Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.01a

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                       FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

                THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of October
26, 2004 (this "AMENDMENT"), is among STEEL DYNAMICS, INC. (the "BORROWER"), the
Lenders (as defined below) signatories hereto, GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL
CORPORATION, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the "ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT") and collateral agent for the Lenders, HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK and
NATIONAL CITY BANK, as documentation agents, and MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING,
INC., as lead arranger (in such capacity, the "LEAD ARRANGER") and syndication
agent.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                WHEREAS, the Borrower, certain financial institutions and other
Persons (such capitalized term and other capitalized terms used in these
recitals to have the meanings set forth or defined by reference in Part I below)
from time to time parties thereto (collectively, the "LENDERS"), General
Electric Capital Corporation, as Collateral Agent and Administrative Agent,
Harris Trust and Savings Bank and National City Bank, as Documentation Agents,
and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Lead Arranger and Syndication Agent,
are parties to the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2004 (as supplemented
or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the "EXISTING CREDIT
AGREEMENT");

                WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders amend the
Existing Credit Agreement as set forth below; and

                WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed, subject to the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth, to amend the Existing Credit Agreement in
certain respects (the Existing Credit Agreement, as so amended or otherwise
modified by this Amendment, being referred to as the "CREDIT AGREEMENT");

                NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other
good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged), the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

                                     PART I
                                   DEFINITIONS

                SUBPART 1.1. Certain Definitions. The following terms (whether
or not underscored) when used in this Amendment shall have the following
meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to the singular and plural
forms thereof):

                "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT" is defined in the preamble.

                "AMENDMENT" is defined in the preamble.

                "BORROWER" is defined in the preamble.

<PAGE>

                "CREDIT AGREEMENT" is defined in the third recital.

                "EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT" is defined in the first recital.

                "FIRST AMENDMENT EFFECTIVE DATE" is defined in Subpart 3.1.

                "LEAD ARRANGER" is defined in the preamble.

                "LENDERS" is defined in the first recital.

                SUBPART 1.2. Other Definitions. Terms for which meanings are
provided in the Existing Credit Agreement are, unless otherwise defined herein
or the context otherwise requires, used in this Amendment with such meanings.

                                     PART II
                                   AMENDMENTS

                Effective on (and subject to the occurrence of) the First
Amendment Effective Date, the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended in
accordance with this Part; except as so amended or otherwise modified by this
Amendment, the Existing Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents shall continue
in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.

                SUBPART 2.1. Amendment to Article V. Article V of the Existing
Credit Agreement is hereby amended in accordance with this Subpart 2.1.

                        SUBPART 2.1.1. The definition of "Fixed Charge Coverage
        Ratio" is hereby amended by inserting, immediately prior to the word
        "payable" where it appears in clause (v) of such definition, the phrase
        "paid or."

                        SUBPART 2.1.2. Section 5.02(g)(iii) is hereby amended by
        (a) substituting for the figure "$15,000,000" where it appears therein
        the figure "$175,000,000" and (b) substituting for the phrase "this
        Section 5.01(g)" where it appears therein the phrase "this Section
        5.02(g)."

                        SUBPART 2.1.3. Section 5.02(g)(v) is hereby amended by
        substituting for the figure "$20,000,000" where it appears therein the
        figure "$40,000,000."

                                    PART III
                           CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS

                SUBPART 3.1. Effectiveness. This Amendment and the amendments
contained herein shall become effective on the date (the "FIRST AMENDMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE") when each of the conditions set forth in this Part shall have
been fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent.

                        SUBPART 3.1.1. Execution of Counterparts. The
        Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger shall have received
        counterparts of this Amendment, duly

                                        2
<PAGE>

        executed and delivered on behalf of the Borrower, the Administrative
        Agent and the Required Lenders.

                        SUBPART 3.1.2. Consent. The Administrative Agent and the
        Lead Arranger shall have received counterparts of a consent
        substantially in the form of Schedule I to this First Amendment, duly
        executed by each of the Loan Parties (other than the Borrower).

