(5) of ERISA.

          "Pledge Agreement" means the Pledge Agreement, substantially in the
form of Exhibit F, among the Parent Borrower, the Subsidiary Loan Parties and
the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

          "Preferred Stock" means the series A-1 and A-2 of pay-in-kind
preferred stock, par value $.0001 per share, of the Parent Borrower to be issued
to the Investor and the stockholders of the Parent Borrower prior to the
Recapitalization in connection with the Recapitalization and the Equity
Financing.

          "Prepayment Event" means:

          (a) any sale, transfer or other disposition (including pursuant to a
     sale and leaseback transaction) of any property or asset of the Parent
     Borrower or any Subsidiary, other than dispositions described in clauses
     (a), (b) and (c) of Section 6.05; or

          (b) any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power
     of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property
     or asset of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary, but only to the extent
     that the Net Proceeds therefrom have not been applied to repair, restore or
     replace such property or asset within 360 days after such event; or

          (c) the incurrence by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary of any
     Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(a); or

          (d) the occurrence of any event that obligates, or with passage of
     time may obligate, the Parent Borrower mandatorily to prepay, repay,
     repurchase or defease the Subordinated Debt, including (i) any Asset Sale
     (as defined in the Subordinated Note

<PAGE>   31
                                                                              25

     Purchase Agreement), (ii) any incurrence of Indebtedness by the Parent
     Borrower or any Subsidiary and (iii) any issuance of Equity Interests in,
     or any capital contribution to, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary
     (other than (A) any incurrence of Subordinated Refinancing Debt in
     accordance with, and subject to the limitations set forth in, the proviso
     to clause (ii)(B) of Section 6.01(a) and (B) any issuance of Equity
     Interests in, or any capital contribution to, the Parent Borrower the Net
     Proceeds of which, in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (A) and
     (B), are applied to repay in full the Subordinated Bridge Debt and all
     other amounts due under the Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement and the
     other Subordinated Debt Documents relating to the Subordinated Bridge Debt
     in accordance with Section 6.08).

          "Prime Rate" means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced
from time to time by The Chase Manhattan Bank as its prime rate in effect at its
principal office in New York City; each change in the Prime Rate shall be
effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as
being effective.

          "Recapitalization" means the recapitalization of the Parent Borrower
in accordance with the Recapitalization Agreement pursuant to which the
Investor will acquire approximately 80% of the common stock of the Parent
Borrower.

          "Recapitalization Agreement" means the Recapitalization Agreement
dated as of June 23, 1999 among the Investor, the Parent Borrower and the
holders of record of common stock of the Parent Borrower named therein,
including the Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

          "Register" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04(c).

          "Related Business" means any business providing goods or services for
(i) transducers used in hearing aids, (ii) microphones, speakers, headsets and
infrared remote control products for voice recognition, computer,
telecommunications, medical and consumer electronic businesses or (iii)
actuators, solenoids and electronic sensors for automotive or other industrial
businesses.

          "Related Parties" means, with respect to any specified Person, such
Person's Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents
and advisors of such Person and such Person's Affiliates.

          "Release" means any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping,
injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or
migration into the environment (including ambient air, surface water,
groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or within any building,
structure, facility or fixture.

          "Renewal Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.20(a).

<PAGE>   32
                                                                              26

          "Required Lenders" means, at any time, Lenders having Revolving
Exposures, Term Loans and unused Commitments representing more than 50.0% of the
sum of the total Revolving Exposures, outstanding Term Loans and unused
Commitments at such time.

          "Restated Certificate of Incorporation" means the Second Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Parent Borrower in the form filed
with the Secretary of State of Delaware at 9:00 a.m. on June 30, 1999.

          "Restricted Payment" means any dividend or other distribution (whether
in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in
the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash,
securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on
account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancelation or
termination of any Equity Interests in the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary or
any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the
Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary.

          "Revaluation Date" means, with respect to an Alternative Currency
Borrowing, the last day of each Interest Period with respect to such Borrowing
and, in the case of an Alternative Currency Borrowing with an Interest Period
that exceeds three months duration, each date prior to the last day of such
Interest Period that occurs at three month intervals after the first day thereof
and, with respect to each Alternative Currency Letter of Credit and Alternative
Currency LC Disbursement with respect thereto, each date prior to the date of
expiration of such Letter of Credit that occurs at three month intervals after
the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit.

          "Revolving Commitment" means a Domestic Revolving Commitment or a
Multicurrency Revolving Commitment or any combination thereof (as the context
requires).

          "Revolving Exposure" means, with respect to any Lender at any time,
such Lender's Domestic Revolving Exposure or Multicurrency Revolving Exposure or
any combination thereof (as the context requires).

          "Revolving Lender" means a Domestic Revolving Lender or Multicurrency
Revolving Lender or any combination thereof (as the context requires).

          "Revolving Loan" means a Domestic Revolving Loan or Multicurrency
Revolving Loan or any combination thereof (as the context requires).

          "Revolving Maturity Date" means, subject to extension pursuant to
Section 2.20, June 30, 2006 or if such day is not a Business Day, the next
preceding Business Day.

          "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Rating Service.

<PAGE>   33
                                                                              27

          "Secured Parties" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
Security Agreement.

          "Security Agreement" means the Security Agreement, substantially in
the form of Exhibit G, among the Parent Borrower, the Subsidiary Loan Parties
and the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

          "Security Documents" means the Security Agreement, the Pledge
Agreement, the Mortgages and each other security agreement or other instrument
or document executed and delivered pursuant to Section 5.12 or 5.13 to secure
any of the Obligations or the Foreign Borrower Obligations.

          "Sponsors" means (a) Doughty Hanson & Co. Managers Limited, a company
organized and existing under the laws of England and Wales and (b) certain of
its Affiliates, provided that no such Affiliate shall be deemed to be a
"Sponsor" if it ceases at any time to be Controlled by Doughty Hanson & Co.
Managers Limited.

          "Spot Exchange Rate" means, on any day, (a) with respect to any
Alternative Currency in relation to Dollars, the spot rate at which Dollars are
offered on such day for such Alternative Currency which appears on page FXFX of
the Reuters Screen at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time (and if such spot
rate is not available on the applicable page of the Reuters Screen, such spot
rate as quoted by the Administrative Agent's principal London office at
approximately 11:00 a.m., London time), or (b) with respect to Dollars in
relation to any specified Alternative Currency, the spot rate at which such
specified Alternative Currency is offered on such day for Dollars which appears
on page FXFX of the Reuters Screen at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time (and
if such spot rate is not available on the applicable page of the Reuters Screen,
such spot rate as quoted by the Administrative Agent's principal London office
at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time). For purposes of determining the Spot
Exchange Rate in connection with an Alternative Currency Borrowing, such Spot
Exchange Rate shall be determined as of the Denomination Date for such Borrowing
with respect to transactions in the applicable Alternative Currency that will
settle on the date of such Borrowing.

          "Statutory Reserve Rate" means a fraction (expressed as a decimal),
the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the
number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any
marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal
established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject (a) with
respect to the Base CD Rate, for new negotiable nonpersonal time deposits in
Dollars of over $100,000 with maturities approximately equal to three months and
(b) with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate, for eurocurrency funding (currently
referred to as "Eurocurrency Liabilities" in Regulation D of the Board). Such
reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D.
Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be
subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration,
exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender
under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. The Statutory

<PAGE>   34
                                                                              28

Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of
any change in any reserve percentage.

          "Sterling" or "Pound Sterling" means the lawful money of the United
Kingdom.

          "Stockholders' Agreement" means the Stockholders' Agreement to be
dated as of the Effective Date among the Parent Borrower, the Investor and the
other stockholders of the Parent Borrower named therein.

          "Subordinated Bridge Debt" means the senior subordinated increasing
rate notes of the Parent Borrower to be issued pursuant to the Subordinated Note
Purchase Agreement on the Effective Date in an aggregate principal amount of
$150,000,000 and the Indebtedness represented thereby.

          "Subordinated Debt" means the Subordinated Bridge Debt and the
Subordinated Refinancing Debt.

          "Subordinated Debt Documents" means the Subordinated Note Purchase
Agreement, the indenture or other instrument under which the Subordinated
Refinancing Debt is issued and all other instruments, agreements and other
documents evidencing or governing the Subordinated Debt or providing for any
Guarantee or other right in respect thereof.

          "Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement" means the note purchase
agreement with respect to the Subordinated Bridge Debt dated as of the date
hereof among the Parent Borrower and the purchasers party thereto.

          "Subordinated Refinancing Debt" means the senior subordinated
Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower to be issued after the Effective Date and
prior to the maturity of the Subordinated Bridge Debt in accordance with, and
subject to the limitations set forth in, the proviso to clause (ii)(B) of
Section 6.01(a).

          "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 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the
case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are,
as of such date, owned, controlled or held, 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.

          "Subsidiary" means any subsidiary of the Parent Borrower.

<PAGE>   35
                                                                              29

          "Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement" means the Guarantee Agreement,
substantially in the form of Exhibit D, made by the Subsidiary Loan Parties in
favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

          "Subsidiary Loan Party" means any Subsidiary that is not a Foreign
Subsidiary.

          "Swingline Exposure" means Domestic Swingline Exposure or
Multicurrency Swingline Exposure or any combination thereof (as the context
requires).

          "Swingline Lender" means Chase, in its capacity as lender of Swingline
Loans hereunder.

          "Swingline Loan" means a Domestic Swingline Loan or a Multicurrency
Swingline Loan or any combination thereof (as the context requires).

          "Syndication Agent" means Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., in its
capacity as Syndication Agent hereunder.

          "Syndication Period" means the period commencing on the Effective Date
and terminating on the earlier of (a) the date that the Administrative Agent is
satisfied that the syndication of the Commitments and Loans as contemplated by
any separate letter agreement with respect to such syndication has been
completed and (b) the date that is 60 days after the Effective Date.

          "Taxes" means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts,
duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental
Authority.

          "Term Loans" means Tranche A Term Loans and Tranche B Term Loans.

          "Three-Month Secondary CD Rate" means, for any day, the secondary
market rate for three-month certificates of deposit reported as being in effect
on such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business
Day) by the Board through the public information telephone line of the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York (which rate will, under the current practices of the
Board, be published in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) during the
week following such day) or, if such rate is not so reported on such day or such
next preceding Business Day, the average of the secondary market quotations for
three-month certificates of deposit of major money center banks in New York City
received at approximately 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on such day (or, if
such day is not a Business Day, on the next preceding Business Day) by the
Administrative Agent from three negotiable certificate of deposit dealers of
recognized standing selected by it.

          "Total Indebtedness" means, as of any date, the sum of (a) the
aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and the
Subsidiaries outstanding as of such date, in the amount that would be reflected
on a balance sheet prepared as of such date on a

<PAGE>   36
                                                                              30

consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, plus (b) the aggregate principal
amount of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries outstanding
as of such date that is not required to be reflected on a balance sheet in
accordance with GAAP, determined on a consolidated basis.

          "Tranche A Commitment" means, with respect to each Lender, the
commitment, if any, of such Lender to make a Tranche A Term Loan hereunder on
the Effective Date, expressed as an amount representing the maximum principal
amount of the Tranche A Term Loan to be made by such Lender hereunder, as such
commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b)
reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such
Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Lender's Tranche A
Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment and Acceptance
pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Tranche A Commitment, as
applicable. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders' Tranche A Commitments
is $50,000,000.

          "Tranche A Lender" means a Lender with a Tranche A Commitment or an
outstanding Tranche A Term Loan.

          "Tranche A Maturity Date" means June 30, 2006, or if such day is not a
Business Day, the next preceding Business Day.

          "Tranche A Term Loan" means a Loan made pursuant to clause (a) of
Section 2.01.

          "Tranche B Commitment" means, with respect to each Lender, the
commitment, if any, of such Lender to make a Tranche B Term Loan hereunder on
the Effective Date, expressed as an amount representing the maximum principal
amount of the Tranche B Term Loan to be made by such Lender hereunder, as such
commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b)
reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such
Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Lender's Tranche B
Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment and Acceptance
pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Tranche B Commitment, as
applicable. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders' Tranche B Commitments
is $150,000,000.

          "Tranche B Lender" means a Lender with a Tranche B Commitment or an
outstanding Tranche B Term Loan.

          "Tranche B Maturity Date" means June 29, 2007, or if such day is not a
Business Day, the next preceding Business Day.

          "Tranche B Term Loan" means a Loan made pursuant to clause (b) of
Section 2.01.

          "Transactions" means the Recapitalization and the Financing
Transactions.

<PAGE>   37
                                                                              31

          "Type", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to
whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such
Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Alternate
Base Rate.

          "Withdrawal Liability" means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a
result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such
terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

          SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of
this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a
"Domestic Revolving Loan") or by Type (e.g., a "Eurodollar Loan") or by Class
and Type (e.g., a "Eurodollar Domestic Revolving Loan"). Borrowings also may be
classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a "Domestic Revolving Borrowing") or
by Type (e.g., a "Eurodollar Borrowing") or by Class and Type (e.g., a
"Eurodollar Domestic Revolving Borrowing") or by reference to the currency in
which the Loans comprising such Borrowing are denominated (i.e., an "Alternative
Currency Borrowing" is a Borrowing comprised of Alternative Currency Loans).

          SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall
apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever
the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine,
feminine and neuter forms. The words "include", "includes" and "including" shall
be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without limitation". The word "will"
shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word "shall".
Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any
agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring
to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such
amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference
herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person's successors and
assigns, (c) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder", and words of similar
import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to
any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles,
Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and
Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words
"asset" and "property" shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect
and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties,
including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

          SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP. 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 Parent Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Parent
Borrower requests 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 Parent Borrower 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

<PAGE>   38
                                                                              32

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 herewith.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   The Credits

          SECTION 2.01. Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set
forth herein, each Lender agrees (a) to make a Tranche A Term Loan to the Parent
Borrower on the Effective Date in a principal amount not exceeding its Tranche A
Commitment, (b) to make a Tranche B Term Loan to the Parent Borrower on the
Effective Date in a principal amount not exceeding its Tranche B Commitment, (c)
to make Domestic Revolving Loans to the Parent Borrower from time to time during
the Domestic Revolving Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that
will not result in such Lender's Domestic Revolving Exposure exceeding such
Lender's Domestic Revolving Commitment and (d) to make Multicurrency Revolving
Loans to any Borrower from time to time during the Multicurrency Revolving
Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in
such Lender's Multicurrency Revolving Exposure (determined base on Assigned
Dollar Value, in the case of Alternative Currency Loans) exceeding such Lender's
Multicurrency Revolving Commitment. Within the foregoing limits and subject to
the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and
reborrow Revolving Loans. Amounts repaid in respect of Term Loans may not be
reborrowed.

          SECTION 2.02. Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Loan (other than a
Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the
same Class and Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their
respective Commitments of the applicable Class. The failure of any Lender to
make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of
its obligations hereunder, provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are
several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender's failure to
make Loans as required.

          (b) Subject to Section 2.14 and paragraph (e) of this Section, each
Revolving Borrowing and Term Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR
Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the applicable Borrower may request in
accordance herewith. Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan. Each Lender
at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or
foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan, provided that
any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the
applicable Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.

          (c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar
Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral
multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 (determined based on
Assigned Dollar Values, in the case of Alternative

<PAGE>   39
                                                                              33

Currency Loans). At the time that each ABR Revolving Borrowing is made, such
Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of
$500,000 and not less than $2,500,000, provided that an ABR Revolving Borrowing
may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the
total Revolving Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of
an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e). Each Swingline Loan shall
be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than
$500,000. Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the
same time, provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of
eight Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding.

          (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the
Borrowers shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert any ABR
Borrowing into or continue, any Eurodollar Borrowing if (i) the Interest Period
requested with respect thereto would end after the Revolving Maturity Date,
Tranche A Maturity Date or Tranche B Maturity Date, as applicable, or (ii)
during the Syndication Period, the Interest Period requested with respect
thereto would end on a different day of the week than the Interest Period in
effect for any other Eurodollar Borrowing.

          (e) Multicurrency Revolving Borrowings may be made in Dollars or in an
Alternative Currency, as requested by the applicable Borrower in accordance with
Section 2.03, provided that (i) each Alternative Currency Borrowing shall be
comprised entirely of Eurodollar Loans and (ii) each Alternative Currency
Borrowing under this Section shall be in an aggregate principal amount the
initial Assigned Dollar Value of which is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and
not less than $5,000,000. All Loans other than Multicurrency Revolving Loans
shall be made in Dollars.

          SECTION 2.03. Requests for Borrowings. To request a Revolving
Borrowing or Term Borrowing, the applicable Borrower shall notify the
Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (a) in the case of a
Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three
Business Days (or, in the case of an Alternative Currency Borrowing, five
Business Days) before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of
an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one Business
Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing, provided that any such notice of
an ABR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as
contemplated by Section 2.05(e) may be given not later than 10:00 a.m., New York
City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing
Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or
telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form
approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the applicable Borrower. Each
such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following
information in compliance with Section 2.02:

          (i) whether the requested Borrowing is to be a Domestic Revolving
     Borrowing, a Multicurrency Revolving Borrowing, Tranche A Term Borrowing or
     Tranche B Term Borrowing;

<PAGE>   40
                                                                              34

          (ii) the aggregate amount of such Borrowing (expressed in Dollars)
     and, in the case of a Multicurrency Revolving Borrowing, whether such
     Borrowing is to be denominated in Dollars, Euro or Sterling;

          (iii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

          (iv) in the case of any Borrowing other than an Alternative Currency
     Borrowing, whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar
     Borrowing;

          (v) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period
     to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the
     definition of the term "Interest Period"; and

          (vi) the location and number of the applicable Borrower's account to
     which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements
     of Section 2.06.

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested
Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing (except with respect to an Alternative
Currency Borrowing which shall be a Eurodollar Borrowing). If no Interest Period
is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, then
the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of
one month's duration (or seven days' duration during the Syndication Period). If
no currency is specified with respect to any Multicurrency Revolving Borrowing,
then the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have selected Dollars as the
currency of such Eurodollar Borrowing. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing
Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise
each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender's Loan to be
made as part of the requested Borrowing. In the case of an Alternative Currency
Borrowing, (i) on the Denomination Date for such Borrowing, the Administrative
Agent shall determine the Alternative Currency Equivalent of the Dollar amount
of such Borrowing specified in the applicable Borrowing Request, (ii) the
Administrative Agent shall notify the applicable Borrower and the other Lenders
of the Alternative Currency Equivalent so determined and of each Lender's share
(if any) thereof and (iii) such Borrowing shall be made in the applicable
Alternative Currency in a principal amount equal to the Alternative Currency
Equivalent so determined.

          SECTION 2.04. Swingline Loans. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth herein, the Swingline Lender agrees to make (i) Domestic Swingline
Loans to the Parent Borrower from time to time during the Domestic Revolving
Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding
that will not result in (A) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding
Domestic Swingline Loans exceeding $5,000,000 or (B) the sum of the total
Domestic Revolving Exposures exceeding the total Domestic Revolving Commitments
and (ii) Multicurrency Swingline Loans to any Borrower from time to time during
the Multicurrency Revolving Availability Period, in an aggregate principal
amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (A) the aggregate
principal amount of outstanding Multicurrency Swingline Loans

<PAGE>   41
                                                                              35

exceeding $5,000,000 or (B) the sum of the total Multicurrency Revolving
Exposures (determined based on Assigned Dollar Values, in the case of
Alternative Currency Loans, Alternative Currency Letters of Credit and
Alternative Currency LC Disbursements) exceeding the total Multicurrency
Revolving Commitments, provided that, in each case, the Swingline Lender shall
not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline
Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set
forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans. All
Swingline Loans shall be made in Dollars.

          (b) To request a Swingline Loan, the applicable Borrower
shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (confirmed by
telecopy), not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the day of a
proposed Swingline Loan. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify
whether such requested Swingline Loan will be a Domestic Swingline Loan or a
Multicurrency Swingline Loan, the requested date (which shall be a Business Day)
and amount of the requested Swingline Loan. The Administrative Agent will
promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any such notice received from the
Borrowers. The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to the
applicable Borrower by means of a credit to the general deposit account of the
applicable Borrower (or if such Borrower does not have such an account, to the
general deposit account of the Parent Borrower) with the Swingline Lender (or,
in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC
Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(e), by remittance to the Issuing Bank)
by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.

          (c) The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the
Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on any
Business Day require (i) the Domestic Revolving Lenders to acquire
participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Domestic
Swingline Loans outstanding and (ii) the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders to
acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the
Multicurrency Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the
aggregate amount of Domestic Swingline Loans in which Domestic Revolving Lenders
will participate and the aggregate amount of Multicurrency Swingline Loans in
which Multicurrency Revolving Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of
such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Domestic
Revolving Lender in the case of any such notice relating to Domestic Swingline
Loans and each Multicurrency Revolving Lender in the case of any such notice
relating to Multicurrency Swingline Loans, specifying in such notice such
Lender's Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Swingline Loans. Each
Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of
notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of
the Swingline Lender, such Lender's Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan
or Swingline Loans. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its
obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this
paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any
circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default
or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall
be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each
Revolving Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by
<PAGE>   42
                                                                              36
wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in
Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall
apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders),
and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the
amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. The Administrative Agent
shall notify the applicable Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan
acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such
Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the
Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the
Borrowers (or other party on behalf of the Borrowers) in respect of a Swingline
Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of
participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent;
any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted
by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Revolving Lenders that shall have
made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as
their interests may appear. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan
pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrowers of any default in the
payment thereof.

          SECTION 2.05. Letters of Credit. (a) General. Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein, (i) the Parent Borrower may request the issuance of
Domestic Letters of Credit for its own account, in a form reasonably acceptable
to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to
time during the Domestic Revolving Availability Period and prior to the date
that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date and (ii) each
Borrower may request the issuance of Multicurrency Letters of Credit for its own
account, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the
Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Multicurrency
Revolving Availability Period and prior to the date that is five Business Days
prior to the Revolving Maturity Date. Domestic Letters of Credit shall be
denominated only in Dollars. Multicurrency Letters of Credit shall be
denominated only in Dollars or an Alternative Currency. In the event of any
inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms
and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement
submitted by any Borrower to, or entered into by any Borrower with, the Issuing
Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this
Agreement shall control.

          (b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain
Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment,
renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the applicable
Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic
communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Issuing
Bank) to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of
the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice
requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of
Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance,
amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), whether such
Letter of Credit is a Domestic Letter of Credit or a Multicurrency Letter of
Credit, the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply
with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit
(expressed in Dollars), in the case of a Multicurrency Letter of Credit, whether
such Multicurrency Letter of Credit is to be denominated

<PAGE>   43
                                                                              37

in Dollars, Euro or Sterling, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof
and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or
extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the Issuing Bank, the applicable
Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on the Issuing Bank's
standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of
Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance,
amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the applicable Borrower
shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such
issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) in the case of the issuance,
amendment, renewal or extension of a Domestic Letter of Credit, (A) the Domestic
LC Exposure shall not exceed $5,000,000 and (B) the total Domestic Revolving
Exposures shall not exceed the total Domestic Revolving Commitments and (ii) in
the case of the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Multicurrency
Letter of Credit, (A) the Multicurrency LC Exposure (determined based on
Assigned Dollar Values, in the case of Alternative Currency Letters of Credit
and Alternative Currency LC Disbursements) shall not exceed $5,000,000 and (B)
the total Multicurrency Revolving Exposures (determined based on Assigned Dollar
Values, in the case of Alternative Currency Loans, Alternative Currency Letters
of Credit and Alternative Currency LC Disbursements) shall not exceed the total
Multicurrency Revolving Commitments. In the case of an Alternative Currency
Letter of Credit, (i) on the Denomination Date for such Letter of Credit, the
Issuing Bank shall determine the Alternative Currency Equivalent of the Dollar
amount of such Letter of Credit specified in the applicable notice requesting
such Letter of Credit, (ii) the Issuing Bank shall notify the applicable
Borrower and the Administrative Agent of the Alternative Currency Equivalent so
determined and the Administrative Agent shall notify each Multicurrency
Revolving Lender of its participation therein as denominated in the applicable
Alternative Currency in accordance with paragraph (d) of this Section and (iii)
such Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended in the
applicable Alternative Currency in a principal amount equal to the Alternative
Currency Equivalent so determined.

          (c) Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to
the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of
the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or
extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date
that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date.

          (d) Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an
amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any
further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or the Lenders, the Issuing Bank
hereby grants to each Domestic Revolving Lender in the case of any Domestic
Letter of Credit and each Multicurrency Revolving Lender in the case of any
Multicurrency Letter of Credit, and each Domestic Revolving Lender in the case
of any Domestic Letter of Credit and each Multicurrency Revolving Lender in the
case of any Multicurrency Letter of Credit hereby acquires from the Issuing
Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender's Applicable
Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of
Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Domestic
Revolving Lender in the case of any Domestic LC Disbursement made by the Issuing
Bank and each Multicurrency Revolving Lender in the case of any Multicurrency LC
Disbursement made by the Issuing Bank hereby absolutely and unconditionally
agrees to pay to

<PAGE>   44
                                                                              38

the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, such Lender's
Applicable Percentage of such LC Disbursement to the extent not reimbursed by
the applicable Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this
Section, or to the extent that any reimbursement payment is required to be
refunded to the applicable Borrower for any reason. Each Lender acknowledges and
agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph
in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be
affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or
extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default
or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall
be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. All
such payments with respect to an LC Disbursement shall be made in the currency
in which such LC Disbursements is denominated.

          (e) Reimbursement. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement
in respect of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Borrower shall reimburse such
LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC
Disbursement in the currency in which such LC Disbursement was made not later
than 12:00 noon, New York City time (or, in the case of an Alternative Currency
LC Disbursement, London time), on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if
the applicable Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior
to 10:00 a.m., New York City time (or, in the case of an Alternative Currency LC
Disbursement, London time), on such date, or, if such notice has not been
received by the applicable Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not
later than 12:00 noon, New York City time (or, in the case of an Alternative
Currency LC Disbursement, London time), on (i) the Business Day that the
applicable Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is received prior to
10:00 a.m., New York City time (or, in the case of an Alternative Currency LC
Disbursement, London time), on the day of receipt, or (ii) the Business Day
immediately following the day that the applicable Borrower receives such notice,
if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of receipt,
provided that, if such LC Disbursement is made in Dollars (and not in any
Alternative Currency) and is not less than $500,000, the applicable Borrower
may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in
accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.04 that such payment be financed with an ABR
Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan in an equivalent amount and, to the extent
so financed, the applicable Borrower's obligation to make such payment shall be
discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline
Loan. If the applicable Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the
Administrative Agent shall notify each Domestic Revolving Lender in the case of
any Domestic LC Disbursement and each Multicurrency Revolving Lender in the case
of any Multicurrency LC Disbursement of the applicable LC Disbursement, the
payment then due from the applicable Borrower in respect thereof and such
Lender's Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such
notice, each Domestic Revolving Lender in the case of any Domestic LC
Disbursement and each Multicurrency Revolving Lender in the case of any
Multicurrency LC Disbursement shall pay to the Administrative Agent its
Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the applicable Borrower, in
the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such
Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment
obligations of such Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall
promptly pay to the Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the
Revolving

<PAGE>   45
                                                                              39

Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment
from the applicable Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative
Agent shall distribute such payment to the Issuing Bank or, to the extent that
Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the
Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their interests may
appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to
reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of
ABR Revolving Loans or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not
constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the applicable Borrower of its
obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement. All payments with respect to an LC
Disbursement made pursuant to this paragraph shall be made in the currency in
which such LC Disbursement was made.

          (f) Obligations Absolute. Each Borrower's obligation to reimburse LC
Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute,
unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and
irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of
Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or
other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged,
fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or
inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of
Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply
with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or
circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that
might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable
discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the applicable Borrower's
obligations hereunder. None of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the
Issuing Bank or any of their Related Parties shall have any liability or
responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of
any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder
(irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding
sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission
or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to
any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing
thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence
arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank, provided that the
foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to
the applicable Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to
consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by each
Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by such Borrower
that are caused by the Issuing Bank's failure to exercise care when determining
whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply
with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence
of gross negligence or wilful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as
finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank
shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In
furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the
parties agree that, with respect to documents presented that appear on their
face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the
Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon
such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of
any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept

<PAGE>   46
                                                                              40

and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict
compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

          (g) Disbursement Procedures. The Issuing Bank shall, promptly
following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a
demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. The Issuing Bank shall promptly
notify the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower by telephone
(confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank
has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder, provided that any failure
to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the applicable Borrower
of its obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank and the applicable Revolving
Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

          (h) Interim Interest. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC
Disbursement, then, unless the applicable Borrower shall reimburse such LC
Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount
thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC
Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the applicable Borrower
reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR
Revolving Loans (or in the case of Alternative Currency LC Disbursements, the
Alternative Currency Rate), provided that, if the applicable Borrower fails to
reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this
Section, then Section 2.13(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this
paragraph shall be for the account of the Issuing Bank, except that interest
accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to
paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse the Issuing Bank shall be for the
account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

          (i) Replacement of the Issuing Bank. The Issuing Bank may be replaced
at any time by written agreement among the Parent Borrower, the Administrative
Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The
Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of the
Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the
Borrowers shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced
Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b). From and after the effective date of
any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights
and obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters
of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term
"Issuing Bank" shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous
Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the
context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the
replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all
the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect
to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be
required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

          (j) Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be
continuing, on the Business Day that the Parent Borrower receives notice from
the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the
Loans has been accelerated, Domestic Revolving Lenders with Domestic LC Exposure
representing greater than 50.0% of the total Domestic LC

<PAGE>   47
                                                                              41

Exposure or Multicurrency Revolving Lenders with Multicurrency LC Exposure
(determined based on Assigned Dollar Values, in the case of Alternative Currency
Letters of Credit and Alternative Currency LC Disbursements) representing
greater than 50.0% of the total Multicurrency LC Exposure (determined based on
Assigned Dollar Values, in the case of Alternative Currency Letters of Credit
and Alternative Currency LC Disbursements)) demanding the deposit of cash
collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrowers shall deposit in an account
with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for
the benefit of the Lenders, an amount in cash equal to the Domestic LC Exposure,
if so demanded by the Administrative Agent or the relevant Lenders, and the
Multicurrency LC Exposure (determined based on Assigned Dollar Values, in the
case of Alternative Currency Letters of Credit and Alternative Currency LC
Disbursements), if so demanded by the Administrative Agent or the relevant
Lenders, in each case as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral with
respect to each LC Exposure shall become effective immediately, and such deposit
shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any
kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to any Borrower
described in clause (h) or (i) of Article VII. The Borrowers also shall deposit
cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph as and to the extent required by
Section 2.11(b). Each such deposit pursuant to this paragraph or Section 2.11(b)
shall be made in Dollars (except that any deposit with respect to any
Alternative Currency Letter of Credit or any Alternative Currency LC
Disbursement thereunder shall be made in the currency in which such Letter of
Credit is denominated) and shall be held by the Administrative Agent as
collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrowers
under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and
control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other
than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments
shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and
at the Borrowers' risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest.
Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such
account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to
reimburse the Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been
reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction
of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrowers for the LC Exposures at such
time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the
consent of Domestic Revolving Lenders with Domestic LC Exposure representing
greater than 50.0% of the total Domestic LC Exposure and the consent of
Multicurrency Revolving Lenders with Multicurrency LC Exposure (determined based
on Assigned Dollar Values, in the case of Alternative Currency Letters of Credit
and Alternative Currency LC Disbursements) representing greater than 50.0% of
the total Multicurrency LC Exposure (determined based on Assigned Dollar Values,
in the case of Alternative Currency Letters of Credit and Alternative Currency
LC Disbursements)), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrowers
under this Agreement. If the Borrowers are required to provide an amount of cash
collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such
amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the
Borrowers within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been
cured or waived. If the Borrowers are required to provide an amount of cash
collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.11(b), such amount (to the extent
not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned

<PAGE>   48
                                                                              42

to the Borrowers as and to the extent that, after giving effect to such return,
the Borrowers would remain in compliance with Section 2.11(b) and no Default
shall have occurred and be continuing.

          SECTION 2.06. Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall make each
Loan (other than an Alternative Currency Loan) to be made by it hereunder on the
proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00
noon, New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most
recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders, provided
that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.04. Each
Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall make each Alternative Currency Loan to be
made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of
immediately available funds by the time and to the account of the Administrative
Agent designated by it by notice to the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders. The
Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the applicable Borrower
by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of
the applicable Borrower (or the Parent Borrower) maintained with the
Administrative Agent in New York City (or in the case of Alternative Currency
Loans, in London) and designated by the applicable Borrower in the applicable
Borrowing Request, provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the
reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(e) shall be
remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Issuing Bank.

          (b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a
Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not
make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender's share of such
Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such
share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section
and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the applicable
Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made
its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent,
then the applicable Lender and the applicable Borrower severally agree to pay to
the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with
interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made
available to the applicable Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the
Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of (A) the
Federal Funds Effective Rate (or, in the case of an amount denominated in an
Alternative Currency, the Alternative Currency Rate minus the Applicable Rate
with respect to Eurodollar Revolving Loans) and (B) a rate determined by the
Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank
compensation, as applicable or (ii) in the case of the applicable Borrower, the
interest rate applicable to ABR Loans (in the case of an amount denominated in
Dollars) or the Alternative Currency Rate (in the case of an amount denominated
in an Alternative Currency), as applicable. If such Lender pays such amount to
the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender's Loan
included in such Borrowing.

          SECTION 2.07. Interest Elections. (a) Each Revolving Borrowing and
Term Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable
Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an
initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the
applicable Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to

<PAGE>   49
                                       43

a different Type (unless such Borrowing is an Alternative Currency Borrowing) or
to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect
Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The applicable
Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the
affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably
among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans
comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This
Section shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or
continued.

          (b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the
applicable Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by
telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section
2.03 if the applicable Borrower were requesting a Revolving Borrowing of the
Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such
election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable
and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the
Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in a form approved
by the Administrative Agent and signed by the applicable Borrower.

          (c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall
specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

          (i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies
     and, if different options are being elected with respect to different
     portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting
     Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to
     clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting
     Borrowing);

          (ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such
     Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

          (iii) unless such Borrowing is an Alternative Currency Borrowing,
     whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar
     Borrowing; and

          (iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the
     Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such
     election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the
     term "Interest Period".

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does
not specify an Interest Period, then the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to
have selected an Interest Period of one month's duration (or seven days'
duration during the Syndication Period).

          (d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the
Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of
such Lender's portion of each resulting Borrowing.

<PAGE>   50
                                                                              44

          (e) If the applicable Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest
Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the
Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as
provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be
converted to an ABR Borrowing (unless such Borrowing is an Alternative Currency
Borrowing in which case it shall be continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing with an
Interest Period of one month's duration (or during the Syndication Period seven
days' duration)). Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the
request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Parent Borrower, then, so long
as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing (other than an
Alternative Currency Borrowing) may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar
Borrowing, (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing (other than an
Alternative Currency Borrowing) shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the
end of the Interest Period applicable thereto and (iii) unless repaid, each
Alternative Currency Borrowing shall continue as a Eurodollar Borrowing with an
Interest Period of one month's duration (or during the Syndication Period seven
days' duration).

          SECTION 2.08. Termination and Reduction of Commitments. (a) Unless
previously terminated, (i) the Tranche A Commitments and Tranche B Commitments
shall terminate at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Effective Date and (ii)
the Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Maturity Date.

          (b) The Parent Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to
time reduce, the Commitments of any Class, provided that (i) each reduction of
the Commitments of any Class shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple
of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 and (ii) the Parent Borrower shall
not terminate or reduce (A) the Domestic Revolving Commitments if, after giving
effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Domestic Revolving Loans in
accordance with Section 2.11, the sum of the Domestic Revolving Exposures would
exceed the total Domestic Revolving Commitments or (B) the Multicurrency
Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of
the Multicurrency Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, the sum of
the Multicurrency Revolving Exposures would exceed the total Multicurrency
Revolving Commitments.

          (c) The Parent Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any
election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this
Section at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such
termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date
thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent
shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the
Parent Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable, provided that a
notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments delivered by the Parent
Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of
other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Parent
Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified
effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction
of the Commitments of any Class shall be permanent. Each reduction of the
Commitments of any

<PAGE>   51
                                                                              45

Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their
respective Commitments of such Class.

          SECTION 2.09. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) Each Borrower
hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the
account of each Lender on the Revolving Maturity Date the then unpaid principal
amount of each Revolving Loan of such Lender made to such Borrower and (ii) to
the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on
the earlier of the Revolving Maturity Date and the first date after such
Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is
at least two Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made, provided that on
each date that a Revolving Borrowing is made, the Borrower making such Borrowing
shall repay all Swingline Loans made to such Borrower that were outstanding on
the date such Borrowing was requested. The Parent Borrower hereby
unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of
each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Term Loan of such Lender as
provided in Section 2.10.

          (b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice
an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of each Borrower to such
Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of
principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time
hereunder.

          (c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall
record (i) the amount of each Loan made to each Borrower hereunder, the Class
and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of
any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from each
Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by
the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each
Lender's share thereof.

          (d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph
(b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and
amounts of the obligations recorded therein, provided that the failure of any
Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error
therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay
the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

          (e) Any Lender may request that Loans of any Class made by it be
evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the each applicable Borrower
shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to
the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and
its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent.
Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon
shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be
represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of
the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to
such payee and its registered assigns).
<PAGE>   52
                                                                              46

          SECTION 2.10. Amortization of Term Loans. (a) Subject to adjustment
pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section, the Parent Borrower shall repay
Tranche A Term Borrowings on each date set forth below (or if such date is not a
Business Day, the next preceding Business Day) in the aggregate principal amount
set forth opposite such date:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            Date                                     Amount

<S>                                              <C>
September 30, 2000                                $1,250,000
December 31, 2000                                  1,250,000
March 31, 2001                                     1,250,000
June 30, 2001                                      1,250,000
September 30, 2001                                 1,875,000
December 31, 2001                                  1,875,000
March 31, 2002                                     1,875,000
June 30, 2002                                      1,875,000
September 30, 2002                                 1,875,000
December 31, 2002                                  1,875,000
March 31, 2003                                     1,875,000
June 30, 2003                                      1,875,000
September 30, 2003                                 2,500,000
December 31, 2003                                  2,500,000
March 31, 2004                                     2,500,000
June 30, 2004                                      2,500,000
September 30, 2004                                 2,500,000
December 31, 2004                                  2,500,000
March 31, 2005                                     2,500,000
June 30, 2005                                      2,500,000
September 30, 2005                                 2,500,000
December 31, 2005                                  2,500,000
March 31, 2006                                     2,500,000
June 30, 2006                                      2,500,000
                                                   ---------
                                                 $50,000,000
                                                 ===========

</TABLE>

          (b) Subject to adjustment pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section,
the Parent Borrower shall repay Tranche B Term Borrowings on each date set forth
below (or if such date is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day)
in the aggregate principal amount set forth opposite such date:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            Date                                            Amount
<S>                                                       <C>
September 30, 2000                                         $375,000
December 31, 2000                                           375,000
March 31, 2001                                              375,000
June 30, 2001                                               375,000

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   53
                                                                              47

<TABLE>
<S>                                                        <C>
September 30, 2001                                              375,000
December 31, 2001                                               375,000
March 31, 2002                                                  375,000
June 30, 2002                                                   375,000
September 30, 2002                                              375,000
December 31, 2002                                               375,000
March 31, 2003                                                  375,000
June 30, 2003                                                   375,000
September 30, 2003                                              375,000
December 31, 2003                                               375,000
March 31, 2004                                                  375,000
June 30, 2004                                                   375,000
September 30, 2004                                              375,000
December 31, 2004                                               375,000
March 31, 2005                                                  375,000
June 30, 2005                                                   375,000
September 30, 2005                                              375,000
December 31, 2005                                               375,000
March 31, 2006                                                  375,000
June 30, 2006                                                   375,000
September 30, 2006                                           35,250,000
December 31, 2006                                            35,250,000
March 31, 2007                                               35,250,000
June 29, 2007                                                35,250,000
                                                             ----------
                                                           $150,000,000
                                                           ============
</TABLE>

          (c) To the extent not previously paid, (i) all Tranche A Term Loans
shall be due and payable on the Tranche A Maturity Date and (ii) all Tranche B
Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Tranche B Maturity Date.

          (d) Any prepayment of a Term Borrowing of either Class shall be
applied to reduce the subsequent scheduled repayments of the Term Borrowings of
such Class to be made pursuant to this Section ratably. If the initial aggregate
amount of the Lenders' Term Commitments of either Class exceeds the aggregate
principal amount of Term Loans of such Class that are made on the Effective
Date, then the scheduled repayments of Term Borrowings of such Class to be made
pursuant to this Section shall be reduced ratably by an aggregate amount equal
to such excess.

          (e) Prior to any repayment of any Term Borrowings of either Class
hereunder, the Parent Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings of the
applicable Class to be repaid and shall notify the Administrative Agent by
telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such selection not later than 11:00 a.m.,
New York City time, three Business Days before the scheduled date of

<PAGE>   54
                                                                              48

such repayment. Each repayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the
Loans included in the repaid Borrowing. Repayments of Term Borrowings shall be
accompanied by accrued interest on the amount repaid.

          SECTION 2.11. Prepayment of Loans. (a) Each Borrower shall have the
right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing made by it in
whole or in part, subject to the requirements of this Section.

          (b) In the event and on each occasion that the sum of
the Domestic Revolving Exposures exceeds the total Domestic Revolving
Commitments, the Parent Borrower shall prepay Domestic Revolving Borrowings or
Domestic Swingline Borrowings (or, if no such Borrowings are outstanding,
deposit cash collateral in an account with the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Section 2.05(j)) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess. In the event and
on each occasion that, as of any Revaluation Date in respect of an Alternative
Currency Loan or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, the Assigned Dollar
Value thereof shall either increase or decrease, then (i) the Administrative
Agent shall notify the Parent Borrower and the Lenders of the amount of increase
or decrease and the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans after
giving effect thereto (based on Assigned Dollar Values, in the case of
Alternative Currency Loans, Alternative Currency Letters of Credit and
Alternative Currency LC Disbursements) and (ii) in the case of an increase, if
the sum of the Multicurrency Revolving Exposures (based on Assigned Dollar
Values, in the case of Alternative Currency Loans, Alternative Currency Letters
of Credit and Alternative Currency LC Disbursements), exceeds an amount equal to
105% of the total Multicurrency Revolving Commitments after giving effect to
such increase, then the Borrowers shall prepay Multicurrency Revolving
Borrowings or Multicurrency Swingline Borrowings (or, if no such Borrowings are
outstanding, deposit cash collateral in an account with the Administrative Agent
pursuant to Section 2.05(j)) in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which
the sum of such Multicurrency Revolving Exposures exceeds the Multicurrency
Revolving Commitments. Any prepayment required to be made pursuant to the
immediately preceding sentence shall be made within three Business Days after
the Parent Borrower is notified by the Administrative Agent of the increase
necessitating such prepayment. In the event and on each occasion (other than on
a Revaluation Date with respect to any Alternative Currency Loan or Alternative
Currency Letter of Credit) that the sum of the Multicurrency Revolving Exposures
(based on Assigned Dollar Values, in the case of Alternative Currency Loans,
Alternative Currency Letters of Credit and Alternative Currency LC
Disbursements) otherwise exceeds the total Multicurrency Revolving Commitments,
the Borrowers shall prepay Multicurrency Revolving Borrowings or Multicurrency
Swingline Borrowings (or, if no such Borrowings are outstanding, deposit cash
collateral in an account with the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section
2.05(j)) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

          (c) In the event and on each occasion that any Net Proceeds are
received by or on behalf of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of
any Prepayment Event described in clauses (a) through (c) of the definition of
the term "Prepayment Event", the Parent Borrower shall, within three Business
Days after such Net Proceeds are received, prepay Term Borrowings

<PAGE>   55
                                                                              49

in an aggregate amount equal to such Net Proceeds, provided that, in the case of
any event described in clause (a) of the definition of the term "Prepayment
Event", if the Parent Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a
certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect that the Parent Borrower and
the Subsidiaries intend to apply the Net Proceeds from such event (or a portion
thereof specified in such certificate), within 365 days after receipt of such
Net Proceeds, to acquire real property, equipment or other tangible assets to be
used in the business of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries, and certifying
that no Default has occurred and is continuing, then no prepayment shall be
required pursuant to this paragraph in respect of the Net Proceeds in respect of
such event (or the portion of such Net Proceeds specified in such certificate,
if applicable) except to the extent of any such Net Proceeds therefrom that have
not been so applied by the end of such 365-day period, at which time a
prepayment shall be required in an amount equal to such Net Proceeds that have
not been so applied. In the event and on each occasion that any Net Proceeds or
other amounts of cash, securities or other property are received by or on behalf
of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Prepayment Event
described in clause (d) of the definition of the term "Prepayment Event", the
Parent Borrower shall prepay Term Borrowings in such aggregate amount as may be
necessary and at such time as may be necessary in order to ensure that neither
the Parent Borrower nor any Subsidiary is required pursuant to the terms of the
Subordinated Debt Documents to make any payment or prepayment (or offer to
repurchase, redeem or defease the Subordinated Debt) to the holders of the
Subordinated Debt.

          (d) Following the end of each fiscal year of the Parent
Borrower, commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000, the Parent
Borrower shall prepay Term Borrowings in an aggregate amount equal to the
excess, if any, of (i) 50.0% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year minus (ii)
the aggregate principal amount of Term Borrowings voluntarily prepaid during
such fiscal year pursuant to Section 2.11(a), provided that no prepayment of
Term Borrowings shall be required pursuant to this paragraph (d) with respect to
any fiscal year of the Parent Borrower if the Leverage Ratio as of the last day
of such fiscal year is less than 3.50 to 1.00. Each prepayment pursuant to this
paragraph shall be made on or before the date on which financial statements are
delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 with respect to the fiscal year for which
Excess Cash Flow is being calculated (and in any event within 90 days after the
end of such fiscal year).

          (e) Prior to any optional or mandatory prepayment of Borrowings
hereunder, the applicable Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings to
be prepaid and shall specify such selection in the notice of such prepayment
pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section. In the event of any optional or
mandatory prepayment of Term Borrowings made at a time when Term Borrowings of
both Classes remain outstanding, the Parent Borrower shall select Term
Borrowings to be prepaid so that the aggregate amount of such prepayment is
allocated between the Tranche A Term Borrowings and Tranche B Term Borrowings
pro rata based on the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Borrowings of
each such Class, provided that any Tranche B Lender may elect, by notice to the
Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) at least one Business
Day prior to the prepayment date, to decline all or any portion of any
prepayment of its Tranche B Term Loans pursuant to this Section (other than an
optional

<PAGE>   56
                                                                              50

prepayment pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section, which may not be
declined), in which case the aggregate amount of the prepayment that would have
been applied to prepay Tranche B Term Loans but was so declined shall be applied
to prepay Tranche A Term Borrowings.

          (f) The Parent Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in
the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone
(confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of
prepayment of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City
time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of
prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time,
one Business Day before the date of prepayment or (iii) in the case of
prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time,
on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall
specify the prepayment date, the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion
thereof to be prepaid and, in the case of a mandatory prepayment, a reasonably
detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment, provided that, if a
notice of optional prepayment of any Loans is given in connection with a
conditional notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments as contemplated
by Section 2.08, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of
termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.08. Promptly following
receipt of any such notice (other than a notice relating solely to Swingline
Loans), the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents
thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that
would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as
provided in Section 2.02 (based on Assigned Dollar Values, in the case of
Alternative Currency Loans), except as necessary to apply fully the required
amount of a mandatory prepayment. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be
applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments
shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13.

          SECTION 2.12. Fees. (a) The Parent Borrower agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which
shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the average daily unused amount of each
Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the date hereof
to but excluding the date on which such Commitment terminates. Accrued
commitment fees shall be payable in arrears (i) in the case of commitment fees
in respect of the Revolving Commitments, on the last day of March, June,
September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving
Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date
hereof, and (ii) in the case of commitment fees in respect of the Tranche A Term
Commitments and the Tranche B Term Commitments, on the Effective Date or any
earlier date on which such Commitments terminate. All commitment fees shall be
computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual
number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). For
purposes of computing commitment fees with respect to Revolving Commitments, a
Revolving Commitment of a Lender shall be deemed to be used to the extent of the
outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure of such Lender (and the Swingline
Exposure of such Lender shall be disregarded for such purpose).

<PAGE>   57
                                                                              51

          (b) The Parent Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent
for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its
participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable
Rate as interest on Eurodollar Revolving Loans on the average daily amount of
such Lender's LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to
unreimbursed LC Disbursements and based on Assigned Dollar Values, in the case
of Alternative Currency Letters of Credit) during the period from and including
the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender's
Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have
any LC Exposure, and (ii) to the Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue
at the rate of 0.25% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure
(excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements and
based on Assigned Dollar Values, in the case of any Alternative Currency Letter
of Credit) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but
excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments and
the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as the Issuing
Bank's standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or
extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder.
Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day
of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the
third Business Day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to
occur after the Effective Date, provided that all such fees shall be payable on
the date on which the applicable Revolving Commitments terminate and any such
fees accruing after the date on which the applicable Revolving Commitments
terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to the Issuing Bank
pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All
participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of
360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including
the first day but excluding the last day).

          (c) The Parent Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for
its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed
upon between the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

          (d) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in
Dollars and in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to
the Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the
case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders entitled thereto.
Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

          SECTION 2.13. Interest. (a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing
(including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate
plus the Applicable Rate.

          (b) The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest
at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing
plus the Applicable Rate.

<PAGE>   58

                                                                              52

          (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on
any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by any Borrower hereunder is not
paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such
overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate
per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the
rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs
of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate
applicable to ABR Revolving Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section
(or in the case of any interest on an amount denominated in an Alternative
Currency, 2% plus the Alternative Currency Rate).

          (d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each
Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon
termination of the applicable Revolving Commitments, provided that (i) interest
accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand,
(ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a
prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Revolving
Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid
shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the
event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current
Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the
effective date of such conversion.

          (e) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of
360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate
at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be
computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in
each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the
first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate,
Adjusted LIBO Rate or Alternative Currency Rate shall be determined by the
Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.

          SECTION 2.14. Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the commencement
of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:

          (a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be
     conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not
     exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period;

          (b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that
     the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and
     fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their
     Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period; or

          (c) in the case of an Alternative Currency Borrowing, the
     Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive
     absent manifest error) that deposits in the applicable Alternative Currency
     are not generally available, or cannot be obtained by the Multicurrency
     Revolving Lenders, in the London interbank market;

<PAGE>   59

                                                                              53

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Parent Borrower
and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter
and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Parent Borrower and the Lenders
that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) in the
case of the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), (A) any Interest Election Request
that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any
Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective, (B) if any Borrowing
Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing (other than an Alternative Currency
Borrowing), such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing and (C) any
Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request that requests, or requests the
continuation of, any Alternative Currency Borrowing shall be ineffective (and,
in the case of an outstanding Alternative Currency Borrowing, the applicable
Borrower shall repay such Borrowing at the time of expiration of the Interest
Period then in effect with respect to such Borrowing) and (ii) in the case of
the foregoing clause (c), any Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request
that requests, or requests the continuation of, any Borrowing denominated in the
applicable Alternative Currency shall be ineffective (and, in the case of an
outstanding Alternative Currency Borrowing, the applicable Borrower shall repay
such Borrowing at the time of expiration of the Interest Period then in effect
with respect to such Borrowing).

          SECTION 2.15.  Increased Costs.  (a)  If any Change in Law shall:

     (i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or
similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or
credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in
the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or the Issuing Bank; or

     (ii) impose on any Lender or the Issuing Bank or the London interbank
market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by
such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein (not including any
such imposition relating to Taxes which shall be governed by Section 2.17);

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such
Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan (or of maintaining its
obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or the
Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or
to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the
Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the
Parent Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be,
such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing
Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction
suffered.

          (b) If any Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any Change in
Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the
rate of return on such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's capital or on the capital
of such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company, if any, as a consequence
of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit
held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank, to a
level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender's or the
Issuing Bank's holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law
(taking into consideration such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's policies and the
policies of such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company with respect to
capital adequacy), then from time to time the Parent Borrower will pay to such
Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such

<PAGE>   60

                                                                              54

additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank
or such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company for any such reduction
suffered.

          (c) A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the
amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its
holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of
this Section shall be delivered to the Parent Borrower and shall be conclusive
absent manifest error. The Parent Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing
Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within
10 days after receipt thereof.

          (d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to
demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of
such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's right to demand such compensation, provided
that the Parent Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the
Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions
incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing
Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Parent Borrower of the Change in Law
giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender's or the
Issuing Bank's intention to claim compensation therefor, and provided further
that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is
retroactive, then the 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to
include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

          SECTION 2.16. Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment
of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an
Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of
Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day
of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert,
continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice
delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked
under Section 2.11(f) and is revoked in accordance therewith), or (d) the
assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest
Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Parent Borrower
pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the applicable Borrower shall
compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such
event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any
Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the
excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the
principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO
Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date
of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or,
in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that
would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of
interest that would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the
interest rate that such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of
such period, for deposits denominated in the currency in which such Loan is
denominated of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the London
interbank market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or
amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall
be delivered to the Parent Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest
error. The applicable Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on
any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof by the Parent
Borrower.

<PAGE>   61

                                                                              55

          SECTION 2.17. Taxes. (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any
obligation of any Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be
made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other
Taxes, provided that if any Borrower shall be required to deduct any Indemnified
Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be
increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including
deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the
Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an
amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made,
(ii) the applicable Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the applicable
Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental
Authority in accordance with applicable law.

          (b) In addition, the Borrowers shall pay any Other Taxes to the
relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

          (c) The applicable Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent,
each Lender and the Issuing Bank, within 10 days after written demand therefor,
for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the
Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or
with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of such Borrower
hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including Indemnified Taxes or Other
Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this
Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom
or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes
were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental
Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered
to the Parent Borrower by a Lender or the Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative
Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing Bank, shall be
conclusive absent manifest error.

          (d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or
Other Taxes by the Borrowers to a Governmental Authority, the Parent Borrower
shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a
receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of
the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

          (e) Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or
reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the
applicable Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a
party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Parent
Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times
prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation
prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower as
will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate,
provided that such Foreign Lender has received written notice from the Parent
Borrower advising it of the availability of such exemption or reduction and
supplying all applicable documentation.

<PAGE>   62

                                                                              56

          SECTION 2.18. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of
Setoffs. (a) Each Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it
hereunder or under any other Loan Document (whether of principal, interest, fees
or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15,
2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to the time expressly required hereunder or
under such other Loan Document for such payment (or, if no such time is
expressly required, prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, or, in the case of
any payment relating to an Alternative Currency Loan or an Alternative Currency
LC Disbursement, 12:00 noon London time), on the date when due, in immediately
available funds, without setoff or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such
time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed
to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of
calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the
Administrative Agent at its offices at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York (or,
in the case of any payment relating to an Alternative Currency Loan or an
Alternative Currency LC Disbursement, to such office of the Administrative Agent
most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to any Borrower),
except payments to be made directly to the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as
expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15,
2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto and
payments pursuant to other Loan Documents shall be made to the Persons specified
therein. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by
it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly
following receipt thereof. If any payment under any Loan Document shall be due
on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to
the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing
interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension.
Payments of principal of or interest on, and any amounts payable under Section
2.16 in respect of, any Alternative Currency Loan shall be made in the
Alternative Currency in which such Loan is denominated and payments with respect
to any Alternative Currency LC Disbursement shall be made in the Alternative
Currency in which such LC Disbursement was made. All other payments under this
Agreement (whether of principal, interest, fees or otherwise) shall be made in
Dollars.

          (b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to
the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC
Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied
(i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably
among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest
and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal
and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties
entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC
Disbursements then due to such parties.

          (c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or
counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or
interest on any of its Revolving Loans, Term Loans or participations in LC
Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a
greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans, Term Loans
and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest
thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender
receiving such

<PAGE>   63

                                                                              57

greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the
Revolving Loans, Term Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline
Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such
payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate
amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans,
Term Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, provided
that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the
payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded
and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without
interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to
apply to any payment made by a Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the
express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as
consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its
Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant,
other than to the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to
which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). Each Borrower consents to
the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under
applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the
foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Borrower rights of setoff and
counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were
a direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of such participation.

          (d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a
Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due from such Borrower to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank
hereunder that such Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative
Agent may assume that such Borrower has made such payment on such date in
accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the
Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event,
if such Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or
the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the
Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such
Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including
the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment
to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Effective
Rate (or, in the case of an amount denominated in an Alternative Currency, the
Alternative Currency Rate minus the Applicable Rate with respect to Eurodollar
Revolving Loans) and (ii) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in
accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

          (e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made
by it pursuant to Section 2.04(c), 2.05(d) or (e), 2.06(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c),
then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any
contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the
Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender's
obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully
paid.

          SECTION 2.19. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) If
any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if any Borrower is
required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental
Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such
Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different

<PAGE>   64

                                                                              58

lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its
rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or
affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment
(i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17,
as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any
unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such
Lender. The Parent Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and
expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or
assignment.

          (b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if any
Borrowers is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any
Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17,
or if any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans hereunder, then the
Parent Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender
and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate,
without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained
in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement
to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another
Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that (i) the Parent
Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative
Agent (and, if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Bank and
Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such
Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding
principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline
Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to
it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and
accrued interest and fees) or the applicable Borrowers (in the case of all other
amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for
compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to
Section 2.17, (A) such assignment will result in a material reduction in such
compensation or payments and (B) to the extent that more than one Lender claims
such compensation or payments as of the time of such assignment, the Borrower
shall require that each Lender claiming compensation or payments as onerous to
the Borrower (as reasonably determined by the Borrower) as those claimed by the
Lender required to make such assignment shall also assign its interests, rights
and obligations under this Agreement pursuant to this Section 2.19(b)
simultaneously with such assignment. A Lender shall not be required to make any
such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by
such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Parent Borrower to
require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

          SECTION 2.20. Extension of the Revolving Commitments. (a) The Parent
Borrower may by notice (the "Extension Notice") to the Administrative Agent
delivered at least 20 Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date elect
to extend the Revolving Maturity Date to June 29, 2007 (or if such date is not a
Business Day, the next preceding Business Day), provided that (i) no Default has
occurred and is continuing and after giving effect to such extension no Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) the Revolving Commitment of each
Revolving Lender who does not give notice (a "Renewal Notice") to the
Administrative Agent that it consents to such extension shall terminate upon
June 30, 2006, or if such date is not a Business Day, the next preceding
Business Day (the "Initial Revolving Maturity Date"),

<PAGE>   65

                                                                              59

(iii) each Revolving Lender that does not deliver a Renewal Notice receives
payment in full on the Initial Revolving Maturity Date of an amount equal to the
outstanding principal of its Revolving Loans and participations in LC
Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and
all other amounts payable to it hereunder (other than any amounts relating to
any Tranche B Term Loan) and (iv) after giving effect to the preceding clauses
(ii) and (iii) of this paragraph and to any assignments of Revolving Commitments
pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section, the aggregate amount of (A) the
Lenders' Domestic Revolving Commitments shall be equal to at least $5,000,000
and (B) the Lenders' Multicurrency Revolving Commitments shall be equal to at
least $5,000,000. The Administrative Agent shall give the Revolving Lenders
prompt notice of any Extension Notice received by it from the Parent Borrower.
Any Extension Notice delivered by the Parent Borrower shall be irrevocable.

          (b) If any Revolving Lender fails to give a Renewal Notice to the
Administrative Agent on or prior to the date which is ten Business Days prior to
the Initial Revolving Maturity Date, then the Parent Borrower may, at its sole
expense and effort, upon notice to such Revolving Lender and the Administrative
Agent, require such Revolving Lender to assign and delegate on the Initial
Revolving Maturity Date, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the
restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and
obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Revolving Lender's
Revolving Loans and Revolving Commitments to an assignee that shall assume such
obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such
assignment), provided that (i) the Parent Borrower shall have received the prior
written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline
Lender, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, and (ii) such
Revolving Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the
outstanding principal of its Revolving Loans and participations in LC
Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and
all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of
such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the applicable
Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts). A Revolving Lender shall not be
required to make any such assignment and delegation if, at least one Business
Day prior to the Initial Revolving Maturity Date, such Revolving Lender delivers
a Renewal Notice to the Administrative Agent.

          SECTION 2.21. Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers. The Parent Borrower may
from time to time cause any Foreign Subsidiary to become eligible to borrow
Multicurrency Revolving Loans or Multicurrency Swingline Loans under Sections
2.01(d) and 2.04(a) or to have Multicurrency Letters of Credit issued for its
account under Section 2.05 by delivering to the Administrative Agent an Election
to Participate with respect to such Foreign Subsidiary. The eligibility of any
such Foreign Subsidiary to borrow Multicurrency Revolving Loans or Multicurrency
Swingline Loans or to have Multicurrency Letters of Credit issued for its
account under such Sections shall terminate when the Administrative Agent
receives an Election to Terminate with respect to such Foreign Subsidiary. Each
Election to Participate delivered to the Agent shall be duly executed on behalf
of the relevant Foreign Subsidiary and the Parent Borrower, and each Election to
Terminate delivered to the Administrative Agent shall be executed on behalf of
the Parent Borrower. The delivery of an Election to Terminate shall not affect
any obligation of the relevant Foreign Subsidiary incurred prior thereto. The

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                                                                              60

Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice to the Lenders and the Issuing
Bank of its receipt of any Election to Participate or Election to Terminate.

                                   ARTICLE III

                         Representations and Warranties

          The Parent Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

          SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers. The Parent Borrower and each of
the Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and
authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the
failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not result in a
Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing
in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

          SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions to be
entered into by each Loan Party are within such Loan Party's corporate powers
and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required,
stockholder action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
Parent Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which any Loan
Party is to be a party, when executed and delivered by such Loan Party, will
constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Parent Borrower or such
Loan Party (as the case may be), enforceable in accordance with its terms,
subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other laws affecting creditors' rights generally and subject to general
principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity
or at law.

          SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions
(a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or
any other action by or before, any Governmental Authority, except such as have
been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except filings
necessary to perfect Liens created under the Loan Documents, (b) will not
violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other
organizational documents of the Parent Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or
any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a
default under any material indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon
the Parent Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their assets, or give
rise to a right thereunder to require any material payment to be made by the
Parent Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, and (d) will not result in the
creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Parent Borrower or any of
the Subsidiaries, except Liens created under the Loan Documents.

          SECTION 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change. (a) The
Parent Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders (i) its audited
consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders equity and
cash flows as of and for the fiscal year

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                                                                              61

ended December 31, 1998, reported on by Ernst & Young, independent public
accountants, (ii) its unaudited consolidated statement of income for the twelve
month period ended March 31, 1999, certified by its chief financial officer and
(iii) its unaudited consolidated balance sheet and statement of income as of and
for the portion of the fiscal year ended April 30, 1999 and as of and for each
month ended after such date and prior to the Effective Date for which monthly
financial statements are available, certified by its chief financial officer.
Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Parent
Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods
in accordance with GAAP and the adjustments set forth in Schedule 2.3 to the
Recapitalization Agreement, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the
absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii)
above.

          (b) The Parent Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its
pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 1999, prepared giving
effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred on such date.
Such pro forma consolidated balance sheet (i) has been prepared in good faith
based on the same assumptions used to prepare the pro forma financial statements
included in the Information Memorandum (which assumptions are believed by the
Parent Borrower to be reasonable), (ii) is based on the best information
available to the Parent Borrower after due inquiry, (iii) accurately reflects
all adjustments necessary to give effect to the Transactions and (iv) presents
fairly, in all material respects, the pro forma financial position of the Parent
Borrower and the consolidated Subsidiaries as of April 30, 1999 as if the
Transactions had occurred on such date.

          (c) Except as disclosed in the financial statements referred to above
or the notes thereto or in the Information Memorandum and except for the
Disclosed Matters, after giving effect to the Transactions, neither the Parent
Borrower nor any Subsidiary has, as of the Effective Date, any material
contingent liabilities, unusual long-term commitments or unrealized losses.

          (d) Since December 31, 1998, nothing has occurred which would have a
Material Adverse Effect.

          SECTION 3.05. Properties. (a) Each of the Parent Borrower and the
Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real
and personal property material to its business (including its Mortgaged
Properties), except for defects in title that do not materially interfere with
its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such
properties for their intended purposes.

          (b) Each of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries owns, or is
licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other
intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the
Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries does not, to the Parent Borrower's
knowledge, infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such
infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, would not result in a
Material Adverse Effect.

<PAGE>   68

                                                                              62

          (c) Schedule 3.05 sets forth the address of each real property that is
owned or leased by the Parent Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries as of the
Effective Date after giving effect to the Transactions.

          (d) As of the Effective Date, neither the Parent Borrower nor any of
the Subsidiaries has received notice of, or has knowledge of, any pending or
contemplated condemnation proceeding affecting any Mortgaged Property or any
sale or disposition thereof in lieu of condemnation. Neither any Mortgaged
Property nor any interest therein is subject to any right of first refusal,
option or other contractual right to purchase such Mortgaged Property or
interest therein.

          SECTION 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters. (a) There
are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental
Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Parent Borrower,
threatened against or affecting the Parent Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries
(i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination
and that, if adversely determined, would, individually or in the aggregate,
result in a Material Adverse Effect (other than the Disclosed Matters) or (ii)
that involve any of the Loan Documents or the Transactions.

          (b) Except for the Disclosed Matters and except with respect to any
other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not result in a
Material Adverse Effect, neither the Parent Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries
(i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or
comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any
Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii)
has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or
(iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

          (c) Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change
in the status of the Disclosed Matters that, individually or in the aggregate,
has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a Material Adverse
Effect.

          SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements. Each of the Parent
Borrower and the Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations and
orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and all
indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property,
except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not
result in a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing.

          SECTION 3.08. Investment and Holding Company Status. Neither the
Parent Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries is (a) an "investment company" as
defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940
or (b) a "holding company" as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.

<PAGE>   69

                                                                              63

          SECTION 3.09. Taxes. Each of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries
has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to
have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have
been paid by it, except (a) any Taxes that are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and for which the Parent Borrower or such Subsidiary, as
applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent
that the failure to do so would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

          SECTION 3.10. ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably
expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for
which liability is reasonably expected to occur, would result in a Material
Adverse Effect. The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under
each Plan (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent
financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed by more than $2,000,000 the
fair market value of the assets of such Plan, and the present value of all
accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the
assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting
such amounts, exceed by more than $2,000,000 the fair market value of the assets
of all such underfunded Plans.

          SECTION 3.11. Disclosure. The Parent Borrower has disclosed to the
Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which
the Parent Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters
known to any of them, that, individually or in the aggregate, would result in a
Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Information Memorandum nor any of the other
reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or
on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in
connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or
delivered hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other
information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits 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 projected financial information, the Parent Borrower represents
only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions
believed to be reasonable at the time.

          SECTION 3.12. Subsidiaries. Schedule 3.12 sets forth the name of, and
the ownership interest of the Parent Borrower in, each Subsidiary and identifies
each Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Loan Party, in each case as of the
Effective Date.

          SECTION 3.13. Insurance. The report of Willis Corroon dated April 20,
1999 previously delivered to the Administrative Agent accurately describes the
material insurance coverages maintained by or on behalf of the Parent Borrower
and the Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date. As of the Effective Date, all
premiums in respect of such insurance have been paid. The Parent Borrower and
the Subsidiaries have insurance in such amounts and covering such risks and
liabilities as are in accordance with normal industry practice and the Parent

<PAGE>   70

                                                                              64

Borrower believes that the insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Parent
Borrower and the Subsidiaries is adequate.

          SECTION 3.14. Labor Matters. As of the Effective Date, there are no
strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary
pending or, to the knowledge of the Parent Borrower, threatened. The hours
worked by and payments made to employees of the Parent Borrower and the
Subsidiaries employed in the United States of America have not been in violation
of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Federal, state, local or
foreign law dealing with such matters. All payments due from the Parent Borrower
or any Subsidiary, or for which any claim may be made against the Parent
Borrower or any Subsidiary, on account of wages and employee health and welfare
insurance and other benefits, have, in all material respects, been paid or
accrued as a liability on the books of the Parent Borrower or such Subsidiary.
The consummation of the Transactions will not give rise to any right of
termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any
collective bargaining agreement to which the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary
is bound.