                        SUBPART 3.1.3. Amendment Fee. The Administrative Agent
        shall have received, for the account of each Lender which shall have
        executed this Amendment before 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on October 26,
        2004 an amendment fee in an aggregate amount equal to 0.125% of the
        aggregate amount of each such Lender's Advances and Commitments.

                        SUBPART 3.1.4. Expenses. The Borrower shall have paid
        all expenses (including the fees and expenses of Shearman & Sterling
        LLP) incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation and
        execution of this Amendment and foregoing matters relating to the Credit
        Agreement from and after the closing thereof to the extent invoiced.

                        SUBPART 3.1.5. Legal Details, etc. All documents
        executed or submitted pursuant hereto shall be satisfactory in form and
        substance to the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger and Shearman
        & Sterling LLP as counsel. The Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger
        and counsel shall have received all information and such counterpart
        originals or such certified or other copies of such materials as the
        Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger or counsel may reasonably
        request, and all legal matters incident to the transactions contemplated
        by this Amendment shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the
        Lead Arranger and counsel.

                                     PART IV
                  MISCELLANEOUS; REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS

                SUBPART 4.1. Continuing Effectiveness, etc. As amended hereby,
the Credit Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and is hereby
ratified and confirmed in all respects. After the First Amendment Effective
Date, all references in the Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document to the
"Agreement" or "Credit Agreement", as applicable, shall refer to the Existing
Credit Agreement, after giving effect to this Amendment, and this Amendment
shall be a Loan Document for all purposes. The Borrower hereby confirms its
obligations under Section 8.04 of the Credit Agreement to pay all fees and
expenses of the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger (including reasonable
fees and out-of-pocket expenses of Shearman & Sterling LLP) in connection with
this Amendment and other ongoing administration of the Credit Agreement as
provided in Section 8.04 of the Credit Agreement since the last invoice it
received.

                SUBPART 4.2. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by the different parties on separate counterparts,
and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Amendment.

                                        3
<PAGE>

                SUBPART 4.3. Governing Law. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE A CONTRACT
MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                SUBPART 4.4. Successors and Assigns. This Amendment shall be
binding upon the Borrower, the Lenders and the Agents and their respective
successors and assigns, and shall inure to their successors and assigns.

                SUBPART 4.5. Representations and Warranties. In order to induce
the Lenders to execute and deliver this Amendment, the Borrower represents and
warrants to the Agents, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank that, after giving
effect to the terms of this Amendment, the following statements are true and
correct: (a) the representations and warranties set forth in Article IV of the
Credit Agreement and in the other Loan Documents are true and correct on the
First Amendment Effective Date as if made on the First Amendment Effective Date
and after giving effect to the First Amendment (unless stated to relate solely
to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties were true
and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date) and (b) no Default
has occurred and is continuing.

                SUBPART 4.6. Modifications to this Amendment. This Amendment can
not be amended, waived or otherwise modified except by an instrument in writing
signed by the Borrower and the Required Lenders.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]

                                        4
<PAGE>

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

                                        STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

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

<PAGE>

                                        GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION,
                                        as Administrative Agent and Collateral
                                         Agent and as a Lender

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

<PAGE>

                                        MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,
                                        as Lead Arranger and Syndication Agent
                                         and as a Lender

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

<PAGE>

                                        HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK,
                                        as Documentation Agent and as a Lender

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

<PAGE>

                                        NATIONAL CITY BANK,
                                        as Documentation Agent and as a Lender

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

<PAGE>

                                        ________________________________________
                                        [Insert name of lender]

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

<PAGE>

                          SCHEDULE I TO FIRST AMENDMENT

                                     CONSENT

                                            Dated as of October [__], 2004

                Each of the undersigned, as Guarantor under the Subsidiary
Guaranty and Grantor under the Security Agreement, for the benefit of the
Administrative Agent and the benefit of the Lenders parties to the Credit
Agreement referred to in the foregoing First Amendment, hereby consents to such
First Amendment and hereby confirms and agrees that (a) notwithstanding the
effectiveness of such First Amendment, each of the Subsidiary Guaranty and
Security Agreement is, and shall continue to be, in full force and effect and is
hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects, except that, on and after the
effectiveness of such Amendment, each reference in the Subsidiary Guaranty and
Security Agreement to the "Credit Agreement", "thereunder", "thereof" or words
of like import shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as amended
by such First Amendment, and (b) the Collateral Documents to which such Grantor
is a party and all of the Collateral described therein do, and shall continue
to, secure the payment of all of the Secured Obligations (in each case, as
defined therein).