          SECTION 3.15. Solvency. Immediately after the consummation of the
Transactions to occur on the Effective Date and immediately following the making
of each Loan made on the Effective Date and after giving effect to the
application of the proceeds of such Loans, (a) the fair value of the assets of
each Loan Party, at a fair valuation, will exceed its debts and liabilities,
subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (b) the present fair saleable value of
the property of each Loan Party will be greater than the amount that will be
required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities,
subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities
become absolute and matured; (c) each Loan Party will be able to pay its debts
and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and
liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) no Loan Party will have
unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is
engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted
following the Effective Date.

          SECTION 3.16. Senior Indebtedness. The Obligations constitute "Senior
Indebtedness" under and as defined in the Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement
and will constitute "Senior Indebtedness" under and as defined in the other
Subordinated Debt Documents.

          SECTION 3.17. Year 2000. Except as would not have a Material Adverse
Effect, any reprogramming required to eliminate malfunctions related to the year
2000 problem, in and following the year 2000, of (a) the computer systems owned
or leased by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary and (b) equipment owned or
leased by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary containing embedded microchips
and the testing of all such systems and equipment, as so reprogrammed, will be
substantially completed by September 30, 1999. The estimated cost to the Parent
Borrower and the Subsidiaries of such reprogramming and testing will not result
in a Default or a Material Adverse Effect.

<PAGE>   71

                                                                              65

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   Conditions

          SECTION 4.01. Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make
Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not
become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is
satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

          (a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from
     each party hereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on
     behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the
     Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed
     signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart
     of this Agreement.

          (b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written
     opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated
     the Effective Date) of each of (i) Kirkland & Ellis, special counsel for
     the Parent Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 and (ii)
     Defrees & Fiske, counsel for the Parent Borrower, substantially in the form
     of Exhibit B-2, and, in the case of each such opinion required by this
     paragraph, covering such other matters relating to the Parent Borrower and
     the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions as the
     Required Lenders shall reasonably request. The Parent Borrower hereby
     requests such counsel to deliver such opinions.

          (c) The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and
     certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably
     request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of each
     Loan Party, the authorization of the Transactions and any other legal
     matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the
     Transactions, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative
     Agent and its counsel.

          (d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated
     the Effective Date and signed by the President, a Vice President or a
     Financial Officer of the Parent Borrower, confirming compliance with the
     conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4.02.

          (e) The Administrative Agent shall receive substantially
     simultaneously with the initial funding of the Loans on the Effective Date
     all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective
     Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all
     out-of-pocket expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of
     counsel) required to be reimbursed or paid by any Loan Party hereunder or
     under any other Loan Document.

<PAGE>   72

                                                                              66

          (f) The Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall have been satisfied
     and the Administrative Agent shall have received a completed Perfection
     Certificate dated the Effective Date and signed by an executive officer or
     Financial Officer of the Parent Borrower, together with all attachments
     contemplated thereby, including the results of a search of the Uniform
     Commercial Code (or equivalent) filings made with respect to the Parent
     Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties in the jurisdictions contemplated
     by the Perfection Certificate and copies of the financing statements (or
     similar documents) disclosed by such search and evidence reasonably
     satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Liens indicated by such
     financing statements (or similar documents) are permitted by Section 6.02
     or have been released and (ii) evidence that the lockbox arrangements
     contemplated by the Security Agreement shall have been established.

          (g) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that the
     insurance required by Section 5.07 and the Security Documents is in effect.

          (h) The Lenders shall have received an environmental report prepared
     by Environmental Resources Management Group with respect to any
     Environmental Liabilities that may be attributable to such properties or
     operations as have been specified by the Administrative Agent for review.

          (i) The Parent Borrower shall have received gross cash proceeds of not
     less than $190,569,444 from the Equity Financing.

          (j) The Parent Borrower shall have received gross cash proceeds of not
     less than $150,000,000 from the issuance of the Subordinated Bridge Debt
     pursuant to the Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement. The terms and
     conditions of the Subordinated Bridge Debt and the provisions of the
     Subordinated Debt Documents relating to the Subordinated Bridge Debt shall
     be satisfactory to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall have
     received copies of the Subordinated Debt Documents relating to the
     Subordinated Bridge Debt, certified by a Financial Officer as complete and
     correct.

          (k) All consents and approvals required to be obtained from any
     Governmental Authority or other Person in connection with the
     Recapitalization and the other Transactions shall have been obtained, and
     all applicable waiting periods and appeal periods shall have expired, in
     each case without the imposition of any burdensome conditions. The
     Recapitalization shall have been, or substantially simultaneously with the
     initial funding of Loans on the Effective Date shall be, consummated in
     accordance with the Recapitalization Agreement and all related documents
     (including the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Stockholders'
     Agreement) and applicable law, without any amendment to or waiver of any
     material terms or conditions of the Recapitalization Agreement or any
     related documents (including the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
     the Stockholders' Agreement) not approved by the Required Lenders. The
     Administrative Agent shall have received copies of the Recapitalization
     Agreement and all related documents (including the Restated Certificate of
     Incorporation

<PAGE>   73

                                                                              67

     and the Stockholders' Agreement) and all certificates, opinions and other
     documents delivered thereunder, certified by a Financial Officer as
     complete and correct.

          (l) The Lenders shall have received a pro forma consolidated balance
     sheet of the Parent Borrower as of April 30, 1999, reflecting all pro forma
     adjustments as if the Transactions had been consummated on such date, and
     such pro forma consolidated balance sheet shall be consistent in all
     material respects with the forecasts and other information previously
     provided to the Lenders. After giving effect to the Transactions, neither
     the Parent Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries shall have outstanding any
     shares of preferred stock (or other Preferred Equity Interests) or any
     Indebtedness, other than (i) Indebtedness incurred under the Loan
     Documents, (ii) the Subordinated Bridge Debt, (iii) the Preferred Stock and
     (iv) other Indebtedness expressly permitted by clauses (iii) and (iv) of
     Section 6.01(a). The aggregate amount of fees and expenses payable or
     otherwise borne by the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries in connection
     with the Transactions shall not exceed $30,000,000.

          (m) The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency letter, in
     form and substance satisfactory to the Lenders, from Murray, Devine & Co.,
     Inc., with respect to the solvency of the Parent Borrower and the
     Subsidiary Loan Parties after giving effect to the Transactions.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Parent Borrower and the Lenders of the
Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing
Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective unless each
of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 9.02) at
or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 30, 1999 (and, in the event
such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the Commitments shall terminate
at such time).

          SECTION 4.02. Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make
a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of the Issuing Bank to issue,
amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to receipt of the
request therefor in accordance herewith and to the satisfaction of the following
conditions:

          (a) The representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in
     the Loan Documents shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such
     Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such
     Letter of Credit, as applicable.

          (b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such
     Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter
     of Credit, as applicable, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

<PAGE>   74

                                                                              68

Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of
Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the
applicable Borrower and the Parent Borrower on the date thereof as to the
matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.

          SECTION 4.03. Borrowings by Foreign Borrowers; Letters of Credit for
Foreign Borrowers. The obligation of any Lender to make a Multicurrency
Revolving Loan or Multicurrency Swingline Loan to any Foreign Borrower and of
any Issuing Bank to issue any Multicurrency Letter of Credit for the account of
any Foreign Borrower is subject to the satisfaction of the following further
conditions:

          (a) The Administrative Agent shall have received an Election to
     Participate executed by the Parent Borrower and such Foreign Borrower.

          (b) The Collateral and Guarantee Requirement with respect to the
     Foreign Borrower and any Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of such
     Foreign Borrower shall have been satisfied and the Administrative Agent
     shall have received (i) all documents required by, or reasonably requested
     by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders pursuant to, Section
     5.13(c) and (ii) such other evidence as the Administrative Agent may
     reasonably request of the taking of all actions required by, or reasonably
     requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders pursuant to,
     Section 5.13(c), in order in each case to cause (A) the Foreign Subsidiary
     Guarantors with respect to such Foreign Borrower to guarantee such Foreign
     Borrower's Foreign Borrower Obligations and (B) such Foreign Borrower and
     such Foreign Subsidiary Guarantors to subject their assets to the Liens
     securing such Foreign Borrower Obligations required by, or reasonably
     requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders pursuant to,
     Section 5.13(c).

          (c) The Administrative Agent shall have received one or more opinions
     of counsel for such Foreign Borrower and any Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor
     with respect thereto, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
     Administrative Agent, which taken together cover the matters set forth in
     Exhibit J hereto.

          (d) The Administrative Agent shall have received all documents which
     it may reasonably request relating to the organization and existence of
     such Foreign Borrower and any Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor with respect
     thereto, the authority for and the validity of the Election to Participate
     of such Foreign Borrower and the authority of the Foreign Borrower and each
     such Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to the guarantees, Security
     Documents and the other instruments and documents delivered by it pursuant
     to Section 5.13(c) or any other matters relating to the Foreign Borrowers,
     the Foreign Subsidiary Guarantors and the Loan Documents to which they are
     parties, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
     Administrative Agent.

<PAGE>   75

                                                                              69

                                    ARTICLE V

                              Affirmative Covenants

          Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the
principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have
been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated and
all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Parent Borrower covenants
and agrees with the Lenders that:

          SECTION 5.01. Financial Statements and Other Information. The Parent
Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

          (a) within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year of the Parent
     Borrower ending on December 31, 1999 and within 90 days after the end of
     each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower ending thereafter, its audited
     consolidated and unaudited consolidating balance sheet and related
     statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows as of the end
     of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the
     figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by Ernst & Young or
     other independent public accountants of recognized national standing
     (without a "going concern" or like qualification or exception and without
     any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect
     that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material
     respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent
     Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in
     accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

          (b) within 90 days after the end of the first two fiscal quarters of
     the Parent Borrower ending on or after the Effective Date and within 45
     days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each
     fiscal year of the Parent Borrower commencing with the fiscal year ending
     December 31, 2000, its consolidated and consolidating balance sheet and
     related statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows as of
     the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the
     fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for
     the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance
     sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of
     its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the
     financial condition and results of operations of the Parent Borrower and
     its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with
     GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and
     the absence of footnotes;

          (c) to the extent and as and when available, after the end of each of
     the first two fiscal months of each fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower,
     its consolidated and consolidating balance sheet and related statements of
     operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows as of the end of and for
     such fiscal month and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, all
     certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting in all material
     respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent
     Borrower and its

<PAGE>   76

                                                                              70

     consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP
     consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the
     absence of footnotes;

          (d) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under
     clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Parent
     Borrower (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a
     Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken
     or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably
     detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Sections 6.12, 6.13 and
     6.14 and (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application
     thereof has occurred since the date of the Parent Borrower's audited
     financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if any such change
     has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial
     statements accompanying such certificate;

          (e) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under
     clause (a) above, a certificate of the accounting firm that reported on
     such financial statements stating whether they obtained knowledge during
     the course of their examination of such financial statements of any Default
     (which certificate may be limited to the extent required by accounting
     rules or guidelines) to the extent that the Parent Borrower is able to
     obtain using commercially reasonable efforts the delivery of such
     certificate from such accounting firm;

          (f) prior to 15 January of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower, a
     detailed consolidated budget for such fiscal year (including a projected
     consolidated balance sheet and related statements of projected operations
     and cash flow as of the end of and for such fiscal year and setting forth
     the assumptions used for purposes of preparing such budget) and, promptly
     when available, any significant revisions of such budget;

          (g) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all
     periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by
     the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the
     functions of such Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or
     distributed by the Parent Borrower to its stockholders generally, as the
     case may be; and

          (h) promptly following any request therefor, such other information
     regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the
     Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of any Loan
     Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

          SECTION 5.02. Notices of Material Events. The Parent Borrower will
furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the
following:

          (a) the occurrence of any Default;

<PAGE>   77

                                                                              71

          (b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or
     before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the
     Parent Borrower or any Affiliate thereof that, if adversely determined,
     could reasonably be expected to result in liability to the Parent Borrower
     and the Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $2,000,000;

          (c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any
     other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to
     result in liability of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries in an
     aggregate amount exceeding $2,000,000; and

          (d) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be
     expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of
a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Parent Borrower setting
forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any
action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

          SECTION 5.03. Information Regarding Collateral. (a) The Parent
Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any
change (i) in any Loan Party's corporate name or in any trade name used to
identify it in the conduct of its business or in the ownership of its
properties, (ii) in the location of any Loan Party's chief executive office, its
principal place of business, any office in which it maintains books or records
relating to Collateral owned by it or any office or facility at which Collateral
owned by it is located (including the establishment of any such new office or
facility), (iii) in any Loan Party's identity or corporate structure or (iv) in
any Loan Party's Federal Taxpayer Identification Number. The Parent Borrower
agrees not to effect or permit any change referred to in the preceding sentence
unless all filings have been made under the Uniform Commercial Code or otherwise
that are required in order for the Administrative Agent to continue at all times
following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest in
all the Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties. The Parent Borrower
also agrees promptly to notify the Administrative Agent if any material portion
of the Collateral is damaged or destroyed.

          (b) Each year, at the time of delivery of annual financial statements
with respect to the preceding fiscal year pursuant to clause (a) of Section
5.01, the Parent Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a
certificate of a Financial Officer and the chief legal officer of the Parent
Borrower (i) setting forth the information required pursuant to Section 2 of the
Perfection Certificate or confirming that there has been no change in such
information since the date of the Perfection Certificate delivered on the
Effective Date or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to
this Section and (ii) certifying that all Uniform Commercial Code financing
statements (including fixture filings, as applicable) or other appropriate
filings, recordings or registrations, including all refilings, rerecordings and
reregistrations, containing a description of the Collateral have been filed of
record in each governmental, municipal or other

<PAGE>   78

                                                                              72

appropriate office in each jurisdiction identified pursuant to clause (i) above
to the extent necessary to protect and perfect the security interests under the
Security Agreement for a period of not less than 18 months after the date of
such certificate (except as noted therein with respect to any continuation
statements to be filed within such period).

          SECTION 5.04. Existence; Conduct of Business. The Parent Borrower
will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal
existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, patents,
copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business,
provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation,
liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03.

          SECTION 5.05. Payment of Obligations. The Parent Borrower will, and
will cause each of the Subsidiaries to, pay its Indebtedness and other
obligations, including Tax liabilities, before the same shall become delinquent
or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Parent Borrower or
such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect
thereto in accordance with GAAP, (c) such contest effectively suspends
collection of the contested obligation and the enforcement of any Lien securing
such obligation and (d) the failure to make payment pending such contest could
not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

          SECTION 5.06. Maintenance of Properties. The Parent Borrower will, and
will cause each of the Subsidiaries to, keep and maintain all property material
to the conduct of its business (taken as a whole) in good working order and
condition, ordinary wear and tear and casualty and condemnation excepted.

          SECTION 5.07. Insurance. The Parent Borrower will, and will cause each
of the Subsidiaries to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance
companies (a) insurance in such amounts (with no greater risk retention) and
against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies of established
repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or
similar locations and (b) all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to
the Security Documents. The Parent Borrower will furnish to the Lenders, upon
request of the Administrative Agent, information in reasonable detail as to the
insurance so maintained.

          SECTION 5.08. Casualty and Condemnation. The Parent Borrower (a) will
furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders prompt written notice of any
casualty or other insured damage to any portion of any Collateral with a value
in excess of $2,000,000 or the commencement of any action or proceeding for the
taking of any Collateral or any part thereof or interest therein under power of
eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding and (b) will ensure that
the Net Proceeds of any such event (whether in the form of insurance proceeds,
condemnation awards or otherwise) are collected and applied in accordance with
the applicable provisions of the Security Documents.

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                                                                              73

          SECTION 5.09. Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights.
The Parent Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries to, keep
proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are
made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and
activities. The Parent Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries
to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any
Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to
examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its
affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants,
at such reasonable times as requested, provided that, unless a Default shall
have occurred and shall be continuing, the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries
will not have any obligation to permit any visit or inspection in any fiscal
year by representatives designated by any Lender if representatives designated
by such Lender have previously conducted two visits or inspections in such
fiscal year.

          SECTION 5.10. Compliance with Laws. The Parent Borrower will, and will
cause each of the Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and
orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except
where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

          SECTION 5.11. Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit. The proceeds of
the Term Loans, together with the proceeds of the Equity Financing and the
Subordinated Bridge Debt, will be used only for the payment of (a) amounts
payable under the Recapitalization Agreement as consideration for the
Recapitalization and (b) fees and expenses payable in connection with the
Transactions. The proceeds of the Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans will be
used only for general corporate purposes, including working capital, Capital
Expenditures, Permitted Acquisitions and adjustments pursuant to the terms of
the Recapitalization Agreement to the consideration payable for the
Recapitalization. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether
directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the
Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X. Letters of Credit
will be issued only to support obligations of the Parent Borrower and the
Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business. The proceeds of the
Subordinated Refinancing Debt will be used only for the repayment of the
Subordinated Bridge Debt and all other amounts due under the Subordinated Note
Purchase Agreement and the other Subordinated Debt Documents relating to the
Subordinated Bridge Debt.

          SECTION 5.12. Additional Subsidiaries. If any additional Subsidiary is
formed or acquired after the Effective Date, the Parent Borrower will, within
three Business Days after such Subsidiary is formed or acquired, notify the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereof and cause the Collateral and
Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied with respect to such Subsidiary (if it is
a Subsidiary Loan Party) and with respect to any Equity Interest in or
Indebtedness of such Subsidiary owned by or on behalf of the Parent Borrower or
any Subsidiary Loan Party.

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                                                                              74

          SECTION 5.13. Further Assurances. (a) The Parent Borrower will, and
will cause each Subsidiary to, execute any and all further documents, financing
statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions
(including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings,
mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents), that may be required under any
applicable law, or which the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may
reasonably request, to cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be and
remain satisfied, all at the expense of the Loan Parties. The Parent Borrower
also agrees to provide to the Administrative Agent, from time to time upon
request, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as to the
perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the
Security Documents.

          (b) If any material assets (including any real property or
improvements thereto or any interest therein) are acquired by the Parent
Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party after the Effective Date (other than
assets constituting Collateral under the Security Agreement or Pledge Agreement
that become subject to the Lien of the Security Agreement or Pledge Agreement
upon acquisition thereof), the Parent Borrower will notify the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders thereof, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent or
the Required Lenders, the Parent Borrower will cause such assets to be subjected
to a Lien securing the Obligations and will take, and cause the Subsidiary Loan
Parties to take, such actions as shall be necessary or reasonably requested by
the Administrative Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions
described in paragraph (a) of this Section, all at the expense of the Loan
Parties, provided that the Parent Borrower will not have any obligation to cause
any such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Obligations if such
assets are at the time of the acquisition thereof by the Parent Borrower or any
Subsidiary Loan Party subject to any Lien permitted by Section 6.02 which
prohibits the Parent Borrower or such Subsidiary from subjecting such assets to
a Lien securing the Obligations (unless and until the obligations secured by
such Lien are discharged).

          (c) In the event that the Parent Borrower delivers an Election to
Participate with respect to any Foreign Borrower, the Parent Borrower will, to
the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required
Lenders (at any time or from time to time so long as such Foreign Borrower
remains a Foreign Borrower), cause, to the extent (i) no adverse United States
tax consequences to the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary could result therefrom
and (ii) no adverse foreign tax consequences to the Parent Borrower or any
Subsidiary would result therefrom, each Foreign Subsidiary (in such capacity, a
"Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor") to guarantee the Foreign Borrower Obligations of
such Foreign Borrower pursuant to a form of guarantee, reasonably satisfactory
in form and substance to the Administrative Agent, all at the expense of the
Loan Parties. At any time or from time to time, so long as a Foreign Borrower
remains a Foreign Borrower, the Parent Borrower will take, and will cause such
Foreign Borrower and each Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor with respect thereto to
take, all such actions as are necessary or reasonably requested by the
Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders to subject such of the assets of
such Foreign Borrower and Foreign Subsidiary Guarantors as the Administrative
Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request (including any real
property or improvements thereto or any interest therein) to a valid
first-priority Lien securing the Foreign Borrower Obligations of such Foreign
Borrower, and will take, and cause such

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                                                                              75

Foreign Borrower and Foreign Subsidiary Guarantors to take, such actions as
shall be necessary or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the
Required Lenders to grant and (to the extent perfection is possible under the
laws of the applicable jurisdiction) perfect such Liens, including the execution
of any and all documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and
the taking of all such further actions (including the filing and recording of
financing statements, fixture filings, mortgages, deeds of trust and other
documents, or their equivalent), that may be required under any applicable law,
or which the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably
request, all at the expense of the Loan Parties, provided that the Parent
Borrower will not have any obligation to cause any such assets to be subjected
to a Lien securing such Foreign Borrower Obligations if such assets are at the
time subject to any Lien permitted by Section 6.02 which prohibits such Foreign
Borrower or any Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor with respect thereto owning such
assets from subjecting such assets to a Lien securing such Foreign Borrower
Obligations (unless and until the obligations secured by such Lien are
discharged). The Parent Borrower also agrees to provide to the Administrative
Agent, from time to time upon request, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent as to the perfection and priority of the Liens created or
intended to be created by the security documents securing the Foreign Borrower
Obligations. If any Foreign Borrower ceases to be a Foreign Borrower, then upon
the indefeasible payment in full of all the Foreign Borrower Obligations of such
Foreign Borrower, the guarantees of each Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor in respect
of such Foreign Borrower Obligations shall be terminated and the Liens securing
such Foreign Borrower Obligations on the assets of such Foreign Borrower and
each Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released.

          SECTION 5.14. Interest Rate Protection. Within 90 days after the
Effective Date, the Parent Borrower will enter into, and thereafter for a period
of not less than three years after the Effective Date will maintain in effect,
one or more interest rate protection agreements on such terms and with such
parties as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to the
extent necessary to ensure that at least 35.0% of the amount of outstanding
Long-Term Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and the consolidated Subsidiaries
(including Loans under this Agreement and the Subordinated Debt) is effectively
subject to a fixed rate of interest.

<PAGE>   82

                                                                              76

                                   ARTICLE VI

                               Negative Covenants

          Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of
and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full
and all Letters of Credit have expired or terminated and all LC Disbursements
shall have been reimbursed, the Parent Borrower covenants and agrees with the
Lenders that:

          SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities. (a) The Parent
Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume
or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

        (i)Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;

       (ii) (A) the Subordinated Bridge Debt and (B) the Subordinated
     Refinancing Debt, provided that in the case of the Subordinated Refinancing
     Debt (I) simultaneous with the receipt of the net proceeds from the
     issuance of the Subordinated Refinancing Debt, the Parent Borrower repays
     in full the Subordinated Bridge Debt and all other amounts due under the
     Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement and the other Subordinated Debt
     Documents relating to the Subordinated Bridge Debt, (II) the aggregate
     principal amount of the Subordinated Refinancing Debt shall not exceed
     $155,000,000 and (III) each of the terms and conditions of the Subordinated
     Refinancing Debt (including the terms and conditions with respect to the
     interest rate, fees, amortization, maturity, subordination, covenants,
     events of default and remedies but excluding any terms and conditions
     reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be immaterial) shall
     be no less favorable to the Parent Borrower or the Lenders than the terms
     and conditions of the Rollover Notes (as defined in the Subordinated Note
     Purchase Agreement), as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent;

      (iii) Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule
     6.01 and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness
     that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof or result in
     an earlier maturity date or decreased weighted average life thereof;

       (iv) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower to any Subsidiary and of any
     Subsidiary to the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that
     Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party to the
     Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party shall be subject to Section
     6.04;

        (v) Guarantees by the Parent Borrower of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary
     and by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any other
     Subsidiary, provided that Guarantees by the Parent Borrower or any
     Subsidiary Loan Party of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a
     Subsidiary Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.04;

<PAGE>   83

                                                                              77

       (vi) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred to
     finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or
     capital assets (including related fees and expenses), including Capital
     Lease Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the
     acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets
     prior to the acquisition thereof, provided that such Indebtedness is
     incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the
     completion of such construction or improvement, and extensions, renewals
     and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the
     outstanding principal amount thereof or result in an earlier maturity date
     or decreased weighted average life thereof, provided that the aggregate
     principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (vi) shall not
     exceed $15,000,000 at any time outstanding;

      (vii) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the
     date hereof as a result of any Permitted Acquisition, provided that (A)
     such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary and
     is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person
     becoming a Subsidiary and (B) the aggregate principal amount of
     Indebtedness permitted by this clause (vii) shall not exceed $25,000,000 at
     any time outstanding;

     (viii) obligations with respect to surety, appeal and performance bonds
     obtained by the Parent Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in the ordinary
     course of business;

       (ix) any obligation of the Parent Borrower to pay any purchase price
     adjustment in connection with the Recapitalization pursuant to Section 2.4
     of the Recapitalization Agreement;

        (x) the Junior Subordinated Exchange Notes in an aggregate principal
     amount not in excess of the liquidation value of the Series A-1 Preferred
     Stock, provided that such Junior Subordinated Exchange Notes shall be in
     the form annexed to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation as in effect
     on the Effective Date; and

       (xi) other unsecured Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not
     exceeding $10,000,000 at any time outstanding.

          (b) The Parent Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary
to, issue any preferred stock or other preferred Equity Interests, other than
(i) the shares of Preferred Stock issued on the Effective Date pursuant to the
terms of the Recapitalization Agreement and (ii) preferred stock issued by the
Parent Borrower the terms of which do not provide for (A) any amortization,
sinking fund payment, mandatory redemption, other required repayment or
repurchase of, or other Restricted Payment with respect to, such preferred
stock, in each case prior to the Tranche B Maturity Date or (B) any covenants or
events of default relating to such preferred stock which are more restrictive
than those relating to the Preferred Stock contained in the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation as in effect on the Effective Date.

<PAGE>   84

                                                                              78

          SECTION 6.02. Liens. The Parent Borrower will not, and will not permit
any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any
property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any
income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any
thereof, except:

          (a) Liens created under the Loan Documents;

          (b) Permitted Encumbrances;

          (c) any Lien on any property or asset of the Parent Borrower or any
     Subsidiary existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02,
     provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset
     of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure
     only those obligations that it secures on the date hereof and extensions,
     renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding
     principal amount thereof;

          (d) any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the
     acquisition thereof by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary or existing on
     any property or asset of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the
     date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary, provided
     that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with
     such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary, as the case may be,
     (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of the
     Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary and (iii) such Lien shall secure only
     those obligations that it secures on the date of such acquisition or the
     date such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be and extensions,
     renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding
     principal amount thereof;

          (e) Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved
     by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that (i) such security
     interests secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (vi) of Section 6.01(a),
     (ii) such security interests and the Indebtedness secured thereby are
     incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the
     completion of such construction or improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness
     secured thereby does not exceed 80.0% of the cost of acquiring,
     constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (iv) such
     security interests shall not apply to any other property or assets of the
     Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary;

          (f) any license of any intellectual property granted by the Parent
     Borrower or any Subsidiary to third parties in the ordinary course of
     business; and

          (g) Liens (other than those permitted by paragraphs (a) through (f)
     above) securing liabilities permitted hereunder in an aggregate amount not
     exceeding $500,000 at any time outstanding.

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          SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes. (a) The Parent Borrower will not,
and will not permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate with any other
Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or
liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after
giving effect thereto no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) any
Subsidiary may merge into the Parent Borrower in a transaction in which the
Parent Borrower is the surviving corporation, (ii) any Subsidiary (other than a
Foreign Borrower or a Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor) may merge into any
Subsidiary Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a
Subsidiary Loan Party, (iii) any Foreign Subsidiary may merge into any other
Foreign Subsidiary in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a
Subsidiary and (if any party to such merger is a Foreign Borrower) a Foreign
Borrower or (if any such party to such merger is a Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor
and no party to such merger is a Foreign Borrower) a Foreign Subsidiary
Guarantor, (iv) any Subsidiary (other than a Foreign Borrower) may merge into
any other Person that becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party in connection with a
Permitted Acquisition and (v) any Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary Loan
Party, a Foreign Borrower or a Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor) may liquidate or
dissolve if the Parent Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation
or dissolution is in the best interests of the Parent Borrower and is not
materially disadvantageous to the Lenders, provided that any such merger
involving a Person that is not a wholly owned Subsidiary immediately prior to
such merger shall not be permitted unless also permitted by Section 6.04.

          (b) The Parent Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the
Subsidiaries to, engage to any material extent in any business other than
businesses of the type conducted by the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries on
the date of execution of this Agreement and any Related Business.

          SECTION 6.04. Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and
Acquisitions. The Parent Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the
Subsidiaries to, purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger
with any Person that was not a wholly owned Subsidiary prior to such merger) any
Equity Interests in or evidences of indebtedness or other securities (including
any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or
permit to exist any loans or advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make
or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or
purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions)
any assets of any other Person constituting a business unit, except:

          (a) Permitted Acquisitions;

          (b) Permitted Investments;

          (c) investments existing on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule
     6.04;

          (d) investments by the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries in Equity
     Interests in their respective Subsidiaries, provided that (i) any such
     Equity Interests held by the Parent Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party
     shall be pledged pursuant to the Pledge

<PAGE>   86

                                                                              80

     Agreement (subject, in the case of the Equity Interests of any Foreign
     Subsidiary, to any limitations under applicable law and to the limitations
     applicable to voting stock of a Foreign Subsidiary referred to in the
     definition of the "Collateral and Guarantee Requirement") and (ii) the
     Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall only transfer cash to
     Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties by means of loans or
     advances in accordance with clause (e) of this Section unless, in the
     reasonable judgment of senior management of the Parent Borrower, there is a
     material tax or other material economic or legal disadvantage to the Parent
     Borrower in structuring such a transfer to a Subsidiary that is not a
     Subsidiary Loan Party as a loan or advance instead of as an investment in
     Equity Interests of such Subsidiary;

          (e) loans or advances made by the Parent Borrower to any Subsidiary
     and made by any Subsidiary to the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary,
     provided that (i) any such loans and advances made by the Parent Borrower
     or a Subsidiary Loan Party shall be evidenced by a promissory note pledged
     pursuant to the Pledge Agreement and (ii) the Subsidiaries that are not
     Subsidiary Loan Parties shall not make loans or advances to the Parent
     Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party unless the Indebtedness represented
     thereby is subordinated to the Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory
     to the Administrative Agent;

          (f) Guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(a),
     provided that (i) a Subsidiary shall not Guarantee the Subordinated Debt
     unless (A) such Subsidiary also has Guaranteed the Obligations pursuant to
     the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, (B) such Guarantee of the Subordinated
     Debt is subordinated to such Guarantee of the Obligations on terms no less
     favorable to the Lenders than the subordination provisions of the
     Subordinated Debt and (C) such Guarantee of the Subordinated Debt provides
     for the release and termination thereof, without action by any party, upon
     a sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
     assets of such Subsidiary, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or
     a sale, transfer or other disposition (including, without limitation, by
     foreclosure or a transfer in lieu of foreclosure) of at least a majority of
     the voting Equity Interests of such Subsidiary or a direct or indirect
     parent of such Subsidiary beneficially owning at least a majority of the
     voting Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, and (ii) the Subsidiaries that
     are not Subsidiary Loan Parties shall not Guarantee the Indebtedness of the
     Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party;

          (g) investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or
     reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with,
     customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

          (h) extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business;

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          (i) loans or advances to employees, officers or directors of the
     Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries in their capacity as such, in an
     aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time
     outstanding;

          (j) Hedging Agreements permitted under Section 6.07;

          (k) investments constituting non-cash proceeds of any sale, transfer
     or other disposition permitted by Section 6.05; and

          (l) other investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,000,000
     at any time outstanding.

          SECTION 6.05. Asset Sales. The Parent Borrower will not, and will not
permit any of the Subsidiaries to, sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of
any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it, nor will the Parent
Borrower permit any of the Subsidiaries to issue any additional Equity Interest
in such Subsidiary, except:

          (a) sales of inventory, used or surplus equipment and Permitted
     Investments in the ordinary course of business;

          (b) sales, transfers and dispositions to the Parent Borrower or a
     Subsidiary, provided that any such sales, transfers or dispositions
     involving a Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party shall be made in
     compliance with Section 6.09;

          (c) sale and leaseback transactions permitted by Section 6.06;

          (d) sales, transfers and other dispositions of assets (other than
     Equity Interests in a Subsidiary) that are not permitted by any other
     clause of this Section, provided that the aggregate fair market value of
     all assets sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in reliance upon this
     clause (c) shall not exceed $25,000,000 during any fiscal year of the
     Parent Borrower or $50,000,000 in the aggregate during the term of this
     Agreement;

          (e) licenses and sublicenses of intellectual property rights, granted
     in the ordinary course of business and not interfering individually or in
     the aggregate in any material respect with the conduct of the business of
     the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries; and

          (f) trade-ins, trade-ups and other similar exchanges of equipment of
     the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries for other equipment to be used in
     the business of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries made in the
     ordinary course of business;

provided that all sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions permitted
hereby (other than those permitted by clause (b) above) shall be made for fair
value and (other than those permitted by clause (b) or (f) above) for
consideration at least 85% of which is cash.

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                                                                              82

          SECTION 6.06. Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Parent Borrower
will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiaries to, enter into any
arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any
property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property
that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the
property sold or transferred, except for any such sale of any fixed or capital
assets acquired (or the construction of which is completed) after the Effective
Date that is made for cash consideration in an amount not less than the cost of
such fixed or capital asset and is consummated within 90 days after the Parent
Borrower or such Subsidiary acquires or completes the construction of such fixed
or capital asset.

          SECTION 6.07. Hedging Agreements. The Parent Borrower will
not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiaries to, enter into any Hedging
Agreement, other than (a) Hedging Agreements required by Section 5.14 and (b)
Hedging Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or
mitigate risks to which the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary is exposed in the
conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities.

          SECTION 6.08. Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness.
(a) The Parent Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, declare
or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted
Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except (i)
the Parent Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its common or
preferred stock payable solely in additional shares of its common or preferred
stock, respectively, (ii) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends ratably
with respect to their capital stock, (iii) the Parent Borrower may make
Restricted Payments, not exceeding $1,000,000 during any fiscal year, pursuant
to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for
management or employees of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries, (iv) the
Parent Borrower may repurchase capital stock of the Parent Borrower owned by
former employees of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries or their assigns,
estates and heirs, at a price not in excess of fair market value determined in
good faith by the Board of Directors of the Parent Borrower, in an aggregate
amount during any fiscal year of the Parent Borrower not in excess of the sum of
(A) $1,000,000 plus (B) the Net Proceeds received by the Parent Borrower during
such fiscal year from the issuance of its capital stock to employees of the
Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries, (v) the Parent Borrower may repurchase
shares of its capital stock from stockholders who were stockholders of the
Parent Borrower immediately prior to the Recapitalization, at a price not in
excess of fair market value determined in good faith by the Board of Directors
of the Parent Borrower, in an aggregate amount not in excess of $1,000,000
during any fiscal year of the Parent Borrower, (vi) upon the occurrence of an
IPO (as defined in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation as in effect on the
Effective Date), the Parent Borrower may (A) redeem all or a portion of the
Series A-1 Preferred Stock in accordance with Section 3B of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation as in effect on the Effective Date for an aggregate
redemption price not in excess of the Net Proceeds received by the Parent
Borrower from such IPO (as defined in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation
as in effect on the Effective Date) or (B) convert all or a portion of the
Preferred Stock into common stock of the Parent Borrower in accordance with
Section 3C of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation as in effect on the

<PAGE>   89

                                                                              83

Effective Date, (vii) to the extent permitted by Section 6.01(a)(x), the Parent
Borrower may exchange, in accordance with Section 4 of Article II of the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation as in effect on the Effective Date, the
Series A-1 Preferred Stock for the Junior Subordinated Exchange Notes and (viii)
in connection with the exercise of any warrants for common stock of the Parent
Borrower issued pursuant to the Warrant Agreement (as defined in the
Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement), the Parent Borrower may accept any such
warrants surrendered by the holder thereof as partial payment for the aggregate
exercise price for all such warrants being exercised by such holder in
connection with such surrender.

          (b) The Parent Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary
to, make or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other
distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of
principal of or interest on any Indebtedness, or any payment or other
distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any
sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption,
retirement, acquisition, cancelation or termination of any Indebtedness, except:

        (i) payment of Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;

       (ii) payment in full of the Subordinated Bridge Debt and all other
     amounts due under the Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement and the other
     Subordinated Debt Documents relating to the Subordinated Bridge Debt upon
     the issuance and from the Net Proceeds of (A) the Subordinated Refinancing
     Debt or (B) Equity Interests of the Parent Borrower issued after the
     Effective Date, or capital contributions to the Parent Borrower after the
     Effective Date, other than the Equity Financing and any such issuance of
     Equity Interests to, or receipt of such capital contributions from, any
     Subsidiary;

      (iii) payment of regularly scheduled interest and principal payments as
     and when due in respect of any Indebtedness, other than (A) payments in
     respect of the Subordinated Debt or the Junior Subordinated Exchange Notes
     prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof and (B) any other
     payment in respect of the Junior Subordinated Exchange Notes, except for
     regularly scheduled interest payments in the form of additional Junior
     Subordinated Exchange Notes as provided in clause (i) of the last sentence
     of Section 2(a) of the form of Junior Subordinated Exchange Notes annexed
     to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation as in effect on the Effective
     Date;

       (iv) refinancings of Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Section
     6.01; and

        (v) payment of secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the
     voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such
     Indebtedness.

          SECTION 6.09. Transactions with Affiliates. The Parent Borrower will
not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer
any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property
or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its
Affiliates, except (a) transactions in the ordinary course of

<PAGE>   90

                                                                              84

business that are at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to
the Parent Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm's-length
basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among the Parent
Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties not involving any other Affiliate, (c)
any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.08, (d) reasonable indemnities
provided to officers, directors and employees of the Parent Borrower or any
Subsidiary as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Parent
Borrower, (e) the execution, delivery and performance of the management
agreement to be dated as of the Effective Date, among the Parent Borrower and
certain of the Sponsors in the form delivered to the Administrative Agent on or
prior to the date hereof, provided that the amount payable to the Sponsors
pursuant to such agreement shall not exceed $5,000,000 on the Effective Date or
$2,000,000 during any fiscal year of the Parent Borrower (excluding the amount
permitted to be paid to the Sponsors on the Effective Date and any out-of pocket
costs and expenses of the Sponsors for which the Parent Borrower is required to
reimburse the Sponsors under the terms of such agreement as in effect on the
Effective Date), (f) the Recapitalization, (g) any transactions undertaken
pursuant to any contractual obligations in existence on the Effective Date (as
in effect on the Effective Date) and set forth on Schedule 6.09 and (h) loans or
advances to officers, directors or employees in the ordinary course of business
permitted by Section 6.04(i).

          SECTION 6.10. Restrictive Agreements. The Parent Borrower will not,
and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur
or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts
or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of the Parent Borrower or any
Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property
or assets, or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other
distributions with respect to any shares of its capital stock or to make or
repay loans or advances to the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to
Guarantee Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided
that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by
law or by any Loan Document or Subordinated Debt Document, (ii) the foregoing
shall not apply to restrictions and conditions existing on the date hereof
identified on Schedule 6.10 (but shall apply to any extension or renewal of, or
any amendment or modification expanding the scope of, any such restriction or
condition), (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and
conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending
such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the
Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iv) clause
(a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by
any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement or
(to the extent such restrictions or conditions are identified on Schedule 6.10)
Liens permitted by this Agreement if, in each case, such restrictions or
conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness or
Liens, respectively, and (v) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to
customary provisions in leases restricting the assignment thereof.

          SECTION 6.11. Amendment of Material Documents. The Parent Borrower
will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, amend, modify or waive any of
its rights under (a) any Subordinated Debt Document, (b) in the case of the
Parent Borrower, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the by-laws of the
Parent Borrower or, in the case of any Subsidiary, such

<PAGE>   91

                                                                              85

Subsidiary's certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational
documents (other than in the case of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary, any
amendment the sole effect of which is to change the legal name of the Parent
Borrower or such Subsidiary or to authorize additional shares of capital stock
or other Equity Interests the issuance of which is permitted by this Agreement)
or (c) the Recapitalization Agreement. The Parent Borrower will not amend,
modify or waive any of its rights under or with respect to the Stockholders'
Agreement to the extent that any such amendment, modification or waiver would
reasonably be expected to adversely affect the interests of the Lenders (it
being understood that if any question should arise as to the possible adverse
nature of any such amendment, modification or waiver, the Parent Borrower may
consult with the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall be
entitled (but shall not be obligated) to determine, on behalf of the Lenders,
whether such amendment, modification or waiver would violate this Section 6.11).

          SECTION 6.12. Interest Expense Coverage Ratio. The Parent Borrower
will not permit the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA to (b) Consolidated Cash
Interest Expense, in each case for any period of four consecutive fiscal
quarters ending on any date during any period set forth below (provided that (i)
Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for the period ending on September 30, 1999
shall be equal to four times Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for the fiscal
quarter ending on September 30, 1999, (ii) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense
for the period ending on December 31, 1999 shall be equal to two times
Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for the period of two fiscal quarters ending
on December 31, 1999 and (iii) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for the period
ending on March 31, 2000 shall be equal to the product of (A) Consolidated Cash
Interest Expense for the period of three fiscal quarters ending on March 31,
2000 and (B) the fraction the numerator of which is equal to four and the
denominator of which is equal to three), to be less than the ratio set forth
below opposite such period, provided that if the Parent Borrower or any
consolidated Subsidiary has made any Permitted Acquisition or any sale,
transfer, lease or other disposition of assets permitted by Section 6.05 outside
the ordinary course of business during the period of four consecutive fiscal
quarters ending on any date during the relevant period set forth below,
Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for the relevant
period for testing compliance shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect
thereto, as if such Permitted Acquisition or sale, transfer, lease or other
disposition of assets (and any related incurrence, repayment or assumption of
Indebtedness, with any new Indebtedness being deemed to be amortized over the
applicable testing period in accordance with its terms, and assuming that any
Revolving Loans borrowed in connection with such acquisition are repaid with
excess cash balances when available) had occurred on the first day of the
relevant period for testing compliance:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    Period                                                            Ratio
                    ------                                                            -----
<S>                                                                               <C>
June 30, 1999 through June 29, 2000                                               1.60 to 1.00
June 30, 2000 through December 30, 2000                                           1.65 to 1.00
December 31, 2000 through March 30, 2001                                          1.70 to 1.00
March 31, 2001 through September 29, 2001                                         1.75 to 1.00
September 30, 2001 through December 30, 2001                                      1.80 to 1.00
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   92

                                                                              86

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                               <C>
December 31, 2001 through June 29, 2002                                           1.90 to 1.00
June 30, 2002 through March 30, 2003                                              2.00 to 1.00
March 31, 2003 through March 30, 2004                                             2.25 to 1.00
March 31, 2004 through March 30, 2005                                             2.50 to 1.00
March 31, 2005 through March 30, 2006                                             2.75 to 1.00
March 31, 2006 through March 30, 2007                                             3.00 to 1.00
March 31, 2007 and thereafter                                                     3.25 to 1.00
</TABLE>

          SECTION 6.13. Leverage Ratio. The Parent Borrower will not permit the
Leverage Ratio as of any date during any period set forth below to exceed the
ratio set forth opposite such period, provided that if the Parent Borrower or
any consolidated Subsidiary has made any Permitted Acquisition or any sale,
transfer, lease or other disposition of assets permitted by Section 6.05 outside
of the ordinary course of business during the period of four consecutive fiscal
quarters ending on any date during the relevant period set forth below,
Consolidated EBITDA for the relevant period for testing compliance shall be
calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto, as if such Permitted
Acquisition or sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of assets (and any
related incurrence, repayment or assumption of Indebtedness, with any new
Indebtedness being deemed to be amortized over the applicable testing period in
accordance with its terms, and assuming that any Revolving Loans borrowed in
connection with such acquisition are repaid with excess cash balances when
available) had occurred on the first day of the relevant period for testing
compliance:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     Period                                                          Ratio
                     ------                                                          -----
<S>                                                                               <C>
June 30, 1999 through March 30, 2000                                              6.00 to 1.00
March 31, 2000 through June 29, 2000                                              5.90 to 1.00
June 30, 2000 through September 29, 2000                                          5.80 to 1.00
September 30, 2000 through December 30, 2000                                      5.70 to 1.00
December 31, 2000 through March 30, 2001                                          5.50 to 1.00
March 31, 2001 through June 29, 2001                                              5.30 to 1.00
June 30, 2001 through September 29, 2001                                          5.10 to 1.00
September 30, 2001 through December 30, 2001                                      5.00 to 1.00
December 31, 2001 through March 30, 2002                                          4.80 to 1.00
March 31, 2002 through June 29, 2002                                              4.60 to 1.00
June 30, 2002 through December 30, 2002                                           4.50 to 1.00
December 31, 2002 through March 30, 2003                                          4.25 to 1.00
March 31, 2003 through March 30, 2004                                             4.00 to 1.00
March 31, 2004 through March 30, 2006                                             3.75 to 1.00
March 31, 2006 and thereafter                                                     3.50 to 1.00
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   93

                                                                              87

          SECTION 6.14. Capital Expenditures. (a) The Parent Borrower will not
permit the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures made by the Parent Borrower
and the Subsidiaries in any fiscal year of the Parent Borrower to exceed
$25,000,000.

          (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (a), if the amount of
Capital Expenditures permitted to be made by the Parent Borrower and the
Subsidiaries pursuant to paragraph (a) in any fiscal year is greater than the
amount of Capital Expenditures made by the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries
during such fiscal year, then, to the extent that such excess does not exceed
50% of the amount of Capital Expenditures permitted to be made by the Parent
Borrower and the Subsidiaries pursuant to paragraph (a) in such fiscal year
(without giving effect to any carry-forward amount from any previous fiscal
year), such excess may be carried forward and utilized in the immediately
succeeding fiscal year (it being understood and agreed that (i) no amount may be
carried forward beyond the year immediately succeeding the fiscal year in which
it arose and (ii) no portion of the Capital Expenditures permitted to be made in
any fiscal year (without giving effect to the carry-forward amount available in
such fiscal year) shall be deemed to have been made until the entire amount of
such carry-forward amount shall have been used).

          (c) In addition to the Capital Expenditures permitted pursuant to
paragraph (a) of this Section, the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries may make
additional Capital Expenditures (which shall not be counted towards the amounts
permitted by paragraph (a) of this Section) to the extent of any Net Proceeds
received after the Effective Date from any issuance by the Parent Borrower of
any Equity Interests in the Parent Borrower, or from the receipt by the Parent
Borrower of any capital contribution, (other than (i) the Equity Financing, (ii)
any such issuance of Equity Interests to, or receipt of any such capital
contribution from, any Subsidiary, and (iii) any such issuance of Equity
Interests, or receipt of any capital contribution, the Net Proceeds of which are
used to repay the Subordinated Bridge Debt in accordance with Section
6.08(b)(ii)), provided that the amount of additional Capital Expenditure that
may be made pursuant to this paragraph shall not be increased by any such Net
Proceeds received in connection with a Permitted Acquisition (except to the
extent that such Permitted Acquisition also constitutes a Capital Expenditure).
No portion of the amount for Capital Expenditures available in any fiscal year
under this paragraph may be used until the entire amount of Capital Expenditures
permitted to be made in such fiscal year pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of
this Section shall have been made.

<PAGE>   94

                                                                              88

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                Events of Default

          If any of the following events ("Events of Default") shall occur:

          (a) any Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any
     reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the
     same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a
     date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

          (b) any Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee
     or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this
     Article) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, when and
     as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue
     unremedied for a period of three Business Days;

          (c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf
     of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in or in connection with any Loan
     Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or
     in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished
     pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or
     modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been
     incorrect when made or deemed made;

          (d) the Parent Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant,
     condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02, 5.04 (with respect to the
     existence of any Borrower) or 5.11 or in Article VI;

          (e) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant,
     condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those
     specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Article), and such failure
     shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from
     the Administrative Agent to the Parent Borrower (which notice will be given
     at the request of any Lender);

          (f) the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any
     payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in
     respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due
     and payable (taking into account applicable grace periods);

          (g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material
     Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables
     or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or
     both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness (or any portion of
     the principal amount thereof) or any trustee or agent on its or their
     behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the
     prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof (or any portion of
     the principal amount thereof), or to require any offer to be made to
     prepay, repurchase, redeem or

<PAGE>   95

                                                                              89

     defease any Material Indebtedness (or any portion of the principal amount
     thereof), in each case prior to its scheduled maturity, provided that this
     clause (g) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a
     result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing
     such Indebtedness;

          (h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary
     petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other
     relief in respect of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary or its debts, or
     of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign
     bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in
     effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian,
     sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Parent Borrower or
     any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such
     case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or
     an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be
     entered;

          (i) the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily
     commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation,
     reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign
     bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in
     effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely
     and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h)
     of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a
     receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official
     for the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its
     assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a
     petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general
     assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the
     purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

          (j) the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary shall become unable, admit
     in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become
     due;

          (k) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate
     amount in excess of $10,000,000 shall be rendered against the Parent
     Borrower, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall
     remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which
     execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally
     taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the
     Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;

          (l) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with
     all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to
     result in liability of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries in an
     aggregate amount exceeding (i) $2,000,000 in any year or (ii) $5,000,000
     for all periods;

          (m) any Lien purported to be created under any Security Document shall
     cease to be, or shall be asserted by any Loan Party not to be, a valid and
     perfected Lien on any Collateral, with the priority required by the
     applicable Security Document, except (i) as a

<PAGE>   96

                                                                              90

     result of the sale or other disposition of the applicable Collateral in a
     transaction permitted under the Loan Documents or (ii) as a result of the
     Administrative Agent's failure to maintain possession of any stock
     certificates, promissory notes or other instruments delivered to it under
     the Pledge Agreement; or

          (n) a Change in Control shall occur;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to any Borrower
described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter
during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the
request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Parent Borrower, take
either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i)
terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate
immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable
in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and
payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the
principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued
interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued
hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment,
demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by
the Borrowers; and in case of any event with respect to any Borrower described
in clause (h) or (i) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically
terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued
interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued
hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment,
demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by
the Borrowers.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                            The Administrative Agent

          Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints
the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to
take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to
the Administrative Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such
actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

          The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the
same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may
exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank
and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage
in any kind of business with the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary or other
Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

          The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations
except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing,

<PAGE>   97

                                                                              91

(a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other
implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing,
(b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary
action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and
powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative
Agent is required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other
number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the
circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), and (c) except as expressly set
forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to
disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information
relating to the Parent Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries that is communicated
to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its
Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any
action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the
Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be
necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence
of its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall
be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice
thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Parent Borrower or a Lender,
and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to
ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in
or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate,
report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii)
the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms
or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability,
effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement,
instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in
Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of
items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

          The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not
incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent,
statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent
also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed
by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for
relying thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who
may be counsel for the Parent Borrower), independent accountants and other
experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not
taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or
experts.

          The Administrative Agent may perform any of and all its duties and
exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents
appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such
sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers
through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the
preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related
Parties of each Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to
their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit
facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

<PAGE>   98

                                                                              92

          Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor
Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may
resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Parent
Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right
to appoint a successor with the consent of the Parent Borrower, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld. If no successor shall have been so appointed
by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days
after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then
the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing
Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent that shall be a bank with an
office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the
acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor,
such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers,
privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring
Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations
hereunder. The fees payable by the Parent Borrower to a successor Administrative
Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise
agreed between the Parent Borrower and such successor. After the Administrative
Agent's resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03
shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent,
its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions
taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as
Administrative Agent.

          Each Lender acknowledges 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 credit
analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also
acknowledges 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 from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its
own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement,
any other Loan Document or related agreement or any document furnished hereunder
or thereunder.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  Miscellaneous

          SECTION 9.01. Notices. Except in the case of notices and other
communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and
other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be
delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or
registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

          (a) if to any Borrower, to it in care of the Parent Borrower at 1151
     Maplewood Drive, Itasca, IL 60143, Attention of Chief Financial Officer
     (Telecopy No. (630) 250-0575) with a copy to Doughty Hanson & Co., 152 West
     57th Street, 47th Floor, New York, New York 10019, Attention of Kevin Luzak
     (Telecopy No. (212) 641-3750);

<PAGE>   99

                                                                              93

          (b) if to the Administrative Agent, to The Chase Manhattan Bank, Loan
     and Agency Services Group, One Chase Manhattan Plaza, 8th Floor, New York,
     New York 10081, Attention of Margaret Swales (Telecopy No. (212) 552-5662),
     with a copy to The Chase Manhattan Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New
     York 10017, Attention of William Caggiano (Telecopy No. (212) 972-0009),
     provided, that, in the case of any notice to the Administrative Agent
     relating to any Alternative Currency Borrowing, Alternative Currency Loan,
     Alternative Currency LC Disbursement or Alternative Currency Letter of
     Credit, such notice shall be given to Chase Manhattan International
     Limited, Trinity Tower, 9 Thomas More Street, London, E1 9YT, England,
     Attention of Stephen Hurford (Telecopy No. +44 (171) 777-2360) with a copy
     to The Chase Manhattan Bank, Loan and Agency Services Group, One Chase
     Manhattan Plaza, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10081, Attention of Margaret
     Swales (Telecopy No. (212) 552-5662) and to The Chase Manhattan Bank, 270
     Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, Attention of William Caggiano
     (Telecopy No. (212) 972-0009);

          (c) if to the Issuing Bank, to The Chase Manhattan Bank, 55 Water
     Street, 17th Floor, Room 1708, New York, New York 10041, Attention of
     Standby LC Department (Telecopy No. (212) 363-5656), provided, that, in the
     case of any notice to the Issuing Bank relating to any Alternative Currency
     LC Disbursement or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, such notice shall
     be given to Chase Manhattan International Limited, Trinity Tower, 9 Thomas
     More Street, London, E1 9YT, England, Attention of Stephen Hurford
     (Telecopy No. +44 (171) 777-2360) with a copy to The Chase Manhattan Bank,
     55 Water Street, 17th Floor, Room 1708, New York, New York 10041, Attention
     of Standby LC Department (Telecopy No. (212) 363-5656);

          (d) if to the Swingline Lender, to The Chase Manhattan Bank, Loan and
     Agency Services Group, One Chase Manhattan Plaza, 8th Floor, New York, New
     York 10081, Attention of Margaret Swales (Telecopy No. (212) 552-5662); and

          (e) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number)
     set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other
communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and
other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.

          SECTION 9.02. Waivers; Amendments. (a) No failure or delay by the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or
power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or
any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power,
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing
Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative

<PAGE>   100

                                                                              94

and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have.
No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by
any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall
be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent
shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which
given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or
issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any
Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the
Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

          (b) Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any
provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except, in the
case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing
entered into by the Parent Borrower and the Required Lenders or, in the case of
any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing
entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that
are parties thereto, in each case with the consent of the Required Lenders,
provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender
(or change the currencies in which such Commitment may be required to be made
available) without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal
amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or
reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender
affected thereby, (iii) postpone the maturity of any Loan, or the date of any
scheduled payment of the principal amount of any Term Loan under Section 2.10,
or the required date of reimbursement of any LC Disbursement, or any date for
the payment of any interest or fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of,
waive or excuse any such scheduled payment, or postpone the scheduled date of
expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender
affected thereby, (iv) change the currency in which any Loan or Letter of Credit
is or may be denominated or in which any principal or interest thereon or any
fees or other amounts payable hereunder are payable, without the written consent
of each Lender affected thereby, (v) change Section 2.18(b) or (c) in a manner
that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the
written consent of each Lender, (vi) change any of the provisions of this
Section or the percentage set forth in the definition of the term "Required
Lenders" or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or
percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or
modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent
thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (or each Lender of such
Class, as the case may be), (vii) release the Parent Borrower from its Guarantee
under the Parent Guarantee Agreement, or limit its liability in respect of such
Guarantee, or release any material Subsidiary Loan Party from its Guarantee
under the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, or limit its liability in respect of
such Guarantee, in each case, without the written consent of each Lender, (viii)
release all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens of the
Security Documents, without the written consent of each Lender, (ix) change any
provisions of any Loan Document in a manner that by its terms adversely affects
the rights in respect of payments due to Lenders holding Loans of any Class
differently than those holding Loans of any other Class, without the written
consent of Lenders holding a majority in interest of the outstanding Loans and
unused Commitments of each affected Class or (x) change the rights of the
Tranche B Lenders to decline mandatory prepayments as provided in Section

<PAGE>   101

                                                                              95

2.11, without the written consent of Tranche B Lenders holding a majority of the
outstanding Tranche B Loans, and provided further that (A) no such agreement
shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender without the prior
written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline
Lender, as the case may be, and (B) any waiver, amendment or modification of
this Agreement that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this
Agreement of the Revolving Lenders (but not the Tranche A Lenders and Tranche B
Lenders), the Tranche A Lenders (but not the Revolving Lenders and Tranche B
Lenders) or the Tranche B Lenders (but not the Revolving Lenders and Tranche A
Lenders) may be effected by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into
by the Parent Borrower and requisite percentage in interest of the affected
Class of Lenders that would be required to consent thereto under this Section if
such Class of Lenders were the only Class of Lenders hereunder at the time.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any provision of this Agreement may be amended by
an agreement in writing entered into by the Parent Borrower, the Required
Lenders and the Administrative Agent (and, if their rights or obligations are
affected thereby, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender) if (i) by the terms
of such agreement the Commitment of each Lender not consenting to the amendment
provided for therein shall terminate (but such Lender shall continue to be
entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03) upon the
effectiveness of such amendment and (ii) at the time such amendment becomes
effective, each Lender not consenting thereto receives payment in full of the
principal of and interest accrued on each Loan made by it and all other amounts
owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement and is released from
its obligations hereunder.

          SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver. (a) The Parent
Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agent and its Affiliates and the Syndication Agent and its
Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel
for the Administrative Agent and the Syndication Agent, in connection with the
syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and
administration of the Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers
of the provisions thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby
or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal
or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and
(iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the
Syndication Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the reasonable
fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, the
Syndication Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, in connection with the
enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents,
including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or
Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses
incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such
Loans or Letters of Credit.

          (b) The Parent Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the
Syndication Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of
any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an "Indemnitee")
against, and hold each

<PAGE>   102

                                                                              96

Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
related expenses, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of
any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee
arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or
delivery of any Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument contemplated
hereby, the performance by the parties to the Loan Documents of their respective
obligations thereunder, the syndication of the credit facilities provided for
herein (including the syndication of the Loans and the Commitments) or the
consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby
or by any separate letter agreement with respect to the syndication of the
credit facilities provided for herein, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the
use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to
honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented
in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such
Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence, Release or threatened
Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any Mortgaged Property or any other
property currently or formerly owned or operated by the Parent Borrower or any
of the Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the
Parent Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective
claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing,
whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether
any Indemnitee is a party thereto, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to
any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross
negligence or wilful misconduct of such Indemnitee.

          (c) To the extent that the Parent Borrower fails to pay any amount
required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent,
the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) of this
Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, the
Syndication Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be,
such Lender's pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable
unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount,
provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage,
liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted
against the Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent, the Issuing Bank or the
Swingline Lender in its capacity as such. For purposes hereof, a Lender's "pro
rata share" shall be determined based upon its share of the sum of the total
Revolving Exposures, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments at the time.

          (d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrowers shall not
assert, and hereby waive, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of
liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed
to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result
of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the
Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

          (e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after
written demand therefor.

<PAGE>   103

                                                                              97

          SECTION 9.04. Successors and Assigns. (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 (including any
Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that
none of the Borrowers may assign or otherwise transfer any of their rights or
obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any
attempted assignment or transfer by any 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 (including any Affiliate of
the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit) and, to the extent expressly
contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent,
the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under or by reason of this Agreement.

          (b) Any Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of
its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of
its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it), provided that (i) except
in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate or Approved Fund of a
Lender, each of the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent (and, in the
case of an assignment of all or a portion of a Revolving Commitment or any
Lender's obligations in respect of its LC Exposure or Swingline Exposure, the
Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender) must give their prior written consent to
such assignment (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed),
(ii) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate or Approved
Fund of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the
assigning Lender's Commitments or Loans, the amount of the Commitments or Loans
of the assigning Lender 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 $5,000,000 unless each of
the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, (iii) 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, except that
this clause (iii) shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a
proportionate part of all the assigning Lender's rights and obligations in
respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans, (iv) 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, and
(v) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire, and provided further that
any consent of the Parent Borrower otherwise required under this paragraph shall
not be required if an Event of Default under clause (h) or (i) of Article VII
has occurred and is continuing. Subject to acceptance and recording thereof
pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section, from and after the effective date
specified in each Assignment and Acceptance the 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 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and

<PAGE>   104

                                                                              98

9.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under
this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph 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 paragraph (e) of this Section.

          (c) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of
the Borrowers, shall maintain at one of its offices in The City of New York 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 Commitment of,
and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender
pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the "Register"). The entries in
the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent,
the Issuing Bank 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 Borrowers, the Issuing Bank and any Lender, at
any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

          (d) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance
executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee's completed
Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender
hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of
this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph
(b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and
Acceptance and promptly record the information contained therein in the
Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless
it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

          (e) Any Lender may, without the consent of any Borrower, the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, sell
participations to one or more banks or other entities (a "Participant") in all
or a portion of such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement
(including all or a portion of its Commitment and the 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 Borrowers, the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank 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 the Loan Documents and to approve
any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents,
provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will
not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment,
modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that
affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (f) of this Section, each
Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of
Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had
acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section.
To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the
benefits of Section 9.08

<PAGE>   105

                                                                              99

as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to
Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender.

          (f) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment
under Section 2.15 or 2.17 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 Parent
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 2.17 unless
the Parent Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant
and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrowers, to comply with
Section 2.17(e) as though it were a Lender.

          (g) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in
all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of
such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a
Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or
assignment of a security interest, provided that no such pledge or assignment of
a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder
or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

          SECTION 9.05. Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and
warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the
certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to
this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been
relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and
delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any
Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party
or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing
Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect
representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and
shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any
accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this
Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and
so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of
Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17, 9.03 and 9.14 and Article VIII shall survive and
remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or
termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of
this Agreement or any provision hereof.

          SECTION 9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement
may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different
counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when
taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other
Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable
to the Administrative Agent or with respect to the syndication of the credit
facilities provided for herein (including the syndication of the Commitments and
the Loans) constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the
subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and
understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except
as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective

<PAGE>   106

                                                                             100

when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the
Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken
together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and
thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an 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 9.07. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in
a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other
jurisdiction.

          SECTION 9.08. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby
authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or
demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time
owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any
Borrower against any of and all the obligations of such Borrower now or
hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender, irrespective of
whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and
although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this
Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of
setoff) that such Lender may have.

          SECTION 9.09. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF
PROCESS. (A) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED
BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

          (b) Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for
itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States
District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court
from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any
Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of
the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims
in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such
New York State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court.
Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or
proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by
suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this
Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring
any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document
against any Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

<PAGE>   107

                                                                             101

          (c) Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to
the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it
may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan
Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the
parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or
proceeding in any such court.

          (d) Each Foreign Borrower hereby irrevocably designates and appoints
the Parent Borrower as the authorized agent of such Foreign Borrower upon whom
process may be served in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to
any Loan Document, it being understood that the designation and appointment of
the Parent Borrower as such authorized agent shall become effective immediately
upon receipt of an Election to Participate executed by the Parent Borrower and
such Foreign Borrower (and shall not be affected by delivery of any subsequent
Election to Terminate with respect to such Foreign Borrower) without any further
action on the part of the Parent Borrower or such Foreign Borrower. The Parent
Borrower hereby irrevocably accepts such designation and appointment and each
Foreign Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Parent Borrower
to accept such service. Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to
service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing
in this Agreement or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party
to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

          SECTION 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES,
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A
TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH
PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY
OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD
NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B)
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER
INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND
CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

          SECTION 9.11. Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of
Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this
Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into
consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

          SECTION 9.12. Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the
Issuing Bank 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

<PAGE>   108

                                                                             102

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 any other Loan Document or the
enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement
containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to any
assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in,
any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, or to any direct or
indirect contractual counterparties in swap agreements or such contractual
counterparties' professional advisors, (g) with the consent of the Parent
Borrower or (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, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential
basis from a source other than the Parent Borrower. For the purposes of this
Section, the term "Information" means all information received from the Parent
Borrower relating to the Parent Borrower or its business, other than any such
information that is available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or
any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Parent
Borrower, provided that, in the case of information received from the Parent
Borrower after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the
time of delivery 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 9.13. Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan,
together with all fees, charges and other amounts that are treated as interest
on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the "Charges"), shall exceed the
maximum lawful rate (the "Maximum Rate") that may be contracted for, charged,
taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with
applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder,
together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the
Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have
been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the
operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges
payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased
(but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together
with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of
repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

          SECTION 9.14. Judgment Currency. (a) If, for the purpose of obtaining
judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum owing hereunder in one
currency into another currency, each party hereto agrees, to the fullest extent
that it may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at
which in accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction
the first currency could be purchased with such other currency on the Business
Day immediately preceding the day on which final judgment is given.

<PAGE>   109

                                                                             103

          (b) The obligations of each Borrower in respect of any sum due to any
party hereto or any holder of the obligations owing hereunder (the "Applicable
Creditor") shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the "Judgment
Currency") other than the currency in which such sum is stated to be due
hereunder (the "Agreement Currency"), be discharged only to the extent that, on
the Business Day following receipt by the Applicable Creditor of any sum
adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Applicable Creditor may in
accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction purchase
the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency; if the amount of the
Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the
Applicable Creditor in the Agreement Currency, the applicable Borrower agrees,
as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the
Applicable Creditor against such loss. The obligations of the Borrowers
contained in this Section 9.14 shall survive the termination of this Agreement
and the payment of all other amounts owing hereunder.

<PAGE>   110

                                                                             104

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

                             KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, INC.,

                                  by
                                      /s/ Reg Garratt
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Reg Garratt
                                     Title: CHM/CEO

                             THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                             individually and as Administrative Agent,

                                  by
                                      /s/ Deborah Davey
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Deborah Davey
                                     Title: Vice President

                             MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR
                             FUNDING, INC., individually and as
                             Syndication Agent,

                                  by
                                      /s/ Henry F. D'Alessandro
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Henry F. D'Alessandro
                                     Title: Vice President

                             THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,

                                  by
                                      /s/ J. H. Youssef
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: J. H. Youssef
                                     Title: Senior Manager

                             FLEET BANK, N.A.,

                                  by
                                      /s/ Christopher Mayrose
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Christopher Mayrose
                                     Title: Vice President

                             FRANKLIN FLOATING RATE TRUST,

                                  by

<PAGE>   111

                                                                             105

                                      /s/ Chauncey Lufkin
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Chauncey Lufkin
                                     Title: Vice President

                             FUJI BANK, LIMITED,

                                  by
                                      /s/ Peter L. Chinnici
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Peter L. Chinnici
                                     Title: Senior Vice President &
                                            Group Head

                             GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL
                             CORPORATION,

                                  by

                                      /s/ J. K. Williams
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: J. K. Williams
                                     Title: Duly Authorized Signatory

                             HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK,

                                  by
                                      /s/ David L. Crouch
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: David L. Crouch
                                     Title: Vice President

                             LLOYDS TSB BANK plc,

                                  by
                                      /s/ Ian Dimmock
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Ian Dimmock
                                     Title: Vice President

<PAGE>   112

                             MERRILL LYNCH SENIOR FLOATING
                             RATE FUND, INC.