                                        SDI INVESTMENT COMPANY

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

                                        IRON DYNAMICS, INC.

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

                                        NEW MILLENNIUM BUILDING SYSTEMS, LLC

                                        By: Steel Dynamics, Inc.,
                                              its sole member

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

<PAGE>

                                        DYNAMICS BAR PRODUCTS, LLC

                                        By: Steel Dynamics, Inc.,
                                              its sole member

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

                                        STEEL DYNAMICS SALES NORTH AMERICA, INC.

                                        By
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                           Title:MUTUAL RELEASE 

 This Mutual Release (“Release”) is entered into on this 23rd day of September, 2004 between Umberto Manola (“Manola”), and DDS Technologies USA, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“DDS US”) pursuant to that certain Memorandum of Understanding (the “MOU”) dated as of July 31, 2004 among Manola, DDS US, Haras Engineering Corp., High Speed Fragmentation B.V., and Intel Trust S.A. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the MOU. 

 WHEREAS, pursuant to the MOU, Manola and DDS US have determined to enter into this Release to release and discharge each other as set forth herein and subject to the terms as hereinafter set forth.

 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the respective covenants and agreements of the parties contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Releases.

 

 a.    DDS US, on behalf of itself and its officers, directors, affiliates and shareholders does hereby forever release, cancel, forgive and forever discharge Manola from all actions, claims, demands, damages, obligations, liabilities, controversies and executions (collectively, “Claims”), of any kind or nature whatsoever, in law or in equity, which any of them ever had, now has, or hereafter can, shall or may have against Manola, known or unknown, for, upon or by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever, from the beginning of the world to the date of this Release, including without
limitation, all Claims alleged against Manola in the Litigation. 

 b.    Manola does hereby forever release, cancel, forgive and forever discharge DDS US and each of its predecessors, subsidiaries, affiliates, divisions, successors and assigns, and all of their officers, directors, agents and employees from all Claims of any kind or nature whatsoever, in law or in equity, which he ever had, now has, or hereafter can, shall or may have against DDS US or any of its predecessors, subsidiaries, affiliates, divisions, successors and assigns, or any of their officers, directors, agents and employees, known or unknown, for, upon or by reason of any matter, cause or thing
whatsoever, from the beginning of the world to the date of this Release.

 c.    Neither party hereto nor anyone on his or its behalf, shall assert or file any claim, complaint, charge, suit or action against the other party hereto or person released pursuant hereto (“Releasee”) arising out of any matter released pursuant to Sections 1(a)-(b) above. In the event that any claim, complaint, charge, suit or action is asserted or filed in breach of this Section, each affected party hereto or Releasee shall be entitled to recover from the releasing party or parties his, her or its costs, including attorney fees, incurred in defending against such action.

	 
	 	Page 1 of 5	 
	

	 

 d.    Claims released pursuant to this Release include claims based on or arising out of fraud, negligence, gross negligence, libel, slander or other tortuous act on the part of any party hereto or Releasee.

 e.    Each party acknowledges that it may hereafter discover facts different from, or in addition to, those which it now believes to be true with respect to any and all of the Claims herein released.

 f.    Each party acknowledges that it is fully informed and aware of its rights to receive independent legal advice regarding the advisability of entering into this Release and has received such independent legal advice as it deems necessary with regard to the advisability of executing this Release. Each party further acknowledges that it has made an investigation of the facts pertaining to this Release as it has deemed necessary, and, further, acknowledges that it has not relied upon any statement or representation of others, other than as set forth herein or in the MOU.

 g.    This Release does not release any party from such party’s covenants, obligations, representations, warranties and agreements set forth in this Release or the MOU.