                                  by
                                      /s/ Joseph Moroney
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Joseph Moroney
                                     Title: Authorized Signatory

                             METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE
                             COMPANY,

                                  by
                                      /s/ James R. Dingler
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: James R. Dingler
                                     Title: Director

                             NATIONAL CITY BANK,

                                  by
                                      /s/ William R. Ammerman
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: William R. Ammerman
                                     Title: Account Officer

                             THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY,

                                  by
                                      /s/ Daniel R. Hintzen
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Daniel R. Hintzen
                                     Title: Vice President

                             PILGRIM INVESTMENTS INC.,

                                  by
                                      /s/ Jeffrey A. Bakalar
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Jeffrey A. Bakalar
                                     Title: Vice President

                             PPM AMERICA, INC., as attorney-in-fact
                             on behalf of Jackson National Life Insurance
                             Company,

<PAGE>   113

                                  by
                                      /s/ Michael DiRe
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Michael DiRe
                                     Title: Senior Managing Director

                             KZH CYPRESSTREE-1 LLC

                                  by
                                      /s/ Peter Chin
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Peter Chin
                                     Title: Authorized Agent

                             THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
                             CHICAGO,

                                  by
                                      /s/ Philip Yarrow
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Philip Yarrow
                                     Title: Corporate Finance Officer

                             CYPRESSTREE INVESTMENT FUND,
                             LLC,
                             by: CypressTree Investment Management
                             Company, Inc., its Managing Member

                                  by
                                      /s/ Timothy M. Barns
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Timothy M. Barns
                                     Title: Managing Diector

                             CYPRESSTREE INVESTMENT
                             MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC.,
                             as: Attorney-in-Fact and on behalf of First
                             Allmerica Financial Life Insurance
                             Company as Portfolio Manager,

                                  by
                                      /s/ Timothy M. Barns
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Timothy M. Barns

<PAGE>   114

                                     Title: Managing Director

                             CYPRESSTREE SENIOR FLOATING
                             RATE FUND,
                             by: CypressTree Investment Management
                             Company, Inc. as Portfolio Manager,

                                  by
                                      /s/ Timothy M. Barns
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Timothy M. Barns
                                     Title: Managing Director

                             NORTH AMERICAN SENIOR
                             FLOATING RATE FUND,
                             by: CypressTree Investment Management
                             Company, Inc., as Portfolio Manager,

                                  by
                                      /s/ Timothy M. Barns
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Timothy M. Barns
                                     Title: Managing Director

                             STEIN ROE FLOATING RATE LIMITED
                             LIABILITY COMPANY,

                                  by
                                      /s/ Kathleen A. Zarn
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Kathleen A. Zarn
                                     Title: Vice President, Stein Roe &
                                            Farnham Incorporated, as
                                            Advisor to the Stein Roe
                                            Floating Rate Limited
                                            Liability Company

                             BANKBOSTON, N.A., as Trust
                             Administrator for LONGLANE MASTER
                             TRUST IV,

                                  by
                                      /s/ Renee A. Ross
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Renee A. Ross
                                     Title: Managing Director
                                            Credit Derivatives

                             SEQUILS 1, LTD,

<PAGE>   115

                             by: TCW Advisors, Inc. as its Collateral
                             Manager,

                                  by
                                      /s/ Mark L. Gold
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Mark L. Gold
                                     Title: Managing Director

                                  by
                                      /s/ Jonathan R. Insull
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Jonathan R. Insull
                                     Title: Vice President

                             CRESCENT/MACH I PARTNERS, L.P.,
                             by: TCW Asset Management Company
                             Its Investment Manager

                                  by
                                      /s/ Jonathan R. Insull
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Jonathan R. Insull
                                     Title: Vice President

<PAGE>   116

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                    [Form of]

                            ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

      Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of June 28, 1999 (as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit
Agreement"), among Knowles Electronics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the
lenders from time to time party thereto (the "Lenders"), The Chase Manhattan
Bank, a New York banking corporation, as administrative agent (in such capacity,
the "Administrative Agent") and as the issuing bank (in such capacity, the
"Issuing Bank") and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as syndication agent.
Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

      1. The Assignor hereby sells and assigns, without recourse, to the
Assignee, and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes, without recourse, from
the Assignor, effective as of the Effective Date set forth below (but not prior
to the registration of the information contained herein in the Register pursuant
to Section 9.04(c) of the Credit Agreement), the interests set forth below (the
"Assigned Interest") in the Assignor's rights and obligations under the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the
amounts and percentages set forth below of (i) the Commitments of the Assignor
on the Effective Date, (ii) the Loans owing to the Assignor which are
outstanding on the Effective Date and (iii) participations in Letters of Credit
which are outstanding on the Effective Date. Each of the Assignor and the
Assignee hereby makes and agrees to be bound by all the representations,
warranties and agreements set forth in Section 9.04(e) of the Credit Agreement,
a copy of which has been received by each such party. From and after the
Effective Date (i) the Assignee shall be a party to and be bound by the
provisions of the Credit Agreement and, to the extent of the interests assigned
by this Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender
thereunder and under the Loan Documents and (ii) the Assignor shall, to the
extent of the interests assigned by this Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish
its rights and be released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement.

      2. This Assignment and Acceptance is being delivered to the Administrative
Agent together with (i) if the Assignee is organized under the laws of a
jurisdiction outside the United States, the forms specified in Section 2.17(e)
of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by such Assignee, (ii) if
the Assignee is not already a Lender under the Credit Agreement, an
Administrative Questionnaire and (iii) a processing and recordation fee of
$3,500.

      3. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Date of Assignment:

Legal Name of Assignor:

Legal Name of Assignee:

Assignee's Address for Notices:
<PAGE>   117

Effective Date of Assignment
(may not be fewer than 5 Business
Days after the Date of Assignment):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Percentage Assigned of
                                                Applicable
                                                Facility/Commitment (set forth,
                                                to at least 8 decimals, as a
                                                percentage of the Facility and
                          Principal Amount      the aggregate Commitments of
Facility/Commitment       Assigned              all Lenders thereunder)
-------------------       --------              -----------------------
<S>                       <C>                           <C>
Term Loan:                $                             %

Revolving Credit:         $                             %
</TABLE>

The terms set forth above are
hereby agreed to:                        Accepted*/
                                                 -

_________________, as Assignor           THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                         as Administrative Agent,

by:____________________________          by:____________________________
  Name:                                    Name:
  Title:                                   Title:

_________________, as Assignee           THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                         as Issuing Bank,

by:____________________________          by:____________________________
  Name:                                    Name:
  Title:                                   Title:

----------
     */    To be completed to the extent consents are required under Section
9.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.
<PAGE>   118

                                                                      EXHIBIT B1

                                KIRKLAND & ELLIS
                PARTNERSHIPS INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL CORPORATIONS

                                 Citicorp Center
                              153 East 53rd Street
                          New York, New York 10022-4675

                                                                     Facsimile:
                                  212 446-4800                      212 446-4900

                                  June 30, 1999

To the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent,
the Syndication Agent and each of the Lenders
party to the Credit Agreement referred to below

c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank
270 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      We are issuing this opinion letter in our capacity as special legal
counsel to Knowles Electronics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Parent
Borrower"), and the Subsidiary Loan Parties, in response to the requirement in
Section 4.01(b) of the Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), dated as of
June 28, 1999, by and among the Parent Borrower, the various lending
institutions party thereto (the "Lenders"), The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. as Syndication
Agent. The term "Loan Agreements" whenever it is used in this letter means the
Credit Agreement and the following additional documents: the Security Agreement,
the Pledge Agreement, the Guarantee Agreements, the Indemnity, Subrogation and
Contribution Agreement and the Mortgages. The term "Transaction Agreements"
whenever it is used in this letter means the Loan Agreements, the Financing
Statements (as defined in opinion paragraph 12 of this letter), the Subordinated
Note Purchase Agreement and the Recapitalization Agreement (including in each
case the exhibits thereto) executed by representatives of the Parent Borrower
and the Subsidiary Loan Parties. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Loan
Agreements. The term "Loan Parties" refers to the Parent Borrower and the
Subsidiary Loan Parties.

      Subject to the assumptions, qualifications, exclusions and other
limitations which are identified in this letter and in the schedules attached to
this letter, we advise you that:

1.    Each of the Loan Parties is a corporation existing and in good standing
      under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Each of the
      Loan Parties the activities of which require it to be qualified to do
      business in the State of Illinois is so qualified.

Chicago           London               Los Angeles              Washington, D.C.
<PAGE>   119

                                KIRKLAND & ELLIS

To the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent,
  the Collateral Agent and each of the Lenders
  party to the Credit Agreement referred to below
June 30, 1999
Page 2

2.    Each of the Loan Parties has the corporate power and corporate authority
      to enter into and perform its obligations under the Transaction Agreements
      to which it is a party.

3.    The Board of Directors of each of the Loan Parties has adopted by
      requisite vote the resolutions necessary to authorize the execution,
      delivery, and performance by the relevant Loan Party of the Transaction
      Agreements to which it is a party and the grant by the relevant Loan Party
      of security interests pursuant to the Pledge Agreement and the Security
      Agreement. No additional approval by the shareholders of any Loan Party is
      required in connection with such authorization, execution, delivery,
      performance or grant.

4.    Each of the Loan Parties has duly executed and delivered the Transaction
      Agreements to which it is a party.

5.    Each of the Transaction Agreements to which each Loan Party is a party is
      a valid and binding obligation of that Loan Party and is enforceable
      against that Loan Party in accordance with its terms.

6.    The execution and delivery by each of the Loan Parties of the Transaction
      Agreements to which it is a party and performance of its obligations
      thereunder and the grant by each of the Loan Parties of security interests
      pursuant to the Pledge Agreement and the Security Agreement will not (a)
      constitute a violation of any Transaction Agreement, (b) constitute a
      violation of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the relevant
      Loan Party, (c) constitute a material violation by any Loan Party of any
      statutory law or governmental regulation covered by this letter, or (d)
      breach, or result in a default of any existing obligation of any Loan
      Party, give rise to any right to require any payment by any Loan Party or
      result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any Loan
      Party (other than Liens under the Transaction Agreements) under any of
      Other Specified Agreements. Our opinion in this paragraph does not address
      any impact any Loan Party's actions may have under any financial covenants
      or tests, any consequences a default by any Loan Party under any of the
      Transaction Agreements may have under any of the Other Specified
      Agreements or any cross default provisions in the Other Specified
      Agreements. The term "Other Specified Agreements" in the preceding
      sentence means the agreements listed on Exhibit A attached hereto.
<PAGE>   120

                                KIRKLAND & ELLIS

To the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent,
  the Collateral Agent and each of the Lenders
  party to the Credit Agreement referred to below
June 30, 1999
Page 3

7.    No Loan Party was required to obtain any consent, approval, authorization
      or order of, give any notice to or make any filings or registrations with,
      any United States, New York, Illinois or Delaware Governmental Authority
      in order to obtain the right to enter into or perform under any of the
      Transaction Agreements to which it is a party or the grant by it of
      security interests under the Pledge Agreement and the Security Agreement,
      except for (i) such consents, authorizations, approvals, orders,
      registrations or filings as have been obtained or made prior to the date
      hereof, and which are in full force and effect on the date hereof, or as
      permitted to be made or obtained on or after the date hereof pursuant to
      the Credit Agreement and the exhibits and schedules thereto, respectively;
      (ii) such consents, authorizations, approvals, orders, registrations or
      filings as could not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be
      expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) the recording or
      filing of documents to perfect Liens and security interests in the
      Collateral (to the extent not recorded or filed prior to the date hereof).

8.    Each of the Pledge Agreement and the Security Agreement creates valid
      security interests in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of
      the Secured Parties in the Collateral described therein which constitutes
      property in which a security interest can be granted under the Uniform
      Commercial Code as enacted in New York (the "New York UCC"). Such
      Collateral is referred to herein as the "Code Collateral".

9.    No Loan Party is an "investment company" within the meaning of the
      Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

10.   No Loan Party is a "holding company," a "subsidiary company" of a "holding
      company," or an affiliate" of a "holding company" within the meaning of
      the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

11.   The making of the extensions of credit by the Lenders pursuant to the
      Credit Agreement as contemplated therein and for the purposes contemplated
      thereby (including, without limitation, the application of proceeds
      contemplated thereby) does not contravene Regulations T, U or X of the
      Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as in effect on the date
      hereof.
<PAGE>   121

                                KIRKLAND & ELLIS

To the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent,
  the Collateral Agent and each of the Lenders
  party to the Credit Agreement referred to below
June 30, 1999
Page 4

12.   The Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (Form UCC-1) which have
      been signed by representatives of the Loan Parties and delivered on or
      before the date of this letter in connection with the transactions
      specified in the Transaction Agreements (the "Financing Statements") have
      been duly executed and delivered by the relevant Loan Party.

13.   Under Section 9-103 of the New York UCC, the perfection and effect of
      perfection of your security interests in the Code Collateral (a) which
      constitutes documents, instruments and ordinary goods will, as a general
      matter, be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which such personal
      property is located, (b) which constitutes accounts, general intangibles
      and mobile goods will, as a general matter, be governed by the laws of the
      jurisdiction in which the applicable grantor's chief executive office is
      located, (c) which constitutes certificated securities will be governed by
      the local law of the jurisdiction in which the security certificates are
      located (other than perfection by filing, which is governed by the local
      law of the jurisdiction in which the applicable grantor's chief executive
      office is located), and (d) which constitutes other categories will be
      governed by the laws of the jurisdiction or jurisdictions specified in
      such Section 9-103. Although we express no opinion as to such laws (other
      than those of the State of Illinois, which are addressed in paragraph 14),
      we have reviewed the Commerce Clearing House, Inc. Secured Transactions
      Guide as supplemented through June 22, 1999 (the "Guide"), and, based
      solely on such review, it appears that when the Financing Statements
      executed by the applicable grantor are duly filed or recorded, as
      appropriate, in the filing offices (other than those in the State of
      Illinois) set forth in the Perfection Certificate, your security interests
      under the Security Agreement in the Code Collateral referenced to in
      sub-paragraph (d) above and described in the Security Agreement and in
      such Financing Statements will be perfected to the extent such security
      interest can be perfected by the filing of financing statements in such
      other filing offices.

14.   When the Financing Statements executed by the Loan Parties are duly filed
      or recorded, as appropriate, in the filing offices in Illinois set forth
      in the Perfection Certificate, the security interests under the Security
      Agreement and Mortgages in the Code Collateral located in the State of
      Illinois will be perfected to the extent such security interests in such
      Code Collateral can be perfected by the filing of financing statements in
      the State of Illinois. No other filing or refiling is required to preserve
      or perfect such lien; provided, however, that Article 9 of the Illinois
      Uniform Commercial Code requires the filing of continuation statements
      within
<PAGE>   122

                                KIRKLAND & ELLIS

To the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent,
  the Collateral Agent and each of the Lenders
  party to the Credit Agreement referred to below
June 30, 1999
Page 5

      the period of six months prior to the expiration of five years from the
      date of the original filings in order to maintain the effectiveness of
      such filings with respect to Code Collateral.

15.   Upon the due filing and recordation of the Security Agreement in the
      United States Patent and Trademark Office (the "PTO") and the United
      States Copyright Office (the "Copyright Office") and the payment of all
      filing and recordation fees associated therewith, such security interests
      are or will be perfected security interests in the Collateral described
      therein to the extent the same may be perfected by such filing. We note
      for your information that filing with the PTO and the Copyright Office
      alone may not be sufficient to perfect fully the security interests in
      such Collateral, and that under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code and
      federal law, appropriate UCC financing statements may also be required to
      be filed in order to perfect fully such security interests.

16.   Assuming (in addition to all other assumptions upon which this letter is
      based) that you have taken possession in the State of New York (and
      continue to retain possession) of the certificates representing the
      Pledged Securities (as defined in the Pledge Agreement) duly endorsed to
      you or in blank by an effective endorsement (with the meaning of Section
      8-102(a)(11) of the New York UCC), your security interest in such Pledged
      Securities is perfected by control under the New York UCC, and assuming
      further (in addition to all other assumptions upon which this letter is
      based) that you have taken possession of such certificates representing
      the Pledged Securities and such accompanying endorsements without notice
      (actual or constructive), at or prior to the time of the delivery of such
      certificates representing the Pledged Securities and endorsements to you,
      of any adverse claim within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(l) of the New
      York UCC, you have acquired your security interest in such Pledged
      Securities free of any such adverse claims. We do not have actual
      knowledge of, and we have made no investigation to identify, any adverse
      claims with respect to any of the Pledged Securities.

17.   We do not have actual knowledge that any provision in any Court Order
      would be breached or otherwise violated by any Loan Party's execution or
      delivery of the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party or by any
      Loan Party's performance of any of its agreements in those Transaction
      Agreements. For purposes of this letter, the term "Court Order" means a
      court or administrative order, writ, judgment, decree or decision or award
      of any arbitrator that names any Loan Party and is specifically directed
      to it or its property.
<PAGE>   123

                                KIRKLAND & ELLIS

To the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent,
  the Collateral Agent and each of the Lenders
  party to the Credit Agreement referred to below
June 30, 1999
Page 6

      For purposes of this letter, our Designated Transaction Lawyers have not
      undertaken any investigation to identify Court Orders to which any Loan
      Party may be subject or reviewed any Court Orders about which they may
      have actual knowledge.

18.   To our actual knowledge no legal or governmental investigations, actions
      suits or proceedings are pending or threatened (i) which seek to restrain,
      enjoin or prevent the consummation on the Closing Date of the transactions
      contemplated by any of the Transaction Agreements or (ii) against any Loan
      Party or to which its property or assets are subject other than the
      matters set forth on Schedule 3.2 of the Recapitalization Agreement.

19.   The provisions of each Mortgage, (a) constitute the legal, valid and
      binding obligation of the Grantor/Mortgagor (as defined in each Mortgage),
      enforceable in accordance with their terms, (b) are in a form sufficient
      to create a valid mortgage lien in favor of the Administrative Agent on
      behalf of the Secured Parties on the Mortgaged Property (as defined in
      each Mortgage) that constitutes real property (including fixtures, to the
      extent the same constitute real property), (c) is in proper form for
      recording as such in the offices of the Recorder of Deeds for Cook County,
      Illinois, DuPage, County, Illinois, and Kane County, Illinois, to perfect
      and preserve such lien and (d) upon the recording contemplated in (c)
      above, will create, as security for the payment and the performance of the
      Obligations, a legal, valid, binding and perfected mortgage lien,
      enforceable in accordance with the terms of each Mortgage, in all the
      right, title and interest of the Mortgagor in and to the Mortgaged
      Property that constitutes real property. No other recordation, filing or
      refiling is required to preserve or perfect such lien or the priority of
      such lien; provided, however, that Article 9 of the Illinois Uniform
      Commercial Code requires the filing of continuation statements within the
      period of six months prior to the expiration of five years from the date
      of the original fixture filings in order to maintain the effectiveness of
      the filings referenced in this paragraph with respect to fixtures.

20.   No taxes or other charges, including, without limitation, intangible or
      documentary stamp taxes, mortgage or recording taxes, transfer taxes or
      similar charges, are payable to the State of Illinois or to any
      jurisdiction therein on account of the execution or delivery or recording
      or filing of the Mortgages or any of the other Loan Agreements or the
      creation of the indebtedness evidenced or secured by any of the Loan
      Agreements, as applicable, except for nominal filing or recording fees.
<PAGE>   124

                                KIRKLAND & ELLIS

To the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent,
  the Collateral Agent and each of the Lenders
  party to the Credit Agreement referred to below
June 30, 1999
Page 7

21.   The laws of the State of Illinois do not require a lienholder to elect to
      pursue its remedies either against mortgaged real property or personal
      property where such lienholder holds security interests and liens on both
      real and personal property of a debtor. Provided a mortgagee has complied
      with the provisions of the Illinois Mortgage Foreclosure Law, the laws of
      the State of Illinois do not preclude a mortgagee from seeking a judgment
      for any unsatisfied portion of indebtedness secured by a mortgage
      following the mortgagee's judicial foreclosure of the mortgaged property.

22.   We note that the Loan Agreements contain choice of law provisions which
      select the law of New York as the state law to govern such document,
      except as set forth therein. As to matters of law, an Illinois court
      applying the laws of Illinois (or a federal court applying Illinois law)
      on conflicts of law and choice of law, if properly presented with the
      matter and assuming interpretation of the relevant law on a basis
      consistent with existing authority, should abide by and enforce this
      choice of law provision with respect to the respective rights and duties
      of the parties to the relevant Loan Agreement, except to the extent that
      (i) the application of New York law would violate a fundamental public
      policy of the State of Illinois, or (ii) the choice of New York law
      conflicts with the choice of law rules set forth in the New York UCC with
      respect to any fixtures.

23.   Assuming that the Loan Agreements were governed by the law of the State of
      Illinois for the purpose of rendering the opinion set forth in this
      paragraph, none of the provisions of the Loan Agreements will violate any
      law, statute or regulation of the State of Illinois relating to usury.

24.   The provisions of the Security Agreement which are governed by the law of
      the State of Illinois are effective to create a valid security interest in
      favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties
      in each of the deposit accounts maintained in the State of Illinois by a
      Grantor (as defined in the Security Agreement) whose principal place of
      business is in the State of Illinois (the "Notice Deposit Account") as
      security for the payment, to the extent set forth therein, of obligations
      of such Grantor to the Secured Parties under the Loan Agreements. Upon
      delivery of written notice of the Administrative Agent's security interest
      in a Notice Deposit Account to, and written acknowledgment of and written
      consent to the terms of such security interest by, the bank which
      maintains such Notice Deposit
<PAGE>   125

                                KIRKLAND & ELLIS

To the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent,
  the Collateral Agent and each of the Lenders
  party to the Credit Agreement referred to below
June 30, 1999
Page 8

      Account, such security interest will be perfected to extent such security
      interest can be perfected by such notice, acknowledgment and consent in
      the State of Illinois.

      In preparing this letter, we have relied without any independent
verification upon the assumptions recited in Schedule B to this letter and upon:
(i) information contained in certificates obtained from governmental
authorities; (ii) factual information represented to be true in the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Agreements; (iii) factual information provided to
us in the Support Certificate signed by the Loan Parties attached as Exhibit B
hereto; and (iv) factual information we have obtained from such other sources as
we have deemed reasonable. We have assumed without investigation that there has
been no relevant change or development between the dates as of which the
information cited in the preceding sentence was given and the date of this
letter and that the information upon which we have relied is accurate and does
not omit disclosures necessary to prevent such information from being
misleading.

      While we have not conducted any independent investigation to determine
facts upon which our opinions are based or to obtain information about which
this letter advises you, we confirm that we do not have any actual knowledge
which has caused us to conclude that our reliance and assumptions cited in the
preceding paragraph are unwarranted or that any information supplied in this
letter is wrong. The term "actual knowledge" whenever it is used in this letter
with respect to our firm means conscious awareness at the time this letter is
delivered on the date it bears by the following Kirkland & Ellis lawyers who
have had significant involvement with negotiation or preparation of the Credit
Agreement (herein called "our Designated Transaction Lawyers"): Stuart Mills,
Paul Quinn, Eunu Chun, Adrian van Schie, Gavin Domm, Howard Neuthaler, Leonard
Nannarone, Tim Schmuckel, Jack Bernstein, Jennifer Stevens, Tom Zollo and Adrian
Boutel.

      Our advice on every legal issue addressed in this letter (other than the
opinions in paragraphs 1 through 4 and 7) is based exclusively on such internal
law of New York and Illinois or such federal law of the United States which, in
each case (other than in the case of the opinions contained in paragraphs 9, 10
and 11) is in our experience normally applicable to general business
corporations or limited liability companies not engaged in regulated business
activities and normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated
between the Loan Parties on the one hand, and you, on the other hand, in the
Loan Agreements (collectively, the "Credit Party Laws") (but without our having
made any special investigation as to any other laws), except that we express no
opinion or advice as to any law or legal issue (i) to which any Loan Party may
be subject as a result of your legal or
<PAGE>   126

                                KIRKLAND & ELLIS

To the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent,
  the Collateral Agent and each of the Lenders
  party to the Credit Agreement referred to below
June 30, 1999
Page 9

regulatory status, your sale or transfer of any Obligations or interests therein
or your (as opposed to any other lender's) involvement in the transactions
contemplated by the Loan Agreements or (ii) identified on Schedule C. Our
opinions in paragraphs 1 through 4 and 7 are also based on the Delaware General
Corporation Law. Our opinion in paragraph 14 is based on the laws as summarized
in the Guide to the extent indicated in that paragraph. For purposes of our
opinion in paragraph 1, we have relied exclusively upon certificates issued by a
governmental authority in the relevant jurisdiction dated no earlier than June
25, 1999 and such opinion is not intended to provide any conclusion or assurance
beyond that conveyed by such certificate. Our opinions are subject to all
qualifications in Schedule A and do not cover or otherwise address any provision
in the Credit Agreement or any of the other Transaction Agreements of any type
identified in Schedule D. Provisions in the Transaction Agreements which are not
excluded by Schedule D or any other part of this letter or its attachments are
called the "Relevant Agreement Terms."

      Our advice on each legal issue addressed in this letter represents our
opinion as to how that issue would be resolved were it to be considered by the
highest court of the jurisdiction upon whose law our opinion on that issue is
based. The manner in which any particular issue would be treated in any actual
court case would depend in part on facts and circumstances particular to the
case, and this letter is not intended to guarantee the outcome of any legal
dispute which may arise in the future. It is possible that some Relevant
Agreement Terms may not prove enforceable for reasons other than those cited in
this letter should an actual enforcement action be brought, but (subject to all
the exceptions, qualifications, exclusions and other limitations contained in
this letter) such unenforceability would not in our opinion prevent you from
realizing the principal benefits purported to be provided by the Relevant
Agreement Terms.

      This letter speaks as of the time of its delivery on the date it bears. We
do not assume any obligation to provide you with any subsequent opinion or
advice by reason of any fact about which our Designated Transaction Lawyers did
not have actual knowledge at that time, by reason of any change subsequent to
that time in any law covered by any of our opinions, or for any other reason.
The attached schedules are an integral part of this letter, and any term defined
in this letter or any schedule has that defined meaning wherever it is used in
this letter or in any schedule to this letter.

      You may rely upon this letter only for the purpose served by the provision
in the Credit Agreement cited in the initial paragraph of this letter in
response to which it has been delivered. Without our written consent: (i) no
person other than you (and successors and assigns as Lenders and
<PAGE>   127

                                KIRKLAND & ELLIS

To the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent,
  the Collateral Agent and each of the Lenders
  party to the Credit Agreement referred to below
June 30, 1999
Page 10

Persons that acquire participations in your Loans) may rely on this letter for
any purpose; (ii) this letter may not be cited or quoted in any financial
statement, prospectus, private placement memorandum or other similar document;
(iii) this letter may not be cited or quoted in any other document or
communication which might encourage reliance upon this letter by any person or
for any purpose excluded by the restrictions in this paragraph; and (iv) copies
of this letter may not be furnished to anyone (other than your successors and
assigns as Lenders and Persons that acquire participations in your Loans) for
purposes of encouraging such reliance.

                                 Sincerely,

                                 /s/ Kirkland & Ellis
                                 KIRKLAND & ELLIS
<PAGE>   128

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

1.    License Agreement, dated 4/17/97, between the Company and Phonic Ear - TMX
      and RF Technology.

2.    Pegasus Project contracts, including Pegasus Project Research Agreement
      with Nova Southeastern University, dated 1/14/99 and attachments;
      Agreement with Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc., dated 12/21/98; Pegasus
      Project Software Development Agreement - Daystrom Software Ltd. (pending).

3.    Ajka, Hungary Facility Design Contract between Ruf and Daldrop & Dr. Ing.
      Huber GmbH & Co., dated 3/14/99.

4.    Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH-Knowles Transducer Contract for period
      10/1/98 to 9/30/01.

5.    Starkey Laboratories Inc.
      a.    Agreement dated 12/3/98
      b.    Volume Based Price Incentive Agreement, dated 5/2/95 (commitment
            will be honored by the Company on an on-going basis through 1999)
      c.    Statement re Infringement Warranty, dated 5/25/99

6.    Oticon A/S
      a.    Annual Agreement CY 1999 & 2000
      b.    1999 INDHI Pricing Proposal
      c.    Strategic Partnership (Protocol) Agreement for EH-7855
            Receiver (unsigned)
      d.    Strategic Partnership (Protocol) Agreement fo CK-7794 Receiver
      e.    Socket Pricing Agreement

7.    Phonak A.G. current price quote

8.    Beltone Electronics Corporation proposed Contract covering period 1/1/99
      to 6/30/01 has been agreed in principle. Signed final agreement will
      follow when available.

9.    Topholm & Westermann agreed price quotation for CY 1999

10.   Dahlberg, Inc. Production and Supply Agreement for period from 1/1/96
      through 12/31/00

11.   Unitron Industries Ltd.
      a.    Annual Purchase Contract for period from 1/1/98 thru 12/31/99
      b.    Commitment of the Company to repurchase inventory from Unitron at
            request of The Bank of Nova Scotia, dated 5/20/99.
<PAGE>   129

12.   Argosy Electronics, Inc. - Three Year Agreement from 1/1/98 through
      12/31/00

13.   Rion Price Quotation

14.   Etymotic Research, Inc.
      a.    K-Amp Agreement for Europe, dated 10/192
      b.    Amendment to and Restatement of K-Amp Agreement for Japan, dated
            11/1/92

15.   Ruf Electronics GmbH and Ruwido Agreements with Koenig

16.   Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement with Unitron Industries, Ltd., dated
      5/20/99 (related to preliminary discussions for the Company to purchase
      Unitron affiliate, DSP factory)
<PAGE>   130

                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                            Support Certificate

Knowles Electronics, Inc. (the "Company") hereby certifies and agrees that:

1.    Introduction. Kirkland & Ellis has acted as legal counsel to the Company
      in connection with the negotiation and preparation of the Credit Agreement
      (the "Credit Agreement") dated June 28, 1999 by and among the Company, The
      Chase Manhattan Bank ("Chase"), Chase Securities Inc. ("CSI") and Morgan
      Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. ("MSSFI") and the Note Purchase Agreement
      (the "Note Purchase Agreement") dated June 29, 1999, by and among the
      Company, CSI and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter ("MSDW" and with Chase, CSI
      and MSSFI, each an "Opinion Recipient"). Section 4.01(b) of the Credit
      Agreement and Section 3.2 of the Purchase Agreement each provide that as a
      condition to closing Kirkland & Ellis deliver an opinion letter to
      relevant Opinion Recipients. The term "Kirkland Opinions" whenever it is
      used in this certificate means the opinion letters which Kirkland & Ellis
      will actually deliver at the closing in response to those closing
      conditions. Each term which is defined or given a special meaning in a
      Kirkland Opinion has the same meaning whenever it is used in this
      certificate.

2.    Purpose. The Company has provided this certificate in order to provide
      Kirkland & Ellis with factual information needed by Kirkland & Ellis in
      order to issue the Kirkland Opinions. The Company has made inquires and
      investigations reasonably calculated to assure that the information
      provided in this certificate is accurate and complete, including (i)
      inquiries of appropriate personnel responsible for legal matters,
      financial matters and compliance with governmental requirements and (ii)
      identification and review of relevant documents. The Company understands
      that Kirkland & Ellis will not check, audit or otherwise attempt to verify
      the information in this certificate. The Company intends and agrees that
      Kirkland & Ellis and the Opinion Recipients may rely upon this certificate
      and all information provided in this certificate.

3.    Charters. The copies of the Certificates of Incorporation, as amended, of
      the Loan Parties (herein called the "Charters") in the versions certified
      by the responsible governmental office in the state of incorporation of
      the relevant Loan Party and delivered to the Opinion Recipient in
      connection with the closing are accurate and complete and represent the
      terms of the Charters as constituted at all times since the date of the
      latest amendment thereto indicated in that certificate.

4.    By-laws. The copies of the By-laws of each of the Loan Parties in the
      versions attached to the certificate issued by the Secretary of the
      relevant Loan Party to the Opinion Recipient at the closing are accurate
      and complete and represent the terms of the Bylaws of the relevant Loan
      Party as constituted at all times since prior to the adoption of the
      initial resolutions authorizing the transactions specified in the
      Transaction Agreements.

5.    Good Standing. The practice of each of the Loan Parties is to make on a
      timely basis all filings and tax payments it was required to make under
      the statute under which it was organized and under the statutes under
      which it has qualified to do business in other states,
<PAGE>   131

      if any. No Loan Party has received any notice from any governmental
      authority that any such filing or tax payment which a Loan Party has not
      made is delinquent or due. No Loan Party has any reason to believe that it
      is not in existence.

6.    Authorizing Resolutions.

      a.    Attached hereto as Annex A are complete and accurate copies of the
            resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of each of the Loan
            Parties (each herein called a "Board") on June 25, 1999 and June 30,
            1999. The requisite majority of the directors of the Company voted
            in favor of the Company's resolutions. All of the directors of the
            relevant Loan Party other than the Company voted in favor of such
            Loan Party's resolutions. Such resolutions have not been amended or
            rescinded and remain in full force and effect on the date hereof.

      b.    At the time each Board adopted the resolutions cited in paragraph
            6(a), no vacancies existed on such Board and each director then on
            such Board was elected or appointed to such Board in accordance with
            the requirements of the Charter and By-laws of the relevant Loan
            Party. In the case of the Company, notice of the meeting at which
            such resolutions were adopted was provided to all members of such
            Board at such time and in such manner as is necessary to satisfy the
            notice requirements in the respective By-laws of the Company.

      c.    No Board has adopted any other resolutions which (i) restrict any
            Loan Party's authority to enter into any of the Transaction
            Agreements or to engage in any actions to be taken under or by
            reason of the Transaction Agreements or (ii) restrict such Board's
            authority to approve any such action or activity or (iii) otherwise
            relate to the execution or delivery by any Loan Party of any of the
            Transaction Agreements or any activity to be taken under or by
            reason of the Transaction Agreements.

7.    Authorized Officers. Each individual who has executed any of the
      Transaction Agreements or other document delivered at closing on behalf of
      a Loan Party was validly appointed to the officership position or other
      position with the relevant Loan Party in connection with such execution
      and held that office at the time of such person's execution and delivery
      of the relevant Transaction Agreements and/or other documents(s).

8.    No Required Governmental Approvals. No Loan Party engages in any banking,
      insurance, common carrier, broadcasting, utility or other regulated
      activities to a degree which require it to obtain approval from any
      governmental authority as a condition to executing or delivering any of
      the Transaction Agreements or to performing any of its obligations under
      the Transaction Agreements. No Loan Party is aware of any filing required
      to be made or any governmental permit or authorization required to be
      obtained in connection with the execution or delivery of any of the
      Transaction Agreements or the performance of any of the obligations of any
      Loan Party under those Agreements which has not been made or obtained on
      or prior to the date hereof.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   132

9.    No Known Breach. No Loan Party is aware of any contract or other
      obligation which would be breached by the execution or delivery by any
      Loan Party of any of the Transaction Agreements or any activity to be
      taken under or by reason of the Transaction Agreements.

10.   No Omissions. No litigation is pending or threatened against any Loan
      Party or any Loan Party's property or assets which is not disclosed in
      Schedule 3.12 of the Recapitalization Agreement. No Loan Party knows of
      any other fact or development which indicates that any advice given in the
      Kirkland Opinion is inaccurate or misleading.

11.   No Court Orders. There are no Court Orders binding on any Loan Party which
      contain any provisions which might be breached or otherwise violated by
      any Loan Party's execution or delivery of the Transaction Agreements to
      which it is a party or by any Loan Party's performance of any of its
      agreements in those Agreements or which may require any Loan Party to
      obtain any consent in connection with such execution, delivery or
      performance. For purposes of this certificate, the term "Court Order"
      means a court or administrative order, writ, judgment, decree or decision
      or award of any arbitrator that names any Loan Party and is specifically
      directed to it or its property.

Dated: June 30, 1999

                             KNOWLES ELECTRONICS INC.

                             By: /s/ Reg G. Garratt
                                -------------------
                             Name:  Reg G. Garratt
                             Title: Chairman and Chief
                                    Executive Officer

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   133

                                    ANNEX A

      RECAPITALIZATION AGREEMENT

            WHEREAS, the Corporation has entered into a Recapitalization
Agreement, dated as of June 23, 1999, among Key Acquisition, L.L.C. ("Key
Acquisition"), the Corporation, and the holders of record of the common stock of
the Corporation (the "Existing Stockholders") (the "Recapitalization
Agreement").

            RESOLVED, that the form, terms and provisions of the
Recapitalization Agreement and all certificates, instruments, notices and
documents delivered in accordance with the Recapitalization Agreement, be and
hereby are ratified and approved; and

            RESOLVED, that upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by
the Recapitalization Agreement the Corporation shall file with the Delaware
Secretary of State a Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
which shall provide for Series A-l Preferred Stock, Series A-2 Preferred Stock,
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock; and

            RESOLVED, that upon filing of the Second Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and pursuant to the Recapitalization Agreement, the
Corporation shall sell to Key Acquisition 164,444.444 shares of the
Corporation's Series A-1 Preferred Stock and 800,000 shares of the Corporation's
Class A Common Stock for an aggregate principal amount of $188,444,444; and

            RESOLVED, that upon filing of the Second Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and pursuant to the Recapitalization Agreement, the
Corporation shall purchase from the Existing Stockholders a total of 413,518.50
shares of the Corporation's Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of
$505,530,836.00 (the "Redemption Amount") and in addition the Corporation shall
issue to each Remaining Stockholder the number of shares of Preferred Stock and
Common Stock as set forth opposite such Remaining Stockholders name on Exhibit A
attached hereto; and

      CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

            RESOLVED, that the form, terms and conditions of the Contribution
Agreement between the Corporation and Knowles Intermediate Holding, Inc. (the
"Contribution Agreement") be, and hereby are, authorized, adopted and approved,
in such form and containing such terms and conditions, with such changes,
additions, deletions, amendments or modifications, as the officer or officers
executing the same deem necessary, proper or advisable; and
<PAGE>   134

       CREDIT AGREEMENT

            RESOLVED, that the form, terms and provisions of the Credit
Agreement, dated as of June 28, 1999 (as may be amended, modified, extended or
restated from time to time the "Credit Agreement"), among the Corporation, the
Lenders party thereto, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent for the
Lenders thereunder, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent
and Chase Securities Inc., as Lead Arranger and Book Manager and the grant of
security interest, the borrowings, the issuance of any letter of credit
thereunder be and hereby are authorized, adopted and approved; and

      LOAN DOCUMENTS

            RESOLVED, that the form, terms and provisions of the Loan Documents
(as defined in the Credit Agreement) and the grant of security interest
thereunder, to which the Corporation is a party, be and hereby are, authorized
adopted and approved; and

      NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

            RESOLVED, that the form, terms and provisions of the Note Purchase
Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1999 (as may be amended, modified, extended or
restated from time to time the "Note Purchase Agreement"), among the
Corporation, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Lead Manager, Book Runner
and a Purchaser and Chase Securities Inc., as Co-Manager and a Purchaser and the
grant of security interest thereunder be and hereby are authorized, adopted and
approved; and

      NOTE DOCUMENTS

            RESOLVED, that the form, terms and provisions of the Note Documents
(as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) and the grant of security interest
thereunder, to which the Corporation is a party, be and hereby are, authorized
adopted and approved; and

      EQUITY DOCUMENTS

            RESOLVED, that the form, terms and conditions of each of the
Executive Stock Purchase Agreements (the "Executive Stock Purchase Agreements"),
to be entered into by and among the Corporation, Key Acquisition and each person
entering into an Executive Stock Purchase Agreement as an Executive of the
Corporation (the "Executive"), whereby pursuant to the terms and conditions set
forth in the Executive Stock Purchase Agreement, each Executive shall purchase
shares of Class A Common Stock of the Corporation be, and hereby are,
authorized, adopted and approved, in such form and containing such terms and
conditions, with such changes, additions, deletions, amendments or
modifications, as the officer or officers executing the same deem necessary,
proper or advisable; and

                                       2
<PAGE>   135

            RESOLVED, that the form, terms and conditions of the
Stockholders Agreement by and among the Corporation, Key Acquisition, each of
the Executives listed on the signature page attached thereto, and the members of
the Vendor Group listed on Exhibit A attached thereto (the "Stockholders
Agreement") be, and hereby are, authorized, adopted and approved, in such form
and containing such terms and conditions, with such changes, additions,
deletions, amendments or modifications, as the officer or officers executing the
same deem necessary, proper or advisable; and

            RESOLVED, that the form, terms and conditions of the Registration
Rights Agreement by and among the Corporation, Key Acquisition, each of the
Executives listed on the signature page attached thereto, and the members of the
Existing Holder Group listed on Exhibit A attached thereto (the "Registration
Rights Agreement") be, and hereby are, authorized, adopted and approved, in such
form and containing such terms and conditions, with such changes, additions,
deletions, amendments or modifications, as the officer or officers executing the
same deem necessary, proper or advisable; and

      GENERAL

            RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Corporation are
authorized, empowered and directed to execute, deliver and cause the performance
of, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, the Contribution Agreement,
the Credit Agreement, the Loan Documents, the Note Purchase Agreement, the Note
Documents, the Executive Stock Purchase Agreements, the Stockholders Agreement
and the Registration Rights Agreement and such other agreements, instruments and
documents contemplated therein or thereby, with such changes therein, deletions
therefrom or additions thereto as such officer executing the same shall approve,
the execution and delivery thereof to be conclusive evidence of the approval and
ratification thereof by such officer of the Corporation; and

            RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Corporation are authorized
and empowered to take, from time to time in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation, such actions and execute and deliver such certificates,
instruments, notices and documents, including amendments thereto, as may be
required from time to time or as such officer may deem necessary, advisable or
proper in order to carry out and perform the obligations of the Corporation
under the Contribution Agreement, Credit Agreement, the Loan Documents, the Note
Purchase Agreement, the Note Documents, the Executive Stock Purchase Agreements,
the Stockholders Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and the
transactions contemplated therein or thereby; all such certificates,
instruments, notices and documents to be executed and delivered in such form as
such officer executing the same shall approve, the execution and delivery
thereof by such officer to be conclusive evidence of the approval and
ratification thereof by such officer of the Corporation; and

            RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Corporation are authorized
and empowered to take all such further action including, without limitation, to
arrange for and enter

                                       3
<PAGE>   136

into supplemental agreements, instruments, certificates or documents relating to
the Contribution Agreement, Credit Agreement, the Loan Documents, the Note
Purchase Agreement, the Note Documents, the Executive Stock Purchase Agreements,
the Stockholders Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and any
transactions contemplated therein or thereby, and to execute and deliver all
such supplemental agreements, instruments, certificates or documents in the name
and on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate seal or otherwise,
which shall upon each such executing officer's sole discretion be deemed
necessary, proper or advisable in order to perform the Corporation's obligations
under or in connection with the aforementioned agreements and the transactions
contemplated therein, and to carry out fully the intent and effectuate the
purposes of this and the foregoing resolutions; and

            RESOLVED, that in order to fully carry out the intent and effectuate
the purposes of the foregoing resolutions, the proper officers of the
Corporation are hereby authorized and directed to take all such further action,
to execute and deliver the agreements, instruments and documents authorized in
the foregoing resolutions and all such further agreements, instruments and
documents relating thereto in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and to
pay all such fees and expenses, which shall in its judgment be necessary, proper
or advisable.

                                       4
<PAGE>   137

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  ALLOCATION OF RECAPITALIZED
                        CLASS A COMMON AND SERIES A-2 PREFERRED SHARES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Stockholder                                        Class A   Series A-2   Total Cost
                                                                           Common    Preferred    (Class A x $30)+
                                                                           Shares    Shares       (Series A-2 x
                                                                                                  $1,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>       <C>          <C>
Nancy W. Knowles, John W. Hupp and Continental Bank N.A., as Trustees      21,517    4,422.939    $5,068,449
for the Marital Trust under the Hugh S. Knowles Trust dtd. 8/22/74
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nancy W. Knowles, John W. Hupp and Continental Bank N.A., as Trustees       4,612      948.022     1,086,382
for the Nancy W. Knowles Trust under the Hugh S. Knowles Trust dtd.
8/22/74
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nancy W. Knowles, John W. Hupp and Continental Bank N.A., as Trustees          39        8.017         9,187
for the James E. Knowles Trust under the Hugh S. Knowles Trust dtd.
8/22/74
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nancy W. Knowles, John W. Hupp and Continental Bank N.A., as Trustees       4,017      825.717       946,227
for the Margaret Knowles Schink Trust under the Hugh S. Knowles Trust dtd.
8/22/74
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                   Page 1 of 5
<PAGE>   138

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Stockholder                              Class A    Series A-2  Total Cost
                                                                 Common     Preferred   (Class A x $30)+
                                                                 Shares     Shares      (Series A-2 x
                                                                                        $1,000)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>     <C>         <C>
Nancy W. Knowles, John W. Hupp and Continental Bank N.A.,         2,390     491.278     562,978
as Trustees for the Margaret Knowles Schink Sub-Trust under
the Hugh S. Knowles Trust dtd. 8/22/74
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nancy W. Knowles, John W. Hupp and Continental Bank N.A.,         4,017     825.717     946,227
as Trustees for the Katherine Knowles Strasburg Trust under
the Hugh S. Knowles Trust dtd. 8/22/74
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nancy W. Knowles, John W. Hupp and Continental Bank N.A.,         2,390     491.278     562,978
as Trustees for the Katherine Knowles Strasburg Sub-Trust
under the Hugh S. Knowles Trust dtd. 8/22/74
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nancy W. Knowles, John W. Hupp and Continental Bank N.A.,           128      26.311      30,151
as Trustees of the Nancy J. Knowles Trust under the Hugh S.
Knowles Trust dtd. 8/22/74
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James E. Knowles, Trustee under James E. Knowles d/o/t            9,908   2,036.644   2,333,884
dated 12/18/96
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret Knowles Schink, as Trustee f/b/o Margaret Knowles       10,433   2,144.561   2,457,551
Schink u/t/a dtd. 10/27/72
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katherine Knowles Strasburg, Trustee of the Katherine             9,436   1,939.622   2,222,702
Knowles Strasburg Separate Property Revocable Trust UTA
dtd. 12/3/88
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nancy W. Knowles, Trustee of The Nancy W. Knowles d/o/t             170      34.944      40,044
dated 4/18/90
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Hugh Knowles                                                2,032     417.689     478,649
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Hugh Knowles                                                  438      90.033     103,173
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                   Page 2 of 5
<PAGE>   139

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Stockholder                             Class A    Series A-2  Total Cost
                                                                Common     Preferred   (Class A x $30)+
                                                                Shares     Shares      (Series A-2 x
                                                                                       $1,000)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                              <C>         <C>         <C>
Charles L. Knowles                                                2314       475.655     545,075
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles L. Knowles                                                 156        32.067      36,747
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Susan Knowles Bates and Richard J.S. Bates, as Tenants in
Common                                                           1,621       333.205     381,835
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hugh C. Schink                                                     253        52.005      59,595
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katherine Knowles Strasburg, as Trustee f/b/o Theodore
Knowles Schink u/t/a dtd. 12/24/79                                 253        52.005      59,595
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret Knowles Schink, as Trustee f/b/o Laura Anne
Strasburg u/t/a dtd. 12/30/78                                      739       151.905     174,075
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul A. Strasburg, as Custodian for Gregory Arthur
Strasburg under the NY Uniform Gifts to Minors Act                  25         5.139       5,889
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul A. Strasburg, as Custodian for Gregory Arthur
Strasburg under the CA Uniform Transfers to Minors Act             713       146.561     167,951
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul A. Strasburg, as Trustee of the Paul A. Strasburg
Revocable Trust UTA dated 10/27/94                               2,795       574.528     658,378
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Susan Knowles Bates and Richard J. S. Bates, as Trustees
Under the Bates Children Trust II dtd. 12/15/92                    104        21.378      24,498
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Hugh Knowles, as Successor Trustee of the Bates
Children 1997 Irrevocable Trust dtd 12/31/97                        31         6.372       7,302
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                  Page 3 of 5
<PAGE>   140

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Stockholder                               Class A    Series A-2    Total Cost
                                                                  Common     Preferred     (Class A x $30)+
                                                                  Shares     Shares        (Series A-2 x
                                                                                           $1,000)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>        <C>            <C>
James H. Knowles and Robert E. Spellmeyer, Trustees of the         1,432      294.356        337,316
James E. Knowles 1998 Gift Trust for James
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles L. Knowles and Robert J. Nelson, Trustees of the           1,432      294.356        337,316
James E. Knowles 1998 Gift Trust for Charles
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Susan K. Bates and Richard J. S. Bates, Trustees of the            1,432      294.356        337.316
James E. Knowles 1998 Descendants Trust for Susan
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Hugh Knowles and Robert Spellmeyer as Trustees of the           16        3.289          3,769
Susan Knowles Bates 1998 Family Trust
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Hugh Knowles, as Trustee of the Richard J. S. Bates             16        3.289          3,769
1998 Family Trust
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret Knowles Schink and Marsden S. Blois III,                  1,933      397.339        455,329
co-trustees of the Katherine Knowles Strasburg Qualified
annuity Trust for Laura Anne Strasburg, dtd 8/28/98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret Knowles Schink and Marsden S. Blois III,                  1,933      397.339        455,329
co-trustees of the Katherine Knowles Strasburg Qualified
Annuity Trust for Gregory Arthur Strasburg, dtd 8/28/98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret Knowles Schink and Marsden S. Blois III,                    966      198.567        227,547
co-trustees of the Katherine Knowles Strasburg Irrevocable
Trust for Laura Anne Strasburg, dtd 8/28/98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret Knowles Schink and Marsden S. Blois III,                    966      198.567        227,547
co-trustees of the Katherine Knowles Strasburg Irrevocable
Trust for Gregory Arthur Strasburg, dtd 8/28/98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                   Page 4 of 5
<PAGE>   141

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Stockholder                                 Class A       Series A-2   Total Cost
                                                                    Common        Preferred    (Class A x $30)+
                                                                    Shares        Shares       (Series A-2 x
                                                                                               $1,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>           <C>
Margaret Knowles Schink and Marsden S. Blois III,                      193         39.672         45,462
co-trustees of the Laura Anne Strasburg Irrevocable GST
Trust, dtd 8/28/98
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret Knowles Schink and Marsden S. Blois III,                      193         39.672         45,462
co-trustees of the Gregory Arthur Strasburg Irrevocable GST
Trust, dtd 8/28/98
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katherine Knowles Strasburg, Trustee of the Margaret                   974        200.211        229,431
Knowles Schink 1998 Gift Trust for Tad U/A/D 8/14/98
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katherine Knowles Strasburg and Hugh C. Schink, Trustees of            974        200.211        229,431
the Margaret Knowles Schink 1998 Gift Trust for Hugh U/A/D
8/14/98
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katherine Knowles Strasburg, Trustee of the Margaret                   390         80.167         91,867
Knowles Schink Annuity 3 Trust U/A/D 9/3/98
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katherine Knowles Strasburg, Trustee of the Margaret                   390         80.167         91,867
Knowles Schink Annuity 5 Trust U/A/D 9/3/98
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katherine Knowles Strasburg, Trustee of the Margaret                   390         80.167         91,867
Knowles Schink Annuity 7 Trust U/A/D 9/3/98
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katherine Knowles Strasburg, Trustee of the Margaret                 1,946        400.011        458,391
Knowles Schink Annuity 12 Trust U/A/D 9/3/98
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katherine Knowles Strasburg, Trustee of the Margaret                 3,893        800.228        917,018
Knowles Schink 1998 Descendants Trust U/A/D 8/14/98                  -----        -------        -------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Total:                                  100,000     20,555.556    $23,555,556
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                   Page 5 of 5
<PAGE>   142

                         EMKAY INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS, INC.

                     Unanimous Written Consent of Directors
                  in Lieu of Meeting of the Board of Directors

            The undersigned, being all of the members of the Board of Directors
of Emkay Innovative Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"),
acting by written consent in lieu of a meeting of the Board of Directors and
pursuant to Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, hereby consent to the adoption of the following recitals and
resolutions set forth herein as of the date and year set forth below, and
further direct that this consent be filed with the minutes of the proceeding of
the meetings of the Board of Directors of the Corporation:

      LOAN DOCUMENTS

            WHEREAS, the Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Knowles
Electronics, Inc. ("Knowles Electronics") and Knowles Electronics is a party to
the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 28, 1999 (as may be amended, modified,
extended or restated from time to time the "Credit Agreement"), among Knowles
Electronics, the Lenders party thereto, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent for the Lenders thereunder, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding,
Inc, as Syndication Agent and Chase Securities Inc., as Lead Arranger and Book
Manager, whereby the Corporation will guaranty the obligations and performance
of Knowles Electronics by entering into certain Loan Documents (as defined in
the Credit Agreement).

            RESOLVED, that the form, terms and provisions of the Loan Documents,
the grant of security interest and guaranties of indebtedness thereunder, to
which the Corporation is a parry, be and hereby are, authorized adopted and
approved; and

      GENERAL

            RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Corporation are
authorized, empowered and directed to execute, deliver and cause the performance
of, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, the Loan Documents and such
other agreements, instruments and documents contemplated therein or thereby,
with such changes therein, deletions therefrom or additions thereto as such
officer executing the same shall approve, the execution and delivery thereof to
be conclusive evidence of the approval and ratification thereof by such officer
of the Corporation; and

            RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Corporation are authorized
and empowered to take, from time to time in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation, such actions and execute and deliver such certificates,
instruments, notices and documents, including amendments thereto, as may be
required from time to time or as such officer may deem necessary, advisable or
proper in order to carry out and perform the obligations of the Corporation
under the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated therein or thereby;
all such certificates, instruments, notices and documents to be executed and
delivered in such form as such officer executing the same shall approve, the
execution and delivery thereof by such officer to be conclusive evidence of the
approval and ratification thereof by such officer of the Corporation; and
<PAGE>   143

            RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Corporation are authorized
and empowered to take all such further action including, without limitation, to
arrange for and enter into supplemental agreements, instruments, certificates or
documents relating to the Loan Documents and any transactions contemplated
therein or thereby, and to execute and deliver all such supplemental agreements,
instruments, certificates or documents in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation and under its corporate seal or otherwise, which shall upon each
such executing officer's sole discretion be deemed necessary, proper or
advisable in order to perform the Corporation's obligations under or in
connection with the aforementioned agreements and the transactions contemplated
therein, and to carry out fully the intent and effectuate the purposes of this
and the foregoing resolutions; and

            RESOLVED, that in order to fully carry out the intent and effectuate
the purposes of the foregoing resolutions, the proper officers of the
Corporation are hereby authorized and directed to take all such further action,
to execute and deliver the agreements, instruments and documents authorized in
the foregoing resolutions and all such further agreements, instruments and
documents relating thereto in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and to
pay all such fees and expenses, which shall in its judgment be necessary, proper
or advisable.

            The actions taken by this consent shall have the same force and
effect as if taken at a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation duly called and constituted pursuant to the Bylaws of the
Corporation and the laws of the State of Delaware.

                                    * * * * *

                                       -2-
<PAGE>   144

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this consent of the
Board of Directors as of the 3Oth day of June, 1999.

                                     /s/ Reg G. Garratt
                                     ---------------------
                                     Reg G. Garratt
<PAGE>   145

                          SYNCHRO-START PRODUCTS, INC.

                     Unanimous Written Consent of Directors
                  in Lieu of Meeting of the Board of Directors

            The undersigned, being sole member of the Board of Directors of
Synchro-Start Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), acting
by written consent in lieu of a meeting of the Board of Directors and pursuant
to Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
hereby consent to the adoption of the following recitals and resolutions set
forth herein as of the date and year set forth below, and further direct that
this consent be filed with the minutes of the proceeding of the meetings of the
Board of Directors of the Corporation:

      LOAN DOCUMENTS

            WHEREAS, the Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Knowles
Electronics, Inc. ("Knowles Electronics") and Knowles Electronics is a party to
the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 28, 1999 (as may be amended, modified,
extended or restated from time to time the "Credit Agreement"), among Knowles
Electronics, the Lenders party thereto, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent for the Lenders thereunder, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding,
Inc, as Syndication Agent and Chase Securities Inc., as Lead Arranger and Book
Manager, whereby the Corporation will guaranty the obligations and performance
of Knowles Electronics by entering into certain Loan Documents (as defined in
the Credit Agreement).

            RESOLVED, that the form, terms and provisions of the Loan Documents,
the grant of security interest and guaranties of indebtedness thereunder, to
which the Corporation is a party, be and hereby are, authorized adopted and
approved; and

      GENERAL

            RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Corporation are
authorized, empowered and directed to execute, deliver and cause the performance
of, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, the Loan Documents and such
other agreements, instruments and documents contemplated therein or thereby,
with such changes therein, deletions therefrom or additions thereto as such
officer executing the same shall approve, the execution and delivery thereof to
be conclusive evidence of the approval and ratification thereof by such officer
of the Corporation; and

            RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Corporation are authorized
and empowered to take, from time to time in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation, such actions and execute and deliver such certificates,
instruments, notices and documents, including amendments thereto, as may be
required from time to time or as such officer may deem necessary, advisable or
proper in order to carry out and perform the obligations of the Corporation
under the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated therein or thereby;
all such certificates, instruments, notices and documents to be executed and
delivered in such form as such officer executing the same shall approve, the
execution and delivery thereof by such officer to be conclusive evidence of the
approval and ratification thereof by such officer of the Corporation; and
<PAGE>   146

            RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Corporation are authorized
and empowered to take all such further action including, without limitation, to
arrange for and enter into supplemental agreements, instruments, certificates or
documents relating to the Loan Documents and any transactions contemplated
therein or thereby, and to execute and deliver all such supplemental agreements,
instruments, certificates or documents in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation and under its corporate seal or otherwise, which shall upon each
such executing officer's sole discretion be deemed necessary, proper or
advisable in order to perform the Corporation's obligations under or in
connection with the aforementioned agreements and the transactions contemplated
therein, and to carry out fully the intent and effectuate the purposes of this
and the foregoing resolutions; and

            RESOLVED, that in order to fully carry out the intent and effectuate
the purposes of the foregoing resolutions, the proper officers of the
Corporation are hereby authorized and directed to take all such further action,
to execute and deliver the agreements, instruments and documents authorized in
the foregoing resolutions and all such further agreements, instruments and
documents relating thereto in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and to
pay all such fees and expenses, which shall in its judgment be necessary, proper
or advisable.

            The actions taken by this consent shall have the same force and
effect as if taken at a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation duly called and constituted pursuant to the Bylaws of the
Corporation and the laws of the State of Delaware.

                                    * * * * *

                                       -2-
<PAGE>   147

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this consent of the
Board of Directors as of the 30th day of June, 1999.

                                /s/ Reg G. Garratt
                                --------------------
                                Reg G. Garratt
<PAGE>   148

                       KNOWLES INTERMEDIATE HOLDING, INC.

                     Unanimous Written Consent of Directors
                  in Lieu of Meeting of the Board of Directors

            The undersigned, being all of the members of the Board of Directors
of Knowles Intermediate Holding, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Corporation"), acting by written consent in lieu of a meeting of the Board of
Directors and pursuant to Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware, hereby consent to the adoption of the following recitals and
resolutions set forth herein as of the date and year set forth below, and
further direct that this consent be filed with the minutes of the proceeding of
the meetings of the Board of Directors of the Corporation:

      LOAN DOCUMENTS

            WHEREAS, the Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Knowles
Electronics, Inc. ("Knowles Electronics") and Knowles Electronics is a party to
the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 28, 1999 (as may be amended, modified,
extended or restated from time to time the "Credit Agreement"), among Knowles
Electronics, the Lenders party thereto, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent for the Lenders thereunder, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding,
Inc, as Syndication Agent and Chase Securities Inc., as Lead Arranger and Book
Manager, whereby the Corporation will guaranty the obligations and performance
of Knowles Electronics by entering into certain Loan Documents (as defined in
the Credit Agreement).

            RESOLVED, that the form, terms and provisions of the Loan Documents,
the grant of security interest and guaranties of indebtedness thereunder, to
which the Corporation is a party, be and hereby are, authorized adopted and
approved; and

      GENERAL

            RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Corporation are
authorized, empowered and directed to execute, deliver and cause the performance
of, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, the Loan Documents and such
other agreements, instruments and documents contemplated therein or thereby,
with such changes therein, deletions therefrom or additions thereto as such
officer executing the same shall approve, the execution and delivery thereof to
be conclusive evidence of the approval and ratification thereof by such officer
of the Corporation; and

            RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Corporation are authorized
and empowered to take, from time to time in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation, such actions and execute and deliver such certificates,
instruments, notices and documents, including amendments thereto, as may be
required from time to time or as such officer may deem necessary, advisable or
proper in order to carry out and perform the obligations of the Corporation
under the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated therein or thereby;
all such certificates, instruments, notices and documents to be executed and
delivered in such form as such officer executing the same shall approve, the
execution and delivery thereof by such officer to be conclusive evidence of the
approval and ratification thereof by such officer of the Corporation; and
<PAGE>   149

            RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Corporation are authorized
and empowered to take all such further action including, without limitation, to
arrange for and enter into supplemental agreements, instruments, certificates or
documents relating to the Loan Documents and any transactions contemplated
therein or thereby, and to execute and deliver all such supplemental agreements,
instruments, certificates or documents in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation and under its corporate seal or otherwise, which shall upon each
such executing officer's sole discretion be deemed necessary, proper or
advisable in order to perform the Corporation's obligations under or in
connection with the aforementioned agreements and the transactions contemplated
therein, and to carry out fully the intent and effectuate the purposes of this
and the foregoing resolutions; and

            RESOLVED, that in order to fully carry out the intent and effectuate
the purposes of the foregoing resolutions, the proper officers of the
Corporation are hereby authorized and directed to take all such further action,
to execute and deliver the agreements, instruments and documents authorized in
the foregoing resolutions and all such further agreements, instruments and
documents relating thereto in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and to
pay all such fees and expenses, which shall in its judgment be necessary, proper
or advisable.

            The actions taken by this consent shall have the same force and
effect as if taken at a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation duly called and constituted pursuant to the Bylaws of the
Corporation and the laws of the State of Delaware.

                                    * * * * *

                                       -2-
<PAGE>   150

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this consent of the
Board of Directors as of the 30th day of June, 1999.

                                       /s/ Ken Terry
                                       ---------------------------------
                                       Ken Terry, a Class A Director

                                       /s/ Reg G. Garratt
                                       ---------------------------------
                                       Reg G. Garratt, a Class B Director
<PAGE>   151

                           KNOWLES MANUFACTURING LTD.

                     Unanimous Written Consent of Directors
                  in Lieu of Meeting of the Board of Directors

            The undersigned, being all the sole member of the Board of Directors
of Knowles Manufacturing Ltd., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"),
acting by written consent in lieu of a meeting of the Board of Directors and
pursuant to Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, hereby consent to the adoption of the following recitals and
resolutions set forth herein as of the date and year set forth below, and
further direct that this consent be filed with the minutes of the proceeding of
the meetings of the Board of Directors of the Corporation:

      LOAN DOCUMENTS

            WHEREAS, the Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Knowles
Electronics, Inc. ("Knowles Electronics") and Knowles Electronics is a party to
the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 28, 1999 (as may be amended, modified,
extended or restated from time to time the "Credit Agreement"), among Knowles
Electronics, the Lenders party thereto, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent for the Lenders thereunder, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding,
Inc., as Syndication Agent and Chase Securities Inc., as Lead Arranger and Book
Manager, whereby the Corporation will guaranty the obligations and performance
of Knowles Electronics by entering into certain Loan Documents (as defined in
the Credit Agreement).

            RESOLVED, that the form, terms and provisions of the Loan Documents,
the grant of security interest and guaranties of indebtedness thereunder, to
which the Corporation is a party, be and hereby are, authorized adopted and
approved; and

      GENERAL

            RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Corporation are
authorized, empowered and directed to execute, deliver and cause the performance
of, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, the Loan Documents and such
other agreements, instruments and documents contemplated therein or thereby,
with such changes therein, deletions therefrom or additions thereto as such
officer executing the same shall approve, the execution and delivery thereof to
be conclusive evidence of the approval and ratification thereof by such officer
of the Corporation; and

            RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Corporation are authorized
and empowered to take, from time to time in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation, such actions and execute and deliver such certificates,
instruments, notices and documents, including amendments thereto, as may be
required from time to time or as such officer may deem necessary, advisable or
proper in order to carry out and perform the obligations of the Corporation
under the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated therein or thereby;
all such certificates, instruments, notices and documents to be executed and
delivered in such form as such officer executing the same shall approve, the
execution and delivery thereof by such officer to be conclusive evidence of the
approval and ratification thereof by such officer of the Corporation; and
<PAGE>   152

            RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Corporation are authorized
and empowered to take all such further action including, without limitation, to
arrange for and enter into supplemental agreements, instruments, certificates or
documents relating to the Loan Documents and any transactions contemplated
therein or thereby, and to execute and deliver all such supplemental agreements,
instruments, certificates or documents in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation and under its corporate seal or otherwise, which shall upon each
such executing officer's sole discretion be deemed necessary, proper or
advisable in order to perform the Corporation's obligations under or in
connection with the aforementioned agreements and the transactions contemplated
therein, and to carry out fully the intent and effectuate the purposes of this
and the foregoing resolutions; and

            RESOLVED, that in order to fully carry out the intent and effectuate
the purposes of the foregoing resolutions, the proper officers of the
Corporation are hereby authorized and directed to take all such further action,
to execute and deliver the agreements, instruments and documents authorized in
the foregoing resolutions and all such further agreements, instruments and
documents relating thereto in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and to
pay all such fees and expenses, which shall in its judgment be necessary, proper
or advisable.

            The actions taken by this consent shall have the same force and
effect as if taken at a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation duly called and constituted pursuant to the Bylaws of the
Corporation and the laws of the State of Delaware.

                                    * * * * *

                                       -2-
<PAGE>   153

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this consent of the
Board of Directors as of the 30th day of June, 1999.

                                       /s/ Reg G. Garratt
                                       ---------------------------------
                                       Reg G. Garratt
<PAGE>   154

                                   Schedule A

                             General Qualifications

      All of our opinions ("our opinions") in the letter to which this Schedule
is attached ("our letter") are subject to each of the qualifications set forth
in this Schedule.

1.    Bankruptcy and Insolvency Exception. Each of our opinions in our letter
      regarding the validity, binding effect and enforceability of any
      Transaction Document is subject to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency,
      reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other similar laws. This
      exception includes:

      a.    the federal Bankruptcy Code and thus comprehends, among others,
            matters of turnover, automatic stay, avoiding powers, fraudulent
            transfer, preference, discharge, conversion of a non-recourse
            obligation into a recourse claim, limitations on ipso facto and
            anti-assignment clauses and the coverage of pre-petition security
            agreements applicable to property acquired after a petition is
            filed;

      b.    all other federal and state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
            receivership, moratorium, arrangement and assignment for the benefit
            of creditors laws that affect the rights of creditors generally or
            that have reference to or affect only creditors of specific types of
            debtors;

      c.    state fraudulent transfer and conveyance laws; and

      d.    judicially developed doctrines in this area, such as substantive
            consolidation of entities and equitable subordination.

2.    Equitable Principles Limitation. Each of our opinions regarding the
      validity, binding effect and enforceability of any Transaction Document is
      subject to the effect of general principles of equity, whether applied by
      a court of law or equity. This limitation includes principles:

      a.    governing the availability of specific performance, injunctive
            relief or other equitable remedies, which generally place the award
            of such remedies, subject to certain guidelines, in the discretion
            of the court to which application for such relief is made;

      b.    affording equitable defenses (e.g., waiver, laches and estoppel)
            against a party seeking enforcement;

      c.    requiring good faith and fair dealing in the performance and
            enforcement of a contract by the party seeking its enforcement;

                                      A-1
<PAGE>   155

      d.    requiring reasonableness in the performance and enforcement of an
            agreement by the party seeking enforcement of the contract;

      e.    requiring consideration of the materiality of (i) a breach and (ii)
            the consequences of the breach to the party seeking enforcement;

      f.    requiring consideration of the impracticability or impossibility of
            performance at the time of attempted enforcement; and

      g.    affording defenses based upon the unconscionability of the enforcing
            party's conduct after the parties have entered into the contract.