2.    No Admission of Liability. Each party denies that it has violated any law, breached any contract, or injured or wronged any other party in any way. This Release is not, and shall not in any way be construed for any purpose as, an admission by any party of any liability or wrong-doing, but instead constitutes the good faith settlement of the parties. 

3.    Nonseverable. The provisions of this Release must be read as a whole and are not severable and/or separately enforceable by any party hereto.

4.    Expenses. Each party shall bear its respective costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution and performance of this Release and the investigation of the matters related hereto, including expenses of agents, representatives, counsel and accountants. 

5.    Governing Law, Venue and Service of Process. The validity, interpretation and performance of this Release shall be governed by the substantive laws of the State of Florida, without the application of any principle that leads to the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. Any proceeding arising between the parties in any manner pertaining to this Release shall be held in Miami-Dade County, Broward County or Palm Beach County, Florida, and the parties hereto hereby consent to personal jurisdiction in the state and federal courts located
within such venues. Each party waives personal service of any and all process upon it, and irrevocably consents to the service of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by certified mail, postage prepaid, to such party at the address set forth below, such service to become effective five business days after mailing.

	 
	 	Page 2 of 5	 
	

	 

6.    Waiver of Jury Trial. THE PARTIES HERETO VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT ANY OF THEM MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS RELEASE.

7.    Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Release represents the entire agreement between the parties and no amendment hereto shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the parties.

8.    Counterparts; Facsimile Signature. This Release may be executed in counterparts, each of which (including facsimile signature pages) shall be deemed an original, but all of such counterparts together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

9.    Construction. This Release and any documents or instruments delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall be construed without regard to the identity of the person who drafted the various provisions of the same. Each and every provision of this Release and such other documents and instruments shall be construed as though all of the parties participated equally in the drafting of the same. Consequently, the parties acknowledge and agree that any rule of construction that a document is to be construed against the drafting party shall not be
applicable either to this Release or such other documents and instruments. 

10.    Legal Fees. If legal proceedings are commenced in connection with this Release, the party which does not prevail in such proceedings shall pay the reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses, including investigation costs, incurred by the prevailing party in such proceedings.

11.    No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Release shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of the parties hereto and the Releasees and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Release.

12.    Headings. The descriptive headings contained in this Release are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Release.

13.    Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be delivered to either party to this Release shall be deemed to have been given three (3) business days after having been sent by airmail, postage prepaid, or on the date delivered if hand delivered or the business day after the day sent by overnight courier for next business day delivery, and addressed to the respective party at the address set forth on the signature page hereto or such other address as shall be specified by written notice.  

14.    Confidentiality. The parties shall keep confidential and not disclose, the fact of this Release, and any of its terms and conditions, to anyone other than the parties, and further agree not to voluntarily assist, cooperate, confirm, provide documents or information, or testify in any legal, equitable or administrative proceeding against each other with respect to the subject matter hereof. Each party recognizes that either may be compelled to provide such documents or information under subpoena. If contacted by a third party regarding the nature of
the dispute between the parties that is the subject hereof, the parties shall state only that the dispute was settled to the mutual satisfaction of the parties, and shall not comment further about any matters in any way related to the relationship between the parties unless required or compelled to do so as aforesaid. 

	 
	 	Page 3 of 5	 
	

	 

15.    Gender. All words used herein, irrespective of the number and gender specifically used, shall be deemed and construed to include or mean any other number, singular or plural, and any other gender, masculine, feminine or neuter, as the context requires.

 

	 
 

	 	Page 4 of 5	 
	

	 

 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Release as of the day, month and year appearing next to their signatures.

 

DDS TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.

 

By: _______________________________    Dated this _ day of September, 2004

Name:

Title:

Address:    150 East Palmetto Park Road

      Suite 510

      Boca Raton, Florida 33432

 

                                                                         Dated this _ day of September, 2004

UMBERTO MANOLA 

Address:   Via Martinengo Cesaresco 78

  25100 Brescia

  Italy

	 
	 	Page 5 of 5

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00073-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00073-of-00352.parquet"}]]