3.    Other Common Qualifications. Each of our opinions (other than with respect
      to paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 12 and 13 of our letter) is subject to the
      effect of rules of law that:

      a.    limit or affect the enforcement of provisions of a contract that
            purport to waive, or to require waiver of, the obligations of good
            faith, fair dealing, diligence and reasonableness;

      b.    provide that forum selection clauses in contracts are not
            necessarily binding on the court(s) in the forum selected;

      c.    provide a time limitation after which a remedy may not be enforced;

      d.    limit the right of a creditor to use force or cause a breach of the
            peace in enforcing rights;

      e.    relate to the requirements of a commercially reasonable sale or
            disposition of collateral;

      f.    limit the enforceability of provisions releasing, exculpating or
            exempting a party from, or requiring indemnification of a party for,
            liability for its own action or inaction, to the extent the action
            or inaction involves gross negligence, recklessness, willful
            misconduct, unlawful conduct, violation of public policy or
            litigation against another party determined adversely to such party;

      g.    may, where less than all of a contract may be unenforceable, limit
            the enforceability of the balance of the contract to circumstances
            in which the unenforceable portion is not an essential part of the
            agreed exchange;

                                       A-2
<PAGE>   156

      h.    govern and afford judicial discretion regarding the determination of
            damages and entitlement to attorneys' fees and other costs;

      i.    may permit a party that has materially failed to render or offer
            performance required by the contract to cure that failure unless (i)
            permitting a cure would unreasonably hinder the aggrieved party from
            making substitute arrangements for performance, or (ii) it was
            important in the circumstances to the aggrieved party that
            performance occur by the date stated in the contract.

      j.    unless effectively consented to by the applicable guarantor, may
            render guarantees unenforceable under circumstances where your
            actions, failures to act or waivers, amendments or replacement of
            the Transaction Agreements so radically change the essential nature
            of the terms and conditions of the guaranteed obligations and the
            related transactions that, in effect, a new relationship has arisen
            between you and any Loan Party which is substantially and materially
            different from that presently contemplated by the Transaction
            Agreements.

      k.    limit the enforceability of requirements in the Transaction
            Agreements that provisions therein may only be waived or amended in
            writing may not be enforceable to the extent that an oral agreement
            or an implied agreement by trade practice or course of conduct has
            been created modifying any such provision.

4.    Referenced Provision Qualification. In addition, our opinions, insofar as
      they relate to the validity, binding effect or enforceability of a
      provision in any of the Transaction Agreements requiring any Loan Party to
      perform its obligations under, or to cause any other person to perform its
      obligations under, any provision (a "Referenced Provision") of such
      Transaction Agreement or of any of the other Transaction Agreements or
      stating that any action will be taken as provided in or in accordance with
      any provision (also a "Referenced Provision") of any other Transaction
      Agreement, are subject to the same qualifications as the corresponding
      opinion in this letter relating to the validity, binding effect and
      enforceability of such Referenced Provision.

 5.   Collateral Qualifications. The opinions and advice contained in our letter
      are subject to the following advice:

      a.    certain rights of debtors and duties of secured parties referred to
            in Sections 1-102(3) and 9-501(3) of the New York UCC may not be
            waived, released, varied or disclaimed by agreement prior to a
            default;

      b.    our opinions regarding the creation and perfection of security
            interest are subject to the effect of (i) the limitations on the
            existence and perfection of security interests in proceeds resulting
            from the operation of Section 9-306, or Section 9-115 of any

                                       A-3
<PAGE>   157

            applicable Uniform Commercial Code; (ii) the limitations in favor of
            buyers imposed by Sections 9-307 and 9-308 of any applicable Uniform
            Commercial Code; (iii) the limitations with respect to documents,
            instruments and securities imposed by Section 9-309 and 8-303 of any
            applicable Uniform Commercial Code; (iv) other rights of persons in
            possession of money, instruments and proceeds constituting
            certificated or uncertificated securities; and (v) section 547 of
            the Bankruptcy Code with respect to preferential transfers and
            section 552 of the Bankruptcy Code with respect to any Collateral
            acquired by any Loan Party subsequent to the commencement of a case
            against or by any Loan Party under the Bankruptcy Code;

      c.    Article 9 of each applicable Uniform Commercial Code requires the
            filing of continuation statements within specified periods in order
            to maintain the effectiveness of the filings referred to in our
            letter;

      d.    Additional filings may be necessary if any Loan Party changes its
            name, identity or corporate structure or the jurisdiction in which
            any of its places of business, its chief executive office or any
            Collateral is located.

      e.    we express no opinion regarding the perfection of any security
            interest except as specifically set forth in our letter or regarding
            the continued perfection of any security interest in any Collateral
            upon or following the removal of such Collateral to another
            jurisdiction;

      f.    the assignment of any contract, lease, license, or permit may
            require the approval of the issuer thereof or the other parties
            thereto;

      g.    we express no opinion with respect to any self-help remedies to the
            extent they vary from those available under the UCC or with respect
            to any remedies otherwise inconsistent with the UCC to the extent
            that the UCC is applicable thereto;

      h.    a substantial body of case law treats guarantors as "debtors" under
            the New York UCC, thereby according guarantors rights and remedies
            of debtors established by the New York UCC; and

      i.    we express no opinion with respect to the adequacy of the waivers
            set forth in any guarantee insofar as they might not be broad enough
            for all situations which might arise for which you would find a
            waiver desirable, and we express no opinion as to whether the
            guarantee would remain enforceable if you release the primary
            obligor either directly or by electing a remedy which precludes you
            from proceeding directly against the primary obligor.

                                       A-4
<PAGE>   158

                                   Schedule B

                                   Assumptions

      For purposes of our letter, we have relied, without investigation, upon
each of the following assumptions:

1,    Each Loan Party (i) has the requisite title and rights to any property
      involved in the transactions effected under the Transaction Agreements
      (herein called the "Transactions") including without limiting the
      generality of the foregoing, each item of Collateral existing on the date
      hereof and (ii) will have the requisite title and rights to each item of
      Collateral arising after the date hereof.

2.    Each party to the Transaction Agreements (other than any Loan Party) is
      existing and in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization.

3.    Each party to the Transaction Agreements (other than any Loan Party) has
      full power and authority (including without limitation under the laws of
      its jurisdiction of organization) to execute, deliver, and perform its
      obligations under each of the Transaction Agreements and each of the
      Transaction Agreements has been duly authorized by all necessary action on
      its part and has been duly executed and duly delivered by it.

4.    The Transaction Agreements to which you are a party constitute valid and
      binding obligations of yours and are enforceable against you in accordance
      with their terms (subject to qualifications, exclusions, and other
      limitations similar to those applicable to our letter).

5.    You have satisfied those legal requirements that are applicable to you to
      the extent necessary to make the Transaction Agreements enforceable
      against you.

6.    You have complied with all legal requirements pertaining to your status as
      such status relates to your rights to enforce the Transaction Agreements
      against any Loan Party.

7.    Each document submitted to us for review is accurate and complete, each
      such document that is an original is authentic, each such document that is
      a copy conforms to an authentic original, and all signatures (other than
      those of or on behalf of any Loan Party) on each such document are
      genuine.

8.    There has not been any mutual mistake of fact or misunderstanding, fraud,
      duress or undue influence relating to the Transaction Agreements.

                                       B-l
<PAGE>   159

9.    The conduct of the parties to the Transaction Agreements has complied with
      any requirement of good faith, fair dealing and conscionability.

10.   You have acted in good faith and without notice of any defense against the
      enforcement of any rights created by, or adverse claim to any property or
      security interest transferred or created as part of, the Transactions.

11.   The descriptions of collateral in the Loan Agreements and the Financing
      Statements reasonably describe the property intended to be described as
      Collateral and the legal descriptions of real estate described in the
      Financing Statements to be filed as fixture filings are accurate.

12.   There are no agreements or understandings among the parties, written or
      oral, and there is no usage of trade or course or prior dealing among the
      parties that would, in either case, define, supplement or qualify the
      terms of the Credit Agreement or any of the other Transaction Agreements.

13.   The constitutionality or validity of a relevant statute, rule, regulation
      or agency action is not in issue.

14.   All parties to the Transaction Agreements (other than any Loan Party) will
      act in accordance with, and will refrain from taking any action that is
      forbidden by, the terms and conditions of the Transaction Agreements.

15.   The initial advance under the Loans has been made by you to the Parent
      Borrower.

16.   With respect to paragraph 6 of our letter, all agreements, other than the
      Transaction Agreements (if any) with respect to which we have provided
      advice in our letter or reviewed in connection with our letter, would be
      enforced as written.

17.   With respect to paragraph 6 of our letter, none of the Loan Parties will
      in the future take any discretionary action (including a decision not to
      act) permitted under the Transaction Agreements that would result in a
      violation of law or constitute a breach or default under any other
      agreements or court orders to which any of the Loan Parties may be
      subject.

18.   All information required to be disclosed in connection with any consent or
      approval by the Boards of Directors or stockholders (or equivalent
      governing group) of any of the Loan Parties and all other information
      required to be disclosed in connection with any issue relevant to our
      opinions has in fact been fully and fairly disclosed to all persons to
      whom it is required to be disclosed.

                                       B-2
<PAGE>   160

                                   Schedule C

                          Excluded Law and Legal Issues

      None of the opinions or advice contained in our letter (other than those
contained in paragraphs 17 and 18) covers or otherwise addresses any of the
following laws, regulations or other governmental requirements or legal issues:

1.    federal securities laws and regulations (including (other than with
      respect to paragraphs 9 and 10 of our letter) the Investment Company Act
      of 1940 and all other laws and regulations administered by the United
      States Securities and Exchange Commission), state "Blue Sky" laws and
      regulations, and laws and regulations relating to commodity (and other)
      futures and indices and other similar instruments;

2.    Federal Reserve Board margin regulations (other than with respect to our
      opinion in paragraph 11 of the letter);

3.    pension and employee benefit laws and regulations (e.g., ERISA);

4.    federal and state antitrust and unfair competition laws and regulations;

5.    federal and state laws and regulations concerning filing and notice
      requirements (other than with respect to paragraphs 13 and 14 of our
      letter);

6.    compliance with fiduciary duty requirements;

7.    the statutes and ordinances, the administrative decisions and the rules
      and regulations of counties, towns, municipalities and special political
      subdivisions (whether created or enabled through legislative action at the
      federal, state or regional level -- e.g., water agencies, joint power
      districts, turnpike and tollroad authorities, rapid transit districts or
      authorities, and port authorities) and judicial decisions to the extent
      that they deal with any of the foregoing;

8.    the priority of any security interest or, to the extent that the
      enforceability of any security interest is dependent upon the priority
      thereof, the enforceability of such security interest;

9.    the creation, perfection, or enforceability of security interests in
      property in which it is illegal or violative of governmental rules or
      regulations to grant a security interest, general intangibles which
      terminate or become terminable if a security interest is granted therein,
      property subject to negative pledge clauses of which you have knowledge,
      vehicles, ships, vessels, barges, boats, railroad cars, locomotives or
      other rolling stock, aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers and related
      parts, or other property for which a state or federal statute or

                                       C-1
<PAGE>   161

      treaty provides for registration or certification of title or which
      specifies a place a filing different than that specified in Section 9-401
      of any applicable Uniform Commercial Code, cash which is not in your
      possession, uncertificated securities, crops, timber to be cut, fixtures,
      accounts subject to subsection (5) of Section 9-103 of any applicable
      Uniform Commercial Code, consumer goods, farm products, equipment used in
      farming operations, accounts or general intangibles arising from or
      relating to the sale of farm products by a farmer, property identified to
      a contract with, or in the possession of, the United States of America or
      any state, county, city, municipality or other governmental body or
      agency, goods for which a negotiable document of title has been issued,
      and copyrights, other literary property rights, service marks, know-how,
      processes, trade secrets, undocumented computer software, unrecorded and
      unwritten data and information, and rights and licenses thereunder;

10.   the enforceability of any security interest in any accounts, chattel
      paper, documents, instruments or general intangibles with respect to which
      the account debtor or obligor is the United States of America, any state,
      county, city, municipality or other governmental body, or any department,
      agency or instrumentality thereof;

11.   fraudulent transfer and fraudulent conveyance laws;

12.   federal and state environmental laws and regulations;

13.   federal and state land use and subdivision laws and regulations;

14.   federal and state tax laws and regulations;

15.   federal patent, trademark and copyright, state trademark, and other
      federal and state intellectual property laws and regulations (other than
      with respect to paragraph 15 of our letter);

16.   federal and state racketeering laws and regulations (e.g., RICO);

17.   federal and state health and safety laws and regulations (e.g., OSHA);

18.   federal and state labor laws and regulations;

19.   federal and state laws, regulations and policies concerning (i) national
      and local emergency, (ii) possible judicial deference to acts of sovereign
      states, and (iii) criminal and civil forfeiture laws;

20.   other federal and state statutes of general application to the extent they
      provide for criminal prosecution (e.g., mail fraud and wire fraud
      statutes);

                                       C-2
<PAGE>   162

21.   any laws, regulations, directives and executive orders that prohibit or
      limit the enforceability of obligations based on attributes of the party
      seeking enforcement (e.g., the Trading with the Enemy Act and the
      International Emergency Economic Powers Act); and

22.   the effect of any law, regulation or order which hereafter becomes
      effective.

      We have not undertaken any research for purposes of determining whether
any Loan Party or any of the Transactions which may occur in connection with the
Credit Agreement or any of the other Transaction Agreements is subject to any
law or other governmental requirement other than to those laws and requirements
which in our experience would generally be recognized as applicable in the
absence of research by lawyers in New York or Illinois, and none of our opinions
cover any such law or other requirement unless (i) one of our Designated
Transaction Lawyers had actual knowledge of its applicability at the time our
letter was delivered on the date it bears and (ii) it is not excluded from
coverage by other provisions in our letter or in any schedule to our letter.

                                       C-3
<PAGE>   163

                                   Schedule D

                               Excluded Provisions

      None of the opinions in the letter to which this Schedule is attached
covers or otherwise addresses any of the following types of provisions which may
be contained in the Transaction Agreements:

1.    Choice-of-law provisions, other than with respect to provisions selecting
      New York law.

2.    Covenants not to compete, including, without limitation, covenants not to
      interfere with business or employee relations, covenants not to solicit
      customers, and covenants not to solicit or hire employees.

3.    Indemnification for gross negligence, willful misconduct or other
      wrongdoing or strict product liability or any indemnification for
      liabilities arising under securities laws.

4.    Provisions mandating contribution towards judgments or settlements among
      various parties.

5.    Waivers of (i) legal or equitable defenses, (ii) rights to damages, (iii)
      rights to counter claim or set off, (iv) statutes of limitations, (v)
      rights to notice, (vi) the benefits of statutory, regulatory, or
      constitutional rights, unless and to the extent the statute, regulation,
      or constitution explicitly allows waiver, (vii) broadly or vaguely stated
      rights, and (viii) other benefits to the extent they cannot be waived
      under applicable law.

6.    Provisions providing for forfeitures or the recovery of amounts deemed to
      constitute penalties, or for liquidated damages, acceleration of future
      amounts due (other than principal) without appropriate discount to present
      value, late charges and prepayment charges.

7.    Time-is-of-the-essence clauses.

8.    Provisions which provide a time limitation after which a remedy may not be
      enforced.

9.    Confession of judgment clauses.

10.   Agreements to submit to the jurisdiction of any particular court or other
      governmental authority (either as to personal jurisdiction and subject
      matter jurisdiction); provisions restricting access to courts; waiver of
      service of process requirements which would otherwise be applicable; and
      provisions otherwise purporting to affect the jurisdiction and venue of
      courts.

                                       D-l
<PAGE>   164

11.   Provisions that attempt to change or waive rules of evidence or fix the
      method or quantum of proof to be applied in litigation or similar
      proceedings.

12.   Waivers of the right to trial by jury.

13.   Provisions appointing one party as an attorney-in-fact for an adverse
      party or providing that the decision of any particular person will be
      conclusive or binding on others.

14.   Provisions purporting to limit rights of third parties who have not
      consented thereto or purporting to grant rights to third parties.

15.   Provisions which purport to award attorneys' fees solely to one party.

16.   Arbitration agreements.

17.   Provisions purporting to create a trust or constructive trust without
      compliance with applicable trust law.

18.   Provisions relating to (i) insurance coverage requirements and (ii) the
      application of insurance proceeds and condemnation awards.

19.   Provisions that provide for the appointment of a receiver.

20.   Provisions or agreements regarding proxies, shareholders agreements,
      shareholder voting rights, voting trusts, and the like.

21.   Confidentiality agreements.

22.   Provisions in any of the Transaction Agreements requiring any Loan Party
      to perform its obligations under, or to cause any other person to perform
      its obligations under, or stating that any action will be taken as
      provided in or in accordance with, any agreement or other document that is
      not a Transaction Agreement.

23.   Provisions, if any, which are contrary to the public policy of any
      jurisdiction.

24.   The enforceability of any provision of any Transaction Agreement which
      purports to authorize you to sign or file Financing Statements or other
      documents without the signature of the debtor (except to the extent a
      secured party may execute and file financing statements without the
      signature of the debtor under Section 9-402(2) of the applicable Uniform
      Commercial Code).

                                       D-2
<PAGE>   165

25.   The enforceability of any provision of any Transaction Agreement which
      purports to authorize you to purchase at a private sale collateral which
      is not subject to widely distributed standard price quotations or sold on
      a recognized market.

                                       D-3
<PAGE>   166

                                                                      EXHIBIT B2

                                 Defrees & Fiske
                                   Law Offices
                         200 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1100
                            Chicago. Illinois 60604-2480
                                   Founded 1884

Donald Defrees. 1915-1968
Kenneth M. Fiske, 1928-1978                                        June 30, 1999

Telephone (312) 372-4000
Facsimile (312) 939-5617

9171-9801

Key Acquisition, L.L.C.
c/o Doughty Hanson & Co. Ltd.
Times Place
45 Pall Mall
London SW1Y5JG

Gentlemen:

      We have acted as counsel for Knowles Electronics, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company "), and the stockholders of the Company (the
"Stockholders") in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Recapitalization Agreement, dated as of June 23, 1999 (the
"Agreement"), among Key Acquisition, L.L.C. ("Buyer"), the Company and the
Stockholders. This opinion is delivered to Buyer pursuant to Section 10.2(b) of
the Agreement. Capitalized terms appearing herein shall have the respective
meanings set forth in the Agreement, unless otherwise defined herein.

      This opinion is governed by, and shall be interpreted in accordance with,
the Legal Opinion Accord (the "Accord") of the ABA Section of Business Law
(1991). As a consequence, it is subject to a number of qualifications,
exceptions, definitions, limitations on coverage and other limitations, all as
more particularly described in the Accord, and this Opinion Letter should be
read in conjunction therewith. The law covered by the opinion expressed herein
is limited to the laws of the State of Illinois and the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware.

      Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that:

      1.    Each of the Company, Synchro-Start Products, Inc., Knowles
            Manufacturing Ltd. and Emkay Innovative Products, Inc. is a
            corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing
            under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

      2.    (a) The Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign
            corporation and is in good standing under The Business Corporation
            Act of the State of Illinois. (b) Synchro-Start Products, Inc. is
            duly qualified to do business
<PAGE>   167

Key Acquisition, L.L.C.
June 30, 1999
Page 2

      as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under The Business
      Corporation Act of the State of Illinois, The Michigan Business
      Corporation Act and The Business Corporation Law of Pennsylvania. (c)
      Emkay Innovative Products, Inc. is duly qualified to do business as a
      foreign corporation and is in good standing under The Business Corporation
      Act of the State of Illinois.

            3. The Company has all corporate power and authority to execute,
      deliver and perform its obligations under the Agreement. The execution,
      delivery and performance by the Company and the Stockholders of the
      Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of
      the Company and the Stockholders.

            4. The Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of the Company
      and the Stockholders, enforceable against the Company and the Stockholders
      in accordance with its terms.

      For purposes of each opinion expressed in paragraphs #1 and 2, we have
relied exclusively upon the Certificates listed on Exhibit A and such opinions
are not intended to provide any conclusion or assurance beyond that conveyed by
those Certificates.

      The opinions expressed herein are solely for the benefit of Buyer and the
lending institutions listed on Exhibit B who have been identified as the lenders
providing financing to Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by the
Agreement and may not, without our prior written consent, be relied upon in any
manner by any other person or used for any other purpose.

                              Very truly yours,

                              /s/ Defrees & Fiske

                              DEFREES & FISKE

Attachments
<PAGE>   168

                                    Exhibit A
                                       to
                           Opinion of Defrees & Fiske
                               dated June 30, 1999
The Company:

     Secretary of State of Delaware Certificate of Good Standing dated
June 24, 1999

     Secretary of State of Illinois Certificate of Good Standing dated
June 24, 1999

Synchro-Start Products, Inc.:
      Secretary of State of Delaware Certificate of Good Standing dated
June 24, 1999

      Secretary of State of Illinois Certificate of Good Standing dated
June 24, 1999

      Secretary of State of Michigan Certificate of Good Standing dated
June 24, 1999

      Secretary of State of Pennsylvania Certificate of Due Qualification dated
June 25, 1999

Emkay Innovative Products, Inc.:
      Secretary of State of Delaware Certificate of Good Standing dated
June 24, 1999

      Secretary of State of Illinois Certificate of Good Standing dated
June 24, 1999

Knowles Manufacturing Ltd.:
      Secretary of State of Delaware Certificate of Good Standing dated
June 24, 1999
<PAGE>   169

                                    Exhibit B
                                       to
                           Opinion of Defrees & Fiske
                               dated June 30, 1999

Lending Institutions:

This opinion may be relied upon (1) The Chase Manhattan Bank ("Chase"), as
"Administrative Agent", Chase Securities Inc. ("Chase Securities"), as "Lead
Arranger and Book Manager", Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. ("MSSF"), as
"Syndication Agent" and the "Lenders", each as defined in the Credit Agreement
dated as of June 28, 1999 and made among Knowles Electronics, Inc. ("Knowles"),
the Lenders, Chase, MSSF, and Chase Securities; (2) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
("MSDW"), as "Lead Arranger and Book Runner", Chase Securities, as Co-Manager,
the "Purchasers", and the holders of the "Notes", the "Rollover Notes" and the
"Refinancing Securities", each as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement dated
as of June 28, 1999 and made among Knowles, MSDW and Chase Securities; and (3)
the successors and assigns of any of the foregoing.
<PAGE>   170
                                                                       EXHIBIT C
                                                             to Credit Agreement
                              See exhibit 10.2.

<PAGE>   171
                                                                       EXHIBIT D
                                                             to Credit Agreement
                              See exhibit 10.3.

<PAGE>   172
                                                                       EXHIBIT E

                        INDEMNITY, SUBROGATION and CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT dated
                  as of June 30, 1999, among KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, INC., a
                  Delaware corporation (the "Parent Borrower"), each Subsidiary
                  of the Parent Borrower listed on Schedule I hereto (each a
                  "Guarantor" and, collectively, the "Guarantors") and THE CHASE
                  MANHATTAN BANK, a New York banking corporation ("Chase"), as
                  administrative agent (in such capacity, the "Administrative
                  Agent") for the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit
                  Agreement referred to below).

            Reference is made to (a) the Credit Agreement dated as of June 28,
1999 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the
"Credit Agreement"), among the Parent Borrower, the lenders from time to time
party thereto (the "Lenders"), Chase, as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender
and as issuing bank (in such capacity, the "Issuing Bank") and Morgan Stanley
Senior Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent and (b) the Guarantee Agreement dated
as of June 30, 1999 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time, the "Guarantee Agreement"), among the Guarantors and the Administrative
Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the
meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

      The Lenders have agreed to make Loans to the Borrowers, and the Issuing
Bank has agreed to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrowers,
pursuant to, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions specified in, the
Credit Agreement. The Guarantors have guaranteed such Loans and the other
Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee Agreement) of the Parent Borrower under
the Credit Agreement pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement; certain Guarantors
have granted Liens on and security interests in certain of their assets to
secure such guarantees. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the
Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit are conditioned on, among other things,
the execution and delivery by the Parent Borrower and the Guarantors of an
agreement in the form hereof.

      Accordingly, the Parent Borrower, each Guarantor and the Administrative
Agent agree as follows:

      SECTION 1. Indemnity and Subrogation. In addition to all such rights of
indemnity and subrogation as the Guarantors may have under applicable law (but
subject to Section 3), the Parent Borrower agrees that (a) in the event a
payment shall be made by any Guarantor under the Guarantee Agreement, the Parent
Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor for the full amount of such payment and
such Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the Person to whom such
payment shall have been made to the extent of such payment and (b) in the event
any assets of any Guarantor shall be sold pursuant to any Security Document to
satisfy a claim of any Secured Party, the Parent Borrower shall indemnify such
Guarantor in an amount equal to the greater of the book value or the fair market
value of the assets so sold.

      SECTION 2. Contribution and Subrogation. Each Guarantor (a "Contributing
Guarantor") agrees (subject to Section 3) that, in the event a payment shall be
made by
<PAGE>   173
                                                                               2

any other Guarantor under the Guarantee Agreement or assets of any other
Guarantor shall be sold pursuant to any Security Document to satisfy a claim of
any Secured Party and such other Guarantor (the "Claiming Guarantor") shall not
have been fully indemnified by the Parent Borrower as provided in Section 1, the
Contributing Guarantor shall indemnify the Claiming Guarantor in an amount equal
to the amount of such payment or the greater of the book value or the fair
market value of such assets, as the case may be, in each case multiplied by a
fraction of which the numerator shall be the net worth of the Contributing
Guarantor on the date hereof and the denominator shall be the aggregate net
worth of all the Guarantors on the date hereof (or, in the case of any Guarantor
becoming a party hereto pursuant to Section 12, the date of the Supplement
hereto executed and delivered by such Guarantor). Any Contributing Guarantor
making any payment to a Claiming Guarantor pursuant to this Section 2 shall be
subrogated to the rights of such Claiming Guarantor under Section 1 to the
extent of such payment.

      SECTION 3. Subordination. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement
to the contrary, all rights of the Guarantors under Sections 1 and 2 and all
other rights of indemnity, contribution or subrogation under applicable law or
otherwise shall be fully subordinated to the indefeasible payment in full in
cash of all Obligations which are then due and payable whether at maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise. No failure on the part of the Parent Borrower or any
Guarantor to make the payments required by Sections 1 and 2 (or any other
payments required under applicable law or otherwise) shall in any respect limit
the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor with respect to its obligations
hereunder, and each Guarantor shall remain liable for the full amount of the
obligations of such Guarantor hereunder.

      SECTION 4. Termination. This Agreement shall survive and be in full force
and effect so long as any Obligation (other than any right to indemnification of
any Secured Party with respect to any matter in respect of which no claim has
been asserted and is outstanding) is outstanding and has not been indefeasibly
paid in full in cash, and so long as each LC Exposure has not been reduced to
zero or any of the Commitments under the Credit Agreement have not been
terminated or the Issuing Bank has any obligation to issue Letters of Credit,
and shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at
any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Obligation is rescinded or must
otherwise be restored by any Secured Party or any Guarantor upon the bankruptcy
or reorganization of the Parent Borrower, any Guarantor or otherwise.

      SECTION 5. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

      SECTION 6. No Waiver; Amendment. (a) No failure on the part of the
Administrative Agent or any Guarantor to exercise, and no delay in exercising,
any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy by the
Administrative Agent or any Guarantor preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. All remedies
hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other remedies provided by
law. None of the Administrative Agent and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have
waived any rights hereunder unless such waiver shall be in writing and signed by
such parties.
<PAGE>   174
                                                                               3

      (b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended
or modified except pursuant to a written agreement entered into between the
Administrative Agent and the Guarantor or Guarantors with respect to which such
waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, with the prior written consent of
the Required Lenders (and such other consent as may be required by Section 9.02
of the Credit Agreement).

      SECTION 7. Notices. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in
writing and given as provided in the Guarantee Agreement and addressed as
specified therein.

      SECTION 8. Binding Agreement; Assignments. Whenever in this Agreement any
of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include
the successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and
agreements by or on behalf of the parties that are contained in this Agreement
shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.
Neither the Parent Borrower nor any Guarantor may assign or transfer any of its
rights or obligations hereunder (and any such attempted assignment or transfer
shall be void) without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the time any Guarantor is released from its
obligations under the Guarantee Agreement in accordance with such Guarantee
Agreement and the Credit Agreement, such Guarantor will cease to have any rights
or obligations under this Agreement.

      SECTION 9. Survival of Agreement; Severability. (a) All covenants and
agreements made by the Parent Borrower and each Guarantor herein and in the
certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be considered to have been relied
upon by the Administrative Agent, the other Secured Parties and each Guarantor
and shall survive the making by the Lenders of the Loans and the issuance of the
Letters of Credit by the Issuing Bank and shall continue in full force and
effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loans or any
other fee or amount payable under the Credit Agreement or this Agreement or
under any of the other Loan Documents is outstanding and unpaid or the LC
Exposure does not equal zero and as long as the Commitments have not been
terminated.

      (b) In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement
should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto
shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is
held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way
be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith
negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with
valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that
of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

      SECTION 10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts
(and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall
constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a
single contract. This Agreement shall be effective with respect to any Guarantor
when a counterpart bearing the signature of such Guarantor shall have been
delivered to the Administrative Agent. Delivery of an executed signature page to
this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a
manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

      SECTION 11. Rules of Interpretation. The rules of interpretation specified
in Section 1.03 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Agreement.
<PAGE>   175
                                                                               4

      SECTION 12. Additional Guarantors. Pursuant to Section 5.12 of the Credit
Agreement, each Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that was not in existence or
not a Subsidiary on the date of the Credit Agreement is required to enter into
the Guarantee Agreement as a Guarantor upon becoming such a Subsidiary that is a
Subsidiary Loan Party. Upon execution and delivery, after the date hereof, by
the Administrative Agent and such a Subsidiary of an instrument in the form of
Annex 1 hereto, such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor hereunder with the same
force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor hereunder. The execution
and delivery of any instrument adding an additional Guarantor as a party to this
Agreement shall not require the consent of any Guarantor hereunder. The rights
and obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall remain in full force and
effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Guarantor as a party to this
Agreement.
<PAGE>   176

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date first appearing above.

                                 KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, INC.,

                                 By /s/ Reg G. Garratt
                                    ----------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title: CHM/CEO

                                 THE GUARANTORS LISTED ON
                                 SCHEDULE I HERETO,

                                 By /s/ Reg G. Garratt
                                    ----------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title: CHM/CEO

                                 THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as
                                 Administrative Agent,

                                 By
                                    ----------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title:
<PAGE>   177

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date first appearing above.

                                 KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, INC.

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

                                 THE GUARANTORS LISTED ON
                                 SCHEDULE I HERETO,

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

                                 THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as
                                 Administrative Agent,

                                 By /s/ Deborah Davey
                                    ----------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Deborah Davey
                                    Title: Vice President
<PAGE>   178

                                                               Schedule I to the
                                                      Indemnity, Subrogation and
                                                          Contribution Agreement

                                   Guarantors
                                   ----------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Guarantor                              Address
               ---------                              -------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>
Knowles Intermediate Holding, Inc.               1151 Maplewood Drive
                                                 Itasca, IL 60143
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emkay Innovative Products, Inc.                  1151 Maplewood Drive
                                                 Itasca, IL 60143
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knowles Manufacturing Ltd.                       1151 Maplewood Drive
                                                 Itasca, IL 60143
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Synchro-Start Products, Inc.                     6250 West Howard Street
                                                 Niles, IL 60714
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   179

                                                                  Annex 1 to the
                                                      Indemnity, Subrogation and
                                                          Contribution Agreement

                  SUPPLEMENT NO. [ ] dated as of [ ], to the Indemnity,
            Subrogation and Contribution Agreement dated as of June 30, 1999,
            among KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
            "Borrower"), each Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower listed on
            Schedule I hereto (each a "Guarantor" and, collectively, the
            "Guarantors") and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a New York banking
            corporation ("Chase"), as administrative agent (in such capacity,
            the "Administrative Agent") for the Secured Parties (as defined in
            the Credit Agreement referred to below).

      A. Reference is made to (a) the Credit Agreement dated as of June 28, 1999
(as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit
Agreement"), among the Parent Borrower, the lenders from time to time party
thereto (the "Lenders"), Chase, as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and as
issuing bank (in such capacity, the "Issuing Bank") and Morgan Stanley Senior
Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent and (b) the Guarantee Agreement dated as of
June 30, 1999 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
the "Guarantee Agreement"), among the Guarantors and the Administrative Agent.

      B. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall
have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indemnity, Subrogation and
Contribution Agreement and the Credit Agreement.

      C. The Parent Borrower and the Guarantors have entered into the Indemnity,
Subrogation and Contribution Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make
Loans and the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit. Pursuant to Section 5.12
of the Credit Agreement, each Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that was not in
existence or not a Subsidiary on the date of the Credit Agreement is required to
enter into the Guarantee Agreement as a Guarantor upon becoming a Subsidiary
that is a Subsidiary Loan Party. Section 12 of the Indemnity, Subrogation and
Contribution Agreement provides that additional Subsidiaries of the Parent
Borrower may become Guarantors under the Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution
Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this
Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower (the "New
Guarantor") is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of
the Credit Agreement to become a Guarantor under the Indemnity, Subrogation and
Contribution Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans
and the Issuing Bank to issue additional Letters of Credit and as consideration
for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued.

      Accordingly, the Administrative Agent and the New Guarantor agree as
follows:

      SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 12 of the Indemnity, Subrogation and
Contribution Agreement, the New Guarantor by its signature below becomes a
Guarantor under the Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement with the
same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor and the New
Guarantor hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Indemnity,
Subrogation and Contribution Agreement applicable to it as a Guarantor
thereunder. Each reference to a "Guarantor" in the Indemnity, Subrogation and
Contribution Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Guarantor. The
Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement is hereby incorporated herein
by reference.
<PAGE>   180
                                                                               2

      SECTION 2. The New Guarantor represents and warrants to the Administrative
Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and
binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

      SECTION 3. This Supplement may be executed in counterparts (and by
different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall
constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a
single contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Administrative
Agent shall have received counterparts of this Supplement that, when taken
together, bear the signatures of the New Guarantor and the Administrative Agent.
Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile
transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart
of this Supplement.

      SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Indemnity,
Subrogation and Contribution Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

      SECTION 5. THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

      SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this
Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect,
neither party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long
as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained
herein and in the Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement shall not in
any way be affected or impaired. The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith
negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with
valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that
of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

      SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing
and given as provided in Section 7 of the Indemnity, Subrogation and
Contribution Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New
Guarantor shall be given to it at the address set forth under its signature.

      SECTION 8. The New Guarantor agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent
for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement,
including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for
the Administrative Agent.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Guarantor and the Administrative Agent have
duly executed this Supplement to the Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                              [NAME OF NEW GUARANTOR],

                           By_________________________
                             Name:
<PAGE>   181
                                                                               3

                          Title:

                          THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as
                          Administrative Agent,

                          By__________________________
                            Name:
                            Title:
<PAGE>   182

                                            Schedule I to Supplement No. [     ]
                                               to the Indemnity, Subrogation and
                                                          Contribution Agreement

                                   GUARANTORS

Name                         Address
----                         -------
<PAGE>   183
                                                                       EXHIBIT F
                                                             to Credit Agreement
                              See exhibit 10.5.

<PAGE>   184
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                             to Credit Agreement
                              See exhibit 10.4.

<PAGE>   185
                                                                       EXHIBIT H

                         FORM OF ELECTION TO PARTICIPATE

                                ___________, __

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
   as Administrative Agent
   for the Lenders named in the Credit Agreement dated as of June 28, 1999 (as
   amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit
   Agreement") among Knowles Electronics, Inc. (the "Parent Borrower"), the
   lenders from time to time party thereto (the "Lenders"), The Chase Manhattan
   Bank, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent"),
   and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

            Reference is made to the Credit Agreement described above. Terms not
defined herein which are defined in the Credit Agreement have for the purposes
hereof the meanings provided therein.

            The undersigned, [name of Foreign Subsidiary], a [jurisdiction of
incorporation] corporation, elects to be a Foreign Borrower for purposes of the
Credit Agreement, effective from the date hereof until an Election to Terminate
shall have been delivered on behalf of the undersigned in accordance with the
Credit Agreement. By executing this Election to Participate, [name of Foreign
Subsidiary] becomes a party to the Credit Agreement as a Foreign Borrower with
the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Foreign Borrower.
Each reference to a "Foreign Borrower" in the Credit Agreement shall be deemed
to include [name of Foreign Subsidiary]. The undersigned confirms that the
representations and warranties set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement
are true and correct as to the undersigned as of the date hereof, and the
undersigned agrees to perform all the obligations of a Foreign Borrower under,
and to be bound in all respects by the terms of, the Credit Agreement, including
without limitation Section 9.09 thereof, as if the undersigned were a signatory
party thereto.

            There are no Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed on (by
withholding or otherwise) any payment to be made by any Foreign Borrower
pursuant hereto, or imposed on or by virtue of the execution, delivery or
enforcement of its Election to Participate [,except as follows:         ].
<PAGE>   186
                                                                               2

            All notices to the undersigned under the Credit Agreement should be
addressed to it in the care of the Parent Borrower. This instrument shall be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    [NAME OF FOREIGN SUBSIDIARY]

                                    By     __________________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

            The undersigned confirms that [name of Foreign Subsidiary] is a
Foreign Borrower for purposes of the Credit Agreement described above.

                                    KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, INC.,
                                    as Parent Borrower

                                    By     __________________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

            Receipt of the above Election to Participate is acknowledged on and
as of the date set forth above.

                                    THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                    as Administrative Agent

                                    By     __________________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:
<PAGE>   187

                                                                       EXHIBIT I

                          FORM OF ELECTION TO TERMINATE

                                ___________, __

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
  as Administrative Agent
  for the Lenders named in the Credit Agreement

  dated as of June 28, 1999 (as amended, supplemented

  or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement") among Knowles

  Electronics, Inc. (the "Parent Borrower"), the lenders from time to time party
  thereto

  (the "Lenders"), The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent (in such

  capacity, the "Administrative Agent"), and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding,
  Inc., as

  Syndication Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

            Reference is made to the Credit Agreement described above. Terms not
defined herein which are defined in the Credit Agreement have for the purposes
hereof the meaning provided therein.

            The undersigned, Knowles Electronics, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
elects to terminate the status of [name of Foreign Borrower], a [jurisdiction of
incorporation] corporation (the "Designated Subsidiary"), as a Foreign Borrower
for purposes of the Credit Agreement, effective as of the date hereof. The
undersigned represents and warrants that there are no outstanding Foreign
Borrower Obligations of the Designated Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, this Election to Terminate shall not affect any obligation of the
Designated Subsidiary under the Credit Agreement.

            This instrument shall be construed in accordance with and governed
by the laws of the State of New York.

                                Very truly yours,

                                    KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, INC.,
                                     as Parent Borrower

                                    by _________________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:
<PAGE>   188
                                                                               2

            Receipt of the above Election to Terminate is acknowledged on and as
of the date set forth above.

                                    THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                     as Administrative Agent

                                    by _________________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:
<PAGE>   189

                                                                       EXHIBIT J

              [Form of] OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE FOREIGN BORROWER
                        (BORROWINGS BY FOREIGN BORROWERS)

                                           [Dated as provided in
                                            Section 4.03 of the
                                            Credit Agreement]

To the Lenders, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent
   and the Syndication Agent Referred to Below
c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank,
   as Administrative Agent
270 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017

Ladies and Gentlemen:

            I am counsel to [name of Foreign Borrower (the "Foreign Borrower"),
jurisdiction of incorporation and of any Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor located in
the same jurisdiction (each, a "Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor")] (collectively,
the "Foreign Loan Parties") and give this opinion pursuant to Section 4.03(b) of
the Credit Agreement dated as of June 28, 1999 (as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement") among Knowles
Electronics, Inc. (the "Parent Borrower"), the lenders from time to time party
thereto (the "Lenders"), The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent (in
such capacity, the "Administrative Agent"), and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding,
Inc., as Syndication Agent. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not
otherwise defined herein are used herein as therein defined.

            I have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise
identified to my satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records,
certificates of public officials and other instruments and have conducted such
other investigations of fact and law as I have deemed necessary or advisable for
purposes of this opinion.

            Upon the basis of the foregoing, I am of the opinion that:

            1. Each Foreign Loan Party is a corporation duly incorporated and
validly existing under the laws of [jurisdiction of incorporation].

            2. The execution and delivery by each Foreign Loan Party of the Loan
Documents to which it is a party (including, without limitation, in the case of
the Foreign Borrower, its Election to Participate) and the performance by the
Foreign Borrower of the Loan Documents to which it is a party are within such
Foreign Loan Party's corporate powers, have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action, require no action by or in respect of, or filing
with, any Governmental Authority or official thereof (except actions or filings
that have been duly taken or made) and do not contravene, or constitute a
default under, any provision of applicable law or regulation or of the
certificate of incorporation or by-laws of such Foreign Loan Party or of any
indenture, agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument
binding upon the Parent
<PAGE>   190
                                                                               2

Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or result in the creation or imposition of
any Lien on any asset of the Parent Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries.

            3. Each Loan Document to which a Foreign Loan Party is a party
constitutes a valid and binding agreement of such Foreign Loan Party,
enforceable against such Foreign Loan Party in accordance with its terms,
subject to the effect of applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and equitable principles of general
applicability.

            4. Except as disclosed in the Foreign Borrower's Election to
Participate, there is no income, stamp or other tax of any Governmental
Authority in [jurisdiction of Foreign Borrower], or any taxing authority thereof
or therein, imposed by or in the nature of withholding or otherwise, which is
imposed on any payment to be made by the Foreign Borrower pursuant to the Credit
Agreement or by any Foreign Loan Party pursuant to any other Loan Document, or
imposed on or by virtue of the execution, delivery or enforcement of such
Foreign Borrower's Election to Participate or any other Loan Document.

                                           Very truly yours,
<PAGE>   191

                                  Schedule 1.01
                               Mortgaged Property

Items marked with an asterisk on Schedule 3.05 are Mortgaged Property.
<PAGE>   192

                                 Schedule 2.01

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Domestic      Multicurrency
                                         Tranche A      Tranche B       Revolving       Revolving             Total
Lenders                                  Commitment     Commitment      Commitment      Commitment         Commitment
--------                                -----------    ------------    -----------     -----------        ------------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>                <C>
The Chase Manhattan Bank                $35,000,000    $105,000,000    $17,500,000     $17,500,000        $175,000,000

Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.     $15,000,000     $45,000,000     $7,500,000      $7,500,000         $75,000,000

Aggregate Commitments                   $50,000,000    $150,000,000    $25,000,000     $25,000,000        $250,000,000
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   193

                                  Schedule 3.05
                                  Real Property

Owned Property

* 1.         1151 Maplewood Drive
       Itasca, Illinois

*2           440 South McClean Boulevard
       Elgin, Illinois

*3           6250 West Howard Street
       Niles, Illinois

4.           Plot 104 Leburaya Kampung
       Jawa Daerah Sungei Kluang
       Fasa 3, Bayan Lepas
       Penang, Malaysia

5.          Victoria Road
       Burgess Hill, United Kingdom

6.           Ruf Electronics Kft.
       Harfsa u9
       H-8400 Ajka Hungary

7.           Ruwido Austria
       Newmarkt am Wallersee
       Austria

Leased Property

1.           2800 West Golf Road
       Rolling Meadows, Illinois

2.           Units 1-4
       5100 Academy Drive
       Lisle, Illinois

3.           Suite 133
       14930 LaPlaissance Road
       Monroe, Michigan
<PAGE>   194

4.           Unit 30
       650 North Cannon Avenue
       Lansdale, Pennsylvania

5.           Pao Tou Chou Subsection
       Talin Section
       Hsin Tien
       Taipei County, Taiwan

6.           Bahnhofstrasse 26-28
       85635 Hohenkirchen, Germany

7.           Unit 3 Lakeview Industrial Center
       Jinji Hu Road
       China

8.           01-01 to 01-07
       Block B Lakeview Industrial Centre
       Jinji Hu Road
       China

9.           Setagaya Ward
       Tokyo, Japan
<PAGE>   195

                                  Schedule 3.06
                                Disclosed Matters

None.
<PAGE>   196

                                  Schedule 3.12
                                  Subsidiaries

Except as noted below, each Subsidiary is wholly-owned by the Borrower and/or
its Subsidiaries. Each Subsidiary which is a Loan Party is marked with an
asterisk.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Subsidiary                                  Jurisdiction of Formation
                   ----------                                  -------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                                                      <C>
  *Knowles Intermediate Holding, Inc.                      Delaware
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Knowles Electronics B.V.I. Ltd.                          British Virgin Islands
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Knowles Electronics Japan, K.K. ("KEJ")                  Japan
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Knowles Electronics (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. ("KEM")         Malaysia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Knowles Electronics Suzhou Co. Ltd. ("KES")              Peoples Republic of China/Suzhou
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Knowles Electronics Taiwan, Ltd.(1) ("KET")              Republic of China
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Knowles Electronics Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.          Peoples Republic of China/Shanghai
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Knowles Europe                                           England & Wales
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  *Knowles Manufacturing Ltd. ("KML")                      Delaware
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  *Emkay Innovative Products, Inc.                         Delaware
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ruf electronics GmbH ("Ruf")                             Germany
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ruf electronics Kft                                      Hungary
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ruwido Austria Ges. m.b.H.                               Austria
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ruwido Austria Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co. K.G.            Austria
  ("Ruwido")
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ruwido Gmbh & Co. K.G.                                   Germany
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ruwido Gmbh                                              Germany
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Synchro-Start Products Europe Limited                    England & Wales
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  *Synchro-Start Products, Inc. ("SSPI")                   Delaware
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

----------
(1) 99.9984% owned by Borrower.
<PAGE>   197

                                  Schedule 6.01
                              Existing Indebtedness

1.     Ruwido Indebtedness with:

       a.         Raiffeisenverband Salzburg (Revolving Line of Credit):

<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Line Amount:                             ATS 24,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount Outstanding on 12/31/98:          Part A: ATS 500,000
                                         Part B: ATS 500,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Rate:                           Part A: 4.25%
                                         Part B: 2.75%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

       b.         Oestrreichische Investkredit Aktiengesellschaft

<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Principal Amount:                        ATS 25,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount Outstanding on 12/31/98:          ATS 12,502,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maturity:                                7/1/01
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coupon:                                  Principal and Accrued Interest Paid
                                         Semiannually in Arrears at ATS 2,083,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Rate:                           Greater of 5% or 50 Bps above the Secondary
                                         Market Yield of Austrian Corporate Bonds
                                         Published by the Austrian National Bank
                                         (Current Rate Is 5%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

       c.         Forschungsfoerderungfonds fuer die gewerbliche Wirtschaft

<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Principal Amount:                        ATS 750,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maturity:                                3/31/00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Rate:                           3.5%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

2.    Pursuant to the Shareholders and Employment Agreement, dated 9/23/96,
      between the Borrower and Herbert Hafner, subject to Herbert Hafner's
      continued
<PAGE>   198

      employment with Ruf electronics Gmbh through 6/30/2001, and subject to Ruf
      electronics Gmbh attaining certain specified accumulated pretax earnings
      as of 6/30/2001, the Borrower must issue to Mr. Hafner an additional 5% of
      the total nominal capital of Ruf electronics Gmbh. Mr. Hafner's entire
      interest in Ruf electronics Gmbh is subject to the Borrower's call option
      to purchase and Mr. Hafner's put option to sell.

3.    *

4.    Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated 8/31/98, between the
      Borrower and Wilbrecht Electronics, Inc., a contingent payment equal to
      10% of Net Sales (as defined in the Agreement), but not more than
      $600,000, is due on the third anniversary of the closing, or 8/31/01.

5.    Pursuant to the Tenancy Agreement, dated 4/15/96, between Ruf and Wilhelm
      Ruf KG, the rent for the period 10/1/96 through 9/30/98 shall equal 10% of
      tenant's cumulative pretax earnings (as defined in the Agreement) for the
      period 10/1/96 through 9/30/01, not to exceed DM5,000,000. The payment is
      due on 12/31/01.

6.    Pursuant to the Shareholders and Employment Agreement, dated 9/23/96,
      Freidrich Ruf and Herbert Hafner may earn a bonus payment if Ruf's
      cumulative earnings from 10/1/96 through 6/30/99 exceed DM12,000,000.

7.    Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement between SSPI and the stockholders
      of Dohner & Associates, Inc., dated 11/16/93, amended by agreements dated
      4/21/97 and 8/25/97, Daniel Kapellen would be entitled to a contingent
      cash payment conditioned on the attainment of a certain level of Revenues
      (as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement) through December 31, 2000.

8.    Intercompany Loan Agreements:

      a.    Intercompany Loan Agreement between the Borrower and KEJ, dated
            4/1/89.

      b.    Intercompany Loan Agreement between the Borrower and KEM, dated
            7/1/94

      c.    Intercompany Loan Agreement between the Borrower and Ruf, dated
            10/1/96

      *Confidential Information omitted and filed separately with the
      Securities and Exchange Commission.
<PAGE>   199

      d.    Intercompany Loan Agreement between the Borrower and Ruwido and
            Evidence of Borrowing, dated 11/24/98

      e.    Intercompany Loan Agreement between SSPI and the Borrower, dated
            2/74, amended 12/31/75

      f.    Promissory Note issued by KML to Knowles Europe, dated 12/31/98

      g.    Loan between Ruf and Ruf electronics Kft (to finance costs for new
            facility) dated 6/10/99

      h.    Funds are being advanced (on a non-interest bearing basis) by the
            Borrower to Ruf for new Hungarian Facility. Advances may be
            reclassified as contributed capital.

      i.    Loan agreement between prior owner of Ruf and Ruwido was forgiven as
            a condition to the acquisition by the Borrower of Ruwido. There is
            agreement between E&Y - Munich and E&Y - Salzburg that this loan
            contract cannot be documented in writing without significant tax
            drawbacks. As a result, the negative goodwill recorded at December
            31, 1997 is no longer valid in the Austrian financial statements for
            tax purposes. The issue of a modified agreement (if any) and
            interest is presently being discussed between E&Y - Munich and E&Y -
            Salzburg. None of the principal or accrued interest on this loan has
            been paid or will be paid before the closing.

9.    A receivable from KES to the Borrower in the approximate amount of $2.6
      million relating to prior sales of equipment has been reclassified as
      capital.

10.   Employee Computer Purchase Plan.

11.   Intercompany Advances: see advances set forth on the attached chart.

<PAGE>   200

                                  Schedule 6.02
                                 Existing Liens

1.    Owned Real Property

      a.    The real property located 1151 Maplewood Drive, Itasca, Illinois,
            USA is subject to liens described in Chicago Title Insurance
            Company Commitment for Title Insurance No. 1410009900166 at
            Schedule B, paragraphs 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.

      b.    The real property located at 440 South McLean Boulevard, Elgin,
            Illinois, USA is subject to Liens described in Chicago Title
            Insurance Company commitment for Title Insurance No. 14100004622269
            at Schedule B, paragraphs 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.

      c.    As to Real Property located outside of the United States, all liens
            disclosed on title appraisals, abstracts, reports or surveys
            delivered to the Administrative Agent.

2.    The following tooling and equipment located at the facilities of the
      Borrower and Subsidiaries but owned by customers:

a.    The Borrower
      (1)   *
      (2)   *

b.    SSPI

      (1)   Machine Shop tooling #1326 owned by Apecs
      (2)   KES tooling #1149 owned by Carrier
      (3)   Machine Shop tooling #1312 owned by Cummins
      (4)   Solenoids tooling #1313 owned by Cummins
      (5)   Solenoids tooling #1315 owned by Cummins
      (6)   Solenoids tooling #1314 owned by Cummins
      (7)   Machine Shop tooling #1327 owned by Cummins
      (8)   KET tooling #1328 owned by Dongshen
      (9)   KET tooling #1329 owned by Dongshan
      (10)  Punch Press tooling #1302 owned by Generic
      (11)  Machine Shop tooling #1321-A owned by Generic
      (12)  Solenoids tooling #1322 owned by Generic
      (13)  Solenoids tooling #1323 owned by Generic
      (14)  Solenoids tooling #1324 owned by Generic
      (15)  Solenoids tooling #1325 owned by John Deere
      (16)  Solenoids tooling #1291S owned by Nissan
      (17)  Machine Shop tooling #1321-B owned by Perkins

      *Confidential Information omitted and filed separately with
      the Securities and Exchange Commission.
<PAGE>   201

c.    Ruf

      (1)   Five punching tools owned by Zettler Company

d.    Ruwido

      (1)   Various moulding tooling owned by Ford Motor Co.
      (2)   Various moulding tooling owned by Philips Lighting
      (3)   Tooling for Battery Terminal Wall owned by Oticon

e.    Sublease Renewal Agreement, dated 2/29/96, and Sublease, dated 8/19/93,
      between the Borrower and The Financial Corporation of Illinois for a
      portion of the premises leased pursuant to the Amended and Restated
      Commercial Lease, dated 1/2/96, between the Borrower and RTC Industries,
      Inc.

f.    There are Liens relating to the Indebtedness set forth in Item 1 on
      Schedule 6.01.

g.    See Item 5 on Schedule 6.01.
<PAGE>   202

                                  Schedule 6.04
                              Existing Investments

1.    Existing Equity Investments

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Issuer                 Registered Owner(2)      Percentage of Equity
             ------                 -------------------      --------------------
                                                                  Interests
                                                                  ---------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>                               <C>
Gennum Corporation(3)              Knowles Electronics, Inc.               --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knowles Intermediate Holding,      Knowles Electronics, Inc.             100%
Inc. ("KIH")
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knowles Electronics B.V.I. Ltd.    Knowles Electronics, Inc.             100%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knowles Electronics Japan, K.K.    Knowles Electronics, Inc.             100%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knowles Electronics (Malaysia)     Knowles Electronics, Inc.             100%
Sdn. Bhd.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knowles Electronics Suzhou Co.     Knowles Electronics, Inc.             100%
Ltd.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knowles Electronics Taiwan, Ltd.   Knowles Electronics, Inc.         99.9984%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knowles Electronics Trading        Knowles Electronics, Inc.             100%
(Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knowles Europe                     Knowles Manufacturing                 100%
                                   Ltd.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knowles Manufacturing Ltd.         Knowles Electronics, Inc.             100%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emkay Innovative Products, Inc.    Knowles Electronics, Inc.             100%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ruf electronics GmbH               Knowles Electronics, Inc.             100%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ruwido Gmbh                        Knowles Electronics, Inc.             100%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Synchro-Start Products Europe      Synchro-Start Products,               100%
Limited                            Inc.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Synchro-Start Products, Inc.       Knowles Electronics. Inc.             100%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

----------

(2) Prior to, on, or as soon as possible after the Effective Date, Knowles
Electronics, Inc. shall contribute all of its stock in its Subsidiaries to
Knowles Intermediate Holding, Inc.

(3) Gennum Corporation is a Canadian corporation listed on the Toronto Stock
Exchange.
<PAGE>   203

<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                                  <C>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ruwido Austria Ges. m.b.H.         Ruwido Gmbh & Co. K.G.                100%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ruwido Austria Gesellschaft        Ruwido Austria Ges.                    .3%
m.b.H. & Co. K.G.                  m.b.H.
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                   Ruf electronics GmbH                 99.7%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ruwido Gmbh & Co. K.G.             Ruwido Austria                        100%
                                   Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co.
                                   K.G.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ruf electronics Kfl                Ruf electronics GmbH                  100%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

2.    Existing Debt Investments

      a.    Installment Note, dated 11/20/96, issued to the Borrower by
            Wilbrecht Electronics, Inc.

      b.    *

      c.    Loans to certain employees of Knowles Europe to purchase real estate
            in the aggregate amount of approximately U.K. (pounds)57,000.

      d.    Investments disclosed on Schedule 6.01.

            * Confidential Information omitted and filed separately with the
            Securities and Exchange Commission.
<PAGE>   204

                                  Schedule 6.09
                          Transactions with Affiliates

1.    Intercompany Agreements

      a.    Intercompany Agreement between the Borrower and KEC, dated 6/30/90

      b.    License Agreement between the Borrower and KEM, dated 1/1/94

      c.    Agreement between the Borrower and KET, dated 6/30/90, and
            Supplementary Agreement, dated 11/19/90

      d.    Distribution Agreement, dated 7/1/94, between SSPI and Synchro-Start
            Products Europe Limited

      e.    Annual Letters of Support issued by the Borrower to Subsidiaries
            (examples include KES and KE Trading)

      f.    Application for Establishing a Wholly-owned Foreign Enterprise (KES)

      g.    Commission Agreement between the Borrower and KEJ, dated 8/89,
            amended 7/1/94

      h.    Shareholders and Employment Agreement among the Borrower, Herbert
            Hafner and Friedrich Ruf, dated 9/23/96

      i.    Production Work Agreement between Knowles Europe and Ruf electronics
            Kft dated 5/1/98

      j.    Production Work Agreement between Ruf and Ruf electronics Kft dated
            7/1/97

      k.    Production Work Agreement between Ruf electronics Kft and Ruwido
            dated 3/1/99

      l.    Software Development Agreement between the Borrower and Daystream
            Software, Ltd., dated 1/23/98

      m.    Software Development Agreement between the Borrower and Daystream
            Software, Ltd. (pending)

      n.    Loans to certain employees of Knowles Europe to purchase real estate
            in the aggregate amount of approximately U.K.(pounds) 57,000.
<PAGE>   205

      o.    Employee Computer Purchase Plan.

2.    Intercompany Loan Agreements and Intercompany Advances disclosed on
      Schedule 6.01.
<PAGE>   206

                                  Schedule 6.10
                              Existing Restrictions

1.    Executive Stock Purchase Agreements dated as of June 30, 1999 between the
      Borrower and Reg Garratt, Doug Brander, Pat Cavanagh, David Yang, Herbert
      Hafner, Paul Bryant, Stephen Petersen, Louis Morabito, Peter Loeppert,
      Christopher Nicol, Robert Dranter, Sergei Kochkin, Ted Staniec and Paul
      Dolinar.

2.    Stockholders Agreement dated as of June 30, 1999 by and among the
      Borrower, Key Acquisition, L.L.C., certain members of management and the
      members of the Vendor Group listed on the Exhibit A attached thereto.

3.    Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 30, 1999 by and among the
      Borrower, Key Acquisition, L.L.C., certain members of management and the
      members of the Existing Holder Group listed on the Exhibit A attached
      thereto.
<PAGE>   207

                        AMENDMENT NO. 1 dated as of December 23, 1999 (this
                  "Amendment"), to the Credit Agreement dated as of June 28,
                  1999, as amended and restated as of July 21, 1999 (the "Credit
                  Agreement"), among Knowles Electronics Holdings, Inc., a
                  Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"); the financial
                  institutions party thereto as Lenders (the "Lenders"); The
                  Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent (in such
                  capacity, the "Administrative Agent") and Morgan Stanley
                  Senior Funding, Inc., as Syndication agent.

            A. The Lenders and the Issuing Bank have extended credit to the
Borrower, and have agreed to extend credit to the Borrower, in each case
pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Credit
Agreement.

            B. The Borrower has requested that the Credit Agreement be amended
as set forth herein. The Required Lenders are willing to amend the Credit
Agreement pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

            C. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings
assigned to them in the Credit Agreement as amended hereby.

            Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein
contained and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and
receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

            SECTION 1. Amendment. The definition of the term "Consolidated
EBITDA" in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by:

            (i) deleting the word "and" immediately preceding clause (iv) in
      such definition and replacing it with a comma; and

            (ii) inserting the following text immediately after clause (iv) in
      such definition: "and (v) one time cash costs incurred in connection with
      the Transactions in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,674,000,"

            SECTION 2. Representations and Warranties. The Borrower represents
and warrants to the Administrative Agent and to each of the Lenders that:

            (a) This Amendment has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
      by it and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
      Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms
      subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
      or other laws affecting creditors' rights generally and subject to
      general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a
      proceeding in equity or at law.

            (b) On and as of the date of this Amendment, the representations
      and warranties set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement are
      true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as if made
      on the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and
      warranties expressly relate to an earlier date.

<PAGE>   208

                                                                              2

            (c) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to this
      Amendment, no Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing.

            SECTION 3. Conditions to Effectiveness. This Amendment shall become
effective as of the date (the "Effective Date") first above written when:

            (a) The Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of
      this Amendment that, when taken together, bear the signatures of the
      Borrower and the Required Lenders.

            (b) The representations and warranties set forth in Section 2 of
      this Amendment shall be true and correct.

            SECTION 4. Effect of Amendment. Except as expressly set forth
herein, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair,
constitute a waiver of, or otherwise affect the rights or remedies of the
Lenders under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and shall not
alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions,
obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any
other Loan Document, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and
shall continue in full force and effect. Nothing herein shall be deemed to
entitle the Borrower to a consent to, or a waiver, amendment, modification or
other change of, any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or
agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document in
similar or different circumstances. This Amendment shall apply and be effective
only with respect to the provisions of the Credit Agreement set forth herein.
This Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document for all purposes under the
Credit Agreement.

            SECTION 5. Applicable Law. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

            SECTION 6. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in two or
more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which
when taken together shall constitute but one agreement. Delivery of an executed
signature page to this Amendment by facsimile shall be effective as delivery of
a manually executed counterpart hereof.

            SECTION 7. Expenses. The Borrower agrees to reimburse the
Administrative Agent for its out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this
Amendment, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cravath,
Swaine & Moore, counsel for the Administrative Agent.

<PAGE>   209

                                                                              3

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment
to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and
year first written above.

                                     KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, INC.,

                                       by  /s/ STEPHEN D. PETERSEN
                                          --------------------------------
                                          Name:  Stephen D. Petersen
                                          Title: Vice President - Finance

                                     THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                     individually and as Administrative Agent,

                                       by
                                          --------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                     MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,
                                     individually and as Syndication Agent,

                                       by
                                          --------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

<PAGE>   210

                                                                 EXECUTION COPY

                        AMENDMENT NO. 2 dated as of April 10, 1999 (this
                  "Amendment"), to the Credit Agreement dated as of June 28,
                  1999, as amended and restated as of July 21, 1999 and as
                  amended on December 23, 1999 (the "Credit Agreement"), among
                  Knowles Electronics Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Parent
                  Borrower"); the financial institutions party thereto as
                  Lenders (the "Lenders"); The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
                  administrative agent (in such capacity, the "Administrative
                  Agent") and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as
                  Syndication agent.

            A. The Lenders and the Issuing Bank have extended credit to the
Borrower, and have agreed to extend credit to the Parent Borrower, in each case
pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Credit
Agreement.

            B. The Parent Borrower has requested that the Credit Agreement be
amended as set forth herein. The Required Lenders are willing to amend the
Credit Agreement pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein.

            C. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings
assigned to them in the Credit Agreement as amended hereby.

            Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein
contained and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and
receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

            SECTION 1. Amendment. The Credit Agreement is hereby amended as
follows:

            (a) The following definitions are added, in the appropriate
alphabetical order, to Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement:

            "1999 Balance Sheet Adjustments" means the adjustments to "Assets"
and "Liabilities" on the Parent Borrower's Consolidated Balance Sheet for the
year ended December 31, 1999 of approximately $18,500,000.

            "Manufacturing Restructuring Program" means the Parent Borrower's
plan to close certain manufacturing facilities and reduce its work force.

<PAGE>   211

            (b) The table in the definition of the term "Applicable Rate" in
Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is replaced with the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===============================================================================================================================
                                                                                                    EURODOLLAR
                                           ABR REVOLVING/   EURODOLLAR REVOLVING/   ABR TRANCHE B    TRANCHE B    COMMITMENT
LEVERAGE RATIO:                           TRANCHE A SPREAD     TRANCHE A SPREAD         SPREAD        SPREAD       FEE RATE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>               <C>                    <C>               <C>          <C>
Category 1
-----------
Greater than or equal to 4.50 to 1.00          1.75%                2.75%               2.25%          3.25%           0.50%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category 2
-----------
Greater than or equal to 3.50 to 1.00
and less than 4.50 to l.00                     1.50%                2.50%               2.25%          3.25%          0.375%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category 3
-----------
Greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00
and less than 3.50 to l.00                     1.25%                2.25%               2.25%          3.25%          0.375%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category 4
-----------
Greater than or equal to 2.25 to 1.00
and less than 3.00 to l.00                     1.00%                2.00%               2.25%          3.25%          0.375%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category 5
-----------
Less than 2.25 to 1.00                         0.75%                1.75%               2.25%          3.25%          0.375%
===============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

            (c) The definition of the term "Consolidated EBITDA" in Section 1.01
of the Credit Agreement is amended by:

            (i) deleting the word "and" immediately preceding clause (v) in
      such definition and replacing it with a comma; and

            (ii) inserting the following text immediately after clause (v) in
      such definition:

            (vi) the 1999 Balance Sheet Adjustments and (vii) cash
            restructuring charges taken in 2000, 2001 and/or 2002 in connection
            with the Manufacturing Restructuring Program in an aggregate amount
            not to exceed $20,000,000.

            (d) The definition of the term "Net Working Capital" in Section
1.01 of the Credit Agreement is amended by:

            (i) inserting the text "(i)" immediately before the words "current
      liabilities in respect of Indebtedness" therein; and

            (ii) inserting the following text immediately after the words
      "current liabilities in respect of Indebtedness" therein: "and (ii)
      accruals and reserves for or relating to the Manufacturing Restructuring
      Program".

<PAGE>   212

            (d) The table in Section 6.12 of the Credit Agreement is replaced
with the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Period                                      Ratio
                         ------                                      -----
<S>                                                              <C>
        June 30, 1999 through March 30, 2000                      1.50 to 1.00
        March 31, 2000 through December 30, 2000                  1.40 to 1.00
        December 31, 2000 through December 30, 2001               1.60 to 1.00
        December 31, 2001 through December 30, 2002               1.70 to 1.00
        December 31, 2002 through March 30, 2003                  1.90 to 1.00
        March 31, 2003 through March 30, 2004                     2.25 to 1.00
        March 31, 2004 through March 30, 2005                     2.50 to 1.00
        March 31, 2005 through March 30, 2006                     2.75 to 1.00
        March 31, 2006 through March 30, 2007                     3.00 to 1.00
        March 31, 2007 and thereafter                             3.25 to 1.00
</TABLE>

            (e) The table in Section 6.13 of the Credit Agreement is replaced
with the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Period                                      Ratio
                         ------                                      -----
<S>                                                              <C>
        June 30, 1999 through December 30, 2000                     6.00 to 1.00
        December 31, 2000 through June 29, 2001                     5.75 to 1.00
        June 30, 2001 through December 30, 2001                     5.50 to 1.00
        December 31, 2001 through December 30, 2002                 5.00 to 1.00
        December 31, 2002 through March 30, 2003                    4.50 to 1.00
        March 31, 2003 through March 30, 2004                       4.00 to 1.00
        March 31, 2004 through March 30, 2006                       3.75 to 1.00
        March 31, 2006 and thereafter                               3.50 to 1.00
</TABLE>

            SECTION 2. Representations and Warranties. The Parent Borrower
represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and to each of the Lenders
that:

            (a) This Amendment has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
      by it and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
      Parent Borrower, enforceable against the Parent Borrower in accordance
      with its terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
      reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors' rights
      generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of
      whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

            (b) On and as of the date of this Amendment, the representations
      and warranties set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement are true
      and correct in all material respects with the same effect as if made on
      the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties
      expressly relate to an earlier date.

            (c) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to this
      Amendment, no Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing.

            SECTION 3. Conditions to Effectiveness. This Amendment shall become
effective as of the date (the "Effective Date") first above written when:

<PAGE>   213

            (a) The Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of
this Amendment that, when taken together, bear the signatures of the Parent
Borrower and the Required Lenders.

            (b) The representations and warranties set forth in Section 2 of
this Amendment shall be true and correct.

            (c) Each Lender that executes this Amendment shall have received an
Amendment Fee equal to .25% of its Total Commitment under the Credit Agreement.

            SECTION 4. Effect of Amendment. Except as expressly set forth
herein, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair,
constitute a waiver of, or otherwise affect the rights or remedies of the
Lenders under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and shall not
alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions,
obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any
other Loan Document, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and
shall continue in full force and effect. Nothing herein shall be deemed to
entitle the Parent Borrower to a consent to, or a waiver, amendment,
modification or other change of, any of the terms, conditions, obligations,
covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan
Document in similar or different circumstances. This Amendment shall apply and
be effective only with respect to the provisions of the Credit Agreement set
forth herein. This Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document for all purposes
under the Credit Agreement.

            SECTION 5. APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

            SECTION 6. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in two or
more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which
when taken together shall constitute but one agreement. Delivery of an executed
signature page to this Amendment by facsimile shall be effective as delivery of
a manually executed counterpart hereof.

            SECTION 7. Expenses. The Parent Borrower agrees to reimburse the
Administrative Agent for its out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this
Amendment, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cravath,
Swaine & Moore, counsel for the Administrative Agent.

<PAGE>   214

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to
be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year
first written above.

                                     KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, INC.

                                       by /s/ JAMES F. BRACE
                                          --------------------------------
                                          Name:  James F. Brace
                                          Title: Executive Vice President
                                                  & CFO

                                     THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, individually and
                                     as Administrative Agent,

                                       by
                                          --------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                     MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,
                                     individually and as Syndication Agent,

                                       by
                                          --------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

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